Yes, it's been longer than I promised but I'm not going to bore you with why. Life happens and I guess I just have to accept that I won't always be able to write when I want to. I am working on a few new stories, though, (only in my head, so far) and there is one Fandom cause I'm thinking about writing for but 'My Everything' will definitely be my priority. Enjoy!

Treats

79.

Mara glared in Alice and Jasper's direction. Her plan wasn't going at all the way she'd hoped. She looked over at Matt standing next to her and frowned. He was talking to a few of his friends and didn't even seem interested in getting Alice away from Jasper. She mentally stomped her foot, her face a twisted mask of anger and frustration. Just then, she felt a touch on her arm.

"Hey, Mara," Lauren said, sympathy on her face. "I'm sorry things didn't work out the way you planned."

She looked over at Alice and Jasper, laughing and talking with friends, and sighed. Jasper looked so handsome with his hair slicked back and his broad shoulders filling out his black leather jacket. He always looked good to her, and it was all she could do not to march over there and grab Alice up by her hair.

"I know," sighed Mara wistfully, looking their way, as well. "He looks so hot tonight and that little brat doesn't even appreciate him. I really thought they'd be mad, and fight about Matt and my costumes but they don't even seem to care." She shook her head, her mouth in a grim line. "Other than having her killed, I don't know what else to do to pry them apart."

Lauren looked at her in shock. Mara seemed perfectly serious and, for the first time, Lauren wondered exactly what Mara was capable of. Mara's eyes flicked over to her and she laughed.

"No, I don't have Ali's murder planned," she quipped, her eyes gleaming wickedly. "Yet," she added with another laugh. Lauren laughed along, suddenly wondering if Jasper Hale was really worth tangling with this girl over.

"Sorry I was so mad about Matt, Ali." Jasper said as he handed Alice a napkin. They sat at their table with Edward and Bella, having a snack.

"I told you already, Jas. It's alright." Alice said, before taking a sip of her cola.

"Well, I think it's really bitchy of that skank to do that to you, Jasper," Bella stated, her eyes flashing. "I've about had it with her little schemes."

Jasper shook his head. "Don't be that way, Bells. I don't think she means any harm. I just think she's lonely and is trying to get attention." Bella and Alice both rolled their eyes but didn't say anything.

"Just hear me out," Jasper pleaded. "Think about it. She leaves all her friends, and everything she knows, to move here, where she knows no one. Her brothers both make new friends right away. One's on the football team, the other in a band. What does she have?"

His eyes took in both girls, moving from one to the other. Alice looked away but Bella glared at him.

"Seriously?" she breathed, her anger evident in her eyes. "Jasper, don't tell me you're really that blind? That girl is an evil bitch and you're just too dumb to realize it."

"Bella!" Edward, interjected, surprise showing on both his and Jasper's faces. He sat up and faced her. "Come on, now. Don't be rude. Jasper's just trying to be nice. You know how he is."

Bella snorted. "I don't care how he is, Edward. It's obvious to everyone else, even her own brothers, what she's trying to do. Why can't you and Jasper see it?"

Edward looked over at his life-long friend, his brows raised in question. Jasper exhaled and shook his head.

"I'm not stupid, Bella. I know she's involved with Matt in the whole costume thing." Jasper admitted. "I just don't know why. He must've talked her into it somehow."

Bella rolled her eyes and snorted again. "I don't believe you, Jas. Here, all this time, I thought you were really smart. Boy, was I wrong!"

This time, Alice couldn't help it. A soft giggle escaped her and she quickly put her hand over her mouth. She'd been looking down at the table and the others had thought she was upset. Staring at her in surprise, the two boys watched as she lifted laughing eyes to them.

"What?" she managed, biting her lip and trying to look innocent. She heard Bella try to cover her giggle with a cough and she looked over at her before they both burst out laughing. The boys watched them, bewildered, Jasper's lips twitching at their hilarity.

Edward shook his head in amusement. "I just don't understand girls. I guess I never will."

Jasper nodded in agreement, still watching Bella and Alice. When they finally quieted enough to catch their breath, he cocked an eyebrow at them in a silent request for an explanation. Bella bit her lip and looked away, fighting to control herself. Alice faced him, her eyes dancing.

