::cowers in shame:: I'm so so so so so so so sorry that it took so long to get this chapter out. I know that none of you want excuses, but I'll give you some anyways. First, I had writers block. As outrageous as that sounds considering the cliffhanger I left you at, I'm seriously making this up word for word. Once I finally did think of something to write, my internet was on the fritz. I mean days without it working, like two weeks! I almost died, seriously! And then once I got it fixed last week, I spent the weekend at dance practices and applying to colleges, and let me tell you, that SUCKS. Okay, well I hope you can forgive me eventually. Sorry again.

I scampered quickly to Layla's room, scared of someone else getting to her before I did. She sat so tiny in bed, her dress wrinkled around her, socks bundled at different heights around her chubby calves. A large yawn escaped her lips as her little fists rubbed at her eyes. She smiled as she saw me.

I rushed to her and took her into my arms. My head turned to the door when I heard Aro's intake of breath. I didn't like being cornered like this, my panicked eyes scanning for any possible escape route if needed. Aro's face was a mix of confusion and awe.

"How is this possible? Surly you aren't so human that you can have children!" I scrambled to stand and stared at his expectant face.

"Of course not, I had her before the change." Edward squeezed past Aro and took his place in front of us in a protective position. Carlisle was soon in the doorway as well.

"Aro, please, let us sit down and discuss this all. You've just arrived and we still have so much to talk about." Carlisle was obviously trying to play it off as though we had fully intended to tell Aro about Layla. Aro nodded, still gazing at us before slowly turning and leaving from our sight.

I let out a sob and my head crashed to Edward's waiting chest, who immediately wrapped me up in his arms.

"Please. Please don't make me take her out there like some offering," I begged, my voice muffled in his shirt. Layla stretched, still oblivious sitting between us. Edward's eyes were miserable as he placed a hand on my cheek which I leaned into slightly. I pulled away and he wiped the stray tear that had leaked out of my eye.

How did this happen? It was going so well, they didn't even know she existed! What would they do to her? Even if they meant Layla no direct harm, they drank from humans. What would keep them from losing their control over her? I would, that's who.

"I'm sorry Bella. I can't hear what he's thinking. I promise that I won't let anything to happen to her. I will give my life before anything happens to either one of you. We will make this as quick as possible, and the Volturi are strong, but nothing is going through me. I promise."

I looked up at him through bleary eyes. He couldn't promise that. I had seen their reactions to the Volturi. They were scared. Edward couldn't do anything to protect us, and even if he could, I wouldn't let him. He wouldn't be hurt on either mine of Layla's accounts. If anyone was a sacrifice it would be me.

Once again I was glad I was the exception to his gift. I nodded slowly to what he had said as I stood, taking Layla in my arms again. Edward put a gentle hand on my lower back, leading me out of the room. Upon entrance, the vampires' eyes widened at the sight of her, but their irises were all a safe color away from black. At least she wasn't in unintended danger.

"You must understand that this goes against our laws," Aro started as I took a seat wrapping both arms tightly around her middle. Edward sat beside me tensely. "We cannot expose ourselves to humans." He insisted.

"She isn't even two years old! She doesn't know anything about vampires." I scoffed. Layla started to fidget in my lap, showing the first signs of anxiety in the presence of these vampires. Finally! My girl would never survive with her amount of caution. I only lasted as long as I did with luck.

"But what are your plans for when she grows? She won't be this young forever. What of when she is old enough to understand? How do you plan on hiding it from her?"

"I don't," I replied simply. "She will know everything about our kind and I will give her the option of becoming one of us if it is her choice." Aro raised his brows.

"Option? And what if she chooses not to partake in this life?" He seemed confident and arrogant. I wanted to wipe that sneer off of his face.

"Then she will remain human." My voice was tight but calm. Aro finally showed surprise. His eyes widened before he caught himself and smiled patiently, like he was dealing with a child. He looked down and shook his head back and forth, seemingly amused with my answer.

