EPOV

The night of the party was a disaster. Well, I thought so anyway. After the revelation of Renee's future plans for Bella, Bella decided to lock herself up in her room leaving me alone in the gazebo or to mingle with the guests. Fuck. I don't even know anyone here. She was so upset and needed time alone and as much as I wanted to comfort her, she had requested for me to give her some time to herself.

I couldn't help but feel the anger and hatred for Renee at that moment. The fact that she would marry her only daughter off to someone Bella barely knew for money was beyond me! Renee has totally finally lost it! It's not like Renee nor Bella needed the money or that Bella needed to marry for money. Our family has as much money, if not probably even more than anyone I knew. Yet I can't help but wonder why and what could be the reason behind all this looney-ward-earning scheme of hers?

My mind couldn't wrap around the idea of seeing or even thinking of Bella dating another guy, worst being married to someone else! I love her so much. More than I have ever loved anyone or would love anyone. I need her like I need air to breath and there's no way I would allow Renee to take my Bella away from me.

But what can I do? How can I fight for her without making the situation more difficult and complicated than it already is? How much longer do I have to prepare myself and Bella with what we'll have to face in order to keep our love? I'm barely only 18 and so is Bella.

Worst comes to worst, I can take Bella away as soon as we graduate from high school. I'm not sure how I will support her but fuck if I didn't try and do whatever I can to make this work for us.

I decided after a couple of hours to check on Bella. As I headed up to her room, I spotted Renee with that kid James looking around, I'm sure for Bella.

"Oh, there you are, Edward." Renee called out to me with James on her tail.

"What's up, Auntie Renee?"

"James here is looking for Bella, do you happen to know where she is?"

I glared at James and my hand twitched to punch him right on his fucking pretty face but held back.

"No, I haven't seen her. I'm sure she's just around here somewhere." Giving the sweetest smile I could muster for Renee and a scowl towards James when she wasn't looking, James just sizing me up in return.

"Hmm, ok sweetie. If you see her would you let her know that James is looking for her?"

"Sure." Ha! When hell fucking freezes over! I wouldn't hold my breath if I was that fucker.

When I was sure the coast was clear I bounded up towards the stairs to Bella's room.

I turned her doorknob but it was locked. "Bella..?" I called out through her door softly.

"Bella, it's me, would you open the door?"

No answer.

"Bella… please.."

Suddenly the door opened slowly to reveal Bella's beautiful face. She looked like a lost puppy and it took everything I had to not pick her up and take her away from this Twilight Zone we both lived in.

She stepped aside and allowed me to enter and closed the door shut. I couldn't help it, I all but grabbed her and held her close in my arms. I wanted her to know I would never let anyone harm her or hurt her in anyway.

"Are you ok, love?"

She sighed and she wrapped her arms around my waist, burying her face in my chest. "I don't know what's going on or why Renee is doing this?"

I pulled slightly away from her so I can look her in the eye as I cradled her face in my hands. "Do you really think I would let her just marry you off to some fucker without a fight?!?"

She looked at me intently as if searching for something.

"Bella, for years since we left this place, I've wanted you back. Even as a little boy, from 3000 miles away, all I can think of was you. How much I wanted you, to be near you. Somehow I was drawn to you, even as young as I was. I didn't know what it is and still don't know why I'm feeling this way, but I do. And now that you're back in my life, feeling the way I'm feeling, I will do everything I can to be with you. But.. I need to know something…"

I softly squeezed the sides of her beautiful face running my thumb across her cheek as I looked deep in her eyes. I need to know. I had to know.

Her gaze didn't falter as she waited for me to continue.

"Would you.. would you want to be with me? I.. I.. I mean, I know this is really crazy. I know it's hard. I'm scared about what I'm feeling… but I feel it and I can't stop. I don't want to stop. But I want you to know that I will fight for us and find whatever fucking way I can to be with you… Do you want me, Bella? Would you be with me?"

Fuck! I'm so scared shitless right now not knowing if she wants me too the way that I want her. Please want me. Please want me. Fuck. Please want me.

Bella furrowed her brow and looked down. My heart was beating so hard I could hear it drumming loudly in my ears.

"I love you, Bella.." I whispered tilting her face up to look at me.

She finally looked straight into my eyes and a ghost of a smile grazed her lips. "Yes, Edward, I-I think.. I do… but you have to be patient with me as I'm scared too. Probably more than you…and I don't know how this.."

