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not beta'd

storyline - Laugh (this is the last chapter)

prompt - "It's always been you," he whispered.

Six months after Edward left and I went chasing him down, I moved from Seattle to be with him permanently in Phoenix.

We found a townhouse near the downtown area, on a somewhat quiet street. I'd brought references with me from back home, and after a while Edward was able to get me an interview through the friend of a friend. I'd taken a pay cut to be there, but it didn't matter.

I missed the lush green of Washington State, but I soon fell in love with the natural beauty of my new home. I planted cactus and other native plants and flowers in our modest backyard, glad for the chance to spend time outside.

Even though it did get disgustingly hot at times.

But all that mattered was that Edward and I were together. His ring was on my finger and we had plans for a small wedding later in the fall. I wanted a cat, so he let me get one. He let me decorate the place the way I saw fit, and I let him work crazy long hours because his job demanded it, and I'd known what I was getting in to when we'd gotten engaged.

Besides, it was that time in of life, when things are full to the brim, and there's this hectic pace but it's sort of wonderful too, like we were doing it, really living… adults.

I could appreciate it for what it was, because it wouldn't always be this way. Things would evolve, only this time, we'd evolve with them.

His hand covered mine.

"Are you happy?" I asked.

I knew I was.

Overflowing, in fact.

He nodded, his face calm but contented. "Very much."

"I can't wait to see this place… all of the travel sites said it was gorgeous…"

Edward smiled, glancing at me every now and then as I rambled on about the spot we'd chosen for our honeymoon. After doing some research, we'd opted to road trip to Tucson's Sonoran Desert and stay at the Ritz Carlton in Dove Mountain. I couldn't wait to see it; I'd heard it had amazing sunsets and stargazing.

Eventually I quieted, lulled to silence by the stark, vivid beauty of the passing landscape.

"I'm glad we're doing this," I said, sighing.

"Me too," Edward said, nodding. "Couldn't think of a better way to celebrate."

My heart fluttered. I'd almost lost this man, but now I never, ever would. We were joined legally but more importantly we were joined as one on the inside now too.

"Did you think…? I mean, when you left, did you ever think we'd get back together?"

He shook his head. "I had my doubts. You know that."

"I'm glad you changed your mind."

"I'm glad you came out here. I still remember reading your chat when you told me you were coming. I thought you'd lost it," he said, chuckling. He linked our hands together.

"I probably had, a little," I admitted. "But it was worth it."

He nodded.

"I wouldn't have been able to do it without you," I said. "Any of it. You know? You met me in the middle."

Again, he nodded, bringing our joined hands to his mouth to kiss.

The hotel was as grand and luxurious as we'd anticipated.

We holed up in our room for a couple of hours, enjoying room service in our fluffy bed, and when night fell, we stepped out on to the balcony to take in the brisk night air and the pristine night sky.

"Guess I should've known," Edward said suddenly, standing behind me and wrapping his arms around us both.

"Mm?"

"It's always been you," he whispered.

My heart was so full it overflowed as tears. I slipped my fingers through his, loving him.