Amara POV
For so long, I had spent my life on the edge of nothingness. I wanted nothing out of fear of who I was. Of the past repeating it's self. I had always been a passionate being, even as a young girl. Some to this day will ask me what made me go from that nothingness, to longing. I always give them the same answer. Passion… Something only as bright and burning as passion for something better, something just, something honest, something pure… could inspire what had happened to change my life in its entirety.
Funny thing, change, it is all around us. Some of us fight it. Some of us go along for the ride and others embrace it, making the best of it. After all isn't that really what life is? Change...
Even for me and my children, change is inevitable; more so than most of my kind might think. We might be frozen in one state on some levels but on others we are still able to grow. We move with life not against its grain.
For most, this life was not what we wanted, nor its circumstances and attributes. As the saying goes, "the grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence." But, there are positives, and a means to embrace those qualities. Make the best of what the fates had dealt us and prosper.
I never would have thought I would have seen a better example of all this than my family.
To see abundance of beauty in them is in many ways something only romantics could believe possible but more and more, it is out there. Each of the beings holding that beauty, more rare than the stone that I wear around my neck and more changing than it could ever strive to be.
My dear Carlisle, the patriarch of my family and the flame in my heart, my Child… He alone is an inspiration to so many now. After the battle it was evident and imperative that order be in place before chaos ensued. I finally took my spot in Italy, though that wording makes it seem as if I "rule". Such a terrible word really… I took the spot to help govern but not rule over my children; to help maintain balance. I strive even now to do so with love and not an Iron fist. That being said, is it any wonder that the man holding my right hand would be anyone other than, Carlisle? He took the spot wearily, a part of him knowing that any respect would be hard considering his lifestyle choice. I had faith in him and he proved that faith time and time again. When one unruly bunch came forth, challenging both me and those within my family, or coven as they call it… He showed true leadership and fatherly love, even to his opposition. Striking down any doubt with irrefutable truth and knowledge, but it was his love of all creatures that gained him respect. Caused those in doubt to look deeper and find peace.
Sweet Esme, she is still very much the homemaker of the family, though she has taken to a few new projects and charitable functions both for humanity and Vampires alike. We still remain in the shadows but the darkness we hide in isn't so lonely anymore thanks to this wonderful woman. She has founded countless shelters for women looking to escape abuse; helps promote funding for research of illnesses especially those ailing children. For my children she has helped promote means for those searching to find a greater calling, something more meaningful and corresponding with their given "qualities". She aptly named the service, 'Evan's Son Foundation' . A bit of a shock to us all, knowingly, but we couldn't deny her this when she told us that it was time that something good come from that name, that the one child she would never know, could finally be more as well; a symbol for something good and beautiful. Something he would have no doubt become himself. We all supported her in this, though, Rosalie was a bit harder to come around to the Idea. That was until Esme suggested something a year after the programs were created. Rosalie of course jumped at the idea.
Rosalie and the rest of the 'children' all went back to school, though this time they went to college. It was no surprise that Rosalie went to major in law, and in turn used that knowledge and everything prior she had to become legal advice for one of Esme's shelters for abused women. She graduated on the dean's list, full honors, with a psychology minor. She uses both degrees to help women internationally in some way find steady ground. In turn, not just helping others but helping herself to heal as well. To say that Rose has less attitude would be a lie. She is just as bold, beautiful and fierce as before, if not more.
Emmett , well he had to be a smartass… to say we were all shocked would be a lie, poor Alice was lost in a fit of laughter for days before we found out he signed up for a performing arts school, majoring in interpretive dance. It was an ongoing joke within the family that he would be lil' John in tights and a tutu… But there was his serious side, and all that he did, he did well. His size only added to the way he would capture any audience. Every performance was dramatic and moving. When he left, I had to ask him why he chose that out of everything he could have done. His response was that "You only live once, you might as well do it all," Typical Emmett. Besides his schooling, he too helped when it came to more important matters. His brawn was useful and to this day he helps train those who want to hold a job with me, as guards and soldiers.
In the beginning there were many within the original guard that wanted to remain. Honestly, I was torn on the matter till Jasper offered his assistance here as well. His time in the south gave him ample knowledge and skill, and his gift aided him with this. He was more than willing to use his gift to determine the honest and willing of the old guard. Some are still out there, loyal to the old ways of our kind and the fallen. While some welcomed the change, It was in this very fact that I based many of my works on. That we are not as different or condemned or above humanity… That while our shell might have changed, within there is more to us than meets the eye. As for Jasper… well there is more…
After the battle, it was evident Jasper love for Isabella had grown tenfold. The transformation had not lessoned but strengthened their bond. A few months later they were wed. It was the most romantic ceremony I had ever witnessed, Even if it was somewhat untraditional.
