Allie's Journey Home
Alice POV
Since Carlisle lived with the Volturi and knows the castle, he is able to help us find Allie a room so that he can treat her. She is alive, thankfully. Several hours have passed, but she still is unconscious. I am not sure who is more anxious Embry or me. When I saw her in Embry's arms earlier, I thought my world had crashed down around me. I assume it is similar to how Edward felt when he thought Bella died all those years ago. Sam's pack is making plans to return to La Push to safeguard everyone there and to plan the burial of their brothers. Since Aro hasn't returned to the castle and we destroyed all the guard members here we want to make sure Forks and the Rez is safe. Some of the Volturi did manage to escape the fight, but the danger has been pretty much eradicated.
We also have to make some plans to bury Maysun, too. Jennifer, along with Adam, are grieving for all they've lost to Aro's cruelty. It saddens me to learn about Nahuel's death. He helped save my family when I asked him too. I feel like none of this would've happened to the hybrids had I not interfered in their lives. On the flip side of the coin, I would not have met Allie either. If I hadn't sought out Nahuel's help when Aro threatened us before Nessie would've been killed along with my many of my other family members and wolves. The more I think about how much Aro has taken from my life the angrier and angrier I get.
Neither Jenn or Adam are able to fully concentrate on taking care of their sister's children. So Esme and Rose step in to take care of Serena's son and Maysun's daughter in the interim. Embry is relieved to learn that Allie had been saved from the ordeal of being forced into having sex with any of the Volturi. At least there is some good news in all the devastation Aro has caused.
Edward told me about Jenn and whats she endured not too long before our arrival. He also told me Seth and Leah have imprinted on Allie's brother and sister. Seth's imprinting isn't a surprise to any of us, but Leah's is. If the situation wasn't so damn tragic, it would be funny. Leah has always had the hardest time of all wolves accepting us. In some ways she feels as if the Cullen family is to blame for her transition from human to wolf because we returned to Forks. Nessie's birth eased some of the anger and bitterness she felt, but not all of it. I am sure she is going to fight her imprint tooth and nail before accepting the fact she is destined to be with someone who is part vampire.
Eleazar is spending some time with the children to learn as much as he can about their talents. We learn about Alex's gift from Adam. Eleazar explains Alex's gift is a defense talent. Alex is able to stop someone from attacking by rendering him or her unable to move. His talent is similar to his father's and aunt's. Alec released his gift as a mist that cut someones senses off for his protection while Alex's talent is freezing an opponent in place, but without any time delay or mist. Alex could only effect one person at a time, though like his aunt Jane. He is very intelligent, as is Destiny, and I can't wait to get to know them a little better. Right now all my energies are focused on helping Allie. Carlisle knows she is alive, but he can not understand why she isn't moving or speaking. Or barely breathing.
Destiny shares the same gift as her father. Only her's is just not as strong as his was. She is very beautiful, just as her mother was. Demetri, her father, is dead as well as her mother, Maysun. Edward is feeling guilty for his part in Demetri's death, but I reassure him he had no other alternative. Because Destiny no longer has a father or mother, Edward feels guilty. He knows how difficult life will be for her because she is different. All she and Alex have left are their uncle and aunts and none of them are in a good place at the moment.
Both of the children are watching us intently. Edward lets us know they were frightened by all the ensuing chaos they've watched unfold in the last few hours, but not to worry to much about them because they are just being observant.
Without Allie's help, I'm blind to the young hybrids future. I have a strong suspicion if Esme has anything to do with their immediate future our family will have four new members coming home with us.
