A/N- This is it. The final chapter before the epilogue. Enjoy!

Stephanie Meyer owns everything.

Chapter 15

Deep in my darkest hour
Standing alone in the shower
I let my emotions go
For now
-The Avenue, Cowboy Mouth

BPOV
December 24, 2005

Much like Thanksgiving, we spent the Christmas holidays at the Cullen's house. A grand Christmas tree lit up the living room like it was on display in City Park. Stockings adorned the fireplace and cookies were placed on platters to munch on. To my left, Jasper nervously paced, biting his fingernails. I scanned the room and saw my roommate, otherwise known as my boyfriend, selecting the next tune on the stereo.

I walked over to Jasper and wrapped my arm around his waist. "You okay there, slugger?"

He looked down at me and smiled, even though it wasn't the kind that normally reached his eyes. "Nervous," he said in a whisper.

"No shit? And here I thought you were trying to wear a whole in the rug. Jazz Man, she's not going to say no. Didn't the good Doctor tell you to have a little faith?"

"Yeah, but shit, Tizzy…What if, I mean, what if she, I don't know, tells me she needs to think about it?"

I felt bad for Jasper, I really did. I knew Alice wasn't going to turn him down. She loved him and it was evident every time she looked at him.

From across the room I saw Carlisle give Jasper a slight nod of his head. They must have worked out some sort of cue as to when Jasper would do this. With a quick kiss on the cheek, I walked over to Edward and wrapped my arms around his body. He leaned in, kissing the top of my head. I melted into his touch. It was always like this, like it was the first time all over again.

"Can I have everyone's attention, please?" Jasper asked the crowd.

Everyone quieted, waiting on pins and needles for what he had to say. I honestly didn't know if Alice knew this was coming or not. She had never let on in the many shopping trips she had drug me on, but with her, you could never tell.

"First off, I'd just like to thank Carlisle and Esme for having us all here for Christmas. It's nice to be surrounded by friends and family. Secondly, to Edward who has changed my life in ways he can't begin to imagine. You'll never know how grateful I am for you to include us all on your album."

"It's our album, Jasper, not just mine," Edward said to him.

"Right." Jasper nodded and laughed to himself. "Okay, well, I know presents have been doled out but there is one last gift that needs to be given. Alice?" He motioned for her to stand beside him.

Alice joined him, a look on her face that said she was both worried and curious as to what Jasper was doing. I smiled to myself as I watched my best friend fall to one knee in front of the woman he loved. Alice gasped and covered her hands with her face. Esme and Carlisle embraced one another, smiles dancing across their faces. Rosalie sat on the arm of the chair that was occupied by Emmett, as he ate cookies. My mom and dad were across the room from Edward and me. My dad stood behind my mom, his arms around her waist while her body leaned into his.

We were all there and we were all happy.

"Alice Cullen, I've loved you since that first time I saw you." Jasper opened the black box that had damn near given me a heart attack and took the ring from its confinement. "Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

I wasn't sure how it happened but before we all knew it Jasper was lying flat on his back with a crying and ecstatic Alice sprawled across his body.

"Is that a yes?" my dad chuckled.

Alice stood up, holding out her hand for Jasper, bringing him to his own feet. "That's a yes, a million times over," she said, as Jasper slipped the ring on her finger.

Edward kissed the side of my neck sending goose bumps all across my skin. "I love you," he whispered.

That was all I needed. No promise of that would be us one day, just the confirmation of his love. I knew wholeheartedly that one day we would be there, just not today, maybe not even next year, but one day. Carlisle always had to remind me to keep the faith in Edward, but this was one time where I already knew it.

~xxx~

February, 2006

"Hey Rosie," Emmett called from the parade route along Saint Charles Avenue. "You mind bringing that ice chest down with you? The parade is about to roll."

"I swear to God," she said as she marched up the front steps, back into her house. "That man better be glad that I love him and that I know how he gets his panties twisted if he doesn't catch a damn coconut."

"Rosalie, I'll get it for you," Edward offered. "Besides, it's been years since I've tried to wrestle anyone for the most coveted of throws."

