Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight. I do not.

Epilogue

"Bella, get your lazy butt up!"

I groaned, rolling over in bed, away from that hateful voice.

"Oh no you don't. You need to get up."

Why was this happening to me? It was my wedding day for crying out loud. I had had a long evening with the girls and stayed the night at Charlie and Sue's to uphold the tradition of the bride and groom not seeing each other before the wedding. I glanced at the clock on the nightstand and sighed. The wedding wasn't scheduled for another eleven hours.

"Leah, leave me alone!"

"Hey, do I look like I want to be awake at this un-godly hour? No! I could be in bed with my gorgeous husband or snuggling with my son. Instead, I'm here trying to keep a promise to a friend and you're not making it easy for me."

"What promise?"

"Never mind that," she growled. "Are you going to get up or are you going to make a liar out of me?"

I was inclined to do the latter, but something in her eyes told me that I would seriously regret that decision. Acknowledging defeat, I threw the covers off and headed to the bathroom.

The house was dark, silent and cold. That's because the sane people were asleep, snug in their beds. I was exhausted. But I told myself to do this one thing for Leah and then I would be able to crawl back into the warmth of my bed and rest for a few more hours before all the wedding day chaos began.

I was officially into my second trimester as of this week and thank God for that. I was finally feeling more like myself. The morning sickness was gone and I'd gotten my appetite and energy back. I felt great. I looked at myself in the mirror. My face was a little rounder, but I just looked healthy. I was grateful for the fact that I had had some weight to gain. I didn't look pregnant just yet.

Jacob and I had agreed to keep the pregnancy a secret at least until after the honeymoon. We didn't want to distract everyone from the wedding celebration, but more importantly, we liked having this beautiful secret all to ourselves.

I finished up in the bathroom and made my way back into my old bedroom where Leah was sitting on the end of the bed, waiting for me. "Let's go," she said.

I looked down at my baggy sweats and the oversized t-shirt I had slept in. "I need to get dressed."

"Actually, you don't. What you're wearing is perfect. But you should probably put on a sweater. It's cold out."

I shrugged. At this point, I didn't care where she was taking me or that I looked like a slob. If she said it was fine, who was I to argue with her? I threw on a sweater and slipped into my grungy tennis shoes and I followed her out to her car.

I wasn't the least bit surprised when she headed towards the Rez. But I was a little confused when she pulled up to First Beach and parked.

"Okay, what are we doing here?" Although it was late August, it was early enough that it was still chilly outside. I could see the beginnings of a beautiful sunrise to the east, blooming over the treetops.

"You, my dear, have a date," Leah said. She looked rather pleased with herself too. When she started to walk down the well-worn path to the beach, I kicked off my shoes and followed her.

When we got down to the beach, my mouth fell open in shock. A drift-wood fire was burning in my favorite spot on the beach. Next to it, an aisle had been made from sea shells and seaweed and at the end of the aisle, wearing a huge smile and a t-shirt and jeans, was Jacob.

Quil stood by his side looking ridiculous in an obnoxiously loud Hawaiian shirt paired with neon green track pants. I didn't even notice Embry was beside me until he wrapped my arm around his and started walking with me.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

He laughed and shook his head like I was the one who was crazy. "I'm walking you down the aisle, genius."

I was too stunned to protest, so I let him lead me down the aisle of sand towards the man of my dreams. Jacob took me in his arms and kissed me, thoroughly muddling my already addled brain.

"Hey, knock it off you two," Quil said. He pried Jacob off of me and held a large black binder between us. He opened the binder and said, "The kissing doesn't come for at least 12 pages." Jacob just laughed and rolled his eyes.

"What's going on?"

Jacob pushed Quil aside and took me in his arms again.

"Geez," Quil grumbled. "No need to be rude!"

"Bells, when I asked you to marry me, you said that you would be perfectly happy getting married on First Beach in nothing but your baggy sweats and a grungy t-shirt."

"Uh huh…"

"Tonight's wedding is for our family and friends, with the pretty dress and the perfect decorations. But, this, right now, this is just for us, for you and me. What do you say, Bells? Will you marry me?"

