Hey lovelies! Okay, I gotta say that I'm really worried about this chapter, to the point where I seriously thought about rewriting it. Crazy, huh? So I'm just gonna do it, and post this thing cause I don't want too slow with my updates. Sorry - by the way - that I keep you amazing people waiting!

My Beta (who is MIA lol) - Team Edcob 4 life

Disclaimer - I don't own Twilight, yada, yada,yada...

Bella (POV)

"I hate that you're leaving," I whispered into Edward's chest. Yea, I know, I was being a whiny baby, but it was only because I didn't want him to go. Of course I knew he would have to go back to his house eventually, but I didn't think it would be so soon.

"I'll be back as soon as possible, love," he whispered, a small twinkle in his eyes.

With a sigh, I muttered, "Okay." With a parting passionate kiss, he was off, going to where he didn't belong. He should be with me, but I wasn't going to suffocate the man, besides I had things I needed to take care of. Things Edward couldn't be a part of.

8~*~8

Edward (POV)

I walked towards my boss's office, fully aware and sure of what I was about to do. The decision was made a long time ago, but now it was being put into action. I couldn't go on like that; going back and forth, here and there. It was time that I called one place home.

I knocked, waited until he gave me his permission to enter, and when he did, I went inside. Mr. Banner was well known for his kindness, but he was strict and expected only the best from his employees. I liked to believe that I made him proud with the fact that I always gave a hundred percent and never ever called in sick.

My excellent work ethic was due to my lack of social life.

When Mr. Banner's eyes fell on me, from behind a desk buried underneath paperwork, his lips curved into a smile. "Well, hello there, Edward. How are you doing my boy? Good, I hope."

I nodded, as I took hesitant steps to his desk.

Mr. Banner noticed my nervous expression, even though nervous expressions were nothing new from me, Mr. Banner had a way of knowing if something was especially wrong. "You've never been good with people Edward – I get that, but something tells me this is different. Is there something you would like to tell me?"

Doing my best not to stutter, I said, "Yes, sir. I want to give you my two weeks notice."

Mr. Banner sat back, stunned. This was obviously not what he was expecting. He composed himself by running his hands up and down his face, but I could tell he was still baffled. I could understand why, though. I had never given him any sign or expressed any thoughts about quitting my job. The only time I had asked for time off was when I wanted to visit Alice, and then when Bella disappeared – well, ran off. Leaving work for long periods of time wasn't something I ever did, meaning that I was here 24/7 which made me pretty pathetic. I wasn't a work-a-holic, no, I just didn't have anything else to do, but not anymore. I had a purpose; I had Bella.

"Wow, Edward, I honestly wasn't expecting this – especially since this is you we're talking about. I can't stop you, but may I ask why you are doing this?"

I nodded, he deserved an explanation. "When I went to visit my sister, I met someone. Things happened, words were said, and well, we fell in love. She is everything to me; I can't stand being here when my heart is with her. I know that's not the best reason to quit, but I'm not happy here – I never was. And besides my sister is over there and so are all my friends. I'm not lonely when I'm over there."

Mr. Banner sighed with a thoughtful look on his face. He glanced at me, turned his head, and went through his desk in search of something. "If this makes you happy, boy, then I won't complain about this. Tell me, Edward. Is this girl worth it? I mean you're giving a lot up; your job, home, and the life you made for yourself here."

"With all due respect, sir, I never had much of a life here. Sure, I had an apartment, a few acquaintances, and this job, but that doesn't make someone happy. Visiting my sister showed me what I've been missing, and that is quite a lot. I have friends now, I'm closer to my sister more than ever, and I have the love of my life. That's all I need, all I want. And yes, she is worth it."

Mr. Banner smiled and pulled out a piece of paper. "That's the answer I was looking for. I'm truly happy for you. I'm going to miss you and your quiet ways, but knowing that you're happy wherever you are makes it all better. You are a good man, and you did a heck of a good job working here. If you ever need a recommendation you know who to call."

I smiled. "Thank you Mr. Banner, I'm going to miss you, too."

He looked at me with his brow furrowed, finally noticing what was different with me. "What happened to that stutter of yours boy?"

"That sir was taking care of."

He made a surprised face."Oh?"

