Good Morning, Loves!

Thank you to Mel and Pamela!

Epilogue

July

Rowanberry is filled with the divine scent of sugared flowers.

I follow my nose, drawn down into the kitchens where Esme is busy at work, producing cakes that look like fields of wildflowers.

I dare to pinch a sugared violet, my eyes fluttering shut as the sweetness melts on my tongue.

"Oh, you're just as bad as the children," Esme chides, and my eyes open in time to catch her smiling at me.

"I've never tasted anything so sweet," I tell her honestly. She grins and reaches for me, pressing a kiss to my cheek.

"My darling, the cakes are not half as sweet as you," she says, placing a small honey and lavender cake into my palm. She gives me a wink and I grin, bringing the treat to my nose and inhaling deeply.

"At this rate, I will never again fit into my old dresses," I joke with her as I nibble the pastry. It is warm, melting in my mouth, and I bite back a long moan.

Esme waves her hands in front of her face. "Pish posh," she tuts. "Those dresses were from your girlhood. You're a woman now, Bella. A mother. Your dresses change because you have changed."

I smile at her. Though it has been a month since I gave birth, I have found the new shapes my body experienced have not been reversed. Esme is right: I am a changed woman.

I wouldn't have it any other way.

"Do you need help?" I ask, licking at my fingers.

Esme shakes her head. "No, darling, thank you. I am nearly finished here."

I nod, surveying the table once more. Between Esme and our chef, a grand feast has been whipped up. I spot stuffed pheasants, roasted lamb, chestnut pork, and steamed eel pies. There are great tureens of boiled turnips, cabbage, stewed carrots, and potatoes. Near Esme, there are mountains of freshly picked sweet summer berries beside pristine bowls of rich cream, along with her many splendid cakes.

It is a feast fit for royalty.

"Where is the baby?" Esme asks, looking over at me.

"In the nursery with Bree." After the care Bree provided for my niece and nephew when we fled the capital, I had gone about seeking permission from first Katherine, then Bree, to employ her for my family as our governess. Bree and Katherine were both amenable to the plan, and Bree has been a devoted caretaker to our children ever since.

She is quite young, but I already trust her with my children indiscriminately.

I hear laughter outside the kitchen, and a moment later, the back door is opening. I turn to see Edward striding in, my nephew strapped to his chest while Charlotte and Maggie twirl in front of them, both boasting floral crowns.

Esme grins, snatching up her youngest child while Charlotte comes racing to me. "Look!"

I scoop Charlotte into my arms and settle her so that I can see what is cupped in her palms. I shake my head when I see she's caught a caterpillar.

"He's a very handsome worm," I tell her.

She grins and nods. "I shall give him a palace to sleep in," she tells me, wiggling in my arms to be set down again. I let her go with a small laugh.

Though she was old enough to know my sister before her death, Charlotte seems to either not know much or have very few memories of her mother. I try to tell her stories as often as I can, but there is only so much that I can say. For her part, Charlotte has seemed to adapt to her mother's absence with minimal difficulty. It sometimes breaks my heart, to think of my niece and the mother she will never know again. For all of Rosalie's betrayal, my heart has never been able to fully let her go. I still mourn for the sister I lost.

Charlotte is off like a shot, Maggie hot on her heels as they go find a place to house her new pet.

I turn and smile as Edward approaches me. I lean forward, pressing a kiss to the soft top of my nephew's head. After learning the truth from Rosalie—that she does not know who his father is—it felt more fitting to call my nephew by his middle name rather than the title that was meant to be passed down from the duke. He has been Alexander to all of our family, and he likely will never answer to Peter.

"How was your walk?" I ask, gazing up at my husband.

"Busy," Edward murmurs. "The girls kept us moving."

I grin up at him and he returns the smile, his arm winding around my waist to bring me closer. It is difficult, with little Alex between us, but he manages to pull me close enough to drop a kiss against my lips.

"My Lord, may I help you?"

We break apart to see Angela reaching for Alex. Edward nods, unfastening the strap before tenderly passing off Alex. Angela secures him in her arms, smiling at the babe as she takes him away to the nursery.

Behind me, there is a sharp sound of a palm striking flesh, and I turn in time to see Esme swatting at Edward's hands as he pinches one of her candied cakes. "Off with you," she commands, shooing him away. My husband grins around the cake he managed to steal. "Honestly, between the both of you, I do not know how we will feed everyone later." She huffs.

Edward looks at me in surprise and I give him a guilty smile.

