Chapter 30

Night was creeping up on the town of Forks. Sundown would be upon them in less than an hour. Bella made a special visit to Charlie and Sue, who both knew something was off, but neither of them knew exactly what.

Emmett chose to hunt again just before they made their way to the same location as they had in the past. The feeling was all too familiar. Emotions were running high, and Jasper attempted to cool everyone down. Bella was prepared to use her gift to shield off any of the Volturi's fight tactics. She was fully comfortable using it now, as Edward made her practice from time to time.

Carlisle and Esme walked hand in hand, with Masen sitting comfortably in Carlisle's left arm. His golden eyes seemed to glow, and calm expression remained on his face.

Emmett and Rosalie both looked angry in their expressions, combined with a look of determination. Jasper and Alice just looked focused and of the group of them, Bella and Edward revealed the least. Renesme had stayed back with Charlie and Sue, who were spending the night on the reservation.

Carlisle kept whispering things to Esme as they walked, and she seemed to take in every word like a dagger to the heart, but never put up a fight to what he was telling her. Bella looked over and saw him kiss her on the cheek, continuing to stare at Esme as they walked.

"Stop here," Alice instructed. They stopped simultaneously with the wolves protectively around them, each breathing heavily. Steam left the pack's noses in the cold, night air.

Waiting was the worst. There was nothing that sent one's thoughts into a frenzy like having to wait for a climatic moment. This was undoubtedly one of those times. The seconds seemed like minutes, the minutes seemed like hours. Familiar scents began to fill the air, and it wasn't long before the string of Volturi members pushed their way through the trees and made themselves known in the snow dusted open field.

A few of the wolves snorted and fists were clenched all around. Jacob's breathing picked up and Paul looked him, letting a low growl escape his throat. Sam nudged Paul to keep his team in line. Carlisle had made it clear that they would not be the ones to pick a fight.

A seemingly unphased smile was overly noticeable on Aro's face. He removed his hood as they moved within a hundred yards or so of the Cullens and put his arms out in a welcoming manner. "And so we meet again."

Jane's red eyes stood as cold as the blood that ran through her icy veins. Alec and Felix put on their best stern faces, and Marcus was all too neutral. At Jane's first notice of Masen in Carlisle's arms, alarm rang through her body and she looked over to Aro.

"My, my, what do we have here?" Aro asked as they were now face to face with the Cullens. His eyes locked on Masen, who still lingered in Carlisle's arms.

Carlisle looked at Aro, "This is Masen. He's our son."

Aro studied the resemblence between the two of them - their blond hair, facial features and sparkling golden eyes.

"It can't be," Aro said aloud. The ring in his voice was utter disbelief. Edward could see this to be true in his thoughts.

"It's true," Edward chimed in.

"Thank you, Edward," Aro said, never looking away from Masen, "And his eyes. He was born with that of your own, Carlisle?"

Carlisle nodded, "He only craves animal blood. He has no desire whatsoever for the blood of humans."

"We'll be the judge of that," Jane stated.

"And this child," Aro went on, "He was conceived the old fashioned way?"

Carlisle glanced at Esme, "Yes."

"I have to wonder why this has never happened to any others of our kind."

"We're still trying to figure that out," Carlisle told him.

Aro took another step toward Carlisle and Masen. Esme was about to jump in front of them, but Carlisle assured her it was okay. She glanced at Edward, who shook his head, letting her know that Aro's thoughts, at the moment, were only curious.

He brought himself within an inch of Masen's face, who studied Aro's features.

"Masen Cullen," Aro stated, overemphasizing each syllable. He reached for Carlisle's hand, "May I?"

Carlisle handed their son to Esme, a move that was watched intently by the rest of the Volturi. Alec and Felix looked amazed. Aro grabbed Carlisle's outstretched hand.

Marcus looked on with an eager expression. Since their meeting, Aro's mind stood so divided on the information that Marcus had given him. He hoped that they could find a peaceful resolution.

