Edward POV
Three hours was far too long to be away from my Bella. What was with the people of Forks and needing to share their condolences? I refused to be far from the twins, so I remained relatively close to Carlisle and Esme the whole time.
Between my general concern for their welfare and the fact that Jacob Black was here, I don't think anything would have separated me from them.
Not even Jessica Stanley, who for some reason thought that she should talk to me.
"Hi Edward," she said. Her voice came across as nice and friendly. Her thoughts, not so much.
"Jessica," I said, almost rudely.
"So how are you? I mean since Bella like took off and everything," she said.
"She didn't take off," I said. "Bella wouldn't do that. Something must have happened."
"Whatever floats your boat," she said. "But I heard that she was like pregnant and didn't want to tell you."
"Jessica," I said, clenching my fists together. "Spreading rumors that have no basis in truth isn't helpful to anyone. The police certainly would have found something, so would my family."
"Well..." she said and I could read her thoughts.
"Did you know we were engaged?" I asked. "I know that a few people at school saw her ring on Monday morning. Maybe nobody though to ask, but it's true. So if she was pregnant, which I wish were true, we would have pushed up the wedding and lived happily ever after. As it is, something terrible happened to my fiancee and having you and your horrid little tongue spreading gossip will do nothing to help that matter."
"I just...." she said.
"You just what?" I asked. "Hoped that I might hop into bed with you in my time of grief? I could never be THAT desperate!"
She huffed and walked across the room. She found Mike Newton, stomped her foot, and demanded that they leave right away. I looked over to my parents and siblings who were all struggling to contain their laughter. Jacob Black and a couple of the other wolves weren't doing it successfully.
I growled under my breath which caused them to laugh louder. Until Rosalie decided the wolves had had enough fun at my expense.
"What's so funny?" she asked loudly.
"Just thinking of some good times with Charlie," Jacob said.
"Why don't you share?" she asked sweetly. "I'm sure everyone could use some cheering up."
Jacob blanched and flapped his lips like a fish for a moment before he said, "Charlie was like an uncle to me, but like a brother to my dad. He should go first."
"Chicken," I heard Billy mutter under his breath. I'm sure Jacob heard it too.
The next fifteen minutes were filled with laughter and tears as many funny memories of Charlie were shared. I was actually almost enjoying hearing all of my soon to be father in laws embarrassing stories. I would probably never mention most of them. I was going to be related to the man for the rest of time after all.
It seemed all of Forks was interested in the babies too. More than once either Carlisle or Esme were asked by one person or another if they could hold one of the babies. Every time they refused, certainly knowing that allowing it would cause me more stress, and that was definitely something I didn't need.
Other than Jessica, the rest of the Forks High population kept their distance. From their thoughts I could hear their internal struggles. They wanted to offer comfort, ask questions or somehow acknowledge us, but weren't sure how. I was grateful for that.
Angela Webber had acknowledged Bella's disappearance with the utmost respect. Even her thoughts were pure and I heard Alice's plan to do something nice for her. I found myself listening more intently to her conversations after that, and more to her thoughts. She had applied for numerous scholarships, hoping to get into a good school, knowing that her family had no way to help her with that. From her thoughts I discerned that her boyfriend, Ben Cheney had been accepted to Stanford and that it was her first choice. I decided to do what I could to speed the process along and also send a scholarship her way.
I was brought from my thoughts as I noticed the babies finally start to stir. Thank God! Unfortunately Renee noticed too, and since a lot of Carlisle and Esme's excuses to not hold the babies revolved around not waking them, Renee was itching to get her hands on them. She really saw a lot of Bella in both and though I was loathe to keep her away but it was a risk to let her near them, especially Jace. Then there was the stunt that Arriel pulled with the visions. Had Renee figured it out, it could have been catastrophic.
"Aw," she cooed. "They're awake."
"Yes. I guess I should have the boys and Rose get them back to the place where we're staying. They don't do well with crowds when they need to eat," Esme said, wanting to distance Renee from the babies.
"Oh," Renee said. "The boys help take care of them?"
"As often as possible," Esme said. "The whole family dotes on them. I swear they are heardly ever put down."
"I imagine Bella would have loved them too," Renee said sadly and rubbed her slightly expanded waistline.
"She would have," Esme said.
Arriel was starting to squirm and Jace was not far behind.
"Can I hold them? One last time? I feel... I feel an attachment to them. Not in a weird way... Oh, this isn't coming out right," Renee said.
"Let me take them upstairs and change them. If they are okay after that, I don't see how I little snuggle could hurt," Esme said.
"I hope," she added under her breath so only the vampires, and probably the wolves in the room could hear.
"Yes, of course," Renee said.
Esme made her way up the stairs with Jace and instructed me to grab Arriel from Carlisle's arms and follow her. I rolled my eyes. Honestly, I wanted to take my babies and get out of here. Apparently Renee noticed my eye roll and giggled.
"But they still don't like diaper duty," she said.
"You don't know how true that is," Emmett said, appearing next to Carlisle.
As we changed the babies, Esme and I discussed the dangers and we decided that as long as we both were close a moment wouldn't hurt. She was as reluctant as I was to keep the twins from their other grandmother.
"Arriel and Jace," I said to my children, who were wide awake and demanding their mother. "When we go downstairs a very important lady is going to hold you. You can't bite her. You can't show her any visions. As soon as we take a picture we'll head home and see you Mama. I bet she's anxious for your return."
Would that help the matter or not? I hoped so.
My vision was filled with images of Bella so I told them more about Renee.
"This is your mommy's mom and she can't be around us anymore because it's not safe. But I bet your mommy would love a picture of you two with her. Can you do that?" I asked.
I had no issue speaking to my children this way. I knew they would understand. Arriel reached out to my cheek and showed me an image of her and Jace in Renee's arms. Once the picture was taken they both would start to fuss and then I was to take them directly to their mother.
"Perfect," I told them kissing each both their little cheeks. "Daddy loves you both so much."
Daddy. I liked the sound of that. And I really liked the sound of the word husband. I would make sure that word was associated with me soon. Very soon.