"We shall get out of your hair, Mam," Edward says, leaning over to kiss her cheek. "Thank you for all your hard work."

Esme melts. "Oh, I would do anything for my children." She sighs, a dreamy look on her face. "In my opinion, this has all taken far too long to happen." She gives Edward a raised eyebrow and he ducks his head.

"I agree," he says, his eyes cutting to me.

Winter was hard spent taking care of people who had lost land or crops during the war. Edward and I divided our time between Levenforth and the capital, hoping to help Katherine as much as possible, but with my pregnancy, I was limited.

Upon the first signs of spring, Edward traveled to his parents' home, inviting his family to come live in Rowanberry. It had been terribly lonely with him gone, helping them pack up, but once they were closer, I spent a great deal of time with Esme, who was eager to start doting on her new grandchildren.

She had taken to Charlotte and Alex with as much affection as one would expect, and she was a vital part of the last stages of my pregnancy.

I do not think I could have made it through without her by my side.

Now that I am no longer carrying our son and summer is fully upon us, we are finally doing the one thing that was denied to us from the very start.

Our wedding is not a formal affair, rather a renewal of our vows to each other. This time, our ceremony will be witnessed by our family and loved ones.

Esme shoos us out of the kitchen, and Edward and I make our way to the parlor, falling into our favorite old love seat. Edward tugs me onto his lap as we settle, and I grin, leaning against his strong chest, taking comfort in the steady beat of his heart.

"Katherine should be here by nightfall," Edward says, his hand reaching up and untucking the curls of hair I have secured up off of my neck.

"And Ben?" I ask, eager to hear news of my favorite of Edward's brothers that I have met thus far.

"Should be arriving with Katherine's entourage," he confirms.

After things settled in the wake of the war, Edward granted Ben and Isaac land upon which they could build a larger blacksmith shop. Having them nearby has been a delight, and it has only brought us all closer.

Ben has often gone back and forth between Levenforth and the capital as an unofficial messenger for us, taking the opportunity to trade in larger markets whilst he is away. His presence has also brought out the playful side of my often stoic husband.

We have never been busier, but in so many ways, I have never felt more fulfilled.

"Do you—" My words are interrupted when Angela comes into the room, her cheeks lightly flushed.

"Pardon me," she says with a quick curtsey. "But Captain McCarty has just arrived with two of your brothers and their families, m'lord."

I scramble off Edward's lap just as we catch the sound of horses outside. Edward is moving quickly, and I giggle, jogging slightly to catch up with him.

He has not seen his eldest brothers in so long I do not want to miss a moment of their reunion.

Angela is beside me as we head to the front door.

Before the manor is a large open wagon, and two tall men are climbing down from it, reaching back to help two women sitting on hay. I can tell that these are Edward's brothers, for they share the same build as my husband.

Once their wives are on the ground, as well as a small boy who appears to be four or so, they turn to us. I glance up at Edward in time to see a wide smile spread over his face. He launches from the entryway of our home, racing toward his brothers to pull them into fierce hugs. I bring a hand to my heart, grateful to be able to witness such a reunion.

I hear Angela make a small squeaking sound, and I glance over at her curiously before I realize that Emmett is coming toward us.

I try to hide my smile.

It seems to me no secret that Angela has grown rather infatuated with the captain. What I am less certain of are his feelings toward her.

"Hello, Captain," I say, offering him a smile.

Shortly after Rosalie's capture, it was difficult for Emmett to look or speak to me. He has since told me that he felt a tremendous amount of shame and guilt about his involvement with my sister. I have never faulted him for any of his feelings, for I too have felt similar remorse.

But in the time since her death, Emmett and I have grown closer. He is one of Edward's most trusted confidants, no doubt why my sister targeted him in the first place. It has been difficult watching him mourn his complicated lost love, but in recent months, I have felt a shift in him.

Beside me, Angela gives him a bashful smile, ducking her head quickly when her cheeks flame pink. I catch a similar look on Emmett's face and I have to hide my own grin.

Perhaps the captain is willing to open his heart once again.

I descend to where Edward is speaking with his brothers, wishing to give Emmett and Angela a moment to speak in private.

The moment I am beside him, Edward takes my hand, a breathtaking smile on his face. "Bella, this is Marcus and Caius." Marcus looks much like Esme, with a soft mouth and sharp eyes, while Caius is nearly an exact replica of Carlisle. "This is Diana, Marcus's wife," Edward says, motioning to a woman who is round with pregnancy. "And Annie, Caius's wife." Edward motions to the other woman, who has hair as red as fire.

