Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight

Chapter Thirty-Five

*Masen's POV*

My throat constricted. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. My body was shaking as I tried to comprehend the scene before me. It was like something...Something I couldn't even possibly imagine. I blinked, wondering if this was some twisted dream. Did I finally fall asleep? Is this what my brain's succumbed too?

"Oh my god," Lily whispered, her voice hoarse. "Is that...How?"

Sitting upright on the bed was a blonde haired beauty. Her big blue eyes observing us. She looked confused.

"Masen?"

Her voice. Oh god, her voice. I sunk to my knees in a sob. My entire body shaking.

"No! It can't be!" I cried out.

"What are you talking about?" She questioned, getting off the table. "I'm here...What happened? What's-"

I shut my eyes tightly, "Is this some sick joke?"

The girl kneeled in front of me. I felt her hands grasp my face. They were warm, not cold at all. She then forced me to look her in the eyes. Those deep blue eyes.

"Masen, what's going on?" Her voice was scared now.

"You...You're dead!" I yelled. "This...This is a joke."

"I'm not dead, Masen," She said softly. "I'm here."

"No you're not!" I bellowed, shutting my eyes tightly. "You're not...You're not."

"I'm here," She repeated, grabbing my hand tightly and bringing it to her chest. I could feel the soft thud beneath my hand. Tears were now springing from her eyes. "I'm right here, baby. I'm here. I'm not dead."

"Grace," I chocked out, grasping her body to mine. Crushing it to mine as I held on for dear life. "Oh god. Grace. You're here. How are you here?"

"I..I don't know," She replied as the two of us pressed our lips together. To describe this very moment it was like coming back up for air. I could breathe again. Just touching her I felt like I was whole again.

"I know how," Lily spoke up, her voice soft.

The two of us broke apart to see the still body of Carolyn laying across the ground.

"Mom," Ava and Elaine whispered. They both rushed to the older woman's side.

"She's dead," Ava confirmed, her voice tight.

"She transferred her life to Grace's," Hazel spoke up. "She...She transferred everything to Grace."

"Everything?" Grace rasped.

"What does that mean?" Robert asked shakily.

"It means Grace is a full witch now. She gave her life up for Grace. It's an ancient, ancient spell. I haven't seen one performed in centuries," Hazel mused. "But...She loved you. She gave it all to you...A life for a life."

"Mom," Elaine cried softly, hugging the older woman's body close to hers. Ava hugged on to her sister as well.

"Nonna," Grace whispered, tears springing in her eyes.

"What's going on?" I look to see most of our family members were rushing to the scene now.

"Grace!?" Renesmee cried out, her eyes widening seeing her best friend alive. "You're-"

"Yeah," I answered. My sister then rushed forward and rammed Grace with a hug.

"Oh my god," Renesmee breathed, sobbing. Grace held on tightly to my sister as the two best friends reunited.

"Carolyn," Esme whispered as she then clung to Carlisle. We all stared silently at the body of the old woman.

"She...She gave her life up for her granddaughter," Violet mentioned. "A noble sacrifice..."

Elaine dried her eyes and cupped Ava's face, "She wanted this. For a long time...She's with dad now."

"That she is," Ava added softly.

Elaine then got up and looked at Grace. "But you...My darling little girl."

"Momma," Grace gasped as her mother brought her into a bone crushing hug. "Robbie?"

"Bumble bee," Robert breathed, tears of relief tears streaming down his cheeks.

Robert stalked forward and brought the two women into his arms, causing the family to collapse in a tearful hug. I felt like a heavy weight had been lifted from my chest and I could breathe. I could finally breathe.

Grace looked back at me through the sea of hugs. I felt my lips quirk into a smile. She was back. She was really back.

*Grace's POV*

I wasn't sure how to even comprehend the past forty eight hours. To be honest, I don't remember much of it. My death wasn't painful. The last thing I remember from the mortal world was locking eyes with Masen. God, his brown eyes were so full of fear. I couldn't even scream. All contact was cut off. Everything just went black and suddenly, I was floating. I was somewhere...happy. I mean, part of me felt lost. I was away from Masen and I hated it, but I knew I was safe.

But then, I could hear the voice of my grandmother and then I woke up. I have a limited memory of where I was, but I was somewhere

Waking up was devastating. It felt like I just woke up, but to Masen who was laying on the ground, sobbing his eyes out- the last forty-eight hours had been a nightmare. A pure, dark twisted nightmare.

I sighed as I cuddled the warm body of my small child. I was surprised to see he looked just like me from his eyes to his hair, but in my opinion it was the same texture as his fathers. A nice scruffy tuft.

