DESIDERATA

Things I own: A copy of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies that I haven't read yet.

Things I don't own: Anything Twilight, it all belongs to Ms. Meyer. And, sadly, my Twilight Lion/Lamb keychain bit the dust this week. I buried it and am in an official mourning period. Please be gentle with me, I'm in a very delicate state of mind.

Special thanks for NaughtySparkle. As always. I trust your judgment implicitly.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO: SPOONING LEADS TO FORKING

"May you grow old on the same pillow." – Armenian blessing

JPOV

To say I am surprised to get a call from Edward is an understatement. I haven't spoken to him much since he got back in town. I've been a mopey, miserable ass, and no one even wants me around. I've been avoiding Rose's calls, just because I want to keep reality at bay as long as possible.

My life as I used to understand it is gone. The things I used to derive joy from no longer exist. My world seems bland and feels empty. I never imagined that another person could infuse such zest into my life. I feel like I'm living in the Arctic Circle: When Alice is present, I experience 24 hours of sunshine; back in LA, I have 24 hours of darkness. I fucking need my light back.

Almost from the moment I got back to LA, I've been mulling over the ways in which I can win over my Alice. I know it is a near impossibility, since I left her cold and alone in Forks. But my time in LA hasn't lessened my need to have her in my life; if anything, it has solidified just how deeply I am attached to her. My biggest problem is that I cannot do anything to erase running away from Forks with my tail between my legs. All I know is that I'm miserable, and lost, and need my compass back.

I've been pondering my options all day when Edward's call comes through. At first, I assume he wants to go out, to try to forget all the heartache we both suffered during the film. He called me not long after his embarrassing gaffe with Bella, so I understand acutely that we are both forlorn men. But Edward calls to tell me about James, of all people. He's excited and talking way too fast, but he explains that Rose needs to come back to LA pronto, to cover the PR nightmare that James created. The jet will be leaving first thing in the morning to retrieve her. Bella, however, will be staying in LA for the time being, because of the fiasco. Then Edward does something most uncharacteristic, and I find myself still questioning whether or not I heard him correctly: He asks me if I am still in love with Alice.

"Of course I am. I don't try to be such a moody, morose fucker for no reason, you know," I essentially growl at him.

"Then you need to go to her, Jasper, and win her back. If she is truly the woman you love, you owe it to yourself to discover where this is meant to go. Get your ass on that plane tomorrow, and go get Alice."

"Wait…who are you, exactly, and what have you done to my best friend Edward?"

"Ha ha, Jazz, that's hilarious. Having spent the day with Bella, after believing I would never have the chance to see her again, I realized how wrong I've been about things all along. For whatever reason, fate has chosen these two women for us, and I don't think we will be sane or whole again without them by our sides. This is one situation where you have to throw the fucking rule book away and trust your gut. As much as that advice scares the crap out of me, I know it is the only way for me to get Bella and for you to win back Alice. We need to stop over thinking things and just go for it."

"Edward, I can't thank you enough for this, you know. Life without Alice has been extremely lackluster."

"I know. Believe me, I know. I'm going to be busy controlling the Masen front with Rosalie and Esme, so just text me the details once you have her back."

"That's a pretty big assumption, you know. I don't know if I can do it."

"Of course you can! You are the most charming SOB in the state of California! Get to it! I'll talk to you sometime tomorrow, okay?"

"Yeah, man. By the way, thanks. I owe you for this."

"The only thing I want is to see you two together. Understood?"

"Yep. Thanks, dude."

"No thanks needed. Talk to you later."

What. The. FUCK?

I feel like I'm in the Star Trek episode where there is a parallel universe, and each character's evil twin lives in the other universe. It's the only way I can make sense of what I just heard. Edward is telling me I have no choice but to go pursue Alice? And he is wooing Bella in a grand "do over" scheme? Sometimes, you just have to go with what you're given. If that means I get to try to win over Alice, I'm fucking going for it.

The minute I put my mind to work on a plan for how to suck up to Alice, the idea pops into my head, and it is fucking golden. If she doesn't buy it, which, admittedly, she might not, it won't be for my lack of trying. I need to get to the store now in order to get all the supplies I need for Alice's surprise.

