Hello my lovelies!

I know I put up an authors note...yesterday was it? saying I was taking a little bit of a break before I update next. This is still true, but I had this chapter already typed up and everything, sitting on my computer, so I thought why not put it up there for the cool dudes to read! I'm not sure how long my absence will be, it could be a few days...though...it could be a couple of months. It's very difficult. I'm starting uni next friday so it's about to get a whole lot more hectic! *big sigh*

I do realise I said I would finish this story by the end of September, but I think we can all see that that's not going to happen! Which is both good and bad for you guys I guess. Good because you can hopefully enjoy the story for longer, but bad because you have to wait for longer to find out what happens. Btw, just a heads up - I know exactly what's going to happen and I've got the plot all sorted out in my little head so you don't have to worry about me not finishing it because of writers block or something.

*Please take note that I'm having a bit of a fanfiction make-over currently so my names have changed and may change in the future if I can think of anything better :)

**VERY IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ ABOVE ^^

Chapter Twenty Four: Moving On Through Time

(EPOV)

It was well into the next morning before me got back home again. We had spent the night being with each other - intimately and emotionally - and I'd never felt so alive, so blissfully happy before in my life.

After we had parked the motorbike in the garage, we walked round into the house. Of course, Alice and Rose were waiting in the foyer for us and practically jumped on Bella and I as soon as we walked in the door. Carlisle, Esme, Jasper and Emmett were around to give their congratulations as well and we all had a celebratory dinner that night - home cooked, by Carlisle and Esme. Though my Bella insisted on helping, Esme wouldn't have any of it.

"So Bella, when do you want to get married?" Alice asked across the table. "Next month? Next week? I'm sure we could pull some strings and get you guys married tomorrow if you'd like."

I chuckled at my cousins ambitious nature. "Calm down Alice, I don't want you pushing Bella into anything, okay? I know you mean well but this is Bella's day and she can have anything she wants."

"Yes sir!" She mockingly saluted back before turning to Bella beside me. "So what will it be Bella?"

"Well," She began timidly, her eyes flicked to Carlisle's, who smiled gently at her. She turned to look at me, her eyes anxious yet they still held a soft slow. "I was wondering if we could wait for a few months?"

"We can wait for as long as you need." I kissed her forehead.

She relaxed before taking a big breath and continuing. "Carlisle told me yesterday morning that my families bodies and possessions have been released from the investigation. I would like to sort all that out before I move on to the next chapter in my life."

So that's what we did.

All seven of us helped out with the different jobs that needed to be done. Esme, Alice and Rose helped out with the funeral arrangements while Emmett and I helped Bella with sorting out all her families belongings. Carlisle and Jasper helped her look over her families will's and the financial side of the arrangements.

Bella decided it would be best if she gave most of her families belongings to charity and put the house up for sale. But she did collect up a few trinkets and heirlooms that she wished to keep. She put a few photos, her parents wedding rings, her sisters necklace and a few other treasures in a beautiful silver decorative box. We placed it on the bookshelf in our bedroom where she can look through it any time she needed.

I could see it was difficult for her and she truly missed her family but she was doing extraordinarily well and I could see her become that bit stronger day by day. Her smile became brighter, her laugh easier and her eyes softer. If it were even possible I would have thought I was falling even more in love with her.

The funerals soon came about. Bella stayed strong and relaxed throughout and I was in awe of her strength. It was just a small ceremony with a few other friends and family present. I kept hold of her hand all through the day - silently telling her that I was there for her, always have been, always will be.

Her parents and sister were buried next to each other in a small, private graveyard a few miles down the road from our house. I knew Bella needed them close, so I arranged for them to be buried in the same graveyard as my parents.

After everyone had left and it was just us two alone, I knew she needed some time alone. I squeezed her hand one last time before silently walking away. I decided to visit my parents as it had been a few months since my last visit.

Their graves looked the same as the last time I was here. Matching white marble, their names elegantly written on them. I turned to the car parked a few metres away on the gravel pathway. I knew Bella would need some time alone for a while today, so I brought some extra flowers to put on my parents graves.

I glanced back at Bella as I walked from my car again and saw she was kneeling next to her fathers grave. Her eyes were closed as she whispered something, one of her hands resting on the top of the tomb stone.

Seeing that she still needed some more time, I moved back towards my parents again. I kneeled between them and gently placed the white lilies on both their graves. I didn't say anything, I didn't need to. I knew they were here with me, the same way they knew I was there with them. I just sat back on my heels and remembered.

I remembered their loving faces and gentle voices, their humour and quick wit. Most of all I remembered how they so easily fit together, like a jigsaw. They were meant to be together. Just like Bella and I.

It was then that I knew that we were going to be okay for the rest of our lives. No matter what happens. As long as we have each other, we can get through anything. We were just like my parents and I'm sure Bella's parents too. Even though all their lives had been cut short, they had shown us both a happy life. How it's better to live a loving short life, then a long life alone.

A soft hand on my shoulder brought me back from my epiphany.

Bella kneeled down next to me and took my hand. She didn't say anything. Neither did I. Nothing needed to be say, we were both in the same place. She simply lay one white rose on each of my parents graves. I noticed her eyes were slightly red and puffy as we looked at each other, examining the others well being. She leaned forward and kissed me softly on the cheek. A thank you. I wrapped my arms around her tightly as she did the same.

I don't think I'll ever get used to the overwhelming feeling I get when I hold Bella in my arms or when she says she loves me. I feel so whole yet I can never quite believe that this is happening to me and that I could ever be this happy. But it is and I am.

"Ready?" I whispered into her hair. She saw my double meaning - ready to leave and ready to let go.

She nodded against my shoulder.

I ran my hands down her bare arms, took her hands in mine and helped her stand. Bella in heels didn't really go well. But she looked stunning in the simple black dress. I took off my suit jacket and put it round her shoulders - it was a crisp day and there was a cool breeze.

We walked to the car, hand in hand. She glanced behind us one last time to her families graves before we got in, saying one more farewell.

As we drove out the gates, I said, "We'll come back and visit again soon. I promise."

She looked at me with a small grateful smile. "Thank you."

Read the AN at the top? Gooooood!