Author's Note: Hello, kind of bittersweet this chapter, kind of rounding out the Twilight part of this series. Don't worry this is not the end. The next section New Moon portion will be out next- called Equilibrium. The first part should be out today or tomorrow. Hoping today, but we shall see where it goes. Please Please Please check it out.
breaiden0413
Epilogue – Prom
I tried not to look at the French tags as I yanked them off the underwear Alice had 'gifted me'. Rose had warned it was nearly impossible to reason with the pixie and to just accept them. They were gorgeous and they would match almost perfectly. Tonight was prom, and given that the Swans were cursed with clumsiness, I was a bit hesitant to go. However after much pleading and begging from Alice, I finally caved…and so Jasper and I were going together. I had little more than an hour before he would come to pick me up. I vaguely wondered how my dear sister was doing.
Since the family meeting at the Cullen household, to say she was avoiding me was an understatement – she actively refused to speak with me. If Charlie seemed to notice it, he certainly didn't say anything. Bella was still in her giant boot, and I was finally released from my honey-combed cast a few days ago, I was under strict orders to take it easy.
The bra and panty set were a pale pink the bra strapless and had a light overlay of lace in a floral design, the panty in the same design. Carefully I stepped into my dress. When I saw the dress I was fairly skeptical as it was light colored and light colors usually washed me out. But I was pleasantly surprised when I put it on and was amazed on how well it fit. Best of all Alice didn't have to go half-way around the world to find it, or even leave the state. I had gone with Rose and Alice two weeks ago on one of my better days and found it. Zipping it up I looked at myself in the mirror, it was pale pink, sweetheart topped with beading and crystals beneath the bust and again just above the waistline. It was a high-low skirt made from a pretty, not-quite gauze fabric that flowed nicely when it moved. Simple heart shaped studded-diamond-earrings adorned my ears. A stainless steel bracelet sat on my wrist with three diamonds sitting atop my wrist. A pale pink clutch sat on my bed with all the essentials packed in it, including a pair of flats.
The shoes would be interesting. I never wore heels, these were a pair of heels that were pale pink with white jewels along the back and heel. There were gorgeous and I doubted very much I would be able to walk in them. However they were surprisingly comfortable and I managed to walk around in them reasonably well. My hair was down and somewhat tame for once, Rose had come over and tackled my hair maybe an hour or so ago and so far, it seemed to be behaving. It was down in lose curls, with a section twisting around from just behind my right ear to the left ear, having been pinned in place with a jeweled bobby pin. Make was minimal. Just eyeliner and a bit of mascara to darken up the eyes to make them pop, and some tinted lip gloss.
"You blush enough, you don't need that," Rose said.
Almost on queue I blushed at the compliment, almost as if to prove her point. My ring sat on my hand. I worried my lip in nervousness. Part of it was due to the fact that I hadn't seen Jasper pretty much all day, as Alice had promised bodily harm if he came near me before it was time to pick me up for prom. The other was due to that fact that I'd be returning to face my friends after nearly a month of being out of school. Well I still got my homework curtesy of my devoted boyfriend, but due to the amount of physical therapy I needed, Carlisle ordered me out for the rest of the year.
Evidently Esme was also a licensed physical therapist (who knew?), so I had been doing my sessions with her while the family was at school, much to both mine and Jasper's disappointment. Mostly stretches and small workouts to keep the muscles strong and prevent cramping and disuse. I was often tired and sore after the sessions but Carlisle reported I was healing quite nicely.
Once I was half-way satisfied with how I looked I grabbed the leather jacket that sat on the bed. It was one I had stolen/borrowed from Jasper on one of our outings and I had gotten cold. It was large on me as most clothes are, but it smelled of him and calmed me. Slipping my arms through the sleeves I pulled my hair out from under it, and headed downstairs. Charlie came out of the living room and I swear I saw tears.
"Aw dad no crying – you'll set me off." I mumbled trying to wipe my tears.
He chuckled giving me a watery smile. He brought a camera and dutifully I smiled.
"You look pretty little bear," he said giving me a one armed hug.
Part of me was irritated at Bella, when she knew I'd be staying home to get ready for Prom, she jumped at the opportunity to go to the Cullen home to avoid me. I internally grinned though, that meant she was likely playing guinea pig Barbie with Alice. And that sometimes was a punishment in and of itself, especially since Bella still had her boot and could run away. Promptly at 6 the doorbell rang, Charlie moved to open it.
"Jasper come on in," Charlie moved aside to let him in.
Jasper's gazed scanned the room and landed on me, his eyes widened and looked me up from head to toe, lingering with an amused gaze on the jacket, and back up again, drinking me in.
"You look beautiful darlin',"
"You look pretty sharp yourself,"
And he did. The suit was impeccably tailored, hugging his form nicely. It was a charcoal gray suit with two pale pink flowers in the lapel, with a crisp white shirt beneath the blazer. Black dress shoes adored his feet, and even his hair was brushed into submission. His eyes were bright gold, signifying a recent hunt, but they were darkened slightly. He plucked on of the pale pink flowers and tucked it gently in my hair behind my ear.
