Chapter 4

Bella had never been so happy to get out of a car. Peter and Charlotte had commandeered the front of the car, and with it, the radio. Bella loved the two of them, really she did, but if she had to listen to the same crap all the way back to Montana, she'd kill someone.

"Come on, Sugar, it wasn't that bad," Peter complained, following her into her apartment.

"It really was," she replied flatly.

"Make yourselves at home, I'm going for a shower," she added, waving them into the living room.

Jasper looked around the room with interest, picking up each little detail as another thing to store away about Bella. He was looking for anything that he could do to make her feel more at home in Montana.

"I'm driving back, and Bella is sitting up front with me," he told Peter quietly. "She really was getting irritated by your annoying music choices."

Peter laughed, but nodded his agreement. "Fair enough, Jazz."

"Should we start packing for her?" Charlotte asked, gesturing to the bookcase.

"We don't know what she want's to take with us," Jasper said.

"Everything," Peter said, rolling his eyes. "It's not like she'll be leaving, is it?"

"I don't want to take her options away," Jasper argued.

Sighing, Peter flopped onto the couch dramatically.

"You're as bad as each other, I swear," he grumbled.

The three of them sat in a comfortable silence while they waited for Bella, who came out fifteen minutes later.

"Feeling better, darlin'?" Jasper asked, grabbing her hand as she passed him and tugging her onto his knee.

She smiled. "Much, thank you. You gonna help me start packing, cowboy?"

"We were waiting for you to tell us where to start. I didn't know how much you wanted to fetch with you. Peter suggested everything, but I don't want you to feel forced."

"Is there room in Montana for all my shit?" Bella asked, raising her eyebrow.

"Sure there is, Sugar. Since ya'll are sharing Jazz's room, you can change the guest room into your room for your books and whatever else you got," Peter replied easily, standing up.

"Char and I will get a start on your books and music."

Bella nodded, standing up. "I'll go and start on my bedroom."

Jasper followed her into the bedroom, smiling when he saw how neat it was. He pulled out the three suitcases she gestured to under her bed and opened them all, laying them on the bed. As Bella emptied the drawers, Jasper emptied her wardrobe.

He raised his eyebrow when she asked him to leave her leather trousers and jacket out, but did as asked.

"They're for tomorrow," she told him when he sent her a wave of curiosity.

"Oh?"

She nodded, smiling mischievously at him. "You'll see."

He grinned, but continued working.

In just three hours, Bella's apartment was completely packed up. Bella was sprawled on Jasper's chest, fast asleep, while the vampires watched a movie on TV. Jasper was looking forward to the following day. He wanted to know why Bella would be wearing leather, but he also couldn't wait to get home.

He'd stuck with the animal diet the night before, simply because he was still undecided and he didn't want to tempt fate in case he decided to stick with animals. If he allowed himself a taste of human blood before he was completely decided, it would make the decision that much harder.

The night passed by slowly, but when Bella stirred the following morning, all three vampires smiled at her.

"Morning, sleeping beauty," Peter teased when Bella stretched herself out.

"I slept all night?" she asked, her voice rough with sleep.

"You did," Jasper confirmed, letting his fingers trace patterns on her stomach lightly.

"You make a very comfortable pillow, cowboy," she said with a small smile, tilting her head to kiss his cheek. "Let me go and get ready, and we'll go out for the day, huh? I don't have to be at the bar until six."

"Sure. I'll make you some coffee."

Her smiled widened as she clambered off him and went to the bathroom.

Fifteen minutes later, Bella left her bedroom wearing jeans and a t-shirt, and took the cup of coffee Jasper was holding out to her.

"So what do you want to do today?" he asked, his hand resting on the small of her back.

She shrugged. "I'm not fussy, whatever ya'll want is fine with me."

"Waterfront park and the Space Needle?" Charlotte asked, bouncing on the balls of her feet.

Bella laughed and nodded. "Let me get my jacket, and I'm ready."

They returned to Bella's apartment at quarter past five. They'd all enjoyed their day out, none more so than Charlotte, who apparently had a love of playing tourist. Bella decided she would have to remember that in the future. She was sure they could have a lot of fun together in different places.

"I'll just get changed and we'll have to go," Bella murmured apologetically against Jasper's chest when he drew her in for a hug. "You wanna travel with me?"

"I thought we were all going in the jeep so we could leave straight from the bar."

"We're leaving straight from the bar, honey," Bella confirmed. "I just thought you might enjoy travelling with me the way I usually do is all."

"Whatever you want is fine, baby," he whispered against the skin on her neck, pressing a kiss there before he released her.

She disappeared into her bedroom, closing the door behind her.

"Have you two spoken about the mating bond yet?" Peter asked, raising his eyebrow.

Jasper shook his head. "I don't want to overwhelm her."

"You've gotta talk about it, Jazz. She deserves to know."

"I'm not going to force her into a relationship, Peter," Jasper snapped, then sighed. "Sorry. I… it's progressing naturally already. I'm gaining strength by the second, and I feel much better already. There's no major rush, Pete."

