Jasper
Somehow, Alice hadn't heard him get up, sleeping soundly as he snuck out of their suite. Jasper sought the producer as soon as the sun came up. He'd knocked for over a minute, and sleepy-eyed, she'd met him at the door as he explained his situation. He had barely gotten much sleep and though he would've liked to say it was because of their nighttime activities, that was far from the truth. Alice and Jasper cuddled and talked, and she fell asleep as they both lay there. She was exhausted, and Jasper lay there, tossing and turning. His nicotine addiction reminded him it was still there, despite the fact he had this dark-haired angel in his bed. Petite, sweet, adorable and absolutely perfect. He had gone through the gum they'd given him, which was supposed to be taken every few hours as needed. The only problem was that he needed more than what was given, much more to curb the cravings…and then now, with the lack of sleep, an ache pounded behind his eyes. In hopes of getting any sleep for their early departure, he'd chewed the last of the square pieces, willing them to take effect, which had allowed him the relief of about 3 hours of broken sleep. 3 hours. That was how often he smoked, he realized. His addiction had become even more severe since he'd retired.
His cigarettes. They were tucked at the bottom of his suitcase. Sure, he would have to fish them out and probably create a big mess in the process, especially inside the dark room, possibly awakening Alice.
He had gotten desperate. He felt pathetic. It had been less than 12 hours since his last cigarette, and about 14 hours since he'd laid eyes on this beautiful soul. Quitting smoking was a tall order, but he was so taken by this woman that he had to try. Besides, he didn't like the coughing in the morning, the phlegmy hack that greeted him when he awoke. Was this how he wanted his bride to be awakened by his obnoxious smoker's cough? She deserved so much better than this.
The producer sent Jasper down to the coffee shop since the couples were not allowed to leave the hotel and met him, unfortunately, with Sean, the camera person at her side.
"What is this?" Jasper asked, already miserable.
"This is an issue that needs to be documented, Jasper. Since you two encountered this on your own already it won't be clear to the audience of this conflict."
Jesus. It hadn't been bad enough he was waiting for a patch like a druggie desperate for a fix, but now it had to be filmed. "Seriously?"
"Absolutely."
She held a brown bag in her hand and he eyed it hungrily. At this point, he was willing. He just needed to alleviate this awful craving. "Okay. Fine."
He knocked at their door for effect, so as to give Alice a bit of warning. He understood that being awoken by the cameras was a possibility, but this way? The grip, who accompanied Sean, held open the door for him as Jasper donned the mask of newly-married groom, who despite not getting laid, and suffering from lack of sleep and dealing with a heavy case of withdrawals, was going to surprise his bride with a luxurious breakfast and charm her with his new acquisition. How in holy hell? He didn't know.
"Good morning, Alice," Jasper said, carrying a silver tray with a vase with a single red rose. It held a cup of coffee and a plate with pancakes and fruit.
She sat up and rubbed her eyes. She took notice of the camera behind him and that they weren't alone. "Good morning. I didn't hear you get up."
Thank God.
"I hope you're hungry." He set the tray down and uncovered her breakfast, at which she ooohed and aaahed. Another tray was set down on the round table for Jasper to join her in bed.
"Famished," she said. "Coffee! Thank you!"
He grabbed his coffee, a direct contrast to hers with the most intricate heart drizzled into it, Jasper's was black. This was his 3rd cup, and he was hoping for it to take away the last of his headache. Until he was able to get that patch on.
"How did you sleep?" she asked.
"Not well," he confessed. "Listen, Alice, I…what we talked about yesterday…"
She sipped her coffee, and he could see she was trying to keep her gaze from the producer in a very "what the hell" kind of way. "What is it, Jasper?"
"I needed something to help with the smoking, and so that's why…" They're here. Because they need to know about his business. About his and Alice's business. And make it their business.
"Did they give you something? I thought you had gum?"
The producer ended the shot right there and explained to Alice they needed a private interview with her then and there, which seemed a little drastic. They had impressed upon them that these interactions, particularly the important ones, needed to be captured on film. For. Just. This. Reason.
Alice didn't hide her disappointment, and he imagined this was not the way she wanted to start their first morning together, but it was what it was. She was a trooper, though, and she got up, used the bathroom, tugged on a robe and followed them to a room they'd secured for interviews.
