I want to dedicate this last chapter to everyone that's stuck with me, and I do want to mention KleoCullen, Sibuna826Twihard, MissRenesmeeCarlie, TrueTigress, ElizabethAva, TwihardForever18, dkjkaden, VampWolfForever22, Lexi Arevalo, xMyGoldStarx, Dawnmac and Renesmee's Theory. I love you guys and everyone else that reviewed and read this! Im sorry I can't name you all.
3 years later
2042
Matthew Cullen
Two hours. Two hours until she was here. Two hours until the torture ends.
It's crazy to think that it that it was three years ago that I visited my family for the first time. Since then I had grown so much as a leader and as a man you would hardly think I was the same person.
I guess I wasn't.
Returning home after the few weeks I spent with the Cullen's that year I made changes, some people didn't like them, and some did. Ariella didn't, she knew I had changed, I had 'softened', she didn't know why until I turned her away from my bed a few weeks later. It felt wrong letting her sleep with me after meeting Lidiya. It was innocent, Ariella and I were never anything more but it was still wrong, it was still the wrong woman in my bed. Ariella was pissed but she didn't say anything, not until Lidiya and her sister came to me with their mother and a dead vampire. Lidiya had used her ability to make her easier for transport to Italy. She had nearly killed a member of our family and my father had said that she was to be sent to me. I was happy my father had done this; it meant that my family understood why I was here. They were proud of me and trusted me.
The second Lidiya walked through the door I was there to greet her. Ariella was hovering at my side but I didn't care. I pulled her into my arms and my long cloak wrapped around her, she sighed in content as I held her and I couldn't stop kissing her hair, her forehead, her face. She giggled in response and brought her lips up to mine. I heard someone move behind me and as Lidiya and I pulled away I realised Ariella had gone. Perhaps I should have told her before now but at the same time I didn't know why it mattered. I looked up from Lidiya to see Esther carrying a limp girl in her arms like a cradle. It was almost endearing but I knew Esther had no love for the girl in her arms.
"Let's get this over with," I told her, keeping Lidiya in my arms and leading her through the Volturi Castle. I saw Esther looking around as we made our way through.
"It's a lot brighter than the old one," she laughed.
"I can't stand the one in Volterra. It was born out of greed and cruelty. My Volturi is very different," I explained.
"I can see that," she replied as we reached the throne room. My guard were already lining the walls and they knew things were different. I never walked in with the accused, ever. I brought Lidiya up with me onto the stage. She was reluctant at first but I kissed her hand and told her to sit down on my throne chair. She did as I asked and stayed there. Guard members were looking at her but no one said anything.
"So what's the story? I was only told the basics," I said to Esther, my guard shifted and I knew some were uncomfortable and confused with the informality of this court.
"She tried to murder your cousin Sarah and to stop her, her new husband Nahuel stepped in the way. She nearly murdered him. I managed to restrain her as the girls saved him. Shes mental, she thought she was still with Nahuel," Esther explained.
"She's an ex?" I asked seeing her on the floor.
"Yes, he turned her," Esther explained. She explained the rest and I then asked Anelie to revive her so I could speak to her.
"Go and sit with your sister Annie," I said softly to her when the girl gasped and struggled in Esther's grasp.
"I forgot to mention she's strong. Your guards won't be able to handle her," Esther added seeing my normal guards step forward to help her.
"She doesn't need help," I told them immediately, they looked unconvinced and my guard started mumbling to each other around the room.
"Let me introduce you to Esther and her daughters. Esther is a moon pool child, the moon pool child. Anything you lot can do she can do better so do not question me!" I said straight to Frances who was staring at Esther in disbelief. "Her daughters are life and death so if you want to be scared of someone getting free, be scared of them," I said with a wave of my hand to the twins sitting on the thrones behind me. The room fell silent.
"Now, down to business," I mumbled and looked at the girl in Esther's arms. "What is your name?" I asked her. She growled. I sighed and looked at Esther.
"Connie," she answered for her.
"Connie are you guilty of trying to murder my cousin Sarah Black and her new husband Nahuel?" I asked her.
"No!" she gasped.
"Liar," I replied.
