❝ September, 2012 ❞

Phoebe smiles softly, admiring her own reflection in the floor-length mirror in Alice's room. An elegantly simple black dress - which technically belongs to Tanya though she's only wore it once, on a date with a mysogynistic man who was conveniently never heard from again after that encounter - hugs her body, coming to a stop just above her knees. Her hair, courtesy of Esme, has been teased into perfectly coiled curls. Kate and Rosalie combined efforts and worked together on Phoebe's makeup, working tirelessly to perfect the look they have in mind.

Carmen held Phoebe's hand throughout the entirety of this process, offering silly jokes and stories to distract her from her worries. Any outsider witnessing all of the fuss would assume she's being prepped for a wedding, not a mere date.

All that is left is for Phoebe to put on shoes, but the women can't seem to agree on which pair it ought to be.

"These heels compliment her legs," Alice states.

"But these flats are better for where Jasper is taking her," Rosalie counters.

"Don't worry," Bella reassures Phoebe as the sisters continue to argue. "I keep sweatpants and Converse under the seats of all of our cars so I can always change if I don't like what Alice forces me into."

Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the house, a very different conversation is occurring in Garrett's room.

"What ever happened to bros before hoes?" Emmett grumbles, clearly upset about being left behind for a night out.

"Don't call Phoebe a hoe," Jasper says, barely glancing at his brother's reflection as he readjusts his shirt for the thousandth time.

"I didn't," he retorts, now confused. "You're the hoe, Jazz."

Carlisle and Eleazar struggle to conceal their amusement as Carlisle fixes his son with a mock glare. Garrett, on the other hand, laughs loudly and high-fives Emmett.

"You boys can insult each other later," Carlisle scolds. "Right now, Jasper needs our support and to be reassured that everything will go smoothly."

"He thinks you're doomed," Edward calls the older man out.

"No one likes a snitch, son."

"Why am I doomed?" Jasper questions, turning to face the group of men.

They all share a look and he can't help but to frown as he senses the uneasiness all of them seem to share.

"I'm just worried about what she'll think of the necklace you bought her," Carlisle finally says.

"What's wrong with it?"

"Dude, seriously?" Emmett asks incredulously. "No one in their right mind likes topaz jewelry."

"Don't take it personally," Garrett adds. "It's a scientifically proven fact that cowboys have no fashion sense."

"Which is why you should give her this bracelet Carmen and I picked out," Eleazar joins the conversation, producing a velvet box from his pocket.

Jasper accepts the gift skeptically, not sure if he should believe the genuinity. Before he can say anything, they're interrupted by a light knock.

"If you don't hurry up, I'm taking Phoebe on a date," Alice threatens, briefly appearing in the doorway before disappearing again. "And get rid of that wrinkle!"

Jasper's head snaps down to his shirt, looking for the crease a frantically as he lets his nerves get the best of him.

Jasper never really paid much attention to how he looks on a daily basis. More often than not, Alice would pick out an outfit and he wouldn't protest. But, in this past month, everything has changed.

He's meticulously worn sweaters and long-sleeved shirts every day, being extremely careful to keep his arms covered so that Phoebe doesn't see the scars littering them. Ignoring the fact that she was the one to quite literally clean the blood off his hands in his violent human life, he's determined to keep the monster of his recent life a secret. Because Phoebe deserves nothing less than the best and, though he's far from it, he'll sure as hell try to be the mate that she deserves.

Edward goes to tell Jasper that Alice was only kidding about the wrinkle when they hear the small vampire opening the front door for Phoebe. Esme is asking the girls to be safe before the men snap into action, practically shoving Jasper down the stairs.

"Why are we taking Bella's truck?" Phoebe asks as Alice once again shows chivalry by holding the rusting door open.

She carefully maneuvers herself into the cab, careful not to get the wedges Alice and Rosalie compromised on dirty. When she turns to shut the door, it's no longer Alice who is holding it open.

"Because it's the least likely to get damaged on the road we're taking," Jasper answers, pressing a kiss to her temple before appearing in the driver's seat.

As they leave the driveway, Phoebe slides across the seats, happily tucking herself under his arm as he pulls her closer and drives one-handed.

"I missed you," she hums, watching curiously as they turn onto a road that leads them further from the nearby city instead of closer.

"I was only a few rooms away," he points out with a laugh.

"I know, but still."

A comfortable silence falls over the couple, interrupted only by the loud groans and protests the truck makes with every turn. The night sky offers little light in the cab, but that does little to actually obscure their eyesight.

"You're nervous," Jasper points out, the emotion not difficult to notice considering he's felt the same way all day.

"A little," Phoebe agrees.

"Why?"

"It's silly," she admits, ducking her head in embarrassment. Jasper grins but doesn't say anything, waiting patiently for her to find the right words. "But, what if this date doesn't go as planned? I'm scared that I'm not the same person you knew years ago and you'll realize that tonight and not want to be with me."

"That's not possible, darlin," he reassures her, knowing nothing could possibly deter him from being with her. "If anything, you'll be wanting to get away from me."

"That's so ominous," she giggles, lightening the mood. "You make it sound like you're a vampire hitman."

Jasper laughs in response as the truck turns onto a bumpy, less paved road. "Close your eyes," he instructs.

Phoebe surprises him by promptly doing so, putting her trust in him that he won't drive them off of a cliff. Still driving at a potentially deadly speed, it doesn't take long before the truck is coming to a complete stop.

"Can I open my eyes now?" She questions, growing fidgety as the engine turns off. The radio, which had been drowned out by the loud engine, can now be heard and a soft melody surrounds the cab.

"Not yet," he says, helping her out of the truck. Jasper leads her a few steps away and she sighs contentedly as the chilling night sir washes over her exposed skin. "Now you can."

Green and blue lights wash over her skin as she opens her eyes, her gaze roaming to the night sky above. The northern lights dance over them and the pure adoration that radiates from Phoebe is enough for Jasper's smile to stay in place for days.

"Oh, Jasper," she breathes out. "It's beautiful."

"So, I did good?" He questions, though her emotions already give away the answer.

"Well, November is the best month to see the lights," Phoebe teases, turning to look at him. "But it's the thought that counts."

"You're lucky I love you," he huffs playfully, nevertheless allowing her to tug him closer.

"I certainly am."