So, how do we like FighterWard? Isn't he swoon-worthy? Anyway, I hope you're enjoying the story … What's up next?
We have our epilogue. Big jump in time with this one … Thank you for everyone who followed along with this story, even with its starts and stops (stupid mental health). FighterWard appreciates it. As do I …
What I own: Respect and love for everyone in the fandom … you are all awesome.
What I don't: Twilight
Chapter Forty-Five: Epilogue
Ten Years Later …
"No, that won't work for my client," Edward said in his sleek office overlooking Puget Sound. "You and I both know that his next contract should be at least double of what he currently has. He's got offers from across the country. But, being a hometown boy, he'd like to stay with the Seahawks." He listened to the other person on the other end of the line. "That's a much substantial offer. I'll bring it to my client. We'll be in touch."
Ending the call, he sent a text to his client, informing him about the new offer and he closed his computer. Placing it into his bag, he slung the bag over his body and walked to Alice's office. "I'm off. I've got kid duty today since Bella's at the gym late tonight."
"Give my godchildren kisses, Masen," Alice sang.
"You do the same with mine, Alice," Edward chuckled.
"I will, once they're born. These twins are using my bladder as a punching bag," Alice grumbled, rubbing her huge stomach. "I can't wait until I can see my feet again."
"They're still there, Ali," Edward smirked. "Have a good weekend." He walked through the office, waving at Jasper before he got in the elevator. He strode to his black Range Rover, sliding into the driver's seat and backed out of the spot. He drove to the elementary school where his two children attended.
Bella and Edward didn't want a long engagement. About a month after he proposed on the beach, they got married on the same beach, using Charlie's backyard as their reception venue. Within two months of being married, Bella got pregnant. Their first child, a boy named Patrick, was born on St. Patrick's Day. Their second baby, a girl named Elizabeth, was born a year later on April first. With the birth of Elizabeth, Edward got a vasectomy because they were happy with two children.
Well, happy wasn't exactly the word they used to describe having two children under the age of two. More like exhausted and spread too thin. Once both kids were potty trained, things evened out. Charlie helped out as much as he could, as did the rest of the Bull Dog family. Suffice it to say that Patrick and Elizabeth were quite spoiled, as were Hannah and their other daughter, Aria. Rose was pregnant with their third, a boy. The name was still up in the air, but Edward and Jasper would be the two godfathers.
Parking outside of the school, Edward waited for his two children. He answered some emails, verifying interviews, advertisements and sending off contracts to his numerous clients. His main focus was boxers and MMA fighters, but he had several football players and even a set of pairs skaters.
The bell rang from the school and kids poured out of the doors. Patrick was out first since he was in fifth grade, closest to the doors. He scrambled into the car, looking almost exactly like Bella. The only difference was Patrick's hair. It had all the crazy cowlicks like Edward's. "Hey, kiddo. How was school today?"
"It was good. We had tater tots for lunch today," Patrick beamed. "Oh, and we played football in PE. I got a touchdown!"
"Good job, buddy. Perhaps, we can throw the ball around when we get home?" Edward suggested.
"After you have a princess tea party with Lizzie," Patrick laughed. "You promised her last night to get her to go to bed. She wanted to sleep with you and Mom."
"Right," Edward sighed. Princess tea party meant that his eyes would be covered in glitter and the lip gunk would spread over his lips.
"You sound so excited, Dad," Patrick said dryly.
The door opened and a blur in pink and purple scrambled over her brother. "Daddy! Are you ready for our princess tea party? I made you a crown and I got some new lipstick for you."
"I've been counting the minutes, baby girl," Edward answered, giving her a bright smile. "I can't wait to see the crown."
"Yay!" Elizabeth squealed, clapping her hands. "But, you have to make the tea. Mommy doesn't trust me to use the stove."
"How about we have juice instead of tea?" Edward suggested. He hated tea. Elizabeth wrinkled her nose, thinking about the request, but nodded. "Okay, kidlets, buckle up." He turned over the car, pulling away from the curb and waving at the teachers. The drive was quick back home. He parked the car in the garage, picking up his work bag and walking inside with his kids on his heels.
