Chapter Twelve, First Date

After New Year had passed, Jasper invited Margot out for their first official date; a picnic in the perfect spot he'd found, while hunting. He was feeling rather excited and nervous at the same time as it was their first date. He would've loved to take her out and spoil her but he knew questions would be asked if he did so right now; questions they couldn't afford to be thought of, let alone asked. After a quick shower and running a brush through his damp honey-blond curls, Jasper changed into a pair of dark indigo jeans, a blue shirt with a white cardigan over the top. Satisfied, Jasper raced over to the Lahote house on the Rez. Upon arrival, Jasper nervously checked over the bouquet of brightly coloured wildflowers and sunflowers he held in front of him as he raised a fist to knock on the door. He had just let out a calming breath when the door was opened, and he was greeted to the sight of a smiling Paul.

"Hi Paul."
"Hey Jasper."
The pair greeted each other with a man hug before Paul stepped back allowing Jasper to enter his home.
"Marlie is just quickly changing Jay as he wouldn't let anyone else do it." Paul explained with a fond eye roll and a fond smile on his face as he thought of his nephew, leading Jasper into the living room.
"I'll be down in a minute!" Margot shouted.
"Take your time darling." Jasper called back, as he knew Alice and Claire wouldn't take the food there just yet so he didn't have to worry about it being spoiled by wild animals. While they waited the two men chatted amicably, laughing at the prank Jasper and Emmett had pulled on stuck-up-Edward - as suggested by Margot and Paul - when they heard the sound of Margot coming back downstairs.

Looking over towards the stairs Jasper had to gulp to swallow the venom that had pooled in his mouth. Despite wearing blue skinny jeans, a black lace cami with a leopard print cardigan and nude heels Jasper thought she looked stunning. Plus, with her hair in a waterfall braid, the pinkish-nude eyeshadow, black eyeliner and mascara, and dark taupe lipstick it pulled the look all together. Jayden was now changed into off-white shorts, a white T-shirt with bikes printed on it, a blue over-shirt and blue trainers.
"Darlin', you look stunning." Jasper announced, kissing her lips softly. "And you, li'l wolf look so handsome and adorable." Jasper added, tickling Jayden's tummy making the baby laugh.
"We're going to have some time together, aren't we buddy." Paul chuckled, he loved the sound of Jayden's laugh and by Margot's smile she did too.

"Mama, 'aulie!" Jayden screeched happily, pointing to his uncle while the three laughed.
"That's right li'l man, that's your uncle Paul. Can you say 'Jasper'?" Jasper asked, he had a bet with Emmett, Jared and Sam that he would be Jayden's third word while the others thought they would all be Jayden's third word, including Emmett who hasn't met Jayden. How that worked he didn't know, but he'd long since stopped questioning how Emmett's brain worked. To his dismay and delight, Jayden just giggled and laid his head on his mother's shoulder with a bright smile. It may not have been his name but Jasper loved Jayden's giggle all the same so he counted it as a win anyway.
"Soon." Jasper stated, looking at Margot to find her smiling tenderly at him with something shining in her eyes as she looked at him. "These are for you Marlie." Jasper said, holding out the bouquet he'd been hiding behind his back.

"They're gorgeous. Thank you Jazz." Margot smiled happily, pecking his cheek as she accepted the bouquet bringing it up to her nose to take in the wonderful aroma. Jasper beamed happily at her, the pair were so lost in each other's gaze that they didn't notice Cora coming up behind them from the kitchen.
"I'll put these in water before I head to work. Paul, you watch Jay so these two can head to their date, and you two have fun. But not too much fun." Cora said winking at Margot and Jasper as she took the bouquet.
"Mum!" Paul and Margot protested loudly, a flush coating Margot's cheeks while Jasper was a little abashed.
"I do not want to think of my twin in that way thank you very much." Paul added sharply, a grossed-out expression upon his face.

