A/N: Thank you to the gorgeous women that help me with this story – TwilightMundi and afeistyginger.

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"It's all my fault," he said, head still shaking slowly.

"What's your fault?"

I tried to unfurl him, to invade his space and help ease his physical pain even if it was just the tiniest bit, by pushing myself into his bubble. It was no use. There was a muffled sob, and then two words I never expected.

"He's dead."

EPOV

My hands rubbed across his back.

"Who's dead, Jasper?"

"Stephan."

I knew the name – that this was the teenager Jasper had been so worried about before we'd left. As I struggled with how to comfort him and which questions to ask, there was a knock at the door.

"Bella," Jasper whispered.

Disentangling myself from him, I walked to answer the door, but apparently didn't move fast enough. A second, louder knock jarred and frustrated me. I was doing the best I could and moving as quickly as possible.

I couldn't form any words when I had the door open. What was I supposed to say, I wondered. Her eyes went up and down, capturing the fact that I was fully dressed as she asked what was wrong.

I still couldn't even begin to think of what to say to her.

"Jasper?" she asked, facial expression changing drastically from one of annoyance to one of despair.

When I nodded and opened the door, she ran in, Alice's hand linked with hers. I closed the door and walked back to the room, then sank to the floor beside Jasper. He moved from Bella's arms, shifting closer to my body, so I opened my arms and held him. My chin rested on his head, eyes closed, as I thought about how I might be able to help.

I whispered to him that we'd get through this together. We had each other. He didn't have to be alone and I'd be there for him no matter what. That night, I held Jasper closer than I ever had before. His lips were sticky and swollen against mine as he kissed me, full of need and desperate for reassurance. We didn't take it any further than that, just a long and slow kiss now and then.

The rest of the weekend felt like a haze in my memory. I knew that on Saturday morning, Jasper had gone to spend time with Bella and they'd fallen asleep on the couch in her room. We all went to Zumanity that night, but I spent more time watching Jasper from my peripheral vision than I did watching the show. The fountains at the Bellagio were amazing. Jasper was standing next to me and I couldn't help but hum along with the songs I loved so much as they played.

I realized I'd never played piano for Jasper, and decided to correct that at the next Sunday brunch. My parents were storing my piano I'd had since I was a child until I had a more permanent place to live and my fingers suddenly itched to play. I wanted to weave a beautiful song for him.

When we arrived back in Salt Lake the next morning, I knew we'd be parting for several days, but I didn't want that at all. Bella drove us back from the airport and we hugged her and Alice goodbye, then walked to Jasper's house.

"Come in for a bit?" he asked.

I nodded and followed him inside to the living room. Jasper sat on the couch and I slid into the spot next to him, both sets of our feet up on the coffee table. At least our shoes were off.

"You know, they're like my kids," he said quietly.

"I know," I said. "You take such good care of them."

Jasper's fingers threaded with mine and we spent the next few minutes sitting quietly together. Eventually, he got up and put in a movie. We laughed and laughed, and I was so glad he seemed to be okay.

"Wanna call for pizza?" he asked as the credits rolled.

"Yeah, that sounds perfect. I need to go after we eat, even though I don't want to."

I could see the disappointment on his face, but he didn't ask me to stay, and I had to at least stop at my place to grab work clothes. Had he asked, I would have stayed in a heartbeat. I could have gone home and come back, but I wasn't sure if he needed privacy and space or what.

Our pizza was quickly demolished and I was home and doing crap chores long before I'd wanted to be. We texted each other until I crawled into bed and he said he was doing the same. I told him I wished it was the same bed, and he sent back a smiley. I never knew how to interpret that. Did it mean "I wish that, too" or did it mean "no thanks"?

Monday was bleary and cold. Bitterly cold and uncomfortable. I bundled up even more than usual and texted Jasper. When I didn't hear back from him, I lingered around Bella's office, in case she wanted to ask me something or tell me she'd heard from him. We had a few conversations, but both focused on our work. I internally swore, but knew if she wasn't freaking out about things, I shouldn't be either. She knew him so much better, and for so much longer, I rationalized.

After work, I tried to call Jasper, but it went straight to voicemail. I was biting my thumbnail and pacing when I got a text from Bella, which was quickly followed by her calling.

"Have you heard from him?" she asked, voice full of panic.

Shit shit shit. I knew I should have gone by his house to check on him.

When she told me she was getting dressed to walk over, I was already in my car. The worst that could happen was she'd find him with his cell charger cord broken and perfectly safe at home, drinking a beer and watching the Sports Channel. The worst case scenario I didn't want to think about, but also didn't want to deal with over the phone.

I broke so many traffic laws that it was a miracle I didn't get pulled over on my way to them. I had to get there. I had to see with my eyes that he was okay.

