10. Date

Amarillo, TX

November 2010

(Thanksgiving Day)

Robyn

I sit on the edge of my bed staring at my hands. A towel is wrapped around my waist as I shake my head.

This is pointless.

"Knock, Knock," I hear Garrett say on the other side of my bedroom door, "let me inside, Robyn. Peter isn't here at the moment. I can help..."

I roll my eyes. How can a hundred year old male vampire help me find something to wear?

This is my first date, I don't want to screw it up by wearing something inappropriate.

"Garrett, go away. You can't help..." I trail off pushing up from the bed.

He chuckles. "I bet I can. You just need someone to help picking clothes. I know Peter well, Robyn. I know what he'll like..."

I roll my eyes stomping over to the bedroom door. Yanking the door open, I avoid Garrett's curious gaze. Garrett enters the room and locks the door behind him. He moves around the room toward my fully stocked closet. I'll never be able to repay Peter for all of the clothes. I never really thought about wearing cowgirl boots before but they are moderately comfortable.

"So, any idea what to wear?" Garrett asks as he stares at my closet. I give him a look and he rolls his eyes, "I was thinking shorts, pants, or dress?"

"Dress," I say instantly. I want Peter to understand that I'm grown. I know what I want and I want him, forever. The only way to really make him understand that is to wear a dress on our date.

"Okay, gives us something to work with," Garrett states as he digs moving through the closet in the closet. I move into the bathroom staring at my reflection. I never knew going on a date would be this nerve wrecking.

"Okay, I gave you two options..." Garrett suddenly says a few minutes later.

I enter the bedroom to see two dresses lying on the bed. There's a single blue jean jacket sitting between them. One dress is a light pink color while the other is a white dress with tiny thin straps around the shoulder. The white dress has a pair of cowgirl boots but the pink dress has a different pair of boots.

"Something told me you want Peter to take you seriously. A white dress would be something he wouldn't expect, but would give him ideas."

I turn to look at Garrett with a smile, "I like the white one. Thanks, Garrett. Now, if you can't help me with my hair, I suggest you get out."

Garrett smirks before unlocking the door and leaving the room.

I press my fingers down over the bottom of the material of the dress. This is the moment I start freaking out. The necklace sitting against my chest brings attention to cleavage just the right way. The boots make me feel just like the country girl on a farm.

"Whether you believe it or not, you look beautiful," Garrett says as I leave the bedroom. I gulp shaking my head, "Is it alright to be this nervous?"

Part of me wishes my mother or grandmother were here. I could ask them for their advice on this date.

Garrett smiles at me, "I would probably be worried if you weren't nervous."

Garrett helps me down the stairs since even in these small heels, I'm a klutz. Downstairs, I feel as if my nerves have lessened. Unfortunately, the lessening of my nervous is short lived by the sound of the doorbell.

"I wonder who that is," Garrett says with a sarcastic tone. I roll my eyes at him watching as he suddenly straightens putting on a tougher expression. His hand lightly clutches the doorknob as he approaches the door pulling it open.

He shields the opening of the door from me.

"I take it you must be the young man that's taking out my daughter," Garrett says sternly.

I cover my mouth to contain the laughter trying to burst through.

"Garrett," Peter grits out and I only imagine him glaring.

"I'm afraid we aren't on that level yet, young man. My name is Mr. Keller, not Garrett."

I roll my eyes again moving toward Garrett. I reach out grabbing Garrett's arm tugging him from the door, "Dad," I say humoring him for a moment before glaring at him, "that's enough, Garrett. Remember that Peter isn't against physical or mental harm."

Garrett sighs rolling his own eyes, "Fine. I'm just trying for a little humor around here. Old fogies."

Garrett finally moves out of the way of the door and I catch sight of Peter. Peter stands in a white and red plaid shirt, slightly flared jeans, huge belt buckle, and cowboy boots. My pulse quickens which I'm sure he can hear as I notice the top buttons of his plaid shirt are unbuttoned.

