I can't believe this is it, guys! The last chapter.
Kimmcarr - Thank you so much for all the work you put into this story! You have no idea how much I appreciate everything and damn real life for dragging you away from me! lol
Whatobsession17 - Lady, you have been with me since ANN. Years now! So weird to say that lol. Thank you so much for everything you do. Letting me bounce ideas off of you, making amazing banners and working so hard on this and anything else I write. I appreciate everything you do for me. You are such a great friend.
Jessypt - So much to say... first, this story would be one hot grammar mess without you! You drop everything for me and have been such an amazing support and friend to me throughout this story. You've become such a good friend, far beyond the arms of fanfiction. I'm so excited that you're working on the next story with me! It means so much! I really don't know what I would do without you. Thank you, thank you!
To everyone who has read, reviewed, pimped this story. You guys are so awesome! I remember telling WO that I would be so thrilled if anyone read this and liked it, and now, we're over 4k reviews! I can't even believe it! It's been a year and half journey almost and some of you have been there with me from the beginning.
Thank you!
This is the way I wanted it to be with you
This is the way that I knew that it would be with you
-Red Hot Chili Peppers
"God, that fucking smile you won't wipe off your face is getting old. Get the hell out of here." His voice is angry, but there's a grin on his face.
"You sure?"
Emmett looks at me and rolls his eyes. "Go. We'll see you tonight."
"Uh... can you not?"
He laughs loudly. "Got big plans for the pimp pad, huh?"
"Pimp pad? Really, Emmett?"
I haven't had a day off in three weeks, so I take his invitation to 'get the hell out' and leave. Bella and I are going to unpack at our new place. We were able to place a deposit down three days ago on a little house we found. Today, we finally get to move in. I don't know who plans on coming over, but I'd really like it to just be me and Bella our first night in our first house.
A couple months ago, I was able to buy an old truck from someone Carlisle knew. It's rusty, makes noises, and doesn't smell all that great, but it was sold to me for a good deal and it's mine - I never thought I'd own my own car, let alone be getting ready to move into a house. Bella and I were taking it for a drive - a way to get some time to ourselves - when we stumbled on a little house in La Push. Just like the truck, the house is older and doesn't smell that great, but it's two blocks from the ocean and it's ours. It has two tiny rooms, a kitchen and a living room. The backyard is fenced in, and Bella is already planning all the barbecues she wants to host this summer. We've already paid the deposit, and we get the keys today. We're finally starting our lives.
Alec was found dead almost five months ago. They've tried and convicted everyone they found associated with him, but no one really knows the full extent of his criminal activity. Bella had to go in to identify a few men, but other than that she's been left out of the investigation. Riley, his girlfriend, and the baby haven't been found, and I know that's something that wears on Bella. Like the police department, we assume they didn't survive if his betrayal was figured out.
It's been hard for Bella to adjust to a life where she no longer has to live in fear. Fear is all she's ever known. She's had to grow up while already being an adult. She never had the chance to grow, make mistakes and learn as a child. I imagine most people would let their past rule their future but not Bella. She wasn't lying the night we learned of Alec's death, when she said she wouldn't cry another tear because of him. She continued going to therapy and has even picked up a job at a grocery store running the cash register a few days a week. She's taking it slow, but she's starting to study and looking in to what it would take for her to get her GED. The girl I'm with today is nothing like the girl who stumbled into my life almost a year and half ago.
She loves making her own money, and for the first time in her life, having independence. She still gets overwhelmed and ghosts insist on trying to crush her some days, but each day she gets stronger.
My old truck screeches loudly as I turn sharply into a parking spot. Bella's shift ends in about ten minutes. She usually walks the fifteen minutes home, but I want to surprise her since I'm off early. Walking home for the first time alone wasn't only huge for Bella but for me too. I've learned Bella wasn't the only one living in fear of Alec's return.
While I still get too protective at times, I've learned to back off and let her live. The last thing I would want is for her to feel she's in a controlling situation. That doesn't mean Emmett and I didn't follow her the first few times, without her knowing, to make sure she got home safely. What she didn't know wouldn't hurt her - or so I thought. When she figured out what we were doing we had our worst fight to date.
She made sure I was thoroughly embarrassed when she told Dr. Carmen, and we all had a talk about my 'stalking' behavior. Needless to say, I got the point. She calls or texts someone when she leaves the store and texts me to let me know she got home safely. It may be overkill for some, but for us it's our happy medium. We've both accepted the fact we'll never fit into society's norms, but we prefer it that way.
