A/n sorry for the wait, life has been hetic, but now schools over and all thats left is work, I'll have more free time to write, only a few chapters left, remember to review, thanks for reading.
Even with marrying Jacob, the pack still didn't fully accept Edward as one of their own. Though now that he was married to their alpha, the pack wasnt allowed to openly show their dislike for "the vampire". Even though Edward could still sense the uneasiness coming off them in waves, and read the hatred in their thoughts. He tried to not let it affect him, but it still bothered him that they wouldnt at least try to get to know him, at least for Jacobs sake, if not for the fact that they would have to spend their lives interacting, pretending to be friendly; because he certainly wasn't going anywhere. Never again would he leave Jacobs side, not until the cruel hands of death rip them apart, and maybe not even then.
It was many stops and starts before Edward felt properly accepted into the pack, and they finally stopped silently hating him, giving into the compulsion to accept their alphas mate as one of their own. By the time the Volturi had arrived the pack and Edward were as close as a vampire could be with a pack of wolves that openly hated him only a few weeks before. Edward was relieved that the pack had finally fully accepted him because it lessened one more worry off of Jacobs already burdensome shoulders.
Looking up and into everyones grave faces, Edward wished that he was anywhere but here, that the reason vampire and wolf alike were gathered was any other reason than this grim reminder, a looming dread hanging over their heads.
"Edward?" Said Esme gently placing her hand on his arm to draw his attention back to the conversation.
"No, I can think of no one else that is willing to help us." replied Edward to the wolves silent question directed at him.
"Then it is true," said Jacob heavily, pacing backwards and forth "We have tried every option, and short of giving up to the Volturi I can think of no other option available to us that that wont end in all of being killed like lambs to the slaughter." he said grimly as everyone sucked in a quick breath, dismayed at his blunt words.
"I am just saying what you are all thinking. I can see it clear as day in on your faces, we have no chance whatsoever, and you're all right, there is no hope of survival. I won't allow you to give yourself unnecessarily to the slaughter when it can be avoided. What type of alpha would that make me? Anyone who wishes to not fight can back out with no punishment."
"Jacob, stop. " said Edward "I can't allow this to go on any longer. I know how Aro thinks, he is doing this because he wants revenge against me for beating him at his own game. If I give myself up to Aro and the Volturi, they will have no reason to come after any of you. You will be safe from them."
"Edward, stop, no!" said Jacob alarmed "What the hell are you saying?"
Edward just ignored him "One life is nothing compared to everyone of you. I will gladly give myself up if it could save all of you from this slaughter.
The mostly wolfy crowd convinced at Edward's argument agreed with growls, whilst Edwards family heartily disagreed, raising their voices at the wolves as they threateningly flashed their teeth.
"No!" Shout-growled Jacob firmly shaking himself out of shock with a fierce look silencing the group, "I won't allow you to do this Edward." he said lightly pushing Edward and forcing him to look into his angry and hurt eyes, brimming with tears unshed.
"Ive already decided," said Edward weakly his voice breaking on the last word, and his eyes saying, please don't fight me on this, I couldn't bear it, my resolve isn't string enough, "I wont let anyone of you sacrifice yourself on my behalf, on something that's due to my careless actions. Not when I can save you by convincing the Volturi otherwise."
"Well undecide." said Jacob angrily, "Don't do this, Don't do this Edward."
"Jacob, I couldn't bear it if you died, not when I could have done something, convinced the Volturi otherwise, to not fight. When it comes down to it, all Aro wants is me, to get revenge, for not joining his group, for outsmarting him, and I bet on Bella's behalf. I have lived long enough, your life is just starting. I would gladly give my life a thousands times over, if it meant you and Abigal could live your life out safely, without having to fight the Volturi. "
"Maybe I don't want to live my life out if you are not in it, there's no way I'm letting you sacrifice yourself for me. There's a way, another way than this, we just haven't found it yet, we just have to keep trying. I couldn't bear it if you died either, you're my life, my love, my imprint. I almost lost you once, and it would kill me to do it again, so if you are going to go through with this stupid idea, you'll have to know I'll be sacrificing myself too, standing there right beside you as you face Aro. If you sacrifice yourself, you're not saving me, youre killing me, we are linked Edward, more than you can ever know, you die, I die."
"Jacob, please." Said Edward his resolve crumbling. "Don't say that, I'm just trying to protect you."
"No Edward, I don't need protecting, not like this. We can figure out another way, a way that doesn't involve you handing yourself over to the Volturi, you just need to keep holding onto hope, we'll find a way to get through this together, please just dont give up, not just yet."
"Okay Jacob" said Edward his resolve gone completly as he hugged him leaning their foreheads together, taking in all that was Jacob. He knew Jacob wasnt going to let him do this, but he knew he would sooner give himself over to Aro and Bella, then have to see Jacob killed anyday, and if that meant him sacrificing himself, he would gladly give up his life. He knew Jacob was strong, he could get through anything, but Edward knew after waiting so long for his true love, he couldn't get through loosing him again, he wasn't strong enough, not like Jacob was.
\/\/
It was the night before Alice predicted the Volturi were to arrive, and Jacob and Edward were laying in bed just holding each other. Edward's arms were wrapped around Jacob as he tossed and turned, unable to sleep out of fear of what was to come. The night before, after much debate and decision they had finally devised a plan, known only to the trusted few among them. The plan was promised to work if it went off without a single hitch, but it was a huge risk, and it was weighing on both their minds, the wait churning unwanted worrisome doubts, making Jacob unable to sleep.
"Do you think Abigal is okay? Asked Jacob to the silent room, as he felt Edward's still form move with unnecessary breath.
"She's safe," replied Edward finally "far away, I took her there myself, there's no possible way for the Volturi to find her."
"I know." said Jacob "I still can't help myself from worrying though. What if it all goes wrong? What if we're all killed? Then Abigal's an orphan, what then?"
"Jacob, stop worrying," Edward said holding him tighter and placing a kiss on his temple "everything will be fine, try to get some sleep, drive those thoughts from your mind."
"I would if I could," said Jacob wearingly "but those thoughts, they keep looping over and over in my mind, around and around, like angry bees they just wont shut up."
"I know" said Edward understandingly, as he couldn't stop worrying either "how bout we do something else to make you forget for a few hours" said Edward inspiration hitting as brought their mouths together, and he slowly kissed Jacob, savouring every moment as he tried to make him forget, just for the moment. They desperately made love long into the night, as though they may never see each other again, as if it was their last night on earth.