Stephanie Meyer owns Twilight.

This is the last chapter, I'm open to moving forward with the story, as a sequel if I get enough inspiration. This was a hard story for me to write.

This chapter is dedicated to all of the parents who deal with the trauma of having to deal with those tiny, delicate, premature babies and the medical system, may God bless you all, every single one of you!

Chapter thirty six.

The next few days were a blur. My pain and confusion didn't subside.

What I remember of that time are flashes of conversations people tried to have with me. I was pretty much numb to their attempts to get me to open up, or even eat.

But thank heavens for Leah and Ange, they spoon-fed me soup and cereal, yogurt and mashed bananas, till I got sick of it and decided to start cooking and feeding us all, something a bit more flavorsome and substantial.

Leah chuckled at her scheme to bring me back from catatonia, by spoon- feeding me tasteless mush. She knew I couldn't stand it and would be brought around to the land of the living, by my taste-buds demanding something tastier.

I've pieced this together and written it down, thanks again to Garrett who has become a life-line for me. He visited me nearly everyday, here at Angela and Leah's place, where I'm staying.

Writing is after all, the way I make sense of the world around me. Laying it all down on paper was a good way to bring my heart and mind back from the brink.

I wondered what the hell I was supposed to do with my life, now that Jasper had severed his connection to me and left.

Leah and Angela moved me in with them, straight after Jasper left.

I woke up in their spare bed and was taken care of by my dear, sweet friends. Rufus was happy although confused, but being the kind of cat he is, he adapted to living between the two neighbouring houses, apparently not missing Jasper too much.

It was a full week before Jasper came back to collect his things, and by then I was walking, talking and functioning like a robot. Leah had helped me box his stuff up.

I couldn't part with the beautiful, buckskin journal he made me, full of his words and poetry, nor the chairs Garrett had made. I held onto these things, so full of memories. The best parts of our life together. I held onto the tropical shirts my grandpa Swan left, that always looked so good on him. And I kept the sabre I gave him too, I didn't think he should have it anymore.

I wish I understood what had happened to him.

He initially didn't say much to me, when he came by to collect his stuff.

He said he was really sorry and that he wished it could have turned out differently.

When I asked what had happened, he huffed hard, kicking at the dirt with his shark-skin boots.

Finally he decided to tell me.

In the birthing suite he was completely overwhelmed. It was too much of a reality check, too much pain and suffering, too much blood and sweat and tears.

It was too raw and too real for him. For him, when he fainted... it somehow proved to him, that he wasn't cut out for this whole 'married with children' commitment-thing either.

He cut his connection with me right at the moment he came back into consciousness on the floor and watched me bleed out and my heart stop.

He had stayed with me in the hospital, and then when I gave him an excuse, he escaped from my room to take the babies' pictures.

Meeting up with two of the Denali triplets, in the NCIS was just a fluke; he said he hadn't sought them out. They saw that he wasn't coping with things at all, and took him home to comfort him in the only way they knew how.

Like one of them candidly admitted to me, they were 'old friends'. Friends who were also very close with Edward and many, many others apparently!

He jumped at the chance to be with them.

He chose to be with them both, because they offered and he could.

He wasn't expecting that Leah and I would be there and see it. He thought maybe he'd have a few day's grace before I would come home.

It made me sick to think he'd given up on me and our relationship so easily.

He said what he and the Denalis had, never meant anything deep. It was pure, physical pleasure. That that was how they were together, and they enjoyed each other's company.

It was always just friends with them, friends with benefits.

Just like he originally wanted to have with me, before I called him on it and wanted more.

Some of what he said made a warped kind of logic, but in the end I'm really glad I found out about him, when I did. I shudder to think just how pathetic and sad I would have become, if he decided to stay with me and get married anyway, but kept sleeping around on me, behind my back.

Jasper finally admitted that the whole idea of marriage and children scared the hell out of him, and he was better off single and free.

Well at least I now know the truth!

Was it just a crazy dream after all?

Was anything that we went through together, real at all?

I had my theories, that all of those hormones that flooded my body during the pregnancy made me feel artificially happier and more content than I would have normally been.

Maybe I was naive and in love. Being in love and pregnant at the same time played havoc with my judgement apparently!

I think for Jasper, living with me was just a nice idea, until the reality became too much, then he was happy to bail on me.

Talking of reality, Rosalie and Emmett have split up!

