Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight


Chapter Forty-Three

*Aidan's POV*

"Gah!" I cried out as I was tackled to the forest floor, earning a mouthful of dirt. I quickly turned my body around so I could push my attacker off. It worked and soon, I was scrambling to my feet, getting ready to fight again.

"Not bad," Zach said, grinning at me. "You've improved since the last time."

Before I could respond, Jackson jumped on top of me. I cried out as my uncle slammed me to the ground, "Eh, still could use work."

"Hey! Hey! That was totally unfair!" I protested, wiping the dirt off my shirt. "You could've killed me!"

"Well life's unfair," Jackson quipped, patting my shoulder. "Don't take it too hard, Aidie boy. You're not a bad fighter. I'd want you to have my back."

"Thanks…I think…" I mumbled.

"Honestly, I could kick all of your asses," Jen declared, walking over to link arms with me. "But, not bad my dear."

"Jeeze, what is this? Pick on Aidan day?" I murmured.

"Maybe," Jen sung, patting my back. "Anyway, come on. We're meeting Seth up for lunch. Take him out to burgers or something."

"Seth sounds like he's been third wheeling you guys a lot lately," Jackson mentioned.

"Well…Yes…" I said, shrugging. "But I don't care, the guy's family and well, I mean even though he's home and he's with the pack…It's been two years since he's seen his imprint."

"Right…" Jackson trailed off. It felt like there were a ton of rocks in my stomach just thinking about Lizzy and Abby.

"Anyway, we've tried to set him up on a few days the last couple of years," Jen mentioned. "Just to maybe make him less lonely. He has been dating that girl, what's her name…"

"Annie," I filled in. "They've been dating for a month, but honestly I think it's because they both want partnership cuz they're lonely."

"Did you guys ever consider what would happen when Lizzy comes back?" Zach pointed out.

"We did, but their relationship was murky when they left off," I explained. "I'm not sure how it'd be now, but we're just trying to relieve the pain for him."

"Anyway, we should get going. Don't want to stand our date up," Jen teased.

"That is true," I said, noticing the time. "We'll see you guys later!"

"See ya!" Jackson and Zach called out simultaneously.

Jen and I ran back to the house. The whole place was bustling with life, and when I mean life, besides our family there were the Denali's, the Amazon sisters, the Irish coven, the Egyptian coven, and Peter and Charlotte. As of the last year our family's been trying to get more voices to join our war. There's also a lot of nomad's that seem interested. It's just trying to find those who are willing to fight against the Volturi or are scared they'll do exactly what they did to our coven.

"Hey kids," My dad said, waving at us from the porch of our house. He was seated there with my mom on his lap.

"Where ya off to?" Mom added.

"To meet up with Seth," I explained, swinging my hands back and forth with Jen.

"Well, make sure to be home at a decent time," My mom told me. "Lily, Ness, Ethan, and Jacob are coming up this weekend."

"We will!" I called out before Jen and I left the area. The two of us then headed to the diner where Seth was seated at a booth.

"Hey guys!" He greeted us.

"Hey, Sethie ole boy," I said, patting his back. "What's up my man?"

Seth shrugged, "Nothing much. What about you guys? How was that mission you went on yesterday?"

"Kind of lame," Jen confessed as she aimlessly played with some straw paper. "We didn't get much. Hopefully, something will turn up soon though."

"Hopefully," Seth murmured.

"So…." I trailed off. "How's Annie?"

"Annie?" Seth blinked, "Oh right! Annie, yeah she's good…I guess. I don't know, we haven't seen each other in a couple of days."

"Oh, well that's too bad," Jen replied, biting her lip.

"It's okay," Seth said, shrugging. "I don't know, in the meantime I've been busy. The pack needs help training the new wolves. Sam…I don't know how much longer Sam's going to be the leader of the pack."

"Really?" Jen asked, wide eyed.

"He wants to spend more time with his kids," Seth said. "Nathan's six now and Emily gave birth to little Alison last year. I think he wants to slow down eventually. Right now he enjoys being a stay at home dad for the kids. Emily's working as a teacher at the rez, but I think his responsibilities of being the leader of the pack is taking away from his time with his family. Once this is all over, he might want to retire. Pass the torch to someone with free time."

"Wow, I never thought that'd ever come from Sam. He used to be such a hot head, ready to protect the tribe," I mentioned.

