Here's ch.2, but it isn't the conclusion I expected it to be. These boys don't want to be rushed. So one or two more chapters after this?
Harritwifan betaed this for me, cuz she's even sweeter than these boys! I reworked it a little after she gave her expert advice, so any mistakes are my own!
Thanks so much for your reviews and favorites and alerts for this story! Sorry I'm a day later posting this chapter than I thought I'd be.
Song inspiration - same songs plus Just Can't Wait by Stoke 9. Funny story… my hubby bought me a stroke 9 tape many years ago with the stipulation that I'd give him 9 strokes. (I thought it was funny, anyway.)
The Christmas Wish
Ch. 2
"Yes, you do. You know me…"
Jasper couldn't explain how he knew what Edward said to be true, but he did. He felt more comfortable in Edward's presence than he ever had with anyone, and that was saying a lot, considering Jasper was the type of guy who liked almost anyone he had the good fortune to meet.
"But how?" He uttered the question aloud without even realizing, "How do you know me?"
An alluring pink bloomed on Edward's exquisite face. Jasper couldn't concentrate on what Edward was saying, mesmerized by the auburn haired beauty as he was… the man who somehow knew him. He saw Edward's pretty mouth moving, with cherry lips he'd give anything to feel against his own right then and there, but he couldn't hear a word that fell from the delectable flesh over the buzzing in his own ears.
He suddenly felt dizzy with longing and need for Edward. He'd been with quite a few men throughout his years, mixed in between failed attempts at relationships with women, but he'd never felt completely enamored of anyone before, male or female. His arms had never felt empty as they currently did, bereft with a hunger to pull this beautiful man back within his embrace. The few accidental seconds he'd held Edward, to ensure he didn't lose his balance, weren't nearly enough.
Edward's hands in Jasper's felt… right. As if his hands had always been empty or holding something wrong, waiting to find Edward's to complete them. No one else's hands had ever fit his so perfectly.
After Jasper's brief encounter with Edward yesterday, he'd realized the gorgeous man he'd noticed even before being approached by him quite possibly could be the man of his dreams. Jasper was restless and confused all evening and throughout the night. The warmth and tingle he'd occasionally felt throughout his life burned full force. The sensations weren't fleeting as they'd always been, but took up residence in his bones, instead. He nervously awaited his morning classes to dismiss, returning as fast as his boots could carry him across the snow-covered campus to the location where Edward had introduced himself the day before. Maybe, just maybe, the mysterious man with fiery bronze hair would be inside the deli he'd obviously been exiting.
The same deli Jasper had frequented since living in Seattle.
The same unusual hue of tousled hair Jasper had seen only once before in his life, when he'd entered an elevator years earlier.
Years earlier, when a stunning young man stepped out of the elevator just as Jasper stepped in. Though he'd barely glimpsed the other's face, a chiseled jaw and striking profile had Jasper's groin growing hard and heavy in his jeans. The other boy's obviously fit physique and round ass might have also had something to do with it. Mesmerized by the warmth flowing in his veins, that somehow had nothing to do with the boy's appealing appearance, Jasper watched him take pause as the elevator doors closed, separating them, breaking the connection. The burn faded. The memories of its euphoria did not - memories of which proved to be relentless, never failing throughout the years. Though Jasper had rushed back to where he'd seen the boy as fast as the damned elevator would take him, he was already gone. Jasper continued to keep a watchful eye out for the object of his affection, of his lust, and his confusion - every time he volunteered at that hospital until he left for college. Unfortunately, Jasper never again crossed paths with the beautiful boy whom had affected him like no other.
Could this be him… could Edward be the one… the boy from the elevator so long ago?
If the familiar warmth emanating from the man staring back at him was any indication, from the purest green eyes touching the depths of Jasper's soul… then, yes! Not only could this be him, it was him. It had to be.
Edward's blush deepened further when he realized how blatantly Jasper was staring back at him, with obvious desire and mutual yearning. When the silence between them grew awkward, Edward repeated his invitation for Jasper to sit with him at the table they both still stood entranced beside, to share a peppermint cocoa while listening to Edward's explanation of how he knew Jasper.
