EPOV

"Hey little brother." Emmett greeted me on the phone. "Fancy coming round for some of that fantastic grub my amazing wife cooks tonight?" After two years Emmett still called her an amazing wife. Whether he meant it or not did not matter, he still loved her with all of his big heart. Yup I was amazed to learn that my brother actually had a heart in the first place. He was never the type for settling down, henceforth the reason I so strongly relented when he even asked Bella out. I was so sure however that it would be a onetime thing, that Emmett was not her type so it would never work out. I had never been so wrong in my life. The two had hit it off almost immediately.

Then I figured that nothing would come of it. She would see him as a short fling and would move on when they went to college. Again I was wrong.

I had no-one but myself to blame for how the events unfolded. I had thrown every chance I could have ever had of being with Bella straight out of the water. Of course I didn't realise what it was exactly that I was feeling until it really was too late and I had gone too far.

It was impossible for me to hurt Emmett, and I knew how much it would in fact hurt him if he knew how crazily in love I was with his wife. I would also lose everything I had with him, Emmett was so trusting in people when it was due, I didn't want him to lose his trust in me. Then there was also the fact that he was extremely possessive over his wife but not in a crazy psycho sort of way.

When we were out celebrating the birth of our sister's daughter, Alice had dressed Bella up in a too short blue dress which showed off her perfectly creamy long legs and cute little ass whenever she bent over. She really had no idea how stunning she looked, but everyone else in the bar did, too many guys walked up to Bella hitting on her. She shrunk back into the company of our group and Emmett possessively put his arm around her. That was not enough of a hint to these morons though, and one guy took it too far when he squeezed her ass, I felt a rage build so far up in me I was choking on it when Emmett let go of Bella and sprung at the guy, both of them were knocked to the table to the side of us, the sound of smashing glasses and plates ricocheted off the walls. Needless to say we were all banned from entering that bar again.

I didn't need to say anymore, that was a stranger, I was his brother. I wasn't sure if I would receive better or worse treatment than that and with Emmett's brute strength I didn't want to find out.

"Edward?" Emmett's booming voice broke through over the phone.

"Huh...what?"

"Jeez, Ed, do you never listen to me? I was asking if you were coming round for Red Hot Chilli night?" I laughed as he still used the same name we used for the Thursday night that our mom would serve chilli. The Red Hot Chilli Peppers had been our favourite band at the time and it had somehow stuck. It was funny how traditions could be passed through families.

"Eh, sounds good. Are Alice and Jazz coming?" My sister and almost brother-in-law were always round at Bella and Emmett's house for their couples nights, so it would be a night of me feeling left out and very alone. They could all laugh and enjoy themselves eating Bella's wonderful food and drinking expensive wine, while I sat at home in front of the TV with my meal for one and a bottle of Bud.

"Em, no actually, it's just you." He replied with an edge of nervousness to his voice.

"Do I need to bring a date or something?" I asked, unsure how I would get through dinner being a third-wheel.

"It's maybe better that you don't." He answered warily.

"Eh, why?" I asked confused.

"Just...because, please come alone." He sounded suspicious, had he found out my feelings for Bella and planned to kill me? God I was going to get it worse than ass pincher.

"You need help getting rid of evidence for something Em?" I half joked with him.

Luckily he laughed back and I came back to my senses. "No, we just want to catch up, I felt like I've not seen you in ages! "

"Well, couldn't we just have some typical brother bonding time and go to a bar?" Please don't make me endure a night of you and Bella cosying up and being loving while I sat there watching I prayed.

"Dammit Edward, do you still not like her? What the fuck man? I thought you'd gotten over all of that bullshit?" he spoke firmly over the phone, his voice raising just an octave, trying to keep his anger in check.

"No! That's not what I'm saying, all I meant was would you not rather have a proper guys night out? I'm worried that Bella's trying to turn you into a house husband or something. When was the last time you had a beer?" I asked him, proud at myself for the successful turnaround.

"Oh." He said meekly. "For your information I was out without Bella Wednesday two weeks ago." Whipped.

"Haha, it's bad that you can pinpoint it accurately, that just means you had fun and would love to do it again and as soon as possible."

"Don't try your psycho mumbo jumbo on me Ediekins." He retorted and I snorted with laughter.

