Finally. Sigh. That was hard, I don't think I can express how relieved I am. I've learned a lot in the process of writing this story. I have to thank my daughter, BeatriceNicole, for helping me get organized and my sista and bestie LadyPattinson for all her encouragement and advice. I couldn't have gotten this far without you ladies. I'd also like to thank everyone who's read, commented, or followed this story. You all are the best. Enjoy:)

Obviously I'm not Stephenie Meyer. All things in the Twilight Universe still belong to her and I'm stuck here, smacking my head, wondering, "Why didn't I think of that?" Ha, ha, but in all seriousness no infringement is intended on my part.

Before September 13, 2010

The sweetest man I'd ever known was about to become my husband. One final step…

I can only imagine it normal for a bride to feel this utter sense of paralysis. That final step, as my father placed my trembling hand into that of my awaiting groom's, leaving me in a frozen state of awe. My Edward, his gentle nature forever prevalent, guided me smoothly to stand beside him. How could anyone not marvel at such a smile?

I can only imagine the kind thoughts, behind sparkling eyes filled with so much happiness. His overall attitude throughout this whole ordeal has always been to insure our future happiness.

I can only imagine the motivation of his honesty, given with softly spoken vows. Vows of love and fidelity, as long as we both shall live.

I can only imagine the feeling of his naked flesh pressed against mine when the simplicity of exchanging rings ignites such a remarkable feeling in me.

I can only imagine the passion ignited across our flesh as we finally become one as our marital contract is sealed with a kiss.

I clearing of throats serves to remind us of our surroundings. Both of us caught in an unexpected moment of sheer lust. Edward smirks as our marital status is announced to all present.

My eyes meet the smiling faces of my parents, then flash quickly to Alice and Jasper, remembering Alice's confirmation of my parent's support for us. Their smiling faces give me courage.

Beside them, Carlisle and Esme's smiles are not as exuberant, but polite nonetheless. My courage falters as I gaze across the faces of our remaining guests. Varying degrees shocked, appalled or downright disgusted looks forces me to cast my eyes downward. Edward squeezes my hand, gently reminding me that I am not alone in this fate. We are in this together.

Ignoring our other less supportive guests, Edward pulls us to our source of encouragement. Alice, Jasper, both our parents and my little brother Seth stand together, waiting to embrace us in their felicitations to our impending marital bliss.

Seth pulls me into a tight hug, the unmistaken smell of wolf permeates his newly tailored suit. My mother confirms my suspicion, smiling sadly as I questioningly glance her way. My brother has merged with his wolf.

Later, I have to laugh at the look on Edward's face as the Denali sisters, his "cousins" pull him into a similar embrace. He has already forewarned me of their lusty nature. He glares at me when I find it hysterical to see his look of horror when cousin Tanya squeezes his left butt cheek. Alice is kind enough to capture the moment on her cell phone.

Finally, after greeting all our other, less supportive, guests and ceremonially smashing cake in each other's faces we are seated at our table. Edward pulls me down to sit on his lap.

"How are you?" His concern for me is endearing.

I can't help but be honest with him, "Right here, right now, I'm really good. I mean, I know I'm going to be freaking out at some point, but I trust you to be good to me.

He leaned down to kiss my brow, pulling a small wrapped gift from the pocket in the lining of his tux.

"We agreed to no presents," I remind him in annoyance, to which he only smirks.

"Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl."

"Edward," I breath. "How did you…"

"Your mother. We had a long talk about you. She loves you so much."

The last conversation I had with my mother left my emotions in a state of turmoil. I didn't want to think about her feelings for me. I didn't think she said those things about Edward being my imprint to hurt me. Her assumptions did however upset me.

"You'll like this gift, Bella. I promise, I didn't spend all that much."

I relented, taking the gift in hand, unwrapping it, if only to appease my curiosity. Inside was a delicate bracelet of white gold, adorned with one solitary charm. A heart, made of what I could only assume to be some kind of crystal. It was too large to be an actual diamond… Hmmm…

"Edward…" I started to question him.

"I only bought the chain. The bauble belonged to Elisabeth Masen, my mother."

"Oh. It's lovely. Won't you help me put it on?"

He helped me, smiling at my acceptance of the gift.

"Now you can wear my heart on your sleeve," he whispered against my temple.

These words did funny things to my stomach.

Did he mean to say he was giving me his heart?

