Chapter Twenty-Five

December 2004

"Man, I am fucking tired," Jacob said on a yawn. "It's good to be home for a while."

"Gentlemen," Carlisle said with a sweep of a fake hat, "I'm off to find my wife."

"Amen!" Emmett chimed in.

"At least you get to be with your woman," Jacob said glumly.

"It's not our fault you chose to date a child, Jacob," Edward retorted coolly. "She has a life besides you, you know."

"Edward," Bella chastised quietly. "She is finishing up her modeling contract and coming back to live in Tennessee so she can be near her family."

"If she were near her family, she should be with our parents," he scoffed quietly.

"Do you want to live with your parents?" Bella and Carlisle asked at the same time. They looked at each other and laughed.

Edward shook his head. "Of course I don't begrudge Lynessa the opportunity to get out from under their thumbs, but we all know why she's moving here."

"You say that like it's a bad thing," Jacob said. "But she's moving as much for you and Esme as she is me, Edward."

"I'm still not happy about it."

"It's been over a year, Edward. Get over it," Bella snapped. "Now, if you will excuse me…" and with that, she grabbed her suitcase and marched up the stairs.

"Dude, you so ain't getting any," Emmett said with a grin.

"I'm going out," Jasper said suddenly.

"We just got here," Edward said. "We just got home and you're leaving?"

"I'm going out," Jasper stated flatly. "See you around. Emmett, go home to Rosie and go get you some, my man. Jacob…sorry, dude; you and your hand are going to remain acquainted for a while until Nessie gets here. Me? I'm going to find some pussy."

They watched him go and Edward sighed. "Guess I'll go face the firing squad." He turned and walked up the stairs amid catcalls and whipping sounds. He flipped the other three men the bird as he turned the corner of the staircase, causing them to laugh.

Bella sighed as she walked back downstairs. Edward was sleeping peacefully, but she just couldn't sleep. The stress Edward was under was beginning to affect her. He had to get over this thing with Nessie and Jake. It had been over a year now since he found out. Sure, he seemed okay most of the time, but occasionally he would say stupid stuff like tonight.

She padded down the hallway to the music room. There was a new song bugging her and she was itching to get it out onto paper. She sat before the piano and started humming as her fingers began moving over the keys. She was good with most every instrument, thanks to her mother's very eager, very often, flights of whimsy.

Her mother had talked her into trying the piano together, the guitar, the drums, a very short and aggravating period with the flute, and then the disaster that was the tuba.

A huge array of musical instruments littered their attic in Bella's teen years. All Bella had to do when she was eager to tackle a new instrument was just go up to the attic and pick one. Unfortunately, Renee didn't share her musical inclination and often got frustrated and threw down her instrument with a growl and stomped away, only to try another one a few weeks later.

Bella smiled as she thought of her mother. Since Renee had met Phil, she had been so very happy. That reminded her…she picked up her cell phone from the piano top and dialed a number.

"Swan," the gruff voice answered.

"Hi, Dad," she said with a smile. "You weren't sleeping, were you?"

"Bells! Of course not. I just got home from work, actually."

"You're working too hard."

"Eh, well, nothing to keep me at home…" he said softly.

"Dad…"

"Well, the fact remains…" He paused. "You could come see me, you know."

"Daddy," she said with a smile. "I saw you a few months ago…"

"Out there. You sent me a plane ticket and I came out there. You haven't been here to see me in forever."

"I'm sorry, Dad. Maybe we could come out there and see you soon."

"And by 'we' you mean you and that boy you're seeing?" She could hear the disapproval in his voice.

"Dad, don't start."

"Now, I'm sure this Edwin character is a nice guy, but, honey, he's a musician. They party and drink and whore around…"

"Dad!" she put her head in her hand. "Dad, come on, seriously? We're having this conversation? It's my life."

"As you are wont to remind me," he said flatly. "But that doesn't mean I can't worry about you. You are my daughter, Isabella; of course I'm going to worry about you."

"Don't, Dad. I can handle myself and Edward is a great guy."

"Alright, alright, fine, if you say so." He paused and yawned.

"I need to let you go to bed."

"No, I'm…" he yawned again and she laughed.

"Go to bed, Daddy," she said softly. "I love you. I'll talk to you soon, okay?"

"Goodnight, Princess," he said on another yawn.

