Well, it's time to say goodbye to our favorite horse couple. Let's see what's happening in the future before we do, shall we?

As usual, owns it all. I just play with the characters.

Epilogue-8 years later

He never tells me I'm not good enough
Just give me unconditional love
He loves me tender and he loves me mad
He loves me silly and he loves me sad

He thinks I'm pretty, he thinks I'm smart
He likes my nerve and he loves my heart
He's always sayin' he's my biggest fan
My baby loves me just the way that I am
My baby loves me just the way that I am

My Baby Loves Me-Martina McBride

BPOV

"Come on, let's go down to the stables and see what everyone is up to."

"Okay mommy."

My son Caleb's little hand wrapped around my index finger as we walked as fast as his little 3-year old legs could carry him down to the barn. "Let's find Daddy."

"And Caro-wyn?"

"And Carolyn."

"And Athton."

I laughed at his continued poor pronunciation of that name. "And Aston."

We walked up to the end of the arena and I lifted Caleb so he could see what was going on. Edward was down at the end of the arena on Marty, walking side by side with Carolyn who was on her pony Ginger. I smiled to see her looking up at her dad with a big grin on her face, her chestnut hair poking out from the helmet in two ponytails. She looked down the length of the arena and spotted us. "Mommy! Guess what?"

"What Carolyn?"

"I cantered today! I can do it again, wanna see?"

"Absolutely, let me see."

Edward stopped in the middle of the arena. "Okay Carolyn, go down on the circle near your mom. Remember to look up when you ask."

"Okay Daddy." Carolyn trotted down on her pony, Ginger's little legs moving as fast as her short frame could manage. That pony was a god-send. So tolerant of both the children and their doting attention. "Watch Mommy!"

"I'm watching." I shifted Caleb to my other hip; he was getting too heavy to hold for long periods of time.

With a look of concentration and a furrowed brow that echoed Edward's, five-year-old Carolyn gave her pony a little kick and Ginger obediently started to canter. The grin on her face was instant.

"Keep your heels down, Carolyn." Edward was smiling as he watched her circle at the end of the arena.

I couldn't help but remember how our family started as I watched Carolyn canter around on Ginger. It seemed like only yesterday.

I turned over in the early Saturday morning light, and tried my best to ease back into the sleep I had just left. Then I felt a roll in my stomach that reminded me why I had woken up in the first place.

I bolted out of bed and barely made it to the toilet. I heard Edward call my name from the bed, but I was a little busy retching to answer.

"Bella?" he said a little more urgently. I could hear him getting up.

I leaned my forehead against the cool toilet edge. "Go back to bed Edward." I took several deep breaths trying to settle my stomach.

"Unlikely. You're sick." I couldn't help the little glare I gave him out of the corner of my eye as I flushed the toilet. He gave me a small apologetic smile for his comment before he handed me a damp washcloth. I sat back against the wall and wiped my face.

"Thanks," I mumbled.

"No problem baby." Edward knelt down next to me just as another wave of nausea hit and held my hair as I heaved for what felt like forever. Once I was done I looked over at him and his worried expression.

"Edward, please. It's just the flu or food poisoning. I'll live."

He sighed. "You know I just hate to see you sick."

I nodded. After a few minutes he helped me back to bed, bringing the bathroom wastebasket just in case. Finally I convinced him to go get dressed and have his breakfast, and I fell back asleep.

Later I woke to find Edward setting in bed next to me reading the paper. "What time is it?" I croaked.

"Almost one. How are you feeling?" Edward set the paper aside and peered over at me.

I sat up a bit and waited. "Better I think. My stomach still feels a little shaky but I don't think I'm going to barf."

"Good to hear. Let me know if you want anything. Alice brought by a few things since I didn't want to leave you." I fought my instinct to roll my eyes at his reluctance to even go to the store.

"Seven-up?"

"Of course." Edward smiled and kissed my forehead. "Be right back."

I closed my eyes and took inventory on how I felt again. Definitely better as far as my stomach went. Still tired, but that didn't surprise me. Hopefully my vomiting was done.