"Yes, Bella helped me with it. She showed me that my words deserved to be heard clearly."

Mr. Banner smiled, and looked at me as if he has never seen me before. "I think I would like this girl."

"I know you would," I said quietly, as I walked towards the door. "May I leave know sir?"

"Of course you can, boy. Also, just because you're leaving in two weeks doesn't mean you can slack off now! I still have the same expectations, so don't disappoint me." His face was stern, but his eyes showed he was smiling on the inside.

"I wouldn't dream of it sir." With that, I left the room, and went to work. This was going to be a long two weeks. I only hoped that Bella wouldn't mind that I quit my job so that I could be closer to her.

8~*~8

1 Month later

I nervously made my way to Bella's home. She didn't know that I was visiting or that I had no intentions on leaving again. I knocked on the door and waited patiently for someone to open it. I looked at the driveway and noticed that only Emmett's jeep was there.

Where is Bella?

"Hey, what are you doing here, dude? It's not that I don't want you here or anything, but what brings you here to my – well Bella's – domain?" Emmett said as soon as he opened the door and saw me. "And what's with the luggage?" he asked when he saw that I had several suitcases behind me and a bag on my shoulder.

"Can you keep a secret?" I asked, wondering if I should just tell him now.

He smiled a mischievous smile. "Nope, but I can try." I guess that was all I could ask for. He walked further outside to grab as many suitcases he could, which was all of them, and led me inside. He dropped them with little regard on the floor by the door and walked to the living room. Sighing, I joined him. We sat on the couch, in comfortable silence, as we watched television. Looking around, I noticed how things hadn't changed one bit, but was different was the silence. Someone was always yelling or there was some kind of racket going on in this house, but not today. Only the sounds of the television filled the house.

"Emmett?" I asked. His eyes didn't leave the TV, but he grunted to let me know he was listening to me. I had no idea what he was watching. Let's just say there was a lot of nudity.

"Where is everyone?"

Finally taking his eyes off the television screen, he looked at me; his eyes holding a hidden sadness. "Bella's gone; she went to do something about her upcoming book. I don't really know. It was something like that. Alice and Jasper haven't been here in forever. So yea, I've been pretty lonely here."

Sorrow filled me when I realized just how much Emmett depended on his family and friends now. It wasn't like he had Rosalie to go to anymore. I wondered how much he missed her, and how much it hurt him to choose family over the woman he loved. What Rosalie did was wrong, yes, but I briefly thought about how it must be like for her. There must be something that had tortured Rosalie in some way for her to behave like that – to make her treat Bella like that.

"You never answered my question. Why are you here?" Emmett asked again, still staring at the TV. His question wasn't meant to be taken as rude, he was asking merely out of curiousity.

I focused on my hands, as I tried to sort the words out in my head. "Well… I sort of…"

Emmett rolled his eyes at my lack of verbal use. "Doesn't your boss dude get mad that you come over here so much?"

"Well, you see –"

"And I understand that you're with my sister and all, but there is such a thing as phones." Emmett made a face at his words. "Why the fuck am I bitching? I'm sorry man; I'm just in a funk right now, so I guess I'm taking it out on you. Don't worry; I won't ask you anymore questions. Stay here as long as you like. I need the fucking company. I was going crazy here by myself."

"I quit my job Emmett," I screamed in a rush. Emmett looked at me wide eyed, his mouth agape. "I quit like a month ago, and I no longer live in my old apartment."

"Wow," he said, stunned. "Wow – just wow. I didn't realize that you and Bella were so serious! Bella has never ever let a guy move in with her."

"Um, Emmett, that's actually the problem."

He looked at me quizzically. "What problem?"

I let out a deep breath. "Bella doesn't know." He looked at me for a second, completely expressionless, and then he busted out laughing. I was not amused. "Emmett, this isn't funny." He was laughing so hard he was in tears.

"Damn straight this isn't funny. It's fucking hilarious! Oh my effing God. Where you just planning on putting all your stuff in her closet and having her find out that way? You are a funny man, Edward. A very funny – dead – man. Bella is going to kill you when she finds out. You know that right?"

I sighed.

