I have had this story in my head for literally, two years.

I've attempted writing this story a few times and had no success with it.

I love romance, intrigue, adventure, drama, and a kick-ass lead female – so this may seem AU to some, but to me it's just enhanced.

Reviews are my personal fuel to keep writing and where I find the inspiration to type – please leave me some.

All quotes & characters belong to SM. Rated 'M' for mature themes, language, and violence.

Summary: Edward and Bella reunite after their return from Italy together. Things skew when different decisions are made, unexpected visitors arrive, and someone is taken under the guise to never return again

THE YOLUTRI REDEMPTION

Bella POV

The Volturi will kill me if I remain unchanged; I must become a vampire soon.

The actual dead-clear realization seeped wickedly down my body, gathering like ice in my heart. My eyes snapped open, my heart dropped through the bed and down to the floor, and my hands began searching for him on their own accord.

"I am here", his cool, comforting hands found mine quickly, and I squeezed, finding my breath.

The sun was not out yet. Everything was a deep blue outside; it's near dawn.

God forbid the Volturi should step into Forks. I shivered.

I remembered my disagreement with Edward before I feel asleep last night. He will not change me – I insisted that I change to spare my family, his family, the pack, and everyone else we know.

I need to become a vampire. Not only to save the lives of those I love, but because he is m whole life. He holds my whole heart and I want to be with him forever. What if this is a veiled refusal? Perhaps he is resisting changing me because he doesn't plan on staying here long?

I roll my eyes – I am so frustrated with myself, with my stupid and incessant insecurities. I have had this conversation with him and myself since he brought me back home.

He loves me and I love him – it is simple and beautiful and that is all there is to it.

Although I have a whole new stress in my life due to the demands of the Volturi, I have Edward and his absolute, undying love. My lips tugged involuntarily into a smirk thinking of this, my heart almost burst through my chest.

A wayward tear escaped down my face silently, his hand swiftly smoothed it away. I cannot possibly hide anything from him. I sat up slowly from our intimate embrace on my bed.

"Are you alright?" Edward's hushed voice was anxious – always so cautious with me.

"Yes, I'm fine", I whispered back, my eyes only able to make out his silhouette. I know in my heart and soul that he loves me, but how can I convince him to make me his equal?

An infantile voice sang in my head: he's not the boss of you. Childish, really – but it does make sense. How come he gets the final word? Although my dying wish (no pun intended) would be for Edward to change me, I'm sure if I went to Carlisle with my plea to save lives by being changed, Carlisle would change me. I know I'd risk causing Edward emotional harm, but he cannot really be deciding to put his family in danger all for something as stupid as leaving me human.

In fact, Carlisle was not the only person who depended on this: the entire Cullen family had every right to decide with me.

I swung my legs over the bed and stood up, throwing on jeans quickly and zipping up a sweatshirt.

"May I ask where you are going?" I can feel his breath on the back of my neck.

"I've been thinking and I need to go to your house", I said. Perhaps I'll be able to surprise him with my plan before he tries to talk me out of it.

His phone buzzed on my nightstand.

"Alice", he said softly, putting the slim phone to his ear. He curious eyes, looking into mine, changed ever so slightly, his perfect brow creasing.

Damn it Alice.

I resisted the urge to smooth out the line between his intense gaze, "we'll be there shortly". He slipped the phone into his pocket, "all she said was that you were coming with or without me and that I would want to be there because I am 'extraordinarily opinionated' and I'll want a chance to 'air my views'." His head cocked to the side slightly.

I smiled diminutively, "you're handsome". I could not help myself.

"And you are beautiful", he flashed me a crooked grin. "Would you care to enlighten me – which subject we will be airing?"

Swiftly I said it, "my mortality – I am putting it to a vote".

My crooked smile broke; he was not pleased – that much was certain. With a soft, sad sigh, he scooped me up and jumped lithely to the ground outside without a sound.

Before tossing me to his back, I noticed the empty space where Charlie's police cruiser usually sat.

