A/N: I'm a little sad to say that this is the end. Thanks to all of you who've read/reviewed/alerted or favorited ATH. I appreciate each of you!

Kari, THANK YOU! There really aren't enough words. Really.

SM owns Twilight and I thank her for letting me play.

Happy Holidays!

Epilogue

5 years later

I awoke first, the sunlight just peeking in through the blinds. I stretched and rubbed the sleep from my eyes. I knew that I didn't have a lot of time before I would have to get up. I took the time to watch Edward, still one of my favorite things to do.

He was laying on his stomach, facing me. The only sign of aging were some slight laugh lines in the corners of his eyes. A sliver of sunlight shone across the muscles on his back, making his skin glow. I sometimes marveled at the fact that he was mine. I never questioned his devotion.

With our anniversary upon us, I couldn't help but think back to our wedding and honeymoon. Paris was beautiful in the fall.

Edward made sure to show me all the places I wanted to see. We had only left ourselves 6 days to sight see, as we spent the first five days living off of each other and room service.

Edward was taking me away for our anniversary. We were going back to the cabin we visited before we got married. The thought of Edward and I alone for 5 days, sent a shiver through me.

The little device sitting on the table next to me crackled and cooed. I rolled out of bed and walked down the hall. I pushed open the door and found two pairs of eyes staring at me. Lucy and Scott were both awake and ready to play.

We were surprised to find out we were having twins as neither of us had them in our family history. Edward was extremely proud. He liked to tell me that he had superior swimmers.

It was a fairly easy pregnancy, as easy as being pregnant with twins goes. Edward made sure that I wanted for nothing and doted on me night and day. When I craved chili dogs from an all night diner, he never complained.

Sometimes his protectiveness got to be a little much and I had to reign him in. I worked as long as I could, that is until I became a hazard to those around me because I was so big. I had just begun to think about going back, but was entertaining the thought of not going back, too.

Our babies were 18 months old now and I didn't want to miss anything.

Lucy and Scott both had Edward's hair. It was a bright shiny color, like a new penny and stuck up in all directions. I had seen some of Edward's baby pictures and his hair was the same color, darkening as he got older.

Lucy had brown eyes and facial features of us both. Scotty was the spitting image of his father, though. Green eyes and the beginnings of a strong jaw line. They both had their daddy wrapped tightly around their little fingers, too.

After getting them changed and dressed, I finished packing their bag. Seth and Jessica were taking them for the first 2 days while we were away. Grandma and Grandpa Cullen would have them the remaining time.

Seth and Jess met at our wedding and hit it off. Seth made such an impression, Jessica moved to Washington 6 months after. They ran off to Vegas and got married a month later.

Rose and Emmett were pregnant with their third and happy that Johnny and Emily finally had cousins. Em quit the force soon after Johnny was born and became a fully vested partner with Edward at Cullen Security. Seth turned out to be a really good decision, in more ways than one. He was not only invaluable to the business, but part of our family now.

He made sure the security guards that CS provided were trained well. The company had all the business they could handle and a great reputation to boot. They merged Ben's locksmith business with Cullen Security and the four of them had it running smoothly.

Alice and Jasper got married a couple of years ago and have yet to have any children. Jasper wanted to wait. Alice is ready, though, so I don't imagine that it will be too much longer. Jasper was promoted to principal last year and Alice has done well in the real estate market. She found us our house.

It was a 4 bedroom Colonial and I fell in love with it on sight. Jake loved it, too. The first thing Edward did after we moved in was call all the guys over-dads too, and fence in the back yard. When it was finished, he decided that Jake needed a friend.

Edward came back from the pound with a mixed breed little girl that Jake immediately fell for. Edward named her Pepper, because her white coat was dotted with specks of black.

I left the twins to play together and went to wake Edward. He needed to get around and take the dogs to Ali and Jasper's house. We were scheduled to leave in the early afternoon for the cabin in Rainier.

My gorgeous husband had rolled to his back and gave me a view of his delectable chest. I leaned over him and placed a kiss above his heart. His strong arms wrapped around me and pulled me down to him.

"Gotcha!" he laughed. "Morning baby," he said as he kissed me. I couldn't help but kiss him back. I could never not kiss Edward.

"We have a lot to do today, Edward," I reminded him. "As much as I would love to start our long weekend early, the babies are up and you need to get Pepper and Jake over to Alice's."

