Author's Note

Please forgive any spelling and/or grammar errors. I hope you enjoy, please let me know what you think!

Bella's final chapter. Don't worry, you'll see more of her in Mae's story :)

Any dialogue you recognize is from Breaking Dawn. Most has changed at least a little, but there are a few bits from the book. PS I'm not Stephenie Meyer, so I don't own anything :(

Chapter 25 - Bella

As soon as they reached the house, the Denalis announced their desire to leave. The pain of losing Irina was too fresh. They needed time to heal.

Leah shocked her by going to one of the vehicles, apparently intending to depart with them. Garrett, unsurprisingly, joined them as well, having meant it when he said he intended to spend the rest of his eternity by her side. Kate burrowed into his side the second he slid in beside her.

"We'll talk soon?" Leah asked Edward as she opened the door.

"I'll call you in the morning," he promised.

Jasper had told her in whispers about how Edward had fought beside Leah. Bella thought it showed tremendous progress on his part to trust someone he cared for to handle her own in a fight. Maybe there was hope for them.

When the sound of the two vehicles leaving the dirt drive as they turned onto the main road sounded, Bella asked, "Do they blame us? For getting them involved today."

"No. They know we would have done the same for them if necessary, taken the same risk," Edward answered.

"They'll need time to grieve. We probably won't see them for a while, but we'll be there if they want us," Carlisle added. He was stitching up Jared's leg. The wolf was missing a huge chunk of skin and muscle from his thigh. Bella thought she saw part of his bone before Carlisle set to work on it.

Jared's injury was the worst of the surviving wolves. Seth and Emmett had carried him back to the house since he couldn't walk. Seth was injured too, a broken arm - Demetri again, but it had set early in the fight. She wished she could kill him all over again - for Jazz. How dare he injury her mate. Carlisle had insisted on looking over Seth though once he was finished with Jared.

Sam and Paul had carried Embry's massive wolf body back to the reservation. They'd be holding a ceremony to honor him tomorrow night once Jake was home. Bella wished she could attend, to pay her respects. Once upon a time she and Embry had been friends too, and he'd become close with Mae as well. Or at least that Esme could, but Bella understood why Sam had refused. Vampires killed him, so they didn't want vampires there for his final moments - even if they were the good kind of bloodsuckers.

"How did it happen?" Bella asked, stepping a little closer to investigate the sutures her adoptive father was placing. It'd been so long since she'd required any herself.

"The invisible one got his claws in me when I was still coming out of the stupor from getting roofied," Jared said. He looked from the fresh blood oozing out of his wound to Bella. "You're not going to start lapping at my leg now that you really are the vampire girl, are you?"

"Don't worry - you're not that tempting," Bella said dryly, rolling her eyes.

Her throat was itchy, and hunting would help with the dry heat, but the wolf blood smelled about as far from food to her as paper did for humans. It was just too earthy. Like dirt or bark.

"You might always have a slight limp, and even with your healing, I think it will scar," Carlisle said, a soft smile on his lips at their banter. "A portion of your muscle was excised and I'm not sure how capable your kind is at regenerating tissue. It's something I'll have to look into more. You may be completely fine, or you may not."

"Kim will probably find it sexy," Jared said, making light of the situation by mentioning his imprint. The two had just moved in together last Bella heard. "I don't care if I limp. I'm just glad Seth got to me in time."

"You did?" Bella asked, snapping her head around to stare at Seth. So that's where he'd gone right after Em and Rose showed up to help her. He'd only been gone for twenty or so seconds, but it was right after Embry died. Bella had been surprised he could function at all when just experiencing Embry's injury had debilitated Seth enough for Demetri to break his arm.

"Don't thank me. Jake was the one that went alpha on me. I… that was… never mind. I think he scented him through Leah or something, and ordered me to get to you. I wouldn't have been up for anything on my own right then," Seth explained, nodding at Jared.

"Still, I'm alive because of you. Thank you, brother," Jasred said more seriously.

"Anytime," Seth said, flushing. Clearly he was uncomfortable with the gratitude.

"Jacob ordered you?" Bella asked, wanting clarification. She remembered how opposed Jake was to using his status to strip them of their free will. Glancing at Jasper revealed that he was unsurprised by this revelation. Had something that happened already let him know about this?

"Yeah," Seth breathed, shuttering. A shadow crossed over his face, and he struggled to form the right words, "Right and left. It was… "

"He was ordering Embry to live," Edward supplied, his eyes tortured at the memory. "I heard him. I could hardly believe… It was the only reason Embry lasted as long as he did."

The events that lead to Embry's injury unsettled Bella. She'd actually been warning Embry about Afton coming up behind him since his gift didn't work on her, but the wolf had thought she'd meant Alec's mist. If she'd been clearer, maybe…

It was too late for what ifs though.

