Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

The Road Back

By Mama4Dukes

Epilogue:

One week later, on a Saturday morning, the doorbell to Jasper and Bella’s house rang. Tyler, who was his postman, was standing outside with a certified letter for him, which had been sent to his father’s address.

“I just brought it here to you since I know you no longer live next door,” Tyler said. “You need to sign here to signify you received it.” He pointed to a line on a light, green postcard. Jasper quickly signed the card.

“Do you want to come in for a bit?”

“Jasper, I’m still working.”

“Yeah, I know, but I thought I’d ask. Well, at least take a bottle of water and a pastry with you. They’re a day old, but still good.” Jasper quickly ran to the kitchen, grabbed the items, and handed it to his friend.

“Thanks, Jasper. I’ll see you tonight. You’re both still coming to practice, right?” The friends and their buddies had joined the town baseball league. Forks and La Push had always been a baseball-crazy town. Years ago, the residents in those towns formed a baseball league where teams played each other just for fun. Jasper’s buddies were all his baseball teammates from high school, and their wives had been on the softball team.

“Hell, yeah. We wouldn’t miss it for the world. Besides, maybe we have a chance of winning against our dads.”

“I doubt it. They’ve been undefeated for the last decade.” Tyler shook his hand. “I’ll see you later, buddy. Don’t forget, we’re all coming to my house after practice for dinner and drinks.”

“Alright, see you then.” Tyler and Lauren lived on the same street, a few doors down from them. It was nice having neighbors so close.

Jasper peered at the envelope in his hand. It was from the Law Offices of Alton Brandon. He closed the front door, headed to the sofa, and sat down.

Bella, who had just showered, wandered in while towel-drying her hair. “Good morning, honey.” She covered her mouth to yawn, and then sat next to him on the sofa. “Who was at the front door?”

“It was Tyler. He had certified mail for me. I just opened it. It’s a letter from Alton Brandon on his company letterhead. I was just about to read it.”

“By all means, do. Let’s see what the ‘esteemed’ Alton Brandon has to say.”

Dear Jasper,

I’d like to take this opportunity to apologize for my intolerable and unethical behavior toward you. As you know, I paid off your loans without your knowledge in an attempt to bribe you to return to work for me. It was unconscionable, not to mention unscrupulous, of me to do such a thing. I simply wanted to make my daughter happy, but now, I see I’ve done her no favors by spoiling her so terribly. Please accept the paid-off loans as a wedding gift from me to you and your beautiful wife. This is a genuine gift from the heart with no expectation of repayment of any kind.

If you and your wife are thinking of a career change, I would be happy to welcome one, or both of you, at The Law Offices of Alton Brandon. Please give my regards to all your family, especially your esteemed father-in-law. Did you know I used to watch him play baseball during college? He was a phenomenal pitcher, and all of Texas was surprised when he opted not to go to the big leagues.

Good luck in your future endeavors wherever it may lead you.

Yours Sincerely,

Alton Brandon, Esq.

“Well, I believe we have no choice but to happily accept the loan repayments,” Bella said.

“I know.” Jasper nodded. “You know, the only thing we had on the credit card was the honeymoon.”

“Well, then, we’ll accept his kind gesture in good faith. Besides, he is well aware he can’t demand repayment of something he willingly paid for on his own without your knowledge or consent.”

“True.” He pulled her up on his lap and spent a few moments caressing her, ending with a deep and thorough kiss. “Now, we have more vacation money. Where should we go next, my sweet?”

“I doubt anyone is going to let us miss work anytime soon, especially since James and Victoria are going on a honeymoon next.”

“Really? I didn’t even know they were dating,” he professed. “When did that happen?”

“Sometimes, I wonder if you’re really from Forks. Honestly, honey, you have to keep your ears open. Yes, James and Victoria started dating around the same time we did, and things have been going well for them. Vicky was a bit concerned because he had once been disbarred, but once she saw how much effort he was putting into improving himself, she was reassured. Besides, I pointed out that Mr. Jenks wouldn’t have hired him if he didn’t think James was a capable attorney. Anyway, they’re getting married in Yakima in another month, and we’ve been invited.”

“Yakima? That’s a six-hour drive!”

“I know, but we’re going. It’ll be our next trip.”

“What the hell is in Yakima anyway?”

“Well, Jasper, the wedding is being held at a beautiful winery.”

“No, shit? I didn’t realize Vicky had that much style.”

“Oh, Jasper, stop. Just because she occasionally wears a red suit that clashes with her hair to work doesn’t mean she has no style. Anyway, we’ll see her tonight at baseball, and she’ll tell us all about it.”

“She’s coming to baseball?”

“Yes. Vicky and James are both coming. Apparently, James asked Sam if she could join the team because Vicky has a mean curveball.”

“Interesting. Victoria and James, of all people, who would have thought they’d make a go of it?”

---

Life continued on in Forks, Washington. After two additional years, Jasper decided to stop practicing law and become a social studies teacher. Bella was fully supportive of him. The couple moved to Seattle, so Jasper could complete a one-year consortium in education, followed by a one-year teaching internship. He earned his master’s degree in education and was hired as a social studies teacher at a Seattle high school, where he remained for only one year.

Meanwhile, Bella worked at a large Seattle law firm, similar to the one Jasper used to work at in Texas. She was hired immediately as a senior associate due to her qualifications and experience. She earned many accolades, including Employee of the Year. Word soon got around that she was an ace litigator, and she received many lucrative offers from around the county. The most ironic one was a heartfelt plea from Alton Brandon, asking her to join his firm as a senior partner. She, of course, sent a polite reply declining the offer. However, Bella never bragged about her accomplishments and remained invariably humble.

In a strange twist, Royce King, the sleazy bastard who had taken up with Alice while Jasper worked for Alton Brandon, ended up at the same law firm as Bella. He began hitting on her the first day she started working. By the second week, Royce King sported a black eye courtesy of Jasper’s wife and was fired from the firm for inappropriate behavior. The following weekend, a bunch of Bella’s female co-workers took her out to a celebratory dinner and thanked her for helping to rid the firm of the predator.

After only three years in Seattle, the couple, having accomplished their goals, returned home to the peace and tranquility of Forks. Their overjoyed family and friends were all waiting for them. Jasper was hired as a social studies teacher in Port Angeles. When Chief Black retired as the Forks High School social studies, Jasper was hired to take over the position and chair the department. He added a new class in law and civics, which was wildly popular.

Jasper’s wife assumed Mr. Jenks’s position when he left to open up his own private law practice with his wife. Bella was now the Chief County Prosecutor for Clallam County. She still received many prestigious job offers from all over the country but did not accept them. She knew her roots were planted firmly in Forks and was happy to stay put.

By and by, Jasper and Bella started having children, and so did their friends. Their kids all grew up together, just like their parents did, and their parents before them. Some of the kids would leave after high school or college to strike out independently, but eventually, the road back always led home to Forks.

The End