Author's note: So, we've reached the end. This may be the last chapter, but it's a long one!
Thank you to Fran, Sassy, and Jill. I'm so lucky to have them to bounce ideas off and help make this readable. It's been a joy! Thanks to all of you for reading, reviewing, and recommending.
*Long Author's note at the bottom.*
~Epilogue~
It's 7.45 pm on a typically uneventful Tuesday night …
I'm minding my own business, driving extra carefully … cautiously, like I always do, when flashing lights in my rearview mirror caught my attention.
Not again, I groan.
Damn it. I don't have time for this. The store closes at eight, but I'm making an emergency trip; if you call stocking up on Ben and Jerry's a necessity - I do.
Checking the mirror again, I try to identify the vehicle; more importantly, the driver of said vehicle that's signaling me to pull over. The car is way too far behind to identify the driver, but I let out a sigh of relief when I see it's not Edward's cruiser checking up on me, or worst of all, Charlie's car.
I don't need any reminders that may lead to a flashback of that particular incident that happened all those years ago.
Even now, the memory makes me cringe.
There are no words to describe how mortifying .. how embarrassing it is when your father finds you and your boyfriend … Well, you get the picture.
Thankfully, Charlie saw the funny side. He took great joy in telling us he knew we were sneaking around for weeks before what we now refer to as 'the incident' took place. At the time, he made the whole unfortunate incident a lot less awkward than it could have been. To be honest, I think he was almost as embarrassed about it as we were.
That doesn't mean Charlie let us off lightly.
For weeks he tortured Edward and me. More horrifying was when he revealed he and my mom were caught in a very similar compromising position many years before. Talk about too much information. That's something I did not need to know. Charlie says telling us was payback for what he witnessed when he caught Edward and me together.
Pulling the car over, I watch the officer get out of his vehicle and smile to myself.
What is he up to?
Sneaky… He's swapped cars, or maybe the change is completely innocent. Maybe his car is in the garage?
Who cares, whatever the cause, the sight of Edward in uniform brings me to my knees (or at least it would do if I were standing.) Still, five years later, he does something to me that no other man can or has before him.
The time has flown since I fled from 'dickhead.'
It's been eventful, to say the least. Our relationship has gone from strong to stronger. It's been full of so many highs; Making our relationship official … getting a place of our own … the proposal … our wedding day.
The list goes on.
There have been some lows too, but that's to be expected. The occasional spat, our first big fight, and the annoying (and infuriating) habits you find out when you live with someone for the first time.
Then there are the more serious moments too; Getting the balance between work and making time for each other ... The heartache of trying and failing to get pregnant as quickly as we planned. However, we worked through all these things together.
As a result, we're happier, closer, and stronger because of the challenges we've faced. There's a lot to be thankful for.
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
Putting my game face on, I look up, rolling down the window, sending Edward an innocent look.
"Is there a problem, officer?" I ask sweetly.
Edward tries to hide his smirk, but I can see the amusement in his eyes. He's enjoying this.
"If you could step out of the car, please, Miss." His voice is stern.
Oh, roleplay.
Nice.
Let's see what he has in mind.
Opening my door, I attempt to step out as gracefully as possible (yeah, right), but thankfully Edward offers me his hand to help me.
Always the gentleman.
As soon as I'm out, he steps in front of me, taking my hand in his; all signs of playfulness are gone, replaced with worry. I can see he's subtly checking me over, making sure I'm okay and not in any pain or discomfort.
"You're supposed to be taking it easy, Bella," he says with concern in his voice.
"I am taking it easy," I sigh. We've had this conversation before; Edward would wrap me in bubble wrap if he could. "I needed to pick up some essentials from the store, that's all."
"I see ... And you couldn't text me a list, or better yet, it couldn't wait till I got home?"
Home.
Sigh… I love the sound of that.
And I love how concerned and supportive he's been over the last couple of months - even if it is a little excessive at times.
That said … No, it bloody well couldn't wait. Men, they just don't understand that when you need Ben and Jerry's - you need Ben and Jerry's.
"You need anything," he kisses my cheek, "You call me," he kisses my nose, "Got it?" He finally brushes his lips against mine before pulling away- much to my annoyance.
One kiss just isn't enough. I blame my hormones.
"I nearly had a heart attack when I spotted your car speeding down the road. I thought it was time."
Dramatic much?
I barely hold in my laughter because if it were time, I certainly wouldn't be driving myself to the hospital. However, Edward's fears make him irrational when it comes to my health. I love him for it - his protectiveness is endearing - no matter how suffocating it can sometimes feel.
Taking his face in my hands and dragging it down to mine, I tell him, "You worry too much. And I wasn't speeding down the road." I grumble.
I want to add that I'd never risk myself, not after everything we've gone through, but I know Edward is only teasing.
"Yeah, because we know you're such a law-abiding citizen," he smirks.
I playfully poke him in the chest, but he catches my hands in his, entwining our fingers as he leans down, placing the briefest of kisses on my all too willing lips.
"Damn right, I'm a model citizen. It's you that's a bad influence on me." I claim, causing Edward to laugh, but the smile doesn't quite reach his eyes.
"Don't worry about me, okay?" My hands reach up, finding their way into his hair at the nape of his neck, one of Edward's weak spots.
"But I do worry. You're carrying precious cargo … Both here …" He places his hand over my heart. "And here …" He places his other hand over my growing belly.
Swoon.
"Are you sure you're okay?" he asks unnecessarily.
Leaning into him, his hand remains resting on my bump, which draws a kick from the baby. Nothing unusual there; I swear our little girl is sensitive to her father's touch, just like me.
