A/N: Gasp! I know, two chapters in a week! Well, there's a reason. Today's my birthday (10 June for those not reading in realtime) and I didn't want to do homework on my birthday. But I'm too poor to do anything else, and I would have felt guilty if I hadn't done something productive. So I decided to catch up on my FF stories. Plus the second to the last scene in this chapter just would not leave me alone until I wrote it out (Don't skip ahead!). And then I had to write what lead up to it... and now I'm here. Call this payment for all those months I've made you wait for a new chapter. Enjoy... I cried while writing it. Don't know what that says about this chapter.

Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns Twilight and all recognisable characters, no infringement is intended. Only the plot is mine.

Chapter Ten

"Watching a peaceful death of a human being reminds us of a falling star; one of a million lights in a vast sky that flares up for a brief moment only to disappear into the endless night forever." ~Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Japer anguished over what to tell his parents for days. The easy thing was to tell them nothing and let them think that he died. But that seemed too cruel. He thought that perhaps his parents would prefer to know that he was alive, healthy, and happy. But then how do you tell your parent's that your vampire boyfriend is going to turn you?

That was always the point that he hit on.

He wanted to tell his parents. He wanted them to have the comfort that he would be happy and alive somewhere, even though he wouldn't be with them. But he didn't know how to explain to them about Edward and the Cullens.

Either way they were losing their son. Jasper wouldn't be able to stay with them and Edward couldn't assure him that he would be in any condition to be visiting his family any time soon.

And what would his parents even do? They would have to have a funeral. His grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins would all be told that he was dead. It was weird to think about in relation to his actual death; but to know that his entire family would have a funeral for him, mourn him, and visit his gravesite – all while he was living somewhere in Europe, immortal and learning to live off animal blood, was unfathomable.

There were no easy answers and Jasper couldn't help resenting that fact that he had gone from one impossible decision to another. Edward tried to help where he could, but he didn't know how Jasper felt. His parents had thought he was dead. He didn't have to consider whether to tell them he was a vampire or not.

Furthermore, his mind constantly protested, how would his parents even react? What was he supposed to say, "Mom, dad. You know Edward and Dr. Cullen? Yeah, well, they're vampires. And they're going to turn me so that I can run off into the sunset with Edward and be immortal." Jasper had a sinking feeling that his parents would check him into an institution if he ever told them that. Maybe they'd think the stress of his illness was getting to him.

Either way, he was starting to reject the idea of telling his parents. He wanted to. But he didn't know how.

So his only other option was to break his parent's hearts.

Jasper groaned and dropped his head into his hands. He kept thinking himself into a corner and there didn't seem a way for him to get out of it.

"Jasper, are you okay?" Jacob asked from the kitchen, his favourite place in the Whitlock home besides in front of the TV.

Jacob had been spending the mornings with Jasper while Edward and his parents were at work. It was the perfect solution because after the day of the hike Jasper's heath had taken a nosedive. He was too weak to walk and had to be carried from his bed to the living room couch. The only time he couldn't be found in one of those places was when he had to pee and even then he needed help. He could keep very little down and Carlisle and Edward were considering giving him nutrients via an IV; something that Jasper resisted whenever it was brought up.

He enjoyed spending time with Jacob though. Jake was always able to brighten his day enough that he sometimes forgot why he was stuck on the couch. They were working their way through some TV series that Jacob had brought and it was nice that Jacob was content to sit on his ass and do nothing. As long as he had food and TV, Jasper believed that the world could go to hell and Jacob would still be content.

"I'm fine," Jasper answered, "Just… thinking."

"Well stop. Obviously it hurts you. We wouldn't want you to break your brain."

"I don't think thinking can break your brain."

"Well maybe thinking about thinking can break your brain. Or at least fuck with it. They both suck." Jacob looked at the coffee table with a frown, "I forgot the chips. I'll be right back."

"You know," Jasper called to Jacob, summoning all the force in his body, "eating good food in front of someone who can't eat is really quite mean. I'm beginning to think that you're a very mean person."

"Boo-fucking-hoo," Jacob said, plopping back onto the couch, "I know for a fact that if the roles were switched you'd be sittin right here eating a big ass Hawaiian pizza, laughing at me."

"Why would I be eating a Hawaiian pizza?" Jasper asked, confused.

"It's my favourite."

"Well obviously I wouldn't be eating it because I didn't know that it was your favourite."

"Technicality," Jacob said with a wave of his hand.

