*I do not own Twilight*

-JPOV-

"Is it time to go yet, daddy?" my son, Austin, asked me. He's 3 years old and has blonde hair and green eyes. He's just a great kid.

"Yeah, buddy. Are you ready to go see Jackson and Adrianna?" he nodded his head, "and you get to meet Kaylie and Makenna too."

He was really excited and ran to the door. I chuckled at his enthusiasm. We had been in Seattle for four days now. Just two days ago we met up with my old buddies Emmett and Edward, along with their families. They each are married with one child each. It was really nice getting to hang out and catch up. Emmett's daughter, Adrianna; Edward's son, Jackson; and Austin, all had a lot of fun playing and laughing at the park. We had spoken on the phone and emailed but hadn't seen each other much since college. They had all mentioned Bella again and talked about how amazing she was, but that she had had a difficult few years and of course, how perfect we would be for each other. They are certainly persistent. But I have to admit, I am looking forward to meeting her and her twin daughters. They invited Austin and me to dinner at Bella's house tonight. They have weekly Friday night family dinners and we would be joining them tonight. I have this strange feeling Bella doesn't know we are coming and that has made me a bit nervous. Once I get Austin strapped into his car seat, we drive the 10 minutes to Bella's house. Her house is amazing! It's a 3-story house and is set back in the forest a little. I got Austin out of the car and let him ring the door bell. I hear an angel's voice saying "just a minute". That must be Bella, I bet she's wondering who's at her door.

-BPOV-

I walked in from the back yard to check on dinner, and then heard the door bell. It made me nervous because no one comes to my house unexpectedly except my family and they are all already here playing in the back yard. I yelled, "just a minute" near the door, then ran to the back door and asked Emmett to come with me to answer the door. He had a big grin on his face – which made me absolutely sure he knew who was on the other side of that door. I opened it with Em right beside me. Standing on my porch was the most beautiful man I had ever seen! His hair was blonde with curls and he had beautiful blue eyes. He had a little boy with him, about 3 years old that looked just like him.

Then everything started clicking in my head. This must be Jasper and Austin! Emmett's stupid grin! I bet they are all in on this! They could have warned me – is that too much to ask?

"Hey Jasper! I'm so glad you could make it, man! Hi Austin, how ya doing buddy?"

Jasper and Austin said their hellos to Emmett. Then Em looked from me to Jasper and said "This is my sister-in-law, Bella." Then he picked Austin up and walked away, taking him outside to play! WHAT? We just stared at each other for a few moments, oogling each other.

Then Jasper chuckled slightly and said, "Well, this seems to be quite the obvious set up, darlin'."

I smiled at him. "Yes, it seems so. I can't believe he just walked away like that!"

We both laughed and he said, "He never was one for being subtle."

"Very true," I responded, "so would you like to go out back with everyone? I just have to check on dinner."

"I could," he said, "but would you like some help?" I smiled at him – he was polite and actually looking in my eyes instead of at my chest – major points!

"That would be great, thank you. The kitchen is this way," I pointed in the direction and we started walking that way, "I hope you like Italian food. I made salad, lasagna and garlic bread. And then apple pie and ice cream for dessert."

We got to the kitchen, as he said that sounded amazing and smiled the most amazing smile. I went to the oven and asked him to get the salad out of the fridge. The three lasagnas were ready and so was the bread, so I started to set the table and asked Jasper to go outside to let everyone know that dinner was ready. A couple minutes later my dinning room was filled with my family and new friends. I've always loved our Friday dinners. All of a sudden, I feel little hands pulling on my dress – "mommy, mommy!" my little angels called to me. I looked down at them and they started talking a million miles a minute; telling me about playing outside with their Uncle Emmy, Uncle Eddard, Aunt Rosie, Aunt Ally and Jackson, Adrianna and their new friend, Austin. Wow, they can talk fast. Plus when there are 2 of them telling their own version of the same story, it's hard to catch everything. About this time, they noticed Jasper sitting next to me with Austin.

"Who's that mommy?" Makenna asked.

"Yeah, mommy. Who that?" little Kaylie said.

Jasper smiled at my angels and family looked at me.

