Author's Note: Sorry about the delay in updating. For some reason this chapter did prove tricky to write, but I hope I got it right. Reviews are always appreciated, and thank you to all those who have reviewed consistently since the beginning – I do notice and a big thank you will go out to you all once this fic is finally finished!

Warnings: Erm... some fairly graphic violence. Avoid flashback scene if you don't want to read. That's it, I think.

Disclaimer: Not mine. Will never be mine. Thank you and goodnight.

Chapter Twenty

Reunited

Carlisle pulls up smoothly into the driveway. He has just shut the car door when he is knocked flat by a speeding figure. He lands hard on the gravel of the drive, letting out a little oomph of surprise. Opening his mouth to speak, he finds that he has a mouthful of chestnut hair.

Esme's arms are wrapped tightly around him and he spits out the hair and laughs. Rolling her over in the gravel he peppers kisses all over her face, making her squirm and giggle.

'I. Missed. You,' he says, interspersing each word with another round of light kisses. Gradually aware that they are attracting an audience, Carlisle gets to his feet and holds out a hand to pull his wife upwards.

Maggie is standing on the porch, grinning from ear to ear as she watches the proceedings. A tiny figure darts out of the doorway and dashes across to him, wrapping her arms about both Carlisle and Esme.

'I'm so happy you're back, Carlisle,' Alice squeals in her usual enthusiastic and tinkling manner. Carlisle winds his arm around his daughter's shoulders, dropping a kiss onto her dark hair.

'Where is everyone?' he asks, casting a glance around. Esme keeps hold of his hand and starts leading him towards the doors.

'Most are hunting, I believe. Siobhan and Liam are playing chess in the living room. Edward is amusing himself watching them. Bella took Renesmee to see Charlie for the afternoon to get prepared for their camping trip. Vladimir and Stefan have closeted themselves away with Jasper, they are keen to be involved in the planning process. Emmett and Rosalie disappeared about two hours ago, murmuring something about needing quality time and as for the rest...' Esme spreads her hands in surrender. 'I have no idea where the rest of them are, to be honest. It's becoming quite difficult to keep track of everyone.'

Carlisle smiles at her. 'It's going to get worse. The Egyptians should be arriving soon, probably late tonight or early tomorrow and so are the Amazons including Nahuel and Huilen.'

Esme clasps his hand tighter. 'It doesn't matter. We have a large house and it's fairly secluded. The more allies we have, the better our odds, right?'

Carlisle smiles, almost sadly. 'Esme Cullen... when did you turn into such a strategist?' She gazes up at him.

'Since I've had to be,' she replies somberly. Then a small smile breaks its way onto her lips. 'Either that, or too much time spent with Em and Jazz.'

'I think it's the latter,' Alice tinkles merrily by their side, skipping along. 'Those two would turn anyone into a battle-planner these last few days. They've talked of nothing else.'

'Well, preparation can only be a good thing,' Carlisle murmurs. 'The more time we have to get ready, the better. Charlie is picking Nessie up on Saturday, did you say?'

'That's right. She's very excited about going on a trip with her Granddad Charlie.' Alice beams up at Carlisle mischieviously. 'Not as excited as she is about seeing her Granddad Carlisle again though.'

XXXXXXXXX

After the initial flurry of activity as the family welcomed Carlisle back, things have settled down. Everyone is gathered in the sitting room, which although spacious, is not large enough to hold them all. The french doors have been flung open and some of the guests have spilled out onto the veranda.

Swiftly Carlisle counts them all. There are his family, including Renesmee, who has arrived back from Charlie's and is sitting cuddled up with Rosalie and Emmett. The Denalis, all six of them, as Ercole clearly wishes to be considered as part of their Coven now. The Irish and the Romanians who are keeping their distance from each other. Vladimir and Stefan, in fact, have a good deal of empty space around them. The wolves prowl around the house, listening in, but still not comfortable enough with the amount of vampires present to be in their human forms. That's around thirty people, Carlisle thinks, bemused. And when the Egyptians and the Amazon Coven get here, there'll be nine more. The reek of vampire is overwhelming, the sweet stench hangs in the air. It is no wonder that the wolves are choosing to keep their distance.

They have all split up into little groups, talking and catching up, apart from the Romanians who stand against the wall near the door, watching and listening closely, but not volunteering any information themselves.

Suddenly overwhelmed, Carlisle sinks down into a miraculously empty chair, rubbing his temples tiredly. He just hopes they manage to keep a low-profile for long enough so that the townspeople don't get suspicious.

