A/N: MPants here, with a little bit of a voice we didn't hear much of in the story. He's here to get the final word in, however, just for fun.

Six months ago, when I thought about my future, there was no way I could have foreseen anything that's happened since.

Six months ago, I got myself into hot water and my entire life changed. I gained perspective. I gained a better sense of responsibility. I gained an entire new family.

A couple days after Christmas, I took a trip to see Harry, my bookie, intent on paying off all my debts and breaking off any future relations. Getting kidnapped and left in a dark room for nearly a month does wonders for a guy's gambling problem. Turns out some mysterious benefactor had already paid everything off. When I questioned it, Harry shrugged, saying the joe hadn't left a name. But he'd worn a dark coat and a fedora.

I was grateful, sure. But I also wasn't going to let Masen—no matter how important he was to my sister—keep bailing me out forever. I planned to take him aside and talk to him the next time I saw him.

The next time turned out to be the first in a series of surprises that culminated in finding myself here, standing on the beach, surrounded by friends and family, with a shiny diamond burning a hole in my pocket.

At Christmas at the Hale's, once Royce the giant palooka left, I'd gotten to know Alice, Carlisle, Jasper and Edward pretty well. Bella had nothing but nice things to say about any of them, and I could tell Mama was quite interested in becoming more than just friends with Mr. Cullen. I'd been a bit taken aback at how quickly relationships had formed and changed while I was … away … but I couldn't help but get wrapped up in it all.

At the end of the night, Alice made an announcement that we were all invited to a New Year's Eve party at the house she shared with Carlisle. "Formal dress, please," she'd requested. I don't think I was the only one that caught the gleam in her eye. Bella had warned me Alice was a flapper; however, I didn't find her personality to be off-putting. In fact, I found it endearing. And hilarious. She made me laugh, and it felt good to be happy.

I asked Rose to be my date to the party before leaving her parent's apartment, and she graciously accepted. Rosalie Hale. My beautiful, thorny flower. I was elated she'd been able to get out of the mess with the Russian's as cleanly as she had.

The week between Christmas and New Year's passed quickly. I went into work a few times, trying to make up for the days I'd been missing. My boss raised an eyebrow at my excuses, but I was a hard, good worker whom he didn't want to lose. I promised him nothing like it would happen again, and we shook on it.

Bella helped me pick out a new suit for the party. I wanted to make a good impression and show that I'd made a new start. I was going to keep my resolutions in 1927.

Edward had offered to pick Bella, Rosalie and myself up on his way to Brooklyn. I couldn't refuse him; 'sides, his car was a stunner.

We rode to the party making small talk about the snow, our plans for January and the like. When we arrived at the Cullen house, all of us gasped. Alice had certainly showed her prowess for decoration at the Hale's, but this was something else.

The entire house sparkled. It was as if Alice and Mother Nature had collaborated on the decor. Candles shone from each window and the icicles lining the eaves picked up the light and threw it in a hundred different directions. It was snowing lightly, and the flakes only added to the glistening affect.

Edward parked at the curb and we all walked up to the front door. It opened before we got there, releasing a gust of warm, vanilla-scented air. Jasper stood in the doorway, looking dapper in black tuxedo. "Welcome," he said, taking our coats and hats.

The inside of the house looked like something out of a Macy's window display. Silver and white garland hung on the doorways and in the windows. A Christmas tree stood near a fireplace in the parlor, trimmed with silver balls and softly flickering candles. Carlisle and Esme stood at the front of the room, near a man in a white robe and a couple I didn't know.

Bella and Rose stopped short. "Wait a second," Bella said, her lips growing into a smile.

Jasper spoke from behind us. "Ali wanted it to be a surprise."

Edward turned toward him. "Do you mean to tell me …"

Rose laughed. "We've been conscripted into coming to a wedding."

I felt my jaw drop. Jasper and Alice had met less than a month ago. I felt a cool hand slip into mine and squeeze. I looked over and found myself gazing into a pair of stunning violet eyes. My heart jumped and I realized how two people could fall so fast and so completely. I smiled at Rose and led her toward where my mother and Carlisle were standing.

"Alice asked that you meet her upstairs, Bella," Jasper said.

I watched my sister kiss her beau on the cheek and hurry to the stairs. Women. Always in the mood for a wedding.

I saw this as a good chance to talk to Edward, alone. I left Rose near Mama and motioned at Edward to follow me into the foyer.

"Edward, I know what you did," I said when we were out of earshot from the rest of the group.

"I'm sorry Emmett? I'm not sure what you're speaking of."

"Harry Clearwater."

"Oh, ah, yes." Edward looked a bit uncomfortable, but he looked me straight in the eye.

"I appreciate it. All of what you've done for me. But—"

"To be honest, Emmett," Edward interrupted, "most of what I've done has been for selfish reasons. You see, I'm in love with your sister."

I laughed. "I realize this. And I approve." Edward smiled. "But, I need you to know that I don't need to be taken care of. Not any more."

Edward shook his head. "I understand completely. And you can pay me back, with interest, if you like. I just know how important fresh starts are, and I wanted to give you the opportunity."

