I do not own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.

Epilogue:

15 years later…

(Epov)

Today was the day that we would see Masen off. The last fifteen years have flown by. My little boy was now a man about to set off into the world. His asthma disappeared as he got older, so that was no longer a concern. He had decided at a very early age that he wanted to be a 'Maryanne' like his father and uncles. We still tease him to this day about it. Maybe it was unfair, since he was only three at the time, but we still found it funny.

After our tour of the states, we settled in near-by Jasper's family ranch. I went to work on the ranch, and Bella enrolled in some creative writing classes at a local college. We found a preschool that Masen loved and he made a ton of friends his age.

I glanced at my sleeping beauty, my beautiful wife, still curled in our bed, with the comforters wrapped around her tight. We have been married for just over fourteen years.

It was our first Christmas Eve together as a family. We had moved into a four bedroom house about a month ago. We were still attending therapy sessions regularly as a family, about every other week, while Masen and Bella had weekly visits. Bella's and mine relationship was strong — maybe even stronger — than when we were in high school. We had several dates on top of family outings. The intimacy of our relationship has also reignited with a fiery passion.

I was hoping that the time was right, and I wasn't rushing this next step. I set the present on a branch in the tree and stepped back. Masen was watching me with wide-eyes.

"Okay, little buddy, go get your mom." I winked at him.

He scurried out of the room as fast as his little legs could take him. "Mommy, it's time. You said, we could open present each. Come on, Mommy." I could hear him pleading with her.

"I'm coming. I'm coming." She laughed.

They appeared with Masen pulling on her hand, while she was trying to carry a tray of hot chocolate and cookies. I jumped up and grabbed the tray from her. She gave me a shy smile. She was still looking pale and tired. She had gotten sick a few times over the past few days, and I was worried about her.

I placed the tray on the table and pulled her into a hug. "Are you feeling better?" I asked kissing the top of her head.

She didn't feel warm, but I was still worried about her.

"Yes, the nap helped. Thank you for watching him." She took a seat on the couch. "Go ahead, Masen, what present would you like to open?" she asked.

"You first," he insisted, dancing in front of her.

She looked at him in surprise. "Me first, are you sure?"

"Uh-huh." he nodded. He ran to the tree and back to her. "Your present is on the tree, you have to find it," he explained.

"I have to find it?" She looked perplexed, she shot me a look. "What did you do?"

"You won't know until you find it." I shrugged.

She held my eye but I didn't give anything away. She got to her feet and circled the tree scanning it up and down. I knew she found it when she let out a small gasp. Her hand covered her mouth for a moment and tears came to her eyes.

We had come to a verbal agreement about getting married, shortly after Thanksgiving. She declared she didn't need a ring, that her promise ring was fine. But I still wanted to ask her more traditionally.

"Mommy, are you sad?" Masen was starting to look worried.

She shook her head and with a trembling hand tried to untie the string. I stood behind her patiently. "I can't get the knot," she admitted after a moment.

I reached over and untied the string, and caught the glittering ring in my hand. She slowly turned to me and looked me in the eye.

I knelt in front of her and took her left hand in mine. "Bella — my love, and the wonderful mother of my son — I love you more than anything. Thank you for the second chance you gave me when I didn't deserve it. The past few months have been the best I have had in years. And I hope for countless more years together, will you marry me?" I held my breath as I waited for her answer.

"Yes," she whispered as she nodded.

I rose to me feet and kissed her chastely, well aware Masen had wrapped his arms around our legs. I brushed the tears away from her face and kissed her one more time.

"Thank you." I touched her forehead against mine, before I scooped Masen up.

"Yay, do you like it? I helped daddy get you a ring. Isn't it pretty?" Masen reached for Bella's ring and touched a finger to it.

"It's beautiful, thank you." She kissed his cheek before kissing mine.

"Should I give Daddy his next?" She looked at Masen.

He nodded eagerly and wiggled to get down. "Can I get it?" he asked.

Bella nodded so he got on his hands and knees, and looked at all the present. He pulled out a flat one. "Is this it?" He looked at Bella.

"Yup, that's it. Can you give it to him, please?"

He brought it over to me and handed me the present.

"What is it?" I jokingly asked, trying to shake it.

