OMG! Wow, lots of reviews! That makes me super happy! Um…so here's the Epilogue :) I hope you like it, I must admit I had a ball writing it!
I don't own Twilight.
Songs you should really listen to while reading or just in general: "Nyatiti" by Andrew Bird, "Hot Math" by Andrew Bird, "Section 8 City" Andrew Bird, "Breathe" Angels & Airwaves, "January Wedding" Avett Brothers, "Toothbrush" Eddie Dattel, "One of These Days" Feltbeats, "I Wouldn't Mind" He Is We, "I Love You More Than You Will Ever Know" Nevershoutnever, and finally "Sweet Perfection" Nevershoutnever
My shoutout and love goes to: CarrayEatsYouNow because of her taking note of my songs…and their significance in the last chapter :) !
And an overall thanks to all of you who have read this story and stuck with me! I hope this makes up for the last chapter, but who knows!
Epilogue BPOV
"Bella!" Alice chirped through the phone.
"Alice!" I greeted back happily.
"Are you coming back to me for Thanksgiving?"
"Of course I am!" I smiled over the phone. "I'm headed for the airport as we speak!"
Alice squealed so loud I had to hold the phone away from my ear. "Who's picking you up?"
"Um…I was just going to grab a cab."
"No way! I'll be in the area shopping; I'll pick you up and bring you home!"
"Sounds like a plan!" I smiled even more giving her the time I come in and the gate number as I pulled up to the airport.
After checking my bag and going through security, I popped a squat against the wall and opened my current book, Travels With Charlie, and kept reading until my flight and cabin was called. Pulling out my boarding pass, I showed it to the stewardess then ventured into the cabin and took my seat by the window. Pulling out my iPod and book, I stuck on some classical music and continued reading my book. When the person beside me sat down, I didn't pay too much attention, the words of the story completely absorbing my attention with their descriptions of the United States. Only when the stranger bumped my arm to get my attention did I look at him and was thoroughly shocked by what I saw.
"Um…would you like a piece of gum?" The familiar stranger asked.
"Sure, peppermint?" I asked, already knowing the flavor.
He nodded. "Always. How you been Bella?"
I bit my lip nervously. "I've been okay, and you Edward?"
"I've been okay. School takes up my time and distracts me from everything else, ya know?"
I laughed. "Oh trust me; I know exactly how that is! I'm taking the maximum amount of hours for a freshman and I'm working on getting a job at Starbucks to keep me even busier."
"So I'm guessing no relationship for you Ms. Busy?"
"Nope."
"Anyone caught your eye?" he asked a bit nervously.
I shook my head no. "Not really. I mean there are a few lookers, but they're all jerks and use girls like tissues which I'm not too fond of. How bout you? Anyone in your life?
Edward smiled a little. "Nope, no one in my life either. And the fact that I pretty much stay holed up in my dorm room or in a practice room isn't helping me too much either. But honestly, I'm not looking for anyone now."
I nodded. "Any reason why besides lack of time?"
Edward ran a hand through his hair a few times. "I'm kind of stuck on this one girl and I can't get over her. She just means too much to me."
"Hmm." I murmured knowing the feeling oh too well.
"And you?" he asked.
"Same. I'm stuck on a guy that I screwed everything up with."
Edward smiled a little. "I'm glad we're on the same page."
I nodded. "Hey, I'm sleepy. I'm going to take a nap. Alice is picking me up and I can only imagine she's going to be a ball of energy."
"Sleep well Bells." Edward whispered.
I fell asleep to Andrew Bird's 'Nobel Beast' album and before I knew it, a warm hand was shaking my shoulder. "Bella, wake up. We're here."
Groaning and resisting waking up, I turned my head and hit it against something warm and soft. Quickly opening my eyes, my cheek was pressed against his cheek and we were frozen like that. Shaking myself out of it, I backed up a little and bit my lip not making eye contact with him. Awkwardly, w walked off the plane and through the gate to be met by our favorite pixie.
"Bella! Edward!" she squealed as she gave each of us a tight hug. "How are you? Was your flight okay? When are you heading back? When are you free? Bella, how are your parents doing? I haven't heard about them for a while. Edward, how's theory? Have you found a girlfriend yet? Have either one of you been eating enough? You're looking awfully thin!"
"Alice!" Edward cut her off, "Slow down! Let Bella and I catch our breath and collect our bags before you shoot questions at us again!"
