Chapter Eighteen
Jasper kisses my cheek softly as we stand on the balcony of our hotel room and it brings a big smile on my face. The children are to arrive soon to make the biggest decision of their lives, of which scares the living daylight out of me. The sun begins to peek out of a cloud, which makes Jasper retreat inside the room. I remain on the balcony for a bit longer to savor the sun and turn to go inside when I see Jasper smiling at me from the doorway.
"What?" I ask with a small head tilt.
"I just love the way you look in the sun," Jasper says softly. "Something I may miss after awhile."
"What does that mean?" I ask in fear. Jasper shakes his head and then holds out his hand for a dance. I take his hand shakily and let him lead me in a dance. "Jazz, what is the matter?"
"I am sorry, I am just worried that if the children join the Volturi that you may go with them. I am also worried about you and this new baby," Jasper says.
"What baby?" I ask. I look into his eyes and see that he knows something that I do not. Am I pregnant again? I thought Annabelle was the last baby we were going to have, but we did say we wanted a big family.
"Alice saw something about a baby," Jasper whispers. I give him a gentle kiss on his lips and smile.
"If you want another baby, then we try for one when you feel we are ready to have one."
"It is not that, Mari, I fear that you try to do anything you can to have another baby in case one of the children decide to leave us."
"No, I would never replace our children."
"I am not saying that, darlin'. I am just worried about you as of late with how dark you have become since the surgery years ago. I fear I may be losing you, or at least the woman I fell in love with."
"I will never change. I am just trying not to lose my temper while we fix this mess Embry has gotten us into."
"We will get through this, together." Jasper pulls me closer and kisses my lips softly at first, but it deepens with each passing moment.
Manny arrives with his siblings at the castle and smiles at me when he sees me. I open my arms to hug my son and then reach for the others to join in. Nessie is with them, per the request of Aro, and she looks uncomfortable. I kiss my babies on the head and lead them over to their papa.
"Now, my darlings, you are to stand before grandpa and Aro proudly and then decide on something very important. Whichever you decide I want you all to know that papa and I still love you and we always will," I say as calmly as possible. Jasper leads us to the large throne room where we wait for Aro and Marcus. Aro arrives alone without Marcus or Cauis and sits on his seat with a wicked smile on his face. Annabelle hides behind Jasper, Ethan grips my hand tightly, while his older siblings stand tall with their head held high.
"My, my, my, what a beautiful family," Aro says. "It would be a shame to part you all."
"Aro, we are not here for your belittling," I growl. "Ask them."
"Children, your parents have brought here at my asking and it is very important. Over the years I have tried to get your parents to bring you all and join me here as my guards or as guests. I see so much potential in you all and want to bring it to light to protect our kind against those who wish to harm us. Would any of you like to join us here forever?" Aro says. Annabelle whimpers as she hides behind Jasper and Ethan become paler than he normally is. Christine and Christian look at one another and then turn to me.
"Mama, you said you would love us no matter what, right?" Christian asks.
"Of course, baby," I say softly. Christian smiles, takes Christine hands, and turns to Aro.
"We respectively decline your offer," Christian and Christine say in unison.
"Oh and what about the younger two or even the oldest one, of whom I see has the heart of the Cullen girl?" Aro asks. Jasper growls when Aro's eyes fall onto Annabelle and I take his hand. Manny pulls Nessie close to him with a soft growl. "Do none of you see what you could do here with me? We would be unstoppable and no one would dare cross us. I ask once more, Cullens, join me or you will die."
"We have said no, Aro," Jasper says.
"So be it," Aro says with a shrug. The doors open and the room begins to become filled with black smoke. Annabelle begins to cry in fear, Jasper looks at me in terror, and my heart begins to pound hard in my chest.
"We have to do something, Jazz," I say softly.
"What can we do?" Jasper asks. Ethan runs out from behind me and bows to Aro.
"I will join you!" Ethan says firmly. The smoke disappears to show that Ethan has not faltered, nor has he looked up at anyone. "I will join you, but only if you spare my family."
"Well, he is a protective one," Aro laughs. Annabelle runs after Ethan to pull him away from Aro.
"Ethan, you cannot leave mama and papa," Annabelle begs. Ethan looks at her, wipes her tears with a smile, and kisses her forehead softly.
"You can protect mama and papa with Manny, Chrissy, and CJ. You guys will be okay without me," Ethan says.
"I want to go with you! You are my big brother and cannot be without me because I am your baby sister!" Annabelle sniffles. Jasper becomes stiff at her decision to leave him and I pull him into my arms to bury my face into his chest so I can hide my tears.
"Welcome, my little ones," Aro says while walking over to them. "The rest of you may leave and await my decision on sparing the beast that deserves death."