The Guard

Her eyes fluttered open slowly, finally zeroing in on me. Isabella sat up quickly, running a hand roughly through her hair. "Where are we?"

"The castle." I said softly, smoothing a stray hair away from her eyes.

"But, how? I mean, why? What?" She asked, shaking her head. She was still confused from sleep, her large brown eyes unfocused.

"You fainted after the attack. Carlisle wanted to make sure you didn't put too much stress on yourself. So, he gave you something to make you sleep, to give you time to heal." I explained in a soft voice, adjusting the blankets around her.

"That doesn't explain why we're here." Isabella said in a soft sigh.

"Your father insisted that we come. He wants as much protection around his daughter and his grandchild as possible. Also, since you are pregnant again, he wants Carlisle around you at all times."

"But, what about the Jacob? And, us? What's going to happen?" She stuttered, tears starting to form in her eyes. Sucking in a deep breath, her bottom lip began to quiver.

"That's all been taken care of." I heard a deep voice say behind me. I turned slowly to see her brother, Emmett, standing in the door way, a small smile playing on his features.

"What do you mean?" She asked. I asked the same things, so I already knew the answer. I stood and went to the table to prepared her a plate. She had not eaten in almost two days and I'm sure she was famished.

I heard the bed creak, but I did not turn to see. I knew they needed this moment. I poured her a cup of tea, along with a glass of juice. I arranged meats, cereal, fruit, and sliced vegetables on the tray for her. I didn't know what she was in the mood for.

"Well, you see my darling little sister, Father sent him away."

"He what?" I could hear the surprised tone in her voice.

"Would you like to hear a story?"

And, the story was this: soon after they figured out that Isabella was not, in fact, kidnapped but ran away a few months ago when he received news from Volterra, the King became angry. Enraged, in fact. He blamed the prince for his daughter leaving. He said that he must have done something grievous to offend her. The prince denied this, which only angered the king more. The king told him if he did not leave the area immediately that he would be beheaded for treason. I'm not sure what his treason was, but not many people would argue with the king.

I knew that was one mistake that the King would never admit to. Jacob had nothing to do really with her running away. Not really.

After that, the king stopped using Jacob's help to find her. This, of course, was after the Jasper left to travel with that poor idiot. Well, at least we hadn't killed him.

Four years later....

"Charles! Stop grabbing your sister like that! She is not a toy!" Isabella shouted from her comfortable spot on the blanket in the field of wild flowers. She had her hand on the bottom of her very rounded stomach, like she was trying to hold it up.

I smiled from my spot under the tree with the men. We knew better than to be over there right now. Separate they were fine, but three pregnant women all together was a scary thing. So, we stood in the safety of the shade watching our children play. Charles was the oldest, and then our little Renee. She was just over three. Then Alice's and Jasper's son Duncan. He was only about seven months younger than Renee. Then finally Emmett's and Rose's daughter, Alexandra, who just now learned to walk. We would all be adding to our family at different times in the next six months, along with having Ann and Seth's wedding. It was going to be a hectic time so we took our time to relax now.

"Edward, what do you think of Leopold?" Bella called after a minute, her tiny brow scrunched up in thought.

"For a boy?"

"Of course for a boy!" She rolled her eyes as she answered sarcastically.

"If that's what you like, then it does not matter to me. You know I will go with anything you pick..." I said with a small smile. She nodded her head and went back to talking to the girls.

"I do hope she does not go with that name." Jasper whispered to me, hiding his lips from their eyes with the drinking glass in his hand.

I mirrored his position. "She won't. She's been going through names like this for weeks. Trust me, it's one of the better ones."

"Why is she so sure it's a boy this time?" Emmett asked.

I shrugged. She thought it was a boy last time as well. I was not going to argue with her. I knew better. Whatever it was, it did not matter. As long as both my child and wife were healthy.

The sound of horses could be heard coming over the hill. We all turned to see the noise. Carlisle and the king were riding toward us, guards not to far behind. They were running at a furious pace, coming to a skidding stop in front of us.

"I won," Carlisle smiled slightly, sticking out his hand.

The king grumbled but pulled a gold coin from his pocket. Though, he did not have time to complain for long because suddenly children were surrounding him.

"Grand! Grand!" Charles cried, his arms up in the air.

The king swooped down and picked the boy, throwing him onto the horse. I noticed that Duncan had already found his way onto the doctor's. The two girls were dancing around the legs of the horses, reaching for their grandfather and uncle's attention.

"I think they want a ride as well," I called with a small smile.

"I think indeed you are right, Edward." He answered. I walked over and helped Renee climb onto Carlisle's and Alexandra onto her grandfather's horse. Charles wrapped his arms around her so she would not fall off. "So, where shall we go riding?" The king asked in his best grandfather voice.

"I want to go to the creek!" Charles cried happily, knowing his Grand would take him where ever he wished to go.

"Do remember you have your piano lesson in an hour." I called. Charles puffed out his cheeks and blew out a hot breath.

"Princes do not pout." The king said in a chiding voice as he trotted off towards the small stream about twenty minutes away. I shook my head and sighed. They would be late, no doubt.

Six years later...

