AN: Leckadams, it's been quite a ride m'dear! Thanks for purchasing, and your patience.
So, there's one more chapter left, but this one marks the end of Ed's novel, Stay Still. I hope you enjoyed that little part of the story. Layne Faire is not only the best beta ever, but she's also created a banner for Ed's novel, so if you want to check it out I'll be posting it on my profile here, and on my brand new blog! That's right, due to all the ffn drama I've created a blog for updates on statuses, teasers on WIP's and new stories, and some pics and banners. So if you want to come visit, or follow me I'm at DebIstwisted – dot – blogspot – dot – com. I will finish SI on this site (as long as I'm allowed), but I may be removing the lemons, after I post the full story on the blog.
It's hard to believe that I'm almost done writing these boys. I'm feeling a little lost right now.
Disclaimer: I do not own twilight, or any of its characters.
Chapter 15 – Epilogue 1 of 2
8 months later – Mid April
"I've got my fingers crossed for ya boys."
"Thanks Shelly!" I call out to my boss, pushing eagerly through the front doors of Bon Terre Elementary School.
Taking the steps two at a time in a rush to start my weekend, I gasp when I see a small figure up in a large oak tree.
"C'mon Billy, what're ya doin'?" I admonish. "Go on and get yourself down from that tree. You're gonna get hurt."
He smiles slyly. "It's not 'gonna', Mr. Edward. It's 'goin' ta'."
Seriously? That's the only mistake that he found there.
Grrr. "Actually, its 'going to'," I impart, straightening my spine – making me seem more scholarly and believable – like posture is going to fix this humiliating issue. "And if you don't get down I'm tellin' your mama," I add for good measure.
My threat only encourages peals of laughter from the obstinate little boy. "Whatever you say, Mr. Edward. See ya Monday," he says, jumping down from the tree with skilled ease, and skipping down the street with undiluted delight, no doubt in search of more mischief.
Once Billy is out of sight, I slump my shoulders in defeat.
When I'd first met Peter, I'd questioned him about speaking Cajun for Embry, he told me it wasn't purposeful – that you just learn to speak the language of your heart – and it's true.
I'm fighting it tooth and nail, but my grammar is 'goin' ta' hell.
Frustratingly, I can't seem to correct it either, since half the time I don't realize my speech is being ambushed by 'ta's and ya's". And really, what's happened to "g's"? Since when did I stop using them at the end of my words?
How can twenty-five years of lessons on grammar be erased in a matter of months? Shit.
Ah well, the heart wants what the heart wants…
And right now it wants Jasper...desperately. My abuse to the English language is a small price to pay for what I've gained in its disturbing demise.
Hopping on the bike Rosalie gave me, I speed off. Now that winter is over, I bike to school whenever I can. It affords me the opportunity to enjoy the weather, and helps keep me in shape.
It's a perfect day – the sun's shining through a light smattering of clouds, and it's a breezy seventy-three degrees. Thankfully, I'm able to carry everything I need in my messenger bag, so it makes the twenty-minute ride plausible.
Today, I'm not interested in the environment, so I pedal fast, anxious to get home as quickly as possible.
Home.
God, I love that word.
Jasper and I wanted to start our relationship off in a home we could call 'ours'. Even though I'd slept in his bed every night, I had kept my room at the inn. It took us three long months to find the perfect four-bedroom house.
It'd taken Jasper an additional two months to get the cabinetry and moldings replaced in the house, tear down the dilapidated front deck to build a new one, convert one of the bedrooms into a home office, and redesign the basement into a music room, but the results were well worth the wait. It turned out beautifully – as expected. The home sits on eight acres, and has the oversized barn that Jasper requires for his carpentry business.
We moved in on Valentine's Day, and it's been two wonderful months that have seriously changed my life. I have to admit that it hasn't been all fun and games. I hadn't lived with anyone since the dorms during my first year of college, and Jasper had lived alone even longer, so there were a few idiosyncrasies on both our parts that had to be dealt with. But for the most part, we fit into each other's lives perfectly – and it's been heavenly. Living in Bon Terre is amazing, but living here with Jasper – extraordinary.
My job is beyond fulfilling. The students love to play instruments, but they also love learning the history of music. The children's parents are interested in their progress, and foster their talent outside the classroom. I even have my students loving Jasper. He's shown up a few times to play the guitar for the kids, even teaching them a few riffs of their favorite songs.
Jasper.
My man.
Jasper is the most caring, compassionate, horny, stubborn, beautiful man I have ever met. He's opened up so much, yet remains somewhat of a mystery to me. I tend to talk more than he does, but it works for us. He deals with my borderline OCD/ADD behavior – always listening to what I have to say, and always having input.
