Hey guys!

Sorry I took so long to post this chapter, I have been quite ill for weeks, and once I went back to school I had SOOO much homework to catch up on. So that kept my busy for some time. But I thought I would post today, considering its my 17th birthday today! So this is a gift to all of you, as a thank you for supporting me over over the last year (even if it hasn't been THAT long.. I think..)

A HUGE shout out to Lynnett (TheUnderStudy), who didn't just proof-read this chapter but also gave me some super wicked ideas! So THANKYOU! xx

as well I would like to thank CatieLardin who suggested a hunting trip to bring Edward and Bella closer. I have used Catie's idea in this chapter, after altering it to fit the context and plot. So THANK YOU catie! xx

this chapter focuses on Edward and Bella, and even though I wanted it to be a bit longer, things didn't quite go that way. Hopefully my next chapter is longer..

Enjoy!

BPOV

After one hell of a night, I had to say goodbye to my baby once again. Three to four weeks, that's what Alec said. To most vampires, a few weeks go by as fast as a few minutes, but to me, being away from him for only one day, seemed like a life time. And to make matters worse, he was leaving me right before our wedding. That would leave all the last minute changes and the meeting of our guests up to me. On top of that, I will have to live the next few weeks with the Cullen's. Sure they technically lived outside of Volterra for the time being, but I knew they would be around. There was no way I would not run into them. I will have to deal with it all alone. Of course I will have Jane, Aro, Marcus and Caius, but even they don't compare to my Alec.

After waving goodbye to his departing car, I decided to go to the one place I could be alone. My garden. I had a few hours before I was needed by Jane to choose the menu for the wedding, I didn't get why she needed me. I was happy with just animal, but Alec wouldn't have that. He hated the idea of Animal blood, like I hated the idea of human. So now I had to choose a range of bloods, including human, and I knew I was going to find that hard to do.

As I walked through the library and into my garden, I felt an automatic sense of peace and serenity fall over me. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes as I took a few steps into the sun. I never got enough sun. I didn't need it like the humans, but who said I still didn't enjoy it. I loved the heat it gave off, and how everything in my garden came alive once covered in its light. It was breathtaking.

I took a few moments to enjoy its rays before slowly walking over to my little gazebo. I walked inside and opened every window and door, allowing the sun to enter and light up every possible space. The sky was a perfect cloudless blue, and it was perfect for reading. After searching my book collection already in the gazebo, I settled for one of my all time favourites, Romeo and Juliet. The forbidden love between the star-crossed lovers always made me melt. I was reading my favorite part, when Romeo and Juliet talk on her balcony, when I heard someone chuckle from outside my gazebo door.

Standing there leaning on the door frame with a huge smile spread across his face was the devil himself. Edward Cullen. What was he doing here? After the way he treated me only yesterday, when he refused to shake my hand, was enough to get himself killed. He was lucky he didn't come in with the three girls before him, or else he would be dead. If it wasn't for the fact that I liked the rest of his family, I would have showed him how I felt right there. But I couldn't do it.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him, sitting up from the floor and smoothing out my dress.

"I'm sorry, I thought this garden was open for any vampire." he lifted his eye brow as if he was asking a question, but he knew it was open for all. I was just surprised he was here, considering I have been the only one to use it in years.

"Oh, I'm sorry, yes it is. I'm just the only one who actually uses it, so I guess I'm shocked to see anyone else in here." I let out a small laugh as I walked towards him. He stepped back into the garden, and as I left I closed the door behind me. He gave me a puzzled lookand I knew he was confused. "I'm sorry, the garden is open for anyone, but this place," I said gesturing to my little getaway, "is mine, and so is everything inside, so please don't go in" He nodded as I walked past him and back into the rows of flowers.

"So why would it be that you're the only one who uses this little paradise? It's so beautiful. I would love to have a garden like this where ever I go." Edward walked over and smelled a rose. I found it hard to believe that someone else thought this place to be as beautiful as it was. For centuries I had been the only one to spend more than a few minutes in this place. And out of everybody who could have enjoyed it, it had to be Edward Cullen. The one vampire I despised more than anything.

"I don't know why they stay away; I can't go one day without spending at least an hour in here. Helps me think." to avoid his eye contact I walked back into the library. I found him following me and looking at me as I climbed one of the book ladders to place Romeo and Juliet back where it belonged on the shelf.

