Disclaimer: All characters belong to Stephenie Meyer.
What the Future Holds
I unlocked the door to our apartment, and immediately headed to the kitchen to get a cup of coffee. It was still too early in the morning for my liking. I had just got back from the airport where I dropped Alice off. She went to Paris for a week because her designs were so popular that she was invited to participate in a fashion show. That she was excited at the prospect didn't even begin to cover how she had felt. And, of course she had to pack two huge suitcases filled to the brim with clothes. I helped her carrying them to the airport, but in Paris she was on her own although she wasn't going alone as Seth – her long time friend and business partner – accompanied her, but I doubted he would be any help. Alice had wanted me to go with her, but unfortunately I couldn't because I had an important meeting on Wednesday, and some deadlines also pressured me.
As I sipped my coffee at the kitchen table I glanced around the place noting the huge mess: clothes were dropped everywhere, some even dangled off the banister. Well, yeah, Alice was packing, and then deciding what to wear. And, of course she left the mess for me to clean up. That girl… At least now she couldn't complain if I put the clothes in the wrong place or in the wrong order because her closet had its own rules that I wasn't very familiar with.
It took me half an hour to clean up, and then I walked up to my easel to finish up my last sketch. I was very excited about that upcoming meeting because I was asked to illustrate a book about the Civil War. It was like a dream come true so I was hoping that they would love my sketches. Alice had said that I should relax as she was certain that I was going to get the job, and I learnt a long time ago never to bet against my little girlfriend. Actually, I could thank this opportunity to Bella as she informed me about that new book and she had suggested me as an artist to her bosses. So she was responsible for this meeting.
Edward and Bella had been married for a little over a year, and they were very happy. It seemed that their marriage was a catalyst that started this whole marrying fever as Emmett and Rose soon followed. Although that could have been because Rose got pregnant and they wanted to made it official. Rose was beyond herself with happiness because a family of her own was her biggest dream. On seeing their happiness I started thinking, too. And Alice's eyes on her brother's wedding were so full of longing and happiness that I knew at once that it was something that she really wanted. She had never said anything to me because she knew about my issues and she didn't want to pressure me, but I knew her well. I knew that she really wanted the big wedding with all the guests and of course that beautiful, white wedding dress. So I started to think about marriage in earnest, and not in my usual vague way like in the distant future. I had a lot to think about as I had my doubts and mostly fears. Unlike Alice, I didn't have the example of wedded bliss in front of me while growing up. My parents' marriage was very different from Carlisle and Esme's as though my memories are hazy I still had the sense that something was off with them. Probably because of my father and his obsessive nature. Finally, what had helped me made up my mind was an honest conversation with grandpa the last time I visited him.
"So son, when do you plan on marrying that remarkable lady?" Grandpa asked from his spot on the couch where we retired after a full dinner. I just looked at him blankly.
"Where did that thought come from?" I asked him instead of answering.
He looked a little flustered. "Well, you and Alice have been together for so long that I had thought that step would come naturally." He explained.
"I don't know." I sighed. "I mean I know that should be the next step, but I can't seem to make myself do it."
"Why? Is there something wrong between you two?" Grandpa asked and he sounded extremely worried.
"No. Everything is as good as it always was." I assured him with a smile.
"Then what's the problem?" He asked genuinely interested, but at my hesitation he added. "It isn't Alice." It wasn't a question.
"No, it isn't. I know she would like to get married, but as always I keep her from what she wants…" At this point grandpa interrupted me.
"You know you shouldn't talk like that." He admonished me gently. "What's bothering you?"
"Marriage seems to be like a huge responsibility. I don't feel ready to take that big step." I explained as best I could. "It's not that I'm not sure about my feelings or Alice's because there have never been surer things in my life. It's just…I feel inadequate in some way. She had the model of her parents' marriage, but I have nothing like that to build on."
As I finished my explanation grandpa was thoughtful. "I think you approach this question from the wrong angle." He said after a long pause.
"What do you mean?" I asked genuinely interested.
"First of all, you are right and marriage is indeed a huge responsibility that shouldn't be handled lightly. But what you should focus on is your relationship with Alice. You have been together for a very long time and you are living together. So in reality marriage wouldn't change those things as it would only give deeper meaning to your relationship, but essentially it would remain the same. It may sound clichéd, but in your case marriage would really mean just a piece of paper." He explained at length.