"Whoa, man. Promise me that you'll let me watch when she yells at you, fuck, that's going to be funny. I wonder if she will throw anything at you. Oh! Maybe she will throw your stuff out the window!" he said excitedly.

I gulped. "You don't think she'll really do that, do you?"

He shrugged, not even trying to comfort me. "Who knows? This is Bella we're talking about."

"I wasn't planning on just moving in without permission. Truthfully, I thought that it would be better if I asked Alice if I could live with her and Jasper, only until I find a place of course."

Emmett patted me on the back. "Yea, that's a much better, and safer, idea."

Minutes later I called Alice and asked her if she could come over. She agreed and said she would be here as soon as possible. Emmett ordered pizza – his only source of food, and his means of survival – and told me that if Alice didn't let me live with her, I was screwed.

That was comforting.

After the pizza came, Alice arrived and with her was beer, but no Jasper. When we got comfortable with pizza in one hand and beer in the other, I asked Alice where Jasper was.

"Oh, he's been gone for two weeks. Something about his job, I think." She shrugged, taking a small bite from her cheese pizza.

Emmett's head shot up when he heard this. "Hey! That's how long Bella's been gone. What a coincidence, huh?"

Alice and I shared worried glances at each other. Before long, Alice asked, "Did Bella happen to leave on Monday? At around eight thirty?"

Emmett thought for a moment, but then nodded. "I don't know the exact time, but she did leave on a Monday at night time."

Alice took a shaky breath. "Um, Edward can you come with me to… somewhere!" Alice grabbed my hand and yanked me off the couch and towards the stairs. She ran, dragging me behind her, towards the room she usually slept in when she and Jasper were over here. After we were inside the bedroom, Alice closed the door, leaned against it, and slid down until she was sitting down on the soft carpet.

"They can't possibly be together, can they?" Alice hid her head in her bent legs, but then she lifted her face to look at me with tears threatening to fall from her eyes. "I'm trying to trust them, but there making it so hard. All this time, I've given my best shot to forget about the whole closet thing. I mean seriously! The fucking closet, Edward! Who goes into a closet to just talk? When Jasper and I go into a closet we fuck! What were they doing Edward? Please tell me, please," she pleaded, her tears running down her face. I walked over to her, sat beside her, and put my arm around her shoulder, offering comfort. She leaned into my side as she cried.

"I don't know what to believe in either, Alice. But what if we accuse them of cheating and we're wrong? They would never forgive us, and I wouldn't forgive myself either," I admitted.

"But Edward, what if we are right? What if they really are cheating on us with each other, do we just let it slide because we are afraid we're wrong? Edward, they have both been gone for two weeks. If nothing was going on between them why didn't they just tell us they were going somewhere together. I would have understood."

I raised my eyebrow at her.

"Okay, maybe I wouldn't have, but it would have been better than finding out this way. They didn't tell us because it is wrong, because they are doing something they shouldn't be doing. That's the only logical explanation! Gosh, Edward, I never thought that this kind of thing would happen. I never thought I would think these things about Jasper and Bella, but I can't help it. This is so damn wrong on so many levels."

I held her tighter, hoping to offer her more comfort, but her tears continued. I wanted to tell her that Bella and Jasper could never do something like this to us. It just wasn't possible. Well, that was what I used to think, because now I was not so sure about what they were capable of. Just thinking these horrible thoughts about the woman I love and the man I thought of as a friend sickened me. I hated that I had doubts, but part of me hated them for making me have these doubts. Hate was such a strong word so I knew it was the wrong word to use, but serious dislike sounded weird.

If Bella and Jasper were doing what Alice and I thought, then the only question would be: How could they? Bella had finally told me she loved me, Jasper told Alice constantly that he loved her, so how could they betray us this way? I briefly wondered if this was my fault. Was Bella cheating on me, if she was, because we had never made love? I wasn't satisfying her needs so she looked elsewhere?

All that night I held Alice as she cried her fears and insecurities. Neither of us slept that night.

8~*~8

"Okay, so this will be your room," Alice told me, motioning to the nicely decorated room with light green walls. The room held only the necessities; a queen sized bed, a nightstand on both sides of the bed, lamps on the nightstands, a dresser, and a TV stand that held a nice big flat screen.

