You guys….. this is it. This is the last chapter for MGEMP. I think I'm gonna cry. I can't believe it's already over. I'm not gonna promise one way or the other if there will be an outtake/futuretake, but I'll leave that open for thought. I think I like how I've left things.

I do, however, have thoughts started for a new story, but I need a damn break from writing and the insanity in my life for a little while before I get into something new. And I wanna make sure it's good for y'all. I will say this though; the next one will have a southern Bella in it. Hope that interests you guys. Put me on your author alerts if you want to know when that's coming out, or keep an eye out here, because I'll probably put a little chapter/author note up here so you'll all know when it's ready. It'll be a while though, so don't expect it next week. Lol

Anywho, I hope you guys like this one. I tried to fit everything in that I wanted to get said. I don't know if I did, but here's hopin.

You guys know the deal by now; Lola is my beta, and awesomest friend.

And SM owns twilight, not I.

Read on, my lovelies, for the last time. *tears*

Epilogue

BPOV

What a difference five years makes.

I'm a completely different person then I was before Edward came back. That's for sure.

And there's no way I'd ever wish to go back to the way things were then.

After we found out I was pregnant, I went into shock again. Just not quite as long as I had when Rose and I killed Tanya.

I at least remember most of Alice and Jasper's wedding, though my mind and my hand kept going to the little life growing inside me.

Edward noticed all through the ceremony, too. Actually, he couldn't keep his eyes off of me the rest of the day.

We waited to tell everyone until our own wedding day. It would only be a little less than a month after Alice and Jasper's, and we wanted to make sure there was no trauma to the baby, and that he/she was growing well.

~Flashback~

We decided to have the wedding in Carlisle and Esme's back yard. We were only having the family attend, and some of the closer members of the mafia.

I only ended up sending an invitation to my mother, since I told Edward there was no way in hell that I was putting Charlie's name in the invitation. And then I sent one to my sister and her family, and my brother and his.

Whether they show up is entirely up in the air.

What made me nervous about my family possibly being there, now more than before, was how they'd take the fact that I was pregnant after being here just nine months.

I honestly don't care what they think, I just don't want them making a scene on my wedding day. I just want this day to be free from drama. I don't want their shit to ruin my day with Edward.

I don't even think they'll show up. And I'm ok with that. I've accepted that they don't feel a need to be a part of my life anymore.

Emmett, Jasper, and Edward did most of the setup in Esme's garden. It was already perfect, but we still needed a few touches. Alice was insistent on adding a few flower arrangements around, and an altar, but I put my foot down at an arch. Too damn cliché.

I just wanted it simple, and with the people we loved.

I was in love with my dress. The bodice was simple, with gathered sheer chiffon crossing over each other and then pulling up into a halter around my neck. And the bottom had the chiffon in loads of layers, but it was gathered in four spots around my hips in a cascade down. There was no train to it, which suited me fine.

When I found it, I instantly fell in love with it. It was so simple, yet elegant.

I decided to curl my hair, and pull half of it up in the back. Nothing too over the top. And I kept my makeup light. Mascara, little bit of eye-liner, some powder, and that's it.

Edward and I both said it wasn't necessary for him to wear a tux, so I told him I was fine with him wearing a pair of black dress pants, a nice shirt, and tie. But he swore that if I was going to wear an actual wedding dress, he was at least going to wear a full suit.

I couldn't argue with him on that.

But we did say that everyone else could be a little less formal, and Jasper and Emmett could forgo the jacket of their suits if they wanted. Edward had asked them to stand up and be his best men, and of course, Alice and Rose were my matrons-of-honor.

I told Alice and Rose that they could wear whatever they wanted in the purple color range. So Rose ended up in a plumb colored halter dress, and Alice wore a lavender strapless dress. Which was perfectly fine with me.

Esme told me not to worry about food, because she would take care of making everything, and even a small wedding cake for us.

Everything was taken care of, and it was all how we wanted it; simple and intimate.

Earlier on the morning of the wedding, Esme had given me a beautiful pair of sapphire earrings that she had gotten from her own mother when she married Carlisle.

I had tears streaming down my face when she gave them to me. The fact that she was giving me a family heirloom on my wedding day, and the damn pregnancy hormones, made me a huge mess.

I just hope she didn't catch onto the hormones and automatically know I'm pregnant.

