Epilogue

After graduation, I never let Bella out of my sight. From the day she had chosen me, I vowed to myself I would never let her go or fail her again. She slept in my arms as she always did. She worried about Jacob Black in her sleep. When she was awake, she tried not to let me see it, but it was there in her eyes. She wanted happiness for Jacob as well. "I think she'll like this one." "Alice, let her decide. You can wait for a few hours." Alice groaned, "Edward, this has to be ready. We don't have much time. We are moving soon." I released Bella and went down to Alice's room. "Alice, we have another week." Edward, when we get to New Hampshire, I don't want Bella to be stressed. She needs to focus on her classes. "Alice, I think she can handle picking out her own clothes for class." "Edward, Alice, what are you two fighting about?" I turned to find Bella standing in the doorway. "Bella? What are you doing awake?" She patted my chest as she walked past me and I felt her wedding band. "Alice was trying to set up your fall wardrobe and I thought you should have some input." She smiled, "Alice, why don't you pick out some things and we can decide on them in the morning."

Bella took my hand, "Don't be mad at Alice. She's just excited that I'm finally her sister." I took her face in my hands and pressed my lips to her, "Not as happy as I am to have you as my wife." Bella took my hand, "Now, can we go back to bed?" I hugged her, "Of course." Bella and I have been married for almost a month. She only wanted a two week long honeymoon on the island, because she wanted to spend time with Charlie before we left for Dartmouth. I was surprised she woke up when I left the room. Since coming back from the island, nothing woke Bella up. Not even Emmett and Jasper fighting outside. Charlie knew we were moving and he would not admit to Bella that he would miss her. He was against us getting married, but he saw that Bella was going through with it, even if it was against his wishes. Bella laid in bed, in my arms, "Why do you stop Alice from having her fun?" I kissed her neck, "Because she can get out of hand. Don't you remember the wedding?" She sighed, "I know, but let Alice be Alice." Her heart skipped a beat as her breath became steady.

I thought about our compromise which led to our marriage. After deciding to be with me, Bella wanted to be changed. She knew she was leaving Charlie's home, so there was no reason for her to wait. She already consented to marry me, but I wanted more time for her to be human. She deserved some human experiences. Bella and I agreed that she would be changed before she was twenty years old. I talked her into attending college, hoping to draw the time out, but she was unbelievably stubborn. On my part, I agreed that we would have a real honeymoon. It wasn't easy channeling all the excesses I felt when I was with her, but once I did, we had the most amazing time on the island. I was selfish to give into her demand of being changed, but I wanted her to be happy. We discussed her soul and becoming a vampire. "Edward, look at you and your family. You were dealt a hand you did not expect. But instead of following the norm, all of you choose to do something more with your existence. It was a choice to hurt people or help them. That is what you do. Yes, I know you think you don't have a soul because of your rebellious days, but you have more than made up for them." "But Bella, you are making the choice to become a vampire." She held my face, "And I am choosing to be a good person for the rest of eternity."

When hearing this debate, Carlisle agreed with Bella. When she is changed, she and I will move to a more remote place until she has more control. My family voted to change her and only Rosalie was my only ally. I held her hand and watch her gold wedding band catch the light of the moon. Even though I was deplored with myself, I was excited to have Bella be as strong as I was. I was somewhat anxious to watch her face light up as she took in things with her new senses. I wanted to run through the forest with her. My hand rested on her torso, when I felt a slight bump against my hand. I looked down and realized how hard her skin was. Bella turned over and she was sweating, despite the fact that I kept her cool during the summer nights. I watched Bella's face until she woke up. She blinked and I feigned a smile. Was our union as husband and wife more unexpected than I thought? I had Bella for eternity, but we were getting something neither of us bargained for were expecting.