ETL Ch2

I had been in love with my best friend since I was five years old. Now before you start thinking I'm a queer, my best friend is a girl. Well a woman now. Bella Swan, the name gives me chills and makes my heart race. Bella and I had been friends literally since the day she was born, three hours after I was.
Our mothers were friends first so it was just fate that I would grow up with my other half. I remember the day I fell in love with her.
Flashback:
"Bella sweetie you have to go in, your teacher is waiting for you." Renee cooed as she pushed Bella towards the school.
"Are you going to get upset leaving mommy?" my mother asked.
"God no mom, I am a boy we don't get upset." I huffed.
"But mommy what if no one likes me?" Bella cried clinging to her mother's pant leg.
"Bells, come on, no matter what I'll always be here for you." I said walking over and grabbing her hand.
"Really?" she sniffled.
"What are bestest friends for?" I laughed.
Bella smiled toothlessly as we walked into the class room. I turned my head to see our mother's heads together and Renee mouthed 'thank you', I nodded my head as we made it to the coat rack.
"Are you going to be okay Bells?" I whispered so that none of the other kids could hear.
"Yeah, I am just scared." she smiled.
"Well, let's take our coats off and if you want, I will hold your hand for as long as you want me to okay?"
"What if I want to hold your hand forever?" she laughed.
"Well, then I will hold your hand forever."
"I will remember that Edward Cullen, you better keep your promise." she warned.
We held hands for the rest of the day, only letting it go to use the bathroom, or eat lunch. After school we met our mothers and as soon as she let go of my hand, I felt a tingling feeling in my fingers. I got in the car.
"How was your day dear?" my mom asked.
"Really good."
"Did Bella feel better when class started?"
"Yep, we hung out and played with legos like the ones I have at home. The teacher even let us hold hands the whole time and we sat together." I smiled.
"I am glad that you're liking school baby."
"Mom! don't call me baby." I growled.
"Sorry." she laughed.
"Hey mom can I ask you a question?"
"You just did, or does that one count?" she joked.
"I'm serious."
"Ask away little man."
"Well, what does it mean when you feel tingly when you touch someone?"
"What do you mean sweetie? Touch how?" she asked alarmed.
"Like when you hold some ones hand and then let go, the tingly feeling, what does that mean?"
"Oh that's love."
"Love?"
"Yep, that's how I feel about dad."
"Oh."
As soon as we got home, I declined a pb&j and went up to my room instead. Lying on my bed I thought about Bella. I already knew I loved her, but I thought I loved her like a best friend, my mom had just pointed out that I loved her like my dad loves my mom.
"I love Bella Swan." I said out loud.
Yep, my mother knew it and so did I. I loved Bella Swan. Throughout Jr. High neither Bella nor I dated any one but I overheard a boy on my baseball team say that he wasn't going to ask her out because he thought we were secretly dating, and I wasn't going to say otherwise.
Jr. High passed in a blur and at our 16th birthday party, I noticed Bella start to distance herself from me.
Flashback: 16th birthday party.
It was our dual birthday party, the big 16. I had searched long and hard for the perfect gift until I came up with Shiny Toy Guns concert tickets for the following week. I found out that the tickets had been sold out for weeks, so I went to Jessica Stanley. I had heard that her dad owned the venue that STG's were going to play at, so I took a shot and asked her. She was more than happy to help me on the one condition that I gave her a kiss when she got the tickets. Of course I really wanted the tickets so I agreed.
I watched Bella open her presents. I was nervous because Jessica hadn't showed up and I was worried that she couldn't come through. I was about to start opening my presents when I saw the disgusting curls bouncing up to me.
"Here you go handsome." she said holding a white envelope out. As I tried reaching for it she pulled back. "Nope keep up with your end of the deal Cullen." she smiled.
"Fine," I leaned down and kissed her on the cheek before ripping the envelope out of her claws.
I heard her mutter 'asshole' but the only thing I cared about was getting to Bella to give her the present, but Alice all but jumped on my back screaming that we had a schedule to keep. I looked around for her but didn't see her. I reluctantly sat down and started opening presents. As I thanked each person, I noticed that my brother was also missing from the group. As soon as I tore the last present open I thanked Alice and Jasper and quickly found Rose.
"Hey have you seen Bells and Emmett?" I asked her.
"Yeah, they were out back, I don't think Bells could handle all of the attention." she laughed.
I nodded and ran to the back door. I could see Emmett sitting on the ground by the dumpster with his arm around Bella. She looked like she was crying, so I popped the door open quietly.
"Bells do you think that maybe he feels the same way?" Emmett asked.
"Absolutely not he is with her now so it doesn't even matter." she sniffled.
Immediately I wanted to find the ass hole that hurt her so bad and on her birthday no less.
"It's fine I don't want to ruin the party for Edward, so let me just get my shit together and we'll go in." she blew her nose on a napkin and stood up.
I shut the door quietly and made my way back to the party. Bella and Emmett came back in after a few minutes. Some dick had broken her heart and she was worried about me having a good birthday? I fell more in love with her every day.
Before I knew it we were in our senior year of high school. Bella had filled out in all the right places, but she hid everything from sight. Legs that went on for days were only seen when we went skate boarding, any other time she wore ill fitting jeans. Her breasts had grown exponentially during the years, but were always hidden by tee shirts that we bought at concerts we attended together. Her hair was soft brown and when Mother Nature was kind to give us some rays, you could see hints of red here and there. Her chocolate brown orbs that seemed to take in everything all at once, I sometimes would ask her to have a staring contest, just so that I could have an excuse to stare into them without coming off as a weirdo.
We were going to college together, well not in the sense I was hoping, but we were going to be together. Her dorm was across campus from mine and we were both lucky to get single rooms like we wanted. Everything was going smooth and every day I kept getting closer to tell her about my feelings. It was on the edge of my tongue more than a couple of times the week before everything changed.
Flashback: Part from hell.
Emmett was a senior and his frat house was having a huge blowout to celebrate exams being over. He had called me that morning telling me to invite the entire freshman class I could find. Sometimes I thought he was begging for the cops to break down his little parties.
"Dude is it your goal to get the cops called at every party?" I asked.
"Yep it's my senior year and I have three more parties to go before I break the record of Matt Nickels two hundred twenty four." he boomed through the phone.
"Wow, manage to make any goals about your future?" I joked.
"Hmmm, I want to marry Rose and use my business degree to open her dream garage."
"Wow! You just surprised the hell out of me." I laughed.
"You didn't let me finish. I want to open the garage so I can screw her on every fine ass ca-"
"Emmett why do you do this to me?" I groaned.
"Well little brother maybe you wouldn't be so scared to talk about it if you actually managed to get laid. You know what I am going to do? I am going to make it my mission to get you laid tonight."
"Shut the hell up or I am not coming." I growled.
"Okay fine Eddie boy, but if you don't start getting out there… I am going to start making it a point to get you laid."
"Goodbye Emmett. I'll see you tonight." I said before hanging up.
I wanted so bad to tell him that the only girl I would ever lose my virginity to, will be the only girl that had ever held any of my interest. But I could never tell anyone about my feelings for her, without telling her. Maybe that was the way to do it, admit it to Emmett and let him tell her. 'No dumb ass, you need to tell her yourself.'
I wanted to tell her tonight at the party, but I didn't even know if she was coming, so I sent her a quick text asking if she was planning on going.
She text me back in no time: Yep I will see you there Alice got a hold of me to try to make me beautiful.
I had a tiny internal battle over what to reply, so I went with something a little out of the best friends' zone: You already are so it shouldn't take long see you there.
She didn't reply right after so I decided to get ready. Right as I took my shirt off, my phone beeped.
She said: You too
It was simple but just the thought of seeing her made my heart thump wildly against my chest. I decided to wear a black polo and dark jeans, and jumped in the shower.
I was met with a raging hard on I had grown used too since I hit puberty. I had never been with a girl physically, but mentally I had been with Bella more times than I could count. Today Bella had surprised me by joining me in the shower. She ran her small hands up and down my chest dragging her nails over my nipples.
As I envisioned, her hand trailing down to my raging hard on taking it into her tiny fist. I pumped my fist around my erection fast trying desperately to find release. 'Edward I want you to take Me.' she whispered in my ear and that was my undoing, as I came hard, shooting my spunk all over the wall in front of me. After gaining my composure, I washed my body before shutting the water off.
An hour later I was standing at Emmett's frat house drinking a vodka and Red bull. Emmett's roommate James was behind the bar.
"Hey can I get another vodka and Red bull." I asked.
He laughed and muttered, 'pansy can't handle the good shit'.
"I'm sorry?"
"Oh I asked, are you sure you don't want rum?"
"No I will take what I asked for thank you." I gritted my teeth and watched him mix my drink.
"There you go son. Make sure to tip the tender." he pointed to a jar that said: Tips and Panties welcome.
I took a five out of my wallet and shoved it in the tiny hole at the top of the jar before heading back to Emmett. People already crowded the house, and the party just started. A few of my fellow freshmen were already drunk, there was even a guy passed out on one of the couches.
