New year resolution #6: finish my stories on fanfiction! So that I can get to new ones.

BIG AN at the end!

*o*

Bella's POV

Eighteen months. A year and a half…

It was eighteen months ago that we had been thrown by Mother Nature into what turned out to be some of the days we will never forget.

A lot of things changed on that week. We met people that are now a big part of our lives, people that we now consider friends and even maybe significant others.

After a month or so the city had begun to look alive again, we all thanked God that there weren't that much places where the damages were irreversible, just like on Rose's and Emmett's building. Theirs had become a pile of crumbles in the floor, but the insurance took care of everything, providing the old tenants with enough money to go and find another place to call 'home'. Emmett found a little house that he claimed was the perfect bachelor place and so he was quick to work all the arrangements and then do an open house for himself. Rosalie on the other hand had found an amazing flat on the upper side of the town and we all agreed that it was so much better than her old place. So it all worked out for the two of them.

After a couple of months Alice got tired of our own apartment and said that she didn't want to be there if another hurricane decided to pop in come next year; but we all knew Alice too well. She was just looking for an excuse to go shopping for something bigger than a purse or a pair of shoes. So we both started to look for places to move, Edward and Jasper helped but they said that they rather just move to our apartment one floor up. Apparently they were both saving for something "special" but they wouldn't share any more information, still they didn't want to stay on the ground level in case the renovations didn't work well enough and the water would still run in. Plus Alice and I weren't exactly comfortable with the idea of our boys going knocking on some stranger's door and ask if they could spend the night. We were the only ones that held that power.

Oh, right. I forgot to tell you that Edward and I decided after a month of the hurricane that we had waited long enough, we knew each other and so it wasn't weird anymore to get together with someone you just met. So I officially was the girlfriend of the most gorgeous man alive. Alice and Jasper were also quick in that department, but then again, when hasn't Alice jumped on action when she gets the feeling that she'll know how it would all play out. And then there was Rosalie and Emmett. Sigh.

It sure took those two long enough to get together. They flirted, they talked, and saw past the person they were trapped with for a week. After Rosalie got her kick ass challenge done by Emmett we all knew it was just a matter of time before they realized how great they were together. After some torturous months of watching them dance around each other, Emmett finally asked her out and she agreed to go and they have built a relationship from there.

And so life continued. We went back to work but we had new additions to our daily routine. For example it was amazing going back from work knowing that your loved one was only a staircase away. Going out on weekends and having nights out with the rest of the group was a real treat we all enjoyed.

*o*

"BELLA!" The little pixie burst through the apartment door, dumping her purse and keys on the table in the foyer.

"In the kitchen!" I yelled back at her. Alice being the energizer bunny that she is ran through the kitchen threshold, jumping up and down talking a mile a minute. "Alice! Calm down, I can't understand a word you're saying."

"I said-" she paused to take in a deep breath before continuing "that I just found the perfect places for us to move into, they're—"

"Wait. Places? As in more than one?" I asked. I thought the plan was to still live together but in another location.

"They're these amazing little houses and there are two that are still available. They're right next to each other too!" She beamed up at me.

"That's great Alice but I just don't get why you want two houses, it's too much space for either of us."

"But we won't be alone!" she told me like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Don't you get it? What else do you think the boys have been saving for?"

"Alice they could be saving for anything. You can't just go assuming things! Besides what are we going to tell them, they probably—" I stopped abruptly. For some reason Alice had tears in her eyes, but was smiling at the same time. "Alice? What happened?"

"I found a ring" she whispered then grinned like a mad women.

"You what?" I all but yelled at her. I took her by the arm and dragged her to the living room where we dropped down on the couch. "Spill. Now."

"I didn't mean to! I swear!" she defended herself. "I was at the boy's apartment and Jasper asked me to look in the office for his glasses. I couldn't find them on top of anything so I started opening drawers and then I saw it. I didn't even have to open the box it was already open like someone had just thrown in there quickly for some reason."

"And are you sure it was that kind of ring?" I asked.

"Believe me, it was. And it was so pretty Bella!" she laughed.

"Alice you can't tell anyone! He has to do it on his own terms, so don't go running to him giving hints or plain telling him" I told her sternly. If he wanted to do this, he'd do it right. I knew Alice was beside herself right now but she couldn't rush things.

"I promise," she smiled "but this brings us back to the two houses"

"Alice just because he has a ring doesn't mean that both of them do" I said with a small smile.

"Plu-eze" she laughed. "If I know one thing by now is that those two wouldn't be apart for the world. Trust me they'll love living right next to each other but with us instead. I swear they're such girls sometimes"

"Still Alice, we can't make these decisions" I told her "so let's just drop it for now. If it's meant to be then it'll happen on its own"

"Fine" she huffed. "I'm going to take a shower"

"Kay"

*o*

My phone started to beep, alerting me that I had a new text. After seeing that it was for Edward I quickly took it.