Edward stared at Marcus for a moment, knowing that he could try to influence Aro if he disapproved of the situation. His eyes refocused on Aro and Carlisle.

Aro's eyes lit up and he stepped back, "So it is true. All of it."

"Yes," Carlisle said again, "You see there is no threat here. None. My son grows all the time. We don't know when he'll stop."

"I don't think anyone knows enough about anything," Jane protested, "The unknown still provides a danger to our kind."

"There's no danger, Jane," Esme said firmly, "He doesn't like human blood."

"Jane," Aro only had to say her name to keep her from speaking. He was the only one who had a true hold on the only female Volturi member.

She angrily kept her mouth shut, and for some reason met Edward's gaze with a glare.

"May I read the child's thoughts?" Aro asked.

Esme held onto Masen protectively. She and Carlisle stared at each other momentarily, and she handed him back to her husband. Carlisle was extrememly hesitant.

"Carlisle," Edward said, "It's okay. I've read his thoughts."

Aro smiled at Edward, and accepted Masen's hand into his. Carlisle held onto Masen tighter than ever before. Within a minute or two, Aro let go and let out a high pitched laugh. Jane showed her disapproval of his reaction.

"So that part was true, as well," Aro exclaimed, "I wasn't quite convinced but it seems as though your miracle child, indeed, has no desire for human blood." He paused, "Interesting." He looked around at the rest of the Volturi members.

Edward could see that Alec and Felix wanted to hold Masen, though he didn't feel comfortable suggesting it to Carlisle. He was pleased, however, that they had no ill feelings toward him. Marcus was itching to put in his feelings on the matter and suggest they return home, but respected Aro enough to remain silent and wait for his cue.

"It's no secret, Carlisle, that your coven has been blessed with it's fair share of gifts and talents," Aro told him, "It's comparible to that of even our own, though I have to say you're a little too soft to place the proper punishments on those who deserve them, never mind sparing human lives at the expense of your thirst."

Carlisle nodded, looking his old friend, if you can call it that, in the eye.

"But I must say, that I cannot bring myself to cause harm to you or your family. You haven't done anything to pose a threat to us, though I would love to track Masen's progress, and figure out how this process of consumption could possibly be carried out again in the future."

"Aro!" Jane called out, but he silenced her.

Carlisle never let his gaze leave Aro's, "That's fair. And we'll continue to update you on Masen's progress."

Aro nodded his head slightly in agreement, "Now, would I be able to speak with one of the mutts?"

The wolves all looked at each other, and Jacob phased back into his human form. Edward removed the long jacket he was wearing and handed it over to Jacob, who seemed appreciative that he didn't have to have the conversation in the nude.

Bella suddently felt very scared for Jacob, who was much more vulnerable in his human form. He walked up confidently to Aro, standing next to Carlisle and Esme.

"Jacob," Aro said, "What a brave young... man"

"Yup. What do you need from me?"

"I'd like to know more about this lunar eclipse business."

"Couldn't you have gotten that from reading Carlisle's thoughts?"

"Somewhat," Aro told him, "But not the precise details your mind possesses." He reached for Jacob's hand, and asked politely once again, "May I?"

Jacob took a deep breath and looked over at Carlisle, who nodded to tell him it was okay.

Jane's evil stare burned with hatred and she couldn't hold back any longer.

"Jane, no!" Edward called out.

A second later Jacob screamed out in pain and fell to his knees. Aro looked back at Jane with a furious glare, eagerly wanting to know every detail about how he, too, could create a child.

Paul didn't hesitate, he leaped over the Cullens and charged at Jane, taking her down and tearing off one of her arms. The rest of the Volturi crouched defensively. Alec ripped Paul off of his sister, and a battle was about to break out.

"Stop!" Aro and Carlisle screamed out at the same time. Sam phased back to his human form showing their pack was no threat. Carlisle was shocked that he was so bold, but grateful.

