So this is the only chapter today because it ends in a nice place; I hope you like it. The beginning of the chapter goes quickly through quite a long time but I needed to get to move the story on a bit. It contains the next two (and last) back stories for Jasper and I should probably warn you, you may want some tissues near. I hope you like it.

Chapter 18.

The weeks passed quickly, soon turning into months as the training continued; Bella even sparred with Jasper a few times, although he always beat her. He did try once to let her win but she growled at him in anger because she didn't want him to; however her growl stunned him so much she very nearly naturally won before he regained control of himself and began to fight again as he would against anyone else. Bella's shield appeared a couple more times but she still had no understanding of what she was doing and how she was doing it and none of the family could really help either. It was something they were going to have to investigate later because it was time; time to make the trip to Volterra. They'd been delaying for the last month and Bella, Jasper and the rest of the family knew they were just asking for trouble if they didn't go now. The warning in the letter about James coming back rang in their memories and they wanted to be ready for when that happened. Before they could even think about doing that the bond needed to be sorted out.

The growing relationship between Bella and Jasper had continued to develop; each tiny step they took witnessed by the family who loved them both. That's not to say things were always easy; there were times when Bella and Jasper still struggled with their grief and frustration often escalating into tense silences where their family had to intervene and help them as best they could to get past it. As they faced each hurdle it meant they had to spend time resolving their problems; each fight leading to a passionate round of make-up sex which left the whole family satisfied.

The biggest frustration Bella had was the lack of control she had of her gift; she wasn't even convinced it was really a gift; she could count on one hand the number of times she'd been able to shield herself from an attack; more often than not she didn't stop it and while each punch and kick didn't hurt her; her pride was dented. The only comfort she had was Jasper's gift seemed to have become as uncontrollable as hers was in the passing weeks. The closer they became the more heightened his lack of control was; his ability to withhold what he was feeling from those around him became an impossibility which led to several occurrences of the family all falling under the spell of the couple's combined lust. The problem was weighing on Jasper's mind as much as Bella's gift was hers but neither of them considered pulling away from each other; if anything it pushed them closer together.

The whole family had settled into their new house easily and all the 'children' had decided to delay going to school for a year or two until Bella was ready to go with them; this also had the benefit of giving them plenty of time to concentrate on what they were to face in Italy.

As the weeks passed Bella and Jasper had spent some time making their area of the house more theirs; the empty room had been turned into an office they could both use and it meant Bella could finish her current school year from home so that when she returned to education she could go into the same year as the rest of them. The main room they'd concentrated on though had been the library area; they'd both poured over a laptop; browsing the internet for a spacious couch to place in front of the hearth and both got equally excited by the arrival of said furniture; although they had to leave the house while it was delivered so they would see it for the first time together.

Jasper had insisted that Bella purchase some books she would enjoy to go in the bookcases; just over half the shelves were already full of the literary finds he'd accumulated over the years and he wanted her to have as much of a selection as he did. Bella had been reluctant at first but after a little encouragement from Jasper and Esme she'd gone for broke; searching for the classics she'd always loved along with the trashier literature that was popular. The library had become a favorite retreat for both of them and many an evening was spent by Bella curled up in the corner of the beloved couch. Sometimes she'd be joined by Jasper; both finding the time spent there was always peaceful for them. It had become the place they would retreat to when things were difficult between them; the first place the other would look if they were apart.

Just a week before they left for Volterra the two of them had been sniping at each other all day; ending with Jasper walking away and Bella sobbing on Emmett's shoulder. The tension weighing on them both about the trip and the tasks they had to face was making them both overreact to the slightest perceived wrong. Jasper had left and disappeared before either of them would say something they'd end up regretting.

After two hours Bella had calmed down sufficiently and she just wanted to sort things out with him; to have him hold her in his arms and tell her he loved her. Rosalie had joined her and Emmett when Jasper got back to the house and they both tried to speak to her and let her see that things would be okay. Bella had left the two of them as the evening began to draw in and walked quickly back to the house; leaving her siblings to go on an extended hunt.

Esme and Carlisle were sitting in the lounge when she walked through the front door. They both smiled at her and informed her they were going on a hunt and would be back in the morning. That left just her and Jasper in the house and Bella was grateful for the alone time; a lot of the last few weeks had been spent as a group and it had been difficult for the two of them to have some privacy; a possible small factor for the increasing tension between the two of them.

