A/N: I hope I still have readers.... More at the bottom. Enjoy the chapter.

Disclaimer: *sighs* It's not mine okay???

Birth Certificate

APOV

I'm shaken awake by the cries of a baby. I open my mouth to ask someone to quiet it down… but my voice is gone. I turn over to try and drown the noise out… but the baby's cries seep down under my skin until I can't ignore them anymore. They're cutting me and every cry that I ignore cuts me more. I get up to find the baby and stop its crying.

Where are you, baby? I want to ask… but still my voice hasn't come to me. The baby keeps crying, and it sounds like it's in pain. My heart aches. I can't let the poor baby suffer. I have to find it… to comfort it. I dash wildly trying to find this baby so that I can help it. I find a door and I can hear the baby crying just on the other side. I open the door and the baby is all alone in a big dark room… wrapped up on the floor. I rush to it and scoop it up in my arms. It's still crying… its eyes shut tight and its face red. I'm sure it's a baby boy.

I start to rock him back and forth and I kiss his forehead. The baby opens his eyes and they are bright green… just like… I look around the room and there is a mirror and I see… not Alice… it's Edward holding the baby. I gasp and the baby giggles. The sound is so innocent and endearing. I turn my attention back to the baby.

"Why are you alone?" I ask… my voice has returned. The baby sniffles a bit and he squirms so that I can bring him closer. I hold him closer to my body and he starts to whimper a bit.

"There, there. Edward's got you. I'm not going to let you cry. I've got you. It's okay now." The baby coos and I pull him away so I can see his face. He smiles at me. I smile back.

"Mama." He says and points to something behind me. I look to see a picture of Esme appear.

"That's not Mama. That's Esme."

"Mama!" The baby insists. "Dada!" And then a picture of Carlisle appears too.

"But that's Carlisle." The baby pouts at me. "Okay, okay," I soothe, "Mama and Dada." The baby giggles. Then, two ghostly figures appear and the baby smiles at them.

"Bye bye!" The ghosts hover over us, not noticing me and give the baby ghostly kisses and disappear.

"Who were they?"

"Bye bye," The baby replies. I continue to rock the baby and talk to him. He yawns.

"Are you sleepy? Want me to sing to you?" The baby claps his hand and giggles. "Okay then." I start to hum a song that I'm not sure I've heard before. The baby yawns and I hug him. Then I feel his little hands touch my chest. I look down at him and his little green eyes sparkle at me.

"Thank you." He whispers, and his eyes close.

I woke up feeling very peaceful… though I did have to check a few times to make sure the right person was in my reflection. Hmmm…. I looked over to my calendar and saw it was June 19th. Well that made sense. I giggled. I couldn't wait until tomorrow.

EPOV

My birthday was coming up and I had to beg Esme and Carlisle to not throw me a party. I knew what I wanted to do for it. All they would need to do was show up… which wouldn't be too hard considering it was at their house and they kinda live there. There were a few things I needed to take care of first… and I needed to be alone. As much as I didn't like it… not even Bella could come with me.

It was time to say some goodbyes. It was time to let some things go… to let some people go. I was going to move on and I was going to do it thoroughly.

It was very early in the morning on June 20th … my birthday, the day my parents died, when I found myself kneeling before my parents' graves. And I was crying. This was going to harder than I thought.

"Mom…Dad…" I said through my tears. "I love you both so much." I felt a sudden warmth wrap around me, and I felt the same warmth under my chin… like a hand making me look up. I looked up and saw my mother kneeling before me… my father was standing next to her. They were smiling at me.

"Happy Birthday, honey." My mother said.

"Happy Birthday, kiddo." My father said. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be celebrating?"

"Edward!" My mother scolded him. "Don't send him away. He has something to tell us." She turned to me. "Don't you, sweetheart?"

"I do. But I… I… I don't want to…" I was choking on my words.

"It's okay, baby." She cooed. "We'll understand." She put her hands on either side of my face. My father put his ghostly hand on my shoulder and smiled at me. They were making this so hard.

