Epilogue

Happily Every After Sounds Pretty Good to Me

"Are we ready yet?" Steve said impatiently.

I rolled my eyes.

"Yes, Steve, I'm ready to go now."

Steve grinned at me, and kissed me gently. It was just a brush really, and over much too quickly for my liking.

"You look beautiful," he said, smiling.

"Aw, gross, are you guys kissing again?" Seth groaned from the top of the stairs.

I glared at my little brother. He could be a real pain sometimes.

"Yes," Steve said. "We're kissing again." And he leaned down and pressed his lips to mine once again. I didn't let him get away so easily this time. I flung my arms around his neck and pulled him closer, forcing him to prolong the kiss. Not that he complained much.

Behind us, Seth made a disgusted noise.

"I'm waiting outside until the mushy stuff is over," he said, stomping out the door.

Steve and I both laughed.

"Mushy stuff is never over," I said.

Steve nodded, grinning.

You'd think after a whole year of living in the same house as us, Seth would have gotten used to the 'mushy stuff', but apparently not. He was still cringing whenever Steve and I showed any sort of affection. Actually, I purposefully went out of my way to be more affectionate around Seth, just to annoy him. My little revenge for the fact that I couldn't exactly keep secrets from him.

"We better go, or we're going to be late," I reminded Steve. He reluctantly detangled himself from me.

"I suppose you're right, although it's not like I've never kept Sam waiting before."

I made a face.

"If we don't get there soon, all the food will be gone. Seventeen werewolves, remember?"

"Right, right," Steve said. He slipped into his coat, and then offered me mine.

I started to walk towards my car, but Seth stopped me.

"We have to walk. It's a tradition."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Since when is it a tradition? Just cuz we did it last year doesn't make it a tradition."

"Sure it does," Seth said with a grin. "We walk Sam's Christmas party. You wanted to last year."

"Aw, come on," Steve encouraged me. "It's beautiful out here, and not too far."

"What side are you on?" I demanded, elbowing him in the ribs playfully. He caught my gloved hand and tucked it under his elbow.

"My own," He said.

Seth rolled his eyes.

"I'm going on ahead. You guys are giving me toothache." He started running in the snow sliding every couple of steps, a huge silly grin on his face.

"He's never going to get used to us, is he?" Steve asked.

"He'd better," I grumbled. "It's not like it's going to change. In fact, it's going to get worse pretty soon."

Steve's eyebrows came together in a look of adorable confusion, and, rather startlingly, a hint of panic.

"What?"

"Nessie," I clarified. Steve knew all about the Cullens being bloodsuckers now, and about how special Nessie was. "She's going to be grown up in a few years. She already could pass as a sixteen year old, and Jake's started to notice."

"And Seth's going to have to get used to the mushy stuff," Steve concluded with a smile. "He'll be hearing a lot more of it."

"Exactly," I agreed.

We turned the corner, walking side by side in the snow. It was a beautiful sunny day, and the sunlight was glistening off the blanket of new snow that had fallen during the night. The effect, along with the fur trees lightly frosted and the clear blue sky, was stunning.

"It's sort of like an anniversary for us, isn't it?" Steve said. His breath came out in a puff of smoke.

"Is it?" I asked.

"Yeah. Sam's Christmas party. One year ago today, we met."

"It's not the same day as last year," I commented.

Steve rolled his eyes.

"You know what I mean. The Christmas party. Sam's house. You. Me."

I laughed.

"Yeah I know what you mean. One year ago today I had my whole world turned upside down and backwards."

"Isn't it great?" Steve joked.

We turned the corner, and Sam and Emily's Christmas card house came into view. The front door opened wide, and Emily appeared, waving.

"Hurry up, you're late!" she called.

Steve started running, pulling me with him. I stumbled on the slippery snow, and nearly pulled him down with me. Steve steadied me, and we both started running again, making lousy time on the rough ground. We were both out of breath from running and laughing by the time we got to the door.

Emily was laughing too.

"Sam's been asking for you every five minutes, Steve," she said, shaking her head at us.

"It was Leah," Steve said, shooting me an accusatory glance. "She took forever to get ready."

"Did not," I shot back.

"Did too," Steve said, before rushing in to find his brother. As he turned, I saw the half nervous expression return to his face.

Emily relieved me of my coat, and I gave her a big hug.

"You're looking better," I said.

Emily grimaced.

"I told you, it was just a little cold."

"Whatever, Em. You always downplay things."

She mock scowled at me.

