PREFACE

I do not feel fear. I do not feel regret. At the same time, I do not feel peace. This is a moment of pure rage, hatred, and vengeance. So it must be. However, at the back of my mind, I see them, feel the love and protectiveness that has driven me to this final moment. I don't want this. I want to be with them, but dying in their place, there is no better way to go.

CELEBRATION

I have many regrets, from this life and my human one. I'm sure Leah does, too. It's a sad state of affairs when allowing your adopted sister to arrange your engagement party ranks highly among them. We told the others we couldn't have known, though in all honesty, we should have. It is Alice we're talking about after all, understated is not in her vocabulary. As soon as we approached her about helping us, it took her half the day to calm down enough to come up with a coherent plan of action. Thereafter, we had no say, no part at all, and Alice retreated into her own private party-planning world where nothing is too much and no one else's opinions exist. We bowed out after the first day because it was too exhausting to keep up with her, me mentally and Leah just fell into bed asleep. You'd think we'd have bigger fish to fry, greater concerns than the colour theme of mine and Leah's engagement party. Nevertheless, we needed the distraction, and there is nothing more distracting than one of Alice's parties. It's hard to dwell on the dark cloud rolling in all the time, ask any Fork's resident.

Of course, our engagement announcement was half made for us. Alice had foreseen it, and Edward could read all our minds. At least we could count on him to have a modicum of discretion. Alice practically imploded trying to hold it in, and she had to tell everyone it was something big to do with us, and it was such happy, amazing news. The majority of us are vampires, so putting two and two together isn't exactly taxing. We were greeted with expectant smiles, and then we were congratulated by all as soon as the words came out of our mouths. It was a small bit deflating, but everyone was extremely happy for us, so Alice's lack of self-control was forgiven and forgotten. We had a sort of mini-celebration that evening. Esme prepared a tonne of food for the Quileutes and the kids, and all the vampires went hunting nearby before returning to rejoin the party. It was a great time, filled with laughter and camaraderie, a moment when all our troubles were left at the door. The children were, as always, the centre of attention. Renesmee and Chloe stealing all the devilled eggs and egg-mayo sandwiches, everyone distracted by Harry's laughter with Seth because it was just so nice to hear it. They played endlessly, and Seth and Emmett never tired of entertaining them, and Renesmee got to act the age she was, not the age she appeared. Soon, though, they were all worn out, and the parents had to be excused.

We tucked the twins away for the night. Leah turned in, too. I'm sure between the celebrations and watching the kids, she was wrecked, but there were other things weighing on her, as there was with us all. I sometimes envy her being able to sleep. At least she had a few hours escape everyday from the dread of wondering what's to come. I was certainly not as lucky. Even my hearing betrayed me. Most of Carlisle's friends hadn't returned yet, and my family only returned briefly to hear our announcement, they'd be back out tomorrow, but Makenna was always lurking around somewhere. She always stayed on the periphery of the property, rarely coming inside or speaking with anyone. We had her assurances that she wouldn't try to feed locally, but she didn't inspire much trust. That aside, her mere presence was just a reminder of what was going on in the world at large, that we faced a grave threat that as yet we were unprepared for. I stopped looking out the window and just sat beside my sleeping Leah, watching over her and my children. It might not be sleep but concentrating on them brought me some peace, a warmth against the cold and darkness looming outside.

Two weeks to the day after we got engaged was the day Alice was scheduling her all-out extravaganza. Esme was almost as fearful about Alice's plans as those of the Volturi, as Alice probably wouldn't stop short of refurbishing, or redecorating, or maybe even knocking through a wall to make the space fit her aspirations. Jasper was back luckily enough, so he could talk to her at the very least, but, of course, nothing could truly stop her. Some things weren't going as well as we'd hoped. After he'd left again to contact Maria and the Mexican Coven, he'd returned empty-handed. Peter and Charlotte hadn't returned yet, so there was still hope. Jasper was uncertain, though. True, since his time with her, Maria had practically eliminated all of her competition in the south with hardly anyone left but passing nomads. Still, he expected to find her in her old stomping ground along the Texas-Mexico border. He had no luck after days of searching, and he did nothing to conceal his presence from her. Peter and Charlotte had headed further west and south along the southern borders of New Mexico, Arizona, California, and deeper into Mexico itself. They were expected back the day of the party. The Irish Coven had returned, too. They had few friends of their own to contact. Outside of the Cullens, they only knew a few Irish nomads who had crossed the pond over the last few centuries, and they hadn't proved difficult to find. They'd kept to the places where a lot of Irish immigrants had gone, Boston, New York and the northeast in general. Of the four they contacted, one took to the hills, saying he was going to hide out in Arctic Canada until this all blew over. The rest followed them back.