"I love you both, and I want to thank you for watching over me… but I feel like that ever since I've found about you I've been holding on to you and not letting you rest. I've been making you worry about me… that I won't be taken care of. I… I… want to let you go. To say goodbye… to let you rest in peace." I looked into my mother's face and thought I saw sadness. "But I'll never forget you!" I blurted out. "I'll never forget either of you. But I can't keep chasing ghosts."

"Is that what's been bothering you?" She asked me tenderly.

"Please don't be mad." I whispered.

"Mad?" He laughed. "Of course not! We do understand son." He knelt down to be level with me. "This is good for you. It's not good for someone alive to keep holding on to those that are dead."

"Really?"

"Yes, really." He smiled at me.

"We've stayed behind in this world because we were afraid you might need us too soon. But now I can see that you'll be okay. Thank you, sweetie." She kissed my forehead.

"But don't think we won't be watching for you." He threatened playfully. I laughed and wiped the tears from my eyes. I stood and they pulled me into an embrace. I felt overwhelmed by the love I felt when they touched me. I thought I was being stupid when I went to put my arms around them… they were ghosts… my arms would go right through them. By I wrong when my arms wrapped around something solid. I looked at them and they were still ghosts… but I was touching them. I was hugging them… my parents. And I had to let them go.

"Thank you both so much for everything." I cried as I hugged them. I felt love radiate all around me.

"You don't have to thank us for anything. We've just been watching. It's been you all along." He said. They each kissed my forehead and then pulled away from me.

"Now you have a promise to keep for me. And I will be watching you always." She winked. "We both will."

"We love you son. And we're very proud."

"I love you both. Good bye." They smiled at me and faded away. A small part of me wanted to call them back, to ask them to never leave me. That part wanted to be able to come and see them again… to ask them to always be here when I needed them. But the bigger part of me knew that this is what I needed. I needed to let them go. They knew what I was going to do today and they were proud of me. And they would always be there… and we would meet again, someday.

I wiped my face and stood up from the ground and walked out of the cemetery. I got into the Volvo and looked in the passenger's seat. Everything I needed for today was there. After a few more errands, everyone should be at my house by the time I was done.

Yes… today was my birthday, but someone that needed to go was dying to today.

I pulled into the driveway with my presents in the passenger's seat. I didn't get much… but they were the best gifts I could ever possibly ask for. I knew that everyone was in the house waiting for me. Esme had pleaded and pouted with all day yesterday to let her get me something. And Carlisle had told me he might just do it anyway. I begged them not to. I hoped they hadn't.

It was hard convincing Bella and the others to not get me anything. Especially Alice. She knew I had something up my sleeve. The only ones who didn't give me any trouble were Charlie and Renee. They were thrilled… even though I had only told them about one part of the plan.

I was pleased to see that everyone I wanted was here: that was all I had them to do today… show up. I put my presents into a non- descript 'Thank You' bag before getting out of the car. I walked into the house and was attacked by Esme.

"All right, young man!" She scolded me, struggling to stifle her smile. "I've had enough with your mysterious games! Where have you been and what have you been up to?" She placed both her hands on her hips and tried her hardest to look intimidating. Carlisle chuckled and came up behind her.

"And all the bunnies in the area have just run for cover. You're quite adorable when you're trying to be scary." He pecked her on the cheek. She giggled. "But she's right. The suspense has been eating at us."

"Us too!" Alice chimed. There was a swell of excited murmurs agreeing with her.

"Hey hey…" Jasper stood up. "If we don't calm down… we'll never find out what he's gonna do." I smiled. "I've got your back man."

"Thank you, Jasper." I started in a very business like tone. He laughed and sat back down.

"As you know, today is my birthday. This also marks the 17 year anniversary of the tragic deaths that befell my birth parents."

Bella was starting to say something, but I raised my hand slightly.

