Chapter twentyfour
December 28th
The next morning Jasper seemed to have calmed down considerably whilst i had been asleep. And to be honest so had i. I...I French kissed Jasper...that was honestly...very stupid. I held one hand against my forehead as i sat up and yawned. Jasper was sitting on the edge of the bed with his head in his hands.
"Jasper what are you doing?" i said crawling behind him and wrapping my arms around his waist, resting my head on his back.
"Lizzie last night at the carnival...that was very dangerous. Thinking back now if we had gotten too...into it...you could have cut yourself on my teeth and then you would most likely be dead. Cutting yourself is one thing but cutting yourself in my mouth...thats something completely different. And if i had managed to control myself you'd have been turned," He said not looking at me, "I'm so sorry i put you in danger," I smiled softly.
"Jasper it's ok...i know it wasn't the best idea we've ever had but i'm still in one piece and human so don't go beating yourself up over it. And to be honest...it was the most human thing we've done as a couple...for once you actually acted your age like the hormone crazed man you should be..." I said as i released his waist slightly, he sighed and turned to face me.
"I just don't want to lose you Lizzie..." He said touching my cheek, "I don't know what i'd do without you...i'd go insane if i hurt you,"
"Jasper...you're a vampire dating a human...it brings a whole new meaning to playing with your food. I think you're past the point of insane," I said with a cheeky grin.
"Yes...insanely in love with you," He said softly pulling me gently into his arms. Whenever Jasper said he loved me i couldn't help but melt. He never said it too often, for him it truly meant something special and i knew it wasn't a thing to be said lightly.
"Oh Jasper...i love you too..." I said burying my head in the crook of his neck, "And never forget it"
"As long as you never forget that i love you," He whispered with a smile.
Jasper went hunting whilst i got myself sorted. I was up and dressed and sitting in the living room after sticking a load of washing into the washing machine when my phone started to buzz.
THIS COULD BE A SWEET DREAM OR A BEAUTIFUL NIGHTMARE. I picked it up and pressed accept call.
"Hey Bells," I said happily muting the tv.
"Hey Lizzie...you're in a good mood this morning...something special happen?"
"Jasper took me to a carnival last night,"
"So you're hyped up on sugar?" I laughed and smiled.
"Nope...eh...i dragged Jasper into the tunnel of love...you should have seen his face," I heard her laugh.
"I can imagine it...was he an awkward bastard and just sit there?"
"No...complete opposite actually,"
"WHAT? Is this the same Jasper we're talking about?"
"Yeah well...we kinda made out..."
"For a moment i thought you where going to say you did something stupid and dangerous...well not that kissing a vampire isn't dangerous..." I laughed nervously.
"We kinda French kissed,"
"WHAT!" I heard Edward roar in the background.
"Edward shut up..." She said and i heard her shutting him outside the room, "Oh my god! Details!" Bella got more and more girly every time...i swear Rosalie was infecting her.
"Well his hands where obviously very cold...he touched my stomach and i gasped and well...he went for it i guess,"
"So he made the first move! Well not as much of a gentleman as i thought!"
"Oh don't worry Bella he regrets it...well i guess not so much regrets kissing me...he didn't like that i was in danger...he came out with a whole speech this morning about how he was foolish for putting me in danger,"
"Now that is the Jasper we know and love. But what on earth was he doing when Rose rang last night?" I chuckled.
"Running his icy fingers up my legs...he's so mean! Emotions where still running high...well mine were...so he was kind of unable to think straight until i went to sleep and calmed down,"
"Fair enough...where is he now?"
"Hunting..."
"Ah well Renesmee misses you...she keeps asking when you're coming home so you can play with her..." I laughed.
"Aww! Well tell her i miss her too. Damn Bella you're kid is cute!"
"Let me guess you want one?" I laughed nervously.
"Yes but not just yet...i think Jasper might just crawl into a hole somewhere and cry if i suddenly said i wanted one now," Bella burst into hysterics.
"What am i crawling into a hole and crying about?" I heard Jasper's voice call from the front door.
"Ah Bells speak of the devil and he shall appear...i've got to go he's home,"
"Well i'll speak to you later. Rose will call later as well! Bye,"
"Bye,"
I put my phone on the table.
"Well?" He said sitting next to me.
"If i said i wanted kids now," His face contorted slightly.
"You don't do you?" He said nervously. I couldn't help but laugh.
"No not yet..."
"Ah well good," He said relaxing.
"Maybe next month," I said and watched as he became rigid, "Joke...joke," He relaxed again.
"Not funny..." He said and pouted. Honestly he looked so adorable when he pouted, i pinched his cheeks softly.
"Awww! SO CUTE!" I squealed and kissed his forehead, "Our baby is going to be adorable!" He chuckled and pulled me onto his lap.
"Broody are we?" He said with a smirk.
"I can't see the problem as long as i don't try anything," I said with a childish pout, "And anyway there is no way i'm ready to be a mother yet...in a couple of years i will be,"
"Good because i'm going to need a couple of years to grasp the fact that after one hundred and fifty years of being a vampire...i'm going to be a father," He said with a hint of pride in his voice. I could see his eyes sparkling as he said it, i wouldn't have taken Jasper to be the sort of person who really hated not being able to have kids, but then again i guess they all did. They just didn't say it as much as Rosalie did.
Today was cloudy so I had Jasper take me shopping. He parked the car outside a huge shop which he said sold some amazing boots. A whole store just for boots, i was pretty excited. Jasper pulled open my door and held out a hand to help me out. He was such a gentleman.
"You're really going to enjoy this aren't you?" He said looking down at me amused. I grinned as the doors of the shop opened automatically.
