Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight, I do not. This plot however did spark from my twisted Reality TV loving mind and I decided to run with it. No copyright infringement is intended with the posting of this mayhem.

A/N: Hi again! If you have furry, or fur-less children... or if you have a significant other who sometimes acts like a child (it happens to the best of them, lol) I hope you had a nice Mothers Day! This chapter should hopefully leave you smiling. Lots of progress and some citrus to tie it all together at the end.

Real Talk

Chapter 25

~Bella~

On the way to the school Edward and I sat in the back of the van together. There was a noticeable space between the two of us though. When Alice turned around in her seat to ask me where I'd been for the last few days, her eyes quickly settled on the gap separating us. She instantly frowned, unable to hide her disappointment. I shifted my weight backwards into my seat and focused my stare out the window before replying, "I was at a hotel on the beach. Nothing fancy. The only time I left was to see the guys off at the airport on Monday."

"Oh so they did leave when they were supposed to?"

"Yup. I'd been on my own since Monday afternoon." I replied with a nod of my head to answer her question. I carefully glanced at Edward but he was busy staring out his own window now. He seemed a million miles away and that was making me nervous. "I just wanted a little more time away from the camera's before coming back."

That a girl. Another half-truth never hurt anymore.

"We absolutely understand. We just figured you went back home for a few days." Emmett replied looking back from his seat in front of Alice and Tanya.

"Nope. I knew if I went all the way back… I'd more than likely have stayed there. I just needed to clear my head. I wasn't ready to really leave you guys yet. I also knew you would wither away and die of boredom without me." I teased trying to lighten the mood in the van.

Who weren't you ready to leave yet, Swan? Them? Or him?

Shut it.

My eyes instantly glanced down at Edward's left hand that was now tapping nervously over his knee. For a moment I considered placing my own hand over his, to help calm his obvious nerves, but I reminded myself we weren't there yet. I was determined to take things slow. This couldn't feel rushed or forced. I wouldn't let that happen. It had to be done right and with purpose. We owed that to each other. There was no reason to rush back in without first repairing the damage we'd done.

Accept for the fact that you only have a little over two weeks left here, Swan.

Seriously?! Leave me alone!

"Well, we're all stoked that you came back. We'll have to celebrate tonight." Emmett insisted offering his hand up in the air after leaning way back to throw me a high-five. I smiled without saying a word in response and nodded my head.

I honestly didn't feel like celebrating though. Edward and I still had to have our talk. Once I got everything out, and once he made his decision, then I could celebrate.

Or drink yourself to death. Either or, depending on how he reacts and responds.

"Maybe we should hold off till tomorrow night, so we will all have the weekend to recuperate." I suggested with a wink.

"Yeah you're probably right! Tomorrow night then. It's on like Donkey Kong! Like first night party time! Hot tub action and a round of, Well I Never."

"Oh. Fabulous." Rose snickered then let out an exasperated huff from between her red painted lips.

"Sounds like a plan, Em. I can't wait to let my hair down again. Believe it or not, I've actually been taking it easy the last few days." I replied with a crooked smile then leaned forward to squeeze Alice's shoulder to let her know I really was doing okay. She nodded her head and offered me her own best smile, but I could tell she wasn't completely sold on my act. That was okay though. I didn't need her to be. I knew in time things would be back to normal and all the scandals, all the mayhem… it would all be forgotten.

At least until it aired on national television.

That had to give me at least a few good weeks of normalcy.

Hopefully.

When we got to the school I considered running into Esme's office real quick to let her know I was back, but we were already late getting to our groups so I decided to put it off till the end of the day.

Not to mention I was dying to see a certain special orphan.

As soon as Edward and I walked into the room, Bree instantly leaped from her seat and ran herself into my arms. I hugged her tightly and softly apologized for my absence then said hi to the rest of the kids.

"Don't ever do that again. I've been so worried about you. You could have at least sent me a note or called." Bree scolded, looking up at me with her eyes glazed from happy tears. I smiled and nodded my head.

"I should have. I'm sorry. I just needed to take a little break. Sometimes things start to pile up and I have a hard time catching my breath."

"It's cool. I get it. Sometimes I wish I could just disappear too. You're lucky you're a grownup and get to do stuff like that," she quickly confessed then hugged me again.

I frowned and shook my head disagreeing with her, "No, Bree. Grownups should never just disappear like that. What I did, it wasn't cool. I should have let you know I was okay, and that I'd be back. I owe you a huge apology."

"Yeah yeah. Don't worry, you didn't really worsen my abandonment issues that much more. I knew you'd come back before leaving for good." she teased with a smirk on her face, "I have something for you." I could feel myself smiling while I watched her run over to her book bag at the table. She reached in to grab a spiral notebook then swiftly ran back to me. "Here. Since you weren't around… I just wrote you all the stuff I needed to get off my chest. Since we couldn't have our talks out on the playground I mean. Mr. Edward tried to listen but it wasn't really the same. So you can read it later, and then maybe write back. Good deal?" she explained.

I looked down at the notebook in my hands and smiled. "Good deal. I'll read it all tonight and I promise to write back ASAP." I was suddenly fighting back a new wave of random tears that were threatening to fall from my eyes.

"I'm so happy you're back Ms. Bella. We're going roller skating tomorrow. It will be fun now that you're coming, so I guess I'll go. You've missed a lot of crap though, some stupid family has been making me hang out with them, but I talk about it in the notebook. Okay I'm going to go finish my math homework." She hugged me again then ran back to her desk where the rest of the girls were quietly working with their heads down, but their eyes drawn in my direction. They were all obviously trying to eavesdrop on our conversation. I scanned the room and saw the boys smiling at me from their table. A few of them waved, but for the most part it was apparent they had been instructed to remain calm and quiet upon my return to the group. I looked around for Edward and found him talking quietly with Irina in the corner of the room. Something about the way they were talking. It didn't sit well with me. I brushed it off, deciding I was just being overly paranoid, and walked over to join them.

"Hey Irina."

"Hi Bella. Welcome back. I guess I'm no longer needed here, since you've returned." She gave Edward one last shy smile, affectionately squeezed his arm with her hand, and stood up to leave the room without saying anything else. I was instantly aware that I'd interrupted a conversation I wasn't supposed to be a part of and before it was meant to be over.

I was also aware that I wasn't being so paranoid after all.

"Well. I guess you did what you had to do while I was gone." I grumbled without thinking twice. I didn't waste any time to walk away, leaving him behind. The last thing I wanted was to give him the chance to respond. I had no right to be mad. Whatever that was about, it was none of my business. I'd walked away from him when he'd first reached out and begged me to talk. I'd told him he was free to do whatever he needed to do in order to carry on without me.

