Epilogue
Nothing could wipe the smile off my face. I didn't care if everything went wrong as long as I was married to Edward at the end of it all. We'd been engaged for a little over three years now, and I was beyond ready to be his wife.
We'd agreed it was best that I finished my degree before we got married. Neither of us wanted me to be under the stress of planning a wedding while taking final exams and completing projects. Aside from that, he had plans to take me away for a month-long honeymoon, and school would have just gotten in the way. We were going to travel between France, Italy, and Spain. I was so excited, but what I was really looking forward to was uninterrupted time with Edward. Work had kept him busy over the past few months.
"Oh, Bella. You look so beautiful." I heard tears in my mom's voice as she helped me pin my veil in place. There was a knock on the door before my dad walked in, giving me a small smile.
"I'm just going to get seated," Mom said. She kissed me on the cheek, and I watched as a look passed between them.
"You really look beautiful, Bells."
"Thanks, Dad."
"You're sure about this? We can still sneak out the back."
I rolled my eyes and laughed at him. "I've never been more sure of anything."
He kissed my cheek and held out his arm for me. "Well, if you're ready, then."
I looped my arm with his. "I'm so ready."
—GG—
My smile only grew wider as Dad and I walked down the aisle. Even a couple of years ago, I wasn't sure how this day would look. I felt tears burning at the corners of my eyes as I took in the sight before me. Edward was waiting for me, flanked by Eddie and Emmett, while Tanya and Rose waited for me to join them.
It had taken time—a little over a year—but once Eddie realized he truly was in love with Tanya, it was as if I'd never existed as more than a friend. She was everything he never knew he needed. Just like Edward made me a better person, and I him, Tanya and Eddie did the same for each other. It wasn't an easy road; feelings ran high for a long time, trust had to be rebuilt but, in the end, we all came out better because of it.
It meant the world to me and Edward to have everyone we loved and cared about surrounding us as we said our vows and committed our lives to one another.
—GG—
"Mind if I cut in?"
Edward grinned at Eddie, who stood behind me. "Sure, I'll just go see if Rose or Tanya wants to dance." He kissed me softly on the lips before leaving us together.
"You really look beautiful today, Bella."
"Thanks." I smiled up at him.
"So... I've been thinking about asking Tanya to marry me. Do you want to help me pick out the ring when you get back from your honeymoon?"
I gasped. "Eddie, that's amazing! Of course I'll help you!"
The smile he gave me was blinding. "I'm scared to death, but so fucking excited. Look, I know you'll tell my dad, but other than that, can we keep it just between us? I don't want it to get back to her."
I rolled my eyes at him before smiling. "You know your secrets are always safe with me."
Besides, I was keeping my own secret, so what was one more?
—GG—
"Did you enjoy today?" Edward stood behind me, placing soft kisses to my neck as he slowly pulled the zipper down my dress.
"Enjoy it? It was one of the best days of my life."
"It'll definitely be hard to top," he murmured, kissing the exposed skin on my back.
"I might be able to," I whispered.
"Oh? You think so, do you?" He dropped down to his knees, sliding my dress down as he went, pressing a kiss to the back of my thigh.
I turned around, standing bare before him except for a pair of white lace underwear. I looked down at him, his gaze meeting mine. I took a deep breath before threading my fingers through his hair. "I'm pregnant."
His eyes widened and his mouth dropped open. "Pregnant?"
I nodded. "I know we haven't been trying for long, but I took a test last week, and, well…"
"Holy crap. You're pregnant!" He jumped to his feet, kissing me deeply.
I moaned softly, kissing him back before pulling away to look at him. "So, I take it you're happy?"
"So fucking happy." He scooped me up in his arms and lay me down on the bed, climbing up beside me. "I can't believe I'm going to be a daddy again."
I scrunched my nose at him. "Yeah, never calling you that again."
He laughed loudly. "Fair enough, sweetheart. But on a serious note, Bella, I can't even begin to tell you how happy I am. First, being married to you, and now a baby. I don't think I could ask for more."
—GG—
We'd been back from our honeymoon for a little over three months which meant I was about sixteen weeks along. I'd been lucky; morning sickness had left me nauseous and tired most days, but that was it.
As I was getting dressed for the day, I stood in front of the mirror in our closet. I turned to the side, looking at my belly, and let out a gasp. "Edward!"
He came racing up the stairs, panic written on his face. "What's wrong? Are you okay? Is the baby okay?"
"Yes, but look!" I grinned as I lifted up my shirt and placed my hand on the slight swell of my stomach. "I swear that wasn't there last night."
He grinned back at me, dropping to his knees and pressing a kiss on my belly. I felt his lips moving against my skin and heard him as he quietly murmured how much he loved our little baby. He glanced up at me, his eyes glassy with unshed tears. "I love you, Bella."
"I love you, too," I choked out.
—GG—
I labored for over fourteen hours, but when I heard our baby's first cry and they placed him on my chest, I knew it had all been worth it. Aside from our parents, Eddie and Tanya had been the first of our family to visit.
"How's it feel to be a big brother, Eddie?" I teased.
He rolled his eyes at me, a small smirk on his lips. "I don't know, Mom."
I gave an exaggerated shiver. "Point taken. But seriously, are you okay?"
"More than okay, Bella. He's perfect."
Edward stood up and made his way over to Eddie, placing our son in his arms."He looks just like you did when you were born."
I watched as he held Masen, peering down at him and stroking his cheek lightly. He glanced over at Tanya. "We need one of these. He needs a niece or nephew to play with."
I covered my mouth, trying to hold back my laughter at the look on Tanya's face.
"Let's, uh, let's just worry about getting married first, okay, Junior? He's adorable, though, guys," she added in quickly.
I grinned at them. I was glad Eddie had found her, that he had the kind of love I knew he deserved; the kind I would never have been able to give him. I was glad that, in the end, we were still friends, and we could celebrate all these new milestones in our lives together.
A/N: Well, we've reached the end of another story! I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did. I appreciate all of your support and the lovely reviews you've left me! I hope you'll follow me on my next adventures as well! And remember, you can always join my Facebook group 'Stories by MissLiss15' by either clicking the link on my FFN profile or by searching for it on Facebook!