Rosalie went and checked herself into a facility to deal with her 'issues'. Emmett says it was great to not have to deal with her crazy, manipulative antics anymore. He was happy she didn't force the issue about seeking out a surrogate for her children. He admitted it was an appalling idea and that she wasn't really stable enough, to be any kind of a mother. He still loved the idea of being a father one day, but with another more down-to-earth woman.

I breathed a sigh of relief that she wasn't going to be an issue for me, at least for the foreseeable future.

Emmett was angry about what Jasper did to me, but said that 'in the end, a leopard can't change his spots'. He said that Jasper would have been likely to cheat on me at sometime in the future, just because of who his was underneath.

I snorted and told him, that I once thought that Jasper was just a 'penis on legs'.

I kind of knew it was true that he was, but I hoped it wasn't like that for the months when we seemed to be happily living together.

I still missed our times spent talking, laughing and loving.

I ached for him, even though I knew I shouldn't.

I completely misjudged the whole Esme and Carlisle thing! I was wrong and happily admit it! They are wonderful after all!

Esme, was so smitten and swamped by the feelings of being a mother, that I was accidentally left out of her frantic, baby schedule.

Carlisle kindly came by to see how I was doing. He spent quite a long time chatting with me in the sun shine. He gave me some great photos of the babies. He seemed a little embarrassed about Esme forgetting me, but after Garrett explained that I needed to be calm and forgive her, for being a new mother and being overwhelmed, I listened to what Carlisle had to say.

It turned out that I didn't give much consideration for what a big, scary place the neonatal intensive care unit was. There was no let up for Esme and Carlisle, as they now spent most of their time worrying and looking after their tiny, new babies.

The babies are just as Leah's granny predicted, one was small and dark haired, with big brown eyes like me. She had a malformation in her heart, which took a while to be diagnosed and then finally repaired with a twelve hour operation.

There would be ongoing, operations for her as she grew, but at least they could do something about it these days. She had a great chance to living a full life.

Little Amelia was the main reason they hadn't had time to come to see me. She had been transported to a special children's hospital in Seattle for the big operation. Esme and Carlisle were split up because of it.

Carlisle stayed in Port Angelus with Aaron, taking leave from his work and Esme went to stay in Seattle with Amelia.

I felt awful and immature, to have not gotten over my stupid hurt, and made more inquires about what was happening to them.

I could have kicked myself for being such a wreck in the relationship department.

I had no idea, I was so stupid and naive! It wasn't about me at all!

The heart condition had set Amelia's health back for quite a while, but Carlisle said that she now seemed to be flourishing.

Aaron is long and lean and of course, pale, blue eyed with white-blond fluff on his head.

Amelia and Aaron Cullen, I loved their names. I gave Carlisle the beautiful, lacy knitting Pia had created for both of the babies. He was tearful when he undid the package. He thanked me and took a photo of the outfits for Esme. He also took a photo of me.

I rang her and we chatted.

Poor thing, she sounded tired and stressed to the max. I apologized for going off and not contacting her, and going a bit crazy with all the stress. She said she understood, and still wanted me to be the babies' godmother and come to their christening. I cried when she asked me this, and I agreed to be there for them and attend their special day.

She and I talked and talked.

I told her about Rose's ideas for me to be a surrogate, which sent me spiralling down into doubt and anger. Then I told her what had happened with Jasper and the Denalis and my consequent emotional meltdown.

She went quiet and told me she was so sorry he did that to me. She said there was something seriously wrong with Rosalie's mental state, and was pleased I said no to her.

I am reassured the babies are looked after and insanely loved.

The babies are both gorgeous; Aaron is as healthy as an ox, growing well, good weight gain and a great eater. They were hoping he would be well enough to go home early, which was wonderful news.

Carlisle took me in to see him in NICS and I cried as he let me hold him. He was completely beautiful.

I was proud to have finally given them the chance to be parents. Aaron was a sweet boy.

I cooked Carlisle a pecan pie just to thank him.

The Cullen's got what they wanted in the end, a family.

I realized I got what I wanted too, all of my and Dad's debts paid off. It was a fresh financial start for me.

.

I've grown to like Emmett a lot. He's grown very attached to the babies, and is putting Esme up at his house in Seattle. He said he's paying her back for all the problems he's caused her over the years. He's staying in Seattle too, to work and keep close to the babies, rather than going off to another country, or state with an even better paying job.

.

