so, the end has come…and so quickly. this is the last chapter besides the epilogue, which is why it's so late.

*I don't own Twilight*

Chapter Thirty-One

Bella Swan

Edward and I stood for a long time, Audrey between us. I laid my head on his chest and listened to his steady heartbeat, the sound relaxing me.

"I can't wait to marry you," Edward broke the silence, kissing the top of my head. I nodded against his chest.

"Me either… can't wait to see you waiting for me at the end of the aisle," I told him.

"I can't wait to see you in your dress… I hope Alice doesn't go into labor during the wedding."

"Oh, God… even if she did, she would stay until the very end, I bet."

"Or end up giving birth in the middle of the reception."

I laughed and scrunched up my nose.

"Let's hope not!"

"At the same time… it would be easy to remember the kid's birthday," Edward joked, causing me to look up at him and laugh again. He grinned, leaning down to kiss me.

"I can't wait to see you in your tux," I murmured against his lips.

"I totally rock tuxedos, baby."

I moaned softly as Edward deepened the kiss, slipping his tongue into my mouth. Our tongues tangled together. We finally broke apart when Audrey started fussing, obviously bored. With a final peck to my lips, Edward pulled away and took Audrey from my arms.

"Hey, hey. Calm down, baby girl… you upset that Daddy was paying too much attention to Mommy?"

Audrey continued her crying and fussing as he held her up by her underarms. She was getting better at holding her head up and he kissed her chubby little cheeks before positioning her in a seated position in his arms. Audrey seemed much happier, able to see what was going on around her.

I leaned in and kissed her. Audrey cooed and gurgled, much happier with this position.

I started to clean up a little, listening to Edward talk to Audrey about what I was doing, when the doorbell rang.

I instantly felt nauseous.

"Want me to grab it?" Edward offered, noticing the look on my face.

"I'm going to throw up," I stated before dashing to the bathroom.

After I finished throwing up, I could vaguely hear Edward welcoming our guests and the noise of three additional kids in the household.

I brushed my teeth slowly, taking my time. I rinsed with mouthwash and straightened up the bathroom, knowing I was procrastinating.

Going to the top of the stairs, I strained to listen.

"I didn't expect you all to come," Edward said, sounding slightly put-off.

"Well… Alice thought it would be better to show her how much we all love Bella… I thought she'd want a lower key affair," Rose said and I could tell they were away from the rest of the group. I felt a stab of jealously, one that I'd never felt before when it came to Edward and my friends. But Rose and Edward were close… and had probably grown closer when I'd been away.

"She… yeah, I don't know. She was nervous," Edward said.

"How are you holding up? I'm glad to see you got your hair cut," Rose said with a laugh.

I scowled and quietly walked down the stairs, glad to see there was a good amount of space between them. Edward saw me first and his face broke out into my favorite grin, making all feelings of jealousy vanish and causing Rose to turn and see me.

"Bella!"

"Hi," I said as I forced myself to smile.

Rose wasn't going to let that stop her though as she hurried over and wrapped her arms around me when I reached the landing. I was caught off guard and hugged her back.

"I've missed you so much," she whispered. I nodded, feeling myself tear up.

"I missed you too, Rosalie," I said and she pulled away, holding me by my shoulders and frowning.

"Rosalie? You always call me Rose… except… oh, are you mad at me?"

"Um, I don't know?"

I heart footsteps behind us and a squeal.

"Bella Swan!"

Alice came over and hugged both me and Rose so we ended up in a three way hug. We always used to hug like this, when the three of us hadn't seen each other in a while or after we'd gotten into a fight.

"Hi Alice," I said quietly and they both kept their hold on me.

I heard Edward's footsteps as he left the room and sighed.

Looking down, I saw Alice's beach ball of a belly and Rose's much smaller one and my flat one. But knowing I was pregnant, it amazed me that the three of us were pregnant together. Even if it was only for a month or so, until Alice had her boy.

"She called me Rosalie," Rose said to Alice, whose eyes grew wide.

"Oh, Bella! Are you mad at us?" Alice said, with a hint of a whine to her voice.

"I… um… well... you guys knew Edward was going to open a firm! Rose, you even hinted to it the day of wedding dress shopping… why didn't you tell me?" I felt myself getting increasingly upset; my breathing quickening and I knew my face was red. I hated confrontation.

