"Bells, are you home?" I was startled awake by my father slamming the door. I sat up abruptly and heard Edward groan as I felt his arms slip away.

I looked around. We had fallen asleep on the couch. I wasn't surprised. We'd both been exhausted when I popped in the movie.

Edward's arms wrapped around my waist again as he tried to pull me back down on the couch. It was an unconscious notion. He was still completely asleep. I hadn't realized how tired he was.

Charlie walked into the living room and I looked up quickly enough to make sure he was quiet. He looked down at Edward in shock. I shook my head and put a finger over my lips. I untangled myself from Edward's arms gently and walked with my father into the kitchen.

"What's going on, Isabella?" My father whispered.

I flinched. I didn't like it when he called me Isabella. He only did when he was going to scold me. "It's not what it looks like, Dad. We were watching a movie and we fell asleep."

He shook his head, "Bella, you're too young to be in this kind of relationship."

I crossed my arms, "Dad, by my age, you and mom were already married. Not only that, but pregnant with me."

Charlie winced and I immediately felt bad. Even if he was falling for Sue, that would never change his feelings for Mom. She was his first love. "Which is exactly why I'm telling you this, Bells. I don't want to see you hurt. I can see it in your eyes. You're already in love with him."

I sighed. He was right. I couldn't hide my feelings from him. "Dad," I didn't know how I was going to convince him that Edward was a good guy. "You're right. I love Edward. And it may surprise you that he loves me too. I know that it surprised me. Give him a chance. You've met him before. You know he's a nice guy."

Charlie harrumphed and turned toward the stairs to get washed up. I sighed, knowing that he'd given up for tonight.

The front door burst open and I saw Edward bolt up in shock and look around for me. "Bells," a low familiar voice said, "I got some bad news for ya."

I put my fists on my hips and glared at Jacob, "Jake, haven't you ever learned to knock? Jeez, you scared me to death."

He gave me a sheepish smile. "Sorry, Bells. I just had to tell you the verdict on your truck."

Edward chuckled as he reached me. "Please tell me that she can't drive it anymore."

Jake looked between Edward and me, before giving me another sheepish look. "Sorry, Bells. There was nothing I could do."

I narrowed my eyes at them, "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you two were conspiring against me."

Edward chuckled and kissed my cheek. "That would be hard to do since you've never introduced us, Love."

I shook my head at my forgetfulness. "Sorry, you're right. Edward, this is my best friend Jacob and Jacob this is my boyfriend Edward."

"Ah, yes. The shiny Volvo owner. You're the Dr.'s son right?" Jacob took Edward's outstretched hand.

"That's right. And you must be the person who's kept that death trap running so Bella could drive it."

I looked between the two of them. There didn't seem to be any hostility, but there wasn't any hope of friendship in the air. I sighed, "You two be nice while I call someone for a second opinion."

They both looked at me in shock."Bella, love. Why would you need a second opinion? You've never doubted Jacob's ability to take care of your truck before."

"Yeah, and who would you call for a second opinion. I know that truck inside and out. If there had been a way to fix it, I would know."

I rolled my eyes, even with the tension between them, they found a way to gang up on me. "I'm still calling for a second opinion. If she agrees with you, then that will be it. My old truck will have had its last drive."

Edward's eyes took on a knowing look while Jacob only got more confused. "She?"

I flipped open my phone and scrolled through the contacts until I found what I was looking for. I smiled and pressed the dial button. I placed the phone to my ear and waited through two short rings before I got an answer. "Hey, Bella. Has Edward already bored you so much that you need to call me?"

I couldn't stifle the giggle that escaped my lips. I loved Rose. "Well, we don't want him to find that out, now do we?"

Both Rose and I burst into laughter. I noticed Edward watching me carefully. He had to be aware that we could only be talking about one of three guys, and of course one of them was him. "Actually, Rose, I was hoping that you might be able to do me a favor."

Rose hadn't stopped giggling, but she was listening. "What is it, Bella?"

"Well, you see, on the way home yesterday, my truck died."

"Thank God," Rose interrupted.

"ROSALIE!"

"Sorry, Bella, but you have to understand. You need something sportier. Something I've worked on." I could just see the wheels working in her head.

"Rose, you now I'd never be able to afford anything like that. Besides, I love my truck. I can't just let it die."

