Disclaimer: I don't own them...

~~Bella~~

This past week has been amazing. I have kept all of the Aro business out of my mind and just enjoyed spending time with Edward and his family in Italy. This place is beautiful. But I think my favorite part of the estate is the separate house with the wine room. There is a full kitchen upstairs with a formal dining room but the wine cellar, ah, it's amazing. It is all stone with wood beams and there are candelabras everywhere. It's just... I don't know, relaxing and welcoming. I love it. I am hoping that Edward and I can design something similar when we get our own house.

That is a topic we haven't broached yet, living arrangements. Edward is staying with me right now while Charlotte and Peter are in his apartment but I don't know how long that will last and while I am pretty open with Edward about most things, I am nervous to have this discussion. But that makes absolutely no sense because we are getting married soon! I don't know what is wrong with me. Actually, that isn't true. If I'm honest with myself, I know it is because I don't want him to tell me he is going to move back to his apartment when Pete and Char are gone.

I turned off the shower and dried off. After slipping on my robe, I walked into the bedroom to find Edward still sleeping. He was hugging my pillow tight to him. I laughed quietly and walked toward him. Using a little stool, I climbed onto the enormous bed. I untied the knot of my robe and opened up the front so I could lay behind him skin to skin. He was so warm and he smelled so good. As soon as my skin touched his he tensed. I smiled, my skin was definitely not as warm as his considering I had just showered. I wrapped an arm around his waist and kissed his back and shoulders working my way to his neck. He sighed and I whispered in his ear, "Time to wake up."

He groaned and grabbed the arm I had wrapped around him and then he somehow flipped me over him so we were now face to face. I laughed at the unexpected movement and when I looked back at him he smiled.

"Hi," he said in a gruff, sleepy voice.

"Hi," I answered him back kissing his lips lightly. "It's time to get up."

He took a deep breath and pulled me closer to him slipping his hands inside of my robe. "Mmm, okay. Why is your hair wet?"

"I already showered. I wanted to give you a few more minutes to sleep."

"Don't do that anymore, I like showering with you." He kissed my cheek and worked his way down my neck to my collarbone. "You look sexy all wet and soapy."

I laughed and pulled his hair bringing his face back to mine. "Okay, tomorrow I'll make sure to wake you up. Come on. I want to help with breakfast."

He squeezed me one last time then we got out of the bed. Edward laughed as I held my hands out to him so he could help me off of the bed. "Don't laugh. This bed is enormous!"

I've been helping Edward's grandmother and mother with all of the cooking this week. I love to cook and I help Esme on Sunday's after church so I thought it would be a nice way to get to know his grandmother better. She is such a strong and amazing woman. And she's so funny. She's always telling stories about her husband, Carlisle, Jasper and Edward and all of the trouble they would get into and the jokes they would play on each other. She loved her family and I hoped that one day she would count me as a part her family too.

She was also helping me with my Italian. I hadn't really spoken Italian since I was ten when my mother left us, so it was hard. I couldn't really remember anything except a few words and phrases but the more I was around everyone, the more I was able to pick it up. And Edward was always helping me if I didn't understand something. He said it was very sexy to hear me speak Italian and as a result he was encouraging me to speak to him in Italian as much as possible. I have to admit, it was sexy to hear him speak in his first language as well, especially in bed.

We laughed a lot for the first few days. The kitchen seemed to be the heart of this home. We were always eating, drinking and talking. Edward's grandfather, Santo, had taken an instant liking to me. He showed me all around the property and gave me the history of the land and of the family. He told me the same story Edward had about John Cullen and Anna Rizzo. I loved that they held on to their history and passed it along. I don't know anything about my dad's family but Edward's family can go clear back to the 1800's.

"Buongiorno!" I greeted everyone as I walked into the kitchen.

"Isa, buongiorno!" Esme and Francesca greeted me.

Esme kissed my cheek, "How did you sleep, dear?"

"Wonderful, the bed is amazing. Even Edward has been sleeping well."

Esme smiled and squeezed my hand. I could tell she was happy with the relationship her son and I had. And to be honest, so was I. Things could have turned out so horribly if Edward and I weren't able to get along with one another.

