Time was a funny thing. It was simply fleeting when you were with the one you loved. An hour could feel like a second, six years like an hour.

I knew I'd been standing for far too long. My mind was wandering unhindered and there was nothing I could do to stop it. So I just stood, staring at myself in the mirror and left the thoughts to drift.


To say the Cullen's were happy to know I was back would have been an understatement. The love in Esme's eyes was overwhelming. The woman I'd once refused to let feed me, clothe me, staring at me with a wide smile, pulling me in for a hug. Alice didn't hug me, though she wasn't hostile. Jasper was right, the replacement wasn't as handsome as him. His name was Gerald. He stared at me with weary eyes, but I couldn't care less. He was nobody.

Nessie was all smug smiles, whispering a "Should've found you sooner," in my ear as she wrapped her thin arms around me.

Rosalie wasn't as welcoming. She stood across the room, arms folded, eyes steel. I held her gaze for a moment, watching as she raised an eyebrow before I turned away.

"We can't tell you how we've missed you," Edward smiled, his arms around Bella. She nodded along, though the thought didn't reach her eyes.

"You could try," I shrugged, "Tell me how you've spent so long in a dark depression because you missed my wit,"

He laughed, "I'm not here to boost your ego,"

"Just a bit?" I teased.

"I'll boost your ego anytime," Jasper promised. He had a permanent smile etched on his face but I couldn't judge too much, I did, too. So many feelings coursed through me as we spent the day with his family. Mostly guilt, wonder at what could have been if I hadn't run for the hills. I tried to shake it loose, I would know soon enough exactly what could be. I was living it then.

"So, Jessica and Jacob don't get along because he thinks it's so funny to insult the poor girl when he barely knows her," Seth complained, shooting a glance at Jacob.

Jacob sighed, "You should have told me she was insecure about it," He said, exasperated.

"Dude, anybody would be insecure about having to go to the hospital for a UTI on their first date with someone," I smacked his arm, "What were you thinking?"

"And he neglected to pay attention when I said I'm not supposed to be telling anyone this!" Seth raised his voice, throwing his hands up.

"I forgot!" Jacob yelled back, rolling his eyes.

"Go away," Seth pointed, "I'm talking to my sister,"

I laughed, watching Jacob slink away with a pout. He walked to Emmett, playfully punching him in the arm. I looked around the yard, sighing when I realized I hadn't seen Rosalie since we were all inside.

"Have you seen Rose?" I asked, turning to look behind me.

Seth frowned, shaking his head, "I think she's upset with you,"

I nodded, "Funny, I was thinking the same thing," I chewed my lip, "I didn't expect everyone to welcome me back with open arms though. I'm surprised she's the only one upset,"

"They all want you around, Lee," He assured, "She does, too,"

I sighed, rising to my feet, "Well, I will go find her," Seth nodded, offering a smile. I found Jasper in the kitchen with Esme, having a hushed conversation.

"Hi," She smiled.

"Don't mean to interrupt," I held up my hands, "I'm looking for Rosalie,"

"You're never interrupting," She said warmly, "Rosalie is in the garage,"

I nodded, stepping past them. Jasper reached out, giving my hand a squeeze and smiling.

I took deep breaths at the door, trying to talk myself out of turning back. She deserved to tell me how she felt. I held my breath, pushing the door open. She was sitting on the hood of Edward's car phone in hand, music playing.

"I feel like Eddie doesn't like that much," I said, pointing at her.

She nodded, "Not very much, no,"

I pursed my lips. My chest ached as I stared at her. So much wasted potential, all because I was too scared. How close could we have been? Why did I punish her for feelings that had nothing to do with her?

"As much as I'm used to, and love, being stared at, is there something I can do for you?" She asked. Her tone wasn't exactly cold, though not warm either. I could see she was on the fence, waiting to see what I would say before she decided how she felt.

"I'm just trying to find the words," I licked my lips, "Though I am sorry, I don't want to tell you that. It's not enough. It wouldn't be for me, so I don't expect it to be for you, either,"

She nodded, "Good because it isn't," She put her phone down on the car next to her, looking up into my eyes, "I don't understand a bit of it, Leah,"

"I wish I understood. I wish I could tell you. I can't form the words in my head, let alone with my mouth," I huffed, shoving my hands into my pockets, "I've done so many stupid things in my life,"

She stared at me for some time, "I thought we could be friends," She said softly, "Finally, a woman that understood me. That felt the things I did. The rage, the bitterness, and finally, the hollowness. Someone who'd been kicked by the world once too many. But then you turned away from me,"

Tears stung my eyes and I fought to keep them from falling.