"I wondered," Carlisle murmured softly, lost in contemplation. When he noted the others' interest, he elaborated, "His heart was shredded. He shouldn't have even lasted long enough for me to get to him. I tried to hold the pieces of his heart together. I could feel them mending. But between the blood loss and the extent of the damage, there was just no way. Not even with your accelerated healing."

"Jacob hoped it would work. That he could give him the time he needed," Edward said, directing the words to Jared's perplexed look. He must have been replying to some unspoken thought in the wolf's head.

"Poor Jake. This is going to eat him up," Seth muttered, running the fingers of his uninjured arm through his hair while Carlisle examined the other having finished with Jared. "And on top of everything else too."

"What else?" Bella demanded.

Seth looked caught. He opened his mouth, but didn't speak, glancing at Edward then Jasper to save him.

"It's not important," Edward interjected smoothly. "You did amazing today, Bella," he added, changing the subject.

"Nice try," Bella said dryly, crossing her arms.

"It actually was pretty awesome - the way you sent his head flying," Seth chuckled. Edward used the distraction to slip from the porch and into the garage. Bella was tempted to run him down and demand answers, but Jasper wove his fingers between hers, staying her.

"Not to break up the sappy moment, but… " Rosalie said, stepping up to the porch while holding up an arm that based on its size, could only belong to a youth. "Look, I know Alice said we couldn't kill him, but what are we supposed to do with the parts?"

"Redecorate the house?" Emmett suggested, making Jared and Seth both snort.

"Bring them here," Edward said, appearing as if summoned like a genie in a lamp. He had three metal cases in his arms. "Divide them among these so he can't reassemble on the trip."

"Trip?" Esme demanded. It was the first time she'd spoken since the clearing, but Edward's words seem to drag her from her grief.

"Alice told me what needed to be done," Edward said vaguely. He closed one of the cases with only Alec's head inside.

"What exactly needs to be done?" Carlisle questioned.

"When were you going to tell us about this?" Esme asked, voice worried. Carlisle moved to sit beside her on the porch swing now that he was done seeing to Seth's arm.

"Edward?" Jasper prodded, and Bella knew he disliked the emotions he was picking up from his brother.

"I have to return him to Volterra," Edward said, not looking at anyone as he sealed the third and final case with parts of Alec's torso, left arm, and right leg. "Jane will retaliate if we don't."

"What else?" Jasper asked before Bella could, because there were always strings when dealing with the Volturi.

"I'm going to make them an offer. One they won't refuse," Edward said evasively, not meeting anyone's eye.

"You're joining them?" Jasper asked, incredulously, understanding first.

"Temporarily," Edward admitted.

"Why?" Bella breathed.

To her, the Volturi would always represent the villains of her story. They'd threatened her life and happiness from their very first meeting, and again several times since. They'd stared in her nightmares when she'd still been human. They'd stolen her daughter's innocence when Jacob had been forced to kill one of their number in front of her. She couldn't imagine anyone ever voluntarily wishing to be one of them or a part of their world of violence and death.

"We destroyed six of their number today. Another last month. That's over a quarter of their total number. Jane, Renata, and Alec are the only three remaining of their core members, and only the twins do anything more than guard Aro. The loss will create a vacuum. It will leave them vulnerable to attack. We still need them to maintain the laws and secrecy for our kind," Edward explained by rote, as if repeating a conversation he'd already had. Probably he had - with Alice.

"Maybe they should be overthrown," Emmett suggested, voicing Bella's thoughts.

"No. Alice has seen that this will actually help us. My going, and our sparing Alec, their greatest weapon, is a sign of goodwill. They'll know we're capable of destroying them - what they feared all along - but that we don't want to replace them. It will eliminate their fear, and stop them from striking against us again at a later date.

"Today will be a wake up call for them. I will serve as a reminder of what they once stood for, and I will help guide them back towards the path they strayed from. They weren't always what they've become. It's important that vampires have oversight, a measure in place to keep them in check and prevent them from overindulging in their baser desires. Humans will suffer if they're gone altogether - particularly those living near the southern clans.

"If Alice went, they'd never let her leave. They won't keep me. My gift is close enough to Aro's that I can go to offer my assistance in helping them recruit new members, and monitor the area as an early warning system should another coven think to take advantage during this time. Then once things are in order I can return," Edward explained.

Bella was furious. Too furious to form words. Edward had just sworn to stick around - not even a week ago, he'd promised Mae that he'd be here when she got back. This was precisely what she'd been worried about happening when she let Edward back into their lives, particularly Mae's. He was forever breaking promises. There had to be some other way. His leaving couldn't be the only option right now. It was just the easiest. Or his way of being a martyr.

