True to predictions, the sun was out the next morning. It was a weak winter sun. The ice and snow covering the town weren't going away anytime soon. I tied the laces of my boots securely. I had enough time travel bumps and bruises and I did not want any more. When I finished, I sat with my head in my hands for a long moment.

I did this routine a million times. As Jacob noted last night, I was an expert. But the one person I wanted—needed—was nowhere to be found.

I took a long breath. I had been time traveling since I was seven years old. I didn't need Edward to be strong; I already knew that I was. I survived a high number of dangerous situations. Burning white light burst from my palms when I was in danger. Forks High School sat very low on the list of perilous situations.

But I let myself be anxious. I was only human. It was the first school in a long time that I was starting alone.

Breakfast was a quiet affair. Charlie scrambled some eggs and made toast for me. I smiled at his thoughtfulness. We had grown closer in the past several months. I liked knowing I had an ally here. It was strange, though, knowing that when I reached out to Charlie only a few months ago, I had fallen in with the Cullens. They filled the void that my condition had created. But now they were gone again, and Charlie was here.

With the hat Esme knitted tucked over my ears, I braved the slippery slope to my car. Charlie had warmed it up on his way out, and his work prevailed. It was toasty and dry in the cab. I was suddenly reminded of my last attempt at school in Phoenix. Where Forks was buried in snow, Phoenix had been baking in the sun.

So many things had changed since September.

I found the front office with no trouble. It was warmer than I expected. Smaller, too. I had seen my fair share of school administrative offices—in the twentieth century and the twenty-first—to know this routine down pat.

A matronly woman stood behind the counter. She looked up at my entrance, her eyes huge behind her bifocals. I nodded hello. "I'm Isabella Swan."

"Yes, of course," she said at once. "I have your schedule right here."

I listened to the first day instructions but my mind was elsewhere. I was looking forward to a good book at Charlie's house this afternoon.

Charlie's house. It didn't quite feel like home yet. But in my lifestyle, "home" was a loose word. My home was somewhere in the world, but I couldn't imagine where he'd be.

My first class was English Literature. I blanched at the teacher's nameplate—Mr. Mason—and held out the form all my teachers had to sign. He signed it and sent me to the back of the class with a syllabus. No introduction necessary. I realized that Mr. Mason and I were going to get along well.

The other students stared as I passed. I pulled the brim of my hat down low over my eyes and studied the syllabus before me. Bronte, Shakespeare, Chaucer, Faulkner. Everything I'd already read. This might be an easier adjustment than I thought.

A clear memory of Alice dancing around the living room as Puck flashed through my mind. She spoke his lines with a matchless grace. I gripped my pencil tightly to avoid thinking of a sweeter memory—Edward whispering Lysander's lines into my ear.

Ay me! For aught that I could ever read,

Could ever hear by tale or history,

The course of true love never did run smooth—

The boy across the aisle from me cleared his throat, then introduced himself. His name was Eric. It turned out we had a class in the same building next period, and he swiftly offered to walk me there. Listlessly, I agreed.

"So Forks is a lot different from Phoenix, huh?"

"Very."

"We hardly see the sun here," he said, pointing upwards. The rays on my face were a little warmer, but not by much. "Though you don't look very tan."

"I'm actually a vampire."

He laughed. "Good one."

The rest of the classes went by rather quickly. One girl—Jessica, I think—sat next to me in a couple of them and invited me to join her lunch table. I was vividly reminded of my first day in Portland, where an entirely different group of girls invited me to sit. Only this time I wasn't trying to help solve a murder. Now it was just ordinary human stuff.

Jessica helpfully made the introductions. I already knew Eric, but I met Angela, Mike, Ben, Tyler, Lauren, and a few others. I smiled politely and repeated what I already told Eric. I was from Phoenix, no, I wasn't very tan, yes, Forks was different from what I was used to.

My lab partner was absent from Biology, so I spent most of the class on my own. Mike, one of the boys from lunch, chatted with me for a bit about being the new kid. He used to live in California. When I asked if he lived near San Francisco, he shook his head.

"Nah, I lived further south."

Then we walked to gym together. I could see a few curious heads turned our way. I wondered what they thought they were seeing. I dawdled every once and awhile, letting him go two or three steps ahead. I wished it was appropriate to flash my wedding ring.

