AN: We've reached the end!

Thanks to everyone who enjoyed reading this story. It's been a journey to get it done, but we're finally here.

hope you'll enjoy this last epilogue! and perhaps i'll see you in the future in a different story.


Epilogue

BPOV

1.5 years later

I sat on the couch, silent tears streaming down my cheeks as I clutched the photo album tightly to my chest. It was Charlie's birthday today. It had been two years since I'd taken over the cubs. Things were looking good and I'd definitely honoured my father's memory. All his businesses were thriving and I was no longer drowning. I felt secure in my positions everywhere and I was finally being taken seriously as the business woman I had become.

Yet it still hurt. My heart still ached that Charlie wasn't here anymore.

Sadly, we hadn't won the world series last year, but today that might just change. Today was the final and we were looking good for winning. I wished desperately that Charlie could be here with me now and tell me how proud he was of me.

I sniffed.

A door opened, and a moment later footsteps came down the stairs.

'Hey.' Edward's sleepy voice filtered through the room. Then he joined me on the couch, gathering me up in his arms.

I gave him a watery smile as I curled into his arms and chest, soaking up the comfort he offered so freely.

He gently stroked my hair, placing a soft kiss to my forehead. 'he's proud of you.' he whispered.

I chocked on a sob.

After almost two years together this man still completely blew me away. Without spelling it out he knew what day it was and why I was crying. He simply knew. He held me tighter against him for a moment.

'did you need some more alone time?' he asked me softly.

I shook my head. 'Just hold me for a while.' I told him softly.

he nodded and shifted me around to sit more comfortably in his lap, then he pulled the afghan off the back of the couch and spread it over us. Jake climbed on the couch next, curling against his side, and Mike climbed up on the other side, not wanting to be left out. We sat there for a while, just holding each other, sitting with each other and enjoying the comfort.

'I love you.' I muttered.

'I love you too.' Edward said giving me another forehead kiss. I sighed contentedly. Those were the best.

'I remember when I was getting traded, Charlie came to one of my games. I wasn't sure who he was at first. He was just dressed in a windbreaker and an old fannel shirt.' He said softly.

I grinned. I loved this. I closed my eyes and let his voice was over me as he pulled me into one of his memories of my father. He had done it last anniversary of Charlie's death as well. It meant so much to me that he would share special memories of Charlie on this day.

'we talked for a long time about baseball, but also life in general. He told me about you, you know. How proud he was of you and that he knew someday you would go far in life. When he had to go he turned to me and told me that he'd see me soon and that he would make sure my talent would be utilised. He told me I would win him the world series.' He gave a small laugh.

'Thank you.' I muttered reaching up to kiss his cheek. He smiled down at me. 'for sharing that with me.'

He just smiled at me. 'Are you up for a shower? Or a bath?' he asked.

I nodded. 'a bath sounds nice.'

He gently stood up, then placed me back on the couch making sure the blanket was wrapped around me tightly. 'I'll go run it.'

I smiled as he disappeared through the bedroom door again. Jake put his head in my lap and I pet his head until Edward called that the bath was ready.
I put the phto album back on the table carefully and then headed to the bathroom.

As I opened the door I gasped. Edward had gone all out. There were bubbles and scented candles and soft classical music flowing through the room. He stepped up behind me and wrapped me up into his embrace, putting his chin on my shoulder.

'I'm sorry I can't join you, but I have to head to the club now.' he said with a forlorn look on his face.

I nodded. 'I know. Go get warmed up and win me the world series today.'

'I'll make you both proud.' He told me. then he gave me a kiss which made my toes curl and left the room.

I sank into the bath and let myself relax. I sighed in contentment.

I really hoped we would win today, not just to make Charlie proud, but to prove that we were good enough. Last year we didn't qualify for the world series because Edward had had to sit out on quite a few games after his injuries because of James. And then when he was better the trial took a lot out of him as well. Then we'd of course lost Laurent as well, not that I really minded that so much, but the alternates simply weren't as in sync with the team.

We'd had a good season, but not good enough. It had gotten me some flack with the press, but not overly much, because we'd improved on our previous stats, and that was also a win.

But winning this year, it would be the cherry on the cake, especially as it was also Charlie's birthday.

We'd trained hard this year and gotten a new promising player that fit in seamlessly with the rest. He was almost as good as Edward. Which really was saying something.

I got out the bath after twenty minutes when I felt nice and relaxed again. I dried myself off and then started to get ready.

Alice had designed an outfit for me which was laying on the bed already. I was grateful to have her, I would be lost without her fashion advice. She'd opened up her own boutique a year ago, and was thriving after I'd not so subtly made sure to be photographed and seen in her store and in her outfits. She and Jasper were still going strong and were preparing to move in together.

