Chapter 21
In Volterra, Aro alternately sat and paced. Occasionally he let his glance fall on Marcus who, as usual, stood by the window, oblivious to their peril. Sometimes Aro's own mind rejected the sense of danger. Those peace loving animal drinkers could not possibly have bested Caius when he had Jane and Alec with him. But if they didn't, the Guard should have returned and they should be celebrating a victory. His gaze strayed to Marcus again. Really, he was no help at all! Aro would have to decide everything and bring them out of this crisis.
That it was a crisis he finally admitted to himself. For a moment his eye rested on Caius's mate, Athenodora, who was quietly embroidering a tapestry with his own Sulpicia. He could inform her of Caius's demise, let vampire nature take over and allow her, in her desire for vengeance, to wreak havoc on the Cullens and whoever else was involved. He looked away. No, that would only result in her destruction if Caius's party had, indeed, been overcome. What he needed was diplomacy. What he needed was conciliation. Surely he could win his old friends over if they believed he was sincere….
Again he looked at Marcus. He would have to come also, whether he wanted to do so or not. They were the remaining Volturi. He glanced at the wives and decided that there was not enough Guard to keep them secure anywhere, but that the tower was probably more secure than the wilds of Washington. They would stay behind with the remaining guardsmen – all four of them. It was all he could do for them and, if he and Marcus were to appear truly interested in reconciling with their former friends, it was just as well to trust to Fate and go without the Guard. Besides, four guardsmen would hardly impress anyone.
"Marcus," he finally said. He repeated himself twice before Marcus sighed deeply and turned away from the window.
"What do you want, Aro?" he asked emotionlessly.
"You and I must go to Washington again. Caius and his party have not returned." He closed his eyes for a moment, almost in pain, but it was not Caius he mourned. Aro could hardly bear to think of Jane and Alec as lost forever. Not to mention the power base he had carefully built and wielded for centuries. Surely, after all this time, that wasn't completely gone!
Marcus demurred, "I see no reason to go there. Caius was rash, as always, and finally found a fight he could not win. I shall remain here."
"But I need you, dear one!" Aro forced himself to coax Marcus. He needed his talent for spotting the leaders of this revolt. While he had some idea, he wanted to be sure. This was the nearest the Volturi had been to total disaster since Didyme wanted to leave with Marcus. It still was a great sorrow to Aro that the only solution to that crisis had been for him to murder his sister. Her death was an unsolved crime and Aro intended that it would stay that way.
Marcus looked at him for a long moment and Aro had the uncomfortable feeling that his former brother-in-law was seeing him clearly for the first time in centuries. "Do you, Aro? I wonder…"
The days passed with guarded optimism at the Cullen house. Some expressed the opinion that Aro should be informed about the Volturi defeat in battle, but Carlisle, Eleazar, and Siobhan – the only ones actually acquainted with Aro – refused to consider it. It was, they insisted, Aro's move to make.
Every day for almost a week, Alice checked the activity in Volterra and reported, "He's just sitting there, doing nothing." The day before a full week would have passed Alice had news. "He's coming."
"Is he coming in force?" Eleazar asked anxiously.
Carlisle asked, "Should we alert the Quileutes?"
"No," said Alice. "He and Marcus are the only ones coming."
"Are you sure?" asked Siobhan.
Alice nodded. "Except for the wives, there really isn't anyone else left worth mentioning.
In the end, Marcus went with him, but Aro knew that the hold Chelsea had placed on Marcus was weakening. Before long, Marcus would leave Volterra. Aro sighed. He would be the last of the Volturi. Then his thoughts brightened. He could begin again… and create a new Guard. They must be talented, of course, but he could see to that by finding just the right humans to turn. This time there would be no mistakes – he would rule alone. He just had to get through the mess Caius had landed them in first.
He approached the Cullen house and the vampires milling in the meadow surrounding the house parted for them to pass through like visiting royalty. Aro was optimistic as they reached the front door. Clearly they were still revered – a good sign. Carlisle opened the door for them. Eleazar and Siobhan were standing with him. The only others in the room were Esme and Carmen. Carlisle nodded impartially. "Aro, Marcus."
