I finally updated! After a year. I got stuck on how to continue, but my life took a huge turn when I brought a business and started studying again! Phew! Anyways, read and review please :)

CHAPTER 24

I was sitting in our room by myself, trying to read a book. But, my mind kept wondering, thinking about what happened in the last few days. Christmas was a simple, yet joyous occasion filled with laughs, old memories, love, and hope for the future. We all forgot about Maria for the day and enjoyed each other's company. I hadn't felt so relaxed, loved or happy in so long; what, with the fleshies and the 'Maria' situation. Alice got not one vision; bar the small one in the early morning of Christmas Day, which left that all knowing smile on her face that she used to give me all the time. I gathered it was because someone in the house hadn't listened to my 'no present' rule, but boy, was I wrong...

FLASHBACK...

I was sitting on the floor in front of the fire between Jasper's legs. I had a cup of coffee in my hand and was laughing with the rest of the family about memories long gone by of earlier Christmas', just enjoying the warmth of the log fire, and general love and happiness that saturated the air. We had just finished Christmas dinner, lovingly and delicately made by Esme. She insisted, of course. I knew any attempt at an argument over the matter would surely prove to be futile, so we compromised on me making dessert. She pointed out that with the preparation of Christmas dinner in her hands, I had more time with Charlie and Sue. I was feeling grateful now to Esme for the gesture, as I did get to spend some quality time with the woman who caught my fathers eye after so many years. They deserved the happiness.

Charlie kept chucking sideway glances at me all night, and Alice kept giving me that damn smile. I started feeling self conscience, and shifted nervously. I couldn't put my finger on what was going on, and was starting to get agitated. Jasper ran his hand up and down my arm in a gesture of comfort. I looked up at him raising my brow, but he just smiled and shook his head. I huffed at him and pouted, turning my attention back to my coffee. After what seemed like hours, only to be a few minutes, I excused myself, and went outside to have a cigarette. Jasper didn't follow, which was odd. I was really starting to feel nervous. I felt a wave of calm and reassurance wash over me, courtesy of Jasper. I rolled my eyes and butted my smoke out. I took the last swig of my coffee before heading to the kitchen to swap my empty mug of coffee for a glass of wine.

Upon entering the living room, everyone was engaged in conversation, most talking amongst themselves in small groups. Jasper seemed to be the only one not bothering to get involved in the chatter. I walked over to him smiling, sitting back in my previous position. I noticed a small box in his hand; turning it over and over between his palm and fingers. Puzzled, I went to grab the box that he held, only to have him stop his movements, clutching it tighter. I upped the puzzlement, waiting for a reply. Finally, I caved.

"What's that?" I asked with a sigh. I waited a few seconds, but he gave no reply or even any indication that he heard me. I sighed again, louder this time, and nudged him, sending my curiosity, worry and puzzlement again. He finally looked up at me. He looked... Nervous. Jasper is never nervous. I sent him a bit of fear, which was quickly dispelled with manufactured calm. I nudged him harder and pushed the emotion away, adding my annoyance and impatience. This time he sighed, brushing my hair behind my ear.

"Is that what I think it is?" I said, inclining my head towards the offending box. He shook his head. I was starting to get frustrated with his lack of cooperation on the said box, which seemed to have my full attention now. He chuckled and said

"It is, and, it isn't..." Cryptic. I'm banning him from Peter. That's it. I huffed and moved to sit beside him. He shifted to face me, his eyes boring into me.

"What is it, then?" I asked. I saw that nervousness from before flash briefly on his face before he could contain it. Was I worried? Yes. Yes I was.

"Do you remember, roughly three weeks ago, you asked what we might do when everything was over?" Yes, I did. But why was he bringing it up now? What did it have to do with this small box? I bit my lip and nodded.

"Well," he continued, "I led on that I hadn't thought much about it, but, I had. I do. Continuously... And... I want you to know, that I do have something concrete planned for the not too distant future." I knitted my eyebrows together. Sure, I thought about our future, too, but never too in-depth. There were too many things undecided and unfathomable in the near future. I knew there would be a happy ending, for us all, but never thought too much into it. Chaos was all around. "Jasper, please, I don't understand what you are trying to say." I looked down at the box again, trying to piece it together with his words. Jasper casually relaxed the hand holding the box, bringing it to sit in his lap, crossing his legs in front of me at the same time.

"Simple." He smiled, opening the box slowly. "I was wondering if you would like to be Mrs Whitlock one day." He said, timing the last four words with the unveiling of the shiny ring in the box. My mouth hung open. I was speechless. Everything made sense now. He knew me so well. The solitary diamond embedded in the white gold band was perfect, as was his cryptic, yet oddly romantically fitting proposal. I finally looked up at him, noticing his cool facade was gone, and he was awaiting my reply, but he had shocked me speechless. I shook myself physically, as well as mentally, and sent him all my love and happiness before replying.

