Just Stay With Me Chapter 16: More Promises, a twilight fanfic

A/N: All info located in chapter "Over" posting.

Disclaimer: Everything belongs to Stephenie Meyer, the creator of Twilight.

Bella slowly walked along the beach towards the spot that Emmett said he had left Edward at.

Everything from the last hour played out in her mind.

What was she going to say?

What could she do?

Sure, she had a cover story, an alibi basically, but would it really work? Would she be able to make it work?

She took another deep breath.

She glanced down at the golden bands adorning the fourth finger on her left hand.

Edward's face flashed in her mind.

She saw the agony there, in his expression, in his eyes, the betrayal.

He had a point.

How could she have done that to him? To them?

He had always been faithful to her, good to her, loving to her.

And yet, first chance she got, she cheated on him and broke his heart.

That thought brought Jake's face into her mind.

She saw the equal devastation she caused there.

He was scared, hurt, in pain.

He had known she was close to breaking it off.

Even though she had initially promised him she wouldn't, she couldn't help but consider it.

Rose had made a very good point. She had been caught and it was time she faced the consequences.

If she continued to be with Jake (with Edward's blissful miraculous ignorance to the fact), them falling even more for each other, there would come a point in time where she would be forced to choose. She would have to. There would be no way around it. Unless she was planning on assuming the man's role for the first time in history in polygamy, she would have to make a choice.

Jake would demand it of her. For all of his reassurances that he wouldn't put pressure on her, not force her into action, she knew there would come a point in time when he would. Rightfully so, after all, he was stuck in a marriage he hated with a woman he despised even more, living a lie he didn't need to be, but did, for her. How could she ask him to continue in that? That would be beyond selfish of her. He was sacrificing so much to be with her already. And he really did love her. She could see that now.

She thought of that last moment with him before she came down here to confront Edward.

When Emmett told her where her husband was, she turned to leave but not before Jake grabbed her wrist. He turned to Emmett.

"Em, please. I just need one minute. I know you guys are fed up with everything and you've done so much for us this weekend, but please let me have one more minute with her. Please."

Her eyes widened as she watched him. He was more scared than she realized and she couldn't believe he was letting her see it, never mind Emmett.

Emmett shook his head and sighed heavily.

"Alright man, but one minute. From what Rose said, Ness stomped down to the office and slammed the door, locking herself in, after she went inside and Edward's far enough away, this might be the only time you can talk to her. But just one minute. Don't push it."

Jake nodded eagerly. "You got it, Em. Thanks. I owe you."

Emmett snorted. "Yeah, you do." But then he winked at Bella which made her smile.

Jake turned to her and inclined his head over his left shoulder. "Pool shed."

Bella narrowed her eyes at him but began walking over there with Jake at her side.

They didn't touch, still wary of possible watching eyes from the house. Bella remembered the window from the office. She just didn't know what could be seen from there.

Jake passed her and walked around the pool shed. She followed.

She hadn't even fully made it around the corner when he grabbed her and pushed her up against the wall, kissing her.

Her eyes were wide in shock.

He really was scared, holy shit. He was kissing her frantically, urgently, like it was the last time he would ever do so. To be honest, it made her feel a little more scared herself. He had been her strength, keeping her calm and somewhat at peace during this whole ordeal. He had been strong, in effect keeping her strong, keeping her belief and faith in them strong. Why was he so scared all of a sudden? Hadn't she promised him?

He pulled away, breathless, placing his forehead on hers.

"I love you, Isabella."

She was shaking and struggling for breath herself. She tried to tell him she loved him, too, but the fear took hold of her and paralyzed her from the voice box down.

She saw his eyes tighten and his bottom lip tremble before he bit down on it.

He waited another silent minute and then he kissed her quickly on the lips before pulling back once more to look into her eyes.

"I'm gonna get us away these four days, I swear to you. Just hang in there, baby. We'll get through this, okay? I don't give a shit what Rose and Em say. They're not us. This is us, not them. We're gonna make it work. I just need you to stay strong. Can you do that for me? For us?"

Bella was in shock still. Her shaking got worse. She didn't mean to be so afraid but he was acting so desperately. It made her think that it all really wasn't going to be okay as he said.

His eyes searched hers vehemently.

"Bells?"

She heard the slight tremor in his voice.

She tried to swallow but couldn't. She wished she could snap herself out of it but she couldn't. She was caught, Edward knew, he would leave her and she couldn't have that. She'd die without him. She would. But she couldn't give Jake up, either. She couldn't bear the thought of never seeing him again. She truly hated herself. She wished she could somehow manifest outside of her body. That way she could slap the shit out of herself and shake her own shoulders to get her to grow up and act like a big girl and put these men and herself out of the misery she was causing all of them. She was being unfair and she knew it.

She saw his adam's apple bob up and down as he swallowed thickly and then he closed his eyes and lowered his head against hers, breathing unevenly.

"Baby, please. Don't do this to me. Please. I'm not asking you to make a choice. He doesn't know about me. You're not being forced to make a choice. Don't do this."

She let out a shaky breath when she heard the breaks in his tone. He was close to tears in his pleading with her.

She lifted a trembling hand and placed it in his hair. She began trailing her fingers softly against his scalp. He leaned into her touch while staying close to her.

She then heard his whispers to her, an almost silent begging.

"We've been through so much, Bells. This weekend alone has been hell. But after everything, I still love you, I still want to be with you. And I know you love me, too. Just give me these four fucking days. Please. And if after that, you don't want to see me again-"

His voice broke on the last word but he sighed and cleared his throat quietly. "I'll go and I won't fight it. I'll let you go. It would be the hardest thing I've ever had to do and it'll just about kill me, but I'll do it. For you."

Her breathing became more labored. She could feel the lump in her throat returning. Why couldn't she say anything to him?!

He pushed his forehead into hers more in a bid to be closer to her, his eyes still closed.

"Please baby, give me the four days. Please."

She felt tears start making their way down her cheeks. She sniffled and then brought her other hand to the back of his head, grasping it gently.

She moved forward and placed her lips on his. Before she closed her eyes, she saw a very small tear escape from underneath his right eyelid and trickle down his russet cheek.

She kissed him with everything she was feeling. Her fear, her indecision, her anger at herself, her sense of betrayal, her self-disgust, her regret, her love for him, all made their way from inside of her into his lips. She lifted herself up a little and he got the message. His hands slowly made their way to the backs of her thighs and gently lifted her up to meet him.

She gingerly wrapped her legs around his waist and pushed his head into hers more.

He softly pressed her up against the wall and kissed her back just as eagerly.

Their pace remained a slow, gentle one. This was not about sex. It was not about passion or want or need or anything of that nature. No. This was about something much deeper than that. Something that had her kissing him like it was the last time she ever would, never wanting the moment to end.

His lips opened for her before she even had a chance to ask for permission. She tentatively let her tongue slip into his mouth and moved it with his. His right hand reached up into her hair, threaded its fingers into the strands at the back of her head and pulled her closer to him, helping her to taste more of him.

Their breathing through their noses was harsh even though their movements were slow.

She only felt one thing from him in this kiss.

Love.

No fear, no desperation, no pleading like she had felt earlier. None of it.

Just love.

For her.

When he began to gently pull back, she kept pushing forward, unwilling to let him part from her.

Somehow he managed to break free, regardless, his eyes half shut, staring at her, his chest heaving in and out.

"I love you, Bells."

Another whisper that etched itself into her heart permanently.

She was about to say what she had wanted to say this whole time. That she couldn't make any more promises, even the one for the time she had promised him these past two weeks. That she didn't know what was going to happen. That she couldn't give up her marriage, give up Edward. That she loved him and always would. That she wasn't sure what to do. That she couldn't tell him what he wanted to hear, that she was his. But most of all, that she loved him. She did and she knew a part of her would for many years to come. But that didn't mean she could just end everything that her life was and leave the one man she had vowed to love until her dying day behind with a shattered heart that she had helped to break. She couldn't. It would kill her just as much as him.

She was about to say all of this when his eyes opened fully and looked at her, captivating her in their gaze. And then his eyes widened and he picked her up and placed her on her feet gently and stepped away, his face falling to the ground.

He stood there, not looking at her, his eyes frozen to the space in front of them.

She saw his jaw clench and unclench.

She didn't need to say it. He had seen it all. He had always been able to read her so well.

"I should've known."

He spoke through gritted teeth but she could hear the hurt in his tone.

"I'm so fucking stupid. What the hell ever made me think it would be enough? That I'd be enough?"

Her heart broke for him. She reached a hand forward. "Jake..."

He stepped back, not willing to be touched by her.

"Wow. I've been so fucking stupid. I deserve it, though. I should've known. First, Ness. And now, you. Why would I ever think it was different with you?"

She dropped her hand into the empty space before her. He hadn't once looked up from the ground. "Jake, wait. I never-"

"Nope. And you never will. That was my fault, my stupidity, for thinking you could. My fault. This one's on me."

She felt the tears start to trickle hotly down her already wet cheeks.

"Jake, don't-"

"Enough, Bella. Go do what you have to do. I understand. Go save your marriage. To him."

He scoffed disgustedly and clenched his fists tightly at his side.

She let out a strangled whisper.

"Jake..."

She took a step toward him and he stepped back, still unwilling to look at her.

She let out a quiet sob. She wasn't trying to hurt him. She hadn't meant to. But this was becoming too much. Even with Emmett's cover story, she knew Edward. He was going to cling to her tightly, just as Emmett had said. She wouldn't be able to go away, never mind get any time to see Jake. This just wasn't going to be able to continue. That's why she was so hesitant to go down and lie to Edward like they all wanted her to. Why she had such a hard time just going with the flow. She knew.

"Jake, I-"

Emmett appeared around the corner.

"Your minute's up, Jake. She's gotta head down there sooner rather than later."

Emmett took in their appearance, their positions, their stances, everything. He noticed the tears silently streaming down Bella's face.

"Everything okay?"

Bella went to speak but found she couldn't.

"Yeah, everything's fine, Em. You're right. Bella should head down there now. You should go, Bella."

He still hadn't looked up. Emmett narrowed his eyes at him, then at Bella and then back at Jake.

Bella sniffled.

"Jake-"

"Go on, Bella. Edward's not gonna wait much longer. I'm sure he's anxious to hear what you have to say."

She cringed at the venom in his tone. She looked towards Emmett who watched her. He looked unsure of what to do or say. He hadn't missed Jake's biting sarcasm towards her and he certainly could see something was happening here in the last five minutes that wasn't good. He looked over at Jake whose eyes remained frozen to the ground and then looked back at her. His eyes softened and he stared at her sadly.

"Jake's right, Bella. You should go."

Her mouth dropped open and she stared incredulously at him.

