Hey everyone! So I'm super excited to hear what you all think of this chapter! A lot of planning went into this and this idea just hit me and I got carried away with it. I love it and so I hope you do to.
I just want to let you all know that after my exams are done on Thursday I will be free at last and so I will have more time to write! So I am going to be sorting through a whole bunch of stuff in the next chunk of chapters and then we will get straight to the wedding because I've been planning it like crazy.
So this is where two important people come in. I'd like to thank CarlislaCooper for her letting me bounce ideas off of her all the time. Even when she is running on an hour of sleep she is always willing to contribute and give me feedback. She and Keeper of the Covenant have helped me refine the ideas for the major plot and this specific chapter. I would like to give a big thanks to Keeper of the Covenant for being such a big help with my plot and not only for that but for right now helping me plan the wedding. You have guided me through colors, elegance, grace, small details, centerpieces, I feel like this should be a real wedding going on and now I'm looking for my own groom, Carlisle Cullen but Bella stole him. Keeper of the Covenant has helped me set the perfect and I am so happy with the wedding ideas so far. It all ties in so perfectly to the overall plot and I am just squirming in delight because I am in love with my own story down to every last detail. So please check out these two amazing women's stories because they are brilliant writers and loyal friends whom I adore. I love you both!
Playlist:
Back in the day by Christina Aguilera
Monsters by Hurricane Bells
Miss Halfway by Anya Marina
Secrets by OneRepublic
Sugar Crystals by Airiel
The Green Gentleman by Panic at the Disco
There Goes my Love by The Blue Vans
To Sir, With Love by Glee Cast
Raise your glass by Pink
Firflies by Owlcity
So please read, review, and enjoy!
Chapter Thirty-Six
The Lost Cigno of Italia
Bella couldn't be happier for Alice and Jasper, it truly was a beautiful ceremony. Alice had the most perfect dress one could ever imagine, it was artistic, chic, but undeniably made for a princess. And now she was wed to her Texan Prince with a Southern drawl. How someone so laid back and easy going could be with someone so hyper and pixyish boggled Bella, but just the same she was happy for them for they deserved true happiness. And as expected the ceremony had been anything but modest. For the first time Bella had seen the calmer side of Alice as she cried happy tears while making her vows and hearing Jasper's. Alice never disappointed, as they walked into the reception everything was pink, just as promised. It wasn't that tacky pink on pink color scheme where it looked like someone had sprayed Pepto-Bismol everywhere and tried to cover it up with pink highlighters. No, it was very classy and a perfect balance between the husband and wife, light pink, black, and white. It was very elegant and Bella couldn't help but smile in appreciation because after all she was planning her own wedding at the very moment.
Not only had Bella been a bridesmaid but the only one pregnant. The rest of the girls had been skinny as twigs. Rosalie was one of the other bridesmaids along with Jane and Heidi. It seems that Alice and Jane had been best friends for a while until Jane got put as Bella's assignment for security, and Bella and Rosalie became best friends with Alice. Carlisle was a groomsman along with Edward and Emmett. And of course there were quite a few mafia men present because Alice was a mafia princess after all. She was the only daughter of the famous Antonio Cullen.
"How are you feeling, Doll Face?" Carlisle whispered softly in Bella's ear as he guided her down onto a chair at one of Alice's table.
Bella had only had a case of morning sickness once today but other than that she had been fine. Carlisle, being attentive as ever, wanted to make sure his fiancé was still feeling well.
"I'm fine, Honey, but I am glad to finally sit down."
He kissed her temple sweetly and then sat down beside her, keeping an arm around her shoulders to pull her close. Then he glanced over at the wine being served but quickly looked away so Bella wouldn't notice. She could only laugh at him, but appreciated his gesture.
"It's all right, really, Honey. Just because I can't drink doesn't mean you have to miss out. You might need it since you gave Felix the day off and Lord only knows he'll be bringing Jane home with him."
He laughed along with her and singled the waiter for a glass of whine. The waiter handed him a glass of red wine, which Carlisle thankfully drank down.
Alice bounced her way over to her older brother and soon to be sister-in-law, greeting them both and the pair giving their congratulations to her and Jasper. Her now husband couldn't seem to keep his hands off her. He kept referring to Alice as his wife, which of course delighted Alice beyond reason.
"Before you know it you two will be walking down the aisle. Ah, can you believe it." She squealed.