"Peter," I breathe my eyes meeting his. Surprisingly he's wearing contacts I discover when our eyes meet. It's bizarre not seeing those bright red eyes which I've grown so used to.

"Robyn," I hear him say with a husky voice. It's then I recall the dress I'm wearing and what he must be thinking. I flush which causes a slight growl from his chest.

"Be sure to have her home at a decent hour, young man," Garrett says pulling the door wider and smirking at us both.

I roll my eyes turning toward him, "When I'm turned, you are seriously going to regret putting me through this."

Garrett raises his eyes with a smile, "Don't hurt me. I'm just being the voice of reason."

I glare into thin air until a hand reaches out for mine. Sparks crawl up my arm as I look up into Peter's contact covered eyes.

"Ignore him. Even he can't ruin this night. Are you ready to go?" Peter asks completely ignoring Garrett. This only manages to annoy Garrett even further which makes Peter and I smirk.

Peter takes my hand pulling me from the entrance of the door. He wraps an arm around my shoulders as he grins down at me.

"I didn't get the chance to tell you how absolutely gorgeous you look," Peter whispers in my ear as we walk toward the driveway.

My cheeks flame instantly as I grip his fingers, "You should look in the mirror. I don't compare to you..." I trail off with a sigh.

Peter shakes his head, "You don't see yourself the way I see you."

"Let's agree to disagree," I say as we finally stop at the driveway. I raise an eyebrow at the dark black truck wondering where it came from.

"Maybe I thought about this a little too much. This is one of my trucks which has been in a garage out of town. Let's just say I had to go to great lengths to get this back," Peter says opening the passenger side door.

He reaches inside and suddenly a bouquet of different wild flowers sits in his hands. I smile taking the plastic covered flowers breathing in the scents from them.

"Thank you, Peter. These are so beautiful," I tell him smiling brightly.

Peter suddenly turns his face before reaching inside the truck. He suddenly pulls out something that he's never shown me before.

"I had forgotten I had this. When I returned to the compound to find Jasper, I found something that I knew he treasured," Peter says showing me a medal Jasper must have earned in the Civil War.

"Thought perhaps you would want Jasper here in some form on our first official date," Peter murmurs.

Tears fill my eyes as I look up at him, "Thank you so much, Peter. I know how hard this is for you. I feel like thanks doesn't begin to cover what this means to me. I love you, Peter, so very much for this."

I reach over to him grabbing his arms and pushing up on my tip toes pressing our lips together. Peter kisses me back tenderly showing all his love for me through our kiss. When we pull away, I smile up at him as he pulls back clearing his throat.

"After you, Milady," he bows with a Cheshire grin.

With his hand, I lift myself into the cab of the truck breathing in the familiar scent of Peter. Peter climbs into the driver's side with a grin turning on the radio. Without being told, I buckle the seat belt around my waist as Peter heads into town. While Peter's driving, his hand slides over to clutch mine making the butterflies swarm inside my stomach. He even presses a kiss against my knuckles and then smirks at the sound of my racing heart.

"That isn't exactly fair," I remark turning my gaze out the window. "I didn't say I play fair," Peter replies which makes me roll my eyes. Amarillo appears deserted as nearly all of the parking lots of business are empty. It's nearing a ghost town. Surprisingly Peter finds a diner still open where he pulls into the front of the building. My heart is beating like a sledge hammer for some reason. I suddenly realize it's mostly out of the fact that this will be the first time I knowingly spent time with Peter in public knowing he's a vampire.

He cuts the engine and chooses to ignore my stuttering heart for once. Opening my door like a true southern gentleman, he smiles at me taking my hand and helping me from the cab of the truck. We walk inside where the waitress double takes at Peter. Her expression brightens upon seeing me and my confidence plummets. I feel Peter pull me closer lifting my chin and staring into my eyes. Before I can blink, his lips are against mine with more pressure than he added before.

Pulling back, he gives me a smirk before we follow the waitress. She directs us into a booth and I barely recall her name. Of course Peter gets her name because she's practically ogling him across the table. The only thing I notice about her are her wide eyes, big breasts, and pale blonde hair. Peter chuckles as he slides the menu over toward me. I peek inside to see the Thanksgiving specials as the girl returns with just a simple Dr. Pepper in front of me.

