Disclaimer: S. Myer owns all, but what I wouldn't give for a Jasper of my very own-sigh.

A/N- One last fun chapter to celebrate Jasper's birthday before they head back to Seattle.

My poor beta has been working her fingers to the bone, so this chapter is once again unbeta'd, so all mistakes, grammatical and otherwise are my own.

As always, many thanks and lots of hugs to Dannie, this wouldn't be here without her.

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Cowboys ain't Easy to Love

Location: Abilene, TX (Tranquil)

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"Out in the backwoods, workin' hard for a dollar in the
Backwoods yeah we get it done right
Work hard, play hard, hold my baby tight
Lordy have mercy it's a real good life"~Justin Moore

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"I can't believe you went dancing at Gilly's!" Charlotte squealed as we sat in her kitchen table filling her and Peter in on our trip east and Dallas. We had arrived home late the night before, barely making it through the door before we both fell into bed. Peter knew we were back because he had banged on the door at six that morning, telling Bella to hurry up with my morning head because breakfast was almost done. Bella told him she was already having the breakfast of champions and I heard Peter chuckling as he walked off.

After a long birthday hug, Bella had stumbled out of bed and headed for the shower. As I felt my erection ache, I debated on taking care of it while she was in the shower, but knew Peter's impeccable timing would ruin any fun I might have. Instead, I had gotten up and dressed, hissing as I contained my hard on in my jeans.

"I only danced because I had lost a bet, but it was…" she glanced over at me and winked, "fun. I met the cutest guy there. Great dancer too."

Charlotte tossed me a concerned look. "Oh really?"

"Yep," Bella chuckled. "Jasper was incredibly jealous." I nodded and Peter eyed me. "He's so cute when he's jealous."

"Did you beat the shit out of him?" Peter asked as he set his coffee on the table and leaned back to put his arm around Charlotte's shoulders as she sat in the chair next to him. Snuggling down against him, she waited for my answer.

"Ah, no. That wasn't necessary," I finally replied and looked at Bella, who urged me to continue. "You see he was old enough to be her grandfather."

Bella grinned at me. "He was cute though, you got to admit."

"Not that I'm a good judge of 'cute', but he was your typical Texas grandpa."

"Bella," Charlotte nudged her with her foot. "Why would you dance with some grandpa when you had Jasper?"

She had me alright.

"Well, Jasper taught me the two-step, but after dancing for awhile I went to the bathroom and on my way out, I stopped to watch a line dance. This guy saw me and asked if I knew the dance. When I said no, he offered to teach me," she finished with shrug.

"He was totally crushing on her too," I wiggled my eyebrows.

"I hate to ruin the fun, but I promised mama I'd head over to help her set up for the party tonight," Charlotte said as she stood and pulled Peter to his feet. "Kiss me good-bye, stud, and I will see you later tonight. Wear something sexy," she smiled and kissed him before turning to Bella. "Come with me? You don't want to hang out here with these two all day, do you?"

Bella glanced over at me from her chair. "Actually, I have a surprise planned for her later," I spoke up. "But we will be heading over to your place early."

"Jasper," Bella chided, and Charlotte looked back and forth between us.

"She hates surprises," I explained. "Trust me on this, Bella, you'll love it."

"Okay, I'll meet y'all over there later this afternoon." She gave Peter one last kiss and then came over to me, leaned down and kissed my cheek before whispering "Happy birthday," and heading out the door in a blur.

As soon as she was out the door and in her truck, I looked at Peter. "Ready?"

The mischievous glint in his eye got brighter and he nodded. "Damn straight, I'm ready. Been waiting years to do this."

Sipping her drink, Bella looked at us both. "What do you have planned, boys?"

"Do you want to tell her, or should I?" I asked Peter. He motioned with his hand, so I turned to Bella. "The summer before I left, Peter and I became 'blood brothers', you know that is?"

"Of course," she scoffed.

"That summer, we swore when we were old enough, we would get tattoos to symbolize being blood brothers." I grinned at her.

"Tattoos?" she asked in shock. "You and Peter are going to get tattoos?"

"Yes' ma'am," Peter agreed as he gathered his wallet and keys. "See, we've wanted them for years, and well, being Jasper's birthday and all, we thought what better way to fucking celebrate than a tattoo."

"And Charlotte?" Bella raised any eyebrow.

"Charlotte doesn't know, it's a surprise."

"I'll say," Bella mumbled.

"Ready?" Peter asked, heading for the door and I stood up.

"You're going now?" Bella asked, surprised.

"Fuck yeah, don't have much time before we have to be at Betty and Jack's. Ya coming?"

