Saving Jasper: Unbroken | ✓ [COMPLETE]

Chapter 6

Jasper shot up from his seat as I yanked my hand back, hiding the ring from her line of view. My first immediate thought was that she objected to his proposal, and that she detested our relationship. I dismissed the thought. She couldn’t disapprove of our relationship, when she didn’t know our relationship. Could she?

However, as quickly as the cheshire grin fell from her face, it reappeared. It was wider, if not happier. Placing her slim hands on her hips, she glared between Jasper and myself, a look of accusation on her face. I frowned, greatly perplexed with her quick change of facial expressions.

“I see,” she started, “you proposed to her. You and him...” She brought her hands together, in a form of togetherness, perhaps. Feeling a little decelerated, I nodded.

Jasper laughed, looking a little uncomfortable. “Jules--can I call you that?” When she nodded, he continued. “Charlie was the one who was there for me when no one else was. When the doctors turned me away, she was there. When the psychologists said I was ruined, she still had hope. When the therapists said I would never be the same, she had faith. It’s not limited to her hope or faith, it’s much more than that. I don’t look at her as the one who sympathized for me, but rather the one who saw everything no one else did. And that’s the way I look at her.” He glanced over his shoulder and smiled at me.

Juliet made a sound and tilted her head a little as she gazed at us. “Sweet. Very, very sweet. My, I’ve just met you and you’re already introducing me to your fiancée.” She smirked, rounding the table. She grabbed my hand and held it up, inspecting it beneath the light. She made a little noise that made me realize she approved. She released her hold on my hand and took a tiny step back.

She appraised us, looking thoughtful. “When do you plan on breaking the news to her parents?”

I pondered her question for a moment, wondering just when the right time was. I hadn’t even thought about it, given I was only engaged not even twenty-four hours.

Jasper took my coffee off the table. “I say, whenever she feels comfortable doing so.”

I smiled a little, “Mom will want to know as soon as possible. She doesn’t like being in the dark.” Juliet smiled at this, flashing her pearly whites. My brain registered the fact that she was my sister in-law now. “Would you like to take part in helping with the wedding plans? I certainly cannot do it all myself.”

Jasper looking mockingly horrified. “You’ve just met and you’re already allowing her to dictate your life?” He tsked, bringing a snort out of Juliet. She whacked his arm and rolled her eyes at him.

Turning to me, she said, “I’d love to, Charlotte.” The shadowy look came across her face again, and I could almost hear the gears shifting inside her head. “Though I do not know your mother, I agree. I think it would be best to alert her right away. My, what a skinny little figure you have.” She eyed my waist and I blushed crazily.

“And it is all mine!” Jasper said in a victorious voice. He rounded the other side of the table, pulling me into his embrace.

Juliet sighed tenderly. “Enough of that, children. Come on, this afternoon won’t spend itself.” I snagged my coffee out of Jasper’s hand and we left the library together, Juliet in tow.

Later on in the afternoon, Juliet’s excitement got the best of her. “Oh, Charlotte, what’s the wait?”

I frowned a little, “My father is out of the country--”

“They don’t tell you when he returns, do they?” she piqued, interrupting me. I frowned again, a little frustrated with her sudden assertiveness.

“No, they don’t, but--”

“Let’s break the news!” Her eyes sparkled mischievously as she grinned. Jasper laid his hand on my knee, defensively.

“Juliet, if she doesn’t want--”

I shook my head. “No, she’s right. What is the wait? It’s only four o’clock. We could make it there and back before the night is young.” He sighed, seeing that he was overruled by his sister and fiancée. Juliet beamed and I rolled my eyes, smiling at her good humor. Jasper only took a deep breath, preparing himself for tonight’s events.

The drive to my parents home, as expected, didn’t take long at all. My mother was stood out on the porch, having heard my Jeep’s tires on the gravel driveway. I jumped out of the car and ran ahead, happy to see her. We hugged briefly and she placed a kiss on my cheek. She gave Jasper a hug as well, eyeing Juliet with a curious perspective as Juliet politely offered her hand.

“Mom,” I said, interrupting their informal greeting. “This is Juliet, Jasper’s twin.” My voice was breathless, strangled with exertion and exhilaration. Mom blinked, before catching on. She gasped a little and looked between Jasper and Juliet. I could tell that she was taking note of the similarities, comparing one with the other. “Is Dad home?” She looked at me, a bit confused.

“He’s--”

“Home!” His voice boomed out from inside the house. In a childlike manner, I scooted around Mom and darted into the house. His strong arms came around my waist expectantly and he hugged me tightly. He smelled strongly of mint and cigarette smoke, though I knew the smoke was from his colleagues’ habits, not his own.

Mom squealed from outside, lightly pushing me aside as my father and I broke apart. Dad embraced her lovingly, holding her for a long minute.

“I’d no idea,” she told me, looking over her shoulder. “What are you doing here?” She smiled, a little cautious. I reached out with my right hand and lightly placed it on Dad’s shoulder. I smiled at my parents, calling back for Jasper before I broke the news. He came to my side and put his arm around my waist.

“The real question is, why are you home so early?” I stalled, looking at Dad.

He smiled, tightening his grip on his wife. “They sent us home early. We left to collaborate with a few other teams spread throughout the country, but the meetings didn’t take as long as expected. I was going to get back to you about...” He trailed off, just now seeing Juliet lingering behind us. I swallowed hard, realizing it was now or never.

“Dad, we came here because we have news to deliver. Why don’t we sit?” I gestured to the living room, and they nodded, agreeing. Once we were sitting, Mom looked at me, a hard edge in her brown, sparkling eyes. Wordlessly, I placed my left hand in hers and she looked down, confused. A look flickered through her eyes and she squeaked loudly in surprise.

“Jack!” she said, jabbing a finger at my ring. “Oh, Jack, look! Our baby is engaged!” Tears of happiness shimmered in her eyes as Dad looked over at me in surprise. He lowered his glasses, peering down at the ring. A smile edged its way onto my lips and I vaguely felt Juliet squeeze my shoulder in reassurance. She was sat on the arm of the couch, her knee pressed up against my shoulder.

Dad glanced at Jasper. “Seriously?” Jasper watched my father with sudden hesitation, as if the question itself were a trick. The frozen look on Jasper’s face melted as he came to realization. He reached over and took my hand in his.

“Seriously. I’m seriously serious about Charlie.” They smirked at his words and erupted into laughter. The tension dispersed, unknotting the small knots in my shoulders. I exhaled slowly and smiled.

“So it’s happening, then?” Mom said in a soft voice. She looked at me with sincerity, a gentle look on her face. I nodded a little, happiness radiating throughout my body.

“It is.”

She smiled proudly. “Let the wedding planning begin.”

And so it did.