Possibly, he thought becoming one of the treasured sycophants would be more satisfying, or easier, than building a relationship with his daughter. Especially considering she was still holding a bit of a grudge.

Carlisle nodded, seeming the least upset by this new development. He suggested, "Like the Romanians?"

Jasper released calming waves, noting her anger, but she rejected them, choosing to stoke the flames of her seething temper instead. Waiting to unleash it on Edward at the right moment. First she needed to hear all of his flimsy excuses and explanations, so she had all the reasons to be mad at him laid out. Then she could hurl each pathetic one back at him like dodgeballs.

"Yes. There are others too, who wish for the chance to rule - like Amun," Edward added, his creased forehead indicating troubled thoughts that he was either remembering or currently reading.

"You don't have to go. I think we've proven we're up for a fight," Emmett said, making Rose hiss. She did not want to get dragged into another fight. Jared and Seth's expressions said they weren't up for another anytime soon either. They couldn't do this to the wolves again if there was a way to spare them facing this type of loss again.

"Not an option," Jasper said, giving Em a quelling look. Her brother just shrugged.

"What else? I can tell that's not everything," Seth said, calling Edward on still keeping secrets.

Edward was deliberately not looking at Bella. He hadn't, not once, since this conversation started. He must have known how she'd react upon learning of his decision to take off again. Bella couldn't believe this had been Alice's idea. She'd never suggest anything that would hurt Mae as much as this surely would.

"If Aro doesn't accept my offer, or agree to all of my stipulations, the cases are rigged to ignite - Alec will burn," Edward revealed.

"What other stipulations?" Jasper asked, evaluating Edward's strategy.

"Edward! They'll destroy you if you do that," Esme cried. She couldn't bear to lose another child today. The pain was still too fresh.

"They can never retaliate against the packs for their alliance with us or what happened here today. And most importantly, Renesmee is forever off limits. He must agree to never attempt to collect her. I'll be able to read his mind and know if he's sincere or not," Edward said, finally meeting Bella's piercing gaze. "Alice has already seen that he will accept - he knows he can't take us, and that we will be spreading the word of what happened here today. Others will stand against them in the future if they ever go back on their word."

Abruptly, Bella's anger fizzled out. She finally understood. He was sacrificing himself to protect their daughter. The way she had done when she was pregnant with her. It was how he should have behaved all along. He finally understood her position, and was making the correct choice. The one she had made all along.

"How long will you be gone?" she asked. Edward visibly relaxed when he sensed her approval.

"Many wish to join the guard. It is an honor to be extended an invitation. I don't think it will take long to replace those lost. Hopefully, I can even guide Aro into selecting members that believe in what the Volturi used to stand for, rather than what they've become," he said, stalling.

"How long?" she demanded more insistently.

"Alice expects it to take a year," he finally whispered. "Maybe a little longer."

"You promised you'd be here when she got back," Jazz said sadly, not accusing him, just pointing out the problem.

"I know," Edward acknowledged, nodding. "I'm doing this for her - to keep her safe."

"She won't understand," Bella warned Edward. She wasn't quite eight months old yet, and she understood that Edward had already willingly left her once. This would not go over well with her.

"It's the only way. Besides, they should know what your shield will be capable of after some practice."

"What do you mean?" Bella asked, confused.

"Eleazar couldn't stop thinking about it. If you can learn to project it, and we both think you'll be able to, gifts will be useless against anyone under your protection. We'll be invincible with you on our side."

"Invincible is a little much," Rose interjected, raising an imperious brow at the classification.

"Aro trusts Eleazar's opinion - his gift is to judge the potential of other's gifts, and that was his conclusion about her," Edward shared, excitement making his grin almost predatory.

"Me?" Dumbfounded. That was the only way to describe her state of mind. She was just Bella though. Ordinary Bella. Alice and Edward had the extraordinary gifts. Not her with the simple shield. Sure, it let her take on Alec today. But Jasper had fought two of the seven guards, not just one - with lots of help.

"Yes, Bella. You," Edward said, sighing exasperatedly.

"Now everyone will see you as I do," Jazz said, kissing her lightly just behind her ear.

"Then make your leaving again count. Make sure they know we'll burn every last one of them if they ever come within a hundred miles of her," Bella said, projecting as much steel and determination into the threat that she could. The message specifically for Aro from her. She hoped it shook him to his foundation when he saw it in Edward's mind.

"It's the least I can do."

Edward left first thing in the morning on the first flight out, hours before Mae returned. For once, Bella didn't blame him, and had actually encouraged him to go before she got back. It would have been harder for all of them if he'd waited to say welcome home then followed it up with goodbye.

