Hello everybody. First, I'd like to apologize (again!) for the way too long wait. I just haven't had the time, and I'm sorry. I know that's no excuse, but I hope it'll explain why it's been almost two months since the last update.
The truth is, I'm trying to balance my after-school activities with my homework and assignments, and I get caught up in everything and can't find the energy to start writing.
Now, on to happier things: I've got almost 100 reviews for this story! I actually can't believe the amount of feedback you guys have given me - it's absolutely amazing, and so, so encouraging, to know that people actually read what I write, and like it! This story has been one of my favourites since I started writing it, so I couldn't have asked for more, and I really hope you've enjoyed this journey with me, as this is the last chapter.
When Papa was done explaining, we just sat silently together on the couch, soaking in each other's presence. I couldn't believe my luck; I'd finally found the man I had thrived to be like through all of my years as a vampire. I could see his pride for me; he was so amazed with me, and how I had turned out to be, after everything I had been through.
While we sat together, Min got to know the rest of the family, and answered any questions they might have of our time together. Emmett was out playing with Felix – the two had instantly formed a bond; Felix because – despite his intelligence – he was still a dog that loved to play fetch, and Emmett because he had always wanted a pet, but as they were all afraid of him, he'd never had one. I could hear Emmett laughing outside as he threw a ball with all of his strength and let Fee-Fee get it, before repeating. When they both grew bored, they started to wrestle. Felix was an amazing fighter, for an animal. Emmett enjoyed the challenge of their play.
Rosalie sat for herself mostly, seemingly thinking of her newly discovered power. It was incredible that she had never found out before, actually. I couldn't wait for her to explore it; maybe she'd let me help her. I was a little afraid that my initial meeting with her might spoil any chance of forming a relationship with her, but I hoped that, given time, we'd become close. I knew she held a special place in my Papa's heart, so I'd really like for us to be close.
Alice and Jasper were speaking with Min, Jasper having a comforting arm around his mate's shoulders. I already knew that Alice and I would become great friends – I had a feeling that I had brought the closure she needed, had solved the mystery of her past, so that she would now be able to move on. Jasper had done a complete one-eighty from the time he thought I was an intruder – I could respect the fact that he only wanted to protect his family, and given the way I had showed up, I couldn't blame him for thinking I was an enemy. He'd lived through so much; he was so strong, and at the smallest sign of danger, he was ready to protect those he cared for. It was a trait I admired. He was no longer glaring me either. In fact, I believe him and I will become quite close, with our mutual understanding of fighting. Edward was still trying to figure me out, it seemed. He was staring at me, at least, with a deep, thoughtful expression on his face. It made me feel like I was blushing, something I was sure Min was picking up on, if her wiggling eyebrows and playful looks my way were any indication.
It was actually Esme that finally interrupted my Papa and my little bubble. She sat down next to me and looked directly at me. She seemed nervous, but I didn't want to pry into her intentions. Instead I just smiled at her.
"Bella, I was hoping we could talk," she said in a small voice. I didn't want to leave my dad, so I just nodded, continuing to smile at her. I liked her already – she was everything my Papa needed, and he was happy with her, so I was happy for them.
"I know I can't replace your mother-" I stopped her right there.
"Esme, my mother died over 300 years ago. When I was 13. Sure, I miss her, but I have gotten over her death, and have been for quite a while. I don't expect you to immediately pick me up and call me a daughter, but I'd like to think that I could use a mother in my life. I've been on my own, or with Min and Felix, for so long, and been making my own mistakes and decisions that I might not need guidance, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't like it. If you'll have me, we're family," I told her softly. I could feel my father's arms tighten around me as he watched the worried expression on his mate's face morph into one of pure joy. I beamed and went to hug her. Her arms wound around me and rocked my quietly, just like I imagined a mother would her child. While I would always remember my mother, she had been gone for so long that I had almost forgotten how it felt to be comforted by a parental figure.
