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~∞Ѿ∞~

Better to write for yourself and have no public, than to write for the public and have no self. ~ Cyril Connolly

Chapter 45

We weren't even fully set up in our new place by the time we were packing to head to Vegas. Edward was back to fucking me good and proper, and regularly, but it seemed something else was now bothering him.

He spent a good portion of the evenings mumbling to himself and tugging at lock after lock of his hair, while pacing back and forth on the balcony. He probably thought I didn't notice; but I did. I asked him if everything was okay, if he needed to talk, but he just pulled me to him, hugged me, and told me everything was perfect, finally. Then, he threw me over his shoulder, letting me down only once we had reached our bed and only long enough to set me down before flipping me over, effectively causing me to flop like a ragdoll on him and into his already hard penis. He tore off my panties, and his tongue frantically dove into my folds, flicking and lapping; and, yeah, let's just say I forgot all about his odd behavior after that.

The wedding was definitely something to remember; the whole trip was rather educational, actually. Educational in ways I never thought I needed educating.

The wedding itself was gorgeous, but different. Jamie was the man in their relationship, that much was for sure; and Victoria, let's just say if I hadn't been told she was a man, I'd have never guessed it.

Apparently, while I had been in my Edward induced bubble, things had changed for everyone else.

Victoria and Jamie had decided that what their relationship needed was for Vic to get a sex change. So, they got it done. Victor was now Victoria. Legally. Everything was changed over not even two days after the surgery. And, they were looking into adopting.

Seriously, my Jamie, with a wife, and a baby? I had to wonder if Vegas was, indeed, some alternate universe I had unknowingly flown into.

Alice and Jasper had decided to move in together. And…they were getting married. That one was a funky pill to swallow. I mean, what kind of marriage was based off of threesomes and foursomes, dominance and submission? Alice chuckled in amusement when I apparently asked that aloud, not in my head, like I thought.

She just simply said, "Our lifestyle isn't for everyone, but it works for us, and we're secure in our positions with one another and our love for each other. Bust most of all, we're happy. It just works."

How could I argue with that? She was right, after all. Each person, each couple, had their own idea of happiness.

Ours was a monogamous relationship with lots and lots of sex. Was that considered normal?

Jamie's and Victoria's was not what I was used to, but it worked for them. Was that considered normal?

Or was the way Alice and Jasper lived their life with so many others involved normal?

I guess, that one week trip to Vegas taught me a life altering lesson. Normal wasn't a cut and dry description. I would argue with anyone the definition of that simple word. Because, really, normal was whatever worked for each person. The way of life or character that worked within their own world.

No sooner had I stepped on that plane back to Seattle than I already missed the hell out of my friends. They promised to visit; we promised the same thing. But I also learned rather quickly that life doesn't stop happening just because the people you love are hours away from you.

People grow, and live, and their normal changes, their paths swerve and detour.

I knew I would miss so much, but it was okay, ya know. Because I had my own paths to make, my own past to move on from, my own future to build; and where my friends would always be a part of that, Edward was now my main part, and as long as he was there with me, every step of the way, I could call my friends fifteen times a day and regale them with my everyday normalness.

We would always be connected, just apart, living our normal and being our own people.

Somehow we managed to get everything unpacked, all the furniture in places we could both agree on- which, let me tell you, wasn't a painless task- by the long weekend.

Edward surprised me by booking a special weekend getaway for us. I didn't understand the need for it. I was happy where I was, and really, this was all new already, and we were alone. So what was the point in going away? I had no clue, but he smiled all boy-in-candy-store-like as he told me. I loved seeing him so happy. There was no way I could say no.

He ended up taking me to a small cabin along the Peninsula. It was gorgeous. It was secluded, and we were alone. I was surprised I had never heard of it, considering my dad lived in Forks. But apparently it was a newer resort, built after a bunch of trees had caught fire there because of some stupid teens who liked to play with open flames.

We spent our days lying around the heated pool, switching up between playful splashes and sweet kisses.

Our evenings we spent in bed, touching, tasting, exploring. One would swear it was our first weekend together, our first time making love. We still awed over each other's bodies, reveled in kisses, and panted for more, all the time. Nothing was new, but nothing was old either. Every time for us was like a first time, a familiar, yet new, first time.

Our last night at the cabin, we sat out on the front porch. From there, we could easily see the firework display the resort was setting off in the front field. I rested my head in Edward's lap, my eyes fluttering in contentment as his fingers ran through strands of my hair, scratching gently at my scalp.

"It's so beautiful," I whispered, somehow feeling as though speaking any louder would somehow disturb the serenity I was feeling, even with the booming pops and crackled bangs reverberating all around us.

"It sure is," Edward said back, his voice soft, his eyes on me.

I smiled, "I meant here, not me."

"I know, it is, but I meant you."

I lifted my head and kissed him softly. "Thank you for this, Edward. You were right. This was just what we needed after all the craziness of moving and Vegas."

A few minutes later, I was jostled by a jumble of snap, crackle, pops. My eyes darted open as my heart hammered in my chest. Edward chuckled softly.

"Sorry, must have fallen asleep."

"Don't be. You gave me time."

"Time for what?" I asked, confused. He was being rather cryptic, and he was looking at me so intensely.

"Edward?"

Slowly, he shifted me, lifting me from his lap and turning so we were facing each other.

"Bella, I love you so much…"

"I love you, too, Edward."

"Shhh, stop interrupting me, here, woman," Edward teased, his eyes crinkling with his amusement.

"We've been through a lot to get here, to where we are now, happy, in love, moving forward. I can't imagine a future without you in it, by my side, and I don't want to. I want to start our forever, Bella. Will you share your future with me, as my wife?"

I shook my head, and blinked a few times, just making sure I really was awake this time. I was, and Edward, the perfect normal to my brand of normal, had just asked me to marry him. Somehow, he had a ring in his hand. I wasn't sure where it came from, but it sparkled, even in the dim lighting. My throat seemed to tighten up, my eyes stung as I stared at him then at the ring, then at him again. All I was able to do, as tears broke free and trailed down my face, was nod frantically and throw myself at him.

Edward managed to slip the ring on my finger just as the last of the fireworks died off, and we were left kissing, holding each other, and happy under the starry night sky.

The End!

No sniffling here. I am happy to finally click 'complete' but I will be sad to see the few of you who have stuck by me through this never-ending fic leave. I can't express enough my graitude, adoration, and love for u all enough. But I do, all of that for all of you.

Thanks for being your own brand of normal. I wouldn't want you any other way.

Lindsi Loolabell and CuddleswithRob made the banners for this fic. Mambomama looked through all of my chapters and changed all of my 'ya's to 'yeah's...lol...bad habits die hard, I suppose.

My readers own me. I wouldn't write without them.

That is all.

xx