You'll See

Holy crap! Has it really been over a week?! I'm sorry y'all! RL just kinda takes over...and, well...you know.
I'm sorry to say that I think this story is coming to a close... I have maybe 4 more chapters in mind. But I'll finish I'll See, of course. ;)
Oh, and as a side note, idk if they actually have a rose ceremony at graduation in Forks, but there was one at my high school. You'll see why I wrote it in. :)





Mike’s father took Jasper’s threat to heart. Mike returned to school healed and in better spirits. He quietly thanked us that first day back, and then spoke nothing else of it. We were content to do the same.



The rest of the year passed in a blur. The trial for Perkins was held a week before graduation. Mike and I both had to testify. I distanced myself from my emotions so I could remain calm when it came to the issue of arson. I still choked up slightly as I quietly recounted my story. Perkins sat in stony silence as I dug the grave for him deeper.

He was sentenced to life for double murder, and the possibility of parole with good behavior after forty years.

Mike and I could both breathe a sigh of relief.



Graduation passed just as quickly. Angela was valedictorian, while Jasper and Edward were co-salutatorians. I didn’t understand why they weren’t co-valedictorians, because they easily could have been, but Jasper told me they didn’t want to stand out too much.

During the rose ceremony, I gave one each to Carlisle and Esme. Esme gave me a tight hug before taking the false red bud from my hand.

I had one flower left: a pure white, silk rose in full bloom. I looked around for Jasper, and located him in the corner next to the stairs that led to the stage, twirling a lavender rose in his hand. Our eyes locked; his brightened with the wide smile that split his face. My mouth cured into an answering grin and he beckoned me to him.

I wove through the crowd and shyly approached my Jasper. He ducked his head in embarrassment when he handed me the light purple flower.

“I picked that one out because it’s one of the rarest roses,” he murmured. “And I think someone like you is a rare find.”

I smiled and hugged him, though I was embarrassed by the compliment.

“You know what a lavender rose means, right?” I questioned.

“No…”

“Constant love.”

“Then I’m glad I picked it, because I will never stop loving you.” I knew, if I had been able, I would have been blushing madly by now.

“Well, I-I have one for y-you, too,” I stuttered, handing him the white rose. “It means worthiness. You make me feel worthy of myself and everything you give me.”

His lips pressed gently against mine, though it was a little awkward because of our graduation caps.

He pulled away with a murmured promise of, “Later.” We followed the rest of our classmates back onto the stage.



It was strange to be graduated. Jasper and I had the entire summer to spend together before I went to college. I still wanted to go, though I had all the time in the world to experience everything college had to offer.

Besides the hours of uninterrupted sex and the hunts, Jasper took me to the museum in Seattle (and a few other places) in the first few weeks of summer break…on the rainy or cloudy days, of course. Summer tended to be just a bit sunnier than the fall and winter, so we made do with the numerous days indoors. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to look at the couch the same way. Or the kitchen table… Or the coffee table… Or the mantle… Ahem. I was extremely excited about the museums, because they had a new Egyptian exhibit. I’ve always loved ancient cultures, just as Jasper likes American history, but Egypt especially.



The museum wasn’t large, but I didn’t care. I was quite literally bouncing in my seat when we pulled into the parking lot. Jasper only laughed at me, still chuckling as he purchased our tickets and led me inside.

We took the self-guided tour so we could linger. I read every sliver of information, took in every detail of the artifacts. King Tutankhamen’s sarcophagus was there, since the majority of the display was his traveling exhibit.

Something was on the other side of the ancient coffin. It was a small, nondescript display case, almost invisible from the other side of the room. I crept closer, investigating the contents from a distance. It was just another ankh. What could be so special about this one that is has its own case? I wondered as I stepped forward. Something in the back of my mind told me to run, danger, but I ignored it.

The ankh itself seemed usual, made of gold and set with jewels, except it only had two large gems, one set in the upper loop and the other in the center of the almost-cross. The gems were an orangish hue, and the lower had the eye of Ra, the sun god, carved into it and inlaid with gold.

Curiosity now peaked, I leaned in and read the plaque.

