Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Perfect For Me

By Mama4Dukes

Chapter 09:

The midnight picnic in the rose garden marked a new beginning for Bella and Jasper. In the days and weeks following, they spent increasingly more time together. Jasper hadn’t heard a peep from Alice; he wasn’t surprised. The Brandons would want to keep news of her arrest hushed.

Career wise, things were better for Jasper. They must have realized he wasn’t cut out for working on an oil rig because after about a month, they moved him to the planning department, where he was actually encouraged to add his perspective from time to time. In fact, his oil rig supervisor at the time seemed delighted to be getting rid of him.

It was quitting time on Monday, about seven weeks following the picnic. Jasper was on his way to the parking lot when his grandfather approached him.

“Jasper, Mike tells me you’re doing fantastic work in the planning department.”

“He did?”

“Yes, are you surprised? He wants to keep you on for another month, if possible, before you move on.”

“It’s just that Larry hated me. I only lasted a month with him. And he was happy to be rid of me.”

“You just aren’t cut out for the oil rig, Jasper. It’s physical work. I put you there to learn. Your Grandpa Cullen wants you working on cost analysis next. You’ll be going to him next.”

“Cost analysis? Didn’t I already do that with you?”

“Son, you’re inheriting two companies. Get with the program. He does things a little differently from me. He’s willing to share with you right now, but not with me because we’re still two separate companies. You have to learn the ways of both companies in order to be able to do this right. Besides, I have a feeling you’ll enjoy it there. He works directly with the engineers. From what I hear, Carlisle is a lot more hands on than I am.” He winked at him. “Now, how about we go out to dinner together? Your grandma is at the theatre tonight.”

“I’m sorry, Grand-Daddy, I was going to take my girl out to dinner, but you can join us. She’s really nice.”

“Nice, huh?”

“Yeah, nice.”

“You’ve got a deal! I’ll take you both out for steaks.”

“Sounds like a plan. Should I drive?”

“No, we’ll let Felix do the driving. I like beer with my steak.”

“Okay.” Jasper crossed his fingers hoping Bella wouldn’t mind an addition to their party.

The stretch limo pulled up in front of their meeting spot at the Rice University campus. Bella was sitting on the grass, reading a book.

“Which one is she?” His grandfather asked.

“The girl in the red dress and cowboy boots with the long, wavy brunette hair.”

“Well, she’s definitely an improvement over Alice. She can read.”

Jasper couldn’t help, but laugh. It was true; Bella could definitely read.

“Felix, go and call the girl over,” his grandfather stated.

“Yes, Mr. Whitlock.”

Jasper watched from the window as his grandfather’s trusty bodyguard and chauffeur approached Bella. She immediately stood up, eyed him suspiciously, and crossed her arms in front of her. When Felix extended his hand towards her to motion toward the limo, she glared at it, then at him, and dove towards his left knee, swung it forward and took him down. The bodyguard was sprawled on his stomach with his hands behind his back.

“Someone call 911! This guy was trying to abduct me!” she yelled.

“Oh, shit!” Colton and Jasper Whitlock both exclaimed and rushed out of the limo.

“Bella, Bella!”

“Jasper! Oh, thank God you’re here!” When Felix tried to get up, she shoved him roughly to the ground. “Stay down until the authorities arrive, or I’ll break your arm. Do you hear me?” She turned back to Jasper. “You’re always coming to my rescue.”

“Right. About that…” Jasper was interrupted by his grandfather’s roaring laughter while clutching his stomach.

“Felix, I guess you weren’t expecting my grandson’s girlfriend to open up a can of whoop ass on you!” His grandfather chuckled at the poor man’s expense. “I haven’t laughed this hard in ages!” He turned to Bella. “You’re a little spitfire, ain’t you? I’m Colton Whitlock, Jasper’s grand-daddy. And you’re the young lady who has captured his heart. Now, would you mind releasing my bodyguard?”

“Oh, I’m Bella Swan. It’s very nice to meet you.” She peered down at her victim. “He’s your bodyguard? For real?”

“Yes, for real.”

“Wow! They’ve really lowered the standards for bodyguards, haven’t they?”

“Would you please get off of me?” Felix croaked out to Bella.

“Oh, sure.” She snapped up to her feet and held her hand out to him to help him up.

He took it gratefully. “I haven’t been taken down and pinned since I wrestled in high school some thirty plus years ago.”

“I watched my brother use that move during wrestling. It came in handy when I thought I was being abducted.”

Jasper picked up the book Bella was reading. He glanced at the title. “‘Abduction of the Vampire Hunter?’ Maybe you should read a less thrilling book?”

“I think you might be right. So, where are we going?”

“We are going to get to know each other over steak and beer.”

“Awesome. I love steak!” She gushed.

“This way, young lady,” Colton directed.

Bella climbed into the limousine followed by Jasper, and then Colton. “So, why did you guys rent the limo?” She asked.

“The limo belongs to my grandfather.”

“Oh. Can you not drive? Did you get your license suspended or something?”

“I really love this gal, Jasper. I do. She’s so refreshingly honest. She reminds me of your grandmother.” He turned to Bella. “No, this limo belongs to me. I prefer not to drive when I drink.”

“Oh, I completely understand. When I drink, I always take an Uber. There’s no sense putting your life in mortal peril over alcohol.”

“I agree with you. You’re very sensible.”

“Thank you.”

They chatted about this and that until they arrived at the restaurant; a high-end steakhouse his grandfather favored. Neither Bella, nor Jasper were dressed appropriately, but management let them inside immediately after seeing who they were with.

“I feel underdressed, Jasper,” Bella whispered. “People are staring.”

“Yeah, they are.” He nodded. He wasn’t about to lie to her. People really were staring, but it was because they were out with his grandfather. In Texas, everyone knew who Colton Whitlock was. Well, they also knew his other grandpa, Carlisle Cullen, but they weren’t with him today. “It’s because we’re with my grandfather. He’s well known around these parts.”

“It’s because we’re underdressed.”

“I’m not going to disagree with you there.” He took her hand, brought it up to his mouth, and kissed it. “You look perfect to me.”

She blushed a deep crimson before her lips curled upwards into a sunny smile. The couple didn’t notice Colton Whitlock smiling fondly at them. He was certain his grandson had met the girl who would be the making of him.