Disclaimer: No, I don't own it!
AN – I know, I know, I left you guys hanging. You guys know how much I really love the angry reviews, and I couldn't help it! I knew that I was doing a sequel anyway, as others did.Oh, and this story is M for language, not for lemons – I wouldn't say that they are my forte! Well, why didn't you just put it in T and cut the language, I hear you ask! Well, that was my intention...until I realized that in this chapter, I really couldn't have Edward being so innocent. Sorry, confusing I know. And the Wales thing – I really couldn't help it, I had to stick somewhere I know in! So here goes; Avaritia. (latin for greed, as luxuria was latin for lust.)
SONG FOR THIS CHAPTER: Placebo – Running up that hill.
This definitely wasn't how it was meant to happen. I wasn't meant to be spending my wedding night sitting on the edge of my husband's bed alone, crying my eyes out. I didn't have experience in the area, but I knew that he should at least be here.
But I understood why he wasn't; of course. Who would be here, in fact? Who would have married me, anyway? I held my head in my hands, sobbing my heart out. It wasn't helping matters, but it was all I could do. I would normally have had someone comforting me, here, but no one was, tonight. No one cared enough to stay with me, I'd ruined that. And I deserved it.
My best friend and my husband were downstairs, arguing with my new family of vampires, about the events that had transpired at our wedding. Where my husband's brother – well, not technically – and my best friend's husband had objected. I didn't blame poor Jasper, of course not. He was suffering enough, anyway. This was all my fault.
I couldn't control my stupid human emotions for a second, could I? I was inadequate, incapable, incessant, and a bunch more things starting with an I. But I wasn't innocent anymore, no. I shouldn't be anywhere near Edward. I should have listened to Jessica, no one was good enough for him. And if my stupid hormones weren't bad enough, I had to cheat on him with his brother.
And then I had to fall in love.
Yes, in love. I could say it, now. With the entire Cullen family shouting downstairs, in uproar because of me, I could admit it. I loved Edward and Jasper. Not in the same way, maybe. Edward was...familiar. He could still make my heart beat faster, and make me feel safe. But Jasper was amazing. I couldn't breathe around him, when I touched him I didn't want to let go; and I'd lost my virginity to him. I belonged to him. And when I said that, it didn't upset me like it did when Edward said I was his. No, it made me feel...amazing.
The door slammed downstairs, the force rippling through the house. I became aware that the shouting had quietened somewhat, though I couldn't hear through my own sobs. No one was coming, though. I wouldn't be comforted; and I didn't deserve it anyway. There was a large cracking outside, briefly excusing me from my streaming eyes and loud gasps.
I stood up, going to the window. A blinding white shape bolted across the dark expanse of the trees. I strained my eyes in the darkness I noticed that the trees were falling into oblivion. And the bolt of white was Jasper. There was something familiar about this situation, but I didn't know what.
Jasper continued to speed around the trees, throwing one into the next; snarling and shouting. Then, he fell to the floor, supporting himself on one of the trees he'd impaired. He looked up into the black sky, and I pressed my hands to the glass, yearning to touch him. He let out a long howl, and I felt a wave of pain shake through me as he began to sob without tears. The emotions spread throughout the house, and I heard gasps from downstairs, howls and cries. But I was fixed on Jasper, my relentless tears steaming up the glass. I saw my reflection briefly. I was still in my damp wedding dress. I gasped, and Jasper's eyes flicked up in seconds to meet mine. He didn't move, and neither did I. He sat on the ground outside, staring up at me, and he seemed to retract the emotions he'd been accidentally unleashing on us.
Once his emotions were snatched from my system, they were replaced with my own; and I felt worse instantly; my emotions crippling me physically as I fell to the ground, my body wracked with my overpowering sobs. When I looked back up from my spot on the floor, Jasper was gone. I knew he wouldn't see him now, though.
