10. Flight

"I can't fit anymore, Alice!" I yelled. Alice-of course- bought me new clothes to take to Italy. It was really unnecessary to get five new outfits for a week stay in Italy. She still didn't show me the dress yet, and I was afraid she was going to make the dress without showing me.

"Let me in and I'll make them fit!" She growled, slamming the door open. I stepped out of the way so she could try, but no matter how hard I tried I still couldn't get it to close. Alice jumped on it, landing on her butt, but it just stayed up. Obviously she was to light to have it close a few inches, so she continued to jump on it, closing it a little each bounce.

"Ugh!" She groaned. "Emmett!" Alice stared at the door, where Emmett just happens to be.

"So," He said, examining his finger nails as to gloat. "You still can't get the suitcase to close, can you little sis?" He continued, a smile growing across his face.

"No, I just called you in here to bug you." Alice said sarcastically.

Emmett's' smile grew wider and walked over to the suitcase, Alice jumping off. He sat down and the clothes disappeared under the suitcase door. He laughed loudly, while Alice rolled her eyes and zipping it up.

"Thanks." She said, icily glaring at Emmett as he continued to laugh. He jumped off and the door of the suitcase popped up a little like baking bread begging to rise.

"Glad to help." He said. Emmett was still the same old laughable brother who put a smile on people's face when we were down. It was just like Jasper's talent, bringing a sad room to a happy room in seconds. Alice turned to look at me, smiling over the fact that she was right about fitting all those clothes, hair products, and such into the tiny bag.

"So, Alice," I started. "When do I get to see my dress?" Alice's' smile grew wider, her eyes going bigger. She disappeared and returning with a small notebook. She opened it up and flipped through pages over and over until she found the right page.

"This is what I think the dress should look like." She said, handing me the notebook. The dress was beautiful. The dress was a dark blue silk-Edwards' favorite color on me- with black lace on top of the blue, shaped like the top bumps on a heart. Black netting showing on the bottom, with a thin black ribbon where my waist would go, and a little bow on the side. It was just above my knees, and it was also strapless. The drawing of the manikin's hair was in curls, and pulled back into a small ponytail. The shoes were the same color as the dress, a small strap around the foot. I couldn't believe I would be wearing that.

I couldn't see it, though. I couldn't see myself wearing such a gorgeous dress, such as that. Why can't I just go along with what everybody else thought? Why couldn't I picture myself in that perfect dress, with a perfect person, at a perfect place?

"Well...?" Alice asked, interrupting my thoughts. I looked up at her and gave her the best smile I could, but I could tell she thought I didn't like it.

"You hate it, don't you? Ugh! I knew it, I knew it." She sighed, hitting her head with the heel of her hand.

"No, no Alice, I absolutely love it. It's just... I can't see myself in it..." I said my voice small. I knew she would argue, but for the moment, I didn't really care.

"Bella, you'll look so beautiful. Even Edward will be jealous; in fact I'm already jealous." Alice gave me a smile and took the notebook away. I didn't want to stop looking at it, it was so pretty, but she tucked it under her arm.

"Thank you Alice, I really appreciate you making me a dress."

Alice smiled a wide grin and danced out, calling for Esme and Rosalie. I laughed a small laugh and walked out of the Isle Esme room, forgetting about the second bag that Alice is making me pack. I walked to the end of the hall only getting an arm pull out and grab my waist. Edward twirled me to him, my hands pressing against his chest.

"So," He whispered his lips at my ear. "Do I get to see your dress?" His breath trickling down my neck.

"No, of course not." I giggled. "It's supposed to be a surprise, so stay out of their heads." I warned.

"Has Jasper, Emmett, or Carlisle seen it?"

"Nope, only us girls."

He turned his face to me, sticking his lip out in a pout. I tried to look away, but his eyes caught my attention.

They were a soft golden, melting into mine, losing my train of thought. Then he leaned his head down to mine, brushing his lips back and forth against my jaw.

Then he whispered, ever so lightly, "Please." His pleadings were impossible to resist.

"Wh-What?" I stuttered, my head spinning.

"Please let me see your dress." His lips mumbling against the corner of my mouth. "Just tell Alice I can see the dress."

Suddenly, Alice appeared, smacking Edward's arm.

