A/N: As sad as this is to say, this is the final chapter. I have really enjoyed writing this little story. I've been hedging on the epilogue for a couple weeks. So, here's what we are going to do. After you read the chapter, hit me at the bottom notes. Let's play a game!

Chapter 25: Forever and Ever

Bella

The longer I was a vampire, the more I realized that I was meant to be in this life. My new family around me was amazing; they kept me grounded in reality and helped me to enjoy my new life. But it really was easy for me regardless. The easiest thing I'd ever done in my entire life so far was to be a vampire. I was no longer clumsy, I didn't have to be cautious about skinned knees, or broken bones, or anything like that. I felt like I was thriving.

Hunting was much different than I had pictures when Edward would talk about it. I hardly ever wanted to go out with anyone other than him because inevitably I would attack him once I was sated with blood. Every time I turned on my natural hunting instinct, I wanted him. Craved him. And I was insatiable. The good news for me was that he was just as happy to have me to himself, and never questioned when I wanted us to hunt alone.

The most intense moment was after I had finally tasted a carnivore. Edward had explained that they tasted better because they were closest to humans, and I couldn't agree more. About the tasting better part, anyway. We had been lucky to not be anywhere close to humans so far, and I was content to stay that way.

I took down a mountain lion about a month after I turned. It was just Edward and I hunting, as usual, and he watched me with a smirk on his face. I leapt into the air, catching him mid-jump, taking him down and draining him before he could even blink. As soon as he was empty, I turned to face Edward, my chest moving in heavy breathing that I didn't need any longer.

"I thought I was getting used to you hunting," Edward said, pushing away from the tree he had been leaning against. "But seeing you with a predator was terrifying."

I continued to breath heavily, staring at him, licking my lips. Through the last month I had been successful in expanding my shield from around myself, and including him into the bubble as Eleazer put it. Because I was too high on blood and the intoxication of Edward, I couldn't speak, so I expanded the bubble and brought him into my thoughts.

His smirk dropped from his face and he rushed across the clearing to get closer to me, grabbing me roughly and pressing his lips to mine. His mind entangled with mine, sending us both into a frenzy. I pushed him down on the ground, ripping and tearing his clothes off just to get closer to him. He had done the same for me, and soon I found myself grinding into him, almost tearing at the skin on his chest.

Before he could register the thought in my head, I was pushing myself down on top of him, still pulling at his chest. I threw my head back just enjoying the feel of him inside me. His arms rose my up body, covering my breasts briefly before making their way up to my face. He tugged me down and kissed me roughly, as I continued to move on top of him.

Bella, love, dammit...I heard him in my mind. I was overwhelming him with sensation. I could hear his love for me through our connection, and it spurred me on more. I rode him harder, slamming my body down on his. He growled as he threw his own head back as the sensations got more intense.

He flipped us after that, wanting to get a different angle. He slammed into me, causing my teeth to chatter a little. Fuck, Edward, so good. Harder, please.

Your wish, my love. And he slammed into me even harder. We stayed like that for some time, and it was amazing. His lips captured my ear lobe, as I bit down on his shoulder. His pace stuttered as my teeth made contact with his skin, and then he moved even faster inside me. My head hit the ground, while I pushed my chest into him. He shifted so that both of my legs were thrown over his shoulder, impossibly hitting me even deeper.

As we both neared completion, he slowed down and changed the tone of the air around us. His thoughts were more focused on how much he loved me, and how he couldn't imagine living without me. If I could have cried, I knew I would have. I sent back thoughts of our time together leading up to me being changed. How much it had meant to me to have someone like Edward love me.

It was never a choice, love.

For me either, Edward.

When we finally shattered in each other's arms, I was overwhelmed with love for him. Every time we were together, I felt our connection grow, but this time had been even more intense. I wondered if it had to do with hunting specifically, or because I had finally taken large game.

I think it's normal for this kind of thing to happen. Edward smirked at me, kissing me softly. Everyone else seems to think the carnivores bring this reaction out of us.

Well, then we need to find large game more often. I tweaked his nose and he laughed, sitting up and disconnecting our bodies. We stared at the shredded clothing around us, wondering what we were going to do. My mind was still connected to him, and I heard someone else's thoughts at the edge of my range.

I'm leaving clothes over here next to the tree that is now dead because of you two, Alice's voice rang out clearly in my head. Really, acting like a couple of love sick teenagers. Next time at least bring a change of clothes with you.

