The story is built upon canon, going AU at the point of the battle with Victoria and the newborns. This time, the battle is not so simple, and Esme, Edward, Jacob, Leah, and Paul are killed.  

This is the story of how Bella and the Cullens pick up the pieces after the terrible tragedy and find a way to live again. It's quite emotional and slow-building, and I've done my best to keep it as realistic as possible (for the Twilight world, lol) and keep everyone in character.

Here's a preview:

"Bella, everything you heard in those letters was true. You are a Cullen, no matter what. We love you, and we want you to stay."

She looked up at me, her eyes brimming with tears. "How, Carlisle? How can you want me to stay?"

I took her face between my hands and looked directly into her eyes. "Because Bella, I can't make it if you don't. I need you now. You are the only one who can understand the pain I'm in, and I yours. We all need each other. This family will fall apart if we separate now. Please, Bella, say you'll stay with us."

"But since we lost Esme and Edward, I've felt his feelings toward her - he thinks of her as a friend. A best friend, perhaps. He has loved her in that way since the battle. And she feels for him in the same way. And I've noticed, especially in the last few months, that the connection they feel for each other seems stronger somehow. When they are not together, they both feel incomplete, but together, they both feel secure. They really rely quite heavily on each other." 

Bella Swan has moved home to Forks. It's only a matter of time until she crosses paths with Edward Cullen, her former best friend and first love. They parted on bad terms years ago, and both thought that they had moved on... All-human, LEMONS.

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A story about love, about death, about keeping secrets, and dealing with the consequences.  Bella and Edward meet at a hospital when she is diagnosed with a life threatening disease and he is recovering from knee surgery.  She confides her fears to him; he changes his life because of her.  This is a story about their journey through the confusion, awkwardness, pain, and beauty of first love.

Excerpt from Chapter 2:
“What are you most afraid of?”  Edward asks one last question.

“I'm not afraid of dying,” I answer truthfully.

“You're not afraid of dying?” he repeats, incredulous.

“No.  There's so much more.  I'm afraid of losing my hair but that's not my biggest fear.  I'm afraid of leaving my mom and dad all alone.  I'm afraid that if I survive, I'll never have children of my own.”  I yawn again.  Edward is quiet and I think for a moment that he's fallen asleep.  “Edward,” I whisper, in case he is asleep, “What are you most afraid of?”

“I'm afraid I'm falling for you,” he whispers back so softly that I'm unsure if I've heard him correctly. 

Edward and Bella are web geeks, friends, and colleagues. He kicks ass at code, she kicks ass at Nerf wars.

A serious case of social retardation prevents Edward from going after the woman of his dreams. Can Edward overcome his inability to communicate in order to help Bella, whose dark past threatens her future happiness?

Humor, healing, romance, and rampant geekitude collide in this Edward & Bella love story.

"...a funny, quirky love story about two computer geeks whose playful friendship turns into something more."
~Chokin' the Rubber Chicken blog.

Bella Swan is in for the shock of her life when Edward Cullen comes back into her life 7 years after graduation.  Can the scars from her past be healed by the reclusive musician, or will she shut him out like she has everyone else since the fateful accident four years ago?

 Thanks to evilangel813 for making my beautiful banner!!

TRIBE won The Emerging Swan Award for best complete E/B and Romance story

Thanks to Christag_Banners for the amazing banner!

Bella is shocked when her sexy but standoffish lab partner, Edward, friends her on Facebook.  Will her best friend, Alice, convince her to accept Edward’s friend request?  Or, will she write it off as a prank of the conceited, spoiled rich kid she knows Edward to be?

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Banner compliments of CrimsonIceGoddess - YOU ROCK my dear!

It is amazing how quickly life can resume normalcy after a traumatic event.  It's not that the inhabitants of the scenario don't know they are rebounding, but the force of the universe pulls them back into its patterns without their consent.  Everything will not be the same, but the normal routine is enhanced, flavored by the bittersweet taste of change or loss in any form.

Bella told me she had once envisioned our lives as the complex pattern of a rug, the colors and textures intermingling, each individual but, when placed together, producing a beautiful creation.  If challenged, I would have most likely used a musical analogy.  I would have compared our lives to experiencing a musical performance by one of the masters. 

Beethoven...Bach...or if you wanted a little strife, Wagner.  Most at one time or another had performed their masterpieces within European chapels.  I could envision the rise and fall of the notes, as they would weave their spell.  The light in the building as it filtered through stained glass, creating a dizzying array of colors. The smell from beeswax candles permeating the room.  Modern musical halls lacked this perfect simplicity.  Yes...this would have been my analogy.

Little was I to know that Fate had much in store for me.  Before she was through with me, I would barely resemble the boy I'd been...

What happens to the Cullens after the Volturi left. Edward and Bella begin life together and face both heartbreak after their lives are irrevocably changed by losses of family and friends, and immeasurable joy as the events of their lives unfold.