"Edward, you and I might be on good terms now but if you try to steal a damn golden Zulu coconut from Em's hands, I might have to go back to hating you," she threatened.

"Is she serious?" Edward asked.

I swallowed back the beer in my mouth and nodded. "Totally. This is like Emmett's playground. I've actually seen him knock small children out of the way for beads. That's why Rosalie made him start sitting in the ladder stand."

Emmett had his back turned to us, sitting happily like a small child in the homemade ladder stand he had concocted several years ago. Most of the time the ladders were used so that small children could catch throws from the parades with little to no effort. That way they wouldn't get knocked around by drunk adults, case in point, Emmett.

Our area, in front of the McCarty's house, had been roped off so that no one could invade our space. The whole yard had what would appear to be crime scene tape, marked off along the perimeter. It was how we celebrated every year. Those that didn't have homes or private parties to attend on Saint Charles Avenue were subjected to catch their loot from the neutral ground in the middle of the street.

Edward and I, along with Alice and Jasper, were sitting in the rocking chairs watching Emmett prepare himself for catching a Zulu coconut throw. It was honestly the one thing people came out to catch on Mardi Gras day. This year, they were even more collectable.

Mardi Gras rolled, just as some said it wouldn't. I mean, who could honestly keep New Orleans down? This was our party, the biggest party in the entire world, and the nay sayers be damned! You can't properly prepare for Lent without Mardi Gras. At least, that's what we thought.

The tourists weren't as plenty as in previous years. The city was still in heavy recovery mode but for the most part, more people were coming home every day. A couple of Krewe's had to take different routes through the city streets, but the bottom line was, they still rolled.

News reporters from all over the world were in attendance to witness the first Mardi Gras after the storm. One morning, while down at the Market in the Quarter, I could have sworn I saw Anderson Cooper jog past me.

Several of the Krewe's had taken on satirical themes, mocking the recovery and response time, as well as local, state, and national politicians. It was a Mardi Gras for the record books.

Carlisle and Esme, along with my mother and father, sat off to the side, manning the grill. It was still a little early for crawfish, but we made up for it with the endless amounts of boudin, jambalaya, and gumbo. Food and beer were plenty as far as we were concerned.

"You want a coconut, baby?" Edward asked playfully.

In all honesty, I really did want a coconut, but I wasn't about to fight Emmett for one. I batted my eyelashes at Edward and smiled. "Yes, I really do."

"Whatever my baby wants, my baby gets," he said, standing up and stretching.

"You preparing for the Olympics?" Jasper asked Edward, while a happy Alice was perched on his lap.

"Watch it, Jazz Man," I pointed a finger at Jasper. "You just sit back and take it all in. Wouldn't want that pretty face to be hit before your big walk down the aisle."

Jasper rolled his eyes and laughed. Edward, on the other hand, jumped up and down like he was psyching himself up. I watched with fascination as the trouble wagons were heard, as their horns came blaring down the street. The parade was close.

Edward bent down and kissed me on the lips. "Hey there, tiger," I joked. "Your best bet is to stand in the back and catch them if they go over Emmett's head. No way both of y'all will fit in the ladder."

"I got this, 'Cher. Don't you worry your pretty little face."

Edward jogged down the steps and across the yard. With his hands on his hips, he surveyed the yard like it was his own personal boxing ring. I stood on the porch, arms crossed over my chest, when Rosalie came up behind me, ice chest in hand.

"What the hell is he doing?" she asked.

"Vying for my heart in the form of a Zulu coconut," I said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"Like hell he is! I'll take him down, Bella Swan! Do you hear me? I won't listen to Emmett bitch and moan about not getting his damn coconut."

I looked her up and down, accessing her form. I could take her. It would hurt going down, but I could take her. The police cruisers passed in front of the house and it was only a matter of minutes before the King of Zulu himself made his appearance. Time was running out and if I wanted to double our chances of getting that damn coconut, I had to team up with Edward.

"No, I don't think so, Bella," Rosalie said. "You're not fighting him for this."

