This is part one of the two part finale of this story.

Normal disclaimers apply.

Christmas 2007

I was having a really good sleep when a constant tickling on my nose roused me from my slumber. I swatted it away until my hand came into contact with something wet.

"What the-?" I grumbled, opening my eyes and peering blearily into the dim light.

A long, rough tongue licked up my left cheek.

"Eurgh!" I sat up and flicked on my bedside lamp. Golden fur and big brown eyes stared back at me. "JASPER!" I yelled.

"Yeah?" He called back, followed by a series of "Oh shit! Oh shit! Oh shit! No no no no no!" He appeared in our bedroom doorway out of breath with a spatula in his hand. "Oh fuck." He panted, spying the dog on the bed with me. "Err...Merry Christmas." He gave me a sheepish grin and came to join us on the bed.

"You got me dog?" I asked, rubbing sleep out of my eyes.

"Well technically she's for both of us, but yes."

"She?"

"Yeah. Her name's Angel. She's an eighteen month old golden labradoodle. I got her from the farm I took my class to before the holidays."

Jasper had graduated a couple of years ago and had become a wonderful kindergarten teacher. His students loved him and unfortunately, so do the single female teachers.

"What are we going to do with a dog Jasper?"

"Oh come on Edward. Don't be such a grumpy gills."

"You watch too much Disney."

"Eh, what can I say? My class love it." He shrugged.

"We can't keep her Jazz. For starters we're not home all day. Who's going to look after her?"

"I will. She can come and be the class pet."

"But what if there's a student who's allergic?"

"There's not. I checked. And besides, she's an hypoallergenic breed."

"I don't know."

"They were going to put her in a shelter. A shelter Edward! Those places are crammed as it is. At least here she can have a loving home with us." Both him and the dog gave me their best pleading looks.

"Okay. Okay fine." I relented. "She can stay, but she's not sleeping in the bed with us."

Jasper nuzzled my neck and kissed the skin just below my adam's apple. "Thank you. You're the best." He murmured.

"Yeah yeah." I said, running my hand through his hair. "Can you smell burning?"

"SHIT! THE BACON!" He cried, scrambling off the bed and running from the room.

I looked down at the pup spread out on the comforter and she wagged her tail vigorously. "You're too adorable to stay mad at, but daddy J on the other hand, he's a different matter entirely." I ran my hand through her soft curls and was rewarded with another lick. Okay, I was rapidly falling in love with this dog.

000

Valentines day 2008

I was nervously pacing the living room, anxious for Jasper to get home from work.

I had left work early to prepare the surprise for him. It doesn't hurt when you're the boss.

I had completed my online photography course with flying colours and elected to take a couple of media classes at the University of Washington. I actually enjoyed the college experience the second time around. Maybe it was because I had elected to do something I was passionate about. So after graduation, I set up my own photography studio and business was booming for Masen's Memories. I was hired for weddings, class photos, family portraits and many other special occasions.

I heard his car in the driveway and the nerves in my stomach increased tenfold.

"Ed, I'm home." He called out, coming in the front door.

Angel barrelled through the house and bounced up at me. "Hiya girl." I scratched behind her ears.

"Something smells delicious." Jasper said, stepping into the living room after hanging up his coat and scarf.

"Hey love. I made one of mom's recipes for dinner." Yes, my cooking skills have improved over the past few years. It was either learn to cook or live on take out for the rest of our lives. I knew which one I preferred.

"Sounds great. What are we having?" He asked, greeting me with a kiss.

"Baked cod with the parmesan crust that you love so much."

"You spoil me."

"I try."

"I'm going to take a quick shower and change. Can you let Angel out for a toilet break?"

"Sure. Don't take too long. Dinner is almost ready to be dished out."

"I won't." He said, running for the stairs.

I waited until I heard the water come on in the shower before letting the dog out. "Hurry up girl." I said, as she ran past me to do her business in the far corner of the garden.

