Notes: Sorry for the late entry. I've been quite busy lately, and as you'll notice, this chapter is quite long. I've been editing it quite a bit to make it absolutely perfect, so I hope you enjoy. And I hope it was worth the wait!
Chapter 21, Alternate Ending 2 – Happily Ever After
Jasper's POV
As soon as we were visible, Embry let out a low roar to indicate for our backup to come – his pack, and my family. We chose not to be stupid, or reckless, and try and do it on our own. Too many things could go wrong. The vampires who we'd soon be fighting looked around, alarmed, having no idea what was happening. Exactly how we wanted it.
In an instant, I snarled, and Emmett and Edward were on either side of me, their faces eager and bloodthirsty, ready to tear some vampires into bits. I smiled with grim satisfaction as a feeling of hope overwhelmed me. Maybe we would win. There was a good chance I could get my Ava back, after all.
I heard Ava scream out – I wasn't sure whether it was a reaction to something they did to her, or a reaction from seeing us. Nevertheless, my eyes soon clouded over with red and I almost shook like a werewolf with rage.
Three vampires from the coven turn and fled back into the forest. We now outnumbered them. I grinned gleefully, as did my family.
Victoria, James, and the one I recognized – with shock – as Eben, and two other vampires; a big brawny one, like Emmett, and a small girl with long brown hair. They seemed more than willing to stand their ground and fight, even though, for them, it was now a lost cause. We outnumbered them, even with just us vampires – and now that we had the werewolves on our side, I knew – and became extremely cocky of the fact – we were going to win.
James threw Ava to the ground with a thud and a grunt, before racing straight towards us. Emmett stepped forward, readying himself with a large grin. James smacked right into Emmett and sent them both hurtling to the ground. I dodged past them, and ran at my full speed towards Ava before Victoria could even blink.
I knelt down quickly and scooped her up. She squeaked in pain, and I noticed that she was covered in bruises. And I knew they were from us making love earlier. I sighed at how long ago that felt. But despite that, when she saw it was me who was picking her up, she clung to me for dear life and started to cry.
"I'm sorry, Ava." I apologized for both the bruises, and allowing her to be taken away. Guilt was heavy in my soul, like it would never ease.
Oh well, I sighed to myself as I stroked her beautiful face. I had quite literally forever to make it up to her.
I suddenly felt a surge of hot, bubbling anger coming full-speed at me. I didn't have time to react, but I had time to turn around. It felt like a movie moment. Something you saw happen, but what seemed like in slow motion.
Embry had appeared, and took down the flaming redhead, who'd been coming straight towards us. He snarled and snapped viciously, roaring as he took down Victoria. They both hit the ground with a bone-shattering thud. Victoria shrieked in pain, and Embry whined. He lay on the ground at a funny angle.
I gasped and so did Ava.
"Embry!" she shrieked, holding a hand out feebly.
I hesitated briefly, before I flew over to Embry. I planted Ava gently down beside him, so she could tend to the werewolf, while I turned around to face Victoria. She was looking at me, too. Her face was contorted in pain and absolute hate towards me. The rage feeling was mutual.
I walked slowly, deliberately over to her, not worried at all about the other vampires. Emmett and Edward were… playing with James, and the other vampires had abandoned the situation… all except Eben, who'd gone to sit beside Ava, and check on Embry too. Obviously he was more attached to Ava than he was to any of his vampire coven.
She looked alarmed when I looked back to her. I could only guess how my face would look.
Victoria made an attempt to get up, but I growled and used my foot to kick her back down again. I picked up her arm, putting my foot on her stomach. I felt her ribs crack beneath my force, and she snarled and tried to snap at me. I snarled back, like a feral animal.
I twisted her arm all the way around, snapping the bone out of the skin. She shrieked and tried to pull away from me. I heard James roar from behind me, but he was shushed by one of my brother's. Or maybe one of my sister's? I'd assume Rosalie and Alice would have gotten bored, and started to attack James too.
I turned around and had a look at the chaos behind me.
Carlisle, Ava, Esme, Eben, Sam, Seth and Quil were over by Embry. Alice, Rosalie and Emmett were busy burning bits and pieces of James that Paul, Jared, Jacob and Leah bit off and threw to them. To my surprise, Edward stood, the most far away from the carnage, holding Bella bridal-style. Jacob would occasionally throw a look over at them bitterly, but Alice wasn't worried.
It confused me to see them together, but curiosity wasn't enough for me to test their emotions. I would get distracted. And as I turned back to look at Victoria, I realized that was the last thing I wanted.
I pulled all her fingers off one by one as she shrieked and howled, before tossing them into the fire. With two sickening cracks, I tore off both her arms and did the same. She was still trying to kick me feebly with her legs, but I ignored her. I was about to squash her head beneath my foot when I heard another roar of a vampire.
I turned around, with my foot securely on Victoria's stomach still, just in time to see the Volturi enter the field.
--
Ava's POV
I knew something was wrong the moment Carlisle and Esme's bodies completely froze. I thought at first, that it had something to do with Embry. I instantly panicked and nearly screamed at Carlisle to tell me what was wrong, but Esme gently put her arms around me and huddled close, as if to hide me. And then I knew it was something else.
"Stay very still behind Embry, dearest Ava." She murmured to me, her lips barely moving. I nodded pathetically, my whole body starting to freeze over in fear. I hid beneath Esme's arms, and waited for whatever was coming.
