Let the Rain Come Down

Thank you for all the wonderful reviews and for not scalping me for keeping you waiting.

Chapter 20! I never in my wildest dreams thought this little story would make it so far. It's come such a long way from its beginnings as a humble one-shot.

This isn't the final chapter just yet, but we're getting close. As I've said in the past, I never abandon a story and the ending for this one is mapped out. I just need the boys to show me how they want to say their goodbyes so I can share it with all of you.

Disclaimer: All characters owned and created by Stephenie Meyer.

This chapter is unbeta'ed – any errors are mine and I apologise in advance.

~o.O.o~

Chapter 20

Jasper's POV

Edward glanced at me under his lashes, looked away, opened his mouth and closed it again.

I waited, sponging soothing, bubbly water over his shoulders.

Something was on his mind. He sat looking down at his legs hooked over mine under the hot water, and I was more than happy to stay right there until he was ready to talk. A flush darkened the high points of his cheekbones, piquing my curiosity. His eyes dragged up to meet mine again, lips parted, and I leaned in to capture them, hearing his soft moan of surrender. When I pulled away, his eyes were glazed and fixed on my lips.

His breathing was uneven, his mind diverted.

I grinned. Mission accomplished.

He gulped and the words burst out.

"Jas, it's my birthday next week."

His eyes were wide with guilt, begging forgiveness for hiding this huge event from me when he must've known I'd want to celebrate it.

My smile almost hurt my face.

"It is? What shall we do? What would you like to do? Does Esme know?"

The questions rolled off my tongue rapid-fire, unable to hide my happiness. We had never even talked about birthdays – what did they matter when just getting through each day was an achievement? But now, now we could celebrate this wonderful day with all the honour it deserved.

His smile grew at my enthusiasm, complementing the colour in his cheeks.

"I haven't gotten that far. I just wanted you to know. It's the first one that mattered – the first one with you."

"The first of so many to come." I nudged his nose with mine. He giggled and I loved the sound – it was joyous. His eyes were dark and sparkling.

"I don't care what we do, I just want to spend it with you if I can. Maybe we could go to the pier, or to the zoo! I've always wanted to go!"

I grinned, his happiness wonderful to see.

"Both suggestions sound great to me. Let me know what you decide and we'll do it."

He leaned in and kissed me, arms winding around my neck.

The sponge landed in the water with a splash, forgotten.

~o.O.o~

It'd been three months since we moved in with Esme and we'd settled in far easier than I ever thought possible. We fell back into our comfortable daily routine of chores, made far easier with the use of a proper kitchen and laundry room. Esme went about her day, dropping us off on her way past the store and Happy Tails.

Edward carried on working at the market, catching the bus back at the end of his shift. He got enough exercise already, what with walking the dogs followed by the trek back to the market. The walk to Esme's after his shift finished was far longer than before and meant he got home late, tired, and cold. Now that we didn't need to buy our meals each evening, he had money in his pocket to cover the fare.

I asked him what he had told his friends. I guessed there would be questions, at least from Tony, now that he had colour in his cheeks and a little extra flesh on his slim frame. He told me that he had been honest and that we were renting a room from a friend who made sure we were warm with plenty to eat. I wondered to myself if Tony was surprised at this. We must've seemed pretty hopeless cases to him. Having said that, it was thanks to him we'd discovered the kitchen and, as a result, Esme.

Our evenings we spent all together, cooking, talking, and watching TV, except for when Esme was collected by Carlisle for a date. On those evenings we took the opportunity to reconnect, sharing a hot bath together before bed, a very welcome prelude to further intimacy.

Despite his shyness, Edward was growing in confidence, little by little. On occasion, unable to focus on anything but the craving for my touch on his body, his hands would glance across my aching groin, a silent plea for the pleasure and relief I could provide. He no longer hid himself from me; although embarrassed, he understood that what we did was natural and good. In turn, I loved seeing him lost in the moment when the world stood still, every muscle taut, lungs burning, until shuddering, breathless ecstasy consumed his being.

~o.O.o~

Unbeknownst to Edward, I now had an all-consuming need to find a gift, the right gift, to mark his birthday. I had no idea where to begin looking, only that it had to be special, as special as he was to me.

It was a lot of pressure.

