A/N: This chapter is dedicated to my beta Seylin. She wrote portions of this chapter, as she did with many chapters in this story. Without her tireless efforts this story might have never come together. Well… enjoy!
Chapter 34- Epilogue (11 years later)
It was Christmas Eve. Snow was falling outside, blanketing Forks in soft white and hiding the ugly grey slush that usually covered the streets of the town. All was quiet and peaceful…for the next few minutes at least.
The old Cullen house, now the Cullen-Black house, had been decorated from top to bottom for the festive occasion. The railing of the staircase had been decorated with garland and lights. Christmas cards that had been sent to them by family and friends hung from the railing from strands of red ribbon- a tradition that Edward's natural mother had done when he was a boy.
The fireplace in the living room was draped in garland and lights as well. Three red and white stockings, each with a name written in sparkle glitter gel, hung from hooks on it waiting to be filled with gifts from the Santa that none of the house occupants believed in anymore.
The fire from the fireplace blazed cheerily, casting warm shadows across the room, reflecting on the various colored balls and ornaments that hung from the ten foot Christmas tree in the corner of the room. All of these decorations had become tradition, one that their little family didn't dare break.
Edward and Jacob relaxed on the couch, watching the fire and enjoying the current quiet of the house. In a few minutes their guests would arrive for their traditional Christmas Eve dinner. Both could hear Sarah moving about in her room upstairs, no doubt trying on various outfits to find the perfect one to wear for the evening.
The doorbell suddenly rang, breaking the silence and signaling the arrival of their visitors- though both Jacob and Edward's keen sense of hearing had already heard the snow crunching as the cars were pulling up outside.
"So it begins," Edward said softly, placing a chaste kiss to Jacob's temple. "Are you ready for this?"
"Ready as I'll ever be," Jacob replied playfully.
Edward had offered to cancel the dinner if Jacob didn't feel up to it, just as he had the year before. But Jacob knew that this night meant as much to Edward and Sarah as it did for him.
Both glanced toward the stairs as Sarah came bounding down them. They watched as she slid across the hardwood floors in her thick woolen socks. She raced to the door calling "I'll get it" over her shoulder even though neither of her parents had made a move to answer the door. Both knew that Sarah had been anticipating the families visiting more than anyone.
Sarah had grown considerably over the years and at fourteen years old she stood tall at five feet and nine inches, towering over most of her friends. Her once frizzy mass of hair was now expertly curled into beautiful long waves that reached nearly half way down her back. She was dressed in stylish tight jeans and a cream colored sweater- both sent to her by her style savvy aunt Alice. Her tan skin made her seem almost exotic though her features still looked more like her mother than her Native American father. She wore very little makeup compared to how much her friends liked to cake on, but the little she did wear suited her nicely. Alice had also given Sarah make up lessons when Jacob had finally allowed it to start being worn. Overall, she was quite breathtaking, despite her obvious teenage awkwardness.
"Hi," Sarah said brightly, nearly tripping over the rug by the door as she greeted their guests. "You're finally here."
Edward and Jacob stood and came to stand in the foyer while everyone came in. In truth, they were just as excited as their daughter for their visitors to arrive. Hours had been spent calling, texting, emailing and planning for this event.
Emmett was the first to enter. "Hey Little Missy," he called, grabbing Sarah under her arms and twirling her around with a good natured smile. Just as she had when she was a child, Sarah laughed and held onto his neck until he put her down. The rest of the Cullen clan quickly filed in, exchanging greetings as they passed.
There were hugs, kisses and shoulder pats as various members commented on how long it had been since they had seen each other. There had been times in the past that the Cullens would visit frequently throughout the year. At other times, their visits had been few and far in between. This past year had been the latter as the Cullens had relocated once more and it had taken longer than expected to get settled into their new location. But that was behind them now. It was Christmas. They always came back to Forks for Christmas, something the family's matriarch insisted upon.
"Hello mutt," Rosalie called to Jacob, wrinkling her nose playfully at him.
