Bella went cliff diving, but it didn't turn out so well. She broke her back. A decade later, Edward reappears in her life on the same night she loses her best friend and husband to a freak accident. Now a graduate student in Women's Studies, Bella isn't thrilled to see him. But when the Cullens re-enter Bella's life, they bring change, hope, and a new joint project that will require all their expertises.

Also, you can find a SPANISH version here:

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4829851/1/En_un_parpadeo

AND you can find images for various things like Esme's house, Edward's piano, Bella's wheelchair and Rose's car on my ff.net profile page:

http://www.fanfiction.net/~thatwritr

OR in my LJ gallery:

http://pics.livejournal.com/that_writr/gallery/000010z2

Special Update:

For personal reasons (a ridiculously full teaching schedule and being recently put in charge of a bi-annual local conference and ongoing project), I am no longer able to reply to reviews and questions. But that said, I wanted to give a BIG THANK YOU to EVERYBODY for the wonderful feedback and kind words that have been sent my way since the completion of this story in August 2009. I do still check my messages about once every 1-2 weeks and read *every* review. I just have too many to reply to anymore, but I didn’t want anyone to think I was ignoring her/him in particular, or didn’t appreciate readers taking time to leave a review. Writing this story was tons of fun and I’m thrilled readers seem to enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed the chance to write it. I can’t tell you how flattering that is!!! As I used to reply to all reviews, I feel a little badly about this decision, but work has been requiring virtually all of my time since the new (academic) year began.

Best to all of you in 2010 and beyond!

The trauma suffered by Bella for three years has left lasting mental scars.  Esme and Carlisle are finally offered the chance to be true parents to a teenager that needs them.  Surrounded by the support and love of the Cullen family, Bella begins to grow and finds out there is more to life than simply surviving.

Four weeks before her wedding to Edward, Bella is frustrated. She knows there's little-to-no chance of getting him to bend his rules and boundaries now, but there's no harm in fantasizing about what could happen later. So she begins compiling a list of things that she and Edward can do together once they're happily married. She's surprised to find she might be able to cross some things off earlier than she thought...

Story contains mature themes and is not intended for younger readers.

Thanks to Mandi, aka m81170, for the great banner!

Thanx to the beautiful Anne Cullen for the banner!

Picking up from Edward's leave in New Moon, Bella never rescued Edward, Edward never came back, but somebody did ... 

 This story is set five years after that sad day Edward left Bella in the woods.

For years Bella searches for Edward, eager to tell him her new found secret.  As Bella gives in to her fears, that Edward really is gone, she runs into her past in the least likely place.  Only to find out, her past has a secret to tell as well.

"The smell of the worn book had distracted me from the wonderful aroma that had engulfed the room.  It had subdued my venom, had forced me back into a human-like state, my inner monster slowly crawling back into his darkened hole.  I swallowed one last time, and decided to glance at this glorious teacher.  Obviously he was a man of impeccable taste.  I might actually enjoy Senior Literature this year.  

I glanced up quickly from under my eyelids, my amber eyes focusing on a lanky form in front of me.  I froze.  

… Oh shit. "

Edward left Bella, forcing his family to stay away from her. Six years onwards, the Cullens are a mess without Bella and Emmett decides to get away from his angry, angst ridden family and let loose. What he finds in the meanest biker bar in Seatle will send shockwaves through his entire family.

All canon couples!

"His agony defines him. His memories destroy him.

But his hope is what sustains him, feeds him, encourages him. It's his purpose. And he doesn't deny it.

Offered the chance to leave all pain and misery behind, Edward knew that it was better to suffer his loss than to forget it. For in having it, Bella remains his and only his.

To forget would be the ultimate betrayal, abandoning her once again to a world of lonliness and despair. He had already done that once upon a time, and he did so spectacularly.

He'll find her. He has to. 

HE HAS TO."

- icrodriguez (the most beautiful review I have ever received.  THANK YOU for allowing me the honour of displaying it here.  It sums up the tone of this story beautifully, hearts, Erin)

Left in the woods, an unfortunate run-in with Laurant and 45 years later - Bella finds herself facing everything she has ever wanted.  Does it want her back?  What will she discover about how Edward has been spending his time...

Rated for later chapters.

Isabella Swan never imagined that one night at a club would change her life, that it would jeopardize everything she had worked so hard for, everything she held dear. If only she had known when she met Edward Masen that it would be the beginning of the end of life as she knew it, perhaps she would have turned the other way. Then again, maybe not?

Edward and Bella have been happily married for six years and everything appears to be perfect. Only it isn't what it seems and Edward struggles daily with something from his past that prevents them from having everything they deserve. Can he overcome all that has happened or is it the end of the road for the seemingly perfect couple?

Geeky Edward Cullen meets shy Bella Swan in 9th grade biology lab. When best friends fall in love, can it ever work? Rated M for juicy lemons. Finalist in the NaughtyHeels 80s contest.

J. Beta: aerosoldoc

Single father Edward watches his daughter taken before his eyes, along with stranger Bella during a routine trip to the grocery store. Follow him as he searches, and Bella struggles to survive under a delusional madman's torment.