Epilogue

Carlisle

I lived a fulfilling and joyful life with my family around me. I died in the same way.

I had spent my last year of my life concerned about what would happen to my family if I had left this place. Little did I know, it would be much sooner than I had anticipated.

Several weeks before my anniversary, I noticed something was off. It started with an ache. I thought I was just getting older, so I ignored the feeling. Esme was concerned and pushed me to see someone about it. I brushed it off. However, when I noticed that it was taking more than the recommended amount of pain killers to give me some relief, I knew it was time for a check-up.

After some tests and bloodwork, I found out what was causing my pain.

Cancer.

A paradigm shift. Right before my anniversary.

I thought about my children who were no longer children but still young enough to never recover if I died.

I thought of my wife, my reason to breathe, my Esme. Would she get through it?

Her unwavering loyalty and love was something that I would miss.

I had never felt such despair, knowing what I might leave behind if I died.

My work here wasn't done.

My children, while they had time, hadn't met their soulmates. I would not be at their weddings. I would not see my grandchildren.

For some reason, I was sure I would die from this illness.

The night before my anniversary, I wished harder and prayed harder than I ever had before that my sons and daughter could lead a fulfilling life like I had.

I decided to spend more time with my family. Our anniversary was beautiful, and while my sons both tried to convince me they were content with being bachelors, I knew they would miss out. Instead of dwelling, we enjoyed the night out.

Ultimately, I let them know what was happening.

Edward already knew. Already assumed there was something off. How? I wasn't so sure. But I would come to understand that soon.

Emmett and Alice were completely blindsided. And devastated.

Fortunately for Emmett, there was a girl that entered his life. Someone I had met, someone perfect for him. He had someone to lean on. I gave a silent thank you for that.

Alice was spreading herself too thin. And she had nobody to share the burden with. She spent much of her spare time at our house.

And one day, I came home from the hospital with Esme to find her sobbing at the kitchen table with the photo album in front of her.

"Alice?" I dropped everything and went over to her. She had a picture of the two of us in. It was her fifth birthday party, and she had attempted to feed me her piece of cake.

"It's not fair!" She threw the picture down. "Daddy, I'm sorry. I know I am supposed to be strong, but...this is so hard."

"Shhh," I wrapped her in my arms. "It is going to be okay."

I swallowed. I hoped it would be okay. "How about we spend the day together?"

"I can't," she mumbled into my shirt. "I promised Mom I would help her pick out a new summer dress."

"It's fine," Esme's warm voice rang out from behind me. I looked to her to see that she too was crying. "I can handle that on my own. You should do something together. I have been hogging you anyway."

She smiled sadly and grabbed her things to go. "We can go to the diner tomorrow with Edward."

So Alice and I spent the day mostly playing boardgames and sharing stories. It was one of the best days of my life.

The following day Edward met us at the diner, and while Esme wanted to play matchmaker, I didn't want to pressure the pretty, taken brunette into dating my son.

That was until I saw the way they looked at each other.

The way they spoke to each other.

They knew each other already.

And considering the longing and concern in Edward's eyes, they knew each other well.

He was smitten.

From the blush on her face, I could tell she was, too.

"Do you mind explaining how you know each other?" I asked when she went to get our drinks.

"I met her at work," he shrugged indifferently.

"Does she work there, too?" Esme asked.

"No, she works here and at a library. She is going to school right now, too."

"Wow," Esme smiled. "Ambitious. What is she studying?"

"Whatever librarians study?" He frowned.

I leaned forward. "How do you know so much about her?"

"She told me about it." Another shrug. And then there was the small smile of contentment.

"Interesting." I smirked.

"Why is that interesting?" The smile disappeared. He huffed as his eyes looked for her.

"You're in love with her."

Edward's eyes snapped back to my own. He looked terrified. "What? I-"

Esme gasped, cutting him off. "You are! She is lovely, Edward."

"She has a boyfriend, shut up," he hissed right before she walked back. The banter between them was beautiful.

I felt...relieved.

And a couple of weeks later, Esme gushed about her afternoon with Bella - the nice girl at the diner - as we drove to the doctor.

"You should have seen her face. She was jealous about the waitress, but she was so charming."

"Jealous?" I laughed, though the force made every bone in my body ache.