She saw Jacob first, his head towered over the other passengers exiting the terminals into the baggage claim area at the small Port Angeles airport. Alice was right. He looked like hell. Black circles ringed his eyes the same as her family got when they needed to hunt. But it was the eyes themselves that were the most altered. Empty black pools. Blank as a pot of ink.

The sight left her cold. A first since her change. She actually shivered at the temperature drop the sight elicited.

Then Alice was darting forward, weaving through the smallest gaps between people like an eel, seeming to repel them enough to slip through without shoving. She launched herself at Seth, jumping into his waiting arms, and wrapping her legs around his waist.

Bella's mouth dropped open as she watched the tiny vampire plant her lips firmly on the surprised wolf's. His eyes widened momentarily, and he smiled a bit against her, before his eyelids shut and he pulled her impossibly closer.

"Guess she changed her mind," Jasper whispered in Bella's ear.

"Jealous? It could have been you," Bella teased, earning herself a discreet tap on her butt, not hard enough to make her react and draw attention, but enough to let her know there'd be payback for the suggestion later.

A flash of memory surprised her. It was clearer than most of what she remembered from her human days. Alice had greeted Jasper at an airport after risking her life, and all they'd done was hold hands and gaze into each other's eyes. It had been sweet, heartwarming, understated, but both seemed to prefer their new partners. They were certainly more exuberant with them.

Jacob was closer now, and Bella could see Mae clinging to his side as they walked, his arm slung over her shoulders to keep her close and not let her get lost in the crowd.

"Momma!" Mae cried when she spied Bella. At once, she released the wolf and ran to Bella. Bella opened her arms to hug her baby, but she saw the way Jake's fingers clasped the empty air where Mae had just been, seeking to hold on to the comfort she'd unknowingly been giving him, but just as quickly, he jerked his hand back as though he'd been burned.

"I missed you," Bella murmured, still watching Jacob. He and Jazz seemed to be having a staring contest. Then Bella felt the peace, love, and gratitude Jasper was offering Jacob. A gift to help him now and to say thank you for protecting their daughter.

"Carlisle? Can you and Esme give me a ride to the rez? I talked Sam into letting you be there for tonight. He had no right to tell you no before. They're waiting on us to get started," Jacob said, assessing Seth then taking a deep breath, debating. He must have decided against interrupting the two enthusiastically kissing. "Bella, I'll be around tomorrow to talk."

"Sure, Jake. We can go for a run or even a ride," Bella agreed, thinking of the motorcycle sitting in the Cullen garage gathering dust. It was slower than her, but the memories of riding with Jacob were nice, and she wanted to remind him of better times. Her words barely registered with him though. There was no noticeable reaction.

"Bye, Nessie," Jake said flatly, ruffling her hair as he walked out. Carlisle and Esme each stroked a hand down Mae's hair, smoothing it back out and reassuring themselves she was home safe then followed Jake. There'd be time for a better reunion later.

Mae placed her hand on Bella's cheek, an image of Jacob walking out replayed in her head along with feelings of concern.

"Me too, honey," Bella agreed, having nothing else to add to alleviate her daughter's concerns or her own about her best friend.

"Mae, did Jacob already talk to you?" Jazz asked, watching her curiously. She shrugged, hugging Bella again. Bella sensed he wanted to press her further, but Rosalie interrupted before he could.

"Are we waiting till they're done?" Rosalie gripped, looking bored and just a little disgusted as she watched Alice and Seth kissing passionately. Imagine what she and Emmett had put the others through. Payback time.

"If they're going to put on a show," Emmett said casually, shrugging as if to say 'What can you do?'.

Alice pulled back enough to say, "We'll find our own way - now scram!"

They were in the car before the inevitable question was asked. "Momma, why didn't dad come with you guys?"

Mae was seated between Jasper and Bella in the back of Emmett's jeep. Bella met Em's eyes in the rearview mirror before she addressed her daughter.

"You know how you left because some people were coming here and it was dangerous?" Bella began carefully.

"He wasn't hurt, was he?" Mae demanded, her heart rate and breathing accelerating dangerously. She was having a panic attack at the thought, Bella realized.

"He's fine, I swear," Jazz murmured, kissing the top of her head and running his fingers through her tangled curls as he filled the small space with calming vibes.

"Then where is he?" Mae chimed in a small, uncertain voice.

"He had to go meet with the people that wanted to hurt us - to clear things up," Bella explained.

"He'll be fine. They don't want to hurt him. If fact, they need his help on a few things, poppet," Jasper explained, reading her mood and answering her questions before she could ask them. She was so young though, it was difficult to clarify or even justify what was happening and make her understand.

