Two years later.

Jasper Whitlock and Alice Brandon walked along the beach, hand in hand. Jasper was limping a little; the gunshot to his kneecap two years before had taken it's toll on his knee. He would walk with a limp for the rest of his life. Alice had just graduated highschool and turned seventeen. She was still working as a waitress at the diner her parents owned. Business had really picked up in the past year. She had plenty to keep her busy, and made a decent amount of money from the bit that her parents paid her, plus tips. Jasper was now twenty, and was working in construction, mainly new houses for the growing population of the town.

It was sunset. The sky was a mix of pinks and purple and oranges, and Alice stopped Jasper so that they could watch.

"Let's just sit down for awhile." She suggested. It was their two year anniversary. In the hand that wasn't holding Jasper's, Alice held a single red rose that Jasper had given her. Jasper nodded in silent agreement and sat down in the warm, soft sand, his back against a solid dune. Alice sat down in between his legs and leaned back against his chest. Jasper smiled and wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head.

"I love you." He said quietly, being careful to hide his nervousness from Alice. It wasn't all that easy. She could read him better than anyone else, and noticed right away if he was in a bad mood, or if he was happier than usual, and so on.

They sat and watched the sun sink in silence for a while. Soon, the sun appeared to be touching the water.

I can do this. This can't be harder than making it back to camp with a bullet in my knee. Jasper thought, taking a breath to steady himself.

"Alice?" he started. Damn! His voice had shook.

"What? What's the matter? Am I hurting you? I'm sorry." Alice said, getting to her feet quickly and brushing the sand off her dress. Jasper laughed.

"No, I'm...I'm fine." He assured Alice. God, she looks beautiful. He thought as he dug in his pocket.

What's going on? Alice thought, a little confused. Her parents had acted rather strangely all day, her mother coming close to crying when Jasper came to pick her up, and now Jazz was acting all nervous.

Jasper hid the little box in his large hand, and carefully got into a kneeling position, putting his weight on his good knee. This is it. No going back now,

Oh my God, what is he doing? Alice thought, starting to breathe a little faster. It can't be what I think he's doing.

Jasper fumbled a little with the velvet box, but he got it open, and held it on his open palm.

Alice gasped audibly, and covered her mouth with both of her hands.

She's crying?! Why is she crying? Jasper shook his head, and stood up. He couldn't just let her cry. He held the box in one hand and hugged Alice.

"Ali, will you marry me?" he whispered into her ear.

Alice laughed through her tears, and nodded into his chest, unable to speak. She threw her arms around his stomach and hugged him as tightly as she could.

I can't believe this. She thought. I can't believe this is happening. Her mind was buzzing.

Did she say yes? She said yes! Yes! Jasper thought, ecstatic.

"I love you." He told Alice, smiling wider than he ever had in his life.

"I love you more." Alice said back, sincerely. "Now, do I get to see my ring?" she asked, letting go of him and rocking back and forth on her heels. Jasper threw back his head and laughed.

"Yes, you can see it now." He said. They resumed their position, sitting on the sand, and Jasper reached around Alice's small form to show her the ring. It was a simple sliver band, with a single, oval diamond, but it was beautiful. Alice gasped softly.

"Oh my God. Jazz...It must've cost a lot...it's too much." She said, but her tone said that she wanted to keep it. Jasper chuckled in her ear.

"I've been saving." He said simply, then carefully took the ring out of it's velvet box and slid it on her left ring finger.

"Perfect fit." Alice said happily, smiling and admiring the ring.

"God I love you." Jasper said, sounding a little awed. He pulled Alice back against his chest and kissed the top of her head. She giggled, and snuggled closer.

"I love you too."

So, this is somewhat short, actually, no, it's VERY short, by my standards, but I liked it. What do y'all think?

Thanks sooo much for reading and reviewing! (Please?) I'm really glad you did.

Here are some things to check out: My other fic, Speechless (unfortunatly, I'm currently writing the epilogue for that too) and, my community. To find them, just go onto my profile! Please and thank you!

Well, until the next fic!

~Dani