Seven people emerged from the forest in black, billowing robes. I knew immediately, that these people were vampires. They were too graceful to be anything but. And as they drifted closer, I cowered. Everybody around us was watching the new arrivers in the same kind of fear as well.
This wasn't good.
"The Volturi." Esme whispered to me, although I knew it was pointless. Everybody would have heard her as if she shouted it. But she was whispering because she knew I was the only one who didn't know what was going on. I didn't know who these Volturi were.
The seven stopped a few yards away from us, and looked all of us over, before the man in the middle stepped forward, throwing his hood back to reveal his face. Those who were with him did the same.
He had long flowing dark hair, but looking at his face made me whimper. He was not like the Cullens, or Eben, or Victoria or James. His skin looked almost like chalk – fragile, somehow. And his eyes were red, but they were milky. I idly wondered if he could see as well as the other vampires.
Upon hearing me whimper, Eben crouched over to me. He nudged Esme, and the two exchanged a look, before Esme nodded and surrendered me over to Eben. I trembled in his arms, not having a real rational reason for why I was so afraid. But there was something about these vampires, their aura, and their presence – it was bloodcurdling on its own.
To my greatest surprise, the man who stepped forward smiled one of the friendliest smiles I'd ever seen in my life. I heard flames hiss and crack behind me as they burnt the wood.
"Ah, how delightful to see you all again." He called out, loud and clear.
I heard a few hisses in response. I guessed it was probably Emmett and Rosalie. I didn't know anyone else arrogant enough to do that to these vampires. Not with the amount of power they practically radiated.
"Emmett, Rosalie, Alice. Always lovely to see you."
I snuck a look behind Eben to see that neither Emmett nor Rosalie looked like they shared the same feeling. Alice kept her face expressionless, but nodded in respect.
"Edward and Bella!" he exclaimed at the two of them across the field. "How delightful to see the two of you!" He looked around at Jasper, who was pinning a helpless, no-armed Victoria down with the base of his foot.
"Jasper, you ARE looking able-bodied. Well, well." His expression turned a little patronizing as he looked at Victoria. "Would this be the young lady who is causing all the drama up in Seattle? Stealing children from their homes – killing them twice as often as she keeps them. My, my." He shook his head. "That won't do at all. Such a mess you've left behind, miss. That's won't do."
He turned his back to her, and my heart went wild when he looked over in Carlisle's direction. His gaze was so close to me, it was terrifying. I did my best to hide behind Embry and in Eben's arms, but I knew if he truly wanted to see me – he would.
"Carlisle!" he exclaimed in a voice full of respect. "My old friend! It has been too long! How are you?"
"Quite fine, Aro, thank you." Carlisle replied politely. It was hard for him to be rude to anyone, I knew.
Aro's gaze flickered over to the lovely Esme.
"And darling Esme, how are you?"
"Excellent, Aro." Esme's voice was full of authority I never heard her use before. She was mostly so motherly. "Yourself?"
"Quite fine, quite fine." Aro smiled, and I shuddered. This was a big mistake, because at that same moment, Aro looked over at Eben and me.
"Well, well…" he exaggerated the two words, and I tried my best to repress another shudder. The light radiated from the flames of the fire over by Emmett and Rosalie illuminated him, making him look like some sort of alien. "Who do we have here?"
"Aro." Carlisle spoke for us, and for that, I was grateful. "That is Eben, he's a newborn vampire."
"A newborn? My son, were you involved in the carnage up in Seattle?"
Both Eben and Carlisle shook their heads.
"No sir." Eben knew, from the way the others addressed him, he should do the same. "Like Carlisle said, I'm a newborn. A very newborn. I only just awoke about a half hour ago."
"Interesting." He kept his piercing gaze on Eben, before it slowly turned to me. My heart stopped beating, and my blood ran cold. "And who might this be?"
"Her name is Ava." Carlisle spoke back in a loud voice. "She's one of my daughter's."
Aro arched his old, frail eyebrow.
"But she is not a vampire?" His head turned reflexively in Bella and Edward's direction. "And neither is Bella, like what was promised. Carlisle, do you enjoy adopting humans?"
"That's not what it's like, Aro. Bella is no longer with us, she is with the werewolves. She's the love of one of them, actually, therefore she has a right to know about this and live because of it. But Ava is a part of my family, and we have every intention of changing her. We were going to do it after this chaos was dealt with."
Aro observed me further, and it felt like I was burning beneath his gaze. I flinched away from him.
Another man stepped forward. His hair was long, wavy and black as well, but it only reached his shoulders. His face was chalky and fragile looking as well, and his eyes were red and milky. He touched Aro's shoulder, keeping his eyes on me the entire time. After a moment, he stepped back away from him.
"Thank you for that, Marcus." His eyes shot between Jasper and I. "Well, so young Alice and Jasper are no longer together? Alice is now with Edward…" his eyes flickered over to them. "Because Bella is with a wolf and Mr. Jasper has the same love going for Ava that Edward had for Bella."
He slowly began to pace.
"How intriguing. I've always wondered – why are vampire men so attracted to mortal women? I'll never understand. Is it because they're so soft?" His gaze flashed over to Jasper, and then to Edward. "So warm?" And now at me. "So… breakable?"
"But that is not the end." Aro stated promptly. "But as it appears, one of the wolves – the one who is lying over there, beside you my dear." I realized he was talking to me. "Has imprinted upon you."
