Trafficking

Epilogue

AN: Thanks for the wonderful birthday wishes and reviews. Enjoy!

BPOV

I allowed myself the simple pleasure of closing my eyes and letting the serene peace of the day wash over me. I still felt the need to pinch myself at times, the reality of my life had yet to fully sink in.

Today was a beautiful sunny day in Forks with a slight breeze that caused the vibrant green leaves on the trees to whisper to me. I liked to think they were telling me their secrets. The trees in the forest that lined the Cullen's – our – backyard were ancient; there was no telling what they've seen. Or what they would be seeing in the future.

Though, I doubt anything would come close to being as exciting or tumultuous as these past few months. Carlisle, having managed to locate and contact Annie's parents, released Annie a few days later and from what I've heard, she's healed the rift between her and her parents and is living happily with them.

The brothel was shut down and all the girls released and reunited with their families. The owner of the establishment had mysteriously disappeared, but the others including Madame and George were now sitting in prison. The story made national news and enlightened much of the nation on the reality of human trafficking, whether for prostitution or labor.

"Bella!" Chiming bells pulled me back to the present and I turned to find the insatiable pixie jumping excitedly behind me. "Oh, you look absolutely beautiful. I knew that dress would be perfect."

I glanced down at the white fabric currently enveloping my body. I had to admit, begrudgingly of course, that Alice did do a wonderful job picking out my dress. This was not just a dress, as she liked to remind me, it was a wedding dress and would forever hold sentimental value. At least my personal style was kept in mind somewhat. There was no beading, no frills and definitely no ball gown. It was a simple sheath with a delicate lace overlay with capped sleeves and a higher neckline keeping it modest.

"Now turn around. I need to do your veil." It may have been my wedding day, but that didn't stop Alice from giving the orders. My hair had already been pulled back into a simple chignon earlier so adding the veil was really just the finishing touch.

"That should do it. I have enough bobby pins in there to keep you hair up through a hurricane. Are you ready?"

Alice looked so elegant, as usual, in the deep plum dress she was wearing. She was a bridesmaid slash attendee slash wedding planner and loving every minute of it.

I realized I had yet to answer her question. I took in a deep breath, as if that would do anything to calm the nervous current I felt running ramped through my cold body. After all that I had been through, all that I had survived and conquered, this shook me more than anything to my bones. I tried to be logical – I mean, what was so scary about marrying the man that I loved, promising myself to him for all eternity…literally.

My throat dropped to my stomach and I sat down on the bed, ignoring Alice's pleas to stand up to prevent wrinkles. This should be one of the happiest days of my life and yet here I was, a complete and utter mess of nerves, wrinkling my designer gown. To my relief Alice didn't fight me to stand anymore and for a moment, the room stilled and I thought she had left. But a larger more masculine presence triggered my senses and I mentally made a note to kiss Alice and thanking her for knowing everything, more importantly for knowing what a girl really needed on her wedding day.

"You're a vision." He sat down beside me and draped an arm around my shoulder. He knew me well, what would work to comfort me and what wouldn't. I allowed my cheek to rest on his shoulder, mindful of my delicately prepared hair. Should anything happen to it, even though Alice claimed it to be sturdy, the little spitfire would kill me.

"Daddy," I sighed. We sat in silence for a moment, savoring each other's company. I was always reassured by his presence and I had found out recently, he was reassured of mine. Though, I'm sure it had more to do with the relief of knowing I was currently safe and uninjured –even as a vampire I still managed to have my 'moment'- and less to do with him being upset. Either way, it was a good feeling knowing my dad felt similar.

What a picture we must make, I mused idly. Dad looked so handsome and debonair in his perfectly fitted charcoal suit, his blonde hair falling perfectly over his face as he lowered his head down slightly to look at me. And here I was, plain old Bella, dressed, and primped, and lacquered beyond recognition – at least to me – seeking comfort from my father.

"What are you thinking," he probed gently.

I sighed again trying to sort out my thoughts enough to share them. I didn't want to give Dad the wrong impression. This wasn't hesitation by any means, it was just nerves. But even vampires struggled with overcoming nerves, and this being one of the biggest days of my very long life, made me very nervous. "I'm just nervous." I gave him a small smile.

"That's understandable. This is a big day for both you and Edward. You've both grown so much since you've come into our lives; you've changed him for the better. And your relationship is remarkable, it should be celebrated."

I sat there, basking in the soothing feeling of my dad running his hand up and down my arm while he settled the butterflies in my stomach. "Thanks, Dad."

"Anytime sweetheart. Now, are you ready to get married?"

"Yeah, I think I am," I replied with a confident air. That small talk had done wonders and I was feeling so much better that I wouldn't have been surprised if Jasper was lurking somewhere.

Dad offered me his arm, which I graciously accepted and led me through the house out to the backyard. I was still hidden from Edward, where I stood, but I could finally catch a glimpse of the backyard. Alice had truly outdone herself with an ivy covered iron trellis and white flowers delicately yet strategically placed throughout the yard and along the aisle. Edward, turned away from the house was waiting for me under the trellis, next to Jasper who would be officiating. Emmett stood proudly on his other side, happy to have the task of best man. Esme, Alice and Rosalie stood by my side of the trellis. Unlike traditional weddings, I thought it would be much more simple if we skipped the whole aisle hoopla, there wasn't exactly an audience anyways.

With a gentle squeeze of my hand, Carlisle pushed open the back door and led me slowly down the aisle, unable to control the massive grin that had spread across his face. He was a proud father, beaming under his duty to walk his daughter down the aisle. I felt my self-choke up and for what was probably the millionth time, wished desperately for the ability to cry.

Esme too looked ready to cry. She looked glorious in her dress, as did Rosalie. As Edward heard us approaching her turned and for a moment I forgot to breathe. He looked like a god now more than ever. The streaming sunlight hit his penny-colored hair creating a warm glow around his head and his beautiful face lit up in a smile when he saw me. Like everyone else, he was glittering magnificently in the sunlight. Upon seeing him, the tiny bit of butterflies still fluttering in my stomach disappeared completely and I felt at peace, and was excited to begin my new life with him. He looked dashing in his black suit and from what I'd heard he didn't give Alice any grief when it came time to dress him. Well done, Alice. Well done.

We reached the trellis and Dad kissed me on the cheek before taking his place beside Emmett. I turned towards Edward and he took both my hands in his, grinning like a fool in love.

And I grinned back and would have blushed if I had been human. My angelic family did indeed look like what they had been for me, angels. They had rescued me, cared for me, healed me, loved me and as I looked at their sparkling forms my heart swelled with adoration and love. The journey to this moment was by far not an easy one, and I was sure that the future wouldn't be perfect either. But we were a family, a unit. We would get through everything together.

Who would've thought I would go from an unloved, abused seventeen year old girl to a strong, graceful woman about to get married? I sure didn't. But the Cullens saw in me, something no one else did. And most importantly, they gave me freedom.

I looked up as a bright blue jay flew overhead and circled the trellis. I smiled, and watched it until it flew away and perched itself on a branch on the edge of the woods. That bird was me. I was free and thanks to my family, I had developed wings and learned how to fly.

An: Thanks for hanging with me to the end. This was quite a journey and I truly enjoyed every minute of it, even the not so easy ones. Thanks for reading and for your reviews and input. I'm a better writer because of you guys!

Don't forget to check out my new story Purple Summer!

-lmbrtvll