A/N: As per usual: sorry for the lateness of the update, I'm not going to promise quicker updates, but I will try my hardest.

Thanks to everyone who read and reviewed my last chapter. Your thoughts mean so much to me. :)

Disclaimer: I own nothing except the idea and Ethan and Jaymie.

To the woman who rocks my world and talks American to me: I love you very much! Words cannot express my love and gratitude! :)

5. All Over Again. P1

You've been alone, you've been afraid
I've been a fool
In so many ways
but I would change my life
If you thought you, might try to love me
So please give me another chance
To write you another song
And take back those things I've done
Cause I'll give you my heart
If you would let me start all over,
Again

I'm not a saint
I'm just a man
Who had heaven and Earth
In the palm of his hand
but I threw it away
So now I stand here today asking forgiveness and if you could just please
Give me another chance
to write you another song
And take back those thing's I've done
Cause I'll give you my heart
If you would let me start all over
Again

Little girl you're all I've got.
Don't you leave me standing here once again
'Cause I'll give you my life
Yes I would.
If you would let me try to love you

So please give me another chance to write you another song and take back those thing's I've done

'Cause I'll give you my heart
If you would let me start all over
Again

Justin Timberlake ~ All Over Again.

JPOV

I drove aimlessly through the deserted, eerie and mist-covered streets of Seattle. A heavy patter of the rain tapped on my windshield as the colourful blur of the harsh and blinding city lights guided me back towards my safe haven.

I needed to get Becca hustled out and just chill for a while. I knew I didn't have the patience to deal with her third degree right now, so I resolved to putting on the brave smile, telling her everything was just fine, the date was great and then getting her the hell out of there.

I needed a cold one, and some serious bonding time with my son. Ethan always calmed me. One glance at my three-month-old son and my worries would dissolve. He allowed my brain to process things it needed to handle. Just like Bella did. Fuck. Here she was, this sexy, sassy woman who could put me at ease, make my blood boil with passion, make me laugh, make my son laugh, and what did I go and do? Fuck it all up. Great. What the fuck was I thinking? And did I mention she was so drop dead gorgeous? There was nothing missing there. She was everything I'd ever wanted-everything I'd ever needed. So why couldn't I have recognized it a little sooner? Now, I had so much work to do. I had to win her back before I'd even had her.

This was so fucked up.

~UH~

Pulling my truck into my driveway, I cut the ignition, yanked off my seatbelt and just sat there for a moment, staring pointlessly at my GPS. It was taking everything I had, every ounce of willpower and strength within me, not to crank the engine once more and gun it out of my place and towards Bella's so I could apologise. We'd had such an amazing night; I didn't want it to end this way-she didn't deserve to have it end this way.

Groaning, I threw my weighted head back against the cushion of the headrest and slammed my fist into my steering wheel in frustration.

My heart physically ached to think of her hurting over me. Fuck. I didn't want her to think that I wasn't interested in her, or that I was some cold-hearted asshole who went around frequently rejecting the courageous and flirtatious advances from women as beautiful and mind-blowing as Bella. Scratch that-there was no other women that could hold a candle to that stunning brunette. Nobody could ever compare to her. She was an angel. A beautiful, straight-from-heaven, sexy as hell angel. And being the stupid fucker that I am, I might've just destroyed my only chance of happiness with her.

Christ, I needed to have my damn head examined.

Sighing heavily, I cast my beaten gaze towards the inky night sky and searched the stars, praying I'd somehow find the answer to all my questions. As I sat in my truck, I quickly pressed a button on my steering wheel, causing my window to slowly roll down. Closing my eyes, I drew in a deep, invigorating breath and allowed the chill of the air to rush through my lungs and free my mind from the smokey, confused haze that I'd created by not reacting fast enough to something that my heart and body so clearly fucking wanted.

After a few minutes of staring hopelessly at the sky, and reaching the ingenious conclusion that this was getting me nowhere, I moved my gaze towards my front door, simultaneously feeling complete and utter dread but also an overwhelming wave of warmth.

I knew what was going to happen as soon as I stepped foot through that door: Becca would throw a barrage of inane questions my way, expecting answers-answers I wasn't willing to give, not just yet. But I also had a son in there and he was motivation enough for me to drag my pathetic ass out of the truck and trudge my way inside.

Time to get this shit over with.

~UH~

"You look like shit. What happened to you?" Becca probed annoyingly, as predicted, as I quietly closed the door and made my way into my kitchen.

