𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐈𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍:
Be my baby
(1971)

(AN: Two chapters published today because it's my birthday! Today also marks one year of writing Sinta! Also, last call for those who want to be tagged in my author miscellaneous book where I'll be posting announcements and fanfic plans!)

IF CORAZON WERE ASKED IF SHE WOULD SIT THROUGH A FOUR-DAY ROAD TRIP WITH HER FAMILY, she would instantly say, hell no.

Cramped in a car with them is a no. They already get on her nerves quite a bit in the house. Imagine if they're all crammed together for hours—days, but if the road trip consists of only her and Jasper, she would say yes–gladly and happily.

So a road trip from Anchorage, Alaska, to Houston, Texas, is no problem at all as long as she's with Jasper. He'd asked her if he wanted to join him in visiting his old friends, Peter and Charlotte. Corazon was a bit nervous, but it's been five months since Jasper had been courting her, and she wanted to know more about him. What an excellent way to start to know who had been with him the longest time.

The road trip was no problem. They didn't need to stop over for food or the bathroom. They could drive for long hours. Corazon packed them animal blood in a wine bottle—the checkpoints didn't think to check it, so they were safe and had their papers ready, it was a smooth road trip by far, and most of all, fun. They decided to see some sights, take some pictures, and actually enjoy the stops.

Corazon loves it because of the great music on the radio and the stack of good books. She loves making memories with Jasper and every moment with him. Now, she's singing. The cool breeze danced through the open windows of their sleek, midnight-black Maserati Ghibli 4.7 Coupe, weaving through Corazon's black hair and gently tousling Jasper's golden locks. The city lights blurred into a kaleidoscope of colors as they sped along the winding roads, leaving the urban hustle behind. A crescent moon hung low in the indigo sky, casting a gentle glow on the road ahead.

The soft purr of the engine was accompanied by the timeless melody of Be My Baby by The Ronettes emanating from the car's stereo. With her infectious laughter and sparkling eyes, Corazon leaned against the door, reveling in the moment. She glanced at Jasper, his stoic demeanor softened by her laughter. Their fingers interlaced, the warmth of their connection contrasting with the cool breeze that caressed their faces.

Corazon couldn't resist the urge to sing along. With a gentle smile, she began to serenade Jasper with the lyrics. Her voice, a melodic blend of warmth and grace, filled the car with an enchanting atmosphere, echoing through the quiet night.

"Be my, be my baby. Be my little baby. My one and only baby. Be my, be my baby now."

Jasper's gaze remained fixed on the road, but a subtle grin played on his lips. He reveled in the moment, in her, drinking her presence in.

"For every kiss you give me, I'll give you three. Oh, since the day I saw you. I have been waiting for you. You know I will adore you 'til eternity." Corazon leans towards him with a teasing grin.

With his hands confidently on the steering wheel, Jasper stole glances at Corazon with a smile of his own. The moonlight highlighted the subtle contours of his face, revealing a sense of calm and joy as he savored Corazon's companionship by his side.

As the ending notes of Be My Baby by The Ronettes, it was replaced by the opening notes of At last by Etta James. The melody of Etta James blended seamlessly with the night, and the gentle caress of her voice made the breezy night peaceful and calm.

Corazon took their intertwined hands and placed a soft kiss on the back of Jasper's hand. He hummed in contentment, and then Corazon's eyes scanned the rings on his fingers, "I like your rings," Corazon told him as she twisted the signet ring on his right hand, index finger, and the other ring that resided on his pinky finger. The simple gold and round signet ring with a carved initial of his surname, Whitlock. On his pinky finger, a smaller yet equally captivating ring adorned him. A slender band of silver. "I never asked where you got it from,"

Jasper glances at her, then back at the road, a grin on his lips with a knowing look, and confidently expresses, "You like my hands," His golden tan skin is smooth as the traces of veins in delicate patterns beneath the surface of his hands.

"I'm not denying anything. You have very pretty hands," Corazon then brought his right hand to her neck as Jasper softly brushed. He stroked his thumbs across the base of her throat. Corazon could see it, the lust in his eyes, "You minx," He managed to utter as he gently pulled her towards him. As he brushed his lips onto hers, placing a deep kiss on her lips, he made Corazon smile against his lips.

Then she whispers, "Focus on the road, cowboy," Jasper shakes his head with a laugh escaping his lips. He leans back and places his hand back on the steering wheel while leaving his other hand on Corazon's thigh.

"The signet ring was given to me by my grandpa, and the eldest received the ring. I purchased the other ring during the '50s; no special reason behind it." Jasper informs her as Corazon nods alone; she takes off the signet ring of his finger and slides it to her own, then shows it to Jasper, the gold metal complimenting her skin beautifully. "I think it looks nice on me, don't you think?"

Jasper grinned, "Very," he then took her hand and gently kissed her hand where the ring resided rather perfectly. "Are you happy?" Jasper suddenly asks, and Corazon tilts her head, a subtle smile on her lips, and replies with a sing-song voice as she re-intertwines their hand together,

"The happiest,"

"Then I'm happy as well," Jasper nods in contentment.

"You make me happy," Corazon tells him, squeezing his hand gently, and continues, "The happiest that I've ever been,"

Jasper's eyes softened once again. Glancing at her, he could feel it radiating from her so that it hugged him whole. He could feel the adoration and happiness wrapped around his undead heart. It's the feeling that he knows that he will never get used to, and he is fine with that; it serves as a reminder that not all emotions are cruel; when there's Corazon, there will always be an endless feeling of hope in his life.

