A/N: Here's the next chapter finally! Enjoy!

As Alice dragged me down the stairs, Jasper appeared at the bottom, smiling. I figured he could tell by our emotions that everything was okay. I rolled my eyes at him and nodded at the hand that Alice was clutching.

"Ali, I think Gwen would like her hand back," Jasper said, chuckling.

She stuck her tongue out at him. "Jasper, don't you think Gwen looks better with her hair down?"

He hesitated before answering, most likely because he didn't want to offend Alice. He turned to me. "Yes, you do."

His words made me blush. "Thanks."

Suddenly a knock sounded and Alice ran over and opened the door. "Hi, Melody! I'm Alice Cullen! Come in!"

Alice moved out of the doorway and Melody walked in, wearing a sweater and skirt. Her eyes grew wide when she saw me.

"Gwen! How did your hair become fluffy?" She touched it, and I playfully slapped it away.

"It's all thanks to Alice," I laughed.

Mel looked at the little pixie in awe. "You're amazing! You have to teach me! Since high school I've been trying to get Gwendolyn's hair in a style other than straight, but it wouldn't cooperate!"

"Sure! Sounds like fun!"

It was at that moment when I realized Alice and Mel exerted the same amount of energy. Wow.

"Oh, god. Lessons with Alice?" Jasper shook his head, trying not to laugh.

Alice slapped his arm. "Be nice! I'm not that bad."

"Children, don't fight!" Esme's voice floated into the foyer. "Dinner's ready!"

The four of us headed into the dining room, where Emmett, Rose, Carlisle and Esme were already sitting. Alice sat on my left, Mel on my right, and Jasper sat across from us, next to Em and Rose. Esme and Carlisle were sitting on opposite ends of the table. Esme had fixed us salads with grilled chicken, along with a vegetable stew.

"This tastes heavenly, Esme!" Mel said after she took her first bite.

"I'm glad you think so, since I haven't cooked for quite a while." She smiled.

"It really is great," I complimented. It was then that I noticed someone was missing. "Where's Tasha?"

We looked quickly to the floor around our feet, but there was no sign of her.

Then Emmett shouted, "Oh my god! It's Tasha!" He held up one of the pieces of grilled chicken.

Jasper and Rose snickered, while Esme and Carlisle gave him disapproving looks.

"Emmett, that's mean!" Alice scolded.

Mel stuffed her face with food in order to stop herself from laughing; she knew about my temper…

I focused my powers on him, and suddenly he was turned upside down, floating in midair.

"Hey! I do not deserve this!" he yelled.

Everyone was in hysterics at this point, even the always cool-and-collected Carlisle.

"Let me down!" Emmett yelled.

I looked at Alice. "Should I?"

"Not yet," she giggled. "There's one more thing…"

Then I heard the familiar jingling of Tasha's bell, and she jumped onto the table, and walked right to Emmett. She sniffed him, then spotted the piece of chicken he was still holding. She quickly snatched it and ran out of the room.

"Now," Alice ordered.

I let the big vampire down, and he crashed to the floor.

"What the hell?" he asked angrily as he sat back down.

"That was for being a jerk!" I said, irritated at his sense of humor.

"Children, play nicely," Esme reprimanded.

"Yes, Mom," Emmett sighed. He glared at me.

"I'm sorry, Esme. I couldn't help it," I apologized, staring Emmett down.

"Yeah, one thing you should know about Gwen: she has anger-management issues. Don't you, Gwen?" Melody smirked at me.

"Just a bit," I admitted, matching her smirk. "So how's Seth?"

"Great, as usual," she replied.

"All thanks to you?" I smiled wickedly at her.

She elbowed my arm. "God, Gwen!"

"The Clearwater pup imprinted on you?" Rose asked in disgust.

"Yeah, and apparently Jacob imprinted on Gwen," Mel pointed out.

"That dog? God, I feel bad for you," Rosalie said. "But I thought you said you and Jasper are to be together."

"They are," Alice said, coming to my aid. "I've seen it, but I don't know what's wrong with Jacob. I wish I could see the wolves," she sighed.