I rolled around these new insights in my mind. I had to admit that he was right: Alice and I have already acted like a married couple. And thinking of Alice as my wife instead of girlfriend thrilled me in a weird way. I mean it sounded incredibly cool, little Alice, my sweet little wife.
"I think you are right." I admitted to him. "But I still need to think about a lot of things."
"And you should." He said confidently. "You said you didn't feel ready so I would advise you to wait till you felt it right."
My phone ringing on the coffee table broke my thoughts on this memory. Before answering I checked the ID to see Alice was calling. I quickly checked the clock and I was surprised that I had been deep in thought for so long.
"Hello, darling!" I answered the call.
"I'm in Paris!" Alice shouted down the phone. It made me laugh.
"Are you really? Or you are just at the airport." I teased her.
"Well, I'm in the cab, but just in a couple of more minutes I will see the town." She said still way too excitedly. Suddenly I felt glad that I hadn't gone with her. That would have been one long flight…
"So how was your flight?" I asked.
"Oh, it was great. I had a couple of drinks." She giggled. Well, that explained how she could be so excited after such a long flight. "What have you been up to?"
"Not much. I finished my last sketch, and of course I had to clean up somebody's mess." I finished teasingly.
"I'm sorry about that." She said sheepishly.
"Don't worry about it." I assured her. We had talked for a couple of more minutes, but they had arrived to their hotel and she had to check in so we hung after she had promised to call me later.
I decided to use the opportunity of her absence to my advantage. I grabbed a piece of paper and a pencil, and I started to sketch an engagement ring. I had remembered how I helped Edward and how much Alice loved the ring that I had designed. I wanted the ring to be made of emeralds arranged in a unique way. After several discarded sketches inspiration struck me and I quickly drew the picture of a ring on which little emerald petals were arranged around a central diamond creating the picture of a flower. I left the details for another day because suddenly I felt very hungry. I realized that I was so absorbed in my sketches that I forgot to eat. It had happened on a regular basis, but Alice had always been there to remind me. Clearly, I can't live without her. I went to the kitchen to find something edible, but I was out of luck as I had forgotten to go to the store. Fuck! So I did the next best thing and I ordered a pizza.
Just as I finished the pizza while watching a match on TV my phone started ringing again. Alice gave me a detailed description about the hotel, her room and the people she had met so far. She was still high on excitement.
When a lull occurred in her tale she said softly. "I know it's crazy, but I miss you."
"It hasn't even been 24 hours." I teased her to make her cheerful again.
"So you don't miss me even a little bit?" She asked playfully.
"Well, I was about to go to bed and you always keep me warm. So…" I trailed off.
"Oh, you are so mean!" She cried, and I was sure she was pouting on the other end of the line.
"I know." I replied in a happy tone. Just talking to her on the phone put me in a better mood. "And I promise I will miss you when I'm lying in our bed all alone in the darkness."
"That's better." She relented. "Although I would like to be lying next to you."
"Yeah, me, too. But it's only a week." I reminded her. "And you are in Paris."
"Well, that's the only thing that makes it bearable." She answered.
After a couple of more teasing remarks we finally said good bye and hung up.
The week without Alice passed very slowly and I found that I really missed her. I wasn't the type to be a mess without his significant other – unlike Edward and Bella – I liked being alone, too. But the apartment was too quiet without my bubbly little girlfriend, and the stillness left me alone with my thoughts. I tried to focus on something else as I didn't want to lapse into one of my depressive periods. I tried to busy myself with planning my proposal to Alice, but every time I came up empty-handed. I had never been good at planning, but a proposal should be thought out carefully. I had already taken care of the ring, and they said that it would be ready in two weeks, and it would cost a small fortune. But at least that gave me time. My meeting with the publishing house went great and I got the job as Alice had foretold. I went out with Edward and Bella to celebrate it, but to placate Alice I promised her a private celebration, too.
And finally it was Friday and time to go to the airport to pick up my Alice. I hailed a cab and set out. I arrived just in time as the passengers started to flood the waiting area. I craned my neck to try and see her, but Alice was too small to pick out in a crowd. However, soon I spotted Seth so Alice couldn't be far behind. I started to walk toward him, but before I could take two steps I was ambushed by a tiny energy ball who wrapped her arms and legs around me. Her sudden appearance and attack caused me to stagger back, but I quickly steadied us. She buried her head into my neck and took deep breathes.