I looked around at the setting, at the beautiful blue flames from the driftwood fire and heard the waves crashing onto my favorite beach. And right in front of me was the most beautiful vision I'd ever seen or ever would see; My Jacob. "Yes," I answered without hesitation.

"Woo hoo," Quil hollered. "Let's get this show on the road."

Jacob took my hands in his. Quil stood before us, sifting through the pages of his binder, and that's when I realized he was serving as our minister. I looked at Jacob who merely winked at me and I remembered us joking about how funny it would be if we got Quil to marry us. I smiled and laughed thinking that this was the most perfect wedding I could ever imagine. I was with the man I loved, on the beach where our love story began, with the friends who were there with us from the beginning. I couldn't have come up with a better plan had I spent a year planning.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Quil began, "we are gathered here today to witness the marriage of Jacob Ephraim Black to Isabella Marie Swan. Theirs has not been an easy road. Though Jacob's love has always been pure and true, Bella was a bit of a wild cat, needing to dabble in vampire affairs before she could pledge her love to a dog…"

"Quil!" Jacob and I yelled at the same time.

"What?" he cried indignantly. "I'm just trying to give everyone a little background information."

Jacob and I looked around disbelievingly. The five of us were the only people on the beach at such an early hour. "We don't need any background story, Quil. We lived it. Now get on with the ceremony."

"Fine," Quil snapped. "If you wanted a boring, dull ceremony you should've just told me." He turned page after page in his binder and added under his breath, "Then maybe I wouldn't have wasted so much time writing all this shit."

I couldn't help but laugh, after all, it did look like Quil had put a lot of work into this. But, he grudgingly moved on. "Alright, I guess we can move onto the vows."

He turned another page and looked at me with solemn eyes. "Do you, Bella, vow to love, honor and remain forever faithful to Jacob?"

"I do."

"Do you vow to cherish him through better or worse, sickness and health, as long as you both shall live?"

"I do."

"Do you promise to establish Naked Sundays where the two of you will have nothing but hot, dirty…"

"Quil!"

"What? I'm just trying to help a brother out."

I was caught between blushing and laughing. "I think you should just skip ahead, Quil," I said.

"Jesus, you guys are the two most demanding people I've ever met! First it's, do us a favor and officiate our wedding. Now it's, shut up…"

"Shut up, Quil!" Embry, Leah and Jacob all shouted as one. Jacob knocked the binder out of Quil's hands and it landed with a soft thump in the sand. Quil muttered angrily as Jacob squeezed my hands and said, "Now we know why we opted for the official wedding later tonight."

I was nearly in tears, I was laughing so hard. "Yeah, our minister seems to have his own agenda."

"Although," Jacob whispered seductively in my ear, "I'm not really opposed to Naked Sundays."

I stepped closer and whispered in his ear, "I think that can be arranged."

"Then what's with all the bitching?"

Quil's outburst reminded us that we still had an audience. Jacob cleared his throat and I took a step back to maintain some semblance of propriety. Quil picked up his binder and was flipping through the pages, brushing off the sand. "Now, where were we?" he muttered.

"I got this," Jacob said, earning an annoyed scowl from Quil.

"Bells, I tell you every day how much you mean to me. I don't know if I can say it in a new or profound way to make you understand. I love you. I love you so much. You and," he glanced down at my belly then he quickly averted his gaze, "you are the most important thing to me. Nothing else matters and nothing else ever will. And I'm going to spend every day of the rest of my life proving that to you."

I pulled Jacob close and kissed him thoroughly. He returned my kiss with equal enthusiasm and before I knew it, I was in his arms with my legs wrapped around his waist.

"You guys, knock it off!" Quil tore through his binder frantically. "It's not time for the kissing yet."

Jacob and I broke the kiss and glared at Quil. "Skip ahead," we said in unison.

"Fine! Jacob, do you…"

"Yes."

"Bella, do you…"

"Yes."

"By the power invested in me by the Internet, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Get back to kissing the bride already. We're outta here!"

"See you guys later," Leah shouted. Then they were gone, and I was left alone with Jacob amidst a beautiful sunrise. I was wrapped in his arms and we were…

"Wait, is this real? Are we actually married?"

