Chapter 7: Where Are You Now?

Where are you now?

When I need you the most

Why don't you take my hand?

I wanna be close

Help me when I am down, lift me up off the ground

Teach me right from wrong

Help me to stay strong.

So, take my hand and walk with me

Show me what to be

I need you to set me free

Yeah, yeah.

Where are you now?

Where are you now?

Why are we so far apart?

I feel so alone.

Where are you now?
When nothing's going right

Where are you now?

I can't see the light.

-.- -.- -.- -.- -.- -.-

There was no luck in Chicago, we didn't find one vampire it took us 6 days to search all around the town, occasionally stopping for me to eat or to rest.

"Where are we going next?" I asked quietly, still upset that we hadn't found them yet.

"Italy" I heard Alexandra murmur, I stiffened. Italy?... The Volturi... I sat still, remembering the times I had encountered them in my coma, there's no way they'd let me leave human. I silently hoped that Aro would be in a nice mood when we visited them, hopefully he would let me leave in my human form – even if I had to promise that I would return to them if I couldn't find my family.

Convinced that I would be okay there, I stayed quiet while we pulled into a hotel to shower and get changed.

After my long shower, I got dressed in a black and dark green striped long sleeve top with grey tracksuit pants and added a pair of black flip flops [on profile], I brushed through my hair, cleaned my teeth and declared myself suitable to sit in a car all day, I laid down on the bed while I waited for Emily and Alexandra to dress.

It took them a little less than 5 minutes for them both to be ready, putting me to shame.

Emily had a loose fitting dark grey singlet top on that had blue and orange picture on it and black legging tights with matching ballet flats [on profile]. Alexandra was wearing a one shouldered royal blue thigh length casual dress and black gladiator sandals that I had seen Alice wear several times – although never the same pairs, before I had woken up from my coma [on profile].

We left quickly after everyone was ready, although the Platt sister's had paid for the full night, like their sister's family – my family, money was no object for them.

We stopped when we reached the O'Hare International Airport, just east of where we were in Chicago, Alexandra and Emily purchased 3 Business Class tickets to Peretola Airport in Florence, Tuscany, with a short lay over in Frankfurt, France. I felt horrible that I wasn't able to pay for my own ticket to Italy, but Alexandra had assured me that it was no problem, though I still felt uncomfortable being gifted a $6299 plane ticket I didn't push it any further, knowing well that The Cullen's could be in Italy waiting for me.

We made the plane in plenty of time, it would be a long 10 hours before we landed in Tuscany, I let my mind idle over the fact that I may not make it safely out of Italy, Emily had just let me know that the first place we would go to was The Volturi, she was hoping that Demetri would be able to sense where The Cullen's were.

As I had anticipated, the flight to Florence was long and tiring even though I slept most of the way, I woke to the Pilot announcing our arrival into Peretola Airport, I looked out the small window to see dusk, the sun just setting in the sky.

I stretched and sat up more in my seat, waiting for the plane to stop moving and the seat belt light to turn off.

"Did you have a nice sleep?" Alexandra asked from behind me, the question instantly reminded me of my dream.

"Come catch me Momma!" Renesmee giggled, running around the lawn of our home in Forks, she had grown again since the last time I'd seen her, she was more lean and taller. Even more beautiful than before. Of course, Alice and Rosalie had dressed my little princess in a gorgeous flannelette patterned sun dress, it was a light blue and yellow colour, had blue straps and a material belt going across her ribs that had a thin green bow on it, she had white sandals on and looked breathtakingly adorable [on profile]. Her long bronze curls were tied back in a plait, loose strands hung around her face, framing it.

I got up from my spot on the grass and turned to set the book that was in my hands on the ground, as I did I caught sight of two figures standing by the edge of the house. I looked around and saw Alice and Edward watching us. I took off instantly, crushing into them at full force – pulling them to me at the same time, I sobbed tearlessly – or so I thought, until I felt my tears fall onto my arm I pulled back automatically and stared at it. How... This isn't how my dreams usually go, I'm supposed to be Immortal! A Vampire, an equal part of my family... I looked up questioningly at them, hoping for an explanation.

