Chapter Thirty-Four

~Epilogue~

EPOV

One hundred and forty-five days after I proposed to Bella, we found ourselves at the Philadelphia International Airport boarding a plane to Miami. From there, we took the three-hour flight to Curacao where we'll get married tomorrow at sunset at a luxury all-inclusive family beach resort.

Alice and Bella worked quickly after we got engaged to find us the perfect setting, where we wouldn't have to worry about planning the minute details. We simply made some decisions about color schemes and guest rooms, and a wedding coordinator at the Breezes Curacao Resort did the rest.



Breezes Curacao

My parents and our circle of friends planned to treat it as their vacation as well, so a place that catered to families was the driving force behind our decision. We also decided that Tristan and a recently-walking Emerson would be the only members in our bridal party. After all, we'd be surrounded by those we're closest to, no need to hand out titles to anyone.

The third munchkin in our posse debuted about five weeks ago. On the fifteenth of April, Rose gave birth to a little guy, Daniel. We decided he arrived three weeks early so that none of us would ever overlook his birthday. After all, most clear-thinking people don't forget the day taxes are due, and Danny-boy agreed.

We're also excited to have Jake back in the fold. As soon as his tour in Afghanistan ended, he came right home to be with Kate and surprised her on her birthday in February. Their wedding plans are underway for next month. They hadn't intended to get married so quickly, but their happy reunion resulted in an unexpected baby bump. Kate, Jake and their families are thrilled and they asked James and me to host the wedding at the Four Seas B&B. We couldn't be happier for them and we're honored that they chose our setting on the bay to get married.

Our flight landed last night close to nine. By the time we got to the resort, it was almost ten and we just collapsed after our long journey. This morning Bella and I met with the wedding coordinator, Jane. She's a no-nonsense lady who has every detail planned out to perfection. She explained the final preparations she and her staff were making today and asked that we all meet at five for a quick rehearsal. Apart from that, relaxing on the resort's beach without a care in the world and certainly no wedding stress was the best way to spend the day before the big event.

At five on the dot, we gathered near the gazebo on the beach. A fumble here and there, peppered in with some nervous giggles on Bella's part, and the rehearsal was finished in twenty minutes.

Edward's wedding band

I know some grooms go through periods of anxiety or cold feet, but I cannot wait to make that woman mine tomorrow. Slip that ring on her finger in front of God and everyone and tell her that I will always be there for her…that she'll never be alone…ever again.

~~~~~L~A~S~T~C~A~L~L~~~~~

"So I said, 'Your Isabella is my Bella?' And then you said something like," Jasper's pointing at me, doubling over in laughter; he can barely finish his story, "Would you be surprised if I told you that you were the third guy this week to utter those exact words?"

Everyone erupts in hysterics, including Bella and me, as we reminisce about the insanity of our reunion and its subsequent series of miscues a year ago.

Who is she? Isabella Swan? Bella King? Who is James dating? I may have dated her, too! Do you know her? I don't know her, but I know someone who looks an awful lot like her!

What a bunch of yahoos we all were.

We can laugh about it, now that we're ready to walk down the aisle and pledge our lives to each other.

"Oh, my God! I can't believe you were ready to fire Eric over what 'he' said to Rose about me!" Bella gasps out between belly laughs.

"Well, Yorkie's a proven womanizer! James told me that Eric was a real ass to my new waitress, and I couldn't have drama on my staff!" We've all been laughing so hard that Alice and Rosalie have become practically incapacitated. They're not making any sounds and they're frozen, with the exception of their hands just flapping in front of their faces and chests…I hope they're still breathing.

"How the hell was I supposed to know it was ME I was talking about? I had no idea which way was up back then! My world was all twisted, because the sensational girl I apparently never got over had just unexpectedly waltzed back into my life!"

Somehow my words stunt the laughter and a resounding, "Aww!" resonates through the crowd, my mother leading the pack. Bella gets up from her lounge chair and moves toward me, a look of complete adoration on her face. I look up at her, wholly assured that the lady in front of me is the best thing that ever happened to me, twice. She blinks her chocolate mousse eyes once, the only thing that interrupts our gaze. She turns and lowers herself, sitting sideways across my lap, and leans in to hug me.

"You melt my heart, Edward Cullen…I don't think I could possibly love you any more than I do," she whispers, nuzzling her face into my neck, the sounds of the crowd surrounding us no longer holding my attention. I have the best distraction on the planet right here in my arms. Presently placing butterfly kisses under my jaw…and…hello tongue…now if she'd just move a little to the…ahhh, right there…

"Watch yourself, pretty girl." I murmur so only she can hear. "Your lips are riling me up, not to mention the wiggle of your luscious ass. You're not playing fair." Her hot breath sends a shiver down my spine and again I feel her tongue lick the scruff she requested I grow for the big event. "You're the one who invoked the 'no sex in Curacao till we're married' rule, Bella; the build-up to the big night to make it more special, remember? You prepared to go back on that one?"

She sits straight up, albeit flustered and horny, but the delicious torture ends. I pull her back to me, my hand coming around her face to gently cup her opposite cheek. "I have no problems being a rule-breaker, baby. You know where to find me tonight if you want me." I punctuate my statement with a kiss on her temple.

I let go of her face and she narrows her eyes playfully at me. "Now, who's not playing fair, Mister!" She pokes me in the chest and I flash my smile and wink at her, knowing it'll only drive her crazy.

Bella squirms out of my embrace, leaving me laughing. "That's it! Co-ed party is over! Girls are going to bed! Say goodnight to your partners," she announces to grumbles from the peanut gallery.

"Remind me why I can't sleep with my wife because you can't sleep with your fiancée, Edward?" Dad complains as my mom slugs him in the stomach with her purse.

"Because this is their wedding, and they asked us to have a final night where the girls were on their own, while you gentlemen went off to do your own thing, dear. Think you'll survive without me?" she questions.

"Barely." He pecks my mom on the lips and then calls over the table to me, "You owe me one, Edward Anthony."

I have to chuckle at my dad's level of drama and sarcasm. One thing is for certain, that man is over-the-moon in love with his wife. I've had an amazing example of what a model marriage should be.

The girls say goodnight to their guys and the crowd dissipates, but I need just another minute with my fiancée.

"C'mere, you." I grasp at Bella's petite waist and spin her around into a hug. "Sure you want to do this?"

Her eyes sparkle in the moonlight as she quirks her eyebrows in confusion. "Sure I want to do what? Spend the night without you? No…not sure at all. With how I'm feeling right now, it might be the stupidest decision I'll ever make in my life," she whines, resigned.

I smile and huff, tightening my arms around her small frame and bury my face in her neck.



The happy couple; the night before the wedding

"Now…am I sure about spending the rest of my life with you?" She continues, drawing my face away from the warmth of her. "…Never been more certain about anything. You're stuck with me till the stars go out, Cabana Boy. Think you can handle that?"

I answer by diving back into her neck. Her hugs are the warmest and sweetest I've ever known. "Till the stars go out. Maybe a little longer," I murmur into her ear and she tightens her arms. I pull back and kiss her softly, sucking gently on her upper lip for just a second or two. "I'll see you at breakfast. Have fun tonight, pretty girl."

