Author Note: Thanks you for your patience! I'm back with another chapter, and the following one is 75% completed.

Thanks again to moosals for pre-reading. Stephenie Meyer owns all characters.

Chapter 29 – Never Tear Us Apart

"Hello, Edward," Tanya says before I hear the sound of the front door closing.

"What are you doing here?" he asks. "I didn't know you were coming."

I can't quite hear her answer over the sound of footsteps on the hardwood floor.

"I was actually planning to go back to Chicago to see you next weekend," he continues.

"Whose car in that in your driveway?" she asks. Of course I couldn't have expected her not to notice that there are two cars.

"It… belongs to my girlfriend. She's in the bedroom."

"Girlfriend?" she repeats. I'm relieved that she sounds more shocked than angry.

"Um, yeah—I was going to tell you next weekend… Can I take your coat?"

It's quiet for a few moments, and I can almost picture Tanya removing her coat, and Edward moving to hang it in the coat closet next to mine. Jesus.

"Please have a seat," Edward says. "I'll be back in a moment."

Seconds later, the bedroom door slowly opens and Edward's face appears.

"What does she want?" I whisper, trying to control my panic.

"I have no idea," he whispers back. "If it concerns us, you have a right to be there for the conversation."

My eyes widen. "You want me to come out there?"

Nodding, he reaches for my hand, tugging lightly. My heartbeat racing, I let Edward lead me down the hallway to the living room. I try not to faint at the sight of the beautiful blonde seated on the loveseat. She's even more stunning than I remember. I feel so plain in comparison, especially since I'm not even wearing any make-up.

Surprisingly, Tanya gives me a small smile as she looks as me curiously. "Hello."

"Tanya, this my girlfriend, Bella," Edward introduces me. "Bella, this is my wife, Tanya."

"H-hello," I reply back, resisting the urge to start laughing hysterically at the hoosier scenario of meeting my boyfriend's wife.

Edward leads me to sit beside him on the couch, never letting go of my hand. "So what brings you here, Tanya? Why didn't you call first?"

"I sent you a text last night, and another this morning when I left," she replies.

"You did?" he asks in confusion, freezing once he sees his phone lying on the coffee table. He reaches out to pick it up, then frowns. "Battery's dead. I forgot to charge it last night."

"I can see you were busy," she replies with a little smirk. Oh my god…

He clears his throat, the tips of his ears turning pink. "I really was planning to tell you about Bella soon. I was planning to drive up to Chicago on Friday for Christmas, once I've finished grading final exams."

"I… won't be in Chicago for Christmas. I'm spending the holiday in Aspen," she smiles. "That's why I wanted to come talk to you this weekend while I had the chance."

"Oh-kay?" he asks, sounding confused.

Tanya takes a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "I don't expect you'll be opposed to this, but… I think it's time we file for divorce."

My mouth drops open as I stare at her; it's like she's reading our minds.

"You see, I've met someone, too. We've been dating for three months now. Stefan's family owns a vacation home in Aspen where we'll be spending Christmas. He's amazing," she gushes. "He knows all about our… situation. I know it bothers him that I'm married, despite the fact that we're intending to divorce."

"Do you think it's safe?" Edward asks. "I mean, would Immigration have any interest in us now that you've had your citizenship for nearly a year?"

"I can't imagine they'd care any longer. Are you Ok with it then?"

"Yes, of course!" he exclaims, squeezing my hand. "I was actually going to ask you about a divorce next weekend."

Tanya laughs. "We always were on the same page," she says fondly. "So how long have the two of you been dating?"

"Our first date was in early October," he replies, glancing over at me. "Like Stefan, Bella isn't comfortable with the fact that I'm married. And… I'd like to be free to marry her one day."

She smiles widely. "I never thought I'd see the day… Edward Cullen in love. Who would've ever thought… the man who only cared about his career completely gone over a woman," she grins.

I can't help giggling at his obvious embarrassment.

"How did you two meet?" Tanya asks, looking straight at me. I'm like a deer in headlights for a moment — can we trust her with more of the truth than we've given others? Edward obviously thinks she's a wonderful person.

"Bella is a student at UMSL," he replies for me.

"She attends the school where you teach?" Tanya asks, the shock evident in her voice.

"Yes, I do," I speak up for the first time.