Esme took a deep breath and picked up the twins. It would look better if she were to carry them down, I knew. It didn't mean I didn't long for both of them to be in my arms. It would only be a few minutes before we could leave and then we were together until, well until forever.
I followed Esme out of the room and made my way down the stairs. Alice and Jasper were having awfully lusty thoughts for the occasion, and I found myself hoping that they would get some alone time before they came home. A lusty empath could wreak havoc on a house full of mated vampires!
As soon as Esme was down the stairs, Renee was ready and waiting for the twins. Esme carefully placed them in Renee's arms and cooed at them to keep their attention. She then asked me for the camera from the diaper bag.
"It's not often that they are happy while being held by someone other than family," Esme said. "Do you mind if I take a picture?"
"Of course not," Renee said, her eyes slightly teary. "They are so precious. Their eye color is so vivid already. It was months before Bella's eyes got that brown. And Arriel's green eyes are striking."
"They are definitely precious. I think the girls have taken a thousand pictures already," Carlisle said as Esme set up the shot.
"Hop in the picture with your wife, Phil," Esme said. He stood next to Renee and slid his hand possessively around her waist and I noticed that his hand went to the slight baby bump on her abdomen. They both looked at the camera and smiled. No sooner did the flash go then Arriel and Jace both began to fuss.
They weren't joking about the timing.
Esme picked them up and handed Arriel to me and Jace to Rose and we made our way out the door. The second we were to the car, Rose and I buckled the babies in and jumped in. Emmett was driving vamp speed back to LaPush.
No complaints from me, I couldn't wait to be back with my Bella. We made it there in excellent time and Bella was outside before we pulled into the driveway. As soon as I jumped out of the car she was in my arms kissing me. That lasted 4.8 seconds before the babies laid their demands for food.
Bella giggled and happily complied, picking up Jace and kissing his little cheek before reaching over for Arriel. Vampire speed and agility were only so helpful against baby restraint systems so I plucked Jace out of her arms as she claimed Arriel, kissing her little cheeks as well.
We made our way into the house and before Bella could say anything I was hammered with a few images of Bella training.
"What was that?" I asked.
Nobody said a word but everybody's minds were suddenly very busy doing some random stuff, baseball statistics, reciting the declaration of independence backwards and in Portuguese, and many other diversionary tactics. Something was up. Maybe Bella would tell me. We made our way to the small bedroom we used for nursing the babies. Before Bella could make a move, I plopped down, pulling her with me so she could lean against my chest as she fed our babies.
"I missed you," she said sweetly to me.
"I missed you too," I told her, watching my children set to work, feeding.
I would never tire of this image. She leaned back in my arms and relaxed against me.
"I love you," I told her as I kissed her ear.
"I love you too," she said, moving her head to the side and allowing me access to her neck.
I was just about to place sweet kisses on her neck when Emmett started something. It was obvious;y planned because everyone else started in too. Not out loud mind you, only in their heads.
"It is the song that doesn't end. It just goes on and on my friend. Some people started singing it not knowing what it was, and they'll continue singing it forever just because, it is the song that doesn't end..." they all sang in their minds. It wasn't bad enough that they were off time but they were intentionally off key too.
I growled lowly, trying to warn them off. Bella smiled up at me sheepishly and closed her eyes momentarily.
The next thing I knew it was quiet. All I could hear was the twins beating hearts, tiny breaths and soft sucking. All I could see was the sweet images passing through my daughter's mind, mostly of our time at the cabin. The annoying singing of our family and friends downstairs was gone.
"Bella?" I asked.
She grinned and bit her lip slightly. "I've been practicing," she said softly. "Does it work?"
"I can't hear anyone else? I still can't hear you or Jace, but I can see Arriel's thoughts. Everything else is silent. This is phenomenal. How did you do it?" I asked.
"It was easy. Just a little practice with Charlie, Kate and Eleazar," she said with a smile.
"Can you do anything else? I mean not that you have to, this is great, but I mean..." he asked.
"Lots," she said with a grin. "I'll show you when the babies are done their meal."
"I can't wait," I said.
"Me neither," she said leaning back against me and focusing on our babies. I sat there, enjoying my own private bubble with my family. I think I could stay this way forever.
Eleazar's POV
Working with Bella was invigorating. She wanted to learn, wanted to increase her powers. It was great to see each new thing she learned, and once she had performed it once, she was able to do it again and again. Fascinating! I almost wished that Carlisle were here to see it.
It was even better once Charlie was a part of it, her protective instincts were magnified one thousand fold. I found myself wondering what would happen when Edward and the twins returned.
I expected her to get tired, to show some signs of fatigue. It didn't happen often for vampires, but expending the energy to increase your gifts was one of the main ways that it could happen. The only other that I knew of was sex, but even then that didn't happen often. She worked tirelessly and she knew she was getting better. Then, because she was getting better, she became more confident, and the more confidence she got, the better she got. It was the greatest catch 22 ever! Honestly, I can't say that Bella the vampire was ever fragile, but now... She was pretty much unstoppable, and we had only just begun.
The cold sick feeling in the pit of my stomach told me that I was doing this for a reason. That there was something more to come. I knew that Aro and Marcus would want Athenodora and Mathilda back. It was their nature, and except for Didyme, all the wives were treated as possessions to be controlled and ordered around.
Athenodora had been so controlled from the moment of her change by both Caius and Aro, that I doubt that she had ever had free will. Would she have the strength to stand up to Aro if he were to come and demand for her to return? Would Aro do that?
I knew the answer to my second question instantly. He would, I knew he would. The question was when?
We worked on proximity and distance, in direction and also with her unable to see the people she was shielding. Bella shocked us every time. When Carlisle texted me to let me know that Edward was on his way back, Bella's excitement went through the roof.
"Please can everyone think of something else when they get here?" she asked. "I want to surprise him."
"Ohhh," Tanya said. "Sounds entertaining. But we have to start that song that annoys the hell out of him when you are ready to shield him."
"Emmett told me about that," Bella giggled. "Okay. But you have to stop if the shield doesn't work."
"Agreed," Tanya and Kate said.
"What song?" Charlie asked.
