CHAPTER ONE

HAUNTED HOUSE

I drove to Emily's to meet Embry and the boys so Embry could get time with Bianca. He was always too reluctant to come to my house with Jasper there but he did sometimes just to be with her. But we alternated. Last weekend he came over to our house for dinner, being cordial with Jasper if not stern and quiet. So I was taking Bee to Emily's for lunch, without Jasper.

I pulled in front of Emily's house and saw all the wolves come running out to meet us – Embry most eager. He practically ripped Bianca from my arms when he got to us. But she wasn't complaining. She giggled and kissed his cheek. He was stunned by her.

Jacob and Bella came out front to greet me. Bella gave me a hug, "Nice to see you down here."

I hugged her back, "You should come back to the Cullens with me tonight. We're watching some sports game."

Bella gave Jacob a look, like she was asking permission. But he stiffened at the idea of her at the vampire's house. She looked at me, hesitantly, "Maybe next time."

I put my hands on my hips and looked at Jacob, "Jasper trusted me to come here. He has many times before. Why can't you do the same? Bella is just as much a part of that family as I am."

"There's a difference. We've never put you in danger before," Jacob growled. Bella told him why the Cullens left. That Jasper had lost control for a split second. And now Jacob wouldn't allow her to go near them again.

But I wasn't going to back off.

"Jacob Black, like you aren't just as dangerous. You could lose control just like Jasper did and hurt Bella like Sam hurt Emily. But Emily forgave Sam. Bella forgave Jasper. You have to realize that and get over yourself. Just because you imprinted on her, doesn't mean you own her. She's still her own person."

Jacob stared hard at me, saying nothing. Just then Emily herself came outside with a large smile, "Hey, Heather. Was wondering when we'd see you around here again." I accepted her hug and smiled, "Been busy with college arrangements."

"You're still going to college?" Bella asked, shocked.

I shrugged, "Taking a year off. Then using my scholarship to go to UW for a bachelor's degree in writing. Maybe go onto masters."

Bella nodded, still somewhat shocked that I still intended to go to college. But I wasn't going to let being a vampire prevent me from living a life. Sure, I'll have to repeat high school a bazillion times but I still wanted to better myself. Maybe get a career somewhere. Maybe anonymously publish my works. I don't know. But I wasn't going to let immortality stop me from living.

We all had a good lunch. Emily made enough to feed a small army but the guys managed to put it all away within an hour. And that was them pacing themselves. Embry's spirits immediately lifted when Bianca was with him.

I hesitated when I told them it was time for me and Bianca to leave. Embry didn't look ready to let Bianca go but I took her from his arms. Bella stood when I was ready to leave and said, "You know what?" She glanced hesitantly at Jacob before looking back at me, "I'll meet you at the Cullens."

So sweet the hour, so calm the time,

I feel it more than half a crime,

When Nature sleeps and stars are mute,

To mare the silence ev'n with lute.

I closed my eyes serenely, content in Jasper's arms. He hummed a song I didn't recognize but it didn't stop it from almost lulling me to sleep.

"How was the reservation?" Jasper asked quietly.

I shrugged, "Same old. Got Bella to come back with me though."

"How did you manage that?" He asked curiously.

"Told Jacob off," I smirked.

I felt Jasper's chest shift as he chuckled and tightened his arms around me, "I missed your birthday."

I twisted to look at his face, "Why the change in subject?"

He didn't answer straight-forward, "I also missed Christmas with you. And New Years."

At rest on ocean's brilliant dyes

An image of Elysium lies:

Seven Pleiades entranced in Heaven,

Form in the deep another seven:

"I didn't get to give you any presents," Jasper whispered.

I shrugged it off, "Doesn't matter. You back here with me is enough."

Jasper patted the side of my leg, lifting me off his lap so he could stand. I stayed sitting on the swinging bench we had our very first kiss on on New Years. He fidgeted with something in his pocket, "I have a present for you. Hopefully it will make up for all the ones I missed. And it's kind of a present to me too."

