Lizzie's birthday
I awoke that morning to excited squeals and they weren't my own. I clamped my eyes shut and mentally rolled my eyes.
"Alice let her sleep," I heard an annoyed Jasper hiss warningly from somewhere to my left.
"But she needs to open her presents!" Alice retorted childishly, I could just picture her folding her arms in defiance. I cracked open one eye and glanced at the clock. It was six am. Fantastic.
"Alice...why are you waking me at six in the freaking morning," I muttered groggily rubbing my right eye with the palm of my hand. Jasper growled slightly at Alice.
"It's your birthday silly!" She gesticulated wildly, a grin spread across her perfect pink lips. Right now Alice was not my favourite person.
"Most people enjoy sleeping in on their birthdays to a sensible hour...say nine am," I said flatly wincing as i sat up, my muscles stiff from lack of sleep. Jaspers lips turned down at my pain, worry spreading across his beautiful features.
"Oh but i've been waiting since midnight! You're going to LOVE what i've got you," She said with certainty. An audience had gathered in the door way to watch me slay Alice.
"Oddly enough Alice my likes and dislikes are not going to change so drastically between now and three hours time...I don't need to be a walking crystal ball to know that," I said with raised eyebrows, "Unfortunately i am now wide awake...however as punishment for waking me i shall not be opening anything until 9am. If you would be so kind as to vacate the room so i can get up it would be much appreciated on my part," And with that she scurried off to sulk, the others following closely behind her closing the door as they went.
"Happy birthday darling," I turned to see Jasper perched on the edge of the bed his lips curved in to a dazzling smile. I smiled and leant over and kissed his cheek.
"Thank you," I whispered before swinging out of bed, wincing a few times and making my way into the bathroom. I groaned sleepily sliding out of my clothes, dropping them lazily to the floor and flicked on the shower, waiting for it to warm before stepping in.
I wrapped a fluffy bath sheet around myself and made my way into the bedroom about half an hour later. Jasper looked up at me from his book and gestured to the navy blue paisley skirt with white vest top and black cardigan. I smiled softly and slowly dried myself before hanging the towel over the foot board of the bed. I cautiously got dressed, taking my time not to hurt myself. Glancing over to the clock i saw it was now almost eight o'clock.
"Esme's done you breakfast," Jasper whispered softly to me, snaking his arms around my waist and pressing his marble lips against my neck. I felt my body shiver slightly at the temperature.
"Mmmm, sounds good," I said turning my head slightly and capturing his lips.
I walked into the kitchen to see a mountain of muffins, covering the entire counter, hundreds and hundreds of muffins in various flavours,.
"Muffins..." I muttered with a crooked grin. A still sorry looking Renesmee glanced up from her seat. I heard a low rumble. Me, Nessie and Esme looked at each other a laughed.
"Oh Jake are you hungry?" I said turning to see the man mountain pouting whilst holding his stomach.
"We were made to wait for you so we could eat...i'm starving," He muttered going to grab a muffin. SMACK. Esme's spatula made contact with Jacobs knuckles, his hand quickly recoiling.
"Lizzie first! It's her birthday," Esme scolded. I grinned and picked up a muffin, taking my seat at the table. I took a bite and moaned in satisfaction as the taste washed my palate with chocolate-y goodness.
"I love muffins," I mumbled with a lazy smile as i devoured the chocolate delight. Two cold hands rested on my shoulders.
"Enjoying yourself?" Jasper said with a smile. My lips curled in satisfaction as i picked up another muffin.
"Very much," I replied before turning to see Jacob with a pile of muffin cases stacked in front of him, the pile growing rapidly. I never could get over the amount that boy ate, and i still couldn't comprehend where the hell it all went.
The clock struck nine. I was sat on the floor in the living room, my back resting against Jaspers legs.
"Ok Alice...you can begin now..." I said with a smile. Before i could even blink she was beside me and a present was on my lap.
"Open it! Open it! Open it!" She said bouncing up and down. If i didn't know it was my birthday i would have said it was hers. I rolled my eyes and chuckled before removing the paper from the square present before opening the box inside with caution, i could swear he contents of the box was moving. You never could tell what Alice would get you, but you where always guaranteed something good. I looked into the box apprehensively before my eyes widened in surprise as something small and fury attached itself to my face.
