Hey guys!

I am sooo sorry for the long wait on this final chapter. I have been having so much work. Let me tell ya, I will be glad when this vacation period is over. We have been insanely busy with puppies everywhere! Granted, I love puppies, but dang this is a lot.

Plus, my baby sister called me, one of her budgies seemed off. Indeed, the videos she sent me showed that she was having a heat stroke, so I had to race to their house to try and save the bird. I managed to cool her down dipping her in cold water, supplying her with banana and oats to get her blood sugars up again. That took almost all of my only day off last week. Luckily, she is fine again.

On top of that, I also got an order for a mural, so I had to sketch out ideas for that. So, I will be painting that in September.

In short, I have been fairly stressed, and I couldn't keep any focus. I tried to write a little whenever I had the time, so it came together in bits and pieces. I am sorry if it feels a bit fragmented. This is my first day off in a long while, and I am spending the morning finishing this chapter. I hope you will enjoy it - Sorry for any mistakes. I am pretty tired.

I wanted to thank you all for your reviews. Your kind words and encouragements has thrilled me – I am so delighted. I never knew anyone would enjoy anything I wrote. So please accept my gratitude!

Thank you for reading!

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.

Warning: Rated mature for content of a strong sexual nature.

Aro's POV

"So, Edward seems a lot better," I looked at Carlisle's profile. He was smiling softly at the ground, nodding.

"Yes, Mateo and he haven't been apart since their first meeting. Mateo seems to be the balm Edward needed."

I nodded, glancing at the two young lovers. Carlisle and I were walking around one of the paths in the large garden of the Volturi castle. In the distance we could see Edward and his new mate frolicking on the lawn. I had never seen Edward so relaxed. He was laughing as Mateo whispered something in his ear.

"I wanted to thank you, Aro," Carlisle said softly, stopping and turning towards me.

"What on earth for?" I asked perplexed, stopping too to look at him. The sun peaked suddenly out slightly, and we both glinted in the sunlight. His golden eyes were illuminated, looking like amber as he stared me steadily in the eyes.

"For helping Edward. I know what it must have cost you, and you didn't have to do it. Please accept my gratitude," he said, holding out his hand, intending for me to take it. I looked down at the outstretched appendage, considering, my fingers stretching longingly towards his hand. I was almost tempted to take it. Instead I nodded slowly, retracted my hand, turning and began to walk again.

"I do not need to read your mind, Carlisle. It was my pleasure. It is not like I could have stopped Isabella from doing what Isabella wanted. I am only glad that everything turned out as it did. We would both have suffered intolerable losses otherwise."

He followed me, staying at my side.

"There must be some way that I can thank you, Aro," he persisted, looking at my profile as my eyes were on the distant horizon.

"There is," I said, frowning slightly.

"Be my friend, Carlisle. You owe me nothing. You would have done the same for me, in fact you did. You helped me rescue Isabella from the red-head, remember?"

He nodded solemnly, not saying anything.

No words were needed.

Aro's POV

Sitting at my desk, I was writing the final lines on some documents.

Carlisle and Edward had decided to stay a few more days, before taking Mateo with them to their home on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. I would dearly miss my old friend, but I knew we would meet again. Isabella would make sure of that. She was adamant that she needed to see them. They were her family. She would even like for us to visit them.

I would not mind; it would be good to get out of this old castle once in a while.

The doors opened quietly, and I saw Sulpicia coming towards me. She had a certain self-satisfied air about herself, which made me put down my pen and lean back in my chair, waiting for her to speak.

"I have been wanting to talk to you about some things, Aro. I have had an idea, and I have now mulled it over for some time."

I considered her, knowing that this must be what Isabella had been mentioning to me. I waited.

"So, Bella does not wish to kill humans to drink from them, and she seems disinclined to hunt animals. She even proceeded to drink from our store of blood in the kitchen, on her first day as a new-born. This gave me an idea."

I could see where this was going already, I did not need to read her mind.

"You wish to open a clinic for people to donate their blood." I stated.

"Yes," she said smiling widely.

