BPOV

"I'm getting laid," Edward yelled as I walked away.

I laughed shaking my head. It was a fact that my husband rarely drank copious amounts of alcohol. A beer here or there sure, but usually that was it. I knew the stress of being here officially drove him to drink. Maybe I should be concerned about that.

Within a week, Edward had completely changed stances on Forks. In the beginning, Edward practically had to drag me here, and now I was certain he wanted to drag us all back home to Chicago. I had to say, though, I was glad we came because I actually felt that I had a little closure.

Having a girls' night with Rosalie definitely made me realize how wrong I had been. After Ness and Keira fell asleep, Rose and I talked—and I mean really talked. We talked about college, Edward and I, her relationship with Royce, and even Emmett. I hated hearing about the abuse she suffered from Royce. I should have come home on holidays. Edward and I could have made the trip, but I was stubborn, humiliated and hurt. I didn't want to show my face because of petty, little girls.

I let them ruin a lifelong relationship. They're nobodies, and I shouldn't have let them make me feel insignificant. In all honesty, I felt that and Rose and I were going to be okay. I asked her if it was okay if I called her, and she said "I'd better and if I didn't she would hunt my ass down in Chicago". She also said that she loved that I'd grown a backbone and didn't take her shit when we first arrived.

I glanced down the beach, watching everyone laughing and drinking. I remembered coming to First Beach all the time as a kid. When I was little, Charlie would always dab a blob of sunscreen on my nose and pinch my cheek when he was done. We would spend hours here, and I absolutely loved it. The summer before high school started, everything started to change.

We were starting high school in a week, and I wasn't as excited as I was at the beginning of the summer. I went to Mom's in June, and that's when things went downhill. I got my 'right of passage into womanhood', and not long after that, I had a bit of a belly. My boobs definitely were bigger, Mom told me it was normal and that I was growing up. I was kind of always gangly, but now I was more plump.

The first week of August I was back, Dad didn't say anything, but he looked shocked when he picked me up from the airport.

"My God, Bella, you got tits," Rose shrieked when I walked into her house.

Jasper was walking downstairs, playing his Game Boy when his head whipped up. I watched his eyes widen as he stared. I hightailed it out of the house, Rose chasing after me. After that, the three of us were not the same.

Jazz started avoiding me. We still hung out, but he was constantly staring. I probably disgusted him.

"Bella, we're on a beach. You look kind of ridiculous wearing that big shirt," Rose said, throwing her hands on her hips.

She was wearing a one piece on her gangly figure, a figure I wished to have back. Mom bought me a bright blue bikini when I was in Florida. I hated it and everything it showed off.

"I'm comfortable like this, Rosalie," I mumbled, focusing on my book.

"Jesus Bella, you know that I would die to have your curves. Hell, to even have boobs. Give it a break, Bells. We start school next week. The guys will probably be drooling after you," she huffed, throwing her hands up as she stormed away.

I frowned, going back to my book. She had no idea what high school was going to be like. Mom talked to me about it because I told her how scared I was, and she said if I ever needed her, she would be on the first flight to Forks. It felt weird really wanting my mom there for me, but I just couldn't talk to Daddy about it. It would be awkward.

I liked that Mom wanted me around. I always thought I was the reason she left, but she told me Forks was the reason she left and that she loved me. She did ask if I wanted to start high school in Florida, but I thought about how hurt Daddy and Rose would be if I left.

Maybe Rose was right, and I should be happy that I was curvy, but did I want everyone at First Beach to see that?

I fought with myself trying to decide if I should lose the shirt I stole from Dad. Finally, after a couple minutes I pulled the shirt off. I did kind of lay it, though, over my stomach. I didn't want anyone to see my spare tire.

That's when I heard someone plop down beside me. When I turned my head and saw that it was Jasper, I froze. He was just like Rose – all skinny and gangly. He was cute, and now he could see how fat I had become.

"Hey Bells," he said, not looking up from his Game Boy. It was like that thing was glued to his hand.

"Um, hi, Jazz," I breathed, pulling at my shirt in front of me. "Whatcha playing?"

"Zelda…" he trailed off, his eyes never leaving the Game Boy screen.

We sat quietly – Jazz with his video game, and I was with my book. I was getting lost in the world of Pride and Prejudice, when Jasper nudged my leg with his boney knee.

"I heard Rose before," he paused. "You look real nice in your swimsuit, Bells."

Finally, his pretty blue eyes met mine.

