RPOV

Her father.

Bella had finished telling us her story hours ago. She had fallen asleep in Jasper's lap, and that's where she was nestled now. I could tell Jasper was exhausted; he and Bella had matching bags under their eyes. Emmett had left to take Edward home, and also to give me a chance to talk alone with my brother.

"Jazz, you need sleep; you and Bella both."

I had already told him this about a dozen times, but he would just shake his head. I think after hearing Bella's shocking story, he wouldn't be able to sleep until he'd had a chance to process everything. And while he could've easily carried Bella up to her room, I didn't think he wanted to let her out of his sight. Seeing as that, even asleep, Bella had his shirt in a death grip; I'd wager she felt the same.

And I thought I was tough.

Hearing Bella's past, I sure as hell didn't think so now. I already knew the girl was strong, but damn; "strong" didn't even begin to cover it.

"What do I do, Rose?"

I jumped. It was the first time Jasper had spoken in hours. "What do you mean?"

He swallowed. "I'm scared for her, Rosie. I don't know what to do, how to help her." As Jasper shared this with me, he looked (and sounded) like he'd aged 10 years.

I slid into the recliner next to him and Bella. It was a tight fit, and I was mostly sitting on Jasper, but like hell I gave a damn. I wrapped my right arm around his shoulders and hugged him.

"Jazz, I know you love her, but Bella's strong. She's had time to deal with all of this. And while it's obvious there are still some things for her to work through, it's not up to you to fix her."

He opened his mouth to protest, but I beat him to it.

"Just listen," I insisted. "It's not your job to put her back together, but she will need you to get through it. Just be there for her. Be there to listen to her, to talk to her, or to give her a hug. Remember how Emmett was always there for me? How you were always there? That's what she needs. Someone who loves her, and cares about her. She just needs you, Jasper."

His smile, while strained, was genuine. I breathed a little easier after seeing it.

Bella must've been really in tune with Jasper, because as he relaxed, she released her iron hold on his shirt; instead she wrapped her arms around his waist.

Jasper kissed my hair. "Thanks Rosie." He shifted Bella's weight and carried her up the stairs.

Another job well done.

Emmett walked in at that moment. Poor boy looked as though someone had boiled his puppy.

Round Two. Ding!

He collapsed on the couch; I quickly joined him, curling into his chest, and waited.

I didn't have to wait long.

"Her father. Her fucking father! How in the hell does that happen? There goes my faith in humanity!" he ranted.

"Em," I interrupted, "you lost your faith in humanity when you met me."

He shook his head, not really listening. I sighed. I knew from experience that it was almost impossible to get through to Emmett when he got himself worked up like this. The only thing to do was wait until he'd gotten it out of his system.

We sat there for another hour; Emmett's intermittent ranting breaking the silence. Around midnight, Charlie called to say he'd had a little too much to drink, and was going to crash at Billy's. Carlisle and Esme called to check in. Edward had apparently filled them in on this night's events, and they were worried about how we were all handling it. I assured them I'd talked to both of the boys, and Jasper was with Bella. We hung up shortly after that.

Eventually, Emmett calmed down enough for me to tell him what I'd told Jasper. He caved, and we went to bed.

Another crisis averted.

. . .

BPOV

Jasper hadn't left.

I woke up when I heard Rose and Emmett make their way to Em's room. I had fallen asleep in Jasper's lap, and he must've carried up to my room.

And he was still here.

He lay asleep behind me, an arm thrown possessively over my hip. I breathed a sigh of relief. I'd been afraid he would leave at the first chance given to him. So, when I started to doze off, instead of going upstairs, I curled up in Jasper's lap.

I rolled over, trying not to wake him, but wanting to see his face. It was calm, peaceful. He hadn't looked that way when I'd fallen asleep…and then it clicked.

Thank you, Rose.

I gently ran my fingers through his silky curls. He hummed and turned his face into my palm. His arm tightened, and he pulled me flush to his body.

I felt something wet on my shoulder; it took me a second to realize Jasper was kissing me.

"I love you," he murmured. His voice was gravelly and thick with sleep.

"I'm sorry I woke you," I whispered, combing my fingers through his hair again.

He ducked his head so he could reach my collarbone. I rolled us over until his head rested on my chest. He hummed again as I played with his hair.

"Are you trying to lull me back to sleep?"

I kissed his forehead. "Maybe. You definitely need it." The poor boy spent all his energy worrying about me. He needed a break!

I felt him shake his head. "I need you."

I smiled. "I need you, too. But you need to rest. Please go back to sleep."

He sat up on his elbow. I gave him my best Bambi eyes, knowing he'd cave.

I wasn't wrong.

He groaned, "Woman, you are gonna kill me with that look of yours." He kissed me and lay back down, pulling me onto his chest.

I felt his body relax beneath mine. He lazily combed his fingers through my hair, trying, it would seem, to soothe me to sleep.

It was working, but the last thing I wanted was for him to sit up all night (or all morning).

I ran my hand along his chest, his arms, and his shoulders. It must've worked, because I heard Jasper's breathing even out.

I felt the bed dip on my other side. I turned to see Riley curled up with his head on my leg.

No wonder I couldn't fall asleep, I needed both of my boys with me.

Sorry it's so short, but at this point, I couldn't really think of anything else to add. At this point, I'm not entirely too sure how to continue with Sweet B. I'm not gonna drop it or put it on hiatus, but I would like your opinions on how you think I should continue. I already have an ending in mind, but it wouldn't due to just throw it in now. So if you have any ideas, please let me know.

And speaking of ideas, I have not gotten nearly as many title ideas as I would have hoped. At this point, I have so few that it seems like a waste to set up a poll. However, I want you, my readers, to ultimately decide what the title of the story will be. So, if you have an idea, even if you think it sucks, send it on. It may win!

Until next time, my darlings.