Me and You

A/N: Happy Birthday, Purple5559! The boys wanted to join us in wishing you a very happy birthday.

As ever, we do not own Twilight - it owns us.

ooOoo

Smile

I clearly remember the first time I saw you.

You were sitting in the nursing home lounge, playing cards with two elderly women – your grandmother and her best friend, as it turned out. The three of you were chatting, laughing, playing as if you'd done so all your life.

Then you looked up and drew me in with your brilliant smile, though I couldn't do anything then as my Nanna came to meet me.

Your smile stayed with me, though.

For weeks.

The next time, you and your grandmother sat working on a puzzle. You seemed so at ease.

Happy.


Simple

The first time we spoke, your voice so close to my ear surprised me. I was fixing my coffee at the counter in that same lounge, and you reached past for the creamer.

“Excuse me,” you murmured, and I turned to find you watching me with the warm smile that had first captivated me.

“Here,” I answered. I put down my coffee and picked up the creamer, handing it to you even as I introduced myself. “I’m Jasper.”

“Edward… nice to meet you.” With that one simple answer, my life was changed, though I didn’t know it at the time.


Chat

We talked for a few minutes, both making a second cup of coffee before going back to our grandmothers.

You made sure to give me your number, asking me to call you in order to get together later that week.

I almost didn't, too nervous to take that step. Especially since I would only be in town for a couple of weeks.

It took me two days to muster the courage to do it, and you answered the phone as if you'd been ready for my call, talking as if you'd known me for months instead of a few days.  


Date

That first date was unlike any I’ve ever had. It wasn’t because we went anywhere special or did anything unusual – it was just you.  

From the start, you’ve had a way of asking questions and drawing me out of my shell without making me feel uncomfortable or exposed. I can’t tell you how much that means to me, even though I’ve tried dozens of times. I guess this is yet another attempt, but I don’t know if it’s coming across.

When you pulled up in front of my hotel to drop me off, I didn’t want our night to end.


Kiss

You walked me all the way up to my room, and for the first time, you appeared nervous and shy. It surprised and intrigued me, even as it pulled me in.

I remember reaching out, cupping your jaw with my hand as we gazed into each other's eyes.

Then slowly, so slowly, you leaned in and pressed your lips to mine in the most tender first kiss I'd ever experienced.

I think I even sighed a little.

I definitely remember smiling goofily as you pulled away, placing your hands lightly on my hips.

“Thank you, for tonight, Jasper,” you whispered.


Time

The next two weeks passed so quickly. It shocked me at first that you wanted to see me every single day, but it thrilled me, too – because I wanted that, too. I was touched by the way you insisted that I spend time with my family, knowing that I was leaving soon.

In truth, I was a little disappointed, too, because I thought I was more attracted to you than you were to me. You quickly put that fear to rest, though, and I will always remember your touch, your lips, your taste, your heat as we explored each other.


Alone

Leaving you that first time was the hardest thing I'd ever done up to that point, but work left me no choice. I'll never forget the look on your face as we said goodbye – part sad, part hopeful as you assured me you'd wait for me.

The moment I was on the road home, I was already counting down the hours until I'd be back in town again.

Back in your arms.

Even though we were apart for the next two months you never let me feel alone. Your calls, e-mails, and letters – even occasional care packages – deepened our connection.


Caution

Somehow, we made it. It was never easy – stealing a couple of nights here and there, spending more time on instant messenger and Skype than in each others’ arms – but it was always worth it.

It was harder listening to the things our friends said. We’d just met. We lived too far apart. Our passion would fade. Don’t do anything rash.

I have to admit that it was all good advice. Logically, what they were saying – to both of us – made sense. But it just didn’t add it up with what I’d felt for you since the moment we met.


Juggle

Over time, it became more and more difficult to strike a balance between work and being with you, as my assignments changed and made it harder to come to town.

Still, you never asked me to change jobs and move closer. You always supported me, telling me to do what I needed to do for me.

“Everything else will fall into place,” you always said, and I believed you.

I still do.

It's why I never asked you to move, either. I know your Gran is the only family you have left, and I refuse to deny you that connection.


Realization

I know you know all of this. I just need you to understand where I’m coming from. I’ve been trying for so long now to make my life work, and I finally realized – it doesn’t without you.

Your infinite patience and unyielding loyalty are blessings, but they aren’t enough. I need you. With me. Every day.

I wanted to tell you all of this, but every time I look at you, I get distracted by your eyes and your smile, and I just want to kiss you and feel the way you love me. I didn’t want that this time.