"Psycho mumbo jumbo? Please Emmett, tell me you don't still think that's what I do? I went to med school for a year! I didn't even do psychology, That's Jasper's line of profession!" I couldn't believe that Emmett still thought I was a shrink...where that had even come from I had no idea.

"Oh, sorry little brother. Guess I keep forgetting you went down the jingle route." He mocked my choice of profession, I didn't care: at least I was doing something I liked. "So anyway, dinner at 5:30, be there. Peace out." With that he hung up the phone without leaving me any time to complain. Peace out? What was that about? Emmett was too weird sometimes.

I flipped the phone shut and threw it on my couch and turned my attention back to the ivory and ebony keys in front of me. I was fortunate to have been in the right place at the right time and was picked up by an advertising agency working on jingles for commercials. Currently I was trying to think of something for a new vodka and lemonade alcopop and I was really struggling. The same three bars of a tune worked their way through onto the keys. The same three bars which I had always planned on adding more to. Until three years ago. Funny how life never works out the way you hoped or planned.

I shut the lid on the keys rather more aggressively than normal and glanced at my watch; 2:15, time to call it a day. I didn't have to give anything back to the company till next week so I had plenty of time to work on the tune. My mind was too distracted with thoughts of Bella.

I shook my head and put my feet up on the coffee table as I slouched into my couch. Grabbing the TV remote I put on the first thing I came to, some mind-numbing reality TV show of some kind and watched it, kicking my shoes off, getting real comfortable. But no matter how much I tried to let the monotonous blonde with boobs infiltrate my mind her hair would turn brown and her body would slim down to a petite size. Why had this girl settled in my mind, refusing to let me get over her, no matter how blatantly obvious that in reality it was never going to happen. Fuck!!

I threw the TV remote onto the coffee table and pressed my hands against my eyes. My obsession for Bella was never as bad as this, I was just nervous as hell facing the prospect of dinner with her and my brother. I turned the TV off and decided to calm down in the shower.

After allowing the hat water to run over my body, relaxing my tensed up muscles, I carelessly picked out a shirt and pair of faded jeans before throwing them on. I didn't want to be seen to make too much of an effort for dinner. I glanced at the watch on my wrist, I still had an hour and a half before I had to be there. Already I could feel my palms becoming slick with sweat. Damn, I really was pathetic.

Never going to happen. She was out of my league anyway! Emmett was all right for her, whereas I was all wrong. He could provide for her, give her the family she deserved. I had no idea how to be intimate with someone, and although I was pretty sure I could learn, it could never be enough to give Bella the treatment she deserved.

I sighed and settled down at my piano, letting the stress and frustration flow out my body and through my fingers onto the keys. It was useless, the same entrance of the composition I had started when I was seventeen kept playing, each time with a different twist. I had resolved not to finish that song. I couldn't, it just hurt too much, because it signified everything that I had lost because of my own stupid ways.

When the time came where there was nothing else for me to stall with anymore I sighed, grabbed my car keys from the table in the hall and locked my door.

The drive over to Emmett and Bella's house was short, too short for my liking. I wanted to prolong the inevitable from happening. It was going to be an awkward dinner, I just couldn't fathom the reasoning behind just inviting me. Where Alice and Jasper too busy with their daughter to spend an evening with the Cullen's?

I parked my car beside Emmett's Jeep and Bella's Mercedes SUV, a car she never wanted. I remembered when her old truck finally took its last journey. She had been distraught at losing it, she and Emmett got into a huge fight because she wanted another truck just like it, Emmett told her he wasn't even sure those sort of vehicles were allowed outside of transport museums. He insisted on buying her a massive SUV instead. Of course, I knew Bella better than that, although she would never know that, she only drove it when absolutely necessary, a sore spot for him. I smiled as I walked up the five steps to their house and knocked on the door, shielding myself from the rain under the porch.

I heard Emmett running to the door his footsteps more than audible as he snatched open the door. The big brute stood in the doorway, his shoulders lightly hunched, black circles hallowed out under his eyes.

"Hey Eddie!" He greeted me with a huge man-hug, squashing my ribs, I was glad he took more care when holding Bella's fragile frame. He let me inside where Bella was leaning against the frame of the kitchen looking...well looking beautiful. My memories never did do her justice, the light in the room highlighted her warm brown hair that was curled and sprawled over her shoulders, framing her face perfectly.

"Hi Edward." She smiled at me, I didn't think she realized just how breathtaking she looked when she unleashed her smile.

