A/N: * As usual I own nothing except the plotlines and really frizzy hair today, so no infringement intended.*

Hope everyone is enjoying the story so far. I seriously appreciate your reading it and your comments. Keep 'em coming. Heads up, there's a lemon in here... and if you can't take the pucker, get your ass out of the kitchen. Or some such shit.

Also, if you're one of those types of folks that like to listen to some tunes while they read (like me), then here's a few that I was listening to when I wrote this chapter:

Anna Nalick- Catalyst
Tool (who happens to be my fav. band and I demand a little love for them) –The Pot
Rachael Yamagata –Sunday Afternoon

Chapter Six

Dinner, Divorce and Late Night Texting

BPOV

"This is good, Mike, did you use my recipe?" I asked, stuffing the last of the meatloaf in my mouth.

"Yeah, it's was always been a favourite of mine, better than my mom's, but don't tell her I said that." His face looked a little more relaxed then it had when I first arrived. Sipping his wine, he cleared his throat. "Ahem. So how do we do this? What's next?"

This was the reason we'd gotten together, to discuss the next step in our separation. "Well, if you're agreeable, I think we can do this without involving lawyers and all that bull crap. I'd rather not drag this out and turn it into some dog and pony show. Ya know what I mean?"

"Yup, it's not like this is War of the Roses, we aren't at each other's throats," he agreed.

We talked about filing for divorce when I got back from my little vacation with Rose and Emmett. We talked about assets and the banking end of the separation, something I'd already made a move on that morning. Between schools I'd run over to the bank, opened a new account, and set it up with human resources that my pay go to the new account. We decided we would split the savings right down the middle. The one joint credit card we had in our name would be paid off and closed. We would also continue to make monthly payments on the line of credit until it too was paid off. We'd already made a pretty big dent in it, so it wouldn't take long before that debt was nonexistent. Thank god we didn't have much in the way of debt.

"Bella, why did you leave? I mean, I know why you left, but why not toss my ass out?" Mike asked, looking more than a little rueful.

I cast my eyes down, and I watched my fingers play with the fabric of my shirt. "Because, Mike, this isn't my home anymore. I look around here and all I see are endings, hurt, lies. I'd just end up feeling trapped in it all, and I can't take it. I need to move on. I need to not be here," I answered honestly. Looking out into the front room, I saw that he'd moved the furniture around little. My eyes pulled on the voids left behind from the posters I'd taken with me. It made me sad that this all looked so alien to me and in such a short amount of time. The room now reminded me of an old ruin, forgotten and hallowed out by time, ghosts of past lurking in the corners. I shuddered.

"I didn't mean any of it, Bella. I didn't mean for you to be so sad. I didn't mean for you to hurt so much."

I looked back to Michael, and the venom pooled in my mouth making my words wicked. "No, I suppose you didn't. You just wanted what you wanted and really didn't give much consideration to how it would crush me. You didn't want me to find out." It was all out of my mouth before I could really process that I'd even spoken. But it was nothing but the truth. At least the truth as I saw it.

"No, you're right, Bella. I wanted to be fucking normal and have a normal life, but that just wasn't in the cards for me. So I fucking hid like a little coward. And no, I didn't take much time to consider how it would hurt you if you found out. That just wasn't part of my selfish fucking plan... You weren't supposed to know. And now I'm losing it all, the pretty picture, my dignity, my self-respect. All gone. I'm still selfish enough to admit that I'll miss what I had."

Miss what he had? What the good goddamn did that mean? My brain felt like it might explode, and my blood boiled and overflowed with venom laced hate. "What, you miss the wife you pretended to fuck once a month when she begged for attention? You miss the maid that did all your laundry and kept the house clean? What exactly is it you miss, Mike?" Yeah, I was seething a little. I could feel every muscle in my body tense and tighten. A knot built in my stomach and it rumbled with indignation.

"I miss the girl I came home to and talked about my day with. I miss my friend," he said, shaking his dirty blond hair into his eyes as if he were trying to hide himself from my view.

Enough goddamn hiding already!

"So, you regret my finding out, because you're out a friend? Really! That's your only fucking regret?" I understood the feeling behind that loss, I did, but I couldn't understand why this was the thing he regretted most. "How 'bout lying to me for ten years?" I continued my tirade. "How about making me feel so profoundly unloved and undesirable that I've spent nights crying myself to sleep wondering what I'd done wrong? None of those register with you?" I blew out a puff of hot air. I could feel the rose that was blooming on my cheeks.

