Hello, again!

Yikes, this was a difficult chapter to write...I hope it comes across okay.

Warning: lotsa angst is afoot.

Enjoy!

LookAliveSunshine03

Chapter 25:

Missing you

Surrounded by the sounds of fellow nocturnal creatures, Beth was more at peace than she had ever been. Still, there was a nagging sense that she had been a bit rude, walking off like that.

Don't be so hard on yourself. Beth could almost see Anna sitting on the bough below her, tying her hair out of the wind's reach. If you were with them now, you would be thinking you were forcing your presence on them. Stay out here if it makes you feel better. They won't mind.

Beth huffed aloud. "Oh, I don't know."

The Cullens had seemed so genuine and kind to her, but she was afraid that had only been doing it out of politeness, or at least to appease Nessie. Rosalie was the only one, it seemed, who didn't bother with the bullshit.

What about Alice? Anna asked gently. She wants you here.

Beth sighed, suddenly sad. The Anna in her head was a poor substitute to the real Anna. She was better at talking to other people than her. Wish you were here…

She pushed that thought angrily away. If she was going to be living here, she couldn't be miserable and bitter; at least, not in the company of the Cullens and the wolves. She needed to get a grip. Anna had made her choice, and she had made hers. Full stop.

Diving into her rucksack, Beth pulled out her notebook to find her latest list, and quickly added to it:

Being in the Lamborghini without punching Demetri – done (surprisingly easy)

Reaching the airport – done

Getting through customs – done

Getting on the plane – done

Reaching Washington – done

Reaching Forks – done

Being eaten by wolves – didn't happen, hurrah!

Meeting the Cullens – done

She would leave the Cullens alone for the night, but tomorrow…she would show them she could be trusted. Starting with Rosalie. That would be an awkward conversation, she feared.

Grabbing her rucksack and dropping lightly to the floor, Beth was intent on looking for something to pass the time. It would be a while until dawn.

Time for a wander, she thought, pulling her iPod out.

The hoot of an owl could be heard not far away. It sounded eerie alongside the song she was listening to, and she shivered in disturbed delight. She felt like the only person in the world, walking through a forest abandoned by humanity. Edward was right. It was beautiful.

The swelling roar of water in the distance snatched her attention, pulling her further in. There had to be a waterfall nearby, and Beth was thrilled by the idea of it; she had never seen one up close before.

She followed the sound, cutting right, then straight, then right again, until the saccharine scent of vampire was beaten back by the wolves' pungent stink. It made Beth's nose wrinkle, though it was not enough for her to gag. Perhaps she was getting used to it?

A steep hill had her climbing with hands and feet. Flecks of moisture sprinkled her upraised face, and when she blinked, her lashes were wet. She continued onwards, though the grass was becoming deceptively slippery. She was glad when her hands found purchase upon small rocks, wedged into the moist soil.

And then, she was at the top. Large, flats rocks had been placed with obvious intent along the curve of the water's path, creating an irregular-looking bridge. They had been smoothed down by time and the elements, and they divided the waterfall into two sections.

Must be Emmett's handiwork.

Testing the bridge with her toe, Beth decided the rocks could take her weight. Even so, she flitted across, slapping the uneven surface with her Doc Martins. The water spewed forth from the very top of the craggy mountainside, like a burst pipe, spraying her with its icy rain. Beyond the bridge rocks, the water plummeted into a ravine that was too far down for even Beth's vampire eyes to measure its depth. She just knew she didn't want to be pushed into it. It looked a very long way to fall…

On the other side, the undergrowth petered out into a path of mud, churned up by powerful paws and claws. Still, Beth could tell Nessie had been here many times, too. Away from the frothing might of the water, her flowery scent was scattered here, like perfume.

So this is where La Push begins, Beth thought with great interest. She wouldn't go any further, however. This was enough intrusion for one night.

She turned away with the intension of going back the way she'd come. Maybe sniff around for any nocturnal creatures to hunt, while wondering what Anna was up to right now.

She checked her watch, wiping the moisture off its face. It was almost eleven o'clock, so that meant…it was five o'clock in the morning in Volterra. Maybe she could send her a text? Beth had enough credit, so she could afford sending it so far afield of here…

Unfortunately, having a signal was a distant memory this far amongst the trees. She looked to the tallest one, and began to climb it.

Back in Volterra, Anna was in her room, plaiting her hair into an intricate braid. It started from the side of her head and flowed like a snake over her shoulder. Her phone sat expectedly on her table, reflecting the pale orange rays of the dawn.

To Anna, it was a peaceful thing, and in the back of her mind, she knew Beth would have said the same…though her twitching feet and fingers would have told a different story.

What was she doing now? Anna hadn't heard anything from her since she had arrived in Washington.

Give her space, she told herself again. She must be busy, meeting new people and, and…She sighed, her hands dropping to her lap. I miss her already.

No amount of wedding planning could occupy her mind. Athenodora was getting a tad carried away, with the amount of sketches she was coming up with; still, Anna did not want to kerb her enthusiasm. It was exciting, imagining what possible weddings she could have, and she couldn't wait for Beth to see them, too.

Dora was also coaching Anna about the traditional wedding celebrations of the Volturi. Whenever they did this, up in the tower, part of Anna kept expecting to see Beth beside her, scribbling diligently in her little notebook.

In this case, Aro was in the process of courting Anna, sending her gifts and inviting her to moonlit strolls, and (her favourite), dancing in the library. This had never happened before, as Sulpicia had been more than willing to marry him before. Anything to escape her miserable, human existence.

The wedding ceremony itself would last three days, consisting of a feast, and offerings to signify the end of the bride's girlhood. The day before the wedding acted much like any stag or hen night, with the bride and groom celebrating separately.

