Thank you so much to those of you who have alerted and reviewed! You keep me going!

I know it's been a week, but unfortunately real life has hit for me and my beta. I almost have the next chapter done though, so hopefully I will have it out Monday.

A lot of people have asked if there would be a sequel and honestly, I'm not sure. I have another story in mind. It's a J/B AH, so I want to work on that first.

Hope you like this chapter. Please read & review.

Huge thanks to my amazing beta Ivy Rain. If it wasn't for her words and motivation this chapter would not be finished

Disclaimer: SM owns all.

Bella

So here I am, just sitting on the couch in Jasper's study trying to muster up the courage to call Aro, but my mind keeps drifting to the last three days. Surprisingly things have been pretty peaceful since the day after Carlisle and Eli had their talk. The day after we had our 'family meeting', Carlisle asked each member of the family to talk to him separately. Rosalie reluctantly agreed, but from what she has told me it went pretty well. She said he apologized for not trusting her and then said he would do anything she needed to forgive him. I could tell by the way she dismissed their conversation that she wasn't truly over it, but was going to let it go for now. I assumed he had the same conversation with Emmett seeing as they've been pretty friendly with one another.

Eli and Carlisle have spent some time together, but Eli never seems to want to talk about it. He has been spending a lot of time by himself and the only person he has talked about Carlisle to is Jasper. I'm not too worried about him though; he's a pretty private person. I am however worried about Esme. She hasn't said anything about her talk with Carlisle and they both seem to be avoiding each other. I know it's going to take time for her to heal, but hopefully it won't take too long. I know she misses him terribly.

Jasper, much like Esme, has been avoiding him. When I asked him what the problem was he got a bit defensive and snappedand snapped his reply to me, 'I'm not like you Bella. I can't always forgive and forget.' I didn't know how to respond without taking my own frustrations out on him so I simply left the room. He eventually found me and apologized and I of course let it go. I had so much weight on my shoulders that the last thing I needed was to fight with him.

Thinking about everyone else and their reactions to Carlisle reminds me of my own conversation with him.

I was sitting just outside of the backdoor, in the middle of Esme's garden, when I heard the back door open. I thought it was Jasper, so I didn't turn around. I was shocked when it was Carlisle who came to sit down beside me.

"Bella, I would like to talk to you if you have a minute." I just stared at him. Not because I didn't know what to say, but because I was still trying to shake off the shock of him being there. He never broke eye contact as I tried to pull myself together.

I shook my head furiously and replied, "Yes. I mean… I would like that."

"Alright." He said with a hint of amusement in his voice. "Would you like to stay here?"

"I think that would be best. I don't have anything to hide from anyone, so it doesn't bother me if they hear us." Truth be told, I was a little frightened by the thought of being completely alone with him. I knew Carlisle was a compassionate person, but I figured everyone, even him, has, has a breaking point.

He looked thoughtful for a moment and then said, "I know it may be hard to believe, but I am sorry for the choices I've made, Bella. I love my family… and you, very much and would never want to hurt any of you. I didn't tell Esme about Abigail because not only was I trying to forget her, but I thought if Esme knew I had been with another women she wouldn't want me. I hope in time she can forgive me for that. I am also extremely sorry for not changing you when I said I would. Edward and I have always had a very strong relationship and I feared that by changing you and going against him, it might be ruined. You might find that silly, I know the others do, but Edward was my first companion. He was my son. If Charlie were in my shoes I am sure he would do the same for you."

I knew he was right. There was nothing in this world that my dad wouldn't do for me, however, Charlie knows right from wrong. I remembered Jasper saying something about the bound between a vampire and his maker being a strong one and wondered if it was similar to the relationship between a parent and a child. "I'm sure he would want to make me happy, but he would always do the right thing."

"And, you don't think I did the right thing?"

"No, I don't. To be honest, I think you were just a pawn in all of his little games. I get that you think you were doing right by him, but right is right and wrong is wrong."

"I don't know what else I can say, but I'm sorry."

"If you truly mean that then you will prove it. As you know the Volturi are coming and I've worked out an agreement with them for you. If you do whatever they say, I'm sure everything will be fine."

"What kind of agreement?"

"I think it's best if we wait and talk about it when they arrive. I don't want them to think I was trying to pull anything over on them."

"I see you have gotten to know them fairly well."

"I have." Our conversation seemed strained and awkward and I was ready for it to be over. I got up and brushed the dirt of my jeans. I had so much I wanted to say, but I held it in.

I started to walk away when Carlisle reached for my hand, "Are we alright, Bella?"

I jerked my hand away and bent down so that I was eye level, "We are not alright, not by any means. You have hurt the people I love and I'll be damned if it happens again. If you want to make things right you have to prove yourself. You cannot just waltz back into our lives and think your flimsy apology is going to make everything better. I will be civil to you, but we are not friends and we most definitely are not family."


I stood up and straightened myself. With one final look at him I turned and walked in to the house, closing the large double-glass doors behind me. I went into the living room and flopped onto the couch with a huff. I was proud of myself for standing up to Carlisle. Deep down I really did like him, but he needed to pay the price for the things he has done. Before that happened I wouldn't even consider fully accepting his apology.