I can hardly sleep I'm so anxious about tomorrow. My stomach feels like it's in my throat, and I started to question myself about how willing Alice will be to see me. I finally fall asleep, but wake up frequently. If I know I have a specific wake up call, I always end up waking up multiple times to check the clock; tonight is no different. I give up around 5:00 and drag myself to the shower.

I load all my supplies into a bag and make my way to the car. I'm driving myself to the airport this morning. The flight is uneventful, but my nerves are on edge throughout the entire time. When we land, Rose is waiting on the tarmac with Emmett; I already explained to her what my intentions are as far as Alice is concerned. She secured a promise from Emmett that he would: A) Drive me to see Alice, and B) Wait until he sees Alice's reaction to my apology to decide whether or not to kill me. I think that is probably about the best deal I can secure under the circumstances, so I go with it.

Rose approaches me before walking up onto the plane.

"How's Edward?"

"To be honest, he's never sounded better than when I spoke to him yesterday."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah, he's got it bad."

"Huh. Well, when we talked about James, he was certainly full of vigor and passion. I just assumed it was being fueled by anger."

"Oh, the anger is definitely there, and I think it's even stronger because Bella is involved this time. Please tell me you'll be able to nail him, Rose. I've had it with that asshole."

"Esme and Edward have a good plan. It's gonna be a bitch to get everything squared away, but it will all work out."

"That's what I like to hear. You did remind Emmett not to kill me until after I talk to Alice, right?"

She gives me a little peck on the cheek. "Of course, silly. But fuck this one up, and we'll both come after you," she says, looking me straight in the eye.

I give her a hug and turn to face the enemy.

I give him a nod. "Emmett."

He nods back, never breaking eye contact. "Jasper."

With that, we get into his car and start to drive to Forks.

"You know, I fully expect you to make this right…I've never seen my sister look like this. And, if you don't, your ass is mine. Do we have an understanding?"

"Absolutely. I will cut off my own hand before I will ever hurt Alice again. You have my solemn promise there."

"Yeah, well your hand won't be the only body part missing if you do. Just keep that in mind," he tells me gruffly.

We spend the rest of the ride in silence. To say that my time with Emmett is uncomfortable would be generous.

Emmett pulls up behind the café and parks in his spot. I was originally planning to go in by the front door, so I start heading in that direction.

"What, you're already running?"

"No, what I need to do, it must be done from the front of the building. You'll see why."

"Whatever, dude. Just get it done. I'll be waiting in back."

I sling my duffel bag over my shoulder and walk around to the front of the building. Standing at the outside corner, where no one in the café can see me, I change my shirt and get everything ready to go.

APOV

I hear the telltale jingle of the front door, and look up out of habit. What I see is instantly confusing. I shake my head back and forth, not able to compute the vision.

I gasp out loud and drop the coffee cup I was holding. "Jasper!"

Everyone in the café is looking at Jasper Whitlock, including me. Before I can say another word, he holds an iPod cradled between a set of portable speakers about his head, and the song In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel booms out to every nook and cranny in the building.

With his arms above his head, I can see the toned outline of his biceps and shoulders. He is wearing a t-shirt that says, "I'M SO SORRY, ALICE!" He just stands there, making a fool of himself in front of everyone, until the last lines of the song fade away. He then lowers the iPod, turns it off, and approaches me at the counter. My customers are all standing now, surrounding the front counter, to get a glimpse of this beautiful actor making a fool of himself, just for my benefit.

He hands me the iPod, and says, simply, "I'm so sorry, Alice."

I look at it to see what music he has loaded. There are a total of ten playlists: I'MSOSORRYALICE 1, I'MSOSORRYALICE 2, I'MSOSORRYALICE 3, I'MSOSORRYALICE 4, I'MSOSORRYALICE 5, ILOVEYOUALICE 1, ILOVEYOUALICE 2, ILOVEYOUALICE 3, ILOVEYOUALICE 4, ILOVEYOUALICE 5.

When I select the first playlist, it is the song In Your Eyes, listed ten times.

The second playlist includes all songs with the words "sorry" in them. And so on, and so on.

