Author's Note: So, I really got into this one and I'm far from done with the Volturi. Also, I'm going to explain Edward's blushing in the next chapter, and here's a little spoiler to keep you waiting: Chapter Eight deals with Edward's heart.

As soon as Alice and I were out the bathroom door, Edward was at my side. He took my hand as the three of us went downstairs.

"They're in Carlisle's study. Jane isn't here yet." Said Edward. I didn't say anything. I didn't have anything to say.

My confidence was quickly dwindling as I remembered the faces that once terrified me so much. I knew that once Jane showed up it would only get worse. I still hadn't forgotten the looks of indigence she'd shot at me when the two of us were compared.

Alice knocked on Carlisle's door. Edward's hand let go of mind and went around my waist. The hold was protective. His face was impassive, stone.

"Come in." Carlisle's voice was muted through the door, but it was probably loud to the two vampires standing on either side of me.

Alice pushed open the door and led the way inside. All the heads in the room turned to face us. Everyone was there. Alice danced to Jasper's side.

The first person that met my eyes was Caius. His snowy white hair was resting on his shoulders. I couldn't read his face, it too was impassive. Marcus stood right beside Caius. As we locked eyes Edward's grip tightened on me, most likely triggered by something Marcus was thinking.

When Marcus noticed the exchange, he turned his head to glance at something at the other end of the room. It was Aro.

Aro stood in between Carlisle and Esme. I was a little taken aback to see him beaming at me. His eyes raked over me and onto Edward. His grin only grew larger as he saw Edward's eyes. His teeth gleamed, almost too white to look at.

"Good morning Bella, Edward." Carlisle was first to speak.

"Yes, yes, good morning to you both. How are you Bella?" Aro chimed in. I hadn't expected to be addressed directly so quickly.

"I'm fine, thanks." I didn't know what else to say. What was I supposed to say? I was surprised at what came next, especially since it completely got rid of what little there was left of my confidence.

"I see Bella is still human." Said Caius. His voice was hard, and in a way, detached. He was not looking at me though, he was looking at Edward.

There was too much happening, too many pairs of eyes to watch, and way too many expressions to worry about. I focused on the one face that mattered most to me.

Edward spoke to Caius. "She was to be changed this week, except something came up as you already know."

"Caius, there will be time to discuss that later. We are here on more pressing matters." Aro's voice was light, as if he were talking to a room full of his best friends.

Aro walked over to where Edward and I stood. Edward's grip slackened a little.

"Fine." He said to Aro.

"Ah, I see you haven't lost that gift yet." Aro chuckled. He caught the puzzled look on my face. "Bella, I simply let Edward know that your life is in no danger. He assured him that he didn't have to be so protective."

"Oh. Thank you." I replied. I was wondering when Marcus would speak, but then I remembered Aro was the only one who really spoke more than a few words.

"Strange to see such a thing in person." Finally, we had begun. "When Carlisle told me that he thought you were turning back, I must say I did all but laugh at his idea. But I can feel your warmth from here, not to mention your eyes."

"Just stating the obvious." Said Edward. All eyes were on the two of them.

"Well, we must get passed that before we delve any deeper. But, please, you and Bella came in just as Carlisle was telling me the reasoning behind his theory, But I must say, I'd like to hear it from one of you."

Despite Aro's encouraging grin my eyes dropped to the floor. I was not keen on discussing my sex life with the Volturi. I could feel the blood rushing to my face.

I looked back up to see Edward's reaction. There was an exclamation on the other side of the room.

"Did you just blush?" Emmett called out from in between Jasper and Rosalie.

My eyes didn't turn to look at Emmett. Instead they were glued to Edward's face, but this time it was different. I could see the blush fading off his cheeks.

"Well, well. The couple is blushing. We've hit a nerve." Marcus finally spoke. Though his voice was bored, his red eyes were curious.

"Aro, maybe it would be best if I explained." Said Carlisle.

"No, it's fine Carlisle. I can do it." The blush had disappeared from Edward's cheeks, and he was impassive stone again. "Carlisle thinks that since Bella and I have consummated, it's turning me human."

"You had sex with a human?" It was Caius this time.

"Now I see, this is logical. Doing something impossible has led something impossible to happen? Bella loves Edward for being Edward, and she's proved it. So it's reversing things." Aro had ignored Caius's outburst.

"How could you have possibly not killed her?" asked Marcus. He and Caius now crossed the room to stand on either side of Aro. I hadn't actually seen them walk across the room; they were too quick for my eyes. Their sudden appearance mere feet in front of me made me take a step back.

It was the first time I had actually seen emotion play on their faces. Aro looked astounded whereas the others were incredulous.

"I love her." Edward answered Marcus.

Marcus actually gawked for one quick second, as if Edward's answer was not good enough. Then he was suddenly calm and shot a sideways glance at Caius.

"Well this is something I've never heard of before." Aro went on. "Carlisle's theory is probable; in fact it is most likely right from what I see. How strange." The last part of his statement was not directed at the theory or Carlisle, I was sure it was towards the subject of me and Edward having sex.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but it seems as if someone is about to arrive." Alice's voice broke the brief silence. When she spoke it reminded me the rest of the Cullens were still in the room. I looked at the others, they seemed calm enough.

Jasper was eyeing Marcus and I understood why Marcus was so calm, and what the exchange between he and Caius meant. Jasper had taken control of the situation, and they were aware of it. And annoyed.

"So, Jane is near?" Aro asked Alice.

"Less than a minute away actually. She's running." Answered Alice. Edward's grip tightened around me again. For the second time, it didn't slip Aro's notice.

"Edward you have nothing to fear, and neither does Bella for that matter. Her mind is barrier to us all." He reminded Edward.

Edward didn't relax, and I noticed that he had a frustrated look on his face.

The doorbell rang.

"I'll get it." Said Rosalie. In the time it took me to blink she and Jane were entering the room again.

Jane was smiling, so beautiful it hurt to look; she didn't have her black robe on. It was odd to see her in normal clothing. Her head didn't even reach Rosalie's shoulders.

"Jane, welcome." Said Carlisle.

"Thank you Carlisle." She replied. Her eyes scoped the room. She went over to the royal family which stood before me. "At your service Masters."

"Thank you Jane, you may take a seat for now." Said Aro. She smiled and went to sit in a chair in a corner by Carlisle.

Her eyes met mine once she was seated. The smile was no longer on her face, she was glaring at me. Her eyes moved to Edward. He wasn't looking at her.

"I must ask you Carlisle, if you not mind us intruding a little longer? To watch how Edward changes? This is of course something we must document." Said Aro. Caius and Marcus turned towards Carlisle.

Carlisle looked at Esme, who was at his side, and then at Edward. Edward gave a quick nod.

"Of course. Now, if you would be so kind, I'd like a word with my sons and daughters. Esme will show you to your rooms." Carlisle looked at Esme once again.

"This way." Her voice was warm, as always, it did not matter who she was talking to. The three older vampires and the present member of their guard followed Esme out the door.

Carlisle looked at each of us before he began. "Edward?"

"Aro was a little misleaded by his companions. He means Bella no harm, but the other two are furious that this is happening." Said Edward. I felt my heartbeat increase rapidly, and I was sure all of them could hear it though they didn't show it.

"Jasper?" asked Carlisle.

"Aro was perfectly at ease. The other two kept going from incredulous to upset. I did my best to control them." Replied Jasper.

And last but not least…"Alice?" asked Carlisle. She gave him an angelic smile.

"Aro made the decision to stay for two days when you agreed that they could stay." She answered.

"Man, sucks that we don't have gifts like that." Emmett muttered to Rosalie. She rolled her eyes.