1,321Chapter XLVII – All That Matters
It had to be the most magnificent sight my eyes had ever beheld. Through the crowd of guards and long lost loved ones, I made my way over to my husband, who's arms were full of the most precious thing in the world - our son.
Edward was holding Anthony by his horse, and even though Edward saw me approach, our son just continued to obliviously chatter happily about the striking animal and its royal adornments. I stayed quiet for a moment, and just soaked up his words and his beautiful presence. He had grown so much, and his vocabulary was no longer that of just a mere baby. He had become a little boy in our separation, and it was heartbreaking that I missed so much, but I was so incredibly grateful to be reunited that I was able to force myself to not focus on all we lost.
"Anthony, look who's here," Edward told him after a minute. Our son turned in his arms to look at me, and my nerves spiked, but it only lasted a moment, because his wide grin immediately melted my heart and calmed my soul. He may not have remembered me, but he definitely knew me…
"Mama!" he shouted excitedly as he reached for me.
It felt as if my heart stood still, and then I took my son in my arms, and just like that, it started beating again. I didn't want to scare him, so I did my best to keep my sobs from escaping my chest, but I couldn't fight the tears completely.
"Why are you crying?" he asked me concerned in his little voice that had changed so much since the last time I heard it.
"Oh, I'm just so happy to see you. I've missed you more than you could ever know," I told him as I tried to dry my face, but it was of no use. The tears just kept coming.
"Auntie Rose drew me a picture of you," he told me quietly.
"She did?" I asked while momentarily breaking my stare from my beautiful baby to look up at Rosalie.
Rose smiled, and offered a nod.
"She said I could keep it with me and always remember what you looked like. She drew Papa for me too," Anthony continued. "Did you know Papa is a king? See the big horse he rides? Uncle Emmett says he's very fast, so I asked him, and he said he would teach me to ride like him."
"I said you needed to get a little bigger first," Edward corrected him.
"But I can ride with him sometimes," Anthony said eagerly.
"That's right. You can definitely do that," Edward agreed.
"I can't wait to watch you learn," I told him emotionally. "I can't wait to watch you do everything."
I hugged him closer to me, and thankfully, he didn't scare from my near smothering. I kissed his sun kissed hair, and just breathed in his sweet scent as deep as it could go. The only thing that could possibly make that moment any better, was when Edward wrapped us both in his arms. For the first time in what felt like forever, we were whole again.
We held each other for a long time, and yet it could never be long enough. The blue of the sky began to fade into an array of colors as twilight came upon us, and I knew we needed to be in motion...
"We should make camp for the night," I heard someone suggest to Edward.
He pulled away from us so he could make plans with his guards, and then everyone began moving about to prepare for departure.
"It's almost dark," I said as Edward walked back over to us.
"That is why we must hurry, my love," he replied with a smirk. "We will set up camp as soon as we find a clearing. This brush here is just too thick."
"Can I ride with you?" Anthony asked him as all the men around us began mounting their horses.
"I think that would be okay. What do you think, Mama?" Edward asked me.
I smiled at them. "I think that would be perfect," I told them. I hated having Anthony out of my arms so soon, but if he had to be with anyone else besides me, I was more than happy it was Edward.
Edward lifted our son up onto his horse, and then he mounted it behind him.
"We will be fine," he assured me softly.
I nodded in belief. "I know," I said with another smile.
"Bella, we are so grateful you're okay," someone said from behind me, so I turned to see my father standing there, ready to embrace me. I hugged him back, and then hugged my mother who was standing besides him. Next, Emmett took his turn to wrap me in his bear hug, and the moment I was released, I hugged Rose as well.
"I can't thank all of you enough for keeping my baby safe," I said with more tears. "But what happened? Who took you from the Irish camp?" I questioned.
My mother pointed to a particular guard who was still wearing an Irish uniform.
"Seth!" I called out. He turned and smirked at me with a bow of his head.