"I've never seen you chewed out by anyone but Rose before." she told him, another giggle escaping. "That was great! You should've seen your face."

"Ha ha. You girls are so funny," Jasper deadpanned, still not understanding what they thought was so amusing. He couldn't believe that Bella had gotten so angry. He'd never seen her really mad before.

Bella watched as the puzzled frown on Jasper's face deepened. "Jasper," she called. When he looked at her, she apologized. "I'm sorry for going off on you. I just don't get that you can't see what a scheming liar that girl is." She looked at Alice, then back at him. "It's obvious that she's been trying to get you and Ali apart since she first met you. Even at the state fair she was all over you. Don't you remember how she put Ali down and made remarks about her the whole time?"

Jasper shook his head looking confused. "No. I don't remember her being mean to Ali at all. I just remember her being all alone and glad to have someone to walk around with. I mean, she did hang on me some but, once she found out that I was with Ali, she backed off."

Bella sat back in her chair with a huff. "Forget it, Jas." she bit out. "You can't see what's right in front of your face, so I'm just not wasting any more of my time."

Edward placed his hand on her arm. "Bella, I know you're upset but please calm down. Jasper's always been like this. Believe me. It took him years before he realized what Lauren was like. She'd antagonize Ali right in front of him and he wouldn't believe she was doing it on purpose. He just doesn't understand his appeal."

Now it was Jasper's turn to roll his eyes and let out a snort. "Give me a break." he muttered, turning away from Edward.

"It's true, Jas." Edward said. "You know it is. Lauren still tortures Ali when she can. Look what happened at her graduation party. No one suffered for that but Ali."

Jasper looked at Alice, his eyes lit with sudden understanding. "She was mean to you all that time because of me?"

Alice looked at Edward and Bella, and shook her head. "Duh," she drawled, rolling her eyes. "I think he's finally got it."

"Wow." Jasper breathed, staring at the table in front of him. He looked back up at the girl who held his heart. "I'm sorry, Ali." he said, softly. "I really didn't know. I feel like an idiot. I did try to stick up for you, though. I always thought she was mean to you because she was jealous."

"She is, Jas. She's jealous because you're always paying attention to me." Alice told him. "She hates me because you like me and not her."

"Well, her being mean to you wasn't ever going to make me like her," he stated.

"We know that but she doesn't." Edward told him, glad they'd finally gotten through to him. "Some of the kids were mean to Ali because they were jealous that she's small and so cute but Lauren's always hated her because of you. I guess it was obvious that you love Ali, Jas, even back then."

Jasper gazed at Alice, a small grin on his face. "I do love you, you know."

Alice blushed and smiled shyly up at him. "I love you, too, Jas."

This time, it was Edward who snorted and rolled his eyes.

~xo-0-ox~

"We have the results of the costume contest, everyone. Please gather around while we announce the winners." The announcement was made by the village mayor and the partygoers all gathered around in excitement. "Our first place winners were obvious from the moment they arrived. The winners for best costumed couple, are Emmett Cullen and Rosalie Hale, as Herman and Lily Munster."

The crowd clapped joyously as Emmett led Rose over to the mayor to receive their prize.

"Really terrific costumes, you two," he praised with a big smile, as he handed them an envelope. "First prize is $100, dinner for two at the Village Inn and two tickets to any movie at the Lake Geneva cinema."

Everyone cheered while Emmett and Rose thanked the mayor. As they moved away, he cleared his throat. Once the crown calmed down, the mayor continued, "The second place winners of the best couples contest, was a really tough decision. There are so many brilliant costumes this year but the judges have decided that Alice Cullen and Matt Davidson are the second place winners as Tinkerbell and Peter Pan."

The guests all clapped and cheered as Matt walked over to Alice. He smirked at Jasper standing frozen at her side, and attempted to take her hand. She frowned at him and pulled her hand away before moving quickly toward the mayor. Smiling her thanks, she kept her distance from Matt.

"Thank you, Mayor McBride but Matt and I didn't come together. We just happened to be dressed this way. We didn't plan it." Alice told him.

"Oh. Well, that's alright, sweetheart." the mayor said, handing her the envelope he held in his hand. "Maybe you two can go to a movie together, huh?" he grinned suggestively and winked at her but she shook her head.

