Chapter 3

Time, for me, seems to pass both quickly and not quickly enough. In a measure of days, I have been alive for twenty-eight-thousand-one-hundred-thirty-seven days. In all likelihood I could still be alive; I would just be a very old man of seventy-seven years. I wondered if any of my comrades had survived this long. I knew we had lost our right to vote because we had fought for our independence from the Yankees, but we still had the basic rights that everyone else had in these United States.

Now they had things like penicillin to cure pneumonia and certain diseases; surely some, even one, could be alive. My human parents had died, leaving me to collect the money from the sell of the plantation and all other family assets as I was the only male heir. I put that money into a bank, not sure how much time on this planet I would have. I knew that I was an immortal, doomed to live forever alone, but there are ways to kill us, and I was just waiting for one of those ways to occur. I think my worries about how much longer I had to live stemmed from my time as a young vampire with Maria, she wanted a war and I was her "good little soldier." She rewarded me for killing others like myself with blood, and of course, sex.

I thought a little bit about the last time I had been intimate with a woman of any form; it had been a long time, a few years at least, and it had not been with Maria. It had not been with someone I loved, I gave into my lustful urges again and again without a second thought.

If there is a heaven, then my momma was looking down at me in disappointment.

I looked over at my pet, she was knitting some sort of blanket or something near the fire. It was February and still cold to her, while I loved the smell and feel of snow, it could make her ill. So I dutifully stood in the corner, farthest from the fire, I knew what could happen if I got too close, the flame was one way to surely kill a vampire. I digress though, I was once like my little human, I once had morals and beliefs. While I was no virgin when I met Maria and her friends that dark night so many years ago, I had never been this brazen.

I guess knowing you can live forever makes you a little less moral and a little more feral. I have a fair idea of why I was suddenly rethinking the way I did things, she was sitting there with her little sticks, her hands moving steadily as she hummed some unknown melody.

She had been with me for a little over ten days now and had been very complacent. Other than occasionally flinching, she did not move away when I would drink from her bosom, although I had yet to try the vein near her groin. I smirked in her direction as I thought of the fight she would put up for that one.

I knew the only reason she was so compliant was because I threatened her sister, and at the time I meant what I had said; well, mostly. I never intended to kill Mary, everything about her called to me, all of my primal urges had to be kept in check while I was around her or I would do something I would never forgive myself for. No matter how good that little lapse would feel. I would however show her the kind of monster I could be, one that I had seen time and again, many of my friends were less... adverse to pain than I was.

Then again, I doubt others could feel their prey's terror like I could. I felt Mary's when I told her I knew about her sister. It made me feel guilty for saying those things to her, but she needed to be reprimanded, she had to be better behaved. I could not have her acting in that manner if, say, one of the members of the Volturi showed up on our doorstep.

I had finally received a post from the Voltari that they had received her registration and I was given a tag for her. They renamed her as well. They said it was necessary that pets no longer answer to their birth names, but to avoid confusion, they leaned towards familiar names for the pets and gave her her middle name to use instead.

I took her to the market almost everyday and would wait in the shade outside while she would buy her groceries and then come back out to me. It was at the market where I found this frivolous little card that was sitting in my pocket, a middle aged woman approached me after she had watched my pet walk into the store and showed me a small basket filled with handmade cards.

I only looked to be polite, it wouldn't be good to offend the town's people so early in my stay, but then I found a little card that amused me and I paid her a nickle for it. Days in a month, holidays, meant so little to me, but I knew that my little human would be touched by the gesture. I remembered very little from my human life, but one saying stuck with me, my father always said that a little kindness went a long way. He meant it too, he was kind to everything: his animals, his workers, his plants, his family, but he was also firm. No one crossed him and I always tried to be like him.

Guess I should give it to her. I walked slowly over to her, giving her time to notice me so I wouldn't surprise her. I found that not walking at my usual pace tended to calm her. When I reached her side I just watched her hands for a moment, moving the needles at what seemed to me to be a slow pace, looping the yarn, pushing the needle through, pulling, repetitive actions.

She didn't look up at me, so I ran the tip of my index finger along the side of her neck, tracing the artery there. The needles stopped as she carefully laid them in her lap to look up at me with a smile. I studied her for a moment, she was slightly worried, even if I couldn't feel her emotions I would be able to see it in her sea-foam colored eyes. I reached into the pocket of my trousers and pulled the tiny piece of colorful paper out of my pocket and handed it to her, then walked out of the house, locking the front door behind me.

