Disclaimer: Twilight belongs to Stephenie Meyer, not me.

Author's note: This is the final chapter of "Temptation". I'm sorry to say that this is the end. There will be an epilogue posted in a few days. I meant to have this up sooner, but fanfiction wasn't letting me at the time. So I've been waiting for it to be okay. I hope you enjoy this last chapter! Thanks to all of you for reviewing my story! I've loved reading what you have to say. Enjoy the last chapter!

Chapter 20- A Love story

Edward POV

It was another four days before Carlisle and the other doctors allowed Bella to be released from the hospital, along with Charlie. Since neither had a place to go, Esme invited them to stay in our home. There was another guest room that Charlie could stay in and Bella would be comfortable in her own bed. It also gave me plenty of time to lie beside my angel as she slept to keep away the nightmares. She was struggling with sleeping at night with the dreams of James and the surrounding deaths haunting her. It was almost a struggle to keep her from moving unconsciously and upsetting her injury. Carlisle let me know that it would take some physical therapy to get her leg working properly again. This worried me, but I trusted my father to give her the best care. He also recommended that Bella be counseled to help her deal with the murders and the trauma that she had suffered. Carlisle volunteered to be the one to do it, but I decided that Bella should be the one to make the choice.

Alice had been gushing about wedding plans in her mind for several days. She tossed me a few ideas for ways to propose, but I wanted to think of that one up by myself. It was to be the most romantic moment of Bella's life, save our wedding. It didn't take me long to figure out the perfect way to pop the question.

Bella rested her head against my chest as I carried her into the house. She wouldn't be able to walk for a while. Charlie followed behind us, laughing with Emmett. Esme greeted us at the door, giving Charlie a peck on the cheek and ushering him into the kitchen for some dinner.

"Are you hungry dear?" I inquired.

"A little bit. How 'bout you?" Bella teased, peering into my golden eyes.

"I'm not a bit thirsty."

Humming softly in her ear, I carried my love to couch as Alice prepared it for me to set her down. Bella hissed once as I moved her leg onto a fluffy pillow. Charlie brought his plate of food into the living room so he could sit near his daughter.

"What are your plans for once Bella heals?" Esme asked, sitting across from Charlie. "I don't think we will be able to split up the children."

"Mother," I stated, playing along with her game to throw off Bella. "Don't embarrass me."

She laughed sweetly as Emmett suddenly ran through the room, dangling a book over Jasper's head. The two quickly disappeared again and I realized that Emmett had kidnapped Jasper's notes that he wrote about his time in the civil war. Not a good idea.

"I haven't decided yet. Carlisle did supply me with a list of a few houses that are up for sale in Forks," Charlie replied.

"Really Dad, that's great!" my love exclaimed, moving her legs and almost upsetting her food. I gently reminded her not to move with my glance.

She ate quietly, listening to them talk of job possibilities and house decorating. Esme volunteered to help him out if he needed it. I couldn't take my eyes off of Bella. The smell of her strawberry hair filled my nose and I refused to resist the call to run my fingers through it. The others didn't seem to notice us and carried on with the conversation. My mother's ring in my pocket felt a little heavy as I eyed Bella's left ring finger. Love filled the room as Jasper pulled Alice outside to go for a walk. Emmett and Rosalie excused themselves to go to dinner.

"Would you like to look at some houses on the internet?" Esme asked, pulling Charlie into a different room of the house.

I took Bella's dishes and carried them into the kitchen, quickly putting them in the sink. My cold hands rested on the countertop as I took a few deep unnecessary breaths. My love's heart beat softly in the background, giving me the strength.

"Are you ready to go upstairs?" I called.

"I'm ready."

Though she didn't know it, Bella confirmed for me that I would never regret this choice to make her my bride. I lifted her in my arms and carried her at a human pace up the two flights of stairs. She rested her head on my chest, closing her eyes softly.

"Are you alright?" I questioned, concerned that she was going to heal.

"Yes, I'm perfectly fine when I'm with you. There's nothing else that I could make me so happy and safe. Edward, I didn't get the chance to thank you properly. I'm so… thankful that you saved me and Charlie at the right time. I chould have-"

"Bella," I interrupted. "I have a surprise for you."

She opened her tempting lips to speak again and I pressed a finger to them. We arrived at the door to her bedroom and I slowly opened it. My love gasped as I stepped inside. Roses covered every surface in the room; pink, red and white roses. Red petals were sprinkled across her blanket, filling the room with a floral scent. Candles on the desk and shelves made the room glow. Bella's eyes filled with tears as I lay her down on the comforter. She looked around the room as I tucked a flower behind her ear. Her warm hand grasped mine as she smiled at me and my heart melted in her gaze. I got down on one knee, pulling the ring box out of my pocket. Flipping open the velvet case, I heard my love gasp.

"Isabella Marie Swan, love of my existence… will you marry me?"

There was only a short pause as the tears leaked from her eyes. "Yes! Edward, yes I will marry you!"

Bella started to say 'I love you', but I kissed her before she muttered the words. I parted my lips as we blended together. It didn't matter that she had been abused or that she was human. It didn't matter that I was a vampire and that I could kill her. It only mattered that I was in love with Bella and we were to be married. Our story could end happily ever after. Though we suffered, Bella and I would never be parted again. Our love story would carry on into eternity.

The End

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Emma