Full Circle

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight

Thank you ladysharkey1 and Jen328. You have both been with this story since the beginning and I know that it is as dear to you as it is to me.

Without your help and encouragement, this wouldn't have been nearly as good.

This is the end. I really hope you like where it goes.

I straightened my tie again and sighed. I hated that damned thing.

"Do you need help?" Isa was putting on her boots.

"Of course I do," I answered, letting my hands fall to my sides.

She stood up, her dress falling down and covering her legs and boots. "Turn around."

I watched her as she re-tied the knot and made everything even and presentable. "Are you going to help Sarah now?" I asked, swallowing hard.

"Yes. We'll be up there in a couple of hours." Isa smiled and walked to the door. "Everything will be wonderful, Edward. You'll see."

I only nodded.

My daughter, my little angel, was getting married. She had spent the last couple of months working on her dress with Isa and my mother. Ma didn't help much, her arthritis was too bad to actually do anything, but she watched and enjoyed being a part of the experience.

Isa was so happy to be able to help pick out the fabrics for the dress as well as talk to her daughter about the expectations of marriage. She told me, "Edward, I wish that my mother had been there to have that conversation with me. Your mother was amazing to me, but I really missed my mother then."

I understood.

So, Isa explained things to Sarah – things that I asked to never be let in on, and to that, Isa just laughed.

I sighed and picked up my suit coat.

I knew I couldn't wait any longer; Jack would be waiting to go to the church with me, and Isa and Sarah would follow behind us when they were ready. They wanted everyone to be surprised when they saw Sarah. I just wanted to spend some quality time with my daughter.

I wasn't a crier or overly emotional—well, only when it came to Isa or my kids.

It had just hit me all of sudden that Sarah would no longer be living in our home anymore. She wouldn't be at the breakfast table in the mornings or reading a book in the sitting room after dinner. She'd be living with her husband in a house close to town because he needed to be at the store early in the mornings, and living as far out as we did just didn't make any sense.

Thomas was a good boy. He was a hard worker and very responsible, in general. I knew just by his visits to the house and our man-to-man conversations over the last seven months that he would take good care of Sarah.

I knew for certain that he'd been a good choice for her the day I got an unexpected visit from Sam.

In truth, it was actually quite shocking when a nervous-looking Sam walked into the barn and explained that his father had sent him to bring me to the jail. I could only imagine what Jack had done to warrant that kind of visit, but when I got there all I could do was laugh.

There, sitting on a bench as far apart as they could get, were Thomas and Newton's boy, both looking a little worse for wear. I had to say though, Newton looked a bit worse, and for that I had been proud.

"I figured you'd want to be here for this," Emmett said quietly as I took a seat behind his desk.

I took off my hat and ran a hand through my hair before asking, "Did you send for their parents?"

Emmett nodded. "I imagine Mike will be here soon, and Seamus was there when it happened, so either he'll come when he gets a break or I'll just walk Thomas back over there. I'm not gonna lock 'em up."

"I wouldn't expect you to," I said and leaned back in the chair.

Finally, after several tense minutes of silence, Mike showed up to claim his boy — and from the look of rage clouding his features, I imagined that it wasn't going to be a pleasant trip home. The best part had to have been the smirk I gave him as they walked out.

Like I'd allow my daughter to be courted by some boy who couldn't protect himself—or her.

"So, Thomas?" He looked up at me and nodded. "What happened here?"

For the next two minutes, I didn't really catch much of what he said. He was talking way too fast, and his accent seemed to be a lot thicker when he was upset. When he calmed down and stopped talking, I said, "I'm going to need you to repeat that because I didn't understand one damn word of it."

He sighed and took a couple of deep breaths, before saying, "Ay. He's goin' around in the store, talkin' like I'm not there, tellin' another boy about sneekin' near Sarah's window at night. Said he's seen things." He stopped and looked me square in the eye. "I won't allow her to be talked about like that, sir."

"I wouldn't expect it, Thomas." I stood up. "I think you handled yourself pretty well."

He stood proudly in front of me, and I realized just how tall the boy was. Thomas stood eye-to-eye with me and had his father's broad shoulders. He looked formidable, and I had to admit, if Newton had looked like him when we were younger, I might not have done as well as I did.

Not that Newton was a weakling.

