hye guys. how is everyone holiday shopping going. my bro and i finished up today and it was crazy busy. anyways, hey, do you guys remember that one chapter in APL where edward and bella had a water fight in his kitchen. this chapter is kind of like that, but a little different

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i dont have anything else to say. so here we go.


18. Changes in the Horizon

I looked up him with a confused face. I didn't get what he was saying. What was he done with? "You're done with what?" I asked him, knowing that was the only way I would get my answer because there was no way I was coming up with it on my own.

He sighed again. "I think I'm done looking." He said.

"For a job?" I questioned.

He nodded. "For a teaching one, anyways." He noted.

"Why?"

"Because it's obvious that I'm not supposes to be one anymore. There's nothing out there for me and I'm getting tire of looking just to get rejected. At least I'm for now. I think I'll do what you suggested and give it some more time. Maybe I'll try again in a year or two." He told me.

That made sense, but it was still so confusing. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. He was quitting and giving up. When was the last time I heard him do that? I don't think I ever heard anything like that come from his mouth. I shook my head. "You can't do that. You love teaching."

"I do, but I can't do it anymore." He said, shaking his head. I sighed hard as I laid on his chest. Why was this happening to him? He was too great of a guy for this to be happening. Damn it. All of this crap can be traced back to that fucking kiss. Who knew one little physical contact can cause so much trouble? "Stop it." he said.

"What?" I said, not looking at him.

"You're thinking this is your fault again, aren't you?" he asked, sounding like he already knew the answer to his question.

"A little, I guess."

"Well, don't. There's a reason for everything." He said as he rubbed the small of my back.

"I guess." I said, still unsure. No matter how often he says things like that; there will be always something in the back of my mind telling me otherwise. It's one of things that no matter how hard I try, I couldn't get rid of it. Everyone had thoughts like that. "Are you still going to look for work?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Yes." He said.

I looked at him. "You know, we can always leave Forks and start over." I told him.

He shook his head. "Records follow. Besides, this is our home. I can't ask you to leave it because of me. If I do, I'll be being selfish."

"Sometimes being selfish is a good thing." I said with a small a shrug. It could be a good thing sometimes. It was, however, how I got him. It was also the reason we were having this talk. I guess it was a good thing sometimes, but if it was the wrong time, it will come back and bit you in the ass; sooner or later. I was paying for my time.

He chuckled. "Maybe, but I still couldn't ask you to start over for me. I will just have to find something here that would take me."

"I will stand by you through whatever choice you make. If that's what you want to do…" I trailed off and let him fill in the blanks.

He sighed and looked at the ceiling. "What I want to do and what I need to do can be two different things. I learned that a long time ago." I didn't know what else to say so I just laid on his chest again. I felt him rub small circles on my back, telling me was deep in thought. I hugged him tighter

I don't know how long we laid there like that before we were interrupted by the ringing of the front door bell. I looked at him. "Were you expecting someone?" I asked. He shook his head. "I wonder who that is."

"Go see." He said, releasing his grip around my waist. I breathed hard as I got up. I didn't want to leave the comfort of his arms. It felt like the bubble was around us all those years ago was forming again. "Hurry and come back." He ordered as he swiped my behind with the back of his hand. I jumped slightly just I did the first time he did that. When that hell he did started wanting to do that all the time?

I gave him a playful glare before hitting him on shoulder, which caused him to chuckle. I was kind of glad he was in a good mood when it came to me, despite what we were just talking about.

I fixed my clothes as I walked over to the door. I looked through the window expecting to see Jasper, or Alice, or Emmett and Rosalie with Angel. I was surprise when I saw it wasn't any of them. It was the woman from the other night, the one who came and picked up a drunken Eleazar.

What was she doing here? I opened the house. She smiled at me. "Hello again dear, is your boyfriend home?" she asked. I looked at her with a confused face. Her smile slipped. "I'm sorry." she went in to her purse and pull out something. It was a piece of paper. "Doesn't a Mister Edward Masen live here?" she asked looking at me.

I shook my head. I was trying to get my thought to get head. The sight of her was confusing. "I mean, yes he does. I'm sorry, can you hold on for a second?" I asked. She nodded. I closed the door. I turned. "Edward," I said to get his attention. He looked at me. "Someone's at the door for you." I told him.

"Who is it?" he asked.

I thought about it. We never knew her name. I turned and opened the door. "I'm sorry, what is your name again?" I asked.

"Oh, I do realize that is required. My apologizes. My name is Carmen Denali." She said, smiling at me.

I nodded. I told her to hold on more second. I turned back to Edward. "She said her name is Carmen."

He looked like he was thinking. "I don't think I know a Carmen." He said.

"Yes you do." I said. He looked at me. "Carmen Denali." I clarified. When I said that, he popped off the couch and walked over to me.

"What is she doing here?" he asked in a low tone, maybe so she wouldn't hear him. I shrugged. That's what I was wondering. His guess was just as good as mine.

"You want to find out?" I asked. I knew he knew I was asking if he wanted to see her or not. He nodded. He took a deep breath as I opened the door. I smiled at her. "I'm really sorry about that." I told her.

"It's okay. Did I come at the wrong time? I didn't know how to get in contact with you so I was unsure of when it was appropriate time to come." She said.

Edward shook his head. "No, it's fine. May I ask why you are here?"

"Well, first I want to apology once again for my husband's crude behavior the other night. I would blame it on his love for alcohol, but even that is no excuse." She stopped and looked at me. "How are you, by the way?" She said to me.

"My neck's a little sore, but I will be fine." I assured her.