I look up at Jasper, with tears in my eyes. "Why?"

"I'll explain everything, but I'm not finished yet. May I continue, my dear Alice?"

"Of course. Please."

He reaches down into his bag, and pulls out his first prop: A jar of peanut butter and a jar of grape jelly.

"Alice Brandon, we go together like peanut butter and jelly. The saltiness of one isn't complete without the sweetness of the other."

"Alice Brandon, we go together like Oreo cookies and double stuff filling. While you can eat the filling on its own, the taste is never complete unless you eat the cookie and filling together," he explains, setting the cookie in front of me.

"Alice Brandon, we are as natural together as salt and pepper. Food tastes bland and off when one of the two is missing," He sets the salt and pepper shakers down. Just to emphasize his point, he chose a ceramic set of salt and pepper shakers that fit together in a hug when they aren't in use.

"Alice Brandon, we are like chips and dip: One scoops up the other, provides a delicious taste, and they both improve each other when mixed together. As an ensemble, they work so much better than as solo enterprises." He opens a jar of salsa and a bag of tortilla chips, and scoops one up for me to eat.

"Alice Brandon, you are the tonic to my gin. The perfect complement to make things taste just right." He sets a mini bottle of Bombay gin and single serve bottle of tonic water in front of me.

"Alice Brandon, you are the kisses to my hugs. I want nothing more than to be smothered in your hugs and kisses for the rest of my life." With that, Jasper set a bag of Hershey's Kisses and a separate bag of Hershey's Hugs in front of me. He unwraps a kiss and feeds it to me. I close my eyes and let the chocolate melt on my tongue, and I hear him whisper the word, "exquisite."

Jasper grasps my hand and motions for me to come around to his side of the counter. I sprint over to him, and find him on one knee, his arms outstretched for me. I leap onto his lap.

"Alice Brandon, I have never been sorrier than the day I left you here alone. Will you please forgive me for being the world's biggest idiot? Will you please allow me to tell you that without you, my life doesn't make any sense? Please let me say that I love you, unequivocally, without bounds, and I will never, ever knowingly hurt you again?"

I look deeply into his lake blue eyes and can see the tears forming there. He really thinks I might say no?! That doubt ends here and now.

"Jasper, you broke my heart when you left, because I know you are the only man I will ever love. Once you were gone, I understood that all my life, I'd been waiting for you to arrive. I'm sorry you felt the need to leave, but it brought you back to me in such a way that we both know you will never leave me again. How can I possibly eat my peanut butter without jelly for the rest of my life? There's just no question that I forgive you." I feel tears staining my cheeks, and feel Jasper's huge hand gently wiping them away.

He seems so timid around me, so I make sure he understands exactly where we are on the page—I throw my arms around him and give him the most passionate kiss I've ever bestowed upon anyone. He returns it with equal enthusiasm and I feel so giddy I start kicking my feet; I simply cannot contain my nervous energy any longer.

I'm not sure how long I've been alone in that bubble with Jasper, but it suddenly dawns on me that I hear applause. I break from the kiss to open my eyes, and see everyone in the café standing at attention and clapping with broad smiles on their faces. I hop off of Jasper's lap and pull him to his feet.

In a fit of inspiration, I announce, "Alice's Wonderland Café and Mad Tea Party is now officially closed for the remainder of the day!" and work to shepherd everyone out of the building.

JPOV

My little firestorm tornado makes her announcement, grabs my hand, and leads me to the back room. She taps her little hand on the office door, then swings it open abruptly.

"Emmett, it is time for you to go home for the day."

Poor Emmett looks like he's been slapped.

"What the fuck are you talking about, arm rest?" He says, leaning on her head to prove his point.

"I'm talking about the fact that the café is now officially closed, so I need to lock up. And I need you to not be here anymore. Savvy?"

You can see the light click on. "OH. Right. Give me two minutes, pipsqueak, okay??"

Alice slams the door shut to let Emmett finish. She gives me a look that causes me to swallow hard. Although we haven't had sex yet, there is something about her that has always made me suspect that she's a hellion in the sack. The look she just gave me? Fuck me, I'm in so much trouble. Thank you, Jesus!!