They didn't force me to participate in gym, but I learned it was mandatory all semester. I bit back a groan. Not only was I marooned here, I was going to have to play sports.

If only there was a track. Or a punching bag. Alternatives to badminton and volleyball. But alas, no.

I drove straight home and dropped my things on the floor. With one of the sofa cushions tucked over my head, I could pretend this wasn't my life now.

I huffed and turned on my back. There was homework to do, dinner to prepare . . . all boring. Boring but mind numbing at the same time. I sighed, then stood up to start my work.

But when everything was done and Charlie still wasn't home, there was nothing to do but mope.

I was trying to be present here. But I knew my heart just wasn't in it. My heart was with him.

I went to the phone and lifted it from the receiver. The dial tone hummed in my ear. I didn't even know who to call. I replaced it in the cradle and turned away.

I ended up calling my mom later that night. She was relieved to hear from me. We swapped stories—me about my first day, her about school and how the wedding plans were going. In truth I had forgotten all about them. I hoped she was staying on top of things. Maybe one of her teacher friends could take up the planning role. There was only so much I could do from here. There were flowers to think about, the venue, the food . . . I couldn't bring myself to take those responsibilities again. Now it was up to Renee.

In Forks my responsibilities were to go to school, manage the house, and try to get into college. I had all the makings for an ordinary life now. But in the age old tradition of wanting what you can't have, I wanted the extraordinary back. I wanted my family back. I wanted him back.

Life just wasn't the same without them.

The second morning at my new school began with overcast skies. I took this as a good sign. No snow, no rain . . . just clouds. Perfect for my gloomy mood.

With no chores to do or food to prepare, I headed out earlier than usual. Most of the parking lot was empty. I opened the bed of my truck and climbed into it. With my back propped up against the cab and my book open, I had a neat reading spot. I sat and read for awhile, watching the lot begin to fill up. I was in no real hurry for the day to begin.

Angela, one of the girls from the lunchroom, wandered over to the truck at seven thirty. She seemed quiet, but I found I already liked her the best. She didn't pry. We smiled shyly at each other.

She nodded toward my book. "That's one of my favorites."

"Really?" I closed it and studied the cover again. "I don't like how Dorian treats poor Basil."

"True," she agreed, climbing into the truck bed at my nod. "But there's something so fascinating about him. Young and beautiful forever. You know?"

"I sure do," I murmured. I knew it all too well. Before she could speak again, Jessica joined us.

"Hey Ang! Hey, Bella. A bunch of us were talking about going to First Beach this weekend. Are you interested?"

"First Beach?"

"It's down the reservation," Angela explained at my confused look. "We go all the time."

I glanced around at the snow doubtfully. "Isn't it a little cold for the beach?"

Jessica laughed. "It's supposed to be sunny again by Saturday. We're gonna build a bonfire. Besides, Lee's older brother has a keg. That should keep us warm enough."

"Oh, um . . . sure. That sounds fun."

Mike and the other boys joined us by then, crowding en masse around the truck. I put the book away; it was impossible to read with this many people around. The parking lot continued to fill up. At ten to eight, a red convertible came skidding in to grab the last spot. It was so ostentatious, and completely unsuitable for the weather. Two girls exited the car, then two boys, and my jaw hit the floor.

"Who are they?"

My new human friends turned to look at the tone of my voice. Jessica, ever the hostess, answered my question. There was a knowing lilt in her tone.

"That's Rosalie and Jasper Hale. The other two are Emmett and Alice Cullen."

It was as if she was underwater. I shook my head quickly. I had to have been seeing things. It couldn't have been them. Not here. It was impossible.

"What?"

"They're foster kids," Mike explained, but he was watching my expression curiously. "They live with Doctor Cullen and his wife. Do you know them or something?"

I wasn't listening to him. Did Alice feel this way when she fell down the rabbit hole into Wonderland? This rush of exhilaration mingled with pure terror? The surge of adrenaline that made my heart want to seize? My knuckles were white around the strap of my backpack.

Only four of them got out of the car, I realized. Where was Edward?

As if answering my question, a shining, silver Volvo screeched into the parking lot and pulled up behind Rosalie's convertible.

I watched, dumbfounded, as the infamous head of bronze hair rose from the car. Even from a distance, I could tell it was tousled. Soft. Perfect. My hands were shaking. All I wanted to do was run my fingers through it, pulling him toward me for a kiss . . .

