Chapter 2: Meeting

I was still in shock when I saw him standing there. I didn't think he noticed me in our day to day life to begin with. Jasper just stood there and grinned.

"Esme. I was waiting here for you."

"But how did you know I was going to run here today? I change my route every day so no one can track me. I wouldn't want to be attacked when I wasn't expecting it," I said to him.

"I wanted to see how you were. How you really are. I know this has to be tough. I know when Alice is gone it's like a piece of me is gone. And now that you really don't know what happened to Carlisle you have to be hurting."

"I am Jasper. I miss him so much. I wonder if there is any way that I can get a hold of him. I always thought that we were connected somehow and that if one of us wasn't right the other one wouldn't be either."

"I know Alice said that she saw him die. I hope for your sake it didn't happen. But I guess we will never know until we go out there or he comes back," Jasper said with concern in his voice. He came up to me and took my hand, holding it tight. "It's okay to feel something. You know what? I'll be right here to pick up the pieces for you."

"Really, Jasper you don't have to," I said to him holding his hand tightly.

"I am, I will. I'll do it for you because you have done so much for me."

I put my head on his shoulder and let him comfort me as he wrapped his arms around me. It was nice to have someone that you care about so much just hold you. I don't think anyone else had offered to be there for me like he did. But Jasper was always good that way. He would go the extra mile to make sure you were okay.

"Let's start walking home, I know that everyone else is probably missing you right about now." Jasper said with a sigh.

"I know. I really haven't been paying attention to anyone lately. I have been trying not to hurt so bad." I said to him.

"Well, from now on you put a smile on your face, and pretend you are okay. Because once you start really talking to me you will finally be okay. I promise." Jasper said hopefully.

"Okay, if you put it that way I'll race you home. And I get a head start." I said with a smile forming on my lips.

"You are on Esme, and don't worry about that head start, I'll catch up with you in no time."

I started running as soon as he started talking and true to his word we were running side by side. I felt exhilarated and free. For the first time in a while I felt like I would be okay. With Jasper's help I could get over this. I could make this hurt for Carlisle go away.

I wasn't sure how I lucked out having such great children, Edward helped me laugh, Bella helped me be nurturing, Alice helped me not be a fashion mistake, Rosalie helped me spend my money, Emmett helped me love...and now Jasper was becoming the one I knew I could tell anything to.

My life was starting to look up...but I still missed Carlisle like crazy.