𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐘-𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄:
You & Me, forever?
(1975)

JASPER BOUGHT TICKETS FOR A FLEETWOOD MAC CONCERT IN CAPITOL THEATRE IN NEW JERSEY.

He reasoned that time spent away from the house would be good for Corazon, and Corazon, too, thinks a change of scenery for a while would be good, not only for her but for her writing as well. A long road trip from Anchorage, Alaska, to Passaic, New Jersey, might be a good way to clear her mind. There will be pit stops, roadside attractions, exploring small towns and their charms along the way with the amusement of crappy hotels, and most of all, the quality alone time with Jasper.

They've been on road trips before; they always visit Peter and Charlotte at least twice a year in Houston, Texas. So Corazon knows that road trips are much better than unreasonable expensive flights and, of course, her blinding hate towards carbon emissions. If she can, she would reduce the use of carbon emissions because of its negative effects on the earth's atmosphere. Rosalie has been testing out the engines of electric cars for a while now; it'll only be a matter of time before their cars are electric motor-powered instead of gas-powered ones. Humans have a way of destroying the planet that supplies them to live, which is not surprising at all.

Now, it wouldn't have been a good road trip if Corazon wasn't reading out loud for Jasper. Her legs rested on his lap, his finger gently smoothing out her ankle as his other hand held the steering wheel while she rested at her side against the passenger seat. Windows were open halfway through, so the cold, refreshing air seeped inside.

Corazon and Jasper had just arrived in Edmonton, Alberta, a few minutes ago; they were looking for a gas station to refuel the car. She was reading White Nights by Dostoyevsky, "Sweet Nastenka, now that we have come together again after such a lengthy separation—because I have known you for ever so long, Nastenka, I have been searching for someone for ever so long, and this is a sign that it was you I was seeking and it was fated that we should meet—at this moment, a thousand valves have opened within my brain, and I must pour forth a river of words or I shall suffocate."

Jasper glanced over to the passenger seat where Corazon sat, a well-worn book cradled in her hands. Her voice has always had a way of capturing Jasper's full attention. Her voice was a soothing melody, rich and resonant, carrying a lyrical quality that made every word she spoke come alive. Jasper listened intently, "And so, I beg you not to interrupt me, Nastenka, just listen, meekly and obediently; otherwise, I won't go on." Corazon captured the longingness as her voice trailed off into a gentle silence that left a lingering resonance in the air.

Jasper smiles softly, his attention focused on the road ahead of them. "Beautiful,"

"Why thank you," Corazon tips her chin up and straightens her shoulder with a pleased smile on her elegant features. She basked in his praises and attention as much as he basked in hers.

Jasper took her hand in hers and placed a chaste kiss on the back of her hand, giving her an intense look, then resting his hand on her thigh and focusing his attention back on the road. Simple moments like this with Jasper make Corazon think that she'll definitely get used to this.

•| ⊱✿⊰ |•

AFTER THAT LONG AND PEACEFUL ROAD TRIP TO NEW JERSEY.

The enchanting and alluring voice of keyboardist and vocalist Christine McVie sang her heart out, "Oh, baby, you used to mean so much to me. Oh, baby, you used to mean so much to me. But you just think the same way. Get like you used to be,"

The stage, bathed in moody, colored lights, was set with an array of instruments. The crowd erupted in applause. It was a standing concert with no seat placements, and that meant Corazon needed help to get a good view of the band on stage. Jasper chuckles and tugs her hand as they walk away from the crowd; she is confused but trusts Jasper. It turns out he was going to bring them towards the center hanging deck of the theater, which has a wonderful view of the band and no crowd! It was brilliant!

Corazon's laughter rang out above the music. Jasper twirled her around as they danced in the empty deck. It was magical, charming, and such a momentous moment. Emmett is going to be so jealous that he didn't get to join, and this makes Corazon happier with the thought.

The music, the lights, and the atmosphere created a euphoric experience. The two of them were intoxicated with the rhythm and each other's presence. They swayed together, eyes filled with mirth. They danced, soaking up the moment, as if they were humans as if the burdens of the past had been shaken off by their energetic movements.

It's perfect, and it's them.

They're having the time of their lives, and it's every time they're together.

Jasper stopped in his tracks as the tune of "Say you love me" began. Corazon's movement gracefully swayed her hips, and she nodded her head. He was enamored, mesmerized, bewitched by her as his eyes traced Corazon's face to the curves of her body that followed the tune. God, he is deeply in love with everything about her.