"The song that doesn't end. And you have to think about it off tune, completely off time... It really is an annoying song," Tanya said with an evil glint in her eye.
"Lay it on us," Connor said.
"This is the song that doesn't end. It just goes on and on my friend. Some people started singing it not knowing what it was, and they'll continue singing it forever just because it is the song that doesn't end. It just goes on and on my friend..." Tanya sang. Soon Kate joined in, followed by everyone else, Dora included, even Irina joined in from her position next to Laurent.
"Bella?" Irina said, interrupting the singing.
"Yes," Bella answered.
"When the shield works. Will you put Laurent under the shield with Edward? To see what he can hear. I know he's coming back to me. I just need to know when," Irina asked.
"For sure. As soon as the twins have finished their meal, I'll extend to cover Laurent," Bella said.
"Thank you," Irina said.
"Wait. When you shield people you sense them right?" Kate asked.
"Yeah," Bella answered. "I know when there is someone in my shield."
"So if Laurent is alive, you will sense him," Kate said, a smile starting to play across her face.
"Yeah," Bella answered.
"I see where you are going with this," I said. "Bella if you extend your shield around Irina, and around Laurent. You would be able to sense if Laurent is in fact alive. Kate that's brilliant."
Bella looked nervous.
"Please Bella?" Irina said.
"Don't put all your hopes on this. What if I do it wrong?" Bella said.
"This is just a test, Bella. Nothing concrete. We won't give up on Laurent if it doesn't work," I promised.
She took a deep breath and smiled. Then she closed her eyes and I could see the look of focus upon her face.
"I feel, Irina," she said softly. "And...."
She was quiet. Too quiet for too long. Then she gasped.
"Irina! Why weren't you next to him?" she asked.
Irina flew down the stairs and stopped inches from Bella.
"Really?" she asked. "You really felt him?"
"I did!" Bella exclaimed. "I could sense you but it was a little different for him. Then once I found him I knew!"
Everyone was ecstatic! Then we heard the car . Edward and the babies were here.
"You know the drill, everyone," Bella said as she ran out the door.
I began to think of baseball stats, concentrating on the 1940's and sat calmly in the living room as if nothing were going on. Bella and Edward quickly made their way upstairs with the little twins and Emmett and Rose came and joined us. I nodded at everyone to begin and noticed that Tanya had written a note to Emmett and Rose to let them know what we were doing. Emmett grinned evilly and Rose smiled too. They didn't know why they were doing it, but were happy to join in and torture their brother.
Then we heard the growl from upstairs. Emmett chuckled.
I listened closely to hear what they had to say now. Could Isabella really block Edward's gift?
"Bella?" came Edward's very shocked voice. It was working.
"I've been practicing," she said softly. "Does it work?"
"I can't hear anyone else? I still can't hear you or Jace, but I can see Arriel's thoughts. Everything else is silent. This is phenomenal. How did you do it?" he asked her.
"It was easy. Just a little practice with Charlie, Kate and Eleazar," she said. I could hear her smile.
"Can you do anything else? I mean not that you have to, this is great, but I mean..." he asked.
"Lots, I'll show you when the babies are done their meal," she told him.
"I can't wait," he said.
"Me neither," she told him.
I stopped listening at that point, giving the young couple as much privacy as I could.
"Eleazar," Athenodora said to me.
"Yes, Athenodora," I replied, with the utmost respect in my voice.
"Please," she replied. "Call me, Dora. I like it."
"Then that's what I shall call you," I replied, smiling at her.
In all my time in Volterra I had never seen any of the wives smile. I had rarely heard them speak for that matter.
"I am worried about Aro," she said.
At the mention of Aro's name the room froze. All eyes were on her.
"How so?" I asked her.
"Well," she replied. "He doesn't give up on what he wants, when he wants something. And right now the something that he wants is me returned to Volterra... So I was wondering..."
"What?" I asked.
"Do you think he will come here, after me?" she asked.
"I guarantee he will," I replied.
"Oh," she said quietly.
"But the question here is not what Aro wants. It is what you and Mathilda want. If you wish to return to Volterra then we will help make that happen. IF you wish to remain free, then we will make that happen as well," I said.
My sentiments were quickly acknowledged by everyone else.
"So can someone explain the whole vampire royalty thing to me?" Charlie said. "I really think I am missing something here."
"I had honestly forgotten that you don't know much about the Volturi and everything. It is so easy to forget that you and Bella are newborns and that you don't know a lot about the ins and outs of our situation. Aro, Marcus and Caius were three brothers who found themselves in power over a millennium ago. Aro is the charismatic leader of the bunch, Caius was the power hungry backer, not to say that Aro doesn't have a major thirst for power. He certainly does, but a little more subtle. Marcus... Marcus is extremely difficult to describe. Dora, do you think you can share some insight," I asked.
"You are right about Caius. Caius felt that we shouldn't have to hide. That we should do what we pleased, when we pleased, and consequences be damned! Aro believes that it remaining hidden we truly have more power and comforts that if we did not. Aro collects vampires with talents to join his empire because the stronger he is, the less likely that anyone would challenge him. Marcus... As Eleazar said, he is hard to explain. Since my sister's passing, he has been... depressed," she said.
"When did she pass?" Charlie asked with concern, noting Dora's sad expression at the mention of Didyme.
"Almost five hundred years ago," she said.
"Wow," Charlie said.
"Anyway... He was never into controlling the world. He saw the need for leaders and decided that he and his brothers would be good for the job. Once Didyme passed, he has nothing. There are no smiles, there is no laughter. He is truly the most apathetic vampire ever. He simply doesn't care about anything or anyone," she said, with a sad smile.
"So Aro will come here?" Charlie asked.
"Or wherever else we happen to be," I added.
"And this is a concern, why?" he asked.
"Aro makes sure he gets what he wants. That's why I was such a useful part of his army for so long," I said.
"With you gift for seeing powers?" He asked.
"Exactly," I said.
"So fill me in on the rest," Charlie said, apparently eager to learn about the vampire ruling class.