I stuck my hand out for Edward to shake. "It's a deal." I threw an arm around Edward's shoulder after he dropped my hand, startling him. "Won't be too long before you and Bells have one of these shindigs, eh Masen?" The look on his face was so priceless, I couldn't contain my laughter.

We joined the rest of the party in the parlor where Jasper introduced me to Pete and Charlotte, his partner and partner's girl.

Bella returned soon after and asked Carlisle to head to the bottom of the stairs. She then went over to the record player and the sounds of Wagner's "Bridal March" began to filter through the air. Jasper moved to stand near the priest.

Everyone turned toward the doorway. Alice was walking down the stairs in a cream-colored gown, holding a simple bouquet of lilies, a veil covering her face. She took her father's arm and he led her into the room, meeting up with her intended at the makeshift altar.

The ceremony was simple and quick. The women all cried, and Edward and I smiled. I hooted when Jasper kissed his bride, and chucked when Rose elbowed me for being loud.

Alice turned to the crowd and smiled. "Surprise! And Happy New Year," she cried, before tossing her bouquet directly at Bella's face.

The rest of the night was spent partying, enjoying the warmth and company and a few glasses of illegal champagne.

Two months later, most of us met up again, for another celebration, this time at City Hall. Carlisle had asked Mama to be his wife, with my glad consent. Their wedding was a much more understated affair, but no less wonderful.

A month after that, Bella and Edward announced their engagement. With each passing event, I felt something tugging at the back of my mind. Rose had never mentioned that she wanted to get married, but I could see it in her eyes. So I started planning. And saving.

One Sunday, over family dinner at the Cullen house—family now including Bella, Mama, Carlisle, Alice, Jasper, Edward and Rose—I announced that we'd all be taking a trip to the coast.

"I promised Bella I'd take her and Mama to the beach for Christmas," I began. "Well, it's May now. A little later than I had planned, but I think it'll be worth it. Next month, all of us, Ocean City. For a well-deserved break."

Everyone agreed that it sounded like a great idea.

We rented three cabins on the shore; Edward and Alistair were in one, I stayed with Carlisle and Mama, and Rose and Bella stayed with Alice and Jasper, for propriety's sake

We spent most of the week strolling the boardwalk, or reading on the beach and enjoying warm weather. The women went shopping in town while us menfolk stood outside, pretending to be put out. We also swam occasionally. I had to stifle a laugh each time Alistair went out into the shallows and cursed at the seaweed. I hesitated when Edward said he was bringing his gramps along, but I realized soon in that he was an all right codger.

The best part of each day was the nightly bonfire on the beach where we told stories about our childhoods. Bella's face was permanently red; I had a lot of good ones saved from when we were little.

The last night of our trip was coming to a close, and we stayed outside later than normal, wanting to extend the vacation as long as possible.

Everyone—minus Alistair who went to bed early, never fail—was seated around the fire. I looked at each of them, studying their faces in the flickering light. My mama, who gave me everything. My sister, who was happier than I'd ever seen her. My new stepfather, who was the kind of man I strove to be like. My new step-sister, a huge personality shoved into the tiniest of packages. My step-brother-in-law, quiet and reserved, but generous and kind. My soon to be brother-in-law, a man with a past who'd been saved by a good woman's love. I settled finally on the most important of them all, my—hopefully—eventual wife. It was her face that got me through my darkest of days.

I stood up.

"So, I just want to thank you all for coming here. I hope you've all had a good time this week." Murmurs of assent reached my ears as I continued. "I know I was the last one to meet most of you, and so I feel like it's somehow appropriate to be the last to make this next move."

I stuck a hand into my pocket and fingered the ring Mama had given me for this occasion. It had been the ring Papa had given her when he asked her to marry him. It was small, and simple, but it held a lot of love.

I reached a hand out to Rose. "Rosalie Lillian Hale, would you please stand up?"

A look crossed Rose's face, as if she thought she knew what I was doing but wasn't quite sure. She took my hand, and I could feel her trembling as I helped her to her feet. She gave me a cautious smile.

Still holding her hand, I knelt in the sand in front of her. Her eyes grew wide, and I heard Alice giggle and clap. I vaguely wondered what the others faces looked like, but my eyes were on Rose.

I pulled the ring out of my pocket and held it for her to see. The diamond glittered in the light cast by the fire. Rose's free hand went up to cover her mouth.

"Rose, I know the path we've taken to get to where we are today hasn't been the smoothest. I've been an idiot in the past, and made mistakes. Some, bigger than others."

I heard someone, with Jasper or Edward, clear their throat. I made a mental note to find out which one it was and challenge them to an arm wrestle.

"But I know where I want to go from here, and that's anywhere with you. Will you marry me, Rose?"

I could see the tears in Rose's eyes. I hoped beyond hope that they were the happy kind.

Rose paused for a moment then nodded her head. "I love you, you crazy lug."

I stood and swept her into my arms, surrounded by the cheering of my family. "I know," I said, before kissing her like my life depended on it, glad that it no longer did.

A/N: Thank you everyone for joining us on this fantastic ride! We love you all. And this isn't the last you'll hear from MPants and AHelm, you can bet on it. *tips fedora* ;)

Check the profile for a few final links: Alice's wedding dress and a few 1920s bathing outfits, just because it's damned cute to picture the gang wearing them.