Completely ignoring her question, I threw my keys onto the marble-top island and slumped down onto the stool. "How's Ethan?"

Becca narrowed her eyes and threw me a look that said, "tell-me-what-happened-or-I'll-beat-your-ass." Leaning against the counter with her arms folded stubbornly, she replied, "Ethan's fine. Perfect kid. Night went like clockwork. Now, stop being a dick and answer my question: what happened?"

Sighing heavily, I ran my hands tiredly over my face, the light stubble on my cheeks roughly brushed my already calloused palms. "Shouldn't you be getting home?"

She gave me a suspicious, pointed and knowing look, while pulling a chair out and sitting at the kitchen table.

I groaned internally. Sure, sure. Go ahead, continue to invade my privacy why don't you.

"Don't ignore my question, Black. I'm more than willing to stay and interrogate your ass for the rest of the night, so don't push it."

Rolling my eyes at her need to stick her nose into everything, I pushed out from the island and stood to grab a bottle water from the fridge. "Nothing happened. The night went perfectly...without a hitch."

"Liar," Becca shot back, calling me out.

Slamming the fridge door, I whipped around and glared at my nosy ass sister. "I fucked up, okay? Is that what you wanna hear? Your little screw-up-of-a-brother fucking fucked up."

"Figured. So what did you do?"

I sighed again, my heart clenching painfully as her beautiful, yet rejected and humiliated face, flashed before my eyes. "It's more a case of what I didn't do."

She sighed in exasperation and rolled her eyes. "Men," she muttered, shaking her head. "Okay, so what didn't you do?"

Okay...since when did my sister become Dr. fucking Phil? "Look, I appreciate you trying to help and all," I started, defensively, "But I'm not discussing my love life with my sister. It's just weird."

Becca simply shrugged and responded nonchalantly with, "Whatever. It's no skin off my nose."

"She kissed me," I mumbled, angry at myself for blurting it out when I, not five seconds prior, flat out refused to spill all on my non-existent love life. "And, like a dick, I didn't kiss her back."

"Why?"

"Fuck, I don't know. I guess I was kinda...stunned?" I offered, meeting her gaze, but not before a pathetic and bittersweet chuckle rolled off of my lips. "Jeez, that sounds completely fucking lame, but it's been a while since I've even talked to a girl, let alone kissed one. Shit, Becs, I dunno what it is about her, but I really like her," I explained exasperated, using my hands to emphasize my point. "And I don't mean some stupid teenage crush like. I mean I really like her. That can't be normal, right? We only met yesterday morning and I'm pretty sure she isn't this hooked on me, so how the fuck is it possible to feel something so strongly about someone I've known less than fifteen hours?"

She sat there for a brief moment, studying me carefully, before finally answering, "That doesn't sound lame. Stop being so hard on yourself. Anything is possible," she scolded me. "Who initiated the kiss?"

I cringed and glanced up at her guiltily. "Who do you think?"

She chuckled and shook her head, incredulously. "Yeah, because that's not confusing at all! I'm not surprised you fucked up! You're sending the poor girl mixed signals! You can't initiate something and then not follow through with things. Shit doesn't work like that."

I growled and shot her a murderous glare. She may be my sister, but Christ, did she grind my gears. "I know. I don't need a fucking lecture on how to kiss a girl."

She scoffed and raised her perfectly shaped brow in challenge. "Clearly, you do. 'Cause let me tell you something, baby bro, you're gonna be lucky if that girl even wants to see you again. I know I sure as hell wouldn't."

My heart dropped at the thought of never seeing her again. Fuck. I didn't mess it up that badly...did I? "I don't need you judging me, Becca. I just need to know how to fix this."

"You like this girl, right?"

A smile played across my lips, and my heart clenched in the most amazing of ways as I thought about her beautiful smile. "Yeah, she's...amazing."

"And you want to see her again?"

"Why do you think I'm asking for help?" I deadpanned.

"Smart ass," she retorted dryly, flipping me the bird. "You have her number?"

I nodded and held up my phone.

"So call her. Give her tonight to simmer down, then tomorrow you can call her up and plead your innocence. If she likes you as much as you seem to like her, she'll give you another chance. If not, way to fuck up something that could've been amazing, bro." She gently patted my back in a mocking manner.

Scowling at her, I muttered, "Fuck off, Becca," while taking a sip from my water.