He looked everyone over with a thoughtful look.
"These complicated webs we tangle." He shook his head. "So complex. I'll never understand."
He walked, with such airy gracefulness it looked like he could fly, over to Alice. It frightened me to see tiny Alice beside the alien-looking Aro. But he smiled at her kindly.
"Alice? Would you be so kind as to show me any visions you have had concerning the future of Jasper and Ava? And if you have any concerning Bella, that would be greatly appreciated."
Alice pressed her lips together in a line, before reaching a hand out for Aro. He clasped both his hands around her tiny hand eagerly, and for a long while, there was nothing but silence. Nobody dared to move. Not even Marcus and the other five that were with him.
Aro's sudden laughter made me jump, and Eben pulled me closer to him to calm me down.
"Well, well. Looks like we don't have to worry about a thing, then. The plans are set into motion, and it is highly doubtful that they are going to change." He turned back to his coven. "But we do have one final thing to discuss. After, of course, Mr. Jasper has finished slaughtering the lady there, of course."
Jasper needed no more encouragement than that. Esme gingerly put her hand over my eyes, but it didn't do anything to my hearing. I could hear Victoria shrieking in agony, when it was suddenly cut off by a popping and a tearing sound. I winced.
I waited a few more moments for the all-clear. When Esme removed her hand, I knew it was safe. I looked over Embry and saw there was nothing left of Victoria. Emmett, Rose and Alice were already throwing the rest into the fire.
Jasper walked away from the fire, and over to me. He was next to me within a heartbeat. I casually twisted out of Eben's arms as he let me go, and crawled over to Jasper. He sat down to make it more comfortable for me as I sat on his lap. I put my arms around him and buried my face in his chest. His cold arms snaked around me, holding me close.
"Now, then." Aro began again in a loud, clear voice. "It is time we made the deal official, then."
--
Ava's POV
The only thing that could be heard in the middle of the night in La Push was the sound of my mustang pulling up at Embry's home. I scowled at it, hating that I had to do everything in the dead of the night since Carlisle and Jasper came up with this new brilliant plan. I rolled my eyes a little, but I knew it was probably for the best. If I wanted to spend the rest of my life (and my eternity) with Jasper, anyway.
I was grateful that Embry's parents were gone on a three day holiday to North Carolina to visit some friends. I wouldn't have been able to get away with this, otherwise. I doubted they would have let me, a strange girl, into their house in the middle of the night to be alone with their son in his bedroom.
Not that anything would happen, of course, but they didn't know that. I turned the ignition off quickly, and ducked out of my car. I was grateful that the front door was open, and I would not have to put my pick-locking stills to use.
The house was dead silent, except for the occasional snore I heard coming from a room somewhere in the house. Embry's room, I assumed, rolling my eyes. I knew he wouldn't have been afraid of anyone in La Push – not enough to lock his door at night. He was a werewolf, I knew, so he had no rational reason to be afraid of any psychos with knives, but it made me uneasy to think about him all alone, vulnerable while he slept without the door locked. I made a mental note to lock it behind me when I left.
I crept up the stairs carefully, trying as hard as I could to not make any noise. I wasn't a vampire… yet, so I couldn't be very quiet. The stairs creaked or the floor board creaked while I listened out for another snore.
I tip toed over to the room where the snores were coming from, before opening the door quietly and slipping inside. His bed took up the majority of his room – the bed was large and the room was small – even then, his legs hung out of the edge. He was sleeping, and he looked peaceful. It nearly pained me to wake him – I'd never seen Embry with this. So innocent, so vulnerable. It made me sad.
From the doorway, I picked up a pair of his socks from the top of his dresser, and threw them directly at his face. With a snort and gasp, as soon as they collided with his face, Embry woke up with a start. Alert and alarmed, his eyes looked over to the direction the socks flew from. His expression relaxed and became almost smug when he saw it was just me.
"Hey bloodsucker-lover." He grinned drowsily, pulling himself up to sit up. I scowled at him for the slur against my lover, but I let it go. "I thought I smelt mangoes and frangipanis." Embry smiled playfully, rubbing his eyes again to try and get the sleepiness out of them. I smiled too, and sat beside him on the bed.
"Is that what I smell like to you?" I asked softly, creeping my hand up the bedspread like a spider, before I found his hand. I placed my hand on top of his, and laced our fingers together. I gently rubbed the skin of his hand with my thumb.
Embry frowned at me, no longer sleepy but very confused.
"I'm dreaming, aren't I?" he asked, sighing in disappointment.
I snickered.
"No, you're not dreaming Embry. I just wanted to come and see you."
"At midnight?" Embry checked the clock beside him and snorted and fell back against the bed. "Yeah, right. But I gotta admit, this is a damn good dream. I never usually dream of your scent, but this is good. I haven't seen you in a while."
I slapped his chest with my free hand.
"Dumbass, you're not sleeping or dreaming. I'm really here. I just wanted to come see you. You remember the plan the Volturi came up with. People have to think I'm dead, so I can slip away with the Cullens easily. Therefore, if I want to make any trips or visits to you, they have to be at night."
"Stupid vampires." Embry muttered. I hit him again, and he looked over at me, apologetic. "Sorry. I just… don't want you to go."
"It's for my safety, Embry." I sighed. I carefully pulled my hand back, but before he could look hurt, I threw my legs over the side and lay on the bed beside him. Embry's body froze in what was probably shock as I rested my head against his chest. But without more hesitation, Embry's arms found their way around me.