"You enjoy reading?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It's one of my many enjoyments. What about you? Do you enjoy a good book?" I asked climbing back down.

"Yes I do actually. Every home we live in needs a good library to keep me entertained, especially over the last millennium." He smiled as he picked up one of my favourites and looked at it.

"Why is that?" I questioned him as I decided to put away some of the books I had left around.

"Well I lost the love of my life to another and it has been quite hard. But suddenly, I feel much better" he smiled at me, but I couldn't help but flinch. The love of his life was said to be a human. I remembered that story well. It had disgusted me how he killed one of our kind for a human girl. It was one of the reasons I hated him so.

"Edward why are you here?" I asked him, changing the subject. I turned to see him staring at me with so much hurt in his eyes, but he changed fast when he saw me looking at him.

"I've come to invite you out for a hunt with me and my family. We have all noticed how your appetite varies much from the others here in Volterra. And well considering how we all share the same diet, we thought you would like to accompany us, as well as show us where the best meals could be found." I had never hunted with another before. No one shared my diet within these walls. Even though so much of me wanted to say no, mainly because of Edward, I found myself nodding in agreement. His family was lovely and I would love to get to know them better.

"Sure thing. Let me cancel my appointment with Jane and I'll meet you out by the eastern gate. I just have to change into something more suitable for hunting." There was no way I could hunt in a dress this huge. He gave me a smile, which I found myself returning, before running out of the library, hopefully towards the eastern gate.

I walked up to my room after talking to Jane. We had agreed to postpone our appointment till later that night. As I walked past a table I kissed a photo of me and Alec before walking into my closet so I could change into something more appropriate. I settled for my dark navy skinny-legged jeans with black high heals and a red singlet top with my favorite leather jacket. Once dressed, I looked in the mirror and I remembered the last time I wore this outfit. Alec had complained it was too sexy, but well he was not here, so I could live a little. I chuckled to myself as I ran out of my room to meet Edward and his family.

On the way to the gate, some of the guards who I had became friends with over the years whistled while others make comments like, "While Alec's away, the queen shall play", "Looking nice Bella, who are you going to see?", and "Look out boys, Bella's going hunting!" I just smiled at them while they chuckled, replying to them all saying, "Keep it in your pasts lads", and "Don't make me tell Caius on you gents. Comments like that won't go down well," like always they just laughed and waved as I continued to walk away. I loved the guard members. They all had a good sense of humor and treated me well. We always joked around a lot, but only when Alec, Marcus, Caius and Aro were not around. None of them would approve to our jokes and mischievous behavior.

As I neared the eastern gate, I could see Edward pacing back and forth. He really was a weird one. I couldn't wait to meet the rest of the family. Hopefully they would not be so strange. "Good afternoon Cullen, ready to go?" I asked him while walking past him to the gate. I nodded to the guards there, who chuckled and opened the doors.

"Sure am my queen, let's get going." I swear he was trying too hard to act what I call 'normal'. Everything he said seemed to be an act, just like my royal charade. And yet I had forgotten all about playing my royal part. It didn't seem necessary around the Cullen's. Majority of them seemed normal, plus Carlisle used to be a part of the Volturi. According to Marcus, he was close enough to them they had been considering to ask him to join the royals, like how they had asked me. And yet he took off before they could.

I walked out the gate with Edward following me. He caught up to me within a few steps and just after looking at me quickly he started to speed up. I don't know what came over me, but I automatically quickened my step until I was in front of him. He chuckled and before long our pathetic and childish game had started. It became a race to the Cullen's home, and for the first time, I didn't care I was with Edward. It was like I was running with Alec. It was comfortable, and surprisingly, it was fun.

We were laughing when we reached the front of the Cullen's house. "I win Cullen!" I laughed, doing a celebration dance. It wasn't until I heard laughter from behind me that I stopped and straightened up. I turned to find the rest of the Cullen family standing on their doorstep laughing at my now embarrassing act. "I'm sorry, I got distracted. God how embarrassing. Aro would kill me for acting like that." I covered my eyes with my hands. And yet all they continued to do was laugh.