"Isn't that against the rules?"

"Only if she were actually my student. Still, we have to keep a low profile. I'm looking for a position at another school in the area," he explains. "It'll just be easier all around."

"That makes sense," she nods. "What year are you, Bella?"

"Um, I just finished my first semester, but I have enough AP credits from high school that I'm officially a sophomore."

"And here I thought you hated teenagers, Edward," Tanya giggles.

"Only the ones who don't make an effort in my class," he retorts, making her laugh harder.

"How did you and Stefan meet?" I ask, trying to get the spotlight away from Edward and me.

"I met him while jogging along the lake front. We struck up a conversation, and when he asked me out, I accepted. I almost declined, given that I'm technically married, but he was cute and nice… I wanted to see where it went."

"He's not the reason you suddenly decided to go vegan, is he?" Edward asks.

"Yes," she chuckles. "Stefan owns a gym and he's all about being healthy. You should try it."

"I'll pass," he says, rolling his eyes.

"You know, you look really familiar, Bella," Tanya says, tilting her head as she stares at me. "Have we met before?"

"I-I don't know how we would have," I stutter. Edward hasn't mentioned it, so I doubt he wants to tell Tanya to know that he was my high school teacher in Chicago. "I think I just have one of those faces."

She smiles. "Could be," she replies, nodding. "I hope I didn't… interrupt anything," she smirks. "I mean, it's well past noon."

"Bella was planning to leave soon anyway to spend Winter Break with her mom and stepdad," Edward explains. "They're in the area, though Bella lives with a couple of friends in an apartment much closer to campus during the semester."

"I probably do need to go back to the apartment and pack," I admit. While a part of me would like to stay for as long as Tanya is here, I don't want to increase the chances of her realizing that she truly has met me before.

Standing up, I head back to the bedroom to collect my toiletries and overnight bag. When I come back, Edward is plugging in his phone on the kitchen counter. He rushes to meet me as I grab my coat from the closet, then opens the front door for me and steps out onto the porch.

"I'll text you when I get a chance," he whispers. "Just let me know about dinner with your parents."

"Ok," I agree.

"I love you." Before I can reply, he leans down and kisses me gently. "See you soon."

I head out to my car, waving to Edward as I toss my bag onto the backseat. I climb into the driver's seat and let out a long breath. It seems like we're getting everything we want, so why do I still feel nervous?

It's 11:30pm and I've just crawled into bed when my phone finally dings with a new text message from Edward. I've been wondering for the last several hours if he has forgotten about me, while trying to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Are you still awake? - E

Yep. Just got in bed.

A few second later, my phone rings and I rush to answer it before it wakes Mom or Phil.

"Hey," I greet Edward.

"What are you wearing?"

I start giggling at his cliché line. "Wouldn't you like to know," I tease, stretching out as I lie down and get comfortable.

He laughs. "Sorry I didn't get a chance to text you earlier. Tanya wanted to visit the art museum in Forest Park while she was in town, and then we went out for dinner."

"Where is she now?" I ask, jealously wanting to quiz him about being out to dinner until 11:30 at night.

"Here; spending the night in the guest room. She'll drive back to Chicago after breakfast tomorrow."

As irrational as it is, I don't like that goddess sleeping in the room next to Edward, though I suppose the same thing would likely happen in Chicago. I'm really glad she's leaving in the morning, but I would never say that. "And you're really going to file for divorce?"

"Yes," he sighs. "Tanya is going to talk to a lawyer this week about filing. Hopefully we can get things moving once she's back from Aspen. Obviously I won't be driving to Chicago this Friday, but I'll probably have to go up there at some point before classes start in January."

"Oh," I frown, though of course he can't see me. I'd been counting on being able to sneak out and see Edward while visiting Dad over the next couple of weeks.

"What's wrong?" Edward asks.

"I'll miss you while I'm in Chicago," I admit, feeling pathetic. I guess I shouldn't have laughed at Alice missing Jasper for four weeks. "Are you sure you can't drive up anyway?"

"You're supposed to be spending time with your dad and your old friends," he chuckles. "And once Tanya gets back, I'd feel a little weird staying there in the house while she's got another guy coming over. But like I said, if I need to take care of anything in regards to the divorce, I'll go.