"I didn't want to hurt Nahuel I wanted to kill his whore," she said, the moment the word was out of her mouth I saw Esther twist on her arm and the girl screamed in pain. I held my hand up to her involuntary. I was so used to dealing with my guard I forgot Esther wasn't my guard. She looked at me for a moment but did actually stop.
What did my father say I should do with her? I asked Esther in my head. I was unsure why they hadn't killed her, that's what they normally would have done.
Wipe her memory. Esther answered me. I sighed. I knew she was going to say that.
"Ariella," I called softly. When she didn't come I turned to the stage that only had Lidiya and Anelie on it.
"Would you like me to go find her master?" one of my guard asked. I nodded and turned back to Connie.
"You have been found guilty of the attempted murder of a Cullen and their mate. You were aware of the protection on every Cullen, descendant and friend and therefore you will be sentenced." I began.
"She didn't know about the protection on your family. She's mentally insane," Esther told me softly. I raised my eyebrow at her before turning to the girl.
"Very well, because of your ignorance you will be allowed to live the rest of your life without any restrictions," I began and the girl smiled in relief. "However, all your memories of Sarah, of Nahuel, of what you did and who you were will be gone. You will be able to start a new life as someone entirely different and if I ever hear of you being within fifty miles of a Cullen I will not be so kind the second time understood?" I asked her, she looked horrified. "Understood?" I asked again angrier. She nodded slightly and I heard the door go. Ariella walked into the room with a poker face. I smiled at her, hoping she would see my apology but she didn't react. I reached out my hand for her and I saw Lidiya frown from the stage. Ariella took it and I felt her ability course through me. I reached out with my spare and touched Connie's head. Deleting everything and fabricating an entirely new life for her.
"Take her out into the city," I told Frances. He nodded and Esther let go of the girl. Frances led her out the door and it slammed with an echo.
"Court is dismissed," I called and I felt Ariella tug her hand out of mine instantly. "Hey," I whispered as she turned from me, I grabbed her wrist. "Ariella, hey!" I said when she didn't turn to me.
"Why didn't you tell me?" she hissed.
"Why does it matter?" I asked her with a frown. My guard had left. It was only Esther the twins with me and Ariella in the room.
"You know why," she frowned.
"And you knew that was never going to happen," I reminded her. I could see Anelie and Lidiya watching us curiously, Lidiya looked pissed actually.
"I know I just… I thought I was your best friend," she said sadly.
"You are," I told her.
"So why didn't you tell me?" she hissed.
"Because I was scared you'd leave me if you knew."
"I'd never leave you," she whispered. I looked up to Lidiya who was still watching us.
"I love her Ariella. One day she'll be my wife, she'll be my queen and she'll lead the Volturi with me. It's not some crush Ariella. It's forever." I explained to her.
"That's all you had to say," she said and finally smiled back at me. I reached my hand towards Lidiya and she appeared at my side in moments.
"Lidiya meet Ariella. She's my closest and best advisor," i said with a smile. Lidiya smiled politely.
"Hi," she said. Ariella smiled her and bowed her head slightly respectfully.
"I knew he'd fall for a Cullen," she smiled.
"I'm not a Cullen," she answered.
"Yet," I murmured in response and i saw her smile.
"Thank you for taking care of him here," Lidiya said and i was shocked by her words.
"Always," Ariella said and turned to smile at me.
Since then I had seen Lidiya every few months, she came back three months later with another vampire called Phoenix that had threatened our family and I did the same to his mind. I had spoken to her every night and thought about her every second of the day. Ariella backed off and after a few months we fell into our normal friendship, in fact we were closer than ever. I knew she spent a lot of time with Lizzy now and I wondered if they bonded over their dislike of Lidiya I didn't know.
I had one more court to deal with and then Lidiya and her family would arrive. Esther was moving back into her house, the one she had so many years ago. Anelie and Tony were moving in here. They'd have their own adjacent rooms each and Lidiya would be staying with me.
"Master?" Ariella pulled me out of my thoughts.
"Yes?" I asked her.
"Your verdict?" she whispered. I brought my attention back to the court.
"He's innocent, let him go," I said and waved my hand. I knew from the moment I met the young vampire in the room he was innocent. I was getting better at understanding people by the day.
"But!" his prosecutor complained.
"Let it go," I said with a sigh, "I have better things to do than hear you," I said and stood up. "Court dismissed, reconvene in five," I called and walked out the room.
