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𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐘-𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐄

    𝐋𝐈𝐙 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 weekend isolated in her bedroom, avoiding any human contact whatsoever. The only person she allowed into her bedroom was Danny, but that is mainly because Danny seems to be the only one not totally angry with her, and had been very concerned for her when he learned she had returned. Sure, he was upset that she up and left like that, but when she came back he didn't dismiss her like Ester had done nor did he berate her like she had expected, he just asked if she was alright and what happened.

    Liz shouldn't really be surprised that Danny was more concerned for her than her own sister, but she was. She was just surprised that Danny seemed to be choosing her side over Ester's, which is saying a lot because Danny normally goes along with whatever Ester says or does, even if it is ridiculous. She even heard him arguing with Ester the other day, trying to convince his wife to get over her anger and just talk to Liz. Ester was now giving the silent treatment to him as well.

    Twenty-four years old and she still acts like a spoiled child. Liz wasn't at all upset that Ester was avoiding her. In fact, she enjoyed it. It meant not listening to Ester's condescending words and self-righteous attitude.

    By the time Monday came around, Liz was not at all prepared to go back to school, but knew she had too. By some surprise, Ester had actually covered for her when the school called to tell her she hadn't been in class, telling them that she had a horrible stomach bug and won't be in for a couple days. It was probably the nicest thing Ester has done for her in a while.

    Her friends were under the impression she was sick those days, all except Angela. Liz did not have the heart to lie to her, especially since Alice and Jasper were seen back at school. Liz told Angela exactly what she told Mitch, and her friend has basically been glued to her side the whole time. The others were beyond confused about their sudden return, especially so late in the year, but Liz had allowed Bella to be the one to tell them the reason behind their return.

    Angela helped Liz avoid the Cullens to the best of her ability, pulling her away if she saw them in the halls. She saw Jasper in her history class, but they did not sit together. And when he sent her a gentle look, Liz only returned with the timidest smile she could muster before turning back to the board.

    After Edward's confession, Liz has spent the weekend pretty much trying to let that piece of information sink in. She had cried a couple times, especially when she went to her closet and grabbed the shoebox she had hidden in the far back, the one that held pretty much every memory that could connect her to the Cullens and spent an hour just reminiscing through it. She had held the daffodil necklace Jasper had gifted her on her seventeenth birthday, holding it close to her chest and cried.

    Everything was different now that she knows the true reasons why Jasper left. How he was manipulated and forced by someone he trusted... someone they both trusted. Liz can't stop the burning rage when thinking about what Edward has done. They may not have been close, but she always thought they shared a small bond, an understanding and respect for one another. Liz cared for Edward, a lot. When Jasper told her what Edward planned to do with the Volturi, all she wanted to do was save him. She thought he was her friend.

    Friends do not do what he did to her. Brothers do not do what he did to Jasper.

    It made her sick just thinking about it, but it also made her question everything. Jasper did not want to leave her. He refused to do it. He loved her so much that all he wanted was for her to be happy. So much that he was so willing to give her up just at the thought of never being able to fulfill her dreams- well, dreams he was fed to believe were her own. It made her understand his words better when he left. He told her she deserved to get everything she wants. A family. A chance to grow old with someone she loved.

    Liz remembers asking him who told him that she wanted all of that. She remembers he went very quiet. She also told him she only wanted him, but Jasper shook his head, clearly not believing her...

    It was all because of Edward. Because Edward believed leaving was the better option. He wasn't thinking of anyone else, he was only thinking of himself and Bella. He only wanted to protect Bella. He said it was for her own good too, but Liz is having a very hard time believing that. He not only lied, but used his gifts to deceive someone who he calls a brother.

    Clearly, his confession did not go well with his family either. In fact, according to Bella who had called Liz after getting a visit from Alice, Jasper almost killed him. No one besides Carlisle and Esme helped pry Jasper off. Liz knew for a fact that if it wasn't for Esme stepping in, Jasper wouldn't have bothered pulling back, even if it meant injuring Carlisle in the process. Carlisle could take it, but Esme reminded Jasper too much of his own mother and he'd never lay a hand on her. He had told her this one night, claiming the two women had the same selfless and caring souls.