He gave her a small tight smile.

"Edward's not gonna stay down there much longer. If you don't go down there to him, he'll come up here to you. And by then, he'll have come to his own conclusions."

Bella sniffled and wiped her cheeks.

She closed her eyes and let out a breath.

She opened them to find that Jake still hadn't moved.

She let out another breath and sniffled again.

"I'm sorry, Jake."

He still didn't look up at her and his expression remained frozen.

"Just go."

The whisper was like a small knife being pushed into her chest.

But it was nothing more than she deserved.

A final tear rolled down her cheek and she swallowed thickly. She nodded, sniffling.

"Okay."

She turned and made her way past Emmett who just watched her sadly.

She didn't look back. She knew if she did, she'd fall apart. When she was a few feet away from the shed, she heard a loud sound and it made her jump. She was tempted to go see what it was but then she heard a loud roar of anger.

She closed her eyes. She knew who that roar belonged to. Her heart broke a little more. Another small tear trailed down her left cheek. She wiped it away quickly, opened her eyes, took a deep breath and kept walking forward to the stairs.

And here she was, now making her way to the spot she had seen Edward in, staring out across the water.

Even though she felt empty and cold and each step felt like a heavy leaden betrayal, she moved forward.

When she was a few steps away, Edward turned towards her, his eyes still sad.

"Bella."

She stopped right in front of him, looking up at him earnestly.

"Edward."

Silence stretched between them for what seemed the longest time.

Edward broke it first.

"Bella, I'm sorry."

Her eyes widened. Why was he sorry?

"For what?"

"For what I said up there, how I acted. I overreacted and embarrassed you and I'm sorry. There was no call for my behavior. It was unthinkable."

She scoffed in disbelief.

"Edward, you just found a bite mark on my neck. I think your getting upset was more than called for. I can't even imagine how I would react if I found one on you."

He winced. "I know, but that's still no excuse for the way I acted up there. I should have given you a chance to explain and I'm sorry."

Bella shook her head and turned towards the water. "You're unbelievable, Edward."

She sighed and then turned back to him after a minute.

"Edward, I'm the one who should be sorry. I-"

Edward stared at her and held up his hand.

"I know. Emmett told me. Don't worry, Bella. I'll take care of it."

Her eyes widened again and then narrowed.

"What do you mean, 'take care of it'?"

He narrowed his eyes in anger and stared down at the ground between them.

"I'm going to have a word with Mike when I see him at the office tomorrow."

Her heart started pounding really fast.

"Edward, that's not necessary. It-"

Edward lifted his eyes to her. They were fierce and...frightening.

"I know Emmett said already he took care of it. But it's not his place. It's mine. And I will take care of it."

The way he said it scared her. Shit, she needed to work to reassure him and fast.

"E-Edward, it wasn't his fault. It was me, okay? All me. I kissed him! Not the other way around."

Edward's eyes narrowed further.

"What are you talking about, Bella? Emmett told me you had too much to drink, that you didn't really know what was happening, that Mike took advantage of you. Are you telling me that's not true?"

Bella took a deep breath and it got caught in her throat. She stared at her husband. She should tell him the truth, that was the best thing. Right?

And then she heard Jake's voice resounding throughout her head. "Please." Almost as if he was standing next to her. This caused her whole time with Jake to flash through her mind in seconds. Jake laughing while teasing her, Jake smiling at her, Jake telling her he loved her, Jake making love to her, Jake holding her, kissing her nose. Jake, Jake, Jake.

She couldn't give him up. She couldn't. She was the most selfish person on the planet, she knew that, but she couldn't give him up. She loved him, too.

Oh God and she had hurt him. Shit. Fuck, why couldn't she seem to get it right?

She lifted her eyes back up to Edward, not realizing they had moved down to the ground. Edward was looking at her expectantly.

"Well? Bella? Are you telling me that everything Em said is untrue? Are you really cheating on me?"

And then she spoke.

"No, Edward. I'm not telling you everything Emmett said is untrue." She made sure to dodge the last question smoothly. "I did drink last night. Emmett did see me with him." No need for Edward to know who the 'him' actually was. "Emmett did ask me what I was doing." Earlier in the day really, but again, details, schmetails.

She moved towards him until she was only a foot away from him.

"I was...upset and I did leave the party. You know the rest, you were there."

More so from seeing Jake with Victoria but still, not a lie.

Edward looked down at her exasperatedly.

"Why didn't you tell me, love?"

She sighed and turned towards the water.

"Because I was ashamed and still am. I regret it every single minute since it happened."

The truth made its way out before she even knew what she was saying.

Edward moved closer to her.

"It wasn't your fault. Mike took advantage of you. Why would you be ashamed?"

She closed her eyes.

"Because I went along with it. Because I didn't even think about you. Because I felt out of control and still do."

He had no idea she was referring to her tryst with Jake in that room upstairs at the party and not to the supposed little episode with Mike.

"Bella-"

Her eyes flipped open and she turned to face him.

"It doesn't mean I don't still love you, Edward. I do. But...I feel...so...confused lately." Her eyes drifted to the sand stretching for miles behind him. "I'm not sure of what I'm doing anymore. I'm not sure of who I am. I feel completely misplaced and cut off from who I used to be."

She didn't look up at him. She couldn't. She just continued in her truth, letting her guide her.

"I know you're the wronged party here, Edward. And I am sorry. But...I don't know what to think right now. I'm just...unsure."

She didn't know where the hell she was going with this but the words flowed out of her mouth nonetheless.

"Bella."

Her eyes drifted to his.

He looked worriedly at her.

His hand lifted and stroked her face tenderly.

"Maybe we need to think about things. Maybe we need to step back and reassess them and see what it is we want. Together. I love you, Bella and I don't want to lose you. You're my life."

His emerald was glistening, twisting the knife of guilt in her heart just a little more.

He leaned down and kissed her sweetly. She kissed him back.

He pulled away and sighed, kissing her forehead and wrapping his arms around her.

"Maybe I'll tell Ness and the others I'm not gonna join them on the trip this week. Maybe I should stay home and spend some time with you." He pulled back to look at her. "You come first, Bella. You know that."

Bella looked up at him sadly. Here he was, willing to stay home and work things out with her, be there for her, even though he had found out she had cheated on him (Emmett's miniscule version anyway) and yet all she could think about was the other man who had half of her heart who was just down the beach.

"I do know that, Edward. But, if you stay home, you're staying home alone. I already made these plans with Angela. I've already got Lauren watching the shop and I've already made the reservations. I'm going on this trip."

She stared up at him, daring him to challenge that fact. He stared down at her in disbelief.

"Bella, I'm asking you to stay home with me, to spend some time with me and you don't want to?"

She scoffed. "I didn't say that, Edward. It has nothing to do with you. This trip is for me. And I'm going on it. How about the time I asked you not to go and yet you still went on that business trip? Even though I begged you not to?"

Edward winced and looked down. She knew she had won. She felt bad, pulling that one out, but she was ruthless, using whatever she had to, to be with him.

Edward met her intense stare. He didn't want to think about that time any more than she did. Yep, she had definitely won.

"You're right, love. I'm sorry. You do deserve to go away and have some time for yourself. Have some girl time." He gave her the crooked smile she loved.

Inside, she felt horrible but at the same time, relieved. Yes, she definitely was the most horrible person on the planet. Pure scum.

No.

Lower than scum.

Yes, that was it.

Way lower.

She sighed and placed her forehead up against his.

"I'm sorry, Edward. I do love you. I really do."

He leaned down and kissed her chastely.

"I know you do, love. And I love you, too. We'll be okay. We will."

Bella gave him a small smile.

She hated lying to him but she needed to do this. She needed to give Jake the four days she had promised him. And then she would have to make a decision. She would have to. No going around it, no dancing lightly around the topic. She would have to make a choice.

She couldn't live without Edward and that fact asserted itself as he hugged her to him tightly, kissing her head reverently. But at the same time, she couldn't be without Jake. Regardless of what Jake had said, she needed to choose. And soon.

Four days.

Yes, she would give him that time.

