A Father's Love

"How is this possible?"

Leah's heavy breathing was going to cause her unconscious. I went and grabbed her before she was going to collapse on the floor.

"Leah, I know the timing is off, but we have to get you up and get ready for battle."

"Jacob, how is this fair? I have been tormented for years, and I've waited for this moment to occur. It's nothing like how I imagined. Nothing."

"Believe me, Leah. I can relate to you more than you realize on this imprint process." Did she forget when I imprinted on Nessie?

"Sorry, Jacob. You're right. You imprinting on Nessie probably tops me imprinting on a ghost."

We both laughed. Releasing that laughter felt good. I don't remember the last time I had that feeling. Our emotions were on high alert that squeezing a good time seemed impossible.

"Look, Leah. I'm beyond happy for you. I know how you feel about wanting that connection with someone to rid of your feelings for Sam."

"I do, Jacob, more than anything else, but how the hell do you create a connection with a ghost who then has to leave back to live in his world. How is that possibly fair to me? I have no clue what our ancestors are thinking. I'm sorry. This is draining my emotions. Let's get back to focusing on more important things like getting Nessie and Ephraim back."

We both smiled and nodded. This wasn't going to be the end of our discussion about Leah's imprint. It was peculiar how she imprinted on a ghost, but she was right, even I had no clue as to what our ancestors were thinking. We would talk about it after our rescue mission.

The ghosts were already aware of our plan, so we headed off to the Volturi's house to spread our men out. The strategy was simple. The pack and the Cullens would draw Aro and his men out, and if Aro wouldn't agree to our terms, then Bena and her men with our ancestors would come forth.

As we reached the house, our intention was to distance ourselves from the front doors. Aro's guards saw us and one of them fled inside. I'm sure his intent was to warn Aro which was exactly what we needed to accomplish. In no time, the double doors opened. Aro and his entire coven came through the doors. He walked himself towards me.

"Well, Jacob, another day, another encounter. I wasn't expecting any less from you returning here. This time with all the Cullen men. How chivalrous of you all. Bella, it's always a pleasure to see you. Your daughter has been a most pleasant guest in this house."

He was trying to get into our skin, but it wasn't working. I took a step closer to Aro.

"I'll make this quick and easy for you, Aro. Release Nessie and Ephraim, and we'll leave and no one has to die."

There he went with his maddening laugh. He bent his head forward, laughing to the ground. When he brought his head back up, his face turned solemn.

"Do you really think I am going to give up a precious gift such as Ephraim? He needs to learn how to use his power with control. I can teach him, Jacob. Imagine if he didn't have the proper training, he would cause chaos amongst the vampires."

"His powers don't cause harm, Aro, and you know it. What's your real reason for wanting him?"

His facial expression meant he caught himself in a lie. He didn't realize I had already discovered Ephraim's power, not once, but twice.

"Aro, I'm not asking anymore. Let them go or else you're going to regret that you ever crossed me."

Aro looked at our pack and the Cullens. He didn't feel the threat. He knew with Bella's shield that Jane's powers were hopeless. This would be a fight of strength against strength.

"Jacob, you're threatening me with your small army against mine. I would figure you'd be better prepared to take on the entire Volturi coven. Demetri, Felix. Handle this business and get it done and over with."

Felix and Demetri both came towards us. Carlisle, Emmett, Jasper and Edward reacted as first shield and battled them both. Felix grabbed Emmett by the throat. It seemed Emmett was about to give up, but he cracked that smile and managed to lock Felix's arm with his legs. Emmett and Carlisle both pinned him down. Demetri was swift as he was able to detect Edward and Jasper's next move. Demetri had his arms around Jasper's head, and he almost twisted it, but Edward pulled Demetri's arms down. Demetri was now no match with both Edward and Jasper.

Aro saw both his men in submissive forms on the ground. He wasn't too happy, but he wasn't ready to relinquish either. He ran directly towards me. I didn't flinch. Instead I screamed out.

"Bena, now!"

Aro stopped his tracks and stared all around. He couldn't believe his eyes. There were hundreds of bears surrounding all of us, but his disbelief was seeing the ancestors. Their glow empowered the day light. Their stances stood strong and fearless. Aro was left speechless.

"That's impossible. What trickery is this?"

"They're unstoppable, Aro. Ancestors of Quileutes and Salteaux with one purpose only. To see that you are finished once and for all."

If Aro could, he would probably faint at the sight of what he was seeing. He kept turning around and staring at every corner around him. He was facing his death sentence at this moment.

"The choice is yours, Aro."