"I'm fine … we're fine," I assure him. Again, the baby delivers a swift jab to my stomach as if agreeing with me.
Thank you, little one.
"So stop worrying. And enough with the unnecessary stops, okay?" I say, sending him a stern look.
"I actually pulled you over for a reason, Bella."
"Really?" I challenge, raising my brow at him.
"Yes, really. Your rear taillight is out." He takes great pleasure in informing me.
"I'll get my husband to book it into the garage," I tease.
Said husband's eyes light up.
Our wedding was simple but perfect, and three years on, I love my husband just as much, if not more than I did on the day we said, 'I do.'
It's been five years since I returned to Forks with a broken heart, and every day I'm grateful for Edward; for his love … his friendship … everything.
As mortifying as it was for Charlie to catch us out the way he did, in a way, it was a relief to have our relationship out in the open. Edward and I were able to quit sneaking around (what were we thinking?), go out on dates, spend time together whenever we wanted- which turned out to be a lot. So much so that we decided to move in together a few months later. It made sense; we were in love … I was practically living in his house anyway. And with my new position at the school about to start, I wouldn't get to see Edward nearly as much as when I was helping down at the station.
Living together was the next step, and after a short adjustment period, we didn't look back. Our relationship went from strength to strength. We held off on getting married. There was no rush or pressure to set a date; we did what worked for us. And when Edward asked me to marry him when the time was right, I said yes, obviously.
"Where did you go? I lost you for a minute there." Edward chuckles.
"Just reminiscing," I sigh before pulling his face down to mine for the briefest of kisses.
"As much as I would love to continue this now, we both know how this usually ends. I best get back to work. I'll call Rosalie on the way; get her to book your car into the garage this weekend. In the meantime, don't overdo it, okay?" He reaches up, stroking my cheek one last time and dipping his head down to give me a final kiss on my lips.
When he pulls away, I want to tell him he's being ridiculous, but instead, I settle for, "Okay."
Edward helps me back inside the car, apologizing for making me get out in the first place.
Please! I'm eight months pregnant - not eighty years old!
As he makes his way back to his car, my eyes follow my husband. I can't resist watching him walk away because what a great view that is.
It takes me back to how this all started; to the first time Edward pulled me over when I was distraught and, honestly, devastated. It's impossible to compare the life I had then to the one I'm living now. So many changes have happened, not just for me, but for the other people in my life, both past, and present.
Alice, well, she went AWOL - quite literally. She made a deal with some dodgy clothing factory in the far east to cut costs, which led to trouble with the tax man and trading standards. From what I heard, she fled the country to avoid prosecution. I don't even have it in me to feel sympathy .. anger … or even sadness for her.
Nothing.
She hurt me by defending her brother at the time I needed her support the most. Then she cut me off. Friendship isn't supposed to work that way. She's no friend to me. She's not worth a single thought or what-if.
I have real friends in every sense of the word. Friends like Rose, who stuck by me from the start ... who was disgusted by what Jake did to me, and who cut them both off the moment she found out what had been going on behind my back. I didn't ask her to choose, but I suppose you don't have to ask true friends to take sides. They do what they think is right … fair. And I'm so lucky to have Rosalie here with me now.
Yes, she moved to Forks several years ago, too. She met her 'one' the day I married my soulmate.
For Rosalie and Emmett, it was love at first sight - the stuff you hear about but never actually believe happens. Well, in this case, it did. The two of them were inseparable all through the reception … the party … breakfast the following morning.
She moved to Forks the next month; they married the following one. It was a joy to see my friends so happy and in love.
And then there's Jake...
The man that started all this. I suppose I should thank him because ultimately, his betrayal led me back to Forks … to Edward … to this life.
Last I heard, he was still working at the same company he always complained about … still living in Seattle.
Alone ...
The last time I saw him, he was lying on the floor, knocked out from Edward's one punch.
Surprise, surprise, he and Leah didn't last. From the sounds of it, they were involved in a constant cycle of jealousy, fighting, splitting up, getting back together before finally calling it quits on their toxic relationship. Ironically, she was the one to cheat on him- with his boss, no less.
It couldn't have happened to a nicer person.
What goes around comes around, so the saying goes. He got what he deserved, whereas I hit the jackpot. I count my blessings every morning when I wake up in Edward's arms. I have a loving husband … a wonderful family … some truly incredible friends who would never lie and betray me.
Most importantly, I have a future to look forward to; a future filled with love and the precious life growing inside me; hopefully, the first of many mini-Cullens running riot in Forks.
This is just the start for me … for us … for our family.
I'm beyond happy … blissfully happy, and Jake …
Who cares where Jake is?
Jake who?
I think that's what you call karma …
~The End~
Author's note: And that's how the story goes. Everyone is happy apart from Jake and Alice. Maybe it's a little harsh, but I couldn't let Jake find peace and redemption. I wanted him to be miserable and suffering, haha!
This story started from a prompt, and I decided to run with it. Honestly, it's probably the most self-indulgent thing I've ever written. I wanted to write something unapologetically fluffy and sentimental and just plain fun. It's not cool or edgy or whatever the buzz words are right now. I wrote this for me, not expecting many people to like it, and for that reason, it makes it so special that people have enjoyed the story.
❤️Thank you ❤️
I have a new story that posted his week. If mafia romance is your thing, head over to my profile to check it out. It's called Lineage.
In other exciting news, I've finally created my own Facebook Group called Jemster23 Fanfictions. I'll share teasers for the stories I'm working on and much, much more, so join me over there if you would like to :) xx