The next morning at breakfast I nudged Edward, looking at Esme with a pointed glance.

For a moment he looked confused, but then flushed, his head lowering.

"Edward, sweetheart, what is it?"

Esme looked concerned until she saw me smiling. Her hand rested on his forearm.

"It can't be that bad, can it?"

He cleared his throat, his eyes tight shut for a moment before meeting her gaze.

"It's nothing, I-I mean, it's not that important. I just told Jas that it's my…my birthday next week, that's all."

If it hadn't been for the table between them, I swear that Esme would've engulfed him in the biggest hug. As it was, her chair scraped back and she was at his side in a second, arms around his shoulders until he caved and hugged her back, a sheepish grin on his face.

"And you weren't going to tell me?" Esme mock-chided him before pressing a kiss to his temple.

"I just didn't want to make it sound more important that it is, that's all. Jasper and I are going to the zoo if the rain holds off. I've always wanted to go."

Seeing his enthusiasm bubble up again made my heart swell.

~o.O.o~

In the weeks since we'd moved in, little had changed in our daily lives.

Sure, we were safe, warm and comfortable, and above all, healthy. Those things were of the utmost importance and could never be underestimated, but what hadn't changed was our attitude to money and our deeply embedded, bone-chilling fear of not being able to make what we needed. I still took out my earnings each payday and we allotted it out for rent and food. We still shopped cautiously, but with a refrigerator and stove at our disposal, we were able to buy all fresh food and cook more interesting and varied dishes without waste.

We still hadn't spent anything on ourselves, stashing our unused earnings in a drawer, hidden in a pair of socks. We saw it as our safety net, our emergency fund should something go wrong, or for when we wore out our welcome with Esme and had to find somewhere fast. Watching our small fund grow, dollar by dollar, made us breathe easier, sleep sounder, offering a sense of security we had never known before.

Edward's birthday would be the first time I dipped into our fund to buy something non-essential, yet completely necessary. I wanted so much to take him for an amazing day out and be able to spend money without thinking about it just to make him smile. Common sense told me I didn't have to do anything extravagant because being together was all Edward really wanted. I knew that, truly I did, but he deserved a fuss, a wonderful day in his honour to be remembered for years to come and I was going to make that happen, as best I could, on a limited, restrained budget.

I'd thought it through and a little research had shown me that the zoo was free, meaning that I could take some money for him to choose a gift from the shop if he wished, a memento of the day. We would need funds for the bus too. I had the calculations worked out, excitedly planning out every detail. All I needed was his gift.

I knew he would be thrilled with anything, but just anything wasn't going to cut it. The store sold items online, items that could fetch more money than on the shop floor. I had no way of buying anything that way, but I knew how to search. I just had to hope that I could find a way to make the purchase if the perfect gift presented itself. I scoured the site, hoping against hope that what I wanted would appear, growing frustrated when I came up dry.

The following day at work, I summoned up my courage and approached Elise.

"What is it, Jasper?" Her tone radiated annoyance and exasperation. Without thinking, I took a small step backwards.

"Uhm, hi, Elise. I wanted to ask… is it you that chooses which items go on the website?"

Frowning in surprise at my question, she didn't cut me off in her usual curt manner.

"Yes, yes it is. If something vintage or more valuable comes in, I put it aside to research and sell on the site. Why do you ask?"

Summoning my courage, I took the plunge. Now or never.

"I'm looking for something special and I wondered if you could let me know if anything comes in? It's for my partner, well... fiancé, to be accurate. It's his birthday very soon. I'd need to get a friend to help me with the online purchase, but..." I tailed off, not really knowing what else to say.

Elise looked intrigued which I hoped was a positive sign. Also, she didn't recoil at the mention of Edward, or his gender, and I wondered if she already knew. I'd only really spoken of Edward to Emmett and the odd passing remark to Ashleigh. Either way, it was a step in the right direction. I explained what I hoped to find and she said she would let me know if anything suitable came in.

The next step was to tell Esme so I could enlist her help with my idea.

~o.O.o~

Esme was home for lunch when I arrived and I pounced on the opportunity whilst Edward wasn't around. I pulled out a chair at the kitchen table and dropped into it, my body humming with anticipation while I waited for her to finish her sandwich.