Seth's imprint on Jenn is obvious to anyone with eyes. Once the fighting ended, and Allie was settled, he tried to speak to her. Unfortunately she refused to talk to him or anyone really from the pack then or now. My heart breaks for him and her. Seth is one hell of a guy. Jenn is lucky to have him as her imprint. If she would open up her heart to him, I know she would reap the benefits of a pure loving man. After her experience here she needs that kind of love in her life, but Jenn will not return his attention at all. In fact, I think she is deliberately avoiding the young wolf. I tried to speak to her about her rape, but she refuses to discuss what occurred with me. I know from speaking with Edward that Adam knows what is wrong with his sister, but he isn't sure what to say to her. I think I will ask Rose for some help with Jenn. She will understand how to help her. She will be the best person for the young hybrid to speak to about her ordeal.
"Alice, can I talk to you?" Edward asks. He seems stressed about something.
"Sure, Edward what is it?"
"I can't understand why I can hear Allie, but everything is jumbled up and incoherent."
Jasper joins us and I update him on Edward's concerns. He too, thinks this is odd.
"What does Carlisle say about it?" Jasper asks.
"He is as puzzled as I am about it."
We talk for a little while about this before I leave them to check on Allie. Of course, Embry is at her side. He hasn't left her one time since the dust settled.
"How is she?" I ask. "Any better?" I take in the haggard look on his face and the way it's drawn up and surmise his answer will be no. I'm right.
"There has been no change," he says tersely. I decide to tell Embry about Jenn. I know it may not be the right thing, but I think it is the only thing I can do. Maybe he can speak to Seth about why Jenn is choosing to avoid him.
"Before we arrived Jenn was forced into a sexual encounter."
Embry is disgusted by the news. He is a good man and he knows Allie will be hurt about her sister's traumatic experience.
"Seth imprinted on her," he says anxiously.
"I know. She is avoiding him because of the rape."
"Maybe she thinks she might be pregnant. Who was it?"
I gasp. I know we had not been in time to save her, but the thought never crossed my mind she maybe with child. Edward slips in the door during my conversation with Embry.
"Damn you to hell, Felix. If you weren't already a pile of ashes, I'd kill you myself."
"Alice, it wasn't Felix." I look at Edward in confusion. If Felix didn't rape her then who did?
"Aro." Edward's tone is hard and laced with anger.
Edward's answer makes Embry growl showing his wolfy nature.
"Oh, no. Why? I thought Allie was his target?" I ask even more bewildered by this news than I already am.
"I think Aro wanted a progeny and he wanted it now. I think he was afraid Allie would rather die before she gave in to him."
Embry squeezes Allie's hand a little tighter and kisses her forehand. He whispers softly to her, "Oh, baby. I love you so much. I am sorry, so sorry."
"Why did he think she planned on dying, Edward?" I ask quietly. My niece is a strong woman and to make the decision to die rather then the alternative is a little distressing to me. I am not sure what choice I would make in her shoes.
"Regardless of what she said, Aro knew about Embry and Allie's imprint bond. Marcus told Aro about the love he felt coming from Allie for Embry was one Aro could never destroy or break. He told Aro it is as strong as the love vampire mates share. Aro decided he would continue to try and break Allie. He used Jenn to hurt Allie. Nothing more then a means to an end."
"Did Aro know about Jenn and Seth's imprinting?" Embry asked.
"No. Aro did not know about Seth imprinting on Jenn until...well, you understand what I am saying."
"Aro didn't care about Jenn and Seth imprinting, did he? Knowing how sadistic he is. He probably relished the idea, didn't he?" Embry said more to himself than either Edward or me.
"Yeah, I'm sure you are right about Aro. He is cruel and heartless. I am really worried about Jenn and how she will handle the fallout from everything she endured," I say quietly.
"You should be worried, Alice. I have listened to her thoughts and they are not good. She is feeling worthless and like she does not warrant Seth's attention. Jenn and Allie talked about Seth's reaction to her when she appeared at our house in Forks. Allie explained the imprinting process and how it felt. So Jenn understands, but she plans on avoiding Seth. In fact I think she knew about Seth imprinting on her before the rape. It happened when she projected into our house in Forks. Neither Seth or Jenn wanted to truly believe it did though."
