Disclaimer: I don't own 'Twilight'.

BPOV

Christmastime was slowly encroaching and I was looking forward to celebrating my first holiday with a family in decades. Well, at all, really. I didn't celebrate it alone in my periods of solitude.

Edward was back at Forks Hospital, working long hours. The contact we had was limited; he would go to work, then come home to sleep for many hours, and often had to return to work again. I didn't understand why he had to take shifts so close together and so often. It was unfair to everyone. Besides, this was Forks. How many emergencies can take place?

Even Alice was busy at her job. She was assigned to design some sort of outfit for a magazine Christmas special. I didn't know the details, but apparently it was a big thing for Alice's career, and I couldn't be happier for her.

It was finally December the 23rd and Edward had holidays until the 4th of January. I was so glad he could get such a large gap of holidays especially seeing as how he had just returned from the visit to New York.

Edward and I had just returned from an evening at Alice and Jasper's home after having a wonderful dinner and game night. I walked inside with him, fingers intertwined with his, until we made it to the foyer where I dropped his hand. Looking into his face, he furrowed his brow, looking confused, causing me to smirk at him before holding up one finger.

"Hold on one sec," I told him before turning away.

I walked to his small backyard, which was bordered by the forest, and looked at the sky; it was – for once, a clear night. Using my abilities, I cleared the little snow which had fell, in the centre of the backyard, and formed a campfire. It was pretty and I was in the mood for something I had never done before. I wanted to have these new experiences with only one person by my side.

I returned to Edward who had a small smile on his face and grabbed his hand before pulling him in the direction I had just come from. I was rather eager to spend time with Edward in this new setting.

"What did you do?" he asked curiously. Did he seriously think that I would tell him when I am leading him to it, and only several metres away? I internally scoffed and rolled my eyes.

When I reached outside, there was nothing on the snow. It wasn't how I left it. Edward looked down at me expectantly and I frowned, thoroughly confused. In response, he raised an eyebrow.

"Hang on, let me do it again. It was just here," I told him.

He nodded and I faced my blank canvas again.

A clear patch, free of snow appeared in the centre, which was almost immediately covered with a fire. I smiled again and began walking up to it before it disappeared.

I heard a gasp, and I only realised belatedly that it came from me. I was still standing there, dumbstruck not knowing what happened. My determination won out and I tried again. It was even less time before it disappeared.

My breathing was heavier and quicker now, and I was very concerned about what this meant. Was I not...what I was anymore? Did that mean parting from Edward and this life I had grown to love that much sooner?

Edward came and hugged me from the front, and he lifted me up, carrying me, my legs slung loosely around his waist and my arms around his neck while my head rested on his shoulder. His hand rubbed soothingly on my back, and it wasn't then until I realised that I had been crying.

"What's wrong with me? Something must be wrong. That's never happened before," I croaked out as Edward placed me on the sofa next to him.

Edward placed small kisses on my face while I fretted, and whispered reassuring words in my ear. With a sudden thought, I retracted my arms from around Edward, who looked a bit stung. I stood up and took off my sweater, dumping it on the sofa next to where he was sitting.

I was now in a long sleeved top, but that covered too much, so I took that off too. Soon I was standing there in my jeans and a white tank top.

Edward cleared his throat, sounding nervous. "Uh, Bella, what are you doing?"

I turned and faced his flustered face, and chuckled. He was blushing, and it was one of those rare times where I actually caught it. It was then that I realised what this had looked like. I chuckled again.

Sitting back down, I gestured to my upper arms so Edward would know what I was looking at, and examined the bonds that were still there. I was beyond confused. They marked me for what I was, so if I was still a genie, then I should still have powers. I bit my lip, contemplating. Test one more time. Sounded ideal.

I tried to redress myself using my powers, but nothing happened. All I received at a hot burn from the bonds. They glowed red.

I hissed loudly, causing Edward to jump and cast me concerned and questioning looks.

"Ow. Stupid thing. I have to sort this. Though I don't know what to do; I've never done this before," I mumbled to myself.

"Bella, what just happened?" Edward asked, still confused. I immediately felt bad. He was worried about my apparent dilemma, and while I was making discoveries and planning out what to do, he was left out of the loop.

