Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.
Chapter 35: Promises
Alice's pov
After my talk with Rosalie I didn't see the point in pretending anymore, I just went through the motions, the weight of my depression too heavy to fight against.
I'd be back to school in a few days and in truth I was absolutely terrified at the thought of having to see Jasper. I had to sit next to him for two lessons, I'd never survive that.
During lunch I noticed Emmett kept glancing between me and the clock on the oven.
I met his eyes as they flickered back to me and frowned questioningly.
He just shrugged and went back to his lunch.
I was working my way through the dishes when a frantic knocking sounded on the front door. I just ignored it, it wasn't going to be anyone for me.
They knocked again.
"Ali, get that would you squirt." Emmett called.
I huffed in irritation "Sure Em it's not like I'm busy or anything." I muttered as I stomped into the hall.
I swear my heart stopped beating as I opened it and saw Jasper stood on the porch.
I blinked hard several times, but he didn't disappear.
His blue eyes found mine and everything went blurry as tears filled my eyes.
"Jazz." I chocked.
He stepped towards me and I took an immediate step back, blinking back my tears enough to see pain flood his face.
"Alice?" my eyes fluttered closed as the sound of his voice washed over me soothingly.
I felt him move towards me again.
"Emmett" was all I managed to stammer out as I opened my eyes seeing him step forward again.
"It's ok." Jasper said softly "He invited me over."
With agonising slowness his hands came up to cup my face. His thumbs brushing the stray tears from my cheeks. I whimpered pathetically at the contact.
I must be dreaming, or hallucinating, because there was no way Jasper could be here and actually want to touch me like this, like I hadn't broken his heart. But, in truth, I didn't care if I had gone insane because it was nice, and it was familiar, and it made me feel better than I had in weeks.
"I've missed you." he murmured softly, his thumbs still tracing softly over my cheeks sending sparks of electricity through me.
I raised my eyes to meet his again "I'm so sorry." was all I could think of to say.
He smiled his smile and leant in bringing his lips to mine. His arms shot down to wrap around my waist the second our lips touched because my legs gave way and I nearly collapsed to the floor.
Jasper held me upright, he steadied me, one arm remained around my waist in support, his other came back to caress my face as he pulled me in for another kiss.
This time I completely lost my head, my arms locked around his neck and I fought back, my mouth desperate. My eyes were screwed shut, scared that when I opened them he'd be gone.
The sound of someone clearing their throat loudly brought me back down to earth and me and Jasper broke apart. I knew Emmett was stood in the hall with Rosalie, I knew it had been him who had cleared his throat, but I couldn't look away from Jasper's eyes, because he was still here.
My fingers tangled into the familiar silky curls of his hair, his eyes were locked on mine.
"Em we're going out for a while." he addressed my brother but never broke his gaze from me "That ok?"
Emmett sighed unhappily "Have her back before six." he grumbled.
Jasper nodded in confirmation his eyes still burning into mine.
I pushed my feet into a pair of trainers and grabbed my coat, still unable to move my eyes from Jasper.
It wasn't until we got to the car I realised I was in sweatpants and an old sweater with holes in the sleeve.
Oh well, I looked like shit anyway.
Neither of us spoke as he drove, my eyes were still locked on him, he hadn't changed, yet at the same time he looked different. Even more beautiful, even more incredible, even more out of my league.
My bottom lip trembled as I swallowed the lump that formed in my throat.
"Where are we going?" I finally chocked out.
Jasper glanced over and smiled "Somewhere special." was all he said.
He stopped his car on a cliff top down at La Push. Without a word he leapt out and came around to open my door, offering his hand to help me out.
I just stared at it like an idiot.
How could he be like this? How could he not hate me after what I'd done?
"Come on Mini, don't you trust me?" he teased.
The simple, easy, use of his nickname for me caused tears to fill my eyes.
Hesitantly I took his hand, climbing out of the car.
I kept my eyes on the floor as he led me down the track that led to the beach and across the sand.
It wasn't until he stopped that I looked up to find out where we were and frowned a little in confusion.
I looked up at Jasper for some form of explanation, but everything faded as I met his eyes again.
He was looking down at me with such an intense look of love burning in his eyes, it made more tears form in my eyes until they started to spill over.
"I'm sorry." I chocked out.
"Shh, it's ok." he mumbled soothingly, he tried to wrap his arms around me but I pulled back shaking my head. "Alice?"
"Why?….how?….Jasper." I whimpered, wanting nothing more than for him to take me in his arms and take all the hurt away. Yet, at the same time, I wanted him to yell at me for leaving him, I wanted him to be mad at me.
