AN: Huge thanks to wheather79 for pre-reading and FanpireMama for beta-ing. SM owns the characters - I circumcised them, converted their names, forced them to eat my brisket, gave them matzo ball soup when they were sick, sent them to Hebrew School, and then I made them feel guilty for making me do all of that. I tend to play up some stereotypes; it is all meant in good fun. If you are offended, let me know, or just hit the x button on your browser window.

Chapter 5: That's Zayin A Lot

BPOV

I think I may have been just as stressed out as Edward was. It didn't help that he hadn't called on Tuesday night. I had hoped he would, but he didn't, which was fine. He was probably exhausted and passed out. He had another day of the bar exam the following day, so I understood his exhaustion. He didn't call on Wednesday either, so instead of being a whiny bitch, I texted him, but he didn't respond either. He had probably passed out then too.

On Thursday morning, I awoke to find a text message waiting for me.

Call me when you wake up – XOXO Edward

Hmm… do I call him immediately, or do I let him sweat it out a bit? I hated playing games, but I had started to feel like I had made myself too available to Edward. Maybe I was putting myself out there too much? So, I didn't call him and showered instead and then I ate breakfast and didn't call him. I didn't call him after I got dressed or put on my makeup. Then my mom called and it disrupted my train of thought. She seemed to call a lot now that she knew I wasn't working. I probably shouldn't always pick up, but I always felt guilty if I let it go to voicemail. What if something had happened and I didn't pick up the phone?

"Mom! What's going on?"

"Same old, same old. Pool, canasta club, your father is at a B'nai B'rith Lodge meeting. I started knitting, again. Do you want me to make you a scarf? What colors?"

"Mom, it's July. I have no idea – I don't even want to have to think about scarves and cold weather yet."

"Fine. Fine. Oh, guess who I spoke with yesterday?"

"I don't know – Nanny?"

"No, Esme Cullenman."

"What?" Oh goodness, do the Cullenmans know? Did Esme tell my mother about us? Oy!

"Yes, well I didn't want to say anything after you and Edward had broken up, but Esme and I email all the time and we talk on the phone on occasion. She and I have been friends for a long time, sweetheart. Just because things didn't work out between you and Edward didn't change that. I just figured you were better off not knowing. Besides, we rarely talk about you kids. She keeps me apprised of the latest Forks gossip. Like did you know Miriam Whitlosky had to pay a fortune to ship out her mother's ring to her son? Don't say anything to Alice about that, by the way."

"Jasper is going to propose? That's wonderful." Of course, those two seriously needed to go to therapy first, but they seemed to be happy together, most of the time.

"How is that mystery boy you are dating?"

"He's good. I think, but he's been busy with work stuff, but things with him are going well."

"Well, then I will tell you what else I heard from Esme. Edward is living in New York City," she paused waiting to hear the shock and disbelief.

No time like the present to start acting. "Oh! I can't believe he's living in the same city as me."

"Not only that, but he lives a few blocks from you. He's met someone, Bella. Esme told me he thinks she's the one."

Oh my goodness, this was comical. If I didn't know any better, which I did, but if I didn't and this was some formulaic sitcom, then I would jump to the conclusion that Edward was seeing someone else on the side and she was the one his mother was referring to. She wasn't though, it was me. Edward was already vocalizing his intentions to his parents.

This didn't surprise me. Esme and Carlisle Cullenman had encouraged and then paid for us to lose our virginity. It was so contrived that we not drive back and forth between Forks and Port Angeles two days in a row, so instead, they put us up in a hotel.

"Good for him. Edward is quite the catch. I'm sure she's a lovely girl," I choked up, trying not to giggle.

"That's very mature of you." Or it's me.

All this talk about Edward made me want to talk to him. I wanted to know how he had done. I was a little mad at myself for not calling him as soon as I woke up.

"Mom, I have a ton of pre-reading to do for Stern. So, I'll talk to you later," I lied.

I quickly hung up my phone and glanced at the clock. It was closer to noon when I did finally get around to calling him. I suck.

