Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight, and no copyright infringement is intended. The original content, ideas and intellectual property of this story is owned by Freezegirl8000 (2010).

Expect an epic a/n at the end :)

Epilogue: Everything

"Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own." - Robert A. Heinlein

EPOV

Bella was recovering quickly. Two months has past. She was ready to return to school next semester and I was happy for her. She was ecstatic when the doctors commented on how quickly she was recovering. Her speech was almost flawless. Her walking was normal, by that I included her usual clumsiness. Bella was perfect and completely mine.

Everything in the family was peaceful. Alice was finding success in the fashion industry in Paris, and Jasper tagged along whenever she was travelling. Em and Rose just recently tied the knot in a small chapel here. It was a quiet event, only our family attended, as well as Angela and Ben.

Next week, we were going to Paris for a little holiday. It was going to be the first time Bella and I traveled together and I wanted everything to be perfect. I knew she had some issues with cost and it pained me to know that she felt that she wouldn't be enough for me. Before I met Bella, I probably would have thought she wouldn't be – I was arrogant and selfish, but not anymore, not after I made myself realize how giving she was – how she accepted every bad thing I brought along with me.

She had accepted the fact that I had a repulsive and horrible history with the girls in high school, and that I used to swear like a sailor when I was pissed off at someone. I could never thank her enough for being so trusting, that she still believed I would come back for her after not seeing her for almost a year.

All this, and so much more, made me want to show her just how much she meant to me.

I had everything planned out. I wanted to take her out to all the places I had ever been to in France. Bella would love it and I would make sure she did.

I was going to do this to show her all the gratitude she deserved from me.

There was also something nagging in my mind for the past two months.

I knew that losing a parent or a loved one would be difficult, and those people may never adjust to the loss, but I knew that feeling. Bella understood the feeling as well but I was able to cope – not completely, but well enough. It may take years for Bella to adjust, and I knew that the conversation we had a couple of months ago was hurting for her.

She had some serious doubts of whether or not she was doing the right thing, and if her parents would be proud of her. Bella had been working to do the very best all her life to achieve her dreams. She got into an Ivy League school, and was able to pay her tuitions. She was going to graduate soon and was going to spend the rest of her life by my side if she wanted to.

I didn't know Charlie well. I had only met him once, and that was the time I got arrested for speed driving. I knew his last impression of me was a horrible one, and I had been trying to change it. I wanted him to know that I was here to protect her, to love her, and to make sure she was happy. I wanted him to be proud of me – that had been my goal for so long.

When Bella had told me about how she wished that her parents were here to see her on her wedding day, I felt a strange ache in my chest. It was unfamiliar. New.

I wondered if my parents were looking at me from above. I wondered if they were proud of me like Carlisle and Esme were. I imagined taking Bella to meet them, how happy my mother would be.

It made me realize how much Carlisle and Esme had given me. They loved me as I was their own son. I needed to stop taking everything for granted.

"Edward?" Carlisle asked, placing a hand on my shoulder.

I sighed and turned my back from the balcony. "Dad, I wanted to ask you something."

Carlisle's eyes looking at me with concern. "What is it?"

I suddenly had a mental blank. Was I really going to tell him? What would he say? Was everything going to fast?

I sucked in a deep breath. "I'm asking her. I'm asking her for her hand."

My father's face transformed, overjoyed. "That's fantastic, son! I'm so proud of both of you."

I gave him a tight hug, closing my eyes and letting just a few happy tears escape.

"Wait until you tell your mother that!" Carlisle said, excited.

I nodded, but a sudden thought struck me and my grin slid off my face.

"What's wrong?" he asked breathlessly.

"Do you…do you think they wouldbe proud of me?" I asked with uncertainty. An understanding look dawned on Carlisle face. "And Bella's too?"

"You're parents would be so proud, Edward," he said softly. "Bella's father would be amazed at what a significant change you have made – both to your career and your life."

I felt a heavy weight lift from my heart. I hugged him again. "Thank you so much, Dad. For everything. Thank you."

"Let's go tell your mom."

Esme burst into tears when I told her what I was planning to do.

"Well, Edward?" she asked breathlessly. "Have you set a date yet?"

I shifted my feet, feeling a little nervous. "I was planning to do it on our trip. I...I want to show her around some of my favorite places."

Esme nodded. "Whatever you want will be great. Just make sure it is special for her. Make sure that it will be a night to remember."

"Yes, Mom," I responded, grinning while hugging her back.

I had the approval of both my parents. It was more than I could ever ask for. Now...only if I could get the approval from my girl...

Bella was still asleep, so I decided to take a morning jog around the park.