Esme has already informed him that Matthew returned home a few hours before he arrived back, so that is one less thing he has to worry about. He certainly didn't want the other doctor anywhere near the house when the Amazons finally turn up. Not that they would... but the fact remains that the South American vampires are far more animalistic than all the other human-blood drinkers here. With people like Siobhan and Maggie for instance, Matthew would have been quite safe.

Getting up again he makes his way through the crowd, seeking out Alice. He finds her sandwiched between Jasper and Edward.

'Anything new on the Volturi?' he asks her quietly.

'I got a vision just before you arrived back,' she responds. 'They're going to arrive either Monday evening or early on Tuesday morning. It's nighttime in the vision, but the exact time is hazy to me.'

'A general idea is all we need,' Carlisle murmurs. 'Where are we going to meet them?'

'The meadow. The same place we met with them last time. Only this time they're not going to want to talk.'

'I guess not,' Carlisle sighs. 'Thank you, Alice. Keep an eye out okay?'

'Always,' she says.

Carlisle catches sight of Siobhan across the room and moves across to her, a sudden idea springing to his mind.

'Siobhan?'

She turns, her huge body undulating smoothly. 'Ahh, our generous host. I love all the little touches you've added to the house since we were last here.'

Carlisle smiles. 'It's Esme, she's a wizard at house decorating. Listen, I wanted to ask you a favor.'

'Anything.'

'Could you possibly try to visualize a successful outcome of this for us?'

Siobhan eyes him gravely. 'I have been, Carlisle. But you know I don't have that power.' Carlisle shrugs.

'It can't hurt to try, right?'

Siobhan rolls her eyes. 'Okay, I'll carry on trying.'

'Thank you.'

His next stop is over near the french doors, where Eleazar is talking with Carmen, Ercole and Tanya. They make space for him easily.

'Any progress on the talent?' he asks Ercole, but also addressing his question to Eleazar.

'None,' Ercole mutters dejectedly. 'I've gotten stronger at protecting one person, Tanya didn't feel anything when Kate shocked her repeatedly, but as for all of us... forget it. It's not going to happen.'

'Never mind.' Carlisle rests a hand on Ercole's shoulder, squeezing gently. 'Now that we have managed to assemble other allies, we have quite a few talents amongst us that will give the Volturi pause for thought, I'm sure. Don't worry about it, Ercole. If you can just protect one person, that's something at least.'

As Ercole turns away, Carlisle sees Tanya move off toward Esme. He had been wanting to draw Esme away and talk with her alone somewhere secluded, but some sense warns him that Tanya may need Esme more at this point than he does. So instead he makes his way over to Jasper, to ask how the planning is coming along. His son seems enthused with all the new fighters and the gifts they bring, it seems he is particularly looking forward to the arrival of Benjamin, who may be one of the most powerful gifted vampires in the world along with Jane and Alec, and Zafrina. Sighing as he thinks over yet again the bloody battle which is incoming, Carlisle settles down to listen to Jasper's plans.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

'Esme? Can I talk to you for a second?' Esme turns away from where she has been talking quietly with Bella. Tanya looks strangely nervous, her slender white fingers are twisting around themselves, and her golden eyes flick about the room before returning to Esme. Esme smiles at her.

'Of course. We can talk in Carlisle's study. I'm sure he won't mind.' Making their way through the throng of vampires they run swiftly upstairs and closet themselves in the large, wood-panelled room. From beneath their feet they can hear the muted murmur of many voices, accompanied occasionally by tinkling laughter. Esme curls herself into the corner of the couch, kicking off her black ballet pumps, and drawing her feet under her. Tanya wanders around, inspecting the many paintings and portraits mounted on the walls. Rather than pushing her, Esme merely watches, knowing that the blonde woman will speak when she is ready. Besides, Esme already has an idea of what this 'talk' might be about. She is proven correct when the other woman speaks after a few minutes of aimless wandering.

'When did you realize you were in love with Carlisle?' The question is abrupt. Tanya has spun on the balls of her feet, ringleted golden curls flying out about her. Esme smiles and pats the cushion on the couch next to her. Sighing, Tanya floats across and sinks down into the seat.

'It wasn't like a thunderbolt from the blue, or anything like that,' Esme murmurs. 'Nothing like what you hear about in novels... and believe me, I'd read a few. I had very definite notions of how love was supposed to bloom. But it didn't turn out that way at all.'