I took a breath to ask but Edward beat me to it, "he got a call an hour ago. Billy Black got a new fishing reel. Charlie left a note to you saying he will be gone for the week with Billy camping. He reminded you that you are still grounded. He is having Jacob come by the house tomorrow to make sure I'm not here." He laughed lightly, "like that pup can keep me away from you now".

He hoisted me onto his back and took off.

My head was spinning from my extreme luck. Fishing and camping was just what Charlie needed to cool down and ease up on me. I wonder if Jake had anything to do with this little trip – he knew how mad I still was about his stunt outing my motorcycle and me.

The cold, damp wind felt refreshing on my skin. I remember how running like this through the trees used to unnerve me. It seemed a sill reaction now – after all we've been through.

My heart beat faster – Edward is by side forever and I can face anything with him. I kept my eyes wide, my cheek pressed against his neck. His smell – like misty pine, firewood, and spice – swirling around me; it is unforgettable. I pressed my face to his neck, inhaled deeply and kissed behind his ear, holding my lips and warmth there. He slowed.

"Thank you", he whispered. Trees were going by slowly now and I could hear the river that ran behind his house. "Does that mean you are not going to put us to a vote tonight?"

I smirked, "no". In a softer voice I added, "I'm trying to savor you".

"Explain that please".

He came to the clearing where their big house was, he set me down on my feet. "Well-", I struggled to find the right way to phrase it, "it's just…deep, deep down, I feel like this is somehow temporary", he started towards me, "Not us – I don't mean that we are temporary, but that this, this happiness is – like someone is timing us". He slid his hands up my neck to cup my face and I keep talking, softer now, "I do not deserve you. There is nothing about me that could possibly hold you".

His eyes searched mine desperately. He leaned forward and pressed his lips against mine – we have kissed many times since he brought me back from Italy, but this one was slow and soft and impossibly more desperate. He pulled back a centimeter, I could still feel his lips as he spoke, his breathing labored, "Your hold is permanent and unbreakable. Never. Doubt. That."

We stood there a minute or two, our lips still grazing, exchanging breath. I was in a trance, all of my other senses going into a frenzy – torn between complete ecstasy and total panic. I feel as if the Volturi were watching, waiting for us to get comfortable and vulnerable.

"We are past the worst part", he murmured, sending cool breath tumbling into my mouth.

"I don't feel like we are", I was trying to be honest with him. In reality, my existence with him is causing him so much turmoil, what if he realizes this and leaves?

No matter how many beautiful words pour from this beautiful man's mouth, I cannot bring myself to accept that he speaks his truth. Our love is difficult – but it is completely truthful and real.

"We passed the Volturi; they won't be coming around here", he said assuredly, pulling away to look at me.

"I didn't mean they were the worst", I looked up at him pointedly.

"I'm worse than the Volturi?" He grinned darkly, "I guess I have earned that". I think sometimes that both of us find it hard to believe that we are loved.

I shook my head gently, "the worse the Volturi can do is kill me". He waited with tense eyes, "you can leave me. The Volturi…Victoria… they are nothing compared to that".

I love him and I know he loves me, and although that black void of his absence was not forgotten – I still stung and was still mending. Looking at him, I could see his features twist in sadness and I knew I wasn't the only one still healing -and part of me regretted speaking the truth.

"Don't", I said softly, touching his beautiful face, "don't be sad".

He pulled one corner of his mouth up to a smirk, but it did not reach his eyes, "if only there was some way to make you see that I can't leave you", he whispered, strained, "time, I suppose, will be the only way to convince you".

I like the idea of time – as long as it was with him.

We walked up to the glowing house together, he snaked his arm around me and pulled me close.

"I love you", I said.

"I love you too, my Bella, so much".

When we had returned from Italy, he told me every emotion he went through when he lied to me and left. I told him my story – and I left nothing out. We had honestly never been closer. I realized that this was a mature relationship. We are dealing with things and letting each other's faults go. We love each other.