"Come on, let me get a picture of the two of you before you guys head out."
Jasper pulled me into his side gently as we posed together for Charlie for a few shots. I was praying to the camera gods that one of them were half-way decent.
"All right get going you crazy kids, have fun. Don't drink the punch if it looks spiked."
"Dad you know I don't drink," I said seriously.
"I know, but you know when somethings been tampered with," He said with an eyebrow raised.
Smiling I nodded and Jasper escorted me out to the waiting sleek black Mercedes.
"I've wondered something," I asked as he opened the passenger door for me.
"What's that?"
"Everyone seems to have their own vehicle, yet you seem to borrow from Emmett and Carlisle…"
"I don't think your daddy would appreciate you going to prom on the back of my motorcycle darlin'." Jasper chuckled as he shut the door after I situated myself.
I blinked in surprise at his admission, He climbed into the passenger seat.
"I've never seen it," I accused.
Jasper chuckled, kissing the back of my hand.
"It's for better weather, I promise I'll take you out on it. Have you been on one?"
I nodded.
"Jake and I used to ride in the summer on the reservation, it's been a few years though,"
Jasper looked at me surprised.
"You're full of surprises," He said sweetly.
I grinned at him and then he looked me over a bit more slowly this time now that we weren't in Charlie's line of vision. I felt my skin tinkle where I felt his gaze. Even in this low light I was certain he saw me in perfect clarity. I felt his gaze linger on my legs before returning to me, a mischievous smirk was now on his face.
"Remind me to thank Alice tonight," I flushed, he kissed my hand once more and we drove off.
We arrived in the school parking lot, parking next to Rosalie's BMW. Jasper helped me out of the car and we walked hand and hand towards the school. In any other town, proms were held in hotel ballrooms, here the dance was held in the school gym, although if I was honest, it was probably one of the few rooms in the town that was big enough. As we walked in I fought the urge to giggle, there were balloon arches and twisted garlands in pastel crepe paper on the walls.
We approached the rest of the family, having adopted a table for our crew tonight. Emmett was dapper yet intimidating his flawless classic tuxedo. Alice was beautiful in a black satin dress with geometric cutouts that revealed large triangles of her snowy white skin. Rose was drop dread gorgeous, everyone took a self-esteem hit – myself included. Her dress was vivid red and backless, tight to her calves and then flared into a ruffled train, and a neckline that plunged to her waist. How she managed to convince the teachers that was appropriate was beyond me, it was a look that belonged on the red carpet.
We arrived and Emmett scooped me into a hug, careful not to crush me or the flower. Rose gave me a soft hug followed by Alice. Her eyes glittered in mischief.
"Why don't you get something to drink?" Alice said turning to Jasper.
Jasper narrowed his eyes slightly at his sister, but kissed my temple and stalked off to the refreshment table. Alice turned to me.
"Lose the jacket," She said simply.
Rolling my eyes I did as she said and sat the leather jacket on the back of one of the chairs at our table and lay my clutch on table next to Rose's. When I turned back to face where Jasper had gone he stood a few feet away. He looked almost like a statue, with a goblet of iced water. Flushing, I walked over to him, his eyes tracking my every movement. I plucked the plastic goblet from his hand.
"You're staring Major,"
That seemed to snap him out of his trance, and he gently ran his fingertips from my cheek, down the side of my throat, to my exposed shoulder before settling on my hip.
"You're pushing my self-control tonight, darlin'." He murmured in my ear.
"Blame Alice she got the dress," I murmured back taking his hand and leading him to the table.
He shared a look with Emmett, causing the large Cullen to laugh. Before I could sit down, he sat down first, stealing my spot and more or less allowed me to sit on his lap so he could wrap his arms around my waist and settled his chin gently on my shoulder. Occasionally burying his nose in my hair, inhaling my scent. We were there for a good ten minutes people watching when I noticed a familiar couple come in through the balloon arches. I noticed Jasper's eyes were glued on the male – bronze Cullen, his hair the usually messily tousled, and looking impeccable like the rest of the family in a tuxedo. My sister looked pretty, Alice had done well, her hair done in some elaborate curly do. She wore a deep blue frilly off the shoulder dress, one shoe held the boot and the other was a dark blue heel. The heel looked ridiculous but I'm sure Alice insisted.
"You ok?'" I murmured.
He hummed and pulled me in closer.
"Yes," he said, not removing his eyes from the 'youngest' of the Cullen clan.
I had started to snicker when I saw Bella's face when she realized she was being dragged on to the dance floor. Bella danced about as well as a bull in a china shop. Edward didn't release her as the two twirled along the dance floor. I was surprised until I saw that he had her on his toes like a five year old. I snorted and looked around and saw a weird gangling form at the entrance of the gym.
I was elated, but also very confused. Wiggling out of Jasper's grasp I intercepted.
"Jake!"
His face broke out in a massive grin as he scooped me into a hug. He took my hand and twirled me around.
"You look great!" He complimented.
"I know it's weird looking like a girl." I admitted.
He laughed. He looked a bit nervous as he looked behind me. Looking up I saw Jasper.
