Hi again, everyone! After three long and busy days, I've finally finished chp. 20 :D thank you so much for reading and all your sweet comments on my last post! I hope you all enjoy this one. Much love, as always, to each and every one of you all, from me!
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Love and War
Alice ran to embrace Summer, who was sitting on the floor of the living room in tears. She had no words to comfort her, but, thankfully, Jake did. Carlisle told him the news, and as soon as he told Sam, he came bursting into the Cullens’ home in a matter of minutes. He saw Summer resting her head on Alice’s shoulder, Alice stroking her hair. He was at her side in a second, “Babe, come here.” Summer kissed Alice’s cheek and shifted to sit in Jake’s lap. Her warm tears floated down his balmy chest. Everyone left the couple alone for privacy reasons. “I’m going to lose you and the Cullens, Jake,” she whispered with staggering breath, “all because of me.” He lifted her chin to face him, his eyebrows wrinkled by confusion, “What the heck do you mean, Summer?” Summer frustratingly threw her hands into the air and shook her head, “Jake, sweetheart, can’t you see?!” Her volume raised in worry, “If I had simply fulfilled my duty as the wife of Aro, none of this would have happened. You would be safe, your pack would be safe, the Cullens would be safe! But now, I’ve ruined everything. Everything I was afraid would happen is coming to pass before my eyes.” She buried her tear-stained face in her icy hands. “Look at me.” Jake soothingly pleaded to her. She peeped up at him, and he gently wiped away her falling teardrops, “We’re prepared and ready for this attack. Carlisle’s friends will be more than willing to help us out. My brothers are prepared fully as well, Summer, so please don’t worry about them. We are strong werewolves designed to kill vampires; you have no reason to worry about us.” Summer inhaled deeply to calm herself, “I understand, love,” she caressed his cheek, “and I know I need to have more faith, in everyone. I probably overestimate Aro.” Only saying her husband’s name stung her throat. She tried her best to convince herself of her words. Summer noticed a smirk grew on Jake’s lips. She lightly giggled, “What is it?” He took her hand and helped her onto the couch.

Then, shocking Summer out of her mind, Jake got down onto his right knee, pulled out a small black box from his front pocket, flipped open the lid, and gazed lovingly into her golden eyes. Planted inside the box was a silver engagement ring. Heart-shaped diamonds encrusted the ring, and the largest diamond sat sparkling on the top. Summer’s eyes widened; she covered her mouth as she gasped softly. Jake’s eyes didn’t look away from hers, “Summer Cullen, you have bewitched and enchanted every aspect of my life in the greatest ways possible. You’ve added sunshine, warmth, and, above all, love in my heart. Your inner and outer beauty has captured my utmost attention for all eternity, and I will forever be your faithful and devoted lover, undeservingly thankful to have an angel to call my own. Sweetheart, will you marry me?” Summer was utterly speechless, but nodded in agreement instantly. The smile never left her flawless face as Jake slid the ring onto her thin finger. She embraced Jake by the neck, knocking him to the floor. The couple laughed joyously. “And here I thought you’d never propose to me so soon.” Summer admitted. Jake placed her hanging curls behind her ear, “I’m full of surprises, love, and as soon as this stupid battle is over and done with, we’ll be married in no time.” Summer’s heart soared at his words. She would finally be married to her actual true love, not a slave to a leech. Summer bent her head and kissed Jake fervently, never wanting to let him go. She traced the curve of his neck with her lips, “I love you.” She whispered. He pressed her closer to his chest, “I love you too, forever and always.”

He lifted her off the floor and onto the plush sofa. Jake ran his tingling fingers across Summer’s pregnant stomach, making the baby kick lightly. Summer beamed, “It knows you’re now its daddy, honey.” Jake’s smile broadened, “Really?” “Of course. A mother always has her way of knowing what her baby’s thinking.” Suddenly, Alice and Jasper hurried down the steps, anxiety filling their eyes. Summer bit her lip, “Alice, Jasper, is something wrong?” Jasper stared at Summer, grinning politely, “Everything will be fine, dear. Don’t be alarmed.” Jake held Summer closely to ease her thoughts. Sam arrived shortly after, leaving the remainder of the pack standing on guard outside the Cullen residence. Carlisle ushered him into his study, obviously to talk about strategies and tactics. Ten minutes later, they moved their conversation to the living room so everyone could hear. “Summer,” Carlisle began, “hopefully you have enough energy, because until the Denalis and our Caribbean friends arrive, you must be our main defensive protection.” He kissed her hand, pain swelling in his countenance, “I’m so sorry for compelling you to suffer through this, darling. If you feel weak at any time, inform one of us and we’ll concentrate our energy on a wall of defense rather than offensive maneuvers.” Summer stubbornly shook her head, “I’ll be alright, Carlisle. Please, no need to baby me.” He chuckled lowly, “My strong-willed young daughter.” Summer rolled her eyes and laughed, “I’m older than you, father.” “I suggest we head out to the grounds now, Carlisle,” Alice insisted, “they’ll be here in forty-five minutes at the speed they’re going.” Carlisle nodded solemnly. The family, minus Edward, Chloe Bella, quickly made their way to the massive grass field on the deserted outskirts of Forks.