"I still think he's going to be chief of the tribe, but none the less, I don't think he can keep up with all this wolf stuff anymore. In the last two years it's the most he's phased in the last ten years. Not since the Volturi tried to come for Renesmee back in 2006. There were the occasional times he would phase to help your family out, but for the most part he's sending a lot of the younger wolves on patrol and missions," Seth explained. "I mean, he doesn't want to live forever and he isn't looking for this pack thing to become a full time job."

"What about Jacob? I mean, he's going to be living forever with Ness," I pointed out, playing with a french fry. My mom always found it annoying how the only human food I ever liked the best was junk food. I mean, she can't blame me, as a hybrid vegetables taste ten times more gross.

"It's up to Jake. Right now he's busy in California," Seth pointed out. "I mean, Sam can choose a lot of people to take the title. There's Leah, me, Quil, Embry….One of us is going to be stuck with it. I know Paul's pushing his limit with Rachel right now."

"Why? Doesn't she like being home?" Jen asked curiously. "She seemed fine when we saw her the other week."

"She doesn't like being in La Push. Reminds her too much of her mother," Seth explained. "They were supposed to move to Wyoming after they married, but then everything here happened and it's been a bit of a mess. And now that Rachel is pregnant Paul told me she might want to move down to Hawaii to be around Rebecca and her family. She likes it down there and wants to raise a family near her sister. Paul just wants her happy at this point. Also he doesn't mind since it's Hawaii. Can't go wrong there. I think he's tired of all this wolf shit."

"I mean you, Leah, Embry, and Quil seem the more stationary options right now," I said. "Quil's staying for Claire, Embry's been training a lot of the younger wolves with Colin and Brady, and Leah has Tommy now. She's gonna go wherever he's going to be and I know the Williams plan to stay in Forks."

"And I gotta wait and see for Lizzy," Seth muttered.

Jen and I both grew quiet at Seth mentioning her name. It normally wasn't a good sign.

He looked up at us with an ambivalent glance, "Look, I'm not making any future plans until I know where I stand with her. Whether she wants me or not, I need to wait."

"Okay, buddy," I said, patting his back. "I miss her too."

"I miss all of them," Jen added, causing us to nod in agreement. That's how we sat in the diner, wondering if the last two years have even been worth it.

*Bella's POV*

"So, as of what was gathered from the last mission, the Volturi's guard seems to have gotten stronger," Carlisle announced, observing some pictures that were taken at the castle.

"And not to mention, as what I've seen through Masen's mind, they have more guards. I think they've been changing more people and recruiting them," Edward nervously added.

"You think the Volturi have a newborn army?" Eleazar chimed in.

"It's a possibility. They're also getting help from other vampires, not to mention a few witches and warlocks. But then again, so many witches or warlocks want to be on there side. It's mostly out of fear if anything," Carlisle said.

"Well, I can tell you many warlocks and witches will join together for a resistance against the Volturi," Ava declared. "It's happened before, it'll happen again. We hate the Volturi, so rounding up clans will not be an issue."

"Not to mention we can't forget the children of the moon," Tanya spoke up. "The problem is that some are probably working for the big baddies."

Kate snorted bitterly, "Caius is probably holding them hostage. Poor creatures."

"This all about tactic. After all, we're going war," Garrett said, wrapping his arms around his mate's middle.

I flinched at that word. Edward noticed and looked warily in my direction. I just shook my head while wrapping my arms tightly around my body.

"Well, whatever the cost, I'm willing to risk it," Alice murmured, stepping forward. "It's been too long."

"I know, dear, but we'll get there," Carlisle said softly.

"Dad, look, Jazz and I have been very patient the last two years. Very," Alice stated cooly. "But we haven't seen our daughter in all that time. I don't even know what she looks like now and all I'm asking is for some sort of attempt. I know you don't want to risk any lives and you've tried to be peaceful and methodical about it. The bargaining didn't work. Nothing is working. We have to use violence, and charging in there is the only way we're going to get the girls back!"

"Yes, Alice, but this could danger the girls lives," Edward said.

"Oh god, not again," Emmett groaned, flopping on the couch besides Rosalie. "I don't want to hear the fighting anymore! We miss everyone taken! Can we just please get somewhere!"

"We'll get somewhere, but I agree, we need to be patient," Ava said, taking the stance for her family. Ever since Carolyn died, she's taken the role over as the matriarch of her clan. As much as Elaine would like to do it and is practicing magic again, I think she deserves a break. She's gone through enough heartbreak as it is.

I sighed, not wanting to hear anymore, so I headed outside. Aidan and Jen were too busy yelling something at Zach and Jackson. I did see the lanky figure of a honey blonde leaning against a tree.

