Sorry!!!

I know, I know- it's been over a month since last chapter, but the past few weeks have been so hectic that I've had absolutely no time!

But it's here now- the final chapter of The Relationship Breakdown.

Megagenie and topaz eyed lullaby were my reviewers from last chapter.

And to all my lovely reviewers, I wish I could give each of you a big hug to let you know how happy I am that you took the time to review. I love all of you!!

Disclaimer: I am not in ownership of Twilight.

Chapter 7

EPOV

I sat at the kitchen table, my fingertip tracing patterns absent-mindedly on the bench top. I was thinking of ways to leave the house unnoticed, and if I could manage to get to an airport before Alice had told the rest of my family my whereabouts. I just wanted to go to Italy; that was all I cared about anymore. I didn't like my chances, but it was getting to the point where I wasn't going to let anyone stand in my way.

I sighed and was about to give up and go to my room when the strangest scent reached me. The curious combination of freesias and just a hint of strawberries that I'd only come across once in my life; the smell that made my mouth water and dead heart contract ever so slightly whenever I encountered it.

Bella. It was Bella's smell.

I stiffened ever so slightly. This couldn't be happening. Vampires don't hallucinate. Well at least I didn't think they did anyway. I'd have to ask Carlisle.

I wanted so badly to turn around and see what was behind me. But I was afraid. If it wasn't her, I wasn't sure whether I could take the crushing sense of disappointment that was sure to engulf me if it were a figment of my imagination.

To glance behind me was surely the most literal sense of facing my fears.

But it had to be done. I couldn't ignore it any longer. It seemed it was now or never for me to face my deepest torment.

Slowly turning, I saw the most beautiful creature in the world sliding the glass door shut after her.

It was her, Bella, the only person I'd ever loved, here after so long a time.

It was so quiet, sound completely diminished. This silent moment was hanging suspended in time.

Our eyes connected and we each stood there, watching, trying to etch in detail the faces that had been lost to us for so long. I felt like I couldn't move, so fixed was the stare she gave me. My limbs were rendered useless, and it seemed it was a complete waste of time them even being there.

"Edward".

Her small voice shattered the still, a voice like an angel's, calling me and breaking the trance under which I had been placed. I wanted so badly to touch her, to see if she were real.

"Bella?" I questioned, my voice shaking ever so slightly. Could it be true? I hoped so badly that it was truly she. It had to be.

"Yes" she confirmed.

I couldn't hold myself down any longer. I had to know if she was an apparition or the real thing.

I slowly stood, making careful cautious movements so not to alarm her. When I reached her my hand rose, of almost it's own will. Even if I wanted to I would not have been able to stop it. I just hoped beyond hope that she wouldn't pull away.

The back of my hand ghosted along her smooth cheek, and in doing so the knot in my stomach loosened until it was all but gone.

I almost sighed as she closed her eyes to my touch, her breathing deep and at ease. Almost as if she needed this still moment in time as much as I did.

And then she said the words that took my breath away. "I love you," she said, obviously with as much conviction as she could so that I would believed in every word that came tumbling from her lips.

And I did believe.

"I love you so much, more than life itself." I told her seriously; staring at her so hard it was as if I could see into her soul, the emotion saturating my words and making my tone unsteady.

I held her then, pressing her body into my chest, afraid that every millimeter in-between us was too great a distance to be allowed. I inhaled as deeply as I could, reveling in the warmth of her embrace.

We stood there silently for an impossible amount of time. It could have been an hour, or as little as five minutes for all I knew. But I only paid attention to the there and then. I didn't want to look too closely at the whys or the hows.

But something was nagging me from the corner of my mind. Why was she here now? Was this pity that caused her to be here, maybe after a comment from Alice about my poor state of mind? It was time to ask her the questions that desperately needed to be answered.

"Bella?" I asked her, finally breaking us apart. I was appallingly elated by the whimpering noise that came from her as our bodies lost contact. But now was not the time.

"Bella, why are you here?" I asked softly, placing my hands on her shoulders.

Quick as a flash, pain sliced upon her face and her eyes widened with hurt.

"You…don't want me here?" she asked hesitantly, as if I were confirming all her deepest fears.

"No, no. Of course I want you here," I said hurriedly, understanding the meaning she must have found in my question. "But want I want to know is why you're here after you decided we should break up."

She looked into my eyes, willing me to trust her. How silly, when I trusted her more than any other person in all of existence.

"Edward, I made a mistake. A mistake of catastrophic, epic, unbelievable proportions, and so now I'm here to try and put things right. We should never have broken up, and I was stupid for trying. I want you and I need you, more than water or food or air. More than any other person in all of existence."

I couldn't believe this; she was taking all of the words I had ever wanted to say to her and telling them from her own mouth. She took a deep breath before continuing.

"So what I'm trying to say is, Edward, will you take me back?"

Bella watched me uncertainly with a furrowed brow, as if she expected a rebuff at any moment. I smiled slightly at her foolishness for asking the question I'd always wanted to hear.

I didn't know what to say. There simply weren't words.

But words weren't needed, as I placed my hands on either side of her face, slowly leaned forward, and kissed her with every ounce of love I had in me.

EPILOGUE

EPOV

After that night in Colorado, where we stood in the moonlight and kissed our words away, we spent the rest of our lives together. An eternity of time.

After a year had gone by, I decided that it was now time to ask my love the question I had planned to four years previously.

"Bella, with all that I am, I love you. Every single part of me, every atom that makes me, yearns for you always. I would give you the stars, if only you let me. So the thing I am giving you is this ring and my heart- silent, unbeating, and forever yours. In return I ask for your hand. Marry me Bella Swan."

Too over come by tears to answer, she nodded yes, thus securing the second happiest day of my life.

That day was surmounted only by our wedding day. The 23rd of July was the day in which we finally became husband and wife, in Forks with Bella's father leading her up the aisle. She was astonishing, stunning, dazzling and beautiful, all at the same time. Bella cried though almost the whole ceremony, and if able, I would have too.

Not long after, she asked to become a vampire. I granted her that wish, selfish as I am to keep her by me always.

Now thirty-one years later, we are still happy and content, together as always, where we will hopefully remain for all the rest of time.

And so ended The Relationship Breakdown. Thank you for reading.

Ps. 23rd of July is my parent's wedding date; I thought I'd add that.

Ta again for those who stuck with this. For more from me, read Dammit Mike, which ill update soon

Reeney-Twilightlover xoxo