~~~~~L~A~S~T~C~A~L~L~~~~~

BPOV

"Well, this has been fun, sweet girls, but I need my beauty sleep," Esme sighs with a smile. "My baby boy is getting married to the love of his life tomorrow." She winks at me and I stand up to give her a hug.

"Let me walk you out, Mom," I say, coming out of her embrace.

"Goodnight girls…make sure the blushing bride gets some sleep, okay?"

"Will do, Mrs. C.!"

"Goodnight."

She holds my hand as we walk out onto the veranda of the honeymoon suite where Alice, Rosalie, Charlotte, Kate and I will spend the night together.

"So, listen…" she starts, "Edward may be my baby boy, well, the older baby," we both giggle and take a seat on the porch swing that hangs from the front balcony of the suite. "But from the first night I met you, I knew you'd be my daughter in every way that counts. I don't like the term 'daughter-in-law'; it implies some distance or separation, but I don't see that. We don't feel that with you. I hope you know that. I hope you know how much Carlisle and I love you, Bella. You've made our son happier than he's ever been in his entire life, and he was always a pretty happy-go-lucky guy," she playfully nudges my shoulder with hers. "But he's bigger and brighter ever since you came back into his life. I know Carlisle and I can't ever replace the family you had—"

"You're infinitely better," I interrupt without even thinking twice. "I'll always miss my father…but it's like…" I take a second to gather my thoughts. "I haven't seen him or heard his voice or known him for over ten years. He'll always have a place in my heart. But… you and Carlisle mean the world to me. I thank God every day for my friends. They saved me… they literally and figuratively saved my life, every single day for three years…from the moment I woke up, you know?"

She nods and I continue.

"But they went home every day and lived their lives together, as husbands and wives, parents in Jasper and Alice's case, sisters and brothers and kids, even though their extended families were all spread out. I had nothing…nobody but Aunt Didyme. She was a very sweet lady, but I barely remembered her from my childhood. I didn't spend enough time with her as a young girl for her to have made a long-lasting impression on me. It was hard to trust that she was someone who truly knew and loved me," I shrug, swallowing a lump in my throat.

"I know I have my friends, and I know they'll always be people I consider family. But with you and Carlisle…I have parents…like real parents. I'm going to spend the rest of my life, every breath I take loving Edward and the life we build together. And even though it drives him crazy when I say it, I'll keep thanking him whenever I get the chance…because he's given me the mom and dad I so desperately craved. I've fallen in love with all of you, and I couldn't be happier."

Esme is quietly sobbing what I assume are happy tears. A moment later, she wraps me in the safety of her arms. "Oh, honey. I love you, Bella. And I can't wait for you to marry my son tomorrow."

I squeeze her tighter. "Love you too, Mom."

"Sleep tight." She squeezes my hand one last time.

We get up and she walks down the garden path to her room. I thought she was sleeping here with us, but maybe she got the feeling that the younger girls wanted to be silly together. Maybe she had it planned all along. I wonder if Carlisle is camping out with the guys all night, or sneaking away, too.

"So, what are we talking about?" Back in the suite, I fling myself into the mountain of throw pillows on the floor.

"Just that we think Edward is ready to be a daddy…like yesterday." Alice smirks and raises her eyebrows.

I shake my head and laugh. "Umm, we aren't married yet. And I'm not even twenty-four years old. We've got time, don't ya think?"

"Of course you have time, honey," Kate starts, patting her little baby belly. "But I'm here to tell you that marriage and age have nothing to do with it. Hell, I'm thirty and just getting started!" We all laugh.

"You'll go at your own pace, we know…but we were just thinking about how freaking adorable Edward is with the babies. Holding Emmy's hand as she waddled through the airport! I thought my ovaries were going to explode right then and there!" Alice giggles as we all chime in agreement.

"Yeah, that was pretty stinkin' cute," I remember. Babies, huh? I'm in no rush. We'll get there. I'm just looking forward to being able to refer to Edward as my husband.

No, my husband's not here right now, can I take a message?

Hi, nice to meet you. I'm Bella and this is my husband, Edward.

Which one's your husband? That tall drink of water right over there…that's my husband.

I pull a pillow up to my face and squeal…this is really happening.

~~~~~L~A~S~T~C~A~L~L~~~~~

Eighteen hours after I kissed Edward goodnight as my fiancé, I kissed him again as my husband.

The gazebo was decked out in sprays of pale pink roses, a dozen chairs set up to surround us while we took our vows. The weather was perfect, not terribly hot by sunset and not a cloud in the sky.

Emerson's flower girl dress

The kids were beyond precious. Tristan wearing a beige linen suit to match Edward's and Emerson in a soft pink gown with a white sash around her middle. My dress was the opposite image, a strapless white gown with a soft pink sash adorned with a decorative rhinestone design around my middle.

Emmett walked me down the small aisle and up the steps of the gazebo. It meant the world to me when he agreed to do that. We're surrounded by everyone we love. My heart is content. Everything is as it should be.

And I'm married to the man of my dreams.

"What're you thinking about, Mrs. Cullen?" Edward whispers in my ear while we're dancing our first dance as husband and wife to the soulful voice of Etta James, singing, "At Last". Was there ever a more appropriate selection for us?


The back of Bella's wedding gown

I look up into his eyes and smile, shaking my head the slightest bit.

"Just… about how everything is perfect right now, perfect for us. I feel like today, and everything that's happened to us in the last year, was plucked right out of a fairy tale. You've made my dreams come true...at last."

He leans down and kisses me sweetly and starts humming the melody in my ears. I close my eyes and soak up the tender moment.

When the song is finished, I whisper in his ears, "Till the stars go out."

And his reply is the one I was hoping to hear, "Maybe a little longer."

~~~~~L~A~S~T~C~A~L~L~~~~~

"Did I tell you how absolutely stunning you look today?" He drops a kiss on my shoulder while painstakingly undoing each button down the back of my dress…or at least until he can free me from its constraints.

"You may have mentioned it," I giggle as he continues to kiss me down my back as each button is unfastened, sending shivers in the opposite direction. "And you with your jacket off, vest unbuttoned, shirt sleeves rolled up…I don't know how I lasted this long without dragging you back into this suite and staking my claim," I purr over my shoulder catching a glimpse of the master at work, who's now kneeling behind me, looking up at me with hooded eyes.

Edward's fingers continue to manipulate the material at my lower back, his lips and hints of his tongue creating a seductive trail on my lower back. Suddenly, my waist is able to twist a bit and a rush of cool air envelops me as Edward tugs the gown below my hips. I lean back and place a hand on his shoulder, allowing me to step out of the satin material without tripping and falling, embracing the true klutz that I am.