Bella knew where she was heading and as she opened the door to the library she could hear the crackle of flames that licked the logs in the hearth. Jasper was sitting on the couch; his nose buried in the pages of an old book he'd brought a week earlier. She knew they needed to talk but for a few minutes she just wanted to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the peace and silence of the space.

Bella grabbed the book she was currently reading from one of the bookcases and sat on the couch; curling her feet up beneath her. She started to read; enjoying the smell of the aged pages and the pure bliss she got from absorbing the written words.

The room was silent for about half an hour before Jasper broke it, "What are you doing?" he asked unnecessarily.

"Enjoying this book and the comfort of being in this room; with you." She said; briefly lifting her eyes from the page.

"I'm sorry about earlier." He said softly; breaking the silence once more.

"Me too." She said; her eyes meeting his for longer this time.

He reached across the space between them and took her ankle in his hand; dragging her down to him and taking the book from her hand; placing it on top of his on the coffee table next to the couch. Bella looked at his face and bit her lip as she saw the serious expression on his face. "What are you thinking?" he asked.

"I was wondering what you were thinking." She said; the corners of her mouth lifting slightly as she realized how alike they were.

"I was thinking that I don't like fighting with you."

"Me neither; I'd much rather be doing other things with you."

"Oh yes?"

"Yes."

"Like what exactly, Miss Cullen?" he was smirking at her now.

"Do you remember the first day we got to Alaska and we found this part of the house?"

He frowned slightly at her change of subject. "Yes." He said; wondering where she was going with this.

"When we were looking at the rooms you asked me what I was thinking; you said my emotions were intriguing and you wanted to know what the thoughts were behind them."

"I remember. You never did tell me."

"Us sitting here like this is what I was thinking about in this room; how being here with you; reading as we sat in this room was how I wanted to spend my time; how I saw my future being."

"We should get back to our books then," he said and Bella wasn't sure if he was teasing her.

His hand reached towards the table again but Bella stopped its progress with hers, "You don't have to."

"I thought you wanted to sit here and read together?"

"That wasn't the only thing I imagined when I walked into this room."

"It wasn't?"

"No" she whispered.

"Are you going to tell me?"

"How about I show you?" she breathed as she stared into his eyes. She didn't give him a chance to answer; moving to sit on the floor in front of the fire. Her eyes held his as she slowly removed her clothes; seeing his eyes drift down her body when she eventually sat there; naked before him. He was sitting perfectly still; his eyes pools of molten lava; the fire reflecting in each orb as they burned into her. "Do you want to join me?" she said softly.

Jasper didn't know how to respond; he was surprised to find they both had imagined the same thing; it was definitely a turn on to watch her strip seductively in front of him. He needed to be with her; he couldn't wait any longer. He still didn't break the silence; instead slipping from the edge of the couch and crawling on his hands and knees towards to her; her body moving to lie before the fire as he crawled up her body. As he hovered above her; his mouth lowered to meet hers in a passionate kiss; Bella moaned deep in her throat as his hand brushed up her side before settling on a breast. The moment was slow; neither of them rushing onto the next stage but keen to take their time and enjoy this for what it was; a moment to live out their shared fantasy.

Bella closed her eyes as she felt him lower his body to hers; his clothes the only hindrance between them. She'd already tried a couple of times to peel away the layers he was still wearing but his lips kept distracting her; pulling her attention back to them for minutes at a time. Bella sighed loudly when his mouth moved to her neck; kissing it softly; she wanted him and she wanted him bad; she just needed to convince him it was what he wanted too; something told her he wouldn't put up too much of a fight.

"Relax baby." He whispered in her ear, "Soon." Bella couldn't wait for him though; she needed to feel him lying above her; she needed his clothes gone. Her hands shook slightly as they removed his shirt; pushing on his body so he sat back on his heels. She pulled herself up to a sitting position too and took the time to undress him; throwing each item so they fell over the other side of the couch.

"That's better," she said once he was as clothed as she was. Slowly she lay back before him; watching his eyes lower down her length as she looked up at him, "See something you like, cowboy?"

"Yee-hah," he chuckled as he lowered his mouth to her stomach. He could feel the warmth beneath his lips and it was as if she was human again; not that he'd ever experienced that delight. The fire had warmed her skin and he loved the feel of it against his lips. Even hotter than her skin were the emotions that were reeling from her; the love she was sending to him warming his soul.