"No. Thank you, anyway. I'd rather go to the movies with my date but Matt can have the tickets to take whomever he'd like." she handed the envelope to Matt who had no choice but to take it.

"Uh... thank you, Ali," he stammered, his face red, and Alice turned and walked straight back to Jasper. Jasper grinned down at her as she stopped next to him and took his hand. She smiled up at him before looking back toward the mayor.

"That's very generous of you, Alice." Mayor McBride complimented before turning to look at Matt. Jasper bit back his chuckle at the look on Matt's face as the mayor continued his speech. "I guess you'll have to find a girl of your own to use these tickets with, huh, Mr. Davidson? It looks like young Mr. Hale has beaten you to our little Tinkerbell."

The mayor's good-natured laugh, and the applause of the crowd, covered up Jasper's escaped laughter. Alice thought he was enjoying Matt's discomfort a little too much and she dug her elbow playfully into his abdomen, her eyes alight with laughter themselves. Jasper choked back his laughter as the mayor gave Matt a pat on the shoulder before proceeding to announce the other winners of the costume contest.

Back at their table, the friends all congratulated Emmett and Rosalie on their win, their parents making a stop to offer them praise, as well. Carlisle made a point of talking to Alice while they were there.

"By the way, Ali," Carlisle commented, aside from the others. "That was very well-done."

Alice beamed up at him. "Thank you, Daddy. I thought it went very well, myself."

He grinned and gently squeezed her arm, watching as Jackson approached them, a big grin on his face.

"Way to put that boy in his place, Angel." he offered, much to Alice's delight. She giggled and nodded.

"Thanks, Mr. Jackson. I thought so."

Jasper walked over and proudly put his arm around Alice's shoulders. Grinning at their dads, he added to their praise. "I'll never doubt Ali where Matt's concerned again. She was something, huh?"

Both men agreed, with a light slap to Jasper's back. Alice caught Bella's look over at the table, and both girls giggled and rolled their eyes. "Neanderthals," she mouthed, a wicked twinkle in her eyes.

~xo-0-ox~

The lights were dim and a slow, romantic song played over the speakers. Jasper pulled Alice closer and kissed the top of her head.

"Thanks for coming to the dance with me, Ali," he murmured, loving the feel of her in his arms. "I haven't been this happy in a long time."

Alice sighed and snuggled into his warmth. "Me, either, Jas."

"Thanks, also, for what you did with Matt. I'm so sorry that I got mad at you about his costume. I should've known you wouldn't do that." he smiled sadly down at her. "Sometimes I just don't stop and think."

"It's alright, Jas." she said. "I told you before, I'm not mad."

"Well, you should be." Jasper frowned. "Bella's right. I'm an idiot."

Alice giggled and Jasper grinned at her. "I'm seeing Bella in a whole new light tonight. How about you?"

Alice nodded with another giggle. "I wish you could've seen your face when she tore into you. Although, I think Edward was even more shocked than you."

Jasper chuckled and gave her a little squeeze as they continued to dance. "I was surprised," he allowed. "She didn't say anything I didn't deserve, though."

"I'm not gonna' argue with that," Alice cracked and Jasper gave her a mock scowl. She giggled and he watched her fondly. A thought struck him and he continued to apologize.

"I should say I'm sorry about Mara, too." he admitted. "I still don't think she's interested in me but I promise to be more aware from now on." He looked over at Mara dancing with their friend, Nick. "Her and Nick seem to be getting along well."

Alice looked over and smiled. "Yeah, they do. I really hope they get along. It would be nice not to have to worry about her, for a change."

Jasper tilted her chin up so that she was looking into his eyes. "I swear, Ali, there's absolutely nothing for you to worry about where Mara is concerned." He sighed. "Yeah, I admit, when she first came here, I thought she was really pretty but, even then, I wasn't interested in her like that. I'm still not."

Alice nodded. "Okay, Jas. I believe you. Let's just enjoy ourselves and forget about Mara and Matt."

He nodded and let out a happy sigh as she snuggled back into him. Looking down at the top of her dark head, he said a silent prayer that he could handle their relationship this time. He vowed that he'd learn to control his anger and not take it out on Ali ever again. By the time the song came to an end, he was brimming with confidence that things would be perfect this time.

