One more Chapter After this! EEP! It's weird ending after sooo long. I had no idea it would go on so long either. The story kinda took over. :P

Jack lunged for Bella, knowing his cover was blown. Lily and Seth were pushed aside as the mad faerie tried attacking her. Bella was frozen on the spot, incapable of moving as someone tried to kill her.

Suddenly, though she wasn't there anymore. Edward had successfully moved Bella quickly out of the way, giving her a sense of disorientation. One moment she was facing death in the face and the next Edward had an arm around her and they were five feet to the left of where she had originally been.

Bella would have thought Jack would have made another attempt but a remarkable thing happened. Bella was surrounded by people. The least confusing were the faeries. They had encircled her once Jack revealed his true colors. Her family had also tightened their circle, despite her own orders specifically not to.

But the remarkable thing was the flash of bright yellow and red. A beautiful bird had appeared in between Jack and Bella's guard. Bella's eyes grew watery, the phoenix had come, despite Hean's declaration that it could not.

It sang the beautiful song, the same song Bella heard all those years ago. She remembered the feeling of remorse and longing. Now, although it was the same song, she could feel the undying hope she didn't notice before.

Before she could wonder at this new revelation another thing happened. Jack dissolved in golden dust. One moment he was there and the next moment both he and the bird were mere memory. Everybody stood frozen, looking at the place where Jack was supposed to be.

It was Guerin who finally spoke, his voice deep and somber, "Against the might of a phoenix, no one can stand."

Everybody visibly loosened. The air around them was lighter, almost surreal. Bella took her child from Edward, so happy that she would be okay, that the threat was over. Edward wrapped his arms around his wife, lost for words.

Lily was the one who spoke up, "I don't understand. What exactly happened?"

Guerin turned his ageless eyes to her and answered, "Jack could not compete with a phoenix, who in essence is a very pure creature. Plus, the great sunbird makes us aware of what our truest desire is, and makes us feel that longing. Jack has probably had that desire festering inside him for so long that confronted with it; his body could not take it."

Bella felt giddy with relief. Until Guerin and the Elders turned to her, "We have yet to make our judgments on you young one." Her heart dropped to her feet, Edward's arms tightened around her.

"Do not worry," Lily whispered to her, "The worst is over."

Guerin cleared his throat, "You have obviously been unjustly accused and severely punished that you did not deserve. You have our utmost apology for such atrocities. Unfortunately you did claim responsibility for unlawful actions. You knew the consequences of keeping those human memories. That is the severing of faerie culture."

Bella's lip trembled; she would sorely miss Lily and her parents. Edward noticed her discomfort and held her close to his chest. Lily shifted, anxious, "I cannot," she exclaimed, "You may ban her from the village and our boundaries but you will not stop me from visiting her!"

Seth stepped slightly in front of her, huffing out his approval while keeping her out of the way. Hesitantly Bella spoke, "I understand the parameters the law kept. You were trying to keep your clan safe. I have no desire to live in the village, it was not my home, but I'm begging you not to keep me from visiting. You will no be able to separate Seth from Lily and Seth is bound to Jake as his alpha leader. Even if you took the greatest precautions I would find a way to remain in contact."

Guerin nodded, "I know this is unwise of us to do so, especially with your child who has no fault despite her lineage." He paused, "This is our decision. You will be able to come in our borders on festival days and permitted to bring any guest you choose. Those days are when our people are most hospitable. Any other time though, you may not cross the line into our territory."

Lily glanced at Guerin and Bella, "Am I allowed to venture out?"

Guerin shrugged, "I cannot stop a sister visiting another sister." Then he smiled. The atmosphere around relaxed. Lily gave a cry of delight and hugged her sister. Then Lily's parents took over and made sure every part of Lily was safe. Seth gave a barking laugh and ran off to the forest, only to come back as a gangly boy.

Bella relaxed into Edward's arms. Her family converged, giving her congrats and welcome hugs. She watched as the faeries turned to go home. She caught Guerin's eye and he smiled, giving her a salute. She nodded to him as her family talked around her.

"Bella, did you see that phoenix and the song?" Alice shrieked in her ear, "Absolutely beautiful and breathtaking! If I could I would have sworn I could cry."

"I thought we were going to fight, Bells! I want to see how weak those faeries are!" Emmett complained.

"We should get you inside, honey. I bet you could do with something to eat. Of course we can also provide some food for the wolves and Lily's parents." Esme said softly, barely heard over Emmett and Alice.

Jasper beamed at her while wrapping an arm around Alice, "You did wonderfully Bella."

Bella smiled and looked up at Edward. The moment their eyes met, he understood. He started pulling her from the family, keeping a firm arm around her waist as they walked through the forest. Day had fully fledged in the forest. It was a normal rainy day in Forks, Washington. She leaned into Edward, cooing to her daughter, who had awoken in the commotion.

Carlie stared up at her with big blue eyes, reaching up to Edward. Bella laughed and passed her to Edward. She enjoyed how Edward's face lit up when he held her. He truly looked like a new father. She wrapped an arm around him and continued walking.

"Things went well," Bella said quietly.

Edward stole a glance at her, "Yes, more than I hoped. The phoenix was spectacular. When you described him, I did not completely comprehend it. The emotions it brought out were indescribable. I did not want to let you out of my sight. The desire, the loneliness. It caught me off guard."

Bella nodded. "When I heard it the first time I almost came back here. It hurt so much to be away from you, but hopeful at the same time, like I knew I was going to have you back someday."

"And now I have you back, forever." Edward murmured. Bella smiled, they had forever together with their new daughter.

What do you think?