"That's not fair Edward. You know what that does to her." Alice whined. I threw a thankful look, she smiled in reply. Edward just moaned and stalked off to the bedroom.

The moon rose up, after a long day of packing, for tomorrow would bring us a long day of flying, so today we would hunt. Since we got the invitation to the ball, we decided we were all going, except Renesmee and the wolves, even Jacob. He wasn't so happy about it, but he gave up. Emmett, Rosalie, Esme, and Carlisle hoped in the Jeep, while Edward, Alice, Jasper, and I hoped in the Volvo. I really wasn't thirsty, unless someone mentioned it, then that's when my throat would burst into flames.

Edward drove while I sat in the front seat, Alice chatting away about the dresses for the girls, except me. It was still going to be surprise weather anyone liked it or not. It seemed almost impossible for Alice to not say anything about my dress, she always started talking about it, only saying it was super pretty, but then I would remind her about the secret. Edward was always so happy when she started to speak of it, until I butt in.

The dirt road continued for what felt like days. The dark green walls never seemed to end and flashed by us in a blur. Edward didn't really pay attention to the dirt road, but continued to search the mind of Alice, "Just a quick glance," he would beg.

We finally reached our destination and began hunting.

I hunted as much as I could, satisfy my thirst. We were supposed to hunt at 2:00 through 3:00 a.m. but I really wasn't as thirsty, but I drank as much blood as I could. It's funny to think of the past. I hated blood so much. It made me sick to my stomach, even the talk about it made my head spin, now, I live for it. It's also funny to think about how clumsy I was when I was still human, too. Everyone was afraid of me in Gym and I was so clumsy, I was almost disabled. Now, I'm as graceful as Alice. My steps could hit every girl with jealousy, my dancing skills were so much better; I could probably win a dancing award. Although, I have to admit, Rosalie could win the most beautiful award.

I really wish we could go back the times where we could sit around the house all day, doing absolutely nothing but love together. Now that the stupid Volturi had to come around, Edward and I can't spend eternity together at ease... Stupid, talented Volturi.

Finally, we headed home. The day seemed to go by us in a blur, not realizing what had happened to our day.

Now at 9:25 a.m. our plane would soon be taking off for Italy.

I knew Edward was upset about me going, and how he thought he was putting me in serious danger, but to be truthfully honest, I was putting myself in danger.

He was in sitting on the bed and staring out the window, the sun just begging to rise, but still staying behind the clouds. I sat next to him and held his hand, doodling aimlessly across the back of his hand. I could feel his eyes boring onto my face, but I didn't bother to look up. After a few immeasurable moment of silence, he put his finger under my chin and raised my face, forcing me to look deep into his soft eyes. He leaned closer, his face inches away from mine.

Then, he pressed his glass-smooth lips against mine.

His arm twisted around my waist and his hand cupped my face, straining me closer and molding to the shape of his body. My hands were pressed against his chest and his lips were more eager now. His lips never left my skin. When I needed to catch an unnecessary breath, he just slowly moved down to my jaw, then my neck. Soon enough I brought him back to my face.

We stayed in the room until it was about time to leave.

I was not excited to go on the long flight, but I was happy I was still going to be with Edward. I was afraid of Esme coming, she didn't need to come but she refused to stay. What if she got hurt? What if she never returned to her home? These were the questions that haunted me for Esme. The questions that really haunted me were worse. What if I never saw Renesmee again? What if I could never see Jacob either? Would this be the last time I get to spend time with my best friend, to see his smile brighten my day? Would I ever get to see Seth or Embry, or even Quil? What would happen to my family? All I wanted was to see what my answers were before I left so I could feel nothing but relief. I knew Jasper could feel my worry. The looks in his eyes were confused in a way.

I could tell that his question was bubbling on the tip of his tongue, but luckily, he wasn't going to ask it, I hoped.

The time read 9:06 a.m. and we were fitting our suitcases in the taxis. We didn't bother to bring our cars, though, we never knew if we were going to come back or not. One of the taxis took Carlisle, Esme, Alice and Jasper. The other was Edward, Rosalie, Emmett, and I. I felt bad for Nessie, she didn't know why we were leaving, all we told her was that Carlisle had a great job offer and we all were checking it out. Of course, she bought it-as Alice had seen- and she wished Carlisle luck. Jacob didn't bother to tell her the truth, even though he really wanted to, I begged him not to.

