BPOV

I fiddled with the delicate gold chain resting in my neck and I steered my car up the Cullen's winding driveway. I was acutely aware of the way the deep black satin material of my wrap dress fit on my body. It fell a couple of inches above my knees and hugged my form in all of the right places.

Dinner at the Cullen's has never been a jeans and a t-shirt sort of occasion. Esme has always insisted on semi-formal attire.

As I approached the top of the driveway I spotted Jasper's car parked near the garage. A brief smile crossed my face as my mind flashed back to his comforting words. I put the car in to park and rested my head against the seat, not feeling entirely ready to go inside yet.

It had taken me a while to recover from Edward's outburst. It seemed as though everyday, we were complicating our relationship further and further. And after this afternoon, I'm not sure how he's going to treat me tonight. I'm not sure how I should treat him either.

A loud rap on my window shocked me out of my musings. I jumped and my eyes flew open, only to meet the toasty brown eyes of my mother-in-law. A bright smile broke out across her face, and it was infectious. Despite my emotions, I couldn't help but smile back. I gathered my purse and she backed away from the door so I could get out.

She opened her arms to me and I nearly collapsed into them. Her small hands rubbed my back in gentle circles.

"Bella, honey I feel as if I haven't seen you in ages."

I nodded as I pulled out of her embrace, "I know, I'm sorry we missed the last few dinners."

She hooked her arm through mine and began leading me toward the house, "Nonsense honey, I'm just happy you're here now," she paused as we approached the steps to the front door, "Edward didn't come with you."

It was more of a statement than a question. I cringed internally, before collecting myself and responding, "Ah, no," I cleared my throat, "He had to work."

She pursed her lips and nodded her head slowly, "This late on a Sunday?" Her eyes wandered over my expression, looking for any crack in my facade.

Determined not to show the truth, I gave her a warm smile and hummed in confirmation, "He'll be here soon, I'm sure."

Esme gave my arm a gentle squeeze before continuing on into the house. I know she didn't believe me but she was kind enough not to press the matter. The smell of lasagna and garlic bread invaded my senses as we made our way back to the kitchen. "It smells incredible in here Es. You must have been in the kitchen all day."

She flashed me a wink and pushed a glass of what I knew was Chardonnay, in my direction. "Drink up, dear. You look like you need it."

My smile was weak and I was about to accept her offer when Carlisle strode into the room.

His hairline was peppered with grey, but he was still as handsome as ever. Edward had so much of his father in him. His smile was bright, "There's my favorite daughter." He pulled me into a warm embrace.

I laughed lightly at him, "I'm not so sure that counts, I'm your only daughter."

He smiled down at me but remained quiet as he moved over to the oven. He had always been a man of few words. I watched as his hand seemed to instinctually caress the small of Esme's back as he moved behind her. She leaned into him and it almost seemed subconscious. They moved as one.

It was a bittersweet thing to watch. Edward and I used to have that magnetism. We were always perfectly in sync.

A wave of pain washed over me at the thought and I turned my attention away, lifting the wine glass off the counter and to my lips.

I sensed a presence coming into my periphery and jumped, the glass nearly slipping out of my grasp. I rested my free hand over my now racing heart. My gaze landed on the curly haired figure that had just appeared. I giggled almost hysterically, and set my glass down, "Jasper!"

Esme and Carlisle's laughter rang out behind us, as they watched our exchange.

Jasper's laughter was hearty and inviting, as he pulled me into a strong hug. I wrapped my arms around his torso and squeezed him tightly. He was dressed in dark wash blue jeans and a soft blue button down shirt. He leaned away, and dragged his hands to my forearms. His voice was tender, "Are you okay? I tried calling but-."

I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth and I nodded at him, "I slept through it."

His fingers roamed in small, controlled circles, over the the sleeves of my dress.

The corner of his mouth hitched up on one side, "I figured as much. You've always slept like the dead, Swan."

A giggle escaped my lips and I shook my head slowly at him, "Not true. You were practically drooling on me the other night."

Amusement swam in Jasper's eyes as he opened his mouth to respond. Before he could utter a word, his expression evaporated and I saw his eyes widen and focus on something over my shoulder. HIs fingers stilled on my wrist and he squeezed, almost apologetically, before releasing me and taking an assured step back.