We spent the next ten minutes filling in the details. I was pleased that Dora was such an active part in the discussion. Her insight on the gifts that the vampire guard possessed was most helpful, especially those that had come after my departure. Our conversation was drifting down when Bella called from their room.
"Irina. Are you ready?" she asked.
"Whenever you two are," Irina answered.
"Bella, are you going to keep just Edward and Laurent under your shield?" I asked.
"It would probably be best," she said.
"I agree," Edward said. It was obvious that they had spoken about this while we were discussing things downstairs.
"Everyone stay quiet," I told everybody, probably unnecessarily.
You couldn't hear a thing in the house except for a clock that was ticking incessantly somewhere and the light breathing and steady heartbeats of the little twins. I don't think anyone else was so much as breathing.
It seemed like it took forever. In reality, I wasn't sure how long it was. Finally I heard Edward's voice.
"He's there, faint but there," Edward said.
The cheers erupted from downstairs. Irina flew down the stairs towards her sisters, launching herself into their waiting arms. When Bella and Edward made their appearance, Rose and Carmen had 1.4 seconds to get the twins from their parents before she launched herself into their arms, nearly tackling them both. In all the excitement we didn't hear the car coming and we all found ourselves quite shocked when Alice and Jasper walked into the room.
"Oh God no!" Edward said, looking at his sister and brother in horror.
"Edward?" Bella asked. "What is it?"
"The Volturi," Edward said.
Alice, whom I must say I had never seen speechless before, stood there nodding her head furiously.
"When?" I asked.
"Tonight," Alice said, in unison with Edward and Jasper.
"What?" Bella said, moving across the room to reclaim her children. "What do we do?"
"I'll tell you what we don't do! We don't lose our heads. We stand and face them calmly and tell them how it's going to be," Charlie said.
"Charlie, we can't," Dora said. "Aro will see the babies and..."
"What do my grandchildren have to do with this?" he asked.
"Immortal children. He will assume and.... This is bad, Charlie. So bad!" she said.
We quickly explained immortal children as Edward pulled his mate and children to him, holding them close.
"So he'll see them and order them destroyed?" Charlie asked.
"Precisely," I said.
"So we demand that he leaves. There's my power to consider, and Bella's shield," Charlie said.
"Against how many?" I asked. "We've tested her shield against one single attacker, and your power is completely unproven. Are you willing to bet everything on that?"
"Then what do we do? Run? Scatter?" Dora said. "We do that and they will hunt us down like dogs. Facing him is the only way."
I looked around the room. This wasn't just my call to make. I watched as each vampire fond their mate. The true testament to the fear we all felt.
"Where is Carlisle?" I asked, noting the fact that Esme was likely with him as well.
"He and Esme are seeing that Renee and Phil are safely out of town and contacting the wolves," Alice said.
"How many Alice?" I asked.
"Most everyone. There is a skeleton crew left in Volterra. Even Sulpicia is here," she said.
"Who?" I asked.
"I don't know them all, but Aro, Marcus, Caius, Jane, Alec, Demetri, Chelsea, Sulpicia, Aro's shield, and eleven more," she said.
"He brought everyone," Dora said. "He means to fight."
"Help us, Dora. Tell us what we can do," Charlie said.
"I don't know," the suddenly fragile woman before me said. "Maybe if I go to him, me and Mathilda, maybe he'll be content and leave."
"No, he won't," said Carlisle as he and Esme strode into the room. "The second he touches your hand, which we know will be his first duty, he will know about the babies. And even if he sees the truth about them, he will also see the power that they have. He won't let us keep all this power."
"So that's just it?" Bella asked cradling her children and sinking against her mate.
"No," Carlisle said. "We fight. We have fairly even numbers. I don't see another way."
If Carlisle was suggesting a fight I knew there was no other way. The man was a pacifist to the extreme and was the entire reason that Carmen and I chose this way of life.
"So we just took down a bigger army. What's the problem?" Bella asked.
"The Volturi train for this exact scenario. They expect to fight bigger, stronger covens and often go into battles where they are outnumbered five to one and I have never, in all my years, seen them lose a single man," Eleazar said.
"So you are telling me it's hopeless?" she asked, the horror in her eyes magnifying exponentially.
"No. Not hopeless. But I can't see how this can turn out well," I said.
"What about my shield? What about Charlie's gift? Can't I shield us while he makes them listen to reason?" she asked.
"You have faced one single attacker, one time. We are talking about twenty attackers coming at us from all sides. We are evenly numbered almost. Nineteen, counting Laurent, though he will be in no shape to help us," I said.
"And what of Jace and Arriel? They can help," she insisted.
"And our fate rests in the hands of newborns, in more ways than one," Connor said.
"Please we need to set something up. We need to figure this all out," Bella pleaded.
Our discussion was interrupted by the arrival of the wolves. The Quilieute warriors, including Leah, descended on the house without knocking. But why should they, it's their home on their land. We quickly filled them in on the situation and watched as their eyes grew.
"Jacob," Carlisle said. "We cannot ask for you and your brothers to get involved in this. This is most certainly a death sentence for all involved."
"You all know my situation," Jacob said, addressing his brothers and sister with us present. "Arriel is my imprint. Now I know that there are strong feelings on both sides of this matter. But I am bound to her and if she is in any danger, then I am bound to fight for her. If she is destroyed, I am. That said, I will not command my brothers, nor my sister to fight with me. I will not ask you to meet my same fate. I will also not take that choice from you. Except for you, Leah." He looked right at his grieving sister at the end of that.
"Why?" Leah said. "Why must you command me to stay? Why do you take my choice from me?"
"Leah. Your child is the future of our tribe. The first child born to two wolves. She, if the whispers I've heard are right, will be the future of our tribe, and if all else is lost, that must remain. Sister, if it were any other time, I would gladly fight alongside of you. In this I cannot bear it," he said.
Leah didn't answer, she simply placed her hand on her slightly rounded belly and nodded. The child she carried within her womb was special, and as such she knew that she must forgo her desire to stand with her brothers for the sake of her future.
"Carlisle, Edward, everyone, I offer my services, however they serve you with the understanding that I ask no more from you than what has already been given. I will do what I must to keep Arriel safe, and in doing so, keep her family in tact," Jacob said. "I cannot, however, command my brothers to join."
