"Give me my shirt!"

"Oh, this little thing. I can't. You are going to get it dirty with the materials they guys are bringing." Lauren pouted.

Emmett tried to get closer, he knew she had one t-shirt behind.

"Then I'll have to tickle my way to it." He heard her giggle and when she tried to close the door of the trailer, he got to her. He started to tickle, but soon enough, his mood changed and he groped her ass.

"No, Emmett. The guys are supposed to be back."

He sighed and left her, but he managed to get his t-shirt back. He got the weird feeling that somebody watching them. He turned around, the construction site was empty; the other side was the parking lot for employees, it had a few empty cars. He shook his head, it was only his imagination.

He walked to the other side of the site. He sent a few men to pick up the metal rebar and concrete he already bought. It was still empty, but it was true they were in their way.

He sat on a pile of bricks to wait for them. The edge of his shirt had lipstick stains, again. Another sigh escaped him. He was glad he took on the laundry at home, Rose would kick his ass to the curb if she found out. His beautiful wife Rose. He remembered the day he met her, She was at the same differential equations course. She was quick to learn and had some fire in her. He was astounded to find she was a sophomore, she had brains and beauty. Of course, all the guys in the class asked her out just to be rejected. She was really focused. It took him the whole semester to get her number, but after a few dates, he knew she was the one. They dated for another semester when he convinced her to marry him. He just graduated and had a job, he could support her. She still had one year to go.

At the beginning, their life was perfect. He was away working, but her course load left her with time to be the perfect housewife. She always welcomed him home with a smile. Whenever they went out, he was proud to see every man looking at them, green with envy. And she still had that fire, that usually came up when his family was around. It wasn't a secret the hate between his mother and Rose though if he was honest, his mother smothered him too much and he found her highly annoying.

One truck passed by, but it wasn't the one he was expecting for.

Where was he? Oh, right, his first years of marriage. Rose had a hard time trying to get a job, so she accepted what he considered was the worst job ever. Her boss owned a big school supplies store, like Office Depot, which was located just int he worst part of town. He also was a prick. Emmett grumbled and remembered how many times he went to pick up Rose at night just to hear the man yelling at her and the other employees. At the time, money was tight so he listened to Rose's pleas to leave the man alone. But the moment Emmett got the chance to buy his old boss construction business, he took it. The poor man was too old to continue and he knew Emmett was capable of managing the men. Of course, Emmett and Rose struggled at the beginning, but when he told Rose she could quit, she almost threw a party.

That boss took the fire out of Rose, making her a frightened, insecure woman. While it should have bothered him, he found docile Rose more likable. He started to talk about kids.

Then she had to find this job and met her new friend Bella. If you asked him, that was the beginning of the debacle. Bella supported Rose and helped to find her groove back. Rose was a natural at this job, so she soon was promoted. That gave Rose an aura of confidence that made him uncomfortable. Now Rose was tired all the time, she wasn't so enthusiast to be intimate with him. Sometimes when he was back home she wasn't back from work yet, leaving him to dine alone. Obviously, now Rose wanted to wait a few years before having a baby. 'We are still young' she said.

Then came one of the worst day of her friend's life. She had a miscarriage. Rose became the rock her friend needed, and to lift Bella spirits Rose took them to those dancing classes. He was aware it was women only, he certainly followed them to get sure. He wasn't a jealous man, but he had to check that gym. Rose found more friends there and then he felt as his wife was gone. He didn't know at what point he got angry with Rose. She had a valid point when she mentioned he still had his friends and went out with them, it wasn't like he was all the time at home. But still, when he was, he expected his wife to be there too.

Then the stress between them got too much and soon he just wanted time alone. Work wasn't easy either, but he found solace in the metal walls of the trailer. It was the first thing he bought.

He saw movement in the distance, maybe the boys were closer.

