Part 1 of the conclusion.
Thanks so much for all of the support on this fic.. all of the feedback and love has been overwhelmingly amazing.
And yes this is a sad chapter but never fear, there will be a happy ending. I would never give Jaspenor otherwise! Happy reading. :]
"London, really?" Eleanor rolls her eyes throwing her arms up in disappointment. "You do realize that's the very place we escaped from, yes?"
"And look where it's landed us, Lenny.. well especially me. My life has been nothing short of a living hell since we moved to America." Liam clasps his hands in front of him on the table with a look of perseverance in his eye. "Plus. It's our home."
Jasper sits next to the twins in silence forking a piece of chicken off his plate. Helena sits across from him next to Allister. Neither of them bother eating while listening in on the tense conversation. Usually, their mother was the first one to speak up and give her opinion.. but for now she knew it wasn't her place.
"I can't go back there," Eleanor firmly states folding her arms lounging back in her seat.
"And why not? We had our fun.. for the most part. It's time to come home."
Eleanor thrusts her chair back in its place before storming toward the window. She stares out over the infinity pool at the glistening ocean water. Jasper's eyes scan the table as her family unanimously give him the 'go follow her' look.
She can feel his presence approach her as he placates his hands on her hips and kisses her on the shoulder. She stands rigid with her arms crossed and her eyes fixated on the view before her.
Eleanor loved Malibu. She loved the calm surroundings, the friendly people, the beachy vibe. She had gotten used to calling this her home. Yes, it had been nothing short of a dramatic roller coaster since they touched down on American soil, but she had convinced herself that she was happy here.
"Maybe he's right," Jasper softly speaks rubbing her arms from behind. She quickly turns on her heels to look at him in thorough disgust.
But once she hears him say it, it clicks in her head. Maybe it would be best for the Henstridge's to face what they had been running from for so long. And in Jasper's words, to stop running from her problems.
The shame of losing her title as Princess almost 2 years ago.
"And what will happen of you if I do leave?" she asks, her eyes welling up with tears.
His vision drops to the floor as he nervously bites his lip. Jasper knew deep down that London was not the place for him. He betrayed a whole nation by selfishly withholding evidence of their King's murder. That would be too heavy to carry on anyone's shoulders. Even him.
Apparently, Eleanor can read the grim expression on his face as the tears stream down her cheeks. She rips out of his grasp charging toward their bedroom slamming the door shut.
Jasper looks back over to the table who had all visibly been listening in. Liam stands up and walks over patting him on the shoulder.
"Very selfless of you mate. She'll be alright. Plus, you could always come with us."
Jasper shakes his head with half a smirk on his face.
"I can't. Too many negative memories.. at least the ones I remember."
Eleanor refused to talk to him all night. She balled herself up in their blankets taking up most of the comforter. He lays lightly shivering under the thin sheets staring up at the ceiling.
He's unsure why he's receiving the silent treatment from her.. if he had learned one thing from Eleanor, it was that no one could ever tell her to do anything. With that being said, she would have refused without any further debate if she didn't want to go back to England.
Maybe she was taking her frustration out on him. But then again, Jasper never understood women. Especially Eleanor.
He can hear her sniffling as she grabs a tissue from under the covers. He wants more than anything for her not to be in pain. He hated seeing her cry.
Jasper had always expressed his emotions physically and was best at comforting her in that way. Even after three hours, he couldn't think of the right thing to say. And God forbid he say the wrong thing.. it wasn't worth the risk.
"I don't want to lose you," she whispers with her back still turned to him. He turns his head to look at her, surprised she has finally spoken up. "And I know that America isn't for me. I bloody hate Americans."
He lets out a light chuckle but quickly takes in a sharp breath trying to resume his silence. He turns on his side and grabs her from behind spooning her. Luckily, she accepts his advances nudging her bottom towards him. He runs his fingers through her hair before resting his head on her pillow.
"You will never lose me. No matter where you are on the planet, I will always be with you."
Allister tapes up one of the final boxes scattered across the kitchen floor. They had spent two days straight packing and preparing for the move.
Liam and Eleanor would be travelling back to the U.K. to temporarily live with their mother while figuring their living situations out. Jasper found a reasonably priced apartment in the San Fernando valley that was close enough to his job.
They had no intentions of breaking up, but they were aware that living on opposite sides of the Earth would be nothing short of a challenge. Luckily, Eleanor had enough money to fly him out whenever he could get time off for work. She was determined to make things work between them.
She was aware that she had to make the move back. It was time to find herself again. Attending CU she was able to experience what a 'real' young adult experienced. Furthermore, how an American young adult lived. And it had its ups. But it certainly had its downs.
Eleanor had come to find that no matter where she was, there would always be those seeking to take her down. Perhaps it was due to her reputation as former royalty. Perhaps it was her intimidating beauty and presence. But the most profound thing she had learned was that running away from her home; attempting to escape the humility of the downfall of the monarchy, was not the answer.
Having a boyfriend like Jasper to support her during this journey made her feel like the luckiest woman on the planet. She would miss him miserably, but he loved her enough to do anything for her. Just as she did when he had his accident. They would always be there for each other and love each other unconditionally.
And that she was certain of.
"Good bye darling, we will be seeing you soon." Helena's eyes glow as she kisses Jasper on the cheek with a genuine smile on her face. "Thank you for watching over her."
"Always," Jasper replies tensely nodding his head. He was not one to get emotional, but he felt a sinking feeling in his heart rapidly approaching.
Allister shakes his hand before getting in the limousine that would be escorting them to the airport.
Next Liam walks up to him with a glum expression. He pulls him in for a big bear hug before taking a step back and examining Jasper before him.
"Well, it's been one hell of a ride. But it's not over. I'll be purchasing your plane ticket to come visit the second I get home."
Jasper nods his head again feeling a knot form in his throat.
"You're not getting emotional on me, are you?" Liam teases pinching Jasper's shoulder with one hand. "You can save that for Lenny. Be well Jasper."
And with that, Liam enters the limo.
Jasper's vision is blurry, his eyes filled with tears. He looks up to meets Eleanor's gaze, her eyes glossed over as if she had been crying for hours.
She comes in for a hug nuzzling her head into his chest. She's hyperventilating from crying so hard and at this rate Jasper has no shame for the amount of tears streaming down his cheeks.
"Are you sure you can't come? You still have a chance," she squeaks squeezing onto his torso.
"This is your time, Eleanor. You're going to do amazing." He kisses the top of her head while stroking her hair. "We will get through this. I promise you."
"Okay," she sniffs moving her face away from his chest. "Well I guess this is good bye then."
"It's never good bye. It's see you later," he forces a smile wiping a few tears off his face.
She quickly nods her head trying to regain her composure.
"I love you Eleanor."
"I love you Jasper."