They passed the threshold, but came to a halt when they saw the grouping that awaited them. It was clear why the other vampires were outside. Rob McKay was there, surrounded by his wife and her pack in their wolf forms. "What is this, Carlisle? Another human who knows our secret?" Aro was outwardly indignant, but inwardly perturbed.
The human spoke, "My name is Robert McKay and I knew your secret long before meeting any of these people."
"Well," Aro huffed. "Who told you? That is against our most basic law."
"My spirit companion told me when I was a child," Rob explained.
"Bah! There is no such thing!" Aro insisted.
Carlisle disagreed, "Actually, there is. Esme and I were visited by Irina's spirit during the evening following our last meeting with you."
"But… that's impossible," Aro gasped. "Even if humans survive as souls, everyone knows that vampires are damned."
"No." Carlisle shook his head. "Many believe that, but the actual reality was unknown. I become convinced otherwise by Irina's visit."
"I have a message for the two of you," said Rob. "My spirit companion, Ian, has made a new friend who knows you. The message is from her. I assume you both remember Didyme…"
Marcus underwent an amazing transformation. He went from a silent form that was barely present to an excited, animated individual. "Didyme!?" The combination of hope and joy in his face caused Esme to catch her breath on a sob.
"No! She is dead! No one comes back from the dead… Especially not immortals!" Aro moved toward Rob as if he contemplated an attack on him, but the physical presence and growl of the giant russet wolf in front of him caused him to halt and take a step back.
"She's not dead," Rob said gently to Marcus. "She awaits you on the other side and said to tell you that she still and always loves you." He glanced toward Aro. "It is Carlisle's belief that you are unaware of her murderer's identity."
"Yes," Marcus sighed. "Her death was the most horrible thing that ever happened in my entire existence… just as becoming her mate was the most wonderful. I have never forgotten one moment of our time together, but all our searches and interrogations were futile. Nothing we did was sufficient to discover the one who look my love from me." He ended on a sobbing breath.
"Marcus," Rob said, "Ian says that Didyme is here with us right now. She says that her murderer is in this room. She names her brother Aro as the one who killed her. No wonder the crime remained unsolved," he said scathingly.
Marcus turned toward Aro and the indifferent expression he had worn for so long had changed to a mask of hate and fury. "You! You took my Didyme? Your own sister!"
"No, no!" Aro implored. "You know how much I loved her. This is all imaginary playacting on their part, Marcus." He cast a look of loathing around the room. "You must not let yourself be taken in by it." He took a deep breath as inspiration struck. "Ask him to describe her. You know how unique she looked. He won't be able to because he is making all this up."
Marcus turned toward Rob, questioning, but eager. "Yes. Please describe my beloved."
Rob smiled and looked into Marcus' eyes. "She is beautiful… small for a vampire, under five feet tall, but perfect. Her hair is auburn and curls past her waist. Her curves are full, but in exact proportion to her height. Her eyes, while deep burgundy, have a mischievous expression and are full of light; when she speaks of you, both her expression and her voice are tender. Her voice is musical."
"Yes! Yes!" Marcus murmured.
Aro intervened again. "Don't be hasty, Marcus. So far, he could still be guessing. Nothing he has said proves that he knows how Didyme looked."
Marcus reluctantly turned a questioning look on Rob. "Perhaps you are able to tell me something more specific, please?"
Rob looked directly at Aro as he added, "She has a heart shaped mole by her right eye, just below her temple."
With a sob of joy, Marcus nodded at Rob. "You can see her…! You can see my Didyme!"
"Didyme says Aro did not love her enough to let her walk away from the Volturi with you. He wanted to keep your gift as part of the Volturi collective. That's why he destroyed her," Rob said.
"My gift. Much good it's done you! All these centuries without her just to feed your ambition! Without her! How could you?" Marcus growled as he approached Aro.