She whispers to me, "Condom?"

Oh no, fuck no, not now! Why didn't I fucking think of that? I slowly shake my head with a huge pout on my face. She points a finger in my face, apparently to indicate, "Just a second," and tears off to the front of the café. I follow more slowly, trying to see what she is up to.

I turn the corner to see my petite Alice digging through a bag that is the size of Texas. Things are spilled everywhere: Clothing, cosmetics, wallets, shoes, you name it. Really? You can fit all that in a purse?

Alice unzips a bag, dumping out the contents. She squeals, jumping up to her feet. "YES! YES! YES!" she screams.

"Alice, what…"

She turns and launches herself into my arms, shoving the contents held between her tiny fist into my face. Condoms.

I squeeze her as tightly as I can and whisper to her, "That's just one of the many reasons I love you, sugar!"

We hear Emmett clumping loudly behind us, and I set Alice down. She skitters over to Emmett, walking behind him as he makes his way for the door. When he reaches his destination, he turns to Alice and hugs her. I can see him whisper something in her ear, and watch as she nods her head with a huge smile on her face. As he opens the door, he turns to me and shouts out, "Looks like you won yourself a reprieve, Whitlock. But you are far from being off the hook. Do we have an understanding?"

I nod my head. "Yes!" I shout back.

I see Alice clearly shut the door behind Emmett, then lower the blinds. I hear a click, and my cock springs to attention. I grab the condoms and make my way to Alice, meeting in the middle of the room. She's so tiny, I have to bend way down to meet her. Instead, I simply grasp her ass and pull her up to me, wrapping her legs around my waist. Meanwhile, she has wrapped her arms around my neck and is devouring my lips. There is so much pent up sexual energy between us, it's like we cannot get closely enough quickly enough.

"Jasper, I've been aching to have you inside me since the first time I saw you, but I wanted to make sure it was special for our first time. But now that you're finally here in front of me again, I just want to ride you like a wild mustang. Can you do that for me?"

I take a long look at her, nodding with glazed eyes. "Yes. Frequently. With pleasure."

"Good boy." She digs her heels into me as if I am a stallion. "To the back, horse!"

Her back is to the swinging door, and she's still wrapped tightly around me. I'm trying to navigate with a tiny woman clinging to me, who is kissing me with great enthusiasm, and my hands are still wrapped around her tight little ass. I can barely see in front of me. I keep walking until Alice's bottom collides with a solid surface. Before I set her down, I test it for sturdiness. Seems fine.

I carefully unwind Alice's legs from my waist without breaking our kiss. I slip my hands underneath her shirt to feel her soft, smooth skin. Heaven. I snake up to her round breasts and skim my palms over their surface, feeling her nipples salute my advances. Oh, that just adds fuel to the fire. I feel my cock twitch, eager to get the show on the road. This isn't something to be rushed, however, so he'll just have to be patient while I worship Alice slowly and painfully.

I whip off her shirt, and she unhooks her bra in mere seconds. Instantly, my mouth is on one of her nipples, stroking, biting, nibbling. Not wanting her other breast to feel lonely, of course, I switch back and forth, moving hands, mouth, lips, tongue in a flurry of activity. Alice arches her back to make her tits more accessible, moaning loudly. As I lick and kiss her cleavage, I get a glimpse of her navel, her flat belly, and the thong straps that are peeking out from above her skirt. My cock answers her call with a jump. Jesus, I want to fuck her. She is the sexiest woman I've ever seen.

I should have known that making out with Alice would be far from an ordinary experience. Just as I ponder the myriad ways I want to pound into her, she slips off her shoes, pulls off her socks, and ever so carefully snakes one leg up my chest, so her foot is behind my neck. Then she repeats the action with her other leg. She lies back on the table, legs still behind my neck, pulling me down with her. About half way there, she releases me abruptly, spreading her beautiful legs widely, as if she's doing the splits. That move elicits a huge groan that escapes from my chest. I can see a tiny triangular patch that just barely covers her pussy. That enticing scent of arousal that is all pure Alice hits me like a ton of bricks, and I can't hold back any longer; I must have her. She makes me feel animalistic and base. Alice is just like a fucking witch who casts a spell, coaxing this rougher side of me out; I have no idea I am capable of these sorts of feelings.