"If we had a clinic, then we could supply Bella and others who do not wish to harm people for food. It seems like a good, victimless compromise."

I was silent for a long while, my fingers running along my lower lip, thinking.

"Have you talked to Caius about this proposal?"

"No, I thought it best to not mention anything to him before I had your approval. I know he won't like the idea."

"I do not know; he might surprise you. But how would this work? Would we be paying people for their donations?"

"I thought we could do something like that. We have a lot of poor people in Volterra, and they could be persuaded to donate this way. It is not like they will be donating organs, so they can come back again and again."

"But where would we find the funds for this?" I asked her solemnly, frowning slightly. The idea was not bad, but we needed to execute it carefully. Doctors and nurses needed to be hired, we needed a place, and the blood would have to be moved without gaining too much notice from the humans. It would be risky.

"We have plenty of money for now to set it up at first. We can worry about that later. I also thought that perhaps we could have a place at the castle for tourists to donate some blood. We could tell them it was a traditional thing or what not."

I shook my head as she spoke.

"No, that would not do. Vampires would smell the blood and they would not be able to resist. We need to keep it away from this place."

She paused, realising I was right.

"I will leave it to you, to find a suitable place. There are a lot of underground passages that we could use for transport, so it would go unnoticed by the humans. It would be wise to find a building that already has access to these. But if that proves difficult, we could build something." I said, gazing into space.

She was nodding slowly, considering my words.

"Alright, I will work on it."

"Right, that is settled then," I said, leaning forward to scribble more on my own work. She was walking to the door, and a thought suddenly hit me.

"Oh, and Sulpicia," She turned back towards me.

"You will have to tell Caius of your plans sooner or later."

Bella's POV

Edward was silent a moment, he seemed to be contemplating what to say. I could not read his thoughts, but I felt pretty certain I knew what he was thinking of.

After a while, I decided to make it easier on him. I lowered my shield a tiny amount, allowing my thoughts to surface through.

You don't need to apologize. I know how painful everything must have been for you. It's not like any of us saw this coming. Of course, we would be totally unprepared for whatever you can call this. But, it's over now.

He looked at me stunned for a minute. Apparently, I had never lowered my shield around him before. I grinned a little embarrassed.

Oops.

He smiled warmly back at me.

"I know, but I still wish to say sorry, Bella. I may have been hurting, but I still shouldn't have taken it out on you. I'm so sorry."

He looked down a little, smiling musingly.

"I would have never imagined that things would turn out like this. You with Aro. Me with Mateo."

He frowned slightly, looking worried.

"I hope you understand that I did everything because I wanted the best for you. It's just so easy to do the wrong thing, trying to do the right, you know?"

I nodded, letting him know via my thoughts that I understood. We had been through so much. It would be foolish for me to reject him now. He was my friend.

Edward smiled; relief edged into his face. I had forgotten to erect my shield again. It didn't matter. I stepped forward and hugged him warmly. We would have eternity to rebuild anything broken. He would be going back to America shortly. I would visit him from time to time. He understood that my new home was now here, in Volterra. And so, we stood, hugging for a long time, not saying anything.

Aro's POV

"You are sure, you want to do this?" Marcus was sitting in the armchair looking up at me. We were in my study, and he was contemplating my words seriously.

"Well, yes, Marcus. Isabella and I are mates after all, and it feels natural."

"Have you talked to young Bella about this?"

I leaned against my desk, half sitting on the surface, crossing my arms.

"I have not, I wanted to surprise her. I feel like she has settled in well, and I want her to feel as much at home as possible." I shifted slightly. I felt like he knew something I did not.

"Brother, I think you may be too hasty. Bella loves you; I do not doubt it as I can see your bonds, but I fear she may not be ready for this kind of commitment. It is a big decision. You should consider talking to her first about this."

I swallowed slightly, nodding.

"Alright, I will think about it." I sighed. Marcus seemed satisfied. He leaned in a little conspiratorially.

"Good. Now, I wanted to ask you something. What on earth is Sulpicia working on? I haven't seen her so excited since the invention of the one-wheel motorcycle."