We started making hazelnut cinnamon rolls for breakfast and by the time they were done baking the smell was making my mouth water. I had been really hungry lately but I had an insane craving for sweet foods. We talked and laughed as we finished the cinnamon rolls we drizzled the mascarpone cheese mixture on top and set everything out on the table.

Esme brought over a pitcher of iced cappuccino and we all sat down to enjoy breakfast. This would be the last day that the six of us would enjoy breakfast together. Jasper, Emmett, Rosalie and Paul would be arriving today. This fact immediately sent me back to the reason we are here in Italy. To talk to Antonio Aro about this whole situation.

After our run in with Felix, I couldn't get the story he told out of my head. His brother, Salvatore, that he looked up to was wronged by my grandfather and deceived by the woman he loved. And Felix has been holding this anger in for so long that he now feels the need to make things right. It's heartbreaking and terrible at the same time.

Edward and Jasper think that Felix was pretty young when Salvatore killed himself and wasn't privy to all of the facts. He may know the outcome about the girlfriend and Saul but he never received the closure he feels Sal deserved. Edward also thinks that the Aro family stopped looking for Renee when they found out that Sal's girl was the club bicycle. The Aro's didn't pursue it and it was squashed until Renee showed up at the bakery in Queen's.

But didn't someone say people found Renee when I was ten and that was why she left Charlie and me? Who was looking for her if it wasn't the Aro family?

Either way, Renee set the ball in motion again and the effect, Felix wanted to hurt others the way he hurt when Salvatore ended his life. It's all just a horrible, fucked up story. I can't help but feel bad for what they have gone through, but not enough that I would ever be willing to give up Edward and his family.

Edward and I planned a small picnic for ourselves this afternoon. I packed a basket full of bread, cheese, grapes, wine and water along with a blanket I found in our room. I was putting all of the items together when I felt Edward's arms around my waist. He leaned in and kissed my cheek and I smiled.

"Ready?" he asked.

I nodded and Edward took the basket from me and wrapped his free arm around my shoulder. We walked for about ten minutes until we were in a small little clearing surrounded by wildflowers, trimmed shrubs and a large, beautiful tree that seemed to bear some kind of fruit. There was also a grassy area and a bench slightly hidden in the flowers. It was a beautiful spot. I set up the blanket on the grass under the tree hiding us from the warm sun. Edward unpacked our meal and we sat and ate quietly for a few moments.

"Bella," Edward paused waiting for me to look at him. "We haven't really talked about what happened with Felix the other day. Are you doing okay? Do you need to talk about it?" Edward asked quietly.

I nodded but frowned not sure exactly what to say. "I'm okay but..." I trailed off. I looked around and there was no one nearby. I wanted to let out this anger that had been building over the past few days. Not anger at Edward but at this whole situation. I have been able to distract myself from it so far by spending time with his family and letting Edward consume me at night. But I suddenly had the urge to just let it all out.

"No, I'm not okay," I told him evenly. "I'm angry and sad and pissed off that we are even in this situation. I don't know any of the people involved in this mess. I don't even know my mother!" I screamed. "And yet, here I am worried that at any moment I will be kidnapped by some crazy asshole wanting to avenge his brother's death. I'm worried that something will happen to you," I looked at him with tears in my eyes. "I'm pissed off that Saul and Marcus thought it would be a good idea to hide my mother away instead of just facing the music and trying to find a way to get out of the mess Saul created. I mean, that woman at the club was a whore! Don't you think that Marcus or Saul could have used that information to get out of the agreement or at least negotiate it somehow?"

By this point I was on my feet pacing and gesturing wildly with my hands. "And now this asshole Felix is telling you that he will have me? I mean, my God, he hates the name Buccieri and he wants me? For what? I can only imagine what he would do if he got a hold of me and it scares the shit out of me, Edward." I deflated and sat down in the grass where I had been standing. "I feel bad that those things happened to them, I really do. But why do I have to be the one to clean it up? Why can't it just go back to when no one cared who Isabella Swan was?"