Whew! I let out the breath I didn't even know I was fucking holding. I pulled her flushed to my body, holding her as close as I can.

"You don't have to say anymore, baby, that's all I need to know." I said softly not allowing her to finish as I kissed her forehead.

"I'll find a way… I'll figure it out.." I said with conviction. Barely in a whisper, not sure if I was saying it to her or to myself. "…we'll take it one day at a time."

We spent the rest of the night in the safe haven of her room, if only to avoid anymore encounters with looney Renee or in my case, any opportunity for pretty-boy to have any time with Bella. Lucky for us neither Renee nor James sought Bella out anymore for the rest of the night and we were left in peace.

2 days after the party, Renee, Esme, Bella and I were finally headed to Sea-Tac for our flight to New York. Charlie was to follow within a few days having to stay behind to finish off business related matters.

The flight was uneventful except for the fact that Bella and I were seated together a few rows down from Renee and Esme, giving us enough space away from their watchful eyes and allowing me to be able to hold Bella, in un-cousinly-way, as much as I want to.

Bella slept for the most part of the flight and I kept her in my arms throughout, either that or I had to have some form of skin to skin contact every and any chance I get. I couldn't keep my hands from touching her or keeping her close to me. Jesus! I was starting to feel like a fucking pervert! But it was driving me crazy if she's not close enough to me. I was so close to bordering obsession, if I'm not already there, when it came to Bella and yet I couldn't make myself stop.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We are now approaching JFK International Airport and we will be landing shortly. In behalf of Delta Airlines, we would like to thank you for flying with us. We hope you have enjoyed your flight. Flight attendants, prepare for landing."

We're home. Bella and I are finally home.

BPOV

"Bella, the movers are here. I'll put away your stuff in your room just let me know if there's anything or any special way you want me to put certain things away for you." Maria said as I heard the movers pulling up outside of our new Brownstone home.

"Thanks, Maria, just leave the boxes that says "personal" and I'll take care of those, the rest you can take care of. Is Renee home?"

"No, sweetie, I think she's having a lunch meeting with some of her friends. I'm sure she won't be home until late tonight. Aren't you and Edward supposed to be hanging out with friends today?"

We've been in NY for a few days now and although most of the furniture have already been delivered, our personal stuff from Forks is just now getting here.

We live in a gorgeous neighborhood in the upper Westside of Manhattan overlooking the river. Edward, who has never left my side since we arrived, lives next door in almost a similar Brownstone home.

Esme and Renee has been so busy decorating and picking out furniture and I have been trying to settle in my new home.

Today Edward is bringing me to hang out with his friends so we're meeting them for dinner and maybe go to a bar or lounge after.

"Yeah, he's introducing me to his friends. We're hanging out tonight." I said as I settled on the bar stool at the kitchen counter. Maria's cooking is one of my favorites and today she made me my favorite, Mushroom Ravioli. "Do you need me to prepare the salad?"

"No, honey, it's all done. But you can go ahead and take it out of the frig. Lunch is almost ready."

I stood up to go to the refrigerator and get the salad.

"Honey, I'm hooome!" I giggled. Took him long enough. I thought to myself.

"I don't know how that boy always knows when there's food around?" Maria chuckled shaking her head as Edward walked in to the kitchen.

"Mmm, Maria, that smells good! Why can't Susan be a good cook like you? Maybe you can teach her a thing or two?" Edward commented, wiggling his brow to Maria then turned to me and kissed me on the top of my head.

"Hello, baby.. you excited for tonight?"

"Hey you, yeah, looking forward to meeting your friends." I said grinning up at him as he settled himself on the seat next to me.

"Good, cuz they're excited to finally meet my beautiful girl." He said with a wink and a crooked smile, brushing some hair away from my face and tucking it behind my ear.

I looked up then only to find Maria watching us intently with a faint smile on her lips. I looked at her pointedly while she gave each of us our plate of food but neither of us said anything.

Lunch was delicious and Edward and I decided to help out with the boxes and stuff that the movers were bringing in after we finished our meal.

Edward helped me put away some of my stuff in my room, leaving the bigger stuff for Maria to take care of in her insistence.

By the time we got done it was almost 7 o'clock and time to get ready for our night out. Edward headed for home to get ready and by 7:45 he was back in a faded distressed jeans that sits low on his waist and a navy blue button down shirt. His hair in its usual messy un-manageable style. He looks perfect.