The afternoon passed peacefully. I built upon the fluids and my stomach handled it just fine. I pointed my finger at Edward as we turned off the light and gave him an 'I told you so'.

The 'I told you so' only lasted until seven the next morning when I found myself in front of the toilet again. Edward padded in silently behind me and held my hair back once again. That was when it came back to me. Our conversation four months ago. The one where we decided I'd go off the pill and we'd let nature do its thing.

It was a nerve-wracking discussion and choice for both of us given my history with my first pregnancy. But I reminded Edward that we both knew the odds of that happening again were infinitesimal. We held hands over coffee that Sunday morning and decided we were ready to expand our family.

I didn't bet on getting pregnant so quickly after stopping the birth control. We hadn't been timing our tries, just having a lot of fun with our attempts. For a moment I tried to think back to when we might have conceived. That would have to wait until we found out how far along I was, if I was truly pregnant.

Taking a deep breath I pointed at the sink, "Edward, under there on my side is a paper bag. Would you grab it for me please?"

"Sure." He raised an eyebrow at me as he handed me the package. I had bought the tests a month ago in a fit of hopeful enthusiasm. I sat up and opened the bag, holding it out for him to reach into. Edward pulled out one of the tests and stared at it for a moment before his eyes shot to mine. "Already?"

"I don't know." I sure as hell didn't know the last time. Not that it would've changed anything. "But makes sense don't you think?"

Edward nodded. "It does. You are late aren't you?" I shrugged a little. I hadn't really been paying attention since my periods had been irregular after I stopped the pill. He held the box out to me, "You want to take it?"

My fingers shook a little as I took it from him. He reached over and took my other hand. "Love, it will be okay, no matter what."

I took yet another deep breath. "I know, just one of those epic life moments."

Edward gave me a mischievous smirk. "True. Let's see if I knocked you up."

"Edward Anthony Cullen!" I smacked his shoulder with the box. "I'm going to tell your son or daughter someday that you said that."

"I hope you do." He kissed me gently as I pushed him with protests I needed to brush my teeth. "No," he countered. "You need to pee on that thing."

"Fine, fine." I pointed at the door. Edward just took the box back and opened it, handing me the test and taking the directions. Hopping up on the bathroom counter he continued to ignore my pointing.

"Hey, we're in this together. I told you that. Including the part where you pee on some magical stick." He grinned at me and I flipped him the bird with a smile back. I knew if I was pregnant, lighthearted Edward was going to rapidly be replaced with tense, overprotective Edward.

I followed the instructions and set the test on the counter. Edward pulled me out of the bathroom. Lying down on the bed he tugged me gently into his side to snuggle. I inhaled the smell of him as he rubbed my back, the silence between us heavy with anticipation.

The time came to read the results. Hand in hand we went back into the bathroom and stared at the test. A bright blue positive sign stared back at us. I picked up the test, not quite believing it. "Oh my God," I whispered.

Edward moved behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. "You're pregnant."

"I'm pregnant," I repeated back. I fought the tears I felt springing up. Our eyes met in the mirror and Edward kissed my shoulder. I turned in his arms and buried my face in his chest.

Edward nuzzled the top of my head, holding me snugly to him. "Real mix of emotions for you too?"

I nodded into his chest. Finally I looked up at him. "I'm overjoyed, shocked, scared, and a little sad too."

"That pretty much sums it up for me too."

I felt a rush of panic hit me. "We need to make sure it's okay." My voice had a slightly frantic edge that I didn't recognize. "Call your Dad, but don't let him tell anyone. We need to see him, today. But it's Sunday, what if….."

Edward interrupted me. "Easy, breathe." I realized I had said that entire speech in one breath. "Relax Bella. I'm sure we can see him today."

"Please?" I pleaded.

I followed Edward out and sat on the bed while he called his Dad. I listened as he explained what was happening. "Allright Dad, thanks. We'll see you in an hour." He hung up, "Dad will double check the test results and ultrasound you today, okay?"

