Chapter 1: Going home.

I stood in the center of my room filled with boxes, a piece of tape stuck on my left cheek, breathing heavily.

"Almost ready, love?" Edward's melodic voice sounded with amusement.

I rounded on him with a small pout, "I can't do it all by myself!" I whined.

He chuckled shaking his head, "I'll help." He assured me, leaning forward to pull the tape from my face.

The rest of the day we spent moving all the boxes from our respected rooms from the single family home we had rented to the moving truck.

We had decided to both go to the University of Washington at the Seattle campus. It was just above a 3 and half hour trek to Forks.

We were close enough to placate my parents, and just far enough away to not have to go and visit often.

It wasn't that Charlie and Renee were bad parents, but it felt like I was the parent most of the time. Scatterbrained Renee… She was my best friend. But she somehow kept her childlike wonder and outlook on the world. Charlie, was well… He was the Chief of Police and bit overprotective.

My mom left Charlie when I was barely a year old. We lived in Riverside, California. But my mom wasn't making enough as a Substitute teacher. When I was five we returned to Forks. Renee had explained it was so I could have a real relationship with Charlie.

I don't think they ever stopped loving one another. So when I was 8 they remarried. They've been lovey-dovey ever since.

Charlie also became more protective and overbearing. He'd lost me once and was determined not to lose me again. Thus choosing WU.

After they married we moved to a slightly larger home than the one I grew up in. It was a three bedroom two bath ranch style home. It has an open kitchen that flows to the living room which works great for them.

Although Renee and her experimental foods can be a bit much. Whenever I'm home I assume all kitchen responsibilities…

"Penny for your thoughts?" Edward asked wearing his trademark crooked smile.

I smiled warmly replying, "Thinking about mom and dad."

"Ah… Charlie and Renee… Can't live with them… Couldn't pay me enough to try." He finished making a face.

"They aren't that bad." I defended halfheartedly.

"Of course not." He pursed his lips and in a mocking tone, "Charlie darling… Have fun fishing. I love you… Ohh Renee you know I will and I love you too Sugar Muffin."

I laughed out loud clutching my side at his flawless impersonation.

He grabbed me around the waist pulling me to him so our bodies were melded together. He kissed the top of my head.

"You know… We're quite the pair ourselves." I joked.

"Not nearly as bad." He chuckled.

I looked into his sparkling green eyes amazed. I never knew what Edward saw in me. He was gorgeous with his bronze hair sticking up every which way. His eyes and the perfection that was him…

Edward and I were in an off again on again relationship. He'd been my very best friend since my first day of Kindergarten. We didn't really take our relationship to the next level until our sophomore year of high school. We'd both dated other people our freshman year. He dated Jessica Stanley, and I regretfully dated Mike Newton… But he broke up with me, because I refused to stop being friends with Edward.

That was the year Edward's adoptive brother took me to his Junior Prom. Jasper Whitlock… A real southern gentleman. We had a whirlwind summer fling… I don't really remember why it ended, but Edward was there to pick up the pieces. We'd been on again off again ever since. We would take periodic breaks when it was either getting to serious for me, or when I was being too pushy.

Even though Edward knew I wasn't a virgin anymore, he was hell bent on waiting for marriage. He could only turn me down so many times. He left me so hot and cold sometimes… But I couldn't deny how deep my feelings were for him. I did love him.

"Alright love, we're all packed. Ready to head home?" He asked me with a small smile.

"Ready as I'll ever be." I chuckled.

Five years of college later I was ready to start my journey as a Kindergarten Teacher. The first couple years I just took remedial classes until I could figure out what I wanted to be. Edward was almost done with Med School. He would be starting as an intern under the wing of his father.

"Tomorrow you're coming home with me for a family dinner." Edward announced.

I cocked an eyebrow, "Why?"

"Mom and Dad have missed you. And besides Jasper's back in town… To stay I think." He said with a smile.

My heart sank… Jasper. I hadn't seen him in a little over five years and my world felt like it was on the verge of shattering. I loved Jasper.

I was in second grade when Esme and Carlisle adopted him. He came from a broken home in Texas. He was nine and in the 4th grade….

"Hello ma'am." A small southern voice greeted.

I turned to see a boy with honey colored hair and deep piercing blue eyes.

"Hi." I replied shyly, ducking my head to hide my blush.

"You're very pretty. Tell me you name?"

"I'm…"

"Oh hey Jaz." Edward cut me off, "This is my best friend Isabella. But she likes Bella best. Bells this is my new brother Jasper."