"Daddy, Mommy left us cookies … the fancy cookies for our tea party," Elizabeth said, climbing onto the stool and looking at the tray of cookies. "This is going to be awesome, Daddy." She eyed her father. "Can you stay in your suit? You look like a prince! My prince!"
"Lizzie, he's Mom's prince," Patrick snickered, reaching for a cookie. Elizabeth smacked his hand away. "Hey, you need to share."
"You can have a cookie after the party, Patrick," she snapped. "You could join us."
"I think I'll pass," Patrick said. "Can I go over to Ned's house? He's got the latest Madden."
"After you finish your homework, bud," Edward said. "And have a snack. You can have two cookies along with a glass of milk."
"Daddy!" Elizabeth whined.
"Elizabeth, there's enough cookies for everyone. Your brother can have two," Edward admonished his daughter. "Don't act bratty."
"Sorry, Daddy," Elizabeth frowned.
"Do you have homework?" he asked.
"Some math problems and reading a chapter in my book," Elizabeth replied.
"Patrick?" Edward pressed.
"Spelling sentences, math worksheet and some questions about swamps in my science book," Patrick answered. "Can you help me with math?"
"You both do your math and I'm changing. Baby girl, I know you like me in a suit, but this thing is uncomfortable," Edward reasoned with his daughter. She scowled, but opened up her backpack, pulling out her homework folder. "I'll be back, and we'll do math together." Kissing both of his kids on their heads, he darted upstairs to change into a pair of jeans. He kept on his dress shirt, unbuttoning the top button, and rolling up the sleeves. Jogging back down the stairs, both of his children were working diligently on their assignments. "You guys okay?"
"Yeah, Dad," Patrick answered.
"I'm going to call your mom and find out what time she'll be home. Do you want tacos or mac and cheese for dinner?"
"Tacos!" Patrick replied.
"Mac and cheese!" Elizabeth wheedled.
"Should have expected that," Edward sighed. "Mom will cast the deciding vote." He slid the phone out of his pocket, dialing his favorite person in the world.
"Bella Masen," she answered professionally.
"Hello, Mrs. Masen," Edward purred, walking outside, and looked out over the water. "How was your day, angel?"
"Busy, but good. I'm leaving in ten minutes," she said. "I'm ready for the weekend. How are the kids? Are you wearing glitter yet?"
"They're working on homework. While they're doing that, I'm going to work on dinner. Tacos or mac and cheese?"
"I love your mac and cheese, but my thighs do not," Bella giggled. "Tacos, baby. I'll pick up some chips and guac on the way home."
"Have I told you that I love you today?" Edward asked.
"Yes, baby. After you went down on me in the shower," she deadpanned. Over the line there was a choked sound. "Oh, come on, Dad! Your grandkids were not immaculately conceived. Edward and I have sex."
"Please don't give your dad a heart attack, angel," Edward chided.
"Well, still," she huffed. "I love you, too, Edward. I'll be home in twenty. I'll join you for the princess tea party."
"Then, you can wear the glitter," Edward smirked. "It clashes with my hair, love."
"Your promise, your glitter. Toodles!"
Putting the phone into his pocket, he walked back into the house and pulled out fixings for tacos. He also took a container of Easy Mac for Elizabeth, who loved all things cheesy and gooey. By the time Bella arrived, Patrick had finished his math and answered the questions about the swamp. He'd work on his spelling sentences after spending time with his friend.
Sitting on the floor in Elizabeth's room, Bella and Edward were wearing makeup, glitter, feather boas and floppy hats. Elizabeth flitted around her room, making her daddy look so pretty by dabbing lipstick on his face and painting his nails. Bella just took pictures, trying not to laugh at how beautiful daddy was. "Those better be deleted, Mrs. Masen," he requested flatly.
"No! I want one for my picture wall, Daddy! You're a masterpiece!" Elizabeth sang, handing him a mirror.
His hair was in twenty barrettes, making it stick up every which way. His lips were a bright pink which matched the blush on his cheeks. One eye had purple glitter with gold sparkles. The other eye had green glitter with blue sparkles. Edward put a stop to the makeover when she wanted to put mascara on him. The last time Elizabeth did that, he had to go to the eye doctor with an ulcer on his cornea.
