As always: Everything and anything related to the Twilight saga belongs to Stephenie Meyer. This is a work of fiction based on her writings. No harm is meant by it.

Special thanks and much adoration to my beta Kelly.

Epilogue

Two weeks…

Fidgety is the best word to describe Bella as she waited for her flight out of Sea-Tac to take off.

Her leg kept bouncing up and down in quick, erratic motions and she kept tapping the tips of her fingers together. The nervous behavior even managed to garner the attention of the passenger beside her, who wasn't able to stop staring at Bella. He winced every time her fingers touched because the bangles on her arm chimed loudly as they hit into each other.

"Are you afraid to fly?" the man beside her asked impatiently.

"Oh, no," Bella answered and halted her movements. "Just anxious to get to New York."

"Seeing a loved one?" The gentleman asked and Bella couldn't help but talk to him, though normally she would choose to ignore him. Edward was much more apt at this, always managing to strike up conversations with people anywhere he went.

"Yeah, my boyfriend," she answered honestly, dipping her head in the process and turning it away. It was mostly to hide the enormous smile on her face.

"If you don't mine me asking, how long have you two been together?" The elderly man smiled gently at Bella.

"That's a long story."

"Well, it's a long flight, dear," the man replied.

"We've met when we were kids and it wasn't until very recently that we realized what was there. It kind of crept out of nowhere, but to be honest, I think it was always there."

"Love works in crazy ways-"

"Bella," she introduced herself and shook the man's hand.

"Sal," he answered back. "Well, I wish you two all the best."

Bella thanked him and then stopped talking. For a moment, she wanted to kick herself for monopolizing the conversation as she did.

For the rest of the flight, she continued to fidget in her seat, occasionally striking up a conversation with Sal about random things, like the fact that they charge ridiculous prices on airline food.

She tried to read a manuscript she brought with her, but her mind kept racing. She was completely unfocused on the text, constantly rereading the same two sentences. Even the in-flight movie didn't catch her attention; she was too antsy and ready to sprint out of the airplane. She tried to nap for a bit, but it was futile; her nerves were too frazzled. By hour five, she was practically shaking in her seat.

When Bella was finally starting to doze off the Captain announced that they were about to arrive at JFK.

As the plane descended, the knots in Bella's stomach began to tighten. One reason being that this was the part of the flight she hated most, and two because she was minutes away from seeing Edward.

The anticipation was killing her.

It felt like forever and a day before she was able to walk out of the airplane. She walked with Sal toward baggage claim, and that's when the nerves became even worse. It was ridiculous to be that nervous, but that really wasn't what was going on. She was just anxious and desperate to see Edward, to hold him, hell, even to smell him.

"You okay there?" Sal asked with a twinkle of amusement in his eyes.

"Yeah. Just anxious."

"I can only imagine," Sal chuckled as he pulled his suitcase off the baggage claim belt, and waved goodbye to Bella.

"All the luck to you, Bella."

"Thank you, Sal."

Sal smiled and she watched him walk through the sliding doors toward the reception area, and in that brief, second she caught a glimpse of Edward's hair. For the next few minutes, Bella stood with her arms crossed and her foot tapping impatiently against the linoleum floor as she waited for her suitcase.

When it finally circled the belt and reached her, Bella just about snatched it off the belt, and in the process nearly dislocated her shoulder with the sheer force of urgency.

She took a deep breath and walked toward the sliding doors. As the doors opened, she had to bite her lip. These reception areas of airports always embarrassed her for some reason.

"Bella!" she heard Edward call her from the left, and when she turned she found him waiting for her.

Bella broke off in a run, not caring how ridiculous she looked or how stupid it was to leave her suitcase lying in the middle of the room. She lunged toward him, and he caught her with ease as she wrapped her legs around his waist.

"Edward," she breathed against his neck and he carded his hands in her hair.

"Fuck, I missed you, Bells. So damn much."

"Edward." Bella kept repeating his name. She held onto Edward tightly, just letting herself feel him, to reassure her that this was happening.

"Bella," Edward chuckled, pulling her away slightly so he could see her face.

"Welcome to New York City, Bella," Edward greeted and kissed her, and Bella let herself go on the kiss, putting as much of herself into it as she could and forgetting about the crowd around them.

"I missed you," she whispered against his lips and Edward smiled at her.

"I missed you too, love."

"Let me get my suitcase and then we can go," she chuckled and Edward watched her walk to where she dropped the green piece of luggage.

"Are you hungry?" he asked when he joined her. "I know they now charge for food on airplanes, and I'm sure you'd rather eat something that tastes like actual food."

"Food would be great, you have no idea how much they were charging for a simple chocolate chip cookie."

"How much?" he asked genuinely interested in the insignificant detail. He honestly didn't care what she was saying, just being able to see her as she spoke was amazing to him.

"Four fucking dollars!" she shouted and held up four fingers. Edward chuckled as she wrapped his arm around Bella's shoulder and used his free hand to take hold of her suitcase.

