Waiting For My Real Life To Begin
by Laura Spudzmom
Chapter 11
She stared into his eyes as she felt her own fill with tears. "Oh Jasper," she whispered.
"Yes….. Yes, I will!"
He took her left hand carefully into his own then and slipped her glove off.
Pressing a kiss to her bare palm first, he turned her hand over and slipped the most beautiful engagement ring she'd ever seen onto her finger, kissing it reverently and pressing it to his cheek as he met her eyes once again.
She caressed his cheek with her thumb while looking into those grass green eyes for moments.
They didn't speak. They didn't need to.
He reached over, running the backs of his fingers down her cheek and she closed her eyes, leaning into his touch, relishing the contact.
With her eyes still closed she whispered. "I love you Jasper Whitlock." and when she opened them her breath caught at the beauty of his smile.
"I can't wait to start living our lives together my beautiful Isabella."
She smiled brightly. "I can't either. I can't wait to call you my husband."
He kissed her hand again before helping her replace her glove.
"Would you care to go for a stroll with me Isabella?"
"I would love to." He rose and helped her up, holding his arm out for her which she took after arranging her skirts.
He led her slowly up the path to where Emily sat on the bench looking for all the world like she was lost in her novel.
Her upside down novel.
Bella's eyes widened as she noticed and she shot a look at Jasper. A wickedly smirking Jasper. She smiled a tiny smile once they had passed her by, giving his arm a light squeeze. "Behave!", she whispered and he patted her hand in reply, his smirk never wavering.
When they had walked a little ways, Bella glanced up at him, a worried crease in her forehead. He noticed immediately, caressing her hand. "What worries you?"
She looked down, hesitant to mention anything, but she knew that she would need the help, so she took a breath and spoke.
"Jasper, do you think that your Mother would be willing to help me with the arrangements?" She continued on quickly in her uncertainty. "I haven't the first clue what to do and I don't have a Mother to rely on and…."
She trailed off as he faced her, caressing her cheek. "Shh, sweetheart. Don't be troubled over this Isabella. You won't be able to stop my mother and sisters both when they hear the news." He laughed quietly.
"My Mother and sisters both would have had me proposing to you that very first night I met you, despite your being in a right temper with me."
He smirked down at her and she blushed and cast her gaze down.
Dropping his hand from her cheek, he turned and they resumed their stroll.
"No my Isabella, you won't be able to stop them once they hear the news."
Amusement danced in his eyes as he looked down at her and she laughed just thinking of little Jane's reaction.
"You may have to give Jane a calming elixir before she hears the news."
He nodded, his smile bright. "She is an enthusiastic little one isn't she? She's always been that way. I wonder sometimes, if she will ever settle."
Bella's attention was caught then by the quickening steps of Emily who had been trailing behind by quite a ways.
Trying to be subtle, she glanced over her shoulder and panic struck at the sight of one William Braniff, catching up to them quickly, on his arm, a girl she'd yet to meet.
Her breath hitched and she faced the front quickly. Jasper, of course, noticed and glanced back. When he faced forward again, Bella was impressed by the calm confidence he exuded, lightly squeezing her hand in comfort.
"Don't be troubled Isabella. I took care of him before, I can surely do it again if needs be."
"But Jasper, I don't want you fighting all the time."
He nodded. "And I will not. Unless he says something less than gentlemanly toward you, at which point I'll be happy to teach him another lesson in manners."
Emily was right behind them at this point and Bella was thankful for that. She didn't know how Emily knew to draw closer, but she was thankful for the woman's sharp instincts all the same.
Her body tensed and she clung a bit tighter to Jasper's arm.
They heard him speak then and Bella closed her eyes for a moment in apprehension. She peeked up at Jasper though when he just smiled, giving her hand another light squeeze.
"Well now, if it isn't the gallant Jasper Whitlock and his damsel in distress, one Miss Salvatore, was it?"
Jasper smirked at the man's still bruised face. "I'll forego any descriptors of you William, as I'm in the company of Ladies."
Bella clutched tighter to Jasper's arm at his taunting of the man who was now reddening with anger.
The girl on Braniff's arm spoke then. "Will, why don't you make the introductions. I find myself at a disadvantage."
He patted her hand. "Forgive me my sweet. Miss Caroline Bell this is Miss Isabella Salvatore come lately of Virginia, I believe?"
