Okay...here we go! The beginning of the end:D This chapter and the epilogue are the final two chapters of Anodyne. Thanks to '-'IncubusHelen'-' and AN Zoriah for their reviews of the last chapter and rojalvr for the review of Exile. See you at the end of the epilogue!!!!
Chapter 13
My POV
I knew somehow that we were running to our place—the clearing where we'd found each other again after the bombing. This made me happier than I could put into words; I missed it and hadn't been there since Jasper's and my night together before I went to the Volturi. Admittedly, I was also excited to see what he'd done to make it the Fairytale I knew he'd want for me. As he quirked an eyebrow at me over his shoulder, I trampled the inquisitiveness and excitement I was feeling and made my mind blank as moved.
Two semi-successful minutes of blocking my empathetic husband later, we were standing in the middle of our Utopia. Except now, it was completely different: a good sized fire burned in the middle of the empty space and it turned all the leaves around us gold with its light; a pile of pillows and blankets rested beside the fire. I grinned and threw my arms around Jasper's neck, grasping him for dear life as I whispered in his ear.
"How am I so totally lucky? You always know what I need and make sure I get it. You are completely perfect," I said, nuzzling his neck.
"It is I who is lucky, my only love. You are perfection in motion. Thank you for loving me, Samantha."
My lips crashed to his as he finished his sentence. Words were unnecessary as we made our way to the fluffy haven he'd made for us by the fire. The warmth as we came together made me feel clean and whole for the first time in so long.
What seemed like weeks later (but in all actuality was only three hours), we were still lying in front of the fire. Our limbs were entangled as we whispered to each other, as we had been for the past hour. This was the longest conversation we'd had since I'd been back from Volterra and it felt fantastic. I'd forgotten in our time apart just how relaxing and fun and hilarious and heart-mending talking to Jasper could be for both of us. Without the interruption our family members constantly provided, Heaven in the form of alone time was ours.
I said as much to Jazz and his laugh rang out and echoed across the clearing. Hearing that sound started to patch the hole in my heart that my father's absence was no doubt causing.
"Darlin', I told you privacy is a luxury that is nearly impossible to have in this family. I am glad you're enjoying our time away, though. I can finally see that sparkle in your eyes when you smile again. It's been too long since I've seen it," he said, tucking a length of my annoying hair behind my ear. I sighed and leaned into his hand, my eyes fluttering closed.
"I feel totally happy, Jazz. Thank you so much for doing this for me."
"Think nothing of it, my only love. Unfortunately, I think this time together should come to an end. Our family will be worrying about us soon. Shall we head back?"
I groaned and flopped over onto my back as he disengaged himself and stood. His foot tickled my ribs and I fought back any sort of reaction.
"Come on, lovely. Time to go."
"Noooooo! Please, Jazzy, can we stay?"
I turned over and turned my best pout on full blast as I stared at him. He stared down at me with an amused/sardonic grin splitting his face. After five minutes of this, I huffed and let him help me to my feet.
"God damn it all to Hell! You're no fun."
"Stop acting like a toddler and cover up that glorious ass of yours," he said, clearly holding back laughter.
After we'd both finished dressing, we turned to head back to the house…only to be stopped by a figure emerging from the edge of the trees. Even in the shadows and hundreds of yards away, I recognized the vampire coming towards us. I grinned.
"Daddy! Thank God you're—"
I broke off as I spotted the color of his eyes. Sadness ran through me at the thought that I might have been the cause of his slip back into the common vampire dietary lifestyle. Jasper's hand slipped into mine and I gripped it for dear life as I spoke.
"Dad, what happened? Why are you eating humans again?"
"I don't need to explain anything to you, you ungrateful brat!"
I recoiled, bumping into Jasper's chest. My breathing halted and started again in a disjointed rhythm. I had to force my tongue to work in order to speak.
"What do you mean? Dad, what's wrong?"
He was suddenly two feet in front of us, his face murderous. The bright ruby red of his eyes was swirling with his anger and I was frightened of my father for the first time in my entire existence.
"Don't act like you don't know what you did. I know what you've been telling people about me."
"Wh—"
"SHUT UP!"
His roar bounced around the clearing. When he spoke again, his voice was a deadly whisper.
"Never speak to me again, you ingrate. I just wanted to tell you that I'm sorry for being such a burden to you and that you won't have that burden any longer. Today is the last day you'll ever have to see me again."
"Dad, please, you can't hurt yourself!"
"You think I'm going to commit suicide? No, stupid girl, I'm going to kill you…and apparently your precious husband, as well, since he's already jumping to your defense."
I cringed as Jasper threw me behind himself and stared down my father. Confusion and hurt and fear were running through me so fast, it felt like my head was spinning. I just barely understood the argument Jackson and my husband were having.
