Epilogue

Chapter Ten

Dear Mom, Dad and Livie

I have so much to tell you but I'm not sure I'll be able to cram it all into one letter. I've finally settled into my new apartment and thanks Mom for sending over the bedding. Training is tough as you can imagine but without blowing my own trumpet, I'm at the top of the class in my unit. I'm getting praises left right and centre, they don't realise that I'm simply passionate about what I want to become. Some of the other guys give me grief but most of them have come to me for help and after hours training. Next week we have our midterm exams and they will be testing us on pretty much everything we've learned so far. I'm confident that I'll do well and once I find out my results, I'll let you all know.

Melissa is coming to visit after my exams and for some reason I feel nervous. We've spoken quite a lot since I've left but seeing her in person again feels weird but good weird. Livie don't you dare tell her I said that! I hope you didn't get rid of all my stuff, I might ask you to send me something.

Dad, the thing we spoke about before I left, I've been thinking it over and I came to the conclusion that you're right. If it's what I want, I should go for it. Thanks old man.

Mom, please stop worrying, you're driving Nana Esme mad as well as Aunt Rose. Did you think they wouldn't spill? Rox and Ellie came to visit a couple of days ago, they were on a road trip and Aunt Rose asked to pass on the message. If I will need anything, anything at all, don't worry I'll ask for it. I was sure Nana Esme was drunk when she called me but it was fun listening to her ramble on until Pops took the phone from her and wished me good luck. Oh and Nana Esme sent me a bottle of Jack but it of course got confiscated. Someone please have words with her.

Livie I miss you like crazy! It is weird not having to hear your music blasting through at stupid hours or seeing you practice a dance. I didn't think I'd miss any of that as much as I do. Make sure you come to visit me soon. I've already had words with my Commanders about coming back home for your birthday, and as it falls under Saturday, they said it was fine to come home for the weekend. If you can think of anything you want me to get you, just let me know.

With have dogs on campus, and I've grown attached to one named Jacob. He's a real softy when he's not being trained and he follows me around everywhere when he can. He's still young but he is showing real potential apparently. It makes me wish I could have a dog of my own. Maybe one day.

I miss you all so much and I can't wait to hear back from you.

With all my Love

Isaac.

I finished reading the letter out loud and then wiped those damn tears that couldn't help but escape. Edward wrapped a loving arm around me and Olivia was tucked under his other arm. We received the letter this morning but we had to rush around to leave for work, school and other bits. We finally got together for dinner and read Isaac's letter. I wished I could just hug my baby boy and see how well he's doing myself.

We all laughed at Esme's antics and I can't believe she sent him alcohol!

I was curious about what Isaac said to Edward in his letter. I will need to seduce it out of my husband. Good thing Alice met up with me today and forced me to go shopping with her. That little number from Victoria secret should do the trick.

Alice and I were both nervous about Melissa going up there to see Isaac. We have no idea which way their relationship will go and we're curious to find out. We've only been able to come see Isaac once since he moved up there and that was only because he was living on base. Now that he has his own place, I can't wait to go and visit him more often.

Everyone has been a great support system for us, and I think everyone felt the absence of Isaac. It's definitely not the same as it was having Edward shipped overseas but it was close. Isaac was in the same country but still not at home. Livie didn't hesitate moving her dance equipment into his room and even helped Edward and Jasper clear it all out for her. Most of Isaac's things were either in the garage or the attic.

More than once had Edward suggested we make another baby just to fill in the gap but with the look I gave him, he soon shut up about it. The scare I had with Olivia's birth definitely put me off having any more kids. I just don't want to risk anything.

Plus we're getting too old and too busy to raise a baby.

"It's definitely weird not having him here." Olivia piped up as she picked up her phone and started texting.

"And who writes letters these days?" she mumbled on.

Edward and I shared a look and we knew exactly why he sent us a letter. He knew all about the letters Edward and I used to send to each other. He didn't know what most of them held inside but he knew why we did it. Olivia is too modern and usually laughed about the "old-fashioned" things.

She was growing up too fast and we still haven't told Edward about the crush she has on this boy from school. We were definitely waiting for the right moment to tell him. What will be most difficult is telling her uncles and Pops. Edward will just have to deal with it but her uncles and Carlisle, well that's a whole different story. She is still the baby of the family and they will always see her like that.

