As Always: This story is a work of fiction. Any reference to historical events, real people, or real locations are used purely fictitiously. Any names, places, or actual events are incidents of the author's imagination. I do not own twilight or the characters. I do own Allie and any character that was not in twilight.

"Sticks and stones are hard on bones

Aimed with angry art,

Words can sting like anything

But silence breaks the heart.

~Phyllis McGinley, "Ballade of Lost Objects," 1954

Chapter Twenty-One: Silence Breaks the Heart

Allie

"Hmm . . . Emmett." His cool lips kissed their way up my body, paying special attention to my stomach and the little life that was growing inside of me. His soft tongue flicked over my hard nipples once more before he slowly lowered his head, his lips finally meeting mine. His arms wrapped around me in his cool embrace, holding my quivering body closer to him, his lips brushing lightly against mine. My hands ran up his chest and locked around his neck, pulling him closer to me. His cool tongue slowly slid across my bottom lip and my mouth opened automatically. His body pressed harder into me and I felt him slowly slide inside of me. His body seemed to melt against mine as he wrapped my legs around his waist. His fingers dug into my hips as he pushed further inside of me, stretching me to fit his full length. My hips automatically rocked against him, back and forth. Our movements were slow at first, loving and tender but with the growing need boiling within us my speed increased, desperate for release. His lips moved to my neck, sucking on my pulse point and gently nipping at my skin. His hands ran up and down the sides of my body before his large palms cupped my breasts, kneading the soft mounds and pinching my nipples between his fingers.

He growled softly. "All mine," he murmured thrusting into me, giving me his full length in one swift motion. My back arched into him, my breast pressing against his hard chest as his fingers ran through my hair gently pulling on it as his lips crushed against mine in a heated passionate kiss and he ruthlessly pounded into me.

My body was withering under him within seconds.

"Baby, wake up," a soft voice called beside me and I rolled over in the direction of the beautiful sound.

"So close," I moaned. "Please don't stop." I begged, my hips bucked into Emmett. I could feel myself on the cusp of bliss. He growled, a low throatily noise, against my neck and his teeth sank into my skin only maximizing the pleasure.

I could feel my hot sticky blood being pulled from my body as Emmett's fingers rubbed my bundle of nerves and his tongue lapped up my blood, growling in the satisfaction it brought him.

"Baby, wake up," I could feel Emmett's lips still on my neck, his teeth grazing the skin but my blood had stopped flowing from my body. "Come back to me baby," the voice whispered.

"Mmm . . ." I wiggled my body closer to his. His arms wrapped around me and my eyes snapped open but before I could speak or think Jaspers eager lips were pressed against mine. My arms wrapped around him and I curled myself into his safe body. His lips moved down my neck – replacing the lips that were at my throat seconds ago – licking and kissing at my heated skin.

"I can smell you, darlin," he whispered huskily.

I could feel the wetness, caused from the erotic dream about Emmett, between my legs as Jasper pressed himself into me. My arm tightened around his neck, not ever wanting to let him go. I have no idea where the dream came from. One minute I was walking aimlessly in the forest and the next thing I know I'm having amazing mind blowing sex with Emmett. My body hummed in anticipation just thinking about his cool naked form lingering over me.

I felt Jasper's hand sneak up my shirt to massage my breast while his lips sucked at my heated skin. His free hand parted my thighs, pulling one up against his body. I could feel his arousal pressing into me and my hips rocked against him as the sensation coursed through my body. I suddenly felt very guilty. Here I am, I have the most amazing man in the world wanting to make love to me and all I can think about is his brother! What the hell is wrong with me?

"Baby, what's wrong?" Jasper said pulling away from me. I whimpered from the lost touch and pushed myself against him. "Angel," he gently lifted my chin so he could look into my eyes, "what do you feel guilty about?"

"Nothing," I shook my head quickly but his gaze didn't falter, his eyes locked with mine and I knew he could tell I was holding something back. "Please don't be angry with me," I said softly. "I had a dream, about Emmett . . . a very erotic dream."

Jasper was silent.

I could hear the trees rustling outside the bedroom window but the house was quiet. The rain began to fall harder, the tiny rain drops pelted against the windows and the wind picked up. I could hear the dogs walking silently around the house, waiting for their breakfast. But Jasper was silent. He didn't breath. He was just still in my arms, his eyes unblinking. This wasn't the reaction I'd expected.

"Was it a vision or a dream," he said softly, his arms tightening around me slightly.

"A dream," I said firmly. I was absolutely sure it was just a dream, a really hot steamy passionate dream. "Besides if it was a vision I would have had to make the decision to have sex with Emmett and since I made no such decision it was a dream."

