Author's Note: So we're winding down with the Twilight part of the book, WARNINGS AHEAD: super sweet-cavity inducing goodness ahead :)

There will be a New Moon portion of this series, will be coming soon - be on the look out for it. There are few more chapters left in this one - some ends to tie up before the next set. Enjoy :)

Seventeen

Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

The sound was an annoyance and a reminder that I hadn't died yet. My eyes felt heavy like lead and didn't want to open, so instead I tried to listen to that which was around me. Much to my dismay I didn't hear much aside from the beeping of the heart monitor. Drifting off I faded away again.

I wasn't sure how much time had passed, but when I became more self-aware everything wasn't so heavy, I was able to open my eyes. The room was dark, the clock on the wall across from my bed indicated it was around two in the morning. My eyes took in the room as they drifted around. I was in my own room, it was small, but at least it was private. The walls were half painted from waist high to the ceiling in a teal color. Water-scene photographs hung on the empty spaces. The TV was on but muted both in sound and in light in the corner of the room, there were several bags near the rear wall near the window. Currently there was a chair occupied by a honey blond man with golden eye, peering at me curiously.

"You don't know how good it is to see you with your eyes open," he murmured softly touching the back of my hand.

I felt tears forming in my hands as his face softened and scooted closer.

"Hey, hey, shhhh…no tears - or they'll throw me out," he joked softly.

He gently took my hand in his, rubbing his thumb back and forth trying to sooth me.

"I'm sorry…I'm so sorry…"I cried.

Jasper's face was sad, gently he nudge me over, when there was enough space, he settled in the space and pulled me into him, allowing me to hide my face in his shirt and cry. He didn't say anything as I did, gently rub his arms over mine and hug me. The pressure did hurt slightly but I felt better about being in Jasper's arms more than anything. When I quieted down, he spoke.

"You have nothin' to apologize for. You did nothin' wrong. If anythin' I should have kept a closer eye on you. I didn't like the way he was lookin' at you on the field. "

I didn't respond, but I enjoyed listening to his voice, my ear against his chest made it all seem more real.

"What happened?" I asked quietly.

He didn't move save for rubbing his thumb up and down my arm, for a moment I wasn't sure he was going to answer me.

"There are complications within our coven, things that need to be addressed. Primarily – Masen's utter disregard for you or your safety. This attack brought this all to fruition, it will be address later. As for what happened, we could have been too late had we been any later arriving."

I shivered at the prospect.

"He convinced Bella that he had Renee."

Jasper frowned at that.

"Yes, he was quite manipulative. She is here, Renee." He added.

"She's here?" I asked worriedly.

Jasper lifted my chin to look him in the eyes.

"You still want me even after he…" I couldn't finish my thought, shame and mortification flooded through me and the tears returned.

"I meant what I said before, you're still mine. What he did pisses me off, and I hope you'll let me change your mind one day and erase the bad memories. I still want you, and you're still mine. If you still want me." He said seriously.

Unable to speak I nodded and hugged him close, I didn't realize had had been tense until I had hugged him, when I did – when I gave him my answer – he relaxed into me. However he did notice when I winced when I hugged a little too tight.

"How bad am I?" I asked looking down at my leg in yet another cast propped up on pillows.

I heard him rumble in his chest - he was unhappy.

"A broken ankle, six broken ribs, a cracked sternum, severe bruising on your back and hands, some cracks to your skull, bruising nearly everywhere, cuts nearly everywhere, and they had to give you transfusions – you lost a lot of blood – it made you smell wrong for a while."

As he named them of some throbbed dully in acknowledgment.

"Who's all here?" I asked.

"Charlie and Renee are both in the cafeteria getting something to eat. Rosalie about ran the entire way here when she heard you were hurt, Carlisle convinced her to stay behind to get ready for when we get home."

"What's my cover story?" I asked gesturing to all this.

"Car accident, you had gone to get food when a car had run into you, the car flipped several times, and had you pinned inside. Emmett had fun wrecking the car and Alice created reports and records."

I nodded, but wondered how they would explain the rape kit, I knew it was mandatory for any hospital stays.

"No one knows about what happened save for Carlisle and I." He said, reading my face.

"And him… is he?" I asked.

"Torn to pieces and burned, he won't be botherin' you again," he said fiercely.

I winced at the harshness of his tone, but I could tell the whole situation upset him. Gently he extracted myself from my hug, my heart monitor sped up, he frown at the sound.

"That'll be embarrassing."

He chuckled lowly.

"Don't go…"I said begged.

Even aloud I knew it sounded childish, but I couldn't fight the anxiety, I had been as long as I can from him. His eyes softened and he brushed a stray hair from my face, kissing my forehead.

"Not going far, I hear Charlie."

He pulled the chair closer, and lay on an empty spot on the bed, arms covering his head and his head close enough for me to run my fingers absently through his hair. He took a few deep even breaths, one would almost think he was asleep.

The door peeked open and Charlie peeked his head in with a coffee cup in his hand.

