It didn't take long for everyone in the town to know about my engagement, and it took even less time for Richard and Taylor to send out invites for it. All of this was going so fast it was making me dizzy. The date for the party was set for June 23, and the actual wedding was supposed to be the day after. Josh was going to have his bachelor party right after the engagement party. He wouldn't tell me what he and Ryan were going to do, just that they were going to stop by Billings for a few hours. The only hint he gave was that Billings had the greatest population in Montana. I was baffled.
Laura talked to Omar and she was able to stay till the 25th, and Omar would be here on the 22nd. I couldn't wait for Omar get here; everything is a lot more fun when he's around.
On the 16th Katie and Laura took me to Billings to do some dress shopping since we didn't really have a good selection here in town. They helped me pick out a beautiful white and black dress. It looked a lot like the dress I wore to my dad and grandma's funeral: it was white on top and the skirt was black. The white part was covered in white beads and lace, while the black was plain. It had a short white train and veil. Jason had pointed it out; apparently he was accepting the marriage….
"For now, anyway…" he mumbled.
The engagement party was here sooner than I was ready for it. Richard surprised me that morning by bringing me a short, strapless, mint green dress. And Taylor followed him bringing me her pearl necklace and bracelet.
"We want you to look just as good as you will tomorrow, Jazz." Richard explained.
"And because Josh is so much more beautiful than me." I added.
"Duh!" Taylor rolled her eyes.
Can I please smack the living daylights out of her!? I screamed in my head.
"No. Not yet anyway." Jason chuckled. He was finally in a good mood; I didn't know why but it was probably because I was happy, and because he'd accepted the marriage. "I haven't entirely accepted it; I'm just going along with it."
Whatever. I rolled my eyes, "Thanks dad, I appreciate it."
"No problem." He smiled and handed me the dress and accessories, "It's almost time to leave, hurry up and get ready." Richard grabbed Taylor's arm and dragged her out of my room.
I put the beautiful dress, necklace and bracelet on in no time flat. I added some light makeup, grabbed my lightweight white jacket and walked out to the living room. "How do I look?" I did a 360 so that they could check out the dress.
To my surprise, Josh answered: "H. O. T. Hot!" and gave me a light hug. He took my jacket and held it out so I could put it on.
"Thanks." I giggled.
"You are most welcome my dear fiancé." After he put my jacket on, he wrapped his arms around my waist from behind and laid his head on my shoulder and sighed.
"Don't worry; tomorrow's only a day away." I patted his folded hands.
"I know, but I'm anxious to make it official."
I sighed and rolled my eyes, "I know, I know…. Hey, I have a question for you before we go."
"What?" He kissed my neck gingerly.
"Is Megan going to be at the wedding? I know she doesn't really like me…"
"No, she can't stand to see me with you. I'm sorry." He apologized.
"Its fine, I kind of figured that that might happen." I shrugged lightly.
Josh let go and walked me out to the car; he and I sat in back while Taylor and Richard were in front. Laura and Omar had already left.
We drove to the park about a mile from the house. When Josh helped me out of the car I noticed that Laura and Katie had gone wild with the decorations. They had put out tons of white and black roses and garlands; and of course a few banners. I looked up and noticed that there was a huge white blanket covering the mid-day sky. I'm glad, now Josh can stay and help, without turning invisible. I walked to the far table and noticed that Taylor had bought a huge double chocolate cake. I swear she's trying to make me fat. I thought to Josh, giggling.
"Pretty much, yeah." He whispered back, chuckling.
The guests arrived a short while later, and the party really got underway. We played and danced to tons of songs; some slow ones, but mostly fast, energetic ones. Josh and I greeted everyone who arrived, and were bombarded with millions of questions. We got a lot of "way-to-go's" and "congratulations." And even a couple "you're-too-young-for-this." And one "isn't-this-happening-way-too-fast?" But this was a perfect escape for me. Josh was madly in love with me, and marrying him got me away from Taylor. I'm happy about it, and I could grow to truly love Josh.
We cut the cake around 3 o'clock and the party lasted another two hours. By seven everyone had gone home. Laura, Katie, Omar, Taylor, and Richard all stayed to help me and Josh take down the numerous ribbons and streamers and put the roses away. We were almost finished when 9 o'clock rolled around.
"Josh, you should head to your bachelor's party, it's getting kinda late…" I told him after checking my watch.
"Let's go for a walk first," he smiled at me, and then turned to Richard, "You don't mind finishing up without us, do you?"
"Of course not," Richard replied smiling, "We'll see you later."
"Thank you. See you tomorrow. I'll drop Jazzy off at the house before I go."
"Alright, bye."
Josh waved goodbye and grabbed my hand, I still had my jacket on but his touch still sent a shiver through me. "Oh, you're cold," he said apologetically. "You want me to warm you up?" Josh winked at me and smiled wide.
"Ummm……" I replied, pretending to think, "Maybe……ummm……I don't know."
Josh raised an eyebrow; I was keeping my thoughts nice and blank so he couldn't guess what I was going to say.
I giggled and smiled at him, "What do you think my answer is, Mr. Soon-to-be-my-husband?"
