Bella

Weeks went by and Easter was here before I knew it.

Jasper and Edward invited us to a get-together with their family and colleagues from work. This time Paul had agreed to come and promised he would after work so I tried to hold onto the hope that he would pull through...

Charlie had already made plans with his best friend, Billy Black, on the rez to watch a game so I didn't insist. I knew guy time was always important to my dad, especially when it came to beers, fish fry, and football. It was one of the things I liked about my dad. He was a simple man who always followed a routine that worked for him. It was his way of coping I suppose, after mom died.

After an hour and still nothing, I didn't hold my breath that Paul would make it. It made me feel incredibly guilty for being so bitter towards my husband when he didn't truly do anything wrong but...

Lately I wasn't so sure anymore. I loved him and then other times I feared him, loathed when he lied or didn't keep his promises. At the same time I saw he was the same kid I grew up with—protective and hardworking. A good man. So how is it that I can feel one way about him and completely hate what I see the next day?

For the dinner party tonight, I'd chosen a light blue rose printed midi dress that accentuated my curves while was still modest, and opted for simple short heels, seeing as I didn't want to trip and fall in front of so many people. I kept my long hair in loose waves that curled around my waist and applied a bit of mascara.

When I walked over to Edward and Jasper's with blueberry cream cheese danishes I'd baked for dessert, I wasn't surprised to find Jasper was already opening the door for me before I could ring the doorbell.

"You look beautiful," he'd whispered into my ear as he took the dish from me and smirked, leaving me blushing ten shades darker once again.

"And you are a shameless flirt," I nudged him and Jasper only let out a deep throaty laugh that danced across my skin, making me feel warm and content.

Edward had been no better when he snuck up on me in the kitchen after offering to help Jasper prepare what was left of the glazed ham. He placed a quick kiss on my cheek before reaching over and grabbing a few glasses from the cupboard in front of me.

"In case you didn't already know, you look stunning, love."

"Jasper already pointed that out to me, but thank you," I giggled when he made to tease me again, reaching a hand out to tug on one of my curls between his fingers. I gently shoved him away from me. "Go away so I can finish this ham!"

"Yes, ma'am." He said but not before kissing the other side of my cheek. Making me blush all over again.

Damn them both.

"Paul isn't here yet?" Carlisle wondered as he handed me a glass of sparkling wine while we were all seated on the back porch having dinner.

I shook my head as I thanked him for the drink, "Not yet. He must be held up at work."

I noticed Edward was standing in the garden with two of his friends, beer in hand and a breathtaking smile etched across his lips as one of them said something funny.

Jasper wasn't too far away, entertaining a few of his coworker's kids by helping them hunt down eggs the mom's asked to hide. By the looks of his rolled up sleeves and a basket he held for one of the kids who toddled along behind him, I'd say he was having a lot of fun.

My heart warmed at the sight of them. Feeling incredibly lucky to have both of them in my life at the moment.

Edward seemed to sense my gaze as he looked up and directed a crooked grin my way before mouthing, "You having a good time?"

I nodded and mouthed back, "The best."

He rolled his eyes at me, clearly amused by my answer as he knew I didn't particularly enjoy parties or crowded places and knew I only came to these functions because he and Jasper wouldn't let me live it down if I didn't. Didn't mean I wasn't having fun though. The more I got to know them and their families, the more comfortable I was becoming.

Today I met Jasper's colleague Dr. Rosalie Hale. She was wonderful, albeit a little intimidating with her sharp blue eyes and striking beauty. But once we got to talking, I found myself hoping we could become friends too. Her husband Emmett—the department's head of pediatrics—was quite the comedian and we all found ourselves laughing uncontrollably at his stories.

The chief of surgery and a close friend of Carlisle's, Marcus Valentin, was pleasant and very interesting as well. With plenty of stories of his own to share before receiving a call and excusing himself for the rest of the evening.

"Well, hopefully he'll be here soon, or the food will be gone with Emmett around." Carlisle joked but some thing told me he was genuinely concerned as he patted my hand.

I glanced down at my watch and couldn't hide the disappointment on my face.

He was two hours late.

I quickly excused myself from the table and squeezed by between the chairs and wall before slipping into the kitchen. I dialed Paul's number and it only rang twice before going to voicemail.

I left him a concerned albeit aggravated message before hanging up.

"Everything okay?" I jumped slightly and turned to find Edward leaning against the doorframe, his long legs crossed at the ankle while he tilted his head to the side. A bronze lock of his hair fell over his temple and I had the strangest urge to brush it back with my fingers.

I shrugged and waved my phone in my hand, "Voicemail. Looks like he's still at work. Sorry he never comes to these dinners."

"No, love. Don't apologize. I'm sorry that things aren't going well between you two." He said, pushing away from the doorframe and closing the distance to wrap his arms around me.

I smiled into his chest, loving the hugs he always gave me. They were warm and comforting, reminding me of the way my mother used to hug me when I was a kid. That feeling of...home.

