A/N: So a lot of you think that that was the end or that they are dead. I promise you I'm not that bad, haha. I hope I don't confuse you all anymore. From now on it's back to Bella's POV.

~*~Heaven Awaits~*~
I looked around at the faces I had come to know and loathe. They all stood there with expectant smiles on their faces. It sickened me, not just because it meant we were about to die, but because I didn't understand how anyone could get such pleasure from someone else's pain.

"Oh, how I wish I had not just heard this horrible little detail," Aro said with mock sympathy. "But looking at the facts I can't help, but know that it's true. I'm so sorry, Bella. I really wish Carlisle had been right the first time."

"So you will kill her and us because you're threatened?" Carlisle spoke with venom I didn't know his voice was capable of. "She's a gift to us all, Aro! She can save us."

"But there in lies the problem, old friend. I don't want to be saved. I want to be powerful. Unfortunately, lovely Bella here interrupts that plan. I do wish I could spare you and dear Edward, but I can't have witnesses, now, can I?"

"No! Let them go! You can have me and I won't put up a fight, but let them be!" He couldn't harm them, not after everything they'd done for me and, especially, not Edward. I could never bear it if I was the cause for his life to cease. I would take hell everyday for eternity if it meant that he would live.

"Oh, but Bella, it matters not whether you fight. You don't stand a chance against my guard even with out their powers." I knew Aro was right, but there had to be something I could do. "You see, I have so many strong fighters and without Edward's advantage, it should only take a few seconds, to rip you and you're friends apart."

No! I would not let it happen! I let a growl hum through every facet of my body. I would not be the reason for our demise. We would have a chance. Edward would have a chance. It was all I could think about, how I had taken the only advantage we had. I would fight, I would protect my Edward if it was the last thing I did. I felt a strange tingling sensation coming from the boy I loved and then he spoke.

"Alice."

I looked at him, as did Aro and Carlisle. Alice. I had heard Aro talk of a girl named Alice. She was the thing that Aro wanted more than anything else. Anything else with the exception of me. My power was his first priority, but this Alice was something of an obsession of his. She had blood sweeter than mine, that he punished himself for losing. She was a vampire now and he wanted her power as well, but he would never tell me what it was.

"Why can you read my thoughts? Jane!"

"I'm trying! I can't do anything!" That's what the sensation was. I had released Edward from my shield and he could hear them.

"Alec!"

"I still can't use my power!"

I focused on the lovely sensation, on Edward's entire being; like I had I had done when I traced my eyes over his beautiful, muscular chest. I felt a pressure release from my head as if I had just had a helmet on. The rush of voices was painful, but not unbearable. I heard everything at once and compartmentalized it all the very moment I heard it.

"That's how come she didn't see. You made sure not to make any decisions until you knew I couldn't answer the phone," my beautiful angel spoke. I saw a phone conversation with a girl. She was sorry and let him know how to handle things. "You knew about her the whole time!"

I heard words of fear and anger coming from Carlisle. He was picturing a beautiful pixie-like girl with short black hair. I then knew what this little wonderful creature had to offer Aro. Not only had she unknowingly led him to me, but she would give him more knowledge of the future. Then, I saw more faces. They were coming from both of the wonderful vampires trying to protect me.

I saw a warm woman with the most welcoming smile and wavy, caramel colored hair and another girl who was easily the most attractive female I'd ever seen with a perfect figure and flowing blonde hair. With her was a large beautiful man with muscles like I'd never seen and curly brown hair and there was another boy, tall with honey blonde locks and a wonderfully calming expression.

They were all so beautiful and then I heard the thoughts of death or life in the Volturi for them and my now silent heart broke into pieces. I was the reason for all of this pain. Aro's own thoughts confirmed their fears and he spoke. His voice had never made me comfortable, but now, it sickened me.

"Of course I knew about her. Did you really think I wouldn't know about someone with her potential? She had such a magnificent vision when she was human, I could only imagine how her visions have grown."

Edward was furious as he came to the conclusion that Aro had left this Alice to fend for herself as a newborn. Aro corrected him with an expression that was both bored and bitter at the same time. He recounted what happened to the little seer of the future and how he let her slip through his grasp.

"I lost track of her until just a few years ago. Who would have thought she was so close, living with my dear friend, Carlisle." Carlisle's growl was as menacing as his murderous glare.

"You are no friend of mine, Aro!"

"Hmm, as you wish Carlisle." Aro's thoughts were greedy for Carlisle's mind, but he continued speaking with detestable sweetness. "I really will miss you. I'm sorry it has to end like this."

"Don't pretend like you have a heart, Aro. You only wish you could have a last look into Carlisle's theories." Aro directed his mocking smile at me as I finished my outburst.

"Bella seems to be getting stronger by the minute. I'm sorry this goodbye had to be so short, but you understand why I can't wait much longer, yes? Felix, Demetri, Kale, Hajj, finish them, please."

