DISCLAIMER: I own Twilight, kinda. . . well, a wee bit. . .not much, a tiny bit. . .Okay! I don't own Twilight.

A/N Herlooooo (: I'm sitting eating mini eggs (: nom nom nom. Ah, the joy of Easter, Happy hols you guys! xox

Chapter 24

* Omg, 24 is the best show ever, rofl. This has nothing to do with Edward, Bella, or any other Twilight Character, I just wrote the words 'Chapter 24' and went 'mmmmm. . . Jack Bauer'*

Carlisle's POV:

As I speeded along the country lane in a stereotypically yellow, fast Lamborghini, The town of Volterra came into view.

It hadn't changed much – If at all - From my last visit, which was over a hundred years ago.

My last memory of this place had been in the rear-view mirror of a horse pulled carriage. I had been glad to leave, and coming back was slightly depressing in a way. Hadn't I vowed to myself never to come back? Regardless, I was here, and with reason enough. My sons life – And, quite possibly Bella's too – depended on this visit. We had to convince them to help us.

Our last meeting hadn't been very pleasant, but I knew first hand that Aro could be rather forgiving. Laid back, almost. As long as, of course, you didn't break the rules.

Bella drew in a deep breath beside me. This was not going to be easy for her. This was near enough the one year anniversary of her last visit to Volterra, give or take a week or two. And in an ironic sort of way, she was returning for the same purpose; To save Edward. . Again.

I removed one hand from the steering wheel to pat Bella's hand lightly. She looked up at me, the fear apparent in her eyes.

This wasn't going to be easy.

Esme's POV:

Tick.

Tock.

Tick.

Tock.

Tick.

Tock.

The seconds trudged past. Slowly, slower. . Slower, until it felt like hours passing between each movement of the long, thin hand on the antique clock. I stared at it emotionlessly.

I looked down to the screen of the piece of metal clutched in my right hand.

No New Messages

When was he going to text. Or call.

Or come home.

Would he come home?

I should have insisted on going with them. Why had they not wanted me to be there. I'd never been to Volterra. What was it like? What were they both trying to keep from me?

I felt my dread and sorrow vanish and my head was filled with happiness, peacefulness, and contentment.

Jasper.

I moved for the stairs, trying to escape his calming waves of emotion. What if I wanted to let my thoughts eat me alive? It was better than feeling emotions I knew to be false.

"I'll only follow you." Jasper mumbled from the sofa, and Alice looked up, confusion on her face, before she understood what he was doing.

It was so unfair. I couldn't even get angry with him he was such a cheater.

"Jasper," Alice touched his arm, "Let her be."

With a sigh from Jasper, the happiness in my head disappeared, as quickly and painfully as it had come.

"Thank you Alice." I went and sat back down on the sofa across from the large grandfather clock.

Tick.

Tock.

Tick.

Tock.

Four seconds gone. Four seconds lasting four hours. Days. How long would this continue?

"Esme. . ." Alice sighed heavily, before jumping off of her seat and dancing over to me. "This has got to stop. Now. You can't be so pessimistic. They'll be back soon. In fact, they're probably already in Volterra now!" I winced, and she realised that that wasn't a good thing to say. "What I meant was. . .Well, I mean that they'll be coming back real soon. But stop being so lifeless! Its bloody depressing, Esme!"

I was suddenly very angry with my adoptive daughter. How was it fair for her to tell me how to feel when we both knew fine well that if our roles were reversed she'd be doing exactly as I was?!

"Alice! You can say that all you want! You have everything here! Jasper's here! You can see that he is safe! Your other half isn't halfway around the world with your daughter! Oh yeah, and your son isn't missing!" I knew I probably shouldn't shout; It would wake Renesmee up. But I was outraged at Alice.

"You're right. My other half isn't halfway around the world. But my Dad is. My sister is! My son isn't missing, but my freking BROTHER is! If you think you're the only person this is hurting, Think again!" She was screaming at me now.

I suddenly felt guilty. She was right. I was being so selfish. I closed my eyes, and mentally scolded myself. How had I been so nasty?

When I opened my eyes, Alice and Jasper were nowhere to be seen and Rosalie was standing in front of me.

"What the hell happened?" I sighed. Rosalie always knew exactly what to say. Not.

"Nothing." I sniffed. "Alice is right. I should stop. . Moping around." I got up and headed for the kitchen. Maybe Renesmee was hungry.

"Well can you do it quietly? You woke up Renesmee." She sighed heavily. I stopped on the eway to the kitchen and turned around to Rosalie.

