A/N: Hi everyone! First, sorry for being a week late for this update, but I'm really trying to find time to write as my schedule is still hell.

Second, a million thanks for all of you favoriting, following, reading in passing, and of course more thanks for my wonderful serial reviewers: CoppertopJ, Shazzeer, Twi-Holic68, traceybuie, fresh-BLOOD-was-drawn-2night, ChaoticH, Sox21 and LadyOfTheTower! I'm so grateful for your support, guys! Sorry for having zero time to reply, but I focused on this chapter instead. Hope you'll forgive me!

So, this chapter... For this is a true chapter, one that I hadn't planned to write, like at all. Here I was, focusing, on the epilogue, when Edward's voice started nagging me, telling me that I couldn't deal with everything that was left in a simple epilogue, and that he wanted his say, and how could I leave Bella like this, etc... So I gave in, and here it is. The real last chapter of this fic. Next will be the epilogue, for real ;)

This fic is rated M, and here's another example of why in there ;)

Enjoy, and please review!

Chapter 18

Edward

I was very worried about Bella. As she was sitting with her just dead father in her arms, sobbing and looking way too much like Michelangelo's Pieta for my taste, her thoughts and emotions were – very understandably – all over the place. I knew that the grief wracking her frame was being soothed by my touch, but most of all by the loving words she and Charlie had been able to say to each other before he passed away.

But she was distraught, and if I had to venture an educated guess, quite out of it. She wasn't aware that all our enemies weren't burned yet, or that our family and friends were currently discussing the coming steps we would have to take, the first and foremost one being finding and staging a plausible explanation for Charlie's death. There also was the matter of the Volturi guards, who were coming here, possibly on Jane's orders, to investigate the disturbance they heard from afar after they realized where we had all disappeared. And what would happen to the vampires who had been under Lindsey's spell. Carlisle and Jacob needed Jasper and me for that, to sort out who had really been entranced, and who was trying to escape their fate pretending.

But I was hearing all of this from afar, as Bella was my first priority, as always. Her sobs were slowly abating, but her distress was still high. I had my arms around her, to hold her together or simply to tell her wordlessly that I was there for her; whatever she needed. I knew first-hand what it was like to watch a parent die, and I could relate to her pain only too well. Flashbacks of the dingy hospital where I had thought I would die a century ago crossed my mind, the blurred faces of my dying then dead parents, Carlisle as my doctor then savior. I closed my eyes, stopping the flow of memories before it could affect me and Bella. She definitely didn't need my old pain on top of hers.

Outside, the burning pyre was sputtering out as I watched it through Jasper's eyes. He was surveying seven vampires who had surrendered, three among them I knew were completely innocent, like he also suspected. The wolves were standing guard, starting to feel twitchy as they waited for Bella and me to appear. Charlie's death didn't sit well with them, but no one had had any high hopes of saving him in time to begin with. However, they were silently congratulating themselves over the fight, like Emmett and Garrett who were discussing it in low whispers.

Bella's sobs finally stopped, and I could feel her emotions settle a little. She took a deep breath, kissed Charlie on his already pale forehead in a silent but loving farewell, squared her shoulders, then got up, keeping her father's body with her. She shot Carlisle – who had stayed respectfully silent by our side, only praying for Charlie's soul – and me a grateful look, and I knew that she was thanking us for not offering to carry her chosen burden.

Not twenty-four hours ago I would've offered, and very probably been yelled at in response. Now I knew better, and stayed silent. I understood now what she had been trying to tell me for years, and that I had been too blind to see. That she was my equal in everything, and that I didn't have to – and shouldn't – do everything instead of her. That she could pull her own weight, and would only ask for my assistance when she needed it. That I didn't have to be – and the realization made me want to run screaming to Marcus – her father and she my little, dependent child.

She locked her sad eyes with me, still full of pain and grief, but her mind was clear. "Is it over?" she asked me softly.

