Same disclaimer applies-Twilight belongs to S.M., but the idea of this story is mine.

Many thanks to my awesome betas and friends - TeamAllTwilight and m0t0b33.

Epilogue

Over the years it's difficult to have the children leaving the nest one by one, Spaz dying, my Dad getting sick, Esme leaving us. It's been horrible, but we've pulled through it all. Together.

Getting old ourselves is the worst. I hate not being able to do stuff I used to—something easy like lifting a basket of laundry without complaining about my back, or staying up the whole day without a nap. Yeah, those times are long gone.

Today is one of those days when we have the children over. All of them. And family, too.

It's going to be tiring.

Edward's already outside working on the grill while I work inside on the salads and mashed potatoes.

The sound of tires on the gravel makes me look up.

I haven't been able to see my little Nigel in four years. My smart boy got a scholarship for a college in England. Cleaning my hands on a dishtowel, I rush to the front door.

I try to ignore the vehicle he came on, because really…no. One more reason to give me a heart attack.

"Baby boy!" I exclaim, running to him and hugging him tightly, stroking his face.

"Mom!" He squeezes me back, kissing my head. "Ah, I missed you."

That's when I see someone behind him. I guess I was distracted by finally seeing my little boy.

"Why don't you introduce us?" I whisper, pulling him at arm length.

He gives me a sheepish smile, pushing his glasses higher on his nose. Clearing his throat, he turns around and wraps an arm around his companion.

"Mom, uh…"

I wonder why she's not taking the helmet off. I can see a pair of anxious blue eyes.

"Did I hear right? They've already started coming?" Edward calls from the side of the house, making his way to us.

Introductions later…I guess.

"Nigel!" Edward exclaims, catching our youngest in a fierce hug.

I keep glancing at our son's friend…or should I say, girlfriend? Most likely. He wouldn't have brought her here all the way if they were just friends.

"You didn't say anything about that!" My husband jerks his head in the girl's direction. "I had faith in you, son—the eternal bachelor."

"Oh, shush! You're scaring the poor thing!" I chide him, pulling him away from our boy. "Are you going to introduce us?"

Nigel toes the pebbles at his feet. "Guys, I didn't say anything because…" He bites his thumb, glancing to his companion. "I hope you don't flip and hate me or…"

"What's going on?" Edward asks suspiciously. "Is she pregnant?"

A nervous laugh escapes Nigel. "I don't think that's possible. Uh…" He walks to his friend and takes his helmet off. He also takes the boy's hand and turns to us, looking worried. "So, uh, this is Landon…my boyfriend."

I'm staring at them in shock. It's not that I don't accept it, I'm more shocked that he never mentioned this to me—ever before!

"Ni-gel," I sputter.

He ducks his head.

Edward clears his throat, taking a step forward, hand extended toward the boy. "Edward Cullen. Nice to meet you, kid."

"Really? You accept this?" our son asks amazed.

I wrap my arms around him. "Did you seriously expect us to be the bad guys here? We understand, baby."

"Thank you, Mom!" He hugs me back, glancing at Landon and winking. But I doubt he sees because he's probably pissing himself at the once-over my husband is giving him. He's done this to all our children's partners.

"You'll do. But I bet you know the drill. Hurt my son and I'll hurt you," he finally say, clapping the poor kid on his back.

If my Nigel is tall and skinny, the boy is worse. "Let's go, baby. Let them get settled. Your room is ready," I tell my boy, dragging my husband after me toward the grill. "Did you leave the food unattended?"

"Nope. I pulled it all aside to go greet whoever arrived." He wraps an arm around my shoulder, bringing me closer and kissing my head. "Huh? Did you have any idea?"

"No. I'm as surprised as you."

"Though, we're okay with this, right?"

"Of course! He's still our baby boy."

Edward laughs loudly. "Can't wait for Dad to hear this!"

"God, you're just mean now! You know Carlisle has an aversion to gay people. I hope he understands his grandson…" Now, I'm worried.

I return to the kitchen while he works on the grill.

After a while, the boys join me, telling me about London and school. I tell them about life here and how much I miss my little boy.

I try not to look, because I realize they're sure my back is to them, but every now and then either Nigel, or Landon takes the other's hand and squeezes it, or moves the other's hair from their eyes, shares secret smiles. If I had doubts, they're all gone. They're as in love as I'm with my husband, even after so many years.

The next to arrive are Victoria and James with their clan. Good thing we're having the gathering outside. We'll never fit inside.

When the kids were little, one year, we had a pool created to the side of the house. I've been inspired to have it cleaned last month, before we even discussed having everyone over.

Before the rest of my children arrive, our guests gather outside, around the pool. James is at the grill with Edward, Vic is in the house with me helping me prepare drinks while the youngsters are chatting next to the pool. Vic is telling me about how her children don't think seriously of settling and finding someone; except from Cecilia who is pregnant with her boyfriend but with no plans of getting married.

"At least, mine are all happy and went through it all." My heart squeezes, saying that.

