A/N: Check out my latest one shot Love Through It All. It's a what if story, what if Bella was going to tell Edward she was pregnant the day he left. Also, I changed a few things I didn't like about the story. Please review good or bad. Thanks to everyone who has review, added my story as an alert and added it to you favorites.

I do not own these characters S. Meyer does

Chapter 2

4 years later

After I became a "woman" I was allowed to live in Volterra because I was becoming more like a vampire. I was almost as fast, strong, and agile but I still experienced a blood lust but only once a month.

Papa and Aro felt it best that I be close to them so I wouldn't slip up. Although they had no qualms killing humans, they didn't believe in being careless. I didn't understand their concern, since my incidence with Gilda; I had never killed another human. Aro didn't understand why I couldn't bring myself to actually doing the killing. I knew my father was killing humans so I could feed my thirst, but I tried not to think about it.

I was still a dark secret for the Volturi, but the guard's inner circle knew of my existence. I sometimes wondered if my family was ashamed of me or if it was true they kept me here because of their fear. I didn't understand their fear; I wished there were more like me. Papa told me that it was highly unlikely that there would ever be more because he didn't know where his strength came from to not kill my mother. He had told me that their blood lust was a constant and it seemed to me that it was stronger than the blood lust I suffered once a month. I'm just glad there was no more talk of changing me. I didn't think I would like being a full vampire.

Though sometimes I felt so alone, it was hard not being completely human or vampire. I had Fiore as a human companion, but I wondered if she only stayed because of the money or out of fear. Fiore was my source to the human world. We weren't allowed to leave the city, so we made the most of Volterra. It really was a beautiful city. The Volturi were very protective of their city, absolutely no hunting was allowed. Protection wasn't the only thing they provided, it was full of culture. There was a small museum that had some of the rarest works of art, thanks to Aro. There was a symphony hall and theater; musicians were always coming to play and we even got a few ballet companies to visit. One year, Aro had a theater company come and perform Romeo and Juliet; it was amazing to finally see it performed. But my favorite part of the city was the town square, there was a huge fountain and across from it was a clock tower and surrounding the fountain were all kinds of shops and cafes. There was even a restaurant that made the most delicious food I had ever eaten.

Not much had changed with my education; I still had private tutors, even though I had begged to attend the local secondary school. My family felt it best for my own protection to be educated at home, maybe they were right. My tutors were always saying how amazed they were at my intellect, but still it would have nice to be around people my own age, maybe even go on a date. I guess it had its advantages. I did get the best possible education. My tutors were the best money could buy. I studied many languages, all forms of literature, philosophy, music, art, some math and science.

Felix remained my protector, although I was getting to where I didn't need a protector. As soon as he realized how durable and strong I was, Felix began teaching me how to fight. It was amazing the fighting skills this man had. He said I was a natural and that soon I would have to protect him. If I ever got into a fight, hands down I would lose if it came down to strength but I would have a chance if it came down to skill. But still where ever Fiore and I went Felix was always lurking in the dark, that is if the sun was out. If it was night or cloudy he was right there beside us. His actions made me wonder though, was he really protecting me or did he have feelings for Fiore. I saw how they looked at each other sometimes and he was so protective of even her when we were out. He was the reason I never had been on a date, when Fiore and I were out in the city Felix always seemed to scare off any male that came within 5 feet of us.

My only other companions were Jane and Alec. Although, I considered Jane to be my friend and Alec... well, he was just weird. Where ever Jane went, he went. I couldn't figure out their relationship. I knew when they were human they were twins, but now they acted more like mates. If they were mates, I couldn't blame them even if I thought it was gross. They were only 14 when they were turned which was very young for a vampire even though the age limit was 12, and many in the guard feared Jane because of her gift. Some vampires had gifts but it was a rare incident. Jane's gift was that of inflicting pain onto someone with her mind, which I had seen once and hoped to never experience.

I was so excited on my 16th birthday; I couldn't wait to see what everyone got me. Aro said he had something very special for me. I hoped it was a car.

"Wake up birthday girl"

"Jane? What are you Alec doing in here?"

"We couldn't wait to wish you a happy birthday." Jane really was a child at heart even though she had to be tough in front of the others. I think that was why she was so comfortable around me; she could be a child.

"Here Bella, open Alec's and my present before you see the others."

I opened the small box and it was a necklace with a charm of sapphires shaped into a 'B'. It was the most beautiful 'B' I had ever seen

"Thank you, I love it! It is so beautiful! Help me put it on"

"I'm glad you like it, the sapphires are your birth stone." Jane said this with a smile on her face as she put the necklace on my neck.

