Epilogue: Life Goes On

EPOV

The dull light of another grey Forks morning breaks through the curtains and washes across Bella's sleeping face, making her alabaster skin glow and her mahogany hair shine. How it is possible for her to get more beautiful I don't know, but ever since she awakened she has seemed even more radiant to me than before. Perhaps the long separation and the threat of losing her is making me appreciate her more. And I do appreciate her; I treasure every day we share, knowing that any one could be her last. Or not, as the case may be.

Bella did not hesitate to argue her point visa vie her transformation, bringing it up the first time we were all gathered together without any other humans around. The ensuing 'discussion' ended in a vote, with each of us saying whether we wanted her to change or not. Only Rosalie sided with me, and it was decided that Carlisle would do the honours when Bella pretended to go off to college. Luckily, because of all the school she missed, Bella had to take summer school in order to graduate, and I was able to talk her into taking a year off – which gives me an extra year to give her all the human experiences I can.

She does deserve the relaxation time. While Alice went back to school after our return, I did not, choosing to spend my days at Bella's side while she slept. This had the unexpected benefit of meaning we were both in the same boat when it came to our schooling – sort of – and I was able to spend the whole summer with her at school, encouraging and tutoring her whenever she would let me. Of course, she passed all her finals with flying colours, even the dreaded Calculus.

My love does not stir as I watch her peaceful slumber; so much better than the dead sleep of her coma. She does not react when Charlie gets up to go to work, clomping around loudly in his heavy boots, and she sleeps through the cruiser pulling out of the drive.

Another potential problem that turned out better than expected; Charlie and Renee easily accepted our story explaining their 'dreams' about us being vampires, believing that they had simply fallen asleep in front of an old Dracula movie, and the content of the film had influenced their subconscious. Renee spent a few more weeks here with Bella, then returned to Florida, content with the knowledge that her daughter was safe and happy. I found Renee's mind intriguing to listen to when not enmeshed in grief. Her childlike point of view and easy distraction definitely worked in our favour.

Charlie is slightly more cynical, and I see him giving me suspicious looks every so often, but he never says anything, and he too seems content as long as Bella is happy. He can't argue that her state of mind now isn't a thousand times better than it was.

I reach out and gently brush my fingertips across Bella's cheek. She sighs and her eyelids flicker. I can't deny the profound sense of relief I get every time she opens her eyes in the morning, even after all this time.

"Hey," she mumbles, smiling at me sleepily.

"Good morning," I smile. "Happy birthday."

She groans, and I can't help chuckling a little. She pouts, looking utterly adorable, and says, "Can't we just forget my birthday? It never seems to go well."

I try not to frown and succeed... just. "Don't you worry Bella. Alice learned her lesson; no party, no attention. I couldn't stop everyone buying presents of course, but I have their solemn promise not to interfere. Today is all about you and me, sharing some much needed quality time." I kiss her forehead, right where it puckers into a frown. "Nothing to worry about. I'll protect you from the big bad monster, I promise." My tone is teasing, but the promise is very real. I will protect her from everything, be it my brother, Victoria, or the Volturi – who, in the biggest stroke of luck in history, still haven't learned of her existence.

Bella purses her lips, eyeing me speculatively. "Just you and me?"

I nod.

"And we can do whatever I want?"
"Anything, love."

She seems to think about that for a moment, then breaks into a wide smile. "Well, how about we start with you giving me a proper kiss." she teases, wrapping one arm around my waist and drawing herself closer.

"As you wish, my lady," I chuckle, and lean in to press my lips to hers. I kiss her firmly, with just enough pressure, parting my lips so that I am breathing into her mouth. She sighs happily and presses forward, eager to get more out of me. For once, I let her, unwilling to deny her anything today. I roll onto my back and she leans over me, never breaking our kiss as I cup her face between my hands. Her hands rest on my chest and the warmth of her soaks through my shirt into the very core of my being. I love it, and I can't get enough.

We kiss for a long time, longer than we ever have before. Every so often I pull away and kiss down the column of her throat so that she can breath, but Bella is quick to pull me back to her lips, never letting me stray far. When her stomach rumbles, we both laugh, and she finally gets up, climbing out of the bed and extending her hand towards me. I take it, though I don't need her help getting up, and we walk together downstairs to the kitchen.

I watch her again as she eats her breakfast and chatters happily about all the nonsensical goings on of our former classmates. She knows that I already know everything she says, and more, but her voice comforts me; it reminds me that she is still here, along with her scent and her heartbeat and the emotions held in the unfathomable depths of her milk chocolate eyes and the feel of her warm hand in mine. She knows all of this too, knows how much I need reassuring. She has become the strong one out of the two of us, the one to hold me up when no one else can. The fact that she does this naturally and happily makes me love her even more, reaffirms for me the certainty that we are meant for each other.

There will be difficulties ahead, I am sure. We will have more than our fair share of fights and arguments, like any couple. But I know that as long as we have each other, everything will work out in the end.

Because I can't imagine living without her.

So there you have it folks. All done.

It feels good to finish something (finally), but it's also kind of sad because now we have to leave the story behind :(

Don't forget to go give E . GhostWriter some love as well, since she did just as much work on this as I did, and check out some of our other individual stories.

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Farewell for now,

Glitterb