I woke up as the plane lifted off the ground, heading for Italy.
"Where am I? What…"
Carlisle let out a light chuckle next to me as Emmett burst out in dog – like laughter. "I didn't want to disturb you. It's obvious that you haven't had a decent night's sleep for several nights. In fact, your eyes look almost as if you've had nothing but night mares…" Carlisle eyed me with concern. "I had Emmett carry you through the airport and later, you were put in a wheelchair."
"You didn't wake up at ALL!" Emmett smirked from across the aisle. "Not even when Rose was yelling about luggage and – ouch!" Rose had punched him in the stomach.
Glancing at my own stomach on instinct, I was horrified to discover that I was wearing the blue dress that Aro had requested. Carlisle leaded toward my ear and whispered, "I had Alice dress you."
Breathing a little bit easier (I had briefly thought that Carlisle had dressed me), I immediately zoned in on the ridiculously high stilettos I was wearing and groaned. A small giggle was heard behind me.
"I knew you'd like them." Alice's voice ran like a bell. In the background, I could make up Bella's lower tones cooing at her daughter.
I was about to reply to Alice when a vaguely familiar ring tone pinged from in front of me. Esme's head popped up from the seat and she headed me the phone that Aro had last called from. "It's for you, I believe." I nodded silently, dreading what I had to do. I pressed the send button and pressed the cool cell against my right ear, trying to lean toward the window to get some privacy.
"Hello?"
"Ah, Catherine. How I missed your voice over these days!" Aro gushed, reminding me very much of a broken record. I remained silent.
"Catherine?"
"Yes?"
"Well…I would assume that you missed me as well, did you not?" The vein in my neck pulsed. Holding back a hiss, I stated that I missed him just as much as he must have missed me.
"Oh how you flatter me, fledging! You know, Marcus is also very anxious to see you…" here his voice lowered just a bit. "I can't help but realize what a strong relationship you seem to have. He seems to think of you night and day and you traveling like this has upset him a great deal. I think this will be the last time you travel, for his sake." My eyes widened a bit and I could feel Carlisle's nose touching my hair as he eavesdropped.
"But," I tried to let out a weak whine. "I love traveling so much. The air, the light, I'd much rather travel on business and come home one more time before my…umm…before I permanently stay in the palace. Please Aro?" I could hear him let out a soft sigh, almost as if he were next to me.
"Perhaps," he murmured, "it could be arranged. No doubt you could use some sun from all of those dreadful lonely nights of the past." I flinched, remembering the small depressing room I was forced to call my quarters back in Italy. The place I was going back to now.
"Something wrong, Catherine?" Aro asked.
"Nothing. Just a small sneeze." I lied, feeling Jasper's gift oozing clam into me.
"Well please you my dear. We will have Jane come and escort you back to Volterra. I can't wait to see you. Good bye, my little fledging." He hung up.
Lazily, I handed the phone to Carlisle before closing my eyes and dreamed of dark places and cold hands reaching for me.
AN Sorry she keeps sleeping but writing about the flight would probably bore you so…off to Volterra we go!
