So this is it. We made it! I have so many people to thank for this.

Mel, Meg, Kristen, and Packy who have been there every step of the way. I love you ladies!

Lizzie, who not only made me (several) gorgeous banners, but was also a constant inspiration for all things beach, surfers, and turtles.

Everyone on Facebook for making it so, so fun!

And last but not least, all of you for reading and reviewing and loving my Surfie.

Also, just a quick note: while in no way crucial to the Epilogue (or their story in general) I did want to give Edward his comeback at a competition. I took a lot of liberties from a complicated sport/league/tournament that I am unfamiliar with (call it creative license, okay? lol) and therefore it is very likely I got some of it wrong. That's okay, right? RIGHT?! If you do happen to know about these competitions beyond what my friend Google taught me, then please, by all means, let me know and I will be very appreciative and happy to fix it.

Some of you have asked, but unfortunately, this is probably it for me, at least for a good while. I don't have anything concrete that would be ready to post any time soon. But who knows? Things change fast!

Until next time,

Ronnie

The Epilogue. Part II

I keep myself busy in the four hours that it takes Edward to drive to the airport and back. I clean and organize the house. Prep the food, and by the time they arrive, I have showered and even blow-dried my hair.

Shortly after moving to Oregon, Edward reunited with his family. It was heartbreaking, but they took him back in with open arms. No questions asked. No reproaching. No blaming.

In June of that year, we all came here to Costa Rica together for the first time to honor Masen on the anniversary of his death. We've done that now for two years in a row, so I guess it's become a tradition.

While it's gotten so much better since the first encounter, seeing his family is extremely taxing on Edward. He keeps on trying, though, and every time he sees them, it hurts a little less. Or it hurts a little differently, he says.

His mom hugs me when I open the door, whispering that it's nice to see me. She seems in good spirits, even though her eyes and nose are red. There were probably some tears on the ride here.

His dad, tall and serious, with combed-back silver hair, shakes my hand next. He, like Edward, is a man of few words. So he just smiles at me, coming right in.

"Dr. Swan," Alice says, stepping in next and shaking my hand.

"Dr. Cullen," I reply, shaking her hand in mock seriousness, until we both burst into laughter and hug. She and Jasper came to my hooding ceremony in Oregon back in December, and we flew to California for hers in May. We clicked from the get-go. They're having a fall wedding, and I have been coerced into being a bridesmaid.

Jasper's hands are busy as he scurries inside, carrying a wooden box with at least four pots of purple orchids, Costa Rica's traditional flower. Apparently Esme can't help herself, and she gets them at the airport for what is now a collection out on the deck.

Last in line is Edward, who looks a little shaken. His fingers pull at the back of his neck as he comes closer.

"You okay?"

He nods, taking a deep breath. "I am now," he says, bringing his lips to mine.

Conversation over lunch revolves around Alice's wedding: the venue, the band, the last-minute change in caterer. Jasper's sister is going to be Jasper's Best Maid, and Edward is Alice's Man of Honor. The term makes Edward smile and I love her for it.

At dusk, we head out to the deck and sit on the lawn chairs overlooking the beach and watch the sunset. The memorial is nothing elaborate. Alice says a few words and sheds some tears, and then they all share stories about Masen while some of his favorite songs play in the background.

I'm saddened to have never had the opportunity to meet him, but judging by their stories, Mase was an incredible kid with a heart of gold.

"He would have been a fan of yours," Carlisle says suddenly, surprising the crap out of me, as he raises his glass in my direction.

"Me?"

"Oh, absolutely," Esme adds, inching closer and holding onto her husband's hand.

"He loved the ocean and every creature in it," Carlisle elaborates before taking a sip of his wine, his eyes still on me. "He was going to major in marine biology."

"I can't believe I didn't know that." I turn to Edward, surprised.

Edward nods at me sweetly, his elbow on his knee, his jaw propped in one hand. His eyes sad.

"He was a good kid," Carlisle adds, and when he gets choked up, I look down, giving him some privacy. He's the only one of them I have never seen cry at these things, and yet tonight, he's tearing up in front of us.