"I'm hot and I rock this look," Edward said indulgently to his baby girl. "But, dinner needs to be made."
"Patrick needs to see your makeover, Daddy," Elizabeth chirped, skipping out of her room and back down to the kitchen.
"I can feel a stye growing as we speak," Edward grumped, pulling out the barrettes. "Can you help me?"
"You really do look pretty, Edward. Most girls would cut a bitch for your natural highlights and your eyelashes," Bella said, working quickly to pluck out the barrettes.
"Grandpa! You're here!" Elizabeth yelled from downstairs.
"Great, my man card will be revoked," Edward groaned, standing up. "Stall him so he doesn't see …"
"Nice sparkles, Edward," Charlie smirked.
"… me," Edward sighed "Hello, Charlie. Your granddaughter decided to make me into a glitter monster. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to wash this off." He shook his father-in-law's hand, ducking out of Elizabeth's room.
"I'm pretty certain I have the same photo of me looking the same when my Little Bell was Elizabeth's age," Charlie said conspiratorially. "The things we do for our baby girls."
Charlie was an amazing grandfather. He adored both of his grandchildren and was an honorary grandparent to Hannah and Aria. He would do absolutely anything for his grandbabies, loving them tremendously. He had to be both grandfather and grandmother, on both sides of the family.
Renee refused to acknowledge the children, not that Bella would allow them near her incubator.
Edward Senior, who had crawled out from underneath a rock, only approached Edward for money. Shortly after the special on Edward's fighting career and subsequent civil court win against Aro Volturi, Edward Senior showed up at Bull Dog and demanded his 'fair cut' of Edward's money. Suffice it to say, Edward Senior got a broken jaw and a restraining order placed on him. Not the money he so desperately desired. He slithered back to his rock, and he hasn't tried to contact his son since.
"Daddy, you took off your makeup," Elizabeth huffed. "Why?"
"It'll melt off while I'm cooking dinner, baby girl. I don't think Grandpa would want sparkles in his tacos, right?"
"Okay," Elizabeth said. "Can I go outside?"
"Stay where we can see you, Elizabeth," Bella ordered from her spot in the kitchen, cutting tomatoes. She watched her daughter go out to the swing set in their yard. "Dad, what's up? I just saw you."
"I have a new fighter," Charlie explained. "And, I think Edward should train him."
"I can help, but I've got too much on my plate right now. I'm negotiating six contracts right now and the teams are being stingy," Edward frowned. "They don't want to pay … I'll happily represent him for you, but my gloves are hung up in the closet, where they'll stay."
"The fighter is Jacob's cousin, Paul Lahote," Charlie murmured. "He's really good and for some strange reason, he wants to atone for Jacob's crimes."
"He did, Charlie. Jacob was banned from fighting, and he spent years in rehab," Edward explained.
"I see in Paul what I saw in you, Edward. He's got a fire, but he's not as graceful or as strong as you. He's a welter weight, but his hands are fast, and his footwork is …" Charlie said. "Can you meet with him? Ten minutes, please?"
"I can swing by tomorrow before Patrick has soccer," Edward sighed. "Ten minutes."
Charlie beamed, kissing Edward's cheek. "You won't regret this."
"If I do agree to train with him, it's a team effort. Both of us work with Paul," Edward said, arching a brow.
"Why would you want to work with Paul in the first place? Jacob fucked over our gym all those years ago," Bella huffed.
"Paul is not Jacob. He's a good kid," Charlie said. "Come with Edward and meet him. Ten minutes and you'll see he's not Jacob."
Bella didn't reply, just focused on cooking the meat for the tacos. Chicken for Elizabeth and her and beef for Patrick, Edward, and Charlie. Edward worked on the rice and refried beans. Dinner was set out of the kitchen island and Edward bellowed for the kids to come inside. Patrick dominated the conversation with talk of field day. Elizabeth tried to tell Charlie about her tea party with her dad, but Patrick yammered on for the entire meal.
Charlie helped with the dishes, reading to Elizabeth since Patrick held his attention during dinner. Patrick had to finish his spelling sentences and he did that with Bella, who was more of a wordsmith than Edward was.
