A/N: Okay, initially, Alice saw Roxanne and Edward get together. Hence the reason for the awkward smiles but I changed my mind. At the time, all Alice was seeing was Roxanne joining the family. She and Jasper are the only ones who know Edward isn't over Bella. And Alice just saw Edward and Roxanne getting together.

EDWARD

We sat there all night just talking. I told her everthing about Bella and I. She told me about her and Kyle. She told me everything from the day she met Kyle right up to the day he changed her. I held her when it got difficult to keep going. There were a few points when she had to stop talking and let me into her head to finish it. We didn't mention the kiss or our relationship.

We had come to a silent agreement that it was what it was. Neither of us were in love or thought we'd ever be in love. We just needed someone to take the pain of being alone away. That's what our relationship was based off of. Need not want. We needed each other. We've both experienced the heartbreak of having a relationship based of off love. We figured if we stayed away from love then we couldn't get hurt again. We were both very content to live the rest of our existence needing each other without the love. We would take care of each other in times of need and that was it. It was all we needed. (A/N: I hope that doesn't confuse you too much.)

I didn't even realize the sun was coming up until I looked at my watch. It was eight o'clock.

"I gotta get home." I said. "I need to get ready for class and pick Bella up."

"I'll race you." she said smirking.

"You're on." I replied.

We both took off. I was very surprised at her speed. I had to kick it up a few notches to keep up with her. Even with those few notches, she beat me by a hand.

"I win." she smiled.

"I went easy on you this time." I replied teasingly.

"Sure you did." she shot back. "So what's the family going to think about us?"

"Only one way to find out." I sighed and pushed the door opened.

"EDWARD ANTHONY MASEN CULLEN!!!! GET YOUR ASS TO MY ROOM NOW!!!!!!!!" Alice's thoughts screamed in my head.

"I have to go give Alice an explanation." I told Roxanne and kissed her on the cheek.

"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU DOING?!!!!!!!" Alice yelled the minute I steppep in her room. "YOU'RE STILL IN LOVE WITH BELLA BUT YOU'RE KISSING ROXANNE!!!!! THAT'S NOT RIGHT!!!!!"

"Alice, calm down." I pleaded. "Let me explain.

"It better be good." she hissed.

"She's okay with what's going on." I said. "We both need this. It so hard to explain. It's not like we love each other but we know it's the best we'll have for eternity. And we're both okay with that. I've talked to her all night and she's a wonderful girl. I know I'll never love her like I love Bella but I'm not getting Bella back anytime soon. So I'm content with Roxanne. The same goes for her."

"I don't understand." Alice said. "But as long as you're not stringing her along and planning to hurt her, I'm okay with it. She doesn't need anymore pain."

"I know." I replied. "I'm trying to help her with that."

She stared at me for a moment as if she was debating saying something else.

"Is that all?" I questioned. "I have to get ready for class."

"Yeah." Alice said. "Hey, do you mind if Rose and I talk her shopping?"

"That's up to her."

I used my vampire speed to shower and change my clothes. When I couldn't find Roxanne to saw goodbye, I assumed she decided to go with the other two. My suspisions were confirmed when I found Alice's porsche was gone. I shook my head at the craziness of girls and headed to Bella's.

BELLA

I woke to the sound of my alarm at eight fifteen the next morning. I was sad when I discovered I was alone. I rolled over and found a note on the pillow next to mine. (A/N: Since Jacob stayed over so much, they decided to buy a bigger bed.)

My dearest Isabella,

Good morning. I'm sorry I won't be there when you wake up. Sam wanted to have us all meet before school. I told him about the girl joining the Cullens. He wants to discuss how to go about having her sign the treaty. Good luck on your exam today and I hope you can work out your issues with Edward. Have a wonderful day. I'll be there when you get home.

Love,

Jacob

I smiled as I rolled out of bed and grabbed my toiletries. I had the sweetest boyfriend in the world. I took a quick shower then went back to me room. It was nearly eight forty five. Edward was going to be here in fifteen minutes to take me to school. I threw on a pair of jeans and t-shirt. I pulled my uncombed hair into a messy bun and slipped on a pair of tennis shoes. I was in the process of grabbing a granola bar when there was a knock on the door.

"Come in, Edward!" I yelled.

I didn't hear the door open or footsteps to indicate his entrance, yet when I turned around, he was standing in the doorway to the kitchen. I jumped about a foot and screamed, dropping the granola bar in the process.

"Don't do that!" I said trying to catch my breath.

"Sorry." he said with a chuckle. "Are you ready?"

"Just about." I said as I pulled on my jacket and grabbed my bag. "Kay, let's go."

We were quiet the first half hour of the ride. I didn't think either of us wanted to talk about last night. I knew I should've said something.

"I'm sorry about last night." I finally said. "It was stupid."

"No." he replied. "It wasn't stupid. Human, maybe but definitely not stupid."

"I don't even know why I would even think like that."

"Bella, it's a natural reaction. We had a similiar situation as Roxanne and Kyle. So it's completely understandable that you feel this way. But you have to know that I would never dream of hurting you like that ever. I still care about you a lot."

