Bella's Story

The ringtone cracked through the silence in Alice's office. Her black bob covering her work on a sketch pad. Her manicured fingers fumbled through the stacks of notebooks and papers that cluttered her desk until she found the source of the interruption. She glanced at the caller ID briefly before answering. "Hey B...Hun are you okay?...He did what?...Are you sure? Be at my house in half an hour...Jasper will understand. Hey B? It's going to be okay." Alice ended the phone call. She cleared her desk piling everything into her bag. She locked her office door, said goodbye to her secretary, and was on her way to the grocery store in a matter of minutes.

The neighborhood grocery store near her house was crowded. Kids running around with parents trailing behind, trying to gain control. Alice moved purposefully towards the snack aisle. She quickly pulled her phone out of her Michael Kors bag and dialled her fiancé, Jasper. "Hey babe, change of plans for tonight...Mike cheated on B...Exactly. She'll be over there soon...Thank you, also could you pick out some movies for tonight...Have I mentioned how perfect you are?...I love you." Alice hung up just in time to grab a bag a chips before a 5 year old tried to sneak it into his mom's cart.

In ten minutes Alice got all of their favorite snack foods and checked out. It was a miracle there was an empty lane. She pulled her yellow Porsche into the garage next to Jasper's navy Audi. Jasper helped her grab all the bags out of the car and carry inside.

She and Jasper finished laying all the snack options out just as Bella came through the front door. Her chocolate-brown eyes rimmed with tears. Jasper gave her a hug before she collapsed into Alice's arms on the leather sectional. There they sat for half an hour. Bella sobbing and intermittently drinking the Riesling Jasper brought over.

"I never liked Mike. He is a total douchebag." Jasper offered.

"He really is a douchebag, but I loved him and I thought he loved me. I can't believe he cheated on me with Jessica. Everyone knows she has slept with half the staff." Sobbed Bella, downing half her glass of wine.

Alice hugged her closer, filling her glass again. "He's an idiot. He chose a Tara Reid over a Jennifer Aniston."

"Plus he probably has an STD now." Added Jasper, successfully coaxing a small giggle from Bella.

"That's true. I hope it's herpes, that piece of shit deserves it." Bella laughed at the thought of it. She finally looked the array of her favorite foods spread out on the coffee table. There were chips and popcorn, pudding cups, cookie dough, and sour gummy worms. She smiled at Alice and Jasper giving them both hugs. "Thank you guys for doing this. I know it's date night."

Jasper scoffed, "I love eating junk food and drinking wine. Plus Alice gave me control of the movie list, which she never does." Jasper said hugging Bella again, whispering in her ear, "How do you feel about Kill Bill?"

It was her turn to scoff, "Umm, yes! Girls kicking ass is exactly what I need."

"I told you B, Jasper would be fine with it. Jaz do you want to start the movie and I'll grab another bottle of wine."

Alice came back with a brand new bottle opened and a pile of blankets. She and Bella curled up in one corner of the sectional. Jasper spread out on his side as the movie began.

They had gotten through half of the movie before Bella paused it. "Men kinda suck." Bella stated matter of fact. "No offense." She added to Jasper.

"None taken. Sometimes men do kinda suck."

"When am I going to get a Jaz? I mean you wouldn't cheat, would you?"

"He better not," Alice joked, lightly kicking him from the couch.

"I wasted 2 years with that asshole. Two years for him to cheat on me instead of being a decent human being and just break up with me. I mean fuck, two years!" Bella exclaimed, abruptly sitting up. "What if I don't get anyone. What if I'm someone meant to be single for their whole life and I don't know it. What kind of cruel joke is that?"

"There is someone out there for you, I promise. And worst off if you don't find someone, we'll get married." Alice said comfortingly, patting Bella's head.

"Thanks, but as much as I love being friends with you both, I'd rather not be a third wheel forever." Joked Bella dryly, a ghost of a smile flashing across her face.

"You're not a third wheel! Do we make you feel like a third wheel?" Alice reacted suddenly, hugging her quickly.

"No, you guys are great, but look at me. I just stuffed my face with junk food. Delicious junk food admittedly, but Mike doesn't deserve to make me feel this way. I mean he cheated on me, with Jessica of all people." Bella said. "He was a total douchebag."

Alice and Jasper patiently watched Bella, waiting. She looked as if she was mulling something over.

"I want to go do something. Something fun and crazy and spontaneous."

Alice and Jasper shared a look. Alice responded first," Okay then what do you want to do? Go to a club?"

"No. Something bigger, more fun than that." Said Bella.

Jasper ventured next, "Like Vegas?"

Alice sat dumbfounded mouthing, "Las Vegas?"

