Emmett and I ran tirelessly southwards, sticking to the National parks and forests wherever possible. The trees gave us enough coverage to run as fast as we could. Or at least, as fast as Emmett could. I would have been faster without him but even though I didn't like the idea in the beginning, I didn't mind his company now. Peter and Charlotte could be anywhere, possibly not even on the continent, and finding them would take some time. And although I had travelled alone for many years, I never particularly enjoyed it.

We passed the border east of Vancouver and only stopped once to hunt, about 150 miles outside Seattle. "Why exactly are we heading to Portland? I thought they were in Canada the last time you met them", Emmett asked as we buried the drained bodies of our prey. "There is information I need in Portland", I explained. Emmett grumbled at this vague response. I had been keeping him in the dark on the details of the plan and he didn't enjoy it at all. It wasn't that I didn't trust him - if I trusted him with Alice, I could trust him with almost everything else - but the system of p.o. boxes Peter and I had set up in case we ever needed to find each other, wasn't only my secret. It was Peter's as well.

"So, are you ever going to tell me how that information is going to help us?", Emmett tried to get my lips loose once more when we entered the outskirts of the city a day later. We had reached Portland the afternoon before but since the sun was shining, there was no way for us to get into the city. "I can't tell you the details, but Peter and I have ways to find each other, if we ever need to. And there is information on their current whereabouts here in Portland", I explained and took a left turn. The postal office I was headed towards was three streets from here and I didn't want to take Emmett any closer. Thus, I nodded towards the café on the corner. "Would you mind waiting here? I won't be long." The brown-haired vampire muttered some words I couldn't understand but eventually pushed the door to the café open.

I continued down the street and made sure, that he didn't try to follow me before entering the post office. Fortunately, I was the sole costumer and could immediately proceed to the counter. I handed the woman sight the key from my purse and waited as she collected the mail. It took a while and my mouth was filled to the brim with venom, when she finally returned, a handful of postcards in her hand. I accepted them with a thankful nod and noticed her flinching as my cold hands brushed hers.

"I'm also going to need a map of North America", I explained, and my hands gripped the counter tightly, as she flipped her hair in a flirtatious move. "The maps are over there darling", she explained and pointed her perfectly manicured fingers towards a rack in the corner. I turned and quickly searched for the map with the largest coverage of area before returning and hastily placing a 5-dollar bill on the counter and turning towards the exit. "Wait up, what about your change?", she yelled after me, however I was out of the door before she could truly react. Stuffing the post cards and map into the inside of my jacket, I headed back towards where I had left Emmett.

The brown-haired vampire saw me coming and immediately left the café. "Did you get your info? Where are we headed?", he asked as soon as I reached him. "Somewhere away from all these humans. I can't think clearly here", I replied, turning back towards where we had come from half an hour earlier. Emmett glanced at me from the side and I could feel that he pitied me. "It's going to get easier you know. You'll soon have the pleasure to attend high school alongside Alice, Rose, Eddie, and me", he said as we crossed the street and I clenched my jaw. I knew he only wanted to make me feel better. But being pitied was nothing I enjoyed, and it only made the situation worse. I hated being this weak.

We eventually arrived at the outskirts of the city and picked up the pace, returning to the spot atop a hill we had spent the last hours, waiting for the sun to disappear. As I kneeled into the grass, I could hear Alice's voice in my head: Jazz, not your new pants! I sighed, praying that she was fine before forcing my thoughts to focus on the task ahead. The faster we could find Peter and Charlotte, the sooner I would be back at her side again.

I placed my haul on the grass and opened the map, while Emmett curiously shifted through the cards. "That's the precious information you were after? Postcards?" I nodded, turning the one he held in his hand. "There's dates on the back. We need anything that is younger than two months", I explained, and Emmett quickly started to look for the desired cards. I helped him and we ended up with four cards. However, there was one from Calgary with my handwriting, which I quickly discarded as well.

