~~So here's chapter two. Enjoy. Please R&R (read and review for you newcomers) Thanks bunches.~~

Chapter Two:

Was he . . . serious? Of course I knew he was, but . . . how could he do this to me? Today, at all, fifteen minutes before I was going to walk down the aisle? This was insanity. He was actually crazy.

Where was Alice? She should be back by now, I thought desperately. Edward was probably behind the extra time. Damn him, and his sensitivity! This is the one time I would kill for one of his intrusions, the one time I wished he could read my mind, and save me from this horrible situation.

I didn't want to hurt Jacob anymore. I'd done enough damage. I had just promised him that I wouldn't. But, honestly! He darn well knows how I feel. I'd committed to Edward, eternally.

Before I could cry, yell, or do any of the multiple things that came to mind, without a word he had slipped the ring on my finger, in front of Edward's. Everything changed.

This ring, his ring, it felt . . . right. Edward's felt like a tremendous weight, pulling me downward. I yanked both of them off my finger in one swift motion. I felt uneasy, crazy, but the moment I slipped Jacob's back on, my Jacob's ring, everything was blindingly clear.

Obviously he had known how I felt, better than myself. I'd convinced myself I was over him, ignoring my feelings for so long, but with this ring, this symbol of utter commitment from him . . . I knew I'd been dead wrong. I did still love him. I mean . . . I was going to marry him.

He glanced at me with eyes full of hope. All I could manage through this roller coaster of emotions was a nod. I was too overwhelmed. I felt . . . strange, unlike Bella, unlike Isabella, but more rightly like Bells. His Bella. Bella Black. So this was love huh?

This felt so different than my feelings for Edward. So much more consuming, I could hardly focus only anything other than this feeling. Was this hidden love for Jacob the real reason behind all my hesitations?

Yes, that was it, a tiny voice inside my head answered. I knew now that I'd been afraid. Afraid that he would leave me, imprint, and not make the lifelong pledge Edward had made to me, but I was wrong. He did love me just as much.

"Really," his voice was saturated with surprise, and something else I couldn't quite define.

"Yes." Why would he think anything else? How could he doubt?

We could finally be together. We could be a real family. My eyes started to water at the pure happiness that was literally radiating from every facet of his face, and was positive that mine mirrored his. Finally.

He stood then, pulling me back to him, and kissing me briefly on the lips. "I have to go Alice is coming back. I'll be at home with my dad okay? Come and meet me when you're finished here." He still looked weird . . . Ohh, it was skepticism I saw in his eyes. It puzzled me momentarily.

Well, maybe not. I had hurt him so much in the past after all. I would spend the rest of my life, I vowed, making it up to him. I would prove to him I was true, that I was worth it. He lefty swiftly, and not a minute later Alice entered.

"I need to see Edward."

"Bella it's time. Don't worry you'll see him in two minutes. Let's go."

"No, I need to see him now."

"Is something wrong? Are you alright?" She was trying futilely to see what had happened. A desolate expression spread through her face. She had clearly seen the decision I had made, and stared wide eyed at me in dread.

My stomach clenched in agony. She looked so betrayed, and I would miss her. "Okay," she spoke slowly, and so low I'd barely heard her reply. Silently she left. It'll be okay, it'll be okay, I repeated like a mantra in my head. I would be with Jacob again soon.

Edward appeared, and a fresh, intricate stab of pain flowed through me. I would more than miss him. Edward Cullen, the love of my- Jacob, Jacob, Jacob! There was that inner voice again, reminding me of what was important.

I could tell by his eyes that he knew, that he heard Alice. I regretted I hadn't been the first to tell him, I regretted it more than anything else. He had always been so good to me, and here I was being the worst kind of person.

"So it's true," his voice was strongly controlled. It frighteningly did not match the raw pain; the haunted look etched in his face, and eyes. I saw his eyes travel to the ring on my finger. His face intensified a thousand fold, taking my breath way, and then complete composure replaced it, all in less than a second. I almost didn't catch it.

There were no signs of struggle. I knew it was a lie, but he looked noncommittal to the topic. It made me feel better, kind of. At least he was keeping it together.

"Edward. I'm so- I never wanted- I didn't know- I really feel-" I tried so many different explanations, but could finish none. I was readying my self for another go round when his smooth, velvet, voice interrupted me.

"Don't Bella. It's . . . okay. I knew when I left you, that I'd hurt you too much. I knew that you'd fallen in love with him. He was there for you when I wasn't . . . I guess that I've been trying to get you to see reason for so long, and you haven't, and now that you have . . . well it's just a surprise that's all. You've finally come to your senses, and seen that I'm very wrong for you. Like I've said . . . I just want you to be happy Bella. I'm glad that you are being true to yourself, and with me. Just . . . just tell me this is what you really want. That this is the path to your happiness . . ." He trailed off waiting for me.

There was no way to stop the tears flowing down my face. He was such a wonderful man. I prayed that he would find the one for him, to really complete him, in a way I never could. All I could do was nod, speaking was not an option at the moment.

I scanned the floor; bending down trying to retrieve the ring I'd dropped, his ring, and wordlessly handed it to him. I felt his cold, strong, yet strangely delicate fingers brush my palm, lifting the small object from my hand. I was enveloped in his familiar sweet scent in a hard hug. He kissed my forehead lightly, and whispered his goodbye to me.

"If . . . if you ever need anything Bella, don't hesitate to call . . . any of us. Alice is still your friend, she can't be mad with you over this, and I . . . well I'll be there if you're ever in trouble."

As he was turning toward the door, I heard him say in a lower voice, probably not meant for me to hear, something that sounded like I love you. I couldn't be sure, but . . . He looked at me one last time. "You look really beautiful by the way," he informed me. Then Edward Cullen walked out of my life. Forever.

We were over, permanently so. I was drowning in a sea of grief for one immeasurable minute, until the voice returned. Jacob was waiting for me. How could I despair so much when I had that promise? I felt so blessed; I was going to be with the love of my life. My life was finally starting.

~~So, any thoughts? How'd I do? I'm dieing to know.. lol~~