"It is so wonderful to finally meet you all," I say in greeting.

Marcus lets out a laugh and reaches for me, pulling me into a swift hug. "We were shocked to hear any woman has not only managed to put up with Edward, but has done so willingly," he jokes, letting me go. "You must be formidable, Duchess Cullen."

I shake my head. "Bella, please. We are family," I point out.

Marcus nods and I turn to his wife who pulls me into a much gentler hug.

Caius and his wife are slightly stiff in their greeting, but the hugs feels genuine, so I take no mind.

Once I have been introduced to the adults, I crouch down to smile at the boy who is tugging on his mother's dress.

"This is Thomas," Diana says, petting a hand lovingly over the boy's head.

"Hello, Thomas," I say to him. "My name is Bella."

He gazes at me with wide green eyes that remind me of my own son's.

"This is your aunt," Diana says, motioning toward me. "And this is your uncle Edward," she explains.

The boy stares at us mutely, and I smile, standing upright.

"You must all be exhausted. Please come in and make yourselves comfortable."

…

Edward and I are in the parlor just before supper when the herald trumpets Katherine's arrival. Edward leans over, pressing a kiss to my hair and quietly urges me to continue nursing our son. Edward James Cullen is only a month old, but the absolute light of our lives. With hair a dark brown like my own and wide green eyes like his father, he already looks just like the rest of the Cullen family. When Ben found out the name we had given our son, he had grown weepy. Edward James would have the same second name as his uncle Ben, who had done so much for us to ensure our safety and protection.

I finish nursing, handing my son off to Bree as I cover myself.

A moment later, Katherine is striding into the room followed by Garrett and Ben.

I am on my feet in an instant, and Katherine greets me with a wide smile, pulling me into a hug the moment I am close enough.

"How are you?" she asks, her arms fierce as she squeezes me tight.

"I am well," I tell her, pulling back from her embrace. "Come meet Teddy."

I motion Bree over and Katherine lets out a soft sound when she sees my son. "He is beautiful," she whispers, a smile on her lips as she reaches one hand out and gently touches his small fingers. "I am sorry to have missed his birth," she says, turning to me.

I shake my head. "Nonsense. You are here now." I turn my attention to Garrett, who is smiling at Katherine fondly.

Katherine has yet to choose a husband, though many of her courtiers hate the idea of an unmarried queen on the throne. She has held them off for now, though I know she has considered Garrett, despite his lack of title. She will have a hard time convincing the nobility of her selection, though I know she will win them over in the end.

Ben steps forward, reaching out to my son with a broad smile. "There is my Teddy," he says, soliciting a gurgle from my baby. "Oh how I have missed you, my tiny friend."

Ben is remarkably good with children, and he has spent hours entertaining Charlotte, Maggie, and Alex. I cannot wait for Teddy to be old enough to play with his uncle as well.

Bree takes the baby upstairs as Marcus and Caius join us in the parlor, their reunion with Ben as loud and boisterous as I would expect.

Their joy brings the rest of the Cullens into the room: Carlisle, Esme, Liam, Jane and Alec, little Maggie, Alice and her new husband, Jasper, who is a farmer who grows the finest crops for Rowanberry's estate. Everyone is so preoccupied with their reconnection that it takes most of them a while to notice Katherine.

"Oh, good gracious!" Esme shrieks when she turns to take Katherine in. "Your Majesty!" She immediately drops into a curtsey, and the rest of the Cullens turn and follow suit.

Katherine lifts her hands, shaking her head. "Please," she says to them. "Do not let me interrupt this merry time."

Esme looks a little flustered, even though she knew our queen would be joining us.

Rowanberry has never been busier, and yet, it has never felt more like home.

…

It is not until late at night when Edward and I finally go up to bed. We are both exhausted from hosting our family and loved ones, and there is nothing more that I want than to fall into bed, wrapped up in Edward's arms.

My fatigue is almost palpable, but then I watch as Edward begins to shed his clothes. The firelight is dim in our room, casting long shadows over his body that flicker and move with the flames. We have not been together since the baby was born, though we had plenty of practice becoming reacquainted whilst I was pregnant.

I am not certain my body is even healed enough to be with Edward completely, but tonight especially, I crave the intimacy between us.

"Edward," I whisper, moving around the bed until I am beside him.

"What is it, Love?"

I reach out, my hand pressing against his warm chest. My nails gently move over his skin in a soft pattern, and I feel his breathing hitch ever so slightly.