Their names were Anne, Shane, and Tadgh. Each of them lived separately, but they knew each other given that their territories were so close together. They were each centuries old and remembered the first ships to sail to the Americas because they were on them. None of the Cullens had met them before, but that was because they generally kept to themselves, something that really didn't change much after they arrived. I supposed we'd have to get used to that. Most vampires interact with no one other than perhaps their mate, and other covens are generally based upon common interests and protection, not family and love, or even friendship.

As the days went on, more vampires came and went, family and friends leaving and returning with more friends or allies at least. The biggest turn out was from Latin America. The Amazons had scoured the rainforests, the mountains, and the prairies, trying to find every vampire who lived among the tribes and even finding those who lived in the modern metropolises. They brought back twenty-four. Only a few were dressed casually, the rest were in tribal wear. They even found Nahuel and his aunt Huilen. Carlisle thanked them all for making such a long journey and also for their courage. Many vampires on this side of the world were desperately seeking to hide from the battle that was to come. Of course, when Aro came in force to the Americas, he would leave no stone unturned in his search for foot soldiers to suck into his army, to die for his insane cause.

They all had to be briefed as they arrived. They were all told in general what they would be facing if they came, but Carlisle wanted them to know exactly the odds we faced. He assured them all that no one who had come was obligated to stay. If they chose to leave then that was their decision. No one took him up on that offer. Even so, we had to admit, our intel was out of date. We'd had only scant contact with Marcus and Demetri since they left for the Old World, and we often feared the worst between telephone check-ins. Even with such gaps as days between contacts, he didn't pass on all that much information other than he was flying under the Volturi's radar and he was making progress. As one can imagine, such words were not too inspirational, especially to a bunch of recruits who know nothing about the enemy other than that they severely outnumbered us.

It didn't help that it was getting so crowded.

We had dozens of vampires at the house now and in the surrounding property. The Quileutes were going crazy. Nearly every one of their youngsters who'd reached puberty had turned at this stage, bringing the packs to three dozen members between them. It was getting uncomfortable, but the numbers were a blessing in disguise. We hoped that when Peter and Charlotte returned with Maria and Marcus with his comrades from abroad, we'd reach several hundred strong. Carlisle was beginning to think that as soon as the party was over, we'd have to relocate. Hundreds of vampires needing sustenance and a small town full of our friends the only nearby source was not an ideal scenario. How he planned to sort that out was another thing. The Quileutes would not abandon their ancestral land, even if it left them vulnerable. We'd have to move deeper into the surrounding wilderness, though, so everyone could just head off in whatever direction they wanted to hunt so long as it was not in Forks.

As the day of the party came, everyone we could find and was willing to come had arrived. We had good friends, and so did they, mostly. In the end, sixty vampires from all over the New World had come to Washington, to Forks, to stand with us. We knew it would not be enough. If Aro truly raised an army as Marcus had described, we could face thousands. The prospect was hard to imagine but that didn't make it any less frightening. We really needed Maria's backing and for Marcus to come through for us. Waiting for both outcomes was leaving us all on edge.

Despite all our worry and fear, Alice always knew how to draw our attention to more trivial matters, but, of course, they were not so to her. Leah had been stressing about everything, the kids, the looming battle, and all the tension between the various vampire and shapeshifter groups. I could tell, and I tried to ease her mind, but that was hard to do when my own was in such turmoil, so Alice intervened to be her saviour. Leah was to come with her, Rosalie, Bella, and Renesmee to Port Angeles to go shopping. They promised she'd come away with a party outfit and all manner of beauty treatments. Oh, and her attendance wasn't optional. Leah felt strange leaving the twins. She hadn't done so once since they'd been born. In the end, I convinced her to go, telling her she both needed this and deserved it, and that I would not leave the twins out of my sight. She was still dubious, even as they got her in the car, but Esme promised to help me out and that seemed to reassure her. I appreciated the help to be honest. Keeping an eye on them at all times had been getting more and more difficult to do, and I'm a vampire. They were just too fond of exploring, and there was no point telling them they'd gone too high or too far. They could get back to the house in minutes even if they'd travelled miles, and they could drop from the highest treetops to the ground without batting an eye. They had me wrecked and ruined. Sometimes, I even believed I was exhausted, even though it was not possible for me to be so.