"We both picked it out." said Alec with a smile on his face. I loved seeing these two like this, it made me sad thinking about their lost childhood.

"Bella, we will see you later. I smell Fiore coming and I'm a bit thirsty today." Jane said this as she got up to leave. She knew how protective I was of Fiore. In a blink of an eye they were both gone.

"Bella dear, are you up?"

"Yes, Jane was just here to give me her present."

"Oh Bella, that is so beautiful." she said this as she looked at my necklace.

"I got you something as well and I really hope you like it."

"Fiore, you know I will love anything you give me." I said this as she handed me my present. It was a book titled The Rule of Four.

"Fiore, only you know of my addiction to American pop culture literature. We must never let my family know or they might disown me." I said this as I hugged her.

"Well get up and get dressed. After you eat breakfast, you have lessons until 2 pm and then we will go to Antonio's for a late lunch and maybe do a little shopping. Your family wants us home by 6pm, they have a big surprise for you." she said this with a huge grin on her face.

"You know what it is! Why don't you tell me?"

"Then it wouldn't be a surprise!" just as she said this Felix walked into the room.

"Bella, are you still in bed? Just because you are half human doesn't mean you have to sleep a third of the day away." he said this laughingly.

"What do you want Felix?"

"I just wanted to give you your present." he said this cooing at me like I was a baby.

"I wish you wouldn't talk to me like that, I'm not a baby."

"You will always be a baby to me, I've got a few hundred years on you." he said this as he handed me my present. I opened his present eagerly and it was a beautiful pair of sapphire clip on stud earrings. I didn't have pierced ears because they hadn't made a needle strong enough to pierce vampire skin.

"They're beautiful and they match my necklace." I said this as I was putting them on.

"Felix, you have to go now, Bella has to get dressed so she won't be late for her lessons." Fiore said this as she tugged on Felix while showing him to the door. He had a crazy smile on his face as he looked at her. In fact, she was the only human I ever saw touch him.

After a long day of classes and then shopping, I returned home by 4pm in order to get ready for that night. I had no idea what my family had in store for me, I only knew it had to be something big because we where meeting in the big room. This room was used for feedings and when my family wanted to impress someone.

Fiore helped me get ready. "Bella, you become more beautiful every day, your face is less like a human and more like a vampire. The only real differences are you're not pale and your chocolate brown eyes." It really was terrifying how much like a vampire I had become. I only hoped that I would never become comfortable killing humans.

Fiore helped me curl my hair and apply my makeup, I really didn't wear much only enough to make by eyes pop. I wore my new dress; the dress was so blue that it made my skin look like cream.

After I was dressed, I started toward the big room. Fiore stayed in our suite, she never went to the big room. When I arrived, my family was all there waiting on me.

"Little Bella, aren't you looking lovely tonight? And might I add not so little."

"Thank you Zio Aro." I said as I hugged him and gently kissed his cheek

"My little girl isn't so little anymore."

"Oh Papa, I will always be your little girl." giving him a kiss also on the cheek.

"I've been so excited all day waiting anxiously for tonight." Aro said giddily with a big smile on his face. "Are you ready for your birthday presents?"

"You know I love presents."

"Well before you get your presents I want to introduce you to someone." The most beautiful man I had even seen was standing in front of me. He had wavy brown hair and a smile that lit up the entire room.

"Bella, this Franco Marie and Franco this enchanting creature is my niece Bella." said Aro as he made the introductions.

"It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance Bella; Aro can't stop talking about you. And may I say his description of your beauty does you no justice. You are far more breath taking." Franco said this as he bowed taking my hand and bringing it to his lips.

At that moment, I couldn't think, couldn't breathe, couldn't speak, and couldn't move; I had never experience anything like that before in my life. When his lips touched my hand chills ran down my back. I felt huge butterflies swarm in my stomach. I felt my face flush.

"Aro, I understand what you were saying. She does smell human but not in an appetizing way and the way she blushes; it only makes her more beautiful. Her heart beat is music to my ears and those eyes, those beautiful brown eyes. I could get lost staring into those eyes."

The more this beautiful man spoke with his velvety voice, the more my face became flushed, so I eventually had to look away. When I did this I saw my father's face and his face had a look on it that I had never seen before. I couldn't place it.

"Yes Franco, my daughter is beautiful." he said with animosity in his voice.

"I think it is time for Bella to open her presents." Aro said. I suppose he had felt the tension in the air and decided to change the subject.