She at least owed that to him.

~~~~~~~~~SWM~~~~~~~~~~~~~SWM~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~SWM~~~~~~~~~

Bella and Edward held hands on their trek back to the house, talking of light things and smiling wanly.

Once again, they had avoided a major problem successfully and were able to stay intact.

It didn't mean that there still wasn't an issue to be dealt with, Bella knew it all too well, but it was pushed into the back corner for now.

They slowly made their way up the steps to the pool area to find it deserted.

Bella grabbed the clothes off the chair Edward had left them on and then took his hand once again and they made their way to the house.

Once they stepped inside the door, Bella immediately wished they hadn't returned. Not so soon, anyway.

Emmett was sitting at the counter on a stool and Rose was standing on the opposite side.

They both looked at her sadly.

Bella felt her heart drop.

"What's going on, guys? What are you doing in here?"

Emmett looked down at the counter, unwilling to look at her anymore.

Her chest tightened. Oh shit. Something was wrong. Very wrong.

Rose cleared her throat quietly.

"Jake came in and grabbed Ness."

Edward stared at her in confusion.

"What are you talking about, Rose? What do you mean 'grabbed'? And why do you two look like someone just died?"

Rose frowned and looked down.

"They went upstairs and haven't come back down since."

Bella stopped breathing. No! She knew he was angry with her, hurt, but...but how could he do this? Why? Why did he have to do this?

Edward shrugged. "Okay, well that's no business of ours. Why does it have you guys looking so somber?"

Rose didn't say anything and neither did Emmett.

Bella tried to pull in air but couldn't. She started to wheeze, making Edward turn towards her concerned.

"Love, what's wrong? Bella!"

She dropped down into one of the chairs, her hand on her chest, pulling for air.

No, no, no. It was better than him being with Victoria or any other girl, but still. Why would he do that knowing she would come back and know what he was doing? Why?

Edward was kneeling by her.

"Love, talk to me!"

Rose held out a bottle of water to her which she grabbed gratefully and took a swig, trying to breathe.

Emmett knelt down next to Edward.

"She's fine, Edward. Just give her a sec. And some room. Come on."

He clapped Edward on the shoulder. Edward did as he said and stood up, stepping back a couple of steps, his eyes staring at Bella the whole time worriedly.

Bella tried to pull in air again but to no avail.

She wanted to run up there, throw open the door, break it down if she had to, and grab Jake off of Ness. And then she wanted to beat the shit out of him. She had just lied to her husband for him! Again! What the fuck? And he does this? That fucking piece of shit!

Emmett leaned forward, speaking softly. "It's okay, Bella. It's okay. I think Edward's right, you should definitely get checked out by a doctor or something. You look a little green." He reached her ear and then his voice dropped to a whisper. "Calm down, sweetie. It's not what you think." Her eyes bugged. Was he serious? Hadn't Rose just said- "Listen."

He then pulled back, placing a hand on her forehead, putting on a good show for Edward. She stared at him in confusion but then she heard it.

Shouting could be heard in the distance.

Bella heard Jake's angry tone. Shit! What the hell was going on?

And then she heard Ness shouting back at him.

She couldn't make out exactly what they were saying but it was clear they were killing each other up there.

She stared at Emmett and spoke quietly.

"What's going on, Em?" And then her eyes took in Edward's worried expression which seemed to intensify each second silence filled the room. "What happened while we were gone?"

Emmett sighed and then placed a hand on her face.

"Bella, I'm gonna bring you into the living room to lie down. Rose, can you get her some wet towels or something, please?"

"Sure." Rose took off down the hall.

Emmett then turned to Edward. "Edward, do you think you could make her some tea while I lie her down?"

Edward's eyes were wide but he nodded. "Of course. Any particular kind, love?"

Bella shook her head. "U-Um, no, anything is fine. Thank you, Edward."

He nodded and then moved towards the stove.

Emmett looked back at her.

"Put your arms around my neck, sweetie. I'm gonna carry you in there. I don't want you passing out on me or anything."

Bella did as she was told and Emmett lifted her in his arms and carried her bridal style.

"Come on."

He carried her into the living room and laid her down on the couch. The shouting was even louder now. She was about to try to listen, to see if she could make out exactly what they were saying now that she was closer but Emmett spoke before she could.

He had leaned in and was whispering to her.

"You okay, sweetie?"

She frowned at him.

"Y-Yeah, I'm okay. But Em, what the hell is going on? What are they fighting about?"

Just then they heard a crash come from upstairs. Something had been thrown. Bella looked fearfully at Emmett who was grimacing in their direction and then turned back to her.

"Emmett, what the fuck is going on?"

He sighed. "Bella, whatever you said to him has him completely unhinged. After you left, he just fucking lost it. He punched the wall of the shed. I'm not sure if he broke his hand or not, he wouldn't even let me look at it. But it was bleeding all over the place. He didn't say anything to me when I tried to talk to him. He started walking away and I followed him, thinking he might be going after you or Edward, but instead he came up here to the house. He stormed down to Ness' office, banging on the door and telling her to come out. I told Rose to stay in the kitchen and tried to talk him down but he didn't want to hear it. All he kept saying is, 'He's the one. I'm fucking done.' Over and over again. He kept banging on the door until Ness opened it. He grabbed her by the arm and started to lead her towards the stairs, saying they needed to talk like a husband and wife should. She tried to pull away from him but he wouldn't let her. She screamed for me to help her and I tried to talk him down again, stepping in between them. He swore to me he wasn't going to hurt her, that he just wanted to talk to her. But I wasn't buying it, not after what I'd seen. Ness may be the world's biggest bitch, but that doesn't mean I was gonna let him hurt her."

Bella shook her head in confusion. This wasn't Jake. What the hell had she done? "Em, Jake would never hurt her or anyone. He's not like that."

Emmett sighed again. "I know that, Bella. But, there's a lot of things that have created bad blood between them and I'm guessing you just broke it off with him again," Bella winced but she couldn't deny the truth of it. "He's not in a good state of mind right now."

Bella took a breath, wincing again when she heard the shouts once more. "Okay, but then how did he get her up there anyway?"

Emmett grimaced. "I told him I wasn't gonna let her go up there with him, not until he calmed down. He said, 'Fine. I'm leaving the fucking bitch anyway, so it doesn't really matter.'"

Bella's breath caught. Shit, he was leaving her?

Emmett looked at her sadly but continued.

"So, of course, Ness lost her temper and charged after him. I couldn't keep them apart for much longer. Jake kept heading up the stairs, laughing at her which only pissed her off more. I warned her that if she followed him up there that I wasn't gonna follow. She told me she was fine with that and thanks for nothing and headed up after him. So, I let it be. And as you can hear, they're killing each other up there."

He let out a deep breath. "If it doesn't calm down in the next two minutes, I'm gonna head up there and break it up. I really don't believe Jake would ever do anything, Ness is crazier than him, but you didn't see him, Bella. He's off the deep end right now."

Bella heard his deafening roar fill the house as he told Ness she was nothing but a cheap whore. How she was nothing but trash. Something he'd never touch ever again.

She had never heard him speak to anyone or of anyone in that manner. Even her. She closed her eyes in pain. She had done this to him. She opened her eyes back up and looked at Emmett. She needed to see him, to speak to him.

"Em, maybe I should talk to him, see him, calm him down. Maybe-"

Emmett stared hard at her. "Absolutely not, Bella. He is not in his right fucking mind right now, I'm telling you. If he sees you, there's no telling what he might do or say. Absolutely fucking not."

Bella's mouth dropped in shock.

Rose appeared behind him out of nowhere.

"I second that."

Bella stared up at her in disbelief.

"Didn't you just get done bitching me out earlier about my needing to take responsibility for my actions? My needing to face the consequences?"

Rose stared coldly at her.

"Yes. And I still think that. But Em's right. Jake is crazy right now, Bella. There's no telling what he'll do. If he sees you, he might just fucking lose it completely and go and tell Edward exactly what you've been up to these past six weeks. He's got nothing to lose now. Is that what you want?"

Bella glared up at her.

"I don't think you do, Bella. It looks to me like you've gotten everything settled with Edward again. Am I mistaken?"

Bella leveled her expression and sighed.

"Guys. This is my fault, my doing. Let me speak to him. I can calm him down. I'm telling you. I need to talk to him, tell him...tell him he doesn't need to be so upset."

Their expressions didn't change.

"Fine. I'll go up there then."

Emmett's hand clamped down on her shoulder and forced her back down.

"I don't think so."

She pleaded with him.

"Emmett, please. This is because of me. Let me talk to him."

Emmett shook his head.

Rose stood up straight and crossed her arms.

Shit. She wasn't getting past them.

As she contemplated how she could get up there and grab Jake, she heard a door open and saw him heading down the stairs quickly, a bag hanging over his shoulder.

"I DON'T FUCKING CARE! I'VE HAD IT! YOU FUCKING BITCH!"

Emmett turned to Rose quickly. "Rose, get back in the fucking kitchen and stay there. Keep Edward with you. There's no telling what he'll do if he sees him."

Rose nodded and rushed to the kitchen as instructed. Emmett stood up and placed himself in front of Bella protectively. She stood up, trying to make her way past Emmett to get to Jake, but his arms held her back, restraining her.

Jake saw them as he reached the bottom stair. He scowled at them.

"What the fuck are you doing, Jake?"

Jake's glare intensified as he made his way towards them. He stopped a few feet away as Emmett's hold tightened on Bella behind him, keeping her there.

"I'm dumping the slut. What do you think, Em?"

They all heard a "FUCK YOU, ASSHOLE! I'LL GET YOU FOR THIS!" and then a door slam shut.

Jake laughed wickedly.

"Yeah, she wishes. So, I'm outta here. Good luck, Em, and good fucking riddance."

He turned to leave, breaking Bella's heart.

"Jake!"

Emmett tightened his hold even further. "Shh!"

Jake froze and then turned.

Emmett pushed her even further behind him, attempting to block her further from Jake's view.

"Bella?"

Had he really not seen her before? He sounded shocked that she had said his voice.

"Don't-"

"Shh! Quiet!"

Bella tried to push past Emmett but he held her fast. His grip was so tight she was sure she would be bruised by the time this was over. If he would just let her speak to Jake, this would all be okay.

Emmett had pushed her so far behind him; she couldn't see Jake so she knew he definitely couldn't see her, either. She tried to wrangle free of Emmett once more and again, he held her fast. "Em, let me go. It's fine."

"Dammit, Bella. Shut it."

She glared at the back of his head. She knew he was just trying to protect her but this was ridiculous. Couldn't she speak to Jake just for a second with him right there with her? Wasn't that enough?

She then heard a thud.

"Let her go."

She felt a shiver go down her spine. Jake's voice was deadly, menacing.

Emmett started to push her further behind him.

"No. I don't trust you right now."

"I said let her go."

Emmett began to pull her alongside the couch, trying to get them to an area where they could back up.

"Man, listen. You're not thinking straight. I get that you're upset but-"

"I'm not gonna tell you again."

Bella's eyes widened as she felt Emmett tense.

"Fucking try it, Black. I dare you."

"Okay then."

Emmett pushed her to the side and she crashed into the wall, falling to her knees as she watched Emmett and Jake collide haphazardly.

Jake pushed Emmett into a wall, making Emmett grunt in pain and then bring his elbow crashing down into Jake's back. Jake groaned loudly and then pulled back to take a swing at Emmett.

Bella scurried to her feet and ran over to them.

"Stop it! Stop it! Both of you! Stop!"

She somehow inserted herself in between them, tight a fit as it was, and held her hands up, facing Jake. His fist froze in the air upon seeing her.

"Bella. Get the hell out of the way now!"

Emmett went to push her out of the way but she struggled.

"No! Stop! This is ridiculous! Stop! Both of you!"

Jake's hand dropped and he stepped back, breathing heavily.

His eyes were wide but he was looking at her coldly. Maybe Emmett had been right. Maybe Jake couldn't be trusted to be alone with her right now. But she knew she had to fix this and fast. Because she saw the pain there. The pain she had caused out there behind the pool shed.

"Jake, please. We need to talk."

He snorted and narrowed his eyes at her. "We've done enough talking, don't you think? I'm done. You chose him. It's over. I want nothing more to do with you, Bella."

He stepped back and picked up his bag where he dropped it. He turned to leave.

"Have a nice life with your prick of a husband."

She rushed to him, Emmett's hand on her arm stopping her.

"Jake! Wait! Let me go, Em!"

Jake froze again and turned back to them.

"Emmett, I get that you're just looking out for her. But if you don't take your hand off of her, you're gonna lose that fucking arm. You got me?"

Emmett snorted and pulled Bella back into him.

"I'd love to see you fucking try, Black. I really would."

"I'm warning you, Emmett. I'm in no mood to be fucked with. Let her go. Now."

Emmett then started to pull Bella behind him again. She didn't make a sound because it seemed every time she did, Jake became more agitated and ready to attack Emmett.

"Not a fucking chance. You're out of your fucking mind. You just went apeshit on your wife. You think I'm gonna let you near Bella? You've gotta be fucking kidding me."

Jake took one threatening step towards them, making Emmett tense in anticipation.

"First of all, I didn't touch my wife. If anything, she tried to beat the shit out of me and threw shit at me like you wouldn't fucking believe. She's the one who went apeshit and fucking attacked me! Secondly, I would never hit a woman, never mind Bella. I loved her for Christ's sake! Do you really think I would ever hurt her?"

Bella winced. She had heard him use the past tense. Had she really done this much damage in such a short period of time?

The answer was yes. Yes, she had.

Before Emmett could answer him, Bella struggled against his tight hold to move past him.

"Jake, please! I need to talk to you! Please!"

Jake glared at them.

"Let her go, Em. I'm not gonna fucking say it again. She wants to. You heard her."

Emmett snorted.

"Yeah. Right."

Bella glared back at him.

"Dammit, Emmett. Let me speak to him. You can stay here if you want and keep me safe if you're worried. But I need to talk to him."

Emmett glared back at her.

"Bella, I'm only looking out for you here. And I'm telling you, the way he just attacked me, with you right behind me and him knowing it, he's out of his fucking mind, Bella. I don't think it's a good idea. Let him go and cool off. Then talk to him."

