Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of the characters.
Chapter Eighteen
Breaking Dawn 34-39
Declared
Bella says the shopkeeper told me it said 'more than my own life':
"Hmm … that seems appropriate," Carlisle said, smiling, but his eyes were a little sad. All the women seemed to be having the same reaction to the gift.
Edward says of course and Bella is sure that he knew that she was keeping something and that he had no idea what it was:
"I know why she has to do it, but that really must be killing me right about now," Edward frowned.
Mentions that Edward gave Renesmee MP3 player a tiny thing that held five thousand songs, already filled with Edward's favorites:
"That's annoying," Emmett huffed.
"What?" Carlisle asked and was amused when he saw Edward rolled his eyes.
"Filling the MP3 player with his favorite music," Emmett stated. "She should pick out her own songs."
Bella thinks I will be giving Renesmee to Jacob for safekeeping, how could she be bothered by the symbol of the commitment I was relying on:
"Now see what you've done, Alice," Edward snapped at his sister.
"Sorry, Edward, but this is the best I can do," Alice said. She was smiling and she could see that Edward wasn't really that annoyed with her … or even at the gift … he was just venting.
Mentions I could pick up Carlisle's voice and Amun's more often than the others:
"This doesn't sound good," Jasper grimaced. "We definitely don't need, nor do we want, to fight amongst ourselves."
"That's true, but it's almost unavoidable considering how many vampires are there," Carlisle said.
Amun says you're stealing half my coven, Carlisle, is that why you called me here, to steal from me:
Carlisle grimaced at that as everyone else hissed.
"Carlisle would never do such a thing," Rosalie said angrily. "How could he believe that you would do that … he was supposed to be your friend?"
"Yes, but after guarding this secret for so long, he would be right to conclude that others could have plans to steal Benjamin away from him," Carlisle answered, calmly.
Amun says Alistair was the only sane one here:
"Alistair, the vampire that was muttering to himself in the attic, is the sane one," Emmett chuckled.
Carlisle says if it does you can always switch sides to Amun who replies, perhaps that is the answer:
"Would he do that?" Edward asked, suddenly glaring.
"He will survive any way he can," Carlisle answered after thinking for a moment. "But I do not think Benjamin will join him and he would not want to fight against his son."
"Son?" Edward questioned. "Don't you mean creation?"
"They may not have as powerful a bond as ours, but I still wouldn't underestimate it," Carlisle said.
Amun says I gave you life, you're wasting it:
"Yeah, I can definitely see the father-son bonding there," Emmett chuckled.
Eleazar says Alistair worried that no matter what they say, the Volturi won't listen, he thinks they will find an excuse to achieve their goals:
"I hate to say it, but I agree with him," Jasper said. "From what we have seen in these books and from what Eleazar said a few chapters ago, it's clear that they're not going to stop."
"Well then, I'm betting they won't get their goal. Right, Shorty?" Emmett smiled.
"They won't get any of their goals," Alice smiled back, "and they're going to go running home with their tails tucked between their legs when we're through with them."
"I like the sound of that," Emmett smiled broadly.
Vladimir talking about the Volturi gaining more powers ending with think of what the newborn alone could give them, and she's barely discovering her gifts:
"Hmph … I hope they're not looking to collect," Edward muttered.
"They're in no position to do anything like that," Carlisle answered, which didn't seem to please Edward too much.
Mentions that almost everyone was eavesdropping on the Romanians now:
"I don't think it's really eavesdropping," Jasper chuckled.
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure they want everyone to hear this," Edward agreed.
Vladimir says with their witch twins they have no need for the illusionist or the fire touch:
"But that doesn't mean that they wouldn't be valuable …." Emmett began.
"Er … Em, I don't think people want to be viewed as being valuable to the Volturi," Rosalie pointed out.
"I meant they would be a value to us …." Emmett said. "I'm sure they'll show the witch twins a thing or two."
Stefan says so we fight:
"Yeah, that's two more that will stand with our inner group," Emmett said.
"And I'm sure more are about to volunteer," Jasper said, "or at least declare themselves – as the chapter title suggests."
Benjamin says, apparently, I'm a hot commodity, it appears I have to win the right to be free:
Emmett chuckled at that. "I think it might be nice if we visit Egypt."
Carlisle says, nor do I, Siobhan, you know that's the last thing I want:
"Why are you smiling?" Emmett questioned.
"You'll see," Carlisle said with a similar smile on his face.
"Does it have anything to do with the ability you think she has?" Emmett guessed.
"You'll see," Carlisle repeated.
Siobhan says shall I visualize the outcome I desire, and Carlisle response if you don't mind:
"That would definitely be a help," Carlisle said, and it looked like some of the tension he had loosened a little.
"You really do believe that she has that power, don't you?" Jasper mused.
Siobhan says then there is no need for my coven to declare itself, since there is no possibility of a fight:
"Ah, she's got you there, Carlisle," Emmett laughed. "You should have thought of that."
"I think having her visualize a good outcome is more important than her declaring that they would join the fight," Carlisle said; and he didn't add that he thought if there really was a fight, Siobhan would likely help them in the end.
Bella wondered who Demetri would track in and guessed that it would be Edward since he couldn't track her:
"Hm … he might track Carlisle," Jasper said thoughtfully. "He is the head of our family after all."
"Or they could just come to Forks because they know that's where we live," Emmett said.
