AN/ Third chapter is up, now!

Remember this was a short story? Well… we are close to the end, now. I wonder if these two will ever find a way to move on together…*sighs*

Again, thanks a lot for the reviews! It's wonderful to know what you think !

I know these two are a pickle…

As usual, the story is pre-written, pre-read by my bestie Lisa-FanFicCrazy, and pre-betaed by dearest sue273.

Maryhell! LOVE U! Miss you loads! Sending you Be Mine today! I need a kick on the butt to go on writing it!


Chapter 3

When Jasper heard Rosalie and Emmett walking through the front door, Jasper's skin broke into goose bumps.

They were at their parents' place for Thanksgiving dinner and, even loving his parents as he did, he thought twice before accepting his parents' invitation, for the fear of meeting a very pregnant Rosalie and his not-so-loving brother-in-law Emmett.

They were both "Team Edward" and he was not willing to hear a single word about the man. He hadn't heard from him for months now, after spending that night together and admitting they still loved each other.

The man simply vanished.

Jasper knew he needed time, he understood that. He never understood, though, why he couldn't even say goodbye, or send him a text, or even make a phone call to say something, anything to him.

The one time he met Edward, Edward not only pretended he didn't see him, but when approached was ice-cold and indifferent about Jasper's presence at his side.

'Asshole', he thought.

His hope was crashed and burnt.

He just wished he could forget about him, forget the love he had for him, forget how great things were when they were together.

His parents' Thanksgiving dinner was a big event. They invited the whole family, friends from the neighborhood and work. Maggie loved to have the house full of people and this opportunity was perfect.

Jasper never understood why they couldn't have a nice family dinner. He hated to be around people he hardly knew.

Jasper was sort of hiding from the crowd in the kitchen, praying no one would find him and torture him with questions about the stock market as they used to do. Why so many people liked to take advantage of his knowledge, believing that was what friends were for, was beyond his understanding. That was his job, not something he did just for the hell of it.

As he played with some peanuts that had fallen to the table when Maggie was arranging a bowl of appetizers, he heard Rose's rushed steps towards the kitchen—her heels clacking on the wooden floor were borderline maddening. His stomach churned at the thought of having to face her so soon that day.

Rose walked in, and looking preoccupied, moved her head to show her brother she wanted him to follow her.

Jasper—probably looking as miserable as he felt—rolled his eyes and huffed, but stood up and followed his sister.

They walked through the crowd, Jasper enduring all the greetings from the boring people he had been hiding from in the kitchen, moving to the stairs that led to the bedrooms and private area.

Jasper followed Rose into their parents' bedroom and saw Rose closing the door behind him before moving towards their parents' bed and sitting on the edge.

"Hey, Bro, spill it," she simply said.

Jasper had been feeling hollow, useless, lonely. Apparently, it was written all over his face. Rose must have noticed it and was playing the Momma Bear once more.

He was having contradictory feelings towards Edward. At the same time, he missed him like crazy, he wanted to choke the man to death for not only leaving him, but doing so after filling him with hope they'd be together.

Being at his parent's house watching Riley and his boyfriend, Seth, being all lovey-dovey with each other didn't help him any, either.

His father was bursting with happiness since his brother had settled down with the native-American kid. They were both going to university and living in the dorms, but coming back to Alistair and Maggie's every weekend.

Their joy made Jasper feel sick.

He was infuriated watching his family acting so naturally around the two; no objections, no hard feelings. That could have been him and Edward for years together.

The realization that he'd lost Edward for nothing pissed him off so bad it made him want to puke, all for the mere fear of hurting his parent's feelings. His father even told him once he was hurt because Jasper's actions showed he hadn't trusted his parents' love for him.

Jasper just misread the whole Riley situation, made 'too much ado about nothing' as his mother had said, and lost the love of his life.

If that wasn't enough to bear, now he had his sister giving him shit for something he couldn't care less about. 'What was is it she was saying?' he thought.

"Jasper! Are you listening to me?"

Jasper snapped out of his musings and tried paying attention to the fuming blond woman across from him.

"What?"

"I asked you what happened the night Ed slept with you."

"That's none of your fucking business!" Jasper barked.

"Not my business? Then why has he become a fucking asshole all over again? Why do I have to endure his crankiness at work every fucking day and the thing that pissed him off mostly from all the shit that's happening was me asking him how that night was?"

