A/N: This is loosely based around The Holiday. I hadn't noticed the connection until I watched the movie yesterday and realized I had subconsciously used the plot surrounding Cameron Diaz in this fic. Whoops! It's not exactly, but close enough that I want to credit it.
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters mentioned. They belong to Stephenie Meyer... Except Annabelle, she can't have her! xP
Work came a lot easier now that Jasper and I had patched things up. I found a bit of spark in my creativity again and the costumes were coming together nicely. Vera was sent to help me with whatever I needed seeing as the director really had nothing for her to do, so we grew closer, but no one knew of Jasper and I yet.
I had stayed away from the house for seven days, but Jasper insisted that Annabelle kept asking about me and I finally gave in and spent as much time there as I could the following week. By then, Rosalie had already spent her time with Jasper and was now staying with Emmett at his apartment. Long complicated story short, I would go over Jasper's house after work and stay with Annabelle until she fell asleep, allowing Jasper to get some work done or enjoying his company. After Jasper and I would enjoy our alone time, never going further than second base—jeez, I felt like a teenager again…
Anyway, it was Annabelle's birthday Friday; that was all she could talk about. I didn't know if Jasper was planning something and if he was, if he'd even want me there, but I knew that I had the best present picked out for her already. We spent out time together sprawled out on the carpet and I would sketch different dresses that she would model beautifully. I had never created a wardrobe for a young child, but she seemed excited, saying she wanted lace and sparkles. How the girl knew what lace was surprised me, but we would create our own dress mixing colors and adding new trims that she described as best she could. I had been making her favorite of the many in my spare time back at the hotel. I had hidden it from Jasper, as well. I didn't know if spending so much time with the young girl was a good thing.
I had a week left before I would leave, but everyone began finding out about the two of us by accident, not that we were really trying to hide it. On Sunday, Jasper planned for Charlotte to come over and watch Annabelle, who was already asleep, while we went out on an actual date. I had come straight to his house after work and even though I was supposed to go to the hotel to change first, we got a little distracted…
"Jazz," I whimpered as I closed my eyes, leaning back on the couch as his teeth grazed my ear and he whispered unmentionable ungentlemanly sweet nothings in my ear. I felt his hand on my hip, thumb hooking into my belt loop and tugging at my pants as our lips met. I ran my fingers through his hair, pulling him closer and he pulled back, his lips continuing down my neck. "We should stop," I whispered, my voice shaking. He ignored me and found a sensitive spot at the base of my throat, making me gasp.
I hadn't heard the front door open, didn't realize we had an audience until I heard an unfamiliar voice in the doorway. "Jasper, go have fun on the town, but I'm going to—Oh God—Jasper?" I pushed him off me frantically, not wanting to meet his friends this way. Jasper stood up quickly, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. A petite brunette stood in the doorway with cascading curls and a maternal gleam in her eye. The man beside her was as tall as Jasper, tanned skin, and a relaxed stance, already having a drink in hand from the kitchen.
"Damn," the man beside her whispered taking in our misshapen appearances. I winced, smoothing my shirt and running my fingers through my hair, though I knew Jasper's appearance was hopeless. Maybe I shouldn't wear lipstick around him anymore…
"Uh, this is Alice—" he motioned to me and then to his friends in the doorway. "Alice, this is Peter and Charlotte." I hopped up off the couch and reached a hand out to shake, but Charlotte took my hand and pulled me into a hug. I tensed for a second, not expecting such a warm welcome when I was just on the couch on top of their—so be it.
"It's so nice to meet you, Alice," Charlotte squeezed me tightly and I hugged her back, relaxing into the embrace. "I'm so glad Jasper's found someone!" I suddenly felt guilty. I was only here for two more weeks. He found someone who would be across the country in less than a month. How was that good? I hadn't truly thought about it, but the fear was still there curdling my stomach. I wouldn't be here for much longer; did he assume I'd stay? Still, I heard Jasper groan in embarrassment and Peter clasped him on the back.
"She's cute, where'd you find her?" I heard Peter mumble before Jasper whacked him on the back of the head. I pulled back from Charlotte's hug and Jasper and Peter were wrestling.