"You were better at it than I was you know", he said, yanking me from my thoughts.

"Better at what?"

"Surviving. You made an effort to get up in the morning and attempt at being normal for Charlie. I was… totally useless. I more or less curled up in a ball and let misery take me".

"Remember that I heard voices? That's pretty pathetic".

He smirked, "Ah – but I do that too, see?"

"Hey – I only heard one voice though", my eyebrows went up.

He chuckled and shook his head, "I am only humoring you with this", he motioned to the house where Alice now stood in the front doorway, her small frame a dark silhouette. "It does not matter in the slightest what they say".

"This affects them now too".

He shrugged indifferently.

We entered the house, Alice grinning at me the whole way, Edward looking warningly at her. I smiled sheepishly as she hugged me.

"Bella", Carlisle greeted us in the foyer, holding Esme's hand, "What can we do for you this morning? I imagine due to the hour, that this is not purely a social visit?"

"I would like to talk to everyone about something important, if that's alright?"

Carlisle nodded, glanced at Edward and mentioned for everyone to gather in the dining room.

I looked up at Edward as he watched his father, his face critical, but resigned.

We walked into the room, Carlisle held out the head seat for me.

Carlisle was to my right, with Esme beside him Edward at my left. Alice walked in looking confident and smug, Emmett and Jasper after her looking curious, and lastly Rosalie – her face minutely scrunched when she saw me. Edward shot her a dark look, and her face went smooth, but I'd caught it. Although she apologized for her actions leading us to go to Italy, she had gone back to mostly ignoring me. I briefly wondered if anyone knew why I was here besides Edward and Alice.

Carlisle nodded towards me, "the floor is yours".

I swallowed, then felt embarrassed remembering that all of them heard that. Emmett smirked and Jasper looked apologetic.

Their amber eyes all trained on me made me nervous – I could feel Jasper's confidence softly press into me, I silently accepted it. Edward's hand pushed into mine possessively under the table. I looked to him – he was looking at the others; his eyes suddenly fierce.

My eyes caught Alice's and she smiled, nodding; I took a deep breath.

"I have a problem. When I was in Italy, Alice saved my life by showing Aro that I would eventually change and become one of you. He said that they will be checking me themselves to make sure I've kept my promise and I am sure that that is a bad thing – something to avoid. I do not want them coming here because of me – not if I can prevent it somehow. And so now – this involves all of you. I am so sorry about all of this". I risked a glance at Edward, his jaw was tense, and I kept going, "If you do not want me, then I am not about to force myself upon you", I paused, nervous to know what they really thought of me, "You all know what I want. And I am sure you know what Edward wants. I think the only way to decide is for everyone to have a vote. If you decide that you do not want me, then…" I hesitated on saying this and it was obvious, "then I will go back to Italy alone…"

I tried to ignore Edward's continuous growling after I said that.

"I cannot have them come here. I am not going to put any of you in danger – so, I want you to vote 'yes' or 'no' on the issue of me becoming a vampire", I hurried to finish.

Edward leaned forward, about to say something but Esme interrupted him, "we'll go ahead and vote for you Bella – Edward sit back", Edward grumbled, then obliged silently.

I nodded, smiled appreciatively to Esme, and held my breath, my gaze focused on my love, "Edward?" I whispered. I was becoming too emotional – I wanted to be like a lawyer, but I was losing the battle. My eyes re-centered on Edward's blurring face, his eyes snapped up to mine – he could smell my tears – just like everyone else in the room.

His eyes dark and focused on my face; his voice was hushed, "Do not cry love, you know I am a selfish creature at heart and will do any despicable thing to keep you with me forever, but I struggle with my beliefs", he paused, squeezing my hand under the table, "I cannot damn you", he finished in a louder voice.

"Yes or no", I whispered.

"Bella, do not make me say it – I can't take away your soul".

I nodded stiffly, hurt – the single tear that I was trying to hold onto fell from my eye and splashed onto the table – this is embarrassing, and turned towards Alice.