"No, I'm sure they're tracking us," Jasper said. "Aro must have realized that Alice would see their decision. Something this big, she would have to see, and Aro would know that. I imagine he's wondering why we're still in Forks if we know what's coming. He might even be questioning if Alice saw this at all …."
"Er … you are kind of going off on a tangent there," Emmett said.
"Sorry," Jasper smiled sheepishly. "The point is, I'm sure Demetri is tracking someone."
Bella says Renesmee and then later I was thinking about my shield:
"Oh, of course," Edward said. "She would worry about that."
"You know, I have been giving that quite a bit of thought since it first came up," Carlisle said.
"Yes, I do know that," Edward smirked.
"Stupid know-it-all," Emmett muttered and then added, "and what are you talking about?"
"About Nessie's ability working on Bella too, duh," Jasper teased.
"It wasn't that obvious," Emmett mumbled.
"Yeah, it was," everyone else said.
"Whatever," Emmett pouted.
"So why do you think that happens?" Carlisle brought the conversation back to the main point.
"I think …." Edward started.
"Let's just read, the know-it-all is probably going to say it in a few lines anyways," Emmett grumbled and Rosalie started to read, mostly because of Edward's affronted face.
Edward says he has two theories and Bella says give me the least likely first:
"Why?" Emmett grumbled. "That's probably just going to be lame."
"Because she knew somehow that this was going to torture you, and it's payback for everything that you have done to her," Alice said.
"Er … that doesn't seem very likely," Edward said.
"It's something that I would do," Alice said, shrugging.
Bella quotes Carlisle 'it's an interesting twist, like she's doing the exact opposite of what you can':
"Oh," Emmett said. "That is interesting."
"You actually know what Edward is going to say?" Rosalie said in a mock shocked voice.
Emmett stuck his tongue out at his wife and said, "He thinks that if Bella can keep everyone out then no one could block Nessie. I wonder if that means that she could attack Aro whether Reneta is shielding him or not …."
"Emmett! My daughter isn't going to be attacking anyone!" Edward yelled.
"Relax, Eddy, I wasn't saying she should. I was just wondering if she could," Emmett explained.
Edward says from what I can see no one can doubt the truth of her thoughts, and I think no one can keep her from showing them:
"That would mean that Nessie would have to be close to Aro …." Esme shivered, causing everyone to shiver themselves.
"Yes, but that's what we're actually hoping for," Carlisle said in his calm voice. "That is the only way that everything could be resolved peacefully."
"But still, the little nudger is irresistible," Emmett said. "And she's unique … that might prevent him from doing anything …."
Rosalie cut him off by reading.
O
Deadline
Bella thinks Edward could have come to that conclusion, which explains why he had demanded no reason from me:
"I was thinking the same thing," Carlisle said. "I would have thought you would have asked her about this before now if you didn't have a reason not to."
Mentions I had to go the route that made it clear I was up to no good, that was my clue:
"How did you know that she would figure it out?" Emmett asked.
"Bella always figures things out … in her own, interesting way," Alice smiled with a shrug.
Bella thinks I still wasn't used to being beautiful to everyone rather than just Edward:
"She had at least four other admirers- and those are only the one's that we know of- when she was human," Edward rolled his eyes, though his face was a little grim when he said that. "I think she was beautiful to more people than just me."
Bella says really, I have always found Jasper to have a soothing presence:
"I can have any presence I want to have," Jasper said, smirking, and Esme glared at him.
"What have you done to him?" Esme said sharply.
"Nothing," Jasper replied, so innocently that it was hard to stay mad at him.
Mentions that J didn't even hint really, but this sounded like an invitation for me to take over Jasper's place as liaison:
"I couldn't imagine why he would want that," Jasper smirked.
"You don't seem too upset about that," Emmett said.
"Why would I be?" Jasper shrugged. "I don't need to be there to instill fear in him to ensure that he does his best work. The threat that I would start coming in again if he tried to cheat Bella would be enough."
J says if you can just assure me that you are not kidnapping the little girl from her father, I would sleep better tonight:
"Yeah, I can really see the respect there," Emmett chuckled.
"I'm quite surprised he had the courage to ask that," Jasper said.
"I'm not," Rosalie said. "I bet he's worried about what Edward would do to him when he found out that his daughter was missing, and he helped make it possible."
Mentions that only Kate and Garrett were in the front, playfully arguing about the value of animal blood:
"Hm … they're together again," Esme smiled, imagining the two of them finding happiness with each other.
Bella thinks about Alice and Jasper help Jacob and Renesmee ending with expect for the fact that Jake and Renesmee were both blind spots for Alice:
Alice narrowed her eyes at that; it irked her 'this blind spot' and she felt that there might be something more there.
"Er … are you going to read?" Emmett asked after ten seconds of silence had passed.
"Sorry," Alice said and then started reading again.
Mentions Bella slowly she wrote the words RIO DE JANEIRO in all caps:
"I'm sure I got it," Alice said. "And it was quite smart of her to think of that …."
"Are you going to understand what she means?" Jasper asked.
"It depends on what I see …." Alice said, looking thoughtful and then added, " … probably not."
Mentions that it would now be Jacob's and hopefully Alice's, job to search for the legends:
"I was looking forward to hearing more about those legends," Carlisle sighed.
Alice looked thoughtful but wasn't sure how that would really work.