I felt something stir inside my cold dead heart that was foreign to me so I decided to feed and clear my head.

~oOo~

I was a little careless with my meal. He was a man I found up in the woods, with a gun and a knife. He tried to kill me too, the bastard, slicing open my shirt as I sank my teeth into his neck. When I discovered what he had done I was furious and ripped him apart.

Why was I so angry he ripped my shirt? Before Alice I would just dispose of the body and the shirt at the same time, but I knew that she had spent time making this shirt. I sighed, I could really only blame myself, I shouldn't have hunted in this.

I almost laughed at myself when I saw my little house, I was afraid of her being upset over the shirt. What would happen to me? Well, I guess she could, in theory, throw me into the fire, but I doubt she could. I felt small pangs of guilt as I walked in and looked around for her. I knew she was going to have to mend the shirt, but isn't that what girls were brought up learning? Mending, sewing, knitting, cleaning, caring for babies, and cooking meals. At least that is the way it seems to me.

I found her in the bedroom, pushing the little card into the frame of the mirror on the vanity. I watched her as she moved, the dress she wore showed her shape a lot better than that sack they had her in back at the asylum and I was fully enjoying the movement just under the fabric with every inpatient bounce.

She turned around suddenly and, after realizing I had been watching her, she gasped and looked down, her blood pooling just under the surface of her skin making her absolutely mouthwatering.

"Thank you for the card, Jasper. That was very kind of you to do," she said softly.

She liked the card... that made me feel quite happy, to be honest. "I'm happy you liked it."
She smiled slightly as she nodded before her smile dropped. She had noticed the shirt. I could hear her sigh sadly as she came closer. "Next time, try not to feed on a bear?" she joked, while inspecting the torn shirt.

"Sadly, it was a man with a knife," I gave her a little smile. "Too bad a knife can't hurt me."

Her eyebrows knitted together, clearly displeased with something I had said. "Well, I can either repair this shirt, but it wouldn't be suitable to wear outside the house... or I can use the scraps for a quilt," she looked up at me. "Your choice."

"I do not care... I don't have to wear anything at all if you would prefer it," I winked at her and knew she was about to get up in arms over the connotations of my words.

She scowled and rolled her eyes. "Just because spring is near, Jasper, that does not mean you can walk around half naked."

I chuckled at her, as if the weather could effect me. "Do what you would like to do, my pet... Have you eaten?" I ran my finger along the bridge of her nose, she was adorable.

"Umm..." she started as she thought about it. "Not since breakfast no," she said shaking her head.

"You should eat then..." I shifted so she could leave the room. "I'm going to read."

She nodded, "very well." She quickly walked past me to leave. She was still afraid of me, I watched her walk into the kitchen with resignation. She may fear me, but at least she obeyed.

~oOo~

At last the bathtub was installed properly with running water and hooked up to the sewage system. She had been washing herself in the kitchen sink, using a washrag for her dirtier parts and leaving the rest to make do till the tub was installed.

I was grategful once they were finished with the work and sure she was as well, now that she could have a proper bath. I went to a special shop in town that sold soaps and other products for bathing so I went there one day, after dropping her off at the grocery, picked up several products, and, after recieving many looks from the other patrons, I purchased my items and made the gentleman behind the counter's heart race when I winked at him.

He was afraid and slightly aroused by my presence. Interesting, very interesting. I took my sack and waited dutifully for little Alice outside the grocery.

She smiled wide as she exited the market. "They had a sale on fresh strawberries. They smell delicious!"

I sniffed near her, I could smell the strawberries and the meat and the other items she was buying, none of it was mouthwatering to me. Not in the way her blood was. "If you say so." I gave her a gentle smile, "Are you all ready to go then?"

She laughed and smiled. "Yes I am. You know it's a shame you can't eat strawberries. I almost thought of making shortcake but that would be entirely too much for just me," she mused.

I began walking, slowing my pace down to match hers. "You could always consume a large amount of it and maybe it will give a sweetness to your blood?"

She giggled. "Perhaps."

"You are happy?" I turned to look at her face, the feelings were bursting out of her. Happiness... why was she so happy now, when before there was always had a slight edge of sadness to her.

"I am," she smiled. "Must be the weather."

"It is beautiful today," I agreed. "I like this, your happiness." It felt good to not feel her sadness.

"I'm sorry?" she asked.

"It feels good to me when you are happy."

"Oh! Sorry, I didn't realize I was so sad," she gave me an apologetic smile.