"This is Jasper, he's friends with Uncle Emmett and Uncle Edward, and he's Austin's daddy," I told them.

They stared at Jasper for a moment, then stood up and walked around my chair to stand next to him.

"My name is Kaylie and this is my sister Makenna, it's nice to meet you." They both held out their little hands to shake his hand. How sweet are they!

Jasper smiled the biggest smile, shook their hands and told them it was very nice to meet them too. I smiled at the scene in front of me; my family all with smiles too. Once they were back in their seats, we all started eating and talking and laughing. We talked about our weeks and the kids rambled on about all the things they'd done. We talked about Jasper and Austin's move from Dallas and I learned that he had another week before he would be starting at Swan & Associates, working with Emmett as a lawyer. He seemed excited to be starting fresh here in a new place with good friends. Austin was lively and talking with the other kids throughout dinner. They both seemed to fit well with our family.

I was just about to get up and start cleaning up, when my little Makenna said something that shocked me to my core.

She looked at Jasper and said, "Are you gonna make my mommy smile – she's sad sometimes?"

My heart broke; I always tried so hard not to let them see me sad. I looked around at my family to see all shocked faces.

"I would love to make your mommy smile, sweetheart," was Jasper's response and I tried to smile back at him.

"But can you help her be happy like how Uncle Emmy and Uncle Eddard do for Aunt Rosie and Aunt Ally?"

I felt the tears in my eyes and moved me hand to cover my mouth in an attempt to stop the sobs from escaping. Jasper looked in my eyes and wiped away some of my fallen tears, I felt a jolt of electricity at his touch, it felt amazing.

My family, who had been silent and shocked since Makenna started talking with Jasper, jumped into action; cleaning up the kids and distracting them from the question that seemed to be hanging in the air. My mom took the opportunity to ask the kids if they'd like to watch a movie in the theatre room. I heard everything that was happening around me, but hadn't moved from my place at the table. I noticed Jasper clean up Austin and tell him he could join the kids to watch the movie and he was going to help me clean the kitchen. Rosalie and Alice looked at me and smiled sad smiles as they left the dinning room, leaving me and Jasper alone.

-JPOV-

Bella was absolutely beautiful – just as I'd been told. Her little girls were just adorable, precious and so polite. When they introduced themselves to me and shook my hand, my heart melted – they were so sweet.

Dinner went really well. Everyone was very welcoming of Austin and I and I was very thankful for that. They truly were a great family.

After everyone finished eating, I noticed Makenna looking like she was contemplating whether or not she should do or say something. She looked at me and I gave her a warm smile. Then she asked something very unexpected.

"Are you gonna make my mommy smile – she's sad sometimes?"

I stole a glance at Bella – she looked like her heart was breaking. I turned my attention back to Makenna and said "I would love to make your mommy smile, sweetheart." And it was true. Bella deserved to be happy and loved and smiling all the time. I didn't know her well, but everything felt right being here with her and her family and my son.

Makenna looked sad, but hopeful and said, "but can you help her be happy like Uncle Emmy and Uncle Eddard do for Aunt Rosie and Aunt Ally?"

Bella looked completely heart broken, with tears falling from her eyes and holding back her sobs. I reached my hand up and wiped away some of her tears and felt electricity shoot up through my arm – it felt amazing and relaxing. Her family jumped into action cleaning the kids and talking to them about watching a movie – they were all excited – Austin too. So I cleaned him up and told him to go ahead with the others. I noticed Bella hadn't moved then I looked to see everyone retreating from the room. I saw Rosalie and Alice smiling sadly at Bella, who was still silently crying. Emmett, Edward and Bella's dad, Carlisle looked at me with pleading eyes, silently asking me to help her. I nodded my head slightly and then the room was silent again with only Bella and me at the table.

I thought I would have to break the ice but she stunned me when she turned to me, wrapped her arms around my neck and clung to me. I pulled her into my arms and held her. My shirt was soaked with tears in about a minute – my heart was crumbling for this beautiful, broken girl. I decided to pick her up in my arms and carried her out to the living room, then settled us on the couch with her on my lap, still clinging to me. I noticed Esme come back from the basement, where the theatre room was, silently entering the kitchen and then heard her cleaning up from dinner. I held Bella for a few more minutes, whispering soothing words to her, when her tears started to slow. She pulled back from my chest and started apologizing to me for ruining my shirt with her tears and making a bad first impression and clinging to me when we didn't even know each other.

