A couple of days later Alec tells me that Aro is waiting for me in his study. I have no idea what he wants, so I go
Knock, knock"Come in, darling."
I open the door. To tell the truth, I like Aro's study. It's a quiet little place, with shelf after shelf of books. The wood of the floor is always shiny, and it sounds funny when you walk with high heels on. The paintings that hang on the walls (fine, expensive originals museums would kill for) are really beautiful, for if there's anything good about Aro is that he has excellent taste. There are two chairs in front of the mahogany desk, and behind it, sitting on a big, leather chair, is he.
He's not wearing his black cloack today, and the normal clothes make him look really good. If I didn't hate him so much I would kind of like him- his jet black hair armonizes with his pale face and cherry red eyes. Curiously enough, his eyes never scared me, not even when I understood their meaning. Probably because I had better things to be scared of. But right now he greets me with a smile.
"Hi, dear. Sit here." He gestures at his lap.
I don't really want to sit on his lap, but it's not worth a fight, so I go and sit on his legs.
"I have good news for you," he says, while he takes my arm and passes it around his neck. "Esme phoned early this morning. She said she wanted you to go to their house, maybe go for a walk, and she insisted so much I had to agree. They will pick you up in half an hour, so be ready." He smiles again. Why, he's in a very good mood today. "Here, take this," he reaches out for his wallet and gives me a very thick wad of bills. "Go have fun and buy yourself something pretty." Definitely a good mood. He kisses me on the cheek and adds "See you, honey."
As I go upstairs I can hardly believe my good luck. I'll be free all day, with people I really like, out on the street, with light, air, happiness... and Jasper. When I think I'll see him again in a few minutes my heart beats faster and I feel the blush in my cheeks. Ha, ha, I sound like a teenager with her first crush. Wait a minute... that's what I am! I'm a teenager with her first crush! Isn't it interesting, I'm living a moment that is perfectly normal for my age and feelings and it seems the weirdest thing on Earth. But I'll take advantage of all this, and no one will steal my golden moments with Jasper.
I'm in my bedroom making up, and I realize I'm paying much more attention to my appearance than ever. I shouldn't say this, but sometimes I can understand why Aro likes me. I mean, I'm ratter pretty, with my blue eyes and dark hair. I prefer my hair short, but Aro insisted it looked better long, so I haven't cut it in three years and I must admit he wasn't mistaken. When I think about all this I feel really frustrated to see my beauty, my youth, wasted in this place, with this man. But then I remember I'll be seeing Jasper today, and everything has a new meaning.
I have fun preparing myself, dressing up in the way I think he'd like, choosing the perfume I think he'd prefer, making my eyes and lips stand out, and rehearsing again and again every single word I plan to say. Wow, I really feel alive today.
The door is ajar, and suddenly I see, reflected in the mirror, a tiny ball of curls popping in. I turn around, already knowing who it is and ask in my best confused voice,
"Who's there? Who's there? Is it a flea? A louse?" I hear the sweet little giggle and I barely repress laughter. "Is it a puppy, or an elf? It's a... a..." then I open the door and reveal Sebastian, who thinks himself quite unrecognizeable under a green cloak and a diadem with green horns. "It's an alien!" I exclaim, lifting him and spining around with him in my arms. "A very, very bad alien! Don't eat me, please!"
We're both laughing and we fall on the bed. I start tickling him and kissing him all over while he laughs and tries to tickle me back. It's unusual to hear Sebastian's laughter, so I do everything I can to keep it going on, and-
"The Cullens have arrived," Aro's voice bursts the bubble. "They are eager to see you."
I take my son in my arms and tell him "The Cullens are very nice people, and they want to meet you. We'll go downstairs and you'll say hello to them, ok?" he nodds.
Aro looks at me with the expression that means danger! and before we cross the door he says "I suppose it is not necessary to tell you to be prudent," he starts, caressing my hair. "Any extra word, comment, or gesture, and you'll regret it, ok?" he whispers in my ear. "I have ways to find out, and you know it, so... be careful, gorgeous."
"Don't worry," I answer, "I know what to do. I won't give you any problems."
"Good. And, by the way, you look beautiful. I wish you made the same effort more often."
"Thanks. I will."
We go downstairs and I see Esme's caramel hair. She turns around and greets me with a smile.
"Alice! How nice to see you again! And this must be your son. Oh my, what a beautiful child. What's your name, darling?"
Sebastian, though smiling, doesn't say a word. Before Esme notices something strange, I speak. "His name is Sebastian. Please, forgive him, he's a bit shy. He's not used to people."
"Oh, don't worry. Children his age are always shy." Then she turns to speak to Aro. "Aro, thank you for letting her come. Don't be offended, but this place is too dark for someone as young and pretty as this girl."
"I know, Esme. It's good that she goes out, and with such people as you and your family."
"Thanks. We'll take care of her. She'll be back at... oh, someday. Ready, Alice?"