Bella's corset with pink ribbon rather than white

I hear my husband hiss behind me and I realize he's just gotten the full back view of my lingerie. Though never a fan of the dental floss thong, I knew this would knock him dead. The strapless corset with the pink satin ribbon weaved through the back as its tie and the scrap of material considered the matching panties were the perfect choice for the occasion. Still wearing my heels, I slowly turn around and find Edward kneeling silent on the floor, swallowing hard as evidenced by the bob of his Adam's apple.

"Like what you see, Mr. Cullen?" I ask in a sultry voice while removing the pin from my hair, allowing it to flow freely down onto my shoulders and back.

Rising from the floor, he smiles and steps toward me while unbuttoning his shirt. I take his forward motion as an invitation to help. He's got the shirt covered, I take the belt.

I'm no fool.

"Bella," he pauses, his voice gruff, "you have exactly two minutes to take care of whatever you might need to do in the bathroom, because after that, your body's all mine till brunch." He pulls his shirt off his chest and down his arms, toeing his shoes from his feet in the process.

"That seems fair," I reply, smiling at the premise.

"A minute, fifty-five, pretty girl," his voice is like melting chocolate drizzled over a fresh, plump red strawberry. One hundred and fifteen seconds seems like a terribly long time all of a sudden, so I sashay myself over to the four-poster bed, remove my heels, climb up onto the mattress doing my best sex kitten impression and lie back on the pillows waiting for my man.

Within seconds, he's wearing only his silk boxers and crawling across the top of the bed to meet me.

"Hey there, handsome," I say, smiling, "fancy meeting you here." I giggle at my own playfulness which causes Edward to smile.

Edward & Bella's honeymoon suite

We have a beautiful panoramic view of the Caribbean Sea. The glass wall and window beyond the foot of our king-size bed allows us to enjoy the moonlight as it reflects off the sparkling water.

He's on his knees staring down at me. Edward slides one finger under my pale pink satin garter and lazily drags it down my leg. Once it's removed, he brings it up to his mouth and kisses it, gets a devilish look in his eyes and proceeds to fling it across the room like a slingshot. We exchange smiles at his silliness. He then runs a finger along the elastic that sits on my hips, barely holding my thong together. "Need these in the future?" He questions, his tone anything but innocent.

I giggle a soft 'no', giving him a shake of my head and with one simple tug, the material is ripped from my body.

He lays himself down on the bed next to me, his boxers also just recently discarded. With his head now joining mine on the pillow, he declares, "I'm gonna need you to swing your spectacular body up this way so that I can taste you, baby." His request causes me to shudder and I immediately comply with his demands.

I knee-walk up to his shoulder and gingerly throw my left leg over his head, lowering myself down onto his waiting mouth.

"Ahhh," I moan, my pitch higher than the rafters, at the first contact his lips make with my skin. Teasing me, nibbling…sucking on me all to the tune of my whimpering soundtrack. His tongue is diving in and around my soaked entrance; he's turning me into a wanton, dripping mess.

Edward's hands come up and squeeze my ass and I feel him tugging on the satin ribbon hanging from the corset, attempting to untie it blindly. I have faith that he'll succeed since I'm no use to him right now. All I can do is keep a grip on the top of the headboard while my legs, which frame his head, are twitching, my orgasm ready to hurl me off this cliff. Shaking and screaming, I hope to God nobody comes knocking on the door thinking I'm being attacked. I'm thankful as Edward slows his ministrations and allows me to gradually come back down to Earth. I scoot backwards far enough that he sits up with me now on his lap. He's loosened my corset and pulls it over my head and I can't help but kiss him.

My essence is all over his mouth and chin. This man…unnngh…this man is unstoppable. Barely recuperated from my orgasm a minute ago and I'm doing a lap dance worthy of hundred dollar bills. Edward is groaning, I'm mewling, our fingers running through each other's hair while his lips capture mine over and over and over.

His hands move down to my hips. "I can't wait anymore, baby. I want to make love to my wife."

He holds his erection right at my entrance and I sink down without hurry, our open-mouthed kisses allowing for more passionate sounds from both of us. The graze of a lip, a quick lick with a tongue…we just exchange breath for breath back and forth, our eyes open to absorb our hunger and lust.

Our push and pull is electric. The smell of our sex penetrates every molecule of air around us.

His hand massages my breast as I continue to swivel my hips, him thrusting up at the same time. My head falls back in exhausted ecstasy as he moves his mouth to suck and tease my nipples.

"Edward…I…ohmygod…" I wrap my arms around his shoulders and attempt to bury my face in his neck, my hair flipping around wildly; my body freezing on the cusp of coming again.

He grunts, and splays one hand across my back, while the other comes up and pulls my shoulder down, trying to get the best leverage he can as I tip over the edge of bliss.

"Baby…*thrust and swivel*…I'm coming…*swivel and buck*…goddamn." He's breathing heavy on my collar bone and I squeeze my inside walls to help him along. Then with a roar, he finds his orgasm and all movement slows.

We fall back onto the bed, me still on his chest, but I stretch my legs out along the length of his. A few seconds of silence pass by as we descend from our cloud.

"Good God, how did I get so lucky?" he asks, catching his breath. "Not only do you continue to blow my mind…and… other things—," I snicker and smack him for his crude joke, and he laughs, hugging me tighter as I go back to dancing my fingers through his chest hair. "But you are the most beautiful woman, the most spectacular lover, and the most amazingly brave person I've ever known. And I can't believe I get to spend the rest of my life with you."

I turn my face up to his and he looks back at me. "I'm the one who's lucky…who's blessed. You, above everyone, saved my life, Edward."

He rolls us over and kisses me deeply and we get lost in each other all over again.

~~~~~L~A~S~T~C~A~L~L~~~~~

I hear Edward shouting to me from the kitchen. Silly boy thinks I can hear him when I'm in the laundry room with the washer and dryer going in my ears. I finish sorting the rest of the clothes, which were unceremoniously dumped on the floor when we got back from Curacao two days ago.

After our romantic eight-day honeymoon, we said goodbye to the resort and began our journey home. Edward whispered to me that he planned to have his way with me in the air before touching down in Philadelphia. We tried to be stealthy and join the mile high club between Curacao and Miami…didn't happen. Then we tried again on the flight from Miami to Philly and it just wasn't in the cards for us. So all the dirty talking we did only served to rile us up, since we couldn't act on our desires. Needless to say, soon after the limo driver pulled out of our driveway after bringing our bags into the foyer that night, we jumped each other. It was a lovely homecoming. About three minutes after he carried me over the threshold, he fucked me senseless on the dining room table. We barely got our clothes off in the process, just the necessary areas were uncovered and Edward pounded into me like it was our last night on Earth.

Unfortunately, real life and the busy schedules that come along with it set in and we haven't had a minute to breathe or relax or enjoy each other. Although we did have sex in the shower this morning; and also in his car in the back parking lot of Last Call in the wee hours of yesterday morning before the delivery truck arrived.

I love my horny hubby…it makes his insatiable wife good and happy.

"What'd you say, babe?" I question, walking back into the living room and carrying a basket of clothes to be folded. "I couldn't hear you over the machines."

"Oh, sorry! I just said you have a letter here from New Mexico." He holds it up to me, shrugging. "It's hand-written. You know anybody in…" he looks at it once more, "Santa Teresa?"

I look at him incredulously. "You know the answer to that. I only know people in the Delaware Valley, and that's being generous." I take the letter from his hand and run my index finger under the seal, tearing it open.

"My Sweet Isabella…" I briefly glance over the body of the letter written over two sheets of basic white-lined paper. "Weird…nobody calls me 'Isabella' anymore."

"Keep reading," he encourages.

"First, allow me to apologize for being out of touch for so many years. I only recently heard about the accident that claimed the lives of your parents. I'm so very sorry for your tragic loss. An old friend of mine who still works in the Philadelphia area mailed me the newspaper clipping announcing your upcoming marriage to your one true love…the one I always believed you were meant to be with…" I look up with wide eyes at Edward who looks back at me in confusion.

"Who's it from?" he asks.

I flip over the final page to confirm what my heart already knows.

"Anna," I smile, brightly. "It's from Anna!"

