A/N: Twilight characters belong to SM. No copyright infringement is intended.

Ten

Leah

After two months, the light at the end of the tunnel changed from the size of a pinhole to a large flashlight. Things were looking up. While I was searching for a new teaching position, I was subbing at the local high school. I was still living in Rebecca's spare room. I didn't want to impose, but Rebecca said she didn't mind, and refused any money I tried to give her.

"You save that for your new life," she'd say with a huge smile as she closed my hand over the money. That didn't stop me from sneaking a little bit in the pocket of her jeans.

Sam had reluctantly signed the divorce papers, but he still called every now and then to ask me out to dinner so we could talk. There wasn't much I had to say to him. We were done. I couldn't even stand looking at him anymore. It was funny. There was a time when all I wanted was for Sam to make time for me, and now I wanted him to leave me alone.

The best news so far was my interview at the University of Washington. They were looking for adjunct professors for the fall semester. If I got this job, it could open the door to a fulltime teaching position. The interview went great, too. I looked the dean in the eye, held his attention, and felt we were on the same page with my purpose as a teacher. My hopes were high, and I didn't think anything could get me down.

That was until I walked into Panera Bread afterward. When Edward and I were together, we'd always end up there. We didn't have one back home, and their sandwiches were to die for. That was another bonus if I got the position at the University. Panera Bread was about ten minutes away from campus.

I placed my order—a grilled chicken salad— and took a seat. While I played on my phone, a shadow passed over me.

"Leah?"

I didn't have to look up to know who that voice belonged to, but I did anyway. Edward smiled at me, a tray of food in his hands. Seeing him again was like a shock to the heart. He still looked gorgeous. I was reminded of how people had told me he'd had a crush on me, and I didn't see it. How could I have missed someone so perfect for me?

It also reminded me of the idiot I was to let him go. As usual, he was beautiful, his hair in organized chaos, his green eyes bright and shining.

"Hi, Edward," I said softly. "How have you been?"

"Good." He didn't offer any more information, and his smile was tight.

Jacob had told me that Edward told him everything about us. He also said that it seemed like Edward was going to contact me. That call never came. Then Jacob said that Edward needed time. I gave it to him. Days went by, then weeks, and after the first month I started to lose hope. But that didn't stop me from thinking about him. I'd even practiced what I wanted to say to him the next time I saw him. Too bad that speech disappeared into thin air.

"So, I hear things are going well for you," Edward said, casually.

"Yeah." I nodded. "I think I like it here. Maybe getting fired was the best thing that happened to me."

"Maybe," Edward said. He started shifting uneasily. "Well, I should go. It was nice seeing you."

"You, too," I said, watching him slowly inch away. When would I ever see him again? Yeah, he was Jacob's best friend, but that didn't mean he had to talk to me. Throwing all caution to the wind, I said, "Edward, wait."

He turned around, and those green eyes stared at me inquisitively.

I stood up. "Listen, I know you probably need space and everything, but I've wanted to talk to you." I twisted my fingers together. "But maybe we could talk?"

The question hung in the air, while I held my breath.

"Um." He turned toward the dining area. "I'm here with someone."

It was then that I noticed that there were two meals on his tray. I looked over his shoulder at a table with a red haired woman staring back at us curiously.

"Oh," was all I could say. I felt like such an idiot.

"It was good to see you, though." His smile was awkward as he turned away and headed to the table. When he got there, he placed food in front of the woman. Her eyes went back to me briefly, then to Edward. I could tell they were talking about me.

My heart sank like a stone to the bottom of a lake. My good mood was gone just like that.

I couldn't even eat my salad, so I packed it up and took it with me. On the drive home, I cried. It hurt like a punch to gut with a gauntlet to see him with someone else. This was worse than catching Sam with Emily. Maybe because deep down I knew that relationship was dead and was afraid to admit it to myself. But I was still very much in love with Edward.

When I walked into the front door, Sarabi and Mufusa greeted me with cheerful barks. I gave them both a gentle pat.

"Hey," Rebecca said, coming from the kitchen. She saw the expression on my face and frowned. "Did the interview not go well?"

"Yeah." I went to the kitchen to put my salad in the fridge. "It went great. I think they might hire me."

"So, what's wrong?"

"I saw Edward at Panera Bread." I dropped down on the couch and took off my heels. "He looked so gorgeous and smelled so good."

"And?" Rebecca took a seat next to me and folded her legs underneath her.

"And he was with someone else." My head dropped back on the couch. "It was so embarrassing. I wanted to tell him that I missed him, and that I wanted him back. Then he said, he was there with someone."

A crinkle formed between Rebecca's brows. "Jake didn't mention anything about Edward dating someone new."

