A/N: Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

I will hit the 'Complete' button when the epi posts next week. :)

Betad by the sweet Michelle Renker Rhodes.

Most characters belong to S. Meyer.

Chapter 41 – Finding Our Balance

BPOV

"Yoga asana is the main yoga tool for balancing the physical body and creating a flow of energy that enables us to direct our attention within."

"Que carajo es Yoga asana? I thought we were exercising."

"Shh!" I instruct Angie. She huffs impatiently while she sits waiting cross-legged on the floor mat. Mel giggles next to her.

"We are doing balance exercises. It says here that Yoga asana will help us balance our Doshas. Now the one we're going to be working on tonight is vata, which guides mobility, speed, agility and flexibility."

"Chica, what language are you speaking, 'cuz you lost me at "sit cross-legged."

Mel giggles again.

"Are you going to take this seriously or what? It's only two days 'til the show's opening, and I need to maintain my balance!"

"Alright! 'Sta bien! Let's yoga our asana's off!" She waves a hand at me to continue.

"Okay." I try to breathe calmly and then point the remote to the stereo, turning on the soft, soothing music as I sit cross-legged opposite Mel and Angie, and then drawing in another deep breath, we follow the instructions from the soft voice accompanying the music.

I sneak a peek at Mel halfway through down dog. She seems…different since we found her right in this room a few days ago: calmer, more at peace, as if she's finally realized where she belongs. Yes, she will always miss her parents, but Edward and I will always do our best by her, and I think she's finally getting that.

And though we've come a long way in the past few months, hell, in the past few days, we're all still learning. Mel now knows that no matter what the arguments and disagreements, no matter how big the peaks and valleys, we're all where we belong. We're balancing.

But balance also means consequences, and Mel is being punished because she scared the ever-living shit out of us. Balance means boundaries: what's acceptable in this family we've created. She pushed those boundaries, and now she has to deal with the consequences.

But it doesn't mean we don't love her – and I think she understands that too.

So hip-hop class is over for her the rest of this session. She'll continue to come to the studio after school, help out and do her homework until it's time for us to head home, but she won't go to class anymore this season. It hurts to punish her, and while I hope there won't be too many more incidents where we need to do so seriously, I also accept the fact that there very well might be, and I signed up for this eyes wide open…and wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

Mel obviously isn't happy about missing the rest of her dance class, but she knows she was wrong to listen in to our adult conversation and then to run off without speaking to us about what she'd heard. She didn't fight it.

She's growing. She's learning. She's maturing.

As for the recitals at the end of May, we've told her we'll revisit those closer to recital time and see if she can participate.

And as for her grandparents…

Monday morning, Edward spoke to the attorney who handled Alice and Jasper's will after they passed. It turns out that the attorney, Jason Jenks, was an old friend of Alice's. They'd gone to one of those exclusive, Upper East Side preps together. Jenks promised Edward he'd take another look at the will and get back to him as soon as possible.

So yesterday, Edward and I met with Jenks at his swanky Upper East Side office.

It turned out, Alice and Jasper knew exactly what they were doing.

"I had no idea," Edward murmured as we sat there side by side.

"It's understandable, Mr. Cullen. You were in shock. Because there was a child involved, the will was read pretty quickly. You're not the first one to miss stipulations in that state of mind."

"So to clarify, I can end the visitations whenever I want?" Edward asked.

"The will specifically stipulates that after one year, Ms. Cullen's guardian may elect to continue, end or modify the monthly visits at his discretion, which in this case is yours. If you do not find that the visits are beneficial to Ms. Cullen, you may end them at any time from this point."

Edward scrubbed a hand down his face, squeezing my hand.

"Can the Brandon's fight this?" I asked.

Jenks grinned. It was easy to see the wealth, arrogance and blue-blood seeping from his every crevice, but he also had friendly eyes.