They were looking for a house not far from us. Edward and I had found our home just a month after the press conference. A beautiful free standing property on teh outskirts of town, surrounded by land. It was a lovely two story home with a large yard for the dogs and even some stables at the back of the property which were still empty, but in the future who knew? Esme had helped decorate it and it had become home ever since.

When my phone beeped, I pulled myself from my thoughts and quickly got ready. I gave the dogs their bones and then left to head to the stadium. We had a home game, which should be to our advantage. But of course that didn't really say anything.

I was nervous when I pulled up to Wringly Field, but schooled my features to look confident. The press was waiting which wasn't surprising for such an important game.

As I got out of the car I was bombarded with questions. They asked how I felt about our chances and I decided to give them a few words. It couldn't hurt.

When they were satisfied I headed inside and went to the private VIP box immediately. Harry was already there, as were Esme, Carlisle, Alice and Rose. I greeted everyone and Alice quickly sidled up to me.

'Looking good'

'Thanks, my darling friend inssited I wore this.' I told her with a wink.

she smiled. 'if you win, are you going down to the field?'

I nodded. 'yeah, I'll be down there.'

she nodded and smiled. 'Can I join you?' she asked excitedly.

Rose who had over heard came over as well. 'Me too?'

'sure, I don't see why not.' I shrugged. 'It'll probably be pandemonium anyway. The Cubs winning the world series for the first time since 2016, in their hometown?'

Alice grinned and nodded. Then Harry shushed everyone, saying they were starting.

We all sat down and the tension was palpable. We sat on the edge of our seats the entire game. It was a close one. No clear winner right until the last inning.

And then… the last batter was Edward. He looked determined. The opposing pitcher loosed the ball and Edward swung the bat with all his might. The ball hit the bat with a resounding clang, and the ball soared high. Edward didn't waste anytime, throwing the bat down and making a run. The rest of the team covering the bases did the same. And then the best words ever heard were balered loudly through the stadium: homerun!

We were on our feet the same second. A homerun! He'd done it. We'd won! We'd won the world series! We were champions!

We jumped and celebrated together as our boys came across home plate one by one. It was amazing to see.

'Let's go!' Alice yelled in my ear, pulling on my arm. I nodded and together with Rose we raced out of the VIP room and headed ot the elvators that would take us to the field.
I couldn't wait. Though Edward and mine's relationship was public, and most people were fine with it by now, we hadn't really flaunted it around the baseball setting. Not that hugging and kissing my boyfriend after winning would be flaunting it.

but right now I was about to cross a line that we hadn't crossed before, probably on national television.

The elevator dinged and the three of us set off running towards the field entrance. It was pandemonium when we emerged at the mouth, everyone was screaming, cheering, celebrating loudly. I spotted Edward with ease, and set off running towards him.

'Edward!' I yelled. Somehow he heard me over the din, turning away from his teammates and looking over at me. His grin widened as he spotted me. I ran at him and jumped into his arms. He held me tightly spinning us around and laughing.

'you did it!' I cried out.

'we did it.' he said, setting me back down on my feet.

I smiled up at him, then I threw my arms around his neck, pressing my lips to his.

he clutched me close and held me tightly.

when we broke apart I noticed something had changed. I frowned then looked around. all my players were gathered around us in a lose circle, smiling broadly at us.

I frowned. 'what's going on?'

Then Edward took a step back. 'Bella Swan.' He said, reaching into his pocket and producing a small velvet box as he sank down on one knee. 'I love you. I fell in love with your kind heart and your beautiful soul, and over the years I have only come to love you more. You are smart and kind and an incredibly smart business woman. You whipped us into shape and today you gave us this win.' He took a deep breath and opened the box. 'I want to love you for the rest of my days. Will you please marry me?'

I gasped at the exquisite ring that was inside. It was understated, and unique. Exactly what I liked. It was a vintage gold band with a saffire set in the middle. Simple yet elegant. And he knew I didn't like diamonds, so he'd gotten me a stone that I loved instead.

I glanced around at the smiling faces of our friends and family around us, and then realized that I was also on the big jumbo screen and literally the entire park was waiting for my answer.

I grinned down at Edward. He'd really put a lot of thought into this. And while I didn't really like being the center of attention. I was deeply touched that he wanted to make this win even more special like this. This day would forever be ingrained into my heart, no longer as a sad day as my father's birthday, but the day Edward proposed after he won me the world series.

'Yes!' I told him, sinking down to my knees as well and grabbing his face to kiss him, hard and deep.

When we pulled back from each other he was smiling the most gorgeous smile I'd ever seen.

'Thank you.' he whispered, then he took hold of my left hand and slid the ring on my finger.

Applause and cheers broke out even louder than before and we were swept up in a group hug before we knew it, everyone was celebrating the win and the engagement.
I couldn't wait to start the rest of my life like this.