"Winnipeg, Minneapolis, and Kansas City. What exactly does that tell us?", Emmett asked as I studied the map. "They're heading South. What are the dates on the cards?", I replied, without looking up. "The first one is from the 02nd of July. Minneapolis on the 21st, and Kansas City 11 days ago", he cited, and I nodded, studying the map for possible destinations from Kansas City. "If they kept their speed they could be in Dallas or Austin by now", Emmett proposed but I shook my head. "They would never head this far South." The massive vampire raised an eyebrow but then realised why none of us would ever head this far South ever again: "Oh, sorry. So then, East or West?"

That was the one-million-dollar question. I knew Charlotte was especially fond of Tennessee, however since it was summer, this would be a though area for them to stay in. Heading Northwest was what I would have done. Peter had told me that they hadn't been on the Westcoast for a while, so it was likely they were running in our direction as we spoke. If they had not decided to spend the rest of the summer in Europe. I truly hoped this was not the case. If they reached the ocean before we found them, there was no way to tell where they emerged on the other continent.

"Denver. That is as long as they weren't heading towards Europe, in which case we have no way of catching them in time for the wedding", I finally concluded. Peter wouldn't miss out on the opportunity to empty our p.o. box in Denver if they truly were heading West. "Denver? You sure?", Emmett asked as I folded the map back up. "No, but it's most likely that they would stop there to hunt if they were truly heading West. A few drained bodies don't really attract too much attention in a big city like this", I elaborated, and he started to smile: "Any chance we could make a pit stop in Yellowstone? I would really love to hunt a few bears."

We left the city behind us and headed east along hood river towards Umatilla National forest from which we crossed into Payette and eventually Sawtooth National forest. However, we left the cover of the trees as soon as the darkness of the night covered our tracks and dashed along Great Salt Lake through Idaho and eventually into Colorado. The sun was raising again, when we reached Rawlins and turned south toward the Forests. Heading into the City during the daytime was no option, so we decided to scour the woods west of Denver first.

Night was almost here again, and we were now heading towards the city, when I suddenly caught a familiar scent. Peter and Charlotte had been through here not long ago. The trail was fresh, less than an hour old. "They have been through here. Can you handle going a little faster?", I muttered towards Emmett and sped up immediately. The brown-haired vampire followed, but I could feel his confusion. "How do you know?", he finally asked, and I took a sharp right. "Can't you smell them?" He shook his head: "Definitively not at that speed. But then, I don't know them." I nodded slightly and continued following Peter's scent.

We were getting closer, the trail getting stronger, when I suddenly noticed a flash in the corner of my eye. My instincts kicked in and I rolled to the side just in time to avoid my attacker. Instantly recognizing the blonde vampire that flew past me, I twirled around and shouted: "Peter don't!" But it was too late, my old brother-in-arms had already jumped Emmett and tackled him to the ground. "Jasper?", Charlotte, my attacker, asked confusedly as she recognized me. However, I had already turned towards Emmett and Peter, who were stumbling to their feet again. I helped Emmett up and then turned towards my friends.

"Sorry Major, we didn't realise it was you", Peter apologized, a big smile on his face and held out his hand. I took it without hesitation and returned his smile. "No hard feelings, I would have done the same. Although I am a bit disappointed you didn't recognize me." Charlotte laughed and came closer to hug me. "Well, in our defence: We didn't expect to see you this soon again and your companion isn't exactly of Alice's… stature. Where is your lovely mate by the way?", she explained and let go again, stepping to Peter's side. "Ah yes. Peter, Charlotte, meet Emmett. He's part of the family Alice and I were looking for when we last met", I introduced them, and Emmett shook their hands as well. "Nice to meet you. That attack was great Peter, would you be up to spar later?"

I couldn't help but chuckle at Peter's surprised expression to this request. However, he quickly composed himself again and turned towards me. "So, where is Alice?", he politely ignored Emmets question, which made him pout. "She's back in Calgary… Planning our wedding.", I explained, and Charlotte squeaked when I mentioned the wedding. "Oh Jasper, we are so happy for you! Tell us everything!"

In the end, it turned out that there was a lot I had to tell them. How Alice and I found Carlisle and his family, how they received us, and mainly, how this wedding came about. "Of course, we'll be there. When is the big day?", Peter asked, once I finished my tale and formally invited them. This time Emmett was quicker and replied in my stead: "On the 30th." Charlotte looked at me with big eyes. "August? But that's only a few weeks from now!" I nodded and remembered what Alice had told me: "Alice said I should tell you, that she'll take care of your attire. You don't need to worry about anything. And that you are very welcome to stay with us until the big day, if you want to." Peter and Charlotte exchanged a quick look before accepting with a large smile: "We would love to."

