Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace

Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to Stephanie Meyer.

A/N-thank you for the awesome reviews. Nikki :)

Part Nine

Jacob borrowed Paul's car again and drove Bella to Seattle. On the journey there she practiced what to say. Jacob thought she was being too long winded about it, but she said that she didn't want to just turn up and sever her relationship with Edward in such a harsh way, it was going to be difficult enough explaining Jacob's presence.

"You're not having second thoughts are you?" He asked, trying to keep his voice steady. It sounded to him that she was trying to make excuses.

Bella sighed irritably. "Would I be letting you come if that was my plan?" She snapped.

"I only asked." Jacob retorted. His hands gripped the steering wheel tightly as he stared straight ahead.

Bella rubbed her aching forehead. She was feeling tense and apprehensive, they both were. She put a hand on his arm, making him glance at her. "I'm sorry. I just want to get this over with. It is not going to be easy, but I can assure you I am not changing my mind."

Jacob put his hand over hers briefly. "I'm sorry too. Blame my insecurities again. The bloodsucker always manages to get under my skin, even when he's not right in front of me."

"I know." Bella agreed, a wry smile crossing her face. "But please try and remain calm, okay. For my sake."

"I'll do my best." Jacob grinned at her suddenly, making her laugh as he saluted her.

Edward had arranged to meet up with Bella in one of the more expensive restaurants in town. It was light and airy and full of private booths, which was probably why he had chosen it. Jacob parked up outside and gazed across at the luxurious building. It was only half full, and he didn't like the fact that he wouldn't be able to see Bella from where he was sitting. He glanced at her; she had a frown marring her forehead and her eyes seemed far away as she too looked over at the restaurant.

"Perhaps I should come in?" He suggested anxiously.

"No, please we agreed." Bella took a deep breath and smoothed down her hair. "I won't be too long. I am not planning to eat."

"Bells..." Jacob took her hand and kissed the back of it purposefully. If Edward tried to hold her hand he would get a strong whiff of Jacob's scent. Bella had no idea that Jacob was marking his territory. She smiled at him weakly before exiting the car and walking slowly toward the imposing building.

The maître de smiled courteously at Bella and ticked off her name on his list. He called over one of the waiters and discreetly asked him to show Ms Swan to the private lounge. Bella felt a little worried, private lounge? She half wanted to walk out, the posh surroundings, full of the trappings of the mega rich intimidated her. Trust Edward to pick a place like this. She followed the waiter at a distance as he walked toward two large double doors. They were painted a dark red, she noticed the lighting was dimmer at this end of the restaurant. The waiter opened one of the doors for her and ushered her inside.

"Master Cullen your guest is here." He announced. He bowed slightly to Bella before disappearing, closing the door gently after him.

Bella took a second to get used to the dull lighting. The lounge was lit with a few lamps, attached to the dark wood panelling that surrounded the huge room. A huge open fire dominated one wall, and she could feel the heat of the fire warm her chilled skin. She edged closer and held out her hands towards the flames. The glow from the fire lit up her pale complexion, and that is when she heard a long sigh.

"You are as beautiful, perhaps more so, than I remember." Edward moved from one of the darkened corners towards her, taking Bella by surprise.

She stared at him for a moment, drinking in the sight of him. It had been four long years since she had last set eyes on his face. He looked exactly the same, his hair was still set in the same, messy style. His skin stark white, dark circles underscoring his haunted eyes as he gazed upon her as if she was the centre of his universe. Bella felt like she was drowning in his eyes. She had to shake herself a little to pull herself back into the moment.

"You seem the same." She choked out.

"And you, you have grown more beautiful." Edward strode forward and took Bella's hands in his own. She tried to hide the shiver that ran through her body at his touch. He leaned down to kiss her hands but hesitated when his lips grazed her left hand. His brow furrowed as he glanced up at her. "You have brought Jacob Black with you." His eyes had dimmed; the happy glow fading from them as he took in the import of what this meant. "I had no idea you were back in contact with him."

"We came across each other quite by chance." Bella tugged her hands from his and placed them behind her back.

"I see." Edward studied her for a moment. "He is here with you?"

"Yes." Bella replied truthfully. "He is waiting outside in the car park."

