A/N: Here we are with this last chapter. I never expected this story to take me on the emotional rollercoaster it did, but it did, and it's almost sad to have it reach the end. This won't be the last story I write of Alec & Carlisle, not by a long shot. And there's the possibility of an epilogue in the future, but for now, this stays where it is.

Thank you to those who read, added this story to their favorites, followed, and reviewed; your support of these two means more to me than you can possibly imagine. These two truly mean the world to me, and to have others enjoy their relationship means more than you realize.

Enjoy the final chapter.

Blood Bound
Finale :: Our Forever (Is Just Beginning)

Looking at himself in the mirror, Alec can't believe this is happening. He's getting married. Married, to the most beautiful soul he's ever known. Somehow, someway, the gods gave him forever in a man he never thought he'd have in his wildest dreams, and if he's being honest with himself, the whole thing daunts him.

Alec knows they love each other - they're mates for crying out loud. But that doesn't mean his mind doesn't whirl with possibilities of him, somehow, fucking this up, and then being left alone. The mere thought of living the rest of eternity alone scares the hell out of Alec.

Funny. Before, being alone for the rest of his life wasn't such a bad thing. But now, now that he's had a taste of love and being a part of something, a family, Alec can't imagine being alone anymore. The mere thought makes ice cold fear pulse through his bloodless veins.

"You gotta stop thinking so much, starshine," Raven's voice echoes a few feet away, and Alec looks over at his most cherished friend, giving him a nervous smile. "There's nothing you can do to mess this up, so stop digging yourself into a hole, huh?"

"Sorry," Alec mumbles. "I just-... I know he loves me, and I love him. More than anything. But what if, one day, he decides I'm too much hassle and leaves?"

"You're an idiot," Raven chastises, his tone amused over malicious. "There's nothing you could do to make him walk away from you. Hell, if anyone would walk away, it would be you."

"Me?" Alec's eyes go wide. "Leave someone like him? Are you stupid?"

Raven laughs, the sound soothing to Alec. "I don't need to read minds like Edward to know how much you two love each other. Hell, the guy threatened me once when he thought I was going to whisk you away, or did you conveniently forget about that?"

Alec knows he'd be blushing if he was able. Instead, he gives an anxious chuckle. "You can't blame me for thinking of the worst case scenarios, Ray. I've lived on them for thirty years."

"I know," Raven muses, coming over to Alec and tousling his blond tresses. "But you can't think like that on your damn wedding day. You're gonna jinx your forever before it even starts."

"Oh haha," Alec mutters. "So you really think everything's going to be okay?"

"I know it. Even the stupidest person in the world could see how much Carlisle adores you," Raven remarks with a grin. "And they could also see how much you love him too. You guys were made for each other. Remember what I told you before? I wouldn't be surprised if you two were a soul cluster; souls meant to find each other in whatever lives they're formed in."

A tiny smile touches Alec's face as he lets out a long, drawn out sight. "Yeah. Yeah, you're right. I gotta stop dwelling on the negatives. This day is going to be perfect, and our lives together will be even moreso. I just-..." a pause, "can't believe I've been granted this, you know? After losing everything, I never dreamed I would find forever in someone as beautiful, amazing, and stunning as Carlisle."

Raven's lips quirk as he places his hands on Alec's shoulders. "I've heard him say the same about you. That he can't begin to fathom he's found his mate after nearly four hundred years of being alone and that he's granted the right to be with him forever." Raven smacks Alec's shoulder. "So you're not the only one who's nervous and thinks they'll fuck everything up."

Alec can't help the laugh that spills from his lips. "Thanks, Raven. You always know how to make me feel better."

"Hey, comes with the territory of being your best friend," Raven teases, pecking Alec's cheek. "And I promise, after today, I'll try not to antagonize your husband as much. Don't want him to have an aneurysm shortly after marrying you."

Husband.

Alec likes hearing Carlisle being called such a thing.

"Uh oh, you got that lovestruck look on your face. You must really like Carlisle being called your husband, huh?" Raven jests, and Alec smacks him. "How does it feel that in a couple hours, your last name will be Cullen?"

Biting his lip, Alec knows he'd be blushing if he was able, but instead a happy smile curls his lips. "It's a fucking amazing feeling. I'm so ready to shred my old last name and scatter its tatters to the wind."

Looking at themselves in the mirror, Alec can see the cheerful grin on Raven's face. "Alec Cullen… has a nice ring to it, gotta say," Raven murmurs, his hands resting on Alec's shoulders, serving to ground him. "Alexander Michael Cullen… yeah, that sounds a lot better than Davis. It's like you were born to have his last name."

