In celebration of Opening Day in St. Louis, I'm going to go ahead and post early again. I'm going to the game this afternoon, and who knows what kind of state/mood I'll be in when I get back : ) I spent way too much money on tickets, so I hope they make it worth my while.

Anyway, thanks for taking this journey with me and this story. We're coming to a close, and it's bittersweet, but everything is coming together and loose ends are being tied up. This is the chapter that I'm sure many of you have been waiting for, so enjoy, and let me know what you think.

Don't forget to check out my new story, The Game, if you haven't already! I only have one chapter posted so far, but I'll be focusing on that as soon as this story is over.

…

"Can we stop to pick up my bridesmaid dress on our way back home? The alterations are finished." Edward and I had just finished lunch in downtown Southampton, and he was driving my Range Rover.

"Of course," Edward said easily, glancing over at me. I caught his eye and just smiled back, loving the cheesiness. He was wearing one of his usual baseball caps, and his beard was at its thickest. I loved this version of Edward, and to me, when he looks like this, he is the epitome of male handsomeness and masculinity.

We chatted idly as he drove, and when we arrived at Stitch, he insisted on coming inside with me.

"Wow," he said, raising his eyebrows when the employee behind the counter brought out my dress. "You're going to look so good in that," he added, making me blush.

The dress really was gorgeous, and I was lucky that Rosalie was so beautiful and would never worry about being upstaged on her wedding day. It was a muted periwinkle color Elie Saab couture gown with lace detailing, illusion paneling, and intricate details. I was in love with it, and it was something that I would have even picked out for myself.

"Do you want to try it on and make sure the alterations are correct?" The salesgirl asked, and I hesitated.

"Well, I'm not sure if we have time-"

"Yes," Edward answered for me, and shot me a wicked smile. "Go ahead, Bella. I've got nothing but time if it means seeing you in that dress."

I grinned but rolled my eyes, loving the way his eyes darkened with desire when he looked at me. "You'll see it at the wedding," I pointed out, but followed the salesgirl back towards the dressing room area. Edward followed closely behind, sitting in a chair that the salesgirl pointed out and holding my purse. I got undressed quickly and the salesgirl helped me into the dress behind the curtain. I was completely blown away when I looked in the mirror- Rosalie had chosen a truly stunning dress for her bridesmaids. It hugged all of my curves perfectly, and the color popped against my skin.

Edward's mouth dropped open with the curtain separating us opened, and I felt myself blush. He was looking at me like I was the only girl in the world.

…

"It's not fair," I whined. "You got to see me in the dress; I want to see you in your tux."

"It's just a tux," Edward protested, trying to act like it wasn't a big deal.

His cheeks were flushed pink as he tucked the garment bag into the closet in the guest room he was staying in.

Rosalie and Emmett's wedding was only three weeks away now, and the tuxedo's that the groomsmen had special ordered had been delivered this morning. Everything was slowly falling into place- with the wedding, but also with everything else. For the first time in my life, I didn't mind that summer was quickly coming to a close. In a month, real life would start for both Edward and I. It was scary, and it would definitely be a big change, but it was a change we both felt we were ready for. We wanted to take adulthood on together.

"You'll get to see me in a suit tonight for dinner," Edward said, drawing me out of my own thoughts about the future. "You'll have to settle for that."

"Deal," I said, smiling widely.

We were going out for dinner tonight, just the two of us. We've been spending time together one on one all summer, but for some reason, I just have a feeling that tonight is different. Edward told me that he had made reservations at one of my favorite restaurants, and that I should wear the new dress he had helped me pick out for the occasion.

That night, he knocked on my bedroom door right as I was finishing up with my hair and makeup.

"Come in," I called, giving my hair a final dose of hairspray.

But he just knocked louder, and I huffed to myself and got up to answer the door.

Edward was standing there in his suit, holding a bouquet of roses and a familiar square box.

"You look beautiful," he said, holding the roses out to me first. I accepted them, instantly bringing the flowers up to my face so I could smell them. As I did so, I noticed the small card attached and reached out to pull it out so I could read it.

Bella,

I loved you then, I love you now, and I will love you forever. It has always been you.

Edward

I looked back up at him with tears in my eyes, and he was smiling down at me.

"Thank you," I whispered, holding the card close to my chest. "I feel the same way."

I turned and put the roses down on my vanity, and when I turned back around, he was holding out the box.