He's strong in his convictions, loyal to a fault, delivers on his promises, lives up to his own set a standards, and firmly believes in karma. He's more levelheaded and practical then I am, so even though we each have equal say, Jasper ultimately makes most of the final decisions for us – which I'm more than comfortable with.
We don't share feelings on a daily basis, but we're in love – there's no question about it. He tells me he loves me at exactly the right moments, but most of the time I can feel it in his touch. The way he holds me, caresses me…yeah, he totally worships me.
The feeling is mutual.
As far as PDA goes, Jasper and I don't flaunt our relationship – except, of course, when we're at Sinner's Island, which we visit a couple of times a month. Obviously there it's no holds barred. However, there's not a moment in town, or down at the docks, that I don't have my hand in his, or our hands in each other's back pocket. We don't need our tongues down each other's throats for the community to realize that Jasper stole the newbie's heart.
It's been strange going from a place where I was all but invisible, to a place where the entire town knows my name, what I do, and who I'm with. Some might find it annoying, and I do . . . …once in a while, but mostly, it's a refreshing change being noticed, and not ignored or disregarded. I just have this sense of belonging here, and it brings an inner peace – such that I've never known.
And I understand why the whole town adores Jasper. When Rosalie's friends fell on hard times, he patched their roof for free. He takes Harry, our elderly neighbor, to all his doctor's appointments, and when Siobhan, the owner of the local salon, called Jasper when her furnace broke, he dropped what he was doing to go fix it.
He's a pillar in the community, regardless of his orientation.
I smile every time I think of him and me together – a real couple.
A month after I moved to Bon Terre we both got tested.
Obviously, Jasper's the only guy I've ever been with, and it's been a long time since he's been with anyone, other than Jacob – who he'd always used protection with, but it's better to be safe than sorry. We received the last set of test results about three weeks ago – and it's like we're sixteen-years-old again. We can't seem to get enough of one another. I'd thought nothing could equate to the pleasure of having sex with Jasper, but going bareback…wow! Just thinking about Jasper's naked cock sliding into me gives me goose bumps, not to mention a throbbing hard-on.
Shit.
I pedal slower, waiting for the erection to subside.
We've had discussions about me topping. Jasper wants me to try it; he thinks I'll like it – and I don't doubt I would, but can I satisfy him is the burning question.
I guess that's one area where my insecurity still lingers.
Jasper has a few toys that we both enjoy, so occasionally, when that particular desire takes over, I help him fulfill those needs. Sometimes I just know when he requires it – and he absolutely loves when I instigate these encounters. I fuck him with a dildo, while I stroke or suck his gorgeous cock. I've become really good at it, and watching his cum spill onto his chest does all sorts of things to me.
I don't know if he's trying to build my confidence – but it's working…in a big way. More and more, I want it to be my dick that makes him cum like that.
Jasper's said that he has no problem living without it, but somehow, I think it's more important to him than that. I want to be Jasper's everything – including being a top for him when necessary, but am I ready? He knows I'm apprehensive – the truth is, I haven't had luck as a top.
After being such a bitter disappointment to the few girls I've been with, it's hardly believable that I'd be able to satisfy someone as sexual, and experienced as Jasper. I know it's not the same thing, and I really can't compare my feelings for Jasper to the feelings I had for Bella or any of the other girls – there's simply no comparison between the two, but those old wounds still fester.
Now that my erection has deflated thinking about Bella I speed back up.
I have to get home to hear the news.
The bank investor came by today to take another look at Jasper's workshop and inventory. If he approves the loan we requested a few weeks ago, we'll be able to get that storefront property almost right in the middle of Main Street.
Even though Jasper is loved in the community, it isn't a forgone conclusion that we'll get the loan. The bank will definitely be taking a chance on us. My salary decreased drastically when I moved to Bon Terre, and our savings was depleted when we bought the house, and did the remodeling.
Pulling up to the front of our house, I notice an eerie calm. It doesn't help that a dark cloud looms above, drowning the entire house, and yard in dreariness.
The only sound is a half-hearted jingle coming from the chimes hanging off the front porch awning. If we'd gotten the loan wouldn't there be music and laughter? Birds singing? I don't know… angels dancing on the lawn – or something? Not…nothing.
It's deserted and…moody.
The only ray of light in this bleakness is Jasper's dirty truck in the driveway.