"Is that really your favourite food? Not something special like baklava or cannoli or chocolate?"

"Got a sweet tooth today huh?"

"I would fucking kill for a cannoli from New York's Little Italy right now," Jasper nodded in agreement.

"Well maybe you should tell Dr. Loverboy that. I bet if you played your cards right you could get him to hire a private jet just to go to New York and get you one."

Jasper smiled as an image of him on his knees begging Edward to go to New York for him popped into his mind. It was odd to think that there was someone out there who would go through all that trouble for a pastry, but Jasper had no doubt in his mind that if he really, really wanted it, Edward would make it happen. Not that he would of course.

"I wouldn't do that," Jasper said, "And stop calling him 'Dr. Loverboy'. You make our relationship sound creepy."

"Would it be better if I call him Dr. McDreamy? Or McSteamy or whatever name is the new nickname on that Doctor TV show?"

"I'm not even going to ask why you know those names," Jasper teased with a grin.

Jacob's face fell and he muttered something about gay cousins and evil ex-girlfriends before cutting off the conversation by turning back to the show. That was fine with Jasper because it let him drift back into his thoughts.

His attitude had been more positive since he agreed to allow Edward to change him. Instead of thinking about what he would be missing out on, he was able to put it on his growing 'To-Do' list. He would never be able to have a cannoli again, but he would be able to visit New York again, as well as all the hundreds of other places he had always dreamed of going but was unable to because he was sick.

An entire world had been opened up to him with one word, and while there were a lot of things he still had to work through, there was a lot more to look forward to. Jasper was nervous and excited at the new development.

Edward seemed more excited as well. Having a plan and the assurance that they would be spending the rest of their immortal lives together had deepened their growing relationship. Edward was more affectionate and cheerful. The storm cloud that had been hanging above his head since Jasper had known him had dissipated, allowing Jasper to glimpse a funny and relaxed Edward that Jasper adored.

Throughout the afternoon Jasper drifted off to sleep occasionally until it was time for Jacob to leave. As Jacob packed up his things and put the food away, Jasper was seized with the urge to let Jacob know how important his friendship was to him. Jasper knew that Edward and Carlisle were discussing the best way to do it, and it could happen at anytime. Jacob wouldn't be returning for several days, and Jasper didn't want to think that this would be the last time he would see him.

"Jake, before you go can we talk?" Jasper asked, catching Jacob's attention.

"Sure," Jacob sat down and waited while Jasper organised his thoughts.

"I really just want to thank you for being my friend. These past few days would have sucked without you here to distract me. And… I just want to thank you." Jasper could feel the heat in his cheeks and such an awkward and intimate moment.

"Dude, you sound like you're planning to die over the weekend; don't do that."

"I'm not planning to die," Jasper growled, "I just want you to know. In case I don't get the chance to tell you again. I'm glad I met you."

"Well don't," Jacob said more forcefully, "I'll see you again on Tuesday so stop your depressing funk. I'm bringing 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia'. We'll laugh our fucking heads off, you'll take a nap, and I'll dig through all your drawers."

"You don't really do that, do you?" Jasper asked.

Jacob grinned, "When you die can I have your gay porn collection? I have some friends that I could really freak out with that."

"Fuck off," Jasper yelled. He searched for something to throw but came up short so he reached behind him and threw his pillow at Jacob's head. He immediately regretted it when he tried to lean back.

Jacob just laughed at Jasper's disgruntled look and placed the pillow back behind Jasper's head. "That's what you get," He admonished. "Now I need to get going. I'll see you on Tuesday."

"Tuesday," Jasper repeated and watched Jacob pick up his bag of movies. "Jacob, I was serious. Thanks."

Jacob smiled, "No problem. See you later."

Jasper heard the door open and Edward's voice filtered down the hallway as he spoke to Jacob. As soon as Edward turned the corner Jasper couldn't help the bright grin that spread across his face at the sight of Edward. The grin only brightened when he was met with an equally brilliant one.

"How are you feeling?" Edward asked in his 'Doctor Mode', a role that Edward always had a hard time shaking off after getting off work.

"I'm fine," Jasper answered automatically. Edward frowned as he looked over Jasper.

"Have you eaten anything?"

"I'm not hungry."

"Jasper," Edward began, but Jasper immediately cut him off.

"I'm fine Edward you don't have to worry. Besides it doesn't matter. You'll change me before I get too sick so I don't see what the big deal is."