"Bella,"

"We're at work, Edward. Like I said at the house, we will talk more later. There's obviously lots we still need to talk about. Can we please just focus on the kids for the next few hours?" I begged, feeling my emotions starting to get the better of me. If he continued to push, there was no way I'd be able to hold back my frustration. I stuck Bree's notebook in my back pocket and went to sit at the table with the girls, knowing he wouldn't be stupid enough to follow me.

Bree was already frowning and biting nervously at her thumb nail.

"I told you," One of the other girls, snickered as I took my seat.

"Shut up, Nettie." Bree decisively warned then shook her head, "He missed you, Ms. Bella. I know he did. He's been so sad. All week. Seriously zombie like."

I looked away and redirected my eyes to the paper in front of her then took in a deep breath. "So, ladies, what kind of math are we doing?" I asked changing the subject. I wasn't about to take relationship advice from a group of nine and ten year olds. Even if they probably did have inside information they would be willing to share.

Edward and I didn't talk much the rest of the day. Really only when it was absolutely required of us in order to get our job done without any hiccups. It was hard to ignore how stressed he seemed, he was making it abundantly obvious with his pacing and lack of social interaction with the kids.

It was almost time to head home, so Bree and I had positioned ourselves under our favorite tree on the playground where we usually discussed what was on our mind in a slightly less censored, age appropriate way, "Now that we're alone you can tell me. Is he in trouble again?" Bree's little voice asked, breaking me from my own out of focus thoughts. "Are you going to leave again?"

"You know better Ms. Tanner." I warned with a forced smile. "No outrageously personal questions… but no, I'm not going anywhere. He didn't do anything wrong. He did exactly what I told him to do."

She rolled her eyes and shook her head, "Right. Grownups are so weird. Like seriously, weird. You just better write me back, and I just better see you tomorrow."

I smiled and squeezed her hand then told her to have a goodnight before standing up from the grass to go meet Edward at the gate after seeing the room mother had joined us to take the kids back to their boarding house.

"Ready to head home?" he asked, still avoiding my eyes.

"Yup. I want to check in with Esme though… so if everyone else wants to go, I can just call myself a taxi." I quickly replied, then started walking away without waiting for his response. He rushed his steps to catch up and walk beside me then gently grabbed at my arm to slow my pace.

"Bella, I can wait with you. If you want," he offered as I looked down at his hand that was still holding onto my wrist. His forced touch had caused me to flinch, but he didn't let me go.

"It's okay. You don't have to."

"I realize I don't have to. I want to. I've already been away from you enough this week. Every second we have left… I want them spent with you," he firmly answered.

I gently pulled my arm from his grasp, and rolled my eyes with an accidental scoff escaping past my lips. "Alright fine. Wait. I'll be back in a few minutes. I'll meet you out here when I'm done." I left him standing there on the steps of the office building and forcefully pushed the door open.

Irina was at her desk outside of Esme's office surfing her Facebook feed. She looked up and instantly opened her mouth, "Look, Bella, nothing really hap…"

I didn't waste any time to interrupt her, "I'm here to see Esme. Not you."

"Oh, okay. Um. She's in, just knock first."

I nodded my head and forced a smile then walked past her desk to tap on Esme's door. I heard her invite me in and turned the door knob with my hand then slowly stuck my head inside to offer a quiet hello.

"Bella! I'm so glad you stopped by before heading home. I meant to come see you but time got away from me this afternoon. Plus I figured when you were ready to talk, you would come find me." I smiled in response and let my feet take me further into her office. It was warm and inviting. I scanned the walls and noticed countless hand written letters from children framed and mounted behind her desk then stopped in front of a large picture of all of the kids standing in front of the playground. I quickly scanned it for Bree's signature smile, and felt my own smile raise. It only took me half a second to spot her. It was incredible how just seeing her smiling face could suddenly settle my anxiety and allow me to breathe easier. "It's really good to see you back." Esme spoke up, breaking me from my stare on the photograph.

"Yeah. I just needed to get away. Thanks for not giving me a hard time about it. I'm sorry if my absence left you shorthanded."

"Not at all. Irina filled in just fine. The kids sure have missed you though. Especially Miss Tanner. I knew you two had gotten close, but I had no idea just how attached she really was till she thought she may never get to see you again."

I smiled feeling my heart grow over Esme's words then took a seat in the chair across from her desk. "I heard there's a family that's been showing some interest in adopting her?"

She nodded her head and folded her hands in front of her then let out an exasperated sigh. "They're a very nice couple with a six year old son. Unfortunately, Bree isn't very fond of the idea. It seems she's just not ready to leave everything and everyone she's ever known behind."

"Hah, I guess I can relate to that." I muttered then felt my cheeks instantly blush.

"Yes… I had a feeling you two would be kindred spirits." I smiled and shrugged my shoulders, unsure of how to respond to her Ann of Green Gables-ish statement. "She told me she asked you and Edward to take her out trick or treating on Halloween."

"Yeah, I mean only if it's okay with you. Just for like an hour."

"It's fine with me, but Bella, you do need to start preparing her for what's to come at the end of the month. You will have to say goodbye to her. I've talked to her about it, but she has this crazy idea in her head… well… it's not my place. You just need to let her know that she has her own path, and it's separate from the one you're on at this time in your life."

What the hell is up with all these people bringing up my damn path these last few days?

Jesus.

Who am I Bella Quest now?

I sighed and tugged on my dreads that had fallen in front of my shoulder. "I know. I don't want to think about leaving yet. I'm already mad at myself for going away and staying away for as long as I did. I wasted so much time. Time that I should have spent with her, being here for her."

"I think she probably feels the same way… I mean, that she could have been there for you. If you'd have let her."

"Yeah she likes to think she takes care of me." I replied with a light laugh as I shook my head with a guarded smile.

"Thinks huh? She's a very special little girl. It's okay to admit that Bella. Good and special people are allowed to be in your life. Not everyone will turn around and disappoint you. I promise, be it temporarily or permanently. Everyone has a purpose."

I considered her words for a moment then stood up from my chair and rubbed my hands in front of me, this conversation was starting to get a little too therapy-like, so that meant it was time for me to bring it to a close, "Okay well, I just wanted to stop in and say hi and also thank you for not firing me."