"Sure, Dr. Clearwater," she said. "When did you get your medical degree?"

I laughed. The last year had repaired the ties of friendship between me and my former best friend. We were well on our way to becoming best friends again, now that the barrier of Sam was out of the way. I slipped my arm around her waist, and we walked into the warm, cheerful kitchen together.

Like last year, there were werewolves on every surface of the living room. Nessie waved to me from her position perched on the arm of the sofa, with Jacob's protective hand on her knee. I waved back.

"Won't be long now, will it?" I asked.

Emily followed my gaze.

"At the rate she's growing, and the looks Jacob is giving her, not long at all."

I gave the two one last despairing glance, and went over to the bassinet that sat on the kitchen table.

"Hey sweetie," I crooned. Levi, Emily's nine month old son, lay there, contemplatively sucking on his fist. He had Emily's even features and Sam's almond shaped eyes. A little tuft of hair stood straight up on his head, proving that he definitely was a Uley. None of those boys could make their hair behave.

"Can you say 'Hi Auntie Leah'?" Emily asked, bending over the baby with me.

I reached down and scooped Levi out of his bed, propping him up against my shoulder. I kissed his downy head, and he favored me with a toothless smile.

"Practicing for when you have your own?" Emily teased.

I made a face at Emily over the baby's head.

"We don't even know if I can have kids yet, Em."

"Well you haven't been trying, have you?"

"Not exactly." I looked down at the newest member of the Uley family, and remembered my vision of a family with Steve. "Maybe some day." I turned my attention back to Levi. It wasn't hard to let the tiny thing capture your heart. He had stolen mine away almost the hour he was born.

"Aren't you just precious?" I crooned at him.

Emily grinned.

"I think so. But I think I'm a little bias."

I laughed.

"A little?"

Emily held her arms out, and I handed Levi to her.

"I think he looks just like his daddy," she said.

"And his uncle," I agreed.

"Can I hold Levi?" Nessie asked. She had come to stand beside me.

"Sure," Emily answered, surrendering her son to Nessie's competent hands. Nessie held the baby expertly and with grace, like she did most things. I looked over, and caught a strange look in Jacob's eye, as he watched Nessie hold the baby.

Nessie had grown a lot in the past year. From the physical appearance of a thirteen year old that she had been at this time last year to the physical appearance of a sixteen year old. She was truly turning into a beauty. Levi caught one of her shoulder length copper curls in his fist and attempted to put it in his mouth.

"No, no, Levi," she said, carefully untangling his grasp on her hair with her free hand. "We don't eat hair, do we?"

Sam and Steve walked into the living room together then. Sam had a huge smile on his face, but Steve looked a tad nervous. His expression confused me.

"Nessie," Emily said. "Why don't you take Levi and sit down? He's awake now, and wants to get some attention."

"Good idea," Nessie said with a grin. With Levi in her arms, she walked back to the sofa. Jacob got up, leaving a spot for her.

"You don't have to do that, Jake," she said.

Jacob shrugged.

"You've got a baby. Don't want you to topple over or anything. Besides, it's more comfortable."

"Whatever," Nessie said, taking his seat. Jake sat himself on the arm of the sofa right beside her.

I caught the same half longing, half possessive look on Jake's that had been there earlier. I grinned widely. Oh yeah. It wouldn't be long now.

Even thought people were still talking and laughing, it felt like they were waiting for something. Even Emily. She was leaning against the counter in the kitchen, where she had a good view of the living room. A smirk formed on her face.

"What's going on?" I asked aside to her.

"Going on?" she asked, her eyes wide and innocent. "What do you mean?"

"It feels like everyone is waiting," I replied. "Did I miss something?"

Her smirk grew, but she didn't say anything.

I frowned.

"Fine, don't tell me anything," I said. I moved more into the living room area, hovering on the edge of things.

"Hey everyone, can I have your attention?" said Steve.

I looked up, surprised. Steve was usually quiet at these sort of functions. What was going on?

"As you know," Steve said. "It was a year ago today at Sam's Christmas party that Leah imprinted on me."

I blinked. What was he saying? More importantly, why was he saying it to everyone? Steve was reserved, not liking to draw attention to himself, and here he was purposefully calling out to everyone. How strange.

"You might call this an anniversary of sorts," Steve continued. "And while I'm sure some of you haven't forgiven me for a certain incident after that – " he shot a glare at Embry, who glared back. Embry hadn't given up on his threat to beat Steve up if he left again. " – I think it's safe to say that you all know how much in love with Leah I am."