She smiled as she flipped her phone shut. She hummed a few bars of her new song when her phone started vibrating again. She looked at the display and smiled. "Hey, Alice, how are you?"

"Bella, I…are you home now?"

Bella's forehead wrinkled. "Are you here in Nashville?"

"Yes. Bella, I need a friend, I need someone to talk to and you're one of my closest friends."

"Of course, Alice, I'm here. Edward's asleep, Jacob's asleep, Jasper's out…

A keening wail came through the phone and Bella said, "Alice, are you sure you can drive?"

"I've got a cab. I'm on my way over there."

"I'll be waiting for you," Bella said. "Just come on." She stood from the piano bench and hurried toward the front door. She had her hand on the handle when it opened, startling her. She jumped and said, "Jasper! You scared me!"

He grinned. "Sorry, darlin'."

"Are you coming in already?"

He laughed. "Don't act so surprised."

She checked her watch. "It's early for you."

He shrugged. "There wasn't much goin' on tonight anyway." What he meant was that he had already spoken to his dealer and gotten his latest stash of drugs.

"Well, I don't mean to be rude, and I know it's your house, but can you go somewhere and stay there?"

His eyebrow rose. "Why? You and Eddie gettin' it on down here or in one of the other rooms of the house?"

She blushed, but said, "No, Alice is on her way over and she's upset. I don't know what's wrong, but she asked if you guys were around and I said you were out and the others are asleep, so…"

His brow furrowed. "Of course I'll stay out of ya'll's way. You just…you look after her, alright?"

She nodded and they both heard a car drive up. Jasper turned and melted into the shadows of the music room.

Bella turned back to the door and opened it. "Alice!" she exclaimed. Alice was always very put-together; her makeup flawless, her hair always meticulously placed, her clothing immaculate…but this was not an Alice that Bella had ever seen. Her hair was hanging longer than usual and limp, she had on no makeup. Her jeans, while still designer, looked like they had been worn for a few days, and she was wearing an old holey tee-shirt. "What is wrong?" Bella asked finally.

"Oh, Bella!" Alice said as she collapsed into Bella's arms. "I'm in such a predicament, I've got such…I'm just…it's…" she began sobbing and Bella put her arm around her.

"Shhh," Bella told her. "Just, let's calm down, alright? Let's sit down and talk a bit. Would you like some whiskey to calm your nerves?"

That only caused Alice to sob even harder.

"Okay…" Bella said. "How about some tea? Would that be better?"

Alice only nodded, so Bella led her into the kitchen and sat her down at the table. Neither spoke as Bella went about fixing the hot water and finding the teabags. Only when she sat the cup before Alice, and had sat down herself, did they speak.

"Want to talk about it?" Bella asked.

Alice took in a deep shuttering breath and did just that…

Flashback:

"No," Jasper said finally.

Alice let out a single sob and said, "Oh, okay…" and she moved toward the door.

He grabbed her hand and pulled her to him. "I didn't say you could leave, darlin'. I said no to fucking you. I won't fuck you. But I will make love with you, just this once."

She gasped and he silenced it by putting his mouth over hers. Even while their lips were attached, he swept her up into his arms and carried her over to the bed.

He placed her on it gently and pulled away enough to smirk. "I like the slummin' look, sugar," he said as he pulled the tee-shirt from her head.

As soon as the cloth cleared her body, her hands went up to his face and she pulled it back down to hers. "I need your mouth to not talk," she said on a growl.

He chuckled and nodded as he dipped down to kiss her all the while his fingers worked the button on her jeans. He moved away only long enough to pull the pants down her legs and then his mouth was on her again. He kissed up her right leg until he reached her center.

"Jas-fuck!" she shouted as he began nipping and suckling her. Her hands fisted in his hair and she screamed as his tongue thrust into her.

She was moaning and bucking her hips uncontrollably as he took her up and over the edge only what seemed like a few moments later.

She was still trembling as he pulled away, shucked his clothes, and came back up to cover her body. He kissed both of her nipples before suckling on her neck. "Jasper…" she panted.

He positioned himself at her entrance and said, "Look at me, Ali. Look at me."

She opened her eyes and they caught the intense sapphire of his. He smiled as he slipped into her and she cried out in pleasure. He moved over her, in her, and all she felt was love emanating from him.