"There is my Eddie boy." Emmett called.
"Don't call me Eddie Emmy."
"Don't call me Emmy Ed."
"Don't call me Ed Emily."
"Don-" before Emmett could continue, Jasper cut him off.
"Okay you guys watch too much South Park, shut the hell up!" his laugh cut short as he inhaled sharply. "Would you look at that." he let out a low whistle.
I looked up and saw Alice, Rose, and Bella. If I didn't know her so well and loved her so much, I probably wouldn't have recognized her.
Her hair was smooth and silky, hanging down to her perfect ass. Her eyes a smoky, and sexy, her lips were a glossy pink. There was a significant amount of glitter on her cleavage that could only be seen when she walked under the few lights hanging from the ceiling. The dress she wore was a dark blue that made her pale skin glow. It was short cut showing off her long creamy legs. Thank god Alice didn't force her into a pair of heels instead she wore a pair of flat shoes that matched the dress.
She was looking around for someone and for a second I hoped it was me. I snuck up behind her and put my hands over her eyes whispering, "Guess who?" into her ear. I could smell her lovely floral smell and fought the urge to bury my face in her hair.
She didn't even stiffen before replying. "Hmmm… Adolf Hitler?"
I chuckled as I let my hands drop. "You're funny B."
"Yep! call me Dr. Crack up." she said.
I caught myself watching her lips as she spoke and fought the urge to press my lips to them.
"Do you want a drink?"
She nodded and I took her hand in mine to lead her through the packed house to the bar. James took one look at Bella and I knew he was going to try something.
"Hey there beautiful what can I get for you?" he asked.
I felt her tense so I squeezed her hand in reassurance. There was no way James would try anything while I was standing there.
"I'll just have a coke." she answered before turning to me. "Edward?"
"Vodka and Red Bull." I answered.
"Coming right up! I'm James, but you can call me big papa." he said putting the two plastic cups in front of us.
"Eww, no thanks, James." Bella answered coolly as she pulled me away from the bar.
"Bells, come dance with us." Alice called from the dance floor where she and Rose were grinding on each other.
Bella downed the contents of her cup and handed it to me before walking over to the girls. I watched as they sandwiched her in between them and started dancing on each other. Jasper and Emmett were standing right beside me snickering, but my eyes met Bella's and I was lost. I watched the way her hips swayed and envied Rose for being able to touch her there.
"So Tanya wants your digits." Emmett laughed pointing to a fake blonde bimbo staring at me from across the room.
"No thanks." I muttered. I was starting to feel the effects of my fourth drink.
"You know what Eddie? why don't you go talk to her. People are starting to think maybe you swing the other way you know." he chuckled.
"Shut the fuck up Emmett and don't call me Eddie."
"Alright fucker, I will make a bet. You go over there and get a kiss, and I will leave your prude ass alone for a year."
"And if I don't want to kiss that." I gestured my hand towards Tanya and she waved me over.
"Then I tell everyone that you're a fag, and you back it up with a kiss to Jasper." he laughed.
"What the fuck dude, how does this have anything to do with me?" Jasper yelled.
"I'll do it asshole." I growled before stumbling my way over to Tanya.
"Hi handsome." she smiled in a way, that I am guessing was supposed to be seductive.
"Er, hello. Do you mind doing me a favor?" I asked shyly.
"Does it involve clothes on or off?" she purred.
I looked around for Bella, and found her at the bar with James and Mike Newton, praying that they would keep her attention long enough for me to get through this.
"On, I was just wondering if you could kiss me?" god I felt like a damn third grader.
"What for?"
"Just cause."
"I'm sure, well you better make it worth my wild." she winked before attacking my lips.
I felt her tongue immediately beg for entrance but I refused. She pulled the hair on the back of my neck before trailing her hands to my ass. She pinched a little too hard causing me to gasp, but she took it the wrong way and tried to stick her tongue in my mouth again.
"Okay… thank you." I said pulling away.
"Wait! Are you going to give me your number?" she asked.
"I'm not that drunk." I said before walking away.
I looked around for Bella, but I couldn't find her anywhere. I went outside to the pool and walked around looking for her dark blue dress.
I walked around outside to try and clear my head. Then I saw Mike walk out onto the patio. "Hey dude, you might want to go find Bella, she is getting wasted." he said clapping his hand on my shoulder.
"Why?"
"I don't know, I asked her to dance and she said she wanted a drink. She was on her fourth or fifth lemon drop when I left."
"Thanks Mike." I said before walking back into the house.
I looked around but couldn't find her anywhere, I walked to the bar and asked James, if he knew where she went and he said he didn't know.
I walked around the first floor a couple of times and went back outside. After a good ten minutes I went back inside and ran into Jasper.
"Hey man Alice just took Bells home, she is tore up from the floor up if you know what I mean." he chuckled.
I ran out to my car without answering him and drove to her dorm building. I waited a couple of minutes and knocked on the door just to hear Bella's muffled voice yell. "ALICE YOU KNOW THE DAMN THING IS OPEN! YOU JUST LEFT."
Praying that she was fully dressed I opened the door. "Bells?"
"Edward?" I heard her whisper softly.
"Yeah Jasper said that you weren't feeling well, so I thought that maybe I would come check on you." I walked over to her bed. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Alice will be here in a minute, so you can go." she answered coldly.
"Okay… I just wanted to see if you were alright?" I leaned down to kiss her forehead, something I had done before and deemed okay, except this time she cringed away. "Bells?"
"Just go." she said before flipping her body to face the wall.
I was immediately concerned that something had happened at the party.
"What's wrong? You can tell me anything." I asked placing my hand on her back.
"Don't touch me." she snapped, her voice laced with venom.
I flinched away. "Well damn it Bells, talk to me you have never been like this. Was it Mike? I saw you two talking, did he do something?"
"Mike didn't do anything, but bug the living hell out of me." she muttered.
"Then what is it?"
I watched her body shake hard with sobs and I was starting to panic..
"Edward, please just go."
"If I go, will you talk to me about it tomorrow?" I asked hopefully.
"Probably not." she answered.
"Then I won't leave." I sat down and put my hands on her back, but again she flinched away.
"Why won't you let me touch you?" I asked sadly.
"You want to know why? Why I don't want you to touch me? Because I don't want that nasty bitches skanky fucking leftovers!" she yelled.
"What are you talking about Bella?" I sat up.
"I saw you all over that blonde Edward." she whispered.
My heart fell into my stomach. Damn it I was hoping she wouldn't see that.
"What does that have to do with anything?" It was a stupid bet.
"Please Edward, I can't do this right now, please just leave."
"No, I won't, you need to talk to me. We have never had a fight; I don't want to start now." I said sadly.
It was true we had never had a fight with each other and it was killing me to see her like this. I didn't want to tell her about the bet because I feared it would lead to me admitting my feelings for her, and that made me want to throw up.
"Edward, why were you looking at me while I was dancing with the girls?" she asked sitting up to face me.
I looked at the ground and kept my mouth shut. 'Mother fucker, she noticed that I was watching her.'
"Answer me? Was it just because there were three girls all over each other or was it because it was me?" she asked.
I decided to go with the truth because I couldn't lie to her. "It was because of you." I answered still looking at the floor.
"If it was because of me, then why the fuck were you all over that girl?"
"It's none of your business Bella!" I snapped before realizing I did.
"It's none of my fucking business? You got all hot and bothered because of me and then turned around and basically fucked some slut in front of me?" she yelled.
"You know what Bella you don't have to be such a fucking bitch." I said before my brain caught up with my mouth. "Bells I'm sorry."
"Get the fuck out of my room." she laid back down.
"Bells?" I put my hand on her shoulder and she smacked it off.
"I said, get the fuck out of my room god damn it! Get the fuck out and stay out." she turned so that she was facing the wall and I could see her body trembling.
I was pissed at myself for acting this way and decided it was best to give her time. I slammed the door behind me so that she would know I was gone. I ran into a shocked Alice.
"Edward? What are you doing here?" she asked coldly.
"None of your damn business, Ali." I snapped.
"You better not have upset her anymore today Edward, god! She can only take so much, you stupid ass!" she called as I ran down the stairs; I had to get away from this building.
I went back to my dorm and laid on the bed. "GOD DAMN IT." I yelled out loud kicking my shoes off and flinging them at the door. What the fuck was I thinking? saying that shit? If I was smart I would have just told her the fucking truth. She basically admitted that she was dancing for me and then I fucked it up. I pulled a pillow over my head and sank into a fitful sleep.
That was a week ago and for the past week, I haven't talked to anyone, not my friends, teachers, not even my parents. The day after the party I tried knocking on her door, but she didn't come to the door. I gave up after three days, but I was worried and needed to see her. I sunk so low that I pulled the alarm in her building three times this week, just to see her. I watched her small broken body walk outside to wait for the all clear. Each day she looked thinner and I was starting to get worried, that maybe she wasn't eating.
I would go to class and then come back to her building, even if it was just to sit outside her door like a lost puppy and hope she would come out. There was a do not disturb sign on door. I watched the door like my life depended on it, until three this morning I couldn't take it anymore and mustered every amount of strength I could, and banged on her door.
"Come on Bells open the door." I prayed to myself.