After that night of crying and pain, I asked Alice if I could stay with her since I pretty much had nowhere to go. She, of course, said yes and the next day Emmett helped us carry my stuff into her apartment. It was a very nice two-bedroom apartment complete with small kitchen, tiny dining area, two bathrooms, and a medium sized family area. Overall, it was a very nice place, that offered everything that a young couple needed, and now myself.

"Thank you, again, Alice." Alice rolled her eyes as she put her warm hand on my shoulder.

"Stop thanking me, Edward. Besides, I need someone around when Jasper is gone," she whispered, her voice becoming pained. Alice saw the worried glance I sent her, and quickly rearranged her features to a happy and excited face, even though it was obvious that it was fake. "Now let's put your stuff away!"

An hour later, all of my belongings were nicely stored away in their rightful places. I thanked Alice for her help, and again for letting me stay in her spare room, but Alice would have none of it, and simply walked away. I looked at my bed, noticed how comforting it looked, and jumped on it, laughing lightly as I bounced. I lay on my back, my body slumping in comfort as my mind began to race. Any bed, no matter where I was, lacked Bella's presence. She should be here with me, but she wasn't; she was somewhere else, with someone else. I really didn't care as long as it wasn't Jasper, but according to what we knew, he was with Bella. What were they doing? I didn't know, and I was afraid to find out.

"Edward?" Alice asked, peeking her head through the doorway. I lifted my head from the pillow and looked at her. "As you know, I can't cook, such a thing would be dangerous, so we need to go out and get us some food!" I laughed as she grabbed my hand and used all her strength to get me into a sitting position. We then left the apartment, drove to a nice sushi restaurant, ate, and then we returned home. Our night was filled with laughs, smiles, but laced beneath it all was hidden anxiety.

In the car, on our way to Alice's apartment, I asked, "When do you think they'll come back?"

Alice's hands on the steering wheel tightened, leaving her knuckles white. She shrugged, obviously not wanting to talk about it, but I needed to talk about it. I needed to compare theories, and observations. I wanted to figure out an alternative to this, to something other than an affair. But Alice didn't speak to me; not in the car, at her apartment, and not anymore that night.

8~*~8

Alice and I drove to Bella's house so that we could be with Emmett. Alice agreed that it must be a hard, lonely time for Emmett since Bella isn't here and he doesn't have Rosalie to go to. I was looking out the window, enjoying the scenery, when Alice roughly grabbed on to my hand. "Whoa, Alice, what's wrong?" Instead of answering, Alice just motioned her head towards the upcoming house. There, in the driveway, was Bella's car. I urged Alice to drive faster, and with reluctance, she obeyed. She parked the car in front of the house, but made no move to leave the car.

"I can't do this. What if he's here? That would confirm everything," she muttered frantically.

I put a comforting hand on her shoulder and said, "Don't you see that this is our chance to just ask them were they went? If they have a legitimate answer then that's it – we have to trust them. But if there explanation is less than believable than we will… we'll have to drill them on it until they tell us the truth." I sounded a lot stronger than I felt. If Jasper and Bella told us there reasoning, and it was a sorry excuse of an answer, then I would probably break down.

Alice nodded after some thought, then she left the car, leaving me inside. After a quick pep-talk, I left the car as well, and walked towards what might be my downfall. I entered the house, right behind Alice, and saw Bella, Jasper and Emmett laughing in the living room. Bella looked so beautiful in her dark blue V-neck tucked into dark jeans with a brown belt. The moment I saw her, I forgot all about asking her where she had been – I just wanted to kiss her. And that was what I did. Bella made a surprised squeak when my lips made contact with hers. The feel of her soft lips moving with mine was absolutely divine. We both moaned into each others mouths as the kiss intensified and grew more passionate. Without having to do anything, Bella opened her mouth and allowed my tongue entrance. Bella wrapped her arms around my neck, bringing my body closer to hers until our bodies were touching. I wrapped my arms around Bella also because I needed to feel her in my arms to know that she really was here with me, that she was kissing me. Not anyone else.

We broke apart for much needed air, after such a long and intense make-out session. We looked into each others eyes, smiling wide goofy smiles, and in this moment, I truly believed that Bella would never cheat on me. "Hello, love," I greeted, speaking to her for the first time.