"You wanna bet?" I smirked, and before she could hold me back, I took off running toward the yard, my sights set on sharing that damn ladder stand with Emmett. Rosalie yelled at me from the house and when I chanced a look behind me, I saw her running toward me, sans ice chest. Everyone around us was laughing at the spectacle she and I were making.

Climbing up the ladder as fast as I could, I hopped next to Emmett, catching my breath. He wrapped his arm around me saying, "You come to help me?"

Before I could answer, Rosalie began shouting from below. "Isabella, get your ass down from that stand. If anyone should be up there it's me!"

"I don't think so. Your ass is too big to fit up here. Stand in the back and help your man out by casing the yard. You can compete with Edward."

"Wait," Emmett began, "are you trying to steal my golden coconut?"

"Steal? Why I would never! I just want one for myself and if you happen to catch one too, well then, I'd call it a good Mardi Gras."

"Oh, you're on, Tizzy."

After the marching bands had rolled and the parades had finished passing, our catch of the day was three coconuts. Not too bad considering those things were hard to come by. Drunk on beer and high on love, Edward and I hailed a cab back to our place and crashed for the night. Mardi Gras was over and now Jazz Fest was in our sights.

~xxx~

April, 2006

"I think Jazz Fest is going to be bigger than Mardi Gras," Edward said as we got dressed for our all day outing.

"You think?" I asked.

"Yeah, I mean, it's the first one after the storm. People are coming out to perform for the sheer fact of coming home to perform, ya know?"

He was right. More talent had been lined up for this year's Jazz Fest than any other. Musicians from all over wanted a part in the epic talentpolloza that was Jazz Fest. Hell, we even got in on the act.

Right after the holidays, we had recorded the album. The first set of copies had just been sent and were flying off the bar tops at Tizzy's. Edward had a call in to Tyler for more to be printed so we could distribute them. As luck would have it, one hundred cases had come in just in time for Jazz Fest.

"You nervous?" Edward asked, slipping his hands under the hem of my shirt.

"A little," I admitted. "This is huge, ya know?"

"I do," he said, kissing the side of my neck.

"Are you trying to distract me?"

"Is it working?"

My breathing had become deep and needy. "Yes," I moaned out.

Edward undid the button on my jeans and slipped his hand inside, cupping my sex. We both moaned as a single digit slipped inside.

"Along with being nervous, you're also wet for me. Let me help you relax some."

I turned around to face him, as he removed his finger and slid the jeans down my thighs. I followed his actions, and within minutes we were both naked from the waist down. Wrapping my hand around his erection, I pumped it a couple of times, earning an approving grunt from Edward.

He placed his hands on my hips and began to gently guide me toward the bed. The back of my legs gave way as they came in contact with the mattress, effectively releasing my grip on Edward's massive cock. He smiled as I scooted across the bed.

"We don't have much time," he said, crawling over my body.

"Then we need to make the most of it," I answered.

Without any sort of foreplay, since we were strapped for time, Edward slid himself into me. It never mattered how many times we engaged in sex. Every time was just as fantastic as the first time. The way he felt inside of me, the way our bodies responded to one another, it was always better than I could have ever wanted or needed.

His strokes weren't fast and rough, nor were they slow and loving, they just were. It was just us, two people madly in love, giving into our bodies desires. He was mine and I was his. Forever.

My nails skimmed down the length of his arms, the muscles defined as he arched above me. He looked into my eyes, a knowing smile on his lips. We were getting close. I knew I was and I could feel him growing harder inside of me.

Moaning and pulling him closer, I started to unravel.

"Not yet, 'Cher," Edward said in a huff. "I love you," he breathed out. "I love you so much."

"I know, baby. I love you, too."

"Bella, awe shit, baby." Edward lowered himself on top of me, panting and pushing his length in and out. Our noses were touching and our heated breaths were fanning against each other's mouths. "Bella, you don't understand, I love you so fucking much."

I cupped his face in my hands, doing my best not to let the building orgasm overtake my body. "Edward, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, everything is perfect. I can't hold out. I need to, oh God, I need to say something." I gave him a second to gather whatever it was he had to say. "Are you ready to cum for me, 'Cher?"