"Master," Ariella hissed as she followed me out.
"What?" I asked her.
"That was a bit rash," she said, her hand slipping into mine. I held it tightly.
"I can't be dealing with all that today. I hoped having the court would distract me and make the day go quicker but it really didn't."
"How are things going to change?" she asked me.
"Nothing is going to change. Lidiya will be moving here, I want to marry her soon but that will only make her my wife, not anything else."
"When are you going to ask her?" Ariella asked.
"Tonight. She's already moved across the world to be with me, it is only right she should be married to me. I have already asked Eddie's permission. He is not her true father but as close to a father as she has ever had. I have asked Esther too, they both approve." I explained.
"I'm glad you're happy Matthew but shouldn't you live with her first before you go into marriage?" she asked sceptically.
"I want to start our life together properly. She's going to be my wife one day I may as well make it sooner than later." I told her confidently.
"Okay…" she said quietly.
"I know you're worried. I haven't been with Lidiya longer than a few weeks at a time, I get it. You think I don't know her, but I do. I've spoken her every night for three years; I know everything about her and she about me. We're not strangers Ariella. I love her and she is my mate, I have no doubt of that, just because we haven't been physical every day does not mean it's not love." I said as we reached my chambers, I wanted to change before seeing Lidiya and her family. I didn't want to be in my cloak, I wanted to be normal.
"And what about her power? Are you going to use her in the guard?" Ariella asked as I changed in my room.
"No of course not." I told her pulling on a sweater, it was winter in Italy, not nearly as cold as Washington but I had acclimatised, I was too used to the Italy weather that 60 degrees was freezing to me.
"What about her mother? She would be an asset."
"I am not using my future wife or her family to run the Volturi. If they want to help that will be their choice, it won't even be brought up nor will I ask," I told her sternly remembering the conversation with Lidiya on the beach of La Push three years ago. She had said I could use her but I still felt uncomfortable, I didn't want her or Ariella thinking I only wanted her here because she was powerful.
"Okay okay, I just thought it would be handy to have someone with instant death that's all." She said with an eye roll.
"My wife is not a guard member," I told her heading to the door.
"She's not your wife," she teased me.
"Yet," I said and left Ariella in my room as I headed to the private air strip outside the castle. They would be arriving within the next few minutes and I'd much rather wait outside than in my room with Ariella bombarding me with questions.
I could hear the aeroplane approaching and my heart picked up. I couldn't believe the day was finally here. The first day of everything. The first day Lidiya and I were not pressured by time or flights or responsibilities. This was it, she would finally be standing at my side, and exactly where she should be. The plane landed and it took a few minutes before the doors opened. The first out was Lidiya, she didn't even take the steps she just jumped, missing them completely and running full speed to me. I was smiling as she reached me and I lifted her into the air as I hugged her.
"Ciao amore mio," I whispered to her.
"Ciao," she giggled and pulled away to look at me for a moment. Her legs were wrapped around my waist as I held her; she leant forward and kissed me strongly. I had missed her so much I was scared I was going to break her with how hard I was holding her to me, but of course I couldn't break a moon pool child. She was stronger than me, something I think she forgot as she clung to me.
"I can't breathe love," I laughed and she loosened her grip and dropped her legs from my waist so she was standing.
"Sorry," she giggled. I kept her by me and she hugged my waist again, her head resting on my chest.
"I missed you."
"I missed you too," I whispered into her hair.
After our greeting I finally looked from Lidiya in my arms to see Esther with Anelie and Tony exiting the plane. I was initially shocked seeing Anelie, it had been a year or so since I had seen her. She'd either be away with Tony when I visited America or she and Tony would be exploring Italy when they came here. Anelie was fully grown now and she was the spitting image of Lidiya, it was like looking in a mirror, only I could tell Anelie's hair was slightly shorter, Lidiya had kept hers long. As she came over to greet me I could also tell by her scent, it was muskier from spending so much time with her wolf.
"Hey Matthew," Anelie smiled.
"Hey," I smiled back. "You've grown," I teased.
"Yep. Finally caught up to my little sister," she giggled. Lidiya rolled her eyes as she pulled away. She kept her hand in mine as she turned to look at her sister.
"I may have been born after you but I've lived longer," she said and pulled her tongue at her sister.