'What do you mean?' Tanya asks, staring straight in front of her. Esme reflects slightly, trying to find the words.

'Well... it was more like, seeing things properly for the first time. It was like a gentle knowledge that creeps up on you, and by the time you acknowledge it, it's like it's always been there.'

'I don't understand,' Tanya groans, a finger twiddling with a curl of her hair.

Sighing, Esme decides to go back to basics.

'I first met Carlisle in nineteen-eleven, but I suppose you know that story.' Tanya looks at her for the first time and smiles.

'I do. You broke your leg, didn't you?'

'That's right. Climbing a tree. I should have known better at sixteen, really. Now I think it may possibly have been one of the best things I've ever done. I remember seeing Carlisle for the first time... only very hazily of course. The memories have dimmed. But because they're so important, I've held onto them, kept them alive.' She glances at Tanya. 'You won't be surprised to hear that I thought he was an angel.'

Tanya grins. 'Understandable.'

'There were no real romantic feelings then. I was in too much pain. I do remember his icy skin and his eyes. I had never seen eyes like his. I suppose awestruck might be the best word to describe my initial reaction to him. The realization that he was more gorgeous than any model came later.'

Tanya laughs. Esme smiles in response and carries on. 'I never forgot him. When things turned sour with Charles, I used to long for him to find me and carry me off. He assumed the role of guardian angel and protector in my mind. When I opened my eyes after he turned me, I thought I had entered heaven. I'd heard him talking to me, even through all that burning agony.' Tanya winces as she too remembers the time of her changing. 'I held onto his voice.' Esme turns. 'What I'm trying to say, Tanya, is that for me it wasn't something that happened overnight. I trusted him and respected him from the beginning. But love, true love, didn't come until later.'

'But how did you know? When did you know?'

Esme eyes her shrewdly. 'This is about Ercole isn't it.' Tanya looks shocked.

'What? How did you...?'

Esme throws her head back, chestnut curls spinning. She laughs for a few seconds until she takes in Tanya's still-bewildered expression.

'Oh... it's not hard to work out, Tanya dear. One only has to notice the way you look at each other. You look at him the way I look at Carlisle, the way Edward looks at Bella... I could go on. Everyone knows, and everyone's just waiting for you both to get a clue.'

There is silence for a few moments. Tanya picks at the stitching on her gray skirt absently. Eventually she speaks again.

'I hated him at first, you know,' she whispers. Esme doesn't say anything. 'I thought he was going to ruin us all. Turn us in to the Volturi. And I used to catch him staring at me the entire time. I thought he was creepy. Then something changed. I wasn't irritated by him all the time. And then, just before Carlisle left on his trip, he talked to me. Actually, he talked at me. It was just after that time Alice took us shopping, you remember.' Esme nods. 'All these things that he'd noticed about me just came spilling out. He'd been watching me and he admitted that he likes me. You know, likes me.'

Esme smiles and Tanya draws her knees up to her chest. 'God, I feel like a lovestruck teenager. Getting all excited whenever he walks into a room. I feel like blushing whenever he talks to me. It doesn't matter what he does now. I'm fascinated by him.'

'Sounds like love to me... or something very similar at least.'

'I don't know how to deal with it though, Esme! I haven't felt like this... ever! Not even with Edward. Compared to Ercole, Edward was just a passing fling, and I thought my feelings were strong then. I thought my heart was broken when he rejected me.'

'It always seems that way,' Esme murmurs. 'I don't know why, but true love is always preceded by something that seems at the time like it must be the real thing. Yours was Edward. Mine was Charles.'

'Charles? But I thought you hated him.'

'I did. At the end.' Esme's voice is soft. 'I was young, my parents wanted me to marry him, so I did. And he was lovely at first. I thought it was love. I had all the symptoms, or what I imagined were the symptoms anyway. We were happy for awhile, he was caring and considerate. He used to surprise me with flowers every so often when he came back from work.' Her eyes go faraway as she remembers. 'He was so sweet. But things changed. So gradually I didn't even notice. He'd always had a temper... always. Soon I noticed that he was losing it more often. He started to blame me for things that went wrong. It didn't matter what. If he'd had a bad day at work, he started to take it out on me.'

'Esme... if you don't want to talk about this...?' Tanya starts, anxious at the agonized look in Esme's eyes.