Jacob smiled. "It's the real thing, Bells. You're my wife."

Wife. God I loved how that sounded. "Well, husband, what do we do now? It's still early, and we have hours to kill before the other wedding. Or did you not think of that?"

He swept me up into his arms. "What do you think I am? I'm not an amateur. I got you covered, baby."

I wrapped my arms around his neck and nestled against his chest. At the edge of the forest, right where the dirt met the sand was a tent. "Oh, you really were prepared." Jacob just smiled and ducked under the tent flap and laid me down on a pile of pillows covered with faux fur blankets.

Hours later, we pulled up to Charlie's house where there was a flutter of activity in preparation for the ceremony later that afternoon. I sighed heavily. I didn't want to leave Jacob's side, especially not after the wonderful morning we'd shared.

"Are you sure you can't just stay with me until the wedding?" I couldn't help my voice from sounding whiny. Jacob chuckled and leaned over to kiss me.

"I wish I could," he said. "But I have something I need to take care of before the ceremony."

I nodded and reached for the door handle. "Hey, Mrs. Black," Jacob said. I turned towards him, smiling brightly at the use of my new title. "Yeah?"

He smiled. "Nothing, I just wanted to say that out loud. See you at the end of the aisle, Bells."

I watched Jacob drive off and was immediately confronted by an irate pixie.

"Bella, where have you been? The wedding is in five hours? We have to do your hair, your makeup…"

"Alice, relax!" I trusted Alice and knew that she had everything under control. And Jacob was right, we were already married so I was calm and stress-free.

I walked passed Alice towards the house, leaving her to follow with a confused look on her face. I climbed the steps to the front porch.

"Bella, is that sand in your hair?"

JPOV

I didn't want to leave Bella, but I had an important task ahead and I didn't want her to worry about it.

I drove away feeling pretty damn good about myself. My chest puffed up with pride because Bella looked so happy and relaxed. We were married and now there was no pressure to have a perfect wedding later on. Yeah, I did that. I put that smile on her face. And if I could accomplish the next task on my list, I was going to win Best Husband honors.

I pulled into the long, familiar drive. It was quiet at the Cullens' house, which didn't surprise me considering all the women were at Charlie's helping Bella get ready.

Emmett met me at the front door. "Well, if it isn't the blushing groom!"

"Dude, grooms don't blush."

"I'm sure you will be once that vixen's done with you tonight. Am I right?"

He tapped me jokingly on the arm with his fist. The only problem is that when Emmett "taps" you, it's like getting hit by a Mack truck.

"Watch the merchandise, Emmett." I made a show of smoothing out my t-shirt.

"Yeah, yeah," he replied. "So, what's up?"

I gave him a look and he opened the door wider, letting me pass inside. "Jasper," he called out. Said vampire appeared a second later. "What's up?"

"We're going for a run," Emmett said.

"We are?"

Emmett craned his head in my direction and Jasper seemed to get the message. "Hey, we're going for a run," he added. "We'll see you at the ceremony."

I watched them leave shaking my head. "Nice. Real subtle, guys."

I made my way into the living room and found Edward laying on the couch in the dark. His arms were folded across his chest and his eyes were open, staring up at the ceiling. He didn't acknowledge my entrance, but he obviously knew I was there. I sat down on the couch across from him.

"I know why you're here," he said.

"Of course you do," I muttered. "God forbid you stay out of someone's head for a minute." I was projecting the reason I came. Other than that, I had gotten pretty good at putting up mental shields when I was around Edward. I really didn't want him to know about the wedding that morning. Not because it would hurt him, but because it was private.

"Look, I'm not in the mood, Jacob. So, just go away."

I settled comfortably into the couch instead and tossed my arm over the back. "So, you really aren't coming."

He sighed. "I've already made my position clear. Bella's made peace with my decision."

"She wants all her friends and family there."

"And she'll have them."

"You won't be there. She loves you." I could say that now without any hint of jealousy. Bella would always love Edward. But I knew that the love she felt for him paled in comparison to what we shared. She thought of him as a dear friend, someone she shared important memories with. There was nothing to fear on my part.

Edward snickered. "Yeah, she loves me. Just not enough."

