1,953A/N: Thanks so much for all your wonderful thoughts.
We're done, guys. This is the last chapter. Thanks so, so much for reading along, and please read the A/N at the end for some more info. :)
Most characters belong to S. Meyer. The rest belong to me. All mistakes are mine.
The End in Three Parts.
Part III: The Finishing Touches
Chapter 26 – The Finishing Touch
Days and nights of careless revelry
It was the life I lived to a fair degree
Mistakes in my years of fame and fortune
They all taught me to know it when I see it
I see regrets of the past
Yeah, I've got those
Moments in time flash by in a rush
But how much can we repent, baby?
Fill our precious time with laments?
Nah, baby
Not when it all led to the finishing touch
She's here and now, the finishing touch
Laying in my arms in a whispered hush
She fills my days and nights
No longer careless
Each second's a high
She's my finishing touch
And you say you were content but not complete
I get it, I lived that life to a fair degree
Mistakes in your years of compromise and concession
Well, baby, they all taught you to know it when you see it
You say let's not regret the past
Though we've got those
Our moments in time flash by in a rush
So how much can we repent, baby?
Fill our precious time with laments?
No, my baby
Not when it all led us to the finishing touch
She's here and now, the finishing touch
Laying in our arms in a whispered hush
She fills our days and nights
More than content
Not a compromise
She's our finishing touch
You and she…my finishing touch
"Finishing Touch"
Music and Lyrics by Edward and Bella Cullen
Copyright 2026 for self-release compilation: At Our Best
OOOOO
September 13, 2025: St. George, Staten Island, New York - 9:13 a.m.
I opened my eyes and sat up on the lounge chair. When I reached for my cell phone, I found several text messages that came through while I lay lost in the last year's nostalgia.
Not that I need to rely on nostalgia any longer, I thought to myself with a smile.
However, none of the messages were from Edward, who was still at large. With a sigh, I set the phone back down.
When Edward moved into this house, which we now shared in Staten Island—not your typical borough for a former rockstar's dwellings—it took time for the neighbors to acclimate to having him among them. When I moved in with him years later, those accustomed to seeing him around merely grinned, waved, whispered, and took the occasional covert picture. For the most part, they left him and left us alone. The same could be said of much of the neighborhood surrounding TLC.
However, there were the newcomers, the out-of-towners, the visiting strangers and tourists who snapped pictures when least expected, who squealed at ear-splitting decibels, who begged for autographs while Edward and I brunched at an outdoor café or while we walked down the street hand in hand, or while we jogged and tried to keep up with an exuberant German Shepherd.
So, perhaps, that's what the morning's delay was.
Though it still didn't explain why he'd left for a jog without me in the first place. With another sigh, I picked up my phone again and answered texts.
Happy b'day to the most gorg woman we know!
Yes! Honey, how's 41 treating u so far?
Well, it's not my 21st b'day, that's for sure – it's actually 1000x better. Lol. In fact, I'd say I mind turning 41 much less than I minded turning 40.
Yes, Queen! Well, your b'day party last night rocked, and from what u'v told us, your 21st b'day sucked balls. Lol. Plus, u'v had a hell of a year!
Embry is right, sweetie. Joy, laughter, discovery, excitement, adventure, & change – what more can one ask for from 365 days?
What more, indeed? I thought with a smile.
I guess we'll see what 41 has in store for me, I replied.
Have a great start to it, honey! We love ya! 3
Love you guys, too. 3
I moved on to Leah's texts, which she sent when she landed back home in Washington a few hours earlier.
I'm home, big sis! Loved spending your pre-b'day party with you and your rockstar boyfriend. Hope you have a great day today! Going to sleep now. I have a deadline with the paper tomorrow and need to wake up refreshed!
Also, I can't wait to post these pics on my blog, especially the one of you and me sandwiched between Carlisle and Edward. I can already see the comments section! LMAO!
