I cradled Alice close to my chest as I carried her up the stairs. I had no fear of dropping her. But I couldn't risk the possibility of anything happening to her…in any scenario.

I reached out my free hand and petted her head gently. I received an appreciative nuzzle into my collarbone. Her warmth felt nice…I was grateful for the blood we had in the garage. It certainly has made things easier.

I opened the bedroom door and set her on the bed.

"Shall we see what's in the closet for night clothes?" I winked as I brushed her chin with my knuckles. I was rewarded with a small smile as she jumped out of the bed and looped her finger back into my beltloop. This really was a new aspect of her personality. Alice had always been so afraid to show weakness or need around me. She never wanted me to feel burdened with her fears and mine at the same time. This was refreshing…to feel needed and useful in ways she had only ever been in our relationship.

I wrapped my hand around hers, holding her hand tighter to my back as I walked towards the closet. We walked through to the back before Alice stopped in her tracks, causing resistance on my waistband. I gently spun around, unlatching her from my pants.

"What is it Darlin'?"

She pointed to the trunk I had displayed under my uniform. I looked from it and to her again, "That's our memorabilia through the years."

She nodded and made her way to it. When she reached for the handle I ran to her side, "Allow me love, it's a bit hefty." I offered as I lowered the trunk to the floor for her with a thud.

Her hands expertly handled the latch like she had so many times before. I was blown away when she pushed everything out of her way instantly going for the hidden compartment in the bottom. She reached in and searched for a moment. She hesitated when her hand landed on something small and silver. As she withdrew her hand, she produced something I had thought was lost to time.

"Alice? Darlin', how'd you know that was in there?" I looked deep in her eyes as I took the ring from her.

"I…I saw myself hide it before I ran to meet Maria." She whimpered.

"I couldn't bring myself to look in here since you'd left. I had no idea where this had ended up." I whispered, venom stinging in my immortal eyes.

I displayed the ring for her to examine. It was a simple band with a black heart adorned with a diamond in the middle. Alice had picked it for its representation of us, and its intricacy without complexity.

"It was your wedding ring Alice."

She fell to her knees and threw her head into her hands.

"What happened to me Jasper?" She wailed as I pulled her into my arms.

"I don't know Ali…We'll put it all together, but for now you just need to rest okay?"

"I…I can't…Please don't make me Jasper! She'll come back…" she sobbed into my collar.

"Shhhh. No Darlin'…I won't let that happen. I'll be here to keep you safe, and I'll use my gift to make sure you sleep soundly….With your permission of course." I assured her.

She raised her glassy and red eyes to me. "Please…Make it all go away." She begged.

I helped her up, chose a decent outfit for her and guided her to the bedroom.

"Why don't you get comfortable and then I can help you off to bed alright? I'll step out…"

"NO!" she hollered. "You can't leave me…Please."

"I only want to give you your privacy love."

"I don't need it…I just need you here with me Jasper."

I lowered my head in understanding as I moved to lay on the bed, averting my eyes to the ceiling. Though she had once been mine, I would not encroach on her privacy like some pepping tom.

After she had finished, she crawled gently onto the bed and onto my chest. She was oddly comfortable on what I could only assume was as hard and equally as cold as marble. I reigned in my thoughts and petted her head and down to her lower back wrapping the blanket around her as I covered her in waves of calm and peace. I was sure to be attentive the entire night to ensure I was the only monster in her presence tonight.

"I love you Jasper." She murmured groggily as she drifted off into unconsciousness.

"I love you Alice." I cooed softly as I played with her hair with one hand and her ring in my other.