ETL: Ch1

I Bella Swan am in love with my best friend. Edward Cullen starred in every one of my dreams since I was seven years old. We grew up together; our mother's are best friends since they met in birthing classes pregnant with us. They had their baby showers together and they even went into labor on the same day. Even though my mother Renee's water broke in the morning and Edward's mother Esme's didn't break until later in the evening, Edward was born three hours before me on September 12. I followed stubbornly and was born at two in the morning on September 13, 1988.
We were best friends from day one of our lives. Our houses filled with pictures of the two of us growing up together. Our backyards filled with memories of joint birthdays. We did everything together, on our first day of preschool, Edward held my hand when I started to cry and didn't let go until I saw my mom at the end of the day. We even got to spend an awesome two weeks in quarantine together in the second grade when we got the chicken pox. Edward and I shared everything, not just birthday parties, we also shared our families, friends, and our lives. During the entire time of our friendship we never fought, not once.
That is until our freshmen year of college, that was when everything changed and none of it was for the better. I had spent the past 18 years of my life loving Edward and only realizing I was in love with him, when I was in the eleventh grade. I wanted so badly to tell him but I was afraid that me being in love with him would ruin our strong friendship and that was something I would never do.
So I held it in and died a little bit inside, each time I saw him talk to a girl in the hallways of the school or talk about one of his dates. Our friends knew about my situation but they kept it to themselves and would even change the subject if they noticed I was getting uncomfortable.
Emmett, his older brother was the first one to find out about my feelings when we were at our 16th birthday party and I saw Edward kiss Jessica Stanley, leading to me high tailing it out of the restaurant to cry by the dumpster. Emmett saw me and held me throughout my little breakdown, whispering that it would be fine.
Emmett was two years older than us. He was about 6'8 and covered in muscles, he had curly sandy brown hair and dark blue eyes. Emmett dated Rosalie Hale, perfection to a tee.
Rosalie Hale the reason girls get plastic surgery, sex on legs. She looked like a runway model, even on days when she was working on her car in a sweat suit. Her piercing light blue eyes, long wavy blond hair, and natural good looks made her look like she just walked off a photo shoot for Vogue. Rosalie and her family moved into the house next door, the summer before our freshman year at Forks high. Along with Rose came Jasper.
Jasper Hale was Rose's twin brother that looked just like her, except he wore his hair in short spikes he was tall lean and handsome in a western sort of way. Jasper was a quiet mousy little book worm. He only talked when spoken directly too and was a total introvert until he met my best girl friend Alice Brandon.
Alice Brandon, ran into me on my first day of first grade and told me that my purple skirt was pretty and the rest is history. She was always tiny and still is standing at a whopping 4'7. Her pixie hair cut she had worn since we were in the first grade, made her look like a real pixie. Her hazel eyes could go from piercing to compassionate in less than a second, but that was part of the charm that is Alice Brandon. Her addiction to shopping and fire ball energy were her only down fall.
Edward Cullen, ah. Where do I begin? He was 6'3, lean and muscular. His tuff of bronze hair always looked like he just rolled out of bed and in later years I started to call it his sex hair. He had emerald colored eyes, and a crooked smile that could take your breath away. He was perfect in each and every way, and for that I was in love with him.
All of my friends were absolutely perfect and beautiful in their own different unique ways. Compared to them, I was the plane Jane of the group. Boring brown hair to match my boring brown eyes, I had curves but I hid them behind loose fitting jeans and tee shirts. Alice would attempt to give me a makeover at least twice a week, once she even got me at school in the girls bathroom. Luckily I had been able to avoid the torturous makeovers for a long time.
That is until the night that everything changed.
Flash back:
"Bella it's your first college party you have to dress up." Alice whined.
"No, I am fine with jeans and a tee." I shook my head stubbornly.
"Please Bells, if you let me give you a makeover for this one party I won't try to force you into shopping for a month." she pouted.
I don't know what it was? her pout or the promise of a month free from shopping… but I agreed.
"Oh, Bella thank you thank you so much you won't regret it, I promise." she squealed.
"I want to look good not slutty, do you understand?" I took her face in my hand squishing her lips together like a fish.
"Yesp, mem." she managed to get out.
For two hours I sat in a chair in the dorms bathroom getting plucked, polished, and buffed. Just as I was about to give up and run for the safety of my room I got a text message.
Hey B, are you coming to the party tonight? E
My heart stuttered as I replied a quick: Yep I will see you there! Alice got a hold of me and is trying to make me beautiful.
You already are, so it shouldn't take long see you there. E
I replied: You too.
"So Bells are you going to make a move on him or what?" Rose asked as she handed me a small bit of fabric.
"What is this?" I asked holding it up.
"Your dress silly, answer the question." she scolded snatching it away from me so I could get undressed.
"I am not going to 'make my move', not now or ever." I stated pulling the dress over my head.
"Why not? You two would be perfect together." Alice whined as she sprayed glitter on the massive amount of cleavage that was sticking out of the top of my dress and twirling her finger around signaling for me to turn around.
"It's not going to happen so you two ca-." I was struck speechless when I saw my reflection.
My hair had been straightened and curled at the ends flowing down my back. My eyebrows sculpted perfectly over dark smokey lids. My lips were a soft pink color that made my teeth look extra white. The dress was a strapless dark blue number that rested about six inches above my knees.
"So what do you think?" Alice asked nervously.
"I think you're a miracle worker! both of you." I said as I trampled her in a hug.
"I love you B, but your hair is going to get ruined, so hug me later." she laughed.
It took Rose and Alice a grand total of thirty minutes to get ready. Alice wore a hot pink babydoll dress with matching headband and stilettos. Rose chose a red sweater dress with black fuck-me pumps.
"You two look amazing." I complimented.
"And you're smoking hot. Now for the final touch." Alice squealed pulling a box out from under her bed. She opened the box revealing a pair of six inch peep toe pumps.
"There is no way in hell I am wearing those! You've got to be fucking kidding me." I gasped backing away.
"Yeah we are." Rose laughed pulling a pair of dark blue ballet flats out of her bag. "We wouldn't want you to fall flat on your face at your first college party."
"Thank you so much." I gratefully accepted the flats and slipped them on.
"Are we ready ladies?" Alice squealed.
"Hell yeah." Rose and I cried in unison.
The house was packed, I could feel the music in my bones, and the smell of alcohol was strong. We met up with Emmett and Jasper, and immediately I felt like a fifth wheel. I was about to head to the bathroom when someone put their warm hands over my eyes.
"Guess who?" he whispered loudly in his soft velvety voice.
"Hmmm… Adolf Hitler?" I joked as he removed his hands.
"You're funny B."
"Yep, call me Dr. Crack up." it was so easy to be like this with Edward, it was like breathing, something I have done since day one.
"Do you want a drink?" He called over the music.
I nodded and he took my hand leading me to the bar. "Hey there beautiful what can I get for you?" a creepy blond senior asked from behind the bar. I felt Edward squeeze my hand but I didn't think anything of it.
"I'll just have a coke." I answered. "Edward?"
"Vodka and Red Bull." he answered.
"Coming right up. I'm James, but you can call me big pappa." he said putting the two plastic cups in front of us.
"Eww, no thanks James." I answered coolly as I pulled Edward away from the bar.
"Bells! Come dance with us." Alice called from the dance floor where she and Rose were grinding on each other.
I wasn't the best dancer but I figured it wasn't worth dealing with Alice making a scene to embarrass me. I held up a finger and chugged the contents of my cup before making my way over to them. With Alice in front of me and Rose behind, we started grinding together, causing a lot of heads to turn in our direction. Any other time I would hate the attention but not tonight, because standing beside Emmett and Jasper was my best friend staring at me. I could practically feel his eyes trailing up and down my body as I swayed my hips, and I loved it!
