mmkay guys. that's it. DaC is overrrrr. -throws confetti-

i'll post a final author's note in a bit, with info for the sequel, and various other things. then the sequel will be up soon. :D

--kiwi

Epilogue—Home

I'm going home to the place where I belong
where your love has always been enough for me
I'm running from you know I think you got me all wrong
I don't regret this life I chose for me
Home—Chris Daughtry

Two Years Later:

Shortly after their honeymoon, Laurent and Emilie had moved out of the Denali house, and into a smaller one nearby. Edward, Alice, and I were frequent visitors, and the others stopped by every so often as well.

At the moment, though, the three of us were at Edward's and my house, watching a movie. It was one of the rare days that Edward and I both had a day off together, and we were all due for a movie night.

"No way, Edward," I said, hitting pause on the VCR remote. "You're insane. It's official."

He sighed, "Bella, the entire situation is messed up. The main character is bound to be completely screwed up."

"Romeo is NOT screwed up!" I snapped. Silently I wondered why I was getting so defensive about a fictional character.

Laurent scoffed, "I love Rosalind with all my heart, she is my world, she is my soul; let me be depressed because she doesn't love me." He made a face. "Actually, no never mind. Screw that, I love Juliet. She's way prettier. I haven't said two words to her, but I would kill myself if she died. Who was that Rosalind chick anyhow? I hardly remember that name at all. Maybe she was doing Benvolio or something…"

My jaw dropped, and Edward cracked up.

"You're totally destroying one of the best plays in history." I said, folding my arms over my chest, and leaning back on the couch more.

"I think Shakespeare destroyed it." Laurent countered.

Edward laughed, "I can't say that I agree with that one," he said, scooting closer to me, and mimicking my position. "But Romeo was incredibly fickle. He was hardly mentally stable."

I rolled my eyes. "Oh please," I moaned, "Be serious now. Maybe he was fickle, but do you honestly think he was mentally unstable?"

"Yes," Laurent replied, raising an eyebrow. "Think about it doll face. He was instantly in love with someone, before he ever spoke to her. Then, he goes and sneaks on her balcony, where if he was seen, he'd be killed. He marries said girl, without telling anyone but a crazy old priest. Not even a day later, he gets his best friend killed, and then goes and kills his wife's cousin. Not a genius move."

Edward nodded, "Lest we forget the fact that this all happens in a matter of three days, or so."

"The entire thing is ridiculous," Laurent said, shaking his head.

"But it is a beautiful play," I pointed out.

"Yeah, but Romeo is still an idiot,"

I scoffed, "Whatever you say Laurent,"

Edward laughed, "Right then. Let's just finish the movie, shall we?"

Laurent rolled his eyes. "Fine," he pouted.

I pressed play again.

The rest of the movie passed, and much to my pleasure, we were silent the whole way through. When we got to the end though, Laurent tried to make fun of the play some more.

"Don't start, Laurent." I snapped, before he could say anything.

He sighed, raising his hands up, waving them slightly in surrender, "Fine, fine."

Edward chuckled, and stood up. "You know, I suddenly know why no one ever stopped Emmett and me when we used to bicker all the time."

I raised an eyebrow, unsure of how that related. "And why is that?"

"The sibling arguing thing," he replied, gesturing to Laurent and I. "It's rather amusing."

Laurent cocked his head to the side, "Thanks…I guess?"

Edward grinned, "You're welcome."

I stood up from the couch too, taking a place next to my husband. "I'm going to get dressed," I announced with a sigh. "What time do we have to be at Carlisle's?"

Earlier that day, Carlisle had called, inviting us all over to the house. He said that he had some news that involved the entire family. After Carlisle made his announcement, we were all going to go on a family hunting trip, including Carmen's coven.

Edward peered at his watch. "Six-o-clock," he replied. "That's an hour."

"Okay," I said, kissing Edward on the cheek, and heading up the stairs. My vampire hearing would pick up the rest of the conversation, so I headed into the bedroom, and pulled a casual outfit from our closet. I sighed, and went inside the bathroom.

"I'm going to go home and get ready too," Laurent said, and I heard his quiet footsteps, probably walking to the door.

"Bye Laur!" I shouted, from upstairs. I heard him yell a 'bye' as I hopped into the shower.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After my shower, I changed into a pair of jeans, and an olive green tank-top. I packed a small bag for the hunting trip. We were going all the way back to Mount Rainier, in Washington. It had been a while since anyone had mountain lion.

