The Twilight Saga 4: Breaking Dawn 39. TheHappily EverAfter

So it was a combination of things there at the end, but what it authencetic andy boiled down to was Bella, Edward was explaining. Our family and our two remaining guests sat in the Cullens great room bit the forest turned black outside the tall windows.Vladimir and Stefan had vanished in the first place wed stopped celebrating. They were extremely disappointed in the way things had turned out, but Edward give tongue to that theyd enjoyed the Volturis cowardice almost luxuriant to make up for their frustration.Benjamin and transient ischemic attack were quick to follow after Amun and Kebi, anxious to permit them know the out seed of the conflict I was sure we would see them again Benjamin and Tia, at least. no(prenominal) of the nomads lingered. Peter and Charlotte had a short conversation with Jasper, and then they were g matchless, too.The reunited Amazons had been anxious to return home as well they had a difficult time being remote from their beloved rain forest thoug h they were more reluctant to leave than nigh of the others.You must bring the child to see me, Zafrina had insisted. Promise me, young one.Nessie had touch her hand to my neck, pleading as well.Of course, Zafrina, Id agreed.We shall be great friends, my Nessie, the wild woman had declared before leaving with her sisters.The Irish coven continued the exodus.Well done, Siobhan, Carlisle complimented her as they say goodbye.Ah, the power of wishful thinking, she answered sarcastically, rolling her eyeball. And then she was serious. Of course, this isnt over. The Volturi wont forgive what happened here.Edward was the one to answer that. Theyve been seriously shaken their confidence is shattered. plainly, yes, Im sure theyll recover from the blow manyday. And then . . . His eyes tightened. I imagine theyll try to pick us offseparately.Alice go forth warn us when they intend to strike, Siobhan said in a sure utterance. And well reach again. Perhaps the time will come when our wo rld is ready to be free of the Volturi altogether.That time may come, Carlisle replied. If it does, well stand together.Yes, my friend, we will, Siobhan agreed. And how can we fail, when /will it otherwise? She let out a great peal of laughter.Exactly, Carlisle said. He and Siobhan embraced, and then he shook Liams hand. cause to find Alistair and tell him what happened. Id hate to think of him hiding down the stairs a rock for the next decade.Siobhan laughed again. Maggie hugged both Nessie and me, and then the Irish coven was gone.The Denalis were the finally to leave, Garrett with them as he would be from now on, I was fairly sure. The atmosphere of festivity was too much for Tanya and Kate. They necessary time to grieve for their lost sister.Huilen and Nahuel were the ones who stayed, though I had expected those last two to go back with the Amazons. Carlisle was deep in fascinated conversation with Huilen Nahuel sat close beside her, listening while Edward told the rest of us the story of the conflict as totally if he knew it.Alice gave Aro the excuse he needed to get out of the fight. If he hadnt been so terrified of Bella, he probably would have gone ahead with their original plan.Terrified? I said skeptically. Of me?He smiled at me with a look I didnt entirely recognize it was tender, but also awed and even exasperated. When will you ever see yourself on a lower floorstandably? he said softly. Then he spoke louder, to the others as well as to me. The Volturi havent fought a fair fight in about twenty-five cytosine long time. And theyve never, never fought one where they were at a disadvantage. Especially since they gained Jane and Alec, theyve only been involved with unopposed slaughterings.You should have seen how we looked to them Usually, Alec cuts off all sense and feeling from their victims while they go through the charade of a counsel. That way, no one can run when the verdict is given. But there we stood, ready, waiting, outnumbering them, with gifts of our own while their gifts were rendered useless by Bella. Aro knew that with Zafrina on our side, they would be the blind ones when the battle commenced. Im sure our numbers would have been pretty severely decimated, but they were sure that theirs would be, too. There was even a good surmisal that they would lose. Theyve never dealt with that possibility before. They didnt deal with it well today.Hard to feel confident when youre surrounded by horse-sized wolves, Emmett laughed, poking Jacobs arm.Jacob flashed a grin at him.It was the wolves that stopped them in the first place, I said.Sure was, Jacob agreed.Absolutely, Edward agreed. That was another sight theyve never seen. The true Children of the Moon rarely move in packs, and they are never much in control of themselves. Sixteen enormous regimented wolves was a surprise they werent prepared for. Caius is actually terrified of werewolves. He almost lost a fight with one a fewthousand years ago and never got over it.So there are real werewolves? I asked. With the full moon and silver gray bullets and all that?Jacob snorted. Real. Does that make me imaginary?You know what I mean.Full moon, yes, Edward said. Silver bullets, no that was just another one of those myths to make valets feel akin they had a sporting chance. There arent very many of them left. Caius has had them hunted into near extinction.And you never mentioned this because ?It never came up.I rolled my eyes, and Alice laughed, leaning forward she was tucked under Edwards other arm to wink at me.I glared back.I loved her insanely, of course. But now that Id had a chance to realize that she was really home, that her defection was only a ruse because Edward had to believe that shed abandoned us, I was beginning to feel pretty irritated with her. Alice had some explaining to do.Alice sighed. Just get it off your chest, Bella.How could you do that to me, Alice?It was necessary. prerequisite I exploded. You had me totally c onvinced that we were all going to die Ive been a wreck for weeks.It