This is it, the Epilogue. I can't tell you how great this whole experience has been. I've loved witting this and I loved reading every single of your comments. In fact, I've loved this so much, that I decided a part two was in order. I have been buoyed by your words and devotion to this story, so thank you to every reviewer, every fave author or story add, and every story alert. Thank you all so, so much.

To HollettLA, you've made me a better writer. I mean that completely. You've become a friend, too. Thank you for all the free time I've taken up and all the redundant silly mistakes that you have graciously and patiently corrected for me.

To TheOtherBella, you were my best cheerleader. NO matter how many times I was unsure of myself or what I was writing, you were right there to tell me I was nuts, I was great, and what I was writing was worth it. Thanks for that bb, everyone needs one of you! And although we haven't met YET, we've also become friends and I look forward to our Broadway date.

I don't own, I just play.

Epilogue

October 15, 2011

EPOV

Bella, Rosalie, and Alice had worked their asses off.

I knew the three of them would be a force to be reckoned with. With Bella and Rosalie's talent and Alice's relentless spirit, they could only ever succeed. Succeed they did. Vogue Magazine had an exclusive "Under The Radar" article for their Spring 2012 issue. One clothing designer, one shoe designer, one hat, one coat designer... you get the point. Swan & Hale campaigned like politicians to get in that issue. The real problem was, if they made it, their one company would cover two categories, jewelry and accessories. Thanks not only to their hard work, but the hype of Angela Weber, Alice's stylist friend, they made it. I don't think I'd ever been so proud in my life.

There was a huge party thrown by Vogue. The press and even well-known designers were there. It was big night for Swan & Hale. More than anything I wanted to be there, but if I had shown up, the attention - unwarranted and unwanted attention - would have been on me, not them. So, reluctantly, I stayed home. I had the girl, love, and happiness, but things would never be easy. Of course she understood. I wish she never had to, though.

Since Alice had been so busy with Swan & Hale, I hired a new assistant. I kept it in the "family" though. One of Lydia's daughters-in-law had a sister who had just graduated college. I was nervous about hiring someone new, but Alice was simply not an option anymore. Katie was manically organized, punctual to a fault, and a tech-wiz. When she went off on one of her techie tangents, I had to tune out; I only ever understood ever other word, anyway. Katie worked hard, was efficient, and after a few weeks, I was hooked. My business life had never run smoother.

Since I couldn't attend the Vogue party, I had a little after party set-up at the apartment for the girls, Emmett and Jasper. Katie had ordered the food, champagne, and booked the jet for the following morning. I had a little surprise for Bella but hoped everyone would come along. It was Sue's idea, really. She loved that house just as much, probably more, than even Bella or I. It was difficult for Sue and Charlie to drop everything and visit New York because of his job and since Bella had conquered her fears and was willing to be in Santa Fe again - well, it just made sense to buy the house. Now, we could visit whenever we wanted and Sue had someplace to escape to when Charlie was being an ass.

I had made a few adjustments, though. Sue and Katie found a designer and had a pool, backyard, and outdoor kitchen installed. I just sent them some pictures and let them handle it. I couldn't wait to see the result. I had plans to maybe build a guest house, too. Lord knew we had enough space. I decided to buy all that land behind the house. I just couldn't imagine that beautiful expanse of earth being covered with houses. Bella and I not only had a genuine adobe to our name, but about 50 acres of Santa Fe land, too.

When Bella and the gang showed up just after eleven in the evening, everything was set up for them. I kissed Bella, hugged everyone else and asked how it went. Apparently, Diane Von Furstenberg was at the party and talked to Bella and Rosalie about a possible partnership. I had no idea who that was, but they and Alice were beside themselves over it.

After everyone had a champagne flute in hand, we went around the room and each of us said a few words. When it was my turn, I praised the girls for their hard work and perseverance, then reached into my pocket. I pulled out a set of keys on a Santa Fe key chain and handed it to Bella. Everyone looked confused.

"What's this?" she asked, completely clueless.

"Those are keys."

"Dick," Emmett said.

Everyone laughed.

"I think she knows they're keys," he continued.

"Edward..." Bella said slowly, a look of understanding creeping onto her face. "You didn't!" She exclaimed.

"If you mean buy that house and the land behind it in Santa Fe, then yes, I damn well did."

"OH MY GOD!" Alice squealed. "You mean you bought that gorgeous mansion?"

"Mansion?" Jasper piped in.

"It's not really a mansion. It's just a really big house with a lot of fucking land behind it." I corrected.

"How big is big?" Jasper continued.

"Five bedrooms, four baths, two half baths, kitchen, living room, dining room..." I started.

"Like I said, a mansion." Alice sassed.

"Edward, I... I..." Bella bumbled.

"I think the phrase you're looking for is 'thank you'," Rosalie interrupted.

"Thank you?" Bella said, unsure.

"Finally! You're welcome, beautiful. We leave tomorrow. The jet takes off at three. Who's in?"

"Us! We are so in!" Alice said, bouncing.

"But what about the business... we're gong to have so many calls and..."

I cut Bella off.

