And Alas, I am afraid Blood Moon has come to an end. :')

This story has been going on for ages, it feels like. I wanted to say a collective hoorah for all of my loyal readers and thanking you for keeping up for so long and giving me kind words of encouragement for this story.

But it was time to end this story, I didn't expect this for at least another chapter but this is where my writing led me.

So, I hope you don't hate me too much to read and review. I hope you enjoy the ending and got what you hoped for. I definitely had to end the story this way. Couldn't see it ending any other way. I hope I haven't disappointed all yall.

I'm going to miss the sordid lemons coming from these two. E and B have done a lot of growing up I think. B is still the crass little weirdo she's always been but you know...oh well. I like her that way*sniffles*

I'm sounding all senitmental and it's pissing me off. I like to curse. I guess I'll go back to that in Indecent Affairs II.

I have to update that next. LOVE YOU GUYS TO THE BONE!

James and Kate glanced at each other expectantly.

"Go answer it! It's your house." James hissed at his sister who rolled her eyes again and loped towards the door.

He had his hand poised over the syringe, paused in the act of injecting me with something foul. I had been drunk plenty of times in my life, but never had I been high—and I didn't want to start that now.

I tried wriggling my arm to get the needle to fall out, afraid of my captors noticing.

Blood beaded at the wound as I shook my arm, as much as I could whilst under my restraints.

The sharp, metal tip fell from the crease in my up-turned forearm. James was still fixed on the door, as was I—I couldn't imagine Kate was sane enough herself to have any company.

I just prayed I could escape before Edward found us—I shuddered to think of what might occur. He was irrational when he was angry, as was I. And I couldn't help but picture him killing James, without remorse or hesitation. But that wasn't the thing that scared the shit out of me.

Edward might get distracted by me, just for being here—he could get hurt. What frightened me more; the image I could conjure up in my mind that sent chills up my spine like tiny pin pricks, was the image of Edward, still, pale and gone.

So quickly, the tables could turn and it would mean the end.

Triumphant, I tried harder to struggle from the duct tape binding my limbs together—attempting to work inconspicuously until I heard a voice, casual, but edged with concern. Kate was standing with the door open a fraction, only enough so that her entire body could block the view inside her apartment.

"I think you may have dropped this outside," I heard Edward's voice say kindly.

I gasped.

Kate clicked her fingers behind the door and James stood off to the side, out of sight but in range to attack.

"Would you...like to come in?" she offered in a sultry voice.

I sobbed against my gag, choking, silently begging him not to come inside.

I could deal with this by my fucking self. He didn't need to be involved, didn't need to get hurt. I thrashed around in my chair which threw me off balance. I crashed into the floorboards, cushioned by a thick rug atop it, which was now dotted grotesquely with my own blood.

"What was that?" Edward asked suspiciously.

"Uh, nothing—please, come inside." She offered.

Her voice was icy and sinister—Edward should have noticed that. From my vantage point, I could see all their feet from under the coffee table, except Edward's, he still remained just outside.

I wanted Edward with me, beside me—but I didn't want him to get hurt.

Could I even imagine an outcome with him getting hurt or killed just to save me? Save me? Bella Swan—the stripper from Blood Moon, the cold, work-a-holic, stony, distant bitch. The Stone Queen.

I swallowed the giant lump in my throat but found it difficult as my mouth tasted of blood and I couldn't spit it out. I tried licking around my lips to remove the tape from my face. The midday sun shone unrelenting through the tall, floor-to-ceiling windows, a replica of the ones in my own apartment. It burned in my tear-filled eyes—the dust that had accumulated in the fluffy white rag made my nose itchy.

I fought the urge to sneeze, to keep myself hidden, but it was too late.

"Yeah..." Edward said reluctantly.

"Sure." He muttered, sighing in resignation.

I saw his shoes, black and scuffed, standing in stark contrast to the pale floors, clean and unscratched.

