Chapter 29 – Gifts

Six months later…

BPOV

I watched the sun setting, painting the sky a gorgeous pink and purple. This is my favorite time of the day. I discovered the view on our second night here. Aro had thought ahead and added a balcony to our second story master bedroom so we could enjoy the sunset a little better. A shriek of laughter flowed through the bedroom and out onto the balcony. I turned my head slightly and listened as Emmett ran through the house, presumably with Alex on his shoulders. That had become Alex's new favorite thing. He had begun walking nearly a month ago. I called Carlisle and we discussed Alex's development at length, ending with Carlisle concluding that Alex seemed to develop at double the rate of normal children. Physically he grew at the same pace, but he was stronger and less unstable than normal children. This allowed him to begin crawling and walking far earlier than he should have.

Mentally he was also extremely gifted. At first he had only said the easy words like "mama" and "dada". Of course, he said "hi" to everyone who entered a room, and "bye" to those who left. Not longer after he began saying the small words, he started calling his uncle "Jazz". But now he and his father had long conversations about anything and everything. Of course, Alex's words weren't fully formed and we all had fun listening to him stumble through his wording, but we understood him and that was important since we hadn't seen Edward since we left Forks. The Denali Coven stopped by from time to time, but more often than not, the families would gather together at Tanya's house.

Eleazar had grown especially fond of Alex and liked to have him near. It turned out Eleazar had a talent for identifying the gifts of other vampires. The moment he had seen Alex his smile had grown and he hadn't been able to take his eyes off him. "He can see through lies. Any lie, no matter how small, will automatically become a truth in his head. He will identify it as a lie and then see the truth in all things." I replayed Eleazar's words in my head, thinking of them as I had so many times before. My baby was gifted in so many ways, but I worried about this particular gift. Sometimes lies were a necessary part of life. I worried about the complications this gift would bring into his life.

Emmett came running into the room with Alex on his shoulders and I turned in my beach chair, watching as they walked out onto the balcony. "Mama!" Alex's voice called out and he leaned forward, reaching for me. I laughed and stood up, kissing Emmett as I removed our son from his shoulders. I held Alex with one arm, using my hip to support him. "Hey, little man. You havin' fun with your daddy?" Alex nodded and patted me on the cheek like he so often did. "Yep!" I smiled gently and shook my head, brushing his hair with my fingers. "Yes, baby. Not yep." Emmett rolled his eyes and I shot him a warning look. "What? I want him to learn proper English before he starts butchering it." Emmett shrugged and I looked back down at Alex.

"Mouth?" Alex opened his mouth and I did a tooth count. "Looks like we've got two more coming in today. Does it hurt, baby?" Alex shook his head and closed his mouth again, laying his head on my shoulder. I sat back down on the chair and Emmett sat down in the one next to me. Alex sat in my lap, his head resting against my chest as he pointed at the sky. I nodded and pointed too. "What colors are those, baby? Do you know?" Alex pulled his lip into his mouth and began chewing on it gently, causing Emmett to sigh and roll his eyes. Finally Alex shook his head and looked up at me. "Nuh uh, mama." I sighed and Emmett chuckled with amusement.

"Alex, say 'no, mama', not 'nuh uh'." Alex smiled and looked at the sky again. "No, mama." I smirked at Emmett and he shook his head as he laid back, putting his hands behind his head. "See the clouds? They're usually white right?" Alex nodded and yawned quietly. "Well, they're pink now. The sun is causing them to look pink instead of white. And that other color around them, that's purple. Can you say purple?" Alex scrunched up his face and then smiled happily.

"'Urple." Emmett laughed and Alex looked at him proudly. "Try again, buddy. Puh-urple." Alex stared at his daddy and then looked back at the sky. "Puh-urple. Purple and pink. Pink clouds." I smiled and laid my head back, turning to look at Emmett. He was already looking at me and I reached out for his hand, which he look and held tightly as we watched the sunset as a family.


We all stood on the porch watching as the black car began to pull into the long winding driveway. Alex squealed and bounced in my arms. The car finally came to a stop a couple of yards from the porch and we watched as Aro climbed out of the back, followed by Rosalie. Alex squealed again and pushed himself forward in my arms, trying to get down. I set him down and watched as he slowly climbed down the steps, holding onto the railing tightly. When he was finally on solid ground he began to run to Rosalie and promptly fell on his face. I started to move forward and Emmett grabbed my wrist, holding me back. "He's gotta learn, babe. Besides, he's not gonna hurt himself." I looked up at Emmett and shook my head. "Em, we don't know that he's indestructible. He could hurt himself. He can't run yet." Emmett shook his head and looked at me tenderly, but his voice was firm. "Let the kid learn, Bella."

