Epilogue

Bella.

Almost a year later.

--

“Bella, are we almost done here?” Alice asked, a whine biting at the edge of her voice. I ignored it, but answered her anyway.

“Almost, I just want to be sure everything is perfect,” I assured her and took one last sweeping look of the park.

“You’ve been inspecting the same corner of trees for the past thirty minutes,” Alice pointed out, sounding a bit more patient now. “We still have to get home and get you ready, you know.”

“That won’t take that long,” I brushed her off, but began to lead the way out of the park anyway, retracing our steps carefully. I wanted to be sure I knew exactly how to get to the spot I wanted tonight.

Alice didn’t comment, but excitedly stepped ahead of me, hurrying us onwards back to her car. She sped us back to the apartment, chatting the whole way there about anything and everything, as if she knew I needed some distraction from the possible catastrophe that tonight could end up being.

We pulled up to our apartment complex in record time and I got out to follow Alice in at a much slower pace. My mind raced with doubts about what I was doing; I knew it was far from traditional but it was what I wanted. What I knew we both wanted.

Alice had left the door cracked open for me and I slipped into our apartment quietly. She was chatting on the phone and gestured for me to go shower and change. I gladly complied, ready to shed the sweaty clothes from today’s adventure through the park.

Thirty minutes later, I was stepping into the simple black dress I’d chosen for tonight. I walked out to the living room to find Alice flipping listlessly through channels on the television. She perked up visibly when she saw me waiting for her.

“Ready for hair?” she asked, getting up from the couch and tossing the remote behind her.

“Yeah, go ahead and work your magic,” I agreed and we retreated back to her room where she had a curling iron already sitting out.

“So, do you think he has any idea?” Alice questioned as she began to brush my hair.

“I don’t think so,” I answered, seriously weighing the question. “He technically planned the whole night, so I doubt he suspects I’m adding anything onto it.”

“Excellent,” she said. Her fingers expertly guided my hair into curls I could have never achieved on my own. She worked quietly, letting me drift into my plans and compose myself before Edward showed up to pick me up.

Some hair pulling and a light dusting of make-up later, I was ready for our dinner. I felt the light dancing of nerves in my stomach as I waited on the couch for Edward. The minutes ticked by and Alice did her best to distract me by chatting about Jasper. It might as well have gone in one ear and out the other, but I knew she understood.

Finally, his familiar rap sounded on the door.

I got up on shaky legs to answer the door. From her spot on the couch, Alice flashed me a thumbs-up and grinned at me. It did little to quell the mounting nervousness I felt inside. I took a deep breath and opened the door to a bouquet of roses.

I smiled and he stepped forward wordlessly to kiss me deeply. I melted into the kiss, letting it banish the last of my uneasiness about tonight and when I pulled away I felt all but ready to skip dinner entirely and lead him straight to the park.

“Happy anniversary,” he said softly, gently handing me the roses. Alice appeared behind me suddenly and pried them gently from my fingers with a wink. I hardly even registered her disappearing into the kitchen. The green eyes of the man standing in front of me had entirely captivated my attention, even if I knew their every fleck by heart.

“Happy anniversary,” I whispered in return when I found my voice.

“Ready to go?” he asked, offering me his arm. I nodded, threading my arm through his easily. I leaned my head on his shoulder in content as he led me out to his car. Before opening my door, he pushed my hips gently against the car and captured my lips again possessively. I moaned into his kiss, letting our tongues tangle together as his hands threaded into my curls. His mouth lingered against mine for a long moment after he pulled back minutely.

“You look spectacular tonight, by the way,” he commented huskily before letting me go. I shivered, but not from the cold, feeling dazed as he grabbed the door handle behind me to open the door for me. I climbed into the car slowly, trying to regain my wits from his kiss.

The night from that point on was almost a blur to me. Edward thoroughly wined and dined me, leaving me feeling more than a little dazed. He had more in store for me than I had thought, but that didn’t derail me. Alice and I had meticulously planned my detour for the night and there would be no failure as far as getting there at least. The rest was up to me.

The small, romantic restaurant Edward had chosen for the night was about three blocks from the park. It would be a feat in the heels I’d chosen, but not impossible by any stretch. Besides, if I fell, I always had Edward to pick me up off the sidewalk.

The moment we stepped outside after dinner, I put the first part of the plan into action.

