Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight
Epilogue: All Grown Up
12 years later...2026
And whether we laugh,
Or whether we grieve,
I know both sides are gonna make us see,
How bad we need each other,
Don't you know how bad we need each other.
And I cannot see what's a mile around the bend,
I do not know where this world is headed,
Or where it may end.
But you gave me this smile,
And so I threw away my frown,
And I ain't gonna pick up,
You don't pick up what you just put down.
The people are gonna be okay,
Storms never come to stay,
They just show us,
How bad we need each other,
How bad we need each other.
(Bella's POV)
"Okay who's ready for lunch!" I yelled out as I finished making the grilled cheese for everyone. "Eddie, Tony, Ella, Izzy, C.J! Come on! Your cousins will be here any minute!"
"Coming Mom!" Eddie yelled, being the main speaker for his siblings.
"Someone just woke up from their nap," Edward announced, coming over with Beth in his arms. Her little mouth formed an 'o' as she yawned, leaning against Edward. She grinned when she saw me and started to clap her hands excitedly.
"Hey baby," I cooed to my youngest, kissing her cheek. She was only a year and our last child, that's for sure. Edward and I are not having anymore. Twelve years later and we have six children. Six kids, still not getting over it.
As you probably guessed by now, the triplets are twelve. I still can't believe how all three of them grew up so fast, soon they're going to be off going to college and getting married. Okay, Bella, going way too fast there.
Edward Jr. or Eddie acts like the oldest throughout any situation since he's our most mature child. He still has my brown hair and brown eyes. He's the most like me when he's quiet, but a lot of his personality is his father. He is the 'uptight' one according to Tony and Nathan. I don't think Eddie is that uptight, but he is very much like his father.
Anthony or Tony, or Little Emmett, is basically my brother mentally. Physically though, he's Edward and I with his bronze hair and brown eyes. Emmett has basically been my son's role model since birth, and I don't know if that ever was a good idea. Though because of their insane teacher, Nathan and Tony have formed a lovable bond together of being the pranksters in the family.
After Tony is our little Ella with the face of an angel. She has curly bronze hair and green eyes. She's always been the most like me because of her love of writing, and her slight shy tendencies, but other than that she seems to also have a little Rosalie Hale in her. Ella doesn't take crap from anyone and especially anyone who hurts someone in her family or friends circle. Plus I can see Ella having a wild streak in the future.
Anyway after the triplets were born, about three years after, we wanted one more. That's how we ended up having our now nine year old, Isabel "Izzy" Rosemary Cullen.
Izzy has Edward's bronze hair and my brown eyes. Her personality is very tomboyish. Since Ella and her were outnumbered by boys for awhile Izzy just learned to play with the guys, but I do admit not all of my daughter is a tomboy. She has a little fashionista flare sometimes.
After Izzy, we did have another one. It was on accident, even though we don't tell C.J that.
C.J, or Charlie Jasper Cullen, is our seven year old was born on a late November day. Emmett likes to tease us all the time because he did the math and found out C.J was valentines day sex...Anyway C.J is the genius in the family with my brown hair and brown eyes. He knows how to outsmart anyone even though he's seven, plus he's a little awkward and we love him for that.
Then I don't know, a year ago something made me and Edward want another one, our final one, and that's what came of Elizabeth Vanessa Cullen, or baby Beth. She has my brown eyes and Edward's bronze hair, just like most of the other kids. She's a sweet little baby who just wants to be cuddled all the time.
So as you can tell, our lives have been pretty hectic. Besides having a bunch of kids, Edward and I progressed in our careers. He's become one of the best doctors at the Forks Hospital, and in only a matter of time is going to take over his father's position as chief. And as for me, I'm still going strong as a teacher. I love it. Plus the hours are great since right after school I get to see my kids.
"I'm here mama," Izzy exclaimed as she brought forward her plate. "Can I please have a grilled cheese?"
"Of course baby. Here you go," I said, handing her one of the many sandwiches. I chuckled as I then served everyone lunch one by one in a single file line. Renee likes to tease us that our family is like a little army sometimes.
Speaking of Renee, Phil and her love the kids so much. The same goes for Charlie, Sue, Esme, and Carlisle. Phil and Renee even decided to buy a house here for the summer months so they can us more. It's great having all our parents here though, with a big family like ours we need all the help we can get.