I covered my face with my hands and cried. I let go of all of the tears I had been holding in since the day we met Felix. I felt Edward's hand in my hair and I looked up at him. He held a hand out to me and pulled me up when I took it. He wrapped me in his arms and let me cry. He didn't say anything to me. He just held me and swayed with me letting me know he was there for me, as always.

After a while, the tears stopped but I still held him tightly. I felt calmer than I had a few minutes ago. I just needed to let everything out and somehow Edward always knows what I need. I suddenly had an incredible urge to disappear with him. I looked up at him and was about to tell him exactly that when we were interrupted.

"Edoardo!" his grandfather yelled. "Jasper è arrivato."

I rested my head against Edward's chest and sighed.

"Va tutto bene?" he called out to us. (Is everything okay?)

"Sì, ci danno un momento," Edward answered back. (Yes, can you give us a moment?)

"Bella," Edward said as he lifted my face to look at him, "I will do everything in my power to keep you safe. Do you believe me?" His eyes searched mine.

I nodded and went up on my toes to kiss him. His hands were on my cheeks and I felt so delicate and loved. I smiled against his lips and he kissed me again quickly.

"Okay, let's go say hello to everyone before my grandfather comes to steal you away from me again," Edward furrowed his brow in mock anger.

I laughed and we packed up our picnic and walked toward the house. Edward caught my hand and kissed my wrist. I rested my head against his bicep and wrapped my free arm around his holding on to him tightly.

~~U~~

Bliss. Complete bliss. It was the only way to describe the way I felt at the moment. Edward had asked me to marry him. Again. But this time the question had come from his heart. He told me he loved me and he couldn't wait to marry me. I know that my smile was larger than life but I couldn't contain it.

I was lying in bed with my back against Edward's chest as I looked at my engagement ring. When he gave this ring to me two months ago we were complete strangers. We knew nothing about each other nor did we know if we would be able to pull off the act we were playing. But everything changed the night of the engagement party. I don't know that I loved him then but I know fate was pushing us together. The electricity that surrounded us in the limo was nothing I had ever experienced before.

And things had been moving right along since then. I knew I would easily fall in love with Edward but I never expected it to happen so quickly. Once we let our guard down with one another the puzzle pieces just fell into place. And now, here we are at the family home in Italy planning to sneak away and get married. We aren't quite disappearing as I would have liked, but it's pretty damn close. Even if it will only be for a few hours.

I felt Edward's arms tighten around me and I closed my eyes relishing in the closeness between us.

"Good morning," Edward said as he kissed my neck.

I turned my head slightly to look at him. His eyes were still closed but he had a smile on his face. I kissed his chin, "good morning my soon to be husband."

Edward opened his eyes and I could see the excitement in them. "Hmmm, Isabella Cullen." A thrill rushed through me as he said this.

I turned so that I was facing him and looked into his beautiful eyes. "I can't wait to marry you. I can't wait to have your name," I said kissing him softly.

He rolled us so that he was above me and he leaned in and kissed me. It was soft and sensual. I lost myself in the feel of his lips against mine. It was a wonderful feeling to know that he would truly be mine soon. Edward pulled away from me and I slowly opened my eyes to see him smiling above me. He gave me one more quick kiss and then got up from the bed. He held his hands out to me and I moved over to him on my knees. He quickly picked me up and carried me into the bathroom.

He placed a towel on the countertop and sat me down. Then turned on the water and adjusted the temperature before picking me up and carrying me inside the shower with him. He held me against the stone tiles and kissed me under the spray of the water. His skin was slick and hot from the steam that filled the small space.

I opened my eyes to find his already focused on me. He thrust into me in one swift motion never taking his eyes off of me. I let out a gasp and squeezed against him. He groaned and pushed into me again. I hugged him tighter and squeezed my legs against him trying to get as close to him as possible. I was completely lost in him. He was all I could focus on. His skin against mine, his heat burning through me, his rough hands, his breathing, his lips. And before I knew it I was crashing into him unable to hold on any longer.

