This took so incredibly long to get finished. And as I started writing this chapter, I decided that there is definitely going to be another chapter after this, followed by an epilogue. Because things still need to be wrapped up, and I really don't want to leave you hanging.

But honestly, I feel like I've repeatedly detailed the whole separation between Bella and Edward (plus Avery), so I'm trying not to go too far into that. From now on, the remainder of the story is going to be focused on the three of them, plus the other people in Edward and Bella's lives.

As most of you probably remembered, I wanted to finish this story up before the New Year. And obviously, that didn't happen. Real life doesn't always go the way you expect it to! On that note…my husband and I are going to be having another baby. We just found out the day after Christmas, and I'm due in mid-July. Needless to say things are going to be fast paced for awhile, but don't fret- I'm still here =)

On a related note, my newest story "The Way I Love You", was supposed to start updating at the start of 2011. That is still happening…the second chapter will be up fairly shortly. It still needs some fine tuning before the pre-reader gets it and then it will be uploaded.

Peas and Franks, Wendy…aka please and thanks, Wendy.

…...

BPOV

Edward leaned down and scooped Avery up, smiling. "Your dad said he could take Avery for a couple of hours so you and I can, um, catch up and stuff." He gestured to Charlie, who smiled tightly and reached for Avery. She held her arms out to her grandfather without question, obviously comfortable and secure in his arms.

"Yeah, okay," I murmured, and then glanced back at Avery. "I'll see you later, baby," I said softly, reaching out to touch her soft hand. Avery blinked at me, and then smiled shyly and waved 'goodbye'.

"Bye, sweetheart." Edward kissed the top of Avery's head and then addressed Charlie. "Thanks again, Charlie. We'll swing by your house to pick her up in a couple of hours, if that's okay."

"No problem." Charlie nodded cheerfully, and he said goodbye to us before walking towards the parking lot with Avery. She peeked over his shoulder as he walked away, her big eyes glued to Edward and me.

Edward glanced over at me, his hands shoved in his pockets. "Uh, so, how are you?"

"I'm good," I said quickly, nodding a little too enthusiastically.

"Good. We can go back to my, um, I mean…we could go back to the apartment and talk, or we could go to the diner or something…"

I nodded, my heart practically beating through my chest. "Yeah, sure. Let's go back to the apartment."

Edward nodded again. "Okay. Let's go."

The short car ride back to the apartment building was filled with awkward, but polite, conversation. Edward didn't really know what to say, and I definitely didn't know what to say either. We just had to hope for the best, and hope that our relationship wasn't damaged forever. Even if we couldn't be together romantically, it was important to me that Edward and I be at least friends.

Things in the apartment had changed. It was still small and a little shabby, but there was a fresh coat of paint on the walls and some of the furniture had been moved around. Toys and books littered the floor in the living room, and I could see that there were drawings pinned up on the fridge. They were just scribbles, but they were my daughter's scribbles and that made them priceless pieces of art in my eyes and obviously in Edward's eyes too.

"Do you want something to drink?" Edward's voice rang out in the empty apartment and I turned around to look at him, shaking my head.

"No, it's okay. I just want to start talking, honestly," I said as I exhaled loudly.

"Okay."

I sat down on the couch and Edward slowly sat down next to me, our bodies angled so that we were facing each other.

"First of all, I would like to say thank you," I began, twisting my hands together on my lap. "For holding everything together when I totally lost it, for taking care of Avery, and for letting me come back. I wouldn't…" I cleared my throat, willing myself not to cry. "I really wouldn't have come back if it hadn't been okay with you. I understand that you are granting me a huge favor-"

"It's not a favor, Bella," Edward said quickly, interrupting me. "I'm sorry, but I did not want you to come back here like that. I wanted you to come back because that is what's best for all three of us. Avery needs you, and…and I need you, too."

I blinked, a little taken aback by his words. "I really did miss you," I whispered, not looking him in the eye. "And I really am sorry."

"I know you're sorry, Bella. You don't have to keep apologizing over and over again. It's in the past. What you need to do now is focus on the future, and what you're going to do. So…what? Are you going to go to a four year university? Community college? Get a job? These are some of the things that we need to talk about."

"Okay." I cleared my throat, trying to stop my head from spinning. I hadn't realized quite how quickly Edward wanted me to figure these things out. This all went along with being an adult, which I swore I was going to do, but everything was really sinking in now all of a sudden. "I'm not sure about school," I began. "Originally, you and I had decided that I would get a job or stay with Avery while you started school somewhere. And honestly, I'm still open to that idea. I still don't know what kind of work I would like to do, so I need some time to figure that out before I start college."

Edward raised his eyebrows, nodding in agreement. "Okay. The thing is, neither of us would be able to go to school here, in Forks, anyway. The closest community college is in Port Angeles and the closest four year university is even further. Either way, we would have to move."

