KAY! Here's Chapter 23! Well, technically 24, but one chapter is for answering questions from the readers .

Disclaimer: I own NOTHING stop PESTERING ME!!!! D:

Enjoy!

OOOHHHH MMMYYY GGAAAWWWWWDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This may be THE LAST chapter EVER of this story!!! D;

NOW ENJOY!

BPOV

I wakened terrified. Something was wrong with Edward. I knew there was. The dream was so vivid, he was lying in a bed, swathed in bandages. Was he in another accident?! I flipped on the light beside my bed. Five in the morning—way too early to call. These dreams had been occurring frequently during the month and a half I've been here in Kansas. Each one was unique in some way, but in every one Edward was in a doctor's office or in a hospital bed. After each dream, the desire to be with Edward was so overpowering that I didn't doubt that it was Edward I loved, rather than to be able to live at my former home again.

Even if I wanted to, I couldn't have forgotten Edward, he contacted me every single day. If he couldn't call, he'd send a gift. Every Sunday, a florist delivered seven red roses to my doorstep—one for each day of the week. Evidence of his love and adoration was all over my room. The satin emerald robe lying on the chair was from Edward. He sent jewelry, books, perfumes, music boxes, basically anything, making my sister wild with jealously.

My dad's health improves, and I was free to go to Edward. Although I longed to confide in him, I'd never let him know how unhappy I was with my family.

I could just imagine Edward's face and reaction if I told him how Jessica and Lauren had made life miserable for me. Although they could easily take care of Charlie, they keep inventing reasons for me to stay in Kansas, and I wouldn't want to leave anyway until my dad was able to look after himself. Edward had sold my dad's collection for a vast amount of money. Enough to pay off his remaining debts, and start a new beginning, but Jessica and Lauren had tried to get their hands on the money. They were furious when he put the money in a trust fund that wouldn't pass to his children until his death. I stayed behind to make sure they didn't pester him into death, and make sure he got well again.

My dad had met a woman whose son was his roommate at the hospital. She lived in Washington, but she'd come to Kansas to care for her son, Seth. Her name was Susan Clearwater. Even after my dad left the hospital, they'd kept in touch. They'd really hit it off, almost like my dad and mom did. Almost. I'm quite happy that such a romance was going on between them. My mom has been gone for several years, and Charlie was lonely. This also made Jessica and Lauren angry. There was just no pleasing them, I guess.

At first, my sisters were determined to keep me on the farm, but then realized that Edward was in love with me and encouraged me to marry him, thinking of it as a way to return to Redwood. I finally appealed to my oldest brother, who suggested that we should sell the farm and divide all of the proceeds between the heirs, which would be done as soon as Jessica, the youngest turned eighteen in two years.

Knowing I wouldn't go back to sleep until I heard that Edward was okay, I put on my robe and tiptoed down to the kitchen, careful not to wake anyone. I dialed Edward's number, holding my breath, fearing he might not answer.

I let out my breath when the receiver was lifted and Edward answered groggily.

"Good morning! Rise and shine!" I said brightly. "Time to get up."

I could see him sitting up in his big comfy bed, pushing his thick bronze hair from his eyes.

"Bella! Why are you calling so early? Is everything alright?" He asked, worried and wide awake.

"Yes," I said smiling, "Now that I'm talking to you. I keep having bad dreams about you, Edward, as if you're sick. Have you been in the hospital lately? Have you had any surgery or accidents? Are you alright?"

Edward was quiet for a minute. He was hesitating.

"Edward?! What happened?"

Edward laughed. "Yes, Bella, I'm fine."

"I love you." I said softly.

I could just imagine the surprise on his face. "What did you say?"

"I love you."

"That's what I thought you said. Well! Praise Alice! My prayers have been answered!"

"I've been miserable being away from you. Maybe that's why I keep dreaming you're sick. Then when I wake up, I'm so worried that you need me and I'm not there."

"I need you and you're not here." He said, smirking on the other line.

"I know that it's definitely you I want, not Redwood. Is that marriage offer still open?"

"I'll marry you today. Do I hop on a plane and come to Kansas, or are you coming home?"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa." I said, laughing. "Hold your horses, I didn't mean today. It might be a few weeks before I can leave."

I explained to him about the possible resale of the farm and my dad might remarry, "He's old enough to retire if he chooses, and he'll have some income from the trust fund. The woman he's interested in owns a house in Washington, on an Indian Reservation. He used to live in Forks when he was younger, so he'll feel right at home."

"I'll help in any way I can. I'll let your family move back here. That would be a small price for having you."

"No, thank you," I answered. "My sisters aren't easy to live with. A developer wants the farm enough to pay a very high price for it. My sisters will receive a good sum of money for their share, and it's time they start fending for themselves, not make someone care for their every whim. Besides, I'm selfish enough to want you for myself."