"Bella, don't worry. We won't tell. You can act any way you want around us. Just be yourself." Carlisle smiled walking over and placing his hands on my shoulder. I had only known this man for a day and yet he already seemed like another father figure. It must have been the time he spent with Aro, Marcus and Caius.

"Thank you Carlisle" I said smiling.

"Hey Bella, remember me?" I turned to see Emmett, how could I forget him. He has been the only Vampire in history to hug me like that. And I admired him for it. He was a huge teddy bear.

"Of course I do, your my future best friend" I laughed as I walked over and hugged him.

I heard someone clear her throat and I knew it would be Rosalie. She came across as the jealous type. I would change that. I liked her and she seemed capable to look after herself. And yet, I knew deep down she was caring beyond belief. So I thought I would break this small barrier and become friends with her. I walked up to her and hugged her too. She stiffened, but within seconds she was hugging me back. "Hey Rosalie, if you gave me a chance I would love to get to know you as well." it wasn't a question, but I knew it seemed like one.

"Of course Bella. I think now especially, I'm going to like you a lot better, put the past behind us." I didn't quite get the whole 'past' thing, but I smiled any ways and nodded.

As I let go of her and turned around I found myself in yet another hug, and yet this one came from Alice, who was more pixie than Vampire. "Forgetting about me?" she smiled.

"You where next, don't worry. So you're the future teller right?" I asked her.

"Yepp that's me, and trust in me when I say, you and are going to be best friends, well really, you're going to basically become one of the family." she let go and laughed.

"Oh really? If it wasn't for the fact I already feel like I knew your family in another life, I would say 'don't lie' But well, I don't think I'm ready to bet against you just yet Alice." she chuckled and nodded before stepping back.

I felt like I was receiving more hugs today than in my whole life time. But I didn't care with the Cullen's as they really did seem familiar. It was like a part of me belonged with them. I couldn't help but hope that they stayed in Volterra way after my wedding. It had only been a day, but I really didn't want to leave.

"Bella?" I looked up to Jasper. Stupid mood reader. I automatically felt a mixture of embarrassment and anger at this intuition. No one could ever read me. Thanks to my shield I had been the most private vampire in history. But I knew Jasper was worried about me, so I couldn't help but smiling towards him.

"I'm fine Jasper. You should feel privileged, you're the only one I've come across who was able to read a part of me through your power. And you're the only one in history that won't be killed because of it. Aro doesn't like me being able to be read in anyway. But like Carlisle said before, our little secret right?" I winked at him, and I could tell my words had shocked him, but he got over it fast and smiled and nodded.

I kinda felt bad for what I said, so walked up to him and hugged him. He hugged me back and whispered "Thank you" in my ear.

"It's okay." I whispered as I pulled away. "Like I already said, I like you Cullen's." I said facing all but Edward, who still stood behind me. Inside, I felt like my words had excluded him. His family was amazing, but I couldn't trust him yet.

"We like you too Bella, you're not like the others, less scary. It's like we have met before. You belong." Esme spoke from next to Carlisle. I couldn't help but laugh.

"The others are not scary. You get used to them. And thank you Esme, I feel the same way." I smiled towards her.

"So are we going hunting or are we going to continue to have these chick flick moments?" Emmett asked laughing.

"Well I'm ready. What about all of you?" I asked them.

"We will follow you Bella, you know this area much more than us," Carlisle said gesturing me to go. I laughed and nodded. And started to run.

"Try and keep up Cullen's!" I called over my shoulder, and as I laughed I heard the others cheer and join in the laughter as they began to follow.

As I continued to run I heard Edward and Emmett start to gain up on me. I couldn't let them beat me, so I quickened my pace. I decided to take them through a part of the woods that was quite thick and had a lot of obstacles. I knew this forest as well and I could run through it with my eyes closed. I heard the boys start to struggle as they leaped over logs then quickly under tree branches. I seemed to fly though the every whole, but it was more of a challenge for them. As we started to drift uphill, I heard Emmett start to fall back, but Edward kept right on my heels.

"I'm winning Cullen." I called as we started to reach the top of the hill. I was leading them to the best viewpoint on all Volterra. From there you could spot all the best places to hunt.

"Right behind you Swan." I faulted a little by the name he called me. Swan? What the hell was that meant to mean? I quickly regained focus and started running at full speed, but my little choke had given Edward the advantage he needed.