"Okay, I think that's more than enough wine." Esme stands up next to him, clasping a hand on Carlisle's shoulder. "Shall we call it a night?"

Alice moves around us and wraps her arms around Carlisle, kissing his cheek. "Night, Dad." She smiles at us before retreating inside, followed by Jasper.

"Let me finish my glass," Carlisle protests, when Esme tries to grab it from him.

"Okay, okay." She runs a hand through his hair. "I'll clean up a bit and then we can head to bed."

"I'll help you." I get up from my chair and grab our glasses as well. I turn to look at Edward and he nods at me in reassurance, staying behind with his dad.

Esme and I busy ourselves with the dishes while Edward and his father now stand beside one another, tall and slender, leaning on the railing of the deck, with one leg crossed over the other in the exact same pose. I never realized how much Edward looks like his father.

When they embrace, my eyes tear up, and I have to look down to collect myself.

"Bella?" Esme is next to me, drying her hands with the kitchen towel. "Thank you," she says, her eyes teary as well. "For giving me my son back."

"Oh, Esme, that's been all him. He's worked so hard for this."

"I know he has, but…" She places a hand on my arm, sighing before continuing. "I don't know if he would have done it without you."

"I-I don't know, but either way...I'm just glad he sought out help."

She runs her fingers under her eyes with a sigh. "I've always wondered if we should have tried harder to get him to talk to a professional. We knew he was hiding out here, in complete denial, but we weren't able to get through to him."

"It was an incredibly difficult situation, Esme...and you handled it as well as you could at the time."

"I guess so…" She still looks sad, and it breaks my heart.

"He's doing so much better though." I clasp a hand on her arm. "It's a process, I know. But therapy has helped him to let go of all that guilt. Masen would have wanted him to be happy and carry on with his life. He can finally see that now."

"It's absolutely what Masen would have wanted. He adored Edward." Esme's eyes well up with tears as she nods at me with a smile. "Here I go again." She wipes her tears embarrassedly. "Probably too much wine for me as well." She hangs the kitchen towel on the oven handle and gives me another gentle touch on my arm. "Good night, dear."

"Good night…" I whisper as she heads upstairs.

I turn to the two men out on the deck, finding them still embraced. Carlisle pats his hand on Edward's back, again and again, so I retreat to the bedroom, letting them have their moment.

When he finally makes it to bed, Edward is visibly spent, and when he cries in my arms like he hasn't since he first told me about Masen, it is with tears of relief after finally having had a heart-to-heart with his dad.

~~o~~

The Cullens stay for a few more days that are spent between exploring the town and more of Costa Rica's pacific coast while Edward prepares for his competition.

Even though it's been over eight years since Edward has competed professionally, he doesn't seem nervous about today's event. He says he's doing it for fun, that he has no expectations, but I know part of him still has something to prove. He has worked so hard to be in the water with other people again. To not be triggered by something happening to someone around him. He knows it's a risk that comes with the sport.

His mom, however, does not make it to the beach on the day of the event. She supports Edward's decision to get back out there, but seeing him in the water, imagining what could go wrong, it's too much. So she stays in the house as we all head down to the beach.

Edward's been down here since before I even woke up. After getting the hang of surfing in Oregon, he started competing there locally. He did well enough to land a couple sponsors, which led to him being selected as a wildcard in today's competition.

As soon as the event starts, Edward looks right in his element. He sails through his first few heats, moving through the rounds, until he's up in the final four.

Unbelievable.

There's a break before the last heat, and he walks closer to us, his board under his arm, water dripping from his hair onto the sponsored green lycra jersey he's wearing throughout the competition.

I approach the line divider between the flags that keep spectators away from the water.

"You're doing it!" I suppress a squeal as I clap for him.

"I'm too old for this…" He smiles through a wince as he pants in front of me.

"No, you're not."

"Also, I think Seth is letting me win."

I laugh, grabbing his face in my hands for a. kiss. He's cool to the touch from the water running down his face. "He wouldn't."

"Mom okay?" he asks between breaths, pulling back with his hands on his hips.

"She stayed at the house."