I continued crying through the night, slipping in and out of consciousness as my tears pooled and sunk into the soft carpet. It was the very early hours of the morning that I finally fell into a troubled sleep; haunted by nightmares, and so I didn't sleep for long.
When I woke up after a little sleep, it was 12 o clock, and I was back in bed. Edward had been and gone, obviously. I could smell his scent a little, on the bedclothes still. I crumpled them up and held them to my face.
The house was quiet. No one was arguing, obviously. That was good, but it meant that there was no one in the house to argue. Alice and Edward had probably left. Maybe Esme was here, but that would be all, at the very most.
I went into the bathroom, peeling off the sticky wedding dress that was glued to my body, and the undergarments. I looked a mess. I smelt of sweat and stale perfume, and faintly of old hairspray. My previously curly hair hung limp and loose around my shoulders, and my face looked like a horror movie. All traces of makeup had been removed from it violently in the floods of last night's tears, apart from the eyeliner and mascara that had been so carefully applied. That was in gunky lines down my face, and smudged around my swollen and bloodshot eyes. The one thing about me that was perfect were the rings on the third finger of my left hand. My engagement and wedding ring.
I sighed, stepping into the shower, under the warm flow of water. I let it wash away the top layers of dirt and the grime, before I started scraping vigorously at my skin, trying to rid myself of my inner filth, as well. It wasn't long before I couldn't hold myself together.
The tears began again, and I fell backwards onto the cold tile of the shower stall. It was once I pressed my ear to the shuddering tile that I realized someone was playing music.
I couldn't hear the words, only the pumping beat. It wasn't fast, but there was a heavy beat to the slow song. I cracked my head against the tile along with the beat, letting the tears stream down my face until the hot water began to run out. The song didn't stop, though.
I got out of the shower, reaching for a towel. I became aware that I didn't have any clothes. I went back to Edward's room in a towel, and found an outfit lying on the long black couch that I hadn't seen before. Alice had been here. I was surprised that she would even come near me.
I pulled it on reluctantly, the fashion pixie hadn't forgotten style even in her grief. I sat on the bed for a while, listening to the pump of music beneath me. I wondered who was playing it, and walked somberly down the stairs of the first floor. It was coming from Jasper and Alice's room. It wasn't something Alice usually listened to. I recognized it, after listening to it again outside their door, leaning against the wall. Placebo, running up that hill. If I only could make a deal with God, and get him to swap our places...
I thought back to last night. My wedding. I hadn't even thought of it properly since then, but I knew that I would have to now.
Emmett laughed, having forgotten to ask if anyone objected. I smiled at him sympathetically, letting him know I didn't care. He asked if anyone did object and I waited in silence. Then, all of the Cullens visibly stiffened, and turned to Jasper. I looked at Edward, frowning. What was going on?! I turned to Jasper myself, and he had an unbelievably guilty look on his face as he locked eyes with me. He cleared his throat.
"I object." The entire room gasped. His words sank in, and I tried to draw breath. Edward's fists were clenched together at his sides, his knuckles almost shining from the brilliant whiteness of bone protruding through his stretched skin. My breathing began to reach hyperventilation, the entire room silent.
"Oh." Emmett said, frowning. "What do I do, now?" Alice finally broke into sobs and ran out of the room, followed by Esme. I was fixed on Emmett's shoes, my shoulders violently shaking as I tried to control my erratic gasps of air. There was no oxygen in my lungs.
"I'm sorry." Jasper said, giving Emmett the rings before he began walking out of the room. Edward snarled something low to him that I couldn't catch, and by now the room wasn't silent anymore. Everyone was murmuring, their shock blatant. I turned, watching Jasper go. I shook as I watched him go, breathing deeply. When he reached the door, he turned back to me and Edward at the end of the aisle.
"I'm sorry." He mouthed to me, and I became aware that there were silent tears streaming down my face. With that, Jacob got up from his seat, and left the room too. My body started shaking, and I turned to Edward. His jaw was clenched, and his eyes were the deepest black as they bored into mine, reminding me of the hateful glare he'd given me when we'd first met in biology class.