Bella comes out looking for something in her purse and doesn't see me. Even in her Ron's Food Mart uniform, she still looks beautiful. I sit and watch her wave to her co-workers as she leaves. She carries herself differently now. She's at a healthy weight, and she just looks... happy. I laugh as she pulls her phone out and starts texting. The next thing I know, I feel a vibration in my pocket.
On my way home. Love you! Can't wait to move into our house tonight *happy dance*
Just a few months ago, I had never touched a cell phone. Now, I quickly type back before she walks out of the parking lot.
I really didn't see much of a happy dance...
Her head pops up after reading the screen, and she smiles as she jogs over to the truck.
"What are you doing here?"
"Should I go?" I tease her with a smile.
"How'd you get off early?"
"Em just let me go. He knew I was anxious to get going on our move."
"I'm so excited." She bounces in her seat and leans over to give me a kiss, before she wraps the seat belt around her.
"Ready?" I ask.
"Absolutely!"
We roll our windows down, letting the spring breeze fill the cab, as we make our way to the house. The landlord is supposed to meet us in an hour, so we decide to take a walk on the beach while we wait for time to pass.
My arm is wrapped tightly around her shoulder as she curls herself into my side, trying to get away from the wind that whips her hair around.
"Have you told Jake?"
I smile and nod.
"Yeah. He said to tell you hi."
"Tell him hi next time you talk to him."
Jake, too, is a different person. He followed the treatment program he was sentenced to and has recently been let out on his own. He's living in Seattle in a halfway house, still in strict therapy, but he's doing well. Since he's started the appropriate medication and therapy he hasn't had an episode. He was diagnosed with multiple personality disorder as well as being bi-polar. While locked up, it came out that he also had high levels of drugs in his system. He was trying to self-medicate anyway he could, but he only made his conditions worse.
He's been clean, holds down a job, and has even started to date a bit.
"Is he still going to come up?"
"He's planning on it."
After getting clean and healthy, he tried one more time to get in touch and re-connect with his family. I was shocked he was going to try again after how they treated him, and I felt for him when they pushed him away again. As far as I know he's planning on starting a new life and leaving them behind.
"What about Mrs. E? Did you talk to her again?"
"Yeah, her son is still going to bring her up." Bella smiles widely and starts asking me what kind of food we should have for everyone.
Alice and Esme insisted we needed to have a housewarming party. It was the last thing I wanted to do, but when I looked over and saw Bella's wide smile, I shut my mouth. Esme later explained that girls look forward to these things. So, in two weeks, every person we know will be shoved into our tiny house.
"Do you still have tomorrow off?"
I nod. "I have the next two days off."
"Awesome! We should be able to paint the whole house!"
I groan and let my shoulders drop dramatically.
"What?"
"I was hoping we could spend the two days in bed." I wiggle my eyebrows at her.
"I'm sure you'll get your way," she laughs then runs away from me down the beach.
I take a second to watch her before chasing after her. When I catch her, I grab her from behind around the waist, spinning her in circles off the ground. She screams my name, laughing as we both fall into a heap on the sand.
~*E&B*~
Two weeks. Bella and I have been living alone for two weeks, and they've been amazing. I'm living the life I used to watch others live. I drive up to my house after work and smile when I see the windows open letting the breeze blow in.
Bella and I did spend the first two days in bed, which meant I've been painting every night after work, but it's beyond worth it. Since then, it's been a flurry of activity to prepare for our guests. The landlord is the son of the man who used to live in the house. No one has lived in it since his father died. He's given us total freedom to do what we want with it, and Bella has taken advantage of it. She, Alice, Rose, and Esme spent hours in our yard transforming it from a weed-infested pit to a beautiful yard with flowers growing all along the perimeter. When the landlord saw all the effort we were putting into his father's home, he jumped in and replaced the carpets. We've worked out a deal with him to rent-to-own the home. Since we can't afford a down payment and have no credit history, he's working with us, so we can buy the house eventually.
The front door is new, along with all the paint inside. For Christmas a few months back, the family surprised us with a gift card to IKEA for five hundred dollars. Proudly, I was able to match that and Bella and Rose dragged Emmett and me through that store, if you can even call it a store, for hours. The result though is a matching, furnished living room that Bella was able to decorate exactly how she had always dreamed. Esme and Carlisle also showed up one day with all the furniture from our room at their home, insisting it had always been Bella's.
We've received more help adjusting to living on our own than most would dream. While I still have a hard time letting people in, it's gotten better, and I've learned to bite my tongue, as well. I'm learning more and more it's a give and take - family - not charity. Something I've never experienced before.
Walking up to the front door I smile at the sign Bella has sticking up in a flowerpot by the front door. "Shoes off, please."