I knew in my heart that was true. I didn't need him to say it. I still felt so stupid about the whole thing. I knew he wouldn't let me blame myself for it anymore so I simply said,

"I know."

We were silent for a few more minutes.

"So what happened after I left last night?" I asked unable to bare the silence.

"Well, Roxanne came and found me and we talked about what happened." The sound of his voice told me that he wasn't sure how to say the next part. "We ended up kissing." He cringed slightly.

"Oh." Was all I could manage to say.

I was happy for him. A but surprised that it happened fast but happy all the same. Yet, I felt a small pang of hurt in my heart. I thought it might something to do with knowing I couldn't have him back again. He was gone from my life in that way for good. I wasn't sure I liked that much. Still, after everything I put him through, I wasn't going to take this from him.

"Then we talked all night." He was continued. "She a great person to talk to, you know? She listens and understands."

Thankfully, we pulled into the parking lot of the university and had to go our sepereate ways. I wasn't very sure about how I felt about the two of them.

The day passed uneventfully, although, I had the feeling I was being watched and followed. I passed it off as being paranoia over Roxanne's story. My last class ended at forty thirty and I went out to wait for Edward, who still had another fifteen minutes, by the volvo. The drive back to my house was full of talk about Roxanne. I wasn't sure how I felt about the two of them together. Still, I managed to look and act like I was perfectly okay with it.

When we got to my house, I thanked Edward and told him goodbye. I was met with a shock when I walked in the door. All the lights in the house were off, there was a small path of rose petals, lit by candles leading to the kitchen. The smell of my favorite, spaghetti and meatballs, wafted into the lving room. I followed the path to find the kitchen table, set for two, with two lit candles. Jake was placing the meal on both of our plates when I walked in.

He straightened up when he saw me. He was wearing a suit and tie. I was surprised by all of this and curious as to wait the occasion was. As if in answer to my question, I looked up at the wall behind the table, the was a banner hanging up that read "Happy Eight Month Anniversary!"

I cursed myself. How could I forget it was today? I didn't get him anything. What was I going to do? I tried to hide my panic from him as I sat in the chair he pulled out for me.

"This is amazing." I said. "Thank you."

"Anything for the most wonderful girl in the world." he replied.

We made small talk while we ate. Once we finished, he cleared the table then laid a velvet box in front of me. My breath hitched and my heart started pounding.

"Don't worry." he said. "It's not a ring."

I picked up the box with shaking hands. I opened it and found the most beautiful heart shaped diamond earring inside.

"Oh my god Jake, how do you afford this?" I gasped.

"Don't worry about it." he replied. "Do you like them?"

"I love them." I said. I could no longer how my tears. I looked away.

"Baby, what's wrong?"

"You did all this wonderful stuff for me and I completely forgot. I don't even have a present for you."

He wiped my tears away with his thumbs.

"I don't care about that. Your love is the best present I could ask for."

As his lips met mine, I realized how I could save the situation. I run my tongue across his lips asking for permission to enter. He moaned and allowed me access. I began doing things with it that not even I thought possible. I wasn't sure how but I managed to get on his lap without breaking the kiss. I cointinued to kiss him as I ground my hips into his. I could feel the beginning of an erection. I finally broke the kiss.

"How bout we go upstairs and finish what we started last night?" I panted.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"Yes." I replied.

He picked me up bridal style and carried me to my room.

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THE NEXT MORNING (STILL BELLA)

Once again I woke up to the alarm clock at eight fifteen the next morning. I was floating on air. I didn't think I had ever felt happy in my entire life. I had finally given myself up totally to the man I loved. There were no words to describe the sensations running through my body. I turned over to snuggle closer to the man I loved and the wonderful sensations disappeared. I was completely alone.

Was I so bad that he had to leave before I woke up. I didn't understand it. I thought he loved me. I thought I did everything right. Maybe, I was wrong. There was once again a note sitting on his pillow. I picked it up feeling a little dejected.

My Dearest Isabella,

I'm so sorry I couldn't be there when you woke up. I had to get to school. I didn't want you to think that my absence was because of you. That's the furtherest thing from the truth. Last night was the best night of my life. You were perfect in every way. I really wanted to be next to you when you woke up but school is just as important. I'm so sorry sweetheart. I'm coming over after my patrol tonight. Since it's Friday night, maybe we could have a repeat performance. That way we can share the wonderful feelings of waking up together. I love you so much. I'm so sorry I couldn't be there.

Love,

Jacob

The giddy happy sensations were coming back. I didn't do anything wrong. That was the biggest relief in the world. He even wanted me to do it again. I grabbed my bag of toiletries and, ignoring the small bit of pain the was shooting through my woman parts, skipped to the shower. This was the happiest I'd been in a long time.

Little did I know, things were about to start crashing down around me.

TO BE CONTINUED...........

A/N: Sorry for the abrupt ending. I was running out of ideas for this one and getting more and more excited about the sequel. I've put in everything that's needed to set up for it. And I'm pretty sure that tied up all loose ends in this one. I hope you all enjoyed this one. I should have the first chapter to Hurt Like This (sequel) by tomorrow or Wednesday. Do I have any guesses about what's going to happen? Let me know what you think. Please review.