"Um..." Emmett began, but I was unable to divert my attention from Edward's monstrous gaze. "I don't really know what to do, now." He sounded lost, unlike his usual sure self. "Jasper left the rings, so do you two want to continue?" He asked quietly, as the murmuring began to quieten down. Edward cocked his head to the side, snarling sarcastically to me as he narrowed his eyes.
"Well, do you, Bella?" I wiped the tears from my eyes.
"Only if you want to." I whispered, my voice trembling, betraying me. He turned to Emmett and nodded.
"Well, you've already done the vows." Emmett said. "So, if we do the rings?" I nodded, and pushed the ring onto Edward's hand once Emmett gave it to me.
"I love you." I said, looking up at his angry gaze. He pushed the ring onto my finger, but said nothing.
"You may now kiss the bride?" Emmett said, making it sound like a question. Edward nodded and kissed me, anger fueling it. A few people clapped briefly, and Edward let go of me. At that point, I should have been alerted by the growls from outside, but this didn't register until later. I smiled up at Edward timidly, hoping he'd return it. He didn't. He was focused past me, towards the door, concentrating on something out of my hearing.
We signed the papers, and then walked down the aisle together, stiffly holding hands. A few people tried to smile at us, but I knew they thought it was lost. We were officially husband and wife, despite previous incidents. I gripped his hand tightly, and he cradled mine in his softly until we got back into the preparation room, where Alice was sitting in a corner dry sobbing with Esme's arm around her, and Jasper and Jacob were staring each other down.
Edward let go of my hand, and turned to me. The anger was visible in his face, and I heard Carlisle turning the music on outside as our family and friends went to the reception.
"You slept with him." Edward said softly, barely containing his anger. I was terrified of him, more so than I had ever been. I backed slowly towards the closed door as he advanced.
I didn't know what to say to him. Did I lie? Or did I tell him what he already knew?
"Yes." I whispered, closing my eyes as the tears ran from them. A cold arm wound around my neck and I opened my eyes. It was Jasper.
"Don't you think you've done enough damage, leech?" Jacob sneered at him, flanking Edward. My body started shaking, and Jasper sent me a wave of calm, which I quickly shook off. I deserved this. I looked over at Alice in the corner, staring into space as Esme rubbed her arm. Rosalie stood next to her, a triumphant grin on her face. Jessica and Angela were huddled in the corner, curiosity and worry on either face.
"I'm so sorry Edward." I said, reaching out to him. He shook his head. I recoiled, the tears flowing faster. "Alice, I'm-"
She looked up, her eyes narrowed. "Don't even bother." She got up and walked from the room, and Angela and Jessica walked after her. I was glad that they had gone, hiding the secret would have been harder. Rose and Esme stayed, Esme sitting quietly while Rose's smirk grew more pronounced.
Jasper spoke up. "We didn't mean to do it, Edward. It was a lapse of judgment." I nodded vigorously, pleading to him with my eyes. But Edward's returning look was disparaging.
"If it was such a fucking lapse of judgment, then why the fuck are you thinking of it, now, Jasper?" I turned to Jasper, my eyebrows pulling together. "Yeah, thought so. She's my wife now. And you're still thinking about what you did to her." He was blaming Jasper for this? It was my fault. "What you two did," he took a deep breath, a look of disgust on his face, "was horrendous." I nodded, yearning to hold him. "It's something I'd say I could never forgive you for." I stole a glance at Jake and he was shaking his head at me slightly. It made me cry even more. "I will forgive you." I frowned at Edward, and reached out to him, touching his chest. "But not now." He flicked my hand away and walked back out the way that Alice had. I turned to Jasper, tears running down my face, forgetting Jacob was in the room, forgetting there was anyone other than us in the room.
"Why?" I whispered, my shoulders slumping. He shook his head, looking down.
"I don't know."