As his mouth met hers she felt him enter her; her body welcoming him eagerly. This was just how she'd hoped it would be; the firelight was the only thing lighting the room and it gave him an almost ethereal appearance as she looked up at him. His beauty shone from deep within and as he moved in her it just seemed to ignite the fire within. Each thrust of his hips was powerful and yet held a gentleness that belied the strength of its giver; he was careful with her, even if she was now a lot less breakable than she had been. With her last love she'd hated when he'd tried to protect her; when he'd treated her like she was a fragile little girl but with Jasper it was different; she knew he did it because he cared for her deeply; he loved her and the thought of her being hurt made him hurt. She knew Edward had probably done it for the same reasons but that wasn't how she'd felt about it when he did it; it always seemed like a way for Edward to make her feel worthless.

They were both climbing higher; towards their peak and Bella knew Jasper could feel how close she was; almost as if he read her mind he slowed his pace; lifting his head from her neck and smiling down at her. "Why are you stopping?" she pleaded.

"I'm not stopping; just pausing to admire the scenery," he whispered.

"Cute." She said, smiling up at him.

His arms curved around her and pulled them both upright; shifting her so she'd straddling his hips. "You are," he agreed; his lips brushing against hers. He pulled his mouth from hers and she could see he was unsure about something.

"What is it, Jazz?"

"I thought about doing this here too; on that first day. I imagined this night." He was staring over her shoulder and she was sure he was holding something back.

"What aren't you saying?"

"I know I told you about two of the times I've slipped but I want to tell you about the other times too. I need to tell you." Bella shifted on his lap and he groaned as his body reacted to her movement. He admitted to himself that his timing sucked. He decided he needed to finish what he'd started before he told her the rest of his story; before he possibly ruined everything. He moved them again; laying her gently on the couch while he kneeled before her. His hips shifted against her once more; setting a brutal pace as they both strived for the high that had faded in the past few minutes. Her body was tight around him and he could again feel the heat that had instilled itself in her from the fire; it was intoxicating and he craved more. If he was being truthful with himself he just craved her; everything about her had the same affect on him and left him aroused more than he'd ever been in his life; the human and vampire one. Her body arched into his and he felt her tighten on his cock; truly amazing. She cried out his name; a sound that filled the room; giving Jasper one last push and sending him flying over the edge; roaring as his cock throbbed within her. "God, I love you darlin'," he murmured into her hair when he collapsed on top of her.

"I love you too." She panted. He was resting against her body now and she pulled him firmly as she shifted so they were both lying on the couch; Jasper taking the opportunity to shift slightly and spoon behind her. They were no longer joined and she regretted the loss a little but she loved lying in his arms like this. "What did you want to tell me about," she finally whispered to him; her eyes focused on the flames that still flickered in the hearth. She'd known he would bring up this subject again before they left for Volterra and she wondered what she was going to hear from him; part of her already dreading hearing it because she knew it would cause him pain to say it.

"There are two other times when I slipped from this diet. There were other times where it was very close and we had to move rather than risk it actually happening; four times in total where I slipped and the need to leave was more urgent. I want to tell you about the other two times."

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."

"I need to. I need you to know what I'm like at my worst."

"Are they worse than the times you've already told me about?" she asked; slightly fearful of the answer he might give her.

He paused and thought about her question. "Each time was bad; they caused me the same level of pain; Maine was the worst for me personally because it was the first time and thinking about it now I don't think there was any way I could've prevented it from happening. Quebec was bad because Rose was there to witness it. The other two times are bad too but for different reasons. I guess the worst for me and the family as a whole was when we lived in Allegany, Cattaraugus County, New York; and it probably had the biggest impact on me as a vampire; it changed me in ways I hadn't expected. The house was in a nice area and not too far from the national park so food sources were good. It was roughly thirty years after I'd joined the family when we moved there and in some ways I was still struggling; I still felt separate from them and although I could feel their love for me, I'd been testing the boundaries for years; pushing them I guess and waiting to see if they'd make me leave. To give them credit, they never did and it took me a long time to realize they wouldn't." He stopped talking and Bella didn't press him further.

When it appeared he wasn't going to say anything more she knew she had to say something, "When did you know?"

"After Allegany." He whispered. "We all went on a hunt; the wildlife of the national park was in peak season and there was plenty for us to hunt. Although it was a family event we always hunted separately from each other; it's rare that two vampires will do it together."

