Author's Note: Well guys, this is the last regular chappie before the epi and it spans a ton of time throughout the course of a little under 4k words! I've been giggling at some of the reviews because many of you knew or at least hoped for what was coming. I'm probably pretty predictable. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I am an HEA author. I can't help it! I like my happy ending! That being said there was only a few ways this could turn out in order to meet the requirements for an ACW Story. Hope you like it. Thanks to AgoodWITCH for getting this back to me while sick…poor thing. Hope you feel better hon. Also thanks to Sarah and Deena for pre-reading!


Chapter 9

It seemed as though I was never going to get home. Thankfully, my car was equipped with Bluetooth, so I could talk hands free, as Edward and I called each other four separate times during the fifteen hour drive home. When we pulled up in front of the house, it felt empty and hollow. Honestly, it hadn't really felt like a home to me since Jake split, but I wanted to kids to keep their rooms and their homes. They were being disrupted enough, leaving the only house they had ever known just seemed like too much to ask. Now, knowing my heart was in Everwood, it felt like even less than a home than before.

That didn't stop me though as I settled back into life with one slight difference, I had nightly calls with Edward to keep me going. They were the caffeine injections for my weary soul that kept me trudging forward. Those calls also fuelled the creative muse constructing plots in the back of my mind. I got up each morning, taking Braxton to kindergarten before dropping Bailey off at preschool and then going back home to write nonstop until it was time to unplug to pick them up again. Within the first month, I had powered through three quarters of the book with no signs of slowing. In addition, I had even sat down and typed out a few chapters and a crude outline for a companion series…an idea inspired by my recent life changes with real potential.

The second week of February, Edward came to see us and it was wonderful. My shell of a house suddenly felt so full of everything, and it solidified what I had already thought when we first returned from Everwood. My home was where my heart was, and it now resided inside Edward. Unless we were together, I wasn't going to feel at home again.

He got to stay for three glorious days. The daylight hours were spent showing Edward around Phoenix and cuddled together as a quartet on the couch under blankets watching movies and missing Millie. It was nice having the four of us together, but it was incomplete and we all felt it.

The nighttime hours, after the kids were sound asleep in their beds, we spent many a passionate hour interlocked on my bed, panting and sweating as we tried every position I'd ever tried before plus some new ones and were still not satiated. Our last night was Valentine's Day, which Edward celebrated with wine, music, dancing, and the most beautiful love making I'd ever experienced, followed by a very loud round two that had me worried that my children who had literally slept through earthquakes might have woken. Thankfully, they had not as we barely had the energy to breathe, much less move. We stayed together as a tangled heap behind the rarely locked door to my bedroom until morning when little hands began to knock.

It was a bittersweet goodbye, but it wasn't nearly as hard as before. We had already survived a month and a half and were closer and stronger for it. I was beginning to have more and more faith that we would make it in the end.

Before he left, Edward made the best offer ever, and the kids and I jumped at the opportunity. The end of March was going to be Edward's next visitation with Millie. He had made plans long before to travel to LA to see her and take her to Disneyland, and invited the four of us to join them. We agreed immediately and with one last long kiss goodbye after I sent the kids inside, I had to stand and wave as Edward drove away. I waited until he was out of sight and even stared a little longer, wishing he would reappear, and yet knowing he would not before finally going inside.

I finished the book the first week of March and sent it off to my agent who went crazy for it and loved the proposal I had sent along with it for the companion series. Darklight would be the alternate reality to Lightforce, following the same events, but with a different outcome as a result of a single decision. It had come to me as I sat one night after getting off the phone with Edward and realized how much sadder and completely lost I would have been feeling in that moment had I not chosen to give us a chance. I pictured myself bitter and angry, sitting in front of a blank computer screen with a deadline looming and no inspiration because my writing comes from my heart and my heart still would have been cold and dormant when it came to anything outside my kids. There's no way to write about true love and light in the world when you've lost all faith in both. Then I began to think beyond that, to my career that would have no doubt wilted immediately, my kids who would have ultimately suffered from my malady, and on and on. One scary, difficult decision made differently and my life would have been so much less.

