Enchanted | Jasper Hale [Completed]

|32| Home to decide

Chapter thirty-two:
Home to decide

It was not surprising to Lucinda that Jasper reacted in the way he did: denial. What did she except: for him to pull her into his arms, whispering that he forgave her and everything is okay? No, because Lucinda, more than anyone, knows that life hurts like a bitch. And when things get good, life knocks you down and laughs in your face.

Days had passed and Lucinda had not spoken to Jasper since he first saw her again. Will had been distant, Emmett and Rosalie had been negotiating with Jasper and Carlisle had been at work signing new contracts leaving Esme as the only company for Lucinda.

    "Do you think he wants me here?" Luci asks, placing her chess piece down, winning one of Esme's.

    "Lucinda, my dear, give him time. The last thing he needs or wants for the record is for you to leave him. How much heartbreak can he take?"

   She sighed, her adoptive mother was right, she is always right. "Why am I such a coward? All I do is run!"

    Esme chuckled, taking Luci's king and calling her win, "You're anything but. Everything time you run is because you are trying to help others. You are one of the kindest people I know, don't put yourself down because of it."

    "What shall I do then?"

    "Don't force it, talk to him when it feels natural."

~~~~

    Lucinda had opted to wait in the doorway when Bella had visited that night. They were about to decide to end a girls life.

    Rosalie had voted 'no' whilst everyone else had voted 'yes' so far. Edward was angry, feeling betrayed by his family and Bella felt welcomed and loved.

    "Jasper?" Bella called upon him for his vote. All eyes turned to the former soldier.

    "It would be nice not wanting to kill you all the time." He responded, smiling for the first time in months. The family noted this but decided not to comment.

    "And finally, what about you Luci? Your opinion means the most to me,"

    Walking up to Bella, she realised how much her actions in Phoenix really mattered. How life is needed to be spent with the ones you love and how you shouldn't rid that from yourself.

    "Bella, you know my answer. You are my sister, of course, I want you around," Everyone looked to her in doubt, wanting her answer to be crystal clear, "Yes. My vote is yes."

    "Thank you, so much," Bella said as she hugged her 'sister' tightly. She had a family who wanted her, who would love her and would die for her.

~~~~

    The family dispersed quickly, some to work, some to play and the others to give privacy. Jasper sat next to his mate.

    "You're wearing the ring," he said, stating the obvious, and trying (but failing) to diffuse the tension.

    She looked up to him, finally seeing the invisible scars she had left. He looked so broken. His eyes golden but dull, his lips in a faintly forced smile and his hands, his hands were cracked and picked at.

    "I-uh. You can have it back, if you want that is," the words just fell out her mouth. Jasper laughed at her shyness, shaking his head.

    "Even when I'm mad at you, I can't not fall deeper in love with you. I just can't let you go, not now, not ever."

    "So what will we do?" She asked leaning forward, resting her head on her hands whilst her elbows were on her knees.

    "I know that I still want to marry you, whether it is tomorrow or in twenty years. But I also know that I am never letting you out of sight,"

    "Is that a threat or a promise?"

    "Both."