"They can certainly try, but if I were their attorney, I would advise them against it. Mary Alice sought my assistance in preparation of her will because in the event of a worst case scenario, she wanted to ensure her daughter's safety. That will is airtight; I made sure of it. Besides, those of us who know the Brandons know that they wouldn't want the attention that would result from fighting their daughter's will. Add to that the fact that they didn't contact the authorities when Ms. Cullen disappeared, well…it would be an embarrassment at the very least. Mary Alice was a good friend of mine. She and her husband put their complete trust in you, Mr. Cullen, to do your best by their daughter. Now once Ms. Cullen is of age, she may resume any sort of relationship she wishes with her grandparents, but until then, you are completely in charge."

Edward drew in a long, deep breath. "Thank you, Mr. Jenks."

"Like I said, she was a good friend. Why do you think you never received a bill for my services?"

"I thought you forgot," Edward chuckled.

Jenks stared at Edward – and then he broke out into fits of laughter.

I've got to admit, I laughed too.

Later at night, Edward and I spoke to Mel about the visitations.

"So I don't have to go to my grandparents' anymore?"

"Not if you don't want," Edward responded. "Visiting is up to you, but I've spoken to our attorney about ending the monthly visits. After what happened, I'm not comfortable with letting you stay there a weekend a month. If you want to visit them for a few hours a month or weekly, that's up to you. But you won't be sleeping there."

Mel nodded quietly. "Can I think about it? I mean, they are my grandparents, but…I'm not sure how I feel about seeing them."

I reached out and tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear, my heart swelling with love and pride for this young girl - my young girl.

"Of course you can think about it."

She sighed unevenly, and I pulled her into my arms.

And then that night, with our door closed and our girl safe and definitely asleep in her own room, Edward and I reconnected. It had been a rough few days. While Edward moved inside me, I held him tight, my arms around his neck, my hands running up and down his strong back, feeling the tautness of his hard muscles as they strained and shifted with each long, deep thrust. I reveled in this feeling of pleasure and safety and love that only he could make me feel. From the first time we'd made love, to tonight, to every time in between, Edward had always been a wonderful lover.

But tonight…tonight there was an extra vigor to his lovemaking.

He held me closer, his arms supporting my body, hands gripped around my shoulders while our hips rocked together in a wonderful rhythm, slow and languid, quick and hard. He filled me fully and completely. Every time he pulled away, I tightened around him begging him to stay inside and then with a grunt he'd push all the way back in. It lasted for hours, or maybe it just felt that way. I came, and he kept going and made me come again. Over and over until it would just get so good that I couldn't take it anymore. My mouth sought his, our tongues recreating what the rest of our bodies were doing, and that final time I let go, we let go together.

I cried out, tears in my eyes from how good he felt, and as I looked into his dark emerald eyes so full of resolve, of a determination that I'd never seen before…he grinned as if he'd finally, finally made peace with himself, with the real man deep inside.

OOOOOOOOOO

So now, two days before curtains go up, Angie, Mel and I hum and pose, hum and pose, and finally Mel huffs and stands.

"This is just too strange, Aunt Bella! I'm going to find my balance the old fashioned way!"

Angie and I watch as she stalks to the stereo and turns off the soft, relaxing music, replacing it with Justin Timberlake.

"Now…" she grins, facing us, "we can do this!"

And she starts dancing and swaying those thirteen year old hips, dropping low and kicking her legs high.

"You go, Mellita!" Angie calls, whistling through her teeth. "Woo-hoo!"

But Mel's in her zone now, and I know what that's like. I smile her way before closing my eyes, maintaining my Lotus position, when I hear Angie get up.

"Alright, Bellita, we tried it your way, and it sucked. My body wasn't meant to be abused in this manner…unless, you know, we're in a galaxy far, far away, and I'm saving my Jedi Papito from being taken by the dark side."

I hum loudly and do my very best to block out the loud blare of the stereo on the other side of the room and Angie's voice right next to me.

"…then I fist it tight and run my hand up and down its length…"

She continues her detailed description of her lightsaber duels with my agent.

"…and when I hit the right buttons, that shit grows and vibrates, and when I put it in my mouth-"

I stop humming and open my eyes.