I still remember as it was yesterday how last year Seb came to us around ten at night, with Maya, his little girl. He said he wanted to talk with Edward, so I took my granddaughter to entertain her. Obviously, the three year old told me what she heard her daddy say about her mommy—many bad things, including the word bitch. Before I could scold him when he came to take her to his old room where he wanted to crash, he told me that he's been suspecting it, but when he got home that night he found his wife with another man in the kitchen. She had the audacity to tell him that she's had her high school sweetheart on the side from before they got married, but she knew my Seb had money being a wonderful veterinarian and the head of an animal fundraiser. Needless to say, they got a divorce and he won Maya.

It breaks my heart to think of him lonely, but I know Maya is everything to him. Just five months ago he moved out of our house again, into a little house a few blocks away.

The next to arrive is Phoebe with her family and grandpa Carlisle. Once Esme died, Phoebe decided to help him around and I'm still not sure how it happened, but he opened the house for her and her fiancé. In time, he put the house on her name, and they're all living there. My girl is an angel. I doubt many young women would accept living with their grandpas being freshly married and all. They're making it work and there's no awkwardness considering she's on baby number three now. I think she wants to beat my record—the family's record. No one got more than three. Of course, her third one is still in her tummy, but just saying. She's young and with no apparent desire to stop.

The second she opens the back door of the car, Pip and Olly rush out toward my husband. He catches both of them, lifting them up. I still marvel at how strong he is, even though he's pushing sixty.

"Jeez, he's such a child himself," Vic comments, making me laugh.

"Like you didn't know that!" I grin, leading the way out.

"Hi, Mom!" Phoebe calls, helping Carlisle out.

The old man is holding pretty well for his ninety-five, but everyone can see how every day he fades. Edward's stalling himself for the moment it will happen, but nothing can prepare you for such a thing.

Carlisle is lucid for his age, which scares me when he'll finally meet Nigel's boyfriend. Hopefully seeing them he'll change his view. Doubtfully. One can dream.

Next are Rose and Emmett with their girls.

We gather outside. Everyone has a plate of grilled meat, mashed potatoes, a bowl of tomato and onion salad, and a glass of their drink choice.

"So who lives closer gets here the last?" Carlton, Vic's oldest—the first twin, groans.

"I bet he's wresting with Maya. I swear she never listens." I shake my head, defending Sebastian.

"Takes after my Edward," Carlisle quips in.

"Shut up, Dad!"

"What, son? You were quite the mischievous little thing when you were young. Rosie here can testify to that!"

"Let's not go there!" she begs them.

But the damage is done. All the kids start pleading for stories about their parents. I remember doing the same, but I realize it's not fun.

Needless to say, we start sharing stories about the good ol' days, eventually including our own kids in them and embarrassing them in front of their partners.

Only when Rose offers to take the empty plates to the kitchen, does Seb appear. He seemed to have walked, looking sweaty and annoyed, Maya under his arm kicking and screaming.

"I give up!" he shouts, dropping her on Edward's lap. "Anyone can have her! I'll take whatever on her. Nigel!" he exclaims, excited.

"Hey, bro!" Nigel waves to him from his spot on the steps of the pool where he's leaning against Landon.

"What happened?" I ask, going to Seb, rubbing a hand over his back.

"She's devil-sent!" He point to Maya who scowls at him, hugging Edward around the neck. "She's been on a roll since she woke up, and it took me an hour to find that fucking dress she's wearing. Do you see white hairs?" He bends his head for me to look.

"But you don't tell me!" she complains.

"What do you want, sweets?" my husband asks her, stroking her hair.

"Daddy is silly. He not know why sky is blue in light and dark at night! Where does the sun go?"

Ah, to be a parent. I pat Seb's arm, taking him to the side of the pool and offering him food, while Edward along with Emmett are trying to explain the complicated questions for Maya.

We spend the lazy day surrounded by our family. Our children playing with their own children in the pool. Carlisle comments at some point that he likes Landon and "He'll do" making all of us laugh and Nigel hug his grandpa. A surprise visit from Alice and Jasper completes the reunion.

When night comes, and everyone goes to their respective houses, we're left alone again. Seb offers to host Nigel and his boyfriend, so they can catch up. I also suspect he needs someone to help him with Maya. The stubborn boy won't let us help, wanting to raise his daughter alone.

Once I make sure everything is clean and in their right spots thanks to my daughter's help, I walk upstairs. Edward's at the TV, beer in hand, flipping through the channels. He shifts a little to the right, patting the spot next to him.

"I love having them over, but I'm beat," he mumbles, hugging me to his side once I'm sat on the couch.

"Don't complain. Cherish this because you never know when we'll be all together like this again."

"True. You always knew what to say, baby." He tilts my head and kisses me soundly. "Love you."

"I love you, too." I tuck my head to his chest, sighing.

I know that whatever happens, I have him.

Who would have thought an encounter with a stranger and a rush, wild decision could create this wonderful life we share? Not me.

Thank you all for reading and reviewing! Mwah!