I began to open my presents, I was getting the usually things, jewelry, clothes, and perfume but then I got to my father's present. It was simply an envelope. I looked at him while he got up and came to me.

"Sweetheart, let me open that." after opening it he pulled out a piece of paper and read me the most beautiful poem I had ever heard.

Your Gifts

Some people are gifted
With beauty and radiance
Some have the power
To make you feel joy from their smile

Others are blessed with pleasant personalities
Who are loving and trusting
Or just plain out striking
Some people are blessed
With the gift of reliability

But you my dear have a gift of one kind
And that is your inner and outer beauty
You're loving and trusting
Caring and daring
My perfect princess

Happy Sweet Sixteen

"Bella, I had this written for you. You are my gift and I love you more than you will ever know. I can't wait till you know what a gift you have."

Tears came to my eyes. My papa was known throughout our world as a hard and heartless man. He had to be, that was the only way to keep the respect of our kind. But it was amazing how quickly he could change in mine or my mamma's presence. He was never hard with us, only loving. "Thank you Papa, that was beautiful and it means everything to me." I kissed him again on his cheek and whispered "I love you" in his ear. It brought a huge smile to his face.

"Marcus my brother, what a lovely gift, but here Bella, open mine now." It was a small box and I could only guess what it was. The box contained a key chain shaped in a B with one set of keys.

"Zio Aro, what do these keys open?"

"Come my dear, let me show you." he said as he glided me out a side door that leaded us to the garage.

Let me first say my family collects cars, I don't even know how many cars are in our garage. Needless to say, I knew I had gotten a new one for my birthday, but what kind I didn't know. Then suddenly Aro stopped and the car in front of us made my mouth drop. It was a midnight blue Aston Marin V12 Vanquish.

"Are you kidding me? Is this really mine?"

"Of course, my little Bella gets only the best." I hugged him with so much excitement I couldn't contain myself. "My dear, I can't take all the credit, this is actually from all three of us. Caius picked out the color; he knows it is your favorite." I looked at Caius with shock on my face. This vampire had found my existence to be an abomination and yet he took the time to pick the proper color for my car. I didn't know what to think about this.

"My I go for a drive?"

"Of course, why don't you take Franco with you? I'm sure he would love to see the Volterra countryside." Aro said with a huge grin on his face

"I don't think that's a good idea." my papa said angrily. I don't know what came over me, I felt a great need to please Aro and also please my papa. And then there was the desire to please myself. I've never been selfish, but I just couldn't resist Aro's request, it was a burning need in me.

"Oh Papa, it will fine, Franco seems to be a perfect gentleman."

Franco helped me into the care and then seated himself on the passenger side. The sound and feel of this car was amazing. I thought I was in heaven as we sped down the countryside road.

After my birthday, Franco asked my papa if he could properly court me. After much convincing by Aro, my mother and of course me, he conceded.

Franco and I were out one day in one of the most beautiful places in the Volterra countryside. "Bella, have I told you how beautiful you are." This made me blush. "Awe yes, and that makes you even more beautiful." He leaned over and kissed me on the check. We had been seeing each other for a little over a month; I was ready for a little more kissing and it seemed that Franco was too. He gently placed his hand on my face and turned it toward his. When he placed his lips on mine it felt as if my body was on fire. But then, his kiss became more forceful. He forced his tongue into my mouth and began a battle with my tongue. At first I like it, but then it scared me. Before I even realized it, Franco was on top of me. He began kissing my chin, making his way down throat. That is when I felt the worse pain I had ever felt before in my life, he was biting me. I was paralyzed; I didn't know what to do. I started to black out, but before I did I felt something rip Franco off me.

I woke up a few hours later in my bed. My papa and mama were there with me.

"Sweetheart are you okay?"

"I think so, my neck burns." I said as I rubbed the area where Franco bit me.

"I'm sorry about that dear, but venom burns." said my papa

"What happened?" I asked.

"Franco bit you and fortunately I was wise enough to have Felix keep a close eye on you while you were out with him. When Felix realized what he was doing to you, he pulled Franco off you and well, Felix killed him."

"What? Why?" I asked with horror and shock in my voice.

"You're my daughter, and no will touch you inappropriately and not pay for it." my father said with anger in his voice.

He could see the disappointment on my face. "Now now Bella, none of this, he can never hurt you again. And well some good did come out of this. We now know you are immune to venom."

"What do you mean?" I asked quizzically.

"Well it did paralyze you but it didn't turn you." my father said.

"Didn't turn me?"

"You're still half human."

After that, my father never let another vampire near me except of course for my family, Felix, Jane and Alec. This was fine by me.