"Oh Bella. You have no idea how happy I am to hear you say that. And of course you're welcome in the family. In fact, I would be sad to see you go anywhere. Minnie and Felix are of course welcome as well. I'd be honored to be your family," she whispered. I was so happy to be with this amazing family, that I could see Jasper being affected by my giddiness. He didn't seem to mind though – it was like something had changed within the family, like Min, Fee-Fee and I had been the missing piece in a puzzle. I'd like to think that anyway, since for me, it felt like everything had finally come together in the way it was supposed to be.
"Bells, can I just say how awesome Felix is? It's like, he's the most awesome animal on the planet. Up until now, that place was held by the Grizzly. But not even the Grizzly can compare! Man, Bells, you rock!" Emmett exclaimed as he came barging in. I laughed at his enthusiasm, because I could feel Felix was agreeing with Emmett – he was the most awesome animal in the world. Also, Felix seemed to like Emmett too, and it wouldn't surprise me if the two soon formed a similar bond to that of Minnie and FeeFee.
"Great to know you feel that way, Emmett. And Felix agrees with you; he, too, thinks he's the most awesome animal on the planet," I smirked and Felix playfully nudged my arm as he came to stand in front of me. Emmett's booming laughter could be heard all the way to town, I think.
"A sense of humor, I see. I like you – you're going to be a great baby sis," he said and ruffled my hair. I growled at him good-humoredly.
"I'll have you know that I am over one-and-a-half centuries older than you are, Emmy, so that would make you the baby bro," I told him, much to his chagrin and the amusement of the others.
"So not fair! Just because I was changed later than all of you, it makes me the baby of the family! Even if I'm older than both Edward, you, Minnie, Alice, even Rosalie!" he whined and I can't help but grin smugly at him.
"Too bad Em," I said with a shrug.
It wasn't long before we fell into a comfortable routine. I joined the Cullen's table, along with Felix, in school. The story was that Minnie had met Carlisle at the hospital and they had found out that she and I were his distant cousin's children, and when he found out he had died and we were living alone, he had welcomed us to stay with him. No one questioned anything as they were all too busy ogling the new arrivals in town. I had overheard several of the male students talking about faking an illness of some sort, to go check out 'the hot new doctor'. When they weren't too busy talking about me, of course, seeing as I was apparently the main attraction, being both the new girl and having unnatural beauty. I was used to it, and they'd get over it, eventually. Edward, however, didn't find it amusing. He could hear their thoughts and wasn't very excited about what he found. I could only question why; I had thought we had some sort of connection, especially since he had been growling right along my father when I had told them my story, but he didn't seem to be interested. It made me sad, made me think that maybe he didn't believe I was good enough for him, since he hadn't made a move. I could feel this tugging sensation in my chest whenever I was near him, and wondered if he could feel it too. I sometimes caught him staring at me with that thoughtful expression on his face, and when we spoke, everything clicked. He was sweet and interesting, romantic and thoughtful. He was smart and insightful and for the life of me I couldn't figure out why he hadn't tried to make a move on me. I mean, it's not that I'm conceited or anything, but I had seen the way he was looking at me, and it didn't make any sense at all. Minnie was always teasing me about us, saying stuff like 'why aren't you out with your mate,' and things like that.
I was right about Emmett and Felix – it didn't take long for them to form that special bond that meant they could communicate. Emmett was delighted and he loved to hunt with him. Rosalie seemed happier now, if it was because her family was growing, or because Emmett was happier, I couldn't tell. She and I had talked about a lot of things, grown closer. As it turns out, she really had needed someone who understood what she had been through to talk with. I helped her as best as I could, telling her about what I had done, and we had grown a lot closer because of it, just like I had hoped we would. I helped her with her gift, finding injured animals in the forest we could help. they were terrified of us, but Rosalie seemed to enjoy the fact that she wasn't only a killer; she could also be a healer. If we ever wound up in a fight and one of us got hurt, I had no doubt she'd be able to fix us right back up.
Alice and I had hit it off almost right off the bat. When she'd gotten over the fact that I could tell her past, she had asked a lot of questions, and I had answered as honestly as I could. She and Minnie had bonded over their lack of knowledge when they woke up to this life, and their mutual like of fashion (something Minnie had discovered after she had gone shopping with the little pixie).