Dropping my bike at the porch steps, I barrel through the screen door. There are no lights on inside, and my heart fills with dread when I see Jasper sitting at the kitchen table, with his head in his hands.
We didn't get it.
There's no hesitation – swiftly scrambling over to him, he barely has time to register I'm upon him before he's in my arms.
"It's alright, baby. There're other banks…bigger banks. There'll be other opportunities. I promise. We'll go to the city. We can do this…we will do this. I love you."
I think he says he loves me too, but it's muffled.
"What?" I pull back, gazing into Jasper's smiling face.
"We got it," he whispers excitedly, "and I love you too."
We got it?
I'm stunned, and can't seem to move. Now I realize why Jasper had looked so disturbed when I came in – he's shocked too. This is big.
My mouth hangs open, unable to form words.
"We got it!" he exclaims much louder, picking me up, and spinning around, like in the movies when a couple gets good news.
And it feels like we're in a movie, because real life doesn't turn out this sweet.
Grasping his hair, I mold my lips to his. He stops twirling to put his complete self, heart and soul into the kiss, and I feel it down to the tips of my toes.
"Did you call Sandy?" I inquire, breaking away from his searching lips.
"Not yet," he responds, breathless.
Sandy is one of the few commercial real estate agents in Bon Terre. We'd quickly procured her services after we found out Mr. Harvey was closing his antique shop in town. Aging, with no kids to hand it down to, and not enough profits the last couple of years to make it worthwhile to continue, he'd decided enough was enough, and is retiring at the end of the month.
The property is hot – prime location, perfect size between showroom and backroom - we could lose it any day, if we don't act fast.
"Well, what're – what are…you waitin'…waiting for?" I ask…but at the end I'm just a helpless mess of disillusion and annoyance.
It should've been a simple question.
To further my aggravation, Jasper's laughing at me. "I'm sorry," he says between chuckles, "You're so confused, darlin' – you should just give in," he informs, matter-of-factly. "Let it happen."
Blasphemy!
"Never!"
But back to the matter at hand: "Why haven't you finalized the offer? Wasn't she expectin' you ta call her today?"
"Ed…"
"We can't lose that place Jas. It's on the west side!" I start pacing. "I won't end up on the east side – they're all old. We'll never win the annual baseball tournament. They can't run…or catch, or swing, or slide – they're all old…" I repeat weakly – losing steam and hope.
Most of the town's annual competitions are made up of teams based on whether your business is located on the east or the west side of the lone traffic light located in the middle of Main Street.
We're going to end up on the east side – aka the "least side" – because they win the least amount of trophies.
"I don't want to win the least. I want to win the most," I complain, repressing the urge to stomp my foot.
"Jesus Christ Ed, stop –," he laughs. "I was just waitin' on you. I want to do this together."
"Oh."
Well, that definitely takes the bite right out my tantrum.
Since I've learned to open up and stop hiding behind people, I'm finding out new things about myself. I think I might be a tad neurotic – and maybe slightly immature-ish, but Jasper deals well – maybe even adores it a bit, so...yeah. It is what it is.
"Shouldn't we do that now?"
"Well, the spaghetti's gonna get cold. Maybe we should eat first." My sniffer finally recognizes the aroma floating around the room, and it smells absolutely delicious.
So, now I'm torn, because I really want to win the most, but Jesus, that smells a little bit like heaven.
Sensing my dilemma, Jasper squeezes me tight. "We can call Sandy first."
He kisses me sweetly, whispering against my lips, "I like to win too."
XXXXX
After a spectacular dinner and a forced walk that we cut super short, Jasper and I stumble into the house, pulling at each other's shirts and belts, like the hormonal teenagers we've become.
We fumble to our bedroom, ditching clothes along the way. We can't stop touching, kissing, smiling…he even has me giggling when his fingertips skim my sides, where I'm most ticklish.
Once we reach the bed, I tackle him. Both falling back onto the mattress, I quickly straddle his waist.
He grips my hips, settling me directly over his engorged cock, and it feels so damn good, when I circle my hips over his rod, provoking a sensual moan from his sexy mouth.
For the moment, we're content to dry-hump, merely delighting in the sensations of rocking against each other, while feeding off one another's reactions.
I love the way the tendons in his neck strain, and the power of his sultry blue gaze. The way he stares back captivates me. I'm never able to completely define his gaze because it's such a contradiction; confident and vulnerable, strong and defenseless, experienced and raw, sure and frightened – all at the same time.
"You're amazin', y'know that? You're makin' all my dreams come true," he declares, in wonder.
And we're totally on the same page.