Bella swallowed hard and then whispered to him. "I can't, Em. It will be too late then."

Jake chuckled darkly and she turned to face him. "It already is too late, Bella. I'm done with you. Just be a good girl and listen to Emmett. Go back to that wonderful husband of yours. You know, the one that is enough for you."

Bella took in a deep breath and then let it out.

She was gonna have to do it this way then.

"Jake, I get that you're pissed. I do. But I never meant-"

Jake took a threatening step towards her, clearly pissed.

Emmett's hand tightened and pulled her back protectively.

"Meant what? To hurt me? I don't give a shit what you fucking meant, Bella! We're done! Got me? Done!"

She felt her eyes start to well up. "Jake, please. I'm begging you, just listen to me."

He scoffed. "I don't want to hear what you have to say. I'm sick of your bullshit! I tried and tried, Bella. I really did. I was patient, I was understanding, I did everything I could. And all you did was take, take, take! Just like that fucking bitch upstairs!" He gestured towards the closed door that Bella could hear muffled wails coming from.

"So as far as I'm concerned, I'm not going through that shit again! I loved you, Bella. I really did. But it doesn't fucking matter. You never loved me the way I loved you. So let it be done. You need a fuck? I'm sure Mike's available. Although, he'll never be as good as I was, I can promise you that."

He snorted and Bella lost her temper then.

"You know something, Jake? Fuck you! All you do is fucking whine about how you love me and how you want me to choose you. But let's face it; we both know if I had, you would've just been fucking around me in a few months' time anyway. You'd break me like you broke that poor girl upstairs. Once a cheater, always a cheater, right, Jake?"

His eyes flashed and he walked over to them. Emmett had her behind him in no time. Jake glared at her past Emmett's shoulder.

"That's rich. Coming from you. You haven't exactly been playing checkers these last six weeks, Bella. What does that make you?" Her eyes widened at the choice of words, making a long forgotten memory surface. "If anything, you would've been fucking around on me in a few months, probably with that piece of shit you call a husband. And whining? Bella, fucking really? That's what you call me telling you I love you repeatedly? To keep your chicken shit ass from breaking it off for the billionth time this week? Really? Fuck you!"

He turned and walked away. Emmett loosened his grip a little. Bella wanted to yell something, anything, in her anger but the words wouldn't come.

Jake stopped at the entrance to the foyer and turned.

"Oh and if you think that 'girl' up there is so innocent and has such a poor broken heart, why don't you go ask her just who exactly she's been fucking this past year? 'Cause it certainly wasn't me!"

Bella's eyes widened.

"What the fuck are you talking about, Jake?"

He gave her that wicked grin and his eyes flashed again.

"I'm talking about how-"

"Jake, don't fucking do this! I get you're pissed and hurt, man. I do. But don't fucking do that! Don't! Because Bella being here or no, I'll fucking tear you to pieces if you do that!"

Bella gaped at Emmett in horror. What the fuck was he going on about? How would the affair Ness was having on Jake affect her? Come on.

Jake laughed again, staring coldly at them once more.

"Yeah, okay, Emmett. As if you could. Whatever. It's gonna come out soon enough anyway. And I'll be long gone by then, that's for sure. Adios!"

He walked into the foyer, disappearing from sight. Emmett was so distracted from whatever Jake had mentioned that his grip on Bella had loosened completely. Bella decided to make a break for it. She moved fast and dodged around him, feet away from him before he knew what was happening.

"Bella!"

She didn't stop. She ran into the foyer, seeing Jake about to close the door when she grabbed it and thrust herself outside, pushing him in the process and closed the door behind her. She grabbed Jake's arm and pulled him down the stairs after her just in time to see Emmett swing the door open and start to make his way down to them.

"Emmett, stop!"

He froze but kept his gaze on them.

"Just give me one minute to talk to him. One minute. You can stay right there. Okay?"

Emmett scowled at her. She gulped. She wasn't trying to be ungrateful or mean to him in any way. She just needed to talk to Jake for one second. Just them.

Emmett nodded, standing and crossing his arms, clearly not going anywhere.

She sighed in relief and then turned to face Jake.

His expression made her gulp again.

He was pissed!

He yanked his arm out of her grip and stood, glaring at her.

And his eyes were definitely not friendly towards her.

She was angry, too, but she swallowed it back down to try to tell him what she needed to say.

"Jake, I get that you're angry and I don't blame you. I've put you through hell these past few weeks, not to mention this stupid fucking weekend that doesn't seem to want to end. But, look, you need to hear me out on this. Okay?"

Jake didn't say anything, just crossed his arms like Emmett, staring at her.

"I'm sorry for what I said. In there, out by the pool, everything. Believe it or not, I am not trying to hurt you."

He snorted but she cut him off before he could say anything.

"I'm not. I do love you, Jake. I do. But we both knew going into this that there were other people involved. I knew you were married just like you knew I was. I'm sorry that your marriage is on the rocks and that it's something you want out of. I'm sorry that all you want to do is get away from her. I am. But that's not the same type of marriage I have. Maybe it sounds hypocritical and selfish to say it, but I'm just going to be completely and brutally honest here."

She took a breath. Jake didn't say anything, clearly waiting for her to continue.

"I still love Edward. You know that. I've never lied to you about it or misled you in any way. I've always been up front with that fact. Even before we ever said we loved each other. You know that. I've been through things with him that..." She looked down at the ground, trailing off. She closed her eyes in pain, not willing to tell him about that. Not yet, anyway. That was between her and Edward. She didn't want that affecting her relationship with Jake. Oh God, did she just call it a relationship? Yeah, she did. She opened her eyes back up to find Jake watching her intently. She cleared her throat quietly and went on.

"That no married couple should ever have to go through. But we did and we survived it. That type of bond isn't easily broken, Jake. I'm sorry if you can't see it that way, I'm sorry that you can't understand it. I can't make you understand it. But it's there. My relationship with him has changed so much, you know that, you've seen it, but it doesn't mean I still don't love him. I may not be in love with him like I am with you, but I do love him. So, I can't just leave him and run off with you. I can't."

Jake narrowed his eyes at her and then lowered them to the ground beneath them.

"You said you wouldn't make demands on me, ask me to make a choice. You just said it out there before. And yet, right now, you are."

His eyes snapped up to hers. "That's bullshit, Bella, and you know it. I never once asked you to make a choice. Never! I made sure not to because I knew it'd make you run back to him and never see me again. I knew it!"

"But Jake, you losing it, breaking it off with Ness, breaking it off with me and leaving? What is that then? If you're not?"

"That's not me demanding you make a choice! That's me cutting my losses and getting the fuck out of dodge so I don't have to see you and that asshole all over each other after you clearly chose him! And me leaving Ness has nothing to do with you. I hate the bitch! I don't want to be married to her anymore, simple as that. It's not always fucking about you, Bella! I actually hate waking up every goddamn day next to that bitch! I would like to be happy again and not live a life that I fucking hate! And being in that marriage is something I fucking hate! That's me, not you! And breaking it off with you? Are you fucking kidding me? You broke it off, not me!"

Bella scoffed in disbelief. "I didn't break it off! I never once said those words, Jake!"

"You didn't have to. You and I both know you were about to. I just beat you to the punch this time and said what you were about to, that's all. Tell me I'm wrong, Bella."

She glared at him.

"You-you stupid-fucking-asshole! I wasn't going to break it off with you! I never once was going to say those words! At all!"

Jake snorted again. "Bullshit! You were and you know it! Come on, Bella, how fucking stupid do you think I am? I told you twice I loved you and you didn't say anything back. I knew what you were gonna do. Don't fucking lie to me!"

"I'm not fucking lying to you, Goddammit!"

She held her hand up to her eyes and rubbed her lids back and forth tiredly with the tips of her thumb and middle finger.

She heard Jake take a breath. She took another one herself.

"I'm sorry, okay? I'm sorry. I freaked out! I got scared. I was worried he wasn't gonna fucking buy it about the whole Mike thing. I was scared I was gonna lose him. Scared I was gonna lose you. Scared we weren't gonna get to be together this week like you promised because he'd be all over me like Em said. Scared because Rose was right, I have to make a choice. And scared because I can't. And I know it's unfair and selfish of me and I'm the most horrible, biggest piece of shit going because of it. But I can't lose either of you, Jake. I love him but I love you, too. And this is all my fucking fault!"

She dropped to her knees, not caring who saw her here in her bathing suit and jean shorts, crying in the driveway before a man who wasn't her husband, another man watching them from the stairs, barefoot and on her knees. She just clamped her hand over her eyes tighter.

"Jake, you should just go. Just do it. Just leave. Don't stay. I'll only fuck you up even more. I'm no good. Trust me, I'm a worse person than Ness. Just go. Now. Get as far from me as you fucking can!"

She sobbed silently into her hands. She felt a pair of strong arms pick her up and carry her somewhere. Probably Emmett taking her back into the house, back to her husband where she rightfully belonged. Her husband who probably heard every fucking word they said and wouldn't want her anymore anyway.

"Jake! What the fuck do you think you're doing? You're not taking her!"

Emmett's voice was close. Wait...had Jake picked her up? She was too afraid to look, afraid she was just imagining things.

"Em, I need to talk to her, alright? I gotta get her away from all this shit for a while."

"You can't just grab her and put her in the car and drive the fuck away! You've got a fucking legally insane wife upstairs who probably heard everything before and is probably gonna blow the whistle! You can't!"

"Em, I'm going to whether you want me to or not. Now, I can put her down in the car and then we can go at it like a couple of idiots and attract everyone's attention while I kick your ass or you can go in there, grab Rose, tell the albino we're going for a drive to cool me the fuck down and Bella's going, too and Bella and I can talk in the back. Your call."

"You've got some fucking nerve, Black! And you kicking my ass? Please. All I have to do is fucking drop kick you and you're down for the count. You fucking know it!"

"Fine. Whatever. Now, can you please go grab Rose and let's get the fuck out of here?"

She didn't hear anything for a minute.

"Em, I'm begging you. You asked me to take care of her. And I'm doing just that. I need to talk to her."

Wait, what? When the fuck did Emmett ask him that? And why would he? Wait, did she miss something here? Oh, Emmett was gonna get a fucking earful! And so was Jake! When the fuck had they gotten so chummy?

"Please."

She heard Emmett sigh. "Alright. Let me go get Rosie and then we'll get the fuck out of here for a bit. Get in the back with her. I'll drive."

She heard Jake let out a breath in relief. "Thank you.''

She felt Jake move them and then heard the car door open.

She felt him place her down in the seat.

"Bells, I need you to scoot over so I can get in."

She lowered her hands and stared at him. He had called her Bells.

He smiled at her. "Come on. I need to get in, too. You're not gonna take up the whole backseat, are you?"

Bella bit her lip and then moved over onto the other side.

"That's better."

Jake got in and closed the door. Bella stared down at her hands and bit her lip. She had just fixed things with Edward. She really hoped she hadn't fucked them all up again with the fight she and Jake just had. But at the same time, she fervently hoped she could fix things with Jake. God, she was horrible.

His left hand reached over to her right and took it. He intertwined their fingers, mixing the copper with white beautifully.

"Baby, you're thinking again. You've got to stop that."

She looked up at him and he was smirking at her.

"That's dangerous."

He smirked wider and she gave him a tight tiny smile in return.

He had called her Baby.

Things were gonna be okay.

They had to be.

Emmett and Rose got in, breaking into her thoughts.

Emmett started the car while Rose buckled her seat belt.

"Let's go."

Jake kept his hand in Bella's as he sat back.

Bella frowned up at the front.

"Em, what-"

"I took care of it, Bella. Don't worry about it. It's done."

Bella stared at him in shock.

Whoa. His tone had never been so icy with her before. Shit, she had pissed him off.

She looked out the window as Emmett began to drive them away.

She hadn't meant to make him mad. She just needed to talk to Jake and he wasn't letting her. That's all. If she had waited like he wanted her to, it would be too late. Jake would be gone. She was sure of it. Jake had admitted to it. Couldn't Emmett understand that?

Jake squeezed her hand, making her look back over at him.

"You're doing it again. Don't. Trust me, save the thinking for later."

Bella narrowed her eyes at him. How was she not supposed to think? What the hell did he mean anyway?

"Bella, don't worry about Edward. He didn't hear a word of what was said between you and Jake. I took him outside, told him Emmett wanted you to have some space, that something you may have heard was making you upset. He didn't like it but he did it. We didn't go back in until Em came and got me."

Edward didn't question that? Wasn't that strange?

She wanted to ask, wanted to know how this could possibly work in their favor when she felt Jake squeeze her hand again. She looked back at him and he shook his head. She let out a sigh and sat back.

"Thank you, Rose."

"Yep."

Rose didn't look back at her, just stared out the windshield as did Emmett.

Great, they were both pissed at her. Well, she deserved it.

She didn't know if it would be okay for her to do it, but they were holding hands so maybe it wouldn't piss him off. She moved over to Jake and placed herself in his lap, dropped his hand and wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him close. She laid her head on his chest underneath his chin. She just needed to feel him, be close to him.

He encircled his arms around her and held her tightly to him. She felt him kiss the top of her head softly.

Okay, so maybe things weren't that bad. He obviously still loved her. That had to count for something. She held him closer to her and kissed his shirt-clad chest.

"I love you."

She whispered it to him, afraid to burst the comfortable and safe bubble they were in.

"I love you, too, baby. I love you, too."

And he kissed her head again.

