EPOV

My birthday seemingly goes off without a hitch. I'm having a great time, and everyone else is enjoying themselves. Jasper stops by for about an hour to see my parents and drop off a gift, but he doesn't bring Alice, and he doesn't linger.

My friends are coming and going, and I'm caught up in so many conversations, jokes, and fun that I feel a little overwhelmed at one point and escape out to the front porch for a breather. I'm sitting on the top step, sipping a beer, when I hear the door open behind me. I expect to see Bella plop down beside me, but instead, Rose gracefully sits down and clinks her beer bottle with mine.

"Happy Birthday," she says and takes a long drink.

We're quiet for a few minutes, and I realize that I enjoy Rose's company. She's steady and calm, although, she has a fun, wild side. She's even-keeled, which is a vast difference from what I've had to deal with over the past ten years with Alice.

"You're good for her," I say suddenly. "Bella, I mean."

"Funny, I was thinking the same thing."

We laugh. "I'm serious though. She's down to earth and level headed. She knows how to have fun, but I get the feeling she's been basically babysitting Alice all these years. You're good for her; she doesn't have to worry how high or low your moods are going to swing." I take a good look at Rose, and she smiles.

"She's good people. I always liked her but sort of kept her at arm's length," Rose tells me and bumps her shoulder with my own.

"Why?"

"Oh, you've met Alice, right? Crazy usually follows crazy, and that girl is a whole bucket full of it." Rose laughs but sobers up really quickly. "Look, I know it's not common knowledge yet, but I know about Alice and Jasper."

"Did Bella tell you?" I sigh. When Jasper came by, he and Bella had a quick conversation about him staying at her place this week. She offered her place because she's planning to stay with me and my parents. I'm more worried about what happens after this week is over.

"Yeah. I saw them talking, and I asked. It's terrible, but I'm not surprised." She says it so bluntly I give her a double-take.

"You're not surprised that she was cheating or not surprised that it was with a woman?"

Rose waves me off. "I couldn't care less who it was. Anyone with two eyes could see that she hasn't been happy … she's moody, she always has to be in control. She dictates Jasper's entire existence. She lies to herself …"

"What are you talking about?" I set down my bottle and focus on my friend.

"So, Bella caught her a month ago?"

"Yeah, thereabouts."

"I went with Alice to a dress fitting last week."

"Jesus. Is she really acting like everything is fine?" I sigh, dropping my head into my hands.

"Well, a week ago, everything still was." Rose pushes off my shoulder to stand up. "I really don't want to show up to a wedding where no one gets married."

I hear her walk into the house.

"That'd be a real shame," I mutter to myself.

After the last guests have left, I'm sitting on the back patio with my mom while Bella and my dad play backgammon in the kitchen. Bella got a little too much sun and developed a migraine. She's taken some medicine, but it's still a little warm out for her.

"You've been quiet for a few hours." Mom isn't looking at me, but when I glance over, her lips curve up into a smile over her wine glass.

"I had a great time today. I'm really glad you two are here." I move from the seat across from her to next to her. She drapes an arm around me.

"We're so proud of you. And we're so happy that you're happy." We both look over through the slider door to see Bella and my dad talking animatedly.

"I thought those two would get along," I say, turning back to look at my mom. "And Bella told me she really likes you."

She nods but says nothing for a few minutes. "She's special." She turns to look at me. "Can I tell you something that might freak you out?"

I chuckle lightly; my mother has never shied away from discussing anything with me … ever. But the mere fact that she's warning me has me more worried than anything she could ever tell me.

"What is it?"

"Well, when Bella went with me to pick up your gift, I saw her admiring something …"

"Jewelry? She liked a piece of jewelry? That doesn't freak me out." I nudge her gently.

"It was a ring, Edward."

I mull that over. "What did it look like?"

She pulls her phone out of her pocket, opening her photos and showing me a vintage ring. Mom doesn't say anything as I stare at the photo, lost in the image of it gracing Bella's hand.

I can't think of a single reason why it shouldn't be there.

"Oh, I know that look. Edward, I wasn't implying anything"

"Yes, you were." I hand her phone back to her, smiling slyly. "It's beautiful, but not right now."

"There's my sensible boy." She pats my knee and stands. "Why don't we go check on those two before they spill all of our secrets?"

I nod, watching her walk inside. She hugs my father from behind and laughs at something Bella is saying. I stand up, grateful for the sight before me when Bella looks out the window and smiles at me, waving me inside.

In the short time we've been together, she's given me so much more than I could have anticipated: happiness, excitement, laughter. She rounds me out and completes me in a way I thought only possible in movies.

As I walk into the house, I know exactly what I want for my future. And it's right there in front of me.