Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. No copyright infringement is intended.

This story was started in November 2011 for NaNoWriMo. I wrote a few chapters and then it kinda crapped out, so I wrote a different story. In the years between then and now there have been many attempts to work on it again, but they have never panned out until recently. The one problem with working on a story like this over so long is that my writing experience and style has changed over time. I'm hoping that isn't going to be too much of a problem for you guys.

This story is strongly influenced by Audrey Niffenegger's book, The Time Traveler's Wife. I don't follow her plot, but the idea of a young Bella and mature Edward came from her.

Along the way, there have been many people that have helped me get this story—finally—written. Mary-Alice-Brandon-Cullen, Verseseven, IamTheAlleyCat, Augustmoon, Lacrimosa Moon, DutchGirl01, Snarkymuch, and most especially Gredelina1. This story would NEVER have been completed without her. She has been a cheerleader/taskmaster/beta/pre-reader and everything in between. Between these amazing ladies the story is finally written and ready for you to read. I hope you enjoy.

Prologue

Bella

I'd always known I would die young.

A word too many and a reaction too big had given me the knowledge the rules bound Edward from saying, leaving me in no doubt of what my fate was.

But even knowing what was to come, I had been happy. I had something much brighter than mortality's darkness in my life. My Edward. When I found him, he banished the shadows from my life and made me whole again. I thought he would be there always.

I was wrong.

I hadn't died. I was now endless, eternal and alone in my love. There was no magical man waiting for me in the meadow, no voice humming to me as I slept, no teacher, lover, or protector. There was nothing.

Love, life, meaning… over.

But, still, I was here.