Edward sighed and sat on the edge of the couch. He took Jasper's hand and ran his thumb along the creases. "I know that, I just want you to be comfortable and healthy right now."

"Well I will be soon," Jasper said firmly, ending the conversation about his health. Edward caught on and instead started laying out the plans he had prepared.

"Well then, Carlisle and I have been talking about how to do this. Obviously there are two different options for us. If you decide to tell your parents then we can just take you away. Your parents will tell people that you went into hospital and died. Then after a time our family will move. We need to get you somewhere more secluded as you get used to your new senses.

"Regardless, as soon as I change you the two of us will be taking off on our own for a year or two. If the entire family leaves immediately after you've just died then that would look odd. If I leave then I just look like the grieving lover that couldn't handle sticking around."

"That sounds good. But I don't think I'll be able to tell my parents. I just can't come up with anything that could comfort them. I mean, I'd essentially be telling them that I'll still be living, but I'll be a vampire. That's not really something every parents thinks they're going to hear from their child," Jasper pointed out.

"Right, and I've planned for that as well," Edward straightened out and began talking again as if he were laying out a medical treatment plan, "So our other option is to admit you to hospital. We administer the venom behind closed doors. Carlisle and I will be your doctors, pronounce you dead, and sneak you away from the morgue before your transformation has a chance to complete. During the days of your transformation you will appear dead. Your skin will lighten, eventually you'll stop breathing, and your heart will stop. No one will be able to know the difference."

"And my parents will think I'm dead," Jasper whispered. He couldn't wrap his head around it.

"Jasper you don't have to decide now. You still have time to figure out what to tell them. Either way, you're in control. We can do it today or a week from now. As long as you feel healthy enough, you have time." Edward searched Jasper's face for a sign of understanding and as much as Jasper wanted to give him one, he imagined that he only succeeded in looking constipated.

"Please tell me that I'm making the right choice," Jasper begged. "I need to know that the pain that I cause will not be my fault."

Edward swept Jasper up in his arms, "Jasper none of this is your fault. None of it. I know that it hurts, but I swear to you that I will do everything in my power to make this as easy as possible."

Jasper's breathing came in gasps as he tried to keep the tears from falling. He knew that he would hurt his parents. They would lose him either way. But the decision of what to tell them tore him up inside and everything was threatening to fall apart.

"I just need to know that they'll be okay. They'll have each other, but I need them to know, Edward. I want them to know that I'm happy, that I'm fine. I don't think I could live and not come back and see them. I want to spend as much time with them as I can before they're gone too."

Edward slowly rocked them back and forth in a calming motion and soon Jasper was tear-free and breathing normally. Once he was completely calm Edward spoke again, "Then we'll tell them. If it'll make it easier for you we'll tell them together. I'll even make Carlisle be there. Then once you're ready we can see them as much as we want." Jasper nodded into Edward's chest. Just the simple suggestion of Edward and Carlisle helping him break the news to his parents seemed to life the world from his back.

"Well either way I'm looking at a hospital visit. So we should set a date. I'll think about what to tell my parents between then," Jasper decided.

Edward guiltily looked at Jasper, "I kind of figured that out too," At Jasper's raised eyebrow Edward quickly rushed to explain, "Not that I was making the decision for you, I was just coming up with options."

Jasper was silent and Edward took that as the go-ahead to continue, "See a week from next Tuesday the hospital will be short staffed. It's already a small hospital, but one of the other doctors is going on vacation and another is going on maternity leave, and we won't have replacements coming in until Friday. Carlisle and I will be manning the entire hospital on our own. So we would be in charge of everything that happens to you. That ensures that we also fill out any paperwork on you."

"Okay," Jasper said in agreement. 'Okay' seemed to be his new word of acceptance- would you like to become a vampire? Okay. Would you like to die a week from Tuesday? Okay. He couldn't help but wonder what other life changing experiences could possibly happen to him.

"Where will we go?" Jasper asked. "I mean, after you change me."

"Well to initially get you comfortable we're going to go visit some friends of the family in Alaska. They are isolated and there're lots of animals for you to hunt. Once you're more comfortable," Edward smiled at Jasper, "I thought I'd take you to Europe."

"Really?" Jasper didn't even try to hide the excitement in his voice. He had always been jealous of his college friends when they would go on class trips to Europe or spend the summer in Italy. He never went anywhere besides New Haven. Europe sounded exciting and romantic. It was exactly where he wanted to start his life with Edward.