I quickly remove my t-shirt and unbutton my jeans to provide some momentary relief for my poor, trapped, aching cock. Alice is practically waving her sweet little pussy in front of me. I hitch up her skirt, grab the sides of her thong, and in one quick motion, pull it off and toss it aside. What I see in front of me is so appealing it takes my breath away.

Alice's pussy is the most amazing thing I've ever seen. It's slick and pink and inviting. It's as compact as she is. She is waxed bare. It calls to me like a siren song. This is where I truly belong. Buried inside Alice for the rest of my life.

"Alice," I whisper. "Your pussy is so beautiful, just like the rest of you. I can smell you from here. You're so wet, all I want to do is fuck you with my fingers, then with my tongue, and finally with my cock. I want to earn every single scream you're going to give me. I want you to be so lost in ecstasy that you can't even remember your name. And fuck yes, you are going to ride me harder than you've ever ridden in your life."

I hear her whimper in response, and a grin grows on my face. Bingo.

Using my thumbs, I carefully open her, spreading her lips gently to see what she's hiding underneath. Fuck! She's practically dripping she's so wet! I use my forefinger and dip inside, gathering moisture and working it into every crevice of her sweet pussy. I end up at her clit, paying extra special attention to that area, making sure it is adequately lubricated. Ever so slowly, I run my thumb around her clit, teasing her with agonizingly slow progress. I pull up the hood, pinching it between my thumb and forefinger, and Alice arches into me in response. I haven't even touched her, really, and it is already like playing an instrument. I'm thrilled at the prospect of having a lifetime to learn how to coax this music out of her, but it still won't be enough. She is clearly a sexual dynamo.

"Please Jasper, I can't wait," she says, gasping for breath.

"Sugar, I haven't even started yet. You're just going to have to slow down and enjoy the ride. I'm not in any hurry; are you?" She answers with a groan.

I return my attention to the main event, bend over, and lightly take her clit between my teeth. I run my tongue back and forth over her sensitive skin, as it rests in my teeth, which causes Alice to buck feverishly. I taunt her further by sliding first one finger, then two, into her hot little twat. I work my fingers in and out, picking up speed gradually. I curve them up behind her pubic bone, gently palpating to find the spot I'm looking for. I happen upon the spongy skin where her G spot is located, and start pressing my fingers on that area. I move my fingertips in a small circle, while I continue to play with her clit in my mouth. She's fucking loving every second of it, getting worked up into a frenzy. Her cunt is so hot and swollen, it's just begging to for relief; I can actually feel the telltale changes taking place inside of her as her walls start to close in around me. She stills for a moment, then screams my name as she pulses and clamps down over my fingers. I quickly move my mouth down to her opening, licking up all that she has to surrender to me. I let her come down as we both work to catch our breath.

"Jesus H. Christ, Jasper Whitlock, you have the most brilliant sex skills on the planet! I have never cum like that before in my life!" she says, breathily. She is positively glowing, her chest flush from her recent orgasm.

"I'm sorry, sweet pea, but I have so much more planned for you," I grin back at her.

"But Jasper, I haven't even touched you yet! This isn't a one-way street for me, you know. Prepare to meet your match," she purrs at me, winking. My heart skips a beat as she teases me, because I sense I'm in for the ride of a lifetime.

Alice has recovered slightly from her orgasm, and she hops down from Bella's workstation. Note to self: Remember to sterilize the work surfaces when we're done, and make sure Bella doesn't know what went down here!

I feel her little fingers wrap around my belt loops, and she pulls my groin flush with her own. I can feel the heat radiating off of her as she wraps her legs around me and settles over my cock, with just my boxer briefs resting between us. As much as I just want to drive it home this very instant; this isn't about me—this is my penance for running away.

Suddenly, my body is driven backwards, until I crash into a wall. Before I have time to even take stock of what is occurring, Alice has yanked my jeans down and has my cock held tightly in her hot little hand. I start to protest, but I am roundly shushed, and I gaze down to see her rosebud lips moving up and down the length of my dick. I groan loudly and weave my fingers into her hair, guiding her along my rod. Who needs fucking yoga, when Alice can deliver her own personal brand of nirvana? I surrender at once to the blissful feeling.