After Bella tells her when the time comes you'll have to leave, Renesmee touches her cheek in a silent no was louder than if she'd shouted it:
Esme turned into Carlisle's chest then, looking utterly miserable.
Rosalie grabbed Emmett's hand then, too. He put his arms around her and held her tightly. It wasn't something they would normally do in front of everyone. She just couldn't handle Renesmee's heartbreak along with everything else.
Edward bowed his head; he couldn't bear to see either one in pain and it was hard when they were both that way.
Mentions Bella couldn't see a goodbye anywhere in his eyes, maybe he had more hope for something after this life than he'd let on:
"Or, maybe I had more hope that we would make it out of this than she has," Edward said.
"No, that can't possibly be true … that doesn't sound like you at all, Eddy," Emmett chuckled.
O
Bloodlust
Mentions their progress was slow but deliberate, it was the pace of the invincible:
"And an altogether frightening thing to see," Jasper said. "Just the image that the book creates makes me shiver. I'm sure them marching like that has unnerved everyone."
"Please," Emmett rolled his eyes. "A bunch of marching guys in robes aren't going to scare me."
Mentions that they showed no surprise or dismay at the vampires that faced them, a collection that looked disorganized and unprepared in comparison:
"I wonder if they are even allowed to show surprise," Jasper mused. "Or if the will of their master is so strong that they aren't even capable of that."
"Why do you ask?" Carlisle asked, frowning.
"I would think that the Volturi's guard would be surprised by this," Jasper said. "I know they have faced other covens who have banded together to fight them, but somehow I don't think they were as big as this. But there's nothing there, and they couldn't have known that this many vampires would be there."
"We're all good at hiding our emotions," Carlisle said. "Just because you don't see it doesn't mean that they're not feeling it … you're not there, after all, so we have no idea what they're feeling."
"Hm … you have a point there," Jasper said.
Mentions there were thirty-two of them ending with even counting the ten wolves, they had us:
"So, they have three more than us, that's not so much … we can do this," Emmett said.
"But they have Alec," Jasper reminded him. "He'll be able to neutralize all of us except for Bella and whoever it is she's trying to protect … I'm not sure if that would be enough to get him, but that's the only chance you have … you have to kill Alec first."
"Okay, then," Emmett said. "I hope I get to take him out."
Mentions while Volturi slowly and majestically advance, more vampires began entering the clearing:
"It seems like they have brought their own witnesses," Carlisle sighed. "Aro always did have a flair for the dramatic."
"This could be used to our advantage though," Jasper said. "If the Volturi stop, that is."
Mentions even if we killed Demetri, Jacob would not be able to outrun this:
"Sure, he can. The wolves are faster than vampires," Emmett said. "All he would have to do is break for an opening and he'll be fine."
"I wonder if he really could just run away though," Carlisle said. "He would be leaving his family behind to fight and die in a battle that they are only in because they wanted to protect his imprint. I would imagine he would find that hard to do."
"But he would do it," Edward said. "Because his world is Renesmee, and her safety means more to him than anything else ever could."
Edward says Alistair was right:
Carlisle bowed his head as Edward and Jasper nodded their heads as if they already knew that was the case. Emmett shrugged indifferently; he didn't really care about their reasons.
"So, does that mean there is no stopping this fight?" Esme asked in a quivering voice.
"There still might be a chance," Emmett said. "We'd just have to really scare them – show them how awesome we are."
"He's right," Jasper said. "If we could somehow prove that we would be a strong opponent, so strong that they would lose too many of their fighters, then they may stop. Aro wouldn't want to weaken himself that much. But still, it's hard to see that happening as everything stands now."
Mentions Jacob gave a strange little huff and then unexpectedly the procession did halt:
"Wow! What happened?" Emmett asked.
"I would imagine it's the wolves," Rosalie said reluctantly.
"But I thought they knew about them already," Edward said. "Aro would have heard about it in Irina's thoughts. That shouldn't stop him."
"Maybe he didn't know how many of them there are," Carlisle said. "It's possible that we never told the Denalis how many wolves there are."
Mentions then there were sixteen of them spaced evenly around us, seventeen total, counting Jacob:
"Or that could be the reason, too," Carlisle smiled.
"And they never told us," Emmett grumbled. "It would have been nice to know that."
"No wonder they stopped," Jasper said. "The Volturi are outnumbered! And by an army that contains fully mature vampires! Brilliant strategy to bring them out then."
Mentions that it was clear by their height and oversized paws the newcomers were very, very young:
"No," Esme said, hating the fact that more children were brought into this fight.
"They won't help much in the fight then," Jasper frowned, "but hopefully the numbers will put enough doubt in the Volturi's mind," he went on, but didn't sound so convinced that it would be the case. "But at least it got them to stop."
Mentions Abruptly, I was furious, my hopeless despair vanished entirely:
"Oh good, it's her bloodlust," Emmett said. "And I won't miss that hopelessness one bit."
Jasper was looking at the book with great interest now, thinking about how anger was Bella's trigger to use her powers; this could only be a good thing.
Edward was intrigued now, too, and quickly started reading again.
Mentions I wouldn't waste my life trying to get to Caius or Aro, I had more vital targets:
"Still … I wonder what would happen if Aro were to die," Jasper muttered. "That might actually end the fight more efficiently."
"It would end the Volturi, but I'm sure it wouldn't end this fight," Edward said. "His puppets would want to avenge their master."
