AN: the final chapter!
only an epilogue and little bonus epilogue left!

Enjoy!

Chapter 52

EPOV

Bella was wrapped tightly in my arms as we recovered from our last round of love making. To say we had been a little animalistic was an understatement. The stress, worry and anxiety of the battle had gotten to us. We'd both needed to assure ourselves the other was fine, was still alive.

And by god we'd done that.

I had taken her over and over, all over the room. Some furniture pieces had sadly not survived the night, including the bed. But I couldn't really care about it.

Bella had made it through the battle unscathed. Just a few marks on her throat which were already fading. She was alive and well and she had consented to being my coven mistress. A real coven mistress.

Despite the tragedy of the battle still lingering at the back of my mind, I couldn't help but be absolutely thrilled that she had finally accepted me. Finally accepted her position. As I stared into her eyes now I couldn't believe this creature was finally truly and fully mine. I loved this woman like none other. She was mine and I had meant what I had said before the battle. I would spent the rest of enternity proving to her that I was there for her, that she was my equal in each and every way.

'What are you thinking?' she asked me in her soft voice.

I smiled. 'That's my line.' I muttered. She grinned and shook her head at me. 'I was thinking about how lucky I am to have you and although we lost people, I still can't help but feel absolutely gloriously happy that you will be by my side forever as my Coven mistress.'

She smiled tenderly up at me. 'I feel the same.' She breathed. 'You really proved yourself in the battle.' She continued.

I frowned. 'How so?'

'You said you'd make me your equal. I wasn't sure if I could trust you fully yet. But even in the heat of battle, you looked to me for my opinion. You made sure I was protected yet trusted me to handle myself. You were there when I needed you but left me to handle my own battles. You treated me as an queal even under all that stress. I was really impressed.'

I thought back to the battle. I hadn't consciously done that at all. I had simply followed my instincts. It had felt natural to consult with Bella before making any big decisions. It felt natural to wait to allow her time to speak or make a move.

'It wasn't an act' I muttered, holding her closer to me.

'I know. And that's why I chose to stay.' She whispered back, lifting herself up and kissing me.

I moaned slightly before pulling back. 'We have to get dressed.'

She pouted and nodded.

We had friends to bury this morning, although neither of us was looking forward to that, it had to be done. After that we had to introduce Bella to the coven as mistress, and then it was probably a long night of gathering intel and making plans. But having Bella by my side would make it more bearable.

We got up, picking our way through the carnage we had made throughout the night and headed into the bathroom to shower and get ready. We washed each other slowly, peppering each other with kisses, but no further than that. Then we dried off and I headed into the bedroom again to gather clothes. Bella headed into the living room.

'Looks like Alice is back to normal.' She called out from the living area.

I frowned. 'What do you mean?' I asked stepping into the room with a shirt and a pair of pants in my hand.

Bella held up a bag. I stared at it for a moment before cocking an eyebrow in question at her. what was so interesting about a bag?

'Clothes.' She said. 'it looks like Alice knew I might be in need of something to wear.'

I burst out laughing and Bella joined in. 'She must be relieved. She feared she was losing her gift. It was a strange time for her.' I admitted.

'I had hoped it was because of my shield, but apparently I'm not exempt from her gift after all.'

I shrugged. 'She didn't really see you coming either. Perhaps you do appear more difficulty in her visions. But I'm betting she's focussing extra hard now to get used to you and your shield. That's what she did with the wolves as well.'

'She couldn't see the wolves?' Bella asked curiously as she got into her clothes. I did the same, working around my missing fingers with a bit of difficulty. That would take some getting used to. But I was pleased to see the wounds had closed over and now only left me with scarring and three less fingers.

'Still can't.' I continued. 'We don't know why exactly, perhaps they are too volalitle with their changing forms? But anyway she learned to somehow look around them. Factor their descions out of the equasion somehow. So now she can see everything happening with our coven, only with certain blank spots, which she then can identify as the wolves.'

Bella looked thoughtful for a moment. 'I'll have to ask her if I can help her with that.'

'She'd like that.'

I was certain Alice had seen that desicion and was now jumping up and down in glee that she had another chance at friendship with Bella.

'Are you ready?' I asked as she put her hair up in a braid. She nodded.

'What will we have to do?'