"Ready, baby?"

I nodded. "Let me just grab my purse then we can go." I said as I grabbed my cell phone and purse from the coffee table.

I decided to dress comfortably in my low-rise distressed jeans, a soft satin and lace rose cami and a vintage cardigan with a broach embedded in rhinestones and diamonds. Instead of flats, I settled with a sexy strappy 2-inch heeled sandals, showing off my French-polished toe nails.

We stepped out of the house and once we were far enough away, Edward took my hand in his and pulled me closer. "You look so beautiful, Bella." He said softly and kissed me on my head, breathing in my scent in the process.

I smiled and squeezed his hand to show him I appreciated his compliment. He always made me feel so beautiful.

Edward hailed a cab when we got to the corner from my house and gave the driver the address.

It's what I love about NYC, cabs and subways are the way to go. I hardly ever needed to use my car since we got here unless we have to go outside of the city which at this point we haven't had a need to yet.

The night was nice, warm and perfect, the streets glittered as if embedded with diamonds and the city was in full swing on a Friday night.

The cab stopped in front of a small but trendy restaurant called Frank. The exterior was simple with outdoor seating area surrounded by white picket fence and covered by a canopy. The interior is very cozy with brick walls, dim lights and candles on each table. Inside the walls were decorated with picture frames and snap shots of people, which I can only assume are either the patrons' or the owner's photos. I will have to ask Edward what all these photos were all about later.

As we turned around the corner, Edward headed towards 2 sets of tables pushed together with a group of people already sitting and chatting in it. There were 3 girls and 3 guys and once they saw Edward, they started waving us their way.

"Edward, sweetie! I've missed you!" A strawberry blonde girl practically jumped out of her seat to throw herself at him, I had to take a step back to give them room and to avoid her from knocking me over. What the..?!?

Edward turned to look at me apologizing with his eyes and when he noticed my frown, he quickly tried to push her away from him.

"U-uh, hey, Tanya.." Edward pried her arms off his neck as she desperately clung to him. It was obvious that Edward was uncomfortable with all the attention this stupid Tanya girl was giving him.

"Hey guys!" A big bear of a man greeted us reaching out to shake my hand, "I'm Emmett, you must be Edward's cousin?"

I turned to him and smiled, reaching out my hand to meet his, "Hi, Emmet, yes, it's Bella. Nice to meet you."

Edward then turned to me to take my arm, pulled out my chair and help me settle in my seat next to him.

"Everyone, this is Bella. Bella this is Tanya.." Sitting to his left. Bitch. ".. Rosalie, Emmett's girlfriend…" He gestured towards the beautiful blonde girl sitting across from Tanya. "…that's Alice and her boyfriend, Peter.."

"Hi, Alice, Peter." I smiled at the tiny pixie-like girl and the blond guy next to her sitting across from me. "Hi, Bella! So nice to finally meet you." She said as she took my hand for a shake.

"Hi, Bella, welcome to NY, sugar." Peter greeted. His hazel eyes twinkling as he smiled showing off two dimples on his cheeks.

"… and this guy next to you is Jasper…"

I turned to my right to find a beautiful man with dirty-blonde shaggy hair. His stunning eyes a mixture of blue and gray, not quite blue but not quite gray either, I've never seen anything like it. His hair was somewhat of a mess as if he didn't have a care in the world to fix or comb it with one side tucked behind his ear, it makes him look so sexy and ragged, like a Marlboro with a twist of Abercombrie model combined. He was wearing a worn out, distressed jeans and long sleeved gray shirt that clung to his body just enough to show off his tight muscles. I couldn't help but blush and feel so insecure all of a sudden. Dammit! Why do I have to sit next to this friggin beautiful man! Now I'll be stuck having to converse with him. Knowing me, I'd probably say something stupid or idiotic.

"Hi, Jasper…" I said with a smile, "nice to meet you." I couldn't hold his gaze and had to look down before I lost it completely.

"Hi, beautiful.. I can't believe Edward has never brought you out here all this time?" Jasper reached out for my hand as he placed a soft kiss on my knuckles.

I couldn't help but giggle and look into his eyes feeling amused. Whoa! Is he flirting with me? Me?!?! Holy cow!

"Uh-hmm…" Edward cleared his throat and put his arm around my shoulder to get my attention. I turned to look at Edward and realized that he was glaring at Jasper.