"Yes, Bella, all of those. It kills me that I put you through all of that. I regret it all. But, I don't regret our friendship and what I've shared with you over the years. I've learned so much from you. You've always been a constant in my life, and I miss that. I fucked things up, and I know I might never have your friendship ever again." His eyes looked heavy with moisture, and his face was smothered in pain.

"You never answered me before, Mike, why me? Why did you choose me? How was it so easy for you?" My hands were balled up in tight, tiny fists; my voice was still a pitch or two above acceptable conversation. For some sick reason, I very much needed to hear the answer to that question.

"None of this was easy for me, Bella. But for me, you were like the cool water on a scorching burn. You made it feel better, feel bearable to walk the halls of the school, to sit in a room full of people and not worry about what they were thinking. I had this deep hate for who I was, but when I was with you, you made that all go away. You made me feel good, human. Being with you, having you in my life, made it better and more comfortable, if only a little more complicated. But I was willing to deal with those complications because I was scared. I could feel how much you cared about me, that you wanted me in your life. It's made my life livable. Sitting next to you and talking to you always felt so easy and simple. I didn't think I'd ever have simple and easy in my life, but you brought me that, and I was selfish to want to keep it. I did... I do love you, Isabella. I just can't love you the way you need me to." His eyes glistened with tears, and I saw hurt and longing in them.

"You were so kind, and smart, and compassionate, and being with you made me the envy of half the bloody school," he said with a weak chuckle. "It was all about appearances. I figured if I had the attention of the hottest chick in the school, no one would question me. No one would see..."

When I looked at him, my face burned with anger, and I saw the insurmountable fear and shame in his eyes. It ran so deep and it was consuming him. He was afraid and terribly ashamed of who he was. Seeing that melted me and took the pissy words right out of my mouth. I was still mad as all hell that he'd used me like this, but no one should fear who they are. Ever.

"I'm sorry I lost it there. I guess I'm a little out of line," I said, hanging my head.

"No, no, you're right on the mark. You have every goddamned reason to be angry with me, to hate me."

"I don't hate you, Mike." To some extent that was the truth, but there was a piece of me that absolutely despised him for what he'd done. I wanted to strike out at him and scream every awful thing I could think of. Part of me hated the man I'd vowed to love forever, but what good would come of me saying that? I gritted my teeth, and continued. "But I'm not gonna lie, I'm pretty pissed, livid, actually. I feel like you stole ten years of my life. But, I guess I need to consider your side a little more. I never asked how it went with your parents, how'd they take it?" I asked, sipping the remains of my wine.

He shook his head, and a tear slid down his cheek. "Mom couldn't stop crying. She said she didn't understand, that she was confused. Dad was so pissed I thought he was going to hit me. He wanted to put the blame anywhere but where it belonged. He wanted to blame you. He said some nasty things, but I set him straight."

MPOV

I'd already lied and contorted every aspect of my life, there was really no point hiding any of this from her now. So I recited the events of the evening at my parents.

"Dinner was fantastic," I said, taking a seat on the couch in the front room.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it, it's too bad Bella couldn't join us tonight. You know I was reading this article the other about infertility and its link to-"

I had to cut her off. "Mom, Dad, I need to talk to you." I took a deep breath and looked up at my parents. My hands were clenched together in my lap.

"What's going on, Michael? You show up here without Bella, and you haven't stopped fidgeting since you walked through the damn door," my father said with a stern look set on his face. I hated that look. I hated that he saw the fidgeting for what it was.

"Bella is staying at friends right now, Dad."

My mother gasped. Her hand flew to her mouth. "She left you?"

"Yes, but with good reason," I tried to explain, but my father cut in.

"And what good reason could a wife possibly have for leaving her husband?"

"Dad, stop. Just listen to me please. I need you to do that."

He hung his head and sighed, but motioned with his hand for me to go on.

"Bella left because I'm gay." The words left my mouth and hung in the air. The room felt hot and suddenly alien to me.

"No, that's not possible, Michael. You've always been with girls, you married Bella. You're not gay. That's ridiculous. Did she cheat on you? You don't have to cover for her."