Alice, Rose and Esme helped me get dressed in one of the rooms towards the back of the house, where we could see the back yard, and how things were progressing before we were set to go out there.

"Where are Izzy and Mason? Are they getting dressed?" I asked, fussing with the underwear I was getting ready to go change into. I was starting to show a little bit, and I was freaking out that Esme and the girls were going to notice and ruin our surprise. So I decided to put on a strapless slip that had a built in bra, and panties. There may have been a ton of layers to the bottom of the dress, but I wasn't going to take a chance that you could see through it somehow. And I was hoping it'd help hide the bump.

"Yes, Mason's with the boys, and Izzy's on her way in here to get herself finished up. We need to focus on getting you in your dress right now, though. So snap to it, missy." Rose said, hurrying me into the bathroom.

I sighed and got my undergarments on so I could finish getting dressed, but not before I ran my hand over my growing stomach.

Once I was back out in the other room, Alice and Rose got me into my dress and helped me with the few touch-ups to my face.

Izzy finally came in and looked so adorable in her little white dress that had lots of purple flowers scattered around it.

"Has anyone seen if my mom or sister or brother are here?" I asked quietly to Esme.

"No, honey. No one has seen them. We never got any sort of R.S.V.P. from them. I'm sorry." She told me, hugging me to her side.

"I guess I shouldn't really be surprised. I didn't expect them to come, but I wanted them to at least know. I guess I really know where I stand with them." I said, fighting back the tears that wanted to spill over.

"Bella, I couldn't be more happy that you're finally going to be an official member of the family. I'm so thankful that the two of you found each other, again. You've always been a daughter to us and I'd never change that. I love you, sweetheart." Esme said, giving me a kiss and a huge hug, then walking over to the door to check to see where we were in our waiting game.

Seeing that things were finally ready to get moving after Esme came back in, she, Alice and Rose made their way out to the back deck with Izzy on their heels.

Edward and I were going to wait until after the end of the ceremony to take care of the little issue of me becoming the kids' mother, officially, and telling everyone about our own little addition.

The plan had been for Carlisle to walk me down the aisle. But seeing as he couldn't do that, he'd be waiting at the end of the aisle for me and would give me away.

So with the new plan in place, I waited a few seconds after Alice, Rose and then Izzy and Mason walk down the stairs to follow behind them.

Walking down that aisle towards him, I know I'm not nervous about marrying Edward. I'm far from nervous. I'm ready. I want this. It's where I'm supposed to be in life.

Making it to where Carlisle is at the end of the aisle, I take his hand and Esme helps him to where Edward is standing.

I must say, Edward is looking every bit as delicious as I've ever seen him. The simple black suit that he's wearing makes him just look lickable.

And the fact that he's finally getting more and more freedom from the cane he's been using, is amazing. We weren't sure in the beginning if he'd ever be able to walk without it again. But now, he's going most of the day without it, and I'm so proud of the progress he's made.

"Who gives this woman to be wed?" The minister asked as we stood in front of him.

"Her mother and I do." Carlisle said with such conviction and pride, that tears sprung to my eyes and I leaned down to kiss his cheek, thanking him. As I stood back up, I did the same with Esme before they turned to sit in the row of chairs situated behind us.

Looking in Edward's eyes as we said our vows and exchanged rings, made me feel like everything was falling into place. The love that we felt for each other, and the love we have for our children, shined through in each of us. This was our time of officially becoming a family.

"Mr. Cullen, you may now kiss your bride." The minster finally said, and neither of us needed to be told twice.

I grabbed Edward by the back of his hair, and fused my lips to his. I was finally married to my childhood sweetheart, my protector, my best friend.

"Before I send them off down the aisle, Mr. and Mrs. Cullen have something that they would like to do." The minister said and moved to stand to the side so we could do our thing.

"Izzy, Mason, could you two come up here with us?" I said, motioning for them to come stand with me and Edward.

We turned to face the rest of the family, and I tried to not mess up what I wanted to say.

"Edward and I discussed this when we started planning the wedding, and we would like for everyone to share in this moment. I'm going to adopt Mason and Izzy and officially be their mother. And I want to say something to both of you." I turned to Mason and Izzy. "It's not much, but it means everything that I feel for you two. It's a poem that I read once and never understood it, until I first heard you call me mommy.

