So, thank you to everyone who read my story for the Godfather of All Writing Contests. I'm so thrilled with the outcome and the stories submitted were nothing short of awesome! So well written! I've decided to expand this. It'll probably be a novella, not a full-length fic, similar to Mechanics and Mistletoe or A Thin Line Between Love and Hate. I'm rereading my submission to see where things will be going. Thank you for reading and supporting me!

Are you still with me? Don't throw sharp objects at me … here's your epilogue.

Epilogue

Six Months Later

"Dr. Masen, we've got incoming," said Lauren Mallory. She was a nurse at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. And a thorn in every male attending's side.

"Thank you, Lauren, but with this signature, I'm off," he said. "Dr. Novak is on duty this evening. I have a date with my wife." Lauren scoffed and turned on her heel, presumably to find Dr. Novak. Dr. Masen went to the locker room and changed out of his scrubs, pulling on a pair of jeans and a button-down shirt. He scrubbed his hands in his hair before sliding on his sunglasses, picking up his car keys. Twirling them in his finger, he rubbed his wedding band on his left hand and made his way home. Using the hands-free option in his Audi SUV, he dialed home.

"Hello?" came the sweet voice of his wife.

"Hey love, I'm on my way home from the hospital. Are you ready to go?" he asked.

"I was thinking we could spend the night at home, Doc," she said.

"Beautiful, you know what your therapist said," he chided. "You can't just stay cooped up in our house."

"Please? I promise I have a good reason," she wheedled. "I want to talk to you, about … um, stuff."

"Very specific, love," he deadpanned. "Do you want me to pick up dinner?"

"No. I made us dinner. I'll be out on the lanai," she smiled. "Love you."

"Love you more," he breathed, getting onto the highway and driving the half hour back to his large home he shared with his gorgeous wife. Backing his SUV into the garage, he made his way inside and he grinned as he smelled his favorite meal being made. "Honey, I'm home."

"Oh, don't even start."

He rounded the corner and he saw her. Isabella Swan, now reborn as Annabella Masen. Her once-long brunette hair was now cut to her chin, with caramel highlights littered throughout. She was standing in the kitchen, her hands on her hips with an adorable scowl on her face. "What?" Edward laughed. "You're my honey and I'm home."

"You're an ass," she snorted, shaking her head.

He walked toward her and wrapped his arms around her slender body. She stiffened at first, but eventually melted against him. "You're tense, love. You haven't flinched like that in a couple of months."

"Rough day," she whispered. "Dad called."

"I thought he'd give you time," Edward sneered. "You need time away from that life, Bella."

"I know! I know," she said. "He called because he was worried about me and he missed me. I miss him, too, but until he walks away from …" She sniffled, wiping her cheeks and pressing her forehead to Edward's sternum.

"He said a year, Bella. He needed to make sure that the Wolf Pack was truly gone," he whispered, running his fingers through her hair.

"I know," she sighed.

The day at The Rez was honestly the worst day of Edward's life. He held Bella as she was slowly bleeding into her chest. Peter and Charlotte performed surgery on her in the basement clinic while Charlie had his club torched, destroying evidence and finalizing the plan. It was in that fire that Isabella Swan, Edward Cullen and the rest of the crew, had perished, giving them a chance at a new life.

Bella's injuries were severe and required round-the-clock care. Between Edward, Peter, Charlotte and a private nurse, she healed physically. She'd forever have a massive scar on her left side and a surgical scar down her midline. The scar on her left side was from her attacker's knife. It had collapsed her lung and nicked her pericardium. Peter had to open up her chest to repair the damage, but he was confident Bella would make a full recovery. She also had orthopedic surgery on her wrist from the break that Jacob caused, but that was nothing compared to having her chest cracked open.

After nearly a month in recovery in the basement of her own home, Bella was eager to start her new life. She was still as weak as a newborn kitten, but being in that house, in Seattle, drove into madness. With money from the legitimate businesses of the Swan family, Rose and Emmett took the private plane to Jacksonville to find housing for all who were relocating – Edward, Bella, Alice, Jasper, Rosalie and Emmett. Alice and Jasper were fine staying in apartments or condos. Rose preferred to be on a beach and Edward just wanted something safe. Once housing was figured out, Edward flew out with Peter, who worked at Mayo Clinic of Jacksonville. Peter was bringing Edward in as a new attending, but he had to be interviewed by the chief of emergency medicine.