    Liz was surprised to learn that Emmett was all prepared to help Jasper end Edward, just as upset and pissed as his brother. Rosalie held him back, but made no move to stop Jasper or help Edward. Liz had been surprised when Bella told her this. Edward has been staying at a hotel in Port Angeles for a couple days in order for everyone to cool down, requested by Carlisle. It is why he was not in school right now, knowing he needed to give everyone space. Even Bella, who had not been happy with him at all and asked him to leave when he told her the truth.

    Liz knew that wasn't going to last, Bella is too madly in love with him to be upset for too long but she appreciated the Swan girl for having her back.

    Liz had gotten all caught up on her homework over the weekend, needing to keep her mind busy. So when she returned to school, she was grateful to not be behind. Now all she had to do was prepare for this damn Allegra final... the one that will decide if she gets to walk that stage for graduation. She wasn't as nearly as prepared for it, but Nolan had kept his promise and emailed pictures of his old study sheets. Her teacher was very helpful, having given her a couple practice tests from previous years to work on. Plus, he told her she will be getting extra time on the final, which she was grateful for.

    When the last bell rang, ending her English class, Liz was surprised not to see Angela coming to meet her outside her class. The two girls have been attached to the hip all day, even sat with her in the library because Liz wanted to avoid the cafeteria at the risk of running into Jasper or Alice. A part of her was ready to talk to him, to finally just talk and let everything out, but the other part was terrified. Of what? She hasn't figured that out yet.

    As she walked to her locker, she halted in her step when she saw something on her locker, a sense of deja vu coming back to hit her in the face. After a couple seconds, she continues to her locker and gently takes the daffodil taped to it and sighs. Her heart leaped at the memory of the first time he had done this. She didn't know it then, but it was at that moment she realized she was falling in love with him.

    Liz then opened her locker and grabbed her books she needed to study for this damn final. Shutting her locker, she starts to head towards the exit when suddenly some random student who she has never spoken to before, hands her another daffodil.

    "Uh, what is this? Why are you giving this to me?" The beady eyed girl who couldn't be older than fifteen didn't respond, just scurried away quickly. Liz frowned, staring at the two flowers in her hands. Weird. She takes a few more steps before two more students step in her line of vision, both handing her the same exact flower. She takes them, hesitantly.

    "Okay, what is going on?" Again, neither of them said anything, just giggled and ran off in the opposite direction.

    Liz looked around, as if to anticipate more, but when she saw everyone was minding their own business, she continued down the hall. Of course, she didn't make it far when another random student handed her another flower, and then another, and then another. It was the strangest thing in this world. Liz has never been more confused, and by the time she got to the front doors of the school, she almost had a full bouquet of daffodils.

    Just when she thought it would stop when she got outside, she was wrong. Because now they weren't just random students she's never spoken to before. Now it's her friends. Angela, Mike, Eric, Jessica, Tyler and even Bella- they all handed her a daffodil and smirked amusingly at the confused blonde, who accepted them in bewilderment. It is not until she sees Alice, Emmett and Rosalie at the curb of the parking lot, each holding flowers, is when she finally starts to understand. Kind of.

    "Alice... Emmett... Rosalie..."

    "Liz." The three said in sync. Emmett and Rosalie are no longer students, considering they 'graduated' last year, but here they were, together. Emmett was grinning like a Cheshire cat and Rosalie had the softest look on her face, not smiling but not scowling either, which was progress.

    "W-What's going on?"

    "You're going to have to keep walking and find out." Alice sing-songed.

    "Preferably in that direction," Emmett added, pointing to the right. Liz looked over cautiously, her eyes brightening when she saw exactly who she expected standing there.

