Epilogue

The judge ruled five years behind bars for Lucy. She gave birth behind bars, custody for the baby being awarded to her family. The father of the baby was put behind bars for a lot longer.

They stole from my father and thought they could get away with it. To steal his entire business disguised as a merger. They turned investors against him from the inside out.

The money was returned, our fortune restored, name cleared.

My relationship with Edward had only grown stronger. We spoke daily on the phone, nightly via FaceTime. I'd purchased a vibrator he could control from his phone… that got out of hand quickly.

"Sweets," my Dad knocks on my bedroom door smiling proudly at me, "look at you."

My graduation robe was heavy, but right. I'd finally made it. I'd already been working closely with Alice to make the bar bigger and better. Edward had handed it to me as purpose like Zane had guessed. He said he'd outgrown it and knew I could handle the financials where Alice couldn't. I couldn't wait to collaborate and run a business with someone who had fast become my best friend. With just weeks left before her due date I would return to New York to help where she couldn't pick up slack. Edward's new bar was in the middle of construction in Vegas, growing by the minute. Emmett had relocated there with Rose to watch over it. Turns out the two of them had managed to make it work.

I was proud to call him mine.

"Thanks Dad," I smile, "thanks for being here."

"I'm so proud. My baby is graduating and I can't believe you're moving," he takes me in his arms, holding me tight, "my baby you are my world and I can't wait to watch you find yours."

"I have," I smile.

"Me too," the voice i'd heard only on my phone for the past 14 weeks is suddenly in my room.

I freeze. My reaction makes my dad laugh. When he steps aside I see him. Edward stands there with a bunch of flowers, a teddy with a graduation cap on its head. Squealing, I race to him, throwing my body at his.

Laughing he picks me up in his arms, kissing my face.

"Hey," he whispers.

I can't believe this is real.

"Your dad called and said he had a spare invite," he says, "I hope it's okay I crash your party."

"I can't believe this," I'm crying.

Damn graduation feels.

"I am so proud of you," he rubs my back, "it was so hard to keep it quiet. I had to fly when you were sleeping so you wouldn't catch on. I called during my layover hoping you wouldn't hear the airport and then yesterday you FaceTimed me from the hotel."

My father laughs behind us. I turn to face him and move to hug him too.

"Thank you dad," I say, "you should properly meet him. This is Edward."

"We had lunch yesterday," Dad ruffles my hair like I'm just 5 again.

"What," I shoot Edward, a look who shrugs.

"He is a fine man, Bella. You've got yourself a keeper," Charlie says, "I was worried about you moving but now I can see with him you'll be happy. Something you more than deserve, baby. I also put him in touch with a close business friend of mine. So a Cullen bar can open right here in Sydney."

"Seriously?" I gasp.

Edward nods smiling.

"It's time to expand. Vegemite and all," he shrugs.

Charlie laughs and shakes his head.

"You couldn't get me in a mile of the stuff," Charlie jokes, "we'll leave in twenty minutes. I'll go see if your brother is ready."

As Charlie leaves Edward takes in the room, placing my flowers and teddy on the bed.

"I knew your room would be pink," he says studying the picture frames of me beside Zane as a kid.

He picks up my newest addition of us smirking.

"That's my favourite," he says.

"Mine too," I nod still quite unsure if my mind is playing a trick on me.

"Twenty minutes," he hums to himself.

As he looks at me and I am already pulling off my rob laughing. He lifts me into his arms kissing me deeply.

"I missed you so much it hurt," he whispers.

"Then take off your clothes and show me how happy you are to see me again. Quick because he'll come back," I whisper back.

"I love you," he laughs.

As I looked into his eyes the empty part of me felt whole again. Purpose. This man had given me purpose. I just knew no matter what happened I'd never let myself lose it again.

Thanks so much for reading.

Thank you for joining me. I loved telling this story.

Please keep an eye on my page! I have a new story coming soon and I can't wait to show you it.

Please review.

L