My feet squared toward that direction of their own accord. I started toward them as if drawn by a magnet. There was no stopping me.

"Bella? Where are you . . . ?"

I barely heard Jessica. The parking lot was slick with black ice, but I was reckless. I crossed the parking lot, never taking my eyes off them.

Rosalie was the first to see me. I saw her lovely face break into a broad smile. She punched Emmett, hard enough to startle him, and he followed her pointing finger. Alice and Jasper were immediately joyous. Finally, the last face, the most beautiful face, turned toward me.

He looked exhausted. More handsome than anything I had ever seen, but bone tired. I was instantly reminded of when I saw him after Mount Hood. There were shadows under his eyes, and he was paler than me. I inwardly fretted over his diet and wondered when was the last time he hunted.

The last time he saw me, though, was ten years ago. A decade of thinking I was ill—or dead.

We met in the middle. It was an old dance by now. I could feel the tears coming but my eyes were closed then. He cupped my face in his hand when he reached me, pulling me toward him. Our lips met. I felt the hole start knitting itself shut, as if it never existed at all. Time slowed down and seemed to stop entirely. His hands were cold on my face, but the blood rushing under them was boiling hot.

He pulled away to let me breathe, but dipped his head to kiss me again not a second later. I was breathless—overcome with happiness. Happy and sad all at once, blending together until I couldn't tell the difference. My hands traced his face in amazement.

He was really here. My vampire was here.

I clutched the hem of his gray coat. I could only say his name. It came out as a whisper, burning as it passed my throat. I realized I never said his name aloud in 2005. It felt odd, like a muscle I hadn't used before.

I felt his forehead dip into my shoulder. His arms were steel bars around me, and I hugged back as tightly as I could manage. His words were muffled against my jacket.

"Bella, Bella, Bella . . . "

His own shoulders were shaking. I thought he might have been sobbing, if he was capable of tears. I wrapped my arms around his neck. It hurt to hear his agony.

"Ssh, Edward. I'm here now."

"Come with me," he said urgently. The car was still running. I was distantly aware of the eyes on us, the bell ringing for class . . . none of that mattered at all. We were together again, perhaps this time permanently, and there was no time to waste.

The Volvo squealed out of the parking lot, leaving Forks High in the dust.

It was surreal to see Edward in my room. Imagination never compared to the real thing. Only hours ago I was convinced I was marooned here, but he had been waiting in the wings all along.

He reached for me and I went to him, as I always had. The Odysseus to his Penelope. Home from the long war.

His eyes were dark with longing. Our lips met again, a quiet echo of the one before. Then he dipped his head for another kiss, and another. A sort of frenzy began then. His clothes were off in two seconds flat. I stumbled to get out of my jeans, bouncing on one foot. Edward smiled crookedly and my clothes were gone before I could blink.

I nudged him onto his back and he pulled me down to meet him. My childhood bed squeaked under our combined weight. He kissed me like a starving man. Like he wanted to swallow me whole. I pulled away, breathless and unsteady. His hands went to my waist to guide me, rising into a sitting position that made me gasp.

His eyes were locked with mine as I cried out. He followed a few moments later, a moan rumbling from his chest. We melted into my bed together, panting. It wasn't enough—not nearly enough. I pulled him toward me again and he followed, pressing my back into the mattress.

I wanted to replay this moment again and again. I didn't want to forget this pure, bright moment of togetherness. Of all the waiting we'd done for our happiness.

Later, when we were curled up under the covers, I traced the slope of his nose with my finger. His eyes were black as pitch. "When did you hunt last?"

"I can't remember."

"Edward," I sighed, wrapping my arms around his neck. I pressed my face to his throat. "You need to feed. This isn't good."

"I didn't want to," he murmured, lowering his mouth to my collarbone. "I didn't need to."

"You do," I insisted, pulling away from him. A wall suddenly went up between us. I retrieved my t-shirt and underwear from the floor and slipped them on, fighting back tears.

"Bella?" Edward looked alarmed. "Are you crying?"

"No," I whispered, avoiding his eyes. It was all too much. The sheer joy of seeing him again, the high of us together, the anxiety over the amount of time that had gone by . . . I shook my head.

"I'm not."

