This was tough for me to write. I wasn't sure which direction it was going until I wrote it, lol!

Why did things have to be so complicated?

I was so happy here with Jasper, not thinking about the things that had transpired this afternoon. We were together. I loved him. He loved me. And Alice knew-that was a big one. How could I have doubted her for a moment? Of course she knew. And I was comforted knowing that soon enough we would be family again. Now I only had to deal with Edward. While I was thinking all of this, Jasper managed to detangle us and stand up. I frowned.

"Where are you going?" I asked, mildly outraged. He reached town to touch my cheek and smile sadly.

"Edward's almost here-I can feel him already. It's best if I'm not in the room when he gets here. I'm going to wait upstairs-Alice will join me and we'll leave you two alone." He stared at me for an immeasurable moment and then he was gone. Alright, Bella, don't panic. It's only Edward. Ha! That was like saying it's only the apocalypse, everything would be fine. I turned towards the door and waited. Alice was first-she smiled at me and quickly flitted out of the room. And then-he was there.

"Hey." I mumbled pathetically. I didn't know how to start. And seeing him…

"Hello, Bella. I apologize for my earlier behavior-I was taken aback." Formal. That was Edward's way of saying 'I'm pissed.'

"Of course you were. And I'm sorry you had to find out like that. And believe me, we were going to tell you-but I wasn't quite ready yet." I tried to be nice, really. I tried not to let my anger show, which was quite a feat because I was very very angry.

"When, Bella? When you two were married? When he's turned you into one of us? When you were living with my family?" He was glaring at me, breathing heavily.

"When I was ready to tell you, Edward! Because, believe it or not, I wasn't sure where Jasper and I were headed! Surprisingly, I was afraid he was going to leave me! Now, I wonder why I was so worried about that." Oops. I saw shock and then hurt cross over his face as he collapsed into a heap in front of the door. I'd hurt him before he'd even made it inside. "I'm sorry for saying that, Edward."

"No-it's true. All of it. But can you see it through my eyes, for just a moment? I had come back for you-to tell you that I loved you. And when I find you happy, like I planned, I knew I was too late. And then, I come back to my house to get some things I'd left behind, and I find you wrapped around Jasper doing God knows what, professing your love to him! My brother! A vampire! And my leaving was for nothing." He was watching me with such a burning intensity it was almost uncomfortable.

"That's the thing, Edward. You came back for me. Meaning you left me in the first place, without even giving me a choice in the matter. Did it ever occur to you that there was nothing more I wanted then you? Danger be damned? You were my everything, and you left me in the woods alone. You hurt me. And for nothing." I realized I was crying now-fantastic. Way to stand up for myself. Edward crawled to me-crawled-and wrapped his stone arms around my legs where I was sitting. He was heaving with dry sobs, and I did the only thing I could think of-I comforted him. I ran my hands through his hair and let him have his moment. I cried with him.

"I'm so sorry, Bella, so sorry. I didn't know…I didn't think. I only wanted what was best for you. I didn't want to leave you! But I didn't want to damn you to this life. Your soul was worth more than that." He was staring up at me, gloriously beautiful and more tortured then I had ever seen.

"Did you stop and think that what you thought was best for me wasn't really? That I didn't want to live without you? That life without you was meaningless to me? You threw us away-threw me away. But I'm not sorry you did-not anymore." He gazed at me curiously, and we had come now to what he wanted to know the most.

"How did you find him?" he asked.

"I came here to see for myself, one last time. To make sure you were really gone. I made it as far as the porch when Jasper showed up. He stayed behind. We talked, and I came back. I kept coming back, and then I found out I couldn't stand to leave." It was funny, how it happened. I would leave the details, although it wouldn't be long before he found them out.

"What else?"

I sighed. "He and I…worked together to get over you and Alice. And while we did that, we grew feelings together. And I do love him, Edward, and I know you don't want to hear it but it's true. He treats me as an equal, not as some stupid human who can't take care of herself. He doesn't treat me like I'm going to break every time he touches me. He's honest with me." Edward closed his eyes and stood up.

"When you say…he touches you…do you mean…?" I blushed. Of course he would ask that.

"No. We haven't…done anything like that." I blushed harder, thinking about it.

"And he is what you want?"

"Yes. Without a doubt. I feel…free…when I'm with him."