"Softly, dear one," begged Aro. "There is some misunderstanding here. Perhaps Didyme is here, but most likely she's not. Personally, I don't believe it! As far as her death goes, she may have thought someone else was I. If the dead survive, there is nothing to say that they remember the details of their life clearly. Only remember how fuzzy your own human memories are… if they still exist. There are so many possible explanations. Do not be hasty in your judgment, I implore you." He drew himself up. "They want our power, Marcus; they are trying to destroy the Volturi. Only the two of us remain. There are those who would try to drive us apart." He smiled tentatively at Marcus.
"Aro," Marcus said softly. "No one still in this world – except for the two of us – knew that Didyme and I were about to leave the Volturi." He saw the truth in Aro's eyes and, with a snarl, attacked him. Before anyone else could react, Marcus was scraping pieces off of Aro. With a final, sudden blow, he destroyed him. Afterward he turned back to Rob and bowed briefly. "Will you ask your friend to tell my lady that I have avenged her?"
"She was here," Rob answered. "She knows."
Marcus nodded. He turned to Carlisle and the others. "My only wish now is to join her. Will you please assist me?"
"You do realize that Aro's and Caius's wives are the only others left of the Volturi?" Eleazar asked Marcus.
"Yes, but they are not my responsibility. They – and I – have been held prisoner in Volterra far too long. They can go and find what suits them. My own freedom will be found in joining my beloved."
"I'm sorry, my friend. I cannot be party to the death of an innocent man," Carlisle stated.
"Carlisle, think of all that we have done over the years! I say 'we' because, even though I was rarely an active participant, I did nothing to stop any of it. I just didn't care. Hardly innocent," Marcus insisted.
"I am dedicated to saving lives, not ending them," Carlisle said, shaking his head. "I cannot assist you in destroying yourself, my friend."
"But, Carlisle, if all this is correct, it would not be a destruction," Marcus reminded him.
"Marcus, I cannot do it," Carlisle stated.
Edward entered the room from the porch. He walked up to Marcus. "You were mostly innocent because you were held by Chelsea's gift. But I understand what it is to want to leave this world when your love no longer inhabits it. You will recall my petition?"
Marcus nodded thoughtfully.
"In my case," Edward added, "It was fortunate that you turned me down because, as Fate would have it, my Bella was alive. I had been misinformed. It has been a long time since your Didyme walked the earth. If you truly want to join her, I will help you do so in the most painless way I can."
"I do. It would be a kindness to me. And, Edward, thank you." Marcus bowed his head and then turned toward Rob. "Will she be waiting for me?"
Rob looked as though he was asking someone else mentally and then responded, "Yes. She said to tell you that forever can be too long on this side but that you will be pleasantly surprised on the other side."
"I am ready." Marcus bowed his head.
Edward looked around the room. "You all are witnesses to his desire in this matter."
Everyone nodded and then Carlisle left the room. Edward approached Marcus and quickly ripped through his neck. Silence was loud in the room until Eleazar sighed.
Rob broke into a broad smile. "He did it! Marcus is with Didyme! Ian says they walked away together into the light." He met Edward's eyes and saw the anxiety over his action fade as he saw what both Rob and Ian did in their thoughts. The two men exchanged nods of understanding.
Esme's face looked like the sun came out and she went to tell Carlisle. The others nodded and smiled at one another. Bella, who had been standing in the doorway, came in and took Edward's hand. "Are you okay?"
He nodded. "Yes. But it was reassuring to have such immediate confirmation that it was the right thing to do."
The bodies were burned. The reign of the Volturi was over.
The next morning Jasper walked up to Carlisle and Eleazar and said, "We need to get everyone in here for discussion. Otherwise they'll start leavin'."
Eleazar looked around. "It doesn't look like anyone is leaving," Eleazar commented. "They're celebrating."
"That's great," Jasper responded. "But some are leavin' and we need to get busy on the big question."
Bella was passing and turned to ask, "What big question?"
Jasper's smile included her in the conversation and he explained, "What's next?"
Bella shrugged slightly. "I'm still missing the connection."
Carlisle sighed. "Jasper wants us to start hammering out some kind of governing procedures. I had just hoped that we would be able to let everyone enjoy the victory for which they came before we got into that discussion."