~~~~~~~~~SWM~~~~~~~~~~~~~SWM~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~SWM~~~~~~~~~

Emmett had driven them to one of the beaches, parking in the lot and getting out.

"You guys stay here and talk or whatever. We're going for a walk."

He didn't even look at Bella when he said it.

Bella cringed and held onto Jake tighter.

"Yeah, alright. Will do. Thanks."

"Yep."

And then Emmett closed the door, took Rose's hand and led them down to the sand.

Jake kissed her head and loosened his arms around her.

"You okay, baby?"

She nodded against him.

"I am now."

She kissed his chest again.

He began to rub slow circles on her back.

"Sooo...we have to talk about it."

Bella lifted her head and looked at him.

"I guess so."

He nodded. He sighed and leaned forward, kissing her quickly, and then placed his forehead against hers.

"Babe, you know I love you and I'd do anything for you. But I can't keep doing this."

Bella bit her lip and looked down, tears forming at the corners of her eyes. Yes, she knew. It wasn't fair to keep doing this to him.

"I mean, I don't want to make demands on you. I don't. I know it's hard enough, everything we've been through and are currently going through. But something's gotta give here. I swear, today, I almost fucking lost it thinking I'd lost you. I was in so much fucking pain I couldn't stand it. It's one thing if you break it off completely. I mean, it will kill me but at least it would be final, said and done, none of this back and forth shit. That's really what's killing me."

Bella looked back up at him, her vision blurry.

"I'm sorry."

He lifted the fingers of his left hand to catch her falling tears.

"Babe, you don't need to be. We're both guilty here. But we have to change this. I can't keep going through this. Can you?"

She sniffled and shook her head.

He sighed again and cupped her cheek with his hand.

"Baby, I love you. So fucking much it hurts. I meant everything I ever said to you. I'll do anything, be anything, anywhere, you want me to be. But you can't keep doing this. You can't break it off with me every time you get scared and then come running back to me when it looks like you're in the clear. You can't. It's cruel, Bella. You break my heart every fucking time."

The tears flowed freely now. "I know. I'm sorry. I'm not trying to hurt you, Jake. I swear, I'm not."

He kissed her nose. "I know you're not. But you are. And I can't do it anymore, Bells. I can't."

Bella sniffled again and nodded. "I understand." She began to move off his lap. So she had lost him.

"Whoa, Bells, where are you going?"

He pulled her back into him.

She stared at him open-mouthed.

"B-But you just said-"

"Yeah, I said I couldn't do it anymore. The back and forth, Bells, not us. Crazy girl." He smiled warmly at her and kissed her nose again.

He positioned her once again on his lap and held her to him. His smile faded and he looked at her.

"Bells, I'm here. I love you. I want you. I need you. So I'm here and I'm not throwing in the towel. But if you go to break it off with me again, you better fucking mean it. None of this 'I'm gonna push Jake away for right now 'cause he'll be there to take me back when I want him to'. It will be over. For real. For good. No going back. Understood?"

She pulled back to look at him incredulously.

"Is that what you think I do? That I actually think that?"

He looked at her seriously. "I don't think you mean to but yes, I do think you do that."

She scoffed and went to move off him.

"Bells, come on. You always talk about honesty and now that I'm giving you some, you're pissed off because you don't like what you hear? Christ, you drive me up a fucking wall sometimes!"

He held her firmly to him, keeping her face near his.

"You drive me fucking insane, too! You're basically accusing me of using you, you fucker!"

He shook his head.

"Nope. I never said 'use'. I know you don't use me. I know that you love me. But I think you don't keep me as close to you as you do Edward. I think you walk on eggshells around him and are a lot rougher with me."

She stared at him in shock.

"That is not true! He's my husband, Jake! And I'm cheating on him! I have to walk on eggshells around him, knucklehead! Fucking duh!"

Jake's eyes widened.

"Did you just call me a knucklehead?"

Bella crossed her arms.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Will dumbass suffice?"

He kept his eyes trained on hers for a minute. And then he burst into laughter.

Bella frowned at him but after a minute, she couldn't resist it and joined in. His laughter was warm, contagious, and perfect for the hellish day they were having.

She playfully swatted him in the chest.

"Stop laughing! It's not funny!"

"K-Knucklehead! Th-That's fucking priceless!"

She giggled and hit him in the chest again.

"Shut up!"

He grabbed her and hugged her tight, kissing her forehead.

"I-I don't know where you come up with this shit, Bells. B-But I fucking love you. I really do."

He shook his head, chuckling. He went to rub his head, still shaking it, and that's when she saw it.

She gasped and grabbed his right hand, making him try to jerk it back, wincing.

"Baby, what did you do?"

His right hand was all bloodied, crusted around big sweltering cuts on the knuckles. A few of his fingers were a bit bigger than looked normal and she could see some bruising that was going to worsen in the days to come.

"Nothing. Don't worry about it."

He went to yank his hand away from her but she held it firmly.

She lightly prodded at the cuts. "Is it broken?"

She heard him draw in a sharp breath and felt him try to pull his hand back.

"Sorry, sorry."

She held the hand up to her mouth and gingerly kissed around the blood. She didn't even stop to wonder that the smell and the sight weren't making her sick like they normally did.

"Baby," She kissed his third knuckle. "I'm so," She kissed his second. "Sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry for."

He whispered it to her; she didn't realize how close he had moved to her head.

She glanced up at him and then kissed him.

She loved him. So much.

She released his hurt hand gently and he placed it on her back. She repositioned herself to straddle him and threaded her fingers in his hair, pulling him closer.

She pulled back to whisper to his lips.

"I love you."

And then she whispered it over and over to him as she placed feather light kisses around his face, the last on his closed eyelids.

"I love you so much, baby. I'm so, so sorry. I truly am."

He pushed her back a bit and looked at her.

"No more back and forth, Bells."

She shook her head.

"I mean it. You're only gonna do one of two things. You're either gonna choose me in the end or break it off permanently. Nothing in between."

She nodded and moved in to kiss him again.

He pulled back.

"I'm serious, Bells. The next time you bring up wanting to end it with me, I'm gonna assume that you want to end it for good. Otherwise, why else would you mention it since there's no more back and forth?" He looked at her meaningfully. "Got it?"

Bella nodded again.

"Say it, Bells."

"I got it."

He smirked at her. "Good. Now fucking kiss me already."

