Make This Work [Jasper]

[Alice Cullen]

It was a risky move, leaving the family, but one Alice was willing to make in order to perhaps save the best thing that had ever happened to her. She had forseen no immediate danger coming in the future from her visions, so she knew that family would be safe while she was away. She had taken her Porsche just to drive instead of running, even though running would have been faster. Time wasn't something she was running out of any time soon. Vampires had all the time in the world and Alice knew that already, having been alive for over a hundred years. In that time, she had seen most of everything a person could see in a lifetime and then some. She had found a family to call her own, having never had a real one in her human life. Her human memories were nothing more than nightmares from some distant, fading thought she would recall every now and then. The only memories that mattered were of her life as a Cullen. Her brothers, sisters, niece, and godchild were the most important people in her life. But the most important person to her had been one she had lost for almost a year now. An entire year seemed insignificant in the life of a vampire, but it was important to Alice. This was something she was doing to try and win that back and redeem the love they had once shared. As she parked in front of the diner, she took a deep breath and thought about the note she had left for him.

Jasper,
I know that I'm not on the list of your favorite people right now, but we once loved each other more than life itself. If you even still feel some of that...meet me where we first began.

Alice

It had been a risk to even come here, but she couldn't help but hold onto the thought that they could try and reclaim what they had lost away from the family, just as they had found each other the first time. Jasper was the one person she could not live without and never wanted to. They had both hurt one another in the harshest degree and lost the trust that was once there. Alice could only hope that they might have some chance of making it work once more. It was a whisper of a hope, but still one she was willing to bet on. The future was blurry because of indecision, but she knew where her heart was and it was right here, right now. She got out of her car and walked into the diner, sitting down at the front counter. The surroundings were a little different now than they were a hundred years prior, but the atmosphere was still very much the same. She smiled at the waitress and folded her hands politely to wait.

[Jasper Hale]

Clenching his jaw he reread the note. Things had not completely healed, the pain and frustration were still very much there. He had always been told that time heals everything, but was he really willing to go through the rest of his existence frustrated and spiteful at someone that once was his soul mate. He knew it was wrong, but it was so much easier to remain angry at her than to man up and forgive. He knew this option was wrong, partly because he was miserable the pain and anger had eaten him alive. He was not even sure who he was anymore and this bothered him. Folding the note and placing it in his pocket he took a deep breath. It was still going to be hard to face someone he still had not completely forgiven, but it was all about taking little steps and owning up to your mistakes. He knew very well he needed to work on forgiveness.

Jasper think much longer before darting off to meet Alice; he knew where she would be. Part of him also hoped that the other half of him was with her as well, he no longer wanted to be so angry, and he did not want to hurt anymore. He knew a part of her would always be with him, and that was what made it so hard to forget her. When he arrived and saw Alice he tried to give her some calmness, it might make things easier if she was calm and collective. They could take little steps, talk, and take it from there. He wore no expression but he was sure Alice could tell how wore out he was. His eyes told a lot of things he was unsure of how to express seeing that forgiveness was something he was trying to work on after all the hell he had endured. “Alice.” He said trying to form a smile. He was not sure what else to say, he was trying hard to keep from screaming at her, but at the same time he wanted to get himself back and kill all the anger that was slowly killing him.

[Alice Cullen]

Alice stayed seated at the diner for a while, pondering how things had gone so far from what they once were. She thought of the love she and Jasper had once shared together. Her mind easily slipped into the memory of the first time she had ever met him, over a hundred years prior. Alice had known all along that Jasper was the one for her because he was the very first thing she woke up to in her new life as a vampire; a vision she long believed in. Jasper was her soul mate and she knew he would eventually find her in that diner all those years ago. That faith is what had driven her to wait for him the first time and was driving her now to wait for him a second. Before he knew her, Alice knew about the years of suffering Jasper had gone through during the Southern Vampire Wars at the mercy of Maria. She knew that he had hundreds of scars on the inside that matched the bite marks covering his body. Scars of pain, guilt, suffering, and struggling to find his humanity again. Alice had always been the catalyst for comfort to him and she knew that. She wanted to be there for him always. That, and the undying love she felt for him within her heart, were her reasons for coming and waiting.

