A/N: I'm so sorry I haven't been able to post this chapter sooner. I wanted to make it really good. And, it has to be the LONGEST chapter I've ever written. So, I hope you ALL enjoy it and leave me lots of reviews!


Chapter 24: Valentine's Day

~I don't know how you do what you do, I'm so in love with you. It just keeps getting better. I wanna spend the rest of my life with you by my side…forever and ever. Every little thing that you do, baby I'm amazed by you.~

I didn't think it was possible. I didn't really think that there was any possible way that I could love her more than I already did. But, this morning was I was talking with Rosalie, and showed her the gift that I was to give Natalia later on today, she made something very apparent to me.

"She is your world isn't she Jasper? I knew that you loved her very much but this…" she smiled at me "this takes it to a whole new level. I never thought that this…" she lightly tapped the box in front of us "would ever see the light of day again. You've always treasured it and protected it. And now, you're giving it to her." She sighed.

And, she was right. The love I have for her makes me trust her just as much. I know that she will never let this out of her sight. She will know just how special it is to me. She will know just how special SHE is to me today. Although, I don't really need a specific day to tell her all this, I tell her all the time. But today is special. Today I feel like I'm going to be giving her a part of me…

I'm sitting in her window sill right now and looking in. It's still a little too early for her to even be thinking about waking up. It is the weekend after all. But, when she rolls over and mumbles something incoherent, I really can't stay away from her anymore. I think for a moment before I think of the perfect way of waking her up…though, I'm a little nervous because I've never done this before…

I get down from her window and begin making my way over to her...she doesn't even know I'm here. She is in such a deep sleep. So, it'll probably take her a long time to wake up. This works out perfectly….it'll give me more time. A smile forms on my face once I finally reach her…

Though I could see her clearly from where I was sitting, I have a much better view of her now in front of me. I can only see her face but that is enough for me. She has her comforter pulled up all around her. From the looks of things, it looks like she had a restless sleep. I feel partially guilty and partially smug. Guilty because it seems that without me here with her, she wasn't able to sleep very well. But, at the same time, it makes me actually happy to know that she can't be without me for too long. I kneel down slightly so that I'm eye level with her sleeping form. Her hair is everywhere and is a mess.

I gently move a few pieces of it away from her face so I can see her better. She still hasn't moved. Her breathing is even and peaceful. It's like I'm not even here.

It's time to test out my little plan and see if it'll work. I kick off my shoes quickly and slide into her bed, moving the pillow that she was holding onto and her hands quickly find my shirt, holding herself in place against me. I place my head on top of hers and just relish for a few moments the feeling of warmth she exudes.

"I think it's time you wake up angel." I whisper but she doesn't move just as I expected.

I take an unneeded deep breath before I move on to my next plan.

"The Smell of your skin, the taste of your kiss, the way you whisper in the dark. Your hair all around me, baby you surround me. You touched every place in my heart…" I sing to her gently, making sure that the southern accent comes out as well. I know how much she loves it. The way her hair surrounds me sometimes, it's almost like it's just me and her in this world. My willow tree as I like to call her.

She doesn't do much, she's still in that deep sleep phase. I switched to the next song in my head.

"This much I know is true, that God blessed the broken road that led me straight to you. I think about the years I spent just passing through. I'd like to have the time I lost and give it back to you. But you just smile and take my hand. You've been there, you understand. It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true."

It's true, sometimes I feel like Natalia is the only one who understands me. More than my own family on occasion. Of course that could be the imprinting talking but, I think it goes further than that. She was meant for me and I would like to think that she was meant for me. Before she came along, it was like I was on this long path to nowhere…I feel like I have direction and purpose now.

Who would've thought that an 18 year old human girl would be the answer to all my prayers? Who knew that she would be the one I was unknowingly searching for?

She moved this time…and I finally think that she's about to get up but, she just rolled over and her hair tossed into my face. I frowned and pushed it away gently and wrapped an arm around her waist. I only have one more song to sing to her…so she better get up. So, I better make it a good one.

"I can't get your smile out of my mind, I think about your eyes all the time…" I sang to her, touching the side of face gently. "You're beautiful but you don't even try. Modesty is just so hard to find." I traced my fingers across the old black t-shirt of mine that she is wearing. Even asleep with her a hair everywhere, she is the epitome of beauty in my eyes. Again, I could simply be being biased. "Now I'm speechless, over the edge I'm just breathless…hopeless, head over heels in the moment." I leaned over and gently singing the last line into her ear before kissing the spot just beneath it.