"I'd prefer that too. Bella, I miss you so much. I can hardly bear to come home at night when you're not here. It's not really a home without you. More often than not, I'll make reservations to come and get you, but I've tried to be patient. I don't want to wait much longer alone."

"I'm planning to spend Christmas in Redwood." I assured him.

- - - - - - (Right about here you should listen to Taylor Swift's song 'Change' until the end. It goes nicely with the content :D)

After I saw my father married and on his way to Washington and carrying a cashier's check for my portion of the farm, I boarded a plane to return to Virginia and return to Edward on December sixth. The few months of waiting seemed interminable to both Edward and I. He'd made arrangements for a quiet ceremony in a small church near Redwood, his family was coming, and my father and his new wife planned on being there if they could make it. The wedding would take place as soon as I arrived.

I could hardly restrain myself when the plane landed, and I was out of the seat and I the aisle even before the seat belt sign was turned off. I fidgeted while the attendants opened the door and attached the walkway to the plane. Pulling my carry-on bag behind me, I hurried towards the terminal. I scanned the faces of the people in the waiting area. My heart plummeted when I saw that he wasn't there. He'd called this morning saying he'd be here, waiting.

"Bella." I heard Edward call. The velvet voice was his , but the face of the voice towering over me was definitely not Edward. It was a face of a total stranger. I dropped the handle of my suit case as realization hit me. Edward was the man.

He pulled me over towards the side. I ran my hand over the left side of his face, the side that was once scarred and maimed, now smooth as a baby's.

"I don't understand. . ." I said.

"The miracle of modern medicine, Love. I've been spending quite some time with Carlisle. I didn't want you to live with my scars for the rest of your life."

"But, Edward, I'll miss the way you used to look. Your scars didn't bother me."

"But they bothered me, and I did it for you. I hope you aren't disappointed." He said worriedly, as if he'd go and get attacked by another mountain lion to get the scars again. Which I'm sure he would.

"Oh, no you're handsome, but it's going to take awhile to realize that this is you. I love you. My love has nothing to do with your outward appearance."

Edward seemed to notice that people formed around us, staring. "We're making a show of ourselves," He laughed. "Let's go home."

- - - - -

By Christmas Eve, we'd been married almost two weeks. Edward's family, along with Edward and Angela, helped me decorate Redwood in the Swan tradition. A huge tree stood in the drawing room. Candles flickered on every windowsill. Several of the trees in the front yard were decorated with red and green bulbs. The service workers were given a very generous bonus and a month off. I cooked in Kansas, so this wouldn't be a problem.

A few of Edward's gifts included a floral arrangement of fifty red roses, which I put in the entrance hall. Another was a 1956 Red Chevy, like the one I used to have, but restored. And my favorite? A song on the piano he wrote for me.

We opened our presents on pillows in front of the fire in the living room. Edward's family left, and so did everyone in the household. Giving the newlyweds much needed privacy. The house was quiet.

"Just the two of us," Edward said. "I've been dreaming about this for months. I have one more gift for you." He said, handing me a box that had been hidden behind a chair.

Removing the wrapping, I pulled a beautifully illustrated children's book.

Beauty and the Beast.

I didn't know what to say.

"When we watched the movie, I said 'Too bad it's only a fairy tale.'"

Edward took the book from my hand and turned to the first page. "In the original story, a prince had a spell cast on him by an evil sorceress, never to be broken until a beautiful, true hearted maiden promised to marry him."

A log snapped in the fireplace, shooting sparks toward the chimney, and a brisk wind blew snowflakes against the windows. Edward stared into the fireplace, thinking.

"The story reminds me so much of our relationship. It was a dream come true when you promised to marry me."

Edward closed the book and looked into my eyes, leaning down and planted a kiss on my lips.

"But, it was fate, not an evil sorceress that brought us together. He continued. "When you came you me, not only was I scarred on the outside, but my bitterness left scars within that I thought were permanent. Your kindness healed me inside in ways I never knew I was wounded. When you said 'yes' to marrying me, I felt like the beast in the story who shed his old self. I was good enough for you on the inside. I wanted to be physically whole too."

I touched his left cheek. "I love the way you are now, but I loved the way you were."

"I know. I wanted you to have the best of me." He smiled.

"And they lived happily ever after. . . ." I said, kissing him.

.:The End:.

-sob- here's the REAL ending this time. TTnTT

At this point, I'm not sure that there'll be a sequel. I know how the sequel would be, but I don't know. . .

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Tell your friends and family etc about this???

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Review for the last time!!!!

Maybe, just MAYBE there'll be a epilogue, but I don't feel like this needs one.

Fatal