~ I ~ Feather in the Wind ~ I ~

~ Jasper ~

~ Historical (fan) fiction ~

~ Chapter 11 ~

Rated M

1845. After a forced agreement with Whites, 15 year old Piper is betrothed to Jason Grace, son of the one who has caused much harm to her people. Yet she doesn't know that and it doesn't help the vast rumors of forced marriages with the lightly-colored she had heard of. But yet she never thought that she would fall for him, despite the knowledge that he might leave.

~ No Words ~

~ Piper/Jason ~

Piper turned to her other side, trying to find the warmth she had been accustomed to in these past months. Yet, when she did so, she didn't find it. Her hands searched over the ragged sheets and nothing stopped her hands. Her eyes fluttered open.

She only saw the blanket disheveled before her. The pillow still had the denture of his head; however, his warmth was preserved in the sheets. He had barely left.

She sighed.

Then a knock came through the door. Esperanza peeked in.

Piper sat up and smiled to the old woman. "Good morning, Esperanza."

"My dear Piper. How are you today? Any sicknesses?" Esperanza asked, experienced.

"Strangely enough, not yet. No." Piper confessed. It was true. She knew that an expecting woman had morning sicknesses and pains but not her. Piper did not experience a thing besides sore ankles and cranky moods once in while.

Piper was four months into her pregnancy, yet all she had was a small barely noticeable bump. Just the right size to put her hand on to rest.

Piper swooshed her legs over the side of the bed and looked out on the window. Local people were already working on fields. Slaves were already working under the bright light of the early sun. She saw everyone she has grown used these passed four months. Everyone except her husband.

"Esperanza, where is Jason?" Piper questioned.

"Oh, you know him by now. He is off to work as usual. Early boy, him. He didn't even eat a proper breakfast." Esperanza shook her head.

Piper smiled small. She still was missing much the warmth he had provided her throughout the night. She missed the way he held her. She missed the way he kissed her cheek. Although she did not fancy the way his chaste kisses left a mild desire for him, in other ways that scared her.

"Oh," Piper said sadly.

"Don't worry child. He'll back as usual." Esperanza reassured Piper.

Piper nodded and told Esperanza if she could help her dress. Twenty minutes later, Piper was dresses in a flowy dress from her lower chest and on. For her pregnancy and all, Jason had ordered Esperanza to get her hands on a new wardrobe for Piper. So far, she was grateful. All those tight dresses made her irritable.

Jason has been very patient with her even if she has had only two attacks. She breaks down and cries. Jason makes sure she is fine and tells her that everything is going to be fine. He caresses her face and kisses her forehead.

It's incredible how she has grown to miss him during his work days.

"Piper. Today is the day Dylan, the last sibling of the family, will come. He is to present his wife Marie and their child to the family. It was quite a weird way he left. Anyway, I am just warning you of his attempts. He is very… what's the word?... easy going but not in a good way. Beware." Esperanza warned.

Just by those simple words she fears of her brother in law.

Later that night, Piper is restless, waiting for Jason to arrive. She does not want for Dylan to approach her with out her husband present.

Luckily, Jason arrives in record time.

"Hello, hello. I am back." Jason said as he put his hat and coat on the rack. His usual.

When he arrived, Reyna was reading a book to Piper, showing her how to imagine the scenery. But when Jason arrived, Reyna threw the book over her head and ran to her brother. Piper didn't stay behind.

They hugged Jason as a greeting with Piper's being a bit too long.

"Missed me much, now?" Jason chuckled as he unclasped his wife arms of his neck.

"You have no idea." Piper told him.

"I'm going to go now." Reyna said as she seemed to notice the simple beginnings of a romantic tension.

"Your brother will be arriving in a few hours." Piper informed him.

"And that is why I have arrived a bit earlier than usual." Jason said.

Piper nodded and followed Jason upstairs. Once they arrived Jason closed the door. He sat on the bed.

"I was hoping to prepare and bathe before we encounter my dear brother." Jason said, unbuckling his boots.

Piper, in between all the commotion of the cooking and caring for Reyna, she had forgotten to pamper herself as well.

"Oh, um, I guess I'll bathe as well. I head down to the bathroom in the hallway." Piper said, preparing a change of clothes. She opened drawers and messily searched for a dress.

