A/N: Nope.. this is not a joke.. its an outtake! I will save most of my words for the end... but there is one thing I need to say now:

This is for you Dee, you asked for it and I worked my ass off to give you the outtake you wanted. But more than that, it is my thank you to you! You're an angel, a bright spot in a fandom that can get dark and icky. Your reviews and smooches make me smile and I appreciate it more than you'll ever know! I hope this will help brighten your day, but most of all, I hope I did you proud!

ENJOY!

Outtake #4: Another Chapter

Many Years Later

The large ballroom was buzzing with chatter as people finished up the scrumptious dinner that had been served less than thirty minutes ago. Beside me, Edward fidgeted with his tie, trying to loosen it from his collar.

"Stop that!" I hissed as I worked to fix his now crooked tie.

"It's too damn tight, woman," he snarked back with a hint of his familiar crooked smiled.

"I'll give you something to complain about later if you don't stop. Now behave."

Edward rolled his eyes as he reached for his coffee cup. "You're always making promises you can't deliver." He winked and I couldn't help but laugh.

"Dirty old man."

"I know I am. I proved it last night."

I felt my face flame at his innuendo laced words. I was saved from any further embarrassment as the superintendent strode to the podium to begin the program. Out if the corner of my eye I watched as Edward tensed up. I knew he hated the fuss being made about him. If it were up to him, he'd retire quietly, but his accomplishments made it impossible for him to slip silently into the night.

"Edward Cullen was more than a teacher to us all; he was a compassionate man that worked tirelessly not only for all the students in our district, but across the country as well."

As the speaker droned on, I turned to look at the family that surrounded us to celebrate this newest milestone. Marc and his new wife, Irina, beamed as the list of Edward's triumphs were recounted. I smiled at the tender way the both caressed the small bump the held our first grandchild. It felt weird to know that in a few short months we'd be welcoming a new member to the Cullen household. Truth be told, I couldn't wait.

Lana, our adoptive daughter, discreetly tried to wipe away tears as she listened to the superintendent. She threw me a narrow-eyed glare when she spied that I'd caught her in a moment of weakness. I blew her a kiss as I looked over at her sister, Lily who eyes shined with unabashed joy. She squirmed in her wheelchair and kept looking at her father as if he hung the moon.

Lily was a special needs child that we'd adopted when she was two years old. She had been placed in our care at birth as we had already adopted her older sister Lana. When we were approached with the option to have Lily placed into foster care with us, we didn't hesitate. Lana was thrilled to have her sister in the house. She was going through a rough patch where she didn't quite feel like she belonged. Once she saw Lily, she fell in love. They both had the same flaxen hair and sky blue eyes.

Even more remarkable, Lana never balked at Lily's disabilities. Lily was born with a severe case of cerebral palsy with significant developmental delays. She was confined to a wheelchair and had some cognitive impairment. Due to her numerous and specialized needs, it was decided that I would quit my job and stay at home. It was a challenge for us all, but one that worked out tremulously well.

Marc was enamored of his sisters and fiercely protective. He got into many a fight at school as he defended Lana and together the two of them raised holy hell on anyone who made fun of Lily. It was Marc rising in defense of both her and Lily that finally allowed Lana to accept that we loved her and would never leave her. Lana's fear of abandonment made sense when you looked at her history. We'd been her fifth foster home in two years when she came to us. She was argumentative, aggressive, but mostly a scared little girl.

Right away Edward realized that Lana had learning disabilities. Even though she was in first grade when we'd gotten her, she couldn't read or write. She was diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD. Coincidentally, it was Lana and Lily's special needs that inspired Edward to pursue a different educational track.

Frustrated with limited services for Lana, Edward began to pursue a master's degree in special education. He also threw himself into learning all about Lana's issues. He worked intensely with Lana at home on everything, trying a variety of strategies to combat her disabilities. It wasn't an easy road, one that grew infinitely tougher when Lily joined the family. While we could get help for Lily's physical needs, everyone pretty much gave up on her educational ones. So Edward developed a home school program for Lily and I worked with her.

While Lily will never be able to read above a fourth grade level, she can read. Everyone warned us that she might never learn to read, but she proved them wrong. She can add simple numbers and even has a special trick where she memorized the capitals for all fifty states. Even though she may act like a young child, she has the deepest and kindest heart.

After two really long years filled with hard work, Lana moved out of special education classes and mainstreamed. Coupled with the stability of staying in our house, Lana blossomed into a wonderful young person. When she got older, she started a support group in high school for kids in foster care and who were adopted. She told me once that she felt as if she needed to remind them not to give up, and to have faith that they'd find their happy ending.