~~~~~L~A~S~T~C~A~L~L~~~~~

"Well, now there's my gorgeous wife." I smile at his compliment as I enter the front door of Last Call, waving to a few of the regulars along the way. I come around the side to get behind the bar but he meets me at the corner with a smooch on the lips. I smile again, looking up at him as he drags his fingers along the plunging neckline of my dress. I hope it makes it through the night in one piece. Edward's got hunger in his eyes.

"Where've you been baby, I thought we said four?" He hands me what looks like an amaretto sour with the tell-tale orange and cherry garnish, which I happily take and clink with his Yuengling. "Happy fourth anniversary, pretty girl."

Cue big sigh and smile…my husband makes me swoon.

"Happy Anniversary to you," I reach up with my lips and kiss him again. "And you're right, we did say four and I should've called but I lost track of time running errands. Then the party staying in the Bayside Suite didn't arrive until close to three, so all of their intake procedures took time." He nods in understanding, well aware that when guests of the bed and breakfast arrive, it's a commitment of at least a half hour to get them properly checked in and show them around.

"Okay, no big deal. You ready?" I nod excitedly. Our anniversary landed on Memorial Day this year, so we're making a quick overnight getaway to Atlantic City to celebrate. "Let me just grab my keys from the office and we're outta here, baby."

We've taken great pride in establishing the Four Seas Bed and Breakfast as a luxurious alternative to the typical family summer motel. Some of the indoor amenities we offer are fluffy down comforters, fine linens and comfy robes, fresh flowers in every room, wireless internet access, televisions and DVD players. Our outdoor amenities include an in-ground pool, hot tub, games and equipment for outdoor enjoyment, such as croquet, badminton sets, and water sports on the bay. We also have a fire pit for roasting marshmallows or enjoying the night sky.

After we were married, I asked if I could help out as much as possible at the B&B and since then, it's basically become my show. I still get a chance to hang out at Last Call quite a bit, and even wait on tables from time to time, but more often than not, at least during the summer season, I run the bed and breakfast. The best part is that I've perfected breakfast foods far beyond my old talents of toast and Edward's 'egg in the nest'. I have a delicious arsenal of recipes that I choose from for our guests. My specialties are much more impressive these days: spinach and pancetta quiche, hash brown casserole, croissant French toast with spiced apples, pears and cranberries, pineapple ricotta muffins, and cranberry-almond biscotti.

Edward is still a sucker for lingerie, but if I'm wearing said lingerie and I bring him some of my delectable breakfast treats? Yeah...always a very good time for all.

"That dress is sinful, Mrs. Cullen," he murmurs to me while standing at the bar in Carmine's, waiting for our names to be called by the hostess. "If you play your cards right, you might get lucky tonight," he adds with a sexy wink and a kiss under my ear, hoping, I'm sure, that he's successfully ruined a perfect pair of panties.

Joke's on him…I'm not wearing any.

"CULLEN! Party of TWO!"

We follow the hostess over, just as our drinks are delivered to the table, him a black and tan, and me, a Bella Special. "No drink with dinner, tonight?" he questions and I shake my head and sit.

"Nahh, I want to have my wits about me tonight. I've got big plans for you!" I tease as his eyes widen with excitement.

"Plans, huh? Do tell!"

"Well," I raise my glass, "here's to another year of wedded bliss with the man of my dreams." He clinks with me and takes a gulp of his beer.

"Okay, my turn," he starts. "To the two of us. You and me, baby…I love you so much. Till the stars go out." He stands up and leans over the table to give me a lingering kiss.

"Mmmmm," I hum and smile, contentedly as he pulls away. "I love you, too. But umm…about your toast."

He cocks his head to the side in interest, "Yeah?"

"What if it wasn't just the two of us? You just said, 'You and me, baby' and I need to amend that." He throws me a baffled look. "What if I said, 'You and me and a baby.'" I wait with baited breath in hopes of a positive reaction. He takes a second to gather himself, a subtle smile playing on his lips and then he speaks.

"You." His voice is steady.

I nod once.

"And me." Still steady.

I nod again, twice.

"And a baby?" It warbles just a bit on that one. I pull my lower lip between my teeth, giving away a hint of a smile, and nod multiple times.

This time he gets up and comes over to me, kneeling at my feet, and threads his hands through my hair, kissing me soundly a few times before coming up for air.

"We're gonna have a baby?" He asks just once more to be sure and I giggle my "yes". He shakes his head, grinning from ear to ear.

"You had to do it, didn't you? he chuckles. "What's with you and Memorial Day weekends, huh? Always turning my life upside down...trying to drive me nuts." He dives back in and kisses me again and again, then wraps his arms around me, burying his face in my neck.