I held both her hands in mine and looked her in the eyes, "Bella, don't you go worrying about that, darlin'. I honestly don't care about the shirt, you did not make a bad first impression and I'm glad you let me hold you while you were feeling sad and upset," she smiled slightly but it didn't reach her eyes. "Do you wanna talk about it, sweetheart? We still have at least an hour before the movie will end."

"I would love to actually have someone to talk to, but my story will take much more than an hour to get through."

I contemplated that for a moment. "Hmm… well, how about this – you go into the kitchen and ask your mom if she will take your girls tonight and I'll go ask Emmett and Rosalie if they can take Austin, then we can talk and if it gets too late, I'll sleep here on your couch. I will not take advantage of you in any way – though I may hold you in my arms if you get upset." She seemed surprised by my suggestion and I wondered if it was way too much, too soon – I mean, we just met a few hours ago, even though it felt much longer. But she just looked at me and asked if I really meant it. I replied with, "absolutely, darlin'."

She smiled and hugged me, then said, "I don't know why I trust you. I don't trust any men, other than my dad, Em and Edward, but I believe you."

We both smiled and she told me to meet her in the library - which was on the 3rd floor, 2nd door on the left – in 15 minutes. I said ok and she left for the kitchen to speak with her mom. I turned around to head to the basement door which led to the theatre room, only to find Carlisle, Emmett and Edward waiting at the door for me.

"Hey guys," I greeted them and then looked at Emmett, "I don't know how much of that you heard, but do you think you could take Austin tonight, Em? Bella seems like she really needs someone to talk to, fresh ears, she seems to trust me and I want to help her. I told her I would just sleep on the couch if it got too late."

Emmett nodded his head, agreeing to take Austin and Edward told me that they were all headed back to Carlisle and Esme's for the night. So Austin would have Jackson, Kaylie and Makenna to play with, along with Adrianna. I said that sounded great and knew he would have a lot of fun.

Carlisle, who had been staring at me while I talked with Em and Edward, finally spoke, "you really care about her, don't you?"

I smiled at him and said, "yes sir, I do." He smiled back and seemed very pleased.

I told them I needed to get back to Bella and they said they would have the kids back at 10am tomorrow and we could all spend the afternoon together. I said good night to them and went to say a quick good night to Austin, who was beyond thrilled with his new plans for the evening. Bella came down too, to see Kaylie and Makenna. She had her tears all wiped away and was now dressed in blue plaid pajama pants and a white tank top. She looked amazing. I stood by the door and watched as she hugged her babies, she had so much love for them in her eyes. When she told them they were going to Grandma and Grandpa's house for the night with their cousins and Austin, they were bouncing with excitement. Bella laughed as they squealed, and I chuckled quietly at the scene. Then we headed up to the library together. We passed Emmett and Bella said, "Please lock up after the movie when you leave – the girls' bag is by the front door. Thanks for taking them tonight. I think it's time I talk – really talk."

Emmett completely agreed, saying "you are right little sister – just take your time honey, it's a long story and you picked a great person to talk to." She smiled at him and I felt lucky to have good friends who think so highly of me.

We entered the library and I stood in awe of the room. It was amazing! Rows of amazing books, a beautiful sitting area, and off in the corner was a children's section of books and little tables and chairs – awesome! Bella sat down on one of the couches and looked at me, but I was still staring at the room.

"This is my most favorite room in my house," she informed me.

"I can see why – this is amazing."

I sat down next to her, she turned to face me. She seemed scared but determined at the same time. I took her hand again and said, "take your time; I'm not going anywhere, darlin'." She smiled and took a deep breath. We just looked at each other for a moment, then she closed her eyes – when she opened them again I saw so much pain staring back at me.

She sighed, "I don't know where to start."

"Well, the beginning is always the best place – it's only 7:30 now and the kids and everyone will be back at 10am so we have all night." I saw the trust and care she felt for me in her eyes – I've never met such an amazing woman in all my life.

"Ok, well – I guess to really understand…"