Once the men were seated with steaming mugs in hand, Edward purged himself of every detail he could articulate. He explained how he'd seen Jasper as a child in line to visit Santa, but then not again until yesterday. He had no filter with the gorgeous blond who was finally within arm's reach, telling him of the feelings that coursed through him, then and now, and occasionally in between.
Jasper remembered that day with perfect clarity; he'd been even more excited for Santa than usual. So much so, he hadn't seen Edward. But he'd felt him. It was the first time Jasper had experienced the tingling throughout his body and the warmth in his heart– sensations he would feel from time to time throughout his years.
When words were spent on the subject, the men fell into a mutual silence, each taking in their situation and the man just across the small table. Both wanted nothing more than to extend his hand, to reach out and take what he already knew to be his. His destiny… his love… his life.
Being suddenly faced with one's soul mate was overwhelming and frightening and wonderful. It took some getting used to, and that was exactly what Edward and Jasper did. They sat and took it all in - it all being the simple truth that they'd found each other for a reason. This was the man each would spend the rest of his days with, and then some. Eternity.
A calm acceptance settled over the pair, between them – surrounding them and completing their bond. Shy smiles were replaced with beaming grins. Hands inched across the table, again finding home in one another's embrace. Though they didn't verbalize their entwined fate being ultimately realized, they mutually accepted it and took to getting to know their one true love.
Immersed in learning about one another's lives, they were in their own little world, oblivious to the hustle and bustle around them. No subject off limits, they discussed philosophy and politics, favorite movies and music. When the conversation turned to their aspiring professions, Edward spoke ardently about the physician he hoped to become. Jasper's eyes blazed with passion as he told of his social work and the nonprofit lawyer he couldn't wait to be.
Yet they avoided the subject they both wanted to know about most of all… what they needed to know… about relationships with others.
How easy was it going to be to meld their lives together?
Edward couldn't imagine what he would do, how he would handle it if Jasper was spoken for, with say, the blond in the taxi. Yet, he knew he would find a way. He would wait for Jasper however long it took.
Jasper, too, had been holding his breath, so to speak, hoping Edward was available. Not that it would've mattered, for the men knew this was it for them both. It was meant to be… they had always been meant to be together.
But could they leave the deli immediately and fall into their lives together, or were there loose ends to be tied up first? Would they have to wait?
Regretfully, Jasper knew the answer was… yes, they would have to wait until he ended his relationship with Rosalie. He'd been meaning to do so for months, but every time he'd worked up the nerve, she somehow distracted him, as if she knew what was coming.
His heart was heavy as he looked at his beautiful Edward across the table, at their hands still entwined, the warmth from which radiated through his hand, up his arms, fusing with the eternal heat he knew would from now on always encompass his heart. Edward's warmth was a stark contrast to the cold countertop table their hands rested upon, grounding Jasper to reality. He was simultaneously happy and annoyed with the tether to the real world.
Jasper wanted nothing but to wisk Edward away immediately, to his place or Edward's - it didn't matter. He needed to get him to a private place, to feel Edward's body beneath his and vice versa, to share himself in the most intimate way, as soon as possible.
Finally, Jasper broached the subject, inquiring if Edward was currently involved with anyone else. Edward's answer took his breath away and inspired a smile across his face of which he couldn't have contained if he tried.
"I'm all yours, Jasper. I think I always have been."
Edward continued by explaining he'd ended a relationship with a sweet girl just a few weeks before. It had never been quite right, though they'd fought long and hard to make it work since freshman year of college. It had never felt right with anyone he'd dated - or made love to for that matter, although he didn't divulge that bit of information to Jasper… just yet. He did admit he'd only been with a handful of women, and no men.
Jasper loved the idea that he'd be Edward's first. He couldn't wait to touch Edward, to feel him and share with him sensations Edward would never have felt before. When Edward became quiet, awaiting Jasper's turn to reveal his relationship status - Jasper tensed, looking away from Edward.