"Okay, yeah…" His eyes dart in the direction of the house up on the cliff and then back to me. "Yeah, that's better."

"You doing okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just beat. But hey at least I made fourth place already." His smile is breathtaking and it brightens his whole face.

"I'm so proud of you," I say against his lips, kissing him again.

He rests his forehead against mine, taking another breath before pulling back.

"I gotta head back."

"Okay. Good luck!" I let him go with a sigh and watch him walk away from me through the sea of photographers, sponsors, and press.

In what can only be described as a fairytale comeback, Edward ends up winning the event after going head-to-head against a Seth that looks more excited than if he had won it himself. They share the podium and hugs after, and I think at the end, they even shed some tears.

Edward is completely exhausted but so, so happy.

We get together for drinks right after and Seth and Leah throw terms around like World Championship Tour and trips to Hawaii for the Vans Triple Crown. Competing again professionally is not something Edward has mentioned wanting to do, so I'm also not familiar with what it would entail. Traveling? Training? For now, I just enjoy his achievement and the accomplished grin he is unable to keep off his face.

~~o~~

After the Cullens go back home, Edward and I spend a couple days relaxing in Jacó before we head back to Tortuga Beach for the remainder of our trip. We plan to spend time with my dad and Sue and then head back to Oregon.

The last few days in Costa Rica, Edward seems off, nervous almost. I don't know if he's anxious about returning to Oregon, or saddened to have to leave Costa Rica. Or both. I've made my decision about the position at OIMB though, but the offer still sits in my backpack, untouched. When he says he wants to take me out Saturday night so we can talk, I make a plan to tell him then.

I wear a flowery dress and my hair down in waves. I have no shoes on yet when he comes back to our villa because he didn't tell me where we're going.

He's barefoot but in khaki shorts and a blue short sleeve button-up that makes his eyes look lighter. I smile at him as he comes through the door, and I lift my sandals up. "Are we walking on the beach, or do I need shoes?"

"Yes." His tone is clipped, his eyes roaming the room.

"Yes what?"

"Hmmmm?" He looks up at me distractedly and I narrow my eyes at him.

"That was a multiple choice question, not a yes or no."

"What?" He looks confused as I drop my sandals and walk closer to him.

"What's going on with you?"

"I'm sorry." His eyes soften and he forces out a smile. "I'm just...distracted. You look beautiful." He runs his hands down my dress until they end on my ass.

I get up on my tiptoes to kiss him, looping my arms around his neck. "Where are we going?"

"You'll see." He smiles, grabbing my hand, and we head for the door.

~~o~~

Holding hands, we walk onto Tortuga Beach, and he leads the way to the small bar on the south end, the one that is desolate, the one where we first met. Only a bartender is there, and he immediately hands Edward two beers. Two Coronas.

I laugh as we take our seats at the corner of the bar and Edward gulps down his beer. He's definitely nervous. And I think I know why.

"So I've been thinking…" I take the first sip from my drink while he's about to finish his. "What if we move here?" I get straight to the point. He freezes mid-gulp, his eyes on me.

"W-what?"

"I love it here, Edward. I don't want us to settle down in Oregon. You love it here too, right?"

"Bella…" He sets his beer on the bar and runs a hand in his hair.

"I'm not doing it for you." I wouldn't mind doing it for him, but it's not the only reason. I'm doing it for me as well. "My dad is here too, and we're so happy here." I reach for his arm as he still looks in shock. "I...I talked to Jacob; there's an opening at the research station. I'd be a lead scientist and could apply for local funding, and I could have my own research program while getting to do what I love."

He presses his fingers on his chest, slightly wincing. "Thinking about you joining the patrols again gives me heartburn."

"I won't…" I smile, peeling his fingers from his chest. "I won't be doing that again. But I'll still be supporting their cause and...Edward, I would love it. The pay won't be as good, but...we wouldn't need that much money to be happy here."

"Jesus fuck…" He scrubs a hand down his face and stares at his feet.

"And if you want to compete, you can...we can be based here. The World Tour, that's a year-long thing, right? You can go to the different events and I could sometimes come with you. Our lives would be so much more relaxed."