"We are love sick teenagers, Alice," Edward called out to her as we both started laughing. "But thank you. We appreciate it."

"Now, get out of here so we can get dressed!" I called out, standing up next to Edward. He entwined our hands and we walked a slow pace to where Alice had left us clothing.

After we were dressed, we ran together back to the cabin where the rest of the family was waiting. We had been hearing news of Volterra's downfall to the Romanians, and were waiting to hear what was going to happen to the vampire world as we knew it. Carlisle had told us that Aro had defeated the Romanians years before he was born, so he really didn't know for sure what kind of leaders they would be. Aro had twisted stories so much over the years, no one tended to believe any recounts he had.

The Denali's had opted to go back home. They were all still mourning Irena's death; though it had made them happy, to some degree, that at least she had died with Laurant. They had seemed to be mated, and at least they were together wherever vampires went after this life. Regardless, it was hard on Kate and Tonya, having lost their mother in a similar way. They opted to head back to Alaska to continue to mourn.

Unsurprisingly, Garrett had decided to accompany them. He and Kate were growing closer, and I was sure that they were mated as well. Even if they weren't, they both seemed happy together. Since he was willing to try our diet, where best to learn than at the side of the woman he clearly loved? While I was sad to see them go, I understood they needed time to grieve.

Since the threat of Charlie hurting me while I was human was gone, he and Esme had stayed with us and the rest of our family. It was great to see him happy, and looking younger than he had the whole time I knew him. They worked off each other well. Esme's sweet and quiet demeanor, and Dad's gruff personality complimented each other so much better than I ever could have thought. Some days I would see them off to the side of the meadow just leaning their heads together, speaking quietly. I was grateful for them both, finding happiness finally.

When Dad and Edward disappeared one day, claiming to be going hunting, I knew better. I was inside Edward's head so much that he really couldn't hide anything from me. Esme had a sense of what they were up to also, so she and I hovered around each other smirking now and then. I had taken to her quite easily, and would be thrilled to call her my step mother.

Liz and Carlisle were pretty easy to get along with, too. Liz I loved for many reasons, mostly because she was Edward's true mother, but her gentle and loving nature made me crave being around her. She had a way of calming those around her with simple gestures and advice. Her and Alice together were hilarious, almost speaking in a different language. This drove Emmett crazy most of the time, but he was so good natured in general that he got over it fairly quickly.

Rose and Alice were the sisters I always wanted. The dynamic between them was interesting, as they really were not similar at all. Rose was kind yet had a low-key lifestyle. She was just as content living under the hood of a vehicle making repairs as she was doing her nails or hair. Alice on the other hand lived for shopping and dressing each of us. Edward told me once to just give in and let her dress me, though I really wasn't happy about it, I did let her.

Esme and I were sitting in the cabin chatting when Charlie and Edward got back from their 'hunting' trip. We smirked at each other, her winding her way outside with Charlie while Edward sat down next to me. I looked at him expectedly, wondering if he was finally going to ask me.

Edward

There were times that I missed Bella being human. I had missed the lullaby of her heart beat most of all; but the constant craving for her blood was gone and that made my life a lot easier. While I never wanted her to live with this life, I understood now that she was always meant to be a vampire. She came into this life with such ease she had even Jasper wondering about her strength.

He and I would often discuss her ease, and we believed that it was because she had been properly prepared. Perhaps her shield had something to do with it, but I had never known anyone to be turned who had wanted it so much ahead of time. We would discuss this with Carlisle now and then, and he tended to agree with us. Emmett was more pragmatic in that he didn't really care. He was just happy to not have to smell human blood any longer.

I asked Charlie to go hunting with me; I knew we had much to discuss. Over the last month or so since Bella turned, I had really gotten to know him. I was thrilled that he and Esme were mates, because it was so wonderful to see her so happy. No longer were we on the outside of the other couples around us. I loved her as a sister and that's all I ever wanted for her: happiness.

"Charlie?" I said, pausing several miles from the cabin. I knew that we were out of range so no one could listen in on the conversation.

He stopped running and stood next to me, eyes on mine with a small smirk. "Yes, Edward?"

"I have a couple things I wanted to say to you, now that we are alone." He didn't comment, so I continued. "First, I want to thank you for how happy you have made Esme. She and I were alone for so long, always wondering if we would ever find someone to spend our existence with. I'm glad she found you."