"Fuck yeah," Bella imitated. "I wouldn't miss this for the world." Standing, she grabbed her bag and was out the door before either of us.

"Well, fuck, she's an eager one, isn't she?"

"You have no idea," I shook my head as we headed out to his truck.

Bella sat between us for the ride, her hands constantly brushing the blowing strands of hair off her face. With the windows open, Peter had the music on as we sang and joked while he drove us the tattoo parlor.

"Do you know what you are getting?" Bella asked us as she attempted to put her hair back in an elastic.

"Peter does," I admitted and she turned to him.

"What are you getting?"

"I was thinking of getting the words 'cepi corpus'," he chuckled, "but Jasper said I was full of shit."

"What's it mean?" she asked, pushing her hair back off her face again.

"'I got the body'," he said seriously.

"Jasper's right," Bella agreed.

"Hey now, y'all never seen the goods."

"I beg to differ," I argued, tipping my hat back off my head.

"That was years ago," he countered. "We were kids, things have…matured."

"Matured," I repeated thoughtfully. "So your dic-"

He stopped me, "Not in front of the woman folk. Besides," he patted Bella's knee. "No sense making the poor girl all jealous when she realizes what she's missing out on."

Laughing, Bella turned to me. "Do you know what you're getting?"

After thinking of a moment, I shook my head. "Nah, not yet, I just know I want one."

It was a lie. I knew exactly what I wanted to get.

The parlor was well-lit and comfortable with a waiting room and a pleasant girl behind the counter. Peter greeted her by name as he approached and asked if Jay was in.

"Sure, let me go get him," she answered, stepping out to the back room. A minute later, Jay walked in, dressed in a black tee shirt and jeans, both his arms covered with intricate, colored tattoos. Grinning, he held his hand out to Peter.

"Shit, Peter, been forever, how are ya man?"

Peter shook his hand before turning to me. "I'm great. Do you remember Jasper Whitlock?"

"No fucking way," he looked at me in awe. "Little shit that used to chase my sister around the Base, right? I haven't seen you since junior high. How the hell you been?"

"Good, living up in Seattle now. Just came back for a visit," I replied, shaking his hand.

"Sweet, sweet." He patted my shoulder and pointed to Bella. "This your girl?"

Stunned on how to answer his question, I remained quiet but Bella spoke up, "Not anyone's girl. I'm Bella," she smirked and held her hand out.

After shaking it, Jay turned to Peter. "So you ready?"

Peter motioned to me. "He's getting one too."

Turning to me Jay asked me, "Ya know what you want or do you need to look through some designs?"

"I know," I replied, feeling the weight of Bella's stare on me as my lie in the truck was revealed.

"Great. Well come back here, boys and let's get you setup." He led us through a door and into an open room with three leather chairs that resembled dentist chairs with a screen around each one that would offer privacy. Peter immediately pulled his shirt off over his head and put it on a table.

"Are these the goods you were talking about," Bella asked, nodding to his toned bare chest.

"This is just a sample, darlin'," he winked before sitting down on a stool while Jay gathered some things and set them on the table.

"You been bragging about your dick again?" Jay asked absently as he pulled on some gloves and began swabbing Peter's shoulder with a cotton ball. "You guys can sit over there if you want," Jay informed us, pointing to a few stools nearby. Bella and I each grabbed one and dragged it closer to watch his work on Peter.

After preparing the area on Peter's shoulder where he wanted the tattoo on, Jay applied the transfer and pulled it off. Holding up a mirror for Peter, "That what you want?" he asked gruffly.

"Perfect," Peter smiled and winked at me. Bella stared at the design as Jay began with the needles. "Damn, that stings," Peter groaned.

"Pussy," Jay mumbled as he continued without hesitation. Slowly and precisely, Jay worked on Peter as Bella and I watched. Jay and Peter talked about mutual friends and gossiped to me about some old friends from the Base. Before we knew it, Jay put the tool down and admired his work. "Looks fucking great if I do say so myself."

"Always were a bit conceited," Peter sighed, "Got that mirror." Jay held it up and Peter grinned. "Shit man, you're right, it does looks great."

Jay turned to us, "What do y'all think?"

"Beautiful," Bella whispered, still staring at Peter's shoulder. Four Latin words were written in an elegant script, thin swirls extending from the 'M's, 'A' and 'F', each letter shaded in faint shades of red and blue. "Meus amicus, meus frater. What's it mean?" she asked, her fingers practically twitching. I could tell she was dying to reach out and touch the newly inked skin. Jay began to apply an ointment to the tattoo.

"My friend, my brother," Peter answered, giving me a small smile.

