Two years later:

Bella was sitting on a private jet surrounded by her family. They were heading back to Volterra from their extended trip in New Zealand for the wedding of Marcus Volturi and Yin Zhi. Bella was looking forward to see everyone again especially Felix and Esme who had remained in Volterra all this time. Bella had heard from them regularly and had remained close to Esme. As she looked back over the events since that day two years ago Bella couldn't keep the smile off her face. It had been a wonderful time.

After the flames had burnt out and the chuckles at Garrett's comment died away. Amun had proposed a change in the law regarding the making of fake mating bonds. It was unanimously agreed that from then on forcing mating bonds was illegal and punishable by death. It was a great relief to Esme to know no one would ever have to suffer her fate. The Cullen assets were broken up between the remaining coven members and the majority of the houses were sold.

It seemed Esme had settled into life in Volterra with ease and was enjoying herself. Esme had been able to build a relationship with Emmett and Rosalie as well as the kings and their wives. She had excepted their heartfelt apologies without a second thought they all wanted to start over. Esme was very intelligent once out of Carlisle's shadow, with an ability to see all sides of an argument and often find a middle way through. She was now widely respected and her opinion listened to and valued, so much so she had her own seat on the council.

The Council was another change, it was now a council of twelve with members of the ruling covens, those who had attended the trial, sitting at regular intervals along with Aro, Marcus, Caius and Esme, Athenodora and Sulpicia. The coven leaders could nominate representatives but with the technology available most council meetings were held via video link. So far it was working well.

Rosalie and Emmett had adjusted to life in Volterra well. Bella had also accepted their apologies for their behaviour. She understood the reasons behind it. While they weren't friends yet they were on the way to becoming so and Bella found herself looking forward to seeing them again as well.

Rosalie had found it more difficult to change than she had thought and initially ruffled a lot of feathers. But she had tried and being told straight by Felix helped. Emmett and Esme tended to try and be tactful with her whereas Felix pulled no punches. It was what she needed and influenced others to do the same. It was hard for her at first but she was determined to change and had eventually managed to form friendships with several residents of Volterra and had become especially close to Athenodora, Caius and Felix.

Emmett had found life in Volterra great, it was discovered he was actually a talented fighter and had soon risen through the ranks of the guard, his easy going, friendly nature made him popular with all. But he had a keen tactical mind which shocked a lot of people, and he relished the ability to use it. Out from under the shadow of Carlisle and Jasper he had come into his own and begun to shine. He and Caius had very quickly become firm friends much to his surprise and he also got on very well with Felix. He had adopted the human diet, he had only stuck with animals because of Rosalie and Carlisle, feeding on humans had never bothered him. Rosalie stayed with animals. She still wished she was human and couldn't bring herself to kill one. But she stopped looking down on human feeders and when Emmett changed diets she supported him completely. They were happy and were not planning on leaving Volterra after their fifty years was up although they planned to visit their new family.

Marcus and Yin Zhi had hit it off straight away, they had a lot in common after all. Both having lost their mates and feeling unwilling to get into a relationship with someone who had yet to meet theirs. They had gravitated towards each other, standing next to one another as they stared into the flames of Carlisle's pyre. The tentative friendship they had formed quickly flared into a fierce passion which had delighted all to witness. Yin Zhi had left Volterra with the rest of her coven two weeks after the Cullen's trial but Marcus had gone after her a week later. He stayed with them for six months before the pair had returned to Volterra. They were inseparable now, and had a harmony and understanding that made many envious although no one begrudged them their happiness. This wedding was a joyous event and the whole vampire world was invited. Bella couldn't wait.

She glanced around at the vampires who were accompanying her. Robert and Marrianne had welcomed them warmly just under two years ago when they had turned up for a visit. As Bella suspected Robert was every bit the joker Garrett and Alistair were, with Simon coming a close second. Their antics were frequently accompanied by long suffering sighs and shaken heads from their mates. Bella had learned that Marrianne had a gift similar to Jasper's so feeding on humans was actually painful to her, that was why she and Robert fed on animals. They didn't look down on those who chose the human diet but accepted them for what they were. Bella had tried animals while in New Zealand, as she was still a little uncomfortable with the idea of killing people. Perhaps because she was so recently human. She had decided in the end to stick with the animal diet which is why they had stayed so long in New Zealand. Alistair and Garrett were impressed with her tenacity but stuck to humans. Simon and Elaine were great fun to be around and even though they hunted humans, they would accompany the others on hunts sometimes; enjoying the chase. Alistair had tried animals with her a few times and while he enjoyed the after effects of hunting together couldn't stand the taste. Bella found his expression hilarious. They always hunted together, he would lean against a tree and watch her take down her pray and she would do the same, watching from the shadows as he fed. She found it incredibly erotic and caused much hilarity from the group when they would have to return home half naked in shredded clothes.