I smiled, "Hi Jasper."

"Bella…"

Even at such a young age I knew there was something about him. Something that drew me to him so completely. If only things hadn't gotten so complicated. He didn't want us to be official when we dated. Edward thought me going to prom with him was as a friend… Understatement of the year!

The ride in Edward's Volvo was dull. I followed behind him, he was in the moving van.

My phone rang and I answered it via my blue tooth.

"Hello?"

"Did you leave already?" The pouty voice of my best gal pal's voice rang like bells.

"Yeah, but you're coming to Forks right?" I asked.

"I am. But not for a couple weeks." She whined.

"Oh Alice. It'll be fine. When you get here we'll plan a shopping trip." I relented.

"Yay! I can't wait to meet the infamous Rosalie." She giggled.

"You two will get along great." I promised.

"Alright. Call me soon!"

"I will Ali. Bye."

I hung up smiling to myself. Mary Alice Brandon. She was an odd creature to behold. She was tiny but more fierce than even the scariest lion. Her short black cropped hair and dazzling blue eyes made her alluring. Her skin reminded me of porcelain. She was gorgeous and the one person I could talk to about anything.

Rosalie had wispy blonde hair and hazel eyes. She had a killer body, and was a real bitch unless you were close to her. She and I had our issues growing up. We got really close in junior high and she'd been my wingman ever since. We were partners in crime. She knew everything. She knew my conflicting feelings between Edward and Jasper. She was always pushing me to stay with Edward. Saying we'd been together too long, and put too much into the relationship to call it quits now. I agreed with her, until I saw Jasper. He was the only man who could send my heart into overdrive with a simple smile or anything to show that he acknowledged me.

I was completely content with Edward, but my heart strings felt connected to Jasper. It was always weird and awkward whenever we were all three in the room. It was like fighting against my very being to stay beside Edward. When all I wanted to do was grip Jasper by his honey locks and pull his mouth on mine.

I was lost in thought when I realized we'd just passed the welcome for Forks sign. 'Not long now.' I thought to myself.

We pulled up in front of my parents home and I got out of Edward's Volvo stretching my legs.

Edward strode over to me and enveloped me in to a warm hug, "I missed you."

"It was only a three hour drive." I giggled, not meeting his gaze. Last thing I wanted him to see was how conflicted I felt inside.

"I know, but I didn't like being so close… But so far." he grinned.

I playfully smacked his arm and we walked hand in hand to the front porch.

I noticed Charlie's cruiser in the driveway, this ought to be interesting.

Before I could get to the door it swung open and Renee came flying out. Next thing I knew I was tangled in her arms.

"Mom." I laughed pushing her lightly, "Can't breathe."

"I missed you so much Bella. I hated only seeing you on holidays!" She frowned.

"Well I'm here to stay mom," I assured her. "I have a job secured as the new Kindergarten teacher."

"I'm so proud of you honey." She smiled through tears still holding onto me.

She turned her head to the side and surveyed Edward. She smiled warmly ruffling his hair.

"We missed you too dear."

He chuckled. "Thanks Renee."

We made our way through the front door into the large living room. Charlie was standing beside his comfy arm chair with a smile and twinkling brown eyes.

"Bells."

I rushed over and hugged him tightly, "Hey dad."

He kissed the top of my head and looked over at Edward.

"Son. I see you've taken good care of Bells. She looks happy." He spoke extending his hand.

Edward shook my fathers hand and beamed.

It was uncomfortable for only a moment when Edward announced he would be bringing in my things.

I only had a few small boxes in the moving truck and Edward carried them with ease to my room.

The room I'd had most of my life. Since all the rooms were big my parents gave me the master bedroom. So I would have my own bath right inside my room. Very convenient.

I had a queen sized bed and two small night stands. At the end of the room my desk. I sighed loudly and turned to Edward.

"Home again." I frowned.

"Don't worry Bells. We'll figure something out. Maybe we could get our own place." He smiled.

"Edward…"

"Just think about it. Okay?"

"Alright." I relented smiling at him.

"I have to go home. But I'll pick you up tomorrow." Edward announced.

"Alright." I conceded hugging him.

"I love you." He murmured into my hair.

"Me too." I smiled.

Watching him leave my nerve endings were tingling in anticipation of seeing Jasper. I was so worried. But so excited.

I should be able to love Edward. Really love him the way he deserved. But my heart was still taken, no matter what I did…

A/N I know the first couple chapters a small and kind of not very fast paced but I promise it'll get better! Let me know what you think! Feedback is always appreciated.