I turned my gaze over my shoulder, only to find Edward frozen still in the entry way to the kitchen. His trim body was dressed in deep black jeans and a forest green crewneck sweater. His entire form was tense and his facial expression was filled with fury.

My brain finally caught up to the circumstances and the way mine and Jasper's interaction must have come across.

I opened my mouth to speak as I took a step in his direction, "Edw-".

At the sound of my voice, Edward's hawk-like eyes shot away from his brother and landed directly on me.

My mouth snapped shut at the harsh look in his eyes and I watched as he drank me in slowly. The look on his face made it crystal clear to me, and everyone else in the room, that he had heard every word of Jasper and I's exchange.

Edward's eyes danced away from me and back to his original target. His mouth screwed up into a cruel sneer and he mumbled something that obviously was not meant for anyone else to hear. In a few large and determined steps, he was standing directly in front of me. His eyes searched mine, and his expression lightened marginally.

It didn't escape me that since Edward's entrance, the kitchen had fallen silent.

His voice was soft and warm as honey as he addressed me, "I went back to the house to get you, but you were gone. You left earlier than I thought, baby." Caressing the back of my neck and threading his lean fingers through my hair, he bent down to press a chaste but firm kiss to my lips.

A flash of irritation surged through my body as Edward leaned back just far enough to take a deeper inventory of my face. I blinked a few times, trying to clear my head enough to give him a response that was diplomatic enough for the other sets of ears in the room, "I wasn't how sure how long you'd be working tonight, the note you left didn't say. I didn't want to be late."

He eyed me and I could see the pain simmering just beneath the surface, "I should've called."

I nodded and gave him a tense smile. The corner of his lips turned up, a weak imitation of smile, and he ran his fingers down to my hip and gave a gentle squeeze.

Gracefully, Esme broke the tension, "Edward, honey!"

Edward's attention shifted to his mother and the most breathtaking, genuine, smile spread across his face, "Hi, Ma." He moved past me to give his mother a proper greeting and a hug.

I let out a sigh of relief as Edward spoke lowly with his parents. It had been a long time since they had seen each other and I wanted to give them a moment to themselves. I also needed a moment to myself to calm down before I was stuck a dinner table with my husband and Jasper. Quietly, I moved into the dining room and started setting the table.

I was in the middle of folding the charcoal grey colored napkins when he entered the room.

"Need some help, Swan?"

I glanced up from my task and shot Jasper a half-hearted smile, "Could you grab the glasses for me?"

He nodded and shuffled behind me toward the China cabinet. I was leaning over the table when Jasper bumped me with enough force to cause me to brace myself on the table. I gasped, mostly out of surprise, my mind had been wandering and his touch nudged me back to reality. He laid a hand on my shoulder, standing directly behind me as I raised to my full height, "Sorry, I didn't mean to-" I leaned back into his chest for the briefest moment, silencing him. I just needed a second of comfort. I heard him swallow hard, "Tell me, Bella-" I shook my head at his words and shuffled away from him, laying out the rest of the silverware.

We worked together in silence for the next couple of minutes before the rest of the family started to file in. Edward and Carlisle were carrying dishes of food, while Esme carried the wine.

Carlisle sat at the head of the table with Esme to his left. Jasper took the seat next to his mother while Edward sat across from his mother and I sat next to him. Dinner had passed quietly and we were nearly done when Carlisle spoke up, "Jasper, have you thought any further about the transfer?"

Shocked at Carlisle's statement, I fixed my gaze across the table at Jasper, who was beginning to shift nervously in his seat. He took a hesitant drink of wine before answering his father, all while maintaining eye contact with me. "No dad, not really. I've had a lot on my plate."

Carlisle hummed before responding, "I think a change of scenery would be good for you. The Oregon coast is beautiful."

Esme's wind-chime like voice wafted through the air, "Are you having second thoughts honey?" Carlisle compounded Esme's question, "The offer expires soon, son."

Jasper shrugged passively and continued to watch me as he responded, "I just haven't made up my mind yet."

Esme's smile was endearing, but she didn't push the matter any further. I, on the other hand, was nearly choking on my bite of food. I didn't even know he had an offer, let alone considering it. As if I needed any further evidence of how out of touch I've been. I looked away from Jasper and back to my plate, as the dark thoughts invaded my mind.