"But he promised me he'd be here," she said, face crumpling. "Why would he want to go help them after what they did? I know they killed Embry. Irina too. Why does he even care about them?"

"He has to do this. He'll help them, so you'll always be safe. He'll call everyday, so you'll get to talk to him all the time, and he'll be back before you know it. If there was any other way - " Bella started, but Mae shook her head and interrupted.

"Don't. He left again. Just like before."

"Mae, sweetheart," Rose tried, turning in her seat to look back at her niece. Bella was surprised Rosalie was defending Edward, but it made sense. He was keeping the little girl she loved safe. Though she'd huffed and rolled her eyes when he'd talked about going.

"I'm glad he left. I don't want him to ever come back. I don't need him."

"Bella," Jazz said, shaking his head to stop her when she went to scold Mae for the harsh words.

Was this how it had been for the rest of them when she'd been the one mad at Edward and hoping he wouldn't return? Granted the circumstances were vastly different, but she felt pulled in opposing directions.

Time. It would just take time for things to sort themselves out. Luckily, now they had it. Mae wasn't going anywhere.

"How are you holding up?" Bella asked. Jake had showed up early, looking as if he'd gone another night without sleep. Death warmed over was too gentle a description. More like a corpse left out during a Phoenix summer so it'd been heated to Jake's natural one-oh-four degree temperature.

The sun hadn't even broken the trees yet when he knocked on the cottage door, unable to wait for them to even wake Mae and head to the main house before showing up for their talk. He'd declined her invitation to run or ride, asking for a simple walk instead.

"I'm not," Jacob said bluntly, not sugar coating it.

"Jake - "

"I got a part time job at a garage in La Jolla. Rachel's college roommate moved there and hooked me up. This way I can save up and use it to supplement the scholarships I got. I start in a couple days," he said, outlining his plans and raking a hand through his hair. There wasn't a trace of emotion in his words. He spoke like he was reading the newspaper aloud, and it was a story he had absolutely no interest in.

His plans though… They were so detailed, so well thought out. It startled her. And for the first time she realized this was really happening. Jacob intended to leave Forks and La Push. To leave her and Mae.

When Bella joined the supernatural world, she just sort of assumed it would always have Jacob in it. Especially after he seemed to be all right with her being a vampire. And of course there was the whole imprinting on her daughter angle to consider. So for him to say he was leaving… It didn't just bulldoze her. No. It straight up steamrolled her.

Bella grabbed Jake's arm with all of her new strength, halting him. He didn't resist, but he didn't turn to face her ether. "What? Jacob, no. You can't just take off like that. Not right - "

"I have to. I can't stay here. Everywhere I look… " He stopped, choking back anguished tears. The first hint that he wasn't truly dead inside. Her best friend still existed, somewhere buried deep within the shell standing beside her.

"It's too soon. Stop and think this through, please," Bella begging, pleading with him, urging him to open up to her. He'd helped her through one of the worst times in her life. She hoped he would let her do the same for him now. "Don't rush into any major decisions just now."

"Bells, I have to get away. I don't want to lead my tribe or be a werewolf right now. All I want is to not see reminders that my best friend since fourth grade is dead because our people are cursed," Jake said, making Bella understand that part of him had gone back to hating being a werewolf. It was like before, when he'd first phased.

"This is my family's fault," Bella whispered, knowing if the Cullens had never come to Forks in the first place, Jake wouldn't be a wolf now.

And Embry wouldn't have died two weeks before he graduated high school.

"I don't blame any of you. I love you all - even Rosalie. But that pull? The one tying me to Nessie - it vanished the second I left the airport with Carlisle and Esme," Jacob insisted, but he looked away as he said it, and Bella couldn't help but doubt the truth of his statement.

"You really did just imprint to keep her safe?" she asked, wanting him to say he really was planning to completely walk away from Mae.

"Looks that way. Now I'm free, and all I want is to be Jacob Black, eighteen-year-old college student with an unknown future and not a burden in sight," Jacob said, finally meeting her assessing gaze. His eyes begged her to accept this, to finally let him go when she'd refused every other time. To unshackle him from the burdens she'd heaped on him when he was too young to understand what getting involved with her would mean for his life.

"You want out of this life," Bella acknowledged.

"I'm not breaking up with you," he said dryly, echoing words that she suddenly recalled saying to him once, because now, like then, no words existed that properly fit their relationship and what they meant to one another. "You and Ness will always be important to me. I'll stay in touch. I'm not going wolf to run away this time, just moving to a different state so I can find my own way forward," he vowed, little cracks forming in the shell of his unemotional facade.

