*Annabell’s POV

  It took quite an effort but I mao talk Rose out of doing a full makeup which she insisted on, g it’s her birthday present for me. She finally agreed, when in addition to lipstick, I allowed her to apply a light eyeshadow which she called a smokey eye. I had no idea what it meant but it made her happy so I went with it.

  The dress felt awesome against my skin and overall seemed to fit me perfectly. They felt great yet I couldn’t help restless fidgeting here and there, not being used to wearing something so revealing. I had long sleeves but pletely bare shoulders. When I ig the dress up in the shop, I went with what felt right. Now however, I couldn’t muster the fideo walk out of Rosalie’s room. I wish I could see myself first…I wonder if it really looks alright. I sighed.

  “I’m telling you, you look beautiful.” Repeated Rosalie for about a fourth time. “If you’re ready, let’s go downstairs. He’s here.” I already knew he arrived. Sensing that Jasper was just a little further beyond the door, a mixture of emotions swirled inside of me. Slowly nodding, I let Rose lead me downstairs to him. While I walked dowairs with Rose at my side, the room was so silent I could hear a few quiet gasps of surprise.

  Rosalie was adamant that I have to smile when he es. I did my best, but the lohe room stayed silent, the more I wao turn around and hide. I felt all their eyes on me. Especially his. Reag the bottom of the stairs and Jasper who stood there, ay was taking over me. He stht in front of me but didn’t say a word. He never saw me in a dress. To be ho I hardly ever worn any. Does he think it’s a strange look for me or something? I should go bad ge…

  I nervously bit my lip and tried to turn around to go back but Rosalie’s hold on my elbow didn’t let me. Her voice finally broke the silence as she scolded Jasper for doing nothing but staring at me. Now I really wao run away. “I… errr, sorry… You look amazing, Ann.” He unusually stuttered and relief washed over me. Was he only surprised? Theook my hand. Feeling his touch again I had to admit to myself that even those few hours, I missed him. However, the events from earlier today kept me from giving in and stepping into his embrace.

  “You’re breathtaking, my love.” My face grew warm at his pliment.

  “Told you.” Sang Rose teasingly by my ear. Remembering her ent about hoer won’t be able to keep his hands off of me, my cheeks went abze.

  Jasper’s hand on mine was suddenly repced by Peter’s. I heard Jasper growl as the distaween us increased.

  “Happy birthday, babygirl!” Excimed Peter, kissing my cheek. “I know you ain’t big on jewels but I think this matches y nicely.” He cimed, giving no space for protests and slipped something cold on my right wrist.

  “Thank you.” It seemed to be a bracelet decorated by a gemstone. Huh? Matches my ring? “Wait, you knew? …I guess I’ll have to wear it from now on then.” A nervous giggle escaped me.

  “And this…” tinued Peter, pg another cold obje the palm of my hand. It appeared to be a heart shaped pieetal on a thin . “This is dy Michae’s neckce.” My darling… She suddenly sighed inside my head. So you’re still with me? Heh, I ain’t going anywhere, A. You just o figure this o on your own, girl.

  “It was a gift from her mate and then it assed down through geions. Jane might not agree with it, since she gave it to me to get rid of it but I think you should have it. Now it’s yours, Annie.” I nearly growled along with Michae wheer said he was supposed to get rid of it. This… Mom why?

  “Oh, Peter!” I felt heat rising in my eyes when I hugged him and tried to keep myself fr.

  Wheer stepped aside, a familiar bear of a man took his pce. “Wele to adulthood, sis!” Announced Emmett and kissed my cheek. “Did you sleep enough these eighteen years?” He asked.

  What? “I guess so… why?” I didn’t uand his question.

  “Cause’ you won’t be getting much sleep anymore!” He ughed and everyone joined him. Huh? Why would I be uo sleep anymore? He… was talking about adulthood… No way! My face must have been pletely red when I uood the meaning behind his ent. Then I recalled something I heard earlier. “I know how to make a man feel good…” I, oher hand, had no idea. Was he really ok waiting for me or was something expected from me now that I came of age? Would he truly not seek it elsewhere if I couldn’t…?

  “If we don’t leave soon, we’ll be te.” Brought me Jasper’s somewhat impatient voice out of my worrisome thoughts. “Shall we?” He asked after everyoook their turn giviheir wishes. On the way to the car I betedly realized that not a single person spoke of his birthday.

  “Jasper…” I turo him. There was so much I wao say and ask, I didn’t know where to start. He patiently waited for me to put my thoughts in order but I couldn’t find the right words. Giving up, I asked him to help me put Michae’s neck instead.