Legal contracts? No problem!
Creative writing? Yeah, nope.
"I'm going to go," Charlie said, kissing Patrick's head. "You get all brilliant, kiddo."
"I'm already brilliant, Grandpa," Patrick said cockily.
"He totally gets his confidence from Edward," Bella laughed. "Go shower, Patrick."
"Do I hafta?" Patrick moaned.
"You smell like my old gym bag, Patrick," Edward said, arching a brow over his reading glasses. "I love you, son of mine, but you stink. Go take your brilliant self and shower."
"Okay, okay," he huffed. "Love you, Grandpa."
"Love you, Patrick," Charlie called to his retreating form. "So, tomorrow?"
"We'll be there, Charlie," Edward said. "He's got ten minutes."
"You won't regret this," Charlie breathed, hugging Edward. "See you tomorrow morning." He let go of Edward, kissing his daughter on the cheek. "Love to you both."
"Bye, Dad," Bella sang. "Drive safely and text when you get home, alright?" She watched him leave the house. Blinking to Edward, she sighed. "Are you certain you want to do this?"
"Paul is not Jacob. And, it's just a meeting," Edward pressed. "Maybe … we can get closure."
"I got closure with Jacob when my dad bleached his clothes after he emptied them out of my house," Bella snorted. "Just thinking about Jacob makes me remember that day in New York and Caius …"
"Caius is behind bars. He was higher than a kite when he approached us. He had enough cocaine in his body to float to Mars or some shit," Edward snorted humorlessly. "Volterra was dismantled. They had to sell off everything to pay out for all those lawsuits. Mine being the biggest payout."
"I know. I just hate that they were able to do that to you. I could have lost you," she whispered, moving to stand between his legs.
"You hated me when we met," Edward smirked, cupping her ass.
"No, I hated what you were. You were a good guy. You always were a good guy," Bella murmured, taking off his glasses and pressing a kiss to his nose.
"And you didn't lose me, baby. I'm not going anywhere. It's one of the many reasons why I retired from fighting, angel," he said, brushing his lips over hers. "I want as many years as possible with you. Forever sounds good."
"You're going to make me turn into a puddle of goo," she breathed, deepening the kiss.
"Oh, GROSS! Stop sucking face," Patrick laughed.
"When you find someone you love, you'll want to suck face with that person for as much as possible, offspring," Edward said, shooting a glower at his oldest child. "Patrick Charles Masen, why aren't you in bed?"
"I'm hungry," Patrick answered.
"You're always hungry," Bella sighed, tossing him an apple. "You go through more clothes than Aunt Alice because you keep growing. Eat that and go to bed, Patrick."
"Can't I have another taco?"
"No!" both of them laughed. Bella added, "Sleep. Bed."
"Good night," Patrick said around a mouthful of apple.
The next morning, Edward, Bella, and the kids loaded up into the Range Rover. They dropped off Elizabeth with Rose so she could have a playdate with Hannah and Aria. Then, they drove to Bull Dog. Charlie's car was parked outside, along with Emmett's Jeep and a tiny VW Rabbit. "Come on, Patrick," Bella ordered.
"But, soccer?" Patrick frowned.
"I have some work to do. We'll get you to your game on time, I promise," Edward vowed.
"Are you going to fight, Dad?" Patrick asked, his brown eyes wide with wonder. "You and Uncle Emmett can have a knock-down brawl. You'd totally win, Dad. Kicking his butt! That would be so cool!"
"I'm not fighting Uncle Emmett," Edward deadpanned. "Besides, he'd kick my butt." Unbuckling his seatbelt, they got out of the car and walked into Bull Dog.
Emmett was running on a treadmill. When he saw the three Masen's, he ended his run and grinned. "Hey, guys. Patrick, my man!" He held out a fist, which Patrick pounded. "You're going to hang out with me while your parents are meeting with a new fighter."
"Can you help me with my corner kicks?"
"Come on, Patrick. We'll go in the back," Emmett said with a dimpled grin. "Charlie's in the small training gym."