My emotions were flying out of control, I couldn't understand what I was feeling or why I was feeling it. After two weeks of trying to stay in control of everything it just exploded out of me.
"I'm sorry Jazz, I'm sorry I hurt you. I couldn't…I thought I was doing the right thing. And Emmett was so mad and I thought he was going to do something to you and I didn't know what to do, cause I'm not worth you getting hurt." I babbled on, not listening to what I was actually saying as I tried to apologise.
Jasper just stood there calmly letting me run out of steam which I eventually did.
"You finished?" he asked, one half of his mouth turning up in a smirk.
I nodded numbly half expecting him to walk away and just leave me stranded here.
"Do you know where we are?" he asked instead.
I looked around at our surroundings "On the beach?"
Jasper chuckled making my heart beat a little faster "Yeah we're on the beach, but I was thinking a little more specific than that."
I looked round again but I didn't know what he meant so I just shook my head.
The wind picked up and I shivered.
Jasper stepped forward carefully and wrapped a blanket around me. I pulled it closer wondering how I'd missed him carrying this.
When I didn't flinch away from his touch he pulled me closer to the cliff face and settled us down on the ground, his arms wrapped around me. I leant back against him feeling calm.
"You brought me here once, back when we were just friends. Do you remember?" he whispered in my ear.
I looked around again and suddenly knew where we were. I smiled a little "Because you were scared of the rain." I teased in a small voice.
He sighed happily and I felt his lips brush against my neck making my eyes flutter closed.
"I had originally planned on being all romantic and making a night out of this, but with Emmett wanting you home before six we can't do that." his voice sounded a little sad.
"We could always come back again." I said, I held my breath still waiting for him to leave, or tell me he never wanted to see me again.
"We could." he agreed and I let out my breath in relief "But it wouldn't be the same, because what I have to say, what I planned on telling you. I think you need to hear it now."
My body turned to liquid as his lips pressed to my temple.
"Do you remember what you told me last time we were here?" he asked quietly.
I nodded "That I couldn't stay away from you." I mumbled, remembering how embarrassed I'd been to admit that.
Jasper just hummed softly, the vibration doing interesting things to me, given our close proximity.
"When I overheard what Lauren was saying to you I got so angry at her, but it was more than that, I was also worried that you'd listen to her and stop hanging out with me."
His voice was quiet but I was hanging on every word.
"When we first got to the cliff top the anger was the strongest but then." he chuckled once "You started dancing around in the rain, and I swear, you had never looked more beautiful. It was then I realised just how great my fear was of losing you. Even if all you wanted was to just be friends."
I snuggled closer to him, turning sideways so I could rest my head against his chest.
"I needed to know I never would, and when you said that, it took everything I had not to kiss you." he pressed a kiss to my head, as though emphasising his point "It may have taken a while for me to figure out I was in love with you, but here, on this beach, was when I realised I could never live without you."
He spoke so calmly, there was no fake sentiment, no over the top romantic gesture. He was simply telling me the honest truth.
But, while it made me feel loved and safe, it also made me feel worse about leaving him, about not even trying to fight for him. I'd just given him up.
My fingers tensed pulling me closer to him as my breathing picked up.
"Mini what?" Jasper asked in panic.
I twisted around so I was sitting up on my knees, straddling his lap.
"I'm an idiot, and I'm sorry, and I love you, and I'm never going to leave you again and I love you and I'm sorry." I rushed out between sobs.
"Shhh." he hushed me again soothingly, one hand rubbing my back, the other came to my face "It's ok, calm down." his eyes met mine in concern "Mini, you gotta calm down for me." he said his voice serious.
I wasn't sure what he meant, then my chest started to feel tight and I realised I was hyperventilating. However, realising this only made it worse.
Both Jasper's hands came to my face "Alice you have to calm down." he insisted forcing my eyes to his "Breath for me, deep breath come on."
He coached me through it calmly, though I could see the worry and panic dancing in his eyes.
"Just breath, its ok. I know you're sorry and I forgive you and I love you too and everything will be fine, as long as you breath."
Blame it on oxygen deprivation but the second my breathing had calmed I crushed my lips to his desperately.
"Alice, you need to breath." he spoke against my lips, trying to pull back, but my fingers tightened in his hair keeping us glued together.
He fought me for a bit longer until he'd either assured himself I wasn't going to pass out, or just gave into his own desire.
He was suddenly kissing me back hard, his tongue demanding entrance to my mouth as he sucked my bottom lip between his.
