Disclaimer: S. Myer owns all, but what I wouldn't give for a Jasper of my very own-sigh.

Thank you to OftheDamned for her beta on this chapter.

I don't think many will be surprised this chapter is a bit angsty…

"**~~**"


"I want a second chance, Edward. I want you back."

It wasn't what Edward had expected to hear. He thought maybe Garrett might apologize for treating him so poorly, or for blatantly throwing that woman in his face, but never did he expect for Garrett to want him back. Garrett stood before him with bloodshot eyes and pale skin, his entire body screaming defeat to Edward. He might had kicked Edward aside like an old toy, but Edward's heart still clenched at the sight of his former lover's obvious distress. It was that ache that enticed Edward to lower his defense and take a step closer.

That was when he smelled the faint hint of alcohol surrounding Garrett.

"You're drunk," Edward accused sharply.

"No, I mean…I was, but I'm not now," Garrett sighed before moving to the couch and sitting down regardless of what Edward had said. Burying his face in his hands, Garrett began to explain. "Kate and I are over. It just wasn't…right. I never felt like myself with her, not like I did with you." He raised his head, his eyes meeting Edward's shocked ones. "I've tried to deny it to everyone, just pass you off as some experiment in my sexuality, but you were so much more than that. I've realized…"

Unconsciously Edward took another step forward, bringing himself within arm's reach of Garrett. "Garrett," Edward began but didn't finish, clearly lost on what to say.

"Edward, I've realized that I was wrong about us. I treated you like shit because I was scared. You brought out feelings in me that I had denied for years, and since you've been gone, I know those feelings were the real me. I'm tired of pretending I'm not gay," Garrett finished with a voice barely above whisper but Edward heard the words loud and clear. Emotions brimmed on the edges of Garrett's dark brown eyes, but never fell as he stared up at his ex lover. The man he had come to realize was so much more than a fling.

Edward took the last step, closing the small distance between them and weaving his fingers into Garrett's soft, curly hair as Garrett rested his forehead against Edward's abdomen. Strong fingers clutched at Edward's shirt, desperately pulling him even closer. Dry sobs wracked Garrett's body as he let out all the frustration he had felt for years, the pent up emotions and denial of who he was.

"Sshhh," Edward soothed, holding his ex boyfriend close. "It's okay, I'm here."

"I need you," Garrett admitted, his words muffled by Edward's body. He lifted his head, bringing his eyes to Edward's. "I need you so bad…please, Edward."

Instantly words of comfort turned to touches of comfort. The fingers in Garrett's hair moved to his face, cupping his damp cheek, wiping away the remainder of the tears before dropping to his knees and embracing Garrett's trembling body in his arms. Edward pushed away the memories of Garrett laughing at him on the sidewalk outside the club, instead his mind focused on their sweet moments in bed after making love, their bodies sated and entwined, when Garrett would tell stories from his childhood, giving Edward brief glimpses into his life.

Those memories warmed Edward, and he found himself holding Garrett even tighter. Garrett's lips placed a wet kiss on Edward's throat before moving to his ear.

"Hold me," Garrett whispered, "I'm scared."

Nodding, Edward released Garrett and stood up, holding out his hand. Garrett took it and let Edward lead him to the bedroom, where Edward stripped off his shirt and lay down on his side. Garrett toed off his shoes and climbed on the bed, pressing his chest to Edward, who immediately enveloped Garrett in his arms. As they lay there, Edward's thoughts inevitably turned to Jasper, how much he missed him and how lonely he was without him. It had been days since Peter's funeral, but Edward had only heard from Jasper once via text message. Edward hardly expected to be Jasper's first concern, but he had hoped that he could offer his new lover comfort of some kind, support and friendship if nothing else. Edward understood Jasper's need to be alone with Bella, that losing someone so important in their lives was going to take some adjusting, and Edward reminded himself that he had to be patient, give Jasper the time and space he needed to heal.

But what if Jasper didn't return? What if Jasper had decided being with Edward wasn't what he needed, what if the very real possibility of losing Bella pushed Jasper over the edge and away from Edward?

Those thoughts and more tumbled harshly through Edward's mind as he held Garrett, the warm body in his arms that so obviously did want him. Jasper was new to Edward's life, but Garrett was not. Garrett knew where Edward had gotten the scar on his knee, Jasper didn't. Garrett knew that Edward slept with the window open no matter how cold it was out, Jasper had barely spent an entire night with Edward. There was no denying the chemistry between him and Garrett, their bodies melded to each other's effortlessly, pleasures were brought of heights neither of them had ever reached before.

Edward had chemistry with his blond boyfriend too, as much if not more than he did with Garrett, but there was a comfort with Garrett, one that only came with time. Time that he and Jasper hadn't had the chance to have yet.

