Disclaimer : SM owns Edward & Twilight, not me (sadly!)


16th December 2006

I sat on my bed looking through the full length mirror after putting on my tuxedo that Dad hired me for his hospital Christmas party. My hair was quite short and neat; I looked acceptable. My dad had invited me; said it would be good for me to make some connections for the big-wigs of Seattle's medical finest. Dad had also invited Jasper and of course, that meant that Alice was coming over for the weekend. Over the past year, Jasper and Alice had been having a long distance relationship but that didn't stop them being head over heels in love. I knew it was serious; it was only a matter of time before Alice decided to move back to Seattle.

I was busy with school so this party was a great distraction. Standing up, I straightened my suit and headed down the stairs of my family home. My mom was stood in the kitchen when I walked in. I actually gasped when I saw her. She looked beautiful. Her blonde hair was pinned up elegantly in a twist at her neck. She wore a blue strapless ball gown with a flower details to the left of her waist.

"You look beautiful Mom" I kissed her on the cheek.

"No smudging the make-up honey" Mom teased. She turned to face me and straightened my suit jacket.

"You don't look bad yourself. Quite handsome in fact." I rolled my eyes and smiled.

"Yeah, yeah."

Dad then joined us.

"Well Edward. I can see where you get your good looks from." Mom said as Dad wrapped his hands around her waist.

I rolled my eyes again as I walked into your living room. I found Jasper on our couch in his tuxedo with Alice sat across his knee, her hands wrapped around his neck, his around her waist. Alice was wearing a ball gown that had a white strapless bodice with small black flowers and a full black skirt. Her short black hair was near and she had a white flower clipped near her right ear.

I coughed to let my presence known. Alice just giggled as Jasper continued to kiss along her neck. "God! What's with everyone today?" I mumbled.

A few years ago, seeing this affection would have made the pain and loneliness return but now, it gave me hope. I had accepted that the one I wanted would never come back; it had been six and a half years. Maybe there is someone for me out there. One day.

Dad had hired a limousine for us all to arrive at the hospital's Christmas Ball in style. I was the last to climb out of the car as I gazed at the huge Crowne Plaza Hotel building. As Dad checked us all in for the night, I wandered over to a long cream couch and sat glazing out of the door. I was nice to sit and not think. All too soon, Dad walked over and gave me my hotel room card.

I opened my hotel door with a huge smile. I had a room to myself, naturally. I walked in and placed my suitcase on the large king-size bed that dominated the room. I had two soft chairs by one of the two huge windows that overlooked Elliot Bay. As I slumped into one of the chairs to take in the view, I heard a sharp knock at the door. I rolled my eyes; it could only be one person.

"Come in Shorty"

Alice threw open the door and bounced towards me.

"Oh Edward! You have the same view as us. It's so beautiful. Especially at night." she had a faraway look in her eye as she stared over the bay.

"It sure is sis"

She came to sit in the chair opposite me.

"You know, when Jazz decides the time is right and he asks me to marry him, we're getting married overlooking Elliott Bay"

"Planning already Shorty? Does Jazz know about this?" I chuckled and poked her in the ribs.

"Oh shut it you!" she teased back as she added a quiet "It will happen."

A few hours later, I was in the large function room surrounded by men and women, all dressed up in their finest. We had eaten a fantastic five course meal. My dad had already introduced me to several people.

"Edward. You see that man over there with the lady in red next to him" he whispered in my ear, "That's my colleague, Eleazar Denali, Chief of Surgery. You remember I told you he moved recently from Alaska?"

"Yeah I remember." Eleazar Denali was talking to others; the lady in red had her back to us.

"Follow me."

I nodded my acknowledgement as we made our way over to the couple.

"Eleazar!" my dad greeted him, "Meet my eldest son, Edward. Edward, this is Eleazar Denali and his daughter, Tanya."

The lady in red, Tanya turned to face me. She was really beautiful. Tall, blonde and beautiful. I shook Eleazar's hand, "Pleasure to meet you sir. Miss" I nodded politely in her direction. I saw her look me up and down then a slow smile spread across her pretty face.

"Ah Edward! Your dad's told me so much about you. You studying at UWSOM? How you finding that?"

Tanya interrupted, "Daddy, I'm sure Edward doesn't want to talk shop. Tonight's about having a little fun" she emphasised the word 'fun'.

"Well … I ..."