"'Cause that's fucking private!" Jasper yelled, exasperated. Walking around the room, feeling like a trapped animal, he wanted to be out of that situation so bad, he shoved his fingers painfully in his hair, pulling the strands back.

"I need to know, Jay," she pressed.

"I don't see how telling you what happened between us, in the privacy of my own home, could make any difference for you and your co-workers." Jasper reined in his anger, feeling tired. He was exhausted from thinking about that night so many times. He looked for what in the world he had done wrong to make Edward so mad at him. He couldn't find anything, anything that could be reason for him leaving and never contacting him, then acting the way he did when they met again.

"Maybe I can help? I don't know… I'm just tired of watching you shrink into this anti-social castaway, hiding from everybody, sulking in the corner all the time! You handled him being married to Garrett way better than this."

"I thought you were worried about Edward… Anyway, when he was with Garrett, it was because I was stupid and hadn't fought for him. I felt sorry for myself for being so weak. I also didn't want to be that, you know… I didn't want to be gay. It was more than just losing Edward; it was hard accepting who I was, having to endure people looking at me differently, treating me as if I were sick or perverted."

"Now he's not with me because he simply doesn't want to be. I threw all my awkwardness and fears to Hell so I could make him happy! I came out to Mom and Dad, I admitted to myself I love a man and I almost feel comfortable being a homosexual, although I'd never even looked at another guy as I look at Edward. I've never felt attracted to anyone else since him."

Jasper walked some more, trying to pull some more air into his lungs, calming down the turmoil inside of him. He loved Edward so freaking much, but right then he hated him with the same intensity.

"I feel like a fucking moron! I don't know who I am anymore. I don't know what to do with my life! Before Edward, I was always surrounded by friends. I played my guitar in Joe's band and at James's cafe. I used to have a life, you know… When I fell for Edward, he became my whole life; I started to play my guitar just for him. No one mattered anymore, nothing mattered when he was with me. I just quit everything to be with him. I hate him, Rose! I had never felt anything for men before him. I changed because of him. Now, he won't give me the time of day. "

Rose bit her lips and grimaced at Jasper's reasoning.

"I have tried to pinpoint what I've done wrong that night, Rose. I just can't find anything that could have made him so mad at me. I've tried calling him, but he just shuts his phone when I do. He won't even talk to me, Rose. I don't think he knows I came out."

Jasper ended up sitting next to Rose, looking for some comfort in the arms of his bursting-pregnant sister.

"Maybe I can help. Why don't you try me?"

Jasper ended up telling her the whole story and she couldn't point out any mistakes in Jasper's actions either.

"The worst of all, Sis, is to have heard him say he loved me, just to discard me as trash the very next day."

Rose sighed and seemed lost in thought.


Knocking at the office door before opening a crack and sneaking her head in, Rose tried to call the tall-framed man's attention without alarming him, "Hey, Ed… Are you okay?"

Rosalie was careful, trying not to wake up the cranky beast inside Edward.

Rose was worried. After Garrett's passing, Edward became defensive and short-tempered. He resembled the asshole Edward Rose had met when she started dating Emmett.

"What, Rose? What now?" were his harsh words, throwing the papers he had in his hand to his desk with so much strength they just skidded there and flew to the floor.

Apparently, no caution would have kept his nerves at bay.

"Is this a bad time?" she asked, trying to keep her own irritation at bay—Edward was her boss but she'd never accept that kind of treatment from anyone. She refrained from rasping back, taking in consideration all Edward had been through those past four months.

"Sorry, Rose, come in. I just need these fuckers gone! I won't work for these criminals anymore! No matter how much money they pay us!"

Edward was flushed with fury, his body trembling as he supported himself on the desk, letting his head fall between his shoulders.

Rose was the head of Garrett's agency creative department—she was the one who took Garrett to Emmett's the night he saw Edward for the first time.

Once Edward and Garrett got married, Edward came to work at the agency, learning everything there was to know about the business. He became Garrett's assistant and soon the person Garrett went to when he needed to make a difficult decision.

Garrett had left Edward as his successor in the agency, saying he was the one person he would ever trust their daughter's inheritance with.