Bella refused to where white on her wedding day. No matter how hard Alice tried to persuade her, Bella was adamant on it. She didn't know exactly what style or color she was going to wear, until one day while strolling down the coble stoned path of an old rural town did she find the dress that called to her. A red hand sown and appliquéd Red silk dress. Her comment was that it reminded her of the rose Jasper had given her from Esme's garden so many months ago… Alice was beside herself till she finally got a vision of certain details.
Alice took over from there, and the ceremony was performed at twilight, just off the shores of a tiny unnamed island a few kilometers from Sicily. There were black iron lanterns, and torches made of twisted wood and candles marking the path to her alter. Italian marble in the finest of ivory interlaced with flecks of gold in the pillars made up the gazebo like alter. Fresh Lavender, Red roses and white tea roses trailed up each pillar. There were not many in attendance but those that mattered to her were. Even Peter and Charlotte were able to break away from things and surprise them both. Of course, Alice wasn't surprised by this.
Alice … It took some getting used to for her, but being with Jacob (while Odd I give you that) was probably the best thing for the sprite. She had to learn to trust more without her visions being so readily available. She learned how to live again through it all though. With less reliance on her gift, she was able to understand a part of humanity that was taken from her when she was changed. She lived each day as a new adventure, never knowing for everything, but also too able to be thankful for the brief glimpses of what life would reward her with or needed her to be prepared for. She eventually found a way to bypass the shape shifters and find balance in the gift and the lack there of. Her and Esme took immediately to redoing the old castle in Volterra, and from this gained quite the following and the eye of many in the fashion and design industry. Of course the name they associated with her was an alias, Cynthia Whitlock, and aptly named of course. No doubts she had her reasons for that being the name she chose to use and be her representation. To this very day she is working to restore many manors, castles and designing a clothing line after it got out that she was the stylist of a princess…
As for Jacob and the pack, our people are unfortunately still at odds. However the bond between my family and Jacob's has never been stronger. As far as I see it any being ready to defend and protect ones family, at all costs, out of justice for what is noble and right, deserves the upmost respect. Sam and Emily a year after the incident were blessed with a beautiful little boy. Elijah is now four and looks up to Jacob like an uncle. Paul and Jacob's sister married as well, and go figure the hot head of the pack was blessed with a daughter. Neveah, their daughter, is a full year older than Eli and the eldest of the new generation. Not much unlike her father, she is rough and ready for anything! Vibrant, jovial, and her eyes hold such light. Rarely do you see her in a dress or blushing. Well, that is until the young Makah boy, Darren, shows up… The first time her father saw how they interact … well let's just say the Black's went without a couple doors for a week! Jacob was not pleased to say the least! Angela has yet to have children, though it seems she and her love are still within that puppy love stage. At Bella's insisting they are traveling around the world seeing and learning new things, all of which has never made either of them happier to be able to do it together. All in all, it's quite charming and gives one perspective to see how the new blends into the old. How everything is connected…
I knew the day that I met the poor nameless girl that there was something about her that called to me. Not her blood or body, but her spirit. I may not have realized then, but I see now how something as simple as a moment, a person, a kind thought or curiosity can give way to paths in life that we never thought possible I may have been searching for the door, but Bella was the key. She was the connection that allowed so much to open for me, she was the mean to an end but it wasn't a goodbye. Her love with Jasper, their relationship, brought a part of me back to life. Gave me hope not just in the world but in myself. While I want to say I helped her, in all reality it was she who helped me.
While Bella may be traditionally gifted, she has many more wonderful gifts that led me to the decision that would be announced today. For years I had hoped that Bella would join the family's efforts in a more hands on approach. While every other Cullen had somehow and some way involved a very small part of their lives with governing, Bella remained recluse about it. She wasn't opposed but wasn't for things either. To this day, I don't know why… A part of me believes that in some way she was like me. Comfortable in the shadows, nameless…
All that changed the day we had a visitor. The woman, one of my children, refused to give her name until the last moment. She simply requested an audience with The Ancient and her council. Consulting with Carlisle prior then getting the families opinion we all agreed to give the woman her moment to speak, but to be on our guard. Bella took her side by Jasper and both stood to the left of me while Carlisle, Esme, Emmett and rose stood to my right. The woman came in off the streets wearing a cloak reminding us that it was once again St. Marcus' Day in Volterra. She began talking about an ancient family tie. A bloodline… One in which great power stemmed. Some regrettably were not pure enough for the power given to them, others too pure to and noble to grasp what they had, giving way for the power to corrupt the weak. As the story unfolded she told of days of darkness where the corrupt would all but eradicate the only beings that could stop them. Those days would last for centuries until the mother found herself in the light of a star. A being whose light came from the purest of hearts, the hottest of passions and an iron will. The mother would create a new beginning by giving light to the world. Unknown to those around them, the star was the only thing destined able to return light to the world. For within this being lies the bloodline that the corrupt wanted to destroy. This bloodline was that of Didyme and Aro themselves. And the very reason Lucas sought out Aro, and the reason Aro looked so adamantly for me.
