A/N: I cried five times writing this. Grab a box of tissues!

I found a love for me

Oh darling, just dive right in and follow my lead

Well, I found a girl, beautiful and sweet

Oh, I never knew you were the someone waiting for me

~ Ed Sheeran, Perfect

BPOV

I should let him sleep. He had just as busy of a day tomorrow as I did; he was filming three episodes of his show to get ready for the two weeks we would be gone for the wedding and our honeymoon. I knew he hadn't packed a single thing, either. He needed some sleep, especially after our evening of not sleeping until the early, early hours of the morning.

A warm arm was wrapped around my bare waist, though. And his breath tickled against my neck. And his body was pressed so completely next to mine, even in his sleep, that I couldn't really be held responsible for my own actions.

"Edward," I mumbled, pressing my lips into his neck. Nipping at the sensitive skin when he still didn't wake up. "Edward."

"I'm thirty-six, Bella," he murmured eventually, his eyes cracking open just a smidge. "I do need some time to recover."

I chewed on my lip, eying the shadows that danced across his face as the moonlight streamed into our bedroom. I let go of my own bottom lip and tugged at his with my teeth. My palms rested against his chest, reveling in his smooth skin like I hadn't spent hours touching and tasting it already tonight.

Edward's palm slid down my waist, stopping to give a firm squeeze to my ass before pulling me up to straddle his waist. He settled onto his back, his palms warm as they ran up and down my thighs. The lazy smirk on his face had my abdomen clenching. "This round is all you, baby."

I felt him already hardening against my thigh. I shifted down his body, my hand immediately going to his length. Pumping him in my palm a few times before my lips wrapped around him.

His groan, the way his head flung back and his eyes squeezed shut made my own arousal drip down my thighs.

I straddled him again, not wasting any time and sliding down onto his cock. I was sore and tired but I didn't care. Not when every inch of him was inside me and he looked at me with those glazed, forest eyes.

Edward groaned my name as my hips bounced against his. His palms reached up, cupping my breasts and tweaking my nipples until I let out a squeak.

"I missed you," I panted, balancing myself with my palms against his chest—feeling his heart pound underneath my fingertips.

He smirked up at me, accentuating his words with a few rough thrusts up to meet me. "I've been here the whole time. You missed my cock."

"Yes."

"I missed every fucking inch of you, Bella," he groaned, hands wandering along my waist.

I whimpered, my orgasm catching me off guard. Edward flipped up over quickly, his thrusts firm and fast as he came inside me. He fell to his back, taking me with him. I buried my head in his shoulder as I caught my breath, peppering kisses along his jaw once I did.

His arm tightened around my waist as I moved to stand, but he was also already half asleep. I pressed one more kiss to his lips before scurrying off to clean myself up. I grabbed one of his t-shirts on my way back to bed, sliding underneath the comforter.

Edward pulled me against him, my back to his chest, and rubbed a gentle hand along my hip. "Feel okay?"

I barely finished my nod before my eyes fell closed.

…Closure…

"Hey," Lucy sighed, plopping herself down at the island across from me. She sniffed, her brows furrowing as she looked at me. "Did you cook?"

I chose not to be offended at the slight fear in her face. "No. Esme left a lasagna in the freezer. Edward's going to be late."

Lucy nodded as the timer went off. I pulled the lasagna out of the oven and turned around to find three plates lined up on the counter. Masen showed up, grabbing the silverware while Lucy brought the plates to the table.

It wasn't until we were all three seated at the table that I realized it had never just been the three of us for dinner. Edward was always here, or even Esme and Carlisle. The idea of having dinner with Edward's kids by myself would have sent me into a panic not that long ago.

The accident hadn't just changed Edward and I's dynamic, though. Masen and Lucy were always by my side, too. They came to the hospital and they took care of Lady when I couldn't. They bought me presents to help distract me from my injuries and never once complained about the added security or the articles or the questions I was sure they had been asked at school.

I would never consider them my kids, even though they were technically my step-children now. We were too close in age for me to feel like that. They were my friends, though. And instead of being petrified of having dinner alone with them, the thought brought a smile to my face as I sat down.

"Do you know anything about UC Davis?" Masen asked, taking a bite of his food.

"It's the same school system as UCLA, just a different campus," I shrugged. "Why?"

"They have a good veterinary program."

"You want to be a vet?"

Masen shrugged, a slight hint of pink flooding his cheeks as he chewed. "I don't know. Maybe. I was thinking of setting up a tour of the campus soon and I was wondering if you wanted to go? Mom and Dad never went to college so…"

"I'll go," I smiled. "Just let me know when."