Also, also, remind me what's the age rule again for dating older men? Half their age and add seven? Which would make me PERFECT for Carlisle! *flames emoji*
I threw back my head and laughed out loud.
Little sis, u r nuts, but I love you. I was so happy to spend time with you yesterday. *heart emoji* Glad you got home safely. Hope you're in bed sleeping rn and dreaming of Carlisle-shaped sugar plums. TTYL
From Leah, I moved on to Rosalie.
Welcome to the forty-one club, girlie! Rose sent.
Thanks, Rose! I think I'm going to like this club!
Lol! Look at the woman who ran away from her 40th b'day embracing 41.
I remembered something Tyler, TLC's Gen Z bartender slash armchair psychologist, once said to me. It was on that fateful night when I ran from my fortieth birthday party and ended up in an out-of-the-way underground club. He said that perhaps I hadn't been running from my party as much as toward something else.
Turns out I wasn't running FROM. I was running TO.
Bella, I miss you back home, but living in NYC suits you – or maybe it's living with Edward. You glowed last night at your birthday party.
My thumbs hovered over the keyboard, eager to tell her why I glowed last night, to yell it out from the backyard loud enough for it to be heard across the river and in Manhattan.
But first, I had to tell one specific person, the man who was my best friend, lover, confidante, and partner in everything.
Rose, I've NEVER been happier.
I love hearing that. Emmett sends his love. I'll text you from the airport.
Tell Emmett thanks, and safe flight home, babes! Thanks for coming down to help celebrate my b'day! 3
I haven't missed one of your birthdays since we were 18. I'm not gonna start now. 3
From my parents' group chat, I read:
So what'd that gorgeous rockstar of yours give you for your birthday?
Omg, Mom, you have to stop referring to Edward that way! I replied. You knew him when he was 20! But guess whose gorgeous rockstar is taking her to Paris next month? ;)
Yes! Have a blast, Bella!
Happy Birthday to my little girl, but Bella, please be careful in Paris – both you and Edward. I hear traveling internationally is dangerous right now.
I rolled my eyes…and smiled at my Dad's never-ending concern for me. I got it now, and I had a feeling I'd get it even more shortly.
Thanks, Dad! And I think we'll be okay in Paris, but I promise I'll call every day (or so). Have a safe flight home, guys. Love you both. 3
Finally, I read a text from Alice:
Happy Birthday, Bella. Hope you have a great day.
Thanks, Alice.
Sighing, I gazed at the hazy, pewter skyline across the river. Rarely did it fail to capture my attention, often mesmerizing me with its sharp, shiny, and stoic vertical angles juxtaposed against the water's fluid and much softer meander. Despite the city's reputation for never sleeping, its framework never failed to evoke a sense of calm in me.
But patience had never been my virtue, and I was done waiting.
A moment after I decided to call Edward, all my thoughts deviated to a sudden and more urgent goal. That goal was intercepting the bout of nausea abruptly rushing up my esophagus. I clamped a hand over my mouth, shut my eyes, and went completely still.
Obviously, I knew little about how this morning sickness business worked. I could only hope that my strategy would work to stave it. What's more, I'd already been sick once this morning. That sensation couldn't possibly happen twice in one day. Could it?
While I waited to see whether I'd succeed in keeping my coffee down, I made a mental note to ask Rose about her experiences.
But first, I had to tell Edward.
Seconds passed, and when still nothing happened, I tentatively flipped my hand around and pressed my knuckles to my lips, waiting…waiting…
The backyard was ripe with a fragrant amalgamation as diverse as the neighborhood: the river's brine mingled with the rust of gasoline from a truck noisily idling somewhere nearby. Both scents fused with the smoky, nutty aroma of caffeine and merged with the sweets and savories of breakfast prepared in one of the neighboring homes. I drew in a lungful of air and caught the scent of the flora surrounding me. Much like adopting a puppy, I had always wanted to try gardening but never had time to. After moving in, I'd mentioned this to Edward. Soon after, one morning, we found ourselves visiting the local greenhouse. Since then, I'd spent several peaceful hours in the backyard, sowing, seeding, and cultivating as per Charlie's Facetimed tutorials. The results of my efforts now blossomed and bloomed in a kaleidoscopic rainbow, all of it creating a colorful, olfactory assortment that, over the past few months, had come to resemble a hidden Eden in the middle of New York City – Edward's and my own private Eden.