"Mrs Whitlock does have a certain ring to it," chuckling at my bad pun, I continued "yes. I would love to." Before I registered anyone was listening, the room erupted in cheers and clapping. Jasper smiled so wide I thought his face may crack. He scooped me up in his arms, and standing up, he spun me around before kissing me quickly, but passionately, sending me all if his love, joy and excitement. It was overwhelming and wonderful. We held each other tightly with our foreheads together and goofy grins on our faces.

"You just made me the happiest man in the history of the world. I love you, Isabella." He whispered.

"And I you." I said just as quietly. There were champagne bottles popped and streamers thrown around us, but I hardly noticed. All that mattered or deserved my attention was the man staring at me with just as much intensity. We were pulled apart by Charlie, who kissed my cheek and shook Jasper's hand. Sue smiled and nodded, offering us her congratulations, then we were flooded by the rest of my extended family, hugging and congratulations filling the room, and while I was caught up with all the noise and movement, I still held firmly onto Jasper's hand. I was truly happy.

As per arranged three weeks prior, we proceeded to the Rez and announced our engagement. Drinks were followed, as was a huge bonfire, and many, many drunk wolves. Jacob took it all in his stride and congratulated us, as well as not so quietly telling Jasper that if he even looked like he may act like Edward, that he would hurt him. I rolled my eyes. I knew two things; the first being that Jasper was my mate and is unable to hurt me in any way, the second thing being that I know who would come out the victor in that fight. Heads up! It wouldn't be Jacob. Jasper politely told him that there was no need for the 'formalities' of the usual kind, that there was no way it would ever come to that. The night progressed in a pretty calm and friendly manner after that. It turns out that Charlie was in on the proposal weeks ago. It all made sense now. The sideways glances, the oddly chipper conversations I had had with him over the last couple of weeks. Charlie was never very good at acting, but I'll give him credit where it's due; he had me guessing!

END FLASHBACK...

That was a few days ago. The days passed in a blur from then. We decided to plan the wedding for when the fleshies and Maria had been dealt with. Things had calmed down considerably in regards to the fleshies in the last few weeks. Carlisle had mentioned that the military were considering lifting the lock down on various towns, and branching out to rebuild the places that were destroyed by the virus outbreak. No one had seen a fleshy for a week. The military were going to split in two, half staying back to keep the safe areas guarded, and the other half were to head out and scope out the surrounding areas. I mentioned to Jasper that I would still like to get out of here and search the surrounding areas for wandering survivors. Once Maria is dealt with, of course. Which brings me to the next problem. Alice had had no recent visions of her. Peter's knower had been stagnant for days now, too. I worried something might be wrong, like she was going to make a last minute decision to come here. Jasper and I, on one of our many conversations we have in bed at night, that it would be foolish to think she had decided against the idea. We were going to be prepared for whatever happened.

I wished things were different. I wished that I was changed earlier. I wish Jasper and I found each other first. He would have changed me immediately had I asked. Then, I wouldn't be sitting here, still human, vulnerable and unable to give Jasper the strong and capable mate he needs. If I was a vampire, I could personally remove Maria's head and gift it to Jasper do with as he pleases. He is the god of war after all. He deserves at least that. But, in saying that, these circumstances couldn't be changed, and it was no ones fault. I wished that Dr Greer hadn't made the virus. Thinking about it, he probably had good intentions when he made it. Never the less, it had dire consequences. He should have stopped at the first lot of failed test subjects. All that loss of life... Regardless of my wishes, things are the way they are.

It will be New Year's Eve in three days. Nothing had been planned, but that's only because Peter and Alice predicted/saw Maria striking the first week of the new year. It was safer to be ready rather than sorry. Speaking of which, now that things were winding down with the fleshies, I had made my decision. I put my book down and got up from my perch on the window sill to go in search of Jasper. I knew he was playing the Xbox with Emmett when I retired to our room over an hour ago, so there was a very good chance he was still there. As I was reaching the last few steps on the stairs, I heard the sounds of Emmett's whining over loosing some game. Yep, they were still there. I made my way into the doorway, leaning against the door frame with my arms loosely crossed. Jasper threw a quick glance my way with a mischievous grin on his face. He was toying with Emmett.

"Can you please tell your boyfriend not to cheat?" Emmett asked me, pointing an accusatory finger at Jasper.

"No, I can't Emmy bear, but I can relieve you of his presence." I said sincerely. Jasper sent me some lust, his eyes growing dark.

"Maybe later, baby. But, I do need to talk to you." I said to Jasper, pushing his lust aside.

"Well, I may be a while. Maybe you could ask Peter to play in my place?" Jasper said to Emmett, getting up from the couch and walking towards me.

"Did someone call me?" Peter asked, suddenly standing beside me.

