Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight

A/N: Sorry about the delayed update again, I hate year 12!!

Chapter 9

Jasper POV

After Bella went to sleep I went for a quick hunt, before sitting down with Alice to talk. We talked a lot about the past, but even more about the future. The relief I felt after knowing everything would work out with Alice astounded me, but I was ecstatic that I could start to think seriously about Bella. Alice was almost as happy as I was about everything and I was beginning to wonder if she knew something we didn't. I didn't dwell on it though, Bella was much more important.

The question of Edward was on my mind for most of the night. Neither Bella nor myself would feel comfortable going behind his back, but at the same time I didn't know if she would be able to end things with him. Her dependence on him was completely over the top. If she could hardly hold herself together when he left, how will she feel if she leaves him?

I had felt her emotions though, there was defiantly love there. Her emotions mirrored my own, but what happens when Edward comes back? Will she still love me, or am I merely a stand in?

I needed someone to talk to, but I couldn't think of anyone other then Bella. I wasn't going to talk to Alice, that was for sure. She may be ok with, but I wasn't going to rub it in her face.

In the end I decided I should just talk to Bella, hoping she would put my fears to rest.

Bella POV

After showering, breakfasting and checking in with Edward, Jasper insisted on taking me on a walk in the forest. I could feel his anticipation and I was starting to get concerned.

We walked for about a half hour in silence. I was using the time to make a list of the pros and cons of Edward and Jazz and it appeared he was using the time to gather his thoughts.

We found a small clearing where the sun was able to break through the trees. After sitting on the grass I took a minute to admire Jazz, in all his sparking glory. After we lay down together it suddenly hit me just how similar this was to the first time Edward and I went to our meadow.

We lay there in a comfortable silence for what felt like ages before he finally spoke,

"Alice and I broke up." He said rather indifferently. I was shocked,

"When? Why? Are you all right? Is she all right?" I started to wonder if I had had anything to do with it. Before I could freak out completely Jazzy calmed me down and explained.

He told me about it had been in the process for a while, and they had come to love each other as siblings instead of lovers.

"She will always be one of my closest friends, but we will never be in a romantic relationship again."

I felt a bit better but couldn't help wondering if I still had a part in it. Jazz must have sensed my guilt, cause he went on to explain that she was the one who had finally ended thing.

This made me feel a lot better. Unfortunately it only made my decision between the boys even harder. Nothing could have happened between us while he was with Alice, I just couldn't do that to her. But could I do that to Edward?

I lay back and shut my eyes; this was getting way too complicated.

I waited for Jazz to suggest a solution but he remained silent. Finally I couldn't take it any more. I sat up quickly, only to find my face was inches from his.

"So what now?" I had to ask. He looked at me seriously, and I had to blink a few times to stop myself from getting lost in those beautiful honey-coloured orbs.

"How do you feel about me?" His question put me off guard; I was not expecting such a blunt response. I realised I wasn't able to answer, so I tried to dodge the question.

"I am sure you can tell better then I can" I started with a bit of a laugh. He smiled,

"That's true, I can, but what I really want to know is if you will still feel this way after Ed-The family come back."

His slip up made me realise he had been asking himself exactly what I had been asking myself. The only difference is when he said it, everything was suddenly put into perspective for me, it was almost an epiphany. I took a deep breath, and looked into his eyes,

"I love you now, but I know I will still love you after everyone returns. I can't deny I still have feelings for Edward, ad I probably will for a while, but they are nothing compared to what I feel for you." I took a deep breath, suddenly nervous at what his response would be.

I saw the corners of his mouth start to turn up, and the next ting I knew, his lips were pressed against mine.

There was no lead up, no hesitation, he just…kissed me. It took a while for my brain to realise it should react, but as soon as a started to more my lips in sync with his, I heard a slight purring coming from his chest. He responded immediately by wrapping his cold, muscled arms around me and pulling me closer. I tangled my fingers in his hair, and marvelled at just how right it felt.

I started to feel dizzy, and the trees started to spin around me.

"Breathe Bella." I did as I was instructed and everything started to come back onto focus.

He lay down on the grass, and pulled me on top of him.

"Jazzy?" I asked, "As amazing as that was…" I hesitated, not wanting to upset him.

"You want to sort things out with Edward before anything else happens?" He asked, finishing my sentence. I smiled at this,

"Yeah."

We lay in silence for hours, Jazzy playing with my hair, and myself tracing his chest and arm muscles through his shirt.

Finally as the sun started to get lower in the sky Jazzy suggested we start to head home. As much as I wanted to stay there forever, my stomach took that inopportune time to remind us both I hadn't had lunch.

He pulled me up, and grabbed my hand as we started home.

The walk back was almost as silent, except for once,

"Hey Bella?" Jazz started. "I was just wondering, before you told me how you felt, I felt a flash of annoyance. What was that about?"

I blushed, embarrassed that he had noticed that, It was such a trivial thing.

"Its stupid, I was just a bit annoyed that I had been asking myself that question for days now, and I couldn't figure out the answer. You asked me once, and I knew immediately. I was just such a waste of worrying for days."

He smiled, but didn't answer.

We turned the last corner to see Carlisle's, Edward's and Emmett's cars parked in front of the house.

I dropped Jaspers hand, and almost passed out from the panicking.

"They aren't due for another two days, what are they doing here now?" Jazzy asked more to himself then anything else.

He calmed me down, and gave me a boost of confidence, and we walked in the front door.

We were instantly greeted by a pixie bouncing in to the hall from the living room, halting to a stop just in front of us.

"I had a vision, we have some visitors coming. Don't worry Bella, they are vegetarians too, but they arrive tomorrow, and are curious about us. I though it would be best if we were all here to greet them." Alice rushed to fill us in on the details.

"Bella!" I heard being called from the top of the stairs; I looked up in time to see a bronze coloured blur racing down the hall before me fiancé stopped right in front of me.

He pulled me into a gentle hug, and held me. I felt so conflicted, more then I had this entire time, but I hugged him back. There was no need to upset him just yet, right? At the same time though, I didn't want to lead him on. I decided I would talk to him as soon as Jasper and I had found out about these new vampires.

"Your still hungry Bella, go catch up with everyone, and I will get you something." Jasper smiled at me, although I was pretty sure he wanted to get out the room as much as he wanted to help me.

Edward picked me up, and put me softly onto the couch.

"So before we fill you in, I have to ask, what on earth were you doing in the woods all day, do you know what is out there?" Edward asked me.

I was shocked that he would bring this up in front of his whole family, before I had even had a chance to say hello to them yet.

"I was with Jasper, and I go in to the woods all the time with you all the time." I replied softly embarrassed at this callousness.

"But I am there to protect you then. I want you to promise me you will never go in to the woods with out me aga-"

He was cut of by Rosalie of all people.

"Oh get over it Edward, she is a grown woman, she can do what she likes."

The room fell into a tense silence after that. I gave her a grateful but timid smiled, and was please to see her return it.

The awkwardness was interrupted by Jasper walking into the room. I had to stifle my laughter when I saw he was holding a smoothie. Guess I never explained to him it wasn't really a dinner type meal, but it was sweet all the same. I could tell it was his subtle way of reminding me of our kitchen adventure together.

He gave me the drink and took a seat on my other side.

"So, tell us what Alice saw."

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A/N: It has been a very long week, so I haven't been able to respond to the reviews I got for the last chapter. I am reading them, and really do appreciate them.