Welcome to the last chapter of MBPV! To download a pretty PDF of this story, visit jillin. it/mbpvpdf (crossing my fingers that all the letters appear or I'll be reuploading this chapter). Epic author's note at the end.

Chapter 28

The last of the day's sun peeked through the trees while I sat on the fallen branch beneath the tree fort. My parents smiled up at me from their wedding photo, immortalized in my locket. I snapped it closed and rubbed my thumb over the engraved flower on the front, feeling how the metal had worn over time.

I wondered what they would say if they were here with me. What I wouldn't do to hear Mom's advice one last time, or for Dad to make a joke so ridiculous that I'd giggle no matter the circumstances. I'd love to see their faces if they found out vampires existed. Emmett had been right that first day, seven weeks ago. Dad would have built that cage right alongside him.

One thing was for sure. They wouldn't want me to stay here and mope. They would tell me to make the best of the situation, to find what made me happy and go for it.

The only problem was Edward made me happy, and he was busy escorting my brother across North America.

The next year would be difficult. I'd miss Emmett terribly. After that, nothing would be as it was. Normal no longer existed for us. But that was part of life. I never wanted to spend my life living with Emmett. There was more for me out there.

Edward was different, though. We could finally be together without hiding, and now he was gone. I didn't know how I'd survive a year without him. Sure, he would visit, but it wasn't enough. I wanted to be around him more, not less.

My biggest fear was that he wouldn't come back. That after a year with his family, he would realize how much he missed them, and I would be forgotten.

After all, he never proclaimed his love for me. There was no grand gesture before he left.

He didn't even bother saying goodbye.

About one thing I was absolutely positive. If Edward still wanted me, I would never let him go.

A chill settled in the air as the sun fell below the horizon. I wished I could stay outside all night. Out here, I could pretend I wasn't alone. I could pretend that Emmett was inside watching television and Edward was waiting to crawl through my window.

Begrudgingly, I made my way back to the house. I must have left on a lamp because a soft light illuminated the bay window. I opened the front door, thankful I wouldn't be walking into a dark room.

"You really should lock your door. Otherwise anyone with a murder shack could wander in here."

I gasped, my hand flying to my chest as I whirled toward the voice.

"Edward!" I rushed across the room and threw my arms around his neck. Edward pulled me against him, lifting me off the ground. He breathed in deeply before letting out a contented sigh. "Emmett said you were leaving. I thought you'd be halfway to Canada by now."

"You thought I'd leave without saying goodbye?"

I shrugged helplessly as he set me back on my feet. It was exactly what I thought. "What are you still doing here?"

"Carlisle, Rosalie, and Alice took Emmett in the fastest car they own. I helped Esme and Jasper pack. It will take a few days for them to get everything in order."

"So you're leaving with them?"

A smile spread across his face. He appeared happy—lighter than I'd seen him in days. "I'm not going to Alaska."

"What?"

I let my arms fall from his shoulders as he cradled my head in his hands.

"I'm staying here with you."

Though I heard his words, I didn't allow my hopes to rise. It was his responsibility to help Emmett; he'd said so himself. As much as I didn't want to lose him, he couldn't abandon my brother.

"Does Emmett know that yet?"

Edward leaned closer. He lowered his voice conspiratorially. "It was his idea."

I searched his face for any sign of deceit. His smile widened.

"Are you serious?"

Edward nodded.

I laughed and then choked back a sob. "You're serious!" I didn't wait for a response before flinging myself into his arms again. "Why? How?" After everything that happened, I couldn't imagine a universe in which Emmett wanted Edward to stay here with me.

"After your phone conversation, he was concerned about you being alone. I told him I had every intention of returning throughout the year, and after grilling me about my intentions, he demanded I stay and take care of you."

"Your intentions?"

"Emmett worried I was only with you to provoke him. I assured him that wasn't the case."

I couldn't believe it. It was one thing for Emmett to accept our relationship, but I never would have expected him to tell Edward to stay with me. It was more than I could have asked for, especially this soon.

"He doesn't hate you?" I asked, hopeful Emmett would come around quickly if he hadn't already.

"No. He's uncertain about me. I'm not at all who he thought I was. He doesn't trust me, necessarily, but he's willing to start over."

"That's great," I said. "I was afraid he might try to hurt you."

