XL. Pre-battle.

The night before we would meet with the Volturi, we camped out near the clearing where everything would go down. It was late and a fire was made. Everyone sat around it and few stood nearby.

I sat near the fire, watching Delia sit with Quill near the tent we had set up for the little girl and the two wolves, as they were the only ones who'd need sleep. My gaze turned to Jacob as he plopped down beside me, rubbing his hands together. "That's what I'm talkin' about. A little pre-battle bonfire. Telling war stories." he commented before his gaze turned to Stefan and Vladimir who stood a few feet away, their bodies rigid and still. "Or just standing there like frickin' statues," he commented under his breath and I snorted softly as I grinned.

Garrett leaned forward in his seat, looking at Jacob. "Name any American battle. I was there." he insisted with a hint of pride in his voice.

Jacob raised his eyebrows as he stared at Garrett. He thought about it for a moment before shifting in his seat. "Little Bighorn." he named and everyone sitting around the fire turned to look at Garrett.

"I came this close to biting Custer," Garrett claimed as he lifted his hand, holding his pointer finger and thumb close to emphasize his words. He huffed softly and sat back. "But the Indians got him first," he mumbled.

Kate approached the group by the fire, standing beside Garrett. "Try Oleg's assault on Constantinople." She said before looking down at Garrett with a small grin on her face. "He didn't win that one on his own," she said as she shook her head and Garrett met her gaze with a grin of his own.

Liam, one of the Irish Coven's members sat up straight in his chair. "If you're talking battles, you're talking the Eleven Years' War. No one does rebellion like the Irish." he insisted as he nodded his head.

My eyebrows furrowed as I turned towards Liam. "The Irish lost the Eleven Years' War," I commented as I quirked an eyebrow at him.

"Aye," he confirmed as he nodded his head before a big smile spread across his lips. "But it was one hell of a rebellion." he insisted with a small chuckle.

Vladimir and Stefan were with the group within a split second and their presence unsettled everyone. "When we ruled, everything came to us. Prey, diplomats, favor seekers. Such was our power." Vladimir spoke proudly before rolling his eyes to the side. "But we never put on white hats and called ourselves saints," he commented bitterly.

"We were honest about what we were." Stefan insisted before the two of them went into a long story about their rule. It was gathered pretty quickly that they weren't very good rulers. "Perhaps the Volturi did us a favor when they burned our castles," Stefan commented.

"We've been waiting 1,500 years to return that favor. We have been ready to do battle for ages." Vladimir revealed and the two nodded their heads slowly in agreement.

Growing more unsettled by the two Romanians, I got up and walked over to Quill and Delia. The second I sat down in a chair, Delia was off her chair and on my lap. I wrapped my arms around her, cradling her to my chest as she settled down. "You not listening to the war stories?" I asked Quill.

Quill snorted as he looked at me, shaking his head. "Those lot are kinda creepy not gonna lie," he commented as he nodded his head at the two Romanians. I chuckled softly as I nodded my head in agreement. "You okay?" he asked suddenly.

I looked at Quill, offering him a small smile I had to force as I nodded my head again. "Yeah...you?"

Quill nodded his head before shifting in his seat, sitting back with his legs sprawled out in front of him. "Man, I did not think life with be so crazy being your friend Ana Cullen." he teased softly as he shook his head.

I looked at Quill, silently staring at him for a moment. "Do you regret it?" I asked softly as I raised my eyebrows.

Quill looked at me, giving me a smile. "Nah," he assured as he shook his head and I returned his smile for a moment.

I turned my head, looking at Edward and Carlisle over my shoulder. I focused solely on them, listening to their conversation from a good distance away. "I can't help thinking, all these people are putting themselves in danger because I fell in love with a human." Edward's soft voice spoke and a frown slipped onto my face.

"You found your mate. You deserve to be happy." Carlisle reasoned with Edward as he put a comforting hand on his son's shoulder.

"But at what cost?" Edward questioned as he looked at Carlisle, raising his eyebrows.

"Everyone here has something to fight for." Carlisle insisted. He was silent for a moment, his gaze turning to Esme. He watched her silently for a moment as she went to sit by the fire and then his gaze turned to Delia on my lap. "I certainly do," he said softly.

Edward followed Carlisle's gaze. He looked at his little girl as she laid her head on my shoulder, her eyes drooping. He turned to his father. "Carlisle, I've never thanked you. For this extraordinary life," he said softly, his voice sincere with how thankful he was.

I turned away from their conversation when Delia sat up on my lap, rubbing her eyes. "Mommy, I'm tired," she mumbled, her voice sleepy as she looked at me through squinted eyes.

