Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Perfect For Me

By Mama4Dukes

Chapter 10:

Christmas…

A couple of weeks later, Jasper was celebrating Christmas with his family and was missing Bella. This year, they were at his Cullen grandparents’ home. His Whitlock grandparents and his parents were also there. His Grandmother Esme had done an exquisite job with decorating the house. Yards of beribboned garland had been placed strategically to bring out the festive Christmas atmosphere. It was always a happy time of year.

“Jasper, where’s Bella tonight? I thought you’d bring her to meet the family,” his Grand-Daddy asked.

“She’s celebrating with her family. They flew down from Washington because her sister is expecting a baby.”

“Why didn’t you tell us?” his Grandma Esme asked. “We could have invited them over.”

“From what I hear, Mother. She isn’t the type of girl we want coming round here. Why Nan Brandon told me that girl attacked poor Alice at a bar, lied to the police, and had her arrested.”

“That’s a lie! Alice was hammered and attacked Bella after hurling several insults at her.”

“I’m sure she was provoked; and they were well-deserved.” His mother sniffed.

“Edie,” Beau warned. “You promised to keep a lid on it.”

“How can I? Jasper has been seen around town hanging all over her! She has been described as complete white trash!”

“And who did the describing, Edie?” Colton asked. “Was it Nan Brandon? I’m asking because I met Bella two weeks ago. She is not at all like you described. Sure, she’s a bit rough around the edges, but she’s as smart as a whip and is perfect for Jasper. How many girls do you know who can describe the components of a drilling rig and suggest ideas on improving one?”

“Really?” His grandfather Carlisle had a fascinated expression on his face.

“Yes, really. Apparently, she’s studying for her master’s degree in mechanical engineering. She asked me if she can tour an actual offshore oil rig because she wants to see one in action.”

“Fascinating. We should make it happen for her.”

“We should make it happen.”

“Colton hasn’t been able to stop talking about her since he met her.” His Grandmother, Maggie, noted. “I want to meet her. She’s supposedly refreshingly honest.”

“I can’t believe you’re being taken in by this girl! It’s my understanding she was seen with my son in a ripped tank top at a bar.”

Jasper pounded his fists on the table with rage. “Damn it! Will you cut it out? Mother, the reason Bella’s tank top was ripped is because your favorite girl, Alice, tore it. She was drunk, threw her wine on my girl, and then attacked her physically by diving on top of her. My girl didn’t even fight back. She just blocked the twit to the best of her ability.

“Now, tell me this, were Alice’s actions that of a lady? If you don’t believe me, the police reports and the video at the bar, which were backed up by about twenty people who witnessed the whole thing, are available for your perusal.”

Edie had a look of disbelief on her face.

Jasper shook his head. He stood up and turned to everyone. “I’m sorry. I can’t be near my mother tonight. Merry Christmas!” He quickly grabbed his jacket and left the house. He’d rather spend the holiday alone than with that toxic witch.

Jasper climbed into his truck and dropped his head onto the steering wheel. He couldn’t understand the obsession his mother had with climbing the social ladder. For God’s sake, she was practically at the top of it already.

He turned on the engine to drive. He heard a song he liked to sing along to with Bella. Oh, how he missed her smile. What he really wanted was to be lost in her smile. While he was lost in his thoughts, Jasper found he had gone completely the opposite direction from his house. In fact, he was on Sam’s street and had just driven by his house.

Should he intrude upon a private party? Probably not. But then again, Leah and Sam were pretty welcoming. Screw it. He was going to crash the party. He had to see his girl. He turned his truck around, parked on the street in front of the house, grabbed a bottle of wine given to him by a co-worker, and rang the doorbell. Sam came to the door.

“Hey, Jasper. Merry Christmas.” Sam, who knew him well, inspected his countenance and asked, “Are you okay, buddy?”