"And what if Emmett made the decision to seduce you?" He asked placing his head on my heart.

"Alice and I would have seen it. Alice would have stopped him before he could even approach me about it, we both know that. And who's to say I'm so easily seduced?" I frowned. Shouldn't he have a little faith in me?

"Darlin, I had you in my bed the first day we met," he chuckled, moving his head up to kiss my neck again.

"That was different," I said softly. "I'd loved you for years before we even met. I'd been having visions about you for so long being with you came naturally to me." His lips slowly parted and he took my flesh into his mouth, suckling needy against my pulse point. My eyes closed against the pleasure filling my body and I felt his big hand slide up my shirt again, brushing over my breast, and lightly caressing my nipple between his fingers. I loved the way with just one touch my nipples always harden against his palm.

I squirmed against him, pressing my body into his, enjoying the electricity that seemed to pour through our bodies every time he touched me. I slowly moved my hand down his chest to stroke him through his cotton pajama pants. He growled against my neck, his body shifting against me, pressing harder into me as my hand moved slowly. I felt him harden against my palm, my fingers grasped him tightly, and a low angry growl rumbled in his chest. I wasn't expecting his sudden anger and I looked up at him, worried.

"Baby?" He moved me suddenly so I was lying on my side in front of him, his chest pressed against my back, the comforter wrapped tightly around my body. "Jazzy what's . . ." There was a knock on the door before it swung open and Emmett sauntered in, a large grin on his face.

"Whatcha doin?" He asked wiggling his eyebrows up and down. Jasper's arm tightened around my waist, his free hand resting protectively against my stomach. "Did I catch ya doin the naughty?" his grin widened as his eyes lingered on my comforter covered body. I felt his lust rise suddenly and I knew Jasper had too when he pulled me tighter against him. Maybe I shouldn't have told him about that dream . . .

I sighed. "Yes, Emmett," I said. No shame in hiding it. "Jasper and I were about to have sex," I said firmly, flashing him a bright smile. Emmett grinned wider, enjoying my lack of shyness in this area. Why be shy about sex, it's perfectly natural, and I'm a grown woman who's happily married.

"Was there something you needed Emmett?" Jasper hissed, "I was a little busy with my wife."

"Actually there was," Emmett said ignoring Jasper's sudden possessiveness, "Esme wanted me to tell you, breakfast is ready." He flashed me a beautiful loving smile, his eyes slowly raking up my body, and left the room without another word.

I turned to face Jasper. "Do you not trust me?" I asked softly. "Have I ever given you any reason not to trust me?" His face fell as his eyes brimmed with sadness as he pulled me into his arms again.

"Of course I trust you," he murmured. "I've always trusted you."

"Then you have to trust that my dream was exactly that, a dream and nothing more. I will never ever cheat on you with anyone. I'm not that girl that can easily jump from one man to another, why do you think I'm struggling with my feeling for Demetri so much?"

"I know you love me," he said softly. "And I love you too. I suppose the whole thing just caught me off guard. I wasn't expecting you to dream about my brother." He frowned.

"Maybe we should just rethink this whole thing," I mumbled. Jasper and I had done a lot of talking while Demetri was away and we had a lot to discuss if we were going to get through this confusion and resolve our love triangle.

"No," he said firmly. "I want this," he said pulling me up so I could look into his eyes. "Baby you have no idea who much I want this for you, for us. But the idea of you being with anyone other than me and Demetri just about kills me right now. I encourage you to explore your relationship with Demetri. I just never expected you'd be attracted to other men or that anyone else would be your mate. If you have two mates what's there to say that you don't have three or four?"

I had no idea what to say. In all honesty he was right. I don't know anything about myself. How am I supposed to know how many mates is normal?

I shook my head. "No . . . no . . . no . . ." I could feel the panic and the fear rush over my body suddenly. I can't have three or four mates, that's just unthinkable.

"Its okay," he said softly, gently brushing his knuckles over my cheek.

"But it's not okay Jazzy. You're absolutely right. I have no idea what or who I am let alone how many mates I may have! I feel like our bond to one another, you and me, is exceptionally strong. Maybe stronger than the bond I have with Demetri. And if we bring more people into his relationship I'm going to lose you and I can't . . ."

"Shhh," I was in his arms suddenly, pressed against his chest. "You are never going to lose me. I thought you were okay with this?"

"I was and then I started thinking about it . . ." His arms tightened around me and his lips pressed against the top of my head.

"Stop thinking," he said softly. "None of it matters baby. No matter what Demetri says or how many mates you have, I'm not going anywhere. My feelings for you will never change. You are my life now, Allie."