Josh smiled wide and in less than a second he'd let go of my hand and picked me up into his arms. He pressed his lips lightly on mine as he ran for the house. He touched his cold tongue to my lower lip, begging for entrance. I made him wait a second before I finally opened up. We made it to the house in no time flat; and before I knew it, we were in my room, on my bed, and Josh was on top of me. I wrapped my arms around his neck and using his elbows to prop himself up, he moved his hands under me. I was burning in seconds, but Josh's touch kept me cool. I dropped my arms from his neck and let my head fall onto the pillow so I could breath. Josh smiled at me and slowly pulled off my jacket; he tossed it, along with his shirt onto the floor. I ran my hands along his ice cold abs, he shivered slightly and his eyes rolled back in pleasure. I pulled my hair out from underneath me and let it sprawl across the pillow.
"I love you," he said, lightly stroking my face with the back of his hand.
"Surprisingly; I love you too." I replied. I caught his hand with mine and kissed it lightly. "But I'm not going to lose my virginity to you tonight; you have a bachelor's party to get to and I have to be well rested for tomorrow. Besides, we still have the honeymoon." I smiled as I caressed his hand.
Josh sighed, "All right. I give; we can wait until the honeymoon. I only have to wait 'till tomorrow night." He smiled and I heard Jason give a quick "Hallelujah!" in the back of my head. Anger flashed in Josh's eyes, but he shrugged it off. "Oh yeah! Before I go, I just wanted to tell you that after the wedding and before the honeymoon, I'm changing you." Josh's eyes lit up with excitement.
"Well, shit!" Jason growled angrily in my head. Josh's eyes narrowed slightly, but his excitement didn't fade.
I could tell that Jason was pissed and extremely sad, but it was my decision, not his.
"That's not it," Jason sighed, "I'll tell you the truth when he leaves."
Oh all right, but I wish you two would stop fighting.
"Never gonna happen." They growled in unison.
I rolled my eyes, and then concentrated on Josh, "I don't know about becoming a vampire…. Give me some time to think and I'll tell you tomorrow, okay?"
Josh's eyes narrowed, suspicious. "Fine, tomorrow then." Josh looked out the window and when he turned back to me I noticed a determined light in his eyes. He smiled sweetly at me and his face softened. "I'd better get going." He bent down and kissed me one last time before he got up and grabbed his shirt. He put it on and stood next to the bed. "I love you, Jazzy. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Right back at you. Have a good night." I smiled at him. He bent down and gave me a quick peck on the lips and headed out the door.
"All right Jason, what were you so upset about?" I asked out loud a few minutes later.
"Well… it's just that…" he stuttered.
"That?" I prompted.
"That…" he hesitated again, but he couldn't hold it any longer and burst out: "I wanted to be the one to change you."
I froze while my mind moved a mile a minute. "T-th-th-that m-m-means y-you're a-a…." I stuttered.
"Yes," sighed Jason, "I'm a vampire."
I was stunned; there was no other word for it. I couldn't talk and I couldn't think. The room started spinning and I started becoming faint and dizzy, but that's probably because I couldn't breathe.
"Jasmine…?" Jason asked hesitantly, "Jasmine, sweetie? You have to breathe…"
I took a deep breath to let him know I heard him. My dizziness disappeared but I still couldn't form even the simplest of thoughts.
"Very good," he commented, "Now, are you okay? You're not going to faint or pass out on me are you?"
It took me a minute, but I finally replied: "Yes, I'm okay. No, I won't faint…I think…"
Jason laughed, "Good."
"So, you're a vampire, huh?" I asked slightly sarcastically.
Jason's laugh stopped short, and he was suddenly hesitant, "Yes…why?"
"Oh, just thought it was weird, and kind of funny…." I rolled my eyes, "Is that why I can hear you in my head; is that your power or something?"
Jason's confusion echoed in my head, "Yes… yes it is. How did you…?"
I shrugged, "Well… you're always telling me that I'm not insane, and you've mentioned that you're real a few times, so it makes sense. You're like the opposite of Josh, he reads minds and you help people read yours." I smiled, happy I could figure all this out.
Jason sighed happily, "I knew there was a good reason that I loved you."
My smile widened at Jason's praise, I loved it when I could please him. "I love you too." I put as much love into my voice as was humanly possible, which was about ten times as much as I put in it when talking with Josh.
Jason's thoughts glowed with pride, satisfaction, and most importantly: undying love. "You are my minisukai and I am yours, always and forever."
I could tell that 'minisukai' had to be a compliment, but I had no idea what it meant, "What's a 'mini sukay'?"
"Minisukai is Ancient Japanese; it means that we're eternal soul mates."
My mouth dropped and my eyes got wide. Did he seriously just say that?!?
"Wh- a- b- ee- ah- unh!" I stuttered.
"What did you just say?" Jason asked confused.
"Ah- uh- oh- enh!" I stuttered again.
"Jasmine…" Jason sighed, annoyed.
"Unhh…" I moaned.
Jason sighed miserably, "I guess that was a little too much for you, huh? Especially since you're getting married to Josh tomorrow."
"Uh-huh," I nodded. I took a deep breath and exploded: "So, why the HELL did you just tell me that!!"
"I don't want you to marry Josh; I want you to marry me." Jason's voice sounded so sad, I couldn't help wanting to wrap my arms around him, so I could hug him forever.
"Okay," I sighed slightly, "If I'm not mentally schizo, and you really are real; could you get up here by tomorrow afternoon?"
"P-probably not…. Why?" he asked confused.
"Because," I smiled warmly, "If you could get here by then, I'd break up with Josh and marry you."