(Anna's outfit)

Chapter Eleven, Summer Gathering

As soon as School was over I had decided to head over to the Rez to spend time with my friends there along with Willow, but mainly to comfort Leah and give Sam a piece of my mind.
"Love, please calm down. I know your mad at Sam but I don't want you to get hurt or do something you'll regret." Jasper said sitting on the bottom of my bed, Willow in his arms. Looking at him through the mirror of my vanity table sighing, and averting my eyes while brushing my hair. I was wearing a white dress, natural skin coloured tights and black over the knee boots along with my black leather jacket.

"Jasper I love you, you know that. And you know I always respect your opinions but Leah is my best friend and so are Sam and Emily. But he hurt her. I know he can't help who he imprints on but, the way he just dropped Leah for Emily, her own cousin. Leah doesn't understand why he just stopped taking to her or even seeing her for two weeks, thinking she did something, blaming herself. And the next thing she knows, a month later he's with her cousin. She's going through a really tough time. Can you imagine how she must feel? If you ever did that to me or Willow I don't..." I ranted trailing off at the end sighing in frustration.

I was so angry and so upset for Leah. I just want to make her feel better. And I'm pissed at Sam for hurting her. I looked up when I felt one of Jasper's hands on my chin, turning my head gently to face him. He was kneeling in front of me holding Willow in his other arm.
"I get why you are so angry my love, I do. You have a big heart, and you love your friends and family so fiercely you could give Esme a run for her money." Jasper said as we both laughed softly. "I would never put you and Willow through the pain Leah is going through. I love you both so much darlin.

I just don't want you to get so angry at Sam and Emily that it causes Sam to shift and hurt you like he did Emily." Jasper brushed my hair out of my face smiling so lovingly at me that my anger slowly disappeared without him using his gift. (I remember telling Jasper what had happened to Emily, I had been almost hysterical while I waited for news that he couldn't even use his gift to calm me down.)

"I know he regrets it, and it was accident but I don't want you in that position. But what I don't want more, is for you to lose two of your friends if you say something you'll later regret." Jasper continued rubbing his thumb on my cheek bone. A harsh breath escaped me as I sighed letting out the frustration, I wasn't angry at Jasper just the situation.
"I'm sorry." I apologised covering his hand with my own and placed a kiss to his palm before leaning back into it.

"You have nothing to apologise for darlin. I'd rather you express your frustration and rant to me instead of bottling it up inside you." Jasper stated pressing a kiss to my lips carefully not moving Willow who was fast asleep in her daddy's arms.
"You're too good to me. To good to us." I said staring at our daughter held lovingly in his arms. "What did I do to deserve you?" I asked.

"It is I who doesn't deserve the two of you. But you're my life and I'm never letting either of you go." Jasper was firm as he pulled me onto his lap wrapping his arms around Willow and I as I held her in my arms.
"Of course you do Jasper." I said sternly. "You deserve all the love and care in the world. What happened nearly two centuries ago wasn't your fault, and I will remind you every day if I have to. You're stronger than you think you are, honey. I believe in you and you know there is a unconditional love that you can always depend on if nothing else, and that's from me and Willow."

I knew if Jasper could cry he would be as he buried his head in my neck for a moment, I ran my free hand through his blonde curls. Once he had calmed down slightly he removed his head from my neck giving the most passionate and love filled kiss we've ever had. His teeth softly bit my lip making me gasp, giving him a chance for his tongue to enter my my mouth. Our tongues battled before he won his mouth tasted like spearmint toothpaste as he no doubt tasted mine. Continuing our passionate make out session one of his hands around my waist the other in my hair, one of my hands tangling in his curls tugging slightly making him groan. We pulled back our foreheads resting against each other as I caught my breath, Willow still asleep completely unaware of what just happened.

"I love you and Willow unconditionally too baby, and I'll never let either of you get hurt or hurt you. You're safe now Anna." Jasper breathed against my lips, I smiled pressing a soft kiss to his lips, my throat too tight to speak. We stayed in an embrace, in our own little world for a moment before we pulled apart so I could fix my hair putting in two french braids, while Jasper dressed and changed Willow and packed her bag for me. If the crying was anything to go by she did not like being woken up, much like me.
"Oh don't you look gorgeous." I cooed at Willow lying in Jasper's arms, her light brown eyes wide as a small smile appeared on her face.