"It's only a matter of time," she smiled. Then, she made eye contact with me.

Time.

It was clear I was running out of it.

I wasn't getting better.

And that was confirmed at my doctor's appointment a few hours later.

It was official. I was dying.

Everything changed.

When we got home, Esme retreated to our bedroom. She didn't say a word, but the anguish was clear.

At that moment, I wished I could live forever. I wished I could help my family. Suddenly, I was desperate to do more. To leave my family with some kind of legacy.

I grabbed some paper from my office and began to write a letter to each of my loved ones.

When I was finished, I neatly folded each of them and put them in separate envelopes.

And they were forgotten.

After that, it seemed that time sped up a little as I became weaker.

Family was in and out. Emmett and his girlfriend Rosalie were around more than ever.

"I am going to marry that hot mama," Emmett stated proudly a few days before my time. It was amazing to see their lives carry on. It made me feel better.

And the day I passed on, it was quiet, peaceful.

I hadn't expected what happened next. I wasn't sure what I believed. I wasn't sure if I even believed in Heaven or God. But this...was nothing what I expected.

When you pass on, you are placed in front of three television screens. That is what happened to me.

One screen shows the moments in which I made good decisions - my good deeds.

The other showed bad decisions.

The final screen...that showed my missed opportunities. And it seemed infinite.

So many...

"Don't worry," a voice from behind me said. I whipped around. A beautiful woman was standing there. She had long blonde hair, olive skin, and hazel eyes. And she was smiling warmly at me. "Unfortunately, everybody has a lot of regrets because of fear, but your amount is significantly shorter than most others."

My eyes went back to my screen. It didn't appear short. "Who are you?"

"I'm Irina."

"Do I know you?"

"No, but your son will," she frowned. "Or well, he'll hear about me. That is-if he chooses wisely."

What?

She walked briskly toward me. It was as though she was floating.

"We have a plan for Edward. He had gone a little-no-way off course, but because of you, he gets back to where we need him to be."

"Me?" I asked, confused.

"Yes!" She laughed. "You made a wish. A wish that was granted because you, Carlisle, have done much more good than most people. You get what it means to truly live. And unfortunately for that, you had to die."

I frowned. She continued speaking.

"You have much more power than you realize. We can't exactly force anyone to do anything, but we can certainly nudge them in the right direction."

She pointed to one of the screens. I was there with Edward, but the place was unfamiliar. It was a bar I had never been in.

"When is this?" I asked as I moved closer.

"Eh, time is nothing here."

"When is it there?" I gestured toward the screen.

"About five years from when your spirit leaves your body."

"How is that even possible?"

"Like I said, we are pretty powerful. I wish we could change the world. If I could change the world, I would make everyone an optimist!" Her face fell. "We can't, though. However, we can help people get to where they need to be. If they choose to listen, that is."

I pondered that a moment. "So, where is my family supposed to be?"

"Edward is meant to be with Bella. That's his soulmate. Just like Esme is yours."

I grinned despite my confusion. "Okay? But they're together now, so everything is good. Right?"

She pursed her lips. "Well, that actually is your doing. A little divine intervention, if you will." She giggled at her own joke before turning more serious."I am going to be honest with you. Most people aren't as blessed as you are. Most people miss those opportunities all the time. Edward is a little dense. No offense."

I shrugged.

"He misses signs all the time, mostly because he is so focused on that damn bar he wants."

"What would happen if I didn't go?"

She glanced at me. "Your children will never be happy. It's quite interesting, actually. Alice and Jasper will find each other no matter what, but not until much later in their lives."

My eyes widened. "Who is Jasper?"

"Alice's soulmate."

"Ok, so I introduce Bella to Edward -"

"No," Irina interrupted. "That wish you made - the one about helping your children -it actually catapulted Edward to a future that wasn't originally set for him. One that wouldn't be set for him because of the decisions he made. So, he gets it all in that life, Carlisle. Love, prosperity, everything. You have given him the gift of a glimpse into a possibility for his future. And the futures of Emmett and Alice."

A glimpse.

"So Jasper meets Alice earlier. That way they'll have children. We really need Alice to have children." She nodded as she said it.

"She does? Why?" I needed to know.

