A/N: I don't like to use author's notes to answer questions because I find long author's notes annoying but someone actually asked for an explanation and I want to address his/her concerns. First of all, as the story goes along certain events will be come clearer. There is a reason to my madness, I did not just write in a rape for no good reason. I'm sorry if all you Leah lovers are mad but I promise that it will be ok. Leah is going to struggle but like every heroine, she will overcome it. I loved where this plot took me so bare with me because there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

The other concern is related to my interpretation of the twilight universe so let me explain that I am trying to follow Stephanie Meyer's world from the books not from the movies. I understand that Leah's child is from her rapist but Leah loves her son because that is how women who carry half breeds feel about their kids. Meyer wrote that both Bella and Nahuel's mother loved their babies even though the baby was killing them. Hulien explained to Aro that her sister Pire 'loved the child inside her' even when he broke her bones she still loved him. This is an instinctual motherly love gone into overdrive because it is a supernatural pregnancy, so it makes sense that Leah would have that same supernatural love for her son. It is a supernatural baby so her supernatural love that overrides the fact she was raped. I understand that when women get raped they go through a lot of trauma but Leah did it to save Nessie. It would be unrealistic if she just completely shuts down. Leah is a very matter of fact type of person. Her personality cannot allow her to completely fall apart because 1) she's a wolf and warrior, 2) she has gotten through a lot of stuff (loosing her dad, phasing, Sam), and 3) she saves someone she loved (this alone would help any normal woman overcome what happened to her).

As for Nessie and Jacob. You need to take out of your head the idea of a conventional teenager. This is a supernatural child. In Chapter 27 of BD Meyer describes that Nessie had her first conversation at a week old. Normally, kids don't put together sentences until about three. So if you multiply that advanced mental acuity seen at 1 week of birth time 4 years, you have a fully grown adult. Her physical appearance is still young because I always imagined both Bella and Edward with soft features; therefore, I always envisioned Nessie to have a 'baby face', like my sister who is 22 but looks like she is a 10th grader in high school. Again chapter 27 of BD states that at 3 months, Nessie looked like a small 2 year old but she wasn't shaped like a toddler because she was leaner. I interpreted that as, she did not have the rounded chubby features of a child. Meyer even describes Nessie as having even proportions like an adult. This is what I had to work with, so when I thought about Nessie I simply could not make her infantile or give her an infantile personality. She's an adult and in a year or two she will look more like one. I will take a different approach with Eve because she was kept in a room and abused for the first months (or in hybrid standards years) of her life, so Eve will be a little more infantile and possibly have some other issues. This is my interpretation of what would happen to a hybrid who is neglected and abused. I based this on the fact that human children who are abused or children who are found in the wild often have many mental disabilities that keep them a a very low mental age. I can't do that to a hybrid because they are supernatural and have advanced brains that do not allow them to be mentally retarded so Eve's issues will manifest differently.

So this was a lot longer than I intended. This is why I don't like to answer concerns in author's notes. If you have a question please PM me because its easier. Please PLEASE keep the reviews coming. I LOVE all of your comments and suggestions! They help me see which areas I need to clarify so thank you for your input!

Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns all Twilight Saga and characters.

Renesmee

I knew dad hadn't told Duilio the entire story. I could tell simply from looking at both their eyes. They were both being cautious. It made me sad that it had to be this way but I was happy he was home. We didn't go to the main house. Daddy led us back to the cottage where momma and some of the family were waiting for us. My mom nearly squeezed the life out of Duilio when she saw him. She missed him too. Jacob had phased back along with Embry and Quill. I could tell that everyone had mixed feelings about him being here. He was Volturi now. I saw the flecks of red in his eyes like beacons. It hurt me to see them there but I tried to push that aside because he was my family, no matter what.

"I'm sorry I surprised all of you like this. I knew I shouldn't have come but I was going crazy with worry. I had to know you were all safe."

"Don't be silly." Momma said quickly. "This is your home too. But, how were you able to come? I doubt Marcus allowed it."

