A/N: Hope everyone had a fabulous Fourth (or fourth if you're not American). I got some writing done heheh.

They told Carlisle first. It was an obvious choice. He was the only one who would notice immediately if his daughter-in-law disappeared from the house.

If Edward had just one wish, just one chance to go back and change a single choice, it would have been this one - to make the version of the truth they spun a reality. Parts of it were still the same.

When Carlisle called Edward that day, urging him to come home, his son had resisted, as per usual, and he said those fateful words.

"Your mother is dying."

Carlisle Cullen would never said those words unless they were absolute certainty. He was a doctor, and a good one. He didn't use the word dying unless it was inevitable

So hearing his father say those words left Edward reeling. He knew there was nothing to be done. There was no treatment left to try or miracle to pray for. He'd never felt so helpless and guilt-ridden in his life. He would have done anything, absolutely anything, to fix it, and since he understood he could not fix his mother, he wanted to fix what he could.

He could give her the peace of mind. It was the only gift he had left.

That much was true.

In the story he and Bella told, Edward merely went to visit Bella with a plan in mind. He asked if she would consider marrying him for the sake of giving his mother a few happy months. It would be a sham marriage, but she would owe him nothing.

Bella told her part. How she'd made a mistake she didn't know how to come back from. How she missed Esme, Carlisle, and even Alice so much. Like Edward, she regretted all the time lost, time Esme no longer had. She jumped at the chance to see them all again, to reconnect and make amends. After all, she hadn't gotten to say goodbye to the rest of the family at all the first time around.

Edward was stunned into silence when he realized how easily this tale could have been reality. Bella would have agreed to his plan regardless of how he went about it. Once he laid down the situation, all he had to do was say please, probably not even that, and she would have said yes.

And then, the end of the story would have been a foregone conclusion.

"It's given us a chance to reconnect," Bella said, taking Edward's hand as she spoke. "We want to try again."

Edward was quiet as he stared into her eyes. She loved him. She loved him when he'd been so needlessly cruel to her. Despite how badly she'd broken his heart when she was hardly more than a girl, he could not excuse the way he'd treated her. It would have been as easy as breathing if only he'd been civil to her from the get go.

Now, in spite of everything, they did have a second chance. It would be harder than it had to be, but then that was how Edward seemed to approach life.

Smiling, Edward brought Bella's hand to his lips and he pressed a kiss there. He was giving her a second chance, and she was doing the same for him. They were putting their past behind them and starting fresh. That was the point of all this honesty.

Well. Quasi honesty.

Carlisle rubbed a hand over his chin, looking at them both with an expression Edward couldn't read. Then, to Edward's surprise, his father smiled. "You did make her happy, you know. Peaceful." He shook his head, his expression far off. "You were her biggest worry, Edward. She died believing you were going to be okay after all."

Edward's lips tugged down. He hated the idea he'd given his mother any worry at all, but rationally, he knew that was inevitable. Mothers worried. That was simple, unavoidable truth.

"You remember she talked to you the day she died?" Carlisle went on.

"Of course."

"She knew, I think." He gestured between Edward and Bella. "I was the one who wanted to believe your lies, but Esme knew. But when she hung up the phone that day, she took my hand and she said, 'Our boy will be fine. He and Bella will be just fine.' It was practically the last thing she said."

Edward blinked, his eyes glassy as he looked at his father. He wondered if his mother knew the truth - that even then his anger wavered, and his bitterness was being chipped away. And when she died, she took the last of his anger with him.

Could she have known it would happen? Was that why she pressed him to really look at his past, really see that the life he'd built up in his head wasn't worth clinging to? Was that why she'd sent him away to California with Bella, because she knew she was running out of time, and he just needed that one final push?

"We will be fine." Edward said the words to Bella, squeezing her hand.

Looking back at him, she nodded. "I think so too."

"That's the most important thing. It's never not work. Relationships, I mean. It was never going to be a fairy tale."

"You don't think it's odd, us staying married but living apart for now?" Edward asked.

"I think it's not up to anyone but you two what you need." Carlisle reached out, taking each of their hands. "Your mother and I agreed about..." He winced. "We agreed about so much. One of the things we both believed in was beautiful ideas. That's what every relationship is - a beautiful idea. Do what you need to do. Build a good foundation, and come back stronger."

"That's the plan," Bella said.

~0~

A few days after Bella moved into Charlie and Sue's house, they threw a welcome home type party. All her friends were invited, and Edward was too. Of course, that necessitated a retelling of the whole story as they'd spun it for Carlisle.

Bella's friends weren't as accepting as Carlisle, but that was to be expected. The saving grace of that situation was the innate etiquette of a social gathering. No one was going to make the atmosphere uncomfortable for everyone by asking awkward questions.

After lunch, Emmett challenged Edward to a one-on-one game of basketball. Bella recognized what was going on. It was a display of testosterone. Edward had to prove he was manly enough to earn Emmett's respect. Barbarism disguised as friendly competition. Boys being boys.