We didn't hesitate any longer before leaving and heading back north. Emmett was buzzing with excitement about his hunting prospects. I had eventually given in and promised we would cross through Yellowstone since it was night now. As soon as we crossed into the National forest, he took the lead and ran to the right and left, looking for a trail. "What is going on with him?", Peter asked, obviously irritated by his behaviour. "He's looking for a bear. They're his favourite", I explained, and both of my old friends looked at me in confusion.

When they first met Alice and she explained her golden and my – at that time – orange eyes to them, they had been at the same time surprised and intrigued. But after accompanying us on a hunt and trying our diet out for themselves, they quickly changed their minds. Animal blood was just as disgusting to them as it had been to me in the beginning. And since the killing didn't really bother them, they had no reason to commit to the struggle. To Peter, Alice and especially. I were crazy. "Jasper! I've got one, you game?", Emmett's voice boomed through the forest, but I shook my head. "Go ahead, I'm fine."

This was the opportunity I had been waiting for. I needed to talk to Peter, in private. I had nearly forgotten Carlisle's request, but when I saw Peter jump Emmett earlier, the memory had resurfaced. "I don't know how you are doing this", Charlotte commented as we watched Emmett disappear between the trees. "Well, I have a good reason", I replied, referring to both Alice and the depression I had previously been struggling with. But I couldn't think about this right now. I had to focus on the task at hand.

"There is something I need to ask you", I started and sat down on a fallen tree. "There was an incident with a human the other day... Edward and Carlisle, the other two males of the coven, were able to restrain me but it was a close call... I don't want to hurt them. Alice would be devastated. So, I agreed to train them", I explained, and Peter took a seat as well. He already understood where I was going with this. "Of course, we'll help wherever we can." Charlotte smiled and sat on my other side. "Of course, Jasper. But I don't really see why you would need us. After all, it was you who trained us both", she added, and I sighed.

"I'm not going to be teaching them how to fight newborns. I'll have to show them how to fight me. And if comes to fighting me, Peter is as close to an expert as we're going to get", I explained and my old friend put his hand on my shoulder: "Well, in this case, I'm looking forward to kicking your butt." I let head fall back and genuinely laughed at his comment: "As far as I can remember, this has never happened before, and I don't think it'll happen now." They both joined in and it felt good. I hadn't felt this careless in a long time.

xxxx

We reached the Cullen's house just after dawn four days after Emmett and I had left. Alice had of course seen us coming and was waiting in front of the house with the others. As soon as we emerged from the forest, she descended the stairs and ran towards us. "Alice, it's great to see you again. Jasper told us the amazing news, congratulations!", Charlotte exclaimed and diverted from Peter's side, directly into Alice's open arms. The two women hugged and started to jump up and down in excitement. "Thank you, I'm so glad Jasper and Emmett found you! It would not be the same if you weren't there", my angel replied and eventually let go of the blonde, proceeding to greet Peter as well, before appearing at my side and taking my hand.

I smiled down at her with a gentle smile and showed her how happy I was to be with her again through my gift. Her smile widened even more, and she sent me a wave of love and happiness in return, before turning back towards our guests. "Peter, Charlotte, these are Esme, Carlisle, Rosalie, and Edward." They all shook hands and I could feel that Carlisle and Esme were truly happy to meet my dear friends. Edward and Rosalie were a bit more reserved, however the blonde was quickly distracted by her husband, who wrapped his arms around her waist and placed a kiss on her lips, that would have been better suited for a private moment.

"I bought you guys some new clothes and if you want to, you are happy to use our shower", Alice said, hooking into Charlotte and Peter's arms and leading them towards the house. They gladly accepted the offer. After all, as nomads, they didn't have the chance for a hot shower every day. While my mate led them up to our room and Emmett and Rosalie disappeared into the forest – undoubtedly to celebrate their reunion, I followed Esme, Carlisle, and Edward inside. The latter disappeared behind his piano while we took a seat in the living room and they filled me in on everything I had missed regarding the wedding.