Sensing Jasper's discomfort, Edward squeezed his hand a little tighter, encasing it within both of his own, gently rubbing his thumbs along Jasper's wrist.
"It's okay," Edward soothed Jasper, whom had stolen his heart when he was but a boy. "You can tell me anything about your past, and your present for, that matter. Nothing will keep me from being your future."
Jasper sighed with relief, a tear rolling down his cheek. Edward's acceptance and encouragement meant the world to him. Taking a deep breath, he described his numerous failed relationships with one girl after another. He told of his free nature, which had led to one night stands with males and females, sometimes simultaneously. It was a hard conversation to have with Edward, Jasper not wanting to disappoint him, but his honest nature demanded he be open.
Edward wasn't turned off by Jasper's past; quite the opposite. His sexual past so limited as it was, Edward was all the more intrigued by the sexy experience of his alluring Jasper. Besides, logical as he was by nature, he would never hold Jasper's past against him.
The hard part came when Jasper explained his relationship with the blond in the taxi. She was his current girlfriend. The doomed relationship had been set to end for quite some time, Jasper biding his time for the kindest opportunity to break it off. Though he and Rosalie shared many common interests, her foul disposition had grown too much for kind-hearted Jasper to bear.
It dawned on Jasper that Rosalie had been a diversion while he waited for his soul mate, and he felt guilty for that. Somehow, he'd known his union with Edward was eminent, possibly explaining why he only entered relationships that were hopeless from the start.
"I have to end it with her, before you and I can truly begin."
Jasper searched Edward's face for signs of hurt or resentment, but found none. Understanding and compassion stared back at him, turning his frown into a smile again. Jasper recognized he'd likely have a smile on his face most of the time, even more so than before, with Edward in his life.
Regardless of how badly they did not want to, the destined lovers made their way for the door, separated from one-another's touch for the first time in hours. It felt wrong to them both, yet they knew without a shadow of a doubt it would only be temporary.
Out on the street, Jasper hailed a taxi. It was like dejavu… almost. Just over twenty four hours earlier, they'd finally met on this exact spot, in front of a taxi identical to the one set to carry Jasper away. But this was different in many ways. Edward and Jasper stood close to one another, both sets of hands resting on the other's hips, grasping. They rested their foreheads together, breathing each other in. Lingering.
"Same time, same place, tomorrow?" Jasper asked. He needed one day to end it with Rosalie and take his things from her place. Where he would move, he didn't know, but he had to completely break all ties with her before starting his life with Edward.
"I'll be here," Edward promised.
So close… their lips were so close. The pull from within to join them, finally... was strong. Edward almost gave in, desperately craving to brush his lips across Jasper's. Jasper came close to surrendering to his need for Edward's mouth against his own, but he knew there would be no gently about it when he drank Edward in for the first time. That, and the fact he technically still had a girlfriend, kept his strained control in check.
"Tomorrow…" Edward encouraged, pulling away slightly, letting Jasper go. He set Jasper free to find the closure he required. He didn't doubt Jasper would return to him, forever.
"Tomorrow," Jasper pledged, before climbing in the taxi, then watching out the back window while it pulled away, accelerating toward a destination he dreaded, away from where he needed to be. The warmth travelled with him, though - comforting and ensuring he could do what he needed to do.
Edward watched from the curb, until blue eyes in the back window disappeared completely.
Now… should the boys rip each other's clothes off at the first possible opportunity, or not? Tell me what you think. I already see it for myself, I mean this was originally meant to be a oneshot, but… I could be swayed.
I'm working on another short fic inspired by the Olympics and the song Love Somebody by Maroon 5. I can't get the thought of Edward and Jasper ice-skating together out of my head, lol. And also back to my Sometimes boys…
I can't believe I forgot to mention my awesome banner made by mina for this fic, it's perfect! It's on my facebook page – Jen Soulmateficwriter, and my tmblr – luckytomarriedmyedward
Also, mw138 recced this story on Slashsessed! Made my day when I really needed it... Thanks hon!
slashsessed blogspot com/2014/01/the-christmas-wish-by-soulmate-ficwriter html