“This ankh is the only one of its kind currently discovered. It appears to be a token to the sun god, Ra or Re, but the hieroglyphics found with it imply it was never used in traditional worship. The gemstones are similar to pure garnet, yet they are a completely new mineral. It is about the special properties of these gems that the hieroglyphics are written.

“The glyphs told a story about the defeat of ‘the cold ones.’ This is the same name given to vampires in old legends and folklore in later cultures.

“Though the story is obviously myth and another legend, the origins of this particular ankh remain a mystery.”

My eyes widened and I stopped breathing momentarily.

“And now we bring you to the King Tut exhibit.” I turned towards the masculine voice. There was a tour guide leading a large group of people our way. He was tall and lean, with metallic silver hair, even though he appeared to be around my age. I couldn’t see his eyes, since he still hadn’t faced me. He continued regaling the avid listeners with tales of the Nile.

“Jasper!” I shout-whispered across the room. The tour guide didn’t even pause and Jasper was acting as if he couldn’t hear me, so I called his name again, a little louder this time. He looked up at me, so I motioned him closer, but he shook his head and continued studying some Egyptian pottery. I frowned; the tour guide was probably about to be angry with me. “Jasper! Come here!”

The tour guide glared at me before trying to continue what he was saying. His eyes were an icy blue.

“What?” Jasper yelled back at me. I saw a smile fighting at the edge of his mouth and I knew what he was doing. He was intentionally goading the tour guide.

“Come here; you need to see this,” I urged.

“Why?”

“Because.” I turned my back to him and leaned over the artifact once more.

His hand rested on my shoulder as he leaned close to scrutinize the object I found so fascinating.

“What?” he whispered.

“Read this,” I murmured in reply.

His eyes scanned the plaque quickly and they widened almost imperceptibly.

“This artifact that our friends are so fascinated by is something recently discovered. We are lucky to have it here. It is the only one of its kind known in the world and appears to be a token to Ra, the sun god.” Jasper and I stepped back so the people on the tour could get a look at the ankh. “The hieroglyphs found with this ankh spoke of a special group of people who used it to destroy the ‘cold ones.’ Does anyone know who and what they are?”

“Vampires,” I said without thinking.

“Yes, thank you, from the people who aren’t on the tour.”

“You don’t stay in one place long enough,” I muttered.

After another quick glare, he continued. “Anyway, it speaks of these ‘cold ones’ who can’t be destroyed in any way except to use the power of the sun to burn them. The ankh is said to harness the sun’s fire and shoot out through the center gemstone. It causes them to explode into fire and is the only way they could be destroyed. Or so the myth says.”

I exchanged a panicked glance with Jasper, stepping closer to whisper to him so quietly no one but he could hear me.

“Do you think it could be true?”

“I don’t know,” he replied.

“But that means…if anyone got hold of it and used it correctly…it could be the end of us, even when we aren’t the ones—”

“Shh.”

“But we have to find out—”

“Shush.” He looked at me sternly and I fell silent.

“And now, if you will follow me to the next exhibit,” the tour guide, cheerful once again, led the people out of the room. His cold, pale eyes cast a last glance at me as he exited with the large group.

“Did you see how he glared at me?” I asked Jasper when he placed a questioning hand on my arm.

“Yeah, but don’t think about it. He was just angry at how you kept interrupting his tour,” he replied.

“You did, too!”

“But you started it.”

“What if it works, though?”

“Who would ever find out?”

I shrugged. “There could still be vampire hunters out there.”

He laughed. “Highly unlikely. I’ve never met one.”

“Doesn’t mean they don’t exist. I didn’t think vampires were real and look where I am now.”

He kissed my temple. “You worry too much.”

“Maybe.”

Gently, he squeezed my shoulder. “How about we go see what else this museum has to offer?”

I nodded and followed him to a different exhibit, trying to put my uneasiness behind me.





:) Just so you know, I made the ankh up and its entire story. Heck, idk if there could be one with that story, and if there is, I honestly didn't know. Just wanted some kind of disclaimer to be safe...
Let me know what y'all are thinking. :)
elvinwitch--Why, thank you! I hope this chapter was up to par. :)
DBZchick--I'm thinking I may write the entire thing... :) It'd be long, though... Not that this one isn't...