Lucy let out a dramatic sigh.

"Still don't know where you want to go?"

"No," she frowned. "I don't know anything. What I want to do, where I want to go. How am I supposed to decide all of these things now?"

"You don't have to. You could go to UCLA because it's local and take some gen eds and transfer from there if you want."
"Did you know what you wanted to do when you chose UCLA?"

I snorted. "No. They gave me a full ride scholarship and that made my decision. There are plenty of fairs and classes to help you choose what you want. We could go to the campus together when I get back, if you wanted."

Lucy smiled. "Okay, thanks."

We finished dinner and they both left to finish packing for tomorrow. I went up to my own bedroom to do the same, simultaneously packing for Edward and I. Our honeymoon was still a mystery to me, but I had been told to pack for warm weather and water, so that's what I did for both of us.

I ended up in my usual evening spot on the couch in our bedroom with a book in my lap. Lady wasn't beside me this time, off at a kennel until Rosalie returned from the wedding and picked her up for me. I wasn't alone for long until Edward showed up and plopped himself down on the couch beside me, his head falling into my lap.

"Hi," I sighed, my fingers brushing through his hair and scratching lightly at his scalp.

Edward hummed, his legs falling over the arm of the couch. He was still in his suit, one of many he probably wore throughout the day after filming three episodes.

I should have felt guilty about the exhaustion plaguing him, because it was mostly my fault for not letting him sleep last night, but I couldn't find it in me. Not when, even through the exhaustion, he seemed happier than he had in a long time.

"We're getting married in two days," I breathed out.

Edward's eyes opened slowly, a smile spreading across his lips. "Not getting cold feet, are you?"

I snorted. "No. Are you?"

He shook his head, his eyes falling closed as he nudged my hand with his head to resume my forgotten scratches. His voice was whisper-soft as he said, "I can't wait to marry you again."

…Closure…

The villa was more beautiful than I remembered. The warm wood everywhere, the constant sound of the running water from the pool in the center of the compound, the fresh ocean air that always made breathing easier.

"Okay," Alice chirped from beside me. "Out."

I frowned. "What?"

She rolled her eyes. "Not you. The boys. Out!"

My head cocked to the side.

Alice rolled her eyes again. "You can't spend the night before your wedding with your fiancée."

"But—" I frowned, stopping myself. Edward and I had broken just about every possible courtship rule there was. We were already married. And I didn't necessarily want to spend the night apart, not when our nights had just gotten interesting again.

Edward squeezed my hand, tugging me aside as everyone filed into the villa. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Fine," I pouted.

His arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me indecently close as his lips met mine. The kiss was warm and firm and I fought against the moan bubbling up in my throat. His voice was tight, his lips brushing against my ear as he said, "One more night until forever, Isabella."

Then he was gone, followed out of the villa by all of the men.

One more night until forever. The words floated through my head for the rest of the day. They were there as women arrived to give us all manicures and pedicures, there as we had lunch and a few too many fruity drinks. And they were still there as I sat in the sand, letting the tide just brush my bare feet long after everyone had already gone to bed.

I had changed. The moment I met Edward and I felt those butterflies fluttering around in my chest I had become a different person. Or tried to. Change was hard and scary and impossible when you had a lifetime of trauma holding you hostage. But finding him made me want to fight against it for the first time in my life.

Even before New York, before I had the possibility of a life with him to fight for, he made me want to be better. Gave me something to fight for before I knew I needed to fight for him. Because I had been a ticking time bomb when we met. A walking mass of anxiety and fear and repression and looking back, I wasn't sure I had much time left before I imploded.

Then I found him. And he pieced me together, helped me piece myself back together. With every cheesy joke he told just to make me smile and every stern reminder that I didn't have to let my upbringing hold me back forever.

Forever.

Life— forever—it used to seem daunting. Scary. A little useless when I thought I would spend it sad and broken and alone.

One more night until forever.

I smiled down at his wedding band, my fingers running over the inscription I had done a few days ago.

I wiggled my toes in the tide one last time before heading back to my room. It was the same little room off to the side of the villa where Edward and I stayed last time. I washed the sand off of my feet and changed into a Tonight Show shirt and some cotton shorts before crawling into bed.

…Closure…

"Thanks for doing this," I said to Emmett. I hadn't intended for my voice to come out as tight and squeaky as it did.

Emmett's arm tightened where it was wrapped through mine and he smiled down at me. A smile that took up his entire face and made his dimples pop.

