BPOV

"This isn't going to work Bella" His hand felt heavy on my shoulder and my stomach dropped. He couldn't be serious!

"What isn't going to work?" I decided to play dumb. Edward looked amazing as always yet he seemed nervous – I'm not surprised; I would be nervous too if I was breaking up with a newborn vampire with the temperament of a new mother. Edward removed his hand and paced in front of me.

"This...us!" He threw his hands in the air. "I've been unhappy for a while Bella and we both know it. I truly thought that taking you as my bride, and my mate, would change how I felt...but it hasn't and for that I am sorry" He looked at me with apologetic eyes and I forced myself to keep my own face emotionless. He took this as a sign to continue.

"I've tried to make this work you must understand. I've tried to pretend to be happy for the sake of our family but I simply cannot go on like this anymore" He had stopped in front of me and took a deep, unnecessary breath.

"I wish for us to...take a break. I don't think we should throw our marriage away to nothing but at the same time...there's some things I need to think about – things I must do. Please, Isabella, you must understand that this has been difficult for me" His eyes begged me to understand him, to feel sorry for him. Before I even knew what I was doing I had fled the house and was running as far as I could get from Edward.

EPOV

I watched as she ran until I could no longer see her and let out the breath I had been holding. The talk had gone better than expected considering the circumstances. I rubbed my temples for a moment as a wave of guilt washed over me and I sat down on one of the chairs. What had I done? This was Bella! She was the reason for my existence, the mother to my child!...No. She was the reason for my existence. I shook my head and moved to the phone at the other end of the room and dialled the number I had memorised by heart. After a few rings the other end opened up.

"Yes?"

"It's me. I told her I needed a break from us and she took it better than I had thought" Laughter crossed through the phone and I couldn't help but smile myself.

"It had to be done. When can you come back to me, Edward? I miss you...I can't get the memory of that night out of my head" I closed my eyes and remembered that night myself very clearly. Just before Bella and I were about to leave for our honeymoon Tanya had cornered me and professed that she still had feelings for me. I told her I didn't feel anything for her but we both knew it was a lie. Instead of pushing her away when she advanced on me I instead pulled her closer and, even though we spent little time together, I knew I could never forget the feeling of my lips on her, of our skin against each other's. I heard her chuckle and opened my eyes.

"I'll leave tonight my family will understand...be ready for me" My voice was deeper than it had been earlier as I hung up the phone. I needed her, my Tanya. I quickly found a notepad and jotted down a quick message telling my family not to worry and to tell Renesme that I'll return soon. It broke my heart to leave my daughter but I knew she would be loved and cared for while I was away. And, wasting no time, with that I left for Alaska.

-2 days later-

JPOV

When we had returned 2 days ago to find Edward's note I had been fuming. How dare he do this not just to Bella but to his family! I struggled to keep everyone calm as we searched for Bella only to be told by Jacob Black that she was being looked after in La Push. We were shocked, of course, to learn she hadn't been torn to shreds upon crossing the treaty line and Jacob laughed telling us that it was Bella and she was crying – no-one would dare stop Emily looking after her. It had been late into the night when Bella eventually called and ask that one of us pick her up at the treaty line. My family and I decided I should go to help calm her emotions and keep her in check. When I arrived I leaned against a tree and waited patiently for Bella to appear. I didn't have to wait long. After only a few minutes she emerged from the tree line flanked by two wolves. One was clearly Jacob and the other I remember being the girl...Leah? I looked back at Bella and held back a wince. When Edward had left her after her birthday she had become a depressed wreck of a girl, but now...

"How are you feeling Bella?" She snorted at my choice of words and shrugged.

"Much better actually thanks" I knew she was lying. Her emotions were all over the place but the most clear one that raced through her was anger. She turned around and addressed the wolves.

"Thanks you guys for taking care of me I don't think I would of made it without you" Jacob nudged her legs with his snout and Leah simply nodded. I waited for her to say her goodbyes and the wolves to leave before carefully wrapping my arms around her in an embrace. She froze instantly but I didn't move.

"He's an idiot to be doing this to you again, were all furious at him" When she didn't respond I considered letting her go when she slowly wrapped her arms around my waist. I grunted as she began to literally crush me in the hug but let it slide. She was in pain and I would do anything I could to help her.

"He didn't even give me a real excuse this time he just stood there rambling about how hard this was for him to have to pretend to be happy with me" If she could cry I'm certain she would be right now. Her head was buried into my shoulder and my shirt was balled up in her fists at my back. I reached up and began to stroke her hair and sent soothing auras to her. We stood there like that for a while neither of us moving or speaking. It seemed to have the desired affect and after a moment more she pulled back slightly.

"Thank you, Jasper. I honestly do feel better" She gave me a shaky smile and my heart broke for her. She had been through so much...she didn't need this crap. I looked into her deep red eyes and felt something that I had never felt before. It was like fire was burning through my veins, like something had exploded inside of myself, like I could finally see after forever being blind. I stared at Bella and knew from that moment on she could never be just Bella anymore. That I would do anything and everything I could to protect and cherish her. Without thinking I cupped her face in my hands and leaned down, pressing my lips gently to hers in a soft, tender kiss.