"Of course not, Bella. You'll always be welcomed here. Even come November. If something, or someone, should convince you to stay, I mean. You will always have a place here with us," she finished then got up and walked around her desk to give me a firm hug. She whispered how lucky she and the kids were that someone like me had come into their lives, and I felt my eyes swell up with tears while I hugged her back. I cautiously allowed myself to imagine this was what it would have been like to have a heart to heart with my own mother and felt heavier tears swell up above my lower lashes till they began running down my cheeks. "You're a special person, Bella, with an amazing heart. I'm so proud of you for coming back, and not running away or giving up. I've seen you grow a lot during your time here with us… even though you didn't think I was watching… I have been, and you've most certainly come a long way Ms. Swan."

I wiped my cheeks free of the tears that had fallen and let out a nervous laugh, "Working here has definitely forced me to realize I should be grateful for the people I did have growing up, instead of focusing so much on the ones I didn't have," I shared. She looked down at me and nodded her head then began walking me towards her door.

"Go home and rest. Enjoy your friends. Life is too short to dwell on your past, Bella. You have to make every new day count towards your future."

"You mean I shouldn't live life like there's no tomorrow?" I teased bringing a crooked smile to her face.

"Oh I think you've done a fairly good job at that already. Maybe try living life like tomorrow will be even better than the day before it, because of the choices you make today. .. instead of constantly looking over your shoulder afraid of the things that might return, or in some cases, never catch up to you." she suggested with a wink of her eye. I nodded my head and thanked her again then opened the door to go find Edward.

Irina was missing from her desk and I was instantly dreading what I might find when I rounded the corner outside in front of the school.

To say I was pleased when I found him alone sitting on the steps would have been a gross understatement.

He was staring down at his sneakers with his chin resting on his knees, once again looking a thousand miles away. I stood there behind him for a few seconds watching him tap his feet rhythmically while he swayed lightly side to side humming something to himself. I stepped closer to try and make out the song that he apparently had stuck in his head then let out an impulsive gasp upon realizing it was my song. The one I'd admitted was for him the night we'd had our big fight and he'd sent me away from our house.

He turned around to face me then slowly stood up holding his broken hand in front of him.

"That was my song." I whispered looking him in the eyes.

"Yeah. It's been stuck in my head since the night you left," he admitted bashfully before taking a step closer towards me.

"You- you read the lyrics then?"

He nodded his head and took another step so that we were now only inches apart, but still not touching. "Memorized every word. I'd like to hear you sing it though. For me. Sometime, I mean… if you still feel the same way you did when you wrote it."

I smiled feeling my cheeks burn red, and shrugged my shoulders. "Let's get home. I have a bunch of love notes to read from my biggest, littlest BFF." I shared pulling the notebook Bree had given me out from my back pocket.

"Yeah, she's been scribbling in that thing for you all week. Crazy kid. I considered writing you a few notes myself, but I had an issue with stealing a ten year olds idea." he teased making me smile again just as our ride pulled up. He draped his left arm over my shoulder and slowly walked me down the steps then opened the taxi door for me. Once we were both inside I leaned my head down to rest it on his shoulder and took his uninjured hand into mine, squeezing it gently with my fingers.

Go ahead. Ask him. You know it's only going to drive you mad till you get your answer. Just. Do. It. Already.

"So, did you sleep with her?" I finally blurted out then noticed the taxi drivers eyes instantly glance back at us in his rear view mirror.

"Wha-what? With who?" Edward stuttered. His eyes abruptly narrowed down towards my own.

"Don't play dumb. You know who." I calmly pressed. He said nothing, he just sat there and stared down at me. I was just about to accept that as his silent answer when he slowly began shaking his head.

"Irina and I hung out last night. After work. She knew I was having a rough time so she suggested I come hang out with her and some of her friends, away from the cameras. Oddly enough her friends suspiciously canceled on her, and after a few drinks at her apartment she started getting a little touchy feely. She told me she liked me, in a more than friend slash coworker way, but I set her straight that the feelings weren't mutual."

"You must have at least kissed her or something,"

He looked at me seemingly shocked over my accusation then reluctantly nodded his head. "For a few minutes… I tried to forget about you for a few minutes, but it only took a few minutes for me to realize it would be impossible to do. I didn't want to forget about you. It was just a kiss. I was going to tell you all of this later, when we had our talk. I promise. I don't want there to be anymore secrets. No matter how innocent they might be."

"You didn't need to tell me. A girl always knows though. I'm not mad. I kissed Paul. I practically begged him to fuck me senseless that first night. Thankfully, he refused. I was in a really bad place those first forty-eight hours." I shared causing the taxi driver to choke on his own saliva. "I tried to forget about you too. It's what people like us do. We forget so we can leave it all behind and move forward. I'm tired of leaving things behind though. I'm tired of running from the things… from the feelings I can't control. I don't want to be in control anymore when it comes to me and you, but there's still stuff I need to get off my chest, before anything else can happen."

"You know I really didn't expect to have this conversation in the back of a cab."

"No cameras." I pointed out with a slight grin. He smiled and shook his head before raising his brow in my direction, obviously anticipating that I had something else to say. "Plus I didn't want this to be a part of our other talk, later. I just needed to get it out of the way. I shouldn't have snapped at you like that when I realized something had happened between you and Irina. You did exactly what I told you to do." I admitted then turned to look out the window.

"You're starting to scare me with this little talk you have planned for us," he took my hand back into his and gave it a squeeze.

I smiled and forced a light laugh, "I like to keep you on your toes, M&M."

"God it's good to hear you call me that again."

I grinned looking back at him, "You still don't even know what it stands for."

He shrugged and nodded his head agreeing with me. "No, but I know it means you're still thinking of me the same way you thought of me last week before all the bullshit. That's good enough for me, Rock Star."

After hearing his logic, I impulsively leaned over to take his lips against mine and let our mouths linger against one another while I ran my fingers through his soft silky hair. I easily became intoxicated by his touch and the movement of his hand against the swell of my back as he brought me firmly up against him in the back seat of the cab.

"Um… sorry to interrupt but, we're here." the driver informed us after clearing his throat to break our embrace. I laughed nervously and looked into Edwards eyes with our foreheads still pressed together.

"How about we circle the block a few times, friend?" Edward requested then pulled a fifty dollar bill from his wallet to hand it to the driver. I giggled and pressed my head into his shoulder then wrapping my arms around his neck after moving myself further up into his lap.

"No problem. Just let me know when you two have had enough of each other," the driver joked with a chuckle then turned back around to take his car out of park and continue down the block.