Watching her lips and fist move in tandem is more than I can stand. All it takes is one small moan from her, and it's over. I come hard, and Alice licks up every last drop. I can't wait to show her my appreciation, so I grab her in an attempt to plant a huge kiss on her lips. In my haste, we knock over a bowl of icing for Bella's Buns. Curiously, much of it lands on Alice's breasts and stomach.

"Oh, Alice, that's simply awful," I say, with a teasing smile in my voice. I dive for the icing and start to lick it off. Alice grabs my chin and licks frosting off of me, and before we know it, we've created a disaster area in the back room.

Alice looks at me with an evil grin and says, "We are definitely not going to tell Bella about any of this!" she giggles.

Before I can catch her, she drizzles icing all over my cock. "Hmm, it looks like we need the clean up crew!"

"If I'm not mistaken, I think the clean up crew recently did a superb job in that general area very recently. Are you sure there are still after effects?"

"Let me put it to you this way: If you want your cock near my coocher any time in the near future, it needs to be cleaned and prepped for service. That's all I'm saying."

"Well then, by all means, don't let me distract you from the task at hand."

I watch as Alice's tongue darts in and out of her mouth, methodically licking my cock clean. That is all it takes for me to be rock hard and ready once again, and the smile on Alice's face as she sees me responding to her is all the go ahead I need for round two.

I start to search for the condoms, not remembering where I set them, and see them lying on Bella's work station. Come to think of it, the work station is just the right height. I pick up Alice easily and pop her down right next to the condoms. She grabs one and tears off the wrapper. She gives my cock a hard squeeze, followed by a couple of pumps up and down my length, and then rolls the condom onto me. She scoots to the very edge of the table, knees bent on either side of her bottom. She's leaning back slightly onto the palms of her hands, and she just looks so ready to take me. I cannot fucking resist her a second longer.

I ask, quickly, "Are you ready for his baby?"

"Hell yes! Fuck me, Jasper. NOW." Don't need to ask twice.

I slide the head of my cock up and down her slit before I enter her. With one hand on her hip and another at the base of my cock, I slide into her slowly, wanting to savor the moment I first connect with her.

The feeling of sinking my cock into a woman's pussy, that initial moment of impact, is always the most divine moment of sex apart from an orgasm. But entering Alice? That's essentially like discovering a new galaxy. Everything I ever believed to be true about sex has been wiped clean. There is nothing else like fucking Alice, and I know I'll never be able to fuck another woman again. She's so tight and limber, I can move her any way I choose and her tiny body accommodates me. Every time my thrust takes me out of her sweet pussy, I can't wait to sink back inside her once again.

I feel her place her hands on my waist, and in an effort that is oddly coordinated, she pulls one of her legs up and hooks it over the crook in my elbow. Then she does the same thing with her other leg. We don't need to even talk about what we're doing—I just somehow inherently understand what it is she wants from me. I nod at her slightly to let her know I get it, and she pulls herself in closer to me. We use the leverage that she created to allow me to thrust even more deeply, and we both moan contentedly, appreciating the effect. Again, we don't need to say a word, our eyes are locked on one another, and we're both completely present in this moment together.

I recognize vaguely that my hips are smashing into the table with such force that it creates a loud banging sound against the wall. The movement causes a metal shelf to sway back and forth, and metal bowls start to fall onto the floor. I'm not really paying much attention to the movement or the noise; I'm too preoccupied with watching Alice's breasts bouncing up and down in time with my thrusts. It isn't until I see those same breasts covered in chocolate and lemon that it dawns on me we're spilling Bella's creations all over Alice as a result of our movement. I lean forward and lick the lemon from her nipple, and hear her scream out an orgasm. Feeling her clench around my cock forces me to cum, hard and fast.

As we both lean into each other, contented and catching our breath, I realize that I've never felt so closely connected to another human being before. It's almost as if Alice's energy pervades my soul, allowing this electric bond to form between us. She's magic, and I'm happily trapped in whatever spell she has cast upon me. She's the first to speak.