Bella couldn't help but laugh and then she and her fiancé congratulated the newlyweds once more before they went away to greet other guests. Of course they would return at mean time but for now they were left with Emmett, Rosalie, Tanya, Edward, Spenser, and Mary. Elizabeth and Alistair were busy making conversation with some of the guests.
Of out the blue strangers, at least to Bella, appeared, but they seemed to be familiars of Carlisle. Aro and Sulipicia made their way over when they saw the group approach Carlisle and Isabella.
"Buona Sera, Capo (Good evening)."A tall grey haired man spoke who seemed to be the leader of the group.
Carlisle stood cheerfully and greeted the man.
"Anche a voi, Capo (To you as well)."
The grey haired man with speckled blue-green eyes glanced over at Isabella. His eyes twinkled in delight when he saw her round with child, just as Aro had told. She began to stand but Carlisle encouraged her otherwise.
"No, Love. There's no need."
"Yes, Isabella. An expecting mother must use her energy wisely." The man advised with a teasing tone.
She studied his features trying to figure out who he was. Then she recalled from moments prior Carlisle calling the man Capo. Carlisle was Capo and so this man must be- She gasped in realization.
"A smart one you have, Carlisle. It seems she's quick to realize I am none other than the Don of the Sicilians."
Carlisle took Isabella's hand and kissed it sweetly as a gentle reminder that she had no reason to panic once so ever.
"We've been eagerly awaiting to make your acquaintance, Isabella." The man explained.
She opened her mouth to speak but at loss for words she shut it.
"How rude of me." He reprimanded himself. "I've completely forgotten to introduce myself. "I am Galileo Volturi."
Her eyes widened, and Galileo bent down, taking her hand and kissing it with respect.
Their eyes met and it was his turn to be surprised.
"Clarissa." He gasped.
He turned to look at Carlisle as he pulled back and straightened his posture.
"Mio dio, lei sembra molto simile Clarissa."
Carlisle looked confused.
"Che vuoi dire? (Which do you mean?)."
Aro put his hand on Carlisle's shoulder and looked at Isabella. He gasped at the realization.
"Non posso credere che non ho visto la somiglianza prima. Lei assomiglia cosi tanto a Clarissa (I cannot believe I did not see the resemblance before. She looks so much like Clarissa)."
"Galileo, Isabella doesn't speak Italian. Let's not exclude her." Carlisle bent down to peck his fiancé on the lips.
"Of course. Forgive me, Cara. I am so used to being in my home country that I forget I am not at home when in another." He then took another look at her and smiled. "You look just like your great grandmother."
Bella was confused as ever and looked to Carlisle for an explanation.
"How do you know my great grandmother?" She asked shyly as rested her hand on her womb for comfort.
"I never met her, Cara." Galileo sighed. "Unfortunately." He added.
"Of course, none of us have." Aro pointed out. "Isabella, how much do you know of your family's history? And of your ancestors?"
She shrugged her shoulders in reply.
Galileo laughed hardily.
"Carlisle, haven't you a clue who Clarissa is?"
"You are not referring to the famous Clarissa Cigno"
"None other." Galileo replied.
"That's not possible. I could not be Italian." Bella protested. "I'm a Swan."
"Cigno means swan, Cara." He noted. "I suggest you ask your father about your ancestor Clarissa."
"Who even is Clarissa? And how are you so sure I'm related to her? I'm plain looking. Most girls have brown hair and brown eyes."
"Not every woman has your eyes, Cara. I grew up gawking at photographs of Clarissa. Those eyes, like those of a doe, so pure and open to the world, don't show up without a reason. Carlisle, why don't you explain to your fiancé the story of Clarissa?"
And so Carlisle sat down beside his Doll Face and began to tell the tale of the famous heroin.
"Clarissa was a mafia princess just like Alice is, and just like our daughter will be. Only she leaned the trade of the mafia and was supposed to take over for her father. They were born of Italian blood, a very powerful family in fact. And they knew that the Cullen family was becoming powerful in New York City. They decided to go to America to join forces with the Cullens. Unfortunately the family was killed in the middle of the night before they could leave for America. Word had gotten out that a woman would become a Capo and many Italian mafia families were furious and so they acted. This is quite a curious matter. You see the three families are interconnected. The Volturi came from the brother, and he had two sisters. Both sisters married, one marrying a Cullen and the other a Cigno. Of course this was centuries ago. It's not like you could trace it back and make us related in any way. You see, the father of the three children taught his sons-in-law how to be leaders and they created their own clans though they worked together with the Volturi, the very core of the Sicilian mafia. Clarissa's body was never found, much like the case of the Romanov family and Anastasia. Cigno means swan. Isabella, do you think it is possible for us to get in contact with your father tomorrow and see if he can find some of your family history to see if you truly are a Cigno?" He looked over at Galileo. "Not that I doubt you, but I don't want to overwhelm her with this if it is not true."
