*A Year and a Half Later*

We packed the last of our things into the car. Carlisle held Esme by the entrance to the massive garage. "We shouldn't spend more than a day or two before driving out to join you," Edward informed them, but mostly for Esme.

She leaned over to hug Edward. The three of us hugged her also before we climbed into Edward's Volvo. The Aston Martin and Alice's brand new, yellow Porsche 911 Turbo were to be shipped for a later date. Thanks to her abilities, we successfully made a great deal of money in the Stock Market, and that was the first thing she bought besides more clothes, which included a new wardrobe for me. Edward kept telling me that when we got to our new home he would buy me a Ferrari F430, but I still insisted he not buy me anything, especially something so expensive and flashy.

We would joining the rest of the Cullen family in our new home in Maine. Carlisle had gotten a job at a local hospital, and we would all be starting high school when we got there. They were all confident I would be able to control myself since I had been able to spend time in town without any incidents.

But before we went to Maine, we had some business to take care of in Forks.

Most of the way there I thought about the last time we were in Forks together. My heart had been broken, and I didn't know his had also. We were strangers to each other then, and, sometimes, I still feel that way even though we were married a year ago. Even a century won't give me enough time to learn everything about him.

We arrived at the Cullen's house outside of town in the middle of the night. Early in the morning, the four of us ran through the woods until we smelled an awful smell. I wrinkled my nose, as did Alice, and the guys laughed at us. "Werewolves," Edward explained. I was about to open my mouth to ask him how he knew when I caught sight of Jacob up ahead just in front of the tree line behind the house.

Jacob hadn't aged since he changed, but he always looked too old for his age. What also hadn't changed was the scowl on his face at the sight of Edward. The four of us stopped right in front of him. "Cullen," Jacob said indignantly. He looked at me, and I saw his eyes soften slightly as he greeted me in a slightly friendlier tone, "Bella." He nodded his head towards me and then towards Alice and Jasper.

Without much thought, I grabbed Edward's hand and held it. By doing so I was silently telling Jacob I had given my heart away to someone who returned my feelings. Jacob's eyes focused where I wanted them to, and he looked disgusted for a second.

Edward said, "There's no reason to be angry at me because you lost Bella to me. She made her choice." Jacob rolled his eyes at Edward and crossed his arms in front of his chest.

"Enough chatting," Alice cut in. "We came to see Charlie, and I know he's eager to see us also."

Jacob opened his mouth to say something, but Jasper growled at him, "I can drain you of blood faster than it would take for your pack to rescue you."

"Want to try?" Jacob challenged him, but we were thankfully saved from a fight by Sam's appearance. He ordered Jacob into the house and then for us to follow him.

Inside there were four werewolves, Billy, Sue Clearwater, and Charlie. He looked like he had his own entourage, but they were all there to protect him in case his daughters tried to take his life. Charlie was never an emotional guy, so it didn't surprise me that he hung back a little. I think it hurt Alice, but I also knew she was aware that boundaries needed to be set for his protection.

Charlie knew all about us being vampires. Shortly after my disappearance, Sue had come to Charlie's aid. She comforted him when his daughters weren't there to do so, and over time they started developing feelings for each other. From what I gathered from conversations with Billy, he hadn't been too thrilled with the idea of Charlie and Sue developing a relationship because he seemed to fancy himself in love with her also.

Nevertheless, because of Sue's role in Charlie's life, it was essential for him to know his future stepchildren were werewolves. And since they were going to tell him about the werewolves, Billy was forced to agree Charlie ought to know about his daughters being vampires. I wish I knew how Charlie reacted to the news, and, unfortunately Alice couldn't see it because Jacob had also been in attendance and had effectively blocked her vision.

No one said anything for the first few minutes, and the silence was awkward. Finally, Alice, being the most social of the group, started asking questions of Charlie about what he had been doing in the last couple of years. Eventually, we moved onto the gossip around town and on the reservation. Everyone was always careful not to mention our past or their thoughts on our selfishness.

After an hour, Charlie finally asked, "Do you mind if the girls and I just talk?" Everyone looked at him in surprise, but even I have to admit that I thought it was difficult to talk with so many spectators. Still, I was a bit afraid to be left alone with Charlie and only Alice to keep me from doing something stupid.

"I don't think that's a good idea," Billy stated.

