65

She sat on the side of the bed inside her bedroom, the large white envelope in her hands. She'd been sitting there staring at it for almost an hour, telling herself to open it, telling herself to be brave, but she was terrified. Scared of what the letter would tell her, or not tell her. Everything in her life was about to change once again, and she didn't handle change well.

Just when she was about to turn the envelope around and peel the opening up, someone knocked on her bedroom door. She tossed it onto the bed as she scrambled to her feet and hurried over, a growing smile creeping over her face when she found Edward standing there with a small bouquet of long stem red roses. He was wearing a black suit, a crisp white shirt, and a red tie.

"Hey," she murmured.

"Hey," he echoed back. His eyes traveled down the length of her body, meeting her eyes once again. "You look beautiful."

She bit her lip as she felt herself blush, her hands coming up to smooth out the soft, satin blue dress she was wearing. "Thanks."

His eyes shifted to the envelope on her bed. "You still haven't opened it?"

She shook her head. "I can't."

"You can," he said, stepping into her bedroom and placing the vase of flowers on her dresser before he picked up the envelope. He ran his fingers along the top before he turned and held it out to her. "Open it."

She shook her head, wrapping her arms around herself. "It was stupid to even apply."

"No, it wasn't," he argued — once again. "You worked your ass off to get your GED, Bella, and you deserve the chance to go to college."

"I'm too old to go to college," she murmured.

Edward snorted. "You're only twenty-one, sweetheart."

"But I feel forty," she grumbled, walking over and sitting on the side of the bed, crossing her legs. "They're going to stare at me."

Sighing, he sat next to her, nodding. "They might, but what did Marcus say?"

"That I can't control the way people look at me. I can only control how I let them affect me," she whispered, taking the envelope from him. "What if I fail, though?"

"What if you succeed?" he countered, as he had done every time she had doubted herself over the last five years.

And there had been plenty of doubt. Making the decision to get her GED had been hard. It took her years to be able to pass, to learn everything she had needed to succeed. Everyone helped, mostly Esme. Since everyone else had jobs or school, Esme took it upon herself to homeschool her, saying she deserved someone who could devote their attention to her. There were many times when she wanted to give up, to quit. It was hard and she felt stupid and ridiculous, but when she found out that she passed each section, she could admit to being proud of herself, proud of who she had become.

"No matter what it says," Edward added, placing his hands on top of the white envelope, "I'm going to be proud of you, sweetheart.'

She took a deep breath, her eyes closing for just a moment before flipped the envelope over and pried the back off. Her heart was racing and her fingers trembling as she pulled the contents out, laughing at the confetti that fell onto her lap.

"That's a good sign," Edward laughed, wrapping his arm around her waist. "Read it."

She inhaled a deep breath through her nose, exhaling through her mouth before she unfolded the paper and began reading. "Congratulations on your acceptance to the University of Washington for the fall semester." Tears flooded her eyes, sliding down her face as she looked up at Edward. "I got in."

"You got in," he murmured, placing his hand on the side of her face. "I knew you would. I'm so proud of you."

"Thank you," she whimpered. "I love you."

"I love you, too, sweetheart." Edward brushed his lips against hers once, twice, a third time before he leaned away. "Now, are you ready to head out? Being late would not be good. Especially today."

She laughed. "Yeah, I'm ready."

Edward kept his arm wrapped around her waist as they walked out of her bedroom, through the apartment she shared with Emmett and Rosie, and out to his car. As he always did, he opened the door for her, making sure she was inside before closing it and heading to the driver's side. She put on her seatbelt and once again read through the letter still in her hand. She had been accepted into college. Maybe she wasn't as stupid as Sam Uley had told her she was.

Closing her eyes as Edward drove toward the highway, she tried to push all thoughts of him out of her mind. Five years later, though, there wasn't a day when she didn't think about him, think about what he had done to her, how much she had had to fight to get back because of him. Marcus told her that was normal, natural, that no matter how much time passed, she would always have a connection to that man. He'd been the center of her world for eight years, and even though those eight years were filled with pain, torture, and agony, they were a huge part of her life and always would be.