He took a few tentative steps inside, his feet aligning with James'. I let out the loudest scream I could muster, muffled slightly through the duct tape over my lips. I sobbed hard and desperate as Edward's feet froze in place. Kate's heels advanced from behind him, the same moment James' did.

He wheeled at the last minute, shoving Kate backwards into the now closed door.

He had realised he just walked in on a game.

An unwinnable game.

Watching the scuffle unfold from my vulnerable position on the floor, unable to move, I was halfway between hysterics and boiling anger.

Unbridled rage and fear seared through my skull like a hot poker.

I could feel it burning through my eyes, my skin, my blood.

"Where is she?!" Edward roared.

Kate's red heels struggled to regain their stance before stalking back again. James's scruffy trainers circled around Edward, stomping and sliding as their concealed torsos battled.

A seething rage burned in my veins, a loathe like the tongues of a fire, licking it's way through my system.

Fear like the stabbing pain of a thousand knives stole it's way into the pit of my stomach.

Again.

I rubbed my face against the coarse rug, the edges peeling away from my skin. I managed to get it half-way off.

"Edward!" I shrieked as they continued to fight.

I heard growling, roaring, cursing. Kate moved, around the sofa until I could see her contorted features; manic.

"No, no!" I screamed as she grabbed my arm, pulling me up into a warped sitting position.

"Get your hands off of her!" Edward snarled; I heard him grunt as James landed another blow to his abdomen, shoving him harshly.

He drove, face-first into the ground, sliding enough so I could catch a glimpse of him and his already battered form.

It drove a stake through my heart.

"Bella." He whispered; that twisted the stake, driving it deeper so all I could feel was pain.

I couldn't have another Charlie; not another death hanging over my head.

I leaned forward, kicking one of my legs out that was folded beneath me and catching Kate's shin in my course.

She gasped and spat a few choice words in my direction, grabbing another chunk of my hair and yanking me to my feet. She wrapped a finely manicured hand around my throat, her nails digging into my skin but not using enough pressure to actually block my airway.

She was waiting for an order.

I watched helplessly as Edward fought for me, battling my war without my help.

But it was also partially his war; just like any other war he faced.

No matter how detached he tried to be, it remained a personal conflict. Between the three of us, it had always been personal.

But in war; is it not always that way? How could one fight for a cause they didn't hold close to their heart. I fought for Edward and he fought for me. James fought for what he thought he loved or wanted; he fought to try and get me when he desired my attention. But my rejection and his past with Edward, catapulted him into an insane vendetta to gain happiness through inflicting pain.

Compared to a real war, this didn't seem too different.

Who's to say it wasn't the same thing.

Wrenching my wrists apart, I managed to loosen the tape, ripping one of my hands free. Kate struggled to grasp my flailing arm but was too late and caught an elbow in her ribs, leaving her winded and bent at the waist.

I ran forward—this needed to end.

"Get off him! He's done nothing to you! STOP!" I screamed, although what I said wasn't entirely true, everything Edward had done to James was entirely justifiable.

"Stay back!" Edward growled at me, wrestling James to the floor.

He pushed his shoulder and turned him around, kicking the backs of his knees so he lost his footing. With his knee stamped sharply between James' shoulder blades, he grasped his arms at the elbows and tugged them back, a painful restraint.

"Get out of here, Bella! Call the cops! Just go!" he ordered desperately.

"I'm not leaving you!" I cried, stepping towards their scuffle.

"I've been through almost losing you before! Don't do this to me again!" he yelled, his voice on the edge of hysteria.

Crying, I didn't move.

"I'm not going to be the one who runs," I said strongly, my voice thick with emotion.

"She's right," James grumbled, his face mashed into the floor with Edward's hand.

"Shut up!" he barked, pressing James' head harder while using all of his weight to pin him on his stomach.

"Bella, don't fight me on this, please!" he begged, his eyes burning into mine, a tribute to his heated panic.

"You-bitch!" Kate coughed, stumbling after me.