"I hope you took care of him like you said." Edward said, getting upset again. She looked at him and nodded. "That jackass deserves whatever he gets." He mumbled. I elbowed him in the side just in case she heard him. He looked at me. That was her husband. No matter how much you don't like someone, you don't talk about them in front of their family. Why did he think I never bad-mouth Rosalie in front of him? It's rude.

"Oh don't worry, he did." she said. She did hear him. We both look at her. "I thought you two should know this. I went up to the school board. I told them what he did and had him remove from his position. You no longer have worry about him for he left the state." She told us.

"Are you going with him?" I had to ask. She shook her head. "Isn't he your husband?" I asked to be sure.

"Ex-husband." She corrected.

"Ex?" I repeated as I tilted my head in confusion.

She nodded. "Because of what he did to the two you, I have to decide to divorce him. I signed the paperwork yesterday." She told me. The

My eyes widened. "Really? I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for that to happen. " I said in a response, because that I was all I could think of to say.

"It's not your fault." Edward said.

Before I had a chance to response, Carmen stepped in. "He's right, it's not." She said. I gave her a questioning look. "Bella, he's been cheating on me for a year. I tend to overlook it, but when I found out you were not willing, it was the last straw. So you have nothing to worry about." She assured me with a smile.

I sighed. "I'm still sorry." I told her.

"Believe me, it's fine. Now for the other reason I'm here." She said.

"Other reason?" I questioned as I tilted my head again.

She nodded and turned to Edward. "Edward, what are you doing this fall?" she asked.

He shrugged. "I'm not too sure yet. Why do you ask?"

"Because I have something for you to do. Do you think you'll be free between September through June, Monday through Friday, around 7:30 – 2:30?" she asked. That sounded like… oh my gosh. Was she saying what I think she was?

Edward nodded. He looked like he didn't get it. How could he not? "What do you need me to do for that long?"

She chuckled. I saw she found his confusion amusing, just like I did. Take the damn hint, Edward. "I was thinking teach eight grade Math." She said.

He blinked a few time in confusion. He looked like he was getting it now. "Wait, what? Are you tell me what I think you telling me?" She nodded. "As you can probably imagine, I've been through a lot these past months, so please don't tell me you're joking." He demanded, causing her to chuckle, but me to shake my head.

"Edward Masen, would you like to work for Port Angeles Middle School?" She said asked a smile. I squeaked as I started bouncing. He was frozen like he couldn't focus.

"What…are you serious?" he asked.

She nodded. "Yes. even through Eleazar was an awful human as a person, he was great when it came to hiring people. And he was right when he said no one else matched your skills. And since you were a high school teacher; I figure it would be best if you taught the highest grade we have. Is that okay?" she asked him.

"That's just fine." he told her. It had to be nothing but fine. He was not position to be picky. "Thank you."

"Yeah, thank you." I said, trying to control my excitement.

"There is one more thing. Because of your condition, you are not allowed to be in the classroom alone with a student at any time. If you are staying after school to help them with something, you have to meet them in the library. This is because there are no cameras in the classrooms, but there are many in the library. If you break this, we will have no choice but to eliminate you from the staff. Just so you know, this is not my doing; these are the school boarding's conditions. I trust you, but it's just a precaution. I do hope you understand." She said the last thing like she was sorry it had to be like that.

He nodded. "He understands." I answered for him. He looked at me. I shrugged. I couldn't hold it in. she chuckled at our moment. He turned to her.

"I do understand." He told her.

She nodded. "Why did you keep saying 'we'?" I couldn't help but asked. I wonder what she had to any of this.

She smiled. "Well, since Eleazar lost his job, someone had to take his place. You are looking at the superintendent and the temperately principle of the school."

"Oh. Well congratulations." I said, not knowing what else to say.

She chuckled. "Thank you. Congratulations to you as well, Edward." She said, as she looked at him again. She held out her hand to him. He took it. "I'm looking forward to seeing you in the fall. Don't make me regret convincing them to give you the job." She said as she shook it.

He smiled at her. "Don't worry, I won't. Thanks again." He said.

She nodded and let go of his hand. "You two enjoy the rest of the day." She said then turned around and walked to her car.

When she drove away, he closed the door. When he turned to me, it didn't take long for me to be excited again. I squealed as I jumped into his arms. I locked my legs around his waist before my feet could touch the ground. I placed quick kisses on his lips. "Didn't I tell you everything would be fine?" I gloated.

He nodded. he looked like he was still in shock at what just happened. Well, he needed to believe it because it was happening. "You did. You think I would learn by now not doubt you." He said.

"That's right. Stop doubting me." I teased as I pointed him in the chest. He chuckled. I kissed him again. "I think this cause for a celebration." I said with a smile.

"What kind?" he asked. What was I smiling about was more the question. I jumped down out of his arms. I grabbed his hand and ran up the stairs to our room.

XXX

We sent the rest of the day in the room. It reminded me a lot of when he came home. Then we both got tired of looking at the walls (and ceiling) of the room. Plus we got hungry and left the room. Now he was walking around the house in just boxer while I was walking around in one his shirts. I didn't feel like putting on any real clothes.

He was in the kitchen making us something to eat while I was on the phone. I was talking to Alice; I figured she wanted to hear the good news.

When I told her, she screamed in my ear. I had to pull the phone away from my ear. Edward chuckled when he heard the faint sounds of screaming. "I'm guessing she's happy for me." he assumed. I looked at him and nodded. He chuckled again. "Tell her I said thank you." I nodded again.

When she was done, I put the phone back to my ear. I heard her roommate yell 'what the hell are you screaming for, you crazy person?' in the background. She told her nothing. I laughed at that.

"Thank you so much for puncturing my eardrums." I teased when I had her attention again.

"Whatever. This is so great. He's got to be excited about this."