As the morning wore on, I was actually managing pretty well. Chloe was not as energetic today and was limiting herself to sitting idly thirty feet up a cedar tree whilst twining some flower stems together. Harry was building a fort out of rocks he'd fished out of the river. Some of the base stones were at least thirty pounds. I was sitting on the lawn, feeling a twinge of hunger come on. I walked down to the river and looked at my reflection in the water. My eyes were almost totally black. I hadn't been hunting properly. There was just too much to do between the kids, Alice's endless commentary on our party, and the preparations we were making to defend ourselves from the Volturi's onslaught. For beings that did not require sleep, there still seemed not to be enough time in the day and yet, there was always time to worry. Esme appeared at my side. I hadn't really been paying attention, but I'd heard her approach nonetheless. She put a hand on my shoulder and gave me one of those smiles than instantly dispels the dark clouds overhead. She said, "That's quite a construction effort he's got there."

"I know. Something tells me architecture or engineering are in Harry's future."

"Well, he is immortal. The possibilities are endless."

"I hope he gets to realise them."

"Jason…"

"I mean I hope he doesn't have to be on the run his whole life. I'll die before I let anyone hurt him, or Chloe."

"You know we'll all stop at nothing to protect them. They're everything to us."

"All we are."

She nodded and smiled once more. Her eyes lingered on me for a moment before she said, "Why don't you go hunt?"

"Thanks, Esme, but I'd rather not leave while Leah's gone. I know they're safe with you, but I'll just worry more if I'm away from them."

"Well that mental fatigue will only grow worse if you let yourself go hungry. You already have a lot on your mind. Why don't you go tick off one thing from that mental to-do list I know you're carrying around."

I smiled at that. Chloe dropped from her perch and ran over to Esme. She proffered a chain of flowers to her. "For you, grandma."

"Oh, sweetheart, that is beautiful."

For a chain using only flowers and made by hands that were barely older than the plants themselves, it was quite beautifully crafted. The flowers were tied as such that from the front, they formed an unbroken chain with each blossom facing out and the stems of the flowers at either end extended fully so they could be tied. Chloe said, "Can I put it on you?"

"Of course."

Esme knelt down and Chloe promptly skipped behind her to tie her necklace. It was very pretty and very adorable, much like Chloe herself. She said, "I'm going to make one for mommy next. Daddy, do you think she'll like it?"

"She definitely will, sweetheart. I think it'll cheer her up, too."

"Great, I'll be back soon."

"Where are you going?"

"I have to find the perfect flowers."

"Don't go far."

She didn't reply to that one. Both of the twins had grown very frustrated with the adults as we tried to explain to them what "too far" meant. The term was meaningless to them. If we told them not to venture out of sight of the house or not to go further than the Black Pack's cabins, they'd simply reply that that wasn't very far. All of us, vampires and shapeshifters alike, had once been human. That meant we each had some concept of distance and how limited we once were. Yet, for them, they'd only ever known capabilities that were beyond the scope of human beings, so while we'd preferably not want them not to go more than fifteen minutes from the house, they could go several miles into the forest or reach Forks in that time. It was very frustrating and as our situation grew more perilous, we'd ultimately have to be stricter with them. As Chloe disappeared into the undergrowth, I listened out for her footfalls to make sure she was okay. For such a little girl who was growing at an accelerated rate, she was very surefooted and for once, she hadn't gone far. She'd ventured maybe a kilometre north of the house to a clearing, which was her favourite flower-picking spot. I cast my eyes over to Harry. He was engrossed, presumably trying to figure out how he might roof his little hut without resorting to wood. I turned to Esme once more and said, "I won't be going very far either."

"Take your time, Jason, and you better come back here full, or you're going back out."

"Yes, mom."

I didn't usually call her that, nor did any of her adopted children, but I knew that Esme derived great contentment with this life through her role as our mother. It was probably cheeky for me to think so, given that I hadn't yet been with them for a year, but I got the impression that she was a tad fonder of me, being the youngest in both human and vampire terms. In the former, however, we were still technically only separated by ten years. I leapt the river to where Harry was. He was still pondering the roof. He'd collected a number of rocks of various shapes, some of which were long enough to span the top of his structure, but he had two few of them. I squatted down beside him and ruffled his hair. He pretended to hate it, but it was one of the few things besides Seth that made him smile. I said, "Having trouble, little man?"

"Yes, I might have to look further along the river to get more long rocks."

"Okay, but don't go where grandma can't hear you, and no swimming, Harry."