"Esme, I had this idea about Edward's birthday. I need to find him the perfect present and I know what I want to get. I just need a little help with the buying part." My nervous hands were making movements in the air that didn't clarify my point one iota. I tried again. "If I find what I want on the Goodwill website, I don't have the ability to buy it. I have the money, just-"

Esme finished her mouthful and set down the rest of her sandwich.

"Ah, okay, I get what you mean now. You don't know how to buy online?"

I sighed. "That's it. I wanted to ask if I gave you the money, would you would buy it for me. Would that be okay?"

She smiled in that gentle way of hers that made me feel heard and respected.

"Of course. So, have you seen anything yet? Or is this forward planning?"

A wry smile bent my mouth. "I spoke to Elise at work about what comes in, in case the perfect thing arrives and I miss it. She said she'd keep an eye out and tell me. I don't know if she's allowed to sell me something in the store if it's meant for the website. I guess I'll find that out if it happens." I shrugged, feeling a touch anxious. "I just don't have much time, and I don't know where else to look. I don't think I can afford to buy what I want new."

Her face lit up, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Is Edward working Saturday?"

I nodded, knowing the market was open.

"He often gets extra hours on a busy Saturday. Especially now that the weather's warming up. Why?"

"Because my favourite flea market is open this Saturday, and they have everything there. It's so big, it's separated into sections to make it easier to find what you want. How about it? It's not far, and we'll be home before Edward."

I think my smile was answer enough.

Esme went to her computer and booked us entrance tickets, explaining that it was cheaper to buy in advance. Despite my protestations, she refused to take any money from me, insisting it would be fun to have something to talk to while she browsed. I already knew that arguing was fruitless, so I made up my mind to find her a little something to say thank you on the day.

Edward came home that evening to the mouth-watering aroma of chicken casserole. The food was good and when it was all gone, Edward turned to me, fumbling with his pocket and pulling out a folded piece of glossy paper.

"I found a flyer today for the zoo. Did you know it's free? If we take some food and drink with us, we won't have to spend anything once we get there." He looked so happy and excited that I couldn't control the grin on my face.

"That's great! Does it say what animals we'll see?"

He nodded, unfolding the flyer and flattening it on the table between us.

"They have a polar bear, lions, and red pandas! I've never even heard of a red panda until now!" His finger pointed to a small picture of a cute, fluffy creature, whose red fur resembled his hair colour. I had to admit, it looked adorable.

I also had to admit that I was quite possibly biased on that.

~o.O.o~

Saturday dawned dry and warmer than of late, the tantalising promise of summer in the air. I had to control my excitement at the prospect of going somewhere new, a huge part of me wanted Edward to come too because I hated doing new things and going new places without him. It felt wrong, even when it was for his benefit.

I walked with him to the bus stop, hurrying back home once the bus was out of sight, impatient for our clandestine trip to the open air market. Esme was waiting in the car and a short drive later, we were there. There were already a great number of cars parked, streams of visitors weaving between the cars towards the gate. Esme saw my face and nudged me.

"Come on – we don't want to miss a bargain!" She walked ahead of me into the market, stopping to hand over the entry tickets, before leading me through the bustling crowds just inside the gates. All I could see were stands and people crowded around, and all I could smell was food from the myriad of food trucks parked throughout the site. I missed having Edward by my side, the experience lessened by his absence.

Esme stopped at the first junction. A large sign stood to the side, bright artwork advertising furniture to the left of us, home décor to the right with fashion and jewellery ahead. With matching grins, we walked forward, eager to see what awaited us.

I was overwhelmed with the sheer volume of stands and items for sale. My head swivelled from side to side, not knowing where to look first in my search, my gaze roaming over displays and table tops, hoping against hope. Esme had an eagle eye, pointing out glass- topped display boxes that might prove fruitful.

I tried not to get too excited, prices were high and, in some cases, far too high for me to even consider. I knew my budget and, according to Esme, it was perfectly reasonable. I didn't want to be swayed by something gorgeous but expensive in the moment, only to have to tell Edward that I'd used a huge chunk of our savings. I knew only too well that he'd insist on selling it, guilt meaning he wouldn't be able to look at it without worrying.

I wanted him to love it, to want to keep it and, above all, to be able to look at it with pride.

