Chapter 1

"You guys really suck!"

"Come on Jasper – this is going to be really great. Dad told us to take a long month vacation. He has everything under control. Besides, once we come back, we are going to be working non-stop."

"Emmett – Edward, I love you both, you are the best brothers anyone can have, but I am not in the mood to be here"

"Listen, Jazz, just think of the culture and the architecture you will be encountering here in Italy."

I love my family but they are just really killing me here. Ever since the divorce, they think I am going to kill myself. I mean any normal man would after the shit I have been through, but I don't believe in that. See, I was married to the evil wench of Maria for almost 10 years. We had two beautiful children, a beautiful home and I thought a wonderful life. She didn't even have to work – we were the Cullens, one of the largest oil family's in the world. We were well off and we boys were groomed for this business. We also had one of the largest ranches in Texas. Dad decided to split the ranch into 4 separate and equal smaller ranches. My ranch specialized in horses, Emmett's ranch specialized in livestock and the production from it, and Edward's ranch was a dairy ranch. We all had a good life. Emmett and Edward were both single but I wasn't. I feel in love with Maria in college and I wanted to start a family early. We married at 20 and we started on a family immediately. It didn't come as quickly as I hoped but I kept my patience.

After looking back, I was just simply a fool. I didn't know that Maria had never been faithful. She was a money seeker and whore. When I caught her in bed with James, it took every little ounce of me not to kill them both. It got worse when the divorce proceedings began and I wanted sole custody of my children. I came to find out that they were never mine. James was their father. Now, I was completely alone and destroyed. I never thought life could be this lonely. I never thought I wouldn't believe in love again.

Now my family thinks this trip to Italy will clear my head. All I want is to stay on my ranch, take care of my horses and just work and forget this nightmare.

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

"Let's go Bells, you are going to have a lot of fun."

Ugh, I have heard that before.

"Ok, now Rose and Alice. We are here and arrived and all, let's make some ground rules or so help me I will be back home faster than you can say shit."

Rose was annoyed, but she better not deal with me "Shoot Bella."

"Ok, I am not here to shop. I have no intention of shopping a lot. Secondly, I need at least one day out on my own each week. Thirdly, don't be pushing me on dates or one night stands. Got it."

Alice and Rose sadly said "Ok"

"Lastly no Barbie Bella."

They didn't like that one, but hey with all the shit I have been through, I am not having it. I was quite happy just staying home and being with my dog Jacob and hanging out.

I am 29 years old and this is supposed to be my 30th birthday present from Alice and Rosie who were my best friends and "sisters". We were always the three musketeers, since the orphanage. We were actually adopted by Charlie and Renee Swan when we were 4 years old. Many families didn't want to adopt us. They called us "broken" kids. We were sexually and physically abused children and many thought we would be scared. But unknown by everyone, Charlie and Renee were our saviors and loved us as if nothing happened. They provided a loving home for the three of us and we made a pact never to let them down. Dad was the chief of police in Fort Worth. Mom was a stay at home mom and was always there for us. We had a great childhood and we love them to bits. They gave us a modest life and we treasured everything they gave us. I wanted to give them grandchildren so badly, but it kills me that I will never be able to give them that.

I got married when I was 18 to my high school sweetheart, Mike Newton. I thought we were perfect - but hell if I was completely wrong. We went to college together as my sister went to NYC to FIT. They both had plans to launch their own clothing line and last year did so – "Swan" was the up and coming clothing line in the fashion world. They concentrated in women's clothing but during the year, they extended to men and plans are in the work for childrenwear. I was a writer. I had several short stories published for young adults and children and I was branching into newspapers and magazines.

Anyway, currently, I am battling cervical cancer. I was diagnosed when I gave prematurely gave birth to my daughter, Anna, last year. My beautiful daughter was born at 6 1/2 month and was too week to survive. When I found that I had cancer, my life continued to be in a whirlwind when Mike left me and decided that he didn't love me enough to be with me and that he wanted as his says "real" kids.

It's been a hard year. The doctors suggested that I have a full hysterectomy and immediate radiation treatment. I have had radiation for about 2 months and I got really sick and I lost a lot of weight and lost all my hair. Now, I am finally getting better and my hair has started to grow back. My sisters were coming to Italy for fashion week and brought me along to get me out of the house. I didn't mind – I have been wanting to see Italy before I die. This was my opportunity to see Venice, Rome, Milan. I can't wait to escape from these two though. They have been attached to my hips since the diagnosis.

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((()))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Jasper POV

Edward and Emmett stayed up drinking and talking to some girls last night. I went to sleep early so I would be able to escape and take in the city as how I wanted to. I need to get some breakfast and get going before my brothers wake up. I have a feeling I am going to have a wonderful day.

Bella POV

Oh great, let me leave a small note for Rose and Alice and sneak out. I can just go in my jeans and t-shirt and sneakers and go sightsee this beautiful city. I will have dinner with them, but I want to see this beautiful city now. They came in late from drinking last night. I can't drink so I feel left out, though I like the idea that I can't drink. I don't like that feeling of not being in control. Anyway, I have a feeling that this is going to be a beautiful day.