-Jasper's Point of View-

. . .

Nomad, what was I thinking.

I moped about the woods angrily, I had already consumed more than my fill on a few bucks, but the temptation was too strong to go even further and drink from one of the many humans I could smell.

I knew for a fact that I would not be able to continue my lifestyle on my own, and I refuse to go back to the monster I once was. Constantly having to feel peoples fear right before I bite into them, that's no way to live.

Like it or not I had swallow my pride and return, it was time for me to go back even though I hated the fact that I was surrendering after just a week.

I ran back to the little town and sat around in the forest behind the house for a while.

"She said you would come back." Edward sounded from atop a tree.

"Did she tell y'all why I left?"

"She filled us all in on everything." He admitted flatly.

"And I'm sure she didn't have to tell you about the other guy?"

He chuckled a bit, "she did in fact mention there was someone else coming into the picture."

"I'm glad to see this is causing you so much entertainment." I snapped.

"You need to lighten up and not take everything so seriously."

"Yes, because losing my wife isn't serious, losing my marriage is a lighthearted event." I countered, "I took my marriage vows seriously, and I can't blame her if she fell out of love with me or if she finds someone else in the future, I will be happy as long as she's happy. But at the moment I think I deserve the right to be a little pissed off."

Edward held his hands up in surrender.

I let myself into the house and of course the first person I see is Alice.

"Come on you, I'll show you to your room." She smiled.

I followed behind her as she led me up the stairs to the third floor. She showed me to a room with a bed and a desk. It also had a wall full of shelves, the shelves were filled with various books of history and battle, there were a couple of family pictures, and small knick-knacks here and there.

"Jasper, I don't want you to be upset."

I turned to face her, "I don't know how else to be." I admitted sadly.

"Be happy, accept change, and most importantly don't push anyone away."

She must've over heard my conversation with Edward only a moment ago.

"I want you to find happiness Jazz, I love you and I always will, but we both know our marriage was one of convenience."

Her words were like salt to an open wound, and if I was a stronger man I would have left for good. But I am weak, and I require their lighthearted emotions and strong will to keep me going, so I will stand here and take whatever Alice dishes out.

"Why don't you go and get yourself cleaned up and we can talk some more when you're ready." She offered.

. . . . .

Knock Knock Knock

I rolled out of the bed and opened the bedroom door.

"Hello Jasper honey, just thought you'd like to know that she's gone out for a shop."

I smiled at Esme, for the past couple of days I had locked myself in the bedroom and haven't left the confines of the bed.

"Thank you."

"I think you should probably go for a hunt before you lock yourself away again." She suggested before turning to leave.

With a sigh I listened to her advice and immediately went to sate my thirst.

When I got back to the house I went upstairs and changed outfits and then decided to roam about the house a bit.

This was my first time really seeing the place all fixed up and put together, it was one of the nicer homes we've had so far, and that's saying something considering we've lived everywhere and every house was always opulently done.

I walked into the sitting room and found Renesme begging for some ice cream.

"Please I'm dying with this heat."

The ladies smiled before Esme gave in, Nessie is an adult by every means now, yet her mannerisms were still very child like.

I was just about to sit down when I heard a vehicle approaching the house.

"Someone's here." Bella commented as she looked to the front door.

With my brows pulled together in curiosity I made my way to the door and waited for a knock.

I heard two car doors one opening and closing before the other and then I listened as light footsteps sounded against the steps up the porch. Then ever so lightly a single knock barely tapped on the door.

I was going to wait for a more proper knock until I heard the faintest gasp and I threw the door open.

"Woah." I said as I noticed a very small girl struggling with a large cake, I reached out and grabbed the glass container right at the base of the cake to help her out. "I got it." I insisted as I took the dessert from her

She looked up at me for the first time, to be quite honest she was a rather attractive female, her skin was pale compared to most texans but her wide doe eyed expression gave her the impression of a porcelain doll.

Now I've been around for some time now and have definitely seen my fair share of beauties but this is the first time that I have openly stared at the opposite sex, I internally scolded myself. Then I remembered that I had every right to check out this young lady if I pleased, it was Alice who broke up with me, right?

I felt her embarrassed emotions before she squeaked out a stuttered sentence. "Oh, um, Thanks, it's a lot heavier than it looks."

Her awkward chuckle made me smile.