"It's a…"

Bella covered his mouth quickly. She gave me a dirty look for trying to be sneaky.

I tore open the paper and was confused at first by the baby book, since I already received one about Masen. I opened to the first page, and the first thing I noticed was a picture of a positive pregnancy test and date, written in pencil, that was in about eight months from now. I looked up at Bella and she was biting her lip.

"You're pregnant, love?" I asked the obvious.

She nodded blushing lightly, she looked very nervous for my response. I leaned over and kissed her lightly.

"Can we name the baby Grover?" Masen tugged on my sleeve.

Needless to say Masen didn't get to name the baby. Vanessa Jean was almost fourteen years old now and will be a freshman in high school this fall. Bella became pregnant after a recall on her birth control. Since we thought we were covered, there was one morning in the shower I went without a condom. We found out about a week later about the recall. We had talked about more babies and getting married, I just didn't think it would happen so soon. I wouldn't change a thing though. Like I found her again, Vanessa was meant to come into our lives.

Two years after Vanessa, came Carlie May. Four years after her, Emily Samantha arrived. Masen and I were outnumbered in the gender department.

Even though his sisters drove him up the wall all the time — I knew he loved them, and would do anything for them.

Today, Bella worked from home, writing her own children book series. While at college she met Tia, an art student. They ended up collaborating together, and now Tia does all the art work for Bella's books. Tia and her husband Benjamin had two children of their own. Maggie was Masen's age and Seth was a year older than Vanessa. Bella and Tia used to joke all the time about our kids getting together.

So far they seemed right about Maggie and Masen. Or as his sisters tease him, M&M. I caught a few looks that Seth has been given Vanessa recently, and had feeling they may not be too far behind, but figured I still had some time. But then Alice and Jasper hooked up when they were very young.

Speaking of Jasper and Alice, they still live on the ranch. Jasper now owns, and runs the ranch. Alice started up her own clothing line for clothes for ranchers. She still makes trips into Houston about bi-weekly.

They got married about a month after us. They have one son, Garrett, who was two months younger than Vanessa. He recently came out to us, and we have been as supportive as we could be.

Emmett's and Rose's relationship was rocky for a while. They broke up and got together again, before getting married ten years ago.

They tried for to have a baby on their own, but due to Rose's past they were unsuccessful. They ended up adopting their daughter, Claire, when she was two, and she was the same age as Emily.

LB

"Bella, love, we need to get up soon." I kissed her bare shoulder.

She mumbled and rolled over to face me. She blinked sleepily and yawned. "What time is it?" she asked snuggling into me.

"About 7:30. Masen needs to be at the bus at 11," I answered.

Her hands started to caress my chest. "I think I may need some help waking up." She grinned and kissed my jaw with a lingering kiss. Her hands slipped lower and grasped my cock.

I moaned and glanced towards the door. It has been a few years since the kids would just burst through our door without knocking. I felt her tug on my boxers freeing me. I rolled over on top of her and pulled off her nightgown. I made certain to appreciate all her womanly curves. She was still beautiful to me now, as she was when I first met her.

I slid into her, burying deep within her. Our bodies moved rhythmically together until we reached our peaks and I released into her. We stayed joined for a few minutes more as we caught our breaths.

"We should shower together and get downstairs, before the natives get restless." She sighed.

"Lead the way, pretty lady." I grinned.

She smiled and slid out of bed and headed for the bathroom. I followed swiftly behind watching her curves as she went. She turned on the water and adjusted the temperature. She stepped into the stream and tilted her head upwards. The water cascaded down her making me hard again. I stepped in behind her and pressed up against her. My hand slid around to her front and cupped her beautiful breasts in my hands. I gently squeezed and pressed into her and she moaned. She spun around and I lifted her so she could wrap her legs around me. I entered and pushed her lightly against the tiled wall. I thrusted into her, making her cry out in pleasure. I swallowed her moans with my mouth. In moments, she came again just before I did.

I set her on her feet and grabbed her body wash. After pouring some in my hands I washed her body tenderly. I paused when I got to her breasts noticing something I didn't before. Well, I had seen it before, three times to be exact, but it had been a few years. I looked up and made eye contact with Bella.