"I understand how you know about Jenn's thoughts, but how do you know about the other stuff? Aro wasn't around during the battle.
"I heard the details from Felix and Marcus's mind before they were destroyed."
"Edward, we have to convince Jenn to allow Carlisle to examine her. We have to help her somehow. As far as Seth is concerned, I am not sure what we can do or even if we should interfere."
"We will help her no matter what she decides about Seth. Leah will just have to deal with her feelings."
"What are you talking about, Edward?"
"She is not happy about her brother imprinting on a hybrid," Edward says dryly.
"Of course, Leah would have an issue with Seth loving a vampire. But didn't you say Leah also imprinted on Adam?" I ask perplexed.
"Yes, I did," Edward answers sardonically.
"He's a hybrid, too. So I'm confused as to why Seth's imprinting is such a big deal to her," I say.
"It's a big deal to her because she refuses to believe she imprinted. She's torn in two directions, what she knows to be true, and what she wants to be true."
"Yep, that sounds like Leah to me," Embry laughs.
Allie POV
I feel like I am in a fog. I can sense the others around me, but for some reason I can't get their attention. I recognize their scents and can hear their voices. Alice, Carlisle, and the other Cullens have been with me at various times throughout the time I've been here. The voice I long to hear the most is beside me as well, but something is keeping me from waking up and seeing his face or allowing me to touch him.
I'm racking my brain trying to understand what s wrong with me. I can remember fighting with Sulpicia and the pain I felt, but Embry saved me. I know he did. Why am I in this frozen state and why don't they help me?
My mind is working, but not my body. Maybe I can send Alice a vision to let her know I need her help. I try and try with no luck. I remember back to the chase and then my fight with Sulpicia for some clue to why I am frozen. I recall everything from the time she threw the children down until...That's it. I know why I can't move or think I do anyway. Before my fight with the she-devil, I remember seeing Sulpicia whispering something to Alex right before she threw him and Destiny, but I don't know for sure what she said to him. Somehow, I think that knowing that piece of information will be the key in helping me wake up. I think my nephew has me frozen, and no one has realized this vital piece of information, yet. I concentrate on Alice again and I feel a vision forming in my mind. I picture the fight clearly to show her Sulpicia instructing Alex. I am sure she will understand the meaning of this and figure out Alex was ordered to use his power on me. She has to if I am to have a chance.
I am sure Sulpicia ordered Alex to freeze me if I attacked her and he either doesn't know to release me or won't. He has not been taught any differently, but to obey them. All he knows is the Volturi and their cruelty. Only to him it wasn't cruelty, it is the way of life. I can't reach Alice. My power isn't working properly. I try to find another alternative to my situation. I try reaching Adam once more, but no luck there either. Nothing is going to work if it requires any part of my power to be used. I smell a familiar scent in the room. Edward. Of course. Why didn't I think of it before? I have to tell him about Alex. My only chance lies with Edward hearing me and getting me help.
"Edward! Edward! Please, help me. It's Alex. He has me frozen." I keep repeating the same thing over and over in my head because it feels like my thoughts are all jumbled up. Maybe if I say it again and again Edward can piece it all together. I can only hope Edward can hear me. I tried Alice and even Adam, but my attempts were in vain. I am not sure how Alex's gift is affecting me, but I have no other options open to me.
Edward POV
I hear Allie screaming for help in her thoughts. It takes me a few minutes to piece it all together because her thoughts are coming out jumbled. She's frozen. I race to tell Carlisle the news. We will need to work with Alex to release Allie from her frozen state. Aro started training the hybrids as soon as he discovered a talent according to Adam. Aro planned on using Alex's talent like he did all his guard members to further his own agenda. Once I speak with Jasper and Carlisle we decide the best course of action will be to try and deprogram Alex. We set out on this endeavor three days ago. Everyone is hopeful for positive results, but so far nothing we have done seems to work.