    Jasper looked as dashing as ever. He wore a pair of dark blue denim jeans, with a dark blue cotton button up. His curly golden hair was styled back nicely, something she didn't pay attention to before but it has gotten a bit longer. He stood there, in front of Emmett's blue Jeep, twirling three more yellow daffodils in his hand. When their eyes met, the first smile she had seen since he returned was planted on his face and her heart fluttered. Gosh, how she missed his smile.

    Seeing that they had a small crowd, Liz finally started walking up to Jasper, her cheeks flushed bright red and her hands becoming clammy. She always has this reaction with him. Only ever with him.

   Upon reaching him, Liz's brows rose as Jasper held the last daffodil out for her, which Liz accepted, her heart leaping slightly. "Jasper... what is all of this?"

    "Well, I was hoping to convince you to come with me so we can finally have that talk," Jasper said hopefully. "I have a lot to make up for... but after what Edward told me-" He paused, his jaw tense as he took a second to calm down.

    Liz spoke before he could say more. "I think we are much overdue for a talk. A real talk."

    The corner of his lips tugged upwards, taking a step towards her. "I am really happy you said that."

    Liz found herself smiling softly, allowing him to lead her to the passenger side, opening her door for her and helping her in. They were already driving before Liz finally remembered to breathe again.

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    𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐁𝐋𝐄 memory, Liz couldn't help but smile when the sight of the firehouse came into view. She knew immediately that this is where he was going to take her. It was their spot, their safe haven. Even though Liz has not been back here since the day he left, she could not let that one memory ruin the multiple memories she has here, all wonderful and filled with laughter and love.

    Jasper offered his hand to help her down from the Jeep, which she accepted. He closed the door and Liz turned to him with wide, cautious eyes. He looked down at the ground and sighed. "We can go somewhere else if you are uncomfortable."

    Liz shook her head. "No, it's alright."

    "It's just-" Jasper paused, feeling like he needed to explain himself further. "This is where I broke us... so this is where I feel like I need to make things right between us."

     "Too many good memories here... enough to ignore one bad one." Liz told him wholeheartedly. She then extended her hand. "Shall we go up?"

    Jasper grinned happily, taking her hand before wrapping it around his shoulder, picking her up bridal style and jumping up, the wind blushing back her long bushy curls. He landed with ease and set her down gently, Liz kept her hands on his chest and stared up into his eyes, their proximity was suffocating. Liz got lost in his large golden eyes for only a couple seconds before shaking herself out of it, taking a step away and smiling nervously at him.

    "Still will never get used to that." She chuckled awkwardly, walking toward the edge of the building, crossing her arms from the chilly wind. She wore a pair of black leggings with a gray striped neck drop shoulder jumper and black boots. She had left her wool jacket at home, which a part of her thinks that might have been a mistake.

    Jasper kept his distance, standing with his hands behind his back. Silence fell upon them briefly, as if he was struggling to figure out where to start. Liz looked back to him, kicking her feet out nonchalantly, the bubbling need to ask the question despite she knew the answer surfaced. "Why did you believe him? Edward. Why did you believe him over me?"

    His jaw clenched, but he never looked away from her. "Edward has never lied or used his gift like that before. I'd always feared that you might want more than me- than the life I offer. Edward knew that. If I knew for one moment that you wanted more than me, I would never stand in your way and he took advantage of that. Bastard used it against me, even if it made me hate him for."

    "But I told you," Liz said, her voice rising just a bit. "I told you I didn't want any of that stuff."

    "I didn't believe you," Jasper spoke truthfully. "I thought you were just saying anything to keep me from leaving. I figured that you may love me now, but you wanted more and I just couldn't stand in your way."

    Liz shook her head, grinding her teeth for a second. "I never thought of having kids in my life. I always thought it was a hit or miss for me. I always thought I would be an Olympic Gold Medalist, that was my dream. I thought I'd marry, but kids were never what I envisioned for my future. I always figured I'd spoil any nieces or nephews my sister bore, but I've just never imagined myself as a mother. And I figured if by some slip up I do wind up pregnant, then I guess I'd have a baby. But it was never my dream to be a mother."