"Well, if the wolf is in love with you, why don't you hook up with him, and leave our family the way it is?" Rose suggested, her voice dripping with malice.

"Rosalie," Carlisle warned. "Even if Gwendolyn isn't officially a part of this family, she is still a friend, and we will respect her."

"It's the Edward-and-Bella situation all over again!" Rose pointed out.

"But Bella and Edward needed each other," Esme said. "He was so lonely."

"Exactly my point!" Rose said. "Edward was alone. Jasper has Alice, and apparently Gwen has Jacob. End of story." Rosalie leaned back in her chair.

Now I was getting pissed off. Melody reached for my hand under the table; she was trying to comfort me.

"What is your problem?" I asked. "I didn't know Jasper was taken when I came here! All I had were signs from my grandmother that led me to this place. The last thing I wanted was to break up a family." I looked to Carlisle.

"Gwendolyn, we," he stared hard at Rosalie. "Have no say in this. This is between you, Alice, Jasper, and wherever Jacob fits in."

"Thank you, Carlisle."

"Now, why don't we change the subject? Gwendolyn, Jasper tells us you're an empath."

Thank god for Carlisle's sense, or someone would have blown up. "Yes, I am., though it comes and goes. I can mainly feel the negative emotions, like sorrow and anger."

"Can you project emotions?" Alice asked.

"No," I replied. "I can't."

"Probably after you're turned, you could," Mel said, having begun to eat again.

"Turned? Into a vampire?" I asked. That thought hadn't occurred to me.

"Well, if you and Jasper are meant to be," Mel said, waving her fork for emphasis. "He would have to turn you, so you wouldn't die."

"That is true." Jasper spoke up for the first time. "But I wouldn't recommend it right away."

"Right," I said. Then I unknowingly asked a question that I wished I hadn't. "Can vampires and humans have sex?" I clapped my hand over my mouth.

Melody started laughing, as did Emmett. My cheeks burned red.

"Ask Edward and Bella when they get back from their honeymoon," Jasper chuckled.

"Carlisle, may I have a serious answer to that question?" I asked, trying to regain my dignity.

"Well, it's very difficult for vampires to control their bloodlust in that kind of situation, but if there was a deep connection between them, one of love, they could." His golden eyes shimmered with humor.

"Thank you," I said. I looked at my cousin who was still laughing and elbowed her.

"Ouch! I'm sorry," she laughed. "I just never thought you would ask something like that!"

The rest of the meal was finished with small talk, mainly about the power witches have. Once Mel and I were done eating, Jasper walked us out to our cars.

Mel got in her Camero, along with Tasha, and flashed her lights at us before driving away.

"Can I talk to you for a minute?" Jasper asked.

I nodded. "Sure. What's up?" I sat on the hood of my Mustang, my back resting on the windshield.

Jasper sat next to me. "Gwen, I'm very confused."

"Why, Jasper?"

It was dark outside, and the porch lights of the house were turned down. The way we were sitting, the light was behind Jasper, making his hair look like a halo.

He sighed. "I always felt like I couldn't love anyone more than Alice; she was my one and only. Then…I met you."

"What are you saying Jasper?" I tried to keep my emotions in check, but my heartbeat probably gave away my excitement.

I saw the faint trace of a smile on his lips. "What I'm saying, Gwendolyn, is that I would really like to be with you more."

"And I'd really like to be with you more, Jasper," I replied, smiling.

He chuckled. "I'm glad we agree. Now you should get home; you need your rest."

He helped me off of my hood and opened my door for me.

"Thank you, kind sir," I giggled. Jasper truly was a southern gentleman.

"You're welcome, Miss Gwendolyn." His topaz eyes glowed in the dim light, and he cupped my cheek with his hand. "Good night."

His sweet breath flowed around me, intoxicating me.

"Good night," I whispered.

He smiled and backed away, letting me get in and drive down the driveway, my thoughts in a whirlwind.

Did Jasper Hale just tell me that he loved me?

A/N: OK, so thanks to everyone who has reviwed so far, and special thanks to Melody, who helps me out of my writer's block and keeps me sane! Love ya!

Next chapter: The Double Date!