The answer comes from my daughter. It is the simplicity of the idea is that makes it so genius. She takes the problem out of our hands without us even realizing it. Nessie amazes me with her astonishing grasp of her gift and her ability to understand any given situation she's in. She knew the right thing for her to do was to come to Volterra when I didn't. She also knew Alex and Destiny are scared of us and the wolves. Nessie starts showing Alex and Destiny memories of Allie and our family. She wants them to know how wonderful of a person she is. She has been sharing everything she knows about Allie with them for the last two days. One of the more beautiful memories she has is of Allie and Embry dancing at the wedding before Allie was abducted. It showcases their love for one another vividly.
The thing that finally makes Alex understand Allie isn't his enemy, but a friend is the memory of Maysun dying and the grief Allie had on her face upon seeing her die. Knowing Jane and the Volturi caused her to die causes him great distress. He doesn't know about my involvement with his father's death, and I worry about his reaction when he does find out. I hear the young boy's grief and his pain is overwhelming according to Jasper. His mother's death was a direct result of an attack from the Volturi guards and his aunt Jane. Once Nessie projects those thoughts and memories to Alex, he releases Allie. News of our destruction of the Volturi has began to circulate around the vampire community. Carlisle is meeting with our friends and some other covens to determine what course of action needs to be taken. Aro is still no where to be seen. Carlisle has asked Alistair to track him if he can. He agrees to do it, much to my surprise.
Allie POVEdward hears my pleas for help and manages to get Alex to release me. The minute I awoke from my frozen state my eyes meet Embry's. We kiss each other with reckless abandon. The months of our separation melts away. We both hurt for one another, but none of that matters now. We are together once more. The only way I can explain the joy and happiness I feel is to say I feel like I am finally home. My future and Embry's is with one another. I never want to be separated from him again.
"Allie, I love you so much. I am so sorry you have been forced to endure living in this hell."
Embry's voice is full of pain and self-loathing. I know he is blaming himself for my capture, but it is not his fault. I blame Aro. He wanted to destroy my family and me by any means necessary.
"Embry, baby, please don't blame yourself for any of this. Aro would have figured out another way to kidnap me. You rescued me and being with you is all that matters to me. I love you. Now more than ever before."
"Marry me."
I am stunned into silence. Did Embry just ask me to marry him?
"Allie, please. Marry me." Embry asks again with a little edge of desperation in his voice.
He did ask me. He wants us to get married. I don't have to think about it twice. "Yes, Embry. I will marry you."
We kiss again. Now we will be tied to each other in every way possible. It has been about two weeks since the fight and Jenn's worst fear is confirmed. She is having a baby and she is showing. She still is avoiding Seth, and Leah is still trying to come to terms with her own imprinting situation. As soon as I woke up from my frozen state we planned Maysun's funeral. It was extremely hard on the remaining hybrids to say goodbye to one more of our siblings. Aro managed to take away two of my sisters and my brother, not to mention Joham, my father. The only bright spot from the whole mess is Alex and Destiny. Even if she doesn't think so at the moment, Jenn's child is, too. I know first hand how it feels to think of a child as both a curse and blessing. I had seen from Nessie's memories how much her mother loved her, but it took some time before Edward felt the same.
Rose has been trying to reach out to Jenn and help her start to heal, but she is resiting any help. She is telling everyone she is fine, but she isn't. I have a front row seat to her innermost thoughts, and I know her hidden turmoil thanks to Edward. She has thought about aborting the baby, but she can't make herself. Meeting her family and getting to know me, changed Jenn.
Looking at Nessie and knowing the story of how Bella was willing to sacrifice her own life for her child has made Jenn see her child with new eyes. I cried and recounted the story of my stay here to Embry and Alice not long after I became unfrozen. Sometimes having the ability to overhear thoughts is dreadful, and that was one of those times according to Edward. Because of his gift he has a front row seat to my thoughts about my time in Volterra.