"Of course...shoes are good," I said with a grin. Jasper pulled me over to the ladies section. I then realized that ALL the boots where cowboy boots. It was FREAKING AWESOME! I tried on loads of pairs and settled on three pairs i really liked that where sensible enough for me to be able to wear back home. Jasper bought a couple of pairs for himself and i couldn't resist trying on some cowboy hats as well.
"Here try this one," Jasper said handing me a light brown one with a small brown bow on it. I placed it on my head and he nodded approvingly. He pulled another one which was plain brown with some intricate stitching around the edge off the shelf and put it on his head.
"I had one like this when i was a kid," He said grinning at me; i had to admit it suited him.
"You should get it," I said smiling, taking my hat off. He nodded and paid for all our stuff. We had spent two hours trying on shoes and i really had to laugh.
Jasper took me to a few other shops around Houston so i could buy some gifts for friends at school and my dad. I even got something for Monty. Jasper frowned at the fake mouse in my hand.
"Your cat really doesn't like me," He said sounding kind of disappointed.
"He's not stupid Jasper, he can sense you're a threat... don't worry he'll come round eventually," I said with a smile as i handed the money over to the cashier.
We headed home after that. The next day we spent lazing about at home, slowly gathering together all of our stuff so we didn't have to do it over new years eve and new years day.
30th December
Today was luckily cloudy again so Jasper took me out again. I wore one of my pairs of boots and took my hat. Jasper pulled up at a ranch and we both stepped out of the car.
"Mr Jasper...it's nice to see you again," A man in his late fifties said with a smile walking over to shake his hand.
"Mark this is my lady friend Lizzie...Lizzie this is Mark, he's a good person who knows not to ask questions," Jasper said with a smile to me. I laughed slightly and nodded.
"So what can i do for you today Mr Jasper," Mark said.
"I wish to teach Lizzie to ride horse and i know you have some fine horses here," Jasper said with a smile. My face lit up and i hugged Jasper's arm.
"Really! You'll teach me to ride!" I said with a smile.
"Right this way," Mark said leading us round to the stables where he told two boys who looked a bit younger than me to saddle up two of the horses. Jasper went to inspect their work.
"So you're not Mrs Jasper then?" Mark said curiously leaning against the fence. I laughed slightly.
"I'm not a mistress or anything...Jasper and his wife split up a while ago..." I said with a lop sided smile. Mark simply nodded. Jasper came back leading two horses. A large black one and a slightly smaller brown one.
"Ah Flash and Cody..." Mark said as Jasper handed him the reigns of the large black one. He helped me up and made sure i was sitting correctly. He then handed Mark the reigns of my horse. He swung himself up onto the other horse and hand the horse walk into the paddock. Mark led my horse in.
"Ok you are ridding Cody," Jasper said turning his horse to face me. I nodded and Mark handed me the reigns and then climbed out of the paddock.
Jasper spent the rest of the morning teaching me the basics of riding and i was having so much fun. At lunch time jasper helped me to dismount and Mark invited me in for lunch. Jasper said he wanted to stay on a bit longer so he galloped off. Me and Mark where sat outside.
"So how long have you known Jasper," I said nibbling my sandwich.
"How much do you know about him?" Mark said slowly swirling his drink around in his glass. I thought about it for a minute.
"I would like to say everything but i know enough about him to be content," I said with a smile. Mark nodded in understanding.
"I've known Mr Jasper all my life like my father before him and his father before him... Mr Jasper was the commanding officer of my great grandfather during the civil war, they were best friends and grew up together," Mark said before sipping his drink, "The paddocks and the fields around here are where they used to play as children," I almost choked on my sandwich thinking of a mini jasper playing in these fields.
"I see what he meant about not asking questions," I said before smiling as i watched Jasper come trotting back before dismounting his horse, tying the reigns to the post and heading over to us. The clouds where starting to thin and soon the sun would come through again.
"Thank you Mark," Jasper said with a charming smile.
"Any time Mr Jasper," Mark said standing up. I popped the last of my sandwich into my mouth and finished my drink, before hopping to my feet.
"Lets head home, we need to get packed up," Jasper said snaking his arms around my waist and pressed his lips against the top of my head.
"Alright then," I said his coldness feeling good against my skin, "Thank you for letting me ride Cody!" I said to mark with a smile.
"You're welcome Miss Lizzie, you are welcome here anytime," Mark said with a warm smile.
We climbed in the car and Jasper started the engine. I rolled down my window and waved out of it as we drove off.
"Mark was really nice," I said with a smile to Jasper. Jasper nodded slowly.
"His family are very nice people..." Jasper said softly as he picked up speed very rapidly. I rolled my window back up and watched the country side blur into a mass of colour.
I officially hated packing. It was an evil thing which took HOURS. I folded up the last of my clothes, leaving three out fits out for the next three days along with my wash kit and make up and three clean night gowns. However those where going to need to either shrink or i needed another bag. I turned and saw that all my boots and shoes where still not packed. I groaned slightly and walked across the hall and tapped on Jasper's door.
"Come in Lizzie..." I heard him say so i pushed the door open and lent against the door frame.
"You don't need to knock darling," He said with a smile as i watched him fold his shirts with military neatness.
"Yeah well...it's polite to knock," I said with a shrug.
"Everything ok?" He said placing his shirt in the case before coming over to hug me.
"I need another suit case...mine are all full!" I said sheepishly. He laughed and held me close.
"We'll go get one later..." He said glancing out the window, "I'll make you dinner tonight," I smiled and went and sat on his bed and watched him pack the rest of his clothes, like me leaving enough out for the next three days.
"Looks like i need another suitcase too," He said frowning at his case and then at the shoes neatly stacked on the shoe rack.
Jasper made me Spaghetti Bolognese for dinner and i ate it contently. After dinner we went to the a store and picked up two new cases before heading home and snuggling on the couch to watch the Grinch with Jim Carey.