"I adore you, smarty pants,"

"I adore you very much so, my cowboy."

•| ⊱✿⊰ |•

THEY ARRIVED IN HOUSTON, TEXAS. Right in time as the sun sets. Corazon could see two side-by-side figures standing in front of the house, Peter and Charlotte.

The house is beautifully painted in a beautiful light shade of brown—a welcoming porch adorned with a rocking chair and a swing. A lone wind chime swayed gently, adding a melodic whisper to the symphony of the evening breeze. Vast farming fields surrounded them. Rows of crops stretched towards the horizon. 

Jasper parked the car, turning the car engine off as he exited the vehicle. He was instantly at her side of the car, opening the car door for her. Corazon gave him a grateful smile as she took his hand, intertwining with hers. Peter greeted them with a large, welcoming smile.

"Jasper, my man!" Peter exclaims as Corazon lets go of his hand. Peter engulfed him in a hug, patting his back, and Jasper chuckled. Charlotte, only two steps away from Peter, looked a lot like Alice, but there was rigidness in her posture and a hesitant look in her expression. Jasper told her that Charlotte needed time to get used to a new company, and Corazon understood that. Then Peter lets go of Charlotte as Jasper approaches her with a smile.

"C'mere, Lottie, we're not strangers after all," Jasper persuades, with his hands out, preparing for a hug. Charlotte shakes her head in amusement and gives in, hugging Jasper; when their greetings are done, Jasper walks back to Corazon, giving her an assuring smile; he can feel her nervousness, and he takes her hand again, squeezing it gently.

"Peter, Charlotte, let me introduce you to the most beautiful woman in my life inside and out, Corazon," Jasper places a kiss on the sidede of her head as Corazon suddenly feels flustered; she gently slaps his chest, "Stop it," She scolds playfully with a sheepish smile.

"Call me Cece, I insist," Corazon offered her hand, which Peter shook enthusiastically.

Peter chuckles, "Jasper always has his way with words, but he's a lucky man for having you stick around," Peter teases, "He's always been so quiet and intense," Jasper bumps his fist to his shoulder, and Peter raises his hand in mocking surrounder.

Corazon softly laughs, "Intense is the right word," Peter lets go of her hand, and Corazon offers her hand to Charlotte, which the latter takes hesitantly; she nods with a tight-lipped smile.

Peter claps his hands together, "Well then, let's get you both settled in so Jasper can tour Cece around the house," Peter opens the trunk, taking out two luggage trunks. While Jasper took the lead and guided Corazon inside the house.

Stepping through the front door of the one-story house, a sense of comfort and simplicity enveloped its interior. The warm, honeyed tones of the hardwood floors echoed the rustic charm of the surrounding countryside.

"It's beautiful, Jas," Corazon took her surroundings in a well-loved sofa faced by a fireplace whose mantle is yet to be filled with photographs, a wooden coffee table surrounded by comfortable armchairs. Then, a small kitchen, wood countertops, and a four-person wooden dining table at the side. "A kitchen?" She asks as her fingertips graze the wooden countertops, feeling the smooth surface.

Jasper then places a hand on the small of her back, "I know how much you like to cook, even if we don't eat," That's true. Corazon always tried to cook some of the meals her mother made for her and her siblings. They may never eat the food, but there was a certain feeling of nostalgia and reminiscing once the food touched her tongue; the familiar taste and delicious aroma transported her to the good memories of her human life.

Then Jasper led her towards the main bedroom, which had its earthy tones and a plush bed adorned with handmade quilts–her handmade quilts- and two simple bathrooms with a tub and a shower that Corazon loves. The second room was bare with empty white shelves.

"I was planning that we both could fill these empty shelves with books," Jasper tells her, and she turns around and faces him.

"How long have you been arranging all of this?" Corazon asks with a giddy expression; the house is everything; it's perfect.

"A while now, I bought the land when I left Maria. I thought of investing it and bought the surrounding lands." Jasper informs her as he clasps his hands to his back, his stance proud with his chest puffed.

"You bought the farm fields as well?" Corazon asks in surprise. Jasper nods, "Peter has been using it for his farming business, selling crops. We share the sales."

"That's amazing," Corazon says with pure admiration, "Brilliant, actually,"

"Well, thank you, darling," Jasper smiles, feeling boastful and receiving all of the praises from Corazon, which makes him feel arrogant.

Peter then walked by the door with a grin, "I see it's a win,"

"Certainly, you both outdone yourselves." Corazon then takes a few steps and wraps her arms around Jasper's neck while Jasper places his hands on her hips, "I guess we have a vacation house to go to whenever we need a break from our family,"

"That's the idea," Jasper responds as Corazon quickly pecks on his lips. When she pulls away, Jasper follows her movements, and she raises a teasing brow as her eyes quickly move to Peter.

"Don't mind me, you lovebugs had a long drive. Lottie and I will be back tonight. The city is wonderful during the night." Peter tells them his accent is thicker and more accentuated than Jasper's; he shrugs as he walks away; they hear a car engine start and drive away.

"Let's arrange our things first, then I cannot wait to explore your hometown," Corazon tells him, and Jasper smiles, excited to finally have her here, in the city where he grew up; it might not have been what it used to be, but it felt familiar and soothing.

And Jasper could never ask for more.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

━━ I am establishing a new rule that I won't update any chapters until the previous chapter I posted isn't receiving the amount of attention/hype (comments & votes) I would have preferred, so this time I know that ya'll actually want to read my updates. This might get a weekly update if I am satisfied with the feedback!