Flashback End

Bella gasped. "You and Jasper?"

Alice nodded with a slight hiccup. "Yeah, and then the next morning, I realized what I'd done and I left…"

"You just left him there? Alice…"

Alice shook her head. "No, Bella…That's not the bad part. I...I cheated on James."

"Oh, Alice," Bella said sadly. If there was one thing she couldn't take was a cheater.

"I know! I know…I just…" she paused. "There is just something about Jasper I can't stay away from. I don't know what it is…"

Bella reached across the table. "Honey, I know that Jasper is very…charismatic, but the fact remains…" Bella bit her lip. "I don't know, maybe it's just me, but I just don't think that Jasper is the best…"

"I'm pregnant, Bella," Alice said softly.

Bella's breath caught and she put a hand to her mouth. "No. Alice, are you sure?"

She shrugged. "I took a test…it came back positive."

"So, it's Jasper's?"

"I don't know whose it is," Alice stated flatly. "I…I had sex with James before Jasper that night."

"Are you sure it was that night?" Bella asked.

"After I…when I got back home, I felt so bad for having sex with Jasper that I haven't let James touch me. I feel bad, he thinks it was something he did while he was drunk and I haven't bothered correcting him."

"Oh, Alice," Bella said again. "Wh-what are you going to do?"

"I…I don't know. I mean, if I stay with James and it turns out to be Jasper's, then James will know and I just don't want to hurt his feelings. I mean, I know I did this, I did wrong. He shouldn't have to pay for my mistake."

"And if you leave him? You know that Jasper isn't in the place for a relationship." Bella reminded her.

"I know, I know."

Bella's voice was gentle as she asked, "Do you have feelings for Jasper, Alice?"

"I don't know," she answered honestly. "I…I think I want to…" She blew out a breath. She loved Jasper, always had, always would, even if she did end up staying with James. She knew it was wrong, stringing James along, but she was terrified of being alone. She was, however, not ready to admit to anyone how much she loved Jasper and just what she would do for him. "I don't know. I think I'd like to review my options."

"You mean…you mean an abortion?"

Alice sighed. "I don't know what I want. But I think I want to go to Planned Parenthood and just…just talk to someone."

It was Bella's turn to blow out a breath. That was not something she would ever choose, but in the same token, she had never been faced with a choice such as this, a situation this horrific before either. "If that's what you want, I'll take you tomorrow."

Alice nodded and sniffled. "Thank you, Bella."

Bella yawned. "Now, I think it's time for bed. The guest room is always ready if you want to sleep there."

"Thank you, Bella, really."

Bella nodded and stood. She made her way upstairs, took off her pajamas, and slid in next to Edward.

His arm went around her. "Hey, everything okay?" he asked sleepily.

Bella sighed and snuggled tighter into his body. "Love me, Edward."

"I do, Bella; you know I do."

She turned him onto his back and straddled his hips. She bent over to kiss his lips. "Make love to me, Edward."

He blinked, waking a bit more. "Bella, love, not that I don't want to, but what is wrong?"

She shook her head. "Nothing. Alice is having trouble with some things and I just…it makes me realize how good we have it."

"Even though we're keeping our relationship secret from the press?" he asked.

She smiled. "Yes, it's better if they think I just tag along because I'm friends with you all."

"I want everyone to know, Bella. I want to walk with you in public and hold your hand. I want to be able to kiss you in a crowd. Is it too much to ask?"

But she was still too scared. Even now, she got a lot of flack for what happened between her and Mike, even though he had moved on, and on, and on to different women since her. She liked being on the outside of the music scene. She wasn't noticed unless she had a hit, and that was how she liked it.

"I promise, Edward, one day we will be able to, just…you know how I hate the crowds and things. I don't like being in the limelight like you do."

It was an old argument, one they'd had multiple times. So, instead of starting it afresh, he pulled her down to him and kissed her again. His semi-hard erection pressed against her naked core. "So, you want this?" he teased.

She smiled and nodded as she rubbed herself against him.

He shivered and hardened further. "You're going to be the death of me, Bella Swan."

She giggled.

The next morning, Bella and Alice set out for the Planned Parenthood offices in town. Jake was the only one up when they left, so when Jasper and Edward both came downstairs an hour or so later, Edward asked, "Where's Bella?"

