I'm working on the ending of the story and come to the conclusion that there's only one more chapter after this. We'll cover the end of this summer, and then jump forward a bit. Hopefully I'll be able to post the final chapter on Thursday!

Thank you for continuing with me and reading this story. I love your reviews, even if I don't always get around to replying to all of them.

I went to Opening Day on Monday, and it was beautiful. I actually got a little sunburnt, but the game was great and my team won, so I have no complaints.

…

"Well? Do I look like a whale?" Rosalie turned, trying to catch a glimpse at the back of her dress in the large mirror in the bridal suite.

I rolled my eyes and leaned down to rearrange the lace train on her gown. "There's no possible way you ever could," I assured her, putting my hands on her shoulders. "You look beautiful." We both looked in a mirror for the long moment, our eyes a little cloudy with tears already.

And she really did look beautiful. Her dress was unlike any wedding down I had seen before, but it suited her perfectly. The sheer lace bodice and plunging neckline seemed risqué, but it was balanced out by the long sheer sleeves and the beautiful floral lace embellishments that just screamed "elegance". The dress clung to her body, and the beaded veil looked almost like a halo around her blonde head. Even though our bridesmaid's dresses were somewhat revealing and absolutely stunning, none of us would hold a candle to Rosalie.

"It's almost time for pictures," I told her, glancing at the clock on the wall. "Are you ready?"

"I just want to touch up my lipstick," Rosalie said, reaching for her makeup bag. She reapplied the soft red color, and then smiled at me in the mirror reflection. "This is really happening, isn't it?"

Laughing, I nodded at her. "Yes. It still feels like a dream, doesn't it?"

"It does. But mostly because Emmett is the man of my dreams," Rosalie replied, wiping at her eyes.

"Don't ruin your eye makeup!" I cried, reaching for a tissue. I blotted around her eyes, soaking up the moisture and trying to avoid smudging her makeup. "Your mother will kill me if you have raccoon eyes in the pictures."

We laughed again, and Rosalie turned around and took a deep breath. "Okay, I'm ready," she said.

The rest of the bridesmaids and I followed Rosalie and the wedding planner out of the bridal suite, and we were joined by Rosalie's mother and the flower girl outside.

We had a good time taking photos, and the photographer got plenty of posed photos as well as candid ones. He had already met all of us while taking photos for the bachelorette party last week and earlier today, taking photos of us getting ready. He was fun and energetic but also very classic, and that translated into our session.

Finally, it was time for Emmett and the rest of the groomsmen to come out to do the first reveal and group photos. I was itching in anticipation to see Edward, but I was also for Emmett to see Rosalie. He was going to be absolutely blown away by his bride.

Sure enough, when the photographer had Emmett turn around to catch his first glimpse of Rosalie, he instantly had tears in his eyes.

I sidled over towards Edward as the photographer focused on Emmett and Rosalie.

He grinned when he saw me, shaking his head. "Wow," Edward said, looking me up and down. "You look…perfect."

I pecked him softly on the lips, trying to make sure I didn't smear my lipstick. "So do you," I answered. "I love the tux."

"Thank you," he said, slinging his arm around my waist. "Look at them," he said, nodding towards Rosalie and Emmett. "They're meant for each other."

"They really are," I agreed, smiling. "I can't believe we've seen their whole relationship. I mean, from the night they met until now, we've been there. It's hard to wrap my mind around that. And hopefully, we'll be around for a lot more."

He nodded, and we stood in silence for a while and watched the happy couple.

The ceremony was beautiful, but the reception was even better. Liquor flowed freely, and Rosalie and Emmett's guest sure knew how to have a good time. Edward and I didn't leave each other's sides the whole evening, and I loved telling people that we were back together. It felt very good to be able to say that again, and our friends were happy for us. Even Jacob, who was getting more and more serious about Leah. Just like Edward and I, they were attached at the hip all night, and seeing both Rosalie and Jacob so happy made me realize how lucky the three of us were.