She really did look cute in the outfit Jasper brought her. It was a blue Cinderella dress with a white cardigan, white tights, a silver headband on her red curls, and blue shoes, her black coat was in his hand that I helped put it on her.
"She's as beautiful as her mother." Jasper said a smile on his face starring into my eyes. I smiled happily kissing his lips softly before I pulled back and just stood in his arms, the three of us together.
"I've put some spare clothes in the bag and some bottles, the breast pump, and some muslin cloths." Jasper listed.

"Daddy takes good care of us doesn't he Willow? Yes he does." I cooed letting her hold my finger. "Thank you." I said gratefully as we headed downstairs, Dad taking Willow off of Jasper as soon as we entered the living room.
"I need some granddaughter-grandfather bonding before work." Dad muttered as an excuse as he took her making us laugh as we sat on the sofa cuddling while I waited for Leah.
"Has Bella already left?" I asked, only getting a nod off of dad as he babbled to Willow.
"Are you going to the Rez too, Jasper?" Dad asked looking up from Willow.

"No, I'm going to spend some time with my brothers, Emmett and Dean. They'll probably get me to referee between them on a game or something." Jasper laughed, which seemed to please dad. I know he likes that I'm not attached to Jasper's hip even though he's around as much as possible to spend time with Willow and I, sometimes staying the night. But when I spend my days at either at the Rez with the boys and Leah, or with Emily and Sue. And other times with Rosalie, Alice, Esme and the others.

He stays the night so he can spend the morning and evening with us, and during the day he either hunts or is with Emmett and Dean. Which dad thought was a good routine to be in. He didn't like that Bella saw nobody else but Edward, it wasn't healthy.
"Oh dad, Kieran and the others are coming down for a few days next week. They want to meet Willow and Jasper other than pictures."
"Okay let me know what day they're coming and I'll pick them up." Dad replied.

"Dad, you don't need to do that." I refuted.
"I know but I want to. They were there for you while you were in Phoenix and I'll forever be grateful to them for that. I might have to make a..." Dad argued but Jasper cut him off.
"I can take some in my car with Anna, Willow and I." Jasper intervened. "Then you won't have to make more than one trip. The front of the car can fit at least three, same for the back.

I want to help, not only to thank you Charlie for letting me stay some nights, but also your family to me as much as Anna and Willow are, I know how much you mean to her. I'll always be thankful to your friends as well Anna." Jasper said kissing my temple. I could see tears in Dad's eyes while he thought about it for a moment before he nodded.
"That's really kind of you Jasper, thank you." Dad said his voice a little gruff as he tried to subtly wipe away the tears, I knew what Jasper said touched dad as much as it did me.

Jasper pulled me closer kissing the top of my head while we cuddled, dad and Willow having a cuddle too. "I meant every word." Jasper said wiping away my tears.
"I love you." I kissed his lips softly when we heard Sue's car pull in.
"I love you too." Jasper kissed my lips and stood up to get the car seat which was next to the door with her bag and pushchair, and answered the door. I could hear muffled talking at the door, but turned away from it.
"Dad please be careful at work." I begged sitting on the arm of his chair resting my head on his shoulder.
"I always am princess, you don't have to worry." Dad said kissing my forehead.

"Hey Charlie, Anna." Leah greeted as she came into the living room Jasper behind her with the car seat.
"Leah." I exclaimed happily getting up and hugging her tightly just as she did me.
"Ready for girls day?" Leah asked after we pulled back after a few minutes I squeezed her hand in comfort seeing her red eyes.
"For course." I exclaimed excited as we watched dad put Willow in the car seat Jasper was holding covering her with a blanket, it may be summer but it was Forks after all.

"I want you girls to be careful and no going into the woods." Dad said sternly once he stood back up. "I might be late for dinner tonight." Dad reminded.
"She might have dinner with us. Mum is desperate for some Anna and Willow time, so is Seth to be honest so it might not be a girls day." Leah said with a frown.
"That's alright." I said with a shrug quite happy to spend it with all of them as Leah beamed back at me. At the moment Jasper's phone blew up with texts no doubt from Emmett and Dean. Jasper rolled his eyes pulling his still beeping phone out of his pocket.
"It's Emmett and Dean." Jasper said rolling his eyes making me laugh, I could only imagine the texts they sent.