Within minutes, Garrett was asleep in Edward's arms, his body finally stilling and letting slumber claim him. Edward soon followed, his eyes drifting closed, his last conscious thoughts were of how nice it was to hold someone again.

Edward woke to the feeling of fingers strumming the bare skin of his lower back, sending small bolts of electricity throughout his body. Brief kisses along his neck joined the fingers and instead of pushing them away, Edward found himself leaning his head back and giving them more room. Still not opening his eyes, Edward enjoyed the feeling of someone familiar next to him again, and while part of him might have hoped it was Jasper and not Garrett that was worshipping body, he was lonely enough to accept the difference. Edward had never been one for being alone long, he functioned better with a partner, and while he was strong and self sufficient, his heart and mind were lighter when he had someone to share his life with.

It was just finding that right someone that had caused him so much grief. For all that Edward didn't want to be alone, he had made some bad choices in who he gave his heart to. Though, he had never completely given Garrett his heart, he had given him his body, and Garrett knew how to work it.

Garrett moaned against the tender skin of Edward's neck when he felt Edward's growing erection urgently pressing into his own. The fingers on his back worked their way up, skimming over the smooth skin until they reached Edward's mussed hair. Lifting his head from Edward's neck, Garrett looked at him, silently asking for permission to continue.

Permission, which against his better judgment, Edward granted.

Encouraged, Garrett pulled back and tugged off his shirt, tossing it aside before his hands went to the button of Edward's jeans, quickly popping it and lowering the zipper. As soon as the jeans were undone, Garrett slipped a hand inside, cupping Edward's cock loosely through his briefs. Thrusting into the touch, Edward moved his hands from Garrett's back to the waistband of his pants, quickly undoing them and yanking the cotton briefs down over his rigid shaft.

"Jesus," Garrett moaned, "feels so fucking good."

Gasps were shared just before their lips met in a long, deep kiss. Tongues entwined and tasted and explored familiar mouths in an effort to get impossibly closer. Edward didn't think about Jasper, or what it might do to him if he knew, he thought only of the strong, rough hands pulling down his pants. When Edward's pants rested just under the curve of his ass, Garrett's hand returned to Edward's cock, eager to feel the satin flesh.

Suddenly, Garrett broke the kiss, his eyes dropping to the cock in his hands.

"When did you do this?" he asked, shocked as his thumb nudged the silver barbell. Edward flinched, a flash of blond waves and wide smile corrupting his lust.

"Few weeks ago," Edward replied quickly, eager to get back to the kissing and touching and less talking.

"Why?"

"I wanted to do something different. I wanted to see what it would feel like," Edward said, not entirely telling the truth, but not a complete lie either.

"Did it hurt?" Garrett asked, genuinely curious.

"Not as much as I expected. Sweetheart, please, just touch me," Edward begged, needing the distraction of his lover's touch to wash away the twinges of guilt beginning to plague him.

Garrett obeyed, returning his lips to Edward's, plunging his tongue between Edward's willingly parted lips. The tips of Garrett's fingers danced along Edward's cock, never gripping him the way he desired most, but providing enough to chase away any thoughts of another. Hands roamed, pushing and gathering material until what was left of their clothes was strewn on the edge of the bed and the floor, and they lay naked in each other's arms.

A shiver traveled through Garrett's body when Edward's touch grazed Garrett's erection, fluid already beading at the slit of its reddened head. Swiping it away, Edward brought his damp thumb up to Garrett, who willingly took it into his mouth, sucking until Edward moaned and replaced it with his lips. With the ease of old lovers, they moved against each other, their hands never leaving the other, mouths fused to necks or nipples or lips. Gently, Garrett rolled Edward onto his back, lying half on top of him, he kissed down the flat planes of Edward's chest and abdomen, gradually working his way south in nibbling bites until he was running the tip of his tongue along the 'v' of Edward's hip. His lover moaned, pressing his head back into the mattress as Garrett ran a hand up the inside of Edward's thigh, stopping at the base of his pierced cock. One of Edward's hands fisted the blanket beneath him while the other carded through Garrett's hair, much longer than it used to be. Edward smiled at that, all the times he had told Garrett he wanted him to grow his hair out so that Edward had something to hold in the heat of passion. It had all been said jokingly, but the longer curls were serving the purpose Edward always knew they would as Garrett ran the flat of his tongue up the underside of Edward's erection.

In his mind, Edward quickly counted the dates, wondering if the time restrictions on oral sex had expired, and when he realized that the recommended three week mark had passed a few days before, he grasped Garrett's hair tighter.