I shook my head. "Dude, when are you going to let it go?"

Edward sat up in a flash and glared at me. "When you're in love with someone, you don't just let it go," he snarled.

"It's been six years!" I yelled back. I took a deep breath to calm myself. I wasn't here to fight. "She's moved on. She hasn't let the love go, she's just allowed it to grow and change. Why can't you do the same?"

"You couldn't possibly understand."

"Why? Because you've had so much experience with love? There was no one before Bella, and no one since. What is it that I can't understand?"

"She's my singer," he countered. "She was meant for me."

"If that were true, she wouldn't be marrying me today."

Edward flinched as though I'd socked him in the face. It was a low blow, but he needed to understand. "Edward, you're holding onto something that doesn't exist. Do you want to be miserable for the rest of your existence? Do you think your family wants that for you?"

"You never gave up on her. Why should I?

"I never gave up on her because I saw it in her eyes, every time she looked at me, that she loved me back. I wasn't sure how deeply her feelings went, but I knew it was there. That's why I pursued her. I owed it to myself to learn the truth. Tell me, in the last six years that she's been with me, have you seen anything in Bella's eyes that would give you the idea that she felt anything but platonic love for you?"

Edward looked away and scowled.

"She's worried about you. She thinks you're short-changing yourself out of your own happiness. And I love her too much to see her hurt or unhappy. Especially today. If you're not there, she'll notice. And as happy as she is, that will be a dark mark on what's supposed to be the happiest day of her life. I don't want that for her. I want you there. For her."

"You act like you're not asking the world of me."

"I'm not asking you for anything you can't do."

"Could you do it?" he asked. "If our roles were reversed, if Bella was marrying me today, could you watch her do it?"

There was a heavy silence while I thought about my answer.

"See, you couldn't…"

"Yes."

Edward didn't look convinced. "Right, you'd just watch the two of us walk off into the sunset. I'm not buying it, Jacob."

"I didn't say I'd do that. I said I'd go. Sure, I'd probably wolf out for a month or so, going wild and trying to run away from my feelings. But, I know in my heart, that despite the fact that it was broken in two, I'd be there to share at least one dance with the happy bride."

"You would?"

"Look, I probably wouldn't be able to do the ceremony thing. Don't know if I could listen to her vow to someone else all the things I wished she was saying to me. But, I'd be there for her, even if it's just for one dance, and even if my brothers had to pull me away afterwards because I lost my mind to grief. I'd be there. For her."

He leaned back against his couch, rubbing his face with his hands in what looked almost like defeat. "You know, I almost kind of believe you," he said.

Then he looked at me. I couldn't imagine the thoughts that must have been running through his head. "I said it once before, but I think we probably would've been friends, you know, if it weren't for…"

He left it unsaid. We both knew who he was talking about.

"Probably," I grudgingly admitted. That made him chuckle.

"But, you know," I continued, "maybe one day we will be. Friends, that is."

He nodded thoughtfully. "You really have changed."

I ran my hand through my hair. "Yeah, well, that's what happens when you grow up."

I had said my piece and it was time to head out. I stood up and said, "I'll see you later today then."

Edward looked up in surprise. "I never said I was coming."

"I know." And with that I walked out the door.

A few minutes before sunset, I found myself standing at the end of the aisle with Quil and Embry by my side. Billy sat at the center of the make-shift altar. He caught my gaze and smiled. "I'm proud of you, son," he said.

I quickly averted my gaze. I was overwhelmed with emotion and I didn't want to look like a bitch for crying in front of all my friends. They would never let me live it down. I took a deep, calming breath and looked around.

Alice and Esme had done wonders with Charlie's back yard. The raised platform we were standing on was backed up to the forest's edge. All our friends and family sat in chairs leading back towards Charlie's back porch, where Bella would appear-I looked down at my watch-any minute now.

It was nearly dusk. And the entire yard was lit up with white lights, zigzagging above us. There were flowers everywhere, creating an aisle between the seats and also overflowing the raised platform. On the left, deeper into the backyard, the reception was set up with white covered tables and chairs, more flowers, and a DJ next to a large wooden dance floor. And of course, more white lights were strung around the surrounding trees. It looked like a fairy tale.

