Sorry for not updating in so long, but I had reached such a good point in my other story, Tears in the Music, that I had to continue writing for that chapter or it might have been the death of me. I know it's been two weeks since I last posted, and you are all getting impatient with the un-Edward-Bella-ness (I completely aware that that is not a grammatical word)(Evie: But it is now!!) Yes, thank you Evie. But I promise, it will be rewarding! Thanks so much for keeping with me! Enjoy!

Chapter 11: Prepare

BPOV (Becky)

"Bella, are you alright?" I immediately asked her when she walked in, seeing her down face.

She looked up and stared at me silently, her eyes gone completely black. "Fine," she said, in an uneven tone. She smiled, but her eyes were still dark. After a moment of watching me, her eyes went back to their normal butterscotch and she turned to Mark. "You got what you wanted," she whispered, then stalked towards the study, sulking.

"What's wrong with her?" I asked Mark when he came over and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "And what does she mean by 'You got what you wanted'?"

"Well," he answered, looking the study door with concentration as if Bella was just about to walk out. "I do not know what is wrong with her but," he gazed down at me know, his eyes sparkling with love and happiness, "what she means by 'You got what you wanted' is that she has earned me the pleasure of getting us the night off tomorrow. So, Miss Rebecca Vergnes, would you do me the honor on joining me on a date tomorrow night?"

That's the thing I love about Mark. He's a complete idiot, but also a very good gentleman all the same.

"Oh, I don't know," I said teasingly, "I'll have to see if I can fit it in my schedule." I smiled at him and he chuckled, tucking me into his chest.

BPOV (Bella)

I stayed in the study for awhile after I got back. I was trying to get all the nagging guilt out of me so I could actually be happy for Mark and Becky. It was harder than I thought. But once that guilt was gone, an even larger guilt washed over me.

The guilt over the Cullens.

Having them here had to be the hardest obstacle I've had to deal with as a Volturi guard. Every time I glanced at them my heart tore more and more. Soon, there would be nothing left to tear.

I wanted so much to confront them while I was there, but I couldn't. The consequences were too great and too risky and I could never put any of them in danger. The way things were turning out to be now were how they were supposed to be.

But the farthest thing possible from how I wanted it to be.

EPOV (Edward)

It was tuesday. Tuesday as in 3 days since we arrived in Italy and we still had no clue as to why we were here.

Aro never explained after that day we first saw Bella. Most of the time when we were called to see him he would give us a tour or brag about something none of us really cared about.

Being there, with Bella, was so hard because I knew somewhere deep inside of me that she wanted to talk to me too. But I couldn't speak to her because if I could have, it would have already been done. I had many questions to ask her and many things to tell her, but I never could.

She was a different Bella then the last time I had seen her. She was independent, strong, and very powerful. Also, a very good fighter as I had seen that first day. But I think what made me the most unhappy about her being here, with these people, was that she was somewhat happy.

She was happy with those two people that she lived with, Becky and Mark, and was also obviously very fond of Marcus as her trainer. Now, I am a very selfish creature and the idea that Bella could find happiness without me made me somewhat... uneasy. I wanted her to be happy with me, like we used to be those many years ago.

Emmett, Rose, Alice, and Jasper were mad at Bella for something that I know wouldn't be possible. They think she left for power which, of course, is ridiculous. I wasn't even sure how they could think such a thing of someone as sweet and angelic as her. But then again, ever since that dreadful day so long ago they hadn't been themselves. Alice no longer bounced around the house and Emmett no longer did stupid, pointless things. They had become more angry, heartless people.

Something was going wrong with this family. Something was tearing us apart. And maybe one day, it could all be sewn back together.

BPOV (Bella)

Becky and Mark would be leaving at nine o' clock the next night. It was a half and hour drive to one point, and then a fifteen minute boat ride. Mark was blocking out what he was planning, and it was really starting to irritate me.

While they were gone, I would be working Mark's shift. Becky had a shift earlier that day, so I did not need to worry about her. His shift was only for half an hour, so things would go quickly. When the sun had set, I started helping Becky prepare.

"Bella," Becky whined as she entered the bathroom through the closet, "I can't figure out what dress to wear."

"Now Becky," I responded, putting my hands on my hips and raising my eyebrows, "you know very well that I probably have no clue on fashion and," I continued, "I cannot believe that in a closet that size," I gestured towards the huge walk-in closet, "you cannot find anything to wear."

She pouted and looked at me with wide eyes. I sighed. "What exactly are you looking for?" She squealed and clapped her hands together then grabbed my arm and escorted me into the closet.

Our closet was split into three sections. One was for me, it mostly consisted of dark clothes that I wore under my cloak and the occasional skirt or two. One was for Mark, who had a variety of ties and dress shirts and pants he wore as his uniform but he also had some brighter colored clothing for occasions like this. And then, there was the largest section of the closet. Becky's section.

It was made of one different varieties of colors, material, and style. Not quite as much as Alice had, but fairly close. I knew that if Becky and Alice had the chance, they would be quick friends.

Becky led me over to the area of her part of the closet where she kept her dresses. "Now," she instructed, "which one should I pick? I preferably want simple, but very elegant and silk material."

I started shuffling through the mass of clothing. It was very hard to choose for Becky had many beautiful dresses for, unlike Alice, Becky preferred not to have dresses that were too revealing. I respected Becky for that reason. She shared a more similar style to mine. Most of the time.

A few minutes later I found the perfect dress. It was very simple, but also very beautiful and made of a very fine silk. It was a dark navy and strapless that would hug Becky's curves very well and contrast perfectly with her pale skin. "How about this?" I suggested holding it up for her.

She smiled. "Okay, so maybe your taste isn't that bad," she praised. I smiled at her too.

Hey, Bells, Mark thought to me, Can you come help me with something?

"I've gotta go help Mark now," I told Becky, "Can you finish getting ready without me?"

"I think I'll manage," she teased.

In a flash, I was out in the living room standing in front of Mark. The Cullens were sitting there, watching TV. I tried my hardest to ignore them. "What did you want help with?"

"Help me with my tie," he said sheepishly. I rolled my eyes and grabbed it for him. I was used to this by now. He wasn't very good at putting a tie on. The tie was also silk and white with navy stripes. A good match. It went well with his black dress pants and shirt.

As I put the tie on him, I noticed he was fidgeting. "Are you alright?" I asked him. "You seem nervous about something."

He smiled an unconvincing smile. "I'm fine."

Becky chose that moment to step out of the bathroom. I had to admit, she looked very pretty. Mark smiled next to me and left my side.

I had straightened Becky's hair so it sat in shiny waves on her shoulders and tossed around her head freely. Mark wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed her cheek. Becky grinned shyly. I smirked, too, from where I was standing.

"We have to be going," Mark said, looking at his watch. They walked to the double doors with me following behind.

"So you're not going to tell me what you have planned?" I questioned. He chuckled.

"You'll find out at the stroke of ten tonight," he promised.

"And not a minute later," I finalized as I shut the door behind them.