He smiled widely at me. "When Renee left so many years ago, I assumed that I would be alone forever. Ever the bachelor, you know? I assumed that was my one shot, and I lost it. Like if I had been willing to move to a bigger city, or change something about myself then I could have been happy. While I did change something drastically in my life after meeting Esme, it wasn't because I needed to in order to keep her. She just accepted me as I was." He put his hand on my shoulder. "I just want her to be happy, Edward."

I nodded at him. "And she is. Trust me, I've known her almost my entire life and I've never seen her this happy."

"Well, now, that's good to hear." Charlie studied me for a moment. "What else?"

I shuffled my feet, suddenly unnecessarily nervous. "I want to ask Bella to marry me, Charlie. I want to know if you will give us your blessing."

He stared at me for a moment before laughing. "Don't tell Bella you asked me; she would probably be offended. She has her own mind, Edward, and if she wants you, I won't stop it. And I know she does, son."

For some reason, hearing him call me that didn't bother me as it always had with Carlisle. Though that relationship was better than it ever had been, I still regressed now and then. "I come from a different age, Charlie. I was appropriate in my time to ask permission of the woman's father before asking her."

"I know Edward. What is it that Esme always says? Welcome to the 21st century?" He laughed again. "Of course, I give you my blessing; but the rest is up to Bella."

He and I continued running then, heading in toward town. We had discussed going into a small jewelry shop on the outskirts of a town in Quebec, but ultimately, we opted to stay in Alberta. Charlie's French Canadian wasn't so good. He was surprisingly calm around the humans in the store, but I kept my eye on him anyway. I noticed that he was looking at rings as I was.

"Should you be asking me for my blessing?" I teased him, as he selected a beautiful ring in the case next to the one I was eyeing.

He looked at me. "Should I?"

I threw my head back and laughed. "No, absolutely not. It's not my place. But I would have given it had you asked."

Once our purchases were made, we hid them safely in our pockets and began the run back. We did hunt while we were out, but it didn't take long. Both of us wanted to get back to our mates. By the time we got back to the cabin, I could hear Esme and Bella inside while the others were mysteriously gone. Benjamin and Tia were all I could see, and they were on the farthest edge of the meadow speaking quietly to each other. Charlie and I raised a hand in greeting, but continued to the cabin.

Charlie led a smirking Esme outside as I went to sit next to Bella. I heard from Esme's thoughts she knew exactly what was going on, but until Bella pulled me in, I couldn't hear hers. As I sat next to her, I expected to hear her mind, but she kept silent from me.

"Did you have a good hunting trip, Edward?" she asked, her voice full of humor. Oh yeah, she knew what I was up to.

"It was pleasant, thank you," I said, swallowing thickly. I pulled the box out of my pocket, sliding off the couch and kneeling on the floor. Her eyes didn't betray anything, she just stared at me stoically. "Bella, having you with me in this life was more than I ever thought possible. You are amazing and I cannot spend another day of my life without you in it. Will you marry me?"

She finally opened up her mind, and I could almost see her dancing inside her head. Took you long enough to ask me.

I was going to, back when you were still human; Alice told me not to. I smirked at her, as she let me slip the ring on her finger. It was subtle, not wanting too much rock showing. It was a simple silver band with one single diamond in the middle.

Never bet against Alice; I'm not sure how I would have taken it back then. She said, leaning forward and kissing me. Of course I'll marry you, Edward. I love it; thank you for making it a simple ring. That's all I ever wanted.

A few hours later, the family started filtering back in toward the cabin. Alice and Mother must have made them stay away for some time. They were all excited that Charlie and Esme were getting married, as well as Bella and I.

As a family, we sat in the meadow the remainder of the night just talking and making plans. Mother and Alice stated we should try and remain where we were for only a short time more. It was getting further into fall, which meant winter. The rangers would be making their rounds through the area soon enough to make sure there were no concerns heading into the snowy time of year.

The only thing Bella really struggled with in this new life was handling the 'borrowed' powers from others. Kate's had been easy, before she had left to go back to Alaska, but Benjamin's had scared most of us. She didn't know how to control it, and almost knocked out half of the forest with a tornado before Benjamin was able to calm it. He started to teach her, little by little, how to control rather than go unhinged.