I chat to Char and she says Jasper's gone off somewhere and they haven't seen him in ages. She says he sends occasional messages to Pete.

Wherever he is, I wish him well. It's hard staying angry with the man who showed me how to love. I'm working on forgiving him and seeing the world from his perspective.

I still miss him.

.

A few weeks after giving birth, I rang Seth and got his crew to help pack up my stuff and load it into a small u-haul truck. I left a lot of the bigger pieces of furniture there, in particular my bed. There was no way I was ever sleeping in that again! I occasionally had flash backs seeing them all in it.

All of my stuff went into storage, until it's time for me to go back to Monterey.

I rented my house out to Rachel Black and her family. I knew it would be in great hands and she was happy to be off the res, and closer to her beauty clients in Forks. Her kids were happy there was plenty of room in the yard to build forts and swings and ride their bikes.

.

Aro was really pleased with my work, and I tidied up the last bits and sent it off to the Uni's IT department, to go over and to work out all of the glitches and small errors.

At six weeks after the birth, I was feeling a lot more settled. I had come back to a good weight; got my house all cleaned up and rented out.

Leah and Angela were more than ready to have their own place back to themselves.

I was happily in touch with Carlisle and Esme and had visited little Aaron quite a few times. I was hoping that I would see Esme and Amelia soon. I was passing through Seattle, flying back to California.

I was given a clean bill of health by Dr Naidoo and I looked forward to moving back to California. Garrett and I worked on our theories of forgiveness and creating peace and love. We often talked about life and what a strange world it was.

I felt fairly happy within myself, even though I ached for closeness with Jasper. He had definitely made an impact on me, and I needed to acknowledge him and all the things I learnt from him, especially all the good things.

He was a sensitive soul, who was just misguided and human, prone to errors and lapses.

Just like me.

I was in awe and in love with the tiny, dark-haired angel. Amelia still had a lot of wires and tubes attached to her, but although she's small, she has grown and stabilized a lot, since she was born.

Her heart is working much better now, but it's scary to see and touch the big scar down her chest, where they operated on her.

Esme and I hugged for a long time and we cried and laughed, making peace and being friends again. I apologized for not being there for her and the babies. She says I did everything I could, and the only thing to do now was pray for Amelia's health.

Esme has gone to hell and back and she's been devotedly sitting with Amelia everyday. She shows me how to massage her tiny body and tells me how good it is for the babies to be touched.

I am privileged to be able to hold her against my skin for her feed. I still can't believe she's so small! Her brother Aaron will tower over her. I hope he protects her in the playground and when it comes time to start dating.

When Aaron comes out of hospital, Carlisle is coming up to be reunited with Esme and Amelia. I'm really happy for them.

I turned twenty three today. I found a perfect two bed, fully furnished place to rent and moved in two week's ago. It's a small student-architect, designed place, down by the beach, close to Aro and Pia's place. It was awkward for the removal guys to bring down my gear from the removalist's truck.

Lucky for them, I didn't have any furniture except Garrett's chairs and my fairly, new sofa bed. The access was too steep for the truck to come down, so they did it all in small loads by trolley and by hand. In the end I bought them a case of beer and paid them some extra money, and they were pretty happy with the exchange.

The most interesting development of all is that Garrett and I have gotten closer. We are getting together today and celebrating my birthday with Pia and Aro, and Steve and Vlad at a small restaurant I know. I'm really looking forward to seeing Garrett again. I've missed his great company and his gentle understanding of me.

Garrett showed up this morning on my doorstep, with a beautiful bunch of Australian Banksia flowers and told me that he's happy to see me. He hugged me and it feels nice, but there's nothing really there, no spark or heat... like with Jasper. The sparks happen in our lively conversation though, our minds meshing comfortably.

I compliment him on finding the house so easily and show him to my spare room and the fold-out sofa bed.

Maybe I'll always be pining for Jasper, even though I know we can't be together.

Me... because I want to be the one and only and for him, because I scare the living shit out of him, sending him running into the arms of those 'old friends'.

From where I am sitting, I'll be alone for the rest of my life.

Sad but true. I don't want to get hurt again, or be in a relationship with someone who doesn't feel right.

I've started tutoring and studying again, and I'm really enjoying the interactions with the different staff members and students. Most of the students I interact with are online and one in particular is quite active in chatting about their particular subjects they have just picked up from the new on-line study structure.

