-1A/N-- ALICE in this one.
Disclaimer: I own nothing Twilight.
…Bella raised an eyebrow. "You know what you're doing?"
I grinned. "Finding myself."
Chapter Three
How Could I Forget?
I sat outside of Jasper's apartment, watching with anticipation. The truck from the flower shop pulled up, a handsome blonde man getting out of it. He knocked on the door, once…twice…three times. No answer. I knew Jasper was home. His black Mercedes was parked in the driveway. I got up and walked across the street, tapping the man on the shoulder.
"Excuse me, sir…maybe I can help?"
The man turned. His name was James, I had read his nametag. He smiled at me. "Do you know the man who lives here?"
I nodded. "Yup. Jasper Whitlock. I had the flowers delivered. We're kind of having some difficulties right now.
James smiled at me, his eyes appraising me. He obviously liked what he saw. "Well…that's a pity. Fine. You can deliver them. Good luck, girly." He handed me the giant vase filled with miniature roses. 365 of them…to be exact. I was so small they covered my entire upper half. He grinned and knocked on the door once more, before sprinting off to his truck and peeling out.
I heard Jasper grumbling on the other side of the door as it swung open. "What the hell?"
He couldn't see who I was behind all the roses. "Delivery for a mister Jasper Whitlock. You ARE Jasper, correct?"
He sounded confused. "I am…"
I bit my lip. "Well…they're kind of heavy. Where do you want them?"
He paused. "Come in…you can put them on the table." I walked past him…thankful I had a hat on. He was bare-chested, only in jeans. His intoxicating scent almost made me drop the flowers. I heard the door click behind me as he shut it. Setting down the roses on the kitchen table I took a deep breath and turned to face him.
His blue eyes widened in shock, and his lips parted. "Shit."
I leaned against the wall. "Hello, Jasper."
He blinked. "What are you doing here?"
Sighing I looked away from him, his apartment was a mess. "I wanted to talk to you, but I figured you wouldn't agree to meet me. So I had the flowers delivered, and I waited outside."
Jasper blew out a breath and sat down at the table, his jaw tight. "Well…you're here. Talk."
Ouch. He wasn't going to be easy. I sat down across from him. "I fucked up. Didn't I?" He nodded slightly, not saying a word. "Well…I was wrong, Jazz. I was stupid, and jealous…"
Again, he nodded. I frowned. "I thought I was protecting myself. But all I was really doing was hurting you. I miss you, Jasper." A tear welled up in the corner of my eye. "I haven't been the same since I said goodbye to you. And I count that as one of my stupider moments."
He didn't move.
I reached into my purse and pulled out the box. "You had this right. I love red. And diamonds are a girls best friend." I took a deep breath and stood up, pushing the box towards him. His eyes widened. "But if you can't forgive me now…and try to start again…well…then this would be better on someone else. I don't want to hurt you anymore Jazz."
I hurried to the door, slinging my purse over my shoulder. Just as I opened the door, he ran behind me, slamming it shut before I could get out. His strong arm held the door that I faced shut. I didn't want to turn and face him…so I waited…my back to him.
His deep voice made me shiver…he was close enough where I could feel him speak. "Alice…you tore me apart." He took a shaky breath. "I didn't know what to do when you turned me away. I had always figured you were the one. You did something I hadn't expected."
My tears started to fall, but I didn't move. He continued. "This summer has sucked without you. The sun isn't as warm, the beach is lonely…I can't even look at the moon anymore. That was our thing. Not mine. But ours." His hand released the door, gently spinning me to face him.
Jasper's face was tired, sad…completely distraught. "I never wanted to lose you, Alice. You know that? And the other day, when I saw you…I had this whole plan to win you back. And somehow…you turn the tables. I would NEVER cheat on you, Alice. Never."
He brushed a tear from my cheek. "You were my one and only."
I sighed, preparing myself for the big hurt. But it didn't come. Instead, his lips captured mine, a sweet and innocent kiss. But I could feel the raw emotions behind it. Passion, love, anger, sadness…all of him, connected to me. I felt, in that moment, what he felt.
Jasper released the kiss, blinking back his own tears. "So…I'm giving you the choice, Alice." He handed me the ring box back. "Wear it…be mine, accept my forgiveness. Or end this. Once. And. For. All."
The moment of truth had come. I felt my chest tighten at his words, felt my breathing stagger. His blue eyes held mine. Of course I wanted to wear it. Of course I wanted to be his. He was ready to forgive, I was ready to start all over. I had never known anyone but Jasper. He had been my first everything. My first kiss, my first lover, my first dance. He had taught me his way of life, just as I had taught him mine. We had gossiped like old friends, argued like an old married couple. We had been passionate. Together we were complete. Separate we were shells.
I made my decision. Standing on tiptoes, so I could reach his lips, I kissed him. "If you'll have me…I'll be yours. Forever."
Jasper smiled against my lips, wrapping his strong arms around me, holding me close as he finally cried. But his tears weren't in grief. They were in relief. We held each other, for a long time…just standing in the foyer.
Finally…when our tears had dried, he slipped the massive ring onto my tiny finger. Grinning, he kissed me again. "You'll always be mine. Through thick and thin."
I grinned back, basking in his love. "How could I forget?"
TBC