I frowned and looked back down at Alex as he climbed to his feet and brushed himself off. He tried to run again, but didn't have enough balance and went down again. I groaned but didn't move to go to him. Again, he forced himself up and this time walked to the car. Aro picked him up, throwing him into the air a little and laughed as he caught him. "My, my! You have gotten big, haven't you? Your mother wasn't lying! And walking already. Truly a gifted child." Aro smiled up at me with a nod and then turned back to the car where Rosalie was backing out of the car. She put a diaper bag down on the ground and then pulled a car seat out with ease. Aro picked up the bag and swung it over his shoulder. I heard Emmett snicker beside me and knew he was getting enjoyment out of seeing Aro dressed in all black with a pink diaper bag swung over his shoulder.

Rosalie set the car seat down on the concrete beside the car and turned to face Aro and Alex. Alex squealed yet again and reached for her, leaning so far I thought he might actually fly right out of Aro's arms and into Rosalie's. Rosalie took him from Aro and hugged him tightly, rocking him from side to side slightly. Aro picked up the car seat and together they all moved up the driveway to the porch. When they reached us, Emmett took the diaper bag from Aro's shoulder and they shook hands before Emmett backed up, holding the front door open for them. Aro smiled at me as he approached me. "Hello, my dear. You look lovely." I smiled and kissed him on the cheek as he passed me, going in the house. Rosalie walked up the steps and smiled happily at Emmett and I. "Rosalie," I said, smiling as I leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. Alex laughed as my hair covered his face and Rosalie smiled down at him.

"He's gotten so big, Bella. I can't believe it's been six months since we saw all of you. I wish we could have come sooner but I didn't want to take the baby on the plane until she was a little older." I glanced back at Aro as he set the car seat down on the floor inside the entryway. "I know, Rose. We're just happy you're here now." She smiled and turned to Emmett, who kissed her on the cheek. "Hi Rosie. You look… Happy." She laughed and slapped him on the cheek playfully. "Of course I'm happy. I've been looking forward to this." She walked passed him into the house and I poked Emmett in the side. "Of course she's happy, silly. She's been looking forward to this." He rolled his eyes at me and we closed the door behind us.


"Bella, Emmett… I'd like you meet my daughter, Annalyse Mackenzie Hale." Rosalie turned the six month old baby so we could see her and I gasped. "Rose! She looks just like you! She's gorgeous!" Rosalie smiled happily and I looked at the baby girl again. She had blonde hair and blue eyes with pale skin. Her lips were a rosy pink that formed a soft pout. She was wearing a white silk and lace dress with a sky blue jacket over it. The hood of the jacket was lined in white fur and made her look like a porcelain doll. She was more beautiful than any little girl I had ever seen before. It made perfect sense that she be adopted by Rosalie. They actually looked like mother and daughter. "May I?" Rosalie nodded and I reached forward, taking Annalyse from her arms. She blinked up at me and while her scent tickled my throat, I welcomed the burn. This baby girl was going to lead a very privileged life.

Emmett took her hand, shaking it gently. Annalyse looked at her hand and then looked up at him, giving a soft coo. Emmett chuckled and looked up at Rosalie. "Really, Rosie, she's beautiful. Looks just like her mother." Rosalie smiled happily, perhaps the happiest I had ever seen her, and looked down at Alex as she held him. "And what do you think, Alexander? She's pretty, isn't she?" Alex turned his head and looked at Annalyse as I held her. He seemed slightly confused and I realized this was the first time he was seeing a child his own age. He had been around bigger children at Tanya's house, but never a child as small as him. He began to push Rosalie's arm away and I watched as he climbed down from her lap and walked over to us slowly.

"Hi," he said quietly. Annalyse blinked at him but didn't seem to care one way or another that he was there. He reached out and took her hand, shaking it like his daddy had done. "I'm Alex." He raised an eyebrow at her as if waiting for her to talk back and then he looked up at me in confusion. I smiled and ran my fingers through his hair slowly. "She can't talk yet, honey. You're older than her. It'll take some time." He looked back down at her and a smile began to spread across his lips. "Pretty, mama." Rosalie giggled and Aro clapped his hands together, enjoying the scene unfolding in front of us.

Just then, Alice burst into the room with, sliding to a stop in front of us. "I knew it! I told Jasper you were back and we'd miss everything if we didn't come home right now." Jasper floated into the room behind her and Rosalie stood up, hugging him and then Alice. They both greeted Aro and then turned to face my direction. "That's her!" Alice walked over and knelt beside the couch, smiling up at Annalyse. "Hi pretty girl! I'm your Aunt Alice!" I looked up at Jasper and saw him staring intently at Alex, taking me by surprise. "Jazz? What is it?" He looked up at me and smiled gently, shaking his head. "Nothing, Bella." Alex looked back at Jasper and smiled before turning to face Annalyse again.