"Bella…" His hands flank his face, his eyes wild in excitement. His expression makes me feel it's absolutely the right decision. "Are you being serious?"

"I am. I've thought a lot about it, and I'm ready to turn down that offer. I really am. I've talked about it with my dad. With Emmett. We can go wrap things up in Oregon, and then we'd take that trip down the coast in your van before we come back here for good. What do you say?"

He stands from his seat, his hands over his head, as he paces back and forth in front of me. Then he rushes to me, his hands cupping my face, his lips pressing against mine, hard.

"Are you sure?" He rests his forehead onto mine, his breathing harsh.

"Absolutely, one hundred percent."

"God, woman, I love you so fucking much." He plants kisses all over my face.

"So if that's what you've been anxious about, you can relax."

"You thought that's what I am nervous about? Going back to Oregon?" He pulls away from my face, his expression slightly amused. "Bella, I'd go back to Oregon with you in a heartbeat. Sure, I'd love living here. I mean, that'd be pretty fucking cool, but...I was honest when I told you I'd be happy in Oregon too. As long as I am with you."

"Then what's wrong?"

"Nothing…" He smiles, bringing his lips to mine. "There's absolutely nothing wrong."

"You said you wanted to talk to me."

"I did say that. And I do want to talk to you. But nothing's wrong." He reaches for his beer and takes the last gulp, setting it back on the counter and signaling to the bartender for another round.

"There were a few things on my list that I was hoping to achieve on this trip," he starts. "Really talking to my dad was one. A big one." He breathes out, relieved. "Placing in the WSL event was another." His smile is full of pride.

"You're just crossing them all off," I say sincerely, my heart bursting at the seams with love and pride for him.

He nods sweetly, his eyes intently on me. "There's just one thing left on my list."

"What is it?"

He steps between my legs, our noses almost touching. "Asking you to marry me," he whispers softly, so softly, against my lips.

"What?!"

He pulls back, smiling. "I want us to get married."

"Now?"

He laughs then, shaking his head. "No, not right now, but soon?"

It feels like my heart stops. Like the world stops. All of this time, I haven't really thought about marriage. Only because I didn't think he was a proposal kind of guy, and I didn't really think I needed one. I know he is committed to me as much as I am committed to him. But hearing him say the words, it takes me by surprise and it makes my heart leap back to life.

"I feel like I know you pretty well..." He laughs self-deprecatingly, scratching the back of his neck nervously. "But on this, I really have no idea whether you want the whole thing or not, but...I'm going for it anyway." He steps back a little, extending a hand out for me. I take a hold of it and hop off the stool, standing in front of him.

Then he's down on one knee, letting go of my hand to pull out a tiny wooden box from his shorts' pocket.

"Bella..." When he looks up at me, my knees feel wobbly. My hands cover my mouth to keep me from squealing too loud. He's really doing the whole thing. "You are, without a doubt, the best thing that ever happened to me. When I met you at this bar three years ago, I was in a really dark place. I was so lost. But you saved me. You gave me hope. You pushed me to get better and be better and now…" He takes in a shaky breath before continuing. "I feel fortunate to know you, to be with you, and it's how I want to spend the rest of my days. With you. So…" He holds out the box, looking down at it before meeting my eyes. "What do you say? Wanna grow old with me?" He smiles. He blushes. He melts my heart.

Without hesitation, I'm on my knees, in front of him, hugging the crap out of him.

"I'm sorry that was so lame." He breathes out through a laugh. "I've been going crazy trying to think of what to say. That's what I've been anxious about."

"Shut up, it was perfect." My lips are on him, sealing his nervous laugh away.

"You haven't said yes though."

"You haven't shown me the ring yet."

"Oh…" He brings the box between us and looks at me. "It's nothing fancy," he says as he opens it.

Inside the hand-carved box, there is a delicate white gold band with a center diamond surrounded by tiny white diamonds on either side.

"I love it." Tears well up in my eyes as he grabs my hand, sliding it swiftly onto my finger.

"The diamonds are lab-grown, so um...they're conflict-free, and green, and carbon neutral and all that jazz."