'The ashes will have been gathered by their closest friends or family members and placed into urns. Depending on the will of the vampire or wolf, they'll be buried or their ashes will be burned. The entire coven and tribe will join in all of the send off.'

'That's beautiful.'

I nodded. 'When the last one is let go, we'll send up wishing lights to help guide their souls home.'

I held out my good hand for her to take and together we left my room, going over the ritual and our part in it, in more detail. We found the rest of the family in the library, their faces grim as they pondered what was coming.

'Morning.' We both greeted them. They greeted us back.

At last they are finally happy Esme sighed happily. She was looking forward to truly getting to know Bella as a daughter. The others were glad she was here to stay.

'Are we ready?' I asked them. They nodded.

'Thanks for the clothes Alice.' Bella said, walking up to Alice and giving her a quick hug. 'I take it you can see me again?'

'You're getting clearer' she said grinning at Bella. 'it's still a bit blurry, so I think your shield does mess it up slightly. But it's not as bad as it was.'

'Angela was sneaky.' Bella said by way of explanation. Alice chimed a laugh at that statement.

We filed out of the room as a family and headed towards the garden.

Everything went well last night? Carlisle asked as he walked next to me.

I nodded once. 'It's the start of our new life.' I breathed.

It was sappy but alas it was true. That was how it had felt. I just prayed Emmett was too busy showing off his new scars to Bella to have noticed. It seemed I was in luck.

Carlisle gave a small chuckle. 'I'm glad. The rest of the coven will be too. They really admired her on the battlefield. She held her own amazingly well and she really was invaluable protecting us all.'

I nodded in agreement. 'She is amazing.'

'That she is.' He sighed.

'I'm sorry that we lost Irina.' I offered.

He nodded. 'Kate is still very upset. But Garret is helping her through it.'

My eyebrows shot up. 'Garret?'

'Who'd have known eh?' he smiled. I laughed and shook my head.

'Well at least something good has come from all this.'

His hand clasped my shoulder. 'A lot of good will come from this Edward. Yes we lost people, but think of the hundreds we have saved from involuntairy servitude, think of the thousands of humans we have saved a gruesome death, think of all the innocents we have saved that would have been allowed to turn under Volturi reign. We have suffered losses and it was definitely a hard and difficult battle, but a lot of good things will happen because of this, Edward. Mark my words.'

I let his words wash over me and sink in. There was truth to it. I could see that. But still the losses were raw. Perhaps in a few days I could better see what good would come from this.

'How are the wounded?' I asked.

'They're recuperating. Most of the vampires have already healed. There are some that are regenerating, they've been moved to a secure location.'

'That's good. How many?'

'About ten.'

'The extend of their injuries?'

'Ranging from limbs ripped off, to faces caved in.'

'And the wolves?'

'A dozen or so injured. Most have begun healing. We've had to reset some bones and reattach some limbs as well.'

'That would have gone over great.' I muttered

Carlisle shrugged. 'had to be done.'

'They're at the hospital?'

he nodded in response.

'Bella and I will visit them all after the ceremony.'

Carlisle nodded again. By then we had arrived and Bella stepped up next to me, taking my hand in hers. The garden was slowly filling up with somber looking vampires and wolves alike. Each holding a candle that was lit. Against the sky of the dawn it was a mesmerizing sight.

I stepped forward. 'Cullen coven. Today we regretfully say our final goodbye to treasured members of our coven. Their sacrifice will always be remembered. We thank them for their help and their lives and commemorate our time with them.' I took a deep breath and then made my way to the first pyre.

'Jonathan Norrel.' I said, as I gestured to the pyre. 'Released by his son Richard Norrel.' I gestured for the man holding the urn to step forward.

Bella walked over to the next pyre. 'Alex Turner.' She said, as if she had done this dozens of time before. 'Released by his sister Elizabeth Turner'

We went to the next two pyres. 'Mary Littlewaithe.' I said. 'Released by her maker Maria of Estonia.'

'Irina Denali.' Bella said, her voice shaking slightly as she looked at Kate holding the urn tightly in her hands. 'Released by her sister Kate Denali.'

We stepped back and let Sam announce the wolves. 'Collin Littlesea.' He said. 'Laid to rest by his mother and father.' Then he turned to the last pyre. 'Brady Fuller. Laid to rest by his mother and father.'