The publishers were so excited, they offered a very lucrative contract for the Darklight companion series, and amended my initial contract to allow more time for me to incorporate the Darklight series and to add a little financial incentive if the book reached certain sales numbers within projected deadlines. It was a major coup and just another shot in the arm to my confidence as the kids and I loaded up for the much, much shorter drive to LA.

Millie and Edward met us at the Disney Hotel, hugging us all tightly before leading us directly to our two bedroom suite. It was a nice accommodation with a gorgeous view. The kids excitedly went off to pick their beds while Edward and I took my suitcases to the bedroom and fell into a passionate kiss, only to be interrupted a few minutes later by three excited kids ready to explore.

The kids dragged us all over that god-forsaken park for the next two and a half days. I still don't know how we managed to have enough energy to make love every night, but we weren't about to waste a few days together. Having all five of us together again felt so RIGHT. As insane as I knew it was, I had made up my mind.

The last night we were there, Edward and I were curled up together in bed after a slow, sweet round of lovemaking when I propped my head up on my arm and broke my big news.

"Edward, I want to talk to you about something."

Edward's eyes narrowed slightly in response before he reached up to push my hair out of the way and nodded for me to go on.

"I made my decision. I'm going to contact realtors in Phoenix and Everwood when I get home and start discussing realty options. If you're not opposed to it, I think I want to move to Everwood this summer after Braxton's school year is over."

Edward's hand froze halfway to my face, his eyes wide and surprised. When he didn't respond after a few beats I blushed and started backpedaling, wondering if I was reading things all wrong. He halted my rambling by grabbing my face and pulling me down to him with a searing kiss.

"Please tell me I'm not dreaming," he finally panted with twinkling eyes as we broke our kiss.

I smiled and shook my head. "No, you're not dreaming, although I'm beginning to wonder if I'm losing my mind. This is so unlike me, but it just feels right, ya know?"

He nodded before pulling me down again and whispering against my lips. "I know…exactly what you mean." He rolled to brace himself over me as he kissed me passionately before entering me without warning. I gasped and arched before reaching up to grasp his back, encouraging him with my greedy hands. He repositioned us, staring down at me with those evergreen eyes as he worked my body intently until I was crying out in bliss, never breaking our gaze as he fell over with me. He fell limp to my side, holding me against him with all his might for the rest of the night.

Edward had three more days with Millie before he had to go home, but the kids and I had to return for Braxton's school. None of us wanted to leave, the kids all crying when we had to part. On the car ride home, I asked the kids how they felt about the idea of moving to Everwood. The vote was unanimous and after I dropped Braxton off to school that next morning, I picked up the phone and began calling.

The end of April marked Braxton's sixth birthday, and to his big surprise, two special guests appeared just as we were about to cut the cake. Braxton about knocked the cake off the table as he flew toward a smiling Edward and Grandma Esme, hugging them both tightly and squealing over and over about how they were the best present ever. Bailey was right behind him, refusing to let Edward put her down after he scooped her up and hugged her tightly before smothering her in kisses that left her giggling so hard she had tears in her eyes. They brought presents for both Braxton and me. Braxton got a tough kids digital camera of his very own, and I got a set of blueprints and a folder full of pictures.

After the party was over and the kids were finally tucked in after the tenth promise that Esme and Edward would still be there when they woke up, we finally settled down to look over what they were sent to deliver to me. I was facing two problems. The housing market was too soft for my house to get what I really wanted out of it, and Everwood was not giving me the purchasing options I had hoped for since nobody really seemed to move away. The only house available for sale within the town itself was far too small, and the others were way too far away from town for me to feel safe. That left me with a third option…building.

My realtor talked me into letting her search for the perfect piece of land while reaching out with her little networking fingers to find me the best contractors in a hundred mile radius and the best architect. Within a week of the start of my search, I already had a crackerjack team in place and was discussing with my contractor what I really wanted out of a house, making sure Edward was in on the decision-making, not only because I valued his opinion, but someday I hoped he would be living there with us. The architect was a genius as he managed to work in all the things both Edward and I suggested in the first draft.