"Well, he did threaten me." Edward paused. I released him from my arms and waited for him to elaborate. "He told me in no uncertain terms that he would kill me if I ever hurt you. And he probably could. Your brother will be a force to be reckoned with, even after his newborn strength is gone."

I couldn't contain the grin spreading across my face. Emmett got to instill the fear of god in my boyfriend after all, just like Dad would have done.

"Should I be concerned that you're smiling?"

"No." I shook my head. "I'm just happy you're here."

And then I showed him just how happy I was.

Though it wasn't the first time Edward had been in my bed, it was the first time he'd been there with the bedroom door wide open. We weren't concerned about being overheard or caught. It was just the two of us, and as I lay there in his arms, I knew it was the only place I wanted to be.

"So…" Edward was the first to break the silence. He drew a lazy pattern on my arm with his fingertips, and I snuggled closer, comforted by the familiarity of his silent chest. "Emmett is on his way to Alaska. I'm here to stay. What are you going to do with the rest of your life?"

"I don't even know. I'm so overwhelmed. But I had some ideas today."

"Anything you'd like to share?"

"Well." I propped myself up on my elbow. Edward studied me with his liquid honey eyes. "I'm already registered for fall courses, and it's probably too late to apply to U-Dub. I was thinking I'd finish my generals this year and sell the house in the spring."

"And move where?"

I dropped my eyes, feeling slightly embarrassed. I hoped he didn't think my idea was silly.

"That depends on where you bring Emmett next. I know it won't be safe to stay with him," I said as Edward drew a sharp breath, cutting him off before he could object, "but I still want to be close. I could look at colleges there, too. Even if it took me an extra year to move and get enrolled, I should still graduate by the time you plan to move again."

Edward stared up at the ceiling, appearing lost in thought, his fingers still tracing invisible lines on my exposed skin.

"And then what? You would uproot your life every four or five years to follow Emmett?"

Heat rushed to my cheeks. Edward's eyes shifted to my face again, and I wondered if he could see my blush in the moonlight.

"I wasn't sure what you planned to do. I didn't know if you would want to live with your family again."

"I don't." There was no hesitation, no doubt in his voice.

"Okay, then. Where would you want to go?"

Edward studied me for a long moment. As usual, his expression gave away nothing. "You would follow me?"

"I was thinking it would be more of a… together type thing."

Edward pushed up onto his elbow, mirroring my position. "Do you want to be with me?"

"Yes," I answered with certainty.

"Really be with me?"

"More than anything."

His eyes drifted to my lips and then my neck. A smile threatened at the corners of his mouth. Excitement flashed in his eyes as they met mine once again.

"Be like me?"

My breath caught.

"A vampire?"

Until this moment, I'd never considered it as an option. I wasn't sick and dying or maimed beyond recognition. The choice to become a vampire was a major decision. If I were positive Edward was serious about us, I'd be willing to make the commitment, but I didn't want to change the entire course of my life only for him to grow tired of me after a few years.

"Sorry to be so blasé about ending your life, but it does solve a few problems."

"What problems?" I asked.

"For one, I wouldn't have to worry about your brother killing you." Edward tangled his fingers in my hair and pulled me closer. "Two, I wouldn't have to worry about killing you myself, and three —" He ghosted his lips across mine. "It's the only way I can keep you forever."

"Forever?"

Edward captured my lips with his, and I closed my eyes, savoring his taste and his proximity and the idea of forever.

"I do love you, Bella. You are everything to me. I'm sorry if I don't show it in a way you understand."

Butterflies danced in my stomach, filling me with hope for the future. Edward loved me. I wanted nothing more than to be with him, to be like him. To touch him whenever and however I pleased. Never having to worry about his control. Never having to be separated from him again.

"I take it that's a no." For as infallible as his ego could be, the dejection in his voice surprised me.

"Why do you assume that?"

"Well, for starters, you're constantly telling me not to bite you."

I wrapped my arms around him and squeezed with every ounce of strength I possessed. "Do you really mean it? Forever?"

"Every single day of forever."

"Then yes," I said. Edward blew out a breath, and with it, the tension left his body. He returned my hug as he melted into me. "I want to be like you."

Edward hummed and pressed his mouth to my throat. I braced myself for the pain, fighting against my instinct for self-preservation. This time, I refused to tell him not to bite me.

The atmosphere in the kitchen felt completely different from the last morning Edward was here. I filled a mug from the half-pot of coffee I made and joined him at the table.