Quietly, I approached him and stood on the opposite of the tree. The two of us just stood there, the sun reflecting off our diamond skin.

"So…Couldn't stand all the emotions in there anymore?" I asked after a few moments.

"Guess you can say that," Jasper said, chuckling lightly. "Ali and Edward are very passionate people."

"I know, Jazz. We've been dealing with this for the last two years," I pointed out. "Maybe longer than that, but they are tired. I'm tired…I'm sure you are."

Jasper nodded, "Very. I just want her back, Bella…."

"I know," I whispered. "I want her and Lizzy back…I want them all back…"

The first year without the girls, Lucas, and Dru was spent training. I rarely saw Alice and Jasper during this time period. They spent their time at Isle Esme trying to cope or traveling the globe in search of some way to get their daughter back. They made ties with various nomadic vampires against the Volturi, which will be a help now since I think a majority want to start recruiting people, but nothing to get the girls back. We were dealing with a force who knocked us down into pieces. Now, it was all about trying to put those pieces back together so we'll be stronger than ever.

"It's so odd how Alice and I were happy without a child for such a long time," Jasper mentioned, shaking his head. "We still are happy with one another, butt when Abby came into our lives…It was like this fantasy that I shoved in the back of my head came to life. When I turned into this…When Maria trained me, I didn't even think twice about myself let alone children. Then Alice came along and she made me so happy, happier than anyone's made me in a long time and I just didn't see the need for anything else. Our happiness wasn't contingent on a child, and then Abby…"

"I know, Jazz," I said, nodding again. "I felt the same way. When I wanted Edward to turn me, I didn't realize I'd get Renesmee out of it let alone Masen and Lizzy…We've both been blessed with miracles. Miracles that were taken from us and we will get back."

"I just don't want to lose hope on her," Jasper told me. "I know Alice is fighting every waking moment she can, but I'm so drained from it all, Bella. All I can do nowadays is just sitting in the library and read Gone With the Wind. Reminds me of Abby. She used to tease me about it since it took place during my time..."

"I still read Lizzy's textbooks," I confessed, shrugging. "Reminds me of her too. Makes me feel closer to her even though she could've completely changed. Who knows what her life has been like the last two years. What she looks like…

"I think about that a lot too," Jasper said. "I miss Lizzy as well. I miss our discussions and the games we used to play when she and Aidan were young."

"You were practically her honorary godfather if you think about it," I mused. "I miss Abby's teasing and her wit. She's so much like you and Alice. That little girl is nothing like the people who gave birth to her."

Jasper chuckled softly, "Thanks Bells."

"We're in the same boat, Jasper," I said. "I feel like such an awful parent, but even if so, we'll get our girls back. One day."

"You're right. We will," He replied. He then gave me a brief smile and a gentle pat on the arm before walking away.

Even though I had the support of my family right now, another part of me was also hurting. I wanted my mom. In the last two years, about a month after the girls, Dru, and Lucas were taken, I went to Renee's. Elaine had gave Edward and I a make over, making us look a bit older than expected. Renesmee and Masen came, both curious as to who their maternal grandmother was. They'd heard countless of stories about her, and this whole trip was made to create them into a reality. But, it didn't go as well as I hoped….

"Are you sure about this?" Charlie asked me.

We were currently in Jacksonville; Edward, Renesmee, Masen, Jacob, Grace, Tyler, Charlie, Sue, Johnny, and I. Charlie and Sue came with Johnny as moral support, but also to take the little boy to his first trip to Disney World.

"I'm sure," I answered, taking a deep necessary breath.

"It is really weird seeing you like this," Charlie added. "I was always curious as to what you'd look like when you were twenty-seven. Not too different."

"Glad you think that, Dad," I teased.

Charlie chuckled before bringing me into a hug, "I wish you luck, Bells. Hopefully she isn't too angry."

"I hope so to," I answered, biting my lip. "All I need is this to go down the shoot. It's bad enough Lizzy isn't with us anymore…"

"Bells, now you're talking like she's dead," Charlie said, shaking his head. "She's not, you realize that. She's just with those Volta what's they called?"

"Volturi," I told him. "And I don't know…"

"You need your mother right now Bells. You're having a crisis as a mother and I'm sure she'll be there for you. Whether she's angry or not, she loves you way too much," Charlie said.

"Thanks, Dad," I said.

"Everyone's all ready to go," Grace announced, walking into our hotel room. Tyler was perched on her hip while Jacob trailed from behind.

