Disclaimer- All recognizable characters belong to Mrs. Meyer, the other ones belong to moi. The song belongs to Queensryche.

Epilogue- Return to Lucidity

Hush now don't cry
Wipe away the teardrop from your eye
You're lying safe in bed
It was all a bad dream
Spinning in your head
Your mind tricked you to feel the pain
Of someone close to you leaving the game of life
So here it is, another chance
Wide awake you face the day
Your dream is over...or has it just begun?

Edward's POV

I held Bella close to me, our gaze on the midnight stars. She ran her fingers up and down my arm; sending a tingle up my spine. I couldn't believe I'd ever been stupid enough to leave her. But, I got her back. That was all that mattered to me. I had my love, my life, back in my arms. This time for eternity. The cabin was quiet, all that could be heard was Raven's heartbeat in the other room. She was still looking at old pictures of herself and Christopher, her sorrow laced the air. After leaving the warehouse, we'd dropped Bayleen off at my house. It was simply too hard for Bella to be around her. She'd given her a kiss and told her that she loved her. She had better control already than most newborns, but the desire was just too strong. I wondered if it had to do with the fact that a vegetarian vampire had bit her and not a human drinking one. Or maybe it had something to do with her scar. I really didn't know. All I knew was that she would've have to go through it alone. I would be there every step of the way; guiding her to the best of my ability.

So for now, Bayleen would stay with Helena (who was picking her up later in the afternoon). Bella was still considering whether or not to make it permanent. " What kind of mother can I be as a vampire?" She'd said. At first I'd been worried that she regretted being changed, but she quickly assured me that that wasn't the case. I wanted to believe her, but some part of me would always wonder. . . All of a sudden she nudged me, tearing me from my thoughts.

" What are you thinking?" She asked. Her blue eyes were trained on me, her eyebrows furrowed. I pulled her closer to me and kissed the top of her head.

" You're positive you don't regret this?" I asked as an answer. She sighed and looked at me with tired eyes. She put her hand on my cheek, her touch soft.

" I could never, in a million years or more, regret you changing me. I love you Edward Cullen, with every atom in my body." I smiled and leaned forward, pressing my lips to hers. Her tongue flicked over my teeth, earning another shiver up my spine. As our kiss grew more passionate, I remembered the first time she'd said she loved me, and how I knew there would be no going back.

" Forever, " I whispered against her lips. She nodded her head, a smile growing on her face.

" I'll marry you," she told me quietly. Her eyes burned into mine. I stopped, a grin spreading across my face. She laughed and gave me a playfully push. " Oh come on, it isn't that big of a deal Edward."

" Yes it is." I replied, putting my lips by her neck. " I'm glad you've reconsidered," I said against her flesh. She trembled from my touch and ran her fingers through my hair. We were interrupted by a small knock on our door. We turned, Raven smiled sheepishly and came into the room. Bella scooted over so she could sit on the corner of the bed.

" How are you doing?" She questioned, her eyes troubled. Raven shrugged her shoulders and let out a deep breath.

" I don't know. . . I guess I'm okay. . . Oh who am I kidding, I'm dying. I miss him, I wish I'd stopped him from going back inside. I can't help but feel like there's something I could've done!" She cried, throwing her head in her hands. Bella put her hand on her shoulder and rubbed it softly.

" Raven there is nothing you could've done," she assured her. I got off the bed, giving them room.

" Bella, all this time I blamed him. . . I should've known it wasn't him. I should've known he could've never hurt my family. I should've. . . " Her voice trailed off, held back by her sobs. Bella just let her cry for a couple minutes. Finally Raven lifted her head and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. " I'm going to leave for a bit, go to England. I like it there, and I need some time to think. So, I'm leaving you two the cabin."

" What? Raven are you sure?" Bella asked, her face surprised. She looked at me, but I just shrugged my shoulders.

" Thank you," I said, meaning every word. " It'll be nice for Bella and I to have a place stay. We're getting married." She smiled and hugged Bella tightly.

" I'm happy for you two, really. I'm sure Chris. . . I'm sure he would be happy too." Bella was going to say something, but then she froze. She was still as stone, her eyes staring at something neither I nor Raven could see. Then she jumped up and ran out of the room, bolting down the stairs. Raven arched her eyebrow and we both immediately followed. She threw open the door and looked around wildly.

" He was here, I could feel him!" She exclaimed. " I swear he," she stopped, then bent down and picked an envelope off the porch. A breeze blew by, ruffling her hair. She looked up at us, her eyes wide. Raven stepped forward, trembling.

" What do you mean?" She asked. Bella swallowed and came back inside, kicking the door closed behind her. The envelope was white, there was no writing on the front.