"Oh…" Alice said, looking ashamed of herself.

"I'm sorry, Bella… it's just that… well, I thought hearing it from Edward would be better," Rose said softly, stroking my hair with her hand.

"I understand that but I was blindsided… I knew he was going back into law – that was no secret but to find out that everyone knew he was planning the firm? Do you know how stupid I felt?" I asked, reaching up to wipe the tears from my cheeks.

I saw them look at each other and they pulled me tighter into the hug.

"I'm sorry I knew and didn't tell you."

"I'm sorry too," Alice whispered.

"Thank you for the apologies… it's just now, I don't know…" I trailed off, worrying my bottom lip between my teeth.

"Do you hate us, Bella? Please don't hate us!" Alice said, with a bit of a whine to her voice and there was no doubt where Charlotte got the same whiney-ness from.

"I don't hate you guys! I'm just a little… conflicted," I murmured.

"We promise if we hear anything else about Edward from Emmett or Jasper, we'll let you know right away," Alice bargained but I shook my head. Edward had a right to his privacy and there were certain things that were between a man and his friends.

"No… not like, everything but if you hear major things can you please like… give me less cryptic hints?" I looked at Rose when I said that, causing her cheeks to flush.

"I promise," they both said in chorus.

I smiled and gave them one last squeeze before pulling away from the hug.

"I guess I should go see everyone else, huh?"

"That… or we can look at your wedding book!"

"My wedding book." I stated with raised eyebrows. Edward had mentioned something about this but I'd forgotten until now.

"Yes! Come on, we haven't let Edward see it. I swore permanent damage to his manhood should he have touched it."

"But you left it here."

"That was Alice's fault," Rose said, rolling her eyes.

"I wanted to test how honest he was!" Alice huffed then led the way to the dining room. In the center of the table sat a large white book with green print that said 'Edward and Bella's Wedding, 2011'.

I smiled when I saw it as Alice picked it up and inspected it.

"Did he pass the honesty test?" I asked with raised eyebrows.

"Yes! He did, thankfully," Alice said, sounding truly relieved that she didn't have to damage my fiancé's "manhood" which I was also grateful about. It was just so perfect and the perfect size and felt so good in me… any place he wanted it. I shook my head to clear my head of images of Edward fucking me from behind.

"So the wedding is still on?" Alice asked with a skeptical look on her face.

"Yes, Alice. Edward and I are still getting married next month… we're actually going to do it at his parents' house, in their backyard."

"Oh, it's beautiful there!" Rose said.

I sat down at the head of the table, taking the book from Alice. The first page was a picture of me in my wedding dress next to a picture of Edward in a tux. Edward looked exhausted, sad and annoyed in the picture – his hair covering his forehead and partially covered his green eyes.

All the sudden, I felt awful. I'd caused Edward to look that tired and sad and for his hair to grow longer than I'd ever seen it.

Biting my lip I flipped to the next page which showed the pictures of the bridesmaid dresses on one half and the guys' tuxedos on the other side – which were basically the same as Edward's.

Going through the book, I realized that Alice and Rose had essentially planned my perfect wedding even when they weren't sure if I'd come back.

I felt the tears fill my eyes again and Rose noticed immediately.

"Oh Bella! Please don't cry!"

"I'm just so… happy. You guys knew exactly what I wanted," I sniffled, wiping the tears away with the back of my hand and thanking God for waterproof mascara.

"Why are you crying if you're so happy sweetie?" Rose reached over and held my hand, prompting Alice to do the same with my other hand.

"I don't know! I just feel awful that I didn't call you guys and that I disappeared and Audrey didn't get to see Edward for ten days…" I trailed off, sniffling loudly again. I looked up and saw Rose and Alice exchange a look.

"Are you feeling alright, Bella? Should we get Edward?" Alice asked, rubbing her thumb over my palm.

I shook my head.

"I just feel a little nauseous, a little light headed…" I mumbled.

"Are you sick?" Rose reached over and felt my forehead. I shook my head adamantly no, causing them to exchange another look that I'm sure they thought I didn't see.

"What's with the looks?"

"Nothing!" Alice insisted. "So how did your six week appointment go?"

