As always, reviews and constructive criticism are greatly appreciated.

Disclaimer: I am NOT Stephenie Meyer and I don't own any of the Twilight series characters or stories. I borrowed the dialogue and storyline from New Moon, but the rest is my own take on the story, as seen through Edward's eyes.

23. RELIEF

Their screams echoed off the stone walls, chasing us down the narrow corridor. Bella's hand gripped my own so tightly that I feared her fingers would break from the strain. I squeezed her hand reassuringly and pulled her along, desperately seeking refuge from the terror we had so narrowly escaped.

We slowed our pace when we finally reached the light and warmth of the reception area. Bella stood behind me, gasping for breath, her heart racing from exertion and fear.

"Do not leave until dark," Demetri reminded us.

I nodded as he left to return to the fray and I turned to face Bella. Her face was pale and drawn. Her eyes, brimming with tears, stared ahead in a trancelike state. Her entire frame quaked and concern swept over me.

"Are you all right?" I asked her. Her eyes met mine, but she seemed to look right through me. I realized that she must be going into shock. Her body quivered and her mouth hung open, as though she was going to speak, but no sound would come out.

Alice and I exchanged a worried glance. "You'd better make her sit before she falls," she said. "She's going to pieces."

Bella looked around her, frantic, as tears began to spill down her ivory cheeks. Her whimpering became a loud wail as the gravity of all that had passed finally settled upon her. I stood there, unsure of how to respond. I could feel Gianna's eyes fixed on Bella as she broke down before me.

"Shh, Bella, shh," I comforted her, pulling her to a couch on the far end of the room. I grasped her hands in my own and looked to Alice for help. I briefly thought of asking her to call Carlisle.

"I think she's having hysterics. Maybe you should slap her," Alice suggested.

I shot her a warning glare, but quickly returned my focus to Bella. Alice shrugged and sat on the couch opposite me. It was only a suggestion.

Bella continued sobbing loudly and her body convulsed with the release of emotion.

"It's all right, you're safe, it's all right," I soothed her. I lifted her onto my lap and wrapped Felix's cloak around her. My chin rested on her head and I closed my eyes as I continued to speak calming words to her. I gripped her frame tightly, reassuring her that everything was all right. I held her while she fell apart in my arms. Selfishly, I could think of nothing else in that moment other than the pure joy of having Bella in my arms again. After months of torture, after the devastation of losing her, to have her safe in my embrace was nothing short of a miracle.

"All those people," she sobbed. The image of the unknowing tourists being led to the Volturi, like lambs to the slaughter, brought me back to the present.

"I know," I replied, trying to maintain my calm.

"It's so horrible."

"Yes, it is. I wish you hadn't had to see that." I couldn't imagine what she would think of me after witnessing the true nature of what I am. Would she fear me now? Would she finally realize the danger and run screaming as she should have when we first met?

I could hear her heart begin to slow. She took several deep breaths as she wiped her eyes on the thick cloak. I cradled her head against my chest and squeezed my eyes tightly, praying that I could hold onto her for just a little longer. I feared what would happen when I was forced to let go. I heard Alice shift and looked up to see Gianna approaching.

"Is there anything I can get you?" she asked Bella as she leaned over my shoulder. Bella shivered, but did not respond.

"No," I replied coolly, communicating much more with my eyes than I spoke. Gianna smiled politely and nodded, returning to her desk.

Bella watched her walk away and turned back to me. In hushed tones she asked, "Does she know what's going on here?"

"Yes. She knows everything," I replied, nodding.

Her eyes grew wide. "Does she know they're going to kill her someday?"

"She knows it's a possibility."

I watched Bella's face, but her reaction was difficult for me to decipher. She seemed surprised, but I could still see her working over the concept in her mind.

"She's hoping they'll decide to keep her," I added.

She looked up at me, uncertainty filling her eyes. Confused, she asked, "She wants to be one of them?"

I nodded and watched carefully for her reaction. Bella and Gianna were not so different. Both were humans who risked their lives forming relationships with vampires and desired to become one of them. After witnessing the terror firsthand, would Bella still wish to be turned? Would she regret the promise made to Caius?