Choice

It's taken me too long to get to this point, but now that I finally am, I'm more than ready for it.

Edward, I've made my choice.

I want you.

I want us.

Now and forever, if you'll have me.

Yesterday was my last day at work.

I quit.

I'm sorry that I kept this from you, but I had to do it this way or you'd have distracted me again. Or tried to talk me out of it.

Last week I had my last interview for a new job and got accepted. I start next month.

I'm staying, baby.


Chance

I realize this is a big risk. We haven’t lived together, and it’s possible that I drive you crazy and you like being away from me, no matter what you tell me.

I don’t think so, though.

That broken look in your eyes whenever I tell you goodbye haunts me. I never want to make you feel sad or alone again, so I’m taking this chance. I hope more than anything that you want what I do – us, together, always.

The one thing I ask is that you tell me honestly what you want. No matter what, I love you.


Stunned

I scan the page again.

No matter what, I love you. Jasper.

I sit silently, my head against the headboard as I blink rapidly, trying to see through tears that threaten to fall.

“I can't believe it,” I whisper, awed.

I re-read every word, needing to make sure I got it right the first time. I'm vaguely aware of sounds coming from my kitchen as Jasper’s supposedly making breakfast. Though now, I'm wondering if it's more likely he just fled, nervous about what my reaction might be.

As if there was any doubt.

“I love you, too, Jazz,” I breathe.


Search

I wipe my eyes with the back of my hand and clear my throat as I toss aside the covers. I grab my boxers and pull them on, not bothering with anything else. The letter is still clutched in my fist when I leave the room – I’m almost afraid that if I put it down, it will all disappear.

When I step into the kitchen, he’s standing at the stove. I can’t help but notice that he’s bouncing his knees the way he always does when he’s nervous.

“Jasper,” I whisper, crossing the floor and wrapping my arms around him.


Question

Kissing between his shoulder blades, I whisper, “Did you mean it?”

Clutching his letter tight, I hold my breath as I wait for his answer.

He stills completely.

My heart's beating so loud, I can almost hear it – every beat counting down the seconds until he finally takes a deep breath and says quietly, “Yes. Every word.”

Briefly squeezing him tighter, I let him go only to turn him around so I can see his eyes. Cupping his cheek, I smile.

“Really? You're staying?”

He nods, swallowing hard as his eyes search mine. “Tell me I'm not crazy,” he breathes.


Disbelief

“Crazy?” I ask in confusion. “What the hell do you mean?”

He bites the inside of his cheek, glancing away before looking back at me. “I know I should’ve talked to you first. If you want me to go or to find my own place or-”

I give up trying to break in and just grab his face, silencing him with a searing kiss. He moans softly and wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me closer as he tilts his head and deepens our kiss. When we part, he presses his forehead to mine.

“You’re not crazy,” I murmur.


Complete

Gazing at him, I can't help but smile. “I can't believe you don't have to leave anymore...”

He kisses the tip of my nose, smiling shyly as he whispers, “Not ever, baby.”

Tightening my arms around him, I breathe in deeply, utterly content, before kissing him again.

After a few minutes, our grumbling stomachs convince us to actually have breakfast. As we prepare the spread, side-by-side, we talk.

“What about your things? When can you move in?”

He smiles sheepishly. “I kinda already have everything packed? It's in a Pod, waiting for me.”

“You're kidding.” I gape.

“Nope,” he answers.


Plan

We spend the rest of breakfast making plans. Several times, he pauses, offering to leave his things in storage or rent an apartment – so often, in fact, that I finally say, “Jasper, baby… are you having second thoughts?”

At that, his eyes fly wide. “No! I just… I don’t want to force you to do something you don’t want to do.”

I give him a small smile. “You’re right. You are crazy.”

He frowns at me and glances down until I reach across to take his hand.

“If you think I don’t want you here, you’re out of your mind.”


Move

The smile on Jasper's face spreads slowly but ends brilliantly as he stares into my eyes and nods. “Okay.”

I grin, squeezing his hand once before attacking my pancakes.

When we're done, I tell Jasper to call and have his Pod delivered as soon as possible, while I do the dishes.

He comes back to the kitchen, biting his lip and smiling. “Babe?”

“Yeah?”

“We need to do some rearranging, huh? They can have it here as early as five... today.”

I laugh, hugging him as I kiss his cheek. “Welcome home, Jasper.”

“So good to be home,” he murmurs.