Epilogue — Blessed

Life is divided into three terms—that which was, which is, and which will be. Let us learn from the past to profit by the present, and from the present, to live better in the future.

William Wordsworth

Edward's POV

Five years later

Bella was graduating from Seattle University this afternoon, and I couldn't be prouder of her. I had tried to talk her into going to Oxford, like she had originally planned after high school, but she told me the only reasons she had wanted to go away for school were to widen her perspectives on life and to find out what she could do on her own. I frowned as I adjusted my tie in the bathroom mirror; she hadn't had to go far from home to do any of that, thanks to a certain person. Taking a deep breath, I banished the memories of what she went through before I found her.

The past five years had been good to us. Two of the movies I had produced won Oscars and one had won the Golden Palm for being the best film during the Cannes Film Festival. None of the trophies mattered, though; they were only symbols. The two girls that mattered in my life were finishing getting ready in the bedroom. With silent stealth, I entered the room and leaned against a pillar. Our three-year-old daughter, Renee, was jumping on the bed while Bella put on a pair of earrings. I remained quiet, taking in the scene while wondering how long I would go unnoticed.

"Daddy is not going to happy with you," Bella said, turning to face our daughter before pointing down at the bed.

Renee plopped down to her knees, but she continued to bounce. I held in my laugh since Bella had yet to see me.

Bella turned back to her jewelry box, taking out a necklace. Not a second went by before Renee was back on her feet, jumping again.

"Renee!" I yelled, shaking my head.

Our daughter froze and Bella started, glancing over her shoulder. "I felt you were near, Edward, but didn't know you were in the room. How long were you standing there?"

A smile split my face. "Long enough to know you told Renee to stop, love." I walked over to where Bella stood, taking the heart-shaped locket out of her hands. "Allow me," I said.

Once the locket was securely around Bella's neck, she turned and kissed me on the cheek. "I'll be right out," she said.

"Come on, princess," I said, holding out my arms to Renee. "Grandma and Grandpa should be here soon."

Renee's eyes got large, and a big smile formed on her face. She loved Carlisle and Esme, and I knew she was going to miss them when we moved to Scotland, but it was high time for Bella and me to take our rightful places as heads of the McCullough clan. Even though I was laird, I was grateful Malcolm had agreed to continue in the role until Bella completed her undergraduate degree, but he was more than ready to hand over the reins.

~~ L. C. ~~

"Isabella Marie Cullen," the dean of the school of liberal arts announced.

Camera flashes went off next to me. Both Alice and Esme were taking pictures. I shook my head. Between the pair, they had probably taken three thousand pictures.

"Give it a rest, Edward," Alice said.

Leaning forward, I stared at my sister a moment. "I didn't say anything," I remarked.

"But you were thinking it. And you know that Bella asked us to take pictures for Malcolm."

I rolled my eyes. "I know."

"Yay, Mommy!" Renee shouted, clapping her hands as Bella walked by with a red folder in her hand.

An hour and a half later, we were standing outside of Key Arena, waiting for Bella. I had transmitted an image of where she could find us.

Bella's POV

It was easy to find my family, and I would have been able to without the image Edward provided. A happy sigh left me as I watched Renee chase Emmett and Jasper. Her giggles reached my ears when Edward snuck up behind her and swung her up into his arms. He was such a good father.

Edward suddenly looked over at me and winked. A blush crept up my face when his voice entered my head. "Are you going to stand there all night, love? Or do you want to get the rest of the pictures over with so we can head to the restaurant for dinner?"

I inclined my head and walked over. What seemed like hours later, everyone piled into the stretch limo—I had tried to talk Edward out of it, but he insisted—and headed to Canlis.

The private dining room was filled with flowers. My gaze moved to Edward, and he shook his head. "I didn't order them," he said, a confused look on his face. "Emmett?"

"No clue, bro," he replied, walking over to the largest arrangement. "There's a card." He held up a silver envelope, and I could just make out my name in gold script.

Bella snatched the card from Emmett when he tried to open it. "'We are proud of your wonderful accomplishments, and we can't wait to see where the future takes you,'" I read aloud. My eyes misted over as I read the rest of the card silently—"'Love, Carlisle, Esme." But what really made me Mom and Dad me turn up was my mom's familiar handwriting appearing. "'Even though we are not there physically, we are watching over you, Edward, and our granddaughter. All our love, Mom and Dad.'" I turned to look at the Edward's parents. Standing with them were my parents. "With a family like you, my future will be blessed."

The End