"There will be time for explanations when we make camp," father insisted, before urging us to board the carriage I had arrived in. Luckily, it was big enough for us to all ride together - well, all of us except for Emmett, who chose to take one of the horses so he could ride alongside Edward and Anthony.
"Bella, you look well," my mother commented as we made our way out of the brush and back to the road. I had been watching Edward and Anthony out the window, but with the rough terrain it was difficult to keep sight of them.
"Um.. I am well. And you? It seems everyone has their health?" I asked grateful.
"It has been a rough time," Father replied for her. "But we are all safe now, and that's what matters."
I turned to Rose. "I can't thank you enough for drawing those pictures of us for Anthony. I'm sure he felt comfortable with us right away because of them."
"We all spoke of you both so often, it was like you were still there," Rose replied sweetly.
"I'm in each of your debts," I gave them my gratitude again.
"We're family. That's what families do," my mother assured me.
When we finally made it out of the heavy brush, I was able to see my boys again. Anthony would smile widely and giggle every time Edward's horse picked up speed, or made a little jump over debris in the path. His joy made Edward smile, which was such a wonderful sight in of itself, considering all the stress he had been under lately. Seeing them together in that way made my heart full, which was such a welcomed relief after so long of nothing but heartache.
It wasn't long before we reached a suitable clearing to set up a camp for the night, and I was so incredibly grateful when Edward helped Anthony off his horse, and the first thing he did was run to my waiting arms…
"Did you see me riding, Mama?" he asked excitedly. "We went so fast!"
I smiled and kissed his hair. "I did see you. You are already such a good rider," I cheered emotionally.
"I'm going to go help put up the tents now," he sang, before running off towards where Emmett was starting to help the rest of our men set up.
"He has excellent balance," Edward told me. "He will definitely make a fine rider one day."
"He does love horses," my mother said as she approached us. She had already hugged me, and now it seemed she was wishing to greet Edward as well. I wasn't sure how he'd react to his one time trusted nanny whom he previously felt had completely betrayed him, but he only smiled at her and accepted her embrace.
"Thank you for keeping our son safe," he told her with the utmost of sincerity.
"I would die for him, just as I would have for the both of you… and still will if it ever came to that," she replied with tears pooling in her eyes.
She was my mother, but she had raised Edward from the time he was Anthony's age, and for that reason, I knew our son couldn't have been in better hands while he was away from us. Her love was immense, and I was honored to have her continue to help us raise our children moving forward.
The tents went up quickly, and fires were built to keep everyone warm. Guards took shifts keeping watch, and a small group of men left to hunt us some dinner. Everyone was in good spirits as we settled in to our temporary camp, but the mood abruptly shifted when we heard commotion in the dark distance.
"Who goes there?" one of our men shouted.
Guards quickly went into protection mode and surrounded us, however Edward didn't look concerned. He was completely stoic, and despite the potential threat, I was in awe of the courageous man he had become. His confidence put both Anthony and me at ease, and we stayed calm because of it.
A guard, who had been closer to the confrontation, approached us. "My King," he said with a bow. "People from the local village are here to offer their support and hospitality. They come bearing food and supplies."
"Could it be a ruse?" I asked warily.
"Anything could be a ruse, but I've been to that village recently, and the people were mostly receptive. I believe their visit tonight is sincere," Edward said without fear.
"But radicals can be anywhere," I argued.
"Trust can not be earned without trust, my love," Edward told me. "Of course, we must also always be cautious," he added towards the guard waiting for instruction. "Please escort them in with our gratitude, but keep eyes on them at all times. Everyone must stay vigilant and armed."
The guard bowed with acceptance and respect, and then he hurried back to wherever he came from.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" I asked concerned.
"The people must feel they can always come to us. It's the only way to build their faith in their leaders, and the kingdom."
"But Anthony…" I was about to convey my concern for his safety, but he interrupted me.