"I suppose you finally got your wish, huh?" Edward said from behind me, as I dropped my duffel bag by the door.

I tilted my head to one side. "What wish?"

"You always wanted to see me hunt," he clarified. "When you were human, every time I would go to the mountains, I'd fight with you."

"Edward," I sighed. "I've seen you hunt several times."

He nodded. "Yes," he agreed. "But not like you will this weekend. Mountain lion is very different."

I frowned. "Is it, really?"

"I guess you don't remember," He mused, "all the arguments that we had."

I shook my head. "I wish I could," I sighed. "I hate forgetting."

"Yet another downside to eternity," he said, his voice grim.

I growled quietly. "Don't start this," I said sharply. "There may be a downside or two, but I do not regret anything. I say this constantly, and I'm sick of it. I'll say it one more time: I'd gladly give up every human memory, if it meant eternity with you. Do you understand me?"

He nodded. "I just don't understand how you don't regret it."

"I have you, remember?" I quipped, poking his arm. "You're worth so much more then some stupid memories of a life I left behind."

"That you didn't have to leave behind!"

"But I wanted to!" I groaned.

"Can we just go?"

"Fine!" I snapped.

We drove to the manor in silence. We took the Volvo, only because Edward didn't want to drive all the way to Washington in the Aston, because he didn't want to waste the mileage.

I scoffed. Sure, use all of my mileage instead.

We walked inside in silence, and sat on separate sides of the couch without looking at each other. It was obvious to everyone that we were fighting, and no one asked. That, I was grateful for.

After a few moments, Carlisle came down, and stood in front of all of us. Emmett and Rosalie were next to each other on a love seat. Alice was sitting in the recliner, and Jasper stood behind her chair. Edward and I sat on the big couch, Emilie and Laurent between us.

"What's going on, Carlisle?" Emilie asked.

"Is something wrong?" Jasper asked immediately, and I was wondering what emotions he was getting from his foster father.

Carlisle shook his head. "No, nothing's wrong." He replied.

"Then what's up, doc?" Emmett asked, and I rolled my eyes. What a dork.

Carlisle chuckled before replying. "Esme and I have been talking," he began, "and we believe that it's about time that we moved on. We're really pushing our ages now, and I think that it would be best for everyone if we moved."

"Of course," Esme interjected, "Any of you can stay behind, if you wish to. If you don't want to leave, any of you could pass as a newly-wed couple, and stay here."

Laurent looked at her, smiling knowingly. "We're not going to separate, Esme, don't pretend as if you would be okay with it if we did."

"We're a family," I agreed. "We're going to stay that way,"—I shot Edward a look—"always."

Honestly, I wouldn't mind moving. Hopefully, we would move somewhere where it snowed a little less. Somewhere like Forks, where it only snowed in the winter, not year-round.

"Where to?" Alice asked, cheerful as usual.

"We're not sure yet," Esme replied honestly. "Carlisle is going to hand in his resignation tomorrow, and he'll leave in two weeks. We'll be leaving in a matter of days."

Carlisle nodded, "We need to do some research on some cloudy places, like Forks."

"I miss Forks," Rosalie sighed, shooting a glare at Edward.

Jasper walked out from behind the couch. Probably sensing a fight brewing, he said, "I can do the research Carlisle. I could probably use my new encyclopedias."

Alice grinned proudly. "I'll help," she offered. Still smiling, she jumped up and followed her husband upstairs.

"Everyone should probably get packing," Esme suggested. "We'll leave the furniture behind, in case we decide to come back here in a few years, but you'll need your other personal belongings, and such."

Laurent and Emilie nodded, and rose from the couch. They said something about the hunting trip, and left. I wasn't paying attention though. I was only thinking about all the things I was leaving behind here. Sure, I hated the snow, but there was still so much here.

This was where Edward and I got engaged, and married. This was where Anthony was, the little boy who would still visit with his mommy sometimes. This was where I became best friends with Laurent, and where I said goodbye to my former best friend, Jacob.

So many memories, vampire ones that I would never forget, there was so much that I was leaving behind me, yet again. But I was taking my family with me. We would make a new set of memories at our new home.

Edward and I may have been arguing, but we would resolve it soon, and everything would be fine. My epiphany was still strong. We would not be divided. Everything would be right again soon, just like before.

They say that home is where the heart is. My heart was with Edward and my family. Wherever he went, I followed. As long as I did that, I would always be home.