Edward, Esme and I poured over the papers before flipping to the folder of pictures Harriet had sent of the land she had found that she believed was perfect. I gasped and my eyes teared up as I took in the scenery. Esme smiled and put her hand over mine.

"It's even better in person. I tell you Bella, it's as if this was another case of divine intervention, sweetheart. I couldn't have picked a more perfect place for you myself and it's within five minutes of the lodge. It's the ideal location!"

I nodded, turning to look at Edward with appraising eyes only to find him already staring at me. He nodded once making me smile before I picked up the phone and started dialing. An hour later, my bid on the land had been submitted and I took a deep breath as I made the first real step to making it all happen.

Another miracle happened three weeks later, only a week before the school year was ending for both my kids. A knock at the door at noon revealed a short older man with a tall young girl on his arm. At first, I thought it was his daughter, until I saw how they acted around each other. It made me sick to my stomach, but to my utter shock, he made me an offer ten minutes later without even seeing the rest of the house beyond the foyer and living room. I called my realtor who I directed him to in order to handle the paperwork before picking up the phone in a panic to call Edward. There was one really big condition that I wasn't sure how I was going to meet…the man wanted to take possession of the house in three weeks, and in the meantime the foundation was the only partially completed on my new home. I had no idea what I would do about my living situation in the interim.

Three weeks later, the kids and I were back in Everwood, our belongings in storage until the house was finished while we took up residence in one of the other cabins on the property about two hundred feet from Edward's front door.

The summer was perfect as we spent time together as a family unit, complete with grandparents, only missing one little girl who only got to join the fun for one week throughout the summer, and poor Edward even had to fight for that. I had wondered, but everyone had disregarded my musings that Leah might have a problem with Edward moving on. In the end, I was right. She didn't want him, but the thought of anyone else with him drove her crazy, so much so that she nearly took off to Europe with Millie during Edward's visitation time. The only thing that stopped her was the injunction I had my trusted attorney, J Jenks file on Edward's behalf the day before she took off. Fifteen hours later, Millie was delivered to our doorstep by a very haughty looking limo driver.

Again, the universe seemed to align as we were all reunited as a complete family. The week went far too quickly of course, but it was so wonderful while it lasted. I couldn't help but wonder if Edward might have a chance to regain custody of Millie. She was old enough now to speak up for herself and tell what she wanted, and it was no secret she wanted to come back home to Edward.

Jake also began taking a greater interest in his children again that summer, taking them for weekends, and to my great relief they seemed to enjoy themselves. Nessie was still a bitch, but with the baby pushing past the worst of the colic, life in the Black house was much calmer and more conducive to visitations.

I was amazed to watch the progress of the house while simultaneously pushing my way through editing with Chelsea who had held my hand through all my other books as well. She was just as psyched about Darklight as I was, offering to help me along the way to smooth things as we went. I had already gotten about thirty thousand words down for the first book. It was hard to live in the darkness, but it also made me appreciate so much more the light of my reality.

We got to move into our new house the last week of August, which unfortunately ended up also being Braxton's first day of school in Everwood. It actually ended up going pretty smoothly in the end. He left for school from the cabin, and came home at the end of the day to the new house full of our furniture and boxes that we hadn't seen since we left Phoenix. To my great relief, he had loved his first day at school, going on and on about his teacher and his new friends.

Bailey turned three two days later. I had a big barbecue at the house to celebrate and also as a housewarming event. Jake came and brought Nessie and Bianca. It wasn't the most comfortable day of my life, but we all survived. I was actually pleasantly surprised at how cordial Nessie had actually been. The only thing that really ticked me off about the whole day was the goo goo eyes she kept making at Edward. I was kind of surprised by the fighting instinct that kicked in as a response. I was angry and upset when Jake left with her, but even the thought of her going after Edward brought forth images of me ripping her head from her once again perfect size four body.

Edward, however, held me back with a soft kiss and a loving embrace before he whispered in my ear. "Never, ever worry about that with me, my love. I'm not going anywhere…ever."

I smiled up at him and kissed him back before getting back into Mom mode to oversee the cake and presents portion of the day. Bailey was tickled pink, but she did on more than one occasion mention wishing Millie had been there as well.