"Thank you," I choked out, my cheeks had to have been a million degrees.

"You're pretty like in the 'you don't have to try' way. Brandon and Stanley started wearing all that shit on their 's really a bit much," he finished.

"Oh."

"You dress good too. You're really cool, Bella." He murmured the last part.

"Thanks."

"Hale," Ben called from where he, Ang and Rose were playing volleyball.

"Hold on," he hollered back. "You coming?"

"I'll probably fall or something," I said truthfully.

"Okay, watch me crush them all," he smirked, pushing his curly blonde hair back.

We were close after that, until I came back from my Mom's the next summer. Jasper was then a good foot taller than me and perfectly sculpted. I was still short and pudgy.

I sighed reaching the coolers, grabbing two bottles of water; one for myself and one for Edward.

"You're finally alone," I heard from in front of me.

I looked up to see Jazz smiling nervously at me.

"I am," I nodded.

"Do you have time to talk with me?"

I glanced over to Edward, seeing him and Ben laughing about something, fist bumping in the process. I shook my head holding a snort back.

"I think we're long overdue for a talk," I sighed.

Jazz looked over his shoulder, and I saw what he was searching for. Alice. She was sitting in a collapsible chair with the rest of her old squad. They all were ignoring their husbands getting pretty tipsy. Alice looked uncomfortable in her seat with her massive belly.

"Let's take a walk down the beach?" I suggested.

The more I talked to Rose the previous night, the more I realized Jasper deserved to be listened to. It was another thing I had been wrong about. I should have let him have the opportunity to explain his side of things.

The more I thought about it, if Ness or the baby ever had something so life altering happen to them, I wouldn't want them running away; I would want them to confront it. I wanted Rose to still be in my life, and I knew in order for that to happen, I need to hear Jazz out.

"I've been nervous about talking to you," he confessed as we walked.

"I haven't been very easy to converse with," I admitted. "Sorry for throwing up on you by the way."

"It's alright, um… are you okay?" Jazz asked awkwardly, sneaking a glance at me.

"Yeah… I'm pregnant… I mean the test I took said we are. I just have to wait until we get home to make a doctor's appointment," I breathed. What the hell? Edward just told everyone.

"Oh, congratulations."

"Thanks," I smiled.

"How long have you and Edward been together?"

"This isn't the talk I was expecting to have with you," I said, raising an eyebrow.

"Right," he nodded. "You never let me defend myself about what happened on Prom night, instead you avoided me for ten years."

"I should have listened."

"I didn't know Alice had that planned… I really did like you, Bella. I would never try to hurt you," he said sincerely.

I let out the breath I didn't realize I was holding. I turned to face him. His eyes roamed my face with worry. This Jasper I'd never met. He was miserable and trying to make amends for the things his wife did ten years ago. To be honest, I avoided Forks because of them, but built a life forgetting they existed, if that made any sense. I lived a very happy life with Edward for the past ten years whereas Jasper was paying for his mistakes.

"Jasper, what did happen?"

"From what Rose and I have gathered, Alice came by when my mom was home, saying she left something at our house. Mom let her go look for whatever it was and that's when she set everything up," he frowned.

"Why did you wait until Prom to tell me how you felt?"

"I have liked you since we were kids… you're an angel, Bella. You were nice to everyone whether they were nice to you or not. You were fucking Mother Theresa… still are. But you never seemed to be interested in me, so I didn't want to freak you out. Besides, I was always so sure you were with Jacob. I saw the way you two were together," he said, starting to walk again.

"Still why Prom?" I asked curiously.

"We were going to college, and I didn't want to lose you," he mumbled, looking down and continuing his aimless journey.

"Jasper you were staying around here. I was going to Chicago…" I said frankly.

"I know, but we'd known each other forever. I would've made it work for you."

"It wouldn't have, though. I met Edward not too long after school started, and I knew from the moment I met him that he was my one. My heart just knew…" I tried to explain.

As cheesy as it sounded, as soon as he opened Emmett's dorm door, I would have done anything to get to know him. We had this chemistry that would sound like a fairy tale to some, but it was just how we were.

I loved Edward irrevocably.

"You don't know that," he laughed bitterly.

"But I do. One look at him, and I knew. You hurt me, but I was able trust him almost immediately. He has an amazing heart. I knew that by speaking to him, Jazz."

"Bella," he snapped again. I quirked an eyebrow.

