The Unmatched Beauty (Twilight/TVD Crossover)

We are Family

I was sure Aro saw the same thing I did. He turned away, walking back to his guard with a measured pace. He stopped in front of them and addressed them in a clear voice.
"We are outnumbered, dearest ones," he said. "We can expect no outside help. Should we leave this question undecided to save ourselves?"
"No, master," they whispered in unison.
"Is the protection of our world worth perhaps the loss of some of our number?" "Yes," they breathed. "We are not afraid."
Aro smiled and turned to his black-clad companions.
"Brothers," Aro said somberly, "there is much to consider here."
"Let us counsel," Caius said eagerly.
"Let us counsel," Marcus repeated in an uninterested tone.
Aro turned his back to us again, facing the other ancients. They joined hands to form a black-shrouded triangle.
As soon as Aro's attention was engaged in the silent counsel, two more of their witnesses disappeared silently into the forest. I hoped, for their sakes, that they were fast.
This was it. Paul buried his nose in my stomach and whined almost pleadingly. "I'm not mad anymore you oversized egotistical puppy." He huffed in slight offense as I heard a few snickers from the wolves who heard it through his thoughts. Rebekah and Viktor drifted toward me as did Embry as he was basically glued to Rebekah's ass.. "Well sister. This was not how I would've liked to meet your future husband." I pinched the bridge of my nose, exasperated. "Just. Please. Shut the fuck up." A grim overcame his face. "There she is. My don't give two shits Vanessa. Darling I missed you." He pulled me in a bone crushing hug and I'm positive I heard a rib or two break and I think the wolves did too as they all winced, "Alright. Your crushing her. My turn." I turned and was ambushed with a hug from Rebekah. "I love you." I squeezed her tightly then held her at arms length. "I love you too. And I promise if we make it through this I will make sure Niklaus doesn't kill Embry no matter how much of a pain in my ass he is." Paul gave a bark of laughter and it drew attention as Embry opened and closed his muzzle like a fish no doubt too outraged and offended to speak or growl in this form.
"Can I get one last hug from my girls?" Viktor asked but has already brought us in our foreheads banging against each other. "Oomph." We sounded muffled against his shirt but he didn't care at this moment and right now neither did we. Voices are what brought us back to our lines.
"Is there no hope, then?" Carlisle whispered. There was no fear in his voice. Just determination and acceptance.
"There is absolutely hope," Bella murmured back. Esme had ragged breath that was unnecessary. She passed the trio family and then came to me touching my face she even scratched behind Paul's ears a little and his surprised yelp was hilarious even if laughter wasn't the right emotion right now. I let out a little chuckle despite my inner monologue. He licked my ear. I rubbed my shoulder against it. "Quit that!"
Suddenly, we were surrounded by murmured goodbyes and I love you's.
"If we live through this," Garrett whispered to Kate, "I'll follow you anywhere, woman."
"Now he tells me," she muttered.
Rosalie and Emmett kissed quickly but passionately.
Tia caressed Benjamin's face. He smiled back cheerfully, catching her hand and holding it against his cheek.
I didn't see all the expressions of love and pain. I was distracted by a sudden fluttering pressure against the outside of my shield. I straightened alert. I couldn't tell where it came from, but it felt like it was directed at the edges of our group, Siobhan and Liam particularly. The pressure did no damage, and then it was gone.
There was no change in the silent, still forms of the counseling ancients. But perhaps there was some signal I'd missed.
"Get ready," Bella whispered to the others. "It's starting."