I nod and give my baby to Aro. By now he knows too much about his daddy's anger to protest in front of someone else. Esme holds my hand and we go out.
"The car is right there," she says, pointing at a black Mercedes. It's a cloudy day, so we'll get to have fun outdoors. I can't stand the doubt anymore and ask her, "Who else will be with us?"
"Paractically everyone. Carlisle, Emmett, and Rosalie are already waiting for us in the car. Edward will join us later."
"And... is Jasper coming, too?"
"Yes, he'll arrive with Edward."
My heart jumps and I pray for her not to notice, and... she's staring at me. She noticed. Before she can say anything I open the back door of the car and get in. Carlisle is at the wheel, and adjusts the mirror so I can see his smile when he greets me. Esme sits next to him. Rosalie and Emmett are beside me, but Rosalie is sitting on Emmett's lap. I feel so happy and relaxed, looking forward to whatever will happen next, that my life with the Volturi seems like a dream.
"First we'll go to the house," explains Carlisle. "Esme will show it to you, I hope you like it. We're only waiting for Edward and Jasper, so as soon as they arrive we'll go to..."
"The Shop Street," says Rosalie. "Aw, please," she adds, seeing Carlisle's undecided face.
"All right. The Shop Street," he agrees. I like that place, since Volterra doesn't have a mall they created an entire street full of shops, and, frankly, I prefer that.
We chat and laugh and finally we arrive to the Cullens' house. It's a paradise lost on the outskirts of town, a beautiful white house, exquisitely built and decorated. A pale-on-pale variety of colors bring light to the house, and a glass wall shows you the picturesque view of the Italian city.
"Wow," I say, "it's beautiful."
Esme, as promised, takes me to see the rest of the house, and the more I see it, the more I fall in love with it. Paintings that show the history of the whole family hang on the walls, there are flowers everywhere, and the entire place has a kind of magic. There's a mixture of modernity and classics that is hipnotizing, and with each second everything feels more and more like a tale, like an oasis, like... home.
We stand on a balcony, admiring the sun that hits the Volterran streets, when Esme speaks.
"Alice," she begins, "don't be offended, but I feel something strange in your marriage with Aro. Do you really love him?"
The question shocks me. "Esme, I-"
"Did you want to marry him?"
"Esme, understand, please, I was pregnant, and-"
"That's not the question," she insists. "I asked if you married him for love."
What am I going to do? I don't want to lie to her, but Aro will kill me if I tell the truth, and I don't want to leave my baby alone."Listen,", I finally say. "I don't want to be rude, but there are some things it's safer for you not to know. I beg you, don't make me answer that."
"All right. Don't tell me that. Just... how old is your son?"
"Three," I answer, confused.
"And how old are you?"
Something tells me she won't believe the twenty-two thing. I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and open them before answering. "Seventeen. I'm seventeen years old." And then, quickly, I add, "Let's go downstairs. They are waiting for us." I almost run, trying not to think of the horrified expression I saw in her face.
When we get back to the living room I notice a tense atmosphere. I wonder what could have happened during our absence, but then I don't think about it anymore, because the door opens and Edward comes in, with Jasper right behind him. The moment I see him, everything else disappears. His golden eyes meet mine almost immediately, and we smile.
Edward is the first one. He comes and pecks me on the cheek. It feels nice. Edward is a pleasant guy and I really like him. And then... him. Jasper. He puts his hand on my shoulder, pulls me to him, and kisses me, also on the cheek. In that very moment, to my great embarrasment, my heart accelerates frantically. He moves back, I don't know if he's angry, scared, or simply surprised, but his puzzled eyes make me turn scarlet.
"Ok, we were only waiting for you. Let the fun begin!" It's Emmett. Bless him, he's just rescued me from a very, very embarrasing moment. Not that I would mind to repeat it, though, as long as Jasper's lips come again on my skin.
Then we go out. During the time we were in the house the clouds arrived, so now the streets are perfectly safe for the Cullens. The Shop Street is not far from here and when we arrive we split in groups: Emmett, Edward, and –to my sad surprise- Jasper go to the video games section, while Rosalie heads for the clothes part. That leaves Carlisle, Esme, and myself. I know where the toys shops are, and I start walking that route when Carlisle speaks:
"Alice... um... could we talk to you for a moment, please?"
"Er... sure," I say, a bit confused by the look in his eyes.
As we move towards an alley close to the street he starts. "Alice... back in the house, when you were talking to Esme we... we heard you."
Oh my. They heard that I'm seventeen, they have understood I'm not married for my own will.
"Well, I..." I stammer.
"We want to know what's going on between Aro and you."
"Carlisle, I... I really appreciate your interest, and I would like nothing more that to be able to talk to you openly. But if you heard me talking to Esme you know it's better if we keep it this way, it's safer for us all."
