Twilight character names belong to Stephanie Meyers. No copyright infringement is intended. The trade secret including but not limited to, all characterizations, plot lines, backgrounds and details belong to 1. Plagiarism is theft, so please no copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without express written consent of the author. Thank you.

To my wonderful beta, Danna – thank you so much for all you do! I can never thank you enough! Twi-Sisters, I wouldn't be here writing if it wasn't for you! Loves, Hugs and Tugs to all of you! Faithful and Loyal Readers – I hope you are enjoying the story as much as I love to write this and twist it to the unexpected!

~If you are patient in one moment of anger; you will escape a hundred days of sorrow~ Chinese Proverb

~Edward~

My fingers tighten around the steering wheel as I gaze into the back seat at Bella. She is talking up a storm and smiling. Oh. My. God. She is gorgeous. She is as beautiful as the last time I saw her before we left for college...

"Hey, Edward are you leaving in 3 days for the great Northeast" Bella asks. "I'm sorry about the race..."

"No big deal, yeah, I'm leaving in 3 days, ready to leave Forks behind and conquer the world. And you? You headin' to the great Volunteer state with 20 boxes of pepper spray?" I jokingly ask.

"Yeah, he's promised to send me a care package every month with about twenty refills," Bella laughed.

"Well, here's my email and cell, call me and maybe I can drive down for some southern hospitality?" I joked in my best southern drawl.

"Here's mine too, and maybe I can come up and visit as well." She said handing me a piece of paper.

"Bella, I'm sorry on how I've acted these last six weeks. I've got some shit to sort through," I said apologizing.

"Same here in a sense Edward. Parting as really good friends?" Bella said.

"As great friends," I stated smiling.

Bella reached over at that moment and wrapped her arms around me and kissed my cheek, "It's not goodbye, we'll just say see you later alligator."

"After while crocodile..."

The light immediately turns green and just as in a race – my foot hits the pedal with full force. She doesn't need to see me right now. Shit, Cullen! Calm down, my inner voice speaks.

I drive to the restaurant in Rainer Square with full force and find a place to park. Play it cool, man. It's going to be fine. You will see her in due time and hopefully she will be just as excited to see you. Excited? Maybe shocked is more like it I murmur under my breath as I walk into the restaurant. My dad raises his arm to motion me to the table.

"Edward, you look like you just saw a ghost, Honey are you okay?" my mother exclaimed.

A deep sign escapes me before I can speak.

"I've seen that look before, Edward." My dad summarizes, "He saw Bella..."

"Bella, where?" my mom questions, "What did she say?"

"In traffic...no, she didn't see me and that's a good thing for the moment," I state as I grab my cup of coffee, downing it in one fail swoop.

"Have you decided on how you are going to approach her?" My mother inquired. "For heaven's sake, Edward please tell me you aren't going to object at the wedding!"

"Well, Mom..." I said gulping a drink of water. "I've thought about it but no, I'm not going to do that to her. I'd embarrass her and make a mess of the wedding. Jake would sure enough take me down. I do have some decency, mom. I'm going to try to get to the church early and see if I can see her before she walks down the aisle. Let me rephrase that, if she decides to walk down the aisle."

~O*o*O~

~Bella~

Rose takes the wheel again as we speed to the church from the salon. I ask her to slow down and she slows down for a moment. Alice is on the phone confirming with Jasper and Emmett that they will be there early to help usher guests to their seats at one o'clock. As we pull into the church parking lot, my hands start to shake and I break out in a cold sweat within minutes.

"I think, I'm going to be sick," I murmur.

"Bella, you look green," Alice confirms. "Are you ok?

"Rose, I told you to slow down; weaving in and out of traffic didn't help matters." I stammer as I get out of the car.

"Sorry, Bells. I knew you wanted to get here in a hurry and I did slow down...some. I've got saltines and Sprite in the trunk, would that help?" Rose offered.

"Yes that might help, I'm running to the bathroom... and can you fix my make up again?"

"I will most definitely fix that beautiful face of yours," Rose smiled, "I'll meet you in the bride's room."