might have gone that way, she said calmly. In which case you needed to be prepared to save Nessie.Instinctively, I held Nessie asleep now on my lap tighter in my arms.But you knew there were other ways, too, I accused. You knew there was hope. Did it ever occur to you that you could have told me everything? I know Edward had to think we were at a dead end for Aros sake, but you could have told me.She looked at me speculatively for a moment. I dont think so, she said. Youre just not that good an actress.This was about my acting skills?Oh, need it down an octave, Bella. Do you have any idea how complicated Ms was to set up up? I couldnt even be sure that someone like Nahuel existed all I knew was that I would be looking for something I couldnt see Try to imagine searching for a blind spot not the easiest thing Ive ever done. Plus we had to send back the key witnesses, like we werent in enough of a hurry. And th en keeping my eyes open all the time in case you decided to throw me any more instructions. At some point youre going to have to tell me what scarce is in Rio. Before any of that, I had to try to see every trick the Volturi might come in with and give you what few clues I could so you would be ready for their strategy, and I only had just a few hours to trace out all the possibilities. Most of all, I had to make sure youd all believe that I was ditching out on you, because Aro had to be positive that you had cryptograph left up your sleeves or he never would have committed to an out the way he did. And if you think I didnt feel like aschmuck Okay, okay I interrupted. Sorry I know it was rough for you, too. Its just that well, I missed you like crazy, Alice. Dont do that to me again.Alices trilling laugh rang through the room, and we all smiled to hear that symphony once more. I missed you, too, Bella. So forgive me, and try to be satisfied with being the superhero of the day.Eve ryone else laughed now, and I ducked my face into Nessies hair, embarrassed.Edward went back to analyzing every shift of aspiration and control that had happened in the meadow today, declaring that it was my shield that had made the Volturi run away with their tails between their legs. The way everyone looked at me made me uncomfortable. Even Edward. It was like I had gon a hundred feet during the course of the morning. I tried to ignore the impressed looks, mostly keeping my eyes on Nessies sleeping face and Jacobs idempotent expression. I would always be just Bella to him, and that was a relief.The hardest stare to ignore was also the most confusing one.It wasnt like this half-human, half-vampire Nahuel was used to thinking of me in a certain way. For all he knew, I went around routing attacking vampires every day and the scene in the meadow had been nothing unusual at all. But the boy never took his eyes off me. Or maybe he was looking at Nessie. That made me uncomfortable, to o.He couldnt be oblivious to the fact that Nessie was the only female of his sweet that wasnt his half-sister.I didnt think this idea had occurred to Jacob yet. I kind of hoped it wouldnt soon. Id had enough fighting to last me for a while.Eventually, the others ran out of questions for Edward, and the discussion dissolved into a bunch of smaller conversations.I felt oddly tired. Not sleepy, of course, but just like the day had been long enough. I wanted some peace, some normality. I wanted Nessie in her own bed I wanted the walls of my own little home around me.I looked at Edward and felt for a moment like I could read his mind. I could see he felt exactly the same way. Ready for some peace.Should we take Nessie Thats probably a good idea, he agreed quickly. Im sure she didnt sleep soundly last night, what with all the snoring.He grinned at Jacob.Jacob rolled his eyes and then yawned. Its been a while since I slept in a bed. I bet my dad would get a kick out of having me under his roof again.I touched his cheek. thank you, Jacob.Anytime, Bella. But you already know that.He got up, stretched, kissed the top of Nessies head, and then the top of mine. Finally, he punched Edwards shoulder. See you guys tomorrow. I guess things are going to be kind of boring now, arent they?I fervently hope so, Edward said.We got up when he was gone I shifted my weight carefully so that Nessie was never jostled. I was deeply congenial to see her getting a sound sleep. So much weight had been on her tiny shoulders. It was time she got to be a child again defend and secure. A few more years of childhood.The idea of peace and security reminded me of someone who didnt have those feelings all the time.Oh, Jasper? I asked as we turned for the door.Jasper was sandwiched tight in between Alice and Esme, somehow seeming more central to the family picture than usual. Yes, Bella?Tm curious why is J. Jenks scared stiff by just the sound of your note?Jasper chuckled.Its just been my exper ience that some kinds of working relationships are better motivated by fear than by monetary gain.I frowned, promising myself that I would take over that working relationship from now on and spare J the heart attack that was surely on the way.We were kissed and hugged and wished a good night to our family. The only off note was Nahuel again, who looked intently after us, as if he wished he could follow.Once we were across the river, we walked barely faster than human speed, in no hurry, holding hands. I was sick of being under a deadline, and I just wanted to take my time. Edward must have felt the same.I have to say, Im exhaustively impressed with Jacob right now, Edward told me.Thewolves make quite an impact, dont they?Thats not what I mean. Not once today did he think about the fact that, according to Nahuel,Nessie will befully matured in just six and a half years.I considered that for a minute. He doesnt see her that way. Hes not in a hurry for her to grow up.He just wants her to be happy.I know. Like I said, impressive. It goes against the grain to say so, but she could do worse.I frowned. Im not going to think about that for slightly six and a half