The next morning Bella awoke with a jaw cracking yawn and a stretch so deep and satisfying her eyes crinkled shut. As her hands brushed the empty space around her bits and pieces of the day before began to filter in. Jasper. The kiss. The first kiss. The other kisses. With a giggle and a huge smile, she buried her face in the pillow where his head had been so recently and filled her lungs with his delicious smell. Voices filtered up from downstairs and she realized this is what must have woken her.

"Um, well sir, I'm not really sure sir."

Wow. Bella'd never heard him sound so nervous! She could just picture him looking down at the ground, one hand rubbing the back of his neck. Bet if he could he'd be blushing.

"I don't have much experience with girls, but I like your daughter an awful lot, and I think we're both realizing it's- um... starting to be more than friends, and my mama raised me right, and Esme too for her part. And I guess I just thought it would be proper to ask you for your permission. Because I have a lot of respect for you sir, and for Bella. And I'd be a lot happier knowing we had your blessing..."

What?! What the heck was that about? Isn't that the sort of stuff you say when...

"Huh. Never knew you were so old fashioned Jasper. That was sort of sweet. Little odd, but nice. Yeah, yeah, I know your a good kid, and if Bella's happy, it's fine with me."

"Thank you, sir!"

"Uh-huh. Why don't you go wake up sleeping beauty before her eggs get cold?"

Before Charlie had even finished Bella heard Jasper dashing up the stairs at barely-slow-enough to pass for human speed and then she was being swept up into his arms.

She squeaked. "Hi."

Jasper just grinned and leaned in burying his face in her hair and squeezing her tight.

"So I know you were awake, but did you uh, happen to hear any of that?"

"Yeah, I think I got most of it. Is that ok?"

Jasper nodded and then took a deep breath.

"Bella? Would you do me the honor of letting me take you out tonight?"

"Oh! A date? Is that what that-" She nodded towards the stairs. "-was all about?"

"Uh-huh."

They stared at each other as the silence got a bit awkward and Jasper started to fidget.

"Bella?"

"Hmm?"

"Darlin' you didn't actually answer me..."

"Oh. Oh! Oh Jasper, of course I will! I can't wait!" And with that she pushed up on her tip toes and kissed him on the mouth. Jasper looked... shocked. A little dazed. And when he finally moved to return the kiss, incredibly happy.

"Will you two cut that out?"

They both turned towards Emmett's voice to see him sitting on the sill of Bella's bedroom window. Bella turned her signature shade and Jasper looked chagrined.

"So what's up? You two figure your shit out, or just spend this whole time kissing? Cause I know every damn time I show up-"

"Shut up Emmett!" They both yelled at the same time, then glanced at each other, and cracked up.

"Ok, jeez, no need to yell." Emmett grumbled as he finished climbing the rest of the way in and flopped on the bed. "So what's up? Nobody's crying so that's a good sign. No need for punching. Yet." He eyed Jasper critically.

Bella looked confused so Jasper decided to jump in and answer for the both of them.

"Bella's agreed to accompany me out this evening, and Charlie has given us his blessing." And he looked exceedingly proud of himself.

"Seriously man? His blessing? On your date? Ha! Dude, your relationship may be on it's maiden voyage, but it is not a luxury liner."

Jasper looked stunned, possibly offended, and just a little bit hurt.

"Ha! Hahaha! If your gonna go whole hog and go for the champagne too can I suggest you have Charlie break the bottle over your head and not Bells? Save yourself a trip to the Emergency room! Although, this is Bell we're talking about here, you'll probably end up there before the night is through..."

Emmett just managed to get the last bit out before Jasper picked him up and forcibly ejected him from the room via the still open window. Unfortunately they could still hear him.

"Wow, touchy! Well, I figure you'll be coming by the house soon. Maybe get a little extra blessing from Carlisle for good measure, eh Jasper? Oh man, Rosie's gonna be so pissed! Ha! Yeah, I'll be over when you are. Wouldn't want to miss the fireworks..." Emmett finally headed off into the woods, smirking and laughing to himself.

"Oh! Jasper, my dad didn't see Emmett did he?"

"Nope, he was in the shower."

"Phew."

Bella looked relieved but Jasper still looked pensive.

"Bella? Is Emmett right? Did I go about this all wrong?"

"No! Oh Jasper sweetheart, your just old fashioned and I think it's sweet. And I know Charlie appreciated it, you could feel that, right? Just like you said, it's how you were raised, it's a part of who you are. And I would never want you to change that."

Jasper gave a solemn nod before cracking a grin and pulling her into his arms again. "Thank you for that. Now I think you should get ready so we can head over and see the rest of our family and give them a heads up before Emmett beats us to it."

"Mhhhmm, sounds good." Bella gave every indication of following Jasper's plan, while completely disregarding it in favor of more kissing.