"No. He didn't allow it at first. But after two days of no contact I didn't give him any choice in the matter. I told him that I was leaving and that I would return once I knew you were all ok. I also told him I would dismember any guard that tried to stop me."

"And he let you come after you said that?" I asked him in shock.

"Marcus is a different type of father. He respects strength and power and ruthlessness. I stood up to him so he let me come but he didn't let me come alone. There's two members of the guard in Seattle waiting for me which is why I can't stay Nessie. It's not safe, my mind isn't safe." My heart sank to my stomach. I missed him so much and after everything that happened it felt so right to have him here.

"But you can't leave yet. You just got here. Please. Stay just one night." Duilio looked at daddy doubtfully. Dad smiled at him and nodded to answer some silent question between them.

"Ok. But I must leave after that." He patted my hand before he looked at daddy. "I'm afraid Aro will be curious about what has happened. He'll know we are keeping something from him." Duilio said with regret.

"Then I think its better that he knows." Momma told us. Everyone looked at her in surprise except for my father. I had a feeling that she had opened her mind to him to explain her rationale.

"She's right. I'm willing to bet Aro is part of the reason why you're here. He's been hoping to get more information on the Olympians and now he has a way to get the full update."

"I think you're right. Fuck! I'm such an idiot!"

"Language, Duli." He warned in fatherly tone. "This isn't your fault, son. Besides, it won't hurt to tell him. Nothing has really changed. Alice, Bella and I are still only members of our family with gifts that he doesn't already have. Everyone else is irrelevant. Aro has no need to want anyone else." That was his code word for the kids. Emmett instantly stiffened when he caught dad's drift. His arms were crossed angrily and his eyes had gone from confusion to full comprehension when my father finished talking.

"I don't like it." Uncle Emmett said in a hiss. Uncle Jasper approached him to put a hand on his shoulder.

"He's right Emmett. I don't like it any more than you do but I rather Aro see that we are informing the Volturi in good faith. We have nothing he really wants or needs."

"Fine. Let's just get this over with." He left for the main house to get the children. He must have felt powerless. This was a reminder that our lives were not under our control. The Volturi could decide that we were a threat and we could do nothing but fight a losing battle.

"I hate this." Duilio said.

"I know sweetie." Momma brought him close to her and kissed the top of his head.

"I missed you, mom." He whispered when she kissed him. Momma put his arm around him and he took a deep breath as if he was savoring her scent. I was holding on to his hand a little tighter as we waited for uncle Emmett and the kids to come.

They arrived within a few minutes. Aunt Rose was holding Chris and grandma was holding Eve. Surprisingly Seth wasn't with them. I guessed they were trying to hide the imprint to Eve. Duilio would know they were imprints the moment he saw them together. Everyone somehow managed to fit into the tiny living room. Duilio's eyes widened when he saw them come in.

"You're numbers have grown." He said without any emotion in his voice.

"These children were found by Renesmee and Leah. Nessie rescued them. They have been through a lot, especially Eve. Our own parents have decided to adopt her. We can't think of any better parents for her after everything she's been through." Dad explained.

"They're both gifted." Duilio told him. Duilio could see if someone was gifted by looking at their soul.

"She has the power to heal humans. Not a useful power but they were keeping her around for other purposes." My brother nodded in understanding but his face looked furious.

"That's sickening. I assume these bastards are dead."

"Yes. Nessie disposed of them and Emmett and Jasper took care of cleaning any evidence."

"Good. I just wish I could have torn then apart myself."

"We all do... The boy's name is Chris. He was only a few days old when Nessie found him. Emmett and Rosalie have decided to adopt him. He's gift is very basic. He can sense if there are people around him up to about a mile radius. He could be considered a tracker but his gift is much weaker. Hardly a gift worth having with Demetri in the guard."

"I agree. Their gifts are of no use to the guard. You could have lied to me but I can tell you are telling me the truth. You all have proven that you can keep our life secret. I don't see any reason why the Volturi should interfere."