"Hello Blondie," he said, nudging her with his side so that his smell would rub off on her.
Rosalie rolled her eyes in reply and good-naturedly pushed him away. They had long ago put aside their differences, but continued to pretend to dislike one another in front of everyone even when they actually got along quite well. The pair had found that they had quite a lot in common. Over the years they had spent countless hours rebuilding transmissions and engines on their various projects.
Esme reached for Jacob and pulled him into her loving embrace. Jacob had long ago had begun to consider Esme his surrogate mother and relished the attention she always doted on him. When she finally pulled back she took his face in her hands, turning it this way and that. Her hands felt like ice against his searing skin, but it was something he had long gotten used to.
"You are looking more like a man each time I see you," she said softly. "And so handsome…"
Jacob merely nodded in thanks, knowing that he had changed since he had last seen her. He placed a hand on her cold one still cupping his face and leaned into her embrace affectionately.
When Sarah was ten years old, Jacob had made the decision to stop phasing into his wolf form for a while so that he could begin to look his "age." He knew that it could cause his daughter problems when she was a teenager if her father still looked like he was in his early twenties. He had gotten permission from the pack and the elders to temporarily resign from his duties. Things had been pretty quiet around Forks lately. They hadn't had too many problems with vampires in the area, so Sam and the others were agreeable enough. With children of their own now, it was likely that the rest of the pack would make similar decisions. Jacob would then resume his duties so the others could begin to age as well.
Though Jacob's appearance had begun to change, Edward was forever frozen at seventeen. They were able to get around the problem with his agelessness by adjusting the clothing he wore. Whenever he had gone to school functions for Sarah he had always worn a blazer and tie, which helped with illusion of maturity. He had also taken to wearing a pair of thick rimmed glasses, which Jacob found ridiculously sexy. If necessary, Edward and Jacob had talked about peppering his hair with gray- something they were sure his sister could help him with.
Edward and Jacob were equals when came to raising Sarah, though her "Eddie" was much more indulgent than Jacob was. They sometimes worried that as Sarah aged and got closer to Edward's physical age that she would begin defy his authority, but that had not happened yet and neither really foresaw it as a problem. They'd just have to wait and see.
Esme finally pulled back and asked for Jacob's assistance bringing her luggage upstairs. Jacob followed her out to the car without question and helped her to bring the bags in. Esme and Carlisle stayed in the same bedroom they had when they had still lived in the house, as did all the Cullens. It was easier than them all switching around each year.
Rosalie and Alice were chatting quietly with Sarah, who looked to her aunts with utter adoration. Although Sarah was also close to Jacob's sisters, these women held a special place in her heart. She looked to them for guidance and understanding. She could also identify with them even more now as she got closer to them in physical age.
Sarah was drawn to her cool aunts and admired them in many ways. They were well traveled and had experienced so many interesting things. She appreciated Alice's generous and kind nature- and of course all the wonderful style tips she continued to offer. And she loved Rosalie's fierce pride and protective nature. Although she could be cold, stubborn, and rather reluctant to accept others- deep down her auntie "Wose-a-knee" was a big softie. Rosalie had surprisingly the most affectionate of the group towards Sarah- always giving her a hug, placing a kiss on her forehead, or twirling at strand of Sarah's hair around her finger while they talked. They all understood that it had to do with her regret that she had never had the opportunity to become a mother herself.
Meanwhile, Carlisle had embraced his son, looking quite relieved to find him still in one piece, despite Edward's indestructibility. "How are you?" he asked.
"I'm well," Edward replied fondly. "And you?"
"Better now that we are here," Carlisle responded, embracing Edward once more. The pair had always shared a special relationship and it was hard whenever they were apart for too long, even with all the forms of communication they at their use in the meantime.