I chuckled. "He is. We both are."

"So, how did you guys celebrate?" she asked.

I smiled then looked at him in the kitchen. I loved when he cooks for us. It was sexy. Plus, it helps that he didn't have clothes on, besides his boxers. I told him to be careful; didn't want him to burn anything. I turned away to keep from getting caught up in the thought and tapped my fingers. "We have our ways." I told her, with a smile in my voice.

"Ugh…forget I asked." She said in a disgusted voice.

I gave a fake gasp. "I feel insulted that you're disgusted by that." I teased.

She laughed. "So is that all you did today? Spent it in bed?" she asked.

I shrugged even though she couldn't see me. "More or less, I guess."

"So is that all you guys are going to do?" she asked.

"Do you have anything else in mind?"

After I asked that, she said we should have another party. Of coursed that what she thought we should do. She thought people should have a party for everything. She found her lip gloss she lost for a week, blow up the balloons. I rolled my eyes. "Alice, no." I told her.

"Why not?" she asked in a whine. If didn't know my best friend so well, I would think she wasn't pouting on the other side on the phone to match it.

"Alice…" I groaned in annoyance.

"What is she saying this time?" Edward asked from the kitchen.

"She wants to have a party." I told him.

"I really rather not. Besides, it's not that big of a deal."

"You hear that, Alice?" I said into the phone. "It's not a big deal. This cause for maybe a night out for dinner for a chance or something like that, but not for anything big like the party I know you're already planning in your head." I told her.

"Are you two crazy? This is a huge deal, especially after the pass half of year you two had. I sense better things are coming you guys' way." She argued.

I rolled my eyes. I wondered if she was getting those "feeling" again. I really hope not. Those damn "feelings" can get someone in trouble one day. "Alice, even Edward said he didn't want a party. It's two against one."

"But Bella…" she whined.

"Leave it alone." I told her.

"I will not." She argued again. That caused me to give a loud groan.

"Bella, dinner's ready." Edward called from the kitchen. I looked up to see he was leaning on the wall next to the frame of the kitchen. "I thought you might need an excuse." He said in a low voice so I heard him but my best friend on the other end didn't. I nodded then mouthed a thank you.

"Alice I have to go." I told her.

"We're not done with this." She said.

I sighed. "Fine. I'll call you back after I eat." I told her, knowing that would get her off the phone. She said okay before hanging up. I walked in the kitchen to eat dinner.

After we ate, we went into the living room. I was cuddled up to his side as we watched a movie. I couldn't remember the last time we did this. I was happy. I had a feeling a lot of old things were coming back. Maybe things can go back to what they were before; even without me telling him what I had to tell him. but now wasn't the time to think about it. He was happy about the great news; why ruin his buzz?

Only thing that ruined it was the fact my damn phone rang. I thought about throwing it against the wall when I saw the name on the screen. I should have known that when I didn't call her back in what she thought was a reasonable time, she was going to call me. I let it ring one more time because I was going to answer it, but soon thought against it. It's been so long since Edward and I was just sitting on the couch like this and I wasn't going to let Alice ruin it just because she was hell bent on having a party no one else wanted.

So I pressed rejected. I texted her, telling her I was watching a movie with Edward and I would talk to her later. Before she had time to response, I turned my phone off. she'll be mad when she can't reach me, but she'll get over it.

We were watching a movie, but somewhere between the last fight scene and the rolling credits, he grabbed me and pinned me down on the couch. It didn't take him long to lock his lips around mine, causing us to start making out on the couch. When was the last time we made out the couch while a movie was playing in the background? Seem like so long ago. But it wouldn't be like old times if something didn't interrupt us.

The phone ringing in the kitchen caused me to groan loudly. He chuckled before kissing me one more time and getting up to get the phone. "It's your friend." He told me, reading off the caller ID.

"Damn that girl." I grumbled. I sighed hard. She wasn't giving up. "Give here." I told him, holding my hand out for it. He handed it to me then sat at my feet on the couch. "What do you Alice?" I snapped into the phone.

My snapping bothered her as much as any other time, meaning not a lot. She continued to tell me about her party idea. I kept telling her no and that no one wanted to have it but her. It helped that Edward kept saying no as well.

The reason I didn't want one was because of the last time we had one. I really didn't want to give Tanya a reason to show up. I was still so uncomfortable around her. I didn't care if everyone said they were just friends, I would like it so much better if she wasn't in his life.

After about an hour of going back and forward with my regrettably best friend, we met in the middle. I told her we will have a very small get together with us, his brother, sister and his friend. Those were the only people I cared about knowing anyways. Well, both of our parents and Jacob as well but we can tell them over the phone.

She said she will take that. I pertained like I cared before I hung up.

XXX

It was three or four days after the day he got the best news in a long time. We all were at his sister and brother-in-law's house. I was happy that we weren't there for his niece again. In fact, they sent her stay with Carlisle and Esme for the day. We were there because it was where we decided to have the get together I told Alice about.

The only reason we were at their house and not our own because they had a pool in the back yard. They said they had it built for when Angel was older enough to play in it. But today, we were using it. When I told Alice we were having a small pool party, she couldn't have been happier. I think she just was wanted to see Jasper without a shirt. I told her it was nothing to get hype up about. She told me not to take her joy. The main reason was mostly because it was abnormally warm for it being that we lived in Forks, Washington. It was also kind of weird since it was the near the end of April, which was supposes to call for spring showers, not summer heat.

But as weird as it was , it was perfect because it was another thing to celebrate. So today, we were celebrating three things. Yes three.

