Chapter Two - Worst Fears

Edward POV

I walked out into the yard with my brothers. They got me to my place and went to find their wives. I had to admit I was nervous. I wasn't sure if this is what Bella really wanted. She had spent way too many quiet moments, lost in her thoughts, for me to be comfortable that Jacob was completely out of her system. I was surprised at how much this bothered me.

Oh, what a beautiful morning... came drifting from the door to the house.

What the hell? I thought, looking up to see Jacob Black heading toward me. Judging by the show tunes in his head, he must have seen Bella. Why else would he be hiding his thoughts? This question caused irritation to hit. What else had Bella told him about our abilities and how to thwart them? I was really hurt by her...betrayal. It sounded harsh, but that was the only word I could think of that fit.

Speaking of betrayal, what had happened just now between the dog and my soon to be bride? What happened that he did not want me to know?

"Hello, Edward."

"Jacob." I hid the sadness and anger I felt, pretending not to know where he had been.

"Big day, huh?" Jacob looked at me and I knew he could tell I was frustrated. Chicks and ducks and geese gonna scurry... He did not want me to know what had just transpired between him and Bella.

I smiled, thinking of what today meant as I answered him, "yes, very big day."

"Congratulations." The words came out as a smile was forcefully placed upon his face.

"Thank you," I replied as I looked into his eyes and saw pain. Relief rushed over my body as I hoped that she had stuck to her decision. "So did you see Bella?" Why not cut to the chase? I wondered if he would try to lie.

"Yes," he said softly. "She looks beautiful."

I know she looks beautiful. She always does, my thoughts hissed. What did you talk about? What did you say to her? What did she say to you? Is she still going to marry me? I had a thousand questions I wanted answers to, but would never dream of asking him. I was glad that he couldn't read my mind. "Oh," came my pitiful response.

We just both stood there -- uncomfortable -- saying nothing. I managed to appear cool and collected. He, on the other hand, kept running his fingers through his hair and leaning from one foot to the other. His fidgeting made me even more nervous and irritated than before.

After what seemed like an eternity, Charlie came out of the house -- alone. Why is he out here? I thought. He crossed the yard. My instincts kicked in, looking at his face I knew something was not right.

"Uh, Bella needs some time, Edward." I felt like I had been sucker punched. I looked up to the window, knowing she'd be watching. "She wants to speak to you..." I took a step forward. "Jacob."

What?!? Did he just say Jacob? What could she possibly want to say to him that didn't get said the first time? I looked at Charlie to make sure I'd heard him correctly.

Is that okay with you, Edward? came the question from Jacob's mind. I hadn't heard wrong. I met Jacob's gaze as his eyes made their way down from the window where I had just been looking.

I nodded ever so slightly. I couldn't really tell him no. What Bella wants, Bella gets.

"Okay," Jacob replied to Charlie.

As Jacob walked toward the house, I felt as though someone had taken a meat cleaver to my insides. This cannot be a good sign. I thought. I knew she wasn't over him.

"Edward?" Charlie's voice interrupted my internal dialog.

"Yes?" I replied, feeling sick.

"This doesn't make any sense because you're out here already, but Bella said she wanted privacy. She said you would know what she meant." Charlie was speaking as though he were very confused. "I don't know how she wouldn't have privacy," he was muttering under his breath."Whatever. I delivered the message, right?"

"Yeah, thanks, Charlie." I don't remember if he kept talking or not. I was lost in my own thoughts and worst fears. I had known from the first night after she'd said goodbye to him that Jacob would never be out of her heart. This fear was driven deeper into me every night while she slept and whispered his name. My name was still there in the beginning, but as the days and months went by, his name was there more and mine less. My heart would break every time she said "my Jacob". Although, it was the tears that accompanied his name that bothered me most.

I couldn't forever share her with his memory. I tried to hide my frustration from her -- but she knew. She was very perceptive. My family was perceptive too. I was yanked out of my thoughts and into theirs.

Edward? Esme quietly asked.

What is it, Edward? It was Carlisle. I looked over at him and I'm sure my face told him just as much as my words could have.

What the hell is Black doing here? Emmett hissed. Edward, should I throw him out?

This cannot be a good sign, Rosalie's honesty was always hard to handle.

Alice? Jasper thought.

Before I could peer into Alice's thoughts, a horrifying scream came from the house.