Unfortunately, this morning, our Eden unsettled my stomach even more.
I jumped out of my seat and ran into the house, pushing past a newly arrived Edward and only vaguely noting the expression of alarm I left him with and the sleeve of fresh bread he carried – from my favorite neighborhood bakery. Zeus chased me as I sprinted to the bathroom, barking and jumping at what he thought was a game. I barely managed to yank up the toilet seat before this morning's coffee chucked itself into the bowl.
Zeus sat on his hind legs next to me, panting and licking my cheek, making me somehow chuckle in between vomiting spells.
"Zeus, back up, boy," Edward said quietly. "Give her space."
With a sad whine, Zeus obeyed, and Edward soon took his spot, minus the cheek licking. Instead, he rested a hand on the small of my back, remaining silent while I finished up. When my stomach finally expelled every morsel, I reached for the toilet handle and flushed. Then, with a deep breath, I looked up and found Edward and Zeus a few feet apart, both gaping at me. Despite everything, I laughed.
"Iz…"
"Let me brush my teeth," I chuckled, covering my mouth.
Edward's eyes followed me, glued to me while I carefully brushed away. "What did you eat last night?"
I waved a hand in a dismissive gesture. Out of the corner of one eye, I saw Edward take a seat on the bathtub's rim, his eyes still on me, while I avoided his gaze. I knew that the moment I looked into those emerald eyes, I'd either burst into laughter once more or burst into happy tears. Instead, I took my time rinsing my mouth. When Zeus gently pawed at me for attention, I knelt beside him.
"Are you worried about Mama, little boy? Mama's just fine."
Satisfied with this answer, Zeus happily whined. Keeping my arms around him, I sat on my behind and leaned against the sink cabinet. Only then did I meet Edward's fretful gaze.
"I swear I'm okay," I grinned.
"Oh, yeah, I can tell," he said dryly. "Vomiting into a toilet is how every healthy person starts their birthday. First, we're going to call your doctor, and then I'm going to call last night's caterer because clearly something-"
"Edward, no," I smiled, raking a hand through Zeus's soft muzzle. "No."
"No?"
"No."
His frown deepened. But despite the bewildered and undeniably concerned expression on Edward's handsome face, I made myself memorize it, transcribe everything about how he looked at this moment, from the exact shade of his copper-penny hair—slightly darker than it had been over the summer—to its windblown style, to the clothes he wore—dark sweats and a dark tee shirt—to the sleeve of freshly baked bread he now held on his lap in a chokehold.
Because I couldn't wait any longer to tell him. Because we communicated. We handled things together. I couldn't keep him in suspense anymore.
"I've got a birthday present for you."
Edward quirked a brow. "See, how it works is you get the gifts on your birthday. You don't give them out. What's more, you're changing the subject."
"And you're mansplaining," I chuckled. "But I swear I'm not changing the subject. Okay, do you remember when I first moved in back in December, we discussed getting a little buddy for Zeus?"
Hearing his name, Zeus stood at attention.
"Sit, Zeus," I said softly.
Edward nodded. "Yeah, I remember, Iz. But then we decided to hold off because you were concerned that he might have trouble adjusting to your moving in, and you worried that getting another dog on top of that would overwhelm him." He expelled a long breath and leaned forward, the now misshapen loaf of bread hanging limply from one hand. "So if you're ready to accept that Zeus worships you more than he ever worshiped me, and you want to visit a dog shelter today to find a buddy for Zeus, I'm fine with that – after you call your doctor and schedule an appointment."