"But . . ."

"No buts," he interrupted. "We'll figure it out as we go along. We'll just have to work at keeping the passion and spark in our relationship like every other couple in the world. If it's what you want, we'll make it work," he promised.

"Okay," I smiled softly. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For always being there to calm me down when I get freaked out, insecure, neurotic, and emotional. You always know just how to calm me down."

"Always," he whispered wrapping his arms around me again. I took a deep breath, letting everything sink in. I knew Jasper was right but that doesn't mean I don't worry about losing him. Lately I worry more than normal. Carlisle insists it's just the pregnancy hormones that I'm not used. "Stop worrying," Jasper murmured, brushing his lips against mine again. "I'll love you forever." He moved against me, pressing his body against mine.

"I love you too," I whispered as his hands ran up and down my torso before slowly slipping under my shirt. His lips traced my jaw and the line of my neck before a soft growl rumbled in his chest. He sighed and pulled himself off me suddenly. "What are you doing?" I pouted.

"You'll see," he murmured, pulling me against him. My lips were lightly kissing his neck when the bedroom door clicked open. I growled softly turning to face Emmett again.

"Demetri," I smiled surprised to see him. He smiled lovingly and slid out of his shoes before sliding into bed with Jasper and I. I was a little taken off guard when their arms wrapped around me, their bodies pressed firmly into mine. I don't think I've ever felt so safe and so loved in my life.

Demetri lightly kissed my neck, his lips lingering for just a moment above my pulse point, before he pulled away. "Could one of you please tell me what's going on here?" He asked. I couldn't help but giggle happily at his excited, confused expression.

"I will," Jasper smiled and sat me up in bed so I could see them both. "While you've been away Allie and I have been spending a lot of time talking about the future, what she hopes for, what I hope for, what we both want, and we came to a decision that we think can please everyone." He smiled gently and took my hand in his. "From the beginning of our relationship I've seen and felt the love she has for you and that love has never faltered. As we began discussing our relationship we found there was something missing. Don't get me wrong Demetri, I love Allie more than you could ever imagine, I can't even begin to explain it. And – besides the bad stuff that's happening now – I love our life together but we both feel there's something that can make it even better."

"I'm not exactly following," Demetri frowned and turned to me.

I rolled my eyes. "Dem, Jazzy and I have been very happy together, very content in our relationship. We found it very easy to be together for the most part. But I've never stopped loving you. My feelings for you only increased the more I searched for you and when I met Jasper and we got married we both felt as if we were missing something. Something so basic and fundamental to our relationship it was physically painful at times. There was a piece of us missing. And when you left that piece only seemed to get bigger the longer you were gone. That's when we knew you were what we were missing."

Demetri was silent then. Jasper's arms tightened around me, pulling me into his lap as my words sank in.

"As weird as it sounds," he said speaking before I had the chance, "we've both missed your presence in our lives. Allie has been looking for you for years and when we got to New York I began searing for you while she slept. We've spent a lot of time discussing it and we both want you here with us."

"You missed me?" He whispered, "Both of you?"

I rolled my eyes again. How can he think we wouldn't miss him? "Of course we did! Demetri I've never felt happier than when I woke up yesterday morning sandwiched between the two of you. The painful hole in my heart that I've felt my entire life was gone the moment I lay between you and Jasper." Demetri still looked as confused as the moment we began this conversation so I took a deep breath and leaned into his body, brushing my lips lightly across his. I could feel him fighting the urge to lean into me and kiss me before he pulled away.

"It's okay Demetri," Jasper murmured behind me.

"I'm so confused," Demetri admitted sheepishly. I suppose we weren't explaining it in the right way but it's so hard to admit to something like this.

I leaned my body back into his, pressing myself against him. "I love you," I whispered against his throat, my lips lightly kissing the hollow under his ear.

"You love me?" He whispered.

"Yes!" I cried. "I've always loved you Demetri!"

"How can you be okay with this?" He asked looking over my shoulder as Jasper moved closer to us again.

"I'm more than okay with it. I even encourage it. I felt the pain she was in when you were apart, and when you were away. I can't watch her go through that again. We both love her so much Demetri. We both want the same things, to make her happy."

"But won't this be kinda weird and awkward?"

"We're vampires. We have an eternity to be as weird as we want." Jasper chuckled to himself. "Our sexuality goes above and beyond that of a human. We're naturally passionate sexual creatures. Very little is out of bounds for us because we have an eternity to experiment. Our sexuality is driven in everything we do from a raw primal natural hunt – or even hunting animals – to fighting our own kind in battle. A ménage is another one of those things that most humans deem unacceptable."

