empathy

FORTY-FIVE

"Baseball?" Anastasia asks Jasper in disbelief for the hundredth time this minute. "You want me to come and watch you play baseball?" 

"I do," Jasper nods relatively unbothered. "But why?" she exclaims. "It's a bunch of people throwing a ball, hitting it and running around in a circle." "It's a little more than that," he chuckles. "You won't regret it, darlin'."

"I'm sure I will," she sighs. 

Grinning at that, Jasper leans over to kiss her gently. They never bothered to talk about where they stand but also don't really need to. Anastasia would probably feel caged were they to put a label on it and Jasper doesn't mind for as long as he has her. And he does have her. It's all that matters. 

"You're wearing jeans," Jasper observes when Anastasia makes her way downstairs a few minutes later. "It's raining. Rain on thighs is disgusting," she shrugs. 

"I like them. Your ass looks great. Although it's not supposed to rain tonight." he shrugs with a smirk. Seeing his eyes darken just a tad, Anastasia simply rolls her eyes at him while grabbing her coat, which hangs down to the mids of her thighs. "Shame."

Grabbing her beanie as well, she looks at it unhappy for a moment before putting it on and adjusting her hair. 

"You look beautiful," Jasper steps in front of her and pushes her hair down. Readjusting her strands himself, he holds his hand out for her. "You don't mind me driving your car, do you?" he raises a brow at her. "If there is as much as a scratch, I will set you on fire," she threatens him while he gets the car keys. 

"I wouldn't expect anything less."

Meeting up with the rest of his family minus Edward, Anastasia quickly settles for staying with Rosalie and Esme. 

"Where's Antonina?" she asks the blonde, who turns to look away from Emmett for a second. "She's staying over at her friend Jenna's for the weekend."

"Did Jasper tell you Bella's coming?" Emmett makes his way over to them and Anastasia turns to glare at Jasper, who is sending her an apologetic smile. "No, he left out that tiny little detail."

"You would have never come had I told you," he calls loud enough for her to hear.  "Of course not. That's the point."

"So, how's it going spitfire?" Emmett asks her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders she quickly shakes off. "Did you get him to obey already?" he grins at her. "Hey!" he turns to Rosalie when she nudges his side harshly at that. 

"Did you know he was willing to trade you for my car?" Anastasia turns to Rosalie with a raised brow. "I was not," Emmett quickly defends himself. "I would," the blonde shrugs simply. 

"Did you tell Jasper you stole the car?" "You did what?" Jasper finally makes his way over. "Why are you so shocked about this. I literally took you shoplifting yesterday " she points out. "Yeah, which was bad enough. But a car? How were you not caught?" 

"I'm not stupid. I changed the license plates and had someone issue me a vehicle title and registration and all that shit," Anastasia tells him unbothered. "You're a criminal." "You love it."

They turn towards the two people approaching them and Anastasia's lip curls up in distaste. Mind-rapist and his little human toy. How fun. 

"It'll be fine," Jasper wraps his arms around her from behind, taking in her scent as he kisses the back of her head. He can already smell Isabella and she hasn't even exited the car yet. "Hm, it better be."

Alice seems to be the only one truly excited to see them and dances over to them. Esme and Emmett talk to Edward and Aurelia and most importantly, Rosalie and Anastasia are glaring at the two of them.