"But I'm a really good swimmer, daddy. Everyone says so."

"Not without someone with you."

"What if the rocks I need are underwater?"

"Then get grandma to go with you."

"Okay, I'll stay on the banks."

"Good boy, daddy will be back soon. Be good for grandma."

"But I'm always good."

That wasn't a smart remark. He was always genuinely confused when people told him to be good because he always behaved and did as he was told, even if he disagreed. I always asked him anyway because I found his reaction very endearing. I ruffled his hair once more and said, "I know you are, little man."

With that, I disappeared into the trees, listening for him as I went. As promised, he did not enter the water even once and nor did he search beyond the range of his grandma's hearing. I smiled and took after the fresh scent of a herd of deer, eager to get back to my new family in short order. The scene around the house might have been idyllic, but I knew all around, beyond the horizon, a storm was building.

I returned from my hunt just moments before Leah and the girls arrived home. Bella, Alice, and Rosalie looked no different from usual except that they were overburdened with shopping bags. Renesmee and Leah, however, looked positively radiant, as they were the only ones who could really partake, and for that matter, benefit from the treatments. I strolled up to my Leah, and she smiled at me. I hadn't seen her do that for a good while. It drew me back to our first moments together, those times of fire, heat, and newness that still carried on to this day, that grew hotter and brighter with every passing second. Her beauty, her smile, could light up the darkest places, and I found myself staring, probably with that stupid grin I always get. She blushed, avoiding my gaze, as she always does. I said, "You look incredible."

"Miracle of a blow-dry and a pedicure, it's nothing."

"You're never nothing. You're definitely something else."

"Oh what's that?"

"Oh…am, that was an expression, it just means you're above and beyond the norm."

"Ah, I see. You still manage to catch me out."

I put my arm around her shoulders and said, "Don't worry, my Leah. We've only been together a few months, and we have an eternity together. Eventually I'll become predictable, maybe even boring. You might consider looking elsewhere in a century or so."

A startled, offended look crossed her face for a brief second, but then she smiled, realising I was joking. It was probably the result of the imprint. I briefly contemplated what would a shapeshifter do if their magical bond to a person were not reciprocated. Would life no longer be worth living? If it weren't for the kids, I knew mine wouldn't be, and I wasn't the one who had imprinted. I decided to leave the subject off-limits to wry humour. I was just about to pull her into a full embrace to reassure her when a small form squeezed in-between us with their arms around our waists. "I hate to interrupt this little mush-fest you're having at the expense of everyone else's comfort, but Leah and I are far from done for the day."

Of course, Alice was squeezing between us and not one of the children, as I'd initially assumed. I sighed, casting my eyes away, and Leah exclaimed, "What do you mean we're not done? I've been gone all morning and afternoon. I'm not going anywhere else, Alice."

"Of course I'm not taking you out again. I was very thorough. You have all the necessary treatments, clothes, and accessories. All that's left is to add the finishing touches and you'll be party ready."

"What finishing touches?"

"Why makeup and hair, of course, silly."

"But my hair is already done."

"Leah, please, you got a wash and blow-dry. It still needs to be styled, and your skin is perfectly prepped for makeup after that facial, so let's move before any oiliness or dryness sets in. Chop-chop."

"Wha-wait, one second."

She swivelled around and planted a kiss on my lips before Alice dragged her off with her eyes cast to heaven. Her warmth lingered on my skin, a persistent tingle that left me speechless before she disappeared out of sight. I felt a firm hand grasp my shoulder. "You know, common wisdom has it that most couples cool off after the first six months and yet here you are, dumbstruck by a kiss on the lips."

It was Dermot, of course, and I embraced him while calling him a cheeky bastard, which was all very ordinary for us. He'd decided in the past week that the lack of contact from his mate, Isolde, was worrying. The two of them were not attached at the hip by any means, but the seriousness of their relationship was getting to another level as Dermot so eloquently put it. He worried that maybe something had happened to her, especially with the Volturi mobilising the whole vampire population of Europe. Given how little we were getting out of Marcus other than that he was definitely nowhere near Wales, Dermot could no longer wait, and so Carlisle arranged a flight for him to Cardiff with two return tickets in case he found her, which he had. She stood a few feet behind him. She came forward and embraced me saying, "Jason, it's great to see you again."

"You, too, Isolde. We were all a wee bit concerned."

"I don't blame you."