I finally get a response out of her…just, it wasn't what I was expecting from her.

She sighed before quickly rolling back over and attaching herself to me. She even wrapped one of her legs around my waist. It was then that I noticed that she wasn't very much more than that old t-shirt of mine.

"So much for modesty." I laughed lightly and a little nervously.

I think perhaps maybe I might of let my emotions slip out and sent them to her…

As much as having her against me was an extremely nice feeling…I felt like we shouldn't be doing this. Even if she was semi-asleep.

"You like it…" she murmured sleepily into my chest before reaching up to kiss the base of my throat and I could feel her smile against me. She knew she was getting to me with just one little touch… "Happy Valentine's day…" she giggled.

"Mm, yes Happy Valentine's day…" I sighed. She had me. I gently grabbed her and sat up slightly so that she was on top of me somewhat. She curled slightly up against me and within a few minutes, I was beginning to hear her steady breathing…

"Natalia…you aren't falling asleep again are you?" I shook my head trying to move her but she wouldn't budge.

"It's too early Jasper…" she whined against me. "Its Saturday…can't I sleep in a little bit longer?" she rambled.

"I'm afraid not darlin'….now come on, we have a lot to do today." She just buried herself deeper against me. "I didn't want to have to resort to this…" I said, trying to be as serious as possible before I took my hands and started tickling her on her sides. I knew that this was one of her weakest points and she was instantly squirming against me until she had rolled off me and was on her side…trying to calm down her fits of laughter.

"Not funny…" she sighed, laying on her side and staring up at me, but she had an amused expression on her face.

"You sang to me Jasper…" she pointed out the obvious.

"Yes, I know." I laughed "I figured it was the only way I could wake you up…you're such a deep sleeper Natalia."

"At least you know you could do things to me and I wouldn't even notice…"

"What? I would never…" I started at her in disbelief.

"I know, I was kidding…" she reached over and grabbed my hand and leaned her cheek against it. "It was a very sweet thing of you to do. I had no idea that you could sing…"

"Me either." I shrugged "I figured I'd try it out. Just for you."

"Well I'm flattered. I enjoyed those country songs…though, I am wondering why you were singing me a Jonas Brother song?" she laughed some more.

"I heard it on the radio on my way over here…and it was stuck in my head. I do like that part of the song though…I do think about your eyes all the time."

"I like them you know? Especially the middle brother…he's extremely cute." She sighed and she pretended to start daydreaming.

"You're not serious are you?" I looked down at her.

"What? He is…" she laughed "You know Jasper, maybe if you tried to straighten your hair…" she joked.

"I can't straighten my hair. Whatever that means…it'll stay forever in this manner."

"Too bad. Good thing I love you just the way you are."

"Good, because I wouldn't want to hurt this guy…who you don't even know." I shook my head at her.

"Calm down." She giggled "I'm still going to think he's cute…but you don't have anything to worry about…" she teased "I sort of have eyes for a certain honey blonde…"

"Good."

"Anyways…" she sat up now "The eyes are what started all of this…" she sighed, thinking back to that first day I met her probably. Well, I know that's what I was thinking about. It was the day that my entire life changed.

It was that day that she became my life.

"Yes, yes they are…" I leaned over and kissed her forehead "now get up and put some clothes on so I can make you breakfast. Like I said, we have a lot to do today. And I am going to spoil you so much it's going to be ridiculous…"

Before she had a chance to open her mouth, her bedroom door opened and in pranced Alice, a big smile on her face.

"Morning lovebirds." She beamed and looked at the two of us "Natalia, did you see the new outfit I got you that's hanging up in your bathroom?" she asked, excitement all around her.

"I just woke up Alice…what's with you vampires and wanting to get going at such an early time." She laughed.

"Why waste such a beautiful day right? So, go take a shower…let's go missy!" she clapped her hands, causing Natalia to jump slightly.

"Fine." She mumbled and got up off of the bed and walked over into her bathroom.

"Jasper!" Alice called my name and made me turn to look at her. "I just had a vision." She whispered with enthusiasm.