'Esme? Where are you, honey?' Charles's tone is light and jovial. A good day at work then. Esme sighs in relief and unties her apron, hanging it neatly behind the pantry door. She casts a quick look over the kitchen, anxiously searching for anything that is out of place. Everything is spotless. Smoothing back her wild hair from her face she hurries out of the kitchen and down the hall.

Her husband is standing just inside the door, a wide smile on his face. His dark-red hair is immaculately neat with the gel he usually wears, his hat in his hand. She takes it from him, hangs it on the hook near the door and starts helping him off with his coat.

'Welcome home, honey. Did you have a good day?'

'I did. I got promoted.' Esme hangs up his coat and throws her arms about his neck.

'Oh Charles! That's wonderful!' He smiles down at her and brushes a curl back from her forehead.

'Yes it is. I'll be on more money, I'll be able to treat you more often. And we can start planning for a third member of the family.' He winks at her and pokes her gently in her flat stomach. She giggles, almost delirious with happiness, having forgotten that her husband can be so gentle and caring. Lifting his head he sniffs at the scent wafting down the hall from the kitchen.

'Something smells delicious honey,' he murmurs.

'Beef stew... I know it's your favorite.'

'You're too good to me.'

They eat in silence, the only sound the clattering of cutlery on china plates. Esme looks across the table at her husband, shovelling food into his mouth, pausing every now and then to take large gulps of his ale.

'Why don't you slow down, honey? You'll get indigestion,' she says gently, a small, teasing smile on her face. He doesn't answer, merely lifts his head slightly to flick an angry glare in her direction, and continues to eat. 'Honey? Are you okay?'

'Can't you just let me eat in peace?' Esme recoils slightly in shock, her dark hazel eyes widening.

'I'm sorry,' she murmurs, spearing a chunk of beef on her fork.

'I had a great day at work... I don't want to arrive home and have you nagging at me the moment I walk through the door,' he mutters, face turning a furious puce color. Esme stays silent, at last recognizing her husband.

They finish the meal in silence, Charles ordering Esme to fetch him several refills of ale. Every time she pours a new glass she flinches internally. She knows the effect alcohol has on him, and suspects that he probably had a couple of pints at lunch as well.

By the time desert is served, warm apple pie straight from the oven, Charles is well on his way to being inebretiated. Finally he finishes his last mouthful of pie and Esme stands up from her seat to take his plate.

Irritably he slaps her hand away. 'Did I say I was finished?' he says. 'Jesus woman, give me some space.' Silently Esme collapses back in her place, pushing the crumbs around her own dish.

'I went to the drapers today,' she says eventually. Charles ignores her, drinking deeply from his glass. 'The curtains in the lounge are getting a little threadbare,' she perseveres. Her mother had told her, men have their little moods. The only thing to do is to act as usual. So although her heart is shrinking within her, her palms prickling with anxiety and fear, she carries on. 'What color would you like, honey? I was thinking deep burgundy to go with the wallpaper, or perhaps beige?'

'That's it!' Charles screams, abruptly getting out of his chair. Picking up his half-full glass of ale he hurls it at the wall above Esme's head with devastating force. Esme shrieks and cowers as shards of razor-sharp glass shower her head. 'I've had it! It's been one thing after another since I got home! I'm sick of it!' A vein pulsates in his forehead as he moves around the table. As he approaches Esme she shrinks back, trying to press herself through the wall. Reaching out he tangles one hand into her hair, yanking it by the roots. Unable to help herself Esme cries out in pain. Charles strides off into the hall, dragging Esme by her hair.

'Charles, please! You're hurting me!' Her cries make no difference. He forces her up the stairs, his light-gray eyes narrowed and burning with an angry, hellish light. Reaching the landing, he unclasps his hand, releasing his wife. She falls to the floor, clutching at her head. For a moment Charles looks down at her, sobbing onto the carpet.

'You make me do this, Esme. You never learn.' His tone is quiet, almost regretful. Almost absently he aims a kick into her ribs. The blow connects with substantial force and Esme doubles over, fresh tears coursing their way down her flushed cheeks...

'Esme? Esme?' Tanya rests a hand on the other woman's shoulder, anxiously peering into her face. But Esme's eyes have turned blank and shuttered and she doesn't respond to Tanya's entreaties. Swiftly, Tanya gets off the couch and leaves the study. She has a feeling only Carlisle will be able to help Esme now.

She finds Carlisle listening wearily to Jasper and Edward as they strategise with Eleazar in the living room. Emmett is also listening in, but trying to amuse Renesmee at the same time. Tanya flits across to the small group and taps Carlisle lightly on the shoulder. He turns around at about the time Edward frowns at the thoughts he can see running through Tanya's mind. His gaze automatically rises upwards, to where his adoptive mother is sitting.