…

I stumbled into my bedroom, kicking off my heels as I did so. I'd had too much to drink at the reception, but I only had one thing on my mind.

"Off," I said, struggling with Edward's bowtie. He just laughed, removing it himself. He'd had a lot less to drink than I had, and I could tell he wanted the same thing I did.

I started to remove my dress, but he stopped me. "Oh, no," he said with a laugh. "That's for me." I giggled again as he ran his hands over my body, bunching up the material of my dress as he did so. "How did I ever get a girl like you? You're so perfect…" he trailed off, kissing my neck as he reached behind me and unzipped my dress. I moaned and threw my head back, allowing myself to get lost in the sensation.

Edward pushed the sleeves off of my shoulders, and the dress pooled to the floor.

"Get on the bed, baby," Edward said, pulling away and starting to remove his clothes.

I did so, watching diligently as he finished undressing. He was still so perfect, and I hoped that I would never get used to it.

"I've wanted to fuck you since I saw you for pictures this afternoon," Edward said, crawling on top of me and pinning me down. "You looked so sexy in that dress."

"I felt the same way," I said honestly, lifting my hips up to his provocatively. "Now fuck me."

Edward grinned, reaching over to grab a condom. "I thought you'd never ask," he teased.

"Let's do it without the condom." I spoke before the words even really registered with me, but I meant it.

Edward paused, his eyes searching mine. "Is that the alcohol talking?"

"No," I said, shaking my head. "I've been thinking about it. I'm still on birth control, and I'm better about taking it properly than I ever have been. I really love you. I trust you. I think that this is another barrier we could do away with."

"And if your birth control fails…" Edward trailed off, raising his eyebrows questioningly.

"If we did have…accident, I think we would be okay. I don't want that to happen, at least not right now, but…" I trailed off, and Edward studied me for a moment. "This kind of killed the mood," I added, making him smile. "We don't have to go without the condom," I added. "It was just a thought. If you're more comfortable with it, then that's fine."

"I trust you, too. And I love you," Edward said, and I watched as he tossed the condom back in the drawer.

He smiled before leaning down to kiss me, and we let ourselves get lost in the moment; no more distractions.

…

"How long until the lease on your apartment is up?" I asked.

Edward glanced up from the newspaper he was reading, his eyebrows furrowed. "Not until January, why?"

"Come on, Edward. You know why I'm asking," I said, and he sighed and put down his newspaper.

"I do. I'm just not sure you're asking for the right reasons. You said you weren't ready to move in together when I mentioned it before, remember?"

"I know," I said. "But that was in June, when we hadn't even become official again yet. You acted like you would want to live together; has that changed?"

"No, of course it hasn't. I would love to live you with you, especially after we've spent the whole summer living in the same house. You just said that you weren't ready, and I don't want you to agree to move in together just because you know I want to. I want the timing to be right for you."

"I know, and I love you for thinking of me like that. But I've been thinking about the idea again for the past couple of weeks, and I think it makes since. I love going to bed with you and then waking up with you in the morning. I love having you here, and I hated living apart from each other after the end of last summer. It was so hard, and I think that our jobs will make it even worse this time around."

Edward took my hands in his, looking pensive. "I love you, Bella. Living together would make me very, very happy, as long as it's what you really want."

"It is," I said quietly.

"Then let's do it," he said, grinning.

"What about your lease?" I asked, unable to stop myself from grinning, too.

"I kind of already talked to my friend Paul when I mentioned living together the first time," he admitted. "He's still living with his parents right now, but he was wanting to move out. If he hasn't found somewhere else to live, then I'm sure he'd be happy to take over the lease. Last I talked to him, he hadn't looked elsewhere and was just going to keep living at home, so I'm sure he'd be open to talking to me about it again."

"Call him," I said, squeezing his hands. "See if he's still interested."

…

At the beginning of the summer, I moved most of my belongings into the Boston townhouse and brought the rest to the Hamptons with me. Now that summer was over, I had moved the rest of my belongings back, and so had Edward.