"Darling, some risks are worth taking," says Esme. "Please, let us help you."
I sigh and look down, fighting tears. "I can't say anything, I really can't. He'd... he'd hurt you, he'd take my son away, he-"
"Speaking of which," says Carlisle. "You're seventeen," I nod, "and your son is three," I nod again, "so that means you had him when you were... fourteen?"
Silently, I nod.
Their faces can't hide the shock, the horror. Esme looks like she would cry if she could. I hate to see them suffer, but this is the expression I would have liked to see in my parents' faces. Something protective, rather than an accusation. Fury, wrath, yes, but against the right person.
"You didn't want to," says Esme, and it's not a question.
I shake my head, still looking down.
Without any more words, Esme hugs me. I hug her back, and cry silently. Soon, I feel Carlisle's fingers caressing my hair.
"I was a child," I say between sobs, "Of course I didn't want him. But he would wait for me outside school, follow me home. I would find flowers and gifts in my schoolbag, or next to my bed. I told him I didn't like any of it, but he insisted. He kept saying he truly loved me, and that deep inside I felt the same. I began to have nightmares. And then...it happened. I'd changed the route, but he had found me, anyway. He asked me to marry him, he begged me to marry him, and, when I refused, he said I'd end up agreeing, whether I liked it or not. And then... and then..."
I can't talk anymore. The painful knot in my throat makes it almost impossible to breathe, and the memories I've been running from for so long are coming back. Now I perfectly recall when he dragged me to the backseat of his car, beat me, and forced me. I fought back, of course I did, but I had no chances against that monster. My nails were sunk on his skin, but, what could they do, a kitten's paws against his diabolic brutality. I feel again the defencelessness, the pain, the hatred, the invasion of my body. I feel again his hand on my mouth, muffling my screams, his fingers and lips all over my skin, his whispers, all his sounds; everything, everything comes back.
"I didn't tell anybody," I whisper. "I was too scared, I felt ashamed, dirty. This was my secret. But then... I found out I was pregnant. My parents didn't believe me when I told them I had been... r-ra-raped," I force myself to say the word. "They forced me to marry him. I did so, and came to live with him. It took me a lot to accept Sebastian as my son, but now he's my only support. I love him too much. Aro says I can leave whenever I want as long as the child stays with him, and that's why I'm still there, I just can't leave my baby."
"Don't worry, darling," says Carlisle, "We'll help you. Both of you. Thanks for trusting us."
***
We wait until I feel better and go back to the main street. But before that Esme adds,
"Alice, you like Jasper, don't you?"
I blush and smile lightly. "Yes," I answer, biting my lip. "A lot."
"He likes you, too. A lot. If you ever decide something about it, we're on your side."
And right when we mix with the people we see Jasper. Carlisle and Esme give me one more loving look and leave us.
"You look so..." he starts. My eyes are looking at the ground, and so he takes me by the chin and raises my head. His golden eyes are locked on mine, and I know he's trying to understand the thoughts behind the feelings he senses.
"So much sadness..." he whispers. Then a wave of calmness runs through me, from him. Little by little I calm down, until he actually makes me giggle.
"That's better," he smiles, "You look far prettier when you are happy."
And now I'm certainly happy. As long as he's with me, I know I'll be happy.
***
Our way back is a bit quieter. Emmett and Rosalie are murmuring softly to each other, while Esme and Carlisle are silent and thoughtful. I feel guilty and worried for having told them the truth, I pray Aro never finds out. Edward is also silent, and he frowns, looking anxious. I wonder what's troubling him. I look out the window, but I feel Jasper's eyes on me, and that makes it hard to concentrate in anything else. I try to think about Sebastian's reaction when he sees the toys I got him, and send that happy thought to Jasper. Somehow, I know it works, it's as if we shared his ablilty, I know he's calmer now.
We arrive to the castle. They walk me in, where Aro is already waiting for me. They exchange all those empty pleasantries and prepare to leave. By this moment I'm on the kiss stage with all of them, so that's our farewell gesture. Carlisle and Esme add a hug, that says more than any other word. Then comes Jasper, maybe knowing that I was trying to leave his goodbyes for the end.
"I hope I can see you soon. I had a lovely time." He leans forward, and shielding himself on his parents' hugs, wraps his arms around my shoulders. I wait for the jump of my heart, but it never comes, and I understand he's using his powers so Aro doesn't notice anything. "Bye." He says, and pecks me on the cheek. I close my eyes at his touch.
As soon as their car disappears Aro turns to me. His face go from corteous and pleasant to dangerous and monstrous in one second.
"You and I are going to talk." he says. He takes my hand and drags me upstairs, walking so fast I have to run to keep up with him. Sebastian comes out of his bedroom, smiling at me, but when he sees Aro's expression his eyes fill up with fear and he locks himself again. When I see his little, scared face I pray that whatever Aro's wrath is for, it leaves me alive to go comfort my baby.