Author's Notes:

So this is the conclusion of the story.

Thanks to all who reviewed my first attempt at story writing. It was a big step for me and I appreciate all of your words and criticisms. Thanks to all who listed their story as a favorite; you have no idea what it means to me that you like this story that much. You're all amazing. Thanks to those who had me and/or the story on alert...there's no way to express my thanks and flattery towards that. A special thank you to Sunsetwing. I appreciate your reviews, comments and PM's. I feel like I've made a great, new friend, so thank you. Lots of luv to all of you for enjoying reading the story!

HUGE hug to mehek18 for collaborating in this story with me. Her idea, her thoughts...and my...erm...uh...smut and details.

I want to give a shout out to my hubby. He's the best! He's completely supportive of my writing and expects me to write more stories...so hopefully soon, there will be another story for me to add to the site.

Big gropes to S. Meyer for creating awesome characters that mehek18 and I liked to smuttify!

Here it is...hope you enjoy reading it as much as we liked writing it! :)

CHAPTER 7:

The Aftermath

EDWARD'S POV

The next morning I opened my eyes to lamp light. I turned around and felt more tired than I have ever been in my entire 16 year existence. I moved toward the middle of the bed, reaching for Bella, but found it empty.

I jumped up, sitting, suddenly remembering I was not in my bed.

I looked down to discover my clothes all over the ground. The events of last night rained on me.

I sighed. Was Bella real? I ran a hand through my hair. Did I really lose my virginity?

I didn't have time to ponder the thought too much. I glanced beside my pillow and I saw a note addressed to me in girlish penmanship.

It read:

Dear Edward,

I don't know your last name, nor do I know if you will remember me after this. I didn't have it in me to for you to wake up and call this a one night stand. I didn't have the heart to wake you up to tell you that I was leaving…or maybe I was just too scared that you would not feel the way that I do. I told you I trusted you Edward, and I meant it. I decided when I woke up that I was going to tell you my full name. My name is Bella Swan. I don't do one night stands or anything of the sort. I am not that kind of girl. I had been dared to dance as a stripper for one night. There was nothing else in the dare about sex. I hadn't planned on giving myself away. There was actually another woman who was going to use you for the night. But I didn't use you Edward. I knew you were just like me when I saw you from the stage. You wouldn't look anyone, nor were you enjoying yourself. I don't know what it is about you but the minute I looked at you I knew I would be safe. Just know that what happened in this room will always be left in this room. It was a special and beautiful night that I will never forget. If we meet again I would like to meet as strangers. What happened last night was only a dream. A dream I will take with me for the rest of my life.

Thank you for making my dream beautiful, Edward...

Bella Swan

235-579-2632

I smiled looking at the letter. I didn't know if I should rip up the letter or laugh at it. I did the only thing I could think of to do. I searched for my cell and added a new number under the name, Bella Stranger

-THREE DAYS LATER-

BELLA'S POV

I sat in the library studying the process of photosynthesis. PS2 what? PS1 huh? Biology sucked.

My cell phone was vibrating. I rolled my eyes ignoring it like I always did now-a-days. I had changed more these last three days than I did in years. I refused to talk to any of my friends. I couldn't blame anyone but myself. Alice and Rose tried asking me what had happened after my performance, but I couldn't tell them anything.

So much had changed inside of me since that night. I tried not to think about him. I didn't want to think about the what-if's, because honestly, the thoughts killed me. I tried to not think about what he thought of the letter that I left him. I tried not to think about the fact that I left him with both my full name and phone number. I tried not to think about the possibility of him calling me one day. But then I realized that I was stupid enough to tell him that I wanted to meet as strangers.

I am such a dufus! What on earth was I thinking?

The only thing I did was put all of my attention and pent up frustration into my studies. I turned my attention back to the page in the textbook. I scowled when I saw the picture of a green leaf. It reminded me of his dazzling emerald green eyes.

"Hi," I heard a guy say. "Is this seat taken?" He sounded familiar but I didn't look up. I was too wrapped up in my thoughts that I hadn't even heard him approach the table. I just moved my backpack from the chair beside me.

"So what's your name?" I scowled at the voice that was interrupting my futile attempt of concentration and studying.

I looked up to tell the guy that I was honestly too busy to get into any kind of small talk, when I came face-to-face with the mesmerizing emerald green eyes that haunted me in my dreams for the last three days.

His eyes were filled with mischief. He smirked at my expression when I realized it was him.

"Hi," he simply stated. He raised his hand toward me, "My name is Edward Cullen." He smiled genuinely. "And you are?"

I smiled and I caught on.

I accepted his hand and began to shake it.

Images of that night flitted through my mind as soon as I touched his hand. I suddenly remembered what his magical fingers could do.

"Hi," I smiled shyly, as I felt the blush creeping up from my neck. "My name is Bella Swan."

The smile from his face was the same one that I remembered seeing just before we fell asleep after our wonderful night together.

"Pleased to meet you Bella Swan." He withdrew his hand and said, "I've never met you before, have I?"

I looked at him, as I thought about how to answer his question. "No, I don't think so," I said slowly. "Must have been in your dreams," I finished as I winked at him.

He laughed and said, "Must've been…"

And then I realized, as we laughed in the library, that my dream had suddenly become a reality.

Alrighty Ladies and Gents...there you have it. The end. :(

I'm sad too but there is another story coming that I hope you all think will be just as fulfilling as this one was.

Big thanks to mehek18 again for writing this with me. Hugs to BellaScotia for reading this fic in what seemed like hours and reviewing each time! :) You're awesome!

Keep your eyes open (and emails on alert) for the spin-off from this story. It's yet to be titled...but it's coming. Another collab effort from mehek18 and myself.