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"Wow, I forgot how beautiful your house is." Magnolia stared outside through the car window. Alice smiled from beside her.

"Esme will be so glad that you're here, she's missed you so much," Alice said cheerily.

"We all have," Jasper piped up from the passengers' seat. Magnolia felt her face heat up, and she shook her head, smiling to herself. Emmet parked in their garage, next to their five other expensive cars, and got out. He opened the door for Rosalie, helping her out. Alice followed in suit. Magnolia jumped at the sound of her side door opening. Jasper stood with his hand out, smiling. "Ma'am."

Magnolia smiled, chuckling lightly, but took his hand. She stepped out of the car, shutting the door behind her. She and Jasper walked hand in and hand into the large Cullen house. They walked into the living room, and immediately Magnolia's eyes drifted to the bright smile of Esme Cullen. "Maggie! Welcome back!" Esme gracefully walked over to the girl and hugged her tightly.

"H-Hi Esme, can't....breath."

A chuckle came from behind. "You're crushing her, darling," Carlisle's soothing voice cut through. Esme let go, smiling sheepishly, and apologized. "It's wonderful to see you, Magnolia." He hugged her softly.

Magnolia smiled, feeling calm from the love the Cullens felt for her. "It's nice to see you both, too. It's nice to be back." Jasper had taken her hand once again, surprised that she did not protest.

"We have a project to work on, excuse us." He smiled down at the girl next to him.

Esme laughed softly. "Don't keep her too long. Oh, and will you be staying for dinner, dear?" Magnolia hadn't thought about that.

"Oh, well I don't want to trouble you into making food you won't eat. But if you feel you want to I won't oppose your wonderful cooking, Esme," Jasper tugged at her hand, acting like a puppy dog begging for attention. "I'll see you later," Relieved that his family was done talking to her, Jasper lead her up to his room, shutting the door loudly behind them.
Magnolia stood in the middle of the room, looking around in awe. She had never seen Jasper's room. "You have so many books!" She turned her head again. "And your own t.v!"

She dropped her bag on a chair and immediately started looking through the shelves of what might have been hundreds of books. Jasper chuckled, taking the library books out of his bag. "I didn't know you liked to read."

"Oh, I love it! But only certain genres. I hate cheesy romance novels for example, but some good, exciting sci-fi are always great reads," She spoke, not looking away from the array of literature. Jasper came up beside her, scanning through his collection until his eyes landed on a certain book. He pulled it out carefully and handed it to Magnolia. "What's this?" She asked, looking from the book back up to him.

Jasper smiled softly. "One of my favourites. It might not be sci-fi, but I want you to have it."
Magnolia eyed the book carefully, looking closer at the title. 'Little women.' She smiled. The book was one of her and her mother's favourites to read when she was younger. As she inspected it closer, she noticed how old and mangled the book was.

"Well, it's certainly well-loved." She joked, smiling up at Jasper.

"Oh, that's because it's an original print," Magnolia's eyes widened, and she immediately handed the book back to Jasper, shaking her head violently. "What's wrong?" He asked, worried at her sudden protest towards the book.

"I cannot be trusted to have such a historic piece of literature in my possession," She couldn't believe he would just give something so amazing away. "Do you know how much money that could be sold for? How important this is? Only a few original copies exist now." She sat down on top of her bag, flustered.

Jasper couldn't help it—he started to laugh. But not just any laugh, a loud, booming laugh that could put Emmets to shame. "You are the sweetest person on earth, Magnolia Siren. Such a gem." He mumbled the last bit, making sure she didn't hear. Magnolia couldn't stop her blush, cursing herself to let him make her feel this way. Jasper stared at her, feeling his stomach tighten with giddiness as he watched her fumble with her bag and books, and at that moment he was glad she was his mate—even if she didn't know yet.

He sat next to her, pushing the book into her lap, much to Magnolia's protest. "Jasper, I can't take this, really." Her actions contradicted her words, as she held securely onto the book, scanning its cover and pages carefully.

"It's okay, I insist," He placed his books on the small seat in front of them, along with a few pieces of paper and two pencils. "Shall we get started?"
Magnolia smiled at the book, and nodded, placing it in her bag.

________

They worked on their project until they were finished. Magnolia was quite surprised with herself that she didn't feel awkward or nervous the whole time she worked with Jasper, it was nice.
Then she remembered Jasper's powers. This whole time she'd been feeling comfortable and happy with him—what if he manipulated her? She turned to him, hoping it wasn't true. "Jasper?" He looked up.

"Yes?"

