A/N: Only the epilogue is left. This is the end and it feels kind of sad to be wrapping it all up. As I've said before, I will be moving the story from FF(dot)net to Livejournal for various reasons and there will be a further explanation after I do so.

Thanks for reading as always, much love.

"Two to none
Roads that lead away from this
I'm following myself just this once
And I got spun
It appears you're spun as well
It happens when you pay attention"
- "Rescued" by Jack's Mannequin

It was all over. Jasper kept the apartment and I moved in with Rosalie and Emmett. It was just easier that way. A clean break, within a matter of days we completely separated.

The weeks following our parting, I didn't see him at all. Not that I really expected to see him, it was odd having someone in your life for so many years and to just have them completely gone. Rosalie was in complete shock over the entire situation and she was sure to let me know any chance she got.

"Isabella Marie, what the fuck happened?" That was her response, in typical Rose fashion. I didn't tell her right away. I was embarrassed about what happened, I suppose.

One night though, after dinner, Rose and I were sharing a few glasses - well really bottles - of red wine and I told her everything about Edward. How we slept together, carried on an affair, and also how Jasper had met Alice.

The story of Alice and Jasper was a mystery to me until I received a call from Alice herself one night. Apparently, they met at a concert Jasper was working and it was just love at first sight. I wasn't mad at her, or him, not even hurt really. I was however mourning the loss of our relationship, which I guess couldn't be sped along really. I needed the time to deal with everything.

As soon as I felt ready, I began applying for a new job, I couldn't live with my sister forever. Angela had given me a reference, so it only took a month, when I heard back from the local museum for a low level assistant job. The Assistant to the Assistant Curator was my new job title, and I wore it proudly, because I truly felt I had earned this job. I would finally be working my way from the bottom to the top.

Quickly, I began drowning myself in work, keeping myself constantly busy. I could feel myself slipping back to the old Bella, not exactly the Bella that was head over heels in love with Jasper, but still I was in a good place. I felt comfortable in my own skin for once without having a man in my life and it was a glorious feeling.

Work was great, I met some really nice people. Actual friends, something I kind of lost sight of for a while. Beyond Jasper and my sister, I'd given up on any friends I had really.

The first time I saw Jasper after our breakup, I was out to dinner with some of those friends from work and I heard his laugh. Without him seeing me, I looked around the restaurant and there he was, with Alice of course. They were laughing, drinking wine, and just looked so happy. I felt a smile tug at my lips. It made me happy to see him happy, but I couldn't help but wonder what Edward was doing at that exact moment.

Several times Edward crossed my mind those few months after the break up. I thought about calling him, or even just going to see him, but I could never bring myself to do so.

The museum was alive, as everyone was planning the annual banquet. The city's biggest and brightest art experts would be there. It was an exciting evening that I looked forward to for months.

Rosalie and I went shopping for the banquet. I'd never gone to a black tie event like the gallery would be hosting. The woman would need to wear floor length gowns and I hadn't even worn a floor length gown to my own prom.

Eventually we were able to find something that I was comfortable in and within my budget.

The dress was all black, strapless, with a little rose detailing along the waist. Rosalie helped me pin my hair up.

I didn't have a date, but I did go with a few of my new friends from work. The banquet was held at a fancy hotel that I'd never been to before, the flooring was marble and reminded me of Twilight gallery a bit. I smiled to myself at the thought of the gallery, it seemed like such a foreign entity, like a part of my life that I watched from the outside, like some omniscient being, instead of actually living it.

As crazy as it sounds, I felt the presence of Edward Cullen. It was bizarre, but I knew he was there. I turned around looking for him. At the other side of the room, I saw him and the sight took my breath away. He was just as gorgeous as always.

I walked towards him, like a magnetic force, I was drawn to him. It had been almost six months since I'd last seen him. I was a different woman and I finally felt ready for him.

His eyes lit up when he saw me and I'm sure mine were doing the same.

"Edward, " He cut me off, waving his hand in front himself.

"I want to do it right this time. Let's start over please," He said as he offered his hand to shake mine. "Hello, I'm Edward Cullen."

"It's very nice to meet you, I'm Bella Swan." I placed my hand in his.

We both smiled at each other and deep down I knew everything really was going to be alright.