The mystery student had a user name of JLB, and a familiar looking ID number. When I look it up I find out it's the very same, wonderful student that I gave all A's to! I look forward to their messages and comments that they send me...most of them highly complimentary to me and the website they are now using. I had better watch it, or I'll get a big ego!

Whoever this student is, they make me laugh and I look forward to hearing from them.

.

I finish dressing with a silk flower pinned in my hair, a swirly, red dress and some wonderful, kid-leather, hand-tooled, cowgirl boots, that I found in a vintage shop which look almost new!

"Ok, let's get going Garrett, we'll be late! You'll love Vlad and Steve, they are hilarious and you've already met Aro and Pia." I said to him on our way out to the car.

"Yeah it's going to be a great evening, you're looking mighty fine Miss Bella. You've sure had a busy year, haven't you? Any wishes for the next twelve months ahead?"

"Oh, I guess to just enjoy my studies and work, and to take it slow in the whole relationship department."

"No adventures or excitement at all?" he smirks.

"No I've had plenty of that to last a lifetime, thanks! I just want slow, boring and steady. Maybe make go dancing with my favourite guys tonight after dinner. I'm sure they'll want to get out tonight, can you dance Garrett?"

"I learnt to do the Highland fling and Irish reels as a kid, and then went through a break-dancing phase when I was thirteen. Does that count?"

I laughed loudly, he was always funny. The angriest I'd seen him was when Anthea and Rose got up his nose, trying to buy his chairs, but even then, he retained his calm demeanour.

"You have a great laugh Bella, you should let it loose more often!"

"Thanks, I might make it my goal to laugh everyday. When are you heading back to Forks?"

"I'm looking to relocate near here at the moment, a new position has become available that I'm really interested in filling and I'm willing to go as far as it takes to make sure I get it." He said cryptically.

"Oh... what kind of work is it?"

"It's something I'm not free to talk about at the moment, but I'm planning on doing a lot more chair making, as a sideline."

"Well that's good, I love your chairs!"

"I noticed! I'm glad you like them, maybe you'll get some more if you let me come and visit you more often."

"Garrett, you know you can stay with me anytime! Rufus and I love having you here; especially after everything you have done for me recently! You don't need to pay me in chairs!"

"Sure, sure, whatever you say!" He chuckled.

"Here we go! La Tarantella, it's Aro's favourite."

I parked Lucia, just outside of the twinkling lights in the windows of the restaurant. There was live music tonight and Garrett draped his long arm over my shoulder and we walked inside.

We were met by Steve and Vlad who jumped up and grabbed me in their arms laughing crazily. I got lots of kisses from them and smiled as Steve and Vlad tried to work out who Garrett was to me. Steve tried to ask if we were involved, but I shook my head. I didn't want to think about love, just have a fun night out.

Garrett and Vlad had a lot in common and started bantering about psychological theories and various ideas they both liked. Both of them knew heaps about me.

Vlad knew all about my wild and wacky dreams and Garrett, my angst, anger and desperation, my journals, gratefulness and forgiveness challenges.

Steve looked at me quizzically and told me to turn up at his spa for a new haircut, no arguments! I hadn't had one since Steve did it nearly a year ago. Of course I agreed, who wouldn't want to be fussed over by my very favourite hairstylist?

"Oh my God! Look at that! It's heaven on a stick! Vlad! Can we take him home?" Steve gushed about some hot looking guy who'd just entered the restaurant.

I had my back to the door and just rolled my eyes at Steve's antics.

"Don't look now Bella, he's coming over this way!" Steve squealed out.

I huffed and took a big sip of my wine. I wasn't interested at looking at hot guys!

I waved over when I saw Pia come up and kiss me on both cheeks and start singing one of her old, Italian songs, right at the top of her voice, drowning out singer and acoustic guitar sitting in the corner, attempting to provide the evening's live music.

I chuckled, she was always great for a laugh, and Aro joined in singing with a surprisingly deep bass voice, matching her words and arm gestures. Then the owner and some of the staff came over and started to sing some more of the same song!

I went red and laughed at my crazy life.

The poor guitarist had stopped and listened to the song. He knew he was no competition for the rowdy group in front of me. As the staff finished up with a full belting-out of the last chorus, the restaurant erupted in applause!

The waiters and manager did a series of bows and I got kissed on the cheeks and hands and told many things in Italian, none of which I could make out. They all sounded complimentary...I think.