"Thanks," I told my future daughter in-law.

"Ay! There's the little tyke!" Charlie exclaimed, walking towards his great-grandchild. "To think, I'm a great-grandfather! At fifty! Jeez! I'm too young for this. Right, Sue?"

Sue laughed while he picked up Tyler from Grace, "If you say so, dear."

"We'll be here if you need us, Bells," Jacob added, giving me a side hug. "Always."

"Thanks, Jake," I said as he pressed a kiss to my temple before pulling away.

"Jake!" Johnny boomed, catching the wolf's eye.

"Hey! Look who it is," Jake said, picking up the little boy over his shoulder. I noticed Renesmee smiling fondly at her fiancé's interaction with Johnny. I knew she wanted a family, but we weren't sure exactly when she and Jacob would be starting one.

"Ready love?" Edward asked, walking up from behind me.

"Yeah," I answered, grasping his marble hand in mine. We then headed to the car where Edward began to drive towards my mother's home. I felt all sorts of nerves and jitters take over my body. As nervous as I was, I was excited. This would be the first time I would be seeing my mom in eight years. Hopefully she'd buy the fact that Edward and I have been stuck in the Amazonian jungle.

Soon we approached the familiar Floridan house. It hadn't changed a bit and still looks like the same it had been since the last summer I was here all those years ago.

"Excited Momma?" Renesmee asked me.

"I should've just faked my own death," I muttered.

"Love, it'll be okay," Edward reassured me.

"Come on. Let's do this, I wanna meet my grandmother," Masen said, motioning at us to leave.

"Alright, alright," I said, leaving the car. I looked up at it and nervously fiddled with my hands. Before I could react, I noticed a few play toys on the lawn. I frowned in confusion and before I could react, my mom was out the door.

"Bella? Is that you?" She cried out tearfully. Renee looked the same as she always did, but a lot older of course. She had a few more laugh lines and I could spot a few grays starting to form.

"Mom," I muttered, running straight for her. She was crying as she flew at me and held on tightly.

"It's been a long time, baby," She said, pressing a kiss to my cheek. We then broke apart and she looked at me. "You're so beautiful! Gosh, married life has been treating you well!"

"I'm so sorry," I blurted out. "I…I'm sorry it's been so long. It shouldn't have been. I didn't want this, Mom. I really didn't."

"We're here together now," Renee said, giving me a smile. "And there's a lot we have to catch up on, don't we?"

"You could say that," I said.

"I mean, after all, you've been helping so many people. I've been telling my neighbors that you're a super hero or something," Renee told me, chuckling. She then noticed Edward and smiled, "Ah! There's my son in-law!"

"Hi Renee," he said as Renee ran over to greet him with a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "It's good to see you again."

"I see the married life has been kind to you both," Renee praised, pulling away to examine Edward and I. The two of us were holding hands, feeling like newlyweds again. But that's when Renee noticed Renesmee and Masen. Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion and asked, "Who are they?"

"Oh!" I exclaimed, turning around to see my daughter and son waiting by the car. "That's Renesmee and Masen. They're my kids."

"Your kids?!" Renee blurted out, wide eyed.

"Well, they're our adopted kids, if you wanna say so," I said, scratching the back of my head. "Edward's biological brother had two children. They're his niece and nephew, and well we adopted them."

"Wow. Two teenagers, you sure you can handle it Bells? With your job?" My mom asked. "If it wasn't for Grandma Marie, I don't know what I would've done with you."

"We're fine. We adopted them a few years ago…" I lied.

"Oh?" Renee said, raising her eyebrow.

"Hi, it's nice to meet you," Renesmee exclaimed, walking over with Masen. She automatically gave Renee a hug, which threw my mother off for a moment, but she accepted it and seemed quite content.

"It's nice to meet you too," Renee said, smiling. She then turned to me, "Well…I guess this makes us even."

"Even?" I questioned with raised eyebrows. "What does that mean?"

"Mommy!"

I turned around to see Phil walking over. He was holding the hand of a small little girl with light brown hair and big blue eyes.

"Ellie! Come meet Bella," Renee exclaimed, causing the little girl to toddle over. She then picked her up and looked at me with a sheepish glance, "Bella, I'd like you to meet Elouise or Ellie. She's your sister."

"My what?" I chocked out.

"Nice to meet ya!" Ellie chirped, clinging to my mother.

Edward and I shared a look while Renesmee and Masen seemed amused. Phil awkwardly hung around and smiled.

"When did this happen?" I asked.

