A/N: here it is, everyone – the last chapter. I'm not saying goodbyes and thankyous just yet, because there's still the epilogue, so make sure to check back in a few days. Happy reading, y'all. Final reviews will be lovely :)

Chapter 25

The screech of the tires of my stolen car pierced the chilling silence of Volterra. An hour or so after midnight, it looked like a ghost town. The square was deserted, except for a few stray cats that cast suspicious looks at me before they went on their way. I left the car in an alley and was on the other side of the square in a matter of seconds. I walked towards what I knew was the front office. It was closed, naturally. I didn't want to make my presence known before I had to, so I decided not to break in that way. I circled the building and tried to block the memories from the last time I was there as I made a run for that same alley I had walked past with Alice and Bella. I found the entrance easily now – their scent was all over the place – and slipped in.

I didn't know how much time I had before someone noticed I was there, so I ran even faster than I had usually done. I knew my way rather well from the time I'd spent underground the previous year. The building seemed deserted. Nighttime was usually when the Volturi found their victims. I hoped this was the case tonight as well. The less of them I had to fight off, the better. As I got closer to my destination, I could hear Aro. His voice was faint, nearly a whisper, but it grew stronger as I drew closer. I froze briefly when he mentioned my name. For a moment, I was hopeful. Was he speaking to her? Was she in there with him?

Was she still human…?

And then, just when I was pondering that, when I was merely seconds from the main hall, her scent hit me full-force, nearly knocking me over, its sweetness overwhelming. Still human. I breathed a sigh of relief as I took it in, slowing my pace. I was there on time.

The only obstacle was leaning against the heavy door. I caught Felix's scent in an instant. Unfortunately, at the very same moment, he caught mine. I was certain that he couldn't see me yet – I was well concealed within the thick shadows – but his head whipped in my direction, and he snarled in what sounded like warning. The door opened and closed in impossible speed, and suddenly it wasn't just Felix in front of me. Demetri growled at me as I walked into the dim light.

"Let me through, and no one will get hurt."

"I'm afraid we cannot allow anyone not getting hurt, for it will ruin the master's plans," said Demetri, and there was this vicious glint in his eyes. "But you may come in. The master is expecting you. I daresay you're here just on time. As much as I would love to finish you off myself, it could be far more entertaining to leave you to the master." He nodded to Felix and moved out of my way.

I hesitated. Aro was expecting me, but did I want to make my presence known, or did I want to surprise him? But then Bella made the choice for me. From the other side of the door, she whimpered, and it was as if the world stopped. It was too short a sound to make sense of, and so I couldn't decide if it was pain or distress that had caused it, but it didn't really matter. I tore the door open, and the sight inside would have made me nauseated, if that was possible.

She was alive, but not for long, by the looks of it. Aro was hovering over her, his venom-coated teeth inches from her throat. Marcus and Caius were watching him from a distance; both their heads snapped up at my entrance. Bella didn't notice me. She seemed as if she was under some kind of a trance. Her eyes were shut tightly and she was trembling – I could tell as much even from a distance – and deadly pale. Aro remained unaware of my presence as well. Being in close proximity with her, his thoughts were a blur. So… sweet… desirable… mouthwatering… how could anyone resist this… why would anyone want –

"Get your hands off her," I snarled. Aro staggered slightly backwards, like a drunk being forced away from his wine. I didn't give him time to collect himself. In the next second I was standing between them, blocking his access to her. Bella gasped, and for a moment it seemed as if her legs would give way. I reacted fast; she nearly hit the marble floor when I caught her. Her face, still white as death, was damp with sweat and tears, but those hardly bothered me now. She was alive, and well, and human. Nothing else mattered.

Apparently Aro was not so disappointed by the way the way things had turned out. "Edward! I honestly thought you wouldn't be able to make it, such luck! Too bad that Alec and Jane could not be here to welcome you, though."

I didn't mind him. I knelt on the floor with Bella still in my arms. I sat her down but kept supporting her, cradling her against my chest. She didn't faint, but she was still breathing heavily, staring at me as if she wasn't sure I was really there. I didn't know if she had entirely grasped the events of the last 24 hours or so. I was fairly certain she hadn't. She looked as if she had gotten into shock. "You're alright, Love," I murmured as I ran a hand across her forehead. I didn't take my eyes off her until her gaze seemed more alert, slowly focusing on mine.

Fascinating. It is almost as if her scent has no effect on him at all.

As I slowly became aware of Aro's thoughts, I looked up at him. He was watching us curiously. "You two are an unusual pair," he said, his voice sickeningly pleasant. "But as you know, a promise is a promise. And you don't seem to have kept yours."

"Edward, don't – " Bella started, clinging to my arm.

"Shh… I can handle it," I hushed her, and looked up at Aro again. "I meant to keep my promise. I didn't realize there was a deadline."

"The longer she remains human, the more dangerous it is, for us. Surely you are well-aware of that."

"Whether she remains human or not has nothing to do with your safety," I hissed.