Steve Vlad and Garrett all cheered and whistled and poured some more wine, topping up all of our glasses.

"I'd like to propose a toast the best girl in the world! Happy Birthday Darlin'!" Garrett smiled.

"Chin-chin, cheers, bravo!" Said everyone at the table raising their glasses, as well as a few others at other tables, who seemed to know it was my birthday.

Everyone got talking, and I decided to go to the ladies' room. I finished by steadily looking at myself in the mirror. "Happy Birthday Swan!" I said to myself. I made sure my dress and hair was sitting flat and sighed, time to go out and face my mad friends and too much food.

Coming out, I heard a voice that made my heart sing and ache all at the same time.

"Bella?"

I turned around Jasper was standing there looking at me with the biggest eyes, a worried look on his face.

"Jasper!"

"How are things with you? I'm down here working on my grandfather's place, trying to get it liveable. It's pretty run down."

"The one in Rio del Mar right?"

"Yeah."

"I'm living here now too, close by to Aro's place. I'm working and studying again."

That's great! You look wonderful, more beautiful than ever.

"Jasper, please don't! I don't think I can stand it if you did this again."

"Did what Bella?" he took a step closer to me.

"Get me all attached and in love with you again, I don't think I'd survive if you did that. Can't we just say hi and leave it at that?" My head said no, my heart said yes...yes more!

His face looked really scared...his eyes fearful, his hands were shaking.

"Bella I'm beyond sorry. I'm willing to tear my heart out for you and let you stamp on it. Please, please forgive me. I was an idiot and I didn't deserve you. I deserve your scorn and hatred."

"Oh Jasper! I've forgiven you already. I still can't forget though, I have flashbacks, but I do forgive you. I want you to have a happy life, a great life. I still miss you and our life we had together."

"I never had that with anyone else; it was special to me too." He said, coming closer.

"Yeah but not special enough was it?" my anger flashed.

"I'm sorry! I was thoughtless and crazy with grief and pain. I made a horrible, horrible mistake." He laid his palms open either side of him, admitting his errors.

"Yeah I know, and I completely forgive you. I wish you all the best ok? It's nice to see you; maybe we'll see each other around?"

"Yeah maybe. Oh and happy birthday, you are looking better and stronger than ever. Is it ok if I email you? You have the same address?"

"Yes of course." I smiled. I could hardly ever say no to him.

"Ok great!" He leaned in and embraced me and I lifted up my face. He was still shaking. He leaned down and kissed my mouth softly.

"Happy birthday, sweetheart, I still adore you!"

"Jasper..." I shook my head, but at the same time... it felt wonderful to rest my head on his chest and feel him, smell him and be close.

"I know I hurt you and I deserve to burn in hell for all eternity! But thank you for letting me see you and giving me the chance to talk to you. It means the world to me."

"Yeah it was good to see you. I've got to go, my group is waiting. Want to come and meet them?"

"Sure, I was just on my way home. I'll introduce myself, I know everyone except those two guys... they're Steve and Vlad, right?"

"You saw our table before?"

"Yes I was just on my way over to say hi, when Pia got up and sang, then everyone joined in, I got stopped right in my tracks."

"Yeah, I can imagine, they were pretty raucous! Hey everybody, this is Jasper, the only ones you haven't been introduced to are Steve and Vlad."

"Hi!" Jasper waved to them.

"Oooh, I knew you were a trouble-maker right off the bat! I saw you coming towards the table and I said so, didn't I Vlad?" Steve quipped, not knowing whether to be curious, or furious.

I giggled Steve desperately wanted to meet Jasper, but also wanted to defend me from my ex.

"Jasper it's good to finally meet you, I've heard and read a lot about you!" Vlad eyed him seriously as they shook hands.

"Hey man!" Garrett nodded to him. Jasper nodded back.

Garrett had been there with me at my worst. Listened to me tell him all of the sordid details, multiple times and assisted me to strip the bed, find the used condoms thrown onto the floor, which Jasper had used with the Denali's, and finally stood beside me as I burnt the dirty sheets in my yard.

I screamed and howled at the top of my lungs, through the whole process.

Initially, I felt it was waste to burn those sheets, but Garrett insisted it would be therapeutic and would assist me with all the anger. It turned out he was correct. After the fire had burnt down and I was all screamed out, I felt the anger had dissipated into a dull mixture of confusing sorrow and deep regret.