"Good luck living with these two," Esther said to me. I smiled at her behind Anelie.
"I look forward to it," I told her looking down at Lidiya at my side. She smiled up at me and I turned to Tony.
"I have a partner to help me," I joked. Tony grinned.
"It's okay, I can handle Annie," he replied, Anelie looked up at him and blushed before quickly looking away. I wondered what their relationship was now, I think I'd have to ask Lidiya before I put my foot in it and said something wrong.
They're not together yet. Esther placed in my head. The tensions killing me, their heads are just a mess to be in. Good luck with that too. I looked up at her to see her watching Anelie. Tony seems to be waiting… don't ask. She said and finally looked at me.
Great. I mumbled before smiling at her.
"Well do you want me to show you your rooms?" I asked them.
"I'm going to head home. I'll see you girls tomorrow," Esther said and kissed Anelie's forehead.
"Why can't you stay here?" Lidiya asked her mother.
"There are plenty of rooms," I added, offering Esther a place.
"No that's quite alright. I have a home and I'm quite looking forward to going back to it. You will see me every day my darlings don't worry," she smiled at her daughters before kissing Lidiya's head. "This is your time, I've had you both long enough. You need to grow up now and live your lives. Your mother can't shadow your every move." Esther said to her.
"But we're not exactly ordinary mother and daughters. We come as a three," Lidiya said.
"I'm down the road Lidiya, you'll be fine," Esther laughed slightly, kissed her daughters once more and then Tony before leaving.
"You nervous to leave home?" I asked Lidiya.
"No," she replied too quickly. I chuckled.
"She's literally not even a minute run away." I reminded her.
"I know," she sighed; I squeezed her hand and led her back into the castle. I had cloaks set out but I didn't put them on until we reached the court room where I knew my guard were already lining the walls ready to officially meet Lidiya and Anelie. Most of them had met them before, after all they'd been here a few times over the years but this was the first official meeting as a resident of this castle.
"I'm so sorry but I'm going to have to ask you to put these on for the court. It's to show them that you're higher than them," I explained showing them the cloaks.
"We understand. We're Volturi now," Anelie grinned. I looked horrified at her.
"Not unless you want to be," I told her.
"Of course we want to be Matthew. We're here for your use. Whatever you want. You want the life and death twins, you have them," Lidiya told me pulling her cloak on like she was used to it. I smiled proudly at her.
"Very well," I said and pulled my own on. I didn't think I would use them often but maybe their presence alone would scare a few to cooperate.
I took Lidiya's hand once more and stepped into the room. My guard were talking between themselves as I entered; as I climbed onto the stage they fell silent immediately.
After introducing Anelie and Lidiya and then Tony they all went down to meet the guard personally. I decided to sit on my throne and watch the interactions below me, my eyes lingering on Lidiya the most. She was a true queen, she held the attention of everyone she talked to and my guard were in simply awe of her. I smiled. She'd fit in well here and for that I was grateful. I worried sometimes that I felt like I was living two separate lives, the life of Matthew Cullen in love with Lidiya Balev and the life of a leader, the emotionless, judgemental grandson of Aro but maybe I could merge my worlds, make them fit together so I wouldn't feel so lost in either. If Lidiya fit into my world maybe I'd get everything I wanted after all.
Renesmee Black
I felt like an emotional wreck. I couldn't believe as Isobel walked down the stairs of our house that I was saying goodbye to her for three months. My youngest child, my baby that I hadn't spent more than a weekend away from was travelling the world over the summer before her senior year in high school. She was seventeen and I could hardly believe it. I had so many worries, for her more so than my other children, she was beautiful and I worried she'd catch the wrong attention travelling. I also worried that she was human and that she couldn't protect herself. She was going with some school friends, no vampire or supernatural that knows her personally, just humans. She was beaming a smile at me as she came down the stairs with her last suit case.
"You look like you're about to cry momma," she said as she reached me, Isobel was taller than me by a good few inches. She definitely got her dads height. "Don't worry I'm going to call you every night and I'm going to Italy first remember? We have family there. Esther said she'd keep an eye on me remember?" she winked as she hugged me. I sighed. I couldn't believe my little premature baby was all grown up.
"I know I know," I sighed.
