So my friends, I give you the last chapter. Thank you for reading and loving this fic so much. Thank you for your kind words and sharing your own stories with me. I am humbled by the outpouring this received. This chapter is slightly different for me, and I am somewhat nervous posting. Tissues are required I have been told.

See you at the bottom...

A year later…

It was almost two a.m. when I pulled the car into the driveway, my eyes burning with exhaustion and barely contained emotion. I glanced at the house where a soft light burnt over the door and another in the window, both lit, I knew, for me; waiting for me to come home.

I quietly made my way into the house and immediately headed for Emma's room. I knelt beside her bed watching her sleep, her hair a mass of curls around her head, her cats both curled up beside her. She would be six very soon, the past months flying by in such a blur of smiles and memories, it was hard to believe. My heart ached at the loss I had suffered tonight, yet rejoiced in the fact I was able to be here and watch her sleep. My Babygirl. Leaning over, I kissed her forehead and stroked her soft hair before standing and heading down the hall to the place I had yearned to be for hours.

My safe haven.

With Bella.

I wasn't surprised to see the light still burning, or Bella sitting up reading in our bed. Wordlessly, I stood in the doorway and gazed lovingly at my wife. She gazed back at me, her tired, sad eyes filled with understanding and support. Silently, tilting her head, she asked, and with a nod I let her know it was over. Tears filled her eyes as her arms opened and I moved to the bed, crawling up the mattress to reach her, and I burrowed my face into the warmth of her lap, my arms pulling her to me as she protectively embraced me, her hands stroking my head, as she crooned comforting words to me.

"I have you, Edward. Let it out. Just let it out, sweetheart."

Clutching her tightly, I let the emotions I had been holding in escape. The tears burnt as they fell from my eyes and my shoulders shook with the force of my it all Bella held me tightly, weeping with me, while giving me that special, soft place to land she always provided.

*()*

Eventually I stilled. Bella's hands continued to smooth themselves through my hair in her own comforting manner.

"Did you eat?"

I shook my head.

"Can I make you something?"

"No," I whispered, my voice hoarse.

"Is there anything you want, Edward?"

I nodded.

"Tell me," she insisted quietly. "Let me help you."

I pushed myself up on my elbows and stared at her. Her gentle, warm blue eyes stared back at me as I absorbed her features, committing them once again to my memory. The dark cloud of her hair hanging past her shoulders, the soft curve of her cheeks, her sweet, understanding, smile as she watched me, silently, waiting for me to tell her what I needed. Despite the fact that she was as devastated as I was, she still put what I needed first.

"What do you want, sweetheart?" she repeated quietly.

I leaned close enough that I could feel her warm breath on my lips. "You, Bella. I want you. I need you. Now."

A tiny gasp escaped her mouth before mine covered it. Instantly, her touch soothed me, warming me like a blanket. Cupping her head, I pulled her closer, savoring her sweetness. I needed to lose myself in her. I needed to feel her wrapped around me, her life pulsating beneath her skin and transferring to mine. I needed to taste her skin, to feel her warmth. I needed to be inside her, to know she was here with me.

Groaning, I lowered us both to the mattress, only allowing my lips to leave hers long enough to rid myself of my clothes. Bella watched me with hooded eyes, smiling as she pulled the t-shirt she was wearing over her head and opened her arms to welcome me back to her. Her arms pulled me tightly against her and I moaned at the rush of pleasure of being held securely against her warm skin. I pressed kiss after kiss to her mouth, her neck and shoulders, trailing my way down her torso as my fingers teased and caressed her. Her hands traced my spine in small circles, gliding up to my shoulders and down to my hips languidly, her touch gentle and giving. Her legs parted, wrapping around my hips, pulling me into her warmth and I buried my head in the nape of her neck as I felt her encase me in her wet heat. Slowly, we moved together, the need to feel each other overwhelming us both. Skin slid against skin, while whispers of want and yearning were spoken into the air around us. Our breath mingled as our mouths fused together, breaking apart to whisper soft words of endearment and desire only to fuse back together as our tongues swirled and tasted, gliding over each other's with desperate need. My body tightened as I felt the swell of my orgasm cresting and I pulled Bella closer, her name spilling from my lips as pleasure tore through me, pulsating and hot. She arched sharply under me, pulling me deeper as she gasped, her hand grasping my arms tightly as she came, whimpering softly as she held onto me. Slowly my body stilled and I rolled over pulling her with me, unable to let her go, still buried within her warmth. My hands brushed the hair back from her face and I kissed her over and over, as I clutched her to me, whispering her name and how much I loved her, in between each one.