I pressed my lips to my baby's forehead. Tyler Edward. I could see some of my father in him that I think people looked past. His nose was my father's. I could tell that right away, but he was beautiful. I would do anything for my son, die over and over again to make sure he was okay.

"How are you doing?" Robert asked me. He was sitting on the bed with me. My head was laying against his shoulder while his arm wrapped tightly around me.

"I'm fine," I answered. "I don't remember much though."

"That's good," Robert murmured, pressing his lips to my forehead.

"How's mom and Aunt Ava?" I asked. "With Nonna?"

"Yeah..They're okay I think. They've been dealing," Robert told me gently. "They said their goodbyes. We're burying her right beside Nonno."

"What about Lexie and Tommy? Did they find out yet?" I asked curiously.

"Just an hour ago," Robert explained to me. "Aunt Ava had to sit them down. They're devastated but I think they'll make it."

"Okay," I muttered, closing my eyes tightly and just leaning against my brother.

"We're so glad to have you back though," Robert told me.

"Me to," I responded. "How's Cordy?"

"She's with Lucia right now. I think she's trying to cope. It hasn't been easy," Robert told me. "With losing you and then Dru...Everything has been disastrous..."

"Go to her," I ordered my brother.

Robert shook his head, "I..."

"I'm fine now, Robbie," I told him truthfully. "Look, I'm not going anywhere. I'm alive and I'm staying. I'm immortal. There's nothing to worry about."

"Alright," He agreed reluctantly. Robert then gently pressed a kiss to my forehead before joining his wife and daughter.

I was then left with my son. I still couldn't help but marvel at the little boy Masen and I created. His little eyelids shut tight as he went into a deep sleep. His body warm against mine as he snuggled into me. He was the most beautiful thing I had seen in my entire life.

"Somebody's happy his momma's back." I look up to see Masen leaning in the doorway of the room.

"I'm happy to be with him too," I said, stroking my son's cheek gently with my finger. "He's so amazing...How has he been while I was...Gone?"

"Fine," Masen answered tightly. I could tell this was painful for him to just even look back on. "He slept well, woke up crying a few times but he's a good baby."

"I feel so awful," I confessed, stroking my son's hair. "If I just saw it-"

"Grace, this isn't your fault," Masen said to me quietly.

"Maybe my grandmother would be alive," I added.

"Sweetheart, she wanted this," Masen told me gently. "She was miserable without your grandfather. She's somewhere better. Anyway, she was going to give you her powers and that came at the risk of her possible demise. Now you're a full witch. Your grandmother wanted this for you. She just wanted you to be happy."

I sighed, "I know...But I feel like I cheated a life."

"You didn't," Masen reassured me. "Your grandmother did this because she loved you. We'll miss Carolyn, immensely...But God, Grace...I need you. I didn't even want to live-"

"Oh no, Masen," I whispered, shutting my eyes tightly.

"I didn't do anything," He said softly. "I kept it together for our son, but I was so scared. Your mother's sobs and Robert's crying. Grace, everyone was falling apart. I thought I would have to raise him without his mother. Just the mere thought of doing this alone was so terrifying, but I just...I just...It's so selfish of me, but I need you so badly. He needs you and living a life without you...I just can't comprehend."

"I know," I replied, cupping his cheek. "I'm glad to be back too."

"Yeah," he trailed off.

"I'm sorry about Lizzy though," I whispered, running my hand through his hair. "Abby, Lucas, Dru...How are we going to even get them back?"

"I don't know," Masen said, closing his eyes tightly. I could tell he was stressed. "I haven't even thought much about poor Liz...Lizzy and Abby...Ethan's been a wreck. Lily's been with him this entire time. Alice, Jasper, and my parents have been mourning and debating about how to do this..."

"It's going to be difficult," I mentioned woefully.

"It is," Masen agreed. "And it's going to take awhile. See how many people are willing to defy the Volturi that is."

"More people?" I questioned.

"I mean, I think it goes without saying we'll need more people," Masen explained. "We can't do this by ourselves. You saw what they just did. We need to contact allies or something. Until then, we are just going to have to get through life and prepare. I hate to admit it, but they might be there for awhile."

"Oh god," I groaned, clutching tightly to my son. I couldn't even imagine what would've happened if they took Tyler. "I don't think I'll ever be able to thank Lizzy enough for what she did for what she did for our son."

"Me neither. God, my sister," Masen muttered. I could see the salt forming in his eyes.

"I'm so sorry," I whispered, placing our son down in his crib. I then brought Masen into my arms and let him sob.

"It's okay," He whispered against my neck. I could feel his cool tears hitting my neck. "I...I just hope this is over soon. I hope we can resolve this."

"We will," I vowed, cupping his cheek. "We will."