"My work here is done, but just remember: give her some time. She's probably hurting right now. She took a huge blow to her confidence tonight, and that's not easy for anyone to get over, so just...give it some time. And be prepared for her to turn your ass down. I hope, for your sake, she doesn't, but it's a strong possibility."

I rolled my eyes and sucked in a deep breath. "Jeez, thanks for the ego boost, sis."

"I'm not here to inflate your ego. I'm here to kick your ass at times like this. Job done."

With that, she leapt off of the stool, grabbed her purse and jacket and gave me a chaste kiss on the forehead. "Fix it, Jake. Before it's too late."

~UH~

She was so beautiful. Her stunning, deliciously curvaceous body rested in our bed; unconsciously, her pert little ass melded perfectly into my body, allowing me to spoon her as she slept. Her luscious, mahogany hair was sprawled out over her pillow and my shoulder from the aftermath of the night before's passionate and fucking mind blowing lovemaking. The soft vibration of her snores reverberated over my body, making me smile contentedly as I tightened my grip around her delectable body and pulled her closer. I couldn't get enough of her. I never wanted to get enough of her. She was so damn perfect. So fucking pure and loving, kind and generous, and extremely warm hearted, and she was all mine. Shit, my entire body ached just thinking about her and the unbridled and unadulterated passion we'd shared last night...

The way those deep, chocolate, brown eyes had gazed deeply into mine, as her long strands cascaded over us like a waterfall, encasing us in a world of nothing but pure bliss and love as she rode me softly yet passionately. Holy shit, it didn't get any better than this. The way her gorgeous face twisted and contorted into a drop-dead sexy expression of pleasure as she made us both cry out in ecstasy. Fuck, I was so lost in her.

My whole body was practically singing and purring with happiness.

I was fucking drowning in her ocean of rapture, and she was my raft.

Never in my life had I felt this way before.

Sure, I'd had sex before, but what we'd shared last night...damn, that went above and beyond my wildest dreams and expectations of lovemaking; then again, I'd never made love before, so I had nothing to compare it to. I never knew being physically joined with someone could be that amazing-could make me feel the myriad of emotions that surged through my body. God, it felt so good to finally be inside of her, making her mine and moving as one. It was incomparable, feeling her body writhing, rocking and gyrating above, below and next to mine...fucking amazing. I couldn't stop thinking about my rough hands teasing and manipulating her sensitive, soft flesh. Or those pink, pouty and begging to be kissed lips as she sank her teeth into them while suppressing another angelic moan. I needed to kiss them; I couldn't wait another damn second without feeling those petal-like lips brush against mine as we made sweet, intimate, passionate love.

"Jake..." she moaned breathlessly, her hands braced on my pectorals.

I bit back a moan as I watched her breasts bounce rapidly as she increased her speed on my aching cock. Fuck. There was literally nothing sexier or more beautiful than watching the woman I loved riding me senseless.

"Oh, god, Jake..." Bella moaned again, louder this time as her nails raked down my chest making me also cry out in pleasure.

"Fuck," I ground out, while reaching up and cupping those beautiful weighted breasts in my palm. "I'm right here, baby. Fuck, I'm right here."

Harder and faster she moved above me, slamming her core down onto my raging hard-on, letting me fill her to the hilt. Her head was thrown back as she worked us both into an intense sexual frenzy. Her long, glossy hair dribbled down her back like melted chocolate as I removed my hand from her soft breast and reached out to intertwine our fingers. Sweat beaded on my brow and torso, my chest heaved heavily, staccato breaths rushed out of my body in quick succession, as I used my other hand to grip her hips, my long fingers curling around her skin. The heavenly sounds of our moans of pleasure clung to the air surrounding us; the sweet, yet slightly tortuous scent of our lovemaking combined with the delicious trace of her perfume cocooned our bodies in a state of immense bliss. Her sexy as fuck ass twerked-yes, twerked-and gyrated as we both inched closer to the brink of euphoria.

It took all the strength I had in me, but I removed my hand from hers and trailed it down to her thighs where I cupped her skin firmly and used her as leverage to pull myself up.

With my girl now straddling my hips and continuing to pump her tight little core up and down my cock, I protectively and possessives wrapped my arms around her body, bringing her as close to me as physically possible, and rested more forehead on hers. Slowly, moving my hand into her silky hair, I roughly-but not enough to hurt her, never enough to hurt her-fisted it, and instructed while panting heavily, "Wrap...your l-legs around me, honey."