Her hands cupped my face. "I'm here, Edward. I'm not going anywhere," she crooned as she dropped small kisses to my mouth. "It's all right, sweetheart, it's all right. I'm right here."

Wrapped in her embrace, she rocked us gently, whispering words of comfort and love and I felt myself begin to relax, my hold loosening as my body began slipping into sleep.

"Stay," I begged wearily.

"I'm not going anywhere, Edward. I have you. Sleep," she whispered against my brow as I burrowed into her chest.

I pulled her impossibly closer and sighed in contentment.

Wrapped in Bella's arms, I was safe.

I was home.

*()*

My eyes blinked in the early morning light. I sat up looking around. The house was silent and I glanced at the clock to see it was just after eight. Both Bella and Emma would be gone. Jake knew I wasn't coming in today and Bella must have turned off the alarm so I would sleep. I shook my head sadly. I would rather have woken up with her and seen her before she left, no matter how tired I was from the long night. I had hardly seen her in the past couple weeks.

I got up, pulling on some sweats and a shirt and walked into the kitchen. I stopped short in the doorway at the sight of Bella sitting at the table. She looked up, smiling warmly at me. "Hi, sweetheart. I was just thinking about coming to get you."

I moved forward quickly, pulling her out of her chair and into my arms. I knew I was holding onto her far too tightly, yet I couldn't stop. "Hey," she soothed. "It's okay, Edward." She pulled back, cupping my cheeks. "I'm right here, baby. Please. Relax."

I nodded silently and pulled her back to my chest, needing to feel her against me. "I thought you'd be at work."

She shook her head. "No. I knew you'd need me today. In fact I've taken the rest of the week off. We have a lot to deal with and I need to concentrate on that. Beth has everything under control."

I leaned down and kissed her. "Thank you."

She smiled up at me. "I'm going to go have a shower; I want you to eat some breakfast." Turning, she grabbed a plate from the oven and placed it in front of me. "You've hardly eaten the past couple weeks."

I looked down at my plate, swallowing. I wasn't overly hungry. I shook my head. "I'll come shower with you."

"Edward."

I looked up into Bella's concerned eyes. She sat down beside me, her hands clasping mine. "I'll just be down the hall. I'm here. Emma's safe. We're okay, Edward."

I nodded wordlessly. I knew that, yet I couldn't seem to stop this dreadful fear that kept threatening to overtake me.

"What happened to Jasper and Alice is terrible, Edward. But it's not going to happen to us, okay? And we need to figure out the next step." She squeezed my hand. "There is someone we need to look out for now, right?"

I drew in a deep breath. She was right.

"I'm sorry; I don't know why I'm acting like this."

Bella frowned at me. "Because you lost your friend, Edward. And you watched him suffer while grieving the loss of his wife. You're mourning them. And it's making you fear losing us."

I pulled her onto my lap. "I don't know what I would do if I lost you, Bella. Or Emma."

She wrapped her arms around me. "You won't. We're here, Edward. Right here," she stressed, kissing my forehead tenderly.

I inhaled her warmth. "Thank God."

*()*

Bella sat with me while I ate some breakfast and then I moved to the couch with coffee while Bella went for her shower. My head leaned back on the couch as my mind replayed, over again, the events of the past couple weeks.