'I think Esme needs you, Carlisle. She's in the study. You should go.' Tanya's voice is so low and quiet, nobody else hears apart from Carlisle and obviously Edward. Carlisle nods, not wanting to question Tanya further, makes his excuses to Eleazar and Jasper, and darts out of the room.

'Honey?' he asks, as he taps gently on the wooden door. There is no reply, but he can hear her. Shaky breaths she doesn't need to take. Cautiously he pushes the door open, not knowing exactly what kind of mood his wife is currently in. She hasn't been above throwing things at him with considerable force when angry with him before. As far as he knows, he hasn't done anything wrong this time, but... better to be safe than sorry. 'Esme?'

He sees her. Curled up in the corner of the couch, legs drawn up to her chest, arms clasped around her knees. If she had still been human he knows she would have been crying. As it is her body merely shakes with the raspy breaths she is drawing in raggedly through her teeth. He has seen her like this before... but rarely. Usually she is so happy and upbeat. But there have been times when her past has come back to haunt her and this is clearly one of those moments. Tanya was right to fetch him but he has to tread carefully. Sometimes she gets so lost in the memories that the presence of any male frightens her, even him. Not for the first time he internally cusses her ex-husband to the fiery pits of hell, using language in his mind he would never use aloud.

Softly he walks over to the couch and sits on the opposite end. He doesn't speak for a few moments, trying to gather his thoughts. 'Esme?' This time, she seems to hear him. Her eyes dart over to him and he could cry at the desolation in that golden gaze. She doesn't see him. She doesn't see Carlisle. He knows she doesn't. All she sees in this moment is Charles Evenson. This theory is proven when she flies backwards, forgetting about her vampiric abilities. In her mind she is human again. She doesn't say a word, but the fear in her eyes is enough. 'Come back to me, Esme. Come on, honey, it's okay. You're safe. It's Carlisle, remember?' Carlisle's own sorrow and devastation at seeing his wife like this is threatening to break through. 'Honey, please.' She remains quivering by the window, pressing her back against the wall, those eyes fixed on his face. Slowly, very slowly, he sees reality filter back into them.

'Carlisle?'

In a flash he is up and in front of her, cradling her face in his hands. 'It's okay, honey, I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere.'

'Oh.' That one word comes out soft and trembling. She moves forward, pressing her body into his, winding her arms around his slender torso. He clutches her in return, planting his joint hands firmly in the small of her back. Her cheek is resting against his chest... if he were human she would hear his heart thundering in her ear. They stay locked together for endless minutes.

'Charles again?' Carlisle murmurs quietly. He feels Esme shudder in his arms.

'Yes. Oh Carlisle, I'm sorry...'

'Don't be sorry.'

'It was just so real, I was right there again...' The dry sobs start up again, wracking her body. Carlisle holds her tighter. 'What must Tanya have thought...'

'She knew to fetch me. It's okay, Esme. He's not here anymore. He can never hurt you again.'

But of course, Carlisle thinks, that isn't exactly true. Charles may not exist in the flesh anymore, but he is still alive and well in Esme's mind. Even with the natural dimming of human memories, his actions were such a dominant part of her life she cannot help remembering. He rubs small circles soothingly on her back, waiting until the dry sobs start to abate.

'I'll always be here, Esme. Always.' He finds her lips and kisses her gently yet firmly.

Saturday Afternoon

Edward stands, watching the car drive away, the crunching of the gravel ringing in his ears. Bella stands beside him, her arm around his waist. Carlisle, Esme, Rosalie and Emmett watch from behind them on the front porch. Almost everyone else is out hunting, wanting to make the most of the unusually sunny weather. The Egyptians and the Amazons have settled in, although Zafrina was not happy about the limited amount of time she got to spend with Renesmee. Amun and Kebi keep to themselves, much like the Romanians, but Benjamin has been impressing everyone with his small demonstrations in the garden.

Edward watches the vehicle containing his daughter disappear and he sighs. Bella's arm tightens around him, but she does not say anything. He doesn't need to read her thoughts to know what she is thinking. This may be the last time either of them see their daughter. Out of all the minds around him, Carlisle's is the clearest. It always has been, perhaps as a result of their shared years alone together before Esme's turning, or maybe because Carlisle is his creator. Whatever the reason, his thoughts are always the sharpest and easiest to distinguish. At the moment they are swirling, unclear and sorrowful. There is confusion as well, and, to Edward's slight surprise, anger. It is not an emotion he usually connects when thinking of Carlisle. At the moment, most of it seems to be directed toward Aro. Probing deeper, Edward discovers that Carlisle considers this enforced splitting of the family a betrayal.