"I understand completely, Carlisle. After all that you both have been through you would not want something with false hope."
"Thank you for understanding."
Carlisle looked back to Isabella who seemed to be smiling but was confused at the same time.
"I'll call Charlie in the morning."
He kissed her softly and smiled against her lips.
"I love you." He whispered.
"I love you more." She murmured in reply.
He couldn't help but embrace her. The others took their leave leaving the couple alone.
Later in the evening each member of Alice's family gave a speech in honor of the newlyweds. Even Bella got her part. By the end of the night Bella was exhausted and was happy when she fell into bed in her nightgown. Carlisle crawled into bed with her in only a pair of pajama pants and pulled her closer. His shoulder was doing much better but he was still in no position to strain it.
"Carlisle." She whispered softly as she rested her head on his chest.
He brushed his fingers through her hair and sighed.
"Anything, my love."
"What if I am a Cigno? What will it mean?"
"As much as we would like to celebrate it and proclaim it, right now with the tension with the Romanians due to the James situation, it would be smart to not make a big deal out of it. But what you must understand is that Clarissa was the first Italian woman to ever to be trained to be a Don. There are very few female Dons in history and Clarissa was a true lady of elegance and power. Isabella, I will love you the same as always, but what I need you to understand is that if you are a Cigno, your role could change. Cullen and Volturi are already united, but to reunite us with Cigno, for my family, my clan, and for Galileo's clan… we would be quite a force to reckon with."
"What do you mean a change in role?" She asked sweetly.
"This is something I want to talk about with Aro and Galileo. I already told you that my family and I would teach you everything we know about the mafia so that you can be my equal not just in my eyes or in my family's eyes, but in the eyes of the mafia world. But Isabella, there is so much that can change if you are truly a Cigno, I can't even begin to explain. But I promise you, nothing will be decided for you. You are in control, Love. I love you always as I always have. And you, if you are a Cigno, will not change how I feel for you, but there will be much excitement amongst Cullens and Volutris alike.
She sighed and then nuzzled her cheek against his chest.
"I understand, Love. I'll call Charlie in the morning."
He tilted her chin up to press a kiss to her lips.
"I love you." She murmured.
"As I love you." He replied.
And then he wrapped her in his arms, and they fell asleep, with their faithful friend, Da Vnci, snoring away beside them.
…
"Hi, Dad." Isabella chimed into the phone.
"Hey, Baby Girl. What a surprise this early in the morning."
"Oh, Dad, I'm sorry, I hope I didn't wake you."
"No, Baby Girl. Sue and I have been up for a bit. How was Alice's wedding yesterday?"
"Lovely. I wish they could have a longer honeymoon, but because he's a school teacher they are just staying at the Plaza for the weekend. But the ceremony was very touching and of course the reception was lavish and very Alice."
"I'm glad. And how's Carlisle and the baby?"
"Carlisle is good. We're busy with wedding plans and we finally decided a color scheme of wine and purple. We thought earlier in the week that we would be choosing something green, but then something just clicked on Friday and we decided. So we are meeting again with the wedding planner tomorrow. And the baby is doing very well. She's getting bigger each day."
"She? I thought you were convinced we were having a son."
"I'm convinced we're having a little girl."
"Well I can't wait to meet my granddaughter then."
"Speaking of grandchildren, I was wondering if you could tell me anything about your grandmother. You never really talked about her. Did you know her very well? Do you know where our ancestors are from?"
"Woah, Baby girl. Where is this coming from all of a sudden?"
"At the wedding I met some friends of Carlisle's from Italy. Was my great grandmother named Clarissa Cigno?"
"Your great grandmother was named Clarissa Swan but she was an immigrant from Italy."
Her eyes widened.
"And your grandfather?"
"I never knew my grandfather, but my mother didn't either. Bells, why did these friend of Carlisle spur this wish to know about Clarissa?"