Eager to remove myself from the situation, I patted my mouth with my napkin and raised myself out of my seat, "I'll start on the dishes."

Esme began to stand but I stopped her, "Please Es, I've got it. You relax."

She smiled gratefully and relaxed back into her seat, "You're a dear."

Sending her a brief smile I began collecting the dishes around me. As I grabbed the plates, Carlisle excused himself to the study for a cigar. Edward said he would join him momentarily. Quickly, I stacked what I could and carried them into the kitchen. I set them in the sink and as I did, the rest of the dishes appeared on the counter beside me.

Edward was stood next to me, wearing a distant but hesitant expression, "I'll dry."

I nodded without words and turned the water on. As I began soaping up the cloth I could feel my breaths became short and quick, and I felt the tears begin to pool along my lash line. Between being blind sided by Jasper's potential relocation and my crumbling marriage, I had definitely had enough for one day. I tried to blink away the tears but I wasn't fooling anyone. I especially wasn't fooling the man next to me.

Edward wrapped his lean fingers around my wrist and gently patted my hands dry with the dish cloth. He tugged me away from the counter to face him. My vision was blurred as I met his concerned gaze. He pulled me into his chest and placed a soft kiss to the top of my head, "What is it, Bella?"

I shrugged my shoulders in a feeble manner and buried my face further into his chest and mumbled, "It's nothing, I'm just a little tired."

I felt his voice radiate through his chest as he spoke and rubbed my shoulders, "Talk to me, babygirl."

I pushed away from him and studied his expression, "What is with you?", I pushed my fingers through my hair and took a short step backwards, my voice came out a sharp hiss, "One minute you're storming out of house and then you show up here and put on that performance of adoration in front of your family?" Angrily I swiped the tears that had spilled over and continued on, "Which one is it?"

My husband's deep green eyes narrowed in my direction, "Make no mistake, I am absolutely infuriated with you, but contrary to what you seem to believe, I don't want to see you hurting."

The sound of footfalls moved toward the kitchen and I focused my gaze past Edward, to find Carlisle entering the kitchen. He held a glass of what I assumed was whiskey in his right hand and raised an eyebrow in my direction, "Will you be joining us for a cigar, Bella?"

Edward's shoulders tensed, knowing that this was his cue to follow his father, who I knew for a fact had a few choice words for him, just based on his tone alone.

I pulled my lips into a tight smile and shook my head, "I think I'll pass tonight."

Edward gave me a final dark look before he turned on his heels and followed Carlisle out of the kitchen.

Determined to hide my tear filled eyes from anymore prying eyes, I turned my attention back to the sink and busied myself washing the dishes. I was nearly finished when Jasper leaned on the counter next to me. He reached over the sink and turned the water off, forcing my attention off of my task and to him. I dried my hands on the dish towel and leaned my hip against the sink, facing him.

Jasper spoke first, "Esme went next door, she's been trading cobbler recipes with the neighbor."

I hummed softly and nodded, "I'll have to take some notes before I leave," I paused and held his eyes, "So Oregon, huh?"

He squeezed his deep orbs shut momentarily before answering, "I wanted to know what you thought about it. I was going to mention it the other night but the moment never really presented itself."

I groaned softly, "I know, I'm sorry I didn't even give you the chance to tell me what was going on with you I was so absorbed-"

Jasper reached out and slung his arm around my neck and pulled me to him, "Don't apologize to me Bella," he pressed a warm kiss to my temple and released me, "You have nothing to be sorry for."

Unconvinced, I responded anyway, "How long do you have to make a decision?"

He shrugged slowly, "Next Monday."

My eyebrows darted up toward my hairline, "That soon."

Jasper took a deep breath and studied me for a moment before answering me, "I want to talk to you about it without the implied pressure of my family around," he swallowed, "Can we get lunch sometime this week?"

Finally, I felt my mouth stretch into a real but still reserved smile, "Of course Jas, I'm just sorry I've been so absent."

A melancholy expression crossed his features and settled into his eyes as he addressed me, "When have I ever held anything against you?"

Taken aback by his words and the facial expression that accompanied them, I bit my lip and pushed my hair behind my ears, "What's that supposed to mean?"