"Yeah, let's go to Vegas!" exclaimed Bella. A moment later she looked as shocked as Alice did.

"So we're going to Vegas?" Alice asked.

"You guys are going to Vegas, I'll stay behind. It's a girls weekend." Jasper said smiling.

"Wait, so we're actually going to Vegas?" Bella asked, looking between Alice and Jasper. They both nodded in agreement.

Once they agreed, Alice took over. "Okay Jaz, since B shouldn't drive can you drive her home to pack? Bella, pack dresses and heels, the only sweat allowed are pajamas. Then meet back here in 45 minutes and we'll buy tickets and get a hotel room."

When Bella went to the bathroom, Jasper and Alice spoke.

"Okay babe, I'm trusting to not go crazy while in Vegas." he laughed, bringing her to his chest.

"I'll be good, same to you hun." Alice responded smiling up to him. "I can't believe you said Vegas, where did that even come from?"

"Someone at work was talking about how they were going there this weekend with their brother. It just popped into my head." He kissed the top of her sleek bob. "Are you excited?"

"Yes, I don't think you can actually have a bad time in Vegas?" Alice giggled. "I love you Jasper Whitlock."

"I love you Alice Hale."

Edward's Story

Emmett Cullen was driving, the red Jeep Wrangler hurtling down the street towards his home. His smart phone on the seat next to him was vibrating loudly. When the Jeep came to a stop at the red lights he glanced down, the picture of his younger brother filled the screen. Emmett's typically smiling face went serious for a moment before he reluctantly answered the phone. "Edward?...No, you're not staying here...We are both going to Vegas...Nope...I will drag you there if I need to...I'm picking you up in 45 minutes." Emmett ended the phone call before Edward could start arguing again. This was the third time he had tried to cancel the trip today.

Edward had gotten used to getting his way. The last 5 years he had thrown himself into his company. He rarely went out and when he did it was business related. This commitment to his job had given him a Fortune 500 company, and a great escape from his feelings for his ex-fiancee, Tanya. This denial and escape from reality was the reason Emmett was now taking Edward to Vegas.

Emmett quickly pulled into the driveway of his sprawling ranch home. The gray and white stone covered the home. His wife's surprising talent for gardening could be seen in the colorful landscape around the house.

"Rosie?" Emmett called, walking through the front door.

A gorgeous blonde descended the stairs and jumped into his arms. Emmett spun her around as they kissed. They were married 6 years ago and still behaved as though they were on their honeymoon.

"When are you headed to Vegas?" Rosalie asked, when she was safely back on her two feet.

"I'm picking Eddie up in 30 minutes. He's tried backing out 3 times today." Emmett said hanging his head.

"If anyone can make him have fun in Sin City it's you babe." Rosalie laughed, nudging him gently in the ribs. Emmett was the king of fun, no one, not even Edward could get away with not having a good time.

"Peaches you flatter me." He kissed her again on the temple and quickly grabbed his bags. Before heading out he promised to let her know when they made it to the hotel. He piled into his Jeep and headed towards Edward's mansion.

Edward's home was of a modern design, sleek with straight edges. It was bright white with no touch of personality. The interior was no different. Emmett never understood how someone who appreciated history as much as Edward did could live somewhere that had none.

Emmett let himself in, as he always did, and found Edward in his office off the foyer. Edward sat staring at his laptop with great concentration. He waved at his brother briefly and signalled to the square black armchair in the corner. Emmett acquiesced and sat down. A few minutes passed by before Emmett lost his patience and pulled the computer out from under Edward's fingers.

"Emmett, I need that, I have to check my emails if I'm out-of-town." Edward whined, failing to grab it back.

"No, we are going to Vegas. You can part from your 'wife' for a weekend. It's not healthy if you don't do it once in a while, ask Rosie." Replied Emmett, chuckling to himself as he watched his brother's eyes follow the computer.

"I am not that attached to my computer. And she is not my wife, I have plenty of dates, thank you very much."

"How many of them are not planned by mom?" Emmett shot back, Esme, their mother was the one mostly pushing for this trip.

"Fine I'll leave the computer here. Let me get my bag and then we can leave. I still don't know why we have to go to Vegas, we could still go to Martha's Vineyard?"

"Because we are not married, we are brothers and Vegas is more fun than Martha's Vineyard." Emmett responded. "Plus Rosie's making me take her there sometime this year."

"Of course." Edward huffed. "I guess if you're going to make me do this we should get going." He said looking at his Rolex, he grabbed his keys and ushered Emmett out of the house.

Edward placed his suitcase in the back seat and climbed in the front. Emmett heard an audible sigh when he started up the engine. They arrived at the airport with only minutes to spare, just enough time for Edward to complain about the lack of planning.