Edward's brothers had already begun to hang their coats in foyer closet and bring their luggage into the house as well. Edward joined them, helping Jacob to bring their things to their respective bedrooms. He never understood why his family packed so much when they all had clothing here. Apparently they had grown as fashion conscience as Alice in the years since they had moved from Forks and worried that the clothing they purposefully left behind had grown outdated. They also brought with them several boxes and bags filled with presents, which Sarah happily piled beneath the large Christmas tree in the living room.
When they were finished unpacking Jacob and Carlisle left the group to help Esme with food preparations in the kitchen. Per Esme's instructions, Edward and Jacob had already stocked the pantry with food for the party. A pre-cooked spiral ham had already been placed in the oven to warm.
The others moved into the living room and sat on the couches or on the floor near the fireplace and Christmas tree. Edward sat down beside Sarah, who promptly leaned into him and the arm he wrapped around her shoulders comfortably.
"How is high school going?" Jasper asked Sarah.
Sarah stared dreamily at Jasper taking in his blond curls and charming smile. Edward knew that she had something of a crush on the handsome vampire and it took her a second to realize that he had asked her a question.
She shook her head and lamely said, "Huh? What?"
Jasper merely smirked, looking quite amused that he still had such an affect on the girl he considered his niece.
"He asked how high school was going," Alice explained patiently.
"Oh… that… yeah, it's good. Pretty awesome actually," Sarah responded, tucking a long tendril behind her ear.
"Awesome? Really?" Rosalie asked in surprise. They had all been to high school countless times and none of them could ever say that their experience had been anything close to "awesome."
Sarah nodded in reply and continued to reflect on her first few months as a freshman at Forks High School. "It's really not all that different than middle school. Same kids, same cliques, same classes basically- maybe just a bit harder."
"No one giving you a hard time?" Jasper asked worriedly. They had always been concerned that Sarah might some day be ostracized for her weird family dynamic.
"No, just the opposite, actually. I know most of the underclassman already and most are cool with me and my family. The seniors don't really know what to make of me and think I'm like all mysterious or something. I get approached by one of them at least once a day trying to talk to me. They ask me lots of questions and fish for various answers to confirm whatever theories they have about me," Sarah explained, looking quite thrilled for being such an enigma to her school mates.
"What kind of theories?" Rosalie asked, looking intrigued.
"Well, they always want to know what it's like living in a big mansion. They think I'm waited on hand and foot or something," she explained. "And they can't figure out how a Quileute girl's family could come into such money. Some of them think we won the lotto or something. Others think we inherited it all from some dead uncle. I guess some might know that the Cullens had money from before but no one has really said anything about it- weren't really old enough to know you when you lived here, you know?"
"And what to do you say to all these theories?" Jasper asked.
Sarah shrugged. "I let them think whatever they want to think. It's more fun that way."
"So you're a mystery to them just because of the money?" Rosalie questioned.
"Well, that… and it sort of helps that I have two dads and they are like totally 'hot' or something," she said, using air quotes and wrinkling her nose at such a notion. "So gross!"
"Hey," Edward bumping his shoulder into Sarah's playfully. He didn't take offense to her comment. Sarah loved truly Edward and Jacob, but she didn't like thinking of them together anymore than any other kid would want to see their parents making out.
"If they only knew your real secrets… well, then there would be some talk!" Emmett commented while laughing.
Sarah nodded and looked almost pleased by the notion, but then caught Edward's eye. One admonishing look from her "father" was all it took to remind her that revealing such secrets could be catastrophic.
She had been filled in on the family's many secrets a few years ago when she began asking one too many questions. Much like Bella, Sarah was just too smart for her own good. She learned of her father's heritage by the time she was eight, and Edward's ageless had to be explained to her by the time she was eleven. It was only a matter of time before she began to question the rest of her so-called family.
"How are your grades?" Carlisle asked his granddaughter. He had left the kitchen and was now standing behind the couch that Edward and Sarah were sitting upon.
Sarah startled in surprise, having not heard his approach. "Okay, I guess."
"Better than okay. Sarah is getting straight A's," Edward said proudly.