"You really don't think Aro would be interested in them?" Rosalie asked. I could heart the tints of fear in her angry voice.

"Oh he'll be interested in them but their powers aren't useful to us. We have no need to heal humans and Demetri's tracking abilities are far superior to those of your son. I don't think you'll have to worry Rosie. Besides, motherhood looks good on you, I doubt even Aro would want to mess with what I see." He smiled at her his half smile that made him look like dad.

"Besides you kids don't want to join the Volturi do you?" He asked the kids. Both kids shook their heads. Actually, Chris first looked at Rosalie lovingly and then shook his head. Eve hid her face into grandma's side and then she shook her head. Duilio smiled, liking their response. His eyes lingered on Eve for a while. He was suspicious.

"Is there anything else that I should know?"He turned to my dad. I almost cringed. Everyone looked at each other. We all couldn't look guiltier if we wanted to. Daddy sighed.

"Seth imprinted on Eve. She's one of theirs now. She's protected by both packs just as Nessie is. "

"Thank you. I could already tell she was an imprint. Its pretty obvious. I'm glad its Seth. He's a good guy." He looked at daddy. "I'm sorry. I know this must be hard on all of you."

"Not nearly as hard as it is on you." Grandma told him. "I stand by what my son said last time. You are always welcome to stay here."

"Thank you. If you don't mind, I'd like to stay the night. I told Demetri and Roberta I will be back by tomorrow anyway."

"Then you stay here with me. It'll be like old times." I told him smiling.

"I'd like that. And I promise you all that, once I get home, I will make sure this never happens again. Hybrids will be protected." He said. The family said their goodbye's to Duilio one by one. Daddy called Demetri to let him know that Duilio was staying with us for the night and that we would drive him to the airport ourselves in the morning. Jacob, momma and daddy were the only ones who stayed in the cottage. We played cards, chess, and Pictionary. Then momma prepared dinner, she and daddy watched us eat. They were trying hard not to laugh at all the faces Duilio was trying not to make. He had been on a human blood diet so food tasted awful to him. I looked around the table and realized that my family was complete. I would give anything to have him back. I wished there was a way I could keep him with us but I had nothing.

Once the night fell we went to my room and got into my bed. Jacob sat on the floor watching us while momma and daddy came in and told us a story. We were both too old for this but we both needed the simple tradition. After it was done they kissed us both goodnight and left. Jacob lingered behind and he covered us with a blanket.

"Jake?" Duilio said.

"What's up?"

"I know you don't approve of what I've become. I just wanted you to know that it isn't by choice. I hate doing it every time." He said. His voice held all the emotion of a man even though they came out of the mouth of a child. I could see the worry in Jake's eyes as he sat on the bed next to him.

"Are they forcing you to do it? Have they threatened you?"

"I wish I had that justification but I don't. They are not kind but they are not abusive. Its, its just a different way of life. Its complicated. Life here is so simple and easy compared to life in Volterra."

"What's so complicated? If you don't want to do it then why do you?"

"Because it is who I must become. There are things that you will never know or understand about our world. This life that you have here is beautiful and it should be protected. As much as I would like to continue to be a part of it, I will only put it at risk by staying. So instead I am satisfied with trying to protect what you have here. You know what that is like, Jake, because you have a responsibility to your tribe. You now live a supernatural life to protect the people in these lands. Their simple human life is worth protecting. I must protect everyone else. What happened to Nessie and Leah is just the tip of the iceberg compared to the things I've seen and read in our history books. My father has made sure that I learn because he intends for me to be like him, a keeper of our laws, but in order to do that he said there are sacrifices that I must make. I thought he meant the blood drinking but that's just a part of it. It took me some time but I realized that there are pieces of myself that I have to let go so I can become what I need to become."

