AN: I loved writing this story. I hope you enjoyed it.

Thank you for reading.

Chapter 19

Epilogue

"Take your time picking them up tomorrow," Mom informed me with a wiggly Annie on her lap. Her twin, Josh was fast asleep, sucking his thumb on Dad's shoulder. "We have nothing going on but spoiling these babies."

She tickled Annie making my toddler giggle loudly. The high pitched squeals were nothing compared to the noises that were coming from the elementary school band. Edward was a talented teacher but he wasn't a miracle worker. It was amazing that Josh was still asleep during the sounds of lack of harmony coming from the children.

Edward had talked the principal of the high school into letting him use the auditorium for the concert. If it was held in the elementary school we would have had to sit on uncomfortable metal chairs in the gymnasium. He said that he believed it would help the kids take more pride in their performance by being on an actual stage. I thought Edward was just being kind to the parents. Sitting through the concert was punishment enough.

A flute slipped from the grasp of Alice's daughter. It fell to the floor with a clang. Ella burst out in tears. Jasper ran to the stage to rescue his overwrought daughter. Her dark pigtails were lopsided and she started to wipe her tears away with her sleeve. I glanced over at Alice who was grinning at me. She shrugged. Ella was a little diva like her father. The other four children were more relaxed like their mother. They just reclined on all of Jasper's various family members laps watching their older sister have a flute mishap meltdown.

"I hope Jess is taping this mess," I whispered to my mom. "Alice would like a copy for blackmail purposes when Ella becomes a teenager."

"I should have done that with Bree," Mom said with a sigh. Bree moved to Europe last year in order to find herself by working in a little café in Paris. I knew my parents were disappointed in her decision, but a part of me was envious. I wouldn't trade Edward or the kids for anything, yet I would love to visit another country. Maybe someday Edward and I would go and it would be amazing.

I searched for Jessica in the crowd. We were supposed to sit with her but she came in late with Mike. They took the last available seats. Michael Jr. played the trumpet. The boy was quite talented.

"Are you going out to dinner with your friends tonight?" Mom pulled out package of crackers and gave Annie one. My mother's purse was now a magical vessel that contained all the things my children could want. Being a grandmother was what she was made for. It was unfair that she just now began to relax about her stance on sugary goodies. Mom loved spoiling her grandbabies. Dad was enjoying reaping the benefits.

"Ladies, I think the concert has ended on a sad note," Dad pointed out. He shifted Josh in his arms. My little guy rubbed his eyes looked around then promptly fell back to sleep.

Jasper carried Ella off the stage. She was quietly weeping into his shoulder. Alice went over and kissed her daughter on the head. My friend whispered in the little girl's ear making her smile.

"Alice is going to have us all over for dinner tomorrow. Dad, can I grab some bread from the restaurant to bring over? She's making lasagna." I stood as Edward weaved through the parents who were congratulating him about tonight's performance. He stopped and spoke with each one. I knew without a doubt that he was telling every parent how proud he was of their children and the progress they were making.

Dad bumped into my shoulder. "I have to admit you made a good decision in marrying that boy."

It might have been years since the wedding and two small kids later, but I still can't help the smile that comes to my face from the memories that flood back of that day. After everything that happened between Edward and I during our high school years, the fact that he stood next to the minister smiling at me as Dad walked me down the aisle filled me with awe that we arrived to that point.

The sun was so bright above us. It felt like heaven was saying that it was time for us to be together. When Edward took my hand,so handsome in his suit with his green eyes filling with tears, I fully believed in forever at that moment. We had come out of the darkness and back to one another.

After the wedding we sat on the edge of a dock. The light glistening on the water made it look like it was filled with little diamonds. I'll never forget what Edward said to me that day.

Edward lifted my hand and linked his fingers into mine. His lips grazed each of my knuckles with a feathery touch.

"We fit so well. This was meant to be. Loving you, I mean," Edward told me. I dipped my toes into the cool water. I drew hearts with my foot. "I apologize it took me so long to get it together."

I placed my head on his shoulder. "It's better this way. If we kept on the track we were on in high school we would never be here now. I would probably be married to Mike."

Edward wrapped his arm around my waist and started tickling my sides. "I would never let that happen. I would throw you over my shoulder and drag you away to Vegas first."

"We would have an Elvis wedding in a little chapel on the strip?"

"Hell yes, Bella. You would be the most beautiful bride in a tee-shirt and jeans." He kissed the top of my head. "I prefer this wedding though. I couldn't take my eyes off of you. That dress—"

"Pretty amazing, huh?"

Edward stroked a finger down my cheek. "Absolutely stunning."

"Thank you for making me Mrs. Cullen, Edward." I was going to love waking up to this face for the rest of my life.

"Thank you for loving me, Bella Cullen." Edward kissed me softly. "You've made me the man I am today."

"Sweetheart, where did you go to in that head of yours?" Edward wrapped his arms around me.

I gave him a hug. "Just thinking about some happy times. The kids did great tonight."

The look on Edward's face made it clear that he knew that I was humoring him. "They're getting there, sweet wife."