He shrugged his shoulders quickly and moved away from me to start drying the dishes I had left in the rack. I watched his shoulders slump as he moved around the kitchen. His entire energy seemed to have changed after his final words to me. I didn't have much time to contemplate the shift as I heard Edward and Carlisle's booming laughter echoing down the hallway. Before they reached the room I caught Jasper by the top of his arm, "I know you're upset with me," I paused for a moment, "And you have every right to be. I haven't been a good friend to you."

He shook his head, lifting my hand from his arm and rested it against his chest. His smile was genuine but his eyes told a different story.

Suddenly the voices halted and silenced in the doorway. I turned to find Edward and his father stood in the doorway. Carlisle's expression was blank, void of any emotion. Edward's on the other hand, was filled with rage. I could see his cheeks beginning to tinge red.

Immediately, I tugged my hand out of Jasper's grasp and let it fall to my side. Carlisle cleared his throat and excused himself from the room with a brief smile, but not before mumbling something in Edward's ear.

Jasper spoke up before I did, eyeing his brother, "You look like you had one too many."

Despite Jasper's comment, Edward never took his eyes off of me. I began to squirm uncomfortably under his heated gaze. I know that look in his eyes. My voice came out strong, "Yes it does. Come on Liebe, let's get you home." The subconscious term of endearment rolled off my tongue without my noticing. I started calling him that right after our engagement. His pine eyes widened when he heard it, probably out of shock because I had stopped calling him that when things began to go south between us.

I walked over to him and raised my hand to his cheeks, cradling his face between my palms. His eyes were clouded with alcohol, leaving me to wonder how much he had to drink after dinner, "I'll drive us home. Jasper will follow us in your car and I'll bring him back here. Okay?"

I glanced back at Jasper, silently asking if that were okay. As the corner of his mouth lifted in the affirmative, I turned back to face my husband.

Edward's nod was hollow, but he pushed my hands off of his cheeks with a ferocity that was only present when he had been drinking. My mouth gaped for a moment before he reached up and pinched my chin between his thumb and forefinger. He mumbled words that were unintelligible.

My eyes hardened as I whispered, "You're drunk. Come on." I moved out of his grasp and past him into the foyer, slipping my shoes on and setting Edward's out in front of me. Jasper trailed behind me with Edward in his wake. I watched as Edward stumbled into his wingtips and handed his keys to Jasper, "Not one scratch."

Jasper rolled his eyes and snatched the keys from his brother's grasp, "Yes, dad."

The drive home was silent but the tension in the car was palpable and crackling between us. Edward was sat stiff in the passenger seat, his body barely shifting as we pulled into the driveway. I killed the engine and had moved to get out of the car with every intention of helping him into the house, when strong, lean fingers wrapped around my wrist, pinning me in the seat.

I whipped my head in his direction, irritation seeping through my veneer.

Edward grit his teeth together as his eyes darted to the headlights approaching us in the driveway. He looked me over, lingering on my lips before speaking, "Don't be long."

I squirmed away from his touch before replying, with a stiff nod, "I won't."

He sent me a half hearted smile and began easing his way out of the car. Jasper approached the passenger door and I watched as he returned Edward's keys. As his fingers wrapped around them he yanked Jasper closer. The two were clearly exchanging harsh words, but they kept their voices too low for me to hear.

After a few moments, I watched as Edward stalked toward our home, and Jasper quietly slid into the seat next to me. I waited until I saw my husband's figure disappear safely inside the house before I started the engine and began backing out of the driveway.

"Do I want to know?"

The air Jasper released was short, but enough to let me know he was fairly upset, "No, probably not."

I hummed and focused my attention out of the windshield. The rest of the car ride back to his parents house was eerie and usually quiet, especially for me and Jasper. Unfortunately, I had already grown accustom to tense rides with his brother.

After another few minutes of driving, I pulled into the driveway and allowed the car to idle behind Jasper's. I rotated my body to face his, "Whatever he said to you, I apologize on his behalf. This is why I don't like when he drinks like that."

His eyes flickered over me briefly before he settled on my eyes, "Do you ever get tired of it?"

