The Twilight Saga 4: Breaking Dawn 39. TheHappily EverAfter

So it was a combination of things there at the end, simply what it accreditedly boiled down to was Bella, Edward was explaining. Our family and our two remaining guests sit in the Cullens colossal room while the fo relaxation behavior turned wispy outside the t on the whole windows.Vladimir and Stefan had vanished before wed stop celebrating. They were extremely disappointed in the mood things had turned out, but Edward verbalise that theyd enjoyed the Volturis cowardice almost complete to make up for their frustration.Benjamin and Tia were quick to follow afterwards Amun and Kebi, anxious to let them hit the hay the out hump of the conflict I was reas currentd(predicate) we would render them again Benjamin and Tia, at least. N unrivaled of the nomads lingered. Peter and Charlotte had a short conversation with Jasper, and so they were g one and only(a), standardizedwise.The reunited Amazons had been anxious to return home as well they had a difficult beat being by from their lamb rain forest though they were more reluctant to leave than near of the differents.You must bring the child to operate 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 char had declargond before leaving with her sisters.The Irish coven continued the exodus.Well done, Siobhan, Carlisle complimented her as they said goodbye.Ah, the power of wishful saying, she answered sarcastically, rolling her eyeball. And past 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. merely, yes, Im sure theyll recover from the stutter or soday. And then . . . His look smuttyened. I see theyll try to pick us withdrawseparately.Alice go away warn us when they intend to strike, Siobhan said in a sure voice. And w ell gather again. Perhaps the conviction bequeath come when our world is ready to be free of the Volturi altogether.That time may come, Carlisle replied. If it does, well plinth together.Yes, my friend, we will, Siobhan agreed. And how can we fail, when /will it separatewise? She let out a great peal of laughter.Exactly, Carlisle said. He and Siobhan embraced, and then he move Liams hand. Try to detect Alistair and tell him what happened. Id hate to conceive of him hiding beneath a shudder for the next decade.Siobhan laughed again. Maggie hugged both Nessie and me, and then the Irish coven was gone.The Denalis were the terminal to leave, Garrett with them as he would be from at one time on, I was fairly sure. The atmosphere of celebration was too much for Tanya and Kate. They needed time to grieve for their wooly 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 conversati on with Huilen Nahuel sat close beside her, listening while Edward told the rest of us the story of the conflict as all he knew it.Alice gave Aro the forgive he needed to get out of the affair. If he hadnt been so panic-struck of Bella, he probably would fuck off gone ahead with their original plan. affright? 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 clearly? he said softly. Then he spoke louder, to the others as well as to me. The Volturi wastent fought a fair fight in about twenty-five hundred age. And theyve neer, neer fought one where they were at a disadvantage. Especially since they gained Jane and Alec, theyve only been involved with unopposed slaughterings.You should pass on seen how we looked to them Usually, Alec cuts off all sense and find outing from their victims while they go through the sendup of a counsel. That way, no one can run wh en the verdict is given. nevertheless 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 soberly decimated, but they were sure that theirs would be, too. There was even a good speculation that they would lose. Theyve never dealt with that possibility before. They didnt deal with it well today.Hard to feeling 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 array, I said.Sure was, Jacob agreed.Absolutely, Edward agreed. That was another(prenominal) sight theyve never seen. The true Children of the Moon r arely 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 hardly a(prenominal)thousand years ago and never got over it.So there are real werewolves? I asked. With the full moon and silver bullets and all that?Jacob snorted. Real. Does that make me c at at onceptional?You know what I retrieve.Full moon, yes, Edward said. Silver bullets, no that was simply another one of those myths to make humans feel like they had a sportsmanlike chance. There arent very many of them left hand. Caius has had them hunted into near extinction.And you never mentioned this because ?It never came up.I rolled my eye, and Alice laughed, leaning forward she was tucked down the stairs Edwards other arm to wink at me.I glared back.I love 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 explaini ng to do.Alice sighed. Just get it off your chest, Bella.How could you do that to me, Alice?It was necessary.Necessary I exploded. You had me totally convinced that we were all going to transgress 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 incognizant now on my lap tighter in my arms.But you knew there were other ways, too, I accuse. 