"You don't mind when I'm there?" she asked; interrupting him and instantly regretting it because she realized he might not get back on track.

"It's different when it's you and me; I get turned on by you being there; by watching you." His hips pressed into her ass and she smiled softly. "With you I don't feel threatened but others being there would make me feel as if I was. It's never been like that with anyone else before." Bella's heart almost sang at his words and she was sure he felt her reaction. His next words stunned her more because he went back to his story; something she was sure he wouldn't do. "That day was strange; it felt weird, I guess. There was a lot of tension and it was my fault. In many ways I was back to being how I was when I was with Peter and Charlotte; my mood had settled into a depression and I was struggling to pull my head above the surface; the main problem was I didn't really want to. When I went off to hunt it was half-hearted. Even now I'm surprised Alice never saw it happening; she would've tried to prevent it if she had but she didn't."

"Prevent what?" she whispered; her fingers threading through his as his grip tightened on her hand.

"I ran through the trees; trying to get caught up in the thrill of the chase but I couldn't do it. As I ran I smelt the scent I was craving without even knowing and my course altered before I registered it. There were humans in the park and I was making my way towards them; all previous thoughts of hunting for animals gone. I got to the peak of a cliff and sat on the edge; staring down into the valley below. There was a campsite there with dozens of tents all lined up; it reminded me of my military days and it didn't take much to convince me to go nearer. The scent of humans was close but they weren't at the campsite; there was a beach nearby and I think that's where they were." He fell silent again but continued; his voice barely a whisper and Bella clutched his hand tighter; sensing that the next part of the story upset him; trying to offer him reassurance as she stared into the flames. "I was standing among the tents; looking at the remnants of a campfire and reminiscing. I heard footsteps but only subconsciously; I didn't even react when a hand slipped into mine; I looked down to see this small girl staring up at me. She reminded me so much of my baby sister from when I was a boy and I just stared at her. She smiled widely up at me and she had two teeth missing; it made me smile back at her and I think I dazzled her a little bit; not intentionally but I did anyway. She didn't say anything to me and I didn't say anything to her; we just were. The urge for her blood wasn't even there and it didn't even occur to me. She started to walk away from me; pulling on my hand; asking me silently to follow her, so I did. We walked for a while and a part of my brain registered that people would be worried about where she was but she wanted to be with me and I didn't have the heart to tell her no." He was breathing deeply now and Bella was worried this was too much for him.

"If you want to stop, baby, you can. You don't have to do this." She lifted their hands and kissed his knuckles softly.

He paused for a second and then carried on. "She began to get tired and stopped walking; sitting on the ground. She asked me to carry her by lifting her arms above her head and looking at me with this big innocent look on her face; it was the first time I wondered if I was making a mistake. I crouched beside her and my hand caressed her cheek; wiping away the tears that had formed. I held my arms out for her and she wrapped her arms around my neck. She wasn't scared in the slightest and it kind of threw me a little. Her fingers were playing with my hair as I walked with her in my arms. I didn't even know where I was going but I realized we were nearly back to the house; it was starting to get a little cold so I thought it would be good to go there so she didn't get a chill. I just wanted her to be okay."

Bella wanted to see his face but she knew if she did he wouldn't be able to finish and as painful as it was for him to relive this memory she knew he needed to say it; he wanted her to know. She wasn't sure how he was expecting her to react but she suspected he was thinking it would be the worst way possible. She wriggled back against him, "Jasper…" she murmured; feeling his body react to her, "Please…"

He didn't move as her plea still hung in the air. He knew what she was asking and part of him needed it too but a larger part of him didn't want to open himself up to that kind of pain; he knew how she'd react when he told her how this story inevitably ended. Her ass brushed again against his cock and he bit back a groan; that one movement removed any chance of him not giving her what she wanted; he was powerless to resist her. He moved infinitesimally and then he was pushing into her and they both sighed in relief. "I don't want to lose you, Isabella."

"You won't, honey."

"You'll go when I finish my story."

"Trust me, baby."