"I know that things are complicated but you don't have to lose yourself in order to become a strong leader. Yeah, I had to give up my human life. I had to grow up quickly too and I had a lot of responsibility put on me at a young age. But I didn't change everything I believed in so that I could do it. Once upon a time, my alpha was about to make a huge mistake and he wanted to force me to be a part of it. I took a stand and I protected what I believed in. I am a better man because of it. I know he is your father but you said it yourself that he respects strength. Be strong." I could see the worry in Jake's eyes. He likes Duilio, maybe even loved him.

"I'm trying, Jake. But like I said, it's very complicated. Humans aren't always victims. The more I learned the more I realized that my father was right. I know you don't understand and you probably never will but I am doing the best I can.

"I want you to know that I will always protect the life you have here Jacob. Just make sure you protect them too…" He looked at the door, indicating that he was talking about my family. "At least until I finish my training and can ensure the Volturi will uphold the laws as we were meant to." He told Jacob with tears in his eyes that never fell. I was sitting on the bed with tears of my own. It was strange to hear these words coming out of such a young boy. It was even stranger for me to see my happy light hearted brother talking about such serious matters. These weren't the words of a child, they were the words of a man asking another man to protect his family.

"You can see souls. So you know that I will do everything to protect her and her family. They're my family too." Duilio extended his arm and Jake took it. His massive hand looked like it could swallow Duilio's small one yet both hands shook powerfully and strongly.

I was trembling. Both the man and the man-boy looked at me. Jacob got up and came over to my side. He took my face in his hands then he leaned over to kiss my cheek. It was a sweet gesture. Full of love. He gave Duilio one last nod and he left the room.

"Why do you have to take this responsibility Duli? You could just stay here, with us. I'm sure that your father would understand and its not like you couldn't visit him. Please Duli. Stay with us." Is was a weak plea. I knew he would refuse but I had to ask anyway.

"I'm sorry Nessie." He told me with a sad look.

"I just don't know why you just can't stay here."

"Because I don't belong here. This was never supposed to be my life. This life is like a beautiful dream. A dream that I must protect." He touched my cheek and stroked away one of my tears.

"They don't hurt me, Nessie. My father would never allow them to seriously hurt me. He needs me, not just as a father needs a son but also as a partner. Aro and Caius have run the show for far too long and they have soiled everything that the Volturi stood for. We need to build it up so that people like you and your family even have a chance as surviving. My father has shown me that a reformation is needed. Aro disagrees but Caius is still licking the wounds your family left on our morale. I have been trying my best to keep other covens from challenging you but our last battle left us weak in the eyes of other vampires and, because of it, you were at risk. What happened to you shouldn't have happened. But I swear to you that it will never happen again."

"You've changed. You sound so grown up."

"You changed too. I don't like the dark colors I see in your soul. It hurts me to see them."

"Its hard not to let the darkness affect me after everything that happened."

"You are one of the strongest people I know. You'll figure it out, sis. I know it."

"I miss you."

"I know. I can see it even without my gift. I miss you too." I hugged him and pulled him to the bed with me. We held each other's hand. I showed him some of my new friends from school. He smiled the entire time. We fell asleep hand in hand like brother and sister. That night my dreams were full of love and family. I could only hope that it stayed that way for a while.

Jacob

I left the room sobered by what just happened. I just had a ten year old ask me to take care of his family until he's old enough to do it himself as if we were in the middle of a war. I walked into the living room to see Edward and Bella huddled on the couch whispering to each other. He was holding her and I could tell by the look on her face that she heard everything. They got up and went out the door. I knew enough to follow them. They stopped about a mile away from the cottage. I sat on a big rock. Bella was against a tree staring at the grass like she wanted to kill it.

"I hate this. I know he's not our real son but are we really going to let him walk away from us again? Especially now that we know what he's going to?"

"We can't do anything about it Bella. Marcus is his father. Besides Duilio has made up his mind."

"Because he thinks he needs to protect us, Edward! He is just a little boy. HE is the one who needs protecting. We can talk to him. Marcus can have him back when he's older."

"Marcus will never agree to that Bella. Would you? He may not show it on the exterior but Duilio can see into his soul and I can see into his mind. Marcus loves that boy and he will kill for him. He would destroy us."