"More," he murmured, the one word full of urgency. Seconds later, his cock was engulfed by the wet heat of Garrett's skilled mouth. A velvet tongue swirled and traced the ridges and veins of Edward's cock before he felt the lush lips sliding down his length, wrapping around him tightly and pulling him into the depths of Garrett's throat.

No matter how many times Garrett might have lied to himself about his sexuality, he was talented at giving head, knowing exactly what would bring his lover to the brink of an orgasm quickly, and he did just that. Swallowing around Edward's cock, Garrett watched his man writhe before him, thrashing his head side to side as he endlessly pleaded for more. Not wanting to disappoint, Garrett gave his lover even more, sucking hard while moving one hand to the soft skin behind Edward's balls, where he teasingly traced the taut, puckered skin. Instinctively, Edward spread his legs further. Labored breaths escaped Edward as the cool air of the room from the open window washed over his heated skin.

"Feel good?" Garrett asked, releasing Edward's cock.

"So fucking good," Edward agreed. He felt the bed shift and realized Garrett was moving back up his body. Soon his lips were back on Edward's, sharing the faint flavor of his lover.

Rutting his own erection into Edward's side, Garrett's hand never stopped stroking Edward's cock, moving along it with practiced, deliberate motions. The body next to him squirmed with need and Garrett broke the kiss, his body lay long and lean and naked next to Edward as he looked down into

the green eyes he had missed during so many lonely nights. Kate had marginally pleased him, but she could never make him feel the way Edward had. There were things that Garrett's body desired that Kate could never fulfill, and it had taken too many nights of failed sex for him to realize that it was Edward that his body craved, not the soft form of a woman.

Edward's hands seemed to be everywhere at once. Garrett moaned when he felt the tugging on the waves at his nape, and whimpered when he felt the tips brush over his cock. Edward became the aggressor and rolled Garrett onto his back, quickly moving his mouth down the firm body, leaving a slick trail behind. As Edward's tongue outlined the defined abs of Garrett's stomach, his hand went to Garrett's thick cock, and he pumped the shaft slowly. Coaxed by the keening sounds coming from the man next to him, Edward flicked his tongue over the flared head of Garrett's uncut cock before working it under the sensitive foreskin and sliding it back and forth.

"Fuck," Garrett cried out, his hips rising toward Edward. Garrett wasn't surprised that Edward knew exactly what made him feel good, unlike Kate, Edward had always been eager to play with the loose skin, even docking himself in it on several occasions.

Taking the cock deep into his mouth, Edward buried his nose in the coarse hair that framed Garrett's shaft, inhaling the musky, potent scent of their mutual arousals. Fingering the silky strands of Edward's hair, Garrett tried in vain to keep his hips still as Edward languidly sucked him.

"No one touches me like you, babe," Garrett admitted quietly, looking down his stomach through lust laden eyes to those of his lover.

The nickname hit Edward hard. It was said with so much more reverence than ever before. It wasn't with the casualness he had always said with it in the past, it was said with emotion for the first time. Watching Garrett through long lashes, Edward continued to leisurely work Garrett's cock, making sure to hit every spot that he knew drove Garrett wild with need. There was no need to hurry, there was no risk of a young child walking on them, there was no hiding in a shower or keeping one ear out for the sounds on a baby monitor, and there certainly wasn't fear of being video recorded against their will.

There were just two men, two lovers whose bodies desired and yearned and longed for whatever solace the other could offer, if only for a short amount of time.

No matter how unhurried Edward's ministrations were, Garrett felt a tingling low in his belly and he stopped Edward's movement before it was too late. Garrett wanted to feel more than Edward's mouth; he wanted to be inside him.

"Make love with me," Garrett pleaded as he lifted Edward's head off his cock. "I need you."

Garrett needed Edward.

That was all Edward had ever wanted, to be needed, wanted…loved.

Gazing at Garrett, Edward nodded, surprising himself with how easily he agreed, and how good it felt to be wanted and not pushed aside. Garrett smiled at Edward, brushing the backs of his fingers down the soft cheek, his eyes full of everything that he had wanted to say but had held back during their time together. Garrett had been raised to think that being gay was a sin, desiring another man's body was going to bring him nothing but hellfire and brimstone, but when he looked into the depths of Edward's eyes, he knew better.

Being gay wasn't a sin.

Living a lie was.

Denying your chance at love and happiness was a far bigger sin than being with another man.

While it would take months, maybe longer, before Garrett was completely at peace with who he was, he was on the road to accepting it, and being intimate with the man that had crawled inside his soul and woken it up was something Garrett had wanted to do since he realized his mistake weeks ago. That night with Kate, when he knew for sure that it was she that was nothing more than an experiment, but it had taken seeing Edward at a coffee shop with another man to send a charge of immediacy through him. Garrett had seen the flicker in the other man's eyes, the way he had warily watched Garrett, and Garrett knew there was something there.