"Damn right," I returned his smile and held my fist out for him to bump. Jay finished applying the ointment, then a bandage to Peter's tattoo and tossed him his shirt.

"Please cover up the 'goods', no need to tease the little lady anymore," he chuckled before turning to me. "Your turn."

Slowly, I tugged my tee shirt over my head and put it on the same table Peter had. Slightly embarrassed to be standing in front of them all shirtless, I felt my cheeks warm up. Shaking my head, I pushed my waves back off my face, tucking them behind me ears.

"Speaking of goods," Peter winked.

"Fuck off," I rolled my eyes and climbed into the chair, resting my elbow on the arm.

Jay had brought over sterile supplies and was setting them up as he began to ask me a few questions. Handing me a piece of paper, I wrote down what I wanted and how I wanted it to look. He asked me a few detailed questions as he prepared my upper left arm the same way he had Peter's shoulder. Peter and Bella sat on the stools and watched, Bella seemed fascinated as Jay began freehanded.

"You're not using the paper?" she asked concerned. Self conscious of them watching me so closely, I kept my eyes in my lap or looking around the shop. It stung at first, but gradually became a rather numb feeling, the pin pricks dipping the ink into my skin.

Jay shook his head. "Not for this one, darlin'. He just wants a simple phrase in an arc. I outlined it in pen quick, but the rest is easy shit. Peter came in a few weeks ago and we designed his, so it was quicker to have the transfer ready."

Bella watched me intently, my face for any signs of pain, my skin as it reddened and became stained from the ink. "Does it hurt?" she asked quietly.

"Stings a bit, but you get used to it," I replied, watching her as she leaned forward in the stool, trying to get a better look. "More Latin?" she sighed as the second word was complete in the steel blue color I had decided on. Peter explained the process to her in more detail as Jay worked on me. When he was done, I held my arm up for inspection.

"Looks great, man," Peter complimented his approval.

"Yeah?" I asked as I looked at it in the mirror. "Thanks, Jay. It's just what I wanted." I waited as he applied the ointment. Bella stood up and walked over, standing beside me, she lifted her fingers and reached for my arm.

Not actually touching it, she traced the elegant script letters, the same exact style as Peter's. "Do ut facias?" she murmured before forcing her eyes from my newly stained skin to my eyes.

"'I give so that you may do'," I whispered, looking down at my lap, and I swear she gasped. Jay covered it up with a bandage and handed me my shirt. Standing, I pulled it on over my head, my arm a sensitive as the material skimmed it. "Ready to go?" I asked Peter.

"Wait," Bella spoke up and we all looked at her expectantly. "I want one too."

"No fucking way," I practically yelled. "No, no, no…"

"What, you can get one and I can't?" she challenged me with her hands on her hips.

"That's different," I countered quickly without thinking.

"Why, because you're a guy?"

My hole was being dug deeper and I knew it. I looked to Peter and Jay for a shovel.

"You're on your own man," Jay chuckled as he cleaned up the table. Glancing over at Peter, I silently begged for back-up.

"She's a grown woman…" he began before my look stopped him from proceeding. Smugly, Bella turned to me and smiled her 'I told you so' smile that I knew all too well.

"Fine, but you tell Edward," I caved quickly and easily. "Because he's gonna fucking kill me," I murmured.

"Deal," she agreed before turning to Jay. "Do you have any designs I can see?"

Jay nodded and carried over some books for Bella to flip through. Peter and I looked at the designs with her, joking about some of the rather graphic ones. Peter thought Bella would look great with a penis on her shoulder, even volunteering his own for the transfer.

"I'm not having your penis tattooed on my body, Peter. If I put anyone's penis on my body, it would be Jasper's," she reasoned. Realizing what she had said, her cheeks flushed bright pink.

"Can't blame a guy for trying," Peter shrugged. "Though, my penis is much prettier," he sighed wistfully. Jay finished up and came back to join us.

"Find anything?" he asked as he sat on his stool.

Closing the book, Bella looked up at him thoughtfully. "Can you do an original if I describe it?"

"Course, darlin'," he smiled, grabbing some paper and pencil. Bella very quietly began to tell him what she wanted and he began to sketch it out. When he was finished, he turned it over for her to inspect and she burst into a huge smile, telling him it was perfect. "Where do you want it?"

Bella looked up at me as if I knew the answer. "I want it somewhere private." She thought for a moment before answering confidently, "My hip."

