"I don't know about y'all, but I'm starving!" I said, walking backwards as I faced them. "I want a milkshake. Who's up for going to The Lodge to celebrate?" I asked. Only Bella smiled back at me and nodded. Alice looked at Jasper and sighed. "As much as we'd love to join you two, Jasper and I have to head home."

I looked over to him and he seemed sad. I put on a brave smile and bumped his shoulder with mine, turning to face correctly the way we were walking. I smiled when he took my hand and squeezed it gently with the utmost care. I squeezed it back in return and smiled at him.

"Well, that's alright, Alice. I'm just so glad you guys were all here to support me." I said and giggled when she walked around Jasper and grasped me around the stomach, hugging me against her cold tiny frame.

"I'm your friend, Maddie, of course I'll be here to support your dreams, just like you'd do for me!" she said and giggled, dancing around the rest of us.

"Alice! Calm down, pixie! Note to self, Never Never Never give Alice sugar. No more pixie stix for you!" I said, laughing. The others giggled along, Alice with a glint in her eye that made me think I'd be paying for that comment later.

Alice and Jasper escorted us to the giant red monstrosity that Bella had nicknamed Beast. Alice gave me another hug, waved at Bella and danced to a black Mercedes a few spots away from where the Beast was parked. Bella climbed into the truck while Jasper smiled at me and pulled me close. He nuzzled into my hair and kissed my cheek. "You really were astounding, Madison. Your voice is like an angel's. I can't wait for your first public performance. You know all us Cullens will be there to see it." His golden eyes held mine for a moment before he kissed me softly and then helped me into the truck, closing the door for me and walked to the Mercedes, whistling a jaunty tune that I didn't recognize.

"Oh my god, he is sooo into you, Maddie. And you two are beyond adorable together!" Bella squealed, making me blush. Why everyone always thinks she's ALWAYS so shy and quiet I'll never know. She's actually rather loud and silly sometimes. But then again, we all are as teenagers, I suppose. "Now let's go get those milkshakes, that's sounding really awesome to me!" she said and put the truck into gear.

We got our milkshakes from The Lodge to go, Bella with her strawberry one and I had a mint chocolate chip with extra mini chocolate chips tossed in. We climbed back into the truck and made our way home. We worked together on our homework until Dad got home and Bella and I worked together to make tacos for supper.

When we finished eating, Bella still had homework to do and there was a program she wanted to watch on tv afterwards, so I agreed to do dishes that night. As always, I couldn't stop myself from singing while doing them, one of my favorite Carrie Underwood songs that had been released a few weeks ago on the radio in this time.

She was driving last Friday on her way to Cincinnati

On a snow white Christmas Eve

Going home to see her Mama and her Daddy with the baby in the backseat

Fifty miles to go and she was running low on faith and gasoline

It'd been a long hard year

She had a lot on her mind and she didn't pay attention

She was going way too fast

Before she knew it she was spinning on a thin black sheet of glass

She saw both their lives flash before her eyes

She didn't even have time to cry

She was so scared

She threw her hands up in the air

Jesus take the wheel

Take it from my hands

Cause I can't do this on my own

I'm letting go

So give me one more chance

Save me from this road I'm on

Jesus take the wheel

It was still getting colder when she made it to the shoulder

And the car came to a stop

She cried when she saw that baby in the backseat sleeping like a rock

And for the first time in a long time

She bowed her head to pray

She said I'm sorry for the way

I've been living my life

I know I've got to change

So from now on tonight

Jesus take the wheel

Take it from my hands

Cause I can't do this on my own

I'm letting go

So give me one more chance

Save me from this road I'm on

Oh, Jesus take the wheel

Oh, I'm letting go

So give me one more chance

Save me from this road I'm on

From this road I'm on

Jesus take the wheel

Oh, take it, take it from me.

Oh, wow, ohhhhh.

I smiled, draining the water from the sink and drying my hands and joined Bella on the couch to finish her program. She said goodnight to me, leaving me and Charlie to watch the news and then Dad left to go to bed too, leaving me the only one awake and I leaned my head on the couch, watching Jay Leno. I closed my eyes to rest them and must have fallen asleep.

I woke to the sensation of moving and opened my eyes. I blushed when I realized I was being carried. I looked up to see Jasper holding me, looking down at me with those golden eyes. I smiled at him and reached up, running my fingertips gently over his cheek. "You looked so uncomfortable on the couch, I decided to move you to your bed," he said quietly. I nodded in understanding. He somehow held me with one arm, the other pulling the blankets back on the bed before he tucked me in gently.

He sat on the edge of the bed and studied me for a moment. "Edward called tonight, he'll be home tomorrow." I smiled, happy for him, I knew he'd been greatly worried about his brother.

"Jasper? May I ask a question that's been...bothered isn't the right word. Intrigued, perhaps?" I asked.

"Mmmhmm," he said, running a fingertip through my hair. He looked at me, and I smiled, trying to reassure him.

"How is it you're able to be around me without wanting to, you know, drain me?" I asked as quietly as possible, hoping I didn't upset or anger him.

He blinked in surprise and then his lips curved in a smile. "Don't get me wrong, Darlin', you smell absolutely delectable. But strictly in a non-food way. You smell like the freshest of spring rain, the fullest field of flowers, but in no way do you smell appetizing in the way of a meal. Alice, Phillip, Emmett and Rosalie have all said the same. Your scent doesn't appeal to them in that way. "

"Well, I'm certainly glad to hear that," I giggled. He leaned down and gave me a quick peck on the lips. Before he could move away, I placed my hand on the back of his neck and brought his lips back to mine, blushing at how bold a move it was, something I never would have felt comfortable doing before. But something about Jasper gave me confidence that I usually lacked. I kissed him,his lips cool against mine, but yet with a sense of warmth that was purely emotional. When I had to breathe, he pulled away.

"God you're beautiful, Madison. Inside and out. I don't know what in my existence I did to deserve you, but I'm damn sure glad I did," he said, making us both smile. He sighed as he looked at the clock. "It's getting late," he said sadly. I frowned, I didn't want him to leave either.

"Lay here with me until I fall asleep?" I asked softly.

He looked conflicted for a moment before nodding. He tucked me in a little tighter under the blankets and crawled behind me on the bed, wrapping his arm around me. His breath fluttered against my ear and I heard him humming the tune from earlier again. I smiled as I drifted off to dreams of soft golden eyes and a rush of loving warmth.