Chapter 35

Hello everyone,

Well, we have officially come to the end of this journey. This is the final chapter of this story, and I want to say how wonderful the ride has been. I have enjoyed each and every second of this glorious event.

This particular chapter is so precious to me. One day I was driving to work and heard this song, and I was like OMG that is Micah to a T. I think this song was what I was waiting for to conclude Micah.

So, once again, I want to thank everyone who was a part of this story, and everyone who comes to read it now that it is complete. While Micah is finished, the story is far from over, and I hope you all will join me soon for The Cullens: Bella: COMING SOON

Thanks for reading, reviewing, favoriting, and following.

Thank you, Frannie Walsh for betaing this story, and everyone please come visit us in It All Started with Twilight

Without further ado: I give you Chapter 35

Please Review …

Song: Anyone by Justin Bieber

Six Months Later …

Bella set the prep knife aside and scooped the diced tomatoes into a container. She snapped the lid into place over them and shoved it into the walk-in. Thankfully, after coming back from the leisurely vacation in Europe, Bella had talked to Joe, intending to resign as his waitress. While the money had been great for her pocket—her time with Micah had been limited. No job was worth missing her son grow up, and let's face it … She couldn't stand the thought of Edward going to bed alone.

She'd been taken aback when she'd given Joe Bastianich her resignation letter and then for him to offer her a job as a prep chef.

What did that mean?

Well, it meant coming in through the day, cooking, and cutting different things in preparation for dinner service. It meant being home with her son when he came home from school. It meant helping him with homework when he needed help. It meant waking up and cooking him breakfast. It also meant spending her evenings in the arms of his sexy father, melting into sheets and basking in the afterglow of their sexy times. It meant spending time building a future with her family.

These rambling thoughts brought a radiant smile to her face, which she just couldn't seem to erase. Sometimes she felt like a damn fool walking around with this ridiculous grin. Wiping her hands on a kitchen towel, she reached around her back and untied her apron. A glance at her watch told her she had precisely forty-five minutes to go pick Micah up from school and head home.

Currently, Edward was gone on a meet and greet, which deflated some of Bella's happiness, yet she refused to dwell on his absence. Soon he'd return home and pick up where they'd left off.

Tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, Bella hung her apron on a hook and turned around to find Joe and Irene standing a few feet away with these suspicious smiles on their faces. It was a scarce occasion to see Joe Bastianich in a good mood, let alone smiling from ear to ear. Irene looked as if she would just burst right out of her skin.

Bella's brows drew tight as she studied the pair. "Umm. Did I miss something?"

"We were told to deliver you a few gifts," Joe stated as he reached around to the countertop behind him and grabbed a package. At the same time, Irene darted around the corner to retrieve what looked like a very luxurious gown. "And to have you change in the back. Irene will help you."

"Huh?" Bella was utterly dumbfounded as she stared at the pair. "What's going on? Why would I change into a gown to pick Micah up from school?"

Irene looked as if she were going to jump right out of her skin with excitement, yet she bit her lip to contain herself. Blowing a deep breath, she tipped her chin with a stubborn tilt. "Bella, you ask too many questions. Come on, let's get you ready."

"But ready for what?" Bella didn't have a chance to contemplate the questions flying through her head any further because Irene took the package from Joe's hands and crossed the kitchen. She was beyond perplexed when her best friend turned her toward the back room. Joe's chuckle followed them from the kitchen, and Bella glanced over her shoulder to see a blush tinging his cheeks. "Irene, what's going on? Why would I …"

"No, questions, Bells," Irene stated as she closed and locked the door to the breakroom. "Strip and put on this gown."

Dumbly, Bella gazed at the gold dress glittering beneath the fluorescent lights. It was quite possibly the most beautiful gown she'd ever seen. Her fingertip trailed over the silk spaghetti strap, taking in the low bodice as Irene unwrapped the package Joe had held to reveal a pair of matching pumps. A little velvet box was tucked inside, catching Bella's attention. "What's that?"

Irene snatched the box from the package, and with a wicked grin, said, "You will find out when you strip and put on the gown, Bella."

Bella followed Irene's instruction in somewhat of a daze until she stood in the center of the break room looking as if she were headed to a red-carpet event. Had Edward won some award he hadn't mentioned? How exciting it would be to attend an event fit for the stars, she thought in wonder as she smoothed the material over her curves. "Does this have to do with Edward? Did something happen I'm not aware of? Irene? Why won't you tell me what's going on? You are supposed to be my best friend."

Irene's eyes misted as she studied Bella, and with a slight tremble to her lips, she whispered, "Oh, I am, baby. You look so beautiful. Take that tie out of your hair and give it a toss."

