Author's Note: This one is kind of short, but I've already started the next chapter. There will be Bella, Edward, Jacob, and the bugs in it.

Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer is the owner of these characters. I own the bugs.

Chapter Thirty-Five: "Trying to Cover Up" Bella's POV

I was laughing so hard when dessert was served that I had almost forgotten the reason I had invited Jasper and Alice over. Jasper seemed to have a gift for cheering up others, and Alice's old routine of good-naturedly teasing Jacob was back in full swing. I had already had to rock Abby back to sleep because our laughter had woken her up.

Jasper and Alice left around ten. Jacob and I followed them outside to say goodbye, Jasper kissing my cheek and shaking Jacob's hand. Alice gave us both hugs and earned a hair-mussing from Jacob. Surprising me, Jacob put his arm around my shoulders as we waved goodbye to them.

When their car sped away, I turned to Jacob. "Just let me clean up and I'll-"

I was interrupted by a sweet kiss that caught me completely off-guard. "Mmm," I said when we parted. "What was that for?"

"I just love you," he shrugged, making me raise my eyebrows. "Come on, let's go clean up and...maybe watch a movie?"

I nodded and followed him as he hobbled into the house. "Who are you and what have you done with my husband?" I asked only half-jokingly.

He shot me a pained glance. "Bella, honey...come into the house, okay?"

I nodded and stepped into the kitchen with him. I expected him to take a seat and watch me clean up, but he immediately went and grabbed Tupperware containers. I watched in amazement as he put the leftover steamed vegetables away. "Who are you and what have you done with my husband?" I asked again.

His shoulders slumped. "I used to help you all the time," he murmured.

"That's true," I said. "But, I undersand why you haven't been lately, with the crutches and all."

He shook his head and turned around to look at me. "No, that's not a good enough excuse," he said. "Bella..." He sighed and walked to me. "I want to touch you at all times," he murmured.

I accepted his embrace. "Jake," I mumbled into his chest. "Are you okay?"

He kissed the top of my head. "Of course I am. It's just...I was talking to Jasper, and he made me realize how lucky I am to have you."

"You need to talk to Jasper more often," I said, once again only half-jokingly.

"I'm sorry if I've been a bear to live with," he said. "I know it hasn't been easy on you and the kids."

I pulled away and looked at him. "It's fine. Let's just...try to do better, okay? I'll work at being better, too. We still aren't used to living together after so much time apart."

He nodded. "I think you're right. In fact..." He walked to the cabinet and pulled out a bottle of wine. "Let's make a toast."

"Jacob, let's don't drink tonight..."

"Just a sip," he promised me, opening the glass cabinet. "Where is our wedding china?"

"Boxed up," I explained, shifting my feet awkwardly. "When the babies were born, I ran out of cabinet space." Actually, I put away all reminders of our marriage because I was in a relationship with the next door neighbor...

"Hmm," he said absentmindedly. "Well, we don't have any clean glasses, so..." He pulled out two bright sippy cups, without the lids.

I laughed out loud. "You're about to make a toast with Disney Princess and Lightning McQueen sippy cups?"

He grinned his most Jacob-y grin-the one where his eyes crinkled up and he showed all of his teeth. "Hush," he said as he poured a tiny amount of wine into the cups. "Parents do what they can. You can have Sleeping Beauty."

We linked arms. "To our new marriage," he toasted. "We're one of the few lucky couples who gets a second chance."

I nodded, and we sipped our wine. "I feel really silly," I admitted.

He laughed and kissed my lips. "I love you," he mumbled.

"I love you too," I said automatically.

"And I appreciate you," he added.

"I appreciate you, too," I said honestly. "You've been through so much, just to support me and your country. Thank you."

He leaned down and kissed me deeply. I wasn't sure what brought on this sweet mood, but I was going to soak it up. His kisses and embraces had grown scarce.

"Just a minute," I whispered against his lips.

He whimpered in protest.

"Let me clean up," I told him. "Ten minutes to load the dishwasher. Okay, love?"

As soon as that last word left my mouth, my heart sank. Edward had always called me that. That was a Bella-Edward thing.

"Okay," Jacob sighed. "I'll put the food away."

I watched him as I stocked the dishwasher. He worked quickly and efficiently, but I noticed his grimace. When he thought I wasn't looking, he wasn't smiling at all. Was this good mood an act?

What was he trying to cover up?

"I'm going to take out the trash," I stammered. "And then I'll slip into something more comfortable."

He nodded silently. I grabbed the bag and went outside. I squinted as I saw movement by my mailbox, but then I just realized that it was Edward taking his trash out.

"Hey, stranger," he greeted me as I walked his way.

"Hey," I said. "I just had Alice and Jasper over for dinner."

"I noticed," he said. "What was the occasion?"

"Jazz talked to Jacob," I said quietly.

His green eyes lit up. "Did he accomplish anything?"

How utterly sweet and decent of Edward to hope that my husband was okay. He had every right to wish the worst upon Jake and my marriage, but he didn't want meet to hurt because of Jacob, either.

"I don't know," I sighed. "I hope so."

He nodded. "Can I come see the bugs sometime this week?"

For some reason, my heart skipped a beat at his words. "Yeah, definitely," I said. "Anytime you want."

"Are they walking yet?"

I exhaled impatiently. "No! It's driving me crazy!"

He laughed softly. "They're stubborn-just like their mama."

I grinned. "Yeah, you're probably right. I wish I could invite you in for a cup of tea...but Jacob is waiting on me."

He pulled me into a hug. "I am here whenever you need a cup of tea...especially on those days when you need extra sugar in your tea."

I laughed sadly. "Thank you, love."

He stiffened a bit at my verbal slip. I sighed again. "You know what I mean."

"I do know what you mean," he murmured. "I mean it, too."

I pulled away. "I miss you," I admitted.

"I miss you, too." He cloesd his eyes. "This is so hard."

"Yeah," I agreed, my hand lingering on his. "It really is."

He stayed silent for a minute before saying huskily, "You should go back to your famliy now. Jacob needs you."

"Needs me?"

He nodded. "Any sane man who meets you should need you. Perhaps I understand Jacob more than I originally thought."

This conversation was too sad for me, yet I couldn't walk away from him. "Come visit," I begged him, knowing I was treading dangerous waters. "Tomorrow. EJ and Abby miss you so much. Abby tries to hum your Beatles lullaby."

He smiled. "I will. I promise."

A huge grin spread across my face. "I can't wait."

We stared at each other for a few long moments befoe he shifted uncomfortably. "I have to work tomorrow," he said. "So I better turn in."

I nodded sadly. "Good night, Edward."

"Good night, sweetie." He squeezed my hand and walked away.

My eyes filled with tears as I turned back to my house. I immediately noticed that Jake had wiped down the cuonters and table. Sounds of the TV wafted from the living room. I followed them and found Jacob stretched out on the couch.

"Did you have a nice chat?" he asked, catching me a bit off-guard.

"Y-yeah," I said, trying to sound indifferent. "Edward is coming over tomorrow to see EJ and Abby."

Jacob nodded, his eyes pasted to the television screen. "Still up for a movie?"

"Yeah, definitely," I replied. "Let me go change while you pick it out."

I ended up in flannel pajamas and we ended up watching Anchorman. We cuddled together on the couch, but my mind wandered the whole time.

What was Jacob trying to hide with his happy, romantic mood?

Would my feelings for Edward ever dissolve?

How could I handle two loves for two different men? I could never deny that Jacob still had a chunk of my heart.

A quarter of my heart for Edward, a quarter for Jacob, and half for my children.

Would I ever be a complete woman again?