“Walk with me?” I asked, offering my hand and knowing he wouldn’t refuse. He smiled and nodded, content to walk quietly with me for the time. I was thankful for that, at least; my mouth was as dry as a cotton ball at the moment.

We walked two of the three blocks in relative silence. He had a peaceful smile on his face as I led him as subtly as I could through the city. There weren’t too many people out and about on the street as we walked, but the city still hummed with life just under the surface.

When we were about a block away, I stopped our progress, pulling on his hand.

“Stop,” I ordered him gently and he smiled, confused by my action. “I just want to say that I’ve had the most incredible night tonight and that I love you.”

Just in case things go horribly wrong, even if I don’t think they actually will, I added silently.

“I’m glad,” he said, his voice deep and soothing. I nodded, satisfied and made as if to continue down the block but this time he stopped me. “Bella, do you mind me asking what this is all about?”

I turned back to see his face calculating, but far from unhappy. I decided to feign confusion.

“What do mean?” I asked innocently. “I was just thanking you for a great evening.”

He stepped closer to me, encircling me in his arms and looking down at me, a smile dancing across his face.

“Where are you taking me?”

“What makes you think I’m taking you somewhere?” I asked and suddenly feeling playful, I wiggled free of his arms and started to walk down the street without him, throwing him a challenging look over my shoulder. He caught up to me in no time, not asking any more questions.

We made quick time, covering the block in minutes, and the park veered into view suddenly.

“Bella?” Edward questioned suddenly as the trees came into focus from out of the shadows. “What --?”

I shushed him, putting a hand over his mouth with a smile. Anxiously, I checked for any sign of unhappiness in his eyes, but i only saw questions. I took that as a good sign.

“Come with me,” I whispered, offering my hand to him for the second time that night. He took it without hesitation, letting me lead him into the mostly dark park that was lit only by the lamps interspersed along the pathway. I led us down the now almost familiar path until I reached the right spot. I turned back to him sharply to see him taking in the trees around us with a softly nostalgic look on his face. I felt a pang as I wondered what thoughts were going through his head at the moment. I hoped they didn’t hurt him anymore.

I took a deep breath and took both his hands in mine, meeting his eyes before I could find the confidence to continue with my plan.

“Edward,” I whispered, echoing his words from so long ago. “Can I ask you something?”

“Yes,” he answered readily, squeezing my hands in his. I smiled, feeling a shiver I wasn’t sure was from nerves or excitement run through me like electricity.

“Close your eyes,” I said softly.

“That’s not a question,” he played along and I smiled weakly at my own long-lost dig.

“Just do it,” I ordered, gaining confidence now as I took in a few deep breaths. His lips quirked into a small smile. Looking around, he took a moment to take in the scene one more time, his green eyes searching mine carefully, before he let them drift closed.

“Okay,” he whispered. It was less of a confirmation and more of an encouragement. He hands squeezed mine one more time before he let them drop to his sides. I took a deep, steadying breath and drew the words I’d thought about so many times to mind.

I let my fingers trace gently along his jaw and the bottom pout of his lip before reaching up to kiss him chastely on the lips. His eyes fluttered open slowly after I pulled away and I almost lost my purpose as I saw the emotion burning in his eyes.

“Edward,” I started, swallowing hard before continuing. “I love you more than life itself and I can’t think of anyone else who could ever compare to your presence in my life. I can’t live without you and I don’t want to ever again.”

I paused and he tucked my hair behind my ears, a soft, understanding smile on his face as I gathered myself. I caught his hands in mine, pressing my lips against them and never letting my eyes leave his.

“Will you marry me?” I asked finally, my voice quiet but firm. The light that suddenly rushed to Edward’s face was a sight I would tuck into my memory for all time. He smiled the most brilliant smile I’d ever seen and suddenly his lips were everywhere they could easily reach, returning again and again to my mouth.

“Bella,” he murmured, his voice worshipful. “Yes, always yes.”

I thrilled to his words and threw my arms around him forcefully. He hugged me tightly in return, burying his face in my hair and not letting go. Not that I wanted him to let me go soon anyway. I wanted to spend the rest of my life in his arms.

--

So, this is goodbye~ I probably won’t be writing any new fanfic for a long while, sorry to say. I’m going to really try to start focusing on some original stuff, but I’ll probably still write the occasional one-shot or something.

I’ve really enjoyed the ride, you guys. Thank you for all your support and love!