And she did just that.

~~~~~~~~~SWM~~~~~~~~~~~~~SWM~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~SWM~~~~~~~~~

By the time Emmett and Rose made it back to the car, Bella and Jake had been in the middle of a very steamy make-out session.

The only thing that kept the windows from fogging up is the car had been on and in their moving around, one of them had hit the window button accidentally, opening it a crack.

There had been hands everywhere, rubbing, massaging, stroking, petting. There had been grinding, moaning, groaning, and even a few grunts as well as strangled whispers of 'I love you'. It had gotten to such a point where they considered breaking the no-sex rule right there in the back seat. Bella wouldn't have minded.

Jake had resisted at first, saying it was too important, that they weren't thinking clearly, that she had been the one to ask for the change, that they had no protection (she laughed at that one, like he had ever cared before), that Rose and Emmett were somewhere close by, that someone might see them, etc., etc., etc. But by the time Bella had popped the button on his shorts and had snuck her hand into his pants, gripping and squeezing his hard length, making his breaths shorter and faster, he was rethinking his long list of excuses. And as she stroked him, whispering to him how much she needed him hot and hard inside her, making him release breathy moans, his resistance was giving way. And when she pulled his erection out and begged him to come in her mouth, just to have him inside her somewhere, he retracted his belief in the no-sex rule.

She had stroked him faster as he kissed the spot he had bitten the night before softly. He was panting. His left hand reached in her bathing suit and squeezed her right breast, making her moan into his ear. She stroked him even faster. His head leaned back against the seat, his eyes closed, and his mouth open.

"F-Fuuuck. Baby-I-I'm-uhgh-c-com-"

Bella bit down on the lobe of his left ear.

"Yes, baby. Fucking come for me. Let me taste you. I want you to come for me. Right now. I want your cum inside me. Fucking come. You need to come so bad. I want to make you come. Come for me, baby." Her other hand cupped his sac, kneading it, squeezing.

She felt the pulse and she moved fast. By the time she got him in her mouth, she felt the final pulse and she felt both his hands grasp her head firmly, thrusting into her gently until she was practically choking on him and shot his load. She heard him cry out, groaning so loud she was sure everyone within a mile radius of the car heard him, including Emmett and Rose. But she could care less.

She swallowed every bit of him she could. God, she loved how he tasted. It was just so...him.

She looked up at him, still seeing his eyes shut tightly, still feeling his hands tightened in her hair. She saw his chest heaving in and out, his mouth hanging open, trying to regain some oxygen but failing to do so.

She cleaned him up with her tongue as best she could and then released him, wiping her mouth on the back of her hand. She sat back up, seeing him spread out on the seat before her, loving the gorgeous man she knew was hers and hers alone.

She stroked his arms gently. He slowly opened his eyes to look at her and she smiled.

"You okay, baby?"

He nodded, swallowing and gulping for air.

"Y-Yeah. I'm-I'm fucking perf-fect."

She chuckled and laid on top of him, trying to give some space to his recovering dick.

"Yes. You are."

He was still panting. He pulled her closer and kissed her. She wondered if he could taste his saltiness on her lips.

He pulled away and stared at her. He began to stroke her hair softly.

"Y-You're amazing, B-Bells. F-Fucking amazing."

She smiled and shook her head.

"There's no blood making its way to your brain right now, knuckehead."

He laughed breathlessly.

"I-I love y-you."

She rolled her eyes.

"Like I said, no blood to the brain at the moment."

He laughed again, shaking his head, and pulled her closer, kissing her forehead.

"S-So, I guess that n-no sex rule's o-out the window n-now, huh? N-Not even a f-full tw-enty fo-four hours."

"No, I think it's still intact."

He lifted her chin up to look at him.

"You just g-gave me a blowjob. And one hell of a-a blowjob at that. How does th-that keep the no-sex rule intact?"

She smirked.

"Correction. I gave you a hand job. You only came in my mouth. So it doesn't count."

He arched an eyebrow at her.

"H-How the hell does that not count?"

She shrugged and laid her head back down on his chest.

"Technically, I didn't finish the hand job; I switched it up at the end. And I didn't give you a real blowjob; I just put my mouth on you for a few seconds. So basically two incomplete jobs cancel each other out. You know, like two different signs."

"Isn't that Algebra?"

"Whatever. My point is," She lifted to look up at him. "It's not really sex so it doesn't count."

He arched his eyebrow higher.

"Whether it's hand sex or oral sex, it's sex."

"No, it's not. Not unless you come inside me."

"I did come inside you."

She arched her brows at him this time.

"If it's not in the babymaker, it doesn't count!"

Jake stared at her wide-eyed. "Did you just fucking say 'babymaker'?"

Bella smirked. "Yeah, so? That's what it is. So, get it? If you're not making a baby, or risking it, it's not technically sex."

"So wait, you're saying sex with a condom isn't really sex?"

"No, that is sex. Because even if you're using condoms, you're still risking it. You could get pregnant if the condom rips or slips off or something seeps out, get the point?"

"No, not really."

She rolled her eyes.

"Okay, here. Sex in the cooter is technically sex no matter which way you look at it. Because no matter what, it's the babymaker. Something like oral sex isn't really sex. Not technically although it is sex-related. And hand jobs are in the family, but not really considered sex. Get it now?"

Jake stared at her mystified. "Did you really just say 'cooter'?"

She groaned in frustration. "Wow, out of everything I just said, that's all you heard? Sheesh. Do I have to explain it again?"

"Please don't."

"Fine. Did you understand it, though?"

Jake shook his head. "Bells, I hate to break it to you. Sex is sex. No matter which way you slice it. Just because it wasn't in the...babymaker," He grimaced as he said the word. "Doesn't mean it wasn't sex. You just fucked me with your mouth. You jerked me off. And I finished. Inside you." He saw her look at him pointedly. "Your mouth. Whatever. That's sex. We broke the no-sex rule. That's it. It's gone. Finito. We're bad. So bad you might need a spanking, I think."

He gave her that wicked grin as his hand slipped down to her ass and smacked it hard.

She yelped but pulled his hand away.

"Uh uh, Mister. The no-sex rule is still intact."

He gaped at her.

"How the fuck is the no-sex rule still intact? Didn't we just go over this?"

"Dude, I'm trying to give you a free pass. Work with me here."

"Why are you trying to give me a free pass? I don't get it."

"Because I don't want to officially break it until we go away. And if we say we broke it today, then that's a free-for-all for us to have sex anytime, anywhere. Thus, the no-sex rule needs to be intact."

He shook his head at her. "You act like I'm gonna be humping you every five minutes if the no-sex rule is broken."

She arched both brows at him.

"And would I be wrong?"

He smiled sheepishly at her.

"Well, no. But still, it's not like we're gonna be able to see each other until Tuesday and then-hey wait, did you say 'go away'?"

She nodded.

He smiled wider, beaming at her.

She smiled back and blushed, burying her face into his chest.

She didn't know why but that smile he just gave her made her feel...nervous and embarrassed for some reason.

He laughed. "Aww baby, we just had sex that isn't really sex and now you're hiding from me?" He kissed the top of her head. "Bells, I can't believe you said we're going away. I'm so fucking happy right now. I'm on Cloud fucking Nine! Shit, I can't believe it! Wait, how are you gonna make it work?"

She glanced up at him. "I told you I would. I know I've put you through a lot, Jake. I know I have. But, I did promise you I wouldn't give up on us. And I fully intend on keeping that promise. We were doing okay before this weekend and I think we'll be okay after it. Especially, when it's just us." She gave him a small tentative smile.

He pulled her to him and kissed her. "And we will be okay when it's just us. We will. I promise. I love you so much, baby. So goddamn much." He kissed her nose, her cheeks, anything he could reach. She giggled when his kisses reached the part of her neck, near the area behind her ear, that was ticklish.

"I love you."

She sighed contentedly.

"I love you, too."

He kissed her once more. He moaned into her mouth.

"Baby, I think we should have sex that's not technically sex one more time."

She pulled up and narrowed her eyes at him.

"We can't do that, Jake."

He smirked at her.

"Why? It's not breaking the no-sex rule. It'll still be intact."

Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped.

"No, it won't."

He smirked wider as he played with a strand of her hair.

"How will it not be?"

She looked at him and scoffed. "Because two acts of non-sex will therefore equal up to actual sex."

"Even if it's not in the 'babymaker'?"

"Even if it's not in the babymaker."

"Two acts, you say?"

"Yes, two acts of non-sex will add up to sex."

"Are we back to the algebra thing again?"

"No, this is English. Two negatives in a sentence cancel each other out to make a positive. It's common sense, Jake. Oh wait, I guess that is Algebra, too." She put her finger on her chin as if she were deep in thought. "Huh."

Jake rolled his eyes and shook his head, laughing. "You're a weird one, Bells. But if it'll make you happy to 'save ourselves' for our trip, I'll wait. But I've gotta tell you, you are one big fucking cocktease."

She glared at him. "I can't technically be a cocktease if you got off, you know."

He rolled his eyes again and held up his hands. "Oh please, dear God, do not explain that one to me. All these technicalities, Christ. Okay. No sex, technical or not technical, positive or negative. You got it. I just wanted to make you feel as good as you just did me. It's been so long since I've made you come." He grinned impishly at her and kissed her.

She rolled her eyes at him this time. "It hasn't even been a full day, Jake."

He smiled wider. "I know. Not a habit I'm looking to make. If you were with me full-time, I'd make it my business to make you come at least seven times a day."

She smirked. "Seven times? Really? Like, what? Twice before breakfast, once before lunch, twice in the afternoon, once after dinner and last before bed?"

"Are you kidding me? I'd have that shit on a schedule. And when the time came, no pun intended, I'd beckon you over with my finger and have you serve that pussy to me on a platter."

He wiggled his eyebrow at her, making her laugh.

"A platter?"

He nodded, smiling big. "A platter. And I'd be hungry each and every fucking time. Fuck food, who needs it?"

Bella laughed again. "You are such a perv, Jake!"

He shrugged, still grinning. "I may be a perv, but you're the one who just swallowed her dinner."

He winked at her, making her gasp.

She slapped his chest and he laughed.

"You are fucking disgusting, you know that?"

He chuckled and pulled her close, kissing the top of her head.

"Yeah, but you love me."

She smiled and hugged him tighter.

"Yeah, I do."

He kissed the top of her head again and rubbed her back slowly.

"I can't wait 'till Tuesday."

She sighed.

"Me neither. Wait, what are you gonna do about Ness? We didn't-"

"Relax, Bells. I'll take care of it. No need for you to worry about it. We've got enough on our plate right now, don't you think?"

She nodded against him. "Yeah, you're right. Sorry."

He rubbed wider circles on her back.

"Don't apologize. I just don't want you worrying about anything you don't have to. That's all. Worse comes to worst, I'll stay with Seth for a couple of days. Or at the shop although that would kind of suck. That couch isn't the best. Or hell, even a hotel. It's no big deal. I'm not worried about it so you shouldn't be."

She nodded again. "Okay."

He lifted her chin gently and kissed her.

His tongue glided along her lower lip and she opened up for him. He slid into her mouth, pleading with her tongue to move with his and it did gladly.

He deepened the kiss by tilting his head, tasting more of her. His other hand trailed down her body, slipping past the waistband of her shorts. He worked his way down to her covered core and began rubbing it lightly.

She moaned into his mouth and he rubbed harder.

"Baby, you're so wet for me."

"That's the bathing suit, idiot. I haven't exactly had time to dry off."

"No, that's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about this."

She gasped as a finger made its way past the fabric and inserted itself into her folds.

"Mmmm. That's what I'm talking about. So. Fucking. Wet."

Bella's eyes rolled into the back of her head once his finger worked its way up to circle around her clit.

"J-Jake, we c-can't."

She gasped again when his finger traveled south and entered her, softly rubbing her inside walls.

"Technically, we can. See, Bells, I figured out a way around your little no-sex rule. A way to keep it intact according to your weird ass logic." He snuck another finger inside her and she slowly started to ride them, her teeth sinking into her bottom lip.

"H-How?"

"You say two acts of non-sex add up to sex right? Therefore breaking the rule?"

He began to move a little faster, the jeans clearly hindering his efforts. But he didn't make an effort to remove them.

Bella leaned her head back and he smirked at her.

"R-R-Right."

She leaned back a little, making him hit a different spot that made her breath hitch followed by a moan.

"Well, that only works if you perform two acts of non-sex on the same person. If you did it to me again, then it becomes sex but if I do it to you instead, therefore the rule remains intact. Just like algebra. Two different people are two different equations. You put two negatives in the same equation, bam, you get a positive. But one negative in each equation, both remain negative. Got me?"

Bella moaned again as he cupped her left breast with his hand and began massaging it through the suit.

Damn, he had her. And she needed to release so bad. She had to. And he was making her feel so good.

"Baby, let me do this. You're wound up tight. You need to fucking come. Let me make you come."

She leaned in and kissed him. "Jake, I want to come."

"I know you do, baby. Let me make you. Take these fucking shorts off already."

She followed his command quickly and before she knew it, she was on her back with him in between her legs, pushing the suit aside and his tongue deep within her making her cry out.

"Bells, I know you wanna come and you will. I'm gonna make you come so fucking hard you're not gonna see straight. But you gotta keep it down. I don't want Em and Rose heading back to this car any faster than they need to be, alright?"

She nodded and clamped her hand down on her mouth. He smirked at her.

"That's better. Now, I want you to fucking come all over me. I want you to fill my fucking mouth with you. I wanna taste all of you. You got that?"

She nodded again. His smirk grew wider and he disappeared within her legs once again.

Needless to say, she was glad she had put her hand over her mouth.

It didn't stop the sounds from coming out but it did muffle them as best it could.

Holy shit, he fucked her with his tongue, pinching and rubbing her clit. And sure enough, when he removed his tongue, stuck his fingers inside and fucked her fast and hard with them, telling her to come hard all over his fucking fingers, her body tensed and she started to clamp down on them in the beginning of her orgasm. She screamed into her hand.

He quickly removed his fingers and placed his mouth on her instead, snaking his tongue inside. Whatever she had to give, he tasted. He never stopped lapping at her, his eyes open and watching her as she writhed and shuddered. Only when he pulled back and glided his tongue near her clit, making her jerk, did he stop.

He smiled, pulled his shirt off and wiped his mouth and face with it, throwing it on the floor. He leaned down and removed her hand, kissing her, making her more breathless than she already was. She tasted herself on him and it only aroused her more. He pulled back, breathless now, too.

