Twilight belongs to Stephenie; I own this plot.

HEA comes in different forms, and I thought and contemplated writing it where they wind-up together in the end, but it just didn't work out that way. :-/ Sorry, I know some of you wanted it that way, but I'm also taking some of this from personal experience, and in real life, the RL Charlotte and I both walked away from the real life Edward.

I went back and added something to the ending.. Something I thought was fitting. Let me just say that I don't care if people are upset that the ending resulted in them not being together; I don't see how this makes it not an B/E story. I couldn't find a to write it where she could have stayed with him, because it didn't feel right; I fully intended on writing that he got someone else pregnant from the beginning, anyway. I'm sorry it's not to your liking, though; go read another story, maybe? Something fluffy or whatever. This is taken from real life situations, and this is how it ended - although, the RL Bella didn't wind-up dating anybody after Edward.

It's been a year.

A lot can happen in a year's time; I met someone shortly after I moved into my apartment (which is in the same building as Charlotte's, just a floor up from her) here in New York. His name is Liam, and he's an x-ray tech and lives on my floor. He and I have a lot in common, and he knows that I'm from the West Coast; he didn't recognize me, but I told him that I write and have a few books published when he asked; he's sweet and gentle; he makes me laugh and smile even when it seems impossible to do so. I sold the house that Edward and I lived in a few months back, choosing to keep my dad's place. Speaking of Edward, Liam doesn't know much about him; just that when we met, I was still coming out of a really long relationship. Funnily enough so was he, so I shared a few details but kept most of it to myself. If I ever want to move past it, I can't keep bringing it up.

Liam and I have been together since, well, a few months after we met (he actually lives right next door); but since both of us were trying to get over things, we went out on dates but took it slow. It's only been recently that it's become more; he's my boyfriend basically, and we both agreed that we don't want to date anyone else. Charlotte approves of Liam, needless to say; while she's not ready to be with anybody yet (and who could blame her?), she's happy that I'm trying to move forward. Charlotte, Liam and I hangout regularly; I love it here in New York still, and don't plan on going back West.

June 28 – Long Island, NY

"Damn, it's hot out," I say as I walk into my apartment.

Liam follows behind me, laughing.

"Little different than Seattle weather, huh?" he teases.

I smirk and grab the NY Yankees off his head; I mess his sweaty hair up, making it stand up which is unusual for it. He laughs and pulls me to him, giving me a wet kiss on my mouth.

I make a face.

"Ew, you're all sweaty!" I laugh.

He grins and leans forward, wiping his wet hair against my forehead. I squeal, pushing him away.

"Ew, ew, ew," I laugh.

He snorts and pulls away.

"Go take a shower, man," I tell him.

He nods.

"Mine or yours?" he asks.

That's another thing that changed; we started staying over at each other's places.

"You can use mine if you want," I say.

He nods and then goes into the bathroom, and a moment later, I hear the water turn on. I start up my computer that sits on the coffee table and log into my email; there isn't anything except spam and a chain email from Charlotte about friends. I pass it on and then log out.

September

I'm in Seattle doing a book signing for Traffic Lights. The last person steps up, and I notice that she has a kid with her; it looks to be about seven months old. When I take a closer look, I realize that it looks too much like Edward. The same nose, same hair color, and especially eye color. I put my attention to its mother.

"Cute kid," I say, and mean it.

I won't let my emotions get in the way because it's useless. He has a child now, and I won't be the one to mess that up; he can do that on his own if he wants to.

The woman smiles, adjusting the baby on her hip.

"Thanks."

"How old?" I ask, making small talk as I grab the book from her.

"Just turned seven months—oh, my name is Ashley," she says.

I nod and sign the copy of the third installment.

To Ashley – thanks for coming, and congrats on having a baby! –Izzy Swan

She takes the book back, shooting me a pretty smile. I can't say anything bad about her even if I wanted to.

While on the airplane on the way back to Long Island, I write an email.

TO: Edward C

FROM: Bella Swan

Subject Please read this (long time, no talk/see)

Hi . . . I probably shouldn't be doing this, but it's been over a year and well – yeah. I hope you read it, and if you don't, oh well.

I found an apartment in the same building as Charlotte's, one floor above her; what I didn't expect to find was someone next door (if you know what I mean). He's . . . he's good, Kyle; he treats me really well, makes me laugh and smile, makes me forget – basically everything that you wanted to happen. I won't lie and say that it was easy moving on (I'm still trying) because it wasn't, but it gets easier; you don't think about it, but when a few months have passed and you look back and see just how much time has gone by, you realize you're beginning to be OK. Liam (that's his name) is patient; more patient than he probably should be, but he is, and I can't thank him enough. We didn't rush into anything; no, we dated casually for a few months, and slowly worked into a relationship – eventually us both saying that we didn't want to date other people.

I got your letter (and your hoodie). You said you decided to keep the baby? My hope (and wish) is that you stayed to be a father to the child, because it deserves one. I think, issues and problems aside, you'd make a wonderful dad, and I'm not just saying that because I might be jealous or something hold something against you – I don't. I realize that it worked out for the best.

Do I miss you? Yeah, I fucking miss you. But, I also know that it's better this way. I'd say "let's be friends", but I don't think Liam or your girlfriend (I'm assuming you're with her) would appreciate that too much, besides it's not fair to them nor us.

I know it'll continue to get easier as time goes on (time is funny like that, isn't it?), but I know that I'll always wonder what you're up to at times, how you are, where you're living and if you're happy.

The things I hope and wish to come true are that 1) you're happy; 2) you stay around to father that kid; 3) you get help and stick with it; 4) you live as best a life as you can.

Charlotte asked me in the beginning when she met Liam if I was just settling (it's one of the reasons she won't meet anyone right now; she doesn't want to settle), and I told her "I have to start moving on sometime, somewhere". I'm not settling; I'm happy, and I hope you're happy, too. :)

For what it's worth, I wouldn't go back in time and change anything between you and I if I could; because then if I did that, I wouldn't have some of the best memories of my life.

You don't need to feel like you have to reply to this; I just wanted to write this, and maybe give some closure, too.

~B~

Liam picks me up at the airport at midnight, and drives us to the apartments. We slip inside, go into his apartment, and climb into bed after changing clothes. He holds me close and I'm content.

And I don't stay awake to see the text that says, it's not my baby –e.