After October 16, 2010

You don't know who a person is until you see how he acts when given unexpected power. He hasn't rehearsed for the part. So what you see is what he is. Orson Scott Card.

It's impossible to say what the world would be like if the Volturi never existed. Left to their own devices most vampires would undoubtedly kill indiscriminately. Should the Volturi be annihilated without proper organization the bloodbath that would be unleashed on humanity would devastate not only the human race, but the vampire race as well. With armies of new born vampires created to destroy each other, the overpopulation of newborn vampires would mean there wouldn't be any blood anywhere, human or animal. My love and his family would starve. I could tell that this very real probability weighed heavily on the Cullen's moral sensibilities. To let the Volturi continue their rein, though they were monsters themselves, would help insure the continued survival to the majority of humanity. Still, to leave them alive would be to live with the constant threat to both the Cullens and the Quileute. Change was needed, but at what cost? If this day ended with the Volturi's total annihilation a new vampire hierarchy would have to be established and fast.

At present, Edward and I are running to defend those captured. We are making our way through the maze of tunnels that runs below the Palazzo dei Priori. Edward's siblings are in Volturi hands. Only his parents were able to make it out with my sister. They were currently on their way back to the plane. Edward was relaying all this to me telepathically to keep me calm.

To my surprise, not only am I calm, I'm humming. The idea of hunting down my enemies sends a thrilling surge of adrenaline through my veins.

In a blink of an eye, Edward's charging forward, taking out two Volturi guardsmen in our path. Their deaths are swift and undetected. I'm realizing in this moment that I've never had the pleasure of watching Edward hunt. If it is anything like I'm witnessing now, he is surely the most dangerous predator I've ever encountered. Not a single Volturi in our path had a clue that their reaper had come for them.

There's a graceful, but lethal beauty to him I never knew existed. Like a shadow fading into the darkness, like a phantom floating soundlessly forward, like a panther stalking it's prey; he's a jungle cat; he's the night. Quietly, efficiently, he's ripping their heads from their bodies, and I'm doing nothing but standing by watching in quiet wonder.

Edward has no idea the effect he's having on me. My mate is sexy and fierce and I just want to jump him. This, however, is not the time or the place.

This way, Edward's directing me with his thoughts. He's gently taking my hand to pull me along. I'm growling at the tingling sensation that rushes through my body from the point of our contact. Edward's glancing back with a grin when my wave of lust shoots back to him.

Stay focused, he's admonishing me with no conviction behind it. He's showing me the thrown room ahead of us through Jasper's mind. Predictably, Emmett and Rose look pissed as their arms are held behind their backs, being forced to kneel. Alice is in the same position only she looks somewhat frightened. It appears as if the Volturi are merely waiting for our arrival to begin the executions.

I'm livid and ready to charge ahead and get this done. Edward's holding me in place. Calm down. Don't loose your head. Now, can you paralyze everyone but me and my siblings?

No. The shield I produce is like a bubble. I can make it as big or small as I want, but if I need to use my power to paralyze, then everyone in that bubble will be paralyzed.

Okay, the guardsmen that are holding my siblings, their backs are facing the back of the room. If you hold them in place I can get behind one at a time and take them out.

You'll have to take them out alone. I'll need to concentrate on what I'm doing to keep it up.

The smile he's giving me is amazingly beautiful, slightly crooked with a small flash of he brilliant white teeth. I can tell he's eager to get this over with. With our hands linked he's starting to pull me along. Destroying them will be easy, but…

Wait...

Edward's stopping, his brow furrowed, his smile fading.

Do you trust me?

He's nodding cautiously.

Relax. I just want to gloat a little. Just wait for my signal.

His smile's returning. We step into the chamber together.

The room is just like I saw it through Edward's mind. The circular room lit only by a few window slits from two stories up the gray stone walls. Seating dead center the large stone room was a large round drain.

I wasted no time freezing everyone in the room with the exception of Edward, myself and the three Volturi royals, who are now on the opposite side of the room directly across from us seated on their thrones.

I knew the three royals from the painting that hangs in Carlisle's office. Edward was sure to school me in everything he knew about the Volturi before our trip here.

"Edward, Bella! How good of you do join us!" Aro exclaimed with an malevolent smile.

My eyes are boring into his, no trace of emotion. "Aro," I'm acknowledging.

Caius is sitting forward slightly in excited anticipation. The one called Marcus simply looks bored. All three remain oblivious to the fact the rest of their guard, all fifteen of them, were rendered motionless, unable to even speak.