"Why?"

Bella clasped her fingers together tightly. "You know why." She whispered.

Edward's face fell. Bella had to hold her breath as she gazed upon the agony that was shining upon his countenance. She had never seen such devastation. "I am so sorry, Edward."

"I always knew that this day would come, but when you agreed to meet me I allowed myself to hope just a little. Alice refused to tell me what she could see, perhaps because she couldn't see anything anyway. Jacob Black's presence in your life would have blocked her attempts." Edward bowed his head as if trying to recollect himself.

"I am sorry." Bella said again lamely. She didn't know what else to say.

"Do not be sorry for choosing life, my love. I always told you that was what I wanted for you." Edward lifted his head and his smile was heartbreaking.

Bella became flustered as she reached out to him. He carefully placed his arms around her and rested his body close to hers, keeping a discreet distance between them. "Do not distress yourself, Bella." He said throatily. One cold hand reached up to stroke her hair as she cried silent tears.

"I am sorry." She mumbled again as she stepped back a little.

This time Edward's smile was dazzling. He placed one finger underneath her chin and raised her head so that his lips hovered above hers. Bella gazed upon the Adonis like features of her former love and became lost in his eyes. She saw his face edge closer to hers and for a moment she almost allowed him to kiss her, but something inside made her turn her head. She heard Edward sigh mournfully as she retreated from him.

"How dare you?" Bella's tears dried up as she glared at him. "You just couldn't help yourself."

"I have missed you so much my love. My life has been a barren desert without you." Edward implored, holding out his arms toward her again. His voice and his eyes were hypnotic and Bella wondered how often he had used his charms on her in the past to get his own way.

"Save the flowery language for someone who believes your poisonous words. I cannot believe you tried to manipulate me. But then I shouldn't be surprised." Bella turned to leave.

"I love you, Bella." Edward cried out.

"Maybe in your own way." Bella stopped and looked over her shoulder at his dejected figure. "But you can't help what you are. Goodbye Edward." With those parting words, Bella held her head high and left the room.

It had taken all of Jacob's willpower to stay rooted in his seat when Bella went inside the restaurant. He knew he had to trust that she could handle herself. She would not forgive him if he tried to intervene like he had on her wedding day. The moments seemed like hours as they ticked slowly by. Eventually when his patience had all but worn thin, he saw Bella emerge from the restaurant. She had an angry look on her face as she jogged toward the car. She opened the door and slid inside. Immediately the car was filled with the leech's scent. Jacob had to wind down all the windows. Bella looked at him in confusion until she realized why he had done it.

"What does he smell like?" She asked, taking Jacob by surprise.

"Like rotten old eggs that have gone off." Jacob pulled a face. "Like a dead thing."

"I always wondered." Bella bit her lip as she snapped her seat belt in place.

"How did it go?" Jacob dared to ask.

Bella smiled suddenly, a nervous laugh erupting from her lips. "Just like those rotten eggs."

Jacob smirked at her as he switched on the engine. He pulled the car back into the heavy traffic and headed for home, both of them laughing, their hearts lighter now that Edward was firmly in the past where he belonged.

Jacob dropped Bella off at Charlie's house before driving back to La Push to give the car back to Paul. Bella was going to have dinner with Renee before going back to the hospital to see Charlie for the evening. She opened the front door and called out for her mother.

"In here, baby girl." Renee replied.

Bella walked into the kitchen to find her mother sitting at the table opposite a young girl she didn't recognise. She was obviously Native American from her looks. Maybe she was from La Push too. "Hello." She said cautiously.

"My name is Melissa Hoult. Jake must have mentioned me." The girl said stiffly, ignoring Bella's polite greeting.

Bella glanced at Renee, who shrugged in confusion. "Um...sorry but no he hasn't. Are you a friend of his?" She asked Melissa, a feeling of foreboding welling up inside her.

"Friend?" Melissa laughed sarcastically as she looked Bella up and down as if she was a tramp who had just walked off of the street. "No, I am his girlfriend...well fiancée, actually. I am here to tell you to keep your dirty claws away from my man." Her dark eyes gleamed with malevolence as she glared at Bella.

A/N-thanks for reading! :/