She shuddered and her breath caught. "How can she want that?" She paused, glancing at Gianna with a look of repugnance. "How can she watch those people file through to that hideous room and want to be a part of that?"

I barely heard the last question. My mind fixed on her first, 'How can she want that?' A small piece of my heart broke as the realization that Bella was utterly repulsed took hold. For so long, I had fought to maintain Bella's humanity and struggled to protect her soul. The idea that she would fear me or even hate me, no matter how rational that should be for a human, tore at my heart. No matter how I tried to protect her, in my heart, I had always wanted to keep her as my own forever. I wanted her to be like me, to stay with me for eternity. But I knew those desires were selfish and I loved Bella so much that I had been willing to put them aside for her own good.

Edward, she didn't mean it like that. Trust me. I ignored my sister's insight. I tried to hold back my chagrin, but Bella could see the change in my countenance. She stared into my eyes with a puzzled look on her face. All at once, her expression softened and her eyes began welling with tears again.

"Oh, Edward," she cried, throwing her arms around my neck and sobbing into my chest. I glanced at Alice and she shrugged, almost as surprised at Bella's changing moods as I was. I stroked her back gently, willing her to calm down.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

She responded by wrapping her arms more tightly around my neck and pulling herself close. "Is it really sick for me to be happy right now?" she asked, her voice breaking.

She's…happy? She's not afraid of me?

I told you so. I saw Alice grinning out of the corner of my eye.

A shot of warmth filled my heart and spread throughout my entire body. I gripped Bella tightly, hugging her to my chest so I could feel every inch of her against me. My mind was a jumble of joy and relief as I held my love in my arms. She breathed a sigh of contentment, exemplifying my feelings perfectly.

"I know exactly what you mean," I whispered. I knew I was smiling like a fool, but I didn't care. After everything we had been through, Bella still cared for me, still wanted me. "But we have lots of reasons to be happy. For one, we're alive."

"Yes," she nodded with a nervous chuckle. "That's a good one."

"And together," I added, exhaling in relief. "And, with any luck, we'll still be alive tomorrow."

"Hopefully," she replied.

"The outlook is quite good," Alice chimed in. "I'll see Jasper in less than twenty-four hours." She smiled at us and closed her eyes, lingering on the vision of her reunion with Jasper. As much as I wanted to blame my sister for this predicament, I had nothing but overwhelming gratitude for her. She had risked her life to save me. If she had not interfered, Bella and I would not have had this blissful reunion. I owed my sister more than she would ever realize.

Minutes passed as I held Bella in my arms. We did not need words to communicate how we felt at that moment. I stared into her eyes, basking in their loving glow. How could I have doubted that she still cared for me? She risked her life to save me. She flew halfway around the world to come to my aid; and after everything I had put her through, she still came for me.

Yet, a small voice in the back of my mind reminded me that her reaction could be merely a result of the emotional relief that came with the knowledge that she was safe. She could have come to stop me out of a feeling of guilt or obligation. The true test would be after our return home. Would she still want me when she no longer needed my comfort or protection? I pushed the thoughts aside, allowing myself to enjoy the moment at hand. If she loved me for even one minute here, I would cherish that diminutive amount of time and keep it with me forever, no matter what happened after she was safe at home again.

I began studying her face. Her alabaster skin was paler than I had remembered. Her hair had grown longer and lost its usual luster. Her hollow cheeks indicated that she had lost some weight. I traced the dark circles under her eyes with my fingertips.

"You look so tired," I remarked.

"And you look thirsty," she whispered back, looking into my eyes. I could only imagine what she might think of the way I looked. It seemed that the separation had not been good for either of us.

"It's nothing," I shrugged. The thirst was the furthest thing from my mind. Her sweet scent no longer had its hold over me. I thirsted not for her blood, but for her love. I could no sooner drink from Bella than my own sister.

"Are you sure?" she asked. "I could sit with Alice."

I sighed and squeezed her tighter to me. "Don't be ridiculous. I've never been in better control of that side of my nature than right now."

