𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 | 𝐉𝐀𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐑 𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐄

𝟏𝟒 | 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐒

THE NEXT DAY, I WAS CURLED UP IN JASPER'S ROOM AT THE CULLEN'S HOUSE. He'd finally gotten a bed for me, mostly and despite what you'd expect from a vampire, it was warm, soft, and perfectly comfortable.

Jasper sat beside me, his voice low and steady as he read aloud from an old book, his Southern drawl wrapping around every word like honey. I watched the way his lips moved more than I listened to the story.

"Can we do something?" I asked suddenly, smiling. "Like a hike or something?"

He closed the book gently and turned toward me. "Are your ribs up for that, darlin'?" he asked, worry flashing in his golden eyes.

"They're fine," I said with a grin, sliding closer and tugging at his arm.

He rose, slow and careful, his hands finding my waist his touch feather-light, mindful not to brush my side too much. "Alright then," he murmured, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Let's go."

He led me to the balcony, the air cool and clear. I climbed onto his back, laughing quietly as he whispered, "Hold on tight, sweetheart." Then we were gliding through the trees, the world blurring around us wind in my hair, his scent in my lungs, his heartbeat steady against my palms.

He finally stopped on a high ridge, where the forest opened into a breathtaking view of the valley below. We settled there, between the branches of an ancient oak. I sat between his legs, leaning back into his chest.

For a while, neither of us spoke. The world felt still.

"Jasper..." I whispered. "Would you ever change me?"

He went quiet, eyes fixed on the horizon. The gold in them softened, almost sad.

"That would be your choice," he said finally, his voice low. "But if it were up to me... I wouldn't end your life for you."

I turned in his arms, looking up at him. "I don't want to be a vampire, Jasper."

He nodded once, gently. "And that's fine," he murmured, pressing a kiss to my cheek. His lips lingered there, cool and tender.

"Is it, though?" I asked softly. "You'll lose me someday."

He smiled faintly that small, almost broken smile he had when he was trying not to feel too much. "I'll have had forever with you in the time I'm given," he said. "You don't have to be like me for me to love you."

I exhaled slowly, my heart full. I leaned into him, and he wrapped his arms around me, holding me close as the sun dipped lower behind the trees.

"I'm glad," I whispered.

His thumb brushed over my hand, slow and grounding. And in that quiet, I knew no one would surrender tonight. But I wouldn't give in either.

Because for once, I knew exactly what I wanted.

𝗚𝗔𝗕𝗕𝗬 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗟𝗨𝗗𝗘!

Twilight is done!

ONTO- Twilight New Moon