"Uh uh, you're not gonna tempt me to break the rule. You've had your non-sex and so have I. We're done until Tuesday. So I hope you enjoyed it. And I think you did." He winked at her as he shoved himself back into his shorts, now hard once again. She was surprised he hadn't gotten excited and exploded himself.

She rubbed his chest with her hand.

"But baby, you're hard again. Don't you want me to make you feel better? Make you come?"

He smirked. "You already did."

She gave him her own devilish smirk and lifted herself up to her elbows. "But I can do it again. I don't mind." He shook his head at her as he zipped up his shorts and buttoned them.

A light bulb went off in her head. She began to rub herself through her suit, making her lids drop half-shut with lust.

"You know. Technically, if an individual performs a non-sex act on themselves while the other person watches and does the same, it can't be added into the equations, therefore adding up to actual sex."

He watched her hand and shook his head again, smirking wider. "And that, my lusty little girl, is what makes you an official technical cocktease." He leaned down and kissed her, removing her hand with his own and interlocking their fingers together. He pulled away and she pouted at him. He laughed.

"Oh come on. We both just had mind-blowing, fucking incredible orgasms. You're the one who wants to wait. So I'm respecting your wishes because I know it's what you really want. So, unless you want me to grab you and throw you into the ice cold water down there, I suggest you cool off now, Bells." He grinned at her, arching an eyebrow, daring her to challenge him.

"Ugh, you don't play fair."

"Neither do you. But that's what makes it fun." He winked at her again and she rolled her eyes and sat up.

"Fine. Where's my shorts?"

He handed them to her, chuckling.

"Now, who's whining?"

She childishly stuck her tongue out at him, making him laugh, as she shimmied into her shorts.

He rummaged through the bag he had been carrying, grabbing a shirt and throwing it on.

"So, Tuesday you're off, right?"

She nodded as she zipped up her shorts and buttoned them.

"Yeah. Lauren's got the shop covered."

"Good. Okay, well they should be leaving around nine, I think. What do you say you head to the garage to meet me around ten-thirty or so?"

Bella nodded. "Okay."

"I'll call you tomorrow and let you know what to bring and everything."

She looked over at him sadly.

He shook his head, chuckling.

"I didn't say I wouldn't call you tonight, Bells. I just meant I'd tell you tomorrow about the trip. Sheesh. Don't give me that sad puppy-dog look. You know I hate it."

She gave it to him again.

"Isabella, wipe that look off your face or I will never kiss you again."

She smiled brightly at him.

He sighed in relief.

"Thank you."

She laughed and leaned over to kiss him.

He kissed her deeply and then murmured to her lips.

"I love you."

She murmured back.

"I love you, too."

They kissed again, getting into it a little more this time, when there was a sharp rap at the window on their left.

"You've got sixty seconds to get yourselves decent before my girlfriend gets in that car."

Jake rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, okay, Em. Thanks."

He sat back in the seat and Bella scooted over to her side and sat back as well.

"Uh uh."

She looked at him pointedly. "What?"

"Get over here."

She narrowed her eyes but did as he said and sat next to him.

"Uh uh."

She stared at him in disbelief.

"Closer."

She moved a bit closer.

"You call that close? Get over here. Man, you are such a tease."

He grabbed her and sat her in his lap, bridal style, her legs entangling with his.

"There we go. Now sit back, relax. Take a load off."

She arched her eyebrows at him and he just smiled.

She leaned into him and laid her head on his chest.

He hugged her closer to him and laid his cheek on top of her head.

"That's better."

She smiled and closed her eyes.

Emmett and Rose chose that moment to get into the car.

"Everything kosher?"

Bella turned her head and looked at Emmett. He was looking at Jake and not at her. She frowned. Was Emmett really still mad at her for pushing to talk to Jake?

Jake nodded against her. "Yep. We're good. Thanks."

Emmett turned back to the car. "Yep."

He then backed out of the lot and began driving back to the house.

"So, Jake, what are you gonna do about Ness? I mean, we all still have to ride home together, you know? And if it's gonna be all fireworks, Rose and I will just call a car service or something."

"Nah, man. You don't need to do that. I'll get us home in one piece, no worries. Besides, something tells me Ness is gonna be a little calmer by the time we get back, anyway."

"Jake..."

Bella felt Jake shrug against her.

"Oh, Em, relax. I'm not gonna do anything to fuck it up. You know me better than that. Do you think I could really break it like that?"

Emmett sighed angrily. "You have your moments where I'm not so sure. Right now is one of 'em."

He glared back at Jake through the rear view mirror and Bella laid her head back against Jake and closed her eyes.

"I'm not gonna do it, Em, so relax. It's the most important thing in the whole deal and that means I'm gonna handle it with kid gloves. So no breakage. I was just pissed before but I would never do that, I promise."

She had no idea what they were talking about. Must be something about his marriage to Ness. Truthfully, she couldn't care. She was too tired to. She felt herself getting sleepy against Jake. She heard the familiar thumping she loved to hear and smiled. She loved that sound...

She felt someone shaking her.

"Bells."

She opened her eyes reluctantly and rubbed them groggily. "W-What?"

"Babe, we're just about back at the house and you need to get up. Let's go. Up."

She leaned off of him unsteadily and glowered down at him.

He smiled.

She glowered more.

"I don't like you very much right now. I was comfortable."

She yawned and stretched before climbing off of him and onto her own seat.

He laughed. "It's not my fault you fell asleep. Again. I'm starting to think you're a narcoleptic or something. Man."

He shook his head.

She leaned into her seat, laying her head down against it, facing him.

"Sorry. I just hear it and it makes me calm and I feel at peace. And a little sleepy."

He narrowed his eyes at her.

"Hear what?"

"Your heart."

His eyes widened and he stared at her.

She heard a throat clearing in the front of the car and realized she had just said that in front of everyone.

She blushed, bit her lip and looked down.

She then felt his arms around her. He had moved over to her, holding her close to him.

He kissed her forehead.

"I love you, Bells."

He whispered it into her hairline.

"I love you, too, Jake. I love you, too."

He kissed her forehead again.

"We're here, Jake."

Jake cleared his throat and sat up straight.

"Okay, Em. Thanks."

He slid away from her, looking longingly at her but grasping her hand in his.

"Just remember, babe. Tuesday. Don't forget."

She noticed he didn't mention the where and when. But she figured he didn't mention it for a reason. So she nodded.

"I won't."

He lifted her hand up and kissed it before releasing it as Emmett pulled into the driveway.

Jake gave her one last smile while Emmett put the car in park and turned it off.

"Alright, let's get the fuck out of this hellhole as fast as we can." He took a deep breath and winked at her. "Here goes nothing. See you in there."

He then turned, opened the door and got out. He jogged up the steps, opened the front door and stepped inside. Rose opened the door and Emmett spoke.

"Rose, I want to talk to Bella for a minute. Do you mind waiting for me on the steps? I don't want you going in that nuthouse without me."

Rose nodded.

"Sure, babe."

She leaned forward and kissed him quickly before turning towards Bella and shooting her a sympathetic glance, shocking Bella but also scaring the shit out of her. What the hell could Emmett have to say to her that was making Rose look at her like that? Fuck.

Rose got out of the car, shut the door and made her way to the steps.

"Bella, why don't you come take Rose's seat?"

His tone wasn't mean but it wasn't friendly either. It was absent of its usual warmth and affection it always had when speaking to her. For the first time ever, she was scared of what he had to say, scared of him. But she climbed into the front seat regardless and plopped herself down facing him.

Oh well, might as well get it over with.

Emmett turned to her and sighed heavily.

"Bella, I need to know that you know what you're doing here. You're playing with fire on this one and I don't want you getting burned."

Bella's mouth dropped open.

"Emmett! You and Rose have been in full support of this whole thing, giving Jake and I time together and covering for us like Rose said and now all of a sudden, you don't trust him? What the fuck is going on here? If you're pissed at me, then be pissed at me. Don't blame it on Jake."

He looked at her sadly. "Sweetie, I'm not pissed at you and neither is Rose. She exploded at you before because...well, it was high time you heard it to be honest, not just for you, but Jake as well. And also, because...it brought her back to a time where she was in your position, just as conflicted as you."

Bella's eyes widened. "What do you mean, like me?"

He sighed again and looked down. "Look, Rose and I didn't exactly meet in a bar, flirt and then head back to my place and the rest is history or some shit. Our story...is a little more... unconventional."

He looked back up at her with the soft eyes she knew and loved.

"I see. And who were you? Jake or Edward?"

He took a deep breath.

"Edward."

Bella drew in a quick breath and covered her mouth with her hand.

Emmett shook his head. "It's not what you think. Rose isn't that type of person. She regrets it every single day. It was...a tough situation for her. She had just met me after she ended it with her ex-fiancé. This guy, Royce, one of those heirs to a big fortune, like the Hiltons, you know? Anyway, she just met me and we hit it off real well. But she still loved him, too, and she had a hard time...letting go."

His eyes glazed over, clearly back in the story he was telling. "It's not that she didn't love me, Bella. It's that she couldn't make a choice. She loved us both. But eventually, she did have to make a choice. And we know who that was." He smiled sadly at her.

Bella shook her head. "Oh, Em. Then how could you support me and Jake? How could you help us? How could Rose? I don't understand."

Emmett looked over at Rose on the steps.

"Jake told you about Ness' history. So you know all about that. It hit him hard, Bella. Jake's a good guy. He's got a good heart. He means well, he does. And when that happened, it ripped him apart. It just completely destroyed him and he was never the same again. So I guess, he kind of reminds me of me sometimes." Bella put a hand on his arm in gentle reassurance. "But, these last few weeks, I didn't know why but I started to see some of the old Jake back again. He seemed happier, more focused, determined, laughing, smiling all the time. Just like he used to be before Ness tore him to shreds. Little did I know that reason was you."

He chuckled and turned to look at her. "He loves you, Bella. I see that. Rose sees that. Anybody with two eyes in their head can see that. Ness hasn't yet because she's so far up her own ass and refuses to believe he'll ever be happy with anyone but her. And Edward's been...distracted with work and everything. But they'll see it soon enough. Even before I knew what was really going on between you and Jake, I could tell there was something up with you two. The way he looks at you, even if you're just talking about dinner or saying hello to someone politely, it's intense. And there's definitely a spark between you two. So I guess I wasn't all that surprised when I found out you guys were together."

He then cupped her cheek. "Plus, I love you, Bella. You know that. And I'll do anything for you, to make you happy. And Jake makes you happy. We all see it. And you make Jake happy. We all see that, too. And that's why I don't mind helping you out."

"Why didn't you ever tell me, Em? About Rose? Why didn't you come talk to me?"

He looked down. "Bella, you had a lot of...your own stuff going on at the time. I couldn't...I didn't want to burden you with my shit."

"Em...I'm here for you anytime."

Emmett looked up at her. "I know you are, sweetheart. But that was a tough time for you. I wasn't gonna make it worse for you."

Bella looked down at the seat and silence filled the car for a minute. She took a deep breath.

Bella turned and smiled gratefully at him. "But what about Edward? I get why you don't care for Ness. But Edward's your friend and he's never done anything wrong. If you know how it feels, then why are you okay with that being done to him?"

He sighed and pulled his hand back.

"I'm not okay with it, Bella. But, Edward's changed a lot over the years. He's not who he used to be. You haven't seen it but he and I have had a lot of disagreements lately. We just don't see eye to eye like we used to. And I'm not doing this as a way to punish him or get back at him in any way. I'm doing it to help you and Jake out, that's all. Edward used up all of my sympathy when he threw it back in my face. So as far as I'm concerned, he's not a blip on my radar in this situation."

Bella frowned and looked down. "What happened?"

"Let's just say I am very overprotective of my interests and I don't appreciate it when they're thrown to the wolves, so to speak."

Bella gasped. "Rose?"

He turned and gave her a wry smile. "Something like that."

Bella gasped again. "You're not saying he made a move on Rose?"

"No, I'm not. Not even anything close to that. Look, bottom line. You and Jake are the ones I focus on. Not Edward. And certainly not that two-faced bitch Jake's married to. Okay? Let's just leave it at that."

Bella nodded. "Okay. But why is Rose helping then?"

He looked at Rose again on the steps. "She sees what I see. She knows what I know. She understands what I do. She helps because I ask her to. So in effect, she does it for me. But, like I said, she also sees herself in you and she truly does want to help you, be there for you. And believe it or not, she does like you. Hell, she even likes Jake. She thinks he's good for you. She's seen a whole new side of you she's never seen before. But...it's hard for her to separate our situation from your situation. So when you were all worried before and indecisive like that, she immediately saw herself, torn between me and that other guy, not wanting to hurt either of us but really torturing the shit out of us. And she saw Jake's face, all scared and shit as he was that he was gonna lose you, and she flipped. She regrets it now. She wishes she hadn't spoken so harshly to you but like I said, it needed to be said. It just wasn't in the best way."

He turned and smiled at her.

Bella nodded, speechless.

"Look, Bella. I'm not your dad and Rose isn't your mom so we're not gonna tell you what to do here. But if anything, learn from us. We made out okay in the end and I got my girl but that only came about because she chose. And she chose me. Pretty soon, you're gonna have to do the same and you know it. This whole having an affair thing can't last much longer. They're gonna find out, you know it. One or the other. Through a slip up of yours or his or through someone else. It's bound to happen."

Bella nodded mutely again.

"So, whatever this two days thing is, enjoy it. But after that, you might want to start thinking about the decision you're gonna have to make. We both know Edward. All may be kosher for now but his suspicion's up. And Ness. Holy shit, that girl's already a fucking paranoid schizo as it is with her fucking around on Jake. It only takes one seed of doubt, remember that. And so far, there's plenty laid to grow. So, be careful, alright? I don't want you getting hurt in this whole thing."

Bella turned to him. She smiled, leaned in and kissed his cheek. "Thank you, Em. You're the best, you know that?"

He snorted. "Of course. How could I not be? I mean, come on. Look at me."

Bella rolled her eyes and laughed.

He grinned at her. "Alright, kiddo, what do you say we do what Jake said and get the fuck out of this hellhole?"

Bella nodded enthusiastically and opened her door, chuckling. "Let's."

Emmett jumped out of his side and they both made their way towards Rose.