I launched myself at Edward and wrapped my arms around his waist. "Thank you."

"Of course love." He kissed the tip of my nose. "I need to know too, you know."

"I know. Sorry. I'm sure you're nervous too."

"I am, but I know it will be okay this time." Edward hugged me and we stood there for several moments, until I had to throw up again.

Later when we were in the car I leaned the seat back a bit. "God I hope that part passes soon."

"The getting sick?" Edward reached over and took my hand.

"Yeah." Please don't let me be one of those women who spent her entire pregnancy throwing up.

Carlisle met us in his office and gave us both hugs. He smiled down at me and said, "Well I knew you two were talking about maybe starting a family but I didn't know you were actually trying."

I blushed and Edward chuckled. "Only for a few months, Dad. I think we are both surprised how quickly it seems to have happened."

"Well let's go see if your test was right." Carlisle patted my back and gave me a reassuring look.

He settled us in an exam room and even drew the blood himself. He disappeared with a grin. I had already filled him in on my symptoms the last couple days. I hadn't realized until he asked that my breasts were tender to the touch. I lay back on the exam table, resting my hands on my belly. Edward scooted his chair over and laid his hand over mine. "Doing okay?"

"Doing okay." I was quiet for a moment before I shared the thought that had been bouncing around in my head. "If I really am pregnant Edward, I don't want to tell anyone right away. I want to get to my fourth month first."

"I will agree with whatever you want Bella. Besides, I like the idea that for now, this is just our experience. With the exception of Dad, and he won't say anything if we ask." And I knew Carlisle wouldn't.

Carlisle reappeared through the door with a smile that went ear to ear. We didn't have to ask him the results. Edward leaned over and kissed me hard before he pressed his forehead to mine. "Love you."

"Love you too." I looked apprehensively at the ultrasound machine. "Let's do this please?"

Carlisle nodded. I closed my eyes as he adjusted my gown and squirted the gel on me. I was too afraid to look and didn't want to see the visual memories of my last ultrasound. Edward wrapped both his hands around mine and rubbed them.

Carlisle let out a loud sigh of relief. "You're good." My eyes shot open and looked at him. "You're fine Bella. Everything is where it's supposed to be." He pointed at the dark circle in the middle of the screen that looked much like Mimosa's ultrasounds. A little flickering white dot, I knew what that was.

"The heartbeat," I choked out. Tears flooded my eyes. Carlisle handing me a Kleenex as Edward's grip on my hands tightened.

"Yep. Looks regular and strong. I'll take a couple measurements to give you an estimate where you are in gestation. But get an appointment with Dr. Wey as soon as possible."

I could only nod. My gaze was fixated on our baby, as was Edward's.

"Well congratulations you two. Looks like you are a couple months along Bella." He printed out a couple screen images and handed them to Edward. "First baby pics?" Edward took them with a little smile over his shoulder at me, tears in his eyes.

"Dad, we'd like it if you didn't tell anyone please. We want to keep this to ourselves for a bit."

"Of course." Edward hugged him tight, "Thank you Dad, or should I say Grandpa?" Carlisle laughed and nodded. "Any suggestions for the morning sickness?"

"Hopefully it will pass soon. Usually it's just a first trimester thing. Try eating a few saltines before you even get out of bed. Dr. Wey probably will have better suggestions. But that's what worked for your mother." Carlisle helped me sit up. "I'll leave you two alone. Make that appointment."

"I will, Carlisle. Thank you."

The door shut behind him and Edward had me wrapped in his arms before I could blink. "It's okay. It's all okay."

I stroked the back of his head. "Yes it is." We stayed like that for a while, just holding each other. Finally he stood back and put a hand on my belly.

"I can't wait to see this get bigger."

I rolled my eyes at him as I got down. "Uh huh."

"I can't. Really. It's exciting."

Fastening my bra I pointed at my chest. "You will be more excited to see these get bigger."