"So, we thought it would be best if it was just you, Alice, Emmett, and Rosalie at the city hall, since we chose to keep the ceremony there as short as possible. Carlisle will then officiate a ceremony in the garden of our house in Harrisburg for family and friends", Esme explained and gently placed a hand on my arm. "You know Jasper, if all of this is too much for you, you just have to tell us. I'm sure we could stop Alice." – "I doubt that", a familiar voice interrupted, and I turned to look at Peter who was just entering the living room. "No offense Jasper, but I think even a whole army would have a hard time stopping her from something she wants. That woman is a force to be reckoned with." I smiled. He wasn't wrong. Even now, I could hear her pushing Charlotte to let her do her nails upstairs in our room.

"Peter, I'm glad to see that the clothes fit. Alice had to go on eye measurement", Esme said with a welcoming smile as my friend took a seat right next to me on the couch. "Yes, thank you for everything. We really appreciate it. We wouldn't want to stain your beautiful white couch", he answered with a thankful smile. "You like the couch? Oh, we have a few much more exquisite pieces of furniture upstairs, if you want to, I'll show you and Charlotte around the house later", Esme immediately replied, and Carlisle gently placed an arm around her shoulders. "That's a lovely idea darling. Why don't we use the time until Charlotte joins us and you tell us about you two. We would love to get to know Jasper's friends a bit better."

Peter hesitated for a moment, looking towards me for permission. Probably a from our old days. "It's fine, go ahead", I confirmed and listened, as he started to tell them about the years I spent with them – he was leaving out the ugly details of my depression and I was thankful for that – and his most recent travels with Charlotte. At some point, Alice and Charlotte joined us. They both had freshly painted nails and Charlotte was wearing a pretty red summer dress that Alice had undoubtedly picked out for her. Rosalie and Emmett returned at some point as well and soon after the house tour, Esme and Charlotte joined Rosalie and Alice for the wedding preparations. Carlisle had left for work and Peter and I decided to take a seat on the porch.

"Don't get me wrong, they are very welcoming and kind. But I don't think I will ever want to join a coven again. And honestly, I never saw you doing that either", he finally said as we watched the sun go down behind the trees and I sighed. "Actually, they refer to themselves as a family. But I'm still getting my mind wrapped around that one as well." Peter raised an eyebrow but didn't comment on this peculiarity. "Actually, I didn't see myself in a coven ever again as well", I admitted and ran a hand through my hair. "But then, we both swore to never go back South as well, and you went to Austin with Charlotte for her birthday when she asked." Peter chuckled. "Look at what these women have done to us."

"Well, they saved our lives. We have to give them credit for that", I added as my eyes brushed one of the scars on Peter's neck. We shared the crescent shaped marks, even though Peter and Charlotte didn't have nearly as many as I did. After all, Peter had only been with Maria for three years, and Charlotte was just a few months over her first year when they ran away. "Oh yes, they did a great job with that", he agreed and looked over to the dining room where the girls were sitting and discussing flower arrangements. "What do you say we get out here and see whether Alice has made you soft all the way yet", Peter proposed when his gaze returned to me and stood up, stretching his arms.

"I'm sure I can still take you", I assured him and got up as well. "Char, we are going out to spar. Do you want to join?", Peter asked without raising his voice, knowing that she could hear him despite the closed glass door that was between us. The blonde shook her head and gestured for us to go ahead. "Don't go overboard. I need my future husband intact for the wedding, Peter", Alice reminded us as we descended the steps to the garden. "Don't worry Alice, in three weeks our body heals pretty much all injuries", Peter joked, and I smacked him on the back of his head as I sped past him and into the forest.

I hadn't come to far, when I heard a snarl from behind and Peter jumped me. He got a hold of my shoulder and we both tumbled on the ground, rolling and stumbling in the clearing ahead of us. Peter slid out of his new button-down because he didn't want to ruin the shirt Alice bought him and I ensured that there were no humans in the area, before we both got into fighting stance. "Don't hold back. And remember to keep an eye out for any weak spots", I reminded, and he laughed before running towards me: "As if I've ever held back before."