If he wanted Edward back, he needed to act quickly before it was too late.

Edward leaned across the warm body under him and opened the drawer in the table next to his bed and pulled out a small bottle of lube and a condom. Garrett took over, easing Edward onto his back and pouring lube on his fingers before teasing Edward's entrance with them. Once he had gently inserted one finger, it wasn't long before Edward was moving against Garrett's body, wanting more. His hand gripped his own cock, stroking it in time with the finger fucking Garrett was giving him. Garrett always took care of Edward's body, even if they were fighting outside the bedroom, inside, they were tender and gentle. They'd had their share of rough sex, it was something they both enjoyed on occasion, but it was always done with the other's care and pleasure in mind.

"I want you inside me," Edward said in a throaty murmur.

Eagerly, Garrett removed his fingers and opened the condom, quickly sheathing his cock with it and slathering more lube on his length. Then, never taking his eyes from Edward's, he lifted one of Edward's legs as he guided the head of his cock into Edward. Hissing through clenched teeth, Edward breathed through the familiar burn, knowing in the end the pleasure was worth the pain. Once Garrett was completely inside Edward, he stilled, waiting for a signal that Edward was ready for him to continue. When it came in the form of a long groan and a twitch of his cock, Garrett rocked his hips, slipping his cock out until only the head remained before easing back in. He lifted Edward's other leg, holding them both up and out, and watched his cock disappear inside Edward's tight ass.

Garrett's hips thrust into Edward in a slow, tight rhythm, while Edward stroked his own cock. When Garrett struck deep inside Edward, the head of his cock tapping the place that sent Edward's back arching off the bed, he just about came undone. Seeing his collected Edward so wanton and shameless propelled him toward his orgasm. Edward's ass was tight around his lover's cock, and with every snap of Garrett's hips, Edward pumped himself faster. Maddeningly, Garrett kept Edward on the edge of his orgasm, never giving him quite enough to push him over until he was ready to jump himself. A cadence of groans and skin slapping skin hovered in the air with the scent of their lovemaking. Nothing else mattered for either them, their focus had become only each other. No Kate, no Jasper, no world outside the dark painted walls of Edward's bedroom. Garrett released Edward's legs and took Edward's hand from his cock, replacing it with his own.

"Fuck yeah," Edward moaned, his body tensing with each stroke and thrust. Edward's hands blindly reached for his lover, curving around his neck and drawing him down for a kiss.

Garrett continued to strike deep inside Edward, the motions of his hips synchronized with those of his hand. Before him, Edward's body begged for more, his moans were feral and greedy, and Garrett wanted nothing more than to see Edward unravel.

"Garrett," Edward said, the name easily falling from his lips, "please, need to come." He knew Garrett would take mercy on him, for he knew that Garrett needed to come just as badly.

"Come on, babe, want to see you come hard," Garrett encouraged softly.

And two thrusts later, Edward did just that and came hard.

Edward grunted, his entire body stilling as his climax surged through him in powerful crests. His cock emptied warm streams of cum onto his chest as Garrett stroked him through it, feeling his own impending orgasm building as he watched Edward ride out his own. The spasms of Edward's ass around Garrett's cock did him in, and with one last kiss, Garrett lost himself in his climax, feeling it wash over him as his balls drew up tight and his cock pulsed, erupting and filling the condom. Exhausted, Garrett collapsed onto Edward, their swollen lips meeting repeatedly as the remnants of their orgasms trickled through their bodies.

Finally, Garrett rolled his weight off his lover, who immediately missed the heaviness. Sensing this, Garrett kissed him again before moving off the bed and peeling off the used condom. Then he streaked to the bathroom, returning with a towel to wipe Edward clean. Throwing the towel on the floor, Garrett climbed back into bed and curled his body around Edward's, pressing his chest to Edward's sweaty back.

"That was amazing," Garrett whispered, wrapping an arm around Edward's middle and placing a kiss on his shoulder. Edward nodded, agreeing, but also feeling a twinge of pain in his heart that no matter how amazing it had felt, something wasn't right.

"What does this mean, Garrett," Edward asked bravely in the dark room, his eyes focused on the open window across from the bed.

Behind him, Garrett sighed. "It means I realized I was wrong about us. You're weren't just for fun, there's more to us, and I want to explore that."

"Explore?"

"I want to be out with you, babe. No more hiding who I am, no more ignoring you in public. I know before it seemed I was ashamed to be with you, and maybe in a way I was, but I was afraid, Edward. This is new to me," Garrett said honestly, sincerely.

