It's finally here. The end of a huge chapter in my life. I appologuise for the long wait but thank you for your patience. Writing this story has been a huge challenge and a long journey. I'm sad that it has come to an end but i'm glad i managed to finish it. I really hope you enjoy this last chapter and are happy with my ending. Thank again, Mikaela x

21. Solace

Leah POV

"Just leave me alone!" I screamed. "Please, just give me some time. I won't do anything stupid."

Alice's face went blank. She seemed to be looking straight through me but Jasper's glare made me feel uncomfortable.

"It's okay Jaz, she won't do anything." Alice said, placing her hand on his arm.

He looked down at her and then back at me. "We'll be watching you," he said before taking Alice's hand and turning back towards the house.

I didn't wait around for them to disappear. I leapt over the river in one bound, enjoying the air whip across my face and continued running. It felt easy and natural which only made me feel worse. I was out of my mind, there was clearly no other reason for it. What had I been thinking to agree to become a monstrous bloodsucker? It isn't what I want, it never was. All I ever wanted was to be loved and to have a family and now I have neither. How can I look into her beautiful dark eyes and feel joy? It's impossible. They remind me of him and what he did to us. They remind me that he left without a word, without a kiss, without me. How could he? Why would he? Am I really that difficult to be around?

I could feel my chest tightening in a strange way as my breath began to hitch. I stopped running and glanced around at the never ending sea of trees as I tried to control myself. It was useless. I fell to the ground, unable to ignore how instant my movement was and how the ground felt beneath my hands.

Everything is so alien to me, everything has changed.

As if confirming my fears, the sun peaked out of the clouds above. I stopped breathing at the sight of my sparkling skin, it was too weird. Part of me wished for the sun to burn me, reducing me to a pile of ash, like it did in all the vampire movies I had seen, but I knew it wouldn't. That would be too easy and nothing in my life was easy.

My mind began to shift through all my memories, although they seemed unusually murky. I didn't think it would be so hard to remember everything; it made me feel extremely uneasy. I felt my heart contract as I remembered Nahuel's strong arms wrapped around me, the taste of his lips and his beautiful face with those deep dark eyes which, he has passed onto our daughter.

As soon as I thought of her, her face was the only thing I could see. My chest began to tighten again as my breath hitched. I suddenly realised that this is how it felt to cry in this new strange body of mine.

What have I done? I've abandoned the one person I would give my life to. I have run away from her just like Nahuel ran away from us and for what? To wallow in self pity? That's not me, it can't be me. I finally have the one thing I have craved and I can't abandon her.

I got to my feet in one swift motion, determined to be a good mum and ran back to the Cullen's house.

Bella's POV

"Edward, I don't understand. I thought we were going to find Leah," I said.

Edward placed his hands on my shoulders, sending butterflies soaring in my stomach. "I'm sorry Bella, but there's something I've got to do."

"What?" I asked, confused.

"I can't explain now, but I promise you will understand when I return. Stay here and help with the babies. I'll be back as soon as I can."

He swiftly kissed my head and then left the house. I stared after him feeling hurt and confused. What is he doing? Why is he being so secretive? Not five minutes ago he was smiling, happy to be holding our grandson. What could possibly have changed?

"Don't worry Bella. Edward knows what he is doing."

I spun towards Alice. What does she know?

"And before you ask, I don't know where he's going but I know Edward well enough to know he wouldn't leave you unless it was necessary."

If Alice thought that would comfort me, she thought wrong. Edward only ever leaves me when he deems the situation to be too dangerous for me, which doesn't feel me with much confidence.

I suddenly realised that Alice and Jasper were alone.

"Where's Leah?" I asked.

"She wanted to be alone," Alice chimed, with a dismissive wave of her hand.

"And you let her? What if she runs into a lone hunter? She wont be able to control herself."

"Bella, relax. I combed the area before we left and I'm keeping a watch over her, she'll be fine."

Alice was probably right but I felt anxious. I hate being away from Edward and not knowing where he is only makes it worse. I decided a distraction was the best thing for me so I headed upstairs to check on Nessie and baby Lee.

Edwards POV

"Hello Seth, it's Edward."

"Hey Edward, what's up? Is Leah okay?"

"Yes, she's fine but I was wondering if you could do me a favour."

"Sure, what is it?"

"Can you ask Sam to meet me at the boundary line please. We need to talk."

"I'm on it."

"Thanks Seth."

I snapped my phone shut and slipped it into my jacket pocket as I continued to run. As I approached the boundary line I began to wonder whether I was making the right choice. I'd love to help Leah adjust to her new life but is this really the best way? Would she even want me to help or would she rather I just leave her alone?

Too late now, I realised as I spotted Sam standing at the boundary line waiting for me. His thoughts were as confused as my own, wondering what I wanted to talk about.

"Thanks for meeting me Sam."

He nodded in accent, "what do you want to talk about? Is it about Leah?"

"Yes and no. I want to speak with Nahuel."

Sam's eyebrows knitted together in confusion. "He left. You know that."

"I know but I also know where to find him. Would you be willing to accompany me?"

"Why would I do that?"

I had been expecting his response, yet I still wasn't ready to answer. Would it be ethical to play on his feelings for Leah to get him to agree?

I sighed in resignation. "Look, I know it might seem immoral or unethical but I'm trying to think about what is best for everyone. I know Nahuel hurt Leah in the worst way possible but I also did the same thing once upon a time as you very well know. Yet I was fortunate enough to be given a second chance even though I did not deserve it. I look at Leah and see all the pain and confusion in her eyes, the guilt, the humiliation, the sadness and I have to look away." Sam cringed at my words and I felt guilty knowing that he too still felt ashamed for breaking Leah's heart all those years ago when he met Emily.