I was happy that Minnie seemed to fit in just as well with my father's family as I found that I did. Emmett and Jasper quickly became like big brothers to me – though I liked to tease Emmett with the fact that I was over 150 years older than him. I'd never had such a big family before, and I couldn't be happier. Rosalie and Alice were quickly becoming just as much sisters to me as Minnie was, and Esme and I shared a bond that was much deeper than that of a regular woman and her step-daughter. The first time I called her 'mom' she had hugged me so tight that it felt like I couldn't breathe (which was a feat, seeing as I didn't actually have to breathe). Papa swelled with joy and pride every time he saw me and Esme interact with each other, and I could see how much he loved that I fit in so well with the family he had built for himself. He was also very fond of both Min and FeeFee, and we had even called Aro to inform him that Min, Felix and I now lived with one Dr. Carlisle Cullen and his family. Though Aro wasn't overjoyed with the fact that we were now the biggest coven besides the Volturi, and had such powerful gifts among us, he didn't complain as it was himself that had set me on track to find my father. Also, he knew that Papa and the rest of the family liked to keep to themselves, as did Min and I, so he didn't see us as a threat to his power.
The first time I heard Edward play the piano, I was mesmerized. He was so skilled, and his compositions so beautiful, that I could just sit there and look at him with awe as his fingers flew across the keys. The piece was so complex and filled with emotions – it was simply heavenly. It felt like it told a story – the story of the Cullen family. For example, when the piece smoothly transitioned to 'speak' of Alice, it became energetic and playful with a hint of seriousness and passion that fit her so well. It seemed that Edward played more now, and Esme would always just stop to listen to whatever he was playing. She confided in me that it had been a long time since he had actually composed something, and that she was so happy to hear him do it again.
Currently, I was sitting in my dad's office reading one of his many books. He had one of the most extensive personal libraries I had ever seen, including me and Min's. Min was at a shift at the hospital with Papa, Esme were puttering around with her garden, Emmett and Jasper were out with Felix hunting, and Alice and Rosalie were poring over some magazine. I was shaken out of my little bubble of reading at the knock on the door. The scent that accompanied the knock was Edward's and I wondered what he wanted, since he usually just came in and joined me if he wanted to read.
"Yes?" I called softly. He stuck his head through the door, and smiled slightly at me. I raised an eyebrow in silent question of what he wanted as I smiled back.
"I was wondering if you wanted to join me for a hunt?" he asked, his velvety voice flowing over me soothingly. I bookmarked where I was and put the book down. With a nod I rose from the window-seat and went to join him. We ran leisurely through the vast forest, stopping only to let our senses out to search for prey.
It didn't take long before I could hear the heavy, thudding sound of an elk's heart.
"Wanna share?" I asked and took off, Edward following right behind me. I had never shared a meal with anyone before, as usually vampires are very territorial, but I was comfortable with Edward, and didn't think I'd end up attacking him. We easily caught the big animal and I snapped its neck before it realized what was going on. I latched onto its neck near the ear, and could see Edward going for the artery a little further down its neck.
I was wrong. I did end up attacking him, but not in the way I had thought earlier. I made the mistake of glancing at him when we fed, and I could see his eyes darkening when he looked right back at me. As soon as the blood had let up, he grabbed me, and planted a kiss right on my lips. Tp say I was shocked, yet overjoyed would be an understatement. When he pulled back I was very disappointed. When he started to apologize, I frowned. "Sorry Bella, I-" this was when I attacked him. I somehow managed to fling myself at him so hard that he fell to the ground, before I attached my lips to his.
"It's okay, I really don't mind," I whispered before kissing him again. My hands went to his hair as I lost myself in the heavenly sensation that was his lips on mine.
Safe is it to say we've been together ever since.
I finally made him confess that he had feelings for me.
"Finally!" I said, right before I kissed him. The family echoed that sentiment as we told them. Minnie would not stop grinning at me, and even Felix wagged his tail excessively.
