Epilogue
One Year Later
"Let's move onto the last question."
"Of course, Mr. Volturi." The reporter turned to the following page of his notebook. "Well, we hear congratulations are in order for your recent nuptials."
A tense stillness befell the entire conference room. Caius' eyes narrowed very slightly, "Where did you hear that?"
"James, you idiot," an orange-haired journalist hissed next to him. "He doesn't appreciate personal questions."
But the reporter braved on. Vicky, this is our chance for the big headlines! "Perhaps you can confirm for us the identity of your spouse—"
The chief executive cut through his sentence with a dangerously even tone. "Where. Did you. Hear that?"
James took an unwitting step backwards from the mic. "I… A rumor, sir."
Caius Volturi leaned back coolly on his chair on the podium. Drawing his sharp gaze away from the reporter, he lifted a hand and gestured for his secretary. "Gianna. Which network does he represent?"
"Free World News, sir." The secretariat replied instantly.
Not a hint of reaction on the executive's face, "I see. Get the managing director on the line."
"Certainly, sir."
James sputtered. "M-Mr. Volturi—"
Caius ignored him, speaking into the microphone for a final time. "This conference is over. Should you have pressing concerns about the Conglomerate, contact the public relations department." And then the executive walked off the podium, nonchalant, two burly bodyguards trailing after him.
Two Years Later
A grunt. "Can I at least shut the door before you decide to pounce on me the moment I come home?"
"Nope!" Bella's bright peal of laughter eased the stress on Marcus' shoulders. He'd missed it very much.
"And stop running like that. You nearly tripped over the landing." He scolded her, adjusting her legs and securing them around his waist before carrying her deeper into the house. "Where's Aro and Caius?"
To his surprise, the brunette hovered her lips to the shell of his ear and whispered sultrily, "In the bedroom. Getting ready for you." A wet lick, "Welcome home."
Fuuuuck. A silver chill went down his spine. "I should go on business trips more often."
"Mm. Not if you want to miss out on all the fun."
Marcus' gaze darkened. "And what 'fun' have I missed out on, exactly?"
"Three words, babe." Bella's fingers fumbled with his buttons impatiently, desperate for skin on skin. "Leather. Riding. Crop."
With Bella's giggles bouncing off the manor walls, Marcus' legs took off for the bedroom.
Three Years Later
Rushing down the hallways of Didyme Hall for Liberal Arts, Bella whispered hurriedly into her phone, "Could you make sure Sammy drinks his milk this morning? Marcus and I were late for class and forgot to warm some up."
Aro chuckled on the other side of the call. "Of course, love. And don't forget, Caius will pick you up on the way home."
"Yes, yes. And change Sammy's sheets, will you? He had an accident last night."
"Yes, no problem. Get to class, Professor Swan."
"Alright, alright…" Bella cut the call.
On the opposite side of Volterra, Aro looked down at the bouncing bundle of joy perched on his lap.
"Well, Sammy, it's just you and me today." Sammy blinked up at him curiously. "Don't give me a hard time. Or I'll tell on you."
Suddenly, Sammy barked, jumped off the couch, and started running all over the apartment. Aro sighed.
A bigger house with a lawn and a picket fence. Yes, he'd start looking today.
He opened his laptop and started to type. Casual vacancy for four, uptown Volterra. Reason for occupancy: my family is growing, and our retriever just knocked over the last Jadeite vase…
Ten Years Later
"Happy birthday to youuuu." Bella hugged Alec tight, before letting him go to do the same to Jane. "And youuu."
"You're still so annoying," Jane grumbled, a pinkish tint to her cheeks. "Stop mothering me and Alec. Have your own spawns already."
Bella shrugged. "Eh, not my thing." A devious smile, "And how would any kid compare to Alec? My darling boy's so tall and charming now. He's gonna break so many hearts." If only he'd stop scowling at everyone like Jane…
"Very funny," Alec muttered under his breath. "You know I'm ace."
Bella nodded along, "Hence, why I said so many broken hearts. You do you, sweetie."
"…" Jane stared at her. That was actually kind of, dare she think it, co—
A smug look emerged on the brunette's face. "You think I'm such a cool aunt, don't you?"
Jane scowled.
Bella laughed. "You look so much like Caius when you do that, stop it. Come on inside."
Fifteen Years Later
That morning, Bella published her third and final philosophy book: On Love and Oblivion.
Marcus had begged his spouse so many times to let him read it before the official release date, but Bella had stood her ground and told him that he was to wait, just like Caius and Aro, just like everyone else.
Stepping out of the bookstore, Marcus tore the plastic away and flipped the book cover, eager to read.
And then he stopped at the second page.
To Aro, Caius, and Marcus—
Sometimes, for the deserving, both fate and universe collude for miracles.
I think love and oblivion are two separate things we will have together, and not much else will matter in time.
I love you.
See you at home.
Outside the local bookstore, behind a broad company desk, lounging in a secret office, Marcus, Caius, and Aro separately managed to read Bella's words at the same moment.
Time froze.
How love is an unstoppable forest flame… a madness… a deep-burning pain bottled in the sense of unknowing… A fundamental want…
Desire is this bruised patina of needing to be touched… Recognition in the dark…
Bella Swan-Volturi peered at the Volterran nightlife from the living room windows. Her mind quiet, her heart an even, steady thudding in her chest.
She heard the tinkling sound of keys for a split second, then the turning of the doorknob of the front door as it opened. Readying her voice before she turned to face them, Bella tucked a strand of hair behind an ear and greeted them warmly with her best, kindest, most loving smile.
"Welcome home."
~FIN~
Version 21 Jan 2021
Hey, you. Thank you for reading.
I feel like writing Casual Vacancy took a part of me with it, and now that it's finished I feel... vulnerable. But stronger. Does that make sense?
Yes. I guess it does.
I hope it made you as happy as it did with me.
With all my love,
Reveri xx
P.S. Come join us at our discord server! The link is discord .gg/qKjcTRb and I cannot wait to share with you other snippets of my stories there.