"Not to sound overeager, but what sort of timeline are you thinking for your change?"

"To be honest, I was waiting for you to do it last night."

Every time Edward's lips had met my neck, I prepared myself for his bite. He was all too aware, teasing me, nipping the air next to my flesh. It was scary. Thrilling. I wanted him to get it over with. At the same time, I wanted to delay. Memories of Emmett danced in my mind. I'd never be ready for the pain.

"This isn't an ideal location. You're far enough away from neighbors that no one will hear, but the proximity to town makes it tricky. You'll need to hunt right away, and we can't do that here."

"Okay." It was surreal to be having this conversation, as though we were discussing something completely normal, like the weather. Not my impending death and rebirth. "Where would you suggest?"

"Ideally somewhere we could stay, at least for a few months. Most of our properties aren't secluded enough, save for the one in Alaska, but I can't exactly bring you there now, can I?"

"It's probably a bad idea to spring a leak around the newborn."

Edward chuckled. "Exactly."

"Why don't we go somewhere else in Alaska? There must be somewhere near your family where we could have privacy for three days. Then at least we'd have somewhere to live for the next year."

"I suppose it's not a terrible idea." Edward didn't sound like he was on board. The way his lips turned down told me he thought it was, in fact, a terrible idea. "Is it something you're ready to do now? I'll understand if you want to wait. Finish college first. I could enroll with you."

"I thought you didn't want to be around large groups of people."

Edward shrugged. "I don't, but I'd be willing to sacrifice for a year or two."

"To learn? Or to make sure no one hits on me?"

Edward pursed his lips and stared at me. I crossed my arms over my chest. Finally, he shrugged, laughing under his breath. "You know me all too well."

"I don't want to wait that long. I want to do it as soon as possible."

"I'll talk to Carlisle and set a date. Perhaps he has somewhere he'd prefer to go."

Edward's mention of Carlisle threw me off. I'd assumed Edward would be the one to change me.

"Carlisle?" I asked, suddenly nervous.

"His control is impeccable. You have nothing to worry about."

"I don't want some stranger biting me."

"Don't romanticize it, Bella. It's not a big deal. I'll be by your side the entire time."

"It's a big deal to me." I didn't want to be dragged to the middle of nowhere for someone else to bite me while Edward looked on. Becoming a vampire was my choice. It was a very personal decision. No one else needed to be a part of it. "I want you to be the one to do it."

"I'm not strong enough. Your blood—"

"Of course you are. You changed Emmett!"

Edward's jaw ticked as he narrowed his eyes. "That's different and you know it."

I knew my blood was more of a temptation for him, but that didn't stop me from thinking the worst. "You don't want to be tied to me like that?"

"That's not it at all."

"You don't want to take responsibility for me?"

"No, Bella! If I kill you, I'll never forgive myself. You won't have to live with my mistake, I will." Edward punctuated his words with a sharp jab to his chest. "It's a miracle you're still alive as it is. I don't want to tempt fate."

"If you're worried about killing me, then maybe you don't want me badly enough." I knew it was a low blow, but I had just as much say in this as he did.

Edward's face fell. "I wouldn't have offered it if I didn't want you."

"Then be the one to change me. I don't want anyone else there. Just you and me."

Edward remained silent. He rested his elbows on the table and scrubbed his hands over his face.

I refused to give in. If Edward wasn't ready to change me, I could wait longer. I would go ahead with my plan to complete my generals and sell the house in the spring. Once he was ready, I wouldn't hesitate to let him change me.

"Just you and me?" he asked at last. I nodded. "I'll make you a deal." I leaned forward in my chair, eager to hear his compromise. "We can go to Alaska for the first year, but I want to stay in a place of our own. After that, promise me it will just be the two of us. We can visit your brother as often as you'd like, but I want us to have our own life, separate from the others. If you will agree to that, I'll change you myself."

"Okay."

"Okay?" Edward seemed surprised by my eager acceptance. "You're sure?"

"You're all I need," I promised. "How soon can we do it?"

A week later, we were on our way to Alaska. Everything we needed for the next year was crammed into my car. Edward navigated from memory, despite my offering to check my phone for the fastest route.

"You're just jealous 'cause your phone can't do that."

"My phone doesn't need to. Photographic memory."

"What if the roads have changed?"

"Then I'll use common sense."

I queued up a map anyway.

