Forgive me for this but - OMG! It's here. It's finally here. The final chapter. I started this story so long ago I began to doubt I'd ever get it finished. It's not exactly how I had planned it, a few chapter ideas where cut, and I don't think I fully captured Aro's cruel playful side either. I would say I'll go back over all the chapters, add, take out and write some alternatives but IT'S NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN lol. I'm too happy to be finally done with it right now. Although I will miss Aro/Emily. I do wish there was more Aro/Emily fics out there. I think they make a interesting couple - as you can probably guess.

Anywhoo...without much further ado. The last chapter. I hope it doesn't disappoint too much. A lot of you have stuck with this for so long. I hope it's not a bigger let down than Breaking Dawn itself :P

Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, I make no money from this.

Chapter 14

Jacob's truck chugged its way up the Cullen's driveway and came to a stop upon the gravel.

"Nessie's home," shouted Rosalie as she ran with vampire speed to the truck to extract Nessie from the back seat. "How was your play date, hunnybear?"

"Great fun," replied the child as she reached for Rosalie's face and showed her the things she had gotten up to with Jacob at the beach. Rosalie continued to carry Nessie into house, Jacob following on her heels.

Irritating dog.

"Rose," whispered Edward as he took Nessie from Rosalie's arms and greeted his daughter "be nice."

I am being nice, that's why I only thought it!

"Where's mom?"

"Where's Bella?" asked Nessie and Jacob in unison, making both of them look at each other and giggle.

"She's out in the house. Why don't we run out and tell her Jacob is here," replied Edward as Nessie jumped from his arms and ran towards the back doors.

"Ok, daddy. I'll race you," she shouted back as Edward smiled and ran, half speed, after his daughter.

"You're looking happy, Jacob," said Esme as she descended the staircase holding a large vase of fresh flowers. "Nessie and you have fun at the beach?"

"Yeah. Lots of fun," replied Jacob as he walked into the living room and took up his usual seat on the couch. "Where are the others?" he inquired with an air of not really caring.

"Emmett and Felix are down in the basement playing pool. Rosalie has just joined them. Carlisle is in his study. As for the others, I do not know," answered Aro as he entered the living room, taking up his usual seat across from the piano and disappearing behind a large newspaper.

"I'm here," came the soft voice of Alice as she entered the front door. "Where's Nessie?"

"Right here, Alice," answered Bella as she and Nessie made there way into the house. "You're looking very cheerful, Jake. What's up?" asked Bella as she passed Nessie to Alice.

"Good news on the Res, Emily's pregnant. Sam is thrilled. Shocked and surprised at first but really thrilled now."

"Oh how wonderful..." Esmes sentence was cut short by the sound of glass smashing in another room.

"Edward? What happened?" Esme was the one to ask out loud while the others just threw looks of questioning as they followed the sound of the smash.

"I'm sorry, Esme. I wasn't minding what I was doing and it just slipped," came Edwards reply. His first look of shock being wiped from his face before any of the family had entered the dining room.

Just slipped?

No way!

Something is wrong!

"No, really. I wasn't minding. I was thinking of a new melody. It's going to be Renesmee's theme"

Carlisle was in the room. Edward, is there anything you wish to talk about? Come to my study in a few minutes. We can discuss it in private, if that helps.

"I'm sure nothing is to worry about. Edward has always been the dropper of the family," said Carlisle in a playful tone. The rest of the family laugh and dispersed, back to what they were doing, seemingly happy with Edwards excuse.

Aro is the only one to linger at the doorway. The look between him and Edward isn't lost on Carlisle and he raised an eyebrow of questioning to both of them.

It's answered by a curt nod from Aro and a thought Your home, a few minutes.

By the time Edward could slip away from the main house without causing anyone to think it odd Aro and Carlisle were already in the living room of Bella and Edwards house awaiting him.

Carlisle looked from one to the other waiting for someone to speak first. In the end it was Edward to speak.

"You didn't tell him?" he asked looking to Aro.

"No. I thought best to wait for you."

"Your consideration for me and my family is astounding, Aro," bit back Edward.

"This is not your families concern."

"Not our concern? Do you have any idea what this could do, what it will do? Oh, I'm sure you do but you couldn't care less, could you? You got what you wanted, to hell with anybody else. How could you, Aro? How could you?"

"What is going on?" asked Carlisle perplexed.

"It seems I am going to be a father."

"I'm...I'm sorry, what?" choked out Carlisle.

"Emily's child. It isn't Sam's," whispered Edward.

"But...how...how is that possible?"

"We were having an affair for a while. It's over now, but..." he trailed off.

"Dear God, Aro. Do you know what you've done? Do you know what you've done to that poor girl?"

"I know, Carlisle. I know."

"No you don't," shouted Carlisle, probably the first time he ever raised his voice to the Volturi leader. "You have no idea whatsoever. You've killed her. Either way you've killed. And worse. You've alienated her from her family, her friends, her village, her everything." He spoke as he paced the room running his fingers wildly through his hair.