We said our goodbyes and the look in Nessie's eyes could tell there was something more to this trip.

The drive wasn't long, but the driver was terribly slow. His thick gray beard and thin gray hair seemed untidy and greasy. The shirt he wore had food stains and small holes. It should have been a bright green, but it now was a faded dark green. The way his eyes drooped scared me, for I was afraid he would fall asleep, and the way he drove was insanely crazy. Edward didn't like how he couldn't keep his eyes off of me and Emmett was the same for Rosalie. It was sort of flattering, in a way...

By the time we got to the airport it was 9:14. We only had eleven minutes left 'til our plane took off. We waited for Carlisle, Esme, Alice and Jasper to arrive, and as we waited, people-men particularly- Couldn't stop staring at Rosalie and me. What really bugged me was how women wouldn't stop smiling at Edward, not that it made me jealous, it just bugged me. Edward would laugh quietly occasionally and I would look in confusion. One time he couldn't stop laughing and I finally asked what was so funny.

"That guy," He nodded his head toward a tall muscular man, who obviously was flexing- probably trying to show off. Edward continued "He is trying to show off to you," Edward then grabbed my waist and held me closer, while the man's' face fell. "Now he's disappointed that you're taken. And he's trying to imagine him and you." Edward chuckled. It was kind of funny in a way, but upsetting. He seemed like a nice guy, but a little too much of a show off. I just laughed a small laugh and Emmett joined in too, along with Rosalie.

Soon after, the rest of the family arrived, and we set off to get through the metal detectors. So pretty much Alice and Rosalie took off a lot of jewelry, and I was glad Alice hadn't forced me to wear as much as them.

We then waited for our numbers to be called. It felt like hours were passing us by slowly. Usually the plane rides and plane waitings didn't take as long; maybe I wasn't as anxious as I usually was.

People stared at us a lot. It seemed almost as if we had a bright spotlight on us and we starred in a play, it was starting to get annoying. Edward was pretty happy, considering people would wish I was with them, so he would just hold my hand or hug me tighter, sometimes kiss me. It was pretty funny but also annoying.

I didn't know how long we sat there, but then our turn was up. I started getting scared, now that we were getting closer and closer to our destination. I was afraid the Volturi would keep us and we were never to leave again. Edward looked at me, his eyes filled with concern as he tried to move me, but I was rooted in place. He then had to yank on my arm and practically carry me, holding most of my weight. We walked through the plane doors and the stewardess seemed shocked by Edwards's beauty. She seemed pretty, her long black hair tied back into a neat ponytail, her light green eyes were stunned and confused.

"Hello." She welcomed Edward a little too comforting. He just nodded at her and helped me into my seat. He stuffed the bags in the small compartment and sat next to me.

"Bella, are you okay? You seem kind of, well, freaked out." He asked, taking my hand.

"No, no I'm fine, really." I answered. The stewardess came back, asking if we-well Edward- wanted something to drink, a little too friendly. He answered no and she continued on with disappointed face. It really bothered me how overly nice she was to him. It was just like the time when Edward took me to dinner in Port Angeles and the waitress was extremely nice...

The plane ride was long, but we finally got there. Three different stewardesses kept walking by Edward, and it really bothered me. The second plane ride was over the ocean, so I saw nothing but clouds and water. Edward tried to distract me, for I was hyperventilating every time we mentioned the Volturi or Italy. He tried to calm me by singing my lullaby, and of course it worked. My lullaby reminded me of all the times Edward sang to me during the night. Now I don't have to sleep-even when I really want to- I can't.

By the time we landed in Italy, it was 6: 30 p.m. I was so happy to be done with riding in a crowded plane with nothing but humans, my throat kind of burned. But as soon as we walked out of the plane doors, I skidded to a stop.

We were in Italy. We only had an hour ride to our hotel and a few hours 'til we go to the twenty-first century ball and I meet Damius. Where I see Aro and Jane and Alec again. Edward was tugging on me again, but I didn't move. People walking by stared at me with odd glances. Finally Edward tugged on my arm harder and practically carrying me all the way to the taxi.

I couldn't deal with this so soon. I couldn't have this happening to me now. Not now.

~ 40 ~