The air was still fresh and unpolluted and I breathed it all in deeply through my mouth. I finally came to a spot far away from the traffic noise - it was our meadow. I laid down, looking up into the sky, and closed my eyes.

I tried to picture the look of Charlie Swan's face as I asked him for his blessing. I squeezed my eyes tighter, hoping that he could now what I was trying to say to him right now. Charlie, I love your daughter more than anything. You've raised her to become an incredible girl. She is a strong, loving, wonderful, and smart woman who has made me become a better person. I was so lost before I met her. I drank myself into oblivion every night, and slept with girls whose names I don't even remember. I was awful to my father and mother sometimes, who loved me so much. It was your daughter who taught me to love and I will never forget that. I promise to take good care of her, and make her as happy as possible. I know it may take a while for you to trust me but please know that I have had a change in heart. I am no longer the lost boy in high school. I'm going to be successful, and Bella is, too. We will succeed together. She came into my life, and I began to see the world differently.

I felt something soft touch my face and I fluttered my eyes open.

"Bella?" I asked, incredulously.

She smiled. "Good morning."

I smiled back. "How - how did you find me?"

"Esme told me," Bella frowned. "What happened this morning? I saw Carlisle and Esme talking when I came into the kitchen, and they stopped immediately when they saw me. They gave me weird looks when I asked for you."

I sighed. Bella was so damn intuitive sometimes.

I rolled my eyes at her. "I'm sure it's nothing."

"If you say so..." she replied hesitantly.

I cupped her face gently and sat up to kiss her on the lips.

She moaned and I felt my cock harden. Fuck.

"Seems like you have quite a problem there, Cullen," she smirked, eying my obvious erection.

I adjusted my pants slightly and glared at her. "Tease."

She bit her lip and I groaned. "Stop doing that or we'll never get out of the woods."

She raised an eyebrow and I looked at her in confusion.

"What? You rather sit here and get eaten by a bear or shot by a hunter?" I asked.

Bella shook her head and I noticed that her hair was now long enough to be swaying slightly with her motion.

"I love you," I said.

"I love you, too."

I grinned. I loved how my heart responded to whenever she uttered the three beautiful words.

"Is Rose taking you somewhere today?" I asked.

Bella groaned and crossed her legs. "Yes, I-I think so. She's going to take me shopping for the trip next week."

"I'm going to tell her you've got enough clothes," I said firmly and Bella giggled. "I think Alice has been nagging her to do that. She's acting like her now."

Bella smiled. "I know. Are we meeting up with Alice and Jazz in Paris?"

I nodded. "Yep. They've got our apartment settled already."

"Our apartment?" Bella asked. "I thought we were staying together. All of us."

I shook my head. "No way, I want you all to myself."

Bella laughed suddenly and I realized how it must have sounded.

"Shut up," I said, laughing with her. "You know I don't mean just that."

"Sure, sure," Bella said, rolling her eyes.

My stomach grumbled, interrupting our perfect bubble. Bella placed her small warm hand on my stomach and sighed. "Looks like you've got another problem."

"I know, right?"

"Let's get you home. Are pancakes alright for you?" she asked.

"That would be wonderful," I replied, holding out my hand for her.

I thought of Bella as she moved around the kitchen, making our breakfast and was surprised at what I was thinking. I could now see a clear image of us living together in a large, two storey house with a balcony. I could see her cooking for me everyday and sharing lunch while we have our breaks at work. I could see us in our bed, falling asleep together, intertwined.

I could picture us together anywhere. New Jersey, New York, Los Angeles, Paris, London, Massachusetts and even Africa. Just as long as we were together.

One week flew by faster than I could imagine. Esme was checking to make sure all our luggage was there, before checking in. Bella was the more excited of the two of us about this trip, and I was so glad I told her about it months ago. She had never been overseas, after all.

We slept side by side on the plane, too exhausted to stay awake and talk. Her head was nestled on the crook of my neck and I held on to her arm as I fell into a deep slumber.

Bella and I groaned as we arrived at the hotel Alice had arranged for us. It was large, grand, and unbelievably sophisticated. The weather was warm and I welcomed the heat.

We spent our first day visiting the Champs-Élysées. Alice bought many things for us and I knew it was the first time Bella genuinely loved shopping with her.

At night, I made love to her on the bed. I kissed every inch of her body, worshipping her...memorizing her. When she called out my name at her release, I let go.

I felt complete, blessed to be with her at this very moment.

I kissed her happy tears and told her I love her more than a hundred times that night.

The next day was going to be one of the most significant days of my young life.