    "The accident took away so much from me, a big part of that was my dream of going to the Olympics." Liz paused, brushing a piece of her hair behind her ear. "You were my new dream, Jasper. You were my saving grace. I found purpose with you. I found happiness with you. Sure, did I question becoming a vampire? Multiple times. The only cons would be leaving my Nana and Ester, now some really great friends, but the biggest pro was being with you for eternity. That's how much I love you, Jasper. And I really hate that you didn't know me well enough to know this."

    Jasper took a step forward. "You are right. I let my own fear and insecurities blind me from the truth. I allowed Edward to easily influence my choices because of his own selfish motives. I'm sorry about that, Liz."

    Liz swallowed harshly, her voice shaky and weak as she spoke. "These past five months have been hell for me, Jasper. I want to forgive you... I really do but it's really hard for me."

    "I understand," Jasper nodded, her eyes sharp as he took another step, right until he was directly in front of her. "Last year, you poured your heart out to me and told me something dark about yourself that you clearly have never told anyone before. It's time I do the same. It's time you learn the truth about how I came to be a vampire. I'm not keeping anything from you anymore, Liz. I love you, so damn much it physically and mentally wrecks me. I know I lost your trust, but I will do whatever it takes to gain it back along with your heart. Because I am done being afraid."

    "You were right, I was a coward and I let fear and guilt and shame keep me from my mate. I tried to protect you and all I did was hurt you. You deserve the world and I plan on being the man to give it all to you if you allow me. Starting with telling you about my past, the past I am not proud of. One that I'm scared of. If you'll let me?"

    Liz was too stunned to speak. She has waited a long time for him to be comfortable enough to talk about his past, who he was before he met Alice and then the Cullens. She couldn't deny that she was excited to learn everything, nor could she ignore the way her heart fluttered yet again at his passionate words.

     After a moment, she found her voice. "I-I don't want you to tell me because you feel obligated to tell me."

    "Who said anything about obligation?" Jasper questioned with a frown. "Liz Chambers, I want you to know this part about me. I want to share everything with you. I want you to know all there is about me. I'm just sorry it has taken me this long to share it with you."

    Liz's expression softened as walks over to the edge of the building and leaned against it, arms still crossed. "Then I want to hear everything."

    He started from the beginning. From when he first signed up for the Confederate Army before he turned seventeen and within two years got promoted and became the youngest Texan major there was. His father had died in the war and he desperately wanted to follow in his footsteps to serve his country.

    In 1863, he was in charge of evacuating all the women and children from small villages when he met three vampires by the name of Maria, Lucy and Nettie. He explained how he thought they were the most captivating women he had ever seen, given their immortal beauty. He thought they were in need of assistance, and offered his aid, but they did not seem phased by him, more interested in his rank and combat training.

    "I don't really remember what happened after Maria bit me, if I'm being honest." Jasper stopped to walk closer to the edge, sitting on the ledge right beside the blonde. "All I remember was an excruciating pain. I remember wanting to die because of the pain, a part of me happy I'll get to see my father again soon but sad that I'll never get to see my mother or sisters again. It went on for hours on end- an hopeless, agonizing, piercing pain. Just when I thought everything was over, I woke up to this."

    Jasper had once told her that turning is very painful, but his words made her very nervous about her own future... if that is still something she will want.

    "My gift of persuasion transitioned well into my vampire form. Being an empath made things easier for Maria to achieve her goal. I was to use it to manipulate and control the newborns into following orders and to keep from deflecting."

    That is when he got into the second Southern Vampire wars. He explained how Maria, along with her two companions, lost their territories and decided to win them back with an army. More specifically, a Newborn Army. Newborns, savage and nearly uncontrollable vampires that usually last the first few months of their immortal existence. They were stronger and faster than a regular vampire, something that made the army more powerful. He had helped Maria reclaim her territory with the army and won with ease.