Jason seemed to catch a bit of his wife's tension. He walked up to her and placed a hand on her barren shoulders; her dress straps had fallen.

Piper jumped.

"Pipes? Are you alright?" Jason said, trying again to put a hand on her shoulder. This time she didn't budge.

"Uh, yes, but I am afraid that I am bit anxious and I don't know why." Piper told him. It wasn't a full lie but she lied to him. She didn't know why. And that 'why' is to arrive in a few hours.

"Excuse me for asking, Pipes, but would care to bathe with me? I might help ease that anxiety. After all, the baby might be agitated." Jason smiled warmly at her. His eyes, inviting, just knew how to make her feel safe inside.

"Can we do that?" Piper asked him, not thinking about it twice.

Jason took her hands and pulled her towards their restroom. "I don't see it written as a sin."

Piper relaxed and smiled at him. They entered the bathroom and a few pitchers of water were set there by Esperanza. The water was cold but not freezing, yet. If they worked well, the water they had would suffice them well enough.

"Here, I'll bring the pitchers closer and you bring the soap from the cupboard. Then I'll help you undress." Jason told her. He turned around and began with the pitchers.

Piper couldn't help but blush crimson red when he mentioned he'd help her undress. It's been four months since they'd last had intimacy and the closest they've had to an encounter is when he lays a hand on their child at night.

She grabs the soap and washcloths. By the time she came back, Jason had taken off his shirt and brought the pitchers closer to the tub. The tub, luckily, could fit them if they stood on their knees or simply just stood.

She handed him the soap and stood quietly as she saw him prepare the soap and washcloths, wetting them and rubbing them against the bars of soap. She also couldn't help to keep her eyes off his bare chest. The way his arms moved as he prepared the cloths. Seeing closely at how they work, made Piper feel safe, looking at how they move to probably protect her.

When he was done, he smiled at her and said, "Do you want me to help you undress?"

Again, she blushed but she nodded. Piper had no idea why she wasn't talking. Jason seemed to notice as well but made no comment.

He walked to her and stood behind her. He began to work on the laces and buttons of the dress. Then on the loose fitting corset. His arms brushed slightly against her hips. And soon enough she was wrapped in a towel while Jason undressed. Piper felt just as she had on their wedding night, unsure on how to proceed and sneaking glances at his bare and firm chest. Whenever she did so, she looked away quickly.

However, Jason didn't notice but he had his suspicions that she was looking at him.

"Alright, I have no idea how we'll do this but I guess we can settle on our knees." Jason motioned to the tub. She nodded and knelt on the tub. Soon Jason climbed in after. Being behind her, Jason could easily unbraid her hair. She had united her small braids on the back of her head. He did as so and unbraided her hair. His fingers passed over her neck as he swept her hair to the side. She shivered at his touch.

"Alright, I'll try to warm up the cloth with my hands but it won't be much help." Jason told her, kissing her shoulder. She nodded.

He began to pass the cloth on her back, sweeping up to her arms. She loved this. He was being so careful with her that each sweep of the cloth was warm. His hands passed over her skin, lathing her in soap. He had managed to go down to her thighs and feet and helped her there. He then got closer to her and wrapped his arms around her to try to wash her in front. Piper could feel his little friend swaying behind her as he moved. She tried to not pay attention at that. He passed the wash cloth over tummy and she swore she could feel the tiniest of kicks from inside her. Esperanza told her that time still remained for any signal of life but Piper swore it happened.

He passed the cloth over her chest, his arms brushing against her breasts. Piper shuddered a bit on that part but let it pass. She laid her head on his shoulder and let him wash her neck and shoulders. When it came to her private parts, Jason asked her if she wanted proceed from there. She accepted. She noticed that despite being it a bit chilly, she warm down under. It was then and there she noticed how much of an effect he has on her.

Jason chose the warmest pitcher out of all and with that she rinsed her off. Of course it was a bit cold but Piper managed it. She felt however warm when he passed his hand to sweep the stubborn soap.

Throughout all of this he had managed to wash himself off too.

He didn't wash her hair for it isn't okay at the moment to have a cold head on a cold night, the baby and all. Besides, wet hair through out the evening didn't seem right. So both of them agreed that it's okay like that. Soon they stepped out and Jason helped her once more to dry off. He wrapped the towel around her and they walked out. While Piper was deciding what to wear for this type of evening, Jason dressed and scented himself up. Piper immediately took in that scent on pine and something indescribable but that determined it was him beside her when she woke up in the morning.

