A/N: I don't own this, we all know who does. If I did, Rpattz would be wiping the tears off my cheeks. You guys are amazing. I don't know what I ever did to deserve you... :{ (That's not sad, it's so happy it's crying. :D )

This is unbeta'd, so any and all mistakes belong to me. My eyes are too blurry from the tears to see straight. Sorry.

This is for my wifey, Mrs. Robward. She taking pics of high school football players for me tonight. Secretly, of course... :D

Thanks to Luxure & EdwardsBloodType for prereading this. "I'm the king of the world!" Oh, when Leo was so cute... :D

**disclaimer **

This story is a bit taboo. But I don't even care, and neither do you, which makes me so flippin' happy. :)

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… Chapter Thirty Three - Ours … Bella …

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Claire is sound asleep in her bed. It's small, and next to mine.

Mine's not much bigger.

No need for a big bed when there's only one person sleeping in it.

Plus it encourages Claire to sleep in her own bed, where she can spread out. And not kick me.

I grab a pair of sweat pants and a t-shirt. They're old, not very nice. I don't really care, I'm too preoccupied with what I'll say to you tonight.

And what you'll say to me.

I debate over washing my face, but when I look in the mirror, my mind is made up.

The make up has to go. It's not really me, it's my mask.

And I'm tired of hiding. Especially from you.

You're standing in front of my bookcase, reading through the titles there. Touching some of the framed pictures. I'm glad that I keep our one family picture in my bedroom, next to my bed. Between Claire and I.

She likes it there, so she can see you and tell you goodnight every night.

"Do you want something to drink? Coffee or beer or something?"

You whirl around, your face looking more happy than anything else.

"Sure, um, just water is fine."

"Okay," I say, hurrying to the kitchen and hoping Claire didn't drink all of the water bottles I had in the fridge.

I'm in luck, there's one. I grab it for you, and a Sprite for me.

Claire goes crazy on caffeine, so I rarely buy it. But that's something you don't know.

My school books are spread all over the coffee table, so I quickly begin to stack them. Move them to the dining table.

"Are these yours? Are they school books?" you ask, helping me straighten my messy heap of papers.

"Yeah, I'm going to school."

"Really? Bella, that's great. What are you studying?" You actually seem interested, and it makes me smile.

You were the one who always believed in me.

It makes sense that this would make you happy.

"Nursing. I figure everywhere needs nurses, so no matter where I live, if I do a good job, I can probably find work. Plus, I'd like to work in a school someday, maybe keep the same hours as Claire."

"That's a really good idea. How much longer do you have?"

I push a strand of hair behind my ear, sitting down on the couch. My left leg is curled underneath me.

"About two more years. I've got money saved, so I think I'll only have to work until the end of this year, then I can focus on school."

"Sounds like a good plan," you say, settling into the other end of my little sofa.

I smile a little. "Well, you gotta have a plan, right? And I mean, I can't dance forever, so..."

You laugh, and next to Claire's laugh, it's the most beautiful sound I've heard in years.

We sit, quiet, alone, but together.

I don't know what to say. Neither do you.

"So, should we just start from the beginning?" you quietly ask.

"Okay."

You clear your throat, your eyes looking up to meet mine.

"I just need to know something."

Here it comes, the question I've been dreading for over 7 years.

The hardest lie I ever told.

The only one I ever wanted to take back.

"Did you sleep with my father?"

I'm still, on pause. That's not what I was expecting, and I'm clearly shocked.

"What? Why would you ask that?"

"Because he told me that you did, that Claire was his daughter. That's why she looks like me. Is that true?"

My eyes well up with tears. Your father...he protected me. And you. Why would he do that for me? Why would he look out for me when all I'd ever done was corrupt his teenage son? Why would he help me?

"Is it?" you ask again, your words so quiet I can barely hear them.

I shake my head.

"No, it's not true." There's a quiver in my voice. A shake. The truth.

Your eyes close and you draw in a deep breath through your nose.

"Tell me the truth, Bella. All those rumors. Were any of them true?"

I shake my head again. "No."

"How many men have you been with? I don't want to know since your divorce, but until then, how many?"

"Um, two when I was young." A tear slides down my cheek. "And him. And you."

Your head falls back against the couch, your eyes closed.

"So then Claire?"

I pull in a shaky breath.

It's now or never.

"I lied, Edward. She's yours."

You don't move.

You just breathe.

"She's ours."

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A/N: So?

Klrtwiluver FanFic started a secret group over on Facebook. If you want in, find her over there & friend her, or on twitter ( at KlrTwiLuver ) and she'll let you in. There are videos, pictures, songs...all kinds of stuff. I think the crazy theories everyone has are my favorite part. I love it. :)

Reviews are better than cold bottles of water. (And trust me, in the desert, those babies are like gold. It's almost October and it was 105 degrees here today. Ugh...)

Leave one.