"I'm only teasing." Cora chuckled. "Besides, Jay will say Grandma next as his third word." She added with a smirk, pressing a kiss to her grandson's head.
"Sorry Jazz." Margot apologised embarrassed.
"Don't worry darlin'. I've heard worse from Emmett." Jasper chuckled.
"I don't doubt it." Margot laughed. "Right, Jay be good for uncle Paulie and Mummy and Jasper will see you in a bit." Margot said sternly but tenderly as she pressed a sweet kiss to his forehead, nose, cheeks and lips.
"We'll be fine. Off you go." Paul shooed, taking a giggling Jayden from his mother as Jasper held his hand out for Margot to take.
"Ready darlin?" Jasper asked, smiling tenderly at her.
"Ready." Margot agreed, beaming at him as she slipped her hot but smaller hand into his cooler larger one.

As they strolled leisurely hand-in-hand through the Rez and the Forest heading to the location Jasper had picked out, they spoke about anything and everything as they got to know each other more; their laughter ringing through the trees. If anyone had happened to stumble upon the pair they would think they had been together for years with how comfortable they were with each other and how in love they looked. The truth is that with each interaction they started to feel more for each other as they got to know the person that was their mate and not just because they were mates.

The moment they arrived a gasp tumbled from Margot's painted lips as she took in their surroundings. It was beautiful. Not only was the view gorgeous with the waterfall at the edge of the clearing with an amazing view it was almost like a painting come to life, but fairy lights had been strung through the tree branches creating an almost fairytale setting. And in the middle lay a large, white checkered blanket with a red cushions scattered around the blanket, and a small wooden table in the middle ladened down with an abundance of food from chocolate covered strawberries, mango slices, finger sandwiches, and a small Victoria red velvet piping in the middle (which Margot would take home to share). There were champagne glasses with a bottle of Elderflower and a flask (filled with blood) next to the covered plates and two small vases full of smaller versions of the bouquet now at home.

"Jasper," Margot gasped, turning around to face him, her hands resting on his chest. "This is amazing." Smiling widely Jasper loosely placed his hands on her hips pulling her slightly closer as he stared down at her plump lips that were oh so kissable. What he wouldn't give to kiss her again.
"I'm glad you like it darlin'." Jasper purred, his amber eyes darting down to her lips while Margot's own chocolate orbs darted to Jasper's natural rose-coloured lips. Taking the initiative Margot leaned up on her toes (despite wearing heels) and kissed him, wrapping her arms around his neck as she played with the hair at the base of his neck.

Groaning softly, Jasper wrapped his arms more around her hips, pulling her closer as he kissed her back just as lovingly and hungrily as Margot herself was. The kiss went on for several minutes before Margot pulled back taking in deep gulps of air, as she beamed at Jasper who beamed back at her in turn and kissed her nose, causing Margot to scrunch it up cutely in Jasper's opinion.
"Come on, darlin." Jasper smiled, stepping back so he was beside the blanket with his hand held out to Margot to help her sit.

"Why thank you, kind Sir." Margot teased, slipping her hand into his own once again as he helped her sit on a cushion at one end of the small table and Jasper the other. "This really is a perfect first date, Jazz." Margot added happily, filling both their glasses (hers with elderflower and Jasper's with warm animal blood). Taking initiative Jasper started loading a plate for her as he spoke.
"I'm glad you think so, darlin', thank you." Jasper thanked, beaming happily at her, his smile lighting the deep and ever-changing golden-amber colour till it resembled that of the sun.

"Thank you. Cheers." Margot said, accepting the plate from Jasper and clinking her glass with his. As the date progressed they shared many light-hearted stories, jokes and laughter, neither delving too deep into their past; not wanting to ruin the lighthearted moment, by the deep and hurtful past each had endured.