It was obvious how much of Lana's past affected her. She remembered her birth mother, having lived with her off and on for the first four years of her life. We spoke many times about the revolving door of men and drugs that she was exposed to living with her biological mom. While some may call Lana lucky that she was never physically or sexually abused, she was often neglected. Her mom would spend what money she had on drugs and would often forget to feed Lana.

So it was no surprise when Lana went into college and earned a double degree in social work and psychology. She runs a successful program where children in foster care can get all their needs serviced in one place. She also offers pre and post adoptive support to families and children. Her programs have been highly commended for their successes. We couldn't be more proud of her.

It was due to all our struggles that Edward decided to write a book about our journey with two special needs children. He also wrote a math textbook geared toward children with dyslexia. It brought national attention to the state of special education in our country. He became a champion for all children struggling in school. He moved from being a math teacher to heading up the special education program for the district. He pushed for new and innovative programs, eventually being recognized in North Carolina as an expert in the field.

So, it was a bittersweet day when he decided to retire. It wasn't a decision that he'd made lightly; in fact, it was made with much anxiety. I can't count the number of times I'd found him pacing his office, pulling on his salt and pepper hair, muttering to himself. He worried about how things would continue after he left. Always worried about the children, he feared that everything he'd built would fall apart without him there. It wasn't ego that made him think like that, it was pure concern for the kids he served. Even though he was no longer teaching, he was often found in the special ed classes talking to teachers and students. He knew the names and needs of so many of these kids, that to think of a day without them paralyzed him.

Then fate helped him realize things would be fine with him gone. Lily had gotten a horrible infection that was resistant to treatment. She was rushed to the hospital where it was touch and go for several days. Her many medical issues just exacerbated her illness and she developed a severe case of pneumonia. To help her breathe, she was hooked up to a ventilator. Both of us stayed by her side, knowing how much she hated being in the hospital. We watched as she battled for her life. Thankfully she made it through, but it had been a tense three weeks in the hospital.

All in all Edward had been gone from work for close to a month. In his absence, the assistant director stepped in and managed to keep things running smoothly. Seeing how well everyone had done, he felt a bit better about tendering his intent to retire. The assistant director was picked to succeed Edward and he spent the last six months overseeing the transition. Now instead of planning meetings and programs, we'd planned our first of many travel destinations. In fact, our first one was a completely unknown to me.

Several hours later, we were back in our house surrounded by family and friends continuing the celebration of Edward's retirement. Even though he asked for no party, I couldn't help myself. Plus, it was a rare opportunity for us all to be together. As I walked from the kitchen to the living room, I stopped to appreciate everyone who'd shown up. The boisterous sound of laughter and talking warmed my heart.

Emmett and Rose made the journey from Minnesota. Emmett retired from the Marines and moved to Minnesota to be closer to Carlisle as he dealt with liver cancer. Rose loved living there so they stayed after Carlisle passed. All three of their children came along with their significant others. To see James walk around with his new bride and the girls with their husbands made me feel old and blessed.

Jake and Mike flew in from New York with Seth. Emily had to stay back as she was due to give birth at any moment. Mike had already confiscated Jake's phone as he was obsessively calling Emily to make sure she was alright. I knew that if she called to say she was in labor, a team of wild horses wouldn't keep Jake away. Emily was his baby girl after all, even if she was in her thirties.

Jasper and Alice sat tucked away in the corner, watching happily as their three girls mingled throughout the room. Catie was recently divorced from a rather abusive man, so we were all happy to see her here, smiling and laughing. Angela carried her small baby boy around, while Bree and her girlfriend talked to Seth over by the dining room.

A pair of arms snaked around my waist as I paused to take in the scene before me.

"Can we sneak out and start our own party," whispered Edward as he trailed kisses down my neck.

Without thinking, I arched my neck as I snuggled closer to his comforting warmth. "Wish we could baby, but it would be rude and uncouth to sneak away from your party." My eyes fluttered shut as his tongue and lips traced arousing patterns on my neck.

"Hey, it's my party, if I want to be uncouth I shall. Plus, you look luscious. I've wanted to nibble this neck all day."

I opened my mouth to give him a sarcastic retort when James came strolling around the corner.

"Eww! Old people making out alert! Get a room!"

We laughed at James' mock face of horror.

"I'll have you know young man, I was trying to tempt your aunt into leaving and sneaking upstairs for a quickie."

"I so didn't need to know that!" He walked away with a disgusted look.

"If you any need pointers, just ask!" Edward called to him as he walked away.

"You're incorrigible, Edward. He'll need therapy after that," I giggled.

Edward snorted, "Oh, it wasn't that bad. He saw much worse when he walked in on Em and Rose."

I laughed as I nodded. "He came screaming and crying into our room. 'Dad and mom are wrestling naked!'"

