AN: the epilogue :D

and there will be one little bonus scene after this, simply because I felt it would be nice to write.

Epilogue

BPOV

I stared out at the yard and sighed. It was our last night in the big house and I was a bit saddened by it. I had really found a home here these past few months and I was sad to have to leave it. Although most of the people that made it a home were coming with me.

I sighed again and stroked the glass absentmindedly as my thoughts turned back to the first few weeks after the battle. They had been rough to say the least.

After the ceremony Edward and I had visited the wounded in the big house. They had been relocated to the dungeons, which had seemed rather cruel to me. but the extend of their injuries meant that the vampires had kicked into survival mode. It was dangerous for them to be unconfined as they could run rampant and start a massacre just like that.

When I'd stepped into the dungeons I realized that thsi was indeed the best place for them. They had been delirious. Carlisle was keeping his eye on them though. Some were already starting to regain their senses a bit. We spoke to those briefly thanking them for their help. I was glad to learn that Carlisle was positive they would all make a full recovery.

After that we went to the reservation hospital to visit the wounded wolves. When we stepped inside, Edward had pulled me aside and stopped me.

'Bella…' he had started his brow anxious. 'I'm sorry, I didn't know'

'Know what?'

'It appears Jacob is among the wounded, as are Quil and Embry.'

I had dashed through the halls until I had reached the wolves that I considered close friends. I had sunk down next to Jacob's bed. He'd been asleep and I just sobbed. He was govered in gauze and braces. His entire body covered in a fine sheen of sweat.

'Oh Jacob.' I muttered.

'He's going to be fine, Bella.' Edward had appeared at my side, taking me into his arms comfortingly.

I sobbed against him looking at the broken boy before me.

'Bella?' his groggy voice reached my ears and I quickly reached up and gently took hold of his hand. He sighed in relief from my cold touch. 'You're here.'

'I am.' I had whispered. 'I'm so sorry you're hurt Jacob.'

He grinned. 'it was worth it.'

I shook my head in exasperation. 'Thank you for your part in this battle, Jacob.' Edward said quietly.

Jacob had shrugged. 'it's my job.'

Edward had winced and nodded his head at some unspoken thought of Jacob's.

'So you made your choice then.' He had said to me.

'I'm staying.' I confirmed, giving him a weak smile. He returned it.

'I'll still kill you if you hurt her again.' That was directed at Edward.

Edward gave a short chuckle. 'Glad to see you haven't changed.'

We had left shortly after to let him rest and after I had promised to come back the following day.

After that visit we had been swept up in meeting after meeting to try and figure out what was going to happen now the Volturi was gone. It was stressful. We were all on edge and anxious to hear any news about vampires from the rest of the world. Especially the Romanians were a threat according to Carlisle and Edward.

The intel had slowly started to drip in.

Vampires were overjoyed that the Volturi was no longer looming over them. For now there was an uneasy quiet among them. They weren't sure if this meant that we had taken over the rulership, or that they were now free to do as they pleased.

We weren't sure either.

We knew we had a duty to protect the humans and we knew that we could make things better for a lot of vampires if they had the proper guidance and rules. But Edward and I were both apprehensive of having to rule the entire vampire race. Of course we'd have help from the family, but still it was a lot. And I wasn't sure if I was up for it.

We decided to wait and listen before we would act.

It didn't take long.

A week after the battle the first newsreports flooded in of missing persons, mysterious murders and sightings of blurry shapes and red eyes. We knew we had to do something.

The seat of power had to be claimed it seemed. It had taken us an entire week of debate to finally come up with a plan that Alice saw working. We assembled a taskforce and headed into Europe. The plan was to make an example of the vampires responsible for the killings and spread the message that we were most definitely in charge. It had been nervewrecking.

But Alice had seen the outcome already. We would be victorious. Still I didn't relish in the fact we would have to kill a few vampires. Jacob however had been bouncing in his seat the entire way. He couldn't wait. We had landed in Rome at dusk. The irony was not lost on any of us that these vampires had chosen Italy to start their rampages. We set off from the private airport and headed into the direction Alice had seen the rogues.

They had been newly turned, only two years old. They were vindictive and horrible and relished in being a predator. These were the types of people we hoped to stop being turned into vampries. The vampire race didn't need creatures like this that only wanted to kill and destroy.

We had found them rather quickly, and managed to stop them just in time before they were about to kill again. An unsuspecting girl was their target. We swooped down on them with a vengeance. Edward had taken hold of their ringleader and I had stepped over to deliver the judgement.

'The volturi might be gone. But that doesn't mean you can go around killing and murdering as you see fit. There are rules that need to be followed even now.' I had said. The vampire had scoffed and cursed at us, not realizing who he was speaking to.

Edward had cleared that up for them quickly enough. He'd tightened his grip on him and hissed in his ear who we were. That seemed to make him freeze, especially when Jacob trotted over in his giant wolf form, giving a lopsided grimace.

'You have brought shame to the vampries. You have behaved monsterously. You do not deserve to continue living.' Edward spat at them.

Their following pleas for mercy fell on deaf ears. After all they had not shown mercy to the humans that they had murdered. Edward give the order and within seconds the vampires were torn in pieces and we were setting their remains ablaze. We had sent out word that we would not tolerate any vampires to expose themselves in such gruesome ways to humans.