I called her back in after five minutes. It's too cold out there to be sniffing around for long. "C'mon Angel, come get some chicken." She zoomed back up the garden at breakneck speed and sat at my feet wagging her tail. She really was a cute dog. I lead her through to the kitchen. "Now Angel, daddy J and I have a special evening planned, and I would appreciate it very much if you will behave after I give you this." I was standing at the counter, cutting up some grilled chicken breasts and mixing it with her kibble. "Think you can do that?" I asked, crouching down and putting the food dish in front of her.

"I don't think she's going to answer you." I looked round to see Jasper leaning against the kitchen island, holding two glasses of wine. I stood and took one from him. "I see you already set the table and everything. It looks nice. I wasn't expecting you to go to so much trouble."

"I wanted to make this evening a special one." I took a sip of the chilled wine and handed him back my glass. "Take these through and I will bring out the food." I pecked him on the lips and ushered him out of the room.

I pulled the small velvet box out of my pocket and opened it before crouching back down in front of Angel, who had scoffed her food and was watching me from her basket. "What do you think girl? Think he'll like it?" I whispered, stroking her head. She wagged her tail and put a paw on my knee. "Yeah, I think so too."

I stood and pocketed the box before grabbing and dishes out of the warmer and going through to the dining room.

000

"Ugh. I don't think I can eat another bite." Jasper dropped his fork onto his plate and pushed it away, patting his still flat stomach.

"Not even if I got some of your favourite cupcakes from the bakery down the street?"

"The red velvet ones?"

"Yes."

"With the vanilla frosting and cream cheese centre?"

"The very ones."

His eyes lit up and he sat up straighter in his chair. "I'll split one with you."

I cleared the dishes and got a cupcake out of the fridge, setting it on a little plate with a single fork.

'Here goes nothing.' I thought to myself.

I sat in the seat next to him instead of my usual one across the table.

"Only one fork? I like your thinking." He smirked, picking up the utensil and taking a bite of the sweet treat. He moaned in appreciation before offering me a bite, feeding me from the same fork.

I licked the frosting from my lips and captured his in a heated kiss. The flavour of him was enhanced by the sweetness of the cake. When we parted I rest my forehead against his. "Marry me?" I breathed, pulling the box from my pants pocket and setting it on the table in front of him.

"What?"

"Marry me." I repeated, looking him in the eyes.

"You're serious?"

"As a heart attack."

He stood abruptly from the table, making me lean back in shock. My heart slowly sank to the pit of my stomach. I never expected this level of rejection from him. Not now. Not after all this time. But what he did next surprised me. He held his hand out and said, "Come with me." I placed my hand in his and he pulled me to my feet, leading me to our bedroom.

I grabbed the ring box off the table along the way. I guess I could put it away for a later date. It suddenly felt like a lead weight in my pocket.

I followed silently behind him, wondering where I went wrong for this evening to end up so badly. I thought for sure we were on the same page, but obviously we weren't.

I knew same-sex marriage wasn't legal in Washington State yet, but I wasn't against a long engagement. I would just be happy to know that he was that committed to me.

Jasper let go of my hand outside of our bedroom door and turned to face me. He had a large smile on his face, but it fell slightly when he saw the look on mine.

Without another word, he pushed the door open and the room was filled with a soft glow. Flickering candle lights filled the top of our shared dresser and nightstands. Spread out on the bed was a big, hand made poster saying 'Marry me, Edward' in the centre, surrounded by lots of little multicoloured handprints and one big blue paw print.

"We had an arts and crafts lesson in class today. The four year olds loved it."

My mouth was agape as I stared dumbfounded at the message. Just moments ago I thought I had gotten everything wrong. That maybe Jasper and I weren't in the same place in our relationship. But now? Now I knew we were and we were thinking the exact same thing.

"Yes!" I said, laughing out a relieved breath.

"It's a yes from me too."