"Boys!" Charlotte whispered harshly, avoiding waking up Annabelle. "Knock it off. Jasper, go clean up, I'll keep Alice company." Why did I feel like he was leaving me alone with the in-laws? His friends were what mattered. His parents passed away when he was eighteen, he didn't have anyone else to approve of me except his friends and his sister, who didn't know I was involved yet…
Jasper obeyed, leaving the room and Peter sat on the armchair, avoiding the couch, and turned on the television, turning the volume down and flipping to the news. Charlotte took my hand and brought me into the kitchen, opening the fridge to take out a pitcher of iced tea and pour a drink. She offered me one and I shook my head before she situated herself across the table from me. I sat on the stool, shifting awkwardly and waiting for her to speak.
"First things first, I'm his best friend's wife. I've known Jasper for seven years and I understand how he ticks. Obviously you mean something to him because he doesn't let random women in his house let alone to meet Annabelle," she began, leaning forward and spinning her glass, absently. "I know this sounds like 'Meet the Parents,' but I don't want to see him hurt again, you know?" I nodded, opening my mouth to speak, but I had nothing to say.
"How long have you known him?" Charlotte interrupted with a smile.
"Um, a little over two weeks," I said and then shook my head, looking down. "I know that sounds like nothing, but I can't—there's something—I can't describe it," I said with a laugh. "As cheesy as that sounds, I just can't pinpoint it. There's something about him—us that just… works. I feel like he knows me better than anyone has—I'm not making sense, am I? I'm sorry, I'm blabbing," my cheeks flushed and I looked down as I tried to relax. Why as I trying to prove something to her? I was nervous. She was the first friend of Jasper's to know about me and judge me. I didn't know how to convince her that two weeks meant something more than acquaintance, but as Charlotte's smile grew, I knew she understood.
Before Charlotte could speak, Jasper had his arms wrapped around my waist and his lips against my ear. "Let's go," he whispered, kissing my temple before pulling back and looking at Charlotte with a smile. "Are we still going to the beach on Friday?"
"Definitely," she agreed. "Bonfire, roasting marshmallows, the whole bit. Alice, you should come."
"She has work," Jasper replied and I shook my head. Is that why he hadn't asked me or could he not want me around on Annabelle's birthday? I didn't mind staying away, I had tried that earlier and he seemed to persist that Annabelle kept asking about me every time I left her sight, but if he didn't want me there, I would understand.
"I can get off," I insisted and Jasper squeezed me around the waist. Charlotte stuck her tongue out at Jasper in victory before she sauntered off into the living room. Soon after, we left the house and made our way to my hotel, where I ran up to change before we went to a new chic bar. Jasper and I stayed huddled in a booth, not being able to keep our hands to ourselves. My hand was on his knee or his hand crept up my thigh, squeezing just the right place to make me gasp.
Our conversation fell short and I soon forgot what it was about entirely as our lips met. We always chose the secluded corners to give us more privacy and it came in handy as his hand crept further up my thigh, his teeth teasingly biting on my lower lip. I whimpered, tugging at his hair and pulling back. "God, you're such a tease," he grumbled, kissing my cheek and pulling back slightly.
The heat radiated between us and I tried to breath the tremors in my body away, but my hands shook with the sheer intensity of our embrace. It didn't end there; his lips were against my ear. "I'm getting more drinks." And with that, the warmth left the booth and all that remained was a bitter chill of loneliness. I sighed, leaning back for a minute and closing my eyes. My body calmed from its earlier high and I couldn't help, but smile. I glanced at my phone to see a missed call and text from Edward.
Called you, you didn't pick up. Call me back when you can. Uh oh, why did that not sound good? Before I could call him, I heard a familiar voice call my name and a shadow cast over the dimly lit table. I looked up to meet Rosalie's surprised emerald gaze. My smile faded as I realized whom I was here with and wondering if she'd approve. Beside her was a tall and intensely muscular man, but his smile exposed dimples that gave him a childlike charm.
