a/n: A little (yeah, you're right, a lot) later than promised, but here it is: The epilogue to Toy Story…

Epilogue

I stared at the pictures on my desk. One of a girl playing with her Ken doll. One of a young man, proudly posing at the opening of his store. One of a couple; the man in a handsome black suit, the woman in a beautiful white dress. And one of a bundled up little baby.

I have been human for twelve years. And it is fair to say that I have been blessed with truly wonderful memories during that time. Some of them now on display in front of me. My life contained in shiny silver frames. If you looked around my office you could trace my entire timeline.

There was the GED on the right wall that I got after months of studying the books on the bottom shelf of the bookcase to the left. The keys hanging from the hook beside the door across from me a reminder that I was the proud owner of my own business, as well as the red Porsche 911 cabriolet parked in the lot just outside the window behind me. The car a wedding gift from my wife, who was the only person with whom I shared the inside joke behind the choice of model. Next to the keys, a series of scribbles on white paper taped to the wall formed the display of my daughter's art. And below them, at a height convenient for children, a shelf housed a variety of stuffed animals and dolls. Friends from a previous life.

I was often sad that I couldn't talk to them anymore. They were less cautious around me, but it was only sporadically that I caught them somewhere else than the honorary spot I had given them on the wall. It made me happy though to see them played with every time a child came in to the shop, knowing that the toys loved every minute of it as well.

Distracted by my train of thought and unable to focus on the financial reports on my desk, I got up and walked out of the office towards the shop. It was quiet there, a slow day in January after the hectic period before Christmas. The windows and displays were nearly empty, all the inventory sold in the previous month. Business was booming.

Almost ten years ago, I started a small toy repair shop. My wife would say it was the love and care I put into every young customer's cherished possession that made those early days a success. Whatever the reason, it wasn't long before I was relocating doll legs and re-stuffing animals of children all over town. That's when people started bringing old toys to me, asking if I could find a new loving home for them. So I set up a secondhand toy store and when I finally got over my fear of scissors – a slow and torturous process - I started making new ones to sell. Demand grew and almost without noticing, my little shop had grown into a popular brand.

Technically, I was now owner and CEO of a thriving business with stores in cities across the entire country, all with the same personal care and dedication as that first shop. But I still preferred being here, where it all began. Working the floor with the sales personnel, seeing the smiles of wonder as kids dragged their parents through the front door. Repairing action figures of otherwise tough little boys who came in with tears streaming down their cheeks.

I walked behind the service desk and made my way into the open workshop behind it, intent on doing some repair work. I had given all the employees the week off, knowing how hard they'd worked during the holiday season and that they wouldn't have much to do right now anyway. So it was no surprise that I jolted upright from shock a while later as the loud jingle of the bell above the door broke the silence that had settled around me as I worked.

"Daddy, where are your?" a little girl shouted through the quiet space.

I stood up and walked toward the noise. A small body colliding with my legs as I came around the service desk. I picked up my daughter and spun her around in a circle, golden red curls whipping in my face.

"Hey, beautiful. What are you doing here?"

"We brought you lunch so I can play with Jake."

I laughed as I put her back down and she ran toward my office. The bell chimed once more and the most beautiful woman in the world walked in. Alright, I admit I'm biased.

"There's my other girl," I said as I hugged her and placed a loving kiss on her forehead.

She smiled. "I tried to keep her in to car until I'd parked, but it was simply impossible."

"Thanks for the food. I didn't even realize what time it was." I took the basket with lunch from her as we walked toward my office.

"Why do you think I'm here? I knew you would loose track of time."

"I owe you one," I replied.

The truth was I owed her a lot more. My first months as a human had been anything but easy. I had to learn everything from writing to using the toilet. It took a while to get familiar with my body. To recognize the grumbling in my stomach as a sign of hunger. To remember that I could move when around other people. Bella was there through all of it. She helped me navigate my way around a world that was suddenly much larger.

For a while I lived with her in the dorm in secret. I will never understand how she did it, but eventually Bella got me a fake ID. That's when I could get my first job so I could afford a small place of my own. She helped me study for the GED and with setting up my business. All while she was busy with her own studies. I could never repay her for everything she did. That didn't stop me form trying though.

I had loved Bella as a friend even before I turned, but our friendship was awkward in that first period since I was essentially a complete stranger to her. Still, she was the only one who knew where I'd come from and what I was going through. And Bella learned that she didn't have to hold anything back from me since I already knew her through and though. It wasn't until many months later however, that I knew the butterflies in my stomach and the ever present attraction were of a romantic variety. The day I confessed my feelings to her and she told me she felt the same, was one of the happiest of my life. Exactly three years after my change, I proposed. We were married the year after and welcomed a perfect baby girl into the world another two years later. For her sixth birthday this past September, our little artist got a large coloring set. Not a Ken doll. I gained a lot of sympathy for Charlie that day.

Now here we were, a perfect little family. Bella and I ate lunch at my desk while our daughter played with a stuffed animal on the ground behind us. It was little moments like this that made me realize that I had more than I ever could have wished for.

Bella winked at me before turning around and saying: "Don't you think you should give the other toys their turn as well, Renesmee. They probably feel left out."

I chuckled. She was right. I might not be able to communicate with them anymore, but I knew I would have a fight on my hands if Renesmee didn't give up her longstanding preference.

"But I like playing with Jake," she replied with a little pout. "His fur is so soft." She held the dog against her cheek, but what she did next shocked Bella and I out of our carefree bliss.

Renesmee said: "I love him," before turning her face and kissing him between his ears.

Bella jumped up to stop her, but it was too late.

A bright, white light filled the room.

Oh no…

So this really is the end… Sorry! :( I cannot tell you how grateful I am that you all have read my little story and left me such positive reviews! Thank you! I've posted a link on my profile page where you can find out if your toys secretly contain your prince charming. ;)