"Just wait till Reggie gets here." I laughed. "Then there will be three of them." Jasper and Dad groaned as he'd heard stories from Jasper and I.
"I'm sorry darlin' but I got to go before Dean storms down here and drags me out by my obnoxious curly blonde hair." Jasper apologised.
"Did he actually say that?" Leah asked laughing. Jasper nodded making her laugh harder as dad rolled his eyes.
"It's fine have a good time." I said kissing him goodbye.
"Have a good time darlin, I'll see you later." Jasper said kissing Willow's cheek, he bid goodbye to Leah and dad as he left getting in his car. 

"Bye dad, have a good day at work." I said kissing his cheek picking up Willow and the bag while Leah picked up the buggy placing it in the boot.
"Bye princess have fun." Dad said from the doorway. I waved goodbye before I carefully strapped Willow in, made sure she was secure before I got in the front next to Leah heading to the Reservation.
"How are you doing, really?" I asked Leah concerned once we were on our way. Leah sighed deeply but still kept her eyes on the road.

"It's hard." Leah admitted. "I love Emily, I do. But it's hard seeing her with my ex, she ignored him for weeks when she found out but she slowly fell for him, then she was attacked and he wouldn't leave her side. It's hard looking at them together when a few months ago that used to be us." Leah roughly wiped the tears off her face. Clasping my hand over her's I tried to give her as much comfort as I could.
"I'm so sorry Leah. I'm so sorry this has happened to you and if there was anything I could do I would. But if you want someone to talk to, to rant to or even cry to you know you can call me." I told her honestly, I wish I could tell her what was happening, tell my dad, but I can't.

Though I know Billy and Harry have been talking about telling dad everything next time they go fishing.
"Thank you Anna, I'm glad I have a friend like you. Seth's at the age where he doesn't want to hang out with me anymore, well unless your there." Leah and I laughed as we continued talking all the way to the Rez successfully distracting her from the pain, for now at least. As we pulled into the driveway outside her house the door was flung open as Seth came barrelling out, Sue and Harry's voices calling behind him, not stopping him one bit.
"ANNA!" Seth shouted as Leah and I climbed out of the car.

"Shut it!" Leah hissed. "Willow's asleep." Seth's face tinted red as he rubbed the back of his neck watching as I got the car seat holding my sleeping daughter, out of the car, Leah grabbing the bag while Sue set the buggy up.
"Oh, I'm sorry Anna... I didn't mean..." Seth rambled.
"Seth it's fine. She's still asleep so no harm done." I assured giving him a hug as I made my way past him clipping the car seat to the buggy.
"It's good to see you Anna." Sue said happily pulling me into a hug which I gladly returned.
"Look at you. You're doing so well, so gorgeous. Motherhood suits you." Sue said pulling back and looking me over motherly a smile on her face as she brushed some loose curls out of my face.

"Willow is so gorgeous just like her mother." Harry complemented pulling me into a hug now that Sue has released me. "What are you kids up to today?" Harry asked looking from me to Leah to Seth.
"No plan really Dad." Leah answered with a shrug. "Probably just wander the reserve, catch up with the others."
"Well, lunch will be ready at one so make sure your back in time." Sue said sternly to kids before we bid them goodbye wandering around the reserve as I pushed Willow in her buggy.

"So, is Jasper treating you right?" Seth asked crossing his arms over his chest making Leah and I stifle our laughs slightly.
"Yeah, he is. He's so good to me and to Willow. He really loves her as if she was his own daughter. He's been there for me since I arrived back here, not disappearing when he saw I was pregnant or what happened. I couldn't really imagine a better role model for Willow other than my dad. It's all the little things he does for me showing how much he loves him and I love him." I answered honestly.
"I'm glad you've found someone who treats you right, shortie." A voice said from behind us.

Turning around I see Paul behind us along with Jared, Embry and Sam.
"Do not call me short." I playfully glared at Paul slapping his chest before I hugged him, Jared and Embry talking to them for a bit completely ignoring Sam, before my anger at him escaped my control. Spinning around I slapped him as hard as I could, wincing slightly as my hand stung, but I was satisfied to see a mark on his face. Everyone stood there not really knowing what to do but Sam wasn't even angry, like he had expected me to slap him.
"Anna what did you do?" Seth cried worriedly.

"You are a complete arse Samuel Uley! How dare you treat Leah like that! She is not a toy you can just drop when you've had enough! She deserved better that! And she deserves someone better than you!" I shouted beyond pissed at him. "I know Emily is your imprint but you could have come up with something, Leah deserves better. Or better yet you could have not dated until you shifted, then you wouldn't be in the mess that you created." I hissed at him so quietly only he would hear. I turned away from him walking back over to Leah and Seth saying bye to the others.