"I didn't expect to see you here," Rosalie said with a smile, sliding into the booth where Jasper had just been. Her friend slid in beside her and his arm wrapped around her shoulder. "Emmett, this is Alice Cullen, the fashion goddess I was telling you about," she said and he beamed, reaching a massive hand that resembled more of a bear paw as I took it in mine. "Alice, this is Emmett."
"Nice to meet you," I said with a smile, shaking his hand. His boyish grin was exactly as Rosalie described.
"Likewise," he replied, but Rosalie stole the attention next.
"Are you by yourself or—of course, you're not. Who are you here with: that mystery guy who was giving you hell?" I immediately blushed and looked away as Rosalie nodded. "You two made up, that's sweet! What happened?" I hesitated, staring at the rings of condensation on the table in front of me before looking up at her.
"Um, turns out he has a daughter," I replied shakily. Rosalie's eyes widened, but before she could speak, Emmett's booming voice erupted, breaking us out of our chat.
"Jasper!" Emmett greeted him as he came back to the table with a two drinks. He stood up and catching Jasper in a headlock. Jasper groaned, a string of profanities pouring from his lips as Emmett messed with his hair.
"Emmett, seriously, can't breathe," Jasper choked out and Rosalie waved for Emmett to back off, but he moved so he squeezed Jasper in a brotherly hug. I smiled slightly, avoiding Rosalie's stare that was burning a hole in my temple.
"What have you been up to, man?" Emmett asked, pulling back.
"Uh—well, looks like you've met Alice," this was getting awkward fast. Emmett looked over to me and then back to Jasper, his eyes narrowing as recognition fell to his face. He pointed between us and Jasper sighed, nodding slightly to confirm Emmett's assumptions.
"Huh, small world," he shrugged and then crossed his arms, nudging Jasper roughly with his elbow. "She's cute, where'd you find her?" he mumbled the same exact thing Peter had just a little earlier that evening. I blushed and looked down, but before Jasper could say anything, Rosalie had a hand up.
"Em, go get me something to drink," she ordered sweetly and he shrugged, going off to the bar, but turning back when Rosalie added, "oh, and take Jasper with you." An odd feeling bubbled in the pit of my stomach at her words and Jasper looked over at me with an annoyed, but encouraging smile before following Emmett to the bar.
"You knew I was his sister," Rosalie began, her voice crisp with venom. Why would she be mad? I could see getting grossed out that I had been talking about her brother all along, but angry—livid, even? It didn't make sense. I opened my mouth to speak, but she shook her head. "I could care less about my brother, he can do whatever the hell he wants, but my niece is not neutral territory." So this was about Annabelle.
"I've met Annabelle and she's probably the sweetest girl I've ever—" I scrambled to hold my ground, but Rosalie cut me off.
"I know how wonderful she is and I also know what she went through when she was an infant. She won't remember much about her mother and I'm glad for that, but for you to waltz in her life so quickly and—"
"I assure you, Rosalie, I'm not going to do anything that her mom may have done," I assured her, hoping that this is what it was about: my loyalty to Jasper? But it wasn't about Jasper, was it? But cheating on the family and not just Jasper, right?
"You're not getting it," Rosalie spat bitterly. "You're here for one more week, what makes you think you can come into her life and just walk out?" I opened my mouth to speak, but I didn't have an answer for her. She smiled sadly and nodded, proving her point. Before I could manage saying anything, Jasper slid in next to me, kissing my temple. I looked over at him smiling weakly. His arm wrapped around my waist and I leaned into him gently, watching Rosalie as she teasingly pinched Emmett's cheek.
What was I going to do? I couldn't move here, all of my things were back in New York. My dream of owning my own boutique on the West Side, my want to live within a couple hours of my parents out in the Hampton's so they would see their grandchildren frequently, my ideal crystal clear life of marrying the old high school football star with a doctorate in something medical and—but then I looked at Jasper, his dimpled smile and captivating gaze, his compassion and love—with both his daughter and I—his brilliance and ambitious dreams, his messy unkempt hair and his mocking pout. How could I leave him? I had a week left. How could I leave him?
So next chapter will be a bit of drama and I'm thinking three more chapters? Maybe. Maybe more. Thanks for reviewing and keep them coming! What do you predict will happen: happy ending or sad?