Here we go with the epilogue. Thanks to everyone who reviewed, it means oh so much to me!
And as for a sequel, here's the deal. If this story gets 2,000 reviews, I'll do a sequel. So if that does happen eventually, I will do a sequel. I don't care if it's two weeks from now or two months. It'll happen so long as the 2,000 reviews happen.
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BPOV, Four Years Later:
"Do I look like an idiot?" Annabelle asked anxiously, looking over her shoulder at me and self-consciously smoothing down her blue graduation gown.
"Of course not." I soothed her, just as Edward walked into the room with Cameron at his side. "Edward, doesn't Anna look beautiful?" I asked him, gesturing towards her. Edward grinned and walked over to his eighteen year old daughter and gave her a big hug.
The smiles on both their faces were wide and infectious. "Astoundingly so." Edward confirmed, kissing Annabelle's cheek before releasing her. "What about you, Cam? Don't you think your big sister looks pretty?" He asked our son, who nodded solemnly and grabbed onto my leg.
"We should get going." I said, picking Cameron up and then taking Edward's hand. "The auditorium will fill up pretty fast."
I couldn't believe that Annabelle was graduating from high school; as valedictorian, no less. She was such a mature young woman now, and I honestly have enjoyed being part of her life. She's such a good big sister, too. When Cameron was born when she fifteen, Edward and I had wondered how Annabelle would react to having a younger brother. But our worries were unnecessary, because Annabelle and Cameron had adored each other from the start.
When I had found out I was expecting Cameron, my life seemed to go into overdrive. So much was changing so fast, and I didn't know anything about babies or pregnancy. Annabelle was my guiding light; she bought books and read them with me, and even helped me tie my shoes when I got too big to reach my feet.
Although she already had a mother, Rosalie, she treated me with the same love and respect she gave her mother, and I saw her as a daughter.
By the time we finally got to the place where the ceremony was being held, it was packed. Families were everywhere, as well as the graduates in their blue gowns. Cameron squirmed in my arms, sensing all the excitement around and wanting to be a part of it. We said goodbye to Annabelle when she spotted some of her friends, and then decided to go find our seats.
"Can you believe it?" Edward asked in a hushed voice as we sat down.
"No." I sighed, plopping Cameron down in his own seat and handing him a pop up book to keep him occupied. "I feel so old, watching her graduate."
"You feel old? I'm six years older than you are." Edward grumbled, and I rolled my eyes at him.
"Well, we still like you, right Cameron?" I asked my son, gently tickling his belly.
"I love daddy." Cameron said seriously, looking at me with his big green eyes.
"I love you too, little guy." Edward laughed, leaning over me to tap Cameron on the nose. "Mommy likes to be mean to daddy sometimes." He said in a faux whispered, and I pinched his side. "Ow." Edward pouted, and I shook my head.
For a man that is forty one years old, he hasn't seemed to change a bit. "Sit back in your seat." I scolded him. "The ceremony is about to start." Edward stuck his tongue out but did as I said, taking my hand in his. "I love you, old man." I whispered in his ear as the graduates started filling into their seats.
"I love you too, gold-digger." Edward teased, and then we both fell silent as the school principal then started calling names for students who had won various awards and scholarships.
"And now, the class of 2014's valedictorian, Annabelle Cullen." The principal said, and we all started cheering. I spotted Alice and Jasper, Emmet and Tanya, and Carlisle and Esme sitting a few rows in front of us, and Rosalie sitting in the next section over. They were, of course, cheering just as loudly as we were.
Annabelle stepped up to the podium, looking so beautiful and mature and serious that I could feel tears forming in my eyes. "Principal Greene, faculty members, fellow students, friends and family, welcome. This day is finally here, and after waiting for years for its arrival, I will gladly be the first to admit that I wish it weren't. This day means leaving behind friends and beloved teacher who have provided us inspiration, the routines we've had our entire academic careers, and the familiarity many of us have found in high school. So many people have shaped us to become who we are today, and I would like to thank some of these people. First off, our teachers. Without their strict guidance we wouldn't have accomplished all that we have, and I highly doubt I would have been accepted to college if Mr. Banner hadn't pushed me so hard to apply for scholarships or if Mrs. Cope hadn't taught me the proper format for an admissions essay." Annabelle took a deep breath.
"I would also like to thank some of people closest to me. My family members, my aunts, uncles, grandparents, and brother, whose love and laughter have provided me with a firm foundation. My father," I squeezed Edward's hand gently and leaned my head against his shoulder "who always worked his hardest to make me realize how much he loved me. My mother, whom I don't get to see often since she moved, but who has always been there to lend a hand and tell me she loves me." Annabelle took another long breath and then someone managed to find me in the audience.
"And my stepmother, Bella. When she married my father I don't think she realized how important she would become to me, but she truly has become one of the most significant people in my life. She held my hand and gave me a shoulder to cry on when I had a broken heart, she made me laugh when I was feeling angry or upset, and even though I am not her biological daughter, Bella gave me a place in her heart."
Edward gently kissed my temple and a few tears slid down my cheeks. "So thank you." Annabelle said, and I hardly heard the rest of her speech. When I had first met Annabelle, it had been disastrous, yes. But we had made such progress over the months and years…and I hadn't fully realized just how much.
I have never been happier with my life. I have a husband who loves me, a stepdaughter who is grown and treats me like her mother, a son who has his whole childhood before him, and a family that I would not trade for anything.
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The End.
This is a lot shorter than I thought it would be, but I decided it got my point across just fine. Don't forget about my conditions for doing a sequel…
My Love, My Life, has had a long and rocky journey, and I felt great when I hit the 'complete' button.
Review, please.
Xoxo- Melodyella aka Mellie