Even as Edward's fingers laced with those resting on his stomach, his heart ached with the memory of how Garrett had treated him. "You made me feel like shit every time you would drop my hand when someone came up to us, or when you would flirt with all those women. You broke up with me on a fucking sidewalk on New Year's Eve," Edward scolded, his voice holding only a portion of the hurt he had felt that night.

"I know, babe, I'm so sorry. I was confused," Garrett whispered into the warm skin of Edward's shoulder.

"What changed?" Edward asked, curious.

Exhaling, Garrett gathered some courage. "Seeing you in the coffee shop the other day with another man…it just…made me sick. I barely made it back to the car before I was bending over and throwing up."

Another man.

Jasper.

Edward shut his eyes, forcing away the images that flooded him.

"I drove Kate home and told her I didn't want to see her anymore. She kept drilling me, yelling that it was because of you until I finally admitted it was. Then she threatened to tell everyone that I was a fag."

"I'm sorry…."

"Don't be. I needed it. I went inside, downed a shot of whiskey, called my parents and came out."

Edward was shocked. Garrett had always been so paranoid about his family finding out. They lived thousands of miles away, but Garrett worried somehow it would get back to them that he had been with a man.

"What did they say?"

"They were shocked, upset, hurt, but by the end of the conversation, I basically said it was their choice if they wanted to keep me in their lives or not. I wasn't going to lie anymore and they knew where to find me if they wanted to talk."

Edward smiled at Garrett's rant, knowing that all the times he had encouraged Garrett to live his life and not his parents' had sunk in. "I'm proud of you," Edward said quietly.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. What you did wasn't easy."

"No, it wasn't, but it feels so much better, babe. There's a new life waiting for me now. One I hope has you in it…if…"

Edward swallowed the lump rising in his throat, constricting it. "If?"

"If you can forgive me and take me back," Garrett mumbled nervously, pulling his lover even closer to build up the confidence he needed to ask what he had come there wanting to know. "Will you take me back, Edward?"

"**~~**"

"Are you sure there's nothing that can be done?" Jasper asked desperately, clinging to the small hope that there was something that the lawyer hadn't thought of. Mr. Baldassarre was in his mid fifties, but he was fit with a ruggedly handsome face and short, black hair. Pictures of his family were scattered over the large oak desk that separated the two men in the office that was stuffy with degrees and meaningless paintings on the walls.

Jasper had gone to his family's attorney a few years after Bella had been born to draw up a will. He wanted to ensure that his life insurance policy went to her, and only her. He had also set up a small trust fund for her with some money he had inherited when his grandpappy had passed away when he was a teenager. It wasn't much, but it was enough to put Bella through college. More recently, he had called him after discovering the video recorders that Peter had planted in Jasper's home.

"I'm sorry, Jasper. Mrs. Wright never signed away her rights. Apparently the agreement she had with Mr. Swan was strictly verbal. I've looked over his will and what papers he had, there is nothing in them that allows you visitation, much less custody, of Bella. I'm afraid that her mother will be granted custody," Mr. Baldassarre replied.

Jasper's heart sank. In the days following Peter's funeral, he had been so wrapped up in keeping Bella's routine normal that he had pushed aside the thoughts nagging at him, thoughts of what was going to happen to Bella now that Peter was gone.

Jasper hung his head, squeezing his eyes shut to will away the tears that threatened to fall. "That's it then? Nothing can be done?"

"You could spend thousands of dollars to fight it in court, but in the end, a birth mother will be granted custody over a former partner. As I understand from your phone call regarding the cameras, you and Peter haven't been a couple for some time?"

"We broke up about a year ago," Jasper admitted, then added hopefully, "but I've remained in Bella's life. I see her every few days, some weekends."

"But nothing formal was every set up through the courts or an attorney? It was all done on good faith?"

Jasper nodded sadly. "Mr. Baldassarre, I'm all that little girl has left," he pleaded.

The attorney sighed. His client was distraught at the thought of losing the most important person in his life, but he had so many things going against him; he was the deceased's former, not current, partner, there was no formal arrangement, no adoption. It was clear that Jasper had no rights to the child no matter how much he loved her.

"Has the mother been in the child's life at all?" he asked, picking up his pen to jot down some notes.

"She called every month or so to check in, she talks to Bella on the phone, but until recently she hadn't seen her in almost about three months."

"Is she fit?"

Jasper's instinct was to answer no, for he felt that any mother that walked away from her child after giving birth was unfit, but the eyes of the law would view it differently. She had a stable job as a high school art teacher, owned a small home, lived a clean lifestyle. She just wasn't an active parent. It wasn't that she didn't love Bella, in fact, Jasper was pretty sure in her own way she did, it was more that she felt that Peter was more suitable to raise their daughter. Charlotte had been young when Bella was born, she got scared and ran. Peter stepped up to the plate, and with Jasper by his side, they raised their daughter.

