37.

The Perfect Gift

"Edward, is Jasper still sleeping?" Esme asked him, sitting down with a bowl of cereal.

"Um... no. He just doesn't want to come out right now." Edward paused in chewing his cereal and told her. "He... uh... isn't feeling that great."

"Oh?" Esme looked concerned, and Rose and Ali looked up at him, also. "What's wrong?"

"Oh... I think he has a headache." Edward said, shoveling more cereal into his mouth, looking down at his bowl.

Rose got up from the table and went over and knocked on Jasper's door. When there was no response, she opened the door and went in.

"Jas?" Rose said, softly. "You awake, hon?"

Jasper was turned toward the wall, buried under the covers. "Yeah," he murmured.

Rose sat on his bed. "You've got a headache?"

"Kinda'." he said.

"Can I get you anything?" she asked him.

He rolled over and looked at her. His eyes looked dull and he had dark circles under his eyes. "A gun?" he said, blandly.

"Oh, Jasper." Rose said, rolling her eyes. "Dramatic much?"

He gave her a little smile and rolled back over in his bed. "I'm fine, Rose. Thanks, anyway."

"Are you gonna' just stay in bed all day?" Rose prodded him. "Or are you going to the game with us?"

"I don't know." he answered her, his voice muffled by the blankets. "What time does Em play?"

"2:00." she told him.

"What time is it now?" he wondered.

"10:00." she said.

"Yeah, I'll probably go."

Rose sat there looking at what she could see of him. A large lump under the blankets and a shock of tangled blonde hair sticking out above them. Then she asked him, "Did something happen at the party last night?"

"I really don't want to talk, Rose, okay?" he sighed. "Can we do this later? Please?"

"Jasper, come on. We were making such progress! What happened?" Rose demanded.

Jasper turned back over and looked at her. "I was an asshole. I am an asshole. I blew it. There's no hope now. Please, just let me deal with it alone. Okay?" His eyes pleaded with her.

Sympathy filled her face as she thought of what to say. "It'll be okay, Jas. I promise."

He gave her a disgusted look and turned to face the wall once more. Pulling the blankets over his head, he ended their conversation. Rosalie let out a defeated sigh and left him to his thoughts.

As she walked out the bedroom door, three pairs of eyes greeted her. "Uh... he's not feeling well. He just wants to rest for a while."

Esme looked concerned. "Does he need a doctor, Rose?"

Rose shook her head. "He's just got a... bit of a headache. He'll be okay." And she sat down to finish her breakfast.

Ali looked down at the table. She knew why Jasper wasn't coming out of his room. He didn't want to face her after the way he acted last night. She wasn't really mad at him. She kind of understood how he felt. When she saw him dancing with Shannon, she swore her heart twisted in her chest and she wanted to walk over and pull him away from her.

She used to feel jealous when Edward and Jasper would spend hours together playing video games and wouldn't include her, but the way she'd felt last night, wasn't even close to that paltry pain. She had never felt like that before and she knew it meant that she cared about Jasper a lot more than she had admitted, even to herself. She knew she loved him, she'd always loved him, but when they had danced and he was singing so sweetly to her, her heart had about burst and she'd known he was first in her heart. His temper still scared her, but she'd be willing to try to work on it with him.

Ali sighed as she stood up. She knew what she had to do. "Mom, I'm gonna' go talk to Jasper."

Esme was cleaning up some of the breakfast stuff. "Okay, Sweetie. Maybe you can cheer him up some."

As Alice walked past her, Rose put a hand on her arm. "Ali? He's really depressed. Are you sure you should go in there?"

She smiled at Rose, "Yeah, I'm sure." Rose took her hand back and continued to look worried, but she knew it was between him and Ali now.

Alice knocked lightly on the door. After a few seconds of no response, she walked in and shut the door behind her. The curtains were closed and the room was pretty shadowy, but she could see a very long lump in the bed and just a peek of sun-kissed hair poking out from beneath the blankets. Alice tried not to giggle, she knew he was in a bad way, but it was so cute how he had buried himself under the blankets. "Poor baby." she thought with a grin.

She climbed up on the bed and laid down along his back. She felt him stiffen, but she scooted up so she could bury her nose in his hair and put her arms around him. "Is that you under there, Jas?" she asked him.

He didn't move, in fact, he was barely breathing, and he held his body stiff. She nuzzled his ear next and he flinched, but didn't pull away. She pushed the blanket down a little and nuzzled his neck through his soft, silky hair. He let out a little noise and shifted, but he still didn't pull away. Alice knew it tickled him, she had done it many times before, but he was playing possum and it was all she could do not to laugh. She didn't know why he wouldn't acknowledge her, but she wasn't going to give up until he talked to her.

