A/N: Merry Christmas to all, I hoped you have enjoyed my story. I've had this chapter inside me for a while and I know some of you will be less than pleased with it but from Chapter 1 this is where I wanted it to end up. Thank you all so much for reading. You guys are the reason I write!

Epilogue

Preparations happened quickly. Emmett, Jasper, Edward and Carlisle went back with Dagon to Chicago. They plotted their course of action for weeks. The size of Dagon's army rose to unbelievable heights.

We all knew that things may never get back to what they once were as in Dagon's original reign. But after a few decades, the Volturi's influence and every last member of the Volturi themselves were ash and nothing more. Dagon now sat as supreme beatific counselor. He discouraged anyone from thinking or referring to him as ruler, king, etc. – it was too close to what the Volturi's brand of whoop-la.

He was exactly what he said he was- a counselor and nothing more. As the oldest vampire in existence, he had tons of advice for all and was amazingly objective. He had no reason to rule or serve justice on a platter; if there was an uprising or a vampire somewhere that was drawing attention to themselves too loudly, the other local vampires seemed to take care of it. Amazingly, vampires are a very self-governing body. They value their quality of life and secrecy as much as the next hermit.

Turns out letting the cat out of the proverbial bag where our existence was concerned wasn't the disaster the Volturi had imagined it would be either. Most of the humans who discovered the truth were either being fattened for the kill, or soon to be one of us anyway. Those who didn't fall into either category were labeled as insane or eccentric; the world had grown too smart for the old superstitions.

As for Edward and I, well we moved back to Chicago in 2045. We still live in his parents' house but usually only in the winter when Chicago is at its least sunny. I can still go out in sunlight without drawing attention, but poor Edward still shines like a disco ball. He's quite self-conscious so during the brighter months we live in dreary places. I'm still his favorite dessert, dinner, lunch, brunch and breakfast. Needless to say his eyes are red as the blood flowing in my veins.

As for the other Cullens; they quit feeding off of me after the fall of the Volturi. All of their eyes are back to their gorgeous gold. Jasper and I still share our connection most of the time; Edward keeps me pretty devoid of plasma so I can be more like him. I don't mind one bit.

Alice and I are connected at the ear. No matter where Edward and I live, she never fails to call me at least once per day. Mostly to let me know how the next day will be. Weather wise, of course; I don't think I could handle knowing all the other stuff all the time.

As for Charlie; well, Alice was mistaken when she left Chicago that summer. He did go to Arizona and bought the old house of my moms. He was found there a week later, gunshot wound to the head… self-inflicted. His note, to no one in specific stated that losing his wife and daughter both gave him nothing to wake up for everyday. He wanted to be with us… I hope he wasn't disappointed that I wasn't there when he found my mom on the other side. I hope they are happy wherever they are.

My best friend in the world, besides Alice, Angela… I visit her in Forks every now and then… I just wish she knew about my visits. She assumed along with the rest of the town that I died in the accident Alice had fabricated for Charlie. I suppose he called Angela to tell her soon after Alice left. Angela is now in her golden years and as sweet as ever. She has seventeen grandchildren. Sometimes I envy her. Her husband passed away last year of a massive heart attack. I vaguely remember him from some of my classes in high school. I wish I could comfort her, but I fear that the sight of me still as young as she remembered me would be more than she could take, though as her health is failing quickly I think it might be a merciful visit.

As I walk toward her room at the nursing home I wonder at what her reaction will be; many years have passed since the vampire war was ended. I had been 'dead' now for sixty eight years. She is the last living contact from my human life still alive. I have to say goodbye to her; I didn't get that chance with anyone else.

I turn the corner into her room. Poor dear, she is in her bed gazing out her window at the summer sunshine – a rare beauty in Forks. I hesitate on what to say… nothing seems just right… finally…

"Angela?" I say softly. Her aged face turns from the rays streaming through her window. Her eyes grow wide. I hear a raspy gasp come from her frail body.

"Don't be afraid; it's me, Bella." I say gently as I walk toward her.

"I know who you are, Bella. I might be old but I'm still not senile." She says with a slight smile.

"I wanted to see you, I felt so awful being alive and letting you and everyone else think I was dead." I say awkwardly.

She pats the bed next to her motioning me to sit. "If you were alive you'd be old and wrinkled like me, Bella. I know technology is good, but we haven't come that far yet."

I had to smile; her sense of humor had not left her over the years.

"I heard about Eric; I'm so sorry, Ang."

"We had many good years; I'm not sorry at all… it was his time." She said, her smile was not for me, but the memories that flooded her mind as she spoke.

"I'm not a hallucination, you know." I said sarcastically, part of me wishing she could just believe that I was.

"I know; I told you, I'm not senile yet." She quipped.

I nodded.

"You married him, didn't you?" she asked.

"Married who?" I asked, she couldn't possibly know.

"The Cullen boy, Edward… he never ages either, you know."

"How did you know?"

"You people, whatever you are, think others don't notice? I saw him as a child here in Forks and again when we were in school together. I had heard he moved to Chicago… just put two and two together when you walked in the room."

I laughed, of course. Angela was always sharper than people gave her credit for; I just never thought I would take her for granted as others had. I guess years of experience don't count for everything.

"Yes, we're married. No children though." I said as if still trying to play normal.

"Of course you got no children, Bella. Your kind can't have them. Don't play me for a fool… the Cullens don't look alike at all and that whole adoption story they were passing around was full of holes."

"You seem to have perceived so much; do you know what we are?" I asked.

"No; I know you're probably not as human as you look, I know you aren't alive but beyond that I don't know what you are."

"We're vampires, Ang." I said and for the first time I felt slightly ashamed at that fact, as if I was confessing a sin to my grandmother.

"Explains a lot then." She said with a smile.

"Yeah I guess it would. If it bothers you I can go." I offered.

"You really have lost it Bella; the first time I see you in nearly seventy years and you're ready to split because you have a spicy diet?" she retorted.

At that comment I couldn't help but let go a stream of laughter. After my explanation we sat and talked until visiting time was over. I hated to leave but she was in good spirits.

As I walked out of the nursing home and climbed into the passenger side of our car Edward smiled at me.

"I always liked Angela. She was more perceptive than I gave her credit for though." He said lightly.

I laughed. But inside I didn't feel joyful. I had come because I had asked Alice to watch her for the last few years. Alice said it was time; she only had a few days left. Of course, Alice was right. Two days after my visit Angela died in her sleep.

Edward and I attended the funeral; no one alive now in Forks would remember either of us, so it seemed safe enough. I was glad I had spoken to her that last time. I wouldn't trade it now for the world.

As we walked away from the grave site Edward put his arm around me.

"Do you regret it now?" he asked.

"What this? No."

"Really? You never think about how we will never end up in a place like this?" he said gesturing to the gravestones around us.

"No, I really don't. I have my soul's match. No matter how much we loose of those around us, I just think of it like this… if we were human we'd have lost them anyhow… pain heals over time and you only remember the happy times anyway after a while. So since all we have is time and a family who will never die. I have no regrets whatsoever."

He smiled and leaned in to kiss me.

"I love you Bella Swan Masen Cullen… let's go home to Masen Lane."

A/N: Reviews get you two Cullens of your choice under you tree for you to unwrap tomorrow morning!