"You just won't drop the whole doctor business, will you?" I snickered.
"No, I won't," he confirmed.
"Well, I'm not sure the buddy I'm planning for Zeus can be found at a shelter." I kept my eyes on Zeus but saw Edward's head tilt sideways in my periphery.
"See, I'm thinking more of a two-legged brother or sister for Zeus."
Edward went very still.
"And one that's a bit less hairy," I continued, "unless it comes out like its dad. Oh yeah, and…" My hand stilled, and though I kept it on Zeus's frame, I looked up and into Edward's shining gaze. With uneven breaths, I added, "And I'll grow it in my belly."
For a few seconds, Edward looked at me. Then, a slow smile lifted one corner of his mouth, spreading to the other.
"Izzy?"
"Yes?" I smiled.
He drew a deep breath, filling his lungs until they looked ready to implode. The next moment, he dropped to his knees in front of me and cradled my face in his hands – that sleeve of bread still dangling from one hand.
"Baby, assure me I don't have to worry for you," he breathed raggedly. "That's it. That's all I need to hear before I-"
I rested my hands on top of his. "Edward, the OB says there's no reason to think this won't go wonderfully. I'll need a few more tests and monitoring, but she says everything looks great. And she said that, as long as it's okay with me – which, of course, it is – you're more than welcome to participate in every facet of the baby's and my health journ-"
His broad shoulders released their tension, slackening as he expelled a long, heavy breath and crushed me against his chest.
"My God, Iz..."
"Are you happy?" I choked, slightly alarmed now.
"Izzy, I don't have the words…"
"But you always have the words. Do you think it's too much, too soon?"
Edward sighed and pulled away just enough to lock me in his gaze. "We've purposely foregone birth control."
"We have," I nodded. "And we have lots of sex."
"We do," he laughed.
"But I wasn't convinced it would take."
"Well, it took," he laughed again, then sobered, Adam's apple bobbing. "Iz, sometimes…sometimes, it all still feels…surreal, like a dream. Like I dreamed you walking into The Last Call and everything else since. Like maybe I was abducted by aliens who are only making me think I'm living a dream, while in reality, they're performing all sorts of horrific experiments on me."
I rolled my eyes. "You and your aliens. But I know what you mean. It often feels like that for me – minus the alien abduction and experimentation part. But we've paid our dues, Edward, haven't we?"
"Iz…I don't have the words because there are no words, at least not on this planet," he grinned, "to adequately describe how…happy I am – how damn thrilled you've just made me." His lips brushed against mine in a tender, reverent kiss. "I love you so damn much."
Again, he pulled me into his arms, and we remained blissfully in each other's embrace for a long moment.
"Now, here," he said, handing me the loaf of bread he was still lugging for some unknown reason. "Let's make another birthday memory on the floor of our bathroom. I know this is your favorite bread, and since you're eating for two now..."
"You know that's an old wives' tale, right? I'm not going to have to eat double. Besides," my nose wrinkled at the yeasty scent, and I pushed it back at him, "this bread smells weird."
"No, it doesn't. You love this bread." He pushed it back at me.
"Well, your kid doesn't seem to love it." I pushed it back at him. "Plus, I'm not too keen on eating a loaf of bread that's been dragged through the bathroom."
"It wasn't dragged through the bathroom," he disputed, pushing it back toward me. "I haven't even let go of it."
"Let Zeus have it."
"What? No way. Besides, Zeus is napping."
"Zeus, honey, wake up. Do you want some bread?" I snatched the loaf, but Edward quickly snatched it back.
"There's no way we're giving Zeus this loaf."
"Why not?"
Zeus sniffed at the loaf.
"Zeus, don't you dare. Iz, it's a special loaf. A birthday loaf." He slid it out of the wrapper, holding it to me like an offering. "Go ahead, take a bite."