The biggest surprise had been Garrett meeting his mate. Becky had called Bella in a panic one morning three weeks after the trial. Her abusive ex-boyfriend was out of prison and stalking her, she was terrified, and begged Bella to take her in for a while.

"I'll fly to where ever you are but I can't stay here, I'm scared he'll kill me this time."

"Don't worry we'll come to you. Stay in public, don't be alone we'll be there in a few hours. Just sit tight." Bella had replied while Alistair and Garrett shot off to pack and Felix ordered the jet.

One glance at Alistair during that phone call told her what the ex's fate would be and the three of them had got the Volturi jet to England less than an hour later. They had arrived at Becky's flat in the early evening. Garrett and Becky had taken one look at each other and disappeared off into the bedroom only to emerge the next morning with Becky sporting a bite on her neck. The two boys took care of the ex that night while Bella and Becky had a girls night out. Bella found out just how much booze it took to get a vampire drunk and Garrett got to look after a plastered Becky who was horny, couldn't stand and kept throwing up.

"Fun aren't they!" Alistair had said while trying to stop Bella from undressing and riding him in the bar. Only because he knew they would get arrested.

Then about a week later Becky settled her affairs in England and joined them on the trip to New Zealand. Garrett turned her there almost on landing and the two had rarely been out of bed since. Feeling the same as Bella about killing humans Becky too had adopted the animal diet and was managing very well. She and Garrett were perfect for each other in Bella's opinion although Alistair liked to claim he called it.

"Told you she was perfect for you, cute too." He claimed on landing in New Zealand before being flipped off by Garrett as he carried his transforming mate into their bedroom. "Don't mess around do you mate?" Alistair called after him.

For Bella it was a gift being surrounded by her family. After the wedding the eight of them were going to Alaska to visit the Denali coven then spending a few years touring the US. She was hoping Esme and Felix would join them for a while.

They were even going to visit La Push. Bella hadn't lost touch with Jake after all and he had called her to inform her of the Cullen house being sold and a human family moving in. Bella had filled him in on the whole story. At first he'd been angry but he understood the pull of mates. At the end he was ok with things and had agreed to let them visit for a short time stating.

"I guess always knew you'd become a leech sooner or later. But you'll always be my Bells. Just tell your boys to go hungry while here."

He didn't really have too much of a problem about it because the four human feeders tended to stick to criminals. They had agreed to stay for only a short time but Bella was very much looking forward to meeting her namesake, Jacobs six month old daughter Isabella Sarah Black.

ooOOoo

The wedding was the lavish, elegant affair Bella had known it would be. The bride looked radiantly happy as she walked down the aisle accompanied by Chen Chao. She wore a scarlet strapless gown that shimmered when she moved. Had rubies and pearls in her hair and carried a bouquet of oriental lilies. Marcus was resplendent in a black morning coat with a blood red cravat. Their joy was a sight to behold. Marcus had told Alistair and Bella the day before that he never expected to find such happiness again and was grabbing it with both hands. The party that followed the service was incredible and went on for two days before the couple left for their honeymoon in China.

For Bella seeing the happiness of her family was enough to make her feel that the trials with Edward were certainly worth it. Esme felt the same, she would go through it all in a heartbeat for a tenth of what she had now.

As they watched the car containing the bride and groom leave Alistair wound his arms around her waist and kissed her cheek gently.

"You ok hen? Happy?"

She turned in his arms.

"I am so happy, I never thought this was possible." Kissing him gently she turned back toward the vanishing car.

"I know we said we weren't bothered hen but I have changed, I want that. I want you as my wife. I know this kind of lavish affair isn't your thing but I want that ring to mean more than the promise we made in Scotland. I want it to mean you are my wife. Marry me Iseabail."

She was quiet for a while staring up the road after the long vanished car. She would never love another as long as they lived. Was marriage such a big step?

"You know it would have to be small and quiet don't you?"

"Yes hen I know that." He answered barely able to contain his excitement. Was she saying yes then?

"Ok well why don't we head to Vegas before we go up to Denali. I am sure we can put them off by a few days."

"You are on hen." With that he kissed her like he had never kissed her before, pouring all of his love and devotion into that kiss. "We'll be happy hen forever, I promise."

And she knew without a shadow of a doubt they would be.

Their idyllic moment was broken by the sounds of whooping from Garrett and Becky,

"Vegas baby! Yeah! Let's make it a double!"

The End.

A.N. Well that's the end of this road folks. I hope you have enjoyed reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it. It's been a fun ride. Thanks for all the reviews and comments. Until next time. xx