𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 | 𝐉𝐀𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐑 𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐄

𝟓 | 𝐈𝐌𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐀𝐋 𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐍

CARLISLE RETURNED FROM HIS CONVERSATION WITH THE DENALI COVEN HIS EXPRESSION THOUGHTFUL BUT CALM. He sank down beside Esme, wrapping an arm gently around her shoulders.

Jasper and I stood leaning against the wall, side by side.

"Tanya convinced Irina to come reconcile with us," Carlisle said softly.

Edward, seated at the piano, lifted his gaze. "It looks like she changed her mind."

"Seeing Jacob must have been too much for her," Esme said quietly.

"Yeah," Zane added, standing next to Alice. "Her mate was killed by a pack of wolves. Who wouldn't have trauma from that?"

I sighed. "I wish Bella or I could've just talked to her."

Carlisle gave a small, reassuring smile and pressed a kiss to Esme's temple. "She's family. She'll come around."

Edward began to play softly at the piano, Renesmee sitting beside him, tiny hands touching the keys. The house was filled with gentle music and quiet peace until Alice froze.

A delicate vase slipped from her hands, shattering on the floor.

Everyone turned.

"Alice?" Zane was at her side in an instant. "What is it?"

Her eyes were wide, unfocused then she gasped. "The Volturi. They're coming for us. Aro. Caius. Marcus. The Guard... and Irina."

Bella's protective instincts took over immediately. "Honey, come here," she said, reaching for Renesmee.

The little girl rushed into her mother's arms, clinging tight.

"Why?" Carlisle asked tensely.

Edward's voice was low. "What did Irina see in the woods?"

"We were just walking," Bella said.

"Ness was catching snowflakes," Jacob added.

Edward closed his eyes. "Of course. Irina thinks Renesmee's an immortal child."

Carlisle opened a large leather-bound book, setting it on the table in front of Bella and me. Jasper stood behind me, his hands on my shoulders, his thumb tracing calming circles against my skin.

"The immortal children were very beautiful," Carlisle began, his tone somber. "So enchanting that to be near them was to love them. But their development was frozen at the age they were turned. They couldn't be taught or restrained. One tantrum could destroy an entire village."

He turned the page, showing an ancient sketch of a child with glowing eyes.

"Humans began to notice. Stories spread. The Volturi were forced to intervene. Since these children couldn't protect our secret, they had to be destroyed."

I swallowed hard. "Their creators must have fought for them."

Carlisle nodded. "They did. Many covens were torn apart. Traditions lost. Families destroyed."

I looked up at him. "So... the Denalis' mother made an immortal child?"

"Yes," Carlisle confirmed quietly. "And she paid the price."

I nodded slowly, feeling Jasper's reassuring presence behind me.

"Well, Renesmee's nothing like those children," Bella said firmly. "She was born, not bitten. She grows every single day."

Jacob crossed his arms. "So can't you just explain that to the Volturi?"

Edward shook his head. "Aro already has enough proof through Irina's thoughts."

Jacob's voice hardened. "Then we fight."

Jasper's expression darkened. "Their offensive powers are too strong. No one can stand against Jane except Delilah." His eyes flicked to me.

Alice spoke next, her voice soft but worried. "Alec's even worse."

"Then we convince them," Bella said.

Emmett scoffed. "They're coming to kill us, not to talk."

Edward met his gaze. "Maybe not them but maybe others can convince them. Carlisle, you have friends all over the world."

"I won't ask them to fight," Carlisle said immediately.

"Not fight," Edward clarified. "Witness. If enough people knew the truth, maybe the Volturi would have to listen."

Esme turned toward her husband. "We can ask this of our friends."

Carlisle hesitated then nodded.

I stood slowly, my hand finding Jasper's. Edward caught my eye, understanding what I needed to do. He gave me a small nod.

"Can we talk?" I asked Jasper quietly.

"Of course," he said, following me out into the crisp evening air.

We stopped on the porch, the sound of the forest around us calm and distant. Jasper looked at me with quiet concern. "What's wrong?"

I hesitated, staring down at my hands.

"Darling, you're scaring me," he said softly. "What's wrong?"

I took a breath. "You know how we always say we want to be honest with each other, open about everything?"

He nodded, eyes never leaving mine.

"I've been keeping something to myself," I admitted. My voice shook slightly. "I've always wanted to be a mother."

For a moment, Jasper said nothing. His expression softened, surprise giving way to tenderness.

"You know that's not possible, right?" he asked gently.

"I know," I said quietly. "I just needed to tell you. I didn't want to keep hiding it."

He let out a quiet chuckle the kind that came from love, not humor and pulled me into his arms. "Yes, we are big on communication," he murmured with a faint smile. "Thank you for telling me."

He held me tighter, his chin resting atop my head as he sighed. "If only we weren't vampires."

I smiled faintly against his chest. "If only we weren't vampires."

The two of us stood there in silence, wrapped in each other, the calm before the storm we knew was coming.