'Not flesh of my flesh

Or bone of my bone

But still miraculously my own

Never forget

Not for a minute

You were not born under my heart

But in it'

"You two were definitely born in my heart, because from the moment I saw the two of you in the park that day, I was already attached to you. I knew, somewhere deep down, that I was supposed to be part of your lives. I didn't know at the time that I was supposed to be your mom. But I'm so thankful that it turned out that way." I leaned over the small table that was sitting there to sign the adoption papers that would finally make them my children.

"I may not have given birth to you, but that never mattered to me. Love did. I couldn't love the two of you anymore than if you were my own flesh and blood. I would never trade you for anything in the world. You're every bit of your daddy that is good and wonderful. And I want the two of you to know that," I reached down and grabbed each of their hands and placed them on my belly over our growing child, "when this baby gets here, that he or she won't replace you." I heard the gasps and squeal that I knew came from Alice. "He or she will need a lot of attention when they get here, but that doesn't mean that we'll forget about either of you. You're just as important to us, and that'll never change. But I'm gonna need you to help me and your daddy when he or she gets here. Can you do that for me?"

They both looked up at me with wonder in their eyes, and even a couple of happy tears, and nodded. I knelt down and hugged them to me so tightly.

I then heard the commotion around us, and saw that everyone had come over to congratulate us on the wedding and the baby.

"Why didn't you tell us?"

"I can't believe I'm gonna be a grandma again!"

"This is so exciting! I can't wait to go shopping!"

Rose congratulated us, but I saw the slight look in her eyes that said she was sad at the same time.

I walked over to her and hugged her to me, then pulled back to hold her face in my hands.

"Don't you dare start feeling sad. It'll happen, sweetheart. I know it will. You were meant to be a mother. Don't give up." I whispered to her.

A couple of tears fell down her face, but she put that aside and smiled hugely at me.

"I'm sorry. I don't mean to be such a downer. It was just a shock to me. I'm so happy for you guys." She said as she hugged me again.

Esme scooped me into her arms and hugged the stuffing out of me.

"I can't wait to start decorating a room for the baby! When are you gonna find out what you're having? When's the due date? When is the house gonna be finished, cuz I need to get in there. Oh my god, we've got so much to do, sweetheart." She went on and on.

"Ma, calm down. Bella's due around the end of the year. The house will already be finished by then. Actually it should be done by the end of July. So you can get in there then. And as for your other question, we'll find out in a couple of months. She's only two months along now. We've got plenty of time." Edward stepped in and saved the day.

"Oh! A Christmas or New Year's baby? That'll be so great around the holidays!-" Esme went off on a tangent and started talking with Alice about planning while we talked to the rest of the family.

Edward finally was able to put his hands on my stomach without giving away our secret.

I had a little secret of my own that I have to tell Edward, but I'm gonna wait…

After a small reception of a gorgeous cake and dancing, and a lot more congratulations from everyone, Edward and I said goodbye to the kids, and set off for two weeks back in South Carolina, at the plantation in Charleston.

Edward had asked me where I really wanted to go for a honeymoon. I told him that I didn't want anything lavish or cliché. Charleston was so beautiful, historic, and had beaches, so I suggested that we go there, and he was completely on board.

We had been at the plantation for two days, and were out for a long walk around the grounds when I decided to let Edward in on my secret.

"Babe?" I asked, kind of quietly because I hated to disturb the beautiful peace that was around us.

"Yeah?"

I squeezed the hand that was holding mine and said, "You liked being a twin growing up, didn't you?" I kind of chickened out on how I wanted to do this.

He looked at me questioningly, but nodded. "Yeah. I mean, Jasper was always a great brother, even though we had our disagreements at times. We were great together and were always in tuned with each other. Why do you ask?"

"I just wonder how it's gonna be having two sets of them in the house for the next eighteen years or so. I mean, I know Mason and Izzy are great together, but they're fraternal twi-" I said, but was jerked backwards because Edward had stopped walking.

He studied my face, staring into my eyes and then looked down at my stomach, then back up at me, realization dawning on him. He knelt down and wrapped his arms around my stomach, pulling the bottom part of my shirt up and kissing over the bump that was there.

"Hey in there little ones. Why didn't you let us know that there was two of you in there sooner?" he then looked up at me. "I guess I should've had a small inkling that it could happen. Especially with me and Jasper, and Izzy and Mason being twins. But I didn't really think it would happen."