"Okay," Jay stood and faced us. "Out boys," he began to push us away so he could pull the screen around the chair. Bella waved to me as I pleaded with Jay to let me stay. Peter and I wandered around the office, casually listening for wails of pain but we only heard the occasional hiss from Bella as she endured the pain. Finally, we heard Jay tell her she could get dressed and Peter wiggled his eyebrows at me.

"Is that all you fucking think about?" I shook my head.

"Ahhh, yeah. Jesus, Jasper, you need to get some, man, lighten up a bit," Peter suggested just as Jay pulled the curtain aside and Bella stood there buttoning her shorts, grimacing a bit at the discomfort. I was dying to ask her what she had done, but thought I might not want to know the answer. I wasn't sure I could stomach a heart with Jake's name in the center.

"All done," Jay said, pulling his gloves off. "Thanks for coming in. Great to see you again, Jasper," he held out his hand again.

Shaking it, I replied, "You too, thanks for the tattoos. You do great work."

"Thanks. You guys can pay Amy out front," he ushered us through the door to Amy. After paying, the three of us walked outside into the heat of the mid-day sun.

"Where to now?" Peter asked as we headed to his truck.

"Actually, Bella and I need to get to Jack and Betty's," I opened the door and helped Bella into the seat, careful not to touch her hip. Climbing in behind her, I did up the seatbelt.

"Why?" Peter asked as he shifted and back out of the space.

"Another surprise," I grinned at Bella's glare.

"Alrighty then, let's swing by the house to pick up a few things, then we can head over there." He pulled out on to the street and aimed for his house.

An hour later, we were following Peter down the long driveway of Betty and Jack's ranch. We parked next to Peter's truck and got out.

"I still don't understand why you made me wear jeans and boots when it's so hot out," Bella complained as she met me at the back of the truck. I opened the bed and we began to unload the coolers we had brought.

"You'll see," I sighed again. She had done nothing but complain the entire drive there, either about the jeans or the surprise itself. Peter walked over and helped us carry the stuff over to the side of the barn. Charlotte and Betty were hanging some lights while Jack and one of his brother's were working on hammering some planks of wood together. It was just another typical get together for them. About a dozen picnic tables and a few buffet tables were set up. The guests were due to arrive in less than an hour.

"Why don't you go with her, I can take care of this shit," he suggested as he dropped a cooler onto the ground.

"You sure?"

"Yeah, go have fun. It is your birthday after all," he smiled. Not waiting for him to change his mind, I turned and headed to Bella, who was chatting with Charlotte. As I walked by, I grabbed her hand.

"Come with me," I commanded quietly and kept walking. Stumbling a bit, she fell into stride with me and we headed for the large red barn.

It was wide with stalls lining both sides, the middle isle was uncluttered and clean. It barely smelled like a barn. Bella looked around, curious.

"It's really nice," she said, dropping my hand, she headed toward the first stall. Most were empty, the horses spending a good portion of the day out in the fields. Each stall was large with a nameplate at the top. A large chestnut stuck his head over the half door as Bella approached holding her hand out cautiously to stroke the blaze on his face. "He's beautiful," she smiled, looking up at his nameplate. "Hello, Impish," she greeted.

"I'll be right back," I called out as I jogged down the isle toward the tack room. When I returned carrying a bridle, Bella was patting Impish's neck as he rubbed his head against her. I could hear her quiet murmurs to him. Setting the tack down, I walked over and grabbed his halter as I slid his door open and walked him out.

"What are you doing?" Bella asked, jumping back out of his way. Standing in the middle of the isle, I attached the crossties to his halter and began to run a brush over his sleek, reddish coat. Bella walked over, watching me for a minute before asking if she could help. I nodded to the brushes in the wooden box on the floor and she grabbed one and began on the other side, constantly talking to him a soothing voice as she did so. Once he was brushed, I grabbed his bridle. "Jasper, are you going for a ride?" she asked as she watched me.

"No. We are going for a ride," I grinned.

"Whoa, no. No riding for me. I can barely stand on my own two feet, how am I going to stay on a horse?" she asked, backing away from me and Impish wearily.

"Look at it this way, he has twice as many feet as you do, his odds are better at staying upright," I surmised as I slid his halter off and replaced it with his leather bridle.

Sighing, she folder her arms across her chest, "I don't know how to ride."

"I do."

"But…"

"Bella, we are going for a ride. Follow me," I demanded as I walked Impish from the barn out the back door toward an open field. Obeying, she trailed closely behind me. Stopping, I turned to her and waved her closer with my hand. "Come 'ere," I requested. Slowly, she walked over to me and stood next to me. I placed the reins over his neck let them go as I turned to Bella. "I'm going to help you up. Don't worry, I won't touch your hip."

Biting her lip, she nodded and turned toward Impish.