We grew quiet as Edward rested his chin on my shoulder. Together we pondered our life; the good and the bad, the ups and downs. It was all before us, in the family and friends that had come out to celebrate the end of one chapter of Edward's life and to wish us well at the start of the next. I appreciated each and every one of them. We've worked hard to be there for each other; weddings, deaths, adoptions, births and everything in between. Not having them here would've been an oddity.

"Thank you for this, Bella. Really, I love that they all came out here like this. It's amazing."

"You deserve this, Edward. All your hard work and effort has made a difference. Now, we get to sit back and relax a little."

"You don't regret any of it, do you?"

I heard the real question in his voice. Did I feel as if he neglected me, us, while he worked so hard? My head was shaking nearly as soon as the question left his mouth.

"Never. I truly believe that this was your true purpose in life, Edward. Lana and Lily coming into our lives was the spark that allowed you to soar. There were so many times when I would swear I saw Marcus in your eyes. He would've loved all that you've accomplished."

He spun me around, his jade eyes burned with intensity. "I know you and the kids didn't feel like I neglected you, but I promise you, Bella, this next stage of my life will be about us. You and me and our family."

One week later, he kept his promise. We found ourselves back at that same Italian family vineyard we'd been to so many years ago. The small children that had been running around the vines were now older and running the winery. We regaled them with tales about our first trip and the rainstorm that lead us to their doorstep. They pulled out a scrapbook filled with all the letters and pictures we had sent over the years.

Instead of the one night like we spent the first time we were here, we stayed for a ten days. It was invigorating, walking the long rows of vines with Sergio, the head vintner. He spent time teaching me how to taste grapes for readiness and then how to detect the subtle hints of other aromas in the finished product. Many a night found us with several bottles of wine open, laughter and music echoing over the fields. Any stress and tension I'd felt, melted away with every moment we spent with our friends.

On our last full day before we headed over to England, I was on the porch where I was blowing bubbles for the kids when Edward sauntered over to me with a smile and a huge picnic basket in his hands.

"Come with me, mia cara." The kids giggled at his attempt at speaking Italian. We learned fairly early that while he had a mind for numbers, languages were a whole different story. With a wave at the kids, I grabbed Edward's outstretched hand.

He led me to a moped where he strapped the basket onto the back and handed me a cute helmet. I opened my mouth to ask him where we're going, but he just smirked and shook his head. He swung his leg over the seat and waited for me to get situated. I wrapped my arms around his waist and with a little rev of the engine, we were off.

Since I knew he wouldn't let our destination be known, I just enjoyed the scenery flowing around me. I'd never get tired of the rolling hills and beautiful vistas surrounding Florence. Even the smells of earth, fruit and sunshine were intoxicating. We rode on twisty roads that appeared to be bringing us deeper into the forest. In short order, Edward was slowing down and when he finally stopped, we were surrounded by trees.

"Is this our final destination?" Curiosity got the best me and the question just slipped out.

"Not yet, but were close." He stowed our helmets in the side compartment and unhooked the basket. He slipped his hand into mine and started trekking into the woods.

"You know, if I didn't know you and trust you with every fiber of my being, I'd swear you were taking me into the woods to hack me up into tiny pieces," I quipped with a smirk.

"Real funny, Bella. Hardy har har! You're a real comedian. Once we get there, you'll eat your words, trust me."

True to his word, I did. Our hike lasted less than fifteen minutes and when it did, it was at the most gorgeous meadow I 'd ever seen. It was small, no bigger than our house, but it was a perfect circle. An oasis surrounded by towering trees. The sun highlighted the areas like a spot light, guiding us toward paradise on earth.

I gasped when I took in the tall grasses interspersed with abundant wildflowers in a multitude of colors. There appeared to be no trace of humans ever setting foot in the area. I hung at the outskirt of the meadow, appreciating the view but unwilling to a step foot farther and ruin the untouched feeling that surrounded this place.

"It's beautiful, Edward," I whispered. "How did you find such a place?'

Edward walked up behind me and snuck his arms around me. "Roberto told me about it. Said it's a place he often came to to think. He thought it would be perfect for us."

"I can't believe someone has been here before, it all looks so pristine. I almost don't want to ruin its beauty."

"Mother Nature is resilient my love. Let's go and enjoy it."

So we did. With care and deliberate footsteps, Edward led me to the center and laid out a huge blanket for us. He took out wine, cheese, crackers, olives, antipasto and a huge hunk of bread. We spent our time talking and laughing as we fed each other morsels of food. The feeling in the air was one of quiet contemplation. We were both sad to see our time in Italy come to a close, but eager to see what adventures awaited us in England.

After we'd stuffed ourselves with food, we lay on our sides and cuddled, letting the sun bathe our bodies in warmth. Birds chirped in the background and I couldn't help but get carried away in a drowsy haze. My eyes closed as I cuddled closer. Edward's hand traced patterns on my back and I never felt more loved and contented.

