A/N - Thank you all so much for reading! I really appreciate every hit, alert, favorite and review! I'm passionate about these characters and I'm so glad that you all like them, too. Until next Saturday...enjoy!

Chapter 7 - Space Between

September 2009

BPOV

It had been just over three weeks since I had left Edward.

Jess and I had gone camping and ending up having a great time. During the day, we would hike and check out the small shops and restaurants. But, it was at night that my mind went back to the farm where I had left my heart. I dreamt about Edward; his smile, his laugh, his body. I always woke breathless. Every morning when I woke up at around eight o'clock, I would sneak out of the tent, while Jessica was still asleep and call Edward. I knew he wouldn't be busy at this time, because he usually didn't go out to the field until ten.

His voice was so warm and he always sounded so happy to hear from me. He told me that the harvest was going well and that his combine had only needed a little work last night after midnight. He told me how much his dog, Seth, missed me. I asked about Rosie and Emmett and he told me that Rosie was spoiling him with all her cooking. We only talked for about a half hour every morning, but it gave me the strength to get through the day.

At the end of the week, Jess and I drove back to the city. It was about noon when we passed Edward's farm and saw the combine and grain truck out in the back part of the field. The crop was almost all harvested now and the field looked so empty. Edward had been working so hard for the last week. I was so proud of him. There was no way that Edward would have be able to see us, so we decided to stop in quickly to see Rosie.

We pulled up to the farm house and ran up to the door. Seth jumped up on my chest, licking my face, his tail wagging quickly. I laughed and petted his head. Rosie pulled us both into tight hugs. It was like we had known her for years. She was so sweet and I loved her for taking care of Edward.

"How has he been?" I asked, as we all sat out on the porch with a glass of lemonade.

"It was rough for him when you left, but he had his work to focus on. I think that's what is getting him through." Rosie continued. "Edward's life is very solitary. His parents leaving last year just finished the job. He was never close with them, even though they kept him on the farm. We've had this ranch for just about twelve years, and Edward's been coming around to help Emmett since he was just a teenager. This ranch was kind of his escape. Emmett sees him as a younger brother and I have always babied him." She held her hands over her stomach. "I have always wanted kids, but until now, Emmy and I haven't been blessed with one. I kind of turned my mothering instincts towards Edward." She laughed. "He's never complained, and I think we both get something out of our relationship."

I was so happy that he had Emmett and Rosie. Edward was just so lovable, and I couldn't understand his parents absence from his life.

"Bella, when you call, his face lights up. He goes out on the porch to talk to you, but you've become a constant source of happiness for him." She reached her hand out and squeezed my hand. I really appreciated Rosie's insight into Edward's life. I wanted to know everything about him, and would spend my life trying.

We sat and talked with her for about an hour, before heading back to the city. I left a gift that I bought for Edward, with Rosie. She promised to give it to him when he came in tonight. She figured they would be finished the harvest early this evening. After hugs and well wishes, Jess and I had left.

Starting back to school the next Monday was different. There weren't classes to attend, but I had a meeting at with Dr. Hale at eleven o'clock in his office.

I was nervous to see him again. He had been the object of my affection, and fantasies for the last few years. But, everything was different now. He was my supervisor and I was his student. His only role in my life was to help me finish this degree. I wanted to be done with it, because in my mind, the degree was keeping me from Edward.

At five minutes to eleven, I knocked on Dr. Hale's door, nervously clutching my books to my chest. I may not have had feelings towards him anymore, but he was still intimidating in his confidence.

"Come in, Miss Swan," he crooned, with his soft, melodic voice. I smiled at him and sat down across from his desk. He looked up at me and smiled, before running his fingers through his long hair. He was beautiful, but since I had met Edward, I found that Dr. Hale's beauty was a show. He was like a simple painting, like those in hotel lobbies and dentist offices, nice to look at, but Edward was a masterpiece, once of those classic pieces, held in European museums, that touched you to your soul. With Edward, everything was deeper.

I knew I was blushing, but that was entirely due to nerves. Dr. Hale, however, seemed to read things a little differently, his smile growing. We reviewed my outline and he suggested that I spend the next two week trying to pick out a couple of specific battles that I could focus on to exemplify battle strategy. He thought it best that I didn't try to look at the War as a whole, as the topic was too broad, and the subject matter too vast. I appreciated that insight, as it hadn't occurred to me to tackle my paper in that manner. He told me to e-mail him if I had any questions and suggested a few sources I should use to begin my work.