I had hoped that would be the last of it. But alas it hadn't. The Roamns who Edward and Carlisle had feared would stir things up, had indeed been causing trouble. they were turning people left and right and we spent a few weeks travelling Europe cleaning up their messes. We finally met them on the outskirts of Hungary, demanding a truce. They wanted to stir more fights, claiming they wouldn't be subjugated again. Carlisle had spent a good day arguing with them. Trying to find a compromise. we didn't necessarily want to rule, but we were going to make sure humans wouldn't be subject to tyrnanny either. It finalyl boiled down to an uneasy truce. We promised to leave them alone, if they promised to not make anymore headlines. it wasn't the greatest outcome, but it was the only way to avoid another battle.

We had left them for Asia, where another bout of rebellious vampires had begun to murder without care. But after a few more few weeks it seemed the message had come through. Rampant murder was not going to be tolerated. The news had dissipated. The regular human troubles were again making headlines. We were relieved and headed back home.

But then vampires started coming to the big house. Some wanted guidance, some wanted to petiton us to start their own coven. Some wanted to join us. It was tiring and it was making the tribe anxious. There had never been this many human blood drinkers this close to them and they didn't like it. It was hard and draining. Edward and Carlisle were in constant debate about what was the best course of action, until finally we had made the hard decion to move.

So here we were just a few hours away from leaving our home for good. Although we would visit of course and a lot of people were coming with us, some were staying behind.

Benjamin and his family had agreed to be the new overseers of the America territories. They would keep the treaty with the tribe and be a haven for vampires everywhere while also upholding our values. They had switched to an animal blood diet as well and would be able to guide other vampires seeking to make the change easily. Kate had also decided to stay behind with them. She and Garret had found mates in each other and wanted to start their life together on soil they were familiar with. They of course promised to vist often.

Edward, the family, and I were heading to Italy. Volterra to be precise to make sure there was a seat of power to help control the vampires in that part of the world. Jacob, Quil and Embry had chosen to come with us. Quil and Embry were taking their imprits as well. Jacob was still unmated so he was coming alone. But he had hopes a change of scenery would help him find someone. Angela and Ben had decided to join us as had Eleazar and Carmen. Most people that had made this place feel like home were coming with me to my new home and I was thankful for it.

Still I was going to miss the big house. Going back to Volterra was going to be hard and strange, but I knew it was best.

Alice had already seen everything fall into place and we would take up the seat of power the Volturi had left with ease. With Carlisle's wisdom and the multiple talents we had in our little family we were respected and revered and even the Romanians would eventually accept our rule. Or so Alice told us.

Everything would go smoothly from now on.

There was a soft knock on the door.

'Are you ready, love?' Edward's soft voice floated through the room. I turned to look at him. He was dressed in slacks and a snug grey sweater that emphasized his broad shoulders. His wounds had healed, leaving only faint lines of scars along his shoulder and neck. His fingers were gone but he had adjusted well and I often kissed the scarred stumps to show him that it meant a lot to me that he bore those scars.

My own wounds had healed as well, my marks even less noticeable than those of Edward's. He stepped over and wrapped his arms around me, kissing my temple as he pulled me against his chest.

'What are you thinking?' he asked softly. I had discovered that I could lift my shield and allow him into my mind when I chose. But usually I didn't, so it was still a little frustration of his to not know.

'I'm just going to miss this place.' I sighed, resting my head back against his chest.

'I will too. It will be strange to live in Volterra.' He sighed and placed a kiss on my temple. 'Are you sure you want to live there?'

I shrugged. 'We can redecorate and see how I feel.' I muttered.

he smiled against my cheek and nodded. 'I love you.'

'I love you too.' I responded, turning in his arms and kissing him hard on the mouth.

Although it wasn't what I had expected my life to turn into in a million years… with Edward by my side I was sure I could do this.

'Before we head to Volterra, I have a little surprise for you.' he muttered.

I pulled back to look at him with a frown. 'What?'

Instead of answering he grasped both of my hands in his. 'I love you, Bella. I love you so much and every day I am grateful that you chose to forgive me for my abhorrent behaviour and that you gave me a second chance to prove myself to you. I love you so much and I know this isn't what you signed up for, ruling the entire vampire race… trust me I wouldn't have chosen it for myself either. But I can't help but be grateful that you're by my side thourgh it all.'

He took a deep breath and then went down on one knee. 'I know I've asked you this before, and you asked for time to think it over. if I'm too soon asking again, just tell me and I'll shut up and I'll let you tell me when you're ready… but I felt it might be a good time to just… tell you that you are everything to me and I will spent enternity proving that to you. I would love it if you would marry me again. Properly this time.' he produced a box from his pocket and opened it.

I gasped. Inside was the most beautiful white gold ring. A simple band with an oval shaped diamond princess cut. It was understated but gorgeous.

'Oh Edward.' I gasped out.

'Is it too soon?' he asked softly.

I shook my head. 'I love you, of course I'll marry you again.' I said throwing myself at him.

He let out a relieved laugh and held me close as we fell to the floor, peppering each other with kisses.

'Thank you.' he breathed as I pulled back. I smiled at him before kissing him again and then sitting back and holding out my hand. He took it, kissed it and then placed the ring on my finger.

'Alice might have seen your answer already, she thought it would be a nice goodbye to have the wedding here, with everyone and setting off afterwards. We'll stop for two weeks in England, before joining the rest of the family in Volterra to start our new life.'

I gasped in shock and surprise. They'd all planned this to a T it seemed.

'Is that what you want?' he asked, slightly unsure again. 'If you don't, just tell me and we can do whatever you want.'

I quickly shook my head. 'it's perfect.' I brought out softly. He breathed a sigh of relief and we stood for a moment in each others arms, completely and utterly happy and content. I hoped the rest of my life could be like this.