"I missed you! I missed you!" She chanted into my ears softly.
After awhile she leaned back and looked into my eyes. I really wanted to kiss her, but I also needed those couple of moments of peace before I allowed our passion to take over.
"Jazzy…." She breathed dreamily slightly parting her lips. I couldn't hold back any more and I crashed my lips to her waiting ones. The kiss wasn't soft or gentle, but hard and desperate. We couldn't part our lips fast enough and our tongues dueled almost aggressively. Well, after a week's long absence we needed this. I had no idea how long we had been kissing when the loud noise of someone clearing their throat finally penetrated our lust induced fog. When we pulled apart we were face to face to a grinning Seth.
I quickly composed myself and let go of Alice. She stood next to me and squeezed my hand in both of hers. "Hey, Seth!" I greeted him with a handshake.
"Jasper!" He returned it enthusiastically.
We went together to the luggage claim, and to my amazement Alice pointed out three suitcases for me to take.
"But, Alice, you went with only two." I pointed out playfully.
She blushed slightly. "Well, I was in Paris. Of course I had to go shopping."
I had to laugh at that. "I see. And did you leave anything in the stores for the French girls?"
"You are horrible!" She cried and playfully swatted my arm. "For your information, I bought gifts for everyone including you, but I'm not sure you deserve it."
"Well, I'll carry your suitcases so maybe I will earn it." I said smiling. She only huffed in response.
We got a cab together, and after dropping Seth off I still had the task to carry three huge suitcases up to our apartment. Alice made an attempt to help me, but she could barely lift the smallest suitcase so I sent her forward to hold the door open for me. In our place I put my burdens down and closed the door behind myself. I leaned against the closed the door and looked at Alice who was looking back at me from the middle of the living room. We simply stared at each other until I broke the moment with a huge smile and I extended my arms in invitation.
"Welcome home, darling!" I said happily.
She flashed me a beautiful smile before sprinting across the room to my waiting arms. And we finished what we had begun at the airport…
We were lying in bed sated and exhausted. We had made love for hours just to make up for lost time. I was lying on my back with Alice's head resting on my chest. Lazily I was drawing little circles on her arm with my fingers and she did the same on my chest. I felt so peaceful and content at that moment that I knew I was ready to propose. Yes, I wanted to ask my little Alice to be my wife.
I got the ring about a week ago and even I had to admit that the final result was truly beautiful. But I still didn't have a clue how to propose. I knew it wasn't the set and the time that mattered, but what I had to say, but I wanted to make it memorable and meaningful for her. I had kept her waiting long enough. The spark of inspiration hit me one morning while brushing my teeth. And now I only had to wait for the perfect opportunity which presented itself the same afternoon when Alice informed me about her plans.
"Jazzy, tomorrow I'm going shopping with Bella." She announced smiling.
"Didn't you go out last week?" I asked a bit confused.
She smiled at me in a way that said: silly boy, you can't understand it. "Yes, but now we go out to look for shoes." She explained. "And I will be gone for the majority of the day because Bella is a nightmare to shop with for shoes."
I raised an eyebrow at her. "As opposed to the other times when you shop for clothes?"
She laughed slightly. "Trust me! That doesn't even cover her bitching when it comes to shoes."
I held up my hands in peace. "I believe you."
When Alice had left the following day, I had to start my preparations as she had promised to be at home late afternoon. I went to the store to get all the ingredients for her favorite meal. My plan was simple: I make her dinner and try to recreate the atmosphere of our first official date complete with Jazz music and dancing. Then I simply propose.
The meal was easy enough to prepare as her favorite was grilled salmon coated in honey and soy. I marinated it and I would make it when she was about to arrive. However, creating the setting was a little harder. I set up the table in the middle of the living room and placed candles all over to make it romantic. At least I hoped she would think it romantic rather than cheesy. By the time she arrived everything was in order. I made use of our heavy curtains and covered the whole apartment into darkness, only the candles provided some flickering light. I held my breath when I heard her key in the lock.