Bella did as I asked, while simultaneously opening herself up further and taking me even deeper inside. Growling at the new found sensation, I leaned in and captured her succulent lips in a passionate and explosive kiss; meanwhile, I allowed my free hand to rest on her hip, guiding her up and down my rock hard shaft.

Clenching my eyes shut as I felt her slick walls contract around me, I attacked her lips savagely-like a man who thirsted for water, and Bella was my water.

"Do you...have any i-idea...how much I fucking love you?" I asked her in a stutter and between kisses as I thrust into her harder. "Jesus Christ, I love you so fucking much, baby."

Running her slender hands through my short hair and tugging it resolutely, she slowed her pace, and dipped down to whisper soft and erotic kisses over my jawline and down my neck. Groaning at the feel of my throbbing dick pulsing inside of her, combined with her feather-light kisses trailing over my skin, I reached in between our bodies and used the tips of my fingers to trace and outline her something-out-of-a-wet-dream-body and ventured lower until I reached the apex of her toned thighs. Slowly, savouringly, I caressed the tender and soft skin of her upper thighs, until her entire body was bucking above mine. Lowering my head, I took her full, glorious breast into my mouth and began to tease her taut and erect nipple with my tongue and teeth. Ravenously, I suckled, lapped, scraped, nibbled and flicked on her until I elicited the most amazing sounds known to man. In a flash, her delicate hands flew into my hair and began to massage my scalp in the most tantalising of ways.

"Argh, fuck!" she screamed, unapologetically.

I held on tight as my girl arched her body into mine, her moist nipples grazing my chest as she moved speedily, telling me silently how much she loved and adored my erotic ministrations on her body. Now focusing my attention on her heated core, I pressed several soft butterfly kisses into the strip of skin between the valley of her breasts, and started to tease my fingers over the soft outer lips of her hot sex, groaning when I felt just how wet she was for me.

"So wet," I murmured into her skin, my finger stroking her as I slid it down to collect some of her delicious juices and spread it over her warm flesh. "So fucking soft."

A laboured whimper tore from her throat as she moved her hands to my shoulders and held me close to her. "Jake...I-I...oh my..."

"That feel good, baby?" I asked, pressing a loving kiss into her collarbone, while my thumb moved to rub her little bundle of nerves.

With her eyes squeezed shut and her brows furrowed, she bit her lip and nodded vehemently. "So good," she moaned. "Oh god, so good."

An animalistic growl ripped from within me as I worked my mouth towards the column of her throat and continued my mission of pleasing her.

Our aggressive, yet intimate, pace was unrelenting as we continued to pump, thrust and rock into one another. I could feel my release creeping closer, like the shining light at the end of the tunnel, but I need my woman to be right there with me. I drove my cock ferociously fast into her tight wetness as my fingers worked her slick clit, while I placed my free hand on her lower back, holding her steady.

I, once again, leaned in and began to nibble sensually on her earlobe, while breathing hotly into her ear. "C'mon, beautiful, come for me," I ordered, huskily. "I know you're close, I can feel you tightening around me. Let yourself go, baby. Give me all of you. I need every single damn drop of you."

"Jake, Jake, Jake..." She chanted my name over and over, driving me insanely wild at the sound of my name rolling off of her sexy lips. "Oh fuck!" she screamed, her fingernails digging into my shoulder, causing me to hiss. "Oh god, yes! Harder, baby, harder!" she commanded, causing blood to roar through my veins as I brought her one step closer.

"Fuck me, you're so sexy, Bells. God, I love you so goddamn much," I proclaimed passionately, burying my face in her neck.

"I love you, too, Jake," she replied, breathlessly. "So mu-"

I was torn out of my surreal, but incredibly fucking awesome dream of my brown-haired beauty, by the shrill and demanding cry of my boy.

I groaned and squeezed my eyes shut. Where the fuck did that come from? I'd only known her a matter of hours! How was she affecting like this? How was I ever gonna face her and try and sort this shit out without picturing her laying naked under me, crying out as I made love to her?

That's another thing: when did I start seeing any potential sexual interactions with her as 'making love'?

Granted, I'm sure as hell not a hit 'em and quit 'em kinda guy, but I'd never made love to a woman before-it was always sex.

