Disclaimer: Only the new storyline is mine, the rest is Stephenie Meyers.

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My hand tightens around Bella's waist as Edward turns to speak directly to her. I give him a warning growl. He bows his head in submission before saying: "I did love you, Bella. I would have loved you for eternity, but it would have never been enough. I could have never loved you the way Jasper loves you, with his entire heart and every fiber of his being. I followed you to Charlie's house. I heard what you said. I saw the undying love in Jasper's eyes as he carried you to the car. You deserve to be loved that way. I can never make this up to you, but for what it's worth, I'm truly sorry for dragging you into this mess."

Bella - BPOV

My heart breaks as I listen to Edward's story. I just don't understand how Carlisle could do this to him. I can't imagine seeing Jasper every day and not professing my love for him in every possible way. I lean into Jasper's embrace and close my eyes briefly as I let the love he's sending my way, flow through me. My eyes snap open as Jasper tightens his hold on me and I notice that Edward is looking my way. Jasper's low growl has got me feeling all sorts of things. I suppress a moan as I try to focus on Edward as he apologizes for his behavior.

Jasper must have been reading my emotions and snickers as he kisses the top of my head. I swat him playfully and give him a quick kiss before answering Edward. "Edward, I'm not mad with you for bringing me into this world. In a way, you gave me the greatest gift of all. Without you, I would have never found my Jasper. For that, I'm eternally grateful. You're forgiven if that's what you need to hear. I hope that you can find happiness too, now that everything is out in the open."

Edward nods and gives me a weak smile as he takes a step back to stand next to Carlisle again. Aro claps his hands and says: "Carlisle, you made such a mess of things. I don't understand your obsession with fighting your true nature. I more or less accepted the whole animal drinking way of life, but I can't understand why you would fight the wonderful bond with your mate. What is the worth of going to heaven if you have to live in hell for eternity first? How can heaven be a reward if the price to pay is so high? You denied your true mate his happiness. I've it was up to me; I would never forgive you."

The guards look surprised as Marcus takes a step forward and says: "True love is the most precious gift of all. It's so rare that we have to cherish and protect it when we encounter it. I would give my life for one more minute with my Didyme. I would kill for the chance to hold her in my arms and tell her how much I love her. I will never get that chance, ever again. And then you find the one person in this world that can complete your soul and you chose to ignore his feelings because of some twisted idea of heaven. You're not worthy of the gift bestowed on you, Carlisle. You hurt your mate with your actions, and you can only hope that Edward loves you enough to forgive you. I wouldn't."

Aro lays his hand on Marcus's shoulder and the two men share a moment in silence before Aro turns to Alec and signals him to release Esme from his gift. It takes Esme a few minutes to regain her bearings. She looks at Aro with sad eyes as he says: "Esme, I hope that you see now that Bella is not to blame for the demise of your family. It was Carlisle's deceit that brought this upon you. Why did you let yourself believe the lie?"

"He saved me when I lost everything worth living for. I jumped off that cliff wanting to die, only to be saved by an angel. He made everything better. He made me forget my abusive husband and the loss of my baby boy. He gave me a home and a family. I found myself in love with him and as by a miracle he loved me too. I couldn't believe my luck. So, even though, I noticed the short stares between him and Edward and the brief touches when they thought I wasn't looking, I let it slide. I was happy for the first time in forever and it was me that he made love to at the end of each day.

Of course, it bothered me that Carlisle always valued Edward's opinion more than mine, but I didn't make a big deal out of it. I just assumed that it was an age thing, seeing he was born in a time when a woman's opinion was worth nothing at all. He treated me like a queen the rest of the time, so why let it come between us. Our family grew as Rosalie and Emmett joined us first, followed by Alice and Jasper a few years later. The small interactions between my husband and his first son ceased to exist and we were so happy. I knew something was off from the start but I chose to ignore it. I wanted to live the lie. I just wanted a family to call my own and be happy."

I grow angrier at Carlisle with each passing word. How could he deceive Esme and Edward for so long? I don't realize just how angry until Jasper leans down to kiss my hair and moves his hands up and down my arms to calm me. I turn around and lay my head in the crook of his neck. I inhale his intoxicating scent of spices and leather. It calms me instantly.

Jasper - JPOV

I smile as Bella inhales my scent and calms down immediately. I notice that Caius is watching us closely. It makes me wonder what his agenda is. His emotions are damned hard to read; it's like there are layers to them. I totally understand Peter's apprehension. We've known the Volturi for quite some time and Caius is indeed ruthless and merciless. So it also baffled me when Aro said that Bella gained Caius's affection. I need to keep a close eye on him until I figure out his emotions. It is bad enough that his two guards are still drooling over my Bella. I don't want him starting to do the same. Aro starts talking again and pulls my attention back to the business at hand: the Cullens.

"Esme, your punishment still stands. You tried to attack the true mate of another vampire, a crime punishable by death. You let a lie guide you down the wrong path and now you have to face the consequences. Is there anything you want to say in your own defense that would make us reconsider, seeing you were misguided all those years?"