Mentions disappointment in Aro's face as his gaze over our faces again and again, looking for one that was missing:
Emmett started laughing. "Sorry, Shorty's not there … you won't be getting what you came for."
Irina says she's not the same, but I think it's the same child, I mean she's changed, this child is bigger than the one I saw:
"Hm … it helps coming from her like this," Jasper said quietly. He too was worried about Irina being on that side of the coming fight. "Seeing as there is no way that we could have gotten to her and told her to say this, they would have to believe her words."
Aro says, I will have every facet of the truth, and the best way is to it from your talented son:
Edward grimaced at that.
"See, it was a good thing that she kept things from you," Alice said.
"I know," Edward sighed. "I just hate that I'm such a weakness to our group. He'll know everything … all our strengths, all our abilities …."
"It's unavoidable…unless you're just going to start the fight," Jasper said. "And we're still hoping against that. Aro might not want to lose his precious guard, but that is nothing compared to how we feel about our family …."
"I know," Edward frowned.
Mentions Bella explains about her shield, throwing with the force in my mind, flung it across the impossible expanse of the field:
"Wow! She could shield everyone with that!" Jasper exclaimed.
"Incredible!" Carlisle said.
Edward quickly started reading, wanting to know more about this power.
More explanations ending with I pushed it, shaped it to a long, pointed oval:
"Incredible!" Carlisle repeated.
"Bella's amazing!" Emmett said. "This should give us that advantage you've been talking about, eh, Jazz?"
"It most certainly will," Jasper said, smiling. "She is by far stronger than I ever imagined she could be."
"I thought you had learned by now not to put expectations on her because she only surpasses them," Edward smiled.
"Oh, I didn't think she would stop at my expectations," Jasper said, "I just couldn't imagine something like this happening."
Mentions that Bella has to take down the shield from Edward ending with ready to shield him instantly if something went wrong:
"If something went wrong, I don't think the shield would do much good," Jasper said. "They would atta …."
Esme shivered and her worry was so intense that Jasper stopped mid-sentence.
Mentions no one knew that I had the power to stop them, not even Edward:
"Which is very good," Alice said.
"That way Aro wouldn't know it either," Jasper added.
Aro says may I meet her, I never dreamed of the existence of such a thing:
Everyone tensed again.
"This is what we wanted," Carlisle reminded everyone.
"I didn't realize how nerve-racking what we wanted was though," Rosalie said. "I don't want her anywhere near that monster."
"He will not do anything to harm her," Carlisle assured them; not right away, he added in his head, and only Edward could tense at that.
Aro says hold, my dear ones, truly, they mean us no harm if we are peaceable:
"That is quite true," Carlisle said.
Jasper was thoughtful at this, but in the end agreed that Carlisle was right … they didn't want a fight if it could be prevented. So, even if this was a good way to strike a mighty blow against the enemy, it was best that they do not attack.
Mentions Aro had three protectors on his side, so I would bring two with me:
"Pick me! Pick me!" Emmett said excitedly.
"It would probably be better to take Benjamin. He would be more useful if something goes wrong," Jasper said thoughtfully, though of course he only said that to tease Emmett.
"She's going to pick me, I know it," Emmett huffed. "Besides, I'm an excellent choice if anything goes wrong …." he added with a smile, thinking about a fight between him and Demetri.
Bella says Jacob, Emmett:
"See … told you," Emmett smirked, "Bella thinks I'm good enough."
Bella thinks Emmett, because he would be dying to go:
Everyone chuckled at that.
"You were saying," Jasper teased.
"Hmph …." Emmett pouted. "Well, at least she knows me."
Mentions it seemed Jane wasn't happy that Aro had given me a present:
"Aw, that's too bad," Emmett chuckled.
"Usually, an angry Jane would be bad," Jasper said, smiling.
"But I can't wait to see what she looks like after she figures out what Bella can do," Emmett said, finishing Jasper's thought for him.
Mentions Aro held out his hand to Renesmee, but she leaned away from me, stretching upward, to touch her fingertips to Aro's face:
Edward shook his head.
"What else would you expect from your daughter?" Emmett said. "Bold and doing things her way."
O
Contrivances
Mentions Renesmee grabbed the end of Jacob's tail as he retreated, forcing him to stay with us:
"Bad dog, don't go chasing after the evil man!" Emmett shouted as he laughed.
Caius says how can you abide this infamy, why do we just stand her face with an outrageous crime, covered by such a ridiculous deception:
"What's gotten him all worked up?" Emmett asked.
"Well, apparently they are planning on attacking us no matter what," Jasper said. "So, from his perspective, it's pointless to wait. If they did attack now, I would think that their original reasoning would still be valid enough that nobody would say anything against them."
"But there would still be some who'd question it," Edward said thoughtfully, "and if that was the case, Aro wouldn't want that … he likes being seen as the good guy. I don't think Caius cares much about that."
Bella working on her shield ending with each one an individual flavor that I thought I would recognize with practice:
Jasper was thoughtful. It sounded a little similar to his own ability, at least in the sense that she can feel someone when they entered the sphere of her ability. "I'm sure she's right about that," he said with a smile.
Mentions Carlisle was the furthest, I tried to wrap it as exactly to his body as I could:
Jasper was smiling even more about that.
"That's definitely going to help," Edward smiled.
"That's one remarkable woman you've got there, Eddy," Emmett smiled too.
"Thanks," Edward said proudly.