"I know!" Sam shouted after us stopping Embry from putting Willow back in the car seat after his cuddle. "I know I should have treated you better Leah and I'm so sorry. I know you won't forgive me now but I hope one day you will." Sam apologised to Leah. She didn't say anything just nodded and turned away from him. Giving one last hug to Jared, Paul and Embry after he had strapped Willow back in we made our way back to the Clearwater house.
"That was badass!" Seth gasped in awe almost bouncing as he walked, once he was sure we were far enough away from the others.

"The way you stood up to Sam." Seth continued to exclaim all the way back to the house.
"How's your hand?" Leah asked concerned.
"It's alright a little sore but I'm fine." I said shrugging my shoulders.
"Thank you." Leah said pulling me into a hug.
"What are friends for?" I asked her pulling her into another hug. As we entered the house Willow started crying as she was due a feed, perching on the sofa I covered myself with a muslin cloth while I fed her. "Thank you Sue." I said as she placed my drink and food on the table in between Leah and Seth who was still giving a play by play of how I slapped and tore into Sam after ignoring him.

***

The week went by and it was finally Friday and my friends were finally coming down to Forks for the weekend. I was so excited to see them. I stood waiting for them with Jasper, Dad and Willow by their cars. We didn't have to wait much longer as twenty minutes after their flight had arrived the eight of them exit the airport. "ANNA!" They shouted running over to me as I ran over to them ending up in a large group hug. All of us talking over each other as we tried to profess our love and excitement for seeing each other again.

"Come on, I want to introduce you." I said leading the way back over to dad, Willow who was being held by Jasper. "Dad, Jasper. This is Reggie, Sam, Kieran who you know. Dylan, Chloe, Alex, Kristen and Amelia. Guys this is my dad and Jasper, and this is Willow Amber Hale." I introduced standing next to Jasper as he wrapped his free arm around me as they greeted dad, and dad them a little awkwardly though.
"It's a pleasure to meet you." Jasper said his Texan accent thick.
"Ooh, an accent you know how to pick them." Reggie teased sending me wink while the others laughed and rolled their eyes as I slapped his arm.

"I see what you mean now princess, he is definitely going to get along well with Emmett and Dean." Dad said laughing slightly as he shook his head.
"Who are they and when do I meet them?" Reggie asked excitedly rubbing his hands together, while Sam just shook her head at her boyfriend.
"They're my brothers." Jasper answered a smirk on his face as the two struck up a conversation while dad got called on his radio.
"Sorry princess I've been called into the station. I can follow behind to drop them off wherever your going." Dad apologised coming back to us.

"That's okay dad." I assured kissing his cheek. "We're going to the Cullens. You don't mind do you?" I asked worried.
"Course not sweetheart." Dad said giving me a hug. "It was good to meet all of you and thank you for looking after Anna in Phoenix, but I'm sorry I have to get to work but I can drop you off at the Cullens house first." With that they managed to put all of their duffle bags in the boot of Jasper's car and we set off to the Cullens arriving fairly quickly. We said goodbye to dad before he rushed off to the station.

"Wow, this house is beautiful." Was muttered or variations of it around my friends as they stared at the house as Jasper and I led them in and up into the living room.
"Thank you for having me and my friends over Esme." I muttered gratefully into her shoulder.
"Not at all. You know how much I love to cook and any friends of yours Anna, our friends of ours." She assured kissing my head as we pulled out of the hug. After introductions were made everyone seemed to get along extremely well and my predictions came true in regards to Reggie, Emmett and Dean they really could have been brothers.

"Oh god, there's three of them." Rosalie moaned watching her mate, Dean and Reggie play a video game, (sat on the bean bags in front of the tv), from where she sat in between me and Kristen, Sam was sat next to Kristen- all of us on the sofa, Chloe was talking to Esme in the kitchen, Amelia and Alice talking excitedly on the loveseat and Dylan, Alex and Kieran talking to Jasper and Carlisle on the sofa opposite us. Edward was out somewhere with Bella. Willow was fast asleep in Alex's arms.
"Now you know how we felt." Kristen laughed. "Usually Reggie ropes in Kieran, Alex and Dylan into some harebrained scheme of his. Usually a prank of some sort."