"Welcome to the crazy, Daddy!" I whisper back to him, causing him to hug me tighter as tears of joy fill my eyes.

~~~~~L~A~S~T~C~A~L~L~~~~~

EPOV

"Last Call, this is Edward."

"Hi! I tried your cell but couldn't get through." I pat my back pocket. Shit, I didn't mean to leave it in the office with Bella's due date approaching.

"I'm sorry baby, things got crazy earlier." I check my watch, 11:20 pm. "You okay? Can't sleep?"

"Well, I was sleeping fine but then woke up with horrible stomach pains thinking I ate something that didn't agree with me." I plug my other ear with my finger, desperately trying to follow everything my wife is telling me. " murmur…murmur…time."

"What? Baby, hang on a sec." I toss Dave the phone and motion for him to hang up once I get into the office.

"Okay, sorry. What did you say before?"

"I SAID 'IT'S TIME'! THE BABY'S KNOCKING ON THE DOOR!"

My eyes bug out and I shout back, "Holy shit! I'm on my way!" I throw the phone back onto the cradle, grab my keys and cell and run out of the office and scream like a mental case, "SHE'S HAVING THE BABY! I'm outta here, J!"

Cheers resound. I hear James's signature whistle and an, "I'll call Mom!" as I'm running out into the snowy January night, slipping and sliding like an idiot through the parking lot…my only focus on getting Bella and the baby safely to Southern Ocean County Hospital in time.

I pull up to the house like a bat out of hell. Bella greets me at the door, fucking adorable in her jeans and an extra-large Last Call sweatshirt, an excited smile on her face, looking like she swallowed a damn basketball.

"Hi. How's everything…we good?" I'm pressing on her stomach to make sure the peanut's still in there.

Bella laughs, putting her hands over mine. "We're good, Daddy. We're just anxious to come out and play."

I kiss her quickly, run the bags and pillows out to the car and come back up to help her down the front porch steps.

"YEEOOWWWWW," Bella shouts, stopping dead in her tracks on the top step and gripping my fingers in pain. I wait in silence for several seconds and then she starts to loosen her grip.

"Jesus, honey," I exhale, relieved for the moment. My heart is racing, hating that all I can do is watch her in agony, "What can I do?"

She closes her eyes, the wintry night allowing me to see her long puff of air coming out her nose and mouth. "That was a bad one," she sighs. "Just get us to the doctor, please."

After I close her car door, I look up into the sky in a silent prayer, begging for a safe journey to the hospital.

Once we're both settled and buckled in, I reach over, grab her hand and pull it to my lips, kissing her tenderly. "Let's go have a baby, pretty girl."

~~~~~L~A~S~T~C~A~L~L~~~~~

Seven hours of hard labor later, an hour of recovery after that, and I was holding my daughter in my arms. Cora Lynne Cullen, all six and a half pounds of her, with her little pink beanie on her head, has already stolen my heart and has me mesmerized.

We got up to the post-partum room about twenty minutes ago. I've been gently rocking her and softly singing, "Sweet Cora Lynne" to the tune of "Sweet Caroline" over and over again. My poor wife burst into tears when she heard me for the first time. I was worried that maybe it was because I was off-key, but she said it was the most precious thing she'd ever heard.

Cora Lynne Cullen

I don't think I've stopped staring at the baby since the nurse handed her to me hours ago. I'm sitting on the bed with Bella, and we're both just gawking at her, waiting for her to bust out a party trick or something.

"D'you think I should change her diaper? We haven't changed it in like an hour." I speak quietly so as not to wake the baby.

Bella shrugs. "I guess it couldn't hurt."

I stand up and move to lay Cora back in the plastic crib thing. We've got her wrapped up burrito-style, so it takes a few seconds to wade through the fabric to actually get to the baby. Once I find her little belly and scaly chicken legs, I have to laugh. She's so damn tiny…and fucking perfect…and mine.

I can't believe she's mine.

I un-wrap the diaper and am greeted with a slimy pit of tar all over her…area.

"Oh, shit…literally…babe, I need backup." Helpless, I call out to my poor wife who's reclined in the bed, beyond exhausted. She props herself up and peeks over, her eyes going wide at the scene.

"Yikes. Okay, just…she's still knocked out, so maybe we can do this without her squirming or sticking her foot in it…Emerson always used to do that."

"Are you trying to scare me, Bella?" I look over at her, terror in my eyes. "'Cause it's working."

She giggles and rests her forehead against my hip. "No, honey," she sighs, getting control of herself. Bella holds up the baby's little potato stick legs, and I start swiping at her unmentionables.

"Babe. You've gotta get in there. She has poop all in her lips."

I look at Bella, horrified.

"I beg of you, do not speak of my daughter's...lips…again, please. Daddies just can't know this stuff." You'd think I was the featured act on Comedy Central standup, because Bella is cackling in to her pillow.

I do the best I can to wipe out all the visible poop…I even spread her…you know, to make sure it's all gone and I gasp.

"What? What is it? Bella questions, frantically moving her head to see what it is I'm viewing.

I point and stutter. "She's got a…her umm, holy shit," I roll my eyes and look to the ceiling. "I can't handle this…her little…clitoris." I whisper it, like the dirty, dirty word that it is, especially when it's in reference to the one on my three-hour old DAUGHTER! "Christ almighty," I mumble, shaking my head.

Bella gapes at me like I've sprouted a third eye. She lowers her head, her eyes still fixed on me, though her eyebrows have risen up to her hairline. "Umm, honey...did you think it grew on later? Of course she's got one!" Bella whisper-shouts and then dissolves in a fit of hysterics.

I whimper in defeat and vow that I'm going to make the basement as lovely as possible for my perfect princess peanut, because she's never going to be allowed to see the light of day…ever. The suitors can't come knocking if they don't know she exists!

I'm well aware that I might be overreacting a bit. But I know boys…and that's my baby girl. I'm just going to put it out of my head for the next thirty or so years. Maybe by then, I'll be able to handle the concept of her going out with boys with a little more reason and dignity.

~~~~~L~A~S~T~C~A~L~L~~~~~

Two days later, I drive my family home from the hospital and we have a revolving door of visitors for a week straight. Mom and Dad spend their nights at their house in Harvey Cedars, but spend several days at our home, making sure we're able to transition well, giving us numerous much-needed naps and a hand with laundry and such. My brother and a newly pregnant Charlotte spoiled us with a week's worth of meals already prepped and in the freezer. Rosalie and Emmett, as well as Jasper and Alice, each come down for a quick visit on different afternoons, and all promise to come back for a weekend after we get into a routine.

We called Anna the day after we got home from the hospital and she promised she'd make plans to come visit in the spring. Our relationship with her is such a gift for Bella. To have that connection with someone from her past, and not only that, but someone who truly loved her, who rooted for us to win and not fail, unlike everyone else around us all those years ago. Anna traveled to LBI to visit us shortly after we were married. And then, the following summer we made a point to stop in New Mexico for a weekend visit before we continued on to Hawaii to celebrate our first anniversary.

As the weeks go by, and I watch my precious Cora start to focus a bit and follow my voice with her head and eyes, I realize that my life can't possibly get much sweeter than this.

My amazing Bella, the best thing that ever happened to me, walked into my life not once but twice and never left after that. She's given me the most incredible gift I could've ever hoped for in my daughter.

When I think about what we went through, all of the ups and downs with Bella at the Flanders and then us coming back around to find each other years later, I remind myself of a quote from John Lennon. Even if I'd heard it years ago, I don't know if it would've stuck with me because I was so wrapped up in my confused, broken heart back then. It was only recently that I'd heard his wise words, long after we were married and I already had my true love by my side.

Very simply, Lennon said this, "Everything will be okay in the end…if it's not okay, it's not the end."

~~~~~L~A~S~T~C~A~L~L~~~~~

Chapter Thirty-Three

~Saved The Best For Last~

EPOV

It's been three months since Bella and I left Royce's hospital room. He died a few days later and, as planned, his lawyers contacted Bella almost immediately. Some random firm that Bella's aunt hired had been in charge of the Swans' estate years ago as well as the Harrington estate after Didyme died. Even though Bella had held onto their business card, she asked my parents to handle the legalities of the Kings' estate instead. They were more than happy to step in and it made us all feel much better that someone who loved Bella was truly looking out for her best interest and, more importantly, her safety, even more so once we became aware of the twisty workings of the King family's patriarch.