" Open it, " I said softly. She nodded her head and flipped the lid up. A single piece of paper lined inside. I could make out the handwriting, it looked like mine. She gasped and her hand flew to her mouth. Her eyes skimmed the letter and then she dropped it.

" Oh my God," she whispered. Raven picked it up and read it. I watched as new tears brewed in her eyes and spilled over her face. She handed it to me, a small smile on her face. I quickly read it:

Please forgive me, I'm sorry for everything I have put you through. Edward, I realize now that there was nothing you could do little brother. Be happy with Isabella, you deserve her. Isabella, thank you for everything. Mostly, for forgiving me. I'm heartily sorry for taking your daughter, it was wrong of me. And lastly, Raven. I love you with everything I am. I will be waiting for you, in silent lucidity.

Yours,

Christopher.

My eyebrow rose and I handed her the letter back. I was pleased to hear my brother was alive, and that he forgave me. I hoped we could begin building our relationship back up. " Silent Lucidity?" I questioned Raven. She nodded her head, laughing.

" His favorite song. He told me, on the beaches of Maine. That's where he is. Waiting, for me to come. I have to go," she told us. Bella nodded and hugged her.

" Tell my brother in-law that everything is fine," she whispered in Raven's ear. " And please, come visit us. Please." Raven nodded and came towards me. I spread my arms wide and gave her a warm embrace.

" Tell my brother, that I love him." I said. Bella and I sat on the couch while Raven packed. We both had blood packets, drinking them slowly. It was nice, not having to hunt. Although, we were missing the chase. The phone rang suddenly. Bella picked it up and smiled.

" Hi sweetie! No, mommy's just sick right now. Mmhmm. Oh really! Well, you tell Auntie Helena that-" I got up, walking over to the window. Rain was gently falling down. I sat on the ledge and watched Bella as she spoke to her daughter. She was so beautiful. I couldn't believe I'd done something to deserve her. She was the best person I'd ever met, the most beautiful, the most generous. . . I smiled and remembered watching her sleeping. It seemed like so long ago. . . I'd had to check on her, she mattered to much to me. I couldn't simply forget. And I was glad that she couldn't either. She hung up the phone and came towards me, wrapping her arms around my waist. " Whatcha thinking?" She asked me, laying her head on my chest. I sighed and rubbed her back.

" Just about how much I love you," I answered. She chuckled and held me tighter.

" I bet I love you more." She teased.

" Oh really?" She shook her head and stood slightly on her tip-toes to kiss me.

" Really," she breathed. " I'm so glad he's alive. . . Maybe. . . maybe he can come to the wedding?"

" I'd love that." Raven came down the steps, two bags in her hands. I took them from her and we all walked out into the rain. She hugged Bella again as I threw her luggage in the backseat. She was about to get into her car when I stopped her, placing the photo of myself and my brother in her hands. " Give this to him?"

" Of course," she smiled and placed it on the dashboard. " He really does love you Edward. . . He just needed someone to blame."

" I understand, tell him that I do please."

" I will." Bella waved as Raven drove out of the driveway, then off into the night. She sighed, putting her head on my shoulder. The rain didn't faze either of us.

" What now?" She questioned. I smirked, lifting her into my arms bridal style.

" I can think of a few things." I answered. She tilted her head back, her musical laugh filling the air.

" Oh you can, can you?" I carried her inside the house, and she once again kicked the door closed. Suddenly, her face grew serious. " Edward, you can't know how glad I am that you came back into my life. It seemed so empty without you. Never, ever leave me again."

" Never, I promise."

" And Bayleen, do you really think she'll be able to live with us in a year or so?"

" I do. You have better control than most of our kind at first. She'll be fine here Bella. Besides, she needs her mother." She wound her arms around my neck and grinned.

" Our little family." She smiled. I nodded my head, going up the stairs. She kissed me strongly as I lowered her onto our bed. As we kissed I remembered her, four years ago. In biology class, so shy and calling to me with her tempting blood. I'd loved her then, and I loved her now. I always would. She was my soul mate, and I couldn't wait to start our future. With Bella, it was sure to be an eventful one.

I-will be watching over you
I-am gonna help you see it through
I-will protect you in the night
I-am smiling next to you...in silent lucidity

A/N: Wow. . . I kinda of feel like crying haha. Of course, you always do after ending a story. Yes, there won't be a sequel. Sad, I know, but I just feel like ending it here is the best. So, thank you so much for reading this, I hope you liked it! Review and let me know your thoughts. And remember, this started out as a one shot. Can you believe it went this far? I can't haha. And all because of you, my readers. You told me you wanted more, so I gave you more. I hope I did justice with this story. And the reason it's in Edward's POV? Because that's how the story started out. That's always why the song is the same as in the beginning. It's like, a circle. The end is the beginning and what not. Again, I hope you liked it. And review, review, review.

Until next time,

Faith