"We've come for our family." The tone of my words are reflecting my sense of calm. "Release them. Now."

Aro's clasping his hands together as if he's delighted with my choice of topic of discussion.

"You will comply with our demands. We are your superiors!" Aro's words are echoing around the room boasting of his confidence.

"I assure you that is no longer the case. It wasn't our plan to completely irradiate your coven. We only wished to take our family members back home with us where they belong."

"Your wolf family broke the law. We are well within our rights to do as we see fit."

"My wolf family is not subject to your laws and from this day forward neither are the Cullens. They are, thanks to you, a part of my wolf family, by marriage. We make our own laws now. If anything you will bow to us."

"Enough of the treasonous talk! Alec, Jane, apprehend these trespassers."

"Yes, Alec, Jane, by all means do try." I'm smiling for the first time.

Aro's watching in horror as his favorite little witch twins stand stock still, unable to comply with his order.

"Edward, my love, will you be so kind as to free our brothers and sisters?"

"With pleasure."

I can only grin watching Aro and Caius squirm in their thrones while Edward's dispatching his sibling's captors one at a time. To my surprise Marcus doesn't even flinch.

"Please, friend, Edward, killing my guardsmen is hardly necessary." Aro's holding up his hands as if he's the appointed voice of reason.

"We'll be the judge of that," Emmett's growling.

"It's nothing a little super glue can't fix," Rosalie's snarling.

"How is this even possible? Who are you?" Aro's directing his questing at me.

"I'm actually glad you asked. I have a story I would like to share with you. My father used to tell me this story about a family of witches. I thought it to be a mere bedtime story at the time, but now I know it for what it truly is… My family's history. They were hunted mercilessly by a sect of witch hunters with supernatural powers. Each of my ancestors was searched out one by one and executed for nothing more than refusing to do the witch hunters evil deeds. The hunters mistakenly believed that they destroyed all of them, but unbeknownst to them a small child was smuggled out of Volturerra to the new world. From there the child changed his surname."

"Since I've made your acquaintance I've had a lot of time to think about my families histories. Some things just don't add up for me. Like how could a mere human stand against a witch, skilled hunter or not? You don't believe that they were human witch hunters, do you? Tell me, Aro. Does the name Cigno mean anything to you?"

I watched as his eyes widened in recognition. "Ah, good. I see that it does. You and your brothers thought you erased them from the face of the earth. I bet you didn't even bother to find out what my maiden name is. Well it's Swan. FYI formally known as Cigno. Yes, I have Italian roots that dates back farther than your pasty white ass. For the most part the Cigno family children are born with moderate to no supernatural powers, but every now and then our blood mixes with something magical. Let's take for instance, like when my father Charles Swan and my full blooded Quileute mother conceived their first child. The result is mind blowing. You got just a very small dose of that when you so rudely interrupted my honeymoon. And really Aro it's sad that things had to turn out this way, because if it weren't for your sick and twisted idea of how to get your jollies by forcing an interspecies marriage on me, I would have never met and married the love of my existence."

"You see, we could have avoided all these unpleasantries if only you would have left us in peace. You drew first blood, Aro. You kidnapped and raped my sister, you murdered my brother-in-law. While I would have forgiven you all your other crimes, even come to regard you as an acquaintance. However those things I cannot forgive."

I drew back my hand to smite his existence from this Earth when he finally spoke, "Wait!"

I narrowed my eyes at him not really caring to hear him out, but what the hay, I waited this long to obliterate him. I could wait another minute.

"Your brother-in-law is not dead."

"You're lying."

"Bella," Edward murmured a warning.

"He's not lying, Bella."

"Riley's alive?"

"Define alive," Aro requested cautiously.

"What have you done?" I'm snarling at Aro. "Where's Riley?"

Aro laughed at my outburst. "Oh come now, you don't honestly think I'd make it that easy."

"Aro, will you just give them what they want so they can be on their way? How can you possibly see this ending in your favor?" Caius shouted at him.

Aro is turning to glare at him, then looks over at Marcus who hasn't cared to budge since we entered the room.

"What say you, brother Marcus? Do you also think I should just hand over our only means of compromise?"

Marcus only shrugged apathetically.

"You're both such a disappointment. Caius, you have always been nothing but a coward and you," Aro's pointing at Marcus distainfully. "dear brother, what my beloved sister ever saw in you is a mystery to me," Aro's snarling at him.

