Disclaimer: I'm putting this here for legal reasons (finally, I know! Thank you Nikki) so here you go: I don't own the story or the characters, I only own the plot.
Author's Note: I wasn't going to upload this just yet, you know. But I got guilted into it... So, I hope you enjoy this.
Zero Hour
They came as Alice said, within the hour. I heard their approach as I lounged on the couch, spending my last carefree moments with my Jasper and Emmett. As they reached the drive, I stood upwards, smoothed down my attire and positioned myself near the door, Emmett on one side, and Jasper on the other. Jasper clasped my hand for a fraction of a second, and in those brief millionths of a second, I felt something I would never feel again in my existence; something so pure and real that I could not doubt its brightness, its sincerity.
"Bella my sweetling!" Aro cooed, floating through the open door and embracing me. "How are you, dear one?"
"Well, thank you. And yourself?" I smiled angelically, careful not to hold him too tight. He was oh, so paper thin.
"Very, very well, dearest. I have a surprise for you!"
"A surprise?" I asked, a little baffled.
Not in all of my years as a Volturi Queen had Aro presented me with a surprise. A gift, surely. I had countless diamond necklaces, fur coats, silk dresses. But a surprise wasn't the usual way to present me with a gift.
"Yes, cara. A surprise. Antonio?"
A tanned vampire appeared in the doorway, wearing the Volturi's signature black cloak.
"Hello, Mistress Isabella," he greeted me with a kiss on my hand, his words spoken with a thick Italian accent.
"Hello, Antonio." I greeted him, smiling in welcome.
"Antonio's power is very potent, dear Bella. When someone tells him a lie – for instance, that they are not married, he immediately sees the truth of the situation, seeing the couple's wedding or something to that effect."
"Ah! A fabulous power, Antonio." I smiled.
"Which I will gladly share, Mistress Isabella." I smiled gratefully. His thoughts mirrored his words- he was kind hearted.
"Thank you, Antonio." I felt Edward wrap his arms around me, Jasper and Emmett having moved away. "Antonio, this is the love of my existence, Edward."
Antonio's eyes widened for a moment, then his face transformed back into a pleasant mask.
Untrue.
"As she is mine," Edward smiled. "Very nice to meet you, Antonio."
Untrue.
Antonio's eyes widened for a slight second; he frowned momentarily, then reached his hand out to Edward. "As it is you, sir."
"Bella, as for your surprise – you may want to absorb this power before I present it?" Aro stepped between us, recognizing the expression on Antonio's face that I did not.
I nodded. "Step forward if you please, Antonio."
Edward stepped away from me, returning to the line where my family were formed. Antonio stepped forward and I pressed a hand to each side of his face, pressing my forehead against his.
I felt the familiar, yet subtle tingle of a power passing into my arsenal.
"Thank you, Antonio." I released him.
"How do you know if it works, Mistress Bella?"
"Oh, it always works." I smiled, reassuring him. "My surprise, brother?" I asked, turning to Aro expectantly.
"Flynn?" He called towards the open door.
Flynn? I wondered.
A tall blond man walked in through the door, smiling timidly.
"Isabella, this is Flynn." Aro smiled triumphantly.
"Hello Flynn," I smiled, reaching forward to embrace him.
Flynn's skin was pale, without the olive undertone that Antonio and other previously-dark skinned vampires had. His blond hair was a curly disarray – similar to Jasper's. His eyes were the usual red, though they were darker than Aro and Antonio's. His pupils bled into the deep red, a sign of thirst.
"Hello Bella." Flynn answered. I registered that he spoke with an English accent.
"Not from Italy?" I asked, confused.
"No, England." He corrected me.
"Ah, so Aro, this is my surprise? Another power?"
Aro smiled widely. "No, Bella. I am repaying my debt."
"Your debt?" I asked, confused.
"Your memory."
Edward hissed in frustration, but a wide smile spread on my face. "Really? You found someone!"
"That's what I'm here for." Flynn smiled.
"I'm getting my memory back?"
I'd been holding onto the same foolish hope for years, for decades, wishing that I could remember my past, wishing I knew for just one second what had lead me to who I was now. Aro had promised me so long ago, and while every time I so much as voiced my thoughts, he would assure me that it would all work out. That he would find someone to restore my memory. I held on to my hope, nursing it until it became my dream; the untouchable, the unattainable.