"Alice, can you find my parents?" I asked, "Oh, can you carry my dress too?"

"Yes, sweetie I will. I'll drop your dress off in the room and I'll go look for them. I have to check to make sure the cake has been delivered in the reception hall. They probably are in there, and then I'll be there to help you get ready, okay?" Alice asked.

As I make my way to the bathroom, I hear a familiar voice coming from the men's bathroom. That sounds like Jake...my sweet Jake. Then I hear another familiar voice, Sam. What are they talking about I wonder. As I turn on the faucet in the bathroom the talking becomes louder and louder. I splash some cold water on my face and immediately turn the faucet off. My ear turns to the talking...

"Jake, you can't back out now," Sam says.

"And why the hell not?" Jake questions, "I thought I was ready for this and after that sweet bachelor party..."

"Cause, you have two hundred people coming to see you and Bella get married. Plus you spent a fortune on the monkey suit. Knock some sense into your head, man! Bella will be walking down the aisle...while she was at college you could have had any girl you wanted...but Noooo...Mr. Black had to move to Tennessee to go get his girl back and now you want to sow your wild oats..." Sam declared.

My stomach calms and I could feel my blood pressure begin to rise as the conversation escalated between Jake and Sam. Stripper is mentioned, drinking, phone calls from Victoria...Who in the hell is Victoria! Hell, no, he's not going to do this to me, I thought. Anger consumes me as I listen and before I know it I walk out of the women's' bathroom and bust into the men's bathroom.

"Bella!" Jake exclaimed zipping up his pants.

"What the Hell, Jake!" I scream. "I heard the conversation from the women's bathroom!"

"It's not what you think, baby..." Jake stammers.

"He's just having wedding jitters, Bella," Sam interjects.

"Doesn't sound like that to me, I thought you wanted this, I thought you wanted me forever, I..."

"Can we talk about this rationally and calmly," Sam proceeds to interject.

"You want rational and calmness? Sam, what the hell – are you marrying me or is Jake..." I state.

"No..." Sam whispered.

"Then what are you still doing here! This is between me and him." I demand pointing at Jake.

"Jake, I'll be in the reception hall if you need me." Sam said.

"He's going to need more than you – he's going to need a body bag after I'm done with him. Lord please forgive me..."I utter under my breath.

"Sooo, Mr. Black what do you have to say for yourself? Thought you had me hook, line and sinker? If you are not certain about me or about us for that matter you can leave and never come back. Who the heck is Victoria?"

"Baby, Bella...It's not what you think...case of the jitters that's all," Jake gulps.

"Answer me...who is Victoria?" I order. "I'm only asking one more time and I better get an answer or you are gonna be sorry!" Hot tears soon stream down my face and I'm totally numb. I count to ten.

"Well, um...she's the stripper I met at the bachelor party and we..." Jake stutters. "Nothing happened, Bell..."

I saw the way he looked at me; he couldn't look me in the eye. That was a sign. He had done this once before and I caught him in the middle of lie. Before he finished the sentence I knew; without question that he had lied to me yet again. My fist began to harden and before I knew it; I punched him square in the face. Blood streams from his nose and he starts cussing left and right.

"What the fuck, Bella!" He bellows.

"Owww," I scream. "Damn that hurt! It's over, we're done and now I have to tell two hundred people that have travelled from all over the United States that the wedding is off!"

"Bella, let me try to explain," Jake stammers covering his nose.

"Hurt me once, shame on you; hurt me twice, shame on me! I'm not putting up with your shit anymore. I've had enough! It's over, I'm done, finished!"

I slam the men's bathroom door, and hear Jake's nose hit the door again. A devilish grin crosses my face...serves him right. Sam meets me coming down the hallway, "You better go take care of your boy."

I'm not turning around, I keep telling myself, tears stream from my face and all I can think of is running. I begin to hyperventilate as I run to the nearest exit. Cool wind hits my face as the tears consume me and rain begins to fall. He cheated on me with a damn stripper two days before the freakin' wedding. A cheetah's spots can stretch but they will never change. My mind turned back the clock...