"Hey, Edward," she said, her eyes bright with happiness. It filled my heart with warmth to see the love she had for me in her deep chocolate eyes. "Come on, let's go upstairs. I want to continue what you just started." She smiled as she grabbed my hand and led me upstairs. Before I left the room I saw Emmett, who wasn't paying attention, and Jasper who looked at Alice nervously. I pushed the thoughts that threatened to enter my mind, and instead I focused on how great Bella's firm behind looked in her tight jeans as she walked up the stairs. We entered her room, where she started to kiss me again, but I had to put a stop to it, even though I really didn't want to, so I could ask her some questions.

"Where have you been?" I asked, breathless.

She shrugged. "Some work thing," she muttered before trying to kiss me again, but I moved away. "Hey," she complained after another failed attempt at trying to kiss me.

"Really, Bella, where were you?"

Bella looked at my chin, avoiding my gaze when she said, "I told you, it was some work thing."

Something in me snapped them. A sense of desperation filled me.

I grabbed onto her roughly and pulled her lips to mine. There was nothing soft about this kiss, nothing loving about it. It wasn't gentle, but hard and demanding. I knew Bella sensed something was wrong with the way her body tensed but she didn't put a stop to my aggressive advances. With my hands on her ass, I lifted her up, her legs wrapped around my waist as I carried her to the bed. I dropped her on the bed and I climbed on top of her, ignoring her eyes. Without much thought, I took of my shirt, exposing my upper body to her. Bella ran her hands up and down by chest and stomach, making me hiss every time her fingers came in contact with my nipples. I moved her hands away and roughly yanked on her belt, wanting it gone. After I undid her belt, I removed it and tugged on her shirt. She lifted her arms, allowing me to take off her shirt, and I did just that. I moaned when I saw that she was wearing a lacy hot pink bra. My hands immediately started to massage her breasts, eliciting throaty moans from my love. I began kissing her neck; licking and sucking every inch of skin. Eventually, my hands left her boobs and slowly descended towards her pants. I gulped, feeling fear and insecurity go through me, but I had to do this.

Bella must have noticed my worries.

"We don't have to do this," she whispered, as she massaged the skin on my stomach.

"No, I have to do this," I chanted over and over again. I kissed her again, touching her everywhere and anywhere. I felt tears of anger and sadness pool in my eyes, threatening to spill.

If we make love, she won't need anyone else. Just me, only me.

"No we don't, Edward," Bella said, her hands stopping my wondering ones.

"Please Bella," I cried. "Let me make love to you, please," I begged. If we made love Bella wouldn't have the need to cheat on me – everything could go back to normal.

Make love to me Bella, show me that you love me – that you only need me.

"No, Edward. Stop," she said strongly, but I ignored her and brought my lips back to hers, effectively silencing her.

Oh God, she doesn't want me. I'm not enough.

"Let me make love to you so you won't need anyone else. Please Bella, let's do it for us," I pleaded.

Please want me.

"Edward, what are you talking about?"

Bella, why am I not enough? Am I not deserving of your body, your soul?

"Bella, you were with Jasper weren't you? What were you doing with him? How could you Bella? You said you love me but you go and do that. Why am I not enough?"

What can he give her that I can't?

"Edward, are you thinking what I think you're thinking?" I didn't answer because I was a coward. I felt worse when I saw that that my tears, the ones I was trying so hard to control, were falling from my eyes. No wonder Bella didn't want me, I was no man.

Bella quickly jumped out of the bed, in search of her shirt. When she found it, she put it on and walked out of the room. I went after her, once I put on my shirt, and ran down the stairs. I walked into the living room to find Alice and Jasper screaming at each other.

"TELL ME WHERE YOU WERE!" Alice shouted, tears running down her face. Jasper's face was hidden because he was looking at the floor, his hand covering his face. Alice, Jasper, and Emmett must have heard us come in because their eyes snapped to us.

"Thank God," Emmett muttered.

Alice looked at Bella with so much anger, so much animosity. Alice walked over to Bella, and did what none of us were expecting.

She punched her.

Bella didn't fall back, but her face roughly turned to the side. Bella knew how to take a hit.

"What the fuck was that for?" Bella asked incredulously.

