A/N: I just think Jake deserved a lot more than being paired with Bella's daughter... Sorry to those of you who are a fan of the canon events; I am not lol. I love Bella/Edward together, but Jake with Nessie is just...weird. Again, my opinion. I like to pretend Breaking Dawn ended sometime before Jake imprinted.

Anywho... This story is entirely AU. Everyone is human, there are no supernatural creatures.

Enjoy!

P.S. Feedback is always appreciated! I picture Diana Silvers as Darcy Swan :)

"We're engaged!" Bella holds her hand high, her oval ring flashing in the grey light as it filters through the windows of the dining room.

Her boyfriend—no—now her fiancé, Edward, stands close behind her, a hand on her shoulder, his expression happy. Blissful, even.

"Oh, congratulations, honey!" Mom crosses the room to hug her.

My little sister is getting married before me.

A roaring erupts in my ears, drowning out the well-wishes. Isn't there an unspoken rule that little sisters can't get married before their big sister? Her declaration just feels...wrong, somehow. It's too soon.

I thought we agreed that there was no rush to get married and have babies. We were both home from college—we were going to enjoy our twenties.

As if sensing my inner turmoil, Bella touches my shoulder gently. "It was the right time, Darce. I'm so happy."

I hug her a second time. "I'm happy for you."

Or, at least, I will be once I have a few quiet moments to settle the noise in my head. I should feel relief at Bella's declaration. I'm off the hook, aren't I? Mom has a wedding to plan, and it isn't mine.

I've withstood the ever-increasing pressure from my parents—more specifically, my mother—to get married and settle down. It's been irritating, but not enough to something about it. I've been content with my life as a math teacher at our local high school here in Forks, enjoying my students and colleagues, my friends, and my family. I haven't wanted anything more, so why is her engagement getting to me?

Feeling my friend Jake's gaze on the side of my face, I past on a smile.

Jake shakes Edward's hands. "Sounds like a congratulations are in order."

"Isn't it gorgeous, Darce? It belonged to Edward's mother," Bella explains while holding her hand out in front of me so I can ooh and ahh over it.

All I can register over the thumping of my heart is the oval shape and that it's sparkly. "It's beautiful, Bells."

"It really is lovely, sweetheart," Mom gushes, beaming with pride as she clasps her hands to her chest.

Jake tugs me back against him, a purely platonic move he's performed a thousand times over the years. I should feel anything when my back makes contact with his chest, but instead, my face flushes. I'm too hot. Too...everything. I struggle to even pull in a deep breath.

Placing his larger hands on my shoulders, Jake lowers his head to whisper in my ear, "You're supposed to be happy for her."

I tense under his touch. "I am," I shoot back, suddenly defensive.

"Hmm," is all he says, but his voice rumbles through my chest.

"Have you two set a date?" Mom asks Bella, flitting around the kitchen, getting brunch ready to serve.

Bella exchanges a smile with Edward, and he's all too happy to let my sister take the reins with answering. "We were thinking a June wedding would be perfect."

Mom beams, again. "That gives us plenty of time."

Bella tilts her head to the side. "Three months is plenty of time?"

Mom's head snaps up, her eyes wide. "You mean this June?"

"Mm-hmm." Bella smiles. As I take in my sister's delicate features, I realize just how relaxed and happy she seems in this moment, everything you would expect a newly engaged woman to be.

"We can't wait to get married, Mrs. Swan." Edward's tone is indulgent.

At twenty-three, aren't they too young to get married? Isn't there some statistic about the rate of divorce being higher if you get married under a certain age? These two have to fall into that range. They're far too young, too immature, too...everything. They most definitely aren't ready for marriage.

"That's soon." Mom stills, seemingly working through it in her head.

Bella interlaces her fingers with Edward's. "We want something small—intimate."

Mom shakes her head in dismissal. "My daughter's wedding will not be small."

Edward chuckles throatily at my mother's comment. "My sister, Alice, couldn't agree more with you. She practically said the same after we broke the news to my family."

My mom's words sends a twinge into the center of my heart. I don't want to get married, so why does it matter if my mother wants my sister's wedding to be the biggest and the best? I know I'm acting childishly, but I can't help it.