After the song Emmett claimed Rose back and they started dry humping on the dance floor. At Alice's request Jasper accompanied her to the restroom. I looked around trying to find Edward but I couldn't see him.
"Hey Isabella." Mike Newton called over the loud music.
"Hey Mike." I muttered not even bothering to remind him that I hated my full name. My eyes trailed across the room looking for the familiar bronze hair I loved.
"Do you want to dance?" he asked hopefully.
"Mi-" and I spotted the bronze hair, but to my surprise there were a pair of hands with hot pink nails weaved through it. Edward was making out with a tall blond. I felt my heart stop beating, and I felt like I was going to vomit.
"Bella?" Mike asked. "Do you want to dance?"
"N-no. I need to rest my feet, these heels are starting to hurt." I lied.
"You aren't wearing heels."
"Oh ha! I was earlier but I changed. Why don't we just go get a couple of drinks?" I offered my eyes never leaving the back of Edward's head as I watched him rub his hands up and down the blonde's back.
"Alright, what would you like? You don't drink do you?" he asked leading the way to creepy James.
"Hey there beautiful what are we going to have this time?"
"Anything with alcohol please." I muttered glancing over to see that the blonde's hands had left Edward's hair but were now gripping his ass while she grinded her hips into his.
"How about a screaming orgasm." James growled.
"No, I want to get fucked up and I doubt that those pansy drinks are going to get the job done." I snapped. "I'll just have a couple shots of vodka."
"Alright darling." he smiled.
I took a couple of slices of lemon and rolled them in sugar while he poured the shots for me.
"Bella have you ever drank before?" Mike asked.
"Mike just shut up and have fun for once." I took my first shot and bit into the lemon before chugging the beer. "Ahh… feel good burn." I breathed as I looked back over at Edward. 'God shoot me now.' I thought as I reached for another shot. "Keep`em coming James."
I thought I heard something along the lines of 'I'll keep you coming' but I ignored it and took my third shot.
An hour later I was feeling good, I had lost Mike after I took my fourth shot. I was standing on a deserted balcony when I heard my name being called.
"Bells." I turned around.
"Thaz-me name." I told one of the three Alices standing in front of me.
"Have you been drinking?" they all asked at once.
"You told me I should have fun." I pouted wishing only one would talk at a time.
"I told you to have fun, you're completely smashed. Edward's been looking for you." as soon as she said his name I leaned over the edge and threw up.
"Oh Bells." she cooed as she pulled my hair away from my face. "It's fine I always bring a toothbrush with me, you can still have fun with Edward."
My heaves turned to sobs. "Bells it's fine do you want me to go find Edward?" she asked.
"Will you just stop saying his fucking name? God damn it!" I yelled causing her to flinch.
"Sorry I was just trying to help."
"I know I'm sorry, can you just take me home please?" I asked as the tears started falling down my face.
"Sure babe, we just have to let Jasper know what's going on. Are you going to be okay walking down there?"
"Yeah the sooner the better though." I stood up.
We walked hand in hand down the stairs, crowded with people in different stages of sexual activity. I kept my eyes on the ground, afraid that I was going to see him in the act and just the thought brought on a new round of tears.
After finding Jasper and explaining that I wasn't feeling well, Alice led me out to her car. "Are you going to tell me what's going on?" she whispered.
"Well, what is there to tell? Girl likes boy, boy makes girl think that boy likes the girl. Girl dances provocatively just to find boy making out with the other girl."
"What the hell? Bella how much did you drink because you just made absolutely no sense what-so-ever." she laughed.
"Oh, Ali he kissed another girl." I cried.
"What?" she yelled slamming on her breaks. "He was watching you dance like you were the greatest thing since sliced bread."
"I-I don't know… just please take me home." I begged.
"Of course B, Do you want me to stay?" I nodded. "Okay I'll take you to your place and then run home and grab some stuff."
We made it to my dorm and she laid me on the bed before dashing out. I sat there and wallowed myself in pity until I heard a knock on the door. "ALICE YOU KNOW THE DAMN THING IS OPEN! YOU JUST LEFT." I yelled.
The door opened. "Bells?"
My heart stopped beating. "Edward?" I whispered.
"Yeah Jasper said that you weren't feeling well so I thought that maybe I would come check in on you." he walked over to my bed. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine Alice will be here in a minute so you can go." I answered coldly.
"Okay I just wanted to see if you were alright." he leaned down to kiss my forehead, something I had grown accustomed to, except this time I cringed away. "Bells?"
"Just go." I felt the tears coming back so I turned my body towards the wall.
"What's wrong? you can tell me anything." he asked placing his hand on my back.
"Don't touch me." I snapped my voice laced with venom.
He flinched away. "Well damn it Bells, talk to me, you have never been like this. Was it Mike? I saw you two talking, did he do something?"
"Mike didn't do anything but; bug the living hell out of me." I muttered.
"Then what is it?"
I was crying hard, my body shaking with sobs and I just wished that Alice would hurry up and get here. "Edward please just go..."
"If I go will, you talk to me about it tomorrow?" he asked hopefully.
"Probably not." I answered truthfully.
"Then I won't leave." I felt my bed dip as he sat down and his hand touched my back causing me to flinch away.
"Why won't you let me touch you?" he asked sadly.
"You want to know why I don't want you to touch me? Because I don't want that nasty bitches skanky fucking leftovers!" I yelled.
"What are you talking about Bella?" he sat up.
"I saw you all over that blonde Edward." I whispered.
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"Please Edward I can't do this right now, please just leave."
"No, I won't, you need to talk to me. We never had a fight and I don't want to start now." he said sadly.
I could do one of two things either: act like everything is fine or tell him the truth. I decided to go with the latter.
"Edward, why were you looking at me while I was dancing with the girls?" I asked sitting up to face him.
He looked at the ground but didn't answer.
"Answer me? Was it just because there were three girls all over each other or was it because it was me?" I asked.
"It was because of you." he answered still looking at the floor.
My heart stuttered before I remembered what happened after we danced. "If it was because of me, then why the fuck were you all over that girl?"
"It's none of your business Bella." he snapped.
"It's none of my fucking business? You got all hot and bothered because of me and then turned around and basically fucked some slut in front of me?" I yelled.
"You know what Bella you don't have to be such a fucking bitch." he said before realizing what he just said. "Bells I'm sorry."
"Get the fuck out of my room." I laid back down. 'Where in the hell is Alice?'
"Bells?" he put his hand on my shoulder and I smacked it off.
"I said, get the fuck out of my room god damn it! Get the fuck out and stay out." I turned so that I was facing the wall and bawled.
Five minutes after I heard the door slam shut and then it opened again in few seconds. "B?" Alice's small voice called.
"Yeah?"
"What happened? I saw him walk in so I waited in the hall and then I heard you yelling. Edward wouldn't say anything when he left." she asked.
"He called me a bitch, so I told him to get out and stay out."
"Oh B, I know how much you hate that word but maybe your over reacting." she said.
"You know what Ali, I really want to be left alone and I am sorry that you got your stuff and came all the way up here, but please just go." I cried.
"I don't want to leave you like this B."
"I am asking you nicely to go, do you want the same treatment I just gave Edward?" my heart hurt the second his name left my lips.
Alice left quietly and I cried for hours just thinking. 'How could he say that he was watching me and then try to say it was none of my business that he was all over some other girl?' I thought. I cried until I passed out in exhaustion.
That was a week ago and I have left my dorm a total of three times. All three time were because of some jackass that kept pulling the fire alarm. All three times as I walked back into the building, I heard my friends call my name but never was Edward's voice. I would ignore them and go back to my dorm. I had unplugged the phone the morning after the party, and put a do-not-disturb sign on the door. I had been living off of crackers, peanut butter, and bottled water for a week; not that I was eating much. After three days they stopped knocking on my door and I reveled in the silence.
That is until I was woken up at three this morning to someone banging on my door.