Jasper had joined us not long after we opened the practice, adding another successful layer to our business. Alice found work at a local boutique and their son Emmett, was a Learner Bee at Bella's daycare. Bella and Alice became very close and the four of us, along with our children, began hanging out together. Jasper and I had returned to the ease of our friendship as if no time had passed at all. Having him back in my life was great and the fact our families were so close added an element of completion. Emma adored Emmett, who in turn followed her around like a puppy dog, and basically let her do anything to him she wanted; including tea parties and dress up time. If Emma wanted it, he did it. Nothing our daughter asked of this three year old was rejected. Seeing his stocky little body sitting in a pink boa and wide-brimmed hat while he sipped "tea" with his "Amma" made everyone smile. His lisping voice calling her name made her smile widely as she would tuck herself into a corner in one of their never-ending games of hide and seek.

Then, two weeks ago, tragedy struck. Jasper and Alice were on their way out for the evening, when they were hit by a drunk driver. Alice was killed instantly, but Jasper hung on for days, drifting in and out of consciousness, some moments totally lucid and others lost in a world that only existed in his mind. His grief over losing Alice was painful to witness when he was awake. His parents had flown in immediately to look after Emmett, taking turns sitting at his bed, silent sentinels, watching their son fade in and out. I spent as much time with them as I could, as did Bella.

In one lucid moment, Jasper grabbed my hand as I stood quietly talking to his mother, and Bella gently wiped his face down with a cool cloth. "You need to take care of Emmett for me, Edward. You and Bella. You need to be his family now," he begged.

My eyes flew to Bella's before I tried to comfort him. "You're gonna be fine, Jazz. You'll look after Emmett yourself. We just have to get you stable."

His head shook; his voice frantic. "No. Promise me, Edward. Promise me you'll take care of my son." His head turned. "Bella? Alice wants this, we want this. She's waiting for me. I can't go until we know he's got you to look after him. To love him. Promise me you'll love him."

Bella leaned over, speaking gently, soothing him. "We will, Jazz. Like he was our own. We'll take care of him."

Jasper's voice shook as his eyes darted between us. "You promise?"

Desperation blazed in his eyes as he stared at me. I placed my hand on his shoulder. "I swear, Jasper."

His eyes closed. "Thank you," his voice was weary. "Make sure he knows how much we love him."

He never woke up again.

*()*

Bella sat down beside me, threading her fingers through mine. I smiled at her and lifted our hands, grazing her fingers with my lips.

"Did you talk to Jasper's parents again?"

I nodded. "They already contacted a lawyer. They want us to take Emmett, Bella. They want to be involved in his life but they both insist it was Jasper's desire for us to have him. They are too old to raise a child and they both told me Jasper expressed his wishes more than once. He and Alice both had wills and everything will be placed in trust for him when he is older. It's not huge, but if we handle it properly it will pay for his education and give him a little nest egg."

"Like your grandparents did for you."

I nodded. "We haven't really even discussed this, Bella. Are you sure? Emmett is going to need a lot of care and patience. It will be a huge adjustment."

Bella stood up, extending her hand. "Come with me."

I followed her to the guestroom and stopped in amazement at the door. It had completely changed. Whereas before it contained a desk and a bed for the occasional overnight visitor it was now a room for a little boy. Brilliant blue and warm red leaped out at you. A racing car bed replaced the larger bed that had been there and a smaller bureau and desk were also in place along the far wall. All that was missing was the little boy.

I looked at Bella in amazement. "How?"

She smiled. "Your mom. I told her what happened and we agreed we needed to be ready. She took care of all of it."

She wrapped her arms around me. "So, your answer is…yes, I'm sure. We made a promise, Edward. Emmett needs a family and we already love him. We had talked about trying to adopt. He needs us. We need him. We can help heal him. We can be his family. "

"Emma?"

"She adores him. I think she will love the fact she is getting a baby brother. We'll talk to her tonight and as soon as we can, we'll bring Emmett home with us."

Slowly we walked back to the living room. "It's going to be a huge change."

Bella nodded. "It will. But together we can do this, Edward. I'll be with him at the daycare every day. You and Emma will be here with us at night. We'll give him everything he needs to adjust."

"He is going to be so confused."