"Well, about two years after your wedding. I got pregnant with Ellie, and well, Phil and I thought about it, and we decided maybe we were ready to start a family together. Anyway, Ellie was born November 14th, 2008. She's named after Phil's mother and my grandmother. Elouise Lydia Dwyer."

"Lizzy was born the next day," I blurted out, causing Renee and Phil to exchange glances while Edward, Renesmee, and Masen looked nervous.

"Who's Lizzy?" Renee questioned.

"My…" I fumbled on my words, surprised at my inconsistencies.

"She's our daughter," Edward said, causing me to look at him in shock.

"Your daughter?" Renee questioned incredulously. "You have another one?"

"We have a lot to talk about," I stated. "Mom, do you mind if we just talk alone? For a few moments?"

"Bella?"

"Please," I said, grabbing her hand in mine.

"Okay…" Renee trailed off.

"Here, Ellie," Phil announced, sensing it was a private moment between mother and daughter. "Why don't you help me show Edward, Masen, and ahhh…Rinsemee around?"

"Renesmee," My daughter corrected dryly before following them into the house. I then looked at my mom and she gestured for the two of us to sit on their porch.

"So…Care to explain?" My mother asked. "Lizzy? Why isn't she here? Why didn't you tell me?"

"Why didn't you tell me about Ellie?" I retorted.

"Fair point," She said, biting her lip. "Anyway, what's the matter? What's been going on Bella?"

"Mom…I can't exactly explain why I haven't seen you in eight years," I told her, my voice shaken. "I want to, but right now, I can't."

My mother looked alarmed, "Sweetheart, is there something wrong? You know if anything's wrong you can tell me."

"I want to, and it's not that I don't trust you…It's just…It's complicated and I don't know how well you'd handle it," I confessed, scratching the back of my head.

"Oh," she said, trailing off.

"And it's not just that, it's also a lot of external factors," I explained, swallowing hard. "I…My family is in danger."

"Bella-"

"Just, hear me out. I'll be fine," I said fiercely, grabbing both of her hands. "One day, I'll explain it all to you. As for now, I can't. If you know anything, you can be in danger. It'll give these people who are after my family a reason to hurt you. But I promise, I'm fine."

"Bella, you're scarring me," Renee told me nervously.

"I know…And trust me, I want to explain this all to you, but right now, don't be scared. Just know that once this is over, we'll see each other more," I said, my voice full of all sorts of emotions.

"Okay," Renee said softly before pausing. She then asked quietly, "What happened to your daughter? My granddaughter?"

"Lizzy…" I bit my lip and tried not to pour my heart out. "She's in trouble and…And I don't know what to do anymore Mom. I feel like such a terrible mother."

"Don't say that, Isabella," My mother whispered harshly. "You are one of the most responsible people I've ever met. If anything you parented me when you were growing up, which wasn't fair and I feel like I'm doing better with Ellie. I'm sorry because I was a terrible mother to you…I should've fought harder for communication but sometimes I was so angry, baby. I felt like you didn't want me anymore, but all this time you were in trouble."

"It's not your fault, Mom. You didn't know because I wanted to keep you safe. I still do…And it was my selfishness as well," I said, chocking up. "I'm sorry."

"No baby, I'm sorry," She said.

"I just wish everything was normal. I wish what's been happening hasn't happened and I just hope you know that I love you," I said, grabbing both of her hands even tighter. "And I've missed you so much."

"Me too, baby," She said, bringing me into a hug. As we hugged my mother then muttered into my shoulder, "You know…Renesmee sounds like a unique name. As if someone combined Renee and Esme…."

"I'll explain that eventually as well, mom," I said, causing her to chuckle.

"It's fine," She replied, cupping my cheek. "One day, but for now…Let's enjoy the fact we're together again."

The two of us then sat there for awhile and just basking in this moment with each other. I didn't realize how much I needed my mom, but boy did I….

"Mom!"

With that, I whipped around to where Renesmee, Jacob, Lily, and Ethan were all currently climbing out of a rental car. My eldest daughter stood there with a wide grin on her face. I couldn't help but feel a sense of happiness take over me as she ran over to me at full speed.

"Hey, baby!" I greeted, hugging her tightly to me. "I missed you!"

"I missed you too," She replied, giving me another squeeze before letting go. Automatically, I could sense something was wrong.

"What's the matter?" I asked hesitantly.

Renesmee bit her lip, "There's something I need to talk to you about. Well, all of you…"


A/N: Hey guys! Hope you enjoyed! Keep on the lookout for the next update!