"That defiantly sounds like Dean and Emmett." Alice piped up laughing slightly causing us to laugh as Dean chucks his shoe at us.
"Not in my house!" Esme shouted as she came back into the living room placing a tray of finger food on the coffee table Chloe placing the other one down right after.
"If your going to rough house do it away from my house!" Esme ordered seating herself on the other loveseat with Chloe. Looking sufficiently chewed out, Dean turned back towards his game making us laugh harder as he was chewed out again for sticking his middle finger up at us.

A little while later Emmett, Dean, Carlisle and Jasper took Reggie hunting leaving the evening to us girls while Dylan, Alex and Kieran finally got a turn on the PlayStation. The evening was filled with laughter as we shared stories, showing them a video of our cheerleading and pampering each other, feeding and changing Willow. Well I fed Willow while the others took it in turns to change her which they insisted on doing so I could relax. Though my relaxing consisted of cuddling with my daughter curled up on the sofa with her in my arms freshly bathed and in new pyjamas that Alice had brought her.

Alice was definitely spoiling the two of us as she brought out more gifts for us consisting of an outfit for a date night Jasper was apparently taking me on, tonight.
"Come on let's get you ready." Alice said gently taking Willow out of my arms and into Esme's but not before she took a picture. Leading me up to her room the girls behind us. Rosalie pulled out a pair of black leather trousers- her gift for me, the girls pulled out their joined gift, an expensive looking pair of black sandal styled high heels. And Alice pulled out a white polka dot top that tied at the side.

"Alice coordinated all of you, didn't she." I laughed not really needing an answer. "Thank you." I said gratefully before getting dressed. Once I was dressed my nails and toe nails were painted white, my hair was straightened and I had light make up on with red lip stick.
"There we go. Perfect." Alice said stepping back. "And your welcome. Jasper will be waiting downstairs, have fun. Don't worry we'll look after Willow and you'll be back in time for Willow's feed." She said shooing me out of her room. Laughing I made my way down the stairs seeing Jasper waiting at the bottom holding my leather jacket, looking rather handsome himself.

He was dressed in dark black jeans, black shoes, a white turtle neck and a leather jacket over the top. "You look so beautiful, my love." Jasper complimented holding his arm out to me.
"Thank you." I said pressing a soft kiss to his lips. "You look very handsome tonight Major Whitlock."
"Why thank you Ma'am. Would you like to go on a evening stroll with me?" Jasper asked.
"I'd like that." I replied happily slipping on my jacket, untucking my hair and taking his arm.
"Too much. Too much." Emmett cried dramatically pretending to be sick while Dean patted his back in commiseration until Esme slapped both of them around the head.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do!" Dean shouted after us.
"There's nothing you wouldn't do." I called over my shoulder.
"Exactly!" Dean shouted as we left the house out into the back garden. We walked a little bit through the forest alternating between talking about today or in comfortable silence just enjoying each other's company, until we reached a beautiful field where a blanket lay with some pillows, some glasses and some bottles. Right underneath a beautiful star filled sky.
"Is that wine?" I asked confused.
"No, the bottle on the left is filled with animal blood and the bottle on the right is cranberry juice for you." Jasper replied kissing down my neck.

Turning around I kissed him passionately running my hands through his hair, his hands on waist. Using his speed Jasper got us on the blanket in seconds, Jasper above me as he rested his weight on his arms lying in between my legs. "You tell me when to stop darlin', alright?" Jasper asked I nodded pulling Jasper to me for kiss which turned into a heavy make out session. Running my hands up through his hair and down his back. Jasper's hands ran up and down my sides, all the way to my knee which was hooked over his hips as he kissed down my neck to the top of my chest leaving little love bites and then back up to my lips kissing me hard and passionately.

"Was that okay my love?" Jasper asked worriedly. When we pulled back to catch my breath, resting our heads together as his breath passed over lips, his eyes dark with lust that was coursing through us.
"That was perfect." I whispered back.
"Good." Jasper whispered against my ear making a shiver run down my back as he kissed down my neck once more before stopping so we could cuddle and watch the stars.

Even though there was lust coursing through us and the kisses had been perfect, Jasper was always a gentlemen and would never go further than what I was okay with.
The date was perfect as we spent some alone time in each other's arms cuddling and sharing the odd kiss, sipping from our glasses as we watched the stars for awhile. Feeling extremely at peace and content.