"Bella, did you find him?" I asked, turning onto their street. I could hear her muttering to herself but couldn't ascertain what was going on.

When she told me about the empty bottle of Patron, I'd been putting the car in park in his driveway. I could still hear her talking to him, begging and pleading, definitely crying, and I began to pound on the door for her to let me in.

"Bella!" I shouted through the phone. "Bella, open the door, please!"

Once I was inside, we ran to Jasper's room and the first thing I did was check for a pulse.

What the fuck did you do, Jasper? You told me you were okay...

"Wake up, Jasper. Can you wake up?"

I kept shouting, angry and hurt, confused and upset. Tears sprang to my eyes without permission as I realized how much this whole picture reminded me of so many nights I'd helped Alice with Sasha. God, please don't let Jasper go down that path, I prayed.

When Jasper began to slur and talk, I finally felt my heart beat again. He said he could see two of me, and I wanted to tell him both versions would be kicking his ass in the very near future.

I didn't want Jasper to be unresponsive and require us to call for help; I hoped he'd just wake up and vomit. I was grateful when he was able to stand, making his way to the bathroom with our help. When he finally threw up, I felt relief wash over me. The night wasn't totally in the clear, but it was a step.

After several hours and a very thorough toothbrushing, Bella and I walked him back into bed. She whispered she was going to leave, and just as I was nodding, Jasper asked for her to stay. Once we were all three settled into the bed, Bella and I talked for a bit.

In the morning, I was glad when I woke up and saw Jasper still sleeping. He was breathing. He was there and okay. I stretched and got out of bed, walking to the kitchen to make coffee. I smiled as I worked in his kitchen, so many small reminders of him around me, then carried a mug to each of them once it was ready.

Jasper and Bella were both very happy to see the coffee, and Jasper demanded I crawl back into bed with them. He said he was sorry, but it wasn't that easy. I needed him to know how serious I was.

He told me he was going to see a grief counselor and that eased my fears. Jasper was smart; he'd been through similar situations with patients and he knew what needed to be done. I was glad he was on the right path and hoped that one night was simply a fluke.

~%~

Over eighteen months later, as I sat on the edge of his bed watching him dry off after our shower, I thought back to that night. You know those moments that solidify things? They either make or break you – as a person, as a friend, as a lover. Those first few weeks after Stephan were like superglue for Jasper and me.

True to his word, he began grief counseling. It wasn't always easy, and so much more than just handling the suicide came out during those one-hour meetings, but I watched as Jasper found himself right in front of me.

"How're you feeling today?" I asked.

"Great," he said. "I can't wait to see her at the end of that aisle. I know it's going to be a fantastic."

I nodded and smiled at him. It was going to be amazing.

"Think we should go help?" he asked.

"Yeah," I said. We'd delayed entering the chaos long enough. And, I was pretty excited, truth be told.

Walking to Bella's house, we talked about what the afternoon and evening would entail, going over each detail again. We were in charge of a lot and though I'd made a mental list, I wanted to make sure we didn't forget anything.

"The caterers are already there, right?"

"Mhm," Jasper said, squeezing my hand. "Stop worrying."

As if I could.

He knocked at the door, then turned the knob and pushed it open. We laughed when we spotted Bella and Alice on the couch in their pajamas, as if it was just a normal Saturday.

"Ladies, how is it that we're more stressed about this day than you?" I asked. "Get up, lazy-asses."

They stood up and hugged us, shrugging and laughing.

"We were just going to head over," Alice said. "Carpool?"

"Of course," Jasper said, smiling at her.

Over the last year, they had grown so close. It made my heart soar. The four of us had spent countless hours together and were almost our own family unit.

While we drove, Bella rattled off the list of things she had going on, and I smiled at our similarities when it came to conquering tasks. When we arrived at the site – my parents' house – we gasped at the number of vehicles already there.

"Jesus," Bella muttered, having never been subjected to our family's version of a celebration before.

"It'll be okay," Alice reassured her.

I opened the door and stepped inside. A small intake of breath was all I could manage at the sight as I looked around once I'd made it to the main area of the home. There were huge white tents set up in the backyard and tables scattered around. It wasn't cluttered or cramped, just the right amount of seating for both the event and the space. On each table, there were vases with gorgeous white flowers and candles.

It was impressive and gorgeous, fitting for their personalities. Jasper and Bella left for the other side of the house.

"Ready, Maid of Honor?"

"Baby, if you call me that one more time, I'm going to be forced to tackle you and tickle you until you pee. I don't think you want that on your wedding day, do you?"

"Just be glad I didn't ask you to wear a dress," Alice said, laughing.