I spun on my heel in time for her nails to rake across my cheek. Screaming ensued from my throat, my cheek stinging painfully. I ducked out of the way from her second attempt at ripping my face apart, grabbing her hair and jerking her head back—the same way she had done to me.

"Don't you hurt her!" Edward snarled and I heard James' grunt in objection, probably trying to removed Edward from his perch.

"It's too late Cullen—watch while my sister gets a piece of your girl." James chuckled darkly behind me as Kate's fingers dug into my side.

She twisted around in my grasp, turning to face me. She shoved me and I fell backwards, sliding on droplets of blood. I crawled backwards as Kate advanced and Edward scuffled to keep his hold on James but protect me from Kate, too.

"Stay back!" I shrieked at Edward, but never removing my gaze from Kate's.

A severe smirk coloured her face and I felt every ounce of warmth leave my body.

"I can handle this, myself." I said, although I knew that wasn't true, he probably did, too—he was already trying to stand up, but James was the one restraining him now.

Kate must have realised I wasn't equipped to deal with this, not when I was already injured.

"You hurt my brother, you little tramp—how can you live with yourself? Just a common whore, worthless. Who but this low-life over here," she gestured to Edward who growled menacingly in response, "will miss you when you're gone?" she taunted, her smile widening when I didn't have an answer.

"I feel sorry for you." I turned it back on her.

"You don't have anything in your life but you're brother. Let me guess, he never even contacted you before now, did he?" I challenged, grasping at straws.

Whatever outlet of mistrust I could use to divide their unity was what I had to take.

Severe ties; sew doubt.

Kate flinched, cocking her head to the side—her eyes glazed for a moment.

"She's only jealous!" James yelled.

"I said shut up!" Edward shouted.

"She's trying to make you doubt me, Katie! Don't listen to the little slut!"

I was backed against the wall, literally. My hands groped behind me for something, anything. A weapon to protect myself.

I encountered a crystal vase that had been sitting atop the coffee table that was pushed against the wall to make room for my chair in the middle of the living area.

I tried to remain inconspicuous and maintain eye-contact with Kate while I subtly reached for my ticket of escape.

"Don't tell me you knew he's gotten people killed in the past, by his own pure stupidity? Are you really going to help a murderer?" I asked, my tone shaken and wavering with each ragged breath I took.

Kate stayed passive, her slow steps inching closer to me.

If I didn't act soon, she'd be on top of me. I was breathless and sore. I was so tired and I knew that if it came down to the both of us now, she would definitely over-power me.

"What was your plan after we were dead? Did he tell you anything? Was he going to help you hide everything or was he going to run and leave you to deal with the consequences?"

Kate's eyes tightened and her mouth flattened into a hard line.

I was hitting a nerve, threading suspicion into her brain.

"Is he really worth it?" I muttered, my fingers encountering the lip of the vase.

Edward slammed James' head into the floor again, the sound must have sobered Kate because she leapt at me. At the same time, Edward heaved himself from the ground and hurled his body towards us just as I raised the ornate fixture in my hand.

I had it at shoulder level before she wrapped both her hands around my throat, tears in her eyes.

"He's my only family!" she sobbed, her mascara running in thick black lines down her porcelain cheeks.

Her face and neck were flushed and for a moment I felt a swell of pity for the woman who was dragged into this homicidal scheme through a brother who promised her love and care because she could find it nowhere else.

Edward grabbed her from behind and she let go immediately. Her hands were replaced with Edward's soothing ones. Kate stumbled off to the side, weeping and sniffling in despair before sliding down the wall and heaping onto the floor.

"You had her!" James roared.

"And you let her go! You're pathetic! No wonder you have no family!" he spat cruelly.

Kate cowered into her palms as James made his own advance on us. Edward stood in front of me, when I wanted to be beside him. But he wouldn't have it.

Edward bounded into James, tackling him rugby-style at the waist. I ran, too, my hand still grasping the benign vase.