Everyone turned to her questioningly and Sarah nodded almost shyly as a blush reddened her cheeks. She was bright like her mother had been, but was rather modest about it for some reason. Maybe it was because she didn't want her inner geekiness to cancel out the air of mystery she had been working so hard to maintain at school. She also didn't know how she felt always being compared to a mother she had barely known and didn't really remember.
"How is high school going for you?" she asked, trying to change the subject. She knew, of course, that Rosalie and Emmett were repeating high school yet again.
"Same as usual, just a different city," Rosalie said with a shrug. Her aunt didn't particularly care to attend school anymore, but it was a necessary burden in order to keep up appearances.
"And college?" Sarah asked Alice and Jasper.
"I'm enjoying studying sociology at Denver University," Jasper replied.
"Don't let him fool you. He isn't doing much studying lately. He spends most of his time skiing or hunting," Alice said playfully.
Jasper turned to his wife looking quite appalled. "Don't fill her head with such notions. I want her to think that I'm an avid student."
Sarah only smiled in response. "Skiing, huh? Sounds real studious."
"I fell in love with the area last time we visited. The mountains are only a few miles away and views are spectacular this time of year," Jasper admitted. "I can't help it if I am more interested in the outdoors than my textbooks."
"Your mother said the food would be ready within the hour. When is the rest of the family coming?" Carlisle asked Edward.
Edward looked down at his Breitling wristwatch and noted the time. "Anytime now."
As if on cue, a car pulled into the driveway and they heard the car doors open and close. Jacob appeared from the kitchen and met Edward at the door to greet their next set of guests.
"Hey man," said Paul as he grasped Jacob's hand and pulled him into a one arm hug. "Good to see you bro."
"Good to see you, too."
Thankfully the animosity that had occurred between Jacob and Paul over his relationship with Edward had dissipated over the years. Though Paul never really got over the fact that he had to spend Christmas Eve with a house full of vampires every year, he had come to accept it for the sake of his family and was cordial. Jacob didn't see his brother-in-law as often as he used to when he was still phasing, but they were still close.
"How's life on the rez?"
"Same as usual, I guess. Emily's preggo again. Sam told me to let you know," said Paul.
"Wow! That's great. I'll have to call him and tell him congratulations," said Jacob in surprise. This would be their fourth child together.
Edward knew that his mate felt a little out of touch with things since he was currently not running with the pack. Jacob especially missed his friends Quil, Embry, and Seth and tried to make plans with them as often as he could, but with families of their own it was often difficult.
"Hey sis…" said Jacob, as he turned to greet his sister.
"Hi Jake," said Rachel, leaning over to give her brother a kiss.
Jacob took his four year old niece from her arms, and gave her a peck on the cheek. "Hello Marie… hello William…," he said, greeting the eleven year old boy who was already shrugging out of his coat.
"Hi Uncle Jake. Is Sarah here?" he asked, tossing his coat to his mother.
"Yep, she's in the living room with the others," Jake responded, ruffling the boy's hair affectionately.
As William ran toward his cousin, little Marie squirmed to get out of her uncle's arms. Jacob set her down, removed her coat and then watched as the little girl chased off after her brother. Marie was at the age where she wanted to do everything her brother did. William hated it but right now was too excited to notice.
Edward had given Rachel a hug hello and clasped hands with Paul as he took their coats and placed them in the closet. He then helped set the presents they'd brought under the tree with the many others.
He saw that Rachel had already escaped to the kitchen to help Esme. She had brought one of her famous pasta dishes. His mate was talking with Paul about whatever else was happening at the reservation. Sarah was taking her little cousins up to her room to play video games, leaving the Cullens alone in the living room to talk quietly. They tended to hang back a bit, letting Jacob's family come to them when they were ready. Although time had allowed them to become an extension of Jacob's family, it was still disconcerting for the Quileutes to be in a room full of vampires. The Cullens understood and never took offense. By the end of the night, they knew that they would be talking gaily about what was happening in each other's lives, heedless that vampires and werewolves weren't supposed to mix company.
