I know it's been FOREVER since I updated, and I'm sorry. I have legitimate excuses, but instead of boring you, here are the final two chapters of the story. I don't expect to write an epilogue, but I suppose it is within the realms of possibility. Thank you to all of the people who have supported this story and me. It is very much appreciated.

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Chapter 12: The Main Act

BPOV

"You ready for this?" Edward asked as we were about to walk into the wrap party for the show. As far as our friends knew, we were leaving as soon as it was over to elope. We had a few surprises in store for them, and I was looking forward to it, but at the same time I was feeling a bit depressed.

Edward lifted my hand that was clasped in his and kissed the back of it gently. I loved when he did that.

"As ready as I'll ever be," I replied. I couldn't help noticing my voice sounded just a little morose as I said it.

"It will all be over soon, Bella," Edward whispered as he leaned closer toward me and squeezed my hand.

"That's what I'm afraid of," I said under my breath as I pushed open the door and we walked into the party hand in hand.

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The party was starting to wind down. The chips were gone and the soda was running low. No one had left yet though. Everyone still had too much adrenaline buzzing in his or her bodies to go home just yet. It was at that moment that the true show really began.

"ISABELLA MARIE SWAN!! Where are you young lady?!" Charlie shouted above the general din of the party.

"Dad!" I tried my best surprise face, "What are you doing here?"

"You tell me. I go into your room to put away a book of yours you left around and I see that your closet and drawers are completely empty! Since when do you need every article of clothing you own to spend the night at Alice's?"

"Well, you know Alice, Dad, she just wanted to see my whole wardrobe and . . ."

"DON'T YOU DARE LIE TO ME! I am NOT an idiot! I saw your bags in the backseat of the CULLEN boy's car!"

"Shit," I said as I looked down at my shoes. Everyone was watching our little play. Alice looked like she couldn't decide to help me, or Charlie. She kept opening her mouth to say something and nothing would come out. Jasper looked very uncomfortable. I could tell the "conflict" was wearing on him. Emmett and Rose looked smug like I was getting what I deserved. Edward was against the far wall trying not to grin in case anyone looked at him, but at the moment everyone's attention was riveted to my face and I saw a sort of half grin on Edward's face before I turned my eyes back to my Dad.

"Shit? Is that all the explanation I am to get? Bella, why was this in there?" Charlie held up Renee's wedding dress. I pretended to look shocked and then enraged.

"Dad! You can't go breaking into Edward's car like that!" I tried to snatch the dress away from him, but he moved it.

"I can do whatever I want if I suspect a crime."

"No, actually, you can't. There are things called warrants!"

"Don't try to turn this around on me. I want to know what's going on. Where is this boy anyway?" Charlie started looking around the room and gripping his holster.

"I'm here, sir," Edward said in a humble, but confident tone as he strode through the crowd that parted for him as he moved to my side. "Your daughter and I planned to get married tomorrow. That's why she had the dress."

"WHAT?! Isabella! You are only 16! What would possess you to think that would be a good idea?"

"Love!" I shouted back at him and turned to stroke Edward's face as we gazed adoringly into each other's eyes.

Charlie started to pace a little and turned his eyes on our friends. "Did you all know about this?" His tone was accusatory.

Jasper spoke up, "Yes, we did, and we tried to talk them out of it, but we weren't sure what else we could do." Jasper was rubbing his chest, and I thought maybe he could use an Alka Seltzer or something by the uncomfortable look on his face. The rest of the group looked stricken as well.

"Well you should all be ashamed of yourselves," Charlie was driving the point home. They looked like it was hitting the mark.

"We are," Rose finally seemed to find her tongue.

"Good, because next time Bella and Edward ask me to prank you all, you'll get much worse," Charlie started chuckling and walked away.

Our four friends' heads shot up and stared at us.

"So, Edward, do you think they learned their lesson for trying to manipulate us into dating each other?" I asked in a sanctimonious tone.

"Why, yes, Bella, I'd say we're about even now," Edward replied and then added to them in a stage whisper, "Oh, by the way girls, next time you're gloating about how well your plan to trick your friends is going, you might want to make sure they aren't conducting a wardrobe fitting in the next room."

Alice and Rose were looking at each other with matching "o" faces as the shock of what we just said sunk in. Emmett was already laughing and Jasper looked relieved that the tension in the room had suddenly evaporated.

After a full minute of watching Alice's mouth open and close and no sound come out, she finally managed to ask, "So you guys dating was all a prank?"

"Yep," I said, taking the time to pop the "p" sound.

Edward looked at me and I thought I saw a hint of sadness and regret in his eyes.

"Wow, you guys got us good," Rose admitted, "Don't forget payback's a bitch."

"No, Rose! No more. You guys messed with us and we got you back. It end's here!" I gestured emphatically to emphasize my point.

Edward leaned toward me and whispered in my ear, "Can we talk for a sec?"

The electric charge running up my arm where his hand rested was entirely too pleasant to do anything but nod. He led me into a dark hallway toward the back of the school. I leaned against the wall and looked at the shadow his body cast on the floor as the moonlight came through the large windows. Edward led me to the windows and stood in front of me so my back was against the cool glass. His hands reached out and touched my hips. His fingers started lightly circling my hipbones. He was looking down at our feet, but suddenly he turned his eyes to mine. I couldn't look away. In the moonlight, everything looked like it was in black and white, but he was no less handsome for it. It fit him.

"Bella," his voice was low and husky sounding, "does this have to be over?"