AN: Sorry it's been so long. I don't really have an excuse, I've just been busy. This one may not be as polished or exciting as you would like, I've just not had the time, but I hope you guys like it anyways.

PS. It will get really exciting, really soon. I promise! I'm just working up to it.

RECAP: "Jacob." he said, and I shook my head. No, anything but that! I begged silently for him not to say it what I knew would come next, for it to be someone else… Anyone else! "Jacob Black." To my left, Bella gasped in shock, and I turned just in time to catch her as she fainted.

BPOV

"Jacob Black." I heard the words ringing menacingly in my ears as the world went black.

When I came to I was sitting on the porch, cradled against Edward's chest as he glared at something, or someone, over my head. It was obvious who was causing the hatred to literally roll off him, Jay must still be here. Good! I needed to talk to him, and to Nessie, and clear this mess up. The poor boy must have been feeling awful, watching me faint like that. I had to let him know that it wasn't his fault, that I felt no animosity at all towards him. You can't choose your parents after all.

I shifted gently, letting Edward know I was conscious, and his eyes immediately flashed to my face.

"God Bella, are you OK?" he asked quickly, almost frantically, as his eyes flashed with worry and lingering glimmers of anger. I didn't like that side of him at all. I frowned at him silently, then finally his face softened and he kissed my forehead gently. "Please, say something Bells?"

"I'm fine Edward." I gave him a quick peck on the lips, and then scrambled as gracefully to my feet as I could, considering my dizziness and natural lack of balance. I began to tip sideways slightly, swaying from the vertigo, but Edward steadied my arm instinctively; a by product of many years of marriage to the klutz. I smiled up at him where he stood protectively by my side, then looked out towards the teenage couple still standing on the porch.

"Come in Jay," I said, trying to be the perfect host, despite the setback. "Nessie, show his into the sitting room please?" The two of them dutifully traipsed into the hall of our cottage, then into the snug room off to the side. They seated themselves beside the fireplace, hand in hand, the unspoken questions that were inevitably on the way hanging over them like a slightly rancid cloud of gloom. Better to get it over with, I reasoned. It would have to happen some time. Edward and I took up our places on the sofa opposite and I hastened to be pleasant. He was my daughter's first boyfriend after all.

"So," I hesitated, not sure where to start. "How long have you lived in Forks?" The question was directed at Jay, but Nessie answered for him.

"He doesn't live in Forks, mum!" she said, as if it should be obvious. "They live down in La Push. His dad's family have lived here for a long time, but Jay and his dad only moved back a year or so ago."

"Oh," was all I said, and then I ploughed on with my next question. "Um, you didn't mention your mum Jay. Do you...? I mean…" I trailed off, not wanting to offend anyone with probing questions. His mother could be dead, or worse. It wasn't my place.

"She is shit!" Jay's voice was harsh and grating as he spat out the words. I could see his father's anger flashing in his eyes. So similar, yet so different. "She buggered off after I was born, married a stripper." My eyebrows flew up and I struggled to find something to say. What do you say after that?

"Was she someone we might have known?" I asked, curiously.

"Probably," he said heatedly. "Her maiden name was Stanley. She now goes by Jess Drayfuss." Oh! So Jess had finally found her happily ever after, and with a stripper no less. She had just had a kid with Jake first. Poor boy, with parents like that!

"What is our 'buddy' Jacob doing with himself now, anyway?" Edward asked; the sarcasm clearly audible in his tone.

"Real estate!" That was clearly all we were going to get about that. I opened my mouth to ask another question, but Jay was already asking one of his own. "So, what's the deal with you guys and my dad then? You seemed pretty shocked Mrs Cullen." Oh well, I knew it was coming.

"He was… a very close friend through part of high school." I knew it was a cryptic answer, but I was trying to be as truthful as possible without telling the whole truth. Jay frowned, his eyebrows knitting together the way Jake had used to when he concentrated. I noticed with a hint of surprise that I could discern part of his mother in him too, in his hazel eyes and the ridge of his nose.

"Cool," Jay murmured, still in mid muse. "What was your maiden name Mrs Cullen? I wonder if he ever mentioned you."

"My name is Bella. Bella Swan." I said grudgingly, not eager to give any that little bit of information. I had no way of knowing what Jake might have told Jay about me. What I didn't expect, however, was for Jay to snort loudly then start laughing uncontrollably.

"Oh. My. God. Bella Swan… You're the one… My mom said… He fucked with… Damn; my father really was a player! I didn't believe him when he said about stringing you and my mom along for… how long was it?" He looked up at me, as if expecting me to know the answer. I stared at him, dumfounded. "A couple of months?"

At that, Edward exploded, leaping out of his seat and screaming bloody murder across the room at Jay, who looked horrified at what he had just said.

"Get out! Get the hell out of my house!" Jay looked once from me to Nessie and back, and then murmured a garbled apology before leaving. "Go to your room Renesmee!" Edward thundered, fury still bubbling inside of him. I stood up and placed myself firmly between me daughter and husband.

"Edward, calm down. It's not her fault." He calmed slightly as I rested my hand on his chest, but still looked ready to kill.

"I don't care," he hissed. "You will never see that boy again, Renesmee. Do you understand?" She looked shocked, then the Cullen attitude flared and she began to fight back.

"Why? Why can't I?"

"Because I say so, now get out of my sight." He yelled, before turning and storming off into the garden to cool off. I turned apologetically to Nessie and sighed.

"Give him some time, honey!" I gave her arm a squeeze. "Jay's dad did some pretty bad stuff to us in high school. Your dad just got a bit touchy."

"Mom, I'm not stupid!" she snapped. "I know he cheated on you, that much is obvious. I'll talk to you in the morning." With that, she headed out in to the hall and I heard her climb the stairs a few moments later. I hurried into the kitchen, found the phone hidden under a pile of papers, and rung the first number I could think of.

"Hey, Emma!" I said cheerily when my friend picked up at the other end.

"Hey, Bells."

"Um, can you call Sarah and Tiffany and get them to come over as soon as possible. Oh, and Rose and Alice too if you can. I need you guys!" She responded quickly, saying that everyone who was available would be over first thing in the morning, then she hung up.

Finally, I headed out, slightly nervously, into the garden to have a good heart to heart with a very angry Edward.

AN: Review! Hate it, review! Love it, review! Thanks! I'll try not to leave it so long next time!

Charlotte-xoxo