He crossed the room, and came to stand beside me. He took my hand and kissed it tenderly. I was frozen in place, my heart thumping out an uneven rhythm. Was he going where I thought he was going with this?

He drew me close, and looked into my eyes, speaking quietly now as if to only me.

"You're the most wonderful, the most unique girl I know. You've forgiven me for all the stupid stuff I put you through, and you've made me happier than I've ever been."

He sank down on one knee in front of me.

My hand flew to my mouth in a gesture of shock.

"I knelt in front of you once before to ask you something very important, and your answer was yes. I'm hoping this time it will be too. Leah, will you marry me?"

My body was frozen, but my mind was whirring it was going so fast. Marry Steve? Marry the love of my life, my soul mate, my other half? Marry him? Of course! There was no question. There was no need to think about anything.

But my body was still frozen in shock. Everyone was looking at me expectantly, and the moment was dragging on, and I still hadn't moved at all. I forced myself to take my hand away from my mouth.

"Of course," I choked out. "Of course."

Steve's grin lit up the room. He rose from his knees, and pulled me into a huge hug. The room erupted in clapping and cheering. There were even a few wolf whistles, which I found ironic, considering the company.

"You really want to marry me?" I asked, pulling away so that I could see his face.

"Of course," he said, echoing my words.

Then he kissed me, wrapping me in his arms again. I pulled him closer and let all the love I felt for him pour out of me.

It ended too soon. Steve pulled away, and produced a box from his pocket.

"Here," he said. I opened it, and gasped at the ring inside. It wasn't ostentatious or showy, but it was just right. A simple circle of gold with a small diamond in the centre. The diamond caught the light and shot it out in a million tiny diamonds as I twisted the box in my hands. Steve took the box from me, and carefully pulled the ring from its place in the satin cushion. He then slipped it on the fourth finger of my left hand. It felt heavy and foreign there, the cool metal a reminder of what had just happened. Proof that this all wasn't some dream.

"Do you like it?" he asked.

"It's perfect," I replied. And it was.

Sam clapped me on the back, breaking our embrace.

"Welcome to the family!" he said.

I laughed.

"Thanks Sam."

Sam gave me a hug, then surrendered me to Emily.

"I'm so happy," she whispered in my ear as she hugged me. "Now we can be sisters, just like we always should have been."

She was right, I realized with a grin. Now we could not only be comfortable around each other, we would be family. Emily as my sister – I could handle that. I laughed and nodded.

Everyone was crowding around and thumping Steve on the back and giving me hugs.

"Can I see the ring?" Kim asked. I held out my hand, and all the girls crowded around to admire it.

Nessie handed Levi back to Emily, and took my hand to admire the ring.

"It's lovely," she said, absently twisting around the braided bracelet that was the Queleute version of a promise ring. I shot a knowing glance at Emily.

Claire pulled at my hand, and I lowered it so the six year old could see it properly.

"It's so pretty," gushed Claire. "I want one just like it!"

I gave Quil a significant look over her head. He blushed.

"Someday," I promised her.

"You can get married in a white dress like a princess!" Claire continued, obviously captivated by the idea of a wedding. "Can I come? I've never been to a wedding."

"Course you can," I said. "In fact, I'm counting on you to be a flower girl."

Claire seemed enchanted by the idea. She bounded over to Quil.

"Leah says I can be her flower girl, Quil! And I'll get a princess dress and carry a basket of flowers, and walk in front of her."

"I heard," Quil said, ruffling her hair affectionately.

Steve looked past the huge werewolves that were crowding around us both.

"Do we get to see each other again until the wedding?" he joked.

I grinned, and pushed my way past the various people.

"Excuse me, coming through, I wanna see my fiancé, if nobody minds." I playfully elbowed and shoved my way through the towering werewolves and slipped into Steve's arms. He rested his head on the top of mine.

"Merry Christmas," he said softly.

I grinned.

"That depends."

"On what?" Steve asked, pulling away so that he could see my face.

"On whether you kiss me or not."

And he did.

Author's Note: It's over. How sad. Well, this has been a good story, and I've enjoyed writing it. I'm glad it's out of my head now, LOL. I can go back to writing normal stories without having to worry about this one circling round and round.

Thank you so much to everyone who left comments and encouragements about this story. You've all really helped me formulate what I wanted this to become. Not to mention it's made it a lot of fun. I've discovered from this that given enough time it is possible for me to write a chapter every day. Not to mention having reviews to look forward to every day is really great.

Oh, and Merry Christmas everyone!