He was silent for a while, "It had started raining by the time I got back to the house; there wasn't anyone else home; I took her inside and I changed her into some dry clothes. She was sleepy and she crawled into my lap and fell asleep; I didn't know what to do. I'd never been in a situation like this before and I was struggling for control. I tried to stop breathing but her scent was too strong and she kept burying herself closer to me; she wasn't scared of me at all and that alone frightened me." His hand brushed up Bella's thigh and then grazed her stomach; slowly moving higher. "I don't know what happened; how it happened; I was distracted I guess and she started to have a nightmare; she began struggling in my arms. I tried to calm her down but she put up quite a fight; both physically and mentally; I didn't want to hurt her by restraining her too hard so there wasn't much I could do. Her hands were clenched in little fists and as she struggled she punched my face. It should've been okay; it shouldn't have been a problem but her hand caught my teeth and her skin split. She was bleeding in the blink of an eye and I panicked. Now her blood was calling to me and yet a part of me was fighting it; I didn't want to hurt her; she was precious to me. I held her in my arms and willed the bleeding to stop; fighting every cell in my body that was urging me to taste it." He cupped a breast and his lips kissed her shoulder as he took a deep breath to try and calm down; Bella held her breath. "They all came home and I was sitting there with her in my arms; frozen as I stared at her; as soon as they walked through the door they all smelt her blood and instantly they were all crouching around me; growling. I fought their emotions as hard as I could but with everything else it was a useless fight and I gave into the urge; my teeth sank into her little neck and I drank from her; feeling their bloodlust consume me even as I tried to stop. She didn't even struggle; her eyes opened and looked into mine; I felt her love for me in that second and it just made it worse. Her blood was the sweetest I'd ever tasted; it was soothing; I wish I could say I hated the taste of it but I didn't. It was almost a relief when she closed her eyes and her heart stopped beating but it just got more painful from there. They'd all watched me as I did it and when I met their eyes I felt their shame; I thought they were ashamed of me. I clutched her body to me and my emotions about what'd happened pushed me over the edge. I somehow managed to get to my feet and I ran into the trees behind the house with her; I needed to be able to breathe and I couldn't do that with them looking at me like that; I placed her body gently on the ground and stared down at her; the revulsion of what I'd done making me sick… literally. My stomach churned the longer I sat beside her and eventually I threw up every drop of blood I'd just swallowed; the taste of it repulsing me. I moved back to her and fell beside her; sobbing against her stomach as reality set in. I knew I'd just lost my family through one stupid act."

"It wasn't your fault, Jasper." Bella whispered.

"I know that now but I wasn't thinking rationally at the time. I was still there with her body when Esme arrived at my side; she held me in her arms as I let my emotions and hers entwine. Emmett and Edward dug a grave for her in that clearing under the trees and I laid her in the hole; sitting with her for a few minutes and telling her how sorry I was and that I loved her. It hurts me that I don't know her name. I knew by then that there was no hope for me and I longed for a time when I could go back there and be with her for eternity. I'd just wanted to protect her from everything that was bad; it turns out I was the one who was bad for her and she didn't know any better than to go with me." Bella felt his body shaking behind her and she knew it had become too much for him. She bit her lip and sent him as much love as she could; hoping that would help him get through what he was feeling. "After we'd buried her we knew we needed to leave; people would begin to ask questions about where she was and we couldn't run the risk of being discovered. My mood sunk even further because of what happened and I was dragging everyone down with me. It took a long time for me to realize they all felt guilty; it may have been me that killed her but it was their emotions that drove me to it. It was Carlisle who pointed that out to me and he had to tell me twice before I really believed him. It was the first time he told me he was proud of me; he said he was proud of the fact I hadn't drained her before they'd arrived; that it was only their thirsts which pushed me too far. He said he was proud of the control I'd shown." He was silent again. "After he told me my control had been better than theirs things improved. I found living with the family easier somehow. Of course I should've known something would bring me down to size. We moved around a lot after leaving Allegany; never really taking to one place for too long but eventually we did have to settle in one area; we moved to Alaska; to the house they sold to buy this place. We lived much further north than we do now; living on the edge of the Arctic National Park; further away from civilization than before. We lived there a long time because there was hardly anybody near us; not many people ever saw us; we kept ourselves pretty cut off from the remainder of the community. All of us were suffering because of what had happened in Allegany. The years passed and I got caught in a vicious circle as I dealt with the guilt of what happened. I behaved despicably; pushing them all to their limits and they began to dislike the person I'd become. They weren't the only ones, I did too."

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why did you change? What made you become that person?"

"I wanted to forget; it was how I tried to do so."

