Thank you for reading! Love ya all.

… …

Things started happening very quickly. Edward had to leave within a few days for his next job, and I had booked a flight to Nashville for two weeks later. And there was a lot to do in the meantime.

Not only did I have my own ends to wrap up- letting the restaurant know I'd be gone and switching up my availability with them, getting someone to watch over my house; letting everyone know that I'd be out of town and how to reach me, there was also the issue of getting some things in order for Edward and our future.

There were a couple of spots Edward had looked in Seattle, but the one we both loved was downtown, not far from the Public Market. We both had our fingers crossed that the spacious area would be ours. The spot in Nashville was already ours and in progress- it was the smaller of the two spaces, with both the studio and gallery area being less roomy than the place we had our hearts set on in Seattle. I had only seen pictures so far, but I loved the space and couldn't wait until I arrived in Nashville to help style it. And even though the space in Seattle wasn't confirmed yet, my mom and I spent the two weekends before I left for Nashville in and out of antique and thrift stores, searching for the perfect pieces.

When it was finally time to leave for Nashville, I felt so ready and at peace that it almost scared me. And even though Edward and I had talked every single day that we had spent in separate cities, I still ran to him at the airport baggage claim in Nashville like it had been years.

Because in a way, it had been years. This had started, after all, when I was a lovesick eighteen years ago and now the stars had aligned for things to be exactly as they were. So many things had happened, and so much had changed, but not the connection between us. That had gotten us through everything to where we were right now.

… …

"Wow," I breathed, tucking my head into the crook of Edward's arm. "I missed you."

He kissed me again, slow and with purpose, and his voice was a whisper when he spoke. "I love you, Bella. I'm never going to mess this up again."

"We'll both mess up again," I said gently. "We just have to work together. Be there for each other. See each other through thick and thin."

"I know, babe. Thank you."

The hotel room was cold, so I snuggled into his side even further and smiled when he took the hint and reached for the blanket behind me and wrapped it around us.

We talked for hours again that night. Nothing was off limits, just like that night we had spent together at my house when Edward had showed up in Seattle. We talked about his addiction- how I was handling it as well as how he was. We were a team now, and we were going to share everything, even pain and hardship. I cried when Edward talked about it, but right then, I had not felt closer to him. I would never totally understand, and I could accept that. I just had to know that his disease was not a choice, and be there when he might want to falter. We talked about my dreams, too, about how I wanted to get a degree in digital journalism and use it to spread awareness about conservation and how important it was.

I would work for Edward as his assistant this summer, travelling, but he opened to have the Nashville space open in the early fall. He'd stay there for several weeks and then join me in Seattle, where I would spend my time alone there working on the Seattle shop and getting it ready to open before Christmas. It was the first time since the time leading up to moving to Chicago for law school that I'd had real, concrete plans that made me feel secure about the future. I remembered being hesitant then, about everything- Alec, moving to Chicago, going to law school, and now I felt none of that dread that had crept in occasionally back then. I let myself imagine what it would be like if I was still in that life, and I made my heart ache because now that I had the future I wanted, I couldn't bear to live another life.

… …

Six Months Later

I checked my watch, wondering if it had the right time. My phone confirmed it, and I sighed noisily. The baggage claim at SeaTac was busy, but I was sure I would have been able to spot Edward.

"Waiting for a special someone?" The woman next to me smiled like she could read my mind.

"My boyfriend," I admitted. "It's been two months."

"Ah. Going to be reunited for good now?"

I turned my head towards her, grinning. "Yes. For good."

… …

Time to say goodbye to one of my favorite Edward and Bella's.

If you haven't already checked it out, I have posted my new story- unattainable. I hope it interests you and you read the first chapter that is posted and decide to stick around!

I am wanting to write a sequel for this one, probably as a one shot that will be posted separately. Let me know if that would be something you all would be interested in and read.

Thank you so much for your love as this story has gone on. I have appreciated every review, favorite, and subscription not just for this story, but for all of them! You guys are the best. I hope to be able to post more frequently now as I am a little more established in my new job!