Short and sweet. Enjoy!

2013 V-Day Collab

Continuation of 'An Identity for Christmas'

Post 8

Six months later

Everyone is here, attending the opening of Angel's Kitchen – Seattle. It is a shining moment for Bella and Edward, one they desperately need. The last few months have been hard for everyone.

Stepping away from the company wasn't easy at first for Edward, for anyone. Right after the arrests, he and Jasper worked hard to resign the clients they lost due to his father and Jane. Most returned, but not all. Then came the choosing of the board and actually taking the company public. Choosing the President was easy; Jasper was the only one he trusted, convincing the others of that, not so much. However, he stood his ground and got what he wanted.

The trials turned into a lesson in the justice system. Demetri and Felix plead guilty to attempted murder and took a plea bargain. Due to prior convictions, they have to serve 25 years before becoming eligible for parole.

Edward Sr. was found incompetent to stand trial. He is now being held in a mental hospital. Should the time ever arrive for him to be released, he will then stand trial for Marcus' murder. Esme visits him, and he seems to truly care about her well-being. She has tried several times to talk to Sr. about Elizabeth, and Edward's father. Each time Sr. has become violent and required sedation. Edward finally asked her to let it go a month ago; he doesn't want her getting hurt, and knowing that Sr. isn't his true father is enough for him.

Jane's trial was…interesting. She couldn't be charged with attempted murder because she hadn't fired at us, but she could be charged with attempted kidnapping. However, the D.A. was worried her sob story would get her acquitted. After several discussions, it was decided to turn her case over to the US Attorney, where she was charged with corporate espionage. They offered her several pleas, but Jane wanted her day in court, and she got it. The trial took several days. Edward and Bella told their side first, then Jane took the stand. It was obvious that she was thrilled to tell, what she considered, every secret of the Masen family. The jury didn't buy it; she was sentenced to 10 years. Granted, she would serve her time in a cushy federal prison, but it was still prison time.

As the weeks pass on, Edward and Bella manage to find a routine that works for both of them. Edward does a half day at the office, three days a week, and spends the rest of his time writing. Bella is at Angel's Kitchen Monday thru Friday. Saturday and Sunday, they both spend a few hours at the Kitchen. It's important to both of them. Bella; because she enjoys helping others, and Edward; because he knows first-hand how much an act of kindness from a stranger can change a life.

It's Sunday, sunny in Seattle, and Edward and Bella are lying under a tree in the park. It's the end of summer and probably one of the last nice Sundays they will have for a while. The ring Edward has is burning a hole in his pocket.

"Bella, I need to talk to you about something."

Bella sits up quickly, knowing that those words are never a good sign.

"Okay, what's on your mind?"

"Well, things have finally returned to normal, or at least a new normal anyway."

Bella nods, hoping that the new normal is a good normal.

"So, I thought maybe it's time to shake things up again."

"Shake things up how?" She wasn't too nervous before but the nerves are growing now.

"Well, I've wanted to do something for a while now, but the time never seems right. I waited for the trials, the opening of the kitchen, and for life to just…slow down. However, I realize life isn't going to slow down, and I don't want it to, not with you by my side. I want it all with you, Bella. The crazy, busy days, the slow sit in the park days, and hopefully the get up in the middle of the night to take care of the kids' times also."

Tears are slowly escaping as Bella watches Edward reach in his pocket and remove a small box.

"I love you, Bella. Make me the happiest man in the world for the rest of our lives. Marry me, please?"

"Yes, yes, yes, yes!" Bella exclaims as she throws her arms around him. "A million times yes." She laughs as Edward moves to place the ring on her finger. "You had me going with your 'we need to talk'. You should know never to say those words to your girlfriend."

"But I desperately hoped she wouldn't be my girlfriend much longer." Bella slaps his chest and he gently grabs her hand, sliding the ring in place.

"You were never in danger of her saying no. I love you, Edward."

As they go back to resting under the tree, different thoughts run through each of their minds, but one thought is the same. Neither can imagine anything in their future being harder that what they have already faced, of which their love came out stronger than ever in the end. They know the future won't be easy, but they also know anything is possible as long as they are together.

The End