"Twenty minutes in New York and you're already swearing up a storm."

"What can I say? I adapt quite quickly. Darwin would be proud."

Edward laughed and led Bella out of the airport and toward his car. As they drove out of the airport, Bella watched the scenery around her. Bella noted that Edward drove quite well in the New York traffic. As he turned onto the shoulder for Manhattan, Bella gasped as she caught her first real glimpses of the city skyline.

"Beautiful, right?"

"God, no wonder so many people who vacation decide to stay," she answered, awestruck.

Edward turned to Bella and smiled. He couldn't contain how happy he was to have her there. He reached for her hand and held it as he drove.

Edward took Bella to lunch at Serendipity's and let her experience the delight that is their famous, frozen hot chocolate. The two spent the entire meal laughing and stealing kisses.

When the two left the restaurant, Edward pulled Bella close to him and kissed her once more.

"What was that for?" Bella giggled and followed Edward's gaze. He was glaring at their waiter, who was staring at Bella from the door.

"I don't think I've ever seen you jealous, Edward," Bella chuckled.

"Shut up," Edward groaned and held her hand. "Let's go home."

It was a short ten-minute drive to Edward's place on Madison Avenue.

"This is the place they got for you?" Bella looked up at the skyscraper.

"And it was all furnished when I arrived," he added.

"I can't wait to see the inside," Bella excitedly replied as Edward parked the car in front of the building and handed his key to the man in charge of parking the cars.

"He parks it for you?" she asked astonished.

"Apparently," he answered. "The building has a garage, but only the employees are allowed inside, and if you have to go, they must accompany you."

"Good afternoon, Mr. Cullen."

Bella turned to the voice and found a man holding the front door open.

"Hello Jimmy. This is Bella," he introduced her to him and Bella shook the man's hand.

"The infamous Bella I've been hearing so much about you. It's a pleasure to finally meet."

"He's talked about me?" she asked and Jimmy let out a hearty laugh.

"All the time."

Bella blushed and turned to see Edward with a similar expression on his face.

"Well, she's very important to me."

If it was possible, Bella blushed even harder. She followed Edward inside as he pulled her suitcase along until they reached the elevator.

"I'm so glad you're here, Bells," Edward pulled her toward him and hugged her.

Bella tiptoed and kissed him.

When the elevator stopped on Edward's floor, he led Bella toward his apartment.

"Welcome home, Bella," he whispered as he pushed the door open.

"Wow," was all Bella could manage to say as light poured in through the far wall that was consisted of three large windows that reached from ceiling to floor.

"What a view!" she gawked and moved toward the windows.

"It's even more magical at night. I'm glad I'll get to share it with you." Edward walked up behind Bella and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"I missed you, beautiful," he whispered against her neck as he scattered kisses down the nape of it.

"It finally feels like home now that you're here."

Bella chuckled. "Always with the perfect lines, Edward Cullen."

"Never lines, Bella. Truths."

"How are you even real?" she remarked.

"I'm going to take that as a compliment," he chuckled and the vibration of it against her back set her ablaze.

"You definitely should," she replied and turned around to face him.

"I missed how you feel in my arms," he said in a hushed tone as he stared down at her.

"I missed being in your arms."

Edward bent down and kissed her. Bella moaned into the kiss when Edward began tugging at the roots of her hair. He picked her up and carried her toward his bedroom. Gently, he placed her on the center of the bed and crawled on top of her.

"I missed how you feel under me," he groaned into her ear and pushed his hips down against hers. He grabbed her leg and wrapped it around his waist. Bella chuckled as he again began to kiss her neck.

"I missed being under you," she moaned and Edward moved his kisses to her lips.

They took it slow.

Each article of clothing was removed with intention, and each new inch of skin that was revealed was peppered with lingering kisses and soft, purposeful touches, each goading the other for a response.

Each sound that resonated revealed much more than just cries of pleasure. There was love that resounded with each sigh and moan. Each caress and each taste of flesh brought about a new reaction.

Each joining of their hips was met with mutual adoration and mutual pleasure.

And each unraveling of senses was met with raspy declarations of love.

The two lay spent beside each other, wrapped in each other's arm, not caring about the thin, layer of sweat that embraced them and silence that buzzed in the air.

"I have something to give you," Edward breached the silence.

"Why are you always getting me things?" She whispered back, and Edward knew she was about to launch into her speech about gifts and presents, but rising from the bed, he stopped her.

"This is important," he declared. He slipped on his boxer briefs and his slacks and tossed Bella his button down. Quickly, she buttoned two of the buttons in the center, slipped her underwear along with her jeans on, and followed Edward.

He stood waiting for her in front of the windows and Bella stared at the lights that came through from the city. The sun had set and the night sky was dark enough to really show the beauty that is New York City at night.

Edward kneeled down beside Bella when she turned to face him.