Bella inclined her head. "That is correct Mr. Braniff." She looked at Caroline and made a small curtsy. "It's a pleasure to meet you Miss Bell."
Caroline returned her curtsy. "The pleasure's mine Miss Salvatore."
Bella breathed a sigh of relief as she didn't detect any hostility from the girl which boded well for this meeting remaining peaceful, but she didn't get warm feelings from her either. She would describe the girl as being emotionally blank, as if she had checked out long ago. It saddened her somehow and she filed it away to ponder later.
Jasper guided Bella around to face the direction of their picnic site. "As pleasant as this is, we must be going. I have a late afternoon meeting to attend and I must escort Miss Salvatore home first. Good day Miss Bell."
"Good day Mr. Whitlock, Miss Salvatore."
Bella inclined her head with a small smile. "A pleasant day to you Miss Bell."
She breathed out a sigh of relief as they made their way back to their site, allowing the tension to leave her body as she noticed that Braniff had continued on in the other direction.
Jasper caressed her cheek when they got back to their blanket. "You will learn to trust me my sweet wife to be. I know how to take care of myself and defend you Isabella, against men even more formidable than Braniff. I will always keep you safe."
She looked away, a troubled frown creasing her brow before looking back up at him. "It's not that Jasper. I wasn't worried for myself. I was worried for you."
He grinned at her. "Isabella, I can whoop…..uh, that is, I can handle that scoundrel blind-folded."
He backed up and turned toward the blanket, packing everything away as he spoke.
"My father taught me how to fight from the time I could walk Isabella, and there's no better fighter to be found in this territory. He always told me he was teaching me so that I could fight when I needed to, but mostly so that I wouldn't have to. You see, once folks figure out that you have the skill, they tend to leave you alone, and that's been my experience so far."
He held out his arm for her. "Shall we be on our way? I really do have a meeting to attend, or I would spend all day with you."
She took his arm with a smile. "It's quite all right Jasper. I understand. I need to inform my father of the days developments anyway. I'm sure he'd like to know."
He smiled as they neared the carriage. "I'll inform my family at dinner I suppose. You should probably expect a visit tomorrow. I'd bet money, uh, that is if I were a betting man, that Mama will send a calling card first thing in the morning."
He helped Bella and Emily into the carriage and placed the basket in the boot, climbing in just as Bella opened her parasol.
"Jasper?"
He looked at her as he maneuvered the carriage back onto the roadway.
"Yes Isabella?"
She glanced at him, a worried frown on her face. "Perhaps you should consider telling your family at the end of the meal? I would hate for little Jane to get into trouble for not containing her exuberance at the table."
He laughed outright and she found herself laughing softly with him.
"A very valid concern my love and one which I shall heed, I do believe." He smiled brightly at her.
They reached her home and he hopped out and handed Emily out, turning then to help Bella.
"I'll escort you inside and greet your father if he's in."
She smiled. "All right."
They stepped into the foyer and Emily took Bella's gloves and parasol.
Seeing the butler there, she turned to Bella. "I'll just go and put these away. Good day to you Mr. Whitlock."
He inclined his head. "A pleasant rest of the day to you Miss Emily."
Emily disappeared up the stairs and the butler approached.
"Will you be staying Mr. Whitlock?"
"No Francis, I cannot. I was just seeing the ladies in and I'll be taking my leave."
"Very well sir." Francis bowed and left the foyer.
Bella's heart sped a bit at the realization that they were alone and she could see that Jasper realized it too as he stepped closer, caressing her cheek.
"My sweet Isabella. May I kiss you again?"
She moved closer, laying her hands against his firm chest, tilting her head up to look in his eyes.
"Yes Jasper." She whispered.
He leaned down, his pillow soft lips moving gently over hers. He groaned lowly as she sucked on his lower lip softly, both of their mouths opening to each other as his hands made their way to her trim waist, holding her firmly as his tongue met hers tentatively at first and then with more boldness as they lost themselves to the feel and taste of each other.
The sound of a throat clearing was like a gunshot in the quiet entry way and Jasper set her away from him quickly, his head whipping around to the displeased voice of Bella's father.
"You know, Mr. Whitlock. The fact that I gave you permission to marry my daughter does not mean that I will tolerate liberties being taken with her. Until you are united in wedlock, she is to be treated in the manner that our society dictates for a lady of her station. Am I clear sir?"
