Epilogue

Disclaimer: All characters associated with the Twilight series belong to Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended at any time.

JWPOV

Christmas lights hung throughout the city. Up and down the streets people hustled doing last minute shopping. A group of kids were engaged in a snowball war. The city of North Pole really did look like a place where St. Nick would live.

We continued to drive further south of the city, and turned off the main road. Six miles later, we pulled up to a two-story home. I giggled at the display of Santa's sleigh on the roof. It had suffered through the years. Several reindeer had broken antlers, one was missing a leg, Rudolph was missing his nose, and the sleigh was being held together with duct tape.

"I think it's time for some new decorations." Edward no longer had to read my mind to know what I was thinking.

I got out of the car and instinctively breathed in the cold air. "It gives them character. I like it."

Edward removed the gifts from the trunk, then he and I casually walked to the front door. There was laughter coming from inside the house. I lightly knocked three times.

"You don't have to knock," Mom said as she opened the door to greet us. She gave me a tight squeeze and motioned us inside. Edward headed to the Christmas tree to lay out the presents.

Dad stood from his recliner and gave me a hug. "Help yourself in front of the fire and get warm," he said.

"I'm fine, Dad." I turned my attention to the girl sitting on the couch. "Let me see." She stood and happily showed me her engagement ring. "Have you and Austen set a date yet?"

Bree Black smiled revealing her perfect white teeth. "I'm hoping for a summer wedding. Dad wants us to finish college, but I don't want to wait that long. Mom's helped me get on fulltime where she works. I figured I could get some experience under my belt, and hopefully find a job in Fairbanks by the time we get married. I can work while Austen finishes college."

"You know if you ever need anything, Edward and I will be more than happy to help." I had quickly caught on to the secret of the Cullens' wealth: Alice, along with Father Time.

Mom perched herself on the armrest of Dad's chair. "I told them they could live with us while they both continued going to school fulltime."

"Who wants to be newlyweds and live with their parents the first couple of years of their marriage?" Austen mocked in a friendly voice.

"My family's house here in North Pole is vacant." Edward joined me on the love seat. "They wouldn't have a problem with you living there."

"We appreciate the offer, but we want to try and make it on our own," Austen said.

I smiled at my younger brother. He had come along way in the past seven years. We all had.

Conversation swirled around me as I stared at the spot where I had died seven years ago. Reggie Adams had intended to kill both me and Edward. Whereas Edward was practically indestructible, I was not.

While Edward and Aaron Uley was preoccupied fighting the evil vampires from Russia, Roman and Galina, Reggie shot me in the chest. Hearing the sound of the gun along with Mom's screams, Edward quickly finished Roman off, and raced back to the house. Reggie stupidly fired at him, but no bullet could penetrate his skin. Reggie didn't suffer as Edward would have liked. At that moment, he didn't have time to waste on him. He swiftly broke his neck and turned his attention to me.

Mom knew I was dying. She begged Edward to turn me into a vampire. She would rather have had me as a vampire forever than the alternative. Vampirism she could handle — death she couldn't. Reluctantly, Edward obeyed. He didn't do it for Mom or even for me, but for himself. He, much like Mom, couldn't let me go.

Reggie's death was considered a suicide. They found him hanging from the goalpost on the football field, courtesy of Aaron.

I spent my first year and a half as a vampire in Denali. Edward stayed with me while the rest of his family remained in North Pole and continued with their façade. He along with Tanya, Kate, Carmen, and Eleazar helped me with my transformation.

Mom, along with Alice, visited me every other weekend after my first couple of months in Denali. She helped build my defenses against the need for human blood. She also took care of my nonexistent human life. Dad believed I remained living in La Push. I had to frequently call him every week to keep him from calling the Black's so often. They could only come up with just so many excuses on why I was never available when he called. Luckily, I was able to avoid him during the holidays with excuses and lies.

I saw my father and Austen for the first time after my transformation the week before I was supposed to have graduated. Edward stayed close by in case I needed assistance. He had been worried that it was too soon for me to be around so many humans.

Dad was a little shocked by my appearance. My eyes were no longer a dark brown, but golden. "All my friends are wearing these colored contacts," I told him. My dirty-blond hair hung in long graceful curves over my shoulders. I was paler than before, but I looked healthy and I was happy.