Some time passed and Alice suddenly felt a sense of calm overcome her and she softly smiled, knowing exactly why she was feeling that emotion. Turning around, she saw him standing there and heard him say her name. She saw the attempted smile across his face and shyly returned it. "Jasper," she said softly, keeping her distance so not to make him upset. "I'm...I'm really glad you came." There was a lot more there that she had wanted to say, but couldn't right then and there. A lot of suffering had happened between the two of them and a lot of resentment had built up that they needed to sort through. But honesty would have to come first. They would have to actually communicate with one another about what happened over the past year and how it had affected each of them. Alice wanted to let Jasper know how sorry she was for not believing him or standing up for him in the first place, but most of all she wanted him to feel that she still loved him just as much as she did that very first day in the diner over a hundred years ago. "I just wanted to talk and thought it would be better if we were alone," she continued. "Out of earshot of Edward."

[Jasper Hale]

Jasper stood there for a couple of minutes in silent, unsure of what to do next. A low snarl escaped his lip, but it was died as soon as he realized he was doing it. It was going to be harder than he thought but he was willing to work hard and gain himself back. “Sorry I’m still getting used to everything.” He apologized as he looked at Alice sorry he reacted in that way. He looked down at the floor, his body showed no sign of distress, it was a trick he learned when he was human he always made sure to remain posed and straight even in hard situations. His eyes were the only thing that even relived a hint of pain. Looking back at her he formed another half smile. “I honestly don’t know where to begin, but I came hoping that maybe I was making the right decision.” He said softly his eyes still locked on her. After about a few more minutes he finally walked over to where she was sitting and sat across from her preparing himself for what things he was about to say.

“The anger and frustration is still very much there.” he said trying to keep from growling again. He balled his fist up for a second then relaxed it knowing it would do him no good to get worked up in anger if he knew it was already eating him from inside. “The thing is Alice; you will always be a part of me. You’re very hard to forget because after all you were my soul mate.” He took a breath before containing as he tried to keep his emotions in balance. “I guess it’s about time for me to apologize to you because no one deserves to not receive forgiveness. I have been so caught up in anger that it has even killed parts of me if that is even possible.” He laughed.
“But I guess I can’t really be your true soul mate if I can’t love you in times of confusion.” He admitted sheepishly. “I know you are sorry you have told me time and time again, now it’s time for me to apologize and ask for your help to heal me. I realized I can’t do this alone. I need you. Even if I may not be all together emotionally, I know the right thing for me to do is man up an forgive you.” looking back up at alice he formed a smile as parts of their love began to return to him. " i need you because you have another part of me and i think i need that back and need you back if i ever want to stop killing myself with such negative thinking and behavior."

[Alice Cullen]

Alice stood there in the awkward silence that filled the space between herself and Jasper, not wanting to say anything else. After a few moments, she heard a low growl from Jasper before he quickly snapped it off and apologized for it. She nodded in understanding as he explained that he was still getting used to everything again. It was never easy for Jasper to live their lifestyle and she knew that, but never ever judged him for it. She had only ever thought he was a stronger man for going against the grain of all vampires after living like a nonvegetarian for so long before converting. When he walked over to where she had been sitting before, taking a seat across from where she was, she followed suit and sat down in front of him. Listening to him, she remained silent and gave him the floor entirely. She wanted to know everything, needed to hear it from him. Alice knew that he was still angry with her and at what had happened to him, as he should be. Everything was basically pinned on him after she returned from England and Lexie was discovered to be pregnant. Alice swallowed hard when she realized how wrong she had been about that entire situation. She had judged too quickly and thrown away the best thing in her entire existence.