"You both would be singing a completely different tune if he was an imprint. Damn it, he's our family!" She yelled at him angrily. I was almost stunned by it and I could tell Edward was too. I have never heard her yell at him like that. They never fought. Both vampires stared at each other. One angry and pained, the other sad and deflated. I had been silent the entire time but I felt compelled to stop the tension.

"Bells, I don't think we would be able to fight the Volturi even if he were an imprint."

"Jacob is right. If a wolf ever imprints on Duilio then that wolf would have to live in Volterra or try to live without her imprint because Marcus is never going to give up his son." I chucked humorlessly. Live in Volterra? Yea right! It would be a death sentence.

"They would destroy us Bells. Think about Nessie."

"I am. I just feel like I am sacrificing him and I hate it! I feel responsible for him. I love him like my own son. I can't help it!"

"I feel the same way, love, but we simply cannot risk the lives of everyone else in our family. He is Marcus's son. His parenting style may be different but in the end he wants what is best for his son. Its not how I would do it, but Marcus is from a different time. He is trying to help him grow into the strong young man we all know he is."

The look on Bella's face was heartbreaking. Edward walked up to his wife and took her in his arms trying to comfort her. I knew exactly how Bella felt. I already sacrificed someone I loved. Now we all had to sacrifice another one.

"Its not the same thing, Jacob." Edward told me.

"Well it sure as hell feels the same way and I am sick of it!" I said in a growl. I really wasn't mad at him but I couldn't help snap. I was angry at this situation. I felt completely useless, impotent. Tomorrow we had to drive Duilio to the airport and I would have to watch two vampire's take my imprint's brother like I watched two vampire's take my sister. It was unbearable. Edward came up to me and he put a hand on my shoulder.

"I am going to talk to Carlisle about contacting Marcus. Marcus always liked Carlisle. Maybe he can get Marcus to allow Duli to visit more. Or maybe he can convince him to take his son out of Volterra until he is ready to return as the leader his father wants him to be. I think Duli would benefit greatly from a change in scenery. Volterra can be a cold heartless place." I nodded. I could tell Bella was as dissatisfied as me but we all knew there was nothing more we could do.

I was about to leave when Edward stopped me.

"I think there is something else we need to talk about." Edward told me. Here is comes. He's definitely going to yell but I was fairly sure we wouldn't kill me. My kiss with Nessie was very PG. It was still magical but it only lasted for a few seconds. It was a short sweet. Its not like we made out or french kissed or anything worth killing me for. At least I hoped, he didn't think it was worth killing me.

"I'm not going to kill you. I just want to talk. Set some boundaries. That's all." He assured me. I really was too tired for this but I nodded.

"I'm sorry I didn't talk to you first but I just couldn't let her go on thinking about what that asshole did. She needed this. I felt it in my very core." A wolf could always tell what his imprint needs. Our actions and even our thoughts are driven by it which was why I was so scared at first.

"I know she needed it. Anyone who went through what they went through will have difficulties regardless of their age but I think your talk got through to her; so, we're not angry Jacob. Nessie has the mind of a grown woman. She hasn't been a child for a while."

"Its not just her mind Edward. Her face looks like a fourteen year old but we all know that her body doesn't. Alice always dressed her in baggy childlike clothing to hide the fact that Nessie doesn't grow like a typical kid. Her shape is different. Like a miniature adult getting bigger instead of a child growing older." Bella reminded us. She wasn't wrong. Even as early as two years ago, Nessie's body had curves that didn't belong on a child and then within the last year she got two very noticeable curves on her chest. I never really thought about it but it was weird to watch her grow. Duilio was going through the same process. He had the lean toned body and shape of a man except for his small stature and his child-like face. They both grew weird.

"Its not weird. Its how hybrids grow. Their bodies resemble childhood during the first year and even though their minds are very advanced, they use that first year to learn the rules of the world. This change became more noticeable around the time Nessie turned two. Her demeanor, her interests, everything about her changed." I remember how she went from a quiet little girl to an outgoing kid.