Jake leans down, his breath ghosting over the shell of my ear. "Relax. This takes the pressure off you, remember?"

He's right, of course. The combination of his proximity, warmth, and low voice has me melting into his body. Jake has always been there for me. He'll be there for me through this, too.

Mom waves a hand in my direction. "Darcy will need a date for the wedding festivities."

My dad winces. "Renee."

I shake my head, cold seeping into my skin at the thought of attending Bella's wedding alone. "That's not a requirement."

"Your younger sister is getting married before you. All eyes will be on you. Trust me on this—you need a date."

"Ignore her, punky. Your mother is being ridiculous," Dad encourages me.

He's always been my champion when Mom has gotten something crazy in her head.

But, is she being ridiculous? Are all eyes going to be on me? I'm not currently dating anyone. I don't even have a potential love interest. Not even a prospective guy. I'm usually super slow in the dating department. I like to meet the guy and interact with him for a while before carefully considering whether he has potential. Working at a high school with predominantly female teachers and staff makes meeting someone virtually impossible.

Mom places the French toast casserole in the center of the rectangular table in the morning room, a room filled with windows just off the of the kitchen. "Coffee's inthe carafe. Let's dig in."

A pitcher of orange juice sits next to the casserole dish.

We sit in our respective spots—me across from Bella, Jake across from Edward, and my parents at the head of the table.

After Mom serves everyone a generous helping of the sweet casserole, she wastes no time asking for details. "What were you thinking ou wanted? A church wedding?"

Bella shifts in her chair, exchanging a look with Edward. I narrow my eyes as I observe them, briefly wondering if they're able to communicate telepathically. "We're not sure yet."

"Anything you choose will be perfect, Bella." Edward's voice is full of affection for her.

Mom sighs.

I have to look away. When did they get so serious? Why haven't I been prepared for the possibility? They've only been dating for six months. Is that enough time to make such a big decision? I've always thought I'd date someone for two or three years before the guy could make it down to one knee.

I'm just surprised. I'm confused and unprepared for this development. But, with time, it will sink in and I'll be okay with it. I'll be truly happy for my little sister, and not just giving her empty platitude because that's how I'm supposed to feel.

"We'll need to go shopping for a dress right away. I've heard it can take months to get one." Mom sips her tea thoughtfully.

Most of my mother's friends' children are already married. It's the reason I've expected that she has felt the need to pressure us. She wants something to talk about at her weekly get-together with her friends.

Bella's shoulders tense at the very idea. "I don't need to order anything special, Mom. I'm sure I can find something off the rack."

Edward cover's her hand with his. "You'll look beautiful in anything you wear."

Their love for each other is obvious. It fills the room with happiness and light that has nothing to do with the rare, but very blatant, sunlight shining through the windows.

"You don't have to decide anything this morning. You have time to think about it," I say, proud that I sound reasonable and calm. Nothing gives away the irrational thoughts and feelings tumbling around in my head.

Mom's expression pinches. "They want to be married by June. Most engagements are a year long."

Bella smiles softly at Edward. "We don't want to be stressed. We want to enjoy our engagement and look forward to our wedding."

They are sickeningly sweet and over the top, yet her expression and words are genuine. My heart contracts in my chest. For the first time in my life, I want what she has. A man who wants to marry me and spend the rest of his days making me happy.

Where did that come from? And why now?

Jake leans over to whisper in my ear, "You're looking a little green."

My stomach churns as I offer him a weak smile. My reaction is childish and immature, but the little green-eyed monster cannot be tamed. I'm jealous of my little sister.

I just need some space—from Jake and my family. I'll clear my mind, then everything will make sense again.

"Darce, will you be my maid of honor?" Bella asks after a lull in the conversation.

I can't refuse her. "Of course, Bells. I'd be honored."

Mom shakes her head. "All of this is so unexpected. I would have thought Darcy would get engaged first."

I stand abruptly, grabbing my plate and Jake's, intending to take them to the kitchen to get a much-needed breath. "This is perfect. Bella and Edward are obviously happy."

That's all I've ever wanted for Bella when we sat in the numerous doctors' offices and hospital rooms as kids. I wanted her to grow up to be an adults. To experience all the things everyone else did.