The fact that it hot, the fact that Edward had a job in the fall and the fact that he was turning a year older. Yep, it was my favorite guy's birthday. It was the first one we spent together and the first one in five years he spent at home with family instead in that damn cell. He said even though both are true when I pointed it out to him, he still didn't want us to make a big deal about. I was all for that. I wasn't a real fan of big birthday celebrations.

"Edward, it's your birthday." Alice said, it sounded like a whine, as we sat in the back yard of Rosalie and Emmett's house. We were sitting in a circle about two or three feet away from the pool. Jasper sat next to Alice on a lounge chair. Emmett was sitting in a chair while Rosalie sat on the armrest. Which left a chair for Edward and I. he was sitting in it as I sat on his lap. The guys were all shirtless as they were in their trucks while the girls were in our swimsuits as we wore short shorts. Rosalie wore a one piece while Alice and I wore our matching two pieces.

Edward chuckled at her comment. "Yes. Thank you for reminding me, but I'm very aware of that." he said to her.

"Are you sure? You're sure as hell not acting like it."

"Why do you say that?" he said with a smile. I giggled, knowing he was just entertaining her.

"You don't want to do anything."

He chuckled again. "We are doing something." He reminded her.

She rolled her eyes dramatically. "Please, this might as well be another hang out day. You don't want to have a party or go to a dance club or something? Something a little more special for today?" she asked him.

"Alice, it's just another day." He told her.

She shook her head. "No, it's not. Damn, obviously you've been spent too much time with Bella, because some of craziness is starting to rub off on you. I would hate to see any other influences she had on you."

"I am right here." I reminded her.

She looked at me. "I stand by what I said."

I rolled my eyes. The other three laughed. "She didn't rub anything on him." Jasper said to Alice.

"As far as we know." Emmett said with a smirk.

I looked at him. "And you will never find out." I said shaking my head.

"I think we can live a happy life never knowing." Rosalie said. We all laughed. I laughed as well because I knew she was joking. Ever since the party, she and I became close again.

"Anyways, what did you mean?" Alice said, getting back to the point, looking back and forward between Jasper and Rosalie for the answer.

"He meant that Edward has never likes his birthday." Rosalie said.

She turned back to Edward. "You haven't?" Edward and I both shook our heads. He told me before he left he didn't care for this day every year, just like me. He said if we ever spent one together, that he rather we don't do anything big. I told he wouldn't have to worry about me doing anything because I did like my birthday either. "Why not?"

He shrugged. "I use to, but after a certain point, I didn't see the point of celebrating getting older." He answered for himself.

"You're celebrating your life." She said, annoyed that she wasn't getting her point across. "Besides this is a special one. It's the first birthday you spend as Bella's boyfriend and since you've home."

"I'm aware of that as well. And I'm telling you the same thing I told her. I want to keep it simple. Serious, this is fine." He told her.

She shook her head. "You really shouldn't think like that. Haven't you ever her the phase bigger is better?"

"Why are you care so much about this when I don't?" he chuckled, making me laugh as well. I knew how he felt. I never got why she got mad when I reacted the same way as he did. but I had my reasons for mine. My dad made mine special. When he left, he took the specialness with him.

"Because I don't get what's wrong with you two." She gestured at us.

We both shrugged. "I guess we're just two peas in a pod." He said then kissed my shoulder. I turned to him and kissed him on the lips. When I did, I heard four different kinds of groans in disgust coming from our friends. I remember when that use to bother me. But this time, I turned more to him, place my hand on his face and deepen the kiss. I did this for the simple fact that I wanted to mess with them.

We stopped with I felt something hit my back. I pulled away and turned to see an empty can on the ground. I looked up to see Alice no longer had a can in her hand. "Was it really necessary to throw a can at me?" I asked her.

She shrugged. "It made you stop, didn't it?" she said. I stuck my tongue out at her. Everyone laughed at our encounter. I have him one more kiss before turning around again.

After that, Alice kept going on and on about the simple subject of birthdays. She was most talking to Edward and I since the other three share her thoughts on it, which was you wasn't celebrating getting older, you were celebrating being alive. Edward and I used argument that if that was case, shouldn't you celebrate life every day. They said there was nothing more special then the day you made it through life with another year. We both just rolled our eyes at that logic.

Jasper, Rosalie and Emmett stop trying to convince us because they knew they might as well been pushing a brick wall. I would think Alice would think the same way, as long as she known me. But I guess she figure she would get through to us one way or another.

So she kept going. Edward and I just laughed at her and stop trying to fight back. I could tell she was getting more annoyed the more we weren't listening. Everyone else just shook their head at us. I was tempted to say okay, she was right just to get her to stop talking. But I like to watch her get frustrated; it was funny.

I was going to say something, thinking she suffered enough. But I didn't get the chance to.

"They're not going to get it. You're wasting your breathe pixie." Emmett said before drinking from his beer bottle.

"I just don't…wait." She stopped and looked at him. "What did you just call me?" she asked.

"Pixie?" he said like he didn't see a problem with what he said. He has heard me called her that many times, so I guess he figured it was okay. But it was one thing that made it not okay.

She turned her body to him. "Do not call me that." she demanded. She hated that name. Yes I have called her that, but I never say it to her face because she gets pissed when I do. He doesn't know that.

He smirked when he found out. Emmett loves to piss people off. "So what are you going to do if I do?" he challenged her. She glared at him. he laughed when he saw she didn't moved. "Nothing, didn't think so."

"Why do you always have to be such a jackass?" She asked him. He stopped laughing and looked at her.

"What?" he asked.

"You know, a jackass, an idiot, an all around tool." I couldn't help but giggle at that. Since the day I met him, that was all he was. I don't know how many times I used those exact words to describe him. Unlike Alice, I do say those things to his face as well as when he's not in the room.