Jasper just chuckled and let go of my hand but kept his body turned towards me the whole time.

I couldn't help but feel self-conscious and wished that I could switch seats with Emmet who was sitting on the other far corner of the table.

"Jasper. Don't." Edward said through gritted teeth. "What?!?" Jasper responded innocently.

This is going to be a long night…

I turned to look at Edward and squeezed his thigh discretely, willing him to behave.

"So Bella, how do you like NY so far?" Alice asked playfully.

"Oh, I love it. It's been great!" I responded, liking this Alice girl already.

"I'm sure you'll love living the city life, sugar." I looked at Peter and couldn't help but wonder if he and Jasper were related. They resemble each other with the exception of their hair. Jasper's is a bit longer reaching down almost to his jaw and Peter's is shorter, almost clean cut and slightly darker in shade. They both even have the same slight southern accent.

"I'm really looking forward to living here. Um, are you and Jasper related?" I asked, looking at both he and Jasper simultaneously.

Both boys chuckled. "You are very perceptive, darlin…" Jasper responded, "yes, we are, twins actually."

"Oh, I figured you two were related somehow."

"So, has Edward here taken you around yet?" I turned to Jasper again as he asked his question. "Uh, we actually haven't had the time yet since I'm still trying to get settled in."

He winked and gave me his version of the crooked smile. I couldn't help but notice how amazingly attractive Jasper is, the slight clef on his chin adding an extra bonus to his already beautiful face.

"That's great. Can I give you a tour of the city then, darlin? Maybe even see some Broadway shows?"

"Uh yeah, sure. I-I guess. That sounds like fun." I answered but it came out sounding more like a question. You're such an idiot. What are you doing? Edward is not going to like that you're encouraging his friend, stupid.

"Jasper, can I talk to you for a minute?" Edward said, again through clenched teeth, as he started to get up and gesturing Jasper to follow him.

Edward leaned over before getting up to whisper in my ear, "I'll be right back, baby. I'll miss you."

"Sure. I'll be back in a minute, darlin." Jasper addressing me then before following Edward.

"Ugh! Come the fuck on, man!" Edward sounding aggravated. I couldn't help but hold back a chuckle at Edward's reaction to Jasper's flirtations. Now you're in trouble, stupid.

"Oohhh… Jazzy's in trouble…" Emmet sing-songed and egging on the already awkward situation, earning him a glare from Edward and giggles from the girls.

As the boys left the room, everyone started chatting, making me feel welcomed and getting on the topic of school and fun things to do in the city.

EPOV

I can't fucking believe this! My fucking bestfriend, hitting on Bella! I swear Jasper is like a brother to me, but he better know that Bella is off-fucking limits! Brother or no brother, I won't think twice kicking his Texan ass to fucking oblivion!

And here I thought I have enough problems with looney Renee's shit, now I have to deal with trying to keep my bestfriend away from my Bella too. That's right! My Bella, dammit! Why can't these fuckers just leave her the fuck alone?!? Life would be so much fucking easier if all these douche were away from Bella!

What the hell?!? Is that Tanya's hand? I looked at Tanya pointedly then down to my thigh where her filthy paw were slowly making it's way up, squeezing it along the way.

I took her hand and pushed it away, trying so hard not to embarrass her. Jesus, every fucking time this woman is with us, she just couldn't keep her hands to herself. I don't fucking understand why the gang just won't tell her to stop tagging along?

Tanya and I dated a year ago, thinking it would be a good distraction, but instead I just made it worst for myself, earning me a fucking obsessed-stalker. When I finally ended it after a couple of dates, I thought that was it. But noooo, she just couldn't take the fucking hint and has become more aggressive!

I feel like a ping-pong ball trying to keep this bitch off of me on one side and keeping my fucking bestfriend away from Bella on the other. Sigh.

"That's great. Can I give you a tour of the city then, darlin? Maybe even see some Broadway shows?" What the..?!? Did he just asked Bella out on a fucking date?!? In front of everyone?!? In front of me?!? Hell no, Jasper!

Ugh! This bitch is going to get punched in the face if she doesn't stop touching me!

I had to talk to this dude and set him the fuck straight and get away from Tanya the leech even if just for a moment. This is not fucking happening!

I asked him to have a word with me and to follow me outside.