"Do you approve?" Edward asked. In answer Jasper reached out and pulled Edward down for a deep kiss.

"You can read my thoughts," Jasper breathlessly whispered as soon as they broke apart, "Why do you even ask stupid questions like that?"

"I'm trying to be polite," Edward answered just as breathlessly, though Jasper had a feeling it was more to do with awe and emotions than actual loss of breath.

"Well stop," Jasper said. Then before Edward could say anything more Jasper claimed his lips again immediately opening his mouth so Edward's tongue could enter. Jasper carded his fingers through Edward's hair, twisting his fingers among the locks. Edward moaned when Jasper tugged one of the locks of hair and pressed himself tighter to Jasper. In playful retaliation Edward lightly bit Jasper's bottom lip and immediately got the response he wanted when Jasper gasped. Edward smiled against Jasper's lips, but it turned into a frown when Jasper began desperately coughing.

Jasper reached out for a glass of water that Edward hastily pushed into is hands. Jasper continued to cough in harsh, rasping waves. Finally he calmed down enough so that he could take a sip of water to moisten his dry mouth.

When he finally stopped he looked apologetically at Edward. "Sorry I cut that short."

"It's fine. Are you okay now?"

"Yeah, it's just a little cough. My mouth was dry. But I'm fine now."

Edward stood up from the couch and forcefully pushed Jasper back onto the couch so he was lying down. "Maybe we should lay off getting too kinky until you're better," Edward suggested.

"You think that's kinky," Jasper offhandedly commented, "Then you're in for a surprise when I'm a vampire and you don't have to control yourself around me. I'm going to be fucking you into the mattress for hours. We're going to buy a gay man's karma sutra and because we can't break we're going to try every fucking position in the book. Even the ones that look impossible."

Edward tightened into an unreadable expression at Jasper's comments. "What makes you think you'll be fucking me?" He said after a time.

Jasper pretended to think about it, "How about we switch off?"

"Deal."

Two hours later Edward left when Margaret got home. Jasper woke up from his light nap when he felt a cool kiss on his forehead and heard Edward speaking in low tones with his mother.

The front door closed and Margaret bustled into the room. "Jasper darling, are you awake?"

Jasper rolled onto his side and watched his mom as she busied herself cleaning up the spotless living room.

"Yeah, I just woke up."

"Do you need any food? Drink? Do you need to use the toilet?" She came over and sat on the side of the couch. She pressed her hand against Jasper's cheek as she watched him. Jasper felt tears reach his eyes as he wondered when his mother would ever touch him like this again.

Margaret took a deep breath and clasped her hands. "Well, what would you like for dinner?"

"I'm not really hungry, mama," Jasper said. Already he felt himself falling back to sleep even though he had just woken up. His entire body was fatigued and sore, even though he had done nothing all day. All he wanted to do was take another nap.

Before his eyes could close the front door opened again and Richard walked in. "Hello," He smiled and Margaret and placed a kiss on her head. "Jasper, lounging around as always."

Jasper smiled at his dad, "Yeah dad, you wouldn't believe some of the junk Jake made me watch today."

"Shit, I'm sure," Richard commented. He winced when Margaret hit his arm with an admonishing 'don't swear' before she headed into the kitchen to start dinner.

"Is Edward joining us?" Richard asked. He sat on the couch across from Jasper and with a great sigh, suck into the chair.

"No he has a meeting at the hospital," Margaret called back.

"Nice boy, Edward is. You've got quite a catch with him, Jasper."

Jasper drowsily nodded in agreement. "Yeah he is."

Richard got a look on his face that Jasper recognised from his teenage years as his dad's 'let's talk' face, and he knew that something he didn't have the energy for was about to happen.

"Jasper, your mom and I have been meaning to talk to you." At his words Margaret appeared and sat down next to him. Jasper nodded, albeit reluctantly, and hauled himself into a sitting position, wincing as his muscles protested and tried to buckle.

"Now we just want to see how you're handling all of this," Richard began evenly.

"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" Jasper pointed out, not entirely kindly. Margaret immediately got tears in her eyes and Jasper regretted starting off with that. "I'm going to be fine," Jasper assured them, trying to backtrack. "I'm more worried about you two."

"Oh baby," Margaret was up across the room in moments, sweeping Jasper into her arms. "I can't believe this is happening to you. I would do anything to go through this for you."