I thanked him and left, having made my next appointment for the same time next Monday in his office. I exhaled in relief that the meeting was done and went back home. I rented out the basement suite of my parent's house. We were close, but since I had pursued my education instead of getting a job after my B.A., they seemed a little more distant. They wanted me to do well, and succeed in life, they said. I didn't know what success was in their eyes, but furthering my education seemed like a step in the right direction to me. Most of the time, I hung out with Jess in her apartment, though. We had made the same life choices, so I didn't feel any judgement here.

The next two weeks went quickly for me, and I spent the majority of my time milling through books on Civil War battles, looking for a couple of examples. I ended up choosing to look at the Battle of Decatur and Union Major General Sherman's strategies. I figured I'd work with this battle for now and check with Dr. Hale, before I did anything else. I had accumulated a few ideas and got everything ready for my meeting.

When I wasn't reading, I was texting, phoning, e-mailing, or dreaming about Edward. He was my whole world, now. I found that, just having him in my life, I was a happier person. The sun felt warmer, the air smelled fresher and my heart felt fuller. Being in love was agreeing with me. I would keep Edward up to date on my research. He always seemed interested in everything I had to say, even if my life seemed boring to me. But, I felt the same way about him. He explained the harvest to me. He explained how the grain was stored in an elevator until he sold it. A week after he harvested, the price of wheat was up, so he decided to sell. He had been working on his books for the last week. Farming sounded incredibly complex.

I was dying to get back out to the farm. My skin itched for Edward's touch. I decided that after my meeting with Dr. Hale on Monday, I would drive out to the farm for a couple of days. I had an old '95 Dodge Neon and I worried about it on the highway, but it was all I could afford, so it would have to do.

The Sunday before I left for Edward's, September 13th, was my twenty-third birthday. My parents were taking me out for breakfast and Jess decided to take me out for dinner and drinks that night, just the two of us. I had called Edward the moment I got up, to hear his voice and had let it slip that it was my birthday. I could tell he was upset with me for not telling him, but I didn't want him to worry about it. He was up to his ears in paper work. He told that he loved me and he would see me the next afternoon.

Breakfast with my parents was awkward. The restaurant we went to for breakfast was hiring wait staff. My mom told me to apply, seeing as I wasn't taking any classes right now. My mother would have been happier if I quit school to work full time as a waitress. Because any job was better than being in school. 'What can you really do with that degree anyway?' she would always ask.

I hadn't told them about Edward because I knew they would find some kind of fault with him, but considering I would be out of town for the next couple of days, I had to tell them today. After I finished my pancakes, I cleared my throat and just went for it. "Mom, Dad. I'm seeing someone," I said. Mom looked horrified. To her, the only thing worse than not working and being in school, was not being one-hundred percent focused on school. She did not want me to date until I had a good job and could support myself.

I ignored her face, and went on. "His name is Edward and he lives on a farm an hour of town. I'm going to go stay with him for a few days," I blurted out quickly.

"No, Bella. Absolutely not," my mom said, crossing her arms. "You are not going to be sleeping with some redneck farmer. You are an educated woman." She all but yelled this out in the restaurant. People at the other tables were staring.

"How dare you?" I said in a low, but firm, voice. "He is the most loving and generous man I have I ever met. And, he is smart and gentle and hardworking. He runs an entire thousand acre farm by himself." I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. "And this isn't up for discussion. I'm not asking you for your permission. I'm twenty three years old."

"We don't have a lot of rules, Bella. But, if you want to stay in the house, I'm not going to allow you to be used by some country boy," my dad added.

My eyes were burning with unshed tears. "Are you kicking me out?" I asked, shocked.

"Well, if you are going to keep seeing this boy, behind our backs no less," my mom said, leaving the threat open.

I stood up from the table, grabbing my purse. "Thank you for breakfast." I said, before turning and walking quickly out of the restaurant. The tears were pouring from my eyes in streams by the time I got to my car. I quickly drove home, and grabbed all of my clothes, books and my laptop, carrying it all to the trunk of my car. I had my whole life packed up in fifteen minutes. I called Jess and she told me that I could stay with her as long as I needed to.

I drove over and we sat on her couch, eating Chinese food and drinking homemade margaritas until midnight. She held me in her arms, as I cried myself to sleep. It was the worst birthday of my life.