As we walked hand in hand along the road leading us towards the Eiffel Tower, I reached into my pocket to feel the box which Carlisle had given me before the flight, which felt heavier than a ton right now. I knew my family was going to meet us at the restaurant on the second floor of the tower.

I looked down at Bella and she sighed happily, leaning into me. I gritted my teeth as we came to a stop just underneath the tower. It was empty for the first time. A miracle.

I watched her take in the beautiful scenery.

"Wow," she breathed, her eyes wide. "It's so beautiful - all the lights and everything."

I gulped and swallowed my fear. "I know."

Bella leaned up to kiss me on the lips. "I love you."

I smiled down at her. "I've dreamt about taking you here. It was a surreal thought back then, and I can't believe it's really happening - that you're here. Everything is amazing right now with you. I promised to show you the world, and this is the first step. I was so lost back then without you, Bella. I realized that all the mistakes I have ever made in my life have helped me grow. You have helped me grow...and to love. You're my everything," I sucked in a deep breath before continuing. "I'm going to tell you just how special you are."

I took the box out of my pocket and opened the ring box with my shaky and fumbling fingers.

Bella gasped. "Oh my God." Her hand was trembling as it moved to her mouth, and her eyes glistened with unshed tears. She looked so beautiful.

"We've been through so many obstacles," I said, kneeling down on one knee. "And I'm not willing to let another second go by without telling you how much I love you, and how much you mean to me."

I held the ring out to her, my heart beating hard and fast like never before. "Isabella Swan, I promise to love you forever. Will you marry me?"

She nodded slowly. "Yes, Edward. I will."

I took her hand in mine and placed the ring on her trembling finger. I kissed it gently as the magnitude of what her answer meant washed over me.

She said 'yes'.

She kneeled down and looked at me, tears sliding down her face.

"I love you," I whispered, wiping her tears away.

She looked at me with her eyes so full of love and joy I wanted to stay like this forever. She looked down at her ring and her eyes widened.

"This...is this?" she asked uncertainly.

"It's your mother's ring," I said. "I thought...I thought this was for the best."

I caressed her face gently and pressed my lips to hers.

"I love you so much, Edward," she said breathlessly, her voice choked up by the tears. "You've given me so much. I could never ask for more. And...and I know that my father would be so proud of you right now."

I felt so happy I thought my heart would burst open. She said her father would be proud of me. Proudof me.

The world disappeared around us as her lips found mine. I focused only on the incredible girl in front of me. I focused on her strawberry scent, the silky texture of her shoulder-length hair, the way she tasted, and the sounds she made.

It was heaven on Earth.

"Let's go tell our family, shall we?" I asked, gently pulling her to her feet.

We held hands as we took the lift up to the second floor, where our family was waiting.

Alice squealed as soon as she saw Bella's ring, the diamond flashing in the lights. Esme and Carlisle were both teary-eyed and I mouthed 'thank you' to both of them.

"I'm so proud of you, Edward," Esme said, coming to hug me tightly.

Carlisle was right behind her. "We're so proud of you both. Bella, welcome to the family."

I saw my girl hugging my mother and father and realized nothing could be more perfect.

I had so much.

My life was not up in the air anymore; I was certain about my future now.

Bella and I had overcome so many obstacles together.

We graduated high school together.

I finished Harvard Medical summa cum laude at 21.

Bella was completing her law degree at Princeton.

We were both going to be Ivy League graduates.

She was going to be successful and so was I.

And the most significant moment of my life; I proposed to Bella, and she said yes.

I couldn't ask for more.

And that was all she wrote...

I started this story a while back (exactly a year ago) and it was originally called In Memoriam. However, as the story progressed, and as the betas advised me, I feared the title would not be that significant and affect the story enough. Though many of you may disagree with me, I believed, if this ending was not cliche enough, that to have them getting married and having babies was not exactly right.

I hope you readers would be at least satisfied with this ending.

Don't Ever Forget Me was based on a true story. Yes, I know a friend with AVM and she met a boy from Harvard and they, in my opinion, had a HEA. And yes, he worked for the AMREF for a while.

I owe enormous gratitude and thanks to Project Team Beta, and the many betas which took their time to help me and offer me assistance. The epilogue was beta'ed by Phoenixjedi and OTD673 who were absolutely amazing.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, to every reader and reviewer. I appreciate all the reviews. They were all wonderful and I feel really grateful.

I don't exactly have plans to start a new story right now, but maybe one in the next month or so may be possible.

However, if anyone requests an outtake from this story, I will gladly start writing again. I will be accepting requests for one month. On September 16, I will tick 'Complete' for this story.

Until next time...

Rachel/Freezegirl8000 xx