Mentions that the shield clung to them willingly, moving as they moved:
"Which means that they could likely fight and still the shield will protect them," Edward said.
"Incredible," Carlisle murmured, still in awe of this ability.
Mentions that if the Alpha was inside my shield, the rest of their minds were every bit as protected as his:
"You know, if we knew about this newfound control, or the ability to make it form around whomever she chose to protect, or how she only needed to protect the Alpha - the wolves would likely have been our primary first offense," Jasper said.
"That's a lot of if's, you know," Emmett said and started reading again before he, or anyone else, could say anything.
Edward explains that the werewolves are shapeshifters and they could have been a bear, hawk or panther when they first changed:
"I'm glad they weren't bears," Emmett said. "It would have sucked seeing a huge and delicious looking bear and then have it be one of those shapeshifters. I'm sure they would have smelled just as bad in that form."
Aro asks Caius, could you expect Irina guess that something so strange and impossible, any of us would make the same assumption:
"I don't like this," Esme mumbled miserably, and Carlisle tightened his grip on her.
Mentions that maybe Caius didn't understand real family, he overestimated the potency of vengeance:
Jasper, Edward, and Carlisle all tried not to react to this as they thought that Caius understood better the love they shared. They all feared what was going to happen next and couldn't bring themselves to say it out loud.
Mentions Caius raised his hand as Irina spoke and this was a signal:
"No!" everyone shouted.
Esme broke into terrible sobs. Carlisle went to wrap his hands around her as he rested his head on top of hers, looking like he was crying too, as only a vampire could.
Rosalie clenched her hands together, she was still quite upset that Irina went to the Volturi in the first place, but this was too cruel – she didn't want to lose her friend.
Emmett was glaring at the book, looking really angry about what had just happened.
Jasper was holding Alice, who was sobbing just like Esme was, though not quite as miserable.
Edward was grimacing and his expression was dark as he thought about this. He was definitely going to have to make sure nothing like this really happens.
It was some time after that that Emmett picked the book up again and started to read.
Mentions it was Caius excuse to destroy her, to ignite the violence that filled the air, he had thrown a match:
"Well, we can't let it catch … we can't fight now," Edward said bitterly.
"Screw that - they need to pay for this!" Esme hissed, surprising everyone as she glared at the book fiercely.
"If we fight, our family would be in danger," Edward said softly and Esme's face crumbled.
"I know," Esme sighed, "but I just can't stand that they did that … that they could get away with that … it's so cruel … so pointless …."
"I know," Carlisle soothed, rocking her back and forth, "but we have to endure this right now."
Mentions Garrett knocking Kate to the ground, his arms around her, and then his body spasm as she shocked him, his hold did not break:
"He loves her," Esme said; it was quite clear to her. Still, even those words could do nothing for her as she thought about Irina's fate.
"We will change her fate, Esme," Edward said. "I promise, we won't let this happen."
Esme looked at him and nodded. She knew he was right, Irina wasn't really lost, nor did she go to the Volturi to turn them in. Still, it was hard in that moment to remember that.
Mentions Bella uncovering Kate while keeping it around Garrett making it a thin skin between them:
"Her gift really does work beyond anything I would have hoped for," Jasper said, but his voice was flat, he was grieving too.
Mentions Aro watching Kate and Garrett and Bella muses about what he thinks is happening there:
"I would think that it's more likely the former," Jasper said, trying to break the heavy grief that was in the room, with both his words and his ability. "Though, I doubt that he would be able to guess how strong and subtle it is."
Caius says Irina has been punished for bearing false witness against this child:
"And that's a crime to die for?" Esme spat hotly.
"No, it's really not," Jasper said, "and it wouldn't be good for the Volturi to let people think that is the case. Not that it matters much because no one would make a real immortal child anymore, but if they had, it would only make people less likely to turn them in if the punishment is death if they are wrong."
Amun says that she grows quickly, and Aro smiled:
"What is he trying to say?" Esme asked, her teeth clenched, and her eyes were boring into the book in Emmett's hand.
"We all know what he's trying to say," Edward answered, his tone was deadly, and no one said another word, but everyone was enraged.
Amun says I gave my witness, I have no more business here, my mate and I would like to take our leave:
"I think he really likes you, Carlisle," Jasper said. "He chose to side with you where it concerned Renesmee, even when it was clear that Aro wanted him to say that she was dangerous. And now he is leaving the fight, instead of joining in on the Volturi side …."
"And you think this amount to him liking Carlisle?" Emmett asked, rolling his eyes.
"Yes," Jasper replied. "I think that Carlisle has formed strong bonds of friendship with everyone that came here to witness for us … stronger than most for our kind," Jasper said. "So many people are willing to fight on our side, and he isn't doing anything that is compelling them to stay."
Aro explains ending with her own parents are plagued by fears of her future:
Edward let out a hiss at that, knowing that his thoughts had helped Aro come up with this method of attack.
Aro says only the known is safe, only the known is tolerable, the unknown is a vulnerability:
"And you're going to decide that after giving her only a few months to live!" Rosalie growled. "Not even giving her a chance to prove she doesn't pose a threat!"
Garrett talks to the witness ending with them struggle to find a justification for their true purpose, to destroy this family here:
"I really like this guy," Emmett smiled.
"He certainly does speak his mind, and you always like direct people," Jasper smiled.
"He also has a way with words," Edward smiled.