"Go back to Forks and leave me the hell alone," I screamed through my dorm window throwing his stuff onto the front yard of the sorority house.

Bella, my southern belle, let me explain...please I'm begging you!" Jake pleads. "I'll make it up to you, it was nothing, she came on to me..."

"That's not what, Angela said..." I yell down slamming the window. "You came all the way to Tennessee to have a relationship and I find you in a lip-lock with her within two days of you being here!"

Within two hours it had gotten dark, Jake had left. As I opened up an old journal, a piece of paper fell onto my desk, 'Call anytime you need an ear~Edward 803-957-5585'. As I picked up the phone and attempted to dial, No...Edward hadn't even called me in the last six months. Why should I call him? He was apparently busy with his own life. Moments passed as I contemplated dialing the phone; then I heard singing coming from outside. Who on earth is singing at this time at night? As I peeked through the blinds of my window...there stood Jake, crooning out a ballad with a guitar in hand.

I'll be your dream, I'll be your wish

I'll be your fantasy

I'll be your hope, I'll be your love

Be everything that you need

I'll love you more with every breath

Truly, madly, deeply do

I will be strong, I will be faithful

'Cause I'm counting on

A new beginnin'

A reason for livin'

A deeper meanin', yea

And I want to stand with you on a mountain I want to bathe with you in the sea I want to lay like this forever Until the sky falls down on me

And when my stars are shinin' brightly in the velvet sky I'll make a wish to send it to Heaven Then make you want to cry The tears of joy for all the pleasure in the certainty That we're surrounded by the comfort and protection of The highest powers in lonely hours...

He flashed that pretty boy smile at me and I couldn't help but cave in. He did drive all the way out here from Oregon. Does just anybody do that for me besides Charlie I thought? In that moment, I knew that he was here for me and me alone...I opened the blinds and motioned for him to come upstairs...

I knew that wasn't the case now as I stood in the rain. My hair began to wilt; I pushed a tear from my cheek and black eyeliner smudged on my fingertips. I then realized, I didn't drive...DAMN! Tears turned to anger. SHIT! I probably look like a damn raccoon now. How can he do this to me! In a split second, Alice turns the corner with an umbrella in hand; she looked and knew something was terribly wrong.

"Bella, what is it?" Alice states in a soothing voice. "Let's get you inside, so we can talk. Your parents are in the bride room waiting on us with Rose."

As we enter lavish room, I fall into the floor into a weeping mess. My parents huddle around me and the tears keep falling. All I can mutter is...Jake cheated on me and lied yet again.

"I'll kill him," my dad yells. "He has broken your heart for the last time. There is no mercy for him now He won't hurt my girl. Where's my gun?"

"That's not going to solve anything," my mom states.

"Well, Renee, it will make me feel a lot better," my dad pronounces. "I'll be right back."

All I can hear outside the door is yelling back and forth between my dad, Jake and Jake's parents.

I relive the past thirty minutes all over again as the screaming and yelling continues. Then I hear my father just tell Jake to leave. Moments pass and I begin to calm down. Emmett knocks on the door and tells Rose that people have begun arriving. He and Jasper have it covered.

"Bella, what would you like us to do?" my mother asks wiping a tear from my cheek.

"I don't know. I just want to curl up in a ball and have everyone go away." I whisper.

"Alice, can you and Rose give us a minute. Don't mention what is going on. Bella and I need to have a talk." My mother commands.

"Sure, Renee, we will be outside. I'll go peek around the corner and see who all has showed up. We'll be back in a few minutes," Alice states closing the door.

I nod my head and begin to wipe off what is left of my makeup. "Bella, I know this is not what you had planned. I know you are extremely angry right now and your father and I want to make it better for you. Do you remember what I told you about holding your head up high?"

"Yes, mom but I am truly not in the mood for a pep talk before my 'non-wedding'..." I speak sarcastically.

"I'm not giving you a pep talk Bella. I just want you to remember what your dad and I have taught you. Do you want us to go and tell everyone or do you want to be the better person and take care of it? You are an adult. It's your choice. Jake left with Sam and you don't have to deal with him if that is what you're worried about."

