EPOV

10 Years Later…

"Daddy, when did you meet Mommy?" His little voice asked, tired and fighting sleep.

"You've heard this story a thousand times." I smiled and tucked him in. He reached for my tie and tugged me close.

"I want to hear it again," he mumbled, yawning.

"Alright." I sighed. "I met your mommy when I was in high school. And she was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen."

"But then she went away…"

"Yes. For a little while she went away. But then she came back."

He smiled, revealing a gap-filled grin. "And then you lived happily ever after…" He whispered, his eyes fluttering shut.

"Happily ever after, buddy." I leaned down and kissed the top of his head as I turned off his bedside lamp.

I crept out of his room and closed the door, leaving it open just a crack. I walked down the hallway, wondering why we were even going to this thing. The last one didn't turn out so well. I didn't see why she was so intent on going.

I stepped into our bedroom and heard the soft hum of her voice coming from the bathroom.

I silently pried open the door and leaned against the wall, watching her reflection in the mirror.

"How did it go?" She asked, leaning forward to secure her earring.

"He wanted to hear the story again." I put my hands in my pockets and took a few steps forward, pressing myself against her back. I leaned in, nuzzling her hair. "You smell so good."

She smiled.

"Are you sure you want to go?" I pulled my hand out of my pocket and brushed my fingers down her side, across the thin red fabric of her dress. "We could always play hooky." I nibbled on her ear and fought a smile. "We've got a babysitter for the night, no one would know the difference."

"Honey, we have to go." She sighed.

"Bella, we don't have to."

"Yes we do." She spun around and kissed me.

"Why?"

"Because. I don't want my only memory of this event to be you punching Mike."

"That was quite unfortunate."

"It was." She took my hand. "Come on we're going to be late."

We waved goodbye to the babysitter and headed out. On the way to the banquet center, we passed by the high school. Their sign announced the return of our class, congratulating us on all of our accomplishments over the past twenty years. Even though I was fast approaching forty, it was hard to comprehend that the time had even passed. Everyone says it passes in the blink of an eye, but you never really believe them until you experience it. A proposal. A wedding. A growing business and a growing belly. The birth of your first son and the death of your father. Sometimes I felt like we could just as easily be back in high school or back at our 10-year reunion. Everything and nothing had changed.

Bella turned to me as we passed by the store, our store. After she moved back to Forks, she kept up to date with her job for a while. But as time went on, she started spending more and more time at the Antique Store. I made her promise that she wouldn't do anything she didn't want to or give up something she still wanted. When she finally quit her job, I made her promise it again. I didn't want us to be something she ever resented. And she didn't. With her around, we more than doubled our business, drawing customers from out of state even. We bought the empty store space beside us and expanded our inventory. Bella even started up a website and a small monthly magazine about our business.

I pulled into the crowded parking lot beside the banquet and parked in one of the spots towards the back. I could already hear the music playing from inside, songs that were now on the brink of being considered oldies or classics. It was hard to imagine Backstreet Boys playing on an oldies station.

Bella got out of the car and waited for me at the front. I sighed and went to meet her. I had to admit I was a little nervous about going tonight. It was the first time we'd all be in the same room again. I hadn't talked with Kate since I ran into her and her new husband at the grocery store. She had a small baby girl in her cart and she looked genuinely happy. There was no malice or hate in her voice when she greeted me. She introduced me to her daughter and I showed her pictures of our boy. She smiled graciously, even at the pictures with Bella.

"I always knew, you know," she said. "I always knew it was her. I was just too blind to see it."

"It wasn't your fault. I shouldn't have…" I shook my head.

"Doesn't matter." She smiled. "I'm happy now. Really."

"Good. I'm glad." I nodded.

"Tell Bella hello for me." She waved and went back to her shopping.

Sometimes I think back on that moment and can't believe it even exists. After all of the fighting and arguing and lawyers, I never thought we would have gotten to this point. Yet here we were. Both happy. Both in love. Both with the right people. Everything ended up the way it was supposed to and I think we could both move on because we both believed that.

Bella grabbed my hand as I reached the front of the car and pulled me towards the entrance. I stopped, pulling her back to me.

"Wait, I want to tell you something," I mumbled.

"What?"

"I want to tell you…that these past twenty years would mean nothing if I didn't have you. None of this would matter." I leaned down to kiss her. "And I love you."

"I love you too," she mumbled against my lips. She reached up and ran her fingers through my hair, pulling me closer. Her tongue ran along my bottom lip and I smiled, moaning under my breath.

"Ahem," a voice grumbled beside us. Bella gasped and pulled away. "Principal Warner," she said.

"Mr. Cullen. Miss Swan. Perhaps you should get inside, eh?" He grumbled and started shuffling towards the banquet hall. I couldn't believe the old bastard was still alive.

"It's Cullen now, Sir!" Bella called after him. "Come on, let's go before he gives us another detention or something."

We both ran into the hall, cheeks flushed with embarrassment. I held Bella close as we passed underneath the sign above and smiled.

Welcome Class of 2011. Happy Twenty-Year Reunion!

A/N: I had meant to get this completed and out to you so much quicker. So sorry it took so long and I appreciate your patience. I also greatly appreciate you reading this story! It's been a wonderful experience and I appreciate you all so much. I'll be focusing mainly on my original novel (except for some one shots and the Till the World Ends Contest) and I can't wait to see what becomes of it : )

Mandy