My fingers drop to his waist where I slowly begin untying his breeches.

He is quiet as I work, but I can feel his eyes on my face, watching me. I glance up at him once the tiesare loosened, and he gives me a small smile.

"Are you well?" he asks, his voice tender as one hand comes up to cup my face.

"Well enough," I tell him. "But first." I lean toward his chest, pressing a kiss above his heart. "I think I shall take my time."

I can tell I have caught him by surprise. I reach down, shoving his breeches to the floor. He carefully steps out of them, and then I am pushing on his shoulders, encouraging him to sit on the edge of our bed.

He settles down, his eyes curious as he gazes at me.

Licking my lips, I sink to the floor before him, my hands resting on his thighs.

I have never done this so boldly. I have taken him into my hands plenty of times, but a conversation I had with Esme and Alice several months back when Alice was preparing for her own wedding has got me thinking.

I find it to be one of the most divine pleasures when Edward tastes me. Would it not be the same in reverse?

My hands trail up his thighs, and I feel him shift, leaning back to give me better access to his body. My fingers wrap around him, my thumb traveling over the growing hardness of him. My eyes flicker up to his face to see he looks mesmerized, curious about what I will do next.

"I want to try something," I whisper, shifting on my knees so that my elbows can rest on his thighs. "But you must tell me if you do not like it."

Edward is mute as he nods. My fingers stroke the length of him again before I lean forward, tentatively flattening my tongue to lick him. Above me, Edward gasps, and my eyes fly up to see his eyes closed.

It appears to be enjoyment on his face, so I lick him again, my eyes trained on his expression. It is not a wholly unpleasant taste, though what sparks my desire more is the look of sheer pleasure I can see painted across his features. I can feel him fight his urge to buck his hips in my direction, and I smile at his restraint.

My tongue makes several passes, up and down, and I am amazed at how his body can grow so hard.

I let my tongue swirl the tip of him, and he lets out a shaking breath.

"How does it feel?" I ask, my hand stroking him as he tries to come up with the answer.

"Like heaven," he chokes out. I look down at my hands, impressed.

I lean in closer, my tongue lapping at him again before I take him into my mouth more fully. It is such an odd sensation, and I fear my teeth will hurt him, so I do what I can to lick at him without inflicting injury.

I can feel drool collecting in my mouth, and without thinking, I suck in, trying to stop it from falling from my lips.

Edward lets out a swear that has my eyes going wide. I immediately let him go, fearing I have hurt him, but it is unrestrained desire I see on his face instead. "Again," he begs. "Do that again."

Confused, I reach for him, taking him into my mouth once more. My tongue goes flat as I try to suck on him again.

Edward is swearing like I have never heard him. My eyes are on his face, amazed at the response this simple act is provoking.

At his base, my hands squeeze gently, and Edward lets out a long grunt. "Bella," he rasps. "Please, my Love. I cannot…" He shakes his head. "It will be over for me too soon, and I wish to be with you, if I can."

With a final lick, I let him go. His body is trembling, strained with his mounting desire. I can see a muscle in his leg twitch and I smile at it, leaning over to press a kiss to his skin.

He grunts again then reaches down, helping me to my feet.

"Come, my Love," he says, pulling me onto the bed beside him and drawing me toward his lips. I go willingly, meeting his kiss with fervor.

I can feel his hands on my hips before they move between my legs, his fingers gently prodding.

"Does it hurt?" he asks, breaking our kiss.

"No," I tell him truthfully. "But your fingers are much smaller."

Edward smirks. "We will go slowly," he says softly. "And you must tell me if you are in pain."

I nod in acknowledgment and Edward helps me pull my shift over my head before I lie back on the bed. We have come together in so many positions and in so many ways, but this, with him above me, his body weighing me down, is perhaps my favorite. I love to feel his strength, his tender regard for me.

In his arms, I am cherished.

Edward moves slowly, and I do find that there is some mild discomfort at first, but I chalk that up to the fact that it has been so long since he has been inside me.

Once we are fully joined, Edward lets out a long breath. "Are you well?"

I smile up at him. "Better than," I tell him truthfully.

He reaches down, pressing a kiss to my lips as his hips begin to move. Our bodies are slow, languid, in no rush as we become reunited. With each drive of his hips into mine, I feel a part of me settle, like coming home after being away for an extended journey.

When the pleasure comes, it is a blanket of warmth, a feeling of completeness that envelops me and promises never to let go. I am home.

…

It is a beautiful morning when my loved ones gather on the grounds of Rowanberry to hear Edward and me recommit our love to one another.

