[A/N: Here we are! I cried through this one, but I'm a crier by nature. There's your warning. I want to thank each and every person who read or commented on the story. This was a challenge to me because it was a pairing with which I was unfamiliar, but I fell in love with the Cullen-Whitlocks, so this is the fruition of my obsession! SMeyer owns, and I'd really like to see some slash movies with the men of Twilight! Enjoy…]

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21. Epilogue

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Two Years Later…

…Jasper…

"You swear to me you didn't plan a party for the darkest day of my life," Carlisle complained as Jasper ironed a new shirt that was an early birthday gift for Carlisle. Jasper laughed because Carlisle had been bitching about his fortieth birthday since the day he'd turned thirty-nine.

"It's the beginning of the end, you know. Ben told me he started having problems in the bedroom after he turned forty. We'd better fuck as much as we can before next year because you'll just have to live on memories after that dark day," Carlisle complained as he cleared the dinner dishes from the custom-made dining table after the family had left the celebration of Carlisle's thirty-ninth birthday.

Their other table wasn't big enough for everyone, so Carlisle had one made as a Christmas gift to Jasper. They'd purchased multicolored leather chairs to go around it, and they hosted many parties where the family sat around it, enjoying the occasion with friendly banter and lots of love. It was definitely an investment in family.

"Okay, first, Ben's married to a woman who's more interested in shopping with her girlfriends than fucking her husband, and Ben works too many hours because he doesn't want to go home to an empty house. She's still on the pill, by the way, so if she told him she's all-in with trying to get pregnant, she's lyin'," Jasper explained. He was twenty-seven, as was Tia Carter, and they'd become quasi-friends through their work with Charles House, but Jasper didn't agree with the way Tia treated Ben. It wasn't his business, but he still didn't approve.

"How do you know?" Carlisle asked as he followed Jasper into the kitchen, scraping plates for the dishwasher.

"I had lunch with her, Bella, Esme, and Rosalie the other day after the board meeting in Harlem. We went to 'Farmer's' to see Bree about catering the fund-raiser at the Center in Brooklyn. Anyway, Bella had Tony with her, and Tia said she didn't know how Bella could take care of two kids so close in age. Edward had taken Nessa with him to work that day, remember…" Jasper teased.

He saw Carlisle laughing. "Hey, I never had anyone to watch those princess movies with and we got caught up in the plot. Emmett handled the meeting fine without me," Carlisle defended.

Jasper laughed. Emmett had sent Jasper video of Carlisle watching the movie, "Brave" while Nessa was asleep on the couch. Jasper had been teasing him since that day.

"I'd bet if you asked Lauren, she'd sit with you to give you cover so you could watch them at home. With Riley out of the house, neither Lauren nor I will out your Disney addiction to anyone.

"As far as things in our bedroom are concerned? I promise I'll make sure you get all the attention you could ever want or need. No need to worry about shit that's never gonna happen.

Jasper smiled as he observed Carlisle reclining on the bed shirtless. The man certainly didn't look forty, though Jasper wasn't sure what forty looked like. Carlisle maintained his health, joining Jasper several times a week to work out. Then there were the workouts they got at home. Since Riley had moved in with Paul, Lauren had elected to take the former study downstairs on the first floor. She complained the two men were too damn loud, and how was she supposed to get her homework completed when they were fucking all the time.

Jasper had laughed at her and helped her switch the rooms. He even helped her paint the dark study a bright, carnation pink with eggplant trim. He also took her shopping and bought her new linens so it was exactly as she wanted it to be. After she was settled in downstairs, things had been great.

"What are you looking at?" Carlisle asked as he sat up, pulling on his undershirt.

Jasper placed the hot iron on its heel and walked to the bed, flopping down next to the man he loved. "I'm staring at a man I never thought I'd have in my life. I'm staring at the man who helped me find hope instead of the rejection I expected after I got out of prison. I'm looking at the man who believed in me when only my own mother was in my corner. I'm looking at the man I want to walk down the aisle to where I'll take vows to love, honor, and cherish you for all the days of my life. I'm looking at the man I want to marry, if he'll have me," he trailed off to a whisper.

Jasper pulled Carlisle up to a seated position before he kneeled between his lover's legs, retrieving a tissue from his pocket. As he unfolded it, he cleared his throat to continue the monologue he'd practiced for the last week. "I know we've made the commitment to each other and we take it seriously, but I'd like to make it legal. If you'll allow me, I'd like to add your last name to mine, and I hope you'll add my last name to yours. Will you please marry me?" Jasper asked as he held out the two silver bands that were encrusted in pave diamonds. The rings would fit snugly against the rings Jasper had purchased for them a few years prior.

Carlisle surprised him when he slid off the bed and took both of Jasper's hands in his. "I would be honored to marry you, Jasper, just as I'd be honored to take your name. Edward has the Cullen legacy covered. I think I might like to spend the rest of my days as a Whitlock," he told Jasper before he pulled him into his arms and kissed him passionately.

