Epilogue #2

~ Three years later ~

I was nervous.

I tried not to show it because I was supposed to be strong for her, but I was scared shitless, and only one person knew exactly what I was feeling.

Bella.

We sat in my Dad's office waiting for him to come in. I looked over at my wife who was picking at her nails and knew she was just as nervous as I was.

In between us sat Lizzie. Now eleven years old and so beautiful. She was growing up before my eyes. Her hair was strawberry blonde with long ringlets that still cascaded down her back. Her eyes were the deepest of jade and it felt like she grew a few inches in the last month.

But a dark cloud still loomed over my first baby girl. It has been five years since Lizzie was first diagnosed with Leukemia.

Five years.

Five years of feeling like you're walking on eggshells.

Five years of running after her to wear her coat because getting sick with a simple cold could cause an infection.

Five years of waiting.

Five years of praying.

As a father, my heart was on edge.

You always hear about the five-year mark when someone has cancer. If you stay in complete remission for five years, your chances of the cancer coming back go way down.

And so here we were, waiting to get Lizzie's latest blood test results. These results were the most important so far in this journey.

I was tapping my feet on the floor; my nerves were definitely getting the best of me.

And finally my Dad came into the office.

My heart sank.

I looked over at Bella, I could see her face flush, and I knew her stomach hurt as much as mine.

"Sorry to keep you all waiting," Dad said, taking his seat at his desk.

"It's okay Grandpa," Lizzie said.

I looked over at her and then again at Bella; obviously Lizzie was handling this a lot better than both her parents.

"How are you feeling, Angel?" Dad asked Lizzie.

"I feel good," she replied. "I want to try out for the field hockey team at school but Mom and Dad told me I have to wait to talk to you to see if it's okay."

My Dad looked at Bella and I, it was if he could tell we were both falling apart.

"Well my girl, I'd say you could go ahead and try out for the team." Dad said, and both Bella and I looked up at him and then at each other. "Lizzie's blood work is completely negative. There is no sign of cancer cells, her bone marrow is completely clean, and she is still in remission. From what I can tell there is no sign of the leukemia returning."

Exhale.

My little girl was going to be okay.

I got up from my chair, and since I still towered over Lizzie, it was effortless for me to lift her tiny frame in my arms and smother her with kisses.

"Daddy!" She giggled.

And while I had her in my arms, Bella got in on the action as we both held our daughter.

I placed Lizzie down on her feet and Bella instantly put her arms around her. "I love you so much sweet girl."

"I love you too Mom," Lizzie said.

After Bella and I were married, we made it official for Bella to be Lizzie's mother when Bella formally adopted Lizzie as her own. It was a special moment and tied us all together as one.

We thanked Dad for giving us the great news and then we headed home. Bella wanted to make a big dinner to celebrate our daughter's clean bill of health.

When we got there, Lizzie ran into the house, and by the time Bella and I got in the front door, she was already telling Masen that she could try out for the field hockey team. Masen held Lizzie in his arms and I could see the relief in his eyes.

Masen and Lizzie would always hold a special bond, as Masen is the reason that Lizzie is healthy today.

My Mom met us in the living room as she came down the stairs holding the latest addition to our family.

"Oh I am so happy to hear the great news," Mom said, as she handed the baby to Bella.

Edward Masen Cullen Jr. or EJ as we call him, came into our world six months ago. Once again Bella and I were blessed with a healthy baby, and Masen was happy to finally have a brother. As much as he loved his sisters, I think he was secretly praying for a brother when we told him we were having another child.

With the arrival of EJ, our family was complete.

Masen was now 15 years old, a sophomore in high school and on the varsity track team, and I think he may have a girlfriend. A cute little girl named Charlotte has been hanging around a lot lately. I knew my son was growing up when Bella told me she thought it was time I have "the talk" with him, and the next thing I knew I was in the garage showing him how to put a condom on a banana.

God, give me strength.

Emily was three years old now and walking and talking, and even more talking, I swear once she started talking she never stopped. She also seems to be taking an interest in music. She has long fingers, just like her father, perfect for the piano. And every time she hears me play she is right next to me watching me closely. Next year we're planning on starting her with piano lessons.

My musical baby.

And EJ, well he's just a cool kid. Even at six months old, nothing fazes him. He's so laid back and is in awe of his older siblings.

And Lizzie, my Angel who has been through so much, has finally been given a chance to live her life. I'm sure in no time, she'll be on the field hockey team and boys will be coming around. Glad Masen will have my back on that one. He already told his sister she can't date until she's 25, smart man, my son is.

My little miracle

And Bella, the love of my life. She has given me three beautiful babies and a life that I never thought was possible. She is still as beautiful as she was the day I met her when she was just sixteen years old. I still kiss her every night before I go to sleep, and once again every morning when I wake up.

The love of my life

No one has ever loved anyone as much as I love Bella.

Well, maybe there is one exception.

The day we met Frozen I held my breath

Right from the start

I knew that I found a home for my heart

I have died everyday waiting for you

Darling don't be afraid I have loved you

For a thousand years

I'll love you for a thousand more

And all along I believed I would find you

Time has brought your heart to me

I have loved you for a thousand years

I'll love you for a thousand more

A/N: This is really the end… and I'm sad to say goodbye. I have seen Breaking Dawn Part 2 eight times and it just felt right to incorporate the end of the movie into the end of this story. The words seemed so fitting. I literally cried when I wrote the last line.

Once again thanks to all of you who have reviewed and who made this story one of your favorites. That all means so much to me. I am glad you have loved reading this story as much as I have loved writing it. Thanks again to Sunflower3759 for being an awesome Beta.

Come joing on FB group Awish's Fanfiction for updates on my upcoming stories. Find me on FB under RobKristen Love and Twitter Awish921

Well I'm signing off on the Ties That Bind for the last time… I hope you will follow me with my future stories. Love to all. XOXO

And one last time…. Please Review!