"You put his lightsaber in your mouth?" I whisper.

"Yeah!"

"His lightsaber?"

She rolls her eyes. "Yeah, his lightsaber."

"But isn't it…I mean, isn't it big and thick?"

"Oh it's very big and thick," she chortles.

"Don't you hurt your mouth?"

"I'm careful," she grins.

I stare at her quizzically while she lifts a brow…

"Fuck, this time you do mean his dick."

She laughs her ass off, and I stand up and shove her to the floor.

OOOOOOOOOO

My heart pounds in my chest with equal parts excitement and nerves. We're in one of the dressing rooms. I've got on my opening costume, and the make-up girl has just started on my face. I hope I don't sweat it all off before I even get on stage.

There are a few of us here, and we're all feeling the same combination of exhilaration and downright fear. It makes us laugh and giggle and talk a lot of shit. When there's a knock on the door, I look through the large mirror in front of me and see Ben and Edward's reflections rush in and then hear various, uninhibited and unapologetic whistles and cat calls from both males and females alike.

Ben cleans up really well actually. He's got on a well-pressed, dark suit, an immaculate, white dress shirt and a dark tie. His usually unruly curls are tamed and combed back, and his glasses are well-balanced on his face.

But he doesn't hold a candle to Edward. In his equally dark suit, he may as well have stepped out of a GQ ad. The way it fits his shoulders, the way his slacks mold around his hips…and his hair…it isn't perfectly slicked back, and when he moves quickly to my side and slides his hands around my neck, I want nothing more than to run my fingers through that hair right now.

"What is it?" I ask.

"Bella…" Edward eyes wander as he checks me out none too surreptitiously. It's the first time he's actually seen me in costume: a short, black slinky skirt full of glittery sequins with an overlay of golden, fluid tulle and a matching, sequin black bra-top. My hair has been straightened and fashioned into a long, flowing, high ponytail that'll whip back and forth with my movements, and the make-up artist was in the middle of doing my dark eye shadow before the interruption.

By the way his eyes rake up and down my body, I know he likes how it all fits together. A lusty grin curls up the corners of his mouth.

"You gonna wear this home later?"

"Maybe."

Ben sucks his teeth, clearly frustrated by Edward's distraction. He lays a hand on Edward's shoulder and firmly nudges him out of the way.

"Bella, here's the deal. It seems Renata had her own pre-opening party last night, on the rooftop of her building, and she invited only a select few."

"Oh yeah, I heard about that," one of my fellow dancers says, rolling her eyes. "She only invited her cheer section."

"Long story short," Ben continues, "she tried to pull an Alec and Bella and performed the opening number, but it was a small rooftop, and apparently she misjudged one of the leaps."

I suck in a sharp breath, clapping a hand over my mouth. "Oh my God, did she fall off the roof?"

"No," Ben smirks, rolling his eyes. "She tried to compensate midair and landed horribly, hurting her ankle. Then she yelled at everyone to go home. Turns out she was limping when she arrived tonight and refused to let anyone get a look at her foot. Finally, the producer had to be called in. When they forced her to remove her shoes, her foot was as big as Chewbacca's. You're filling in."

"What?"

One of the PA's pops his head in just then. "Twenty minutes people! Bella, Producer wants you outside in fifteen!" He shuts the door.

"Oh fuck, I can't do this," I breathe.

"Sure you can!" one of the girls calls out. "You've been just as good if not better than her all along!"

The others agree loudly, but my heart now feels as if it's about to pop out of my chest.

"Edward, get me out of here. I can't do this."

He grins at me, green eyes sparkling mischievously.

I fist his suit lapels. "Edward!"

"Bella, you got this!" Ben insists. "Edward, tell her!"

"Edward, get me out of here!"

"Edward!"

"Ben!" Edward says. "Give me a minute with Bella."

He takes my hand and leads me to a corner of the room. The quiet swoosh of my costume skirt as I move pounds like a death march in my ears.