But when he continued on and admitted that he had been wrong in not forgiving her, she was astonished. Every part of her agreed with him that she was his soul mate because he was hers in every way possible. There was no one else for her in the world. She knew that if she were human and still had the capabality to cry, tears would be streaming down her cheeks. This was the Jasper she had always known and loved, the man who had held her heart with such reverance and love for a century, and the one person in the world who knew her better than anyone, even beyond their brother's ability to read minds. Jasper had the ability to read her soul, even if most people believed that vampires technically didn't have them. Looking across the table, she gave him a small, genuine smile; the first one she had given in a long time to anyone. Reaching out, she gently took his hand and looked into his eyes. "I accept your apology and offer you my heart in return, because it's always been yours," she said softly. "From the moment I woke to this life, it has belonged to no one else but you. And even though we have both wronged each other, I know that I could never love another the way I have and still love you."

Alice knew that she could have never loved anyone in the way she loved Jasper, not in any lifetime, no matter how long she lived. He was her other half and best friend. Though the past year had been hell on both of them, she knew she was more than willing to help him heal. "I'll always be here," she reassured him. "I am yours eternally."

[Jasper Hale]

Jasper cleared his throat the kind of feeling he felt then was something he had not felt in a long time. He had been so blind by anger and the frustration of the situation that he had forgotten who he was and what was important to him. Straightening himself out, he looked at Alice as he squeezed her hand. “ I don’t think I can apologize enough, but as long as you say you accept it so will I.” a sense of peace melted over him as he looked into her eyes. There they were at last, together again. “It’s good to feel complete.” He smiled knowing he missed her more than he had realized. “Let’s just try to forget every thing for the better, I already know what kind of person it made me by holding on to it. I don’t want to go back to what I was.” He said softly.

Jasper was not sure what else to say at that moment. Everything he was feeling seemed so new to him considering he had yet to feel those feeling towards Alice in a long time. He sat silently taking in each emotion as it came. His eyes looked back up at Alice and he smiled. Trying to voice his appreciation for her patience and willingness to work with him. He was speechless but he felt ok with that because he knew she would understand every thing about him. She was his other half.

[Alice Cullen]

A strong sense of peace washed over Alice as she knew that this was what put the entire last year of her life to rest. If Jasper was willing to move on with their lives together, then so was she. More than anything, she had only wanted to be with him again and know that they still loved one another. The love that was there was still as strong, if not stronger than it was before. Her heart was in the right place once again and she knew that it could belong to no one else as long as she was alive. Jasper was the only one who had ever held her heart in this manner and the only one she wanted to have her heart. Feeling his hand squeeze hers, she smiled and looked into his eyes once more, seeing the beautiful amber color that radiated against his pale white skin. He was the most beautiful thing to her in all of the world. "I know the feeling," she said in reply to him feeling complete again. For the first time in a year, Alice didn't feel the emptiness that came from the bitter sting of lonliness. Jasper was here now and they were together again, which was all that mattered to her. The past was in the past now.

Looking at him with a smile, she felt the love she had first had for him all those years ago in the diner come flooding back with a rush. All of those feelings were new and wonderful to Alice, like remembering how to drive a car after a long time or seeing someone you remembered from your past childhood. Alice had not felt this alive or loved in a year, even when she had been with Evan for that brief period of time. "Forgetting it is definitely what I want to do," she said, knowing how true that was. Time would eventually wash away any evidence of Lexie or what terror she had reaked on the family, but Alice knew it had only made her love for Jasper stronger. Looking down at her left hand, she realized that she didn't have her wedding rings on, making her remember that they were divorced. More than anything, she only wanted to be married to her soul mate again, but that would come in time she was sure. Looking back at Jasper, she gave him a smile. "I've missed you."