Fall passed in chaos as the publishers made a bold move and shifted my completed book up in the schedule with a major advertising push for the must see new novel by IMS Black. The air was saturated with TV spots and the net had banners plastered everywhere, taunting the public with the looming date that would translate into a major book tour, my first since I entered the land of single motherhood. I had began to panic when Esme stepped in with a firm hand and a loving tone informing me that I had a massive support system behind me and they would make sure both my kids were well cared for in my absence.

I spent the week following arguing with my agent who wanted me to do a two and a half week book tour, with no breaks to see my kids. I fought for one week, but ended up wrangling two weeks with a three day break in the middle to see the kids and the ability to bring them on the immediate weekend following for some nearby events.

The release, which was a skyrocketing success, hitting number three on the NY times bestseller list behind Patterson and Stephenie Meyers new novel in the first week. A week later, Hollywood came knocking with a movie offer, which I turned down cold. I had no desire to have my work butchered by the Hollywood machine, but Hollywood was persistent. They continued to call both me and my agent for a full month before presenting me with an offer I could hardly refuse in early December. I would have a hand in the writing of the script with full veto power, a seven figure pay out for the rights, and a front seat to the production and casting process. I asked for more time to think about it, promising an answer after the first of the year, which gave me a full month to maul the idea to death and back again. It seemed too good to be true, in which case it most likely was, but the money would mean my kids would be set for life financially.

Poor Edward, who was more or less living at my house by that point, spending every night with us that he was off, and sleeping there most days while the kids were at school when he worked, had to listen to me rant and rave both sides of the argument for a whole week. He never offered any advice whatsoever, simply telling me to do what felt right. It was such a big decision and a huge time commitment, but I couldn't help but think it was worth it in the end.

I continued to stew over it until the week of Christmas when we got lucky enough to get Millie again for two whole weeks. We had so much fun, enjoying every minute. Christmas was wonderful and the week that followed left me feeling so at peace. All felt right with the world when we were all together.

The day of Millie's birthday we loaded up and carted the whole family to the skating rink where Millie chose to have her seventh birthday. The owner was away again, but happily loaned the space to us for the party. Half the town was there to celebrate as we all skated around, listening to music and laughing. A little ways in, the music stopped and I moved myself to take care of the cake, expecting that we were entering the next stage in the party, but jumped in surprise as Edward's voice echoed through the air as he skated up before me, our kids at his side, a wireless microphone in his hand.

"Bella, will you come out here with us please?"

I frowned in confusion before carefully making my way to where they were standing, Edward's eye twinkling deviously as the kids all looked like they were about to jump right out of their skates with excitement. The soft strains of the piano and violin introduction of the song Pieces by Red that was playing while we danced on New Year 's Eve began to play softly as Edward began talking into the microphone.

"You literally crashed into my life a year ago, Bella Swan, and it hasn't been the same since. You have brought so much happiness into my family's life and I will be forever grateful for that. The kids and I have all discussed it and they all agreed I had permission to do this."

He dropped down on his knee before me and lifted a black box with the top tipped open. Inside sat a beautiful heart shaped diamond on a plain gold band. "Isabella Marie Swan, will you please do me the great honor of becoming my wife?"

My hand shook as I held it over my lips, my eyes blurring with the tears that just kept welling over and over in my eyes. He stared up at me with that beautiful sea glass green gaze, so clear and full of adoration that my heart melted completely.

I think I started nodding first before I finally dropped my hand to croak out a yes. Edward jumped up and kissed me before pulling me close as the crowd cheered. Three sets of arms hugged around our waists as we all hugged together before Edward pulled away enough to pull the ring out and slide it onto my finger before kissing it.

"I love you, Bella Swan."

Tears were running down my face like crazy as I smiled up at Edward. "I love you too, Edward Cullen. Thank you…for everything. Thank you for being you."

Edward pulled me into another passionate kiss as the crowd around us began to mill about and return to what they were doing, but Edward and I were oblivious as we stood together on the ice and smiled. It was a crazy year, but I wouldn't have traded one minute of it for anything in the world.


FYI: the Epi will be a future shot! ;)