I cast an apologetic smile at him. "Sorry. I was just examining the bonds. They are still there, so I should have no troubles...So when I tried again, nothing happened except they glowed red and kind of burned the skin underneath."

Edward, the concerned and caring individual that he is, worried over the burn, but since there was no access, there was nothing to be done about it.

I pulled on my clothes again and turned back to Edward. "I think I have to get in contact with whoever made me like this."

Edward's face immediately darkened. "Those people who sent you into eternity serving others?" he asked flatly.

I didn't respond, afraid of this look on him.

"What could they do?" he said in the same flat, emotionless voice. After a moment, he added on in a slightly frantic voice, "Will they take you away?"

My face softened considerably and I hugged him, burying my face in his shoulder. He squeezed tightly and kissed the top of my head. "Don't leave me," I heard him murmur. I wasn't sure I was supposed to hear it or not.

"If I could, I'd stay with you forever," I said sincerely, pulling my face up to look at his. All I could see was love in his eyes.

He leaned down and kissed me tenderly, showing me all he was feeling through that one kiss. All the love. Well, that's what I put into the kiss, and I was certain I was also receiving it.

We broke apart and rested our foreheads on one another.

"How long will you be gone?" Edward asked quietly. "How will you even contact them?"

"I'm not sure yet, but I'll figure it out. I'll go tomorrow. I'm kind of tired."

With that Edward picked me up and carried me to his room and plonked me on the bed. I bounced on the soft mattress and looked up, shocked. Edward just walked to his walk in wardrobe, looking over his shoulder as he smirked. I mock scowled and heaved myself up to prepare myself for bed.

It was longer than usual before I joined Edward. I was not used to not having my powers. Sure, I didn't use them as much as I would have with other masters, but I still used them to do small, simple things, such as changing clothes.

I crawled into bed next to Edward, who squeezed me tightly, as I slung an arm around his waist and rested my head on his chest.

"Goodnight, love. All will work out, don't worry about it," Edward murmured to me.

It was as if he knew what I was thinking and that I was internally fretting. "Goodnight. I certainly hope so," I whispered back, before drifting off into a peaceful slumber.

--

"I think this is the key. Well it must be. It's my only connection with...that world that I have," I said to Edward, who was sitting on the bed in the guest room – formerly my bed – and was watching me stare at the old bottle sitting on the dresser.

"Ok. So what now?" Edward was watching me worriedly.

"I told you to relax. Everything will be fine. I'll be back soon." I walked over and hugged Edward tightly before we both pulled away and leaned in for a kiss.

I smiled at him before sitting cross-legged on the floor facing him, staring at the bottle which was now in my hands. I rubbed it gently and the bonds began to warm. Knowing for certain that this was what I had to do, I vigorously scrubbed the surface of the bottle, and was sucked in. I thought I heard Edward cry out as I disappeared, but I didn't have time to respond.

Landing on my feet roughly and stumbling a bit – I was always clumsy, – I looked around and found myself inside the bottle, my old home. I sighed and sat down, holding my head in my hands.

"Why, hello to you too, Isabella."

I jumped, shocked and looked up to see a man in his mid forties with a hideous green pinstripe suit, and black hair than hit his shoulders. Of his person, those were the first things I noticed of him. The suit was a nice style and cut, but the colour was horrid. I thought I saw metal cuffs on his wrists peeking out from under his sleeves. This meant he must be my superior.

"Bella, please. Who are you?" I asked.

"Oh, you don't remember me? It's a shame. You were always one of my favourites," he pondered while pacing around the room curiously.

"I don't believe I've met you before." Why couldn't he just cut to the chase? I narrowed my eyes.

"Oh, you have. But you were obviously distressed. What with disappearing and missing your parents."

I felt the pain slash across my face before I could stop it. This man, whoever he was, must have saw it too, for he grinned and sat down on a chair opposite from me.

"I'm Aro. Head genie." He seemed smug as if this was something to be proud of. I certainly wouldn't be. If that gave me extra power, I would revoke that title and live in the real world.

I didn't answer and waited for him to continue. It didn't take long.