Bella wasn't worried about that. Edward could hold his own athletically. She knew he would prove to be an even-tempered good sport. And Emmett wasn't the type to hold grudges. Bella said she was happy. Once he saw that Edward wasn't an asshole, that would be that.

Rosalie was a harder nut to crack.

After she'd seen to it her kids were happily playing, she came to sit next to Bella on the porch, watching both of their men sweat it out. She didn't speak right away, which made Bella sigh.

"Say what you need to say, Rose."

Rosalie got right to the point. "I don't like this at all, Bella."

"Color me surprised."

"Well, what is there to like? Rather than tell us this six months ago, you chose to disappear off the face of the planet. Your best friends found out you were married through gossip. If it was all as innocent as you're saying it is, why wouldn't you have told us your plan back then?"

Bella rubbed her temples, thinking her answer through. "What did you want me to say? What would have happened if I'd called you up and said, hey Rose, I'm giving up my job, my apartment, my chance at getting into school for at least another year so I can get into a sham marriage? What would you have said?"

"That you were a lunatic." Rosalie crossed her arms and glared at Bella. "I would have wanted to know why you keep throwing away your chance at a real life."

"You see? That's why I didn't tell you." It was one of the reasons, anyway. The biggest reason. Bella didn't expect Rosalie to understand her logic now or then. "Why do you have to see the things I do as throwing my life away?"

"Because that's exactly what you do. Over and over that's what you do. You could have a better life."

"Isn't that what your mom told you about marrying Emmett?" Bella challenged. "You had an exciting career, lots of opportunities in a big city, and you gave it all up to have Emmett's children and live in this tiny town."

Rosalie frowned. "My children and my husband are well worth the sacrifice."

"And do you think I've regretted sacrificing what I have for the people in my life?" Bella shook her head. "Ask me if I regret it. Sue and Seth, Jacob and Billy, Esme. Ask me if I regret doing any of things things I've done."

Her friend eyed her. "Do you?"

"No. Never. I know sometimes you think of what might have been if you stayed in the job you were at when you met Emmett. Of course I have the same thoughts. What if? But at the end of the day, I'm always glad I made the decisions I did."

"You should regret it."

"Why? Because my life would have been so much better?" Bella turned in her seat so her body was angled toward Rosalie. "If I'd let Sue lose her home or let Billy deal with his son's alcoholism on top of his daughter's death, then what? Maybe I'd have a degree by now. But think of the things I would have missed."

"Like what? What was so great about your life here that you don't regret how much further along you would have been if you'd gotten your ass in college sooner?"

"You for one thing. You remember all those nights it was just us when Emmett was working overtime a few years back?"

Rosalie's expression shifted, a hint of uncertainty softening her features.

"You think I would trade our friendship? It was you and me when Allison was born, remember? She came so quick, Emmett didn't even have time to get to the hospital."

Rosalie's lips twitched. "I remember."

"So do you regret that? If life had gone the other way, if I'd been able to go to school when I originally wanted, none of that would have happened."

"You know what your friendship means to me. Of course I don't regret that, but you should have more. You deserve more." She shook her head. "Regardless. This takes the cake. You married this guy, Bella. You gave him total control over where you lived, what you did, all that."

"That's not what happened."

"Then why did you have to give up even your job?"

"Because the idea was to spend time with Esme. Don't downplay what she means... meant to me. That's another reason I don't regret the way my life went. If I was in school, I wouldn't have been able to devote all my time to Esme. Instead, we were able to say everything we needed to say to each other before she died. I got a mother back. I got a father back. They forgave me for what I did to their son and what I did to them, since I deserted them too. Even if Edward and I hadn't reconnected, it would have been worth it."

Bella reached out, impulsively taking Rosalie's hand. "Every time, I've made the choice I could live with. There's only ever been one choice in my life I regretted, and it... leveled me. I'm not going to be that stupid again. I'll never make another decision that would destroy my whole life."

Rosalie's lips twisted. She looked like she wanted to argue, but she seemed to think better of it. "So this is what you want now? An ex?"

"Yes." The word was resolute. Bella wasn't sure if it was a good idea, trying to be with Edward, but she knew with absolute certainty it wasn't the wrong idea. "But I'm being careful. I promise. That's why I moved out of his house. That's why we're figuring out our lives individually before we try to live happily ever after."

Rosalie still looked unhappy, but she wrapped Bella up in a tight hug. "You deserve the world. You deserve to take for once instead of giving everything. Just be careful, Bella, and remember we're all here if you need us." She pulled back and mussed Bella's hair playfully. "Even if we do think you're crazy, you're right. It is your life."

~0~

The guest-of-honor had disappeared.

Going home without Bella was the last thing Edward wanted to do, but he figured that part was inevitable. He'd been a good boy today. He'd kept his hands to himself and let her friends hog her attention. All he was asking for was a goodnight kiss before he left her for the evening.