"We thank you, Jacob," Edward said. "And we will gladly fight alongside you."
"If you think that we would let you go off to battle without us, Brother, then you know so very little about us," Sam said.
All the wolves nodded their assent. With the exception of Leah, every one of the Quilieute wolves was willing to fight and die with our family. Would the wolves be enough to defeat the Volturi?"
"We thank you for that. We must make preparations now. We need to bring this fight away from here and I don't think the former clearing would be a good idea," Carlisle said.
"Why not?" Garrett asked. "We would have the advantage there. We know the lay of the land."
"Yes. But it also bears the smell of the battle. It will help cause a frenzy of sorts for the guard. It is best to avoid a killing field," Carlisle finished.
"Or is it?" I asked. "They know what we are capable of. But more to the point Laurent is proof that we are very capable. A vampire has never been put back together from that many pieces. So as long as we aren't burned, then we live on."
"And we bring them to the area that proves that to us. We have faced unbelievably bad odds before and not only have we lived to tall about it, we've all lived to tell about it," Carlisle said, nodding in agreement.
"What about Bella and the twins. She could run. She could take them and go," Edward said.
"No, Edward," Bella said, wrenching her body from his arms and staring at him. "We do this together. There is no me without you."
"And the twins? What about them? They could live on. They need you. And no matter the out come for the rest you could still be," he begged her.
"Do you know what it did to me? Being without you?" she asked. "I know you do because for you it was the same. It is like living without your heart."
"I know, but Bella..." he said.
"Edward, together we are one. Not just you and me and our babies but our entire family. I don't think an army of a million could tear us apart if we all stand together. And I include our Quileute brothers and sister in this as well. I believe in each person standing in this room. I believe that we can do this," she said.
"I know we can!" Charlie added. "Each person here has become family to me. Some through blood, some through venom and others through bonds stronger than that. Every person in this room, and the man upstairs still fighting to get back to us, has fought for me. And I will gladly fight for them. My gift is justice. I will not stand by and let some overgrown megalomaniac take my family away. There has to be some way that this will work."
"I just can't see anything," Alice said sadly.
"What about if you held Jace?" Bella asked. "He can act as a power booster right? Maybe it will work."
"Worth a try," Carlisle said and Bella placed Jace in Alice's arms and stepped back. Her eyes flashed back and forth between Alice and Edward. Alice shook her head. She was getting nothing.
"We could wake them," Bella said, motioning to the twins. "And maybe Arriel will show us."
"Only maybe," Edward said. "There has to be another way."
We were all silent for a bit and I watched everyone's faces. Bella moved to take Jace from Alice. As she did so I saw something go through her eyes. She had something planned. I met her eyes but she shook her head.
I watched her concentrate. Why was she trying to shield Alice? What was that going to do?
I waited patiently. Alice's face was blank as she struggled to try to use her gift. Then it happened. I saw it in her eyes, she saw something.
"I..." Alice said, watching visions playing out in her mind. "I see them."
I looked at Bella who smiled softly, then to Edward who was watching Alice's vision.
"How are you doing it, Bella?" I asked.
"Bella?" Alice and Edward asked.
"Alice has been unable to see anything with the wolves and the babies around, so how are you doing it now?" I asked.
"I shielded the babies and the wolves," Bella said. "It worked too."
"That was brilliant!" Alice exclaimed, bouncing over to hug Bella.
"Thank you," Bella said, a slight blush coloring her cheeks.
"So what did you see?" Emmett asked impatiently.
"The babies will be there and they will pause to listen. There are some blank spots so I assume that the wolves will be there," Alice said.
"But you can't see an outcome?" I asked.
"No. I guess there are too many decisions that need to be made in the meantime," she said with a little frown.
"But now we know how to help you see," Carlisle said, smiling at Bella.
"So where to?" Jasper asked Alice.
"The clearing," Edward and Alice answered together.
"When?" Esme asked.
"Now," Alice answered.
"And what about Laurent?" Irina asked. "I can't leave him alone. But I can't stay behind, not knowing..."
Alice looked again and nodded her head, looking at Edward.
"He can join us. Garrett will carry him. He will be awake and Aro will be curious about him... It will be helpful," she said with a smile.
Everyone changed into more rugged clothes and the wolves went to see their loved ones for a few moments. Leah sat sullenly on the couch with Bella as she woke the twins to nurse them again. Most of the others, including Dora, Mathilda and Charlie, had all gone on a quick hunt, readying themselves for battle. I had recently fed so I stayed with Bella, Laurent, Leah and the babies.
"What if everyone...?" Leah started to ask.
"Then you and little Gabriella will go on. And you can teach her all about the rest of us. So she knows that, like with everything, there is good and evil in this world. And that includes vampires," Bella said matter of factly.
"How can you so calmly go when you know that this could be it?" Leah asked, staring at her best friend.
"If this is meant to be, it will happen. Nothing I do will change that. If I run, I have to run without Edward and I would rather die a thousand deaths then live without him," Bella said.
"But your children face their deaths too," Leah said.
"Honestly, that is the hardest part. If there were a way to keep them protected and away from battle I would... But there is nothing," Bella said.
"There's me," Leah said. "I must stay here to protect my tribe's future... But I could also protect your family's future too."
"You would do that?" she asked.
"Bella you are my best friend. I've never had that before. My closest friends have always been related... I have never had anyone, other than Paul and now Gabriella, that I would die for. But for you Bella, I would. There is nothing I can do with the battle, Jacob made sure of that. If I can make it easier for you. To concentrate, to fight or even if it happens, to die, knowing that your babies are safe and loved... I will do it," the young wolf promised.
Bella eyes glistened with tears.
"Oh Leah! You are the best. But what about food? How would they eat?" Bella asked.
"Ask them," Leah said, tears streaming down her own cheeks.
"Jace, Arriel... How could we do this. Mommy loves you with everything I am and if I knew you were going to be safe..." she said, tears now streaming down her cheeks.