[TEXT FROM EDWARD TO BELLA]

Hi beautiful, we still on for tonight? –E

Hey handsome, of course! The girls are really excited as well–B

Great! Em and J will be there as well –E

Perfect. Mind telling me why we're doing this? –B

Nope. Not telling, it's a surprise –E

Does it have to do with a ring?—B

It had been a week and I hadn't mentioned the ring debacle to Edward but I figured that it wasn't that big of a deal if we talked about it, as long as neither Alice nor Jasper were near earshot.

The messages we had just exchanged were quickly replied to, but after the one I last sent Edward took about two minutes before he answered me.

What makes you think that?—E

Please. I know about the ring Jasper bought—B

You what?—E

Alice accidentally found it last week. She didn't tell J of course but—B

Why not? The pixie doesn't usually hold back ;)—E

LOL. I know but I told her that she should wait for him to ask her—B

I'm glad you did—E

Sure, no problem. J deserves his spotlight—B

Ha! OK, well I'll pick you up tonight. Are we taking Alice? –E

Nope. She already left with Jasper for the day. They'll meet us there—B

OK. See you later—E

*o*

Later that day I found myself looking in the mirror after having dressed up. I was wearing a blue drape cocktail dress and nude pumps with pinkish tint—courtesy of Alice. She said that they were the perfect colors for me and I was glad to oblige.

I had seen her leave earlier and she too was wearing a cocktail dress, only hers was a deep hot pink it was lace and had a bow at the top of the strapless masterpiece. I could only guess Rosalie was going to dress up as well but I still didn't know what the big deal was about.

We were going to some fancy party. The guys had rented a small but elegant boat for the night and we were having a dinner party there just the six of us. I was excited too, don't get me wrong but I had the feeling that Jasper would propose tonight so I was a little nervous for my friend.

At 7:30 on the dot there was a knock on the door and after opening it I saw my beautiful Edward. He was dressed in a button down and dark jeans. He kissed me hello and then we went downstairs to his car. The ride there was quiet but it was a good silence, we didn't have to fill our time together with words and we were enjoyed the comfortable silence together.

After half an hour we reached the pier and I could see the lights from our boat, it was the only one that was lighted up for the night. I could hear the music and see my four friends talking to each other.

Edward got out of the car and then went to open my door. I smiled at him and grabbed his hand. We made our way to our friends and Edward helped me get into the boat without breaking my neck on those heels.

I went to hug my friends and noticed that Alice had the biggest smile her small face could possibly muster. A quick glace to her left hand told me she still hadn't got the ring, but looking at her face I could tell that she too got the feeling it wouldn't be long.

We ate, danced, talked and just enjoyed each other's company. We had fallen into this easy routine since the hurricane more than a year ago and I was so glad to have each of this people in my life.

A slow song came up on the iPod that Rose had plugged into the boat's system. Emmett stood up and held her hand for Rosalie to take and she quickly took the offered hand and followed him into the open space that was unspoken declared the dance floor for the night. Alice and Jasper followed almost immediately and I watched as my two girls danced with their loved ones.

I heard Edward clear his throat and I looked over to see him already standing up. He gave me his signature crooked smile and offered me his hand, giving a small bow he said "May I have this dance?"

I took his hand and gave it a squeeze "This one and every single one after."

He smiled at me and took me to where the rest of the group was, however we were all a little apart. I could see them softly talking between each other but the space gave us privacy.

Edward put his arms around my waist and I clasped my hands behind his neck. He pulled me close and I placed my head on his chest. This was perfection in its most beautiful form. We swayed for a while and then Edward dropped his head to whisper in my ear.

"What did you think about the ring Alice saw?" he whispered.

Although the question was somewhat random I answered truthfully. "I was shocked to say the least, but I'm so happy for her. It's something she'd want" I whispered back.

"And what about you?" he asked me.

"What about me?" I looked up to see him. Talking to his chest was nice but this was turning into a conversation and I wanted to see his eyes.

"You know how much I love you, right?" he said instead of answering me.

"Yes, I know." I stood on my toes and pressed my lips to him. I still remember the first time he told me he loved me, I almost cried, I was so happy and just like now I didn't waste time and told him how I felt too. "I love you too, so much."

He grinned at me and hugged me. "Good. I'm so glad." He gave me a little squeeze and then let me go all together.

I looked at him quizzically as he reached into his jeans pocket and took out a small velvet box. I took in a shuddering breath and looked him in the eye. "Is that…?" I could even finish the sentence.

This was supposed to be happening with Alice, she saw the ring, she told me, she—then it downed down on me—she never said Jasper.

"It is" Edward nodded and grabbed my hand—my left hand—and brought it up to his lips to give it a gentle kiss. "Bella Swan. I love you with all my heart, I love the way you are and the crazy thing you do. I've never met someone with whom I feel this way before and I want to be with you for the rest of my life."