"Evening Bella." I walked past Emmett and handed Bella the bottle of wine I had brought from my apartment.

"Oh thank you." She replied and read the label on the bottle before smiling - obviously the wine was not something they would have usually drunk. I knew it probably wouldn't even be kept in the fridge, this one would be going straight in the cupboard and either binned eventually or only brought out when everything else had run out.

She looked up at me with her big brown orbs and I had to break eye contact. Most polite men would give her a quick peck on the cheek as a greeting and a thank you for the invitation to dinner, I opted for the rude sidestep into the living room routine. She recovered herself quickly.

"Well, I suppose I had better get a move on with dinner! Em, could you please finish setting the table for me?"

"Sure baby." He kissed her swiftly and she retreated to the kitchen. He grabbed me by the arm and pulled me into the dining room, where I took a glance at the table. I didn't see what else needed setting. Bella always took a pride in the appearance of her home. The table was always properly set with the placemats out, two candlesticks on the table, napkins in glasses when I arrived.

"You could at least try and be civil Edward, it won't kill you." He spat out at me before releasing my arm. He turned his attention to the table, looked confused and shrugged his shoulders before rounding on me again, this time more gentle and concerned. "Be polite tonight please, Bella...she's a little fragile just now, ok?" he warned. Why was Bella fragile? What the hell had the oaf done to her?

"Why is she fragile?" I demanded.

"Look, she wouldn't want me talking about it just now. She wouldn't want dinner ruined for you; can you wait till after we've eaten?" Why would Bella care if dinner had been ruined for me? I couldn't understand the reasoning behind it. I nodded in assent and Emmett vanished through into the kitchen to help Bella with something.

I sat on their big leather couch and was distracted by the large 16x16 canvas print of their wedding photo on the wall. Emmett's grin in the photo just said it all, I even remember on their big day how happy they had been. Em had practically been bouncing off the walls, he couldn't believe he was finally able to marry the "woman of his dreams". I tried my hardest that day to make it through without objecting when they said their vows. I still managed to make a spectacle of myself at the reception, bedding two of the bridesmaids in my drunken state was not a high point for me. God I had even hit on Bella's mom. Emmett had told me he could never forgive me for my performance and refused to speak to me again. I was more than happy with that, the less interaction I had with the happy couple the more I would be able to cope.

Unfortunately Bella thought it was ridiculous for two brothers to fall out over something so trivial and traveled to my apartment one raining day to tell me so. When I found her on my doorstep that day I had never been so joyous. I truly thought she had realized her mistake and had picked the wrong brother. Quite how I had deduced that I could never figure out, why would Bella fall for someone who had always been the biggest jerk to her? I shook my head and broke my gaze from the picture. It hurt to know that if I had behaved the way Esme and my dad had taught me, it could have been me in the picture smiling at Bella, beaming down at my bride. Instead, after ditching the bridesmaids I spent the night crying into my bottle of Tequila. Yes, crying. I had only cried a few times since the age of ten, and every time it was because of Bella.

My thoughts were disturbed as Emmett brought through three big plates of Chilli, the smell wafting off the food make my mouth water and my stomach rumble, even though I wasn't entirely hungry. Bella certainly knew how to cook.

I thought I should at least make an effort to do as Emmett asked, you know, clean up my tarnished image in her eyes a little bit. "Smells great Bella." I smiled at her, I was not prepared for the smile I got in return, like she had received a complement from bloody Gordon Ramsey about her cooking or something. Did it really mean that much to her?

"Thanks Edward, I hope you like it." I watched her carefully sit down at the table and unfold the napkin from inside the glass onto her lap. I did the same as Emmett put the plates in front of us and uncorked a bottle of expensive wine.

"I don't think there's any way I couldn't." I remarked as Emmett filled my wine glass up to the rim. "You know I'm driving Em?" warning him about the alcohol.

"Yeah, but a glass of wine won't do anything to you."

"Right, when you fill it up that full, it actually might." The wineglasses were the size of goldfish bowls, must have been half a bottle of wine waiting for me to consume. Emmett laughed awkwardly as he sat down to eat. Were they trying to get me drunk? Something must really be up.

