So there's really nothing other to say than I'm so freaking sorry. RL was
cruel then it got better and went on this ridiculous rollercoaster of good and bad. During
that time, I lost sight of writing. I didn't have time.

But I AM back! And I'm giving you this chapter that's been sitting in my inbox for over a month.

So much thanks goes to JandMsMommy and Pkmarita for beta'ing and pre-reading this. Also, for sticking
by when I didn't even know if I would carry on or not.

Do enjoy and check out the playlist as you read!

CHAPTER 5- Plans

*BPOV*

I helped Alice carry the groceries in, following behind her and Jasper. It wasn't a bad thing, having to walk behind him. He was cute, adorable even, and had a nice butt. He was exceptionally good looking to have come from Forks. Most of the guys now didn't really take any pride in their looks, so they all looked like bums.

Which is why I loved the Cullens and anyone who was around them. They always wanted to look presentable to others, and they always were. Even Jake was a rarity. He would come home from work, take a bath, change, and then run any errands he had. Never once allowing anyone to see him dirty – with the exception of me – but I most certainly did not mind.

"Okay, Jasper, go get the grill started," Alice sang. "Bella, you come here and wrap these potatoes."

"Okay, love," was all that Jasper said. He was not only cute, but had the respect for women like an old timer.

Alice was his world and he didn't hesitate to tell anyone.

I padded over to the counter where she had laid out six russet potatoes and giggled.

"What? What is it Bella?" she mused.

"Nothing really. I was just thinking about the type of potatoes these are and how I've always said Jake had russet colored skin, yet he looks nothing like them."

"Wow. Okay, Bella. You are losing it." She slapped me on the shoulder and turned to the steaks.

She lifted the bowl that she had mixed her spices in over the steaks and shook it, gingerly coating each one perfectly. I wrapped each potato, laid them in the pan, and stuck them in the oven.

Alice rolled the head of lettuce over at me as she pulled out the tomatoes. Apparently, while at the store, Alice had decided on having a salad with dinner – which of course I didn't mind.

After the salad was prepared, Jasper came in for the steaks. "You know, I didn't say one damn word to ya' munchkin on my way in," he chuckled as he pulled me in for a hug.

I pushed him away and punched him. "No you didn't, asshole." Both he and Alice looked at me in bewilderment.

I shrugged. "What?"

"Did you just…did you just say 'asshole'?" Alice giggled.

"Yeah, honey, I think she did," Jasper said as he jabbed me in the side.

"So what; it's not that bad of a word," I pointed.

All three of us doubled over laughing.

"Bella?" Alice smirked.

"Yep?"

"Maybe Jake isn't the hero I thought he was."

I poked her in her arm and she swatted my hand away.

"It's not him. It's the boys. They've never had a 'nice' mouth," I said sternly.

Jasper threw his arm around me, pulled me close tightly and whispered. "Bella, no one in here cares. We're just aggravating the shit outta ya! Jeesh, relax, love."

I scrunched up my nose, walked to the table and stared into oblivion. I whipped around and was met by the eyes of my overprotective friends. "I am relaxed."

I grabbed the wine off the table, popped the cork, and took an excessive swig. Still staring at me, I released the most awkward and quirky smile, making both of them burst into another fit of laughter.

I don't know who you think you are

But before the night is through

I wanna do bad things with you

The song that was screaming from my pocket caused each of us to stop and just stare at each other. I felt the blush creep up my chest, cover my face and make the tips of my ears burn. I reached in my pocket just in time to answer it before it went to voicemail. "Hello?"

"Hey," my scruffy man said on the other end. "I'm on the way. Don't start without me."

I looked up and had to immediately cover my mouth to keep from laughing.

Over in the corner, by the fridge, Alice had Jasper pushed up against the counter. Her leg swung around his hip, her hands tangled in the collar of his shirt and she was singing Bad Things, my ringtone, to Jasper.

I quirked an eyebrow and she swung her head back and began singing it to me.

"Umm…o-okay. We'll…hahaha…we'll be here," I stammered, barely curbing the urge.

"Oh, Jakey, Bella wants to do bad-"

I threw my hand over Alice's mouth.

Shut it, I mouthed.

"What was that?" he probed.

"Nothing. Alice has just taken one too many gulps from the wine."