"MMMM...DMMMMM," I wrestled the small fluffy thing from my face and held it at arm's reach, "A dog...you got me a dog?" I looked at her with a crooked smile.
"Have you ever heard the pets don't make gifts?" I said looking at the wriggling golden mass of fluff with a little pin tongue which was hanging from its mouth, big black eyes looking at me in as my surprise as mine.
"You love it good! He is house trained...i think...," Alice said clapping softly. Esme appeared next to me with a blanket and a bowl of water. I set the puppy down next to me on the blanket, watching as it curled up and went to sleep before turning to see Emmett brandishing something at me.
"My turn," He said, I looked at the box dubiously before taking it, peeling the paper off and opening it. I looked inside and then shut it again quickly before launching at a laughing Emmett's head. I frowned, my lip curling into a pout.
"Now i would have thought you'd appreciate it," Emmett said with a grin.
"Emmett you know very well that you're an idiot," I said as Rosalie picked up the box and opened it. THWACK. Rosalie's hand made contact with the back of Emmett's head.
"Where is the present i got her!" She seethed. Emmett whimpered and handed me an identically wrapped box. I opened it, squealing in delight as i pulled out a deep green dress.
"It's beautiful," I said smiling, "Thank you Rose," She smiled and winked.
Carlisle and Esme proceeded to give me ten weekend passes to a luxury spa.
"As you're eighteen and cannot have a...normal...pre-wedding do..." Carlisle worded his sentence carefully, "We thought you may enjoy this just as much," I beamed at him.
"Thank you both..." I said with a smile.
Bella produced a large green box and passed it to me. I unwrapped it and opened it pulling out another box.
"You got me a macbook air?" I looked up to Edward and he smiled.
"You're welcome," He said before looking to his daughter who jumped up and gave me her gift.
"Here you go Auntie Lizzie...from me and Jake," She said with a smile. I was pleased to see her attire a little more fitting of someone her 'age'. The gift contained a gold locket inside which was a photo of me and Nessie from Christmas, she looked so much younger, sat on my lap. I smiled softly.
"This is beautiful Nessie...thank you," I said.
I small silver paper covered object was lowered in front of my face slowly; i tilted my head back to see the smiling face of the golden haired god of a man looking straight back at me.
"Happy birthday darling," He said softly before pressing his icy lips to my forehead and handing me with gift.
I carefully removed the paper leaving a small thin black leather box. I prised the box open, my face softened. I long string of pearls and two individual pearls filled the box.
"Oh Jasper...they are beautiful," I said gently as he took the necklace from the box and placed it round my neck, clasping it at the back, i hooked the earrings into place and smiled up at him, he lowered his head to mine, softly pressing his lips to mine so gently. He always gave me butterflies, even now. The room resounded with five squeals of delight, all female. The feminine population of the room swooned at the display of affection. Jasper sat back, i saw him roll his eyes in amusement as he did.
Jasper locked eyes with the small furry creature sat at his feet, and i don't mean myself. The poodle cross Labrador cross devil thing that Alice had gotten me had finally woken up and was completely unimpressed with the attention Jasper was getting from me. The presents has been packed away an hour ago and now i was curled up on Jasper's lap. A squeaky bark resounded from the puppy's mouth. I chuckled softly.
"I don't think he likes you," I said in amusement.
"The thing must be severely stupid to be able to sit in the same house...let alone the same room as something like me," He said softly. I sniggered and lent my forehead against the side of his head, my lips millimetres from his ear, one of my fingers traced through his hair just behind his ear. Jasper's eyes flickered shut.
"What something that is rendered powerless to being scratched behind the ear...you may purr like a cat but you and it aren't so different... and you have the same hair,"
"What do you mean we have the same hair?" Jasper said slowly. I picked up the puppy who growled lowered the closer it got to Jasper.
"You both have a mass of golden curls," I cuddled the small puppy to my chest gently, careful not to hurt my ribs, "What should we call him?"
"Dinner?" Jasper said teasingly with a grin which showed his teeth. I gasped in mock horror holding the puppy closer.