I laughed sarcastically. "That doesn't mean anything. Jake didn't know about Edward and me for months." I sat up. "The part that sucks is that I did this. This is completely my fault. I told him to move on and find someone who will love him the way I couldn't."

"He couldn't have been dating her long." Rebecca put her finger to her chin. "And if she was someone special, he would have told Jacob about her."

"Remember, Jake didn't know about Edward and me," I reminded her.

"He was keeping that secret for you, Leah." Rebecca squeezed my hand. "If it's serious, Jacob would know about it, and he doesn't. Jake wouldn't keep that from you."

"I don't understand how this is important?" I rubbed my feet.

"It means you have a shot at getting him back!" Rebecca said, clapping her hands together.

My eyes narrowed at her. "I just said he was on a date, Becca." I felt like I was talking to the wall.

"You love him, right?" When I nodded, Rebecca said, "Then fight for him. Let him know that you need him! If you don't, you'll always wonder what would have happened if you had just told him how you felt."

"What about his new girlfriend?"

"What about her? Like I said, they probably haven't been dating long." Rebecca waved her hand around. "It's not serious."

I sighed heavily. "I couldn't do that, not after what Sam did to me."

"But he wants to be with you, Leah." Rachel leaned back. "I know he does."

"I don't think I could take it if he turned me away. It's hard enough thinking about him not wanting me, but to hear him say it would be worse. I can't do that."

"Seriously?" Rebecca said incredulously. "You're Leah Clearwater, the same woman who showed up on Edward Masen's doorstep wearing only red ribbon covering your girly parts. You're telling me you don't have the guts to fight for the one you love?"

"Becca…"

"No." She held her hand up, halting my words. "Go change your clothes, something casual, but attracting. Then you're going to drive to his house and tell him how you feel."

"I think you've seen too many romance movies." I rubbed my forehead. "News flash, Becca. That kind of stuff doesn't happen in real life."

"Honestly, what have you got to lose? At the very least, you'll know." Rebecca held her finger up. "But, if you tell him how you really feel, and he still loves you, then you'll have him back. And the best part, you won't have to hide anymore since you're not with Sam."

Deep down, I knew she was right. If I never told Edward how I felt and found out later that telling him would bring him come back to me, I'd regret it. I knew what I had to do.

~*oOo*~

By the time I left Rebecca's, I was keyed up to confess my love. But the drive from Port Angeles to Forks was long and gave me plenty of time to think and rethink and rethink my decision.

The sun was down when I finally made it to Edward's place. My heart beat filled the silence, as I stared at his house.

Only his car parked was in front, but that didn't mean the new girlfriend wasn't inside. The last thing I wanted was to interrupt something. That would hurt worse than seeing them together earlier.

God, what if they were having sex?

Thinking like that certainly wasn't encouraging me to knock on the door.

I'd driven all the way out there. I had to at least try. My thoughts drifted back to regrets. I'd already regretted letting Edward go. I didn't want to regret not telling him how I felt.

After sitting in the car for ten minutes, I finally rallied up the courage walk to the front door and even found some to knock.

I cracked my knuckles and paced in front of the door. I didn't know what to expect when the door finally creaked open. Maybe his new girlfriend would be there, answering the door in his t-shirt.

Don't think like that, because that isn't helping.

The air that I held blew out with relief when the door opened. He answered the door dressed in a t-shirt and track pants and his hair rumpled from laying down.

He leaned against the doorjamb and waited for me to speak.

Finally, I said, "Hi, Edward."

"Hello, Leah." His answer was short, but not rude.

"Are you … busy?" In other words, are you alone?

I tried to casually look over his shoulder to make sure he was alone. He moved in my line of sight.

"No. Just here, watching television, by myself." His lips twitched a little. This man could read me like a book. "What's up?"

"Can I come in?" I asked, fiddling with my cuticles. "I promise I'll be quick."

He pushed himself from the doorjamb and waved me inside.

"Thanks."

The door closed behind me. My eyes stayed with Edward as he walked past me to the kitchen. "Do you want something to drink? I think I have some iced tea."

I bit my lip to hide my grin. Iced tea was my drink of choice, and he always had some when I came over. This could be a good sign.

But I needed to concentrate. I was nervous enough without the sugar rush.

"No, thanks."

I looked around the room. Being at his place brought back so many great memories. The most vivid was that dining room table where we'd first made love. I could still feel his hands, holding me as he made the sweetest, most passionate love to me. That was what it was like whenever we were together.

"You said you wanted to talk." Edward broke through my thoughts. He leaned back on the counter with his arms folded, watching me closely.

"Well, I guess I just wanted to clear the air." I began cracking my knuckles, a nervous habit. "God, why is this so hard. I've never been so anxious talking to you before."