Jacob tapped me on the shoulder. "Sorry to drag you away from such a heart wrenching moment, but I need to speak with you." I nodded, ignoring his sarcastic tone.
He pushed Jasper out of the way, and pulled me roughly through the opposite door, away from Edward and Alice. He led me outside, to the gardens of the hotel. It was raining, and we ran out to the gazebo, sheltered and secluded.
He waited for me to speak, but I was at a loss for words. Eventually, I choked out, "It's good to see you, Jake." He raised his eyebrows.
"Not in this situation, Bella." He narrowed his eyes. "Though it's better than the one I saw, or should I say heard you in, last time." I frowned, closing my eyes, trying to calm myself.
"What?"
"I heard you and Jasper having sex." My eyes flew open.
"You what?!"
"I decided to go sniff around the Cullen house, see how you were doing. I figured your leeches wouldn't start a war because I'd broken the treaty. They're all too peaceful." I decided I wasn't in a position to shout at him for using such disparaging nicknames for my family, so I let him continue. "So I watched them go, and realized the calm one wasn't with them. He was with you." I nodded. "I had to hide when he brought you back from that meadow, but not on the way. He'd been too preoccupied with you that time. So then I got up enough courage to around to the front of the house later on, after you'd come back with him. Then I heard it." I looked down, choking back a sob. "I came to wish I didn't have good hearing. Then again, you were screaming so loud that maybe it was just my normal hearing." He said the last sentence with disgust. I began sobbing, and he put him warm arm around me awkwardly. "I thought I'd be the one to get the girl, not Edward." I rested my head on his chest, the warmth unfamiliar to me. "Little did I know there was a third wheel."
"It's all my fault." I gasped, choking a little.
"It's not all your fault, Bella. But it is your fault, somewhat." I nodded. He wasn't being hard on me, but I wasn't used to being told it was my fault. Even though it was.
"How did he find out?" I asked, whispering.
"I was shouting at Jasper about it, and about ruining the wedding...and Edward heard." I nodded. I thought I was going to be sick.
"Okay." I paused. "I hear you."
Jake frowned. "Bella, are you okay?"
"Not really." I whispered, getting up. "I think I'll go in, now." I paused, not wanting to hurt him as he stood up to join me. "On my own." He nodded, and I tried to glide gracefully down the steps, but I ended up tripping.
I didn't hit the floor; Jake was quicker, wrapping his burning arms around me.
"Thanks." I said, turning into his chest, unable to hold onto myself anymore. I crumpled in his arms, screaming into his chest. I hit him for all I was worth, unleashing my anger in the pouring rain. I didn't hurt him, he just tried shushing me, and stroking my hair.
"Oh." A soft voice said, from the direction of the hotel. "I see." I looked up to see Edward standing there, looking very lost. And angry.
"So my brother wasn't enough for you?!" He growled. "You've got to have that mutt too!?" He stormed off, and I wrenched myself from Jacob's arms to follow him.
Little did I know that the reception had been moved. I ran in, screaming and dripping wet, crying my eyes out.
"EDWARD, PLEA-" I paused, as the entire room turned to look at me. I gasped, mouth agape as the entire room silenced suddenly, the band stopping abruptly. I didn't know where to go. Jasper walked up to me, and wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me in the general direction of the exit.
Once I was out of the door, I started screaming again for Edward, not sure where he was. Jasper pulled my dripping hair back and whispered in my ear,
"He's with Alice in the back room." I nodded, ignoring the shivers his touch brought up in me, and ran to the back room, opening to reveal a still sobbing Alice with Angela and Jessica at her arm, a smug Rosalie next to a confused Emmett and an angry Edward. My mother, my father, Phil, Carlisle and Esme stood together in a huddle talking in hushed tones. My mother gasped when I ran in, messy and wet. Alice stood up first.
"BELLA, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO YOUR DRESS?" She ran up to me and started fluttering around it, mumbling that I'd ruined it. I sighed in relief, my sobs quieting a little. Maybe she didn't hate me. Then she stiffened abruptly, straightening up.