Alice nodded with a big smile on her face as we headed to baggage claim. The moment our bags were in the trunk and Alice was in the front seat, she began firing off questions again. When I finally got to ask her something, she ignored it and asked us something else. Finally, when there was a lull in the conversation, I spoke up again and asked Alice, "So are all of us getting together? Starbucks date or anything?"
"Oh my gosh! That sounds like a great idea! Text everyone and arrange it for Saturday at one!" Alice bounced in her seat.
Edward and I laughed as I whipped out my phone and began sending out a massive text message then posting it on Facebook. Within thirty minutes, everyone responded and were able to come. Within an hour, Alice had dropped me off at home and I felt like a complete stranger as I opened the front door and walked inside. Almost instantly, I was embraced in my mother's arms.
"Oh sweetie, I've missed you so much! How's school? Do you like your classes? Do you have a boyfriend yet?" She peppered, with a thousand other questions that I had already answered with Alice.
I made my way through her long list as I sipped apple cider and sat in the family room like it was any ordinary day. When I got a moment, I cautiously asked, "So, how are you and daddy? I haven't seen him since I walked in."
A giant smile crossed her face. "We're absolutely wonderful! We started counseling shortly after you left for school and we're thinking about renewing our vows sometime close to Christmas when you're home. He's so wonderful Bella! It feels like we're teenagers again! And oh, the sexI!"
"Woah-ho-ho! You can stop right there mom! There's no need for me to hear all about that part of your fairytale relationship." I told her quickly.
She let out a loud bard of laughter. "Okay, okay! Well, do you want to get settled back in then help me with dinner? Your father should be back from the store by then."
"He's at the store?" I asked confused.
"Yes," she smiled, "lots has changed since you've been gone."
"Wow, a lot has changed." I smiled thoughtfully. "I'll be back down in a bit mom. I'm going to go unpack."
Lugging my stuff up to my room, I smiled. Everything seemed to be working out well for the first time in a long time. Eventually, I came back downstairs and helped mom with dinner and Thanksgiving preparations. Dad came home and we talked for a while before ironing out a solid plan for the next day and about long-term plans for school.
The following day was really laid back. With no incoming family, our dinner seemed pretty perfect. We had our favorite foods and gave thanks for the things we really appreciated in our lives. The following day seemed pretty relaxed as well as we got out our Christmas decorations and began decking our halls. Raspberry hot chocolate and homemade fudge filled our already full bellies as we worked. All in all, the day felt perfect!
Saturday came and I made sure I looked nice. Grabbing my double deck of Uno cards, I headed out to Starbucks for an afternoon of fun. As usual, I was the first one there and grabbed the comfy chairs and the large table for us to crowd and play around then ordered my venti chi tea latte. One by one everyone came in with Alice and Edward arriving fashionably late in true Alice fashion. We were all talking loudly and energetically as we caught up with each other and told stories about our crazy professors, the parties we've been to and all the thousands of papers we've had to write since day one. When our Uno game began, everyone began strategizing on how to keep everyone in and how to make Jake and Lorie have the most cards possible! The whole time, Edward kept looking up at me over his cards when he thought I wasn't looking. The game went on for literally hours as we traded cards and ganged up on the person with the fewest cards and laughed the whole time. Around seven, we decided to forfeit the game and give up for the night. Giving everyone hugs, we all went our separate ways like at graduation with the promise to stay in touch and give each other more calls more often.
As I was shrugging on my coat and wrapping my scarf around my neck, Edward came back into the shop looking for something. "Forget something?" I teased.
"Yea, my scarf. Seen it?"
"Um…no, but I'll help you look."
We looked for a few minutes before finding it behind my chair. When we found it, Edward and I looked at each other and laughed before saying, "Alice" together.
"So, I'm heading out in the morning, but I wanted to give you this, Bella." Edward told me seriously, as we walked out into the bitterly cold November winds and he held out a white envelope with my name on it.
"Do you want me to read it now or…" I trailed off unsure as I took it from him and traced my name with my fingertip.
"Read it on your way back to Chicago, or whenever, but just read it, okay Bells?"
I nodded. "For sure Edward. See you Christmas break?"
"Of course, I wouldn't miss it for the world Bella. Bye." he smiled before pulling me into a tight hug lasting far too short. When we pulled away, he placed a lingering kiss on my cheek then another on my forehead. "Love you." he whispered before turning away, getting in his car and driving away.
"Love you too." I whispered before running my fingers under the flap of the envelope and reading his love letter, to me—his future wife.
Well, that's it folks. Mind telling me what you think? Because I kinda-really want to know! Again, thank you all for staying with me through all of this and for being such a great audience! I've loved every minute! ~~Live