"Edward, I'm-"

He slides his rough hands around my hips and then presses his mouth to mine. His kiss is tender, lips molding to mine before he takes one lip between his, sucks on it lightly and then alternates with the other. My entire body hums while his hands gently stroke my bare waist, thumbs rubbing soothing circles against my ribs. His tongue darts inside my mouth but only just barely, tip to tip with mine until he pulls back, grinning and leaving me panting and wanting more.

All around us, loud chortles and whistles sound out, but we ignore them.

"Was that some sort of bribe?" I manage to breathe, gazing at him through heavy-lids.

"If you want it to be," he chuckles. "But I was just trying to calm you down. You were freaking out a bit."

His hands move up to cradle my face. "My beautiful, perfect dancer. You know you can do this," he smiles encouragingly. "You were born for this. You'll close your eyes, and it'll all disappear, and it'll just be you and your dancing. And when you're done, you'll come home to me and Mel."

I inhale deeply, watching him in utter awe, my eyes stinging with the happy tears that threaten to fall.

"You know me," I murmur.

"I do."

I take a few deep breaths, the terror slowly receding and morphing into excitement once again. "It's like a movie. Things like this don't happen in the real world."

"Apparently, they happen in our world," he smiles crookedly. "There's hard, and then there's easier. There's tough, and then there's your time to shine. It's all a matter of balance. Go kick ass, Baby."

And when he kisses me this time, he goes for the gold, dipping me back so that one of my legs flies high up in the air. He chuckles against my mouth at all the encouraging catcalls we receive.

OOOOOOOOOO

When the curtain goes up, I feel nauseous, but then I think of Edward's words, of his touch…of his mouth. I think of everyone, all my family, those I've had for years and those that have just joined the fray.

Before I know it, I'm moving. Then Alec takes my hand, and we fly across that stage, leaping and spinning, swaying back and forth. The music slows down and then speeds up. We dance separately. We dance together. The other dancers join us, and by the time we take our final bows, the applause and cheers are deafening. They wake me out of the trance I've been in, and I look for his face, for Mel's sweet face. They're in the front…both of them gazing up at me with so much pride. Edward whistles through his thumb and forefinger, and Mel screams at the top of her lungs, waving her arms wildly. I laugh while the tears slide down my face.

OOOOOOOOOO

After receiving congratulations from fellow production members, producers and the director, I fight my way through the throng, and there he is, waiting for me with a bouquet in one hand.

He catches me when I jump into his arms.

"Edward…" It's all I can say. "Edward."

He kisses my face, my neck, my mouth and my forehead.

"You did it, Baby!" he laughs. "You did it!"

I look at the flowers in his hands, a beautiful bouquet of vibrant, red roses.

"They're from a proper flower shop," he smiles sardonically, "not the corner gas station."

I remember those first roses…that first beautiful attempt of his to reach out for what he couldn't hold back much longer.

"They're gorgeous." I take them from him and inhale their sweet scent. "But not as gorgeous as those first ones."

He snorts, but I can tell he's pleased that I remember. His hand cradles my cheek.

"Those were…the luckiest of roses."

"Yeah," I sigh, "they really were."

OOOOOOOOOO

We celebrate at a nice restaurant not too far from the academy, where Edward and my parents have surprised me with a small party, and as I look around at those gathered here tonight, my heart swells with joy at how far we've all come in the past year.

Angie giggles quietly at the end of the table with Ben. When our eyes meet, she winks at me, and I see so much love in her beautiful face.

Across from them are Emmett, Rose and the kids. Emmett tickles two-year old Leah in her high chair, making her laugh so hard she spits her food into his face. He laughs as he wipes it off. Meanwhile, Seth is trying to climb him like a tree. When Emmett settles him on his lap, Seth stays still. On his other side, Rachel gazes up at him adoringly.

Then I catch Carlisle's gaze. He and Esme raise their glasses of water to me in a toast, and I raise mine back.

