Okay here it is. We've made it to the end of the story. I hope you enjoyed the journey.

As always S.M. owns Twilight, I don't.

Previously

"Carlisle Cullen, I'll not destroy you today. You'll make a home away from here and keep to yourself. You'll only contact me and my family when one of us chooses to speak with you. And you must do me a favor in this moment."

"What might that be?"

"Kill Aro."

Carlisle looked over to his friend and foe, smiling evilly.

"With pleasure."

Chapter 12

Five years had passed since the fateful day that we destroyed Aro. My wife was magnificent as she came into her full power. In all my years, I never saw Carlisle cower away so quickly from another vampire. He knew better than anyone that Bella was too strong to fight. He and Esme had left Volterra, seemingly dropping off the face of the earth. As for Jasper and Alice, they left of their own accord, deciding to travel the world before finding a place to settle down. Emmett and Rosalie still lived with us, enjoying life more than ever before. My mind continued to sift through the many years worth of memories. Being a vampire, our minds had much more room to hold our thoughts than humans, and the details were so vivid and clear as I thought back over every minute detail.

He's at it again. I thought we got rid of Brooding Edward? Emmett's thoughts rang out loudly in my head.

"Hey, bro, why are you so down?"

"Just remembering days in our past."

"Yeah? Well, Rose is almost home from shopping, and I doubt she'll be happy with you just sitting here doing nothing."

Rose didn't take to my quiet times of contemplation as well as my brother.

"You have to stop thinking about what could have been. Focus on the now."

"I know…it's just hard to deal with at times. I feel so alone."

Sometimes the days felt like they lasted an eternity, and some hours went by fast. Today was one where I felt like I was walking in slow motion through gelatin. I could hear Rosalie's car coming toward the house, so I headed to the front door. Emmett was already there waiting. She pulled up and parked right before one of the doors flew open.

"Daddy, you have to see all of the great stuff we bought today."

If I still had a pumping heart it would have beat right out of my chest from happiness. My daughter was the most precious gift ever given. She had her mother's chestnut colored hair, a complexion as white as snow, and she radiated delight with every step. Her build was petite yet strong. She aged faster than a human child, so instead of only being five years old, she appeared to be twelve. We named her Alexis. She was our little defender, and for that I'd be eternally grateful.

"Hello, beautiful."

"Why so sad, Daddy?"

My daughter had the keenest senses when it came to my emotions. Our family had always been closely connected, and she knew when I was in a mood—even before I did. At times, it was more than I thought a child should have to handle.

"Sweetheart, sometimes I have sad days."

"You miss Mommy, don't you?"

"Yes, I do."

Emmett POV

I watched my brother greet my wife and niece. It was like any other shopping day for the most part, except one thing was missing—Bella. It was odd to see our family interact without her. She was the glue that kept us together. I don't know that we would've survived that day five years ago if it wasn't for her.

"Edward, Bella's collapsed. We need to help her," I said, alerting my brother.

Before anyone could react, there was a light that split through the room, emanating from Bella's body. She looked like an angel lying in a heap on the floor.

"Don't go near her, she's coming into her power," her father said as he approached.

All of a sudden, there was an explosion that rocked the walls of the ancient castle, causing those standing around to become nervous. Since everyone had just witnessed Carlisle rip Aro into pieces, no vampire wanted to make a wrong move. Bella was still lying on the floor as limp as a rag doll, and I wanted to help her.

"Bella, can you hear me?" Edward said as he kneeled beside her.

Silence filled the air. I noticed Edward flinch back from her body slightly, not understanding what was happening at the time.

I was jolted back to reality by the squeals that came from Alexis. She was a mighty mite and loved to challenge me every chance she could. I'd never been able to let her win; she was always good at playing games.

"Uncle Emmett, wait until you see what we bought today. Aunt Rose and I got some killer deals."

"Good, maybe something in one of your bags will cheer up Mr. Mopey over there."

My brother had always been a thinker. I never thought he could be so down after he met Bella, but I guess all good things must come to an end sometime.

EPOV

I waved my daughter and family off, deciding to go for a run. It always helped to clear my head. The further from the house I ran, the memories flooded my mind.

"Bella, can you hear me?"

What happened next was not expected. I heard a response in my mind, but it wasn't from my wife.

WE'RE OKAY, MOMMY WILL BE BACK WITH YOU SOON.

I flinched back in shock at the tiny voice that reverberated in my mind. Seconds later, my Isabella opened her eyes. They glowed a shocking bluish purple, a color so unique it could only be a true sign of her power.

"Edward," she said as her eyes pierced into my lost soul.

That was all that needed to be said as understanding passed between us.

I sprinted until I reached Canada. Taking in the sights around me, I breathed deeply, filling my lungs with crisp air before turning around to run toward home. The sadness crept back into my mind, and I reflected over the last five years. My daughter, my wife, separation, and death. Those things were plaguing my mind throughout the trip. I fed on my way home, necessary now that I was back on the vegetarian diet.

Right before I reached the house, I heard a commotion coming from the front room.

"He's on his way back, you sure you want to be here?"

I didn't wait for an answer before I busted through the front door. Two guards were standing in my living room. This was an interesting development.

"What are you guys doing here?" I said in surprise.

"We were sent ahead to make sure everything was safe."

"Daddy, she's coming."

"Who?"

I could sense her before she said a word. I turned in time to see Josephine standing in the doorway.

"Is that any way to greet a guest?"

"You know you're welcome here any time. Besides, Alexis has been waiting for you."

"I can see that. You know I don't like to travel alone."

"Mom, you're home!"

At the shout of my daughter, I looked behind Josephine to see my lovely wife standing next to her. It had only been a few days since I last laid eyes on Bella. And I felt complete again.

"Hello, my sweet Alexis. Did you give your father any trouble?"

"Of course I did, just like you told me to."

A mischievous look passed between my two girls, completing the bond between them. As everyone got settled in the house, I noticed Bella walk towards our bedroom. When I followed her, she was standing before one of the floor to ceiling windows overlooking the nearby forest.

"You miss him, don't you?"

"Yes, I do. It's been five years, and to me that feels like a lifetime. He was my creator, my father…my best friend."

She turned toward me with a smile, one that I knew all too well. She was up to something and I was about to find out what it was.

"I know you do. But we can't change the past," she said softly.

She was right. My life was never the same after that day when Carlisle turned from me and left. He and Esme had disappeared, avoiding any run ins with Bella. My wife had taken her place as rightful Queen over Vampire Law, where we lived in Volterra until she gave birth to Alexis.

Moving back to Forks had always been Bella's dream. Josephine came out of hiding so she could enjoy time with Bella and Alexis, visiting them every few weeks. As for King Edward, he keeps in touch with my wife but stays away, letting her reign on her own.

"All right, enough of the heavy feelings. We just got home and I missed my family."

"We missed you too. Let's go see Alexis and Josephine." I took my wife's hand into mine and led her to the stairs. "You never know what that little girl is tricking her grandmother into."

Joining our loud family downstairs gave me a sense of completion. Having my two favorite girls with me made my life whole, complete. And this was what made life worth living—close family, true love, the affection of your child—nothing could be better.

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