"Is that where you were today for so long? Picking up a special loaf of bread for me?" I smiled.
"Something like that," he replied with a smile of his own.
"That's so sweet! But I don't want it." I pushed the loaf away. "It's making my stomach churn."
"Just one bite. Please. It's warm and fresh – well, it was warm," he muttered. "You've always said how much you love this bread, how it's your favorite bread in the world, how you'd eat a loaf of this bread a day if you could, how it should win every bread contest ever invented."
I stared at him. "When have I ever said any of that? I'm getting up." I made to stand.
Edward laid a hand on my shoulder. "Just…break it in half and pull it apart in the middle. After that, if you don't want it, we'll throw it out."
Zeus barked.
"Or we'll give it to Zeus."
"Edward-"
"Please, baby?"
"Fine." Sighing, I took the loaf from Edward. "I'll break it in half." With a hand on either end of the loaf, I split it into two pieces. "But I gotta say that, though, I'm super grateful for your thoughtfulness," I said, watching billows of thick, white steam waft into the air, "if the scent of yeast sends me vomiting again, you'll have no one but yourself to…to…"
As the steam cleared, the potent scent of yeast wafted around me, but the smell was insignificant and, thankfully, inconsequential. Instead, I focused on the glittering object resting on a cushion of spongy dough in my right hand. Rocking back on my knees, the piece of bread in my left hand fell to the floor.
"You know, had Zeus not decided to take a dump," Edward chuckled, "I would've been home in time to do this in what's considered the conventional order. Then again, you and I don't deal in would'ves or should'ves."
"Or in the conventional," I breathed.
Edward plucked the ring from the piece of bread in my hand and let the bread fall. He whistled, and Zeus appeared at his side.
"Enjoy, buddy," he chuckled as Zeus tore into the two pieces of bread. Then, smiling tenderly at me, Edward slipped the ring on the fourth finger of my left hand.
"Edward…" I said in a strangled voice.
"Iz…" he whispered gently, holding my hand in the tight space between us. "Today is twenty years since we broke up and twenty years since the last time I made you a load of promises." He expelled a heavy breath. "Promises that didn't work out. And three hundred sixty-four days ago, when you sang to me on stage at TLC, I told you I didn't want to start this second chance with promises."
I nodded, a single tear streaming down my cheek. "I remember."
"But we're not looking backward, only forward," Edward said, carefully wiping away the lone tear. "So, now I'm hoping…" he breathed, slipping his fingers through mine and holding our entwined hands over his heart, "I hope you're ready to let me make you a new set of promises – or rather, vows," he clarified, dipping his head to my eye level. Everything was a blur when I met his eyes through my glassy eyes. Yet, at the same time, nothing had ever been so clear.
"So what do you think? Maybe twenty, forty, sixty years from now, we'll have no memory of twenty lost years, only memories of a shared lifetime."
I remembered a quixotic thought I had long ago when Edward and I were still very young. It was this:
If an alien race ever invaded, it would set aside its nefarious world-domination plans to sit there and watch Edward and me join as one.
Because we were that perfect together.
"Edward…" I choked, locked in his emerald gaze, "it's all too beautiful. Maybe we have been snatched by an alien race who've turned our minds into mush and who keep us dreaming of our best lives while they grind our bones."
"If that's the case," he murmured, "they can keep grinding, but I never want to wake up. Iz…" – he brushed his lips against my knuckles and over my ring – "Iz, do you remember that job you had last year in L.A. with that asshole Chef Mike and his flaccid dishes?"
I chuckled in bewilderment, no clue what prompted that segue. "I was remembering that job a short while ago."
"You told me he asked you how it felt to know that your job was to put the finishing touches on other people's work…on their lives…"
I began sobbing in earnest. "Edward…"
"He'd meant to be condescending," he said, kissing away the tears on my cheeks, "but what Mike didn't realize was how right he was, but how fucking amazing that makes you. You are the finishing touch."
