Half Light

Chapter 1

The shouting, the banter, the flashes are not at all what I was hearing in that moment, what I was hearing was my heart....my heart jumping out of my chest because Jasper saved me. I don't just mean he saved me in this moment from the press, but from the torture of heartbreak, from this situation, and most importantly from myself. This moment held a lot of emotions for me, some upsetting because of the situation that happened on the field, and the rest were of love and sincerity from Jasper. Given, he's no longer is my bodyguard but I feel as though that's not where this side of him is coming from... it's plain old Jasper from Las Vegas holding me tight with protection from everything because he cares.

"Princess, let's go, I want you back to safety." Jasper said in a low tone as we are heading straight for the car. He still has every inch of his right side pressed against me and it was making for a good leaning post. I didn't realize just how exhausted I was from all of this until I pulled myself out of my thoughts and into reality.

I mumbled an incoherent 'okay' as I was crying, when did the tears start to flow? Why have I not been paying attention to what's actually happening? Oh yes.. Jasper.

"Hey hey hey, it's over. Listen Eleanor, he can't hurt you, Domino is over, and your family is okay, the only person that needs to be okay is you... can you do that for me? It's all over love." he said mumbling into my hairline as he entices me into the car and pulls me to his side. I don't think I've had someone care for me THAT much and it was painfully amazing.

"Jasper... thank you." I said through a crackle in my throat, and I meant thank you for everything, not just this, but I couldn't seem to find more words than that.

"I'd said I would be there with you so no problem" he did a small nod like he KNEW what all I was thanking him for, but it was best just to keep it quiet at this moment.

A few minutes later we arrived at the palace, everything seemed eerily calm. I wonder where Liam is and how he is doing? Where's mother? It all just seemed too surreal for me.

"LEN!" I hear my brother shout with exasperation and a little bit of uneasiness.

"Liam.." I said running (falling, for better words) into his arms, just like when we found out our father had passed.

"You did it Len, you don't understand how much you did for this monarchy, don't beat yourself up about this. I've had time to myself to reflect on what happened and I've realized it was scary, lets face it the love of my life's father killed our father.." he choked on that last bit and had to pause, "it wasn't easy, but I also realized that it was closure, for not only us and this family, but the people. Yes we mess up, you will find that we do inappropriate things to get what we want or to feel a certain way but that's us. Dad would be proud Len, of all of us, but especially you."

I couldn't stop crying, those were the words i never knew I needed to hear. Dad would in fact be proud of my avenging. I hugged Liam and we said our goodnights.

"Princess, why don't you head to bed." Jasper said in a small voice, in a way I've never heard him speak before. He touched my elbow and helped me to my room. We made our way into my bedroom and I lay on my bed. I don't have the energy to change out of these clothes, but I remove the black necklace from around my neck for comfort. As I lay down I look towards Jasper, wondering what was going on in his mind.

"Jasper, what are your thoughts?" I ask simply.

"My thoughts are that I am proud of you. I know it was hard for you to press the button back there, I understand, but even if I pressed it, you knew it was right. THAT takes a certain type of strong princess, don't forget that."

"We make a great team bodyguard." I say with a playful smirk on my face, hoping for a flirty remark back.

"Not a bodyguard any longer, I have to obey your wishes." he said sadly, looking at the, what appears to be, and intriguing floor.

"Listen, I know it's hard for you, trust me, it's hard for me but its for what's best. I need to focus on myself and what makes me, well, me." I said sitting up looking intently at his shaking facial expressions, as if tears could spill put at any moment.

"Anything for you. Be good Len okay?" he said sitting down next to me and pushing a strand of my hair away from my makeup stained face.

"Okay." I said simply leaning my head on his shoulder, looking down at the exact hand I put my heart into earlier when the world was crumbling down.

He got up and gently walked out. I wouldn't say it was a goodbye for the books or anything, but it was good enough to hold onto and understand that hope isn't a bad thing. I gently fall asleep to the repeated sound of him saying 'Len'.