"Jasper, this is Jake, Jake this is Jasper."
Realization lit in both men's eyes as the looked at one another.
"You're the one she's been raving about."
I flushed.
"Jake I will smack you," I threatened.
"Guilty," Jasper smiled.
Jasper and Jake shared an easy smile.
"What are you doing her Jake? Crashing prom?" I asked.
Jake looked embarrassed.
"Dad paid me twenty bucks to come here." Jake said dully.
I winced.
"Yikes, what for?" I asked curiously.
"To warn Bella," Jake said with a frown.
"Warn her?" I asked confused.
"He wants her to break up with her boyfriend," Jake said shrugging his shoulders.
"He's still superstitious? He didn't say anything about me, did he?" I asked.
Jake shook his head.
"Nothing about you, seems to like Jasper well enough from what Charlie's been telling him." Jake said smiling at the honey blonde behind me.
"Well that's good," I mumbled.
"He was really upset when heard about the accidents in Phoenix, he didn't believe…"
I swallowed hard.
"Bella fell and I got in a car accident." I said quietly.
Jake nodded.
"Hey did you ever get the parts you needed?" I asked changing the subject as I saw he was getting upset.
"Bribe money this is," Jake said gesturing to his attire.
I winced.
"Well hopefully Rabbit will be done soon, just do and rip it off like a Band-Aid." I suggested.
Jake snickered. I saw Jasper looking curiously at me.
"Jake is rebuilding a VW-Rabbit," I commented.
Jasper nodded smiling and now curious.
"Having trouble finding parts?" He asked.
"Only some, a lot them I found in the junkyards in really good condition."
"Jake's rescued me a time or two when my car broke down." I added.
"That only because Charlie doesn't have me with him when he buys cars. The outside looks ok, but the insides are usually train-wrecks." Jake said shaking his head.
"We bought your dad's truck," I countered.
"Only after I went over everything," He added.
I didn't have argument. I saw Jacob look over at Bella, she still hadn't seen him yet.
"Just go rip it off." I said nudging him off.
Jake gave me a playful glare.
"You're coming to the rez soon right?" He asked.
"As soon as I get the ok from the MD. I miss everyone." I added.
Jake grinned and said goodbye. Jasper pulled me back to our table, resting on his lap.
"He's infatuated with your sister," Jasper said.
I nodded.
"He has been for a while. She's going to hurt him." I mumbled frowning, watching Jacob approach the couple.
"Why would she do that?" Jasper asked curious.
"She's selfish like that. The way she found out about your family was because she used Jacob's feelings for him against him to tell the stories. They're not supposed to tell outsiders,"
"And how do you know them?" Jasper asked raising an eyebrow.
"I was practically inducted into the Rez, everyone knows, me I've been to a few of their bonfires where the legends and stories are told by the elders. I'm practically family."
Jasper rumbled in laughter.
"Oh boy, Edward looks put out," I mumbled as I saw him go hold up a wall while Bella and Jake spoke.
He gave me side-long glare, obviously he had heard me, but didn't do anything further. Since the family confrontation he seemed to avoid me or glare at me from afar, but he too – seemed to avoid me at every turn.
Looking around I saw our friends, Jessica looked ecstatic in Mike's arms. Angela was over the hills in the arms of Ben, they' made an adorable couple. I could see Lauren glaring daggers from her vantage point with Conner. Vaguely I still wondered how she found out, most of the old records were buried, so someone had to have either gave the information or she really did have good connections through her father. Both unsettled me.
"You alright darlin?" Jasper asked a frown on his face.
He must have felt the spike in my anxiety.
"Just thinking," I said quietly.
"About what?"
"Things are going to change soon," I mumbled.
"Are you a seer?" he teased.
I smiled softly.
"No, just a feeling. I have a feeling you're all going to disappear." I said frowning.
Jasper frowned at that. From our spot at the table I could see Alice who was dancing with Emmett and Rose look back at us. Jasper frowned, and nudged me so I stood.
"Come on," He said softly.
I moved to grab the jacket but he shook his head. Grabbing my clutch at least he lead me out one of the side doors and away from the music and sounds. Once we were outside and the coast was clear, he picked up and I had just enough time to tuck my head, and we ran.
When I was able to open my eyes again I realized we were in our usual spot, the light above glowed softly illuminating our little space. It was a soft warm glow. I sat down on one of the blankets taking my heels off.
"I love the heels, but are not feet friendly," I murmured trying to rub some feeling back into my toes.
Jasper was watching me with predatory eyes.
"I rather like what they did to your legs." He said honestly.
I smiled at him and he plopped down on the ground beside me, pulling me onto his lap facing him.
"Not angry with me for takin' ya from prom are you?" he asked.
I shook my head, although I blame him, it was kind of hard to form a sentence when he had his nose at my throat drawing it up and down from chin to the hollow at the throat. Then came the nipping and lips, kissing caressing…
"I didn't think ya would." He murmured against my neck.
Despite it all I smiled, he knew I needed a distraction from my own thoughts and mindset, what better way to distract me…