Adam is angry about Jenn, but Seth is the one I am worried about. She is his imprint and he could care less that she is having Aro's sire. He just wants Jenn to be happy. Her pain is like a searing blade slicing into his heart over and over. I know she feels something for him, but denies herself the happiness that fulfilling the imprint bond can bring her. Embry and Jake try to help him deal with her rejection, but neither one really is able to. Neither one knows what the denial of an imprints love is like. Even the feelings Jake once had for Bella is no match for those associated in an imprint bond.
Thinking about the imprinting bond makes me think about Jake and Nessie's imprint bond. Nessie is maturing really fast, and soon enough her relationship with Jake will change from friends to that of lovers. Once everything is settled here in Volterra we plan on returning to Forks.
Embry proposed to me and I said yes and I am looking forward to going home to get married. The wedding will be a reason to celebrate, something we all need. Alice is excited about planning the wedding, and I am ready to go home to resume our life in Forks. We all are.
It feels so nice to know I will be going home finally. It is even nicer to know my home will be with someone that loves me. Not to mention I have a family now. The Cullens want to make sure everything is settled here before we leave.
I talk with Adam and Jenn and we all agree that Alex and Destiny deserve to have a mother and father to love them. Adam did not want to subject them to an unsure life like the ones we had for so long. As a family we decide that we want Esme and Rose raise them. We plan on asking them today and have set up a meeting with the entire Cullen family in the library to discuss our desires.
"Esme and Carlisle, there is something I need, no we need, to ask of you," I say a little unsure of myself. I know the Cullens will love Destiny and Alex, I think they already do, but it is difficult for my siblings and I to let the last pieces of our family go.
Esme smiles. "What is it Allie? You know you can ask us anything. The same goes for Adam and Jennifer."
"As you all know Alex and Destiny both have been left without parents. I never had anyone other then Memaw until I came to Forks. Alice is like a mother to me, and Jasper a father. Jenn and Adam weren't as lucky all they had was Joham. We have lost our sisters and brother because of this mess." Tears start to slide down my face and Adam continues on for me.
"What Allie is trying to say is we want more for Alexander and Destiny. We feel like that a life with you all would be the best thing for them. We love our niece and nephew very much, but they need a mother and father. A stable home, something we none really had growing up. Rose, we would like you and Emmett to raise Destiny as your daughter. Carlisle, Esme we would be honored if you will consider raising Alexander as your son."
The Cullens are all stunned by our request, well all, but Edward. He knew what we were going to ask of his family, I'm sure he had heard her thoughts about this beforehand. Alice is so excited by the news and hugs me and Adam, as well as Jenn. Jasper is smiling like a fool because of the love and happiness our request generated.
Carlisle spoke up then, "Are you sure this is what all of you want?"
We all nod yes and with that everything is settled. Esme is deeply touched that we are willing to place Alex in her care and that she will have the privilege to be his mother. Now that we have that settled all that is left is to decide what to do about Volterra.
Carlisle and the other vampires are meeting again today. I hope it will end on a positive note as well, but it doesn't. All of the other covens fear Aro returning and regaining control of the castle once more. So as a comprise the Cullens decide to remain Volterra for now along with some of the other coven members from various places until a final decision can be made. Edward, Alice, Jasper and Maggie will use their gifts to help the leaders.
Jake leaves the protection of Forks to Sam and his pack until he can come home. Embry and Jake will remain with my family until something is decided about the future. Quil returns home to La Push and Claire, but Seth stays. Since Leah refuses to leave her brother, she remains too. Seth's charm is working on Jenn and she is slowly letting her guard down, but Leah refuses to trust her imprint bond. Embry and I want to get married soon, but both agree that this castle holds to many bad memories for us. I want to become his wife so badly, but I want to do it in La Push, his home. I want his brothers to be with him when he says I do. So for now, I'll wait, but I make the Cullens promise it won't take to long to resolve the leadership issues.