A/N: This is the last chapter from Edward's P.O.V. I want to make a small note on Damon's gift. It is very difficult to understand at the moment. I'm sorry about that, he was kind of an impromptu character and I'm still trying to work him out. You'll get his full story in the next couple chapters. I promise. I hope you enjoy this one.
EDWARD
I found myself standing over the drain in the dark alley at nine forty-five that night. I spent the whole day contemplating what was about to happen and everything that got us to this point.
I knew deep down that Esme was right and nobody was to balme for any of this. Unfortunately, I couldn't get over the thought that it was my love for Bella that got us here. It was like one of this things you knew wasn't true but all the evidence pointed in that direction. So you had no choice but to believe it. I was convinced that if I hadn't fallen in love with Bella then we wouldn't be here now.
I knew, however, that she didn't regret any of the choices she made involving me and our family. She had every opportunity to walk away in the beginning. Hell, she could've even walked away in the middle if she chose to. Still even after all of the pain she had gone through with the sadistic vampires and the hormonal teenaged werewolf. And even us leaving her. She wouldn't have wanted to do anything differently. She loved me and in her mind nothing else mattered.
I loved her too. To be honest, I didn't regret anything that happened between us in the time we knew each other either. Granted, I wished she wouldn't have had to go through so much pain for our love but I suppose the pain was something that couldn't be avoided.
I would make sure, though, that after tonight she wouldn't be in pain anymore. I'd do everything Aro asked of me, short of killing or harming a human, to save her from that torture. If he wanted me to get on my hands and knees and kiss his feet in front of everyone, I'd do it. Bella deserved nothing less that a normal and safe human life. One free from this kind of pain. I'd make sure she was able to get it. I knew that she'd hate it at first but it would get better. If anyone could get through this it was her.
"Edward, are you here?" Alice's thoughts intruded on mine.
"Yeah." I replied softly.
"He's here." Alice said in a soft yell.
The relieved thoughts of my family suddenly washed over me as they appeared around me. Esme walked right up to me and threw her arms around me.
"We were so worried about you!" she mentally yelled.
"I'm sorry." I told her. "I just needed to clear my head."
"That's understandable." she stated then thought, "You don't have to do this, you know?"
"Yes, I do, mom." I stated. "I have to save her and I could never ask my siblings to give up this much for her. Even though, I know they'd all be more than willing."
"Of course." she replied and pulled me into another hug.
"I love you." she thought.
"I love you too but I can't do this again." I stated. "It's going to be hard enough to say goodbye to Bella in a few minutes. I won't be able to if I have to do it all over again with you guys."
"Right sorry." Esme sighed.
I could see the need to cry in her eyes. This was one of those times I cursed what we were. She should be able to openly sob at the prospect of losing a son. All she could do was dry heave and that didn't help anything.
Suddenly, images assaulted my mind. These were much worse than the ones that I saw last night. Bella was once again being violated by the brothers. Caius was once again on top of her forcing himself into her mouth. Aro was tearing into her vagina with both hands. I let out a low growl then stated,
"Show yourself Jane."
Jane appeared from the other end of the alley. She was wearing her sadistic smile as she walked towards us. The images continued as she came closer. Aro had removed his fingers and was no shoving his dick inside of her. Then Caius removed his from her mouth and moved until he was next to Aro. He too rammed into her. Bella's screams resounded in my ears and I let out another growl.
"Look, Jane, the guard isn't here and you're out numbered. If you were smart, you'd knock it off." I stated.
Jane simply laughed.
"Do you really think that Aro would hold up his end of the bargain if you killed me?" she questioned rhetorically. "Especially since I'm one of his favorites. He'd probably kill your little human to avenge me."
The images continued as she rememebered how they pounded into Bella long after she fell unconcious. I growled again and lunged for her. Emmett caught me around the middle and dragged me back. Jane let out a small giggle.
"Shall we go now?" she asked.
The family nodded and we took turns jumping down the drain. When we reached the bottom, Jane sent another image my way. This time she remembered how the brothers licked her cleaned once they finished. I made another lunge for her but Emmett caught me again.
"Edward, calm down." Jasper thought. "Who knows what'll happen if you kill Jane before we get to Bella. Just remember, her sufferings going to end tonight because of you."
He was right. I took a few deep breaths and placed myself back in control. The images continued as Jane led us through the tunnel. She had moved on to the painful bath she had the "pleasure" of giving Bella. The thoughts of Bella in pain still irked me but at least I no longer had to see her being violated.
We finally made it to the reception room. When we stepped inside, I noticed the walls were once again lined with memebers of the guard. Aro and his brothers were standing at the front of the room, just like the were yesterday. Jane led us to the center of the room then walked to her spot in the line.
"Carlisle, I'm glad to see you came back." Aro greeted. "I've already sent young Damon to fetch pet. Unfortunately, after last night, she isn't moving very fast." I growled as more images of last night hit me. "They should be here shortly though."
Sure enough, a few minutes later, a door to the far right of the room opened. Damon stepped through it with Bella crawling behind him. My heart went out to her when I saw how much pain the movement was causing her. Damon seemed to be walking as slowly as he could to ease as much pain as possible. I was grateful to him for this. I was also grateful to see that Aro had put proper clothes on her. They were probably to hide her scars from the other humans as she left.
Damon led Bella to Aro and handed him the chain. As he walked back to his spot, his eyes locked with mine and I could hear his thoughts clearer than anyone else's in the room.
"She's going to be alright in the end. You and I, however, should talk about somethings later."
I didn't understand anything that was implicated in those thoughts. Nor did I understand how I couldn't read him yesterday but he was loud and clear today. Yet, something was telling I could trust him. I had a feeling he'd probably be my only friend for the next century or so. Which is why I nodded to him acknowledging that I felt the same way.
