The Next Chapter

A New Story and a Happy Ending

Twilight is not mine. Never will be mine. Ever. *WAAAH!* David, Lizzie and Marie are mine in a literary sense. Ren, too.

I do apologize with the sporadic updates with this one. I struggle with this story and finding the momentum is tough. With that being said, please be patient with me on this one. I do intend to finish it. It'll probably take time. I'm hoping to be finished with this by Christmas-time. I've planned out the remainder of the story. We're getting closer to the climax, folks. Originally, I had planned this to be roughly thirty chapters, plus an epi, but I've combined chapters and whatnot. It may turn out to be less than thirty.

I'm going to do my author's notes up here at the top. This has been a long road. A tumultuous road, really. I struggled with this story and I wanted to make sure that I told the right story. Did I? I don't know. I wanted to share Marie's struggles and I felt that I portrayed that. I wanted to make Renee the bad guy and she was definitely the bad guy along with Mike Sr. I also wanted to show the stressors that couples go through in times of crisis. Not everyone can have that happy ending, but Bella and Edward did.

Anyhow, a few acknowledgements...first off, thanks to OTBGraphics for the gorgeous banner. I tried my hand at banner making and failed. You made me something gorgeous and I appreciate it immensely. Thank you to Elaine, Julie, Trina and everyone who encouraged me to write this and continue it when I was ready to chuck it all and pull it.

Pictures for this chapter, the new house and other goodies will be on my tumblr and my blog (links for both of those are on my profile). You can also find me on Facebook: Tufano79's Twilight Fanfiction Appreciation or on Twitter: tufano79.

After this story, there will not be a third. I'm hoping to wrap it all up in this epilogue. It will span over the course of several years, if not decades. It will be clearly laid out. I promise you.

Chapter Thirty: A New Story and a Happy Ending

Epilogue

Six Months Later...June

"I'm never moving again," I said to Esme as I unpacked our kitchen. "What crack were we smoking when decided to up and leave Sherryville?"

"A litany of bullshit that made you feel unsafe and sad," she answered sagely, washing the dishes. "Moving sucks. Believe me, I know. Try moving from a 3,000 square foot house to a 2,000 square foot townhome. I'm grateful for downsizing, but getting rid of all that stuff? Rosalie and Emmett got practically a new house full of furniture out of the deal."

"Don't forget Ren and Jacob. They loved your dining room set," I giggled.

"And the bedroom set and the china," Esme smirked. "I'm glad that everything has its place now. But, like you, I'm never moving again. The next move will be to the grave."

"Which won't be for a long time," I quipped.

"I want to see my grandbabies walk down the aisle. All of them," she said wistfully. "I'll be wearing a diaper and drooling, but I'll be there."

"Stop it!" I laughed.

Esme and I had formed a very close relationship once Edward and I made the decision to move. She stepped in for the mother that I lost. She was also my confidante when I struggled at being a single parent as Edward traveled between Chicago and Sherryville. Our bond was closer than what I had with my own mother or even Sue, who I consider to be my mom for all intents and purposes. However, Esme just radiated 'mom' and she was there when I had my breakdowns, when Marie, Lizzie or David had their tantrums and was just there.