He cocked an eyebrow at her. "You really think that?" he asked her. She nodded. "Fair enough." He said. Then he stood up. "But still mean." he walked over to where she was sitting.

"What are you d-." she was cut off by him grabbing her around the waist and throwing her on his shoulder like she was nothing more than a rag doll. My jaw dropped when I noticed where he started to walk. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" she yelled at him. he laughed as she started kicking and squirming like a child. That made all the rest of us laugh as well. "Damn it, Emmett. I swear to God, if you don't put me down." she threatened.

He laughed. "What are you doing to do, pixie?" he said. I knew he used the name just to make her angrier.

"Stop fucking calling me that." she snapped. "Put me down right now, Emmett. I mean it." she demanded.

I saw him shrug. "Okay. Remember, you asked for it." he said before taking her off his shoulder and dropping her in the water below. The rest of us all burst with laugher when she screamed as she hit the water.

When she popped back up, her hair was dripping wet as it covered her face. She pushed it out her face and glared at us. "Why the hell didn't anyone stop him?" she asked. We all just shrugged. Truth be told, we might not have thought there was no way. "You guys suck." She pouted, which just made us laugh again.

Emmett walked back over to us. "Seriously, dude, why did you do that?" Jasper asked him as he chuckled. Did anyone else get why Jasper asked?

"She hurt my feelings." Emmett said with a shrug. He bended and pick his bottle.

Edward chuckled behind me. "And how did she do that?"

"She called me tool." He said after taking a drink.

I shook my head like I was confused, which I was. How could he get mad at something that was obviously true? "Because you are one. And an idiot, and a jackass." I repeated the words she said.

"You agree with her?" he asked.

I nodded. "Of course I do."

"You shouldn't have said that." Rosalie chuckled as she shook her head.

"You really shouldn't have." Edward said behind me. I noticed how his hand removed from my back, which was where it was before. I looked between him and his sister. What were they talking about? I looked to see Emmett coming toward. Crap. You'd think I would have seen this coming.

I turned to Edward and locked my arms around his neck. A minute after I did, I felt Emmett's arm around my waist and behind my knees. I felt him trying to pull me off of Edward. "No." I groaned as I held on like I was holding on for dear life. Edward just laughed as he sat there, not helping.

Emmett groaned in frustration. "Rosa, a little help." He said when he could get me off as easily as he thought he could.

"Gladly." She said. In a few seconds, I felt her hands on mine, trying to pulled them apart. I held on as much as I could before she finally broke the hold. Once my hold around Edward's neck was broken, I was in Emmett's arms.

"Emmett, put me down." I yelled. I was trying to jump out his arms or something. I didn't know what I would do get out of his arms, but I have to because I didn't want to suffer the same faith as my best friend.

"Okay. You can take a swim with your friend." He said.

"No. I'm sorry I called you a tool okay? Just please put me down; not in the water, on the ground." I pled with him.

He shook his head. "Too late."

I groaned loudly. I looked over his shoulder and saw my boyfriend laughing. "You have the power to stop this, Edward." I said to him.

He shook his head. "Believe me, babe, no I don't."

"He's right." Emmett said. When we got to the edge of the pool, I locked my arms around his neck like I did with Edward. I figured if holding on to Edward didn't work, holding on to the guy would was trying to toss me in the pool might. He tried to shake me off. "Let go." He said.

I shook my head. "You're going to throw me in the water if I do." I said.

"No shit, Bella."

I shook my head again. "No. I'm not going in there." I said, as I held on to him.

"Yes you are."

"No am I not because I'm not letting go." I told him, hoping I put an end to his plan.

"You're going in there one way or another." He said. What did that mean? I feel him back up, and then I felt him run and jump. Next thing I knew I was in the water. I opened my eyes that I didn't realize I closed and saw that he was in the water with me and was still holding me. He jumped in just get me in here. I wriggled out of his arms and pushed him off then swam to the top. I shook my hair which was wet. He swam up about a second after me.

I groaned. "I hate you." I snapped as I splashed him.

He looked at me when the water cleared. "Not cool." He said splashing me back.

"Don't splash her." Alice said as she splashed him back for me. He splashed her back. She was about to get back and forward him when I grabbed her wrist. She looked at me. I gave her a look. Then she realizes what I was saying without saying it out loud. We knew what to do. Jacob use to do this to us all the time.

We swam over to him. We placed both of hands on his shoulders. We gave each other a quick nod before using all the strength we had combined and pushed him under water. We laughed as he was struggling to get up, but couldn't. That's what he gets for throwing us in water like that.

We finally let him go and swam away from him. He popped back up. When he saw us laughing, he glared at both of us. We tried to back stroke away from him, but he caught us by grabbing both of ankles. We tried to kick him off, but it did work.

He grabbed us both around the waist again. Again, we tried to get away, but it wasn't working. He let me go to toss Alice in the water like Edward did to me back in Italy. Before I could get away, he grabbed me and did the same thing. Somehow, I ended up next to Alice. We looked at each other. I nodded to his body. She nodded back.

We swam over to him. Both of us grabbed an arm and pull him down in the water again. In the next second, we swam up to resurface.

He swam back up after us. "Stop that." he said, referring to us keep pulling him under water. I guess he didn't like it. We laughed at him. When we started, there was water coming to us. When it cleared, we splashed him back. He did the same thing back. This time, I didn't stop Alice and we went back and forward in a splash fight.

"You three are a bunch of children." We heard a female voice that made us stop. We looked up and saw Rosalie standing by the edge of the pool with her brothers on both sides of her. I wondered how longer they were standing there. They were smiling, telling us they agreed. The comment would have been more insulting if the three in the pool wasn't the youngest of the group of six.