"Promise you'll call once a week. And visit every break. And keep shifting," Bella requested, knowing there was nothing else to say. He needed this, and she had to support his decision the way he'd ultimately supported hers to become a vampire.

"I will," Jake promised, but it sounded empty. The way seniors always swear they'll stay in touch with everyone they've ever met - even frenemies - at graduation, but somehow they never find the time to actually pick up the phone or email once the next chapter of their story begins.

"Have you told her yet?" Bella asked, knowing he'd instantly know who she referred to.

"No. Well, sort of on the plane. I just talked to Billy about it last night then spent the rest of the night packing. I figured you'd be up - not sleeping and all - so I came over as soon as I finished," Jacob said, trying to joke, but it was too fake and forced. His pain was starting to leak out again.

"When are you leaving?"

Jacob paused, as if not wanting to admit it. Finally, he said, "Tomorrow afternoon. Paul and Rachel are going to come with and help me find a place that I can afford."

Bella stifled her protest. It was so soon. This wasn't just him telling her he planned to leave. This was him telling her goodbye.

"If you need money -"

"I'll ask if I do," Jake interrupted softly, smiling indulgently. He knew her family had the means, but he was too proud to ever accept the handout.

"But you won't?" Bella guessed. His uptilted lips confirmed her theory. "I'll miss you," Bella admitted softly, unable to help herself.

"You too, Bells." He caught her up in a hug, lifting her entirely off the ground. He didn't release her for a good minute. The time it took to let go of their history. To shed the baggage so there was room for something new.

"You'll always be my best man, Jake," Bella whispered, releasing the piece of him she hadn't realized she'd been holding onto. She didn't need the security he promised anymore. Jasper would never let her down the way Edward had. She'd never need to depend on another, on Jacob, again. Jasper would always be everything to her from here on out. Already he'd been doing it, and she'd been relying on Jacob less and less.

Jacob deserved the chance to find the same.

Jacob had asked for an hour to say bye to Mae and explain for himself why he was leaving today. It was an easy request to agree to. Seth had promised to bring Mae back afterwards, and Jasper had dropped her off at the border a little while ago.

Most of the family had gathered outside. Carlisle was at the hospital, finally on a regular schedule again, though it'd only last another two or three months then they were moving.

Esme was working on the garden. Charlie and Sue were coming over for dinner so Alice could help with their wedding plans. The smell of the pot roast simmering that Esme had started that morning could be smelled all the way outside. Hopefully Sue and Charlie liked leftovers, otherwise it'd go to waste. Or Seth and Quil could always eat it.

Alice was perched on the rail above Esme, absently scanning the future. She'd decided to try a new career, and just couldn't bring herself to leave it to chance. Bella thought the real reason she'd taken up the new hobby was to keep herself thoroughly distracted this next year as she waited for Seth to finish high school and join the Cullens.

Rosalie and Emmett were cuddled up on the porch swing, whispering to each other about their plans later that night. Bella really could have done without knowing Rosalie planned to lick Emmett's popsicle, as her sister put it.

Bella, meanwhile, was sitting on the steps, anxiously awaiting Jasper's return. He'd promised to stay and help if it looked like Mae wouldn't take the news of Jake's imminent departure well. She was eager to have her daughter back where she could see Mae for herself and know she was all right. Being apart from her baby for days when she was still so young had been harder than she liked to admit.

She heard Jazz's approach before she saw him, and smelled him even before that thanks to the breeze blowing through the trees and up the drive.

He came towards her, moving at full speed. Bella was too busy admiring the graceful way his muscles flexed beneath his clothes to move.

Jasper didn't seem to care as he scooped her up in his arms, tossing her playfully over his shoulder as he spun around in dizzying circles the second he was close enough. Laughter poured from her lips, falling to mingle with his like raindrops.

Bella recalled never having heard him laugh until she'd been pregnant with Mae. Now, he laughed all the time. The sound musical and even more wonderful for the fact that everytime he did, happiness spilled from him, infecting everyone nearby, lifting their spirits impossibly higher.

Moments later they were both seated on the stairs, Bella nestled in his arms.

"Someone's getting lucky tonight - aside from me," Emmett teased, making Bella bury her face in Jasper's neck, embarrassed that her brother had so blatantly called her on it. After nearly a year, it was no easier for her to take Em's mockery of her sex life. At least this time he'd done it without Mae around.

She heard Emmett grunt and imagined Rose had retaliated by elbowing him - she'd have heard if it'd been a smack to the back of his head like it usually was.

Jasper just kissed her temple in response, too happy to chastise his brother or boast that he was right. Because he definitely was. Bella didn't plan to ever go a night without gorging herself on Jasper again if she could help it.

