Surviving High School

Love Like This (Epilogue)

A/N: Here it is, folks!  The epilogue.  

 ....

I could hardly believe that it was me I was seeing, staring back at me in the mirror. I'd imagined this scene a million times before, but the reality was so much better. My hair was swept up in a chignon, a veil hanging down my back, and my dress was stunning. There were no words to describe it. It was bride-white silk that flowed from the strapless, sweetheart bodice, down the narrow torso to a full skirt. It was a ball gown style that shimmered with beadwork and had a bit of sparkle on the bodice, trailing down the sides, encircling the hem and train. I'd been hesitant at first when Alice had shown it to me, but once I'd tried it on, I'd fallen in love with it.

"Oh, Bella! You're stunning!" Esme gushed, giving me a hug, careful not to crush my dress or ruin my hair.

I saw the tears starting to well up in her eyes, and it was all I could do not to join her. I'd been waiting for this moment for five years and could hardly believe that it was here. If you'd told my pre-Edward self, that I would one day be marrying the man of my dreams, I would have laughed in your face. So much had happened in the past five years, and it was hard not to get nostalgic and reminisce.

Things had slowly gotten back to normal once James had been arrested and convicted. He was serving twenty-five to life with no chance of parole. Something that we were all grateful for. The scar on my neck from where James had cut me was small and barely visible, but it was the emotional scars that ran deep. The first few months, after being kidnapped by James, had left me with horrible nightmares. The nightmares were very rare nowadays. I think a lot of that was due to the two years I spent attending therapy with the counselor that Carlisle had set me up with. It really helped.

....

That summer was one of the best summers of my life. It was the first time that I went to Isle Esme. It was midsummer, and I had just gotten off my shift at Newton's. I was heading to Edward's house to meet up with him and hang out with Alice for a bit. She'd been whining that we hadn't had enough girl time, so I'd promised her an afternoon.

"Bella!" she squealed upon opening the door.

She wrapped me up in a hug, which I returned. We spent the afternoon watching girly movies and doing girly things. We had just sat down for dinner with the rest of the Cullen clan, when Dr. Hot brought up Isle Esme.

"I got two weeks off in mid-August for our trip to the island," he mentioned to Esme. She was thrilled, and I could tell that Edward and Alice were equally excited. I sat there, a bit awed by the fact that they owned an island and it were so nonchalant about it.

"Bella?" Esme asked.

"Oh, sorry. My mind wandered a bit. What were you saying?"

"We were wondering if you'd like to come to Isle Esme with us this summer?"

My mouth fell open. They were inviting me to come with them to their private island. The only thing to say to that was -- "Yes! I'd love to come with you! I'll have to ask Charlie and Sue first, though."

Esme and Dr. Hot insisted on driving me home that way they could talk to Charlie and Sue themselves. The Cullen parents sat down and explained to my parents everything about the trip and what it would entail. All I could do was sit there, with fingers crossed, praying they say yes. And they did. I was ecstatic. Scratch that. I was beyond ecstatic. I was going to a private island where I was going to spend time with my gorgeous boyfriend. Woohoo!

The month of June flew by and Edward and I celebrated his birthday and ended up doing the deed. It sure as hell wasn't planned, but it felt right. Alice had thrown a huge party for Edward at their place, and afterward we headed back to my house for some much-needed quiet time. Charlie and Sue were out on a date and Seth was spending the weekend with friends on the rez.