After an hour of rummaging, poking around in boxes and trays, and leaving no stone unturned, I walked up to a table and stopped dead in my tracks. A narrow band of shining metal – silver? I couldn't be sure at that moment. Anything else would be too expensive, but silver would be perfect – exactly what I hoped for. The ring wasn't decorated or shaped, only a simple band, unobtrusive, stylish in its simplicity. It was what I imagined seeing on his hand that day when I bought him his new coat. A day I thought would never come was here and it felt surreal. I gestured to Esme to come over, holding my breath until she appeared at my side.

"Could I try that one, please?" I pointed to it, light-headed with anticipation yet ready for the disappointment that would surely follow. The woman handed it to me and I felt its slender weight in my palm. With a shaky hand, I slipped it onto my finger where it sat, secure and comfortable. My mouth went dry.

"Is it silver?" I cleared my throat. "If so, how much, please?"

She took my hand and checked the tiny label wrapped around the band.

"It is, and rhodium plated." I looked at Esme for reassurance and she nodded encouragement. I squinted at the label. The seller saved me the trouble.

"It's $55. It's in superb condition for a second-hand piece – looks like new. A good weight too."

A sheen of sweat prickled my neck at the thought of spending all that money without Edward's agreement. Even though I had brought enough with me, I still needed to take a deep breath.

The woman watched me as I slid it from my finger and handed it back to her, decision made.

"I'll take it, please." My voice was unsteady.

Esme spoke.

"Does it come with a box? It's a very special gift."

The two women exchanged a look and the seller rummaged inside a bag, producing a small black velvet type box, nestling the ring inside. The seller took the money from my shaky hand and handed me my change along with the box. I slipped the box into the inside pocket of my leather jacket, buttoning it closed for added security.

"Thank you very much." I nodded to her, lightheaded, and we walked away. Esme touched my arm.

"Are you okay? You look a little overwhelmed."

I smiled, somewhat wobbly.

"I'll be alright. The ring is perfect – just what I wanted. It's just a shock to spend so much money in one go. I'm not used to it. I hope Edward won't be upset with me."

"I'm sure he could never be upset with you, sweetheart. And, anyway, I forgot to mention that in honour of his birthday, I won't accept any rent from you this week. I want the two of you to celebrate the day without guilt or worry."

My footsteps stalled. I met her steady gaze.

"I don't know what to say. You don't have to do that, you know? We don't expect anyth-"

She bumped my shoulder with her own.

"Shhh. I know you don't, but it's my choice and it makes me happy. What about you, though? Don't you want a ring too? You belong to each other, after all."

I hesitated.

"If I can find something affordable then yeah, of course, I want one. Today's not about me though. Today's about making Edward's birthday special."

She looked thoughtful as we walked on.

We arrived at the potted plant section, Esme distracted by the huge display of ferns. It took some persuading, but she allowed me to buy her a small baby fern for the kitchen window ledge as a thank you for the trip.

Back home, I hid the ring under the bed and tried not to fixate on it. I couldn't help it, though - the thought of Edward wearing an engagement ring was just beyond anything I used to believe possible and I smiled every time I thought of giving it to him.

I hated keeping anything from Edward, even when it was a surprise for him, but somehow I managed to not let on where Esme and I had been that afternoon. He arrived home from the market, full of anecdotes about his day, and I listened to every word, especially when he had some fun news to impart. He slid his arms around me whilst I was cooking, his chin on my shoulder.

"Alice told me today that she and Emmett have a date. She was loitering when he dropped in to collect Buster and he straight up asked her out to dinner!" He chuckled and pressed a light kiss to my cheek before stepping back to allow me room to serve. "She's super excited about it and terrified at the same time. The best thing is, she couldn't wait to tell me! I only just walked in when she grabbed my sleeve and babbled the news at a mile a minute! Glad to see Emmett found the courage. They're so perfect for each other."

I grinned, handing him a plate.

"Agreed. Should I say something to him, do you think?" I shook my head. "No, it's private so I shouldn't mention it at work."

Edward scrunched his nose and nodded.

"Probably best. He was so shy about us knowing he liked her. Perhaps we should let them get to know each other first. I bet Alice will want to talk about it if it goes well I mean, so I'll probably get some details whether I want them or not." His eyebrow waggled and I snorted, turning back to serve dinner.