He had a small smirk on his lips, watching me closely, as I chuckled slightly at the mental image of Sulpicia having the time of her life on those wretched machines.

"Yes, well she has had an idea." I explained everything with the donors and Sulpicia's plans for a clinic.

He sat still for a long time absorbing the news.

"You know, the weird thing is, that I think Caius will love this idea," he mused. I smiled widely.

"I know," I said with a soft chuckle.

He has wanted a more subtle way of eating for a long time. He detested the flamboyant way we did it at the moment. This idea with donors might be exactly what he wanted.

Aro's POV

"I thought Sulpicia had talked to you about this, brother?" I asked, puzzled.

Caius slowly shook his head, adjusting himself a little in his seat. He hated being left out of such matters. I had found him in the library, and sat down in the seat beside him, wishing to discuss the matter of these clinics.

"No, this is the first time I hear of it." He scoffed, sounding a little miffed. I smiled slyly.

"Right. Well, the idea is that we pay the donors, and that will give us food, but it will also benefit the poor in the city. A little blood is a small price to pay for money." I said in a matter of fact voice.

Caius nodded, thinking.

"The idea is appealing, but I do not think it will supply us enough. We need something more." He said, his mind far away. I frowned at him, waiting. His mind was clearly working something out.

"Yes, we need more. Perhaps more clinics in more cities. Or we could persuade some for their blood. Money can get you anything, no questions asked." He said, eyes still unfocused.

"And it is not like we lack finances for this. I could always purchase a few new apartment buildings or factories." He brushed a little at his sleeve. I remembered his last little shopping spree, we nearly ended up owning two small cities. He was good at finding the right places to buy. And he was of course right.

"That might be an idea. We need to have a meeting with Sulpicia then. I gave her the go for any plans she had in mind."

Caius nodded again. Then his eyes flashed towards me, and he leaned forward a little.

"Marcus told me of your plans for Bella,"

I groaned inwardly. Of course, he did.

"Yes?" I said apprehensive.

"Nothing. I just think it is a great idea." He said.

"I do hope it turns out well for you, brother,"

I cocked my head a little, observing him curiously.

"What is it?" he asked, frowning.

"Nothing," I said, getting to my feet. I had just realized that Caius seemed to have changed. It would appear that Isabella's extraordinary gift was not just for me. I did not enlighten Caius though. I left him in the library, looking musingly after me.

Aro's POV

A couple of days later I was yet again going through some papers in my study. It was late at night, and the large dark windows reflected the room, rather than showing the warm night outside. I had neglected too much since Isabella had entered my life, but I did not do them all at vampire speed. Sometimes it was enjoyable to slow down, and just listen to the pen as it travelled across the papers. It felt soothing somehow.

Isabella suddenly appeared in front of my desk in a flash. She was smiling, as she always would upon seeing my person.

"So, this is where you're hiding." She said. She looked stunning in a floor length dress. It was olive green, with silver decorations at the hips. I was so happy we had gotten her a whole new wardrobe, though she did occasionally wear jeans, just to hold onto some of her human side. Or to spite me. It was difficult to tell. Probably both.

I let go of my pen and leaned back in my chair, letting my eyes wander her body freely. I sensed her shiver across the desk.

"I am not hiding," I said, pushing back my chair as she walked around the desk. I expected her to kiss me, but instead, she straddled me, hoisting her dress up before she sat down on top me, legs on either side of the chair.

"I should hope not," She murmured, lips almost touching mine. I placed my hands on her waist, looking at her, wondering what she wanted.

She kissed me, first gently, then the kiss grew deeper, as her lips battled mine heatedly, her tongue searching for mine. Her finger insinuated themselves at the nape of my neck, gently pulling on my hair, massaging my scalp. When she drew back, we were both breathing rather deeply. My hips rolled instinctively, making her jump slightly, as she felt me hitting her core.

"Hmm, as delightful as this would be, I need you to come with me. I need to show you something." Her fingers were playing with the buttons on my shirt as she spoke. She seemed a little nervous, though it was difficult to tell with vampires.

