AN. Well, I promised to put this story to bed in 2014, and as today is the last day I'm just going to make it. The last chapter pretty well wrapped things up, but here are a couple of things that I think needed saying. I hope I've managed the present tense ok as I haven't tried writing in it before. Thanks for reading, and one last big shout out for csp4 for your reviews, help and support throughout—I wouldn't have made it without you. HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all!
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Stephenie Meyer rocks, and owns almost all of this.
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Epilogue.
Emmett's POV
This last week has been intense, and the most fun I've ever had without Rosalie and…well…you know. 'Cause there's not been time for any of that. I still can't believe it's been a whole week and I haven't missed it! There's been so much to do.
Nights have been the least interesting as I've had guard duty most of the hours of darkness. I like to think of it that way, but in reality it's babysitting the Volturi. I was surprised not to be included in the hunting parties, but apparently Jasper's ongoing struggle with human blood means that he is less committed to the scent of animals, and therefore more able to concentrate on watching our guests as they hunt. And of course he can control their mood.
Carlisle always leads the hunts, and my tight-ass, always-in-control brother Edward has to be there to gauge their thoughts. As Leanne is so besotted with Carlisle, they take her, too—one less for me to watch.
The best part of the night is when Carlisle needs my muscles to protect him from Felix and Santiago. The promise of food is the only thing that lures Santiago away from my Rose, and I find I really like the guy when he isn't fawning all over my wife.
And then there's Felix, my new bro. If I wanna be all girly about it, I'd say he's my new BFF. It's like someone has cloned me, or he's some kind of soul mate-bro. We've had fun together right from the moment he entered the house and walked straight through the lounge window. He stood there marvelling at the rainbow shards tinkling around him, his face so child-like that even Esme couldn't find it in her to be cross.
He's taken to video games like a pro, although Alice had to order in a lot more spare controllers. We always have a few on hand 'cause they regularly wear out, but Felix's exuberance and ineptitude with technology means half a dozen were consigned to the scrap heap in the first hour.
The heat is off me as I'm no longer blamed for breakages, but the very best thing about Felix is how awesome he is to wrestle. We're evenly matched, and fights can go on for hours until Carlisle reminds me it's time to hunt.
Even if Felix didn't followed me around like a shadow, and likewise Santiago would leave Rose alone, the house is so busy that the chance of personal time with my wife is zilch. I miss spending time with Rosalie, but am surprised how little that bothers me.
Felix matches me in competitiveness too, but Rose is the one thing we'll never compete for. She was, is, and always will be mine.
So, after a week of mayhem and madness, here we are on the Cullen jet heading for Australia. Rose and I have a few thousand acres of impenetrable wilderness and inhospitable desert that we retreat to on occasion for a bit of fun kangaroo boxing. We've never taken the others, and I'm not too happy they're invading our little haven, but I'm not letting it worry me.
Neither am I bitching that Carlisle wouldn't let me fly this thing. That honour went to Alice, though the majority of the flight has been on auto-pilot. My eye is drawn to my right, across the aisle and down, to where the munchkin is sat next to her husband, surfing the internet. Then drifts left of her back to my side of the aisle.
Through the bulk of Felix and Santiago and over the seat backs where Alec and Jane are sitting, I smile to see Esme and Betsy engrossed in a discussion. My vampire mom's face is so beautiful as it shines with laughter.
I give Rosalie's hand a contented squeeze and lay my head against the seat, closing my eyes. Oh the fun I'm going to have introducing my new bro to the roos. I give a satisfied sigh at the pictures in my head.
My thoughts jump from there to initiating Felix in my personal speciality—pranks. A chuckle escapes my lips, and Rose swats me. She knows me too well, but at least without Edward to read my mind, she won't see our pranks coming any more than the others. He, of course, is still with Bella, but I don't envy him since Charlie learned the truth about us and found that he has powers, too.
I can definitely turn this trip to my advantage, I decide and turn my attention back to Rosalie and how to get her alone.
"Ouch!" An empty soda can clips my ear and I grin at Jasper. "Sorry."
He rolls his eyes. It's obvious how not sorry I am. "Keep it up and I'll direct those feelings to Anna," he threatens. "Then we'll see which one of you three she likes the most."
Anna has been secretly admiring Santiago, Felix and me. We've caught her watching us wrestle, but she won't make eye contact, disappearing quickly instead.
Alice's POV
The last thing we need is an argument and I clutch Jasper's hand to distract him, rubbing it soothingly. I know every inch of his body but am taken by surprise at what I am touching.
We've all been so busy working things out with our unexpected visitors that we haven't had a moment to ourselves. Jasper has spent the majority of time in Carlisle's study with Marcus, when he's not off with the hunting parties. Whereas I've been in my element ordering everything from toothbrushes and socks to replacement doors and windows. Explaining what I was buying and why to a spellbound Renata means I've had little time for anything or anyone else.
I bring my husband's hand to my mouth and kiss each finger, wondering if he's noticed himself, and smile thinking about the rest of him and how he'll look now. I'm not shocked after all the events of that night, but surprise is an emotion I'm becoming quite familiar with as I can rely less and less on my talent.
Jasper pulls our hands back to him and rests his face against them smiling at me. Crawling into his lap, I use my free hand to stroke the other cheek, marvelling at the smoothness. I'm glad Edward's not here to spoil my moment as I realise my mate doesn't know that all his scars have gone. They must have healed that night, and I am excited to get him alone and re-learn my way round his body.
A gentle sigh escapes me as I realise, momentarily, that I will miss them.
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AN. Well folks that's it. Anything more you'll have to imagine for yourselves. If you haven't reviewed, now would be a good time to express any opinions. Don't be shy. Thanks for reading, Isabel.