Little did he know that the chief was his former mentor, Dr. Anthony Masen. During the interview, Edward explained, briefly, what had happened in Seattle. Anthony Masen was sympathetic and hired Edward on the spot, claiming him as his nephew. His willingness to accept Edward into his life made the young man burst into tears. That night, Anthony and Edward had a quiet dinner and discussed how Edward's employment would work. Edward would be an attending, but he put his hat into the ring for a trauma fellowship. There were no guarantees in regard to that, but he was happy to practice medicine again.

Before he left, Edward turned to his mentor, and adoptive uncle. "I know I haven't kept you in the loop. I'm sorry about that," Edward whispered.

"Don't apologize, son. It sounds like you've had a rough go of it," Anthony said, squeezing Edward's shoulder.

"I would like you to meet someone who made all of this easier," Edward murmured. "It was you who brought us together."

"I was hoping the two of you would get together," Anthony chuckled.

"She's … she's been hurt, badly," Edward said, wrinkling his nose. "Recovering from several stab wounds and a broken wrist. You're the closest thing I have to family and I want you to meet her. Not as your student, but as the woman I love."

"I'd be happy to," Anthony smiled.

They hugged, and Edward flew back to Seattle. A few days later, the two of them moved into the gorgeous, secured home a half hour away from Mayo Clinic. Bella still needed help and Charlotte came daily to check her incisions. Edward wanted to do that, but Bella was adamant that she didn't want Edward to see her ugly body.

It was Peter who found Bella a therapist. He saw how much Bella's pain impacted Edward. She had shut him out and her anger was a festering, bubbling wound. She was not Bella, but 'Scar' full time. When Peter went to check on her incisions, he had a therapist friend join him. Irina, the therapist, was a rape survivor and understood feeling 'unlovable, unwanted.' Irina sat down with Bella and wouldn't leave until she acknowledged her presence. The first few sessions were contentious. Bella hated talking to the gorgeous blonde bombshell. Bella was too skinny, having lost thirty pounds by not being able to eat. Her hair was limp, and she was littered with scars.

However, once Bella broke down her walls, she shared with Irina her fears of losing her sense of self, her purpose and the man she loved. Irina helped Bella up and dragged her to the shower. "Do something about it," Irina barked, her brow arched. "Stop wallowing and get your ass in gear. Start by going to have coffee with me."

Coffee turned into shopping trips, then time spent at bookstores and finally, Bella decided to change her look. She chopped her hair off, getting some highlights and she felt better, different. More like herself and not like 'Scar.' It was after that makeover that Bella told Irina about 'Scar' and asked her how to make that facet of her personality go away.

"Bella, 'Scar' will be a part of your personality forever. I understand why you created her. She protected you and provided you with strength," Irina said. "You just need to find a way to meld her into your own personality. You can still be a badass bitch if you wanted to, but without the knives and maiming."

"I'm just so angry all the time," Bella said, her hands clenched. "I'm angry at my dad for dragging me into his life. I'm angry at Edward because he's working, and I'm stuck here, doing NOTHING."

"So, do something about it," Irina shrugged. "Get a job. Go to school. Volunteer at the women's shelter."

"I can't drive yet," Bella grumbled. "Sternum was cut open. I've got at least another month before I can drive."

"Bella, we've been meeting for a couple of months now. I'd like to think that we're friends now," Irina deadpanned. "You can ask me. You have other friends nearby in Jack, Caden, Trish and Jeri." Jack and Trish were Emmett and Rose while Caden and Jeri were Jasper and Alice. "And Edward is more than willing to be at your beckoned call."

"When he's not working, which is never," Bella snapped.

"Do you wonder why he's working so much?" Irina asked. Bella shook her head. "He blames himself for what happened to you. Seeing you so hurt, it shatters him, sweetie."

"Are you his therapist, too?" Bella asked.

"No, I'm his colleague. I work at the same hospital he does, and he's called me in as a consult for his patients," Irina said, smirking. "He did say that I could tell you that he's also talking to someone. He needs to come to terms with the loss of what you all had and your injuries. He also never fully grieved his parents, so he's … he's working through a lot. Being at the hospital is routine, comfortable. He can't fix the problems at home, so he manages to work on fixing the problems at work. When was the last time you talked to him?"

"This morning," Bella said sulkily.