"But what about you?" Mom asks. "You won't be worried about your aunts and cousins speculating as to why you're not even dating anyone? Your biological clock is ticking, you know."

Bella leans closer to hiss, "Mom."

"I know a few eligible young men who I could set you up with. The woman who works at the front counter of the workout center is always going on about her son. He's a doctor." Mom practically beams.

"I'm dating someone," I say, not wanting to be set up with a stranger. How pathetic would that be?

My gaze snags on Jake's.

He lifts a dark brow in a what the hell are you doing expression I've come to love over the yeas. He knows I'm not dating anyone.

"I didn't know you were dating anyone," Bella says at the same time Mom demands, "Who?"

My heart thunders in my ears. I have to name someone. But only one name comes to mind, and they just might believe it.

"Jake." I clear my throat. "I'm dating Jake."

Jake's body tenses, the air between us chilled.

Bella peers from me to him. "You're dating...Jake?"

I wait for him to deny it. And I'd only deserve it, because for years I've insisted that he and I are merely friends—that we've never thought of each other as anything else. Our friendship is too precious to reflect on that kiss we shared as teens. I shake my head to clear the image and the feel of his lips on mine. I peer down at Jake, pleading him to go along with me. My head bobs. "That's right. I'm dating Jake."

Then I carry the dirty dishes into the kitchen, rinsing and stacking them in the dishwasher with more force than necessary. My movements are jerky, my stomach in knows. Will Jake be irritated with me?

Bella follows me into the kitchen. "How long have you two been dating?"

I slowly close the dishwasher, giving myself time to compose my face and figure out what I should say. I can't even think about what Jake is going through, alone at the table.

"It's new, but we've all known each other forever, Bella. It's a logical progression." It's also something I've thought about over the years, imagined even, until I remember we're friends—best friends—and friends don't cross that line.

Bella opens and closes her mouth as if she's struggling with what to say. "I had no idea."

"We wanted some time to ourselves before we announced it."

"That's understandable." Bella considers me as if she's looking for any sign that I'm not being entirely truthful.

I carefully school my features, needing to keep up the charade until I'm outside of this house and away from my family.

Jake suddenly appears next to me, towering over me by a good seven inches, and pulling me into his side. As always, his arm around me feels good, except this time, I sag into him. "We were keeping it a secret. Isn't that right, babe?"

His tone holds a bite to it, even as the word "babe" melts my insides the same way his embrace has my limbs. "That's right."

My mouth is dry. Too dry. I spin away from him, grabbing a glass from the cupboard and filling it from the water filter on the fridge. My hands shake while I wait for it to fill up.

"I hope this doesn't mean you won't have time to help with the wedding," Bella says tentatively.

I spin around to face her. "Of course, I'll help with the wedding! I'm never too busy for you. You know that."

Mom stands in the doorway, a hurt expression on her face. "When were you going to tell us, Darcy?"

I shrug, feeling like a petulant teenager. "I just did."

"You know what I mean, Darcy Anneliese," Mom chides, moving farther into the room.

Jake crosses his arms over his chest, resting a hip against the counter. "Yeah, why didn't you want to tell everyone, Darce?"

"Because it's new, and we didn't want to ruin our friendship if it didn't work out." That's the truth. It's what I thought the one and only time his lips met mine. If I gave in to the sensation—the goose bumps erupting over my skin and the tingles racing down my spine—I'd be lost in Jake. Our friendship would be in tatters on the ground, and I'd never get it back again.

I don't want everyone talking about how Bella got engaged before her big sister. I don't want to hear the speculation about me getting older, and not dating anyone. This will keep people off that track of talk—as long as Jake goes along with it.

Jake pushes off the counter, lowering his arms to his side as he moves closer to me. His broad shoulders block out my mother and sister until he is all I saw. Lowering his voice, he says, "You have a lot of explaining to do."

His gaze over my face is like a soft caress.

I swallow over the knot in my throat before I nod tightly. "Of course."

I owe Jake for my over-the-top behavior. I've never done something like this. I've never lied to my family to get them off my back. It's so out of character for me. I've always supported Bella in whatever she did and have never been jealous of the attention she's received.