He picked up on the first ring; it was so Edward. "Hey, how'd it go?" I asked with maybe a tad bit too much enthusiasm.

"Hey, beautiful. I've missed the sound of your voice."

Oh, really? Why didn't you call? Oh, yeah, you were too busy telling your parents I was the one.

"So…"

"I honestly have no idea how I did. It is like a blur now. It just wiped me out completely and that is why I didn't call. I could barely talk by the end of the day yesterday. How's your week going?"

"I spoke to my mom this morning. Did you know she still talks to your mom quite a bit?"

"I knew that they emailed but they rarely talked about us, because my mom never passed on any information about you. Why?"

"Well, your mom told my mom that you told your parents that you met someone. Do they know about us?"

"Yeah, they do. They knew you were a driving factor in my decision to move to New York. Why?"

"Okay, well, my parents don't know about us yet. Oh, and that the other thing – you're little celebration tonight…"

"How'd you know? I had invited Emmett and asked him to bring Jasper along. I was going to see if you wanted to stop in as well."

"Rosalie told me."

"Oh, so, do you want to come?"

"See, that's the thing. The girls and I were going to go and sort of crash, but I have an idea that could slowly introduce our friends to the idea of us together." I then proceeded to tell Edward the elaborate scheme I had thought up.

EPOV

I arrived at the bar early and secured a table. I gave the waitress my credit card to open a tab for the whole table. Sure, it probably would be an expensive night, but if it meant Bella was more comfortable in our relationship because we were outed, then it was worth it.

It wasn't difficult to recognize Emmett and Jasper as they walked through into the door. Neither of them had changed that much since I had last seen them in college. Of course, we had all filled out a bit. Emmett was sporting a little extra weight, but Jasper was still the bean pole he had always been. Not that I could talk, I had put on a few extra pounds – my six-pack was now more of a four pack and quickly turning into a two liter. Long hours in the library seemed to do that to me. At least it wasn't a keg or anything.

"Edward, hey man! How are you?" Emmett called, as we clasped hands and patted one another on the back in the ubiquitous man-hug.

"Good."

"You remember Jasper, right?" Emmett gestured to Jasper who had hung back a bit.

"Yeah, of course." I stuck my hand out and did the same with him. "Guys, I've got a table. What are you drinking?"

"Sam Adams?" Emmett answered and Jasper nodded and shrugged.

I flagged down the waitress and placed the order. "So, how have you guys been?"

Jasper shook his head, "Dude, this is so trippy. I swear Alice would kill me if she knew where I was." I fought the urge to smile, since I knew she did know where he was.

Biting my fist to keep from laughing, I replied, "Why would she be pissed?"

"Alice hates you. First, you proposed before I did. Then you broke Bella's heart. When Alice and I moved to New York after we graduated, I had no idea we would be babysitting Bella. I mean, it's Isabella Swanstein, kosher drill sergeant. She was a shell of the person she was and now is; you broke her man. Her college friends were morons telling her to cut you out, but she listened to them and when she stopped listening, she felt it was too late."

"Okay." I took a big gulp of beer and set the bottle back down on the worn-table, nervously playing with the label. I looked up at Emmett.

"Sorry, dude, Alice does hate you. Rosalie, on the other hand, doesn't. She hates Bella's college friends – she calls them the Branditzes."

My beer came shooting out of my mouth; that was such a great nickname. Why hadn't I thought of that?

"Edward, we're cool though, it's in the past. So, you're a lawyer now?"

"Yeah, well almost. I finished law school and I just took the bar exam. What about you guys?"

"I work in IT. I could elaborate, but most people just tune it out," Jasper said. He was still as cool as he was in high school, nothing ever fazed him. Well, except little Alice Brandonberg. I still couldn't believe that such a high-strung, clothes obsessed, little thing and this overgrown Phish-fan could get along, let alone be together, but they had been making it work.

"NFL – I'm an analyst," Emmett said quickly.

"You get tickets to games?" I asked.

Jasper shook his head disapprovingly.

"Everyone always asks me that – occasionally I do but it's rare. Sorry, everyone asks me that question. It gets annoying."