"They're only tears Bella" Edward soothed me, wiping them from my arm and my cheeks.

"But.. But Vampire's don't cry tears! What's happening to me?" I asked, more tears spilling over, making me sigh frustratedly.

"Silly Bella, It's your dream, love. This is your way of adjusting to being human again." he told me, I sighed and tried to calm myself down.

"I don't want to be human, I want to be with you, forever."

"A-hem" I heard come from next to Edward, I smiled widely and threw my arms around Alice.

"And of course, I would never survive without my little pixie" Alice's laughter chimed in my ear as she hugged me back tightly.

"Momma, you're not chasing me!" I turned around and saw Nessie standing a few feet away from us with her arms crossed, pouting.

"Sorry Honey, Momma got distracted, are you ready?" I murmured to her, my voice getting the soft tone that only happened when I spoke to her. I saw Renesmee make her playful pose, getting ready to run the moment I started chasing her, I turned back to Edward quickly to kiss him before I took off after Nessie but as usual as soon as his lips were on mine, I forgot about everything else and just revelled in the feel of his mouth. I was just about to deepen the kiss when I heard Renesmee's annoyed yell for me.

"Mom-ma!" She yelled as a 2 syllable word, I could hear her stomp her little foot as she screamed for me. I sighed and pulled away from Edward, not annoyed at Renesmee, but annoyed that I had to muster the strength to move away from him. Edward held me tighter for a few seconds longer and pecked me on the lips once more before letting me go.

I chased Renesmee around for hours before she became bored with the game, complaining that she was sleepy, I was surprised that I still had my vampire abilities despite my human traits, I could still run at an impressive speed, I still had amazing strength and the hard marble skin.

I rocked Nessie in my arms as she fell asleep and sat down on the white leather couch to watch, I felt the space next to me shift ever so slightly and felt Edward put his arm over my shoulders. I smiled, content in this moment, the moment where I belonged and leaned up to kiss his jaw.

"I think it's time we put Renesmee to bed, don't you, love?" Edward whispered in my ear, making me shiver slightly in response.

"Most definitely" I breathed. "Will you take her from me? I want to say goodbye to everyone" After all, I didn't know when I'd see them again.

"Of course" Edward took Nessie easily into his arms, not moving her at all. I got up from my seat and went to go find the others, first I turned back to my husband and daughter, trying to embed the picture perfect moment into my mind, Edward was humming softly to Renesmee, watching her sleep and brushing her curls back gently with a serene smile on his face.

I found Esme and Carlisle in Carlisle's study, talking over their next visit to Isle Esme. I knocked softly and waited to be granted entry.

"Come in, Bella" Carlisle murmured, "What can we do for you, sweetheart?"

"Well, I've... I've come to say goodbye" I muttered in a thick voice, "I don't know when I'll get to see you again." If I get to see you again, I added as an after thought.

"Oh" Esme's mouth popped open, and then she quickly flitted to my side, stroking my hair calmly. "Of course you'll see us again, Bella. Don't be silly, darling"

"I hope so, Mom" I murmured, nestling my face into the crook of her neck. Carlisle came and hugged us both, kissing my hair.

"We love you so much, Bella" he said, always so calm and sure.

"I love you both as well, you're the best mother and father-in-law that anyone could ever ask for" I said tearfully.

I soon left Carlisle's study in search for Rosalie and Emmett. I found them in their room, I hesitated a little before knocking, praying to god that they weren't up to anything too private.

"Hello Bella" Rosalie greeted warmly as she opened the door for me, I walked in slowly and saw that Emmett was lounged on the bed without a shirt on.

"Um, I just came to say goodbye" I whispered awkwardly.

"Why? Where are you going?" Emmett asked in his booming voice, looking away from the television to see my face.

"I can feel that I'm going to wake up soon... And I just don't know how long it'll be before I can get back, or if I can get back" I spoke so quietly that I was sure only Emmett and Rose would have been able to hear me.