"You Mr Whitlock are mean! And anyway, i doubt there is actually a dog under all this hair, i think it is actually all off the dust from under Alice's bed come to life as a giant dust puppy!" I said giggling watching the puppy glare at Jasper who was completely fascinated by the creature. Apart from the brief encounters with my Cat Jasper hadn't had to interact with any animal unless it was to feed, so having a pet was as odd to him at this point at the idea of having a human as a friend was when Edward started dating Bella.
"So what should we call him?" I said thoughtfully, resting my head on Jasper's shoulder.
"My dog...when i was human..."Jasper said slowly, his brow furrowing in annoyance. I could see he was trying to remember something he had forgotten a long, long time ago.
"It was called...it was called...c...c...cay...can...Cain...it was called Cain..." Jasper said softly, "It was a working dog on a farm so Mother called his Cain, like Cain from the bible," I looked at the puppy and smiled.
"Cain it is then," I smiled to the dog that simply yawned and curled up on my lap.
Later that afternoon Jasmine appeared at the front door followed by Conner. I wasn't expecting to then be dragged away upstairs by Rosalie and Alice, Jasmine following along with Bella upstairs. As the door of mine and Jasper's bedroom shut i gulped.
"What's going on?" I said slowly, my eyes narrowing at the four large boxes piled in a corner.
"Well your birthday party is soon," Alice said slowly, "Which means you need to get ready," I frowned slowly and sighed in exasperation.
"Party? I thought we'd decided not to have a party yet, after my accident," I said slowly and carefully.
"Well too late, we'd already planned it all before you hurt yourself...so suck it up and go pick out a costume...before i strip you off and dress you up myself," Rosalie said with a sickly sweet smile. Bella had already pulled out her outfit from the box and the others quickly followed. I slapped myself on the forehead.
"Saloon girls? Really?" I said with a bemused smile. A black and red dress got thrown at me.
"Just put it on and get ready," Alice said laughing as she twirled around in her purple dress.
"This really does not cover a lot," I said looking at the lack of clothing covering my body.
"Oh please it's not like Jasper hasn't seen it all before," Rosalie said whilst curling my hair into a mass of ringlets and Alice piles make up onto my face. The others where all ready and waiting, the door bell had been going every twenty seconds and music had started playing about ten minutes ago. I shoved my feet into the black heels before me and stood up.
"Alice..." I said glancing at my reflection and rolling my eyes, "What have you done!" I turned and walked out of the bedroom rolling my eyes. I made my way down stairs to a chorus of cheers. The place was once again packed, the boys had outdone themselves with the decorations, and this place really looked the part. Everyone was dressed up and looked as stupid as i did, i smiled widely and made my way into the crowd, greeting the people from school, thanking them for their birthday wishes, fighting my way towards the one person who i wanted to see.
My arms encircled Jasper's neck.
"Hello there gorgeous," Jasper said admiring my costume.
"I know i look ridiculous," I said with a crooked smile, "You look wonderful," All the guys where in suits, and Jasper's suit hung wonderfully showing off his beautiful body.
"You look stunning so stop complaining," Alice said, i turned and smiled to her and then frowned at her guest.
"Alec..." I said slowly, feeling Jasper's arms tighten considerably around my middle. Alice looked sheepish.
"Are you going to do some magic tricks for my birthday?" I said loudly my face brightening considerably at the thought of causing Alec discomfort.
"A magician? Awesome...come on show us a trick!" Conner said dragging Jasmine with him and stood there expectantly and Jasper led me away. A crowd gathered around Alec quickly.
Jasper was livid, i sighed gently.
"Jasper why are you angry? He won't try anything here..." I said softly, "Please calm down..." Jasper always seemed overly worried with Alec around, overly angry. Too angry to simply be worried about my safety. I studied his face, he was staring through the crowd to the centre. To where Alec stood. My face fell considerably, he was looking at Alec yes. But he was looking at Alice too. He wasn't over her. I sighed and turned and walked away from him, out side.
The air was cold now, soothing. I lent against the wall, my heart crumbled. I had no doubt that Jasper loved me, that much i was sure of. But the thought that he still had feelings inside of him for Alice to me felt like betrayal. How much of him still wanted her was unclear but the feelings where there, i could see it in his eyes. The same eyes he looked at me with where looking at her, my friend, his EX-wife. He hadn't come after me, the realization of that cut me deep. A cold hand rested on my shoulder but it was too small to be Jasper's.