I pressed my lips together, my toes digging into the sand. We stood on a tiny, tiny island. Just a small pile of sand in the middle of the ocean, really. Big enough for a small little cluster of palm trees and greenery off on the far left where I had been dropped off while everyone else got situated on the other side.

I wasn't nervous. But my butterflies were wide awake and fluttering about, making my entire body feel jittery—unstable.

"It's an honor," Emmett said seriously. Serious enough to make me feel like an idiot for not realizing he was my friend sooner. He was a quiet calm, an impressive feat for someone so large. But he had never done anything but look out for me, even before he and Rosalie started dating.

I couldn't even find it in me to be sad that I didn't have a father to walk me down the aisle as soft music started and Emmett and I took our first steps. He had been there for me more times than Charlie ever had.

He kept a firm grip on my arm, tightening it when I felt my hand start to shake as we rounded the greenery.

The small crowd, the beautiful scenery, it all faded into the background. I could only see Edward, twenty feet away on the other side of the tiny island. He was in a casual, grey-blue suit, his arms clasped gracefully in front of him. His hair had no chance in the wind, its usual disarray billowing in the breeze. The awestruck gasp on his face as he looked at me made my steps falter, just for a moment.

"Hi," I gasped quietly as Emmett handed me off to Edward and went to stand with the small crowd circling us.

"Hi," Edward said, his voice cracking just slightly. His eyes glistened with unshed tears.

It was foolish of me to think this wedding would be easier. That I'd be able to focus on what the officiant said or think of anything other than the fact that I was marrying Edward Cullen.

His hands squeezed mine every time I was supposed to repeat my lines. My own tears were quick to start silently falling down my cheeks. Edward's hands shook just as badly sliding my wedding band on as mine had sliding his down his finger.

Neither of us let the officiant finish his statement before I shot up on my toes and Edward leaned down, our kiss chaste but the most important one we'd ever share.

I wrapped my arms around him, burying my head in his chest. Just for a moment, to try and give myself a minute to get rid of the tears freely flowing down my face.

…Closure…

The little island had been quickly transformed for a reception. Lanterns were lit as the sun set, music floated through the air and our small wedding party relaxed into the party.

Edward's arms were wrapped securely around my waist as we swayed to the music. His hands drifted, floating over the ties on the back of my dress. His lips pressed into my forehead. "You're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."

I smiled up at him, my words lost. I hadn't been able to find many since the ceremony. Because there was pure, undiluted happiness flooding my entire body. It made my throat tight every time I tried to say anything.

Edward smiled down at my silence, pressing a quick kiss to my lips before he twirled me in the sand.

There were copious amounts of food and drink as the night wore on. Plenty of toasts shared throughout the small group and every combination of dancing partner possible. The sun had set hours ago, a gentle breeze floating through the open ocean and across our tiny little island. Edward's gray-blue jacket ended up over my shoulders as I sat at one of the small round tables for a few minutes and watched him twirl Lucy around.

"I know you said no presents," Esme said gently, taking a seat next to me. She wore a simple, golden gown that made her hair glow against the shimmery fabric. A perfectly wrapped box was placed in front of me. It was the kind of present you never wanted to open for fear of disrupting the intricately tied golden bow on top. "It's not finished yet, but I wanted to give it to you tonight."

I twirled the ribbon between my fingers for a moment before tugging to unravel it. Tearing the paper away, I lifted the lid of a box to reveal a photo album, my name elegantly engraved on the front. The binder matched perfectly to the ones belonging to Edward and his kids that I found in his garage so long ago. Pulling it out, I flipped open the cover.

"Rosalie contributed quite a few photos," Esme said softly.

Rosalie and I occupied the first few pages. I never realized there were so many pictures of us. But there we were—in the library in college studying and moving into our place off campus and sitting at the first and only bar she managed to get me to for my twenty-first birthday before I passed out. Emmett slowly made his way into the photos as I moved through the book, the three of us cooling down in the gym or out for a meal together.

Then I turned the page and found Edward. We walked side by side down a hallway I recognized from the SNL set. He had my favorite lopsided smile on his face as he looked over at me. My own feelings were written all over my face as I turned toward him. It was our first trip to New York, just a few days after we had ended up in bed together, and we were evidently terrible at hiding it.

"Where'd you get this one?"

"I took it. Because I hadn't seen my son that happy in a long time. And I thought you two were good… friends and it was a moment to be remembered."

My snort was immediate. "You had to know from this picture that we…"

Esme shrugged. "I suspected, but you both seemed happy. The rest didn't matter."