JPOV

I pinpointed every emotion in the room, tracing them to each of their respective owners. Rosalie was proud and happy. Aro was content and peaceful. Emmett was amused and content. Bella was happy and peaceful. Alice was just plain giddy. And Alex… Alex was fascinated and awestruck. He was interested in the new baby in the house and I watched as his eyes remained glued on her. Annalyse cooed and I turned my attention to her. She was enjoying the attention, but was apprehensive of all the new faces she'd never seen before. Each time Alex moved or said something to her, I felt a new wave of apprehension flow from her, followed almost immediately by intrigue. Alice caught my eye and smirked at me before turning back to watch the children interact.

Rosalie's voice broke through my thoughts and I turned to look at her. "Alexander, I have something for you." Alex turned to look at her as she began to riffle through the diaper bag, gaining his interest. He wobbled over to her and put his hand on her leg, looking into the bag. Rosalie pulled out a small black bag and held it up, dangling it in front of Alex's face. "Now, I realize you can't really have this yet, but I couldn't resist." She untied the strings on the bag and opened it, turning it over in her hand. I heard something fall into her hand and craned my neck to see what it was, just as Rosalie raised it into the air.

A chain dangled from the tip of her finger and at the end of the chain I recognized the Cullen crest. "Oooh," Alice's voice sang out and she got up, moving closer. "Rosalie, you shouldn't have. That's so thoughtful." Now Bella was the one speaking, keeping her eyes on the necklace Rosalie held. Alex reached out and wrapped his little fingers around the crest, pulling it from Rosalie. Now he held it up, looking at it. "Alexander, you can't wear it until you're much older, but every member of the Cullen family has one. I even have mine still." Rosalie smiled and sat back on the couch again. Bella stirred slightly and I looked over at her, narrowing in on her emotions. A certain sadness filled the air around her and instantly I knew why.

Rosalie must have seen me looking at Bella because she sat up suddenly and began digging through the bag again. "I almost forgot… I get so wrapped up in the children that I forget everything concerning the adults." Aro chuckled and nodded slowly, looking at Emmett. "It's true. I can't tell you how often I have to send someone to find Rosalie when she's late for something. And she's always in the nursery." Rosalie elbowed him and I raised an eyebrow, surprised to see the leader of the Volturi get elbowed without so much as a hiss. Instead, he slid his arm around Rosalie's waist and pulled her against him.

Finally Rosalie pulled a black box out of the bag and tossed it to Bella. "I remember you used to wear rings a lot. I figured this would accompany your wedding ring perfectly." Bella sat up, a confused look crossing her face. She opened the box to find a delicate platinum ring engraved with the Cullen crest. Bella's eyes fluttered closed and I felt joy and gratitude radiate from her body. "Rose… I—Thank you. It's beautiful. Means a lot to me." Rosalie smiled and nodded as she pulled Alex into her lap. Again I noticed that his eyes were back on Annalyse as he clutched his pendant to his chest.


EPOV

Alex lay sleeping, still clutching his pendant. He refused to release it no matter what we said or tried to do. Eventually we had all just given up and agreed to let him hold it, figuring we'd get it from him at bath time in the morning. I watched his chest rise and fall as he slept soundly, enjoying the sight. Bella's arms wrapped around my waist and she leaned over my shoulder, looking down at Alex too. "He's beautiful, isn't he?" I nodded slowly and put my hands over hers. "I don't think I'll ever grow tired of watching him sleep." She laughed softly and kissed my shoulder, tracing one of the few scars I had. "I never knew these existed before," she whispered, causing me to turn in her arms. "They can't be seen by the human eye. Just like Jasper's." Bella winced and her eyes moved from the scar as she shook her head. "I know, babe. Maybe we should have warned you ahead of time."

Bella sighed and leaned over, adjusting the blanket that covered Alex. "It's okay. I mean, I always knew he'd seen a lot of battles and all, but I guess I thought… I don't know what I thought. I just feel so badly for him. I wish he hadn't experienced all of that." I kissed her forehead and rubbed her back gently. "Don't feel too bad, babe. He's happy now. He's come along way." Bella nodded and smiled at me, exhaling as if to push the topic away. "Feel like a hunt? Jasper and Alice are back. They'll be here in case Alex wakes up." We both looked down at our son and stared at him for a few seconds before leaving the room.