"Dad for fuck's sake, would you just listen to me! Bella didn't, and never would, cheat on me. She left me because I lied to her. We never should have been married. I should have never been brave enough to except who I was. I shouldn't have told her I'd love her forever, because I couldn't. I'll never be able to give her what she needs or deserves." I exhaled and locked eyes on my father.

He sat across from me, sweat beading up his forehead. Rage and denial made his face look old and hard. "This is because she can't get pregnant. You think there's something wrong with you because her goddamned insides don't work-"

"Stephen!" my mother shouted.

"You're still not listening me, you never have. I look at Bella, look at her body, and I feel nothing. She kisses me and I feel nothing."

"Well, she doesn't exactly have the most feminine curves..."

I'd had about all I could take, never once in my life has my father ever fucking listened to anything I had said. Never really took me seriously. I raised my voice and looked directly at him. "She's beautiful! But she's not what I want, Dad. I'm attracted to men. What Bella or any other woman doesn't do for me, a man does. Aren't you listening at all? This isn't about Bella right now, it's about me!" I stood and started toward the door.

My mother reached out and grabbed my hand. "Please, Michael, stay... talk to me. I'm so confused."

I turned to look at her. Her eyes were brimming over with tears. Her hand shook in mine. "Mom, I'm sorry. I love you both very much, but I can't stay here if he's going to continue to blame Bella for something that was never her fault."

"I know," she said looking over at my father. The glare she shot him was hard and indisputable. It promised violence if he stepped out of line again. She led me back to the couch and sat down next to me. Turning to address my father, she kept her hand firmly in place on mine. "Stephen, this is our son, and I swear to the almighty above, if your big mouth chases him out of this house and out of our lives, I'll kill you. And don't you sit there and criticize that wonderful girl. You had to have seen it, Stephen, known that he was different."

She turned back to me. "Not wrong, darling, just different."

Dad didn't say a word.

"Are you sure, Michael? Are you sure this is what you want, what you need?" she asked, stroking my hand.

"Yes, years have gone by and I thought it would easy to just be what everyone expected. I thought I could keep that up, but over the last year or so, it's been getting more and more difficult to lie. I stay at work longer then I need to, and I book myself for every convention possible just to avoid having to disappoint my wife any further. I can see the hurt in her eyes when I don't react the way I should to her. I can't stand that look. She didn't ask for this, don't blame her."

"Why didn't you say anything to us, why didn't you tell us?" Her voice was pleading and choked in tears.

"Put yourself in my shoes. Your brother is a star quarterback, and your parents are very involved with both the church and the community. A father that never listened, just demanded, told. I know what you all expected of me. You expected me to be just like Paul, star athlete, bombshell for a wife, and a beautiful family. I'm not Paul, and that terrified me. Everything about who I was screamed different and I didn't want to be different. I wanted to be what you thought I should be. Bella made that possible. She eased a lot of that pain by being who she is. Dad, please, put the blame where it belongs; she deserves that much from me, from us."

BPOV

My mind whirled around those words, 'he wanted to blame you.' I could see how easy that was, how simple it would be to place the blame on another instead of really looking at the issue. I understood the mechanisms behind it. It was denial, and the easiest way for him to cope with his son's admission was to shirk the blame. It gave him a target, somewhere to aim all his confusion and anger, so it wasn't sitting full weight and lead thick on his chest.

"I think he was just really hurt and didn't know what to do with it. I didn't get the big heave-ho from the family, but I'm not expecting them to all just except this. It's a lot to wrap your head around. I think things will be fine, eventually."

I offered him a friendly smile, and I patted his rough hand. "They'll come around, Mike. They're good people. Maybe not the most forward thinking, but I think when it comes to their son they'll be willing. You'll see." I sincerely hoped that that was the case. It would be a true tragedy if Michael lost his family because of this. I resolved to do my very best to keep things amicable between us - and hopefully keep some semblance of a friendship - even if part of me wanted to rip off his head and spit down his throat.

EMPOV

"So, you should totally come with us this weekend. We're leaving Thursday night and staying until Monday afternoon," I said, tapping at buttons and pushing the mouse around the giant mouse pad. "Fuck, why isn't this character moving the way they're supposed to? Bitch keeps running in circles. Grrr." Glitches pissed me off and wasted my time.