Southern Comfort: Chapter 25

Chapter Twenty Five

Maggie called at six thirty this morning hysterical. Jake was colicky and she couldn't get him to stand. I offered to go be with her while Edward and Jasper worked with him, but he wouldn't let me, seeing as we only went to sleep two hours before the phone rang. He told me to go back to sleep and head out when I woke up well rested.

I was asleep the second he ended our good morning and goodbye kiss rolled into one.

And at ten my cell phone rang.

"Hello?" I answered, eyes still closed and head shoved under the pillow to block out the evil light.

"Yes, I'm calling to speak with a Bella Swan?" the voice sounded agitated. "She used to hang out with Jessica Stanley all the time and hasn't given her the time of day or even a phone call in over a month. Would you happen to know where I can find a Bella Swan?"

"I dunno, but tell Miss Jessica Stanley that the phone works both ways and mine hasn't rang in over a month either," I yawn.

"Whatever bitch!" Jessica cackles into the phone. "I've been knocking on your door forever. Okay, really, it's only been like a minute, but still. Come let me in!"

"Give me a minute," I chuckle, climbing out of bed and tripping over a stray boot on the way to the bathroom. "What are you doing up at this hour? Jessica doesn't do mornings."

"Well I got some news for you. ARE YOU PEEING WHILE YOU TALK TO ME?" she screams.

"Well, if I wasn't before, I am now. Jesus, Jess, you might be outside, but I'm inside. Let's use our inside voices please."

"Ew Bella! That's just nasty. Come on, open up."

I take my time washing my hands and then brushing my teeth, which pisses her off even further. By the time I swing the door open, the coffee is brewing and there are Eggos in the toaster. Jess gives me a dirty look.

"What? I have to offer food and refreshment or I'd be a bad hostess."

"Slut," she mutters, walking past me and into the kitchen. "When did Felix get a brother?"

"Huh?"

Jessica points to the wall above the dining room table where my Felix clock hangs on the wall. Next to Felix is Edward's beloved Garfield clock. We both refused to part with our kitchen clocks, so now we had two.

"Oh, when Edward moved in."

Jessica stares at me for a second, looking me over. "AW HELL! No wonder you've been hiding out. Shit girl! I thought I'd done something to piss you off. All this time you've been shacking up with your dream boat." She catches sight of my engagement ring and snatches my left hand up to see. "When the hell did this happen?"

"Recently." I take my hand back. "Coffee?"

"Sure." She sits down, but doesn't stop staring at me. "How does it feel?"

"Feel?"

"Yeah, to be in love?" She rests her chin on her hand. "You've loved Edward since forever and now that you have him and you're getting married and all. How does it feel?"

Jessica's being weird. Not that she wasn't always a little off, but this topic of conversation isn't something we've ever covered.

"It feels wonderful, Jess. Magical even," I smile, handing her a cup of coffee. "I can't explain it in any other way but completion because that's how I feel. Complete."

"I'm glad for you, Bella. I tried to keep my distance because I thought you'd be livid about me asking him to the carnival, but there wasn't another way around it. You both were too chicken." She reaches over and grabs my left hand. "And now look at you. Three months later and you're getting married."

"You really only invited him to the carnival because you wanted to force us together?" I ask. "Because I was pissed up until Edward told me what you had said to him. I was hurt because you knew how I felt about him."

"I had to do what I had to do, Bella. You're welcome." She fingers my ring and I'm not sure if I believe her or not. "I came by to talk with you and catch up. Maybe even take a punch or two if you were pissed."

"I'm not gonna hit you," I laugh.

"Good. So you know Sam? The mechanic by the Cuban shop?"

I nod around my cup.