Nothing about this situation felt real. It wasn't until we crossed the Canadian border that it hit me.

By next week, I'd be a vampire. The life I'd lived for the past 19 years was ending. In its place, I'd get to spend an eternity with the man I loved. Three days of suffering seemed like a small price to pay when I thought of it that way.

Not wanting to dwell on the impending pain too much, I exited the map and Facetimed Emmett to let him know we were on the road.

"Are you sure this is what you want?" Emmett asked. Concern was etched on his face, his red eyes sad. "You're not doing it because of me, are you?"

"No, Em. I want to be with Edward forever."

"He isn't pressuring you, is he? Hey! I know you can hear me, buddy," he said louder.

Next to me, Edward stifled a laugh.

Emmett's concern for me didn't dampen my spirits.

"I want this," I assured him. "You told me I could be anything. This is what I've chosen."

"Fine," Emmett sighed. "When are you selling the house?"

"Edward wants us to keep it. He said it would be a good option if anyone needed to escape for a little while."

"Hmm…" Emmett grinned as he nodded. "Some privacy does sound good right about now."

"Gross, Em. I don't want to think about you and Rosie needing privacy."

"Yeah, well, I don't want to think about what you and Edward did all those nights he crept in through your window while I was sleeping down the hall."

I felt my face grow hot. "You weren't always sleeping," I mumbled.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Edward shaking in silent laughter. Emmett made a face of disgust.

"You let me know if you ever want me to kick his ass."

"Don't worry," I said. "I will." Emmett grinned again, and I couldn't help smiling in return. "I'll see you in a couple of weeks, okay?"

"Good luck, Bella."

I blew him a kiss before ending the call.

"I know Emmett threatened punishment of death upon you hurting me, but if Rosalie breaks his heart, I'm going to kick her ass."

Edward smiled and shook his head.

"What?" I asked.

"Vampires have powerful emotions. Once we are passionate about something, it rarely changes. If they love each other now, they'll love each other forever."

I let the full meaning of Edward's words sink in as he threaded our fingers together and brought my hand to his lips.

The cabin Edward rented was small. It reminded me of the murder shack, only it had electricity and running water. I took a couple of days to unpack and decompress after the long drive, and Edward used the additional time to hunt. Unfortunately, with no amenities nearby, my last meal consisted of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a granola bar.

Edward sniffed the peanut butter jar before grimacing. "The scent of this actually makes animal blood seem appetizing."

This time, it was my turn to grimace. The idea of drinking blood made me queasy. Edward had assured me I wouldn't feel the same way after the change. All I could do was take his word for it.

Edward wiped a smudge of peanut butter off my lips before kissing me. "Don't worry. After you drink a few deer, you'll grow to love it."

"Who said anything about drinking animal blood? I'm going to omnomnom some humans."

Edward raised his eyebrows in blatant disbelief.

"What? Abstaining from human blood wasn't part of your deal."

His mouth fell open. "Bella—"

"Oh, my god, Edward. I'm kidding!"

He growled, a low rumble in the back of his throat, and pulled me into his arms. A fire burned behind his golden eyes. "It's all fun and games until you omnomnom someone."

"I'm coming for your track record."

"Good."

Later that night, I showered one last time before putting on comfortable clothes. I took a long look in the bathroom mirror, knowing the next time I saw my reflection, my entire life would be different.

Edward waited for me in the bedroom. He took one look at my purple sweatpants and groaned. "Not those again."

"I want to be comfortable."

"Not that I want to scare you away, but nothing will make the next three days comfortable."

"Well, I'm still going to wear them."

"Fine, but once you lose track of reality, I'm taking them off." As I crawled into bed, Edward noticed my t-shirt. "Is this mine?" he asked, fisting the fabric. "That'll be two shirts destroyed now."

I silenced his complaints with my lips. Edward rolled me onto my back. He forged a path of burning kisses down my neck. I relaxed, enjoying the sensation, not knowing if it was something I'd experience again.

"For the record, I take back what I said about never having sex with you again if you bite me."

"I knew you found me irresistible." Edward laughed as the tip of his tongue traced along my jaw. "You kissed me first, after all."

"Yeah, because I'm such a prude."

"No, you're a tease. Maybe I'll keep you in this bed for the next year to make up for it."

"How will you keep me here if I'm stronger than you?"

"I'll tie you down."

"With what?"