"I'm sorry Lizzie," Edward said soothingly. I turned to him, my eyes shimmering with the few tears which threatened to fall.
"They are both trying to antagonise the other...why was i so stupid not to see it before," I whispered as Edward pulled me into a gentle hug.
"They are both stupid...but you must know he does love you..." Edward said softly, I pulled away from him and he let me go. Turning away from Edward i felt the first tear fall, trailing its way down my face.
"Lizzie?" I heard his southern accent and my heart broke.
"Jasper you have seriously fucked up," Edward said softly walking back inside.
Edward was a good friend, there when you needed him, saying what you needed to hear. But this is because he truly knows what you are thinking, not what you want people to know. And as i heard footsteps slowly approach me i wished the privacy invader hadn't rejoined the party. Right now i couldn't deal with being alone with Jasper, my fiancé. I turned to him.
"Lizzie please don't feel like that," He said gently. I let out a snort.
"How am i meant to feel Jasper? How do you want me to feel? Huh? Okay? Happy? Overjoyed that you still can want her?" I grabbed the feather adorned pin controlling my hair and through it to the floor, "What is this to you? A game? Do you really want to marry me? Have children with me? I know you love me Jasper...i don't doubt that...but is it me or her you truly want?" He didn't reply. I didn't give him chance; i walked straight past him and drowned myself in the crowed, submerging my entire soul in the loud thumping music. The Cullen's watched as i slowly fell apart, losing all sense of the world in the music, feeling the growing heat of the writhing crowed in ridiculous outfits. My silent tears falling as i moved i rhythm with the music, letting it wash through me.
I went to sleep alone that night, locking the door and window, checking no one was hiding in my room before crawling beneath the sheets and dropping into my comatose state.
I awoke alone, too hot and miserable. I dragged myself from the bed, showered and unlocked the door. Jasper was nowhere to be found, neither was Alice. Bella and Rosalie seemed to be waiting in the living room for me.
"They are talking," Rosalie said to me, trying to reassure me that my fiancé hadn't left me. I said nothing, sitting down slowly. I glanced out the window, seeing Nessie rolling around in the grass playing with Cain.
BANG, SLAM, BANG SLAM. The front door opened as two people entered. Jasper and Alice stood in the entrance hall, in full view of everyone.
"YOU ARE THE ONE WHO LEFT ALICE, DON'T YOU DARE BLAME THIS ON ME," Straight through the heart.
"YOU'RE THE ONE MOVED ON JASPER, SO WHY THE HELL ARE YOU BRINGING THIS UP! DON'T YOU ARE HER HAVE A WEDDING TO PLAN?" Sarcasm dripped from every word. Stab through the heart number two.
"THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS, ELIZABETH CAN WAIT," I heard myself whimper, tears where pouring from my eyes. They both stopped and turned looking at me. If possible Jasper seemed to pale, every ounce of anger in him vanished replaced with horror. I stood shakily walking forwards. Rosalie and Bella rose behind me, they spoke but i heard nothing. I finally reached him.
"Lizzie..." He whispered urgently, watching as i rose my left hand, my right reaching to meet it.
"Lizzie no please...let me explain...no...please," He was shaking, panicking as i took hold of my engagement ring, beginning to remove it. His hand seized my upper arms.
"LIZZIE...please," He said falling to his knees, the marble tiles of the floor smashing beneath him. I paused in my movement.
"Give me one reason...just one...and it better not be 'because i love you' because that won't wash with me," I said so quietly, so gently. He looked up to me in sadness.
"I want you Lizzie...you are all i have ever wanted, it pains me that you doubted that. I am so sorry that i gave you doubt," He shook as he spoke, afraid that with a single word i would vanish forever. I could see the sincerity of his words. Alice backed away from us, mouthing to me that she was sorry, truly sorry.
I sighed my gaze falling on the broken man in front of me. He was meant to be the greatest predator in the world and i had brought him to his knees with one thought. One feeling. I removed my right hand from my ring and rested it on top of his head.
"If you ever make me feel like that again Jasper Whitlock, you wont get another chance," I whispered gently. His arms encircled my waist and dragged me to him, his face buried in my stomach, his body shaking.
"I promise...i promise," He muttered over and over. And i believed him.
He loved me and i loved him. He wanted me for now and forever, and that is what he would get.