"We're gonna be late to your surprise party," Jasper teased as Carlisle began pulling at his clothes.

"Good. I knew you were planning something. Where is it?" Carlisle enquired as he finally rid the two of them of their clothes.

Both cocks were hard, and the kisses were hungry. "See, you got no problems with getting it up, baby. I love you, Car."

They were an hour late to Carlisle's birthday party, and Riley was very pissed off when they showed up at the diner, but their smiles couldn't be dimmed by his tirade regarding dried out and over cooked food. They announced their engagement, and all worries about the food were forgotten as the family and friends celebrated. It was a wonderful night.

…Carlisle…

Carlisle looked up to see Lauren breeze into the upstairs bedroom where he was dressing in the tan linen suit he'd chosen. He knew Jasper's was navy linen, though he hadn't seen it. Edward had gone with him to pick it out, and Carlisle couldn't wait to see the handsome man who was to become his lawfully wedded husband.

They were at the beach house in East Hampton, and they were getting married on the beach. It had been Jasper's first choice, and Carlisle made certain it happened. Lauren and Bella had helped him and Jasper with the planning because Esme was busy with Charles House. Carlisle thought it for the best. She still had issues with seeing people get their happiness, and he didn't want to push her…or shove her off the wagon of her sobriety.

"You look beautiful, sweetheart," Carlisle told the young woman who had become a daughter to him.

He'd insisted she seek counseling after he was named as her foster father, and she was set to begin hormone therapy after she graduated high school. Lauren wanted to wait because she wanted to graduate and put the past behind her. She was taking a year off before deciding about college and total gender reassignment surgery.

Carlisle was proud of her for being prudent and giving things a lot of thought. It hadn't hurt that Jessica had completed her reassignment and was willing to discuss the procedures frankly with Lauren while they worked together at the diner when Lauren finished school for the day.

"I know I do, but so do you," she teased as she stepped up to him and finished tying his tie.

"Jasper looks very nervous. Did anything happen last night after dinner?" she asked.

Riley and Jasper had cooked the meal together for the rehearsal dinner. After they'd finished eating, everyone had gone down to the beach for a bonfire except for the mothers, who were babysitting Nessa and Tony. Carlisle and Paul had set it up earlier in the day. There were blankets and coolers of beer and wine, along with a guitar off to the side. When everyone settled with their significant other, Paul handed the guitar to Jasper with a smile.

Carlisle turned to his partner and smiled. "Will I ever know everything about you, love?" Jasper smiled and began to sing.

Wise men say only fools rush in
But I can't help falling in love with you
Shall I stay? Would it be a sin?
If I can't help falling in love with you

Like a river flows gently to the sea
Darling so it goes, some things are meant to be
Take my hand, take my whole life too
Cause I can't help falling in love with you…

("Can't Help Falling in Love with You," Elvis Presley, 1960)

When Jasper finished, he handed the guitar to Paul and took Carlisle's hand, leading him down the beach. "There are a few things you don't know about my time in prison, but I never wanted to dirty up this beautiful thing between us with a lot of details.

"I love you, Carlisle. I'll tell you the stories if you need them, and if you decide not to be at the end of the aisle tomorrow, I will understand," Jasper told him with tears in his eyes.

Carlisle thought for a second and stopped them as they strolled up the beach with the moon on the ocean, making the night appear surreal. "There's absolutely nothing you could tell me that would make me change my mind. I love you as much as there is water in the ocean. Nothing could keep me from marrying you tomorrow."

"You don't know that for sure. I actually died my hair black when I was in eighth grade. Mom came home and was pissed about the mess until she really looked at my hair. She insisted I go to the barber the next morning, get my head shaved, and then go to school, her walking me the whole way. When she found out the kids at school called me Goldilocks and that was why I wanted to dye it, she apologized for reacting so harshly, but I was fine. I didn't have the blonde hair anymore and nobody teased me. Turned out great for me," Jasper explained.

They both laughed as the stood, making out under the moon and stars. When they went inside the house that night, Bella, Alice, and Rosalie had insisted they sleep in separate rooms 'for the sake of tradition'. They kissed good-night and went their separate ways. As far as Carlisle knew, things were just fine.

"I'm sure it's just because we've written our vows and he's not really into public speaking. Uh, go see if he's okay, please?" he asked Lauren.

She giggled. "Daddy, I'm teasing. He's prancing around like he won the damn Powerball. I was sent to get you to take the walk. Nana's waiting to walk you down the aisle, and on a personal note, I'll say it's about time. You're not getting any younger."

Carlisle laughed as he jutted out his arm to escort Lauren downstairs. He saw his mother in the kitchen waiting for him. "Ready?" she asked.

"More than ever," he responded.

They walked down the aisle, and when he reached the minister, who was a friend of Liz's, he kissed his mother's cheek and waited for his groom.