Even Jake and Jessica are here. They've been a huge help this season, especially Jake, and I can't wait to tell him I'm giving him a couple of his own classes for next season. Right now, Jessica is whispering something in his ear while Mel glares at her furiously.

She's seated to my right, so I pull her arm gently to get her attention.

"I know you like his butt, but he's too old for you, Sweetie," I whisper in her ear.

"He's only six years older. Uncle Edward is almost five years older than you."

"Uncle Edward and I are in our twenties. It's a big difference."

She smirks, but then her face brightens. "When I'm twenty, can I date him?"

I chuckle quietly. "When you're twenty, if Jake is still single and he shows interest, we'll revisit the subject. But until then…don't rush it, Mellita." I sigh unevenly, hoping for years and years of being able to help her, to guide her and to keep her from making so many mistakes. Though she'll make her own, I guess. But I'll be here every step of the way.

"You've got decades to get there, Mel."

She smirks again, but then she shrugs and leaves Jake and Jessica alone.

My eyes meet Edward's, who's sitting across from me. He shakes his head in disapproval, obviously having seen Mel's little display, and I chuckle quietly.

After we've had our dessert, Charlie clinks a spoon against his glass of water and stands up.

"Now, Bella, you know I'm a man of few words," he says nervously. "You did great, Baby, just like we all knew you would. And well…your mom and I have somewhat of a present for you."

He holds out a folder to me, and I walk over and take it, opening it with a curious smile.

My eyes widen as I leaf through it.

"The studio is all yours now."

"Dad…" I breathe, looking up at him, shaking my head. "Dad, I'll repay you-"

"Eli was an idiot to bring up the work Ed did on the place. He thought he wouldn't have to pay for the labor since you didn't pay for it, but the attorney told us it doesn't work that way. We worked something out," he grins smugly, balancing back and forth on the balls of his heels. "As for you repaying me, well…Ed and I have spoken about that, and I'll leave that between you two."

I shift my eyes to Edward, but he simply grins, and I can only wonder what those two hatched up behind my back.

But it's when I catch them looking at each other, communicating silently, that I remember again how far we've come.

OOOOOOOOOO

Edward and I say goodbye to everyone and thank them for coming and celebrating with us. My dad and Sue are the last to leave, and we've already gotten Mel in the truck because she's exhausted, poor baby.

Before Edward opens the passenger side door for me, he takes my hand and walks me a few feet from the truck. When I meet his gaze, he's got that same look of determination that he wore the other night.

"Give me three years."

"What?" I smile, cocking my head sideways.

He slides one hand around my neck and with the other hand brushes a finger gently under my eye.

"Bella, I want nothing more than to see a little girl…or a little boy with your dark eyes." He runs his hand down the length of my hair. "With your soft hair." He places a palm over my chest. "With your tender heart."

I can't help it. All the emotions of the day catch up to me, and now Edward…always Edward.

"Edward, you don't have to do this. The other day after we found Mel, I had an epiphany." I draw in a deep breath while his gaze sears through me. "I don't want to waste our present worrying about what the future may bring. You and Mel, you're both my life. She's my girl, and you're my man, and that's all I need. If something changes in the future, then we'll discuss it," I nod, "but you both make me happier than I could've ever imagined being."

"No, Bella."

"No?"

"No."

He steps closer, his warm breath washing over me, the heat of his proximity making me tingle, and it'll always be this way. I know that.

His green eyes blaze with that determination, with that newfound resolve.

"I had an epiphany the other night. I was terrified when we couldn't find her, Bella," he admits, "and for a split second, I wanted…" – he drops his head, but with a deep breath, lifts his gaze confidently to me again, "I wanted a drink so badly just so I could wash it all away, so I wouldn't have to deal with the fear and the pain, and I said to myself this is why I can't be a father, because I can't deal, but Bella…I have dealt."

I nod vehemently because yes, this is what I've been trying to tell him all along. But I suppose Sue was right: it was something Edward had to realize on his own.

