"When your love is reciprocated, it is the most pleasurable thing in the world."

Alenia smiled with little thought, and her eyes glided to the picture on her bedside table. The first, and only picture she had of the both of them, now both subjects as immortal as the photograph itself. She would sometimes make little lines up like that in her head, how she and Jasper would be as everlasting as themselves, because she didn't yet quite believe that she could be the most fortunate woman on the planet.

She placed the book to her side, knowing she wouldn't be able to concentrate on Jane Eyre for much longer. She was so tired now, but she'd given up on sleep, like she had many times when thinking of him. But now, she wasn't conflicted, love lost or sick with worry that she wasn't good enough. The discarded dress draped over the back of her wicker chair served as a reminder that she wasn't lucid dreaming that proposal just last night. It had happened as much as Renesme's and Jacob's wedding, and soon that would be them. She felt like crying and laughing at once.

She wondered what he was doing now, whether his family knew, whether her own parents had an inkling. Her mother was a romantic somewhat like herself, so she probably would have been expecting it as soon as he sat at our dining table and offered him breakfast that morning. Her father on the other hand was a realist, and Jasper knew that. He would have requested permission.

As if on cue, her phone buzzed, and buzzed again, making a loud, attention seeking racket next to the picture. She knew who it would be, and didn't let it ring again.

"Hello?"

His breathy laugh sounded, the scratchy quality of the phone only slightly masking its beauty. "Thank goodness. I wasn't dreaming was I?"

I laughed giddily. "You don't dream, you don't even need sleep. I wish I didn't. I'm gonna regret this in the morning."

"Regret what?"

"Not beng able to sleep," she giggled. "Nothing more. What have you been up to?"

"Nothing that could divert my attention. I'm losing at chess to Emmett. How humiliating is that?"

"Oh, shameful, how will I ever be able to look you in the eye again," Alenia teased, and heard Emmett's guffaw in the background like an evil cackle. "At least he's happy, though."

"He's not the only one, this house is buzzing with that emotion, I can barely concentrate on my own."

She smiled instantly. "Good thing I'm not there, you'll explode."

"I wish you didn't need sleep, I'm at a loss here."

"Yes, well, you would insist on my maintaining my optimum level of health with sleep. I don't need as much as humans. You would be too much of a distraction."

"I'm not there, and yet you still can't sleep."

"Because I am gloriously happy, immortal and engaged to a man who will live as long as I. Now, I think we should tell our families tomorrow."

"Good, Edward keeps giving me the eye of suspicion."

"He's so convenient to have around, isn't he? Anyway, what time do you want us over?"

The next morning, Alenia was still brimming. Flying down the stairs, she caught a glance of her mother drinking coffee in the living room.

"Morning!"

Her head turned, surprised, and she grinned in return. "Morning, Cheshire Cat," she joked. "I take it you didn't get to sleep last night, its 11 30."

"Not really, we didn't get home until late anyway."

Her mother got up and motioned for her to sit. "Come on, ill get you breakfast. Any plans for the day?"

Alenia instead followed her mother into the kitchen, deciding to help instead of sitting. She had too much energy. "Well, we've been invited to the Cullen's house tonight, is that okay?"

"Well, I have no work, Dad's home, I've told Scott to plan nothing, my best dress is hanging up and-"

"Wait, what?"

Her mother stopped chopping fruit, and gave her an earnest, knowing look. "Sweet, I know. But don't worry, your father and brother know nothing. Esme and I have been talking about it, it's all arranged."

Alenia gave her mother a worried look. "What is? And how do you know?"

She simply put her fingers to her lips. "'Jasper is so good at detecting emotions, he's forgotten the ability to conceal his own as of late' were her exact words, mother's intuition I suppose. As for this evening, you'll just have to wait."

She didn't know whether to anticipate or dread it. Aleni left the room, wondering, butterflies in her stomach. Sure, it was a bit disappointing that she hadn't been able to tell her, but she knew she was happy for her. Afterall, she'd been expecting it.

Esme felt light, tingling with excitement for this evening. She'd given nothing away in terms of secret operations, and her practice in concealing thoughts served her as well as they always had. She felt smug, with power, feeling like a giddy young girl with her best friend. Nothing gave her more pleasure than to plan something to make others happy, and so far she'd never failed them. Alice's attempts were usually cursed, but now that she did it, they swam neatly, just as planned.