Bella did as Irene encouraged, standing there like a fairy princess as her bestie fussed over her hair. Her brows drew tight as Irene grabbed a tube of gloss from her bag and peppered it across her lips. With Irene's prompting, she rubbed them together as the woman proceeded to brush her wayward eyebrows down. Finally, Bella jerked out of the daze consuming her. "Irene, what the hell is this all about? Really? I should be prepared for whatever this is."

"Bella, do you trust me?"

She contemplated the question. Irene was hands down her best friend. Since coming to New York, Irene had been there for advice and helped her stabilize a career people dreamed about and never once asked for anything in return. Did she trust Irene? Yes—without a fraction of a doubt. "Yeah, but-."

"No questions, Bella." Irene gulped down a breath, her throat constricting as tears clouded her eyes. Ripping them away from her best friend, she held up the velvet box and shook it in front of her. "Ready for this?"

How could she not be ready for something in such a package? Eagerly, she attempted to read the scrawl across the top, yet Irene didn't give her much opportunity as she opened the gift for Bella to see. "Oh my God. This had to be Edward. Oh my … what? What's going on?"

Bella's cheeks flushed, and her skin heated almost to the point to where she needed to fan herself to alleviate the warmth. In disbelief, she stared down at the most beautiful Pandora bracelet she'd ever seen. There were music notes, diamonds, charms with the letters B, E, and M, which she presumed to stand for Edward, Bella, and Micah. Her heartbeat increased, and tears now clouded her eyes as well.

Something pivotal was happening, and Bella hated to speculate, yet intuition told her she wasn't mistaken. Her throat grew tight, and a tear blinked from her eyes, and she gingerly pushed it aside. Suddenly, she was ecstatic and petrified all in the same breath, and she wasn't sure which emotion would prevail. She blinked past the mist, a smile tipping her lips, even though she felt like she wanted to cry her eyes out all of a sudden. Gulping back the urge, she passed Irene a pleading look as she cleared her throat. "Can you help me put it on?"

"Absolutely," Irene confirmed; pulling the delicate piece from the box, she draped it over Bella's wrist and secured the clasp as she adjusted the jewelry. "You look ravishing. Do you want to see?"

Another wave of emotion gripped Bella so hard; she couldn't speak. And so, with a tip of her head, she gave a nod. Exhaling, she whispered, "Yeah."

Irene wound her fingers through Bella's as she led her from the break room to the mirrors lining the bar. "You are breathtaking, and Edward is a fortunate man."

Bella willed herself to relax as she studied her reflection. Her chest rose and fell rapidly against the silken material, and she pushed her lush hair over her shoulder. Chewing her bottom lip, she nervously shifted as she glanced toward a beaming Joe and Irene. Confirming she was as radiant as Irene had stated, she turned to face two significant people in her life. Bella took a deep breath, saying, "I guess I'm ready. I wish I knew why and what for but thank you both for helping me with whatever this is."

"You're gorgeous," Joe acknowledged, stepping forward to take her hands in his. He leaned in and brushed a kiss against her cheek. "Breathtaking."

Irene came up next to Joe, saying, "Let's go, chick. Someone's waiting for you."

Bella felt like she was in a fantasy as Irene led her down the stairs where Anthony and Gene waited. With guards forever at her side, they left Del Posto, stepping outside to find a stretch limo taking up nearly half the block. Her gaze roamed over the shiny white coat of paint as another wave of emotion gripped her belly.

Yes, something big—monumental was happening.

She sniffed as she settled against velvet seats and nearly clung to Irene's arm as Anthony and Gene climbed into the back. As wonder collided with happiness, her gaze coasted over the contents of the limo. Champagne sat in a bucket with ice on one side, bracketed by flutes on either side. Velvet seats and plush pillows lined the opposite side of the vehicle with enough room to fit an entourage. In the months since she and Edward had resumed their relationship, he'd shown her things in this new world she could've only imagined being a part of, yet this limo was lavish beyond her wildest dreams.

"Are you alright, Ms. Swan?" Anthony wanted to know, real concern in his voice as he studied her paling complexion.

"Uh-huh," she mumbled, lost as the limo pulled away from the curb. Her fingers began to tremble, and she focused on the surroundings they passed as she tried to wrap her mind around what was happening. "Yeah, I-I'm fine. Where are we going, Anthony?"

"You'll see soon enough," he answered with a smile twinging his lips. "You look beautiful, by the way."

Bella had received more compliments in the last hour than she'd had in her entire life. How could she not be beside herself with happiness, and the fucking nerves rattling about wouldn't give her a break. They drove through the streets of New York City, and Bella's pulse pounded in a relentless tempo the further they went. When she didn't think she could take another moment of suspense, the limo pulled up along the curb, and the door was pulled open by what must've been more guards, Bella surmised as her wide eyes darted around at the occupants of the spacious interior. When Anthony nodded in a gesture, she took to mean permission, she shifted off the seat and exited the back of the car.