"But today is not a day to mourn. They wouldn't like that. I'm here to celebrate my 17th birthday with the important people in my life. So let's start by opening my presents!"

I dumped the bag onto the dining room table and stepped back a bit. The billow of interest was so thick I could probably swim in it if I wanted to. Everyone moved to the table and took seats around it. I looked down at the large manila envelope and at the smaller bag that lay on the table. I sighed happily at the sight of them… knowing my ultimate happiness was right within my reach. I took the manila envelope into my hands and began to address them all again.

"This is present one! I need Esme and Carlisle to come sit by me please." I smiled as they rose with confusion plastered hard into their faces. Carlisle put his hand on my shoulder. I closed my eyes and let a certain memory invade me briefly.

"For the love of all that's holy, Carlisle! You are not instutionalizing Edward! You'll have to kill me first! Not my baby, Carlisle! Not my son." She let her sobs go. My knees went weak and my body slid to the floor.

"Our son, Esme." He embraced her. "He is our son and I want you to know that I'm not going to allow this. I just wanted to you know what the other doctors were saying. They think that he won't get better, but I know he will." Carlisle was crying to.

I came out of the memory feeling warm and happy. I smiled up at Carlisle who still had his hand on my shoulder. I stepped back a bit and inclined my head towards Esme indicating that he should sit next to her. He did.

"I love you two. You know that right?"

"Yes, honey." Esme said honestly as her fingers unconsciously laced with Carlisle's. "We would never doubt that."

"And you two love me?"

"Of course!" Carlisle laughed. "Where have you been?" That made me laugh.

"Okay. I'm glad we've established that. I've loved you two like my real parents ever since I met you. I remember the day I asked Esme if she would be my mommy." I let my mind drift back to a long time ago…

"How many times have I told you to call me Esme?" She asked me for about the millionth time.

"A lot a times…" I paused… thinking about what I really wanted to call her, "Can I call you Mommy Esme?" I asked hopefully. She smiled sweetly at me and I saw her eyes sparkle.

"You know, Edward. I would like that very much. I don't have any babies of my own. But I'm not sure if you're mommy would like that."

"I don't think she would care very much. Please can I call you Mommy Esme? I could be your baby!" I threw my little four year old arms around me. She hugged me tightly… my first real hug.

"Okay, honey. You can call me Mommy Esme."

"YAY!" I jumped up and down happily.

"I remember that." Esme said pulling me out of my head. "It was the cutest thing I had ever seen." She smiled sweetly just like she had on that day so many years ago. I looked at Carlisle.

"And I always called you Daddy Carlisle… secretly in my head at least." He chuckled. I looked down… I was feeling four all over again.

"I want to give you those names back… officially." I said opening the manila envelope and pulling out its contents. I held the paperwork out to them so they could see. I went behind Emmett's back and asked his parents to help me out with this one. They loved the idea. When Carlisle realized what the paperwork was, he snatched it from me and began to read more closely. A small part of me was afraid they would be outraged… angry with me. A small part of me was afraid that they wouldn't want me to…

"Edward…" Carlisle said. I looked at him. "You want us to…" He was staring straight at me with a strange grin on his face and a dazed look in his eyes. Esme was quickly reading over the paperwork, her eyes going wider and wider as she went. Suddenly she threw it all in the air (thank God I had the good sense to have them bound together) and launched herself at me, folding her arms around me.

"Yes!" She cried, her warm tears already splashing against me. "We'll adopt you!" I heard a collective gasp and some squeals come from the others. Carlisle was knocked out his trance and hugged both me and Esme at the same time.

"Of course we will!" He shouted happily, laughing freely.

"Really?" I asked looking at their tear-stained faces.

"Yes!" They said together.

"Oh my God…" Esme said as she caught sight of something on the documents. "Carlisle… look at how he signed!" She pointed to my signature and I felt my face smile.

"You signed with our last name…"

"I want to be your son. For real. I want to carry your name." I looked down again. "If that's all right with you."