"Grab his mane for leverage and swing your right leg over his back when I lift you," I instructed.

She fisted his mane and lifted her left foot up. Clasping my hands tightly, she stepped into them and I easily lifted her up as she swung her right leg over and settled onto his back.

"Oh my God," she gasped, "It's so high." She gripped his mane with both hands until her knuckles turned white. "Um, who are you riding, Jasper? You said 'we'," she began to panic.

"Hold your horses," I chuckled.

"Very funny," she glared at me.

"I'll be right back, forgot something." I ran back into the barn, ignoring her pleas of not leaving her alone. A minute later, I walked out with a canteen hung over my shoulder. I reached up over her thigh and placed my left hand on his withers. "Stay still," I instructed as I took a step back and then jumped up, swinging my right leg over his back and sat behind her. Reaching around her waist, I grabbed the reins without looking and whispered in her ear. "Are you ready?" She nodded and I felt her body tremble. "Don't worry, I got you," I assured her as I nudged Impish's sides with my heels. With a slight jolt, he lifted his head and started walking.

"Oh my God, oh my God," she repeated over and over. I aimed Impish toward the back forty and urged him to pick up the pace a bit. "Are you crazy?" Bella asked as he began to walk faster.

"No, but we have a way to go, it's getting late and I want to show you something," I replied, letting the horse have his head so he could move freely. Silently we rode, and I felt Bella's body gradually relax in front of me, her ass moving with the motion of his movements, her legs gripping his sides tightly, her fingers loosening on his mane.

"Couldn't we have used a saddle?" she asked, adjusting her weight. "I feel like I'm sliding all over the place."

"It's easier to ride double without a saddle, and I assumed you wouldn't want to ride alone," I answered.

"You assumed right," she smiled. "Where are we going?" she asked, turning her head to the side a bit.

"What's with all the questions? Just enjoy the scenery," I sighed and pointed to a hawk in the sky. Looking around, I realized it was getting later than I had thought, we were running out of time. "Mind if we speed up a bit?"

"No, please, don't," she began to panic again.

"Bella, I'm not going to let you fall, you'll be fine." After a minute, she conceded and grabbed onto his mane for dear life. With a small kick to his sides, Impish transitioned into a slow lope, his rhythm smooth as his hooves struck the ground with each long stride. "You okay?" I asked over the sound of his beat.

She nodded. "It's so freeing," she called out.

"You want to feel free?" I asked and without waiting for an answer, pulled her to me tightly with one arm while my other hand held the reins. Squeezing his sides, I encouraged him into a gallop. Bella began to laugh as she bounced with his strides, her hair coming loose from its tie and blowing in my face as we galloped over the open field. Less than a minute later, I slowed Impish down to a walk, not wanting to strain him as we came up to a slope. "Okay, hold on tight, this is steeper than it looks," I told her as Impish put his head down and began up the hill.

I felt free and happy. Not only did being on the back of a horse after so many years thrill me, but having Bella experience something I loved so much with me made it even better. I had known her for years, but it was only on the trip that she had really gotten to know me, see me do the things I had missed so much, see me through the eyes of those that loved me. Peter was a pain in the ass, but he provided her with insight to my past that no one else could. She saw me as the person I was today, not the person I had been, the little boy that had been happy in the heat of the Texas sun. Having her know that side of me was important to me, it was part of understanding who I was. As well, I felt I began to know her better too, not only the physical things, like what she looks like when her eyes first open, but the quiet confidence she had when it came to trying new things. How with slight encouragement, and the threat of bodily harm, she could be convinced to try something new. Her stubbornness that I had grown so used to had slowly crumbled throughout the trip, each day chipping away at it, allowing a sliver of submissiveness to show. I relished in the feeling of having her so close, not physically, which was enjoyable enough, but emotionally as well. I felt for the first time in a long time, we were finally on the same page; an understanding had developed as she got to know me better. Inhaling deeply, I smelled her fresh scent, her shampoo mingling with it, both filling my lungs with pleasant air.

As soon as we hit the top of the hill, she gasped. I pulled Impish to a stop and rested my chin on her shoulder.

"Jasper," she exclaimed in awe. "It's…amazing."

"Surprise," I whispered into her ear and felt her shiver. Low in the sky before us sat the sun with its last rays of the day splaying out across the vast sky in brilliant shades of orange, pink, and even some purple. As we sat there in complete silence, even Impish enjoying the sight before him, we watched as the earth seemed to swallow the sun. The lower it got, the faster it seemed to move.