He pushed me into the wall and kissed me hard as his orgasm took over. And in that moment, he was beautiful. Edward lowered me to my feet slowly, making sure I was able to stand. His hands were on my hips and his rested against my shoulder. I massaged the water through his hair and reached for the shampoo. Edward didn't move as I washed and rinsed his hair. I reached for the soap and washed his back in slow circles allowing him time to come back to me. I squeezed his ass because it was the only thing I could do from my current position and Edward chuckled before kissing my shoulder.

"Okay, beautiful girl, your turn." And he washed every inch of my skin but he leaned against the tiles to watch as I washed and conditioned my hair. I in turn watched him as he became hard again. I continued to rinse my hair as he took himself into his hands and pumped at a slow but sensual pace. I didn't move from the water. I stayed under the spray watching the muscles in his arm flex as he worked toward a release. I could feel myself becoming excited again and moved my hands down my body taking my breast in one hand while the other hand moved to the bundle of nerves that required my attention. Edward's eyes darkened and his hand moved faster, as did mine.

We continued this way until Edward moaned my name and I pressed my fingers down on my clit and came, slapping my hand against the wall to keep myself upright. Edward hissed a low 'fuck' and I opened my eyes to see him reach his release.

I smiled at my fiance and the only thought in my mind was that I hope we are always like this.

~~U~~

After breakfast, Edward was called into a meeting with grandfather, father and brother. It seemed odd but Edward smiled and squeezed my hand before walking away. I was concerned that it had to do with Felix. I had been in a nice little bubble the past couple of days. I completely surrounded myself in Edward and his family pushing any and all other thoughts to the back of my mind. That bubble had slowly been dissipating since Emmett, Jasper and Rosalie had arrived. I was immediately reminded of Chicago and what waited for us when we returned home. Or what could have possibly followed us here. I couldn't turn off the constant flow of thoughts that ran through my head.

The only time I could escape my thoughts is when I was with Edward. His touch calmed me and made me feel safe. He had kept his word and never discussed family business with me or around me. I know nothing about what he does on a day to day basis or where he goes when he disappears at night.

In a way, I'm grateful that I am oblivious to the reality of his work. I don't think I could handle knowing the kinds of things he does for the family. But at the same time I worry that my ignorance is putting us in danger.

I was still sitting at the table with a cup of coffee in front of me as I thought back to last night. Edward and I sat on the balcony talking for hours about our lives and our families. When Edward asked me to marry him again, it took my breath away. We discussed the possibilities and came up with a tentative plan on how we would be able to make it work. Edward and I were going to talk with the priest today so we would be able to marry tomorrow. We would leave the house while it is still dark and be married in the small church in a private ceremony. We were also planning to go into town today to find wedding bands. And I also wanted to find a dress. I want Edward to remember the way I look on our wedding day. I am so happy that we will have this moment together. I smiled to myself and moved to gather my dishes.

As I looked up from the table, three women were staring at me intently. How long had I been lost in my thoughts?

"What?" I asked looking at each of them. I immediately wiped my mouth and smoothed my hair, thinking there was something wrong with my appearance. "Is something wrong? Do I have something on my face?"

They didn't answer and it made me nervous. I was about to get up and walk to the bathroom when Rosalie finally spoke. "There is something different about you this morning. You haven't been listening to anything we've said and you can't stop smiling." She narrowed her eyes at me, "what are you hiding?"

My eyebrows shot up and I looked over at Esme and Francesca. "Hiding? I'm not hiding anything. I'm just happy." I smiled at her knowing that I won't be able to hold in. "Edward and I were talking last night about the wedding and our future," I trailed off and shrugged. "I'm just really happy. Edward wants us to buy our wedding rings here and have them blessed before we go back to Chicago."

Rosalie smiled and took my hand in hers. "I'm happy for you. You and Edward are perfect together."

"Sono incinta?" Francesca asked me. (Are you pregnant?)

I laughed, "No, I'm not pregnant."

"Are you sure, Isabella? You do seem to have a little glow," Esme responded with a smile.

"Sorry, ladies. I'm not pregnant. I've been on the shot for years," and I had my last one in April I thought to myself. I think it was in April. I better schedule an appointment when we get back to Chicago.

"Hmmm," Francesca grunted. "Vedremo di che." (We'll see about that.)