She bit her lip nervously, as she realized what I noticed.

"Bella, are you?" I asked.

She nodded slowly. "I only found out yesterday for sure. I haven't seen a doctor yet. I wanted to wait to make sure, since I'm older now," she answered. We tried for a while, but nothing happened. We finally decided to let nature take its course.

"Maybe this time we'll get another little boy." I kissed her. I reached over and turned off the water and grabbed a towel wrapping it around her.

"What's wrong with girls?" Bella pouted before smirking slightly. "Are you that sick of tea parties?" She laughed.

"There's nothing wrong with girls. I happened to love all my girls. I would just like the odds to be a little more even. Especially, with Masen leaving the coop." I grinned.

"You make it seem like we are torturing you. What are you afraid we are going do? Put you in a dress and make-up and call you Claudia?" she teased as she tossed a towel at me, hitting me in the face.

"Ha ha," I pulled her to me and kissed her deeply. "I think we should tell the kids before Masen leaves."

She sighed and nodded. "You're right. I'm just a little nervous to say anything, in case something happens," she agreed caressing her flat belly, lightly.

I leaned down and kissed it too.

"It won't. You're not that old." She scowled at me.

I shrugged sheepishly and she rolled her eyes.

"Come on, I'm sure they are all hungry." She headed back into our room.

LB

We entered the kitchen together for a nice surprise. Our kids were finishing making breakfast for us. Masen was flipping pancakes, while Vanessa was making scrambled eggs. Carlie was cutting up fruit and putting it into a large bowel. Emily was standing on a small stool and making the toast.

"Morning, what's all this," Bella looked teary-eyed.

"We're making breakfast, since they were hungry," Vanessa answered, she looked just like her mother. I knew it wouldn't be long before she will be dating, and I would be in trouble.

"Mornin', Daddy," my youngest called cheerfully.

"Morning, pumpkin. Do you need help?" I kissed the top of her reddish hair.

Her sisters were brunettes, like their mother, but Emily shared the same hair color as her brother and me. Hence, the nickname pumpkin.

"Nope, I got it." She insisted taking the butter knife back from me and continued to butter the bread. My baby girl was growing up, another reason I was glad another one was on the way.

We sat together at the table, with Bella and I on either end. Masen was to my left and Emily to my right. Vanessa was next to Masen and Carlie was across from her.

"Mommy, Daddy, Masen said you were showering together to conserve water," Emily commented innocently.

I nearly choked on a bit egg as I shot Masen a look. He shrugged and smirked, before grabbing his glass of juice.

"Yes, sweetie," Bella answered, her cheeks were slightly pink.

"Do you need to conserve water because Masen takes too long in his showers?" Emily asked.

Masen spat out his juice back into his cup, and Vanessa snorted hers as she started to laugh. It was my turn to laugh.

"Ewww, gross," Carlie wrinkled her nose glaring at her older siblings, wiping some juice off her hand. "Why is that so funny?"

"Nothing. Don't worry about," I intercede quickly but was still too late.

"Don't worry, Emily. Masen only uses cold water." Vanessa smirked.

"What the… Dad." Masen turned to me while red in the face.

I chuckled. "Sorry, son, I think I'll conserve my thoughts for now."

He glared at me and huffed.

"Vanessa, enough." Bella admonished our daughter. "Emily, eat please."

"I still feel like I'm missing something," Carlie pouted.
"Don't worry about it and eat," Bella responded eating a slice of bacon.

Carlie still looked put out and suddenly lit up. "I'll tell you what I didn't miss." She smiled evilly, which could only lead to no good. "Masen practicing proposing to Maggie in his mirror."

Masen froze with his fork half-way to his mouth.

"Margret Anne Amun, I've loved you since I can remember. Will you do…"

I interrupted her, trying not to laugh at Masen's mortification. "Carlie May, that's enough."

She smirked but stopped. Vanessa was trying to hold in her laughter and almost choked on her eggs. Bella reached over and patted her on the back.

"You going to propose to Maggie?" Bella looked very emotional.

Masen shrugged sheepishly; the tips of his ear turned pink.

"I think that's sweet," Vanessa told him. "I can't wait until you have little tiny M&Ms," she cooed.