"Anthony will learn what it takes to be a king for the people, rather than for glory and power. A kingdom is only as strong as the people who live within it. If I give them my respect, they will give me theirs in return," Edward said with so much conviction that it was impossible not to believe it as well.
I smiled at him. "Is that something your grandfather taught you?"
He smiled back at me. "No, you did," he said unexpectedly. "You know I've always had a soft spot for servants, but you showed me the importance of the commoners as well. Everyone plays a vital role in this world, and it's up to us, as the leaders, to help them understand their worth."
I considered what he was saying, and I realized he was absolutely right. The people depended on us, and we depended on them. It was a circle, therefore we should always show our appreciation.
"Okay," I told him with a nod.
Edward gave orders for the guards standing closest to us to remain with Anthony and me, and then he left us to greet the approaching crowd.
From where I was standing, I couldn't hear much of what he was telling the people, but as far as I could see, they all seemed almost enamored by our young king. If he hadn't won them over prior to that meeting, he certainly had in that moment. He welcomed them into our camp as friends, and they were all treated as such.
"This is my wife, Isabella," Edward told them as he brought the group over to introduce me. I nodded my head with a smile as they all bowed or curtsied to me. "And our son, Anthony," he added.
Where I was still a little nervous around the newcomers, Anthony relished in the attention. He smiled and waved at everyone, and even shook some of men's hands. I knew in that instant that Edward was right – meeting the people in that way was definitely good for our son.
All of the people we met seemed sincere and kind, and I was glad I didn't let my fears get in the way of that joyous gathering.
"Ah, you made it," Edward said abruptly, capturing my attention from the sweet elderly woman I had been conversing with.
I looked towards my husband, and was surprised to see my uncle bowing before him.
"Yes, well you commanded me to accompany the Irish back to their camp to ensure your son's safe return, but I was unsuccessful, and for that, I apologize. Neither the king nor princess were in enough health to bring Anthony home, but they refused to release him to me, so I was being held in one of their tents," Carlisle explained.
"I'm sorry I didn't search for you at their camp. I just needed to find Anthony as quickly as possible," Edward told him.
"I completely understand," he assured him. "Once the princess was dead, the Irish guardsmen abandoned their camp, and I was able to get free. I found a horse and rode to the next village. I probably would have stayed the night there, but I overheard some people mentioning something about the new king camping nearby."
"Is that my big brother I hear?" my mother said as she walked up to us with father trailing behind her. She and Carlisle hugged hello, and then he shook my father's hand.
"It is so good to see everyone finally after such a long time apart," Carlisle told them.
"Damn right it is!" Emmett agreed as he and Rose also approached our little impromptu family reunion. "We all did our jobs, and we made it out safely."
"And that is what's truly important," my mother said softly.
As the reunion continued, I took a moment to step away from my family to thank one more very special person.
"You risked your life for my son. I can't thank you enough," I told Seth, who had finally found some spare attire to change out of the Irish guard uniform.
"I wasn't able to stay and protect you, so I promised myself I'd find your son," he replied full of pride. "I'm just grateful our king is still alive, and he forgives me for leaving you at the palace."
"He understands, and is appreciative I'm sure," I told him.
"I hope to be able to guard you again when we return… if you'll have me, of course."
"I've never trusted a guard more than you," I told him with a smile. He smiled in return, and then bowed, before excusing himself to go back to his meal.
The food was plentiful, and the spirits were high. People were mingling, and some were even dancing as a few men began to sing old Volterrian folk hymns. It was a celebration of life and love, and I knew it was an evening I'd remember for the rest of my life, and yet, somehow I still felt a sense of heaviness.
"The last time I saw you, you were in a similar condition as you are now," my mother said gently, while placing her hand on my bloated stomach.
We were standing aside and watching Edward trying to teach Anthony the steps to the dance everyone was participating in, but my mother's question brought a twinge of sorrow to my heart.