Edward was quiet for a long while before finally saying, "You deserve a lot better from him."

I blinked, surprised by his statement when it was usually Jasper who had something to say about Paul's behavior. Edward was normally beside me, gentle and kind as always and never trying to insist on pushing a subject if I wasn't ready to talk about it.

I gladly accepted his embrace by holding onto him, shutting my eyes and wondering when was the last time Paul had hugged me on his own. Not to seek sex but to simply hold me.

Nothing came to mind.

I hated myself for constantly comparing him to others. Mainly the way Jasper and Edward were together. Not just a couple but best friends, a family.

"I don't know what to do, Edward. I'm so...lonely. Even when I'm with him." My hands closed around his shirt and I let myself open up to him, to be vulnerable and not pretend to be alright all the time. "Why can't he understand that? Am I selfish?"

Edward cupped the back of my head, his fingers sinking into my hair and gently rubbing my scalp. I sighed into his touch and he tensed for a second, "No...you're not selfish, Bella. It's normal to feel this way. Maybe try talking to him tonight when he gets home and try to find a way to work things out together. He should be able to understand if you open up to him completely like you're doing with me now."

I breathed out, "Thank you for being so kind to me. I don't know what I'd be doing without you or Jasper."

Edward smiled, wiping away the tears that rolled down my cheeks with the back of his hand.

"We feel the same way about you, Bells. Truly. You mean a lot to us, don't doubt that. Okay?"

After listening to Edward's advice and feeling wholly secure in my friendship with him and Jasper—the only two people who seemed to truly know me in this moment—I slapped on a bright smile and made to join the others on the back porch again.

An hour later, the doorbell rang and I stood up at the same time Edward and Jasper did. We laughed when we all decided to go to the front door together, hoping it was the missing guest we'd all been waiting for.

Jasper and Edward hung back as I opened the door and I saw my husband leaning against the railing of the front porch. I immediately knew something was wrong when he granted me a lazy grin, his eyes glassy, "There's my wife!"

He stumbled forward and ran straight into me, nearly knocking me over. I gasped as I lost my footing and had it not been for two strong hands on my back, I would have fallen.

"Paul..."

Paul nuzzled my cheek and the stench of beer and smoke invaded my space. I grimaced as he slurred, "Happy to see me?"

"You're drunk."

"No, baby! I'm not drunk," he said before snaking his hands around my waist, trailing them down. Oh my god. "I came for my woman." I stiffened as his hands squeezed my backside before giving it a suggestive pat. He whispered into my ear and my skin flooded with goosebumps, my face flushing with embarrassment. "I need to fuck you."

I think I'm going to be sick.

I lightly pushed him away and tucked myself close to his side, "Alright, let's get you home."

I stumbled when he swayed and before I could take another step, I was eased away from Paul by a gentle, yet firm hand on my shoulder.

Jasper and Edward replaced me and grabbed Paul's arms, hoisting them over their shoulders without so much as a word. They both had grim expressions on their faces as they hauled him up.

"Here, let's help you get him home, okay? Don't want you falling in those heels." Edward suggested as Paul slumped against the two men, clearly incapable of taking another step forward. I have no idea how he got home in the first place nor did I want to imagine him swerving on the roads.

Jasper didn't so much as look in Paul's direction, his stone blue eyes simmering as he looked straight ahead.

Edward might be giving me a small smile to reassure me but I could see the worry in his emerald eyes too.

Tears filled mine as I trailed behind them—mortified and sadder than I ever thought I'd be. Because of the man I never thought would make me feel this way, worst of all I didn't know how to fix it. Didn't know if I wanted to fix it.

Once Jasper and Edward settled Paul onto the couch in our home, I walked them back out. My face was on fire, possibly the same color of the orange sky as the sun set behind the trees. I avoided looking at either of them when I spoke in a low murmur, "Thank you for helping us out. I don't know how to make up for the inconvenience."

"It wasn't," Edward reassured me but I couldn't bring myself to smile at his blatant lie.

"Bella, are you going to be okay by yourself?" Jasper asked next, frowning at Paul's mumbling form behind me. "We can stay."

"We'll be fine. He just needs to sleep it off. Tell everyone I'm sorry for leaving so abruptly."

None of us said much and the silence was slowly killing me so I made to head back into the house when Edward called out, "Our door is always open if you need anything, Bella. Day or night."

"Whatever you need," Jasper added.

This time I did turn and despite them looking pained as they saw the tears in my eyes, I rushed towards them and wrapped my arms around the two men who'd singlehandedly made me feel less alone in the short time I'd known them.

Jasper and Edward held me close until I pulled away, wiping the tears on my cheeks before turning to face the door. I had to leave now before I took them up on their offer. I knew I couldn't do that to Paul. Not when he clearly needed me now. Not when I had so many emotions coursing through me; anger and sadness being the strongest at the moment.

"Thank you," I whispered, "I'll see you guys later."

What do you guys think about Bella's growing friendship with Edward and Jasper?

Can't wait to share the next chapter. Up next is Jasper's POV!