Masen rolled his eyes, but smiled.

"Little M&Ms? Like the ones that come in the tubes." Emily looked confused.

Her sisters giggled and even Masen chuckled slightly.

"I think Vanessa is talking about babies." Bella smiled as she caught my eye.

"Speaking of babies." I cleared me throat.

Vanessa leaned over and smacked Masen.

"Ow, what was that for?" Masen scowled at her and rubbed his arm.

"Vanessa Jean, we don't hit in this house." Bella scolded her.

"Sorry, but tell me you're not proposing because you knocked her up?" Vanessa glared back at Masen.

"No, she's not pregnant," Masen answered.

"Then why are we talking about babies?" Carlie asked.

"You, guys are going to have another sister or brother," I explained as four pair of blinking eyes looked at me then at their mother.

"Mom, you're going to have a baby?" Masen asked, smiling.

Bella nodded in confirmation, her smiled was bright. Whenever I saw her smile like that I couldn't help but return it.

"I love babies." Emily bounced in her seat. "I can push her in my stroller."

We would have to explain later her new sibling won't be her doll.

"Aww, I think we should use the name Amber this time." Vanessa smiled.

"I like Catherine and we can call her Cat," Carlie spoke up.

"Those are horrible names for a boy." Masen scowled. "We need more guys around here. Mom needs to have a boy."

"Well don't look at mom, that's the dad's job, whether it is a boy or girl." Vanessa shot back.

"How…Why…" I started. I knew Bella had the sex talk with her. But I was surprised how much she knew.

"Y? So it is a boy." Masen quipped.

I shot him a look. "You need to stop hanging around your Uncle Emmett." I shook my head as he laughed.

"I don't get it." Carlie pouted again.

"Daddy is the one that plants the seed," Emily answered.

The conversation halted and we looked at her. As far as I knew Bella hadn't had the 'talk' with her — she was barely eight.

Noticing she had an audience, she continued. "There's two bags of seeds, a girl bag and a boy bag. The daddy takes the seed and plants it in the mommy. So, Daddy, what bag did you use?" Her green eyes looked up at me.

I looked at Bella for help, but she just grinned and blinked back.

"It was too dark to see, I guess it will be a surprise." I shifted uncomfortably.

My two oldest were trying to hold in their laughter as they stared at their plates. Even Bella had to cover her mouth and turn away.

"Enough for now. Emily, you and I can have a talk later about it. Right now, let's enjoy our last breakfast with your brother for a while." Bella ended the discussion finally.

"I don't want him to go." Emily started to cry. She has had a close bond with Masen ever since she was a baby.

"Aww, Emmy don't cry, sweetie. I'll come home to visit." Masen frowned, his face fell at his sister's tears. "Come here."

Emily got off her seat and ran to her brother. He pulled her into his lap and hugged her. "You're going to write me, right. And we can Skype. I promise." He smoothed her red hair.

"I'm going to miss you," Vanessa frowned and kissed his cheek.

"Who's going to practice football with me?" Carlie asked. She was our tomboy, and insisted on playing football. She was the only girl on her team.

"Seth said he would practice with you. I'm sure Garrett would too." Masen calmed her fears.

"Your uncles and I can always practice with you too." I promised her.

"Aww, Mom, not you too." Masen looked more upset. He still hated to see his mother cry for any reason.

She waved him off. "I'm okay. Excuse me." She got up from the table and left the room. I started to get up, but Masen beat me to it. He deposited his sister on my lap with a kiss to her head and followed his mom out of the room.

LB

We arrived at the bus stop about half-an-hour before he had to board. Masen had a large group there to support him. Besides us — was Maggie and her family, Jasper, Alice, Garrett, Emmett, Rose, Claire, and my parents.

My parents had moved down here about five years ago after my father retired. Bella and mom had eventually mended their relationship over the years. But it was never quite the same as it once was.

Masen started off saying good-bye to each one individually with Emily pretty much attached to his back like a spider monkey. He got his fist bumps from his uncles and hugs from his aunts, grandparents and cousins. He laughed at Emmett's 'Good luck in the Maryannes' sign, commenting that he was only three and to give him a break.

