Dr. Cullen had dialed Sam Uley's number that evening. All of us sat in the living room and listened to the ringing on the other end. I had Aurora's head pressed against my chest and Edwards arms were wound around my waist, holding me tight. Both of us braced ourselves for the possible rejection Dr. Cullen would receive. It would not be an easy task to convince the wolves to fight with us. I was near certain this call was useless. But it would not hurt to ask. The worst they could say is no.

And there was still the possibility that they would agree to stand by our side.

Finally, Sam answered the call. "Bloodsucker?" His voice was gruff. "What do you want this time?"

"Sam, thank you for answering the phone." Dr. Cullen replied, in his calm and reassuring tone. "I know we had our difficulties in the past but communication is always the first step towards-"

"What is going on?" He interrupted impatiently.

"Right," Dr. Cullen collected himself.

"What happened?" Sam asked. "Is it the spawn?" His voice grew strained. "Nothing will save the abomination if it breaks the treaty, you know that bloodsucker. No begging. No pleading. The treaty stands. No exceptions."

Dr. Cullen shook his head. "No, Aurora has done nothing wrong. The treaty is as healthy as ever."

"Then what is it?"

Esme placed a hand on Dr. Cullens shoulder.

He sighed. "I don't know how much you know about our world."

"Everything our legends tell us." Sam answered.

"Right, uhm." His hand brushed through his hair. "Our kind has a leading coven in Italy. They are like royalty. Uhm- They have been in power for hundreds of years and drink human blood. And they are coming here."

"Why?" His voice was harsh. I could almost see his eyes narrow in front of my inner eye.

"They believe my coven has broken the laws of our world. Someone told on us and they are coming here to investigate and depose the threat to our secret."

"And why should we care?"

"Well, some members of my family are not quite certain we will be enough to win should there be a fight." His eyes flickered to Edward and me. "We thought that you might be interested in protecting Forks and La Push from human drinking vampires. Especially the Volturi. They have no qualms to extinguishing entire villages or towns."

"You are asking for our help?"

"Yes."

There was silence on the line.

"Obviously we will try to deescalate the situation. The crime we are accused of has not been committed and the Volturi have ways to learn that truth. But if they give us no time to explain ourselves we are asking your pack to help defend the people of our territories. Together. We don't need to be enemies. We can be partners. Even if just for one fight. We are united in our wish to defend and to preserve human life."

Sam hesitated for a moment. "I will speak to my pack."

"We need to meet, discuss the details, and train together."

"You would show us how to kill bloodsuckers?"

Dr. Cullens eyes flickered to Jasper. "I would not let you fight with us without preparing you. The Volturi are a deadly coven. There is a reason they stayed in power for hundreds of years. They have gifts and the strongest fighters our world has to offer. These are no simple nomads. You would be no help without training."

"Fine, we'll talk."

"Thank you, Sam." Dr. Cullen grimaced. "Will you be able to meet us tomorrow?"

"Should be fine," he agreed.

"The place we met last time should be fine, is that alright with you?"

"Sure."

"Great, then we'll meet you there at midnight." Dr. Cullen said. "Have a nice evening, Sam."

Sam ended the call without answering.

"Friendly fellow." Emmett commented.

I chuckled quietly. The anxiety that had gripped my chest loosened its hold on me. It was still there. Pressing down on my ribs. But it was lighter. Soothed by the possible support of the wolves to defend my daughter, husband and his family.

Edward and I returned to our meadow that evening. The tranquil twilight sky bathed it in its gentle hues. The soft drizzling rain whispered on the leaves and grass. I had wrapped Aurora in thick winter clothes and let her look up at the sky. The dying light of the sun tinted it red as fresh blood.

"I never thought that death would come for us again." I said quietly as I soaked up the last rays of sunlight. "Ever since I realized Irina had taken my chosen death from me I have been bitter because I could not die a natural death. There was no way for me to waste away. No way for me to succumb to illness, as I thought you had, or die even of blood loss. I cursed every deity I knew of, even fate itself, for condemning me to eternity without you." My throat was tight with emotions. "And then when I got you back I was grateful for the knowledge that none of us would ever lose the other again. At least not if we are smart about our lives and avoid conflicts. But now- Now that fear is back. Now death is once again a very real danger we have to face. I guess in the end death can never truly be avoided. It was all just an illusion. It can only be drawn out. Postponed to another day. But no one can live forever."

Edward pulled me into his arms. Cradling me against his chest and pressed kisses to my hair.

I put my hands over his. "Before I met you I always thought the desire for immortality was so very stupid. I could not understand how anyone would want to spend eternity on earth. But then I learned to love you. And I knew that one lifetime would not be enough to show you that love. And I was reassured that we would have an eternity together in heaven after our death."

"I would be honored to spend an eternity with you. Whether in heaven or here on earth doesn't matter. Because wherever you are is elysium. I can not imagine a greater joy than holding you in my arms. Kissing you. Touching you. Loving you. What else could heaven have to offer that would make it better than being here in our meadow with you in my arms?"

"What if we were to be separated?" I asked him and turned to look into his golden eyes. "What if they wont let me join you in heaven?"

"Bella, you are a true angel on earth." He said solemnly. "There is no reason you would ever be denied heaven. I, on the other hand, have little hope for heaven. I killed humans, love."

"As did I."

"But you did not actively choose to do it." He said calmly. "Carlisle taught me the right way. And I chose to leave him and Esme to kill. I pursued my victims. I listened to all their violent thoughts. And then I took their lives. You only slipped in the beginning. The lion will not be denied entrance into heaven for killing the gazelle. Your kills were the natural way of life. I, on the other hand murdered my victims."

"I still killed them." I protested. "Their cries still echo in my head. Their fearful eyes creep up on me whenever I close my eyes. And I still taste their blood on my tongue. Their ghosts haunt me. And they will keep me from heaven."

"If that were to happen we will both go to hell together." Edward shrugged and pressed another kiss to my forehead. "But no place with you in it can be a true purgatory. Even the fiery pits of hell will be bearable if I still have your hand in mine."

"What about Aurora?"

"She will sit by god's side in heaven." He said and looked down at her.

"We will abandon her." I realised.

"Only if we die." Edward said. "But I do not plan to let that happen. I will fight death itself if I have to."

"Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light." I recited Dylan Thomas.

Edward nodded. "Yes, love. For us death is not inevitable. And I will be damned if I do not challenge any and all threats to you and Aurora."

I leaned closer to press my lips against his. His lips were soft. Moving with mine. One hand brushed against my neck and grabbed my hair. Tangling his fingers in my strands. The other went to my waist. Gripping me tightly.

I pressed closer. Searching for more. More Edward.

We were both breathless when we separated. Our foreheads pressed against the others.

"I do not want to go back to school. If we die by the Volturi's hand I don't want to look back and regret spending less time with you and Aurora than I could have."

Edward sighed heavily.

"We've given enough to the world. I know he is something like a father to you but it's time to focus on what truly matters and Dr. Cullens charade for the humans is not."

He nodded. "I agree." His golden eyes held mine. Burning. "Our family comes first."

"Thank you." I whispered and pressed another kiss to his lips.