"And what about later? Is he going to turn you? And what happens with the rest of the family? Do they know?" Now we were getting into the semantics of it.

"I'm not sure, but I hope so. I want that, to be with him forever. But we haven't talked about it. And the family does know-at least Carlisle and Esme. We told them first, and then Charlie. Alice knew already, of course."

"So I was the last one to find out."

"I told you I was sorry about that. But Edward, imagine being me, and having to tell you that I was in love with your brother." He cringed. I could only imagine how his heart was breaking-I knew mine was. And I knew Jasper was hearing every word upstairs.

"What will you do now?" He asked, moving away from me.

"I think…we might take a trip to see Carlisle and the family. I've missed them, and I know he has. What about you?" Would I ever see him again?

"I think I need to be alone for a while, to figure things out. And then…I need to go home. I don't know if I can stand to be around you both…so soon. But I don't want to lose you forever, Bella, even if it means you're my sister instead of my lover." I smiled. It was perfect. I could have Edward as a friend, after some time.

"I think that would be wonderful. I'm sorry I hurt you, Edward, but I'm happy now." And I was, more than anything.

"That's the most important thing to me now. As long as you're happy, I'll cope. I'll always love you, Bella, and I'll always be there if you change your mind. But I won't fight him. I can't blame him, wanting to be with you. The biggest regret of my life will always be letting you go." He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. I didn't know what to say. "Bella?" he asked.

"Yes?"

"Can I please hold you, just for a moment? One last time?" Being in Edward's arms again…I choked back the panic and nodded. He walked up to me, slowly, and wrapped his arms around me pulling me close. I could hear him breathing in my scent, and I did the same. His scent was so uniquely Edward, and it was still intoxicating. He traced his hand through my hair. "I'm sorry," I heard him whisper, and then he pulled away. He walked towards the door, but before he could leave Alice flitted down.

"I'll go with you," she said, coming to a stop next to Edward. He looked at her curiously, listening to what she was saying in her head. Whatever it was must have been convincing, because he nodded and pulled her into a hug. I saw him shoot a glance at the stairs, probably searching for Jasper, but Alice pulled him towards the door. "Not now." She quickly rebuffed. She smiled in my direction before pulling Edward out the door. I exhaled a breath I didn't know I was holding, and before it was complete Jasper was there. He pulled me close as I let the tears fall. He didn't say anything; just let me have my moment. I mourned the loss of Edward one last time in Jasper's arms. When I was done, I pulled back and looked at him.

"How do you feel?" I asked, curious to know how he took my conversation with Edward.

"You just said goodbye to your first love, and you're asking me how I feel? You really are a selfless creature, you know. I'm fine. Alice assured me the whole time. And I'm glad she's going with him-they both need time together. We'll see them again, that much is certain. And someday we'll be able to coexist again." He smiled at me, kissing my forehead.

"I'm…better. I'm glad he took it so well. I didn't really know what to expect. But I don't want to lose him forever, so I'm glad I'll see him again."

"Were you serious about wanting to go to see the family?"

"Silly vampire, of course I was serious! I miss them-Esme especially. And I'm sure you'd like to see them again, am I right?" He nodded, moving his kisses to my hair. He was just as relieved as I was that this part was finally over.

"I'd love to see them. Are you ready to face Emmett?" he asked, smiling.

"Crap. He's going to have a blast with this, isn't he?" I said. I wasn't going to think how Rosalie was going to act-I wanted to keep the mood light.

"Oh, you know he is. Emmett can't resist, it's in his nature. I promise if it gets too much I'll sedate him." He laughed. I loved the sound of his laugh. It was so musical and light, and I could hear his relief.

"I'll hold you too that. Why don't we go up next weekend? That will give them time to prepare." He nodded and then swung me up into his arms.

"Good idea. And now, little lady, why don't you let me take you to dinner? You've had a long day, and I think we deserve some alone time." He was moving towards the door, and I guessed I didn't have a choice.

"Sure. I could go for some food. And some time with you. So much has happened; I still can't wrap my mind around it." I knew that tonight, when I was going to sleep, I would think about today, and the events would set in. And I would cross that bridge when I got there. Right now, it was me and Jasper, and that's all that mattered.

I hope this lived up to your expectations. I couldn't find it in my heart to make Edward mean-I just tried to imagine how he felt.