I wondered if there was ever a way for it to always be like that. If I would ever have what Peter and Charlotte had, a simple, hardworking life full of love. Of course I wanted it to be with Bella by my side, but she deserved the best of everything, and I was not the best. My career was going to be enough to get by on, but it wouldn't provide us with the best things life had to offer.

However, a doctor could provide those things.

"Is this why you were in such a rush?" she asked me, tilting her head and bringing me out of my thoughts.

"A few more minutes and we would have missed it."

She leaned back against me, her head on my shoulder as the sun began its final descent behind the horizon. "How did you know about it?"

"Well, Bella, the sun sets every day. I learned that in kindergarten," I joked and felt a quick jab of her elbow to my ribs. "Petey and I would ride out here to watch it sometimes. Over that way," I pointed to our left, "is a river we used to swim in as kids, had a neat rope swing too."

"You had a horse?"

"No, we used to … borrow them."

"Borrow?"

"Yeah. It's was Petey's idea. We could come out to the field, snag a horse and ride it up here. Sometimes we'd get off and the horse would head back without us, but at least we only had to walk one way."

"No saddle?"

I shook my head. "Or bridle, we rode Indian style." I grinned at the memory. "Course, Petey broke his collarbone one time when the horse stopped moving and he didn't. Went flying off. That was interesting to explain to his parents." A look of worry crossed her face. "Don't worry, I won't let you fall."

"Promise?"

"Yes, ma'am."

After the sun had completely set, Bella released a loud sigh. "We should head back, we have a party to get to," I announced, picking up the reins again and turning Impish around. Turning her head, she placed a kiss on my cheek.

"Thank you for sharing it with me," she whispered. "It was beautiful." I leaned in and nuzzled her cheek before telling her to hold on tight and kicking Impish into a lope again.

We arrived back at the barn to music playing, grills fired up and guests mingling around the tables. I pulled Impish up just outside the barn and slid off his back before turning to help Bella off. Careful not to touch her hip, I grabbed her waist and lowered her to the ground. Suddenly, her arms were around my neck in a fierce hug before she quickly let go and ran into the barn. Shaking my head, I walked the horse to his stall and took of his bridle before slipping on his halter and closing his door.

Exiting the barn, I was greeted by Charlotte who grabbed my hand and tugged me toward the crowd.

"Everyone," she called out. "This is our birthday boy, Jasper."

My cheeks turned scarlet as birthday wishes came from people I had never met before. Strangers came up and greeted me, introducing themselves as some relation to Charlotte. Eventually, the line faded and Betty announced it was time to eat, a rush of people swarmed the buffet tables, piling food on their plates. Bella came up behind me with her plate.

"Have you ever seen anything like this?" she asked in awe. Each table had lanterns at both ends, flowered centerpieces, and condiments in the middle. Small twinkle lights were strung from the trees to the barn, lighting up the entire area. A small, temporary wood area had been set up for dancing with a little stage before it.

"It's the way we do things down here," I shrugged, realizing I had said the word 'we' instead of 'they'. I was beginning to include myself as a Texan again, and I smiled at the thought.

It truly was my home.

Gathering our food, we took it to the table where Peter and Charlotte sat. Across from them, Bella and I sat next to each other and began eating. Chatter was all around us, everyone gossiping or talking about work and families. Peter and I told some more stories, mostly embarrassing ones for me, to Bella. He gave more details on his horse thievery and Charlotte spoke up.

"You used to steal our horses?" she asked us incredulously, in a slightly accusing tone.

He bit into his burger. "Borrowed, sweetheart, borrowed."

"Without permission, which is stealing," she raised an eyebrow. "Does daddy know?"

"I imagine not," he smiled confidently, "Beside, we always returned them, no harm done. Bella," he drew attention to her. "Why don't you give Jasper his birthday present?"

I glanced over at her and she glared at Peter. "I was going to do it later, so thanks, Peter, for giving it away." He laughed, taking a drink of his soda. "Fine. Where is it?"

Charlotte pointed to a bag at the end of the table. Wiping her hands off, Bella stood and got the bag. Placing it on the table in front of me, she sat back down. "This is from me, but I had help," she gave me a small smile.

Slowly, I opened the bag and pulled out something wrapped in white tissue. With their eyes watching me, I ripped the paper off, my breath catching in my throat when I saw what it was.

A picture, apparently taken the last time we were at Charlotte's parents, surrounded with a cherry stained wood frame. Carved at the top were the words "Texas Forever." At the time, I hadn't realized we were being photographed. I was sitting in a chair with Bella on my lap, one of her arms was around my neck, and one of mine behind her back, holding her in place while my other hand rested on her knee. With her forehead to mine, we were smiling at each other. I ran my fingers over it reverently.