She placed a little kiss on his neck, right behind his ear and he shivered. She placed little kisses around his neck until she came up under his chin. She was practically standing on the bed to lean over and reach around him, but he wouldn't turn around. She leaned way over and nuzzled him under his chin and he put his chin down a little and made a noise. She pulled back and looked up at his face. His eyes were open and they were sparkling. She grinned at him. "Hi!" she chirped. He reached up and grabbed her and pulled her down on him. She giggled and tried to nuzzle his neck again, but he put his chin down so she couldn't and let out a little laugh. She smiled brilliantly at him, "Whatcha' doin'?" she asked him.

"Trying to keep this little pest from tickling me." he answered with her favorite Jasper grin.

He had his arms around her and she was laying full on him, on top of the blankets, looking down into his face. He smiled up at her. "To what do I owe this honor?" he asked her.

"Well, I heard that you weren't feeling well, so I thought I would come and see if I could help you feel better." she stated, her eyes never leaving his.

Suddenly, his eyes clouded and his smile disappeared. "Ali..." he began.

She put her finger over his lips. "Jas, I know. It's alright. We'll work on it, okay? The trust thing... and your temper."

He hugged her tightly and buried his face in her neck. "I am sorry, Ali. I tried so hard not to be a jerk, to not be jealous..." His voice caught and she ran her hand through his hair and kissed his forehead.

"You were great, actually, even when I danced with Tony. You know he's just being nice to me so I'm not sitting alone, right?" At Jasper's nod, his face still at her neck, she grinned, "Of course, I don't think he'll be nice to me now."

Jasper stiffened and pulled back to look at her face. "I'm sorry, Ali. I'll talk to him. I promise!"

She laughed, "Not because of you, Jas! Because of Shannon!" Alice giggled. "They hit it off pretty well, I think. His eyes never left her after he danced with her the first time." Ali let out a sigh, stars in her eyes as she gazed at the wall. "She's so beautiful, and so nice... and he's so cute and so thoughtful. They are perfect for each other." A thought occurred to Ali and she looked back down into Jasper's eyes. "You... don't, you know... mind that she and Tony... ?"

Jasper shook his head, his eyes never leaving hers. "I'm happy for them. I really am." Then he grinned, and continued, "Besides, she'll keep him away from you."

Ali shook her head and laughed. "What am I going to do with you?"

He wriggled his eyebrows and grinned, "I could think of some things." At her slightly worried look, he assured her. "Nothing you don't want or aren't ready for. I swear! No pressure. No expectations."

She smiled so sweetly at him that he gulped and his chest felt like it was going to burst for a second there. "Thank you for coming in to help me feel better." he whispered.

"You're welcome." She whispered back. "Now, why don't you get your lazy, emo butt out of that bed and stop with the pity party."

He growled and flipped her over and tickled her. She giggled and gasped, "No! Jas! I can't... breath."

He stopped and grinned down at her. She giggled and smiled up at him and said, "I do love you, Jas. I love everything about you, and I love spending time with you. I just don't always know how I feel, and sometimes it's scary."

"I know, Ali. I'm sorry I've overwhelmed you. I just like being with you. I've always kind of felt like you were mine, and it's hard to... you know, hold it back, sometimes. I'm really trying, though. I am." He looked at her hopefully.

She reached up and played with his hair, looking back at his eyes, she said, "I'll try to understand and be patient. But, Jas? Just talk to me from now on, okay?"

He nodded and lowered his head to kiss her, he paused and looked at her for permission. She smiled and lifted up to meet his lips with hers. They shared a sweet, soft kiss and then Jasper pulled back. He had the most adoring look in his eyes. "I love you, Ali."

"I love you, too, Jas." She caressed the side of his face.

He lifted himself off of her and helped her up. "I'm going to get cleaned up. I'll be out in a little while, okay?"

"Alright. Take your time. We don't have to be at the field until 2:00. I think my mom was just going to let us hang around town for a while." Alice smiled at him and let herself out.

She looked at Rose, who was still sitting at the table, and Rose raised her brows and smiled at her. Ali knew she could tell by the look on her face that things had gone well. "He'll be out in a little while, after he showers." Rose grinned at her and got up and hugged her.

"I'm glad you worked it out, Ali. I really am!"

They smiled at each other and Ali said, "You do realize that this means I'll be coming to you for advice even more, right?" Rose nodded and, with a giggle, hugged her again.

"All I ask, is that you stay together." said Esme as the kids left the hotel. "And please be back by 1:15 so we can get decent seats at the game."