"No, man, it's cool," I said, and then out of the corner of my eye I saw Bella, Rosalie and Alice saunter in. I quickly made sure I wasn't looking at them as they moved up to the bar to get drinks.

The guys and I caught up. It was cool to spend time with them again. I hadn't really talked with them since before Bella and I had broken up – it must have been spring break.

A couple of my law school friends who had also moved to New York joined us at the table. The conversation was first focused on introducing my past to my present. It was pretty clear that neither group wanted much to do with the other group. I tried to steer the conversation toward neutral subjects like movies and such, but it was just awkward.

It didn't help that I was distracted, waiting to see when Bella would walk over. And then she did – while the guys were discussing which was a better Matt Stone/Trey Parker movie – Orgasmo, BASEketball, or Team America, World Police. I had to admit it was a rough debate – a Mormon in pornos or puppets espousing the greatness that is the United States.

I wanted to jump from my seat and run to her, but I knew I had to stick to the plan. Instead of running to her and putting my mouth on hers and marking her as mine for everyone in this generic neighborhood pub to see, I sat in my seat and feigned interest in the conversation between these two factions of friends.

Just on cue, Bella passed by. I wanted to turn my head, but I didn't. Well, my head didn't but my eyes couldn't help but follow that ass.

My buddy Benjamin, who I had met as a 1L and was my go-to guy for study groups, bumped my arm with his elbow. "That chick has got the perkiest ass I have ever seen."

Benjamin must die. No seriously, I would kill him. I clenched the bottom of my chair, trying to hide my rage.

Bella slowly walked back to her spot by the bar. On her walk back, she did a double take and our eyes met. That was my cue.

A few minutes later she returned, flanked with Rosalie and Alice by her sides, her hands on her hips. Damn, her tits looked good in that dress.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't Edward Cullenman. What are you doing here?" she cried, trying to sound angry and disgusted. I had to remind myself to look at her face, but I really wanted to bury myself into her tits and motorboat those bad boys! Focus, Edward; there will be time for motor boating later.

I cleared my throat. "Bella, I have spent the last three years thinking about you. Knowing that you were here and I was not killed me; please give me a chance to just talk to you."

I turned away from her to observe the looks on our friends' faces. My law school friends were gawking at Bella, they had often questioned if she has been real. Emmett and Jasper were trying to avoid eye contact with their significant others.

"Jasper," Alice hissed, "What are you doing here? We are Team Bella. We'll talk about this at home, come on now." She didn't stop there, though. She turned toward Bella, "Don't go with him. He doesn't deserve your time. He walked away from you."

Bella sighed. Rosalie rubbed her back to comfort her. "He may have walked away, but when he tried to come back, I turned away from him. I owe him a chance. There are no teams, this is for Edward and I to discuss."

I stood up from my seat and followed her into the back room where the pool tables were kept. It was private enough that no one could see us. The room was empty, so Bella sat on the edge of one of the tables and I moved in and stood between her legs. Her legs wrapped around me and pulled me closer.

"Blah, blah, blah…," she said.

"Womp, womp, womp," I replied, arching my eyebrow and emulating the teacher from Charlie Brown.

"Shut up and kiss me," she commanded and I quickly complied.

Her lips tasted like cranberries and vodka. I wrapped my hands behind her head and tried to get her closer. It wasn't enough. It was never enough.

BPOV

The plan was working. I knew Alice would be the biggest issue, but she was a very loyal friend and in her eyes she was being just that – loyal. Rosalie knew that if I ever had a chance to run into Edward again all bets were off.

Oy vey! Edward was reducing me to a puddle in his arms. It had only been two full days since we had last kissed, but that had already seemed like two days too long.

Should we have sex? Is it too soon? Ugh, it had been too long since I had something that wasn't made in China inside of me. Ugh, he wanted to take it slow, but we both really needed a good fuck. We're on the same page and I trust him. What more did we need?

"Oh, my gawd!" a shrill voice shouted. We stopped our make-out session and turned to see Alice, Jasper, Rosalie, and Emmett all standing in the doorway of the billiards room.