“I’m fine. I got into an argument with my mom, and thought…”

“An argument on Christmas? Did your mom get on your case about Malice again?” He shook his head in disgust. “Come inside! You’re like a brother to me, you know? I would never let you celebrate Christmas alone, and neither would Leah. Besides, everyone wants to meet you because Bellsy can’t stop talking about you.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah,” he nodded, “and if you end up marrying her, I’m going to come out on top with a great brother-in-law, so don’t fuck it up with her. I want you in the family.” He let out a deep, long sigh when he heard a happy shout followed by laughter. “Be warned. It’s a little raucous in here.”

He was led into the house where the gathering was in full swing. It was so unlike the quiet, formal affairs he was used to. People were dressed casually and kicking back beers with their feet on the table. Joy and laughter saturated the festive atmosphere.

In the living room, the coffee table had been pushed two men were having some sort of push-up competition. Bella was sitting on one guy’s back while Rachel sat on another’s.

“Come on, Dad! You can beat Charlie!”

“Don’t even think of losing, Daddy! I’ll never be able to show my face in town again.”

Both men gritted their teeth, and attempted to do one more push up before they tuckered out, and flattened their bodies onto the ground. The girls rolled off of them suddenly and a roar of applause rent the air.

“I call it a draw!” a beautiful Native American woman, who looked like an older version of Rachel, declared.

“Are you sure, Sarah? I’m positive I threw in an extra push-up.”

“The woman rolled her eyes.”

It was around this time Bella noticed him. “Jasper!” She ran to him and wrapped her arms around him. He immediately held her close and gave her a quick kiss on the lips.

When they drew apart, the eyes of everyone in the room were on them. The two men, who had been doing pushups on the floor, were standing on either side of him with their arms crossed in front of their chests.

One of the men greeted, more like growled, “I’m Police Chief Charles Swan, Bella’s father. You want to stop pawing my daughter now.”

Horrified, Jasper immediately took his arms off of his girl and put his hands up.

Before he could speak, the other one spoke. “I’m Quileute Tribal Chief William Black. What is your relationship with our Bella?”

Directly in front of him, he could see Paul cackling with laughter. “You’d better have all your credentials ready, Jasper. They’re about to tear you apart.”

“Paul, shut up! How are we supposed to intimidate the guy if you keep making wisecracks,” Billy remarked.

“I’m just glad it’s you and not me. I went through hell when I was dating Leah.”

Bella rolled her eyes. “Seriously, Dad? Uncle Billy? You have to stop trying to scare off anyone dating me. Sue Mom, make them stop! Soon Daddy is going to start cleaning his gun with the safety off, just to threaten him!”

“Charlie, stop it! Bella is twenty-four. You have to let her grow up!”

“Billy, you as well. Honestly, you’ve both scared off every single boyfriend she’s had,” Sarah added.

“She’s too young to be dating! She’s only twenty-four! Besides, she should be concentrating on her degree not on this boy! Who is he anyway?” Billy asked.

“You know darn well, who he is. You’ve met him twice, once at Leah’s wedding and again at Rachel’s wedding. So stop playing ignorant! His name is Jasper Whitlock and was a college roommate of Paul and Sam.”

“Well, that doesn’t really speak well about his character, does it?”

“I’d say it doesn’t,” Charlie agreed.

“Wait a minute! I thought you liked me?” Sam questioned.

“Only because the wife and daughter say I have to. And it doesn’t mean we still can’t kill you either.” Charlie nodded and then put an arm around Jasper. “But I suppose we’ll have to get to know you, too.”

“Good, you can do that over dinner. It’s ready,” Sue announced.

“Come on, Jasper. You can sit with me.” Bella took his hand and led him away. “Don’t let Daddy and Uncle Billy intimidate you. They’re really just big teddy bears.” She leaned into him. “What are you doing here? I thought you were spending Christmas with your family?”

“I’ll explain later. All I know is, I’d rather be here with you than anywhere else in the world.”

“I’m glad you’re here. I miss you when you’re not with me.” It was when she said those words Jasper realized he was completely and irrevocably in love with Bella Swan. He knew he did the right thing by coming here and would deal with his mother later.