Hey guys! It's been awhile since I've put a story up, so I'm gonna do it. My other Mediator fanfic, Deadly Dirty Work, will be on hiatus for some time. Writer's block ... grr.

Summary: Suze is out of college and Jesse is as well. They're living together, pursuing their careers; Suze is a fashion designer while Jesse is a doctor. Join them through their first few years of marriage and parenthood. What can happen? A lot. ;D

Disclaimer: I own only the plot and the new character, Hannah (who be introduced later in the story) and some others that I'm still thinking of. Everything else belongs to the lovely Meg Cabot.

Note: Set nine or ten years after Twilight. Jesse is 30 and Suze is just turning 26. That should be correct because if I remember correctly, Jesse's four years older than Suze. Tell me if it isn't! I'll highly appreciate it!

Always by Your Side

Chapter One: Happy Birthday!

(Jesse's POV)

"Susannah!" I called up the stairs. "It's time to meet your parents already! You know how Andy is!"

Tonight was Susannah's birthday dinner with her family and a few friends and we were going to be late if she didn't hurry up. I was leaning against the staircase impatiently tapping my foot. Susannah was in our bedroom trying to pick out the 'perfect' outfit for the dinner. She knew how Andy, her stepfather, was with family dinners. He hated for somebody to be late.

"I'll be down in a second, Jesse!" Susannah yelled behind the closed door.

I rolled my eyes and groaned. I wasn't in the mood to wait so I got my coat and keys and headed for the door.

"I'll meet you in the car, Susannah!" I yelled as I shut the door, quite annoyed with Susannah at the moment.

Five minutes later Susannah was running to the car looking as beautiful as ever. Her chesnut hair was curled and down to her shoulders, she had put on the locket I gave to her for her twentieth brithday a few years ago around her neck, and diamond stud earrings were in her ears. She was wearing a green turtleneck, black jeans, and her favorite leather boots.

I smiled at her and kissed her forehead. She smiled back and I helped her into the car. I got into the driver's seat and we were soon off for the Ackerman's house to celebrate Susannah's twenty-sixth birthday.

(Suze's Pov)

I sighed and looked out the window as Jesse and I drove to my mom and stepdad's. It was around sunset and the sky had a warm orange, pink, and purple glow to it. Sunset was always our favorite time of day; mine and Jesse's. We would always have dates during the sunset and share sweet kisses as the sun would set.

Le sigh.

I was pulled out of my daydreaming trance when Jesse pulled up to my mom's house. Like a gentleman, he helped me out of the car. I smiled sweetly at him and took his hand as we walked up to the door.

My mom opened the door and gave me and Jesse quick hugs. "Happy birthday, Susie!" Mom smiled at me. She smiled at Jesse. "Good to see you, Jesse."

"Good to see you, too, Mrs. Ackerman," Jesse smiled.

Mom ushered us in hurriedly just as Andy was setting the food on the table. Jesse and I took seats next to each other and I smelled the food happily as we sat down. Andy smiled at us and went to get the rest of the things needed.

Most everybody else were seated at the table. Mom, Brad, Jake, David, David's girlfriend Shannon, Gina, Adam, CeeCee, Paul, and my half-sisters Destiny and Lianna. I smiled at them and turned my attention to Jesse. He took my hand under the table and gave it a gentle squeeze along with a smile.

"Ahem, ahem," Andy cleared his throat.

We all looked at him, most of us annoyed and hungry.

"As all of you know, we've gathered here together seeing as it is Suze's twenty-sixth birthday!" Andy said. Everybody cheered, making me blush and hide my red face behind my dark hair.

"Can we just eat already?" I said through gritted teeth.

"Hold your horses there, Suze," Andy said. He ran out of the room and came back with a two boxes (one small, one big) and handed them to me. "Happy birthday."

I smiled and opened the smaller box first. Inside were pictures of me and my friends and family over the past couple of years. Everybody each had their own wallet sized picture with me and they all signed a card. I smiled again and set the box aside. I opened the bigger box and was amazed at the beautiful black, pink, and red ball gown inside. The bodice was red with blace lace at the neckline and at the ends of the sleeves (which were all the way to my elbows). The skirt was pink and there were layers of of lace opening in the middle and they were pink and red. The bottom of the dress had the same black lace and was embroidered with red roses. There was supposed to be a Christmas ball coming up and I had been searching for the perfect dress since October.

"Thank you..." I said speechless.

"You're welcome," Mom smiled brightly.

I smiled again and nodded at Andy, signaling that I was ready to eat.

After dinner, we all joked around and danced to the radio. I laughed at Adam's stupidness; he was trying (and failing horribly) to waltz with CeeCee and myself at the same time. The three of us fell to the ground laughing like hyenas. Same old Adam; got to love him.

At ten, Jesse and I were beat. We were in my old room, sitting on the bed, watching some old movies. I just stayed in Jesse's arms, thinking about the night's events. It was so calming in his arms, listening to him whisper Spanish into my ear. I couldn't stop smiling.

"Why are you smiling so much, Susannah?" Jesse asked as the movie credits started rolling.

I laughed and kissed Jesse's cheek. "I'm very, very happy," I said.

"All right then," Jesse sighed.

I looked at Jesse concerned. "What's wrong, Jesse?" I asked.

Jesse shook his head and kissed my forehead softly. "Just thinking, querida," he whispered into my hair.

"What about?" I asked.

"Our future," Jesse whispered.

"Oh..." I trailed off.

(Jesse's POV)

I wanted so badly to propose to Susannah tonight. We've been together for over nine or ten years, we've both finished college, we're living together in the same apartment (the same bed for goodness sakes!), and everything in our lives were going perfectly. Why couldn't I get the courage to ask her? Nombre de dios!

Susannah again noticed my panicky face. She touched my cheek and I was suddenly drawn into her beautiful emerald eyes.

"What's wrong, Jesse?" she whispered.

I shook my head and removed her hand from my cheek. I pulled her out of my embrace and got down on one knee. She gasped when I pulled out a small box with a small engagement ring inside. It had the smallest of diamonds in the middle with two small emeralds surrounding it.

"Susannah, I love you with all my heart," I said, silently, slowly slipping the ring onto her finger. "I've been waiting for the perfect moment to say this. Will you marry me, querida?"

She squealed and threw her arms around my neck. I chuckled softly and kissed her hair.

"Is that a yes?" I teased.

"Of course!" Susannah laughed.

Okay! There you go. Hope I put in enough fluff. And sorry for not making Jesse's point of views so short. It's hard writing in a guy's point of view! Review

Brat