"Jasper wouldn't mind an extra body?" Edward asked, watching me fiddle with the mechanics of the video game character.

"Nope, not at all, dude. Fucker's got a crazy huge house. And technically, you're the second extra body." I quickly pecked out a few more commands and watched the results on the screen.

"Second? Who's the first?"

"Mother humper! Stupid little fairy! Just do as I say... Huh? Oh, sorry man, side tracked by the video imp." I flipped it the finger and smacked out another command, hoping this would rectify the problem. "And that would be Bella. I don't think you've ever met Bells. She's the one that stood in our wedding, Rose's friend."

"Aw, Christ, Em, this isn't a setup is it? 'Cause seriously, if someone else tries to set me up with one more 'great personality' I'll slit my wrists, I swear."

I turned to see him huff and roll his eyes. "Wow, easy there Mr. Melodramatic, no set up. I swear. But she does have a great personality, and she's fuck-hot. Tell Rosie I said that and I'll beat you senseless, man." I pointed my index finger at Edward.

"Ha, stubborn bitch, look at you walkin' all straight!" Again, I offered my middle finger to the pixie on the screen and beamed in accomplishment. "Bella is great, seriously. But she's bunches of messed up right now, so I'd keep away. She's buried hip deep in issues, which is why she needs a few days of good times and no worries. She fucking deserves it."

I turned completely in my chair to face Edward. I'd invited him because he's kind of new to the area. Well, he hasn't been back to Forks in almost eight years and most of his family is still back in Alaska. Meeting a few new people could only be a good thing.

"She's the one staying with you and Rose right now?"

"Yeppers. She's at dinner with her soon to be ex-husband right now. They've got a lot of shit to work out," I said, hoping everything was going alright for Bella. I'd hate to have to snap Mike's little pencil neck if it hadn't.

"So what's the story, why the 'soon to be ex'?" Edward leaned forward, taking a swig of his beer.

"It's delicate dude and bunches of fucked up. But it's only a matter of time before the whole damn town knows, so whatever. Like less than a week ago Bella found out her husband is gay."

"Oh shit." He looked around the room and then back to me. "That's awful, poor thing."

"Yeah, she's a mess. Rose told me a bunch of shit." I pushed my chair closer to him, knowing Rose was just down stairs cooking dinner. If she heard me relaying this, I'm sure she'd hang my nuts out on the line right next to the sheets. "They rarely had sex, and when they did, he never came. That alone fucked up Bells pretty good. I mean, it's gotta mess with your head when you can't even make your own husband cum. Bella told Rose the other night - and I kinda heard most of this myself 'cause I'm a nosy fuck- but for years now she hasn't been able to, uh... get things done for herself. Ya know?" I shook my head in disbelief, hearing that shit had literally broke my heart. The lack of attention over the years had turned her own body against her.

"You're kidding me right? She can't even bring herself to orgasm anymore? Wow, that's, that's...a damn shame." He ran his hand through his hair, shaking his head.

"Yeah." Was the only answer I could manage.

"Ah, Em, forgive my inner asshole here, but how did she not know? I mean there must have been some signs, something?" He downed the rest of his beer and rolled the empty bottle between his hands.

"I'm sure there was, Doc, but he was pretty slick. She loved him, why would she even consider the idea. What reason would he have for lying to her? She never questioned him because he said he loved her, because she loved him. And yeah he never told her she was pretty, never kissed her when no one was looking, but she just chalked that up to Mike being Mike."

"Huh, sounds like this guy is a giant douche. How long did you say they'd been together?" He rubbed his jaw and set down his empty bottle with the other hand.

"Um, since they were eighteen or so. They met in high school." I turned back to my work, checking to see that the little winged freak I'd created was still working properly. When that was confirmed, I saved my work for the day and shut down the program. "You've probably seen pictures of them both, wedding pictures," I said, opening the photo album up on my desktop. I flipped through the pictures until I found one of Mike and Bella at our wedding two years ago.
"That's them." I pointed to the screen.

"Yeah, I remember seeing those. Um, fuck-hot's an apt description. She's stunning."

I turned my head a little to look at him. He was practically salivating. "Need a Kleenex to wipe up the spittle, asshole?"

"What? No, shut up," he stammered, looking more than a little embarrassed.