Bella continued to stare at my face as I held her. I could see her eyelids beginning to droop. I could not understand why she struggled to stay awake and I wished she would try to rest. Unwillingly, I turned my attention to Alice. This would be our best opportunity to discuss our return home. I did not want to wait one second longer than necessary before leaving Volterra, so plans needed to be in place before nightfall. I began speaking to Alice in hushed tones, as not to disturb Bella.

"I saw you had quite an adventure getting here. That was quite a show you put on for Aro." I arched my eyebrow, waiting for Alice's response.

"I had to set things right, Edward. I would have done whatever it took. I knew that the only way to stop you was to bring Bella, although I hated to do it. I'm so sorry for putting her in danger. But she did come willingly, she practically insisted."

I nodded, accepting her apology. "I understand, Alice. If anyone is to shoulder most of the blame here, it would be me."

She bowed her head at my confession.

I lightened my tone, unwilling to dwell on the past mistakes. "So, you stole a Porsche, hmm?"

Her eyes lit up instantly. "Oh, Edward. What an amazing car! It was yellow and fast and…exhilarating! We were lucky to find such a machine to get us to Volterra so quickly. Without it, we never would have made it to you in time."

I chuckled at her enthusiasm. "I really missed you, Alice. I missed everyone."

She smiled. "We missed you too. More than you know. Carlisle and Esme will be beside themselves to have you back." She hesitated and narrowed her eyes. "You are coming back, right?"

"Yes, yes, I'm coming back. No matter what happens after we return, I realized that I cannot run from my problems."

She nodded and clasped her hands together. She seemed so pleased to know that I would be coming back home, wherever that would be. We hadn't discussed what would happen once we returned Bella to Forks. Would I join the family in Ithaca? Would we all return to Forks?

"Alice…?"

She sighed, knowing what I would ask before the question was formed. "I don't know, Edward. The future is unclear at this point. There are still decisions to be made. I cannot see the wolves and because Bella's life seems somewhat tied to them, there are holes in her future that make it difficult to determine how things will unfold."

I lowered my eyes and exhaled, feeling as though the wind had been knocked out of me. Alice held up her hands and continued.

"Now, Edward, don't jump to conclusions. I said decisions are still to be made, but I didn't say what decisions exactly."

I eyed her carefully. "Explain."

"Well, you know that she's hurt. That's obvious. She was devastated when we left, and for good reason. She loved you, Edward, more than you or any of us realized. I know you are unsure about the future, but one thing I can tell you with absolute certainty, is that she still loves you."

I leaned over and kissed Bella on the forehead before looking up at Alice. "But how can you…?"

"Edward, I'm sure. Trust me on this. I don't need to be clairvoyant to know that she still cares for you. It's clearly evident. Do you think she would traipse across Europe to find you if she didn't? You didn't see her when I returned. Well…I guess now you have." She paused, giggling to herself. "But she was in pieces when I found her. I can see it in her eyes. She's completely lit up when she's around you. She never stopped loving you."

A soft smile came to my lips as Alice reached out for my hand. Her delicate fingers laced in my own and she smiled reassuringly as she rubbed her thumb along the back of my hand.

"She's lucky to have you, Edward."

"So, what decisions are yet to be made?" I asked.

Now, don't be upset with me. My eyes narrowed as I waited for her to continue. "I think it would be best for me not to interfere anymore, Edward. You saw the dilemma my last prediction caused. I think it's best if I allow events to unfurl naturally. You and Bella need to work this out without my input."

I nodded. It was not the answer I wanted to hear, but I could understand where Alice was coming from. And she was right. There was much that Bella and I needed to discuss and it wouldn't be fair if I knew the outcome in advance.

"So," I spoke up, "can you tell me how you foresee us getting home?"

"Yes, that I can tell you with absolute certainty. When we are allowed to leave, you will guide Bella through the crowds of revelers to the nearest city gate. I will go back to the Fortezza Medicea to gather our things and will procure us a mode of transportation while I'm gone."

"You're going to steal another car?" I asked. "I don't think Carlisle would approve."

"I'm not stealing it. Only borrowing it for a little while," she said with a mischievous grin. "Then we will drive to the airport in Florence, catch the first flight back to the states, and meet Jasper and the rest of the family at the airport in Seattle."