"That was for sleeping with Jasper you whore!"

Bella's eyes widened in shock, but they quickly narrowed in anger. "How the fuck did you come to that conclusion?" asked Bella angrily. "Edward how could you think I would cheat on you?" Bella asked sadly, looking at me with confused eyes.

I fidgeted where I stood. "It's j-just that there w-was s-s-so many things. The c-cl-closet, and the fact that the b-b-bo-both of you w-were g-g-g-gone." I stuttered so much that my cheeks grew red in embarrassment.

Bella walked up to me, ignoring a fuming Alice. "Edward, you should know that I would never cheat on you, and especially with Jasper. I meant it when I said I love you. Fuck, I would rather die than hurt you like that. I am so damn mad that you would think these things about me and that you would think I was capable of this, but in a fucked up way I understand why you do. Since the day I met you, I knew you were insecure, meaning that I had to be extra careful with you. So I guess I failed. I need you to remember that I love you, you're it for me. I want, need, and love only you, Edward. Do you understand?"

I nodded, my love for her expanding. I was so stupid to think that Bella would do such a thing to me, to us. I felt awful. To say I love you was a big thing for Bella and I acted as if her words meant nothing, as if they had no meaning. I had been so foolish.

"I'm so sorry, love. I was just… the way… I don't know how I could think those things about you. I'm sorry I didn't trust you," I whispered, hugging Bella to me. She rested her cheek against my chest as she rubbed soothing circles on my back.

"I guess we need to work on the whole trust thing, huh?" I nodded, resting my chin on her head.

"I love you, Bella."

"I love you, too, idiot," she whispered, chuckling.

"So you guys weren't having an affair?" Alice said with a relieved smile on her face.

"No, we weren't," Jasper said darkly, his face red with anger. Alice stared at him wide-eyed, realizing that he wasn't going to take it as well as Bella did. "How the fuck could you think I would cheat on you, Alice! We have been together for so long, how could this have even been a possibility to you? Then you go and fly off the fucking handle and punch Bella! She is our best friend Alice! Where the hell is your head?"

Alice once again had tears running down her face, but they weren't tears of anger, but of sadness. "Jasper I –"

"Did you know I was thinking about proposing to you?" Jasper admitted, making Alice sob. "I was going to take Bella to help me pick out a ring and for help on how to pop the question, but I don't think I can do that know since you'll just think we're fucking."

"Jasper," Bella warned.

"No, Bella. Alice needs to understand that this is not okay. Edward and Bella need to work on trust and Edward's insecurities, but that's understandable since they have only been together for a short time, but us Alice? I thought we didn't need to work on that! The thought of me cheating on you should have never crossed your mind. Well, I'm glad that I see this all now."

Alice looked at him with worried and red eyes. "Jasper, what are you saying?"

Jasper sighed, his face grim. "I'm saying I need a break. I want to break up Alice… I need to think about things. Bella, can I stay here?"

Bella nodded against my chest, giving him permission. I watched with sad eyes as Alice broke apart when Jasper left the room to the stairs. Seconds later we heard a door slam. Bella moved out of my embrace and urged me to go to Alice. I walked to where Alice was standing, and gently put my hand on her shoulder. Alice dropped to the floor, her tiny frame shaking as her sobs overtook her.

She then looked at me through teary eyes. "What have I done?"

Wasn't Alice way out of line? I mean you have to see where Jasper was coming from. Alice and Jasper have been together for years - it was explained in the first chapter - so she should have trusted him not to do anything.

I loved that you guys trusted Jasper and Bella not to betray Edward and Alice - it made me so happy. BUT REMEMBER Bella and Jasper haven't explained what they were doing and it wasn't the proposing thing! It was established that they weren't fucking so what were they doing instead? Hmmm...

PLEASE READ! - Is anyone interested in having me as a Beta? I'm pretty good with catching mistakes because I have the habit of rereading things. I'm good with grammer, catching spelling errors, and I'm damn good with commas lol. I'm on my computer 24/7 on my email so if you're interested send me your story and we will see how things go from there! If your worried that I'm won't be fast with editing, don't worry! I have no life, and will get your story back to you as soon as possible!

Reveiws get Jasper and Alice back together sooner!