"Well, I was trying to figure out why I was showing so soon and so much. So I went to the doctor last week before all the craziness of the wedding, and she did an ultrasound, and found two heartbeats. So she looked closer and saw two little fetuses. We're having twins, Edward. I never thought I'd be able to have kids, but now I'm having twins." I told him, kissing his lips.

"Baby, I couldn't be more happy. One baby would have been amazing, but two? I knew I wanted a big family with you, but this … this is a miracle. Thank you so much, sweetheart." He said, and I could see the tears falling down his cheeks.

"I'm so scared, Edward. This is gonna be a hard pregnancy. What if something goes wrong? What if someone comes after us and hurts the babies? I'm just…"

"Beautiful, it'll be ok. We're in this together. I already upped your security, but I'm gonna make sure there's a couple more guys around. I don't want you to worry. You'll always be protected. I'm gonnna be around more, too. I promise."

And he did keep that promise. He called and made sure that the security back home was stepped up for when we get back. He also made sure that Jasper had every single security measure and the best security system for the new house ready for when the house was done. Within the month that we would return from our honeymoon, we would finally be able to move into the house. I couldn't wait to get settled into the house and start our lives with both of our sets of twins.

Gah. I'm still having trouble wrapping my mind around two babies growing inside of me. I thought that after a few days of knowing, that it would sink in a little more. But I guess it'll take a little longer to fully grasp it. I mean, I know I'm having twins. And I know Mason and Izzy are twins. But I also am new to what it entails during a pregnancy and raising them. Hell, a regular pregnancy is new to me. A twin pregnancy is fucking frightening.

But Edward made sure he was with me the whole way.

After we got home from our honeymoon, we broke the newest news to the family.

To say that the noise level doubled from when they first found out to now, would be an understatement. Esme was the loudest. She was freaking out about having another set of twins to spoil. And Mason and Izzy were hyped up to not only have a little sister or brother, but two. There was no containing their happiness.

Everyone was ecstatic. There wasn't a day that I was alone during my pregnancy, which kind of annoyed the hell out of me. There were a lot of days where I just wanted to be left alone to relax and bond with our twins as they grew. But the family wasn't having that.

We finally got moved into the house in the middle of July, and Esme was chomping at the bit to find out the sex of the twins so she could work on the room for them. She already had plans for girls, boys, and even another set of a boy and girl twins. I was giving her partial reign over the design of the room, but I had veto power if I didn't like something.

Alice wouldn't leave me alone, because she wanted to go shopping all the time for the babies, and she started getting ideas for a baby line of clothes for her boutique, so she wanted my opinion on things. I was flattered by the thought that she wanted my opinion, but when she was calling me at four a.m. asking me about how I thought a smocked jumper with ruffles would look, I had had it. I was at five months, ready to see what the sex of the babies would be, and people were cramming themselves and their ideas down my throat. I just wanted some peace and quiet for a few hours.

"Babe, I know they've just been trying to help, but I can't take it anymore. I just want to be left alone for a little while and not have everyone calling and stopping by every ten minutes. This pregnancy is already tiring the hell out of me. What the hell am I gonna be like when I get to eight months? I just need them to all back off a little. Esme can get in here next week after we get the news on the sex, but for now, can we just have some time to ourselves?" I knew I was being a bitch, but I was ready to pull my hair out.

"Don't worry, Beautiful. I'll take care of everything." Edward said, then kissed my head and started making some calls.

So Edward sent the kids to their Namie and PopPop's for the weekend, and we both went to the doctor on that Friday to find out what we were having, and then we were going to have a relaxing weekend together, just the two of us.

Sitting in the doctor's office, I was nervous as hell. I didn't really have a preference of what sex the twins would be, but for some reason, I could just see two little girls.

"So, Mr. and Mrs. Cullen. How are we doing this morning? I hear we're finding out what you're gonna be having, today?" Dr. Greene asked as she came in and started working on getting everything set up.

"We're great. Anxious to see what we're having, but really excited." I told her as she pulled over the ultrasound machine and got me prepped.

"Well let's get started then, shall we?" she said, then moved the wand over my now very prominent belly. "Alright, let's see… looks like they're developing beautifully. Good, strong heartbeats. Ok, any guesses on what you're having before we find out?" Dr. Greene asked us.

I looked over at Edward, and I knew what he was thinking.

"I think it's two girls. But Edward thinks it'll be another boy and girl pair." I told the doctor as she moved the wand again to where she could find what we were looking for.

