Only Exception || C. Cullen ✓

f i f t e e n

Carlisle nodded his head. He placed both hands on either side of Christina's face and leaned down. "I love you."

"I love you."

They shared a longing kiss — a thankful kiss. One that told the story of their past and future. It was a sort of kiss that made their toes curl and fireworks spark behind their eyelids. With just one kiss, both husband and wife could tell the other's emotions and thoughts — and how grateful they both were to be alive and victorious.

"Ew!" Two voices giggled, breaking up the kiss.

Both parent looked down at their kids, who were giggling into their hands. Christina kneeled down on the ground and wrapped her arms around both of her kids. She landed a kiss on top of their heads as Carlisle joined in the hug.

They had won the battle — and they couldn't wait to go home.

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        "So good to be home," Christina sighed as she plopped down on the couch. She closed her eyes and relaxed her head back, taking in the familiar scents. Two more bodies plopped onto the couch, and giggled afterwards — letting Christina know how the two small bodies were.

Many of the witnesses had already left — most of them leaving from the field. Only a few came back to the house and chatted.

Benjamin and Tia had ran off after saying their goodbyes to the children — both of them excited to catch up to Amun and Kebi and tell them the outcome. Peter and Charlotte had stayed to talk with Alice and Jasper for a short moment before saying their fair-wells and leaving shortly after the Cullens arrival back home.

Zafrina had made Bella promise to visit with Nessie — as the two were so close in powers that they bonded quickly over the past couple of weeks. Bella had promised the Amazonian vampire that they would visit before saying their goodbyes.

"Well done, Siobhan," Carlisle complimented as they said their goodbyes to the Irish coven.

"Ah, the power of wishful thinking," she replied sarcastically. She rolled her eyes before becoming serious. "Of course, this isn't over. The Volturi won't forgive what happened here."

"They've been seriously shaken," Edward answered her concern. "Their confidence is shattered. But, yes, I'm sure they'll recover from the blow someday. And then..." His ochre eyes hardened. "I imagine they'll try to pick us off separately."

"Alice will warn us when they intent to strike," Siobhan said confidently. "And we'll gather again. Perhaps the time will come when our world is ready to be free of the Volturi all together."

"That time will come," Carlisle agreed. He wrapped his arm around Christina's shoulder as he sat down on the couch next to her. "If it does, we will stand together."

"Yes, my friend, we will," she nodded her head. "And how can we fail, when I will it otherwise?" She let out a great peal of laughter.

"Exactly," he nodded his head. Both him and Christina stood up from the couch to give her a hug goodbye. "Try to find Alistair and tell him what happened. I'd hate to think of him hiding under a rock for the next decade."

Siobhan laughed again — before the Irish coven took off all together.

The Denali clan was last to leave — with Garret following after, as Christina and Bella were sure he would be doing from now on. The Denali sisters couldn't handle the celebration for too long, as they both needed time to grieve their lost sister.

"They're gonna be around for a long time, aren't they?" Jacob asked as he walked up to Christina, Carlisle, and Edward later on in the day.

The sun was just starting to set over the horizon, and the kids were running circles around their aunts and uncles, bring more celebration to the day.

"A very long time," Christina nodded her head with a grin.

"I'm glad she has you," Edward stated as he looked away from Bella and Nessie and towards Jacob.

The wolf grinned at his words. "So should I start calling you 'Dad?'"

"No."

Christina and Carlisle chuckled at their antics. The mother was quick to open her arms as Greyson ran into them. He smiled brightly up at her — bright green twinkling. He rested his head on her stomach as Annie got picked up by Carlisle. The curly-haired girl rested her head against her father's shoulder and gave her mother a tired smile.

"Yeah," Bella answered a silent question of Nessie's. "We're all gonna be together now."

Christina grinned towards her sister. "Guess you're stuck with me forever, Bells."

The brunette gave a short laugh, remembering their conversation before the battle. "I think I can deal with that."

Christina chuckled as she leaned into Carlisle's kiss that landed on the side of her head. She turned her bright eyes up to him. "It's a wonderful life, Mr. Cullen."

He leaned down and landed his lips onto hers. "Forever."

They pulled away after a short moment, and she placed her head on his chest, smiling at the family that surrounded them.

"I like the sound of that."

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Just the epilogue left 🤧😭