I felt comforted, lying here beside him. Embry was my safe haven, my best friend. I adored him in every possible way, and he saved my life twice. And he saved my Jasper too. I owed him nearly everything.
I sat up slightly on my elbow, and carefully took a hold of Embry's face in my hand. I pressed my lips against his. I shouldn't have been doing this, but it was the only way I could think of to thank him properly. To show him how much I appreciated what he'd done for me, at the cost of him being hurt time and time again by my rejections. At least this would make him happy.
And if I was honest with myself, I didn't mind kissing Embry. I kind of liked it. It wasn't the same as Jasper's kisses – they were like air to me, I needed them, craved them more than anything. They made me stop breathing, and intoxicated me. But kissing Embry was comforting and warm.
Embry hesitated longer this time, before he put a hand on my cheek and kissed me softly back. He knew that this wasn't a demanding, I-want-you kiss. It was a thankful, grateful kiss. An appreciating kiss.
My lips molded against his, until they started to burn. That's when I pulled back. My lips felt swollen, and on fire. I licked them gingerly to try and stop the burning sensation.
"I should've waited for that kiss to be our first." Embry breathed, before smiling. "So I guess it would be stupid to ask you if you'd changed your mind."
"Yep." I agreed. "It would – because I haven't. I'm going to be a vampire too, Embry. He's who I want to be with for the rest of my... existence. But… Embry I do love you. I think the love I have for you goes beyond friendship, but it's not a powerful love, not like the one I feel for Jasper. You've just saved me over and over and… you imprinted on me. So it's gotta hurt you that I don't love you back the way you want."
I paused, and bit my bottom lip.
"And I've thought about it, and I think… you're right. I know, if we went by a world that didn't have mythical creatures – you'd probably be my soul mate. You'd just be Embry, I'd just be Ava. And Jasper…" my throat tightened uncomfortably. "Would've died in the war in the 1800's. But that would have meant Carlisle would have died in the 1600s, Edward would have died of the Spanish influenza in 1918, Esme would have been killed from jumping off that cliff in the early 1900s, Alice would have died in that fucking asylum in the 1920s, Rosalie would have been raped and died of blood loss in 1933, and Emmett would have been killed by that bear in 1933."
"Don't you see, Embry?" My voice became a little more powerful. "I can't live in a world where they don't exist. They're my family, now. Sure, Charlie took me in physically when my parents died, but the Cullens took me in emotionally and mentally. I became their family, and they all loved me unconditionally, and cared for me. The thought of any of them ceasing to exist is unbearable to me. Especially Jasper."
Embry's eyes were hurt, but he understood. Or so I thought.
"Don't do this." He begged me. "Don't. You don't have to be anything but Ava for me. I can't… I don't want to lose you like that. I don't want you to become one of them. I don't want you to have that sick, sweet smell. I want you to keep the mango and frangipani smell. And I want to hear your heart beat. I can't… you say you can't imagine or want to live in a world where the Cullens don't exist?"
I nodded.
"I can't live in one where you're like THAT. I can't live in a world where I can't smell your smell or hear your heart beat. You'll lose both those traits. And you won't be warm, and… squashy, and delicate. You'll be arctic, and unbreakable, and robust. You won't smell like mangoes and frangipanis. You'll smell sickly sweet. You won't… you won't be Ava anymore."
My expression became hard.
"So you think that how I appear and smell physically makes me who I am? Embry, that's not it at all. I will ALWAYS, I repeat, ALWAYS be Ava. Just with a few readjustments. Look." I indicated to my skin, and my hair, and my eyes. "These are different, but you've still managed to love me the same."
"Yes." He agreed reluctantly. "But like you said, purely physical changes. No different than if you just got paler, and dyed your hair. Your eyes aren't a bad change. But you'll lose parts of you that you won't be able to get back."
"You make me sound like I'm going to die." I rolled my eyes.
"You are." He sighed sadly, his eyes filling up with tears. "Werewolves imprint on girls that are their soul mates, yes, but they also provide the best chance of passing on the werewolf gene. You become one of them, and you'll become infertile. NOT that I was planning to have kids with you or anything." He added in quickly at my look. "It's just, it's like my imprint died. And that's it. I can't imprint again, therefore I can't provide any children for the tribe."
"I'm sorry." I whispered, guilt creeping up on me. "But I'm not going to change my mind."
"I guessed as much." Embry sighed, closing his eyes. "Will you still love me, even when you are a vampire?"
"Of course, Embry. That's a stupid question." I swatted my hand at him casually. "I'm always going to love you. And this isn't goodbye."
His eyes opened up abruptly and he looked at me.
"It's not?" he whispered hopefully.
I shook my head.
"Of course not. You think I was just going to leave you when I became a vampire? After all you've done for me?"
Embry shrugged.
I pursed my lips in mock disappointment.
"No. You'll have to see me to come and visit, since after I'm turned, I won't be allowed on La Push. But I'll always see you, and I'll always be glad to see you. That is, if you think you can put up with the smell."
Embry laughed.
"I'll put up with yours if you can put up with mine. Trust me – I won't smell so good when you change."
I laughed too.
"Alright, deal. Smell for smell." I held my hand out for a handshake. Embry roared with laughter and shook my hand. And I kissed him again, quicker this time, before hugging him.
"I love you, Ava." He murmured.