"Wanna play?" Emmett asked Peter, cheeky grin in place. I had to smile. He reminded me of a little boy up to mischief.

"Sure, why not?" Peter said, plonking down beside Emmett. Jasper and I chose that moment to head outside.

"Take a walk with me?" I asked him, slipping my hand into his.

"Are you sure? It's a bit cold out." He said, gesturing to the snow outside.

"It's fine, I've got a jacket and beanie by the front door." I said as pointed to it.

"Gloves?"

"Right here" I said, pulling them out of the jacket pocket. Jasper nodded his head with a small smile, and took my jacket to help me put it on. Once I was all rugged up, he opened the door for me, and we proceeded out the door and onto the well worn path through the tree line. Jasper handed me a lit cigarette as usual, and we walked hand in hand silently for around one hundred meters before Jasper finally spoke up.

"What's on your mind? You're very determined today." I took a deep breath and took a few seconds to get my words together.

"I've made a decision. Whether Maria is going to make her way here it not, I want to be prepared. The fleshies are almost gone, and once Maria makes her move, nothing will stop us from spending the rest of our lives together doing what ever we want." I let out a breath I didn't realise I was holding. I must admit, I was a little nervous. I know Jasper will do just about anything for me. But, I know what I was about to propose was most definitely not in any of our plans or ideas. He seemed to mull my words over momentarily before carefully replying.

"You want to be changed immediately?" He asked. I. Stopped walking and turned to look at him. I nodded my head.

"Yes."

"May I ask why? I mean, I would do it in a heartbeat. Although... If I did change you, there's a chance you could be less help as a newborn with the sensory overload. But I don't doubt for a second that you are definitely unique, and you probably would wake up and miss the newborn phase completely." He said with a chuckle. I snorted and rolled my eyes.

"I don't want to be a weak human anymore. I don't want to have to be protected and catered to. I want to rip Maria's head off as a token of my love for you." I said sincerely, but laughed at the way it came out.

"I love looking after you" he said, putting his hand to my cheek, caressing my face with his thumb. "However, I see your point. The only thing stopping me right now is what I said to you four months ago." "Ah, you wanted to marry me while I was still human." I remembered. It was a minor detail. He nodded his head. "I really wanted you to be human so your father could be involved, but, seeing as he knows about our existence, he could still give you away." He mused.

"I'm in if you are." I whispered. He kissed me chastely and his eyes seemed to twinkle. "

"The wolves." He reminded. Well, I'm sure we could work something out. I would be on the animal diet of course, I would be surrounded by older, experienced vampires to guide me, and I'd be an asset instead of a liability having to be babysat when Maria does come a-knocking.

"They'll come around. The treaty is sort of void at the moment, right?" I asked.

"Yes, but I'm sure the part about not biting a human still applies." He chuckled.

"Well, I'll make the call to Charlie first. Who knows? Maybe his acceptance of the supernatural and everyone's acceptance to our engagement means they knew this was on the cards." I mused. He nodded his head.

"While that's true, let's tread carefully." I agreed. Just then, Jasper pulled his phone out and sent a text at lightning speed. Before I could question him, the reply came through. He grabbed me into a tight hug, inhaling my scent.

"Care to share?"

"Peter. I asked him what he thought of the reception we would receive from the Rez." "Yeah?" I asked. "All clear. He predicts smooth sailing. Let's get this show on the road. I guess you want to be turned tonight?" Jasper asked, pulling his phone back out of his pocket to give to me.

"Yes, the sooner the better." I mumbled, taking the phone and dialling the Black's number. Charlie was actually the one to answer the phone! Lucky. The conversation was brief. We were right in our assumption. He accepted it. Especially since I explained to him about 'situation' with Maria. He only asked that see him as soon as I was able. I agreed, of course. And, he assured me that we wouldn't have any trouble with the pack. He briefly spoke to Jasper, and that was the end of it.

"Charlie just wanted to make sure I took care of you." Jasper said, answering my question before I had even voiced it.

"Did he threaten to kill you if you didn't?" I asked.

"Something along those lines." He chuckled. "But I wouldn't expect anything else." He added, grabbing my hand and walking back to the house. We talked on the way home about how we would do it and if we would tell the rest of the family first or after. We agreed that the best way to do it would be while we were making love, preferably with everyone out of the house. It was settled that while Jasper would organise the family to retreat from the house, I was going to indulge in a hot bath with some chocolate. I think I was going to miss that most. I loved chocolate. Within an hour, the house was deserted, and I was sitting in the tub, polishing off a block of chocolate while Jasper massaged my shoulders and neck. It was heaven. All too soon, the bath went cold. I didn't mind, what followed was the most passionate, sensual and amazing love making we ever shared. I was so caught up in all the emotions and sensations running through me both physically and emotionally that I didn't even realise he had bitten me until the fire started.

"I'm sorry, I love you." Jasper whispered before the fire consumed me.