They left after Bella returned from putting the babies down for their nap. Alex wouldn't be napping for too much longer. I had to take my chances while I could. I grabbed her hand as soon as the front door closed, my intent clear, but my wife stopped me.

"We can't baby, Rose and Emmett aren't back yet and you said you would keep an eye on Antonia. Don't worry; we still have the night to ourselves." She pat my cheek and left me standing there. I knew where she was going; back to our room; it's where she always was when Alex was sleeping. I sighed and Jasper was cracking up in his head at me. He also wasn't planning to relieve me of my commitment to babysit either. I strode in the opposite direction of my love and went into the basement where Antonia was sleeping and grabbing a book to read along the way.

Rose and Emmett didn't return until that evening and once Alex was asleep for the night, I kept Bella busy in our room until he woke. I was not to be deterred and luckily for me, Bella didn't appear to be inclined to stop me on my mission.

Before we knew it, it was time for Angela and Ben's wedding. Bella had finally consented to allowing Esme and Carlisle to babysit Alex while we were gone. Bella had decided to go with us after all. She had gotten herself sickly looking again. Alice made her look even worse than the last time. We had our story to tell people when they saw her and inevitably asked us questions. I had called Angela and Ben the night before to tell them that Bella was coming to the wedding with me. Alice and Jasper were also going and they were taking their own car. Bella and I walked to our car and I made sure that the wheelchair was there as well as a blanket and a thermos of blood. She was excited to see Angela get married and have her join our family. I was too.

I parked the car and Bella had spent the ride practicing her sick and weak posture as well as a raspy, weak, tired voice. I would be doing most of the talking for the two of us this evening. I got out and set up her chair next to the car. I also had to make it look like an effort to lift my wife and work at a human pace. Bella smiled weakly, but genuinely at me. I kissed her gently and set her in the chair, covering her legs with a blanket. We saw Lauren and Tyler on our way in and Lauren's thoughts betrayed disgust at Bella's sickly look. She actually thought that once Bella was dead, that she could make her move on me, providing comfort to my grieving self. Bella would have a good laugh at that later. I wouldn't be surprised if the town bicycle could even infect a vampire with a STD. Tyler looked at her and decided he was glad that Bella never went out with him. He didn't want to be deathly ill, despite we told him it happened on our honeymoon…off the continent. He was afraid of death, as most people are. He was also confident that he would be getting laid tonight. Huh? I was pretty sure I'd be getting laid tonight too. I love my Bella and I'm so glad I found her.

"Hey Bella, how are you feeling?"

"There are good days and not so good days. Today is a good day. I'm so happy for Angela." Bella rasped out and gasped for her unneeded breath. I kneeled next to her and rubbed her back gently.

"Take it slow baby, you need your energy." Bella smiled at me. Alice and Jasper approached and ushered all of us into the church. We found seats in the back where there was a space for the wheelchair. I held onto Bella's hand in her lap, remembering our own wedding day; definitely one of the top five days of my life.

"What are you thinking about my love?"

"Our wedding and how much our lives are going to change in the next few weeks. I'm excited for them and I'm glad that they want to join us."

"I was thinking that too. I am honored that they asked us. Are you prepared for that?"

"I think so. Are you?"

"Bella, with you by my side, I can do anything. You are my whole world." I kissed her gently again and this time an older couple saw us. Neither said anything to us, but they both thought very nice things at me that I would still be so affectionate with my wife even as she already has one foot in the grave. They loved my devotion to her and could tell that we were very much in love. I quietly whispered their thoughts to Bella and she smiled, covering my hand in her lap with her free one. Music starting brought our attention back to the present. It was time for the wedding to start.

The ceremony was one of the most beautiful ones I have ever been to, my own excluding because I'm biased and no one could ever look as beautiful as my Bella in her wedding gown. Angela's father barely suppressed his tears as he not only gave away his only daughter, but presided over the ceremony as well. I don't know that I could do the same thing were I in his position. Could I put my daughter's hand in another's and pronounce them husband and wife, knowing what they will be doing once they are alone for the night? I had to admit, there really are some brave humans in the world and being a vampire doesn't mean I'm always the stronger one. Bella proved that to me more than once since I met her. Mental strength is sometimes more important than physical strength. I carried these thoughts with me as I loaded Bella into the car and drove to the reception. We weren't going to stay long; just long enough to congratulate the new couple. Bella was going to feign fatigue and we were going to leave. Our gift was with Alice and Jasper so we didn't have to worry about that.