"Let me go see my babies and I'll get in the shower," he said. Devoted, I tell you.

Now, that is a sight. Edward with Scotty and Lucy was so sweet, it almost breaks your heart it's so beautiful. His obvious love for them pours out with every action and word. Their eyes lit up and they both screeched when Edward entered the room. He plucked them both out of the crib and sat on the floor.

Lucy bounced on Edward's stomach and Scotty was pulling on his arm, trying to get him to sit up. They were all laughing and that drew Pepper and Jake into the room. They were both so good with the babies, as if they knew how fragile and precious they were.

I hated to do it, but we had to get moving. I picked up Lucy and took Scotty's hand to get them to the kitchen. Edward kissed us all and went to shower.

After everyone was fed, cleaned up and dressed, we were ready to go.

Edward left with the dogs and I left with the kids. I was meeting Jess and Seth over at my in-laws house. They've been swept up in the big Labor Day party, too.

Carlisle and Esme had hired a couple of young lawyers to help them out at the office. This allowed them to spend more time with family. Well, no, that isn't exactly right. It allowed them to spend more time with their grandchildren. When any of them were around, the rest of us turned into chopped liver!

After greeting everyone and giving last minute instructions and phone numbers, I kissed my babies and left for home. Edward and I just needed to load the car and we could leave for the cabin.

We stopped at a grocery store before heading up the mountain to the cabin. After stocking up with all sorts of decadent goodies and a little bit of real food, we left for the cabin.

It was even more beautiful than I remembered. Edward got the bags inside while I put the food away. I came out to Edward crouched down, starting a fire. It wasn't too cool yet, but nighttime temps got down in the 30's.

I took advantage of the fact that Edward was distracted and ran up the stairs. Finding the right suitcase, I opened it and unwrapped the gown I'd been saving. Alice, Rose and I had gone shopping in Seattle a couple of months ago when I found it. I knew that Edward would love it.

I brushed my hair and spritzed a little perfume on after slipping the black satin gown on. It was very similar to the one I wore the night of our wedding. The bodice was form fitting and very lacy while the bottom was a full flowing skirt. The satin felt really nice against my skin.

I stepped down the stairs and found Edward staring at the fire he had built.

"Hey, everything alright?" I asked. He turned to look at me and I watched his eyes widen as he took me and the gown in.

"Wow," he half-whispered. "You look incredible in that, baby."

"Happy anniversary," I told him. He got up and walked to where he laid his coat down.

I'm sure my face showed the confusion I felt. As I saw him reach into the pocket, he smirked at me. He pulled his hand out and immediately placed it behind his back.

"Have I told you how much I love you yet today?" he asked as he came to a stop in front of me. I tapped my chin, as if I was trying to remember. That made him chuckle.

"Well, just in case I ever forget, this will remind you."

Edward presented what he had been hiding behind his back. It was a black velvet box.

I opened it and was stunned. Tears sprang to my eyes as I fumbled to pull the ring out of it's little pocket. I slipped it on my right ring finger and admired it. The ring was platinum, to match my wedding rings, and it had diamonds and my babies' birthstones on it.

"Edward, it's beautiful. I love it. Thank you," I cried, wrapping my arms around his neck.

I kissed him until I had to breathe and he pulled my hand up to look at the ring.

"It has room on it for more, see?" he pointed at the area that left room for more stones. It was nestled between the emeralds and diamonds. I looked up at him and smiled.

"Maybe we should start on that this weekend," I suggested. Edward' lips crashed against mine.

Our passion over took us and we fell to the sofa kissing and grasping at each other.

"Baby, I want you over here, in front of the fire," Edward panted. I looked and saw that he had a blanket spread out and pillows on it.

"Yeah, okay." I scooted off the sofa and stepped onto the blanket with Edward right behind me.

He wrapped me up in one arm and I felt his other hand fisting the fabric on my thigh. His fingers were drawing up and gathering the satin in his hand. He continued this until my entire thigh was exposed.

"Bella, I love you so much. Even more than the day I married you," he whispered. I melted in his arms.

"Edward, I love you, too. So much."

He pulled me down onto the blanket and proceeded to put his lips and tongue on every inch of skin he exposed. In the process, he took my gown off completely and finished the job. Somewhere in all that, Edward had lost his clothes, too.

"Edward, please. I need you," I pleaded. He smiled at me as he pressed his lips to mine.

"Your wish," he whispered just before entering me.