Alice looked up at Jasper with sleepy eyes and gave him a cute little grin. He chuckled and caressed her cheek with his finger. "You tired, darlin'?"

Alice nodded and lay her head back down on his chest. He smiled down at her and urged her toward their table. "Come on, Tink, let's see if Herman and Lily will take us home."

Emmett was loath to leave but Rosalie was more than ready. "Come on, Em. I'm tired and Ali's practically asleep on her feet."

Emmett gave in reluctantly and went to tell their parents that they were headed home. He saw Edward on his way, and let him know they were leaving, too.

"You sure you don't mind, Em?" Carlisle asked, sensing that he wasn't really happy about leaving already. "We can take the kids home if you're not ready to leave."

Emmett sighed and nodded. "Yeah, I'm ready, Dad. Rose wants to go, too, and even Edward said he's tired. Bella's already gone with her parents, and they took Jess and Brent with them." He gave his dad a reassuring smile. "You guys have fun, and don't worry about us. We'll be fine."

"Okay, Son," Carlisle agreed. "Be careful going home. We won't be too late."

Emmett hugged his parents, and shooed his siblings and friends out the door. It had been a long but amazing night. He and Rose had won first place for best costumes, they'd danced every dance and they'd eaten a lot of delicious food, well, he had, anyway. He grinned at the memory of Rose's face when they'd announced the best costumes. She'd been truly shocked. Of course, he'd known they were going to win all along. How could they not? Their costumes were awesome, if he did say so himself.

Rose gave him a puzzled look when she caught his grin and he winked at her. She shook her head with a smile as they ushered their younger siblings out into the parking lot. She glanced at Jasper and felt a warmth rush over her. He looked so happy and she blew him a kiss when he smiled at her. Alice was once more wrapped in Esme's coat and could barely keep her eyes open. She smiled again, knowing that Ali'd be out cold, probably before they even left the parking lot. Jasper wouldn't mind, though, she laughed to herself. That boy was totally content just holding Alice while she slept. He always had been.

She sighed as she thought about earlier in the evening. She'd been so excited when her and Emmett had won for best costumes but that excitement had turned to anxiety when second place had gone to Ali and Matt. The judges had assumed that Matt and Alice were together since their costumes matched. Jasper had just about lost it at the look of triumph Matt wore as he'd walked over to escort Alice up to accept their prize. Thank God, he'd kept it together.

She smiled fondly at the tiny girl stumbling toward the car. Tendrils of long, dark hair had begun unwinding from the bun on her head and her big, dark eyes were blinking sleepily. She'd been so proud of her when she'd looked straight at the mayor and told him to give Matt the prize alone. Jasper had smiled so big that he'd almost split his face in two. He'd also almost squeezed the stuffing out of Ali, he'd hugged her so hard. Ali had gasped, her face lit up with happiness, and begged Jasper to let her breathe. After that, they'd both smiled so much that everyone around them couldn't help but smile, too.

Jasper was in his glory as he cuddled Alice in the back of Esme's SUV. She sat on his lap, her head on his chest, and sighed sleepily into his shirt. He'd wrapped her in her mom's trench coat, being careful not to smash her wings, and bundled her into the car. Now he had his arms around her, with her tucked under his leather jacket, the seatbelt around them both. He looked up when Edward chuckled from across the seat.

"You're sick, you know that?" he teased, watching Jasper holding onto his sister like she was a cherished teddy bear.

Jasper was puzzled. "Why? What'd I do now?"

Edward chuckled again, shaking his head. "You're just as obsessed with her, as ever. It's no different now than it was when she was little."

Jasper laughed softly and glanced down at the small girl sleeping in his arms. "Oh, it's different, all right," he joked, looking up to wiggle his brows lewdly. "Trust me."

Edward screwed up his face and Alice stirred as they both laughed.

"T.M.I., dude. T.M.I." Edward choked out dramatically. "There are just some things a brother doesn't want to think about."

"Ha!" Jasper mocked him. "Like you wouldn't wanna' have Bella sleeping on you right now."

Jasper laughed at Edward's grin. "Oh yeah," he agreed. "I wouldn't mind that at all."

Jasper glanced up and saw Emmett watching them in the rearview mirror. "How's it going, Em?" he said with a big grin.

"Not as well as it's going for you, little brother," Emmett laughed quietly, joined by Rose who'd turned to grin at her brother.

