Chapter Twenty Six

I've found a reason for me

To change who I used to be

A reason to start over new

And the reason is you

~The Reason by Hoobastank~

I should have known I'd die young. As I've always said, it was just a matter of time.

What I didn't anticipate was falling in love with a vampire.

But then who does?

I met Edward Cullen sixty-eight years ago. These days we're living in Denali, Alaska. It's one of our favourite places, staying with our friends, Tanya, Kate, Irina, Carmen and Elezear. Rosalie and Emmett are in New York, going to college. Jasper, Alice, Carlisle and Esme were in Juneau, setting up house for our next long stay.

Edward and I decided to take a vacation, crashing with the Denali clan for a few weeks. We'd visited Washington before coming to Alaska, to see Jake. He and Leah had moved to Seattle recently. They had stopped phasing about five years previously, having kept going after Billy had died and the rest of the pack had quit. I'd kept in contact with Jake over the years – I think he might have hunted me down if I hadn't. Now he and Leah were looking at going to college for the first time.

Edward was out hunting with Irina, Kate and Carmen while Tanya and I were lounging in their beautiful library.

"How many times are you going to read that?" Tanya teased as I thumbed through Harry Potter again.

"Only a billion more. This decade. How can you not love Harry?" I eyed her and she arched an eyebrow.

"They're children's books. We are adults, with many years behind us."

"You need to get in touch with your inner child, Tan. Enjoy the finer things in life, such as mystical adventures of schoolchildren in a magical school."

"They're so unrealistic!"

"Said the vampire to the ghost." I said dryly and laughed as the book was plucked out my hand, Edward sliding beneath my outstretched legs and examining the novel.

"Harry, again?"

"I swear, for mystical creatures, you vamps have a distinct lack of whimsy." I pouted and Edward smiled, leaning over to kiss me briefly before settling back and glancing at Tanya.

"Did she give you the speech about how she thinks the Marauders Map works, which opposes it's portrayal in the films?"

"Thankfully I've been spared it." Tanya said in a wry tone and I pulled a face at her as I wriggled onto Edward's lap, wrapping my arms around his neck.

I had been intimidated by Tanya at our first meeting. Her sheer beauty and poise were enough to send any woman running for the nearest cliff but she had smiled at me fondly, as though we were old friends at our first meeting, embracing me warmly.

"I've been looking forward to meeting you." She'd said.

Tanya might once have had a thing for Edward, but the moment I'd seen them together, I'd seen nothing but sibling affection. She teased him unbearably, which he didn't deal with very well, but made me laugh. The friendship we had wasn't as strong as mine with Alice, but we were still close.

"I'm heading out for a snack. Enjoy your book." Tanya smirked and I grinned as she disappeared.

"If I couldn't read Tanya's mind, I'd worry about leaving you two alone together." Edward arched an eyebrow and I laughed, sliding my knee over his to straddle him against the couch.

"We get on very nicely, thank you."

"I know, that's what worries me." He murmured against my lips. I slid my hands into his hair, nuzzling his jaw.

"Anything I can do to relax you?" I hummed.

"You could marry me."

"Hmm. Anything else?"

"Become my wife." I felt his chest shake with laughter and giggled.

"Edward!" His hands slipped onto my thighs as I sat up, looking him in the face, " For the millionth time… I don't think marriage is necessary. You're a vampire, I'm a ghost… why does convention matter?"

"Actually, it's for the twenty-three thousand…" He placed a kiss in the hollow of my throat, "Nine hundred…" a kiss against my jaw beneath my ear, "and fifty sixth time…" a kiss on my lips and I sighed into it.

"Any other man would have given up."

"I'm very determined."

"So I've noticed." I said dryly and he squeezed my hips, pulling me closer to him.

"I'll just keep asking." He warned and I smiled.

"And maybe one day I'll say yes. But I wouldn't hold my breath, if I were you."

"How fortunate that breath isn't necessary when one is deceased." He smirked and I couldn't help kissing his pouting lips.

"Then you won't mind holding it for a long time…"

"Put up with you for a long time? Somehow, I think I'll manage." Edward smiled and I closed my eyes as his arms tightened around me again.

You see, the thing is, everyone is always looking for the meaning of life. And I'm not going to stand here and say I know what it is, because I don't. No one does, not really.

Hey, I don't even have a life to find the meaning of.

I guess, all you can do is try and live what you have got. I wasn't doing that. Neither was Edward.

Not until we found each other.

I don't know what would have happened after Charlie died if I hadn't met Edward. What I would have done… where I would have gone…

But I don't need to think about that anymore, because now I have a life.

No really, I do.

I've got love. I've got a family. I've got a future.

What else do I really need, to say that I've got a life?

Nothing, as far as I can see. I've got it all. You know… except a pulse.

Hey, no one said that I lost my incredible sense of humour.

I snorted to myself and Edward's brow twitched.

"What?"

"Nothing." I smiled, resting my head on his shoulder and watching the sun beginning it's descent behind the mountains. Dark shapes moved against the white blanket, where Kate and the others were hunting and I sighed happily, as Edward's cheek rested against my hair.

I had everything.

A/N: OK. Wow, so that's it. I can't believe this story is over, it's been a long time going!

Thank yous – to everyone who has read this story. Everyone who has reviewed it. Everyone who has pimped it.

To Amcas for my gorgeous banner (link in my profile!)

And last, but not least, to my fabulous beta, Sarah. Even though we had to part ways due to commitments, I shall be dragging her off to lunch soon.

Before I go, I'd like to ask you something – Sarah, along with two friends from my uni are doing a charity run this Saturday. They will be running around every football stadium in London in ONE day – this is going to take around 18 hours. If you can spare even just a pound/dollar/currency from wherever you are, please please PLEASE donate at:

www(dot)justgiving(dot)com/sam64m

One last question – does anybody want an outtake? I wasn't planning on writing any, but if we can get up to £200 on that site, I certainly will! (it's already at £130, so I'm not asking a lot, lo). What outtake would people like to see?

Reviewers will receive their chosen Cullen/Werewolf and a snowy mountain cabin to enjoy for a week – yes, a WHOLE week since we reached a thousand reviews, you super little people!

Lots of love and for the last time

Katie