"Okay." I nodded. She had visions all the time. It was just part of who she was. I have to admit, Alice and I weren't the closest of friends. Not by choice…it's just that we hadn't spent a lot of time to really to get to know one another. But, she was still a friend none the less.

"A vision of you and Natalia…and a certain box!" she threw her hands up because she had to basically spell it out for me.

"Oh…" I smiled suddenly "and was it a good vision?"

"Oh yes, yes…everything was perfect…I just wanted to tell you that you have nothing to worry about. She is going to love it." She smiled before turning to walk out of the room.

After she left, I walked over to the bathroom door and knocked on it quickly. I didn't really think that she was going to open it…I was just bored without her.

"Alice…I saw the dress…it's really pretty…" Natalia laughed as she opened the door a little bit and walked away. Did she really forget that I had been in the room just a few moments ago?

I watched her as she went over to turn on the shower, checking the water so that it wasn't too hot. She flipped on the small radio she had in there and just started dancing.

She turned around and stopped right away, a confused look on her face.

"Why did you stop? That was sort of cute…" I laughed.

"You're not Alice." She blushed.

"Well, thank God for that. Otherwise…" I picked her up easily and set her on the bathroom counter "I wouldn't be able to do this." I smiled and kissed her. And, for the first time, I used my gift to show her just how much I love her.

Her grip instantly tightened around me as she wrapped both of her legs around me, as if to stop me from going anywhere. Like I would ever leave…

She mumbled something against me and I was pretty positive it sounded like my name.

I think I might have over done it just a little bit because her lips suddenly weren't against mine but rather they moved down…against my neck while her hands found themselves on the front of the shirt I was wearing.

She was getting a little too ahead of herself now. I didn't want her to think that I was trying to seduce her or something…I just wanted us to have a little fun.

Little being the key word. And, I think it was time to stop her…as much as I didn't want to.

"Your water is going to get cold." I grabbed both of her hands in attempts to stop her. She wasn't too happy that I did it though.

"I don't care…" she didn't look up at me, she was focused elsewhere.

Yes, I definitely over did it with the sharing of the gift.

"Well, as enjoyable as this is right now…I think it'd be best if we save it for another time perhaps." I tried to word it right but I failed miserably because she suddenly looked back up at me, a look of disappointment on her face. She dropped her hands and looked down and away from me…trying to make sense of things in her mind no doubt.

"I'm sorry." She whispered "I should've known."

"Known what?" I touched her face gently and lifted it so she could see me. Even though she was so upset, her legs hadn't moved and we were still inches apart.

"I think I got a little carried away. I should've known that this isn't what you wanted…I mean, why would you? I look like a big mess right now…" she started rambling again.

Things finally clicked in my mind. Natalia is too much sometimes.

"You are anything but angel." I smiled at her "I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong impression…I just wanted you to get sort of glimpse of the amount of love I have for you."

"Gift using again?" she raised her eyebrow at me and I nodded slowly. "I guess that makes sense…I was wondering why I sudden feeling of emotions…I'm just glad there was a good reason behind all this?"

"Care to explain?"

"Meaning…you didn't just push me away because you don't want to me in that way right? I mean, you're attracted to me in that way right? NO! You so don't have to answer that Jasper…" she blushed deeply "that totally slipped out…" she whispered.

"It's a perfectly normal question to have." I teased her. "You ARE a teenager after all…" I shrugged.

"I was just thinking about that conversation we had a long time ago. About how you said that one day being with me in that way would be on your mind…I just thought, it was on your mind now…"

"Well…" I looked into those eyes of hers "Let me put it this way okay?"she nodded "I may be inhuman…but I'm still a man." Her eyes widened in surprise at my response. I kissed the tip of her nose quickly before helping her down from the counter.

"I think you should take that shower for real now Natalia." I motioned towards the shower that was still running. Hopefully she wouldn't freeze in there.

"Will you be waiting for me when I get out?"

"Well, not in the bathroom…probably downstairs." I laughed at her when she glared at me.

"Okay then…" she nodded and I walked out of there, shutting the door behind me.

I decided that now would be a good time to go back to my house to grab my gift for Natalia and pick up something else for her. It would take me at most ten minutes so I would be back in time to make her breakfast.