Things I'd previously never dared to dream are in my grasp, and I'm never letting go. It simply astounds me that he feels exactly the way I do – that maybe he cherishes me as much as I cherish him…that he could possibly love me, as ferociously as I love him.
"Your dreams are my dreams, Jasper. I-I…I want to make love to you." My admission surprises (petrifies) me. He smirks, but then it fades when he realizes what I'm actually offering.
"Ed-" He shakes his head. "No, you don't have ta do this. I told you, I can live without that. I meant it, darlin'."
"I want to…Please Jas - don't say 'no' when I've finally found the courage."
He reaches up, caressing my cheek. "Really?" I nod, nervously. His palms slide down my arms in a comforting gesture. "Just remember – you can back out at any time. Okay?"
Another nod.
"I haven't done this often – a dozen times or so, and it's been a long, long while since the last time," he advises, but to my ears it's a major warning.
"I don't want to hurt you, baby."
"You won't," he assures me. "We just have to make room for that massive cock of yours first, okay?" He reaches across the bed, grabbing the necessary supplies. Laying them on the bed next to me, he positions himself – giving me full access to his gorgeous dick, tush, and everything in between.
Taking myself in hand, I bend down, licking the span of Jasper's cock, from balls to head, then I spend a few seconds laving each nut, while I stroke his heavy length. It's when he begins fucking my hand that I know we have to stop.
Sitting back I look from the wonderful sight in front of me, to the supplies alongside us. It looks daunting, but I remind myself that this isn't a process, or a chore – it's part of making love, and we do it all the time.
I've stretched him before…just not for me.
Here goes nothing…
I snatch the unscented lube, squeezing a generous dollop onto my fingers. Once, Jasper had accidentally purchased strawberry scented/flavored lube, and it actually smelled really nice, but I fucking love the smell of sex and I hated that the lube covered up the aroma of our lovemaking. He threw out the rest of the tube that night, and promised never to make that mistake again.
My hand quivers I hold the bottle over him, squeezing more than enough down his ass crack. I think I just consumed half the bottle, but I'm almost sure I bought stock in it last month – so it seems that would make me an attentive partner and a responsible shareholder; maximizing comfort and dividends – two birds, one stone.
"Are ya gonna do something Ed? It's drippin' down my back."
Oh yeah.
The first two fingers go in without incident…and in the past, this is where I usually stop, but he's asking for another.
And now, fear sets in and I don't know if I can go through with it. I don't want to lose him over this. It's an irrational, and completely ridiculous thought, but I feel it all the same.
I'm hesitant, and the third is a tight fit. I have to work at it gradually, thrusting while I push in a little further each time. Once completely in, I twist my fingers, barely spreading them, trying in vain to loosen him up.
"I'm ready," he pants.
What if I'm not?
"You're gonna be so good. I can't wait to feel you inside me…please," he states, as if reading my thoughts, and knowing exactly what I need to hear.
It's now or never.
After several leg switching moments, I figure out how I want to do this. I line up, completely certain this is going to be the worst fucking mistake I've ever made.
My dick must be avoiding my thoughts, because it's playing along – hard and glistening with a mix of lube, precum and…heat (sweat). How can it be so hot in here?
Don't pass out. Don't pass out. Oh my God –
"Dammit Ed, stop thinkin'. Just do it, honey…like Nike." He only calls me 'honey' when he's frustrated and trying to remain civil, but I really like Nike, so I don't give him the stink eye for patronizing me.
Maybe I'll give him shit later.
Instead I poke him in the hole, watching every nuance of his expression for any signs of regret – because if he really wanted to back out I'd totally stop for him, but he moans in that ultra-sexy way, encouraging me to push a little further.
Once I'm halfway in, my hips move in small thrusts which grow in size as his walls relax around me. It's so hot, tight…damn…slick, but that's not what does me in.
It's the pulsing around me – the gentle throbbing that's going to cause me to ejaculate prematurely.
"No, no, no! I gotta stop. I'm-I'm gonna cum."
"C'mere Edward. Kiss me…" he demands. I lean forward, granting his wish. Our wet mouths slide together in a sloppy kiss, and with his legs wrapped around my waist, I find myself buried impossibly deeper inside him – which does not help my problem.
Giving in to the torment, I pull away, pushing…thrusting, searching for that bliss, until Jasper groans – gaining my full attention.
His eyes are pinched shut, his hands are bunched into fists…
He's in pain. I'm hurting him.
All thoughts of orgasm are dead.
I knew I'd suck at this.
Looking down I see that Jasper's cock has shriveled – exactly like my confidence and ego.