"What's up, brother?" Jasper asked sticking his hands in his pockets as we stepped outside of the restaurant. I ran my hands through my fuck-messed of a hair, trying to figure out a way to tell him to lay off Bella without sounding like a jealous possessive boyfriend but playing it off as an innocent over-protective cousin.

"Look, Jazz. Are you hitting on Bella?" Well, duh! Of course he's fucking hitting on her!

Jasper's eyes twinkled and smiled softly. He looked down as if he was contemplating on something. "Edward, she's amazingly beautiful and so fucking sweet, and.. well, yeah. I guess I am. I want to get to know her, man.." He looked up then as if gauging my reaction.

I took in a deep breath, trying to figure the fuck out how to tell him to stop his stupid notion of trying to get with Bella!

"Look, Edward, I understand she's your cousin, so don't worry. I'll be good. I promise." He added, like that would ease the shit out of me trying to beat his fucking slicked-oiled-Texan ass.

"Jazz, man, it's just… she's my cousin, bro. This is just..too complicated, you know?" I said trying to make my point across. Shit, what the hell am I going to say, "Hey dude, lay the fuck off because she's taken already. I'm going to marry her and we're going to ride off into the sunset once I figure out how I can marry my own cousin." Yeah right. That would go fucking well! Instead I opted with, "Tell you what…you can have anyone, even fucking Tanya, dude! Really, anyone but her."

Jasper guffawed, almost falling on his ass, "Are you fucking.. shitting.. me?!?.. Tan.. Tanya?!?" And more laughter… "Hell..no.." laughs, giggles even.. "No.. fucking… way, dude!".. more laughs, the motherfucker is actually giggling like a fucking pansy now and starting to attract attention. "Eww! Hell fucking no, bro!"

I shoved his shoulders willing him to stop his fucking giddiness. "Jasper.." I warned.

"No, man, I don't fuckin want Tanya! I want Bella! Are you crazy?!?..." Jasper tried to stop laughing… "Let me ask you this, if you weren't cousins with Bella and you have a choice between Tan-skank-ya or Bella-licious, who would you fucking pick?!?"

"Shut the fuck up, man! Don't call Bella that, asshole!" He was really trying to test my fucking patience now. Only I get to call Bella that, jerkoff.

Finally he stopped laughing, squared his shoulders and looked me straight in the eye, "Edward, I love you like a brother, you know that, so you should know I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize our friendship. Bella will be safe with me. I won't do anything to hurt her. Like I said, I'll be good, a total gentleman… I really like her. There's just something special about her, besides, she already said yes."

Ugh! I wanted nothing more than to bitch-slap that smug smile off his fucking face!

He's fucking right though, she did said yes! What the fuck was that all about, by the way?!?

Trying to keep Tanya's filthy fucking paw off of me made me forget that she did fucking agree to him taking her out. I will have to have a little talk with that girl. Did she hit her head or something and forgot about me all of a sudden? What the hell?!?

Now what? What am I supposed to tell Jasper now? Bella agreeing to go out with him doesn't really give me enough room for argument. Fucking fine then! I will just have to find a way to come along with them. Ha! Take that! We'll see who's giggling when the three of us are all watching Billy Elliot with a fucking popcorn in my hand.

"Fine. Just remember who you're fucking dealing with. And keep. Your. Hands. To. Yourself. Got that, fucker?!? Otherwise, I won't think twice beating your oily-ass back to fucking Texas."

Jasper just chuckled and slapped me on the back as he pushed me back inside the restaurant. "Yeah, yeah. Stop with the threats already, I might piss my fucking pants."

I can't fucking believe this is happening to me.

Time and time again, the difficulty of my situation with Bella keeps proving itself to me like a fucking tick that would never go away. I always knew how hard it would be for us, I knew boys from school will be flocking to her like flies but not once did I take into consideration that my own fucking bestfriend would be one of those flies, a horsefly is more fucking like it! Other boys I can handle, but Jasper? He will be the biggest bug I will most likely have to fucking swat away from Bella. Fuck!

I just pray that Bella won't fall for his Texan-fucking-charm like every fucking women do quite so often.

"Hey, darlin, miss me?"

Oh come the fuck on!!

"Jasper, knock it the fuck off already.." I said warningly in a low voice. Unfortunately, my menacing tone doesn't seem to be doing anything to the fucker as he tries to charm my love.

This is going to be a long fucking night.