Jasper looked ashamed, but never dropped his head and his gaze never wavered from Damon.
"Yes sir. I understand, and I beg your pardon. I meant no disrespect to you or your daughter."
Damon nodded as he opened the door. "Good. I'm glad that we understand each other. You were just leaving, were you not?"
Jasper inclined his head. "Yes sir, I was." He looked quickly to a mortified and rapidly angering Bella. "Thank you for accompanying me Isabella."
She curtsied. "Thank you for a lovely outing Jasper. Send my warmest greetings to your family, won't you?"
He smiled at her. "I will do that." Nodding at an obviously displeased Damon, Jasper took his leave, the door closing solidly behind him.
Damon turned to face his livid daughter, his expression stoic.
"Father," Bella ground out, "May I speak to you in your study please?"
Damon inclined his head, gesturing with one hand in the direction of the room in question.
She turned, her whole countenance stiff as she preceded him, rounding on him as soon as the door closed behind him.
"Just what the hell was that Dad? Why would you do such a thing?!"
He looked at her as he made his way to the sideboard, pouring a liberal amount of bourbon in a glass as he watched tears of hurt and anger fill his daughter's eyes.
He knocked back about half of it before he answered her. "I'm your father and in today's world, he was taking liberties. I won't stand for you being disrespected Bella, even by your mate. It won't kill him to wait."
He drained the rest of the glass, turning to refill it, before setting the glass aside with a sigh, his head dropping in defeat.
"You'll be his soon enough. Until then, you are mine to care for and protect and I mean to do it. I screwed up enough with you in your life. I mean to go about it the right way now."
He looked askance at her then and she was shocked to see the sheen of tears in his eyes. Her heart lurched and she moved to him quickly, embracing him, her head against his chest.
"Oh Dad. I love you. I loved you even before I knew you and I'll always love you and be your daughter. Nothing will change that. Nothing."
He embraced her tightly, laying his head over onto hers as he held her, his eyes closing as two tears traced their way down his cheeks.
"I love you too kid. More than I ever thought possible."
She stared into his eyes as she felt her own fill with tears. "Oh Jasper," she whispered.
"Yes….. Yes, I will!"
He took her left hand carefully into his own then and slipped her glove off.
Pressing a kiss to her bare palm first, he turned her hand over and slipped the most beautiful engagement ring she'd ever seen onto her finger, kissing it reverently and pressing it to his cheek as he met her eyes once again.
She caressed his cheek with her thumb while looking into those grass green eyes for moments.
They didn't speak. They didn't need to.
He reached over, running the backs of his fingers down her cheek and she closed her eyes, leaning into his touch, relishing the contact.
With her eyes still closed she whispered. "I love you Jasper Whitlock." and when she opened them her breath caught at the beauty of his smile.
"I can't wait to start living our lives together my beautiful Isabella."
She smiled brightly. "I can't either. I can't wait to call you my husband."
He kissed her hand again before helping her replace her glove.
"Would you care to go for a stroll with me Isabella?"
"I would love to." He rose and helped her up, holding his arm out for her which she took after arranging her skirts.
He led her slowly up the path to where Emily sat on the bench looking for all the world like she was lost in her novel.
Her upside down novel.
Bella's eyes widened as she noticed and she shot a look at Jasper. A wickedly smirking Jasper. She smiled a tiny smile once they had passed her by, giving his arm a light squeeze. "Behave!", she whispered and he patted her hand in reply, his smirk never wavering.
When they had walked a little ways, Bella glanced up at him, a worried crease in her forehead. He noticed immediately, caressing her hand. "What worries you?"
She looked down, hesitant to mention anything, but she knew that she would need the help, so she took a breath and spoke.
"Jasper, do you think that your Mother would be willing to help me with the arrangements?" She continued on quickly in her uncertainty. "I haven't the first clue what to do and I don't have a Mother to rely on and…."
She trailed off as he faced her, caressing her cheek. "Shh, sweetheart. Don't be troubled over this Isabella. You won't be able to stop my mother and sisters both when they hear the news." He laughed quietly.
"My Mother and sisters both would have had me proposing to you that very first night I met you, despite your being in a right temper with me."
He smirked down at her and she blushed and cast her gaze down.