  For a moment when he reached his arms arouo put the neck pce, I felt protected like when I surround myself with my shield. A part of me longed for him to those arms around me and press me to the powerful body behind me. I pushed that feeling away when the etal heart rested on my chest. The touch of his finger on the nape of my neck still sent a pleasurable shiver down my spine before I stepped away.

  I stayed still when he lifted me in his arms and carefully seated me ihe car. “Oh, that’s high.” I mumbled to myself, surprised and feeling my immediate surroundings with my fingers before fastening my seatbelt. It acious car. Once Jasper got behind the wheel, hearing a familiar purr of the car’s engine I couldn’t tain my excitement. “Is this RAM?”

  “Yes, it is. I wasn’t sure you’d reize it.”

  I was shocked. “No way. How did you knoarently it eter and his big mouth. Eh, Peter sure was sharing a lot of information. This one I couldn’t be angry at him for, though. I told Jasper about my love f cars. When I went on, expining how I hated mom’s small car Jasper covered my hand with his. I could not deny the pleasant feeling. Turning my hand upside down, our hands joined as if they were always meant to be that way.

  Thinking back to how she died in said car, Jasper’s hold on my hand lightly tightened in support. “I told her that I didn’t like her car, that I preferred the big pickup Chris used to have and she bought us a Dodge RAM. I really love that car. It’s big and fortable. It feels more safe. And I like the sound of the engine.” I admitted.

  “I didn’t see any cars around your house. What happeo it?” He asked, fused, bringing me back from my pleasant memories.

  Suddenly I couldn’t stand his touch, thinking about what I witoday and turned away from him. “Catelyn happened.” Balling my hands in fists I itched to smash something. Maybe I shouldn’t have agreed to go out with him today… Crossed my mind. I registered the radio pying Thousand foot krutch’s song Take it out on me. How fitting. I grimaced at the irony.

  ?“Scream if you wanna, shout if you need. Just let it go!

  Fight if you o, smash if you have to get trol. Take it out on me.”?

  However, it wasn’t all Jasper’s fault. Sensing his movement that didn’t fit driving, I stiffened. He didn’t touch me though. Nor did he try to temper with my emotions. He exhibited more patiend uanding than I gave him credit for while he respected my wish and gave me spabsp;I suppose he deserves at least an expnation.

  “When mom died… there was nobody left to give me rides in that car. Obviously, I ’t drive anything and aunt Mary doesn’t like big cars so… we agreed to give it to that bitch.” Just thinking about her made my blood boil. How much did she get away with while Jasper was keeping quiet? Supposedly for my sake… Did he like it?

  Irospect, all those dumb excuses made sense now. “She cimed that the RAM’s maintenance is too expensive for her to be driving it to work all the time. Now I wonder if she ever drove it at all before selling it…”

  My voiearly broke at the end. Fortuhat was all there was to say. My chest tightened as I thought about how a dear family friend turned out to be su awful person, g about nothing but my money. She even wao kill me… Although I heard her say it in person, somehow it didirely sink in until this moment. “Please, don’t cry…” I heard Jasper’s strained whisper.

  Then the car stopped and assuming that we arrived wherever he was taking me, I reached to unbuckle my seatbelt. “Are we-?” Slightly startled I found my hands in Jasper's firm yet careful hold.

  “It’s killihat, even though uionally, I helped to cause the pain you feel…” He started. Strange urgen his voice prevented me from attempting to free myself from his grip as I listeo what was on his mind. “I always wanted and asked you to put your trust in me, yet I repeatedly failed to do the same iurn.” It was quite ued yet I ily listeo his every word as he rarely revealed so much of his own feelings. “I tried to hide my identity from you, hesitated to tell you about my feelings and that you are my mate because I didn’t believe you could accept who I am or the world I e from. All the while you kly who I was and trusted me with your very life while being around me…”

  “Of course I reized my hero.” My voice came out as a whisper. I always knew he wouldn’t iionally harm me, even before he realized that we were mates. Unfortunately I wasn’t pletely aware of that fact myself back theo my locked memories either.

  “I couldn’t bring myself to trust you with the information about your kind when I lear from Carlisle. I was so scared that you’d throw your life away, seeking vengeahat I kept it from you. But you are wise and an incredibly strong person.” Heh, your fear was very much justifiable. I thought with a light humor. I o know more before I make a marding Volturi, though. You might be givioo much credit there.