"Oh, tell her to lay off. It's not good for shorties to drink so much all the time."

"I have," I joked.

"Later."

"Yep."

I hung up and killed Alice with my stare.

She clutched her chest, danced over to Jasper and hid behind him. "Oh dear, do save me from that dreadful beast."

Both Jasper and I put up our fists and I challenged him. "Dare you, punk."

"Bring it on, shr-"

"Jasper, my knight?" Alice interrupted.

"What? I'm saving you."

"Where are the steaks?"

"They're rig-"

"Yeah, behind me. Go put them on! I aught to beat you."

He looked at me and pushed out his lower lip.

"No worries, Jazz, I'll save you this time," I chortled.

He walked out the door, steaks in tow, and left Alice and I to finish everything.

About an hour later, the steaks were done, and the table was set. Each of us took our place and waited on my love. I could hear his beat up Rabbit as it made it's way into the lot. I giggled to myself a bit over how much 'in love' with it he was.

I hated it.

Sure, it had some sentimental value, but other than that, I doubt you could pay someone to take it.

I heard a knock and about screamed for him to come in, but I wanted just a moment with him alone before we were all together.

Running to the door, I tripped over my own feet several times. I opened it and was met by the most gorgeous smile. "Hey, baby," he whispered.

I reached up, wrapped my arms around him, and he picked me up, lifting me the rest of the way. Our faces were level with one another, so I smashed my lips against his. His warmth was something I found incomparable. One kiss from him warmed each and every miniscule bone in my body.

After a minute or two of hiding in the hall, I forced myself to drag him into the dining area.

"Hey, Jacob," Alice squealed as she ran over to him.

"What's up, man," Jasper nodded.

Jacob pulled Alice into a big bear hug, popping her back while he was at it. She loved that he could do that, but I…I found it unnerving. I sat down, pulled his chair next to mine, and planted another kiss on his cheek when he sat down.

"Oh man, guys, this looks good as hell," he groaned.

"Each of us did something," Alice giggled.

"Well, it looks fantastic," he answered, poking her in the side.

"We only did it so you'd get stuck with the dishes," I said, cutting my steak.

"I wouldn't doubt that, love."

We pretty much ate in silence after that, only speaking when we asked someone to pass us something.

Once dinner was over, Jake and I cleared the table. "The dishes can wait," I instructed.

He shrugged. "You sure?"

"Yeah, this way we can all hang out and make the most of our time."

We walked into the living room, catching Alice and Jasper in the middle of one of their 'love fests'. Jasper got up, retrieved two beers, two wine glasses, and the wine from the kitchen. He handed a beer to Jake and the wine and glasses to Alice.

She poured the two of us one, and we all sat in silence a while longer. I looked around the room and was pleased at what I saw. I wasn't alone like I had thought earlier. I would never be alone. I was surrounded by people who loved me more than anything, and I knew they always would.

"Hey, Jazz," Alice chirped.

"Uh-huh?"

"We need dessert," she stated, then turned to look at me. "Bella, why don't you and Jazz go get something."

I looked at her. I thought she was losing her mind.

"Hey that sounds good," Jasper piped up. "Come on Bells. You and I haven't been out alone in ages. It could be fun," he said, winking.

"You know what, Jazz? I think you are right. Just the two of us. Alone. With no Alice. How perfect does that sound," I crooned.

We both stood, and my knees began to shake. I knew exactly why she wanted us out. She was going to talk to Jacob.

Without me.

Gulp.

*APOV*

I made sure that Bella and Jasper were in the car and backing up out of the parking spot before I spoke up to a bemused Jacob.

"We," I motioned my hand between us. "We need to talk."

He sat up, straightening his shirt and running his hand through his hair. "Okay."

"It's nothing too major, you know. Just the typical, Alice stuff. You sure Bella didn't warn you?" I said, quirking an eyebrow.

"Nope. Nothing."

"Okay then, that's good, because she can't know what we're talking about."

"Then I think you should hurry. You know how she hates the grocery store unless she's the one doing the prepping."

"Fine, fine. Let's see, her birthday is next month – you did remember, didn't you?"

He nodded. "How could I forget, Alice? I've been looking for something just right for her for months now."