He growled out in frustration as I pulled back.
"Does this mean we're back together?" I asked slowly.
"Yes." Jasper stated, trying to kiss me again, only to whine as I kept him back.
"You're really just gonna forgive me like that?" I asked unsure, still not believing he could let me off that easily for all the pain I'd put him through.
"Yes." he insisted. I leant back keeping a distance between us as he leant in for a kiss again.
"But…"
"Mini, I fucking forgive you." he growled angrily "I get it ok, you'd just had your first real fight with Emmett and you didn't want to lose the only family you have left, so you took the only other route you could see. That's fine, I understand and I forgive you, because I love you and all I want is to be with you, and I swear to god if you don't let me kiss you…"
He glared down at me leaving the threat open, but all I could do was giggle happily.
This time as he leant in I met his kiss enthusiastically. I hadn't realised how far back I was leaning, until Jasper leant his weight on me and I fell backwards Jasper on top of me. The best feeling in the world.
The passion began to build as our lips continued moving together and I popped the button of his jeans letting one hand slide inside and moaning into his mouth as my hand closed around him, I'd missed that too!
"Alice." he moaned my name, making me giggle again. "Stop Mini."
"Why?" I asked withdrawing my hand reluctantly.
"It's half five." he sighed.
Propping myself up on my elbows I kissed him again "So?"
"So Emmett want's you home before six." he reminded me.
With a groan I flopped back onto the sand "Cock blocker." I huffed.
"Hey." Jasper smiled as he pulled me to my feet "We're lucky he's even letting me be alone with you. I think it's best we stick to his rules." he gave me a cheeky grin "For now at least."
I couldn't stop smiling as he drove me home. I knew we had a way to go getting Emmett on side, but Jasper still loved me, he didn't hate me for leaving him and that was all I needed for today.
I looked over at him not believing I could be this lucky, how the hell had I managed to get Jasper? Seriously, he was the greatest guy in the world and he wanted to be with me! It made no sense.
Jasper sighed sadly as he pulled onto my drive but grinned when he checked the time "Ten to six. Come on!"
I giggled "Your punctuality is impressive." I teased him.
He scowled at me and hopped out the car to come open my door. I loved that being such a gentleman seemed to come naturally to him.
Taking his hand I let him help me out the car, rolling my eyes as the front door opened and Emmett stood there scowling down at us, his arms folded.
"I'll call you later." Jasper murmured, leaning in to kiss my cheek "I love you Mini."
My arms snaked around his neck hugging him tight, I wasn't ready to let him go yet "Love you too Jazz." I told him pulling back I smiled up at him "Always have, always will." I swore.
I stepped back holding his hand tightly, trying to maintain contact for as long as possible as I headed towards the door.
Emmett gave Jasper a curt nod as I reached the front door. I stood stubbornly in the doorway stopping Emmett shutting the door as I waved Jasper off.
Emmett just rolled his eyes at me, once Jasper's car was out of sight I turned and threw my arms around his waist squeezing him tight.
"Thank you." I whispered looking up into his eyes so he could see just how much it meant to me that he would let me see Jasper.
He shrugged "I don't have much choice." he said gruffly giving me a steady look "I'm not going to be all strict with rules or anything, mainly because I'm not going to be here to enforce them." he sighed heavily "I'm going to trust you to be sensible, but this is your only chance Alice, don't let me down."
I nodded steadily.
He sighed again then smiled at me "You know I just don't want you getting hurt."
"I know Em." I said hugging him again "And I appreciate that, I do." I bit my lip wondering how to explain this without hurting him "Em, for three years you were the most important person in my life. Just because I have Jasper now doesn't mean I need you any less. I just need him too."
"I can see that." he mumbled unhappily. "I want you to be happy Alice and I can see he makes you happy but"
"He's not gonna hurt me Emmett." I assured.
"I wanna believe that Ali." he said slowly "But, it's hard for me to trust you with someone else."
"You trusted him when we were friends." I pointed out "He hasn't changed."
Emmett looked down at me "His intentions have." he said sternly "I'll give him a chance Alice, that I can promise, but he has a lot to prove to me."
I smiled happily, if Emmett was going to give Jasper a chance he'd soon see how great he was.
"I love you Em." I said.
"Love you too squirt." he chuckled "And I hate that you're growing up." he whined pulling me in for another hug.
"I know." I sighed "But I'm not ready to live without my big brother yet." I assured him.
"Hey you're never gonna be ready to live without your big brother." he teased, making me squeal as he tickled me.
"Rosalie!" I screamed as Emmett continued to attack me.
