Epilogue

When I started this story. I never dreamt it would take me this long to finish it. I apologise to everyone about how long it has taken, but I would like to say how much everybody's support through a very difficult time has been appreciated. I'm back on the straight and narrow now and am just starting a new fic. I won't publish until I'm finished this time. A lesson has been learned.

Enough of all that – back to the story.

Bella's POV

"And the award for best director goes to Edward Cullen."

I sat back in the hospital bed, watching the small TV fastened to the wall of my hospital room as Edward walked up to the rostrum to accept his Oscar. The cheers he received were almost overwhelming as he shook hands with Meryl Streep. He looked incredibly handsome as he gave his gracious acceptance speech. As he spoke, looking directly into the camera, he sent his love to his wife and brand new baby son. I could feel the tears come to my eyes.

"Look, Charles Edward," I said waving our tiny baby son's hand at his daddy on the TV. "There's your clever daddy. You should be very proud of him, just as I am." I kissed his adorable baby head and snuggled him down into my arms as I continued to watch the Oscar awards ceremony. Edward had been nominated for best director for his film Don't Look Back as well as best actor and I couldn't wait to see if he'd managed to win both awards. He'd worked extremely hard to re-establish himself as one of the biggest talents in Hollywood, both as actor and director. The big film companies had been falling over themselves to try and get him to make his first movie after his imprisonment with them, but instead Edward had used his own money to finance it and work independently. The result had been a huge success and a massive return on Edward's money. He wouldn't have to work again if he didn't want to, but I knew Hollywood was in his blood. He had decided to make just one movie a year so that he could branch out into other ventures and spend plenty of time with me and his new baby son.

Edward had been ecstatic when he discovered that I was pregnant and he had finished his movie off as quickly as he could so he could look after me through the pregnancy. He was so happy when he realised he was going to be a father. He was right by my side all through the long labour and his smiling face when he held his brand new son for the first time was going to stay with me forever.

I sat up in bed as the announcement was made for the best actor. Once more Edward's name was called out, but this time I saw Emmett stride onto the platform to accept it on Edward's behalf. I immediately felt a presence behind me.

"You're there aren't you?" I said.

"Couldn't keep away," replied Edward moving over to my bedside. "How could I stay at that boring ceremony when I have my family waiting for me here?"

Family! That sounded so good. We were a family and Edward seemed to be the happiest he'd ever been in his life. I handed the sleeping baby over to Edward and as he stood there with his bow tie unfastened and the top two buttons on his shirt open, I thought he'd never looked so relaxed or so attractive. He looked down at his baby son with love shining in his eyes. He leaned forward and sat on the edge of the bed. He kissed Charles' head and then he kissed me on the lips.

"I love you Bella Cullen and I love our little family. I hope we have more kids in the future and I hope they will be as happy as you have made me."

As he pressed forward the sleeping baby wailed and flailed his small hands. I took him off Edward and as I prepared to feed him Edward folded us both in his arms.

"I love you both," Edward said as he placed a kiss on the top of my head.

I had never felt so loved or happy before in the whole of my life.

"We love you too Edward."

Hope it wasn't too sappy. I just felt that they both deserved much happiness and contentment.

Thanks for reading and for all your support and comments. Thank you.