My entire head was filled with a vision. Jace and Arriel with Leah, small bottles of blood in her hand.
"Blood?" Leah asked. "I was thinking formula."
"How?" Bella asked the babies.
The babies showed us Leah hunting in wolf form for a small deer, snapping it's neck and bringing it home to them. Billy, Sue and Harry were with the two babies and when Leah phased back she was more noticeably pregnant.
"So I guess it's safe for you to phase while pregnant," Bella said, looking at the babies.
She didn't say anything about the vision but I knew she was horrified. The twins were older in the vision... we weren't going to make it back.
"Bella," I said.
"Hide it Eleazar. Don't let anyone know what we saw," she said cuddling the twins to her, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Bella," I said.
"No, Eleazar please. If this is true... I can't let them go in feeling hopeless, because then it is truly over," she begged.
I thought about it for a moment. If they all knew that this was the end then, she was right. It would be over before it started. I would go out with a fight. The only way to do that was to keep everyone else in the dark and with a mind reader and an empath that was going to be nearly impossible.
I began to run through battle preparations in my head. Thinking of how the guard worked. I concentrated on that and only that. Bella had nothing to worry about, except how she would convince Edward to let the twins stay behind.
Everyone returned at once and the mood of the group was actually light. Bella was right.
"Edward, everyone," Bella said, getting everyone's attention. "Leah offered to keep the twins while we face the Volturi. I think it's a good idea, allowing us to focus on the battle rather then the babies."
Surprisingly nobody argued, simply nodding their heads and agreeing that it was for the best.
Edward took the little twins from Bella and held them close.
"You guys be good for Aunty Leah," he said. "Daddy loves you. I will see you very soon."
That started the chain of goodbyes to Leah and the twins. We were ready to go.
Bella took the Arriel from Edward and snuggled her tiny daughter to her chest.
"Mommy loves you my precious baby girl. You be good for your Aunty. Mommy loves you with all that I am," she said, tears streaming down her cheeks and I was very glad Edward couldn't read her mind.
She placed her tiny daughter in Leah's arms. I wondered briefly how Leah was keeping her mind shielded from Edward through this. Then she took her son.
"Oh Jace. My sweet boy," she said to her son. "Mommy loves you so much. You need to be good and keep those teeth to yourself. Be good for Aunty Leah."
She snuggled him tight, breathing in his scent one last time and placed him in Leah's other arm.
"If they come, you run. And never stop. Protect them Leah, and your little one too," Bella said.
Garrett went up to get Laurent and we started to file out of the house, Bella and Edward remained for a few moments, both of them touching the twins until the last possible second. Finally a few seconds after the rest of us, they joined us on the porch. Edward was almost supporting Bella as tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Edward, Carlisle," Billy's gruff voice greeted us. "Everyone."
"Billy," Carlisle said, looking over at the wheelchair bound man who sat in front of us.
"We have blessed you all previously, and we do so again. I know that you still carry your wolf teeth. I see them all and the fact that you all honor us that way means the world to me," he said.
"Your friendship has meant the world to us, and to fight alongside your warriors again is truly an honor," Carlisle said.
"Mathilda, Athenodora," Billy said. "You were not presented with teeth before the last battle, but we do so now."
He placed the necklaces on the women's necks and they were obviously touched with his acceptance of them. "Charlie, yours was placed when you were unconscious but the sentiment is there," he said. "You come back, you hear."
"Take care of my grandkids," Charlie said, wiping a lone tear that ran down his cheek away.
Bella isn't the only crying vampire.
"With all that I am, My friend," Billy said.
They said a few words in their native tongue and I vowed that if I lived through this, I would learn everything I could about their language and culture.
With that we were off, making our way back to the field where we faced our doom head on not even a week ago. Once we got there, the partners stood next to each other. Garrett lowered Laurent to the ground and Irina was right next to him. We stood mostly in silence, the occasional vow of love between the couples, including Charlie and Athenodora.
The wolves, now in wolf form, stood behind us, in the tree line. They could see what was coming but even to vampire eyes, would be difficult if not impossible to see in return.
"Irina," Laurent's voice rasped.
"Laurent," she squeaked.
"That was quite the nap," he said and began to move, and stretch, as though clearing some stiff muscles.
There was a flurry of welcome backs and good to see yous, and kisses and hugs and I love yous from Irina.
"So now the rest of the Volturi are coming to try to kick our asses," he stated.
"Basically," Garrett agreed.
"Bring it," Laurent said.
He stood up, holding tight to Irina.
"I missed you, Baby," she said.
"I felt you with me," he said. "I love you."
"As I love you," she said kissing his lips softly.
Carmen held tightly to my hand and looked up at me. "Te amo, mi cielo," she said, reverting to her native Spanish.
"Ti voglio bene, Mia Stella," I said to her, in my native Italian.
We heard them then and before we could breath they stepped through the trees.
The pageantry of their arrival was not lost on any of us.
They entered two at a time, the lightest grey cloaks first, moving out sideways, at a certain predetermined point.
It was like watching a fan open and within moments we were graced with Aro and Marcus' presence, standing in the center. Their dark cloaks covered all their faces until, again in formation they began to take their hoods off. Aro and Marcus were first, and it from the center out with the two with the grey cloaks on the end removed theirs, again in unison.
Impressive. Good choreography.
Edward chuckled slightly. Looked at me and rolled his eyes.
"What a pleasant surprise," Aro said, clapping his hands together. "The Cullens and Denali's are still together and they have guests."
"Aro," both Carlisle and I said together.
"It is good to see you both," he said, regally.
"Thank you," Carlisle said while I remained silent.
"I take it this isn't a social call," I said.
"Not exactly," Aro said, a slight smile gracing his lips. "But while I'm here I would love to make the acquaintance of those I have not had the pleasure of meeting previously."
"My family has all mated this year," I began. "Of course you know Tanya. This is her mate Connor."
"Connor" Aro said. "I have not had the pleasure in many years."
"Likewise," Connor said from Tanya's side.
"Wonderful," Aro said.
"This is Kate and her mate Garrett," I said motioning to the couple.
"Garrett, I haven't seen you in centuries. You have left England then?" he asked.