In my peripheral I'm watching as my Edward steps forward a sly grin is slowing stretching across his face.

"Oh how the mighty have fallen, Aro. You sit up here in your castle, day after day, playing god, preying on the weak and the innocent. Now look at you. Look where your rein of greed and debauchery has gotten you. Was it really worth killing her?"

"You… How…" Aro sputtered.

"I almost didn't catch it, but I'm afraid you couldn't stop yourself from thinking about her, even if it was only a fraction of a second."

"You…" Aro's growling.

"Well, I suppose this only means that if I had any doubt before, your reaction now confirms it for me. Tell me, how did the rest of your family react when they found out you killed your own sister?"

Marcus is standing, glaring ferociously at Aro. "Is this true?"

Aro cringed when he met the eyes of the madman stalking towards him.

"I… It was an accident?"

"Try again," Edward's suggesting.

One blink of an eye later and Aro is now a burning pyre of vampire parts. Caius, while everyone seems distracted tries to escape only to find Emmett in his path. Emmett is wasting no time tearing Caius to shreds, adding him to the same burning pile.

"Great, Emmett," Alice shrieks. "Is there anyone else you'd like to kill? It's clear that Aro needed to go, but Caius."

"What's the problem? Us Cullens can rule. We can kick the vampire world into shape in no time. It'll be awesome."

All Emmett's siblings are shaking their heads in disgust, including Edward.

"We're a family, Emmett," My husband is telling him calmly. "Yes, we can rule. That's not the point. The point is, we don't want to; that's not who we are."

"I can do it," Marcus is speaking softly, standing eerily over the smoldering ashes of is former brethren. "The remaining Volturi Guard will follow me."

"Why should we trust you?" Emmett's snarling at him.

Marcus smiling weakly, an action that's not touching his eyes. "I'm not asking you to trust me, only your brothers." He pointed out Jasper and Edward.

"Do you sense a deception?" I'm asking them both.

"He only ever feels sadness. He has no hunger for power," Jasper's confirming.

"Didyme?" The name spoken from Edward's lips has Marcus smiling again, but only marginally brighter.

"You would have liked her and she you. She was the gentlest creature. She was the first, you know?"

"The first what?" I'm looking to Edward for the answer.

"I didn't know," Edward's telling Marcus.

Marcus is looking up from Edward to address the rest of us. "Didyme loved humanity. She was the first to oppose the slaughter of humans. Well, the good ones anyway. Even humanity has it's own form of monster. That form of monster was fair game to her." His pitiful sigh is sending a shiver down my spine. The very thought of loosing Edward…

"As much as I'd love to just perish, Didyme would have wanted me to stay behind and try to fix things. She would have wanted me to put right what her wicked brother started."

"He's telling the truth," Edward is confirming for us. Jasper's nodding in agreement.

"I'm so sorry for your loss, Marcus." I truly am.

He's waving off my sympathies squaring his shoulders.

"Attention, Guardsmen." Marcus has the remaining Volturi standing at attention around the room. "From here forward, innocent human life is off limits. Is that understood?"

A resounding "Yes, Master" is repeated from each guardsmen.

"Jane, dear. Will you see to that this new law is put into affect?

"Of course, Master."

"That is, of course, if the Cullens agree to this new arrangement."

"Our father's not here, but as his second I think I can speak for him and agree that this is the best for everyone," Edward's conceding.

"You know where to find us if you have any problems," I'm commanding, it's not in any way a suggestion."

"That's right, Pops. You best not fuck it up this time. We'll be watching," Emmett's promising.

Marcus turns to the other witch twin. "Alec, will you be so kind as to retrieve Riley. I'm sure his family would like to see him safely reunited with his wife."

"Bella," Marcus is addressing me. "It feels inadequate to merely apologize for evil that has been inflicted on you and your family over the past several months. It pleases me to hear you have been able to acquire some happiness in spite of the deeds of my brother-in-law. I only wish your happiness was not tainted with the horrific things that has befallen your sister and her husband. I cannot ask your forgiveness; I will not be that selfish. I've spent most of my existence grieving, not caring what happened around me. It is no excuse; I should have ended Aro long ago. Just know that if there is anything you need, all you ever need is to ask and it's yours.

"Bella," I'm hearing my name on a whisper. I'm turning to see a frightened and tattered Riley.