Carlisle and Edward entered into defensive crouches with me in the middle as the barbarous fighters of the guard circled our position. They were monsters, relishing in the fact that they would rip the stone flesh from our bodies and tear us apart with their teeth. Kale attacked just before Hajj and my protectors shielded their advances. Soon all four were lunging and grabbing handfuls of fabric.

I screamed as I felt fingers pull at my sleeve. Carlisle had been caught and Felix had his arms around my waist. I started to fight him off, but Hajj and Kale had Edward's arms and the brute behind me whispered in my ear.

"If you try to escape he's dead. No funny games, right?" All I could do was nod and Felix growled the same sexual growl he'd use when he would run into me in an uninhabited corridor. I shuddered as he whispered his next sentence. "You could have had me, beautiful."

Edward growled and struggled to no avail as I let the monster behind me grope my body. He pushed his hand to the inside of my thigh and I braced myself for what would come next. He'd never been able to go that far before for fear of damaging me and Aro finding out, but I was unbreakable now.

Thankfully, Aro was growing tiresome of the game and let Felix know to finish it up with the unnecessary clearing of his throat. I heard the smile in his voice as he uttered the words that would undo me completely.

"But you chose this freak, and so now, you'll watch him die." No, No! They can't! But they would. Kale flashed is dangerous teeth and jerked Edward's head to the side. I couldn't let this happen. If Edward ceased to exist, the world, as I knew it, would be a disastrous wasteland, full of fear and hatred. My love closed his eyes and waited to die.

"No! No, no, no! Oh God, NOOOOOO!!!" As I cried for the only good thing the world had to offer, I felt the most exquisite electrical serge running through my body.

I lost all my senses and drifted inside my mind. I could see nothing, hear nothing, feel nothing but the wonderful current of pure, unrefined power coursing through my veins. I could think of nothing, but the feel, the taste, the sound of the electricity. I fought to remember something important. Edward. My love, my light, my beautiful angel. He needed me. And his family needed me.

His beautiful family was in danger because of me and I had to help them. They would be safe if it was the last thing I did. I focused on the energy pulsing throughout my body and forced it to expand. I would protect them. They were everything, he was everything and then with the full force of the electric stream, I thought of home.

Suddenly, I was spiraling inside of my mind. The power I was feeling took over my body and I was thrust forward in a rush of something far greater than adrenaline. There were no words to describe the feeling. I couldn't breathe. It was like I was drowning and burning at the same time, but it was amazing. As painful as it seemed to be, it far more exhilarating and wonderful.

As soon as I received the awe inspiring thrill, it disappeared in a crash and I felt like I was plummeting to the earth from the moon. Although I had nothing to compare it to, I assumed it was similar to experiencing the greatest drug and coming down from it; except this was vastly more powerful than any drug. And the fall from grace was most definitely more devastating to my strength than any substance in existence.

I felt my senses slowly return. I could hear voices calling my name, I could feel arms wrapped around my body, I could smell nature, but it was different. I vaguely registered that it was not the right smell for where I was supposed to be. Where was I supposed to be? Italy, the Volturi, Edward, No!

I opened my eyes to see Edward staring down at me with worry and fear in his eyes and I could only imagine shock in mine. I stared at him for a long minute before I caught my bearings. I needed to know so much. Where were we? What happened to the Volturi? What was that strange energy? How did we survive?

"What, in the name of all that is holy, just happened?!" He didn't answer me. He stared at me with emotion after emotion crossing his face.

After what seemed like an eternity of questions and uncertainty, he leaned forward and crashed his lips to mine. It was as if it was the only form of communication he could think of. He traced my lower lip with his tongue and I parted my lips in acceptance. I could feel the desperation of his kiss. The way his mouth moved with mine told me all of the gratitude, love, need, awe, reassurance, joy, fear, want, and relief he couldn't put in to words.

I tangled my fingers in his hair as his hands moved around my waist and up my back, exploring my body. We moved together in harmony, finishing each other's silent advances and proposals, creating a beautiful symphony with our lips, tongues, breath, hands, and bodies. He was my everything and I was his. We were two halves of the same person. We were one.

We finally broke apart when I heard a loud 'AHEM!' come from someone nearby. I looked up to see the faces of Edward's family staring down at us with an array of emotions, from amusement to adoration to what looked like annoyance from the blonde named Rosalie.

I desperately wanted to know what they all thought of me, especially after the little display of passion Edward and I just showed them. The man I recognized as Jasper confused me though. He seemed fearful, like he didn't trust me. I looked back to Edward, embarrassed beyond belief, and he was wearing my favorite crooked grin.

"I think our family would like to talk with us," he said simply. But it was anything but a simple comment. There was so much subtext in those words that my heart melted with joy. Our family. I was a part of Edward's family.