"I have been in America since before my change, Aro," he said.
"Yes, yes," he said with a nod. "One of the first to be changed in the new country. How is your creator?"
"You had him killed in 1811," Garrett replied.
"Oh yes, yes," Aro said. "How foolish of me."
"Kate, it's wonderful to see you again. I am so happy that you have found your mate," he said.
"And this is Irina and her mate Laurent," I said.
"Laurent?" Aro asked. "I was under the impression that Laurent was ripped to shreds in the battle with Caius, Victoria and the newborns."
"That I was," Laurent said. "I have patient friends who are good at putting puzzles back together."
Aro's eyes brightened and a smile played across his face.
"It is good to see you looking so whole," Aro said. "And Miss Irina, it is lovely to see you again."
"Yes," Irina said.
"You also know my mate Carmen," I said.
"How lovely to see you, Seniorita Carmen," he said.
Carmen simply nodded in response.
"Now Carlisle. I see many new faces with you, as well as two I know like the back of my hand," Aro said smoothly. "You and your lovely mate Esme, Rosalie, Emmett, Alice, Jasper and Edward... But who are the new faces?"
"This is Edward's mate Bella and her father Charlie," he said.
"Yes. Charlie... The one who needed to be changed due to Victoria's little sins. How is life Charlie?" Aro asked.
"Fine," Charlie said, clasping Dora's hand more firmly.
"You seem remarkably civil for a newborn," Aro pressed.
"So I've been told," Charlie said.
"We have come to seek the return of our sisters, Athenodora and Mathilda," Aro said.
"No," Dora said, calmly and clearly.
"No?" Aro laughed.
"That is what I said," she said.
"Mathilda," Aro demanded. "You are to come here now."
"No, Sir," Mathilda said. "I wish to remain here. I like not being stuck in a castle."
"Now, Carlisle," Aro said. "I insist on the return of my family members. My mate would be most sad to lose her sister. I would not dream of taking anyone from your coven," he said, looking straight at Edward with an almost hungry expression.
Yeah, right!
"Aro, our family has free will. If they stay or if they go, they do so of their volition. Charlie and Dora have expressed their desire to stay together," Carlisle said.
"Athenodora has just lost her true mate. She would not replace him so easily," Aro scoffed.
"True mate!" Dora scoffed. "I was never offered an opinion or choice in the matter. Caius was nothing but a tyrant and a bully."
"And what of your sister?" Aro asked. "What will poor Sulpicia do without her sister?"
Dora was speechless. After hearing her story, I knew that this would be her weak point.
"Her sister will be just fine," Sulpicia said, stepping up from her hiding place behind the main line.
"Sulpicia!" Aro roared. "Return to your place!"
She glared at him at first, then stared longingly at her sister before she turned. I think Charlie had to hold Dora in place.
"I will need to consult my brother on this matter," Aro said, reaching for Marcus' hand.
"Love? Really?" Aro said. "Amazing!"
There were a few more muttered words from Aro and then he turned.
"Kidnapping," he said. "You have stolen two members of our coven, kidnapped them really and we demand their return... or you will feel our wrath."
"No," Carlisle said. "Dora has requested to become a member of our family, and as such she has the protection of all of us."
"As friends, she has our protection as well," I added, looking to my family who were nodding in agreement.
"Jane!" Aro roared. "Alec!"
The end, I thought to myself. Once Jane and Alec were involved the game was over. Then I heard the menacing growl.
Not one growl, or two. The entire wolf delegation let loose a ferocious growl and moved forward in unison. Aro nearly wet his pants! He would have anyways, if that were possible.
"What?" Aro gasped, stepping back.
"Jane, focus on the big brown wolf. Alec go after the wolves. We'll deal with the traitors soon," Aro commanded. "Everyone else, battle positions!"
I saw the mist beginning to move from Alec towards us all. The guard dropped their cloaks and made ready. Our family prepared for the onslaught.
"STOP!" roared Charlie.
And incredibly everyone did.
"You will not attack the wolves," he said, moving towards Aro.
"Are these wolves friends of yours?" Aro sneered.
"You can say that. I would personally call them family," Charlie said.
"Really. And they know about our existence. That means they must be destroyed. KILL THEM!" he ordered.
None of the guard moved.
"It is against our laws for those outside the vampire world to know about us. We must sentence them to death," Aro said, looking wildly around at everyone.
"Their lives are shrouded in as much secrecy as ours. They are no threat to us," Carlisle said.
"Jane!" Aro roared, completely ignoring Carlisle. "Take down the big brown wolf!"
She sneered and focused her glare on Jacob. Nothing. She didn't even try.
"I can't," she whispered, seeming confused.
"DO IT!" he ordered. "Demetri, NOW!!!"
"I can't Aro. I can't," Demetri said.
"What the hell is this?" Aro shouted.
Charlie's power. Justice... And Aro was the most unjust ruler.
"Just attack them all! Kill them," Aro shouted.
Charlie's order only pertained to the wolves and as soon as the words were out of Aro's mouth the guard was across the field, ready to finish us, and Charlie was the first target. Jane glared at him, firing her pain filled blast, ready to sink him to his knees so he was incapacitated.
Only it didn't work, and seconds later it was Jane on her knees, screaming in pain.
Bella!
Damn! She is unproven, how many of us was she protecting and how long could she keep it up?
The rest of the guard seemed to pick targets at random. The young vampire that was heading our way had a gift much like Kate's. I stepped in front of Carmen just in time for him to hit the force field Bella had created. The next second all the attackers were launched across the field in the direction from which they came from.
"Enough!" Charlie roared. "You will not attack us!"
Dora stepped next to him and grabbed his hand again.
"What is this?" Aro yelled.
"This is justice!" Charlie said. "Apparently that is my gift."
"And your gift comes with a force field?" Aro asked.
"Nope," Bella responded. "That would be my gift."
"So now you have all these gifted vampires, you are trying to take over our world?" Aro asked, looking at Carlisle.
"I have no desire to take over. I do however wish that you would rule honorably," Carlisle said. "I much prefer my simple life."
"Rubbish!" he said.