"It is," I assured her, carefully lowering the shield that I had kept raised around her until now. She had to step back into the present time, but I would be on the lookout for her state of mind, and ready to shield her again if it was too much for her. But she was strong, unbelievably so, and ready to face what was coming next. My lioness. How I hadn't seen that the lamb I had once thought she was had never been more than a disguise, a camouflage, was beyond me. In truth, she had always been a lioness, even human, and me a lamb with a lion's skin, thinking himself tough but being weak. I could only hope that thanks to our new high level of mating, she would make me stronger, for her.

We have to go back, I told her, sorry to disturb her but knowing that time was ticking out. It's over here, but we aren't done yet.

I know, she replied with a set mind, ready to face anything. Let's go, then.

Edward, Carlisle addressed me as he and I followed Bella outside, relieved to breathe fresh air instead of the stale and damp one of the old mine. We have many things to consider now...

His thoughts trailed off as around us all conversations stopped when they noticed Bella and Charlie, and sorrow was heavy in everyone's minds. But now the clock was really ticking, and it dawned on Bella too. "The Volturi guard is coming," I announced calmly, listening to their run across the thick forest. "They're ten miles away."

"Are they coming to fight?" Emmett inquired belligerently, cracking his knuckles and ready for round two. He hadn't had his fill of fighting.

"No," I shook my head as I read their minds. "They were ordered to investigate because we all left Forks, including the wolves. They'll only ask questions."

"And then what?" Alistair asked at the same time that several wolves thought the same thing.

"Then we'll see," I shrugged, noticing that Bella was still with Charlie in her own private world, not really paying attention to what we were saying. I wouldn't disturb her. Soon she would have to let go of her father for eternity. We could give her a few more minutes with him. However I was keeping a hand on her back, knowing that she and I needed it, and that it kept her grounded. "They'll tell their leaders, and then... it's everyone's guess."

"Jane will have to make a move," Marcus said solemnly. "One way or the other."

"So what do we do?" Emmett insisted with a smirk, fire blazing in his ocher eyes.

"We wait for them," I decided, taking the lead on this and knowing that Jasper and Jacob were backing me up. "We don't fight except if they attack first. But they won't, since we outnumber them three to one, and they're not coming for that. We tell them what happened, and we deal with the aftermath."

Everybody nodded their assent, and I turned my gaze towards the three brothers that had almost caused our ruin. Lewis, Henry and Charles were peaceful vegetarian vampires, and had been snatched from their beloved Switzerland to be dragged into this mess against their will because of Lindsey. They were frantic, since they had finally snapped out of their trance, and couldn't wait to contact their mates, who had to be beside themselves with worry. If they made it out of here alive.

"Here," I said, lightly steering Bella to them, and tossing Henry my cell phone. "Call Magda. She must be worried."

"Thank you, Edward," Lewis said fervently as Henry catched my phone and immediately dialed his mate, who answered at the first ring. I dimly heard her cries and sobs of relief as she and the two other brothers' mates blubbered on the phone, and Henry and Charles trying to reassure them. "We don't know what happened. One minute we were playing Monopoly in our chalet, and the next we wake up in there," he said, pointing at the mine behind us. "It's... a blank..." he said, puzzled but distressed.

"I know," I said, tapping my temple as around us everybody was listening intently. "You and your brothers have nothing to fear, Lewis, but you must go at once, and we'll talk later on the phone. Better not being spotted by the Volturi."

"Better not," he agreed, still not appeased. "Edward, did we do... something bad?"

"No," I said after a slight hesitation, but not wanting to add to his guilt. "You sang, but Bella resisted. No harm done. You're very powerful."

The triplets smiled apologetically, and I caught my phone back. "Sorry for everything," Lewis said, always the more outspoken of the three, as his brothers confirmed with weary nods. "We'll leave now. Our mates are waiting for us."

"Take care," Carlisle said with a small but genuine smile.

"You'll be safe travelling back to Zurich," Alice piped up with a beam, and they thanked her before running away.

Just in time, I thought, as we all could hear now the Volturi approaching. I shot a glance at the four remaining vampires, and knew that things wouldn't turn out so well for them. Two had followed Caius willingly, and would be destroyed, and the two others had been seduced by Lindsey's promises of endless human blood and power, but without her hypnotizing talent. Followers, but ones we couldn't trust. Their fate would be in the hands of the Volturi. I was done here.