[Jasper Hale]

Jasper looked into Alices eyes as she told him she missed him. “ I had not realized till now that I missed you as well.” he admitted with a grin. He felt alive sitting there holding her hand, even though he technically was a vampire. That was the strange thing about being with Alice though, she seemed to make him feel human again almost. Still holding her hand he reached down and dug through his pocket. “ I think I have something I been holding on to. not sure why, but your lucky I did not throw it away I guess that happened for a reason so I can do this.” taking a deep breath he looked into her eyes again. all the hate and frustration did not seem to be there anymore, he had finally did it. Jasper had allowed himself to love once again. Still grasping her hand he smiled as he gracefully got down on one knee. “Mary Alice Brandon Cullen, will you remarry me?” he said sliding the ring on her finger. Part of him thought he was crazy for jumping so fast into forgiveness, as if it took longer to heal but he felt the more he put himself out there the better.

Jasper still had her wedding ring in his pocket and he knew he would be using it soon enough. He could barely contain his excitement. He felt as if he was meeting her for the first time, the love and admiration was coming back to him. Slowly he was becoming the Jasper again that everyone knew.

[Alice Cullen]

There were a million and one things running through Alice's mind right then, including hundreds of memories about the times she had spent with Jasper while they were married. An entire century of happiness, anniversaries, and little moments here and there when she and Jasper were alone. Those memories were like a tidal wave crashing into Alice's mind, but one she gladly welcomed. Jasper's smile as he admitted that he had missed her too melted her heart without even trying. This moment would be one she would remember for the rest of her existence because for all of the pain they had suffered over the last year apart, they were now together again and the pain seemed to disappear. Forgiveness was something that healed given time. Alice had forgiven Jasper long ago for anything that had happened between them before she left for England and forgiven him for the hatred he had shown her over the past few months, knowing he had suffered beyond anything imaginable in Florida. More than anything, Alice wanted to help him heal from those wounds and move on with their life together. The memories of Crystal, Lexie, and the guilt would fade and they would remain.

She watched with sudden curiousity as he dug through his pocket while holding her hand, explaining that he had been holding onto something and hadn't known the reason why until now. A moment later, he gracefully moved to one knee. Alice hadn't seen this coming and was taken totally by surprise, which was never something that happened to Alice Cullen, but she didn't mind. As he said her full name, she felt her throat become thick with emotion and for the first time since becoming a vampire, wished she could cry tears of joy right as he asked her to remarry him. Looking down at her finger, she saw her engagement ring there, the one Jasper had originally given her a century ago when they first married. It still glistened brightly against the lights of the room and she smiled just as brightly along with it. Reaching forward with her free hand, she placed it on his cheek gently. "Jasper Whitlock Hale," she said softly and sweetly, smiling at him. She paused for a moment before nodding and allowing her feelings of happiness, joy, love, and devotion flood from inside her so that he could feel every single one of them. "Yes...yes I will remarry you." Alice became suddenly very aware that everyone in the diner was watching them and suddenly burst into applause that she had accepted. She beamed brightly and leaned forward to kiss him, something she would have normally reserved for private, but felt it was perfect for the moment.

[Jasper Hale]

Jasper gladly returned the kiss and after that he took her hand which he had just placed the ring on and kissed it still keeping his eyes on her. He was beaming and he could tell the rest of the place was happy for them. He did not mind it very much though normally he was not a very showy person unless it came to fighting because he knew as well as everyone else that he was the best fighter. His golden eyes glistened as he looked back up at Alice. “Let’s not wait any longer, let get married so we can celebrate our second honeymoon.” He said beaming as he looked up at her. It was amazing how much one could heal once to forgiveness was shown and love re-entered the heart.With this he escorted Alice out the door, like any gentlemen would do. Laughter erupted from his lips knowing he was once again truly happy. He twirled Alice around as he walked down the street towards a church. Jasper was not too sure on how the pastor would feel to do a elopement but Jasper was sure he could allow the pastor to feel compelled to do so.

