Disclaimer: It is still Stephenie Meyers'. Not me.

Author's note: Here is the final final installment of "Temptation". There will be no sequel, as I am planning on a writing a piece about Alice/Jasper next. You guys should keep an eye out for it. Be warned that this chapter is quite fluffy, so try to keep smiling. I am grateful to all of you for encouraging me to keep going. You guys are my inspiration and reason to finish this story. Enjoy the last chapter and leave a last review! Thank you all!

Special thanks to HorsecrazyJr. and Poohdog!

Epilogue

Edward POV

Waves beat upon the sandy beach as the clouded sky revealed one occupant sitting on the ground. My wife was running her fingers through the coarse sand, not feeling the difference. Bella sighed, sitting up and watching the ocean water. I sat down beside her, making no noise. Her hand slipped into mine, but she didn't meet my glance. I rubbed my fingers across the back of her hand, soothing her as she began to smile at my attempt.

"How are you?" I asked.

"I'm alright. The burning has subsided since this morning."

Bella turned to look at me and I fell into her beautiful golden eyes. There was only a tinge of crimson left around the edges. Her strength was beginning to wane as she neared the one year mark. We had waited to marry until Bella was eighteen years old. It was a small ceremony with just our family. Emmett received his martial license on the internet and performed the ceremony in the meadow. Charlie almost cried. Our honeymoon was spent in New Zealand, enjoying the beautiful scenery. We both decided to wait to change her until she almost turned twenty to change her. This gave her time to spend with Charlie. Yet, she didn't want to be in her twenties when I would remain seventeen forever. Bella wrote a letter of good-bye to Charlie and we disappeared from all human knowledge.

"Is something on your mind?"

"Edward… I was just thinking," Bella muttered, standing up and walking towards the water.

Her skirt blew in the breeze, giving her a windblown angel look. I followed her into the wet sand not bothering to roll up my jeans. Alice would chide me later for destroying them, but I didn't care.

"Are you thinking about Charlie?" I questioned as Bella sprinkled some dry sand into the waves.

"A little, but not really. I was thinking about James and Laurent."

I growled lowly in my chest, causing Bella to turn to me and put her arms around me.

"Edward, I've decided that I forgive them. They weren't very smart and though they deserved what they got… I don't hate them for what they did to me. I forgive them."

"Bella, I'm so proud of you."

Kissing her sweetly, my love wrapped her arms around my neck and I lifted her in my arms. It was easier to be with Bella when I didn't have to fight the desire to kill her. Turning around, I prepared to carry her to our bedroom, but I was distracted by Emmett and Jasper running towards me. If I had been paying attention, I would have read their thoughts sooner. Bella was ripped from my arms and tossed into the ocean waves. She came up laughing and splashed water at her brothers. I growled playfully, pushing them under the water.

"Did we ruin a perfect moment?" Emmett teased.

"You ruined her outfit!" Alice exclaimed, coming down the beach from the house with Rosalie beside her. "I'm disappointed in you both."

Jasper ran up and spun his wife around in the air before pulling her close and kissing her. "Does this mean that I am out of trouble?"

"Promise to take me shopping at the little seashell store tomorrow?" Alice asked, brushing her fingers along his cheeks.

"I promise."

I watched as Emmett walked up to Rosalie and attempted to pull the same trick on her. By her thoughts, I knew that it would never work, but it was fun to watch my brother try. Rosalie stood with her arms across her chest as Emmett knelt before her on one knee. It was already a failure.

"Don't even start with me, Emmett. Alice and I spent three hours trying to find a perfect outfit for Bella to wear this morning and you know what seawater does to clothing! This is going to cost you a week."

"A week?" Emmett gasped. "Rosey, oh please no!" Rose ran down the beach, letting him chase her into the waves.

Bella came up to me and wrapped her arms around my waist. I held her tight to me as we watched Esme and Carlisle emerge from the house, carrying a basket with towels and a blanket to sit on. My mother adjusted her sunhat, causing my father to laugh. He swept her up in his arms and carried her into the sand. Though this whole experience, I had gained so much respect for my father and his love for Esme. They were wonderful together, complimenting each other at every moment. I finally understood what it was like to like to love someone forever.

"Edward, can I show you something?" my love inquired, catching my attention with her tempting voice.

"You can always show me something."

Bella's gift was truly unique like her. She had an interesting ability to show you something in pictures when she had contact with your hands. It wasn't the future or her thoughts like my gift. It was purely her imagination. I nodded as she intertwined her fingers with mine. The blue light that appeared on her hands when she used her gift glowed and shimmered around our grasp. The image of us on the beach holding hands in the sunlight formed slowly and I saw the rest of the family behind us, staring at the clouds. Everyone had smiles on their faces. Bella released my hands and winked.

"Do you think that we will be like this forever?" my love asked. "I mean, even after we all grow up."

"Bella, we will never grow up. We will be together forever. Anyway, Jasper and Emmett can never outgrow being such little immature children."

"Children!" Emmett exclaimed. "Oh brother, how the ways I could get you!"

Bella's laughter filled the air as I tossed Emmett into the ocean. All of the boys began to splash as Alice squealed and Carlisle called for everyone to calm down. Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Esme take Bella's hand and pull her away from the wild group. Carlisle put his arms around them both.

"Do you ever regret your decision?" Carlisle murmured.

"Never. I miss Charlie, but you make a wonderful father… Dad. I told him to be happy and I'm sure that he will be once he lets me go. You and Esme are perfect for me."

"I love you Bella," Esme whispered, kissing her cheek.

Bella gave them a quick squeeze. I held out my arms as she ran into them and I lifted her up, giving her a quick spin. Her toes touched the sand as the waves tickled her feet. We kissed lovingly and pulled back after a moment. The sun came out from behind the clouds as it descended into the horizon.

"Do you think you can tell me the story of why Esme and Carlisle got kicked out of a store now?" Bella piped up, dazzling me with her smile.

I laughed and pulled her to my chest. "It was a while back, and Jasper had convinced them…"

Love, the temptation is there. Sometimes love is just a cold, broken hallelujah. But at other times, it saves us.

THE END

Please review one last time and thanks for sticking with me!

Emma