Alec smiles, placing his hand over Raven's. "I still can't get over the fact he's letting you walk me down the aisle. I was positive he'd say no."

Raven smirks. "I was kinda shocked too, but I think he realized how much I mean to you, that I'm the only person left from our old lives and how it's fitting that your oldest friend gives you away. Of course, if he ever hurts you, he's gonna regret it."

Alec snickers. "I think it would be the other way around, that I'd be the one hurting him. After all, our separations were my fault."

"Lalala, can't hear you," Raven mutters. "But seriously, he could have fought harder to keep you beside him, and chased after you when you remembered Aria. It's both your faults, and if you fight me on this, I'll smack your ass."

Shocked, Alec can't help but let out surprised laughter. "Smack my ass? That's a threat if I ever heard one."

"Don't think I won't do it either," Raven grumbles. "I don't care if I'd lose my hand if your husband saw me doing it. I'm not gonna make you think it's completely your fault that things happened the way they did."

"Yeah, no, I like my best friend to keep his hand, thank you very much," Alec jests. "Thank you, Raven. I'm so glad you're back in my life."

"I'm just sorry I stayed away for so long," Raven murmurs. "But you're stuck with me forever, Alec. Sucks I gotta share you with Cullen, but hey, that's how the cookie crumbles."

Alec snorts. "You never did like sharing, but sorry Ray, if I had to pick between you two, it'd be him. It always was him."

Raven smiles. "Yeah, I know. I wouldn't put you in a position where you had to choose between us anyway. I'd be a pretty shitty friend if I did." Squeezing Alec's shoulders, Raven grins. "So you ready to be Mr. Cullen?"

"God, Mr. makes me sound like an eighty year old man." Alec returns Raven's grin. "But yeah. I was born ready."

In an hour, he'll be married.

The thought makes a soft smile touch Carlisle's face. Here he was, mated to the most precious soul in the world, and he's marrying him. He wasn't sure what he did to deserve such grace from the gods, but Carlisle will do everything in his power to let them know they made the right choice in bringing him and Alec together.

Casting his eyes to look at himself in the mirror, Carlisle can't help but notice the happiness radiating off him in waves. Even though he was turned at twenty three, he never felt that age. He always felt older, but now he feels his mortal age for the first time in many centuries.

Love does crazy things to people, Carlisle muses.

Giving himself a once over, he thinks, not for the first time, how the gods were kind enough to gift him his forever and mate after almost four hundred years of being alone. Of course, he had his children, but it was quite painful seeing them obtain their mates while he remained alone. He had a brief, fleeting relationship with Esme, but once they realized they weren't mates, they parted ways.

Carlisle always cared deeply for her - nothing would ever change that. She was his first for many things, and her happiness always meant more to him than anything else. It wasn't until he met Alec that Carlisle decided his happiness meant just as much as Esme's did, and he was allowed to be selfish and love someone after her.

"You look beautiful, Carlisle."

Eyes widening, Carlisle turns to see her. She wears a beautiful, lavender colored dress, her hair done in a messy bun, a soft smile on her face, and he's across the room in seconds, holding her close.

"Esme," Carlisle whispers into her hair, and she laughs, wrapping her arms around him.

"You didn't think I would miss your day, did you?" Esme asks, taking a deep breath, inhaling his scent. "I'm surprised you didn't invite me yourself. Did you think I wouldn't want to be here to support you on the most important day of your life?"

"I," Carlisle laughs sheepishly, "thought it would be too painful for you."

"Carlisle, you foolish man," Esme chuckles. "What we had was special, and while we weren't mates like you and Alec are, I always cared a great deal for you and wanted nothing but your happiness. And I'm so glad you found yours."

"Have you found yours?" Carlisle can't help but ask. While this is his day, it would pain him immensely if Esme still hadn't found her forever.

"Yes. She's quite the hassle, but I wouldn't trade her for anything in the world," Esme murmurs with a gentle smile, and Carlisle can tell she's taken with whoever this woman is. "In fact, I brought her here so you could meet her. Lorelei?"

Looking over Esme, Carlisle notices an auburn haired woman approach them with a shy smile on her face. "Hello, Carlisle," she whispers. "I've heard so much about you. It's nice to finally meet you."

"Lorelei, yes?" Carlisle asks, and she nods. He walks over to her, taking her small hands in his, and squeezes them. "It's wonderful to meet you as well. Thank you for looking after Esme for me."

"It was my honor," Lorelei murmurs, and Carlisle picks up flits of a German accent. "Esme is a wonderful woman. I still can't believe she's mine sometimes."