No-one said anything, Emmett just swept off the bed and gathered me into one of his infamous bear hugs, Rosalie walked over to me when he had set me back on my feet and put her arm across my shoulders, like a protective friend – not sister, we weren't quite there yet. "You'll find your way back, you're too strong to be kept away from us. Find us, Bella, it's where you belong" she spoke so softly that I had trouble believing that it was Rosalie speaking, the woman who had hated me from the very start. I sobbed against her shoulder, thanking her, telling her how much it meant to me that she finally saw how much I belonged in this world.

The farewell with Alice and Jasper went rather the same as with everyone else, they didn't believe that this was goodbye, they knew that I would find my way back to them.

"See you soon, little sister" Jasper murmured, kissing my forehead. Alice quickly pushed her way through and tackled me, it would have taken me off my feet but I was stronger than her... for the moment.

"Come find us, Bella. I miss my sister."

"I miss you too" I murmured, hugging her tightly, I heard her wince slightly but she tightened her hold on me regardless. I loosened my grip on her, I didn't want to cause her pain.

I made my way back downstairs to where I knew Edward was sitting with Renesmee still in his arms. But when I reached them, I saw someone had joined him on the couch.

"Jake!" I said in unison the same time he said my name, I met him half way for a long overdue hug even though he smelt like a dog and was burning hot I kept holding onto him, until he let go of me, complaining that he was getting goosebumps. We didn't need to say anything else, the look on his face told me that he would help keep Renesmee safe until I returned and that he knew I would do my best. I just smiled at him until I heard Edward stand up, it was then that I looked away from my best friend and lead the way out the back door, no words needed to be said.

"I love you" I suddenly told Edward desperately, I was sitting in the middle of our bed. I had just put Renesmee to sleep and walked back into the room to see that Edward was in our closet, putting on something more casual to lounge around in – considering we didn't sleep.

"I love you, too, sweetheart" I reached over and pulled Edward to me, crushing my lips to his instantly. His touch erased all the doubt I had and replaced it with a secure sureness that we would be together again shortly.

I would find my Edward. My Renesmee. My Alice. My Rosalie. My Jasper. My Emmett. My Esme, and my Carlisle. Then, and only then would everything be right again.

I faded back into reality and realised that Alexandra was still waiting for an answer, "I slept well".

"Who's Nessie?" Emily asked, I froze, how could she know about my Renesmee?

Seeing my expression, Emily started explaining, "you were talking in your sleep a bit"

I blushed slightly and quickly thought of a lie "She's someone I met with the Cullen's, we became close friends." Emily nodded in understanding, so I guessed that she had believed my lie, that was a first.

I quickly got off the plane when the flight hostess told us it was safe to, suddenly starving and stopped by one of the take out places in the lobby of the Airport to get an early dinner.

"Come on," Emily started after I had gotten my food, "with the sun setting this way, we'd be able to make it into Volterra inconspicuously."

I followed them through the crowd to the pick-up area, it was then that I noticed we didn't have a car anymore. I was about to voice my discovery when Alexandra excused herself and walked off at a human pace.

A few moments later a shiny red hatchback Audi screeched to a halt in front of us, Emily opened the door and gestured for me to get into the back.

It took us 1 hour of speeding until I saw the familiar long stretch of dusty road leading up to sand coloured old buildings, I got chills down my spine as I remembered the last time I had raced along this road, trying to make it in time to save Edward.

This time it wasn't him in trouble, in a way it was me. But although I knew Edward was safe and sound far away somewhere, his voice still rang in my head urgent and frightened. You're everything to me, everything... Be careful.

It set me on edge, the urgency of his words, even though they were created by my mind – scared that the Volturi could just not stop to listen to my reasoning and kill me with one hand if they needed to. You need to do this, Bella. It's life or death in every way possible. I didn't need any more convincing, suddenly I was eager to get to the Vampire's that had once wanted to kill me.

There wasn't nearly as long a line at the gate into Volterra, it was just a normal day in Italy today. We drove easily through the streets and stopped in a parking space in front of a little Cafe, Emily had been right – the shadows timed perfectly and as we crossed the street towards the alley that led to the entry of the Volturi castle the shade seemed to follow us, never exposing the Platt sister's for what they really were.

[Author Note: This chapter went too long because of Bella's dream, so I'll start writing the next chapter now, continuing on from the entering the Volturi's castle, and I'll post as soon as I can. :)]