"It's quite all right, I understand why you are so sad, that is why it surprised me." I turned to look at her thoughtful face.

"You understand?"

"You've been given no hope of a normal life, you will never have children, or get married..." I stopped myself because I could feel her sadness once again.

I could see her trying to make herself seem happy as she stepped closer to me as a gentleman passed us. "I'm not sure if this life is all that bad, compared to the life I was living," she countered reaching into her bag and pulling out a strawberry.

I noticed the man was paying attention to her, so I placed my hand on the small of her back, a gesture to show that she was mine. "Well then, tell me why you were sad."

She shrugged as she nibbled on the fruit. "I miss my family, my baby sister really."

"Unfortunately, there is nothing I can do to help that."

"I know," she sighed. "I suppose over time, I'll get over it. Was it hard for you? Leaving your family after your change?"

"Yes, and no..." I was thoughtful for a moment. "Yes, because I was supposed to get married and I was very close to my family... but at the same time no. No one went to war in those times expecting to come back."

Something in my answer piqued her curiosity. "You were betrothed?"

"Yes." I nodded my head, "I remember her name was Sarah."

"But you said you were never in love before..."

I shrugged, "I don't remember being in love, marriages aren't always for love."

She nodded. "What about children? Do you remember ever wanting children?"

I considered her question as we walked up the hill, "I think I expected to have children, I was the only male heir in my family."

She shook her head. "So you were a "do as expected" type of young man," she teased with finger quotes. "How noble of you."

"Oh, and you aren't? I think when anyone is young they tend to try to make their parents happy, to do as they are expected to do."

She laughed and shook her head. "If I was, I don't think I would have met you."

"Hmm... if you say so." We turned down the path towards our little house. "But still, you are so virtuous."

"Oh, you dare to underestimate my rebel side Jasper?" She tried to sound offended, but was truly amused.

"Are you going to surprise me, Miss?" I asked, sounding very much like the southern gentleman I once was.

She smiled up at me. "I just might," she said sounding sure of herself.

The corner of my mouth twitched up along with my eyebrow. "What are you plannin'?" I asked as I opened the door for her.

"Oh you'll see," she laughed as she carried her bag to the kitchen.

I studied her from behind as I closed the door and walked into the newly finished bathroom, setting the toiletries onto a small table that was placed in here expressly for that purpose before walking back out to gather my pet up for her bath.

I watched her enjoy another berry, her little moans and the way she danced happily to whatever tune was in her head affecting me in a manner that made my pants a little tighter. She twirled and I didn't move an inch as she twirled herself right into me, I reached out and pulled her closer so that she wouldn't fall to the floor before I realized that she could probably feel my...problem.
"I'm sorry," she breathed. I could feel her embarrassment, it was rolling off her in waves, but mixed in were small amounts of lust. I could almost taste it...

"It's quite alright," I drawled, my voice was husky. My need was intense, I was having a difficult time controlling myself.

"Did you need something Jasper?" she asked.

That seemed to bring me out of my haze, oh yes, why was I here? "Um... I wanted to...Well, I figured it would be a good time to bathe you."

Her eyes lit up in excitement. "That's right, it's done! Okay, give me a minute to finish up in here and I'll get started on that."

I smiled at how happy she was about it, her excitement was contagious. I turned and walked into the bathroom waiting for her.

A few moments later she entered the room humming as she set a pile of clothes on the vanity. She looked up at me wide eyed in the reflection of the mirror. "Are you ready?" I asked, a little surprised at her expression.

"Yes?" she seemed confused.

I turned around and turned the faucet on, wondering how hot would be too hot for her. "Will you come test the water?"

She didn't say a word as her hand went under the running water. "A little warmer please," she said softly. I turned the left handle a little farther.

"Would you like me to leave while you undress and get in?" I asked, looking at her seriously.

Recognition flashed in her eyes as she shook her head. "No it's okay," she said softly. She turned her back to me and slowly started to undress. I closed my eyes, trying to block the images that surged through my poor lust addled mind. I could easily walk over and undress her and take her... against the wall, over the sink, on the floor, it didn't really matter. Lord knows I wanted to, and I was fighting extremely hard against my instincts not to.

Who knew it would be so hard to wash your pet?

I took a steadying breath and once I heard a slight splash and a contented sigh, I opened my eyes and turned to look at her. Her knees were hugged to her chest and her seafoam eyes locking onto mine. I moved the stool towards the end of the tub, sat on it, grabbed the washcloth, lathered it up with soap, and put my hand out. "Your foot please."