"Yes, you are. But not until Monday. We have three days to spend grilling by the pool and..."

Bella cut me off that time.

"There's no pool there, Edward."

"There is now," I grinned.

"So there, man!" Emmett said, throwing his hand up for a high five.

"Jasper, let's go, I have to pack." Alice stated.

"Alice, it's only three days, please don't go nuts." Jasper pleaded.

"Seriously, Jasper? How long have you known me?" Alice said as she dragged him through the apartment. "See you at the airport, guys!" Alice yelled from somewhere near the front hall.

Bella still seemed shocked and Rosalie and Emmett were making googly eyes at each other.

After another glass of champagne, Emmett and Rosalie got ready to leave, but not before Emmett pulled me to the kitchen while the girls were talking.

"Do me a favor, man."

"Anything, what's up?"

"It's burning a hole in my pocket. I was going to ask her tonight when we got back to her place, but I think it'll be more special at the house this weekend."

He handed me a faded dark blue velvet box. The velvet had worn away at the corners. It looked really old.

"Shit man, congratulations."

"Thanks. I thought I'd be nervous, but it just feels so right, you know?"

"Ya... I know," I said wistfully. "Can I open it?"

"Sure thing."

It was small round diamond, surrounded by a ring of emeralds. There was intricate scroll-work in the setting and band. It seemed like an antique.

"It was my great, great grandmother's. It's been handed down through the family. I'm the eldest boy, so I get it... well, Rosalie gets it."

"That's really special, man. I'm happy for you."

"Thanks. Take care of it!"

"Of course. See you tomorrow."

"Tomorrow."

I stood in the kitchen just staring at the ring. Bella and I had spoken about marriage. I was nervous about it, but not so nervous that I didn't want to ask her. Bella, on the other hand, wasn't keen on the idea at all. She just didn't see the need. I told her I'd never expect her to change her name or anything, but I wanted to be sure that no matter what, she was always taken care of. She argued that it wasn't 1950 anymore and if I was really all that worried, to just make sure my will included her.

I didn't understand her thinking. Although her mother and father's marriage hadn't worked out, Charlie and Sue had been together for a very long time… they were happy, too. Also, if anything, Sue ran that marriage, not Charlie. I also didn't see anything antiquated about taking care of the person you loved. It had nothing to do with my power over her and everything to do with her well-being, her health and comfort. I didn't push and I never would. Ultimately, though, I would convince myself that I was lucky enough to have her in my life and home; I didn't need to tempt fate anymore than I had.

I said that, rationalized it in my head, but in my heart, I didn't mean it.

I pocketed the box and went to say goodbye to Rosalie. Late that night, after I showed Bella the ring, she smiled broadly.

"He's going to make her so happy."

"You make me happy."

"Aww, you big baby. You make me happy, too. I can't believe you bought us a house."

"Hey, don't forget the land. It cost more than the damn house."

"Okay. I can't believe you bought us a house and that damn land."

"That's better."

"I'm excited. Crazy nervous, too, but mostly excited."

"Glad to hear it. But you've already seen the place, Bella."

"No, no, not about the house... I mean yes, I'm excited about the house, too, but I meant the business. You know my goal was to someday be in the pages of Vogue. I just never thought it would be so soon. It's like every dream I every thought up is coming true. How many people get to say that?"

"You deserve all of it."

"We're going to be a wild success, aren't we?"

I didn't know if she meant us, the business, or both, but the answer was the same for all three.

"Yes, absolutely. Just don't go falling in love with some fancy schmancy fashion dude, okay?"

"Oh, haven't you heard? I already fell in love with this crazy, sexy, tattooed guy."

"Oh, ya?" I said, as she crawled toward me on the bed.

"Yeah. He's kind of scary looking, but once you get past all that, he's the sweetest," she kissed my nose, "kindest," she kissed my cheek, "most generous and wonderful guy a woman could ever hope for," she pecked at my lips and left me wanting so much more.

"This guy have a name?"

"Edward Anthony Masen Cullen, but to me, he's just Edward." She straddled my legs as I lay flat on my back.

"Sounds like you dig this guy," I said as I winked.

"I fucking love this guy," she said as she lifted her nightgown over her head and threw it to the ground.

We wound up not sleeping that night at all. Instead, we fucked. When we were done, we talked and laughed, then made love. Later that morning, by the time I was done licking her to a climax, the sun came up. After she sucked me off in the shower, I held her close to me, then washed her. By the time we had finished packing, we were oddly energized and ready to meet our friends - our family really - at the airport.

On the car ride to the jet, I made a promise to myself. Somehow, someday, Bella Swan would marry me. We had suffered enough in our short lives. As Bella told me the night before, her dreams had come true. She was loved, no longer lonely, and had made it in the pages of Vogue. I wanted everything I had ever dreamed of, too. I deserved it just as much as she did. That dream included a woman who loved me, wearing a ring that I had put on her finger. Someday that dream would be come true for me... after all, everything else had.

A/N

Don't forget to add me to author alert for part two. Also, come check out "Shop Woman," the hot and steamy novella I'm continuing. Chapter one is already up!

Kisses all!

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