Confused, I raised an eyebrow at him, "Of the drinking?", I paused and shrugged, "He doesn't over do it or anything, it's just when he drinks he gets a little-"

Jasper's angry tone cut the air, "No, Bella. Not the drinking, the excuses. Do you ever get tired of making excuses for him?"

I snapped my jaw shut, completely taken aback at not only his words but his harsh tone. It took a few moment for me to collect myself before I mustered up a response, "I don't want to get into this with you. It's late, we both need to get home and get some sleep."

He huffed and watched me closely, "I'm not trying to hurt your feelings, Swan. I just need you to see what's in front of you."

"Goodnight, Jasper."

He groaned quietly but took the hint and got out of the car, heading to his own.

—

As soon as I arrived back home, my mind spinning, I pushed my way inside and made a beeline for the staircase. As I entered our bedroom I began stripping out of my outfit. I wandered into the shower and turned the water as hot as I could handle it.

My shower lasted a half hour past what was necessary but the nerve calming effect was priceless. After thoroughly rinsing the conditioner from my hair, I wrapped my robe around my body and padded out into the bedroom. I was startled by the sight of Edward sitting at the foot of the bed. He was balancing a short glass of dark liquid between his fingers and he head was bowed low. His elbows were rested on his widespread knees. The bottle of nearly half empty offensive liquid was sat next to his right foot.

I approached him with caution, "Edward?"

He raised his head to face me, he held an angry expression on his face. He took a drink and I know his beverage of choice is bitter but he didn't even flinch.

I swallowed, tightening my robe around my body, feeling too exhausted to have the argument that I know Edward spent the last hour preparing.

He drained the rest of his beverage and raised to his full height, wobbling slightly on his way, "When I opened that front door and saw him that close to you, holding your hands, you have no idea what ran through my mind. You were so beautiful, in that dress. I should have told you that earlier," He paused and rotated the glass in his hands, "It hugged your body in all the right ways. I wanted nothing more than to take you right there, on the countertop. Jasper, my family, be damned," he paused and darted his tongue over his lips, "But do you want to know what else I saw?" He approached me slowly, "That Jasper wanted you just as badly as I did."

I rolled my eyes, "Christ, Edward. Not only is that not true, but do you always have to be so crude?"

He paused, dragging his deep green orbs over my hips, effectively ignoring my words, "I heard every word. Did he have you, Bella?"

I narrowed my eyes at him, taking a bold step in his direction, "Is this the shit you were spewing to Jasper before we left?"

His jaw was full of tension, "I know what I saw."

I shook my head at him and snatched the glass out of his hands, "No, you don't," I met his eyes and jabbed the glass in his direction for emphasis, "And enough of this."

Stepping past him, I grabbed the bottle up off the floor and spun on my heel marching out of the bedroom, down the steps, and into the kitchen. I set both items in the sink and braced myself against the stainless steel surface, taking a steadying breath.

After a few moments of peace, my head was still spinning at Edward's blatant accusation and I headed back to the bedroom. Edward had both hands stuffed in the pockets of his pants and his unfocused, nearly bloodshot eyes were trained on me.

I paused in the doorway, deciding I couldn't stand to be any closer to him. "Do you have any idea how you sound right now?"

I saw the beginning of moisture forming in his eyes, he cleared his throat and straightened his shoulders, "I sound like a man who doesn't want to lose his wife. A man who can feel her slipping out of his grasp."

His words made my heart ache even more than before. I combed my fingers through my hair, pushing it out of my face. My voice wavered as I spoke, "Then stop pushing me away. Stop coming in at three o'clock in the morning, stop making me wonder where you are, if you're safe," the next words became caught in my throat. I never got them out, but the look in his eyes tells me he knew where I was going.

I watched as he ground his jaw and studied me with tortured eyes.

I glanced over at the clock resting on the nightstand realizing it was nearing midnight, "I have another early morning."

Apology was evident in his eyes, he knew he had gone too far. He stepped toward me, reaching a hand in my direction but I backed away even further into the hallway, "Edward, please don't. I'm going to sleep in the guest room," I met his eyes with a harsh gaze, "Alone."

He nodded his head at me, and I headed down the hallway to our only other bedroom. Overwhelmed and empty, I climbed into the full sized bed and fell into a restless, dreamless, sleep.

A/N: Thanks so much for reading.