Edward was prepared for the job; Rose had no doubt about that. What worried Rose was that was the only thing he'd been doing since he'd lost his husband. Bianca had a nanny who would stay till late at night, when Edward finally managed to get home. Rose knew he didn't have to work so late every night.

Rose knew how hard it was for Edward to go home and not finding Garrett there. He loved his little girl, but he'd confessed he wished he could move out of that place. He didn't do it because of Bianca, who loved it and co-owned the place. He couldn't even sell it anyway.

"It's your firm, Ed. Cut them loose," she said, letting herself into the CEO's office. "Tell them you won't work for them anymore. We have enough clients."

Edward looked up, his eyes red, but not really from wrath. 'Had he been crying?' Rose thought.

"You think Gar would have done that?" He ended pressing his lips together in a thin line waiting for Rose's answer.

"I think he wouldn't have taken that account in the first place," she answered matter-of-factly.

Edward nodded. "But that's not what you came here to talk about, am I right?" He waited for her confirmation still looking through his lashes with pursed lips.

"No. Actually, I came here to ask you if Bianca can come stay with us this weekend."

"Again?" He straightened up to his full height, pacing around the desk, shoving his fingers through his hair.

Rose could swear she saw a tear sliding down his cheek, but he hid it well.

"Edward, what's going on with you? Do you need help with anything? Is there something we can do?" she offered sincerely—Edward's hard expressions turned soft once his eyes met hers.

He rounded the table and sat on his chair, burying his face in his hands and letting out a long sigh.

Rose walked to the chair across from Edward's desk, then took a seat.

"You know you can talk to me, right? I like to think I'm more than your employee here, Ed." She reached for his arm, trying to reassure him of their friendship.

Edward slid his hand to cover hers, as he slumped on top of his desk in a defeated move.

"Talk to me, Ed," she reinforced.

"Rose… I thought time would heal all wounds. Isn't that what everybody says?"

As Rose saw Edward's eyes on her, she just nodded. Since he wouldn't continue, Rose pressed, "What wounds haven't healed yet? Losing Gar?"

Edward grimaced, seeming uncomfortable with what he had to say. Pursing his lips once more, he shook his head no.

"Jasper?" Rose enquired.

Edward didn't really answer, but started, "I slept at his place the night of Gar's funeral."

"I know."

"When I woke up and realized where I was I wanted to die right there. How could I? How could I turn to the one person who hurt me so much for help? Someone who had always been between me and my husband even if it were just in my mind? I'm so fucking ashamed of myself, you have no idea!"

Rose kept quiet. She knew all about that night.

Edward stood up, punishing his copper threads of hair, as he continued, "It all came back, you know… The hurt, all those times I had to pretend to be his friend, all those times I tried holding his hand and he batted mine with a frown on his face. His excuses for not coming out; he was a grown man, for Christ's sake!"

"Edward, you knew what you were getting yourself into once you invested in a relationship with a straight man."

Edward had his back to her, so he turned slightly to look at her from the corner of his eye.

"Don't say you didn't know. I know you did. I remember the first time you saw Jasper and Bella at Emmett's. It was the very first time I ever saw you smile. Your eyes were wide and you told me it didn't matter he had a girlfriend. You said he'd be yours someday."

Edward huffed, but nodded.

"I remember every drunken word from you about him since that day—how you knew he liked you, too, how your skin tingled every time he touched you, which was a lot more often than men actually touched, you said. I remember the first time you two danced and you had your hands all over a drunk-as-fuck Jasper; the first time you took his shirt off on the dance floor and practically humped him while dancing in front of everyone, pretending Jasper was not straight and forgetting the fact that he was still committed to a woman."

Rose expected an answer that never came. So she went on, "You seduced him, Edward. I won't say he was fine before you. I won't say he was a hundred percent straight. But he had a life he was okay living, and you swept him away from it. You captivated him… I remember the first time you kissed him on the dance floor… You made him fall in love with you. I remember you taking him outside to the alley after he broke up with Bella."

Edward's head hung low between his shoulders, his breathing speeding up. "Rose, I loved him from the first smile he ever gave me. I just… I had to have him," Edward revealed, turning towards Rosalie, but passing by her to stop at the other end of the office in front of the windows.

"I knew he was into me, too. I saw it in his eyes… I felt it in his body every time he came to give me the awkward one-armed hug goodbye."