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 significance. I dont think so, she said. Youre erect not that good an actress.This was about my acting skills?Oh, institute it down an octave, Bella. Do you have any idea how complicated Ms was to set up? I couldnt even be sure that someone like Nahuel existed all I knew was that I would be looking for something I could nt 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 comely of a zipper. And then keeping my look 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 exactly is in Rio. Before any of that, I had to try to see every wile 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 demonstrable that you had nothing 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 r ang through the room, and we all smiled to hear that music once more. I missed you, too, Bella. So forgive me, and try to be fulfil with being the superhero of the day.Everyone else laughed now, and I ducked my face into Nessies hair, embarrassed.Edward went back to analyzing every shift of objective and control that had happened in the hayfield today, declaring that it was my shield that had make the Volturi run away with their tails betwixt their legs. The way everyone looked at me make me uncomfortable. Even Edward. It was like I had grown a hundred feet during the course of the morning. I try to ignore the strike looks, mostly keeping my eyes on Nessies soporing face and Jacobs unchanged 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 ever y 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, too.He couldnt be oblivious to the fact that Nessie was the only female of his sort 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 rubbish to last me for a while.Eventually, the others ran out of questions for Edward, and the discussion dissolved into a raft of smaller conversations.I entangle oddly tired. not sleepy, of course, but just like the day had been long enough. I precious 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 matte up for a moment like I could read his mind. I could see he felt exactly the same way. Ready for some peace.Should we relieve oneself 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 charge carefully so that Nessie was never jostled. I was deeplygrateful to see her getting a sound sleep. So much weighting had been on her tiny shoulders. It was time she got to be a child again protect and secure. A few more years of childhood.The idea of peace and certification 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 betwe en Alice and Esme, somehow seeming more central to the family delineation than usual. Yes, Bella?Tm curious why is J. Jenks scared stiff by just the sound of your name?Jasper chuckled.Its just been my experience 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 work force. I was throw up of being under a deadline, and I just wanted to take my time. Edward must have felt the same.I have to say, Im thoroughly 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 thin k 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 food grain to say so, but she could do worse.I frowned. Im not going to think about that for approximately 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 grateful to Nahuel for today, but all the staring 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 t hought 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 Nahuel 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 tether 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 sustain 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. curt 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 Nahue ls rapture and then thought that today belonged to happiness. Though Irinas sacrifice wasa dark duskiness against the white light, keeping the moment from perfection, the joy was impossible to deny. The life Id fought for was rubber eraser again. My family was reunited. My daughter had a beautiful future stretching out unceasingly 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 monumental in this tidal wave of happiness was the surest fact ofall I was with Edward. Forever.Not that Id want to repeat the last several weeks, but I had to allow for theyd made me appr eciate 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 turn with it if she wished she liked sparkly things.Edward and I walked slowly 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 advised him, smiling slightly at his bewildered expression.I put my work force 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 mechanical instinct to preserve self aboveall else.Itstill wasnt anywhere near as light-headed as shielding other people along with myself. I felt the elastic recoil again asmy shield fought to protect me. I had to strain to push it entirely away from me it took all 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. virtually 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 nighttime of my faltering consciousness when hed saved me from James his face as he waited under a canopy of flowers to marry me every precious moment from the island his cold hands touching our baby through my skinAnd the neat memories, perfectly recalled his face when Id opened m y eyes to my new life, to the endless riddle 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, defend 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 ha nds 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 dilatory on the details.I laughed breathlessly when his urgent kiss interrupted my efforts again. anathemize it, he growled, kissing hungrily down the edge of my jaw.We have mussiness 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