Bella's voice was gentle. "We're all going to miss them so much, Edward. We'll keep their memory alive and make sure he knows how much they loved him. And he is so young. He will adjust quicker than you think. We'll make sure he's okay."

I nodded. Leaning over, I kissed her, drawing her close as I held her face, my lips moving with hers sweetly.

"I love you."

She smiled. "I love you as well. I'm here, Edward. We'll get through this together. We're always stronger together."

I sat back on the sofa pulling her to me. She was right. But what she didn't say, what she didn't realize, was it was her that made us strong. She was the centre of all we were. She was my rock and my soft spot.

She was my everything.

*()*

We sat around in a circle in Emmett's new room. He looked around disoriented. His little world had spun off its axis weeks ago and he was still lost.

"Where is Mama and Papa?" Emmett's voice was full of tears and confusion.

Emma spoke up beside him. "In Heaven."

Emmett shook his head. "I not want dem der, I wants them here wif me."

Bella leaned forward. "We know, Babyboy. They wanted to be here too, but they had to go."

"Dey was sick?" He looked at me, his lips trembling. "You not fixed dem, Unca E?"

"I tried, buddy. But they were too sick."

Tears began coursing down his cheeks. Bella reached over and he let her gather him into her arms and he sobbed on her shoulder. Feeling his pain, Emma crawled into my lap and I held her closely while one hand reached over and rubbed Emmett's back gently. Bella's eyes met mine over his head and I saw the pain in the depths of her blue pools. "I love you," I mouthed silently at her. She nodded wordlessly.

Emmett pulled away and looked at Emma and I. "Me stay here now?"

Emma held out her hand. "You are my baby brother now, Emmett. You live wif us. Dis is your room. Mine is wight there," she pointed across the hall. I smiled internally listening to her. When upset or tired her lisp still came out. "We take care of you now, wight, Daddy?"

"We will. Always. "

Emmett looked at Emma, pondering. "You is my sista now?"

Emma nodded. "I take care of you, Emmett! Dats what big sisters do."

He nodded. "I yikes dat. You my Sissy." He paused and looked up at Bella. "But me still misses Mama and Papa."

Bella stroked his head gently. "It's okay to miss them, Emmett. We miss them too."

"Dey miss me?" he whispered as fresh tears trailed down his cheeks.

Bella's breath caught. "Very much. But they want you to be happy here. We want you to be happy here. Do you think you could try?"

He hiccupped. "Me try."

Bella gathered him back into her embrace and unable to be away from her or him any longer I scooted over and wrapped all of them into my arms, wishing desperately I could ease the pain for all of them.

Emmett needed time, love and understanding. Looking at the arms that encircled him I knew he'd get all that and more. We all needed to heal.

*()*

Six months later…

"Daddy."

I looked up, startled. I hadn't heard Emmett coming down the hall. Laying down the medical journal, I opened my arms. "Hey Buddy, what's up? How come you're awake?"

His little body launched itself at me and I happily caught him and was instantly smothered in Emmett hugs and kisses. He was the most affectionate child I had ever known and we all loved that about him. He had a never-ending supply of hugs, kisses and snuggles he loved to bestow on us. Setting him on my lap I smiled down at him. "You were asleep when I checked on you earlier. Did something wake you?" I frowned at a sudden thought. "Did you have a bad dream, Bud?"

He shook his head. "Me firsty."

Nodding, I stood up and carried him to the kitchen to get him some juice. His arms were wrapped tightly around my neck and I hesitated before putting him down on the counter. It felt to me like he needed to be held onto, so I kept him close against me and grabbed a small bottle of juice and carried him back to the living room. I smiled as I watched him sip at the juice, still snuggled in my arms, very much the cuddler that he was.

"Mommy not kiss me night. Where is Mommy?"

Ah. That explained the visit. Although he had settled and adapted very well, Emmett was still anxious when one of us, but especially Bella, was out of his sight for too long. He seemed to accept that I was at work, but Bella's absence always caused him worry. He adored her fiercely and there was no doubt who his favorite person was, next to his Sissy Emma.