~o.O.o~

The days passed faster than ever, and Edward was showing signs of increasing excitement for our upcoming day out. This little trip would be our first proper excursion since we first met and if he was even a fraction as excited as I was, then I knew we were in for an amazing time.

The night before the big day, I retrieved the box from under the bed and secreted it into my bedside drawer whilst Edward was in the bathroom. When he returned I was lying where he had left me, my eyes enjoying the sight of his sculpted body when he undressed and climbed in next to me.

Esme was out for the evening and we had retired early to be ready for the day ahead. He scooted over to press the length of his body against mine, leaning in for the kiss I was desperate to give. My hands traced his body, toned from the hours of walking, lifting and carrying, able now to cup and caress his buttocks without him pulling away. He smelled divine, fresh from the shower, the hair at the base of his neck a little damp, his skin warm. The kiss deepened, Edward's leg sliding up my thigh to hold me close, our groins in constant contact. When the kiss broke, he murmured words against my lips, faltering but resolute.

"Jasper, I want you to touch me… you know where. I'm ready. I want to do this. Just… just not inside. I don't think I can do that just yet, but soon. I think about it a lot, and I want to be that person. Someone who can-who can-"

I captured his lips in the softest kiss while my brain processed this new development. Pulling back a fraction, I nudged his nose with my own, whispering my reply.

"Just my fingers? It might feel a bit clinical, like an exam, but you know I'll do whatever you want me to."

He huffed out a shaky breath and nodded, gazing into my eyes.

"Please, Jas."

My hand continued its leisurely sweep up and down his back, cupping the rise of his backside before running the flat of my hand over the enticing swell. He pressed his lips to mine at the feel of my hand running over the firm length of his thigh that lay across my body. I wanted to excite him, to introduce him to new sensations, new levels of pleasure. His position meant his cheeks had parted a fraction, my fingers able to graze over the soft virgin skin just inside the cleft. His skin quivered, a sudden inhale the only reaction he gave. My hand rested on his upper thigh, my fingertips caressing the hidden softness of his inner slopes, stopping just shy of his tender opening. His body was shaking, with nerves or anticipation I couldn't tell, but his kiss grew more urgent.

With the lightest touch, I ran the backs of my fingernails along the length of his cleft, tantalising the nerve endings so close to his delicate entrance. His hips were rocking into mine, his body erect and humming with energy.

It was time.

I trailed my fingers idly down the curve of his cheeks until I reached his tight sac, feeling him jump and gasp with pleasure. A slow glance along his taint, teasing soft, maddening circles, had him whimpering and grinding into my body and it was the work of a moment to brush the pads of my fingers across his tight furl, withdrawn before he could fully register it.

On the next sweep, I traced feather-light circles over the innocent flesh, feeling his body writhe in my arms and push down, unconsciously spreading himself open to my touch. Again, my fingers slipped and caressed his taint before returning to his anxious, twitching entrance, feeling it begin to relax and open a fraction under the hypnotic, reassuring action of my warm fingers.

His body was ready to surrender, to open itself to pleasure even if his mind was not, and when the day came I would answer the call. Today was not that day. Remembering his words, my fingers slid away, clutching and kneading his firm muscled ass instead, indirectly stimulating the sensitive nerve endings. By now his hips were grinding into mine and it was only moments before he keened into my neck, the sound both desperate and disbelieving, all control lost.

I held him, shaking in my arms, letting him come down before I kissed his temple, nuzzling his hair.

"I'm so proud of you, sweetheart. You're so brave. So strong."

He snuffled, his eyes wet.

"I didn't know, Jas. I didn't know it would feel like that." He shook his head. "I can't believe I made such a mess."

I huffed out a laugh.

"Trust me, it's a compliment! You totally let go." I stroked his jaw, my words dropping to a whisper in the empty house. "I want you to know that everything we do together… it's…" I struggled to find the words, overwhelmed with love for the boy in my arms. "It's a privilege, Edward. To be with you, to be able to touch you, to love you… it's a really big deal to me. One that I'll never take for granted, and I will always, always be grateful for."

His wet eyes shone in the dim light, his breath catching in his throat.

"You're stuck with me forever, Jas."

I flushed at the raw honesty of his words and gave the only answer I could.

"Til death do us part."

~o.O.o~