A/N This was a hard chapter to write.

Disclaimer: Stephenie, thank you for making my life better.

Chapter 9: The smoke cleared leaving ashes.

BPOV

We all ran. We were there in a matter of seconds. The two Volturi guard were watching the fire. It was her, there were still strands of her hair that were untouched by the fire. Edward fell to his knees, his face was blank. Elizabeth buried her head in Riley's chest. I just stood there in shock, I didn't even get a chance to use my shield. I never got a chance to help her. It happened to fast.

Aro spoke.

"Everyone back to the clearing we have unfinished business." His voice was almost remorseful.

We all obeyed and lined up in our previous positions.

"How do we have unfinished business Aro? It seems pretty done to me." Carlisle was distraught.

"I have decided to release Irina to her coven," every member of his coven hissed at him. He turned over his shoulder and quieted them.

"Thank you Aro." Eleazar spoke up.

"We will be watching her if she appears before our coven again she will be destroyed." Aro sternly stated.

"Carlisle, there is another matter I need to discuss with you." Everyone's eyes looked up. "I saw in your thoughts, a girl called Elizabeth called you grandfather, I am intrigued, Bella, Elizabeth will you come forward please."

My dead heart stopped as I lock her arm in mine, then we appeared at Carlisle's side.

"Hello lovely ladies, Elizabeth would you do me the honor?" He held his hand out to her. She looked at me then I nodded, letting her arm go. I felt Edward standing behind me.

"I have to touch your face. May I?" Her voice barely a whisper.

"Yes, child." I stood there helpless. Edward wrapped his arm around my shoulders. His touch calmed me, I was grateful.

Aro's eyes widened as he read her every thought. She put her hand down and stood before him. I knew my baby girl dazzled him too.

"You are exquisite child, I have not in my many years met a creature quite like you." He smiled brightly at her. She didn't move or respond.

"Bella, Edward, Please come forward." I stood on her right side, Edward on her left.

"Yes, she is a perfect combination of the two of you." His evil grin was making me nervous. We stood perfectly still waiting for Aro.

"Bella, please give me your hand." I stood before him and extended my hand to him. Unexpectedly he let go of my hand and looked at me strangely. I felt vulnerable and totally exposed.

"I can't read you, I have never experienced that before." His eyes were wide, his voice barely a whisper.

The rest of the crowd gasped.

"Jane, please join me." A small child like evil girl appeared at his side. "Jane dear could you give Bella a demonstration of your talent?" I knew I was in trouble and I had nowhere to hide.

"With pleasure." Several minutes passed and nothing happened, I could she the evil girl start to become irritated. She stared at me, her eyes were wide.

"Interesting" Was all Aro said. Knowing Jane's power had no effect on me.

"Bella, Elizabeth, would you please join me in Volterra, as my treasured daughters?" Jane growled. I tried to hide my disgust.

"Thank you for your generous offer, but I must decline." Elizabeth said.

"No thank you, Aro." I said politely.

"Very well, if you ever change your minds, my door is open." Aro was clearly disappointed, but gracious.

"Thank you." We both said collectively.

"Carlisle, my friend we must bid you farewell. I hope next time we meet under better circumstances. We will be watching." With that they turned and walked away.

They were gone.

I hugged my daughter, then watched Carlisle and Esme say their goodbyes and expressed their gratitude to all the visiting covens. Alice, Jasper, Emmett and Rose took off towards the forest. Riley found Elizabeth and scooped her into a big hug, then they took off towards the forest also. I looked for Edward, but he was gone. I said my goodbyes and condolences to Carmen and Eleazar. I followed Carlisle and Esme back to their house.

I heard blaring music as we entered the house. It was coming from Edward's room.

"I'll go try to talk to him." I said to Carlisle and Esme.

"Thank you, dear." Esme encourage me.

I climbed the stairs at a slow pace. I knocked on the door.

"Edward, do you want to talk about it? Will you let me in?" I only heard music.

I knocked a few more times, pleading with him.

"Go away Bella, I don't want to talk to you!" My heart sank.

"Please Edward, open the door, let me help you." I pleaded.

"GO AWAY!"

I sat down with my back against the door for hours hoping he would open the door and let me in, he never did. I picked myself off the floor and went back to my cottage for a well deserved rest. I would try and reach out to Edward tomorrow. He needed time.

Days passed and everyone tried to reach out to Edward. Even Elizabeth couldn't get a response from him. I asked Alice to look in on him to make sure we didn't have to go on suicide watch. She said that he would not consider that now that Elizabeth was in the picture. I was a little saddened that it wasn't because of me, but I let it go. On the tenth day I was sitting out side his door again like I had been day after day. He unlocked the door and opened it slightly to inviting me in.

"Hey" I said as I sat beside him on his leather couch. He didn't respond. He just sat there with his knees to his chest in a tight ball. He looked terrible, he needed to hunt. His face was blank like he has totally checked out.

