There was nothing but black. No thoughts, no dreams, just an endless abyss of darkness, and I was drifting through its vast, empty sea. Was this death? Had I died in my attempt to resurrect Bella?

Suddenly, a deep whisper echoed through the void, growing louder and closer with each passing moment. It was Emmett's voice, calling my name. I followed his voice, using it as a guide to navigate through the endless night. Soon, a flicker of light appeared in the distance. Without hesitation, I ran straight toward it, driven by an instinctive hope. The light grew brighter and brighter as I ran towards it. The light engulfed my sight...

My eyes fluttered open slowly, and the sight of Edward's familiar ceiling brought a wave of comfort. I realised with relief that I hadn't died. I felt as though I'd been hit by a truck, my body heavy and drained of all energy. As the blurriness of my vision gradually receded, I turned my head to the side. There, in the corner of the room, was my Grams. She stood vigil by the window, her gaze fixed intently outside.

"Grams," I rasped, my voice hoarse and cracking as I called her name. The moment my words reached her, her eyes widened in shock. She moved with such swiftness that he seemed to blur, appearing at my side in less than a heartbeat, her concern evident in every line of his face.

"Charlotte," she murmured, her hands warm as they gently cradled my face. Tears glistened in her eyes as she scanned me, a wave of relief washing over her expression. "I'm so relieved you're ok," she said, her voice choked with emotion. She enveloped me in a tight embrace, holding me as if it had been decades since we last saw each other. "My darling girl," she said softly, rubbing my back in a soothing gesture. I absorbed her warmth and the depth of her caring presence, feeling enveloped in her love.

"I'm sorry," I choked out, my vision blurring as tears welled up. As we pulled apart, I could no longer hold back the sobs that came pouring out, tears streaming down my cheeks uncontrollably. "I'm so sorry," I repeated through my cries.

"I'm furious with you," she said, her voice raised, though her expression remained devoid of anger. "But I can't stay mad at you," she said gently, her fingers brushing away my tears. "I promised your mother I would protect you and keep you safe," she began, her hands falling to her sides. "Even with the magic I taught you, I showed you the good it can do and kept you away from temptation. I taught you to handle your powers safely and with control," she said, her eyes filling with tears once more. "Despite all that, I feel like I've failed you and your mother." A tear slid down her cheek as she expressed her sense of defeat.

"You haven't failed me," I said quickly, taking her hands in mine. "I failed you." She gave a thin smile as she placed her hand gently over mine. "Seeing Bella lifeless on that table, her eyes empty... I was overwhelmed with grief," I admitted, my voice faltering as my gaze shifted momentarily. "The pain was unbearable. Then a voice told me to call for it." I noticed my Grams' eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"Call for what?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.

"The family Grimoire," I replied. Her mouth fell open, and her eyes widened in shock.

"You actually summoned the book?!" Her voice was sharp with disbelief as if she couldn't fathom the possibility.

"Yes," I confirmed. "It was enormous, with a pentagram in the centre and a swirling border around it." As I described the book, her eyes grew even wider in astonishment.

"That's not possible," she declared, though it was clear that I had achieved it. My thoughts shifted to her arrival at the house and how she used her magic to prevent me from causing any serious harm to the wolves.

"How did you know to come here?" I asked, redirecting the conversation to how she had known to come to the Cullens.

"I felt an immense surge of power sweep through Forks," she began. "I traced its source as it intensified, leading me here," she said, her eyes surveying the room indicating the place. "I realised where the power originated... Bella's baby, Renesmee," she said. Her words left me frowning, as I struggled to understand. "There's a type of event that is so rare, so infrequent, it's almost a miracle. A Nexus Vorti," she continued. "This phenomenon can be harnessed, and with it, you can wield extraordinary power. The birth of Renesmee was this type of event,"

"But the spell didn't work. I felt it," I retorted quickly.

"No, my darling," she said gently. "It did work, but not in the way you intended." Hope began to fill my heart.

My Grams gently led me to the room where Bella's body lay. She had been washed and dressed in a delicate blue gown, but her form remained lifeless—thin and hollow. It was also day time meaning I must have been unconscious for a while.

"You hoped she would be up and about," my Grams began, positioning herself across from me, with Bella's still figure between us. "But there was venom in her system. The spell couldn't alter that. So, it adapted," she continued, her eyes falling on Bella. "Listen." As she spoke, I focused on Bella's chest, hearing my Grams softly recite a spell. Suddenly, I could hear Bella's heartbeat—steady and clear. I gasped, covering my mouth with my hand as tears filled my eyes. I could hear her heartbeats slowing, knowing they would eventually stop.

