Epilogue

And the main reason why he drives me crazy is: He loves me; one hundred percent without conditions or recriminations. He loves me for who I am even when I'm being such a grouch to him.

I've only attended two weddings since I was born; the first was my own wedding and the second was Alice's wedding.

And as I watch my best friend say her vows, I couldn't help but think that weddings are events that seemed to evoke strong powerful emotions within me. I was angry at my own wedding and I had tried to delay the whole event but it ended to no avail. I thought that being married to Edward was the worst thing that could ever happen to me but it turned out to be wonderful. And sure, there were times when Edward and I still have small fights but it's all part of the deal. I didn't wish for a perfect marriage, I only wanted a happy one.

However, I couldn't find anything to be angry about now. In fact, I even found myself tearing up as I watch Alice and Jasper exchange rings.

Who would ever have thought that I would reach this part in my life?

It was only a year ago when I was a single woman who's in a relationship with her work but now look at me; I'm married with a loving husband, a newly-adopted daughter and twins to boot.

Who couldn't be happier?

"Bella, are you sure about this?" Edward asked me as I got out of the car, holding a bouquet of daisies.

"Edward, it's time that I learn to let go," I replied.

His expression was unreadable for quite a while but then he began to smile. "You're right," he said and kissed the top of my head. "Let's say our goodbyes."

We said our goodbyes to EJ that day.

It didn't mean that we didn't visit him again though. We still visited EJ but it was only during holidays and his death anniversary. We have to let go of the past and focus on the present now. We have Selene and the twins to take care of.

Although thinking about EJ from time to time still hurts, the pain was still there but it's gradually beginning to heal with the help of Edward, Selene and the twins.

"So Bella, how's life faring these days?" Dr. Gerandy asked a week after I said my goodbye to EJ.

"Everything is really going well. The court finally allowed Edward and I to formally adopt Selene. The twins still think that three in the morning is a good time to wake up but they finally smiled at us a week ago so it was worth it."

"Can you say that you're happy now? Satisfied? Contented?"

"I feel… peaceful. It's like…. Everything's come to place. Edward didn't really hurt me intentionally although he did make a stupid decision when he slept with Tanya but that's all water under the bridge now. We both agreed that trust should be in our relationship. So I suppose… yes, I am quite happy now."

"I'm certainly glad to hear about that, Bella. I supposed you won't need my services anymore," Dr. Gerandy said as he held up his hand.

I took his outstretched hand and shook it. "I suppose not. Thank you for all your help, Dr. Gerandy. You've been like a second father to me all these years and your letter thing really helped."

"I'm glad to hear it."

"Well, I guess I need to go now. I think Edward's planning some sort of surprise for me. I could hear him whispering with Selene this morning."

Dr. Gerandy laughed and nodded. "If that's the case then don't let me keep you."

There might come a day in a girl's life when she has to encounter pain in some form or another; you might be experiencing some cramps, your best friend may have betrayed you or you've been diagnosed with a life-threatening disease.

Or you might have thought that the one you love has betrayed you.

I've honestly admitted that I was not born lucky and I still believe that to this day but there are some things that really just come onto your lap even when you have the worst luck in the world like I do. And I'm happy to say that Edward was one of them.

"Don't peek," he warned me as he covered my eyes with a strip of cloth.

"Why shouldn't I? I'll still get to see it anyway."

"I'm doing this to prolong the suspense. You might be surprise by this," he promised.

"Honestly, what is there to be surprise about? You already did everything there is to surprise me. Trust me; nothing you do again is ever going to make me go speechless."

"Keep saying what you want to say but you might eat your words later."

"Yeah, right."

He began to lead me somewhere near our home.

"Edward, what's going on? What do you have under your sleeve?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.

"Nothing but my arm," he quipped.

"Ha-ha. You nearly had me laughing at that, Eddie."

"Hey, let's not get too personal."

Finally, we stopped walking but he still hadn't removed my blindfold.

"Bella, I'll have to leave you with someone now. I've got some things to prepare."

I opened my mouth to argue but his hand was already replaced with a smaller one. The giggles gave the person's identity right away.

"Selene?" I asked warily.

"I'm not telling you who I am until everything's ready." Another giggle.

Definitely Selene. The girl's been acting more like her age recently after the incident. I first thought that Tanya's confession would put her to withdrawal but ever since she heard that Edward and I are officially her parents, she's been carefree like the little girl that she was.

"All right, Ms. Anonymous. Where are you taking me?" I asked as she began tugging my hand.

"Not telling but we're not far now."

Minutes later, we stopped.

"We're here," Selene sang. "You can remove your blindfold now."