I swam to the edge and rested my head on it. "Rosa, why did you help him? I thought we were cool again." I said, asking why she helped him toss me in the water.

She shrugged. "Think of it as pay back."

Alice swam next to me. "Aww, that's not nice." She said to Rosalie.

She shrugged again. "Who said I was nice?"

Alice and I looked at each other. "I think we should teach her a lesson, Bella." Alice said.

I nodded. "I do too, Alice." after I said that, we looked back at her. She looked like she got what we were saying and started to slowly back away. Oh no, she doesn't. We climbed out of the water, dipping wet. Edward and Jasper moved so there would be more room so we didn't get them wet.

She backed away more quickly now. Alice and I ran to her before she could get further. We grabbed both of her wrists and started pulling her back to the pool side. She was trying to pull her away. We got behind her and started pushing her. She was now trying to use her weight against but it didn't work.

When we got to the water, we gave her a hard push, which landed her in the water. When she came back up, her once full and perfect hair was now flatten by the water. "ALICE AND BELLA, I'M GONNA KILL YOU TWO!" she screamed. Emmett wrapped his arms around her and kissed the side of her head. We laughed at her freak out as we high fived. I will consider that a job well done.

I told Alice we should get a towel since we were both soaked. She agreed. We turned around and that the guys closed the space that made the opening. They smiled at us. "You guys really shouldn't have done that." Jasper said. Alice and I looked at him.

"What does he mean?" I asked Alice. she shrugged.

"He means you mess with one Cullen, you mess with us all." Edward said. before I could say something, he locked his arms around my bare and wet waist while Jasper did the same to Alice. We knew what was coming which is why we tried to push them off. They held us to their bodies as the jumped in the water like Emmett did.

Unlike with Emmett, I didn't try to get out of Edward's arms. I wrapped my arms around his neck and started to push him against the wall of the pool. I smiled before I locked my lips to his. I wrapped my legs around his waist as he ran his hand up and down my back. I felt him playing with the string around my neck. I let go of him and pushed him away. I swam to the surface. Any of time, I might would have let him, not while everyone was so close to us.

He swam up after me. He wrapped his arms around my waist. "I'm starting to really like this swimsuit of yours." He smiled. I laughed. I could see why. This was my second time wearing. Each time, I almost let him do whatever in places where he, hell both of us, no business doing that. I kissed him one more time before pulling away. I swam over to Alice when she was up as well.

XXX

After that, we continued to play in the water. We were, well like Rosalie so nicely put it, like a bunch of children. The guys kept trying to duck and throw the girls. Sometimes we got away, sometimes the other guys would help him and we ended up getting ducked or thrown.

Somehow, we ended up in four-on-two splash fight. It was all four of them verse Alice and me. I think that was so unfair, but I think it would be safe to say we won. Alice and I make a great team. It helped that Edward unknowingly swam by my side and helped us.

But then we all called truce and climbed out of the pool. The girls' shorts were soaked by the time we did. I actually forgot we had them on.

"I'm freezing." I said as we got out. I wrapped my arms around myself. The temperature had dropped a little. That wouldn't have been so bad if the wind hadn't start to pick up a little as well.

"Yeah, me too." Alice agreed, doing the same motion.

"I'll go get some towels." Rosalie said. Every one nodded in thanks. Emmett passed out drinks to anyone who wanted one. Alice and I just asked for water. He handed us both a bottle while handing both Edward and Jasper a beer.

After a minute, Rosa came back and tossed a towel to everyone. I dried my hair before wrapping it around my body. When I did, I felt Edward wrap his arms around my covered body. One of the many things my guy's good at, double warmth. I turned to him and gave him a quick peck.

"I'm starving." Alice said as she wrapped the towel around her as well.

"The food should be ready in a few minutes." Jasper said as moved the food items around on the grill. He was cooking the food. He was getting out the water every few minutes to make sure nothing was burning.

"Ooh, chef Jasper. Who knew that he could cook?" I teased.

We all laughed. "That's right. All I need is my hat and…" he stopped and looked at Alice, who was standing next to him. It seems like they were always next to each other. I wonder if that did that on purpose. "My 'kiss the chef' apron." He said loud enough for everyone else to hear, but was looking only at Alice. Wow, smooth Jazz. She gave a small smile before looking away. Rosa and I smiled at each other. We both knew exactly how they were. Edward and Emmett knew the gist.

I noticed Alice was now forcing on the bottle in her hand. "Ow." She said softly as she tried to open the new bottle.

"What wrong?" Jasper and I said at the same time.

She looked up at me. "It's my wrist. It's kinda hurts."

"What happened?" Edward said.

She shrugged, "I think I hit it or something when I Emmett tossed me in the water the first time." We all sent upset looks his way. Nice going Em. He was the only one who could hurt someone by playing.

He looked around to each face then on Alice. "Sorry." he said with a small shrugged.

I rolled my eyes and looked at Alice again. "Are you okay?" Jasper took the words out of my mouth.

She looked at it and nodded. "I should be."

"You sure? I think Em and Rosa has a first aid kit in the house, if you need to wrap it or something." He said.

She looked at him. She placed a hand on his arm and smiled. "Jasper, I'm fine." she looked at her hand like she just realized what she was doing and quickly pulled away. "Thanks though."

I smiled again. "Aww, isn't that sweet? Jasper cares." I teased. I notice Alice bow her head and tuck her hair behind her ear.

"Yeah and about something other than his bar." Rosalie joined in, causing both of us to laugh. The guys gave a small chuckle.

Jasper rolled his eyes at us. "Shut up." He snapped at us, which did nothing but make us laugh more. We never took his snaps seriously when talking about him and Alice. "What is everyone having?" he asked, turning back to the grill.