"You brought her back to let the venom do its job," my Grams said gently. "Because of you, my darling girl, she will know her daughter." Her words touched me deeply, and tears slid down my cheeks. I turned my attention back to my Grams, my lip quivering as I tried not to sob.

A blend of laughter and a sob escaped my lips as I turned my gaze to Bella. I gripped her hand in mine, a smile spreading across my face as tears continued to flow.

Just then, I heard a mix of approaching footsteps. I lifted my head to see the Cullens entering the room. They all offered me small smiles and softened looks, understanding that I had been willing to sacrifice myself to save Bella.

Emmett stepped forward, and my heart skipped a beat as his gaze melted me. I could see the relief in his eyes at seeing me unharmed. Stepping away from Bella, I moved around the table and rushed towards him.

He met me halfway, and we embraced one another as our lips collided. I deepened the kiss, my hand moving to the back of his head, fingers threading through his black locks and tightening. He kissed me back with a thousand fires as if he'd been longing to kiss me for centuries. The kiss was filled with emotion, passion, and everything we had for each other.

"I'm sorry," I whispered once our lips had parted. He shook his head softly and raised his hand to cup my cheek, and I nuzzled into his palm.

"I love you," he murmured, the words filled with deep meaning and emotion.

"And I love you," I replied, my voice full of admiration. I pressed my lips against his once more, the intensity of our connection evident. If I could have, I would have taken him right then and there. I knew he felt the same.

"Someone would like to meet you," Rosalie's voice interrupted Emmett and me. I turned to see her holding Renesmee, who no longer looked like a newborn but more like a baby a few months old.

I stepped forward, my eyes fixed on Renesmee as she made those adorable baby sounds. When I was close enough, she reached out to me with her tiny hands, and I couldn't help but let out an 'aw'. Without hesitation, Rosalie handed Renesmee to me. I cradled her in my arms, mumbling sweet nonsense as one does to babies. Without warning, she extended her hand, reaching for my cheek. I leaned down to meet her halfway, feeling her warm touch against my skin. Her eyes, so much like Bella's, stared back at me.

Suddenly, flashes of Bella and my recent conversations filled my mind, followed by images of Renesmee's birth, and I could see myself as if I were Renesmee herself. The pride and joy I felt were reflected back at me through her eyes.

My gaze returned to her chocolate eyes, and I couldn't help but smile warmly at her. "She's gifted?" It was more of a statement than a question as I lifted my head to meet the others.

"She is," Edward confirmed. "She shared her first memory of you," he clarified. I looked back down at Renesmee, who giggled at me with her adorable smile, which just filled my heart with joy.

I'm going to cherish being her aunt, even though we aren't related by blood. Bella was like a sister to me, and she felt the same way.

...........................

Pauline watched her granddaughter from the balcony that overlooked the kitchen. She saw Charlotte playing with Renesmee and chatting with Rosalie, their laughter and conversation filled with joy about the baby. A warm smile spread across her weathered face as she reminisced about the joys of having a baby and the happiness it had once brought her.

"Are you sure about this?" Esme's motherly voice came from behind, causing Pauline to turn and see the Cullens gathered together, their eyes fixed intently on her. "We'll be lying to her," she said quietly, her tone reflecting the discomfort they all felt about misleading Charlotte.

"I swore to her mother that I would protect her," Pauline began, her eyes flickering between them all. "And that's what I'm doing," her voice turned soft, as in her mind she was doing this, keeping the promise she made to her daughter long ago.

"She needs to know," Alice said softly.

"Ignorance is bliss, my dear," Pauline replied softly, her gaze drifting into the distance as if she could foresee the future that awaited Charlotte. "My granddaughter is strong in many ways," she said, her eyes moving from one person to the next, "but this... this would destroy her."

"I don't think I could bear to see her every day and lie to her face," Emmett said, his voice filled with frustration. Being the loyal boyfriend he is, the thought of deceit and facing her daily was something he found unbearable.

"I'm sorry, but you have to," Pauline said softly, her voice filled with resignation. There was no way to change the situation—lying was their only option. "Do it for her," she urged gently. Though it pained her, she believed it was better than watching Charlotte be devastated by the truth.

"You know she'll find out eventually," Carlisle said, as Pauline's eyes locked onto his light golden hue.

"I know," Pauline said quietly. "But let's hope she doesn't find out anytime soon," she added, offering a faint, wistful smile. The thought of having to explain everything to Charlotte was a burden she hoped could be postponed.

They fell into a contemplative silence as Pauline turned back to the balcony railing. She leaned against it; her gaze fixed on her granddaughter below. The sight of Charlotte playing with Renesmee brought a tender smile to her lips. As she watched them, her mind wandered back to memories of her own daughter. She recalled the joy and innocence of those early days, letting the warmth of those cherished moments fill her heart.

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