    "The fights did not come without scars," Jasper mentioned, and then suddenly he lifted his sleeves and held his arms out to the light, where his skin shimmered like tiny little diamonds. Liz remembers when he had first shown her what sunlight does, she remembers holding back laughter and teasing him relentlessly by singing 'shine bright like a diamond'. He was never amused.

    But Liz had to get a closer look, leaning in closer. That is when she saw it. Multiple bite marks all over his skin. Liz held in a gasp, before gently grazing her fingers over them. She knew Jasper always wore long sleeve shirts and sweaters, but she always thought it was a fashion choice.

    She had seen two bite marks on him before, one of his neck and another on his hand, but when she asked about them, he said they were just scars from his past. She always figured they'd be explained when he was finally comfortable enough to tell her all about it. She never even thought there could be more. So much more.

    Jasper allowed her to examine them closely, his head down in shame. "They are usually invisible for humans to see unless in direct, strong light. For vampires, you can see them all over my body. The vampires I fought were not easy to take down."

    Liz's eyes were still memorized by them, running her index finger over one of the scars. "Battle scars. Scars to show you survived. Nothing to be ashamed of."

    Jasper found himself smiling at her words. The two stared into each other's eyes passionately, lovingly. They stood like that for just another moment, before Jasper spoke once again. "These scars are just physical... it's the mental scarring that nearly destroyed me."

    Jasper turned away, pulling his arm back and covering them back up with his sleeve. He looked like he was struggling to explain the rest, Liz could sense his hesitation. The blonde reached out again and put a hand over his. "You can't scare me away now, Jasper Hale."

    His golden eyes brightened when she called him 'Jasper Hale', something they always did with each other, calling one another by their full names. It was enough to give him the courage to continue.

    "Maria and I... we shared a short, brief romantic relationship. I was convinced I had fallen in love with her, which meant I was willing to do anything she asked of me." Jasper paused, no longer looking at Liz, which was a good thing. In all honesty, she sort of figured as much with him and Maria, but still, hearing it out loud was a hard pill to swallow. "She took advantage of that. Maria was adamant of having the best and strongest army, and because newborns lose that extra strength and speed after the first year, Maria wanted them disposed of. She left that to me."

    "My gifts were a blessing for Maria, but they were a curse for me. The first time I fed on a human, it was very difficult for me, because all I could feel was their fear and pain. But the first time I destroyed one of the newborns, the guilt was worse because I knew them. I trained them, helped them. I could feel everything they were feeling times a thousand. With each kill, human or newborn, the pain and cruelty just got worse and worse to the point I wanted someone to destroy me. I became... depressed you can say. So much it affected my performance in battles, one Maria took notice too and was not kind about it."

    Jasper then began to tell Liz all about the vampire he befriended named Peter, someone he managed to persuade Maria into keeping given his advanced combat skills and kindred spirit. "My friendship with Peter was like coming up for fresh air. It was nice having someone other than Maria. I craved friendship, and his positive energy was a nice change."

    They spent a few years together, until Maria ordered Jasper to end a newborn by the name of Charlotte, who turned out to be Peter's mate. Peter had taken Charlotte and escaped, with Jasper's help. He expressed that a part of him wanted to leave with them, but the other part of him couldn't leave Maria. At the time, he thought he was in love with her, despite knowing she had never gotten over her true mate.

    After that, Maria no longer trusted him. In fact, she became fearful and mistrustful of him. Jasper explained how hard it was to be with her, knowing she felt this way towards him and soon, he learned she was plotting ways to destroy him, so he started to plot for ways to do so first, despite still having feelings for her. He then explained that over the years, his position in the coven affected him so severely, he turned savage.

    "I killed and destroyed a lot of lives, Liz." Jasper mutters shamefully, not having the heart to look her in the eyes. "Both mortal and immortal and I felt it all. I felt their pain and suffering and hope that someone would save them. It was an endless torture for decades. I just wanted it to end. At that point, my plotting against Maria had ceased and soon, I started wishing she'd just destroy me and get it over with."

