The Beginning of the End

(Carlisle POV)

As we stepped into the lobby of the hotel, I noticed the clouds outside. Good. We needed to get outside today. I was surprised it was not blinding sunlight. Aro really must have grown a fondness for Emmett, or such equality would be unattainable. I lead Emmett from the hotel. Who knew if any of us would return there? We had no belongings there, and if we lost Emmett- no. Do not think like that. We were going to keep Emmett after all. I was not ready for this, not today. How could I possibly prepare myself to enter the clock tower? To give up everything? We stopped to wait for cars to pass, keeping up our human charade. Emmett poked me.

"Two girls in the café over there are looking at you," he whispered so no one else could here. They would find that comment weird. Two Italian girls, a blonde and brunette, were staring at Emmett and me, giggling. I was surprised. Normally that happened when Emmett was full sized with American girls, but I had not expected this from a kid Emmett. Of course, no one can help but to love immortal children. The approached us quickly.

"He's adorable," the blonde said in quick Italian, beaming at me.

"Thank you," I replied in my own flawless Italian. She giggled.

"I am Zola, and this is my friend, Katrina," she indicated to her brunette friend, who beamed at me.

"I am Carlisle, and this is my son, Emmett," I pointed to Emmett with my free hand. He waved shyly, hiding a little behind me.

"I knew it! You look alike!" Zola smiled cheerily. I looked at Emmett, who was trying to blow one of his long dark curls off his face.

"Really?" I asked sceptically. They nodded enthusiastically.

"You have the same colour eyes," Katrina said lightly, "And skin tone!"

I smiled. That was true.

"May we have a picture?" Katrina asked. I nodded, a little surprised. Normally people had a little more pride than that, taking pictures of random attractive people. They beamed at us, and Zola picked up Emmett, while Katrina handed me a camera. Emmett giggled. I snapped a quick picture, and Katrina took back the camera. Zola put Emmett back into my arms. It felt weird, especially since I knew Emmett was twenty, but I shook it off.

"Thank you!" Zola smiled. Katrina winked, and took a picture of me. Emmett apparently had enough of this.

"Daddy and I are going to pick up Momma," Emmett said brightly in Italian. The girls did not bother to hide their disappointment.

"Oh! Well, have fun," Zola frowned, and they stepped aside to let us pass. We left quickly. Our thoughts quickly turned from Zola and Katrina to the end of Emmett.

"I am going to die soon, aren't I?" Emmett whispered in my ear. I shook my head.

"Never," I said avidly, and we looked at the clock tower looming overhead. I saw tiny figures there that were probably my family and the Volturi. In there, someone would decide whether Emmett was worthy of living. And I was supposed to let it happen? How could I do that to my own son? Watch his trial? What was I going to do? I took a few steps back and inhaled deeply. There was not much time. I wondered which direction I would take. To save my son, or to abide the law? Maybe all I could do for my son now was to take him away from here, away from where I knew he could die. What father wanted death for their son? I wondered what would happen to the others if I left. Would they be punished? I could almost see the rage of the Volturi. Would they hurt my Esme? What would she think of me, abandoning her? Would she understand what I had to do for Emmett? She would. She had wanted to take Emmett away, but I had stopped her. Would I ever forgive myself for leaving her? Never. I have to keep going. I just keep giving even though I feel like giving up. My poor family. I wondered what Alice saw for the future now. Was everything settling into place? I looked at Emmett. He was staring at the clock tower. He turned to me and I looked into his eyes. He did not see me as I saw me. I was a Guardian Angel to him, a God, more so now. So knowledgeable, and sure of myself. I know no fear; I will always do the right thing. The truth is far from that. How can you do the right thing when all the options hurt someone you love? He wants me to rescue him, I want to rescue him. I wish I could be whom Emmett saw me as being instead of the unsure self I was. He reached up and patted my face. I felt my face smile. Everything seemed to be a little clearer now. I could see what I needed to do. Just what everyone saw me as doing, the right thing. The hardest choice was which one. For my family, I have to keep hanging on even though my old heart is close to having enough of this. What about Emmett though? Did he have a future? Everything that will be is a reflection of my choice. What happens if they kill him? When he is gone, I hope we will all remember how happy he made us. I cannot let him die. I will not. I will give anything to keep his life from ending, even if it was everything I had. I prayed that he would understand. What would he think of running? He hated cowardice. Emmett was courage. Had everyone's decisions been made but mine? I knew what I wanted deep down in my heart.

"Promise nothing bad will happen?" he asked. I knew what I had to do. I would probably regret it, most likely, but it was for the greater good.