"It has everything to do with our safety, with our secrets. The fact that you had made her your wife makes little difference. As long as she's human, she's still a vulnerability. I do have to say I'm quite impressed by – how shall I put it – the intensity of your relationship. Impressed may not be the right word, I'm … intrigued. May I?"

I raised my hand automatically, knowing he didn't really ask my permission. His train of thought had warned me as for what he was after, and I closed my eyes with dread as he concentrated on my own thoughts, my memories. Not a moment later, he slowly let go of my hand. He stared at me wide-eyed, and then his gaze shifted to Bella. He shook his head with wonder. "I heard it was possible, of course, but I would never have thought…"

The mental image couldn't have been clearer, completing the contemplative note with which his voice trailed off. I saw what he saw, that first night on the island, and all the nights that followed. Every touch, every kiss, every caress… giving in to her in our new home… lazy Sunday mornings… hasty kisses in the hallways… our last kiss before I left…

But more than being embarrassed about every intimate detail of our relationship being laid out so easily within the reach of a perfect stranger, I was furious. "Get to the point, Aro," I snarled.

"I'll make you a deal, Edward," he said then, motioning me to stand up. I glanced at Bella. She nodded, and I supported her as we both stood up. I wrapped one arm around her. She was clinging to my side, still shivering. I held her tighter. "I'll let you bide time for her if you so wish. You will not change her for the time being, under one condition."

He didn't even have to utter the words. The image was clear enough in his mind. I saw myself in one of their dark flapping robes, standing by his side, my eyes deep crimson. To him, I looked dignified, honorable. I would make my father proud. It was my natural place, where my talents would be appreciated and serviceable. To me, it was exactly the monster I had resented for decades. The one who went against each and every value I had struggled to maintain for the past 90-odd years. "No."

Bella pressed herself against me even more and her heartbeat quickened, as if she guessed Aro's condition. Her eyes were wide as they met mine, reflecting my own dread at his offer. Her reaction did not go not amiss by him. "You are quite the martyr, aren't you, my dear?" he asked, directly addressing her. I was revolted by his familiarity. It was almost as if he felt himself her grandfather. "Willing to sacrifice your own mortality as long as he gets to maintain an aspect of his? That hardly seems fair. I thought you liked being human."

That statement confused me. Something in his tone made me uneasy. What did she say to him, when did she get a chance to? I glanced at Bella, and then back at him. I saw her in his mind, feebly trying to protect me. It was me – all me – he didn't want to keep me human – he wanted to change me after the wedding – I insisted…

I groaned inwardly. There it was again, that natural gift of hers, the tendency to attract chaos wherever she went. Did she not realize what could have been the consequences of such a statement? Did she not realize he could have killed her for just saying that? What was she thinking, defending me?

Oblivious to my distress, Aro continued speaking. "Or, you are free to go. Free from this very moment. After you change her, of course."

I tried to focus on my breathing in order to control my growing rage. "And what if I don't change her?"

"Then I will be happy to be of service," he said, smiling brightly, revealing his teeth. I shuddered at the memory of what I had walked in on, and his uninhibited thoughts when I had. Bella's eyes were wide with terror, as if the same memory had crossed her mind again. "I think you will both agree that it is best if you do the honor. If going free is what you choose, then you are going to change her, here, where we can make sure that it is done."

I looked down at Bella. Clearly, it had to be her choice. But the terms were unfair. I didn't want her to feel obliged to choose immortality just so I wouldn't have to become a part of Aro's coven. I kept my gaze intent on hers. It was solely her decision, and I wondered what I wanted her to choose. I disliked both alternatives equally. I couldn't decide which one was slightly better.

And then she shook her head ever so slightly, and the answer was clear from her stare. She'd made her choice. I didn't take my eyes off her when I next spoke. "Alright. I will change her. But no witnesses. You can keep watch at the door if you wish, but I will not do it unless we're alone." Privacy was the very least I owed her.

He considered it. "I guess it can be arranged. We provide special accommodation for overnight guests." I got a gruesome glimpse to his mind then, of victims that had occupied those many rooms, some willingly, some by force. "Felix will escort you there. I will come back for you in three days time. Go on, now. It was a pleasure to have you here again. I expect to see you again very soon."

I helped Bella out, holding her as close as I could. She still looked shaken. More than anything, I wanted to speak to her, calm her down, promise that everything would be alright, but I couldn't. Felix was keeping close watch as he led the way. I knew he would be listening, even if he had pretended not to. We followed him in silence.

He opened a door and ordered us in. The second the door closed behind us, she collapsed against me, crying silently. It was as if she had waited for us to be alone so she could fall apart. "I was so afraid I was never going to see you again," she whispered brokenly, her head buried in my chest. I leaned my chin against the top of her head and just held her until her crying ceased.

All of a sudden, I was terrified. It was always a settled fact I would be the one to change her, but now when I was about to, I wasn't sure I'd know how. I was suddenly filled with sympathy for Rose, and what she had to endure the night she had found Emmett. More than anything, I wanted to hold on to the here and now, where Bella was human and her heart was beating against my chest, but I couldn't. Aro's instructions were clear. Either I changed her, or he would. And the last idea was not an option.