Clutching my chest in ongoing fright, I tried to help Edward, but if I tried aiming the heavy object at James, I could hit him.

There was no telling what damage I could achieve.

Before I could do anything, however, James rolled them over, and Edward, onto his back, leaving him vulnerable.

He jumped towards me and I sprinted towards the sofa, leaping onto the cushions and over the backrest to the other side. His hand caught my ankle mid-air and I choked out a shriek. Edward was yelling curses as James' toppled over the couch, falling on top of me. He knocked the air from my lungs and kept me from taking another breath. Disoriented and nauseated, I tried in vain to push him off as he crushed his forearm to my throat. The sun was blinding me and it could have been so easy to let it happen.

But the part of me that refused to fail, the part of me that had kept me alive throughout my tormented life came to the fore.

I thrust my knee up into his groin, rolling us over in the same move he used with Edward. I struggled to my knees when he tried to reach for my hair, matted with blood.

"Get away from her!" Edward snarled from across the room, stalking towards us.

I stood up at the same time he did, Edward came behind me, furious, but not fast enough to prevent what happened next.

James grabbed my shoulder roughly, pulling me to him.

The commotion must have caused quite a disruption on our floor. I could hear irate voices and banging on Kate's door. Angry neighbours.

But I didn't have time to worry about that. I shoved James, hard.

I rammed my fist into his throat as he fumbled to get his hold on me again. I pushed once more, not noticing until the last minute, what would happen if he fell.

Sucking in a horrified breath, James fell.

The window behind him shattered and it was all I could do not to scream again.

Edward and I skidded on our knees to the edge where James still held on, his hands bloodied with the shards of glass still stuck in the frame.

Instinctively, I grasped his forearm.

But I was too late...and much too weak.

He screamed and I couldn't watch—I couldn't see what good it would do. I wasn't going to lavish in the fact that I had killed someone, but it didn't keep me from feeling glad he was dead.

I know what I had done, and I'd live with it; better to have a black mark in your memory than to have a half-life with anxiety at every corner.

Edward's hand wrapped safely around mine and I breathed out again.

"Bella," he sighed, relief caressing his tone.

The wind whipped around my face and hair...and the world was silent.

Epilogue:

When I was younger I saw

My Daddy cry, and curse at the wind

He broke his own heart and I watched

As he tried to reassemble it

My Momma swore that she would, never let herself forget

That was the day that I promised, I'd never sing of love, if it does not exist.

Darlin'...You are the only exception.

The Only Exception- Paramore

I shivered in my coat, shoving my gloved hands in my pockets as I strolled through the densely wooded area, my breath came out in puffs of steam in the icy air.

I felt my nose and cheeks prickle with a numbed sensation. Strands of unruly hair escaped my beanie and stroked carelessly across my face.

I sighed in delight and nostalgia as I patted a giant Fir tree with a tender palm.

I closed my eyes at the smells that surrounded me, filling my nose and senses with a cool remembrance that never failed to arouse every memory of this place.

I found a mossy log to sit down on and take inventory of the years I had missed being here.

With a flushed face and tearful eyes, I verbalised my apology to the beloved Forks forest.

"I'm sorry I haven't been to visit." I whispered solemnly, noticing how much of a girl I was being then remembering that I was so it kind of didn't matter.

Wiping at my eyes, I scoffed.

"I'm such a fucking pussy." I muttered, but the grin stayed glued to my mouth, where it would always remain.

Tears of happiness, and no more of sorrow.

I craned my neck to stare up at the green canopy standing what looked like miles above me—the closest place to heaven.

It was almost nightfall and I would have to get home soon—I had people that would worry about where I am.

I shook my head at myself but fished around in my pocket for what I came here to do. My fingers curled around it—my engraved locket.