On the morning of the wedding, Anna would partake in a ceremonial bath using the pure water from the flower garden. The Volturi liked their weddings in the winter, similar to those celebrated in Aro's past life in Ancient Athens. Marcus would reside as priest, and much like an English wedding, the bride would be 'given away' by her closest relative, with her face veiled for her husband to reveal.

It seemed like a long way off yet, but Anna couldn't help but daydream about it sometimes, when she had a moment to herself, like now.

Her hands slowed in her plait, tying it off. She could hear his quiet humming behind her in the bathroom, over the patter of falling water. She felt the hot-cold prickle of desire trickle down her spine.

What does he look like, when he…? Oh, Lord. It was a question she found herself asking a lot lately, yet she could barely finish it. What would Beth think of me?

Anna knew. Her sister would pretend to be shocked, eyebrows disappearing beneath her fringe. Anna, you naughty girl! But then she would give a wicked grin, and say something nonchalant, like, Well, you can sit here on your lonesome…or you can make Aro's day. Totally up to you. Whatever.

Anna phone jumped with a buzz, and she snatched it up, gasping.

Morning! Hope you're not missing me 2 much! Hehehe.

She smiled. It was as if Beth had known she was thinking about her.

Hello Beth! I'm trying my best. How are you? How are the Cullens?

She didn't have to wait long for Beth's response.

I'm sooooo happy. The Cullens r v. welcoming, Renesmee is adorable & the wolves haven't tried to eat me. Life is good ma friend, v. good.

She was laughing softly, when Aro left the bathroom in a blast of humid air.

"What amuses you so, my love?"

"Beth is safe in Forks. She is in high spirits." Anna smiled and turned on her stool. Her breath caught at the sight of him, looking so uncharacteristically vulnerable, with damp, ruffled hair.

And wearing nothing but a white bathrobe.

Beth would be in hysterics. Anna's eyes were immediately drawn to the patch of dark hair poking out of it, plastered against the white marble of his chest. "She - she says the Cullens are very welcoming."

"Ah, yes." Aro gave a chuckle. "Dear Carlisle is so amiable to those who agree with his precious dogma. What more does she say?"

She showed him the text, unsettled by how much his remark bothered her. "I have nothing against their beliefs, Aro. Must you ridicule them?" She asked quietly, before dropping her phone to her lap.

Aro looked surprised. "Co-existing with the humans as one of them? It is against our nature."

"It is not against their nature," she continued, gently putting her phone back on the table. "Some have lived on the blood of humans for so long; is it any wonder that we may scorn any alternative?"

"You do not scorn them," he said before glancing at the screen beside the bed. "Excuse me in a minute, my dear."

"Of course." She followed him with her eyes, as he disappeared behind it to change, shedding his robe. She continued shakily. "No, I do not scorn them. In fact, I admire their strength to pursue it."

He scoffed quietly. "Drinking animal blood tames them."

Anna gave a laugh. "Well, I have to disagree. Beth is not what I would call tame." When he sighed, she bit her lip. "What?"

"The Cullens are the largest coven there is, without Beth on their side."

Anna frowned, sensing a darkening in the atmosphere. "What of it?"

"You cannot possibly be that naïve." Frustration coloured his tone. "Why, I bet if it weren't for you, she would have joined them long before now."

"Maybe," Anna replied softly. "She is better off with them. But she will still come back for the wedding, and then will go her own way again. As she should!"

"Spreading our secrets in that little book of hers."

Taken aback, Anna said. "She would not do that."

"Then what about the Cullens?"

"What about them? I don't –"

"You agree they also have gifts that we do not? That we would find of great use?"

Anna gave a grim laugh. So there is the truth of the matter. "I will not upend a family for the sake of – of sating your lust for power."

He came out from behind his screen. Dressed in black, the man she was beginning to love seemed to change, with eyes that flashed with a dark madness.

"Lust for power?" he hissed. "Why, Anna, I am wounded by your words."

The look on his face…for the first time, she felt real fear squeeze her insides.

See? This is the price for living for so long. Was that Beth's blithe voice in her ear, white-knuckled at her side? He's nuts. Better snap him out of it…or make a run for it.

Of course, that just wasn't an option.

Anna swallowed, and clenched her fists. Her palms began to itch as the room went cold around them. And – oh, such relief! – Aro's eyes softened.

"Anna?" He frowned in confusion, and the urge to go to him, to comfort him, was strong…but the fear was stronger. Her desire was like ashes in her heart. She heard her phone buzz, but did not answer it.

"You are still not satisfied." She had to be strong, though he actually seemed hurt by what she had said. "Am I not enough?"

Pain made his face twitch. "Anna –"

"No…no, please listen to me." She shook her head. "I love you, but you know I won't allow you to do this. You have no right to trouble the Cullens, though it is with your wont. Even with Chelsea on our side." She began to move, walking with slow and steady steps. He looked like himself now, but she was still going to be careful. "Even with me at your side, we shall not have their gifts; not unless they come to us willingly."

He seemed to deflate at her tentative touch upon his cheek. "That is your final word on the matter."

"It is," she murmured. You frightened me, my love. Never do that again.

A soft, pained sigh escaped his mouth, and he pulled her gently closer. She let him kiss her, murmuring his apologies, and Anna was struck by how absurdly safe she felt in his arms.

This had been a sickening reminder of the darker side to Aro's personality. It frightened and confused her. Would always be this way?

Beth would be ashamed of me.

She was the first to let go, half-hearing Aro's invitation to go to the library.

"Yes. Yes...I would love to."

Missing you xxxxx

Anna smiled down at the text sadly. Me too. xx

A bit of a sombre end to the chapter, but it had to be done! Reviews, please :)