Any and ALL references, or likenesses to The Twilight Saga, including characters are the sole property of Stephenie Meyer.

So here it is....please see A/N below.

Sigh.......

Epilogue

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Three Years Later

It was three years ago: today.

Edward and I had consummated our love, and the heavy burden that laid on my weary bosom relinquished its position, for good.

Even now, it felt like only yesterday. My scars-visible reminders of the horrific plight my life had once took-once worn unwillingly like a badge; now the reason for my strength, and the definition of who I was.

Drowsy, I fell in and out of consciousness, while restless with the boy beside me. The incessant tapping of his pencil caused his palm to look like swirling caramel. I peeked up at the rounded clock hung high on the wall. One more hour, I thought with a sigh as I faltered, letting the sound he was creating engulf me. Its hypnotic beat mixed with the glare of the fluorescent lights making me all the more restless. I rested my tired head on my palm, pressing my index finger to the slightly raised ridge that adorned my forehead. Closing my eyes for just a few seconds; I allowed the memories of that afternoon to consume me, wholly.

It was an afternoon of bliss. Edward and I lay wrapped in one another, my head rested on his heaving chest, my hair clung to his damp body seeking refuge. We had just made love. Our bodies still reeling from the intense intimacy of the moment, though I had to somewhat persuade the moment into effect. Our legs were entangled, Edwards fingers raking through my hair-making me sleepy, when a sudden knock at the door interrupted our serenity.

I lifted my head, placing a tender kiss on the line of his jaw before rolling my eyes to the door. Edwards body had become rigid, realization setting in. He was nervous, his body ready to leap from the bed at any given second. I rubbed his chest soothingly, trying to assure him with my touch that everything was alright. Reluctantly, I turned my body away from his warmth, facing the door, yelling as I did so.

"Yeah?"

I shouted, giggling after. I sat for a moment waiting for a reply, my naked back facing Edward. I could faintly hear the muffled sounds of Gianna's voice as Edwards fingers began trailing up and down my spine, languorously. I tried to conceal my laughter as I strained to make out her words.

"What? I cant hear you!" I called to her again before whipping my head towards Edward. "Stop tickling me!"

"Never"

He whispered while continuing his futile assault down the curves of my body. I was becoming impatient, giving up completely on the mousy voice coming from the other side of the thickened door. I leaned back into Edwards body as his hand found purchase around my hip. His long fingers began to splay outward, stretching towards my needy center. I moaned, agonized, as I gave him a warning glare.

I wanted nothing more than to lie all day with him in my bed. I wanted him in my bed forever, and he knew that. It was quite obvious though that neither one of us would get what we wanted-at least not today.

Giving in to temptation, and Edwards obvious efforts. I shifted so that his fingers could reach their wanted destination. The knocking returned but this time much louder, more blatant. I nearly jumped from my spot when my mothers voice loudly bellowed from the other side. Edward tensed again, pulling his hand away completely before gripping the hem of the thick comforter-ducking his head beneath it like a scared child as he tried to hide from her voice. Snickering, I pulled it down, exposing his naked chest once more, resting the hem at his well pronounced lower abdomen.

"Bella? Ben is on his way. He should be here in about a half-hour or so. He says its really important. Can you please meet us in the Family Room?…Oh and hello, Edward."

She yelled and I told her I'd be right down as loud as I possibly could before falling into a fit of hysterics. Edward was again hidden beneath the covers, gripping the blanket tightly around his sinewy frame.

"Hey, its okay. Edward, please. Really its okay."

I smiled, though still the frightened child, he peeked at me from behind the lilac wall. He was irresistible. Smiling in return, eyes heavily gleaming with seduction. Within seconds I was beneath him, my legs parted, and my heart racing.

"Edward…we…really…"

And before I could finish he was within me again. His warm thickness filling me, completing me. Unlike earlier our bodies were frantic. Grabbing at the other any where we could. There was a sense of urgency, like we'd never have this again, and it scared me. But, I couldn't stop. I couldn't pull away.

It didn't take long, between harsh kisses and clinking teeth, for us to reach the pinnacle of our desperation. A desperation that was palpable and somewhat unnerving.

"Edward, what's wrong, why-"

"I'm sorry, Bella. I…I don't want this to ever end, I don't want this feeling to ever go away."

I put my arms around him tightly, looking into his worried eyes before pulling his lower lip into my mouth, licking its plumpness with my tongue.

"I wont let it end, ever. I promise."

That was all I could do, promise. I was unsure of how to show him. I didn't know how to make his doubt, his fear: disappear. This was all so new to me, these emotions. They were raw and surreal. And, I just wanted to do everything right. I wanted to make Edward happy, complete him the way he completed me. I just didn't know how.

Hesitantly, I left the bed, leaving Edward beneath the covers. His brow etched deep in thought. I quickly showered and dressed before Edward and I left my room, hand in hand.

"Aren't you the least bit concerned about your mother? I mean…she knows I was in your room, Bella. I am sure she has already surmised what was taking place…What must she think of me now?"