I shook my head and laughed. I got up from the table and placed all of our dishes in the sink. What would I do if I was pregnant? What would Edward think? It isn't something we've ever talked about. Whatever, I don't feel any different. Crazy women putting ideas in my head. But I have to admit that I am looking forward to having little Edward's running around.

~~Edward~~

I walked into the library behind my grandfather, Carlisle and Jasper wondering what the hell was going on. Jasper had a lazy smile on his face, my grandfather looked smug and my father looked like the cat that ate the canary.

"Alright, what the hell are you guys up to?" I asked as I sat down on the sofa. My father leaned against the door frame that separated the library and my grandfather's office. He didn't speak but he looked at me with a raised eyebrow.

I let my head fall back and my eyes closes. Damn it. How the fuck does he know. I thought Bella and I were pretty quiet the other night. But we were sitting outside on the balcony. If he had been walking anywhere near our room that night he would have heard us. Fuck.

"Ed," Jasper laughed, "you know you can't have any secrets in this house. It's impossible."

"Damn it. You guys know?" I shook my head and laughed. "Bella is going to be disappointed that we were found out."

"Edward, We aren't here to stop you."

"You're not?" I asked looking at my father.

He laughed and pulled out a cigarette. "No."

I frowned and looked at the three other men in the room with me. "Okay, so what's this all about then?"

"Edoardo," my grandfather stood and walked over to me. "It used to be considered good luck to carry a piece of iron in your pocket on the day of your wedding. It was an old superstition but no one ever went against it.

"On my wedding day, my grandfather gave me a coin," he held his hand out to me and there was an old coin with the letter C on it. "It has become a tradition in our family for the grandfather to give a coin to his grandson on his wedding day." He held the coin out to me and placed it in my hand.

"Che Dio vi benedica con amore e felicità," he squeezed my hand as he spoke. (May God bless you with love and happiness.)

"Thank you," I said as I looked at the coin. When I looked back up my father was smiling. "Damn it, I am feeling bad about sneaking off now."

My father laughed. "Well, I don't blame you for wanting to sneak off with Isabella. But if your mother and grandmother find out, I don't want to be anywhere near you."

~~U~~

Bella and I spent the afternoon shopping. We stopped and had lunch in a little cafe and we talked and laughed the entire time. I felt a little on edge this afternoon and I didn't know why. I was very aware of my surroundings, looking for anything or anyone out of place but not seeing anything out of the ordinary. I kept Bella close to me not letting her out of my grasp. I always had an arm around her or her hand tucked into the crook of my elbow.

We stopped at a dress shop that Bella wanted to look at. She made me stay outside in case she found the perfect dress for tomorrow. I leaned against the wall and watched as people walked by. A car backfired to my right and I turned in that direction only to stop and focus on the bakery across the street. The shades drawn on all of the windows so I couldn't see inside. I made a mental note to walk on the opposite side of the street.

After about 20 minutes, Bella walked out with a garment bag that was tied up so she could carry it without dragging the bottom on the floor. I took the bag and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

We found the jewelry store I wanted to go to and looked at all of the displays. I was pretty confident that the right pair would just jump out at me. Bella had walked away from me to take a look at another display and the jeweler walked over to her to answer her questions. I listened to her speak and couldn't help the excitement I felt every time she spoke Italian. It was such fucking turn on.

Just as I was about to turn and go to Bella's side something flashed and caught my attention. The sunlight caught on a ring. The gold band was delicate and narrow with round sparkling diamonds going all the way around. It would fit perfect with Bella's engagement ring. There was a man's ring next to it. A very traditional, wide gold band to match the delicate ring next to it. They looked perfect next to each other.

"Bella, baby, come over here for a minute."

Bella walked over and wrapped an arm around my waist.

"Look, what about those two?" I pointed to the rings in the display.

Bella looked at the rings and then up at the ceiling and then the window. I furrowed my brow and looked at her. "What are you doing?"

"Is there a spotlight on them?"

I chuckled, "It's the sunlight. That's how they caught my attention."

"Edward," she whispered.