Edward smirked, "I will admit that is an added bonus." He looked down at the pictures in his hand. "I can't believe it."

"Well, believe it. You knocked me up. You're going to be a daddy." Edward grinned up at me and I just grinned back.

"And I've never seen a more beautiful knocked-up woman who will be the best mommy ever."

"Keep the flattery coming mister…..you've got seven more months of hormone fluctuations to come." Edward took my hand and kissed the back of it in response. We walked out to the car wearing goofy smiles on our faces. It was a good thing we didn't run into anyone we knew because I was sure it was written all over our expressions.

Edward went to check on a couple things in the barn once we were home. I was instantly on Amazon ordering books. After I had picked out a couple well-rated ones that I had already researched, I started looking at baby furniture. I couldn't help myself. Hallie jumped up on the couch next to me. "Get ready Hallie." I scratched the top of her head. "You're about to have company."

I set the laptop aside when Edward walked in. "Book ordering?" he inquired.

"You know me well." Edward sat down and I leaned back into his chest. Automatically he placed his hands on my belly. I knew they would be spending a lot of time there.

"So do you want to find out if it's a boy or a girl?" He kissed my neck.

"Hmm. I don't know. There are very few real surprises left in the world. Even though I normally hate surprises, I think it would be fun to not know. Harder to plan but…." My thoughts trailed off as I pondered if I thought it was a boy or a girl.

"I like that idea too. Call me old fashioned, but to hear the doctor say it's a boy or girl is exciting."

I nodded, interlacing my fingers with his. "I'll call Dr. Wey in the morning and get an appointment. I turned to look back at him. "So we agreed to be surprised?"

"Agreed." Edward chuckled a little. "You realize that will drive Alice nuts when it comes to planning your baby shower."

Giggling, I gave him a quick kiss, "An added bonus."

Edward grew quiet and his brows furrowed a little. I knew that look and waited for whatever serious thought was on his mind. "I don't want you riding."

"What?" I sat up and pulled out of his arms.

"I don't want you riding," Edward repeated quietly, watching me closely.

"Really? And this is all your decision because?" I fought the urge to become very bitchy, very fast.

Edward rubbed his forehead. "I just don't want you taking risks."

My worried Edward had appeared as I had predicted. I closed my eyes for a moment and counted in my head before I spoke. "Edward, how about we ask Dr. Wey her expert opinion on that?" I stressed the word expert. "If she says it's not wise, then I won't. But I'm not necessarily going to stop because you forbid it. As I recall I didn't promise to obey you when we got married. Besides I rode all last week and we didn't even know I was pregnant."

"What if you fall off?" Edward gave me a challenging stare, but I could see the worry in his eyes.

I rolled my eyes. "I'm not stupid enough to keep riding the younger horses. But I think Aston is certainly safe enough, and Mimosa. Masen…..maybe."

"I don't think you're stupid Bella, you know that. I just think sometimes you …." Edward sighed, "I don't know."

I put his hand on my belly again and covered it with mine. "Edward, outside of you, this is the most important person in my life. Don't you think after all we've been through I'm going to do anything that risks my health, or our baby's? You are both too precious to me."

Edward pulled me up into his lap. "I know, I just…."

"Worry excessively," I finished.

"Maybe." He gave me a sheepish smile. "All right, we'll see what Dr. Wey says about riding. And heavy barn work too."

"Okay. Although if this vomiting thing keeps up you may be doing the morning feeding for a while." I snuggled into Edward's arms as he rubbed my back.

"I will do whatever you need to help you, you know that love."

A few days later we checked in for our first appointment with Dr. Wey. My morning sickness had been making its presence known like clockwork every day. The eating of the saltines before I even got up from laying down had helped some, but I was completely turned off by the smell of coffee. Edward had gone out and gotten one of the kcup models that brewed into a special cup so I was less likely to smell it, bless him. I missed having coffee, but I knew it was wise to cut back or quit during pregnancy, so I was glad I had developed an aversion for the time being.