I would pay any price for it, I knew that. A billion dollars, a thousand years of servitude, anything.
And now I was getting my dream fulfilled.
"Yes, dearest. If you still want it." Strangely enough, I expected Aro to laugh and say 'actually, I was jesting', and pull each strand of hope from under my feet.
I nodded frantically. "Oh, I do, I do!"
"It'll hurt, Bella." Flynn warned me. "The same amount as your change."
Untrue, a voice whispered in my mind.
Suddenly, I saw myself writhing in pain, burning and screaming my lungs out, my limbs flailing uncontrollably and a guttural, feral cry bursting from my moist lips.
I shook my head. "I don't care. Please, anything. I'll give you anything you want."
"I don't want anything, Bella."
No image assaulted me, so I knew he was utterly truthful.
"Um, Flynn?" Alice's soft voice was shy as she stepped forward. I had not realised she had joined us; the entire family was present. Alice seemed to be in an agreeable state of mind today, and I smiled at her as she came to stand next to me. "I was wondering if maybe you could do the same for me...if it's not too much trouble."
"Of course I can..."
"Alice." She supplied shyly.
"I'd be much obliged, Miss Alice."
She's beautiful. He whispered to himself.
Alice beamed up at me, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Her tiny fingers reached for mine, and she squeezed my hand tightly. I'm so sorry, Bella. She murmured mentally. I've done as much as I can for you – I hope it'll be enough.
I turned to her for a second, confused.
You'll find out soon enough.
"Do you want to begin now?" Flynn asked cautiously, unaware of our confusing exchange.
"I'd be glad to," I smiled, trying to keep my composure; no matter how much I felt like I should bounce in joy, I shouldn't.
Alice wasn't nearly so self disciplined; she bounced excitedly, though her thoughts were solemn.
"I cannot say how pleased I am, my Bella." Aro smiled, the film over his eyes looking as though it were ready to dissipate and leave sparkling human eyes, tears glistening in them. "I have so longed to give you what you want, what you've always wanted. I pray you shall stay with your brothers once your memory is regained?"
I nodded.
"That is such a relief to me. I was vexed, knowing that my heart desired to give you yourself back, and yet I did not want to lose you."
"Neither do I." Edward growled from his place in line.
"Err," Flynn interrupted. "Can we get started please?"
"Can I settle myself first?" Alice murmured, her bouncing stopping abruptly.
"Of course, Miss Alice." He smiled, utterly at ease. "And you, Bella."
I decided to follow Alice's lead.
Alice stepped away from me, letting go of my hand. She walked first to Carlisle and Esme, who stood together at the end of the line, and she clasped both their hands. Esme smiled bravely, but once Alice let go of her hand, she let out a sob, pressing her face to Carlisle's shoulder as he tried to console her.
Alice walked next to Jasper, standing up on her tiptoes and kissing him lightly on the lips.
"Be happy." She murmured to him, before going on to extend gestures to the rest of the family.
I had wanted so desperately to follow Alice's fashion, but I could not. There were many vampires in the room, but only one's topaz eyes held my attention.
Jasper.
I rushed at him, and he opened his arms. I launched myself at him, and he had to brace himself not to topple over under my strength. He knew much about newborns – their strength and habits - with his scarred skin and wisdomous mind, but I was no average vampire, even if my strength was that of a newborn's.
I held on tightly to him as he whispered in my ear, just yearning to crane my neck up and kiss him; all the while knowing that no matter how much I willed it, I could not even brush his lips against mine
"Bella, it'll all be alright. Once this is over, I will be here. I have always been here. I'll always be here." He murmured the last three words with so much conviction, yet in such a low voice that I almost missed it. "I love you."
I put my index finger to his marred arm, and wrote 'I love you too' on it, knowing he would feel the words being traced upon his granite skin.
He smiled as I walked away.
I kissed Edward, I hugged Rosalie and Emmett, I smiled at my parents, I held Alice's hand, I agreed that Flynn should begin...all the while thinking of Jasper.
But then the pain started, and I could think of nothing else.