After 30 minutes, Carlisle heard footsteps coming down the hall. He turned to the door as Jasper entered, his now golden eyes trained on Alice.
"How long will the sedative last?"
"Only a few hours. It was very light."
"She told me to leave. I didn't want to argue with her," Jasper whispered.
"I know, son. You didn't do anything wrong."
"I should've stayed."
"You needed to hunt. Alice knows that."
Jasper nodded once, walking to the other side of Alice's bed. He gently sat on the edge, careful not to move her. He took her warm hand in his cold grasp, rubbing light circles with his thumb.
When Carlisle stood from his seat, Jasper looked up at him.
"I'll be back to check on her soon."
"Thank you, Carlisle."
Carlisle nodded and smiled softly at his son before turning and leaving the room.
Jasper looked back at his wife, looking so small, broken, and utterly human.
"I'm sorry, darlin'. I shouldn't have left like that," he whispered.
He sat like that for the next few hours, Carlisle coming in every half hour to check on Alice.
Jasper felt her emotions before he sensed any movement. She was sad and scared.
"Alice, darlin', I'm here. You're alright."
After several minutes, Alice slowly opened her eyes. Her hazel eyes searched the room before focusing on Jasper's face.
"Jazz…" her voice was so quiet, another human wouldn't have heard it.
"I'm right here," he leaned closer, gently cupping her cheek with his hand.
Alice leaned into his hand, closing her eyes once more, breathing in his sweet scent.
"You came back," she whispered, her eyes still closed.
"I should never have left."
"You hunted."
She opened her eyes and stared into his. He leaned forward and gently kissed her lips.
"Just to be safe. I'm alright now, I promise. I won't leave you again."
"I know."
"Carlisle's coming back to check on you," he said quietly.
As if on cue, Carlisle entered the room, smiling at Alice.
"How are you feeling, dear?"
"Exhausted," she admitted, "and my side hurts pretty bad."
Carlisle nodded, moving closer to the side of the bed.
"You'll most likely sleep for the majority of your stay here. The sedative can have lasting affects. May I check your bandages?"
Alice nodded, pulling the blanket back so he could look at her side.
"Your stitches still look good. I can give you something for the pain if you'd like."
She shook her head.
"I don't want to be more tired than I already am. I've already slept enough to make up for the last hundred years," she said as she rolled her eyes.
Carlisle chuckled, but Jasper sighed.
"As long as you're human, you're going to be sleeping quite a bit," Carlisle told her.
"I know. And I'll take some medicine if it gets too bad, I promise."
"Good girl," Carlisle said, "I won't be far if you need anything."
"Thanks, dad," she said quietly, smiling softly at him.
Carlisle returned her smile, nodded at Jasper, and left the room once more.