"You wanted to forget her, didn't you?" She felt him nod his head. "How long did it take for you to forget?"

"I didn't; I haven't. I can never forget what I did. I know it wasn't my fault but it was still me that killed her. She was young; an innocent and I ripped that away from her. She couldn't have been more than six years old and I ended her life. There's little I could do that would be worse than what I did. I deserved to suffer for what I did to her; the only problem was when I suffered, so did they. Alice tried to help me but I wouldn't let her; I didn't want her help; I didn't want her to make me feel better." His voice had a bitter edge to it and it made Bella wince, "My eyes didn't even turn crimson after I drank from her; the blood was back out of my body so soon there wasn't time for it to be absorbed; it was as if nothing had happened. I felt like I'd cheated; I needed to be punished; I needed to see it every time I looked in the mirror; I needed the reminder of what I'd done. I left the house one day and I ran; I ran for a long time; looking for a target. I found one eventually; someone who was the complete opposite of her and I drained him entirely. I ran back home and I saw disappointment on their faces when they saw me. I felt better though; I felt their anger at what I'd done; anger I understood whenever I saw my eyes; it was what I needed to feel; every time they faded I went out and found someone else. It was a loop that I couldn't escape and none of them knew how to help me. It was Edward who broke the cycle; he got me the one thing that could help me."

"What was it?"

"Peter."

"Tell me more about him? You've mentioned him and Charlotte before but I don't really know that much about them."

"They are the closest thing to family I have. I'd do anything for them and them, me. I was the best and worst thing to happen to them both."

"How do you mean?"

"I turned them both; sired them. It was when I was with Maria. I already felt a connection to Peter as soon as we fought together; he helped me lead the newborns we were creating and he secretly fell in love with Charlotte. The night Maria had told me to get rid of those that had outlived their usefulness; that was when I felt the love he had for her. He begged me to spare her; to let them leave and head off on their own. It was the hardest thing I ever did but I let them go; I couldn't put Peter through the pain of losing her. He was my brother and I loved him; I still do. Letting them go cost me a lot. Maria punished me for days after she found out I'd let them go; adding to my already healthy collection of scars with a dozen more; one for each month of Charlotte's life. Scars she took great pleasure in marking over and over again. She was the only one who could ever hurt me; the only one who knew what kind of animal I really was."

Bella tried to change the subject; knowing he needed to get onto something more positive. "So when Peter arrived; he helped you?"

Jasper chuckled, "In his own unique way. I'm not sure the family approved; especially Edward but the meaning behind it was good." She didn't understand and Jasper could sense her confusion, "He took me out and we hunted; taking me to the all the places I'd hunted since I'd started on my mission; finding more people for me to kill and we drank until I thought I'd drown from the inside. Once we were done he punched me in the face and then tore my legs off at the knees so I couldn't get away. We sat there for several hours; I was a captive audience as he spoke to me. He told me things would get better; that I would find life easier in the years to come but I needed to give up on the 'wallowing shit', I think was how he referred to it. I'm not sure I really believed him but I promised I'd try."

"How long was it before you believed him?"

"Not completely till a few months ago; when things between me and you changed. I knew then that he was right." His hips shifted behind her; moving his length within her and hearing her purr deep in her throat. "Everything changed when I realized I needed you in my life. You complete me in a way I've never felt before. I'll understand if you hate me for what I did; if I can never be good enough; but I have to ask," His mouth pressed against the base of her neck and then sucked on her skin. "Isabella Cullen, will you do me the honor of being my wife?" he whispered.

Bella froze in his arms, "I thought we were already going to get married? Isn't that what this whole bond thing is about?"

"It is but it's been forced on us. Neither of us really had a choice about this and I wanted you to know that I want this. I want to marry you, Bella. I want you to be my wife; to be with me for eternity. I wanted to ask you to be mine."

Bella's mind was whirling; the words he'd just said were some of the sweetest she'd ever heard, "Yes, Jasper Whitlock, I will be your wife and spend the rest of eternity with you." She turned her head and kissed his lips deeply; their combined love swirling around them.

TBC

A/N: so what did you think? Did you like the end? This was actually one of the last parts of the story I wrote... added in while I was editing the story and I hope you think it adds something to it. That is the end of the first act of this story, I guess... and we now move into the second act which involves a trip to Italy. More tomorrow... oh and don't forget to review.