A few muted sobs broke out here and there. Then we brought the grieving family members together in a circle around a large fire pit, wolf and vampire alike and we asked them to open their urns.

'We ask the spirits to take back their progeny. We ask the wind to guide their souls home.' Sam said tilting his face up towards the sky.

'We ask that they may find peace and that they find their way home.' I added. 'Benjamin would you light the fire?'

Benjamin stepped forward and with his fire manipulation quickly had the fire going in the pit. He would help spread the ashes across the sky.

As the tribe started chanting, the wolves started tilting the ashes into the fire, that was roaring now. The others started pouring out the ashes as well, and Benjamin kicked the wind up, letting the ashes be swept up and follow the smoke of the fire upwards towards the heavens. The chants of the crowd grew louder and louder as more ashes floated upwards. Kate was the last to start tilting the ashes of her sister into the fire but finally all were empty and the chants started slowing down.

'Forefathers, welcome your brothers back home.' Sam said softly, closing his eyes.

'May you find your enternal rest.' I said as I closed my eyes and bowed my head.

For a full minute we observed total silence as the fire continued raging. As the sun broke through the sky everyone took a deep breath. It seemed our friends were home. We basked in the light for a beat longer before I opened my eyes again.

'Let us rember them for all they mean to us, and keep them close to our hearts for the rest of our time on this earth. They will not be forgotten.'

We spread along the wishing lanterns, giving everyone that wanted, the oppertunity to light one and send it up. Bella and I took one together. we lit the lantern with the candle and held it above our heads, waiting for the rest to light theirs. Then, we opened our hands and the wind took hold of it, sending it upwards, twirling across the sky and the billowing smoke form the fire.

'They will not be forgotten.' the crowd behidn us repeated as one by one the others released their lanterns. E all stared up at the lightening sky as it filled with dacing lanterns and billowing smoke. Closeing our eyes again and sending a private prayer to our loved ones.

The doors of the house opened allowing everyone to start heading back inside when they were ready. Some started filing into the house, others stayed and watched the sky for a moment longer. A few remained by the fire. I wrapped my arms around Bella holding her close to me for a moment longer.

'Thank you.' I whispered in her ear. 'for being amazing.'

She chuckled and melted into my embrace. 'I love you.'

'I love you too.'

Then she stepped out of my arms and grasped my hand, tugging me along to head into the house.

It was time for the announcement.

The vampires and wolves had started assembeling in the large dininghall and entry hall, although we were still mourning, we also knew that there were unresolved issues. we had just destroyed the Volturi coven. There would be time for mourning later again. the memorial service that Esme had planned was beautiful, and after this small announcement it would start, giving the family and friend the closure they would need to start healing.

The room was packed, but Bella and I didn't hesitate. We climbed the stairs and headed for the small balcony from which we could be seen by everyone.

'Friends, family.' I started as I stepped close to the railing and looked down at the people in my coven. 'This battle has been hard and we all feel the losses. But let us acknowledge that without Bella's help, there would have been many more losses to mourn.'

The crowd gave a short murmur of assent.

'She has proven herself to be invaluable. She has been acting as our coven mistress these past few weeks, but now it is my pleasure to announce, that she has officially accepted the role. She will from now on and forever more be coven mistress of the Cullen Coven and lead us through the challenging time that lies ahead as the vampire world will need to rebuilt after the loss of the Volturi rulers.'

Instead of cheers or applause, which would have been inappropriate given the circumstances, the vampires and wolves before us all sank down on one knee, their heads bent. Showing their pleasure and respect for Bella as their coven mistress.

'Mistress Bella' they all said in unison to acknowledge her new role.

I turned towards her and sank down on my knee as well.

'Mistress Bella.' I repeated.

Bella placed her hand over her heart, a small sigh escaping her lips as she regarded everyone standing around, bowing to her and welcoming her to her rightful place.

I had no doubt in my mind that she would be the best coven mistress that she could be. Even if we would have to take the place of the volturi, I knew she could handle it. She had proven herself over and over again and I would never underestimate her ever again. She was amazing, inside and out, and our entire coven was lucky to have her as our mistress. I would for the rest of my existence make sure that she knew how much I valued her and trusted her and loved her.

With her by my side, I knew I could take on the world for eternity.