"Are you sure it's yours? Vampire births, they aren't very common. You yourself had never heard of them before Renesmee."

"She had been trying for sometime with Sam but to no avail. It is most probable mine."

"You've always started a war with the wolves. This is going to tear them apart."

"It has started nothing with the wolves. They need never know."

"I'm sorry what?"

"They need never know. Emily shall return to Volterra with me. To Sam and the others she has left of her own accord. They need not know where she went too. I believe it would be the last place on earth they would think to find her."

"You've all this figured out," said Edward with a look of disgust on his face.

"Would you rather the truth to come out?" asked Aro. After a few minutes of silence he spoke again "My guard can be here within hours and we shall soon be out of your hair, as the saying goes."

"And Emily. Will she be so willing to leave La Push? Become what? Your concubine, in a palace of vampires. With Jane? That girl around a half human child is unthinkable," asked Carlisle as he slummed into the soft armchair.

"Jane poses no threat to the child. No guard will be a threat to the child as long as I am ruler of Volterra," said Aro, for the first time rising from his chair. His voice still flowing smoothly which belied the anger that was beginning to pulse through him. "Emily, of course, will have a choice. You confuse me with a tyrant, Carlisle."

"And you're wife?" asked Edward "How will she take the news? Take the child and raise it as a step son or daughter?"

"Sulpicia poses no threat. We share a marriage bed, that is true. And all the things man and wife do share but we've always had other lovers. Jealousy has never been a trait in either of us."

"A lover who you leave to return to your wife is one thing, but to have a child with another woman and bring them both home to live is another story altogether, Aro. How do you know how she will react to that?"

"I know my wife, Carlisle. We've never had the type of marriage you share with Esme. We are from a different time and a culture that is far removed from the monogamy that seems now so intertwined with the idea of marriage."

After a long silence when each man had sat down Aro spoke again. "I am sorry to bring this upon you. I was so determined to be the perfect house guest. I know I have no right to ask but..."

"You want our help, you want to see Emily again," replied Edward finishing the sentence.

"Yes."

Carlisle and Edward looked at each other.

"We'll think of something," said Carlisle standing up and heading for the door. "If only for Emily's sake."

She stood at the sink washing the last of that mornings dishes. Her hair falling out from behind her ear each time she bent her head low. She turned to reach for the tea towel that rested on the kitchens island and is startled by the sight of him.

"Aro!" she exclaimed. "What the hell are you doing here? Sam will be back at any moment."

"No, he won't," he walked towards her, coming out of the sunshine and placing his hands on her upper arms, careful not to touch her skin. He still remembered the riddle she once was to him, and he savoured that memory.

"What do you mean?" she asked suspiciously.

"If Felix is doing his job, Sam should be chasing him far out of La Push right now. Do not worry my dear, it's safe," he said when he saw the worried look on her beautiful, but scared face. "It is purely a distraction. A chance for us to talk."

"We have no more to say. We agreed on that. The other day, that was goodbye."

"Things change."

"I know what you're thinking. You know! Aro, please...It's not yours."

"But..." His response died on his dead lips and the realisation hit him as he inched his hands down her arms and made contact with her skin.

"I know. I'm sorry, but it's not. The doctor said I'm at least two months gone. I had a scan." With that she broke away and retrieved the black and white photograph from her bag. "See," she handed him the picture and he took it in his pale hand.

He seemed so defeated she couldn't help but apologise again.

"No need my dear. All for the best," he reassured her. "Congratulations. I know how you longed for one."

"You...you would have liked one too?" she stated more than questioned as she gazed upon his face.

"I can't deny that each day that passes, I still mourn for my son. And had wanted many more as a human. But the want lessened when I became what I am because, it never seemed possible. But now...well, the idea did put a new spring in my step but alas! It was not meant to be." He smiled down at her and took her again in his arms. Their heads remained inches apart as he moved his hands up towards her face and caressed it greedily yet tenderly. Running his thumb along her lips he pulled her into a kiss.

Their lips barely met when the loudest growl ripped through the small kitchen "GET YOUR FILTHLY BLOODSUCKIG HANDS OFF HER!"

"Sam," Emily whimpered as she made to move towards him. "Don't, please."

In an instance two things happened at once, Sam began to phase and Aro caught hold of Emily's arm, twisting her behind him and making her collide with the fridge.

"Haven't you learned your lesson not to phase so close to her?" Aro spat. With his blood pounding in his ears an enraged Sam leaped forward and the wolf dived for the vampire.

They met mid air, teeth bared and claws ripping through flesh and marble. Crashing through the kitchen island Aro lay on his back, the wolf ready to tear his head off when with a grace only a vampire could process Aro gripped hold of Sam's bottom jaw, lifting the wolf off his feet, and threw him through the air causing him to collide with the wall. Above the loud crack of the concrete Emily's desperate cries went unheard as both beasts flew at each other again.