"Keep goin'. You're doin' fine darlin'. Just slow down for a minute - you're a lot bigger than Oscar, and I have ta adjust." Oscar is his favorite dildo. It's named after a Sesame Street character, because it's green, and all of our toys are housed in a miniature silver trashcan. Oscar is probably just as long as I am, but definitely doesn't have the girth that I do.
My dick has softened drastically, making it harder and harder to stay in Jasper's tight tunnel. My will to continue is diminishing rapidly, and I just want him to flip me over and fuck me until I forget about this entire experience.
"Don't give up, please. I want this. See…look – look how hard you make me…" I peek back down to see that his cock has indeed once again sprung to life. "I love… oh shit. Mm, yeah…move like that. Fuck yeah…"
I'd been rocking back and forth, trying to retain my position inside of him. Apparently, while I'd been berating myself, he'd been having a good time. Seeing his pleasure causes my dick to twitch, and expand.
With renewed vigor I try once again, this time focusing solely on Jasper's needs, but it's extremely difficult to remain cognizant when Jasper is writhing and groaning – drowning in pleasure. I mean, he's always enjoyed our toys but – nothing like this.
His cock is dripping, stomach is clenched, he's mumbling incoherently, and I just want to get him there.
I pepper his jaw with light kisses until he moans my name.
I suck along his collarbone until he bucks up underneath me.
I bite his nipple until he begs me to go faster.
He watches me with burning eyes, as I reposition us. Hauling one of his legs against my shoulder, I prepare to plow into him.
"You look so beautiful with your dick in my ass. Fuck my hole, Ed – show me how much you fuckin' want me," he commands.
Searching for any reservations or deceit, I only see passion, trust and love.
Jesus Christ.
I stare down at this glorious man; the mass of blond waves covering the pillow, the beads of sweat accumulating on his upper lip, the sexy five-o'clock shadow, his blushing chest, and his beautiful rod hovering stiffly over his abdomen, quaking with each thrust.
He's magnificent.
He also looks ready to burst, and by the telltale whimpers emanating from him I'd say that assumption is quite accurate.
With one final mewl, he reaches for his dick.
"No, let me, baby. I want to take care of you," I pant, pulling his hand away from his length, to replace it with my own.
The second I touch him, he cries out. His head pushing back into the pillow, he mangles the bed sheets in his fists. "Fuck me…fuck me hard…Now!"
I slam into him, cursing when I feel my own orgasm forthcoming.
I want this to be about him.
These past months, I've learned to tame my animalistic side, but now, I find myself in the midst of those last fleeting moments, when the world washes away and rationality flees, left with only my base self – the part of me that isn't considerate and giving. It's the part that knows only to mate and find relief.
I'm fighting those instincts; trying not to chase down, what is already mine.
Losing my mind, and feeling like I can no longer withstand the euphoria banging on my door, Jasper clenches around me. I watch with rabid attention while his cock swells in my hand, releasing the biggest load I've ever seen, endlessly pouring from his cock in globs of creamy bliss.
For his benefit, I deliberately slow my thrusts – foolishly thinking I can maintain control, while Jasper spasms around me…but damn his dirty mouth.
"Best I ever had –" he comments breathlessly, recovering from his climax. Watching me, he swaps our hands, wringing the last of his cum from his shaft. "Next time I'm gonna climb on top, and ride that piece of heaven while you fuck up into me. Would you like that?"
A grunt is all I can supply, resuming my swift pace.
"Did ya like fuckin' me into the mattress?...I did. Can ya tell?" he asks, dipping his fingertips in one of the puddles of cum lying on his chest.
His seductive words, the tightness, the heat, and his slick body under mine, is a siren calling me home. My dick hardens – seizes, and before I can utter a word, I'm exploding inside my man.
Falling into an abyss of decadent rapture, I grab ahold – stretching each mind-numbing wave for as long as it will carry me – and roll after roll, I'm tumbling, throbbing, purging.
Never, ever…so good…
Depleted, I lay over him, burying my head in the crook of his neck. I don't know how long we lie motionless, but I swear I could stay in this position forever.
Despite our pounding hearts, Jasper looks serene. Eyes closed, he smiles, big and happy, relaxed and sated.
When he opens his eyes, they're light and playful. "Are you trying to convert me Edward?" he teases, but I take it seriously because, God help me, I want to do this again.
"No way…but I do want to do it again," I admit.
When I pull out of Jasper, he hisses and his face crunches up – reminding me of how I'd hurt him. "I'm so sorry, about the beginning…" I apologize, feeling like a total ass.