Then Lauren happened. It wasn't like he did it on purpose. No. He remembered the first day she came to work, looking like a wet cat in a pantsuit too big to be hers, her hair straightened and with killer heels. He was quick to tell her that he needed her to dress with comfy clothes. He will need her to do rounds around the site, and those heels were screaming 'accident'. His harsh tone made her cry. Emmett didn't do tears. He was grateful Rose wasn't used to cry like his mother did. The next day, she came to work on those leopard print yoga pants and sneakers, not what he wanted but it was better, so he let it pass. She was so docile and eager to help. She always admired the way he commanded the guys and was prompt to bring whatever he needed. She also was very fond of his biceps, she touched his arm whenever she had the chance.

One day... one day he was so stressed. He fought with Rose the night before and that asshole Dunlop was trying to sell him inferior materials. Lauren came to him and gave him a massage. It was quite innocent. But at the third time she massaged him, things got heavy and before he knew it they were going at it on his desk. Lauren was so different to Rose. Sure, Rose was a natural beauty, Lauren wasn't as easy on the eyes despite the heavy makeup. But she made up in other ways. Lauren praised his style, his stamina; she made him feel like 'The Man'. Somehow, along the way, Rose emasculated him and to find someone who found him so desirable to topple him over the desk... It wasn't like he was leaving Rose, he just needed someone to cheer him up.

The truck arrived. Emmett sighed. He was so glad he was doing the laundry.

xxx

Carlisle stepped on the gas and the car purred. Why did he wait so long to get one? Of course, this was the test drive, he could change his mind. If only Thomas could see him...

Carlisle's childhood friend Thomas died from a heart attack two months ago, leaving his family inconsolable. Thomas devoted his whole life to work. He was a genius on investments, so he died a rich man. A lonely unhealthy rich man who didn't see death coming. Thomas left all his assets to his mother and siblings, but Carlisle was sure they would change all that money for a few years more enjoying Thomas presence.

He left a letter to Carlisle though he was sure he wrote it long time ago; because the attack was so sudden, it got him at home in his pajamas. At least, he didn't suffer.

Carlisle remembered the wake, with Thomas' family crying. He was so devoted to work, he never married, and Esme pointed how sad was that the only thing he left to be remembered was money.

Carlisle wouldn't make the same mistake. No, sir. But what really put things in perspective was the letter. Thomas sent him the old bucket list they made when they were in college. It was full of old dreams and crazy ideas, from when the world was full of possibilities.

On the next red light, he noticed someone was watching him, so he turned to his right. No way. It was his own car!

"Felix?"

Felix waved from Carlisle's old black Mercedes. His questioning eyes burning holes on Carlisle's face. Well, if someone was about to discover his latest fancy, better to be Felix, at least, he would understand. So he made signs to Felix so they could pull over.

"Dad? Whose this car?"

"Hmm, well, it's still from the agency. It's my test drive. I'm considering to buy one now that I'm... well, Bree and Joham need a car, they can have the Mercedes, so I needed a new one." Carlisle answered nervously. How do you explain to your son that now that you are facing the fact that you aren't immortal, you want to give this last part of your life a little spark? How could you explain you want to do wild things before your body won't allow such thoughts?

Felix walked around the car in awe. "Could you buy it? I mean, these cars are expensive."

"It's on my budget. Maybe I'll have to eat out less for a year, but this car is worthy."

"Can I drive it?" Felix was almost jumping with excitement.

"Sure, but we need to park the Mercedes. Let's make a deal, you drive it back to the agency while I take the Mercedes but you help me to sell the idea to Mom." Carlisle knew Esme wouldn't bother what car he bought. She even would find funny the fact he deviated from his ways. But as Felix wisely pointed, this car was expensive, and now he won't be having the money of the sale of his previous car because he was gifting it to Bree and Joham. Well, last time he checked their finances, he could buy a new house for Bree and they would still have a lot of money. Still, he knew Esme knew something was up after the dying hair debacle.

"Sure. Wait, where are you going to drive it? It would be a crime to keep the car inside the garage."