But Charlie would not be detoured. "I need to talk to the girls alone. I'm sure we'll be fine." Sue started to protest along with Sam, but again Charlie insisted on speaking to us alone. Even Edward and Jasper were asked to step outside to give us some privacy. In Charlie's mind we had privacy. I, on the other hand, knew that Edward, Jasper, and the werewolves would be able to clearly hear us.

Once they were all outside and the door was shut, he finally asked what I'm sure had been on his mind for the past couple of years, "Was it something I did to drive the both of you to…?" It was almost too painful for him to finish.

"No," I assured him immediately. "You didn't do anything wrong. Neither did Mom or Phil."

Alice explained to him, "I followed Jasper out of love, and I knew that if I made the leap, then I could help Bella."

"That boy? What's his name? Edward?" he questioned me.

"I didn't ask to be changed because of Edward," I explained. "For the first several weeks after my change we didn't even get along."

I didn't think he believed me, but he was also mature enough to see what I didn't see back then. Perhaps he saw it when Edward took me to prom or possibly before then.

"So, are those my sons-in-law?" Charlie questioned us.

Alice proceeded to tell him about running away with Jasper and getting married while I thought back over my wedding day. The morning after Edward proposed, as we were coming back to the house from an evening of hunting, Alice was waiting for me with the tape measure again. She spent nearly the entire day making the dress and setting up everything for my small wedding the next afternoon.

It was just our family since I was still not allowed near humans, and Carlisle performed the ceremony because it only seemed right that he do it considering before he was changed he was studying to be a minister like his father. Even Tanya was there to witness our wedding, but I didn't notice anyone there besides Edward. actually, I noticed Alice because she had insisted on being my only bridesmaid, and she was nearly jumping up and down with excitement for the whole short ceremony.

While I was thinking, Alice must have told Charlie about my situation with Edward because he seemed a bit alarmed before Alice stated, "But they have only had a couple of arguments since the wedding." He looked over at me as if trying to assess whether I was okay and not doubting my marriage. I smiled at him until he stopped examining me.

"Billy mentioned you were in the area because you were moving."

This time I was the one to explain to him our plans and our reasoning behind visiting him. To human eyes, he might have seem unmoved by our decision to visit, but my vampire senses saw the small signs that gave way his concern for us.

"If you want, we'll come visit whenever you want," Alice told him. He nodded his head before standing up and walking out of the room.

Minutes later, Edward and Jasper came back following Charlie. Charlie lectured them on taking care of the both of us and how we should be allowed to visit whenever we wanted. It was quite hilarious when I considered how much older they were than him.

By the time we arrived back home, the sun was starting to shine through the clouds, a rare sight in Forks. The Volvo's tinted windows made it easier for us to drive now if we wanted to, but something was sitting on my mind. "Edward?"

"Hm?"

"Before we leave, can we do just one more thing?"

He stood before me and cupped my cheeks in his hands. "I'm sure I won't mind, but Alice and Jasper are eager to get on the road."

"It's just," I started suddenly, not so sure it was a good idea.

"What is it?"

"I kind of wanted to see the meadow once more, but this time with my vampire eyes and in the spring."

Alice and Jasper walked into the room, and Alice responded enthusiastically, "I would love to see the meadow. I mean, I did see it in a vision, but I have never seen it in person." Jasper just shrugged his shoulders, easily giving into his wife.

This time the walk to the meadow was much easier since I didn't have to worry about tripping over everything and nothing the whole way there. I was actually very grateful for my new ability to walk without tripping. Every time I mentioned it, Edward got this forlorn look and mumble something about how he liked being able to catch me every time I fell.

The meadow was more spectacular than I remembered it being. The spring flowers were starting to bloom, and the whole meadow was bursting with new and renewed life. Unfortunately, the sun had gone behind a few clouds again, but I imagined it would look better in the sunlight.

Alice giggled before running into the middle of the meadow so she could twirl around. She threw herself back and disappeared amidst the tall grasses. Jasper chuckled as he went to join her. Edward hung back with me several more minutes to take everything in.

Eventually, we joined Alice and Jasper as we sat in the middle of the meadow. We didn't have to do anything, nor did we want to spoil the moment. In this moment, we just existed along with the rest of the world, and life was good.

And, finally, the sun came out again and shone a spotlight upon our little meadow. The four of us sparkled unabashedly in the sunlight. Somewhere in the back of my mind I had a strange sense of déjà vu. But instead of focusing on it, I focused on how grateful I was to share this moment with the three of them.

The End

A/N: I want to thank everyone who read this, especially this far. And I especially want to thank my beta and best friend, klutz82, for helping me and putting up with my bad grammar.