I was running late one day, to work. I had my hands full and my handbag overflowing with everything. I tripped on my impossibly high mother fucking pumps and went ass over tit, scraping my knees on the blacktop of the Blood Moon parking lot. Newbie came to help me, an overtly smug expression on his gorgeous face. He plucked my locket from the ground and ran his thumb over the silver heart, engraved with my name; a present from Charlie. I grabbed it back from him; thinking he could never understand the preciousness.

As I stood here now, I knew that it was time to put it in it's rightful place. Pulling one glove off, I bent down and fingered the damp, loose soil I stood on. I scooped a handful out before dropping the locket inside, smiling. I sprinkled the dirt over the shiny metal, the reflective surface winked at me, a last goodbye before it disappeared under the Earth. Dusting my hands off, I replaced my glove and turned back to the trail in the direction of the Volvo—the number plate read: STONEQUEEN.

I shook off the dew and ice from my parka, hooking it at the door on my way inside the house.

"I'm home!" I called out cheerfully.

There was a hearty aroma escaping from the kitchen and I knew Edward was cooking something to make me feel better, considering what kind of day it was.

"Mmm, something smells fucking wonderful." I hummed, breathing in as I encountered a kitchen bench full of plates, bowls and dirty chopping boards.

I smiled fondly at Edward, his hands covered in flour and his shirt spotted with sauce.

"Hey," he grinned adoringly.

I heard footsteps down the hallway and laughed.

Edward held his arms wide for a hug but I shook my head with a scrunched nose.

"You're dirty, newbie. No way." I protested but got a hugged anyway.

He chuckled into my hair, pawing his dusty hands over my back and groping my ass. I laughed, too, slapping his chest and kissing him fully on the mouth. He smacked his lips against my neck, tickling me.

Giggling, I kissed him again, running my fingers through his hair in total abandon.

"Ew!" a high voice squealed.

Edward and I broke apart in feigned astonishment.

"Did you hear something?" I whispered conspicuously to Edward who shook his head, frowning.

I couldn't help the grin that tugged at the corners of my mouth as Chuck trotted over to our embrace and tried to wedge his way into the hug.

"I'm here, Mommy!" he complained, nudging my waist with his head.

His thick black hair sticking out at odd angles—he reminded me so much of his grandfather.

I took a step back and he laughed with triumph, wriggling himself between Edward and I. He wrapped his arms around my waist, his head only just passing my bellybutton. He was getting too big already.

I ruffled his hair.

"How was your day, baby?" I cooed.

Fucking sue me, I was unable to help being softie with him.

Edward still had his arms around my shoulders, smiling down at our son.

Chuck looked up at me with his blazing green eyes, a trait he shared with his father—I was grateful.

"Auntie Esme helped me play legos," he murmured into my stomach.

"And she was giving me tips on how to get a girlfriend." His face reddened at this and Edward and I shared an amused glance.

"I'm sure there are plenty of five year olds who would love to marry you." I assured him.

"Auntie Esme said I could just be a man-whore like Daddy," he said and I let a laugh burst between my lips.

Edward looked incredulous.

"What's a man-whore?" he asked innocently.

"Uh," I began.

"It means you're smart... Just smart." Edward provided.

Chuck looked up at him in wonder and speculation. I wrapped my arms tighter around Edward and squeezed him between us, groaning and laughing until Chuck made an escape, tearing down the hallway and back to his bedroom.

"I'm gonna be the bestest man-whore when I'm big!" He cried, disappearing.

"Haha...man whore." I mused, shaking my head.

Auntie Esme would have to go easy on the pre-breakfast margaritas if she was ever going to baby-sit Chuck and Alice ever agin.

Edward turned back to the stove, stirring a huge pasta pot and blowing on a spoonful for me to try.

The phone rang then and Alice with her light brown hair bounced out into the kitchen, tugging on my jeans while Chuck raced to grab the phone from the cradle.

"Whoisthis?" he answered breathlessly.

He'd need to learn the proper etiquette.

"Mom!" he yelled.

"It's for yo-u!" he dragged out the 'you'.

I grabbed Alice and hitched her on my hip and huffed.