He hugged his sisters extra tight and made Carlie promise not to let any boys stop her from playing football.
"Good luck, don't ever forget we love you and are proud of you." I hugged my son.

"Thank you, for everything." He hugged me back. I took the spider monkey off of his back and held her so he could say good-bye to his mom.

"I can't believe you are so grown-up. It seems like yesterday that you were carrying Grover and Hoppy Froggy Longlegs around the house, begging us to take you fishing." She brushed the hair from out of his eyes.

"Oh, I forgot." Emily wiggled out of my arms. We watched her run to the car and opened the back. She came running back a moment later. She held out his old super Grover to him. "I don't need him anymore to chase off bad dreams. You should take him with you." He squatted down, and took Grover from her.

"Thank you, sweetie." He hugged her again and kissed the top of her head.

He stood and hugged his mother as she tearfully made him promise to write as often as possible and to Skype.

"I love you, Mom." He hugged her tight, now towering over her height. "You take good care of my newest baby sibling. I want to know everything," he told her.

"I will." She promised, before reaching on her tip-toes to whisper in his ear. He nodded stepping back and taking a deep breath. He approached Maggie last. She stood there waiting patiently. She was a small redhead with blue eyes.

"I'm going to miss you. I better hear from you often," she whispered shyly.

He nodded and lifted her left hand and kissed it gently.

"Maggie, will you promise me something?" he asked.

"Anything." She smiled up at him.

"Will you marry me?" he asked.

Her eyes widened and one hand went to her mouth.

"What?" She gasped clearly shocked.

Masen knelt on one knee in front of her.

"Will you, Margret Anne Amun, marry me?" he asked in a clear voice, looking up adoringly at her.

"Yes, of course, I will!" She squealed.

Masen leapt up and picked her up before kissing her in front of everyone. Once she was on her feet, he slid the ring on her finger. They kissed once more, passionately.

There was a quick around of congratulation and good-byes before Masen picked up his bag and headed for his bus. He turned on the steps and waved once, before going to find his seat.

I had one crying daughter hugging my leg as Bella hugged my side as she cried silently. We stood there as we watched the bus drive way.

"There he goes, he's all grown–up," she whispered.

He will always be that little boy on the couch to me. It had been fifteen years, but I clearly remember meeting him.

"Mommy said that's why you never sawed me cause you were busy helping other people who needed you more. Mommy also said you lovid me, if you knew you were me…my daddy." He chewed on his lip looking up at me.

"Your mommy is right. I do love you. I'm sorry I couldn't be here sooner," I apologized with a sad smile, I felt tears in my eyes. Knowing that I had failed her and my son.

"Daddy," Masen crawled closer so he could whisper in my ear, "My mommy needs a hero. Mr. Alec is meaner than Oscar. He gets mad at her a lot."

"Now it his turn to be a hero fighting the Oscars of the world." I kissed the top of Bella's head.

"He's just like his father that way." Bella looked up at me with love.

"Mom, can I go to the movies with Seth and Maggie?" Vanessa asked.

"Sure sweetheart, be back for dinner."

"Can I come?" Carlie asked.

Vanessa shrugged and looked at us.

"What movie?" Bella asked, once we heard the title we gave Carlie the go ahead.

"What about me?" Emily looked left out.

"We were going to take Claire for ice cream. Can Emily join us?" Rose asked softly.

"That's sounds great." We watched as our family and friends depart.

"We are all alone," Bella sighed.

"Well not completely," I rubbed her belly.

She grinned and covered my hand with hers.

"We should take advantage of our empty house. Have more repeats of this morning." She turned and wrapped herself around me.

I scooped her up in my arms. "I love the thought of that." I kissed her lightly, and carried her to our car.

LB

Eight months later Austin Carlisle entered our lives; five hours after his older brother's wedding.

The End

A/N: Thank you for all those who have read and those who have reviewed my story. This story has been in my head for a while and I'm glad I finally got to write again.

There will be more for me in the future. Look for me to post my submission to The Mistletoe Contest this weekend. It's ready to go, I just need the go ahead. There may be a couple chapters that extend it.

I have more stories ahead. I think I will be returning to vampward though. I have three stories in my head and all three involve him being a vampire.

Thank You All Again!

Happy Holidays!