"Do you think she's hungry? I could make her some toast, or pancakes. ." Rosalie snorted, shaking her head.

"Esme it's three in the morning, she's not going to be hungry."

Damn. Now what could I do to keep me busy, not thin king about what might be going on right now - halfway around the globe – to my beautiful husband.

"I'd better go back upstairs. I don't trust the mutt with Ness on his own." Rosalie sneered, not even bothering to call Jacob by his name.

A low growl came from the upstairs landing. That gave me an idea.

"Jacob?" I called up the stairs. Rosalie raised one eyebrow at her, but I pretended not to notice.

He jogged down the stairs, holding Renesmee on his hip her head lying against his shoulder. He glared murderously at Rosalie, before turning to me.

"Yes Esme?" He looked dead on his feet. He needed a break.

"Why don't you sit down, and I'll make you something to eat. You look shattered." He looked at Renesmee, resting against his arm. "She'll be fine for half an hour on her own. Rose will watch her, won't you?" I looked over my shoulder to see that Rosalie was still glaring at Jacob. "Rose. . .!" She looked away grudgingly and glanced a me, then back to Jacob.

"Fine." She took Renesmee from Jacob's side and flew up the stairs with her, slamming Bella's bedroom door.

Finally, something to keep my hands – and my thoughts – busy. "What do you want to eat? I can make anything you want."

"Some eggs would be amazing?" He said it like a question, despite my stipulation that he could ask for anything. I smiled as warmly as I could.

"Sunny side up?" He grinned as I spoke.

"You're a saint, Esme." I laughed at his comment. Last time I checked there were no bloodthirsty saints.

"No problem. Just sit down and relax. You want a coffee?" He nodded, half asleep. Yes, the caffeine would do him good.

I walked through to the under-used kitchen and I heard Jacob turn the television on. Sports channel. Typical guy.

Just as the kettle boiled, I heard someone come in through the glass door that led to the outside balcony.

I turned around to see Alice, closely followed by Jasper, standing in the doorway beside the dining table.

"Alice, I. . ." I didn't know quite how to apologise. I had been so mean earlier. But I wasn't to worry, Alice raised one hand to show me not to speak.

"It's okay, Esme. I was out of line earlier. I shouldn't have shouted, I'm sorry." She gave a half-hearted smile.

"No Alice, it's me who should be apologising. I was totally useless earlier today. I don't blame you for shouting at me. And I know that you miss Edward too. So, sorry for taking everything out on you."

She was still smiling at me when she rushed over to give me a hug. I hugged her back tightly.

"Oh! Esme, I almost forgot!" She jumped up and down, clapping her hands. "I have good news" My eyes must have lit up immensely as she smiled kindly, biting her bottom lip. I knew it was too soon for excellent news. News that the Volturi were going to help, but perhaps there was a start.

"Carlisle and Bella arrived safely in Italy. He was going to phone you but the mobile reception is really bad over there." She laughed. "Thank god it doesn't affect my visions."

I smiled at my daughter. She truly was one of a kind.

*Aww, fluffy fluffy fluff. I was gonna stop this chapter there, but I drank too much coffee, so I can't sleep. Yay!!!! Caffeine rush!!*

Bella's POV:

The town was as I remembered it. Not that I'd seen much of it on my previous visit. I'd been too busy running. I wanted to run now. To run through the Volturi's eerie hallways and down in the lift and into the large hall and beg for help. But I knew it would do no good.

Carlisle found a small parking area, and managed to fit – God knows how – The Lamborghini into a space made for a mini cooper, maybe even a motorcycle.

I got out of the sports car and stretched my legs, regardless of the fact that I could have sat in the car for days on end and still have been as comfortable as I'd been when we left the airport.

I could see the clock tower, rising above the surrounding buildings. Carlisle began walking towards the side path winding up to the towns' centre. I followed closely behind him until he raised his arm for me to go ahead of him.

When we got to the main square he veered me to the right, moving away from the eerie water fountain. It was a strong and painful reminder of last spring. I shuddered before following Carlisle's pointing finger and heading towards a large hotel-like building behind two towering brick pillars.

Carlisle saw my quivering hands and took one of mine in his, squeezing it gently.

"It's okay, Bella."

He was right. I took a deep breath, and we walked through the old metal doors, both of us scareed for our on lives.

Well, there you go. Chapter 24. done and dusted. *Metaphorically, of course* Lol, Over and out, fanfickers! x