"He still loves you, you know. He never moved on from you." Rose pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes trying to defend herself from any harsh responses she'd receive after poking the lion with such a short stick.

"Well… he shouldn't. I just can't do it, Rose… I've got a daughter who deserves better than what he has to offer."

"I don't know what you mean," Rose commented confused.

"I never told you this, but…Garrett left a letter to each person who would be involved in Bianca's life, who would watch her grow up." Edward pulled a huge puff of air before closing his eyes and continuing, "…that was the first place he wrote he wanted me to run the agency in his absence. Well, there he said I should…" Edward pursed his lips as he bowed his head looking at his hands for a second, "I should try and get back together with Jasper."

Rose was flabbergasted. She never knew Garrett was aware of Edward's feelings for Jasper, although she always knew he still loved her brother.

At the blonde's silence, Edward went on, "He said… he said I should accept whatever Jasper had to offer, no matter what the obstacles were, that I should fight for whom I loved the way he fought for me." Edward looked away, as if ashamed of his feelings and actions in the past.

"He knew it, then?" Rose asked, creasing her brow at the idea.

Edward nodded, leaving his head low. "He's always known, Rose. He knew it and he wanted me anyway. He loved me with all his heart and I tried being to him the man, the husband he deserved. I loved him, Rose. I did. In a way, I still do. He's my baby's father, he's the one who made me feel unconditionally loved and cared for. He was kind and respectful, and was also an incredible father and boss. I never knew how to repay him for being so good to me, for loving me that much. I did what I could. I hope it was enough." Tears fell down his face.

"It was, Ed, I bet it was. We could all see how wonderful you were to him."

Playing with his fingers, Edward pressed his lips together before speaking. "He was the best. The best friend, the best husband, the most generous father, the best lover… I owe him everything I am now." Edward's voice cracked at the end.

"What about what he told you to do… about Jasper?"

Edward's nervousness poured again; his face sporting a scowl as he got rid of his suit jacket. Loosening his tie, sweat broke out on his skin in a heat not even the air con could prevent.

"I can't… I can't go back to the closet I've been out of for so long. I can't accept being hidden from my family and friends. I can't expose my daughter to a situation like that. Garrett must have written that letter before I adopted her. I didn't care to check the date. I know for a fact he wouldn't want his daughter to be someone's secret."

Rosalie couldn't argue with the man. He was right. Bianca deserved a parent who could give her all the love and care Edward did. She had lost the only biological parent she had.

Rose knew Jasper was out for her parents, but she wasn't sure he was out for his friends or willing to be. She couldn't raise false hope in Edward's heart by telling him the little she knew about the subject, but she was mortified she couldn't help her friend and her brother out of this mess their love life seemed to be.

Maybe they weren't really meant to be together.

Edward walked to his desk, leaning to sit on the edge, holding the desk board on both his sides.

"How is he, Rose?"

Rose took a look at Edward and decided he didn't look any better than Jay. He'd lost weight, his skin was pale, eyes lifeless, with dark rings framing them.

"Hummm… what do you want me to tell you? What you want to hear or the truth?" The blonde woman looked up at Edward, brows shot up, waiting for an answer that never came.

"I gotta tell you, I'm not into gossip. I hate talking about one to another. I don't think you wish to hear what I would have to say as response to your question," Rose retorted.

"Just tell me, please." Edward seemed calmer, but Rose didn't want to be fooled.

"Look, Edward, I don't wanna meddle. I did it once, when I asked Jasper to go try and bring you home after Garrett's… damn. You made a poor decision then, and it still pisses you off. I'm not gonna be the one to put you two in contact all over again so you could slip and make a poor choice again, making you hate yourself even more."

"Life is hard enough with you being a pain in the ass as you are now. We don't need any more aggravation to add up to that."

With that she stood up and left, waving her hand goodbye to Edward in an attempt to escape from more questions about Jasper. She thought that it was best that she didn't play cupid with those two. They needed to find their way back to each other themselves.

Edward frowned at Rose's comment, but decided to let it go for now.

'I thought men were more intelligent than that,' she wondered.


AN/ Oh man... I know. Rose is the only one who could help and she wouldn't do it! I get her, though. This is a beehive! Two angry men, desperately in love with each other, many reasons why they can hate each other for life... Tell me what you think! Love your thoughts!