As requested, this just answers the last few questions. Thanks for reading and reviewing. Jules x

Betrayal Epilogue

Carlisle

It was decades since we had been confined to Volterra and while Esme had found her niche, happy to work with the young children for as long as she could, then setting up her own interior design business. She drew clients in with her mysterious way of working as she was of necessity never ever seen. For myself the confinement was irksome after a while. I had started research work and there was no problem with equipment or books but I was unable to travel for medical conventions or to meet with like minded colleagues which was a distinct drawback. I was also unable to see Edward and I heard he was finding his own close imprisonment mental torture. It would seem Corin wasn't using her gift on him as I had expected. We spoke on the phone most days and I could hear the depression in his voice even after restrictions were eased and he was allowed a piano. He had started composing again but his greatest wish was to perform his own music and I understood this but despite speaking to Marcus and Athenadora I was unable to help, they had given their word to Bella and Jasper and were not prepared to break it. When I suggested speaking to Bella on Edwards behalf they agreed to discuss it but held out very little hope that she would agree to a lessening of restrictions on any of us. I could only hope she might have softened her attitude over the years.

Bella

When Marcus contacted us I had a feeling it was about the Cullens before he actually broached the subject.

"I have received a petition from Carlisle on behalf of Edward."

"Really? And what does he want?"

"He feels that after so long it might be a kind gesture to ease the restrictions placed on them and allow them to leave Volterra if only under supervision."

"I see. What did you tell him?"

"That I would pass the entreaty along but I didn't expect any favourable response. The rest as they say is up to you. When you have decided perhaps you could contact us, there's no rush of course."

Jasper and I talked about it endlessly, we even invited Rose and Emmett along for their opinion, was I being purely vindictive keeping them prisoner in Volterra all these years? I thought back to the actions that had led to their captivity and it still hurt as much as it had when I first learned of it. Perhaps I should have killed Carlisle and Edward at the time, I'd been much more soft hearted in those days.

"Bella, much as I would like to see Esme again I do understand your motives for their sentences and I think only you can decide what to do about Carlisle's request."

"I agree"

"Thank you Rose, you too Emmett. I understand that you miss Esme and if it were just her then I guess I could agree to her being freed but she's Carlisle's mate and I can't bring myself to forgive him even now. I can still see my dads face as he sent me back to my mothers and that's something I can't erase from my memory or forgive."

Jasper took my hand and I felt happier immediately, as the years passed we became closer if that were possible and I felt a part of him. I knew he understood how I felt and would back me whatever I decided.

"Jasper and I have talked about this until we are both sick of the subject but I think the best thing to do would be for he and I to visit Volterra ourselves and talk to Carlisle and Edward."

I could see they were hoping for an invitation to join us and I couldn't in all fairness refuse Rose a chance to see Esme, she missed her most of all.

Carlisle

When I heard Bella was visiting I felt hopeful for the first time in years, she had always been soft hearted and I hoped I could persuade her to see things my way. When I told Esme however she looked at me sharply,

"Don't try your gift on her Carlisle, if you do you'll just make things infinitely worse for all of us. Personally I think you and Edward got off easy and don't forget she could decide to make things more difficult for us."

"I don't think so Esme. We've learned our lesson now"

"Have you Carlisle? Has Edward? Somehow I doubt that. All he's interested in is composing and playing his music and you, do you ever think of the good you did when you were among the humans or only how much you want to be among your peers discovering new treatments and getting their accolades?"

"That's unfair Esme. All the research I do is to help the humans."

"Yes I suppose so but using your gift to ruin a young girl's life pretty much negates all the good you did beforehand."

I was able to give Edward the news when I spoke to him the next day and he sounded elated,

"If she's coming here then it must be to give us good news. Bella must remember how much she loved me at one time. I knew she wouldn't keep me a prisoner here for ever, even if that's what he wanted."

"Edward, it would be unwise of you to attack Jasper in her hearing, they are mates remember?"

He went quiet and I knew he understood I was right but I knew it hurt him to think of her with his "brother". None of us had quite understood how she could prefer the more unsophisticated of the two but then love is blind as they say.

"When is she coming? There's a piano recital in Boston in December and if she visits quickly enough I could go"

"I wouldn't get your hopes up too high son, just in case."

I knew he wouldn't listen to my advice so I handed the phone to Esme but I don't think she got any further with him than me.

In the event it was two months before Bella finally arrived in Volterra and agreed to see Esme and myself, whether she had already seen Edward or would see him later I didn't know and didn't like to ask. When we met her in Caius old office she looked grim and my hopes sunk, this was not going to be the news I had hoped for.

"Carlisle, Esme, please be seated."

I nodded hello to Jasper who sat at her side and he reciprocated but didn't speak.

"Marcus rang me with your request and I've given it a lot of thought before making a decision. If you think that time has dulled the pain of your actions let me tell you now, it hasn't and I find it difficult to understand why you should think I would look more favourably on any of you now than I did at the time. However..."

I felt a flicker of hope,

"I do feel that perhaps Esme is suffering more than she should from her confinement and I am prepared in her case to ease the restriction on travelling outside Volterra."

Esme looked at her surprised,

"Oh, thank you Bella but I certainly wouldn't have asked for any special treatment, I do understand your reasons for our punishment."

"Rose and Emmett are waiting outside and I know they would like to see you. Perhaps you could arrange a visit to them."

"Thank you Bella. I'd like that"

There was a short silence as Esme left the room and I watched warily, this was going far too well but only for my wife so far.

"Carlisle, don't be under the illusion that I intend to ease any restrictions on you. As far as I'm concerned you can stay here in Volterra until you rot for what you did."

"So my restrictions remain in place?"

"Yes they do."

"What about Edward? Surely you can ease his punishment now? After all he has been separated from everything he loves for so long."

"I'm sorry? There's only one thing Edward loves and that is Edward."

"Please Bella? Its inhuman keeping him locked up like this."

"Inhuman? Well Carlisle it may come as a shock to you but I am inhuman so what did you expect?"

"Is there nothing you are prepared to offer him?"

"Oh yes. I'm quite happy to offer him an alternative."

I wasn't sure this was a good thing from her tone of voice.

"And here he comes"

The door opened again and a very hopeful looking Edward walked in accompanied by two of the guard. His face fell slightly when he saw Jasper but he greeted them both and sat down beside me.

"Hello Carlisle, its been too long, I've missed you."

"Yes, I understand that emotion very well Edward, loss. I lost my parents to you and your father."

Edward understood the new wasn't going to be good after all and he tensed, his face set hard,

"This is insane. You can't keep me locked up in the citadel for ever. It's not only wrong, it's torture."

Bella

Edward was exactly the same as always, he hadn't even asked how Esme or Carlisle were, he was only interested in himself.

"Actually Edward I have been thinking about that and I've come to the conclusion that you are right. There should be an alternative punishment for you."

"Really?"

He sounded hopeful again but I was just waiting for the ceiling to fall in and sure enough it did.

"I'm giving you a choice. You can go back to your gilded cage and stop whining or you can leave Volterra."

I could see him trying to work this out,

"Of course it will take you outside the protection of the Volturi but if that's what you prefer...however I understand there are various other individuals who will see your release as an opportunity to wreak their own revenge but as I say the choice is entirely yours."

There was a long silence but I knew Edward wasn't going to choose freedom, he was far too much of a coward, but then with the likes of Darius and the others I'm not sure I would have done any different.

Knowing he was beaten he got up scowling and went to the door where the guards waited to escort him back to his quarters.

"Good choice Edward...for you at least."