Fiona then emerged along with Siobhan, Liam, and Maggie. They all took their turns welcoming her before she could get on with explaining. When the moment came, though, she asked to speak with Carlisle. We were all perplexed but showed her into the house where Carlisle was already waiting, having undoubtedly heard our conversation. He welcomed Isolde to Washington and into his home, mentioning how much everyone had heard about her from Dermot. She seemed particularly chuffed by Carlisle's description of how anxious he'd become about her safety when he hadn't been able to reach her. Dermot did not seem impressed when she mockingly fawned over him for being so adorable. I thought, as well, that I heard Emmett skitting himself somewhere else in the house before Rosalie told him to calm himself while failing to keep the mirth out of her own voice. After the pleasantries had passed, Carlisle said, "I'm guessing, Isolde, you had something more specific to talk to me about rather than just introductions."

"Indeed, first off, I better explain myself."

"Please take a seat."

Everyone sat down in the living area with Carlisle opposite Isolde as she began. "Well, as you've probably heard by now, news of a second Volturi move against you had spread far and wide."

"It is not often that Volterra clears out, especially not twice in six years."

"Indeed, well, they passed through Britain last time on their way across the pond, and I had no intention of being anywhere in their vicinity, so I went north to stay with some friends in the Lake District."

"That's why the Irish Coven couldn't find you when they were coming to back us up."

"Unfortunately, yes, but had I known that Dermot was here, that all of you were, I would have been over like a shot."

"We all appreciate that Isolde."

"Well, my story doesn't end there. I, in fact, have some good news, which I imagine is in short supply."

"Go ahead."

"Word of your victory over the Volturi, the second time you've managed to turn them away, especially with Alec's death and Marcus's betrayal of Aro, spread like wildfire, faster than news that they were coming for you again. However, the implications of that were not hard to guess at. People knew that Aro would crave vengeance, to put down this challenge to his authority at all costs. Many suspected that a kind of conscription would be enforced before word of it spread. Dermot only confirmed our fears, so my English friends and I devised a plan."

"Which was?"

"We knew we were cornered, that when Aro turned his gaze to Britain that we would be vastly outnumbered and quickly overrun if we tried to fight, so we travelled the length and breadth of the country, contacting every coven and nomad we could find. Our routes for escape to the east were all blocked, so we knew we had to come west, and Dermot and I convinced them to travel here, to stand with you."

Carlisle looked surprised but pleased. He asked, "And how are they getting here?"

"We chose a route that we thought Aro will least suspect. They took to the sea from northern Scotland and have probably swum the distance to Iceland by now. From there, they will hunt and continue on to Greenland before coming down into Canada. All things going well, we should expect them in a fortnight."

"I am impressed, Isolde, and how many are we talking about here?"

"There are five resident covens in Britain along with twenty-two nomads for a total of forty. They all chose to come here. They had planned to fight if it came to it back home, but it doesn't matter where they stand their ground as long as they do and do not retreat. None of us are fond of the Volturi, Carlisle. As I'm sure you know, being an Englishman yourself, our island has not faired well under their rule. Many of the older covens have been lost in Aro's pursuit of power and for undefined criminal acts. If this is to be our last stand, so be it. We will not be marched under their banner."

Carlisle stood and offered Isolde his hand, which she shook firmly. He said, "Thank you, Isolde. You've done us a great service, and your friends are most welcome. I'm sure everyone would be glad to have you at the party tonight."

"Party?" She looked accusingly at Dermot and said, "You never told me about any party. I would have dressed better." She thumped him in the shoulder.

Coming to his rescue, I said, "Don't worry, Isolde. I know someone who can take care of that for you."

"Well, okay," she replied, still narrowing her eyes at Dermot. She asked, "So what are we celebrating?"

"My engagement."

Her eyes nearly fell out of her head. She smacked Dermot over the head before saying with her finger in his face, "I will have you killed, my love, before the Volturi ever get here. Why did you not tell me about this? He's, for all intents and purposes, your brother, and you don't tell me he's getting married? Do you realise how inadequately I packed for this calibre of celebration?"

"I'm sorry, I thought you'd like the surprise."

"Men! I need preparation time, Dermot. Jason, when is this party starting?"

"In three hours."

She eyed Dermot menacingly once more and said, "Aargh! God help me, I love you, but you're a damn fool."

"I'm sorry. I'll make it up, I promise."

"You'd better, now if you'll all excuse me, I have an emergency to attend to."

Suddenly, Alice flew down the stairs and said, "I thought I heard a lady in distress."

"Distress is the bloody word," said Isolde.

"I'm Alice, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Isolde and likewise, are you to be my rescuer?"

