Epilogue

"Daddy, shhhh!"

I stepped on a Christmas ornament and smashed it to smithereens. Apparently, my howls of pain were not necessary. Moo Moo and I awoke extra early that Christmas morning to make sure and have my present in its proper place.

It was our second Christmas at the new house. So far, we loved every bit of Forks living. Bella had even found a small place to rent and reopen a dance studio. I went back to work at the local high school as a gym teacher and football assistant coach. Moo Moo had it the hardest, however.

I remember seeing her for the first time and she was so overly happy to see me. She ran into my arms…well my good arm was able to catch her and lift her up and she clung onto my neck. Bella came quickly to see me as well but stopped when she heard Maisey's cries.

Maisey would have nightmares for three straight months. Every night she would wake the whole house with her screams. We wanted to get her help but knew that what she went through was a sensitive issue. Bella decided to homeschool her at first but once we found a therapist, she believed that we should try and push her back into school, believing that being around her peers would help calm her fears if she felt she had friends.

Maisey was confused at first at the whole concept that I wasn't her uncle. I think she was a little sad about that. We didn't tell her that she had to call me, daddy. Bella told her that if she ever felt ready, she could call me dad, but it was up to her if she ever wanted to. It didn't take long for that to happen and every time she said it, my heart would swell.

I think what helped Maisey the most was when she found out that she would become a big sister. It didn't take Bella and I long before she became pregnant. Now, we were expecting our newest addition in February. Maisey was super proud of her little brother to be. We settled on the name, Jacob. Jacob in honor of Agent Black. Agent Black would never know of course but he made sure that when he set Bella and me up in Forks, we would never have to worry about money again. My little severance package, apparently.

Of course, Agent Black received all the credit for single-handedly taking down one of the most feared crime families in the country, so I imagine his little bonus and big promotion was what enticed his heart to leave us with so much.

It had always bothered me that I never was able to get the full package with Bella. We were just married. There was no proposal. No ceremony. Nothing. So, for Christmas, I asked Maisey, if it would be okay to ask her mommy for permission to marry her. This made it even more confusing for Maisey since she had finally gotten over the fact that I wasn't her uncle and she was to call me daddy.

I explained that I never had the opportunity to show her mommy how much I loved her and give her a ring so, Christmas morning was here and Bella, my beautiful Bella was already large and in charge as she came waddling down the steps.

"See, daddy, you woke her up!" Maisey scolded me.

"No, I think it was the sleigh touching down on the roof that woke me up," Bella laughed saving me from further reprimand.

"Why don't you come down here and join us," I said.

I walked Bella over to the rocking chair next to the fireplace, perfectly in sight of our enormous Christmas tree. She took her seat and I pulled the tiny box from out under the tree.

"We were going to make you breakfast and get your one cup of coffee ready," Maisey told her. She had been a real Nazi when it came to the one cup of coffee rule during Bella's pregnancy.

"It's okay, we can do that after this," I replied holding up Bella's gift. "This is from Maisey and me. She helped me pick it out and everything."

Bella looked lovingly at her daughter and then me before she unwrapped the bow and opened the box. When I arrived at the new house, Bella had already picked out some cheap rings for us to wear. She said she just went down and bought us something so that we could keep up with the new story of our marriage. I tried to explain that I wanted to still do everything we should have done but she said it was not necessary. She just wanted to be married to me. We didn't need fancy rings or ceremonies. In her heart, we were married.

"I know that you never wanted to be proposed to but, I want to propose to you. Asking you to be my wife, officially, means a great deal to me. I know that I tell you every day that I love you. I know you believe me. You have faith in me. In our family. You changed me and made me a better man. I think you and I both know that, and I would go on a thousand Bella Special dates with you if it meant that we could be together always. Will you be my wife…officially? Will you marry me…officially and stand in front of God and whomever else and declare your love. Make a promise that no matter what comes our way, we will stay together."

She shakes her head ever so slightly, but I know from the tears in her eyes, she is not rejecting my proposal.

"Edward Cullen," she begins. "I, Isabella Swan Daniels would love nothing more than to be your wife…officially. To stay with you in times of stress and to never walk away from you no matter how upset we might be with one another. I love you and I promise…to never make you sit through a Bella Special again!"

I laugh and reach up to bring her lips to mine.

"And…of course they have to kiss… again," Maisey says irritated.

I finish kissing my wife and I lean over and pick my Moo Moo up with ease and twirl her around driving her into a fit of giggles while I tickle her all over. This was our second Christmas together and so far, the best. I see our future laid out before us. Happiness. Health and peace on Earth in Forks. Merry Christmas, everyone!