𝘊𝘙𝘐𝘔𝘚𝘖𝘕 ° 𝘑𝘈𝘚𝘗𝘌𝘙 𝘏𝘈𝘓𝘌 ✓

22 | HONEY MOON |

The children snuggling in Rory's lap disappeared and her stomach became as flat as a board. Where were her babies? Tears streamed down her face as she couldn't comprehend what was happening before her eyes.

The man who once cuddled with her and their two children disappeared from her side and appeared in the shadows of their bedroom, far from the sunlight.

"Jasper?"

He turned, his skin white as death and his eyes as crimson as a blooming rose. A malicious smile twisted his features. This wasn't her Jasper. He snarled, his sharp fangs popping out as he neared her, about to pounce and feast on—

"—Sweetheart, wake up," the voice of an angel flooded her consciousness.

Rory felt her whole body jerk as she awoke from her daydream turned horror-scape. She blinked rapidly as she became fully awake and aware of her surroundings—low indie music played while her hand was intertwined with Jasper's free one between the console.

"You alright?" Jasper frowned, glimpsing at the expression she had on her face, full of confusion and horror.

Rory nodded, brushing away her fear induced shivers. "I'm good. Just a...crazy dream."

She took a glance out the window to see the familiar forests that surrounded Forks, except instead of shades of green, the trees were a myriad of orange and reds and browns; autumn was approaching and her summer with Jasper was at an end.

She sat up in her seat fully from her slightly uncomfortable position curled into the leather seats of the navy blue Jaguar. "Can't believe I'd ever say that I missed this place, but I did."

"Stella called—she's waiting for you at home," Jasper mentioned as they turned into the streets of the town.

"Waiting to ambush me, more like," Rory snorted while Jasper patted her thigh understandingly.

Ever since she graduated three months prior, Rory's mother and her were in the midst of an unsaid battle about the progression of Rory's imminent future, or lack thereof. Graduating high school early wasn't part of either woman's plan for Rory's future, but only one of them saw it as a way for Rory to get ahead in life and not a way for Rory to relax. Their home had become a passive aggressive battlefield; college acceptance letters and scholarships and other academic pamphlets were found on almost every surface which Rory pointedly ignored, spending her days with her boyfriend, her friends, or trips out of town—like the one her and Jasper were currently returning from.

His darkening eyes set on her apologetically. "I need to hunt before checking in on my family so it's not really smart for me to greet your mother."

Rory raised her hand to cup his jaw. "Hey, it's all good. Take care of yourself first, Jazz."

"Rose and Emmett should be home as well—their flight from Africa arrived this morning—it'll be a real reunion tomorrow night," Jasper grinned. They had spent the last month on a road trip traveling up and down the west coast as Rory's graduation present.

"Bella hates surprises, I can't wait to see her face!" Rory snickered. "My birthday better be extraordinary." She looked over to her boyfriend with a large grin.

"Of course it will be," Jasper rubbed her hand. "I have three months to plan the greatest 18th birthday party for my girl." He leaned over to kiss her temple which she grinned at.

"Like Alice is gonna let you get away with being in charge," Rory snorted, thinking of the hyperactive, meddling pixie she called a friend.

"You aren't wrong," Jasper admitted with a sheepish smile.