I cut her off and kissed her again. I tried to shield her with my large jacket against the heavy rain but I didn't dare break of this kiss fearing she might change her mind.
So here we were, getting drenched and kissing earnestly. Our loneliness ebbing away with the rain….
Who cares if this was temporary? One minute with Bella would last me a lifetime.
Chapter 6: Said and Done
So after the 'rain' incident, as predicted, Bella got sick. She caught a cold. Yay, me. I grumbled to myself.
"Jasper, could you please give me another blanket? It's so cold…" Bella said weakly.
"Maybe I should just sit over there. I'm not making you any warmer." I offered.
I reexamined our position. We were lying in her bed together, Bella under a thick blanket, burning up but still insisting on snuggling with me much to my reluctance. She needed to stay warm, not cozy up to a living ice sculpture.
"No, no. Stay here…" she protested.
"Okay but let me get you a thicker sweater and another blanket first."
She nodded then coughed. I patted her back to relieve her and made my way to her closet.
While rummaging through it, I called to her softly, "I'm sorry for getting you sick."
She sneezed, "It's not your fault Jasper. You did tell me to stay inside, I didn't listen."
Holding out a blue sweater and a thick blanket, I slowly made my way to her. "Still, I should've dragged you back inside. It was still irresponsibility on my side."
I helped her put on the sweater and tucked her in. I laid on top of the covers so she wouldn't shiver against me.
"But still…" she hesitated followed by a blush. Gee, she was already burning up but she could still manage to produce another shade of red.
"But still… I liked our moment…" she said shyly and I couldn't help but produce a small smile. I relished that moment as well but I still did not want her to get sick.
I kissed her forehead and placed my palm on it to relieve her. "I did to… I mean I still do… like it I mean… but you should get some rest and try to get well."
"Hey Jasper…"
"Yes?"
"Where are Emmett and Rosalie? And the others as well…?"
I thought back and answered, "Emmett and Rosalie are on their honeymoon somewhere in Africa and Carlisle and Esme… are actually on their way back here. As for Alice…"
I cringed a little but only for a nanosecond. I know that Alice and I broke up mutually but even through the harshest breakups in the world, once a person held a spot in your heart, that person will permanently be embedded there. Because somewhere along the line, that person used to become a very important part of your life… that's why I understand Bella's situation.
Bella felt me stiffened and stroked my arm gently… and I smiled at her. She's the most important one in my life now.
"Alice is on the search for her past. She will come and visit soon." I said.
She nodded then yawned.
"Was it hard?" she said, mid-yawn.
I knew what she was referring to.
"It was hard. I have to admit. We have been together for a couple of decades and you know Alice, she's not an easy person to forget." I chuckled.
She smiled but she felt something new… was that…jealousy?
I looked into her eyes, "But you know what?"
"What?"
"When we parted ways… there was some relief there. Like this was something that was bound to happen one way or another. Alice does hold a special place in my life but you know…."
"Ah. More suspense!" she said sarcastically but playfully.
I chuckled then moved my face close to her and felt her blush again, "You know… you hold the best place right now… the most special place… the important place…"
She gulped feeling so embarrassed yet pleased and I moved away and chuckled leaving her dazed.
"Ah-choo!"
I looked at her.
"Oops. Excuse me."
"Bless you." I said while laughing. The atmosphere was lighter now and Bella was feeling more and more comfortable with me.
"Hey Jasper…" she started again, but sleepier in tone this time.
"Yes?"
"Your song had me thinking."
"Which one?"
"The first one…" she said feeling abashed again and I grew curious. (AN: Check out my oneshot, Say All I Need, just click on my pro for it to read about Jasper's first song for her. This is the song that started it all.)
"Oh? And what, pray tell did you think about?"
"Well…" she bit her lip. "It was really what I needed…"
"I told you I had a firm grip on what you were feeling…" I said lightly.
She blushed again, "Yeah, I know but for the past three months…. All that was running through my head was, 'What do people want from me? Expect me to do to cope with… you know? And I really am tired from all the pain… and when in your song… when you said that I should just say what I need… it struck me."
I beamed at her, "Of course you would. You are one person who hesitates on saying what you want for fear of coming across as selfish which is frankly, not that true at all cases. The more you ignore your need, the more immense you'll need to fulfill it."