"Well we've been seeing each other since January and I think I might be in love. He's all I think about all the time and it's not even the sex; it's everything about him."

"Jessica, are you feeling alright?"

"Yes! I just told you I think I'm in love. I'm sort of freaking out, but I'm alright."

"I'm just checking to make sure because the Jessica I know has always been dead set on screwing her way through life. The Jessica Stanley I know was incapable of loving someone other than herself."

"People change, Bella." Her eyes well up. "I know I've fucked up in the past, but Sam doesn't care about that. We've talked about everything and he's heard of all the skeletons in my closet. He has a few of his own."

"That's good."

"He used to be married. To a woman named Leah. She lives in the next town over. They have two kids. Stop giving me that look, Bella. I know I said I'd never want to have a kid of my own, but that's just because I'm afraid of fucking it up worse than I am. Paul and Jared are older, like seven and eight, so they are already potty trained and they really like me."

"You met them?"

"Yeah, Sam took me to meet them before they come to stay with him for the summer. Leah and her girlfriend-" My eyes bug out when she said that statement. "Yeah, she left him for another woman, but she and Emily wanted to meet me before I spent time with the boys."

"What did she think of you?" I wonder.

"At first I thought she was gonna gut me or something, but the boys warmed up to me and eventually she did, too." Jessica grips my hand. "Sam asked me to move in with him before the boys come for the summer."

"And?"

"I'm fucking terrified, Bella! I've never done anything beyond casual fuck buddies, and now I'm in a monogamous relationship and being asked to move in with him and help take care of his two kids."

"What did you tell him?"

"I didn't. I left him at City Diner," she laughs nervously. "I should probably head back, but I wanted to talk it out with someone and you're the first person I thought of."

I take a deep breath before entwining my fingers with hers. "Jessica, you don't want to look back seven years from now and wonder why you waited so long. If you love Sam and see a future with him, then go for it, hon. I've never seen you like this before, but I can tell you're being sincere."

"I'm scared, Bella," she murmurs, eyes swelling up with unshed tears.

"Well then, talk to Sam about it. Tell him what you're afraid of and see if maybe the two of you can come up with a compromise." I glance over at Felix. "Maybe you can keep your apartment for a little while just in case the two of you decide to take a step back."

"Yeah," she mumbles. "I better get back. He's probably wondering where the hell his car went by now."

"I gotta get ready to head out to the ranch anyway. There's a problem with one of Maggie's horses and Edward's been out there all morning."

I walk Jessica to the door and give her a hug. "Thank you, Jessica. You might have gone about it the wrong way, but you're the reason behind me having everything I ever wanted. I want you to be happy, too."

"Thanks, Bella." She hugs me tightly. "Your boobs are bigger. Lucky bitch."

I smile and wave to her as she pulls out of my driveway in a beat up Volkswagen Rabbit.

Edward calls as I'm stepping out of the shower and asks me to bring food for everyone because no one is willing to leave Jake for a moment. I promise to bring lunch and tell him I love him before getting dressed and stopping by City Diner.

Southern Comfort: Chapter 24

Chapter Twenty Four

"Babe, go comfort your momma before she makes herself sick," I whisper into his ear, but he doesn't move. His arm tightens around me instead and I find myself in a vice-like hold. I let him have his moment because I know he's happy. I'm afraid I'm getting his hopes up and setting us up for heartbreak, but I didn't want to keep it to myself any more.

Eventually I manage to untangle myself from him and Maggie brings it to everyone's attention that Edward is crying. He pulls away from me, unashamed that he has big man tears rolling down his cheeks. I watch him move over to Esme in an effort to comfort her.

When they pull apart ten minutes later, her sobs are now happy giddy whimpers. She moves to come over to me, but sees that the rest of us are in check with our emotions and have started eating the dinner she's prepared for us. She sits down and Carlisle slinks back into the dining room holding a bottle of wine.

"I figured we'd celebrate good and proper," he shrugs, using his old pocketknife tool to unscrew the cork. "Not every day our only boy gets engaged."

Esme stifles another sob while Maggie grabs enough glasses for everyone. I don't want to turn down the wine because I saw the way Esme looked at the pile of peas on my plate and we aren't ready for that sort of announcement, just in case. Edward squeezes my hand tenderly as Carlisle hands me a half full glass of merlot.

"Don't worry 'bout it, darlin'," he whispers in my ear. "Just pretend until I drink some of mine and we'll switch."

I nod.

Our meal is cold, but I sort of grew up on fried chicken from the fridge, so I enjoy it. Edward manages to empty his glass and make the switch, but Carlisle sees my glass and moves to fill it up again.

"No thank you, Carlisle," I stop him, placing my hand over my glass. "I'm driving."

"Oh, alright."

"Not that we don't enjoy Esme's fine cookin' and what not," Maggie interrupts. "But why were we invited to this family occasion?"

"Because your family, Mags," Edward explains.

"Uh oh," she chuckles. "Why do I feel like that's a loaded comment? What will you be needing? 'Cause I'm sure the horses will survive a week or two so you can honeymoon."

"We actually wanted to talk to you about maybe having the wedding at the ranch," I mumble. "It's beautiful and simple and-"

"You know we charge for weddings right?" Liam asks. "People always contact us wanting to hold events and such, but we always turn them down."

"We can pay!" I argue. "We weren't asking for a hand out just for permission."

Edward's arm wraps around my shoulder and he pulls me to his chest. "Careful, darlin', they're only jokin'," he chuckles into my hair.

"Of course you can get hitched at the ranch, Bella. Liam was just pullin' your leg. We don't hold ceremonies at the ranch, but we'd love to host yours," Maggie smiles. "When are you wantin' to pull this shindig off?"

"Soon," Edward and I answer together, causing the rest of the table to laugh.

"Bella?" Alice's voice is hopeful.

"What can I do for you, Mouse?" I ask.

"Can I help you plan the ceremony?" She's bouncing again. Thank God Jasper's there to hold her at bay.

"On one condition..." Edward answers for the both of us. "...It's going to be a simple wedding. Bella and I get full power to veto anything."

"Deal!" Alice claps her hands excitedly.

The rest of dinner passes by. I enjoy a slice of Esme's cinnamon apple pie with some of Carlisle's homemade vanilla ice cream. And then I eat half of Edward's. I'm not worried that anyone will suspect anything because I've always been a hog at dessert and Edward's always been the victim of my greed.

Alice and Maggie talk about the perfect location. Carlisle and Liam partake in a little too much wine and are quietly giggling about something on the couch. Esme and Jasper start playing this ridiculously complex card game that involves a calculator. Edward and I choose that time to make our exit. It's only five thirty when we enter our town and Edward pulls to a stop in front of the drug store.

"You reckon we should grab you a test?" he asks uncertainly.

"I don't know. I've never taken one before. It might be too early, ya know?" I shrug. "But if it will make you feel better, then go buy one, babe."

"Come with me?"

"Not a chance in hell." I lay across the bench seat. "Hurry up."

"Bells!" Edward whines.

"I'm not going in there, Edward. I don't want any gossip hounds seeing the two of us in the parenthood section. If you want a damn test, then go buy one alone."

"Fine," he harrumphs, slamming the door of his truck a little harshly. Ten minutes later a beet red Edward climbs back into the truck, holding a bag bigger than I thought it would be. He doesn't say anything as he starts the engine and careens down the street.

"You okay, babe?" I ask, noticing the way his knuckles are white from the grip he has on the steering wheel.

"Huh? What? Yeah, I'm fine." He waves it off, muttering to himself.