"Boys, dinner!" Rosie hollered from the bottom of the stairs. We stood up, and without a word trekked down the stairs.

"So, I think Edward might have the hots for Bella Bear," I announced, while Rose stripped down for bed. Her beautiful head snapped up, and her eyes narrowed - aw fuck I knew that look. I said or did something stupid. Shit.

"And just what the fuck would have given you that impression, Emmett?" Hands on her naked hips, mouth twisted in a grimace - yup I was in trouble.

"He asked who else was coming this weekend." The truth. "So I showed him a picture of Bells." And let it slide that she ain't been gettin' served. "He said she was hot and drooled a little too." Totally true.

"Emmett, for the sake of your manhood, I hope you kept the shit about Mike to yourself." Her foot was tapping, making her boobs jiggle in the most delicious way.

"Absolutely." Not, I finished in my head. I wanted to keep my junk intact, thank you very fucking much. "Rose, think Bella is out cold by now?" I asked, staring blatantly at her tits.

"More than likely, she looked so spent when she got in. She said they hammered everything out, but it was emotional. I think that whole situation sets a whole new standard for emotional. Emmett, if you think staring at me like that is a turn on, you're wrong." She turned for the bed, climbed in, and pulled the covers up over her, effectively kyboshing my ogling.

"Sorry, baby, but you know that body of yours is like a magnet. I have trouble keeping my eyes off it." I settled in next to her and killed the light beside the bed.

"Just your eyes?" she asked as my hand grazed her hip.

"Mm, eyes, hands, lips, tongue...whatever," I admitted, not that it counted for much of an admission. This was shit she already knew full and well.

"Well, I wouldn't want to deprive those beautiful blue eyes of yours," she said, rolling over to straddle me. She flipped the light back on.

"Nope, would be a damn shame." I let my hands roam over her thighs, her hips, across her rib cage, and then down her back, squeezing her perfect round ass. She giggled and leaned forward to kiss me softly. The kiss was delicate, loving, but it ignited a deep need in me all the same. My dick jumped to life, pushing against her bare backside.

I ran my fingers up and down her shoulders. Her skin always felt so smooth and soft to the touch, and she moaned when my fingers grazed the sides of her breasts. Okay, those kittens totally need more attention.

I brought my hands to her firm, very full breasts, kneading them. I rolled her nipples between my fingertips the way she liked. She offered her fantastic chest to me, arching her back and pushing into my touch. It was my turn to moan when she reached her hand back behind her and gently ran her nails over the surface of my balls. "Fuck that feels good!"

She crushed her mouth down on mine and ground her hips into me. When air became a necessity, I sat up and ran hot, wet kisses up and down her neck. I nipped at the soft sweet spot just below her ear and got more grinding in response. "You like that?" I asked, sucking a little at the same spot.

"Yes," she hissed, wrapping a hand around my shaft and squeezing.

"Ah Christ, Rosie," I nearly shouted.

"Babe, you need to rein in the vocals. She might be asleep, but she's not deaf," Rose said, kissing my mouth, my face, and then down my neck.

"Right, shit. Sorry, baby."

With one hand behind her, she pumped me and whispered moans into my mouth as I played with beautiful tits. When she quieted a bit, I lowered my face and began licking and sucking her pebbled nipples. She adjusted and lifted herself for a second. I could feel her hot, wet center hovering above the tip of my cock. Slowly she pushed herself down, stilling only for a moment before she began to move. Our kisses became heated pants and groans.

I laid back and watched the goddess hovering above ride me. "You look so amazing up there. Open your eyes, Rose, please." With a smile, she complied. I took her hips in my hands, squeezing a little, and I helped her move. The pace increased as we stared at each other.

One of her hands moved one of my own away from her hips, brought it to her face, and curled all but one finger back. She took it into her mouth and sucked gently. I knew what she wanted. I pulled it free from her mouth, and I ran it down the center of her body, stopping at her clit. I worked tight circles with the same finger she'd just had in her mouth. Her body was practically vibrating. I knew she was close. I sat up, rolled her onto her back, and plunged into her with a quick deep thrust.

"Oh fuck, Em!" Now who's the loud one? Fuck it, it's hot. She panted and moaned as I pushed into her repeatedly. Rose met each of my thrusts, bucking her hips up to meet me. She wrapped her legs around me and palmed my ass she dug her nails in.