"Ahh! It's the heartbreaker! What are you doing here with Bella mia? She's definitely not going to take anymore of your philandering ways young man." Aro looked at him.

"No, of course she won't! I just came by to say happy birthday and wish her well." Jasper mumbled ashamed of himself, all over again.

"Good, 'cause I want you to remember her trouble is my trouble! I don't like her suffering! She's like the daughter we never had, and I won't see my bellissima sad, do you hear me?" Aro stared at Jasper, like a hawk about to pounce on a mouse.

"Yes sir. I'll be off now." Jasper said awkwardly.

"No you stay! I want to hear all about what you have to say for yourself! No excuses!" Pia demanded pulling him down in the chair next to her, with her tiny, withered hand.

I chuckled, "Jasper, you had better do what she says! I hope you didn't have anywhere else to be right now."

"No I'm free...completely and utterly at your disposal." He said slowly looking right at me. Setting my pulse racing and my knickers alight!

All the guys at the table raised their eyebrows and silently took big swigs of their wine.

Pia, in her wily, cunning had turned the tables and captured Jasper's attention and wasn't going to let him go, till she had milked him of every tit-bit, every nuance and tiny morsel of information.

It wouldn't surprise me if she had once worked as a spy. She disarmed and cajoled, she charmed and extracted whatever she wanted to know. All the time smiling and pretending she was a frail, old lady who was nearly blind.

We all ate much more than any of us could really fit in.

Pia monopolized Jasper, head to head in quiet whispers.

She was worked her magic on him.

The rest of us left her to it; after it was completely clear she wanted to know everything.

Steve tried to chat to Jasper, but Pia scowled at him and he quickly gave up trying to get Jasper's attention.

The meal had stretched into three hours. The waiters were starting to clear off the other tables and sweep up. Aro took that as a sign that the evening was coming to an end and called for the check.

As we got up, Steve and Vlad looked at me smiling.

"You got enough energy to come dancing with us Bella? The night's only young yet! Want to come and dance with us at La Stupenda again? The guys have all missed you and keep asking about you." Steve said excitedly.

"Yeah sure, why not?" I chuckled this could be interesting! "Jasper and Garrett, are either of you two up for a couple of hours dancing with all the hot, sweaty, swaying, bodies in a gay nightclub? The dancing there is great!

Jasper stood up and pushed his shoulders back, Garrett smiled.

"Sure," they both said at once.

I just guffawed loudly. This was going to be too, too interesting!

I'm sure Jasper and Garrett wouldn't have to worry about not getting any attention tonight! And plenty of willing partners to be with. They were both good looking, with hot bodies.

We said goodnight to Aro and Pia and headed off. Steve looked too excited for his own good, I think he wanted a dance with Jasper, and get a good feel of his assets.

.

The dancing was just the thing I needed, to let loose and enjoy myself. If I could feel this good every night, I would!

Maybe I should take up lessons and get into using my body expressively, as a good way to release all of that stress?

Belly dancing? Pole dancing? Tap and jazz? Line dancing? The choices were endless. Maybe I should try Hula dancing, in honour of my Nanna? That could be a wonderful thing to learn, especially with all the meanings behind the moves.

I was surrounded by guys of all shapes and sizes, dancing and laughing and groping each other and making Jasper and Garrett most welcome indeed!

I had to chuckle when they both took refuge at the bar and stayed beside each other, trying to ignore all of the attention that they were getting. I didn't dance with either of them, just loads of my old gay friends.

Both of Garrett and Jasper ended up pretty drunk by the time the place was closing, at four in the morning. Steve and Vlad helped me put them into my car and I drove home, both of them completely legless and snoring.

I couldn't rouse them or pull them out of my tiny, sports car, so I just left them there. Snoring loudly in cramped, awkward positions.

Boy would they have fun getting out of those tight positions they were stuck in! I hated to think of what bad hangovers they were going to have too!

I went inside, leaving the door unlocked in case they wanted to get in. The sun was beginning to colour the horizon. Rufus welcomed me home. I showered and went straight to bed. Happy I drank water for the whole time I was at the club. I was glad I missed out on a hangover.

I'd had a wonderful birthday.

Who knows what this year will bring?

I let sleep take me in its warm embrace. The sun was coming up, over the hills and the birds had starting their songs for the day. I slipped into a deep, deep contented stillness.

Thanks for everyone who has read this story, and a bigger thanks to those who reviewed and made me feel like it was all worth it. UB xx