Edward pulled me to him. "What's wrong?"

I pushed until I was out of his hold. "You're not hunting on purpose."

"On purpose?"

"You promised me you wouldn't do anything if you thought I was gone," I said, furious the tears had started to fall. "But you're wasting away. You aren't hunting because you wanted to follow me to . . . whatever comes after this."

I had a sudden flash to the parking lot, where he sobbed in my arms. Another memory, sharper, of him screaming as I vanished for the last time in 1995. I thought he might be crying now, if he were capable of producing tears. Then he was on his knees, burying his face against me. I stiffened at the touch.

"I'm . . . I'm so sorry . . ."

That was all he could get out. My heart twisted in pain. I hated to see him like this. It was all my fault. I bent and hugged him back as tightly as I could.

"You're right, of course," he whispered. "I just thought . . . after seeing you that ill, replaying the moment for ten years . . . I didn't want to go another ten years like that. "

"Now I'm back," I said firmly, tilting his chin up so he had to look at me. "There will be no more of that."

"None," he nodded.

I caught his hand and brought it to my lips. "I love you."

"I love you, too."

We made love again, rocking slowly in my small twin bed. If the first few times were frenzied, this one was tender. Gentle. I moved my hands across his body, marveling at him as usual. My awed expression was reflected on his face; his gaze was wide eyed and worshipful.

When we were curled up again, he spoke. "I'm sorry."

"I know."

"I wish every time can be like that," he murmured. "Slow and dreamlike."

I nodded in agreement. Whenever I went back to his time, our moments together felt so limited. Like at any second, I would be snatched away to the future. Now was the time to really explore each other. Strengthen the connection that was already invincible.

I turned my head toward him. "I still can't believe you're here."

His face broke into a wide grin. "It is your turn to be surprised."

"True."

He ran a cool finger across my lips. "It's funny to see you in your own time. You were always in mine. Always out of my place."

"Like a funky lamp," I nodded. "Or an ugly carpet."

"A traveler," he corrected as he pressed a kiss to my cheek. "A stranger in a strange land."

"You're philosophical today," I yawned, smirking at his nudge to my ribs.

Soon after, I felt myself slip into a doze. It seemed only like a moment, but after I glanced at the clock, I realized over an hour had gone by. I was alone, but not for long. Edward reappeared in my room in only his jeans and a tray of food in his hands. A ham sandwich, a glass of milk, and an apple sat ready to be eaten.

I beamed. "You cooked!"

"Hardly. I didn't even know what to bring upstairs."

"After decades of you watching me eat, you still don't know?"

"I was distracted," he winked. I blushed at the tone of his voice and reached for the tray. Edward played with my hair as I ate, curling the strands around his finger. I suddenly only remembered my car. Then I burst out laughing.

"I left my truck at school!"

"Alice can drive it over. I'll call her."

I watched him whip out a cell phone and start dialing. I giggled. After years of seeing him with record players, cameras, radios, and rotary phones, a typical cell phone seemed out of place.

"Esme insisted we all get them," he said sheepishly when the call was over. "Some sort of family plan. I don't like it."

"Why not?"

"I don't like using the number keys to type," Edward frowned, tossing it on the bed. "Why do we need text messages? What's wrong with a phone call? Are we doomed to communicate only with technology?"

"You sound like such a curmudgeon."

"A curmudgeon?" he repeated. "Is calling a vampire a curmudgeon a smart thing to do?"

Before I could reply, he scooped me up and raced for the bathroom. I only had a small window of time to squeal before the water was hitting me.

"Curmudgeon!" I yelled.

He appeared in the shower, grinning. I spun the dial until the water warmed and disposed of my soaking shirt.

Edward was still chuckling when I turned back to him. As I listened to his laughter, I realized I couldn't stay mad at him. Not for unceremoniously throwing me into a cold shower, or for selectively dieting in my absence.

"What's this for?" he said in my ear as I wrapped my arms around him. "Am I forgiven?"

"Yes," I murmured, pressing my cheek to his chest. "I'm just so happy you're here. I'll never leaving you again. I'm home."

"I'll hold you to that," he whispered, nuzzling my neck. "We have forever, you know."

A/N: Can I get an Amennnnnn that they're finally together again? At last! But the story is not over; there is still more to come!

Thanks for reading!