A sob escaped Jasper as the thoughts overwhelmed him.

"Yes," Jasper nodded.

"Where does she live?"

"Renton."

"Have you been in touch with her since Peter's death?"

Jasper took a deep breath, remembering the phone call he had made the day after Peter had died. Rosalie had tried to stop Jasper from calling her, but Jasper knew it was the right thing to do. Bella was her daughter, and she had just lost her father. Charlotte had answered the phone, confused to hear Jasper's voice and not her ex's, but then as Jasper told her the news, the tears started. It wasn't that Charlotte loved Peter, far from it, but they had shared something and the loss of someone from your past was always terrifying. Charlotte arrived the next day, knocking on Jasper's door where she pulled him into an uncomfortable hug before asking about her daughter.

"She came down for the funeral. She's been staying at the inn on Main Street."

"And has she spent time with Bella?"

"Yes, she's been with her most of the days."

"Do you two get along?"

"For Bella's sake, we do."

"Do you think she would consider visitation rights?"

Jasper honestly didn't know. He only knew he would wither away without his brown eyed girl in his life to brighten his days. Shrugging his shoulders, Jasper sighed. "Maybe. I don't know."

"Why don't you bring her in here tomorrow, we can talk and see if we can't get something into writing. Though, Jasper, I have to warn you, if she says no, then you don't have much choice. It's either live by her conditions or fight her in court. I'm not sure a long, drawn out case is in Bella's best interest," Mr. Baldassarre reasoned.

Jasper agreed, but he wondered if going to live with her mother was in Bella's best interest either. Peter's family was small, his father had died a few years before leaving his wife and another son. They knew, and accepted, Peter's sexuality. They had welcomed Jasper into their lives, treating him like another son. Even after the break up, Peter's mother called Jasper every few months to say hello. He knew they would support him in a court battle against Charlotte, speak on his behalf, but he slowly realized that even Peter's mother had more claim to Bella than he did. At least she was blood relative.

Even though for the past six years Jasper had helped raised Bella, diapered her, fed her bottles the middle of the night, kissed her boo-boos, read bedtimes stories, and kept her happy and safe and healthy, he had no right do any of those things anymore.

"Thank you for your time, Mr. Baldassarre, I will try to bring Charlotte in tomorrow," Jasper said, standing. The lawyer stood and held out his hand.

"I'm sorry for you loss, Jasper. I'm sorry there isn't more I can do for you," he resigned.

Numbly, Jasper nodded and turned to leave. He walked to his car, not even noticing the warm sun beaming down or the music that played on his stereo all the way home. His heart was heavy as he pulled into his driveway, and after a deep breath, got out.

Bella greeted him at the door, her long, brown waves pulled back in a braid that he had put it in earlier that morning. Bella definitely had Peter's hair and cheeks, but she had her mother's dark, intense eyes and full lips. Jasper didn't share any of those physical features with his daughter, but he shared something far more important.

His heart.

"Hey, sugar," Jasper said as he kneeled to accept her hug. Clinging to her, Jasper stood and smiled when her legs locked around his waist. "Did you have fun with mommy?"

"Yes, we did puzzles and colored you a picture," Bella announced proudly.

"Awesome," he smiled for the first time all day. Charlotte appeared from around the corner, leaning her slim hips against the wall. She was dressed in a simple button down shirt and jeans, her long, wavy hair loose around her shoulders. Jasper lowered Bella to the floor. "Why don't you go get the picture for me?"

Nodding, Bella ran off, and Jasper turned to Charlotte. "She worked very hard on it."

"Thanks for watching her for me. I appreciate it."

Charlotte shrugged. "I know this is hard for you, Jasper. Having me here."

"I'm not going to lie, it is, but I was hoping we could talk. Would you stay for dinner?"

After considering for a moment, Charlotte nodded. Bella reappeared with a picture in her hand, her eyes sparkling brightly. She held it up for Jasper to see a penguin colored pink and blue with the words 'I love you, daddy' written at the top. A few letters were backwards, and it was messy, but Jasper had never seen a more beautiful piece of art.

"It's perfect," he smiled down at his daughter. "Can I bring it to work with me? I'd want to show it to all my friends?" Bella nodded excitedly. "I'm going to cook some spaghetti for dinner, and mommy is going to eat with us too."

Bella grinned, "And Papa too?"

Jasper's face fell and he reached up and brushed the stray hairs off Bella's face. "No, baby girl. Remember Papa is in heaven now," he reminded her sadly.

"With Fluffy?" Bella remembered, referring to their cat that had died the year before.

"Yes, with Fluffy."

