Chapter 26: Im Alive

When they pulled up to the house, Edward got out of the car holding onto Bella's hand as the door opened. Before they could react, Carlisle was suddenly on the ground with Esme on top of him. "You're alive! You're home!" She exclaimed, her arms wrapped tightly around him. Carlisle chuckled, hugging his wife tight.

"I'm home, we're all safe," he assured her.

Alice ran over and hugged Bella and Edward with a huge smile. "Welcome home," she told them.

"Happy to be home," Edward said with a sigh.

Bella held onto Edward's hand with a gentle smile on her face. "Eddie! Welcome home!" Emmett greeted, hugging him.

"I hate that name," Edward muttered.

Bella laughed, her hand in the middle of Edward's back once Emmett let him go. She shrieked when the larger Cullen wrapped his arms around her, swinging her around. "You did it Bells!" he told her.

"I told you guys I wasn't coming home without both Edward and Carlisle," she pointed out.

"What happened to the Volturi?" Jasper asked curiously.

Now standing up from the ground, Carlisle wrapped his arms around Esme's waist. "We will explain everything," he told them. Kissing the side of his wife's head, they went inside.

"I think it would be safer to stand out here for awhile," Alice commented.

Grimacing, Edward wrapped his arm around Bella's waist. "How was the fight?" Emmett asked anxiously.

"It was…a fight," Bella replied slowly.

"Don't worry Em, like Carlisle said, everything will be explained later," Rosalie reminded her husband.

Emmett grinned a little before Jasper walked over, hugging Bella gently. "Nice to be able to hug you without wanting to kill you," he quipped. Laughing, Bella hugged him back.

"So is it safe to say that Edward's home for good?" Alice asked anxiously.

Smiling, Edward nodded his head slowly, looking over at Bella once Jasper let her go. "I'm here and I'm staying," he murmured more to Bella than to the rest of the family. Nodding, Bella laced her fingers with Edward's before they sat down to tell the family about everything that had happened in Volterra.

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The days and nights carried on, the Cullen house felt warmer and more welcoming than ever before. Most of all, Bella was happier than she ever was.

One day, Bella had gone hunting when she had a feeling she was being watched. Lifting her nose to the air, she took in a deep breath when a familiar scent filled her nose. "Wow don't you look different," a voice commented. Spinning around, she saw Jacob standing there with a smile.

"Hey Jake," she greeted.

She stood up from the ground with a small smile. "How are you?" He asked slowly. Nodding her head slowly, Bella rubbed her hands together.

"I'm good, how are you?" She asked.

"I'm there," he replied.

Biting her lower lip, Bella stared at the ground when Jacob walked over, his hand on her arm. "Bells, I will always care about you. You are my best friend and I love you, but I can see that you're happier with this Edward guy than you ever were with me," he told her. Sighing, she sat down on a rock.

"I am happy," she said quietly.

Jacob squatted down in front of her with a smile. "I know you are," he answered, stroking her face. Bella smiled, letting out an unneeded breath.

"Thank you Jacob," she said quietly.

Kissing her forehead, Jacob got up from the ground, heading towards the trees. "I'll see you around leech," he said teasingly. Bella laughed softly, shaking her head.

"See you around mutt," she answered.

Waving a little, Jacob ran off into the trees, leaving Bella there to her thoughts when Edward jumped down in front of her. "Must you sneak up on me?" she demanded. Chuckling, he sat next to her, his arms wrapped tightly around her.

"Are you happy?" he asked into her hair.

Looking up at him, she smiled softly. "I'm extremely happy," she replied. Leaning forward, Edward pressed his lips to hers. Bella kissed him back, moving her finger through his hair. Pulling her into his lap, he smiled up at her.

"I never thought I would fall in love like I have fallen for you," he commented.

Placing her hands on his face, Bella pressed her forehead to his. "I have loved you for so long I can't function without you," she whispered. Moving his fingers through her hair, he smiled at her.

"You'll never have to worry about that," he told her.

He had her stand up and Bella stood there quizzically before Edward got down on one knee, holding her hand between his hands. "Bella, you are my life, you became my life when I first saw you. You were all I could imagine spending forever with. If you were to stay human, I would've sat with you until the day you died and I would die with you. My heart is yours and I can't imagine spending my life without you," he explaining. Reaching into his pocket, he held up a beautiful ring.

Bella stood there in shock, unable to speak. "Isabella Marie Swan, I love you, I will always love you. Will you do me the honor and the privilege of becoming my bride?" He asked holding the ring up. A huge smile appeared on her face, nodding her head slowly.

"Yes, yes of course I'll marry you," she replied.

Edward smiled as he slipped the ring onto her finger, feeling all the happiness in the world spin around him as he pulled her into a deep, passionate kiss. Bella kissed him back, wrapping her arms around his neck. After pulling away, he had a huge smile on his face as he lifted her up into his arms, swinging her around. Letting out a small shriek, she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, closing her eyes tight.

If someone would have told her a year ago she would get married, she would laugh and say it would never happen. She never thought she would get married. However, now that Edward was in her life, marriage didn't seem like that much of a bad idea. The idea of it made her smile and feel all giddy inside. Feeling her feet touch the ground once more, she pulled his head down and kissed him deeply. Edward kissed her back, his hands moving over her back.

Pulling away after what felt like eternity, Edward trailed gentle kisses over her neck. "I love you Bella," he whispered into her neck.

"I love you Edward," she replied.

Moving his hand over her back, a smile appeared on his face. "Eternity doesn't seem that bad anymore," he chuckled. Laughing she pulled away.

"No, eternity sounds perfect," she agreed.

Stroking her cheek gently, they shared another kiss. As Bella reached up into his hair, the ring sparkled on her left hand matching the diamond sparkle on her hand that was in the sunlight.