Oh, Carlisle knew what Felix was trying. But he would find a way to drive the car around. Maybe taking Esme to picnics. Nobody would call him 'Grandpa' to his face anymore. He was still full of life, he shall show the world. Carlisle Cullen still had so much to do with his life.

xxx

The last soul abandoned the IT area. Jasper waited five minutes before getting inside his office. He wanted to be sure to be alone. Once he believed he was alone, he took out a vodka bottle from his desk. Usually, he used the hidden bottle to toast with his coworkers when one project was done, of after a crisis was solved without a hitch; but lately, he was dreading coming home, so he remained in his office for an hour or two. It also helped to avoid traffic. He took a shot glass and poured the drink. Vodka wasn't his favorite, but it had the trait of been almost odorless, contrary to brandy or tequila.

Once the alcohol relaxed his body, he pulled out his own laptop and opened a game of mah-jong, his latest obsession. One game that while made him think, gave the focus to comprehend the gist of his problems. He recently reached the conclusion that after this crisis with his kids, he was left without feeling love to Alice. Sure, he will love her forever but lately, he wasn't 'in love' with her.

It wasn't a sudden change of feelings, not really. Just when the crisis was averted, or at least, they were working on it, he'd come to the realization that his feelings for Alice were gone. And, like the organized man he was, he made an exhaustive analysis to reach that conclusion:

'Exhibit A', All those little quirks he always found endearing, now were irritating him. Like the way she hugged the bathroom in the mornings making him sharing the bathroom with the kids. Or the way she used his leg to heat her cold feet with those tiny thingies on her toe nails. All pretty harmless but lately he found it annoying.

Exhibit 'B', The way he blew out of proportion their last fight. He knew Alice was expecting reconciliation sex, she brought the adequate clothes to drive him crazy, alas, he kept arguing and arguing in any way he thought to avoid sex. He didn't hold her either, which was what they used to do whenever one wasn't in the mood. He faked to be angrier than he was to force Alice to give him space.

Exhibit 'C', He dreaded Wednesday because lately... he didn't find her desirable. There was something so wrong when the body who used to drive you insane with lust, suddenly you now found it lacking. Then there was the look in her eyes, to make sure they were still connected. He was scared shitless to let her look into his eyes to find them empty. It wasn't fair to her. Though she wasn't giving him that look to him lately either, but he attributed it to stress.

Exhibit 'D', the worst, he found her presence... not pleasant. It wasn't only those little quirks. He found that besides the kids and whatever they did on the day, they didn't have nothing to talk about. Sure, their taste in books, films, and TV sometimes clashed, but still they always managed to find something to talk about. Jasper always knew how to make a joke about the dullest subject just to make her smile, but now... not so much.

He took another shot of vodka and voiced the hard questions, the ones even in his mind he never dared to ask: Did love wore out its duration? Were they together out of habit?

Jasper was scared to think his feelings over Alice were over. They still had a lot potential, but maybe almost twenty years together were taking their toll. Jasper just saw one path to follow. He would never disrespect Alice, she was his partner after all. But he had to face his feelings. Well, he had an excuse to leave after all. Uncle Roscow was sick and he wanted to say goodbye to him, a few days away from Alice would give him perspective. He could take the kids for the weekend. It was only Alice he wanted to distance from.

He cracked some numbers and it will take them, at least, four more months to recover from the blow of the change of schools. But he had saved enough mileage to take one kid back home. Probably Peter. Yeah, a few days way will work out even for Peter.

In his mind, the words of his friend Eleazar kept repeating. He was a divorced manager. 'Sometimes you need a vacation from marriage, a few days to revalue how much you love your wife.' Eleazar took his wife for granted and now he regretted divorcing her. He won't commit the same mistake. He wanted a few days away from Alice. He would take the kids, go back home and then come back with a new perspective on his marriage. They needed to be together to help their kids to overcome this crisis.

xxx

As usual, before leaving for the day, Jessica brought the dreaded note to Edward. Tanya and Leah found unreasonable his change to a sour attitude whenever he received the note; then he did the same he's been doing after reading it.

"Guys, let's get home. I'll close the office for the day." Edward said and got back to the little room he called 'office'. The area the company granted for them was small but cozy. Edward, as the leader, was assigned a tiny office for discretion, the others had cubicles around his door, making the area closed off for the other workers.

The others turned off their computers, started to pack and said goodbye. Leah ran to the elevator while Tanya went to the bathroom. She needed to change her killer heels for flats. On her way out of the bathroom, she heard voices and waited a minute to let them pass.