"I wish he was here with us. When will he come back?" Bella asked innocently.

Jasper's already broken heart shattered into a million more pieces and he tried his best to smile. "Not for a long time, sugar. But mommy and I are here."

There was a sudden sadness in Bella's eyes as she absorbed the news again. It seemed Jasper was telling her every day that her papa was gone, she seemed to understand a little quicker each day that Peter didn't come home at night.

Charlotte kneeled before her daughter and took her hand. "Remember when we were coloring earlier, and we talked about papa and how he was in heaven with cotton candy clouds and lots of puppies?"

"Yeah," Bella said quietly. "And Fluffy."

"And Fluffy."

"Bella, why don't you go watch a movie while your mommy and I get dinner started?" Jasper shooed Bella off with a kiss to her forehead and she bounded into the living room. A minute later, he heard the familiar sounds of a Disney video. Charlotte followed him into the kitchen.

They worked well together. Charlotte made the salad while Jasper started the pasta and garlic bread. The kitchen was small, but they moved around it easily. Jasper pulled a jar of sauce out of the cupboard.

"Hope you don't mind?" he asked, holding the jar up for her inspection, and Charlotte shook her head. "I never learned to make homemade sauce."

"My mother has great recipe, I'll share it with you," the woman offered. Once dinner was cooking, Jasper handed Charlotte a soda and took a sip of his own.

"I don't know where to start other than to say that little girl is my world, Charlotte. She might not be mine biologically, but she's mine in every other way."

"She loves you," Charlotte smiled.

"But that doesn't matter to a court. Now that Peter is gone, you will have custody," Jasper said softly, even just saying the words aloud made it too real.

"I know you probably don't think I'm capable, and honestly, sometimes I wonder myself. I never expected to be a full time mother. Certainly not this way, but I do love her Jasper," Charlotte said.

"I know you do."

"I've already been in touch with the school in Renton and have made arrangements to register her next week."

A stab of pain went through Jasper with the very real possibility of Bella leaving him. "That's what I want to talk to you about. Peter let me see Bella on a regular basis, she stayed with me on some weekends and I saw her for dinners a few nights during the week."

"And you want to continue that?" Charlotte assumed correctly.

"I know I've got no legal rights to her, she isn't mine by blood no matter how much I wish it true, but, Charlotte, I need her in my life. I'll drive to Renton if it makes it easier. Just please don't cut me out of her life," Jasper pleased with the woman, hoping the softness in her brown eyes was because she sympathized with Jasper.

"She needs you too," Charlotte began, "Anyone can see that. I don't have any intentions of cutting you from her life, Jasper."

Jasper sighed in relief, it certainly wasn't the most ideal situation, but knowing that Bella would remain a part of his life was enough to keep his heart beating another day.

"Thank you," he said, gratefully. "Now I've got a favor to ask."

"More?" she teased as she put her bottle on the counter.

"I'd like to draw something formal up."

"Formal?"

"Like a visitation agreement," he hedged slowly, his nerves quickly returning to twist his stomach. "I've got a lawyer that can do it tomorrow."

"You've already planned this out?" she asked, suspicious.

"I saw him today to go over some papers, when I explained the situation, he offered to draw something up if you agreed."

"Like summers with you, vacations with me?"

"Yes, exactly." He waited while she thought about his offer, if he hadn't thought it impolite he would have paced the kitchen back and forth. As it was, he shifted his weight several times.

"After I found I was pregnant, I was scared. I was young and barely knew what love was, but I knew I wasn't ready to settle down. Leaving Bella with Peter might have seemed wrong to you, but it was the right thing for me, and in the end, I think for Bella."

"She grew up without a mother to say goodnight to every day," Jasper said with a wisp of anger in his voice.

"True, but she had two loving parents. I was able to finish my degree, get a job that I love, and now life has changed for me again, only in a much different way."

"Why didn't you call or see her more often?" Jasper accused lightly.

"Because I didn't want to interfere with the two of you raising her, you both did a wonderful job. Maybe I should have stepped in more, and I wanted to, but I knew she was happy and safe. I'm sorry we lost Peter. I know you two had your problems these past few years, but he was a good man and he loved you. I can do this, Jasper. I can be the mother she needs."

Jasper had no choice but to believe her, and deep down he did. It would kill him not to see Bella as often, but Charlotte would keep her safe and he felt confident she would raise her to be a beautiful young woman.

"I know you can," he finally whispered. Charlotte crossed the kitchen to Jasper and hugged him.

"I'll go to the lawyers with you," she said and he smiled.

They finished cooking dinner, calling for Bella to wash her hands and then come to the table. The three of them then sat down and ate, even sharing a few laughs. When dinner was done, Jasper cleaned up while Charlotte bathed Bella and then they sat and ate ice cream together. Jasper took a few minutes and sent a text to Edward, just to let him know he was thinking about him, and missed him.