When Alice got too close to Bella, though, the terror had been mine alone. Bella was connected with my mind when Alice's power got shoved in, and I experienced what she did. It was different from how I saw it in Alice's head because I wasn't just watching; I was experiencing it with her. Bella's eyes had glazed over being pulled into a vision of the Romanian's coming to visit. I felt as if I was experiencing it, not watching it. I was living the vision and for a moment I actually thought the Romanian's were in the meadow with us. Bella snapped out of it before I did; Mother was calm explaining she would be able to tell if their choices would lead down a bad path once they got there; Alice said she'd been watching it for weeks and nothing violent ever came out of it.

I wasn't convinced, and spent a long time just hovering around Bella. I knew she was strong enough to take care of herself, but that didn't mean I was unfazed by the possibility of unknown vampires coming into the area. We all adopted a wait and see approach, but I worried about it constantly.

Charlie had it the hardest, though. He had called the Forks PD and turned in his resignation. He told them that after he had healed enough, he hoped to come back, but for now it didn't make sense to hold his job. I knew how devastated he was, having loved his job so much. I also knew that he hoped to go back one day, but considering his indestructible nature, that may have been too hard. He wanted to stay with Esme no matter what, which was all I wanted for them both.

Mother wouldn't tell him, but I could tell that she saw a strand of a choice later that led him back to law enforcement. She was confident that he would be able to return, he just needed to gain a few years more of control around humans.

The family decided to move, as the cabin really wasn't designed for so many of us. They opted to go to the house we owned in Maine, just for a change of scenery. Bella and I decided to remain at the cabin, working on her gift and in desperate need of alone time. She was sad to see them all go, but she did need the quiet. Choosing to stay connected with me all the time meant she was constantly bombarded with everyone's thoughts. I knew from experience how overwhelming that was. She needed quiet for a time, and I needed to train her on how to mute everyone.

After we had said our goodbyes, and they had all left, we ended up back in the bedroom of the cabin enjoying each other. My mate was an amazing woman; seeing the beauty in everything. She made me realize that the anger and resentment I had held for being thrust into this life was really unnecessary. There was beauty in who we were, and how we chose to live.

The Romanians came to visit, and it was anti-climactic. They wanted to express their thanks to us that we had eliminated the Volturi threat. They were going to make their way to Italy after seeing us; the wives of Aro and Caius had requested their assistance to build a new world for vampires. We were all eager to see what they came up with. We knew that they weren't as afraid of humans as Aro had been, so we were hoping for some leniency in our most sacred law. Carlisle was convinced that they would do good, and Mother was thinking about going to Italy later to see for themselves.

Renee had been a wildcard. Renee had been up in Maine when we found her. Bella and I had finally been able to track her down, using Charlie's police buddies and some visions Alice had. Their reunion was bittersweet, considering Bella had to be so careful around her. She tried to play it off that she just didn't want to hug her mother, but Renee wasn't having that. I held my breath – Bella did as well – watching the two hug briefly. We stayed with her and Phil for a couple days, and I was amazed at how well she had done. I was watching her thoughts carefully, and she never once even thought about hurting her mother.

We took the long way back to the cabin, traveling far to the north. There was so much country out there that she hadn't seen, so we decided to travel around for a while together. Our hunger for each other never really faded. And we ruined a lot of clothing in the process. Thank goodness for Alice packing us extra clothes.

I sort of existed outside of my body these days. Things were so beautiful and amazing – just like my Mother had said all those months ago. Bella as a vampire was exquisite. She was even more beautiful than I ever thought possible.

With her by my side, I knew I would only become more grateful that we had forever and ever.

A/N: Phew! What a wild ride this story has been for me! I have really enjoyed it; and I hope all of you have as well.

Now, on to the game. The epilogue will be written in Elizabeth's POV (which was always the plan). But what I want from you guys is: What do you want to hear about from her? Give me some ideas of what you want, what I didn't go into enough detail about, or what did she think about certain situations. If you give me the suggestions and I take them, I'll shout each of you out in the author's notes! I want this to be YOUR story. What is it that you want to hear from Elizabeth?

I will update with the epilogue as soon as possible, but give me your reviews and feedback and ideas first. Then, I'll be on my way. My goal is to post it before the end of the year. Help me out faster, and the faster you'll get it!

Thank you all for reading and commenting on this story of mine. I love each and everyone of you, and appreciate you more than I can say!

Consuming Love, my other story, is winding down also. Very soon it will be over (also before the end of the year). Please head over and give that a read, too.

And finally, thanks to my two amazing betas for helping me through this journey. To my sister for fact checking every damn name and event in the Twilight wiki, and my beta zombified419 for keeping me sane and motivated to finish. You both mean the world to me for your help!