"I dealt with Jasper and Alice's deaths; I dealt with the shock of having Mel suddenly be mine; I dealt with having to tell you my truths; I dealt with not being able to kill Eli or Felix; I dealt with the terror that we may have lost Mel, and it's been…hard, but Bella, I've dealt."

I'm crying freely now but smiling at the same time. When he speaks next, his voice is thick with emotion.

"And knowing that you're here now…to deal with it all by my side…Bella…" He shakes his head and takes my hands in his, bringing one up to his mouth and pressing his moist lips to it.

"More than anything, I want to deal with everything that life brings our way together: marriage, careers, Mel, and…babies."

I chuckle through my tears, and he's got his own tears in his eyes.

"Because every single shitty moment is worth it if I get just one minute, just one moment of happiness with you, with our family. Every hardship. Every struggle. And if we have to try harder for our kids, then we will. I want it all with you, Bella. Even if we don't know what the future brings because wherever it leads us, we'll be together."

I throw my arms around his neck, crying hysterically, but happier than I've been in my life.

Edward draws in a sharp breath and pulls back, his eyes determined.

"So just give me three years. Three years to get myself together. To get closer to believing I deserve you; that I can be what you, Mel and our future children deserve."

"Edward, you are-"

"I know," he smiles, placing my hand over his heart. "In here, I know, Bella, but I need to trust myself as much as you trust me. I need to have some more time of sobriety under my belt, to be at a place where I know we'd be okay if it was just me taking care of us. I know that may be old-fashioned, but it's me. And I want you to fulfill your dreams too. In three years, if you still want me, then I'll be luckiest bastard in the world if you let me put a baby in here." He winks, patting my stomach.

"Yes, Edward," I smile widely. "Yes, I can guarantee you that I'll want you to put a baby in there. Maybe not in three years - maybe in four, maybe in five…"

He sighs as if in relief, as if he really doubted my response, and then wraps me up in his strong arms, in that space where I'll always feel safest.

"Great," he breathes into my ear. "You let me know when you're ready. In the meantime, let's go home and practice."

OOOOOOOOOO

It's one of those late summer days with little breeze and lots of humidity. We've got the windows in the truck down all the way because the AC isn't working right. Mel tells Edward he needs a new truck, and he tells her maybe he'll trade her dance lessons for a new truck.

She smirks, and I smile to myself. He doesn't need to make those trade-offs anymore, and he knows it. We've been saving for a new truck, and we're almost there.

"So give me another clue," I say out of the blue. "It's not really fair that I'll be getting married in a couple of weeks and have no idea where I'll be going on my honeymoon."

Edward chuckles, threading his fingers through mine over the middle console.

"You know all you need to know. Pack plenty of bathing suits and sunscreen."

I smirk at him, and though he keeps his eyes on the windshield, I can see his amusement at my expense.

"But Edward, I need to make plans with the production!" I lie. "And how 'bout the upcoming-"

"Your production is ending in a week, and rehearsals for the next show don't start 'til mid-September."

I suck my teeth in frustration, throwing my head against the headrest. Behind me, I hear Mel giggling.

"What about Mel? We have to make arrangements for her!"

"Arrangements have all been made already, and you know it," he smirks. "She'll be spending a couple of days with Rose and Emmett, and a couple of days with your parents. She'll be fine."

"Yes, I will," Mel states emphatically from the back seat.

"I can't believe you know, Mel, and you won't tell me."

She giggles again. "You're so impatient, Aunt Bella!"

"I'm so impatient," I retort, turning around to pretend-glare at her.

She laughs lightheartedly, freely, carelessly, and as I gaze at her, I know that despite where we're headed today, she really will be okay.

"Plenty of bathing suits," Edward whispers, leaning into my ear. "Skimpy ones."

"Ewww, I heard that!" Mel says.

"I thought you learned your lesson about listening in on other people's conversations?" Edward mutters.

"Dude, I'm right in the truck with you. Leave the sweet talk for behind closed doors."

Edward sighs, shaking his head. And Mel and I laugh loudly.