"Come with me, I have a fully stocked wardrobe and beauty studio at your disposal."

"Oh, goodie. Dermot, you're forgiven."

Before he could respond, she'd disappeared upstairs with Alice, but the two of them were excitedly babbling on about one fashion tip or item or another. I looked at Dermot and said with dread, "Man, what have you done?"

What had he done indeed. For the subsequent three hours, we all had to endure Alice and Isolde girling it up and invariably squealing over some shared interest or fawning endlessly over a certain shoe or dress. I cursed my vampire hearing sometimes as they reached pitches that even I couldn't hear, but I had more sympathy for Leah than myself. She was, after all, being directly exposed. I considered coming to her rescue on multiple occasions when the two of them turned on her for an opinion or a comment and Leah didn't ever have a clue. They would sigh or gasp and then lecture her for what seemed like an eternity. I could just picture Leah's face, completely uncomprehending of this high fashion brand's importance. Alas, if I dared enter the beauty cave and look upon Alice's masterpiece before it was completed, she would put me in the ground, literally. So, instead, I resorted to helping out as best I could. There was surprisingly a lot to do, but then I remembered that it was Alice who had planned this. I helped Dermot and Emmett put up the decorations. Alice had decided upon a silver and lavender colour theme with ribbons and bells and a massive banner out front. She even somehow obtained purple-tinted party lights in the right shade and had positioned a lava lamp with those colours on the coffee table in the seating area. I supposed I couldn't completely fault her taste, even if some of it was a little extreme.

I started helping Esme bring out the food just before show time. She had this perpetual look of relief on her face, probably because Alice's plans hadn't fundamentally altered the layout of the house. Some furniture was moved, some decorations were thrown up, but the floor plan had not been changed. The last platters were out when the guests the food was meant for arrived. The whole Black Pack arrived with Seth escorting his mother and Jacob his father. The Uleys were not far behind. Edward arrived with Bella and Renesmee not long after. Chloe and Harry were already tuckered out after their day's endeavours and would not be downstairs. I listened for a moment for their rhythmic breathing to assure myself they were okay. The cacophony that had already started did not seem to disturb them. Besides the packs and friends of either the Cullens, or myself no one else attended. I couldn't invite my human friends, and Sue Clearwater couldn't even bring Charlie along, as none of them would really understand mine and Leah's relationship, or accept it for that matter. I also hadn't expected any of our newfound allies to show, which was probably for the best. The packs were still ill at ease with the Cullen's friends, even though for our sake, they kept things civil. It was probably a good thing that there was no competition for the food. The others, though, like Makenna, and the other new arrivals were probably best kept at a distance for this event, although Nahuel and Hulien accepted our invitation.

I just so happened to be standing at the bottom of the stairs when I caught movement out of the corner of my eye. I looked up and there she was, framed by light, an image of absolute beauty. She wore a purple party dress with a silver sash and matching heels. Her hair framed her face perfectly with loose curls running through it. I looked into her eyes, saw her slight smile, and I knew she was still unsure, still shy. How could something so perfect be so unaware of its perfection? She was amazing to behold. My jaw was probably hanging very low, but I was unaware of it, as I was of anything else as she gracefully traversed the steps towards me, until she was right in front of me. I didn't even realise that Alice and Isolde were standing directly behind her, the two of them also dressed to the nines, but they were invisible to me, just like everyone else in that one splendid moment. I was still looking at her even as she turned her face into my neck. Clearly, she was nervous of having so many eyes on her. I put my arm comfortingly around her shoulders and without much forethought, I started to speak. "I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you to everyone for being here for us tonight. I wanted to say some special thanks to my Irish family. Fiona, Dermot, I am eternally grateful to you both. You saved me. I don't know what I would have become or where I would have ended up without your help. You took me in when I had nowhere else to go, and you gave my sister back to me in her last moments. For that, I'll be forever grateful, and I love you both." There was a brief applause.

"To my family here, what can I say? Though danger followed me here and is coming back again, I've never been more at peace in my entire life, I've never been happier. You've all shown me the true meaning of family, something I'd never known in my human life. I finally know the love and trust and friendship that exists between loved ones, the bond that cannot be shaken, let alone broken, and if that weren't enough, you've given me an opportunity for something that I'd already ruled out for myself so early in my life. If you hadn't welcomed me in and convinced me to stay, I would never have found Leah, never would have known this kind of love and happiness." I turned to her then and said, "My Leah, I am lucky and blessed beyond all measure just to be with you. You have made every aspect of this life better, and you've brought me hope that the future can be brighter. You have given me two beautiful children who I will live and die for, and for you, I will do the same, forever. I could not be more proud to marry you, to have you as my wife, Mrs. Culhane."