"Hey ya papa bear," I said softly.

Relief flooded his face, as he entered the room. He took in Jasper's form, shook his head and was on the other side of my bed. He gave me a gentle hug and I felt tears on top of my head. My heart ached - dad never cried.

"I'm so happy to see your awake – scared me half to death when Jasper called."

I swallowed thickly.

"How long have I been asleep?" I asked.

"It's Saturday little bear, you been out a while. They had to sedate you, you're in rough shape."

"Fantastic…" I grumbled.

"You were luckily Dr. Cullen and Jasper were here when they were, doctors…doctors said you could have been a lot worse off if you'd arrived any later."

Cringing I try and sit up, dad was helpful and pushed the button on the side of the bed. It sat me up a little, not a lot, but enough for me to wince in pain.

"What hurts?" he asked anxious.

"Loaded question dad," I said raising my eyebrow.

His lips twitched in an almost smile.

"Renee's here too, she's with Bella I think," Charlie said awkwardly.

This time I winced, and Charlie caught it, his eyes tightening in response. The last time he saw Renee was when he laid in to her about the California Beach House Trip. I'm sure that made for an interesting visit. When I voiced that Charlie chuckled.

"Yeah it was…interesting." Charlie said looking at the rim of his coffee cup.

"She hasn't visited me huh?" I asked cutting straight to the point.

"She did once, when she first came, she hasn't since. Said it reminded her…too much of before."

Part of me wanted to snort in disbelief, even to me that sounded like a cop-out, and judging by the look on his face, Charlie didn't believe it either. Charlie's eyes wandered over to Jasper.

"He's been here since they brought you in. Hasn't left, Carlisle had to convince him to leave to get some food, but he's been bed-side since they brought you in. "

I smiled softly at Jasper's 'sleeping' form - it sounded very much like him. I ran my hands through his hair.

"I think he's in love you," Charlie said softly.

I looked up at Charlie, it was a soft smile I rarely saw now that I was older, but I remember as a child it filled me warmth and made me happy. Today at seventeen - the feeling didn't change.

"I think so too…" I said softly.

"You're pretty crazy about him," Charlie said honestly.

I flushed and nodded my head, watching my fingertips go and in and out of his hair softly.

"I'm happy for you Lettie, I know I don't often say it. But I am, damn proud of the woman you're becoming. Finding someone like him is rare, rarer still after they know everything about you and still thinks the world revolves you,"

I flushed again, feeling tears in my eyes.

"Now don't start crying or I'll start too." He said wiping his eyes.

I let out a shaky laugh wincing as it tugged on my broken ribs.

"Thank you daddy," I said quietly.

He placed a hand on my head and smiled softly.

"I need to tell Dr. Cullen you're awake, will you be all right?"

I nodded, satisfied with my answer he exited the room, I still felt teary-eyed. Jasper slowly sat up and held out tissue. Taking it I dried my eyes and I saw Jasper look at me with adoration, love, and probably about a million other emotions I couldn't describe.

"I love you, you know that right?" He said softly, fingertips brushing against my cheek.

I smiled, shyly – faced flushed – and nodded. I wanted to say the words back, but I couldn't they stuck in my throat.

"I know, sweetheart, ya don't need to say them, I know. I can see it in your cheeks when you blush, the way your heart speeds up when I touch you…"

He leaned in and very gently – kissed me, I very much wanted to pull him closer. But I'm sure I wouldn't be ready for any of our usual make out sessions for a while.

"The sighs when I kiss you." He finished after he pulled away slightly.

He rubbed our noses together, when I peeked up at him I realized his eyes were darkened amber.

"Mine," his whispered.

"Yours…" I agreed.

I would have banked on it for sure that he practically purred when I spoke. But I didn't bring it up. I didn't need to. I felt free, I felt safe.

A week.

That was how long I was in the hospital for. It was an excruciatingly long time to be there. No offence to the hospital or the nurses, but I hated hospitals. Jasper was with me every day, dad had to return to Forks, but Carlisle promised to update him on my progress. Renee never did make it back around to my room. Bella was discharged and sent home a few days before I was, she didn't visit me either. Even though we were in the same hospital, which hurt if I was honest. Jasper was there for me every step of my recovery, luckily my ankle wasn't severely broken, so there would not be any lasting damage.

The doctor must have taken pity on me, he didn't require a plaster cast, but a hard plastic/rubber one that looked like a bee made a honeycomb around my foot – it was even in yellow. I texted Jacob nearly every day, updating him on my progress, Jasper helped too, my hands ached after too much us, doctor said due to the bruising.

Finally the following Saturday evening, I was cleared to be discharged, but sadly not to fly with my head injuries. Assuring the doctor it wouldn't be a problem, Carlisle instructed Jasper to drive me home. Jasper had gotten a rental as Edward had taken the Mercedes with him back home when Bella was discharged. It wasn't as fancy as Carlisle's car but it was dark tinted and would do the job. Jasper had moved the passenger's seat as far back as it would allow and helped me inside sitting on the pillow waiting on the seat. Once I was buckled in, we bid-goodbye to Phoenix and drove off.