"Mom, give me a few minutes please...I need time to think," I ask.

"I'll be right outside," my mother whispers kissing my forehead.

I gaze out the window and it's raining. "What a perfect day for rain," I say ironically under my breath. I shake my head. Why does this have to happen to me. Mom is right you know. You could let someone else handle it and it would be fine. But why not you? You are a strong independent woman, Isabella Marie Swan. This will make you stronger. Don't worry about Jake, he is a scared little boy after all. He doesn't want to commit to you or anybody else for that matter. All he wants is to sow his wild oats...better that I know that now than later...I thought I knew him...but apparently I didn't.

A fire truck and an ambulance and two squad cars pass by the church with sirens blaring. What on earth, I hope whoever it is okay...at that moment I know what I must do. I open the door, "Mom get Alice and Rose in here, we've got to get ready. "

~O*o*O~

Alice laces up the back of the dress as I cling to the table.

"Suck it up, Bells. We're just about there." Alice says drawing a breath.

"Okay, I don't remember the dress being this tight two days ago," holding my breath.

"Stress will do it every time," Rose concludes.

"Finally the last loop," Alice concludes. "Okay, Bells turn around."

As I turn around in a swirl, Rose gasps, "Girl, we got to fix that beautiful face of yours. Take a seat."

"I don't know how much is left Rose, sorry."

" Honey, it's not your fault. Jake doesn't want me to get a hold of him for the next 50 years."

"Me neither, believe me Bella, you just have to say the word and Jasper and Emmett will take him out." Alice prodded, "why does a man do that to a woman?"

"They have a penis," Rose stated, "apparently, Jake thought with it instead of his real brain and his heart."

At that moment, I burst out in laughter, "I so needed that Rose after today. And for your information, he really doesn't have much of one."

Then Alice and Rose burst into laughter.

I heard a slight knock on the door and my dad stuck his head in, "Honey, it's your dad. You've got about fifteen minutes and then we have to walk. Your mom and I will walk with you, okay?"

"I'll be out soon dad; you and mom go ahead and take your seats. I've got to do this by myself. Are Jake's parents still here?" I ask.

"No, they left about fifteen minutes ago."

"Cowards..." I utter. "Well after this girls, we are going to party! I've got the plane tickets still in my purse and I think I might take that trip or reschedule, not sure yet. I think I will decide after the reception the tickets are non-refundable, but I can reschedule."

"And you can add a ticket...we three can take a trip." Rose suggested

"A girls only vaca, most definitely." I agreed.

"I'm in," Alice clapped. "When do we leave?"

"So are you both ready to leave Jasper and Emmett behind for two weeks?" I ask raising my eyebrow.

"Hell, yes!" they both sequel.

I glance down at my cell and I have ten missed calls. Probably Jake, I'm not dealing with that now. Nothing is going to change my mind. It's nearly two o'clock.

I open the door to the bride room and step out into the hallway taking a deep breath. Alice and Rose walk behind me carrying my bouquet of fresh pink roses, freesia and lavender. The bouquet is intoxicating. They both take hold of the French doors leading into the sanctuary and open them. Music softly plays Canon in D. The crowd turns to face me as I begin my journey up the aisle. Take a deep breath Bella...it's going to be fine. Alice and Rose slowly close the doors behind me and walk behind me to take a seat next to my parents.

I take a deep breath as I reach the front of the church. I turn and face all of my family and friends. "Family, friends, I am truly sorry, but due to a decision I have made, Jake and I will not be getting married today." Gasps and talk start over the congregation. Someone yells, "Where's Jake?"

Before I can answer, someone bursts through the French doors and makes their way up the aisle as he gets closer, it's Edward and he has blood all over his shirt and his hands...

"Bella..." he speaks walking up the aisle.

My breath leaves my body "Edward..."

Not what you expected? Finally they are face to face! Wondering where the blood came from...and what will happen next? *devilish grin* Hoping to get the next chapter out in 2 weeks ~ Please send me some warm fuzzies and review!