Tonight the library reopened, the local community seem most interested in spending time in the new space and many of the regular library patrons were excited to see the new selections available to borrow.

Angela came with Bella and they both spoke with me briefly. Bella still seems very quiet though. I caught her puzzling over the pictures on the wall that I had painted in a moment alone. Her face merely looked introspective, as she had so often of late, neither happy nor sad, offering me no hint as to her inner monologue.

Bella seemed quite absorbed when perusing the shelves, though I sensed she wanted to return when the space was uncrowded and she was free to browse more peacefully. She signed up for a library card, which I took as a positive sign that what she found the library lacking in before was now present to at least some degree.

Esme was the centre of attention and enjoyed the whole reception, I could hear in her thoughts that she wished I could share the credit as she caught my eye across the room, but I shook my head a little and turned to see Bella. Her back was to me and I realised this was the vision Alice had shown me all those weeks ago when things were so different.

I stepped outside for a moment, to get a break from the sound, if not the mental clatter of thoughts of the guests. Bella followed me and stood shivering next to me for a moment before she spoke.

"It's really wonderful Edward. Esme has done such a great job with it all. I like your portraits too, they're beautiful."

I asked her how she knew they were mine and she gestured to the drawing on her cast.

It started to snow and we both stood for a moment in the still darkness of the parking lot, watching the snowflakes tumble and twist in the streetlights. I could see her breath making clouds before her and heard her teeth give a gentle chatter.

I looked at her a moment, unable to hide the longing I felt Inside and she stepped closer to me.

She held out her gloved hand and said "Come on, it's freezing." I took her hand and followed her inside. Just before we rejoined the throng of people, we passed through the anteroom, and Bella stopped. She turned to me and I saw that very earnest look again, the one she had worn at the pool just before she broke her wrist. I gazed into her deep brown eyes, spellbound and she said "You know I've forgiven you, don't you?"

I did not know this and said "You have?" She squeezed my hand and said "Yeah, I really have. For all of it. Completely." and smiled at me warmly. I felt my own face returning her smile as I continued to look upon the most beautiful girl to have ever lived and wonder at the walking, breathing miracle she is to me.

I felt the Earth shift again on its axis, like that day at school when I broke down and she held me. She gave my hand a little tug and winked at me before looking back at the crowd, "C'mon doofus, we're missing all the fun." she said softly before taking off her gloves and coat and heading back into the reception.

Inside I was whisked away by Esme who wanted to introduce me to a long list of architects, council members, library staff and friends so I didn't get to spend any more time with Bella, but I was so lost in the shockwave of her words I could not really form coherent sentences. I saw her across the room, browsing books with her eyes twinkiling in anticipation, then later, chatting and joking with Angela. When I heard her laugh, I felt my chest swell and somehow, just when I thought it must surely be impossible, fell even more deeply in love with her.

I am forgiven.

A/N: Please leave a review! Thanks so much to my wonderful beta wh1teow1, please show some love and read Moirai, a reimagining of Twilight for the new decade! There are pictures of Edward's watercolour portraits on my Deviant Art page, just search for LogLadyJ, they're in the featured gallery. 9 entries left to go!