She slowly lifted her leg resting it against the lip of the tub, her eyes watching me carefully. "I can bathe myself," she said softly.

"And I can do it better," I informed her, getting to work, focusing on the task at hand as if it were a job of some sort, she was no longer the little human whose blood I desired almost as much as her body. No, she was now the little human who had traces of dirt, sweat, and salt over every surface of her body, and I was being meticulous in washing it off.

"What makes you think you can do better?" she asked genuinely curious.

"I can see dirt, your pores, the sweat build-up, better than you can; your human eyes only see about fifty percent of what I can." I explained, moving up her leg.

The water sloshed as she tensed up, then relaxed, allowing me to continue without a struggle. "Oh..."

"I need you to stand up," I informed her.

"Why?" she asked.

"Because I need to wash...the areas that the water is covering up." I explained as politely as I could.

She shook her head. "Oh no, I can wash those areas just fine Jasper," she protested. I placed my hand on her shoulder, relaxing her and making her more compliant.

"Please Alice..."

I could see the desire to protest in her eyes while she nodded silently. With a shaky breath she slowly pulled herself up. She was wet and naked, the beads of water trickled down her olive colored skin in such an enticing way, my body remembered it's urges and stiffened once again.

I closed my eyes again, trying to relax myself before I opened them and dutifully cleaned her, taking it upon myself to please her a little as I did so. After lathering her up from behind, taking note of her reluctance as I had to squeeze my hand between her legs, I let the washcloth drop back into the water and slid my fingers between her warm, wet folds, finding the small nub that I knew would bring a great amount of pleasure to her and rubbing it gently. She gasped and I could feel her pleasure, almost like it was building up inside of me, I closed my eyes and focused on bringing her pleasure.

Her legs started to tremble and I wrapped my free arm around her to support her, her scent permeated the air, it was delicious and my entire being was responding to it. Her little moans grew closer together and I could feel the pressure building up. She started to seize up from the power of her orgasm and I pulled her close to me so that I could calm her down a little, but the feel of her so close and the way she smelled made my venom pool. After a moment I carefully sat her back in the tub and got back to my meticulous washing of the rest of her body.

She sighed and leaned back in the water, looking at me. "Cheater," she said lightly.

"No sweetheart, that was all you," I gave her a small smile and began washing her back.

"You didn't have to do that you know."

I couldn't help but smile at that, "I know." I rubbed a little more, "Did you enjoy that?"

She nodded embarrassed. "I've never experienced anything like that before."

"That is kind of what... bein' intimate is like."

She looked over her shoulder at me before looking straight ahead. "Oh..."

"Only... better," that is a rather bad explanation.

She giggled. "Better?"

"Much," I laughed a little, too, unable to explain it better to her, as many times as I had experienced it, I wasn't able to form words to describe how incredible the act of love - or lust, however you wanna look at it, felt.

"Jasper?" she asked quietly after a few moments. I made a noise to let her know I was listening as I washed her back and arms. "I've been good right?"

"Yes, very good," I smiled a little as I spoke the words.

I felt the relief wash over her at my words. "So much so that I could have a garden out back?"

"Would it make you happy to have a garden? And you promise me you wouldn't try to run?" I moved the wash rag to her side, my hand grazing her breast in such a way that it reminded certain parts of me that they longed to be buried inside of her.

She gasped and nodded before clearing her throat. "I just thought maybe I could use a hobby now that the weather is getting warmer..."

"And grow yourself some things to eat as well?"

"Yes, it could help save you money."

I ran my nose along her neck, she smelled so lovely. "You may have your garden."

"Thank you Jasper," she said softly, happiness evident in her voice.

I moved my face up to her ear, "I would like to drink from you tonight," I whispered. It had been a week since the last time. She nodded in response. I dropped the washcloth into the water and reached for the special shampoo I bought, pouring some into my hands before running my fingers carefully through her short hair. She hummed in delight, thoroughly enjoying my fingers rubbing against her scalp. When I finished I filled a pitcher with clean water and rinsed her hair out carefully.

She stood up and I wrapped the towel around her before letting the water out of the bath. “Go ahead and get dressed, I'll be in the bedroom momentarily."

"The usual?" she asked.

I looked at her thoughtfully, might as well tonight. "No undergarments, please."

She bit her lip, I could tell she was holding her tongue as she nodded and left the bathroom. I smirked, I loved it when she fought it a little.