She appeared from the lounge a smile on her face as she watched us.
"Don't just stand there." I gasped out "Make him stop."
I had survived two weeks of hell but now everything was ok, better than ok, I had my big brother back, I had Jasper back.
I couldn't stop laughing as I watched Rosalie punish Emmett for tickling me, the poor guy was so whipped.
Today was about as good as life was going to get.
There was just one more thing that could make today absolutely perfect. I grinned. I wonder if I could pull it off?
Jasper's pov
As I lay in bed that night I couldn't keep the stupid smile off my face.
Sure Emmett was being strict with the rules but at least he was letting me see Alice and I would happily comply to all his demands if it kept me in Alice's life.
I was too happy to sleep, all I could do was bask in the memory of this afternoon when I'd finally got to see her again.
A light tapping on my window broke through my thoughts. I sat up, wondering if I'd imagined it when it sounded again.
Climbing slowly out of bed I crept over to open the window and came face to face with the girl constantly on my mind.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"At the moment I'm freezing to death! So how's about you let me in?" she grinned.
I helped her climb through the window. Stepping forward to close it once she was inside I noticed her car was nowhere in sight.
"Did you walk here?" my voice was tinged with anger.
"Yeah." she said like it was obvious, pulling off her coat, scarf and gloves.
"Mini, it's dark. That's dangerous." I reprimanded.
She just rolled her eyes "It's Forks. What do you think we've got werewolves running through the woods or something?"
I tried to scowl at her but couldn't keep it up because she gave me a small smile and I forgot why I was angry with her.
"I take it Emmett doesn't know you're here." I said as she sat on the edge of my bed.
She bit her lip and shook her head "I needed to see you." she mumbled.
"Alice." I sighed in exasperation "What if he found out?"
"I don't care." she said wrapping her arms around my neck, her lips came to kiss down my jaw and it took a lot to remember what we were talking about.
"You will if he stops me seeing you again." I warned.
She shook her head "I wont let him." she murmured, moving so she was sat in my lap, her arms and legs locked around me "I am never, never, never, letting you go again."
Her lips found mine, she kissed me hungrily and I responded in kind, suddenly not caring if Emmett came storming in and found us again. Who needs both legs intact anyway?
My hands found their way under her sweater, my fingers lightly traced the smooth skin of her stomach. Alice moaned softly and any self control I may have been clinging to flew out the window. I rolled pinning her beneath me, our clothes were discarded in a frantic tussle.
My eyes found Alice's and I managed to calm myself down enough to realise I didn't want to rush this. Guilt still swirled in the depths of her green eyes. Leaning in I kissed her cheeks, her eyelids, her nose and finally her mouth.
"Stop feeling guilty." I murmured.
"I didn't even try to fight for you." she whispered.
My hand came up to cup her cheek "Alice you're here, giving me a second chance." I kissed my way down her neck "I understand why you broke up with me." I murmured against her collar bone "And I don't blame you. I love you." I whispered moving lower.
She moaned softly as I reached her breasts "Just don't do it again." I said sitting up to look at her.
She whimpered as I broke contact "Never again." she promised.
With a smirk I went back to reacquainting myself with her. Her smell, her taste, the feel of her skin against mine.
Her hand found mine and our fingers instinctively intertwined, I let her take over me completely, all I could smell, all I could see, all I could feel was her. Her shallow breath and soft moans were the sweetest music to my ears.
I couldn't get enough of her, I was like a starved man getting his first meal and I was savouring every second of it.
Immeasurable amounts of time passed as we made up for our two weeks apart.
"I'm glad you snuck over." I murmured running my fingers through her hair as she rested her head on my chest, fitting perfectly against me.
"Hmmm." Alice just sighed happily "I meant it Jazz, I'm never letting you go again." she snuggled closer to me her arms wrapping around my chest.
"What about college?" I reminded her.
She shook her head "I'm staying with you."
I smiled happily until that nagging voice at the back of my mind spoke up.
Emmett did have a point, she is far too dependent on you.
My eyes rolled in annoyance wanting to be selfish but knowing I'd never forgive myself if I was.
"Mini." I started quietly, my fingers still rhythmically running through her hair "You know how I told you I'd planned on the beach being a night long thing?"
I felt her nod.
"Well there was more I meant to tell you."
She twisted around, her hands palm down on my chest she rested her chin on them and smiled up at me. "More?"
I nodded "I know I was, originally, against us going to separate colleges, but now, I think it will be for the best if we did."
Her face fell and she stared at me with pleading eyes, making it very difficult for me to continue.