"I'm glad things turned out okay, Jas," his sister offered. "I admit, I was a little worried when I saw that skank starting trouble."

Jasper frowned at Rose. "She's not a skank, Rose. She's just trying to fit in, that's all. She found out that Matt knew Ali was gonna' be Tinkerbell and was gonna' dress as Peter Pan to piss me off. She figured she'd dress like me so that I wouldn't be left out."

Rose shook her head. "I don't know, Jas. I don't think she's as innocent as you think she is."

"Yeah, Jas," Emmett commented. "I tried giving her the benefit of the doubt for her brothers' sake but I gotta' agree with Rosie, she's out to cause trouble, plain and simple."

Jasper sighed and looked down at Alice. Smoothing a loose strand of hair off her face, he continued stubbornly. "You guys just don't know her, like I do. She barely has any friends yet, and just doesn't know where she fits in." He looked up, hope on his face. "She seemed to really hit it off with Nick, though, don't you think?"

Both Rose and Emmett agreed. Edward, however, added to this conclusion. "She did seem pretty into him but she also spent quite a lot of time watching you, Jas," he informed him. "I'd still keep an eye on her, and I wouldn't trust her at all. She just seems like she wants to get attention by starting stuff."

"I think you guys are giving me a lot more credit than I deserve. I really don't think she's all that interested in me," Jasper told them. "I think she's just lost and clings to whoever is nice to her. You know, a lot of the girls are jealous of her and won't even give her the time of day. She's a really nice girl, too."

Edward shook his head and rolled his eyes. Emmett chuckled and Rose snorted. Jasper looked at them all, his patience with them at an end.

"Think what you want. Mara knows I love Ali and besides, she doesn't like me like that anyway. We're just friends and I plan to keep it that way."

Rosalie sighed and Edward shook his head again.

"I hope you're right, little brother," Emmett offered, watching him in the mirror. "I hope you're right."

~xo-0-ox~

Emmett let Jasper carry Alice up to her room when they got home and laughed at his eagerness. "Don't look too happy there, sport. Rose'll be right behind you to get Ali in her jammies."

Rose smacked him as she walked passed him and up the stairs, softly laughing. Even after dancing all night, Emmett still had the energy to aggravate Jasper. She walked into Alice's room to see Jasper gently unwrapping her from Esme's coat. He smoothed back another loose tendril out of her face and smiled down at her gently. Rose bit her lip as she watched and hoped things would go smoothly for her brother with Alice. She was afraid he was just setting himself up for more heartache.

"Hey, Jas," she called out softly as she entered the room. "How's Sleeping Beauty?"

Jasper smiled at her, his eyes twinkling. "Sleeping," he quipped and turned to hang the coat over Ali's desk chair.

"Well, you better get going so I can get her out of that costume." Jasper nodded and bent to give Alice a kiss on her forehead. Straightening, he grinned at his sister.

"You have a good time tonight?" he asked. When Rose nodded, he laughed. "You two were crazy. I'm glad you had fun, though."

"Yeah," she answered, pulling the pins out of Alice's hair. "I did have a good time. Watching Emmett would've been fun enough but winning first prize was pretty awesome, too."

"Well, you deserved it, Rose," Jasper told her, moving to pull Alice's shoes off. "Those costumes are amazing. I can't believe what a great job you guys did."

"Thanks, Jas. It was fun putting them together. Em was so excited when we thought of them, I thought he was going to slip and tell one of you."

Jasper chuckled. "I think he almost did once," he told her. "He started to say something and then clamped his mouth shut. When I tried to pry it out of him, he told me you'd kill him so he couldn't say anything."

Rosalie laughed. "See? You can't trust him with any secrets. He can't help blabbing."

"He didn't tell me, though," Jasper offered with a grin. "You've got to give him that."

"I suppose."

Rosalie shooed Jasper out so she could get Alice ready for bed and, with one last glance at her, he closed the door gently behind him.

~xo-0-ox~

"Hey, Hot Shot!" Emmett greeted a bright-eyed, Jasper, the next morning. "What're you doing over here so early?"

He let Jasper in and closed the door, ushering him toward the kitchen.

"I just thought I'd come over and see Ali before everyone came over for practice."