He waited patiently, while his mouth formed in a thin line.

"I'm sure you know about Sam and me." I started pacing. "He signed the papers, and I'm free. We're done, Edward. I'm just waiting for the finalized paperwork."

"Jake told me." His expression was stoic, which didn't help my confidence.

"What I mean is that you are the one that I love. I don't know what I thought I was trying to save with Sam, but I'm done with him. You are the one that I want. I've been spending the last two months getting my life back in order, and I wanted nothing more to call you and tell you what's going on with me, how I'm getting my life together. I wanted to hear about yours, too. God, I miss you. I miss your voice. Sometimes I listen to your old messages, just to hear it again. I miss how you sometimes woke me up with kisses on my skin. I miss being in your arms.

"I told myself that you were better off without me, that you'd find someone who was worthy of your love. Then I saw you at Panera Bread with that woman. I knew it was a mistake letting you go, and that no matter where the future takes us, you'll always be in my heart."

He was silent and refused to look at me.

"Say something please." I stepped in front of him to catch his attention. "I'm pouring my heart out to you, and you have nothing to say? At least tell me to leave or go to hell, but don't shut me out! Please!"

Those beautiful green eyes finally found mine. "Are you really done with him?"

"Yes." I touched his cheek. "Sam and I are done. Even if you don't take me back, I'm never going back to him."

He stepped up to me, his eyes watching me with an intense stare. "Do you really mean that?"

"Yes," I said, holding that serious gaze and hoping that it seeps in. "It's you. Only you."

"I missed you too, Leah. When Jacob told me that you left Sam, I wanted to run to you, but then I wondered if you were serious about it." I could see the pain in his expression. "I couldn't stand losing you again, so I figured it would be easier trying to get over you now. It would be ten times worse if you left me again."

"You don't have to worry, because I'm never going back to him, and I won't leave you." I grabbed his face between my hands. "It's you and me, Edward. No more hiding out, no more sneaking around. I just want to be with you, and I don't care who knows it."

"Good, because I'm not sharing you." The warning was clear as day. I couldn't fuck this up again or I'd lose him for good.

"All yours, honey. I'm not going anywhere."

His kiss was so strong, it demanded submission, and I couldn't get enough. But then I remembered something very important. "Wait, wait." I pulled away, but didn't leave the comfort of his embrace. "What about that woman you're dating?"

He crinkled his brow. "What woman?"

"The red haired woman," I said. "The one I saw you with at Panera Bread."

"Oh." A sly smile formed. "We aren't dating. She's a friend of the family. She's moving here with her husband, but she didn't know the area. I was just showing her around."

"You mean you and her aren't…"

He shook his head. "But you're cute when you're jealous."

"I wouldn't say I was jealous," I argued feebly. "I might have been a little envious, but not jealous."

"No, Leah, you were jealous." He smirked. "You probably wanted to come over and demand that she step away from your man or you'd scratch her eyes out." That grin grew even bigger. "Admit it."

Even though I tried to fight it, my smile broke through. He could always find a way to make me laugh. "I'm not admitting anything, because I wasn't jealous."

"Yeah? Then how come it looked like you were going to spit nails." He raised an eyebrow, daring me to deny it. He leaned forward until his lips were inches away from mine. "Do you know what I wanted to do to you when I saw that look? I should make you jealous more often."

"For the last time, I wasn't—" He cut me off with a scorching hot kiss. I didn't have a chance to get upset, because all I was thinking about was where that mouth was going to next.

Things moved pretty fast. I don't even remember all of my clothes being removed, although I remember a few ripping sounds. The next thing I knew, I was on the couch, naked, with him on top of me. His eyes looked deeply into mine as he slowly entered me. It brought an ache so sweet, I shed tears.

"Baby, am I hurting you?" he said, as he kissed my wet cheeks.

"No, Edward. You feel good. You feel right." My back arched, and I held onto to him.

"You feel good too, Leah. I didn't think I'd ever feel you again." He eased my legs around his waist.

His head dropped to mine as he moved, staring at me with so much emotion, and so much love. I knew that this was where I belonged.

My body started to shake, my orgasm looming. I kept my eyes on his for as long as I could, until my body tensed up. Then I exploded with a strangled cry that would normally embarrass me, but not with Edward. With the passion we shared, there was no room for embarrassment.

His movement became erratic, and he came with his own hoarse cry. He held onto me as his hips jerked his release. He collapsed on top of me.

I looked up at him, still feeling the aftershocks of my amazing orgasm. "I love you so much, Edward."

"I love you too, Leah," he breathed into my neck.

A/N: So, I'd love to hear your thoughts. I hope their reconciliation lived up to your expectations!