She takes care of this house as if it were the Vatican. I slip my shoes off, opening the door to my home. There's soft music playing and candles lit, but no other noise.
"Bella?" I ask, taking my wallet out and leaving it with my keys in the basket on the table.
I walk through the house, finding every room immaculately clean. My chest tightens, and I start to worry when I can't find her. I'm about to go back to the living room, but something in the window catches my eye. All I can see is a tree that's moving across the yard on its own.
When I get to the back deck I see Bella fighting the small tree.
"I don't think you're winning," I say, catching her attention.
"No, I'm not." She lets go of it and wipes sweat from her brow.
"Want some help?"
"Please." She smiles sweetly and reaches up to kiss me.
"How was your day?"
"Good."
I never thought I'd care where I worked, as long as I had a job, but working at Emmett's brewery has been great. I'm assisting the lead brewer now and finally have the passion for beer that Emmett approves of.
"How was your day?" I ask with a grunt, as I drag the tree toward the hole in the middle of the yard.
"Good. I was hoping to have this done before you got home though."
I notice there's a second hole next to the one I drop the tree into.
"What are these for?"
Bella looks at her shoes and mumbles something I can't understand.
"Huh?"
"I said... I wanted to surprise you. They're for our mom's. I just thought it would be nice for them to have representation here... in our home."
I wasn't expecting that answer and am a little shocked.
"You don't like the idea?"
"No... it's a great idea."
"They're willow trees," she says quietly, sounding almost embarrassed. "The way they branch out always looked so... protective to me. I thought they would be good symbols for our moms." I smile at her. I shouldn't be surprised by the amount of thought she's put into this.
While Bella is fairly comfortable speaking of her mother now, but the words still don't flow as easily for me.
I place my arm around her and kiss the top of her head.
"Let's get them planted."
She smiles up at my approving words. She' gives me time but slowly asks more and more questions about my mom and about my life as a child. We end up spending the rest of the afternoon getting them planted while sharing embarrassing, funny, and sad stories about our mothers.
~*E&B*~
"You're going to ruin his clothes!"
"He's a kid. The only thing he's supposed to do is ruin his clothes."
"Yeah, well you're not the one who has to wash them."
Alice gives up, walking back into the house. As soon as she's out of sight Seth and Emmett continue wrestling for the ball on the ground. Carlisle is at the barbecue he brought over and is getting it started while the rest of the guys throw a football in the yard.
"C'mon, old man, get down here!" Emmett shouts to his dad, who, surprising us all, playfully flips the bird in our direction.
"Daddy?" Emmett gasps, sounding as if he'll cry.
Seth loves the drama Emmett has oozing out of his pores and laughs hysterically, even though it's obvious he really doesn't understand what's going on.
"Don't push him, Emmett. If he decides to pay you back for all your smart ass comments -"
"We don't say ass!"
We all laugh as Seth corrects Jasper.
"You're right, Seth. Thank you," Jasper manages to say while laughing. "If he decides to pay you back for all your smart... butt comments, I'm off duty and will sit back and watch the show," Jasper laughs, jogging to the deck to take a sip of his beer.
Jasper and Alice have gotten serious in the past few months. Even though Jasper already knew Seth from working the case, Alice is just letting Jasper around him as her boyfriend. Seth acted a little unsure at first but has warmed up. He started the nickname, Jazz, much to Jasper's displeasure, that we all call him now.
Like Emmett reminded him though, it could be worse. He did nickname her first boyfriend, "Goob."
Carlisle sets the food down and jogs down to us.
"Now we're talkin'!" Emmett shouts.
"Alright, let's mix these teams up," Charlie says, throwing the ball to me.
"Seth, you're pick, little man," I say, tossing the ball in his direction. He catches the football with his entire upper body.
"Hmmm." He places one hand on his chin and looks at each of us closely. "I'll take Jazz."
Even with the nickname, a smile grows on Jasper's face. It's important to him and Alice both that Seth feels comfortable with their relationship. They have brought him with them on a few dates recently, and it seems the three are meshing well.
"You're turn, Ed!" Yeah, Jasper isn't the only one he decided to give a nickname to.
I catch the ball and call out my pick. "Emmett." He's a loud mouth but the best player.
"What the hell? A guy's twenty minutes late, and you start without him?"
I turn to see Jake's huge form in the doorway; Bella smiles broadly behind him.
"You're an hour late, asshole," I say with a smile, tossing the ball to Emmett, heading Jake's way.
He gives me a hug. "I got to say, Masen, you've got yourself set up pretty nice here."
"Thanks, man." If I saw Jake on the street, I wouldn't even recognize him. He's bulked up, his hair is cut short, and his eyes have a brightness to them I've never seen before.