Peter conceded with a nod. "Just keep it in mind, brother. I don't ever want to see you go back to the way you were before."

"I understand why you're worried, but I can also feel your confidence in Bella. She's special, Pete."

"Oh, I know that," Peter agreed. "I feel… very protective of her. It's odd, but I won't deny the familial pull I feel to her."

"I feel the same," Charlotte agreed. "I don't know what I'd do if she was hurt, and I can feel a sisterly bond building between us, even after the short time I've known her."

Jasper nodded. "Bella is bonding us all even closer than we were before. We'll be a real family."

Peter grinned. "So you're finally accepting that the clusterfuck that the Cullen's have going isn't a family?"

Jasper shrugged. "They feel like they're a family for the most part, but Edward is more of a loner than the others and Alice… I think Alice uses their bonds against them to get her own way. She's selfish, not sadistic."

"After the state I found you in, I'd beg to differ," Bella said as she walked out of the bedroom.

Jasper's jaw dropped. Bella was wearing the leather trousers she'd asked him to leave out the night before, and they clung to her like a second skin. She was wearing black boots, a white tank top and her leather jacket that fit her in all the right places.

Light makeup made her eyes pop, and her hair was tumbling around her shoulders and down her back in soft curls.

"Pick your jaw up off the floor, Jazz. You'll catch flies," she added, walking past him, patting his arm. He reached out with one hand and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her against him.

"You look fuckin' stunning, darlin'," he told her, his eyes darkening with lust.

She blushed, and he growled burying his face in her neck to stop himself from kissing her. He'd already decided that he wanted her to initiate their first kiss, but she was testing his self control in the most delicious of ways.

She stepped away from him, carefully keeping her hand on his chest.

"You remember the way to the bar?" she asked Charlotte, who nodded.

"We'll meet you there then," Bella said, leading them out of the apartment. Locking it up for the last time, Bella walked down to the garages and opened her own.

"You ride a Ducati?" Jasper gasped out, walking in front of her to get a better look at the bike. She grinned, stroking the seat reverently, before she took out her helmet.

"There's a helmet for you in the back box," she told Jasper as she put her own on.

"I don't need a helmet, baby," he murmured, his eyes still on the bike.

"You wanna ride with me, you'll wear a helmet," she told him, and he looked up at her. He could feel her determination, so he did as he was bid and pulled the spare from the box, putting it on and fastening it quickly.

"I'm so jealous, right now," Peter groaned when Bella straddled the bike and Jasper climbed on the back. "Char, we gotta be getting us one of them."

"Hold on, baby," Bella said, turning the key and starting the engine. She kicked off, pulling her feet up as she moved out of the garage and passed Peter and Charlotte. As soon as she hit the road she opened it up, speeding up the street.

Jasper was in heaven. His arms wrapped around Bella's waist, he could feel the wind on his face through the open visor, and he could feel Bella's euphoria wrapping around him so strongly, it made him feel it too. The ride ended far too quickly for both of them, and as Bella pulled into the bar carpark, Jasper could feel her sadness.

He hopped off the back of the bike, taking his helmet off quickly, stashing it back in the box. Bella followed, putting her own helmet in the seat box.

"That was the best ride I've ever had," Jasper told her, pulling her into his arms. "You're just full of surprises, aren't you sweetheart?"

"My bike is my baby," Bella told him with a grin. "It's the only thing I ever got just for me, you know?"

"Hmm. You look as sexy as all hell in those leathers as well," Jasper replied, pressing soft kisses to her jawline.

"Jazz?"

"Hmm?"

"Why… why haven't you kissed me yet?"

He smiled against her cheek. "I wanted you to initiate the first kiss is all," he told her. "Trust me, it's been ridiculously hard stopping myself from kissing you properly."

Bella stepped back from him slightly, beaming at him. "Okay."

He could feel the mischief rolling off her in waves, and he knew she was going to tease him. He groaned internally, but returned her smile. Torturous though it might be, he was sure he'd enjoy every single second of it.

Peter pulled in a few seconds later, jumping out of the jeep with Char following him.

"Enjoy the ride, Jazz?" Peter asked, a dirty grin on his face.

Bella giggled when Jasper nodded, smiling sheepishly. She took Jasper's hand in hers and pulled him towards the bar. It was already full when they walked through the doors, though Bella led them to a table close to the stage that had a reserved sign on it.

"Here, sit," Bella said, gesturing to the table. "I'll be back. Do ya'll want anything to drink?"

"Whisky, darlin', please," Jasper told her, kissing her hand before releasing it.

She grinned and nodded, turning around and flitting expertly through the clusters of punters, waving and smiling at those she recognised.

"Oi, Oi," she called, ducking under the bar, laughing when Will saw her and almost dropped the pint he was pouring.

"Bella! Hey babycakes!"

"Want a hand?" She asked, nodding at the crowds.

"Save me!" he begged, and she laughed.

Twenty minutes later, she'd helped him clear the backlog of customers.

Pouring four whiskeys, she nodded at the tab book. "Start a tab for my table, Will."