"Hot dog for me." I said.

Emmett gave a small laugh. We all looked at him. "Bella likes hot dogs." He said. as soon as he said, I got the innuendo. I guess everyone else did as the groaned. Our groans made him laugh.

"That's disgusting." Alice said.

"As oppose to liking what else?" I asked him. he shrugged.

"It's a good thing she does or she wouldn't be with me." Edward said as he hugged me tighter. I smiled as I elbowed him in the side. It was truth, but not something I really want to talk about.

But didn't stop Emmett from continuing. He laughed. "Don't you think you might be giving yourself a little too much credit." He said as he held his index finger and thumb apart with a small space.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Edward teased. They both laughed.

Rosalie sighed. "I wish you guys would stop making jokes like that." she said, knowing as well as I do that they always make jokes like that.

"I'm with you on that." I agreed.

"How often do they do that?" Alice asked.

"All the damn time." Rosa and I said at the same time as we both rolled our eyes in sync.

"Ever think they're not joking?" Alice said. All three of us laugh. I would lie if I said I didn't. Sometimes I wonder how serious the jokes were. Then Edward does something to make me think otherwise.

"You want to go back in the water, Brandon." Emmett asked.

She held her hands up in defense and shook her head. "I was just saying. It seems weird to make jokes like that, all the time."

"Sometimes, I think that as well." I teased.

Just then, Edward put his hand under my chin and turned him to me. He softly put his lips to mine. He knotted his tongue with mine then sucked on my bottom lip. He bit slightly on my lip. I gave a small moan right before he pulled away.

"Still thinking that?" he said softly.

I blinked a few times to get back my thoughts. "Think what?" I asked genially confused. Everyone laughed at me. I turned to everyone. They thought I was joking, but I really did forget what we were talking about.

Edward chuckled behind me. "Nothing, babe." He said before kissing the side of my head.

Jasper chuckled. "Okay. I think everything should be about ready. I just have to get the buns and everything else from inside the house." He said.

"I'll go get them." I offered.

"Are you sure?" Jasper asked. I nodded. When I did, Edward let me go. I took the towel off and gave it to him because I was warm enough now.

"I'll come with you." Alice said, taking off her towel – slower than I did because her wrist – and sat it on the nearest chair. She walked over to me and hooks her arm with mine. I gave Edward a quick kiss.

"We'll be back." I said as she and I walked to the patio door.

"Hurry up. We're hungry." Emmett said as we walked through the door. We both nodded then closed it.

We walked down the hallway and turned to the corner to go to the kitchen where everything that wasn't already outside was. "Thanks for the help, Al." I said as I walked over to a bag that was on the island. She nodded.

"You're welcome."

I looked in the bag and pulled out a bag of chips. "Having fun?" I asked her. She smiled and nodded. I laughed. "Is it because you got to see Jasper shirtless?" I had to ask.

"And wet." She smiled hard. Jeez. I laughed again as walked over to the cabinets for a bowl. I grabbed it and brought it back to the island. "That's actually the real reason I came to help you." She said as I opened the bag of chips. I nodded for her to continue. "I wanted to talk about Jasper." I looked at her.

"And here I thought you were trying to be a good friend." I teased. I laughed as she rolled her eyes.

"Did you see his face when Emmett picked me up the first time?" she asked.

"He was laughing like the rest of us, right?" I asked unsure. To be honest, I wasn't really thinking about looking his way.

She shook her head. "When I looked up to see why no one was helping me, I saw that Jasper wasn't laughing at first like you guys. And when I started screaming, he looked like he was trying not to get up and forced laughs out."

"So?" I said as I poured the chips in the bowl. I figure it would be easier if I did it this way.

"So, it means he was jealous, which is great." She gushed. I laughed at her excitement as I grabbed the other bag. She went on as I went back to get another bowl. "And when him and Edward grabbed us, I think I felt something." She said. I was about to ask what, but then I got it.

I looked at her. "Eww, really?"

She laughed. "That's not eww, Bella." she said.

"Whatever." I mumbled. I opened the other bag and poured it in the bowl.

"When he jumped in, he didn't let me go like I thought he would. He held me and looked into my eyes. For a second I thought he was going to kiss me. Then he let go and swam to the surface." She said the last part like she was disappointed it did go the way she wanted it to. Now that she said that, I do remember not seeing them when Edward and I came up like I thought I would. I only saw Emmett and Rosalie in an above the water lip lock.

"Okay." I nodded.

"I know he wanted it was just…" she stopped and sighed. "I think he doesn't know how to make that step." She said. "And to be honest, I think I'm getting tire of waiting."

"So what are you going to do?" I asked leaning on the counter.

She looked at her fingers. "I think I'm going to ask him out myself." When she said that, my jaw dropped. As long as I knew her, she wasn't the one to ask a guy out because she thought that wasn't how it was supposed to be done. But I could see why she's going to go out on her belief this time.

"Oh my gosh Alice. That's great." I said as I walked over to her and hugged her.

She smiled. "Thanks."

"When are you going to do it?" I asked her as I released her and lean on the counter again.

She shrugged. She looked at me. "I don't know. I wanted to ask you about it, to see what you thought first."

I gave her a confused look. "You know I think it's great. Why would you have to ask me?" I asked.

She gave me a look like I should know. Too bad I didn't. "Well, you know. You guys had that thing that you never really told me about."

"I did too tell you." I interrupted her.

She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, you told me the basic, but never really the whole story. Anyways,I wanted to be sure there was nothing –." Before she could finish the thought, I laughed out loudly and uncontrollably. I couldn't help but to do so.