"It is my son!" Carlisle said proudly.

"Thanks Dad." I said. My body felt warm and lighter… "And you too, Mom." And then I felt it.

Something came detached from me. And with it went that heavy red haze the always occupied a space in my head. I felt a small part of me fall and die… and then I saw them over Esm… Mom and Dad's shoulders.

My birth parents. My mother blew a kiss at me and my father winked. I felt tears sting a little bit. She was cradling a baby in her arms and I understood who he was immediately. It was me. It was the part of life I couldn't let go. She was holding Edward Masen… who had died today… he would finally get to rest in peace with his family, while I could live in peace with mine. I watched the three of them become a family, and they watched me. I saw a ghostly tear sparkle down her face, as she looked at me. He put his arm around her and kissed her cheek to soothe her. She held the baby close to her heart and kissed his forehead. He followed suit.

The baby turned to look at me. He laughed and cooed his thanks to me. Thank you for letting me go. He said to me. I smiled at him. He giggled and waved at me. I love you, I mouthed to the three of them, and watched as they faded away… part of me knew I would never see them again. They smiled tenderly at me right before they completely left me for the last time.

I held tighter onto my Mom and Dad now… letting go of the tears I had yet to shed from my former life. They were tears of triumph. I had won. I finally had what had been denied to me for so long. A mother and father who would love me unconditionally and baby me, but would be firm with me… parents who would guide me and take care of me. I finally had a family that no one could take away from me. I pulled away from them when I had no more left to cry.

"Oh Carlisle! We have a child! We have a child!"

"Yes, darling. And a fine one at that." Carl… Dad eyed the other one of my gifts. "Now, Edward," my name had a new resonance when he said it, "What else did you get yourself?" I smiled, anxious to unveil my next gift. But it would have to wait until just a wee bit later.

"Not yet," I said wiping my face. "Can we eat first?" The room erupted in laughter, and I noticed the most of the other's in attendance had been crying too. Bella ran up to me and hugged me tightly.

"This was beautiful, Edward!" She said gleefully. "Now, I hope you won't get mad at me… because I know you didn't want me to get you anything… and I didn't really buy anything… but I made you a big dinner… all of your favorites… I-love-you-please-don't-be-mad?" She asked with a big smile. I laughed.

"Of course not!" Bella and Renee stood up and began to serve us and Bella did truly go all out. There was no rhyme or reason to the courses, to anyone except to me. Bella made everything I had every called my favorite food. Mom and Dad (Damn I loved calling them that!) kept sneaking pecks at each other and looks at me. After Bella's marvelous dinner, Alice gasped and started squealing.

"Edward! Are you really…" she began to ask and Charlie interrupted her.

"I think it's time for the next present, Edward." He said giving me a knowing look.

"Yes sir," I said. "I believe it is." I stood up and went to retrieve my other present. I surreptiously removed the contents from the bag and placed it in my pocket. "Could everyone please come over to living room, please?" I asked. I sat on the loveseat and patted the spot to my right. Bella always sat on my right side. "And Bella, please sit by me." Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. A chuckle shook my body as she came to sit down.

"Okay." She said. "What's the gift?" She was quite impatient. I took her hands in my and looked at her through my eyelashes. She blushed. I loved it when she blushed.

"I love you." I said to her. Her blush deepened.

"I love you too." She whispered.

"You were at my side in my darkest hours and I want you to be there now that those times have passed me. Isabella Marie Swan, death would not be a kind enough end for me if you weren't in my world. I need you like the air I breathe. I hope you know that no one will ever love you like I will. You are the light at the end of my tunnel. You're the voice that I hear at night that tells me tomorrow will be a better day. And I know we're young… but I also know that I cannot live without you. I want to wake up with you every morning. I want to bring you breakfast in bed. I want you to nag at me when I do something stupid. I want to love you with everything I have, with everything I ever will be."