She nodded, "I understand that now." she smiled. "Thanks for the push."
"Your welcome, I'm glad I was able to help somehow. But right now you should sleep so you can go to school tomorrow."
"Okay."
"Oh Bella… is it okay if I leave for about just one minute? Just get rid of my car that's parked in your driveway? I really don't want to give Charlie a bad impression on me."
She cringed and felt very reluctant but nodded sadly.
"I'll be back very very quickly, I promise."
"One minute." She said.
"I promise." Then I zoomed out and hid my car somewhere and ran back to Bella with seconds to spare. I had to hide the car, Charlie would just blow if he saw it and he was on his way home… I think.
I plopped down beside her and I was greeted immediately by an arm clinging on to mine.
"Wow that was fast." She murmured.
"I told you I'd be back."
Her eyes were closed and she was still burning but she managed a small smile.
"I'm sorry I never got to try your breakfast." Bella muttered.
"Oh right. Well, there's always tomorrow, and the next day, and the next…" then I stopped right there. I didn't know how long this would last.
She noticed that and opened her eyes tiredly. Silently understanding. Then she spoke up.
"Jasper, I'm glad you're here. You don't know how grateful I am that you're here, comforting me."
She made me smile for the umpteenth time today. "Of course I know." I said smugly.
She rolled her eyes. "But the soup you made me was good."
"Glad you like it."
Then she examined my eyes and traced the dark circles under them and frowned.
"You're thirsty."
I nodded slowly. "I can manage. I'll probably go hunt tomorrow when you're in school."
Noticing the panic quell in her I added quickly, "I'll be back just in time to tuck you in before you go to sleep tomorrow night, I promise."
She relaxed.
"Jasper, I really need someone right now. I think I have formed some kind of abandonment issue. Please, please don't leave me with the sole exception of hunting, please, please? I'm sorry for being selfish but please?"
"You don't need to beg Bella. You say what you need and I'll deliver. I'll stay with you, now you really must get some sleep or else I have to resort to using a dose of lethargy." I threatened with humor in my voice.
"Okay, okay."
"Good. Now close your eyes and I'll sing you to sleep again."
She obeyed.
Find me here
And speak to me
I want to feel you
I need to hear you
You are the light
That is leading me
To the place where
I find peace again
You are the strength
That keeps me walking
You are the hope
That keeps me trusting
You are the life to my soul
You are my purpose
You're everything
And how can I
Stand here with you
And not be moved by you
Would you tell me
How could it be
Any better than this
You calm the storms
You give me rest
You hold me in your hands
You won't let me fall
You steal my heart
And you take my breath away
Would you take me in
Would you take me deeper now
And how can I
Stand here with you
And not be moved by you
Would you tell me
How could it be
Any better than this
And how can I
Stand here with you
And not be moved by you
Would you tell me
How could it be
Any better than this
Cause you're all I want
You're all I need
You're everything
Everything
You're all I want
You're all I need
You're everything
Everything
You're all I want
You're all I need
You're everything
Everything
You're all I want
You're all I need
You're everything
Everything
And how can I
Stand here with you
And not be moved by you
Would you tell me
How could it be
Any better than this
And how can I
Stand here with you
And not be moved by you
Would you tell me
How could it be
Any better than this
And how can I
Stand here with you
And not be moved by you
Would you tell me
How could it be
Any better than this
Would you tell me
How could it be
Any better than this
AN: Hurrah aced my biochemistry quiz! Take that amino acids! So as a surprise, I'm updating today. Yay! And another good news, I have no classes on Friday so lucky for both of us, eh? God must really love us. (",) On to the next chapter. That's right, I'm posting two today because aside from the above announcements, I'm loving all of you guys who gave fast and much appreciated reviews. I told you, I'd update faster if I get them. (",)
Oh, poll's still up and Edward's coming soon. So far, you guys want Jasper. But let's see…
Luvntwilight: Thanks, I love my name as well. And yeah, I am familiar with M. Hemingway. Too bad she killed herself.
JakesImprint: Aw. I did too.
Regan94: Yup. Plenty of 'selfish' people here. Thanks for the love (in the not weird way of course).
All the other reviewers: I appreciate all the feedback you give me! The effort alone makes me cry with joy. I will finish this story, I promise.
Song here is Everything by Lifehouse
Keep Fueling your Imagination,
Margaux