"Come on Edward, lets go hunt." I got up and stood by his balcony doors. I was surprised when he followed me.

Watching Edward hunt, was beyond erotic. He was graceful and his primal animalistic growls was doing wicked things to my body. I wanted him so badly, but I had to control my urges. We were nowhere near there, if we would ever be. He wasn't even speaking to me at the moment. He feed on two deer and found a mountain lion. It was my turn and I found a few elk. I felt his eyes on me. I heard a soft lustful growl from him. My eyes meet his as I was wiping blood off my mouth.

The next thing I knew his lips were mine, his kiss was frantic and urgent. I started to hear fabric rip and I had to regain my composure. I had to fight my lust and need for him. I had to stop this, he wasn't in the right frame of mind. I didn't want him to regret his actions, he was too close to losing all control.

"Edward, stop." He kept going.

"Edward." I pushed him away his back hit a near by tree almost snapping it in half. He feel to his knees.

"I'm sorry" he said under his breath I barely heard him. Before I could tell him that it was ok he was gone.

I felt defeated.

I gathered some of my shredded clothes and went to my cottage. I needed a shower and some space. I really wanted to be with Edward, even in the out of control frantic way he was earlier, but I knew it wouldn't be right. He is grieving and not in the right frame of mind. He wouldn't be able to forgive himself for one instant, if he thought there was any chance that he had hurt me in anyway. The way he has been acting lately, I'm not even sure he wants me. He spent the greater part of the past 50 years with Tanya maybe she was really the right one for him. Maybe what he said in the forest was more true than he, or I would like admit. I love him with all my heart and if I have to let him go then I will. I don't want us to be together if he is not all in. I do not want to live a half a life like Edward and Tanya had for the past 50 years. I would rather live with out a mate, then be with one who really doesn't want me. I've been just fine the past 60 years, without anyone.

Now, my thoughts are getting away from me and my insecurity is eating me alive. Right now, I needed to find Edward and tell him that I am ok and stop him from beating himself up. I took off towards the main house. It was dark now and the sky was lit with stars and the moon was full. I slowed to a humans pace to admire the view.

I heard him before, I could see or smell him.

"Edward, please come out and talk to me." I could see him about 10 feet away from me now.

"I'm sorry, Bella for earlier." He said. It was just like in Forks his moods were giving me whiplash.

"It's ok, Edward, I know that you are struggling with Tanya's death. You're not yourself right now."

"I don't want to hurt you Bella, I can't be around you right now." Just like that he was gone again. I wish he would just talk to me.

I didn't see the point of going to his house anymore. I turned and went back to the serenity of my cottage. I pondered everything. If he didn't want me around, would he keep his family from me again? I would not allow that, he will not make my choices again. I knew what I needed to do. I went to their house.

I found Alice, Jasper, Rose and Emmett.

"Hey, guys how are you?" they were sitting in the great room. "Is Edward here?"

"Hey Bella, he's not here." Alice said as I sat beside her.

"Good, because I need to speak to you guys, without him." They all looked up at me.

"I'm going back Seattle. I don't want to lose contact with no matter what Edward says. Please come and visit me. I just can't be here any longer, Edward doesn't want me here. Elizabeth will most likely stay here in our cottage with Riley. I'm not sure what her plans are." Alice sobbed.

"Please Bella, please stay." She pleaded with me, but I have to go.

"I think it is for the best, I need space, he needs space."

They hugged me and I left to find Carlisle and Esme.

I found them in Esme's study.

"Hi, guys can I talk to you?"

"Yes, dear" I had their full attention.

"I'm going back to Seattle, I never want to lose contact with you again, so I will call or email often. I would like if you would come and visit me. I need to give Edward some space." Esme sobbed and hugged me tightly.

"I'm not sure what Elizabeth will do, but I think most likely she will stay here in our cottage with Riley." I added.

I hugged them, I left to find Elizabeth.

I followed her scent back to our cottage, she must of figured out what I have planned. I opened the door and saw her and Riley sitting at the table.

"Hi guys, haven't seen you in a few days." They both smiled widely and gazed at each other. I didn't want to know. I chuckled.

"Liz, I'm going back to Seattle. You and Riley can stay here or come back with me, whatever you want to do, but I need to check up on things. and put some distance between Edward and I." Her face fell.

"Do you need me to go with you, mom?" full of concern.

"No, I could use some time alone. You stay here, bond with your new family, help your father he needs you now." She took me in and hugged me tightly.

"I'm going to run, so I'm leaving you the car." I handed her the keys.

"I Love you, baby girl." I touched her face.

"Take care of her Riley, be good to my baby." I hugged him.

"I will Bella" They walked me out.

"I love you mom, take care of yourself." I kissed her cheek.

"Take care of your father, goodbye."

With that, I ran back Seattle.