11

FAMILY MEETING

Today was Sunday and there was no school so later he took Emma and I over to Carlisle's house to see everyone and have them meet Emma.

Esme gave me a hug, "I'm so glad you're home, and we all missed you," she said, "Did Aro take good care of you?"

I nodded but before I could answer, Emmett spoke.

"All the reports I heard was that the sex was good," he winked and everyone laughed.

"The sex was very good," I affirmed, "Emma will attest to that," I added.

Of course Emma went into detail of what she had seen and we all laughed.

Carlisle spoke to me in Italian and was pleased at my response.

"You should continue to communicate to her in Italian, Edward," he continued to speak to him in Italian.

Edward responded to Carlisle in Italian, "Yes I plan to," he said.

Alice the organizer spoke next.

"Well now that Emma is taking care of Bella, it will free me up to finalize the plans for next week but we need to go over them. We're going to meet Bella's parents in Colorado, they already have there flights booked and have taken time off work for two weeks. We have the lodge booked for all of us and I have added a room for Emma adjoining Edward and Bella's room."

Emma smiled happily at being included in our plans.

Alice addressed her, "I know you've already been told by Aro and Edward, never to leave Bella's side even for one second; when she's with her mother or father, the same applies. Her parents are human and mustn't suspect Bella isn't, do you understand?" She emphasized.

"Yes I understand perfectly," Emma said.

"Renee and Charlie are familiar with us but they haven't seen Bella since she changed and Bella's mother, Renee, is very observant. I see this going well if everyone is careful, we need to avoid having Renee touch Bella's bare skin," she said.

"Yes right," Emmett joked, "Are you sure Bella can keep her skin covered up that long?"

Everyone laughed knowing his meaning.

Alice continued, "While we're skiing, Bella will wear winter clothes but at the lodge in the evening, she will wear gowns with long sleeves and covered shoulders etc. or long sleeved nightgowns and robes. Edward is responsible for what she wears or doesn't wear with him," she looked at him.

"I was beginning to worry," Edward said as he kissed me.

Everyone laughed including Emma.

"It's going to be hard for me to get used to her wearing clothes now," she said smiling and everyone roared.

"Now we all realize this is the Christmas vacation so we will be exchanging gifts there," again she addressed Emma; you will of course be present at the festivities but don't buy a gift for anyone other than Bella if she allows it, the rest of us have more money than you've ever dreamed of and we can take care of ourselves. You will need to wear appropriate dress for each occasion and I will help you with that so don't worry; Bella worries enough for all of us." Everyone laughed again, "Is there anything else we need to discuss?" Alice asked.

"Aro knows Bella won't be back to see him for a month?" Carlisle asked.

"Yes he's aware and he knows about the vacation, but it will actually be three weeks," Edward said, "We'll have to hunt before we leave at the end of this week and then again the weekend we return, so Bella will go there instead of returning here with us."

"I'll probably return to Forks with Esme at that time so I can continue my job there, I've been gone much longer than I intended but Bella's abduction changed all our plans. We'll return here to hunt with you but then we'll leave, are any of you planning to leave with us or are you fine staying here?" Carlisle asked.

"Emmett and I will stay here for now but don't you and Jasper have plans?" Rosalie questioned Alice.

"Jasper has business in the South so he'll leave but you and I can take Bella to Italy if you still want to go and I'll meet Jasper later," Alice said.

"Do you still plan to hunt before you leave?" Emmett asked Jasper.

"Yes, and we'll be back in time for the next hunt," Jasper said smiling.

"Is Bella going to continue school?" Alice asked Edward.

"Yes but I think it better to continue home school for the next semester," I rolled my eyes and Alice saw.

"Do I detect a note of rebellion, Bella?" Alice said.

"No," I answered quietly.

Edward continued, "Bella is still not recovered from her ordeal and I don't want anyone questioning her at school yet plus she still needs to rest often," he addressed me, "You can still meet with our study group, Bella, are you ok with that?" he hugged me and I nodded.

"The other thing is, Aro plans to marry her in the spring and he is already making plans; the wedding will occur during spring break but she will be gone for three months after that, she can continue with her home study during that time."

"How are you going to live apart for three months?" Esme asked Edward.

"I know we can't," Edward said, "I'll take time off from Dartmouth and do study abroad at a university in Italy, I've already put in my request, that way I'll be closer to Bella and visit her more often," he kissed me. "Whether we live there once school is completed, will depend on how things go for the three months; I think Bella will feel oppressed if she has to stay constantly in the castle but we could live in our own home somewhere close by the castle. Bella will be free to spend time with Aro at his request but she'll spend more time with me. If we live in Italy, Bella's parents won't be concerned if they don't see her too often," he ended.