"Oh, I think if we waited till then we would be driving for all eternity." Edward replied with a smirk, looking down into my eyes. I felt my heart skip a beat over his words and instantly pulled his face back down towards mine not wanting to waste a single second we had in the back of the cab, without any third eyes watching quietly from a distance.

During dinner everyone stayed busy talking about the Halloween party they had apparently begun to plan while I'd been away. Alice seemed almost manic talking about the decorations she wanted to get, and how she also wanted to set up a spooky haunted house out on the back patio. Rose was determined to have cheesy party game stations like bobbing for apples, which Emmett immediately suggested instead of apples they throw in a few fake body parts to make things a little more festive. Tanya wanted to have a costume contest, and James seconded her suggestion. I just sat back and listened because I was already feeling ridiculously depressed over the thought that we would now be spending our last Saturday night together in the house with a bunch of other people, some of which would probably be virtual strangers. I didn't want to ruin their fun though so I stayed quiet and picked at the food on my plate.

"Bella… eat. Don't just stare at it." Rose snickered in my ear after leaning over for a moment while everyone else continued with their discussion.

"I am eating. Chill, Hale." I warned with a huff then tossed a tomato from my dry salad into my mouth. "See. Yum. Delicious."

She narrowed her eyes and swirled some spaghetti onto the fork that had been resting on my plate then held it out towards my mouth. "Seriously? What am I two years old?" I asked with a roll of my eyes.

"Apparently. Now eat it. I'm not playing around. I knew you going away would set you back. I'd hoped your friends would have kept a better eye on this part of your recovery, but apparently they were too busy focusing on all your other bullshit. You were doing too well for me to sit quietly now."

I rolled my eyes again and leaned over to take the fork from her hand then brought it forcefully into my mouth, "Happy?" I asked, my mouth now full of pasta and red sauce.

She smiled and nodded her head, "Very."

I watched her return to the party conversation, feeling thankful that no one else had noticed our little pow-wow off to the side, then took two more bites before standing up to scrape my plate into the garbage can. I was honestly feeling too anxious to eat. It had nothing to do with my food issues. I was just literally feeling nauseous over the thought of what might happen after I talked to Edward tonight.

"Where are you going?" Edwards smooth, familiar voice whispered into my ear after he'd snuck up from behind me at the sink where I was rinsing off my plate.

"Upstairs," I smiled and leaned my body backwards into his after he'd wrapped his arms in front of me. "I want to read Bree's notes." What I really wanted was a distraction, and I knew Bree's random rambles would be perfect for that.

"Okay. Just let me know when you're ready to sneak out."

I turned and gave his cheek a quick kiss then nodded my head agreeing to do as he had requested before wiggling myself free from his grasp.

Once upstairs I climbed into my bed and pulled my comforter up around me then reached behind my pillow where I had stashed Bree's spiral notebook after we'd gotten home.

I smiled seeing her tiny chicken scratch handwriting and nuzzled in deeper against my pillow.

Hi Ms. Bella,

Me and my friends alwayz rite to each other when we have stuff to say but we can't say it out loud. Cense you desided to take off I desided I'm still gunna bug you in my own way. I'm really upset you left without saying n-e thing to me. Everyone says you'll be back but I don't think they no you like they think they do so it makes me nurvus when they say you'll be back. It's weird how grownups tell us kids what they think we want to here all the time insted of just saying that sometimes crap happens in life and we just have to exsept it and stuff. I'm going to do my best without you just incase you don't come back but that doesn't mean I'm going to stop thinking about you. Okay, time for English. I'll rite more later.

It was fascinating to me the way Bree held nothing back and just said things like they were. I couldn't believe it, but I was almost envious of her for being able to be like that. So straight forward and to the point. It was a huge gift that she had, and I had to make sure she was aware of that when I wrote her back.

Okay so. That was the stupidest lesson ever. What a waste of 40 minutes. Sometimes I wish this school stuff would just go away. I wish I could just sneek off to the skate park and practice my kick-flips so I can make Mr. Edward proud of me. He told me yesturday I'm getting better. I think he just felt bad for me thow because he could tell I was sad you still weren't here. Why do boys do that? When I'm older and I actually give a crap I'm gunna make sure no boy ever just tells me what I want to here. Nettie thinks it's sweet when Zane agrees with everything she says. I think its puthetic. Who needs that? Ah Mrs. Esme is coming. Got2go!

Her ramblings were seriously tugging at my heart strings. So was her awful spelling. I could totally picture her hunched over scribbling her thoughts down and shaking her head to herself as she thought about the mystery of boys and what made them tick. The next three paragraphs were filled with Bree venting about the stupidity of having to take science and social studies. She wasn't going to be a scientist, and she had zero interest in politics. Thank God. So she just didn't see the point in burning valuable brain time on such subjects. I found myself laughing out loud several times and turned to lay on my stomach with the note book in front of me as I turned the page to her last entry. The handwriting was noticeably different on this page. Much softer, and more controlled. I noticed that right away and it had my attention immediately.

Okay so. I just got back from having stupid dinner and stupid ice cream with these stupid people and their stupid kid. His name is Stanley… seriously? Who names their kid Stanley? Esme says I have to give'em a chance. That it makes me special cuz they want to spend time getting to no me. I think that's a lowed of bull. I'm not some puppy they can try out b4 taking home. Plus they go to church 3 times a week. I ain't got time for that. Could you even imagen?! Besides I like it here. I don't need anyone else in my life that I don't already have. I mean the only people I'd like to forever add is you and Mr. Edward. If I could have that then my life would be perfect. I know you have to go thow. I don't want you to but I kno SoCaro sux a lot. So I don't blam you. Maybe if I'm lucky you'll come back and visit me? I really hope you'll come back to visit. Please please please promise me you'll come back to visit? No one gets me like you do. I don't think anyone else ever will. I can't wait till you come back. Okay. Lights out. Tomorrow's a new day to bring change and make stuff happen. At least that's what Mrs. Esme says. Carp-them and all that stuff. Xo, Bree

I brushed the random tear from my cheek and felt my crooked smile settle into a confused frown. It was going to be so hard to say goodbye to her. I didn't even want to think about that moment. Without a doubt it was going to be hard to say goodbye to everyone. I'd grown so attached to so many new people in my life, when before them, I'd only had a handful who I had allowed in. It was for this very reason… I hated goodbyes because throughout my entire life, every time someone said it… they always meant it. There was no such thing as a, 'see you later'. At least not a pleasant, 'see you later'. I leaned over and pulled a pen from the nightstands drawer and began writing Bree back without sitting too long to carefully calculate my reply. I wanted it all to be honest and legit. I wanted her to read it and know I meant every word. That I wasn't just another grown up telling her things a grown up should, and would tell a kid. I wanted her to know that every word I wrote, they all came from my heart.