I removed the cloth shielding my eyes from the view and had to blink a few times before I could focus on what's in front of me but when I did, I felt my jaw open in shock.

Standing in front of me was a two-storey cottage surrounded by my favorite flowers and portraying a picture of a fairytale cottage I used to dream about when I was still a little girl. It was already dark but I could see some sort of light inside the cottage giving me the feeling of home and warmth.

Tears sprung into my eyes as I gazed at it in wonder.

Was it real or just an illusion? I've never seen this before and Charlie hasn't mentioned it to me either…

"Do you like it?" Selene asked beside me as she watched my face with a grin. "It was all Daddy's idea. He told me you loved fairytales when you were a child and this was supposed to be your dream house."

I wasn't able to answer her out loud but I guessed my face said it all because she grinned – if possible – even wider.

"C'mon Mommy, let's meet Daddy inside. Lizzie and Charles are already inside." She tugged my hand impatiently and I allowed myself to be led inside the little house.

The candlelight was the first thing I noticed when I was inside followed by the food on the table and finally… Edward, who was standing near the table wearing an expression of love on his face.

"Edward," I managed to ask, "what's the occasion?"

"I just wanted to give us a time as a family after what happened."

"Then what's with the candlelight? I don't think that's family-oriented."

"Oh it's not. That's just the secret admirer inside of me trying to act. I know I've never fully acknowledged my identity as your secret admirer until now so I'm hoping that this night will serve as its replacement instead. Let's pretend that you've only just learned that I was your secret admirer, what would you do then?" He raised an eyebrow and smiled his crooked smile.

"I don't know," I answered truthfully. I wasn't even sure how to react when I confronted Edward with the admirer issue.

"Well, what did you do when you learned who I was?"

"Mommy cried," Selene answered for me.

"Was that true, Bella?"

Horrified, I slowly nodded my head.

"Let's try another one then," his eyebrows came together as his mind came up with ideas that I do not really comprehend right now. "How about we start with dinner and we try to tell each other anything that pops in our mind."

"Sure."

We all settled around the table. Edward and I fed the twins first before we started eating.

"I'll start!" Selene volunteered. "I played with Lizzie and Charles today and they were so cute when they smiled. I think Lizzie might have laughed once while I was tickling her."

"That's great, Selene."

"You look beautiful with what you're wearing today, Bella," Edward said from his side.

I looked at what I was wearing- a simple pair of jeans and my favorite t-shirt which I managed to find at the back of my closet knowing that Alice might have hidden it there on her last visit – and raised my disbelieving eyes to Edward.

"The color blue suits you," he said.

I shook my head and unthinkingly said, "You're still a smooth-talker, huh? Great, another thing to add to my reasons why you drive me crazy."

"What did you say?" He asked, startled.

"Nothing." I gave him an innocent look.

He frowned and gave me his 'I'll get you later' look.

I cringed inwardly and prepared myself for his inquisition which- knowing him –will come sooner than later.

"So what were you saying about that reason why I drive you crazy?" He asked while we were at the balcony of the cottage, looking at the night sky. Selene and the twins were already inside, sleeping peacefully.

"It was nothing, Edward. Nothing!" I insisted.

He turned my head to him and gave me a puppy-dog look that could very well match Alice's.

I gasped, trying to control the small hold I still had of my mind. "No, you can't know about it."

"Please?" He breathed on me. "Will you tell me at least one reason why I drive you crazy?"

Shit, he's got me under control.

"Your smile." I struggled to breathe. "Your adorable crooked smile. It makes me putty in your hands. I love your smile."

"What else?"

"You said I can give you just one!" I protested as he started breathing on my neck.

"Tell me more," he pleaded softly while giving me the smile I was just talking about.

Well, there goes my last control.

"Your eyes. Your bright green eyes which Lizzie has. I love it too!"

"Are there more?"

"The way you laugh and the way you make me feel safe. You sacrificed your life to save everyone's life that night when Tanya attacked and I'm eternally grateful for that."

"Is that all?"

"I love your personality; a bit romantic at times but brooding at others. You keep me on my feet trying to second-guess you. I love the way you play the piano, Edward. You're always confident when you play. I love your hair and how it feels through my fingers…"

"Hmm?" He gave me a kiss and I would have collapsed if Edward wasn't holding me.

"I love your kisses!" I managed to gasp out. "I love your playful side and I love the thought of how I could spend forever with you but most of all..." I ran my fingers through his hair. "Most of all, I love you for being who you are and for loving me too."

His eyes took on the tenderest expression they have yet and under the moonlit sky, he gave me one more kiss. "I love you!" He proclaimed fervently.

I closed my eyes and kissed him back, more than happy and contented than I ever was in my life. "I love you too!"