"Thanks, Em," Edward said, walking up the stairs to the training gym. Bella was hot on his heels. Inside the gym, Charlie was working with a younger man. However, there was an older guy in the corner. He had gray hair pulled back into a scraggly ponytail and was hunched over. He was slender, almost bordering on too thin. Edward pulled his brows together, trying to figure out who the man was.
"You look good, Paul," said a soft, resonant voice. "Better than I ever did. If you work with Charlie and Mr. Masen? You could have an actual chance to make something of yourself as a fighter."
"Jacob?" Edward asked.
The man turned to look at him and despite the gauntness of his features, he recognized the deep-set eyes.
Bella stiffened next to him, threading her fingers with Edward's. "What happened to him?" she asked quietly.
"Don't do drugs, kids. This is what happens," Jacob snorted humorlessly. "I got clean, but fell off the wagon and got hooked on heroine …"
"You're dying," Edward surmised.
"Yes, I am," Jacob mumbled, looking down at his hands. "My dad died when I was in rehab. I got out and fucked myself up with heroine, unprotected sex and …"
"Uncle J, you got cleaned up, though," Paul argued. "The doctors are hopeful …"
"I'm not. But, I'm at peace," Jacob breathed. "Or, I will be when I apologize to both of you for how I behaved. I'm working my steps. Bella, I was awful to you, and you deserved someone so much better. In the long run, you got that with Edward. I'm sorry for ruining the best thing in my life because of my choices. I should have been a better man."
Bella didn't say anything, just stayed snuggled next to Edward. She stared at him, trying to reconcile that the skinny, broken man in front of her was the same man that had fought Edward ten years prior. Blinking slowly, Bella stepped out of embrace and wrapped her arms around Jacob. "I forgive you and accept your apology." She kissed his gaunt cheek. "You were once family."
"But, not anymore," Jacob frowned.
"If I work with Paul, you'd be a part of the family again," Edward said, giving him a crooked grin. He held out his hand. Jacob shook it feebly. "Your nephew has some moves, Jacob. He needs finessing, but Charlie and I can get him into shape. Charlie will be doing most of the work, but I'll help." Looking at Paul, he held out his hand. "I'd like to represent you, Paul. I've got some ideas floating in my head for you, if you're amenable to them."
"You think I can do this, Mr. Masen?" Paul asked, taking off his glove and shaking Edward's hand. ''I mean, I'm nowhere near as good as you are."
"You have the bones to be a good fighter, Paul. And, please, call me Edward," he insisted. "Where are you staying?"
"We're in a hotel for now, but will drive back up to La Push today," Jacob answered. "Paul has a shift as a peace officer for the reservation tonight."
Edward reached into his wallet, handing him a business card. "Look at your schedule and we can meet up to discuss these plans. You can bring your uncle with you, if you'd like …" Edward smiled. "I look forward to working with you, Paul."
"Thank you, Edward," Paul beamed.
"Unfortunately, we cannot stay. Our son has a soccer game, and we don't want to be late," Bella murmured. "Jacob, I wish you well. We both do."
"You deserve all the happiness in the world, Bells," Jacob said. "And, you got it." He gave them both a smile that lit up his face. For a moment, he looked like the healthy Jacob from ten years ago.
"Paul, you keep working the speed bag. I'm going to walk my daughter and son-in-law out," Charlie said. They walked down to the main level of the gym. "Jacob is dying. Due to his drug use and choice, he got HIV. In his drug-induced fog, he obviously didn't take care of himself. HIV morphed into AIDS and he's at the end of his fight. He called me a week ago, begging for me to look at a video of Paul … Do you truly mean it that you'll work with him?"
"Have you ever known me to go back on my word?" Edward asked. "I'm not a vindictive person. I'm not going to judge Paul based off who he's related to. Besides, Jacob just fought me. If it were Caius's or Aro's son? I'd have reservations." He pulled Bella into his arms, kissing her forehead. "The ball is in Paul's court. We move forward from here."
They picked up Patrick, driving to the soccer fields. Both Edward and Bella were quiet, thinking about Jacob's fate. He didn't deserve that … a death sentence. He'd made poor choices, sure. But, not choices to warrant a death sentence.