When the two of them finally arrived at the closest church Jasper smiled. It was beautiful and he thought it was very fitting for the occasion. He held the door opened for Alice to enter first as he pretended to tip as she walked by. Placing his arms around her waist he gracefully guided her through the stony hallways to the main office. “ Can I help you?” a short women in her fifthies stood up and took off her glasses. “ We want to elope right away. Can we see the pastor?” he said with a smile. The women nodded overjoyed. “ Of course just wait a minute ok.” She said as she placed her hand on her heart before quickly running off to a room not too far away from the main desk. “ Advantages of mood control.” Jasper whispered with a laugh. The pastor came back even more overjoyed than the receptionist. “Normally I would ask you to do marriage counseling before I married you, but you kids seem to have things together.” He beamed. “ More then you know.” Jasper said jokingly to him but deep down he knew he had been alive long enough to see the pastors great great great grandparents.

The church was silent, candles were spread out and the stainglass windows sparkled as the flickering candles reflected off of the glass. It was only Jasper, Alice, The pastor….and the receptionist since she insisted on watching which Jasper did not mind. “ Do you Jasper Whitlock Hale take Mary Alice Brandon Cullen as your wife, for better or worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health to love and to cherish from this day forward until death do us part?” “ I do.” Jasper said looking deeply into Alice’s eyes from then on the rest of the vows seemed to fade out and the only person in the room at that time was Alice. Everything he had ever loved about her came flooding back into his memory. He was happy and he knew this time it was real. The Two of them finally kissed again signifying that they were indeed married. The receptionist clapped while crying hysterically out of pure joy. Touching his nose to Alice’s he smiled. “I’m not going to let you go this time.” he said before kissing her again.

[Alice Cullen]

There wasn't anything in the world that could've made Alice any happier than she was right at that moment, feeling Jasper's lips against hers for the first time in almost a year. It was heaven on earth and she didn't want to be anywhere else but right there in his arms. Watching him take her hand and kiss it above where the engagement ring was resting, she smiled blissfully. After he declared they should get married right away again, Alice couldn't agree more. She and Jasper were never really extravagant people when it came to showing their affection for one another publically. Their first wedding was actually only a small family affair, attended by their adoptive parents and siblings. She didn't see any need to make it a big deal again. This was only between herself and Jasper now. She nodded happily as he escourted her out the door and down the street, twirling her under his arm. A sense of lightness washed over her as they reached the small church down the street and went inside.

Within minutes, Jasper had used his mood control to manipulate both the receptionist and the pastor into allowing them to elope and be okay with it. Alice smiled brightly at him as they waited for the pastor to start their ceremony. Candles were spread out through the church and the soft light bounced off of the stained glass windows and onto their skin. Only a vampire would notice something as insignificant, but Alice loved how beautiful Jasper's skin was in the soft glow of the candlelight. Everything was just perfect the way it was, without interruption. The pastor gave Jasper his vows first before turning to Alice. "Do you, Mary Alice Brandon Cullen, take Jasper Whitlock Hale to be your husband, for better or worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health to love and to cherish from this day forward until death do us part?” Alice looked to Jasper and smiled softly. "I do," she said. When the pastor prounounced them husband and wife again, Alice felt Jasper's lips touch hers again and smiled into their kiss. As he broke it and promised to never let her go again, she breathed a sigh of relief as they kissed again. Breaking their kiss, she reached into her satchel and pulled out a small velvet bag. "I kept this," she explained and pulled out Jasper's wedding ring, the original one they had exchanged almost a century previously. Sliding it onto his left hand, she reached onto her tip-toes and kissed him again. "I love you Jasper," she whispered. "With all my heart."

[Jasper Hale]

Jasper smiled as his wedding band was placed back on his hand. “I almost forgot yours.” He said pulling her wedding ring out of his pocket. “You might want this one as well, I know how you get about things like this.” he laughed Jasper placed the ring right by her engagement and the two went together so perfectly it almost looked like one ring. After thanking the pastor and receptionist for their kindness Jasper escorted Alice back out onto the street. The Ritz-Carleton of Philadelphia was not too far away. “ You would not mind if we spend the night here would you?” he said as a smile spread across his face knowing she most likely would not object to the offer.

“Tonight is our honeymoon as well. Whatever you want to do is fine by me.” he said kissing her once again before looking at the city light that were illuminating the sky. Jasper could not imagine being with anyone other than Alice right there at that moment. He was glad that things had worked out and he was once again reunited with his soulmate.