Cursing loudly, I peeled my bedcovers off of my lower half and lifted them into the air so I could asses the damage caused by the amazing dream.

Just as I thought. I was rock fucking hard.

"Goddammit," I swore, while throwing the sheets off of me and gingerly sitting up and swinging my legs off of the bed.

With my elbows braced on my kneecaps, my weighted head lolled forwards and fell into my open palms. Sighing with irritation, I dug the heels of my palms into my eye sockets, trying to block out the beautiful images of Bella naked, sweaty, moaning and perfect beneath my touch, but no matter what I did, they just wouldn't damn well go!

Flashbacks of our intense lovemaking was haunting me...and we hadn't even made love!

Fuck.

Standing to see to my son, I made a nerve-racking decision: Becca was right. Whatever the cost, I needed to make this right. Today.

I just needed to fucking pray that she wanted to see me, and would actually listen to me.

Stop being such a goddamn pussy, my conscience said, nonchalantly. You got yourself into this, you can damn well get yourself out.

Time to be a man.

~UH~

BPOV

Plodding into my small, yet cozy, kitchen wearing nothing but my white lace sleep shorts and my candy-pink tank top, I reached my half-asleep, and slightly limp arm out and blindly felt around for the switch on my coffee maker. I was in some serious need of extra strong, straight-from-the-coffee-shop-caffeine, but considering I was in absolutely no mood to face the outside world just yet, I was going to have to made do with my trusty coffee maker.

Whilst waiting for the thing to heat up, I readied all of the items needed to make my extra-strong coffee and then collapsed back against my marble kitchen counter, groaning audibly and let my head slump back freely. Listening to the clicking and popping sounds of the machine, I gingerly rolled my neck and shoulders, releasing any trapped muscles, then turned around so my palms were flat on the work surface.

Hesitantly, I cracked one eye open and drew in a deep, rejuvenating breath.

Not going to lie: I felt like shit.

Hell, I felt dangerously hungover, a little nauseous, and my breathing sounded a tad nasally from all the crying I did last night.

I had a raging headache, my mouth and throat were as dry as a bone, my eyes felt puffy as shit and my nose stung like a bitch from where I had wiped it constantly only a handful of hours ago. Oh, and to top it all off, my body ached something chronic.

But more than anything, I felt like a fool.

Why did I have to go and kiss him? Why couldn't I have just let the evening end the way it was supposed to? Why did I have to go and mess everything up? Oh, yeah, I know: because I'm me.

It goes with the freakin' territory.

Disaster and pain seemed to orbit around me like flies on shit. I seemed to attract complete losers who were only interested in one thing: getting into my pants. Yet, when I find a guy whom I actually like and can have an intellectual conversation with about topics other than how many times he'd jerked off that morning, it turns out he's not all that interested in me.

Awesome.

Groaning even louder, I sighed with exertion, ran my hands over my face tiredly, and yawned for the seven millionth time this hour before picking up the pot and starting to make my much needed caffeine fix.

Rubbing my eyes, I placed the pot back in the holder and added the milk and sugar before stirring. I quickly threw the spoon in my dishwasher and turned on my heel, heading to my living room, when I spotted the roses Jake had given me before our date-sorry, meal-last night.

I had so many conflicted feelings about those beautiful flowers: happiness, elation, joy, warmth, giddiness, sadness, anger, hurt...humiliation. A huge part of me (the childish part) wanted to pick them up and dump them in the trash, deleting any trace of him and his romantic gesture, and forget that last night ever happened. But the other side of me (the mature, grown-up part), knew that I needed to stop being so pathetic about this. I mean, for Christ's sake, it wasn't even a date! It was just two friends, going out together, laughing, joking and flirting and having a good time. It didn't matter that you could've cut the sexual tension between us with a knife. Or the fact that whenever he held me or called me 'honey', I melted just a little inside. And then there's the matter of him defending me, and acting all caveman over me, when that drunken asshole started to hit on me. Nope. It didn't matter that we had some incredibly explosive chemistry happening between us...we were just friends.

Groaning, I turned away from the truly exquisite vase of blood-red roses and trekked into my living room.

I really didn't need to be thinking about this right now. I didn't need to be wondering what he was up to, or whether he was thinking about me. I didn't want to be fantasising about his perfect, warm and kissable lips, or how safe, comfortable and at home I felt in his arms. It shouldn't matter that everytime our eyes locked, my heart felt like it'd been zapped by a thousand lightening bolts.