I was sitting on the piano bench besides my youngest daughter. Olivia had always had more of a talent for this and was already exceeding her brother, Charles, who had become masterful himself. Her fingers danced across the ivory keys, her eyes closed as she rocked back and forth. Only five and beyond talented. I could not be more proud.

"You will not believe what I just received!" Isabella came in with a giggle, our youngest, and last, son Joseph on her hip. Carlisle said she would not be able to bare anymore. I was fine with this. I had a very full and happy life now.

Olivia did not stop, she was too engrossed in the sound. I smiled and patted her head before standing to come over to my lovely wife. "What did you receive?" I asked as I took my son. He squealed happily and grabbed at my hair.

"An invitation to Jacob's wedding."

I raised an eyebrow. "What?"

Isabella, once she knew for sure that nothing would happen to us, sent a letter of apology to Jacob. He formally accepted it, though I don't think he was happy about it. He had married once before, a young princess from a small country. Sadly, she had died during child birth. Though, we were not invited to that wedding, I would not see why would be invited to this one.

"He is marrying Jane." Isabella laughed.

"Who?"

"Oh, that nasty little snot from Volterra. The youngest princess. I wish him the best of luck. He will need it."

"Serves him right," I muttered to myself.

"Oh! Edward, be nice. It wasn't his fault. Besides, if he had not come into our lives we would not be this way now." She told me with a light kiss before taking back Joesph.

This was true. Very true. Perhaps we would be going to a wedding.

Fifteen years later...

"LONG LIVE THE KING!" The shouts could be heard all around the castle. Isabella was weeping in my arms, her head against my chest.

The king had died in the night of the ripe old age of seventy. He had been a good and righteous king. He had been getting sicker and sicker over the past year. We knew it would be soon, but it did not make it any less hard for his children and grandchildren.

Much to our surprise, Emmett denied the throne. He had warned us that he would not take it, but still. He did not want the responsibility. He wanted to grow old in peace and play with his grandchildren. Isabella did not want the throne either. And, since Emmett had no male heirs, only five daughters, the throne fell to our oldest son, Charles.

It had just been announced and his coronation would be within the week. He could not be more thrilled to be king. His grandfather had been training him for this for years. He felt that it was his duty, and would take it proudly.

"Please don't cry mother," Charles said softly as he rubbed a hand down her back. "All will be well."

Isabella turned quickly and wrapped her arms around his neck, squeezing tightly. Charles laughed softly, hugging her back. "My baby..."

"I'm not a baby, mother. I'm a man. I am married and I have children. I am hardly a baby." He said, rolling his eyes.

"My baby," Isabella repeated more firmly.

Charles simply nodded. He knew there was no arguing with his mother. He stood up and shook my hand. I smiled at him slightly.

My son would be king.

Twenty years later...

I had twenty grandchildren and five great grand children so far. I had an amazing life. It was full of love and adventure.

And, most of all, it was full of happiness.

But, even now as I knew it was ending I had some regrets. I could change nothing. But, all of my regrets were worth it in the end.

I looked over at my sleeping wife. She had not left my side in days. I knew she was tired. She had to be. I begged her to get some real sleep but she would not listen to me. She never did and she never would. Even on my death bed she was always right.

"Isabella..." I said, my voice strained. It did not sound like me. I would always sound like the thirty year old man I was when I met my wife, in my head at least.

Her head shot up, her eyes blood shot. She had been crying again. I wanted to wipe the tears away from her cheeks, but I felt to weak. "Edward?"

"I love you, my darling." I whispered so my voice would not croak. It would not do to cough now. Not when we had so little time left.

She grabbed my hand with both of hers, both still soft as silk. When I looked at her I did not see the older, yet beautiful woman I had grown with, made a family with. No, I saw the seventeen year old girl I fell in love with as I stood by her door every day. Her hair was not gray in my eyes, silver twisted into braids around the back of her neck. It was brown and free flowing in long curls. Though, her eyes were the same sparkling brown. "Oh... Edward..." She trailed off.

"Please, say it. I want to hear it one last time." I whispered.

"Not for the last time! You know that! You're not going to leave me." She began to cry again, her tiny body raking with broken sobs.

"Isabella..." I whimpered, not wanting to cry myself. I did not want to waste my energy on tears. There was so little of it left now. If I could have my way, I would use my last little bit to make love to her and die happily in her arms. Though, it was a foolish wish and I knew it.

Maybe that's the only regret I should have. Not making love to my wife one final time. It had been far too long.

It was getting hard to keep my eyes open now. I laid my head back on the pillow, just enjoying the warmth of her hands in mine. I felt cold, though I knew it was not. It was the middle of summer and they still had a blazing fire in the room for me, my bed stacked high with blankets.

"Edward, I love you..."

That's it. No more. No sequel. Can you see why I cried now? This was one of the most emotional things I've ever written. It's kind of happy and sad all at the same time. After all that drama they had a long and happy life together.

So, I still have that poll up. I probably will for about a week. I'm really glad it's had such a good response to it. I wasn't sure what was going to happen. So, if you haven't voted yet, please do!

So, I know I held it ransom, but you got it pretty quick. So, think you could review and tell me what you think?