Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns everything in the Twiverse. No copyright infringement intended.

A/N: It all comes down to this. PLEASE see my closing Author's Note for some important news. THANK YOU!

Epilogue: Flying toward Forever

Bella's POV

"Are you sure?" Edward asked.

I bit my lip and looked away, avoiding him and his inquisitive eyes.

"Bella?"

"Yes?"

He wasn't fooled by my fake enthusiasm. "Are you sure this is what you want?"

"Yes." It still sounded like a question.

He turned my face toward him with his index finger, his face taut with concern. "Bella, you don't have to do this if you don't want to. There are other options."

I studied his eyes, seeing the support there, and made my decision. "I'm sure."

"Bella…"

"No, I mean it. If I'm going to spend the next few weeks on a tropical island, then I need to dress the part. And that part demands a large hat with an obscenely large flower on top." I tilted the wide-brimmed monstrosity to one side. "And this one matches your shirt."

Edward snorted, a suspicious eye on said garment. "I never agreed to wear that."

I shrugged, mulling over the matching shorts. "I made an executive decision."

We were in a small shop near the airport on leg three of our journey to Isle Esme. The Whitlocks were in the store next door, Alice having seen the owner's decision to offer a one-day 50% discount on all shoes. The McCartys were feigning sleep on the benches near the departure gate, and the Cullens were on the phone with the island maintenance staff for the fourth time, ensuring all was ready for our arrival later this evening.

"An executive decision, eh?" Edward said I laid the floral shorts atop our growing pile. "If that be the case, I want full bikini selection privileges and a lifetime veto on all Speedos."

I stroked my chin in thought then extended a stiff hand. "Deal. A pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Anthony."

Edward kissed my hand, ruining my serious expression. I swatted his arm as he pulled out his wallet and handed his credit card embossed with his current alias to the woman behind the counter. "My apologies for the delay. I needed to be sure she was sure."

The elderly matron chuckled as she scanned the tags. "You just take good care of your wife, son. I've got all the time in the world to wait for that." She motioned Edward forward, lowering her voice as she leaned in. "And from the way she smiles at you, I'd say she was 100% sure. About everything."

Edward smiled in return, and my heart fluttered at her words.

She had no idea.

Under the guise of an extended family vacation, I'd said my version of goodbye in Forks with no hesitation. Angela and I would probably email with some regularity until her freshman year studies intensified. Then we'd keep tabs on each other for a while to gush about Edward and Ben, but new experiences would soon supplant the old, and our messages would go from frequent to nonexistent.

And that was for the best.

With Charlie having permission to stay in my life beyond my change, there had been no need to fake my fall enrollment in Dartmouth. When I confirmed my decision to postpone my education over dinner a few months ago, he'd taken the news rather well, asking only that I do whatever I felt was best.

I was truly the luckiest daughter on earth.

The lone potential wrinkle came when Charlie later asked how much he could tell Madeleine. He understood our need for secrecy but hated the idea of lying to his soon-to-be fiance. When we discussed it as a family at the mansion, Rosalie volunteered her favor from Aro to request Maddie be placed in the loop, but Carlisle declined, thinking we might later need it for something more important. The decision was placed in my hands, and I decided Charlie could tell her about the Cullens' medical condition whenever he felt it necessary. It was a lie anyway, part of the human subterfuge, so the Volturi couldn't object to her awareness of it. And if they tried, then Rosalie could call in her favor.

Assuming Aro held up his part of the deal.

We'd heard nothing from the Volturi since Aro left Forks that January day, and it wasn't until Alice watched their attention shift to some nomadic troublemakers near the Arctic Circle just before senior prom that I fully relaxed. I still wanted to visit The Throne Room once I was fit for public appearances, if only to shove my eternal happiness in Caius' face, but Edward advised caution.

"No need to rattle the rabid savage," he'd whispered one night. "Demetri is tracking our movements and Aro knows our plans, so our arrival on Isle Esme will be proof enough of your change." He'd nuzzled my neck with his nose, slipping his arms around my bare waist. "Besides which, we have our own plans once you're fit to be around humans again. Starting with our honeymoon book tour."

An eternity with Edward and plenty of books to boot. What could be better than that?

We exited the store just as Alice and Jasper made it to the street, his immortal strength a good thing as there were four full bags in both hands. "Would you believe she used restraint?" he asked.