"I should have never taken these back from you when you came to my dad's apartment that day," he began. "I told you that day that I still loved you, and I was telling the truth. I knew that you were still the girl of my dreams, and I hoped that one day we'd find our way back to each other. I thought that I had ruined our chances with the way I acted, but I was lucky enough for you to give me another chance. I know that I'll inevitably mess up again in the future, whether it will be in the next fifty days or the next fifty years, but I promise to always do my best to be the man you deserve. I love you, Bella."

"I love you, too," I said, and he stepped forward to put the chain of pearls around my neck. "Thank you, Edward. You have no idea what this means to me."

He just kissed me and then took my hand. "If you'll have me, then we'll do this together," he promised. "I'd be so happy if you would be my girlfriend."

"Only if you'll be my boyfriend," I teased, squeezing his hand.

"Deal."

…

"Dinner was wonderful," I said in between kisses. "Thank you for-"

I trailed off, throwing my head back as Edward kissed my neck. I backed up until I felt the back of my legs hit my mattress, and then moved away from Edward lips for a moment so I could pull him onto the bed with me.

He smiled as he climbed on top of me, pulling my dress off as he did so. I reached up and pulled his tie over his head, and then started fumbling with the buttons on his dress shirt.

Edward's hands covered mine, and he quickly got rid of his shirt and tossed it to the floor.

"I've missed this," I said, running my hands up and down his chest. He shivered as my hands ghosted over his sides and abdomen. "I've missed you."

"You have no idea," Edward said gruffly, unhooking my bra.

I sighed with pleasure as he removed my bra and palmed my breasts, squeezing gently and running the pads of his thumbs over my sensitive nipples. The slow burn inside of me was already starting- it had been far too long since I had felt him. It had been months, and I wasn't sure how we had made it this long without going at it.

We quickly got rid of the rest of our clothing, and when we were both naked, Edward reached over towards my nightstand for a condom. I watched as he rolled it on, quivering in anticipation as I looked at him.

He finished putting it on and then settled between my thighs, and when he looked up into my eyes, I felt like I was melting.

There was so much passion and love between us, and it was like I could feel the emotions.

Edward pushed two fingers into me without warning, making me cry out. He pumped his fingers several times, curling his fingers upwards in the way he knew I liked, but it was necessary. I already felt an orgasm building up, and I wanted him to be inside of me when it hit me.

"I'm ready for you," I said, opening my legs wider and shifting my hips. He withdrew his fingers and wrapped his hand around his cock, positioning himself at my entrance. We both watched as he pushed inside, groaning loudly.

I sucked in a deep breath as he continued to push inside, stretching me open. It felt deliciously good, almost painful but also more pleasurable than I had remembered. "Fuck, Bella," Edward said, dropping his head on my shoulder. He was all the way in, but he didn't move as both of us took a minute to get used to the overwhelmingly gratifying sensation.

I ran my hands up and down his back, and then rocked my hips against his. "Edward," I whispered, feeling him kiss my neck.

Edward shifted slightly, propping himself up on his elbows so that he could hold my hands in his. Then he started to move and I gasped loudly. He picked up a fast, rhythmic pace, and I moved my hips along with his. We were perfectly in sync, even more so than before.

"I'm not going to last long," Edward said, breathing heavily. "You…you're just so sexy. I can't believe how much I love you."

"I love you," I said, squeezing my eyes shut. I felt the pressure inside of me reaching new heights, and I knew that I had to let go. "Fuck, Edward," I cried out, bucking my hips frantically as my orgasm crashed down over me. "Edward!"

He groaned and held his hips still against me, shuddering as he finished.

Edward settled on top of me once we were both sated, breathing heavily. "I can't believe we're back here," he said, still breathing heavily. "I'm very lucky."

"I think I might be the lucky one," I replied, wrapping my arms around him and holding him close. "I hoped we would end up together.

"We will," Edward said, kissing me gently. "We have."

…

Bella's bridesmaid dress is based on the Elie Saab dress Mila Kunis wore to the 2011 Oscars, just a slightly different color and less ruffles. I've been in love with that dress for five years, so I couldn't resist.

I hope to see you again for another update on Thursday, but I'm not sure yet. I'll post on my facebook page when I know when the update will be, so add me there if you haven't yet! I'm Cynosure Fanfic, and I try and post teasers for every chapter.

Let me know what you thought! Much love, as always.