Bedtime came and Charlotte offered to read Bella's stories. Jasper checked in on them and found Bella curled up into her mother's side, Charlotte's arm lovingly around her daughter's shoulders as she read Cinderella to her.

The sight warmed Jasper, tugging at his heart and filling it with something he hadn't felt in well over a week.

Maybe it would work out after all.

The next morning, Jasper dropped Bella off at Emmett's before picking Charlotte up her the hotel and driving them to the lawyer's. After greeting them, Mr. Baladassarre ushered them into his office where they all sat down.

"Have you two worked something out?"

Jasper glanced at Charlotte before speaking. "Charlotte is a teacher, so she has vacations and summers off, as well as all holidays. Last night we sat down and worked out a schedule that I think we were both pleased with."

Charlotte nodded. "We just need to put it into writing."

"I can do that," Mr. Baldassarre smiled and pulled out his notebook. "What have you decided?"

It was Charlotte that spoke first. "Jasper will have Bella for February vacation, and the month of July, as well as every other weekend. He will have her for Thanksgiving, and Christmas she will be with me, but Jasper is welcome to join us."

Mr. Baldassarre was pleased, they had done most of the negotiating for him, making his job considerably easier. It was only a matter of drawing up the paperwork.

"Jasper, are you happy with that amount?" he asked his client.

"Yes," he nodded. While he would greatly miss the daily interaction with Bella, he would be able to talk to her on the phone or even webcam with her. Jasper knew he was lucky to have any time with his daughter, much less the generous amount that Charlotte had agreed to.

"Very well, then," the attorney said, writing down the dates on his paper. "I will have this drawn up this afternoon and you can both sign it tomorrow?"

"Sure. I'm here for a few more days," Charlotte said. Mr. Baldassarre stood and shook both their hands. Jasper and Charlotte left, heading to Emmett's to pick up Bella.

"I've got to go through Peter's things," Jasper announced in the car as they pulled out to the street. Peter's mother and brother had been there for the funeral, taking a few mementoes of their son and brother, but they left the rest for Jasper to decide what to do with. He also had to begin to pack up Bella's things for her move to Renton.

"Do you want me to help?" Charlotte offered.

It was considerate, but it was something Jasper knew he had to do alone. Facing the ghosts of his relationship in Peter's place was going to be difficult enough without Charlotte there to witness it. While Jasper wanted support while he went through the things, it wasn't her support he was suddenly craving.

"No, I think I need to do it alone," he sighed.

"I understand. How about I take Bella for a girl's day out? We can meet at your place for dinner?" the woman beside him suggested. "She and I can pick up some Chinese on the way home?"

"That sounds nice. It would be good for her to get to know you better before you leave," he returned quietly.

Only a few minutes later, they were arriving at Emmett's. They picked up Bella and then after a big hug from his little girl, Jasper left them at the hotel and headed for Peter's house. There was an ache in Jasper's heart as he neared his ex lover's home, the home they had shared for so long together. There wasn't anything about the house that Jasper didn't know, things that only came with day to day life.

Pulling into the driveway, Jasper turned the car off and stared at the modest two story house. Inside were all of Peter's belongings, clothes, dishes, furniture…as well as the memories of their time together. There wasn't a room that hadn't been touched by their relationship, whether they painted it or had made love in it. With a heavy sigh, Jasper got out of the car and went to the door, unlocking it with his key. Stepping inside, he inhaled the scent, immediately feeling his heart race with the task he faced. Looking around he saw Peter everywhere, and regardless of what Peter had done to him recently, he had been a good partner for many years. Feeling lightheaded, Jasper went to the couch and sat down, taking in long, deep breaths to calm his pounding heart.

Suddenly being there alone didn't seem like such a good idea.

There was only one person he wanted there with him, one person that could lift the darkness that had shrouded him for the past week. Pulling out his cell phone, he dialed his boyfriend's number, already feeling calmer as he held the phone to his ear and waited for Edward to answer.

"Jasper?"

Relief swept through Jasper…until he heard another man laugh in the background.


"**~~**"

Thanks for reading~

Thank you to Yogagal and PerfectlyPersuasive for allowing me to participate. It was an honor and a pleasure to be included.

Savannah-Vee is up next, can't wait to see what she does with the boys!

Yogagal & PerfectlyPersuasive note: A huge thanks to Touchstone67 for participating in this project! You can read more of Touchstone67's fics like the poplar Mergers and Acquisitions or the angst-ridden If On A Winter's Night over at her profile (linked from ours!). Join us next week when Savannah-Vee takes over!