*Annabell's POV

  Desperate, sprinting through the empty dark space I felt someoly shaking me, apanied by a wave of ess. I found myself on Jasper's p. Inhaling deeply to calm down pletely, I felt myself blushing. We did spend a lot of time together and I felt like we were closer and closer to each other. I didn't want to ge a thing.

  "Good m, angel." Hummed Jasper into my hair. Well, there was ohing I wao ge. I wao get rid of my splint and cast immediately. But it wasn't possible that fast.

  "M Jay." I smiled at him. I just woke up but I was so tired. I knew I ushing my limits but I hated to be cared for, above what my handicap since birth already required. Even if the one g for me was the man I loved. It was making me feel inpetent.

  * * *

  *Jasper's POV

  It's been just three days sinnabell left the hospital but the fact that she kept having nightmares and looked tired all the time, worried me. It was almost 10 in the m but Annabell was fast asleep so I let her rest in her bed ao prepare some breakfast for when she wakes up.

  Half way making waffles, I heard a car ing closer to the house. Little ahinking it's Catelyn again, I didn't pay much attention to it. Hearing only one person, as I expected, get out of the car and walk to the door, I pnned on ign their knog. However, they didn't bother to knod stormed right in, pissing me off.

  Turning away from the kit ter, I didn't bother trying to hide my irritation. "I don't care how close you think you are to Annabell but it's damn rude to just walk inside someone's home without being-" My words froze on my lips. I was slightly shocked to see aiicely tanned brue around her forties instead of Catelyn. This woman was wearing a gray suit with a knee length skirt and white shirt. Straight hair, cut just above her shoulders, she exuded fidend with her small bck leather suitcase she looked ready to lead an army of wyers.

  "Invited?" She finished for me, impatient. "I agree, young man. Care to tell me who you are and where is Annabell?" She asked. Her light brown eyes quickly ied the house. She seemed quite on edge the whole time. Finding no one else, she looked at me again while folding her arms and waited for an answer.

  "I'm Jasper Whitlock ma'am. Annabell is sleeping. Who exactly are you?" I asked cautiously. Slowly positioning myself between the dy and the staircase leading to Annabell's room, in case she turned out to be an unwanted visitor.

  "Look, I'm not sure what you are doing here but I'm-" Started the womaing angry.

  "Aunt Marry!" Came Annabell's voice from behind me, cutting her off. Aunt Marry? I thought, fused. "Is that you?" She asked, incredulously.

  "Yes, hon. Would you like to expin to me why it was school, who informed me about your act and not yourself, the moment you were able to?" Her tone was harsh but her eyes glistened with tears and she felt huge relief. "From what I uand, it happehree days ago and you've been discharged to homecare on the same day. But I didn't hear a word until yesterday and not from you, young dy."

  While the woman inquired about Annabell, I went to my mate's side and assisted her on the way dowairs. "I'm sorry auntie, I thought you were on a busirip and didn't want to bother you." Replied Annabell, letting go of me and embrag the woman when we reached the floor. Stern mask the woman wore on her face finally fell and she sighed with relief returning the embrace, smiling.

  When Annabell released her, I put my arm around her waist supp her. The dy looked over to the kit and then at me again before she spoke to Annabell. "I was, but I'm oo busy to help you with anything you need, my dear. You know that." Annabell felt a little guilty and I knew she'd ell anyone. She'd try to take care of herself on her own like always which made me wonder... "However, I seem to have been repced, in my absence." She smiled at me this time, feeling grateful. "o meet you, Jasper. I see you're taking good care of her."

  "It's my pleasure, ma'am. I'm sorry, but I was uhe impression that Annabell has only one aunt. Catelyn." I couldn't help but voice my fusion.

  "Oh dear, you didn't tell your boyfriend about lovely aunt Marry?" She ughed. Annabell's cheeks turned red. "And I am her only aunt. Caty is a friend and our caretaker, siravel for business a lot.

  "I call Catelyn aunt as well. Guess I never mentio. Aunt Mary is my father's sister." Said Annabell. That didn't make sense since her father was definitely a vampire. I felt her pull on the bay belt so Marry wouldn't see it. I looked at her and saw her very lightly shake her head, signalio not ask.

  "To be ho, my good for nothing of a brother, hardly call himself your father, hon. I always admired Jane for raising you alone. She did a great job. You turned into a fine young woman, my dear." Proudly smiled Marry. Anyway, I'm happy to see you in good hands." She wi me. Unsure how to respond, I just gave a small smile. "I won't keep you from breakfast any longer. I went here straight from the airport so I gotta stop at home and refresh myself. I'll e by again soon. Please be more careful, Annabell."

  "Of course." She nodded. Marry hugged her before walking to the door. "And Jasper?" She turned around, with her hand on the doorknob. "Keep taking good care of my niece." And she walked out.

  After meeting both women, Annabell apparently sidered family, I couldn't believe they were friends. They were like a day and night. So different from each other. Also while Catelyn seemed to be immediately ready to hop in my bed and repnabell by my side, Marry was genuinely happy for her. Making me like the tter more.