The funniest part by far though, was when Emmett convinced Papa to give Edward 'the Father Talk' about his intentions towards his little girl. I had never heard Edward inarticulate before, but when Papa sat him down seriously in his office and used his very best 'Father-tone' and asked him what his intentions toward me were, Edward sputtered and stuttered so bad that none of us understood a word of what he was saying. Emmett was dying of laughter when Edward joined us again. Even Rosalie, who usually just rolled her eyes at Emmett's stupid jokes, was laughing at Edward's face. I was sure he would have been beet red if he'd had any blood running through his veins.
I remember the time Papa first invited me, Min and FeeFee to Alaska to visit the 'extended family' as they liked to call it. I had never, ever been in such a loving and tightly knit family as the Cullens, so I couldn't wait to see Tanya, Kate, Irina, Carmen and Eleazar.
It was a couple of weeks after Edward and I had finally gotten together, and we had not really let each other out of our sights for long.
Papa had failed to mention to the Denali's that his family had been extended by another three members, so they were quite shocked when we stood there with the Cullens. Eleazar stared at us in wonder – Papa had told me of his gift, and I was sure he had never come across a gift quite like mine. It was so layered and complicated that even I sometimes didn't understand it.
"Holy Mother of God, Carlisle, I have no idea how you keep gathering people with such gifts!" were his first words. Papa grinned proudly and tucked me into his side.
"Eleazar, I would like you to meet the newest addition to our family. This here is Minnie, Felix and my biological daughter, Isabella." The other members of the Denali-clan's mouths dropped.
"I'm Bella, it's nice to meet you," I said and stuck out my hand. When I got to Tanya, though, I narrowed my eyes a little. She had always had her sights set on Edward, and I didn't like it.
"I'm the daughter of Carlisle, and the mate of Edward," I finished my introduction. I could see Minnie smirking at me, as I staked my claim, but I ignored her.
"Well, this is quite the shock, but what lovely news!" Carmen, the mother figure of the Denali's exclaimed and hugged me.
After the initial awkwardness between Tanya and I, we actually became great friends. She was fun and outgoing, and her humor was very similar to mine. Kate was fascinated by my gift and even Irina, who was usually the cautious one, seemed intrigued. Eleazar, however, was almost as bad as Papa in his curiosity. Between the two of them, not a single stone was left unturned.
"It's beautiful out here, Edward," I whispered as we lay close in his meadow. It was night and the sky was for once cloudless. The stars had always been a spectacular sight to the vampire eye, but being here, with Edward, was a whole other experience.
"It is. Though not quite as beautiful as you," I grinned at his corny words and kissed his cheek.
"I didn't bring you out here to look at the stars, though," he said softly and shifted so that he could look me in the eye.
"From the day you entered our home, even if slightly unconventional, I knew you were special. You're kind, strong, beautiful – everything I could have ever dreamed of and more. I don't believe I've ever said it before, but I've always thought it. I love you-" I gasped. He was right, he had never said that before. I could feel the tears that would never fall well in my eyes, and I went to reply, but he his fingers in front of my lips. "-I love you. I love you so much that I sometimes believe it can't be possible for one person to love another so much. And so therefore, I'd like to ask you something. I want everyone to be able to see that you and I belong together. I want to show the world that you are mine. I want to love you for the rest of eternity. So I'm asking you; Isabella Marie Cullen, would you marry me?" I was speechless. It was so beautiful, the way he asked, and I could never had asked for anything more.
"Of course. Of course I will! Oh Edward, I love you too, so much," I whispered. A breathtaking smile appeared across his lips and he fished out a little box from his pocket. Inside the most beautiful ring I had ever seen was displayed.
"It's beautiful, Edward," I said softly as he slid the ring on my finger. It fit perfectly.
"It was my mother's," he said, and I cherished it all the more for it. When I looked into his eyes, I knew I didn't have to say anything; he understood what I felt. I leaned forward and kissed him softly, pouring my heart and soul into it.
