Bella's POV:

I knew that my engagement party wasn't going to be smooth sailing, but I had no idea it was going to be so hard. Last night we lost Ace, one of my dearest friends, one of the members of the Cobras. But what's worse is he was the love of my cousin Marni's life and just like that, he's gone.

Shortly after the paramedics arrived they pronounced him dead and took his body away. Now, rather than plan a wedding, we're planning a funeral and I just don't know how Marni is going to cope.

Whilst she'd never put a title on what her and Ace were, he loved her and he always treated her as if they were together. She was never just sex to him, he often told her he loved her, even though she never said it back. But she does and she did always love him, that much was always obvious.

Sitting in the living room of Enzo and Mia's (Marni's parents) home, I look around at everyone who are still sitting with blank expressions. It's been less than twenty four hours, but it feels like it's been a second.

Standing to my feet, I make my way up the stairs and to Marni's room. I knock on the door and push it open. I find her curled up on her bed, tears streaming down her cheeks, as she clutches a photo of her and Ace.

I make my way in quietly and sit down on the bed and I rub her back gently.

She rolls over and wipes her tears. "Hey."

"Hi honey," I give her a soft, sympathetic smile.

"Where's Jex?" She looks behind me.

"He's working with the Vipers, trying his hardest to find out who is responsible for what happened."

"Is he still blaming himself?"

I nod my head. "Yeah, he thinks it's his fault and now he's in work mode. He hasn't slept in almost twenty four hours," I sigh.

"You should tell him to come and talk to me, it's not his fault. The Cobras have a lot of enemies. The only thing we know for sure is that it wasn't the Vipers. I mean, they were all at the party."

I nod my head slowly, then look back toward her. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Ace said look after our girl ..." I allow my voice to trail off softly, not entirely sure how best to bring up  topic, but hoping I've given enough for Marni to get what I'm hinting at.

Marni nods her head, tears sliding down her cheeks once more. "I'm pregnant. But I'm not far enough along to know what we're having. But, Ace was positive that it was going to be a girl."

"Oh Marns, I ... I don't even know what to say. I'm so happy for you, but I also see how unfair this all is and how hurt you are."

"Bella I don't know how I'm going to do it without him. I don't know if I even want to do it without him," she cries. "But this baby is a part of him so I'm going to have to pull it together and do this for him, and for the baby." she says softly "You have no idea how excited he was when I told him, I was so scared, I had no idea how he was going to react. Me being me just walked into the room and said Ace I'm pregnant, at first he didn't say a thing, he just smiled victoriously then laughed. I looked at him with my what the hell are you laughing at face and he said. 'I've finally trapped you, and now you have no choice but to love me," She giggles through her tears as she reminisces on Aces joke. 

"From the second I told him, he was sure it was going to be a baby girl and he wanted us to move in together and start our family together, I told him I'd think about me." she sniffles "I don't know why I didn't just tell him and show him how much I love him. Because I honestly did Bella. I do love him and I always will." She begins to sob once more

"He knew Marns, we could all see how you looked at him."

"I guess I was just scared. Scared that if I admitted it he'd get bored with me and like cat and mouse, the game would be over. But now, I just wish I could I hold him and tell him I love him," she sobs.

I pull her into my arms and she rests her head on my shoulder as she cries. I stroke her hair and hold her close, tears now rolling down my own cheeks as well.

All too soon our moment is interuppted by the sound of a voice.

"Marni? Oh I'm sorry Bella, I didn't know that you were here."

Both Marni and I look up to see my father standing in the doorway.

"I should probably get home before it gets dark. Jex will worry," I pull Marni into my arms, giving her one last hug then stand up. "Call me if you need anything at all, day or night."

"I will, thank you Bells," she gives me a small smile.

I make my way over to the door and Dad looks me up and down for a second, seeing me for the first time in almost five months.

"Bella, you don't have to rush off just because I'm here," he says softly.

"It's okay. I have to check on Jex anyway. He's been working overtime trying to find out who did this and he's going to burn out."