Eleazar laughed and shook his head, "Okay kids, go have fun."

I opened my mouth to say I was fine to talk to him but before I could, Tanya hooked her arm in mine and gently tugged me towards the dance floor.

"Dance with me?" she asked.

I smiled, this beautiful woman was confident, I like it. I took her hand and bowed a little. The string orchestra was playing softly and there was only one other couple on the dance floor, Alice and Jasper.

We started to turn slowly to the music when Alice caught my eye. She was frowning but once she saw me looking, she gave me a small smile. I smirked back. Yeah I can do this Shorty!

I spent the whole evening with Tanya, getting to know her better. She was twenty four and had moved along with her father to Seattle a couple of months previously. She had long blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes. She was truly beautiful. The strapless red ball gown she was wearing clung to her tall, lean frame, showing off her slim waist. She was editor of a new fashion magazine based in Seattle. Just from us talking I could tell she was a very confident and success driven person. Tanya let me know early in our conversation that she was single and looking. I was trying to play it cool but when her full glaze was on me, it was difficult to contain the excitement in my pants.

When I confirmed I was staying the night in the hotel, she leaned in close and whispered in my ear,

"You..."

"Me..."

"A king sized bed."

"How's that sound?"

I answered her with a kiss. Nothing inappropriate as we were sat on the large cream lobby couch but enough to let her know I was game for the 'fun' I'm sure she was implying to earlier in the evening.

We discretely had our way to my room. As soon as we stepped through the door, Tanya clicked the locked and pressed herself against me on the closest wall. I thought I'd be a little nervous about what was about to happen. My sex life wasn't everything to write home about; I could count the number of sexual partners I'd had on one hand. I had no need to worry as Tanya led the way.

Tanya made quick work of my jacket as it slipped to the floor. She pulled open my bow tie, she pulled hard on either side as her lips eagerly sought out mine. I was eager too when she quickly turned to prompt me to unzip her from that beautiful dress. I cursed as the dress took a while to leave her body but it was worth the wait. Stepping out of the heap of material on the floor, she slowly backed up towards my bed then without breaking eye contact she gracefully climbed on to sit in the middle. Using her finger she gestured me to follow her so I did.

This amazing creature was laid on my bed in nothing but a small red thong. As I crawled to join her, I was rewarded by her lips attacking my neck as she literally ripped open my shirt. Tiny buttons scatted. She quickly unbuckled my belt and unbuttoned my pants.

The rest of our clothes soon hit the floor. The room was soon filled with moans, groans and a lot of heavy breathing. Sex with Tanya was good. No scratch that, it was fucking awesome. She knew exactly what she liked and what she didn't which wasn't much. I could tell from her actions and confidence that she was a lot more experienced than me.

After screaming my name, twice, I slipped into unconsciousness with her at my side.

3 years later ….. 1th January 2010

I sat up in bed quickly, half asleep, half awake. Nightmare. It had been awhile since my last one. I had always had trouble sleeping for years though. As I slowly came around, the images in my head quickly disappeared into nothing but a lingering feeling; loneliness. I pulled my hand over my face roughly trying to shake the feelings of the dream I had just experienced. I bowed my head and shook it slowly. How the hell can I feel lonely? I have so many people and things in my life.

I then remembered it was New Year's Day. Great! New year, new nightmare, I grimaced in the dark. To take my mind off the new addition, I thought back over the last few years; how they'd had flown.

By mid 2008, Jasper and I had graduated from the University of Washington School of Medical. I had my internship at Swedish where my dad is Chief of Medicine; not that having your dad as Chief of Medicine actually helped. In fact it made my life more complicated having to live up to his name.

After graduating, I decided to rent a one bedroom apartment instead of going home. Mom understood but telling her was one of the hardest things I've done in some time. I think I preferred to take my finals again.

Alice had moved back to Seattle once Jasper graduated and moved in together. Jasper had started his internship at Seattle Children's as Alice got a teaching position in the high school we had all gone to. High school. A physical shivered ran down my spine when those two words entered my head. I pushed down the memories that threatened to surface by thinking of the security of my family.

Before I knew it, I was sitting in bed grinning like an idiot. So much had happened this past year. Emmett and Rose had started a family. I don't think it was really planned. I was invited to their house for lunch that early March afternoon as was the whole family for the announcement. No one else knew. Apart from Alice. She always seems to know. After Emmett graduated from college, he worked hard to set up his own business, a small garage at the edge of Seattle. He and Rose together made it work along with a little financial support from Mom and Dad. On hearing the news I was going to be an uncle, I almost cried, almost.