"Well, moving to the heart of the issue, you no longer have your powers, correct?" he asked and I nodded as verification. "That's because it's been one hundred years since you began your services! Congratulations!" he cried out in exaggerated excitement. I didn't respond yet again, and he continued. "So you have little power left in those old things –" he gestured to my bonds, "–and will need replacements."

I thought for a moment. So there was nothing wrong with me? That I was glad about, but when I thought about it, I had been what I am for a century. I felt sad that I hadn't seen my parents in so long. That I hadn't been able to keep friends due to my disappearances, that is, once people were done with me. I felt so used. Like I would provide individuals with a service, and when they were done, I was just disposed of. It was so demeaning.

"Though, Bella, I know what you've been doing with your new master. Don't think I haven't been aware of that. It is not...encouraged by us. By the system."

My heart was pounding beneath my chest now and I was filled with worry at the consequences. It was several more minutes of me waiting tensely before Aro spoke up again.

"I have a proposition for you, my girl." I shuddered when he said that. I was Edward's and Edward's only and forever. Not that the way Aro said it had that kind of meaning to it, but that thought came instantaneously. I longed so much at that moment for Edward's comforting touch, to reassure me. "I know you miss your parents. And I know what's going on down there with Edward. He has two wishes to go and it is against policy to not go the whole way with that but..."

I shifted nervously in my seat and Aro gave me a predatory smile.

"My proposition is this; you can either see your parents again, and not complete this task with your current master, or you can return and grant him his remaining wishes. Though I must warn you to warn him that he has two weeks to ask for them because then you'll be sent away, to a new master who will require your services."

I blanched. I didn't like the idea of a new master. Either option would end that way. I felt my stomach tighten into a knot of despair. I also hadn't seen my parents for years and I hadn't even bade them farewell the last time. But my love for Edward nearly overruled the thought of seeing them. Though I knew seeing my parents again would not be permanent, it was so tempting.

Alice was also very suspicious about Edward and I for a while...But I didn't know if this was even worthy of the argument. Her suspicion had nothing on the feelings I held for the entire family.

I gave a little whimper in despair and Aro chuckled, enjoying my misery, and pointed to his wrist – where a watch would usually be sitting on a human.

"We haven't got all day now. Well, I guess we kind of do," the wretched man mused, and let out a loud laugh. "I should warn you that you haven't enough power to see your parents, so you can't even attempt at arranging a meeting should you choose the latter of the options. And the powers you will be given back will be restricted. Much more so than you're used to. Only power for the wishes, nothing else."

That last part didn't really bother me; I could do simple things fine on my own. If other humans could, then I was also more than capable. Just hopefully my clumsiness would cease to incapacitate me.

I sighed and touched the bonds on my arms. They had faded to a dull bronze colour and were slightly warm due to my body heat. The colour reminded me of a familiar, welcome colour, a colour in which I missed already. The colour of hair which blew in the breeze, and was always dishevelled. The colour which was only dimmed by the brightness and beauty of his smile.

Looking up, I met the eyes of my superior, the odious Aro H.G. (head genie). I quite liked the nickname I thought up for him.

He smirked and rested his chin in his hand, arm propped up on his knee.

"What will it be?"


A/N: Why hello my pretties!

Oh yeah, Aro has no real major part in this story, just so you know.

I know this chapter is slightly shorter than usual, but I couldn't add more to it. And for those of you who wanted more chapters, I think this will do the trick! Huzzah... And hopefully you'll actually like my idea, not that I'm trying to drag it out. I just got a small prick of inspiration and ta-da!

Also, I was consumed with the other new stories I put up. If you haven't read them, please do. They are 'The Apple Tree' and 'My Fair Lady'. They are my pride and joy. I had a great time writing them.

Anyway, I don't know how long it was since I last updated...I would check, but I really don't want to...Anyway, it may be a while in between each update (hopefully not, but it might) as I have major, final exams coming up for school, and since I need a really high mark to get into the uni course I want, I have to study extra hard and beat those freaky smart people in my state. It's going to be hard though. So much to remember.

Review please. Tell me what you think. And what you think Bella will decide. Tee hee hee.