I could see the opening to a small clearing before a drop to the ocean. It was only big enough for one and Edward spotted where we were going and understood that only one of us was getting through the small space. I heard him speed up that little more and we were side by side by the time we reached the hole. I found him jumping through milliseconds before me and I found myself mimicking his actions. We hit the opening at the same time, but with me just behind him, my body automatically wrapped itself around him, making it just possible for the two of us to squeeze through the opening.

Due to the speed of our entrance, we found ourselves flying onto the air and tumbling right across the ground. I was still attached to Edward's waist, so when we finally stopped, I ended up laying across his chest. I knew laying there was a big mistake, but a part of me could not let go. Edward's arms somehow were wrapped protectedly around me, like he had tried to prevent the impact when we crashed landed. And even though I knew I should end what was happening, I found I didn't want to move. I was happy there. And what was even worst, Edward didn't let go either. Instead he held me tighter and buried his face in my hair.

How I could just lay there in the arms of another man, while my fiancé was away, I didn't know. And yet when I started to hear faint footsteps in the distance I found myself moaning, as I untangled myself from his arms. Neither of us said anything. And yet when we were both standing there and I was able to finally look up to him, I was greeted by his warm and inviting eyes. I found myself staring into them. I felt like the whole world had suddenly stopped and the only thing that mattered were those eyes.

It wasn't until I heard the other Cullen's crash into the clearance that I broke the connection with him. I cleared my head quickly, not wanting the others to know what went on, even though nothing major did occur. "Finally! What took you all so long?" I said walking over to greet them.

"Well Alice here told us to hold up back at that huge black tree. The small pixie needed to tie her shoe, and yet I swear it was already done up." Emmett laughed as he walked over to the edge of the cliff, "Wow! Look at that!" he cried.

I looked over to Alice, who sent me a wink. I had forgotten all about her talent. She must have seen what happened with me and Edward and slowed down the others. I knew she wouldn't tell anyone, but the fact mine and Edward's moment was witnessed by another made me feel a little embarrassed.

I walked over to the others and looked down across the view. It was breathtaking and I could still remember seeing it for the first time. I was with Alec.

"So Bella, where are all the good hunting spots?" Jasper asked turning away from the sights below, and pulling me from my thoughts.

"Just over there" I pointed to the east where I knew some Marsican brown bears lived. "You like bear don't you?" I asked, unsure if my diet choice would suit the Cullen's.

"Are you kidding? They are my favourite!" Emmett began liking his lips, and I knew hunting with the Cullen's would be quite easy.

"Well lets go then, biggest catch wins." I laughed as I walked over to Emmett and hitting him on the arm, "Ready, set..."

"Always a game Bella?" Edward sighed, and yet I could hear the smile in his voice.

"Makes life fun." I turned and sent him a wink, "Go!" I began running into the woods, still laughing.

As our little competition began, mainly between me and Emmett, I knew that a part of me loved the Cullen's. There was no way I could not see them frequently. They where fun and did things the Volturi frowned upon, and yet the things they did made my life seem real. There was no act when I was with them. Already I could see the fatherly figure Carlisle was and I knew I would respect him just as much as Aro, Caius and Marcus. There was just something about him. I could also see Esme being a motherly figure in my life. I didn't know her well, but the way she accepted me, and her caring personality that was almost as strong as a vampires powers, would without doubt influence me.

The only person I knew I would have to look out for was Edward. What happened in the clearing could not happen again. Marcus would kill me if he found out. Could my separation from Alec already be making me act in stupid ways?I know I missed his arms around me and the way he understood how I was feeling from just one look at my face. Yet, was I missing all that so much that I turned to the next person as a temporary replacement?

Deep down I knew that wasn't true. Alec was my man. My fiancé. My life. And someone as insignificant as Edward could not take that away from me. I just had to be careful. Chances are I would be spending more time with his family than him. So why am I so worried?

So, what did you think? Review to let me know- I reply to EVERY review, so you will hear from me! Like always, ideas are strongly needed and are a huge help to me!

Quick note: those who want their REAL FIRST names mentioned in the up and coming chapters, let me know NOW!

Love you all,

xx cinda!