"You're getting big for a two year old." I muttered and she tugged on my hair with a grin, green eyes sparkling.

Edward obviously had the dominant gene when it came to eye colour.

Rolling my eyes I walked into the living room, leaving Edward at his own devices in the kitchen, hell, he knew better than I did.

"Hello?" I asked into the receiver, laughing at Chuck as he tried to do a somersault off the couch.

"Bella, it's Mom. How are you?" I smiled.

"I'm fine." I sighed.

"I thought you weren't going to call."

"I know what day it is, Bella. I couldn't not call—not after what...we've been through. I'm sending Alice and Chuck some things through the mail. I wish you didn't live all the way back in Forks again!"

I just rolled my eyes.

"I guess you are your father's daughter."

"I like the isolation from retards, or in other words, the general public." I explained casually.

She laughed.

"Touche, maybe I should move there."

I laughed and prayed silently she wasn't being serious.

"Thanks for calling, Mom." I said and once it was out of my mouth, I knew I actually meant it.

I was appreciative. I knew she still cared and loved me. It had taken strength, on both ends, for our relationship to rejoin, but we made it happen.

A lot of the credit should go to Jacob, though. He was determined to fix our estrangement.

I was happy now, I could talk to my Mother, I had another confidant.

Although we weren't entirely out of the woods with our past, I was able to talk to her now. That was better than loathing each other from afar.

"I'll let you get back to it, then. It must be dinner time for you guys."

I nodded although she couldn't see me; I dodged a pillow from Chuck and threw it back at him.

"I'll talk to you soon, Mom."

"Okay. I love you."

"Love you, too."

I went to bed after settling Chuck and Alice into bed for the night, hoping they wouldn't wake up at the ass crack of dawn but knowing they most definitely would. Because they're kids, they're little shits, but they're brilliant.

I gave them both a kiss on the cheek before collapsing into bed with my clothes half-hanging off my body.

Edward laughed when he came in.

"Tired?" He asked.

I grunted a response but was playfully aroused as he started to gently remove my clothing.

I bit my lip against the guttural moan that was building in my chest. Edward pulled my jeans down my legs, followed by my panties.

His face came into focus above mine. I cradled him in my hands, licking my lips. He grinned, his eyes crinkling tenderly. I stroked a finger over his stubble, and over his cheeks to his forehead.

I noticed the tiniest shade of grey appearing at the edge of his temples.

I found it kind of hot. He was a fucking DILF now.

An experienced, sexy, domestic, Dad.

I moaned as he lowered his lips to my ear.

"I love you." He murmured.

I ran my hand through his hair then down to the nape of his neck, pulling his mouth to mine and mumbling against his lips.

"I love you, too."

His body was flush against mine, heated and ready—like take out.

But the only calories I gained with Edward was swallowing...

Shaking my head, I pulled my shirt up and over my head, unclasping my bra and discarding it. Edward's hands cupped my breasts, his lips moving in lines down my chest and neck before taking a taut nipple in his mouth.

"You never lose your edge," I gasped.

"You never fail to respond to me." He breathed against my navel.

I shuddered and I could sense his smug grin, the bastard.

I squeezed my thighs together, keeping him out.

He tried to pull them apart gently but I shook my head.

"Restricted access, Newbie."

"But I have a hall-pass." He said in all seriousness.

"Oh, well, okay then..."

I let my knees fall apart as he knelt between them. He stroked his index finger up my slit, circling my sweetest spot before nudging my clit and sending me into a twitching frenzy.

"Ugh, cockwad!" I teased.

"Bitch," he muttered.

"Queer." I retorted, laughing at our game of insults.

"Stone Queen."

"You got me," I sighed and laughed.

And then we both let out a satisfied groan as he entered me, gradually, until he was filling me completely.

I breathed deeply, noting the flush of my skin, the accelerated beat of my heart and the sweat dewing on my forehead—all the same reactions from the first time we had sex.

