storm ◇ jasper hale ◇

epilogue

"I miss Blackthorn River," Madej said to Jasper. They were sat together on their shared bed. Not that they could sleep. It was nice to have a bed that they could share. It felt normal, how things used to be before everything had been upturned. That felt like a lifetime ago. "I miss how things used to be, with the others. But I guess they're not so bad now. I got you." he said, offering a smile.

Jasper returned the gesture and pulled him into a kiss. 'They're going to be here soon. How do you feel?'

Madej raised an eyebrow, glancing over at Jasper. "You should know," he said. This was the first time Madej was going to see the rest of the Cullen coven in years. Madej was nervous about it, what they would think after being away from him for so long. It was different with his mom, Benedict and Angela; they had aged, and he hadn't. It had gotten more obvious as the years went on. But the Cullens wouldn't have aged a day.

'It's always been muted, blurred when it comes to how you feel. More so now you're a vampire.' Jasper shrugged a shoulder, unbothered by it. "I prefer it when you tell me."

"I prefer it when you sign, Jasper, you know this."

'Sorry.'

Madej inclined his head, accepting it. They still made their mistakes, even ten years on. They still lived with Peter and Charlotte. Bree too, for that matter. She had become a strong witch whilst learning under Madej's hand. They had a family of sorts, the five of them. Almost like it was their own little coven. It worked, as dysfunctional as it could be sometimes.

"When do they get here?"

Jasper looked at his watch, a gift from Madej, five years after he had been turned into a vampire. Peter had taken him shopping after a quick bite to eat.

'An hour,' Jasper answered. 'Why? Do you have any plans to fill that hour for us?' he asked, winking at him. Madej laughed, shoving at his arm.

"You're so horny,"

Jasper laughed at him, and Madej rolled his eyes at him.  'Shut up,'

Madej shoved at his shoulder, a smile on his face as he looked at Jasper. "You're so gay."

"Only for you, my love." Jasper kissed him, then kissed his cheeks, forehead and nose, the action gentle and caring. It never got old, not even after a decade together. "I love you."

"I love you too."

Things weren't perfect, but it was good enough for them. That was what mattered. They were together and had forever to do whatever they wanted.

Peter came rushing into their room, unannounced as he usually did, to alert them that a car was coming up the long drive to the house. Madej cursed him out of the bedroom, and then let Jasper take hold of his hand and lead him out to where they would meet the others.

Life had only just started, but Madej had Jasper by his side, and that was enough to keep him sane.