Seven years have passed since Edward and Bella last saw each other. They grew up as children and even became good friends. Once they entered high school, Edward became distant and eventually severed all ties with her. Confused and hurt, Bella moved on with her life in Seattle.Through it all, Bella had her older brother Emmett to get past the estrangement. Now, with Edward's imminent return to Seattle to help out with his sister Alice's wedding, Bella can't help wondering what drove away her brother's best friend all those years ago.

Nominated for Best Novel-Incomplete at the Eddie and Bellie Awards.

http://www.thecatt.net/tw/Vote/aspx

If you loved someone, how much would you be willing to sacrifice? Bella makes the most difficult decision of her life; now she has to live with the consequences.  A Bella/Edward story.

*Takes place during New Moon in an alternate universe.

On March 16, 2006,  the World changed, and everything and anything that the Cullens ever cared about was lost. They had to find their own way in this New World. Edward never wished to exist in a world where Bella didn't.  Unfortunately, his family desperately needed him, so he'd stay to help them.   And by doing so, he hoped to redeem himself for his failure to save the one creature he couldn't protect. 

With rumours in the South of humans feeding off the living and stealing people from their beds, the Cullens have a responsibility to protect the ones they can from those monsters in the night.  This was Edward's last chance to fight for his soul and his salvation.  He would finally be ready to face Judgement day and be deemed worthy enough to be with Bella once again.  Or would something or someone change the path he was destined to go down?  Faith, hope and love are powerful things, and Edward is about to find out just how powerful they are.

Yes... this is the story that is set during a post-apocalyptic nuclear war. Just try the Prologue to get a feel for it before passing judgment. You might be surprised. Warning: There is violence and disturbing images the further the story goes along.

Bella is left in a world of darkness after Edward leaves her. But just when things start to look bright again, weird things begin to happen. She wonders who could be the cause, knowing only one person could-Edward. But why after he promised to leave forever? An AU version of New Moon starting during her "blank page" period.

THIS STORY HAS BEEN PUT ON HIATUS. At least until september-october 2010. I am getting married in august and it's hard to plan a wedding and write at the same time. I applaud those who can do that. I am NOT giving up on this story and I WILL finish it. Eventually. Thanks for understanding.

After Edward left in New Moon, Bella changed. She changed everything about herself in hopes of forgetting him. She graduated and moved down to California. The one place she knew she would never see the Cullens. 4 years later, she is now known as Elle Swan, a successful interior designer. What happens when she is sent somewhere else for her job?

Thank you to heatherdawnc for the banner!

Favorite review so far:

Ahh... so good!! A perfect mix with fluff and reality, you're soo good at writing that I gets envious *envious sigh*.

Have I told you how good this story and idea really is. There are many different stories where Bella changes her personality drastically after Edward left. And of all those stories I have been reading I think you are the one that has captured Bella's personalty best. Many of the stories have changed Bella that much that if she wasn't namned Bella you shouldn't know it was her, but you, even if you see the big changes, you can find the Bella how she was shy, sweet and madly in love with Edward four years ago. With another words - I think you are the one that have captured Bellas character best.

Bella had the perfect life.  She was married to her longtime best friend, had a great job and a beautiful son…until a careless driver stole her happiness.

Edward was fulfilling his dreams.  His residency was almost over, he had a gorgeous fiancé, and he was ready to move forward, starting a family…until a devastating break-up and a health scare in his family shake his foundation.

See, sometimes, life doesn’t go the way you want.  Sometimes, things can happen that change the course you choose.  And most of the time, it takes courage to walk down the new path.

What if that new path started with a tee ball team?

Big thanks to sigh-for-sigh for the banner!!

Play with me on the forum.  I now have a thread in the Alternate Human thread.  

After a series of mistakes and heartbreaks, Edward long ago committed himself to a secluded double life - by day a Customer Service Rep at a questionable corporate organization, and by night a God of the Open Mic stage. Coworker Bella is quirky and observant, and her curiosity about Edward may eclipse his need to keep his life private.

- banner by Batgirl8968 -

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.