"Listen to me, you crazy bastard; you will never touch one hair on my wife's head. Do I make myself clear?"
His almost maniacal laughter caused me to shudder.
"Oh, perfectly. Are you so willing to give your life for hers? Hasn't she told you what she's done to the man who gave her life? Well, then, let me enlighten you. Your angelic wife," he sneered, "has slandered my very name across the entire world. She's told anyone who will listen that I killed her mother and raped her and Matthew before setting the house on fire. Aro has made it perfectly clear that she—"
I cut him off as I heard the scum of the vampire world's name.
"Aro told you I said all of this?"
"Yes. He told me that for the past fifteen years, you've been able to talk of nothing but my indiscretions."
"But I—"
"I told you already to shut up. It's too late for your fake apologies. The brothers are on their way here, as well as someone I think you may be familiar with. Here they are now!"
He grinned and his eyes trailed behind us. I whirled, sensing something awful. God, no! Not him, I thought as I watched Shamus reveal himself. At the same moment, the brothers glided out into the clearing along with ten of their guard. Shamus was suddenly inches from my face and I flinched back as his fingers tried to touch my face. His chuckle sent shivers coursing through me.
"I see you're still the feisty bitch who threatened to rip off my dick."
"I see your courage went out the fucking window along with your balls," I spat at him.
The resounding crack of his hand slapping me and Jasper's growling made my eardrums throb along with the pain of the gash he left behind on my cheek. I stared at Shamus in shock as I felt the venom slowly leaking out.
"Do you like my new little toy? It's something I made up after you so eloquently turned me down."
His lifted his hand to reveal the jagged implement in his palm.
"I finally found something that will cut through a vampire's skin like butter. Who would have thought it was something as simple as a little iron mixed with some silver could be the key to a vampire's undoing?" (AN: I have absolutely no clue if this is even possible or if it would indeed tear vampire skin. I am so not a scientist. This is why it's called fiction. Go with it…)
Jasper was clearly itching to fight as Shamus laughed and turned back to the Volturi and spoke.
"Here is the one who got away from you, brothers. Are you going to let her or her liberator get away with tricking the entirety of your guard as well as yourselves?"
Jackson glared at me and turned to speak to the papery-parchment colored vampires in front of us. Jasper's arms wound around my waist and we held on to each other fiercely as he spoke.
"She also lacks the capability to be loyal. I was her father and she spreads vicious lies about me to anyone who will listen. Can you, in the name of decency, let someone like her live? Anyone that defends her now should also be punished for his or her lack of judgment in having anything to do with her."
I stood frozen in place; this was my worst nightmare come to life. Jasper was going to die because of me and there was nothing I could do to stop it from happening. Well, there is one last thing you can do. A sense of dread filled me, quickly followed by determination as I made my decision. Gently, I turned in my husband's arms and looked up into his beautiful face.
"Jasper, please remember that I will always love you no matter what happens now. Please, tell the rest that I love them, too."
Terror flooded his features as he finally understood what I was doing.
"No! I can't lose you again! You can't leave me alone again, I won't survive this time."
My hands framed his beloved face as I smiled sadly at him.
"There is no way both of us are getting out of here alive. You still have a chance, and I have to give it to you. I can't watch you die because of me. Not now, not ever. I love you too much for that. Do this for me, Jazz. Please," I begged him.
When I saw resignation and pain in his eyes and heard his telltale whooshing sigh, I knew I'd won this final argument with him. Relief flooded me as I threw my arms around him and grasped him tightly. He returned the embrace and whispered in my ear.
"I love you, Samantha. You are now and will forever be my life, no matter where you are."
"I love you, too, Jasper. Please, live your life the best you can. Make sure the family does the same," I said as I quickly disengaged myself from his arms and moved toward my end.
Jasper POV
There has to be some way to stop this! She can't die; not when I've just gotten her back. God, if you truly care anything for us, you will find a way to stop this from happening. My thoughts were frantic as I watched my love prepare to give up her life for me. Her voice tore me from my own inner dialogue.
"This man no longer has anything to do with me. Do not punish him for my misdeeds; that is not the wise and fair way of ruling you are known for."
Aro's laughter made my spine tingle and my stomach churn.
"Child, you try to flatter us after you show blatant disregard for our rule by escaping from our agreement?"
"No, I do not. I ask you to rule your loyal subjects as you should and let Jasper go free. He's done nothing I haven't asked of him. Bad judgment is hardly reason to kill someone."
"Very well, Samantha. Your beloved will be spared. Brothers, what say you? Shall this woman be punished for her crimes against us and her own flesh and blood?"
Two yeses came from the other ancient figures by his side. A chorus of growling ensued from the ten guard surrounding them. They can smell the blood in the fucking water. Bastards completely get off on this. Sick freaks!