"You've been around a while, Carlisle," Jasper said gently. "You know what happens."
Bella turned to Carlisle. "What is he saying?"
"Nature abhors a vacuum. We've created one by eliminating the Volturi. Something will fill their place, even if it's only chaos. Since all of us are responsible for lifting the Volturi's iron hand, we need to cobble out the gentler one we would rather replace it with… because replacement of some kind is inevitable," Carlisle explained.
Alice hurried up and said urgently, "We need to get everyone in now. If they leave and word spreads that the Volturi are gone, it will take decades to reign in all the excesses the vampires of the world will feel entitled to in their absence."
Bella hurried to enlist Edward in the endeavor and, within a short time, everyone was present, if puzzled. The Amazons stood near the door, clearly ready to depart. "What is this all about, Carlisle?" Zafrina asked. "The Volturi threat is gone. We want to return to our home." Senna and Kachiri nodded their agreement.
"I know you do," Carlisle responded. "I'm asking you to please remain long enough to be part of the decision making process on our new vampire government. Without some kind of authority and law in place, our world will quickly fall into anarchy when it's known that the Volturi are gone." He turned to include his other listeners. "The Volturi fulfilled a purpose in our world. Yes, Caius was a sadistic monster who enjoyed torturing other vampires. Sometimes their 'punitive expeditions' were, like the one here seven years ago, actually Aro's 'expeditions of acquisition' for gifted additions to the Volturi Guard. But some weren't. Someone had to stop the Southern Wars. They were out of control and spreading. The Volturi stopped them. The immortal children were a problem. No matter how charming they were, it was impossible to restrain them. The situation may have been dealt with more harshly than necessary, but it was imperative to deal with it … and the Volturi did. Those situations don't occur every day, but they do happen and we need to determine how they will be handled."
Peter stood with his hand on Charlotte's shoulder. "Excuse me, Carlisle. Are you saying that we're the Continental Congress of our world?"
Garrett laughed, clearly liking the sound of it. "Aye, lad. That's what it amounts to."
Makenna looked at Charles, and he said, "We don't really care about being part of all that, Carlisle. We just want to roam free."
"I understand," Carlisle said. "And your lives will continue as nomads, roaming free. But what happens if you meet a coven of wild newborn vampires who were created, but not taught, and they attack you? Even nomads can benefit from what we are deciding. The wider our representation is here, the more vampire acceptance there will be for our decisions."
Charles glanced back at Makenna. She nodded her agreement. They stayed.
Siobhan jumped right in. "So what will we do about unsupervised newborns? You had a crowd of them attack you, Carlisle. How did you handle it?"
"At first, we did not handle it well. For months we merely monitored the situation as it worsened and waited for the Volturi to step in. They didn't and, before we took any action, the newborns attacked us. The Volturi appeared only after the battle was over and they were clearly astonished and puzzled by our survival. It's our belief that their delay was a passive attempt to destroy our family."
"How did you survive?" Siobhan asked.
"We were able to survive and destroy them, thanks to out alliance with the Quileutes," Carlisle replied with a nod toward Jacob.
"Do the Quileutes ever leave this area?" Charles asked.
"For now, my pack lives with the Cullens," Jacob answered. "We're willing to help, as needed, wherever the Cullens are fighting other vampires. The arrangement is an open one and could change in the future. For now, that's our plan."
Jasper spoke up. "I propose that we have a committee to handle these situations, if and when they occur. Since I have some experience in this area, I am willin' to head the committee. Besides Jacob's pack, I'd like to include my brothers Emmett and Edward. Peter, I'd also like to include you. If we need more fighters, I'd like to be able to call on any of you to assist."
"I don't know," Siobhan said. "None of my coven has any experience with that sort of thing."
Jasper raised an eyebrow. "Even more reason for agreein' to let others handle newborn threats, I would think."
Liam nudged Siobhan. "He's right. We should agree."
"Hey, I didn't agree," objected Peter. Under Jasper's gaze he relented. "I guess I do. Just would have liked to be asked."
Jasper smiled, "Consider yourself asked. You and I are the world's foremost experts in handling newborns. I'll really need you."
