A/N: I've decided to post the last chapter without having it beta'd. You can expect some comma issues and possible tense issues. I apologize for them, but I don't think they'll be bad enough to justify delaying the final update further than it already is delayed by my unpredictable writing process. If you find any glaring errors, please let me know and I will attempt to correct them.

CHAPTER 25:

EDWARD

I had barely retreated back around the building when I was stopped dead upon impact with a solid wall of flesh.

I stumbled backward and only avoided falling because of Emmett's grip on my bicep.

"Where the hell are you running off to like your ass is on fire? I thought you were going to find Bella."

"Uh, yeah. I found her. She was with her new boyfriend." I sneered at him. "I didn't want to interrupt."

He raised one eyebrow at me but didn't utter a word. He tightened his grip on my arm and hauled me behind him as he headed back the way I'd just come.

"Jeez, Em. Let me go. I don't need to be humiliated like this. Seriously. Let me go." I knew I sounded like a whiny wimp, but I really didn't care. I just wanted to get out of there with at least some of my pride intact.

"What you need," he growled, "what you both need, is to get your heads out of your asses and talk to each other."

He let go of my arm but gave me a look that left no doubt that he expected me to continue to follow him. I toyed with the idea of making a run for it but even if I got away now, he'd track me down and make me regret it later. I fell into step beside him, hanging my head and watching my feet as I walked.

The newly-cut grass left green streaks across the toes of my Converse, and I studied the patterns rather that look the way we were headed.

Emmett cleared his throat. "Hey man," he addressed the guy who was now sitting beside Bella. "Can you do me a favour and help me move some equipment? Edward here wants to talk to Birdy for a bit anyway."

I looked up and gave the intruder a quick once-over. He was more muscular than me, but nothing like Em. I could see how B would find his dark eyes and tanned skin attractive. I hated it, but I could see it. I frowned as Bella and this other guy gave each other some weird look. She nodded at him and he shook his head before he nodded at Em. I watched, still standing awkwardly in front of Bella, as Emmett and his new best friend walked away.

"So, who's the jerk?" Crap. Probably could have started with something less nasty.

"Really, Edward? You came all the way out here to insult my friend?" Bella glared at me as she stood up and began to stomp away from me. I stood and watched her go before I realized I was making the same mistake all over again.

"Bella... Bella, stop. Please. I'm sorry." I ran and caught up to her. Reaching out, I grasped her elbow and turned her back toward me.

She huffed and rolled her eyes at me before shaking off my grip and crossing her arms across her chest. She gave me her best withering "What now?" look.

I took a deep breath and decided to just spill my guts and hope for the best.

"I'm not really sure what happened with us. I know things got a little busy and I know you felt like I didn't want to spend time with you, but that just isn't true. I did. I do want to spend time with you. In fact, I'd love to spend all of my time with you. I can't though. I have things I need to do, and so do you." Look at me trying to be all mature.

Bella's arms had dropped from their defensive stance and she was now playing with the edges of her fingernails and staring at her hands. I reached out tentatively and brushed my fingers down the back of her hand. I wanted to take her hands in mine but I wasn't sure if she'd want that.

"If you'll let me, I'd like to try and make this work. Make us work. I don't know how to do it, or if it's possible, but I have to hope it is possible. If we both try really hard and don't let all the other stuff come between us, we can do this… Uh, I mean, if you want to. If you haven't already found someone else…"

I looked off in the direction that Emmett had gone and frowned. What if I was too late? What if that guy was interested in Bella and she was interested in him? What if I waited too long to get my shit together and some other guy had already…

"Edward, I know how busy you are and that you have friends to see and a job and helping your Dad, I just don't see how adding more for you to deal with is fair to either of us."

"You aren't just something else to deal with, Bella. I really like you. I've always really liked you. I was just too stupid to realize I should have told you that."

Her shy responding smile gives me hope that I haven't lost all chance of being with her.

*~ATR~*

BELLA

After Edward and I finished laying out our schedules and new expectations, we headed back in to the rink. When Edward and I walked back into the arena holding hands I caught Emmett winking at Edward and saw Jake scowling at us. I couldn't really blame him. It seemed like I'd been bitching to him about Edward forever. When I really took the time to think about it, I realized that I didn't tell him about all the fun things we'd done or any of the sweet things he's done for me over the years. No wonder he thought I was out of my mind giving Edward another chance.

My break was over much too quickly. I wanted to freeze time and just enjoy the fact that Edward and I were back on track. I blushed like crazy when Edward leaned in and kissed my cheek to let me get back to work. Emmett laughed and pretended to chase him from the building. At least I hoped he was pretending. Jake headed back to our house to pack up his stuff. His flight left that evening to head back home. I was so glad Mom and Garrett had agreed to let him stay with us while his family was away on some kind of retreat. He'd been able to talk them into staying with us instead of going with them. It was a nice change to have him on my home turf and to get the chance to show him the other part of my life. I wished that I had been able to take more time off work to hang out, but it was only a part time job and I needed as many shifts as I could get so that I had some spending money.

Edward and I started off small during the summer. We squeezed in a few minutes wherever we could. Edward would meet me when my shift ended at the arena and walk me home when he could. I'd go over to his place after dinner and we'd watch TV until he fell asleep on the nights I didn't work and neither of us had other plans. He always swore he wasn't tired but I could see that he was wiped out after getting up at four or five in the morning and working in the sun all day.

We tried to make sure that we still had time to spend individually with our friends and got together in large groups other times.

Once school started, things were definitely harder. I still had my part time job on evenings and weekends and Edward worked all weekend long. We had one class together and made sure our desks were together. Edward would spend most of the class playing with the ends of my hair and thoroughly distracting me. I eventually made him swap desks.

We spent time doing our homework at my kitchen table or his. We snuggled in our individual beds with the telephone receiver cradled to our ears. We shared several romantic firsts, but my favorites by far were the more innocent ones. Hours spent huddled together cuddling. Kissing. Sharing our hopes and dreams for the future.

It wasn't easy, and we had our fair share of disagreements, but we were both committed to our fledgling relationship. Whether I felt that I had to fight off the bimbo squad who had decided that I wasn't good enough for Edward — or whether Edward had to scare off the new boy at school who thought I was playing hard to get when I wouldn't accept his repeated date requests — we presented a united front. We made sure to keep our individual needs and wants as much of a priority as spending time together. We learned a lot of lessons and grew up quite a bit over the next few years. Our future was ahead of us full of promise and I couldn't wait for each new experience with my best friend and boyfriend.

FINAL A/N: I originally had much more in store for this story. However, I learned along the way that I'd bitten off more than I could chew as far as the amount of time I could devote to writing and issues with the way I write. This story suffered because of my decision to post as I went. There were many scenes I would have added, but I didn't feel I could go back and add. There were many things I wish I'd written differently or plot points that should have been rearranged. I apologize if this story leaves you feeling disappointed or unsatisfied.

Lessons have been learned.

I can not adequately express how much I appreciate everyone who ever assisted or encouraged me. I should mention you each by name, but I'm terrified I would forget someone. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to join me on this journey.

Cheers,

Sherrie