"It's done, then. Alec, if you would…"
"Wait! Can I say something, please?"
I stared curiously at my wife's face. What the hell is she planning? At Aro's nod, she turned to Jackson and started to speak.
"Dad, I hated you for so many years when I thought you just left us because you felt like it. I know now that you wanted us. I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for doubting you…and for whatever you think it is that Aro told you I said. I understand why you're doing this now. I love you, Daddy."
Closing her eyes, she turned back to the brothers, ready for her death. The tension in my body almost had me ready to snap as I watched Alec move forward to take away her ability to defend herself. Damn cowards have to kill innocent defenseless women rather than crazy men who are fricking homicidal! I couldn't make myself watch my only love's execution; I turned my eyes away, praying for a quick end for the both of us.
Jackson POV
How can I do this to my own daughter? She couldn't ever say or do the things I was told she'd done. I have to stop this! Sam can't die because of me.
My POV
I braced myself for the terrible blow I knew would be coming. Waiting for death was agony. Why don't you assholes hurry the hell up already? My father's cry snapped my eyes open.
"NO! Don't hurt her!"
I watched in horror as my father ran towards me. He was next to me then, his arms around me like a vice. My body was suddenly launched into the air, away from the guard anxiously awaiting my death. I landed on my back in front of Jasper and made it to my feet just in time to see the men who had been my executioners become my father's instead.
"Oh my God! Daddy!"
I tried to get to my father, but Jasper held me still as he whispered in my ear.
"There's nothing you can do now, Samantha. I'm sorry, but your father is gone."
I sagged against him and stopped fighting as the truth of his words hit me in the chest. Without realizing it, I turned and wrapped myself around my only comfort, burying my face is his chest and locking my arms around his waist. Aro's voice ignited anger within me and I turned to glare as I listened.
"It seems his daughter's crimes were not so horrendous, after all. However, there is still the matter of your escape from Volterra, child."
"There most certainly is not!"
I spun around, wide-eyed, as did Jasper. Carlisle was standing behind us, flanked by the rest of our family. My adopted father stepped forward with a quick glance at Jasper and me before approaching the brothers.
"Carlisle, old friend—"
"I'm afraid we are not friends, Aro, if this is how you choose to rule our people. You know very well that Samantha did not willingly stay with you for fifteen years. The ultimatum you gave her was the only reason she had anything to do with you. Therefore, her 'escape' as you so lightly put it was merely self-preservation. Samantha is under no obligation to you now."
Mumbling sounded from the guard as the brothers turned to one another and spoke amongst themselves. The rest of the family made their way to us as they deliberated. We were both met with quiet whispers of welcome and grief for my father. I finally had to stop them before I went mad. After talk of my father ended, we sat in silence until Aro turned back to us.
"We have no choice but to let you go, Samantha. There is no reason to rid our world of someone as gifted as yourself. Go forth in peace, Cullen family."
They turned to go as Shamus let loose his anger.
"What the hell? This is bollocks! She outsmarted you, old fools! You're going to just let her go after she made you look like incompetent morons?"
Aro slowly turned toward him, his face filled with anger.
"Felix, take care of this trash."
Said guard advanced as the brothers and rest of the guard quietly made their way from the clearing. I watched with grim satisfaction as Felix beheaded Shamus and tore him into tiny pieces. Just as he was about to light the pile-o'-asshole on fire, I bolted to him and grabbed his hand.
"Felix, do you mind if I do the honors this once?"
He chuckled and placed the packet of matches in my hand as he backed away.
"Have at it. You deserve to be the one to end him."
I glanced at him, surprised.
"What? I might be a member of the Volturi, but this guy was a fucking ass hat."
I laughed as I struck the match, dropping it onto the pile of toxic waste that was the bane of my existence. What? So I'm prone to dramatics…sue me.
Satisfaction ran through me as I watched Shamus burn. Knowing I'd seen the last of this trouble put me at ease. Jasper led me away as Felix slinked into the woods after his masters. I laughed as I watched Edward and Emmett dance around the pyre, Esme admonishing them all the while. Jasper's cool breath on my ear brought my attention to him.
"It's over. I don't quite understand how, but it's finally over!"
I turned to him, wrapping my arms around his neck.
"Yay! Do we get our happily ever after now? Pleeeeeease?"
He laughed as we exchanged Eskimo kisses. I grinned as his lips brushed mine.
"Of course, my love. Anything you want."
"Get a room!!!!!"
Jasper and I both turned on our brother at the same time.
"Emmett! Shut up," we shouted in unison before attaching ourselves at the lips again.
God, it's great to be back to normal!
Songs for the chapter: Brighter Than Sunshine-Aqualung, The Road I'm On-Three Doors Down, Time-Hootie and the Blowfish &
Streetcorner Symphony-Rob Thomas