There were a few more photos from that first trip. Edward and I talking in his dressing room, hunched over scripts or sharing a few words between rehearsals. It was a miracle no one on that set leaked to the press that we were together.

My fingers traced over a photo of Edward and I talking at our little engagement party in New York. Masen and Lucy popped their head around the corner in the background.

I had to dig my teeth into my bottom lip to keep it from quivering as I saw a photo of us from the hospital. Edward had a smile on his face that never dared to reach his eyes. He held both of my hands in his as he helped me slowly walk across the room.

I wiped a few tears from my cheeks before they could fall onto the photos. The last few pages were empty.

"I'll add some wedding photos once you get them back. Then the book is yours."

I closed the book, my fingers tracing along my name on the front. My voice was strained, but I managed to squeak out, "I—I love it. Thank you."

Esme pulled me into a hug, her arms tight around my shoulders. "Thank you."

I pulled away, my head cocked to the side.

"I have never seen my son as happy as he is with you."

Before I could say anything, the man himself walked over to the table. "Sorry to interrupt. I just wanted one more dance with my wife."

I smiled up at him, taking his outstretched hand. Shrugging his jacket off, I folded it on the back of my chair before turning back toward Esme to give her one more hug.

Edward twirled me in a circle before pulling me close. My head rested against his chest and I focused on his steady heartbeat instead of the twinkling music.

…Closure…

Edward scooped me off of my feet as soon as we got out of the small boat that took us from the island to a smaller villa. It had its own little beach where we got out, but my feet were only on the sand for a moment.

I took in the villa quickly, the décor similar to what I had come to expect from the other villa. It was hard to focus on things as mundane as pools and palm trees as Edward glided us up the beach, past lounge chairs and hammocks and into the bedroom. The entire wall was a sliding door that had been left open. The view in the morning would be beautiful, the greenery and ocean right outside.

Edward set me gently onto my feet, his hands settling on my hips. "I don't—I'm not quite sure what I did to deserve you," he whispered, his forehead falling to mine. "But I will spend every day of the rest of my life loving you."

I reached up on my toes, pressing my lips to his and making a promise to myself that it was something I would do for the rest of my life, too.

I peppered kisses along his chin, mumbling my love for him against his skin because I wasn't quite sure how else to explain how much he meant to me. All day there had been a haze in my brain that made processing the entire day difficult. But right here, alone for the first time all day with my husband, it finally cleared. I ignored the slight trembling in my hands as I unbuttoned his shirt.

Edward carefully plucked the dozens of pins out of my hair, cursing to himself every time he thought he was done and ended up finding another. Once I got his shirt unbuttoned, he let it fall to the floor before gently turning me around with a twist of my waist.

"Every time I saw this little bow," he groaned, twirling at the ties holding my dress together. "I thought about how satisfying it would be to undo it tonight."

My fingers slid along the waist of my dress, floating over the delicate lace one last time before Edward started tugging at the strings and let it fall in a puddle of fabric on the floor.

He twisted me again, immediately falling to his knees in front of me. His lips pressed into my abdomen, against the fading pink scar in the center, until he had kissed every inch of exposed flesh. Warm fingers slid the scrap of lace around my hips to the floor. He pressed one final kiss to my hip, to the angrier scar that wasn't quite as healed, before rising to his feet.

I still hated them, the scars. But it became increasingly hard to fuel that hate every time he kissed them.

"Thank you," I gasped, looking up at him as he gazed down at me. His head tilted to the side, but I wasn't sure how to explain it. "I just—I love you. And I…"

Edward smiled down at me, kissing away an errant tear that had fallen down my cheek. "It's okay. I know."

I nodded, wrapping myself around him and tugging us back until we fell in the center of the bed. His lips nipped at whatever skin they could reach along my neck and collarbone as I fumbled with his belt and pants. I could feel him smile against my breast every time his bites would make me gasp or moan or forget about my task of getting rid of his clothing for a moment.

Once he slid inside me, everything else was inconsequential. Scars didn't matter anymore and any ounce of doubt I ever had that I wasn't good enough for the man above me vanished.

I was his.

He was mine.

Forever.

My fingers dug into his back, my eyes blazing into mine as he refused to look away from me. Once his movements became faster, harder, my own eyes squeezed shut. His palm came up to cup my cheek, the cool weight of his wedding band against my skin making me smile. My cries as I came were swallowed by a kiss, his own release grunted against my shoulder.

Once we could both breathe again Edward started peppering kisses along my chin and cheeks and eyelids, not stopping until a laugh bubbled up in my chest.

A/N: This chapter made me never want to let go of these two. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.