Little did I know at this point that I had nothing to worry about and that Isobel would stay in Italy for nearly the whole three months and integrate herself into the life of Jason, her future husband and the half-brother of Chantelle, in range of Esther and family at all times.
"Just call me please," I begged her.
"Every day," she said and kissed my cheek. Jacob came into the hall then from packing the car with Isobel's bags.
"Ready princess?" he asked. She smiled up at her father.
"More than ready," she said and went to hug him. Izzy had already said goodbye to her siblings and family, it was just me and Jacob to see her off. Jacob held his daughter tightly for a moment before letting go. I pulled her into another hug to try and stop the tears threatening to fall.
"Aw mom stop please," she begged.
"Sorry," I giggled and she smiled. Jacob took my hand as we walked out the house with Izzy. She went over to her friend's car and paused at the door, she blew us a kiss before climbing in. I sighed as I watched the car drive off. Jacob's arms wrapped around my waist and he pulled me into his chest. His lips were on my neck, kissing me.
"It will be okay," he said against my skin.
"We don't have any kids at home anymore," I said and turned to look at our large house. "The house is too big," I said sadly.
"We have our grandchildren," Jacob reminded me. "Sophia's pregnant again. We have a new grandchild to fuss over, you'll soon forget about the empty house," He said and hugged me to his chest. "Plus we've never lived in an empty house. Like ever, imagine the possibilities," he winked at me. I laughed. He was right, before we were married we lived with my parents, after we married I fell pregnant with William and we stayed with my parents until he was born, then we moved into our own home. We always had someone there, whether it was our parents or our children. This was the first time in our married life that we going to be alone for more than a week. Isobel would be back in the fall but only until she finished school, she was adamant she wanted to move in with her best friend Ellie. She'd only known Ellie for two years but I was so happy that Izzy had found someone outside our crazy world to be friends with. Jacob and I agreed we'd let her move out when she was eighteen and finished her senior year. Isobel was the last to go. Tony had moved to Italy, Zac was officially living with Leah, Lauren with Nick; Sarah was with Nahuel and William with Sophia. My children had grown up and the achingly silent house suddenly reminded me of that.
"Do you think we'll have more?" I asked Jacob. It was the middle of the day and we were in bed, a habit of making most of the empty house despite the fact we both knew it would be empty for a while.
"Children?" he asked kissing my collarbone.
"Yes," I said.
"Do you want more?" he asked with a raised eyebrow. "I don't know about you but I could get used to sex in the day," he winked. I giggled.
"I don't mean now," I smiled. He pulled me against his side so I couldn't be any closer to him.
"I'm sure we will eventually." He said. "You're an amazing mother and it would be a waste to not give you a chance to be one again in the future." I smiled widely at him, I was glad he agreed to more. Not now, of course not now. I wanted to focus on my grandchildren and then my great grandchildren and my great great grandchildren but one day, I would want children again and to hear Jacob did too made my heart ache with love for him. I brought my head up to kiss him softly.
"Good," I said to him as I moved to sit across his waist. "So how about that honeymoon we never had?" I asked him raising my eyebrow.
"Oh don't worry," He grinned as he flipped me over so I was on my back. "We'll get it. We've had our children, they've all moved out. This is where our time finally begins," he chuckled as he kissed my body.
"Hmm," I whispered and giggled as his fingers ran over my ticklish places.
"I love you," he said against my stomach that had barely changed since before my six children.
"I love you too," I said running my fingers through his hair.
"This; is just a new chapter," he reminded me.
"I know. A new chapter in our forever," I added as he continued to kiss me.
I wasn't even sure how many hours we had been there but I heard the door slam and I flinched slightly. Jacob groaned and quickly got out of bed to put clothes on.
"Honey I'm home!" I heard Kai call into the house.
"I thought we got rid of the kids," he said to me. I giggled and copied him as I climbed out of bed and dressed quickly into something simple. Jacob and I went down the stairs to greet his nephew.
Kai was Jacob's sister's son. We had met him a few years ago just before Billy's death and then again two years ago when he spent the summer in La Push. That summer he had activated his wolf gene without realising. He knew of the legends and when he went back home to Hawaii he phased for the first time. His mother was supportive and helped her son but his father was sick and dying, he didn't like what his son had become and almost disowned him. Rebecca told Kai that the best place for him would be La Push with Jacob and so Kai left his family in Hawaii and came to live with us, changing his name officially to Black and cutting himself off from his cruel father. He stayed with us for a year; he and Jacob became very close and were more like brothers than uncle and nephew. Kai became a part of the pack and was a lot happier here with his brothers. Kai moved into his own house, got a job and started to make a life for himself. He was often here and I was glad Jacob had a member of his biological family that he wasn't going to lose, at least not anytime soon.