"Let's get you in bed sweetheart," I said as I stood up, settling Delia on my hip. I walked over to the tent and got in, zipping it up before putting Delia down on the air mattress. I climbed in beside her as I pulled the blankets over her. She settled against my side, her head resting on my chest as she fiddled with her necklace.

I reached out, taking hold of the pendant, brushing my finger over the engraved words on it. Plus que ma propre vie. I turned my head to look at Delia. "This means More than my own life," I told her softly, and she looked up at me with curious eyes. "That's how much I love you," I whispered. I stared down at her for a moment, smiling sadly as my chest ached. "Tomorrow I'm gonna need you to stay with Jacob. No matter what. Even if I tell him that..." I began to tell her, choking up as I looked away. "That he has to take you somewhere," I explained as my gaze returned to her. Immediately a panicked look crossed Delia's face. I sat up, pulling her more securely into my arms. "Hey. Baby, it's all right. You're gonna be safe. Always." I assured and Delia began to cry softly. "You have to promise not to think about it. Daddy can't know, and you can't tell Jacob."

"Mommy," Delia whispered as she looked up at me with teary eyes.

I reached out, cupping her cheek. I caught a stray tear with my thumb, wiping it away. "Promise me." I pleaded softly and Delia buried her face against my chest as she sniffed.

Edward, drawn by Delia's cries and my aching heart, entered the tent with a concerned look on his face. "What's wrong?" he questioned, looking between me and our crying daughter.

Edward came closer, sitting down on the edge of the air mattress and Delia turned her head to look at him. "I don't want you and Mommy to get hurt," she whispered as she wiped at her eyes.

I rested my head against Delia's, pressing a soft kiss into her hair. "We won't," I whispered, my heart aching at the lie I told my little girl.

Edward reached out, brushing his fingers through Delia's hair. "Princess, as long as you're safe, me and your mother...we will be okay," he told her before leaning forward, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

Both me and Edward had to lie down with Delia to get her to settle down. She lay between us, with her head on my chest, her arm bent behind her as her hand held onto her father's. Edward looked at me and reached out with his free hand, placing it on my hip.

Are you okay? He asked silently as he stared at me.

I stared back at him for a moment before looking away. Yes. I replied, and I could tell Edward saw right through my lie, as he usually did.

Ana. He urged me as he squeezed my hip.

I sighed audibly before squeezing my eyes shut. I heard what you said to Carlisle. I informed him.

Edward was completely silent for a moment before he spoke silently in our own special way, which was starting to come in handy more often. You know I didn't mean it in a bad way towards you. He explained himself.

I nodded my head before opening my eyes and turning my head to look at him. But what you said was right. I insisted.

His eyebrows furrowed as he stared at me. What do you mean?

All of this...just because we decided to love one another. I explained as I diverted my gaze, staring down at my sleeping little girl.

Carlisle was also right about something else. Edward insisted, and hesitantly, my gaze returned to him. You're my mate. He said as he squeezed my hip again.

I know. I replied as I nodded my head. It still doesn't feel right having these people offer up their lives for us. I explained as a small frown tugged at my lips.

Edward shook his head at me. They made their choices. He assured me and I sighed softly. I couldn't argue further, because he was right. Everyone had a choice to leave but they stayed. Yet I couldn't help but feel guilty.

The next morning, everyone was getting ready to go to the clearing. I watched Delia as she stood near the dead fire, her gaze downcast and her arms wrapped around herself. I approached her with a frown. "Are you okay?" I asked softly as I crouched down in front of her.

Delia met my gaze, her bottom lip trembling and her eyes glossy. "I'm scared," she admitted softly.

Rosalie and Emmett stood nearby, hearing what Delia had said. They approached and Rosalie crouched down in front of Delia as well. "You have nothing to be scared about," she assured as she shook her head, running her hand over one of Delia's French braids. "We're all here to protect you."

"But whose going to protect you guys?" Delia asked softly as her eyebrows furrowed and her trembling lips pulled into a frown.

"We'll protect each other, munchkin," Emmett assured as he looked down at her. He gave her a little playful smile. "Don't tell me you doubt your uncle Emmett?" he questioned her.

Delia looked up at Emmett, giving him a small smile as she shook her head. "Never." she insisted.

"Good," Emmett replied as he reached down and ruffled her braided hair, making her squeal as she pushed his large hand away.

With a comforting pat on my shoulder, Rosalie stood up straight and she and Emmett walked away. I looked at Delia and cupped her face between my hands. "Hey, everything's going to be okay," I assured softly. "It's nothing you have to worry about," I added before wrapping my arms around her and pulling her against my chest.

I held my little girl tightly for a long moment, not knowing if it would be the last time.