Sam Uley, though, had taken the easy way out, if you asked her. Two months after he was sentenced to multiple life sentences plus a hundred years, he dug a homemade shank across his wrists. He bled out in his cell overnight, and wasn't found until the next morning. From what she had overheard when they thought she couldn't hear, Jasper told Carlisle, Emmett, and Edward that Sam Uley had been beaten and raped every day while in lock-up, that he'd had too much, and in the end, took the coward's way out. It was in that moment she realized how much stronger she was than him. He gave up, while she fought to live every day for eight years.

"Sweetheart."

She opened her eyes, lobbing her head in his direction, where she found him watching her with a frown. "Sorry."

"Don't apologize. We can wait if you aren't ready."

She sighed and looked back at the small building in front of her. "We're already late."

"They won't care," he lied. Because they would care. Today of all days, they would care, even if they didn't give her a hard time about it. "Have I told you that you look beautiful today?"

She smiled. "Yes, but I still like to hear it."

"Good, because I like saying it."

She took another deep breath before she folded her acceptance letter and placed it inside the pockets of her dress, which was the only part of the dress that she liked. Alice had made point of explaining why pockets in a dress were, in her words, "Life changing." While Rosie had told her she could wear pants, she had seen the look in her sister's eyes and knew it was important to her, so she sucked it up and put the dress on.

"Okay, I'm ready."

"All right."

Edward climbed out of the car and ran around the front, opening the door for her and holding his hand out to her. She smiled as she placed her hand in his and let him help her out. Though she tried to stop herself, she still found herself searching the area for him. It didn't matter that she knew he was dead, that he'd never be able to hurt her again. She still expected him to be just around a corner, hiding in the darkness.

Edward brought their joined hands up to his lips, placing a kiss against her knuckles as they walked across the small parking lot and into the building, where they found almost everyone waiting for them. Garrett and Kate were standing next to Marcus and Maggie, who had married two years ago and were expecting their first child, a little boy, in five months.

Peter was standing next to them. She hadn't much liked him, yet he never gave her reason not to. He was quiet, observant — too observant. It had been almost a year before she learned that Peter had been the one to reach out to Marcus, that it had been Peter who knew she needed someone to help her and he wasn't that person. She may not have liked him, but she was thankful that he saw the pain she was suffering and found someone to help.

Jasper and Alice were standing with Carlisle and Esme. Her pancake man, she thought. He'd fought the hardest for her, found her daughter, gave her Edward, and gave her a family, people who loved her, who needed her. Edward, Carlisle, Esme, Jasper, Alice, and Emmett they gave her sister back, her life. They loved her when she thought she was nothing, a nobody, and helped her truly, honestly believe that she could be someone, that she could be Bella Swan again.

Beth, who was five years old was standing next to her mother. Her long, blond hanging down her back and her eyes as blue as the sky and full of an innocence she envied, an innocence she hoped Beth would never lose.

"Auntie Bella!" she squealed and pulled away from Esme and ran over to her stopping just before she wrapped her arms around her waist.

"Hey, sweet girl," she murmured, hugging her back before looking up at her pancake man. "I'm sorry we're late."

"You're not," he lied as he, Esme, Jasper, and Alice walked over to them. "She's getting a little anxious, though."

She nodded, looking down at Beth. "I'll be back in a little bit, okay?"

Though she sighed, she nodded and unwrapped her arms from around her, taking a step backward. "Okay."

She looked at Edward before she released his hand and walked between Jasper and Carlisle, though a thick door, down a small hallway and stopping outside of another room. She lifted her hand and gently knocked. The door was immediately open and she found herself face to face with her sister. Rosalie looked stunning in a white A-line wedding dress. Her dark hair had been curled and her make-up — something she never bothered with — was perfect.

"You're here," she said with a heavy breath but a smile that lit up the room.

"I'm sorry, Rosie. I . . . I should have been here earlier."

"Don't be sorry. You're here now," she said, stepping backward and letting her into the room.