"Yo bro, getting in there with the kids gone?" Kai asked Jacob.
"Shut up," he told him straight away. Kai laughed.
"Well I'm here to burst your bubble. We're going paintballing remember?" he asked him.
"Oh crap. Yeah I forgot," Jacob said and looked guiltily over to me.
"Don't worry, go have fun with your brother, I'll go find mine," I told him and went onto my tip toes to kiss his jaw.
"You sure?" he asked. I nodded.
"I need a little Eddie time," I smiled at him.
"Okay. See you later for dinner?" he asked.
"Of course," I smiled, I kissed him one last time before he and Kai left.
I decided to surprise Eddie by going round. Both his daughters had moved out too and I now I knew how he felt. On the way there I was intercepted by my parents.
"How you feeling honey?" my mom said linking her arm with mine.
"Fine," I said truthfully.
"Jacob has been keeping her mind off it," my father answered for me.
"Dad," I moaned, my mom laughed at my embarrassment.
"Six grandchildren later, we know you're not a virgin Nessie," my mom laughed.
"Doesn't mean you can read my mind and find enjoyment in broadcasting it to the street," I said eyeing my dad, he just grinned.
"We're all heading off on a hunting trip. Want to come?" he asked.
"Is Eddie going?" I asked.
"No he's staying."
"Then no I'm going to go see him, I'll hunt with him later or something," I told them.
"Okay, well the whole family is going, so you gunna be okay over the weekend?" my mom asked.
"Of course I will momma. I'm not a baby anymore," I smiled at her.
"I know you're not," she smiled bittersweetly at me. "Okay well we love you," Bella added and kissed my head.
"Love you too," I said before kissing both my parents just as I arrived at Eddie's door. My parents took each other's hands and shot off into the forest to meet up with the other Cullen's.
"Eddie," I called as I let myself into his house. I heard a familiar laughing from the living room and my face lit up as I saw Chantelle on the couch with Eddie.
"Hey strangers," I said with a smile.
"Hey!" Chanti laughed.
"Didn't expect you to be here," I smiled at her.
"He's my brother too you know," she smiled.
"I know," I said as I came over to them. "Thought I'd come say hi. My house is empty, my husband's off with Kai and my children are gone."
"Izzy left then?" Eddie asked. I nodded and pouted my lip as I sat between my brother and sister.
"Aw poor Nessie," Chanti laughed. She had gone through this years ago. Both her children hadn't lived in her house for years.
"Shut up," I sighed. She smiled at me. "It gets better trust me," she said and hugged my arm, resting her head on my shoulder.
"We've kind of come full circle haven't we?" Eddie asked. I looked up to him for an explanation. "I mean last time we were all on a couch together like this, with no kids and no partners was when we were kids." He explained.
"Huh, yeah you're right," I said and his arm wrapped around mine and Chantelle's shoulders, Chantelle stayed hugging my arm and I rested my head onto my brothers shoulder.
"Do you think it will always be like that? Eventually we'll always be back here?" Chantelle asked.
"I don't know, but I hope so," Eddie replied.
"Me too." I said. Eddie and Chantelle were the first two people I ever loved as much as my parents, they weren't the last but we shared a bond that was stronger than siblings, and I knew it would go on forever.
"What if you go to Italy?" I asked Chantelle.
"Why would I do that?" she asked me. Both Eddie and I looked at her at the exact same time. "What?" she asked.
"Your son is there," I reminded her, "your grandchildren are going to be there eventually."
"I have grandchildren here," she reminded me.
"Totally calling it," Eddie said to me.
"I would say let's bet but I'm with you on this little brother," I said.
"What are you guys even talking about?" Chantelle asked. Eddie and I giggled knowingly before we changed the topic. Pancrazio belonged in Italy and I was almost positive that once Will and Sophia had finished having children and they grew up that they would return there. They were already there half of the year.
"So where is Chloe?" I asked.