"Well…" She said, looking at the screen, then over to me. "You're right, mom. We've got two little girls, here. And they look like they're going to be very close as siblings. See how they're holding onto each other?" She asked, and pointed at the hands that they seemed to be holding and their heads close together, like they were almost hugging or sharing a twin moment that I've often seen Mason and Izzy share.

"Oh my god." I whispered as tears sprang to my eyes.

"I guess we don't have to worry about them getting along." Edward joked, but I could still hear the emotion in his voice.

After we left the doctor's office with printouts of the twins, we headed home for a night of relaxation.

That night, I got up in the middle of the night and walked into what would be the twins room and just stood there, looking at it and picturing what it would be like.

I don't know how long I had been standing there, but I felt Edward wrap his arms around me, caressing our little girls growing inside of me.

"What are you thinking about so hard, beautiful?" he whispered.

I leaned my head against his and held onto his arms. "Just imagining what things will be like when they get here. What they'll look like. How they'll grow… I don't want pink in here, Edward. Every mom does their daughter's room in pink. I can't stand it. I want something different. Like a fairy wonderland. I know Esme can do it, but I don't want to hear any crap about there being no pink. I know I'll get it from Alice."

"Honey, calm down. Everything will be how you want it. Alice knows now that she needs to tone it down a bit. We just have to keep her on a short leash when it comes to our girls."

"Our girls…Shit, we need to think of names." I told him, already going through lists of names that we might use.

"Hmmm, well, why don't we go back to bed and think about some. I'm sure between the two of us, we can come up with something amazing."

So as we laid in bed, mulling over names, we finally came up with what we thought were perfect names for two little Cullen girls.

Olivia Rose, and Carrie Alice Cullen finally came into the world on December 20th. Olivia was born first, at 10:22 a.m. and Carrie arrived twelve minutes later at 10:34 a.m.

They didn't have any complications. Both were at healthy weights for twins, both just around six pounds.

What I wasn't expecting, was how utterly stunning they would be.

Plump little red lips, little button noses, two beautiful pairs of brown eyes, and full heads of copper-brown hair.

They were so gorgeous.

"I'm really in trouble when they get to be teenagers, aren't I?" Edward asked once we finally had them in our arms and I was moved to a room.

"I would say so. Izzy's not gonna be any easier, but god help us when there's two more gorgeous girls that we'll have to keep an eye on. We're definitely gonna have our hands full." I said, as I stared down at the stunner in my arms.

I heard Edward groan next to me and tell Olivia, "I'm in deep shit."

I laughed, and heard the sounds of two other little beauties coming down the hall.

"We have incoming." I told him just as the door creaked open and Mason and Izzy popped their heads in.

"Mommy!" they squealed and came running over to the bed.

The two of them had been so good and helpful during my pregnancy with the girls. And I knew they would be the best big brother and sister.

"Shh, don't scare them." Edward told them, as he helped Mason up into his lap, and Izzy up onto the bed with me.

They both peered over the blankets at the girls and smiled brightly.

"They're so cute!" Izzy said, then reached her little fingers over carefully to Carrie's cheek. Carrie nuzzled into Izzy's fingers, like she already knew who was there. "Wow."

Mason and Izzy stayed glued to Carrie and Olivia the entire time the family was there. They didn't want to miss anything, even though we told them that they were just little and wouldn't do much right now. They didn't care. They wanted to be there for everything.

And I guess I could relate. I was the same way, but I was their mother; I needed to be there for them.

After the family and the kids left, Edward and I curled up with our girls and just watched them.

"I can't believe we did it." I whispered as they were sleeping.

"We did. I'm so proud of you, beautiful." He said, kissing the side of my head.

I looked back up at him and just smiled. I had everything I could ever want. A wonderful husband who loved me more than his own life, two children that I may not have given birth to, but I couldn't love them more than if they were my own, and two little girls that I got to actually share the bond a mother has with her child during pregnancy and that have my genes. And I have a family that treats me as if I was born into it.

I couldn't ask for anything more.

~end flashback~

Now, five years later, I can't even begin to fathom how I got so lucky.

Esme and I ended up opening a bakery together here in Seattle. We opened it about two years ago once the girls were about three years old. She and I both needed something to do with our days, and as much as I loved spending all my time with the kids, I wanted something to do. So did Esme. So we were sitting down one day while I had the kids over at their house, and she tossed the idea out to me about opening a bakery that we did our own recipes and custom cakes and cupcakes.

