The years crept by, so slowly that they felt like eternities, which, for a man who would live forever, was a very difficult thing. Ten years had felt like ten centuries. He had watched her walk away, knowing deep down that she would return.

He held on to that hope, day after day. Keeping strong for her and knowing that someday, no matter how long he had to wait, he would have her hand in his again.

The ache of not knowing though was almost too much to bear. It wasn't that he thought she might not come back; it was that she might not be able to. She had no one to protect her, no to take care of her.

It was the hardest at night. The love that surrounded him was like salt in a wound. He felt everyone's joy and passion for one another like tiny cuts into his soul. He felt everyone's emotions so strongly now, it felt as if it were a punishment.

His pain enhanced by their joy.

Only Edward knew the truth though. There was no hiding it and Edward would just look at him sympathetically.

They were celebrating Nessie's birthday today. He joined in the festivities along with everyone else but all he could think of was her and how much she would have wanted to be here.

The waves of joy and pleasure washed over him. Everyone around him was happy and then he felt it, just below the joy. It was sadness. He realized that a small part of everyone there was missing her too, even after all this time.

Looking up at Edward, their eyes met.

"We understand. She'll be back."

Looking away, he felt less alone than he had in ten years.

Turning, he found Nessie standing before him, her long russet colored hair blowing in the wind, her warms eyes smiling at him. She reached a hand out and touched the side of his face. Vivid flashes of Alice's bright face ran through his mind. Closing his eyes, he wallowed in the pleasurable pain it brought him.

As she pulled her hand away from him, he opens his eyes.

"I know it's my birthday, but I wanted to give you a little something." Smiling, she turns and walks back to Jacob.

He would be strong. She would need him to be strong for when she came back.

Turning toward the woods he whispered to her.

"Alice, good night, travel well."

~*~*~*~

The night had been long for her. She sat on the hill for hours, sifting through the pictures in her head. Everyday she saw him and the agony of his pain. She knew how much he was hurting, she was hurting too.

Smiling, she replayed Nessie's birthday party over in her head. She shook her head slightly at the outfit Bella was wearing, mentally noting that she needed to take Bella shopping.

Then she found him in the crowd, near Edward.

He looked wonderfully beautiful, though his eyes told her of his pain. Pausing the image in her head, she saw his eyes close with Nessie's hand on his cheek. He smiled.

She loved his smile. It was so rare, whenever she saw it, she felt as if she was given the gift of new life. Unspoiled, untainted by the life he had lived or the creature he was.

Ten years was a very long time. Each day she made choices that would bring her closer to home, closer to him. She had been travelling the world in order to save her future from her past.

He was worth it. They were all worth it.

Another picture flashed through her mind, bringing another smile to her face. He had just been surprise tackled by Emmett. They were wrestling and laughing.

What she wouldn't give to hear him laugh. If she could hold his hand in hers just once more, she could get through a thousand years.

Their love was simple, undiluted and natural. He would be strong for her.

Just then the clouds moved and the sun peaked on the horizon. Rising, she turned to face the past in order to live for the future