The good news just kept coming as the summer of 2009 rolled by with Alice and Jasper announcing their engagement. Since that Christmas ball held in the Four Seasons' hotel, I knew Alice had wanted to hear those words from Jasper.

On the seventh of October, Benjamin Alexander Cullen was born. He was the most gorgeous little thing I had ever laid eyes on. Chuckling quietly, I remembered how Emmett described his birth to me trying to freak me out before I reminded him I was a doctor; blood didn't really bother me as it was part of the job description.

After I sat there for a long while thinking of all the happy memories 2009 had given me, my thoughts were interrupted.

"Edward, you woke me" she sighed by my side. "Why you up so early? It's New Year's Day."

I looked at my alarm to see it was only 6am then I turned to face the beautiful woman lying next to me. Tanya. Just as beautiful as the day I'd met her.

"Sorry babe, I didn't mean to wake you. Just had a few things in my head."

She rolled her eyes, "You always have things going on in your head. Can't you just switch off for once?" She seemed annoyed as she rolled away me.

I sighed as I slowly got out of bed and started to make my way to my bathroom. Stripping off, I made my way into the shower. As the warm water soothed my aching back muscles, I closed my eyes. What flashed behind my closed eyelids made me quickly grab a hold onto the shower wall. Dark, rich chocolate eyes. Just a flash but enough to get my heart racing. What the fuck was that about? I shook it off as being over tired but I knew it had something to do with my nightmare.

Later that day, Tanya and I visited my parent's house. I'd been in a relationship with Tanya for the past three years. We didn't live together officially but she was always at my house if I was on the right hospital shift to be there too.

Mom greets us with warm smiles that didn't quite reach her eyes. She had always supported me in my career and life decisions. She never told me she didn't like Tanya but I knew she wasn't completely at ease with her. That's probably because they were both strong women who knew what they wanted. I suppose Tanya reminds me of Mom a little. As soon as I thought that, I cringed. No not good thinking my mom is like my girlfriend.

"You okay honey?" Mom asked.

"Fine Mom. Just tired" I smiled weakly at her.

"I have no sympathy for you, being up at the crack of dawn. Again." Tanya interrupted.

"I'm sure Edward had his reasons" Mom spoke softly. As she hugged me, she whispered in my ear, "Nightmare?" I subtly nodded into my mom's shoulder as she squeezed me more tightly.

Mom always seemed to know when my demons were haunting my dreams again. A mom's sixth sense I suppose. Tanya didn't know a lot about my demons, she never asked why I would skip over large chunks of my past so I didn't tell. It worked for us.

As we walked into the living room, I saw the back of Alice's head as she promptly left. This is normal now. Tanya walks into a room, Alice walks out. Alice didn't see eye to eye with Tanya and she made no show to cover that fact up. Again two strong woman; Shorty thinking she knows best. I sighed heavily, putting my head in my hands as I sat next to Jasper on the couch.

"Hey E. You look tired"

I raised my head to look at him, and then glance at Tanya, on the phone in the corner of the room, and then looked through the door to see Alice and Mom in the kitchen.

"Yeah Jazz. I think I am"

Later that night, I pulled Alice to one side.

"Alice, I need to talk to you"

She immediately frowned as I use her actual name.

"If this is about Tanya then you ..." I quickly interrupted.

"Of course it's about Tanya." I sighed, "Shorty, I know you are looking out for me and you will never know how thankful I am that you have been there for me... before" I looked her straight in the eye as I continued.

"But you have to let me make my own decisions and my decision is Tanya. It has been for some time."

"I … I'm sorry Edward … I just don't..." It was Alice's turn to sigh, "I just don't want to see you hurting again."

"Why would you think Tanya would hurt me? We've been together for three years. I'm … happy" And I meant it.

"I just have a bad feeling about her I can't shake" she shook her head slowly, "but for you, Edward, I will try and get along."

I grabbed her and gave her a tight squeeze, whispering "Thanks big sis".

13th April 2010

Tanya and I sat on my couch watching a movie and eating Chinese. It was good; all of it. We didn't get to spend of much time together as we should and this was the first night in a long while where neither as of were working.

"You stopping the night?" I asked as I placed my empty plate on my coffee table.