James and Laurent were seated on the couch, their hands clasped together. Laurent had been a hard man for her to get to know, mostly because she'd been overwhelmed with life at the time. But he'd been there since every day, never pushed for more, always made it clear that he was there for her, for Rosie, for James. Especially for James, and her uncle needed someone to love, someone to take of him.

"So, what can I do to help?" she asked, looking between them.

"Nothing," Rosie said, placing her hands on her stomach, smoothing out the front of her white dress. "It's almost time to start. Just waiting for you."

"Are you nervous?"

"No," Rosie said, shaking her head. "I'm just glad you're here, Bella."

"Me too," she admitted. "Can I show you something?"

"Of course," she said, tilting her head to the side.

"I know today is about you, but nobody else knows about this, except for Edward. I want you to know before I tell them, so. . ."

"Okay," she said, slowly.

She bit the inside of her lip as she slipped her acceptance letter out of her pocket and held it out to Rosie, who took it with a confused look on her face. At least until she unfolded it and read it. Then her mouth opened and her eyes widened.

"Bella! I didn't even know you applied!"

She shrugged her shoulders. "Nobody but Edward knew. I . . . I didn't want to disappoint everyone if . . . if I didn't get in."

"Suppose that makes sense." Rosie smiled and turned the letter to show James and Laurent. "Our girl just got her acceptance letter to UW. She's going to college!"

"Bella!" James exclaimed, scrambling to his feet and reaching for her, giving her the chance to come to him, always giving her the chance to accept the hug, or refuse it based on her mood. Today, however, she nestled herself into her uncle's arms. "Sweet girl, I am so proud of you."

"Thanks," she whimpered. "I'm kind of scared."

"I was scared, too, Rosie said, reaching out and placing her hand on her shoulder, drawing her attention. "When I was applying for school, I was scared too. What if I didn't get in? What if I did get in? But you know what made it easier?"

She shook her head.

"I thought about Mom and Dad," Rosie said with a smile. "I asked myself what they would say if they . . . they were there. I imagined Dad would have said something really corny, like how I had to get a good degree so I could make a lot of money, that way he could quit working and live off me for a change," she added with a laugh. "Mom would have said something about how I owed it to myself to follow my dreams. I think . . . No, I know they would be just as proud of you as we are, Bella."

"You think so?"

"Oh, yeah," James said. "Your Mom and Dad would be incredibly proud of you, honey. And so am I."

"Thanks."

"Now," James said, placing his hand on Rosie's shoulder. "It's time."

She blew out a deep breath before she slipped a bouquet of flowers into each of their hands and the four of them walked out of the small room, back down the hallway, to the corridor leading back to entry room, which was now empty with the exception of Angela and Vanessa.

Now, at seven years old, the little girl stood almost to her shoulders and she had long dark hair and beautiful brown eyes. Vanessa turned and looked at them, her lips curving into a gorgeous smile that always took her breath away.

"Momma!" Vanessa pulled away from Angela and ran over to her, her blue dress flowing behind her. She wrapped her arms around her, and it took all of her strength not to flinch, but the last thing she wanted was for her daughter to think she couldn't hug her. "Do you like my dress? Mommy said it was just like yours!"

"It's beautiful, sweetheart. Just like you," she said, her voice shaky as she brought her hand up, placing it in the back of her head. "I've missed you."

"It's only been three days, Momma!" Vanessa laughed, taking a step back. "But I missed you, too. Mommy and Daddy said you have a room in your new apartment for me, so I can stay over more often."

She nodded, placing her hands on the side of Vanessa's face, but her eyes shifted to Angela, who was smiling. "That's right, and Edward's been painting your walls butter yellow, because he knows yellow is your favorite color. We should have your room ready in a few days, and then you come stay. If it's okay your Mom and Dad, of course."

"I'm sure we can figure something out," Angela said, walking up behind Vanessa, placing her hands on her shoulders, but her eyes were once again on her. "I'm going to head inside. You look beautiful, Rosalie. Congratulations."

"Thanks, Angela," Rosie said.