EPOV

The three and a half weeks that Bella was gone confirmed to me that I was in love with her. The time apart served it's purpose. It showed me that I was nothing without her. I was a shell. She had my heart and I lived for the phone calls, and her adorable e-mails and text messages. She always cheered me up. I loved this girl and I couldn't wait to have her in my arms; to have her fingers trace my skin, again.

The harvest went well, and with Emmett's help, it was a complete success. The day I finished the harvest, I came home to find Rosie and Seth on the porch. She passed me a blue plastic bag. "Bella stopped by the ranch on her way home this afternoon. She left this for you," she told me with a smile. Seth came over to me, wagging his tail, as if to tell me that he had seen Bella today. Lucky dog.

I opened the bag and found a dream catcher. It had a black circular frame, and had weaved sinew, almost like a spider web in the center. There were some feathers and beads hanging on the bottom. I smiled. She was such a sweet girl. The Native American legend of dream catchers, was that, when hung above the bed, they caught the nightmares in the webs and let the good dreams through. I took it straight upstairs, pounded a nail in the wall above my bed, and hung up the gift from my girl.

The next week was spent watching grain prices and the following week arranging the sale. I was tired and I wasn't sleeping well without Bella. The harvest had been long and tiring and while I was proud of myself for doing it, I didn't feel fulfilled. I knew what was missing.

Jessica had e-mailed me the photo of Bella and I chewing wheat, and I printed it out and stuck it to the fridge. I spent the nights sketching Bella. First, I sketched her photo. Then, I sketched her from memory; riding Cinnamon, standing in my doorway wearing my flannel shirt, sleeping, laughing, anything. I had at least fifteen sketches so far.

Bella called me on Sunday morning. I was just frying up some bacon and brewing some coffee. She had decided that she was going to come and visit me tomorrow. I was so ecstatic. She was coming home. She had been working hard, getting into the swing of things for her last year of studies. I was so proud of her. She had a meeting tomorrow and then she would drive out to see me. She had let it slip that it was her birthday. I was upset that she didn't tell me. I would have loved to have spoiled her. But, I couldn't stay mad because I loved her, and she only had good intentions. She was worried about me.

Bella, Bella. I thought to myself, smiling. I couldn't help myself. I loved her too much. Even to think of her, I smiled. After she hung up, I paced the kitchen trying to figure out what to do for her. I couldn't drive to the city to see her and I couldn't get to town to buy her a gift, because my truck broke down, again. I had planned to work on it this afternoon.

As soon as I ate, I called Rosie. "Hey, Rosie. I need your help."

"What's wrong, Edward? Do I need to get Emmy to come over there?" she asked, sounding worried.

I laughed. "No, honey. I need your help. I just found out that it's Bella's birthday, today." I sighed. "She's coming up tomorrow afternoon and I want to do something for her, but I have no idea." I could admit when I needed help.

She giggled over the phone. "Oh, Edward. Hmm. Why don't both come by and I'll make her a birthday dinner. We'll have a little party. Oh, and I can make a cake." She sounded so excited. I loved her for always being there for me. She was amazing.

"Thank you, Rosie. That sounds amazing. I think she would love that," I agreed. "But, what should I give her? I mean as a gift?"

"I know. Why don't you give her one of your sketches?" she suggested. "You are so talented, Edward. I know she would love it."

"You think so? She doesn't even know that I draw," I told her. Bella and I had only focussed on our feelings and being together. She asked about the farm so I told her. It hadn't occurred to me to bring up my sketching.

"That's perfect. She will love it, and it'll be such a surprise for her," Rosie assured me. "Do you need a frame? I have a box full of them in the attic."

"Um, yeah. Okay, thanks. I'll be by tonight. Don't go up there, honey. You know, with the baby." The last I wanted was for Rosie to risk her health and safety, and that of the baby, for a picture frame by going up the ladder to the attic.

She laughed. "Oh, I was going to send Emmett up there anyway. You know I wouldn't risk a run in with a spider." I laughed. Rosie had always been deathly afraid of spiders, despite the fact that she lived on a ranch in the country where she was bound to run into them all the time.

I thanked her and went up to my drawing room. I flipped through the sketches, finally deciding on my sketch of her and I together, chewing on the wheat. It was a new experience for her. It was the first day we met. It was the day we fell in love.