Once everyone was quiet and seated with their food, none other than Emmett came barreling through our backyard with his family right behind him.
Today everyone was coming over for lunch. Every Sunday afternoon we have get togethers at someone's house. It's at our house today, so I'm making my famous grilled cheese sandwiches for them.
"Bella! It's your favorite brother! Open up!" Emmett said, knocking on the door with Rosalie and the kids.
Oh yeah, Rose and Emmett had a lot of kids too. Five to be exact, one less than us.
Of course, their eldest was Nathan. He still has Rose's blonde hair with a touch of brown now and his father's brown eyes. Nathan is the copy of his father and there's a reason his best friend is Tony. Emmett was their, and I quote, Sensei. They are evil master minds when it comes to pranking people.
After Nathan they had the beautiful Meredith "Merry" Isabella, my god daughter. She's the same age as Izzy, nine years old. She's a little Rosalie with her blonde hair and bright blue eyes, but she doesn't have a personality close to one of her parents. She's quiet and always has her nose stuck in a book.
After Merry, Emmett and Rosalie had Zachary Jasper, who's seven, the same age as our C.J. He's best friends with C.J and he's probably another goofball in our family who we love. He has Emmett's brown hair and brown eyes, so in another way Emmett got another little minion.
Next up is Alexander "Alex" Edward. He has brown hair and brown eyes like his brother, but he's the most reserved. He's quiet and is the sweetest little boy ever at five years old. He doesn't have a mean bone in his body.
Last but not least, is their own baby Christine "Chrissy" Alice. She's a beautiful blue eyed baby with blonde curls like her mother. She's a happy baby, giggling all the time, and loves to have play dates with Beth.
"Hey sis!" Emmett greets me with a hug as the Hale-Swan clan flood our home. "Ooo I smell grilled cheese, delish sis!"
"Thanks Em." I chuckled. I'm glad to have my brother right next door. I'd miss him a ton if he wasn't living around here. It's been great watching our kids grow up together.
Their lives have been pretty successful too. Emmett's now moving up to chief of police at our town while Rosalie's daycare business here seems to be booming since it's the only one in the area. The nearest daycare is in Port Angeles and this is easier for a lot of the families of Forks to have our own daycare center here.
"Hey kids, after lunch who wants to go teppe the-"
"Emmett Swan, no," Rosalie threatened, tapping him upside the head. "Don't encourage them! We don't need to make a mess of Aunt Bella and Uncle Edward's yard."
"Thanks Rose!" Edward yelled from the kitchen.
"No problem Edward!" Rosalie sung, balancing Christine on her hip as she strides away gracefully from her husband. We both look at each other and chuckle as Emmett looked down at Rose like a hurt puppy.
"I'm sorry Roseeeeeeee!" Emmett whined. Rosalie rolled her eyes as she went to go kiss him on the lips. I smiled seeing the two of them. The first of us to ever venture into the romantic field. I can't believe how far those two have come.
"Love ya too Emmett," Rose said, giving him a playful bump. I shook my head in a chuckle as I went back to making grilled cheese for the rest of the family.
"We have arrived!" Alice announced giddily, coming in behind Rose and Emmett. She had her arm hooked with Jasper's while their three little angels stood in front of them.
Alyssa is now eleven and the spitting image of her father, the only thing is she has her mother and father's personality. She has her mother's spunk and fashion sense, just a little toned down. I think she gets that from her father.
After Lissy, Alice and Jasper had Amy Isabella Hale, who is nine like Iz and Merry. She has Jasper's blonde hair and blue eyes like Lizzy. All of her though is Alice because of her energetic pixie likeness and her sense of fashion.
Last but not least is little Jasper Whitlock Jr., or J.J, who is four and a sweetheart. He's an adorable little boy who is very quiet. Just like Alex the two are our 'teddy bear' children since they are very lovable little boys.
"Hey bro, what's up!" Alice said, kissing Edward's cheek and then mine. "And how are ya sis?"
"I'm good Alice." I chuckled, holding up a plate of grilled cheeses. "Sandwich?"
"Why thank you darling," She said, taking one and nibbling on it. "So good!"
Jasper smiled at his wife's energetic tendencies and placed a kiss on her forehead while wrapping an arm around her shoulder to pull her close. Once Jasper came back for good from the army he got a teaching job at Forks High School as a History teacher. Meanwhile Alice's fashion stores are booming. She's now has stores in Seattle, Forks, LA, Orlando, Chicago, and she's even opening up one in New York now.