"Jazzy why…" She started to ask, but the question froze on her lips when she saw me standing in the middle of the living room amidst candles and soft Jazz music, with a single red rose in my hand. Her hand flew to cover her mouth in shock.
"Welcome, darling!" I said softly and started walking toward her. She was clearly in shock. When I was close enough I bowed lightly and handed her the flower. "For you, ma'am!"
This made the trick and she giggled. "Why, thank you, sir!" She curtsied while accepting the rose. "What is this all about?" She asked gesturing around the place.
"I simply wanted to surprise you." I said only the part of the truth as the biggest surprise would come later.
"Well, it worked." She said in awe.
I held my hand out for her. "Care to join me for dinner?"
"Of course." She answered and intertwined our fingers.
I escorted her to the table and helped her sit down. She was looking all around the apartment trying to take everything in while I went to the kitchen for our meal.
"Oh, it's my favorite!" She cried happily when I placed her plate in front of her.
"I know." I replied smugly.
We had a lovely meal together. She had told me about her day with Bella, and then we talked about inconsequential things, but I knew it was time. I gulped nervously.
I stood up and turned to her. "May I have this dance, ma'am?" I deliberately used my words from so long ago. She seemed to notice it, too as her eyes widened in surprise.
"Sure." She replied smiling.
I used the time while we were dancing to calm my nerves. I remembered the next crucial moment in our relationship. I leaned closer to her and whispered.
"I love you."
However, this time she didn't stop in shock, but giggled lightly at the remembrance.
"I love you, too." She replied.
"Hmm…" I hummed thoughtfully. "Do you experience the same déjà vu as I?" I asked playfully.
She leaned back to look at me. "Yes. That was one of my favorite memories." She whispered dreamily.
"How about making it your favorite?" I asked, but this time I was serious.
She looked at me questioningly when I stopped dancing and stepped back a bit. I fished the little black box out of my pocket and kneeled in front of her. She gasped in shock and her eyes moistened.
"Alice, darling." I started softly. "Ever since you started being a part of my life, it became colorfully instead of all the grey and dullness. You filled my life with laugher and love. You have always been strong and stood at my side when I needed you the most, and even when I was stupid enough to try to push you away." At this point tear drops were running down her cheeks, but I continued. "You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I love you more than anything. So… Alice Cullen will you marry me?"
With that I opened the lid of the box revealing the ring to her. She gasped again, and then she just stood there silently staring at the ring. I tried to wait patiently for her reply, but as moments passed in silence I started to get anxious.
"Oh, Jazzy!" She cried finally. "Yes, I will marry you."
I couldn't control the shit eating grin that appeared on my face. She said yes. "Are you sure?" I asked her still grinning.
"Of course, silly." She said, and she lightly caressed the ring with her index finger. That was my clue to pick it up and place it on her finger. But first I removed her other ring and replaced it with her engagement ring. She glanced at the ring on her finger for only a minute before wounding her arms around my neck and crashing her mouth to mine in a kiss full of love. Many minutes later we broke apart breathing hard.
"I love you." She whispered hugging me close.
"I love you, too, darling." I said just as softly.
Then I grabbed her knees swiftly and held her in my arms in bridal style. She squealed loudly at my unexpected move, and then giggled happily. I swiftly carried her upstairs and gently lowered her on our bed. I hovered above her supporting the majority of my weight on my hands that were next to her head.
"So how do you like your ring?" I asked as I remembered that she hadn't said a word about that.
"It's absolutely gorgeous." She beamed at me, and then cocked an eyebrow at me. "Did you design it?"
"Guilty as charged." I smiled at her awed expression.
"It's so perfect. I love you." And before I could say it back she grabbed the back of my head and yanked my head closer to hers so she could kiss me. For many long minutes we simply engaged in a long and sensual kiss that was hot as fuck. But as always, our need for each other grew and kissing wasn't enough any more.
When we pulled apart I sat back on my knees and stared at the beautiful girl in front of me. Her gorgeous emerald eyes were darkened by lust and her soft pink lips were parted as she tried to catch her breath. She was fucking magnificent. Her shapely little legs were bent on my sides and I reached over to her sensitive spot on her ankle to massage it. She threw her head back into the pillow and moaned the most erotic sound ever. Slowly I started moving my hands up towards her knees, and then to her creamy tights.