"I will not be getting anything, please just attend to her," Peter says without taking his gaze from me.

The waitress, who's name is discover is Becky, turns to me with a snide look on her face. I give her my order of one of the Thanksgiving specials along with a dessert of pecan pie and ice cream. After she leaves, I roll my eyes giving Peter a disarming look.

He holds his hands up in defense, "I didn't do anything."

"Unintentionally," I reply sitting my arms on the table. A few moments of silence pass between us before I speak, "Tell me about yourself, Peter. I haven't heard much about you before the newborn army."

Peter looks at me before frowning, "You don't want to know that..."

I reach over, "I know about Charlotte, Peter, just tell me. Jasper knew about her, give me the same respect and tell me."

Peter sighs before telling me everything. He tells me about the first time he can recall meeting Charlotte. He doesn't remember much about the wedding or anything else, just the fact that she died. He can remember finding her dead body with blood peppering her red lips. He was drunk when he was found by Jasper who turned him before returning them to the compound. Peter doesn't believe that Jasper felt anything for him at all at that point.

"Was it strange for Jasper to turn someone like that?" I ask just as my food returns.

Peter shrugs shaking his head at the waitress, Becky. She leaves the check at the corner of the table before stomping off.

"From what I understood, it was common. Jasper was the major in the army for Maria. She gave him quite a bit of leniency and he was held responsible if one of his chosen few acted out. When I was turned, it took a long time to get the thirst under control and by the time I did, I was quite strong. It's only because I was strong and tough in the face of so much carnage that Jasper was able to save me after my newborn year was over. I was stronger than most in the army at that point so I was made captain. I think part of me always knew Jasper was important to me, not just as my superior. I look back at it now and see all the times I was trying to impress him. I would try to go longer between feeds, fight harder, kill more vampires on the battle field, but it was never really enough.

"When Jasper let me go, it took only a short time to realize something was up. I missed having Jasper around to talk with him and not just everything else. There were all kinds of things going on in the compound but the way I was raised, I never gave it much thought. At first, I thought something must be wrong with me, but then that thought left as quickly as it rose. Jasper wasn't a mistake, but leaving him behind was. I went back for him at that point. Though as I told you before, the place was in ruins. Jasper was no where in sight."

Sliding my hand over the table, I place it over Peter's. I can see and feel his pain as if it's my own pain.

"Peter, you can't blame yourself over this forever. Jasper's alive, we know that. We'll find him."

Peter sighs but nods. As I begin eating my food, I suddenly realize something I hadn't thought about. When Peter first met me, he wanted to know everything about me. From my favorites, to the way I like my food, to the way I slept.

Peter is still staring at me which makes my face flush. "You know you asked me about my favorite things, but I never got yours. Was that on purpose?"

I think if Peter was able, he might have blushed himself. Peter sighs shaking his head. "It wasn't knowingly done on purpose, I don't think. It's just I grew up in a different world than you. You might not understand anything about what I like."

I shrug it off. "Peter, it doesn't matter. You don't understand anything that I like. There are movies in this century that you like. Hell, I'd love to watch old movies with you just to get a taste of the man you used to be. Don't you get it, Peter? I love you, that isn't going to change any time soon."

I don't understand why it's so hard for Peter to understand I love him. That's never going to change between us. I told him that if Jasper didn't want us, I'd gladly pick him any day of the week. Suddenly something occurs to me that I refused to let myself think about.

"Y-You aren't thinking what I think you are, right?" I narrow my gaze at him. This was supposed to be a good date, but it might not be. Peter raises an eyebrow. It's hard to admit that one look makes my legs tighten.

"That if Jasper doesn't want you, but me instead, that you would step aside. If you are thinking that, Peter Whitlock, you're out of your damn mind."

His gaze falters toward the table. I spot Becky glancing our way ready and primed to help out Peter in any possible way. I glare at her because she just doesn't know. Why couldn't she be a criminal? I'd love for Peter to bite into her neck for once. I don't think she'd like him too much then.