"Not monosyllabic responses, a true conversation, Bella," Irina chided. She was met with silence. "I think that's your first thing to do is to talk to him. Tell him what you're feeling. He loves you so much, sweetie."

"I love him, too. I just hate that …" she pouted, looking down at her left hand, which had a plain gold band on it. She was, according to Rosalie, married to Edward, even though she didn't get a 'wedding.' "I'll talk to him."

"Good," Irina said, hugging Bella. "I'll meet with you after you've talked with your husband."

That night, after Edward got home, they sat down and talked, truly talked about every that had happened in the past five months. There were tears, apologies and a lot of kissing. They both made a promise to not hold anything in anymore and to talk about their problems. After that, Edward came up with the idea of date night, going out into the real world. Bella was still leery about being recognized, but with her changed hair style and scar cream, she didn't look like the same woman she was in Seattle. So, they went to a movie on their first date night.

She nearly had a panic attack, but she got through it.

Each time they went out, it got better, but it would be a long time before Bella would feel comfortable in Jacksonville, even though the Wolf Pack had been, essentially, destroyed that fateful day. But an enemy that threatened you for most of your life will take a long time before that fear goes away.

"What else is bothering you, beautiful?" Edward asked, cupping Bella's chin.

"I … I'll tell you over dinner. Why don't you shower and grab a beer? I need to check on the lasagna," she said.

"You shouldn't be lifting that stuff, Bella," Edward chided.

"Alice put it in the oven for me. You're going to take it out, Doc," she said, smacking his ass. "Go. You smell like hospital." He chuckled and went to the bedroom, taking a quick shower. While he did that, Bella checked the lasagna and gravy on the stove. It was pure Italian heaven bubbling in her kitchen. Edward came back downstairs, dressed in a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. He slid his arm around her waist and kissed her neck. "Hmmmm, much better. Dior Homme?"

"The body wash you got me for my birthday," he said, his lips moving up to her earlobe.

"Much better than the stench of antiseptic," Bella retorted dryly. The oven rang, and she opened it up. "Can you pull this out?"

"Sure," he replied, pulling on some oven mitts. He tugged out the lasagna and put on the stove. Bella shooed him out of the kitchen with a bottle of beer. She plated the lasagna, carrying it out to the lanai, which had been set with tiki torches and rattan furniture. It overlooked the pool and about a hundred yards past that, they were right on the beach. After they ate dinner, Bella took Edward's hand and led him down to the beach. They sat down in the white sand, looking out over the midnight-colored waters.

"I've been thinking," Bella said. "You have your job. Emmett found a job as a manager of a nightclub. Rose is working for a law firm. Jasper is doing private detective work with Alice. I've been sitting on my ass."

"You've been healing from significant trauma, Bella," Edward argued. "Both physical and emotional."

"Okay, that's true," she shrugged. "But, I want to do more."

"What do you want?"

"Well, the first request is a bit selfish," she answered, looking at Edward. "I go into surgery as Isabella Swan and I wake up Annabella Masen. I got married and I don't remember it. I'd like to have a wedding. A real wedding and a ring." Bella held up her left ring finger and thrust it into Edward's face.

"I was planning on 'renewing' our vows, love," he snickered. "On that renewal, I was going to give you a ring. Be patient?"

"I'll try," she said, moving and laying in between Edward's legs. "The second thing is that I want to go to college. I started to go all those years ago, but I dropped out after …" She ran her finger over her nearly invisible scar.

"I think you should," Edward said. "You'd like it, beautiful. What would your major be?"

"English literature or creative writing," she shrugged. "Something revolving the written word. I love reading and writing. My journals are … they're my lifeline, besides you."

"I'll support you. No matter what you do," Edward murmured, holding her closer to his chest. "Mrs. Masen …"

"I would have preferred Cullen," she retorted, looking back at him. "But, just so long as I'm with you, I'm happy. I love you, Edward."

"I love you, Bella," he smiled, kissing her tenderly.

~o~o~o~o~

With doctored, fake records, Bella started that fall at the University of North Florida. She walked in as an English major. Her classes were tough, but a welcome change to the day-to-day minutiae of being Charlie Swan's daughter. Yes, she was older than the other incoming freshman, but it was something she wanted to do. She'd put her needs to the side and now, she was being selfish, as opposed to being selfless.