"How are ya?"
"I'm good... awesome," I say. "Want a beer?" The words slip out of my mouth without thinking. "Sorry, Jake." He made it clear a while ago that with his treatment and meds, he couldn't have alcohol.
"Nah, it's cool. You got a Coke or something?"
"I'll get you one." Bella slips into the house and comes back with a glass.
"Thanks," Jake says.
Bella has been nothing but smiles since everyone arrived today. She's wearing the new apron Rose made for her and kisses my cheek before slipping back into the kitchen.
We catch up on the porch for a couple minutes before Emmett breaks in, as usual.
"You gonna introduce your date or keep him all to yourself?"
I roll my eyes but go back to the group, Jake behind me.
"Guys this is Jake. Charlie, Carlisle, Emmett, Jasper and that little runt is Seth."
Seth looks truly offended. "I'm not a runt."
"Nice to meet you in person, finally. Thanks for all your help." Jake walks up and shakes Charlie's hand.
"No problem, son."
He shakes Carlisle's and Jasper's hands next.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Edward's boss." If it weren't for the goofy grin on his face, Jake might actually take him seriously.
"Ignore him. He gets off saying that. Mad with power, it makes him hard," I say and then duck my head before the football Emmett throws hits me.
"What gets hard, Uncle Emmett?"
Jake spits out a mouthful of pop.
"Never mind Seth," Carlisle says shooting us both a look.
"I'm Edward's best friend, Seth," he announces proudly lifting his arm above his head to shake Jake's hand.
"Ah, I see. So you're the one who replaced me."
Seth looks confused but nods anyway.
"All right! Let's get this game going. Jake, you in?" Jasper asks.
"Why not."
"Seth, why don't you be the ref this time," Carlisle says, recognizing a disaster waiting to happen. "I think a couple of them are going to try and cheat," he whispers dramatically.
Seth jumps at the chance to be in charge and starts making the teams.
"Okay, Jazz, Ed and Jake on this side." He points to his right and pushes us that way. "Grandpa, Charlie and Uncle Emmett over here."
We line up with the football on our side.
"You can hit each other but don't cheat. GO!" he screams as if it were a race.
We play for about thirty minutes before the girls come out and sit on the patio furniture on the deck. There are a couple new people with them, and I have to do a double take before I realize who it is.
I run up and hug the old woman, who was one of the only reasons I made it all those years.
"Beautiful house, Edward. Just beautiful." She has tears in her eyes and grabs my shoulders, pulling me in for another hug.
"Thanks, Mrs. E."
"Look at you..." She steps back and makes me do a turn. I laugh when I face her again. "I'm so proud of you."
She introduces us all to her son. I look over my shoulder to see Jake tossing the ball to Carlisle.
"Have you seen Jake since..."
"No, I haven't." Her eyes travel the crowd until she spots him. She grabs my arm. "Look at that boy, Edward." A tear escapes her eye. Jake is in the yard, looking like he'd like it to swallow him whole. "He looks like a different man. How's he doing?" She looks like she's dying to speak to him - but it looks to be the last thing he wants. I know Jake still hasn't forgiven himself for what he did. Mrs. E can tell and she's giving him his space.
"He's good. He just got a job and seems like he's doing great." We stand for a minute, and she keeps her eyes on Jake who kicks his shoe in the dirt, looks to the sky, the house next door... everywhere but in our direction.
"Oh, this is silly. I'm going to talk to that boy." She marches to the stairs, and I run behind her to help her down them. "Thank you. This old woman just keeps getting older." She smiles and pats my cheek before marching off.
I stand back and watch as she hits Jake in the back of the head and chews him out for not coming to say hi, before she wraps her arms around him and brings him to her level. After a minute his arms go around her waist as he hugs her back. I can tell it's emotional for them, so I give them their privacy and go back to the table as the food is being passed around.
"God, this looks awesome," Emmett says, kissing Rose on the cheek.
"I'm glad," she replies. A sly grin sneaks across her face. "You'll have no problem thanking us by doing the dishes then."
Emmett groans loudly as we all squeeze together on our little deck and eat the food the girls spent all afternoon cooking.
Bella sits next to me and leans into my side with her hand on my leg. Soon Mrs. E and Jake join us, seemingly reconciled. Everyone around us is talking animatedly, and Jake argues with Emmett about the recent sports drafts - he fits in as if he's been here all along.
I notice Bella isn't eating as I start to scoop up seconds for myself. "Not hungry?"
"Oh, I've been sneaking little bits in the kitchen all day." She waves me off. "Isn't this amazing?" She looks to every face at the table, and I know she isn't talking about the food. She's glowing. Watching her light up, watching her family and friends is something amazing to see.