Magnolia took a deep breath. "Have you been...influencing my, my feelings?" Jasper's eyes widened, and he shook his head violently. Magnolia let out the air she was holding in. "That's good, I'm sorry I thought you did, it's just I haven't felt this comfortable with you in a while and I was worried it wasn't my feelings but I'm glad it was because-"

She stopped at the feeling of a cold hand softly placed on top of her arm. She looked up, her blue eyes meeting his yellow. Jasper smiled at her. "It's okay, Maggie. I would never use my gifts on you, not without your consent." He squeezed her arm in comfort, taking a deep breath, again—no scent. When Jasper first met Magnolia, that's what intrigued him, the fact that he could never pick up a smell. He'd never met a sorceress before her, but he had heard stories of vampires falling for them, due to curiosity alone—but he'd never thought he'd be one of those stupid, foolish men; yet here he was, completely smitten for this girl.

"Jasper," Her voice broke through his deep thought. "You're staring." She giggled while shaking her head lightly, causing a section of her brown locks to cover her eyes, and a faint blush spread across her nose and cheeks. Jasper held his breath, utterly in awe.

"Can I kiss you?" He didn't think, he just asked. He'd never wanted somebody as badly as he wanted Magnolia right now. Magnolia's blush turned even darker—butterflies erupted in her stomach. She didn't know what to say, no one had ever asked her that before. Jasper eyed her nervously, regretting his question. "I'm sorry. That was incredibly rude of me." He looked away from her, hanging his head.

"No...you can if you'd like to." Magnolia managed to speak through her nerves. With all that happened today, she felt she needed comfort from someone other than her parents, or Rosalie and Alice—she needed Jasper. She took Jasper's hand, placing it softly on her cheek. His eyes widened as he watched her—her face was warm and comforting against his hand, it sent a hot shiver down his spine. He moved closer to her, slowly, worried he'd scare her away.

After eyeing her once again, searching her eyes for any sign of protest, he leaned in, softly touching his lips against hers. He didn't push too hard, wanting Magnolia to be comfortable. Magnolia, on the other hand, was absolutely ecstatic, sparks erupting through her. She moved her lips slowly, savouring the moment, moving almost on top of Jasper. He moved his free hand to Magnolia's waist, deepening the kiss. He felt as though he could kiss her forever, and never get bored or tired of it. Though after a while, Magnolia needed to breathe—not having the endless stamina like Jasper. She pulled away, a child-like smile on her face.

"That was...wow." She let out a breathy laugh, moving back in her seat, her face as red as a tomato. If possible, Jasper had an even bigger smile spread across his face. He'd never been so happy before.

His ears perked at the sound of footsteps near his door. It swung open to reveal a giddy Alice. "Edward told me what happened! Your thoughts are very loud, Jazz, but I'm so happy for you both," She squealed, inviting herself into the room. Magnolia felt as though she'd burst from embarrassment as Alice hugged her tightly. "You will make such a cute couple! Eek!" She jumped excitedly.

"Alice." Jasper stood up, his tone held a warning. He shook his head, turning her attention to Magnolia, who looked like she might combust at any moment. Alice's face dropped to a frown.

"Oh...Esme made you dinner, Maggie." Alice spoke softer this time. Magnolia looked up at her friend, giving her a small, grateful smile. She stood up next to Jasper, packing her bag quickly.

"Thank you, Alice," She mumbled, subconsciously taking Jasper's hand for comfort. "I'm starving." She chuckled. Jasper smiled down at his mate.

"After you, ma'am."

Magnolia lead the way down the stairs, immediately smelling what Esme had cooked. They entered the kitchen, and Esme stole her away from Jasper. "I made your steak just how you like it, medium rare." She smiled kindly at the human girl, handing her a plate stacked with food.

Magnolia's eyes widened. "Wow, Esme. This is too much just for me, you shouldn't have." Carlisle came up from behind his wife, wrapping an arm around her waist.

"It's nothing, Magnolia. Esme never has a chance to use the kitchen. It's nice for us to feel...human, sometimes." Carlisle's smile always seemed to make Magnolia feel better, no matter what—it was just so kind, so fatherly. She smiled sweetly back, sitting down on their bar stool, and dug in.

"Mmmm, this is amazing, Esme!" Magnolia's speech was muffled by the amount of food she had stuffed in her mouth. Jasper had come up beside her, absentmindedly placing his hand on the girl's lower back, eyeing her lovingly.

"I'm glad you like it dear," Esme called as she walked, leaving Jasper and Magnolia to themselves. Magnolia's gaze drifted up towards Jasper, and she felt comfortable—like this family was meant to be hers. Everyone adored her, even Edward liked her bubbly attitude—though he'd never admit it. She leaned in against Jasper as she took another large bite of food.

Every vampire in the house ears perked as loud, heavy food steps approached their front door. There were three pounds on the delicate glass door, then a booming voice. "Where's my daughter you monsters!"

Magnolia's eyes winded. She turned to see her dad angrily pacing outside of the Cullen house. "Oh no." She breathed. Jasper took her hand, calming her.

"It's okay, Emmett, Rosalie and I can explain why you're here."

Carlisle approached the door. "There's no need Jasper," He grasped the handle. "I'll do it."