Then he did it, he kneeled on one knee and took out the velvet box that warmed his pockets. He had planned this in his mind a thousand times, but now that the moment was here, everything else seemed to blur into insignificance, and the planning was reduced to a single moment. The world shrank to just the woman dancing beside him.

Corazon was too absorbed with the performance to even notice that when Christine soared the final chorus, she snapped her head towards Jasper's direction with a smile that turned into a gasp once she saw him; her hands went to her lips as her eyes widened in shock as she took a step back.

"My heart, let me love you the way you deserve to be loved," Jasper begins, his adam's apple bobbing as nervousness crept into his veins, but he mustered up all the courage, "Our first meeting in the bus stop I had the hope in my heart that I will find a friend, with no expectation of also finding a lover, all I wished was for a companion. Falling in love with you is not by accident; I walked towards the path of love for you willingly, gradually, and naturally. Loving you is the easiest thing to do, like an instinct. I am not a man of many words, so believe me when I say that you own my heart, and your existence grounds me to the earth that centers around you. I belong to you completely and wholly."

Corazon took a few steps towards him and dropped to her knees, inching together, foreheads pressed, "I am yours, and you are mine." Corazon smiles, "Ask me,"

"So impatient?" Jasper hums amusedly, "Very," She answers.

"Will you marry me and spend eternity by my side?" Jasper asks as they separate and open the velvet box. Corazon looked at the ring in awe; it was her mother's engagement ring, a gold band intricately designed with elegant swirls and a South Sea Pearl in the center. It was beautiful. It's perfect.

Corazon engulfed him in a hug as she wrapped her arms around his neck and closed her eyes, burying her face in the crook of her neck as she welcomed his warmth; she clung to him. She didn't know how he managed to have the ring, but it meant a lot to her. "Yes, I'll marry you. In every lifetime, in every universe, it'll always be you."

She pulled away, cupping his jaw with her hands, thumb brushing his cheek, "I love you," Jasper lightly grasped her chin as he pulled her into a searing kiss that molded their souls. Jasper broke the kiss, took the ring out of the velvet box, and gently slipped the ring on her finger; it fitted perfectly.

"You manage to surprise me every day,"

"And I intend to, forever." Jasper answers with a boyish grin while Corazon laughs in response.

After the concert, Corazon and Jasper drove back to the hotel, still bearing the excitement and energy. When they arrived, Corazon began taking off her jewelry; she faced the mirror, looking at herself, and she noticed that the happiness she was feeling manifested and she was glowing; she was happy, the happiest she had ever been. The love of her life proposed to her, and she had accepted it.

Jasper wrapped an arm around her waist as Corazon looked at her ring, then back in the mirror to see Jasper already looking at her. "You look divine," Corazon looked over her shoulder as they faced each other; she tipped her toes and kissed him fervently and tenderly. She turned around to face him fully as Jasper caged her on the countertop with his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss; she looped her leg around his waist. Jasper wrapped his arms around her waist, sitting her down on the counter, and his hands wound up underneath her dress and into her thigh. Corazon moved them towards the bed, with him on top of her.

She began unbuttoning his shirt. They haven't been intimate; they've been together for years, but intimacy was something Corazon has yet to confront; her experience with sex was filled with pain, agony, and trauma. Jasper has been patient; he always has been; he never pushed her to do more, always asked for permission, and told her to take it slowly. Jasper was kissing her neck, gradually down to her chest, and then she felt it: hesitancy.

The kisses stopped. Jasper gives her a knowing look as he places his elbow down on the mattress and rests his face on his knuckle. "I know you're not ready," He says softly, his tone gentle.

"You've been waiting for so long," Corazon brushes the stray hair from his face as Jasper places a peck on her palm.

"And I still will. You don't owe me anything. Especially not sex," Jasper moves to lay beside her as he wraps an arm around her shoulder and pulls her close to his chest. "I'll take what you give me," he tips her chin as their eyes connect.

"We'll take it slow, take as much time as you need," He assures. When Corazon thought she couldn't possibly love him more than before. Then his lips brushed her forehead, and Corazon felt contentment seeped through her, and it was more than enough. Jasper grabbed the book from the bedside table and began reading the chapter they left off.

The Narrator of White Nights might not have gotten the woman of his dreams,

But Jasper Whitlock certainly did.

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!

━━ Happy New Year indeed! (For me at least, LOL) 🫶🏼😍