"Are you serious, Alice? You know I am still dating Edward, right?" I asked, still laughing. She just looked at me, which cause me to laugh harder. I laughed so hard, my sides started to hurt. "I'm sorry." I tried to calm down to talk again. I looked at her. "Alice, Jasper and I hooked up one time; and considering the circumstances, I wouldn't really it counted." I reminded her.

She looked at her hands "And what circumstances were that, again?" she asked, fishing for the information I never gave her.

It was my turn to roll my eyes. "Alice, please."

She looked at me and gave a slight chuckle. "I guess you're right." she said, seeing the point I didn't have to say. "Bella, I never told you this; but I was never really mad. I was more jealous."

"Why?" I tilted my head in confusion.

"I knew I shouldn't be, but I couldn't help myself. It seems like when it comes to Jasper, I will be number two because you went there with him before I did."

I shook my head. "Like I said, I don't think it counted and you know it didn't."

"I know, but that's how I always thought of it." she said. I nodded. I can see her point. The best I could compare her thing to my thing with Edward and Tanya.

"Well, you have no need to be jealous." I said, as I touched her arm.

"Oh I know that now." she said smugly. I removed my hand.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"I mean, I know how much he likes me now." she said. I shrugged and nodded. That made me think of something I knew I shouldn't.

"Yeah, maybe. But I can't help but wonder…" I said.

"What?" she said, eating a chip.

"Okay, I know this probably completely wrong of me to think this, but if we did asked him, how do you think he would compare us?" I couldn't help but ask. I mean it seem like one of those age old questions. How would a guy compare two best friends?

"Can you think like that?" she asked.

I shrugged. "Why not? I'm free to have thoughts. It's not like Edward will find out anyways." I said as I ate a chip of my own. There was no way Edward would find out about this conversation I was having with my friend. I knew she wouldn't tell him and me sure as hell wouldn't. I will tell him sooner or later, but not about this. Besides, if I didn't tell him about the hook up in the first place, what made someone think I would ask him how did he think his brother would compare me and Alice?

"If that's the case, I don't really know what Jasper would say. but I know a way to find out." she smiled. I titled my head in confusion. What was she talking about? And why was she smiling like that? "The only way to find out is to ask him." she said.

I grabbed her arm. "We're not going to ask him that." I told her.

"Why?" she asked.

"Well for one, his brother and sister is here, and that's really I want to tell Edward about it yet." I told her.

"You haven't told him yet?" she asked, knowing more anyone we tried to tell each other everything.

"It never seemed like the best time." I explained.

"Whatever, we'll say we need Jasper's help with something and ask him in here." She suggested.

I rolled my eyes. "Alice, you haven't even done anything with him yet." I reminded her.

She smiled. "Or are you just afraid of what he would say." she challenged.

I gave a short laugh then shook my head. "No. I know what he will say."

"Right. I do too." She nodded.

"Yeah, that I'm better." We both said at the same time.

"What do you mean?" I asked her.

"Oh come on, I do have more experience than you." She said.

I gave another short laugh. "Really? That's your argument? And by the way not by much. No offense, but do you really think you and I is a fair comparison? You're so small, including your lips. I'm sure it nothing compared to me. Plus I do know what a Cullen likes." I teased.

She laughed. "Can you really compare them like that since one's technically not a Cullen?" I walked over the cabinet and grabbed a tray. I set it on the island. I went to the fridge and grabbed the condiments. I walked back over to the island.

"So, they're still brothers." I shrugged. I set everything on the tray.

"That doesn't mean they had the same taste." She pointed out.

"I wouldn't say that since they both had me." I joked. I don't know how I was able to joke like this; I could never joke about this with Jasper. At one point, I thought I would be able to joke about it. but to be honest, I was kind of happy I was. When it happened, I felt so sick and upset. Now I was laughing about it. It happened, it was by accident, it's over. Maybe because it was because Alice was trying going to ask him out and I don't have to worry about anything anymore.

Maybe that's why I pushing them to each other so much. Maybe I thought that would make the guilt leave and since that day looks like it was finally going to come, I think I can tell him. I will tell him later this week, when he comes down off his birthday high. I think it was time. Jasper and I have kept this secret for too long.

Alice broke my thoughts by laughing. "Playing two brothers like that; who knew Bella Swan was quite the vixen?" she teased back. I laughed.

"No one. And I want to keep it like that." I said, handing her the buns. "Come on, let's go before they die from starvation." I was joking, but Emmett made it seem like it was possible. I grabbed the tray and we walked out the kitchen. When we turned to corner, we saw Edward. "Hey." I smiled at him.

He gave a smile back. It didn't reach his eyes. I wonder if something was wrong. "Hey, what's taking so long?" he asked.

"Oh, sorry Edward. I needed to talk Bella." Alice said. He looked at her and nodded.

"What were you guys talking about?" he asked. Before she could say something he turned back to me. "Bella." he said.

I looked at him. Why did I have to answer like Alice wasn't right there? He usually doesn't have to hear things from me because he trusted that Alice would just say the same thing I would. What was wrong with him? "Just girl stuff." I said.

"Girl stuff?" he repeated.

I nodded. "It's nothing, baby" I said the same thing I always say when I don't feel like explaining things to him.

"Nothing?" he asked with a cocked eyebrow. I gave him a confused smile and nodded again, slower time. I looked at Alice and nodded to the door, reminding her that I had this tray in my hands. She nodded. We walked past him and started walking to the door, leaving him behind us.

"So hooking up with my brother is nothing?"


hey, how did you like that cliff hanger? it's been a while since i made a good one.

anyways, i hope everyone is having a good holiday and did all their shopping without a lot of problems. i'll see you guys after christmas, so have a merry merry one.

Peace, Luv, & Rockets