"I love you too Embry." I whispered back, truthfully.
--
Jasper's POV
When Ava arrived back home from La Push, she was definitely happier, now that she got to clear the air with Embry. I was glad – she'd been quite guilt ridden over these last few weeks, thinking that Embry's injury had something to do with her. She didn't want to leave her best friend without a proper goodbye either.
Since Charlie had died, Ava didn't feel like sticking around for a funeral. She loved Charlie, she mourned for him constantly, but she wanted to avoid all of it and just… disappear with us. We allowed the police to find Charlie's body, and then believe that Ava had been killed as well, but they'd taken the body. Nobody suspected us, although I was questioned by the police, due to the fact that people knew I was her boyfriend.
But I was quite a good actor, and the police believed me almost instantly when I said I didn't have anything to do with Ava's death. It was all quite a hassle, but it was necessary in order for my Ava to be safe with us. But the only people who knew the truth were in the wolves in La Push.
As I watched Ava file out of the house with Rosalie and Emmett to collect the rest of her things from her abandoned house in the dead of the night, I knew that there was air I needed to clear with a certain someone, before we could truly move on from Forks.
I walked casually into the living room that held the person I wanted to talk to. Alice. She was reading a book on the couch, and was just flipping the page as I walked in. Her eyes met mine, unsure and frightened. I sighed, and I knew deep down, I'd been loathing myself for scaring Alice so much to a point where she was frightened every time she looked at me. I might've been angry, hell I might still be angry, but she didn't deserve it.
Not when she saved me so many years ago from a great depression. I owed her better than that.
I cautiously ambled over to her, before sitting beside her on the couch. Alice put a bookmark in her book, and tossed it to the floor. She could see there was nothing hostile about my expression, so she calmed down a bit. I wonder if she already saw what I was going to tell her.
"Alice…" I began in a soft, gentle voice.
"I know." She said suddenly, confirming my suspicion. A small sob escaped her lips, and I frowned at her, alarmed. Her whole face was broken and completely distraught.
"I'm so sorry!" Alice cried, placing her face behind her hands. "I didn't mean – Jasper I love you… But Edward he – and we- Jasper I never meant… to hurt you." She pulled her hands away from her face to look at me. Her expression was heartbreaking.
"I know that sounds absolutely stupid to say." She babbled on. "What else would that cause? My love for Edward? Of course it would have hurt you – I was brainless to think otherwise. But you must understand Jasper I never truly set out to hurt you, that was never my intention."
"I know." I spoke clearly, closing my eyes briefly. "I understand, Alice, I really do. To love someone is beyond your control. That's… that's kind of the beauty of it."
Alice looked almost sick.
"You must hate me so much…" she whispered. "And how can I blame you? I hate myself."
"I don't hate you, Alice." I murmured. "I never have. Yes, this thing with Edward – it hurt me deeply, but I was being a hypocrite. I was planning to leave you for Ava, and I'm sorry at how horrible that sounds. I think I was more… shocked, than I was hurt afterwards. But I've never hated either of you, because I love you both with all of my heart. And I just came here to tell you… that I don't hate either of you, Alice. And I forgive you."
Alice looked like she could barely believe the words, even though she knew they were coming. She let out another small cry, and threw herself at me. I put my arms around her and hugged her to my chest. She sniffled and sobbed, but I could feel that she felt better.
She had been guilty since the night she and Edward were caught, but now she felt tremendous relief – as did I.
"I'll always love you, you know." Alice sighed, pulling back to look at me.
"And I'll always love you." I answered back, before kissing her cheek and giving her another hug.
(AU: I'm sorry if that ending with Jasper and Alice was kind of strange somehow, but I love them together, they're my favorite Twilight pairing and it didn't seem right to leave them like that. Not with all their history, anyway. Continuing…)
--
3rd Person POV
A 30 year old Bella Swan turned into Whittaker Street of a crowded part of New York, arms folded over her chest, just finishing a long day at work. The wind was cold, and it sent shivers around her body. She usually enjoyed this time of day – when the sun was just about to set, making a delicate pink colour tint the land. It gave her the impression that the whole world was sighing in relief with her.
She couldn't wait to get home to her beloved husband. Bella smiled a little to herself, at the thought of being in his arms soon.
Turning a corner onto St George Avenue, Bella took the quiet, isolated root back home. It was quicker, and quieter. Preferred.
But a flash of red hair in an alley made her stop abruptly with a gasp. She slowly stepped backwards, hardly daring to believe what she thought she just saw. Her body became rigid as she came back, and faced the alley. Bella gasped loudly, and dropped her keys. They were unbelievably noisy against the muddy, cold concrete, in comparison to the person who was standing there.
Ava Whistler, Bella's cousin, stood there with a small, somewhat shy smile on her face. Her beauty knocked the wind out of Bella. Ava looked a little older, but only by a year or so - her hair was slightly longer – it reached down to her chest in curls, and it was now a more livid red. Her eyes were topaz – just seeing the colour again made Bella feel sick with grief. Ava's skin was porcelain, chalky and perfect. She had light purple bruises beneath those beautiful eyes of hers.
Bella was at loss of what to say.
"Bella." Ava whispered affectionately, walking over to her slowly, arms held out, as if to embrace her. Bella froze, and flinched a little away from her cousin. Ava saw this, and her smile faded. She lowered her arms back to her sides, and her mouth turned upside down sadly.