The crowd was getting restless. I checked my watch again. Any minute now I would see Bella walking down that aisle towards me. I don't know why I was nervous. We were already married. But being surrounded by everyone who loved us just made the moment that much more important. I wanted our night to be perfect.

I saw movement at the back of the house and quickly looked down. I didn't want to see Bella until she was already walking down the aisle. The string quartet that Alice and Rosalie insisted we have struck up a song. The crowd gasped. I couldn't stop myself. I looked up.

Embry grabbed my arm to steady me. That's when I realized I'd nearly staggered to my knees. Bella was…she was a vision. She took my breath away.

Charlie tucked her arm in his and proudly walked her down the aisle towards me. Her hair was loose and hung in soft curls down nearly to her waist. Her dress was strapless, fitted around her breasts but other than that, it flowed loosely down her body to the floor. The only jewelry she wore was the engagement ring I gave her. Her head was crowned with a small, delicate wreath of flowers.

Everyone in the crowd, my friends included, only had eyes for her. But, my gorgeous, beautiful goddess only had eyes for me. My chest puffed up with pride. She was mine. And I was hers. Her smile was radiant and there were tears in her eyes. When my vision blurred, I wasn't surprised. Somehow, crying in front of my friends didn't seem like such a bad idea after all.

EPOV

I didn't think I'd be able to watch them exchange vows. In fact, I didn't intend to. But then I heard the music play and the gasp as Bella made her appearance and I realized I couldn't stay away.

I didn't bother taking my seat amongst the crowd. I couldn't bear the looks of pity my family would give me. I didn't want to hear their silent assurances that I would be okay. No, I did what I always did when it came to Bella. I lurked.

Really, I had the best view in the house. I stood in the trees behind the altar, downwind of the wolves and back far enough to be hidden from vampire eyes. My eyesight was superb, so I didn't miss a thing.

Bella was breathtaking; a true vision. She had always seemed to doubt her own appeal, never believing me or others when we said she was beautiful. That didn't seem to be the case this evening. She was a woman, self-possessed. She knew herself; knew her own beauty and charms. And that confidence had her shining like the brightest star in the sky.

I did my best to drown out the thoughts of all the guests and to just focus on the task at hand. I had been accused of not being able to let go. I had fought and argued that one couldn't let go of the love Bella and I had shared. This moment was a crossroads of sorts for me. I knew then that I had refused to see what had been right in front of my eyes.

In all the years that Bella and Jacob had been together, I never truly saw them. It was always too hard to see them together, loving each other when I was so dead inside and so alone. I would see them as individuals. I would look on Jacob with envy and disdain. And I would look at Bella longingly, missing the love I had thrown away so recklessly. But, even after all that time, I never looked at them as a couple. I did so now.

I closed my eyes, sighing in defeat. The truth was obvious, to anyone with enough sense to see. They were made for each other. I watched Bella as she looked at Jacob. My shy, awkward Bella stood in front of a crowd of her friends and family and opened her heart, exposing her innermost feelings to everyone. She did so happily and without shame, her feelings pouring out of her in the most beautiful vows I had ever heard.

The girl I had loved was a mere shadow of the woman who stood before all and sundry declaring her love for Jacob. I knew in that moment that they were right. I had been holding onto a dream; to a moment in time when my life, for once, had meaning. But Bella couldn't be that for me. She alone couldn't provide meaning for my entire existence. I tried to keep her, keep us in that box. I tried to carve out that moment in time and live it forever. Had I succeeded, we would've grown stagnant, stunted. I would've dimmed the life in those beautiful eyes forever. She knew that. She must have known all along. And that's why she left me. She needed to live, to grow, to become the woman she now was. And she could never have done that with me.

It nearly killed me to listen to those vows. But, I'm glad I did. They were beautiful. I had never seen two people more in love. It was time for me to let go.

The reception was well under way by the time I made my appearance. I thought it would be too awkward to show up during dinner, so I decided to wait until the party had started and everyone was dancing. This was Bella and Jacob's night. I didn't want my arrival to distract from their moment.