It turned out he had been smart to take off his shirt, since mine ripped when we first clashed, when Peter's fingers searched for my neck but found the collar instead. However, I didn't let this stop me. After having to control myself more than ever before during the last months to ensure that I didn't threaten Alice's future with the Cullens, it felt incredibly freeing to just let my instincts take over and not hold back. I knew Peter could handle it if it got ugly. And it did get pretty ugly.

On the second attack, I got a hold of Peter's arm and twisted it behind his back, forcing the Texan onto his knees. He fought me and tried to get back up, but I didn't let go. Not until a small crack appeared along his elbow, accompanied by one of the most painful noises I knew. Peter stumbled to his feet again, just as Emmett and Edward appeared. "We can hear you all the way back to the house. Mind if we watch?", Emmett asked and jumped up the next tree, looking like a little kid about to watch his first rodeo. Edward climbed up another tree and took a seat on one of the sturdiest branches as well. "Fine with me", Peter announced and didn't give me the time to answer as well, before charging me again.

Thunder echoed through the forest as our marble bodies clashed in the air. His head shot forward, teeth lined with venom ready to bite down on my neck. But all he hit was air, as I pushed him from me with all my force. He flew across the clearing and crashed into a tree. The wood cracked and ached under his weight but eventually held up. Using the tree to push himself off, the blonde launched himself into the air once more and grabbed my upper arm as he landed. Rolling forward, I lunged myself at the ground, ripping off his hand that had held me in an iron grip. His scream echoed through the forest and I stopped in my tracks, gently removing his fingers from my flesh.

"You still don't know when to quit, do you", I commented as I threw the hand back over to him. Peter casually reattached it and while we waited for his fracture to heal, I noticed that Emmett and Edward were both watching us in astonishment and shock. It was understandable, after all they probably hadn't seen to many limbs come off in their time. For Peter and me, this was nothing out of the ordinary in training as well as in battle. "There was a time you used to call that my best quality", my friend commented and got back into fighting stance.

Peter didn't give up. He never did. That was one of the reasons why I started to like him so much back in the army. The other reason was his creative fighting style. He took whatever chance the environment or his opponent gave him and used is. This allowed him to get some good punches in, even though he was smaller, slower, younger, and less experienced than I.

I had the upper hand most of the time, but Peter's determination eventually paid off, as he managed get behind me. Using his full force, he kicked his foot into my spine, and my back cracked under the sheer force of his attack as I fell onto my knees. Within a split second, he was on top of me, his arms restraining mine and his foot on my neck, ready to rip my head off. "Awesome!", I heard Emmett exclaim from the tree and could feel how agitated he was. He couldn't wait to get his chance to spar as well. "Well done", I congratulated Peter as well, once he let my arms go. I staid down for a minute, waiting for my back to feel normal again before getting up.

We ran two more rounds, both of which I won, before we finally stopped, both pretty exhausted but in a very good mood. "I didn't think I would ever say that, but I missed this", I admitted as I shook my old friend's hand and handed him his shirt. "I get you", he replied just as Edward and Emmett jumped down from their trees and Emmett approached us. "Damn, that was amazing!", Emmett remarked, and I eluded the hand he wanted to plant on my shoulder. "Thanks", Peter replied and put his shirt on again. "Can I have a go as well?", the huge vampire continued but I shook my head: "Not now Emmett. You'll get your chance soon."

xxxx

Peter and I continued our training sessions over the next days and tried some different scenarios, different strategies, and approaches – until we were satisfied that we had enough we could share with Carlisle, Emmett, and Edward. "Are you sure you want to do this?", Peter asked as we made our way back to the house to get the boys and start the training. "I don't really have a choice. I can't risk injuring them if… when something like that happens again. It would break Alice's heart and jeopardize her vision of our future. I'm not willing to risk that", I explained as we crossed over the lawn and entered the house.

"Emmett, Edward, Carlisle?", I called out and it didn't take too long for all of them to appear. "What's going on?", Emmett asked as he descended the stairs, followed by Edward. Carlisle emerged from the kitchen as well. "Do you remember that hunt in Alaska where I lost control?", I asked and all of them nodded. "It was a pretty close call and Carlisle asked me to train you, in case something like that happens again. So that's what's going on", I explained and Emmett immediately started rubbing his hands together. "Are you saying we get to fight?"