She pulled away from me slowly, hesitantly. "Well, let's get this over with," she said softly, and as casually as if she was talking about meeting a relative she really didn't want to see.

I looked around us, for the first time since we had walked into the room. The ancient marble walls were mostly hidden by old, dark tapestries. There was a huge, four-poster bed in the middle of the room, its heavy velvet curtains swept aside. A remnant of the Victorian era, it was made of massive oak, and occupied nearly the entire space of the room. Its comforter was of scarlet and gold, and there was a stack of matching pillows by its headboard. Moonlight was streaming in from a small window, along with cool breeze. Bella shivered against me. There were candlesticks on both sides of the bed. I turned away from her and lit the candles, hoping they would provide not only more light, but a bit of warmth as well. When I was done, I turned to face her again. She'd kicked her shoes off and sat at the edge of the bed, looking at me timidly. I came to sit by her side.

"So this is it, huh?" she whispered. Her voice trembled. I didn't think she noticed.

There was a lump down my throat that was making speech extremely difficult. If it were possible, I'd think they were tears. I had always imagined I would be thrilled when the time came to change her. Thrilled could hardly cover the tumble of emotions I was experiencing at the moment. It was definitely not one of those emotions. I replied her question with a silent nod, unable to do more.

"My parents?" she asked then, in a small voice, like a lost child.

I wondered what my family was going to tell Charlie and Renée. I knew Alice must have seen it all by now. Carlisle wouldn't want to waste time, not if Emmett and Jasper had already had my car… I didn't dwell on it though. I couldn't afford any distractions. "Carlisle will take care of it," I replied quietly, gently tucking her hair behind her ear.

She still looked terrified. But I didn't want her to be afraid. I let my hand linger against her cheek before I brought it to cup her chin. The moment I had her attention I kissed her deeply, tangling my hands in her hair. She responded immediately. Her lips caressed mine and she leaned into me. Her heartbeat was soaring, but I kissed her harder, until she had to pull her lips away from mine. Her breath was sweet and hot and tingling against my skin. "Isabella," her name escaped me in a soft murmur as I brought my lips to touch hers once more. I could feel her clinging to me, her fingers tangling in my shirt, as our kisses became more fervent. I was never more frustrated by my inability to read her mind as I was at the moment. I needed to know what she was thinking. I needed to know for certain that this was what she wanted, that this was right –

But it wouldn't change things. I was going to change her, whether she was ready or not. Because there was no other way now.

I lowered her down to the bed gently without breaking the kiss. If these were her last human moments, I was determined to do this right. But it was also selfish. If this was the last time I got to kiss her like that, to feel her warmth, to sense her tremble against me… I slowly pulled away and looked down at her. She looked breathless, softly gasping for air. Her hair was wild around her, spread on the pillows, nearly russet in the soft candlelight. Her cheeks were flushed. I would miss that blush, I thought sorrowfully, caressing her cheek just to see the color deepen. She followed me with her eyes, never looking away.

And I had to question it, although I knew the answer. "Are you afraid?"

"A little," she whispered, but I could see the lie reflected back at me from her fathomless eyes. In spite of her ongoing confidence about immortality, nothing was left of it now, when it was lingering closer. She couldn't fool me, even if I couldn't read her mind. She was petrified.

"I'm so sorry," I said, my lips grazing her ear, just in case Felix was listening on the other side of the door. "This is not how it was supposed to be. We could have Carlisle to – I don't even have morphine – "

"Don't," she cut me off, her eyes earnest on mine. "Just… do it."

"It's going to hurt." My voice broke. The very thought of deliberately hurting her was excruciating to me.

"I know. But I trust you."

Her eyes were filled with tears, but she didn't seem to be aware of them. I couldn't say if it was fear or loss that brought them up. Perhaps it was regret. But if it was regret, I was powerless against it. It had to be done. There were no delays or second chances. Not with Aro and his loyalists on the other side of the door.

I nodded and let my lips flutter against hers again, kissing her briefly before I trailed them down her throat. Her pulse was steady now, her breathing soft. The thing I had resisted so far lay within my reach, and now I had to be strong, stronger than ever, so I could keep her safe through this. I was trying to think of Carlisle, and the many times he had done this. I could resist the temptation of her blood, I told myself over and over again, until it became a mantra of sorts. I had resisted it before. There was no reason in the world why I wouldn't be able to do this.

I took her hand and held it, gently lacing my fingers with hers. I brought my lips close to her ear again. "I love you, forever," I murmured. "I'll be right here when you open your eyes."

She locked her tearful gaze with mine, and there was nothing there but love, pure and unequivocal. She did the tiniest nod with her head, and then closed her eyes and lay her head against the pillows, giving me better access.

I took a deep breath and leaned closer. Her scent overwhelmed me in an instant, intoxicating, and dangerously distracting. Venom pooled in my mouth, and the fire down my throat was fiercer than ever before, but I pushed it all aside. No. I was stronger than that. I would not let the monster take over this moment. I would keep her safe, even if the danger was myself. I owed her as much, if she was leaving behind everything to share eternity with me.

And then, with the memory of her trustful eyes still fresh in my mind, I pressed my lips to her throat.