Alice
As Jasper promised, he'd taken quitting smoking very seriously and had acquired a patch. On camera, he even had her apply it, after she gave them the explanation of her dislike of it. She appreciated that he was showing his commitment. But, this reminded her that she was the one who was forcing this upon him. Did she want him to quit? Of course. Did she want it to be because of her…well…she wanted him to do it because of the harmful effects and potential dangers, and because it just stunk. Sixteen years of smoking, though, didn't just dissipate by sheer will. Alice had known a number of people who quit smoking and then started up again a short time later.
They pulled their suitcases through the walkway at LAX toward their gate. Savannah, Georgia was beautiful this time of year, and though she'd been there a number of times, this was Jasper's first time. He smiled and they held hands as they took their seats. The flight was only about 4 hours long, and toward the end of the flight, he shifted in his seat. Again…and again. She wondered if he had to use the bathroom.
"I don't like flying," he admitted after she gave him a questioning look. "And I'll be happier when we're back on the ground."
"Should we order you another drink?"
He shook his head. "No..but I think I might just be reacting to the patch. I have a slight headache and just feel a little dizzy."
Oh. And alcohol wasn't your friend while using it, apparently.
He put his arm around her shoulder and she leaned in to him, watching the blue of the sky and the misty clouds as they descended through them. They had some quiet time together to enjoy because they didn't really know once they touched down how much presence the crew would have.
The one thing she liked about the flight was they allowed them this alone time, even if they shared it with over 300 passengers.
She opened up the sightseeing book they'd been given and thought of Bella. How was she? Other than the elusive text she sent, which didn't sound too happy, Alice wondered how she was faring. She was dying to talk to her, to share with her all these experiences, to get her insight into Jasper, and if she was being crazy about smoking. But, most of all, was her best friend happy? Had the experts given her the man who would make her happy? What was he like?
Alice showed Jasper the page that featured their hotel - a very old building across from the water. "It's said to be haunted," she told him. "I hope you're not afraid of ghosts."
"Nope. And what about you? Don't tell me. You talk to ghosts."
"I make sure they're good first."
His face broke out into a smile. "What? Wait…how do you make sure a ghost is good or bad?"
"I ask."
"Oh…" He nodded and didn't press for additional information. Did he really want to know? Maybe it was too soon in their relationship to tell him about her insights. That she often had dreams that came true, that she had a sense about something going to happen before it did, that she spoke to her spirit guides all the time and got very real impulses that were their responses. Alice was the odd duck in her family and life, and because she was open about her connection to the other side of the veil, many people turned and ran from her.
The producer followed them inside, accompanied by the crew. When they entered their suite, she made a show of making a cross with her fingers, making light of her gifts. She wanted to be herself and not have him be afraid of it. For this to work, she needed him to be okay with it.
"Are we clear?" he asked, "No ghosts or entities?"
"None as of yet. Besides, I put in a special request that they sage the room first."
"Sage the room?"
"Yeah, to purify the air, to cleanse the energy of it, make it welcome for us."
He looked at Alice for a moment. She didn't think he was into any of what she was saying but he smiled. "Made it welcome. Okay." He set down their suitcases and then drew open the curtains. Their balcony had a deluxe view of the wide river, and though it was cloudy and drizzly, it was still breathtaking.
Jasper rubbed his eyes, and she wondered if he was suffering side effects or if the flight had tired him out…or if they just had spent too much time talking and making out before finally falling asleep. A pang hit her. This poor guy. He'd hardly slept and despite all the activities open to them, he was wiped out.
"What do you want to do first?"
The last thing Alice wanted to do was draw any more attention to his weaknesses.
She covered her mouth and faked a very big yawn. Not only for him, but because they could do with some alone time. "I'm ready for a nap."
He sighed then and took her into his arms. "You are the best."
The crew and producer scooted out of the room, and Alice relished the way his body felt curled against hers, the way his arm covered her possessively. Sure, there were horse carriages and walking tours to take, but now, in this bed, rest and being beside him were the only things on her mind.
Once she heard the steady sound of his breathing, she pulled out her phone and texted Bella. "I miss you! I can't stand not knowing how it's going! This is torture!"
Alice knew her bestie wouldn't respond so quickly, but she couldn't wait until she did.
A/N: The next chapter will begin with Bella & Emmett's part 1, so please stay with me! Thanks for your feedback and I love hearing from you!