Let me tell you, I come from money. My parents have always worked very hard; James and I never wanted for anything growing up. They made sure we knew the way to handle money responsibly, as well as always instilling in us a strong work ethic, rather than training us to sit around and be lazy, spoiled asses. Bottom line, we've always had a nicely padded bank account. My girlfriend, however? She has money coming out of her ears. I mean, I never imagined she was sitting on that much loot. My parents put her in touch with my dad's cousin Riley, a financial advisor on Wall Street who is taking very good care of her and putting her money safely away so that she will never, ever need to be concerned about where her next meal is coming from. Or her children's. Or her grandchildren's. Or their grandchildren's. And that's after having donated over forty million dollars to the charities from the auction!

I mean it's that much money.

She's been thinking about donating a large amount of King's money to the hospital where Jasper works, Cooper Trauma Center, as well as the rehab center where Emmett and Rosalie work, Cooper River Rehab Associates. She's always believed Emmett was her hero, bringing her back to a functioning and active life worth living. Bella looked to me to get a feel of my opinion on her possible sizable donation. My response has always been for her to think about it, and then go with her gut. I'd support her in whatever she chose. Needless to say, I'm fairly certain that Jasper, Emmett and Rosalie, and the colleagues and patients they work with, are going to have some shiny new toys to play with very soon.

When all is said and done though, I'm certain Bella would return every penny if she could have her dad back. Going through the remainder of the boxes in the basement was cathartic for her. Pictures of her and her dad from years ago kept turning up, causing her to smile…and to cry. She was even able to relay some stories to me about where they were, or what was going on when a certain picture was taken.

The brain injury she suffered still baffles me from time to time. How can she remember times from when she was twelve, nine…even five years old, and yet not remember our first first kiss? Or even our last? She came across a picture where she looked miserable, lined up with all of her new classmates on her first day of kindergarten. She actually remembered being sad and not wanting to smile for the camera.

She also has a clear recollection of winning first prize, a McDonald's gift certificate, in a Halloween drawing contest for her local library. A picture her dad took shows her standing next to her scarecrow picture, all proud of herself. Little freckles across her nose and cheeks. Her long brown hair pulled away from her face. She was too cute. She remembered that she needed to stand on a chair in order to pose next to her drawing which was hanging high up on the library wall. I mean, she keenly remembered grabbing the chair from a small table and standing on it! She was six years old when that happened!

Crazy.

Business at Last Call slowed significantly after Labor Day weekend. I said goodbye to the ten employees hired as summer staff with the promise that the job they vacated would be waiting for them if they returned to LBI next summer.

On September 13, we celebrated Bella's birthday at the bar. Patrons wore party hats, we served chocolate-covered strawberries and ice cream cake, her favorites. I gave Bella a bracelet, which Rose helped me pick out before she left. Rose called it a "hugs and kisses" bracelet, I just liked the idea behind it. It had diamonds and sapphires, her birthstone (thank you Rose for that little bit of knowledge). Plus there were all the "X's" and "O's", hence the name. Bella flipped when she opened it and basically hasn't taken it off since. Then, as an even bigger surprise for her, we celebrated the following weekend in style by heading into Philadelphia for a two-night getaway with our friends who couldn't make it down to the shore on a Tuesday night for Bella's actual birthday.

Because I'm such a guy, I rented not just a limo, but a stretch Hummer to bring us into the city that Friday afternoon. It was so damn cool; I think my dick was hard for most of the trip, but maybe that was because Bella's hand was inconspicuously rubbing my inner thigh for over an hour. I swear, if James and Charlotte hadn't been in the limo with us the first half of the trip, Bella and I would have christened the hell out of that ride. We picked up Emmett & Rosalie at the rehab center in Camden after work and then grabbed Alice and Jazz from their home in Manayunk before finally heading to Center City.

For dinner that night, I made reservations at Fogo de Chao. It was freaking phenomenal. Since we're a bunch of carnivores, I'm pretty sure they lost money on the flat fee we paid. I'm not even sure Emmett's card had a red side. Every time I looked up, Emmett was flashing the green circle and waiters were rushing over to give him a new cut of meat. Poor Rosalie could barely even acknowledge her husband, because her nausea was still an issue and his plate was overflowing for the entire meal. After we rolled ourselves out their doors, Jasper and I agreed we had to take everyone out to Ortlieb's. As far as I'm concerned, it's the best jazz bar in the entire city. We hung out there for two sets. I even got to shake hands with Kevin Eubanks, who used to play guitar for Jay Leno on The Tonight Show. He was there in the audience watching his brother, an accomplished trombonist in his own right.

We all stayed at the Ritz-Carlton for the weekend. We were treated like royalty and had a spectacular time. I made sure our suite was decked out with multiple vases of pink roses for Bella, complete with petals sprinkled on the bed. Jasper finagled his connections with medical colleagues and managed to get us all tickets to the Phillies game for Saturday. Luck was definitely on our side as we watched them smack the hell out of the Cardinals and clinch the National League East title. It was an awesome night to be at the ballpark. Energy levels were through the roof!

Even though it was close to midnight when the game was over, we were so pumped that we had the nerve to go back to the hotel, change clothes and go dancing down on Delaware Avenue. We ended up at The Roxxy and joined the other gyrating and writhing sardines on the dance floor, their nightly mating dances in full effect. I didn't care about them at all, though. I had the love of my life hanging off my arm all night long. It only took about an hour of sexy dry humping to music and working up a serious sweat for us to be all ready to go back to the hotel to satisfy our urges.

Sunday we all slept in, had a leisurely lunch down near Penn's Landing and just relaxed, enjoying each other's company. The limo picked us up at five in front of the Ritz and we were back on Long Beach Island by eight that night. My sole mission for Bella's birthday this year was to stamp out the lingering ghost of her eighteenth birthday. I feel like the weekend accomplished that goal. She was beaming from ear to ear the entire time.

Making our own new and happier memories was our goal every day when we woke up.

After Royce's death, we spent the next couple of weeks working through her entire basement, holding on to keepsakes she truly cherished and getting rid of boxes that didn't mean a thing to her anymore. Suffice it to say, it was mostly possessions or memories having to do with her mom that ended up getting pitched. I wasn't going to argue with her. That visit with Royce pretty much sealed the deal on proving that Renee Swan was a heinous mother and a selfish bitch altogether.

One afternoon while we were hauling boxes to Good Will, Bella told me that she wanted to fund the remainder of the cost to get the bed and breakfast ready for business. I turned her down immediately. We politely argued about it, until I got frustrated and told her to drop the subject. James and I had a very profitable summer at Last Call and Four Seas Catering, earning well beyond what was needed to cover the cost of supplies for the B&B. The construction at the hotel was already under way and would be completed by mid-November. There was NO way we needed my girlfriend's money.

