Disclaimer: SM owns everything in the Twiverse, but please don't steal my plot.


Okay, so "next week" turned into next year – is it too late to say Happy New Year? (Probably.)

And... this is the last chapter for this story, and the epilogue will post soon. The next part of the "Black Ice" saga really is its own story, so I'm going to close this out then begin posting that one when it's completely prewritten. I have four prewritten chapters so far but have no idea when the story will be complete. But for those who love this saga, I promise I will finish it at some point.

For now, please enjoy the last proper chapter of "The Polar Ends."


Chapter 15: Godspeed

Edward's POV

The ceremony concluded, Carlisle and Esme burst into enthusiastic applause. My happiness is muted but no less sincere as my siblings laugh and kiss with glee. Rosalie is smiling so hard I wonder her face has not split in two, and Emmett looks like a kid on Christmas morning. I am proud of myself for setting aside selfishness and bearing witness to their union.

It is truly the least they deserve from me.

"Well, we'll be going now!" Emmett crows, scooping up his bride and spinning her around.

"Emmett, stop!" Rosalie cries. "You're making me dizzy!"

"I am?" He sets her down immediately. "Oh, I'm sor—wait a minute!"

Rosalie bursts into laughter, covering her grinning cheeks with gloved hands. "Gotcha!"

"Oh, you've got me all right..." He saunters up to her, wiggling his eyebrows. "And now you're gonna get it!"

Rosalie squeals and takes off running, Emmett rubbing his hands together as he watches her go. "If you all will excuse me," he says. "It seems I have a runaway bride on my hands."

"Godspeed, Emmett!" Carlisle calls as Emmett sprints after her, shaking his head with a chuckle. "Did we expect their union to begin any other way?"

"Not at all," Esme replies, dabbing her dry eyes with a lace handkerchief. "Not at all."

Carlisle goes to her side and puts an arm around her shoulder. "It's all right, dearest."

"Oh, Carlisle..." She sniffles. "Wasn't that just the loveliest wedding you've ever witnessed?"

He glances at me, and I suppress a chuckle as he replies, "Absolutely."

"I'm so glad they've found each other," she continues. "It isn't right for young vampires to be alone."

Esme gasps as her own words catch up to her, and she turns to me with wide eyes. "Edward, I didn't mean..."

"You are right," I say, holding her gaze so she knows I mean it. "The Good Book says as much."

She shakes her head. "I know, but I shouldn't have said that."

"Do not trouble yourself." I cross the space between us and take her hands. "I am in no way offended. In fact, I agree with you. Rosalie and Emmett have found their ideal matches in each other, and they will both be the better for it."

Carlisle nods approvingly. "Well said."

We stand in companionable silence, chuckling now and then at the sound of Rosalie and Emmett's frolicking in the distance. The moment is peaceful, pleasant even, and I hate that I must disturb it.

But the time has come.

"If I may." I clear my throat. "I would like to speak to you both."

Esme smiles. "Of course."

I nod, trying to begin. I wish to tell them about my epiphany during the wedding, how it came about and what a positive step I feel this is. But as I look at them, the words won't come.

Carlisle frowns, his golden brows furrowed. "Is something wrong, Edward?"

"No. I am well."

"Then what could be the..." Carlisle watches me a moment longer, then his eyes widen. "Oh. I see."

"What is it?" Esme asks.

"Edward is..." Carlisle stares at me, his gaze solemn and sure. "He's leaving us."

Esme gasps. "Leaving us?"

"No," I say.

"No?" Carlisle asks.

"I'm not leaving you," I clarify. "But yes, I am leaving."

"But why?" Esme asks, her eyes shining with different emotions than before.

"I want to figure out who I am as an immortal being, dare I say as a person. Not simply one who abstains from feeding off humans but beyond that."

"That makes sense," Esme concedes, though she still sounds dubious.

"Carlisle." I turn to face him. "You have taken on the role of a healer, a unifier, one who brings people together and seeks to make them whole.

