Love Found

Chapter Twelve

Hunter

     I put my arm around Jasper and pull him closer. "It's okay..." I kiss the top of his head and sigh as I let go. "Be brave..."

     He walks up to the lawyer and shyly shakes his hand. He follows him to the kitchen and I look at my mom.

     "Why?"

     "He needs help to win a case against his father."

    "What if he doesn't want to? What if he doesn't want to leave?!" I run up to my room and slam the door. I lay on my bed and cry myself to sleep.

     I hear a knock on my door and open my eyes, keeping my back to the door.

     "H-H-Hunter?" Jasper whimpers. 

     I sit up and face him. "Are you okay? C'mere..." I hold out my arms.

     He walks towards me and get on my bed and hugs me. He starts sobbingas I hold him close to me.

     "It's okay...shh..." I run my hands through his hair and down his back. "It's okay, Jazz..." I whisper sweet nothings in his ear until he calms down. "What happened?"

     "If I win...they're gonna send me to my cousins...in Australia..."

     I choke on the air I was just breathing in and hold him close to me. "Is that the only other family you have?"

     He nods and starts his process of sobbing once more.

     I rock him, trying to get him farther from a panic attack. "Deep breaths, baby..."

     He calms down and looks up at me. "What?" He asks, confused. "What did you just call me?"

     "I'm sorry, it was in the moment and I-I-"

     He smiles and wraps his arms around my neck in a hug. "Thank you..." He whispers. "For making life so much more worth it..."

     I hold him and put a hand on the small of his back and the other on the back of his head. "You're so very welcome..." I mumble into his shoulder.

     He clings to me as my mom knocks on the door frame and slowly walks in.

     "Mom...can he stay here?"

     "That would be best." She smiles at us as I hold Jasper even closer. "Get some rest, both of you." She leaves, knowing we were okay.

     "Baby?"

     He turns red, but looks up at the new nickname. "Yes, Hunter?"

     "We'll be okay...right?"

     He hesitantly nods, knowing I needed the tiniest bit of hope, even if it would let me down.

     I groan as I wake up and I open my eyes to see and sleeping Jazz. He's so cute... I start to sit up, but stop when his arm tightens around my torso.

     "Not yet..." He mumbles, still half asleep.

     I lay down again and touch his cheek, which he smiles at. "Alright...go back to sleep..." I kiss his forehead and curl up next to his. "You're safe..." I whisper.

     He snuggles closer, laying his head in the crook of my neck and breathing deeply.

     I smile and pull him closer. "Sweet dreams..." I feel tears in my eyes as I close them and let myself quietly sob. "I hope you won't forget me..."

Jasper

     I wake up in the late afternoon, Hunter no longer by my side. I sniffle and get up, wondering where he is. I go downstairs to see Ms. Rue. "Is Hunter down here?"

     "He just left to go to the store...is everything alright?"

     "I just got scared...I'm okay." I go back upstairs and explore his room, finding a certificate for guitar playing. I let out a quiet and airy laugh as I find his guitar. I sit on the bed and strum a few cords, playing time away.

     "Jazz, I didn't know you knew how to play..." Hunter walks in and smiles.

     "Barely...I saw the certificate."

     "Freshman year...I was filled with courage." He sits next to me and listens as I try to play. "Here." He gets behind me and helps me find a few cords. "There." He stays behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. 

     I smile as I play a little tune. "Thanks."

     "Stop thanking me and just keep smiling." He kisses both of my cheeks.

     I feel heat in my face and just lean into him with a big grin. "As you wish." I put the guitar beside us and lay my head on his chest.

     He runs his hands through my hair, soothing me. "I wish I had your hair..."

     "I wish I had your looks."

     "Oh really?"

     I nod.

     "Maybe we could cut off our heads and switch..." He pretends to think about it.

     "No way!" I giggle and kiss his jaw, missing his cheek.

     "Not the daring type?"

     I giggle again and he suddenly gets up. "Hunter, I'm sorry-"

     "You didn't do anything, love." He kisses my forehead and runs to the bathroom. He comes back in different clothes. "I just got uncomfortable." He puts the guitar away and lays down. "Mom is cooking tonight." He gestures for me to lay down.

     I smile and lay next to him, my head on his chest as I listen to his calm heartbeat.