They both heard it at the same time. Mae and Seth were coming up the drive. Jasper stood first, opening his arms to embrace their daughter. Bella let him have this moment to comfort Mae after finding out she was losing her best friend. Bella feared that if she tried, she'd only make it worse since she was losing her friend too.

Mae threw herself at Jasper, flying twenty feet through the air when she jumped to clutch at him tightly. Sobbing into his neck as though her world had just come crashing down. Shattered into a million pieces with no hope of ever being restored.

Jasper held up a hand to keep everyone back, including Bella. It broke her heart to see her daughter so distraught when there was nothing she could do to help her.

He softly whispered to Mae for a few minutes before she calmed, still clinging to her papa, but more settled. Then he brought her over to Bella, sitting back on the steps with their daughter in his lap.

Seth followed behind, moving a touch slower up the steps, brushing Bella's shoulder in greeting as he passed, then moving directly to Alice's side. He shifted up on his toes then dropped back on his heels, rocking slightly with his hands stuffed in his back pockets, flushing nervously.

A tinkling laugh rang out, startling Bella, and making her spin to see Alice, leg still dangling over the rail of the front porch.

"She's finally lost it. Always knew it would happen eventually," Emmett mock whispered.

"Alice? You going to let the rest of us in on the secret?" Rosalie said, voicing everyone's curiosity when Alice continued laughing.

"It was this - now," Alice said, smiling as she looked from person to person. Her smile only widened when she met their blank stares.

"Real clear, sis," Em finally stated, prompting her to elaborate.

"I saw this happening," she said, like it was obvious what she was referring to.

"You saw Mae and Seth?" Jasper asked, uncertainly, almost hesitantly.

"No, no, but I saw it," Alice repeated quickly, shifting her head and widening her eyes as if they should suddenly understand what she was trying to say.

"It's not exactly uncommon for you to see things, Alice," Emmett muttered sarcastically, seeming to give up on her. It wasn't all that an uncommon occurrence.

"During Bella's honeymoon - with Edward. I saw this exact moment happening," Alice finally clarified, bringing them to the same enlightenment as her as she waved towards Bella and Jazz.

"So that's why you dumped Jazz," Em said, as if he'd only just now realized the significance of the event.

"I would have too, if I saw you kissing my sister," Rose said frankly. Emmett's only response was to kiss Rose, deepening it until everyone assembled was uncomfortable witnessing the moment.

"Thank you," Jazz murmured, ignoring his siblings and addressing Alice.

"I'm glad it happened," Alice admitted, ducking her head as though she expected teasing. Not even Emmett did, though Bella sensed he'd not hold back for long, when he turned his head enough to wink at everyone before resuming his kiss.

"I thought I knew what my happily ever after would look like, what my future held," Bella said, slightly overwhelmed as she took in her gathered family and the love of her existence.

"But I bet you never dreamed it would look like this - I know I didn't," Alice commented, adding, "and I can see the future."

"I guess it's still full of surprises, after all - for all of us," Seth whispered, leaning down to kiss Alice, the first he'd ever initiated in front of her family.

"What do you think of English?" Jasper asked, glancing up from his book and drawing her attention away from her own.

"That I've never really given much thought to learning any other language?" Bella mused, turning sideways on the sofa to better look at him. It was a strange question to ask. She'd mostly zoned out during her high school Spanish classes.

"I was thinking as a major. I have degrees in Philosophy and History, but I enjoy reading, and literature might be interesting to study. We could take some of the same classes, maybe 'study' together," Jasper said suggestively, running a finger up the inside of her thigh, but stopping short of where she'd actually prefer his fingers to be.

"I thought we were going to focus on being parents for now?" Bella replied, reaching over to trace one of the scars on his arm. Pleasure made him shiver in response and she relished the waves he released for her to experience with him.

"Mae will be ready for college herself in four, maybe even three years. I thought maybe you'd like to earn a degree before she did. It's only a few hours a week," he said, leaning closer to her, and trailing his fingers up and down her thigh almost absently. Almost.

"Is this so I don't miss out on any human things?" Bella asked, curious if the family was still on that kick. They'd all tried in the months leading up to her wedding, knowing there was a chance she wouldn't come back human. And in a way, she hadn't. Not entirely at least.

"It's so Mae can't brag about being smarter than you," Jasper said, partly serious.

At the rate Mae's brain was developing, she'd be ready for college in no time and would likely devour the knowledge at an expedient rate.

"Hmmm, in that case I might go with biology or pre-med," Bella announced without realizing that she even wanted to. They'd have time for multiple degrees though, so why not pick something useful first.

Bella caught Jazz's other hand and brought it to her lips, kissing each of his fingers. She sucked the tip of one into her mouth and was rewarded with his eyes darkening to black with lust.