By the looks of the crowd, everyone was having a great time. Every few seconds I'd catch stray thoughts of how beautiful Bella looked or how happy both the bride and groom were. For once, I took Jacob's advice and tried to tune all the chatter out of my mind. With my target in sight, I made my way across the dance floor.

I passed Jacob who was dancing with Leah. She held her young son in her arms as Jacob twirled her around the dance floor, eliciting delighted screams and giggles from the boy. He nodded in acknowledgement of my presence, but kept his thoughts to himself. I nodded back in respect and continued on my way.

I found Bella dancing with Seth in the middle of the crowd. Her floral crown was gone and her face was flushed with exertion. She and Seth were dancing wildly, making fools of themselves and yet loving every minute of it. They didn't care that their moves didn't match the slow song that was playing. They were having a wonderful time. Their enthusiasm was contagious.

I didn't bother hiding my smile when I tapped Seth on the shoulder. "May I cut in?"

Seth looked surprised to see me at first. But then he smiled back and nodded. "Of course."

Bella's face was a mask, showing no emotion. I lost my nerve. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…"

She shook her head and the mask disappeared, replaced with a timid smile. "No, please, let's dance."

We started to dance slowly, not saying a word. The song changed to something faster, more upbeat. But Bella was content to continue slow dancing with me. I was relieved to have her in my arms like this. This was my good-bye.

"I can't believe you're here," she said.

"I wouldn't have missed this for the world."

She smiled and my dead heart nearly skipped a beat. "You know, I always pictured us dancing like this. You, wearing a beautiful white dress, and me in a suit. I just never pictured you'd be married to another man."

She bit her lip nervously. "Edward, I…"

"I'm not trying to make you uncomfortable. It's the truth. I held onto that vision for too long. I didn't realize that that was just a dream. You're married to Jacob now."

She smiled radiantly. "Yes, I am."

"And you love him." Again, it wasn't a question. But she answered me anyway.

"I do."

"Then I'm going to stop feeling miserable for myself and start feeling happy for you."

She hugged me as tears fell from her eyes. "Oh Edward, that's all I've ever wanted for you. From the moment I first met you, above my own feelings for you, I've always only wanted you to be happy."

I hugged her back, feeling as though it might be a long time before I shared another embrace with her. "I'll try." It was the only promise I could make.

We continued dancing, ignoring everyone around us and just focusing on each other. "So, where are you going for your honeymoon?"

Bella's brows furrowed. "Uh…"

"It's okay Bella. I've seen you two get married. It's customary that a honeymoon should follow, right? This is what friends do. They ask these sorts of questions."

"Okay." She looked at me with what I could only assume was pride before continuing. "Well, to be honest, I have no idea where we're going. Jacob wanted to surprise me. I mean, with all the wedding planning and the," she looked around and dropped her voice to a whisper, "baby stuff, I just couldn't be bothered to plan a honeymoon as well."

"Speaking of which," I looked down at her barely there belly. The dress did a wonderful job of clinging to her curves while hiding any bump that might show. "How are you feeling?"

"I feel wonderful. Those first few weeks were hard, but right now, I feel amazing."

"It shows."

"Thank you."

"My pleasure."

"So anyway, we leave for wherever it is we're going tomorrow from Seattle. We decided to stay at a nice hotel in Port Angeles for the night, because god knows if we stayed in town, the Pack would make our lives a living hell with their pranks. We don't need them breaking into our room in the middle of the night, thank you very much. So, we thought it would be best to just drive up tonight."

"Do you have someone driving you up? A limo?"

"No, why waste the money? It's just easier to drive ourselves."

"Yes, I suppose."

"What's wrong?"

I realized my mind had wandered. "Oh, nothing."

I felt rather than saw Jacob approaching. "I think your groom might like some time with his wife," I said. I took Bella's hand and kissed it. "Thank you for this dance." Before either of them could say anything, I turned and made my way off the dance floor as fast as I could. I had a new mission with no time to spare.

Thirty minutes later, my mission accomplished, I made my way back to the reception. The party was still in full swing with the younger people still on the dance floor while the older people congregated around the empty tables and talked.

