Ashes [Jasper Hale] [2]

20 ; dumb

"So you can't stay here with me?" I pouted as I ran my hand over Jasper's arm, eyes focused on my fingers, dodging his characoal-like black eyes.

"We went over it, Ash," he said rather simply. "Victoria wants your sister and she's preparing an army of new-borns, I have to train the wolves-" strangely enough, his voice dripped venom at the word- "and make sure the rest of the family is ready as well."

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"Yeah. But can't you stay?" He laughed, dragging me into a bear-hug that made me feel like I was in the safest place on Earth. I breathed in his scent as I wrapped my arms around his torso, allowing myself to get lost in the feeling.

"I'll be back as soon as I can, alright sweetheart?" He stepped back, looking at me again.

"Yeah, but do you have to go?"

"My answer won't change, Ashley," he smiled as he fixed a strand of hair that fell to my face. "Even though we both want it to."

"Could you stay over tonight?" I tried to raise my voice a bit, to no avail, the question coming out as a whisper of a sort.

"As any other time you wished, love."

"No, I meant..." I paused, "with Charlie's approval. The whole dinner and sleep over thing?"

"Oh." Jasper seemed surpised, "did Charlie ever realize you and I are back together?"

"I did tell him Paul and I have broken up, and I mention you quite a bit, but... Never straight out told him we're back," I admitted. "I'll text you if you should enter through the door or the window?" I offered with a sheepish smile, making him laugh.

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"I'll hunt either way before heading here," he said simply, kissing right between my eyebrows. He opened the window, and turned around to look at me again.

"See you later?" I grinned and he nodded.

"Later," he threw his legs out, "love you, Ash. Bye."

And so, he was gone.

But not the butterflies in my stomach.

::

"Hey dad," I skipped downstairs as the door opened, and smiled widely at my father. He seemed tired and quite frustrated, and I felt an urge to hug him tightly.

"Hey Ash," he greeted, hanging down his gun, and I quickly hugged him. "Hey kiddo," he grinned into my hair. "What's going on?"

"I missed you," I admitted.

"You see me quite a lot," he joked as I let go, starting to walk to the kitchen. "What is there to miss, anyway?"

"You're my father, I think I've got every right to miss you whenever I want to."

He laughed. "Ash, you sure are precious."

My phone rung, and I fished it out of my pocket. It read Jasper, and I hesitated for a moment. Charlie took a peek.

"Shouldn't you answer? It's the Hale boy, right?"

"Err, yeah." I replied rather awkwardly. "I'll talk to him later, I'm with you right now."

"You two are back together, aren't you?" Charlie grinned as he filled himself a cup of water. I sheepishly shrugged.

"Is it that clear?"

"Just a bit. Why won't he come for dinner sometime?"

"Like... Tonight?"