"Surely we do not need to hurry," I said in a growling voice, my lips going for her throat, kissing, and licking her skin where I knew it would distract her completely.

"Uhm, a little bit. I want to show you something." she repeated, gasping softly.

"Well, it can wait a little until I am done with you, can it not?" I murmured into her skin, my fingers slowly opening the zipper at her back, letting her dress fall down in front, revealing her chest to me. I exhaled contentedly, as my fingers brushed the sides of her breasts. She leaned her head back as she anticipated my next move. I leaned down and took one breast in my mouth, suckling gently, as she moaned softly.

Her hips rocked a little, and I knew I needed to be inside her.

And soon.

"We do need to hurry, though. In a short while the chance to see it is gone. Will you come with me?" She said after a few moments.

I sighed, and zipped up her dress again, allowing her to get to her feet. She smiled widely at me, as she held out her hand for me to take. She almost looked like a child, so happy was she. I took her outstretched appendage, and we ran at vampire speed, her leading the way.

Within moments I found myself on top of the keep, looking out over the battlements at the sprawling city beneath us, the rolling countryside in the distance. Everything was quiet and dark.

I had not been up here in hundreds of years, and never in the middle of the night. We stood side by side, watching the night, listening. She took my hand, and stepped closer, kissing me gently on the lips. Her arms came around my middle, as she gazed into my eyes.

"Now, look up," she whispered.

I did as she asked and saw an ocean of stars above our heads. They were scattered across the dark sky, and I of course knew they had always been there. I had just never taken the time to really look at them. I knew humans only saw them as tiny glimmering, mostly white lights, but with my vampire gaze, I could see a plethora of colours and movements. I could also see a lot further out than any human eyes, which gave the sky a whole new depth to it. It was indeed a marvellous view.

I felt Isabella's lips on my exposed throat, as she watched me watch the sky.

"Isn't it beautiful?" She murmured against my skin.

I took a deep breath, my arms circling her waist, savouring the moment, my eyes still roaming the deep chasm of space above us.

"It is indeed extraordinarily beautiful." I said softly. I tilted my head down, my lips meeting her forehead, then her cheek, and lastly her mouth. I kissed her slowly, languorously, my tongue prodding her mouth open, seeking entry. Her hands came up to rest on my chest, her small fingers gripping the lapels of my jacket, pulling me closer. She let out a soft moan. I released her lips.

"Thank you," I said. "This is perfect. A beautiful gift, Isabella."

She said nothing, only tugging on my jacket again to get me to kiss her, and our lips met in a heated kiss. I pulled her even closer, wanting to feel her against me, my hands roaming her back, coming down to her buttocks, squeezing them, pulling her pelvis against mine.

A moan floated from her chest at the feeling. I began backing her up against the battlements, she hit them with the small of her back. I kissed her ferociously, my lips pulling hers into my mouth, suckling hard before biting down a little. I could feel her excitement, her breathing giving her away.

I began unzipping her dress again, this time making it fall to the ground in a heap. She was completely naked beneath. I took in her small, naked frame, a growl issuing forth from my chest. She nearly glowed in the dark, her skin translucent. She smirked slightly, as she winked at me.

I had to have her.

My eyes on her, as she leaned against the parapet, the dark city behind her naked form, I slowly opened my belt, then my trousers. I pulled out my cock, and began pleasuring myself, as I watched her intently. She was gasping in small puffs, mouth open, hands clutching the edges behind her, almost writhing in excitement as her gaze was on my member as I worked myself over. Suddenly she was in front of me, falling to her knees, batting my hand away, wanting to be the one to pleasure me.

I looked down into her eyes, as her tongue came out, licking the tip of me. I closed my eyes, humming slightly in approval. Her hand came up to grasp my length, pulling back the foreskin, making my hips lurch slightly forward, the tip hitting her mouth. She licked the length traveling down to the sack beneath, her lips pulling on them, before returning to my manhood.