I changed into the thin gown and lay up on the table, Edward standing next to me holding my hand with a small smile on his face. I squeezed his hand and he looked down at me. "Penny for your thoughts Edward."

"Just happy. And I love you."

"I love you too."

Dr. Wey did a full exam and repeated the ultrasound. "Everything looks great you guys. The expected due date based on what you told me about your last period is April 10th.

"Just before show season. That's good timing actually." Edward looked down at me.

I just fought a laugh as Dr. Wey gave a few more instructions on prenatal vitamins and morning sickness. Once she left the room Edward gave me a questioning look. "What's funny?"

"I think the conception was at that last show we went to in August. Remember the first night, when we were worried afterwards the people camping next door might have gotten an earful?"

Edward snorted as he helped me off the table. "How could I forget? You're probably right."

As we walked out to the car I pinned Edward with a hard look. "Do you feel better about me riding now that we have talked to Dr. Wey?"

Edward frowned a little and stopped us at the car. "A little. I can't help it if I'm going to worry some."

"I promise I'm going to follow her instructions Edward. No lifting hay bales, no riding past my 6th month, and stopping sooner if my balance starts to be affected. And I promise I will ride whoever you deem is suitable. I can't just not ride love."

"I know, I know. Okay. I'll try to keep my worries to a dull roar. You also must promise me that if some chore starts to become difficult you let me take it over."

"I promise."

EPOV

And I don't want to miss one smile
I don't want to miss one kiss
Well, I just want to be with you, right here with you
Just like this

I just want to hold you close
I feel your heart so close to mine
And just stay here in this moment
For all of the rest of time

I Don't Want To Miss A Thing-Aerosmith

Bella stayed true to her promises, and I slowly started to relax as her pregnancy progressed as expected. After a month or so the morning sickness finally abated, and her energy level picked up. The other thing that picked up was her desire for sex. More than once I came home from the barn to find Bella naked on the bed and wanting me, before I even had a chance to shower. I was totally okay with this, of course, and just used it as a reason to get her to shower with me.

Finally, we broke the news with family and friends. Everyone was thrilled, and Alice was frustrated we weren't going to find out the baby's sex until the birth. Nevertheless, she threw Bella a lovely shower where we got more tiny outfits than I think one baby could use for the amount of time they would fit.

As Bella's pregnancy drew to an end she became more and more uncomfortable with barn chores. I didn't mind taking over where she needed me to. It was for a good cause. At night we'd lay on the couch watching tv and I'd wrap my hands over her belly, feeling the baby kick under them. It was such an amazing feeling, although toward the end it was causing some discomfort for Bella.

One evening I came in from feeding the horses and jumped into the shower. I came out to find Bella sitting on the bed with a funny look on her face. "What's wrong love?"

"I think I'm having contractions. Real ones. Not the warm up ones." She shifted and took a deep breath.

I felt my heart pound a little harder for a minute. "Okay. Let me get some clothes on and you start timing them."

Bella leaned back on the pillows while I got dressed. When I came out of the closet she was taking a few deep breaths and tracking things on her watch. "When did it start?"

"This afternoon. I thought I was just feeling stiff from cleaning the few stalls I did."

Bella scooted over and I joined her on the bed, taking her hand in mine. We sat there for a good thirty minutes, timing things. She was having pretty regular contractions about 7 minutes apart, so I go on the phone with the doctor's office. They gave us the go ahead to go to the maternity center.

I tried not to drive like I instinctively wanted to, too fast. Bella was concentrating too much on what was going on with her to notice what I was doing.

Once we got to the hospital they quickly settled us in, hooking Bella up to a few different types of monitors. Dr. Wey came in and checked her out and decided that things were definitely progressing towards delivery, and broke Bella's water.

The evening passed by slowly as Bella's contractions increased in length of time and frequency. It had hit the point where she was practically ripped my hand off that she asked for an epidural. I was grateful because I wasn't sure how much more my hand could take.

Once the epidural was in Bella took a nap, and so did I. It was about 3 am when I woke up, Bella poking me. "Edward…..Edward."