"Come here, Ri."

"I'm so confused," I pull him into a tight hug. His stance is rigid, his eyes blazing red. Tearlessly, he's sobbing against my shoulder.

"Please don't hate me, Bell. I've done such horrible things. I couldn't stop… I…"

"Shhh, Ri. It's not your fault, sug. Let's concentrate on getting you and Leah home. Okay?"

He only nodded.

Relief washes over me as I realize for the first time my family's finally safe. With a tearful, half smile I'm looking toward my adorable husband, feeling that smile instantly falling.

"Edward?"

He's not here.

With a panicked heart I'm stretching out my senses to find him. Edward, I call out to him with my mind. No response.

I'm rushing out with only my sense of smell to guide me. Fortunately, it didn't take me long to find him. Unfortunately, I find him battered with torn garments, possibly in the fight of his life, facing off against Jacob Black.

There's something about Jacob, about this whole situation, and I'm doing a double take. For starters, Edward should have no problem defeating him, but it's clear from Edward's disheveled state something about this moment is off, way off.

I'm getting closer to this skirmish and I'm realizing Edward's desperately trying to defend my sister and his parents. Jacob has them they're all cornered. He's clawing at Edward with bare human hands with Edward narrowly escaping swipe after swipe. It's then I notice, his hands aren't human. Jacob's faster, stronger; his skin is several shades paler. No!

I'm stepping forward. I'm going to end this once and for all.

"Don't." I feel Carlisle's hand on my shoulder. He's rushed out to stop me. "Edward needs this. Jacob attacked his mate. Give this to him. Edward's a skilled fighter. He can do this."

I'm dying to step in and take care of this once and for all, but I know Carlisle is right, I've never seen his equal. Even now, with Jacob easily being five times stronger, Edward is more cunning.

I'm wringing my hands nervously, my mate is holding his own, but even with my heightened senses it's hard for me to keep up with the speed as their bodies, at times, seem to blur. Like now, it's clear that Edward flipped over Jacob to avoid his latest blow, but I totally missed how Edward ended up with a clump of Jacob's hair in his fist. I'm cringing at the sight of the ugly bald spot located behind Jacob's left ear.

Jacob's turning, angrily seeking out his retaliation when he notices my presence.

"Look who's here; the vampire whore. How'd you like having Eddie's little cold dick working you over?"

I'm growling at him to which he's only laughing. Edward's rushing forward, but Jacob is easily deflecting him.

"Don't worry, after I'm done killing hubby here, I'm gonna show you what the new improved Jacob Black can do to rock your world. You're gonna be my whore."

I'm rushing towards him, not even stopping to think about pushing my powers on him. It's all about ripping flesh down to bone, about gnashing teeth to skull. My wolf's launching out, cloths fall to the ground in shreds, Jacob's throat is my target.

Jacob's phase is swift as he charges to meet me in the air, only we don't connect. A blur, one moment of distraction is all it takes and Edward's ripping him in half. He's phasing back laying naked and broken before us. It's pathetic to watch how he uses his arms to pull himself along to get to his bottom half. He collapses in defeat as Edward flicks his lighter, setting his legs ablaze.

"Why Jacob?" I'm thinking nothing of my own nudity phasing back to my human form. I only want answers.

Edward's rushing to my side, pushing a discarded cloak over my head.

I always knew that Jacob had some kind of twisted crush on me. He grew up living in the shadow of many great chiefs before him. His father, Billy was a well loved and respected member of the Quileute Nation . It was shocking to see how truly awful his only son turned out in comparison. Jacob wanted me, he couldn't have me and it made him lash out. I got that, but why…

"Why did you betray your own people? How could you side with the Volturi? Why did you help them capture Leah? Leah was your friend."

"Do you really think the Volturi gave me a choice? All that self-righteous bullshit about dying for our people, protectors of the tribe. Yeah, right. It was either join them or die. And trust me, I wasn't about to die for your sister. They turned me into this, thing."

All this time Jacob's talking he's also inching towards me. "Let me tell you, it hurt like hell getting infected with their vampire cooties. Maybe I should just show you." His body's blurring, he's springing up, knocking me on my ass. His cold breath's moving across the skin of my neck, but his teeth aren't making purchase. I'm sitting up as I feel his body being pulled off of me, the next blink of my eyes and he's creaming. The rest of him is going up in flames.

Next up: HEA.