"Do you like it?" she asked anxiously. I looked up and pulled her into a tight hug.

I murmured in her ear, "It's perfect, thank you."

Pulling away, I saw her wipe her eyes as Charlotte sniffled across from us.

"Not you too," Peter groaned at Charlotte. "Women and the waterworks." Charlotte shoved him hard.

"Charlotte's dad framed it for me, he worked on it while we were gone," she supplied proudly. Leaning over, I gave her a kiss on her cheek, thanking her again.

"Hey y'all," Betty spoke from the microphone on the stage, and everyone turned their attention to her. "First, thank y'all for coming all the way out here for our little party,"

"Little?" Bella scoffed, looking around.

"Please help yourselves to more food, but we're going to get the party rumbling with some music. Where are you, Jasper?" she asked scanning the crowd. Bella pushed my back and I raised my hand. "There you are," she pointed at me. "There's the birthday boy. Happy birthday, darlin', and this first one is for you."

Behind her a small band had gathered, picking up their instruments. As she walked off the stage they began to play Garth Brook's "Friends in Low Places". Everyone broke out into laughter and began making their way to the small dance floor.

"Well shit, ain't that a fitting song," Peter laughed.

"You would know, babe," Charlotte challenged with a seductive smile. "Come on, sexy, dance with me," she stood, pulling on his hand.

Turning to Bella I raised an eyebrow in a silent invitation.

She began shaking her head. "No, no, I can't," she argued.

"Why not, you danced at Gilly's? Come on, Bella, it's my birthday." I lowered my chin and pouted my lips.

"So not fair with the pouty lips," she sighed heavily, holding out her hand, which I grabbed quickly before she could change her mind. Practically dragging her, we made our way to the crowded floor. Turning, I took her into my arms and she placed her hand on my shoulder.

"Remember the steps?" I asked and she nodded. Then we were two-stepping our way around the floor, weaving in and out of other couples like we had been doing it all our lives. Bella's feet moved effortlessly as we kept our hold. Peter and Charlotte smiled at us every time we neared them, and Bella would smile back proudly.

"I think it's time for a twirl," she suggested.

Surprised, I looked down at her. "Well, aren't you livin' la vida loca," I grinned. "Ready?"

"Yep." We took our two slow steps before she released me and twirled before coming back to me for our two quick steps. Glancing up at me, she winked, proud of her accomplishment.

We spent the remainder of the night dancing and laughing and just… being. Her in my arms was something I would never tire of, whether it was something as innocent as a dancing or riding, or something more intense, my arms would never forget what it felt like to hold her in them, holding her as mine for one last night.

Because the next day we were heading back to Seattle…and Edward and Jake.

The night long since set as we sat around a table talking when suddenly Peter stood and held out his hand to Bella.

"Miss Bella, would you do me the honor," he bowed his head. Glancing at me, she stood and took his hand. As Peter led her to the floor, he looked at me over his shoulder and winked. Chuckling, I shook my head and looked at Charlotte and found her staring at me expectantly.

"How do you stand him?" I asked as I stood and held out my hand, leading her to the dance floor.

Shrugging, she turned and put a her hand on my shoulder. "Simple. I love him with all that I am." I nodded slightly and turned to watch Bella and Peter as they two-stepped around the floor, even tossing in the occasionally twirl. Charlotte and I began to move with the other couples. "Just like you."

"I do love Peter with all that I am," I agreed.

"Asshole," she mumbled. "You know what I meant."

"How do you know?"

"What, that you love her?" She looked up at me even as we danced. "Jasper, you'd have to be a blind fool not to see it. Maybe you're better at hiding it up in Seattle, but here it's pretty damn obvious. So what do you plan on doing about it?"

"Nothing. She has a boyfriend…and he's proposed."

"Why is she here with you then?"

"She told him she needed to think about it. She thought the time away would do her some good."

"And did it do any good?"

"I don't know, I kind of avoid the topic. Every time I bring it up, she tells me to drop it."

"Jasper, can I be honest?" she didn't wait for my answer before continuing. "It's time for you to shit or get off the pot. It seems you have a decision to make, cowboy up and make it."

I rolled my eyes and turned back to Peter and Bella; she laughed as Peter dipped her and then sharply pulled her back up. As the song ended, Betty appeared back on the stage.

"Jasper, son," she began, "the band asked if you would play a few songs with them."

My eyes widened and I looked at Charlotte for help. "Don't look at me, I have no control over mama. You don't mess with a woman on a mission."