"Um… yes, we lost our last baby," I told her reluctantly. It was still hard to speak of it, but I definitely wanted her to know. "She was born perfect. I held her while she took her first and last breaths… she was just too small to survive."
"Oh honey, I'm so sorry," Mother consoled.
I nodded. "It was hard… especially knowing the reason she was born early was because Victoria poisoned me."
She gasped. "No!"
I nodded. "I knew it as fact, but… Edward didn't believe me, and it caused a rift between us…"
I went on to tell her the entire story, and surprisingly, I kept my composure. I suppose talking about it was almost cathartic in a way. Thankfully, my mother was nothing but supportive.
"From what I overheard a bit ago, you got your vengeance?" she questioned after my story was complete.
"Edward poisoned both Victoria and her father," I confirmed.
"Yes, but you killed her," she said knowingly.
I raised my brows in bewilderment. "How do you know that?"
"I overheard Jasper telling Emmett. He sounded very impressed. He said you were terrifying… in the best possible way."
I laughed once. "She got what she deserved."
Renee nodded. "I'm proud of you, Bella."
"For killing someone?" I asked amused.
"For doing whatever it takes to protect your family," she clarified.
"What I did wasn't for protection, it was revenge."
"It shows your strength," she argued. "I don't have a doubt you will be the best queen this kingdom has ever known."
"I don't know," I replied, unsure if I agreed with her words. "I just hope I have the will and determination to persevere through all of the inevitable challenges that lie ahead of us… I haven't been steadfast. I already gave up a few times," I admitted while shaking my head with incredulity. Edward needed my irrevocable devotion, and I absolutely hated that I had already failed him on that.
"You are too hard on yourself," Mother argued. "You have a big heart, and a mind of your own. You don't follow blindly - which I know is one of the things Edward loves most about you. Over time he will find his cadence as king, and you will find yours as his queen. You are both still so new at this, you are bound to disagree and question everything. Making mistakes is just a fact of life. You will get through it, and you will only grow stronger."
"I hope so," I murmured sincerely.
She reached up to stroke my cheek. "I know so," she said confidently, before leaving me alone with my thoughts.
As the festivities continued into the late hours, I knew Anthony had to be exhausted, so I asked him to sit with me for a while, and it wasn't long before he drifted off to sleep on my lap. Mother offered to take him to bed with her, but I wasn't ready to let him go, so I just held him and remained right where I was. I would have taken him to bed myself, but I was completely transfixed on my husband in the distance, as he was dutifully taking the time to personally converse with every single guest there. The few children who had arrived even hugged him, which he returned zestfully.
"That, right there, is why I know we did the right thing by putting him on the throne," Carlisle said as he quietly approached me. "Mind if is sit for a few minutes?"
"You are my uncle, of course I don't mind," I replied while absently rubbing my son's head, hoping he wouldn't wake from the voices.
"He has grown so much," he commented while looking down at Anthony.
"Yes, he has. I should probably put him to bed, but I'm just not quite ready to let him go just yet."
"Well, that's perfectly understandable after your separation." He sighed. "It seems like only yesterday we were conversing about the possibility of Prince Edward potentially having a heir, and now look where we are."
I laughed once. "You mean, when you told me you would kill any woman pregnant with his heir?"
"A lot has happened since then… a lot of good, and a lot of sorrow. Do you think it was all worth it?"
"I hope so," I replied. "This is it, isn't it? This is what we worked so long for? What so many of our friends died for? What my mother left her family for, all those years ago. This was the goal," I said while looking at the happy villagers intermingled with the nobility and guardsmen.
Carlisle nodded. "Peace, and a worthy king to lead us... You know, Bella, because it was my plan that took down Aro and made Edward king, people have been referring to me as The King Maker… but, I'm not the one who made that man into the great king he will undoubtedly become… that honor is all yours."