Edward also got some good news that fall, as well. He was given the trauma fellowship. It meant longer hours, but the possibility of becoming a trauma surgeon and setting up a trauma surgical suite in the emergency room was his long-term goal. With 'Uncle Anthony' on his side, it appeared that the goal was going to be a reality, sometime in the next two years.

A month into Bella's semester, she was at the library. Edward was at home and he'd called in reinforcements. Emmett, Jasper, Alice and Rosalie were all sitting in the living room. "So, just prior to Bella telling me about going back to school, she said she went into surgery as Isabella Swan and woke up Annabella Masen. She never got her wedding. She woke up married to me. She wants a wedding."

"I knew we forgot something," Alice giggled. "What's your plan?"

"Bella's favorite holiday is Halloween," Edward said. "We've got two months to pull together a wedding on Halloween."

"You're nuts, Edward," Rosalie said. "It can't be done. A woman like Bella deserves …"

"Something small," Edward jumped in. "She doesn't want a big to-do. Just a small ceremony out on our lanai, under the full moon on Halloween. Do you know a judge who can perform the ceremony?" Emmett raised his hand. "Yes?"

"I'm an ordained minister. I can do it," Emmett said.

"Okay, Emmett will marry us," Edward chuckled. "I just want to give her something. She's been through hell and back. She deserves this wedding."

"What about school?" Jasper asked.

"It coincides with her fall break," he replied. "I'm going to take her for a weekend to Jamaica."

And with that, they planned the Halloween wedding. The only fly in the ointment was trying to get Bella a dress. Alice suggested that they just order something, but Rose put the kibosh on that. Regardless, a woman needs to choose her own wedding dress. Alice and Rose decided to figure out something for the dress, but all would be good to go by October thirty-first.

Alice and Rose solved the problem with the help of Irina. She was engaged to be married and she had to go dress shopping. The four of them went the weekend of Bella's birthday, in mid-September. Irina had already found her dress but was willing to play along. Irina tried on dresses that would look on Bella. The third dress she put on, Bella's eyes got misty. "Bella, why don't you try this on? Didn't your hubby say he wanted to do a vow renewal? You need a dress," Irina said.

"Oh, no. It's your day," Bella said.

"No, I insist," Irina smiled. They both went into the dressing room. The consultant helped Irina out of the dress and Bella into it. It was a gorgeous V-neck mermaid dress with lace and organza skirt. Bella crossed her arms, her nose wrinkled. "What is it, Bella?"

"My scar," she said, trying to pull up the dress and hide the red, angry scar between her breasts.

"Sweetie, you can barely see it," Irina said. "This dress is gorgeous on you." She took Bella's hand and led her out to the mirror. Bella stepped up and looked at her skirt. Her hands were shaking as she ran her hands over the white, beaded lace bodice. "Look at yourself, Bella."

Tears welled in her eyes, but she blinked up. Rose stood next her, pinning back one side of her hair with a jeweled clip. Alice was putting on earrings and a bracelet. Bella tugged at the bodice, wishing she didn't have the scar. The dress was beautiful, but she felt fake.

"Why are you crying, Bella?" Alice asked. Bella pointed to her chest. "I don't see that. I see a woman who's going to marry her best friend and the man who loves her more than words can describe."

"I see someone who has the perfect hourglass shape. I'd kill for your curves," Irina laughed. "My ass is as flat as a pancake."

"I see someone who has a life full of promise and nothing standing in her way," Rose finished. "You deserve a happily ever after. And with the Doc? You're going to get it." With the mention of Edward, Bella smiled, and she felt the anvil release from her chest. "That smile? It's all we need." She handed her credit card to the consultant and Bella had her wedding gown.

"What?" Bella squeaked, turning her head. "What are you talking about?"

"You'll see," Alice sang. "Who wants to go out for lunch? There's this cute little Cuban café around the corner that I love!"

They went for lunch and had a girly day of beauty, with manis/pedis. Rose suggested they go out to the club that Emmett managed. Sending a text to Edward and Jasper, they met up with them and Laurent, Irina's fiancé, at Las Palmas. Bella was uncomfortable at first, glued to Edward's side. She was afraid that someone from the Wolf Pack would jump out and attack her. He pulled her to the outdoor patio and stared at her. "Beautiful, we're free."

"I know, but I …" she sniffled. "I feel naked. No knives."

"You don't need them anymore. Emmett said his best security guys are working tonight. We're okay. I'm with you," he whispered, kissing her forehead and pressing his lips to hers. "I want to dance with you, Bella. We'll stay off the dance floor."