"I'd like to keep this between us, sir." He cleared his throat. "I'd feel awful if Sarah found out what they were sayin' about her."

I clapped a hand on his shoulder and nodded. "Just between us men, then." As I got to the door of the Sheriff's office, I turned back to Thomas and said, "I'm glad to know that you'll do what you have to and protect my baby girl. Never stop that."

I didn't stay to hear what else he had to say, but that was the day that I finally came to terms with Thomas' role in our lives.

I shook myself out of that memory and again acknowledged that Thomas was indeed the right man for Sarah. It was my final step in accepting the day for the joyous occasion it was. Jack and I left the house, and I knew that before the wedding, I'd have to make sure that Thomas knew just how lucky he was to have Sarah. Again.

At the church, the pews were lined with the simple wildflowers that Isa and Anna, Thomas' mother, had gathered from our meadow. I thought it was very pretty. The reception afterward would be out back and go until nightfall, I assumed.

I smiled and remembered Isa's and my wedding in the same place all those years before. I had to admit that I liked the fact that Sarah and Thomas would exchange vows here. It made everything seem to come full circle.

You got married, had kids, watched them grow, and one day they'd get married and the process would start all over. For those who were afraid of death, it was comforting to know that your family would always keep you alive, as long as the line moved forward.

"Pa?" Jack nudged my shoulder. "Do you think that we'll even be able to hear Thomas speak during the wedding?"

I shook my head, laughing softly. "He might be a little quiet, but as long as Sarah hears him, I don't think it matters too much."

Jack looked thoughtful for a moment. "I guess not."

It took us a few minutes to find Thomas and his father, Seamus, sitting out behind the church. Thomas stood up immediately and said, "Is it time already?"

"No, we just got here a little early. I think people should be arriving soon, though." I shook his father's hand and then turned to Thomas and asked, "You nervous?"

He groaned slightly. "I'm not nervous to marry Sarah. I just don't like being the center of attention. What if I say the wrong thing?"

Seamus patted his son's shoulder. "Just say what the preacher says."

I watched as Thomas sat there, wringing his hands together and it put a damper on my plans to intimidate him a bit more before the ceremony. It was obvious he loved Sarah, and he didn't need me interfering with his concentration.

After several minutes, probably a lot more time than I even realized, of sitting in silence, the preacher walked through the back doors and greeted us. He let us know that people were beginning to arrive and Isa and Sarah were inside the church, waiting in the front room for me.

I stood up and looked at Thomas. "Good luck, son. You'll do fine."

Jack went through the church with me, opting to sit in the front pew, and waited for his momma instead of going to see Sarah.

I nodded to Emmett and Sam as I passed by the second pew. It was a shame that Charlie wouldn't be here to see her day, but I pushed my sadness away and comforted myself by thinking that he and Renee would be watching all of this from heaven. They'd be so proud of their children and grandchildren.

Charlie's death wasn't anything exciting. He wasn't killed in a gun fight or trying to stop a bank robbery. Nope, Charlie passed away peacefully one day while he was out fishing with Emmett and the boys, sitting on the bank of the creek. The doctor wasn't too sure how it happened, but he said it was quick and painless. Those words brought peace to all of us.

I stopped in front of the door, gathering my thoughts before I pushed it open to reveal Sarah and Isa standing in front of a long mirror. Isa was adjusting the neck of her own dress and Sarah was smoothing out the front of hers.

"You look beautiful, baby girl," I said softly.

They both turned and smiled. "Thank you, Papa. I'm nervous."

Bella clicked her tongue. "Nothing to be nervous about, sweetheart. Everything is going to be wonderful."

Sarah nodded and turned to the mirror while Isa walked over to me. "I'm going to go now. You talk to her for a minute, and I'm going to make sure your Ma found a seat." She stood on her tip toes and kissed me softly, then whispered, "I love you, Edward."

I felt the corners of my lips turn up in a crooked grin. "I love you, too, Isa."

In that moment, I knew we were in the same place. That was us acknowledging that we were growing older, but at the same time, we were still the same people we had always been. Isa and Edward. She was darling and sweetheart, and I was her Ranger.

She kissed me again and then went to the door. "Someone will knock when it's time, okay?"