"And last but not least, the youngsters are here!" Seth called out, coming in with a mass of kids in front of him. They weren't all of his of course, thank god. The world already has two protégées of Emmett, we don't need little Seth's running around with the little Emmett's.
"What's up guys!" Nessie called out, entering right behind Seth with Jake and Maggie.
"Seth! My brother from another mother, what's up!" Emmett exclaimed, picking up Seth and swinging him all around.
Ah, their bromance.
"Emmett! My man!" Seth called out, high fiving him once he was put down.
"That sure was a grand entrance," Edward teased, earning a kiss on the cheek from his youngest sister.
"Yeah, well that's us. The Black-Clearwater clan meeting up with the Cullen-Swan-Hale clan," Nessie said, holding the newborn close to her chest.
Jacob smiled as he came over to Nessie's side, placing a kiss on her cheek. Those two finally tied the knot and now had five beautiful children.
Hunter and Sarah were just like the twins, the eldest of the group at twelve and very mature. Hunter and Sarah look pretty identical even though they're fraternal. They both have the same brown hair and brown eyes. They both had their mother's very pale skin and both had slight features of Jake. Hunter was just like Eddie in the sense he's a mature leader to the other kids. Sarah was pretty quiet and loved art. She was always covered in some sort of paint stain growing up. Sarah has been best friends with Ella since birth while Hunter and Eddie are really good friends.
After the twins, Jake and Ness decided they only wanted two more. First they had William "Will" Carlisle Black, who's nine years old as well. He has his mother's brownish-red hair and her brown eyes. He can be a goofball at times, but his personality is a lot like Jacob's. Though I have to say he has a huge soft spot when it comes to Merry. Those two have been inseparable since birth.
After Will they had Carlie Esme. She has brown hair and brown eyes and is five years old. She is like the carbon copy of Ness. Everything about her reminds me of little Nessie. She's an adorable little thing who is very creative and can make anyone smile.
Then last but not least is the youngest child of them all, who was only born a few weeks ago, is Janessa "Jessie" Alice Black. She is a tiny little thing and such a sweet baby. Jake and Ness didn't really plan for her, but they love her unconditionally. Though they both decided this was their last one. Five kids is a lot to handle.
They were doing very good though. Jake now has his own garages. One's in Forks and one's in Seattle. They were pretty successful while Nessie series of children's books made it on the best seller list. They were all stories based off our shenanigans as children. The kids love them so much. They're called The Adventures of the Woodley Gang. Nessie made us all talking animals who live in a forest and go on adventures together. For example, Belle the lamb and Ed the lion are two of the members of the Woodley Gang who have a soft spot for each other and spend their time together in a secret meadow…Sounds like Edward and Me.
"Well come on, don't be shy guys. Go get something to eat, and both of you go rest. You look tired," I told the two, smiling.
"Yeah, the little one's been keeping us up," Jake said, chuckling as he brushed a hand gently over Janessa's head.
"Don't worry, I can watch her for a bit. I'm sure Beth and Chrissy want to see her," Edward said as Nessie placed the baby in his arms. "Go relax."
"Thanks man," Jake said, giving Edward a pat on the back. "Thanks a lot," Nessie added, kissing both of our cheeks. She then went back to holding Jake's hand as the two headed off towards the other.
"Off to go to the baby corner," Edward said, laughing as he placed the sleeping newborn in a stroller. The baby corner is where the babies are always at since we have their toys and play pin set up there. Don't ask, Emmett and Seth named it that.
"Thanks for having us all over again, Bella," Maggie remarked, coming over with her arms linked with Seth.
"No problem guys, it's our pleasure. Plus you guys always have us over on Friday night for pizza," I said, smiling at them.
"It's nothing," Maggie said, smiling as she hugged tightly to Seth's side. He smiled and kissed the top of her forehead. They had the least amount of children than all of us with two.
Their oldest is Harry Seth Clearwater at four years old. He's another 'teddy bear child' for always being so sweet. He looks like a carbon copy of Seth. Then last but not least is Bridget Susan Clearwater, who looks a lot like Maggie except with light brown hair she gets from her mother's side. Bridget is two and is a sweet little baby.