"It looks like we have a little mess to clean up here."

As I scan the back room, I acknowledge that she is quite right—it looks like the place has been ransacked. We both start to laugh at the mess our antics created.

"You know, I wouldn't mind making an even bigger mess…."

"God, I am totally gross and sticky. We're going to need a shower."

Hmm. She's right. That part hadn't occurred to me. What the hell to do? I guess I can put on my clothes over the stickiness, but I don't want to make Alice do that; her clothes always look so nice. Apparently, she can sense my hesitation.

"We have a shower in the back room, Jasper. We can just use that."

I scoop her up by her ass, and she wraps her legs around me, grabbing the condoms as we walk past. As she gives me directions, I carry her to the storage room. I set her down so she can start the shower. She moves to step inside, grabbing my hand so I follow.

I let her face the water stream directly, while I stand behind her. As she stands under the stream, I wrap my arms around her waist and hold her tightly. I dip my head into the space between her neck and her shoulder, lightly running the tip of my nose along her collarbone. I feel her reach back to hold the nape of my neck and hear her sign contentedly.

I whisper into her ear, "Do you mind if I wash you?" I grab a washcloth and the soap, presuming that she will be fine with the idea.

"Only if I get to do the same to you." I love her interest in making everything between us reciprocal.

When we're connected in this way, both physically and spiritually, it's nearly impossible to tease out where she begins and I end—it's almost as if our psyches are circular, co-mingling, designed to be together. When Alice is in front of me, the whole world dissolves—the only thing that matters is that she is close enough for me to hold, to worship, to enjoy. All I know is that I need Alice, and she needs me, and somehow, somewhere, our destinies are the same. There is no choice, only necessity. Instantly, I realize that all of my life, I've merely been waiting for her. That's why I had no luck in love before she arrived; deep in my heart, I knew I was meant to be in love, I just didn't know it was Alice I was waiting for. The minute I saw her, serving coffee in the café, I knew. I just knew she was the key to unlocking my soul.

I wash her body gently, trying to display every ounce of reverence I feel for her through my movements. I try to memorize every curve of her beautiful form. I want to catalogue each and every sound I draw out of her with my touch. When it is her turn to wash me, the second her hand touches my skin, I'm instantly hard. All she has to do is look up at me with her golden hazel eyes, and I need her. Without a word, she grabs a condom and rolls it on. I grab her hips and lift her up the shower wall. I lean over to kiss her as I slip effortlessly into her. This time, we take it slowly, but the passion underneath the movements is just as strong and intense as the first coupling. I bury myself inside her over and over, barely moving my cock. I cannot stand the thought of leaving her for a single moment. We move silently, slowly in tandem, lost in the feeling of our movement, and our orgasms are a slow, smoldering burst, together.

I look at her beautiful, divine, contented face, and I can't help myself. I have to say what is on the tip of my tongue. "Alice, I don't want to frighten you, but I know, with absolute conviction, that I love you."

She places her lovely hand on my cheek, and tells me, "I know, Jasper. I've been waiting my entire life for you. I just know it's you."

I turn off the spray and grab a towel to gently dry her off. We dress silently, and Alice declares that we are simply going to leave things as they are and go home together. I will never argue over the option of spending more time with Alice, as opposed to less.

The house is dark and quiet when we arrive. I nearly ask where Emmett is, but I realize it doesn't matter—the only thing I truly care about has me wrapped around her little finger. Holding my hand, she leads me to her bedroom. Without words, she turns to undress me, and I do the same thing to her. She pulls back the covers of the bed and tugs my hand to indicate she wants me to join her. I slide in behind her, snaking my arm around her waist and nuzzling her collarbone. She turns her head back and gives me a deep kiss.

"Grow old with me," I whisper.

"The best is yet to be," she whispers back to me.

I fall asleep quickly, feeling as though, for the first time, I'm finally home.

END NOTE: I apologize profusely for this taking so long to post. I've been working on o/s for two contests, 80sward and For the Love of Jasper. Thanks for your patience as I write and work nights. Sometimes the two are mutually exclusive!

Up next: EPIC smex fest for Edward and Bella!!