They all agreed and set out for a walk around the town. Jasper and Edward walked behind the girls talking about Emmett's game. Rose and Alice talked about the boys.

"So, Ali, are you and Jas going together?" Rose asked her.

Aki looked puzzled. "I don't know, Rose. He didn't ask me. I don't really remember when we went together before, but I did enjoy the dates that we went on with you and Emmett. Do you think he will ask me out again?"

Rose laughed, "I think you can count on it, Ali."

"Count on what?" Edward asked, coming up behind them.

"Me smashing your face in, if you keep nosing into our business, Eddie boy!" Rose hollered and started play punching him. She circled him and jabbed at him, taunting him, "Come on, Ed! You fight like a girl!"

Edward was laughing hard and pleaded for her to stop. "Rosalie! Please stop! My stomach hurts from laughing so hard."

Rose gave in, "Okay, Edward, ya' pansy! Next time, we will fight and I will win and you will call me, 'Rosalie, the Great'." She flung her arms out and grinned.

Edward and Jasper both laughed and Alice practically skipped down the sidewalk smiling at their silliness. She was so glad that things seemed back to normal.

"I think Em is rubbing off on her, don't you, Edward? She sounds like 'Rosalie the Annoying' to me!"

Rose walked in front of her brother and poked him in the chest. "You may be, like, seven feet tall, but I'm still your big sister and I will kick your ass, young man!"

Jasper put his hand up and rubbed his chest where she poked him. "Ow! See how she is? I'm gonna' have a bruise. I think I need someone to kiss it and make it all better."

Alice burst out laughing and watched as he pouted, his eyes bright with laughter.

Edward grimaced."Oh God! No, Jasper! Not in front of me, okay? Let me wrap my mind around his whole thing first." He shook his head as though he was trying to shake the image of his baby sister kissing his best friend's chest, out of his head.

"God, Edward! You are such a weenie!" Rose cried, cracking up. "Are you ever gonna' get around to asking Bella out?" She asked. "'Cuz she'll be long gone if you don't man-up soon!"

Edward blushed and his companions cracked up.

Alice was so happy. Her family was acting normally and she was having such a great time. They reached the downtown area and Ali convinced Rose to come into the first store with her. It was a small boutique and they looked through everything, Rose helping Ali pick out a beautiful, soft, crocheted cotton sarong to wear with her new bathing suit. The boys went up the road to look in some other shops, so, when the girls were done, they went on to the next store.

After the girls hit three stores, the boys came back and found them. Jasper pulled Rose aside and asked her if she could help him for a minute.

"Sure, Jas. What's going on?" she wondered.

"Well, we were in a store up the street and I found the perfect birthday gift for Ali. I was wondering if you would come with me to see what you think." he pleaded, softly. "I just want to make sure it'll be okay."

Rose chuckled. "I would love to, Jas. We'll leave her with Edward for a few minutes, okay?"

"Thanks!" he grinned. "Hey, Ed! Rose and I are gonna' run up the street so I can show her that stuff."

"Okay, Jas! I'll stay here with Ali." He winked. Rose shook her head. They were so subtle. Not!

Alice looked from one boy to the other with a puzzled frown. "What the heck are they up to?" she thought. "Wait!" she hollered as Rose and Jasper started up the street. "I wanna' go with you!"

"Ali!" Edward cried. She turned to look at him. "Um... will you... uh... help me find a... a new shirt! Yeah! A need a new shirt! I never know what color looks good on me."

"Sure, Edward. Um... where do you wanna' look?" she watched him suspiciously.

Edward looked at her blankly for a second, then looked at the store they were standing in front of. "Ummm... Hey! How about this one?"

Ali rolled her eyes. "Alright. Let's go." She led the way into the store and led him to the men's section. "What kind of shirt are you looking for?"

"Well, one that'll make me look... you know, handsome... so Bella will go out with me." he improvised.

Up the street, Jasper led Rosalie into another boutique. This one had a variety of items besides just clothes. In a glass case, there were a few pieces of jewelry and Jasper showed her a delicate, heart-shaped gold locket inlaid with tiny ocean-colored gems all along the edge of the heart shape.

"The Alexandrite gems are an alternative to the pearl as the birthstone for June." The saleslady told them. "They are very hard to find, and somewhat expensive, but totally worth it for their gorgeous blue-green color alone."

Jasper looked at Rose. "What do you think, Rose?"

"It's beautiful, Jas! She'll love it, for sure, but how much is it?" Rose looked concerned.

"It's a gorgeous piece and well worth the price of $179.00." The saleslady informed her. "I'll even include gift wrapping at no extra charge."

"Jas! That's a lot of money. Can you afford it?" Rose asked him.