  “But most of all, I failed to trust you to handle knowing Catelyn’s true colours and hurt you.” The sed he said her name, my humor vanished and my body felt like ice. “If I told you about her advances from the start, she wouldn’t have a ce to get so bold and drug you. I know I don’t deserve it but I wish you five me someday. For you’ll be the only woman I love until my st day oh.” My chest tightened as he kissed the bay hand before releasihen the car started moving again.

  I desperately wao trust his words. I didn’t remember him ever revealing his heart so mue before. He wasn’t the one deserving all the punishment. “If you told me from the beginning, we wouldn’t know that she was ready to go so far as to kill me…” It was Catelyn I let get away too easy. I made my decision, ready to give him a ce tonight.

  The car stopped again. This time Jasper got out and opehe door on my side, taking my hand to help me out as well. “I…” I had to tell him, after how he opened up to me. “I believe you.” I told him as I stepped out of the car. “It seems we both still o learn.” I tinued, remembering how I gave him a hard time while healing after Alice tried to kill me at school. “You o learn to trust me more-”

  “And you, to rely on me.” He finished, knowing what I was thinking. “Happy birthday, my love.” Whispered Jasper and before I could shake off my surprise that I failed to realize he didn’t wish me happy birthday until then, his lips lightly touched mine and my heart skipped a beat.

  Jasper linked our arms and guided me somewhere, where there was a lot of people. I old him… Ran through my mind as I nervously tightened my hold on his arm. “Annabell?” Came Jasper’s worried voice through all the noise around us as we slowly walked. There seemed to be a big crowd of people. A lot of rustling, stomping, talking and pushing. Someone passed us too close by and I jumped as their body got momentarily pressed against me to get through the crowd.

  The hing I knew, I was in Jasper’s embrace. His arms securely around me. “It’s alright, angel.” I heard him whisper in my ear and realized I was trembling.

  “I-I… please, help…” I got out of myself and then I felt the waves of calm he sent me.

  He led me somewhere through the crowd, keeping his arms arouil we got to a more quiet pce. “Are you alright?” He asked.

  I nodded. “Thank you… I fot to tell you that I hate crowded pces. It’s loud and I ’t navigate with so many people around.”

  “Ah, makes sense. Good thing that we’ll have one of the balies all to ourselves, then.” One of the balies? I didn’t have time to ask as he started to lead me away again and I had to pay good attention to my footing in this unfamiliar enviro.

  When he finally stopped again a female voice, apanied by a strong perfume greeted us. “Wele. Mr Whitlock, Miss, please enjoy.” She said and pced her hand on my arm to guide me to my seat.

  Instinctively, I moved away from her touch, bumping into Jasper. “S-sorry.” I apologized, hanging my head in embarrassment.

  “It’s nothing.” His strong arms supported me and he helped me to find my seat, sitting dowo me. It appeared to be a bench or a kind of settee with velvet cushions. This must be some luxurious pbsp;I thought, when I reached down a intricate decorations that seemed to cover the whole structure of the bender my fingers.

  “What a weirdo.” I heard the female utter to herself before she left. I bit my lip. I’m probably embarrassing Jasper as well.

  Jasper ed his arm around my bad pulled me gently closer to his side. “Don’t mind her, Ann. What happehere, though? Are you really ok?” He inquired.

  “Yeah… I’m fi’s just…” I hesitated. “You’ll probably ugh... I mean, isn’t it stupid that someone like me, who has to touch pretty much everything, doesn’t like being touched?” It was ridiculous and another reason why I hated crowds.

  “I see... No, I won’t ugh. It is uandable.” He replied as he relutly removed his arm from around me, misuanding.

  Instantly missing the tact I turo him. “No… I like-” Shocked, I covered my mouth to stop myself. What the hell am I saying?! ‘I like being touched by you?’ What will he think if I say that?!

  I could hear a quiet chuckle that escaped him, even though he tried to cover it by clearing his throat before he caressed my burning cheek. “So, you like when I touch you?” He asked. Of course, now he’ll make fun of me. His ha my cheek when I didn’t reply. ”I’m serious, Ann. Please tell me, what does my touch feel like to you?” Softly insisted Jasper.

  There was no trace of humor left. He truly wao know. “When someone randomly touches me like that dy before or in that crowd earlier it makes me panic. When you touch me…” I reached out to find his hand and held it in both of mine. “Your touch warms me, draws me in. It’s calming and I feel protected when in your arms…” I answered holy.

  Expeg some rea, I waited. At that moment I heard people g and music started to py, ending our versation. I couldn’t believe it. Jasper took me to the opera.