The bride and groom sat alone at a table, far removed from the dance floor. Bella leaned back in a chair with her feet propped up on Jacob's lap. Her shoes were on the ground and Jacob was massaging her feet. They were laughing and talking, completely in their own world.

I guess I finally understood why my "stalking" was so annoying. This was a private moment between the two, but I found I just couldn't look away.

"You're back."

Of course, Alice would have to call me out. I sighed and turned away from the bride and groom. "I saw you dance with Bella earlier. Are you okay?"

"Yes, Alice. You don't have to worry that I'm going to fall apart here. I've made my peace with it."

"Have you? Have you really?"

"Alice, she's married. She's about to…" I bit my tongue, aware that I was about to speak openly of Bella's pregnancy. I wasn't sure if Bella had told Alice. They were friends, for sure. But they weren't as close as they used to be, yet another casualty in the fall out from our relationship. I knew Bella wanted to keep the news private until they came home from the honeymoon. And since Alice couldn't see Bella's future because of being with Jacob, I figured it was best to proceed with caution and assume she didn't know.

"She's married," I repeated. "I'm happy for her." And for the first time, the words finally rang true. She had found happiness with someone else. I loved Bella. I would never stop loving her. But Jacob was right. If Bella and I were really meant to be, then she would've walked down that aisle towards me. I needed to learn how to love her in a different way.

As if sensing that I needed to be alone, Alice squeezed my arm and said, "I'll go. But, I wanted to let you know that I had another vision."

I rolled my eyes. The last thing I wanted to hear about was this mysterious blonde with green eyes she kept having visions of. If I had learned anything from Bella, it's that I couldn't find happiness in another woman. I needed to find it in myself first. "I don't want to hear it, Alice."

"I know you don't, but sometimes you need to hear things whether you want to or not."

"Look, if it has anything to do with that girl…"

"It doesn't," she replied. "To be honest, I haven't had a vision about her in a while. But I did have a vision of you right after you danced with Bella. And I think you should hear it."

Knowing she couldn't be stopped I gritted my teeth and motioned for her to continue.

"You were happy," she said.

That's it? "What?"

She laughed and hugged me. "All I saw was you, and you were happy. Your eyes were bright and your smile, god Edward, it blew me away. We've all dreamed that you would be that happy someday. I don't know what happened between you and Bella earlier, but I think that was the catalyst. You will find your happiness."

She hugged me and flitted back to the dance floor. I stared at the happy couple again. Bella was now on Jacob's lap with her arms wrapped around his neck. His hand rested gently on her belly. I don't think he was even aware of making such a telling gesture. I wasn't the only one to notice. I opened my mind to some mental gasps from the guests.

I knew it!

She's absolutely glowing.

They're going to be such wonderful parents.

I'm so happy for them.

They deserve such a blessing.

I chuckled. Looks like I wasn't the only one who couldn't take my eyes off of the happy couple. True love is like that, I guess. It shines so brightly that you couldn't look away even if you tried. I guess the cat was out of the bag. Hopefully the guests would keep their mouths shut and let the happy couple have their secret for now.

I spent the rest of the evening dancing with my sisters and Esme. Shortly before midnight, Jacob and Bella emerged from Charlie's house in a change of clothes. Jacob carried their suitcases. The music stopped and the remaining guests gathered around to say their good-byes and to wish the newlyweds well.

We followed them to the front of the house and that's when Jacob stopped dead in his tracks, the suitcases falling to the ground. "Holy shit!"

Right there, in the middle of the driveway, was the bright red Ferrari I had bought Bella for when she became a vampire. I could never bring myself to sell it, thinking that one day it would still be hers. But that was never going to happen. And I couldn't very well give it to Bella. With a baby on the way, they had no need for something so ostentatious. Not that she would accept such an outrageous gift anyway. But, it was their wedding night. And since they didn't have a limo taking them to their hotel, they deserved to arrive in style.

"Who's is this?" Jacob asked.

"It's yours." I tossed the keys to him. He caught them without taking his eyes off of the car. "It's on loan. Just park it at the airport and I'll pick it up. It's my wedding gift to you guys."