"I guess we have one thing in common then."

"I guess so," I brush past him, leaving the room.

"Bella," he calls after me.

Turning, I look at him once more. "You look really good. The pregnancy ... it suits you."

"Oh ... uh, thanks."

"And congratulations on your engagement and all. I hope yourself and Jex are happy."

"We are," I nod and turn once more.

"Bella," my father clears his throat and I pause. "I'd like to talk some day soon. Maybe we could have lunch."

Without glancing back over my shoulder at him, I keep my eyes fixed forward. "Let's just deal with all of this first, then maybe we'll be able to work something out." I respond bluntly, without making any promises.

Without hovering another second, I continue to walk down the hall, without once looking back.

...

I arrive home to a driveway full of cars. It's apparent that Jex is still working away.

I park my car around the side and make my way inside using my key. It's then I find our kitchen full of people.

I look around, but don't spot Jex. I do however see Alyssa, who makes her way over to me quickly.

"Hey, I'm glad you're home."

"Why? What's wrong?"

"Jex is losing it. He still hasn't slept and he's still blaming himself for all of this."

I sigh softly and shake my head. "Everyone go home," I announce and they all stop, looking at me as the room falls silent. "Go home and get some rest. Spend time with your parents, or family or whatever it is you want to do. We'll regroup and start again in the morning," I assure them.

They all let out a sigh, of almost relief, pack up and head for the door. The last person leaves, at the exclusion of Malcolm and Alyssa.

"What the hell Bella?" Jex raises his voice, as he makes his way down the hall. "You can't just send everyone home like that."

"Well I did," I fold my arms over my chest. "This is just as much my house as it is yours, and you made me your second in charge."

Filled with anger he shakes his head. "First of all this is my house. I fucking own it and you're not the fucking boss. I just said that to make you feel better. I'm the boss, Malcolm is my second in charge and what I say goes," he shouts at me. "You had n..."

"Hey!" Alyssa interjects as she makes her way over and pushes Jex away. "Back the fuck up and sit the fuck down. You will not speak to her like that," she raises her voice at him.

"It's okay Alyssa, Jex is right. It's his house and he is the leader. I had no right to tell them to leave, or to demand that they go," I say softly and head for the stairs.

I know he's angry. I know he probably didn't mean it, but it hurts just the same. Jex has never yelled at me before. He's never made me feel so bad before, and his words have made me feel more alone than ever before.

When things like this happened in the past, I'd be the first to pack up my bags and just walk away. But I'm far too exhausted, not only physically, but emotionally as well. I think it's best that I take a shower and go to bed in the spare room tonight. That's unless Jex tells me to leave of course.

But that takes me to my second dilemma. Not only is Jex one hundred percent correct (this is his house), but if he did ask me to leave, I'd have no idea where I would go. I've burned so many bridges coming into this relationship, that I really wouldn't have anywhere. I can't go home and I can't go to my brother's. Marni and Millie live in a house of ten people most of the time, there wouldn't be any room. I would never go to Alyssa's and put Malcolm in the middle of Jex and I's issues.

Sighing softly, I grab my pyjamas from the draw and make my way into the bathroom. I then close and lock the door behind me.

Jex's POV:

"Dude what the fuck was that?" Malcolm questions me.

"I ... I don't know why I even said those things. I'm just tired and annoyed."

"Try explaining that to Bella. That was such an asshole move Jex," Alyssa huffs and crosses her arms over her chest. "I'm actually really disappointed in you. If I was her I wouldn't speak to you again. I'd pack my stuff and I'd leave," she pauses for a moment. "But oh that's right, Bella doesn't have anywhere to go, because she gave up everything to be with you."

Malcolm raises his hand, as he looks toward Alyssa, as if to tell her to stop ripping shreds off me. Even though he needn't bother, because I deserve every word.

"You and Bella have some things to talk about. Alyssa and I will head off and you can do what you need to," Malcolm says, as he takes Alyssa's hand. "Come on baby, let's go," he tells her softly.

This chapter has been proof read and edited by ElleRWrites