He looked at me guilt stricken, a man ashamed. I ran my fingers through his evident sex hair, trying in earnest to calm his fluttering nerves while attempting to tame his locks. Oddly, it was usually I that was wound up with anxiety, but for once I wasn't. I was actually calm. Even with Ben waiting for me, ready to tell me god knows what…

I. Was. Calm.

We entered the Family Room with our hands tightly woven together. My mother smirked innocently, eyeing me from the sofa with an 'I-know-what-you-were-up-to' look. I sat down beside her, Edward avoiding all eye contact with her as possible as he took his place beside me. I squeezed his hand reassuringly as my mother spoke.

"Hello, Edward. Why so shy today, huh?"

I looked at her incredulously before turning back to Edwards shrunken frame. If he could have turned himself inward he would have.

"Ma, stop it! You're embarrassing me. And where is Ben? You said he would be here."

I looked around the empty room just as Ben came walking in, a manila folder thick with unknown contents within his grip.

"Okay, I found it. Ah, good Edward you're here too."

Ben said as he took a seat in front of us, Edward took out his hand and shook Ben's respectively. My mother grinned in my periphery.

"Bella, I know you haven't been home long. And, I know you are getting sick of talking about all this stuff. But, I really need your assistance. Do you think you can maybe help me?"

Ben's eyes were alight with a fire I'd never seen. He was glowing, almost radiant. It was somewhat disturbing.

"Sure, Ben. Whatever I can do to help, you know I will."

"Good, Bella. That means a lot to me. First before we get started I'd like to show you something. It's a note that we had found at the Motel…where you were."

I shook my head in understanding, my stomach tightening into uncomfortable knots as I leaned by body closer towards Edward. If I could have sat on his lap and crawled beneath his skin I would have.

"This…note was compared to the note you had received not too long ago, the one that was in the package, do you remember?"

"Yes" I whispered faintly. Of course I remembered the package. It was full of remnants of my burnt down house, my life, and my fathers badge among other things. Edward's face scrunched in confusion. I had yet to tell him about that night before the party.

"We'll explain later." My mother said to Edward as she reached over behind me, patting his back.

Ben pulled out what appeared to be an evidence bag, clearly marked as such in red vivid lettering. Within it was a small piece of discolored, white paper. It was crinkled with torn edges. Ben placed the bag in front of me with the lettering facing up where I could see. I looked down at the black words, perplexed.

I did this for me

It was simple, blunt. I repeated the words in my head. Trying to make sense of the meaning. But, still confused.

"This note, Bella. Does not match the writing from the note that you received with the package. This was not written by-"

"Jacob?" I cut in, realization dawning on me. I could feel everyone's eyes on me, waiting. "You're right Ben, this isn't Jacob's writing. Where did you say you found this?"

I asked but was met with a frown instead of a location.

"I think Sam wrote this, Bella. And, I am also most certain that Sam placed the call that led us to you as well."

I looked at Ben dumfounded, my eyes wide in shock.

"That's impossible. It was S-Sam, that took me, he hit me. Why? Why would he even bother, and how could he have? I heard them fighting, him and Jacob. I heard the glass breaking, the bang...I saw the blood on Jacob's shirt."

I stood there frozen, watching my mother and Ben exchange weary glances. They were having a silent conversation with their eyes. I turned to Edward and he shrugged, seeing what I was seeing. He put his arm around my shoulder, pulling me even closer to his chest.

"Bella…there is something I need to tell you. Please don't think I was withholding this from you, cause that is far from the truth. I just received this information last night, and had actually just discussed it with your mother-"

"I am an adult, Ben. Anything you discuss with my mother, can and should be discussed with me. Especially when it involves me directly."

Ben nodded his head in understanding, glancing at my mother once more for approval before pulling out what appeared to be a photo from his manila folder. He held the squared paper to his chest, its stark white back facing me, before he took a very deep breath and placed it on the table before me: image up.

Nothing would have prepared me for what would be on that glossy paper. I gasped in disbelief as my trembling hand came to cover my mouth, catching the gasp that happened to escape. I could feel the sting in my eyes. The building wetness pricking and clouding my view of the image before me. I blinked, furious as to why my emotions had betrayed me; as my quivering fingers picked up the photo, bringing it closer to view.

"Oh my god…Jacob?"

It looked like Jacob. But not the malicious Jacob I feared. No, this Jacob looked like a boy, a child. Sweet and innocent, just like the Jacob I grew up with. The Jacob that had once been my friend. The Jacob that had once protected me, even cared for me.

My heart raced as I took in the details of the photo. Jacob looked as though he was just taking a nap, resting peacefully-though on a bed of metal. It didn't matter that his russet skin had grayed, or that his lips had paled. He still appeared childlike, fragile even-though the purple bruises were glaringly visible, along with the deep wound in his temple.

"Bella?" Ben asked, reaching his hand out, slowly taking the photo from my semi-tight grip. I tucked my face into Edwards shoulder, my body quaking with a mixture of relief and sorrow, as scanty tears shed for the child in the photo.