~~~~~~~~~SWM~~~~~~~~~~~~~SWM~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~SWM~~~~~~~~~

About an hour later, they were on their way home.

Ness was silent and didn't say a word to anyone. She sulked up in the front seat. Rose leaned into Emmett and he rubbed her back, kissing her head every so often. Edward sat in the back next to Bella. He barely spoke to her when she returned. He had only asked her if she was alright and she told him she was. He didn't seem to be mad at her, just off in his own thoughts or something. Jake was driving, silent as well, focused on the road.

Jake had sent her one text message before they set out.

Love u. Dont worry. Evrythngs fine. Just 2 b safe, we shouldnt talk, look each other or anythng. Dont want them gettin suspicious. Relax. Smile. I love u.

And so she had taken a deep breath and did exactly what he said. She packed and eagerly awaited the drive home.

The drive that was now so filled with tension you could cut through it with a knife.

She sighed and settled back into the seat.

Not too much longer and she would be home, out of the vicinity of one set of prying, watchful eyes.

She caught Jake glancing at her in the rear view mirror. She glanced around and saw everyone else was distracted. She turned back to him and he gave her a sly wink before looking away.

She felt her phone vibrate a minute later. She watched Edward carefully as she pulled it out of her pocket.

Is phone sex considered non-sex, too? Since any sperm emitted is nowhere near babymaker?

Bella wanted to laugh out loud. Oh, Jake. He always knew how to make her smile.

Yes. Definitely non-sex.

She placed her phone back in her pocket. She felt it vibrate again a minute later but she waited a couple of minutes. She didn't want to be too obvious. She made sure no one was watching and pulled her phone back out.

Ill b calling u 2nite. Keep ur phone on. ;-)

She bit down on her tongue to keep the chuckles at bay.

Time 2 get out the Bluetooth I guess. Gotta keep those hands free.

She sent it and then thrust her phone into her pocket. She looked around and still everyone was out of it. She breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

A minute later, she felt a slight swerve in the car.

"Jacob! Watch the road! Jesus!"

"Sorry, Ness. There was a damn animal in the road. Did you see it? That thing was huge!"

Bella's shoulders shook in silent laughter.

Her phone vibrated again. This time, she waited a good ten minutes before checking it.

U r so gonna get it come Tues. Ull b begging me 2 nvr let u make a rule like that again. Torturing me like that. Cocktease!

Is that a promise, Mr. Black?

More like a fucking vow. Ure not gonna be able 2 walk right when Im done w/ u. Oh & its defintely goin in the babymaker. Again & again & again & again & again...

She blushed at that one and discreetly snapped her phone shut, hiding it in her pocket and trying to ignore the heat she felt building at such a thought. She stared ahead, looking at the backs of Emmett and Rose. She thought about what Emmett had told her. She then glanced towards Edward. She wondered what Emmett meant about Edward changing and throwing his interests to the wolves and all that.

Her phone vibrated again. She was safe to check it since Edward was still staring out the window.

Im thinking we should try some new non-sex things, too. Many new things Id like 2 try...

Dog!

Slut!

Perv!

Tease!

Ok, u got me there.

She saw his shoulders shake silently and she smiled, looking back out her window.

She felt her phone vibrate again but waited a couple of minutes. After doing her usual scan, she checked it once more.

God, I love u babe. I wish I could b back there w/ u rite now. I miss u.

She smiled a soft smile at the message.

I miss u too. 2 days, babe. 2 days. I love u.

It was a few minutes until she felt her phone vibrate once more.

2 more days & then ure mine.

She smiled again.

Im already urs.

She sent it. A minute later, he was staring back at her in the rear view mirror. She blushed and looked away. She knew maybe it wasn't such a good idea to send that particular message but it wasn't like she hadn't made herself clear to him earlier. He knew she wasn't making a decision right now and he was fine with that. And it's not like she wasn't telling the truth. Half of her was already his...