"Okay, Momma." Sarah smiled into the mirror, locking eyes with Isa in its reflection.

The door shut and we were in silence for a few moments before I asked, "You're sure this is what you want?"

She turned fully, then and walked toward me. A vision, just like her mother had been. "I'm sure, Papa. I know that we'll be so happy together."

I hugged her for a moment and kissed the top of her head. "You're always my baby girl. If you ever need anything, any extra money because things aren't going as good as you expected, or help around the house, you can tell me and I'll help you. I always will."

She backed up and kissed my cheek. "I know." Sarah sighed and bit her bottom lip. "I want what you and Momma have. Will I have that?"

I couldn't help but smile. "Sarah, if you want that, then you'll have it. You're going to marry who you chose for yourself. I'd say you're off to a pretty good start." I sighed and rubbed my face with my hand. "Thomas is a good man and you're amazing. My best advice to you is to always talk. Your momma is my best friend. Just don't have any secrets between you."

She laughed softly. "You know that Momma gave me the same advice?"

"She's a smart woman, Sarah. Listen to whatever she told you; she knows what she's talking about," I added, fidgeting with the cuff of my jacket, pretending that I didn't see a blush appear on her cheeks at my words.

The potential awkwardness was broken when a small knock sounded against the door.

"Let's get you married, baby girl." I held my arm out and she placed her hand in the crook of my elbow. Immediately, I was drawn back to a time when she couldn't reach that high, and I had to let my arm swing straight down.

I pushed those tears away and opened the door, escorting her out into the foyer, and when the music started, down the aisle, too.

I watched in rapt fascination as my daughter was joined in marriage to Thomas. I felt Isa's hand slide into mine and looked to her. She smiled and winked before looking back at the front.

I stared at her for a moment longer then looked back to the altar.

Everything happened for a reason. I swallowed back the lump in my throat, and my mind flashed through the years of Isa's and my marriage and Sarah's life. Every kick or nudge while she was still inside Isa's tummy was awed and smiled over, and she grew to become a brilliant young woman who might have a baby of her own soon.

My feelings overflowed then, and I discreetly wiped away a tear, playing it off as an itch.

When the ceremony was over and they walked back down the aisle as husband and wife, I took Isa's arm in my own and led her toward the reception.

"That was beautiful," she said as she dabbed her handkerchief against the corner of her eye.

"Yes, it was." I opened the back door and could hear the footsteps from behind us as the other guests followed our lead. I turned to Isa and kissed her quickly before saying, "Thank you. I know that I haven't always been the easiest man to live with, especially in the beginning, but Isa, you stuck with me and you have given me all of this. So, thank you."

She touched my cheek and sighed. "Edward, I appreciate that you think I'm so wonderful, but sweetheart, what I do wouldn't even be possible without you. We have given each other so much, and every day I'm thankful that my Pa wanted to move to Texas."

Isa pulled me out the door and to the corner of the church as people filed out into the back garden where the small tables were set up.

"Edward?" she asked. "Are you all right?"

I nodded and smiled down at her. "I'm going to be just fine. I just get caught up in things sometimes, that's all." I saw Sarah and Thomas enter the garden. "It's amazing to know they have their whole lives ahead of them."

Isa tugged my arm and I looked into her eyes. "We've still got plenty of good years left, too."

"I know." I hugged her to me. "I want to experience everything in this life with you."

Her fingers ran down my back and she whispered, "Even the hay loft again?"

"I would never turn down the hay loft, darling."

She laughed and shook her head, pulling me in the direction of the reception and our children. We spent the afternoon enjoying conversation with our family and friends who had gathered with us, and when the time came for Thomas and Sarah to ride off, I smiled.

Life keeps moving on.

As the sun sank behind the Texas plains, I wrapped my arm around Isa's waist and pulled her close to me. I took note of how the soft winter breeze blew around us and how it added to the color to Isa's cheeks, and I knew that like many other moments in my life, most of them involving Isa, that would be one that I recalled well into my golden years.

We had made a happy life on the dusty streets of Round Rock, and I wouldn't have traded that for anything in the world.

Thank you for reading! It's been so fun to read your comments and how much you love the story.

I never had plans to go until they were old or dying. I like them here, still young and happy, with their lives full of promise.

I hope you found the ending fulfilling and true to the story.