"Not at all," I smiled as Alice slipped her arms through mine. "But I'm proud of her nonetheless."

"Not as proud as I am of you," she beamed. "The floppy hat was a great touch."

"I guess I have you to blame for those shorts," Edward muttered.

"Nope, that's all him," Alice grinned at her husband.

"Don't knock 'em till you've tried em," Jasper said. "Besides, it's required attire on the Isle. Didn't you see the dress code in your welcome packet?"

We returned to the airport and proceeded to the gate. By now, Rose and Emmett were awake, and he leapt to his feet at the sight of the bags. "What'd ya bring me?"

I laid a finger against my mouth. "It's a surprise."

He pouted and turned to Alice. "Give me a hint?"

"No way." She rummaged through her carry-on, pulling out a small tube of hand sanitizer. "I'm trying to stay on Baby's good side."

She handed it to me, and I smiled. "As well you should."

Though Edward and I had yet to pick a date for my change, the Cullens' excitement prompted them to nickname me "Baby" in reference to my looming newborn status. I'd thought that was the only reason until Edward confided the other one as we lay in our meadow bed the other night.

"They were thinking of which movie line best describes you, and Jasper decided on 'Nobody puts Baby in a corner.'" He smiled then, his eyes further illuminated by the moonlight. "And they were right. Nobody—me, The Pack, Volturi or the nomads—could put you in a corner, Bella. And anyone who tried got knocked on their ass."

I'd giggled then. "So I knock you on your ass?"

"Every single time you look at me." His eyes darkened with intensity. "And I pray you never stop."

"They're about to announce your flight," Alice said, snapping me out of my memories.

"Our flight?"

"Last-minute change of plans," Carlisle glanced at Esme. "You and Edward will take the first flight out today, and we'll follow six hours behind you."

"Six hours?" we sighed in unison, our eyes locking.

Rosalie shook her head, chuckling. "Could you be more obvious?"

Edward cleared his throat. "I was just thinking of how many games of chess we could play without an audience."

"Yes, and I'm excited about having plenty of time to unpack."

"Nice," Edward whispered.

"Thank you."

"So you two need to get a move on," Esme smiled. "You know, to unpack and play chess."

We said our goodbyes to the family, ignoring Emmett's jibes about what Edward's king would do with my queen, and handed our purchases to Jasper for safe shipping.

"We'll see you on the other side," I said, smiling at them all.

"On the other side," Carlisle said, his sentiments reflected in five pairs of golden eyes.

Edward turned to me, extending his hand in invitation. "Ready, love?"

I clasped his hand, standing on tiptoe for a kiss. "I was born ready."

And with the support of our family at our backs, Edward and I prepared to board the last plane on our flight to forever.

"UMMM… THAT'S IT?! THAT'S ALL WE GET?!"

Well… yes and no.

YES, that's all you get because "Serenity's Prayer" is finished.

But NO, that's not all for this saga because there will be a SEQUEL! I've toyed with the idea since Laurent fled to Volterra, and sometime after Charlie woke up, I decided to go for it. I'm equal parts nervous and excited, and I hope you'll help me increase the latter!

I will begin the sequel after I finish my summer-long redraft of my original novel, so look for the first chapter of "Eternity's Wish" around mid/late September.

BUT WAIT! There's more!

As soon as you give me some suggestions, I am planning an assortment of Outtakes/Deleted scenes/Alt POV's of "Serenity's Prayer" to tide us over. They will enhance not alter the story you read, so no worries there. PLEASE share your ideas/wishes, so I can get started!

Also I already started a new AU New Moon fic (totally unrelated to this one) called "A Love Worth Defending," inspired by my stint on jury duty a few weeks ago. Check it out on my profile!

There is no way to adequately thank all of you who read and rec'd, reviewed and relished my very first fanfiction, but know that your support and enthusiasm for my writing has changed my life, and I will always be in your debt.

SPECIAL THANKS to Cassandra Lowery, jmolly, Lissa Bryan, nuttyginger, Sherryola, TwiLoverSue, and Camilla10, amazing women and writers in their own right who I am blessed enough to also call Friends. Your influence and assistance have made me a better writer and woman, and I thank God for you every day.

Ta-Ta for now, dear readers. I'll see you soon… in one fic or another! xoxo

- ladylibre, 6.22.13