Angela looked down at Vanessa before she turned and slipped through the set of double doors, leaving the five of them standing in the lobby. Ben and Angela had been more than gracious with her when it came to their daughter. While not fighting for custody of Vanessa had been one of the hardest decisions she had ever made, she didn't regret it. She had a lot of healing to do, and even now, five years later, she found it difficult at times to be the mother Vanessa needed. Angela and Ben let her see Vanessa anytime she wanted. She hadn't missed a birthday, Christmas, Thanksgiving, or any other holiday in five years.

They had slowly allowed her to have Vanessa overnight, as long as someone was with them. Usually, on those evenings, they stayed at Carlisle and Esme's, knowing it was safer for all involved, in case she had a panic attack, but now that she and Edward had made the decision to move in together, Vanessa would have her own room.

"I should head inside, too." Laurent leaned in and kissed James' cheek, causing him to blush, which amused her. He winked at her before he slipped through the doors.

"Well, Rosie, are you ready?"

"More than ever," Rosie murmured. "You're up first, Vanessa."

"Step, throw, step, throw," she said. "Right, Momma?"

"That's right, sweetheart. I'll be right behind you."

Vanessa nodded and waited until the two doors were opened, thanks to Ben and Garrett, who smiled at all of them. Vanessa looked back at her, smiling as the music began to play and she turned forward, taking step, throwing a hand full of rose pedals, then a step, throw, etc., until she had reached the front of the church, where she went to stand next to Beth, Esme, and Alice. The two little girls giggled, which only made her smile. Her daughter and her niece were the best of friends.

"It's your turn, honey," Ben said, stretching his hand toward her.

"I know," she whispered, taking a deep breath before she found herself stepping into the small chapel, feeling the way everyone was looking at her. It was a part of her life that she never got use to; the way people watched her. Even after five years, they stopped and stared, questioned her mental state, as well as her physical state. Marcus said it was natural for people to be curious, and it was up to her how she handled the way they watched her.

Marcus was seated on the inside of the third row, his eyes locked on her, making sure that she wasn't going to have a panic attack. Trusting him had been something she had to do a lot over the last five years, and more than a few dozen times when she would call in a full blown panic attack, he had rushed to her side to talk her through on episode. Usually at night, after she had had a nightmare, but sometimes all it took was someone brushing against her arm, or she'd see someone who looked like him and it would set her off.

Her family — her amazing family — never let her go, never stopped holding her together. Without them, she would have lost herself to her anger, her fear. She never would have been able to stand in the front of the chapel and watch her sister walk down the aisle with her uncle by her side, ready to marry the man who had loved her through the hardest times of their lives. She turned her attention to Emmett, who was watching Rosie with tears in his eyes, and she knew they would live a lifetime full of love.

—SfH—

She slipped out of her pancake man's house, just needing a minute alone. There were too many people inside, and she needed a minute to breath, to be okay. She wrapped her arms around her torso before sitting on the porch swing, her knees bent up in front of her.

She hadn't been out there long when the front door opened and she looked over, finding Carlisle stepping out onto the porch. Tears filled her eyes as she whispered, "Hey."

"You okay, honey?" he asked.

She nodded, sending tears cascading down her face. "Just . . . just a little overwhelmed, I guess."

Carlisle nodded and walked over, gesturing to the porch swing. She smiled as she shifted and let him sit next to her. "I'm a little overwhelmed, too."

"You are?"

"Never been one for parties," he said.

"Why not?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "Just not my thing, I guess. I was a nerd, Bella. I studied a lot, and didn't really like socializing with people." He leaned forward and turning his head toward her. "So, I heard that you got accepted to UW."

"Edward told you?"

Carlisle laughed, shaking his head. "James did, actually. He's a proud uncle, Bella. He's been in there telling everyone about how his sweet Bella got into college. He deserves to brag a little, or a lot, especially when it comes to you."

"I wanted to be the one to tell you."

"I know." He leaned back, shifting so that he was facing. "What are you going to study?"

"I don't know yet."

"You still have time to decide."

She nodded.

"Can I give you some advice, though? Something my mom used to tell us."