I looked at him, totally confused, "What are you talking about?"

Endymion nodding from above

Sees in the sea a second love.

Within the valleys dim and brown,

And on the spectral mountain's crown,

The wearied light is dying down,

Jasper got onto both his knees in front of me so we were at eye level, "I love you, Heather."

"I love you too..." I said, even more confused.

Jasper took a breath, I felt the nervousness rolling off him in waves. "I never want to know what it's like to really lose you. I never want to feel like I did when I thought you were dead because of me."

I reached up to stroke his cheek, "That's over now. We'll never have to go through that again."

He put his hand over mine on his face, smiling softly, "Forever. I want forever with you."

And earth, and stars, and sea, and sky

Are redolent of sleep, as I

Am redolent of thee and thine

Enthralling love, my Adeline.

He raised his eyes to look through mine, "I spent forever going through this in my head. But right now it's all jumbled and hazy."

"Just say what you want to say, Jasper," I told him quietly, tired of being in suspense.

He pulled a small box out of his pocket and put it into my hands, "Open it. Please."

I opened the box like he asked – told – me to and gasped at what I saw. It was a... 14K gold ring with a rectangle sapphire flanked by two small diamonds. It was so beautiful. I looked up at Jasper in awe, "Jasper..."(pic on profile)

But list, O list – so soft and low

Thy lover's voice tonight shall flow,

That, scare awake, thy soul shall deem

My words the music of a dream.

Jasper gently took the ring into his hand and slid it onto my finger, "Heather, will you marry me?"

A single tear fell down my cheek, me smiling like a loon, "This wasn't Alice's ring was it?"

Jasper chuckled breathily, "No, she had to pick her own out. This was my mother's." He lifted my chin to look at me, "Will you marry me?"

I sniffed and looked at him, "Yes, of course." Jasper smiled brightly and leaned in to kiss my lips like I'd just made him the happiest man alive.

Thus, while no single sound too rude

Upon thy slumber shall intrude,

Our thoughts, our souls – O God Above!

In every deed shall mingle, love.

(Serenade)

Mike Newton ripped a piece of paper from his notebook, reading it out loud, "My fellow students. We are the future. Anything is possible if we just believe, blah, blah, blah-" he handed it to Jessica.

She looked at it for a second before saying sarcastically, "Yeah, this will be my speech. If I want people to throw their diplomas at my head." She crumpled up the paper and tossed it at Mike.

He gave her a joking look, "Ya gotta embrace the cliches, Jess."

Eric nodded, "They are the bread and butter of all valedictorians."

"This is why you're not valedictorian," Angela told her boyfriend.

"I chose to exit the political arena to spend more time with my family," Eric insisted.

I snorted, "Yeah, right." I felt Jasper kiss my forehead quickly before shoving his sandwich onto my plate so no one would notice. I took a bite of it and moaned at the taste.

"Jess doesn't need cliches. She's gonna rock that speech," Bella said.

Jessica scoffed, "Rock? It'll change lives."

Alice abruptly appeared carrying a tray of food she wouldn't eat, "-I've decided to throw a party."

I raised an eyebrow at her, "Because of all the successful parties we've had in the past?"

Alice mock-glared at me, "Shush you. Besides, how many times will we graduate high school?"

I didn't say anything to that but I saw Jasper try to hide a smile.

"A party?" Angela asked, "At your house?"

"I've never seen your house," Jessica commented.

"No one's seen their house.." Eric said.

I leaned forward with a goofy-scary look, "It's haunted with ghosts of mass murderers. Beware!"

Suddenly, Alice froze. Her eyes glazed over and I knew she was having a vision. Bella called everyone's attention to her – talking about Jacob. I nudged Alice's elbow, jolting her out of it.

There it is! So sorry for the wait but I've been busy with school and focusing on the Callie Swan Saga.

Please let me know what you guys think of this. Was the proposal too obvious?

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RegalGirl94