"She'll be home soon, Buddy. She and Emma are at a shower."

He looked up at me. "A showa, Daddy?"

I shrugged, unsure how to explain the concept, since I really didn't understand it myself. "It's when ladies sit around and…drink tea and open presents."

He frowned. "Yike my birfday?"

I nodded. "But not as fun. Mommy says it's boring. But it's for Leah so she had to go."

"Oh." He nodded as if in total understanding. "Me yike Yeah. She nice. I wait wif you?"

My hands stroked his curly hair. He was so adorable and impossible to resist. And also a grump when he didn't get enough sleep. Just like Jasper used to be. "Sure. You want to lay down here with me?"

He nodded and handed me his juice. I helped him get settled with his head on my knee and I rubbed his back soothingly. He loved that.

"Stowy Daddy, pwease?"

He also loved my make-up stories. He never lasted long when I started talking, usually about five minutes or so, but he requested them often. I began talking quietly, telling him a story about the mouse who turned into a race car driver and soon I watched his eyes drift close and his breathing even out. I kept talking until I was sure he was out. My hands kept stroking through his curls as I watched him sleep. My thoughts drifted through the past six months since we had lost Jasper and Alice.

As usual, Bella was right. Emmett was young and he healed and adapted well. His favorite person in the word was Sissy as he always called Emma. No one could comfort him the way she could. No one knew how to make him smile and laugh like she did. Her special little ways of sensing someone's need and helping them made her the perfect big sister for Emmett. Sooner than I had hoped, he began to be the mischievous little boy we knew and loved so well again. Laughter became more commonplace than tears. His wide smile greeted me when I came home at night, and his little arms wrapping themselves around my neck became the highlight of my day. Bella's stories of his antics in daycare made me laugh constantly. He and Emma were inseparable at night and on the weekends, and although I knew that would eventually change, I loved seeing the two of them together. Weekends were filled with picnics, movies, and family time.

I smiled fondly as I remembered the two of them standing in front of Bella and me, their hands entwined as they informed us they had made a decision.

Bella had smiled gently at them, leaning forward. "What is that, my darlings?"

"Emmett is my brother now right?"

Bella nodded. "Yes, he is."

"You are my mommy, right?"

Bella glanced at me but nodded again.

Emma looked at me. "I is your Babygirl, right Daddy?"

I smiled at her. "Yes, you are."

Emma stood a little straighter. "Emmett wants to be your Babyboy. He wants you to be his Mommy and Daddy now."

Bella and I looked at each other. We had already begun the process to legally adopt Emmett, but we hadn't wanted to bring it up too soon.

"We want that too, Emmett," I assured him quietly.

Emmett smiled and held up a picture of Alice and Jasper. "Dis is Mama and Papa. Me always lubs them. But you be Mommy and Daddy. Sissy says dats okay, wight?" His voice was hesitant and I knew he needed reassurance from us.

I looked at Bella who was fighting to hold back her tears. I swallowed the lump in my throat and smiled at him. "That is more than okay, Buddy. Mama and Papa would be very happy about that. And we would love it if you called us Mommy and Daddy. Just like Emma."

Emma clapped her hands. "Told ya!"

Emmett smiled at me. "Me yike dat, Daddy."

My breath caught at the sound of that word. Daddy.

And my heart was full.

*()*

The front door opening broke my musings. Looking up, I smiled as Bella walked in with a very sleepy looking Emma. Bella smiled fondly as she saw the sleeping boy on my knee. "Is he okay?" she asked quietly as she made her way over.

I nodded. "A little anxious. He didn't get his goodnight kiss from Mommy."

Smiling, she shook her head. "He got about a dozen of them before you picked him up at the daycare."

Chuckling, I shook my head. "What can I say? Your kisses are addictive." I smiled up at her with longing. I had been on-call all weekend and had missed her.

She grinned down at me. "Is that so?"

I nodded. "Totally. In fact I was just suffering some withdrawals myself."

She rolled her eyes, but leant down and kissed me sweetly. "Let's get our children into bed and I'll see what I can do to help you with that problem."