She snickered, "Okay, so what is this favor you wanted from me?"

"Well," I began unsurely. "Would you come down to do this for me? I was hoping that you could come down and tell me what's wrong with it. My mechanic wants me to believe that it can't be revived and my boyfriend is intent on anything that keeps me away from my truck."

"I see, so the he-men are ganging up on you." There was a smirk in her voice. This was a good sign. She might just help me.

"Yes, and it's not fair."

Rose laughed at my pitiful act. "I'll be down in the morning. We'll get this straightened out."

I was instantly pacified. I hoped that Rose would be able to get my truck back to its former glory. "Thanks Rose. I'll see you in the morning."

After a short goodbye, I hung up the phone and smirked at the boys listening to my half of the conversation. "My reinforcement will be here in the morning. Then we'll find out what you're hiding from me."

Edward gave me his heart stopping crooked grin and I reached for the wall to stead myself. Jake raised an eyebrow at me, but I was too busy watching Edward's advance to pay much attention to Jake. "And what, my dear, makes you think that Rose will ever let you drive that thing again?"

I tried to breath and look away to gather my thoughts, but Edward's emerald eyes held me completely captive. There was no getting away from him. His smirk grew as he realized my inability to answer. He reached out and brushed a lock of hair behind my ear. "If I know Rose, she's not going to let you anywhere near that old piece of junk. If I asked her to, she'd help me push it in the ocean."

He'd leaned down far enough so that our noses skimmed each other. He didn't release my gaze and continued to speak. "And I wouldn't put it past her to already have a plan to get rid of it." His lips brushed over mine as he spoke.

I was so far gone by this point that I couldn't hold myself back. I threw my arms around his neck and crushed my lips to his. He stumbled back in shock, but held me tightly around the waist so that I couldn't fall. He chuckled as he pushed me away a little. "Love, you're going to get me into a lot of trouble with your father if you jump me like that."

I closed my eyes and steadied myself. "Then maybe you shouldn't dazzle me like that."

He leaned forward and kissed my forehead before Jacob coughed inconspicuously. I hid my face in Edward's chest as I blushed. How had I forgotten that he was there?

"Well I don't know what you did to her Edward, but she's a completely different girl than the girl who was my best friend."

I pulled away from Edward in shock, "Was?"

He shook his head and chuckled, "You know what I mean, Bells. You're still my best friend, but that shy girl who spent so much time in the corner of a room with a book seems to be gone."

I smiled. I couldn't lose, Jake. "She's still in here somewhere, Jake. It's just that other things seemed to have surfaced while I was at college. Though my roommate Alice, Edward's brother, and I suppose the Hale twins have just as much to do with that as Edward."

I could feel Edward smile as he placed a light kiss at the junction of my neck and my shoulder. "They are a lot to handle at times."

I could see Jake's discomfort in the intimacy that Edward and I were showing, so I decided to step out of Edward's embrace and went to get supper. "Since your already here, Jacob. I assume that you're sticking around until all the food's gone."

He laughed lightly, "If you don't mind, Bells. My dad and I don't really know how to cook, and Sue's so busy here that I can't bum food off of her anymore."

I gave him a stern look, "You shouldn't do that, Jake. What kind of impression you think that gives Leah?"

He shrugged, "It's better than hanging around Emily. The rest of the guys spend time at Sam and Emily's house because she spends all day cooking for them. I saw the pain in her eyes when Sam left her for Emily. I don't want to ever cause her that kind of pain."

I threw my arms around my best friend's neck. "You really love her, Jake, don't you?"

He was silent for a moment and I looked up to see the shock in his eyes. "Yeah, I think I do. What do I do now?"

I giggled at his confused face. I'd thought he was in love with her yesterday, but now I was sure. "You tell her, silly."

"And if you're as lucky as I am, she'll say it back."

I looked at Edward and smirked. "If I remember correctly, I was the one to say it first. You were a coward and waited until you were sure of my feelings."

He smirked right back. "That, my dear, is where you are wrong. Every night, as you were drifting off to sleep, I told you that I loved you."

I shook my head, though I was glad to hear that I hadn't imagined that. "Doesn't count and you know it."

Edward chuckled. "I suppose it would be wiser of you to tell your Leah that you loved her while she was conscious. That would prevent you from having an argument like this in the future."