There were so many things I wanted for Bree. I wanted her to experience so much that I never had. She had to learn to trust though and open herself up… otherwise she would end up just like me, and I absolutely did not want that for her.

~EDWARD~

As soon as the mobile camera guys cut off for the night, I headed upstairs to steal Bella away from the house and its corner cams. I'd been surprised to find her still scribbling with serious purpose in the spiral notebook Bree had given her. I cleared my throat and she instantly stopped writing to look up at me with her eyes wide.

"It's after three. The cameras are gone." I told her with a slight smile.

"Right. Right. Our talk. Okay. Give me five more minutes, and I'll meet you downstairs. I accidentally dozed off for a little while," she replied then glanced back down at the notebook, "I just need to finish up this thought."

"Sure. Take your time. I was actually just making sure you hadn't fallen asleep." I laughed causing her to smirk, "I'll be in the living room whenever you're ready to head out." I told her, she nodded her head in reply and looked back down at the sheet of paper she had been writing on then returned her pen to its surface. She had an almost manic look in her eyes when she'd looked up at me. She'd said it so many times before, so I already knew it was going to be hell on her to leave Bree behind in a few weeks. I was honestly dreading that goodbye myself. That little girl had definitely left a permanent mark on my heart, so the idea of never seeing her again… well it was something I tried my best to not think about these days. I could only imagine what it was going to do to Bella when that time came.

"You two going out?" James asked after I came back into the computer room where he was typing away on the keyboard. He was the only person left in the house that was still awake.

"Yeah. To talk. She has more she wants to get off her chest. I'm nervous as hell about it." I admitted scratching my head with my hand after I'd fallen back into the large bean bag chair in the corner of the room.

"She came back. That's huge. I wouldn't stress yourself out too much. Just remember to listen. I mean really listen. That's all she wants." James replied offering me a genuine smile. I nodded my head and redirected my eyes through the open doorway after seeing Bella enter the kitchen. She quickly poured herself a glass of water and took a seat on the stool at the counter, spinning my skateboards wheels in her lap while she kicked her legs nervously beneath her.

"She didn't have a single drink today." I muttered softly, more to myself than to James.

"Nope. That's huge too. Don't force anything more than what she's ready to give, and you'll be okay."

I nodded my head agreeing with him then slowly stood up to go meet Bella where she was waiting for me.

"Ready?" I asked as she handed over my skateboard with a smile.

"Let's do this, before I chicken out," she replied then walked around the counter to open the junk closet where she casually grabbed the big sleeping bag we had taken with us, and shared on our camping trip. "My ass has been sitting on a concrete balcony for the last four days with Jane in my lap. I'm in desperate need of soft surfaces." she explained with a smug smile.

I couldn't help but smirk as I shot her a thumbs up, "Gotcha."

She rolled her eyes and linked her arm through mine, "Don't get any ideas. We're taking things slow buddy."

"Right, Right. Like molasses, Rock Star. Slow and steady wins the race." I was still feeling insanely anxious over what the next thirty minutes might bring, but for some reason, seeing her with a sleeping bag… it had helped settle my nerves just a little bit.

When we got to the school Bella quickly made her way to the empty pool without wasting any time. She was obviously in a hurry to have this conversation, but I'd honestly do anything to put it off for just a few minutes longer.

After a few laps around the courtyard on my board she motioned with her index finger for me to follow her and I reluctantly did. The moment our eyes locked under the bright moon I could see the return of her own nervousness. That instantly made me feel a little bit better.

"Smile, Edward." she ordered with a forced grin.

"I'm trying… I can just tell something's off. I already know I'm not going to like everything you have to say, so I'm mentally preparing." I admitted with a loud huff. Without saying another word I dropped into the pool on my skateboard, leaving her back up at the top all alone. It was nice to be away from the cameras again. Last night at Irina's wasn't exactly the break I had been looking for and craving. Truthfully it had only added to my headache. I hadn't expected her to try and hop on my dick the way she had, I mean she didn't really seem the type at all. I was obviously off my game because when she did I'd almost shoved her to the floor. It was during that moment, though, when I did try to forget all about Bella, that I realized I'd never be able to forget. She was the only person I ever wanted to hold in my arms again, and that's when I knew I had to find a way to make her see that's where she still belonged… and where I needed, and wanted her to be.

I rode up and down the pool's cement walls for a few times trying to further clear my head then saw Bella rush across towards the other end. She laid out the giant sleeping bag and took a seat with her chin propped on top of her closed fists resting above her knees. I was obviously trying to put off the inevitable thanks to my little freestyle run on my board. She was finally ready to talk and now apparently I wasn't ready to hear everything she had left to say because I knew it couldn't all be good, otherwise she would have just gotten it all out earlier this afternoon when she'd first gotten back.

"Edward. Come sit. Please?"

I jumped from my board, sending it towards the shallow end of the empty pool, and landed safely on my feet at the ground. I looked back and nodded at her then slowly made my way over with my hands stuffed into the pockets of my jeans.

After taking in a deep breath and slowly exhaling I took my place across from her. "Alright. What's on your mind, Rock Star. "

"Okay so… here we are again." she paused and cleared her throat nervously.

"Here we are."

"Shhh… let me do this," she warned furrowing her brow in my direction. I raised my hands defensively up in the air teasing her, and then slowly brought my left index finger to my mouth signaling I would remain quiet.

"Okay so. When everything was said and done and after I left with the guys... I'd never in my life felt so absolutely... Empty. Like I seriously couldn't imagine waking up the next day, let alone making it through the night, or even days without you. I'm not telling you this to make you feel bad or guilty. Because I brought all of that on myself. I deserved everything you said to me. Hell I deserved a lot more." She stopped to take another deep breath after her voice quivered at the end of her last sentence. Instead of opening my mouth to tell her she hadn't deserved it, I reached out and took her hand into mine and gave it a firm squeeze. I knew if I tried to say anything she would only shut me up.

"Those feelings I felt that night… they're why I'd vowed to never ever let myself fall in love with someone, because I knew when it happened, I would lose every ounce of strength it had taken me years to build up again. I knew eventually things would spiral out of control, Edward. It was only a matter of how, why, and when. That's what happens after you give your heart to someone. I'd seen it happen, so many times with my friends back home when we were growing up. I knew if they fell as hard as they did, that I'd be a ridiculous puddle of nothing if I ever let some guy into my life in a way that would leave me open and vulnerable… Especially after everything I went through with Riley, and I didn't have half of the feelings for him that I had for you."