Edward was about to settle in with his family once more when he heard the door bell ring once again. His fingers gently brushed across Jacob's back in affection as he walked behind the two shifters to get the door. He was surprised to be staring at Rachel's face and stood there in confusion for a moment until Edward realized he was staring at her twin sister.
"Rebecca!" he said excitedly, his face lighting up with a smile as he ushered her inside. "I didn't know you were coming."
"I know. It's kind of a surprise. I drove up this morning. I hope that's okay," she said hurriedly.
"Of course," he said, helping her inside. Like the others she had come bearing bags full of gifts.
No sooner had she stepped inside and she was engulfed into a hug by her brother. Jacob picked her up excitedly and twirled her around before setting her down.
"It's good to see you too little bro," said Rebecca, her face beaming.
"You changed your plans," Jacob commented happily.
Rebecca nodded, the smile falling from her face. "I decided that some things were more important right now."
Jacob looked as though he wanted to question her about that statement, but Edward intervened, "We're so glad that you made the trip."
Rebecca looked to him gratefully and then waved a friendly hello to the Cullens. "Is Rachel in the kitchen?"
Edward nodded and she entered the kitchen only to hear her twin squealing her name in delight. "Becca!"
Rebecca and her husband David had been have marital problems for years. It started when they lived in Hawaii and she began to resent the distance between her and her family. They had moved back to the states many years ago, but living in California hadn't improved their situation much. There were also some infertility problems, which Edward suspected lied with David not with Rebecca, and that had added to the strain their relationship was already under. Jacob and Edward rarely saw her anymore and they worried about depression. The last time they had seen her was at the funeral a year and a half ago.
Paul, Jacob, and Edward joined the Cullens in the living room and the family chatted about the recent move and how they were settling in Colorado. A short while later there was one last knock at the door. Their last guest had arrived. Jacob jumped eagerly off the couch in anticipation and rushed toward the door.
"It's really coming down out there, now," said Charlie as he entered the mansion, stomping his feet on the rug as to not drag in snow.
"Hi Charlie," said Jacob, embracing the man tightly even though he had seen him not even a week ago. "I'm glad you could make it."
Charlie looked at him strangely. "Of course, I could make it. Where else do I have to be?"
Jacob laughed at the man and ushered him inside. Charlie greeted the rest of the family just as warmly as the others had, looking relieved that he wouldn't have to spend Christmas alone as he once did. Once he made his pleasantries, he went in search of his granddaughter.
There was only one person missing from this festive gathering.
Soon the house was filled with sounds of Christmas music and people mingling, drinking and eating. Well, the Cullens didn't eat or drink, of course. But that didn't matter to the rest of the guests. Everyone, but Rachel and Paul's kids, knew their preferred diet- even Charlie.
After living at the mansion for only a year, Billy had asked Jacob to fill Charlie in on their secret. His father had always hated lying to his best friend and it had only gotten worse once Billy, Jacob, and Sarah had moved in. Charlie had been suspicious and angry, not truly understanding what had necessitated the move from the reservation. He was a little slow when it came to understanding Edward and Jacob's relationship, though he had been told on more than one occasion that they truly loved one another. It was hard to let go of the past and forget all that had transgressed between the two men and his daughter. Jacob didn't want his father to lose his friend or his daughter to lose her grandfather… so he finally relented.
It has been the hardest conversation Jacob had ever had and it involved proving to Charlie everything he had been trying to tell him. It took more than a week of explanation, demonstration, and understanding before Charlie finally accepted the truth. Somehow knowing that the imprint had drawn the two men together had gone a long way to smoothing things over. Even after his acceptance, the man had been absolutely terrified, of Edward especially. But he eventually came around, if only for the sake of his granddaughter.
The evening passed without incident and everyone was quite content, especially the kids who were thrilled with all their presents. The only one who seemed less than content was Jacob. He was unusually quiet. As the evening wore on Edward found him staring out the large picture window at the falling snow, ignoring the noisy room.