"More than ready."

He nodded and picked his pace up. "Bella, oh shit, baby, I'm cumming." He moaned into my hair and into my ear as we both fell apart in each other's arms.

As we lay there, silent for the most part except for our heaving breathing, Edward pushed up on his forearms and brushed aside a few hairs that had fallen into my face. He smiled down at me while his eyes roamed over my face.

"Marry me?" he whispered.

It didn't matter to me that we were still connected to one another. This was how we would always be. Forever connected in mind and body.

"Yes," I simply replied with a smile.

~xxx~

It turned out that Edward had been thinking, about asking me for a few weeks. He had even asked Charlie for my hand. After we got dressed, he slipped a simple, yet elegant emerald cut diamond on my finger.

"You know, we could have stayed in and basked in the glory of our engagement and our nakedness," Edward said as we walked hand in hand through the French Quarter.

"Oh, we have all night for that. Besides, it's Van Morrison, Edward. Van Morrison!" I repeated.

"Bella, I can sing Brown Eyed Girl to you if you want."

"As much as I appreciate the offer, I really want to hear him. Besides, you have to dance with me when he sings Domino."

The gang was already assembled down in front of the stage. We were lucky to have passes to get so close. Being a recording artist had its advantages and I was secretly enjoying them all.

Edward and I hadn't talked about whether or not to tell our friends about our engagement. I mean, we had just come down from a post fuck glow and I knew that every time I told the story of how he asked me, I'd automatically think back to the sex we had. I had to wonder if that was his purpose all along.

When we reached our friends, Alice, like the crazy psychic she was, grabbed my hand and made a big to do about the ring.

"When were you going to tell us?" she asked, bouncing up and down.

"Well, maybe after hello's and how are you's. Geesh, Alice, it literally happened like twenty minutes ago."

After trading hugs with everyone and fending off attempts and offers from Alice for us to have a double wedding, we settled in for the show. As promised, Edward danced with me while Domino played and we all sang along to the others we loved so much. Just as the show was closing, Van asked for a special guest to join him on stage. Little did I know that the special guest was Edward.

He walked on the stage, waving to those who knew him. How could anyone not? The prodigal son of New Orleans' famous Doctor came home and made good on his family name by putting together a benefit album. Van greeted Edward like they were long lost friends while I stood there, mouth wide open, watching the scene unfold.

"For those of you who don't know," Van began in his signature raspy voice, "this is Edward Cullen. His dad and I are good friends and, to be honest, he's the best damn cornet player I've ever heard. Edward just got engaged, so give a big hand to him and his lucky lady."

The crowd erupted in cheers and I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

"Some of you are probably waiting for me to sing Brown Eyed Girl, am I right? Well, I'm going to let Edward help me out on that one. You ready?"

Edward nodded and looked at me from the stage. "I told you I'd sing it to you," he said with a huge grin.

Mid song, I was pulled on stage, but wouldn't go without the whole troupe behind me. Edward sang and provided a little back up for him, and the others danced their asses off for a crowd of thousands of people. When the song finished, one more trick was up Van Morrison's sleeve.

"Some of y'all might just be from out town, here for the good times and the good music. Well, y'all ain't heard nothing till you've heard an authentic New Orleans Jazz band play. Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm going to ease on off, but I'm leaving y'all with a group who has done more than their share to bring home the music. Please stick around and give it up for Tizzy's."

Somehow our instruments had all been assembled on stage. Without missing a beat, like they were in on the gig, the band formed behind me, grinning from ear to ear.

"What do you want to play?" Edward asked, pulling me into his arms and kissing me in front of the crowd.

"Something New Orleans, something funky and something people can dance to."

Edward nodded to his father and the tune to Iko Iko rang out. We played as a family for our city, our grief ridden city. She would prevail. She was already showing signs of that. Like Carlisle had been telling me from the very beginning, sometimes, you just have to keep the faith.

The end.

~xxx~

A/N- keep going. I'll save everything I have to say at the end of the epi.