"Jazzy, please…" She growled when I skipped the place she wanted my hand the most, and instead I reached for the zipper on her skirt.
"Patience, darling!" I smirked at her. I loved that she still wanted me so much. It was fucking hot.
I discarded her skirt and as I was slowly lifting up her shirt I leaned over her and placed open-mouthed kisses on every new inch of her skin that I exposed. Finally, she was in a pale green bra and panty set.
"You are so beautiful." I said in awe. And the little minx used my momentary lapse and quickly sat up to kiss me hard. While kissing me she started unbuttoning my shirt and threw it on the floor. But when she moved to cup me through my pants I pushed her gently back on the bed and took over the control. I wanted to take my time with her tonight.
I put my hands back on the bed at her sides and leaned in to give her a soft and teasing kiss. But what I had intended to be soft she quickly turned into hard and sensual as she started sucking on my tongue. Now it was my turn to moan loudly. As my need for her grew my speed picked up: I started nibbling on her earlobe, neck and collar bone. I unclasped the front clap on her bra and removed it, but made sure that in doing so my fingertips lightly brushed her nipples that immediately stood for attention.
"Oh, Jasper!" She moaned loudly.
I flashed her one of her favorite smiles of mine and placed a soft kiss on her left breast while palming the other. Then I switched breasts and sucked her right nipple into my mouth and massaged the other. By this time both of her hands were tightly wounded into my hair tagging at it firmly. I placed a small kiss right in the valley of her breaths and moved my kisses down on her flat little belly, meanwhile, I removed her panties, too.
"Fuck!" I growled when I saw how much she wanted me. She was so fucking wet.
I placed my head in line with her dripping core and lifted my eyes to hers. She smirked at me. "I'm so wet for you."
Without any further ado I sucked her clit hard into my mouth, and stroked it with my tongue making her call out all kinds of profanities. While I used my tongue to caress her swollen clit, I pushed two fingers into her opening. Her wetness made my fingers move quickly and easily. She arched her back in pleasure at my attention. I thrust my fingers into her as deep as I could, feeling the silky skin tighten around me. She was close so I started to suck on her harder while moving my fingers faster. Soon she screamed out long and breathless as I felt her clench around my hand and I watched in awe as her orgasm snapped up her back, making her breasts stand out and her hips buck towards me. That was the most beautiful and sexiest sight that I have ever seen. I helped her ride out her orgasm by gentling my movements on her clit and inside her until I finally moved away completely.
While she was busy climbing down from her high I took my jeans and boxer briefs off. Seeing her that way caused my need to hit nuclear. I couldn't wait to be inside her, and fortunately we were on the same page.
"Jazzy, I want you!" She growled when she noticed that I was naked, too.
"So have me." I said and forcefully kissed her, plunging my tongue behind her unresisting lips and at the same time thrust into her waiting core. We both groaned loudly at that amazing feeling. She felt so fucking good: all warm and oh so tight.
While nibbling at her neck I grabbed both of her hands, intertwined our fingers and pushed them over her head. I kept our hands there and started to thrust into her very slowly at first. Suddenly she lifted her bent legs up and they were at my armpits. This new position let me slide into her deeper than ever before.
"Oh, so fucking deep." I growled into her ear.
"Jazz, faster…harder…" She managed to pant out.
"Your wish is my command, ma'am." I drawled into her ear earning a deep, throaty moan from her. She absolutely loved when I emphasized my accent.
My thrusts became sharper and faster as my need mounted and I felt that delicious tension building in my stomach. Soon I felt her walls clenching again and she came around me with surprising force. I lasted three more thrusts before my orgasm shattered through my body, and I collapsed on top of her.
"I love you so much." She said after we caught our breath.
I leaned back to look into her beautiful eyes. "Love you more." I said with a teasing smile.
"Impossible!" She grinned back.
Later that night I lied in bed with my little Alice at my side sleeping soundly. I had never felt more light-hearted or happy than at that moment. I knew that my life was finally on the right track as I could spend the rest of my life with the most amazing girl in the world.
Yes, I was the luckiest guy on the planet!
Well, that was all. I truly finished this story because I feel that I covered everything that was to tell about them.
Thank all of you for reading, and let me know how you liked it.