We got downstairs to find Rosalie and Aro sitting together at the bay window, staring out at the sky. "We're going to go for a hunt. You're both welcome to come along, of course." Rosalie turned and smiled at Bella, shaking her head. "We just got back a little while ago. But thank you." We nodded and turned to leave, but just as we got to the door, Rosalie's voice called out to us. "We're getting married, by the way." Bella's gasp was almost a scream and she spun on her heel, looking back at Rosalie and Aro. "What?!" I watched as Bella ran over to them and kneeled in front of Rosalie, taking her hand. Aro laughed quietly and looked out the window again, allowing Rosalie her moment. "We had talked about it many times, but… Well, Aro already had a wife, you see. Only, like Emmett and I, it hasn't been legal in decades. Not since they first married. Well, Aro finally took care of the problem and we no longer have to wait." Rosalie looked up at Aro and I watched as she stroked his cheek with the back of her hand.

This was a new Rosalie that sat in front of us now. She had finally learned what happiness truly meant and she'd found her own forever within that happiness. I smiled and leaned against the doorframe, watching her and Bella discuss the wedding details. Aro seemed uninterested in the conversation and remained staring out the window. "Aro," I said quietly, gaining the attention of everyone in the room. "Can we talk? Outside?" Rosalie sat up, allowing Aro to slip off the bench and he crossed the room walking to the door where I stood. He nodded at me and then stepped outside, waiting for me to follow. I glanced back at Bella and smiled. "Be back in a little bit, babe." She smiled and then turned back to her conversation with Rosalie.

"So, do you love her?" Aro seemed slightly taken aback by my outright question and I stared at him, waiting for an answer. "My dear boy, what makes you ask such a question?" I moved off the porch nodding towards a clearing near the edge of our land. Within seconds Aro and I stood out of earshot of the girls. "I ask because I've never heard you say so. In fact, I haven't heard you say much at all about Rosalie. Sure, you act affectionate and you look like you care for her, but what does that mean exactly? You just threw your wife of many decades, or longer, away without a second glance. What does that mean for Rosalie?" Aro's eyes darkened and I knew I had offended him, but didn't offer an apology.

"Young man, I don't see how this is any concern of yours. However, I will put your young mind at ease. The day Rosalie came to live among us in Volterra, I knew she and I would be wed. I did not need young Alice's gift to see that. Rosalie is a rare and unique beauty who deserves the power and riches that come with being my wife. You ask if I love her, but let me ask you something instead. Do you love your Bella?" I narrowed my eyes at him, feeling him dodging the question and forcing the attention onto me. "Aro, you were at my wedding. You heard my vows. You know that I do."

"Ah, yes. But I have not heard any thing of the sort since then. Could it be that perhaps you and Bella prefer to share your intimate moments privately?" I stared at him without answering, prompting him to start again. "I do not need to explain myself to you or anyone else. Normally I would not stand for this kind of behavior, but as you are a part of my extended family, I am willing to look beyond the insult. I see that you still care for Rosalie and wish only the best for her. I am the best for her. Of course I love her. I've been devoted to her since the day we met. Her happiness is my happiness. She is her own woman and will always be, but she has agreed to give a part of herself to me and I am honored. I would sooner give up my throne, my powers, my everything than see her spend one minute unhappy."

I stared at Aro as his eyes floated back to the house. This was a side of him I hadn't expected to see, but one that I was hoping existed. Rosie deserved this side of him. "Thank you," I said, turning to walk back to the house. "I still feel protective of her and now you've given me peace of mind." Aro inclined his head slightly and fell into line next to me, walking at the same pace. "We'd like to have you at the wedding. Rosalie insists on having a large wedding, I'm sure she's already asked Bella to be a part of that wedding party, and I 'd like it if you would do the same." I looked over at him as we walked, trying to figure out just how I became a part of a Volturi wedding. "Of course, Aro. Whatever you need."

Aro smiled peacefully and clapped his hands together. "Marvelous."


Two years later…

BPOV

"He's got your strength, Emmett." Carlisle sounded proud and amazed by what he was seeing. Alex stood on one side of the acreage, holding a ball in his hand, and Edward stood on the opposite side, holding a bat and smiling confidently. "Show me what you've got, Ace!" Emmett snickered and I slapped him in the side. "What? It doesn't make any sense, babe. His initials are A-E-C. Not A-C-E." I sighed and shook my head, looking back down at the field. "It's the nickname Edward has taken to using, who cares where he got it from?" Emmett sighed and Carlisle laughed heartily. "This seems slightly unfair. Edward can hear when he's getting ready to throw it."