Then I felt her lips around me, taking me in, not so deep at first. She gently sucked the tip, letting her tongue swirl around it, making my hips buck again, thrusting a little into her soft, wet cavity. Her hands came down to my thighs, gripping the backs, as she took me in with a deep pull. The feeling of her as she sucked me, made my head snap back, my hands came to her head, my fingers in her hair, as she moved back and forth, making me hit the back of her throat, keeping me there, swallowing before moving again. I hissed in pleasure, my hold on her tightened, as I began thrusting gently into her mouth, my eyes on the sky above me.

This was the closest I had ever come to being in heaven. She was literally making me see the stars. I looked down, growling again, this time the passion fierce in my voice, and her soft eyes gave me consent, and so I began fucking her mouth, rolling my hips, pulling her face towards my pelvis. I could feel the pull as I approached ecstasy, my breath catching slightly. I did not want it to end so soon, so I pulled out of her mouth to stave off my release. My cock rested wet against her lips, and her tongue flicked out again, hitting the sensitive spot beneath the head, as she watched me struggling for control.

"You little minx." I growled, staring down into her cheeky face. She chuckled softly. I pushed against her smile, and was inside soon enough, now thrusting heatedly, as I held her head in place, growls escaping me, as I felt myself tumbling into the void, my essence on her tongue within seconds. She took everything, swallowing greedily, as I pumped a few more times, then I stopped. She kept licking and sucking, making me want her mouth again, but no. Now I needed other things to satisfy my thirst for her.

I pulled her up, kissing her deeply, as I pushed against her, making her lean back over the battlements. I lifted her up, so she sat on the edge of the parapet, her legs on either side of me. Her fingers were working as she tried to open my shirt. I paused, allowing her access. As soon as the fabric separated, her lips descended on my exposed chest, placing wet kisses on my sternum, breathing me in, mewling softly in contentment.

She was driving me crazy, and I could no longer hold back. I placed my cock at her entrance, and pushed inside her, my hand on her hips, as I pulled her against me, sheathing myself completely inside her snug channel. We both groaned, her teeth scraping my chest. I pulled out and thrust in again, and again, soon fucking her impatiently, my nose in her hair, my eyes sweeping the quiet city behind her. Her moans became more intense, and I could feel her insides tighten around me. I rolled my pelvis, hitting against her clit, mashing it between us, and her body jerked as she came apart, her insides fluttering around me. I did not relent, but kept going until she had reached another orgasm, she was whimpering into my chest.

I pushed at her shoulders, making her lean backwards, her upper body hanging over the edge, my arms circling her hips, as I held her securely in place. Her feet came up and settled on either side of us, legs spread widely, as I leaned over her, resuming my movements inside her. She tilted her head all the way back, her hair dangling in the soft air, waving in synchronisation with my thrusts. A groan escaped her, as I was now able to push deeply inside her, bottoming out completely, making her shudder within moments.

"Oh, don't stop, Aro," she hissed out. I had no intentions of stopping, she felt entirely too good, squeezing my cock tightly, me dragging against her walls, swiftly in and out. My lips found a nipple, and I took it in my mouth, nibbling, suckling, pulling on it. Her hips lurched sharply again as she reached her peak, her entire body convulsing on the parapet. I growled again, now seeking my own release, pumping into her fiercely, making her cry out with the force of my passion. I grabbed her shoulders, pulling her up and against my chest again, my arms holding onto her, as I suddenly felt my orgasm wash over me. I kept her there, holding her tightly, breathing in her essence, my eyes closed as the waves crashed around me. I no longer needed to see the stars, as I simply needed to hold her. She was my world now.

I now saw the stars inside her, our future ahead of us. We would have eternity, but I was not sure that that would be quite sufficient.

I would never be able to get enough of her.

"Marry me, Isabella?" I murmured into her hair. I felt her go rigid, as she absorbed my question. Her head snapped back, her eyes focusing on me. I stood silent, giving her time to think, Marcus' words flooding my mind. He felt sure she was not ready for this.

She kissed me slowly, smiling softly.

"Yes," she whispered against my lips. I held her tightly, as we kissed in the shadows, in the light of our bright future together.

My age of loneliness was finally over.

The End.

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-Pancakes