"So curious," she laughed and moved to the screen. She touched it and Alice appeared, looking forlorn in a hospital gown. "Well, ten years from when you pass, Alice develops ovarian cysts. Not cancer, don't worry. However, it affects her ability to have children."

I rubbed my hands over my face. Alice had always talked about wanting children. I couldn't imagine a world where she didn't. But there it was.

The scene changed to Alice, Bella, and a man. Alice shook hands with him. "And at that same time, she meets Jasper. Alice already considers herself a failure and ultimately...leaves...

"However, if things go according to plan," she swiped her finger across the screen, "your family will be exactly where they need to be. And they'll experience a rare quality for humanity..."

Edward, Emmett, and Alice were laughing in the next clip.

"True genuine happiness," she stated.

I saw the screen change to Emmett with Rosalie and two children, and Alice and Jasper with three. Emmett lifted one of his boys high into the air and a small giggle rang through. Then, he peppered his face with kisses. Alice was kneeling in front of her crying daughter. She caressed her hair and pulled her close, rocking her back and forth.

"What about Edward?" I asked when I realized my other son wasn't there.

"Oh, of course."

The screen changed to Edward standing next to a very exhausted and very pregnant Bella. They looked at each other and despite appearing to need sleep, there was a spark in their eyes that was difficult to miss. Edward brought his hand to Bella's swollen belly and grinned.

A lump settled into my throat. My children weren't just happy. They were joyful.

This was exactly what I had wished for.

"Why are you doing this for my family?" I asked in disbelief. "Why are you allowing my son to live this type of life?"

Irina was quiet for a moment. Her lips were in a tight line. Hazel eyes met my own. "Somebody blessed me with the same opportunity that your son gets."

"Really?" I gasped. "Did you...did you take advantage?"

"Yes. And I met the person I'm supposed to spend eternity with."

I looked around even though there was nobody around but us. "Where is your soulmate? Is he here in this place?"

Her eyes pierced through me for a few moments before she finally spoke. "He is alive, but will be here soon."

I definitely hadn't been expecting that. And as we looked at each other, I realized how much I could relate. I hadn't been away from Esme very long and it was excruciating.

"How much time does he have left?"

"That depends on your son's decision. If he chooses Bella, he'll have an important encounter with my soulmate in the future. If he doesn't choose Bella, my soulmate dies much sooner."

"You're willing to make that sacrifice? To keep him living without you?"

Irina didn't hesitate. "Absolutely. I am an optimist. And life isn't all that bad." She winked.

"Irina," I paused.

"Is this...doing this...frightening?"

She laughed softly. "It can be a little intimidating. Knowing what this glimpse does though...that makes the entire thing worth it. Trust your son to choose his Bella."

Trust him. I did. He would choose correctly.

"What is his name?" I asked. "Your soulmate."

She closed her eyes. And for a moment, I thought she didn't hear me. But then she spoke.

"Alistair," she spoke with reverie. She sighed and smiled peacefully, stuck in a memory. "Now, do you want to see your children get married? Or would you prefer to hang out up here with me?"

I grinned.

"I want to see my family."

And I did.

I was able to see my family on the most important days of their lives.

Emmett with his Rosalie.

Edward with his Bella.

And my beautiful baby girl, Alice. I had never seen something more beautiful than my daughter on her wedding day.

The most rewarding part about the glimpse was seeing my son fall in love with Bella for the first time. Everything after that fell into place.

I really had everything. My family knew love, which was all I wanted for them. I got to see them whenever I wanted to. And when the time came, they got to see me, too.

Here.

The end.

Wow. Edward and Bella's story is finally finished. I'm a little sad about this, but I'm glad they got their HEA, along with all the rest of the characters. There is no way I could have finished this story without the support from all of you. Whether you favorited, followed, reviewed, or simply just read this story, I am so grateful that you did. Even when these characters were making some dumb decisions, you still stuck by. And for that, I am so grateful.

I will not be doing another story involving Flash Forward. I think this story needs to be finished. I will however be posting a new story called Safe. It's an E/B story about a very goofy Edward and an uptight Bella. It was meant for the Wonkyward Contest, but I couldn't find a beta in time. I still loved the idea of it, though! Keep a lookout, it will be posted starting this week.

Thanks again, my lovely readers. You inspire me. Keep reading :-)

-Bravery