"Wow. You're right- we would have to move…I hadn't really thought about that. Away from Charlie and Alice…" I bit my lip, seeing a whole new set of problems arise.

"Or," Edward paused, arching his eyebrow, "I could go to classes in Port Angeles and just make the drive every time I have a class."

This little discussion went on for what felt like hours, but only because this wasn't what I really wanted to talk about. What I really wanted to talk about was simple- I wanted to talk about the relationship Edward and I shared, and what we could share.

On Avery's birthday, I had told him how I really felt. And I had never gotten a response from him; not a real one, anyway. But I knew that being a good father and taking care of Avery was more important to him, especially after what I did. Maybe, if I got my act together, Edward and I could have a real chance at figuring out our relationship.

Several Weeks Later:

"Do you want me to come over tonight?" I asked Edward. He was standing in the doorway of Charlie's living room, waiting patiently while I put Avery's shoes on her feet. I had gotten to spend the whole day with my baby while Edward had gone to work, and I was proud of the fact that I could still take care of my daughter. Edward and I had both been worried about how Avery would react to my sudden reappearance in her life, but thankfully it had not been an issue. She was still just a baby, and she knew that I was her mother.

"If you want," Edward said, scratching the back of his neck. "I'm kind of tired from work, but we could watch a movie or something after I put Avery down to bed.

My heartbeat quickened slightly at the thought of spending more time alone with Edward. Over the past few weeks we've become closer and close, but neither of us has taken steps towards a romantic relationship yet. The timing is still…off.

There are still things that need to be said between the two of us, and time needs to pass before that can happen.

"Yeah, that sounds good. Charlie and I are going to have dinner together, but I'll stop by after that."

Edward nodded, and held out his arms as Avery toddled over to him happily. She was still a little unsteady on her feet, but was picking up speed and momentum every day. "Say bye to your mom, Avery," he instructed gently, and she giggled.

"Bye-bye, Mommy." Her words were basically just babbling, but I knew what she meant. And every time I got to be with my daughter, I could never remember why I had left in the first place. Avery…Avery was my everything.

"Bye, cutie." I kissed his pudgy cheek, and then gave Edward a quick hug. "I'll see you later tonight."

He nodded, waved, and then walked out the door with Avery.

…

These past couple of weeks have been hard, but it feels like everyday gets better. I had known that everything wouldn't just go back to normal; that I couldn't just flawlessly slip back into Edward and Avery's lives. But I was trying to make things as easy as possible, and Edward was letting me do that.

He had been working a lot more lately, trying to get in as many hours as he could before he started attending class in Port Angeles in the fall. At this point, we still aren't sure what we are going to do about living arrangements and commuting and maybe even moving. Those decisions heavily depend on the nature of our relationship, and neither of us have broached that topic yet.

But while Edward has been working during the day, I've spent a great deal of time with my daughter. There are days that Edward lets Alice watch her instead, and times when Esme and Carlisle drive all the way down from Seattle to spend a few days with their granddaughter, but otherwise she's all mine.

…

"Hey." Edward opened the door to his apartment just a few seconds after I knocked, looking a little stressed out. His hair was looking crazier than normal was sticking up all over the place, a clear indication that he was nervous about something. "You've got good timing, Avery just fell asleep."

I smiled as I stepped inside, and my heart started pounding yet again as Edward pulled me into a tight hug.

"I know we were going to watch a movie, but I kind of want to talk to you first," he said, and the nervous, stressed look on his face was back.

"Okay…" I walked further into the apartment, plopped down on the couch and then patted the spot next to me. "Sit and we can talk."

Edward obliged, sinking down on the seat next to me. He hesitated for a moment, and then spoke quickly. "I was thinking about what you said at Avery's birthday party," he began, and I felt myself blush. "And…um, I was wondering if you still felt that way. I know things still aren't ideal between the two of us…but I miss you. You live five minutes away and I miss you halfway into the drive home."

"I still feel that way," I blurted out in a whisper. "And I don't think that will ever change. I love you, Edward, I do. There have been so many changes in my life in the past two years, both good and bad, but only a few things have stayed constant. One of those things is the way I feel about you."

"That's good to know," Edward replied softly. "But I really don't know where to go from here…"

"We could start with this…" I paused, and then leaned forward and kissed Edward softly on the lips. His lips felt just the way I remembered, soft and supple and still masculine. The kiss was closed mouth and chaste, but still made my lips tingle and my heart pick up speed. "And we can take it from here, one step at a time."

…

Aw. The chapter after this is the epilogue.

BUT DO NOT FRET! This epilogue will cover a lot more than you think it will…including the relationship between Edward/Bella, and Avery. It's more of a finale than an epilogue, really.

The sad thing is, I don't know when it will be done. But oh Jesus, I sooo want to get it done in late January. That is my belated Christmas wish. Does Santa honor those?

Xoxo- Melodyella aka Mellie