Our first wedding was a whirlwind of deceit, manipulation, and mistrust.

It shall be nothing like our second wedding.

Alice has spent all morning weaving a garland of flowers into my hair, and when I spot Edward outside under the Rowan tree, I smile, seeing he has his own floral crown.

We are surrounded by our family, and when Edward takes my hands, I feel more complete than I ever have in my life before.

"Bella," he says, his voice warm and steady. "Since you have entered into my life, I have never known greater joy or love. Though the world itself seemed at times intent on keeping us apart, we have journeyed through storms and come out stronger." He smiles at me. "You are my wife and partner." He pauses, his eyes turning to Charlotte, Alex, and Teddy, who are being held by various family members beside us. "But you are so much more. You are mother to our children, protector of our people, and a guardian of justice." He smiles. "Though our lives are now dedicated to the service of others, my heart will always belong to you. Everything I do is for you."

I reach up, brushing tears from my cheeks as I give him a watery smile.

"Edward," I start, my voice trembling. "Since we met, you have been the light in the darkness I did not know I needed. You have been my protector, my warrior, my champion." I smile, and he mirrors my expression. "But you are more than that as well. You are a doting father, compassionate leader, and the best friend I could have ever asked for." I pause, taking a shaking breath. "Without you, I would be lost. You have saved me, time and again, and I vow to spend the rest of my life, trying to pay back even a quarter of the love that you have brought me." I can see tears burn in his eyes, and a moment later, he is leaning down to kiss me hard. Around us, everyone is cheering, and I grin against his mouth, winding my arms around his neck.

Edward and I are not the people we started out as. We are Duke and Duchess of Levenforth, council to the queen, and allies to the union of kingdoms. We have never been busier or pulled so far from where we have started in life.

But despite it all, we have never been happier.

Sometimes Edward will still cry out in his sleep, but when he wakes, he will pour another piece of his wounded soul out to me, and each time, his heart grows a little bit lighter.

There are no more secrets, no more lies. My husband may be Le Lion, but he is so much more than that. He is kind and patient, compassionate and wise. He might know the taste of violence, but it does not define him, not as I once feared it did.

As for me, I have children whom I protect with a fierce heart, a husband whom I love with unconditional zeal, and a family whom I trust implicitly.

I am no longer a little bird, too frail and terrified to do anything but flit about. I am a tigress, aware of my own strength and secure in that knowledge.

I can and will do what I need to to protect my family, but what is more, I know they will return the gesture toward me.

I am loved, I am cherished, and for the first time in my life, I know that I am worth it all.

The End

Here we are, at the end! I can honestly say that I have been blow away by the response this story has received. I began writing Solace in 2022, after getting hit by Covid for the first time. Delirious, exhausted, and more foggy-brained than I can ever recall being, I had a small degree of creative energy that apparently needed to be burned. I laid in bed, banged out the first ten or so chapters, then left the doc completely alone, not even sure of what it was about. Later that year, I came down with RSV, and in my feverish state, I picked the doc back up again. This story became my outlet for strange, feverish energy. I had no idea what was going on, no idea what would become of it, but I just knew I needed this outlet.

For almost two years, it sat on my desk, waiting for me to come down with a flu or cold or strep, just so that I could write some more.

Then I did the best thing I could have ever done for this story. I put it into the hands of two of the sharpest minds; Mel and Pamela. Together, they helped forge this story from fever dream into an actual tale that was worthy of follows.

I will forever be grateful to them for the tireless work they put into this story. (Not easy when it's been written in a delirium!)

This leads me to you all, the amazing readers who invested so much of your time and love in me and my writing. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart for joining me on this wild ride. I have read every review, seen every comment, and just know I am humbled and grateful for the support you've all shown.

While this is the end for this story, I am always open to the idea of outtakes/futuretakes. If I see a lot of popular topics and I am struck with inspiration, I'll see what I can do to bang something out, so be sure to follow this story!

Be sure to join my facebook group Fanfics For Nerds for a downloadable PDF of this completed story, as well as teasers from all my other projects!

Finally, if you are interested in more historical fics, I do have another WIP currently posting:

Trice

Since she was a child, Bella's life has been governed by Time's three rules. As a time traveler, she gets to see and do extraordinary things, but it all comes with a price. Shortly after arriving in Victorian London, a fateful accident brings Bella into the glittering world of nobility, and she must quickly decide if this fishbowl of a life is something she wants to fight to keep.

Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart.

xx