"Sorry." She apologized gently, folding her arms across her chest. "I don't mean to scare you – I know it's been a while."
"A while?" Bella whispered, disorientated. "I haven't seen you since – since James and Victoria – I haven't seen you for twelve years! How –" She observed her cousin again, her mouth agape. "I had no idea – what happened to you. What happened? I don't even-"
Ava shushed Bella sympathetically.
"Yes, I know – you were quite out of it. As was I. But when I regained consciousness afterwards – I was in Alaska. Jasper was there, when I woke up. He told me that while I was out of it – all of three days – the Cullens discussed that it was best for me to leave Forks. Because… Charlie died…"
Bella's throat tightened.
Ava noticed this, and hesitated unsurely. Bella looked at her and nodded a sign for her to continue.
"… and if I had stayed, I would have been taken away to a Foster home. So we just let everybody assume I was dead, like Charlie. I had to change my name in public for a while – I was Ava Cullen for a while. It wasn't a permanent change – I only had to keep it until I married Jasper."
Bella found herself smiling a little at this piece of information.
"You married Jasper?" she asked.
Ava's answering smile was dazzling.
"Yes… I'm Ava Whitlock Hale, now."
"So when did… Jasper decide to change you?"
"When we got married, of course..."
"Where did you have the wedding?" Bella was slightly hurt that she didn't get invited – but remembered that it would have been hard for her to be around people – being a newborn vampire and all back then. But now, she seemed perfectly in control – her eyes were one of the most beautiful topaz colors she'd ever seen.
"Texas." Ava replied promptly.
Bella frowned, perplexed, and Ava laughed.
"I know, it's not ideal for a wedding, but Jasper was born there, so it was important to him. But Bella, I wish I could give you more information of this, but I can't. You know how the Volturi are…"
Bella shuddered – something that had nothing to do with the cold.
"… I just came here to give you basics. To show you that I wasn't dead, like everyone thought I was. I married Jasper, and then I became a vampire. I've been living with the Cullens these past few years, completely isolating myself until I learnt self-control. And then I came to see you, because I had to let you know I was alright."
Ava reached out for Bella again, and this time, Bella did not flinch away. She took one of her cousin's hands. Bella was surprised at how cold – and comforting – Ava's touch was.
"You're so warm." She whispered, closing her eyes. She inhaled a brief breath, and stiffened. "And you smell delightful." Ava opened her eyes and sighed. "I understand what everybody was talking about now."
Bella paused for a moment, biting on her bottom lip, curiosity burning in her eyes.
"How old are you?" Bella had déjà vu asking this question – thirteen years ago, she'd asked the exact same question – just to a different person.
"Nineteen." Ava beamed. "A year younger than Jasper. Embry was a bit unhappy for a while – he had to let himself age until he caught up before he started turning into a wolf again. He didn't want to feel like a little kid, apparently." She laughed, a sound that sounded like wind chimes and singing, all at the same time.
"Embry?" this piece of information made Bella frown until she could recall the memories of the werewolf from La Push – the one who had imprinted on Ava year ago.
"Embry." Ava echoed, her voice affectionate.
"What happened to him?"
Ava frowned, arching her eyebrow.
"I thought you would have known this better than I would. Didn't Jacob tell you anything?"
Bella sighed and shook her head.
"No. After the incident in the field, Jacob quit Sam's pack and came to New York with me, so we could be a normal couple together. We're actually married now, too."
It was Ava's turn to gasp.
"Oh wow – I had no idea." She seemed genuinely upset by this new piece of information. "Embry and I visited each other over the years – he hasn't gotten any older either. But he never told me about Jacob leaving. He just said you two went to New York together – which was how I knew where to find you. We still keep in contact, and I think it'll stay that way forever."
"Because you kissed him?" Bella asked curiously.
Ava's eyes narrowed a little.
"No – nothing changed between us. That was a kiss for saving Jasper and me simultaneously. Jasper would have been killed had it not been for Embry. It was a thank you kiss, and he knew that. But he never stopped loving me. Imprinting binds us together forever – just not as lovers."
"So he still loves you?" It was a stupid question to ask, Bella knew. Of course Embry still loved Ava – that was all a part of imprinting law. Werewolves never stopped loving their imprints.
"Yes." Ava nodded. "He's in a relationship with another girl right now – Theresa, she's a lovely girl – but unfortunately, Embry is being stubborn and refuses to age, so the relationship will not last. He wants to stay young for me. I think he still half-hopes that I will change my mind and be with him. It was a bit strange, since the smell of vampire is supposed to repulse him, but he says if I wanted him, he could live with the smell."
"Does he love Theresa?"
Ava paused, pressing her lips together into a hard line, before nodding again.
"Yes, he does. But he will always love me best. He thinks of it as having stale beer while waiting for a bottle of wine to get older." She smiled briefly, as if recalling some joke.
"That's a little sad." Bella spoke quietly, looking at her feet now.
"Yes, it is." Ava agreed. When Bella looked up again, Ava's eyes looked directly into hers. They were smoldering her.
"What about Eben?" Bella asked softly, trying to distract herself from her cousin's penetrating gaze.
Ava smirked.
"Well, over time, he found a mate too. Last I heard from them, they were in Rome. Funny little creature she is, too. Almost as short as Alice. But he's happy with her, so…" Ava sighed and closed her eyes, before looking back at Bella "You looked absolutely beautiful, Bella." She meant it as a compliment – but Bella only felt sick. She was too old now. She couldn't go back, and be a vampire. She couldn't be with Edward now. Bella was sentenced to live out a human life, and grow old, and die – while Ava would forever remain young and beautiful with her also young vampire husband.