"I just think, we both need the opportunity to grow as individuals, like you said."
She was shaking her head now, tears sparkled in her eyes and I wanted to take it all back and give into her, but this was for the best. I think.
"I can't." she whispered.
Pulling her closer to me I wrapped her securely in my arms "Yes you can." I said softly "It's what you always wanted right? Going off to college and making friends and doing your thing. Well I want you to do that. And I'll go and try to do the same."
"Why are you doing this?" she sobbed "Don't you want to be with me? Is this pay back for breaking up with you?"
"No, no, no." I said quickly taking her face between my hands I forced her to look at me "No, that's not what this is. Mini, of course I want to be with you, I love you."
This was not going well, she was taking it worse than I'd anticipated.
"Hey look at me." her eyes hesitantly met mine "All I want is what's best for you, Alice you deserve a full life, you deserve the chance to be yourself and go into the world and show everyone just how amazing you are." I kissed her forehead "I need to know I haven't held you back and that you've done what you wanted with your life."
"I wanna be with you." she mumbled, and I smiled as I remembered saying those exact words to her the last time we'd had this conversation.
"And you will be." I insisted "I'll be right at the end of the phone whenever you need me Mini, I promise."
She shuffled a little "What if you find someone else?" she whispered, I only just caught it.
"Never happen." I assured smiling at her "You're all I ever want and need. I should be the one worrying about that."
She gave me a little smile and shook her head "It's always been you Jazz." she whispered, her cheeks staining pink.
Now she'd calmed down I decided to press on with the rest.
"There is another important reason we should go to different colleges, you see because we'll be apart for three or four years the day we both finish I'm gonna whisk you away somewhere ridiculously romantic like….Paris. Lets say Paris, that's supposed to be romantic right?"
She giggled softly.
"So, we've both finished college and I whisk you off to Paris for a week." I continued my story, I'd actually been considering for quite a while "One night I'll take you for a nice meal and later, with all the stars shining, I take you somewhere quiet and get down on one knee."
I felt her body tense in my arms, but it wasn't in a bad way.
"Then I ask, or more specifically beg, for you to let me spend the rest of my life making you happy. With a nice big diamond ring, I'll have spent the last four years saving up for." I rested my cheek against her hair "Now that wont work as well if we're spending all our time together."
Her head came up slowly and her eyes met mine "You really plan on doing that?" she whispered.
I nodded slowly "The only reason I wont be doing that sooner is because I'm not mature enough yet, and my mum would probably have a stroke, and everyone would assume it's because you're pregnant." she smiled happily throwing her arms around my neck, her lips crashing to mine.
We broke apart gasping for air.
"Does that mean you like the plan?" I teased, secretly thrilled she wasn't terrified at the thought of me proposing.
Her eyes sparkled with joy "Well I still don't particularly like the idea of being away from you." she pouted before grinning at me "But I guess the ending could make it worth while."
"That's a relief." I admitted, my hands trailing over her.
"Come on Jazz, I'm sure you can guess what my answer will be. You know, when you ask me properly."
I frowned "You mean I actually have to do all that? I kind of hoped the scenario would be enough."
She giggled clearly knowing I was teasing her and leant in to kiss me.
Conversation died for a time as our desire overtook us again. When we'd finally calmed down I held Alice tight in my arms. Her back pressed against my chest, her hands resting on mine.
"I love you Jazz. Forever." she said softly causing a massive smile to break across my face.
"I love you too." I grinned "Mrs. Whitlock."
"Hey. Not yet." she giggled.
"Just trying it out." I defended.
"It does sound good." she murmured softly "Alice Whitlock." she giggled.
It did sound good, the entire concept sounded good. Alice as my wife, Alice with me forever.
I shook my head a little, one year ago I would have been horrified at the thought of settling down. I had just been an angry kid who's life had been broken apart, with no idea where I was going in my life.
And now, barley twelve months later, I had everything I never knew I needed. It would have been a little scary had it not been so wonderful.
I had found a purpose, I had found something to work for, I had found something to make me a better person, I had found everything I had never known I was missing and she was here, curled up in my arms completing me.
Ok if the soppy ending didn't tip you off, this is the last chapter.
I know many of you will want more, but the truth is I have no idea where to take it from here. I don't want them to have anymore troubles. This is their happy ending.
There will be an epilogue but there will not be a sequel. I may do some outtakes if you so wish but this is the end of the main story.
Please review, like I said at the start, this is my first chaptered fic, so any advice on how to improve is welcome. (Other than grammar and spelling because I am well aware how bad I am at that!) xx