End of story…or so I thought.

The B&B remodeling kicked into high gear after our getaway to Philadelphia. I'm not sure I can pinpoint the exact moment she convinced me to use "a pittance" of her money, her words not mine, but if I were a betting guy, I'd say it was while I was coming like a fucking freight train on Saturday night of her birthday weekend. She busted out a Jedi mind-trick and used black lacy lingerie to persuade me. I have no goddamn willpower; let's just leave it at that.

A few days later, when she reminded me of our agreement, I told her it was cruel to hold me to a promise I made while I was at my most vulnerable. Seriously, how's a guy supposed to think rationally with his girl's pouty lips and hot mouth swallowing his dick? AND DON'T FORGET SHE WAS WEARING THE DAMN LINGERIE! She had no mercy though, just smiled and winked one of her sexy baby browns at me and that was that.

Her contribution is paying Dave's salary. He's taken over the shifts I'd normally work, freeing me up to focus all of my efforts on the remodeling, so we can be ready to open our doors by Valentine's Day next year. Even though it's a Jersey Shore town, people are always looking to get away for a romantic night. Plus, Presidents' weekend will follow right after that, and booking long weekends is always a money maker, even in the off-season.

In all of this construction work, the bonus is that Bella has become insatiable. My darling girl seems to have a thing for me wearing only jeans and my tool belt. She also loves me barefoot, but that particular sexcapade ended abruptly and tragically when I stepped on a nail and wound up in the convenient care clinic bleeding and in need of a tetanus booster shot. Not cool at all.

Anyway, I do whatever I can to make sure she always sees me dressed in my construction uniform. She uses lingerie? Well, I'm packing Levi's and a Dewalt, baby.

Game on, sister!

Thankfully, all the kitchen construction was done when we first bought the house. Four Seas Catering has been booked solid every weekend from Thanksgiving to Christmas. Though James and I share the cooking, I've been the one working most of the parties, leaving him to run the bar. He's pretty much been the go-to guy over there while I'm busy with the B&B construction, so it made sense for him to stay with the bar's day-to-day operations as I ran the catering events. Bella has been able to work almost all the parties with me, so even when I'm dog-tired and don't think I have the energy to carve another slice of prime rib, my girl walks by and pinches my ass or gives me a quick kiss and I'm re-energized to make it through another holiday party.

Our first Christmas together was quiet but perfect. I did the best I could to make the day as happy as possible for what had become a somber occasion for Bella in past years. We woke up Christmas morning and I prepared us zeppole and mugs of hot chocolate with whipped cream. Still in our pajamas, we opened stocking stuffers and gifts and relaxed by the fireplace until my parents arrived mid-afternoon. James and Charlotte showed up just as we were sitting down to antipasti and then stayed through the main course of lasagna, followed by struffoli and homemade Christmas cookies for dessert. Bella couldn't believe the amount of food we served just for the six of us. We just laughed and told her she'd get used to it. Being raised by two Italian grandmothers, my mom's traditional Christmas menu was epic. And now that James and I have made cooking our careers, she happily allows us to take over the duties on Christmas Day.

We weren't able to see any of our friends on the twenty-fifth, but they're all heading down to us this evening and we'll be together for the New Year's Eve bash at Last Call tomorrow night. Jasper took the family down to Texas for several days over Christmas to spend time with his parents and younger brother. Rose and Emmett were up in Rochester with her family. We're looking forward to all being together again this weekend. Bella is especially thrilled that we'll have OUR first official house guests.

It's been surprisingly busy this week at the bar. I've started working some normal shifts again since the remodeling is all but finished at the B&B. The only thing left to do is pick out the colors for the bedroom walls and the bedding and decor to match. Alice lives for this part. She's been salivating while watching it all come together...waiting on the sidelines with a "Put me in, Coach" mentality. Over a year ago, I'd promised her that she would get to do the honors when the time came to decorate each bedroom. She said she'd have all her samples and decor magazines with her when they get down to Loveladies later this evening.

~~~~~L~A~S~T~C~A~L~L~~~~~

BPOV

"Babe!"

"Yeah?"

Last Call Girl Tshirt; ordered in burgundy & black

"We've got a party of girls up here asking for Last Call t-shirts!" I'm calling down the stairs into the wine cellar.

"Okay, I'll grab a bunch...I'm on my way up now anyway!" His voice is muffled coming from inside the cellar, but I hear the door slam shut behind him and see him trudging up the steps.

"Hey." He gives me a peck when he reaches the third step, bringing us face-to-face.

"Hi! These girls are a riot. I recognize a few of them from the summer, actually. When they heard there was gonna be a New Year's party, they said they all made plans to come down! They're the ones who booked up all twelve rooms in your hotel!"

"No shit? That's awesome. I'll go over and say hi."

"They've dubbed themselves the Last Call Girls because they love the bar so much," I giggle at the hilarious play on words.

Edward puts the crate of wine down at my feet, a pile of t-shirts thrown on top.

Back of LCGirl Tshirt

"Call girls, huh? Does that make me and J their pimps?" He leans down and starts kissing under my ear, his fingers hooked in the belt loops of my mini-skirt, pulling me closer.

I laugh at his comment. "I guess it does." Unngh, sucking...biting...legs turning to jelly... "So, what would that make me? As the girlfriend of their pimp?" I whimper as his hot breath radiates over my neck and shoulder.

He stops sucking on my neck and looks at me, eyebrows scrunched, pondering for a second. "Uhh, their Madame?"

"HA!" I guffaw at the premise and kiss him softly on the lips but pull away before he starts revving me up. He whines at the loss of my mouth. "We've got quite the crowd forming out there. We don't have time, hun. Can I give you a rain check for later tonight? Let's saaay, midnight?" I sweet talk him, batting my eyelashes and squeezing his luscious ass through his faded jeans.

"Oh, you better believe we're kissing at midnight! And doing a helluva lot more than that when we get home!"

I giggle at his demands. "Sounds good to me. After all, who am I to argue with my pimp?"

He smacks my tush in response and grabs the crate before we turn the corner back onto the busy floor of the bar.

~~~~~L~A~S~T~C~A~L~L~~~~~

"I can't believe you're all getting tipsy without me, I should never have agreed to work tonight!" I bellyache as I'm clearing the empties from my friends' table and replacing them with refreshed drinks.

"Aww, no worries Bells. We're not leaving for another two days and you have both of them off, right? I promise to get you drunk tomorrow night...seeing as how I can't do that with my wifey anymore!" Emmett teases Rosalie, who's glowing in her fifth month of pregnancy.

I give a sympathetic pout to Rose who just rolls her eyes at her silly husband's antics.

"Speaking of which, can I get you something besides water?" I question Rosalie, who's playing with her straw.

She thinks about it for a second and says, "Yeah, actually! Can I have a 'Bella Special'?"

I laugh and ask, "You mean a Shirley Temple with three extra cherries?"

Rose nods, smiling, "Yes, please!"

"You got it. Be right back."