"I'll let you, Jasper and Jacob handle them, Carlisle," I said, pointing towards the north, from where the Volturi would arrive in two minutes. "We'll stay just long enough to show them that Charlie's dead. It should be enough to excuse Bella's and my leaving. Esme, Carmen, could you come with us?" I asked our maternal figures, knowing that Bella would soon need them.

"Of course, Edward," Esme accepted immediately, Carmen confirming with a nod, both of them shooting compassionate glances at my Bella.

"What about them?" Kate asked, venom lacing her voice as she indicated the four shaking prisoners. "I thought we said no prisoners."

"Indeed. Those two have obeyed Caius from the start," I designated the vampires two at a time, "and those two have listened to Lindsey's siren's call, but knowingly and willingly. It's up to you."

"We'll deal with them with the Volturi," Jasper said, eyeing Bella with some concern. "See you at the house."

Seth, Leah, go with them, Jacob ordered as I waited to lead Bella west, away from the dreadful scene. Tell Sue. We'll meet you at the Cullen house too when we're done here.

The two wolves nodded, then we stood by as the guard arrived. The eight vampires took in our group with wide eyes, and lingered a few seconds on Bella and me. They noticed Charlie, and their thoughts turned respectful. They weren't bad guys.

I nodded to them, exchanged a loaded glance with Jasper who confirmed that he had understood me, then the six of us took off, Bella still clinging onto Charlie's body. She hadn't realized it, but she was covered in his blood, and I knew that when it hit her, she'd be a wreck. But she would go on, jutting out her chin and squaring her shoulders, and I would admire her for it, and love her even more.

Leah was leading us, Seth, Esme and Carmen following, and I brought the rear with Bella, my hand still on her back. I knew thanks to our bond that this hand was the only thing keeping her together, so I wasn't about to let go. She needed me more than ever.

As we ran, I saw the numerous memories running through her mind, with Charlie and times when she wished he had been there. I knew that the wound of his death would take time to heal. We would need privacy more than anything for this.

Leah was thinking about how she would break the news to her mom, and I didn't envy her. Sue would be upset, and very possibly furious. She was a bitter harpy, but she had genuinely loved Charlie. Becoming a widow twice wasn't a desirable fate, and I could only hope she would cope, for her children and grandchildren's sake.

I stayed focused on my mate as we ran, running deep through the forest and giving roads and houses wide berths. I didn't know how I would persuade her to let go of Charlie's body. She was clinging to him but with care, and I sensed that once she let go of him, she would shatter. Esme and Carmen were thinking along the same line, but they would be patient and give Bella all their love and support.

A thousand scenarios were running through my mind to explain Charlie's murder, none of which convincing enough for me. I was at a loss. I knew that Bella's distress was seeping into me, blurring my mind, but I had to keep my head on. We couldn't very well tell Charlie's old colleagues in Forks that the former Chief of Police had been killed by a mad vampire. I wanted to ask Seth about it, so I created a shield bubble around him, then tried to talk to him like Bella had done with Tanya. Seth? Can you hear me?

Whoa! Freaky, Edward! You can invade my head now? he silently exclaimed, stumbling but soon regaining his step and running fast, glancing my way once.

I already could since a long time ago, I thought, slightly amused at his derisive tone. He was a true breath of fresh air. But now you can hear me too, if I want to.

Awesome! So, got your knickers in a twist about Charlie, huh?

Are you the mind reader now? I teased him half-heartedly.

Nah, he chuckled silently while still running ahead of me. Just thinking about it too. Have any ideas?

Too many, I admitted bitterly. None so good. Seth, if they do an autopsy...

Yeah, we need to avoid it at all costs. Something crystal clean that won't raise any suspicions. Bummer is the cut throat. It screams bloody murder.

Hunting accident?

Charlie didn't hunt, Seth told me, shaking his head. And he couldn't have slashed his own throat open while fishing, could he?

No, I sighed.

You morons, Leah huffed in scorn, hearing us through the wolf communication system. We can't stage anything that wouldn't be too suspicious. And we won't create a fake crime scene.