"Okay," she smiled, allowing herself to be pulled back into the club. Edward stayed true to his promise, dancing with her in the VIP lounge, away from the crowds. She loosened up and she melted against Edward, rolling her hips against his. It made Edward hard, reminding him that it had been nearly seven months since they'd made love. With her injuries and her emotional health, their physical relationship was put on the back burner and understandably so. Edward missed sharing his love with Bella and hopefully, on their wedding day, they'd be able to reconnect.

Quit thinking with your pecker, pervert!

After the club, Bella crashed in the car and Edward carried her to their bedroom. He went to undress her for bed and she barely stirred. While he changed her, he checked her scars and they were fading against her pale, porcelain skin. Edward knew that Bella hated her scars. Regardless of these scars, he still loved her and always would. He pulled off his club clothes, crawling into bed with Bella and she snuggled against him, needing reassurance, even in slumber.

Bella was so strong, a survivor. She'd been through hell and back. She could bring down a two-hundred-pound man with a single knife thrust, but she was a gentle soul. She hated what she had to do when she worked for her father. She did it because she had to, she was forced to due to Embry's attack.

Edward kissed her forehead, gliding his finger down her fading facial scar. "No more, love. We are free. Free to do what we want, and I promise to protect you. I love you," he whispered, holding her closer.

~o~o~o~o~

"Mrs. Masen," said her English professor, Professor Banner. "Excellent work today. I really liked your interpretation of Hamlet. Your thoughts were really quite insightful." He handed her paper back and it was an A. "You really have a unique mind, taking things to a different location."

"Thank you, Professor Banner," Bella said. "I worked really long and hard on this paper, since it is our midterm."

"Doing anything fun for fall break?" Professor Banner asked. "I know that there are some parties on campus."

"My husband has some time off at the hospital. He's an emergency room physician and trauma surgeon. It's rare he gets time off and we're going to spend some time together," Bella replied.

"I hope you and your husband have a good time. I'll see you next week, Mrs. Masen," Professor Banner said, packing up his belongings.

"I'm looking forward to what you have planned. I love the American transcendentalists," Bella smiled.

"More than the Bard?" Professor Banner asked as they walked out of the lecture hall.

"In a different way," Bella smirked. "I'm partial to more recent, thought-provoking fiction, with a touch of romance, intrigue and approaching things from a different way. I'm looking forward to reading a new novel for pleasure and not for analysis during this time off."

"You do that, Bella," Professor Banner said, patting her shoulder gently. With a wave, Bella left the building and made her way to her car, a silver BMW. It was decked out with every possible way of protection. It was bullet-proof and had a GPS tracker on it. She wanted to not have any sort of 'extras' on it, but she was grateful for the armor. It made her feel safe. Not as safe as when she was with Edward, but safe enough. She took a few deep breaths before backing out of the spot and made her way home.

When she got back to the house, she noticed that there were flowers all around the front circle drive. Alice was working with Jasper, draping some fabric on the patio. "Alice?" Bella called out.

"Hey, Bells," she chirped, but she turned around with her eyes wide. "You're home."

"Yeah. I live here," Bella snickered. "What's with the sheets?"

"Jasper, I thought you said she'd be home later," Alice said, draping her arm over Bella's shoulder. "Um, they're not sheets."

"Alice, speak," Bella commanded, arching a brow. "Now."

"Don't, Alice," Edward sighed. "I'll tell her."

"I thought you were working tonight," Bella said. "What's going on, Doc?"

Edward threaded his fingers with hers and led her to the backyard. On the lanai, there was a raised dais with flowers all around it. There were also chairs, facing the dais. "You told me that you wanted a wedding. We never had one. I never got the chance to get down on bended knee, asking you to be my wife. We've been living together for almost nine months as husband and wife, but we never got this."

"This is our wedding?" Bella whispered.

"We've never done things normally, beautiful," Edward murmured, dropping down on bended knee. He took her hand and kissed her plain gold wedding band. "I love you, Bella. I think I loved you from the moment I met you. You challenged me in ways I never thought possible. You made me laugh. You make me crazy. I can't imagine my life without you in it. I thought I lost you six years ago, but you came back to me. Then, nine months ago, I thought I lost you again. Tomorrow, will you do me the honor of marrying me, in front of our family?"