I was so excited to do this with her. I was never really sure what I wanted to do with my life, but I loved baking and making things. So when she suggested this, I was completely on board.

Edward was thrilled that I found something that I wanted to do with my life, too. He had been doing his work with the feds for a while, and didn't want me to lose who I was. I was a mother and caregiver, yes, but I also loved the satisfaction I got when someone enjoyed a creation I made.

So, Esme and I opened up Bella Regina Bakery. Edward and Carlisle kind of teamed up against us to name the bakery, but in the end, I kind of liked it. Edward used the name he had put on my shirt at the bar to name the bakery for me and his mom. How could you be mad about something like that?

The girls are now five, and Mason and Izzy are thirteen. I can't believe how fast time has gone by. My babies aren't babies anymore.

They've grown into wonderful young people. Mason and Izzy are like guard dogs for Olivia and Carrie. Those two love those little girls. And Olivia and Carrie… turned out to be, no lie, probably the most beautiful things I've ever seen. I know all parents say that, but the fact that they are almost mirror images of their father, with the exception of my eyes and nose, they definitely deserve the title of absolute beauty. And Dr. Greene was right; they were extremely close with each other. Always attached at the hip, and fed off of each other all the time. They were the sweetest little things, but definitely a handful. But I'd never have them any other way.

Edward has gained almost all of the use of his injured leg back over the years. He still has a slight limp, and when he pushes his self too much, he has to slow down a bit. But overall, he's come leaps and bounds from when he was first shot.

Alice and Jasper finally had a little boy of their own, a few years back. Adam is now three and a half and looks just like Jasper. He's beyond adorable.

Rose and Em finally had a little girl of their own. Lillian just turned three, herself. Alice and Rose ended up being pregnant together, so it was a little easier on Rose when she found out they were expecting.

Rosalie was beyond happy when she found out that she was finally pregnant. She started getting scared that she'd really never get to have her own child.

I told her that she couldn't give up yet. She had to have faith that it would happen.

She was worried that she had lost faith. But it was about eight months later that she came to me with a positive pregnancy test in her hands. She was literally vibrating with excitement and I couldn't blame her.

And Carlisle was much the same as after his shooting. But in the last year, has started getting some feeling back in his legs. It's not much, but he at least feels something, and that's enough to give us all hope. But the man really has no problem spoiling his grandkids any chance he gets.

I'm brought out of my reverie by Edward's arms wrapping around me from behind.

We had brought the kids to the park for the afternoon to play with Adam and Lily and some of their friends. Mason and Izzy were helping keep an eye on them while they ran around.

"Penny for your thoughts, beautiful?" Edward asked as we watched the kids, and I got worried seeing some of the other kids picking on Olivia and Carrie since they were playing with Adam and Lily.

I saw Mason and Izzy come over and intervene.

"Hey, why don't you leave them alone so they can play. They're not hurting anyone, so stop picking on them." Mason said in an authoritative voice, making the other kids shrink back.

"Thinking about how each of our tattoos have more meaning now than they did when we got them." I told Edward, still watching the kids as they went back to playing.

"What do you mean, baby?" He asked, kissing my head.

"Just that we've got our own Browned Eyed Beauties that have two wonderful Green Eyed Protectors." I said with emotion in my voice, and knowing that I was going to add to my tattoos, for sure.

"You'll always be my first Brown Eyed Beauty." He said, hugging me to him.

I turned in his arms and reached up and kissed him. "And you'll always be my Protector, Green Eyes."

THE END!

Now I really have tears!

I can't begin to tell you guys how much it's meant to me to have you read my little bit of craziness. And the responses I've gotten from you all just drove me to keep going with it. You're all wonderful, and I love you guys!

The poem from the wedding, I may have ripped off from another story, but it's exactly what I was looking for when I was about a quarter of the way through writing this story. I knew it was what I wanted to use when she finally adopted Mason and Izzy, so if anyone wants to bitch that I ripped it off, oh well. I couldn't find anything else that said what I needed to be said in that moment.

And the poem was by Fleur Conkling Heylinger, so I don't get into trouble there.

*Sighs* This is it, guys. I'm off to press the complete button for this story. It's been an honor to write this story for you all. Thanks for reading!