    Liz's eyes began to water at his words, at how difficult it must have all been. She tried her best to hold back her tears, her heart aching for him and all he has been through. He is so strong to have survived all of that for that long... Liz knew his past wasn't going to be pretty, but she had no idea how terrible it really was.

    "Peter returned in 1938, telling me about how he and Charlotte have been coexisting up North and asked me to join him. I saw it as an escape and at that point, my love for Maria was pretty much nonexistent, so I felt no remorse in leaving her and the coven. I stayed with them for a couple years, but still being able to feel the emotions of my human victims was too much... too overbearing. My depression only just got worse, to the point I left Peter and Charlotte and tried to survive as a nomad."

    "I tried to kill less, isolated myself from civilization, but the thirst would always grow too overwhelming. Too powerful." Jasper expressed, pushing himself off of the ledge and walking a few feet away, his back to her. Liz wanted to go to him, but knew he needed his space to continue. "I was on my own for six years until 1948 when for some reason, I ran into a diner. That is where I met Alice for the first time."

    He turned around to face Liz again, this time, a look of fondness on his features. "She was filled with so much joy and happiness when seeing me. She says she was waiting for me, that she knew I needed her help. I remember thinking she was nuts, but her joyous emotions were so powerful, it impacted me severely to the point I didn't want to leave her side. With her, I smiled for the first time in several years."

    "She explained to me about her gifts, about how she had a vision of me struggling and needing help. She saw that we would become best friends, and when she held out her hand for me to take, I felt something I haven't felt since before I was turned. Hope."

    A ghost of a smile danced on his lips. "Alice was very perky, and at the time, her emotions were the only thing holding me together. She then began to tell me about how there was a way for the two of them to survive without killing innocent lives. She told me about Carlisle and how his coven lives off animal blood. They even coexist with humans at times when it's safe. I thought she was crazy, not believing such a thing was possible. But I followed Alice anyway, not able to leave the first positive person who gave me hope."

    "We spent two years searching for them, in the meantime we both tried adjusting to the animal diet. It was difficult, but enough of the blood made things easier to survive. Though I still felt the emotions from the animal, they were minimal compared to a humans. It was better." Jasper paused again, finally looking up to meet Liz's bright blue eyes, his face filled with relief. "We finally found Carlisle and their family welcomed us with open arms. You know pretty much everything after that."

    He's right. Jasper had already told her about meeting Alice and finding the Cullen's, but he had never gone into such great detail like he had before. Liz knew he met Alice in 1948 where she told him about the Cullen's and their lifestyle. He told her about being the hardest one to adjust to the diet, to being the hardest around humans. He told her about adopting Rosalie's surname and passing themselves off occasionally as twins. But Liz never knew the emotional and mental damage Jasper was struggling with leading up to finding them. She didn't know that Alice saved him or about how his depression was too much to handle. She didn't know how much he had truly suffered.

    After a couple minutes of silence, Liz felt a tear slip down her cheek as she quickly wiped it away, walking over towards the vampire and taking his hand into hers. "Thank you for trusting me enough to tell me that."

    Jasper frowned at her words, immediately shaking his head. "No. No, Liz. It's not that I never trusted you. I just never wanted you to know that part about me. That dangerous, unstable part that I am so ashamed of. It was never about trusting you... it was about scaring you away."

    Liz raised her brows towards him in surprise. "Scaring me away? Jasper, I told you before, you can never do that. Your past is in the past. What you just told me wasn't a horror story... It's a survivor's story. You survived so much and have dealt with too much emotionally and mentally- you are so strong."

    "I'm not that strong," he said in a hushed voice, looking pained all over again. "It is why Edward was able to use my past against me like he did. He knew I'd never make you suffer through this life if it wasn't something you actually wanted. I wanted you to have a choice. I've always feared you wanted more, so that is why he was able to convince me. It is why I believed him so easily. Liz... meeting you, finding you- has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. When Alice had that messed up vision, when she saw me happy with someone, I didn't believe her. But when I saw you in the Chemistry class, I knew it was you. I knew you were my mate and I only ever wanted to protect you."