Besides having adorable twins, Seth and Maggie's dog grooming business is very successful. So many celebrities come to have their dogs groomed by them every day. Heidi still has no clue what she missed out on and last I heard she was broke and no one liked her after some incident she caused a few years back. Seth was so ecstatic about that he tepeed their home. I'm positive Maggie was too, even though she processed the news more mature than Seth.
"Well off to play with the little monsters!" Seth announced, taking a giggling Maggie with him. I smiled as I watched our family gather in our large living room. We sure had a huge family with 21 children all together. I know, we're crazy, but we love it. I love every single one of these guys and they all have different personalities and love each other just the same. This is something I've honestly dreamed about having for a long time, ever since Charlie and Renee got a divorce. A huge family with lots of kids and lots of love.
"Well, it looks like everyone's fed and having fun. That just leaves us," Edward whispered in my ear, kissing my cheek. "The older girls are watching the babies, Seth and Emmett are on toddler duty with Alice while the others are supervising and just hanging out…That just leaves you and me, Mrs. Cullen."
"Did you plan this or something?" I asked, raising an eyebrow as he then slowly led me to the back porch.
"Sort of, it was Alice's idea. They thought we could use some alone time since we put this whole lunch together and everything's been crazy...Plus, I think we both want this," Edward said, bringing me closer to his body. I smiled, resting my head against his chest as his arms wrapped around me.
I looked up from his arms to see the sun was out today in Forks, a rare occasion, and was now beginning to set. The pinks and oranges smeared across the light blue sky. It truly was beautiful.
"Mrs. Cullen?" Edward asked in a very proper tone. We pulled apart and he held out his hand to me. "Would you like this dance?" I laughed as he turned on a nearby CD player with his foot, allowing music to enter the air around us. If I could make out the song clearly, it was an old tune from when we were kids.
"Why of course, Mr. Cullen," I said, laughing as I take both of his hands in mine. I then let Edward swirl me around on the porch, swaying back and forth in his arms.
"We have everything we could've asked for," Edward whispered, running a hand through my hair. "A big family, kids, great jobs, a beautiful home…"
"And each other...I love you Edward. So much," I whispered, kissing his lips passionately.
"I love you too, Bella. Always," he replied, grinning as he kissed my lips again. I sighed happily as I ran my fingers through his golden copper locks while his hands held me by the waist, bringing me closer to his body. I truly felt like I was sixteen again.
Edward and I pull apart after awhile, both grinning. Our foreheads touched as we then swayed back and forth some more to the melody.
Life...It goes by so fast. One moment your five years old meeting your best friend for the first time, then your twelve getting your first kiss, sixteen and having your first boyfriend, eighteen and going to college, nineteen and having sex for the first time, twenty-seven and having your first kid, then getting married; and now at thirty-nine I have great friends, six children, and an amazing husband. Growing up was a wild ride. It was difficult, confusing, upsetting, fun, and was possibly the most interesting thing I'll ever experience, but in the end it was all worth it. Sure, life threw it's curveballs at us, but in the end we all got we wanted.
And we would continue living in bliss for the rest of our lives….The End.
And the trials of today,
They are signs along the way,
To remind us,
How bad we need each other,
How bad we need each other.
The people are gonna be okay,
I said storms never come to stay,
They just show us,
How bad we need each other,
How bad we need each other.
We ought to take a little time to sit,
Because the wisest men forget.
How bad we need each other,
Don't you know how bad we need each other.
And I need you more then I let it show,
And you need me more then you know,
We can't walk a single mile alone,
Yeah I need you, I need you so darn bad.
~Marc Scibilia, How Bad We Need Each Other
A/N: You guys probably recognized the song from the last chapter. For these last two chapters it was definitely the theme song…But guys…Damn…That's it for this story. It's over :')I know corny ending, but come on it was sweet. Being the loser I am, I'm crying at 1am over the fact it's over. it's been a long journey with this story and the previous one. It's almost been TWO YEARS!? Can you believe that!? Two freaking years and in those two years I've grown a lot. I started writing this series as a fetus practically! Lol kidding. Unfortunately even though I promised a sequel to this, I am no longer able to do it. I just don't have the time anymore.
Anyway, thank you all so much for putting up with the long awaited updates and everything. Thank you for reading and thank you for reviewing. I would be nowhere without you guys! I love you all! Thank you so much for the amazing journey that was this fan fiction! See ya on the flip side :)
~xoxo Sibuna826Twihard
