It's been a hundred years since Bella was changed in the meadow. Now she sees Edward for the first time...

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."