Out of the corner, a vampire woman with dark hair came running towards Aro. She placed herself in front of Aro.

"Please. Please spare his life. He's not been himself as of late. You don't understand."

I didn't know who she was, and I didn't care but I almost pitied her for trying to protect a monster like Aro.

"Please, Jacob. My name is Sulpicia, and I'm his wife. Aro is all I have left. You don't understand. After Ephraim's vision, Aro has been in overprotective mode."

How was I supposed to trust this vampire?

"What exactly was Ephraim's vision to Aro?"

She turned around to look at Aro. "Please, love. Let me tell him."

Aro slowly nodded his head.

"Jacob, I was human when I first met Aro. I was young and alone, but he showed me what no one ever offered me. He gave his love and courted me for a long while. It wasn't hard for me to love him back, and then I became pregnant with his child. It was impossible we both thought. Me being human and him a vampire. Aro couldn't bear seeing me suffer through the pregnancy. I wasn't fortunate like Bella. Our baby was killing my body, and Aro made the decision to end the life of our child though I chose to end my life. I was so exhausted and drained from the pregnancy that I became unconscious. That's when it all happened and it happened so fast. When I awoke, Aro couldn't even look me in the eyes to confess. I knew then that it was too late. I finally healed after several weeks of bed rest. We both vowed never to speak of it again, and that was then I decided that I had to transform into a vampire so we would never have to endure all of that again."

"Then Ephraim showed Aro what we thought would be impossible. It was a vision of me with a child. Somehow Ephraim knows that one day we'll be with child, but we don't know how. Therefore, Aro felt it safest to bring Ephraim here, so he would be protected until he would grow up and able to explain to Aro about the vision."

"Aro means no harm ever to Ephraim or Renesmee. That's why the castle is so heavily guarded. It wasn't meant to protect them from you. It's to protect them from other vampires who may decide to want Ephraim's power for their own voracity."

"Please, Jacob. Spare Aro's life. I will let Renesmee and Ephraim go as long as you promise to leave Aro unharmed and on good terms. Please understand, we meant no ill will on your family."

I didn't know what to think. I wanted Aro dead so there would be no more threats on my family's life.

"How am I supposed to trust your words, Sulpicia?"

"Jacob, you just have to trust me." She turned to look at Aro and placed her hands on his face, and gazed into his eyes. "I know my love will overpower Aro because love conquers all."

Aro took her hand and kissed it. He nodded his head and I could hear him whisper to Sulpicia. "Even after forever, may my love never cease for you."

She answered back to him in her softest voice. "And never shall I cease all."

Aro looked my way.

"Demetri and Felix. Please have Renesmee and Ephraim brought out here so they may return home with Jacob."

My sigh of relief could be felt by everyone around me. This nightmare was over. I focused my vision on everyone around me. How fortunate was I to have everyone here to fight for my family and me. The doors opened and Nessie was holding Ephraim in her arms. She came running towards me, but I was by her side before she realized it. Our lips met and I couldn't get enough of her. I held her close to me reassuring her that I was never going to let go.

"Nessie, are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Jacob. We're both fine. I only want to go home to La Push."

"We are. Let's get out of here."

Nessie looked up and saw everyone and was stunned herself. She couldn't believe it and tears fell down her face.

"They're all here for you, Nessie."

"No, Jacob. They're here for you because you're an amazing leader. You don't ever give up, and they know you'll never give up on them either like Ephraim and me."

I didn't want to talk anymore. I had to leave this place as soon as possible. Aro interrupted us before we headed out.

"I hope you accept my dearest apologies, Jacob, and may our next encounter be a pleasant one."

"I'm sorry to hear of your loss, Aro. May you find peace in that future endeavor."

He bowed his head and on that note, I grabbed my family and we left the Volturi home making sure to never look back.

We arrived at the villa and Kate and May were still in the ballroom. May was still motionless and Kate was pacing back and forth waiting for us to return. She took in a deep breath when she saw us walking through the doors. She let out a smile when she saw Nessie and Ephraim. She embraced each of us before heading back to May. Nessie thanked Kate for everything and their sacrifices. Kate seemed to be in a rush as she quickly nodded her head and stood beside May.

"Jacob, are we ready to close the door?"

"Can you give us a couple minutes, Kate?"

"Sure."

I went to search for Leah, but she was talking with Bryson. One of his arms wrapped around her waist while his other hand held her hand over his heart. I tried to hone in on their conversation. I could hear Bryson first.

"Leah. This can get complicated."

"My life has always been complicated, so it's nothing new to me."

