A/N: Okay, so this is the last chapter before the epilogue. I honestly don't know how to end this. I mean, it's the first story I successfully—well, not yet—ended and completed. So it's an accomplishment. It's got a hold on me now. ^_^ I'm listening to "Something's got a hold on me" from the Burlesque cd. It's so catchy. Anyway…onto the chapter everyone's been waiting for.

"I'm worried, Sam. Why hasn't Jake come back yet? Surely it can't take that long, can it?" Bella turned towards Sam, and the rest of the burly boys crowded around the room. It was like a big sleepover in a way; all of the pack members and their families, minus Mrs. Littlesea and Sue—who was staying at Charlie's house—had gathered at Sam's house, the epicenter of all things wolfy, awaiting the return of Jacob. Most of the imprints and children were asleep, aside from Bella, who was too worried about her husband to sleep.

Sam shook his head a little, amazed at how quick hormones could make themselves present. True, they were all worried about Jacob, and sure of his great abilities, but Bella was worried enough for all of them. She'd paced a trail in front of the door, walking back and forth so much that Quil had joked that she'd have her son—everyone automatically assumed it was a boy, forsaking calling 'it'—months earlier than anticipated.

"Don't worry, Bella. I'm sure Jacob can handle himself. This is something he needed to do in order to make sure that you were protected in the future. Besides, I have a good feeling about this."
Bella turned back to face the darkness outside. She hadn't wanted to let him leave on his own, especially since she was still reeling over the fact that his magic little boys had gotten through so quickly, and she'd have kids thirteen months apart. Not that she minded. Having children with Jacob was like fulfilling her destiny, a destiny that she didn't have to die and forsake everyone for. (I don't really like how Stephenie Meyer had her turn into a vampire, be all perfect at it, and Charlie just takes everything in stride. I would be FREAKING OUT if I was him. Oh, well.)

"So what're you going to name the little man?" Seth said in an effort to avert the tension to a happier topic. "I mean, he can't be called 'little man' all the time."

"Hmm…I hadn't really thought about it. I like our dad's names and all, but for a son, they're not what I would want. And I am so not combining them like some crazy person with no time on their hands. (See that reference?) Cilly or Barlie? Those are awful. And nothing too exotic like Apple, or whatever. Fruits are for eating, not babies."

Paul laughed out loud. "Who in their right mind would name a kid Apple?"

Bella shrugged. "Some celebrity. I like Oliver, or Quinn. Maybe Jacoby. Barrow? Micah is a good name. I read a book with a hot leading man named Micah in it."

Quil made a face. "Micah? Nah, reminds me too much of that guy who got killed in those paranormal movies. It scared the life out of me when he hit the wall."

"He flipped out?" Seth asked.

"No. His body was hurled at the wall by his lightweight, demon-possessed girlfriend." Quil shuddered at the memory. Bella remembered it well. She'd had a movie night with Jake, Quil, Embry and Kim at their house one night before she and Jake had gotten married. Quil had screamed very girlishly, uncharacteristic of him. Claire would have probably made fun of him if she'd found out; being seven-years-old, she loved teasing Quil.

"That's harsh, man." Seth murmured, looking a little cowed by the thought of what Quil had described.

"Agreed."

A sudden motion caught Bella's eye, and without thinking, she hurled open the door and raced out into the darkness. She knew very well that she could be racing straight towards her death, but she had a feeling it was Jacob walking towards her, and she was right. He looked virtually unharmed walking towards her without any clothes on, holding something in his right hand. It was round and shaped like a skull.

Bella stopped running and put a hand to her mouth to stifle the feeling of nausea overwhelming her; the rest of the pack members were running after her, shouting for her to get back into the house. When they saw Jacob, they screeched to a halt and stood, just staring at him like he was the prodigal son returned.

"Bells, honey?" Jacob said, setting down the round, cloth-covered bundle. "I'm home."

She choked back a sob and launched herself at Jacob, latching on like a parasite, hooking her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. Bella couldn't believe that Jacob was home safe and sound like he'd promised and she sobbed into his shoulder. Blame it on the hormones. That was a good excuse, she thought. "Oh, Jake, my Jake, Jake, Jake, you're home. You're really home. It's over? Please tell me it's over."
His hand rubbed up and down her back, sending soothing waves of warmth through her body. "It's over, honey. He's never going to bother us again. I promise."

Sam picked up the bundle, giving the reuniting couple a smile; he removed the cloth covering the bundle, and raised it above his head in victory. It was Edward's dismembered head.

"We have persevered, my brothers!" He shouted in a booming voice. "No longer will the Cold Ones bother this land! Our rightful Alpha, Jacob Black, had destroyed the last and most dangerous leech!" The pack began to cheer thunderously, slapping each other on the back and just being carefree for the first time in a long time. "Will you take the mantle of Alpha, Jacob? It's your birthright, but if you don't want it, then I'll continue in your stead."

Jacob set Bella down, and turned to Sam. "I don't wish to be Alpha, Sam; never have, never will. I'm fine being where I am, and you're doing a great job as Alpha, and I wouldn't have it any other way. You're a good Alpha."

Sam bowed his head. "Thank you, Jake."

"Did he suffer, Jake?" Embry shouted, eager to know. Truthfully, Bella wanted Edward to have suffered.

"I don't know if they can feel. He didn't know what hit him, I'll tell you that much. I even quoted Montoya's famous line from the Princess Bride. It seemed like a good fit."

"Excellent!"

Bella couldn't believe that it had taken six years for the whole ordeal to be over from start to finish. She remembered meeting Edward in her classroom the very first day of her junior year, wondering what was wrong with her. Nothing, that's what. Meeting his family for the first time; James' attack on her that nearly cost her life; Edward leaving her; recovering thanks to Jacob; their four years of dating; him proposing; their beautiful wedding and honeymoon; Willa's birth and this last battle with Edward. It all seemed to have passed at lightning speed, though at times it felt like much longer.

"What're you thinking about, Bells?" Jacob murmured into her ear, his hand rubbing her flat stomach. Now their family was free to flourish.

"Let's go see our daughter, Jake," Bella said, taking Jacob's hand and leading him back towards Sam's house. "And start our happily ever after."

Jacob wouldn't have it any other way.

A/N: So that's it. Last chapter for the epilogue. Now I really need response from readers about a few matters. Please answer them in a review.

Jacob and Bella's new baby's name?

Should Sue and Charlie start their own family?

Should there be a continuation of sorts, maybe from Charlie's perspective? Like a parallel story about Charlie during this story? I think I might.