"It went good… great, actually," I smiled, thinking about Edward's reaction to the new baby. But it was early; I didn't want too many people to know. Even though I'd told Edward we could tell people, I still wasn't entirely comfortable. I was further along when I'd even found out about Audrey so I felt like it was different this time – and that the pregnancy would feel like it lasted much longer.

"Aunt Bellaaaa!"

I turned and saw Charlotte running toward me, laughing as she did so. Aunt Bella, whatever happened to Aunt Bewwa? I stood up and caught her, holding her tight in my arms and swinging her back and forth.

"Charlotte Emme!"

"I misseded you, Mommy said you was gone and baby Audrey too!"

"Aunt Bella just had to take a little break," I said softly, kissing her cheeks and sitting down with her in my lap. I had missed her.

"Aunt Bella, can I go on break with you next time?"

"Well, I don't plan on going anywhere. But maybe some day we can all go on vacation together," I told her. Charlotte was dressed in a light pink sundress and her hair was held up by a pink ponytail holder.

"Maybe after Mommy and Aunt Rosie have our babies," Alice spoke up, a hint of excitement in her voice. "We can go somewhere warm where we can lie out in the sun in our bikinis!"

"After December," Rose sighed wistfully. I bit my lip, wanting to tell them but I wasn't sure if it was too soon.

"Um, or maybe… later," I said quietly.

"You're right, Bella… I'll need time to get back into bikini shape. Not everyone snaps right back," Rose said, raising her eyebrows at me.

"You never know, this time I might not," I said, feeling my cheeks heat up.

"This time?"

Alice and Rose both stared at me with their jaws dropped. I guess even though they'd hinted that they thought so earlier, the thought must have left their minds.

"Yeah, this time."

I couldn't help the grin at overtook my face as I ran my hand over my stomach.

"Oh my God, I'm so happy for you, Bella!" Rose practically screamed, wrapping her arms around my shoulder. Charlotte was squealing and clapping in my lap even though I don't think she knew what was going on.

When Rose sat back down, Alice reached over and held my hand, smiling a little tightly at me.

"Are you sure this is what you want?"

"What? Alice, of course!"

"We know… what happened with Edward, how he grabbed you," Alice whispered.

"It was an accident. Please, don't hold it against him," I squeezed her hand.

"I've always had a bad feeling about him…" Alice said, trailing off. She looked nervous as she stared down at our hands.

I sighed loudly because I knew that she'd always thought he wasn't good enough, that he would cheat on me, and that he would hurt me emotionally. She didn't trust him.

"I know, Ali but I have a good feeling about him. He loves me," I said.

"Do you really love him that much, Bella? Enough to put up with all the fighting?"

"I do. I love him and Audrey so much, they're my world. I know it doesn't seem like we're compatible but honestly, I think we are. We just haven't learned enough about each other. Every day, I learn something new. Like, he loves books, especially the classics. Just like me. We both like going out to nice places for dinner… trying new things. We like the same television, the same music," I spoke passionately, knowing these were simple things but they were things we had in common, things that mattered.

It was true that there were some things that we didn't have in common but all couples ran into that. We had differing opinions on how to raise our children, on money and our careers but that was all stuff we could work out.

"Most importantly, we are in love. With each other, with Audrey, with this baby… we fit together in the most amazingly, perfect way. He's so devoted to us and I learned in that week that life without him isn't something I can bare every again."

Alice squeezed my hands and nodded.

"Then I'm happy for you," Alice whispered. Rose leaned in and put her hand over the two of ours and I smiled at both of them. Charlotte put her tiny hand on top of Rose's.

"We just want you to be happy," Rose said, grinning at me.

"I'm very happy," I said, ticking Charlotte with my free hand.

She squealed and turned in my lap, planting a sloppy kiss on my cheek.

"Is Edward here? I saw him! Where is he, Aunt Bella? EDWARD!" Charlotte shrieked his name, making all three of us cringe.

Edward walked into the room, Jax under his arm like a football and Henry upside down, held with his other arm. The boys were giggling and squirming.

"Everything alright, ladies? I heard someone shriek my name?" Edward made a silly face at Charlotte, making me giggle. For someone who had disliked children so much… he was so good with our friends' kids.

