Chapter Six

Bella

I was relieved Charlie was working all day Sunday, it meant I could get myself ready for my date with Jasper without stupid knowing grins or sarcastic comments. For some reason I felt very nervous which was stupid, this wasn't my first ever date or even the first time I had been out with Jasper but it was our first formal date so maybe that explained the butterflies in my stomach. As I glanced through my meagre wardrobe I cursed myself for not asking where we were going on this date, I had no idea what to wear so I settled for some new cream pants I had bought and never worn and a green silk shirt that was casual but dressy enough if we ended up somewhere special.

I laughed at myself as I peered out the window for the fifth time willing him to turn up and praying he wouldn't ring to put our date off. I was like a schoolgirl waiting for her first date and felt as excited and nervous as one when he pulled up outside the house. He was on the porch when I opened the door looking as handsome as always, it was criminal how this man could look good enough to eat even in jeans and a checkered shirt.

"You ready?"

I nodded, grabbed my jacket and smiled as he took my hand raising it his cool lips and kissing it as if he were a knight and me his lady. He made me feel special in a way no one else ever had, opening my car door for me and waiting to close it before joining me.

"So, where are we going?"

"I thought it would be nice to go somewhere we can explore each other's tastes."

I wasn't quite sure what he meant and he laughed at my puzzled expression.

"Art gallery or museum? Or, if you prefer, a movie?"

It was nice to be consulted, Jake had always decided where we would go, what we would do which became annoying at times. I was about to say a movie when I remembered seeing something about a photographic exhibition at the Art gallery in Port Angeles so I suggested that.

"Well I would like to see that but only if it's OK with you."

I wasn't sure how much I would enjoy the exhibition but with Jasper at my side to explain the technicalities of getting each shot I found myself really interested although I had to admit that walking around hand in hand with him certainly helped and afterwards when I thought he would be driving back to Forks he surprised me by parking up beside the river.

"It's not raining so how about we rent a boat? We can have a picnic later, I admit that I asked Esme to pack one for us, I hope that meets with your approval, or would you prefer to go home now?."

My approval, I was beginning to wish this man would whisk me away and never let me leave his sight again.

It was perfect, he rowed as if born to it and the play of muscles under the flawless pale skin of his arms had me mesmerised. I was so intent watching him that it came as something of a shock when I felt the boat bump against the bank. He jumped out like a cat and had the boat secured, helped me out and spread a blanket on the grass before I had a chance to blink. There was something almost unearthly about him as if he lived between heartbeats rather than from one to another and I wanted so badly to know him, all about him.

We, or rather I, ate chicken bites fed me by Jasper and drank some of the coffee from the picnic Esme had provided then lay back looking at the sky. There was no sun, there rarely was around here but the clouds had silver edges where the sun fought against their blanket.

Jasper moved closer and when I lifted my head he slid an arm around me lifting me into his lap and wrapping his arms around me. It was unexpected but the most wonderful feeling and I rested my head on his shoulder.

"A penny for them Bella?"

"I was wondering how you came to be with Carlisle and Esme."

He hesitated and I wondered if I were opening some old wounds,

"I'm sorry, it's OK, you don't have to explain."

"No, it's OK. Rosalie and I are siblings, twins actually and our parents were killed in an auto accident when we were young. We went through the care system for some years before Carlisle and Esme took us in. We were lucky, they've given us a stable family environment."

He sounded like the years in between had been hard and lonely.

"I'm glad the two of you stayed together.."

"Me too Bella, Rose is special, she means a lot to me so it's great that she likes you."

"She does? She seemed a little reserved but then suddenly being presented with me must have been a shock."

"Oh, she's used to shocks, Rose is a tough cookie."

I closed my eyes happy in his strong embrace and then I heard him speaking very low so the words were almost inaudible and I only caught a little but it was a poem I recognized,

"I have been one acquainted with the night.

I have walked out in rain - and back in rain.

I have out walked the furthest city light.

I have looked down the saddest city lane.

I have passed by the watchman on his beat

And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain."

"Robert Frost, one of my favourite poets but you chose one of the bleakest, why?"

He sighed,

"It fitted my life at one time but not any more. Bella, I hope this isn't just a one night stand. I like you a lot and I'd like to make it official so I can come see you and take you to meet my family properly. Do you think your father would object?"

I laughed,

"I doubt it, besides I'm all grown up now and my life is my own."

"True, I guess I forget sometimes."

"Forget what? How old I am?"

He laughed,

"Hardly, I was just thinking when I came from this would have been frowned on but it doesn't matter however those clouds do, it's going to rain soon and we are going to get wet unless we move now."

We made it back but barely. As I slipped into the car the heavens opened up and it poured down. I expected Jasper to be dripping wet when he joined me but suddenly he was just there and although he was wet he appeared to have ducked the worst of the downpour. I was about to comment on it when he shook his head like a shaggy dog and showered me with icy water. After that, I forgot everything but finding a way to get my own back for that.

He turned the heater up and by the time we got back to Forks we were both dry but the windows were steamed up.

"If my dad sees this he's going to be giving me the third degree, I'm just glad I'm an adult."

It was a joke but Jasper looked at me concerned,

"Would you like me to come in and explain?"

I shook my head smiling,

"No, that's OK. Thank you for a lovely day."

"You are more than welcome, I enjoyed your company, Bella. Well, back to work tomorrow but perhaps if you aren't otherwise engaged you would like to go out again in the week?"

"I'd love to."

He came around to open my door and walked me to front door, very old fashioned but it suited him and then he touched my cheek again,

"Thank you, Bella."

I gazed into his eyes which looked darker in the evening light and suddenly I couldn't help myself, I leaned forward and kissed him and then his arms were around me pulling me close and I expected him to kiss me back but instead he hugged me then rubbed his face in my hair as if trying to lock the scent in his mind. Well being thought of as the strawberry smelling girl wasn't the worst thing in the world.

"See you tomorrow darlin'."

As I opened the front door I thought I had detected a southern drawl in that last word "darlin'". If only I was his darling my world would be perfect.