Demetri was again silent as Jasper's words sank in. Neither of us wanted to overwhelm him so we let the silence linger between us.

As the minutes passed I began to get frustrated. Sometimes I hate not being able to hear their minds. It's something I've gotten so used to, the thoughts tend to linger at the back of my mind until I want to listen to someone but with Demetri and Jasper everything is silent. It's annoying.

"This should really creep me out," Demetri finally mumbled. The frown on his forehead deepened as he looked between Jasper and I. "It's a lot to process, I suppose."

"Allie wants this," Jasper said firmly. "We both want this," he corrected. "What we're trying to say is we'd like to extend our relationship to include you. I know this is an uncommon situation but Allie loves you so we want you to join our relationship as an equal partner. But we completely understand if you want to forget the entire thing." The frown deepened on his forehead and my fingers twitched to smooth it out but I didn't move. I couldn't move. I was suddenly very worried and upset.

"I'm not sure what to say," Demetri said looking slightly dazed and unsure. I bit my lip nervously, my body automatically curling into Jaspers.

"Why don't you take time to think about it?" I suggested as the silence dragged on. "We have all the time in the world. And if you want to say no, it's completely understandable. I don't want to push you into this. Take some time." I smiled softly at him and lightly kissed his cheek "Baby and I have to eat, we'll be in the kitchen." I kissed Jasper and teleported to the kitchen, leaving the two vampires on our bed.

"You okay Sprite?" Emmett asked as I opened the refrigerator and pulled out the carton of milk, pouring myself a glass.

"Where is everyone?" I asked, ignoring his question. I wasn't sure how to answer him. I was confused and slightly upset and for some reason a little pissed off but I didn't truly understand the emotions.

It was natural for Demetri to question this idea. It was natural for him to be confused and worried; I was when Jasper first brought it up. I suppose I never imagined he'd need time to think about it. This idea seemed to solve all our problems and I didn't have to pick between my mate and Demetri. Is Demetri my mate? Can someone technically have more than one soul mate? I know with all my heart that Jasper is my mate but is Demetri?

"Tanya, Carmen, Kate, and Esme went shopping, again. Jane, Eleazar, Carlisle, Benny, and Rosalie went hunting before we leave tomorrow and everyone else is at school." I nodded.

"Cool," I mumbled picking at the breakfast Esme had left for me.

"Give him time," Emmett was suddenly stood in front of me, pulling me into a hug. "It'll all work out, little pixie. You'll see," he murmured lightly kissing the top of my head.

"Do you believe in soul mates?" I asked. "I mean, you thought Rosalie was your mate for centuries before you realized otherwise. Do you think that we fall in love and, like humans, we work at our relationships constantly? Or that there's a perfect match for us or that we have one specific soul mate?"

I could feel him smile against my head before he suddenly picked me up and placed me on the counter top.

"I don't believe there's just one 'perfect match' for anyone. There can't be. I think there are many 'soul mates' that we fall in love with and who make us unbelievably happy. Rosalie and I were happy for, like you said, centuries before we divorced. But before we married she had loved Royce and I had girlfriends prior to my change. Before Alice, Jasper loved and worshiped Maria, to a certain extent. Jacob was madly in love with Bella before Renesmee was born. Carlisle was married before he was changed into a vampire as was Esme. On the other hand I also believe that vampires are different to human. Vampires typically mate for life. We form such a deep routed connection to our mates that it's virtually impossible to break. But if you can't connect on that deeper level, deeper than similar tastes and similar life experiences, then I don't think you can expect to connect on the level of a soul. Rosalie and I didn't have that. We have a lot in common, it's true, but when it came down to that deep deep connection it just wasn't there. I'll admit that it's romantic to think that there is just one perfect match for everyone but in your case you've proven that you can have more than one soul mate. In the vampire world I think it's the same. Carlisle and Esme both had true loves before they were changed and then they found each other. But had Carlisle not been changed he would never have met Esme. Edward would not have met Bella, I would not have met Rosalie, Jasper and Alice wouldn't have met the rest of the family. If Carlisle hadn't been created the Cullen family would not exist and in many ways I think he is as much our soul mate as he is Esme's." He smiled softly at me and lightly brushed away the hair in my eyes. I never realized Emmett could be so insightful.

"But it's different with me and Jasper than it is with me and Demetri."

"That's only natural," Emmett murmured. "Technically, you've known Jasper longer. Your relationship is only just starting with Demetri." He moved me closer to the edge of the counter so he could step between my legs and wrap his arms around my waist, resting his head against my heart. "You met Jasper already knowing everything about him. With Demetri it's like you're starting the dating process over again. You have to get to know him to have the type of connection with him as you do with Jasper. And maybe you'll never have that type of connection with Demetri; maybe it'll be completely different." He sighed slightly and I could feel the happiness radiating of his body. My eyes closed and my head rested against the top of his.

