It seems as if I had just began to write this story the other day, and yet here we are at the end. As always, it gives me mixed feelings.

Once again, please accept my heartfelt thanks for sharing this journey. I am grateful to everybody who has read this tale, whether or not you have reviewed it. It means so much to me!

Epilogue

Twelve Years Later

"Edward, it is time to get up."

"Um-hmm."

"Edward, it's morning!"

"I know," he returns lazily, his hand capturing and squeezing my breast. "That is why I am trying to wish you Good Morning." And he thrusts his hips into mine to prove his point.

"We will be late for breakfast," I protest weakly, even as my body responds in all the right ways. His warm skin against mine, his kisses on my neck, his fingers in that special place…all of it makes me helpless. I raise my leg as he enters me, completes me.

Who was the fool that said women are not supposed to get any enjoyment from the sexual act? And why do women continue to believe it?

Twelve years of married life, and yet the pleasure that my husband brings to me in our bed has not waned. I speak generally of course, for we have made love in other places too. The sturdy chesterfield with its rich wine-red leather upholstery in Edward's bedroom is a favourite of ours, and so is the dresser with the mirror in mine. Sometimes he sneaks in my room in the afternoon when he has a few minutes free in between appointments. We do it very quickly then, knowing well that his valet will be knocking at the door any minute.

Yes, Edward has a valet now. He had made no effort to find one after Jasper left, saying that he could dress himself without one well enough. Then one day he found a child lying unconscious in a ditch by the road while travelling to another town on business. He postponed the meeting and brought the child home instead.

Carlisle was called, and he discovered multiple bruises and broken ribs, and tended to him carefully. For some reason Edward couldn't tear himself away from the little fellow. Perhaps something about his broken body resonated within himself. When his fever broke and consciousness returned, we found that he didn't remember anything about himself or his parents, except a vague recollection of a castle. After asking around in nearby villages and towns and waiting for months for someone to come forward and claim him, we decided to keep him with us. The only other option was to send him to a workhouse, and none of us had the heart to do that.

He said his name was perhaps Jake, he wasn't sure, but that's what everybody calls him now. Judging by his physique and speech, we thought he was maybe a year or two older to Lizzie. She was delighted to have a playmate, and soon they were as thick as thieves.

Even though we treated him like one of ours, he surprised us by announcing that he wished to act as Edward's valet. This happened almost two years after Edward had found him, which made Jake around twelve. He began assisting my husband in small ways, but he was a quick study and has graduated to managing the accounts for the estate over the years.

I suppose he is an assistant rather than just a valet. However, he still looks up to Edward and insists that he likes the title of valet, so we let it be.

We are only a little late for breakfast. Lizzie and Jake are there, laughing over something only they know. Our eldest son, Edward William Masen, is eating his toast and eggs with a far-off expression on his beautiful face. Elizabeth swears that he is a carbon copy of his father at that age. He is quite a philosopher though, inclined to reading a lot and thinking deep thoughts. He will definitely go to Oxford for higher studies.

Then there are nine year old Sarah and six year old Robert, playful and energetic and a mix of Edward and me as far as their facial features and hair are concerned. They are arguing over the deliciousness of Apple Snowballs versus Spotted Dick Pudding, while Mrs Stanley smiles and assures them that both the items will be prepared for dinner. Those two have her wrapped around their little finger!

Yes, all the children have breakfast with us now, and dinner as well. In case we have guests and dinner is served later than usual, the younger three eat early while Lizzie joins us, having turned eighteen a few months ago.

I have been asking Edward to introduce her to the London society and have a season, but he thinks she is too young to get married. "I have not spent enough time with her," he confessed when I prodded him for the real reason.

I think, no, I know that he feels guilty over not being able to disclose to her the truth of being her real father. He considered it very seriously when Lizzie turned sixteen, but I convinced him that some secrets are better as secrets. There is no way we can tell her everything, and a half-truth will do more harm than a complete lie. Let her be happy remembering Anthony as her father before Edward took his place. It has not lessened her affection for Edward in any way.