more years.Edward laughed and then sighed. Of course, itlooks like hell have some competition to worry about when the time comes.My frown deepened. I noticed. Im delightful to Nahuel for today, but all the sodding(a) was a little weird. I dont care if she is the only half-vampire hes not related to.Oh, he wasnt staring at her he was staring at you.Thats what it had seemed like but that didnt make any sense. Why would he do that?Because youre alive, he said quietly.You lost me.All his life, he explained, and hes fifty years older than I am Decrepit, I interjected.Heignored me. Hes always thought of himself as an evil creation, a murderer by nature. His sistersall killed their mothers as well, but they thought nothing of it. Joham raised them to think of the humans as animals, while theywere gods. But Nah uel was taught by Huilen, and Huilen loved her sister more than anyone else. It shaped his whole perspective. And, in some ways, he truly hated himself.Thatsso sad,I murmured.And then he saw the three of us and realized for the first time that just because he ishalf immortal, it doesnt mean he is inherently evil. He looks at me and sees what his father should have been.You are fairly ideal in every way, I agreed.He snorted and then was serious again. He looks at you and sees the life his mother should have had.Poor Nahuel, Imurmured, and then sighed because I knew I would never be able to think badly of him after this, no matter how uncomfortable his stare made me.Dont be sad for him. Hes happy now. Today, hes finally begun to forgive himself.I smiled for Nahuels happiness and then thought that today belonged to happiness. though Irinas sacrifice wasa dark shadow against the white light, keeping the moment from perfection, the joy was impossible to deny. The life Id fought for was safe again. My family was reunited. My daughter had a beautiful future reach out endlessly in front of her. Tomorrow I would go see my father he would see that the fear in my eyes had been replaced with joy, and he would be happy, too. Suddenly, I was sure that I wouldnt find him there alone. I hadnt been as observant as I might have been in the last few weeks, but in this moment it was like Id known all along. Sue would be with Charlie thewerewolves mom with the vampires dad and he wouldnt be alone anymore. I smiled widely at this new insight.But most significant in this tidal wave of happiness was the surest fact ofall I was with Edward. Forever.Not that Id want to fall back the last several weeks, but I had to admit theyd made me appreciate what I had more than ever.The cottage was a place of perfect peace in the silver-blue night. We carried Nessie to her bed and gently tucked her in. She smiled as she slept.I took Aros gift from around my neck and tossed it lightly into the corner of her room. She could play with it if she wished she liked sparkly things.Edward and I walked tardily to our room, swinging our arms between us.A night for celebrations, he murmured, and he put his hand under my chin to lift my lips to his.Wait, I hesitated, pulling away.He looked at me in confusion. As a general rule, I didnt pull away. Okay, it was more than a general rule. This was a first.I want to try something, I informed him, smiling slightly at his bewildered expression.I put my hands on both sides of his face and closed my eyes in concentration.I hadnt done very well with this when Zafrina had tried to teach me before, but I knew my shield better now. I understood the part that fought against separation from me, the automatic full to preserve self aboveall else.Itstill wasnt anywhere near as easy as shielding other people along with myself. I felt the elastic bang again asmy shield fought to protect me. I had to strain to push it entirely away from me it took al l of my focus.Bella Edward whispered in shock.I knew it was working then, so I concentrated even harder, dredging up the specific memories Id saved for this moment, letting them flood my mind, and hopefully his as well.Some of the memories were not clear dim human memories, seen through weak eyes and heard through weak ears the first time Id seen his face the way it felt when hed held me in the meadow the sound of his voice through the darkness of my faltering consciousness when hed saved me from James his face as he waited under a canopy of flowers to marry me every rare moment from the island his cold hands touching our baby through my skinAnd the sharp memories, perfectly recalled his face when Id opened my eyes to my new life, to the endless morning time of immortality that first kiss that first nightHis lips, suddenly fierce against mine, broke my concentration.With a gasp, I lost my grip on the struggling weight I was holding away from myself. It snapped back like stressed elastic, protecting my thoughts once again.Oops, lost it I sighed.I heard you, he breathed. How? How did you do that?Zafrinas idea. We practiced with it a few times.He was dazed. He blinked twice and shook his head.Now you know, I said lightly, and shrugged. No ones ever loved anyone as much as I love you.Youre almost right. He smiled, his eyes still a little wider than usual. I know of just one exception.Liar.He started to kiss me again, but then stopped abruptly.Can you do it again? he wondered.I grimaced. Its very difficult.He waited, his expression eager.I cant keep it up if Im even the slightest bit distracted, I warned him.Ill be good, he promised.I pursed my lips, my eyes narrowing. Then I smiled.I pressed my hands to his face again, hefted the shield right out of my mind, and then started in where Id left off with the crystal-clear memory of the first night of my new life lingering on the details.I laughed breathlessly when his urgent kiss interrupted my efforts again. cock sucker it, he growled, kissing hungrily down the edge of my jaw.We have plenty of time to work on it, I reminded him.Forever and forever and forever, he murmured.That sounds exactly right to me.And then we continued blissfully into this small but perfect piece of our forever.the end