"If you want, yeah."

"Yeah I would like that" I smiled. "Neither of us need to get up early tomorrow. It'll be nice to spend some time together, quality time. We're always on different shifts."

"Well why don't you ask me to move in then we could see each other more."

I frowned as I thought about this. Was I ready for that kind of commitment? After being with Tanya for over three years, I think so.

"Okay. Move in"

Tanya laughed, "What just like that?"

"Yes, why not?"

"Because I've been with you three years Edward and now you just ask me to move in. I need more than that Edward."

I frowned again, looking at my lap, More?

"More?"

"Yeah, more. I need to know that our relationship is going somewhere. You know, like Alice and Jasper."

And then, the penny dropped. Marriage she's talking about getting married. Was I ready? Would I ever be ready?

I looked back at her as she smiled softly at me, "So what you think? I'm not talking about getting married soon, just engaged."

I slowly reached for her hand and gently squeezed it. I still wasn't sure but I could try.

"Okay."

Tanya jumped to her feet with a big smile on her face "Oh we'll make a trip to Tiffany's tomorrow. I've seen the most perfect ring."

She walked over to my window and looked out, "And I need to call Sarah from Seattle Times tomorrow to change that article they've written about me. My relationship status has changed." She was almost smug about it.

I slumped back on my couch. I can do this.

19th June 2010

Today, it's my big sister's wedding. Miss Alice Cullen was becoming Mrs Alice Whitlock. Stood at Jasper's, her husband to-be and my best friend's side; I watched her gracefully sail down the aisle with our father on her arm. That moment will be forever etched in my memory. She looked so happy.

She looked beautiful in her white strapless wedding dress. Very simple in its design with small detail at the waist. It's the dress she's always dreamed of; the wedding she's always dreamed of since she was little. She'd been planned this for years; probably before Jasper even turned up. The location for this affair was the Edgewater Hotel in our home town, Seattle.

The room they had hired was magnificent. It had floor-to-ceiling windows which overlooked Elliott Bay. The view and the venue were simply stunning. Alice had been involved in every detail, no matter how small it may have been. From her wedding dress, to the tall flower displays on each table, to the place cards and hand-made heart shaped chocolates each person received once seated; Alice had planned and organised it all. She would have set up the whole room up last night; Mom had to practically tie her down to stop her.

Now, sat at the head table alongside my sister, my best friend and the rest of my family, I smiled towards the happy couple. Jasper was my best friend and I'd meet him at the University Of Washington School of Medicine where we both graduated to become medical doctors. After introducing him to Alice five years ago, I knew they were meant to be together; soul mates for life.

The ceremony was a touching affair and the meal was fantastic but now it was game on for me, the best man's speech. I'd spent hours going over and over the words I'd written on the pages in front of me. I hoped to make Alice and Jasper proud and make them laugh too. As I heard the tapping of a glass, I looked up to see my father stand up. He was none-other than Carlisle Cullen MD. Chief of Medicine for Swedish. A pillar of the community, organising the annual 'Seattle Emergency Services Summer Fundraiser' for the past twenty one years. I loved and admired my father and his drive to do the very best he could to help others. Seeing him in his tuxedo; his slightly greying blonde hair neat as always; his blue eyes looked calm and confident. My mother, Esme, glanced up at him with the same silent admiration I had. Her green eyes gleaming with pride.

Clearing his throat while the wedding party became quiet, my father looked down at his speech once more before raising his head. With a smile he introduced himself as the proud father of the bride and welcomed all their guests.

As he started to launch into his speech, I couldn't stop thinking I would be going through this process as the groom one day. I couldn't help but feel a little uneasy about that. Truth be told, I was nervous as hell thinking about it. Maybe it's the speech that worried me. Even though, being a doctor, I'm confident at speaking to large numbers of people; speaking at my big sister's and best friend's wedding was something all together different.

I was in a little world of my own when I suddenly heard people clapping loudly. I nearly jumped out of my seat and had a heart attack. Of course, my father's speech had finished and even though I didn't hear any of it, people around the room seemed to have enjoyed it.

Scanning the room, I saw family and friends I hadn't seen it a long time. My younger brother Emmett and his girlfriend, Rose were sat together at the other end of our table. Next to them was their eight month old son, Benjamin, fast asleep in the pushchair next to them. He looked cute in his little shirt and bow-tie. I still couldn't believe I was an uncle to such a sweet little boy. Hell, I couldn't believe Emmett was a daddy but Rose and Benjamin meant the world to him.