Needless to say the meeting went well. I had to excuse myself a few times and walk away to gain control. Dad got agitated when I told him I didn't plan to walk graduation day, and that I was going to independently study under a well-known artist in Chicago before attending college. A couple of days later when Edward and I were driving back to Denali, he had told me he was certain that one of my abilities was to make anyone believe anything.

Edward and I were married two months later at the Cullens house in North Pole. We laughed when the preacher got to the "till death do you part" vow. We were surrounded by family and a couple of friends. Nicole Black came with Bree and the newest addition to their family — Lucas Black.

Aaron and his fiancé, Sable Brewer, also attended. Sable was the girl Aaron had imprinted on. His fling with Amanda Pittman lasted only two dates; they had had nothing in common. A few weeks after he'd vowed to be a bachelor all his life, he met Sable. She happened to be doing clinicals at the hospital the same night Nicole went into labor with Lucas. Aaron said all it took was one glance across the waiting room. They married a month after Edward and I. Since then, they've had two kids and expecting another. They insisted that we become godparents to their kids. We humbly accepted.

Since my transformation, Aaron and Edward had become close friends, and he continually argued with the elders in the tribe to modify the vampire treaty. One of his proposals was any vampire with golden eyes were allowed, but red eyes were not. No, the elders didn't accept that one either. They refused to budge. Their reasoning was that if they allowed one set of vampires on their land, then nothing could stop the others. Irina was still a threat. She had abandoned the Denali Coven — choosing to turn nomad after they refused to help her attack the werewolves. No one was sure of her whereabouts, or what evil plans she may be concocting for her revenge.

The Cullens were ecstatic to have me in their family — including Rosalie. Carlisle referred to me as the missing link. Two years after our wedding, Edward and I, along with the rest of the Cullens, moved to Connecticut. I attended school like the others and was expected to graduate next year. Edward promised we could travel to Europe together afterwards. He knew how much I always wanted to visit their museums, art galleries, and historical land sites.

Dad was the only one in the family who was clueless as to what had happened to me. Austen had learned through Bree. He didn't seemed surprised, and he adored and respected Edward and the rest of the Cullens. Emmett and Jasper treated him like their little brother also. They were very protective of my human family.

Mom forgave Edward for everything. They both had been freed from their demons. She privately joked at how she would forever be linked with her two boyfriends from high school: her son marrying Jacob's daughter, and her daughter marrying Edward himself. "Thank God I only had two boyfriends and two kids," she would say.

I ceased my reminiscing when Dad moved over to the tree and began passing out presents. We opened the gifts like a normal family. Mom motioned us to move to the kitchen after every present was opened, the wrappings thrown away, and we all thanked one another for the generous gifts.

"Everyone, hold on for a moment," Dad said. "There is something special I want to share." He disappeared into his study, and returned to the living room with a thick folder in his hand. "Bella, and maybe Jane and Austen know that I have been working on a novel for nearly twenty-six years. I have finally finished and have found an editor."

We each praised him with a either a clap or a verbal acclamation.

"Can we now know what it's about?" I asked.

Dad smiled. "A love story between two star-crossed lovers. The male character has a dark family secret which causes him to be unsociable and cold. Then unexplainable circumstances brings him across the female character's path. They fall madly in love and face various adversities in their relationship."

"How does it end?"

"I'll just say everyone likes a happy ending." Dad winked. Edward and I exchanged a glance.

"I'm really happy for you Dad, but I'm starving right now." Austen escaped to the kitchen with Bree and my parents steadily talking about Dad's book behind him.

I rose to follow, but Edward took my hand and led me outside.

"Does he know?" I asked. The wind whipped my hair around my face.

"Not yet. His novel couldn't possibly be based on us. It's true he'll have to find out sooner or later. I'm sure Bella will take care of it. I think he will handle it well just as Austen did."

His gaze was as soft as a caress and for a long moment, I looked back.

"Then is there a reason you drug me out here?" I asked in a teasing manner.

His eyes sparkled when he laughed. "Do I have to have a reason to want to be alone with my wife?"

Never.

He pulled me close to him — his embrace encompassed more than my waist. Though my heart no longer thumped, my body still responded to his presence. Parting my lips, I raised myself to meet his kiss.

Author's Notes: I would like to thank everyone who read and responded. I can't believe I have finally finished this story. I hope you all enjoyed the journey. I know it was difficult for those who are Bella/Edward forever. Thank you for sticking with me. Oh…The End;)