Carlisle spoke, "I can't imagine either of you wanting to live in Italy permanently."

"This is just until we've both finished school, Edward said, "We may have to keep a home in both countries so Bella can spend a certain amount of time with Aro and the rest with me; when Bella goes to Italy, I will too but then we'll come home. This can only work if Aro doesn't try to claim her completely and he says he understands that but the more time he spends with her, the more difficult it is for him to let her go."

"Let's hope this doesn't become a problem in the future," Carlisle said.

"Well I'm willing to share her but I'll also fight for her if necessary and I intend to understand Aro's mind much more completely so I'll have something to fight with; that's why I want to spend time with Aro to learn about him and the way the Volturi work," Edward said.

"I do have quite a lot of knowledge myself on that subject and we can all put our heads together to come up with a plan just in case things turn sour," Carlisle said, then he turned to Emma, "Whatever we say on this subject had better not get back to Aro because it could be detrimental to Bella."

"I understand, Sir, my loyalties are only for Bella, I'm too attached to her to spy on you. Aro doesn't ask me anything about all of you; he's only concerned how well Bella is being taken care of," Emma replied.

"I still feel we should caution you because Aro has ways to extract information if he needs it, he only has to touch you to read your thoughts," Carlisle said, "it may be prudent not to have you present if this subject comes up again for your sake as well as ours."

It was obvious everyone agreed and I was concerned after hearing Edward's concerns, because if I had to make a choice, I would only want Edward and if Aro stopped me from seeing Edward; I would fight for my rights too.

"Do you still plan to do what Aro suggested to let Renee know about Aro?" Alice asked me, pulling me from my reverie.

"Yes I must, she will suspect something strange already when she hears my accent but I will be ashamed of myself if I keep it from her; Aro deserves for me to tell her. I won't tell her directly that I sleep with him except in her dream but she will know and I'll be relieved she knows even if she doesn't approve. I hope she does approve because it may be possible for her to meet him in the future and I'd like that," I said.

"That's so sweet that you want your mother to know about Aro," Esme said.

"I think you're very brave," Rosalie said.

Edward hugged me, "I'll know immediately if she approves my love."

"I already see her approving but I'm not sure when it will occur," Alice said smiling, "Well I think that concludes our business for now so I think we should adjourn, do you all agree?" she asked and looked around at everyone.

"Yes," Carlisle said, "We all agree."

The week passed very quickly and soon it was time to hunt, the guys and the girls going separately. Alice had left strict instructions with Emma, what needed to be packed for our vacation. They had of course provided me with everything I needed and Alice had taken Emma to the store so she could obtain the things she needed. I was left with Edward on that day and it was very pleasant with no Alice to contend with and even no Emma; it was definitely a naked day. I had been allowed to buy gifts with my credit card and so I bought one for Edward, Renee, Phil, Charlie and Jennie. On that particular day Emma had accompanied me but I begged Edward to take me on another day to buy a gift for Emma, which he did.

"I intend to give William and Maggie a Christmas bonus, so don't buy anything for them," he said, "Everyone else, we've taken care of."

I had E-mailed Renee to make sure she and Phil had everything arranged and all was on schedule and then I called Charlie. He didn't recognize me at first by my accent.

"You sound different Bella," he said.

"I've been to Italy to recuperate and I learned a lot while I was there, including how to speak and read Italian," I said, "My accent is quite strong, isn't it?" I asked.

"My goodness Bella, you keep surprising me, are you able to keep up with school?" he asked.

"Yes Dad, I'm doing home study at the moment and I'm all caught up after my abduction, so now I'm actually ahead of schedule, Are you packed and ready to come to Colorado?" I asked.

"Yes and I look forward to seeing you soon, I thought I'd see more of you at Jacob's wedding but Edward whisked you off so fast and even Alice left," he said.

"All three of us had a plane to catch and besides you were a little drunk," I said laughing.

"I don't usually drink so much but Billy kept filling up my glass. Rosalie and Emmett drove me home and brought the cruiser home too, tell them thanks," he said.

"Tell them yourself Dad, you'll see them soon," I said.

"Oh yea, I forgot. Well I better let you go now, see you soon, I love you."

"Bye," I said, "I love you too Dad."

On the day of the hunt, I spoke to Jasper before the guys left.

"Are you ok being around humans now?" I asked.

"Much better as long as no accidents occur; I will probably go off with Alice and Emmett so I can stay away from the humans, skiing accidents are not uncommon and I don't trust myself completely," he said.

"I'm sure you'll be fine, Jasper," I said and kissed his cheek."

"Hey don't try to mesmerize my man," Alice said and everyone laughed.

The hunt went well and we were all in good spirits when we returned.