Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Behind Steel Bars

By Midnight Dreamer

Chapter 23: Just Ask Her!

Though a huge weight had been lifted off of Jasper’s shoulders by the jury’s not guilty verdict, he was he still moping around. Ma Whitlock has been watching her son for the past week or so and it looked like he was constantly battling with himself. Unable to deal with anymore of her son’s moping, she decided to confront him about it:

“Jasper, could ya come here a moment? I wanna speak at ya.”

“Sure, Ma – be right up.”

Jasper put his gloves down on a hay bale by the barn doors and walked onto the porch, taking a seat next to her on the swing.

“Kid, what’s eatin’ ya? Ya were happy as a clam after that hearin’, now ya mopin’ round here like ya best friend died.”

“Isabella.” was all he said.

“Yeah, what about her?”

“I’m not sure how to explain it, Ma.”

“Well, give it a shot!”

“Fine. She makes me feel… different.”

“Different how? Is it a good different or a bad different?”

“Like I’m missin’ somethin’ when she ain’t around.”

“Didn’t ya have somethin’ like that with Alice?”

“Nah Ma, I didn’t.”

“Then this is somethin’ special?”

“I think so…”

“Then why haven’t ya done somethin’ about it?”

“Don’t ya think it’s too soon? It’s only been 2 months since the divorce.”

“Ya but your marriage has been over for 2 years. At least on her side.”

“I didn’t know it was. So as far as I’m concerned, it’s only been 2 months.”

“Well ya know now. So what ya gonna do about this thing with Isabella?”

“God… I don’t know Ma! I wanna ask her out, ya know, courtin’ and all that. Like daddy done with ya and like I shoulda done with Alice before we rushed into marriage.”

“No need to go over the shoulda-coulda-woulda’s.”

“I know Ma, but I wanna do it right this time.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

“What should I do first?”

“I don’t know… oh wait: Ask her out!”

“Ma… sarcasm ain’t a good look for ya.”

“Neither is stupid for ya.”

“Point taken – but how should I do this?”

“Jesus, Jasper! Just ask her!”

“Alright, alright. I’ll ask her.”

“Good, now get back to work – that hay won’t bale itself, ya know.”

“Yeah, yeah. You’re so bossy.” Jasper said as he kissed his Ma on the forehead and headed back toward the barn.

It was close to sunset when Jasper came back up to the main house to find Peter sitting on the porch.

“How’s it goin’, bro?” Peter asked.

“Eh… same shit, different day.”

“I see Ma’s been keepin ya busy.”

“Yeah, the old bag’s a slave driver.”

“Jasper Wyatt – I heard that! Is that anyway to talk about ya Ma?” Ma called from inside somewhere.

“How does she do that?” Peter asked.

“Don’t right know how she does it, but it’s been a pain in the ass since we was kids.” Jasper answered.

“Damn straight, brother!”

“So, what brings ya here? Where’s Char?”

“Got off early. Char will be here later.”

Jasper looked at Peter’s nervous twitching.

“This ain’t some kinda intervention Ma put together is it?”

“Uh…” Peter could never lie to Jasper.

“Ma! What the hell?”

“Don’t ya talk to me like that, boy! I’ll tan ya hide for ya.” Ma said appearing in the doorway.

“But what are ya doin? I don’t need no intervention.”

“Ya said ya needed help ropin’ that there filly, and who better to help ya then ya brother and his charming wife?”

“Whoa there, Ma. What filly? What she talkin’ ’bout, Jasper?” Peter asked.

“Isabella that’s who!” Ma said.

“Oh, shit…” Peter said.

“My thoughts exactly.” Jasper added.

“Since when?” Peter asked.

“Not you too?” Jasper whined.

“When?”

“The day we painted my house…”

“Damn… I can’t wait to tell Char – she’ll have a field day with this!” Peter squealed like a girl.

“Won’t have ta wait long – here comes her truck now.” Ma said.

They all looked up the drive and watched as Charlotte pulled the truck in front of the house.

“Hey y’all! What’s goin’ on that I had to rush over here after work? I was supposed to meet Bella for drinks!”

Jasper groaned, while Peter chuckled.

“What’s a matter with Jasper?”

“Seems big brother here has a crush on a certain red head…” Peter said.

“Huh?”

“Jasper has a crush on Isabella!” Ma said.

“Oh wow, Jasper – that’s great!”

“Huh?” Now it was Jasper’s turn to play the dumb blond.

“I never really liked Alice anyway, and Bella is so much better for you.”

“What?” Jasper seemed to be stuck on duh.

Ma, noticing the glitch in Jasper’s vocabulary, smacked him upside the head.

“Ow, Ma! What was that for?”

“Ya were stuck.” Ma shrugged and walked away.

“Since when?” Charlotte asked.

“Since painting!” Peter giggled.

“Shut it, Peter!” Jasper growled.

“Ya gonna ask her out?”

“I want to…”

“What’s stoppin’ ya?”

“Don’t know how?”

“God… Jasper! Just ask her! I’m sure she’ll say yes.” Charlotte said.

“Jasper and Bella sittin’ in a tree…K-I-S-S-I-N-G!” Peter sang.

“Peter!” Jasper growled just before tackling Peter to the floor.

“Not on the porch, boys!” Ma yelled.

The two boys tumbled off the porch into the dirt driveway. Charlotte sat and watched the boys wrestle as Ma came outside carrying a pitcher of lemonade and 4 glasses.

“Who ya think will win?” Charlotte asked.

“Jasper. He always wins; he’s a natural fighter, that one. Peter was always the calm one.”

The two Whitlock women watched them play fight well into the night before it finally got late enough that Peter, having work in the morning, called it quits. As always, Jasper called winner and Peter – never one to admit defeat – called do-over. That was just the way the Whitlocks were…