This woman then revealed that Aro, while studious, was also very superstitious. Aro knew of this prophecy and wanted to claim both beings as his own. He knew that the only way to get that light was to have within his grasps the mother of us all, me. When I asked her how she knows of such things, what was her proof? She then revealed herself, lowering the hood of the cloak to reveal to me what looked to be Didyme's twin. She simply smirked when she looked at me with her bright crimson eyes and knew what I was seeing.
"My name is Athea," she said calmly despite our obvious shock and awe, "I am roughly two thousand years old. I was the youngest of five children in my family. My eldest brother took my twin and ran off. It wasn't for years that I found what had truly happened to them. For you see, one night, so very long ago, my brother went missing while on a hunt. My family grieved for what seemed to be a decade. Just as poppa was about to arrange me for marriage, my brother returned but darker than he was before. I didn't know at the time, but he was there scouting. He wanted something and if and if the rest of us couldn't give it to him we were dead to him literally. I watched as my brother turned into a monster of sorts and one by one took every family member I had from me. I remember my mother's dying words the most. None of which was coherent at the time however, enough was noted that she was reciting an old family wives tale and superstition. He silenced her right after he took down father. The moment he touched my eldest sister he paused then turned to me and sunk his teeth into my neck. He would have killed me if it wasn't for Didyme stopping him, and persuading him to show her everything. He let me drop half dead and walked off sure that I would pass. Since then I too have been watching what my brother was doing but knew without two beings, nothing I did would matter. I gained hope when I heard that he was on the trail of The Ancient. I knew with the mother near by the star would be soon to follow… "Within a moment she had bypassed each of us and was standing mere inches in front of Bella.
"Don't be afraid of what you have been blessed with, child. Don't be afraid of yourself. You don't emit a light; you reflect what light is inside of you; the same light that comes from our foremother's blessing. Embrace it and let the world embrace it with you…" At that she was gone. The cloak drifted to the floor as if no one had been there at all. I had little doubt that at some point we would see her again, and if what she said was true, so many pieces now fit. The moment I glanced at Bella, I could see it in her eyes as well as she nodded toward my silent question.
She knew as well as I did where her light came from. That a light such as hers would only come from one thing pure enough to sustain all others: Pure Love. The nod said it all, both recognition and that she was ready.
That was merely three months ago to the day, and today I announce formally her to the world as the third in my council. The town and our kind have taken to calling her their princess. A name in which, Bella, has come to loathe but she smiles cordially through it all.
Signing the last of the formal documents for record, I leave my room and head down the hall to Bella and Jasper's suite. Knocking lightly on the door I call out to her.
"Bella, are you ready?"
"As I'll ever be…"
"May, I enter…" I ask a bit wearily, her voice sounding a bit strained concerning me.
She opens the door and I can't help but chuckle at the annoyance written all over her face.
"Amara, I know we have somehow turned into the royal family, but cut the bullshit…I'm ready and the show must go on as they say…"
"But why are you ready, Bella. Is this really what you want to do? There is no pressure despite what Athea or anyone else says for that matter. "
"Amara, there are but two things in this world that I am sure of. One is my relationship with Jasper and the other is that Love always finds a way if we let it. This is me letting it…" I had no words to respond, I could only smile at her, not just proud but thankful.
After all, she was right. Love is the most ancient power of them all and with it anyone mortal or immortal could move mountains if they tried.
A/N: So this is it, the epilogue! It's 110% complete. FINALLY! Lol. I hope this gives answers to all of you what if questions. I'm still open to suggestions for o/s and outtakes from this if anyone has any. Drop me a msg here or at my twitter in or dm. =] _Hells_Bells_ is me and I look forward to hearing from you all. Again, thank you for following this story on its terribly long journey. I never meant for it to be this long, but there was so much I wanted to tell. I know there are so many wonderful characters within the book and by creating my own I stepped out a bit from the norm of things, And in my eyes all my loyal and readers have made this worth it. I am currently working on the update for Assassin's creed if any of you are also reading that. (When my comp's hd got fried, I lost everything, so it's a complete rebuild of what I had for this and those next few chapters. Hopefully, more will come sooner rather than later with my work schedule now all over the place=\) Lots of love to my muse, Jessica, my best friend Sissy, My Tiger, and My Jester! My lovely beta for a majority of this, Jasper's Darlin' Kathy, the very reason I had the courage to actually try and write again came from your encouragement and kindness. It will never be forgotten. For the amazing readers who have left review after review, be it kind or concrit, you have done your part in keeping me inspired and smiling through it all. Thank you all, again, from the bottom of my heart.
Xoxo
Tish
P.S. I wonder if anyone catches certain things in this chapter… names, events… let me know if you catch on! *winks*