Having sensed his lover's unease, Edward prepared and brought him a cup of peppermint hot cocoa, Jacob's favorite. Jacob smiled in thanks as he accepted the steaming mug, holding it between both hands as he took a sip. He turned back to the window, once again lost in the falling snow.
Edward wrapped his arms around Jacob's waist, giving him a reassuring squeeze as he rested his chin on Jacob's shoulder. Jacob was a little taller than him but he was relaxed and slouching just a little so this position was easier to accomplish. Edward savored in the heat that still came off Jacob's skin for a moment, choosing his words carefully before speaking.
"You miss him," Edward whispered softly into his ear.
Jacob nodded and there was a slight hitch in his breath. "It's worse this time of year."
Billy Black had finally lost his battle to diabetes a year and a half ago. In the final stages he had suffered kidney failure and had been under going dialysis regularly. He had been hospitalized and put on a list for a transplant. Unfortunately, Billy had passed away before the doctors could find a suitable kidney donor. They had screened everyone on the reservation, but Billy had had a rare blood type.
Jacob and Sarah had been devastated to say the least. Jacob had already suffered so much; it was hard to believe he could stand one more blow.
Edward had taken care of all the funeral arrangements and contacted all the necessary family and friends. He held it all together as best he could, but in private he would crumble. He had come to know Billy as a friend and the two had built a kinship over the years. Being closer in actual age than he and Jacob, they were able to reflect on more nostalgic times. He had learned a lot from the man, both about Jacob and his culture. He had even asked Billy to teach him some of the Quileute language.
Edward had helped Billy with his daily exercises when he was more able bodied. He had become something of a physical therapist and had become keenly interested in the human body, returning to his studies of medicine that Carlisle had tried to push him into long ago. When Billy finally succumbed to his disease, Edward had felt personally responsible. He had cared for the old man for so long and he felt he should have done something more to save him- though Jacob always assured him he had prolonged his father's life, not shortened it.
"I'm sorry," Edward said softly, pulling Jacob to him even more tightly.
"It's not your fault," Jacob said automatically. "It was just his time."
Edward nodded and then rested his forehead against Jacob's shoulder, still feeling the loss. It had been just as painful as losing Bella, only more so in some ways having known Billy so much longer. The pain had dulled over the past year, but Billy had not been forgotten.
"You guys okay?" asked Sarah, approaching her fathers hesitantly.
"Sure pup," said Jacob, his eyes still staring out at the fallen snow.
"You miss Grandpa, don't you?" she asked softly.
"Yes," Edward said, coming around so that he was facing them both.
"Would hugs help?" Sarah asked, leaning into her dad.
Jacob nodded and smiled. "Hugs would help," he said, embracing his daughter.
Edward came up behind her and wrapped his arms around both Sarah and Jacob, hugging them tightly.
"Eddie! Your smooshing me!" she squealed.
They all pulled back laughing lightly, grateful that the tension had eased somewhat.
"Hey guys, come join us. We're about to watch A Christmas Story," Rebecca called to them from where she sat in front of the TV. "They have a marathon on tonight."
"I love that movie!" Sarah said excitedly, leaving her father's to join the others on the couches.
"I hate that movie," they heard Rosalie grumble.
Edward took Jacob's hand and stared out the window with him. "Are you sure you're alright?" he asked.
"I'm alright. I have everything I want."
Edward smiled. "Really? And what's that?"
"I have you."
Edward pulled him in for a chaste kiss. The others began to groan and tease at their display and the pair pulled apart. They quickly joined the others, content to have an evening at home surrounded by family.
A/N: That's it! That's all folks! I wanted a sappy sort of ending, but I also wanted to add a sense of realism as well. Loss is still a part of life and I find it interesting to see how people deal with it. I hope your not too mad at me for killing Billy off, but most of you probably seen it coming. Let me know what you think of the end! Thanks again to all my lovely readers and reviewers! Your words encourage and inspire me.