Humming quietly, she glided around the mansion. Everything was well. Rose and Emmett were at their new home, decorating, and Bella had taken Renesme and Alenia shopping. Edward, Jasper and Carlisle were hunting until 7pm, and now she was just waiting for Carla, the decorations, and the food from the caterers. You can't go too overboard for an engagement party!

Carla arrived, and they played music while they worked, and they enjoyed these times. It had been so long since she'd had girl talk, it had changed so much without her realising! They discussed their husbands, their children, how lovely their lives were. Carla learned about her life, which took a long time, so she countered it with telling her about England and her work. Like herself, she'd fallen in love with a man, knowing what he was. She didn't care. It was wonderful to meet someone who could relate.

In time, the house looked glorious, and all was timed beautifully. In the distance, she heard the car pull in simultaneously with the pending gather of footsteps beating on the ground. She was at the door when the hunting party had returned, and diverted them all upstairs to change for the supposed 'announcement'. Bella was under the same rouse, and her timeliness was perfect.

Alenia got out of the car, waving goodbye to Bella, still nervous. Jasper would be picking her up in 30 minutes, so she got ready as quickly as possible. She loved not having to wear make up. Since knowing what she was, her apparent beauty came through, so she was proud of how little time it took her to change. Jasper was waiting for her on the window frame when she returned from the bathroom to make finishing touches.

"You look more beautiful every time," he grinned cheesily. She blushed and shook her head. "More comments like that and In time you'll never see me blush again." She went to kiss him hello, and guided him downstairs. "I have suspicions by the way, something is afoot."

"You get that too?"

"My mom more or less said so. I don't know what, but youre not leaving my side."

He answered with an arm around her shoulder, and kissed her hair. Those shoulders felt warm now, warmer every day. Did that mean she was still changing?

The evening grew darker as the journey progressed, but no less beautiful. The purplish skies held depth as they drew higher, and the sihloettes of the trees reminded Alenia of that field, the field in which Jasper had diminished all her doubts, her fears, any obstacles between her and happiness. He squeezed her hand knowingly.

The lights were on in the mansion, including the upper floors. Hand in hand, they approached it like a beautiful, potentially dangerous object.

Something like nervousness grew within the pit of his stomach. Whether it was over the announcement, or the suspicion that something was brewing, he wasn't sure. He was thrilled that the day had finally come where he could tell everyone he was marrying his soul mate, so it was probably that. Anticipation.

The house was buzzing with voices, people getting ready, and additional voices matching to particular smells. Werewolves, and not just Jacob. Esme flitted through to the hall with forced composure. "Good evening, my dear, I hope you're well? Your parents and brother are just downstairs."

She led them both through the down the steps leading to the downstairs lounge, and waited at the door. "Okay."

Behind the door, the room was lit only by candle light. Hundreds of them, all around, reflected in the doors standing just behind a numerous groups of people, most of whom I recognised from the wedding, talking among themselves. The atmosphere was buzzing with anticipation and curiosity, but really neither of the couple could take much notice. The room was stunning, and Jasper was beyond grateful. It certainly beat awkward conversations with the two families over wedding dates.

Within seconds they were in the crowd, staying together while holding separate conversation. A few minutes later, Esme and Carla connected their eyes to them with meaningful stares. "You're up," Carla mouthed. Jasper lead Alenia to the nearest step for attention, and eyes followed them.

"Okay everyone, if I could have your attention for one moment, im sure you're wondering why youre all here. First off, I'd like to thank all of you for coming, and even more particular members of our families for arranging this." He looked to Alenia, who was just as captured as everyone else, anticipating the words. "do you want to do the honours?"

The idea of talking in front of a large group normally frightened her. But not now, she would be the one to confirm this, that she was engaged to this man and he was hers in return. She was proud, in the moment, and the luckiest person in the world. "We're engaged!" She announced, holding up her hand, grinning shamelessly, and instantly they were amass of applauds and hugs and handshakes and congratulatory kisses. They music seemed louder, more upbeat, even over the excited voices, and Alenia just managed to catch Esme bringing in a huge cake, tiered and covered in what looked like diamonds. She was being hugged by people she only just recognised, but she couldn't care less. She welcomed them with happiness and acceptance.