Dropping his hand from her cheek, he turned and they resumed their stroll.
"No my Isabella, you won't be able to stop them once they hear the news."
Amusement danced in his eyes as he looked down at her and she laughed just thinking of little Jane's reaction.
"You may have to give Jane a calming elixir before she hears the news."
He nodded, his smile bright. "She is an enthusiastic little one isn't she? She's always been that way. I wonder sometimes, if she will ever settle."
Bella's attention was caught then by the quickening steps of Emily who had been trailing behind by quite a ways.
Trying to be subtle, she glanced over her shoulder and panic struck at the sight of one William Braniff, catching up to them quickly, on his arm, a girl she'd yet to meet.
Her breath hitched and she faced the front quickly. Jasper, of course, noticed and glanced back. When he faced forward again, Bella was impressed by the calm confidence he exuded, lightly squeezing her hand in comfort.
"Don't be troubled Isabella. I took care of him before, I can surely do it again if needs be."
"But Jasper, I don't want you fighting all the time."
He nodded. "And I will not. Unless he says something less than gentlemanly toward you, at which point I'll be happy to teach him another lesson in manners."
Emily was right behind them at this point and Bella was thankful for that. She didn't know how Emily knew to draw closer, but she was thankful for the woman's sharp instincts all the same.
Her body tensed and she clung a bit tighter to Jasper's arm.
They heard him speak then and Bella closed her eyes for a moment in apprehension. She peeked up at Jasper though when he just smiled, giving her hand another light squeeze.
"Well now, if it isn't the gallant Jasper Whitlock and his damsel in distress, one Miss Salvatore, was it?"
Jasper smirked at the man's still bruised face. "I'll forego any descriptors of you William, as I'm in the company of Ladies."
Bella clutched tighter to Jasper's arm at his taunting of the man who was now reddening with anger.
The girl on Braniff's arm spoke then. "Will, why don't you make the introductions. I find myself at a disadvantage."
He patted her hand. "Forgive me my sweet. Miss Caroline Bell this is Miss Isabella Salvatore come lately of Virginia, I believe?"
Bella inclined her head. "That is correct Mr. Braniff." She looked at Caroline and made a small curtsy. "It's a pleasure to meet you Miss Bell."
Caroline returned her curtsy. "The pleasure's mine Miss Salvatore."
Bella breathed a sigh of relief as she didn't detect any hostility from the girl which boded well for this meeting remaining peaceful, but she didn't get warm feelings from her either. She would describe the girl as being emotionally blank, as if she had checked out long ago. It saddened her somehow and she filed it away to ponder later.
Jasper guided Bella around to face the direction of their picnic site. "As pleasant as this is, we must be going. I have a late afternoon meeting to attend and I must escort Miss Salvatore home first. Good day Miss Bell."
"Good day Mr. Whitlock, Miss Salvatore."
Bella inclined her head with a small smile. "A pleasant day to you Miss Bell."
She breathed out a sigh of relief as they made their way back to their site, allowing the tension to leave her body as she noticed that Braniff had continued on in the other direction.
Jasper caressed her cheek when they got back to their blanket. "You will learn to trust me my sweet wife to be. I know how to take care of myself and defend you Isabella, against men even more formidable than Braniff. I will always keep you safe."
She looked away, a troubled frown creasing her brow before looking back up at him. "It's not that Jasper. I wasn't worried for myself. I was worried for you."
He grinned at her. "Isabella, I can whoop…..uh, that is, I can handle that scoundrel blind-folded."
He backed up and turned toward the blanket, packing everything away as he spoke.
"My father taught me how to fight from the time I could walk Isabella, and there's no better fighter to be found in this territory. He always told me he was teaching me so that I could fight when I needed to, but mostly so that I wouldn't have to. You see, once folks figure out that you have the skill, they tend to leave you alone, and that's been my experience so far."
He held out his arm for her. "Shall we be on our way? I really do have a meeting to attend, or I would spend all day with you."
She took his arm with a smile. "It's quite all right Jasper. I understand. I need to inform my father of the days developments anyway. I'm sure he'd like to know."
He smiled as they neared the carriage. "I'll inform my family at dinner I suppose. You should probably expect a visit tomorrow. I'd bet money, uh, that is if I were a betting man, that Mama will send a calling card first thing in the morning."