"I think its fine." She walked back to Angela and Jessica and sat back down. I burst into sobs again, running over to Edward, crushing myself to him.
"Bella, you're all wet." Edward objected flatly.
"I know, but please, Edward! PLEASE! I can't live without you, I don't want to, I want to stay with you forever, please forgive me!" He wrapped his arms around me stiffly.
"We can talk about this later. We better go."
"Where?" I asked, confused.
"On our honeymoon." I frowned up at him.
"We're still going?" He nodded, and turned to Carlisle. "We better get packing."
Renee stepped in. "We can talk about this on the phone later, but don't worry. You guys can all set off, I'll finish up here once everyone's gone." I nodded, and thanked her. "It's what a mother should do." She said simply. It hurt me a little, but I tried not to flinch. I was still crying, anyway.
We made our quick goodbyes and left, as I clung to Edward for dear life, sure he would leave again if I let go. When we all got out to the cars, Edward opened the door for me and I slid in. He closed the door behind me and walked away to the other car. I jumped out, quickly.
"Where are you going?!" He turned back to me, his eyes once again black.
"I can't ride with you. I think that'd be a better job for your favorite brother." He spat, turning away. I sunk back into the car and Jasper got into the drivers seat, while Rose got into the back with me.
As we drove back to the house, I turned to her.
"Are you happy, now?" My voice was a little high and croaky, hysteria and tears fueling it. She turned to me, an almighty grin on her breathtaking face.
"You have no idea."
"Shut it, Rose." Jasper snarled, the wheels screeching as we turned into Forks. We'd be home soon. Now was not the time to go to Denali.
"What do you even know Jasper, you don't know what we're talking about." She retaliated.
"Actually, I do. Bella told me. So just shut it, it's not the time." That did shut her up, and we drove in complete silence, apart from my mangled sobs, back to the Cullen home.
When we got in through the door, Edward and the family were already there, arguing. I ran up to him, staggering, hoping that he would take me in his arms, forgive me. Do anything. But he didn't.
"Bella?" I was yanked out of my memories by Jasper's voice above me. I opened my eyes and there he stood, looking no better than myself.
"Sorry, Jasper. I was just..."
He shook his head. "It's okay."
"Where are they?" I asked, unable to contain myself.
"They've got to set up the new house."
I frowned. "In Denali?"
He shook his head again sympathetically. "No, we're moving to the UK."
"They've gone to the UK?!" I screeched, unbelieving.
"Yes, to Wales, this little town called Llanrhidian." I had no idea what he was talking about. It was like pig latin.
"Where is that?! What is that?!" My head whirled. We were moving to the UK?! I'd never been anywhere out of the US. And the Cullen family were already there? How were they there so quickly?
"It's in Swansea. That's in Wales."
"Oh. When will they be back?" He slid down the wall and sat down next to me, putting his arm around me.
"I don't know, Bella. They said I've got to take you to Alaska. We'll stay there until the house is done."
"Oh." I said, nodding infinitesimally. "Do Tanya and everyone mind that I'm coming?" They had been at the wedding, after all.
"Well, I'll be there so you'll be fine. It'll be fine, Bella. They'll forgive us." I nodded, not really seeing it. "We better start, Bella."
"Okay." I didn't move. Jasper waited.
"Bella, are you going to get up?"
"Do I have to?" I whimpered, resting my head on his shoulder.
"It'll get better, Bella." He said, stroking my hair.
"What if it doesn't though Jazz?" I cried, nearly in hysterics again. "What if Rose is right?! What if we've lost them?!"
"We haven't lost them, Bella." Jasper whispered into my hair, making me shiver.
"You can't know that." I said, pulling myself up with him. He hugged me briefly before we went back to our rooms, and he spoke so quietly that I wasn't sure if I'd even heard it.
"You're right. I don't know that."
I like being back in the game, I think! You know the drill, review please!