So what do you suggest? Seth yapped in annoyance.

No body to find, Leah said simply as we reached Forks. No traces. Fishing accident, as in a stupid Charlie-falling-out-of-the-boat-and-drowning accident. Weighted body dropped at sea. Happens all the time.

Seth and I pondered her suggestion, and I had to admit that it had its merits. But would Bella go with it? We'll talk about it once you return from your mom's, I told them privately. This is a decision we have to make together.

Yep, Seth confirmed, Leah huffing in assent.

We stayed silent after that until we came close to Forks, and split up. Seth and Leah ran away side by side to La Push, giving each other love and support for their coming gruesome task, and I led the way to the Cullen house. When Esme opened the front door then turned around, her concerned eyes landed on Bella still carrying Charlie's body, I heard her soft thoughts. We'll bathe Charlie and dress him, she addressed me. If Bella allows us.

"I..." Bella started hesitantly, only stopping in anguish. Her grip tightened onto her father. I can't let him go! she thought desperately.

It broke my heart, but I had to intervene. For her. Love, you have to, I told her, kissing her on her cheek and holding her closer to me. He's gone, Bella. You have to let him rest in peace now.

She hiccuped a sob, but she knew that I was right. He was truly gone, and only his body remained. She nodded faintly, and Esme went in front of her, holding out her arms and waiting patiently. She knew that it wasn't easy for Bella, and her heart ached to see her deep suffering. Mine was being crushed. I needed my mate's comfort just as much as she needed mine. Her pain was mine, and so was her grief. We were truly one, in good times and in bad ones.

Bella squeezed her father's body a last time, giving him a long look, searing him in her eternal memory, then planted a very gentle kiss on his forehead again. "Goodbye, Daddy," she whispered lowly but lovingly. Then she allowed Esme to take hold of him, and watched with a deep ache as our mother and Carmen went inside, respectful thoughts in their mind about how to proceed.

They'll take good care of him, love, I assured her as her intense pain made me breathless, my frozen insides seemingly coming alive and melting into a pool of lava. Bella, love...

She gasped loudly, rounding on me and cupping my cheeks, our predicament only now hitting her fully. Edward, your pain...

The same as yours, I thought with a sigh as her touch immediately started to soothe me. What's yours is mine, in every single aspect of our life, love. What you feel, I feel.

Oh, my love! I'm sorry.

She hugged me with all her might then, and I did the same. I tried to focus on our love, our deep connection, and on my promise of my unending support. She responded with assurances of her unwavering love and support too, and gradually we eased each other's pain.

We were also mending the last broken pieces of our argument, as I apologized again and again for my behaviour. I'm sorry, my Bella. Please forgive me. It won't happen again, I promise you.

I know, Edward, she thought as she burrowed even deeper into my chest, her arms like a vise around me. I didn't mind a bit. I'm sorry too. It's behind us now.

"Yes," I confirmed gently, kissing her temple lovingly. "Bella, love, let's take a shower."

She pulled away, frowning, then her gaze went on her clothes, splattered with her father's blood. Like I thought, she turned frantic, and started to rip them away from her, her eyes wide and a faint moan in her throat. I hastily picked her up and ran to our bedroom, where she couldn't get naked soon enough, then ran in the bathroom.

I hesitated as she hopped into the shower stall, not sure that she wanted me with her, since her thoughts were in shambles. But soon she heard my indecision, and called out for me. "Edward, come here, please."

I felt her aching need, and responded instantly. She needed me, so I would do as she wanted. I stripped in a second, and the next I was wrapped around her, kissing her lips as she clutched me tightly. She needed me, and she needed more. She needed us. And she needed me to make her forget that two stories down Esme and Carmen were taking care of Charlie's body. Edward, she pleaded in my head.

I more than willingly obeyed. My mate's wish was my eternal command. I grabbed her thighs and slammed her into the wall, letting show my endless desire for her. She whimpered as my hard cock rubbed against her clit, and her golden eyes locked into mine. She didn't want any foreplay, and she was going to beg me again, but that I couldn't have. She was my goddess, and she wouldn't have to beg ever again. She wanted me, now and not a second later. So I braced myself and plunged into her, my gaze in hers.