No. I shook my head vigorously, trying to banish all thoughts of that gorgeous, hunk of a man out of my mind. I absolutely could not allow myself to dream about what ifs. Today I needed to have my head in the game; I could not be distracted by the extremely tempting Jake Black.

It just wasn't an option.

For the next two days, my goddaughter had to come first. She was my main priority. Everything else would have to wait.

~UH~

After soaking my body in a long, warm and much-needed shower, I dressed, sat down at my desk and began the mundane task of sieving through all the work and junk mail on my laptop. Just as I was about to click on a new email, my cell began to vibrate and jump across the wooden surface, letting me know I had a message.

It was Alice, Jaymie's mom.

Just left the house, be with you in fifteen.

I couldn't help the drawn out groan of irritation that left my lips. Don't get me wrong, I loved that little girl more than life and would do anything for her, but unfortunately, the same couldn't be said for her mom. Alice had changed so much since the birth of Jaymie. She used to be the life and soul of the party in college, but as soon as she fell pregnant, she transformed into this cold-hearted human being, and I never managed to find out why.

Just after Jaymie was born, Alice took me to the side and informed me that she and her partner Jasper had been talking, and they wanted to appoint me as the child's Godmother. I was honoured, thrilled, over the moon and just about any other word that you can think of. But Alice...she seemed almost lost, dead inside, numb of any feeling. As much as I was elated to be Jaymie's Godmother, I was also saddened by my best friend's obvious suffering. The three of us quickly came to the arrangement that I'd take Jaymie two weekends out of four because they were finding it hard adjusting to the life of parenthood. Alice was suffering majorly from postnatal depression, and Jasper? Well he just wasn't cut out for the role of being a father. The selfish bastard couldn't give up his oh-so-precious nightly bar crawls or his rock and roll lifestyle.

So, since that day four years ago, that beautiful little girl had become a permanent fixture in my life. Whenever our weekend visits rolled around, I always made sure she did something that she loved because she didn't get much of a chance to be happy once she returned home, and knowing that damn near killed me.

She's just a little girl wanting to be loved by her mommy and daddy, but they couldn't seem to care less, and that angered me beyond belief. There were so many couples out there wanting to be parents but couldn't because of whatever reason; they'd give their left lung to shower a child like Jaymie with all the love and affection they'd been holding within their hearts. And then, of course, you had Alice and Jasper who treated their child as nothing more than an unwanted distraction from their fashionista lifestyle.

God, it was seriously revolting.

That little angel deserved more.

Snapping me out of my inner rant was the sound of Rihanna's "What Now" blaring through my phone.

Thinking it was Alice calling to tell me how far away she was, I sighed heavily while rolling my eyes and picked up my phone.

"What?" I said sharply into the receiver.

"I'm an idiot." I pulled the cell away from my ear and looked at it mystified.

Jake...?

Wow. Didn't see that one coming.

Against my better judgement, I smiled at the masculine sound of his voice, and put it back to my ear. What? Don't judge me! I'm a weak woman!

"Hello to you too, and you're calling me up to tell me you're an idiot?"

I heard him sigh into the phone, but I wasn't sure if it was from relief or annoyance.

"Yes. Plus I'm calling because I want to see you again."

He wanted to see me again? Really? After the way we left things last night? After the way he rejected me? I mean sure, this is a nice turn up for the books and I'm not going to deny that a huge, Russia-sized part of me wanted to see him as well. But could I do it? Put myself out there again and risk humiliation for a second time? I wasn't so sure.

"Jake, I-"

"Please? I need to see you again, Bells," he begged.

Ah, hell. How was I meant to stay mad at the guy when he stopped me with that? Although, now that I think about it...am I mad at him? Or am I pissed at myself for getting too attached too quickly?

"And you're not going to stand me up?" I questioned hesitantly, while nibbling on my thumb nail, something I hadn't done for a while.

His reply was instantaneous. "You pick the time and place and I'll be there," he said with conviction, quickly erasing any worries that I had about him standing me up.

However, without realising, I must've remained quiet for a tad too long, as his nervous and slightly urgent voice spoke again. "Say you'll see me."

Sighing, I closed my eyes and run my hand over my forehead. Why did I torture myself like this? "Okay. Be at mine at 10:30am. And bring Ethan."