Jasper glanced around the kitchen, obviously looking for Alice. Emmett laughed.

"She's not up yet, Loverboy." Emmett slapped Jasper on the back and went to the fridge. Getting out a container of juice, he set it on the table as Jasper got two glasses out of the cupboard. Filling the glasses, Emmett handed one to the other boy before taking a long drink out of his own.

Jasper was disappointed. He'd been too anxious to see Ali to sleep any longer, so he'd washed up and rushed right over. Now he slowly sipped his juice, his ears tuned for any sounds to indicate that she was awake.

Emmett laughed and refilled his glass. When Jasper gave him a questioning look, he drained his glass again before answering.

"You're so damn transparent, dude," he gloated. "You know she'll be up soon. Just be patient."

Jasper tried to look unconcerned but his eyes shifted to the doorway again, and Emmett burst out laughing.

"Shut up, Em!" Jasper growled, his face red. "At least I wear the pants in our relationship, unlike someone else I know."

"Ha!" Emmett countered, "If that's what you want to believe."

Jasper got up and rinsed out his glass. Turning back toward his best friend, he smirked, "I'm surprised Rose hasn't put a ring in your nose yet. It'd make it easier to lead you around." Then he put his finger to his lip and looked toward the ceiling, as though he were in deep thought. "Although, come to think of it, I guess she doesn't need to. You pretty much just follow her around without her having to do anything."

"Oh!" Emmett guffawed, but there was a frown on his face. "Like you don't follow Ali around."

Jasper grinned. He knew he was getting to the big guy now. "Nope. I don't. She follows me." When Emmett raised his brows skeptically, Jasper went in for the kill. "Who's always at the other one's house?" When Emmett didn't answer, Jasper knew he had him. "That's right. Ali's always at my house. Mine and Rose's house." With a killer grin, he added, "And you know that, because so are you."

With a growl, Emmett jumped out of his chair and tackled the tall blond to the kitchen floor. They rolled around on the tile, Jasper laughing at his triumph the whole time. A few seconds later, a discreet sound stilled them and brought both their heads up. Carlisle stood glaring at them, his hand to his head.

"Do you think you two idiots could take that outside?" he croaked, reaching for a glass. Filling it with water, he continued, "Fred drank way too much Rock Cola last night, and MY head is killing me."

Snickering at Carlisle's hungover attempt at humor, the boys stood up, playfully shoving each other still, and went to sit back down at the table. Just then, Esme walked in, a cheerful smile on her pretty face.

"Who's up for some eggs?" she chirped, her eyes on her husband. When he let out a low groan, she grinned wickedly at the boys. "Sunny side up? Nice and runny?"

The three of them burst out laughing when Carlisle groaned again and made quickly for the door.

"That'll teach him to drink so much at a party," Esme chuckled, sharing a grin with the boys. "Now, seriously, whose up for some breakfast?"

~xo-0-ox~

When Alice entered the kitchen, her two brothers and Jasper were sitting happily at the table while her mom hummed at the stove.

"You're all cheerful this morning." she smiled at their bright, happy faces. Jasper jumped up eagerly when he saw her.

"Good morning," he gushed, walking over to give her a hug. "I hope you slept good."

Alice nodded, a small smile on her lips. "I did. How about you?"

"Good." Jasper proclaimed, quickly, a big smile on his face. "Real good."

Alice watched his face with a sense of dread. He seemed overly eager after last night but she didn't want to ruin his good mood.

"I'm glad," she stated as she took her place at the table. Jasper sat next to her and grabbed onto her hand. Alice gave his hand a little squeeze before pulling her hand free and turning to her mom. "Can I help you with anything, Mom?" she asked, partly to cover up letting go of Jasper.

When her mom declined her help, she relaxed into her chair but tensed up again as Jasper took hold of her hand a second time. Looking over at him, she returned his happy grin with a soft smile. She did love him, with all her heart, but she just couldn't do this again right now. She'd just found her independence and, though she didn't want to cause the families any more strife, she didn't want to lose what little self-reliance she'd gained.

Keeping the smile plastered on her face, she was relieved to see that the boys hadn't noticed her reluctance. A genuine smile curved her lips as Esme set a platter of pancakes on the table, accompanied by cheers. Jasper let her hand go with a smile and they all dug in.