He lifts his hand, running his thumb over my bottom lip, his expression a mix of admiration and surprise. I've shocked everyone with my behavior, including myself.

I need to get out of this room, this house, and I'll be able to draw in a deep breath. I've calmed the raging storm in my head and unraveled the knot in my stomach. I just need space.

"Um, we should go." I step back from Jake.

His hand drops from my face.

"Congratulations." I hug Bella before saying, "Brunch was lovely, Mom."

Everyone's eyes are on me. They watch me with a wary expression as if I'm a caged animal who's recently been let loose, and they have no idea how I'll react.

I head toward the entryway, hoping Jake will follow. He used to come to family brunches at the Swan home more often before he opened the bar, and I bet he's regretting his decision to come to this one.

I hear murmuring from the kitchen. Probably Jake apologizing for my abrupt departure or complimenting my mom on the food. He's a charmer, like that. He'll have my mom smiling with one smooth line. I've always found it amusing, but I wonder what it'd be like if he turned that charm on me.

My hand is on the knob by the time I hear his heavy steps on the wood floor. His hand lands on my upper back, sending tingles down my spine. "Where are you off to in such a hurry, babe?"

I smile over my shoulder. "I need some air."

Then I turn the knob, pulling it open. I rush out onto the porch, my heart racing. I suck in a fresh breath of air, then a second, but it does nothing to still the storm inside.

Leaving, Jake touches my elbow, guiding me to his truck. Opening the passenger side door, he says, "Get in."

I scramble inside, keeping my gaze straight ahead.

He climbs in next to me, slamming the door. Looking at me, he asks, "What was that?"

I throw my hands in the air. "I don't know. I just...freaked out."

"Why? You've always said you were cool being single." His tone is incredulous.

"I don't know what came over me. I'm sorry." It's on the tip of my tongue to say we'll tell them the truth soon, but I can't. I like Jake's hand on me. I like his breath on my skin. If I convince him to keep pretending, there'll be more touching without any of the other stuff. I can pretend it's all fake while getting to experience Jake. Could he see me as more than his best friend?

"Unbelievable." He shakes his head as he pushes the ignition, anchoring his hand on the back of my seat as he backs the truck down my parents' long drive.

I look out the window, wishing I could disappear.

We're quiet for a few minutes as we drove back into town.

Not being able to stomach the silence between us, I say, "The wedding is in three months."

"It's a lot to do in a short time. Will you have time to help during the school year?"

This is what I loved about Jake. He's concerned about me. With Bella being sick as a child, most people asks about her. It's understandable, but I soak up the attention.

I roll my shoulders back. "You know I will."

He shoots me an irritated look. "You need to take care of yourself."

I smile softly. "That's what I have you for. You'll remind me."

"I wouldn't be so sure after that stunt you pulled today." His voice is gruff but affectionate.

Biting my lip, I say, "Mom was right. People will talk about how I'm not dating anyone."

He cuts a glance in my direction. "Since when do you care?"

Growing up, I've always had Jake to protect me when kids asked why my sister wasn't in school due to her numerous treatments. "This is different."

I can't explain it or my reaction. "What if we pretended to be dating just until Bella and Edward get married? Then we can tell them the truth."

He parks, twisting to face me. "And what would that be?"

"That we're better off as friends."

He nods because that's our truth. We bonded in the hospital, waiting for our loved ones to get better. Bella did, but his mother, Sarah, didn't. Neither one of us wants to risk losing the friendship we've formed. It's too important. We're each other's constants in a sea of uncertainty.

He purses his lips. "It could work. But why do you need this?"

"I don't know." I'm admitting something I've almost never admitted, even to myself. "The pressure for a woman in her mid-twenties to get married and have kids is real. I didn't care before, but something about Bella getting engaged first set me off."

I'll never admit the truth. That I've been curious since that kiss we shared in high school. I want a chance to see if we could be more than friends without the risk. None of that was going through my mind when I lied, but now that I have a chance to think about it—pretending to date Jake is the best idea I've had in a long time.

The risk was minimal if we were on the same page. It'll be another story if I catch feelings and he doesn't. Studying his profile, the strong cut of his jaw, the tattoos visible on his russet arms, I realize falling for my best friend is a very real possibility. I'll have to be careful.