Double post today, so enjoy the chapters, we'll be done with this by the end of January, and then all the focus will be on finishing She Used to Be Mine.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter 22

Isabella and Edward returned to their home and were torn about how best to move forward. While the night still lingered, they began to prepare Argus for his funeral pyre. His fur was cleaned and he was anointed in oils, his body wrapped in cloth and placed in his hutch until they could perform the ceremony.

The couple climbed into bed, holding one another close as they drifted off to sleep, uneasy to be separated from their family, but knowing the trip to the castle would need to wait until morning.

Isabella woke early, watching Edward as he slept. The rise and fall of his chest brought her the slightest bit of comfort, because it was physical proof of the life still flowing through his body.

When Edward woke, he saw the unease in his wife's eyes and sought to erase it. He kissed her fiercely, holding her close so she could feel him against her. Isabella pulled away, her own breath coming out as pants.

They dressed for the day and worked together to make breakfast, but once the meal was done, Isabella instinctually went to check on Argus and froze.

"Bre, I'll stay with Argus. Go bring our children home."

Isabella looked at Edward and took a deep breath. "I don't want to leave you."

"We're safe now, Isabella. You can go and I'll be here when you return."

She leaned up to kiss his lips. "I will see you soon."

Isabella hitched up her carriage and rode hard through the town. Her arrival at the palace was expected and Emmett was waiting outside with the stable staff to take her carriage and tend to her horses.

"Isabella, we need to talk."

"I'll find you shortly, Emmett, but right now I need to go to the queen and see my children."

Emmett gripped his sister's arm. "I heard Jasper speaking to another guard about how important it was to keep people out of the forest. But you and Edward were out there while your children were secreted away with the queen and the prince. I deserve to know what is going on with my family."

"You do." Isabella closed her eyes, centered herself and blew out a deep breath. "What do you always tease me about?"

"Being the most stubborn woman alive?"

"And ordering you to live when you were born."

Emmett looked at her confused. "That's always been a joke."

Isabella looked around to make sure no one was nearby. "Except it isn't. I will be able to tell you more about it when we can truly sit down and have a conversation. But at this moment, I need to see my children."

"Isabella, where is Edward?" Emmett's voice was wary.

"At home, resting."

"Can I come by tomorrow and find out what happened out there?" Emmett asked.

"Sure, we'll be waiting for you with lunch."

"Then I'll let you go for now." Isabella took a step away, but Emmett pulled her in for a crushing hug. "I would run into hellfire for you, you know that?"

"I do, which is why I had to keep you at arm's length on this."

With a nod, Emmett left her so she could go in search of the queen. Isabella found her way to the secret doorway and placed both her hands on the wall, focusing all of her energy on opening it.

The wall gave way. Alice came flying out as soon as it was open enough for her to fit through.

"Isabella, please tell me my vision was wrong. Tell me that Edward is alive and well."

Isabella stuttered a breath before she broke down. "For a moment, it was. They shot whatever energy or power they'd stolen from a previous victim, and Edward just flew in front of me."

"And he survived it?" Alice questioned.

"No, but Argus gave his life for him. Just laid down on his chest and Edward came back to me."

"Oh, Isabella, I'm so sorry."

"I got so used to having him in my life, even this morning, I went to check on him after breakfast and I almost lost it."

"He knew that you couldn't live without Edward, and they had a connection too. There was no way he would have let you live through that if he could have helped it."

"I know, but he was my shadow. What am I going to do without him?"

"I wish I had answers for you, Sweetie. But I do have two babies who are very excited to see their mama."

Isabella followed her inside and scooped Flynn into her arms, holding him close and huffing at his tufts of brown hair.

"Is it safe to come in here?" Jasper asked and Isabella turned to him. They embraced and he pulled his wife in for a hug and then held out his arms to Isabella. "Let me carry him down for you, and you can take a turn with Althea."

Isabella took her daughter from Alice and watched as she picked up Brandon so the three of them could walk down to the courtyard.

"Has everything been taken care of?" Jasper asked casually as they walked.

"Yes. Though we'll be lighting a small pyre tonight," Isabella told him.

"Argus?"

"I'll tell you about that later," Alice said, so Jasper didn't ask any further questions.

When they arrived in the courtyard, her carriage was just being brought up. Isabella climbed up into the carriage and settled both babies into their specialized seats and then turned to her monarchs. "I will see you both soon."

Once again, Isabella rode home at a fast pace. Her need to see Edward was strong. When she pulled up by their small stable, Edward had the door propped open, ready to take the children so she could climb down.

"Fair warning, Emmett will be here tomorrow. He had a lot of questions and was not too happy to have been left out of the loop."

"He'll understand once you explain," Edward reassured her.

They spent the afternoon together in their home enjoying the quiet day as a family. There was nothing pressing for them to do until sundown and Edward knew that Isabella needed the calm after what they'd gone through.

When dusk came, Edward and Isabella put the children to bed. Then, Isabella opened the hutch and carried Argus out to the small pyre Edward had built and adorned that morning. She laid his body on the pyre and Edward lit the torch.

"Thank you, Argus, for everything you did to guide and guard Isabella. You were loyal until the end."

Edward lit the pyre and Isabella knelt before it. "My sweet boy, I release you to rest in peace. I could never repay what you gave me. I love you, Argus."

Edward and Isabella stood and watched as Argus took his final journey to the afterlife. It did not escape Isabella that if things had gone differently, this funeral would have been impossible to bear.