Morning loves!

Couple things: Found Missing is officially entirely written. I finished writing the Epilogue last night, and barring any significant glitches, I will be posting the Epilogue and marking this baby complete on September 29th. And as for The Husband arriving on the cabin, it's not quite yet. He had arrived in the chapter I was writing, not the chapter I was posting, since I'm a month ahead of all of you :) So we still have some a lot of happy times coming up for our E and B. I think they've earned it!

Thanks to Fran for beta'ing, Dani, Ariel, and Gemma for prereading, and you all putting up with me in your inbox each day.

"It's not far," Edward says as we walk over to his Jeep parked in my driveway, explaining why we're spending the night at his Mom's house. "But Mom always likes to go out the next morning and cut the tree down for Christmas. Saves me the trip since she always likes to go at the ass crack of dawn."

I laugh as he helps me into the Jeep. "Ass crack of dawn? Aren't you used to it, Mr. Green Beret?"

An image of Edward in uniform distracts me momentarily.

"Used to it and liking it are two different things," he shoots me a look that has me giggling all over again. He turns the heat on in the Jeep as we reverse out of the driveway. We fall into a comfortable silence, leaving the cabins behind us as we make our way into town.

"You sure she doesn't mind me sleeping there?" I ask eventually, suddenly nervous now that time is quickly approaching.

Edward laughs and shakes his head, reaching for my hand to squeeze it in reassurance. "She probably has your bed already made and decorated, just waitin' for ya."

I smile at the thought, closing my eyes at the feel of his touch on my hand. "She sounds incredible," I say wistfully.

"She is," Edward smiles. "She sounds like your mom. From what you've told me."

I had told him about my parents and what they were like growing up before the accident. The parallels between my mother and Esme are hard to ignore, and it makes my thoughts wander back to how different my life would be if my parents were still alive. Glancing at Edward out of the corner of my eye, I wonder what they would think of him.

Something tells me I already know.

I turn in my seat, my head still leaning on the headrest as I smile softly at him. "Yeah, I can definitely see them in each other. And I haven't even met her yet."

"She's going to love you," Edward says, bringing the back of my hand to his mouth for a kiss. "I know it."

The way he looks at me as the day descends into early evening makes my heart flip in my chest.

"Is it sad without Carlisle?" I ask a few minutes later.

"Sometimes," he says. "It was the first few years. Now we just enjoy the time together and think back on the times we did have him here. He saved us."

I understand perfectly, and I squeeze his hand in response. "Like you saved me?"

He shakes his head with a smile. "I didn't save you, Bella. That was all you."

Edward catches my eye again, this time holding it with a purpose to remind me of how far I've come. But he's forgetting the way his touch sets me on fire, the way his support and his ability to see the best in me has been a resounding force pushing me through all of this.

"Don't underestimate yourself," I answer him with a sigh. "You're exactly what I need."

I think I need some of you, too, Edward.

So, last night I somehow walked away with some Golden Onions! Because of all of you, I received the 3rd Place Award for Shooting Star, 3rd Place for Best Farce Fic for Pursuing the Proposition, and The Muse in the Shadows took home two awards for the incredible banner my Dani made me: First Place for Banner of the Year (!) and First Place for Match Made in Heaven (!) The Muse in the Shadows also came in 2nd Place for July's Top Ten Fics of the Month, which just completely floored me and brought me to tears. If you haven't read The Muse in the Shadows yet, it's fine - but it's my baby and I literally put my blood, sweat, and tears into it. I'm thrilled, and so incredibly grateful, for the journey that one took me on. I stepped out of my comfort zone with that story, and I loved every part of it.

Okay, I'm done for today. Just wanted to let everyone know, again, how happy and grateful I am to have readers and supporters like you. And, uh, yeah, I'll still be in your inbox daily until September 29th!

See you tomorrow!