"On Halloween," Bella sniffled, smiling down at him.

"It seemed fitting," he smirked.

"What about my Dad?" she whispered. "Even though …"

"Trust me, love," Edward breathed. "Will you marry me?"

Bella smiled and nodded. "Yes." With a crooked grin, Edward stood up and kissed her gently. They broke apart and Bella brushed his hair back from his forehead. "I'm not breakable, Edward."

"You're stronger than me, beautiful," he said. "But, I will always treat you with love and respect. I could never hurt you." She beamed, tugging him down to her lips and kissing him deeply, sliding her tongue into his mouth. He broke away, pressing his forehead to hers. "As much as I want to continue this, you are being spoiled tonight. I have to stay here so the decorations can be put up. You are going to the Ritz-Carlton with Alice and Rose for a mini-spa retreat before our nuptials tomorrow."

"How did you do this?" Bella asked.

"I have my ways, love," Edward chuckled. He blinked and saw Rose standing next to her car. "Your carriage awaits."

"Wait, I can't sleep with you?" Bella pouted.

"Not tonight, Bella, but every day after that? We'll never be apart," he breathed, kissing her again. "I love you, Mrs. Masen."

"I love you, Dr. Masen," she purred.

Edward stepped back and watched as Bella got into Rose's ostentatious red Mercedes convertible. Alice went into the backseat and they drove off. Edward left Jasper in charge of the crew he'd hired to put together the wedding and he drove to the airport to pick up Harry and Charlie. When he arrived at the airport, he noticed a few more people came as well, including Leah, Seth, Carmen and Sue, who used to work in the Swan household. The four of them were dressed in disguises and Edward drove them back to the house, setting them up in the guest rooms. Edward could tell that Charlie was missing his daughter, but he understood why he gave her the way out.

After everyone was settled, Edward was sitting on the lanai, his feet dipped in the pool. He was drinking a beer and staring out past the palm trees and onto the beach. Charlie walked out, his disguise removed. "You got another one of those?" he asked, pointing to Edward's beer. Edward reached into a cooler, handing Charlie a bottle as he sat down. "This place is gorgeous."

"With the money you gifted Bella, the money from the sale of my condo and my inheritance, we own it," Edward said. "From the circle drive down to the beach front. We have a decent savings account, too. That's paying for Bella's college education." Edward was cool with Charlie. He never really forgave Charlie for putting Bella into the 'line of fire.' "Thank you for coming."

"I'm surprised you called me," Charlie muttered. "I know you hate my guts."

"I don't hate you, Charlie. I just don't understand why you would rope your only child into that life," Edward shrugged. "You saw what it was doing to her."

"She's out, isn't she?" Charlie snapped.

"But, not without scars," Edward snapped back. "And I'm not talking about physical scars. She's got deep, cutting emotional scars. Those will take significantly longer to heal. You aren't here when she wakes up screaming in terror. You don't see her as she constantly looks over her shoulder to see if the Wolf Pack is going to attack. It takes every ounce of her strength to get up, get out of bed and drive to the university, but I see the terror in her eyes before she pulls away. I love Bella. I hate what your life did to her. I don't hate you as a person, but I question your reasoning for doing what you did to your daughter, for causing that emotional and physical trauma. It's, honestly, unfathomable, Charlie."

"Why did you call me, then?" Charlie asked.

"I know Bella would want you to walk her down the aisle," Edward muttered. "I may not like you, but I respect my wife too much to deny her you. You are her father. A shitty father, but her father. She still has you."

"You were never this mouthy back in Seattle," Charlie snorted.

"I was stuck in a shitty situation. I'm out of it and I'm making the most of my life. I still get to be a doctor. I'm with the woman I love. I'm not going to let you or anyone else fuck with that," Edward said. "I had nothing tying me to Seattle. Yes, I lost my family name, but I'm alive. As is Bella. And her happiness is paramount. I will spend the rest of my life doing whatever it takes to make up for your mistakes. She'll want for nothing. She'll be loved, cherished and get the life she should have had, Charlie. 'Scar' should have never existed. Never. You honed that part of Bella's personality and made her a killer." Edward finished his beer and stood up, glaring at Charlie. "I may never forgive you for what you did, but you being here is for her. Cherish her, love her. She's all you got left and if this goes badly, you won't even have that. Good night, Charlie." Edward tossed the beer into a garbage can and stomped up the stairs.