"Well, you were fine when you went in. Now you're sort of freakin' me out," I giggle. He tosses the bag towards me and I open it, finding four different pregnancy tests.

"Those are early response ones. Two of them you pee on a stick, one you pee in a cup and dip the stick into it and then there's one that turns your pee a color as a result." His neck is even flushed as he explains.

"Why did you buy so many?"

"Because I didn't know what kind to get and then Mrs. Cope came by and asked if I needed help. I got embarrassed, grabbed some of them and went to the checkout," he grumbles. "Then the cashier asked me how far along the person taking the test might be and explained that early response is probably best."

He parks in front of the house and turns off the truck. "Then another lady said you should wait until the mornin' cause you're- it's best if you just wait till the mornin'."

"Well, that's what you get for being over excited, Edward Cullen," I laugh out loud. "It's probably too early for one of these things to work and you've embarrassed the crap out of yourself."

"Yeah yeah yeah. Get in the house," he growls.

"Why?" I ask innocently.

"Because if you aren't already, I plan on knockin' you up tonight, darlin'." His smirk is sexy in a 'I'm serious. Get in the fucking house right now before we partake in baby makin' right here, right now' kind of way.

"Yes sir," I obey, saluting for good measure as I jump out of the truck.

I Want To Save You: Epilogue

EPILOGUE

"Alright, Kayla. What did you get for number four?" I asked the tiny little girl sitting in the front row by the door.

"Umm... fourteen?" she asked, her small voice barely audible, despite the class being entirely quiet.

"Very good!" I praised, throwing a sugar-free Jolly Rancher over to her.

I'd been teaching for almost six months now and I loved it. As soon as I graduated, I started sending my credentials to all of the elementary schools in the southern area. It took me a year and a half, but I finally got an offer at a school two hours from my home town. When they informed me that I'd be teaching second grade math and science, I was a little skeptic. I'd wanted reading and language arts, but they didn't have any openings. I went through all of the meetings and training for a month before school was in session.

On my first day, a little boy peed his pants and then threw up on me. I was ready to quit. I even started to pack my desk up when a little girl walked up to my desk and held her hand out. Nestled between her little fingers was a partially melted Hershey's kiss. "You look like you could use this more than me. Momma says chocolate always makes people smile," she said, placing it on top of my planner before walking back to her desk in the front row by the door. Kayla was my favorite student, the one that showed me that I could do it, but I'd never admit it.

"Mr. Cullen?" Jared asked, raising his chubby hand. "When do we get to go out for recess?"

"Well, it's raining, so we don't get to go out today." The class groaned. "Am I that boring?" I jokingly asked. "I mean, I was thinking we'd play silent speed-ball, but I guess we can sit quietly and read out of our science books."

The class erupted in protest, begging for silent speed-ball.

The Jolly Ranchers were a fellow teacher's idea. The kids seemed to learn better when they had an incentive, so I went to the local Costco and bought a giant thirty pound bag of the little hard candies. It was the best hundred dollars I'd ever spent. My students were now learning at a higher rate than any of the other second graders in the school.

A five dollar rubber band ball was another smart investment; silent speed-ball on a rainy day was genius. It kept everyone on alert waiting for the ball to be lobbed towards them. The rubber band ball was soft enough that it bounced off the windows, so we didn't have to worry about breaking anything. It was called 'silent' for a reason. If you so much as squeaked during play, you had to sit out till the next round, so we never got complaints from the surrounding teachers.

"Fine. Marty, get the ball out of the cabinet please. We'll start our recess a couple of minutes early. Every one stand up and put your books in your desk. Push your chairs in," I instructed, placing my coffee cup on the floor under my desk for safe keeping. We all chose our spots wisely and before long there was a bright colored ball flying around the room. I always ended up being the favorite of the game and more often than not, the ball would be thrown to me. As the teacher I was allowed to speak and sometimes I had to speak up and remind the kids to play fairly.

I'd just tossed the ball to Kayla for the second time since the game started when I heard my phone vibrating in the top drawer of my desk.

"Time out!" I gave the signal, rushing over to my desk. "You can play, but don't throw it at me." The game proceeded as I pulled my phone out and went to stand by the window to insure that I'd have good reception.

"Hello?"

"It's time," Rose said. "You need to get here because it's happening fast. She's sort of freaking out, so you might want to hurry."

"I'll be there in twenty minutes. Um... just tell her to keep her legs clamped shut," I rambled, gathering my briefcase and my jacket.

"Don't drive reckless. Love yah! Bye!" she sang, hanging up the phone. After instructing everyone to sit in their seats, I ran across the hall to Mrs. Bun's classroom. She was the reading and English teacher, so I wasn't surprised to find her class playing hangman during their indoor recess. As soon as the door opened, she looked up and gave me a warm smile.

"Edward, I take it it's time?" she stood up.

"Yeah, it's happening faster than anticipated and I have to go, like now. Can you grab the kids for me?" I rushed through my sentence.

"Of course. Be careful and tell her congratulations from me," she patted my arm.

The drive to the hospital was quick. I maneuvered my trusty Volvo down the almost dead streets, speeding up when I saw opportunity. I parked in a doctor's parking spot and ran into the hospital and all the way up to the maternity floor. Rose and Emmett were sitting outside of a room, their daughter, Michelle, playing with her Barbies on the floor between them. As soon as they saw me, they both stood with sad smiles on their faces.

"I'm too late?" I gasped, trying to catch my breath from the two flights of stairs I'd just sprinted up.

"Yep, about nineteen minutes. Right after I hung up with you, she said she couldn't wait and they had her start pushing," Rose explained. "She's been asking for you though, so knock before heading in."

"Thanks for being here," I said, kissing Michelle on her cheek before rushing over to the door and knocking softly.

"Come in," I heard before opening the door.

"Hi. I'm sorry we couldn't wait."

"It's fine," I replied, shaking my head. "I'm sorry I'm late. I really wanted to be here."

"Eh, shit happens. Do you want to hold her?"

"Of course. Let me wash my hands," I explained, walking over to the tiny sink. When Michelle was born, we all learned proper hygiene when it came to babies. I washed my hands thoroughly and dried them off before walking over to the bed. The only thing I could see under the swaddled pink and white was a pair of big dark blue, almost black, eyes squinting at me almost angry like, and a puff of strawberry blond hair.

"Looks like she's going to have my hair huh?" I joked, picking her up as carefully as I could.

"Yep. We can thank grandpa for that," Alice yawned, lying back against the bed completely exhausted. "I swear your first born better come out looking just like me."

"That's not something I can promise, Ali," I laughed, looking down at the bundle in my arms. "Hi there. I'm Uncle Edward."

"She knows who you are, loser," Alice laughed tiredly. "That hurt like hell. Even with the epidural."

"I can't imagine," I chuckled. "So are you going to tell me her name now?"

"Edelyne Grace Whitlock," Alice smiled. "After her uncle, of course."

"Alice," I groaned. "You can't be serious."

"I am," Alice said, sitting up her eyes filling with tears. "Without you, I don't know what I would have done. You've been here for me the entire time and I can't thank you enough. Let me do this because it's the least I can do."

"Alice."

"Oh shut the hell up, Edward. I already signed the papers, so get over it," she sniffled. "I wish he was here." Jasper and Alice were the only ones that stayed in town after graduation. They continued to avoid each other for a solid three months. After running into each other at the coffee house Alice was working at during the weekends when she wasn't in school, Jasper convinced her into a date. Their relationship was stronger than ever after that, as if the entire debacle hadn't happened.