"And by the third year she was having conversations with us like an adult." I said continuing my train of thought. We all worked hard to give her a childhood but I often wondered if she was just humoring us. She smiled and played with whatever toy we got her for her birthday but I always felt she never really liked that.

"She humored us because it made us happy but I think she's done humoring us. By next year she will look 16 of perhaps even older until she stops aging at around 21. In the end, she'll look older than us." He said sadly, referring to himself and Bella. "I think its time to respect her decisions. All I ask is that you be respectful of the fact that she's our little girl and that she's been through a lot. I know enough about you to trust that you will be sensitive to her being in high school. Take it slow and make sure its you who sets the pace." I immediately took a step back. 'He wanted me to set the pace?' I didn't have any inappropriate intentinos but my mind was having a hard time wrapping my head around his words. Usually dads said the opposite of what he just said. Bella laughed.

"Don't look so shocked Jake. We trust you. Unlike my daughter, you have both the mind and body of an adult and are perfectly capable of self control. Nessie may have the mind but she still has a hormonal teenage body. At least for now she does."

"Ugh! Ok, I get it. I've been in her mind so I get it." I have seen the way she sees us. I've hears her think about it and describe it in her thoughts. Our simple kiss send sparks in both of us. The way it felt on the inside was a complete 180 to how it must have looked on the outside. I was fairly sure anyone else who saw it would think it was nothing. Her projections were very distracting but they were helpful for me to see when it was too much.

"Yeah. Keep your thoughts to yourself too. And try to wear shirts more often." Edward patted my shoulder and walked back to the main house. I was going to have to ask Alice to get more shirts so I could keep them around the house and around the forest. Bella walked up to me with a sad look.

"Don't worry to much about it. You'll both figure it out. You've had another long day. Go get some rest. You can stay in our room if you like. I'm going back to the house to check on Leah." She said and went back to the main house the same way Edward had. I realized I hadn't even gone to see Leah and a felt a pang of guilt but I was too drained to make the trip there. I marched to back the house and I went straight to their bed to sleep. Tomorrow was another fucking day!

I woke up to the smell of pancakes and the sweet flowery scent of my imprint. I opened my eyes and her face was literally inches away from mine. She was so close that I could barely see past her nose to meet her eyes. I felt her hand touch my hair gently, lovingly. It only took me a second to register that she was in bed with me again. I pulled her closer to me rewarded by a small giggle and I tucked her against me. I kissed her head and then I whispered 'good morning' into her ear before I nuzzled her hair playfully. I was taking in her scent when I felt someone literally pounce on me. Followed by a childish giggle coming from the foot of the bed.

"And that Chris is how you attack a wolf when you find him in bed with your sister." Duilio told Chris who had pounced on top of Nessie. Duilio was on top of me and had managed to maneuver my arm behind my shoulder. I swiftly rolled my body and we both landed on the floor.

"Hey!" Duilio yelled from under me.

"And that kids is how a wolf tackles hybrids who wake him before he's ready to wake." I got up and helped Dulio up too. I grabbed his hand and pulled him close to me. "And don't talk about your sister like that, twerp." Duilio smiled as if he was pleased that I was defending Ness.

I saw Eve hiding behind the post of the bed smiling. Nessie had Chris in her arms and was trying hard not to laugh while Bella and blondie were standing by the door.

"Breakfast is ready. Seth already started so I suggest you all go eat before there's nothing left."

"I woulun't do dat!" We heard Seth defend himself from the kitchen.

"Seth, don't talk with your mouth full." Esme reprimanded him and we all started laughing. Chris bounced off Nessie's lap and ran down the hall way. Eve quietly followed him taking Bella and blondie with her. When I turned to Duilio he was staring at us and smirking that very annoying smirk that remained me of Edward.

"I'm glad to see it all worked out." He told us then he turned and headed out. Nessie was also smiling. There was still a little bit of sadness in her eyes but the darkness they held earlier was almost gone. Was she ok? No. I could feel the trepidation through our imprint link but it was definitely less than it was a few days ago.