"Esme, you are maternity incarnate, a woman who loves with her whole heart and wants the best for everyone she meets."

Another peal of laughter tinkles in the distance, and a faint smile crosses my face. "Even the newlyweds are carving out space for themselves as two people who love each other to the complete exclusion of all others."

I look at my parents. "That's what I want: a fixed identity birthed not out of necessity but out of self-awareness and choice. And to do so properly..."

"... you need to know what choices are available to you," Carlisle says, understanding dawning in his mind.

"Yes."

"I see," Esme says, looking at me with unspeakable tenderness. "Then allow me to say this."

She is blocking her thoughts, something she never does, and I am instantly on guard. Sensing my distress, she covers my hands with her own. "My darling boy, you have nothing to fear from me. I only wish you to hear the words from my mouth. I feel they have more power that way."

"I should have known your reasons were benevolent." I say. "I'm sorry."

"You have nothing to apologize for." She glances at Carlisle. "And that is part of what we need to say."

"Excuse me?"

"Edward, we pride ourselves in wanting what's best for you, in always looking out for you. But good intentions don't always yield good results."

"We have always seen you through paternal eyes," Carlisle says. "Treating you like a wild child needing to be tamed. And in doing so, even in the name of helping you, we have been rather neglectful of your actual needs."

"We meant well," Esme continues. "But we cannot claim to know what life has been like for you. And... well, I guess we have to consider the possibility that the things you need and want the most may lie elsewhere, away from us."

Carlisle lays a hand on my shoulder. "It is to be expected. Not only because of the vampiric tendency to roam, but because you are still, in many ways, a young man full of wanderlust and curiosity. Your parents had barely died before you were thrust into this unpredictable existence. It's little wonder you know so little about yourself."

"We will always be here," Esme says, "Even if 'here' is in some other town in some other state or country. But to expect you to stay with us for the sake of keeping the family intact... we won't do that to you."

"So for what it's worth," Carlisle lays a hand on my shoulder, "You have our blessing."

"So go and be well, Edward." Esme smiles. "But do clean your room first."

We share a laugh at that. My room is the tidiest space in the continental United States, second only to that of Rosal...

My face falls, and I look in the general direction of the house. Though we shared a pleasant moment during her wedding, I can only think of my last conversation with Rosalie with shame. She was trying to be kind, to protect my feelings, and I spit the attempt in her face.

I should leave if for no other reason than to free her from the burden of my presence.

"Well, I need to pick new flowers for the dining room table," Esme says. She throws her arms around me, squeezing tightly. "I love you, Edward. Please take care of my boy."

"I love you too, Esme." It's the first time I've ever said it aloud. "Thank you for everything."

Though elated by my words, her thoughts betray disappointment that I didn't promise to return. But her smile remains as she kisses her husband's cheek and disappears down the path toward the house. Once she's out of earshot, Carlisle turns to me. "Will you say goodbye to your siblings?"

I shake my head. "Tonight should be about them and nothing else."

"I agree," he says. "And I'm sure Emmett will understand."

"Will she?"

His mind explodes with shock, as I have not mentioned her name to him since my return. But his voice is even when he says, "I think she will, in time. There are few things it cannot overcome."

"Good thing we're immortal," I mutter, causing him to laugh. Part of me does wish I could speak to Rosalie, to put a proper period on the sprawling run-on sentence our relationship has been. But another part of me wouldn't even know where to start.

Perhaps silence will speak better for me.

"Where will you go?" Carlisle asks.

"Anywhere. Everywhere. That is the point, I suppose."

"Well, I'd be happy to make some European recommendations. I imagine my former haunts have changed over the centuries, but I believe you might enjoy them nonetheless."

"And I'd be happy to take those suggestions, thank you. But I... I believe my first stop must be more domestic."

He raises a brow. "Oh?"

"Yes. An unresolved matter up north demands my attention."

Carlisle watches me a moment then nods. "I think that would be most appropriate."


Thanks so much for reading – see you soon with the epilogue! XO