Hopeless Devotion ~ A Jasper Hale Story

Part 1

June 16th

The morning was clear, sunlight spilling across the wet grass from the overnight dew. Jasper held my hand as we drove out of Forks, the car humming quietly beneath us. He kept stealing glances at me, that faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips, and I couldn't help but grin back.

"You're nervous," he said softly, brushing a stray lock of hair from my face as we stepped out.

"I am not," I replied quickly, though my pulse betrayed me. "I'm excited. Happy. Calm."

"Uh-huh," he teased, looping his arm with mine as we walked. "Calm, right. I can see it in your eyes."

I snorted. "Fine. Maybe a little nervous. But it's our day, Jasper. I want it to be perfect."

He chuckled, tugging me gently toward the gravel path that led to the small clearing we'd chosen for the wedding. "Perfect is subjective," he said, voice low and warm. "I'll be happy as long as I get to see you standing there, saying yes to me."

I felt my cheeks heat as I glanced at him. "You're awfully confident," I muttered.

"I'm sure of a few things," he said, catching my gaze and holding it. "You, me... us. That's not something I'm leaving to chance."

The clearing came into view, sunlight filtering through the towering pines and casting golden highlights on the soft moss and wildflowers. It was perfect in its simplicity. Small, private, and untouched. Just like we'd imagined.

I walked ahead, letting my fingers brush against the grass, the flowers, the small wooden bridge that crossed the creek at the edge of the property. Jasper followed quietly, giving me space but never letting go of my hand.

"I can see it now," I whispered, turning to him. "The chairs here, the flowers over there, and you... waiting for me at the end of the path."

He laughed softly. "That's a lot of pressure for a guy who's only been thinking about this since we got engaged."

I bumped him gently with my shoulder. "You've been planning in your head for months. Don't try to hide it now."

He caught my hand and pulled me close, resting his forehead lightly against mine. "Maybe I have. But it doesn't matter. You're the important part. The rest... just details."

I tilted my head, smiling, letting the warmth of his presence fill me. "You're sweet," I said. "Annoyingly sweet."

He grinned, brushing his thumb over my knuckles. "I'll take that as a compliment."

We wandered through the clearing, exploring every nook and imagining where the ceremony would be, where the guests would sit, how the sunlight would catch the flowers as I walked down the aisle. Jasper made little jokes about tripping over roots or me running off with a flower crown, and I laughed until my cheeks hurt.

Eventually, we sat on the old wooden bridge, our feet dangling over the creek, listening to the soft rush of water below. I leaned my head on his shoulder, letting him wrap an arm around me.

"You know," I murmured, "this... all of this... it feels right. Like we're exactly where we're supposed to be."

Jasper kissed the top of my head. "We are. And I'm never letting go."

I let myself savor the warmth, the quiet, the little peaceful pause before the whirlwind of wedding planning overtook us completely. Just as I was about to suggest we sit by the creek and linger a bit longer, my phone buzzed insistently in my pocket.

I frowned, pulling it out. The caller ID practically screamed Rosalie.

"I have to take this," I muttered, answering.