    "Mate," Liz whispered, this being the second time he has called her that. "I am really your mate?"

    The famous lopsided smirk she was so used to returned. "Yes, ma'am. The fact that you didn't put two and two together when I told you about them only makes me love you even more."

    Liz let out a giggle, looking down in a bit of embarrassment. Suddenly, she felt a cold touch against her cheek, Jasper cupping her face and lifting it up, taking a step closer. Liz held her breath at the proximity. She wanted to kiss him... she never wanted anything more, but her mind couldn't figure out whether she had forgiven him completely or not.

    After a minute, she spoke the truth, her voice cracking as she did so. "I find it very hard to trust you, Jasper. You made me a promise and you broke it. And in doing so, you broke a part of me."

    Jasper never took his hand away as he nodded slowly. "And I will regret doing so for the rest of my existence. I will spend every single day I have on this forsaken earth doing whatever I can to make it up to you. I stand before you now, Liz Chambers, begging for your forgiveness. I don't only promise you, but I make a vow to you here and now that I will never hurt you like I did before. I will never, ever leave you again. You are my existence. You are the only thing in this whole world that matters to me. All I ask is for another chance. A chance to worship you the way you deserve to be worshiped. A chance to honor you the way you deserve to be honored. A chance to make you feel like the Queen I see whenever I look upon you. A chance to remind you everyday that you are worth every single risk there is to be with you.

    "And even if you chose not to forgive me... if you chose not to give me a second chance, I will step back and let you live your life. But just know, Liz Chambers, just know I will love you for all eternity. Even if you choose to love another someday, I will still love you because you are my mate. I will always be here if you ever need me. I will watch you live your life to the fullest extent and live with my regrets for now and forever. It is your choice. But if you grant me the opportunity, I will make it up to you today and every day until the end of time."

    Liz let out a shaky breath as a sob escaped her, taking in his declaration. That's exactly what it was. A declaration of love and a grander promise than she could have ever imagined. And she believed him. She believed every single word and every promise. She believed for a fact that if she were to turn him away right now, he would leave and let her live her life in peace. Just like she full heartedly believes that if she were to forgive him, agree to this second chance, that he will never once let her go a day without earning that forgiveness.

    Liz has always been such a sucker for romantic movies, but she never imagined true love was real. She had always hoped it was, she believed what her parents had was true love and what Danny and Ester share is just as powerful. But she never imagined she'd ever find it herself.

    She'd be a fool if she didn't take a chance. She knows that Jasper is it for her. She couldn't find someone else even if she tried. She is willing to give up humanity just to spend forever with him. They were made for one another. It was written in the stars.

    So with that revelation, Liz placed both her hands on his chest and gripped two fists full of his shirt and smiled brightly. She leaned in and never once took her eyes off of his.  "Good. I plan to hold you to that, Jasper Hale."

     She then reached up and captured his lips with her own. Jasper did not hesitate to deepen the kiss, his hand going behind her head and his other hand wrapping around her waist. This was nothing like the kisses they shared before, which weren't much. Liz was always so cautious and considerate towards him, knowing his struggles. But Jasper wasn't struggling this time... in fact he was taking over the kiss, becoming more dominant and pulling the blonde's body against him. Liz had released his shirt and wrapped her arms around his neck.

    For the first time in a very long time, Liz finally felt like her life might finally be looking up. And this was only the beginning.

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Ahhhh!!! This is the the final chapter of part two!! I'm so excited, I've never gotten this far on a story before, but then again I've never been this passionate about one.

Also, to explain, yes Jasper has given a second chance. I know people wanted him to suffer a bit longer, but it's really hard to do that with this timeline being so short. Now just because Liz has forgiven him, doesn't mean he won't ever stop earning that forgiveness. He will keep his words. And come on, how the hell can you not forgive him after that speech? Like really?

Thank you all for being so supportive! I appreciated everything! And yeah, on to Eclipse!