Living with the Volturi, I knew nothing, but pain, loneliness, and fear. My life was meaningless in that hell, but here with my angel, I was in heaven. I knew now, only my love for him and even my love for his family who I had yet to meet. His family and mine. Our family. I was finally home. Unfortunately, my euphoria was marred by questions and fear. What had happened?

"Edward, what happened?" His eyes held concern and I knew he was worried about what had happened. "Edward?"

"You brought us home. I don't know how, but you did." I had so much power that I actually transferred our bodies through…what? Space? Although I didn't need the air I was gasping, I started hyperventilating. Edward pulled me into his chest and whispered to me in a voice that was not to be defied.

"We'll deal with all of this later." I nodded. "Let me introduce you to your family."

He introduced me to the warm, motherly figure first. She was standing in Carlisle's embrace, but pulled me into her own arms once I got close enough. It was the best feeling in the world to feel a mother's touch and, although she wasn't Renee, she was an exquisite woman and I would happily accept her as the mother of my new life with Edward.

"It is so very wonderful to meet you, dear," she said, pulling back to look at me. "You have no idea how happy I am that you've come into Edward's life. Welcome to our family, Bella."

"Thank you so much for having me," I smiled back. The small pixie-like Alice jumped forward next and flung her arms around my neck. I could feel the waves of excitement rolling off of her and I also felt the tall blonde's nervousness toward me. It felt odd thatI should pick up on his feelings so well.

"I'm so happy you're finally here! I've been waiting for forever, you know." Edward laughed at his sister's exuberance.

"A week is hardly forever, Alice." She turned on him and glared, but she simply refused to let me go.

"It is when you're stuck half a world away knowing little bits and pieces of what was happening, not knowing if things are turning out right and your brother calls you all of twice to fill you in."

"I called you three times, Alice."

"The last time doesn't count. You were calling to thank me not tell me what was going on." Edward seemed to becoming annoyed.

"Yeah, well I wasn't the only one who was keeping things to themselves. You still have a lot of explaining…" I couldn't contain my laughter any longer. Alice and Edward both turned to stare at my fit of hilarity.

"I'm sorry. It's just that you guys are so…normal. Like a real family. I've really missed that." Edward's annoyance toward Alice dissipated at once, and I could see it replaced in his eyes by all the love in the world.

"I know, love, but it will all be better now." I smiled at him as Alice pulled me in for another hug. "Share, Alice." She gave him a frustrated look, but complied.

"Fine, then, this is my husband, Jasper." I had been focusing on Jasper since I saw the apprehension in his eyes. I didn't understand what I did wrong. And I could feel the worry rolling off of him. "Jazz, what's wrong?" Alice asked.

"Bella's blocking him." I looked up at Edward with pain in my eyes. I didn't want to cause any of them discomfort or danger and that seemed to be all I was capable of bringing. Like always, Edward could tell exactly what I was thinking with out reading my thoughts. "It's not your fault, Bella. You can't control it, yet. It'll be fine."

I turned to Jasper and apologized anyway. "I know I'm causing you great anxiety. I'm sorry for that. I know I can control it and I'll work really hard so that you aren't afraid of me anymore."

"Bella, how do you know what I am feeling?" Although Jasper voiced the question, the entire family seemed to be waiting intently for my response.

"I don't know. I can just sense it. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to assume anything, I just thought…" Edward interrupted my panicked explanation.

"Bella, love, you can feel his emotions because Jasper is an empath. He feels and controls the emotions around him. You're blocking him right now, but I think you've also adopted his gift."

"Are you kidding me?" Emmett burst in with a laugh. I could feel the awe Emmett held for me. It was intoxicating, but not nearly as great as the love I felt emanating from Edward. My angel was also slightly amused by something.

"I can still here you're thoughts, Emmett, and whether I do or don't, it really wouldn't make a difference in the outcome. I'm still the better fighter."

"You think you're the better fighter because you cheat. Why is Jasper blocked and you're not? That doesn't make sense." A frustrated growl came from Alice.

"I can't see anything, either!" Carlisle intervened at that point.

"We'll discuss it all back at the house. I'm sure Bella would like to get cleaned up first." I nodded, but I also wanted to finish meeting the family.

"It's very nice to meet you, Emmett." He pulled me up into a giant bear hug and I couldn't help, but giggle.

"I think I like you already, little sister." He put me down and I turned to the untimely beauty standing next to him.

"Hello, Rosalie. I'm very happy to meet you." She looked me over for what seemed like an eternity. I felt amusement, confusion, and the tiniest hint of jealousy in her emotions. They didn't make much sense to me. Finally, a reluctant smug smile broke out on her face.

"Come on, I have some clothes that you can borrow." I looked at Edward who seemed pleasantly surprised by Rosalie's reaction. He smiled that crooked grin of his, took my hand, and led me to the house with the rest of my new family.

A/N: Well, what do you guys think? It's not over yet, I promise you. You'll find a lot out in the next chapter.