"Come on beautiful. Let's get something to eat." I told her as I extended my hand towards her. She took it and we went to the overcrowded dining room. I wasn't sure what was going on with these vampires but it was looked more like a fine dinner than breakfast. They moved all the sofas against the wall and brought in an extra table to extend the dining room table into the living room. The table was fully dressed and there was every kind of breakfast dish one could imagine. Everyone from last night's patrol was at the table eating and all the Cullens were here with the exception of Carlisle who was probably with Leah. My biggest surprise was Emily. She was sitting with Charlie and Rachel. My guess was that they were here to see Leah too and were grabbing some breakfast while there were at it.

Duilio was already sitting between Emily and my sister. I could hear him shamelessly flirt with them telling how living without their beauty was hardy a life were living or some other sappy crap. The girls always bought it. He had been suave that way since the day he could talk. He would get himself into all sorts of trouble and then he would use his charm to talk his way out of it. He especially loved Emily, one, because she had an amazing soul (don't need to be a soul seer to know that) and two, because it pissed off Sam who he hated for hurting Leah and for causing a rip between her and Emily. If it was for just that I would love the kid but he was more than just a charmer and righter of wrongs. He was a good kid. You just didn't want to get on his bad side.

He painted Sam's house in rainbow colors but then he got all of us to get together to paint both the inside and outside of Emily's house to her likening and we even redid her kitchen with the help of the Cullens who insisted on paying for everything since it was their kids who caused the mess to begin with. He stole Paul's car and hid it deep in the woods after he caught him yelling at my sister. Even though my sister had the situation more than handled, she got a good laugh out of seeing Paul chase after Duli. He painted my dad's wheelchair in hotrod red with flames to boot but then he had Edward buy him a whole new electric wheelchair. Of course my dad refused at first but the kid was a smooth talker and, in top of it, he used Nessie who just batted her pretty eyelashes at my dad and it was a done deal. Its strange how well he fit into all of our lives. Like he was meant to be a part of it.

Now, all the darkness from the past few days was forgotten for just a few hours so that we could give him a proper family breakfast and a proper goodbye. Yes, he was a Volturi but he was also one of ours. All the people that could at breakfast while everyone talked. Something told me that Leah was doing good because the mood in the room was, not happy, but uplifted. I looked at Edward who confirmed my suspicions with a nod then he continued to talk to Rosalie about which curriculum they would start the kids on. After a moment, Seth excused himself and a few moments later. Carlisle came in to say goodbye to Duilio.

Everyone said their goodbyes and Nessie, Bella, Edward and I left to take Duilio to the airport. I rode up front with Edward while Bella, Nessie and Duilio rode in the back. When we got to the airport we parked in the parking garage and only a few seconds after we parked a luxury town car blocked us from behind. Two Volturi leeches stepped out and the car drove off. We all stepped out. Nessie was holding on to Duilio's hand. I realized that each hand was wearing the bracelets they had exchanged a year ago. I hadn't noticed it until them.

"Master Duilio was quite worried. We're glad he was able to find you all well."

"I'm sure you are." Bella answered the female leech.

"Well its good to see you all well. Now if you may say your goodbyes, we all have a flight to catch."

Duilio's face had become the older mask I had seen last night. The man boy trying to be brave for his family. He hugged all of us one by one. When he got to Nessie he kissed her cheek and hugged her before he abruptly turned and walked toward Demetri. All three headed for the stairs. He turned around one last time and gave us a sad smile then he disappeared behind the door and he was gone.

Bella didn't hold it in this time, she sobbed in her husband's shoulder while they both hugged their daughter. I couldn't help the feeling of dread that washed over me, as if I had just made another mistake.

"We did what we had to do. We had no other choice." Edward told all of us, holding tightly to his two girls, but looking straight at me with doubtful eyes. He was praying too, praying that we did the right thing and that we didn't just sacrifice an innocent boy. So we all got into the car and we went home to Leah.