"Had?"

"I'm speaking in past tense… because I'm explaining what I felt that night, and what I'd been feeling ever since making the decision to let things happen between us. Not because I no longer have feelings for you. I promise, I do. You've without a doubt made me… you make me feel more than I've ever wanted to feel, Edward."

I offered her a half smile and nodded my head, understanding what she was saying but not wanting to keep her from continuing.

"Right, so, after being so successful, for so many years, turning my back, and shutting people out who might have had the ability to shake my foundation… after keeping feelings out that could have torn me down, instead of build me up… you somehow scaled that wall then apparently demolished it without me even realizing it was actually happening. Before I knew it… it was too late."

"What was too late?" I was panicking. Did I miss my chance? Did she already decide I wasn't enough for her? Were we back at the friends with benefits platform without there being any chance that we could return to the relationship we had finally established and begun to build together just a few weeks ago?

"You fell in love with me, Edward." she finally replied looking up into my eyes with a tiny tear escaping past her bottom lashes.

"I did, Bella, and I still am." I whispered back, softly brushing the wet tear from her face with my thumb. She closed her eyes and leaned her face into the palm of my hand smiling to herself

"You did everything I told you not to do."

"I couldn't help it. I would say sorry, but I'm not sorry. Even after everything we've been through, you're still the only girl I've ever fallen in love with, and I don't regret that at all. I love you Bella Swan. Every fucked up part of you. The good, the bad, and the ugly. I love you, and I'm determined to make you admit you love me too, because I know you do." She opened her eyes and smiled again then brushed the wave of tears away from her face, seemingly embarrassed by her inability to control her un-tethered emotions.

"I've never in my life cried as much as I've cried since coming out here to South Carolina."

I softly laughed and squeezed her hand in mine while she nervously shifted her weight in front of me. "Things happened so fast, Edward. Between us. You have to realize and remember, before you… I kept most people at an arm's length, and for good reason."

"Except for your boys." I interrupted without thinking.

"Only because they were a safe bet. I mean for the most part."

"Till Jake and the pregnancy."

"Yeah. About that. You know things about me that I swore I would never tell anyone. That being said. There's still something I haven't told you, because I never thought it would really matter… Up until recently I refused to believe you and I would ever have anything past the taping of this damn show. Before deciding anything else… when it comes to us actually having a future together… long term… there's something you need to know."

"There's nothing you can tell me that would ever make me change my mind about us. I'm committed to giving you the life you deserve. A good life. With me in it. Whatever you're about to tell me, I'm still going to love you, and I'm still going to want you to be mine, and only mine. Long term. I made a mistake. You made a mistake. We can get past this. I know we can."

She took in a deep breath and sat up straighter in front of me. "You don't need to sell me anything. I know I want to be with you, and I absolutely want you to want me. You just need to hear everything I have to say first, before you really commit to a future with me, outside of the house and away from this bubble we've found here in Charleston."

"Bella,"

"Shhhh! Just listen!" she brashly demanded with her eyes now sealed shut in front of me. Her foot began bobbing up and down nervously over her knee and her hands were back to fumbling with her dreads. "I want us… I really do… I want us to be together, but you have to know, because I know there are some things you want for your future… there are things I won't be able to give you."

"All I need is you. Nothing else."

"Edward."

"I'm sorry. I'll be quiet." I replied with a frown then took in a deep breath while I waited for her to find the words she needed in order to continue.

"Edward, there's a reason why I've never been uptight about us… using… protection. I… when I fell down the stairs and lost the baby… after everything happened, the doctors told me the chance of me ever becoming pregnant again… well it's pretty much nonexistent. I can't have children, and I know you want them, and I'll never be able to give you that. I'll never be able to give you a son, or a daughter of your own."

I sat there feeling stunned. I thought I knew everything, that she had no more secrets left to tell but I'd obviously been wrong. Her news, it was shocking, but it still didn't change anything for me. Not really. I still loved her. Regardless of whether or not our future would have children in it, I still loved her and needed her in my life, by my side. That was still an absolute fact for me.

"It doesn't matter, Bella. If that's our destiny, then that's our destiny. You're all that matters to me. I meant what I said before. You're all I need. Whatever else happens, or doesn't happen, none of that makes a difference to me. As long as I have you, and as long as your happy having me, that's all I want. That's all I need."

She looked up into my eyes and allowed a smile to slowly spread across her face before throwing herself into my arms, "You're unbelievable," she cried into my shoulder with her own shoulders shaking from her quiet sobs. "You're the greatest thing to ever come into my life, and I so don't deserve you but here you are, and you want me to be yours. Even after everything… you still want me."

"Of course I do. You're my soul mate Bella. I could feel that the moment I saw you when you turned around and stuttered that you thought 'Indian Rock' was great. I knew you were someone who could, and would, change my life. It just took me a few days to accept it as fact, and it's taken you a little bit longer. That's okay though. You were worth the wait."

She let out a rushed breath from between her lips and sat back to look me in the eyes again. "I'm so sorry for hurting you. For doing what I did. I'm sorry I can't be the perfect, baggage less girlfriend you deserve to have."

"Stop. You and I, we weren't exclusive when all that happened. You didn't do anything wrong. I don't even want to talk about it anymore, and we both came with bullshit stacked in our closet. Neither of us are perfect. That's what makes us fit so perfectly together."

"So, then. This is our do-over?" she asked sounding almost childlike.

"It is. This is our do-over, Bella. The last one we will ever need. If you'll have me back? As your one and only?" I quietly replied, tilting her chin up so she would look me in the eyes again. She blinked a few tears back then slowly nodded her head in agreement before bringing her lips towards mine. I kissed her gently holding the side of her face in my hand then ran my palm across her cheek to grasp onto the base of her dreads in order to bring our kiss that much deeper.

Her own hands latched onto my hair while she moaned against my mouth after I'd purposely lifted her up to straddle my hips from above my lap. Slowly, I lowered her backwards so she would be lying beneath me on the soft sleeping bag. After our kiss subsided, I propped myself up on my right arm to look deeply into her chocolate brown eyes while we caught our breath.

"I love you, Edward Masen Cullen. So much. I can finally say it, out loud. To you. For your ears to hear as fact. I love you so much that it almost destroyed me, but in the end, it also made me realize how badly I need and want you in my life." she whispered without breaking our stare.