If I was honest I didn't ever want to return to Phoenix, my place was home in Forks. I relaxed as we drove – putting miles between us and the heated city. We did make a pit stop on the way home, the first was through the Redwood Forest. I remember mentioning to Jasper I hadn't been there but I really wanted to. He surprised me as we pulled into the national park. He had been incredible the entire recovery, and this…this was icing on the cake.

Or so I thought….

The icing on the cake with a strawberry and sprinkles on top was Jasper getting down on a knee, and presenting me with a promise ring. Completely blindsided and knowing I felt gross not having a proper shower in a week, my hair messy and thrown into a bun, wearing a long-sleeved button-down shirt of his and some loose pants - he still did it. It was beautiful and took my breath away. It was set in a silver setting, a large fresh cultured water pearl tinted pink was the primary focus. Diamonds wrapped themselves in a y-design on either side of the pearl cradling it. It was over the top, extravagant yet simple and pretty.

I later learned when I got home that he had asked Charlie at the hospital shortly after our 'talk'. Bella still didn't know and I assumed Charlie hadn't told her. I must've looked like an idiot the entire drive home after that from smiling so much. Jasper wasn't much better – smiling just as much as I was, but I could see a storm brewing behind his eyes. I didn't need to ask what it was about, I had an inkling what it was about.

We made it home late that night - Jasper of course speeding and somehow not getting caught. Bella was already asleep in her room, Charlie was up. Smiling like a Cheshire cat when we walked in the door. He gave me a soft hug and shook Jasper's hand with a smile on his face. He was tired, but proud.

Jasper kissed my forehead and bid Charlie and I goodnight before leaving for home. Upon entering my room, I was floored by the dozens upon dozens of flowers that seemed to cover every flat surface – aside from my bed – of my room. My room smelled heavenly of flowers. Inspecting the cards some were from the Cullen's, a large beautiful bouquet of roses from Rose, some of them from my friends on the reservations Angela sent me some flowers as well as a get well card, there were other cards from other people from school and the reservation.

"You could open a flower shop with all these," Jasper mused quietly as I was reading a card from an old friend Leah.

We were friends when we were young, still were sending texts back and forth. She had a troubled past and seemed sort of standoffish but really it was a front, she didn't like to get to close to outsiders. I was one of the few as I was persistent enough to keep bugging her until I wormed my way under her armor. We had been friends ever since. Jasper again was in more casual clothes – I referred to them as his night clothes – soft cotton pajama-like pants, and a long sleeve, with the sleeves pushed to his elbows – shirt. I put the letter back on the dresser with the others and Jasper stopped me from going to my pajama drawer. He handed me a bag,

"A gift from Alice."

I looked at the back skeptically, I had heard stories of Alice's 'gifts'.

"Have you looked?" I asked curiously.

"No, Alice stopped me, Rosalie promised she reigned her in," Jasper answered.

Biting my lip I took the bag and went to my closet, Jasper took up seat on my bed, facing away from the closet to offer me a semblance of privacy – although he had probably seen more of me the last week in the hospital – I was appreciative of the gesture. Curious now, I opened the bag, moving aside the tissue-paper. My jaw dropped and I swallowed hard.

"Lettie?" Jasper asked.

"I'm fine?" I asked.

"Not convincing sweetheart, "he mused his voice laced with both amusement and curiosity.

"Be out a minute."

It wasn't outrageous, but certainly nothing I'd pick out on my own. It was satin, gloriously soft and silky satin. It was wine colored – the top was a spaghetti top tank that stopped just above my belly button and a pair of boy-shorts the covered the essentials with very little wiggle room length wise – stopping a third of my thigh down. They were gorgeous and carried French tags. The only other thing in the bag was a piece of paper folded in half with a wink emoji face on it. While I had on occasion bought fancy underwear to boost my self-confidence (what girl hasn't – maybe my sister but…) I hadn't actually worn them for any one. Before I could talk myself out of it and chicken out, I stripped of the day clothes and into the satin. As much as my heart was pounding and as Alice like to push BOTH of our boundaries – I liked them. A lot.

"Your heart is flutterin' like a humming bird's wing, are you sure your all right darlin'?"

"I'm not going through tachycardia, if that's what you're hinting at…"

I walked out into the main room, and he turned around at my approach, his eyes widened considerably, and jaw dropping at the sight of me. It wasn't anything scandalous, or showing a ridiculous amount of skin – still the way he drank me in – I felt very, very exposed. He didn't say or move for several moments. Flushing I turned to go change back into something more – comfy. I was stopped arms caging me flush against a very hard, very- male body. One wrapped around my waist – the other across my chest pulling my face to meet his. Blue met darkened amber, I licked my suddenly dry lips. A movement he followed with his eyes.

"Hello Major…"

A mischievous smirk – the one he knows sends my heart racing against my rib-cage – adorned his face, before pulling me into a very heated kiss.

It was a very good night.