We walked out to the clearing where Peter and I stopped. "Peter is probably the person that knows my fighting style the best. That's why he'll give you instructions", I explained and let my old friend have the word. "I don't really know your fighting styles but from what Jasper told me, none of you have real fighting experience. You'll be at a clear disadvantage, so don't even try to take him on alone", he started, and I clenched my jaw. He was direct, and I hoped that none of them would be offended. But so far, I couldn't sense anything of the like. They were all pretty eager to learn.

"Your major advantage will be the fact that he won't be able to focus on the fight if he's hunting", Peter continued and moved to stand next to me. "Your main goal is to restrain him, so that he can't hurt you or anyone else. Attack from behind or from the side and try to get a hold of the shoulders and arms. But make sure you don't get to close. Venom stings and if he's hunting, he will use every opportunity you give him." It was strange hearing the guy, that was like a brother to me, talk about taking me down like that. Hearing him and seeing the others listen attentively, I suddenly felt unwary about this. But it was too late to back out now. For Alice, I reminded myself as I stepped forward for the first demonstration.

"Let's try different pairings. Emmett and Carlisle first", Peter instructed, and they got into position. Faking my hunting behaviour wasn't easy and it took me a few sessions with Peter to get it down. However, now I was as ready as I would ever be to do this. Focussing on a spot on the other side of the field, I charged forward and tried everything to get to that spot, while the two tried to stop me. Carlisle didn't do too bad, but Emmett relied way too much on his strength, basically just wrapping his arms around my upper body. His grip was sloppy, and it wasn't hard to slip out of it. "Emmett, you need to be careful with your grip", Peter immediately corrected and showed him a better way to do it. We tried a second time, and this time around it was already much harder for me to get to the tree I had been charging towards.

After three more tries, Peter was satisfied and ordered Emmett and Edward to swap. This pairing was more interesting because of Edward's talent but Peter reminded the bronze-haired vampire not to rely too much on it. After all, there was no guarantee that my mind wouldn't be completely focused on the blood and hold no helping information at all. But even without his talent, Edward was a formidable fighter due to his speed. He would have been a very valuable asset in the war.

We tried all three possible pairs multiple times until our instructor was satisfied. At least for today. During the next week, we trained three more times until I was confident, that they all knew what to do in case I lost control again. When we weren't training, I spent most of my time with Peter, since most of the others were completely involved in wedding planning. I didn't mind this at all, having Peter around was great. It was a bit like old times – minus all the killing, blood and fighting.

We were finishing up the third and last training session, since Carlisle and Esme would leave for Harrisburg the next day, when Charlotte showed up. I was trying to wrestle free from Edward's and Emmett's hold of my arms, but they managed to pin me to the ground. "Good work, but Emmett be careful with your shoulder if you don't plan to get bitten", Peter commented and started to smile as he saw his mate approach. "What do you think, darlin'?", he asked her and pulled her close as Emmett and Edward helped me up. "I think that my life would have been much easier if I could do that, back then", Charlotte joked as I patted the dirt of my clothes.

"I was just coming to see whether you're finished. Peter and I really need to go hunting." I nodded: "Yes, we were just wrapping up. You guys go ahead." Emmett, Carlisle, and Edward stiffened at the thought of them hunting. "Where did you plan on going?", Carlisle finally asked, and I clenched my jaw. They promised not to hunt in the area, there was no reason to control them. "We were thinking about running west to Vancouver. We respect your rules Carlisle", Charlotte answered with a polite smile on her lips. "Let's run", Peter said, they vanished behind the trees a second later.

When we returned to the house, I sought out my angel. We hadn't spent much time together during the last two weeks because she had been busy planning our wedding and I had spent most of the time with my old friends. But now that they were hunting and Esme had to pack for their trip to Harrisburg, I hoped that we would have some time to ourselves.

