After a time, their sobs slow, and with hands intertwined, Jasper and Bella make their way through the streets of Volterra, grateful for the cloudy day even though hiding is their choice. They can choose to do whatever they wish now, having cleared the world of the scourge that was the Volturi. They can contact the rest of the Cullens. They can go back to Forks and explain to Charlie. And they will get around to both, eventually. But now, all that they really want is to be with each other.

___________________

On a secluded beach in the south of France, a beautiful young woman steps out of the water, short hair falling into eyes that rival the sun. She wears a backless black bathing suit that dips below her navel and a radiant smile that makes her even more alluring to the equally beautiful man watching her with a smirk on his face. He knows how much she loves to tease him, and he enjoys the game. Today, however, he feels he cannot resist having her in his arms immediately, and standing up, begins to make his way towards her at a leisurely, confident pace.

Predictably, a chase ensues; the woman feints to the right and barely eludes the grasp of the man; laughing and shrieking with delight, they take off down the beach, racing a considerable distance before the man puts on a burst of speed and manages to encircle her waist with his arm. Laughing, the pair stumbles to the sparkling white sand, which is mirrored by their skin, and begin kissing feverishly. The woman pauses for a moment to admire the way the sun glints off her partner's bare, sculpted chest, and, looking up at the clear blue, feels free from the shackles of her past.

A/N: Oh my God, I can't believe it's over. Literally, I'm going to have trouble accepting this. But I feel satisfied with the ending for the most part, and I hope you do, too. I cannot begin to articulate how much I appreciate each review, story alert, and favorite - honestly, I love you all. You're amazing. At the risk of rambling on incessantly, I'm going to end this here, but thank you SO SO MUCH, and I hope that you'll check out my future fanfiction!