"Oh, you are so curious child. That is not a possibility, she must be changed. We can't run the risk of exposure on her account, no matter how much you may assure it will never happen. If she were to even let anything slip unintentionally, we would not only be forced to kill her, but your family as well for putting us in this situation. I would hate to destroy what my good friend Carlisle has built over the years in his family."

I was unflinching, despite all he had said. I had always been told I was stubborn, and there was nothing even the Volturi could do to sway my opinions. I had always inwardly hoped that my daughter would eventually choose this life for selfish reasons. Though I knew it wasn't what a normal parent would wish for their child, I was terrified whenever I thought of a time when I wouldn't have her by my side.

I would be happy if she chose to stay human as well, like every parent wishing all of their own missed opportunities for the children. I had daydreams of Layla growing up into a beautiful, intelligent woman and finding someone who could appreciate her. I could imagine her with her own children, and raising a happy family of her own. She could have so much as a vampire, but she could miss out on so much as well.

"I wish to assure you Aro that I am very reasonable with my decision, and I have spent years deeply considering this topic. I want you to know that when I say she will have the option, that is what will happen, no matter what the consequences. I will not allow anything to happen to my daughter that she does not decide for her own life, and I certainly will not stand by as your guard kills her."

I spoke calmly, trying to imitate the calming yet authoritative cadence to Carlisle's speech. I knew that I was facing terrible possibilities for my own future by making such a comment, but I was already resigned to sacrificing my own eternal life to give Layla a human life if she so chose.

"Though I admire your tenacity and strength in challenging the rule of the Volturi, something I am not so used to seeing, I can tell you that the only outcome of this is she will die, through the change or as a human." I smiled courteously, though I wanted to rip off a limb or two. Layla curled tighter into my chest, and I gazed at her lovingly.

"This is not your choice Aro, nor your brother's. You will not dictate what will happen." I continued to pet Layla's golden curls as I spoke, not even looking back to the increasingly testy vampire before me. Though his smile held with stubbornness that rivaled my own, his words grew tighter and tighter as he seemed to have to hold back a growl within his speech.

"By all means, enlighten us on how exactly you plan to keep this inevitability at bay?" It was a challenge, I knew it. Edward's arm tightened around my waist though I didn't know if it was supposed to be supportive or a sign of warning.

With every beat of Layla's heart against my chest, right where my own used to be held, my mind pulsed between two options. I could sacrifice myself in hope that Layla would be left alone, or I could threaten them myself, in hopes that my power was as strong as it was now hinting to be.

If I sacrificed myself, the Cullen's would be safe. Layla would at the very least have more time, and if threatened again, I believed my family, vampire and werewolf alike would be capable in keeping her safe. The downside of course, is that I would never see them again. Rose, Jasper, Carlisle, Esme, Emmett, Alice, Edward and my own Layla would be nothing more than memories. I don't know what would be a worse death, being killed by these strange vampires this minute, or losing my family.

On the other hand, if I threatened them, I would put everyone in danger. If my power wasn't anything more than some mind reading, I would be useless to fight, or defend anyone. Sure I had killed Victoria, but she was unthinking with rage and she had no gifts to pose a threat. Her emotions made her unreasonable, and susceptible to attack.

I had no training to fight, and I didn't know how to defend myself. Like Victoria, were something to happen, I would be consumed with fear for my daughter, and would not only be dead weight, but a liability, another body for the Cullen's to protect. Even if we could come out of this still whole, that wasn't to say nobody would he hurt in the process. I couldn't live with myself if anything happened to anyone. I didn't even realize what I was saying until it poured from my mouth and my decision was made for me.

"You will not lay a finger on her if you intend to stay in power. I wouldn't dare speak aloud what will become of you if you cause any of my family pain." My eyes widened as I realized what I said, but quickly put on a mask of fake confidence.

I had just threatened the life of the Volturi.

Yeah yeah, it's short, I know, but I figured you would rather have a short chapter than waiting any longer with the cliffhanger I left you off with last time. Though I won't be able to update as often I did in the beginning because of college preparations and my over 5 hours of dance a week, I should never have to leave you without an update for so long again.

Review, even if it's to tell me I'm a big jerk.