"Kid's got brass balls," Harry snorted.

"How much of that did you hear?" Charlie grumbled.

"All of it and the kid is right," Harry said. "I told you after Bella had her face fucked up that you should have sent her to Renee. But, you are so god damned stubborn that you decided to make your child into a psychopath."

"She's not a psychopath," Charlie growled.

"Well, no, but she's messed up," Harry shrugged. "Doc Cullen brought out Bella and made her feel emotions again. I'm on his side, Charlie. You will do your job as father of the bride, escort her down the aisle and you'll be fucking happy about it. Doc Cullen is giving her the life she deserves. I love you like a brother, but Bella was never cut for our life."

"Both of your kids …" Charlie began.

"Are getting out, too," Harry said. "Leah is moving to Arizona, going to University of Arizona. Seth? He's moving here, to Jacksonville. Emmett got him a job at his club. He'll be working security. Stop being a stubborn ass and let them have their happiness, Charlie." He cracked his neck. "I'm exhausted and jetlagged. I'm going to bed. You should, too."

Charlie nodded and sat out on the lanai. The words that Edward shared with him were twisting in his brain. Edward was right and that was the main reason he gave Bella the way out. He just didn't think it would hurt this much. He missed his baby girl. He loved her. ... Her happiness is paramount … Edward was wiser than his thirty-one years. Charlie only prayed that he could make it up to Bella before it was too late.

The next morning, another crew came with flowers and decorations for the wedding. A private catering company arrived a couple hours later along with one of the DJs from Las Palmas. Edward dressed in a tuxedo and he blew out a breath. There was a quiet knock. He turned, seeing Jasper. "Hey, man," Edward said. "Do you know how to tie bowties?"

"Nope," Jasper laughed. "I heard you really laid into Charlie."

"I shouldn't have done that. I was an asshole," Edward grumped.

"You weren't. From what I heard from Harry, who heard it all, you were right," Jasper smirked. "I wish I was a fly on that wall. Charlie deserved it." He arched a brow as Edward struggled with his bowtie. "Here, use a fake one. You're making me antsy." He tossed a fake bowtie to Edward, who promptly put it around his neck. "Ali called, and Bella is here. She's dressed in her gown, talking to Daddy Douche."

"How does she look?" Edward asked, his face softening. "Happy?"

"Before she saw Charlie? I've never seen her happier, Edward," Jasper breathed. "But, when she saw Charlie? She was looking for her knives."

"Oh, boy. Should I go mediate?" Edward laughed.

"Rose has it," Jasper said. "She's pulling her lawyer card because she doesn't want to represent Bella for her father's murder." He slapped Edward's shoulder. "Come on, man. It's almost time."

They went downstairs, and Edward walked to the front, to the raised dais, with Jasper and Peter standing with him as his groomsmen. It was twilight and there were twinkle lights surrounding the lanai. The DJ began playing music and Alice walked down the aisle, wearing purple dress and carrying an autumnal mix of flowers in her hands. Rose came next, in the same dress, but in black. The music changed, and the lights lowered. Edward watched as Bella walked down the aisle, wearing a gorgeous dress, with a purple sash around her waist.

The wedding was honestly a blur, but the only thing that was crystal clear was when they exchanged rings. Bella's plain gold band was upgraded to a beautiful three-stone engagement ring with a matching diamond band. Edward's band was changed to a platinum band, with a braided feature. It was the same ring his father wore for most of his life. Emmett announced them as husband and wife, laughing when Edward and Bella eagerly began kissing each other.

After the ceremony, dinner was served, and they danced the night away. Bella steered clear of Charlie, only touching him when he walked her down the aisle and with the father/daughter dance. She clearly was not comfortable, and Edward questioned his motives in asking Charlie to come. As Edward and Bella swayed to some romantic jazz music, he asked, "Are you upset that Charlie's here?"

"No, Edward," she replied. "I … I think him being here is helpful. I can get closure on that part of my life. Will I have a normal relationship with my dad? Probably not. Do I love him? A part of me always will, but I need time. He understands this and respects it. But, no, I'm not sad or upset that you arranged for my father to walk me down the aisle. I love you more for it."

"I'd hate for our marriage to start with an argument," Edward chuckled. Bella just rolled her eyes. "Then, you won't be upset if I told you that we're leaving tonight for our honeymoon?"

"Where?" Bella asked.