"It was a little rough in the beginnin', but you did great for your first time… and you definitely made up for it in the end," he says, convincingly. Pushing me away slightly, he motions downward. "When have you ever seen me make a mess like that?"
"Never," I reply, shyly, staring at the substantial stickiness between us.
"Besides, I'm lookin' forward to being a little sore…now clean me up. Your jizz is soakin' the bed."
I hand him a tissue to prevent more leakage, while I tumble out of bed to retrieve a wash cloth. "So, how long do we have to wait before I can do that again?" I inquire, practically strutting once I find my legs.
He swears, muttering something about being insatiable – and that I have a nice ass.
Yeah… I'm insatiable – snort.
XXXXX
Stay Still By Edward M. Cullen
Jeremy saunters confidently into the local saloon, his black Stetson sitting low and surreptitious on his brow. Every eye falls upon his wiry frame when he saddles up the bar, propping one foot on the bottom rung of the barstool, while the other long, muscular leg stretches out in front of him. He orders a whiskey straight, and after several slow minutes, removes his hat, letting everyone catch their first glimpse of the new Sherriff in town...
Except Jeremy isn't the new Sheriff in town – that was eons ago – now, he's just a lonely guy, searching for a decent job and a place to hang is hat.
"Pardon me. I'm new in town, lookin' for a job. Do you have anything available?"
The two bar owners look up, neither speaking right away. The man stares at Jeremy for several tense moments, looking him up and down with no discernible emotion.
"I don't know," he says slowly. "Are you just a passer-by, or are you staying?"
"I'm stayin'," Jeremy answers, in a deceptively strong voice.
"Even if I don't want you to?" Tony's words are barely audible, but the damage is devastating to Jeremy.
"Do you want me to leave?" he whispers, pleading with his eyes for Tony to say "no".
Instead Tony evades the question with one of his own. "Why are you here?"
Jeremy's tired – tired of a lot of things, but mostly tired of trying to make things work without Tony.
He's come to fix this, no matter what it takes.
"I miss my best friends." Jeremy glances at Maria, who is wiping tears from her cheeks, then back at Tony. His eyes blur when he looks at the man – blurred by the pain, and the longing, and the tired.
"But most of all I miss what we never had. I love you, and you may, or may not believe that, but I want a chance to prove it to you. Please?" Jeremy cracks on the last word, allowing someone to see how truly broken he is.
Tony hesitates only slightly, before Jeremy is crushed in his arms. And finally, the tears fall, cleansing him of months of self-induced torment.
He should've come after Tony sooner, when he'd accepted that he'd lost the other half of his soul in that close-minded town, four torturous months ago. He'd always known where Tony was – using his resources at the Sherriff's office to keep tabs on him, but he'd convinced himself that Tony was starting a new life, and should leave him be.
But Jeremy had been so wrong.
Feeling Tony's rampant heart beat against his chest confirms just how wrong he'd been. Being encased in his warm embrace is the closest Jeremy's felt to home in years, and there's nowhere else he would rather be.
He's no fool. Jeremy knows it isn't going to be seamless – that there's plenty of mending to be done. They won't be able to begin where they left off, almost a year ago – before Victoria had destroyed so many lives, but when Tony pulls back and tentatively touches his soft lips to Jeremy's for the first time, Jeremy realizes that he doesn't want to start where they left off, he wants to start over – just like this.
The End
XXXXX
"The end," I read.
Closing the laptop, and setting it aside, I search for Jasper's final reaction to my very first writing endeavor.
He looks contemplative, soaking it all in.
Stay Still had been published online, a month ago, and since then we've been reading one chapter a night. It's been fascinating hearing his interpretations and observations after each chapter. He'd changed his mind about the killer at least three times before he'd finally discovered it was Victoria, two days ago.
"That was really clever, repeatin' the first lines of the story in the last chapter," he comments.
It thrills me to no end that he recognized the first paragraph of the story when we'd read it over three weeks ago.
"So what do ya really think?"
"It's a masterpiece darlin' – could've been a bestseller it you'd made Jeremy fall in love with Maria instead of her brother."
Well, I don't know about all that, but I am sure he thinks so.
"I wrote this when I was fallin' in love with you. It helped me figure things out," I answer, simply.
Actually, the story is wildly popular, even making a few top ten lists, but it's true that I don't make a ton of cash from it. It's never been about the money, really – it was more about a release when I'd desperately been searching for relief from the stresses of real life.
The fact is; I just don't need that escape anymore.
Maybe in a couple years, when life settles down, I'll start a new story – but for right now, I'm having too much fun.
