AN: Well, here it is; the final chapter of Irrevocable and we get to hear from Alice.

Hope you have enjoyed this one and thank you to all favoriters, followers and reviewers. My apologies for not answering reviews; I started a new job this week and it's hard to get my head around both in this last couple of weeks, it's all been a bit hit and miss.

Thanks to SarcasticBimbo and MeteorOnAMoonlessNight for their beta and prereading services. I'd never get anywhere without either of you.

Stay tuned for another story, Skyjacked, which I will be posting soon...

Usual Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer still hasn't given me her rights to Edward Cullen :-(

Irrevocable

Summary

It doesn't matter when I live my life, as long as it's with you.

Chapter 16

Epilogue 2

Alice

When I first slipped forward in time, I was confused and afraid. That didn't last long, as I discovered makeup and clothes and ventured out into the world of the year 2016.

I remembered my wedding day and buried my feelings deep inside. My father was stuck in time and believed wholeheartedly that my place was as a married woman. My money and my body owned by a man. My mother had been alive when I met Edward, and she and my father had agreed we would be married. I was ten years old and had no idea what that truly meant.

My father and Carlisle Cullen had been friends for many years and had it not been for the fact that his business was failing, I was sure that I could have changed his mind about marriage to his son, Edward. Overhearing them talk had me despairing that I would ever have that perfect love.

The eve of my wedding, Esme left me in his chambers, dressed in a virginal nightgown, my body shaking in terror. She had done her best to ease my fears of what was to come, and although I didn't know how, I was absolutely sure I didn't want to give myself to someone who not only didn't love me, but clearly did not want to be married to me, either. I longed for a soulmate, having only caught a glimpse of a golden haired man in my dreams.

At that moment, I vowed that even if I had to stay married to Edward, there was no way he would find me an easy person. I may act shy and demure, but I was nothing of the sort, and he would find that out the hard way. I didn't mind him using the dowry I brought with me to keep his business alive, but there was no way I wanted to be the same as my mother; nothing but an empty society wife.

Finding myself in the future was the best thing that had ever happened to me; although I had no idea how it had come to be. I wandered through the house I had found myself in, almost afraid to touch anything. I awoke on a settee surrounded by what were clearly journals, letters, and photographs. Shockingly, I recognized Esme, Carlisle, and Edward in them. Leaving those, I searched the other rooms, finding a bedroom, a bathroom so much more luxurious than I had ever seen before, and a kitchen. Searching through the cupboards, I found food in various cupboards and was fascinated by appliances placed on counter tops. Taking food with me, I took a seat in the living room again, and picked up one of the journals lying on the table. Realizing that this was something belonging to Esme Cullen, I couldn't help but read them all.

Unfortunately, it appeared that none of the Cullens, including myself, had a happy life. Reading the newspaper articles, I was horrified to find out about my own death; not something anyone would ever wish to know, and even though I did not want to be married to Edward, his death after mine caused me sorrow. Esme and Carlisle had been nothing but kind to me and to know Edward's untimely end would be the end of them, was too much to bear.

I vowed that, even if I was unable to effect a permanent switch in time, I would not allow that fate to befall any member of the family I had been married into, against my will or not.

I spent the day reading and experimenting with all the strange devices I found in the house. The water in the bathroom was the most exhilarating thing I had felt, all that instant hot water ready for me whenever I wanted it was such an intoxicating feeling, I stood under it three times in the first day. Whoever lived in this house I found myself in had very good taste in the sweet smelling lotions I discovered.

When the strange device on the table rang, I realized it was a telephone and decided that it was something I would not be touching. The only thing in the kitchen I recognized was the refrigerator, in which I found many delicious foods. I resolved to leave the rest of the items alone. If I was destined to be here for a long time, I was sure I would eventually figure them out.

The next day, deciding I wanted to venture out into the streets, I searched through the closet, finding the most enticing of clothing. Men's pants, sized for a woman, short skirts, tops that showed so much skin even I was scandalized. I turned my attention to the chest, filled with the most beautiful undergarments I had ever seen and felt. On the surface of the dressing table, I discovered the greatest find; creams. potions, lotions and colored cosmetics for the face. It did take a few hours of exciting experimentation but by the time I was ready to leave the house and explore the local area, I was happy with the total look I had achieved.

Taking my courage in both hands, I opened the front door and stepped through it, venturing out into the streets surrounding the house, fascinated more and more the longer I stayed and the further I walked. It was so different from the way of life I had known up until now, so taking my courage in both hands I settled into a seat outside an eatery. I ordered tea and something called a sandwich, thankful that the menu I was given had pictures. I sat there for a few hours, watching the people walking past and thinking about what might have happened to put me here; I knew I wasn't dreaming.

I was disappointed when I awoke in the morning, obviously back in my own time; in Edward's chambers. After removing myself to the guest chambers, Edward knocked on the door later in the day. I had spoken to Esme earlier and I knew I had confused her, but I was still trying to make sense of what had happened to me. I spoke to Edward only through the door, refusing him entry and was glad he left without demanding anything further.

Spending the next day or so making sure Edward and I did not confront each other was difficult, but I remained in my room when he was at home. He knocked a few times wanting to talk but I wasn't yet ready; I knew I wanted that other life and it would seem that nothing was under my control, and I would, once again, have to wait for someone else to make decisions that affected me.