"Aro," Charlie said. "That is your name, right?"
"Of course," Aro answered.
"Why are you trying to kill my family and friends?" Charlie answered. "And I warn you, my gift also allows me to know when someone is lying to me. You will speak the truth!"
Charlie was in full cop mode. And Aro was squirming. I LOVED IT!
Edward whispered to Bella, "Let me hear."
She looked at him in shock, before nodding slowly.
She held his hand tightly and kept her focus on the vampires who were regrouping on the other side of the field. She would cover him in a heartbeat if need be.
"Carlisle is too powerful. His ways are foreign to me and that scares me," Aro said, looking horrified.
"And his assurances through the years that he has no desire to rule?" Charlie asked.
"Could be lies," Aro answered firmly.
"Carlisle. Will you answer my questions, truthfully?" Charlie asked.
"But of course, Charlie," Carlisle answered.
"Have you ever thought of ruling our world?" he asked.
"Yes," Carlisle answered drawing a smirk from Aro. "But fleetingly. As I would think of becoming a lawyer or an astronaut. It isn't me or what I want. I want to be able to travel and spend time with my family. I do not have any desire to debate rules and regulations, or the heart to punish offenders. That isn't who I am."
"So!" Charlie said to Aro. "Any more reasons?"
"I want his coven's talents for our own, yours included," Aro said, looking like he couldn't stop the verbal diarrhea if he tried.
"We all want to live in peace and freedom. Dora and Mathilda included," Charlie said. "None of us have any desire to be kept in cages."
"I won't allow it!" Aro hissed.
"And what are you going to do about it?" Charlie asked.
"I'll find a way to take you down, all of you. I will find a way!" he swore.
"No you won't!" Charlie responded. "You will leave us all in peace, all of you! You will hop back in your plane and go back to wherever you came from."
I watched as his words sank in.
"So what if I don't?" Aro challenged.
"Then you will suffer the consequences. Your guards are completely unable to do anything to harm us. They can't penetrate Bella's shield or get past my directives because they are true and right," Charlie said.
Aro was speechless. I can't say I'd ever seen that! He turned around to move towards his regrouped army. It was done.
Nobody could have foreseen what happened next. Aro had his incinerator, a high powered miniature flame canon in his hand and turned, casting flame towards Charlie. For a minute the flame overtook everything in my vision and Bella screamed in horror. The incinerator was his weapon of choice when he felt the desire to be merciful, or just quick. It engulfed the victim in a pillar of fire, reducing him or her to ask in seconds.
Aro began to laugh in glee but the first sound barely got past his lips. Bella's shield, which had absorbed the fire at first suddenly deflected it, rebounding the flame directly towards it's origin. Aro's laughter turned into a scream as the pillar of flame engulfed him, and when the flame cleared, Charlie stood tall, having been completely protected by Bella's shield while Aro's ashes smouldered on the ground.
I looked in horror upon the sight as did the guard, their leader, the vampire king, was no more.
It took seconds for them , and us, to digest what just happened. Then they began to panic, Chelsea had them bonded to Aro and since he was no more they were left for the first time without a leader, without that safety net. They feared that we would attack them, obliterating them as they had seen their leader die. A man they thought to be nearly omnipotent.
Even Marcus seemed stunned.
"Enough!" yelled Sulpicia, who came forward from her place. "This is not the time to loose our heads."
The guard, including Marcus, looked at her in awe.
"Aro was a charismatic leader, but we all know he had faults. It is time for us to work past those, and to get on with the business of protecting our world. Fighting unnecessary battles for greed and possession is not going to help," she stated.
I watched in awe as the members of the guard listened to her. Their composure regained, for now at least. They seemed to look to her as a leader, someone to trust in this desperate time.
"Marcus, we are depending on you to lead us. You are strong and decisive. You are a born leader and I am happy to lend my aide to you," she said bowing deeply to the one remaining brother.
"Thank you Sulpicia," Marcus said, nodding to her. "I will need help and having you reign with me would be an honor."
She nodded her head and smiled at her brother-in-law.
Marcus came forward, towards us, his hands up in surrender.
"I wish no harm upon any of you," Marcus said as he moved towards us.
Edward whispered to Bella that his thoughts were true. Of course we all heard that.
"My brothers both allowed power to go to their heads, while I was lost in my own. Losing Didyme was a heart shattering event, one which I was certain I would never get over. And I won't. Losing one's mate is permanent lasting. But I am lost in my grief no more. I have a purpose and, with the help of our faithful guard, we will move forward. Away from the era of fear towards a gentler governing body."
"Come," he said to the guard. "Let us leave them in peace. We need to figure out where to go from here."
Sulpicia turned to Dora and smiled, crossing the field to reach for her sister's hand. Charlie looked pointedly at Bella who nodded her head and she lowered her shield to allow the sister's hands to touch.
"Looks like we're both about to start a new life," Sulpicia said to Dora.
"That we are," Dora said with a smile. "You're going back?"
"You may not like the luxuries of palace life, but I do," Sulpicia said with a grin.
"You always did appreciate the finer things in life, Sister," Dora said.
"And you always preferred the simple life," Sulpicia said. "You're happy?"
"Extremely," Dora answered, her other hand squeezing Charlie's.
She smiled and moved to hug her sister.
"Be safe," Sulpicia said, before turning to leave with the guard that were just beginning to make their way out of the field now.
"You too, Sister," Dora said. "I will call you."
"I'll be waiting," Sulpicia said before assuming her new place, directly beside Marcus, who gave her a smile.
We stood in shocked silence, watching them leave. And even after they were gone, the silence remained for some time.
"Really?" Bella asked, looking directly at me. "But I thought...."
I smiled at her confusion.
"The future is never concrete, Young Bella," I said to her with a smile, knowing we would face questions about our exchange at a later time. "What do you say we get back to LaPush and let your very worried babysitters know that we're all fine."
She nodded her head and smiled, grabbing Edward's hand and leading the way back to LaPush. Eager to return to her babies, and move forward with her life.
I smiled and grabbed Carmen's hand, moving towards LaPush. We were going to live to see another day.