AN: Sorry for the shorter chapter.

***

"Surprise!!!"

Simon froze in his tracks, staring at everyone clumped together in Charlie's small living room. Edward hovered next to him where he sported a smug grin. In the small room, his family and friends were standing under a homemade banner with presents clutched in their hands. Angela, Jessica, Ben, Eric, and Mike were even there, standing next to the Clearwaters, Paul, and Jacob, across the room from the Cullens. The only one who wasn't there was Carlisle, who had volunteered to watch the twins as Simon and Edward ran their errands.

"Happy birthday, kid," Charlie cheerfully said as he clapped his hand on Simon's back.

Leah, Paul, and Seth followed after him, tackling Simon in a group hug. Jacob just nodded in his direction, the corner of his lips turned upward. Sue came forward, looping her arm through his as she led him toward the couch. She pushed him down to sit, where Edward sat beside him. Leah and Paul fought over the last spot on the other side of Simon, before they both decided to squish into the spot together. Edward dangled himself around Simon, his long legs across Simon's lap and his arm around his shoulders to create more room for the ridiculous wolves. Seth perched himself up on the back of the couch, much to Sue's disapproval.

As gifts were thrusted in his direction, it began to sink in that he had forgotten his own birthday. With everything that went down in September, he supposed that it was rather easy to lose track of the days. It was October now, and with that transition from September came his birthday. It slipped his mind. He couldn't think of the last time he celebrated his birthday, let alone when others celebrated with him.

Angela had rallied Simon and Bella's high school friends together, creating a photo album of photos they had taken with Bella and him throughout their friendship, as a gift from them all. Angela hovered a little longer than the others, but they all left shortly after he received their gift. Though their stay was quick, Simon was glad to see them again.

Charlie and Sue were next. As Simon opened the box, his eyes widened with his shock. They had teamed together and got him a new camera, as well as a few refills of film. He pulled them into a crushing hug, much to Charlie's surprise. When they separated, Simon was met with Sue's beaming smile that she passed on to both of her children, though it was most noticeable in Seth.

Esme and Carlisle kept their gift simple, with some dangly cross earrings and a cross necklace from Carlisle's personal collection. He shared a smile with Esme, and had to remind himself to thank Carlisle later. He handed the necklace to Edward, who clasped it around Simon's neck. He tucked it under his shirt before moving onto the next gift.

Emmett and Jasper got him a gaming console which, if anything, would be used by them more than him. Simon's guess was that it gave the two an excuse to visit Simon and Edward's new home more often.

Speaking of their home, Rosalie offhandedly mentioned her gift was already installed in the form of a whole new wardrobe for Simon. Simon couldn't stop the grin that formed on his face as she bashfully looked away, for Simon knew that the one thing Rosalie loved more than fashion was her family.

"It's about time for a rematch, don't you think?" Alice chirped excitedly as she held her gift out to him. He raised an eyebrow in question, yet his confusion was cleared as he took out the hand carved chest set. Instead of the traditional black and white, it was painted red and white.

Simon couldn't stop the snort that he let out, shaking his head at the wolves small gift. "I think this will help you more, Eddie," Simon handed the gift to Edward, laughing at the pointed stare he got in return.

"Your ass is just as pale as mine, Simon."

Charlie looked between the wolves and his son-in-laws in confusion. He couldn't fathom why they got Simon a bottle of spray tan for his birthday.

"It's an inside joke they have, hon, don't think about it too hard." Sue explained from her hypocritically perched spot on Charlie's armrest, patting his hand soothingly.

With the last of the gifts done, the wolves, Charlie, and Sue wandered to the kitchen to dig into the meal that Sue had prepared. Charlie was still under the impression that the Cullens were sticking to their diet, though Simon followed after them as Seth chattered on about how good he did decorating the cake that Esme baked.

The thing was a bloody nightmare. Portions of the red velvet cake peaked through the white frosting monstrosity, with what looked to be a full bottle of glittery silver sprinkles dumped over the top. The only thing about it that was neat happened to be the writing, which Leah admitted to doing. Instead of writing one-hundred, which is the real age he had turned, she wrote twenty, which went along with the small fib he had told Charlie when they first met.

The chatter downstairs still drifted up through the floorboards, but it was buffered in the comforts of Bella's old room. He didn't mean to abandon his own party, but he needed to step away for a moment. He had been enjoying himself. He still was, if he were to be honest. Despite his happiness, the ache he had been feeling had only worsened as the day went on. He sat down on her bed, lying back against the quilt her mother had made her. Her scent still clung to the sheets, overwhelming Simon with longing as his eyelashes fluttered against his cheeks.

Some time must have passed, for when he next opened his eyes, the sun was setting and Edward was standing at the end of the bed. He sat up, seeing Edward smile from the corner of his eye as he stretched like a cat bathing in the sun.

"Close your eyes," Edward murmured, gently placing something atop Simon's head as he obliged with his husband's request.

Simon furrowed his brows and stood up from the bed. He walked around the bedpost, stopping in front of the mirror to examine his last gift. The flower crown was handmade, clearly made of actual pieces of nature instead of fake plastic. The purple drew him to look closer, and he inhaled sharply as he realized what was woven throughout it. The scent hit him with the inhale, and venom pooled in his eyes. Lavender.

Simon spun around, pulling Edward down until their lips met. Simon pushed everything he was feeling into the kiss, and he broke away as he felt Edward smile against his lips.

"I wasn't sure if you would like it, but I'm pretty sure I just got my answer," Edward commented as he straightened the crown upon Simon's head.

"It's lovely," Simon traced his swollen lips with a small smile, "Thank you."

They stared at one another for a minute, basking in the happiness between them. Eventually, Simon's gaze slowly drifted to Bella's desk. He moved to it as he made up his mind. He opened the bottom drawer, sliding open its false base. He pulled out a photo album, one that he used to have stashed under the floorboards of his old apartment. He remembered asking Bella to keep it safe for him because he knew she would never look through it without his permission. Its safety was important to him, so it had been important to her, too.

He traced the leather cover one last time before he held it out for his husband to take. Once the album left his hands, he left Edward alone to look through it.

Edward's confusion was almost palpable as he took the album. He flipped open the cover, pausing for a moment as he read the names inscribed in ink.

Charlotte "Lottie" Easton & Simon Levy.

With each page he flipped through, understanding began to sink into his bones. Every page was bordered in hand drawn lavender, and a scrawl that did not match Simon's was scribbled beneath each passing photo. Fields of lavender, the outside of a quaint farm house, the insides of the house, and several other photos that held no meaning to Edward filled the first quarter of the album.

The first image Edward stopped on was a picture of Simon. He was sitting on the porch of the farm house, clad in overalls and a sun-faded flannel. He had a basket of lavender at his feet, and he was in the process of folding them together. He was looking at the person behind the camera, grinning like the happiest man in the world.

The next photo was of Charlotte. She was laughing about something, her blonde hair flowing in the wind as a lavender crown rested atop her head. She was wearing a flowered sundress, and it was obvious that the photo had been taken with care. It captured her very essence, and Edward couldn't stop the smile that formed on his face. Her joy was contagious, even half a century later.

He stayed in Bella's room for over an hour, taking his time to go through the whole album. He read each spurt of text beneath the photos and he could imagine the peace they must have had together.

The last photo was of the two of them in the middle of a field of lavender. Her hair was flowing down her back and her yellow dress stood out against the purple field. Simon was knelt on the ground before her, holding a ring as he stared lovingly up at her. Beneath the photo, written in Simon's unique penmanship, were the words "She said 'Yes!'"