Hopeless Devotion ~ A Jasper Hale Story

Chapter Twenty-Three - Plans in Motion

Thursday, June 14th, 2006

I woke up slowly, wrapped in quiet.

Jasper's room was dim, gray light filtering through the windows, the world hushed in that fragile way it only ever was before something broke it open. I could feel him beside me—awake, of course. He always was. His arm rested lightly around my waist, careful, like he was afraid of asking for more than this moment allowed.

I shifted closer anyway.

He didn't pull away.

Instead, his fingers brushed my shoulder, slow and deliberate, like he was grounding himself. Like he was storing the feeling away for later.

"This is the last calm morning," I murmured.

"Yes," he said softly.

I tilted my head to look at him. His expression was controlled, calm—but I knew him too well not to see the weight underneath it.

"You okay?" I asked.

His eyes met mine. Honest. Steady. "I am. I just wanted this before the house fills."

That was all he needed to say.

I tucked my forehead against his chest and let myself exist there for a few more stolen minutes. No plans. No strategies. Just us.

By noon, the house wasn't ours anymore.

They came back in waves—cars sliding silently into place, doors opening and closing with efficiency instead of warmth. Esme hugged me tightly but briefly. Carlisle smiled, distracted. Rosalie barely paused. Emmett squeezed my shoulder and moved on. Everyone carried the mountain with them, snow and tension clinging to their edges.

Business mode.

Alice arrived last.

Her eyes snapped immediately to Edward, Bella, and me.

"We have a problem," she said.

Bella groaned. Edward straightened instantly.

"Snowstorm," Alice continued. "Heavy. It's going to complicate scent control and temperature regulation."

"Great," Bella muttered.

I leaned off the counter. "Okay, practical question."

Alice blinked at me. "Yes?"

"Do we have hand warmers?" I asked. "Like the chemical ones. And battery-powered heating pads. Because if Bella's freezing, that's... bad."

There was a beat of silence.

Then Emmett snorted. Bella laughed, relieved. Even Alice smiled faintly in response.

"That actually helps," Alice said.

Good. I'd take that win.

Later, I drifted toward the garage, intending to give Bella and Edward space.

I didn't mean to listen.

But Alice's voice stopped me.

"Bella?"

It sounded... miserable.

I froze.

Alice shifted closer to Bella, curling up against her side. "Don't you love me?"

"Of course I do," Bella said immediately. "You know that."

"Then why do I see you sneaking off to Vegas to get married without inviting me?"

I clamped a hand over my mouth.

Oh no.

Bella muttered explanations, cheeks pink, apologetic and flustered. Alice wasn't having it.