From what she told me, he sounds like a really nice guy, he plays the guitar and is in the soccer team at her school, so his schedule is as busy as hers. She reminds me of me when I was her age and in love with Edward. I was a bit older than her but I was definitely in love.

"I'll need to have a chat with mom, she can't go around sending him alcohol! What is she thinking? Better yet, I'll have words with Dad instead. He might be able to put some sense into that woman." Edward continued to mumble on about something but I found it hard to keep in my laughter. Trust Esme to pull a stunt like that.

"I'm going upstairs to practice, text me if you need me." Olivia was up and out of the room in a flash.

"Since when do we need to text our kids when we need them? We're in the same house for God's sake." Edward shook his head but watched Olivia climb up the stairs.

"Since it's the 21st Century Granddad." I shoved my husband playfully and a mischievous look crossed his face.

Edward grabbed me and placed me on his lap and started tickling me. I screamed bloody murder but he didn't stop.

"Edward if you don't stop I will wet myself!" That always seems to work.

Edward's tickling fingers did stop and my husband just stared at me. The love and adoration in his eyes made me melt into his body. As I snuggled closer I thought this this would be the best time as any to ask him what Isaac meant in his letter.

"Baby what did you and Isaac talk about?"

"He wanted to know what he should do about Melissa, he's in love with the girl baby, but he's worried that she will get tired of waiting for him. He wants to focus on his career but he also wants her by his side. He didn't know what to do and asked me how we coped when I got deployed." He stroked my hair as he spoke and I listened to his soothing voice and I felt my heart beat in time with his.

"What did you tell him?"

"I told him how difficult it has been for us but we obviously pulled through. I told him that the constant contact with letters and emails and phone calls helped. He teased me about phone sex but then realised he was talking about his parents and shut up. I told him to just talk to her, she's a smart girl and we all know that she feels the same about him." We sat there for what felt like hours, just enjoying the peace and quiet and the odd thump from upstairs as Olivia danced.

I couldn't explain how happy I am. I've got a loving husband and a sex life that seems to be getting better and better with age. An amazing son who is just like his father, the fact that Edward wasn't with me throughout the pregnancy didn't change anything, their father and son bond is the strongest I've ever seen. I will never forget the day he was born and Edward was right there with me, by my side, being my rock like always.

When I was pregnant with Olivia, Edward was there throughout all of it, he held my hair as I threw up, he ran around for me and got me whatever I was craving –even at stupid o'clock in the morning. He re-read every baby book as soon as he found out we're having a girl, thinking it will all be different from Isaac. He was a saint when it came to my hormone rollercoaster, he held me when I broke down, he did stupid things with me just because it made sense to me at the time. Edward knew to leave me to myself when I was angry for no reason, he would take Isaac out with him and they would both return with two jars of pickles and daisies just to cheer me up. Both Edward and Isaac spoke to my tummy when I was carrying Olivia. And Isaac had been the best brother ever since.

As Olivia grew older, Edward was growing greyer. The day she was born, Edward was wrapped around her tiny finger. I think he was up more in the middle of the night than I was. Yeah she needed my boob for feeding time but it was Edward who would bring her into our bed so I could feed her. He kept telling me I had to go through so much with carrying her and the birth, that it was his turn to do the work. Once we started bottle feeding her, they had grown even closer. We attended every dance recital and the rest of the family spoiled her rotten because she was and always will be the baby in the family. Watching Isaac accept Olivia when she was born was great, he knew he is the older brother and has to look out for her and he has been doing that ever since. When she joined his school, he always kept an eye out for her and she didn't mind that in the least, all her little friends crushed after Isaac and that was the only thing that bothered her. The boys in Olivia's year were scared of Isaac and all the men in the family were glad. Their grades were always high and both were at the top of their classes. I have the best kids in the world.

I don't even know where to start with the rest of my family, they are everything I need and more. I've been truly blessed and there's nothing I would change if I could re-do this all again. My life inspires me to write more and business is booming. I don't know where I'd be without these people in my life and I just wish my Dad was here to see it all. He would have loved to see all the kids grow up.

I love and miss you Charlie.

"I'm feeling inspirational, let's go upstairs and try something new for my book." I winked at Edward and then laughed all the way upstairs as he chased me into our room. At the sound of the door locking, he was I could think about.

AN- Well this is it, I hope you've enjoyed my little story as much as I have writing it. I'm working on other little bits atm but RL is kicking my arse with work and I'm moving soon. So keep me in your alerts and I hope you review :)