The two of us then laid on the bed. He rested his head on my chest so he could listen to my heartbeat. I pressed a kiss into his hair and just ran my fingers through his locks, hoping that this would all be resolved soon. Right now, we were safe; Masen, Tyler, and I. My family was here. We just needed to get Abby, Lizzy, Dru, and Lucas back.

*Renesmee's POV*

I felt like I could breathe knowing my best friend was alive. It had been one of the most immense feelings of relief I had ever felt. Suddenly, things didn't seem as dark as they did two days ago. Things were still going to be tough, but I had some inkling of hope rattling within me.

As of now, Jacob and I were trying to clean up the glass shards and debris. Uncle Emmett and Aunt Rosalie were able to put up tarps and close up the gaps in the house caused by the Volturi. Hopefully we'd be able to repair this house for Grace's family soon enough. I know Grandma Esme was planning some things to help restore the house since she was an expert at this, but I don't think anyone wanted to burden Ava or Elaine today considering they just lost their mother.

I tiredly sighed, taking a seat. I gently took out my phone from my pocket. My lock screen was a picture of Jacob and I. It was taken in LaPush, the two of us were laughing as we attempted a selfie. When I opened my phone up a picture of Masen, Lizzy, and I was the background. It was taken last Christmas. Aunt Alice dressing us in matching pajamas. We were all laughing. My heart dropped as my eyes fell on Lizzy. She had such a bright smile...

"We'll find her." I look up to see Jacob standing before me. We haven't exactly talked since Grace had the baby. He comforted me, but that's about it.

"I hope," I answered, my voice tight.

He gently took a seat next to me, "I...Are you going to be okay?"

"Yeah," I replied curtly. "I just...I just need to think. We need to figure a way to get them back."

"We will," Jake persisted.

"I feel like a terrible sister," I confessed to him.

"Why?" He asked me curiously.

"Because I feel like she was suffering and I didn't come to her side," I told him, fiddling with my phone. A sob lodged in my voice.

"You didn't know," Jacob whispered. "You couldn't have possibly known. There was way too much going on and Lizzy wouldn't have wanted you to stop everything you were doing for her. I know you would've, but she wasn't going to say anything."

"Still, I should've known!" I shot back. "I should've known she was in pain. I'm her big sister! I'm supposed to know this stuff! I could've saved her!"

"You couldn't have done anything, Ness," Jacob told me soothingly. "She volunteered. She did it for Tyler, for Masen, for Grace...Liz knew it was better she go instead of the baby. After all, she's a smart girl. She knows what she's doing."

"I just...Hate this," I trailed off, rubbing my temples. "And we have to leave in two weeks for LA..."

"We don't have to go," Jacob said gently. "If you feel like your parents need you..."

"You should go," a familiar voice said. I look up to see my mother. She was standing in the doorway with my father.

"Sorry for interrupting," my dad apologized. "But...We...Renesmee, you should still go."

"You guys need me," I said, standing up. "I can't go running off to LA with Jake to just-"

"Darling, we don't know when we'll get Lizzy back," My mother explained, her voice hard. I could see she wanted to cry so much right now. "We're trying to think about it right now, but you should go. Masen will be here. We'll be fine. You've worked hard for this."

"Not when my sister and cousin are stuck with the craziest vampires on the planet!" I seethed.

"Angel, we're going to get her back," My dad vowed. "We'll bring her home."

"I need to think about it all," I said, shaking my head. "I still have two weeks...Until then, Jake. Come with me."

"Alright," Jacob agreed softly. He followed me towards our bedroom. I then locked the door and turned around so I was facing Jacob. I pressed my lips fiercely to his, catching him off guard.

"Ness?" He questioned, bewildered.

"I need this right now," I pleaded with him. "Please."

"Ness, you need to think," Jacob spoke slowly, putting his hands on my shoulders. "Look, something else is-"

"What we have, is it real?" I asked meekly. "Are you going to stay with me forever?"

"Of course," Jacob answered like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Is this about my old feelings for your mom?"

I bit my lip, "A bit...I just...I just wish things weren't like this right now. I was suppose to grow up or something by now-"

"You have grown up," Jacob told me firmly. "Look at me, you are strong, Renesmee. You'll figure out what's best to do and until then, I'm standing by your side. Like I always have."

"Good," I said, my voice tight. "Just...Just hold me, okay? And never let go?"

"Agreed," He replied, bringing me into his arms. I sighed and buried my face into the crook of his neck, taking in his scent. I didn't know what to do, but I had Jacob. I had to remind myself he was always going to be there, no matter what.

A/N: Next time we'll tune in to Lizzy, Abby and the others with the Volturi! In the meantime, thanks for reading and reviewing! Keep on the lookout for the next update!