"When did that interest pop up?" Jasper asked, closing his eyes, but still noticing her own surprise when she'd said it.

"The wolves. What if Carlisle isn't around? Or… " Bella trailed off, not needing to say more. Jasper had already detected her shift in mood from desirous to concern, and he adjusted, pulling back a little and taking a deep, calming breath.

"You're worried that if more of us had a medical background we could have saved Embry," Jasper said knowingly.

"I can't help but wonder," Bella admitted sadly.

"Two of his ribs went right through his heart. It was a miracle Carlisle kept him alive for as long as he did. He was bleeding out too fast for his body to heal the damage even with how accelerated it was. And his other organs suffered severe damage too," Jasper reiterated, despite knowing she now possessed perfect recall. Sometimes focusing only on the facts made an impossible and unfair situation easier to understand.

"I know. I just… "

"Come here, darlin'," he said, cuddling her against his chest and kissing her temple. "I think it'd be a good idea. You certainly have the control for it, and Carlisle would love teaching you how to use your new abilities to assist you in helping others."

"Yes, he would enjoy that," Bella agreed, imagining the enthusiasm Carlisle would display for the task. None of his other children had ever shared his passion for healing.

"But you don't actually want to be a doctor, do you?"

"You know me so well," Bella acknowledged, chuckling lightly. "No, I want the knowledge, but I think I'd prefer editing."

"So maybe English for your next degree then? And for now Carlisle can just supplement your biology education since an undergrad degree won't give you any actual or practical medical knowledge."

"Where? Are we still moving to Whitehorse?"

"No. Carlisle mentioned Fairbanks so we can be nearer to the Denalis. They need us right now," Jasper explained.

Bella had no interest in planning the move, and had just told Jasper and Esme to let her know when she needed to have her goodbyes to Charlie wrapped up, and her stuff packed. Other than that, she'd be fine with whatever they decided. Esme had thanked her for being so flexible, since some of the others - Rosalie - had a habit of making things difficult for her - Emmett too.

"That'll be nice for after Edward returns," Bella said, realizing he'd probably be moving back in with them considering the situation with Mae and the fact Leah was living there.

"Give her time. One of these days she'll give in and talk to him," Jasper sighed, hugging Bella closer.

So far Edward had kept his promise, and called Mae every day since he'd left, despite the fact that every day she refused to talk to him. She was hurting, and there was nothing Bella could do to fix the situation except support her daughter and show her that she was loved.

Jasper suggested that Mae was just waiting for the day Edward didn't call. Then it would justify her anger. He'd also thought that it was Jacob that Mae was really upset with for leaving, but after Embry, she couldn't fault him. So she was heaping all of her hurt and anger with Jacob onto Edward's shoulders.

Bella thought the real problem was that her daughter took after her far too much and couldn't handle losing two important people in her life only days apart. Change and loss was difficult for both of them to handle.

"Is Alaska nice?" Bella eventually asked.

"The hunting is good. More variety," Jasper said.

"Kate will be close to help me work on my shield," Bella realized, excited by the prospect.

She wanted to learn to be able to protect everyone she loved. It was also sort of nice thinking that one day soon she'd be a badass that the Volturi would tremble at the thought of. Serves them right after doing that to her these last two years.

"That is another motivation for moving to Alaska, and I'm sure Kate will appreciate the distraction. Though Garrett is probably helping with that too," Jazz said, suggestively wiggling his eyebrows and letting his lips curl into a knowing smirk.

Bella chuckled and playfully elbowed him in the side for going there. "It's nice something good came out of the loss. Those two found each other after so many years alone."

"They certainly had chemistry," Jazz said, and Bella felt the return of his interest in her when he mentioned having chemistry. She and Jazz certainly had it in spades too. His amorous feelings had waned as they spoke of Embry's death, but they were back in full now. Just knowing he wanted her so deeply made her want him in turn.

"Maybe I should study that instead," Bella breathed, sitting up and yanking her shirt off.

He stared at her, mesmerized, for nearly a minute. Just appreciating the sight. She wasn't wearing a bra, and he traced the slope and peak of her exposed breast with his eyes. "Stick with biology. The human body is so much more… wondrous."

"You could test my knowledge of anatomy," Bella offered, standing up and shedding her jeans as well. Her panties right along with them. She watched Jaser swallow, his gaze caressing her so lovingly she could almost feel it on her skin.

"Can we start with my favorite parts?" he asked eagerly, bringing his hands up to hover over her hips, not quite touching her, instead only teasing with the promise of it.

"I was thinking we could start with mine," Bella countered, sinking to her knees before him.

"Yes. I can wait until later - we have forever," he agreed, letting her pleasure him.