I grinned up at her. "To quote our son, I yike dat."

Twenty minutes later both of them were tucked in, kissed, loved and sleeping. Emmett barely stirred although he smiled when Bella kissed him, nuzzling his cheek as she stroked his head. We stood in the hallway looking at both of them, a feeling of contentment filling us both up.

"Bed or sofa, Mrs. Cullen?" I whispered quietly.

She smirked at me. "Just how bad are those withdrawal symptoms, Dr. Cullen?"

I frowned. "Bad. Very bad. Acute in fact."

Her arms wound around my neck, pulling me down to her. Playfully, her tongue grazed over my lips as she kissed me. "Bed then," she whispered before covering my mouth with hers. Groaning, I pulled her tightly against me as her tongue teased mine, stroking and fluttering inside my mouth. Leaning down, I scooped her up and carried her to our room, the sudden need to be as close to her as possible overwhelming me.

Laying her on our bed, I looked down at her. "I love you," I whispered urgently. "I've missed you these past couple of nights."

She reached up for me. "I love you too, Edward." Her hands stroked my cheeks. "What's wrong, sweetheart?"

I shook my head as I looked down at her. "I hate being away at night. And, I just don't know if I tell you enough. If you know what you mean to me. To us." I grabbed her hand and kissed the palm gently. "You are everything, Bella. Everything."

Her eyes gazed at me warmly as she sat up, holding my face. "I know that, Edward. You do tell me. You do show me. I'm happier than I ever expected to be. I love you. I love our family. I never doubt what I mean to you."

"Good," I whispered. "I never want you to doubt it."

Her arms wrapped around me, pulling me down to her sweet mouth. "Make love to me, Edward. Show me. Show me what I mean to you."

I growled softly as I captured her mouth with mine. "Everything, Bella. You mean everything." And then I proceeded to show her. Slowly, sweetly, until we were both sated.

Afterwards, snuggled in my embrace, I kissed her head. "How was your shower?"

She chuckled. "It was fine. Beth organized it so it was enjoyable. No silly games, just a nice evening to celebrate. Leah had a good time. They got some lovely gifts."

I grinned. "Still hard to believe how she tamed Jake. Or that they are getting married in a month."

She looked up at me. "She's good for him. But he is good for her as well. She has loosened up a little. She was always so serious."

I nodded. "He's become an even better doctor thanks to her. She helps him channel his energies into something positive."

Bella chuckled. "He's all grown up now." She smiled up at me. "How was the meeting today?"

"Great. The accountants and the bank both agree we are doing very well. The practice is thriving and the building leases are right on track. So the daycare plans can move ahead now, and Jake and I are going to hire two more doctors."

"Specialists?"

"No, GP's. We have all the specialists we need either on staff or in the building now. We want to provide some more family doctors to the community. The waiting lists are so long for new doctors. And Jake wants to add another naturopath. That side is booming and he needs help." I smiled. "And the more doctors we have, the less on-call time there is for us. One of the perks of owning the place you know." I paused. "And it's time to hire another psychiatrist. Our patients need that, and Jasper would want me to stop stalling, get my butt in gear and hire someone," I added quietly.

Her hand cupped my cheek. "I'm so proud of you, Edward."

"I couldn't do this without you, Bella. And I'm looking forward to having you in the building every day. I can see more of you."

She snorted. "You may get tired of me."

"Never. Not even a possibility." I nibbled on her ear. "Besides, if you're in the building that means more fresh cookies for me."

She snuggled closer, chuckling. "Always thinking ahead, aren't you, Dr. Cullen?"

I grinned. "Yep."

*()*

Two months later…

The house was still in the early dawn. I was grateful the night was over, and I was home. It had been a busy night again, but Jake would take over now. We were lucky enough with the practice to only be on-call every few weekends now, with the other doctors in the practice taking turns as well. But, with the large amount of patients the practice handled when we were on-call it was always busy and I found it easier at times to simply stay at the hospital, rather than everyone being disturbed as I came and went.