Peter looked gratified. He nodded back at Jasper.
Emmett whispered loudly to Rosalie, "He didn't ask me, either."
Rose slapped his arm. "Of course you'll help. So will I, when he needs me."
"Just saying…" Emmett grinned at her.
Carlisle went on to another topic. "I believe that the ban on immortal children should stay in place, but I don't think it should necessarily be a capital crime. I would advise against extremely youthful creations, since their charm does not override their inability to accept restrictions. No age limit will be set regarding creation of another vampire, but we must all be accountable for our creations. They must be taught or terminated. If a child or a newborn becomes an unmanageable danger, they will become an issue. Any public incident will make it clear that the individual cannot be taught and is uncontrollable. We don't want to be part of brutality to our brothers and sisters but, if and when this happens, the committee will be sent to the responsible coven. The coven will be required to either terminate the child or newborn in front of the committee, or they can hand them over to be destroyed. Is this reasonable to all of you?"
Around the room faces were thoughtful. One by one, they nodded.
"I believe that covers the most important issues," Carlisle said. "You may stay or leave whenever you like."
"Not quite all of the important issues have been covered, Carlisle," Bella called out.
"What then, my dear?" Carlisle asked.
"The ban against exposure of our world to humans was the first law. The others were extensions of it. I propose that it stop being a capital offense. Some humans have no problem keeping the secret. I didn't. It's only if it gets out of control – like in the behavior you already discussed – that it's a problem. And that's a problem with vampires, not humans," Bella declared.
"What do you think?" Carlisle asked the other vampires.
"I say let them be," said Garrett. "Most of us don't deal with humans, unless we're hunting. And they won't talk." He paused while a ripple of laughter spread around the room. "Anyone else who finds out is pretty much someone who can be trusted."
"What about someone who speaks or writes about us?" Charles asked. "The human world seems filled with stories about vampires. Surely that is a danger to us."
"Is it?" Bella asked. "People consider it entertainment. Most don't believe it and those that do have beliefs so broad they'd believe almost anything. Besides, most of it isn't an accurate reflection of our reality."
Charles listened to her, reflected on what she had to say, and nodded. Maggie, too, agreed. "That is the truth. It should not be considered a danger."
Carlisle put the matter to a vote. It quickly became apparent that most did not consider it to be an issue. Only the violent outbreaks that occurred rarely seemed to be of universal concern and, since that was addressed, everyone was restless. The meeting was concluded and the doors opened.
Some left for home. Some stayed a while longer. A new order had begun.
Esme went up to Tanya and hugged her. "I'm so glad that you survived when you seemed ready to martyr yourself! Since you did, would you and the rest of your family please join us in the conference room?"
Everyone went in and closed the door. All eyes looked expectantly at Esme.
"We would like to ask you to stay with us as a more immediate part of our family than in the past. Denali is gone and, while you could rebuild, it would never be the same. We can add more turret suites onto the castle on the island. You would have equivalent accommodations with ours anywhere we lived. I'm sure the game would support you. We only live where it's either plentiful or within easy reach of plentiful." Esme paused to smile at them. "I'm sure you'll want to talk about it, but please consider it! We would love to have you live with us."
The Cullens stood to leave, but Tanya, after a quick look around the table, stopped them. "We would be honored. Since our lifestyle is an anomaly in our world, it's perhaps better for us to actually be considered one family."
Edward walked Bella back to their cottage. "That was a good strategy on your part - to wait until they had already discussed all the unruly vampire issues."
"I've been known to be fairly bright upon occasion," Bella said smugly. She was so adorable that he could not help kissing her.
Ness put her arms around Jake and nuzzled his neck. She murmured, "Hey, come for a walk with me." He smiled down at her as she pulled him into the woods. Once they were out of sight of the house, Ness turned and jumped up on him, wrapping her jean clad legs around his waist. Jacob loved it when she did that. She grinned widely and then fiercely fastened her mouth on his.
When she pulled away, she grinned again. "I have to tell you something."
"Yeah?" He kissed her again.