"Mostly Ella."

Edward chuckled. "Poor kid. I'll talk to her about it at dinner tomorrow. Jasper and I will get her back in line."

"Your friendship disturbs me, Edward." I had pointed that out to my husband many times over the years.

At some point, over many beers, Edward and Jasper had formed a friendship that had them discovering that they had much in common concerning their thoughts on fatherhood to favorite science fiction shows. I mean it was nice and all, but also weird. I wasn't completely off base. Jacob completely agreed with me.

"You'll learn to like it someday," Edward told me.

"Sure, I will. I'll let you and your favorite guy try to talk to Ella while Jake and I mock you both," I teased. Jacob was visiting with his newest boyfriend this weekend. It seemed this Ben guy might just last.

Mom and Dad came back with a giggly Annie and a cranky Josh. My mom announced, "Bathroom duty is done and we are going to take these two munchkins home for a super sleepover."

"Cookies!" Annie squealed loudly.

I countered, "Bedtime, little lady."

She gave me the toddler stink eye.

Sleepy Josh reached for Edward, "Daddy, I sleepy."

Edward lifted him up and cuddled him close. "I know, buddy. Grandpa is going to get you all snuggled up for bed."

"Cookies," Josh parroted his sister's demands.

"Seriously, Mom." She made the children into sugar fiends.

My mother's answer was only a smile. She cared not about my complaints. She was the grandma and she was going to be the best one ever.

We pulled the kids into final hugs and kisses. It was nice to finally get a night alone without worrying about late night crying for the potty or a glass of water. I was going to relish sleeping in.

Edward threw an arm around my shoulder. "I see we are alone at last."

"Not really. There is a swarm of amorous mommies about to come over and flirt with you under the guise of talking about their children." Edward had quite the following of admirers with the mothers. Though, according to Edward, I had the same issue with the fathers of my students. They drove Edward insane and, at school functions, my husband would hover and glare at the men who would come up to discuss their kids' spelling tests.

Quickly, Edward pulled me out into the hallway and headed toward the gymnasium. "We better escape!"

His face was full of mischief and unbridled joy. I found him at his most attractive this way.

"The exit is the other way. I know that we're old now, but you couldn't have forgotten your way around this place," I informed him.

Edward stopped abruptly and pulled a set of keys out of his pants. "I have friends in high places and we have an anniversary to celebrate."

"Anniversary? What in the world are you talking about?" Our wedding anniversary was months away and—

"Baby," Edward whispered and turned me to a set of stairs. "It was this day that you actually traveled down the stairs and met me in the boiler room. Your mouth on mine woke up my heart. I want to celebrate that day."

Oh. My stomach was fluttering with those butterflies that used to visit me when I saw him in our youth. Edward led me down the stairs and into the dark room that was filled with candles. There was an air mattress covered in blankets. A bottle of wine and two glasses sat on an overturned crate. It was beautiful.

"You know that you're breaking all kinds of rules here," I informed him.

The cardigan I wore was slipped off of my shoulders. He kissed my bare shoulder.

"I'm aware."

"This is school property and not a romantic rendezvous spot." One strap of my dress was slipped down and then the next. I turned to face him and began to unbutton his shirt.

"So I've heard," he said as I nibbled his neck. My dress slid down my body and onto the floor. His shirt joined it.

"Those candles are a fire hazard," I pointed out. I pulled his undershirt off and ran my tongue around his nipple. My fingers scratched down his chest.

Edward unhooked my black bra and stared at me. "My best friend is the Fire Marshal, darling. He secured the site and set it up. Don't you worry, your pretty head."

James. That guy was such a secret romantic.

Edward took off his pants and led me over to the mattress. I was gently laid down onto it. Edward fingered the edges of my lace panties. "My god, you're fucking beautiful in candle light."

Reaching up, I took Edward's head in my hands and pulled him down on top of me. Our mouths met and hands stroked bare skin. The clanging sounds of the boiler was the musical accompaniment to squeezes and caresses.

I ran my fingers down his back. We had stopped for a moment just to stare at each other. I stroked his cheek. "Are you happy?"

"You make me happy, Bella." His kissed my forehead. "I will tell you I love you every day for the rest of our lives and keep telling you in heaven."

He entered me then. The feeling of fullness wasn't only physical but I felt it in my very soul. Our movements weren't hurried but slow in order to savor every moment. We were always connected and, in moments like this one, it drove that feeling home to me.

The passion we felt built naturally and when we both finally came, I couldn't help smiling uncontrollably.

Edward pulled me into his chest in a tight hug. "We should come here every week."

"I think the principal might start having issues if we did," I informed him. "Once a year would work."

"You like this anniversary surprise?" He started giving me little pecks all over my face.

"I love this anniversary surprise," I replied. "It's perfect because this place was the beginning of us."

A moody boy and an idealistic girl finding love. Our story like was something out of a movie or television show. It shouldn't have worked out but here we were back at the start. A little bit older and a lot wiser which is the real happy ever after.