"Mine?" I asked perplexed. "I didn't put him on the throne. His brother died, so that meant he was next in line. It would have happened regardless of my presence. He killed his father himself, so I didn't have anything to do with it."
"You had everything to do with it," he disagreed. "Without you, Edward would have followed his father down the path of unrighteousness; it was your love that saved him… that saved all of us. Edward may have very well been king one day without you, but he is the ruler we all needed because of you. You are the king maker… in every way that matters."
I honestly didn't know how to respond to that, so I simply smiled meekly, and returned to what was quickly becoming my favorite pastime – stroking my sleeping son's hair, while watching my husband in the distance.
…
The following day we made it back to the security of the palace in good time. Anthony was thrilled to make himself at home in his new, fairly large bedroom, and he was even more excited to visit the stables with Edward a little while later. To make the transition as smoothly as possible, my parents would be staying in the palace with us indefinitely, and their rooms were across the way from ours so they could be close to Anthony as well. Emmett and Rose also made a home for themselves inside the palace walls, and I couldn't have been happier to have my entire family so close after spending so many years apart. It really was a dream come true.
To appease the church, Anthony and I were both re-baptized, yet again, and then I was set to walk down the aisle once more.
"You sure about this?" Edward asked me the night before our wedding. His tone was unexpectedly serious, and I knew his question was not in jest. "There's still time for you to leave and start a new life for yourself and our kids. I don't know what the future holds for us here, but it's certainly not going to be easy."
"I know it won't be easy," I told him quietly. "But I love you enough to endure anything. My place is with you, no matter what."
He smirked at me in his most adorable crooked grin. "You have to be sure, because after tomorrow, you're stuck with me until I die… Which I suppose, considering your assassin background, I could succumb to you any time you tire of me."
I smiled back at him. "I suggest you keep in line then."
His grin stretched across his face. "Oh, I've already learned my lesson. I'll never cross you again."
"Then we don't have anything to worry about, now do we?" I replied, jokingly stern.
He chuckled, but then he fell serious again. "Bella… you know I want nothing more than to keep you by my side forever, but I need you to understand…"
"I do understand," I quieted him. "I may have doubted it in the past, but I'm sure now that there's nowhere else I'd rather be in this entire world than right here," I said while taking his hands in mine. "Whatever obstacles lie ahead of us, we will face them together."
"Together," he agreed with conviction.
I spent that night separated from him in my own room, and with the morning sun, I was ready to remarry the love of my life.
"Okay, let's get you pretty," Alice said excitedly as she entered my chambers with Angela trailing behind her. "I mean, you're always pretty, but you know what I mean."
"Yeah, I got it," I told her with a grin while reaching out to hug her, and then I hugged Angela as well. My two best friends, along with my mother and Rose, were there to help me get ready for the big event. It felt so much more personal being close to the women there that morning, as opposed to the handmaidens and servants who had helped me the last time. It was definitely a special time.
"Even though I didn't personally sew this gown, its stunning," Alice said as she and the others held it up for me to crawl my way inside. "And I promise it's not poisoned," she joked.
"Har har," I replied with a grin.
"So, Alice, how's the little love match going with my brother?" Rose asked her as they began applying my rouge.
"He's your brother, so you tell me," Alice asked her eagerly in return.
"He doesn't speak much of such things to me, but he seems very taken by you. I suspect he will be submitting his request to take a wife very soon."
"Do you think the king will approve of the match?" Alice then asked me, slightly worried.
"Why wouldn't he?" I replied, amused by her concerns.
"I'm just a seamstress," she pointed out. "He's a Lord."
"You aren't a seamstress anymore," I reminded her. "Besides, your father is a Lord, and from what I've heard, he's very happy to have you home again."
"It has been good to be home… But still, what if the king doesn't see me fit to marry Jasper? It would be devastating."
"Our father was a lowly blacksmith," Rose pointed out. "Jasper is only a Lord because Edward made him one. He will approve of you, I'm sure."