"I-I'm Emmaline Harper" she stated "and I thought it would be the neighborly thing to do, if I were come over and introduce myself, of course i'm sure y'all are probably tired of strangers approaching y'all, since you've been here a week already."

My smile stretched even further. This girl was the first Texan I've encountered in centuries, her soft voice and southern drawl were like an old song singing to my soul.

"I'm Jasper," I replied "and to be honest, you're the first to greet us, why don't you come in."

I was a little surprised in myself, had I really just invited a human into our house?

I chalked it up to the feeding I just had and held the door open as she walked in, the small breeze of the A.C caused her scent to fill my nose. My eyes widened and my mouth filled with venom, her smell was so sweet and succulent that I struggled with my inner beast. I was all but ready to attack when a wave of unsure discomfort filled me. It was like a slap to the face.

"Jasper?" Esme called out, surely she would know I would struggle with a human encounter right now.

"In here..."

It felt strange to call Esme my mom, I've never had to do that before. But I suppose there's a first for everything.

The tiny girl stood comfortably next to me as she took in her surroundings.

"Hello" Esme greeted the girl rather jubilantly.

This is something that I've grown quite use to, Esme's cheerful nature toward even the most random strangers.

"Emmaline this is my mother Esme, this is one of our neighbors Emmaline." I introduced the two.

"Yes, I'm Emmaline Harper." She nervously repeated as she held out her hand to Esme.

I watched with worry as the human shook hands with a vampire, to my surprise she didn't seem to pull back or act unnaturally to the interaction.

But Esme must have felt bad about her cold hand. "Esme Cullen, I do apologize" she said as she began rubbing her hands together, "I was making my youngest daughter an ice cream cone."

It was a good cover story.

The Emmaline girl smiled and nodded, "well like I was telling your son, I just wanted to stop by and bring you a cake to welcome you to the town."

"Oh how sweet of you." Esme cooed, "Jasper why don't you take that to the kitchen and get our guest something to drink."

"Thank you." She sounded softly as she tried to sneak a peak at me. I couldn't help but smile as I made my way into the kitchen.

"Well, well, well" Emmett smiled from ear to ear, Edward standing just as smug next to him. "Is that a smile that I'm seeing?"

I quickly fixed my face as I placed the cake on the freshly cleaned counter.

"She sounded cute." Emmett added.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"You know it's alright, to look at other girls" Edward said.

I looked up at him a little questioningly, 'is it really alright?' Edward nodded his head yes, I knew he would hear my inner turmoil.

"Fine, the girl is pretty, but I'm not over Alice." I commented through gritted teeth.

"Jazz we aren't tellin you to jump in the sack with her" Emmett laughed, "but it's alright to branch out-"

"When you're ready." Edward interrupted him, "when you feel comfortable."

"Thanks."

I walked around them to get a glass and then went into the refrigerator, I placed a couple of ice cubes into the glass before filling it up with Esme's freshly squeezed lemonade.

"Good luck out there." Emmett called out as I exited the kitchen.

I shook my head as I walked down the hall.

I found the ladies all in the same positions but now Emmaline joined them on the opposite sofa alone.

I walked over and handed the kind girl the glass.

She gave me a genuine smile "thank you Jasper."

Now I was hit with a conundrum, I could either take the only seat left in the sitting room, which is right next to her on the smaller love seat; or I could stand awkwardly off to the side.

I didn't want her to feel uncomfortable so I decided I would take he seat, if at any point she sent off any uncomfortable vibes I would immediately excuse myself from the room.

I sat down just as she was telling Esme how good the beverage was.

A rush of different emotions hit me from across the room.

Happy.

Excited.

Hopeful.

Worried.

It caused me to look up at my family members, Rosalie wore a small smile, Esme had her own motherly smile on her face. But Ness was practically bouncing with obvious excitement, the ever serious Bella had to gently nudge her to keep her still.

I was starting to suspect something was up.

"So are all of you going to be attending the high school?" Emmaline asked.

"Yes." Renesme answered. "I'm so excited, my parents said I could actually try out for cheerleading this year."

Emmaline smiled even more brightly, "you'll love it, and I can't make any promises but I'm sure you'll make the squad, trust me I know what the captain likes."

I could feel the overwhelming sensation of pride spill from her.

"With your sister trying out for Cheerleading does that mean you'll try our for football?" She asked me.

"No, it's my brother Emmett that's the jock."

"Our Jasper can be quite athletic in his own right but he is also one of the more studious ones." Esme put in.