After the soccer games, the team went out for pizza and they picked up Elizabeth from Rose and Emmett's home, spending time with them. It helped distract them from the events of the morning.
A month later, Paul finally called to meet up with Edward and Charlie. The reason he waited so long was that Jacob had taken a turn for the worse. He wasn't able to beat the infection and he passed away. Jacob was buried next to his father. The one thing that Paul said was that Jacob was at peace after apologizing to Bella and Edward. He went into hospice after that.
Paul signed on with Edward, after using Jasper's legal expertise to verify that the contract was a good one. Using his signing bonus, Edward got Paul set up in his old apartment building and started on a strict workout regimen. Charlie and Edward would work collaboratively to train Paul and get him ready for his first professional fight in Chicago, in a year. For now, Paul would fight in semi-professional fights to build up his reputation.
Two months after he signed the contract, Paul was in a training room in Portland, and he bounced on his toes. He wore the bright purple of Bull Dog with red gloves and Edward's red satin robe. Edward was in his suit, checking on Paul's standings while Charlie would be ringside.
"Is it normal to feel sick?" Paul asked. "I never felt sick before I fought on the rez."
"When you fought on the rez, the pot was a couple hundred bucks," Charlie snickered. "If you win, you'll get $20,000."
"Well, not all of it," Paul said, shooting Edward a smile.
"If you win this fight, my gift to you is the full pot, kid," Edward laughed. "You've worked hard, and you deserve it."
"Wow, thanks Edward," Paul grinned, looking so much like a young Jacob.
"With that, I'm going up to the box. I'll be cheering from up there with my wife and your boyfriend," Edward said, pounding Paul's fist. "Kick some ass, Paul."
"I'll certainly try, Edward. I don't know how I could have done this without you and without Charlie. You could have …" Paul trailed off.
"We're family, Paul. We always look out for family," Edward nodded. With another smile, he ducked out of the training room, and walked through the maze underneath the arena. He got to the private box, greeting Bella, Alice, Jasper and Paul's boyfriend, Embry Call. It was Embry he approached first. "He looks good, confident."
"What are his chances, Edward?" Embry asked. "He's so self-critical."
"He's the favorite to win. Just love him and cheer your ass off," Edward said, shaking Embry's hand.
"It'll be hard. Seeing him get beat up? I mean … I get why he loves the sport, but I don't love what happens to him because of the sport," Embry frowned. "Anyway, I'll be over here, biting my nails and praying that Paul wins this fight."
"And, cheer. Don't forget to cheer," Bella said, walking over to her husband and twining her fingers with his. "Come sit with me, baby. Have some champagne."
They sat down with flutes of champagne, watching as Paul and his opponent approached the ring. The opponent looked green whereas Paul appeared confident. "He's so nervous," Edward murmured. "He doesn't look it, but he was asking if it was normal to feel sick before a fight."
"Did you or my father impart any words of wisdom?"
"We did, but he won't feel better until he's done in the ring," Edward explained. "After my first fight, I puked my guts out after I won."
"Attractive, Masen," Bella said flatly. "Really?"
"It was at the beginning of my long and storied career in fighting," he shrugged. "I was freaking terrified that I'd lose, and I'd be homeless. Everything was … it was all on that fight. Granted, I won and thus began my fighting career, but if I'd lost?"
"In the long run, it was a gamble, but I think it was worth it," Bella murmured, moving to sit on Edward's lap.
"What? My career?" he asked.
"And the winner by knockout, Paul Lahote in his first semi-professional bout of his career," announced the emcee.
"Wow!" Bella cooed, clapping her hands. "You and Charlie did it!"
"No, Paul did it," Edward smiled, kissing her neck. "But, back to my question. What was worth it?"
"Everything. You, your career, me taking a chance on you, our lives … it was all worth it. And now, you're helping to train the next generation, Edward," Bella said, a soft grin on her face.
"I'd gladly give it all up, just to have you. You're worth it, our family is worth it, it's all worth it … worth the fight. I love you, Isabella Marie Masen," he whispered, kissing her lips.
"As I love you, Edward Anthony Masen," she said against his mouth. "As I love you …"
Fin