"I can't say that I haven't thought about it," Peter confesses looking up at me. Despite the contacts in his eyes, I see the anguish. I shake my head at him without attempting to comfort him. "Peter, I love you, you've got to get that through your thick skull. Either I get both you and Jasper or I get just you. I don't know Jasper that well, Peter, I would never choose him over you. I'm sure as a vampire my feelings for Jasper will appear like a wildfire but I know for a fact that doesn't change a damn ounce of my feelings for you."

Peter smiles at me but I know it's going to take a little longer for him to believe me. When I finish my main course, Peter suddenly reaches over taking the pecan pie and ice cream. Sliding from the table, he slides in on my side making my eyebrows rise. Pulling the plate back, he picks up the fork and begins to cut into it. Turning me, I realize what he's about to do and my entire face flushes.

Lifting up the fork, he feeds me right there in the booth of the restaurant. Everything else falls away and it's just the two of us lost in our own world. The middle part of the pie and ice cream dribble on my lips and I reach for a napkin but instead Peter shakes his head. Lowering his head toward mine, I smile at him as our lips touch. It's not a simple kiss either as his tongue invades my mouth tasting the dessert I just had. I know it doesn't taste that good to him by the expression on his face, but it does wonders for me.

"Are you ready to go? We're going somewhere else too," Peter says grabbing the check.

"Sure. I'd love to see what else you have in mind." I finally wipe my lips on a napkin taking Peter's offered hand.

At the register someone else besides our waitress, Becky, checks us out. Thankfully it's a guy but he seems to have a mind unlike his coworker choosing not to even glance my way. Obviously our intense make-out in the booth was enough to shove these people away.

Instead of taking the truck, Peter takes my hand walking with me. I'm more than a little curious where Peter is leading us. He pulls me closer as we glance up at the sky. The sun will set soon but I know Peter will have us home by the time the stars filter across the sky. As we walk, I begin to hear light music, which is soft as if from a violin. Looking up, I see a small band with a violin, a guitar, and even one of those saxophone things all playing together.

Across the band playing is a small gazebo completely empty. It's raised on a higher platform but protected by rain or the harsh weather. Peter leads me even further and suddenly he takes my pressing a kiss along the back of my knuckles.

"May I have this dance?" Peter asks holding himself higher. I stare at him suddenly transfixed by his demeanor. I know this is part of the human Peter from a time long gone. He appears so beautiful that I wonder for a moment how I ever got so lucky.

I take his hand instead of answering because my throat has closed. Peter leads us to the gazebo where he pulls me closer. He takes my right hand in his left hand pulling it away for our bodies slow dancing with me. I've never danced before and I'm sure I must step on his feet a few times, but he never says a word. For a moment I thank my family inside my head, if not for their actions toward me, I would have never found this sort of love.

This kind of love is a once in a lifetime kind of love. It's the kind that's proven stronger, more powerful than anything man could ever create. I love this man so very much, but it's in that moment that I realize something else. The love I have for this man is too great, it's more like it should be separated. While I don't know Jasper, I think some part of me craves him just like Peter. We're both in love with someone that's not even here. Soon enough it will be December another holiday without him in our lives.

I've gotten Peter, now it's time to finish it. Jasper made Peter who he is and without Jasper neither one of us is complete.

"Peter?" I ask when the music changes. He looks down at me kissing my fingertips. "Yes, darlin?"

I sigh enjoying the feeling of his lips on me. "There's something we need to do. Otherwise this just doesn't feel complete."

Peter nods but continues clutching my hands. "We need to tell Garrett. I want Jasper with us, Peter. We're incomplete without him. We need him."

Peter reaches up cupping my jaw and stealing my breath. It's remarkable the feelings this one man can bring forth in me.

"You know I was just thinking the same thing. Do you want to do it now?"

I give him a nod. He tugs my hand pulling us from the gazebo. I couldn't think of a better way to end this date than to find our Jasper and bring him home.