I watch as Esme turns to look at Carlisle. Her eyes are filled with the same love she has shown him over the years and her emotions mirror that perfectly. She takes his hands in hers and squeezes them lightly before leaning in and kissing him on the cheek. She turns to Edward and hugs him. Even now, her love for her so-called husband and son is unwavering.

She takes a step back and looks at Aro as she says: "I'm grateful to both of them for granting me a family, even though it was built on a lie. Carlisle may not love me with his entire heart but he was a good husband to me. He made me very happy. He put my heart back together and he taught me to love again. I had the family I always wished for and it slipped through my fingers when Bella was changed into a vampire. I needed someone to blame but I wrongfully blamed her. Carlisle should have come clean with us years ago. I don't expect Bella or Jasper to forgive me, but I wish them all the love and happiness in the world. I accept whatever punishment you see fit, masters."

Aro gives her a short nod and takes a moment to look at the three people before him. He briefly touches the hands of Marcus and Caius. He turns to me and says: "Major, can I have a word, in private?" Bella stiffens at Aro's request. I send her my reassurance and love as I move her to stand beside Peter and Char. I give her a quick kiss, before looking at Peter. He gives me an understanding nod and I turn to Aro. "Of course, Master. Please follow me."

I lead Aro out the back and into the forest until we're out of hearing range. Renata follows him like a shadow. He smiles at her lovingly before turning to me. "Loyalty is almost as rare as true love, Major. You are a very lucky man as you have found both. Bella will love you for eternity and the loyalty of your captain and lieutenant is well known across the world, even though you were led astray for a while. I bet you won't make that mistake again."

"No, Master Aro, I most certainly will not. I can never repay Peter for saving me from the horror of the wars and for leading me to Bella. This is where I belong. I'm at peace for the first time in my existence." Aro smiles as he muses over my words. After a few seconds, he sighs and says: "Esme tried to attack your mate, Major. The law states that she should die for her actions. I, however, would like your thoughts on the matter."

His question surprises me. Aro is not the man to ask for other people's opinions when it comes to upholding the law. I wonder why this case is different. Esme tried to attack my Bella and the Major is demanding her head. "Why would you spare her life? I never thought I would see the day on which Aro Volturi turned soft. What aren't you telling me?" Aro lets out a loud laugh and I can see the shock on Renata's face as her master laughs out loud for a while. He looks at me, the laughter still visible in his eyes.

"It's not possible to fool you, is it? You would make such a great addition to my guard, Major. It is my greatest frustration that you won't join us, you know? But it can't be helped. I know better than to ask you again. As for Esme, Marcus checked her bonds while we were talking. There is a mating bond visible. That means that she came across her mate in all the years she spent as Carlisle's wife. Nor Esme, nor her mate, recognized it but it's there. Marcus thinks she deserves to chance to go out into the world and find him. She should be able to feel the pull if she lets go of Carlisle."

I nod in agreement. Now that I know how it's like to love and be loved, I would never take that away from anyone. "Okay, but I don't want her to contact us. I don't want her anywhere near my Bella. I've had enough drama to last me a lifetime." Aro snickers and says: "When you live as long as I have, Major, you'll find yourself wishing for dramas like this once in a while. Life gets so dull otherwise, although Caius totally disagrees with me on the matter. Let's head back. I can only keep Caius away from his wife for a short while. You don't want him grumpier than he is now. Believe me."

I smile and shake my head as we run back to my house. It's strange to see this almost friendly and more or less normal side of the Volturi kings. Wait till I tell Peter, he's totally going to freak out. Aro retakes his place next to Marcus and Caius as I run to Bella and take her into my arms. She giggles as I breathe in her scent. I move to stand behind her and pull her back into my arms. Aro clears his throat to gather everyone's attention and says:

"Esme, you were misled to believe that Carlisle was your true mate. You didn't get the chance to venture out into the world and search for the one person that would complete you in every way possible. The Major and I agree that you should be given that chance if you want it. If you choose to do so, you will accompany us to Europe. We expect that a change in scenery will make it easier to move on. Any contact with the Whitlock coven will be forbidden. It is their explicit wish to live in peace. Take a little time to think about it. You can tell us in a minute."

Esme bows her head and takes a step back. Aro signals for Carlisle and Edward to take a step forward. He takes a deep unneeded breath and says: "Marcus checked your bond, Carlisle. It pained me to see it. Where the mating bond should be bright and golden, yours is dull and grey. It's on the verge of dying because you chose to ignore the feelings of your true mate for all those years. You should be ashamed of yourself. You really don't deserve love as true as the one that was given to you all those years ago. Your fate lies in the hands of the man that you denied all those years, Carlisle. I hope for you that he is merciful, for as we are not.

Edward, you were wronged most horribly; you were denied love by the one person that was meant to love you forever. We can give you a second chance. Seeing your bond was never truly claimed, we have a guard that can help you. She can break your bond with Carlisle without consequences for you. You will be free to find true love again, to go with us to Volterra or out there into the wide world, and to find someone that will love you for who you are, wholeheartedly and unconditionally. We will give you a few hours to think this through. It is a serious decision after all."

This was a tough one to write. I hope you like it!

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