"I let you go that day thinking that a few days, maybe weeks, you'd turn up. You'd call, you had to," She shook her head, chuckling, "Then suddenly it had been three years. Three whole years, not a word,"

"I tried," I breathed in, "I can't tell you how many nights I lost sleep staring at your name in my phone," I leaned against the wall, "I punished you for something that had nothing to do with you. I'm not going to stand here and throw some fucking cliches at you, Rose. I messed up and then I kept messing up. I over thought everything, I freaked myself out, I lost myself, I lost you and I lost everyone else, too. I just hope that you don't think for a second that I was happy with any of it. And I hope that you don't think I expect you to forgive me. It's not that. It's just that I want you to know I know I hurt you, I know I was wrong,"

I shrugged, "I'm just going to be here if you ever decide that you're ready to give me another chance,"

She nodded, brushing her hair over her shoulder, "I'm not saying I don't want to be your friend. I'm saying I don't trust you,"

"I know,"

"It comes with time," She said, "So, within time, maybe we can be something,"

I smiled, "That sounds good to me,"

"Then get back out there and mingle," She waved a hand, picking her phone back up. I nodded, stepping away from her. I closed the garage door, leaning my back against it with a heavy sigh and closing my eyes.

"That wasn't easy for her," Edward said softly. I nodded without opening my eyes, "She wants to forgive you immediately, but she won't," He continued.

"Yeah," I frowned, "That's understandable,"

"The rest of us forgive you," His voice was kind, still low. I opened my eyes, looking over at him. He had a small smile on his face, "Well, some of us feel there is nothing to forgive,"

"That's a silly thought," I pushed away from the door, "Doing what I did," I shook my head.

"I know," He chuckled, "I know you think it's unforgivable,"

"Not unforgivable," I corrected, "Just maybe worth a tiny bit of a cold shoulder," I shrugged. He stared at me for a while, a tiny smile permanently resting on his face.

"Rosalie will be sure to give you exactly that," He assured, "For some time,"

We walked to the back, standing outside the doorway, staring at the family in the yard. Jake, Emmett, and Seth tossing a ball around. Alice, Bella, and Nessie sitting together, talking animatedly. Jasper and Gerald having some conversation. Carlisle and Esme in chairs next to each other, watching them all together, hand in hand. I smiled, letting a happy sigh escape my lips.

"Honestly," Edward whispered, "I think Emmett really needs someone to wrestle,"

I turned to him, raising an eyebrow, "Oh?"

"He was unbearable in his whining that he never got the chance to properly wrestle you," Edward rolled his eyes, shrugging lightly, "I think you should give him his chance,"

I grinned, nodding. Emmett was in the middle of the yard, back to me. Perfect. I sprang out, running through the grass and hopping on his back with a hoot. He yelped, flailing his arms.

We tumbled to the grass. Laughter erupted around us as we rolled around, grunting insults at each other.


That was really the beginning for me, for us. We were with the Cullens for a year before we moved on, living life on our own. We all met up every few weeks and had a group chat we used constantly.

I smiled, thinking of all their waiting faces now.

My eyes refocused on my form in the mirror. I'd grown my hair, it was just a tad past my shoulders now. Rosalie had done it in a french braid, resting it over my right shoulder. Her hair was done the same way. I wiped below my eyes, making sure none of the silvery eyeshadow had made its way onto my cheeks. I pouted, wondering if I needed lipstick. I decided against it after a few moments, just some balm would be fine. I swiped some mascara on. There. That was satisfying.

A knock at the door startled me just as I went to smooth down the front of my white dress.

"Come in," I turned, facing the door. Rosalie stepped in, quickly shutting the door behind her. She looked up at me, her eyes widening slightly. She pressed a hand to her chest.

"My dear," She breathed, "You look divine," I chuckled, rolling my eyes and turning before she could see the smile that threatened to grow.

"If you're here to tell me it's almost time, I know," I pulled my flats on.

"I'm here to give you this," She stepped closer, holding out a small blue cameo brooch, "Something borrowed and blue," She had a lovely smile on her pink lips. Her dress was shimmering gold, thin spaghetti straps. It was tight on her. She looked stunning.

"Rose," I mumbled, taking the brooch from her delicate hands.

"Now, I'll need it back," She warned, "It was mine from when I was alive,"

"Oh, god," I frowned, "Then keep it," I held my hand out trying to give it back. She simply laughed, shaking her head. I sighed. There was no fighting Rose on anything, so I pinned the brooch to the side of my dress and stood.

"Are you ready?" She asked, taking me by the hand.

"No," I shook my head.

She raised an eyebrow, "Better get ready then,"

I chuckled, "I'm ready, I just want to thank you before we go out there,"

"Thank me?" Her eyebrows pulled together. She took a step nearer, to face me better.

"For forgiving me. For pushing me to leave the family when I was too scared. For being the one I called when Jasper and I fought, or when I saw a kid and felt an ache in my soul," I squeezed her hand, "You've been the very best of friends and my heart has never been fuller,"

She smiled softly, her golden eyes sparkling, "And you've been perfectly splendid, too,"

I breathed deep, squaring my shoulders, "Alright, let's go get me married,"