"Edward! Hold me instead!"

"Charlotte, what do you say?" Alice prompted. I thought it was amusing; Alice disliked Edward while her daughter was in love with him.

"Please! Oh, please pick me up and spin me around, Edward!" Charlotte stood on my lap and I held her steady so she didn't fall.

"Since you asked so nicely…"

We spent the rest of the afternoon and into the evening with our friends… we ordered both lunch and dinner. It was perfect, except for when 'morning' sickness would kick in and I'd spend half an hour throwing everything I'd eaten – and more – up.

Edward would stay with me and hold my hair up, even when I begged him not to because I hated him seeing me throw up.

It was well past all the kids' bedtimes when they finally left. Henry and Jax had actually conked out but Charlotte was whiney and wanted Edward to do this, to do that. Jasper finally took her and said he'd play with her when they got home even though Alice whispered that they hoped she'd fall asleep on the car ride.

Jasper was on the phone a lot with his answering service, anxious parents and giving advice or phoning in prescriptions to pharmacies. By the time they left, the tablet of paper we lent him to write on was covered with patients' names, weights, what he was calling in, and their symptoms. It was crazy.

At one point, Rose took me aside and explained that Alice and Jasper were having a hard time adjusting to the practice and Jasper had spent more than one night in his sisters' guestroom. Apparently, until Jasper got a partner… things were going to suck and no matter how good the money was, Alice had told Rose that having her husband around was better.

My heart broke for her and I felt selfish because I hadn't known. I was always too wrapped up in my own drama. I made a vow to myself that I'd call Alice in the morning and see if there was anything I could do.

"Audrey won't stop crying," Edward's irritated voice broke through my thoughts.

"I know, I tried… let me see again," I said and took her from him. She immediately nuzzled my breast but she had done the same thing earlier and when I'd tried to feed her, she wouldn't latch on.

"What's wrong with her?" Edward asked, running his hand through his hair roughly.

"She's probably over stimulated from all the company," I told him as I adjusted Audrey and pulled up my shirt, trying to get her to latch. She did but only for a few minutes and she fussed through it.

Trying not to get frustrated, I moved her away and pulled my shirt down. I held her on my shoulder and rubbed her back.

"Let's try her lullaby?" I asked Edward.

"I already did that!" Edward snapped.

"Calm down, please… how about you play and I'll rock her and walk around?"

Edward finally agreed and the lullaby and walking around worked in minutes. After I laid her in the crib and turned her monitor on, I walked into our room. Edward was already lying in bed, wearing just his boxers.

"Finally," he muttered. I nodded; this was the longest she'd spent crying so far.

I climbed into bed, still in the tank top and short-shorts I'd changed into after our company left, groaning softly and said, "I'm so exhausted."

I closed my eyes and was almost asleep when I felt Edward's hands trail up the back of my thigh, causing the familiar stirring between my legs.

"Mmm…"

Edward took it as a cue to continue, squeezing and kneading my ass once he reached it. I squirmed a tiny bit when he stopped until he slid his hand down the back of my shorts, sliding a finger between my cheeks, trailing very slowly over my back entrance.

My eyes shot open and my head turned to face him with wide eyes, "Um, excuse me!"

"Don't worry baby," Edward chuckled before repeating the motion, "just getting you used to it so when…"

On the third pass which lasted longer than the first two, Edward's long fingers applying some pressure against the opening, I couldn't help lifting my hips and moaning softly.

"See, baby… when the time comes, you'll like it," Edward murmured. He slowly moved his finger down to my already wet slit. I parted my legs a tiny bit, giving him more access and he circled my clit with his thumb.

I whimpered softly, pushing against his hand.

"My, my… so eager for someone who thought we had too much sex," Edward whispered, his breath hot against my ear. I made some incoherent noise as he took my lobe into his mouth, tugging softly.

Edward slid a finger into me, his thumb still working my clit and hummed softly against my ear, "You're wet, beautiful… so wet already. What made you so wet so fast?"

"Mmm… ugh… Edward… you, mmm…"

"What, B?"

"You make me so wet," I forced out. I tried to spread my legs further but Edward stopped me.

"You're so tight around my finger like this… imagine around my dick, Isabella. Take your shorts off for me, sweetheart."