We walked back to my parents' bedroom arm-in-arm; it was what our mother had dubbed Wedding Central, and where Alice would get ready. Her dress was hanging from one of the posters of the giant bed frame. They'd worked on it for the entire three months of the engagement, spending late nights and weekends slaving away. Even on the hanger, it was gorgeous – off-white, silk, and had lots of sparkly things.

"You're going to look like a princess," I said.

She turned and smiled at me, wrapping her arms around my neck and squeezing me hard.

"Thank you for everything."

For the next few hours, I was at Alice's beck and call. I fetched her food when she was hungry, figured out where the makeup person was when they weren't five minutes early, and did my best to calm her nerves. I'd never been so grateful to see Emmett in my life, when he arrived upstairs.

After the obligatory hug, we sat out in the backyard on some of the folding chairs.

"How come you guys aren't doing some kind of big gay double-ceremony shit?"

I laughed; Emmett never did hold back.

"Do you really think Alice would have let anyone steal her thunder?" I asked.

"Good point," he said, tilting his head to the side. "But if there was anyone she'd let share this day with her, it would be you. You two are … so close."

The pain in his voice was small, but so clear.

"You know she loves you, too. Why aren't you up there with Rose?"

Laughter boomed from him. "Oh, I will be." He smiled wide and genuine. "Someday, brother."

Apparently Jasper wasn't the only person benefitting from therapy.

A hand on my shoulder startled me.

"Sorry," Bella said. "Alice is texting me to ask where you are. She says you've been gone for hours,"she said, eyes widening dramatically, imitating Alice perfectly, "and she needs help with something."

Standing up, I turned and faced Bella. "She's texting you?"

"Yeah," she sighed. "She still insists on not seeing me. Or me not seeing her. Whatever."

"I've been gone like ten minutes," I said, rolling my eyes. "But thanks, I'll go see what she needs."

Alice was still in her pajamas when I walked into the fray again, but her hand was smoothing over the front of the dress.

"Where have you been? Mom's going to help me into my dress in a minute," she said. "Do you think you could take this to Bella? How much time do I have left?"

Her questions were rapid fire and I put my hands on her shoulders to steady and calm her.

"Chill, Alice. You have a little less than an hour. Of course I'll take your gift to Bella."

When I told her the amount of time left, she almost melted beneath the weight of what I knew was excitement and anticipation. The wrapped box moved from her hands into mine and she pushed me on the shoulder.

"Go," she said, shooing me. "I need to get my lingerie on and I know you don't want to be here for that."

I shuddered at the idea, and then my brain involuntarily slid into the two of them together in bed and I almost gagged.

On the walk to the other side of the house where Bella was, I passed my mom, hugging her. She started crying and I just handed her a tissue from the pocket pack of Kleenex I'd learned to be armed with.

"Sorry!" she said. "I'm just so happy!"

She was literally bursting with happiness, I could tell.

"I know, Mom."

We went our ways, and as I approached the room, I heard Bella and Jasper talking and laughing. Their closeness never upset me anymore. It was just another facet of Jasper I'd come to deeply understand.

"Okay you two," I said once inside the room. "Time to start getting serious."

Neither of them was dressed or ready and I just shook my head. I knew Rose had done Bella's makeup and hair, but she was probably off with Emmett now that it was done. It was the only part of Bella that was ready for what was about to occur.

The way she'd relaxed and grown into her own the last year had surprised me, but in the best way possible. I knew Rose and Bella's mom was there somewhere, but I hadn't seen much of her after we'd been introduced the night before at the family dinner.

Handing the wrapped gift to Bella, I hugged her quickly, whispering the box was from Alice, then stepped away to Jasper's side.

"Wanna go get dressed?" I asked him, wiggling my eyebrows.

"Uh, yes," he said, his hands quickly finding my body.

We left Bella to open her gift in private as we got into our tuxes.

"No funny business, boys!" Bella shouted after us. "There will be time for that later."

Jasper and I exchanged a look and eyeroll, but once behind the closed door of my childhood bedroom, I began to wonder if I could just get one quick naked moment with him. My clothes were off in record speed and I lifted my arm to look at my watch, then decided I couldn't risk it. There would be time later.

When I turned to look at him, the sight knocked me stupid. We were both wearing the same basic, black tuxedo, but he looked fucking amazing – like he just stepped out of a billboard or a movie.

From the look he was giving me, I imagined he was thinking the exact same thing.

Unfortunately, someone at the door reminded us we were needed elsewhere. It was Renee, Bella and Rose's mom, and she was searching for Jasper. I took that as my cue to find Alice, knowing people had already arrived and were seated. The ceremony was only minutes away.

"Mom, can I please escort you to your seat?" I asked when I found her standing next to Alice, wiping her eyes again.

"Sure, son."

Our dad was talking to Alice, making her laugh and cry as they got ready for the walk. The Walk.