Lights glittered from what appeared to be a stage set up in the middle of Time Square. The overhead digital billboards had stars popping off the screens, and whistling reached her ears as fireworks popped off, showering the stage in peppery silver and gold. The stage was surrounded by barricades, and thousands of people were being held at bay. Their screams and shouts put her on high alert, yet her guards followed close. As she ducked free of the limo, an unmistakable voice reaching her ears as a beat pulsed from massive speakers.

'Dance with me under the diamonds, see me like breath in the cold, sleep with me here in the silence, come kiss me, silver and gold. You say that I won't lose you, but you can't predict the future, so just hold on like you will never let go."

Edward sang at a leisurely tempo, yet she couldn't see him. Stunned, her gaze darted over everyone as she stared at the faces all. To her astonishment, several were crying, and their adoration was unmistakable. Instant tears hung from her lashes, and her chest constricted as she realized Edward was singing to her—from wherever he was hiding.

Bright chocolate, brown eyes focused on the center of the stage as Edward came out to stand in the center. Surrounded by security, they guided her through the crowd until she came to the steps leading to the side. Anthony's arm wrapped around her waist as he walked her up to where Edward stood.

As he sang, he turned toward her as she came to stand next to him. Taking her by the hand, he continued his song, utterly melting her into a puddle.

'If you ever move on without me, I need to make sure you know that; You are the only one I'll ever love. If it's not you, it's not anyone. Lookin' back on my life, you're the only good I've ever done. If it's not you, it's not anyone. Forever's not enough time to love you the way that I want."

Tears now tumbled freely as his fingers glided across her face, pushing her hair to the side. A gorgeous smile bloomed across his face as he sang. And Bella felt as if she were breaking into a million pieces and scattering on the breeze. Her hungry gaze locked on his lips as he formed the syllables enraptured by the context of his words. He was practically singing their entire life, and the notion squeezed her heart, leaving her raw and needy.

'Cause every mornin', I'll find you. I fear the day that I don't. You say that I won't lose you, but you can't predict the future, cause certain things are out of our control. If you ever move on without me, I need to make sure that you know. You are the only one I'll ever love. Yeah, if i-it's n-not y-you, it's not anyone."

Bella managed to contain her composure until a tear trickled down Edward's cheek and his nostrils started to flutter with emotion. Unable to maintain her distance, she squeezed his fingers and would've moved forward, yet the music abruptly cut off, and Edward went down on one knee. "Oh … oh … oh …" Bella cried, fanning herself with her free hand as emotion gripped her, finally realizing what was happening, her heart thundering, and she was certain the world heard it.

Edward's voice cracked with thousands of fans screaming and crying around them as he spoke into the mic. "Isabella Swan, I met you years ago in lit class, and those amazing eyes of yours captivated my heart—hell, I think they stole my soul. Over the years since we were so inhumanly divided, a deep part of me never-ever forgot you. Then, like a little firecracker, you showed up into my life and reminded me of all the sparkle it had been missing. I will spend every single moment loving and missing you … because I love you so fucking much, I can't bear a second of separation. I loved you then, and I love you now."

While Edward held one hand, Bella couldn't deny the intense need to touch him, letting her fingers comb through his messy hair. Even while her vision blurred, and at this point, she was practically bawling in front of the entire world, she attempted to meet his pleading stare.

Edward cleared his throat as the thickness threatened to cut off his voice. "I want the world to know how much I love you. I don't ever want there to be a question about that fact. I want the whole world to know what you mean to me. Isabella Swan," he began, digging into the pocket of his tailored suit, he pulled out a velvet box and flipped open the top, "will you do me the distinct honor of becoming my wife?"

Bella's knees trembled so bad she could no longer stand, and so she gave up the pretense of any type of control. With his help, she too came to rest on her knees before him and took a deep breath as she licked dry lips. Suddenly, the fans and world disappeared until it was only them. Swallowing the emotion clogging her throat, her fingers wound around the mic Edward held.

"Edward Cullen, you've been a wonder in my life. No matter how difficult I made it at times, you've been an amazing man and father to our son. Even while years kept us apart, I never once forgot about you. I loved you then, and I love you now. I will spend the rest of my life loving and missing you."

As she offered his words back to him, another cascade of tears slid down her cheeks. Her fingers broke away from his to caress the flesh of his jaw, letting her thumb coast along his bottom lip; she whispered, "I love you so much I feel like I might burst with it. I would be honored to become your wife."

The mic dropped to the stage between them, and Bella cupped his rough cheeks. Her mouth collided with his as he met her halfway. She was locked in his embrace and captivated by this whole scenario when she felt tiny arms wind around them both. Together, Bella and Edward broke away from their kiss to envelop their son, holding him tightly.

At that moment, they both knew, none of this would've been possible … without Micah. At that moment, they stopped being individual people and would soon become … The Cullens.

Please Review…