"Mi scusi, ci può mostrare questo anello?" (Excuse me, Can you show us this ring?)

"Certo, signore."

The salesman pulled out the tray that held the two rings I wanted and placed it on a black cloth in front of us. He looked at Bella's engagement ring and gestured to her, asking if it was okay to place the diamond band on her finger. Bella nodded and he placed the delicate ring on her finger and it fit perfectly, like it was meant to sit there. Bella covered her mouth and I looked up at her. She was smiling and had tears in her eyes.

"It's beautiful," she whispered.

"Do you like this one, for me?" I picked up the thick gold band and tried it on. The gold looked good against my skin tone.

Bella ran her finger along the band and I looked up at her. She was smiling and she placed her hand on my cheek and kissed me. "I love it. It's perfect."

"We'll take these," I looked at the man and smiled.

He nodded and smiled at me. "Siete una bella coppia, così innamorato," he said before walking away. (You're a beautiful couple, so in love.)

I pulled Bella to me and kissed her lips softly before resting my forehead against hers.

"I love you, Edward," she whispered to me.

I smiled and moved my hand to her neck. I ran my thumb along her jaw and leaned in to kiss her again. "Ti amo, mia Bella."

Once the rings were packaged and paid for we walked toward the church. I remembered Father Domenic from the last time I was here with my grandmother. We walked inside and dipped our fingers in the holy water and crossed ourselves before sitting in the back pew. I said a quick Hail Mary and sat back on the bench. Bella prayed a little bit longer and then crossed herself before sitting back with me.

I looked around the church taking in the stained glass, the brick and stone that made up the walls. The floor was a mix of stone and mosaic tiles. And there was a huge chandelier that hung just above the altar and wooden beams across the ceiling. It is a magnificent church. Most churches these days are so modern that the mysticism of the religion is lost. It doesn't seem as serious as it did when I was little and I could smell the candles and the smoke as the priest walked up the aisle or the small bells that rang during communion. It is a comfort to find those things here.

I noticed Father Domenic enter through the front of the church and I wanted to catch him before he entered the confessional. I stood and took Bella's hand guiding her toward the front of the church.

"Father Dom," I said quietly.

He turned to me and smiled, "Edoardo, how are you?"

"I'm fine, I'm great, actually. This is my fiance, Isabella."

Father Domenic took Bella's hand in both of his, "Hello, Isabella."

"Father Domenic, it's lovely to meet you," Bella said with a smile.

"Edoardo, are you here for confession?" he raised an eyebrow at me.

I laughed, "No, I don't think we have enough time for that. But I do have a request."

Father Domenic ushered us toward a pew and gestured for us to sit. "Father Dom, Isabella and I would like to be married here, in this church, before we return to the United States."

Father Domenic frowned and looked at us both, "Is there a reason you want to be married so quickly? Do you not have a wedding date set for when you return home?"

"We do, our wedding is set for December at St. Michael's." I looked at Bella and she smiled, squeezing my hand. " I love Isabella, very much and I am very anxious to make her my wife. I don't want us to have to wait until December to belong to each other. And I, we, would like to be married in the same church as my grandparents."

Father Domenic was quiet for a few minutes. "I am very fond of your grandparents. They have helped the church a great deal in hard times."

He nodded as if he just come to a conclusion. "Be here, tomorrow at six a.m., and I will marry you." He stood and placed a hand on my shoulder. "It won't count as being official, but in your eyes and in the eyes of God you will be man and wife."

"Thank you," he nodded and walked toward the confessionals.

I picked her up and kissed her and she had the most beautiful smile on her face. "Soon," I said.

She kissed me again and whispered, "I can't wait," against my lips.

Bella and I would be married in 15 hours.

AN: Kind of a fluffy, sappy chapter. I was having a hard time getting it to flow. I'm not sure I succeeded, but it is what it is. The next chapter will get things moving again.

Also, I'm kinda hooked on some Jasper / Bella fics at the moment: Masquerade by Erratic Hippie & Bitemarks & Bloodstains by forthelongestday. Amazing and exciting. They can be found on .

Thank you to all of you who reviewed the last chapter.

Happy reading! RR244