She'd been verging on tears throughout my speech, even those parts that weren't about her, but that last comment brought a smile to her face and again, I was stunned into silence by her beauty. I heard Carlisle raise a toast to us and then the place erupted in applause and cheers.

We were both drawn into what amounted to a group hug between us, all the Cullens, and Fiona and Dermot. Esme and Fiona couldn't stop telling me how lovely that speech was and that I was as much a blessing in their lives, which left me with a catch in my throat that was hard to shake. Emmett and Dermot, as usual, bear-hugged me until my lungs emptied, but I tried not to object, too much. Edward and Jasper were a bit more brief about that the process but just as sincere in their congratulations. Siobhan, Liam, and Maggie were much the same as were the Denalis. The girls unfailingly hugged Leah first and then me and for a moment, I thought Alice and Isolde might give even Emmett a run for his money but not quite.

Thereafter, we moved about the space making sure to greet everyone and thank them for being there. We didn't have to do much really, because everyone came to us offering their congratulations. The Amazons along with Nahuel and Hulien offered a traditional blessing on our union, which was nice, but they then excused themselves from the festivities. I guessed the party side of the event wasn't really their thing. The only other vampires in attendance were Benjamin and Tia. Randall and Mary were down in the southeast searching for some acquaintances while Peter and Charlotte had still not returned. Everyone was just thinking that they were a little delayed for the moment; they'd leave worrying until tomorrow. Once the Egyptians had shook hands with us, the shapeshifters made their way over. As I said, everything was very civil. Still, the two groups tried not to cross paths or linger on the same sides of the room. It was the shapeshifters who were more uneasy than the vampires as the latter were only bothered by the former's odour. Jacob, Sam, and the others had to keep in mind that they had two human relatives present among a group of human feeders, not to mention the several dozen other vampires that lingered not a hundred yards from the house. Eventually Benjamin and Tia took their leave of us, as well, and only the Irish Coven remained for the duration. Still, despite the early tension, the party carried on in a livelier fashion. Alice got some music going and had made sure to clear a space for dancing. Everyone was obligated to dance, Alice's rules, and seeing as the shapeshifters had already cleared up all the food, there were no excuses and no escape. We had just got out of one of our obligatory dance sessions with Alice and Isolde who were fast becoming super bffs when Sam and Emily came over to us, he extended a hand to me and said, "Congratulations."

Politely, I said, "Thank you, Sam, and thanks for being here. I know the circumstances aren't exactly ideal." I glanced over out the window in the direction where the other vampires were residing. He nodded, as Emily and Leah joined in an embrace. They were cousins, and their relationship had been on the mend for a while now since Leah had asked her to be godmother to Harry. I knew Emily had initially rejected Sam's advances out of respect for Leah who he'd been seeing at the time of his imprint, but she obviously capitulated eventually. For the moment, Emily seemed genuinely happy for her, and Leah, if she still harboured any lingering animosity towards her, did not show it. She surprised me further when she initiated an embrace with Sam who was supremely awkward about it, but I think he got the message. All of this was in the past for Leah; it was time for them all to move on. Just then, Sue and Bill appeared along with Seth. I got a hug out of Seth and even Sue but not to make things uncomfortable, I just offered my hand to Bill, which he took and wished us both well. Seth then asked his sister to dance as a slower number played over the stereo speakers. I said to Sue, offering my hand, "Sue, would you do me the honours?"

"Am, I don't know."

I followed her line of sight. Siobhan and Liam were on the floor also, and Maggie had joined Alice and Isolde. I could see how being in closer quarters with four pairs of red eyes even more so than she already was might make her edgy to say the least. I said, "Sue, it's okay. Their friends…of mine, at least. They won't do anything to ruin tonight. I guarantee they won't even bat an eye at you and if it makes you more comfortable, we'll stay right over here beside Seth and Leah."

She hesitated for a brief moment before replying, "Well, I suppose I better. You are going to be my son-in-law soon."

As soon as Sue and I were on the improvised dance floor, Paul, Embry, and Quil moved in to keep Bill company, or, more likely, to be his bodyguards. I kept Sue for one dance but didn't push it after that. As promised, no one even looked at her, but what Sue didn't realise was that I'd practically asked them not to, as none of them could have missed the exchange between us.

