Redamancy | Jasper Hale x Reader

Chapter Twenty-Three

• March 18th, 2006 • Home •

Reader

I don't know what's worse. Watching Jasper leave, or standing in front of him months later completely unprepared to see his face ever again.

Jasper Hale is here, he's real, he's home.

I can't breathe all over again. I just-

My body collides with his before I even realize I'm moving. Wrapping my arms around his neck feels like a puzzle piece clicking into place. He's solid against me, slightly chilly but real. I can't believe it, I inhale for the first time since opening the door and it really is him-the scent of pine and everything Jasper slides right into my lungs and clicks against my heart. My breathing is noticeably choppy and I can barely contain the sob lodged in my throat. One hand wrinkles his shirt in a fist at his shoulder while the other grips his beautiful blonde hair at the base of his head, my eyes squeeze shut to hold in the tears from the overwhelming feeling of having him this close again.

"You-you're home." I choke out, the lump in my throat almost impossible to slip words past.

His arms close around me delicately picking me up off my feet, like I'm made of porcelain. He hasn't moved an inch otherwise, almost as if he's thinking that I might be a dream too. I feel his chest expand and his arms cinch down a little tighter, bands of steel that aren't releasing me anytime soon.

"I'm here darlin', I'm home." Jasper whispers into my neck.

"You can't-don't leave-" I stutter, words failing me, hands starting to shake.

"Shhh sweetheart, I'm here." He smooths a hand down the back of my head and cradles it against his shoulder.

Tears start to fall in a steady flow at the reassurance in his voice, words I've needed to hear for a long time now clanging through my soul. He's here and I don't know for how long, but he's here.

Jasper steps forward into my house with me still enveloped in his arms, nudging the door to slam shut with the toe of his boot, he stops.

"Couch?" He asks, as if he's unsure what to do next.

I nod into his neck, I could probably let go and walk myself, but I can't release him just yet. He moves us over to the couch and as he sits, I pick my legs up to lay across his lap, a hand drifting down my thigh to guide me into a comfortable position. It's like time picked up right where we left off, a shudder running through me at the familiarity of him.

"Darlin', I need to see that gorgeous face of yours." He says in that southern accent that's like a spear to my heart. I want to shake my head, I'd prefer to stay in this bubble locked around him. Instead I do the reasonable thing, my arms relax the death grip I have on his neck as I lean back to look into his eyes.

"There you are, sweet girl." He whispers with a grin, dark brown eyes tracking the tear stains running down my cheeks. His thumbs reach up to swipe away the wetness as he places a kiss to my forehead before taking a deep breath.

"Why on earth would you try to-to kill-" He struggles with the words in a way that clenches my heart.

"I wasn't trying to kill myself. It was recreational diving." I pick at the edge of my sweatshirt and I feel him shift.

"Alice couldn't see you come out of the water, I was so scared, you... You can't do that." Jasper pushes some fallen strands of hair behind my ear, staring at where his cold finger meets my warm skin.

"Can't do what?" I challenge, meeting his eyes as defiance flairs in me.

"Scare me. Put yourself in a situation where I might lose you." His answer is warming and bold, but it delivers a blow to my chest.