  I helped Ann to the kit table a baaking her breakfast. "So, what was that about?" I finally asked, curious.. Annabell gave a long sigh. "Hmmm, there was never really a good time to mention it." She started. "As you see, people believe that the man mom married was my father. I think he wasn't supposed to, but Chris told me about it once. My real father died soon after mom gnant and she married to protect me." That made sense. "However, the guy couldn't handle... me." She motioowards her face with her hand. I got it. "Unbelievable." I pced a pte with the waffles in front of Annabell. Taking her hand in mine, croug down to her level I cupped her cheek in my palm. "His loss. He had a ce to call an amazing being like you his daughter and threw it away. Don't trouble yourself over it, my love." She smiled and leao me for a light kiss before I released her again so she could eat.

  While Annabell enjoyed her food, I kept w, that her bruises had already vanished. Broken bones were apparently a different story. Aell me you're not doing what I think you are. I thought desperately. Would you lie if I ask? I couldn't help but worry she'd try to.

  *Annabell’s POV

  I might have been ed at first but everything Jasper made for me was delicious. If I didn’t know better I’d suspect him to be some chef in the past. I always felt like we shared the joy his foht me. Today, it was different. I could sense his inquisitive look on me. He was also more quiet than normal. When I finally couldn’t take it anymore, I faced him. “What’s wrong?”

  He hesitated for a moment before answering. “How are you feeling, angel?” He answered with a question. And a really odd one for him at that.

  “I’m feeling quite fine, just tired. Jay, tell me what’s wrong? I’d never expect you to ask how I feel when you, of all people, tell without me saying it.” I asked again, fused.

  “Your bruises are already gone.” He ented. His voice had a somewhat accusatory uone and I uood what he’s getting at.

  “So you noticed…” I bit my lip, unsure what to say.

  “So, I’m right.” Now the accusation became clear. “Ann, you promised to take it slow. Who knows what happens if you push yourself to heal too fast!” I heard him stand up and pace around the kit. He was frustrated with me and I couldn’t bme him. I knew I was being stubbor I still did it. Suddenly he stopped in front of me. “Are you seriously more willing to risk your life than to be cared for, a little longer?” He sounded hurt. “Because that is what you are doing right now. You are exhausting yourself so much you hardly stand. Every time you fall asleep it takes you loo wake up and I’m starting to wonder if you’ll wake up at all at some point.”

  “I’m-” I wao apologize but he wouldn’t let me.

  “No, angel. You are not sorry.” His voice ft. “Otherwise you wouldn’t do this to yourself. To us...” He paused for a sed. “Peter just arrived, I-I o clear my head for a bit.” And with that he was gone, leaving me aloh my guilt.

  “Hey, umm he’s usually in a better mood when ing from you. What happened, Annie?” Asked Peter, ing to the kit, sounding fused. I wasn’t even sure when he came in. Like I didn’t realize I was g until I felt Peter’s cold fingers wipe my tears away. “on baby girl, tell me, why was he so angry and why are y?”

  “He’s not just angry, Peter.” I started quietly. “He’s hurt… because I’m reckless, stubborn and stupid.”

  “Whoa, whoa, why do you say that? You are a lot of things but certainly not stupid.” He tered.

  “Yes, Peter, I am and he just found out how much.” Everything Jasper said was true. I thought, realizing that I just didn’t want to admit it to myself until then. Tears kept streaming down my cheeks aer pulled me gently in his brace. I rested my head against his shoulder for a moment but as tired as I was, I didn’t feel exactly warm even prior to his hug.

  Starting to get chills I couldn’t suppress a light shaking of my body anymore. Peter slowly released me and disappeared for a sed. When he came back, he ed a warm b around my shoulders. “Here you go, baby girl.”

  “Thank you” I tried to offer him a smile but failed. “I...” Accepting that he’ll most likely get angry too, I decided to tell him the truth. Maybe I’ll end up alone again after all. And it will be my own fault. Crossed my mind. “Since we left the hospital I was… I tried to heal as fast as possible, pletely disregarding the risk of it.” I heard him huff in disagreement. Now they both know. I didn’t think of them at all. It would only make sense for them to leave me behind now.

  “I see.” eter said. I couldn’t tell anything from his voice, just expected him to storm out like Jasper did earlier. Silent for a while, however, he still stood there. “Knowing you, I see there’s o tell you to try and imagine what it’s like for him, anymore. You realize it, right?” He asked then. Of course, Peter knew me too well.

  “Yes.” I nodded. “I uand. I just ’t see how he’d five me now.” Folding my arms oable before me I rested my head on them.

  “That’s a tough one, Annie. You already promised us both to not rush it… Maria used him as a puppet and it’s been like hell for him for so long. He got out with me but I had Charlotte, while Jasper seemed lost. The only time I saw him doing ok was while with Carlisle and his family.

  Whe you, I saw him finally start living, Annie. He just found you, girl, yet he nearly lost you multiple times already. And now you willingly endanger your life yourself. Words won’t matter to him much, anymore Annie. You o show him, you mean it.” Show him I mean it, huh. I k won’t be easy to ge my way of thinking and to accept being cared for, rather than trying to handle everything on my own. But if I didn’t want to lose my mate, I had to make the effort.

  One moment I was listening to Peter's voice, another I was ba the dark emptiness. I knew what it felt like to be alone. Lost. Jasper gave my life meaning. Getting to know him, falling in love, I was learning just as much about myself as him. I knew I had to find Jasper. Sprinting through the darkness, desperate I called his name. But like every time before, there was not even an ey own voice.