"Dad, let's say it's related to Carlisle's line of work. There are three very powerful families that were born centuries ago and they all sprung from each other and worked together. The Cigno family was assassinated right before Clarissa Cigno and her family were going to leave for America to be with Carlisle's ancestors to help the growing American Mafia. A close friend of Carlisle, when talking to me, swore I looked just like Clarissa and that he couldn't mistake those eyes. He said he grew up admiring photographs of her, you see her body was never found. And no one knows what happened to her. It just so happens that Cigno means-"
He cut her off.
"Swan." He gaped. "Baby girl, he's right. I think about the time I spent with my Grandmother, and you do look so much like her. He's right, you do have your great grandmother's eyes. I have some of Clarissa's things in the attic. When your grandmother passed away she left me some of her mother's belongings. I think there are some pieces of jewelry and journals. I'll go look right now and see what we have."
"Thank you, Dad. This means so much to me."
"I'm curious as well, Baby girl." She heard Sue through the phone asking what he was up to. He explained and she decided to go up to the attic with him. "Sue is very excited about your color choices for the wedding." Charlie commented.
"Tell her that her thoughts and opinions for the wedding are always welcome." Bella chimed.
Carlisle wrapped his arms around his fiancé and kissed her exposed shoulder. She was wearing a silk lingerie nightgown she had recently gotten at one of the maternity stores; the strap had fallen down exposing warm flesh. They'd spent all morning in bed making out and talking while they waited for it to be late enough to call Charlie because of the time difference. Knowing his angel, Carlisle reached to the bedside table to hand her a cup of hot coco, which he had just returned from making for her.
A smile graced her lips and in return she kissed her lover quickly. Then she took a sip of the hot coco.
"What was that, Bells?" Charlie asked with the phone now on speaker for he was digging through the attic.
"Nothing, sorry. Carlisle just brought me hot chocolate."
"I'm glad he's taking care of you."
"He spoils me, Dad. Don't worry."
Charlie couldn't help but laugh.
"Oh, Charlie, don't forget we're going to the reservation today." Sue reminded her husband, just remembering all of a sudden.
"I want forget, Darling." Charlie chuckled.
"Going to steal fish fry from Billy again?" Bella asked.
"Maybe." Her father replied just as he pulled out the old trunk of Clarissa's belongings.
"Found it." Charlie announced as he popped open the trunk.
It was a bit dusty and so he had to blow away the filth.
"Bells, you won't believe what's in here."
She put the phone on speaker so Carlisle could hear.
"What did you find?" Carlisle asked.
"There are a few amulets and pictures." He began to dig around in the chest and found what he was looking for. He blew off the dust and smirked. "I found her old journals."
Bella couldn't help but fidget due to excitement. Charlie carefully untied the flimsy leather notebook and ever so carefully pulled back the cover to reveal the first yellowed page with elegant script in fine ink. Unfortunately Charlie could not read Italian which the first few lines were written in. But he did see too words that made his heart leap: Clarissa Cigno. There were a few more words in Italian which he didn't know before the English began, but at the end of the Italian were two other words he knew from his own blood: Clarissa Swan.
"What does it say, Dad?" Bella asked.
"Well I can't read the first few lines." He flipped through the pages he saw some Italian and some English. "But there is some English. There is Clarissa Cigno and Clarissa Swan in here."
"Can you try to spell the words for me?" Carlisle asked. "I can translate."
And so Charlie did spell out the words and Carlisle translated.
"Tragedy has struck my heart, which I will explain later, my dearest journal, and for now my only friend. There are no words to explain the grief, which I suffer. I now sit in my cabin as I make my voyage across the ocean to America. I no longer can be Clarissa Cigno for fear that those who want me dead will succeed. As you know, dear journal, I have studied English as by request of my father, and so I will try to write in it more for good practice. And now as I voyage, I wonder what New York will be like, but I plan on moving on from there. A man on this ship spoke of a place across the country from New York City. It is called Washington. He spoke of a little town called Forks. It's small and so I plan to make my journey there. I do not know what to expect but I need somewhere where I can grieve in peace. In order to fit in with the Americans I will no longer carry my family name, though I do bare the name on my heart, but now I will be known as my last name translates into English, simple I am Clarissa Swan."
Carlisle looked over at his angel in awe. He took her in his arms and kissed her softly, but quickly because he remembered that they were on speakerphone.
" Charlie, what's this?" Sue asked.
They heard a clicking open of a box.
"It's some sort of ornate ring. It has Italian writing on it."