The rest of the day went quickly. Knowing that Bella would be here tomorrow had me motivated. I went to the stable to feed and water the horses. I looked at Cinnamon and smiled. I would take Bella for a ride while she was here. I had no idea how long she was going to stay this time. She said a couple of days, but she didn't sound like she had specific plans. I was hoping I could keep here with me for a least a week. I knew it was selfish of me, but I would give her time and space to work on her research. I just wanted her presence in the house. Everything felt right with her here. I moved the horses out to the corral to get some exercise and then went to work on the truck. I got it running.

The rest of the day went quickly, as I tidied up the house and changed the sheets in both bedrooms. She could sleep where she wanted. I always wanted her to have a choice and to feel comfortable here. I stopped by Em and Rosie's and got a nice frame from the attic. It was made from old barn wood and I figured the sketch would look alright in it. I stayed for supper, then headed home. I checked my e-mail, answering machine and cell. I hadn't heard from Bella since this morning. I knew it was her birthday and she was probably busy with family and friends.

Monday morning, I did my regular chores around the farm, then took Seth out for a nice long walk. It was more for me than him, though. I had to admit that I was a little nervous to see Bella, again. We had been getting along amazingly, but I just hoped that things in person would go as smoothly.

I sat out on the porch waiting for her. She had sent a text just after noon, letting me know she was leaving the university and driving straight here. I worried about her driving alone on the highway. Her text message was also very straightforward, and she hadn't phoned this morning. I knew that I was probably over analyzing things, but I loved her and I worried.

Finally, I heard, and then saw a car driving up to the house. It was in horrible condition and I would check it over before I let her take it back on the road. Seth waited by my side until she parked the car, before running over to the driver's side, barking and wagging his tail. I jogged over to greet her and I was shocked when I looked at her face.

BPOV

I cried most of the hour long drive to Edward's house. My meeting had gone well, Dr. Hale approving my choice on the Battle of Decatur, and I had stopped crying long enough to get through it. Dr. Hale could tell something was wrong and had lightly patted my hand, letting me know that he was there if I ever to talk. While I appreciated the sentiment, I didn't like the idea of becoming friendly with him outside of the university. I thanked him, before going to my car and driving straight here.

Jessica was amazingly supportive. I couldn't believe that my parents had given me an ultimatum. I couldn't live in, what I had always considered to be, my house, if I wanted to continue seeing Edward. It was very telling of my love for Edward that I had chosen him over my home; over my parents.

But, what upset more than anything, more than their lack of tact to kick me out of the house, on my birthday no less, was that they had judged Edward before they had even met him. They didn't even let me tell them about him. He was such an amazing man, and he loved me for who I was, from the first day we met. Every time I thought about that breakfast, a new round of tears started.

As I drove down the gravel road that would lead me back to Edward, I tried to get myself together. I wiped my eyes and took a deep breath. I smiled when I saw Edward jogging over from the porch, with Seth leading the way. This was where I belonged.

When I stepped out of the car, and Edward's eyes met mine, his smile dropped. He pulled me into his arms, holding me to his chest, cradling my head gently with one of his large, strong hands. "What's wrong, Bella, my love?" he asked softly, his voice filled with both comfort and concern. I took in a deep breath, my senses flooded with Edward's comforting scent, gentle touch and warm body, calming me almost instantly.

"I don't have a home anymore," I whispered into his chest. "My parents kicked me out." I started sobbing, wetting his t-shirt with my tears. I felt myself being lifted off of my feet. Edward had picked me up. He put his arm under my legs and I wrapped my arms around his strong neck.

He whispered that he loved me and that we would figure it out, as he moved across the yard to the porch, in the house and up the stairs to his bedroom. He laid me down, kicked off his boots and crawled in beside me. I rolled over to press my body to his. I had missed how his hard body felt against mine.

I lifted my chin up and my lips met his. We both moaned at this union. I felt whole, again. Despite all of my worries, when his petal soft lips met mine, everything seemed right. In that moment I believed him. We would figure it out.

Edward slowly pulled back from my lips, bringing his fingers up to trace where his lips had been. "I don't know what happened, Bella, and we can talk about it," he said, looking straight into my eyes, green meeting brown, "but you can stay here."

I frowned at him. Of course I was staying here. We had planned this reunion. "What do you mean?" I asked cautiously, unsure of where he was going with this.

"I mean, my sweet girl, that I want you to stay here permanently." He smiled at me, his eyes flicking across my face, trying to read me. "Live here with me on the farm."