I know what you're doing, son. But I doubt you'll get anything meaningful out of my thoughts at a time like this. The tone is wry, slightly amused, and as loud as if Carlisle had been standing right next to him, speaking directly into his ear. Edward can't help but jump slightly, and Bella shoots a quizzical look in his direction. I know it's going to be impossibly hard to be without Nessie. But this is the safest option for her. She cannot be anywhere nearby when the Volturi arrive.

Edward nods once, still facing away from his father, showing he understands. He knows Carlisle is right but it doesn't make the pain any less. He can tell Carlisle is also upset at saying goodbye to his granddaughter, but he internalises his pain, keeping strong for everyone else. So typically selfless. He hears Emmett and Rosalie leave. They're heading out to hunt, like many of the others. In a few seconds he hears their thudding footsteps disappear and their minds fade from his.

Turning abruptly, Edward moves toward the woods. He doesn't want to be in the house at this moment. An afternoon hunting before they all assemble once more in the evening is something he definitely needs. Wordlessly Bella falls into her place beside him, and her arm slips from around his waist, clasping his hand instead. Linked in this manner they run towards the fringes of the trees, leaping the river effortlessly.

Carlisle watches them go, two slender graceful figures in the rare afternoon sun, the light sparkling off their skin. He turns away as Edward's russet hair disappears into the shadows of the woods and heads inside. He should also hunt today, he has put it off for far too long, but there is just so much to organize and too little time. Saturday afternoon. They have until Monday to plan for the arrival. Some of the vampires are looking forward to the oncoming fight. Benjamin, he knows, is enthusiastic about demonstrating the full extent of his powers and Vladimir and Stefan are nearing ecstasy about finally getting their chance for vengeance. But he knows that quite a few of them are busy pondering what this confrontation will mean for their relationships. Loved ones could be lost. Everyone in the house has someone they love also present.

Sighing deeply, Carlisle wanders into the sunny living room, thinking that if everyone else is out he might spend a precious hour or so alone in the garden reading his latest medical journals. Esme, clearly having the same idea, has headed up to the room they share to collect her sketchbooks. He imagines she is planning an afternoon sketching or just watching him read. He has taken two weeks off work and is missing the bustle of the hospital. He has just plucked one of the thick tomes off the shelf and has his hand resting on the doorknob of the french doors, when he hears the light patter of swift vampire feet. A vampire running at full speed. His nostrils flare as he inhales and catches the scent of his youngest daughter. He turns around, a smile on his face, but it fades as he takes in her expression.

'Alice? What's wrong?' Her golden eyes are wide and her short dark hair is messier than she usually allows it to become. Jasper enters the room, right on her heels, eyes darkened with concern and confusion. Carlisle waits, but Alice can only gasp for the breath she seems to have forgotten she doesn't need.

'Jasper?' Carlisle asks, raising his gaze to the curly-haired vampire. He shrugs desperately.

'I don't know! We were hunting, and she had a vision. The next thing I know she's out of there! I followed her as quickly as I could, but she hasn't said a thing.'

'Who else is here?' Alice demands suddenly, her high voice shrill and urgent. Carlisle thinks, his mind whirring.

'I – I don't know. I think most are out hunting. Why? What's wrong? What did you see?' Yet in his heart, Carlisle is sure he already knows, and from the look of dawning horror on Jasper's countenance, he is not alone in his assumption. There is the sound of more running footsteps and a crash as the front door bangs open. Then Edward and Bella are in the room. Edward's expression is haunted while Bella's mimics the confusion shown by Carlisle and Jasper just a few seconds ago.

'What's going on?' she asks loudly. 'Edward?' He doesn't answer, merely stares down at Alice.

'I had a vision,' she murmurs, suddenly quiet. 'The Volturi aren't coming on Monday night. They're coming now. They'll be here by tonight.'

Eeeek! Well, I decided it was time to move things on a bit, and this seemed like a good note to end on. I love a cliffhanger, don't you? Anyway, reviews inspire me, as I've said before. It's always encouraging to know other people are enjoying your work. (Or hating it, if that's the case!) xxxx