"Even if you were still but a servant, King Edward seems happy to approve of servant's requests to marry," Angela added. "And he doesn't care much about positions or ranks when agreeing to the unions."
"Love is all that matters," my mother agreed. Then she turned to me. "Now let's get this done the right way."
I nodded with a smile. "I'm ready."
With my father by my side to give me away, I truly felt like I was walking on air as I made my way down the aisle. Even though Edward and I were already married in our minds and hearts, that second ceremony was infinitely better than our first. Not only was I marrying under my true name without any false pretenses, but my family was also there to witness it, which was everything I had every dreamed of. We were finally, and permanently, joined together as husband and wife, and no one would ever be able to question my status again. It was an incredible feeling.
"You can't escape me now," Edward whispered lovingly the moment we were pronounced husband and wife.
"I love you so much," I told him emotionally.
He smiled. "No one has ever loved anyone as much as I love you," he told me in return. Kissing in public, especially during a royal ceremony, was a taboo thing to do during that era, but Edward didn't seem to care. He pulled me into him, and locked his lips to mine, right there in front of everyone. It felt so good, and so right, that I didn't even care about the gasps and offended chatter amongst the stiff diplomats and elder Lords in attendance.
The crowd cheered as we left the building together, and we all headed to the royal gardens for a feast and celebration of the event.
It had been such an incredible and beautiful day – so full of love and friendship, that I couldn't imagine a happier occasion.
"Are you ready for what comes next?" Edward asked me as the reception drew to an end.
"Well, since I was baptized, again, I suppose it's time to lose my virginity by consummating this marriage," I said, fighting off my giggle. "I'm so nervous."
He laughed at me. "The first time can hurt… of course, judging by the size of your stomach here, I'm thinking you may have a decent idea of what to expect."
I raised a brow. "Why, Your Majesty, are you suggesting that I conceived a baby prior to our wedding? I am not a whore."
"I would never dare suggest such a thing. I know where you keep your poisons," he chuckled. "What I was actually referring to is your crowning ceremony tomorrow," he reminded me.
"Oh, right," I remembered, trying to conceal my lack of excitement. As part of the ceremony, once crowned queen, I would have to sit on the throne as still as possible, as noblemen and peasants alike brought gifts to lay at my feet. It was not something I was looking forward to, but as the custom of the kingdom, I grudgingly complied.
"It will be over soon enough, my love, and then we can finally relax," he tried assuring me. "No more seemingly pointless formal ceremonies for you. I promise."
"Thank god for that," I replied, before leaning in to kiss him.
The night of consummating was over far too soon, and as the midday sun shone brightly overhead, I was swiftly escorted back to my former chambers to prep for that day's event.
"Another day, another gown," Alice said excitedly.
"I can't wait until I'm the one helping you dress," I told her with a wink.
"A queen never helps anyone dress," Angela informed me.
"I am so much more than just a queen," I disagreed. "I can be queen and a friend at the same time, and as Alice's friend, I'm definitely going to help her dress for her wedding one day… and I will help you dress for yours as well."
Angela seemed taken aback by my comment, but then she smiled and I knew she understood the importance of my words. They were more than my handmaidens, they were my very best friends, my sisters, and I would always love and treat them as such.
Unlike the ceremony the day before, the crowning was long and boring, however the weight of the moment was not lost on me. The priest placed the crown on my head, and announced my new title...
"I give you, Queen Isabella. Long live the queen."
"Long live the queen!" the crowd cheered in response. It was both an honor and a burden, and it was a position I had never wanted, however looking at my husband's loving smile, and my son's excited face, I knew without a doubt, it was exactly what I was meant to become.
…
Life continued to pass quickly, and before I knew it, I was giving birth for the third time. Our second son was born healthy and strong. He and Anthony were soon followed by two more brothers, and then finally I gave birth to another baby girl.