With that, I ended the call, not even waiting for his answer and threw the phone on the table in agitation. Sliding down in my chair, I threw my head back, rubbed my eyes with my knuckles and groaned loudly. I knew I was probably being a little hostile towards him, but he deserved it

Seeing Jake was the last thing I needed on my 'to do' list for today, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't the slightest bit curious as to what he wanted. I guess I at least owed him the chance to explain. After all, if it were me, I'd want the chance to explain why I'd rejected a kiss that I so clearly wanted...

~UH~

"Bella!" Jaymie shrieked excitedly as she bounded through the door, her adorable little legs racing towards me while her arms were stretched out wide, and her neon-pink backpack bounced on her shoulders.

Lowering down to her level, I also held my arms out wide for our routine hug, and greeted her with my usual loving and animated tone. "Hey, baby doll! How's my little munchkin today?" I asked as she ran into my awaiting arms with a whoosh, and threw her small hands around my neck.

A light blush coloured her already rosy cheeks as we hugged, and she quickly planted a wet, sloppy kiss on my cheek. "Good, good!" she announced brightly, while pulling back from our hug and shoving a, what I presumed, was another new toy in front of my face. I pursed my lips together in annoyance and threw Alice a 'what the fuck?!' look. "Bella! Look what Momma gave me!" She continued to wave the doll at me. "It's a Barbie! Momma said I can have it because I'm a good girl while she goes out with her friends!"

An angry growl began to rumble within the depths of my stomach towards her so called mother, as I forced on a delighted and overjoyed smile for the precious little girl in my arms. "She did?! That's awesome, baby girl!" I said enthusiastically, not wanting to rain on her parade. "Hey, listen, why don't you go and put your stuff in your room while your mommy and I have a little talk?"

Jaymie beamed keenly, nodded her head vigorously and with one last goodbye to her mother, she zoomed off towards her bedroom.

Waiting until I heard the faint 'click' of her door, I slowly, menacingly, stood to my feet and shot Alice a murderous glare. Once I heard Jaymie's door close, I looked directly into my former best friend's eyes and shook my head in disgust. "So, you're buying her love now, are you?"

She sighed in resignation, and ran her finely manicured fingers through her short, pixie-like hair style. At least some things didn't change.

"Bella, don't start with me right now. I don't need you telling me how to care for my own daughter," she huffed angrily and looked everywhere but at me. "Look, you know the drill by now, we've been doing this for four years. I don't know what your problem is."

My brow rose in indignation. "My problem?" I repeated in livid disbelief. "My problem is that you're not giving that little girl what she needs! She's four for Christ sake! She needs her mother and father, not more damn toys!" I shot back, annoyed. "Why don't you try spending less time with your jumped up cronies, and more time with your flesh and blood!"

Alice scoffed incredulously, and narrowed her dark brown eyes at me. "If the way we have brought her up bothers you, why don't you take her? It's not like I care anymore. All she does is get in the way, so if anything, you'd be doing us a huge favour."

I stood opposite her, completely flabbergasted. Did she really just say that about her own child? "I cannot believe those revolting, disgusting words just left your mouth..." I responded, quietly stunned. "She's your daughter! How could you-how could you speak so evilly and carelessly about your own child?"

Throwing me a blatant 'whatever' look, Alice shook her head and chuckled schemingly while starting towards my door. "Bella, I know you're trying to be a good Godmother to her, but this 'I want to save the world' routine is really starting to get old. Now, I really don't have time to listen to your tedious moaning; I have a lunch date with some friends that I'm already late for. So take her or don't take her; either way, I'm not going to lose any sleep over it."

"You heartless bitc-"

"Uh-uh-uh. Careful now, we wouldn't want your precious 'baby doll' to hear her Godmother cursing now would we?" Alice smirked wickedly.

Snarling, I stormed towards the front door, yanked it open and gestured for the selfish bitch who used to resemble my best friend to get the hell out of my apartment. "Leave."

"With pleasure."

With that, she crossed the threshold of my home and skipped down the stairs, smiling at the passers by without a care in the world.

And one of those passers by just happened to be Jake holding a sleeping Ethan securely in his arms.

Was it half ten already?

I groaned loudly, not even bothering to hide my frustration.

I couldn't friggin wait for this day to be over.

So, there we go! If you're still with me from the get-go, I really appreciate it!

I'm truly thankful for all and any reviews that might come my way. So even if you hate it, tell me, it would be nice to know where I'm going wrong. :)

Until the next time...

Cat.