I ran a little quicker than usual and did make it back before she even came out of the bathroom.

The girl at the flower shop had just stared at me when I walked in. And, I do believe she called me "utterly romantic" or something like that.

I was already working on making her something to eat when I heard her come down the stairs. I think she was trying to be sneaky and surprise me. But, about two things made that impossible. First off, I can hear virtually everything and secondly, I could hear the clack of her high heels…and it sounded like she was having trouble walking in them.

"I give you an A for effort angel." I laughed and turned around to look at her.

She frowned but quickly broke into a sly smile when she saw the way I was staring at her. I couldn't help it…and I didn't care. She knew she looked amazing…

"I don't know why Alice gave me these shoes…they hurt my feet and I feel like I'm going to fall over." She walked slowly towards me…not getting very far before tripping over her own two feet.

My reflexes allowed me to catch her in an instant.

"That wasn't intentional I swear…" she laughed once she was back on her two feet again. "I give up!" she kicked off the shoes, dropping down three inches in height.

"I believe you…and I really like that dress." I motioned for her to sit down so I could bring her the food.

"Yea? It reminds me of my mom actually." She said softly. I brought her the plate of food and sat across from her. She hadn't talked much about her mom in the amount of time that we had been together. "She used to wear things like this. Me too when I was younger. When we'd go to Mexico, she'd always buy me a new one."

The dress was black and had flower prints on the front of it (A/N: There's a link on my profile so you can see the dress).

"But, it's good memories right?"

"Oh yes." She smiled.

"Then that's all that matters. Now, I hope that you like this…I don't have very much cooking experience so if it tastes nasty, you don't have to eat it." I pointed down to the plate of French Toast in front of her. She cut into it…and she loved it.

"I think it's time I give you one of my gifts." I said once she was done.

"One…you mean, there's more than one?" she looked up at me when I helped her up and into the living room. "But I thought…" she frowned, a little bit of frustration coming from her.

"I know, I know…but, there are only two actual gifts. And the first one doesn't really count…because it's a given for Valentine's Day." I tried to play it off as she sat on the couch. "Close your eyes Natalia." I more so commanded her.

"We aren't in the military Jasper." She laughed but closed her eyes anyways. "though I wouldn't mind…Major Hale." She laughed at herself.

"Actually…" I grabbed the bouquet of flowers "It was Major Whitlock…I used my mother's maiden name when I joined the army…if you really want to get into specifics."

"Interesting. Can I open my eyes now?"

"Yes." I sat beside her and when she did her smile grew even wider as she took in the sight before her.

"They're so…" she bit her lip for a second "colorful!" she beamed, looking at the array of flowers in front of her.

"There is meaning to my madness…would you like me to explain?"

She just nodded excitedly and I set the vase on the coffee table in front of us.

"Well the Red ones are pretty obvious. They're simply for the love I have for you. But then there's the darker ones see?" I pointed to them "those are supposed to stand for unconscious beauty…because you sometimes never see your own beauty Natalia."

"And the bright pink ones?"

"Grace and elegance." I responded and she looked at me confused "Well, most of the time you're pretty graceful. Anyways, then there's the Lavender and purple ones. They stand for love at first sight and magnetism…to which, I clearly fell in love with you the day I first looked into those brown eyes of yours…and I haven't been able to stay away ever since." I reached over and grabbed her hand.

I knew at any moment she was going to start crying…not that it was a bad thing. As long as she was crying out of joy.

"That leaves us with White and Orange."

"I know what White stands for." She smiled "they stand for innocence and purity…you brought me white flowers that day I was in the hospital remember? I knew that something was going to build between us…and it was so cute to bring me white flowers."

So, she had noticed all along?

"And then finally there's the Orange one…" I pointed to the last one in the bunch "it stands for fascination, passion & desire…"

"They're beautiful Jasper…I don't think I've ever gotten a dozen roses before…let alone such a colorful display of them. It's perfect. You're perfect…" she wrapped her arms around me and I just held her tightly against me.

If she was this happy about flowers, I can only imagine what's going to happen later on…

"So when do I get this other gift?" she laughed.

"Later. Right now, we're going to go out for a bit…and I'll give it to you when we come back. What do you say?"

"I say okay. But, can I give you your gift now? It's not fancy or anything…" she shrugged.

"Of course…all I need is you with me."