Smiling, I continued to peer around the room. Since I'd left medical school two years ago and started my career with Swedish, I had little time to just relax and catch up. It felt a little strange but good.

Jasper stood to start his speech as my eyes continually scanned the room. I noticed the main door at the very back of the room open and someone linger in the doorway. Small and petite; must be a woman but she had turned her back to me.

Long brown hair that shimmered red tones in the sunlight from the large windows. Cream, flawless coloured skin; her neck and shoulders exposed. She looked awkward and out of place.

A lone memory of a girl I once knew immediately entered my head. I dare not even think her name. A girl who I shared my childhood with. A girl who I loved long ago. A girl who broke my heart when she just disappeared with no word as to why. She was still in my thoughts; those deep, buried memories you only think of when you close your eyes and let your mind drift away. I sighed and shook my head, trying to clear it. Jasper's speech was coming to a close and I was up next.

As Jasper sat down after toasting and then kissing his new wife, I stood. Here I go, I thought. I was still really nervous.

"Good afternoon ladies and gentleman. I hope everyone is enjoying this very special day so far. It's been an emotional day... even the cakes is in tiers." Yeah, I liked cheesy jokes. That one rewarded me with a small ripple of laughter and my nerves settled down.

"I would like to start by thanking Jasper for his kind words on behalf of our lovely bridesmaid, Rose. I'm sure you will agree she has carried out her role superbly. I would also like to thank my brother Emmett for being an usher… and for turning up sober." Emmett just grinned at me like a Cheshire cat.

"I think you'll all agree that my big sister Alice looks one in a million today. I'm proud of you Shorty." Alice's eyes had glazed over as I said my childhood nickname for her. "As for Jasper, well what can I say, we tried our best." I smiled and winked at her.

"It was of course a great honour to be chosen as best man on this important day. From the moment Jasper asked me, it was clear that the best man speech would be the most challenging part of the day. If only because of having to select, only some, from the wealth of embarrassing stories of which I could choose. So I had to prepare." Flashing 'The Cullen' crooked smile, I continued.

"I took my standard approach and indeed most men's approach when faced with a problem they know little of nothing about. I goggled it. And, as I'm sure I'm not the only bloke in the room who has found far more interesting things to look at on the internet. I drew a blank." I heard Emmett's unmistakeable laugh.

"No seriously, the first piece of advice offered on Google was at the reception, the best man should help to keep things running smoothly by buying drinks and socialising. Well I'll have a chat with everyone but at four dollars a pint, I've brought my own hip flask, which with the best will in the world is only going to go round the top table. So I do apologise for that."

"When researching Jasper's early years, I enlisted the help of his childhood friends. I decided to write an email asking for any funny anecdotes of his youth. Out of twenty people I received two replies, one was just totally inappropriate and the other read 'I am currently out of the office until Wednesday, if your mail is urgent please contact Katie on 206-971-5703.' So I did and unfortunately she had never heard of you Jazz!" I couldn't help chuckling to myself over that one. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the speech; so far, so good.

"I actually met Jasper at medical school, I was young, fresh faced, naive and wide eyed at the new challenges ahead. I then met Jazz... four years later I left there in a euphoric alcohol induced haze, with very little memory of the interim years." I wish, I thought. I buckled down so much during my time at medical school, drinking was the last thing on my mind. Jazz on the other hand ….

"Jasper has always been a confident and outgoing person, who enjoys the challenge of different places and new experiences. Some of which have proved to be more unusual than others. Take for example the time we were in New York."

Jazz groaned as he knew what was coming next.

"As you will know New York offers a whole range of exciting opportunities for the average tourist, and we did most of those, Central Park, Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty etc..."

"Jazz however went one stage further, guaranteeing an experience not listed in the tour guide! Whilst I was drawing some much needed money from the cash point, Jasper befriended Arty, a rather strange looking hippy who he invited to join us for a drink. Arty not having any money on him, returned the compliment by inviting us to join him and his friends, back at his place! Little did we realise that involved home-made hooch and a trip to the local cardboard city somewhere in the subways of New York. We graciously made our excuses and ran like hell!"

Oh I remember that weekend well, I thought, chuckling again, glancing at Jasper from the corner of my eye.

