Chapter 114

Esme

As we landed I rang Carlisle to tell him and he insisted on coming to pick us up although we could just as easily have got a cab. I wasn't even sure if I was talking to him after the way he had ignored Rose and myself as if we were a pair of dumb blondes! Alice and Graeson would be coming with us for protection as much as anything although Alice was of the opinion that there would be great changes in the Volturi soon but wouldn't elaborate any further until she knew more.

"Well, it's about time someone put Aro in his place, he makes the rules, gives promises and takes no notice of either unless it suits him. It's about time they had a woman on the Volturi council, that would shake things up good and proper."

"Now that is a good idea Esme, I think maybe you aren't the only person thinking like that."

I laughed at Alice's words,

"If you think for one second that Aro will allow Sulpicia and Athenadora to join the council you are very much mistaken. I doubt he will even bring someone else to take Caius place. With Marcus under Chelsea's influence, he will be in total overall control, just as he always wanted."

When Carlisle appeared smiling and holding a huge bouquet of flowers I knew he was aware he was in big trouble but I couldn't help running to him and taking them as he kissed me holding me tightly.

"I know I'm in the wrong and I owe you many apologies Esme but please, just for now could we pretend otherwise. I don't think this is finished yet."

I pulled away to look into his face realizing he was serious.

"Why? Bella is safe, we have Charlotte and Alice back and The Major isn't going to be working for the Volturi any longer so what else is there? Do you really think Aro will try something else? Won't he have enough on his plate replacing Caius? Please don't tell me we can't go home, I need my own things around me, Carlisle, please."

He put his arm around me and went to greet Alice who introduced him to Graeson. Then he and Emmett carried the bags and put them into the car while we settled ourselves in for the short ride. I was so looking forward to having all my treasures around me again, I loved my home and hated being away from it so long but as Emmett drove back to Darius' apartment Carlisle explained what was happening.

"They want you to take on the government of our world? Oh, Carlisle, it's too much for one man, we know what it's done to Aro and he's hardly likely to hand over willingly."

"I don't think Charlie cares how he hands over power, just that he does. I haven't known Charlie that long but long enough to understand he is not a man you cross lightly. Aro broke his promise regarding Bella and The Major and he is about to find out just how unwise a decision that was."

"Yes, but you? I'm not sure I want to live in Italy and I certainly have no intentions of living in that tower in Volterra. Besides what about Sulpicia and Athenadora? I mean if Aro is killed that will mean a death sentence for her and Athenadora, well she might already have killed herself. Don't you think there's been enough heartache and death?"

"You forget not an hour ago you were ready to argue with me because I had pardoned Edward."

"That's different, he could have got us all killed Carlisle."

"And so could Aro, in fact, he's far more dangerous to us than Edward ever was."

Of course, I could hardly argue that point and yes I still felt cheated about Edward, to my mind he hadn't suffered nearly enough but for now at least we had other things to worry about. After spending time with Charlotte, I found Charlie alone on the balcony and joined him aware of Carlisle watching me.

"Esme, it's good to see you again. Sorry, you were away from Carlisle so long, I didn't help that."

"I'm just pleased to see you reunited with Bella. Charlie, Carlisle tells me you want to confront Aro, take over from him...is that wise? After all, he has the guard behind him."

"I don't think the guard will make any difference, not with my shield Esme and Aro is not to be trusted, he's already proved that by sending men to kill Bella for a second time. If you're worried about Carlisle being away again don't. Actually I wanted to talk to you about a new governing body in Volterra."

"Me?"

"Yes, it was pointed out to me that I was being narrow-minded only thinking of men. I think you would make a good leader, you understand people, you're kind and considerate and that's been missing in the Volturi for too long. You could sit beside Carlisle and make policy for our kind. The Volturi doesn't have to be feared, just respected."

I was flabbergasted at this suggestion, me as a ruler of our kind? It seemed such a strange idea although one I had mooted myself not long ago.

"Who else did you have in mind Charlie?"

"Well there's Darius, Rose, Emmett, Alice even and Eleazar, he was Volturi once so he knows how things work. I don't know how many of the old guard would want to stay on under a new leadership, or how many could be trusted, but Carlisle and Eleazar do and Darius has a list of the most trustworthy. I think a mix of the old and new."

"What about Marcus? He started all this."

"Yes he did but his intention was to get back at Aro and I think he has good reason. No, I think offering Marcus his freedom is the best thing we could do. We meaning the new leadership of course."

I couldn't help smiling,

"Well, it's something I would consider if Carlisle did, but I would have one proviso."

"Oh, OK, what would that be?"

"That you joined us, you have the brain and mindset of a lawman and that would be invaluable."

He gestured dismissively, but I took his hand,

"Don't underestimate yourself, Charlie, look at all you have accomplished as a newborn. Whoever would have thought the Cullens and The Major would be sitting together in the same room. that's down to you and your foresight."

"Its more down to Bella really but like you say it is a minor miracle."

Charlie

Well, people may not believe I could defeat Aro but they were willing to discuss a future without him which actually meant the same thing. I just needed The Major's help to get inside Volterra in the first place. I looked over to where he sat, Bella had fallen asleep exhausted as the only human in the party and he sat there with her head on his shoulder holding her gently and gazing into the middle distance as if daydreaming. With her asleep I stood a better chance of talking to him without interruption so I joined him.

"Bella's shattered, I guess changing her would be the best thing, but I'd like your help once more first Ma...Jasper."

"Major is fine, it's all I've answered to for a very long time Chief Swan. You still want my help to get inside Volterra?"

"Yes, I'd rather not have to fight my way in and kill people who could be valuable to us in the future."

"So you'd be willing to march into the gates of hell with one of Aro's demons instead? I'm not sure that's your best bet Chief. After all, I could change my mind and rejoin Aro."

I smiled and shook my head,

"No chance my boy, that girl asleep in your arms guarantees your loyalty to us."

"True but she won't be happy and I promised her I wouldn't do anything unless it was unavoidable."

"Well sitting back and doing nothing will give Aro time to come up with yet another plan to kill Bella and probably the Cullens too and he sure as hell won't let you go your merry way."

"I know all that Chief but persuading Bella is another thing altogether. Still as you have your new ruling council all set I guess I can hardly refuse, but I'm not lying to Aro. I'll go with you, but I go at your side. I'm through with all the lies and deceit, I owe Bella too much to go back to that."