When we got home that night, Alice and Minnie were squealing and jumping around, hugging each other and every family member they could reach. When Edward and I came through the door hand in hand, they screamed outright and ran to hug me, gushing all the while. I laughed at their antics as they went to hug Edward, and I was passed from person to person for a hug and a "congratulations!". Felix jumped up and laid his front paws on my shoulders, his thoughts portraying his happiness for me, as he licked my face and attempted to hug me. I laughed as I scratched his ears and kissed his nose.
My father was the happiest, I think. He looked so proud and so overjoyed. When he hugged me, I could feel his love and happiness for me.
"I'm so happy for you, Choco. I love you," he whispered in my ear. I smiled into his chest.
"I love you too, Papa," I pulled back just a little to look into his eyes.
"I actually wrote something Papa. A song. In your memory." I said. I had never played it to him before, but I knew that he would appreciate it. The melody I had heard when I was changed I had somehow managed to recreate with the piano. The lyrics had come over time; when I had learned that my father was actually alive, I started playing it more often. I never knew if I would actually find him, but now that I had, I wanted him to hear it.
"You did?" he asked.
"I first heard the melody in my head when I was changed. Over time, I put it to life and played it on the piano. When I knew you were still alive, the lyrics came to me. I didn't know if I would ever find you, but here we are, and I want you to hear it," I said. He smiled at me, love shining in his eyes. He kissed my forehead before I pulled away and sat down on the piano bench. Minnie came and joined me – she knew the lyrics as well as I did, and I was glad for her support. This song held so much emotion; it had gotten me through the worst of times when I had been looking for Papa and had almost given up. Minnie knew this, and having her beside me could make me forget that and just play the song I knew would mean a lot to my father.
I played the intro softly, humming along as my fingers stroked the keys carefully. I knew everyone was listening with rapt attention, especially my Papa.
"Back when I was a child
Before life removed all the innocence
My father would lift me high
And dance with my mother and me and then-
spin me around 'til I fell- fell asleep.
Then up the stairs he would carry me
And I knew for sure, I was loved
If I could get, another chance
Another walk, another dance with him
I'd play I song that would never, ever end
How I'd love, love, love
-To dance with my father, again
When I and my mother would disagree
To get my way I would run from her to him
He'd make me laugh just to comfort me
Oh, and finally make me do, just what my mother said
Later that night when I fell asleep
He left a dollar under my sheet
Never dreamed that he-
would be gone from me, no
If I could steal, one final glance,
One final step, one final dance with him
I'd play a song that would never, ever end
'cause I'd love, love, love
-To dance with my father, again" (Dance with father again - Tamyra Grey version)
The last notes of the song fade out and I feel a hand on my shoulder. I look up into the awed face of my father as he reaches out his hand for me. I take it and I hear Minnie start playing the song again. Papa pulls me into a slow dance as Minnie play the soft notes and I lay my head on his shoulder.
"I love you, Choco, always," he whispers into my hair. I smile into his chest again, wishing I could shed the tears building in my eyes.
"I love you Papa, always," I repeat his words as I get to dance with my father again. And this time, I get to dance with him for eternity. I get to see him every day and be a part of his family again.
My song would never, ever end.
End.
There we have it! I hope the end was worth there only being this one chapter. Now, I know I said there'd be more, but when I wrote this, it seemed like the perfect time to end it. I hope you agree :D
Once again, I would like to thank all of you for your amazing support throughout this story; it never would have gotten this far without you! Thanks to everyone who's reviewed, fav'd me and my stories, followed this and put me on both Story and Author's Alert. It means more to me than you can imagine.
I know that you will most likely think I'm spending too much time doing an A/N, but I simply can't press the "Status: Complete" button without having told all of you how much I've enjoyed reading your reviews and seeing the numbers of visitors and hits. I feel giddy and amazed when I see the numbers and I can't express my joy when I see it. So thank you, all of you. 3
But a special thanks to Jeredith: my friend, I don't believe I can ever thank you enough for your support. You've been simply amazing.
I hope too hear from you all during my next story! I'm already writing it, and I do hope you'll like it. This one is a Bella/Jasper pairing, which will hopefully be recieved as well as this one has been. The working title so far is Second Chances, so be on look out!
Cheers!
-Lu