"Music has always been a passion for Jasper, and at college he introduced me to many artists I had never heard of before and I also witnessed his progression on the guitar. Thankfully Alice shares his enthusiasm, and loves to hear him play. They often sit there on an evening, Jasper strumming away, and Alice loves to join in and can't wait to get his didgeridoo out, and give it a good blow."

"Although Alice has already said that this won't be happening as often after the wedding as she feels it may be beginning to annoy the neighbours! Well I guess that's married life for you, mate."

I looked at Jasper who had a grin on his face; looking down at his lap, shaking his head, "Now it's customary for the best man to give some words of wisdom to the newly-weds on marriage, so here it goes"

"One. Set the ground rules and establish who the boss is... then do everything she says!"

"Two. The best way to remember your anniversary is to forget it once. If you dare!"

"Three. To help the course of true love run smooth, never forget those three very important words you must say every day... you're right Alice!"

"Joking aside, Jasper has been a great friend to me and we've had some excellent times together, and I'm sure we'll have more in the future. And it's been an honour and a privilege to be best man today, and I couldn't wish for a better friend to be taking care of my sister."

Alice gave me a teary smile. I spoke the next line of my speech directly to her, "Both Alice and Jasper have been there for me when I needed them. When he told me he had asked Alice to marry him I was obviously delighted, I wish them all the happiness in the world." And I meant every word.

"Now it gives me great pleasure to ask you all to stand and raise your glasses, to the new Mr. and Mrs Whitlock. Jasper and Alice."

Everyone in the room then stood, raised their glasses and toasted the happy couple. I got a round of applause which left me wondering why I'd been so nervous. Hell that was fun!

As my speech was the last one, people started getting up and chatted to each other. I started to head toward the rest room; familiar faces were congratulating me on my speech as I went. I smiled and thanked them for their kind words as I continued my path. I was just about to leave the room when I was addressed from behind by a female voice, "Edward?"

With one hand still on the door handle, I turned to lay my eyes on her... I was glad I was holding on to something to steady myself.

Bee.

My girl, my loved and lost Bella Swan was stood a few feet from me. I just stood there and stared at her with my mouth hung open. Dark, rich chocolate eyes were staring back at me; so many emotions running through them.

I snapped myself out of her gaze, turned, pulling the door open and marching through it. I kept going down the corridor towards the reception area. Why? … How?... What? … When? … I couldn't think straight. I needed to get out of here.

"Wait, Edward, stop..." I heard from behind. I stopped abruptly, closing my eyes in defeat. I thought back to earlier this afternoon; the lone petite female figure lingering in the doorway. That was her, I was sure of it.

Clenching and unclenching my hands, I turned to face her again. She looked older than the last time I saw her. About 10 years older, I thought bitterly.

"I'm sorry, I saw Alice's wedding announcement in the newspaper and just thought..." Bella trailed off. I realised I still hadn't said anything to her but I couldn't. I had too many questions running round my mind to form any sort of sensible sentence.

"Sorry, I… I waited because I wanted to give you this" Bella held out an envelope.

I looked at the envelope to see my name on the front, and then I looked back at her.

"It's not anything special, just a card... for tomorrow..." She trailed off. She remembered... she remembered my birthday, I thought. I had so many emotions flowing through me, shock, confusion, anger, hurt, relief…

"Please take it" She looked like her life depended on me taking that card from her. And in truth, I wanted to take it. Looking back at the envelope, I took it and tucked it into the inside jacket pocket.

Bella let out a small sigh of relief, looking down at her feet, "Thank you", she whispered.

With those two words, she looked me straight in the eye for another second, then turned on her heel and walked out of the door and out of my life, again.

I stood there looking at that closed door for a while; the envelope next to my heart felt heavy.

I jumped when I felt hands on my shoulders. "Edward? Who was that?"

I turned to face my fiancée. What do I say? I've just seen a ghost from my past. My Bee. To even think her name now after all these years was strange.

So I decided to tell her the truth, well sort of. "Just an old friend."


*Ducks & hides from flying objects*

I told you I had a couple of surprises for you ;) So we now in current times – YAY!

I now have over 100 story alerts for this story. Thank you sooooo much to each and ever one of you. And for those of you worrying, I like a HEA, eventually ;)

Massive thanks to SweetLovinCullen for her awesome beta'ing skills.

I'm hoping to go back to my normal two week schedule. So as ever, let me know what you think by hitting that review button below.