I struggled to do what he told me without stopping him. I finally got them pushed down far enough that I kicked them off the rest of the way. I felt Edward moving behind me and figured he was taking his boxers off.

I turned my head back slightly, searching for a kiss which I was quickly rewarded with. Edward added a third finger in me and it felt so tight but amazing. My moans were getting louder and when he curled his fingers, it sent me soaring and crying out his name. Or at least I thought I was – it could have just been a bunch of incoherent stuff coming out of my mouth.

"Oh… oh my God, Edward… more, I need more…" I begged quietly.

"You'll get more, don't worry," Edward said and I could hear the grin in his voice. He gently coaxed me to my other side so I was facing him. "I like to see your eyes when I'm in you, love."

My heart melted with the rest of me at his words.

"I love you, Edward."

"I love you too," Edward said as he grinned at me. He tugged the hem of my shirt and I helped him tug it over my head and tossed it onto the floor.

Edward kissed and sucked on my neck as he hitched my leg over his hip and slid very slowly into me, moaning my name against my neck.

"You're so… fucking… tight… amazing," Edward panted as he thrust his hips agonizingly slowly.

"You feel even… ugh, even… mmhm, Edward… even… bigger!" I squealed the last word as Edward's cock hit against my g-spot.

"Baby?" Edward asked, his voice slightly concerned but not concerned enough to stop thrusting or his hand traveling down between us to my clit and rubbing it with his thumb again.

I was about to answer when he hit the spot again and all the sensations were too much, causing me to scream his name as I came for what felt like forever.

"Oh shit… Bella…" Edward groaned. "I love feeling you cum around me… you get so tight and fuck… how are you so tight?"

I was too caught up in my post-orgasmic high and the feeling of him still moving in me that I didn't answer even though the question was probably rhetorical. Edward gripped my thigh as his thrusts became harder, not missing a beat when he rolled me onto my back.

I thrust my hips against his, digging my fingernails into his back and scratching.

"Fuck, baby. It feels good when you do that," Edward moaned into my ear. Reaching down, he grabbed my thighs and hitched them over his hips. I drug my fingers back up his back until they were buried in his hair. I pulled his head down and kissed him, putting all the love and adoration for him I had in it. He responded with the same vigor, his hand traveling up my stomach to my breast.

Edward pulled away from the kiss and looked into my eyes as he cupped my breast in his hand then leaned down and licked around my nipple, doing the same to the other nipple before he used the hand still holding my right breast to circle hardened nipple before he pinched it, tugging gently.

I was so sensitive and it felt so good at the same time that…

"Oh, God… I'm… oh!" I cried out as I saw stars.

"Fuck, baby," Edward thrust exactly six more times before he stiffened and came, spilling in me before he clasped on top of me.

We lay panting heavily, my hands running through his hair. I felt so relaxed and exhausted that I was sure I'd sleep well that night.

"I love you, B," Edward whispered in my ear before he pulled out of me, leaving me feeling empty and laying on his side next to me. "Was I too rough?" He asked, cupping my breast again. I shook my head.

"It hurt but in a good way," I whispered, my face flushing.

Edward raised his eyebrows then laughed quietly. He got off the bed and I watched his ass as he walked into the bathroom. He came back a few minutes later with a warm wash cloth and took his time cleaning me up.

"Thank you," I said, smiling at him. It was the first time he'd done something like this and it was sweet.

"For you? Anything."

I smiled at him and he smiled back. That was the last thing I remembered before I fell asleep.

Sometime in the middle of the night, I woke up and felt for Edward but he wasn't there. Frowning, I pulled on my robe and first peeked into Audrey's room but the room was empty, of Audrey included.

I walked down the stairs in the silent house and followed the quiet sound of Edward's singing to the formal living room. He was sitting on the piano bench with Audrey in his arms, softly singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" to her.

My heart almost exploded with the love I felt for both of them at that moment.

Things, I thought, might not be perfect but they would be okay.

Because we had love and that's what you need the most.

i'm sad that this is over. it's been my baby since january. i want to thank everyone that's reviewed, favorited, alerted… anything since the very beginning. you all have been amazing.

the epilogue will be up in a few days. what would you like to see in it?