Chapter One

Author's note: This is definitely a Jacob/Bella fic, but the first couple of chapters are more Edward/Bella centric because it's post-Eclipse. Thanks for reading, and please review!

"Here you are, love."

Edward set the plate down in front of her, careful not to mess up the papers scattered across the table. Bella was studying, or trying to. She couldn't seem to pull her eyes away from the vampire walking around the kitchen.

Their kitchen, she corrected herself.

Funny how even though both of their names were on the ownership papers, this apartment still felt like Edward's, not hers. Of course, he did most of the cleaning and paid all the bills. Sometimes she would wash her dishes, as she was the only one who used them, but he would usually come along and finish up for her. After all, he got it done much faster.

She groaned. "What am I doing again?"

Edward sat down in the chair beside her. "You're studying…after you eat." He pushed the plate of hand tossed salad towards her. She stared down at it with distaste. "I'm not—"

"You haven't eaten since breakfast. Eat, Bella." It was a command.

So she ate. And then she went back to studying while Edward quietly sat down in the other room and pretended to watch the television. In reality he was watching her. Something was pressing on him. Something he couldn't put his finger on. It was probably nothing, he assured himself. Or it could be everything. But calling Alice right now would distract Bella, and she really needed to study.

It was a miracle in and of itself that they were even where they were. A year ago she had agreed to marry him. Ten months ago she agreed to go to college for a year, maybe two. Bella's mother had insisted. In her mind, Bella was a bit young for marriage and needed to grow up a bit before she made that step. Her mother even flew to Forks from Jacksonville to "talk sense into her". Bella had finally agreed, if she could live with Edward on campus. Bella's mother agreed to that plan. Bella's father…not so much, but some battles you just can't win.

So there they were, at Brown, living the college life.

For now.

"I'm going to take a shower," Bella said. She made her way towards the bathroom they shared, and her eyes wandered over Edward in a way that was almost greedy.

Bella,

How's college? Are you enjoying your History class? Charlie said you were having some trouble. Sorry, can't help you there! History was never my thing. I prefer English myself. Anyway just wanted to see how living with Edward was going, you never really answer my emails that much—

Bella started to skim. It was the same thing her mother sent every other day. How's school? How's living with Edward? How's the apartment? Blah, blah, blah. As if so much had changed since the last time Bella had answered. School is good, I enjoy my classes. Living with Edward is great, I see us doing this for the rest of my life. Edward and I take care of the apartment, we're lucky to have it. It was the same old, same old.

Bella couldn't help but resent her mother. If it wasn't for her she would probably be in Alaska right now, drinking penguins. She'd be with Edward in more ways then one, and she'd be his equal—and right now that was the biggest thing.

Also, and honey I know this isn't really my business, but how's Jacob? Your dad told me something happened between you two? I hope it isn't anything you guys can't patch up. I loved reading what you had to say about him, you two really seemed to have something. I haven't met him yet but maybe one day you can introduce us? It's just, it seemed like he was such a big part of your life. You know sweetie, first loves are great but sometimes it's not what we want but what we need---

Delete. Backspace. Whatever the fuck got that message to go away the quickest. Bella slammed the laptop closed and pushed her roll-y chair away from the desk. She was shaking.

Fuck. Shit. Had she not told her mother not to talk about him? Had her blatant disregard of all previous Jacob messages her mother had sent her not gotten through?!

"Crap." She pushed all thoughts of Jake out of her mind. If she didn't think about him, then she couldn't feel anything towards him. And if she couldn't feel anything towards him—

"Are you coming to bed now, love?"

---then saying "yes" to that wouldn't be nearly as difficult.

"Bella, are you alright?"

Bella gave a sharp nod. "Yeah, I was just reading my mom's email and couldn't think of how to handle it."

Edward froze as the front door opened and then slammed shut. In a flash he flew out of the room. "Alice, what the hell are you saying?!" he yelled.

Bella launched herself out of her chair and, after having to brace herself on the bed, rushed out of the bedroom and into the living room.

Alice and Edward were staring at each other and true horror was etched on their faces. Jasper was standing behind Alice, his hand on her shoulder. Edward slowly turned his head towards Bella, his eyes wide.

"Bella."

She grabbed the back end of their couch and leaned against it. "What's going on?" It was meant to come out strong and stern. She sounded like a mouse.

The phone rang.

Edward and Alice both closed their eyes. Alice crumpled to the floor, her hands twisting through her short hair. She stared for a brief moment at the carpet before saying, "Let her answer it."

"Bella answer the phone." Edward's voice was bleak.

The walk from the couch to the phone was like running a marathon. All three vampires were staring at her with eyes that knew something that she obviously didn't.

"Hello?" Bella answered weakly.

"Oh god, Bell. It's Phil."

"Hi, Phil. Is something---"

"---oh god it's your mom. She's gone. She was in a car accident 'bout an hour ago, and they, and they….they couldn't save her god damnit---"

Bella heard sobbing. Whether it was coming from her or Phil she wasn't sure, as the phone was in the middle of falling from her hand to the floor.