There was no way I could refuse Betty, especially after of all she had done for me. Peter slapped my back as I passed him on my way to the stage. Their lead guitarist handed me an extra guitar and I strapped it on. After a few minutes of warming up, I stepped up to the microphone.

"This is for Peter and all the trouble he got my ass into," I winked at him before starting the first notes of "As Good as I Once Was". Laughing, he swayed back and forth with Bella and Charlotte, one arm over each of their shoulders. Together, as if they had been friends for years, they moved and laughed and loved. As I smiled down on them, my three friends, I realized there was one missing and my heart clenched a bit. I had missed him the entire trip, each time I had showed something to Bella, I had wished he was there with us, but on that night, my birthday, I missed him even more.

As the song ended, cheers erupted and a few 'hell yeahs' from Peter. A few dozen people stood before me, all eyes on me waiting for my next song.

Grabbing the mike, I looked out over the crowd. "This one is for my friend Edward who wasn't able to make the trip."

Bella smiled up at me as she leaned back against Peter. Clearing my throat, I began.

"When you're down and troubled
And you need a helping hand
And nothing, whoa nothing is going right.
Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest nights.
You just call out my name,
And you know where ever I am
I'll come running, oh yeah baby
To see you again."

By the time the song ended, tears streaked Bella's cheeks, and Charlotte pulled her into a tight hug. There were quiet claps as I finished and took a deep breath. He hadn't been there to hear it, but hopefully, he knew how much he meant to me.

"Okay, one more… and this one is for everyone in this beautiful state that had the dream of being a cowboy," I turned to the band and told them the song. Nodding, they all began to play.

With my foot tapping and I began in my Texan drawl.

"Cowboys ain't easy to love and they're harder to hold.
They'd rather give you a song than diamonds or gold.
Lonestar belt buckles and old faded Levis,
And each night begins a new day.
If you don't understand him, an' he don't die young,
He'll prob'ly just ride away."

By the second verse, the entire crowd was singing with me, their collective voices almost overpowering mine. At the end of the song, I thanked them all and tipped my hat before thanking the band and heading off the stage. Soon after, guests started leaving and Jack, Betty, Peter, Charlotte, Bella and I sat around a small fire pit and reminisced about the good ole days, Jack and Betty making Peter blush more than once with stories about him and Charlotte. It was nice to be on the other end of the embarrassing stories for once.

As the night chill settled on us, we finally said goodbye to Jack and Betty, thanking them for such a wonderful birthday, I hugged them both.

"Take care, son," Jack said with a firm handshake.

Betty hugged me like her life depended on it. "Don't be such a stranger, ya hear?" After promises to visit again soon, Bella, Peter, Charlotte and I all loaded up the trucks and left. Bella spent most of the drive with her eyes closed, her head rested against my shoulder until I nudged her as we pulled into the driveway. Sleepily, she yawned and climbed out of the truck. Just as we walked into the house, her cell phone rang. I furrowed my brows at her; it was late for a call and I worried something was wrong.

Glancing at the screen, she shook her head and mouthed, "Jake," before heading into the bedroom. "Hello?" I heard her say as the door closed.

Suddenly reality struck me hard. We would be home in a few days, and my time with her was running out. While I had appreciated every minute, every second we had had, I wanted more.

I wanted a lifetime.

Sighing, I sat on the couch and turned on the television.

"Want some company?" Charlotte offered as Peter cleaned up and put stuff away.

"No, you go to bed, I don't think she'll be long." I leaned over and kissed her cheek before she stood up.

"If you need anything…" she trailed off and I nodded knowingly. Ruffling my hair, she left the room. Peter poked his head in and said good night before heading to his room with Charlotte.

An hour later, I sat with my eyes half closed with no idea what the hell I was watching on television. The bag with Bella's gift was on the floor near my feet. I pulled out the picture and stared at it.

We looked happy.

We looked together.

Carefully, I set the picture on the table next to the couch, and as hard as I tried to focus on the television, my eyes kept returning to the smile on her face. My eyes drifted closed repeatedly and I finally gave up, kicked off my boots and lay back on the couch, sleep overcoming me slowly.

Something shook me and I startled. Opening my eyes and sitting up quickly, I found Bella standing before me in the moonlight still dressed in her shorts and tee shirt. Rubbing my eyes, I looked up at her and yawned, noticing her cheeks were damp, her eyes were puffy and red.

"Bella, what's wrong?" I asked with concern.

She took a deep breath and spoke in a shaky voice. "It's over. I said no. We broke up."

"**~~**"

Thanks for reading…next chapter, homeward bound. Many have asked how long this story will be, I think there are about four more chapters, give or take, it really depends on the length of each chapter.