AN ~ Extremely sorry for my lack of updating guys! I definitely have it finished now and am posting the last three fairly short chapters in one fell swoop for you guys to enjoy. Thanks so much for sticking with me, new readers and old, and I would really really love to hear what you've thought of my story!

Chapter Eighty Five: Glowing

Carlisle:

Caius scowled, angry with his brother's decision but moreso with the fact that there were too many witnesses to take it back without killing everyone here...not that I would put it past him to take the latter option. At this thought, I had to make a conscious effort not make the slightest reaction; even to ball my hands into fists at my side could be the motion that started the fight. We were so close...I couldn't spoil it now. I ground my teeth together and waited.

"And this Joham?" Caius demanded. "This immortal so fond of experimentation?"

"Perhaps we should speak with him," Aro agreed.

"Stop Joham if you will," Nahuel interrupted, "but leave my sisters be. They are innocent."

"Dear ones, we do not fight today," Aro announced. Though he seemed reluctant to dispel the paralysing barrier, Alec allowed his mist to dissipate. Caius glared bitterly at no one in particular, detesting the fact that he had been denied his fight, but we were safe from him for now. Jane, too, glared resentfully as she was denied her chance to torture us. The red cloaked witnesses looked as anxious as our side, unable to predict what was to happen next: it was all too obvious that Aro's words could not be trusted.

Apparently oblivious – but probably, in reality, paying very close attention - to the fact that myself and everyone behind me were on our guard, Aro turned back to us with a polite expression. It didn't seem to matter to him that for this entire consultation, he and his brothers had been shamelessly prodding us for condemning information. The fear he had put us through, the anger, the worry...none of it seemed to matter to him. Even Irina's death had seemed to pass completely over the man's head. I knew he cared for me, that he was glad my family and I did not have to be destroyed, but that knowledge was not enough. Not this time. I ground my teeth together, making an effort not to snarl at the man I had once called friend.

Felix, Demetri and Renata hovered behind their leader as always, but the rest of the guard was already beginning to retreat - in a carefully ordered procession, of course - as Aro addressed our side.

"I'm so glad this could be resolved without violence," Aro said, his tone stinging with false sweetness. "My friend, Carlisle; how pleased I am to call you friend again! I hope there are no hard feelings. I know you understand the strict burden that our duty places on our shoulders."

He smiled hopefully at me. I stared flatly back.

"Leave in peace, Aro," I said stiffly. It was all I could do to stop myself snarling. "Please remember that we still have our anonymity to protect here, and keep your guard from hunting in this region."

Aro's smile faded.

"Of course, Carlisle," he assured me sadly. "I am sorry to have earned your disapproval, my dear friend. Perhaps, in time, you will forgive me." I felt no remorse, despite the sadness in his eyes. Hurt and rage washed through me instead.

"Perhaps, in time, if you prove a friend to us again." My voice was stiff, scarcely even polite. I didn't care. Aro, Felix, Demetri, Renata...they were my enemies now, and could well be for decades. But I would not give in. I couldn't.

Aro bowed his head and slunk away, finally accepting the damage he had wreaked to our relationship today. The last of the Volturi disappeared into the trees with, but the tension did not waver, just in case the Volturi returned.

We watched.

We waited.

Nothing happened.

"Is it really over?" Bella ventured.

"Yes," Edward assured her. "They've given up. Like all bullies, they're cowards underneath the swagger." He chuckled. Alice laughed too, which brought a smile to my lips despite everything. My daughter is back.

"Seriously, people, they're not coming back," she said. "Everybody can relax now."

More silence. I glanced at Esme. She raised an eyebrow.

"Of all the rotten luck," Stefan muttered bitterly.

All of a sudden, the clearing was full of cheers and howls that shook the forest. Esme threw her arms around my neck, kissed me quickly and then was gone to hug Alice and Jasper as tightly as she could without injuring them.

The thrill of my own sheer relief was dizzying. I skittered over to Huilen and her nephew and tried to articulate my thanks. I stuttered and stumbled and spluttered my way through a dozen 'thank-you's, trying to find one that might possibly begin to cover my feelings.

"Huilen, Nahuel...Do you- You honestly don't know how much I owe you. Well, we all do. You've saved us all...I can't believe it...and the risks you must have taken to come here? Oh, goodness, I can't thank you enou-"

Huilen laughed. It was like a bell. Her nephew smiled.

"It was good to get out," she replied cheerfully. "I'm glad we could help you. Hmm...the famous Cullens. I heard a lot about you on our way up here. That Alice talks a lot, doesn't she?"

"Yes, she does," I replied, distracted as Huilen had spoken Alice's name, by the sight of the two of them locked in their mother's arms not far off. Sparing a moment to look Huilen and Nahuel each in the eyes, and thank them once again, I excused myself and slipped away to Esme's side. Before I was even there, Alice slipped out of the hug and threw her arms around me.

"That stupid note! Damn Aro. God, forgive me, Carlisle!" she cried. "I'm so sorry for doing that to you! It's just that Aro- if Aro found out at the wrong time-"

I lowered my daughter to the ground and she raised her eyebrows pleadingly.

"Of course I forgive you, Alice," I told her. She smiled, and glanced up at Jasper, taking her mate's hand and pulling him closer to her. He was smiling - he couldn't help it, what with all the joy everyone here exuded.

"It's good to be back," he said. I nodded. We stood in silence for a while, watching each other, until all of a sudden the desire overcame us and we wrapped our arms around each other. Still under Esme's arm, Alice fawned, wiping away an imaginary tear of joy. Jasper and I parted, and Alice all but shoved Esme into my arms. When I looked down to catch her, to steady her, her big, beautiful eyes locked onto mine, and the distractions around us faded into a bright, glowing joy, reflected in those glorious eyes. Esme jumped up daintily, and wrapped her arms around my neck. I caught her and cradled her in my arms. I committed to memory every detail of her in this moment. Every caramel wave that framed her gentle face, the richness of her golden eyes, her peaceful, comforted smile...

She kissed me, or I kissed her, I can't remember if I ever could tell. Fireworks went off inside my head, and I must have let slip a protective growl as I drew her closer to me, because she laughed as she broke the kiss.

"Easy, tiger," she murmured, smiling coquettishly as she ran her fingers down my cheek. "We have guests."

"Sorry sweetheart," I said, grinning back. I watched the procession of our allies as they headed towards the Cullen house, and when the last of them past us I put one arm around Esme's shoulders and followed. I couldn't help being grateful for the simple fact that my Esme was back. The sadness and worry that had built up over the last few weeks was gone, and she was glowing again.