Dinner for the most part was a silent affair, the palpable tension between Bella and Emmett was obvious. Bella kept staring at Emmett occasionally making "discreet" eye movements at me – I pretended I hadn't noticed and concentrated on my food. Were they having marital problems? No, why would they have invited me here on my own if they were having problems? I let a few crazy ideas swarm about my head like threesomes before becoming a bit awkward. Bella on her own...i could deal with that, if she needed a change of scenery should I say.

"So that Mariners game, really something...did not expect them to lose, did you?" I attempted hoping that sport would at least pull Emmett into a conversation.

"Didn't catch it man." He muttered whilst looking at Bella. She looked like she was signalling him to talk to me again. I felt my anger at being left out of something boiling and burst out.

"What's the deal here guys? What's going on? What's with the fancy china? Why was I to come alone?" Question after question streamed out of my mouth, Bella looked perplexed and amused at the same time while Emmett sat staring at his dinner. I stated at Emmett willing him to answer. I didn't expect Bella's smooth voice to pipe up.

"Actually Emmett has something to ask you – a favor of sorts." She bit her lip and blushed as she talked. To prove how obsessed I was with her, it took my mind off the conversation at hand as I watched her pressing her teeth into her bottom lip until it went white. When she realized I was staring she quickly stopped but her face turned a bright puce color. Aw.

"You do realize you don't have to invite me round to dinner to ask a favor, yes?"

"Well, it's sort of more out of the ordinary favor, why don't you ask him Em?" she grabbed his hand and squeezed it in encouragement. I felt a slight pang of jealousy slice through me before I recovered and looked at Emmett who looked like he was having some sort of internal debate.

"Yes, Em, why don't you ask me?" I asked flatly. It had to be bad if Emmett was rendered speechless. He had always been the outspoken one in our family.

"Go on." Bella whispered, kissing his cheek. This seemed to awaken Emmett, although I reckon having Bella's lips anywhere on my body would awaken plenty parts of me...

The clattering of Emmett's cutlery on the plate made a clatter causing Bella to jump about a foot off her seat. I tried not to smile at it and concentrated on Emmett.

"Edward, you know how Alice and Jasper have just had Sarah?" I nodded my head, of course I knew, what was he getting at? "Well, me and Bella have decided to have a baby." He looked over at Bella who nodded her head encouraging him to go on. "And well, there's something about that, that I have to ask you."

"You want me to be the Godfather of your baby?" I stated, which to be honest is pretty weird to ask when you haven't even conceived. Or maybe they had, Bella did have such a slight frame, bet it wouldn't show on her, even if it was Emmett's big headed baby. Fuck, Bella can't have Emmett's kid! This totally blew it for me, definitely no chance in hell of me ever being with her. I felt my heart begin to shatter, the already shoddily put back together pieces becoming undone again. No matter how much I tried to get over her, every time she moved on in her life the fault lines in my heart bump together again, causing a cataclysmic feeling from the depth of my stomach to work its way up through my chest. My breathing became laboured; my heart feeling like it was no longer beating, the cold sweat being released over my body. The news every time was like a flood-gate, I knew what to expect every time they told me something like this milestone, but knowing can never prepare you for the onslaught of pain that soon came in its place.

I picked up the fish bowl of wine and gulped it down, the coolness stinging the lump in the back of my throat.

"Well we hadn't even thought of that...If you would feel comfortable enough after we ask you what we're about to, we would love you to be a godparent." Bella smiled warmly at me.

I choked on my wine. "that's not what you were going to ask me?" the sharp taste of the grapes in the wine was coming burning up my throat.

"Well no actually..." Bella started before looking to Emmett for help.

"What Bella is trying to say is...well...fuck..." He looked down at the table, his face pale and withdrawn.

"What is it? Your freaking me out Em? Would you just tell me already?!"

His head shot up and he looked at me. "I can't have children" he snapped acerbically. I felt my jaw drop. Emmett couldn't do something? More importantly Emmett couldn't do something for Bella. If she had of married me she could be pregnant right now! The realization of what they were actually asking me hit me when I saw Bella look at me desperately. Fuck no. My already laboured breath caught in my throat, my shock felt like it was slowly killing me, I had to be dead now? Or dreaming? Yes I had to be dreaming! This couldn't be happening.

"We need you Edward." She whispered. "You know I hate asking you for anything...Emmett hates asking for things from you, but we could really use your help." I stared into her distressed brown orbs and the desperation I saw there showed me I wasn't dreaming. My dreaming Bella never looked desperate, with me or not. I could not imagine such sadness etched onto her face.