"You ready…" Jason faltered when he saw her in nothing but a towel. He chuckled slightly. "Are you alright?"

"I don't know what to wear." Piper confessed.

She looked up at Jason and saw that he had dressed up nicely. His hair was combed back. He wore dress pants and suit, although his coat was laid on the bed. He was wearing a white shirt with a neck tie hanging from his neck.

"Well, why don't you wear this one? You chose the fabric after all." Jason pointed to a dress fitted to her pregnancy that had a light olive green color that reminded her the fresh tall grass she used to play in as a child. Of course it was sophisticated and pampered so that it was suited for an event.

Piper nodded. "Alright."

Before she could move, Jason planted a kiss on the crook of her neck. She stood frozen on the spot. He began to go farther up north to her jawbone. The smallest of moans escaped her mouth. He turned her around and immediately crashed his lips on hers. There was a hidden desperation from both parties that was unknown. Piper felt herself grow heated down there. Jason had the beginning of a new friend. This was not something they could avoid now.

"Jason…?" Piper commenced but then he shut her lips with his.

He broke apart for a second and without second thought, said. "Please Pipes. Now."

Piper at any given time wouldn't have understood his plea but she did because at the moment, she as well was feeling the same desire.

They moved in unison to the bed, the chosen dress clinging to her hand by a thread, theoretically speaking. She set it off somewhere and let herself be laid down by her husband. He climbed on top of her and began to unbuckle his pants and slide off his shoes. His shirt; she was responsible for. Soon enough they were bare and kissing furiously, the heat never gave up on them.

"Piper… I… love you," he said, sliding his hand gently over her leg up and down. She clung on to him for dear life after that. She wanted to keep his lips on hers forever.

She didn't reply but she didn't have too. Her impassioned kisses said it all. Besides, he just proclaimed his love for her. She was bound to be quiet after such revelation.

...

"I love you." Piper told him, between breaths.

He kissed her, passionately.

...

Recovering from their moment, Jason broke the kiss and slid out of her. He caressed her cheek lovingly and covered her with her towel.

"We have to get ready, you know." Jason smirked.

"Well what if you help me and I'll help you?" Piper thought out loud.

"Alright, Love. We'll do that." Jason smiled and stood up.

He extended his hand for her. She took it and sat up. Standing up, she realized the effects this had had on her. She was sore from not doing this often and keeping her legs together was going to be hard. And walking calmly was going to be challenge all night.

Jason realized this and he quickly said, "I'm sorry, Pipes."

"Good things come with a price right?" Piper said, grabbing her dress and slipping in after she had put on her undergarments.

He blinked but chuckled. "Yes." Then he said, mischievously, "Maybe we can continue after dinner tonight... Just a thought."

She blushed as an answer and proceeded to help him.

Piper had dressed and now she buckling his belt. She had to keep concentrated but his barren chest made it really hard for her. Jason began to slip on his shirt but at midway, Piper stopped the flow of the shirt and passed her small hands over his chest. She put a hand over the left side and soon felt a thumping. His heart.

"I love you, Piper. I meant it when I said it earlier." Jason told her, lifting her chin so he could see her ever-changing eyes. She looked straight in his eyes and she thought definitively, that Jason loved her and that, breaking her promise to her father, she loved him too.

And she told him that.

"I love you too." Piper told him and kissed him softly. She placed a hand on his neck and her other hand didn't find a spot to land on. Jason took her hand and intertwined his fingers with hers. He placed his other hand on her chin, lifting her up.

They broke apart for air.

"Shall we get going; Dylan would get here any moment now." Jason told her, adjusting his shirt and coat.

That anxiety she had felt before, vanished with Jason. She was safe after all.

She nodded.

Hey guys, I am back. Hope you liked this chapter. Pretty Jasper filled. Figured they needed some heat. And they love each other so yeah...Dylan comes home next chapter.

And do you have your dresses ready? No? Well hurry. The ball is around the corner.

Spring break is here. Finally! I needed a break from those assholes from school. .~. .-.

~BeautiWind –heart-