"Hush, my sweet. I keep telling you that you're the beautiful one," Esme says softly, and Carlisle can tell just how much she loves her. "You gave up hunting humans for over two hundred years for animal blood, just so it would be easier on me. I know how hard that choice was on you."

Lorelei smiles a little. "Giving up human blood was worth having forever with you."

Casting his eyes to their ring fingers, Carlisle can see matching rings on them, making a smile touch his face. "How long have you been married?"

"Forty years, give or take," Esme replies. "I'm sorry I never contacted you, Carlisle. I knew it would be too painful for you to see me with someone else while you were still alone."

"You're right about that," Carlisle murmurs. "But I'm grateful you're here. That you're both here," he says, smiling at Lorelei, who gives her own jittery smile back. "Now I know why Alice told me that I didn't need a best man. Would you do me the honors, Esme?"

Esme laughs. "You don't need to ask me that, Carlisle. I'd be honored to stand beside you as you marry your mate." Her golden eyes look into Lorelei's own. "And you'll be standing right beside me, my love."

Lorelei swallows. "Are you sure?"

"You're a part of Esme, and that means you stand beside her," Carlisle says, his tone holding no room for argument. Lorelei blinks, venom gathering in her eyes, but she nods. Flicking his gaze to look at the clock, Carlisle sees it's almost time. "Come with me to the altar?" he asks Esme, who smiles.

"Of course." She takes Carlisle's arm, holding her other arm out for Lorelei, who takes it with an anxious smile. "Time to start your forever, my dear friend."

The first thing Alec notices is a beautiful woman standing beside Carlisle, with a much smaller girl standing beside her. He blinks. He's never met either of them before, but seeing the soft look Carlisle gives the caramel haired woman, he knows she's important to him.

"Ah, that must be Esme," Raven's voice breaks his train of thought. "She was Carlisle's first for a lot of things, just like I was for you. I didn't think she'd actually show up, but hey, stranger things have happened."

Alec smiles, loving that Carlisle's oldest friend is with them on their special day. He takes Raven's arm, holding onto it tightly. "Don't let me trip and fall flat on my face, okay?"

"Wouldn't dream of it, babe," Raven teases. Their family stands once they notice them at the end of the aisle, and Alec tightens his grip on Raven's arm, nerves bouncing off him in waves. "Let's start your forever, huh?"

"Y-Yeah," Alec whispers.

Soft music plays as Raven walks Alec down the aisle, and all Alec can focus on is his mate. He looks absolutely gorgeous and he can't believe such a beautiful man is his to keep, to love and cherish for the rest of their eternity. He can't help but grin at Carlisle as he smiles softly back at him, and once they reach one another, Raven squeezes Alec's shoulders before passing him onto Carlisle.

Swallowing thickly, Alec bites his lip, looking into butterscotch eyes. "Hi," he whispers.

"Hello, my dove," Carlisle whispers back, looking at Raven, who nods. "I apologize for not telling you this in advance, but I wanted it to be a surprise."

"Tell me what?" Alec asks.

"As well as walking you down the aisle, I'm marrying you too," Raven says cheekily, and Alec gapes.

"What? When did you get officiated?"

"That's my secret," Raven remarks with a wink, standing in front of them. "While we could do the whole cheesy vows that everyone recites at weddings, I believe you two have your own you've written? So, let's hear it. Carlisle, you first."

Carlisle smiles, and Alec thinks he looks nervous for a brief few seconds before he takes his hands within his, squeezing his fingers. "Alec." He takes a breath. "I love you. There is nothing I wouldn't do for you. Nothing I wouldn't consider if it meant keeping you safe. The world itself would fear me if it tried to keep us apart.

"I've lost a lot in my life and survived. But if I lost you, it would devastate me as nothing else ever has or could. You have so much power over me, and it's frightening, but at the same time, there is no one else I would want to have such an influence on my heart and soul." Lifting Alec's hand, Carlisle kisses his knuckles. "I'm here. I'm yours. I promise it all - my body, my soul, my life, for you. Everything that is mine is yours, and I promise to stay by your side and love you until the sun ceases to burn in the sky, and even then I would cherish and adore you."

Venom gathers in Alec's eyes, and this is one moment he wishes he could cry. But he can't. Instead, he tightens his grasp on Carlisle's fingers, the grip strong enough it would break human fingers. He takes a deep breath, letting out choked laughter. "You idiot, how am I supposed to follow that?"

Raven laughs. "This isn't a contest, doofus. Now c'mon, your turn."