He shook his head. "Don't worry about it, sweetheart. Your table's on me tonight."

"Why so busy anyway?" She asked. "It's not normally so full so early."

"Little birdie might have let out that you're on tonight for the last time," Will replied with a shrug, smiling sheepishly at her.

She rolled her eyes. "That'll be a little birdie called Will, then, huh?"

"Might be…"

"And you didn't think to get extra staff in because…?"

"Smart ass. Johnny's on his way. The baby's got colic," Will replied, flicking water at her.

Nodding, she put the glasses on a tray and waltzed back out on to the floor.

"Sorry it took so long, the bar staff's late," Bella said, putting the tray on the table.

"S'alright, darlin'. You're working tonight anyway, aren't you?"

"Sort of. Not behind the bar though," she replied.

"I can feel your nerves, baby, what's wrong?"

She smiled, squeezing Jasper's hand. "Nothing is wrong. I'm fine, honestly."

Before Jasper could reply, Will hopped up on the stage and turned the microphone on. Bella groaned, dropping her head to the table and banging it three times.

"Good Evening, Ladies and Gentlemen!" Will called, pausing until there was quiet. "As many of you know, our Little Bella is moving on to pastures greener, or something like that anyway, but before she goes and forgets how awesome we all are, she's got to give us a parting gift.

You all know who she is, and you all know how fantastic she is, so I need say no more. Please welcome to the Stage, Our Bella!"

Blushing, Bella stood up and hopped onto the stage, rolling her eyes at Will.

"You had to make a bloody show of it, didn't you," she said under her breath, making him chuckle. "Gimme the mic, you git. Who's doing my music?"

"Johnny's on the bar now, so I am," Will replied, laughing again when she grumbled.

Putting the mic on the stand, Bella looked out at the crowd, winking at Jasper who watching her with wide eyes.

"Since Will has made such a spectacle, I clearly don't need to say anything else, so I'll just get on with it. This first song is the first one I ever sang in public. I hope you enjoy it.

As the first bars of the music sounded, Bella's nerves fell away and she lost herself to the lyrics.

Jasper watched in awe as his Bella sang her heart and soul out on the stage.

"She's got a beautiful voice," he heard Charlotte murmur to Peter, who agreed quietly.

Jasper thought they were both wrong. Bella's voice was much more than beautiful. She was stunning, indescribably so, shining brightly in the packed bar, with all eyes on her.

"Time for my last song of the night, guys," Bella said into the microphone, turning to smile at Will. Groans could be heard around the bar and she chuckled. "This last song is special. Partially because I've never sang it in public before, and partially because I've finally got someone to sing it too."

As the song started playing, Bella met Jasper's eyes, smiling gently at him as she started to sing. He listened to every word of the song as she sang about him being her baby love, and his long dead heart threatened to beat once more in his chest.

The screams and cheers for Bella when she finished the song meant nothing to Jasper, who stood up and walked over to the stage. He lifted the waiting Bella from the stage, lowering her down into his arms.

"You are incredible," he whispered.

"And I am yours," she replied quietly, her hand against his cheek. She guided his face down to her own and captured his lips with hers.

The word around them ceased to exist as they kissed. Jasper's arms held Bella close to him, one hand on her back, the other in her hair. Bella clutched at Jasper's shirt with one hand, her other still resting on his cheek. When they parted for Bella to catch her breath, Jasper gently rested his forehead against hers.

"Mine," he murmured reverently. "Do you mean it?"

"Always."

They released each other then, and Bella accepted hugs from both Peter and Charlotte, and then from some of the regulars she could almost class as friends. Finally, the four of them were able to sit down at the table together in peace.

Will fetched over a fresh round of drinks, greeting Jasper, Peter and Charlotte like old friends. As the bar emptied slowly, and Bella began yawning, Jasper noted the time.

"Are you ready to go, darlin?"

She nodded, pulling her jacket on. Looking over at the bar, she whistled.

"Oi, Will!"

"What?"

"We're off. You gonna show me some love, or what?"

He ducked under the bar and swept her up in his arms, holding her tightly for a few moments.

"You don't forget us, alright? Anything you need, anytime you need it, you know where we are, you hear me?"

She smiled. "I hear you. I'll miss you, Will."

"Not as much as I'll miss you, Little B."

She kissed his cheek and squeezed his hand, before she turned away, nodding at Jasper. The four of them walked to the door, before Bella paused once more. Turning back to the bar, she whistled again.

"Oi!"

"Oi, Oi!" Will replied, making her laugh.

She pulled her keys from her pocket, kissed the key to her bike, then threw them at him. He caught them, looking confused.

"My baby's in the lot. You look after it, you hear? Treat her well!"

"You're giving me your Ducati?" he asked, a shocked look on his face.

Bella smiled warmly, saluting Will. "Don't make me regret it."

Would just like to point out that the song Bella is singing to Jasper - Baby Love - is by Nicole Scherzinger ft Will. . If you don't know it, I absolutely encourage you to listen to it.