"School," Eddie told me. Right she was studying to be a doctor now.
"Zio?" I asked Chanti.
"School," she laughed.
"Jake?" Eddie asked.
"Paintballing," I rolled my eyes.
"What?! He went without me?" he moaned. I giggled.
"He went with Kai," I told him.
"Oh right, my replacement," Eddie joked.
"He's not your replacement! You're still Jake's best friend," I told him.
"Sure I am. I used to be the one he did everything with, now he has Kai."
"He's been through a tough time," I reminded him.
"I know," he chuckled and kissed my head. "I'm only kidding. Im glad you and Jake took him in. He's a good kid."
"Do you think he'll be around for a while?" Chanti asked. I shrugged.
"Until he imprints I guess. Where ever she may be, but I hope it's a while away. It's nice for Jake to have him around, especially after losing Billy," I said.
"So what do you want to do for a few hours before our other halves are home?" Eddie asked me and Chantelle.
"I'm thirsty," I mentioned.
"Me too, I can't remember the last time I had blood," Chantelle mentioned.
"Hunting it is then," Eddie smiled and jumped off the couch, he held both his hands out for us to take one each and I giggled as he pulled me off the couch.
I kept my brothers hand in mine as we left his house. We took off running into the woods and I was smiling as the wind hit my face. It had been a while since I had ran like this. Chantelle and I were at full speed, Eddie at probably half I wasn't even sure but he wasn't complaining, he ran at our speed with us until we reached a herd.
"Wanna play?" he asked us both in a whisper. I grinned at him.
"Marco," I grinned. He smiled and shot off.
"Polo," I heard my brother and I made my way around the herd to find him. As children both Eddie, Chanti and I made a game when we hunted, it was like Marco polo but we changed it around to make it into a hunting game. We weren't allowed to scare the herd but we had to get to each other first. We had a mile radius around the herd and if we don't catch the other person before herd is scared off we lose or if the other gets caught they lose. The penalty is the smallest member of the herd is theirs whilst the other two share the rest of the herd. Eddie was forbidden to cheat and had to stay out our heads.
"Marco," Chantelle called next.
"Polo," I heard Eddie call right across the clearing. I quickly grabbed Chanti's hand before she went off running.
You head that way. Im going to call marco from the right side of the clearing, you catch him on the left. I told her, she nodded and took off running.
"Marco," I called when I was along the right side of the heard.
"Polo," Eddie called.
"Marco polo!" Chantelle called and I ran to see Eddie sighing and Chantelle grinning standing next to him.
"Nessie and I get the biggest," Chantelle called and ran for the herd. I giggled as I followed her; we fought for a second over the biggest before I finally won. Eddie took his deer and Chanti and I finished the rest.
It was strange playing this game again with my siblings, it felt like old times. I felt like I was a teenager again, that it was before any of us were married or had kids or had things to worry about.
"Cheer up sis. It's always going to be like this you know. No matter how old we get, where we live. You'll always be my sister, so will Chanti," Eddie said to me.
"You're right. We'll always be together somehow," I smiled.
"And I'll always tease you," he grinned.
"And I'll always annoy you," Chantelle added with a smile.
"And I'll always love you no matter how annoying you both get," I added looking between them with a grin. They both grinned back.
"Here's to the rest of forever." Eddie said holding our joint hands in the area.
"That's not cheesy at all," Chantelle laughed as she took my spare one.
"He wouldn't be Eddie if he wasn't cheesy," I laughed.
"You're right," Chanti smiled.
"Oh you love me," Eddie said as we headed back home.
"Forever," I teased him before we reached civilisation and the start of the rest of our lives.
I was originally going to have more of a Cullen central last chapter but I really wanted to get the old sibling bond between Eddie, Chanti and Nessie back in the story for the end. I thought since Forever Legends doesn't have these three in it and it has all the Cullen's I had to make the most of having them in the same place. Forever Legends will have plenty more Cullen interactions so please don't say you wished you saw them more in the end of this :) you saw Edward and Bella, I added that especially hehe.
Thank you to EVERYONE that ever read this story/supported me through this trilogy and series for the last five years. I seriously love you all so much. I will be working on Forever Legends next and I will always be around on Twitter! (-BNC_FF).
Epilogue to come after this chapter!