"You have to say that Jasper…" she laughed and went upstairs quickly and returned a few minutes later, a package in her hands.

"I hope you don't think it's too cheesy…it's not the most original idea."

"Why are you putting yourself down? I haven't even opened it yet." I sighed and gently removed the paper off the gift.

"What do you think? Do you like it…" she asked as she stood in front of me awaiting my reaction to the gift in my hands.

"No…" I looked up at her and her face fell for a moment "I completely love it…no one has ever given me something like this before. And that's is the absolute truth. Come here and explain this all to me…" I grabbed her hand and brought her back to my side.

"There just some of my favorite pictures of the two of us…like see there's one from last year on Valentine's day. What else…oh! Christmas after you gave me that gorgeous ring…" she pointed to all different kinds of pictures in the collage.

"What about the quote at the top?" I asked.

"Well…" she hesitated "I took it from a movie…but it reminds me of you every time I watch it."

I looked down at it again. It read "Love is like the wind…you can't see it, but you can feel it."

"See because I always see the amount of love you have from me every time I look into those beautiful hazel green eyes of yours…and well, I know that I probably have even the fraction of that in my eyes. It must be the imprinting…" she laughed lightly "Anyways, I do know that you can always feel the love I have for you. Because you can always read my emotions…that's why I picked it. You can always feel my love and I can always see yours."

"You are amazing do you know that?"

"Oh I'm so glad that you liked it Jasper…" she sighed in relief.

"Well now that we've gotten part of the gift giving out of the way…what do you say we get going? I want to take you around the big city for awhile before we come back and you get the second part of your gift."

"Sounds perfect…" she leaned over and kissed my cheek and got up to go find another pair of shoes.

We drove around for hours.

We stopped every now and then to get off and just walk around. As usual, it was a pretty cloudy day so we had no problem venturing around the town.

I let Natalia get pretty much whatever she wanted. It wasn't that much though. I would've loved to have bought her more things.

"Not going to happen." She kept telling me every time I reached to buy her something she thought was "cute" or "nice."

There was a lot of people out on the town today. Not like that was something unexpected. We walked among the other couples who were enjoying their day together.

I couldn't help but laugh to myself whenever we would walk by a girl and guy together and I could feel jealously coming from the both of them. The girl because she wanted to be with me and the guy because he wanted to be me.

It didn't make sense to me. They should be utterly happy that they have someone to love. But, like they say, people always want what they can't have.

Thankfully, I never felt an ounce of jealously coming from Natalia the entire time we were out. Not that I expected her to…

"That was so nice…" she sighed as we started driving back. "I think I'm ready for a nap." She looked over at me.

"Well, it'll take us about twenty minutes to get back into town…"

"How about you drive the speed limit so I can have almost an hour?"

"How about not? Now you have nineteen minutes…" I laughed and she just closed her eyes. I don't think it was possible for someone to fall asleep that fast. But, Natalia was the queen at sleeping.

She could do it anywhere…anytime.

"We're here." I announced exactly nineteen minutes later. I gently nudged her and her eyes shot open and she looked out the window.

"Where are we? This isn't my house?" she looked at me funny.

"Obviously…" I got out and opened her door for her "I hope that you aren't too sleepy to go for a quick run?"

"No…well, as long as you carry me?"

"Perfect…you might want to leave your shoes behind though, they might get lost." I suggested and she kicked them off and threw them in my car. When she was ready, I lifted her up and just started running.

She just held her face against me…she didn't like the dark that much after all.

I stopped just as we reached the edge of the small lake.

"Oh, the infamous tree…I haven't been here in a long time." She smiled when she looked up.

"I have to jump remember…" I leaned down slightly and her grip tightened around my neck again before I did it.

"When are you going to realize that I'm never going to land in the water?" I laughed as I set her down.

"I'm sorry…it's just a natural reaction."

"Here, sit on this." I took off my jacket and laid it on the grass. She just did what I asked her to do, knowing she'd lose any argument.

"I really do love it out here. It's nice to just get away from everything once in awhile. Not to say that I don't love my family…it's just nice to be the two of us." She clarified.

"Mm, I couldn't agree more." I sat beside her and just looked out towards the lake for a few moments.

Suddenly, I was extremely nervous. And, that small box in my pocket felt like it weight a thousand pounds.