I found her in our bedroom, writing something into the little notebook she had been carrying around ever since the whole planning started. I gently knocked against the doorframe before entering, and she raised her eyes, quickly closing the book. "You are such a gentleman, knocking before entering your own room", she commented smiling and stored the book in her bedside table. "Darlin', are ya hidin' somethin' from me?", I asked. Having spent so much time with Peter, my twang had grown stronger and I didn't bother hiding it with Alice. After all, I knew she loved it. "Oh, you'll get to hear them soon enough", she replied with a huge smile and I closed the door behind me. "Hear what?" – "My vows", she replied, and l crossed the room to take a seat next to her. Pulling her onto my lap, I inquired whether she had seen mine already. "No, they keep changing", she replied, and I smiled in triumph. "Good."

Alice smiled as well and ran a hand through my hair. "You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?" She was right. I had made about 14 different drafts for my vows so far and kept changing them on purpose. This was probably the only thing in the entire affair, I could keep from her. And I would everything to ensure that it staid this way. "I love you, Jasper", Alice interrupted my thoughts and placed her lips on mine, making me forget everything except for her.

I kissed her back and gently let my hands wander up her back. "I'm sorry I didn't have much time for you lately, I just want everything to be perfect", she apologized when I proceeded to kiss her neck. "Alice, we have both been busy the last days. And that's okay. Honestly, what's a few days if we are going to have eternity together?", I replied between kisses and she sighed happily, closing her eyes. We weren't alone in the house and thus I didn't feel comfortable taking this too far. But nothing spoke against me extensively caressing my soon-to-be wife.

My lips wandered along her neck and shoulder, while her fingers started to unbutton my shirt. Her fingers slid beneath the fabric and I closed my eyes, as she let them wander over my chest to my shoulders and then down my back, at the same time removing the shirt completely. The fabric fell to the ground next to the bed and was joined by Alice's dress shortly after. Pulling her closer, we both sighed at the feeling of our skin touching. My hands wandered along her back, caressing every inch of her perfect body as our lips met again and I tore down the wall that kept my emotions from flowing into her.

"That gift of yours truly is a blessing", Alice whispered into my ear and I smiled, placing a kiss on her neck. "Yours isn't half bad as well. After all, it brought me to you." She chuckled and placed a finger on my chest. "You certainly kept me waiting long enough." I laughed and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. "I'm sorry ma'am." Pure joy streamed through Alice's veins as she recalled the night we first met. "You're forgiven. All that matters is that you're with me now", she eventually said, pulling my head closer and connecting our lips once more, before she laid her head down on my shoulder and started tracing the hundreds of half-moons engraved in my marble skin, starting with the ones right below my jaw.

"I talked to Esme about our honeymoon today", she said, placing a kiss on the rugged scar that marked a small chunk of flesh that had never been recovered. I raised an eyebrow. This was not a topic I would have thought Esme would involve herself in. "Carlisle bought her this beautiful little island just off the coast of Rio de Janeiro a few years ago and Esme offered to lend it to us for the honeymoon, if we want it", she explained and I placed a kiss on her jugular, tasting her emotions. She was overall very happy and of course full off love. But her usual excitement was dulled. And I had a good guess why. "You don't really want to leave, do you?", I voiced my thoughts and placed a finger beneath her chin, so that she had to look me in the eyes.

"Honestly: no. I've spent so long dreaming about being a part of this family. And now that we're finally here, it's hard to leave again", she admitted, taking my hand from her chin and interlacing our fingers. "Then why don't we just postpone our honeymoon? We can wait until it feels right for both of us", I proposed, and the smile returned to my beautiful mate's face. "Who knows, maybe I'll be able to take you to Paris by then", I added, watching how her eyes grew wide from excitement. "Oh Jazz, what a wonderful idea", she exclaimed, pressing her lips against mine once more. I smiled into the kiss. When we first met, Alice had told me about all the places she wanted us to visit together. And Paris – the metropole of fashion and love – was on the very top of that list.

Unfortunately, my mate grew stiff in my arms a few minutes later, as a vision announced Esme. She and Alice had some things to discuss before they left for Harrisburg and so, we had no other option than to untangle ourselves and get dressed again. I gave the girls some privacy and went working on version 15 of my vows.