A lump knotted my throat as I walked with my mom down the white fabric draped over bright green grass. When she was seated comfortably in the front row, I let go of her hand and walked inside.

Back with Alice, I gave her one final hug. "Ready?"

"As I'll ever be. Does she look amazing? Is she glowing? Is she nervous?"

"You'll see, Alice. She … You both look beautiful. It's going to be perfect."

She exhaled and looked temporarily relieved. "Well, get out there then, Maid of Honor. I'm ready to be a bride."

By the time I arrived at the edge of the French doors leading to the backyard again, I could hear the music playing. I felt dizzy for a brief moment, looking out at everyone waiting. Jasper had walked Bella down the aisle, then stood to one side of her, acting as her Maid of Honor. Rose was a bridesmaid, standing to his left. The soft strains of instruments called to me and I walked carefully to take my place on Alice's side of the arbor.

Emmett nodded his head at me once. He stood under the arch, waiting to officiate, with a mile-wide smile.

As the music changed, every eye turned to look at Alice as she made her entrance. She was radiant, matching the glow that came from Bella, as she walked down the aisle on our father's arm to her betrothed.

The ceremony was blissfully short. When Emmett spoke, he commanded listening. His words were beautiful and touching, recalling funny and touching events from our childhood and memories of Bella and Alice together. Sunset had just approached and the sky was lit with the fiery pinks and oranges of summer. It was the perfect backdrop.

Guests were ushered inside the house for appetizers as the tents were taken down outside. The entire space glowed with candlelight when we went back out, and I marveled again at how perfect it really was. After a dinner was served, a few dances, and cake, the brides left. They were off on their honeymoon and I was a little envious of their private time away.

"Ready to blow this popsicle stand?" Jasper asked after we'd done our share of dancing.

"I'm ready to blow something."

"That's what I'm talking about," he said, grabbing my hand and leading me out.

Of course we had to stop and say goodbye to all of our family and friends, but it didn't take too terribly long, thank god.

Inside his house, I pushed at his jacket, tugging his tie at almost the same moment. I couldn't get him naked and in my mouth, hand, or other parts, fast enough. I needed him like I needed air.

We fell onto the bed, a tangle of body parts – arms and hands reaching and pulling, legs weaving together and tangling, mouths crashing against each other. His lips pulled and pushed against mine, demanding and taking.

Jasper laid on top of me once we finally calmed down and found our rhythm together. He'd already put on a condom and dealt with everything he needed to.

He was smiling down at me. "I love you."

"I love you, too," I said.

As his lips teased mine again, he leaned against my body and used one hand to guide himself into me.

There were no deep confessions, no questions or proposals, and that was exactly how I wanted it. With careful love, he pressed deep inside. Whispering and kissing, he pulled out and pushed in repeatedly. Our bodies were joined and his chest pressed against mine with each movement.

This was my bliss. Making love with Jasper, knowing how happy each of us was, just as we were, at that moment in time.

After a few minutes, he picked up his pace and I shifted my hips, taking him deeper. My hands moved to my cock, stroking in time with him.

"Harder," I whispered.

Jasper cursed and complied, driving into my body faster and harder. He was hitting exactly where it felt best and I closed my eyes, lost as we made love.

When I knew I was going to come, I reached over and grabbed a few tissues. As my body tightened, I felt him thrust even harder, seeking his own climax. I opened my eyes to watch, the sight of him coming one that I cherished and sometimes replayed in the dark of night or early haze of the morning during our time apart.

"Mmm," he hummed as his body collapsed onto mine, both of us spent. I welcomed the weight.

His lips found mine again and we kissed languidly for several minutes before we got up to clean ourselves. Smiles were exchanged in the mirror, glancing at each other without even meaning to, our eyes always drawn to the other person. We brushed our teeth, sharing the tube of toothpaste, and touching in small ways whenever we could.

Back in bed, the hum of the fan overhead seemed to be the perfect lullaby.

"Today was a good day," he said, voice full of sleep and love.

"The best," I agreed.

"Do you think your mom suspected?" Jasper asked as I drifted to sleep.

My lips stretched taught in a wide smile. "Not a thing."

We had found each other under the most odd circumstances. Our love had been tested, Jasper's life nearly shattered by grief. Our best friends fell in love alongside us, and we had become a family. It was an odd mix of characters for sure, but when I looked around the table at brunch the following Sunday, I was choked up.

This was my family, chosen and born, and I made sure to look at each of them as I stood up to speak, a slightly unusual move.

"I'm glad Bella and Alice are back, and thankful for their safe return," I said looking at them. "I don't even want to know what kind of unspeakable things they did, but I'm glad to see them so happy and luminescent."

My vision shifted to Rose and Emmett, sitting side-by-side, holding hands. "To love, and life."

My eyes swept to Jasper. "To forever."