A/N: I don't own this, we all know who does. If I did, Rpattz would be sewing burp clothes for me today. I cut them out, he can sew them together. See what a good team we make? :)

This is unbeta'd, so any and all mistakes belong to me. I'm sleepy. Sorry. :)

This is for my wifey, Mrs. Robward. She hurts my heart so good with the story she's writing for me. Hmmmmm...I love it. :)

Thanks to Luxure & EdwardsBloodType for prereading this. "Well I may be an outlaw, darlin', but you're the one stealing my heart." Lux, you weren't born yet, but EBT, PLEASE tell me you know this movie... :D

**disclaimer **

This story is a bit taboo. And we jump. :)

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… Chapter Twenty Five - Time … Bella …

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Time passes. So slowly some days. So quickly others. It's hard to keep up, to keep track.

I don't let myself think about anything besides my daily life. My Claire. My job.

It's been six years since I last saw you. Six years filled with longing, missing, wishing.

Six years filled with more love than I ever dreamed possible. The way our daughter loves me, it's like you're here, too. It's so big. So true. So pure.

She's so you.

Every part of her screams "Edward Cullen is my father."

She knows your first name, your 19 year old face.

If we saw you today, would you look the same?

I don't let myself think about you very often. I focus on the here, the now. Try to struggle through each day, one at a time.

I heard he got remarried. One of the old bitties had a daughter. Funny thing is, she's only a few years older than Leah. Two years older than you. How fair is that?

He gets to have her and everyone is happy.

They never would have been happy about me having you.

Not even now.

I don't keep in contact with anyone from town, except for Alice. She's one of the only friends I have.

She knows the rumor mill, the gossipy women in that town. They've burned her too, she remembers.

No word from him at all. He doesn't even know where I am. He doesn't ask, either. I'm not hard to find, not unlisted.

You could find me. If you wanted to.

But you don't, and that's okay.

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A/N: This was short, so I may try for 3 today. We'll see how the burp cloth sewing goes. :D

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for all the lovely reviews. One of these days I'm gonna have a couple extra hours so I can reply to a few of them. I'm overwhelmed by your support. These last few days have been amazing, so thank you. :)

See you soon with Edward's missing 6 years. :)

Reviews are better than Edward's 19 year old face. (Maybe not, but it's still nice to think about. :D )

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