I was speechless as he knelt down—he freaking knelt on the floor!—and continued with the most beautiful thing that anyone had ever said to me.

"Will you make me the happiest and luckiest man alive and do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

I couldn't hold the tears any longer and I let them fall onto my face. I grabbed Edward by the shoulders and pulled him up. I all but threw myself at him and kissed him with all that I had in me at the moment, pouring all my love into that single kiss. I wanted him to know exactly how I felt at the moment.

He smiled into my lips and pulled back. "Is that a yes?"

"It's a hell yes" I laughed a teary laugh.

"So you'll marry me?" he asked again as he brushed the tears away from my face with his thumbs.

"Yes I'll marry you!" I said with the biggest grin I had ever given.

Edward opened the little box he had been holding and revealed the most beautiful engagement ring, it was perfect. It was a white gold band with a square diamond on the center, outlined but smaller diamonds and the band also had small row of diamonds on either side of the big square one. It was perfect, it was beautiful, and it was mine. Just like the man standing right in front of me. Edward took it out of the box and smoothly placed it on my ring finger. I don't know how my hand ever could ever go without that ring, it looked so naked in comparison to the beautiful state it was now.

I looked up and into Edward's eyes; I tilted my head up and kissed him once again. I would never get tired of doing it. He drew me close and I sighed into the kiss. This is where I was meant to be, this was my life now and I was about to start a new life with the man I loved.

We had been on our little bubble, completely oblivious to the group of people surrounding us. That is until the booming laughter of Emmett and the squeals from the girls broke us apart.

"Finally!" Alice screamed and came running to give me bone crushing hug. "I thought he'd never do it" she laughed.

"You knew?" I asked astonished. "But what about…?" I trailed off. Wasn't she expecting something like this for herself tonight? Alice just winked at me and let me go to give Edward a congratulations hug as well.

Emmett came next and being the big brother that he was he picked me up and twirled me around. "Bella's getting married!" he boomed.

"Put her down, I want to congratulate her too," Rosalie said while jumping up and down. Emmett placed me on the ground and it was Rose's turn to congratulate me for my new civil state. I was now engaged!

I saw the girls hug Edward and the guys gave him one of those weird man hugs slash clap on the back.

When Jasper turned to me I raised an eyebrow to him. He winked at me and hugged me; before pulling away he whispered in my ear "Don't worry, I won't take long and Alice knows that." I smiled and released him.

I heard a pop and turned to see Emmett opening a Champaign bottle. After serving six flutes we toasted for mine and Edward's engagement.

We spent the rest of the night celebrating and I spent every second of it glued to Edward's side. I could tell he was happy too.

Upon conversation Alice and I discovered why the ring box was open in the drawer. Edward had heard Alice come in and he threw it in before she could see it because he knew that she'd make a circus out of it if she found out. Funny enough I don't think she realized at that moment that the ring was Edward's and not Jasper's.

I noticed Rosalie and Emmett were having a great time as well, and wondered what the future held for them. I was sure that theirs would be great as well.

This was my family and I loved every single one of them, but most of all I loved Edward. I knew it wouldn't all be a walk in the part, there'll be some hard time and that was for sure. But I wanted to go through them and it will all be worth it at the end.

I guess the two houses Alice found would be needed after all…

THE END

*o*

Final AN: One last time? Here we go… it's a loooong one BTW.

We are done my dears! I don't know about you but my favorite chapters of this story were by far the first one and then the epilogue. I know I'm terribly late with this update but it took me long, long time to figure out how I wanted to finish the story, and I'm glad I skipped through the last year and a half so you could see the bigger picture.

Fear not! We still have the outtakes and those can be filled with the fluff that went on, on all those months. Right now there have only been two suggestions and those are the one that are coming next. But I WILL write whatever you guys submit as an idea so go ahead! Wouldn't you like to see something in particular? I'll write them on a first come first served basis.

I have to give a HUGE thank you to all of you who reviewed, alerted and fav the story! It truly made my day to find new reviews alert on my inbox. I mean, we almost are at 200! That's huge guys so thank you so much. For those who didn't review the previous chapters I'd really appreciate it if you could let me know what you thought of it now that it's finished :)

Some news:

There's a link on my profile to Bella's ring! And for the dresses that the girls wore to the party. I never got to tell you about Rose's dress, but there's a picture up as well.

As for my other story "Pay Back" that's what next on my writing schedule (that and the outtakes for DYLD?) I want to finish that story as soon as possible so that I can move on to something new.

I have this fabulous idea for a oneshot that I already wrote and submitted to the Fandom For Flipper charity Compilation. It's a great organization to be sure to check them out, I'll post it here as well of course but only after that's finished!

SO? Liked? Loved? Hated? Would you change something?

Please let me know! So go ahead and click on the review button!

Happy new year to all! See you soon *blows kiss*

XOXO

-The girl with the umbrella