"Oh, also Tanya and I discussed it tonight, and we're going to put our house up for sale. Stefan apparently owns a great condo closer to downtown, so she'll be moving in with him."

"Wow, that seems fast, doesn't it?" Tanya and Stefan have been dating only slightly longer than Edward and I have! I mean, I know he's mentioned moving in together, but he didn't mean right now.

"Believe me, she's head over heels for this guy," he chuckles. "I heard more than enough about him tonight. I'm happy for her though; she deserves all the happiness in the world.

"And, you know, once we sell the house, I should be able to buy a house in St. Louis — well, assuming I get a job offer somewhere," he laughs.

"That'd be awesome," I agree. I'm not ashamed to accept that I'd like to see anything tying Edward and Tanya together demolished. I know they'll probably always be friends, but getting divorced and selling the house they own together will help my irrational jealousy of feeling like a Hyundai next to a cherry red Ferrari.

"I have to admit, I was a little bit worried when Tanya just showed up this morning out of the blue. I was afraid it was bad news, but instead, we got the best possible news, didn't we? Hopefully by summer, I'll be a free man and I'll have a new job at one of the other universities in St. Louis." He lets out a long breath. "Maybe we didn't start out conventionally, but we're getting everything we wanted."

"I keep wondering when the next shoe is going to drop," I confess quietly.

"It's not, baby," he reassures me. "It'll be smooth sailing from here on out."

"I don't know… there's still dinner with my parents this week."

Edward laughs. "I've never had to do the 'meet the parents' thing since Tanya's parents were in Siberia, but how hard can it be?"

"Mom thinks you're too old for me."

"Your mom needs to learn how amazing you are."

I can't hold in my grin. "Is Thursday night ok? Phil suggested Stoney River; it's by Chesterfield Mall."

"That should work," he agrees. "In the meantime, I'll be busy grading finals."

"You haven't looked at mine yet, have you?" I tease.

"I haven't had time to look at any, but I wouldn't tell you if I had," he chuckles. "Anyway, I'd better let you go. Tanya wants to get an early start tomorrow. Ugh… I'd almost forgotten what a morning person she is."

I can't help laughing, though I'm thrilled that this is yet another area where Edward and I are compatible. "I love you."

"I love you, too. Text me when you know the time for Thursday."

"I will. It'll probably depend on Phil's work schedule. Happy grading!"

He laughs. "Goodnight, baby."

Grinning, I plug my phone into the charger and turn off the lamp, then get settled in my bed. Though I can't shake the bad feeling, I know I need to stay positive. Edward and I are one step closer to being free to be together than we were last night.

I spend the next five days baking cookies with my Mom and shopping for Christmas gifts. Despite growing up with my father, I never have any idea what to get men for Christmas, and I've got four of them to buy for this year! At least I can wait for the after-Christmas sales to get something for Alice, since her dad surprised her and her mom with a ski trip to the French Alps for the holiday. I won't see her again until I get back from Chicago in January.

Edward and I talk on the phone every night, but I still miss him. By Thursday night, I'm really looking forward to seeing him again, even though I have an irrational fear that Mom or Phil will just somehow know that he was my teacher — twice!

When we arrive at Stoney River steakhouse on Thursday night, I look around while we wait for the hostess, but I can't see Edward anywhere. We're led to a booth along the wall and when I look back toward the door, I realize there's no way Edward will see us back here.

"I'm gonna go wait for Edward out front," I announce, taking my coat off. I hang it on a nearby hook, then head back to the front of the restaurant.

After just a minute or two, I break into a wide smile when my boyfriend steps inside. Unable to stop myself, I throw my arms around his neck.

"That's quite a greeting," he smiles, pecking my lips twice.

"I missed you," I shrug, not the least bit embarrassed. "Are you ready to meet my parents?"

"Ready as I'll ever be," he replies, and I take his hand in mine.

A/N: Most of you were cautiously optimistic that Tanya had come to ask for a divorce. She's met someone special, too! This was my original plot line, before I thought about throwing a big twist at you guys.

I had to define "hoosier" for moosals. The official definition is someone from Indiana, but the St Louis definition is basically redneck. You can look it up on Urban Dictionary.

Next update should be next week sometime, I hope. Will Renee behave when meeting her daughter's older boyfriend?

For a teaser: This Grammy-winning song from 1988 was by an artist who's much better known as an actor.