Garrett continues ending with there is no thought for domination, and Aro knows this better than I do:
"See … I think he made an excellent point there," Edward said. "I'm sure some of the witnesses are thinking about this."
"Did he really have to call us strange, though?" Emmett pouted.
Bella loosened Renesmee's arm from her neck and says you remember what I told you:
Esme shivered. She didn't think she could take hearing about anyone else she cared for getting hurt, nor did she think she could handle them saying goodbye.
Bella says there is absolutely hope, I only know my own fate:
Alice rolled her eyes, "She doesn't know that."
"You know it's all your fault that she's thinking this way," Edward pointed out.
"I wanted Nessie to have a safeguard … that doesn't mean that I thought you all were going to die," Alice said.
Mentions that Bella was distracted by a sudden fluttering pressure against her shield:
"They've started their attack," Jasper said as everyone tensed again.
"But they haven't made their decision yet," Emmett said.
"It looks like they don't have to," Jasper said coldly. "The guard just attacks while they are deliberating."
"That's unfair," Emmett huffed. "Cheating bastards!"
O
"Power," Jasper read.
"I can't wait to see their faces when they find out what Bella can do," Emmett said, suddenly smirking.
"Em, you won't see their faces at all … they're in a book," Alice teased.
"You know what I mean," Emmett pouted.
Edward says Chelsea is trying to break out binding, but she can't find them, she can't feel us … are you doing that:
"Maybe," Emmett said, his smile was amused.
Mentions I felt a sharper jab against the shield on Carlisle, it wasn't painful, but wasn't pleasant either:
Edward frowned at that.
"I'm sure she's fine," Jasper said.
"I know … I just don't like hearing about her having any discomfort," Edward said. "Though, it's much better than the alternative, I would think."
Mentions Bella grinned a huge, smug smile right at Jane:
"Way to go, Little Sister," Emmett laughed proudly.
"I don't know if that was wise," Edward worried.
"Who cares … it's freaking brilliant!" Emmett said, still laughing.
Mentions that Alec's gift reminded Bella off the numbness of Novocain on her tongue:
"Interesting," Carlisle said, starting to wonder what each person felt like and how the different gifts some of the others had would affect the shield.
Mentions that Alec had doubt on his face the first time as his mist swirled harmlessly around the edge shield:
"I don't get how he could be so surprised. They must have guessed that she would be able to stop him," Emmett said. "And by the fact that Janey wasn't able to hurt anyone, it would be likely that everyone was protected, too. Of course, he would fail just like everyone else has."
"Whatever you say, Em, but I know you're astounded by this, too," Jasper chuckled.
Mentions obviously I would be the number one priority, the first one to die:
Edward growled and everyone's good mood vanished.
"She just had to point that out, didn't she?" Alice grumbled.
Bella says to Edward, you have to get Demetri, Zafrina will keep them away from me:
Edward grimaced at that.
"She would be better at helping her," Jasper said. "With her gift, it would make it harder for them to get to her."
"Fine," Edward hissed, obviously not happy about this.
Mentions the other started divvying up opponents too:
"It doesn't say who I'm going to fight," Emmett pouted. "And they're taking all the good ones."
"Well, you should have spoken up sooner if you wanted a good one," Edward shrugged.
After Marcus vote mentions the guard reacts as if he hadn't spoken at all:
"Why is he even there at all then?" Emmett asked.
"He doesn't have any more choice than the guard, I would think," Jasper shrugged. "Plus, I would guess that Aro wanted him there to see how strong our bonds were."
Edward suddenly stiffened at her side and says yes:
"Yes?" everyone repeated, confused.
"What happened?" Emmett asked. "Did I miss something?"
"I'm sure we'll all find out soon enough," Jasper said.
Edward says the danger you foresee from my daughter is from your inability to guess how she will develop:
Alice suddenly started to smile; she had a feeling she knew where this was heading.
Edward was also smiling now.
"What?" Emmett asked.
"You'll see," they said together.
Aro says of course, nothing would please me more:
"Yeah, right," Emmett rolled his eyes.
"He might be telling the truth," Jasper said. "At least I would think he's a bit wary to fight, now that he's seen what Bella can do."
Edward says, then I do have something more to offer:
"How could you have more to offer all of a sudden?" Carlisle asked.
After a look from Alice, Jasper started reading again, not allowing anyone to answer that.
Edward says not absolutely unique, rare but not one of a kind:
"How do you know that?" Carlisle repeated and again Jasper started reading, but he could feel the hope that everyone was feeling, and he was sure they were all thinking the same thing he was.
Edward says why don't you join us, Alice:
Alice beamed at that and everyone cheered. The room was filled with cheers and laughter for more than a minute before everyone settled down.
"I'm so glad you're back!" Esme beamed at Alice. "And I never want you to leave like that again … even if it is for a good cause."
"Okay," Alice agreed, laughing.
"So, it looks like you went to find out about the legend of the other hybrid," Carlisle said. "And more importantly, it looks like you've found what you were looking for."
"Of course, I did. I would never let you down," Alice smiled. "Jazz, I think you should start reading again. Carlisle is obviously dying to hear what comes next."
Jasper chuckled and then started reading.
Describes the young man ending with he was beautiful:
"I would have to guess that he is the hybrid," Edward said.
"And look, it's a boy, Eddy," Emmett smirked. "Maybe he'll be another suitor for Nessie."
"Shut up!" Edward hissed.
