In Paris 1723

[2.5]

Chapter Five - A Birthday Disaster

*Genevieve*

I open the door and step outside, taking in a deep breath as I feel the crisp, cool air touching my face.

I sighed, closing my eyes and continuing to breathe in the fresh air. Pausing to enjoy the silence that surrounded the house for- what seemed like- the first time since we had been here. Quickly shaking my head as I walked down where everyone had congregated, Theo swiftly reached to me and pulled me to him, wrapping his arms around me and pressing a kiss to my cheek.

"All good?" he murmured into my ear. I nodded as leaned back to look at him, smiling as I reached up and pecked his lips. Comfortably leaning back against Theo's chest, fiddling with my ring as I listened to every member of the family try to make Jasper feel better. I sighed before stepping away from Theo, making my way over to Jasper, and sitting next to him. 

"You okay?" I ask casually, glancing over at him before leaning back and looking up at the darkening sky.

Jasper stayed silent beside me, wallowing in his self-guilt. Edward was very clearly was not helping, his gloomy behavior only made Jasper feel worse.

"Edward, why don't you drive Bella home? I'm sure that she's just jumping out of her skin to see you," I offer, sending Esme a pleading look.

"That would be good," Esme added on, nodding her head once she saw my look, "I'll walk with you... I should go talk to Carlisle anyways."

Edward bit his lip as he was gently guided away from the clearing by Esme, who was trying to engage him in a more positive conversation.

As soon as he was far enough away, Jasper's shoulders relaxed slightly, the feeling of Edward's deep depression leaving his mind allowing him to take a breath and focus on himself.

"I'm weak... useless... you should save yourself the time and just kill me now," he whispers, leaning over and holding his head in his hands.

"No."

"Never."

"We would never do that Jasper."

"I refuse to listen to you say that," Alice says softly, looking over at him with tears welling in her eyes. "You don't get to say that again. Do you hear me?"

"Why would you even say that?" I whisper, looking over at him in bewilderment.

"I too much of a risk... you saw what happened tonight. I almost killed-"

"Jasper Whitlock Hale. You have survived through a war. A horrible, manipulative wrench of a woman-"

"True, true," Alice says, nodding her head as her eyes narrow at the mere hint of Maria.

"So, no. I refuse to believe that you are weak. You are by far the strongest of us all. You go out every day and have to endure the emotions of those around you, adding on the extra complicated layer of being a vampire that has a natural tendency to lust for blood. I mean, the fact that you've been able to have so much self-control for so long is remarkable! You live each and every day feeling the thirst of every person in the house added on top of your own... the fact that you feel that and still go to school every day, willing to surround yourself with walking blood bags for 8 hours every day is remarkable. You cannot sit here and tell me that you expect there to be no slip-ups, no mistakes along the way. If you do, then you'd be an idiot."