Back on the train, but I wanted to give you the latest chapter. I'm writing chapter 8 right now, so I hope to be able to post that Monday, but we'll see how that goes. Enjoy the lead up to the date!

Love to mizzdee and TropicalSorbet for their hard work on this.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. This story is rated for lemons, language, and the normal teenage shenanigans.

Chapter 6

BPOV

I woke up with a bad headache from all the crying and a desire to just grab Jasper and drive away. I knew he would be going back to Texas soon for the summer and that made me sad. Even though we'd just met, Jasper was already important to me.

I changed and went to walk Jake when there was a knock on the door. I walked over to see Alice and Rosalie outside waiting for me.

"Bella, how are you doing?" Rose asked and I shrugged as we headed out towards the house so Jake could go to the bathroom.

"Do you think that I could pack my things and grab Jasper before Edward wakes up?" I asked and both girls laughed.

"It's a little late for that," Alice told me. "Edward didn't get any sleep last night, he just sat out on the balcony beating himself up over everything."

"What are you talking about?" I questioned, not convinced.

"Your dad called after he got off the phone with you and ripped Edward a new asshole, and then Jasper took his turn. I don't think Edward was thinking about how hurtful his actions were. He was just protecting you how a brother knows how. But you don't need protection, especially from Jasper."

I looked at Alice as Jake finished his business, Rose groaning as she cleaned it up and walked over to join us. I took the moment to ease my curiosity. "What did Jasper say?"

"You'll find out soon, now we better get up to the house before breakfast gets cold," Rose told me as she jogged up towards the house; my guess was to wash her hands.

I walked in and saw Emmett setting the table, but he stopped and pulled me in for a bear hug. "I'm sorry for my part in what happened yesterday. I'm supposed to by your friend, and a friend wouldn't do that. In my defense, I was a heavy baby and I think my mom dropped me on my head a bunch."

I laughed at his joke and hugged him back, glad that we were back to normal. Continuing into the kitchen, I slid in beside Jasper to see that he was working the waffle iron. "You're making waffles?"

Jasper nodded. "I am. The batter is idiot proof and this iron has an automatic setting so it shuts off when it's done."

"Don't put yourself down. I happen to like the person you're badmouthing," I told him as I leaned up to kiss his jaw.

"Feeling's mutual, Bella," he whispered as he took out a waffle and put it on the waiting plate, handing it to me so we could sit down.

Edward was coming out of the bathroom when I passed, so Jasper took my plate as Edward stopped me.

"Bella, I'm so sorry. I saw things happening between you and Jazz and I panicked. You're my sister and I've been protecting you since I was old enough to crawl, but I never meant for that to make you feel insignificant." He stopped speaking for a minute as he took a steadying breath. "You're the most important person in my life, always have been, always will be, and if Jasper makes you happy, then I'm going to have to get used to the idea of the two of you together. Just don't punish yourself to punish me, don't go stay with her, please."

"I forgive you, Edward. Just know that you can't ever do that again," I told him.

"I love you, Bella," he said as we moved to sit down.

Breakfast was finished quickly, the normal conversation and laughter helping to keep the mood light.

We spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon hanging out in the game room, the guys' competitive nature winning out in everything from monopoly to pool.

The difference that I felt now that Jasper and I weren't pulling away whenever somebody was close was amazing. Jasper seemed to like having some form of body contact, whether he was holding my hand or had me sitting in his lap, Jasper seemed to be taking full advantage of the freedom.

Edward was barbequing the last of the steak tonight, so I left everyone to their game of pool so I could season the meat and take care of the side dishes. Jasper followed me, saying that he was going to start some of his laundry, but as soon as his clothes were in the washer he was in the kitchen kissing my neck.

I quickly abandoned the salad I'd been working on and spun around so he could really kiss me. The counter was digging into my back, but I didn't care as his hands roamed my upper body. We were so involved in our make out session that we didn't hear the door open, but soon we were aware of Edward's presence.

"Jesus Fucking Christ, can you not fuck my sister on the counter," Edward groaned.

"Edward, if you think this is sex, then maybe you're just as virginal as I am," I teased, earning a deep chortle from Jasper.

"I'm going to change out my laundry and then make a few calls," Jasper said as he left the room.

Edward walked over to take the steak from the other side of the counter but I stopped him. "Are you mad at me for liking Jasper?"

"What? No … Bella, I'm trying to get used to seeing you with anyone, but Jasper's a good guy. I promise that I'm working on it."

"Okay, I just wanted to ask. You're more important to me than any guy could be, even if I like him as much as I like Jasper," I told him.

"Jasper's off making plans for you two tomorrow," Edward said a little out of the blue, "just promise that you'll tell him what you are and aren't ready for."

"I will," I promised, and then returned to the salad while he took the steak. The potatoes were cooking so now I was free to hang out.

Jasper called me into his room for a minute to give me an update on our big date tomorrow. "Wear jeans because we're spending the morning in the park, and pack a change of clothes, because I booked us a room for the night." I must have looked a little shocked, so he quickly told me. "I don't expect anything, I just want to be able to kiss you without the eighteen year old's version of a gagging sound interrupting us."

"Sure, I can do that," I told him and then ran towards my room.

On the way, I saw the pile of Jasper's flannel shirts on top of the washer and I smirked, grabbing one and burying it in the bottom of my bag. I put a few more things in the bag and leave the rest until later tonight.

Dinner was more of our normal teasing and fun and for once we went to bed at a normal hour, I was really excited for the mystery that was tomorrow and what it would bring.