"What did you hope to accomplish with this conversation? I know I expected the both of us to gain closure. I want to be able to visit my dad… to talk to Rosalie. We hurt her because of our silly teenage crushes. I would have been there for her when Royce hurt her," I cried, not knowing why all my emotions started to hit me. The baby.

Jazz flinched and stormed off down the beach.

"You don't have the right to be mad, Jasper Hale," I called to him as I tried to speed up.

"It's pointless, Isabella Cullen," he spat over his shoulder.

I finally grabbed his arm, whipping him around to face me. I began pointing my finger into his chest.

"You…" I gritted out. "This is ridiculous. You're acting like a jilted lover. We only had crushes… it was our hormones for Christ sake. Get. Over. It." I yelled, poking away.

He glared at me.

"I hate my wife. She ruined my life," he confessed flatly.

I gaped at him, shocked to actually hear his admission aloud.

"Don't say that, she gave you your girls," I whispered, feeling my heart clench for his innocent daughters.

"I love my girls with my whole heart, but their mother is a conniving bitch," he spoke heartlessly.

"Jasper."

"She didn't tell me she was pregnant until I went to go look for you. Every time she got pregnant, she led me to believe she had her Depo shot. Bella, she knew I was going to ask you to Prom since the beginning of our senior year. She quit getting her birth control shot on purpose. I had to get a vasectomy a couple months ago because her lies got out of hand," he yelled, fisting his hand in his hair.

I could feel the betrayal rolling off him.

"She figured if we had a big family I wouldn't…couldn't leave," he cried.

With his breaking words, I hugged him, my old childhood friend. To think Alice Brandon could be so soulless blew my mind. Her daughters and husband were damaged because of her.

"I want to be a good man… I don't want my girls hating me, Bella. Keira already does, and I love her. Since the moment I laid eyes on her, she has always been my first priority. Alice argues with her for not getting into junior cheerleading. She practically forced Gisele, Sienna and Kate into it. They're just little girls; they should be playing with dolls and shit – not being molded into conceited bitches like their mother," he puffed out a breath, trying to control his breathing.

"Rose said you have divorce papers drawn up?"

"I'm waiting until after Emma is born. I have enough proof that Alice has manipulated me. Rose has helped me record a few of her lies for the lawyers. I need to get full custody of the girls."

"I am so sorry that you and they have to go through this," I squeezed him once more before pulling away from him.

"I've fucked up enough, and I want to fix all of my wrongs," he said, cupping my cheek staring intently at me.

There is no way that I can't forgive him. He deserves my forgiveness.

"Jasper, Prom wasn't your fault," I said simply.

He understood, giving me a sad smile. This is good and what we both needed. As we walked back to the party, we nudged each other's arms, just like we used to do when we were little.

I caught sight of my husband and Jake attempting a keg stand.

"Jesus Christ," I whined, slapping my palm to my face. "He is not doing that."

"I think he is, Bells," Jasper chuckled, clasping a hand on my shoulder before leaving me.

Rose stood from her seat, coming toward me.

"What was that all about?" She asked, taking my hand and leading me to the group.

"A much needed talk," I smiled, feeling a lot better.

"That's good, right?"

"Very," I nodded. "Rose, be there for him, he's going to need you."

"I know," she sighed.

"I'm here for you too, you know?"

"Yeah, I do."

We finally were with our group. Ben was the next keg stander. Edward stumbled over to me as soon as the guys helped to right him.

"The love of my life," he hollered, throwing his arms up consuming me in a fierce hug.

"You better not lift me," I warned because he was attempting to.

"Why not?"

"If you drop me and hurt me and the baby…"

"I'd never hurt my loves," he sung.

"Babe, you're so shit faced," I sighed.

"And you're not," he frowned. "I kind of love our drunken fuuucking."

I laughed against his chest.

"Good luck taking care of that," I heard Rose snort from beside us.

I peeked over at her, watching her walk back to Leah.

"If you don't puke or pass out when we get home, I might let you get lucky," I whispered, kissing his chin.

He was holding me super close still; I could hear the rumble in his chest when he yelled, "I'm so getting laid!"

A/N: I feel peace with the Hales. Oh Forks, has turned Edward into an adorable lush… Okay all there is only one more chapter left and the epi. For those of you that don't know this took so long to get out because my grandmother passed away two weeks ago…

Big thanks to my betas Dolphin62598 and lizconno for all their help. Without them this would be a mess, fo sho!