He helped Bella and Emily into the carriage and placed the basket in the boot, climbing in just as Bella opened her parasol.
"Jasper?"
He looked at her as he maneuvered the carriage back onto the roadway.
"Yes Isabella?"
She glanced at him, a worried frown on her face. "Perhaps you should consider telling your family at the end of the meal? I would hate for little Jane to get into trouble for not containing her exuberance at the table."
He laughed outright and she found herself laughing softly with him.
"A very valid concern my love and one which I shall heed, I do believe." He smiled brightly at her.
They reached her home and he hopped out and handed Emily out, turning then to help Bella.
"I'll escort you inside and greet your father if he's in."
She smiled. "All right."
They stepped into the foyer and Emily took Bella's gloves and parasol.
Seeing the butler there, she turned to Bella. "I'll just go and put these away. Good day to you Mr. Whitlock."
He inclined his head. "A pleasant rest of the day to you Miss Emily."
Emily disappeared up the stairs and the butler approached.
"Will you be staying Mr. Whitlock?"
"No Francis, I cannot. I was just seeing the ladies in and I'll be taking my leave."
"Very well sir." Francis bowed and left the foyer.
Bella's heart sped a bit at the realization that they were alone and she could see that Jasper realized it too as he stepped closer, caressing her cheek.
"My sweet Isabella. May I kiss you again?"
She moved closer, laying her hands against his firm chest, tilting her head up to look in his eyes.
"Yes Jasper." She whispered.
He leaned down, his pillow soft lips moving gently over hers. He groaned lowly as she sucked on his lower lip softly, both of their mouths opening to each other as his hands made their way to her trim waist, holding her firmly as his tongue met hers tentatively at first and then with more boldness as they lost themselves to the feel and taste of each other.
The sound of a throat clearing was like a gunshot in the quiet entry way and Jasper set her away from him quickly, his head whipping around to the displeased voice of Bella's father.
"You know, Mr. Whitlock. The fact that I gave you permission to marry my daughter does not mean that I will tolerate liberties being taken with her. Until you are united in wedlock, she is to be treated in the manner that our society dictates for a lady of her station. Am I clear sir?"
Jasper looked ashamed, but never dropped his head and his gaze never wavered from Damon.
"Yes sir. I understand, and I beg your pardon. I meant no disrespect to you or your daughter."
Damon nodded as he opened the door. "Good. I'm glad that we understand each other. You were just leaving, were you not?"
Jasper inclined his head. "Yes sir, I was." He looked quickly to a mortified and rapidly angering Bella. "Thank you for accompanying me Isabella."
She curtsied. "Thank you for a lovely outing Jasper. Send my warmest greetings to your family, won't you?"
He smiled at her. "I will do that." Nodding at an obviously displeased Damon, Jasper took his leave, the door closing solidly behind him.
Damon turned to face his livid daughter, his expression stoic.
"Father," Bella ground out, "May I speak to you in your study please?"
Damon inclined his head, gesturing with one hand in the direction of the room in question.
She turned, her whole countenance stiff as she preceded him, rounding on him as soon as the door closed behind him.
"Just what the hell was that Dad? Why would you do such a thing?!"
He looked at her as he made his way to the sideboard, pouring a liberal amount of bourbon in a glass as he watched tears of hurt and anger fill his daughter's eyes.
He knocked back about half of it before he answered her. "I'm your father and in today's world, he was taking liberties. I won't stand for you being disrespected Bella, even by your mate. It won't kill him to wait."
He drained the rest of the glass, turning to refill it, before setting the glass aside with a sigh, his head dropping in defeat.
"You'll be his soon enough. Until then, you are mine to care for and protect and I mean to do it. I screwed up enough with you in your life. I mean to go about it the right way now."
He looked askance at her then and she was shocked to see the sheen of tears in his eyes. Her heart lurched and she moved to him quickly, embracing him, her head against his chest.
"Oh Dad. I love you. I loved you even before I knew you and I'll always love you and be your daughter. Nothing will change that. Nothing."
He embraced her tightly, laying his head over onto hers as he held her, his eyes closing as two tears traced their way down his cheeks.
"I love you too kid. More than I ever thought possible."
DISCLAIMER: Twilight and its inclusive material is copyright to Stephenie Meyer. Original creation, including but not limited to plot and characters, is copyright to the respective authors of each story. No copyright infringement is intended.