"Good, good. Well, I wanna throw her a party. What do you think?"

"Eh…Al, you know-"

"I know, but still, I want to do it. She's turning twenty-one, Jake. It's a big deal. And, I know she's not big on the whole club scene, so I thought it'd be nice."

"Okay, but simple."

"Oh, Jake," I said, barreling over and tackling him. "I'm so-"

"Alice, I said simple. Don't forget that!" he said sternly.

"I know. I promise. Nothing like graduation. Just a few friends, the fam, and of course you," I said, batting at his enormous shoulder.

"Is that it?" he said, cocking his head to the side.

"Yep."

I raised myself up off of his lap and walked to the kitchen to pour myself more the way, I thought of something and swung my head to the side. "Oh, Jake?"

"Yes."

"If you need help with that gift, let me know."

"I'm good. Nothing major yet," he stretched.

I poured the wine and went out on the back patio that overlooked the woods. It wasn't something unusual to see in Forks, but something about where Bella's apartment was located, it looked even more magnificent. When she first moved here, I envied her because of its splendor.

My flat had nothing of the sort. Mine towered over the woods, the windows merely catching a glimpse of the treetops. But, I loved my flat because it was mine, much like this was hers.

I heard deep breathing behind me and shot a sideways glance to get a view of the known culprit.

It was Jacob.

"You really love her, don't you?" I turned to get a better look at his reaction and was met with wondering and amused eyes.

"Yeah," he breathed. "More than anything." He turned to look at me, smiling his rembrandt smile.

"You better."

"And if I didn't?" he chuckled.

"Let's just say, you'd be unfortunately lonely the rest of your life."

"How so?"

"Well, I'd remove any and every organ involved with your…ahem…'mini J' making satisfying a woman sexually impossible, therefore drastically reducing your chances to ever procreate, meaning you'd be alone for….virtually forever," I cooed.

"Nicely put." He laid one of his enormous bear-like hands on my shoulder as we watched the sun set over the vast greenery beyond us.

*JPOV*

Jasper and Bella returned with an enormous key lime pie from the local bakery and each of us scarffed down our shares. Well Jasper and I more than the girls.

My mind went over the earlier conversation with Alice as we ate. I, personally, couldn't wait until Bella's birthday because she deserved it. She deserved to be surrounded by everyone who loved and treasured her.

I decided that I desperately needed to get my ass in gear and find her a gift worthy of her. Only problem is, Bella hates gifts. Unless they are homemade-you know, from the heart. I would talk to some of the guys on the rez for a few ideas.

Maybe I could make her another charm to go with the one I had given her for graduation. It was a small wolf-a symbol of my people-but was intricately done.

It had taken me months to get it just right. Just right for Bella. It had to be beautiful, much like her.

After a few hours – and several boring movies later – Jasper was ready to go home and watch his "manly" shows.

"It's been fun, ladies, but this crap," he gestured toward the t.v. "It's all a bit much for my testosterone levels."

I nodded in agreement. "Definitely. Too bad you get to relieve yourself," I joked.

"Well, Jake, you and Jasper could have a sleepover at his place. You don't have to stay here," Alice poked fun at the comments.

"Well, little bit, I don't think that's for you to decide," Jasper interrupted.

Alice, as immature as always, stuck out her tongue and followed him out the front door.

I wrapped my arms around Bella's waist and pulled her into a tight hug. "I love you."

She looked up, smiling, and cupped my face between her hands. "I the same, love."

I gently lowered my lips to hers, and pressed lightly.

There, in my arms, was the most wonderful being in all the world, and she chose me.

Of all the places she could go and people she could meet, she chose to stay with me and love me forever. Of every other person she could mean the world to, she chose to mean it to me.

My world stood before me.

The past having no true meaning to me and the future as open as any field was looking brighter and brighter by the minute. I needed to let this woman know what she means to me and how she'll only mean more each day.

I pulled my lips away, moved my head beside hers, and took a deep breath, encompassing myself in her smell.

"Later," I whispered. "I want to talk to you."

She pulled her head away rapidly and worry creased her brow.

"Don't worry. It's not bad." I smiled and pulled her close to me.

It was only something she needed to hear and know. Something that would help us survive.

Leave me love and I'll have the next chapter out (hopefully) next week!