Disclaimer: No copyright infringement is intended.
Let Go
Alice didn't believe in letting a problem fester and grow, and this problem was literally growing every second.
•••
It took her a week to work up the courage to go to his apartment and an hour once she got there to actually go inside the building. When she finally knocked on his door, she was afraid she would pass out during the wait, and then, when he did open the door, she was certain she was going to.
With a smile, he quipped, "The last time I bought cookies, your other troop members wore much sexier outfits."
Ignoring the joke, she simply stated, "I'd like to see her."
Jasper nodded, moving to let her pass, and Alice blinked in surprise at the bright, sunny apartment. It was so contrary to everything Jasper was that she couldn't believe that he actually lived there. Coupled with the baby blanket on the floor along with rattles and toys, she was certain she had stepped into a parallel universe.
Maggie's room was painted yellow with flowers on the walls. Already she had an overflowing toy chest as well as a full bookshelf, and it appeared as if Jasper had bought every baby accessory that had ever been made. A rocking chair sat by the doors to the balcony, and the beautifully-carved crib occupied one side of the room. Alice watched the easy way that Jasper picked her up, and Alice smiled at the onesie that she was wearing, so dainty that she couldn't imagine Jasper buying it. Maggie was awake, her eyes blinking, and she made no fuss as Jasper handed her over to Alice.
Her skin was softer than anything Alice had ever felt, and she gently stroked the fuzz on her head. She smelled of powder and a smell that could only be classified as baby, and Alice could not believe that this little person had grown inside of her.
The entire time she was pregnant, Alice had thought her to be a burden, a cross to bear, the albatross around her neck. But now, as she stared into the tiny, judgment-free face of her daughter, she could not imagine how she had ever not wanted this baby.
"Hi," she said, stroking her cheek. "I'm Alice. I'm…I'm your mom."
Jasper, who was leaning against the door, his arms across his chest, spoke up, "Yeah, Mags, you remember her. She's the one I told you about."
"You told her about me?" Alice asked, startled.
Jasper steadily returned her gaze, a smile playing at his lips. "I figured you'd show up eventually, and I wanted her to know you when you did."
"What made you think I'd show up?"
His smile now full blown, he said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, "You're Alice Cullen."
Pressing a kiss to the top of Maggie's head, she asked, "Do you think I could come by and see her, you know, like visitation?"
"No."
"No?" she parroted, stunned.
"No," he repeated, moving away from the door. "You don't get visitation."
"Jasper —"
"You're her mother, whenever you want to see her, you can see her. You don't need my permission for that."
"You're just going to let me off the hook, just like that?"
He shrugged. "It's this new thing I'm trying. My therapist thinks I carry too many grudges and truthfully, I don't want you to be one of those." Tucking a lock of her hair behind her ear, he informed her, "I was never angry at you, Alice. I knew you were scared. And I learned a long time ago that patience with you pays off a lot more than trying to push you into something you're not ready for. I knew that when you were ready, you'd come."
"I'm sorry."
Inclining his head, Jasper assured her, "I know."
The kiss was sweet and lingering, and Alice felt the weight lift off of her heart at the pressure of his mouth against hers. When he pulled away, he grinned and declared, "We'll be okay."
For the first time in a long time, Alice truly believed him.
•••
A/N: This is the end, thanks for reading!