Holy moly. It's like standing room only tonight! I never thought we'd have such a huge crowd for this New Year's party. I mean, I'm thankful for it. They keep us employed, but for a shore town in the dead of winter, snow on the ground, cold air blowing off the ocean on top of frigid December temperatures...these people are crazy!

I laugh to myself, approaching Edward who's joking with a customer while he refills his beer mug.

"There's my girl now!" He croons and I smile at the customer who acknowledges me with a raise of his glass. "What can I get for you, sexy?" Ooooh, that smirk. Panty meltdown, check!

"Rosalie is finally upgrading from water and asked for a 'Bella Special'...isn't that cute?"

He smiles with a happy huff. "Not as cute as you...but yes. I think I'm gonna put it on the menu for next summer. Whadda you say?"

I feel a blush come across my face as my grin widens. "You sure you want to share that with the world? I thought you made that drink only for me? Well me, and our very pregnant friends." I giggle.

He chuckles and leans over to kiss me, placing the glass on my tray. "If you don't want me to share it, I won't. It's your call, baby. Just know that I love you so much, I'm willing to spread the joy wherever possible."

"Well, how can I argue with that?" I say, bending in to reciprocate the peck when I notice the time on his Citizen wristwatch. "Oooh! Ten minutes till midnight! I'm gonna check in with my tables to make sure they're all set and then I'm coming back here for that kiss I promised you!"

He winks and nods, turning back to a few customers waving twenties in his direction.

I swing by the six tables I'm responsible for and end with my friends. "You guys all good here? Just a few minutes till twelve!" I smile, looking around.

"Yeah, we're good, Bells!" Alice smiles and turns to whisper in Jasper's ear.

"I'm registering a complaint," I hear Rose say. "I got jipped a cherry! I only have two in my glass!" Rosalie holds up her highball to show me the evidence.

I put my hand over my heart, feigning shock. "Well, that'll never do! Gimme that thing!"

I laugh, grab her glass and walk back over to the bar to give my boyfriend an earful.

"Hey, bartender!" I shout playfully at Edward, who looks in my direction with his eyebrows raised in question.

"What's up?"

"You only gave Rosalie two cherries in her 'Bella Special', man! You're slacking!" I joke while he bends down to change the tap on one of the kegs.

"Can you get it, babe? My hands are kinda full here," he asks, looking back over his shoulder at me, making sure I heard him over the crowd.

"Sure, no problem." I walk around the bar with a smile on my face and head to the garnish station. Flipping up the lid on the cherry compartment, all motion ceases and my breathing stops suddenly when I look inside.

EPOV

This is it. She's frozen, head tipped down, staring into the cherry container.

l look over at James who has a huge grin on his face, giving me a subtle nod 'cause he can see her reaction perfectly from the front. His camera is pointed in our direction, he's filming the whole thing so I can watch it later.

Right now, all I can see is the back of her...

…because I'm behind her on the floor, down on my right knee.

I see her raise her hand to her face as she reaches in and pulls out the black velvet box and then turns around.

Her eyes are searching wildly during her slow motion turn, and then she finds me at her feet. Her neck and chest are flushed and her eyes have turned glassy just as I hear James yell to the crowd, "ONE MINUTE TILL MIDNIGHT!"

She looks down at me; gravity pulling a single tear down each cheek.

I smile brightly, knowing this will be one of the best moments of my life. My hope was to take her completely by surprise, considering the word "marriage" has never entered our vocabulary once, even though we've been together for almost six months.

Somehow people have caught on to what's happening around them and much of the crowd surrounding the bar has grown silent, eager to watch and hear this scene play out.

"Bella?" I grin through her name.

She nods, holding the ring box out in front of her, showing me as if to say, "Look what I just found!"

I take it from her hand, and grasp her left hand in mine.

"A little over seven months ago, on Memorial Day Weekend, you walked through those doors right over there," I motion with my head, "and turned my world upside down for the second time in my life. It seems you and I have a track record for finding each other on that specific weekend."

She continues to nod, her bottom lip quivering, tears silently streaming down her lovely face.

"Well, with that being said, I was sorta hoping that for Memorial Day Weekend of next year, I might find you walking toward me, wearing a white dress...ready to turn my world upside down for a third and final time."

Her silence ends with a happy burst of laughter and smiles.

Bella's engagement ring (and future wedding band)

"So my question is; will you start out 2012 as my fiancée? I want to be your husband more than anything in this world, Bella. Whaddya say, pretty girl…will you marry me?"

I swallow hard, a smile still playing on my lips, thankful that I got to the end of my speech without breaking down and crying like a baby.

The crowd surrounding us is silent, with a few "awwws" peppered in from the female voices.

My eyes are trained on Bella, even though I can see James has let our friends behind the bar so they can see it all without the crowd blocking their view.

Unexpectedly, Bella drops to her knees right in front of me. Her chest rising and falling with each shuddery breath she takes. Her tears have stopped falling, but the stains are visible and still look moist.

She has a smile and laugh on her lips that makes me want to kiss the hell out of her, but I won't do it. Not until I hear the words.

"TEN-NINE-EIGHT..." the crowd starts chanting in the background.

"Yes," she squeaks. "Oh my God, I'm so in love with you, Edward. Yes! Yes! I want to be married to you!" She laughs and cries, tears flowing steadily again.

"FOUR-THREE-TWO-ONE...HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

Relief washes over me knowing she's agreed to be mine forever. I slip the diamond ring on her delicate finger and bring it up to my lips, kissing it tenderly.

"I love you, Bella." My hands frame her face as my thumbs brush away the tear streaks. I capture her lips with mine. No need to go crazy with a raunchy public display of affection. We can take care of all that when we get home later.

We pull back to look at each other, smiling, laughing, stupid in love. Our foreheads are resting against each other as we catch our breath. I bring her left hand up to my chest and place it over my racing heart.

"It's yours, Bella. It always has been, whether I knew it or not. My heart is yours."

She smiles and leans into my chest as I wrap her in a tight hug. The sensation of her hot breath through my t-shirt sends chills all over my body.

"I love you," she murmurs, the vibrations of her words more evident than the actual sound considering the bar patrons have been whooping and hollering ever since the stroke of midnight and Bella's "yes" to my proposal…choruses of "Auld Lang Syne" being sung off key.

After a minute or so of a warm embrace, I hear Rosalie, Alice, Charlotte and Kate squealing and clapping in the background. I look over to see the proud smiles of James and my best friend, Jasper. Emmett's grin is beaming like the proud "big brother" he truly is to Bella.

Happy New Year! Happy Engagement!

I stand up and pull Bella with me, kissing her gently once more. "Come on, pretty girl, your fan club awaits."

She smiles, turning in my arms, and we both walk toward the sea of friends and family who surrounded us for every moment that's counted.

Years ago, standing heartbroken in front of the LOVE fountain, who knew that last call I made would be the best call I ever made? After all, it ultimately led me back to Bella.

It led us back into each other's arms...where fate knew we always belonged.

~~~~~T~H~E~E~N~D~~~~~