"Alex doesn't care, Carlisle. It's not about striking Edward out anymore. He likes seeing how far he can throw it." Edward raised the bat and bent his knees, preparing himself. We all turned to look at Alex as he wound up and pulled his arm back. He began to grin as he swung forward, throwing the ball as hard as he could. "That's a fast ball," Carlisle said, grinning. As fast as the ball was though, Edward was faster. He swung and connected, sending the ball flying through the air. Alex was already running, keeping his eyes on the ball as it soared through the air. He wasn't as fast as the rest of us, but Carlisle thought that might be because of his age. I disagreed. I had a feeling Alex would always be a little bit behind the rest of us. I hoped so. Alex was able to live a normal life in many ways. He ate human food, his body temperature was only slightly cooler than most humans, and he didn't sparkle in the sun. I wanted him to hold onto his human characteristics and live a relatively normal life.

Alex dove for the ball, which was too far ahead of him for him to catch, and fell on his face. He got up growling and ran for the ball. "One more time, Uncle Edward! I'll get it this time!" Edward laughed and swung his bat nonchalantly, waiting for Alex to be ready again. Jasper turned to me and smirked. "He's frustrated. He starts off proud of himself because he can throw it so far and fast, but then he gets frustrated when he can't run fast enough. I think we have a little competitor on our hands." Esme laughed and placed her hand on Carlisle's shoulder. "I think we all know where he gets that from." Emmett laughed and shrugged, shaking his head. "No idea."

In a flash, Emmett was on his feet, running toward Alex. "Let's even this up a bit, shall we kid?" Alex laughed and nodded happily as Emmett swung him up onto his shoulders. "You know the drill, son. Hold on tight." Alex nodded and threw the ball with all his strength before wrapping his arms around Emmett's head. We heard the crack of the bat and the ball went soaring through the air. Emmett however, was fast enough. They ran after the ball and stood directly under it when it came down, allowing for an easy catch. Alex screamed in joy and started smacking his dad on the side of the head. "We caught it dad! We really caught it!" Alice giggled and leaned into Jasper, placing her head on his shoulder. "I love that boy."

Rosalie and Aro came out of the house, followed by an excited Annalyse. "Mama, can I play too?" Aro sat down beside Carlisle and looked back at her. "Anna darling, it's 'may I', not 'can I'?" Annalyse smiled and nodded slightly. "Yes, father. Mama, may I play too?" Rosalie laughed and sat down next to me, looking out at the field. "You may. But don't go too far. And watch out when they start running, don't get too close." Annalyse climbed down the stairs and ran out onto the field, screaming in delight. Alex started kicking Emmett with his heels as he watched Annalyse running toward them. "Put me down dad!" Emmett laughed and pulled Alex from his shoulders, setting him down. "Remember Alex, she's not as strong as you. Be gentle with her." Alex was already running to Annalyse. When they reached each other he took her hand and they ran together toward the other end of the field. Alex slowed his pace to match hers and when she fell once, he bent down and picked her up, placing her back on her feet.

Edward now stood behind us watching them. He chuckled and turned to look at Aro. Aro nodded slowly. "I know. I've already seen it." I turned to look at Aro and he only smiled at me before looking back out at the field. I looked up at Edward and glared at him, waiting for him to explain. He shook his head and I frowned, sitting back again. "Jazz?" Jasper turned to look at me and I smiled gently. "What are they talking about?" He shrugged and looked out at Alex and Annalyse. "I can't be sure, but I'm assuming they're talking about his protective instincts. Every time he looks at Annalyse an intense protective instinct flares inside him." Rosalie and I exchanged a look and she smiled peacefully. "We've got years to worry about that, Bella. Just enjoy their innocence while you can." I turned to look away and caught a glimpse of Alice. She was grinning happily, biting on her lip as she watched the children play.

"Alice?" I said slowly, gaining her attention. Immediately her expression dropped and she shook her head. "Don't even ask me, Bella." I glared at her and began to rise from my chair, prompting her to hide behind Jasper. "Alice…"

"I'll never tell!" Jasper laughed and Alice came out from behind him and took off running onto the field. "Kids! Run!"

Laughter erupted on the deck behind me as I ran after Alice. Both the kids screamed and took off running together, holding hands as they ran. Alice slowed to a stop and laughed as I caught up with her. "Alice, you've got to tell me." She turned to look at me and smiled happily.

"The future is ever changing, Bella. You know that. Just let them be kids for now."

I looked ahead again just in time to see Alex and Annalyse fall together, laughing as they rolled in the grass.

A/N: We're just about at the end now. I'll post the epilogue later tonight or tomorrow. Cheers.