Bella didn't realize that she was crying until she felt cold tears roll down her flushed cheeks. She brushed them away unhappily, in an attempt to conceal them from Ava – but hiding these kinds of things from her were impossible, now.
"Oh Bella – do not grieve." Ava comforted, brushing her finger tips from her temple to her jaw, and back again in a comforting rhythm.
"How can I not?" Bella choked on a sob, reaching out for her cousin, burying her face in her shoulder. Bella had grown taller with age; she now reached 5'6, while Ava had remained 5'3. "My life is over, Ava. I'm going to get OLD – I'm going to DIE. And I'll lose Jacob, either because I die first or he will. But you – you have your youth, and stunning beauty – and you can be married forever. I wanted that life once, you know."
"I know." Ava nodded.
"And I turned it down. To be with Jacob. I love Jacob, don't get me wrong. But I wished I'd chosen DIFFERENTLY. I knew – I had ALWAYS known – that I loved Edward more, but I was scared, Ava. Scared of being hurt again, of being vulnerable like that again. So I chose Jacob – because I knew he'd love me no matter what, and he wouldn't leave me or hurt me. I craved that comfort more than anything, and so I chose Jacob instead. But now I wish – I wish that I hadn't left Edward. Then it would be me, instead of you."
Those last words sounded unbelievably selfish and hurtful in Ava's ears. She jerked back abruptly, almost throwing her back into the street. Ava's eyes were full of hurt and anger as she looked at her.
"Well you can't go back in time and change what happened, Bella." She almost growled. "You were stupid, and I was smart. It was as simple as that. And in fact, I'm glad you're not with Edward anymore."
Her words were like a slap in the face to Bella. Her eyes went wide and tears started pooling down her face in hard sobs.
"Why would you say something like that to me?" She demanded.
Ava's face was hard and expressionless.
"Because Bella – you had no idea how lucky you were. Edward's a good guy – a great guy, actually. And Alice deserves him – not you. You always went on about how you couldn't live without him, yet you left him heartbroken when you went with Jacob. Alice was the one who was there to stitch up the wounds you left on him. And I understand he left you first – but that was for your safety. You left a vampire who loved you for your own selfish reasons. And had you not done that, I might be you right now, none the wiser of any of this."
She gestured to her flawless body and face.
"And I wouldn't be able to call Jasper mine."
There was silence amongst the two family members as it got darker – the sun was gone now. It wasn't until the first few stars appeared in the sky that Ava spoke again.
"I have to go." She spoke in a hard, defensive voice. "I told Jasper I would be back in Alaska by dawn. I have to catch a flight, but I can run the rest of the way…"
Her eyes looked down at her cousin's hurt, older face and sighed.
"I wished things were different between us, Bella. But I think we were those two people you find in families that cannot get along, no matter what. We're just two pieces of a big puzzle that don't fit. But I'm glad I came to see you, and see that you are well."
Ava raised a hand and stroked Bella's face again, but it wasn't soft and comforting like it was before.
"And this is the last time you'll ever see me, Bella."
Bella's heart started erratically.
"No!" she nearly yelled, throwing herself at Ava. "Please don't leave me!"
Ava was unaffected by Bella's begging.
"Shhh… do not be upset. I will make you forget we ever had this reunion. I had no intention of allowing you to remember it – the Volturi would find out, and they'd kill you. I just had to come see that you were doing well."
"Make me forget?" Bella frowned, pulling back to look at Ava's face. "What're you…?"
Ava shushed her again, and reached out, cupping Bella's face in her winter hands.
"I didn't tell you before, but remember how my parents were killed, and I was right there but couldn't remember what happened?"
Bella nodded feebly, not daring to take her eyes away from her beautiful cousin.
"Well, I have a gift. Like Jasper, Alice and Edward. I can control memory. I can give it back to someone, like a person with amnesia, or… I can take it away."
Bella's body froze.
"I love you, Bella. And Edward does too. He'll never stop. I just thought you should know that."
With a brief flash, Ava was gone, and Bella found herself sitting on the alley floor, beside her keys.
She blinked a few times, confused, unable to remember what force made her sit on the alley floor. She grumbled, blaming the stress and pressure she'd been under at work, before grabbing her keys and starting on her way home, thinking of her warm home and Jacob.
From a distance, Ava watched with a sad expression, until Bella had made her way home. And then she raced off towards the airport, upset but comforted by the thought of seeing her family again soon.
She raced with flawless speed out of the city limits; until she found herself detached from civilization somewhere out in the woods. Her whole body reacted with guilt from what she had done. It wasn't fair to Bella, but it was keeping her safe. Ava reappeared for selfish reasons and it wasn't fair to leave that on Bella.
Ava sighed sadly, and bowed her head.
She felt familiar arms wrap around her waist, and instantly, she felt almost better. Ava sighed again, this time a little happier, before leaning against Jasper. She felt his soothing effect calm her, and she welcomed it. Jasper planted a kiss on her jaw.
"You did the right thing, Ava." He cooed, breathing against her neck. "I know you think it was egocentric, but it wasn't. Bella deserved to know you were alright, even if she doesn't remember it. I'm proud of you, love."