Oh God, Edward, she shouted in her mind as I stopped, buried deep inside her. She was trying to keep silent out of respect for Charlie. But I knew that Esme and Carmen were aware of what we were doing, and on the contrary, they were thinking that it would be beneficial for Bella and me to make love, to comfort each other and bask in our love, in order to endure the loss.

She tried to keep her eyes open as I started to thrust inside her, her hands latched onto my neck and in my hair, but they fluttered as I leaned over to kiss her along her jaw, on the tender spot under her ear then down her throat and collarbone. I reveled in our closeness and the power crackling around us as I made her mine again. With every thrust of my hips, every kiss, every touch of her soft skin, I was telling her yet again that I loved her, that she was mine and I was hers, that she was absolutely everything to me.

I love you so much, my Edward, she sobbed, overcome by her emotions. I was her everything too, and I soothed her grief and pain. I let her cry as I rocked inside her, knowing that she needed this, and kissed her deeply. One of my hands left her thigh as I had her pinned against the wall, and wandered up her body. I reached her breast, and she moaned in my mouth as I slowly kneaded it, my thumb gently grazing her hardened nipple. She was almost there.

That's it, love, I encouraged her, thrusting harder and faster, as she silently requested. Feel me. Feel our love. Can you feel it, my Bella?

God, yes, she answered, our powers tingling all over our skins. Edward, we have to be careful.

I know. I could feel the strength of our love, like a physical entity, threatening to come loose around us and destroy everything, like in the cavern. Because of Bella's physical shields, and now mine, our connection seeped into them, making them extremely powerful, and very dangerous. We would have to learn to make love without breaking anything around us.

Like newborns again, she thought amusedly before whimpering as I thrust right on the spot deep inside her that drove her wild. Edward! Yes!

I love you, my Bella, I thought, letting myself go as she tumbled over the edge, but trying to contain the explosion of our ecstasy. As I spilled inside her, I felt one of her bubbles around us, containing the wave of pure force erupting out of us. It shook us violently, but in a very pleasant way. We were one at that instant. We gasped simultaneously as the power rattled against her bubble, but luckily it stayed contained, and dissolved after that, as if Bella's bubble had absorbed it.

"Impressive," I said aloud, in awe of the phenomenon. "It..."

"It's strengthened my bubble," Bella confirmed my thought, flabbergasted herself. "That's probably what happened in the cavern."

"Such force," I nodded. "No wonder we broke Lindsey's power."

"I guess that nothing could resist that," Bella ventured, a little stunned.

"And no one," I confirmed, thinking of Jane.

"We'll soon hear about her and the Volturi," Bella guessed, sighing as I slipped out of her then let her feet touch the floor again. "Edward..."

"I'll do everything I have to to protect you, and our love," I vowed as her hands cupped my cheeks and mine hers. "I promise you, Bella."

"I promise you too, Edward," she vowed, a steely resolve in her eyes.

We turned our heads towards the mental voices popping up in our mind-reading radar, and sighed together. "Ready?" I asked her, knowing that difficult moments lay ahead of us.

"Not really, but what's new?" she shrugged with half a smirk, leading us to our closet. "Come on, my love. Time to do what we have to, and then..."

Her voice trailed off suggestively as I felt my desire spike again, triggered by her words, her tone and her lascivious thoughts. And then, my Bella, we go on our second honeymoon. A very long one.

Good program, hubby, she smiled mischievously, focusing on us for a few seconds longer before she had to face heartache again.

Oh, you're so asking for it, I thought, pleased that I could make her giggle a little as we unhurriedly dressed. I knew that the coming days wouldn't be good ones, and we had yet to face the Volturi leaders, Jane in particular, but we would always have each other, and our unbreakable love. And as we came down the stairs to join our family and friends waiting for us, our hands intertwined, I knew that nothing really mattered to me beside her. She was everything to me, and I would tell her so every day of forever.

There, Edward had his final say ;) Hope you enjoyed it!

The epilogue is coming, it's half-written but I still lack time to write, so I hope it'll be ready next weekend.

Take care, and please leave me your thoughts!