Mentions they not been sure what my shield repelled, but it was clear that it wouldn't stop physical attack:
Jasper grimaced at that; he would have preferred it if they didn't know that fact. It would have made them a little more hesitant at first.
"Relax Jazz, I think everything should be okay now," Edward said confidently.
Huilen tells the story starting with century and half ago ending with she was bewitched:
Edward frowned at that, thinking about how Bella was covered in bruises.
"Wait, this was a century and a half ago!" Emmett said.
"And he's still alive!" Rosalie exclaimed.
"That means …." Carlisle began.
"Renesmee is going to be okay!" Edward finished, his smile bigger and more genuine than it had ever been.
Mentions that Nahuel bit Huilen ending with when the pain ended, he was curled against her side, sleeping:
"Did he change her?" Carlisle said. "Interesting, that would mean that Nahuel is venomous."
Nahuel says about seven years after my birth I was full grown:
"Seven years," Edward said almost sadly, wishing he had more time, but he couldn't stop his smile from showing.
"She'll live forever," Rosalie said. "And we'll make sure we can get the most out of her childhood."
Nahuel says his name is Joham, he thinks he's creating a new super-race:
Everyone couldn't hide their disgust either.
"That's appalling," Esme said. "And he just leaves them alone … he doesn't care about the women who dies giving birth to his children."
Caius says we take care of the aberration here and then follow it south:
"No, you don't have a case now," Jasper said. "And you'll be seriously hurt, if not defeated, if you tried to fight us now."
Caius says, is that your vote and Aro says it is:
"YES!" several people cheered, and everyone relaxed.
"It's over," Esme smiled.
"And we're all going to make it out of this," Emmett smiled.
Everyone's thoughts flashed to the member of their extended family that didn't make it, but no one mentioned her. All in all, everyone was too relieved to worry about anything, and besides, they weren't going to let that happen anyway.
O
The Happily Ever After
Edward says the Romanians enjoyed the Volturi's cowardice almost enough to make up for their frustration:
"I can see that," Emmett chuckled.
"Besides, I think they got a lot more from that – other than just seeing the Volturi flee," Jasper said. "There are now a lot of people who have seen the darker side of the Volturi, which is something the Romanians really wanted to happen."
Carlisle says well done, Siobhan:
Everyone chuckled at that.
"You might have been onto something, Carlisle," Edward smiled. "She really does get her way – even against the odds."
Siobhan says, of course, this isn't over, the Volturi won't forgive what happened here:
"No, they wouldn't," Edward said, "but now they don't even know about this. I don't know what to do about that."
"There is nothing for us to do," Carlisle sighed. "It is not for us to judge or to do anything about this."
Edward nodded his head, but he could hear Carlisle's thoughts, of course. They were mindful and he wasn't really going to just let this matter rest, though he wouldn't do anything rash either.
Siobhan says Alice will warn us when they intend to strike:
Alice grimaced at that. "Which means that I'm always going to be watching for a sign from the Volturi. That's going to get boring."
Mentions the Denalis were the last to leave, Garrett with them, as he would be from now on:
"Well, that's nice," Esme said. "We're going to have to try to find Garrett somehow and send him to the Denalis."
"That should be interesting," Emmett laughed. "It looks like we could be matchmakers extraordinaire."
Mentions that Huilen and Nahuel were ones who stayed, though Bella thought they would go back with the Amazons:
"But they would want to know more about Nessie, wouldn't they," Carlisle said. "I mean, they have already seen others because his father…" Carlisle said this word with a grimace, as if he thought it was too kindly a thing to say of the man who had sired Nahuel, "…has other children. I would still think that the boy would be interested in seeing one who is not related to him."
"Yeah, very interested," Emmett added, waggling his eyebrows and Edward hissed at him.
"I didn't mean it in that way," Carlisle sighed. "I just meant that in a world which has so few hybrids, he would want to know the ones he could."
Mentions Edward told the rest of us the story of the conflict as only he knew it:
"I do like hearing things like this from your point of view," Jasper said. "You understand everything that's going on … it's rather interesting. I often wondered how you would have fared in a newborn army …."
"Probably well enough, and forgive me for saying this, but I quite appreciate that I wasn't," Edward chuckled.
Jasper chuckled. "Obviously. I would not wish that life upon anyone … It's just a stray thought I had."
Bella says terrified, of me:
"Yes, little Bella, you are quite terrifying," Emmett smiled. "Especially to bullies who cheat when they are fighting."
Edward says Caius is actually terrified of werewolves, he almost lost a fight with one and never got over it:
"If he lost the fight with one, why is he still alive?" Emmett asked, looking at Edward.
"I don't know," Edward shrugged. "I must have picked up something in the clearing …."
Emmett then looked at Carlisle expectantly, but he was shaking his head.
"That's not something that Caius would want to spread around," Carlisle said. "I've heard nothing of this tale."
Jacob says real, does that make me imaginary:
"No, it makes you a stupid liar," Emmett huffed.
"He's not really a liar, he's just misinformed," Carlisle said.
Bella says necessary, you had me totally convinced that we were all going to die, I've been a wreck for weeks:
"Yeah, but what else is new?" Emmett laughed and Edward hissed at him. "Come on, Eddy, even you must have realized that if Alice had stayed, Bella would have found some other thing to worry about. It's what she does and with the Volturi coming, it was unlikely that she wouldn't have found something along the way."
"I suppose," Edward allowed, but he was still glaring at Emmett.