When he saw Jasper walk to the end of the aisle with Lottie on his arm, Carlisle sucked in a deep breath. His future was wrapped in a very lovely package, and he was lucky to have the man walking toward him at a very clipped pace, dragging his mother along with him as the guests laughed.

When Jasper stopped at the end of the aisle to kiss his mother, Carlisle watched her blow her bangs out of her face. "I'd have worn roller skates if I'd have known I'd be dragged here. Where on earth did you think Carlisle was going to go?" she asked, none-too-quietly.

"Momma, when you have a man like Carlisle waiting for you? You don't waste time," Jasper told her with a smile that stunned Carlisle. Everyone laughed as she kissed her son and took her seat next to Eliot Banner with whom she'd become very friendly.

After the guests stopped laughing, Carlisle and Jasper took each other's hands and turned to gaze into each other's eyes. The minister conducted the traditional ceremony they'd requested. When they got to the vows, she turned to them and smiled. "You two want to flip a coin?"

They both laughed. "I'm going first so I can get it out before I start blubbering like a baby," Jasper stated.

He turned to look at Carlisle and smiled. "To say you were a surprise would be an understatement. Until I met you, I didn't have a lot of hope for my future, but when you came into my life, you brought so much lightness and possibility, not to mention all the wonderful people who have accepted me, my past seemed to be less important. I thank you for making my days brighter and my nights warmer. For showing me I deserve to be loved just like everyone else, I thank you.

"I, Jasper Whitlock, promise to remain faithful to you, love you, cherish you, put you first in my life and light a candle for you every Sunday when I take Momma to church," Jasper told him. He leaned forward and kissed Carlisle on the lips, pulling back with a teary smile. "Your turn."

Carlisle took a deep breath and let it go, hoping the tears would hold off until he got out his vows. "When I walked into the diner at four-in-the-morning to meet you after my brother continued to brow beat me about your food, I was nearly stunned silent because you were the most beautiful man I'd ever seen in my life, bar none.

"You say I showed you there was the possibility of a future, but I know in my heart you saved me. I was skeptical of other's observations there was such a thing as true love, but Jasper, I fell for you so damn fast, I didn't know what hit me. Thank you for being so incredibly easy to love. Thank you for being more supportive than I ever thought someone could be, and thank you for loving me and all the crap that comes with me.

"I, Carlisle Cullen, promise to put you first, love you, cherish you, and make sure you know how happy I am to come home to you every day for the rest of my life. I'm thankful to have you as my husband, and I'll go with you to take Lottie to church on Sundays so I can light a candle for you as well."

After the exchange of rings and the pronouncement of their bands, they kissed passionately before they ran down the sandy aisle. Both of them kicked off their shoes and ran into the surf, holding each other and kissing again with the sun in the sky.

It was a day to remember for the rest of his life. It was the day Carlisle took his one true love for the rest of his life. It was more amazing as he thought about it, but at the end of the day, he thanked the heavens for Jasper Whitlock, his husband. He was a miracle.

…

Carlisle and Jasper lived in wedded bliss for many years, seeing their son, Riley, marry the man he loved and live happily for ten years before Riley died from cancer at the age of thirty-five. They both felt their hearts were being ripped out of their chests as they watched the deterioration of the man they were so proud to have as their son and the pain of loss for their son-in-law. At the memorial, Lauren gave the eulogy because none of the other members of the family could speak without sobbing.

"Riley Biers Cullen Whitlock Lahota was my brother in all the ways that were important. He introduced me to the most amazing family who love me despite the issues I brought to the table. I remember him saying, 'Kid, you're shit will be like easy street for my dads. You got no worries.' I thought he was crazy, but he proved me wrong. I'll miss his light and his laugh until the day comes when I see him again. Thank you, Riles, for finding me and showing me what family really is."

Later that afternoon, Carlisle and Jasper laid on the bed together, both staring at the ceiling. "He was happy before he got sick. We should remember him like that, baby," Jasper reminded.

Carlisle squeezed his hand. "He's saving us seats, love. We'll see him again."

The comfort of being reunited with family helped them mourn their son and go on with their lives. As time went on and other loved ones were lost, Carlisle made the same comment, "They're saving us a seat. We'll see them again."

When the day came many years later, Jasper took Carlisle's hand at his bedside and whispered into his husband's ear, "Save me a seat. I'll be right behind you." He saw a slight smile on Carlisle's face before he slipped into that good night.

Jasper mourned, but he was comforted by Paul and Lauren, and he knew he would see his love again. That was his only thought when it was his time. "I'm coming, Car. I hope you saved a seat."

He did.

FIN

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[E/N: *Tears* I've loved this road. I hope you've enjoyed it as well. I'd like to hear your thoughts, but I'll thank you for reading. Follow me because I'll have more things in the future. To my friends in America…Happy Thanksgiving. To my friends in the rest of the world…happy holidays and lots of love. ML]