"I don't like the closeness between that Masen and Tanya." It was Marcus, so Tanya was prudent enough to stay hidden.

"Oh, no sir, I can guarantee you their relationship is strictly professional," Leah answered. She was walking really fast because Tanya knew she had to get home to her husband and kid.

"Still, I heard they went out to a bar for drinks."

"Oh, we all went out that time. Tanya is a good friend of Edward's wife, so it was more like a girls night out."

Tanya couldn't hear anything else so she thought the coast was clear. What did Marcus think? They were over as he deftly put after his bitch ex-wife called. So if Tanya wanted to go out with half company she certainly could.

She walked fast to the elevator when she heard Marcus again. Quickly, she walked back, maybe she could hide in Edward's office now that everybody was gone. Without thinking she opened the door and got in... only to find Edward crying inconsolably.

xxx

When he closed the door, Edward took the note that Jessica brought and sighed. Another hopeful quote made to help him overcome his grief. Jessica never understood what was behind those notes, she probably thought they were code for something dirty he was doing behind Bella's back. In reality, a young priest who was a friend of his sent one thought daily in hopes to comfort Edward.

Edward read the note again and tried to find a place where to hide it, but it was impossible given the overstuffed state his desk was. He piled the files and notes, trying to not mess with them, only to drop them unceremoniously over the cabinet at the back of his office. Once he deemed his desk was clean enough, he opened the first drawer from his desk. He pulled his most prized possessions. First, his wedding picture. They were so happy that day, it showed through the glass of the frame. One could see how much love they shared. He caressed Bella's face. She never looked so beautiful to him. Even his coworkers thought she was beautiful. Michael just complimented Bella once and leave it like that, but he didn't like the way Jacob eyed the picture whenever he was around. He put the picture to the side of his laptop and went for the second most prized possession. The only picture he had of their baby. The sonogram. That's when he couldn't hold it anymore and let the tears flow.

In that moment, someone barged into his office. It was Tanya and she was so fast to close the door that she didn't give him a chance to argue.

"That bastard!" She grumbled, then she turned to Edward. "Shit! What happened? Why are you crying?" She was fast to drop her bag and got closer to Edward.

"Nothing, just please leave me alone."

Tanya sighed. Once upon a time, she may have listened and leave her friend alone, but not now they were closer.

"No, I'm here to listen. It's obvious something is bothering you, I never saw you cry before. Did you and Bella fight?"

Edward shook his head. "No, really. I don't want to talk about it. What are you doing here?"

"Ugh, hiding from Marcus. He was asking around if we were dating. Could you believe his nerve? I have to stay here for a minute, so spill. What's your problem?"

Edward shook his head again but Tanya saw the sonogram picture.

"Is it about your baby? Bella told me."

Edward hid his face from Tanya scrutiny.

"Oh no. I bared my soul to both of you. I consider you and Bella my friends, really close ones. So spill. You know you can count on me."

Edward couldn't hold it anymore. He told Tanya how the day they lost the baby, he had a work date with one client. He left Bella at home alone. She called him as soon as he left, telling him she was feeling weird. Then half an hour later she was still feeling odd. He promised to take her to the doctor as soon as his date finished. The next call, Bella told him she wasn't feeling the baby moving. He finally got rid of the client with a shitty excuse and took Bella to the hospital.

"I was hoping they tell us it was only heartburn. But no. They moved Bella from one test to another for hours, until finally they told us the baby died."

By now, Tanya was sobbing with him. "Did they give you a cause?"

Edward shook his head. "No, only that they believed the baby died around six on the morning."

"That's so sad."

"But don't you see? It was my fault. If I had taken Bella to the hospital as soon as she felt weird, maybe we could have saved our baby." Edward burst out crying.

"No, no. It wasn't your fault. The doctors said the baby was already..."

"But if there was a shred of hope to save him... Work wasn't as important. I, I, I killed my baby!"

Tanya hugged him, and let him cry on her shoulder, though, unbeknownst to them, someone cracked the door slightly open and watched.

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