Jasper opened his own tattoo shop two years later and business was booming. Alice stopped working at the coffee house and quickly picked up piercing for him, but the business fell through a few months before she graduated from cosmetology school. Jasper started working at the shop that he interned at after high school and proposed to Alice the day she graduated, refusing to let the failed business hinder their happiness. They decided on a long engagement, but things changed when Alice became pregnant a few months before I received my hiring papers.

Jasper convinced himself that he couldn't raise a baby on a hair stylist and a tattoo artist's salary, and after a lot of deliberation, he enrolled in the navy. They thought they would have time before he was whisked away, but with training and everything, he'd missed almost everything. The money he was making made it all worth it. They were married two weeks before he was deployed overseas and the only communication they'd had since then was via cell phone or webcam. Alice was staying on the base in Texas, but when Jasper was deployed, she decided to move home to be around our parents. I accompanied her to all of her doctor's appointments and checkups, but she wanted her husband and Edelyne's father here instead. If I could, I'd switch places with him at this moment.

"I know, Alice." I sat at the foot of her bed with my niece in my arms. "She's beautiful. Just like her momma."

"Thanks. I feel a little less than beautiful right now," she sighed. "Sort of like a deflated balloon. I can't wait to hit the gym." We shared a laugh before Edelyne started crying. Alice hit the nurse page button and I excused myself so that the nursing assistant could help her set up for their first feeding.

Emmett had Michelle on his shoulder, her crinkly curly blond hair a giant mess as she slept, drooling down her father's shoulder. Rose was flipping through a camera catalog. They'd gone to school together for film and directing, but Rose was the only one able to succeed. She'd done a bunch of low key movies when she found her niche in commercializing. After they eloped in a small chapel they decided they wanted a baby and Michelle arrived eight months later. Emmett decided that filming wasn't for him, and Rose made more than enough money with her career, so he became Mr. Mom. He started a small daycare in their home and babysat ten children from around the neighborhood after school or while their parents were at work.

"How's she doing?" Emmett asked, toying with his phone.

"Fine. She's missing Jasper a lot, but they are both doing fine. Did she tell you what she named her?"

"Yeah. That poor kid," Rose snorted. "How are you doing? I was worried about your drive over here after I hung up."

"Good. It was a little hectic and I was still too late, but we can't change things can we?" I shrugged.

We sat together in the hallway. Michelle woke up and asked for hot chocolate. Rose pawned her off to me, so with a handful of quarters, we headed down to the cafeteria. She swung on my arm like a little monkey jabbering about her new little baby she was going to play with as soon as mommy let her in to see Aunty Alice. I just chuckled and tried to keep up with her once she ran off. She had just made it to the double doors leading to the cafeteria when she ran into a short, brown haired woman wearing hot pink scrubs. Immediately the woman picked up Michelle swinging her in her arms while the tot giggled away.

"Aunty Bella!" she sang as Bella kissed her cheek.

"Hi Miss Michelle. I heard you had a baby? Boy or a girl?" Bella asked, sending me a smile.

"Yep, her's is a girl. And I'm gonna dress her up just like Aunty Alice dressed me up when I'sa baby," Michelle rambled, jumping around as soon as Bella sat her on her dainty feet.

"Wow! Sounds exciting! I remember when you were just a little baby. I would hold you in my arms and you'd just fart all over my arm." Bella crinkled her cute nose.

"Ew, that's gross. Momma said girls don't fart. We fluff," Michelle corrected.

"Well then, you fluffed all over me," Bella laughed. "Are you going to buy me some hot chocolate?"

"I dunno. Uncle Ed do you have enough quarters?" Michelle asked thoughtfully.

"I'm sure we do," I nodded. Michelle decided that she was old enough to get her own, so we stood a few feet behind her and supervised while she placed the quarters into the slot and pressed the button. She chose cappuccino accidentally, so I took that one, not wanting Rose to kick my ass when she found out her kid had caffeine.

"How's Alice doing?" Bella asked, bumping my shoulder with hers. "I didn't find out they were here until after the baby was here and this is the first break I've had in twelve hours. I hope she doesn't think ill of me. Without caffeine, there is no way I'm going to last another twelve hours," she yawned loudly, covering her mouth with her hand.

"She's good. The baby is beautiful. Edelyne Grace Whitlock."

Bella snorted into her hand. "I didn't think she was going to take me serious."

"You're the one that gave her that name?" I asked incredulously.

"Well yeah. We were talking one night and she said she wanted to pay tribute," Bella shrugged. Michelle kicked the machine, screaming for it to give her more marshmallows, so Bella stepped in, grabbing her by the hand and leading her over to the small nurse's lounge that was attached to the cafeteria. I watched as they filled Michelle's cup the rest of the way with marshmallows out of a bag from the pantry.

Bella hadn't been in school for less than two weeks before she called me crying over a little girl who'd been hit by a car outside the apartment she lived in during college. Bella had witnessed the entire thing and did everything she could, holding the little girl while the driver ran and left her to die. The ambulance had arrived a few minutes too late. The little girl died in Bella's arms and it hit her hard. I offered to come down and be with her, but she declined.

Two weeks later she was changing her classes and going into nursing. She believed that had she been properly trained, she would have been able to save the little girl. Despite the fact that the girl's parents had told her otherwise. The little girl wouldn't have lived even if she'd been hit by the car right in front of the hospital. Her injuries were too serious. She graduated with a nursing license and started working for the hospital in Florida that she did most of her on the job training.

We continued our long distance relationship the entire time. Not once did we question the other or the fact that we lived clear across the United States. As soon as I graduated and returned home trying to find a job, Bella told me that she wasn't signing a contract with the hospital and that she wanted to be where I was.

When I got my job at the elementary school, she contacted the hospital in town and two months later, she moved from her small apartment into the tiny house I'd started renting once I came back. We made up for lost time, enjoying a month of nothing but each other, ordering out and refusing to leave the house, more like leaving the bed or answer the phone.

When Alice moved home, she started staying at our house on the weekends to give my parents a break. Alice wasn't a polite pregnant woman; her hormones deviated quicker than you could blink. One second crying, the next screaming her head off, then back to bawling before you could even try to console her. It only grew worse when she realized that Jasper wouldn't be back in time for the birth. With Bella by my side we managed. Turning the small spare bedroom in our house into a bedroom/nursery for Alice and the baby. We moved all of her stuff out of my parent's house and offered her a place to stay until Jasper returned.

"What are you smiling 'bout, dork?" Michelle asked, jumping into my lap. Bella laughed and sat the marshmallow filled cup on the table.

"I'm happy, geek. What are you smiling about?" I pulled a messy curl.

"'Cause I just had a baby," she said, ending her sentence with an eye roll. Definitely Rose's child.

"Oh, well, I guess that would make me smile, too."

"Then why don't you and Aunty Bella have a baby?" she asked, bouncing a little as she sipped her hot chocolate. Bella snorted and coughed on her drink, getting up to get a napkin to wipe her nose.

We'd talked about getting married, starting a family and living the American Dream. We wanted to do it the smart way, so once I had been working at the school for three years and Bella at the hospital for the same amount of time, we'd start planning our wedding.

Just like Bella made the first move asking me out on a date all those years ago, she also jumped the gun about proposing. I'd come home surprised to find all of her bags in the living room and found her sitting on my bed. She wasn't supposed to arrive for another three days, but she said she was too excited. She got down on one knee and asked me to marry her. I said yes. Obviously. After we get married, Bella would stop birth control and we'd see what hand life dealt us.

"Someday, princess," Bella answered simply, sending me a sly wink.

"Someday," I agreed.