Felix and Emmett were just about to go at it, but both immediately stopped at their respective leader's command, though glared heavily at each other, each with an arm raised.

Jacob and Jane both laid writhing in pain on the ground. Masen pointed at Jacob and tried to wiggle out of Carlisle's arms, "Down," he said.

"I can't put you down, Masen." Carlisle told him.

"Down. Down." Masen demanded.

Carlisle looked at Esme and crouched before Jacob, putting Masen down directly in front of him. Masen made his way to where Jacob still cried out from the pain that Jane had instilled on him. His eyes were pressed shut and he curled himself into the fetal position, gripping his torso.

Masen stood over Jacob, his little body towering over the typcially strong werewolf. He reached a hand down and placed it on Jacob's forehead with the same calm expression that he always had. Not longer than a second or two later, Jacob's tensed body relaxed and he eased his eyes open. He looked up at Masen and sat himself up.

Aro watched with an open mouth, as did the rest of them.

Jacob stood up, scooping up Masen as he did, "What'd you just do to me?" He asked with a grateful smile.

Masen smiled back, "Ja."

Jacob let out a laugh, "Yeah. Jacob."

Masen buried his head in Jacob's shoulder with a snickering laugh.

Jane's cries from the Volturi side interrupting the heart warming moment. Her unattached limb laid on the snowy ground just out of her reach. Masen pointed in her direction, now with a look of concern.

Jacob handed him to Carlisle, who looked unsure of what to do. Esme looked at Carlisle, "I don't know," she said.

"Dada," Masen said pointing at Jane. He tried to wiggle from his arms again, and Carlisle went with his gut and brought his son to Jane's side. No one moved.

Masen walked, hand in hand with father and retrieved Jane's arm. He slid it next to her and placed a hand on her forehead. Aro made his way in their direction to get a closer look, with the entire Cullen family close by. The two separate groups surrounded Jane as Masen removed all of the pain from her body and got her back into one piece.

When she stood up, she looked embaressed and defeated, though kept her usual stern expression.

Edward could see she was in a state of shock and somewhere in her thoughts was the very slightest hint of gratitude. Her ego made her hate herself, knowing that the baby before her, something so tiny and innocent, made her regain her strength.

Masen casually made his way back to Carlisle and Esme, reaching up for his mother this time. They stared at each other with smiles of blissful disbelief at their son's ability to heal.

"Isn't this amazing," Aro said, "He can ease the pain of someone who's wounded. He can heal them." Aro looked at Jane, who stood humbled beside him, "Even one of us."

Esme felt a sudden fear that Aro might want to take him from them, but this was quickly eased when he spoke again.

"We'll go now, but I'd like to return again to check on his progress," Aro said again, "It's far too interesting to ignore."

Carlisle nodded and relief filled his mind.

"And since my plans were interrupted," He looked back to Jane, "I'll settle for another time to talk to the Quileute tribe," he looked at Sam and Jacob, "I mean we do have all of eternity, after all."

Aro nodded and turned, bringing his coven back through the woods as quickly as they came. Marcus turned his head around partway as they left, and Carlise and Esme nodded in appreciation at him. He nodded back and slipped through the trees with the rest of them.

Carlisle fell to his knees on the ground, feeling weak from relief after the tenseness of the situation disappeared. They all looked at him with concern, but he motioned for them all that he was fine. He rested his head on the ground. Esme stood above him and dropped Masen down next to him.

"I love you so much," he said to both of them. He couldn't bring himself to move for a few minutes, but finally managed to get up and join the rest of the family on their walk back home.

"You okay pops?" Emmett asked with a smile, "Need me to carry you?"

Carlisle laughed, "I'm fine."

The walk back home was filled with relief and a new found hope that everything would end up being alright.

Alice turned around in the walk through the woods, "Charlie and Sue will be waiting for us at the house."

Bella turned to Edward, "I can't wait to see Renesme."

"Me too," he said, "But we're going to have some explaining to do. Charlie wants answers. I can hear thoughts from here."