Edward's eyes glinted with mischief. "Titanium alloy, laced with silver. Obviously."

"Then I guess I'll pretend to be trapped here."

"Trust me. By the time I'm done with you, you won't want to leave."

"Who said you get to be in charge? If I remember correctly, you promised I could ravage you one day."

"I'm all yours." His face grew serious. "I don't care what you do with me, as long as you keep me."

"Forever?"

Edward smiled. "Forever."

"Will you miss anything about me?"

"I rather enjoy your warmth. And being able to do this." Edward pressed his open mouth to my neck and sucked. I squirmed beneath him.

"You are not sending me into immortality with a hickey."

Edward released my skin with a pop. "It won't stay."

I ran my thumb over his pouting lips. "Are you ready for this?" I asked.

"I should be asking you that."

I rolled my eyes at him and rephrased my question. "How's your control?"

"I thought a lot about what you said—that if I was worried about killing you, I didn't want you badly enough. You were right. As much as I want your blood, I want to spend eternity with you even more."

I took a shaky breath. "As long as you're sure. We can wait if you're not ready."

"Not trying to back out, are you?" Edward's voice was playful, but his smile didn't reach his eyes.

"No." I took his face in my hands. It was hard not to get lost in the depths of his amber eyes. "I want this. I want you."

Edward trailed his fingers down my neck, stopping at my locket. He pulled it over my head, careful to keep the chain from tangling in my hair, and dropped it onto the nightstand. With a gentle push, he guided me onto my back and brushed his palm across my chest, pausing above my heart.

"I've wanted you in every way imaginable since I first laid eyes on you," he admitted. "Every second spent with you never feels like enough. I never dared to dream of the moment when I could finally make you mine. I love you, Bella."

"I love you," I said.

Edward lowered himself onto me. I parted my legs, and he shifted to settle between them, pinning me to the bed.

"You're ready now?"

"I'm ready."

He nudged my cheek with his nose. I turned my head to the side, exposing my neck.

"Right now?" His cool breath fanned across my skin. I shivered involuntarily, inhaling his scent as I wrapped my arms around his waist and held him tighter.

"Yes."

I felt him smile as his lips pressed against my flesh.

"Don't scream," Edward said in a low, seductive whisper. "It ruins all the fun."

And then he plunged his teeth into my neck.

The End

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DONUT GO ANYWHERE! I'm not done talking yet.

First, thank you so much for reading this story (yes, you!). It still amazes me that after all these years I can write about the same two idiots and bring enjoyment to so many people. Also, a very special thanks to everyone who reviewed, sent me messages privately, or talked about this story on FB threads. Your support means the world to me.

Second, super big thanks to Liv and Butts for allowing me to force them to be pre-readers. Every time I sent them a new chapter, I waited with bated breath afraid they would tell me it was hot garbage. They did not. And if you made it this far, hopefully you agree. Also I want to give a shout out to Paige for pimping this story on FB with each chapter. She's an awesome cheerleader.

When I started writing this story, it was the first time I'd written since AB Negative went on hiatus. I'd been through a couple of major life changes and moved twice. I thought my writing days were far behind me. Then COVID happened and I found myself spending a lot of time at home alone. It felt weird to write again, but it felt good. Like a warm hug from an old friend.

I wrote the first part (Bella's first POV), but I couldn't in good conscience start posting it without finishing ABN, so I focused on that story until it was done. I told myself I wouldn't post MBPV until it was complete, and then immediately turned around and posted the first chapter, as you do.

The story was supposed to be short. I estimated around 20k words. I just had to find a way to make Edward come back and change her. But then the story developed a mind of its own and here we are 90k words later.

I know a lot of you are sad that it ended here, and I guess that means I did my job. Leave 'em wanting more, right? A lot of people made comments about wanting to see Bella and Edward reunited with Emmett and the rest of the Cullens and live happily ever after. To that, all I can say is ultimately this is a story about Bella and Edward. Their conflicts are resolved, and I felt him biting her was the perfect place for the story to end. Fear not, they will go on to have their own small piece of forever.

Next up is a story that stars a sweet, shy Edward and an outgoing stripper Bella. It's going to be fun and light hearted and humorous with a twist of drama and angst. I've written about a third of it so far, and I'm going to finish it before I start posting (no, for real this time, I swear!). Put me on alert, and watch for the story either late 2022 or early 2023.

Until next time…