Alice says I don't think so, you're just not that good an actress:
Emmett and Alice laughed openly at that as Rosalie and Jasper tried their hardest not to show their amusement. Esme and Carlisle were really no better. Edward glared at the lot of them, though he had to admit that Alice had a good point.
Alice explains everything she had to do ending with and if you think I didn't feel like a schmuck:
"Aw," Esme said and was immediately hugging Alice to her.
"I don't really feel that way now," Alice laughed, but was pleased that Esme still held onto her as she started reading again.
Alice says so forgive me and try to be satisfied with being the superhero of the day:
"She really was quite amazing, wasn't she," Edward smiled.
"Yes, yes, Bella is brilliant, we all know that," Emmett said rolling his eyes, trying to look impatient but it didn't work because he was smiling.
"Though I think that Alice was a hero too," Edward added, smiling at his sister.
"Yes, arriving just in time like that … you were quite the hero," Esme said happily.
"Just in time … I bet she was waiting in the forest, just biding her time," Emmett smiled.
"That would be a good strategy, I would think," Jasper said. "This obviously had to work out in a close timetable, or it would have been ruined."
"Well, anyways, it looks like you're playing along with Bella's superhero theory," Emmett laughed.
Mentions Nahuel never took his eyes off me, or maybe he was looking at Nessie, that made me uncomfortable:
"See, I'm not the only one who thinks this Nahuel guy might like Nessie," Emmett laughed smugly.
Mentions the idea hadn't occurred to Jacob yet, I kind of hoped it wouldn't, I had enough of fighting to last me or a while:
Emmett, on the other hand, seemed to be all for seeing the conflict between the two.
"Will you stop that?" Edward hissed at him, not liking his brother's musings at all.
"Not likely," Emmett smirked.
Edward says I fervently hope so:
"I think you might want a little peace, ah Eddy?" Emmett chuckled.
"Obviously," Edward said. "After everything that has happened in the last two years … in these books that is, I would think that my book-self would be quite happy if nothing exciting happened for quite some time."
"What about you?" Emmett asked. "What are you hoping for?"
"A lot of things," Edward said. "First and foremost, I am hoping that my first meeting with Bella will go off well, but there is so much I have to do before I'm ready for that. And there are things that I think need to be done before she even arrives."
"Like what?" Emmett asked.
"We'll talk when the book is over," Edward said. "I would think there isn't much left now."
Mentions Jasper was sandwiched between Alice and Esme, seeming more central to the family picture than usual:
Jasper smiled at that.
"Of course, he's central to our family picture. Jasper is very important to us," Esme said in her fierce and loving voice.
Jasper's smile just grew bigger and now Alice was beaming, too.
Edward says not once did Jacob think about the fact that Nessie will be fully matured in six and half years:
This time, Edward and Rosalie were both grimacing.
"At least he wasn't thinking about that," Carlisle said reasonably. "It's not the way he sees Nessie at all …."
"At the moment," Emmett added and ducked as Edward went to hit him, but he wasn't fast enough to dodge Rosalie's attack.
Bella says I'm not going to think about that for approximately six and half years:
"I like her way of thinking," Rosalie said.
"I don't," Emmett snickered. "I think it's best to tease Eddy about this as much as I possibly can."
"I've noticed," Edward grumbled.
Edward says he wasn't staring at her, he was staring at you:
"Ah … so he has a little crush on Bella," Emmett teased. "I bet you just love that."
"I don't think that's the reason," Edward said.
"Really … why not?" Emmett asked. Edward had sounded pretty sure of himself there.
"Because I wasn't described as wanting to rip the guy's head off," Edward said.
"Oh," Emmett said, laughing along with everyone else. "So why do you think he's staring at her, then?"
Edward shrugged, though he had a good idea, he let Esme read on.
Edward says because you're alive:
Edward nodded his head and Emmett looked confused, but Esme just kept reading.
Edward says he thought he was an evil creation, a murderer by nature:
"Oh," Esme said sadly. "That poor boy."
"That must be hard to deal with," Carlisle sighed.
Edward explains more ending with he truly hated himself:
"But it's not his fault at all," Esme said.
"I know," Carlisle said. "And hopefully this will help him see that."
Edward says he looks at me and sees, what his father should have been:
"Yes, well that's bound to happen for a lot of people," Esme smiled at Edward. "You are an excellent father."
Mentions Bella hadn't done well with this when Zafrina tried to teach her, but she understood her shield better now, the automatic instinct to preserve self above all:
Edward's eyes went wide and then he suddenly smiled. "I think I'm going to like this."
"I think you're going to more than just like this," Alice chuckled.
Mentions his lips, suddenly fierce against mine, broke my concentration:
"Who knew thoughts were that much of a turn on?" Emmett laughed.
"Well, I could have told you this would have happened," Alice laughed, too.
Edward wasn't paying attention to them as he thought of what it must be like to experience this, of course he has been able to read Bella's thoughts through this book, but just the idea that he could actually hear her thought … he couldn't wait for that.
Edward says I'll be good:
"Yeah, right. I don't believe you," Rosalie said.
"I don't believe me either," Edward chuckled.
Bella shares her thoughts ending with of the first night of my new life, lingering on the details:
"Especially when she's not fair," Edward laughed.
"Ah … so now you know how it feels when someone cheats," Emmett laughed, too.
The End
Esme read and then put the book down.