During the next days, I completed 8 more drafts, each one different from the other, all to trick Alice's visions. I kept them in my purse, so that I could create a final version on the day itself. By then Alice would be too preoccupied, to look out for what I was going to say to her during the ceremony. Or so I hoped at least. I was pretty busy as well, since Peter showed up at the door of our bedroom, asking me to teach him how to drive a car a few days later. The request came out of nowhere, but I was happy to help my friend. So, we got into the Jaguar and I started to explain him everything.

Peter was a quick learner and we were already taking a small tour the next day. He seemed to genuinely enjoy the alternative mode of travel and I could understand him. Although I never had been as fond of cars as Alice or – as I had learnt – Rosalie, I liked the Jag. "So, are you ready for the wedding", Peter asked as we drove back towards the house and I couldn't help but stiffen. My friend immediately noticed the change in my posture. "Jasper, everything okay? You just tensed up immensely. You aren't having second thoughts, do you?" I shook my head and gestured him to shift gears, before answering: "It's not the wedding. But Emmett keeps talking about this bachelor party he has planned, and I don't really know whether that is a good idea."

Peter stopped at a red light and turned towards me: "He told you what we're going to do? I thought it was this huge secret." I shook my head again. "Maybe that's the problem. Emmett being Emmett he is probably planning something crazy", I explained, and Peter laughed. "Don't tell me the fearsome Major I know is scared of a party." I boxed him into the arm as he started to drive down the highway again. "Well, what would you like him to have planned", Peter finally asked, and I paused. I didn't really have a reply ready. I never asked for a stag night. I wasn't sure if I even wanted one.

"That's what I thought", Peter replied as he turned into the driveway of the Cullen house. "Look Jasper, it's perfectly normal if you don't know what you would like. When Charlotte and I left the army, it took us five years to figure out what we wanted to with the rest of our life. Back down there, all we did was fight, hunt, and kill. I hardly remembered if I had any hobbies before being turned, when we left. I can only imagine how it must be for you." I turned to look at him. Was he right? Did I truly not know what I wanted to do with my life?

"Look at it this way: Whatever he has planned, it's a change to figure out whether you like it. And if you don't, you're still a step further in discovering what you are going to do with that immortal life of yours", Peter suggested, turning off the engine and getting out of the car. I paused for a moment, running his thoughts through my head, before following him into the house.

I was still thinking about what he had said earlier, when we started playing chess in the living room. There was some truth to his remark. I knew that I wanted to be with Alice. This was the first and foremost purpose of my life. I was also determined to never return to my previous life. And I wanted to keep as far from the depression that had haunted me for over a decade as possible. But other than that? I didn't really have any goals in life when I left Maria with Peter and Charlotte. The lives I had taken, weighed to heavy on my shoulders. And this state continued for the next years. Until I found Alice.

From the moment I met her, my life was changed completely. It only took a few weeks until I fell head over heels for her and when she became my mate, all her goals became mine. All I ever wanted since, was to see her happy. And one of the most important ingredients for her happiness had been finding the Cullens. But we did all this. Alice was happier than ever, and I was going to get to marry her. And after that? I didn't know.

Maybe Peter was right. Just as Alice finally started to really live - planning our wedding, going to college, learning to sew from Esme – I would have to figure out what I wanted. What it meant to be Jasper Whitlock, vegetarian vampire and husband to Alice.

"Checkmate. Are you letting me win? You're not this easy to beat usually", Peter ripped me from my thoughts, and I ran a hand through my head. "Sorry, I was distracted." He nodded knowingly and was about to say something, when Rosalie interrupted him from outside: "Jasper, Peter, Emmett, Edward! Get down here, I've got your suits." Since Peter and I already were on the ground level, we were the first ones by her side, and she placed numerous garment bags and boxes into our arms.

I got handed an especially huge, white box and looked at it in confusion. Sliding a finger under the lid to lift it, I wondered: "What comes in such a huge box?" Rosalie's manicured hand quickly flew down on the lid, preventing me from opening it. "Don't you dare, Jasper! This is Alice's dress." She took the box away from me again and shoved it into the arms of her arriving husband. Alice appeared in the front door and clasped her hands together: "Which one, Rose?" I turned and looked at her with wide eyes: "There are more than one?!"

A/N: I hoped you liked this chapter! Sorry for the long wait... This one turned out extra long :-) The next one is going to be the bachelor party and, of course, the big day. Who's excited?