"It feels fucking amazing to finally hear you say that, Bella. You already know I love you too, and I know you said something about taking things slow so," She immediately covered my mouth with her index finger and smiled up at me.

"Forget what I said. Kiss me. Touch me. Tell me I'm yours, and you're mine," she whispered while her finger traced my bottom lip seductively. I growled at her command and immediately returned my mouth to hers, thrusting my body between her legs so she would feel what her words had done to me. She moaned loudly as her hands sensually traveled down my back, her nails digging into me with such need, such hunger… She was already driving me wild thanks to my undying desire and obsession to have all of her in ways no one else had, or would ever have again.

"Fuck I hate this damn cast so much right now." I whispered into her ear after biting on her ear lobe with my teeth. I wanted to feel every inch of her body with my hands but I knew the hard fiberglass material on my right palm and forearm would be the last thing she'd want rubbing against her skin.

"I don't mind a little rough foreplay, Edward." she returned with a giggle then gave me a light shove upward so she could pull my shirt from my body. I quickly tugged at her sweater and grunted at the sight of her lace leopard print bra she'd been wearing underneath its material. It was chilly out but right now neither of us seemed bothered by it. I reached out to run my left palm up the center of her stomach then continued my touch up between her breasts towards her neck. Gently, I pushed her back down so she would be lying beneath me while I watched her chest rise and fall with her poorly paced breathing.

"Are you cold?" I asked after leaning down to kiss her neck, and the skin of her clavicle.

"No. I've never felt more on fire in my entire life, M&M," she toyed back, pulling me down against her to press her mouth firmly against mine. She hooked her leg behind my hip and began running her hand down my chest towards the top of my jeans where she instantly began fumbling with the button and zipper of my pants. The thought of having her like this, here under the stars, in the dead of night, with no one else around… my cock was already pulsing and we'd barely begun.

Without even realizing it, my hands had undone the button of the pants she was wearing and I was pulling them down past her thighs and ankles while she started to switch positions with me. She pushed me backwards so she would be able to straddle my lap from above me and smiled down before anxiously biting on her bottom lip. I carefully ran my hands down her hips and across her thighs while she sat there above me, looking down lustfully into my eyes. Her stare was locked on only me while my own eyes scanned her flawless body from where she hovered above me on her knees.

I looked her up and down, and side to side, taking all of her in. Realizing just how much I had missed, and needed her, I felt my own breath hitch over the sight of her perfection. My eyes began to follow my hands as they carefully became reacquainted with every inch of her skin. I couldn't help but notice the remnants of tiny bruises on her upper thighs. I looked back up into her eyes as I gently touched the faded marks and frowned. She looked sad for a moment but only offered me a shake of her head. I quickly realized the bruises were more than likely self-inflicted and felt my heart tighten with grief. Slowly, I brought my self down to kiss the marks with my lips. I knew better than to question how or why they were there. I only hoped she would never feel the need to do anything like that to herself again.

My hands reached behind her back to unfasten her bra so I'd be able to quickly remove it from her body. I traced the scripted tattoo that lined the bottom of her breast and leaned in to take her erect nipple into my mouth. She moaned and latched onto my hair tugging my head so I'd move to the other side of her chest. I bit down with my teeth, causing her to release a quiet yelp and tug my head back with a pull of my hair clenched in her hand.

"Gentle," she warned with a smirk.

"I thought you said you didn't mind it rough," I toyed back playfully. She smiled and shifted her weight so she'd have better access to my pants then carefully lifted herself up from my lap so I'd be able to remove the article of clothing completely from my body. Her fingers traced the lining of my boxers between their material and my skin while she looked deeply into my eyes.

"You're going to make me scream your name, Edward. Your name is going to echo off these cement walls, and my eyes are not going to leave your face while it happens," she warned while running her palm across my swollen dick from the outside of my boxers.

"Challenge accepted, Rock Star." I replied with a grunt just as she'd reached in to circle her fingers around my throbbing member to slowly begin pumping the part of my body that wanted her the most at the moment. "Fuck." I glanced down to appreciate her handiwork for a few seconds then clenched my teeth with a loud moan escaping past my lips.

"Shhhh, eyes up here. On me." she demanded, still moving her hand between us with pure perfection, "I missed you so much, Edward. Every part of you. So much."

"I missed you too baby. So fucking much." I easily shared as I leaned up to press my forehead against hers. She kissed me long and hard, holding my bottom lip between her teeth while her body began to grind itself over my hardened cock. She circled her hips against me with absolute purpose a few more times then slowly moved her body backwards to lift herself up onto her knees just out of my reach. I watched her shift her weight to remove her black panties and hover herself over me with pure lust in her eyes. "Come here," I prompted gesturing with my finger for her to move her body forward as I laid all the way back beneath her. She grinned and shook her head to toss her dreads back behind her shoulder then carefully began moving her body on her knees to hover her stunning pussy above my face. I slowly dipped my index and middle digits past her opening and instantly felt the excitement I had already drawn from her body. "So wet. Just the way I like you, Rock Star." I removed my fingers to slide them past my lips to taste her on my skin then forcefully placed my hands over her hips to bring her dampened opening against my mouth. The taste of her on my tongue instantly untamed me. I couldn't get enough. I pumped my fingers beside my hungry lips while I continue to lap every ounce of her up. Feeling her move her hips over me after her own hand had reached back to take my cock and slowly stroke it like the pro she was with her perfect grasp… I was currently experiencing heaven on earth and I wanted it to last forever.

It was an unbelievable feeling to have her this way again.

Unfuckingbelievable.

I looked up to find her staring down at me, just as she had promised. Her eyes had never left my face. She released my dick from her grasp to run her hand and fingers into my hair while she continued to swirl her body over my opened mouth, following my rhythm and moaning as if she were teetering on the edge of pure bliss and euphoria.

"So goddamn good. You and your mouth fucking own me, Edward Cullen," she whispered with an exasperated huff, then bit at her lip again. An impulsive grunt escaped past my own lips upon feeling her grasp return to my cock, bringing me one step closer to losing it myself after hearing her words.

"Slow down, baby. You're going to make me come." I warned her, once I'd removed my mouth from between her legs for just a moment. She smirked watching me as I carefully returned my tongue against the space between her legs then slowly nodded her head before bringing her hands to her perked nipples to firmly pinch them between her finger tips.