I laugh through a sob, looking at my hand and the sparkles on my finger.

"The gold of the band is recycled," he adds proudly. "From my grandma's ring, which my mom gave to me."

"Edward…It's perfect."

His lips meet mine.

"Can you please say yes?"

"What was the question again?"

"Bella—"

"Yes, yes, yes." I kiss his face each time. "A million times yes. Of course I will marry you. I'd marry you right here, right now."

He seals my mouth with a kiss, lifting us both from the ground.

"I love you." He presses his forehead onto mine, and when he pulls back, I see his eyes are teary. "I'm so fucking happy right now." He scrubs a hand down his face, collecting himself, before looking back at me.

"So am I, Edward. I love you so much."

We hold each other for a moment, almost in a silent dance, until he leans back, flashing a mischievous smile at me. "I'm going to need to start working on a new list."

"Yes, you are."

"So, you want to go to a bonfire? It is Sunday after all..."

We walk hand in hand, down the beach, to the bonfire. There's a crowd already around it, and I can't believe my eyes when Rose is running to me, her gaze immediately on my hand.

"Let me see it, betch!" She grabs my hand as I look at everyone behind her. Emmett. My dad and Sue. Seth. Jacob and Leah. I narrow my eyes at Edward and he shrugs, walking to my dad, who hands him a beer before he hugs him.

"I can't believe you're going to get married before me!" Rose wraps her arms around me quickly before inspecting the ring again. "Oh, Surfie did goooood."

He did. So good.

We celebrate with everyone. Dad is ecstatic and also a little drunk. Sue just keeps looking from me to Edward, the proudest mama smile on her face. Emmett teases Edward about making him look bad. Everyone just seems so happy for us.

When Edward returns to my side, he has a beer bottle in each hand and an uncontainable smile on his face.

"They all knew," I say, grabbing the beer and taking a sip as he runs a hand down my arm.

"That I was going to propose?" He wraps his fingers with mine, the fire crackling behind him. "Yeah." He chuckles, pulling my hand in his and leading the way in the direction of the water.

We walk on the beach, leaving the crowd behind, until we reach a tree log that's on the sand.

"Rose helped me with the ring design," Edward starts. "My mom too. Alice had some ideas that were a little out there." He chuckles softly, pulling me closer. "They wanted to stay, but I didn't want to make it a big deal." He scratches the back of his neck as we sit on the log next to each other. "They do expect a call at some point."

"Of course." Our hands are intertwined over his lap. "We could even visit them when we're on our way back to Costa Rica in your van."

When he turns in my direction, his eyes are shining with emotion. "We're really doing that?" His lips stretch wide, his smile breathtaking. "We're really moving here?"

"I want to. Do you?"

"I'd fucking love to."

"Then it's settled. My dad's gonna flip. He really knew you were going to propose all along? I think that might be the first time he's ever kept something a secret."

"Your dad…" Edward takes a deep breath, getting lost in thought. "Your dad has known I wanted to marry you since before you even left Costa Rica that first time."

"Oh?" I eye him in surprise and he nods softly.

"Remember that day, when we came back from Jacó, after I told you about Masen?"

"Of course."

"He wanted to know if I was serious about you." He chuckles, his eyes darting to the water. "He never asked me what was wrong with me, but he knew. He knew I needed to work on myself. He knew I needed time before I could really be with you. I guess he's very perceptive. I can see where you get it from.

"He didn't want me to make you a promise I would not be able to keep. I think he was worried you would quit school and stay here with me and I wouldn't have been ready to handle that. You, making that sacrifice, for me."

I reach a hand to his face, running my fingers behind his ear.

He leans into my touch with an exhale. "I think he knew it would all work out in the end."

"And it did," I say, smiling at him.

"It did."

I rest my head on his shoulder, my gaze on the water, the foam on the sand reaching almost to my feet with each breaking wave. I came here three years ago looking for an adventure. I found a man who, even while wanting to die, made my life fuller than I thought possible. We both ended up with so much more than we bargained for, and now I can't wait for what's yet to come.

The End