Jacob looked up from the breakfast Bella had made him before she left and said, "They went to town."

"Who is 'they'?" Jasper asked as he picked up a piece of bacon.

"Bells and Ali-cat."

"Alice was here?" Edward asked.

"She was upset last night," Jasper told him. "I saw Bella when I came in, she was downstairs when I got home and she said Alice was on her way over." He shrugged, playing it off, but the fact remained; he had been more than a little hurt when he had woken up alone the morning after their latest tryst.

He had wanted to…he didn't know what he wanted, but he knew that he needed Alice in some capacity. He needed her to be there with him. At least, he thought he did. His feelings for her weren't quite fully developed, but he knew he cared more for her than he should, especially given the fact that she had a fiancé and also their already turbulent track record with sexual encounters.

"So, where'd they go?" Edward asked as he pulled out a glass from the cabinet.

Jacob swallowed a particularly large bite and said, "They didn't tell me, but I overheard them saying they were going to Planned Parenthood."

Jasper choked on his bacon and Edward dropped the glass he was pouring orange juice into. It shattered upon the floor and he managed, "Wh-what?"

Jacob shrugged. "I heard them say something specifically about going to the Planned Parenthood office." He looked at them. "You don't think either of them is knocked up, do you?"

Edward paled, thinking about what Bella had said to him last night and Jasper had gone weak-kneed as he remembered the fact that he didn't wear a condom with Alice. "Oh, god," they said in unison. "What? Why are you worried?" they said again in unison.

Jacob laughed. "Looks like somebody's got some explaining to do." He stood and stretched. "Well, it's about time for Nessie to be up out in Malibu, I'm going to give her a call."

Jasper and Edward just looked at each other.

A few hours later, a very tired and very stressed looking Bella walked in and fell onto the couch. Jacob was once more there and said, "Hey, Bells, you knocked up?"

She just looked at him. Jacob never was one for tact. "What are you talking about?"

"I overheard you and Alice talking about going to Planned Parenthood…"

"Oh my God. You didn't tell anyone, did you?"

He looked at her confused. "Well, yeah, Edward wanted to know where you were and I told him…"

"But Jasper doesn't know?"

"He was there too…"

"Oh shit," she said as she stood.

She walked out into the hallway…and directly into Edward. He grasped her arms to keep her from falling. "Bella! Please, please tell me you didn't go through with it without telling me. I mean, I know you want to keep our relationship a secret, but…"

She just looked at him in confusion. "Edward, what are you…?"

"The abortion. You didn't, did you?"

"Me? You thought we were going for me?"

His eyes grew wide. "You mean, Alice?"

She nodded sadly. "Yeah, we did."

They heard a howl of pain and a saw a blur of blond hair as Jasper ran past them and out the door.

"Jasper…" Bella started. She ran after him. "Jasper! Wait!" She tried to catch him, but he'd left his motorcycle at the door and all he had to do is jump on it. He was down the drive before she cleared the front door.

Edward caught up with her. "Bella, what's going on?"

"Oh, Edward. Jasper…Alice…I have to call her." She dashed back into the house to find her purse where her cell phone was.

"Why, Bella? What happened?"

"I think Jasper thinks that Alice had an abortion."

"Why would he care?"

"They had unprotected sex about two months ago."

"I thought she was with James."

Bella sighed. "She is, Edward. Keep up. She cheated on James with Jasper and wasn't sure who the baby's father was."

"So…she's pregnant and didn't have an abortion?"

Bella shook her head as she dialed Alice's number. It went to voicemail. "Alice, for the love of God; call me back. Jasper found out. I don't know how much he heard, but I'd bet money he's coming over there. Ali…I'm sorry. I didn't get to tell him everything or I could have saved you some heartache and confusion." She took a breath. "Call me later, okay?"

She snapped the phone closed and Edward just looked at her. "Well?"

"She didn't have an abortion."

"She's going to have the baby?"

Bella shook her head. "She was never pregnant. She took a test and it was a false-positive. The doctor at the clinic said she must have missed her period because she's so under so much stress. And it's true; between the lying and the cheating and the…" she had almost told Edward that she believed Alice loved Jasper, but she held that in. It wasn't her secret to share. Bella's shoulders slumped. "She was going over to tell James the truth about everything."

"And Jasper's on his way over there right now?"

"Yes."

"Oh, fuck."