"Are you okay?" Natalia waved her hand in front of my face, a worried look on her face.

"Yes. I was just thinking…about how I'm exactly supposed to go about this."

"About what?" she quickly looked down at the ring she had on her finger.

"Don't worry…I'm not proposing to you tonight."

"oops." She blushed.

But then I remembered what Alice had told me this morning. About how everything was going to be perfect.

"I do have something to give to you though Natalia. It's the second part of your gift." I reached into my pocket and grabbed the small box and handed it her…ever so gently.

She opened it just as gently and was greatly relieved with the look on her face when she saw it.

".God." she said each word slowly, making her sound like a typical girl.

But, she was my girl.

"Here, let me see your hand…" I said taking the box and taking the small diamond and pearl bracelet out (A/N: Again, take a look at it. Link on the profile) and clasped it gently on her wrist.

"Natalia, will you promise me that you will take care of this bracelet…forever?"

"Yes of course! It's so beautiful Jasper…where did you get it? It looks so delicate…" she marveled at it.

"It belonged to my mother." I said and she stopped everything she was doing to look back at me.

"What? Your mother! But how…I mean…yes, how?" she stared at me.

"Well, when I was nineteen, and after Rosalie had disappeared and before I joined the army, my mother came to me one night and gave me this small box of things that were hers. Why she gave it to me then I don't really know. She told me to make sure they stayed safe for as long as I lived…and well, I couldn't break a promise I made to my mother now could I?"

"But Jasper…that was…" she paused for a moment "over a hundred years ago…"

"Yes, I know. See, after I was changed and lived for decades being that ruthless monster, one of the first things I did when I broke away from that life is return to where my old home was. Obviously, my parents were no longer alive…but, I had hid that box before I left and low and behold, it was still there when I snuck in one night to find it. I took it with me…and after Rosalie and I found one another again, I gave her most of what was in there but this." I tapped the bracelet gently "I kept…I just couldn't part with. I see now why that was."

"Why?"

"Because my mother said that one day I was to give this very bracelet to the owner of my heart…"

"Oh…I…I don't know what to say." She bit her bottom lip, trying to stop herself from crying.

"This is something that is very precious to me. It's the last physical memory I have of my mother Natalia…so, you have to understand that I'm giving this to you because I love you so much and I trust you completely…I know that you will keep it safe at all times."

"Oh, I promise you Jasper." She nodded her head "I will protect for the rest of my life. I still can't believe that you would give this to me…but I promise you."

"It sort of feels like you're truly a part of me now…never in a million years did I think I'd be giving this bracelet to someone. I loved my mother so much…she was such a kind and compassionate soul. Much like you are…"

That's all it took…because right after I finished my sentence, the tears fell. She was so happy though. And, that's all that mattered. She had accepted my mother's bracelet with such gratitude and love.

"I love you…" she wrapped herself around me and I held her, letting her cry her tears of happiness.

"This has to be the most beautiful piece of jewelry I've ever seen…I think because there's so much history to it." She said after she pulled away but I kept her at my side.

"So, was it a happy Valentine's Day?"

"What!" she laughed "it's been one of the happiest days of my life…I don't know if anything can compare to this moment…" she sighed, so content.

"Our wedding day perhaps?" I suggested. I know we hadn't really talked much about it but, it was bound to happen at some point right?

"How about I graduate first before we start thinking about a wedding?"

"Fine by me…that's only four months away." I kissed her forehead.

"Don't worry Jasper, I will never leave you…I'll be yours forever." She unknowingly reassured me.

It was like music to my ears. She had just promised me forever…whatever her definition of forever was didn't matter at the moment.

"I love the idea of forever…" I murmured against her hair as we sat there together.

She was mine.

She'd always be mine.

But, it was more than that.

As I looked at the bracelet on her wrist…I knew she'd be a part of me…forever.


I do hope that it was worth the wait! I tried to make it as good & romantic as possible.

Anways, the songs Jasper 'sang' belong to Lonestar and Rascal Flatts. And, of course the Jonas Brothers (Sorry but I HAD to put that song in there...because I just saw that movie of their yesterday!)

Oh, and the quote in the collage was from the movie "A Walk to Remember.."

That's all

Reviews=LOVE & A Preview of the next chapter

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