I removed the ring box from my pocket and opened it up, revealing the dark platinum band nestled inside. I pulled the ring from its box and slipped it onto his finger. It was a perfect fit.

Jasper went over to his night stand and opened the top drawer, retrieving a ring box from inside. He came back to stand before me and opened it up to reveal a titanium band with a darker stripe running round the centre. He slid it down my finger before pulling me into a searing kiss.

We tumbled into bed, after Jazz put away the poster, and made love well into the early hours.

000

July 2008

Jasper and I were down in California on a mini break. Well, he was on a break, I had a wedding I had to photograph.

The couple, Peter and Charlotte, were old friends of Jaspers. He had recommended me to them after their original photographer let them down. They had seen my online portfolio and jumped at the chance to hire me.

I was to arrive at the brides house early to take shots of her getting ready.

Jasper would meet me at the ceremony later, so I left him slumbering in our hotel bed after giving him a quick kiss and palming his bare ass. I headed out to find the brides house, but I just had to make a quick detour first. Luckily the couple was getting married on a Friday, so the building I needed to visit was open. I got what I came for and slid the important document into my jacket pocket after folding it carefully.

I arrived at Charlottes on time, despite my little side excursion. "Oh Edward, you found us okay." She said, leading me through to her sitting room, which had been turned into a makeshift salon.

Five other women were sitting around in various states of ready-ness. Some were having their nails done, while others were applying their makeup or getting their hair styled.

"I've left an area over here free for your equipment bag. I would like completely pose free, candid shots please."

"Sure thing Charlotte. Thank you."

"You're welcome. Let me introduce you to the girls." She clapped her hands to get their attention. "Ladies, this is Edward. He is our photographer for the entire day. Please make him feel welcome. This morning is for candid pictures only. If I see anyone posing there will be hell to pay." She laughed. "Edward, these are my best friends, Stacey, Alana, Carrie, Gianna and Jane." Each of the women waved in turn. "Jane's brother Alec is Peter's best man."

I pulled out my Nikon digital and couple of spare memory cards, slipping them into my pocket and getting to work, weaving between the stations. I snapped some great shots of the women. Alana pulling a face while applying her mascara. Jane blowing her nails dry. Stacey teasing her hair up while singing along to a song on the radio.

"So Edward, is this your full time job or just a hobby?" Carrie asked as I crouched to get a shot of Gianna.

"Full time." I replied, changing the focus of the lens.

"That must be nice. Choosing your own hours. Your girlfriend must get to see an awful lot of you."

"I don't have a girlfriend. I have a very jealous fiancé and he doesn't like to share." I said, standing to move away.

"He? You're gay?"

"Yes. How else do you think I can stay so calm and professional in a room full of beautiful, scantily clad women?" Carrie opened and closed her mouth like a fish gasping for air. I snapped a shot of her with her mouth agape and moved away to get some candid's of Charlotte.

After an hour Gianna announced that it was time for Charlotte to put on her dress. I took pictures of the ladies helping her into the frothy monstrosity and buttoning up the back. Then it was almost a Cinderella shot as she raised her gown to slip into her stilettos.

I finished the morning with just over a hundred pictures. I bid the women farewell and told them I'd see them at the venue. Once seated in my car I let out a huge sigh of relief and fired off a quick text to Jasper, telling him I'd pick him up outside of our hotel in twenty minutes.

At the venue I silently moved around the room, taking more candid shots while they said their vows. I got some amazing pictures of Peter's face when he saw Charlotte for the first time. The tears they both shed when they were declared husband and wife. Their first kiss.

Posed pictures and group shots took place outside in the brilliant Californian sunshine and more un-posed photos were taken during the reception.

The entire day went smoothly for them and by the time it was over I was exhausted. Jasper drove us back to the hotel and practically had to carry me to our room, despite the fact I was taller and heavier than him.

I laid on the bed fully clothed and was out like a light.

Part two will be posted on Tuesday.

Let me know what you think.

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