I jolted up. "What?"

"Get the nurse, I think something has changed. I feel funny."

I quickly went and got the nurse, and she came in to check Bella. She smiled and said, "Well it's time to push. Let me call Dr. Wey and then I'll walk you through a few test pushes."

Bella looked up at me, anxiety across her face. "I don't know if I can do this."

I leaned down and kissed her forehead. "I know you can. One step at a time love."

To my dying day I will remain amazed at how hard Bella worked to give birth to our child. She was taken over by this drive I had never seen before. After 45 minutes of pushing, Dr. Wey pulled me down and let me catch the baby. It took me a moment of looking to be able to look up at Bella. "It's a girl."

Bella leaned back, a smile on her face as our daughter took her first cry. Dr. Wey helped me shift her up onto Bella's chest and I walked around to Bella's side. I couldn't believe what I was looking at, I had a daughter. The nurse came over and clamped the cord and showed me where to cut it.

"Hi sweetheart." Bella reached down and kissed the baby's forehead, stroking her finger down her arm. The nurse came and took the baby for a few moments so they could clean her up and weigh her. "Go with her Edward."

I followed her over and watched them do what they needed to do, already in love with my daughter.

An hour later the room was quiet as Bella had the baby pressed skin to skin to her breast. I was eagerly waiting my turn, but nervous I would do something dumb like drop her. I leaned down and gave Bella a gentle kiss. "What are we naming her? The last one we talked about?"

"I like Carolyn Anne."

"Alright then, Carolyn Anne it is."

Bella looked up at me, "Your turn, Daddy." I took my shirt off and carefully reached down to take Carolyn. My hands shook a little as I took her and Bella saw that. "It's okay Edward, you'll be fine." I sat down in the chair next to Bella's bed and held her against my chest. Her little eyes opened for the second time since she was born and looked up at me, confusion on her slightly swollen face.

"She'll look less swollen tomorrow, and more like a baby." Bella rolled onto her side to watch us.

"I think she looks beautiful regardless. Just like her mommy." I stroked my hand over her dark hair, loving how she seemed to curl up in my arms.

I shook my head and left the memories of Carolyn's birth. Caleb had been a totally different experience. A cesarean section because the cord was wrapped around his neck, his heart rate dropping with every contraction. I remember Edward's eyes being so tight with worry as he gripped my hand in the operating room. But once Caleb Matthew was born he turned out to be a just fine.

Edward had made Carolyn stop cantering by the time my mind was back to the present. "I'm so proud of you Carolyn! You did a great job!"

Edward rode down to where I was standing and smiled down at me as Carolyn walked her pony around. "Want a ride Caleb?"

"Yes pwease Daddy." Caleb stretched his arms up.

"Wait a minute. Go get your helmet."

Caleb climbed down from my arms and ran around the corner to find his helmet. Both Edward and I called out at the same time, "No running in the barn!"

"What about you, Mommy?" Edward tapped my shoulder with his toe.

"What about what?" I looked up at Edward and he had a mischievous look on his face.

"Do you want a ride?" He winked at me as I started to laugh.

"Tonight." I reached up and stroked his thigh.

"Promise?"

I leaned down to pick Caleb up since he had reappeared with his helmet pulled on over his dark hair. "I promise. And it will be very worth the few hours wait."

Edward pulled Caleb up in front of him on the saddle. "It always is. I love you."

"I love you too."

Well there it is. I am struggling with the fact I'm saying goodbye to these guys, since they were from my very first fanfiction. Maybe I'll return to them for some future one shots. I think it might be amusing to see what Carolyn is like as a teenager...poor Edward.

Thank you to everyone that has followed ASR and ASEA, and been so patient when I took the hiatus. I appreciate all of you so much, and all the notes and reviews you have sent me.

Big thanks and love to my beta GreyMatters (A.L. Rules). BB you have been the best friend and beta a girl could ask for. Thank you for all your reassurance and help over the years. I couldn't do this without you. Smooches.

Love you all

Pugsy