Two days later I got my wish, I woke in the bedroom in what I now knew as Bella's house. Deciding on another day of exploring, I dressed in a sleeveless top and a very short skirt, which was very cooling in the hot air outside. I know it was rude of me but when I found money in a purse hanging on a hook inside the front door, I was determined that I would have some fun today; after all, I might never return again.

After a few hours of shopping, I made my way to the same eatery as before, and sat in the same seat as I had the previous day. The other seats surrounding me filled up over the next few hours with young men and women and I couldn't help but be envious of their interactions. A young man with golden hair asked if he could take the seat on the opposite side of my table and as I nodded to him indicating that he could, my heart beat double-time. It was him; I was sure of it. The man in my dreams, who introduced himself as Jasper Whitlock.

We talked for hours and eventually I succumbed and told him the truth of who I was and how I came to be here. He didn't flinch once and seemed to believe every word. I was as fascinated with him as he seemed with me.

The following day, we met again and as he walked me home after spending the day together, he kissed me lightly. I knew right then that he was that man; my soulmate. I invited him into the house, and we spent hours talking and kissing. It seemed so natural for us to be together as man and wife, that I forgot that we had not been married. When he left in the morning, I vowed I would find a way to be with him for always, and set about writing a letter to Bella explaining as much as I could, suggesting that she speak to Esme, as I would do on my return.

When I returned the second time, I was ready to confront Edward and do what I could to make this time swap permanent. From my first conversation with Edward it was clear that he was in love with Bella in a way he would never be with me.

After speaking to Esme, there was nothing further to do but to wait for Bella to make her decision. I had already spoken to Jasper before he left and I had every faith that he would do his utmost to help her to make the right decision for her, even if it left us apart.

I had faith in Bella, but Edward grew more despondent as each day passed with no change. Although I never ceased to tell him that it would happen, I was still grateful that he was putting plans in place to transfer money to me so I could have whatever life I wanted. I didn't tell him that I thought I was with child; I remembered the details Bella had left for me and that in her time, I had died from childbirth. Armed with this knowledge, that would not happen and although I would tell Edward the truth, to the world it would have to seem as if it was our baby.

My father, the man who practically gave me away, was disinterested in anything that was going on in my life, and within the first month of my marriage decided he would rather join my mother than be there for me. He had been absent through my childhood and after her death, spent most of his time morosely drinking and staring at her picture. Beyond my initial sadness at his passing, nothing changed in my life, while I waited for Bella's decision.

Almost three months after I had seen Jasper, I woke feeling strange and a curious excitement ran through me. It's time, I thought to myself and hastened to freshen up and dress for the day. I almost danced into the dining room with happiness, telling Edward that it was time. I had no idea when it would happen, although now I was sure that it would be today.

Halfway through the morning meal, I began to feel strange and the edges of my vision turned grey and wavy. Suddenly, the fork I held in my hand became too heavy to hold and my eyes closed involuntarily. I felt Edward's arms around me and tried to tell him that everything would be alright. Unable to speak, the grey edged closer and then turned black and consciousness faded.

Two days later I woke in Bella's bedroom, Jasper lying beside me. He told me that he and Bella had had a hard time not only finding the final piece of the puzzle but also trying to get the new owner to sell it. He explained that they hadn't succeeded in doing that, but had managed to break in and somehow follow the remaining instructions Sara had described.

It was over; I was here with my soulmate for the rest of our lives. Jasper explained how Bella had set everything up for us to be able to move on with no suspicion and our first act as partners was to move to Texas where his family lived. He was over the moon about the baby and proposed immediately. We were married within the month and have never looked back.

Over the next few months, I visited the library many times, checking issues of the Chicago Chronicle. I had a feeling that Bella might try to contact me in some way and I wanted some reassurances that her life was as happy as mine had turned out.

I was fairly sure that it would be within the year, and so each month I checked every issue from the day we had miraculously swapped places. And then one day, there was something that had not been there the day before.

My dear Alice Whitlock,

You may never read this, but somehow I know you are watching. I will be eternally grateful for your insight between May and August of 1897, which allowed me to have the life I wished for with Edward. Despite early difficulties, we have never been happier and I trust that your life, too, is all that you wished for it to be.

I know that the actions that we took in that period changed the lives of six people who were directly involved and no doubt others with whom we interacted.

Edward and I have set up a trust fund for you, repaying that which was lost to you on your marriage. On our death, at some point in the future, you will receive a missive from Jenks & Jenks Solicitors, informing you of a legacy. It is the least that we could do for you to ensure your life is all that you wish it to be.

Take care of yourself and your family, wherever they may be.

Our grateful thanks and love,

Edward and Bella Cullen

Remembering the first newspaper cuttings I had read, I made it a point to check the same ones at regular intervals. Though I was almost sure of their happy future, I had a need to know that we had managed to change the future for the better.

Eventually, I happened upon an entry that had me ecstatic for them. The announcement of a baby boy, along with more information about the family. It would seem that their lives knew as much happiness as mine had, which confirmed that our actions that final day were the right ones.

And that is the end of the strangest story ever told. So if you ever find a vanity set with engraved words, take care of it; it may lead you to your soulmate and the love of your life.

**The End**