I slid down onto one knee. Bella's eyes went wide and her hands flew to her mouth. Alice squealed loudly and Rose screamed, "OH MY GOD!" Renee was clapping lightly and Mom gasped. The men, except for Charlie who knew what was going on, stayed in shocked silence. I continued.

"Be mine, Bella. Be mine, forever. And I'm not asking that we do it soon… but I'm asking that we do it someday. Will you marry me?"

BPOV

I started shaking as he opened the box in his hand. But I paid no attention to the ring he planned to slip on my finger. The joy was immeasurable. Yes… we were young. But I knew I would never find love like the kind Edward and I had for each other anywhere else. I wanted to speak, but a sobby giggle was all that escaped from me. I looked into his eyes, and saw the love shimmering in them. I saw no trace of the fear that use to linger there. It was joy and confidence. I stared happily into Edward Cullen's eyes.

"Yes." I managed to say, nodding wildly. He smiled beautifully and slipped the ring on to finger and my body thawed. I threw myself at him and I heard my mother squeal. "Yes! Yes I'll marry you someday!" I cried and laughed at the same time. Edward's arms wrapped around me.

"FINALLY!" I heard mom scream. Dad chuckled. I heard Esme giggling and clapping… just like Alice and Rosalie were.

"Edward, you suck!" Emmett laughed.

"What did I do?" Edward asked innocently.

"Now when it's mine and Jazz's turn, we'll have to out do you."

"Yeah…" Jasper said sarcastically. "Thanks, man."

Edward pulled away from me a bit, to look into my face. He smiled crookedly at me.

"Anytime, guys." He his cupped my face and I watched as his eyes glazed over a bit. I realized he was going to kiss me in front of everyone. But just as I was about to protest, his lips met mine and nothing else really seemed to matter. I could barely hear Mom and Esme squealing. I was only partly aware of Rose and Alice talking about bridesmaid dresses. Edward was kissing me. My fiancé was kissing me! I was getting married…. Oh My God…

"Oh My God!" I screamed pulling away from him… every nerve ending in my body shouting with glee. "I'm getting married! I'm going to marry you!" I sob/laughed. Edward smiled crookedly at me. His eyes were shiny and shimmering with ultimate joy. I had never seen them so green before. They sparkled… he sparkled with pure elation. I leaned back into him and rested my head on his chest. I looked down at my left hand and saw the ring that rested on its third finger. I recognized the ring… Sarah Elizabeth's ring flashed at me. I sighed happily. "Happy Birthday, Edward."

EPOV

The world was newer and brighter place to me now. I had a family. I would someday have a beautiful wife that I had my whole life to love…. Complete with fabulous in-laws. I had true friends that would be with me… who would make wonderful memories that we could talk about one day when we were all old and gray. I was reborn. Life was good… and it was mine.

Renee and Charlie insisted that Bella spend the night with her fiancé. "Good practice for the future," Renee had said.

We had been laying in my bed in silence for a while, just enjoying being with each other. The happiness was nearly overwhelming… but I loved how right it felt.

"Edward," Bella whispered.

"Yes, love?"

"I almost can't believe it. It's like nothing ever happened…"

"You can believe it. It's over." I kissed her forehead. "It's all about being happy now, and letting me love you."

"I want to be sure this is real." She laughed. "What can I do to be sure?"

"Hold me close, Bella. Hold me close and never let me go. I promise I'll always be right here."

Bella snuggled closer into me and held her tightly. I closed my eyes and began to drift into sleep. And for the first time in my life, I was looking forward to waking up.

A/N: THE END! Yup this is it! I'm so proud of myself! This is the first full length story I have ever been able to finish... it's my baby! And I am truly sorry for making everyone wait for so long for it. I could tell you all a million reasons why it took so long but it wouldn't make a difference... and I'm sorry for not replying to any reviews. I want you all to know though that your reviews brighten my day! Thank you all so much for being a part of my story and making my dive into fanfiction as a writer so wonderful! You're all awesome!

I'm going to post another story soon. Keep an eye out for it.