The time seemed to escape the pair as they now lay against the cushions laughing at something Emmett had done to Edward when Jasper had first joined them, and had wanted to make Jasper laugh; that they had not realised that they had been in the clearing close to two hours now.
"He really did that?" Margot asked in between her laughter.
"He really did." Jasper confirmed chuckling. "He put hair removal cream in Edward's shampoo and you could hear his scream from the Forest." He finished, sending the pair of them into peels of laughter causing tears to run down Margot's face and Jasper's eyes to fill with venom-tears. They were interrupted, however, when Margot's phone started ringing with an incoming FaceTime request from Paul causing the pair to instantly sober up fearing something was wrong with Jayden.

"Paul what's wrong?" Margot asked fearfully, sitting up as she accepted the call.
"Nothing. Sorry I didn't mean to make you worry Marlie, I just wanted to show you this." Paul apologised as both Margot and Jasper let out sighs of relief.
"Don't do that!" Margot admonished.
"Sorry. I'm really sorry." Paul apologised repentantly. "But watch this." He added as he turned the camera around to face Jayden who sat on the carpet beaming up at the camera.
"Hey baby."
"Hey little man." Margot and Jasper both greeted the toddler, unable to help themselves.
"Mama." Jayden screeched happily, looking around confusedly for his mother.
"She'll be here soon li'l man." Paul assured before Jayden could get upset.

"Now, what's this?" Paul asked, holding up Jayden's favourite wolf toy causing the little boy to screech happily, kicking his legs excitedly as he reached for the toy.
"'Olf! 'Olf! 'Olf!" Jayden screeched excitedly, making grabby hands for the toy which Paul gave to him.
"Ta. Say ta, Jayden." Paul coached softly.
"Ta." Jayden repeated, surprising them all as that was the first time he's actually said it despite coaching him to say it every time they gave him something.
"Well done Jayden. Who's my clever nephew? You are, yes you are!" Paul praised ecstatically.
"Oh, well done baby! Mama is so proud of you!" Margot praised ecstatically, happy tears running down her cheeks.
"My clever li'l wolf! Oh I'm so proud of you. I don't care I lost to Rosalie I'm just so happy and so proud of you Jayden!" Jasper beamed, a grin so wide it looked painful.

"This is the best way to end our first date!" Jasper declared overjoyed, pulling a shocked gasp from Margot as she pulled her head from her son to Jasper so fast that her neck cracked. Wincing she rubbed her neck staring at Jasper with wide eyes.
"You mean it. Truly?" Margot asked almost hopefully.
"I really do. You and Jayden mean the world to me and Major. We both consider him our son." Jasper revealed, in the next moment he was knocked backwards on to the blanket when Margot lunged at him. Sat in his lap she wrapped her arms around his neck as she kissed him passionately. Not able to confess how she felt in any other way. Jasper was only startled for a moment before he kissed her back just as passionate and languidly.

"I don't wish to hear this!" Paul called loudly through the phone, now lying face down on the blanket. Pulling back with a blush and a scowl on her face Margot blindly reached for her phone to scowl at her twin only to see him covering Jayden's ears who looked confused at his uncle.
"Oh be quiet Paul!" Margot huffed, but there was no real heat to it. "But seriously thank you." Margot said grateful that he'd called them and got Jayden to say it again.
"You're welcome, Marlie. Don't rush home, we're fine here." Paul assured, gently waving Jayden's hand to the camera before he hung up.

"That really is the best way to end the date. Seeing Jay say another two words and hearing you accept him in such a way." Margot confirmed, kissing Jasper tenderly as she moved off him to lay beside him to cuddle.
"I meant every word." Jasper informed her, pulling her into him for a cuddle and pressing a kiss to the top of her head as they just relaxed in a comfortable silence sharing kisses every now and then as they revealed in each other's presence and the peace and quiet.

Author's note: I'm sorry for the lack of updates I've been really sick with Covid which has now left me with a chest infection. I'm hoping to update more now, but don't hold me to anything as I've also got to catch up on my coursework and my physio therapy. Anyway, hope you've enjoyed it.