"We should do this all the time."
"Whatever you want," I say, kissing the side of her head. I mean it too. If I can see her this happy all the time, I'll give her whatever she wants.
"Love you." Before I can respond her lips are pressed to mine.
"Ewww, Aunt Bella. Stop."
I pick up a piece of bread off my plate and launch it in Seth's direction, causing him to squeal and laugh, but keep my lips firmly pressed to Bella's.
~*E&B*~
"Tonight was perfect."
"It was."
"Is Jake going to come back soon?" she rolls onto her side to face me. We're lying in bed, with the windows open, enjoying the breeze and the silence.
"He's going to try. He wants us to visit him once he has his own place. Would you be comfortable with that?" Not once tonight did he act off, but I know he really scared Bella before - scared me, too.
"I think so. He looked so much better, didn't he?"
I run a hand through her hair. "Already checking other guys out, huh?
"Oh hush," she laughs, punching me lightly in the stomach.
"No, he really did. It was really nice to see him."
"So great he and Mrs. E could talk, too. I just love her."
"Yeah, she's great."
I feel myself start to fidget. My nerves getting the best of me.
"I'll be right back. Stay here, okay?"
She nods but looks at me quizzically.
I go to the backyard and light all the candles and torches. I flip a switch that lights the two little trees in white lights. Between the trees I lay a blanket down with pillows on top. I've been thinking about this all day - looking forward to it. Now that the moment has come, my stomach is in knots. Carlisle and Charlie know this is happening tonight, but no one else. I couldn't trust the rest to stay quiet.
I picked up my grandmother's ring from the jewelers two days ago. He restored it, repairing everything and fixed it up. It looks like a brand new ring; it looks amazing. I just hope she likes it. I considered buying her one of her own, but it just feels right that she wear this one - something to keep my family with us.
I reach into my pocket rubbing my fingers across the stones before going back inside.
"You okay?" Bella's sitting up in the bed now, a worried look on her face.
"Uh... yeah, I'm good."
"You don't look good. Why don't you come lie down?"
"Let's sit in the backyard." I reach my hand forward, and she hesitantly takes it.
"The backyard?"
"I feel like some fresh air." I kiss the side of her head, feeling like I'm going to lose my dinner. What if she says no? The thought never crossed my mind until now.
"Oh, okay." She slips a sweatshirt over her head. I made sure all the lights in the house were off, so the backyard would look brighter. She questions the lights but lets me lead her down the hall.
Once we get to the backyard she gasps.
"Oh my God. Did you do this?"
I nod, looking at the ground.
"Edward... it's beautiful."
"Really?"
"Really. It's just amazing." She wanders around a little and walks to the trees, touching the small lights. "What is all this for?"
I stare into her eyes for a moment. My hand is in my pocket holding the ring tightly but shaking nonetheless. Slowly, I make my way to her, never breaking eye contact. When I finally reach her, I slowly bring my hand behind her neck and kiss her slow and soft.
I lean my forehead against hers, needing the comfort only she can give in order to get these words out. "Bella, you know me better than anyone in this world does." Fears of what I'll do if she says no almost keep me from continuing. I grasp both her hands in mine and continue on. "This past year and a half has been the best of my life. You've opened yourself and your family up to me." I had a whole speech planned, but it isn't us. I decide to just say what is running through my mind. "I love you more than anything and would do anything for you." I pull back and look at her.
Her eyes are wide and wet. Silent tears escape, and her chin trembles when I get down on one knee. There's one last thing I did to prepare for tonight, and I hope I don't screw it up.
"Bella..." I take her hand and look up at her from my spot on the ground. The breeze blows her hair, and her fingers rub the back of my hand - all my fears and reservations disappear.
I pull the ring out of my pocket and slip it on her finger. "Mi vuoi sposare?"
"Oh my God, Edward." Tears flow out of her eyes, and she falls to her knees next to me, wrapping her arms around my neck. "Yes, yes, yes I'll marry you. I love you so much." She kisses me with such force it takes us all the way to the ground.
I lay her down on the blanket between the two trees and underneath the dark sky, lit up by the stars, and love her like I plan to for the rest of my life.
And they lived happily ever after...
I don't have an epi planned at the moment. If there's something you're dying to see, feel free to mention it to me. I'm sure I'll write and epi at some point in the future, but Bella and Edward's story is told. There will be no sequel.
I'm leaving on vacation tomorrow (insert fist pump) But I will post my new story, Exposed, when I get back! Make sure to put me on alert so you will see that and the epi if/when it's posted.
THANK YOU!