Alice said brightly, "Bella – I want you as a sister. Yes".

I smiled and looked at Jasper, "Yes, Bella, you have my vote".

"Emmett?" I whispered, trying to hide my touched smile.

"That's a hell to the yes, Bells", Emmett said smiling.

I smiled back and looked at Rose – who was looking at the tear that fell on the table, still in drops on the glass top, "No", her voice like glass itself.

My heart constricted and I looked immediately at Esme, "Yes, yes, yes, sweetheart – you know I already think of you as a daughter".

I became nervous again as I looked at Carlisle, he was gazing intently at Edward, who was staring down at our hands, "Yes", Carlisle's voice was sincere and strong.

In one swift move, Edward suddenly unclasped our hands, got up from the table, and walked fluidly out of the dining room. Alice's eyes slowly closed as he passed, she let out an audible breath – the one I was holding for the past five minutes.

In the same sincere voice, Carlisle continued calmly, "you've chosen not to live without her – that doesn't leave me much choice".

I realized I won – figuratively speaking. My euphoria at Edward's family's love for me was tarnished because he didn't agree with them. My eyes hung in the void of the empty doorway – waiting for him to return.

Covering up my rejection, I found my voice, "thank you all – for wanting to keep me", emotion was winning – leaking into my tone, "I feel the same way about all of you".

Esme's arms were thrown around me in an instant, "dearest Bella".

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Rosalie, still glaring down at the table – I grasped that my words just then could be construed in two ways.

I stood up shakily, "well, when is this going to happen, Carlisle?"

"No, No, NO!" Edward said desperately, suddenly back in front of me, "it doesn't have to be now – please, not now", his hands were raking up my arms, his voice low and emotional.

I looked at him helplessly – a few more tears surprising me. What can I say to sway him? To convince him this will save us?

"There's no reason for it not be now", I offered.

"Bella….. I..", Edward started.

"Edward", Jasper whispered, Edward put his hand out, taking a deep breath.

Edward put one hand gently on my face, "please don't feel like you're in a corner and you need to make this decision now", his eyes softened, "Charlie is going to be out this whole week – we've got some time to think about this".

I briefly considered an entire week with Edward – and decided quickly that of course it was a good thing, but I need to let him know how much this means to me.

I put my hands on his chest, gripping his shirt, "I need to be frank with you – my change needs to happen; the lives of our loved ones depend on it". I motioned with my head to his family – Alice was staring intently at us, nodding, "I can be flexible as to when, but I am not going near twenty", I let out a shaky breath, attempting to lighten the mood. "Regardless of what you say, I am changing – not only for our family, but because I am irrevocably in love with you and I want to be with you forever; and there's no need to worry over my soul".

His eyes became cynical, "no need to worry? So eager for eternal damnation".

I smirked, becoming bold – walking back to my chair to sit down and leave him the only one standing, "oh, you know you don't really believe that".

"Oh, don't I?" He fumed.

I smiled softly, "No. If you really believed that you'd lost your soul, then when I found you in Volterra, you would have realized immediately what was happening, instead of thinking we were both dead together. But you didn't – you said 'amazing, Carlisle was right'", I reminded him, "there's hope in you after all".

For once, Edward was speechless.

I chanced a glance around the table: Alice was grinning from ear to ear, Jasper and Emmett were frankly amazed, Rose was quiet, Esme was brimming, and Carlisle was wide-eyed and looked proudly at his son.

I looked back to Edward whose liquid amber eyes locked onto mine.

I stood up again, going to him and leading him out of the room, "so let's both be hopeful, all right? Not that it matters, if you stay, I don't need heaven".

He grabbed my hands and brought them to his lips, kissing them as he stared into my eyes, "forever", he vowed, still staggered.

I nodded my head, "that's all I'm asking for".

First chapter up! My parents are going on a three week vacation so I'll have a lot of time without interruption to update. I will have the second chapter up tomorrow.

Please R&R!