"Jake, pay attention. You're going to be a father." Ness watched his face carefully and was delighted to see the stunned look change to one of joy and wonder.
"When?" he asked.
"Not sure. Depends how long I carry, doesn't it?" Ness laughed.
"Who else knows?" Jacob wondered.
"No one. And don't think it was easy making sure I never thought about it around Edward!" Ness hugged him tight and laughed in his ear.
"Ness, honey, how long have you known?" Jacob asked anxiously.
"About three weeks, more or less," she responded.
"We need to get you to Carlisle," Jake urged her. "I don't want to take any chances with you! I remember all too clearly when you were born…."
"I'm fine, Jake!" Ness protested.
Edward and Bella ran through the trees to their side. Edward's eyes met Jake's and Jacob knew they were on the same page. Ness rolled her eyes at Bella, but agreed to return to the house with them to have Carlisle check her out.
Carlisle and Ness rejoined them after he had asked her a lot of questions and examined her thoroughly. He reassured her anxious parents and husband. "Ness is very strong and healthy. She's not having any of the difficulty you did, Bella. I was able to get an ultrasound and the baby is further along than I would have expected, so I'm guessing that she will deliver within about three months rather than nine since she is where humans are at approximately three months now after just one. That is consistent with Ness's own speeded up growth. I would expect her children to grow more rapidly than humans, but slower than she did. Do you have any questions?"
"So the baby is okay and Ness shouldn't have any problem carrying?" Edward asked since Jake looked stunned.
"That's my opinion," Carlisle affirmed.
Bella grinned at her daughter. "We are way too young to be grandparents… but I would love to be there when you tell Charlie!"
Ness returned her grin. "Let's go tell him now!"
A very surprised Charlie opened the door. "It's two of my favorite girls! I thought you would be packing for Scotland. What's up?"
Bella kissed him on the cheek, and then hurried by him into the house. She turned to watch as Ness threw her arms around his neck and also kissed his cheek. "I just had to come see you, Grandpa. You see, I've got some great news!"
"That's wonderful, sweetheart!" Charlie was enthusiastic, but had no idea what was coming. "What is it?"
Ness looked into his questioning eyes and her own sparkled with joy. "You're going to be a Great-Grandpa."
Charlie's face froze. Ness decided that it was a good thing she was holding onto him. It looked like he might fall over.
Slightly over two months later, Ness gave birth easily and naturally to her first child at QuilCullen. Carlisle ran the baby through a series of tests and handed him to his mother. Jacob and Edward were also in the room. Bella had stepped out to bring Charlie into the room. He had flown from Forks for the occasion.
Moments after the baby let out his first indignant cry, Bella and Charlie entered the room. Charlie looked down at his granddaughter and the infant cradled in her arms. He cleared his throat before saying, "Nice baby, Ness."
"Would you like to know his name, Grandpa?" asked Ness.
"Sure," Charlie replied.
"His name is Charles Jacob Black. We plan to call him Charlie," Jacob told him.
Charlie's eyes filled with tears as he touched the tiny hand of his namesake with one finger. He had to clear his throat again before he said, "Thanks for that."
"The way Edward and I figure it, it's all on you, Charlie," said Jacob. "You were here, the anchor of it all."
"If you hadn't been here, Bella would never have moved here," said Edward, putting his arm around Bella and pulling her close to him. He looked down at her and smiled. "You know you wouldn't," he said to her. "I remember you telling me how much you hated cold, wet things." He looked up at Charlie. "Thank you for giving me Bella." Edward kissed her softly.
"Well, that's worked out much better than I originally thought it would," Charlie admitted.
Jacob continued the explanation. "And if Edward and Bella hadn't met and married, I wouldn't have Ness. Thank you for giving me Ness."
Charlie was deeply touched. He didn't even try to pretend that Ness wasn't his true grandchild. He wasn't going to ask questions or try to sort it out. It was enough that he was among people he loved and that all of them were well and happy. He had never believed in fairy tales and happily ever after, but the life he was living was close enough for him. Sometimes too close for his peace of mind, but he had learned to ignore that. Maybe there was some truth in fairy tales after all.