A/N: A big thank you to all of you who have read and kept up with this story. It really means a lot to me. Special thanks to Tiburon (my beta). Kari, I hope you like the ending!

Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters. Stephenie Meyer does.

Part 12: Epilogue

"He's gone." disbelief filled Esme's voice. She stood in the middle of the Volterra street in the black of night with only a few remaining burning embers lighting darkness. Jasper was to her right. The rest of the family had left to finish the fight with the Volturi. Jasper had wanted to go, but Carlisle insisted he stay and comfort Esme. Jasper didn't like it, but he obliged, requesting that Carlisle summon him if he was needed.

Smoke from the fallen, burned building bellowed out like the coming of fog. "I tried to get to him in time." Jasper told her. "I was just finishing dismembering Alec when I heard the building fall. When I got here, I dug for him, but all I found were ashes."

"And Jane?"

"No sign of her either. The fire probably got her as well, but I'll be on the look out for her, just to be safe."

Without realizing it, Esme hugged herself tighter. Despite Jasper's attempts, he couldn't ease her pain. "I think he fought it." he said calmly. His hands were protectively shoved in his pockets, not knowing really what to do with them. As with humans, vampires didn't really know what to say in these kinds of situations either. "I don't think he let the fire take him without a fight. No matter how much he might have wanted--" He cut himself off, but Esme didn't look at him. Instead, she reached in the pocket of her long black duster and took out a folded up piece of paper.

"I think he did too." she held it tightly in her hand. "You go and help the others. I'll be fine."

Jasper raised an eyebrow to her. "Are you sure? Carlisle said--"

She smiled and gave him a big motherly hug. "I'm fine. Go help. You know you want to."

A big grin was on his face when she released the hug and could see him again. "Go." She persisted. He didn't see the need to argue with her and did as she asked.

Once he was out of sight, she looked down at the paper in her clinched hand. She thought back to when she had received it. At the hotel before Edward left, he had slipped it into her hand without saying a word before he left looking for the twins. She had read it then and hoped that it would give her comfort again.

Carefully, she unfolded it and began reading the letter again. It began simply.

Esme,

I want to start off by saying that I have no idea how the night will end, but I will promise you one thing. No matter what I think. No matter what thoughts I have or what I may want. I will not go down without a fight. I will fight to live, for you, for the family. But if I don't make it, please don't mourn for me. I've made my peace and I know I'll be with Bella. I'll let fate take over and decide how tonight ends. If I don't make it, please know that I love you and the rest of the family very much. You have been a wonderful mother to me and know that I love you. It has been an honor to be your son.

Also, please express to Carlisle my deepest gratitude for saving me all of those years ago. I found you, Alice, Jasper, Emmett, Rosalie, and Bella all because of him. Please thank him for me.

As for Alice, don't let her feel bad for not knowing how this ended, however it ends. The future isn't written in stone.

Please, look after Charleigh. It will probably be toughest for her. She has lost her father and mother in the same week. She has a wonderful husband and little Anthony, but I know she will miss Bella, as do I. Look after her, please. Take care of her.

I will try my best to make it back to you, but if I don't, it's ok. I'm happy again.

With the deepest love I can give,

Your Son, Edward

Esme couldn't stop a smile from crossing her lips. It was truly one of the best and worst feelings she could have ever imagined. Losing another child, but reading his last words, his own eulogy, and seeing how much she meant to him.

She quietly folded the paper back up and placed it back in her pocket. "Good-bye Edward." she spoke in the direction of the destroyed building. "I love you too, son."

Esme turned and walked away in the same direction Jasper had gone. She began increasing her pace as she got closer to the underground battle. She couldn't stop herself from smiling. Her heart felt warm for the first time in a century and it was all because of a son's love.

She entered the tunnels ready for battle. Ready to fulfill the promise Edward had made.

The End