I brought my mouth down on hers to drown out the string of expletives pouring from her mouth in rapid session. I could feel her walls begin to seize around me. I kicked up the pace just a little and that did it. Seconds later she was cumming hard around my cock. She was completely lost in her orgasm, screaming my name, and gripping the bed sheets with her little fists.

I reached my breaking point seconds after. Watching her face locked in the throes of passion did me in every time. Fuck, I love this woman!

BPOV

"Oh fuck, oh fuck... shit, Emmett... urgh. Holy Fuck! EMMETT!" Rose screamed, and I clapped my hands over my ears.

Yeah they're gonna pay for that in the morning. Big time! I thought as I seriously considered picking up ear plugs on my way home from work tomorrow. I rolled over, happy to hear the fuck-fest had come to an end.

I thought about the appointment I had with the realtor tomorrow evening, and the two houses I'd seen in pictures on online. I wasn't sure if either one was right for me, but looking certainly wouldn't hurt. Just as I thought I would finally drift off, I heard the distinct buzz of my phone.

In the dark I fumbled for it. I turned the light on and opened the new text from Jake.

So I heard a nasty rumor... You left Mike?

Fuck, and so it begins. I tapped out a quick reply, hoping he wouldn't want the whole run down.

Yes, I did

Twenty seconds later a reply from Jake. "Shit," I hissed out loud.

Did he hurt you, Bella? What happened? Does this having anything to do with the IM conversation we had the other night?

So much for short answers. I considered the best way to answer this and typed:

Yes, it has to do with the IM, and no he didn't hurt me, at least not in the conventional sense of the word. I would really like to NOT be the center of town gossip, so when I say to keep your big trap shut, I mean it... Mike's gay.

I hit send and waited for Jake's response. Which, I was fairly sure was going to be colorful to say the least.

Jake: Holy fuck me Sally! You're kidding right?

Me: Nope.

Jake: Oh, that's all kinds of messed up. I'm soooo sorry. Now I get where the questions were coming from the other night. So, so sorry. Want me to pummel him?

Me: Thanks, but no thanks. That's the last thing either one of us needs right now.

It must be a Y chromosome response. Some kind of biological need to beat the shit out of another human being when they experience anger on any level, I thought to myself. Well, at least that explained Emmett, Jake, and Dad. Rose on the other hand... sympathetic response? Or maybe the chick has just got a violent streak in her a mile long.

The phone buzzed in my hand again.

Jake: Yeah, but what about what you need? Are you okay, Bells?

Me: No, I'm not really okay. But I will be.

I hit send and considered my last statement. I wasn't okay. I might never be okay again, not really, but that didn't mean I couldn't put on a good face for everyone and at least play the part.

Jake: Um, please don't get mad at me for asking, but has he been seeing anyone?

Me: Not that I know of. I really hadn't thought to ask. Crap.

Jake: You need to ask. What if he's been with someone?

Well, fuck my life. I hadn't even thought of that. I never took Mike for the cheating type. Then again your dumbass missed that huge your-husband's-a-homosexual-thing. Son of an ugly whore! What if he's been with someone else? What if - and considering our sex life, this is a giant 'what if'- he gave me something. .LIFE.

Me: Jake, I gotta go. I'll talk to later.

12:41am. Screw it, I'm calling. My heart was pounding, my palms slick, and every possible worst case scenario was firing through my mind. After five rings he finally picked up.

"Hello?" A sleepy Mike answered.

"Mike, I know it's late and I'm sorry, but I'm kind of freaking out here. I need you answer a question for me. Okay?" I said as I paced the room; my fingertip being thoroughly chewed on.

"Yeah sure, Bella, fire away."

"Have you been with anyone?" I spit the words out and squeezed my eyes closed, nervous tears seeped out.

End Notes:

I know, I know, I'm a tease. I give you a little Edward and then tuck him away again. Sorry. I guess I should apologize for the cliffie too. Sorry! Thanks for reading and thereby allowing me to clean my wounds. Reviews are great, if you're the reviewin' type, please by all means...

You guys are all over the place too; I'm amazed how far reaching some of my readers are. Truly a very cool thing indeed that so many people from all over the planet can share something like this. Very cool indeed.