Quietly, I made my way down the hall to check on my family. I smiled as I looked down at Emma, sleeping soundly in her usual curled up fashion, both her cats draped over her as well. Leaning down, I brushed a kiss on her forehead. I grinned when I finally located Emmett at the bottom of his bed, sprawled out under his blankets. Gently, I moved him back into a normal place on the bed and tucked the covers up around him. He grumbled under his breath but stayed sleeping even as I kissed his downy cheek, inhaling the scent of bubble bath, laundry soap and little boy.

I stood in the doorway of our room, looking at my sleeping wife. The early morning light filled the room highlighting her hair and face in a rosy glow. Disrobing quietly, I slid into bed with her, reaching over and pulling her to my chest, sighing happily at the sense of completion I always felt when I was with her.

"Hey," she mumbled sleepily. "You're home."

I kissed her forehead. "I am. Go back to sleep. I want to get a few hours in and then spend the day with my family. We're going to the shelter, right? To look at a dog for Em?"

"Yes. He is very excited. He was literally bouncing off the walls all day."

I chuckled. "Then my son and I will be happy. He gets his dog and I get the day with my lovely wife and family."

Her arms tightened. "We yike dat."

I smiled at her teasing and felt her grow heavy as she slipped back into sleep. I looked around our room, small glimpses of our full life all over it. Emmett's soccer uniform, Emma's dance shoes and one of my lab coats lay across a chair. Bella's laptop sat perched on the edge of her dresser. Pictures and drawings were tucked into mirror frames, hung on the walls and sitting on various surfaces. All around us were small images of our family, our love and our happiness.

Happy described our life together. What had started with a desperate hope to get my daughter to speak again had ended up with a life of joy and peace. Even the tragedy of losing our friends had brought yet another layer of love into our life. I glanced down at Bella's sleeping face. It all stemmed from her. Her quiet caring ways had given me back my daughter and taught me to love and trust again. She made this house a home and three lost souls a family. Her very presence completed us. Gently, I stroked my finger down her cheek.

My Bella, my wife.

The centre of my universe.

Her hand drifted up and clasped mine.

"Stop looking at me," she murmured softly. "Go to sleep."

"So bossy for such a little girl," I whispered as I leaned in and kissed her.

She smiled as she opened her eyes. "Are you talking back to me, Dr. Cullen?"

I pulled her closer. "And if I am?"

"I'll give you a time-out."

My lips rained small kisses up her jaw to her ear, as my hands delved under the shirt she was wearing, finding her warm skin and gently caressing it. "I like your time-outs. They usually involve your lips," I growled quietly, suddenly filled with desire. "And some sort of…enjoyable... punishment."

Bella pushed at my chest and rolled over, straddling me. Leaning down she gazed at me. "You're just not gonna behave are you, Dr. Cullen?"

I shook my head as I grinned. "Nope."

"I knew you were trouble the moment I set eyes on you."

I reached up and cupped her face, bringing her close. "I knew I was going to love you the rest of my life."

Her eyes softened as she gazed down at me. "Edward."

I brought my lips to hers, kissing her deeply. Showing her how much I loved her. The still of the morning surrounded us as our tongues met again and again, swirling, touching, tasting. Hands swept gently on skin as fingers moved and caressed warm bodies. Her sigh was quiet when she pulled back.

"You need sleep," she whispered.

"I need you more."

"I'm yours, Edward. All in. Always."

I rolled us, hovering over her. Her eyes were filled with love and the promise of forever. I looked back at her seeing my entire life with her reflected back at me. By her side, where I was meant to be. Lowering my head, I grazed her lips.

"All in."

In all our lifes, sorrow comes. Edward and Bella lost their friends, but gained another little person to love. It was hard to write but it was how I saw things happening.

Liz and Midnight - thank you from the bottom of my heart for your work and constant support.

Thank YOU again for reading and your words.

It is with a sad smile I mark this one complete. I do plan on a future visit though...

A new fic is in the works... make sure you have me on author alert. Teasers and pics on my FB group page - EdwardEternal's Love of Words. Come join us.

Until next time, be safe! ~EE