Jacob, Embry and Quil gathered around the car, lovingly caressing it like it was a work of art. Which it is, that's why I bought it. But, for the first time the entire evening, Jacob didn't have eyes only for Bella. Instead of being annoyed though, she just shook her head and smiled, laughing at her husband's obsession with a car.

"Edward, this is pristine, but it's at least six years old. Where have you been hiding her?"

I grimaced. Leave it to Jacob to know how old the car was. I underestimated his knowledge of foreign sports cars. Bella looked at me curiously, like her mind was putting the pieces together.

"We should get going, Jacob. I'm tired." Jacob helped her into the passenger seat after shoving their suitcases in the back. The crowd cheered offering lewd advice to Jacob about his duties on his wedding night. I could see Bella blushing through the windshield.

Jacob waved to his family and got in then started the car. He revved the engine a few times then leaned over and kissed Bella, causing the onlookers to cheer them on again. When he finally let her go, Bella buried her head in her hands. But I could see her smile peeking through.

Jacob backed out of the driveway. They waved to their well-wishers and then Jacob peeled out down the road, running the Ferrari through its paces.

"Good one, Edward." Emmett slapped me on the back. "You know you're probably not getting that car back in one piece."

Jasper joined him. "Actually, I was thinking that you're probably not going to get it back at all. You were going about the whole thing with Bella all wrong. You should've given Jacob the Ferrari six years ago. You could've had Bella to yourself then."

I didn't mind their teasing. They'd been walking on eggshells around me for months, like I was too fragile to handle their brotherly ribbing. And perhaps they were right. I couldn't say I was over Bella. That would take time. But I had taken the first step in letting go today. And it made all the difference.

"Jasper and I are planning a marathon gaming night," Emmett said. "You in?"

I couldn't remember the last time we had all been together, let alone spent hours playing video games. "Yeah, I'm in. I just need to do something first. I'll be home in about an hour."

The party ended once the bride and groom were happily on their way. The crowd dispersed and everyone headed home. Alice had arranged for a cleaning crew to quickly and efficiently clean up. I knew that within an hour it would look like nothing had gone on in the backyard.

I ducked out when no one was looking. I wanted some privacy and I knew exactly where I would find it. I headed into the forest. I started running, loving the freedom and exhilaration of the speed. In no time I was in the meadow. It was where my love story with Bella began. It was only fitting that it should end there too.

I dug out the ring I'd kept in my pocket ever since the day Bella had taken it off her finger. I think, even then, I knew deep down that she'd never wear it again. But I could never bring myself to part with it. It was my mother's ring, but in my mind and heart, it would forever be Bella's. I was never going to have a daughter to pass it on to, and I would never give it to another woman. Bella certainly didn't want it back and I couldn't keep it as a constant reminder of what I had lost. So that left me with only one option.

I guess that's why I kept it so close all these years. I knew what I had to do, but I hadn't been ready. I hadn't been strong enough. Letting go involved a lot of stages. Bella had come full circle in her life. It was my turn to do the same.

I held the beautiful ring in my hand. For a moment, I felt badly that no one else would wear such a pretty thing. But, that's all it was, a thing. I had my memories of my mother. This ring didn't represent her, nor did it in any way symbolize the love I had for Bella. It was a chain, holding me down, locking me into a prison of my own making.

I squeezed the fragile ring in my hand. When I released my fist, the ring was a pile of dust in my palm. I held it up and let the breeze blow the dust away. I'll admit that the moment was bittersweet. It was an ending, but it was also a new beginning.

Letting go had never been easy for me. And yet, now that I'd taken the first steps, I felt lighter. For the first time since losing Bella, I felt like I could be happy again. Alice wasn't the only one who could see my future. I looked ahead and I saw endless possibilities.

The End

A/N: Holy shit! This is the end! I can't believe it. I just want to say thank you to everyone who started this journey with me and to all those who joined me along the way. I have loved and appreciated all of your wonderful reviews and all the support you've given me and this story over the years.

It's taken me this long to finish this story because, frankly, I stopped caring about Twilight a LONG time ago. But, I wanted to finish what I had started, especially since I had promised that Bella/Jacob would get their HEA. So, I hope you guys have enjoyed these last chapters, despite having to wait so long for them.

Thank you.

Erin