"Bella, can you identify the person in the picture for me?"

"Is that really necessary, Ben? Seriously!? You know exactly who is in that photo, why cant you identify him? Why must you do this to Bella?"

Edward was furious, his eyes glaring deeply at Ben. He was right though, in every sense. What was the necessity of having me identify Jacobs body? I was keenly aware of the fact that it was Ben who had arrested Jacob the night of Alice's party. He saw him, in the flesh. So why this, why now?

"Bella…Edward," Ben said as he looked from me to Edward. "Due to conflict of interest, I am unable to identify Jacobs body, alone. Bella, I know this is hard on you, but I would think that this must give you some sense of closure, am I right?"

Ben asked kindly. I lifted my head, looking at him through tear filled eyes. I was angry. For Ben to even think it would be so easy. Like Jacobs death would fix everything? Was an absolute insult.

"Closure? Are you serious? I'll have closure, Ben, when both of the people who tried to kill me are lying on metal slabs."

I was seething as I got up, grabbing Edwards hand roughly, pulling him to follow me. I began to walk away, leaving behind my sobbing mother and as far as I was concerned a heartless detective.

"Oh and Ben?" I stopped in the doorway, turning my head slightly, spitting my words like venom. "It is Jacob…Jacob Black. But you already knew that. Am. I. Right?"

That was the last time I would ever see Jacob Black.

He had been shot at point blank range in the temple, before being dumped in a wooded area off the Long Island Expressway somewhere near Queens. His killer, still unknown.

But, I knew, and so did Ben.

A week after my anger towards Ben had diminished, somewhat, we sat down again and discussed more specifics. Ben felt that if Sam had in fact been hurt, he survived whatever he had gone through. And most likely sought immediate revenge against Jacob. I was certain that it was Sam who had called housekeeping, as was Ben, and it wasn't because he cared about my well being. It was his way of getting back at Jacob, a way to screw him over one final time.

As far as Ben was concerned; the letter left behind was nothing more than Sam's admittance in Jacobs death. But, it was also a message to me. A small message at that but just enough to let me know that my well being had nothing to do with the decision for Sam to take Jacobs life. It was strictly personal, and I was lucky to make it out of there alive: even if just barely.

After seeing the photo of Jacob's lifeless body, all the fear, all the anxiety that I had felt over the years-ceased to exist. I felt like I could finally breathe without the heavy burden that I had once carried. I wasn't afraid anymore. Not of Jacob, not of Sam, not of anyone. I was finally where I needed to be. At peace.

I had learned from Ben a few months after the whole ordeal that Sam had never returned to Washington state. Even now, three years later, he still remains wanted in the state of New York for questioning in the death of Jacob Black, kidnapping, and attempted murder. I know Sam will never come back here. I wasn't his concern. I Never was.

"Miss Swan? Helllllooooo, Miss Swan!?"

Shane's obnoxious voice woke me from my reverie. I looked at him puzzled, remembering where I was and what I was supposed to be doing.

"I'm so sorry, Shane. I must have dozed off. Did you at least finish those questions I gave you?"

I looked up towards my right. Edward was peering over the student beside him, concern ebbed on his face. He mouthed an 'Are you okay?' and I nodded, smiling brightly, not wanting to worry him.

"I did as much as I could do, Miss Swan. But, honestly? These conversions are ridiculous! Seriously, what is the point anyway? Shit, I'd be sleeping too if I could…stupid freaking Chemistry bullshit…" He muttered under his breath and I contained my laughter as much as I could, watching as he again tried to tackle the mess of numbers before him.

I felt his pain. I hated Chemistry.

Looking around the room I was suddenly aware of the time. I gazed upon an older Mrs. Cope. Still sitting at the head of the classroom, just like years ago. Her beady eyes still scanning the room for disruptive Students and their Mentors. Her chunky heeled shoes tapping in annoyance beneath her-making her presence known-bored with the absence of such disruption.

It became blatantly clear, right at that moment. That everything had come full circle. My life was finally on the correct path, a happy and peaceful one at that. The iridescent glint of the stone sitting upon my left ring finger was a symbol of just that. That time does pass. Even when it seems impossible. Even when each tick of the second hand aches like the pulse of blood behind a bruise. It passes. Uneven, and in strange lurches, and dragging lulls, but pass it does…

Even for me.

First and foremost THANK YOU to everyone that took the time to read and review my crazy little story. It still boggles my mind that some of you chose to stick with me through this crazy journey.

Moochini, my dearest friend, thank you for listening to my crazy ass idea in the first place and being my evil little plot bunny. I *heart* you!!!

ShamelesslyObsessed...you stuck with me since DAY ONE. Never failing to leave me thought provoking comments. Your reviews were always there, never failing, chapter after chapter. You've helped with this story in more ways than you know=) I CANNOT wait to work with you on MD. Thank you. Thank you. Thank YOU!!!

So now, without further ado, I click on that little complete button. Its bittersweet, but time.

Thank you FFn, now make me happy and click that little green tab =)