"Of course."

Carlisle smiled. "Follow your heart, find your passion, and love your work."

"I do love my work," she said, nudging him with her shoulder. "Even if my boss is a slave driver."

"A slave driver? Really?" he asked, cocking eyebrow.

"Yep," she laughed.

After Carlisle opened his own practice, he offered her a part time position working in his office after hours doing data entry. She hadn't been sure she was ready, but it was a way for her to make her own money, which was important to her. Her family had been taking care of all of her needs for months, and she needed to feel useful. Marcus said it was important for her to find her way on her own, even if that meant accepting a helping hand or two.

"I see how you are," he chuckled, shaking his head. "I know you like working for me, Bella, but you need to find your own path in this world."

"I know, even though it scares me," she admitted just as the door to the house opened and Edward stepped outside. "Hey."

"Hey," he said, offering her his infamous crooked smile. "Want to get out of here for a while?"

"Um," she said, biting her lip as she looked inside through the front window.

"I told her we needed a break," Edward added, knowing she was worried about her sister being angry with her for leaving in the middle of her reception. "She knows this is a lot of you."

"Okay, but we can't be gone for long."

"Of course not," Edward said, stretching his hand out to her, which she eagerly gave.

She expected him to lead her down to his car, so imagine her surprise when he led her back into the house, sneaking around the hordes of people, and upstairs to her bedroom. It would always be her bedroom, he had told her once, even if she wasn't living there. Though, instead of staying inside the bedroom, he opened the door to the closet, and gestured for her to go inside.

"Edward?" she gasped, bringing her hands up to her mouth as she stepped into the closet.

The closet had been filled with more red, long stem roses, and there were lights along the wall, which highlighted hundreds of pictures that had been taken of her over the last five years. Pictures of her and Edward, her and Carlisle, her with Jasper, Alice, Esme, Emmett, Rosie, James, Laurent, Marcus, Maggie, Garrett, and Kate. Pictures of her and Vanessa and her and Beth, her and Angela and Ben, but the ones that really drew her attention were the ones on the back wall of the closet. The pictures of her with her mom and dad. Birthday and Christmas, vacations and just being silly, her life with her mom and dad had been choreographed.

"Why?" she cried, and when she looked back at him, she found him down on one knee with a black velvet box in his hand. The ring was one she knew all too well. White gold with a simple solitary diamond. "My Mom's ring?"

"When I asked Rosalie for permission to propose, she insisted that you have your mother's ring, Bella. She said this way you will always have a part of her with you."

"Edward," she whimpered, dropping one of her hands to her chest. "What are you saying exactly?"

With a smile, he said, "I love you, Bella. I've loved you since the moment you walked out of this closet, when you let me hold your hand, when I challenged to a pancake eating contest, which I realize now was stupid."

She laughed. "Told you I was going to win."

"I was . . ." He paused, releasing a thick, emotional breath. "I was angry, Bella, and lost and alone, and the last thing I was expecting when my brother told me he had brought the girl he almost hit with his car home was the love of my life, but I did. I found you, and you . . . You gave me a reason to let go of my anger, my guilt. I need you, Bella, and I will always need you."

"I need you, too," she sobbed. "So much."

"I want to spend the rest of our lives together. I want to raise Vanessa together, to love both of you for the rest of my life. Bella Swan, I want to marry you."

"You do?"

"I really, really do, sweetheart," he laughed with a smile. "Will you marry me, Bella? Will you be my wife?"

She walked over to him, dropped to her knees, and placed her hands on either side of his face. "Yes."

Thank you for all the AMAZING reviews. I am officially marking this as complete, even though I have several outtakes planned. They will come over the next few weeks, but I am not going to focus all of my attention on them like I would my other stories.

When I started this story back in November, I never, ever expected it to take off the way it did. This was such a hard story to write, but it was never hard to write. Bella's story was too important to take lightly, too delicate, and I hope I managed to tell it in the best way. There was so much involved, so many people, and I needed to make sure all of their voices were heard, even his. Thank you so, so much for all the love and support and the reviews!