"Unfortunately, I can't escape her thoughts and I know she would give anything to have him back. Everyone is under the impression that she agreed to change into a vampire to save her baby's life but I know that she also did it for Nahuel. I don't think she would ever admit to it and I'm worried she will resent her choice and her baby if Nahuel doesn't return."

Sam held up his hands shaking his head. "Hold on a minute. Are you trying to tell me that you want to find Nahuel and bring him back to Forks so that Leah can play happy families?"

They wouldn't have been my choice of words but they were close enough so I merely nodded. Sam looked at me incredulously. "Have you forgotten why we sent him away in the first place? He's a danger to the people of Forks. I cannot allow this."

"He's no more of a danger than the rest of us and you know it. Jake did what he did at the time to protect Leah but he is not a threat to her anymore. Leah is probably more of a threat than he is, the way she is at the moment. Do you want to exile her too?"

Sam blanched at my words. I wasn't playing fair and he knew it but I was truly worried about Leah's state of mind and there was no way I would endanger my family.

"What do you mean, 'the way she is?' has she attacked someone?"

"No, of course not. We would never allow that but she may try to hurt herself."

"Is that possible?" Sam seemed truly worried now.

"No, not in the literal sense but if she is truly against what she has become, she might try to starve herself to death and the implications of that could be dangerous for all of us."

Sam lowered his head trying to hide the pain in his eyes but I could hear every word of his inner monolog as he argued with himself about what to do. I looked away into the forest and up to the darkening sky to distract myself. Time was slipping away and I was eager to get this over with so I could get back to my family. To hold Bella in my arms and marvel over my new grandson.

"Where is he?" Sam asked calling my attention back to him.

"Seattle. I'm not sure where but I'll be able to hear him once we get closer." I explained.

Sam pulled in a sharp breath and then released it in a sigh. "Let's go."

Bella's POV

I knew it was silly to be worrying but I couldn't help it. Edward had been gone for two hours now without a phone call or anything. Where is he?

"Bella, will you please stop worrying." Alice said, gently patting me on the shoulder. "Edward will be fine. Seth said he was with Sam. If anything happens we will know about it."

That was true. Seth had told us that Edward was with Sam when he came to see Leah but he didn't know where they had gone or why so it didn't fill me with much confidence.

I stared out the huge glass wall hoping to see Edward appear but all I could see was an endless stretch of darkness, even the moon hadn't made an appearance tonight.

"Mum, come and sit down," Nessie pleaded.

I turned to see her sitting on the couch curled up in Jakes arms with Lee. I suddenly felt guilty for dampening her euphoric mood. I walked over to them slowly and then slumped to the floor by Jake's feet. His smile was huge and I couldn't help but smile myself. I could feel the heat radiating from him and was suddenly reminded of a darker time in my human life when I thought of Jake as my own personal sun. he was Nessie's sun now and for that I was glad.

I turned to my left to see Brooke laughing with her dad while Joshua did a funny dance. He reminded me of Emmett, the way he was always happy and making people laugh. Leah was standing to the right of them with Lilly in her arms. It turned out that Leah thought the name was perfect and once she had gotten over her fears and held her daughter for the first time, she was unable to put her down. She was staring down at her now with a longing expression on her face. I didn't need to be able to read her mind to know what she longed for and my heart gave a little squeeze for her.

I looked away feeling uncomfortable and my eyes found Edward's. I leapt to my feet and was in his arms in less than a second.

"Hi." He breathed the words into my hair before gently kissing it. I pulled away from him and looked up into his eyes accusingly.

"Where have you been? I've been worried sick." the harshness of my words were dulled by the relief I felt to have him home.

"I'm sorry I made you anxious," he replied, pulling me back into his embrace.

I hadn't missed that he didn't answer my question but as I pulled away I saw the answer. Nahuel stood sheepishly in the kitchen, hidden behind Edward. As I stared at him in shock he slowly walked forward, passing Edward and myself without a word, heading for Leah. I looked up at Edward wondering what he was thinking bringing Nahuel back here. He stared into my questioning eyes and whispered, "trust me."

I did, more than anything else in the world but I was afraid of how Leah would react and Jacob for that matter. I looked towards him now and was surprised to see him nod towards us. He was obviously having a silent exchange with Edward but his response confused me.

Leah hadn't looked up from Lilly yet, although she must have known someone else had entered the room. Nahuel stopped a foot in front of her and without saying a word, placed his hand on his daughters head and stared down at her. Leah raised her head slowly and to my surprise she smiled. "You're late," she said but her smile didn't waver. "I'm here now," Nahuel said, "and I'm never leaving again."

With that Leah threw her arm around him, careful not to squash Lilly and kissed him with a passion that would set trees on fire.

I looked away, feeling guilty intruding on their reunion. My eye's shifted around the room again feeling a change to the atmosphere. It felt almost euphoric. I suddenly realised that everyone was at peace. I looked into Edward's eyes and felt the same euphoria seep into my skin.

"I love you," I whispered.

His face lit up into his gorgeous smile, "As I love you." He lowered his head and kissed me so softly that if I was still human I would have barley felt it. He pulled away but kept his arms wrapped around me as I whispered, "So where does this leave us?"

He chuckled, obviously remembering the first time I had said those words to him and then turned towards the glass wall before whispering into my ear.

"I believe this is our midnight solace."

We both turned to look at our family, feeling the true meaning of his words. We were all together and we were all wrapped up in our own and each others happiness.