Ava smiled and turned around, so she faced him. They wrapped looked at each other with such affection it would be hard to watch without getting embarrassed, or feeling as if you were intruding on something private. They gently took a hold of each other's hands, and laced fingers.
Jasper leant down and pressed his cheek against her forehead, and sighed contently.
"You have no idea how striking you look in the moonlight." He murmured, moving his face away from hers. He kissed the tip of her nose.
Ava smiled coyly.
"I thought I was beautiful to you all the time." She whispered back teasingly, too low for any human ears.
Jasper sighed, at ease.
"You're the most beautiful thing to me always, this is true. But it's almost intoxicating to see the moonlight on you. Tempting."
"Tempting, huh?" Ava grinned mischievously, moving her lips to his throat. She moved in a rhythm from his throat to his jaw, and back again, until on the third time she moved all the way up and kissed his lips.
He removed his hands from hers to embrace her, pulling her closer to him. Ava giggled, and pressed his head closer to hers, deepening the kiss. If Ava's heart could still beat, she knew it would be going wild.
"I could get used to this." Jasper gasped softly when he pulled away. They stared at each other for what felt like a time without end.
"Well…" Ava removed one of her hands from to stroke his scarred cheek lovingly. She remembered back to when she was first changed, how Jasper had been reluctant to have her look at him because of his scars. Ava had hit him for being so ridiculous – his looks didn't matter to her, not in the slightest. His love was all that mattered to her, and all that ever would.
"We do have eternity."
Jasper smiled a wide smile.
"Yes, we do." He agreed, using his free hand to tilt her head upwards and kiss her again.
--
Hmmm… well it wasn't really a happy ending on Bella's behalf, but Ava and Jasper's ending was good. I tried to make it sound as un-Breaking Dawn as possible. And remind me, that I need to write a different story where Embry gets the girl. Poor guy.
Ava+JasperLOVE.
Read and review…
Also, I think I may cancel the final ending. This one is probably the best, and I like it the most. "Endless Eternity" was going to be an alternate ending where Ava gets changed by James, and she does end up joining his coven, but I've decided against it.
Unless you all want me to write it?
But I like this ending best.
It's
pretty sweet.
And if that's it…
That's the end of Disenchanted.
I'd like to thank:
Opera 14 – For being the first to review my story. I didn't think it was going to be a hit, and you got the ball rolling. My never-ending thanks!
NewTwilightEclipse – For being the second to review my story, and being genuinely interested in the storyline, and caring what happens to my characters.
Overtaken By Darkness – For having faith in my story in the beginning!
Soccer-Bitch – For keeping the faith in me and being a loyal reviewer the whole way through. I absolutely adore you!!
RyaneNight92 – For also being authentically interested in my storyline, and giving me praise. I truly appreciate it.
The Dorky Spunkster – For believing I could pull it off ;D
lostonabloodypathwayofkisses... – For thinking my story was awesome!! I think you're pretty awesome too!
-harlem syndicate- - For encouraging me to update as soon as possible!
bloomsky – For always wanting more!
BrokenGlassNinja – For encouraging me to keep going!
Green Animelover – For thinking I'm not human :D And yes, I do believe I am superman. I wonder where my cape is??
Riley Baragon – For liking my story, and having sympathy for my characters. Rock on.
The Dorky Spunkster – For being the one that helped me decide which way the story was going to go. Thanks a bunch!
jaspersex – your name alone demands praise haha. And thanks for liking my pairing: Jasper/Ava!
renesmee101 – for giving me confidence to keep writing!
NatalieRB – Ah, Natalie. You know you're awesome. You and Hannah are insane, but I've become fond of you guys. Your stories absolutely rock.
Maiden dancing in moonlight – For supporting my writing style! Xo
applethorn12 – For sending me your life wrapped in a review :D you have no idea how much that boosted my confidence (and probably my ego, too…) and I'll get that story going for you soon.
Kayleigh Volturi – For thinking my story was amazing, even when I wasn't sure myself. And you added fuel to applethorn12's fire when you said my story was one of the best you've read. I'll always appreciate that comment.
HigherMagic – For having sympathy for my Jazzy-Poo. :'( Coz we'd all like to give him a big hug wink
Epic Skittles – For being intrigued by my story, and truly being interested in what happens next. And I'm sorry about killing you five hundred times over :'( I hope you can forgive me? :D Thank you!!
blissofsleep – For loving Ava and Jasper together, probably as much as I do. I was over the moon when I found out people liked Jasper with my character. That made me feel great about writing it, knowing that people are going to care about what happens to them. Xo I appreciate it.
- Oh, and for wanting a happy ending. Xo :D thank you!
Defective Toaster – For wanting a happy ending, too.
europ92 – For keeping the love for Embry. Kudos!
CarolinaJuliette – For being a romantic at heart, and hoping for a happily ever after.
rojalvr – hmm well, I guess I can't say thank you for hating my sad ending, but I hated it too, really. I hope this one was better. Thanks for reviewing :D
teddies456 – For believing I could do it! And nearly crying at my sad ending. :S Damn, it made me cry anyway haha.
xenocanaan – For loving it!
--
But above all, I wanna thank everyone for reviewing, just in general. Even if you only reviewed once, I appreciated it. Every review counts. And I hope my ending was satisfactory enough. If you would like me to write the final alternate ending, I will, but if not, I think this was my better ending haha.
All my love and good luck with your stories in future!
Blue-silkra. xoxo