I enjoy talking to Emmett. He seems to have a way of calming me down and explaining things in the simplest way. He sees things so clearly and cuts right to the heart of everything, whereas I float around at the top analyzing every tiny detail. What would have taken me months to figure out took Emmett only minutes. He's is so simple and that's amazing to me. I've never met anyone like him.

"Thank you, Em," he chuckled softly and tightened his arms around my waist. His hands moved to my lower back, his thumbs sneaking under the silk cami I wore to press circles into my skin, and I felt my head spin against his magnificent scent. The feel of his cool strong fingers against my bare flesh sent a wave of desire shooting through my body. My arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer to my chest as his head tilted up. Just like in my dream his lips gently brushed over my pulse point and my head fell back against the cabinet behind me. He pushed my shirt up my back, his large strong hands spreading out against my heated skin. A low throaty purr left his lips and I felt the hard bulge in his jeans press against the notch in my silk shorts. He looked up at me, his eyes – darker than I've ever seen them – coursing with lust and desire were burning into mine.

"I . . . uh . . . I have to go," he disappeared then, his body moving so fast I didn't even see it. The back door gently swung closed as Emmett flew through the back yard and into the forest. The click of the door shutting back into place was the only thing I could hear in the suddenly quiet house.

"Allie," I yelped, startled, and turned to see Demetri standing in the doorway. Before I could blink he was standing in front of me, pulling me into his body. "Baby, are you okay?" My breathing was heavy and my head still spinning from Emmett's lust and his sent – oh god his scent.

I wasn't sure what to say to him. Was I okay? What the hell is wrong with me? "Yeah," I mumbled. "How are you?" I asked trying to change the subject.

"Are you sure?" He asked slowly, his arms wrapping around my body in an almost tightly possessive way. I nodded. I wasn't sure I knew what to say or how to put it into words. I took a deep breath, pushing everything to the back of my mind and focusing on Demetri. I'd think about Emmett when I was alone and a little less emotional.

"How are you?" I asked again.

He flashed me a beautiful crooked smile and parted my legs before stepping between them. "I'm perfect," he whispered as his hands gripped my hips, pulling me towards him a little more. His left hand slowly brushed up my arm to cup the back of my neck and pull me closer to him.

His black eyes never left mine as he asked, "you don't believe we're soul mates?" His eyes were burring with desire and love and lust and a strong sense of need.

"Soul mates?" I whispered, my eyes locked with is, my grip on his shoulders tightening as he moved a few inches closer to me.

"Yes," he breathed. His scent warmed me. He smelt wonderful, heavenly and sweet, yet, musky and all man.

"Am I your soul mate?" I asked, leaning a little closer to him. The tip of his nose brushed against mine and his hand lightly caressed my cheek.

"Do you doubt it?" He asked curiously. Did I? I felt his free hand press into the small of my back and I couldn't help the heat that rose within me and burst out of me. I felt my heat and my scent wrap around him as I unconsciously claimed his as my own, marking him with my scent. And I knew.

"No," I whispered, "I don't doubt it." His lips crushed against mine then, his arms pulling me into his body and I felt the heat boil inside of me, like the first time Jasper kissed me. I felt an explosion of emotions go off inside of me. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, my blood running through my veins faster than I've ever felt before. Everything was suddenly still around me. As if the world had stopped spinning the moment our lips finally met.

Heat, love, happiness, wants and needs enveloped me all at once and I felt Demetri's arms wrap tighter around me, pulling me off the counter and pressing me against his body, my legs wrapping instantly around his waist. The need I constantly feel to be close to him seemed to amplify a thousand times. My hands ran though his hair, loving the feel of his long silky locks against my fingers. I couldn't help the moan that escaped my lips as his tongue met mine and a second explosion burst inside of me.

I heard someone mumble something far off in the distance and Demetri pulled away from me, allowing me to breathe as his lips trailed hot kisses down my neck, biting and licking at my flesh. My body tingled all over and the moment I thought I was in heaven I felt Jasper's presence behind me, his chest pressing against my back, his lips kissing my neck. My hands clung to Demetri and Jasper seemed to hold us all together in a tight iron grip. I don't think I've ever felt so much love and safety in one room before.

My breathing was still ragged when Demetri pulled away from my neck. "You boys are gonna be the death of me." I smiled. Demetri and Jasper chuckled and my world began to spin again.