"I'm about to come myself." She moaned closing her eyes for a split second after I'd pushed a third finger inside of her. "Fuck, Edward. I'm coming. So hard! Don't you dare stop, Edward!" Within seconds she was trembling from my touch and falling forward over me onto her elbows giggling in ecstasy. She remained on her hands and knees while I carefully removed myself from under her. I smiled to myself, admiring my own handiwork then playfully slapped her ass with my left hand. The sound of my palm meeting the skin of her backside echoed off the walls and she turned back to smirk at me from over her shoulder.

"You and your damn magical-mouth."

"I'm glad you appreciate it. Wait… magical… mouth… M&M? Holy shit! I figured it out!" I laughed running my hand through my hair. I could already see her blushing and instantly knew I really had solved the mystery. "Nice. Wow… that's like the best damn nickname ever."

"Hush… Rock Star is the best nickname ever. Now lay back down. I'm not done with you." she demanded turning around to crawl back on top of me. I followed her command and reached my arms out to bring her back over me. Her eyes looked deeply into mine as she lifted herself over my cock and firmly held it with her hand just beneath her. I watched her take in a deep breath as she slowly lowered herself down allowing me to finally impale her insides with absolute need. "Jesus Fuck, your dick Edward. It feels so goddamn good inside of me." she moaned while she rode my cock with purpose from above me. She tugged on her hair at the top of head while her other arm pressed her hand against my chest with her body rising and falling above me in perfect rhythm with my own movements. Her eyes still never leaving my own stare.

She was incredible. She made sex seem like goddamn art and it was only half of the reason why I loved her as much as I did.

I pressed myself upward, further into her, and smirked at the sight of her pleading eyes. She was silently begging me to bring her closer towards screaming my name at the top of her talented lungs. I reached up with my left hand and tweaked her nipple then raised my body to sit up so I'd be able to bring her breast to my mouth while I continued to lift her up and down over me.

"So good. You feel so fucking good on my cock, Bella." I moaned looking up at her where she was still staring down at my own ravaged expression. She smiled and licked her lips as she laid backwards arching her back and sopping wet pussy upwards towards me.

"It's like our bodies were made for one another." she shared, just above a whisper. "I still can't believe you really exist. I can't believe you're really mine." She reached out to run her hand through my hair then tugged my face down to kiss me with her lips long and hard while I continued to pull myself in and out of her with needful force.

"I love you, Bella Swan. So much." I promised her as she pressed herself further against me. Her eyes softened over my words, and I could feel us both nearing our finish.

"Fuck… I'm going to come again. Fuck me Edward. Harder! Oh god! I love you! I'm coming. I'm coming so hard, Edward!"

Our stare never broke. Her eyes had remained locked with mine the entire time it took for her body to release itself to me, trembling and quaking with her every word. Every explicative that left her mouth her eyes had stared into mine. I felt my own orgasm quickly take over as I grasped her chin with my hand to press our foreheads together.

"You're my girl, Bella. No one else's. Never again. I'm going to love you forever, until our last page is written. Fuck, so good. You are so unbelievably good." I affirmed before releasing myself into her, then falling on top of her naked body, breaking our record breaking stare.

We laid under the moon, my arms wrapped around her while I felt her heart beating against my chest and her warm breath against my neck. "You're incredible," she whispered with a light giggle then burrowed her face deeper between my shoulder blade. "Ridiculously skilled in the art of love making."

"You're the artists. You make it easy."

"Did you just call me easy, Edward?"

I laughed at her question and ran my hand down her back to pull her further against me. "No, Bella. You definitely haven't made anything outside of this, easy." I replied quietly with a second laugh. She nodded her head with a devious smirk then took in a deep breath before collapsing back down into me. "You've made me a very happy man. With you by my side… it's all I'll ever need. Besides, babies only get in the way of moments like this." I teased hoping to make her smile.

She was instantly over thinking again. I could always tell when she switched gears. I didn't even need to see her eyes to know anymore.

"What is it?" I asked before changing my mind.

"It's nothing."

"Don't make me call you a liar, Rock Star." I warned with an easy smirk.

She shrugged against me and let out a soft sigh, "I just had an extremely impulsive and crazy thought."

I had to bite. "How crazy?" she tensed up against me and slowly wiggled herself free from my arms to sit up and grab her clothes. I watched her get dressed while she continued to avoid my eyes and shake her head mechanically. She was trying to decide whether or not she would share her crazy thought with me, or keep it to herself. "Come on, no more secrets, remember? We promised." I pushed, grabbing for my own shirt and pants.

"It's not a secret. It's just a thought I had. It was stupid though. You obviously fucked me senseless." she teased with a forced smile then leaned back down to kiss my lips firmly. "Come on, it's getting cold. I miss sharing my bed with you, and I'm ready to fall asleep in your arms."

It bothered me that she wouldn't share what was on her mind but it was absolutely expected. I had to accept that in being with Bella, it would also mean still only getting bits and pieces some of the time. As long as it was only with the small stuff…. I wouldn't let it get to me.

I knew she would eventually let me in on her newest, 'crazy thought'.

It was only a matter of time.

"I think… I think I just made a life changing decision that I'll want you to be a part of… I just need to make sure it would be possible, and that it's not just a crazy ass idea. I think I might be able to give us both everything."

Her cryptic babbling forced me to narrow my eyes in her direction. I knew better than to press for more information. Maybe tomorrow with a fresh new day. Maybe then she would be ready to fill me in. For now I just wanted to get her back to the house, in her bed, and in my arms.

I couldn't wait to have my first goodnights sleep since last Saturday night when I'd feared I may never see her again, let alone feel her against my body again.

We'd made unbelievable progress tonight. We were back… On track. Things were good. We'd earned this moment. Nothing could ruin that. I would never let that happen.

A/N: So kind of poor timing on the revelation that Bella can't have babies, right after Mothers Day. A bit ironic how that worked out. Anyways... with all that aside, I hope this chapter still left you smiling. These two have overcome so much, and they've really come a long way thanks to the obvious love they truly have for one another.

Any guesses on what Bella might have been thinking about at the end of this chapter?

Next update could be it, and then the epi... although there's a chance it may turn into 2 chapters. As you know, once I get to work, and before I know it, my chapters become epic in length. Truthfully there's still quite a bit to cover before wrapping things up but I may surprise myself. Next chapter is half way finished (in parts I need to weave together now, which is where the wordiness happens, ha!) but I want it to be perfect so it may be a little more than a week for the update. Just a heads up.

***Please please please review. I love feed back, and I love hearing from you. Your thoughts keep me motivated and committed to giving these two and their story the ending it deserves. I'll also reply with a outtake from EPOV from when they're at the school during this chapter.***

Till next time.