Chapter 48: A New Beginning

Jasper hadn't moved a millimeter since he had lain down beside his unconscious lover two days before. The first day had been the hardest for him to bear. Harry had moaned in pain continuously until Hermione and Andromeda gave him a potion they had just brewed. Seeing his soul mate suffer like that, because of his own fault, had hurt the vampire very much and he had felt useless and guilty. In the end, the potion had put an end to Harry's suffering, but it had not brought him back to them. The dark-haired man had simply remained unconscious, inert, while some changes had taken place on his body. The scar on his hand 'I must not tell lies' had disappeared while the one from the Basilisk's bite and the lightning bolt scar had only faded. His musculature had grown slightly, making the naked body against the vampire's even more attractive. His skin had lightened a little and the young man had taken a few centimeters. Standing up, he would be only a head shorter than Jasper. His heart rate had slowed, but not to the point of stopping, and his breathing had become so subtle that the vampire had almost panicked. He had been quickly reassured by Carlisle who had stayed by their side the whole time to monitor the brown man's vitals. Edward too had stayed in the room to monitor the wizard's thoughts as well as those of his brother. They had feared that the empath would lose control again, but that had not been the case. Surprisingly, given the situation, his vampire was unusually calm and collected. The three men, as well as Hermione, had assumed that he was satisfied that Harry was becoming his chalice and that he intuitively knew that everything that was happening was normal. That's all it took for Hermione to go back to drowning in books under the worried eyes of Ron and George.

Harry felt good, as if he was surrounded by a bubble of love. He remembered doing the ritual with his companion, but not passing out or falling asleep. In any case, he felt good in his lover's arms and his naked body against his made him want to wake up cuddled.

"He's waking up." warned Edward in a whisper, heard only by the other vampires in the room. He felt an embarrassment as he said it that surprised the empath for a moment.

Harry's well-being and excitement assailed Jasper right after, making him want to kick his brother and father out, but he wanted more than that for Carlisle to make sure the wizard was okay before reconnecting with him in the most delightful way. Only he wasn't indifferent to his lover's arousal and his body reacted in a rush, his penis swelling against the bare buttocks. Harry groaned while feeling the member harden against him, so close to his intimacy, but at the same time too far. He wanted it inside him. With a movement of his hips he slid the sex between his buttocks, more than a movement and he would have it inside him... He let out a grunt of frustration as Jasper jerked away from him and the wizard turned to his companion and opened his eyes. The blond man was speeding through his clothes, but Harry was too frustrated to realize that he was following his movements without a care. His companion's eyes were black with envy and a noticeable bulge was distorting his pants, making the dark-haired man want to take him back to his bed to make love to him even more.

To refuse to his mate what he desired was an ordeal for Jasper who groaned by feeling the second wave of desire emanating from the brown one, but he held back to give in. He gave a plea for help with his eyes to his brother and father, convinced that if he received another wave of desire from his mate, he would make love to him on the spot, witnesses or not.

"You had us worried, Harry."

Carlisle's voice made the wizard aware of the other two men in the room, embarrassing him to no end. Jasper laughed at his embarrassment, relieved that his companion's envy had passed, allowing him to regain some clarity.

Harry couldn't believe how close he had come to impaling himself on his lover's penis in front of witnesses. Shame and arousal mingled within him, making both Jasper and Edward laugh which made Carlisle raise an eyebrow.

"Don't worry Harry, it takes a lot more than that to shock us," the telepath told him with a wink.

Not at all reassured, the wizard thought it wiser to change the subject.

"Why did I worry you?"

"You were unconscious for two days and spent the first day moaning in pain."

Harry, immediately worried about what this might have done to his companion, looked away from Carlisle who had answered him to Jasper. The empath, perceiving his trouble, returned to take him in his arms, remaining however wisely above the sheets.

"I was afraid for you, but that goes now," he reassured him immediately by depositing a kiss in his hair. "However, I'll be totally reassured if you let Carlisle and Andromeda check you out."

Harry nodded without even thinking and the doctor left to find the witch.

"Would you like something to eat?" offered Edward.

"I'll go downstairs and fix myself something," the dark-haired man protested.

"I don't think you're going to leave this room anytime soon," laughed the telepath with a knowing glance at his brother.

"A rare steak then," Harry resigned himself.

The couple watched Edward leave the room and kissed passionately as soon as the door closed. The vampire's hands pinned his chalice's hands above his head on the pillow to keep him from caressing his skin.

"Exam first." breathed Jasper, still aroused.

He reluctantly separated himself from his naked lover, eager and languid on the bed. He couldn't help but pull back the sheets covering him, coming to a stop as he devoured the body with his eyes. His tongue passed on his lips whereas his eyes blackened. The reaction of the vampire did not fail to make react Harry whose swollen penis shaked against his belly. Jasper almost gave in to his urge to claim the body that made him feel so good again, but he pulled himself together when he heard Carlisle and Andromeda coming up the stairs. He hastened to offer a boxer to the brown who passed it with a speed a little too fast to be human, what did not miss the blond.

Andromeda entered the room, delighted and reassured to see the young man awake. Along with Carlisle, and Hermione who had joined them, they ran Harry through a battery of tests, stating that he was doing just fine, he had even regained perfect vision.

"Did the ritual work?" Jasper finally asked even though he suspected the answer.

"Yes, perfectly." assured Hermione.

Both men smiled with relief. They didn't have time to say anything though as Edward with Harry's lunch and Rosalie with Teddy in her arms walked in.

"Daddy!" exclaimed the little boy with a big smile.

Harry happily took him in his arms, hugging him before sitting him on his lap. The child began to tell him all about what he had done with Aunt Rosalie over the past two days, while the dark-haired man listened intently as he ate.

Jasper looked at them, happy. He finally felt complete and balanced. He had finally completed the bond with his soul mate and performed the ritual to ensure that he would have him by his side for eternity. Their family had grown, it was admittedly a little strange and slightly wobbly, but it was perfect. He was ready to be Teddy's stepfather and take on all that it entailed, even if it meant making a pact with the wolves for the boy's well-being. He had waited so long to feel this absolute happiness that he knew he would never be tire of it. He felt that the dark-haired man's feelings were on a par with his own.

Harry had never been happier in his life or more sure he had made the right decisions. A new life, relieved of the weight of his Savior status, was beginning for him. A life where he would be just Harry, a life in the arms of the man he loved, raising the one he considered his son, surrounded by their family. The future could only be beautiful.

THE END

This is the end of the story, but there are still two epilogue chapters to come.