"I know mama," Jasper wrapped his arms around her, "I know you would. But I'm going to be fine. I just want to know you and dad are going to be okay when I'm gone."

"How could we possibly be okay when our baby is –" Margaret choked on her words.

Seeing his mother's tears and his father's face contort in sorrow was like a knife in Jasper's gut. He opened his mouth to blurt the whole thing out, but snapped it shut. He couldn't do it on his own. He needed Edward standing next to him holding his hand and whispering that it would be okay. And he needed Carlisle ready and waiting for when his mother had a stroke from the news. Instead he decided to lay the framework to help ease them into it.

"Mama, dad, I just want you to know what wherever I go, I'll be happy. Right? Isn't that what you taught me? When I'm gone I'll be free. I won't have any more pain. And I'll be happy."

Margaret gave a tearful acknowledgment and Richard just nodded to his son.

"Can you do that for me?" Jasper pressed, "Can you just know that wherever I go, whatever happens that I'm happy. That I'm pain-free. Maybe that I'm even running around somewhere?"

"What about Edward, son?" Richard asked, "That boy loves you. What will he do?"

Jasper smiled, "I know he loves me. I may even love him too. But Edward will be fine. Trust me. I'm more worried about you two."

"We'll be fine," Richard said. He got up and sat down on the other side of Jasper and wrapped his wife and son in his arms. "We'll get through."

"I just want you to focus on how I'm not suffering anymore," Jasper said again. He couldn't let the point drop until he felt he had made his parent understand that he would end up okay.

Jasper was relieved that Edward had suggested telling his parents together. Even if Jasper had decided not to tell his parents, just the look on their faces during this conversation would have been enough to change his mind. His parents deserved to know that their son would be happy, living and loved. And Jasper would make sure they understood that, even though he had to admit that part of his happiness was at the expense of becoming a mythological supernatural being.

If Jasper had had more energy the situation would almost have been humourous.

"Well, now that we're all cried out, I think we could do with some dinner, hm?" Margaret said in a tone that didn't offer room for comment.

They ate dinner around the television that night, talking about memories and remembering when Jasper was young, energetic, and too curious for his own good – a habit that resulted in several broken bones, neighbourhood privacy invasions, and stray animals being deemed pets.

Jasper felt immense relief when he laid down for bed that night. It finally seemed like things would turn out all right. A date was set for his transformation. His parents would know about him and Edward and they would know that he would be okay. He would be healthy and living. He would get to see Europe.

And he would have Edward, the person that made all of this trouble worth it. Jasper firmly believed that if it hadn't been for Edward, he wouldn't have fought so hard for so long. Edward was now the driving force behind Jasper's actions. He hadn't been lying to his father or simply giving him comforting words when he had confessed that he might love Edward. He would never admit such a thing to Edward quite yet, but the emotion was getting stronger everyday.

Yes, things were definitely looking up. Jasper fell asleep with a smile on his face and he dreamed of Edward.

The next morning Margaret opened Jasper's bedroom and turned on the lights. "Jasper darling, it's time to get up. There was an emergency at work and they need me as soon as possible so I need to help you downstairs right now and get going."

She walked over to the closet and began pulling out comfortable loungewear for Jasper to wear for the day. When she didn't hear her son's rustling in the bed she sighed and turned back to face the room.

"Jasper I'm serious. I need to leave now, so you have to start getting up."

There was still no movement. Margaret sighed again in exasperation and went to his bedside.

"Jasper, wake up." She shook his shoulder, but there was still nothing. She tried again but Jasper's body just moved with her touch.

That's when she noticed that Jasper was colder than normal. Her heart seemed to stop as she looked on the cold, serene face of her son. She leaned down and felt the almost nonexistent, uneven breaths being pushed out of his mouth against her cheek, but despite this, there was still no response. Jasper wouldn't wake.

"Jasper," She whispered. She shook him again, "Jasper," Again, harder, "Jasper!" She screamed. There was nothing.

With a final scream of pain, Margaret ran to the phone to call an ambulance.

Edward was preparing for another shift at the hospital when Alice burst through his bedroom door. "Alice, wh –"

"It's Jasper. Edward you need to get to the hospital."

Edward raced out the door, his mind processing a million thoughts at once. But all he could think of was, "Please, please God, no."

A/N: I'll remind you all that I love Jasper. Just keep that in mind whilst you review. And if you kill me he can't be saved! Remember that too. ~AJ Kelly