"Jamaica. Four nights and three days in paradise in a private villa, love," Edward said. "Our bags are packed, and we leave at midnight." Bella just smiled brightly, sliding her arms around Edward's neck. He held her tightly and they just moved aimlessly to the music.

Several hours later, they were on a plane, on their way to Jamaica. Charlie, Harry and the rest of their guests were leaving for Seattle the following day while Alice, Jasper and Rose were arranging for the clean-up of Edward and Bella's home. Bella was curled against Edward in first class, idly twisting his ring. A couple of hours later, they landed in Jamaica and got into the waiting limo. The drive was long, and they arrived at the rented villa. With the help of the driver, they went inside. Edward tipped him, and it was like something clicked.

Despite their exhaustion from traveling, Bella needed to be with her husband. Clothes were thrown each other's bodies. Edward's hands gently caressed every inch of Bella's porcelain skin. He reverently kissed her scars, murmuring his love for her. She sobbed out, overwhelmed with how he handled her. When he entered her, he whispered his undying love and promise to keep her safe. She just tightened her legs around his waist, lost in him, his love, his body and his cock.

Their time in Jamaica was spent in the nude. They made love on every solid surface of the villa. They didn't leave their love nest and it was exactly what they both needed. As they settled into their seats on the plane, Bella draped her legs over Edward's lap. She twisted his ring. "This was perfect, Edward," she said. "And you were … thank you for being so …"

"Gentle?" he asked.

"Gentle, kind, treating me with reverence," she breathed. "You … you're …" She sniffled and blinked up at him. "I never knew I could … that sex …"

"Making love, Bella," he murmured, brushing her curls back from her face. "And that's how it should always be, beautiful."

She smiled, cuddling closer to Edward and closing her eyes. He turned, kissing her forehead and held her to his chest as the flew back home.

~o~o~o~o~

Upon their return, Bella went back to school, finishing up her first semester. She got all A's and she couldn't be happier. Edward worked a lot, being the low man on the totem pole. By the grace of the scheduling gods, he got Christmas Day off, but worked every other holiday. They celebrated Christmas together as a dysfunctional family. Alice, Jasper, Rose, Emmett, Seth, Peter and Charlotte and Anthony all came to the house for Christmas dinner. Irina and her fiancé, Laurent, came for dessert and it felt so normal.

It was everything Bella ever wanted, everything she ever hoped for and she got it. She got her dream with Edward.

She did talk to Charlie, but it was brief. She wanted to make sure he'd gotten the present she sent him, and he did. Their conversation was stilted, but they were working toward healing.

After the first of the year, Bella began her second semester and she wrinkled her nose with her schedule. She had to take a number general education prerequisites, one of which was biology. "Again?" she grumbled. "Damn it." She settled into the lecture hall after picking the syllabus and took out her notebook. She listened to the professor, confused as ever over the concepts. When the class was dismissed, she sighed, looking at the notes she took, and they were as confusing Egyptian hieroglyphics. Bella didn't have the luxury to perseverate since she had to go to her history class.

It was a full day and she had a lot of reading homework to do. Bella drove home, parking in the garage, next to Edward's SUV. She picked up her bag and walked into the house. Edward was in the kitchen, reheating a casserole in the microwave and drinking some wine with the television on. Closing the door, she dropped her bag and padded into the kitchen, taking Edward's glass from his hand.

"Rough day, beautiful?" he asked as he watched her take a sip of his wine.

"You have no idea," she sighed. "I only have classes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with a lab on Tuesday afternoon."

"Lab?" Edward replied. "Science requirement?"

She giggled, sitting on a stool and pulling on Edward's scrubs, settling him between her legs. "Yeah," Bella nodded. "I think I'm going to need help. A tutor, if you will."

"No way," Edward laughed.

"Uh huh," Bella purred, sliding Edward's t-shirt over his head. "Biology, Doc."

"Biology," he growled, covering her mouth with his. "I'll show you biology, beautiful." Picking her up from the stool and carrying her up to the bedroom, he showed her all about the reproductive part of biology. All. Night. Long.

Suffice it to say, her readings didn't get done, but she aced the practical exam for biology. All with the help from her sexy, beautiful and amazing tutor … her Doc … her only love.

"I think I like biology," she purred, dragging her fingers over his chest.

"Me, too, beautiful," Edward smiled. "Me, too."

Fin