"I'm telling you, it's too perfect," I insisted in a garbled voice, choking on my tears.
Edward's shoulders rose and fell in feigned exasperation. But his eyes danced with mirth.
"If it makes you feel better, I can guarantee we'll have rough times because it's not some fairy tale or sci-fi movie, Iz. It's real." Emerald eyes pierced my soul. "And isn't that what a real lifetime together comprises – the good and the bad?"
I nodded, drawing in a deep breath to stem the flow. When I spoke, my voice reflected the strength of my commitment to the man kneeling before me.
"The good and the bad, Edward."
"So, are you ready to have all that – the good, the bad, and…" He drew in his own deep breath, then continued, "and Jesus, a baby?" he whispered reverently. "All of us. All of it. Forever?"
When I grinned, it was with a joy that threatened to burst from every seam.
"Yes, Edward. Yes. I'm ready."
The End.
OOOOO
Review of The Last Call, Pub and Venue
NYC Weekly
June 2030 Web Issue
– byline by Leah Dwyer
Full Disclosure: One of the place's owners is my quasi-stepsister (that's another story). Still, if you can't trust me, trust the thousands of five-star reviewers who agree that The Last Call deserves its spot on the list of the top three best pubs and venues in Manhattan.
From the moment one enters TLC, its vibrant atmosphere engulfs one in its charm. The funky decor includes framed lyrics to one of the owner's very well-known songs (more on that in a minute), and the dim lighting instantly transports you to a bygone era of gritty yet captivating Manhattan nightlife. The liquor selection at TLC is impressive, and the bartender/manager, Tyler, is a genius possessor of the trifecta in art, implementation, and dissemination. The bar food is splendid and served up so attractively that it's as if each dish has been professionally styled (which it has).
All this is merely par for the course at TLC because the venue is owned and operated by none other than Edward Cullen and his wife, Bella Swan.
Yes, that Edward Cullen and Bella Swan – rockstar and celebrity food stylist, respectively. This means that entertainment at TLC is culled from some of the couples' good friends and the best acts and musicians to ever grace a stage. Many who play at TLC have chosen to retire early from the music industry (as Cullen himself infamously once did), but that makes their performances genuine as they attempt to impress no one but themselves.
However, the best thing about TLC might be the joy infused into it. Bella and Edward are the heart and soul of the place – attentive, friendly, and welcoming to everyone who walks through TLC's underground door. If you're lucky, you may even hear Edward and Bella perform some of their best hits, along with new material, with their band, Half Crazy/Half Masochistic. No one who hears their performances can doubt how much they love one another, with music ranging from love to rock ballads and even to lyrics about their German Shepherd, Zeus. Their mutual enjoyment seeps into every aspect of their performance, just as it must've when they were part of the college band Olympia.
If you're really lucky, you'll catch Edward and Bella playing on a night when their closest friends, new and old, and their family are in attendance. The pure joy that emanates from them at having all their loved ones together – as well as the calls for encores keeps the performances rocking into the early hours, even past the last call!
But…if you're fortunate, you might catch the rarest performance of them all – on a ferry, or in a park, or occasionally, even on an early evening at TLC: when Edward and Bella share in impromptu performances with their five-year-old daughter, Olympia. Little Ollie Cullen seems to have inherited more than curls from her mom and emerald eyes from her dad.
So, if you're looking for an authentic place to escape the hustle and bustle, The Last Call is a not-so-hidden gem waiting (or, more accurately, not waiting) to be discovered. It's an authentic experience combining atmosphere with great drinks, food, music, and friends…
And with an epic last call.
A/N: Thoughts?
It's over, guys! I hope you enjoyed it. I know I enjoyed leading another version of E into their HEA :)
Thanks so, so much for taking the ride with me, and I hope to "see" you all soon when I update…one of my other WIPs. ;)
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