"Charlie, you have a picture phone don't you?" Carlisle asked.
Bella wasn't able to put her thoughts together as quickly as Carlisle.
"Yes." Charlie replied.
"Could you take a picture of the ring please and send it to Bella's phone?"
"Of course. Carlisle, please don't tell me I'm holding what I think I might be holding."
Charlie took the picture and sent it to Bella's phone. Carlisle gaped at the ring.
"Bells, I think I'm going to send this all to you. I was going to pass it down to you anyway at some point. But anything you do find out I would like to know. You see Clarissa was always very quiet when I asked her about her childhood or my grandfather. She shared a few things about Italy but I never knew about her heritage. God, this can never get out at work that we're decedents of the mafia."
"The Cigno family arose along with the Cullen family in the mafia world centuries ago." Carlisle explained. "And the Volturi was the core. Clarissa survived the slaughter then. I'll have to get a closer look at he ring to see if it is a Don ring or if it is just a mafia princess ring that fathers have made for their daughters. From the photograph it seems very extravagant. You see, Clarissa was going to take over for her father but they were going to join forces with my ancestors in New York and create and American branch of the Cigno clan. I'm quite curious."
Isabella leaned against Carlisle and smiled. This was the start of a new chapter for her, and she couldn't help but wonder what it would mean for her. But she really didn't mind all that much because she had her future husband by her side and her child in her womb. There wasn't much more that she could ask for.
After the phone call was over Carlisle and Isabella decided it would be a good idea to spend some time with the family, minus Alice and Jasper who were honeymooning at the Plaza until tomorrow morning. They all decided to meet at Sulpicia's restaurant for lunch. Marcus and Caius came as well and Aro sat with them to talk for a little while with his wife too at the table here and there, but he was helping his wife at the restaurant today for the most part. They were in a private room of the restaurant for Carlisle had told Sulpicia that he and Isabella had news. Carlisle tapped his glass to get everyone's attention and soon made the announcement about Bella being the descendant of Clarissa Cigno. Everyone was buzzing in amazement. Edward couldn't stop looking at Bella. Of course, Mary and Spencer were not very interested in the conversation. Mary was bored and wanted her lunch, and Spencer had her phone out texting away with the biggest grin on her face.
"Something has your attention, Spencer." Bella commented.
Spencer put the phone in her lap and blushed.
"She's talking to her boyfriend." Emmett explained, drawing out the word, partially to tease his daughter but at the same time groaned in a fatherly way.
"Don't say it like that, Dad." Spencer sighed shaking her head. "You like him and you know it."
"I do have to admit that Cameron is a good kid."
"Cameron." Carlisle spoke up. "Your best friend at school?"
Spencer nodded with a sly smile.
"Boys are trouble." Edward commented.
"But Cameron is different." Spencer protested.
"I know. He's a good boy." Edward agreed.
"So Rose, how's the runway?" Tanya asked.
"Oh, so you saw the show."
"Of course. I must say I envy you. I wanted to be a model ever since I was a little girl, but then I grew up and realized that I wanted to be make up artist."
Edward couldn't help but chuckle.
"She would try and strut through the yard." Edward explained. "And when all the boys were playing she would yell at us to pay attention because she was a supermodel."
Rosalie was highly amused. She had never thought of herself as a model when she was younger. That wasn't her life. But high school came around and she decided it was her destiny. Tanya on the other hand had been chasing childhood dreams.
"I was trying to get Edward's attention for the most part." Tanya added. "I was a stupid boy. How was I supposed to know?" Edward leaned back in his chair with his arms crossed over his chest.
"You didn't notice until recently, the young boy excuse doesn't work." Carlisle teased his younger brother.
"I have no come back." Edward sighed.
"I know. And I wasn't criticizing. I didn't even believe in love until this blessing walked into my life."
Carlisle gazed at his angel and then closed the distance between them to kiss her softly.
"I love you." She whispered with a blissful smile upon her lips.
"As I love you, My Isabella. Always."
So tell me what you think! Did you even see that coming! Haha I bet not! Oh, and yeah I know I changed the wedding colors again but I had to rethink the wedding ideas and it was like bam! Wine and Purple, it will be a variety of shades, lots of plums and such leading into a few baby pinks. And thank you Keeper of the Covenant for pearls! Pearls are a girls best friend! Please review and tell me your opinions people! You all are awesome! I love each and every one of you!