"So I was lookin' forward to some of those…'melons' though," he says, cheeks reddening.
Melons? Oh…
"Lemons, baby. They're called lemons," I correct, while straddling his hips. "But why would you want me to read one to ya, when I can show ya instead?"
"Why, indeed," he responds, pulling at the strings of my sleep pants.
XXXXX
Wiping the sweat from my brow, I rue my own suggestion of having our grand opening the week school let out for the summer. The middle of June…seriously, what was I thinking?
"God Jas, do we got the air on? It's hotter than fuck in here," I ask, a tad testily…okay – more than a tad, but there's a lot of pressure here.
The whole town is standing outside our window, waiting for us to open the doors. Among the mass is Rosalie and Emmett, Seth, Jasper's parents, and Alice who's holding Cain, Rosalie and Emmett's three month old baby.
"Um, why're Rose and Em standin' outside, again? We could use some help in here," I say – furiously dusting every surface and straightening products on the shelf for the umpteenth time.
If I stop, I fidget – which isn't productive at all. Dusting and straightening is better – it's productive.
"What the hell? Didn't we hire someone? Where is she? Shouldn't she be here right now?"
No response.
Turning, I find Jasper standing a few feet away, hands in pockets, rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet, in some sort of daze.
"Earth to Jas!" I shout.
"Ed – darlin', calm down. Everything's perfect," he says, snapping out of his trance.
"Calm down? We just turned our website on yesterday and we already have three on-line orders. Look at it outside…it's a freakin' madhouse." It hits me. "Oh my god," I whisper, "how're we gonna do all this?"
He clasps onto my shoulders, rubbing firmly up and down my arms, before capturing both my hands in his.
"Relax…the air is on, we do have employees, Rose and Em are here to help – and there's absolutely nothing that we can't accomplish." Did I how forget perfect we are for each other? "I-I just want to start this off right…" he trails off, with a shrug.
He huffs…and my breath stutters – because Jasper gets down on one knee.
I hear a high-pitched shriek outside, and I smile, but my gaze stays on Jasper – always on Jasper. He rolls his eyes, smiling at the commotion outside, but his eyes are glued to mine.
He becomes somber, staring at me for a long time.
Too long…
"Yes!" I blurt, excitedly. He frowns, looking chagrined.
He was going to ask me to marry him…
I think… shit.
I look down to make sure my shoelaces hadn't come untied…
"Jesus, darlin'…let me ask first," he admonishes, but I'm overjoyed because I wasn't wrong. Phew.
He clears his throat while pulling a small, black box out of his pocket. "You're my hero. Without you I'd be nothin' – I'd have nothin', because none of this means anything without you. I love you…so much. We've talked about 'forever', so let's start right now – before we open those doors…" He opens the box, inside is a beautiful platinum band. "Be my forever…, please?"
Now, there's a ton of noise coming from outsidesome kind of chant, but it's muddled and I can't make out what they're saying – but who cares, really? My man's on his knee.
"Yes," I squeal, overdosing on a combination of giddy and nervous. I just got engaged in front of the whole frickin' town.
He quickly places the ring on my shaky finger, and we hug – both of us laughing and teary.
Hoots and hollers, and banging on the windows, threaten to shake all the merchandise from the shelves and ruin all my handiwork. "Okay, okay, people, we're coming – for Christ sakes," I hiss in mock exasperation, when I'm actually just too happy for words.
With his hand on top of mine, we turn the lock for the first time together.
As people file in there are plenty of hugs and congratulations – for the store opening, as well as for the scene they'd witnessed.
The day is beyond successful. Jasper is an amazing craftsman, and people eat up our offerings – buying stock and placing special orders for a piece of his brilliance.
Emmett is helping load the bigger pieces into pick ups and U-hauls. Alice is schmoozing potential buyers. Rosalie is managing the refreshment table, and Angela, our new employee, is a pro, assisting with taking money, and wrapping delicate items.
I have a feeling she's going to work out real well.
I stand back from the chaos, holding my nephew. With a small smile, I watch Jasper behind the register of a very long line of patrons fishing out their pocketbooks.
Looks like we're going to have to completely restock the place after today. By the time Peter and Embry get here, there won't be anything left. I guess that means we'll be putting them to work too, but that's what family is for.
Peter is going to be pissed he missed Jasper's proposal. Maybe it'll be his turn to feel Peter's right hook. Yeah, he got me good, but I deserved it.
Thankfully, once Peter got that out of his system, he hugged me for a really long time. Now, we're just really good friends.