I stared at the couple open-mouthed. How could they ask me this? Oh yeah, cause they didn't know.

Emmett stood up quickly and left the room. I couldn't move, I felt fixed to my seat in shock.

"Emmett wanted it to be you Edward, I know how weird this must be for you. I am sorry." I was vaguely aware of her skin touching mine, the heat from her felt like I was burning. "He loves you you know? He wanted his child to be like you, funny, smart, beautiful..." she tailed off. Did she think I was beautiful or was that Emmett's words? "We don't want it to be anyone else, we can't trust anyone else with this, you are just what we need. Please tell me you'll say yes?"

I couldn't reply, my voice had been lost. I wanted to shout NO! But my heart was telling me it was something Bella wanted – desperately, and how could I say no to that? How could I give her that without it killing me though?

"I know you don't like me very much Edward, but please, just think of how happy it would make Em. He needs this. You don't even have to think of me in this one. Please?" She begged me.

She was right, it would make Em happy, I didn't care though. I was too selfish. How could I give her what I wanted with her, to her and another man? Not just another man, my brother! My breathing started again and I felt myself hyperventilating. I had to get of there. I mustered all my straight together and yanked myself from my seat before rushing out the front door into the cool night air, where I promptly threw up in the rose bushes by the front steps. I collapsed to the ground and let my stomach empty, the dry balking arriving next, causing my throat to burn even more than it already was.

I shut my car door and turned the engine on, the reassuring growl of the engine let me relax slightly. I shifted the car into reverse and pulled out the drive way, the engine revving.

My mind was blank...I couldn't concentrate and I could already feel the effects of their stupid heavy proof wine causing my head to spin.

I felt myself being pushed back into my seat, my head hitting the restraint. Subconsciously I had allowed my foot to hit the gas.

I chanced a look outside the window and watched the greenery of the god forsaken town whiz past me at 100mph. I eased off on the pedal and tapped the brakes lightly, hoping this would calm and slow down my thoughts at the same time.

My head was still spinning. My throat was still dry. My stomach felt like it was still vacating everything I had consumed at dinner. The dinner which would unquestionably change the life's of everyone present.

Emmett was asking too much this time. It was difficult enough to be his best man, but this...this was a completely different kettle of fish.

The wedding had signified the death of my dreams but this just put the nail in the coffin.

I knew Emmett wouldn't ask unless he felt it absolutely necessary and important to him, but that fact could never ever make this any easier for me. I mean he had essentially came to me admitting that the one thing we men were best equipped for, he was incapable of doing. Clearly this meant he had taken a dent to his confidence and pride. A significant chunk of it in fact; judging from his disheveled, tired appearance that much was evident. I could only imagine this had been the source of numerous arguments.

Her pleading words were ringing through my ears over and over and over again. How could I deny this woman anything, yet how could I give her everything I wanted with her with another man.

I know you don't like me very much Edward, but please, just think of how happy it would make Em. He needs this. You don't even have to think of me in this one. Please?

In fact, I felt the exact opposite. If I didn't like her, this would have been so much easier. How could I give them the one thing they wanted...give her the one thing she wanted and let them go on to play "happy families" without me being a part of it?

I was too much of a pussy to admit to everything before, for the reasons why I had taunted and belittled her, I felt I owed something to her; just did it have to be this? I always thought I would be able to fulfill anything she asked me, but this wasn't just anything. And although I was happy they had come to me, I wish in some ways they hadn't. But if this problem was making her sad then I wanted to be the one that could make it go away. I could play over on Emmett's weaknesses. But I still wouldn't be seen as the hero in it all, Em would always be the hero in her life. My mind was in turmoil, how was I supposed to decide if I should give this to them or just deny the one thing that they needed to be a complete unit?

I felt the desire to puke again and pulled over abruptly to the side of the road before jumping out the car.

After I wiped my arm on my sleeve I had decided that I was done being a selfish bastard, my dreams were over. I may as well give them theirs. Bella should not suffer for my selfishness.

I got back in my car and turned it around heading towards my life of eternal damnation. This was the end for me.

A/N: I'm so happy i finally got this up!! I really hope you enjoyed reading this chapter, the stories actually really exciting me!! Can't wait to read what you my reviewers - my favorite people thought!!

Leave some of your love!!!