[Alice Cullen]

A bright smile spread across Alice's face as she watched Jasper pull her own wedding ring from his pocket and put it on her finger, matching perfectly with her engagement ring. Feeling them on her finger felt right. Her other fingers traced the pattern the rings left on her fingers, feeling how right it felt. For the first time in a year, she didn't feel this gaping hole in the center of her chest. Alice had the sinking sensation that this is what Bella had felt like after Edward had left her all those years ago...but probably not nearly to the degree that her sister had for those few months. Her own pain had been put off by her distractions, such as shopping and spending time with Renesmee and her new goddaughter, Alicia. Bella had had nothing of that sort, except for Jacob. As they walked out of the church, Alice put those thoughts behind her entirely, feeling the joy and elation of being married again. When Jasper asked if she would mind staying the night, Alice beamed brightly at her husband. "I'd love to stay here," she replied giddily as he pulled her in for another kiss.

Hearing Jasper mention that this was their honeymoon made her giggle slightly and grateful that she couldn't blush any longer because her face would have been a bright flush color. "You are truly a charmer," she teased, standing on her toes and kissing his cheek gently. "But you are my charmer. And there is no where else I would rather be than with you right now." Alice knew that her heart belonged to him and always had and always would. There wasn't a soul in the world who knew her better and could make her feel like she was the only woman in the world. As they walked down the street, she took his hand in hers and smiled at him. "This feels like it did the very first time we met," she said. "I still remember you walking into that diner for the first time, the look on your face when I walked right over to you and told you that I didn't think you were coming." Alice's memory effortlessly allowed her to see that moment and how beautiful Jasper had looked in his era clothing.

[Jasper Hale]

Jasper nodded in agreement with Alice’s last statement. “I can’t believe I was so blinded by anger that I almost gave up the one thing that had brought me some of my most memorable and happiest moment.” He said smiling at her. “You would think vampires would be more insightful about the danger of basic human emotions like anger.” He gave a soft laugh. Jasper could feel himself getting hungry and her frowned slightly. “ I can wait a little bit longer to go hunting again. it’s not like how things used to be when you were human where you could just walk into a restdrants and eat normal meals.” Jasper felt a little bad this is hunger was slightly ruining the moment for the two of them. But since he had been so focused on anger and frustration he rarely had the time to take care of his basic vampire needs.

Pulling up Alice’s hand he kissed it again. “I could wait till the end of the world if you wanted me to.” he really meant this his heart belonged to Alice once again and he had the feeling that it would be hers for a very long time. His family was going to have a field day as soon as the two of them returned home hand in hand. Jasper knew Rose would be happy because she had wanted to see him happy again for the longest time.

[Alice Cullen]

Alice smiled in relief and happiness as she walked with Jasper down the street, listening to him talk about how he couldn't believe how blinded he had been by anger and had almost lost everything. She knew how true that was as she had felt the same thing when she left for England a year ago. When Jasper hadn't believed her about Crystal, she had been hurt and angry because she was his wife and he should have taken her side. However, those thoughts were irrelevant now. They were together again and she had never felt more complete than she did now. When Jasper's face fell, Alice looked into his immediate future and saw his need for a hunting trip. Before she could voice her concern though, he promised that he would be okay and kissed her hand. Alice could see that putting off the trip would be fine for one night, so she eased her tension and smiled at him. "We can go hunting when we get back home," she said. "Everything will be fine until then."

Her heart felt like it was floating through the air as she walked with him through Philadelphia, taking small trips down her memory of her first few months with Jasper after they had met. She thought of their alone time, before they joined their family, and remembered how happy they had been. This felt like that time starting all over again, which bubbled over into her attitude and feelings that she felt radiating from her own heart. "Do you remember our first few months together, before we were legally married?" she asked, keeping her hand in his as they walked down the street. The moon was just rising over the horizon and the stars were starting to come out.