Jasper finishes up with his current customer, looking up and around until his gaze lands on me. I mouth an 'I love you'…he smiles and winks, taking the next customer in line, who happens to be Garrett.
On top of the fucking world, I marvel at my ring, then at the squirming baby boy in my arms. "Ah Cain, You don't know who Poe is yet, but he once said 'the ninety and nine are with dreams, content – but the hope of the world made new, is the hundredth man who is grimly bent on making those dreams come true'."
Looking through the store, at my family, friends – Jasper, I kiss my nephew's pudgy cheek, placing one little hand over my heart. "I know you won't remember what I just said, but I'll be here to remind you everyday to always be that hundredth man, Cain. Lay the world at your feet – so you can feel… this."
XXXXX
Two months later
The backyard of the Stormy Haven Inn is amazing every day of the week, but today…wow.
When Jasper asked me where I wanted to have the commitment ceremony I could think of no other place. It was also my idea to have the service a couple weeks before school started so we could have a proper honeymoon, which I'd done all the planning for.
I couldn't wait to surprise him with our trip to Tahiti tonight.
But this – this is a wonderful surprise.
Jasper wanted full responsibility for decorating, and the scene he created is absolutely breathtaking.
Thousands upon thousands of white lights hang low from the branches on every surrounding tree, a number of white wooden chairs are lined up on both sides of a path littered with white flower pedals, and at the end of that path are hundreds of white roses. Everything else was left as is, and the contrast between the natural murky darkness I'd become accustomed to and the clean white accents is simply stunning.
Jasper is talking to Embry, who'd offered to officiate, at the base of the large oak tree where our relationship basically all began.
We'd decided to only invite close family and friends to the ceremony. Seth and Garrett are here, but we'd agreed to have an additional celebration at the island when we get back from our honeymoon, for the rest of our friends.
I smile at mom and dad, sitting awkwardly in the back. They're not completely comfortable with the changes in my life, but they're here, and right now, I'm okay with that.
Sifting through guests, I'm trying to get to Jasper, but I stop short, a few feet away from him, paralyzed with shock and terror…
Carved into 'our' tree, once again, is the letters 'J' and 'E', in the same beautiful script I'd saw embedded in the tree a year ago, before the wind had swept them away.
Another mirage. I inch closer…my God, it looks so real.
"Do you like it, darlin'?"
"Huh?"
He inclines his head toward the tree. It is real. He did this?
"How- how did you know?" I ask, my voice shaking.
"Know what?" He seems genuinely confused.
Snapping out of my stupor, I paste a smile on my face. I'd thought it was just a product of my overactive imagination, and that there was no need to mention it to Jasper – but this is not a coincidence. I know I have to talk to Jasper about it, but now is not the time.
"That I'd love it, baby. It's perfect," I say, truthfully.
He exhales a gush of air, as if he'd been worried I wouldn't like it.
He kisses my cheek. "I'll be right back, I have ta talk to ma for a minute."
"Sure," I say, offhandedly, still staring at the engraving.
Once he's left, I cautiously raise a trembling hand, to trace the letters – making sure they are, in fact, real this time.
One touch and I'm immediately drawn into a new vision of a gorgeous summer day with two small children passing before my eyes – a small boy with brown hair and brown eyes, sits on soft patch of grass holding his hand out in front of him, palm up, and a young girl with blond ringlets and blue eyes, crouched behind the boy, with her arm around his shoulders, in a clearly protective manner. I don't know what they're doing, or who they are, but the level of warmth and love that washes over me while I observe them shakes me to my very core.
I pull my hand back with a gasp, gripping it in my other, as if it had been burned.
Jasper places a hand on my shoulder, obliviously happy. "It's time, darlin'."
And it's under the mystical tree, while Jasper and I repeat vows similar to a more traditional ceremony… love and cherish… in sickness and in health… that it occurs to me. I hadn't been lucky to find Jasper at all – we hadn't met by chance.
There was never any choice in the matter.
It'd been written in the stars all along.
AN: NOTHING has been revealed yet – all answers to come in the next chapter.
Outtakes? Want any? A few reviewers mentioned they'd like to see Edward visiting Peter after him and Jas got back together, or the two running into Alec, or a Seth/Garrett outtake of when Seth was taking care of Jasper, or some extra fun on the island. I was not planning on doing any outtakes for this story, but if there is a scene in popular demand I will definitely consider it. I'll decide by the next chapter and let you know in the update if we are truly done with these boys.
Due to so much being revealed next chapter, there's no teaser. I'm hoping to still hear from you all though.
Thanks so much for the support.
Deb