I am not worried that she will learn the truth from someone else. Though some of the servants witnessed James beating Jasper and Mr Stanley hitting him on the head, they did not know the reason of it all, assuming that James had actually lost his mind. His cruelty towards them over the years made it seem quite plausible in their opinion. Only Carlisle and the Stanleys know the whole truth, and they will take it to the grave with them.

Why James was at our house on that particular morning remains a mystery. It is possible that Carlisle's frequent visits might have given rise to speculation of there being something wrong with the baby, but even then James could have simply written to Edward instead of rushing here. Our best guess is that he wanted to lord over the household again and probably give us instructions on how to raise the baby (especially a boy) in the correct manner. Unfortunately, Jasper chose the same time to leave the house as James arrived, who immediately assumed that something was fishy and searched Jasper's bags.

When I asked Alice later on, she admitted that she had her suspicions regarding Jasper but was not sure as she had no proof. Just because he didn't reciprocate her feelings didn't mean that he wasn't attracted to women in general. And of course she couldn't imagine a lord being in love with his valet.

Alice was understandably shaken by the whole incident, but she finally gathered herself and found a good man to marry. He is a carpenter by profession and well-known for the chairs, tables and beds he makes, simple and sturdy. They are happy together and have two sweet children. I am very fond of the little poppets.

Even though she doesn't need to be a lady's maid, Alice still comes for a few hours every day to assist me in any way required. My children are as fond of her as they are of their Aunt Angela and Uncle Mike.

To return to the topic at hand, the guilt Edward harbours has also resulted in his being unable to say 'no' to Lizzie. Not that she is spoilt or selfish; on the contrary, she has the same sunny disposition and generous heart she had as a child. But sometimes a parent has to refuse a child something because it might harm her or it is just not possible. Every time this responsibility has fallen on me, making me the more strict parent. Well, someone has to do it.

For example, we had travelled to Italy when Lizzie was nine. She liked Rome so much that she asked us to live there. It was so much sunnier, you see, and the monuments were fascinating. I was the one who had to break her heart by informing her that visiting a place implied returning to our home sooner or later. Edward simply could not bring himself to disillusion her and see her tears.

I have a feeling that it is going to change soon. Edward may not have noticed how close Lizzy is to Jake, but I have. Also, it is not a coincidence that Lizzy has not shown an interest in having a season in London. Any other girl in her place would have been demanding it by now!

How do I feel about it? Honestly, I don't know. Even though we know nothing about Jake's parents, we can see that he must have belonged to a good family. There is something about him…his speech, his inherent good manners, and a…chivalry, I suppose I must call it. Many times I have seen him reach out to help others and expect nothing in return, and he is always respectful towards women, be they nobility or commoners.

Still, society demands that the parentage of a person be known before it will cede him the regard he deserves. Edward is different from most of the lords I have met over the years, but will he agree to a union between his daughter and a boy who remembers nothing of his past? Only time will tell.

Until then, I am perfectly content with life as it is and thankful to be surrounded by my loved ones, be they family or friends. The past, with all its pain and confusion, is exactly that—the past. I do not think of it often.

A.N. : Most of you said they would be happy with any outtakes I choose to post, but there were a couple of specific requests too. First, an EPOV of the time when Edward was pretending to be Anthony and visiting Bella during the nights, and second, when he got the news of Anthony's death and that he was to come back and marry Bella. Also, meeting her after his return, the early days of their marriage and his feelings at being able to see Lizzie. So I guess there will be at least three outtakes, maybe more if I feel like resolving the mystery of Jake. Though that could be a separate story in itself!

Now, here is a new contest, titled Beyond The Bedroom: A Twilight fanfic Contest. As you can guess, it's about lemons, but not any lemons! We want (yeah, I am a validator) originality, creativity, something unusual-the place, the situation, the position. Humor, awkwardness, anything different. Please visit the page for full details. Here is the link: u/8423884/Beyond-The-Bedroom

I look forward to some entries from you people. Come on, give it a try!