"I've got the money, Rose. I just don't have it with me. Can you help me out until we get home?" Jasper implored. "Please, Rose! I'll never find anything this great at home!"

"Alright, Jas, but you better pay me back ASAP!" She warned him.

Jasper was practically jumping up and down in his excitement. "I will! I promise! She is going to love it!"

He grinned from ear to ear and Rose couldn't help grinning back. "Just think, this morning he was so depressed he didn't want to get out of bed. Funny how another person can change your day." Rose thought as she watched him. "Thank, God Ali was finally growing up and figuring things out. She had really missed her fun, sweet brother these last few weeks."

After running Rose's credit card through her machine, the saleslady placed Ali's gift in a small red velvet box and wrapped it in pearly white paper with an intricate gold design on it. She finished it off with a gauzy gold ribbon and put it in a small aqua-colored shopping bag before handing it to Jasper. She thanked them for coming and they left the store.

"Jas, do you want me to put that in my shopping bag so Ali doesn't see it?" Rose asked him.

"That would be great, Rose. She would be suspicious when she saw the bag, don't you think?"

"Well, you could always tell her it was for mom, but after the spectacle you and Edward put on earlier, she might figure out that it's really for her." Rose informed him.

He looked sheepish, "A little too obvious, huh?"

Rose rolled her eyes. "Ya' think?"

Jasper and Rosalie found Alice and Edward still looking in the store for Edward's shirt.

"Edward! That shirt is exactly what you said you were looking for!" Alice's irritated voice could be heard as soon as they opened the door.

"Ali! I don't like it, okay?" Edward shot back.

Alice stomped her foot. "Edward! You really aren't looking for a shirt, are you?"

"Alice!... "

Edward began, and looked relieved when he heard Jasper say, "Hey, you two! Having trouble?"

Alice looked at him and Rose, her hands on her hips. "Only that Edward insisted that he needed my help finding a new shirt and has not liked any of the shirts I've showed him! I don't think he really wanted a shirt, at all!"

"He did, Ali!" said Rose. "He told me this morning before you came out for breakfast."

Edward added, "I just don't think any of these are right, Ali. I'm sorry!"

"Okay, Edward. Maybe we can find one somewhere else." Ali offered.

"That's okay, Ali." Edward assured her. "I don't want to waste anymore time here. I'll just look when we get back home."

Alice looked irritated, but she agreed and the four of them went to get some lunch before it was time to head back for Emmett's game.

After lunch, Alice was in a hurry to get back to the hotel. She was too warm and wanted to change before they went over to the ballpark, and it was getting close to 1:00. As soon as they walked into the door, Alice ran into her room to change. She came back out in ten minutes and Jasper could feel his temper rising. He tried to keep calm and speak normally.

"Ali, do you think that would be appropriate to wear to the game?" he asked her, taking in the short, denim skirt and light yellow camisole top she wore.

She looked down at herself as she braided her hair, "Why? It's warm out and it's the ballpark! You know? Casual?"

He looked at Rose who shook her head slightly at him. "Sorry, Ali. I just thought you might be chilly in that. You're right, it's probably okay." He gave in, looking at her with a frown, secretly hating the fact that every guy there would be checking her out. He told himself that they would be checking her out no matter what she wore, so he would try to be patient.

Rose smiled at him. "He was learning, finally!" she thought.

The ballpark was packed when they got there, but they managed to get seats together on the bleachers. The team William's Bay was playing was the team from the hosting town, which explained the crush of spectators, and the girls received a lot of scowls when they started cheering again. They were having a lot of fun and being really silly, and soon, most of the people were laughing with them. Some of the girls that were with the other team, even started cheering with them, too.

It was a really close game and no one knew who was going to win before the last few minutes of the game. William's Bay squeaked by with a two run win and the team went crazy. The girls were jumping up and down, and Emmett hopped the fence to get to Rosalie. He grabbed her up and swung her around and carried her back down onto the field. Alice watched, giggling at Rose's face. Rose was pleased that Emmett was so happy, but she wasn't too keen about being hauled all over.

Jasper came down next to Alice. "I can't believe that Rose is putting up with that! Normally, she would've kicked Em's butt by now." He shook his head and laughed.

Alice looked over at him and then back at the field. "I guess you put up with a lot when you really care about someone." she mused.

Jasper looked over at her, "Yeah, I guess you do." he agreed.

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(Web page address to view a sample of Alexandrite, if you are interested.)

http:/www{dot}jewelsforme{dot}com/Alexandrite-Jewelry{dot}asp?ad=google&gclid=CMfB1JzzlqICFQfxDAodlWWjVg