The one nice thing about being at the wedding was being able to catch up with Irina. She was still stalking Mr. Banner and had even gotten him to partake in an illicit affair with her. He was besotted with her and she couldn't wait until she "graduated" this year so she can tell him and hopefully arrange his change. Mr. Banner was horrified when he saw Bella and filled with grief when he heard that there wasn't much time left. Irina was amused though she couldn't show it as I told her everything below human hearing. I made her promise to go see her sisters and new brothers soon. They will be happy to see her and understand why they don't see her much.

We were able to congratulate Angela and Ben and left about thirty minutes later. Bella also wanted to get home to Alex as she doesn't yet fully trust Carlisle and Esme. She had left strict instructions for Alex's care and this was Carlisle and Esme chance to earn her trust back fully and possibly her forgiveness.

"Momma!" Alex squealed and literally jumped into her arms as soon as we walked in the door. Bella smiled and squeezed him to her chest. He told her everything that he did while we were gone. He now looked like he was five. She took him upstairs while he was talking to take off all of the make up and change her clothes. She seemed pleased at what she was hearing. I listened to them and shielded Alex's eyes when Bella changed. Even though she was in the closet, I didn't want to take any chances. Bella's body was only for me to look at. Actually, truth be told, it was my new favorite pastime. I could stare at her naked form all day and never get bored. I was jarred back to reality by a smack to the back of my head.

"Ow, what was that for?" Bella could definitely hit harder now that she had been changed.

"You know what that is for. Don't make me do it again." "Perv, I know what you were thinking. I could see it on your face." She added a much better explanation in her thoughts.

"I'm sorry, honey. I'll try to do better." I couldn't commit because we both knew it was going to happen again. She simply smirked at me, nodded and engaged Alex in a game. He was officially too big for naps and that depressed me just a little. I played with them desperate to get my wife alone for a few hours. She smacked me again, with a warning look. I shrugged, but didn't apologize; I just couldn't help it and I didn't want to try.

Three days later, we sent out word that Bella had died. We didn't want a memorial service and kept our mourning private as Bella had requested. She, like Charlie, had also asked in lieu of flowers, to please make a donation; only she chose the library instead of the police department. I made a public run a few days after that to get rid of some of her belongings to the good will. Many people greeted me and offered their condolences. I played my part well and thanked them for their kind words. Most of them had in fact made donations to the library for her. I had confessed that the grief was overwhelming and we were moving so that I may have peace of mind. In their minds, they understood that I needed to move away from Forks and hoped that I would be able to "bounce back" after the loss of my love.

We were all packed and ready to move on. Carlisle and Esme were supervising the relocation of all of our things. Alice, Jasper and Emmett went ahead onto the new house to get it set up and collect the more important items that we had shipped ahead of time. Rosalie and Antonia were flying out two days later to avoid Antonia coming into contact with all the dust. Bella and I were closing up her father's house and making sure that there were no loose ends here before we flew out. Since Bella and I were flying to Paris to collect Angela and Ben, Alex will be flying with Carlisle and Esme. It wasn't something Bella was entirely happy about, but knew that it needed to be done. Esme and Carlisle had redeemed themselves in Bella's eyes when we left him in their care while we were at the wedding. Bella packed his carry-on and again left instructions with my parents for his care. Carlisle and Esme understood Bella's actions and were determined once again to not stray from her instructions.

A/N: I'm winding down to the end. I have a small lemon in the next chapter and then it will be onto the kidnapping. I don't know that I will do very much with Angela and Ben once they "wake up" or even if I get to that part. I'm kind of letting it flow out of my fingers at the moment. Closing a story is always the hardest part for me with out adding more plot twists. I've let this story get away from me and now it's time to reign myself in. As always, thank you all for sticking with me on this super long journey. This story is way longer than I had intended for it to go. Reviews are wanted and appreciated. Have a great day! Kelly