His friend Sam had taken over the lease for the small apartment he had lived in last semester, and we were officially living together. It was nice to see his belongings mixed in with mine, and his clothes hanging next to mine in the walk-in closet. Pictures of our families, friends, and of us started to fill in the empty spaces on the walls. But my favorite was the framed picture of us that Esme had taken at Edward's graduation took the place of honor on the mantle above the fireplace in the living room.

Our life together was slowly coming together, and I didn't have a single complaint. Work started for both of us, and we were busy, but it was nice to have someone to come home to. It made all the difference.

Maturity looks good on Edward, and I think it suits me, too. No one likes having to grow up, but having Edward by my side as I do so makes it easier. We push each other to be better, not only out in the real world, but in our relationship.

…

"It's our first Christmas as boyfriend and girlfriend," I said, climbing onto Edward's lap. "We have to spend it together."

"I know, babe, but where? At Charlie's place, Phil and Renée's, or at my family's?" Edward asked, kissing me gently. "Who do you want to disappoint the least?"

I sighed. "I don't want to disappoint any of them. There has to be a compromise."

"We'll have a lifetime more of Christmas's to spend with each other," Edward said sweetly. "I'm sure we'll come up with something."

So it ended up being Christmas Eve day with Phil and Renée in Newport, Christmas morning with Ed and the rest of the family at Emmett and Rosalie's apartment in the city, and then Christmas night with Charlie and his girlfriend, Sue, on the West Side.

"You know, Edward had an interesting talk with me when you kids got here this afternoon," Charlie said, casting a glance at me.

We were sitting together in his study, sharing a drink before going to bed. It had been a long day with a lot of excitement, so Edward had already headed to bed. But I hadn't seen my dad in months, so I decided to stay up when he offered me a nightcap.

"Really?" I asked, smiling against the rim of my glass. "And what was that talk about?"

"I think you know, Isabella," Charlie said, staring at me intently.

"What did you say?"

"What would you want me to say?"

I cracked a smile, shaking my head at him. "I hope you said yes, daddy."

"Of course I did. I can see how happy you are. And I know how unhappy you were when you weren't together," Charlie said. "I'm happy for you, Bella. He's a good man."

…

I glanced over at Edward as we walked through Central Park, bundled up in our winter coats. He seemed a little nervous, but maybe I was reading too much into it. It was New Year's Eve, and we were staying at Charlie's apartment through tomorrow. Our week has been divided between time with Charlie, Ed, and Emmett and Rosalie, so it has been busy, but wonderful.

We had opted to have a low key New Year's, spending it with just each other and not in a big group. We had just finished dinner at a small restaurant tucked away from the hustle and the bustle of the city, and would be spending the rest of the night alone in our bedroom at Charlie's apartment.

I was jerked to a stop when Edward stopped suddenly, turning to face me. "Bella," he said quietly, cupping my face in his hands. "Bella, I love you."

"I love you, too," I said, so excited I could barely contain it.

"I had planned a big huge speech, and had so many things I wanted to say to you…but it felt like too much. It didn't feel right. So I hope that instead, I can spend the rest of our lives telling you all the reasons I want to be with you forever, and how much I love you. Bella, will you marry me?"

"Yes," I whispered, tears coming to my eyes.

He wiped them away gently with the pads of his thumb, and then leaned in to kiss me passionately.

We kissed for several minutes, letting ourselves get lost in each other. When we eventually pulled apart, Edward laughed excitedly. "I can't believe you said yes," he said, shaking his head. "Thank you, Bella. I'm so happy. Are you happy?"

"Yes," I said again, nodding. "I've never been happier."

…

Like I said, one chapter to go! Definitely bittersweet, but as I mentioned before, I am also very excited to focus on The Game full time.

Rosalie's wedding dress, if you're interested, is modeled after a dress that Nordstrom sells. It's from the brand Berta, and it's the embellished lace column gown with detachable train- I just added sleeves.