The night went on as such until the early hours of the morning. By then, the non-vampires amongst us were getting tired, and many said their goodbyes whilst wishing us well once more. Bill, Sue, and Emily got into a car, but the pack members disappeared into the woods on either side of the road, changing form before forming up an escort for them out of the area. It was a little obvious what they were doing, but I couldn't say I wouldn't do the same. Renesmee was hugely impressed by how late her parents had allowed her to stay, but she was hanging by the end and was feeling unwell from how many of the sweet treats she'd shovelled into herself. Edward carried his half-conscious daughter home whilst Bella said goodnight to us. Jacob wasn't far behind. We hadn't seen much of him because he was still super-protective of Renesmee. He trusted the Cullens' friends, but he didn't buy into the whole "friends of friends" deal with the other vampires outside. He did take a moment to congratulate us before changing form and following Bella and Edward, walking them all the way back to the cottage. According to Leah, he stood guard outside their door at night and insisted upon a watch detail that included Bella, Edward, and the rest of the Black Pack with them changing shifts so he could get some sleep now and again. That, to me, was a wee bit obsessive. The human feeders were all mature vampires, not newborns, so they knew what was at stake. There was no way they'd do anything now to upset our nascent alliance. All the same, if there were people outside Leah's door that I perceived to be monsters, I'd probably be doing exactly what Jacob was doing.

Everyone retired for the night after that, except for Jasper who still watched out the window for the return of Peter and Charlotte. Alice remained, too, trying to be a comfort to him. When everyone else had departed for their own quarters, I swept Leah up into my arms as she took the first step of the stairs. She let out a bit of a yelp, but then laughed. I carried her to our room, to our bed, and kissed her as I laid her down. My lips lingered on hers, maybe a little too long, as she coughed then, drawing my attention to the presence of little ones fast asleep right next to us. I reluctantly conceded and let go, lying beside her. I brushed the hair from her face as I stared into her eyes and wondered, as I had many times, how I'd ever gotten so lucky. She said quietly, so as not to disturb the twins, "That speech was really beautiful. It meant a lot to everyone, including me."

"I have a lot of people to be thankful to, for this life, for you."

"Me too, and you don't know how grateful I am, how relieved I am that I found you."

"We truly are lucky, especially considering where we began."

"A vampire and a shapeshifter, especially a vampire-detesting one, who would have guessed, seriously?"

"We've certainly come a long way."

"Let's hope we have a lot further to go."

I pulled her into my arms then. She curled into my chest. I said, "I promise you, Leah, we'll have forever."

"Will we? Those bastards are coming for us for a third time, and this time they won't be swayed by words or our strength. They mean to kill us, Jason, and they're going all out to do it."

"Whatever happens, Leah, the kids and you will be safe, I will make sure of that."

"But what about you? With your power, you're needed in this fight, and Aro either covets you or wants you dead. I want us to be a family. I want the twins to have you in their lives, and I want you in mine. The more I think about it, the more it seems all of that is slipping away from us."

"I love you, my Leah. We're going to get through this, one way or another."

"I hope so because I really want to walk down that aisle to you. I guess that will have to wait until after this madness, too."

Suddenly, there was a scream, a gut-wrenching, agonised roar coming from outside. The twins awoke. Leah lurched towards them protectively. The scream sounded again, weaker this time, muffled by wails. Chloe held on to her mother asking, "Mommy, what's going on?"

"I don't know, sweetheart."

I sent the blackness out through a window and expanded a sensory bubble in the direction of the scream. Only a few hundred yards out from the house, I detected a lone vampire, stumbling in our direction. It appeared to be a male. He took a few more strides forward before falling forward onto his hands and knees, wailing into the dirt. I said, "It appears to be just one person in trouble. I'm going to check it out."

Leah replied, "I'm going to stay with them."

I nodded and flew out the door and down the stairs, exiting the house just in time to watch a crowd gathering around the wailing figure. I quickly ascertained it was Peter. Jasper knelt before him, a hand on one shoulder while Alice stood nearby looking visibly shaken. I came to a stop at the inner edge of crowd, standing with Carlisle on one side and Emmett on the other. They all wore grave expressions. I knew the fact that Charlotte wasn't also here could mean only one thing. Peter was inconsolable, and it took ten minutes for him to calm down enough to talk. Jasper said, "It's okay, Peter. Tell me what happened."

"We-were in California, near San Diego. We found her, we found that bitch, Maria."

"Calm down, Peter, what happened then?"

"We made contact but before we could say a word, she had her coven mates subdue us. She killed her, Jasper. She killed my Charlotte."