Epilogue
Seth's POV
So much has happened since Sophie made her appearance into my world six months ago. So much, but it seems like all I've done is blinked.
Three months ago, Nessie and Jake finally made it down the aisle. Jake asked me to be his Best Man and Alice was Nessie's Matron of Honor. I don't remember much about the ceremony because Sophie was being too damn cute in the front row in Bella's arms. She would look at me and laugh and she kept reaching out to me. Half way through, before the vows were said, I had to pick her up and bring her up front with me because she go so impatient she sent Edward's piano sailing across the floor. Nessie and Jake were so happy. I had to admit that it just felt like a technicality. To all of us they already seemed married. Alice did her usual. The house was floor to ceiling twinkle lights and flowers. The one glaring absence was Charlie. I know that it hurt Nessie that her Grandfather wasn't there. He had kept his distance ever since Bella had told him about Sophie. He had never even seen her. I kept thinking that one of these days he would come around.
Speaking of Sophie; she is the most beautiful baby I have ever seen in my life. She has Nessie's fair skin and Jake's black hair. Her brown eyes are so expressive. She takes in everything and I know she is more advanced mentally than her body lets her be. At times that frustrates her. Emmett is still her favorite punching bag. They have made a game out of it though. Emmett can tell when Sophie needs to vent and he engages her in game of let's see how far you can throw your Uncle. He will start to run in the opposite direction and Sophie will pick him up with her mind and send him sailing. Just the other day she dunked him in the creek first before sending him flying through the trees.
My baby girl is six months old already. She eats human food, thank God. Not that there is anything wrong with the Cullen's diet, but it will make life much easier in the future. She has started eating out of those little jars, and I hate to admit it, but I sneak bites of her desserts. Living at Jake and Nessie's has been great. I think it was smart of them to move me in when they did because I don't know if the house would still be standing if I had to leave every night. You might say whatever Sophie wants, Sophie gets.
Sam is officially retired. He works at the garage with us still and Emily and his new family seem very happy. There are times that I can see the longing in his eyes when we phase and run off on patrol. But I finally understand doing what seems impossible for someone you love. The rest of the pack is doing well. Embry and Stephanie are engaged. I imagine it won't be too long before he also becomes domesticated. Jared and Paul are heading in that direction as well. Which leave the occasional new member, Quil, Jake and me. Quil still has a while to wait for Claire. She is ten now, so I figure we still have another fifteen years with him before he leaves us too. Only Jake and I seem to be members of the lifers club. And every time I look at Sophie, I wouldn't have it any other way.
Leah is gone. She decided to go up to Alaska and try to attend college up there. She was going to stay in wolf form for a while and then return to the land of the normals. I don't expect to ever hear from her again. When Sam stopped phasing it was like the last piece of her that I remembered as my sister died. I think those small moments when their brains were connected was all that kept her from going feral. When that was gone, she decided to leave for good. My mother finally understands. I still see my mom, but it is when Charlie is at work.
Nessie and I are still in school. I have decided to follow in Carlisle's footsteps. I am going to get my medical degree. Nessie is working on a degree in History. I think it is fitting since most of what they teach her, the family lived through. I have a long time left in school, but time is one thing I am not lacking. Sophie has gotten used to Nessie and me being gone three days a week. Edward keeps telling me that it is good to have that time apart, but there are days when the last thing I can do is concentrate when she is that far away from me.
This morning was one of my non-school days. Jake gave me the day off because things at the garage were slow. Nessie was going shopping with Alice and Rose. I woke up early and enjoyed the quiet. Sophie wasn't awake yet, and Nessie and Jake had already left. I made a pot of coffee and started to pick out Sophie's breakfast when I heard her start to wake. I ran up the stairs and peaked around the door jam. She was setting up in her crib and looking towards the door, her eyes still half shut with sleep. When she saw me she smiled and let out a giggle.
"Morning Baby Girl." I crossed to her and she lifted her arms towards me. I picked her up and immediately took her to the changing table. I got her cleaned up and took her down to the kitchen where I had decided on a breakfast of peaches and cereal for the most beautiful girl in the world. I think I got more down the front of her than in her mouth, but after she was done, I got her all cleaned up and dressed in a cute little white and red sweat suit. February was still bringing snow to the area and today was no exception. After she was dressed I grabbed a cup of coffee and she and I sat in the big overstuffed chair in front of the fireplace. I turned the chair to look out the window. The snowflakes were steadily picking up and getting bigger. My hair was still long because of the temperatures, and Sophie spent about twenty minutes running her hands through it and pulling it. I would hold her up and her legs would push off my thighs. It wouldn't be much longer and she would be walking. Then there would be no peace.
I watched as her eyelids started to get heavy. Sophie never fought sleep. Her naptime was something she looked forward to. She settled into my arms, placing her head on my chest. I heard her take a long ragged sigh and I knew she was asleep. As I sat there and watched the snow pile up, I could not have been happier. What the future had in store for the pack, I had no idea. How long it would take me to get through with school, who the hell knew. None of that mattered.
My future, my world, was sound asleep in my arms. As long as I had Sophie, everything else could fall away.
I kissed the top of her head. She was so small against my chest. "I love you Sophie Rae Black. I look forward to forever with you."
I grabbed the blanket that was on the back of the chair and placed it over the top of us. I closed my eyes and followed my angel to sleep.
The End….