Hello and Happy New Year!

Four years later...

Holly Esme Cullen came into the world seven minutes after her brother, Andrew Charles Cullen. Both weighed just under six pounds each and were very healthy. Isabella opted for a C-section because of the blood, which she still had issues with, and the doctors were amazing.

They talked us through every step of what they were doing which kept Isabella calm. All she wanted to do was see our babies. The family, including the new additions, were waiting outside for us.

Rose and Emmett had delivered their first son here, and their daughter, Sian, had also been born just a few months ago. Alice and Jasper's son, Brandon, was now a year old.

Over the last four years, so much had happened. Isabella finished school and was now training to become a mentor for other victims of abuse, using her own experiences to help others. Something I was so proud of her for doing.

Granddad had retired, preferring to spend his time with his great-grandkids, and so it was my time to step into his shoes full time.

It had been a hard decision to make because what I did wasn't legal, safe, or in any way nice. We'd never argued about my job, but Isabella had expressed how much she hated it.

I joked about dropping the crime part of the job and staying with running clubs. It made sense because now that I was married and had a family, I really saw how much everything meant to me. I wanted to be around for that. It was something I still had to talk to Granddad about. No doubt he would hate the idea, thinking a woman had made me soft. Even if she had, I wouldn't have cared. My main priority was to protect Isabella and my family. They would always come first.

The city was too much for her, so we settled in a smaller town just twenty minutes from Mom and Dad. Charles, bless him, had become a doting grandfather, and had been busy readying the nursery. He was around the house as much as Sue, Seth, and the rest of the family. Life was falling into place.

The babies were being well cared for by the family while I helped Isabella walk to the bathroom. She was so weak, which I hated, but at least this time it was for a good reason.

"It seems so long ago that I bathed you like this," I said softly and helped her into the tub. She wasn't broken this time, though.

"I hated you that day. I knew you were caring for me, but I didn't know what your ultimate intentions were. I'm so glad I decided to trust my heart," she replied with a tired smile.

"I remember the day when you said that you would never fall at my feet and love me." I chuckled.

"I remember, too. So much has happened, so much pain and hurt, but you have walked by my side the whole time," she said through her tears as her fingers glided over my heart, over the ink now residing there.

We'd gotten the tattoos on our third wedding anniversary. She was so brave. I pleaded with her not to do it, it was painful, and there was blood, but she wouldn't budge. The inked dove over her heart looked beautiful. She said it was her sign of peace. A white peace dove over her heart showed us both that I was her peace. I brought her peace.

The tattoo over my heart signaled her strength, love, determination. Her fighting spirit, her drive, and utter devotion to life. It was a true representation of her.

From ashes to flames, she was a phoenix.

My phoenix.

~The End~

And there we have it, the end. I can't believe I posted this as a drabble 10 years ago! I hope you all liked the revised version.

Thank you, once again, for your continued support and much love for what I write, and your personal support when my life has hit rock bottom. Your words and prayers have meant so much to me.

See you all soon and remember to catch the new chapters of Cobblestone to Corsets xxx