It couldn't get any better.

I tried hard to muffle my screams of ecstasy as Edward pushed inside of me again and again. He had to cup his hand over my mouth.

I arched my back off of the bed, my hips meeting his with each thrust.

"Oh, Edward!" I gasped, nearing the edge.

He pulled out with a wicked grin.

I glared.

He took my ankle and propped it up onto his shoulder before pounding into me with an intense fervour that left me shaking and shrieking from the assault of pleasure.

I groaned, moaned and whimpered as I came, my pussy clenching tightly around Edward's stone shaft. He growled incomprehensibly, emptying himself inside of me in a burst of heat.

He collapsed onto the bed beside me, sweaty and spent. He curled his arm around my waist and spent the next few minutes catching his breath.

He planted a kiss at the corner of my mouth then reached for my hand, bringing it up to his mouth and kissing the wedding band and diamond ring on my finger.

I smiled contentedly, humming at the lasting sensation of Edward...

We were quiet and relaxed for a few moments.

"Ten years." I murmured into the darkness.

"Ten years today...since he's been gone." Edward stroked my cheek softly.

"What do you miss most about him?" he breathed into my ear.

I contemplated.

"What do I miss most..."

I bit my lip and then smiled, unable to keep a tear from sliding a trail from the corner of my eye.

"Just eating breakfast with him." I murmured.

Edward pressed his mouth to my shoulder blade, I could feel him smile against my skin.

I played with his fingers.

"He would always read the funnies—that was his escape from work: The cartoons in a news paper." I shook my head.

"Esme might have told you, but I'd buy the paper for that reason only. I'd cut out the comic strips and keep them, then throw the rest of it away," I chuckled at my silliness.

"I wonder what he'd say to me now..." I whispered, my eyes stinging.

"I don't know your old man..." Edward began.

"But from what you tell me, he's a smart man—and I know that he'd say you'd done a beautiful job."

I rolled around to face him and we cocooned ourselves, legs tangles and breathing rhythmic. I glanced out of the window Edward had his back to. The full moon was out...clear and bright...not a tinge of red in sight.

"Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!" Alice was squealing into my ear.

I groaned and pulled a pillow over my face but she hastily snatched it away and continued to sing her request for me to awake.

I got ready for work and simultaneously played with the kids.

Edward was taking Chuck and Alice to Esme's house again. She had a holiday apartment up in Port Angeles for when she wanted to visit me and she was up here for this week in particular. She had opened another club in Seattle and relocated there. Business was booming and from what I heard, she had found a man.

He lived in Seattle, and was a highly respectable surgeon—Carlisle, his name was.

I packed my dancing shoes, my tights and my top into my ancient duffle bag. It was ragged and holey, but I liked it—it had character. Edward and I had just opened a family restaurant in Port Angeles, he had opted out of staying a body guard, saying he was already acting as the family's body guard and that was enough—secretly I think he couldn't be motivated because we didn't work together anymore and then there was the fact that there was hardly any work to get around here in that profession.

But tourism was popular revenue for the seaside town, especially around the Spring when the drive up there was a beautiful trip.

Edward took care of the business and I worked full time as a dance teacher at Mimi's Performing Arts school, a few blocks down from the restaurant. I wasn't a professional, well known, famous dancer.

But I decided it wasn't what I wanted to be. Teaching people skills they wouldn't otherwise learn gave me undeniable pleasure. And then I had a family.

People who cared, people who loved me.

I stood up and slung my bag over my shoulder. My eyes encountered the picture of Charlie that sat on the mantle above the fireplace.

I sighed, resting my forearm against the granite.

I stared into the eyes of my father, his brown eyes stared back.

The lit candles that sat either side of it flickered with my slight movements; I picked the silver frame up in my hands and kissed it, placing it back and running out the door before I was late for work.

You could find yourself alone or you could be surrounded by everyone you love, either way the thought was staggering. I was lucky enough to receive the latter.