It was slow and gentle and filled with the love we both felt. Edward filled every sense I had. His smell, his beautiful face, his soft moans and his touch overwhelmed me and sent me over the edge.

EPOV

Bella had only gotten more beautiful in the past 5 years. She was everything to me.

As we laid in front of the fire, I watched the shadows play across her face and body.

She had given me the best gift in the world when she gave me our children. I had never really considered myself father material. It happened instantaneously. As soon as I saw Scotty and then Lucy, my world shifted and became perfect.

I often found myself pondering my life and where it would be without Bella. She accuses me of being broody, but I like to think of it as appreciating what I have. Sometimes I wish I could be more like her and just go with it and not over think things.

I looked down at her perfectly satisfied face and smiled. She gave me a lazy smile in return.

"What would have happened to me if you hadn't moved in across the hall?" I asked quietly.

Bella scrunched up her nose and thought for a minute. I expected something profound and meaningful from her.

"Your life would probably suck," she laughed. I smirked and shook my head. "Edward," she said, serious now, "Stop questioning everything. You've got me. Forever. I love you more than life and our lives are as close to perfection as can be. Just be happy."

"I am. I wasn't questioning you or us or our life. I know what I've got. I was just thinking out loud," I explained.

"Okay. If you're done thinking, I'd like to start round two now. In the shower." Bella hopped up and ran for the stairs.

I did the only thing I could. I caught up to her and carried her to the shower. Then had my way with her. Twice.

We spent our time at the cabin much like our honeymoon, totally wrapped up in each other. You'd think we hadn't had sex since then. Even though we had to become a little more creative and adapt to the kids' schedules, our sex life hardly suffered. It was my job to keep my wife happy and satisfied and I took that responsibility seriously.

So, both of us looking thoroughly fucked and satisfied, we packed up and left for home.

We went straight to my parent's house upon arriving back in P.A. Seeing my children's eyes light up was high on my list of best things ever.

I scooped up Lucy as Bella bent down and did the same with Scott. They squealed and hugged us with their little arms. Baby kisses are high on the list, too.

"Were you good for everyone?" Bella cooed at Scotty. We heard a snort and turned to see my parents smiling at us.

"Like they could be anything but?" my mom said. "Angels from heaven," she sighed.

We followed them into the kitchen where the rest of our family had gathered. Today was Labor Day. That meant it was family game day. The doorbell rang and I heard my father say that it should be Charlie and Renee.

Our parents had become good friends since our engagement and normally spent the holidays together now.

I stood back, having given my daughter to Grandma Renee, and watched my entire family.

Em and Rose looked happy. She was due in 2 months and was bigger than she was with either of her previous kids. I wondered if she might not be having twins, too. Emmett was a great dad, being a large child himself.

Seth and Jessica had been trying to get pregnant, but were having some fertility issues from what Seth had told me.

My other 2 kids, Jake and Pepper came running in with Jasper and Alice chasing after them. Both their faces were flushed and they looked like they were glowing. That all could not have been from the short jaunt into the kitchen.

Bella joined me, wrapping her arms around my waist and kissing my chest. I pulled her in tight and whispered to her to look at Alice.

She turned her head and watched her for a minute then looked up at me.

"Oh, do you think?" she said quietly. I nodded and got my sister's attention.

"How are you Alice?" I asked "Did the dogs give you any problems?"

"No, they were fine," she said. Jasper laughed in an un-humorous way. Uh-oh.

"Only, I'm missing 2 different shoes and some of my underwear disappeared!"

Jake had taught Pepper to steal. Funny thing was, they only did it to me and any other males they were around. Bella's shit went untouched.

"We have an announcement to make!" Alice yelled so she could be heard over all the people in the room. I nudged Bella with my elbow.

"I'm pregnant!" Everyone cheered and tried talking at once, yelling their congratulations.

"How did you know?" Bella whispered to me.

"Just a guess. She was glowing and so was Jazz. It reminded me of when you came home with the news that you were pregnant."

"You remembered the way I looked?" Bella asked. I gave her my dazzling Cullen smile.

"Baby, you were particularly and especially beautiful that day," I said in all honesty.

"Geez, Edward. As wonderful as that compliment is, aren't you laying it on a little thick? What is it you want?"

"Just you, baby. Well, you and the kids." That brought tears to Bella's eyes. I wrapped my arms around her and kissed her well.

"I love you, Edward."

"I love you, Bella."

A/N: Thanks for reading!