I nodded in approval while Bella shifted in my arms as she struggled to stay awake. I gently rubbed her arms and placed a kiss on her hair.

"So, tell me something, Edward," Alice began.

"Hmm…?" I murmured, not wanting to take my eyes off Bella again.

"What was all that talk about singers?" she asked.

"La tua cantante," I quoted the words Aro had spoken.

"Yes, that," Alice replied, nodding.

"They have a name for someone who smells the way Bella does to me. They call her my singer – because her blood sings for me."

Alice brought her fingers to her mouth and laughed. The description was quite accurate, Bella's blood did sing for me. It was like a siren's call that beckoned to me. Well, it did…until now.

Of course, Alice understood the analogy, but the image she concocted in her mind was ludicrous; Bella standing on stage at a karaoke bar, serenading me. I stifled a laugh myself and rolled my eyes at her.

"I can't help it, Edward. But you have to admit, that would be entertaining."

I smiled and placed a kiss on Bella's nose. I wouldn't care if she wanted to talk to me, sing to me, or just sit in silence, as long as we were together. I looked back at Alice.

"Don't you think it would be wise to begin making arrangements now while we wait? I would, but I kind of left my phone in Rio."

"I know, I know. Let me call Carlisle first and then I'll call the airport." She stood and walked away, so the sound of her voice would not disturb Bella. We had taken care to keep the volume of our conversation low to allow Bella a chance to rest, and to avoid the curious ears of Gianna who sat watching us from her desk.

As Alice made the phone calls and preparations, I closed my eyes and imagined all that I wanted to say to Bella. There was so much I needed to tell her, so much I needed to share. I did not want to overwhelm her, knowing that it would be best for her to begin. I was afraid that if I pushed too hard, she would back away from me and that was something I was not prepared to handle, at least not well.

I wondered about her life while I was away, about all the secrets she kept hidden from Alice. I wondered about her new relationship with Jacob Black and how that might affect any future I desired to have with her.

She stirred in my arms and nuzzled closer to me. I absentmindedly placed soft kisses along her hairline as I reveled in her touch. Every inch of my body was like a live wire. Every touch sent shocks through my system and made my heart swell with joy.

Alice returned and sat down, but did not speak. She closed her eyes and dwelt on her reunion with Jasper. I could see the love in his eyes through her vision. I never realized how lucky my siblings were to have each other. I had never thought much about it before, being the odd man out, but finding love had opened my eyes to so many new things that I had never noticed before.

The minutes ticked by as we sat in silence. Bella's eyelids would rise and fall as she fought to stay awake. Suddenly, the double doors at the far end of the room opened and Alec stepped out, his eyes glowing a vibrant crimson. My posture stiffened at the sight of him and I instinctively gripped Bella tighter to me. Startled, she looked up at me and followed my gaze until her eyes fell on Alec. She shivered at the sight of him and hid her face in my crossed the room and approached us. "You're free to leave now," he said in a pleasant tone. "We ask that you don't linger in the city." We don't want a reason to bring you back here, now do we?

I didn't need more warnings from the Volturi. They had done quite enough of that for one day. "That won't be a problem," I answered stiffly.

Alec smiled, nodded, and disappeared through another set of doors. I exchanged glances with Alice and she nodded that it was time to go. I loosened Bella's grip on my neck and set her down on her feet. She stumbled slightly as she tried to get her footing and I caught her before she could fall.

"Follow the right hallway around the corner to the first set of elevators," Gianna offered. "The lobby is two floors down, and exits to the street. Goodbye, now." She folded her hands together and stood quietly as I began ushering Bella toward the door.

Alice closed her eyes briefly before rising from her seat. I saw in her mind the vision of Gianna lying lifeless in Felix's arms. Alice opened her eyes and shot Gianna a warning glare as she rose. I pitied Gianna for her fate, but knew that there was nothing we could do. There would be no escape for her.

Thanks for your continued support and words of encouragement. Let's see if we can hear from a few of you new readers this time. Remember, it takes hours for me to write these chapters, but it only takes a few seconds to submit a review.