Jacob chuckled and ruffled my hair. "You're never going to win an argument with this one. She's got a stubborn streak a mile long."

I growled at Jake and tried to fix my hair. I could hear Edward laughing and he came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. "And I wouldn't change her for anything."

I melted into him for a moment. It felt nice, to stand in my kitchen with his arms around me.

"So are you two always like this? Because I was hoping to get something to eat soon."

I was glad Jake pulled me out of my daze because Charlie came down the stairs at the moment looking rather dressed up. "Dad, you didn't get all dressed up for dinner, did you?"

Charlie blushed lightly, "Sorry, Bells. I forgot to tell you. Sue and I have plans for tonight and," he looked away for me. I knew what was coming next, "I'll probably be spending the night there."

He suddenly looked back at Edward, "Though, I think I should probably come back."

Jacob laughed. "You don't need to worry, Charlie. I'll make sure he goes home. I'll even sleep on the couch so he doesn't try to sneak back in."

Charlie smiled at Jake, "I've always been able to count on you kid."

I rolled my eyes, "Dad, are you going to keep Sue waiting?"

He shook his head, "I'll see you after work tomorrow, Bells. Then we'll spend a little time together."

I smiled at my dad as he left to see the woman who'd been able to heal his heart. I turned back to the kitchen and realized I was stuck in an interesting position. Edward and Jacob were both waiting for me to make my next move. I sighed and gestured for them both to sit at the table.

Edward shook his head and went to get plates. I could see that he had relaxed since my father had left. I had never been scared of my father, but Edward sure was. He took three plates from the cupboard and took the lasagna out of the oven that I'd put in before we fell asleep.

Jacob sniffed appreciatively, "Smells good, Bells." I watched as he started rummaging through my cupboard for glasses which he filled with water.

It was interesting to say the least. I was used to getting everything ready in this house. And here were two great guys taking care of me. Edward, being the gentleman that he was, even held out the chair for me.

The atmosphere had lightened a lot. Although, Jake and Edward weren't friends, they seemed to be trying to get along for me.

"So, Bella," Jake started with a mischievous smile. "Did you hit your neck this morning?"

I cocked an eyebrow at him. "No, what are you talking about, Jake?"

He chuckled and tapped the skin under my ear. "You've got a funny little bruise comin' in. Knowin' you, there's no tellin' where it came from."

My hand flew to the spot that he had touched, and Jake burst into laughter. "Dude, if you're going to be leavin' marks on the Chief's daughter, you should be doing it in less visible areas."

I noticed Edward's tension. For some reason, he didn't like Jake. I didn't know why, but I wasn't going to push it. For now, he was being civil. That was all I could ask for. He nodded at Jake and went back to eating.

"Jake, you're not really going to sleep here tonight, are you?" I tried to pull out my best puppy dog pout. I'd never been very good at it, but I was learning from Alice. "I'm a big girl and can take care of myself."

Jake looked a little stunned and I heard Edward laugh. I threw a questioning glance in his direction and he just shrugged.

"Bells, I promised your dad that he wouldn't spend the night."

Another course of action occurred to me. "I promise he won't spend the night, Jake. And I refuse to let you sleep on my couch. You are too tall for that to be comfortable."

He grinned at me, "I could sleep in your bed. I'm sure that would be far more comfortable for both of us."

I could see Edward fuming out of the corner of my eyes. I wondered if Jake was trying to get a rise out of him. I tried to diffuse the situation. "Yeah, and maybe Edward could go keep Leah company tonight."

Jake let out a breath like he'd been punched in the gut. "Ouch, Bells. That was a low blow. You know that I was just joking."

I rolled my eyes and got up to put my plate in the sink. On my way, I ran my hand through Edward's hair. I needed him to relax. "I know that Jake." I scrubbed my plate and put it in the drying rack.

I turned back to them and asked again. "Really, Jake. You're not going to spend the night are you? I'll be able to sleep much better knowing that you're in a comfortable bed, though I wouldn't suggest Leah's bed since Charlie's there."

He watched my face carefully. "I can only leave if I know that he's not going to spend the night. You're a terrible liar, so I'll know if you're not telling me the truth."

I squared my shoulders and looked Jake in the eyes. "I promise that Edward will not be spending the night."

Jacob watched my face for a moment longer and nodded his head. "Okay." Then he went back to eating.