Alec looks into warm pools of gold, letting out a shaken breath. "Carlisle. I want you. All of you. No bullshit, no wondering what's next, no games. I've never felt like this for anyone but you, even when I didn't know it was you all along. You're it for me." Holding his head up, Alec smiles. "You put me in my place when I need it, and you listen to me when I need a listening ear. Plain and simple, you complete me, and I know for certain, I can't live this life without you in it. I need you to stay. Will you stay? Forever, with me?"

"Of course, my darling," Carlisle whispers, his own venom pooling in his eyes. "There's nowhere else I'd rather be, no one else I want forever with."

Raven grins. "Alright, Alise, can you bring the rings?"

Edward and Bella's daughter walks up to them, a happy smile on her face, and she passes the rings to them, bounding back over to Jacob. Alec lifts Carlisle's hand, sliding his ring on his finger, smiling when Carlisle does the same, and he gives an expectant look at Raven, saying without words for him to say what he wants the most.

"I now pronounce you husbands. Kiss already."

Rolling his eyes at Raven's less than graceful ways, Alec looks into golden eyes before closing the distance between them and kissing his husband.

The world only consists of them.

Carlisle isn't sure how long they kiss, only that he doesn't want to stop. Alec is his now, in every way that matters, and it feels like the spell will break if they disconnect their lips. But eventually Alec breaks the contact, tracing his fingers over Carlisle's cheek, and leans their foreheads together.

"We're married," he whispers, and Carlisle chuckles, kissing him again.

"We are, Alexander Cullen."

God. His last name is now Alec's, and it makes a giddy feeling explode in his chest. It actually makes him laugh, and Alec laughs along with him, nuzzling their noses together.

"We have to celebrate before you two run off on your honeymoon," Esme says softly from beside them, and Carlisle looks at her, his own soft look in his eyes.

"Alec, I want you to meet Esme, my dearest friend," Carlisle introduces them, and Esme crosses over to embrace Alec.

"Thank you for loving him," Esme whispers into Alec's hair. "Thank you for doing what I couldn't."

Alec hugs her back, a tender look in his eyes. "No offense, but I'm glad you couldn't. I can't imagine not loving him, being married to him."

Esme laughs. "That's true." She pulls away, taking Lorelei's arm and pulling her towards Alec. "Alec, this is my mate, Lorelei. She's been wanting to meet you."

"Hi, Alec," Lorelei murmurs, giving an awkward half wave. "It's a pleasure."

"You're beautiful," Alec blurts out, and Lorelei smiles nervously. Carlisle chuckles, kissing Alec's hair, and even Esme giggles. "Sorry, I don't know where that came from. But you and Esme make a stunning pair."

"Thank you. You and Carlisle are beautiful together too," Lorelei whispers. "I'm glad you have each other. Anyone could see you were made for one another."

"You and Esme look the same," Alec says, smiling when Lorelei gives an antsy chuckle. "Are you always so nervous around new people?"

"She is," Esme answers, pulling Lorelei towards her and kissing her hair. "It takes her a while to warm up to others, hence the reason we've stayed away from people for so long. But I think it's time I broke my sweetheart out of her shell. Wouldn't you agree, lover?"

Lorelei leans against Esme with a soft smile on her face. "Yeah. I think it's time we started being around others, starting with the newest married pair," she says with a laugh, this one sounding less nervous than the others. She takes Esme's hand, leading her to the dance floor. "Dance with me?"

"Of course, my dear." Esme embraces Carlisle, to which he returns it with his own. "I'm happy for you, Carlisle. Truly. We'll keep in touch, I promise."

"I'm glad. Now go. She's waiting for you."

Esme looks at Lorelei, a loving look in her eyes. She walks over to her mate, and they start to dance. Carlisle prowls over to Alec, taking his hand and bending him backwards, making his mate - and his husband - laugh out loud.

"Carlisle, what the heck?"

Carlisle smiles, leaning down and capturing Alec's lips in a passionate kiss. Alec moans into it, weaving his arms around Carlisle, holding onto him like he's his source of oxygen, and they kiss for what feels like hours before Carlisle breaks the contact and lifts Alec so he's plush against his chest.

"I love you, my husband," Carlisle whispers against his hair, his stomach clenching at saying the word. Husband. Yes, Alec is his mate and his husband now, and both worlds know how much they mean to each other, that nothing will break them apart.

"I love you too," Alec whispers back, nuzzling his nose against Carlisle's shoulder. "More than anyone or anything in the world."

Soft music plays around them as they sway to the tune of their hearts, and Carlisle breathes in Alec's scent. It's layered with his own as well, making a soft smile touch his face. Keeping a tight, secure grip on his mate, his love, his husband, Carlisle's chest rumbles with a happy, content purr.

This is the beginning of their forever.

The End.