I'm not sure how long I dozed, but I awoke to Edward's lips trailing over my eyelids, down my cheek and to my neck. Goosebumps erupted all over my arms despite the heat from the sun. Desire raced through my veins as I moved my neck, beckoning Edward to continue what he was doing. His hands moved up and down my side, grazing my breasts, teasing, before trailing back down. A low moan escaped after his third pass.

"Edward, don't be a tease."

"I'm not baby, I'm savoring you."

With a gentle nudge, he rolled me onto my back and we were pressed together chest to leg. His lips hovered over mine, a slight smirk on his lips. But it was his eyes that gave everything away. Gone were the soft greens I knew and loved. They were replaced with dark pools of need, raw and unashamed. It was all I needed to see.

I pulled him down to me and kissed him hard, demanding. I swallowed his groan as he met me kiss for kiss. Our lips moved in a feverish dance and it didn't take long for our hands to join the party. My legs wound around his legs, pulling him even closer. Edward's hands were buried in my hair where he twisted and pulled at the strands to the point of pain. My hips arched upward while his hips pushed down. But it wasn't close enough, I needed to feel him.

Skin to skin.

"Clothes… off…now!" I panted between Edward raining kisses on any skin he could find. We separated long enough to strip and my eyes devoured his body as he shed his clothes.

When we came back together, it was heavenly. My hands explored the familiar contours of his skin. While his body no longer held the hard planes of his youth, he was still the man I loved and just touching him sent a thrill through me. As Edward dove for my cleavage, my hands traced the swirls and lines of his ink. Even faded, I felt so loved at the sight of them.

But before I could become too engrossed in them, Edward had found a nipple and began sucking and tugging on it. Gasps and moans filled the meadow as I lost myself in the sensations of his mouth on my skin. My hips rocked back and forth as I straddled him, my clit rubbing and grinding on his cock.

"I need to be inside you, Bella," Edward panted, his voice full of need. When I moved back over him again, he lifted me slightly and thrust his hips upward.

In one smooth motion I was sliding down his cock. When he was in as deep as he could go, we both moaned at the sensations. I'd never tire of the feel of him buried in me. Slowly we found a rhythm, a soft rocking back and forth, up and down. Now that we were joined, the frenzy turned into a need to feel connected. Edward continued to bathe my skin in his kisses while I clutched at his shoulders, needing the feel of him to ground me.

"Look at me," commanded Edward.

Without a thought, my eyes snapped open to find him staring at me. I gasped at the depth of emotion I saw. There was more than love and lust, there was a contentment and a promise. It was the same promise he'd made all those years ago when he wrote to a scared girl letting her know she had his heart.

Seeing all of that, knowing how he felt, it caused our movements to speed up, racing toward the finish that was barreling down on us both. The tightness in my belly caused me to clench down hard on Edward, which spurred him to pump faster and harder. The cycle repeated over and over until I was slamming down on him as much as he was thrusting upward into me.

Sweat dripped down my back, my fingers dug into his skin as I threw back my head as my orgasm crashed over me. Edward's loud moans echoed in my ear as I felt him spill deep inside. We held onto each other as small tremors shook our bodies, the final waves of our orgasms slowly subsiding. When it ended, I slumped against his sweaty chest, tired, but blissfully sated.

Remembering what I saw in Edward's eyes just moments ago, caused tears to prick at the corner of my own. Even after all these years, he held so much love and adoration for me. I had long grown past wondering if I deserved it. I knew with every fiber of my being that we were made for each other. But to see that promise in his eyes, a promise that told me he'd love me until his dying breath and beyond, was overwhelming.

"Even before I knew you, Bella, you were mine. You were written on my heart the day I was born."

My tenuous hold on my tears broke and they spilled out. Just when I thought I couldn't love or need him anymore, he proves me wrong.

"Every pain and joy brought us together, Edward. I'd do it all over again just to get to you."

His fingers wiped away my tears, his lips replacing them with soft kisses.

"Don't cry love," he whispered.

"Happy tears, baby, happy tears. You could never be anything but mine."

A/N: *sniff* I hate when I say goodbye to characters that have been with me for soo long. But this is the end... we know where they went and where they are headed and I think its a great future for our happy couple.

To Dawn who pre-read this as I anxiously bit my nails and then came back with nothing but wonderfullness.

To Pixie who made this sparkle.. you're hard work is apprecuiated. I loved having you along for the ride.

Lastly, to ALL MY READERS... THANK YOU foryour love, support, kind words and love for this Edward and Bella. Now, everytime I hear Anything But Mine.. its THEM I see.. and its all because you embraced their story!

So, for the last time for these crazy kids.. leave me some love!

WVG