"That was fast. Really? We give you two ten minutes and you're swapping spit?" Alice asked, but she didn't stop there. "For three years, I have listened to you go on and on about how awful Edward was to walk out on you, and then tonight you finally admit that you were partly to blame, too? Then voila, you two are back together? This makes no sense, Bella. Do you know what you put me through? "

Where did Alice get off?

"Bella, Jasper and I have been stalling our relationship because I was worried about hurting you."

Jasper turned to Alice, "We have?"

"Shut up."

Shit. Now Jasper was going to have to deal with Mega-Bitch Alice. "Okay, okay… the truth is Edward and I ran into one another weeks ago. We wanted a few weeks to talk and figure us out," I explained.

"We needed to work on rebuilding our trust between ourselves without anyone else intervening. I know I can speak for Bella by saying that she wanted to tell you so many times, but we both made the decision to hold off until I finished the bar exam. I must say to all of you – thank you. Thank you for being there for Bella the past few years," Edward interjected.

I looked over at Edward; yup I'm definitely having sex with him tonight. He just sealed the deal and probably didn't even know it.

"You still lied. Come on, Jasper. We're leaving," Alice snapped, pivoting out of the room.

"She'll calm down. I've got some killer stuff at home that will chill her out. If you two are happy – it's cool," Jasper said, following Alice out.

Rosalie and Emmett had both been quiet during Alice's temper tantrum.

Rosalie's face was deep in thought. "You lied to me. We're best friends and you've been lying for the past few weeks?"

"Rose, you know why I did it," I tried to explain. "I'm sorry."

Emmett looked down and didn't say anything. "I don't know, man. You just better not hurt her and you," he pointed at me, "better be good to him too. Alice isn't wrong; we put up with you for three years whining and complaining – get your shit together and spare us all the drama. Come on, Rose."

I had a feeling it was better to give Rosalie her space. She was supposed to go out to the Hamptons tomorrow so maybe a few days away would be a good thing.

Edward and I didn't say anything at first. Awkward.

"Wow! We really know how to clear a room!" he exclaimed.

I snickered and then stiffened up. Alice would be upset and call her mom, her mom would call my mom, and I would never hear the end of it.

"Shit, I have to call my parents and clue them in – word travels fast."

"You stay here – I am going to see if my law school buddies are still out there or if they were sufficiently scared off."

Edward left me in the backroom and I pulled out my cell phone. I took my time dialing the numbers, afraid of the wrath that would be on the other end.

"Bella, what's wrong, it has to be late there. Why are you calling so late?" My mother cried quickly, answering within a single ring. They should really get a dog or something.

"No, it's not bad. In fact, it's good news, Mom. You know how you told me about Edward Cullenman seeing someone else?"

"Yeah, so what does that have to do with you, baby? I don't understand. Do I need to get your father? He's watching the Golf Channel. Charlie, Charlie, Charlie! Bella's on the phone. Don't you want to talk to your daughter? She says she has good news for us."

"Mom, please don't scream into the phone. You know there is this button called hold and you can use it…" It was no use; she'd never learn.

"Bella?" My father's voice said over the phone. He sounded annoyed.

"Hi, Dad. Okay so now that I have you both on the line… Edward Cullenman and I are back together!" I stated quickly.

"What? What?" My mother asked. This could have the potential to be a long, drawn out conversation. Edward had returned and was standing in the doorway waiting for me, listening.

"Crrr…crrr… Oh, Mom, looks like my reception just went down a few bars. I'll call you in the morning we'll talk." I hit the end key on my phone and turned it off.

"You know she's going to call my mom."

"Oh, yeah."

"You know they are going to be plotting out the rest of our lives."

"Let 'em. Only two people are calling the shots in this relationship – you and me."

"Three," Edward corrected.

"Three?"

"You, me, and Zayin."

"Oh, I forgot about him."

"That's okay, he didn't forget about you – let's go back to my place. Zayin has a few decisions already made for the rest of our night."

I tease in my review responses. Not saying you should review, but just putting that out there. Thanks to those who have recommended this story.