It was so difficult for Summer to let Bella take Chloe with her, but she knew Bella was a responsible aunt, and she would treat Chloe exactly like a daughter. “Will Edward be here soon, Alice?” Carlisle inquired of his psychic daughter. She scanned the future, “Around the time the Denalis reach, which will be in an hour. The Caribbean group won’t get here till we’re nearing the end of the battle, though.” That news forced Carlisle’s frame to tense. “That’s fine. Any help they give us will be of use.” “Hopefully not desperate use.” Alice muttered below her breath. “So, how does this shield of yours work, sweets?” Jake asked, taking her small hand into his larger one. “Well, Jake, I can wrap it around any given amount of people. Once I do that, they can be touched but no longer feel pain, I can read their thoughts and convey mine to them, and I can heal them. I can also sprout a second part of my shield and use it as an offense. As an offense, my shield can stun any population of people, force them to forget what they were doing and where they were, and make see and think they’re somewhere else.” Jake stared at her, wide-eyed with mouth slightly gaping, “Promise me you won’t ever challenge me to a fight, babe.” Summer threw her head back in laughter and playfully shoved Jake’s shoulder, winking impishly, “Never, love, unless it’s for fun.” They finally reached the field, and everyone began preparing. Summer gave each of her family and the wolves a reassuring hug.”Everything will work out as planned, honey.” Rosalie promised her. “I agree completely, Rose.” Alice interjected, beaming widely, “We’ll take them down, and they’ll never know what hit them.” Summer tried to smile. Alice was so confident, yet she seemed so fragile and helpless. How could little Alice fight off a huge Volturi guard? Jake grabbed hold of Summer’s waist, kissing her glossy pink lips, “Aro was mistaken, Summer. It’s he and his clan who won’t live to see the end of this battle. It’s time he’s realized that he’s treated you like scum all these years, and that you deserve so much more than that.”

Summer choked back her tears. She knew the only battle Aro was concerned with was the one between him and Jake. Aro has been skilled in the art of battle for centuries, but Jake had only been a werewolf for a year. Would she, a newly engaged girl, need to say goodbye to her fiancée so soon? The tormenting cries in her heart begged it not to be so. Emmett glowered at the north end of the field and began to growl, “Their coming. I can trace their scents.” Carlisle stood defensively before his loved ones, motioning for them to stay behind. There they were, cloaked bodies lined up by the dozens, appearing from behind the mask of thick foliage. “It has begun.” Jasper whispered menacingly. Aro was leading them. When they stopped to face the Cullens and werewolves, Summer noticed Aro had his usual deceitful smile on his blemish-free, beautifully angled face. “Carlisle, dear friend,” his mellifluous tone shook the stiff air, “I thought we agreed. My wife and daughter belong to me and with me.” He wagged his finger back and forth, “I’m afraid this kind of thing won’t do.” There was gentle scolding in his voice. Then he caught sight of Jake, who was still holding Summer at the waist. He stared at the werewolves, recognizing that their scents were similar to Jake’s. He soon understood what Jake was. Fiery anger flared in Aro’s eyes. He pointed directly at Jake, “This dog was sent to do YOUR bidding, Carlisle. I demand to know why!” Carlisle clenched his fists, struggling to maintain his composure, “You are not a husband to Summer, and you are not a father to Chloe. Instead, you are a vicious, maleficent, prideful, disrespectful, selfish, bloodthirsty beast who simply wanted a family to make slaves of them.” Summer was shocked by Carlisle’s fearsome words. He had never been so vile towards anyone before, but this time, he had a reason for it. Aro bared his intimidating teeth, “They are MY PROPERTY, Mr. Cullen! I will not see some wolf take them into his custody.” Carlisle’s gentle eyes narrowed, “They are rightfully Jacob’s family now. They were never yours. She was just your concubine who could produce your offspring.” Summer attempted to hide her protruding stomach. If Aro knew she was pregnant, he’d take extra precautions to be sure she was his wife alone. Aro laughed hysterically, “What an excellent joker you are, my good friend.” Carlisle unleashed a frightening growl, startling even Aro. Aro frowned, his eyebrows knitting together, “Fine then.” He turned to the guard and other elders, “Kill them. Kill them all, except my wife and daughter.” In less than half a second, Summer protectively wrapped her shield around her loved ones while the Volturi lunged at them. Aro crouched, eyeing Jacob with the utmost hatred. Jake gave her one final kiss, “I love you, and always will. We’ll make it through this alive, sweetheart.” She squeezed him tightly, using all her affection, “I love you to, honey. Please, be careful.” “I will.” Aro dashed at him. Jake whizzed by her, instantly shifting into his werewolf state. He clamped Aro at the neck. Aro struggled to push away Jake’s death grip. Jasper was correct. It had begun, but how and when would it end?
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Thankies for reading, sweets! :] Hope you loved :D