OOOOOOOOOO

We drive slowly down the gravel road. Our laughs and giggles from a few minutes ago have been left behind for now. Mel is quiet, maybe even a bit nervous, but there's no tension surrounding her – not anymore.

We step out of the truck into the hot, summer sun. But despite the heat, everything grows beautifully here; it's well-tended. The groomed grass is bright green all around us, pretty patches of colorful flowers are scattered here and there, and the birds chirp peacefully in the trees, singing their summer songs, keeping company to those who are no longer with us.

As we walk to the graves, I smile at the soft, light breeze that blows out of nowhere and rustles Mel's long hair.

She turns around right before we reach our destination. "Can I have a few minutes alone with them first?"

"Of course," Edward says.

We stand back, hand in hand, while Mel walks closer, and I think we both release the breaths we'd been holding when we see her finally kneel before the two, well-maintained headstones.

Her soft voice carries in the quiet air around us. Though we can't hear what she's saying or see the expression on her face, we hear when she giggles, and then she laughs. Edward sighs next to me, and I tighten my grip on his hand as our eyes meet in relief.

When Mel returns to us, her eyes are red-rimmed, but she's smiling.

"Are you ready to meet them, Aunt Bella?"

"Yes," I nod gently.

We approach together this time, one of my hands still within Edward's and the other wrapped around Mel's.

"Mom, Dad, this is her; this is Bella."

For a long time, we stand there while Edward and Mel tell me all different sorts of stories about a brother and sister-in-law who always encouraged and believed, and a mom and dad who loved with all their hearts.

We hear the sound of tires against gravel, and when we turn around, Rose and Emmett are parking next to our truck.

"The kids fell asleep," Rose whispers as she emerges from Emmett's truck.

"I'll help you guys with them," Edward says. Mel moves towards her aunt and Emmett, and as Edward pulls me with him, I stand my ground. He turns to look at me.

"I'll be right there," I smile.

He nods and holds my gaze, and I know he understands.

"Take your time. We'll wait."

He walks off to help his sister.

See, there's balance. It encompasses every facet of our lives.

Losing leads to finding.

Heartache leads to happiness.

The lowest point leads to the highest peak.

And then there's everything in between - and that's where we live our best moments.

I run my hand over Mary Alice Cullen's headstone, smooth and cool to the touch despite today's heat, and I close my eyes and imagine her smile, a smile I've seen in pictures, a smile I've seen recreated in her daughter – in our daughter.

"Alice, I feel as if I knew you. I do know you through Edward and Mel. You were a great teacher to both. You were Edward's first example of what love could really be, and you taught Mel to love life, to keep trying no matter what, and to love freely and openly."

I move my hand to Jasper Cullen's headstone, picturing Edward's eyes and smile on a different face.

"Jasper, you were a wonderful brother and father. You taught Mel to be tough, to stand her ground, and you taught Edward to be brave, to never give up, to be a real man in every way."

I kneel over the soft earth.

"And you both led them to me; I know you did," I smile, feeling a tear slide down my cheek. "And I want you both to know that I'm grateful, that I know how precious a gift I've been given, and that I'll treasure them for the rest of my life. I'll take care of them always. I promise you both that."

I close my eyes, and in my mind, I see them smiling.

And then a soft, soothing breeze billows out of nowhere, caressing my face, rustling my hair and filling me with the most serene, all-encompassing warmth.

I draw in a deep breath and get up, walking towards our family.

The End.

A/N: Thoughts?

Again, thank you.

There will be an epilogue or two next week, probably Wednesday or so.

I plan to write more stories. RL changes plans sometimes, but for now, that's the plan. There should be one in a few weeks, mid-summer probably. A short, summer fling to keep you entertained while at the beach. ;)

I've also signed up to write something for the fandom for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (Fandom4LLS). I believe that compilation will be out late summer/early fall.

And then something else in the fall…

But we'll see. In the meantime,

Twitter: PattyRosa817

Link to 'Stories by PattyRose' is on my profile page.