Looking back on it, Jasper Hale was never quite sure what led him into the fairly ordinary looking diner. There was just a sense that had become more pronounced since Maria had changed him, and as he was alone, there was no reason to ignore it. At least he could get some company and pretend to eat. Not to mention he could get out of the rain, which was starting to get harder. Hopefully nobody inside would notice anything unusual. He didn't want to think about what he might be capable of in that case.
Once he stepped in though, he was sure why the sense had led him there. And he would never stop thanking or stop following it again. Somehow he knew that the dark-haired pixie smiling at him would change his life forever.
He'd never be alone again after being for all intents and purposes alone all the years since he had left Maria. From her expression, he'd found someone he could relate to, who didn't see him as a monster. What more could he ask for?
"You've kept me waiting a long time," she said. Somehow this didn't seem absurd to Jasper, although he'd never seen her before, let alone told her he'd meet her here. There was an almost dreamlike feel to it, except this had to be the most wonderful, most realistic dream he'd ever had.
Not to mention that vampires don't dream.
"I'm sorry, ma'am", he replied. He realized that the woman he was talking to wasn't human either. Still, this only about halfway explained this. How did she know he was coming, when he hadn't known himself until a minute before? And why did this feel so comfortable, like he'd known her for forever? He'd never believed in reincarnation before, but it was as though he'd known her in another life. Somehow, Jasper knew that his life would never be the same. As his life since his life as a vampire hadn't been anything worth missing, that was completely fine with him. Maybe a fulfilling life was still possible for him. Maybe he had become resigned to feeding too soon, never mind the guilt that would come afterward.
The excited young woman took his hand, and he reached for it instinctively. Some contact with another being, especially one as welcoming and beautiful as she was, felt so good. He wondered how he'd survived without for so long.
"I was wondering when you were going to appear," she continued. "I was starting to think you never would."
"I was always going to," he answered, and it seemed true enough at the time. Maybe it was his destiny, and he just hadn't realized it until a few minutes ago.