When it was apparent she wasn't among the guests outside, Edward wandered into the house. There, he heard her before he saw her and came to a halt in the hallway outside the den.

"Leah..."

"Look, I know you and I haven't always gotten along, but we're civil to each other, right?" Leah, Bella's stepsister, sounded, as always, irritated. "I never told you... what you did for my mom and brother... that was amazing."

She rushed on before Bella could respond. "Mom told me you're looking for jobs in Seattle. That makes sense, obviously, since you want to go to school there too. You and I both know you need to get out of this stupid little town. There's nothing for you here. If you lived in Seattle, it would be easier to get a job, easier to interview, you know? Plus you can't tell me you won't want to be closer to your boyfriend.. husband... whatever the hell he is."

"Okay," Bella said, her voice ringing with confusion. "So what are you saying?"

"I have a big place. My asshole ex-husband was good enough to leave me the house we were supposed to raise our kids in." She huffed. "There's tons of room. I'm not home much, and you're not going to wreck the place. If you'll consider it, you can stay with me free of charge until you get on your feet."

Edward rested his forehead on the wall, silently pleading with Bella to accept her stepsister's offer. He understood why she was reluctant to let him help her, but this should be different. This should be no more than recompense.

"That's a very generous offer," Bella said, speaking each word slowly, her tone betraying her surprise. "It would be nice. I was wondering how I was going to pull off interviewing in Seattle when I live here."

Edward let out a breath. It wasn't an outright dismissal. He was so happy, he could have done a little jig. Deciding he'd already eavesdropped much more than he should have, he knocked on the wall, getting their attention before he stepped into the den. "Am I interrupting something?"

"No, we're done," Leah answered. "Let me know, Bella. Whenever you need."

"I will. Thank you."

Leah headed for the door. When she got to Edward, she fixed him with a look. "You owe me. Big."

Edward raised an eyebrow in feigned ignorance, but he knew what she meant. It was no small relief to him knowing Bella had an option to be nearer to him. It was, after all, easier to work on a relationship when the two parties were at least in the same city.

When Leah left, Edward stretched his hands out, grinning when Bella reached for him. He drew her arms around his body as he pulled her closer. She leaned against him, her chest to his, and he brushed her hair back out of her eyes when she tilted her head up.

At first, he only pecked at her lips, the gesture as light and playful as he could make it. But that only lasted for so long before Edward had to taste her. His mouth worked with hers, his hand spread over the small of her back, pressing her against him. It was a thorough kiss, long. Every intention he had of making their interaction easy that evening went straight out the window

Edward didn't want to admit it, but all night the feeling had been tugging at him. He was afraid to let her go, afraid if they pulled apart even this much, they would never come back together.

Right about then, the fear was crippling.

Bella kissed him back, letting him support her body with his arms. She clung to him, letting him possess her in body if only for those few moments. She slid her hands up from his shoulders to thread into his hair, holding his head to hers.

When their kiss broke, Bella made no move to let him go or step away. Her thumbs stroked the space behind his ears, a gentle smile playing at her lips. "You have me." Her words were quiet but strong, an affirmation. "I'm not going anywhere."

He hummed, dipping his head down to kiss her again once. "You'll be across town."

She snorted, looping her arms around his waist. "This is Forks. Across town is practically walking distance."

"That's still too far. " He gave her another kiss with pouting lips. "I'm going to miss you. I know that's probably a stupid thing to say, but it's true."

"It's not stupid." Raising a hand, she traced the outline of his eye with a single fingertip. "My name will always be Bella, my eyes will always be brown, and I will always love you." She echoed the same oath he'd whispered to her so many times so many years before.

Edward wasn't prepared for the sense of relief that flooded over him then. Having her there in his arms, he found he was able to reclaim the sweet memories of his past that had hurt to think of before. For so many years, he hadn't let himself remember the childhood she'd been such an intricate part of. Then and there, he let his memories overtake him.

Bella grinned at him - five years old and smug that she'd been able to climb the tree he'd insisted she couldn't.

The summer she was nine and he was eleven. They'd been riding their bikes on what was supposed to be a dry day, but the sky had opened up. They made it back to his house soaked to the bone and bedraggled. Esme had made them hot apple cider and took turns towel drying their hair after they'd changed into dry clothes.

Bella was thirteen and he was fifteen on Fourth of July, and they were lighting fireworks together. One caught her off guard, and when she jumped back, she grabbed his hand in surprise. She didn't let go as she stared at the shower of sparks. It was the first time Edward had wondered what it would be like to kiss her.

He remembered their first kiss. And their second. And their third.

Back in the present, he kissed her breathless.

Her hands were over his on her either side of her face, and they stared at each other for a long time before she spoke. "Remember this isn't goodbye, it's only goodnight."

His kiss was more gentle then, his anxiety calmed. "I never want to say goodbye to you again."

A/N: Gotta run. Late for work again. Many thanks to songster and I love all of you.