The evening's festivities drew to a gradual close, one family leaving by the next as it entered the early hours. Some had jobs, some had families, and others had the night to steal for themselves. The red eyes, only a few of whom had appeared, hastily made their exit by the smell of a human; Edward knew, and he didn't tell the others. Everyone in that room was safe now, but the ones who'd been, until the last couple of months, leading human lives, wouldn't be able to be so flippant about it. Suspicion was on occasion better than confirmation.

He made eye contact with Bella, who was recounting the woes of planning their wedding with Alice, and for once, they laughed. Conversations were becoming less and less awkward about her now, and the more Carla and her daughter learned about the old Alice, the more they softened to the memory of the only one Alenia had encountered. Her thoughts were never outstandingly harsh towards her, not after finding out the reason for her breakdown. She knew she would react the same way; she would have dreams, she told him once, of the vision Alice had allowed her to see. Her pain would radiate so far, Jasper would return from his hunt within minutes just to ease her to sleep.

He caught himself smiling at the images running through his wife's mind as she talked, the stiletto practices and the dress rehearsals, her panics over matching napkins with the correct silverware. It was times like those that he loved his sister, even though she caused his wife unusually high blood pressure. He missed her at times.

But now, he was glancing at all the faces that made his misfit family better than ever; Carlisle could now relax into conversation with Michael, and not have to monitor Jasper's blood lust. Esme was happy with a friend she could soon call sister, and Scott was coming more and more out of his shell, now that he was getting over the shock of all the beautiful faces he had to endure at the wedding. Again, Edward laughed at the boy's panic when their Alaskan cousins introduced themselves. Smooth operator.

"Sup bro," Emmett commented. Edward didn't even realise he was next to him. "Hmm."

Silence ensued for a while, but Emmett always had a motive. "Sup bro" was actually a code. Yet, with endless patience, he waited. It was no use trying to penetrate Emmett's mind with all the obscene traps lying in wait.

"So…So! What's it like having a werewolf who kissed your wife and then imprinted on your baby daughter for a son in law?"

Edward closed his eyes and took a calming breath. He was waiting for this, considering how often Emmett summarised the situation before the wedding. The first time he commented on it was not long after Renesme finally stopped growing, and the family was on edge anyway, with Alice. Needless to say, they took it outside.

"We're handling it."

At this point, Bella had stopped staring, but Edward could see the wicked smile on her face. At once, Emmett's face was an image of anger. "Hey! Not fair!"

His walls were down, and Edward received the memory she'd just thrown at him of her defeating him in an arm wrestle. And the numerous ones even afterwards. If he could go red, he would be. It managed to shut him up, anyway.

Emmett slumped to the side, just behind Edward, each leaning on a part of the door frame to the garden. "What about our new extended family, then?"

Edward gave one more clarifying glance. "Why do you ask?"

"Just curious. Its different, you know? Feels different. More…relaxed."

Edward nodded, and Emmett shifted to the over side of the door frame. "I know they still talk about her, but now I don't even miss her as much as I did. Its like she never even existed in this family."

Again, Edward nodded, but slowly, thoughtfully. He was right, he still missed her too. But only on occasion. "Sometimes I think that's a good thing."

"What d'you mean?"

Shifting the guilt aside, which had been receding over the last few weeks, he admitted the truth as he found it. "If Alice was still here, as she had been, Jasper would have never found Alenia. Alice belittled his self-control, and if affected everyone. She was a hypocrite."

"But you still haven't answered my question."

"I think I have."

Time ticked by, and the party further dwindled, and Alenia felt her body ache with the long day behind her. That was how she knew she was about to be tired, and yet she didn't want to sleep. She never wanted to sleep again, but she knew she had to. She felt like a petulant child again.

Wordlessly, Jasper took her hand from behind and led her away, and soon the cool night air was against her skin.

Once they were just about to enter the forest, he turned, kissed her, and smiled devilishly. "Wanna race?"

She matched his smile with an evil grin, pecked his cheek, and darted from sight.