"Edward?"

"Bella," he replied.

"You know that last time you did this, I got a drawer. Am I getting a curtain this time?" she jested and Edward shook his head and held out a fist.

"What's in your hand?" Bella asked when she spotted Edward's clenched hand.

He smiled up at her and opened his hand, palm up. Bella smiled as the light of the room caught the ring in Edward's hand.

It was a simple and pretty gold band with a rather large strawberry adorning it. Bella let out a deep breath of relief.

"What's that for?" she asked and Edward smiled and grabbed her right hand. He slipped the ring onto her index finger.

"You used to have one like this when we were kids and you lost it on a trip to the aquarium. You used to wear it on this exact finger. I saw it on the street the other day and bought it. It's a little reminder of where we started. It all began with a strawberry delight."

Bella felt the tiny pinpricks of tears threatening to fall.

"Ed-" she began, but Edward cut her off.

"I'm not done yet. I have one more thing to give you, but follow me."

Bella nodded slowly and followed Edward into the hallway and into the elevator. She felt ridiculous without any shoes on, but it was better than Edward who had on neither shoes nor a shirt.

Bella noted where they were going and decided to tease Edward.

"You have a penchant for roofs, Edward?"

"Roofs provide a nice, quiet place to think. Plus, in New York, they provide such a beautiful place to really look at the city."

Bella had to agree with him as she looked over the ledge and saw the streetlights and cars whizzing by. When she turned around, Edward was once again kneeling.

"Edward-"

"Every day I thank my mother for being in the aisle the day your mother crashed her shopping cart into hers," Edward cut her off. "Bella, no one in this world is more important to me than you. I've loved you since we were kids, and I will love you until I breathe my last breath, and even when I'm on the other side, I'll still love you."

"Edward, what are you getting at?"

"Don't go back to Seattle," he spoke, his serious eyes remaining glued to hers.

"What?"

Edward pulled a key out from his pocket, and held it up to Bella.

"Stay here with me in New York. I can't say goodbye to you again."

"Edward, my job-" Bella began, but Edward stood up and grabbed her hands.

"I need you here with me."

"Edward, I, I don't know," Bella stuttered.

Edward waited for her answer.

"Before I can answer, can I ask you something?" Bella's question was timid and Edward stepped closer, concern apparent in his eyes.

"You can ask me anything. You know that. Is everything alright?"

"Fine. I just…why me?"

"What do you mean 'why me?'"

"You could have anyone, and yet you're settling with me."

"I'm not settling! There's no one in this world that gets me like you do, that loves me regardless of my flaws, like you do. I could say that you're settling with me, if we're gonna look at the big picture."

Bella glared at Edward as if he had sprouted an extra head.

"Why can't you see that you're so beautiful, and intelligent, and amazing? What is it with women? You never think you're good enough. I've got news for you Bella, one hundred percent of the time, the woman is too good for the man," he declared and brushed a piece of stray hair away from his eyes.

"I'm probably always going to think this," Bella added and Edward nodded with a smile on his face.

"I'll change that, you just watch, Bella Swan. I'm going to show you just how incredible you are."

Bella shook her head and hugged Edward.

"I love you," she murmured against his chest.

"I love you too, even if you're as stubborn as mule. Will you stay?" he pleaded again and this time Bella nodded.

"Yes," she answered firmly. She knew there would be repercussions for the sudden move, but for the moment, she didn't care that she was throwing caution to the wind.

Edward hugged her tighter, leaned down for a kiss, and slid the key into Bella's back.

Under the lights of New York City, the two held each other and just watched the city below, wondering where tomorrow would take them.

=FIN=

A/n: We've reached the end my friends. I just want to give a big thank you to everyone who has reviewed, recommended, voted, critiqued, and even bashed this story. I never thought people would enjoy this story or that people would have such strong opinions on it, but I couldn't be happier, honestly.

Thank you to my beta, Kelly (freakyhazeleyes), who has managed not to want to kill me yet. Lord knows I would have by now. And who also saved this story several times from going somewhere completely terrible. :)

Thanks to cevuplay, who was the first person to ever know about the idea for this story, and encouraged me to write it. If you're not reading her story, Superman Complex, you should be ashamed! lol

Thanks to the lovely women on the Twilighted Forums, Twitter, and the slew of LJ communities. I've made some incredible friends, and have had the honor of dining with some talented ladies (ciaobella27, littlesecret84, spanglemaker9, TallulahBelle, & WriteOnTime).

Keep your eyes peeled for The Missing Letters, a series of One-Shots for the 11 letters Edward and Bella didn't get to. Several awesome women bought the letters during the Fandom Gives Back auctions on behalf of Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. Look for them in January. Put me on alert so you know when it's up, though I'll announce it here as well as on Twitter and Twilighted.

As always, the songs for this chapter are on my profile.

And for one last time, I hope you enjoyed it.

Thank you so much for reading.

~Jen