"What will you have me do?"

"There's nothing you can do, Bryson. I have waited long enough for this moment, so I think I can wait until I see you again on the other side."

"Then you'll allow me to visit you from time to time, though you'll never see me."

"As creepy as that sounds, yes. At least I know you're the one I've been waiting for."

Leah gave in and started crying.

"Oh Bryson, I thought I had lost this feeling of love, but here you are in front of me selfishly professing your feelings for me, and I have to let you go."

I don't think I've ever seen Leah cry. The last time was when Harry passed away. She had always been the strong one as she had to take care of Seth, and she never wanted to display her weakness in front of the pack. My heart for once ached for her. Her love always seemed to be crippled, and the worst part was she never had control over any of it.

Kate startled me.

"Jacob, you shouldn't be eavesdropping."

"Kate, what can I do?"

"There's nothing you can do, Jacob. Nature needs its balance. She'll eventually grow old and reunite with him after death. But there's a reason for the imprint, you heard what your ancestors said. We'll have to wait and see what her fate is."

"No, it's not fair. Leah doesn't need another tormented love relationship."

"I'm sorry, Jacob. I don't know what else to say."

"If nature needs balance, then I will give them balance." Philip walked between Kate and me and walked towards Bryson and Leah.

"Philip, what are you talking about?" I didn't know what was going on in Philip's mind or what he thought he was capable of.

Philip turned to look at Kate. "You'll find the balance, Kate."

"No, don't, Philip. I don't even know if it'll work."

Philip wrapped his arms around Bryson.

"Father, what are you doing?"

It was too late. Philip took out his blade and stabbed himself.

"Father! Father!"

Bena came running into the room and fell to the floor with her dad. She was screaming uncontrollably.

"Father! No! No! Why? What did you do?"

Philip was trying to breathe, but blood was coming out of his mouth. He looked at Kate. "Say it. I know you know how to say it."

There was chaos in the room. Carlisle walked in trying to help but he knew it would be useless.

"What is he talking about, Kate? Say what?" Kate looked frantic, but she fell to her knees beside Philip and placed her hand over him.

"He's sacrificing himself so Bryson can switch worlds with him. It's the only way to create the balance. An eye for an eye, Jacob, but I've never done this before."

She began her chant immediately and repeated the chant, and then she grabbed hold of Bryson's arm. A strong gust of wind came through into the room. Bena kept calling out her dad's name, and Seth tried to comfort her. Soon enough we all saw what was happening. Philip's body began to slowly glow blue and Bryson was losing his.

Kate continued her chant, but she was beginning to get weak. She finally stopped and fell to the ground from exhaustion. The wind calmed down, and there was only the crying of Bena and Bryson hovering over her father's still body.

I ran over to Kate and tried to wake her up.

"Come on, Kate. Wake up. We still have to close the door and get your sister back."

She opened her eyes and seemed confused.

"Did it work? Where's Philip?" She stood up too fast and the blood rush to her head and she lost her balance.

"Hey, easy, Kate." I caught her in time.

We both looked at Bena and Bryson. Philip's body was now a glowing blue. He sat up and looked at his children. Bena couldn't let go of his arm. He wrapped his arm around her to comfort her.

"My child. My days are getting restless on Earth. The greatest gift I can give my children is myself, so they can fulfill their life. Take care of each other. I can go rest with your mother and Brody now."

He got himself up with Bryson helping him; then he walked towards Kate.

"I'm sorry, Kate. I did not mean to pressure you into this choice, but I knew if you gave me the option, you would have never saved my son."

He placed his hands on her shoulders and gave a warm smile.

"Can we close the doors so we can remain with our ancestors, and you can reunite with May?"

Kate let out a soft cry and agreed with his decision. She was ready for all this to be over with, but more importantly to bring May back.

We all walked back into the ballroom. All my ancestors and the Salteaux ancestors were ready to return back to their world. Nessie and I glanced at my great-grandfather one more last time. I knew then that naming my son after him was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

Kate placed the veil over her face, and the shamanic drum began while she started chanting. Within time, the ghosts began to slowly disappear into thin air. Bryson and Bena said their last goodbyes to Philip and Brody. She turned to Bryson and cried into his arms.

After all the glowing lights faded, Kate stopped. She wasn't moving. A few moments passed and she finally took in a deep breath. She lifted off her veil, then went straight to May. She took off May's veil, and May opened her eyes. They both wrapped their arms around each other and started crying and laughing all at once.

I stared down at Nessie and Ephraim.

"It's time to go home."

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