This time it's Aro who stands victorious above Sam as he grips the wolf around the throat and pulls him up from the ground and pins him against one of the wooden beams that supported the ceiling. The anger flashed in his eyes and the venom filled his mouth. Sam could only whimper uncontrollably has he was slowly being denied oxygen.

"Aro! Please, stop," sobbed Emily as she ran towards the vampire, gripping his arm and trying with all her might to prise the vice like grip from her husband's neck. "Please, Aro. Please."

Aro loosened his grip and Emily slumped to the floor is tears. He tossed Sam to the ground like a rag doll where he lay, naked in his human form. Emily slid herself up to him and caressed his face.

"Oh Sam, I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry. What have I done to you?" She kissed his face.

"He will live," Aro spoke low as he looked down upon the scene. Daring not to look at him Emily continued to whisper her apologies to a bruised and hurt Sam. Finally looking up she and Aro's eyes met: tear filled brown on apologetic red. Not a word passed between them. What could be said now? Emily wiped her soaking eyes and within a blink, he was gone.

She turned back to Sam and continued to caressed him.

"Master. It's time," said Felix as he walked back from the car into the Cullen's hallway, picking up the last bag.

"Thank you, Felix," replied Aro as he made his way down the stairs towards the waiting Cullens who were all gathered around in order to see their guests off.

"It pains me to admit it but Caius was right. He said this trip would be a mistake and he was correct. I would have liked to think I was a polite and perfect houseguest but alas, it's seems not to be in my nature not to cause problems wherever I go"

"No, Aro. Don't think that."

"Oh, Esme, you are a sweet young thing and you say the most heart-warming things. Even if they are slightly untrue," he added with a smirk. He turned to Renesmee and lifted her up into a light embrace.

"I'll miss you, Uncle Aro."

"And I'll miss you, dearest one. You will have to pay me a visit next. We shall have a ball in your honour and you'll be treated like the princess you are. Would you like that?"

Her eyes widen as she smiled ear from ear, "Oh yes please."

"Wonderful!" he exclaimed.

"When she is old enough" said Bella, a little too loudly. The others laughed.

"Oh, of course. It shall be a coming out ball for her."

"Coming out? I'm not gay, Uncle Aro."

This was met with snickers from the others and howls of laughter from Emmett while Bella looked at Edward and asked, "Where did she hear that?"

At that Emmett stopped laughing and looked away quickly. "Emmett!"

"Sorry, Bella. It must have just slipped out."

"Well be careful what else slips out" she added with a reluctant smile.

"Well," Aro spoke again, "I bid each of you a fond farewell. And once again may I invite each of you to join my family."

This caused a few quick glances between the Cullens as Aro had never once expressed a desire for the 'non gifted' Cullens to join the guard.

"Rose. Only you, of course, would rival Heidi as the perfect bait material."

It wasn't quite the complement she normally received, and despite the idea being repulsive to her Rosalie smiled and inwardly she was quite flattered. Edward suppressed a smile at her vanity as she nudged Emmett in a 'told you so' way.

After Felix and Renata had also said their goodbyes, a very sad event for Emmett, the three Volturi headed for the door. Aro coming up the rear stopped in front of Carlisle and both men shook hands.

"Goodbye, old friend," said Carlisle.

"If you will..." Aro removed a thick letter from his breast pocket. On the envelope, written in fine and elegant writing was the name Emily Young Uley.

"Of course," replied Carlisle with a nod.

"Thank you. And Goodbye, friend."

They watched as the car left the driveway, by the time it was nothing more than a slight sound as it joined the other cars on the motorway Esme spoke.

"Do you think he really loved her?"

They each looked at Edward. "Yes, yes I think he did."

She sat on the wooden floor, her back resting against the window seat. A letter, written on parchment, was held in her hand. She read it again, not really seeing the words. Not that it mattered, she knew them well by now.

My beloved Emily,

I regret the pain I've cause you. I hope one day you will forgive me, and yourself. Know this, to hurt you was never my intention. If I'm being honest I don't fully know myself what my intentions were. I've been a creature of pleasure for so long that pleasure was all I sought. You changed that. If things had been different I would have doted on you and our child.

I would have brought you to a palace, and whatever your wish was to be I would have complied. Whether it be to live with you for all eternity or spend the rest of your mortal life by your side, I would have treasured you.

You forever will be the most pure and innocent creature I have ever lain my hands upon. And it will remain so no matter how long I live. If you should ever change your mind, you know where to find me.

Yours, for eternity,

Aro.

Her tears fell upon her large stomach as she placed the letter back into it's envelope and tucked it into the old biscuit tin. Placing the battered old tin beneath the floor she slid the slat back into place and covered it with the rug.

"Every woman should have a place to hide her secrets," she thought as she arose from the floor and headed towards the kitchen.

Well there you have it. The. End.

Hope it wasn't too disappointing. They really couldn't have been together in the end, not really.