"Sit pet." Aro's words brought me back to the situation. I looked over at Bella who pushed herself back on her knees without a fuss. I was grateful she didn't give him a reason to hurt her. "Good girl." he patted her head and she cringed. "Carlisle, has your family made a decision?"
I could hear how badly Carlisle didn't want to say it. In fact, he couldn't force his brain to make his mouth open. Instead he, took a deep unecessary breath, closed his eyes and nodded. I heard Bella's heart rate pick up as she stared at us. I could see terror and sadness in her beautiful brown eyes. I hated myself for having to do this to her.
"And?" Aro pressed.
"It's going to be me." I stated.
"No, Edward! You can't!" she yelled. I hoped Aro would let that one go.
He simply laughed.
"I have to, Bella." I stated staring at her. "I do, however, have a few requests, Aro."
"I'm listening." Aro replied.
Bella didn't say anything else for a moment. I had a feeling might go into shock soon.
"I wish to remain on the animal diet." I said.
"I'm sure Heidi will be able to arrange that. Of course, it may be difficult to find you something as often as we feed." Aro stated.
Who did he think I was? Some pampered prince. I have been hunting for and killing my own food for a century. I didn't need someone else to do it for me.
"I'm perfectly capable of finding my own food." I stated in a matter-of-fact tone.
"Of course. Is there anything else?"
"Yes, I want your word that you will not go after Bella again after this. I don't care if she tells the whole world we exist. Because if you or your brothers or your guard lay a hand on her again, after this moment, I will leave and take out as many of you as I possibly can."
I knew that his word wouldn't mean much. Still, I hoped my threat would make him think twice before he tried it.
"Very well." Aro replied but I could hear the uncertainly in his voice. "I swear that Isabella Swan will never again be harmed by myself, my brothers, or my guard."
"Good." I stated. "Finally, I want a some time to say goodbye."
"Of course," Aro replied. "I'm not totally heartless. I'll give you ten minutes."
Ten minutes. That was not long enough to say goodbye to the love of my life. Especially when I didn't want to let her go. Still, I knew it was more than I was expecting. I had been worried that he was going to deny the request. I watched as he reached around her neack to pull off the manacle and chain.
"It was fun while it lasted pet." he whispered before stepping away. "Now go."
She cringed as she stood up and started to run toward me. I met her halfway and threw my arms around her.
"Please don't do this." she begged as her tears began to pour.
Why did she have to do this? Why couldn't she just accept it and walk away? Because that wasn't like Bella. I knew she'd more than happily stay here if it meant that I would be free from them.
"I have to, love." I insisted. "I love you too much to let you suffer like that."
"But I'm going to suffer worse without you." she pleaded.
I knew this statement was true. I did have an arguement for it though. I was just finding it hard to say the words.
"You will at first but then you'll move on." I whispered. "You're human it's what you do."
"But-But-But..." she started clearly to upset to arrange a coherrent thought. I pulled her away from me.
"Listen to me baby. I love you so much and what you to be happy. That's why I have to do this. Do you understand?" she nodded. "I know it's going to be hard but you have to keep going for me. I won't let them hurt you anymore, I swear but you can't let yourself be consumed by this lose. That's not why I'm doing this. I want you to be able to live a full human life. I want you to find a human who will make you happy. Someone to give you children and grnadchildren. So who can make you as happy as I did."
"But there's no one like that out there for me." I pleaded. "You're the only one I want those things with."
This wasn't going at all the way I hoped. I was praying that she'd be angry with me for trying to leave her again. Yet, here she was trying to shoot down every one of my reasons for doing this. I had to make her understand. If I couldn't then I have to let Jasper and Emmett take over.
"There is that person out there for you. I can guaruntee you that." I coaxed. "There's someone out there who would've been yours if my kind didn't exist. He's still out there looking for you. I want you to try to forget me and find him."
"No!" she yelled. "I DON'T WANT ANYONE BUT YOU!"
Her tears were now coming in uncontrollable quantities. I pulled her close to me as she broke down.
"I know, love, I know." I said my voice cracking as I gently rubbed her back. "Everything will be alright I promise."
"No, it won't." she cried.
This wasn't working. I needed Emmett to pry her away from me. It was the only way she would go. If someone forced her. I hated having to make my brother the bad guy. I hope he'd understand and she wouldn't be too angry with him for it.
"Eventually it will." I said then pulled away slightly. "Emmett, will you come take her please?"
"No!" she yelled and wrapped her arms tighter around me.
Emmette wrapped his arms around her and tried to pull. She clung to me even tighter. I was surprised at her strength. I had to reach up and pry her arms from my neck before Emmett could get a good grip on her.
"I love you, my angel." I stated as Emmett pulled her away. "I'll never forget you."
"No, Edward, please!" she yelled struggling against Emmett. "I love you! Don't do this!"
"Jasper, a little help please?" Emmett said after a minute of her struggling.
Jasper sent her waves of calm that she tried to fight. She wasn't strong enough to throw them off. Part of me thought that she wanted to give into them. Which was probably why she gave into quicker than she ever had before. As she stopped struggling and got drowsy, I turned to Carlisle,
"Carlisle, please check her out the minute you guys get out of here?" I requested.
"Of course." he replied.
Respecting my want to not have another long goodbye, the family turned to leave. I turned my back on them and tuned out there thoughts as they walked out. Before they made it to the tunnel, I stole on last glance at my sleeping angel.
A/N: What did you think? Remember my flying monkeys and click the box. I love to hear what everyone has to say. I love you all. Thanks for everything you do by simply reading and reviewing.