Holding my daughter for the first time was such a bittersweet moment. The memories of the brief precious minutes I shared with my first baby girl flooded my mind, but all my tears remained those of joy. I still grieved her every day, but life went on, and it was certainly a beautiful life...
"Mother, may we go riding?" Anthony asked me eagerly one sunny afternoon.
"Did you muck out the stalls?" I asked him with a raised brow.
"But mama," he said with a huff. "The stable master said he would do it later."
"But it is your responsibility to help before you ride. You and your brothers need to remember that you are not…"
"Above labor," he finished for me. "I know, but we want to ride before it gets too hot."
"Well, then you better do your chores quickly," I suggested.
He sighed, and then hurried along his way.
We were spending the summer at the coastal estate where Anthony was born. It was the only location during Aro's tyrannous reign where I actually felt truly happy and secure. Edward and I had shared some of our most joyous days there, so it became one of our favorite retreats to bring our growing family to whenever we could. It wasn't quite the farm living Edward had always dreamed of, but it allowed us the space and freedom to live like a normal family as much as possible.
...
As the years passed, Edward worked on bringing Carlisle's senate into fruition, however the people had grown to love Edward so much, they would never accept him completely surrendering the throne. Edward was our king, and one day, when his time was over, Anthony would take his place. The time for the monarchy to end was not in our immediate future, and after some resistance, Edward finally accepted the position as the will of the people.
The kingdom had not been totally harmonious under our rule. We still had threats of war, and people who challenged authority. There were still executions, and our prisons still occasionally overran with criminals. The world wasn't perfect, and life was far from fair for everyone, however despite unavoidable heartache and conflicting opinions, our people were mostly happy. They had food for their families, and felt safe in their homes and on their lands, and there wasn't anything more important than that.
…
In the blink of an eye, thirty years had passed, and Edward made the decision to retire from the throne. It had never been done before in the history of our kingdom, but being the king, he could do as he pleased, and he truly felt his time of rule was over. Anthony was ready. He had grown into a strong and compassionate man, who was beloved by the people. He had been shadowing Edward for years, and he was already making many of the decisions as it was. Even more so than Edward being tired of the stress and hectic lifestyle, he didn't want to have to die before Anthony could become king – he wanted to witness it for himself.
Anthony's coronation was incredible. Millions of people came from all over the kingdom to watch the historic moment when the priest removed the crown from Edward's head, and placed it on our son's. I had never seen my husband more proud, and in that moment, everything felt right in the world.
Edward and I, along with our youngest two children, moved out to the country side where we finally achieved our long awaited dream of farm living. Of course, we visited our new king often, but it was so peaceful being away from it all. We had lived a truly amazing life, and we were beyond blessed and eager to start that new chapter.
As we continued to grow older, we welcomed staff to help us with the daily needs of the working farm, but Edward always insisted on doing as much as possible. The first time I ever saw him he was but a humble stable boy, and I was convinced he would one day die that way as well. It was who he truly was, and it's where he felt the most at peace.
"Do you regret it?" he asked me one evening as we were finishing our chores for the day. He could have been asking about anything, but somehow I knew exactly what he meant.
"I haven't regretted a moment of our lives together," I assured him with more love than I had ever felt before. My love for him had done nothing but grow every minute of every day, and I knew it would continue that way until my last breath.
"I love you," he told me.
"And that's all that matters."
~*~*~*~ The End ~*~*~*~
***A/N: I want to thank everyone for reading and reviewing this story, and a special thanks to everyone who started reading this with the first chapter posted, and was patient through the two year hiatus. I left writing for personal reasons, and I hated leaving my WIPs incomplete, so I'm so unbelievably happy and relieved to finally finish this story.
Thanks again! I appreciate each and every one of you.
~KC
P.S. Once again, if you haven't yet friended me on Facebook, I go by KC Nicnort. I have posted quite a few pictures and quotes from this story, as well as a few of my others, and it's a lot of fun to communicate with everyone, so please, send me a friend request ;)