I haven't talked to him since, but when we pass or see each other we both politely nod and go our separate ways. I know he tried contacting Edward several times and the last time he called the line was disconnected. I couldn't blame him for wanting to talk to him. Carlisle has every right to be pissed and I hope he gets the opportunity to fucking lay into him before the Volturi does.

Sitting on the couch, reminiscing and thinking about things to come isn't getting me anywhere. I know that Jasper is downstairs waiting for me to call Aro, but I'm dreading it. Forks is such a small town and I don't want them causing any trouble while they are here.

After taking a couple deep breaths I open the phone that I've been holding in my hand for the last half hour and dial Aro's number.

"Hello, Bella."

"I'm sorry to bother you, Aro, but I was hoping you could tell me when you're coming to Forks."

"Of course, Dear, I should have called and told you. I apologize. We will be leaving early tomorrow. I'm not sure exactly when we'll be arriving as Sulpicia made the arrangements."

"Oh. Will she be coming with you?"

"Yes, she doesn't want to pass up the opportunity to see you again. There will be eight of us."

"EIGHT?!"

He chuckled in amusement, "Yes. Caius, Marcus, and I will each have a guard and Sulpicia's assistant will be traveling with her. You know Jane, Demitri, and Felix. The assistant, the one you haven't met, her name is Ana. She is a nice girl, but very quiet. I think you will be very fond of her."

"I'm sure I will be." I said sarcastically. "How can you all travel with your red eyes?"

"Contacts, Dear, they work the same for us as they would for you."

"Okay then. I guess I will see you… the day after tomorrow."

"That's correct. Take care, dear Bella. We will see you soon."

"See you soon."

I was not expecting Aro to say they were coming so soon. I mean the day after tomorrow. Are they serious? I'm a nervous wreck. I feel like there is so much I need to get done, but I can't even think straight. I'm worried about the brothers being in Forks and around those I love and care for. I'm especially worried about Charlie and Angela.

I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. With a clearer head I realize what I was most nervous about. I want, need, to talk to Jasper. I want to let him know that I want to get married and now. I don't want him to think the only reason I want this is because the Volturi is coming, but in all honesty they are a part of it. I want to get on with my change. The longer we wait, the more danger everyone is in and I've already put them through enough this past year.

Even I have a hard time understanding how my life has changed so drastically in such a short amount of time. I had hoped to only be here for a little while, maybe get to know Charlie a little better and then move away again. I hoped that I would get into a college where the sun shines bright. That plan went out the window the minute I realized I had fallen in love with Edward Cullen. I don't regret it though, Edward led me to Jasper and I couldn't have asked for a better man. Being with Jasper has shown me just how wrong I had been about the way a relationship was supposed to be. I realized before that Edward's controlling ways weren't right, but I half expected Jasper to be the same way.

I take another deep breath and raise my head high. I know what needs to be done and that is to talk to Jasper. With that I stand up and make my way out of the study. Walking down the hall I slowed my pace and run my hand down the rough texture; my fingers ghosting over the small imperfections. I close my eyes and enjoy it. I know I am delaying the inevitable, but I can't help it. Just then our bedroom door opens and Jasper's head pokspokes around the corner.

"What's got you so conflicted babe?"

"I wanted to talk to you."

"What about?"

"About us getting married."

He looks taken back by my blunt statement, but I can see the corners of his lips turn up into a small grin. I can see his eyes sparkle. He is taking this better than I thought.

"What about it?"

I take a deep breath to calm my nerves before answering, "I was thinking maybe we could go ahead and do it next week."

"There's no reason to be nervous, Bella. I think it's a great idea." I watch him walk over to the bed and take a seat. He motions for me to join him, but I stay put. I am too stunned by his reaction. I was half expecting him to immediately refuse.

"You do?" Even I can hear the disbelief in my tone. I can't believe he is being so understanding about this.

"I asked you to be my wife because I love you and want to spend eternity with you. I would marry you today if that's what you wanted. Do you mind telling me why though?"

I stand up, walk over to him and plop down in his lap, "Well, I just thought it would be better to get everything out of the way now. Everyone that I love is here and I also think it will help get the Volturi off our backs."

After kissing my check lightly, he smirks, "And, what if they're still here for the wedding?"

"I'm counting on it." I said with a smile.

With a laugh he said, "Of course you are."

I know no one understands my attachment to the Volturi, but Aro and Marcus have become close friends. They have been so understanding and if it wasn't for them I would probably already be dead. I feel like I owe them, because if it was left up to Caius I would have been killed the first time I was in Volterra.

"There's one more thing."

"There's always one more thing. What is it?"

"They're will be here the day after tomorrow."

"I'm not surprised and it's not a big deal. We knew they were coming. It's not like we have to prepare or anything."

The only thing I can do is nod. He's right. We all knew they were coming and the rest of the family shouldn't be too shocked by the news; even if they aren't happy about it. Aro and I have yet to talk about where they will be hunting, but I hope he knows it won't be anywhere near our home. I might not be close to most of the people in Forks, but I would never allow anyone to do anything to the people who have been there for Charlie since my mom left. He acts like he isn't still affected by it, but I know better. He hasn't even dated since the day they split.

"You're radiating sadness, Darlin'."

"Sorry. I was just thinking about Charlie and my mom."

He gives me a knowing look and says "Why don't we go downstairs and talk to the family. I don't know what kind of wedding you want, but you don't have much time to plan one. I'm sure Rosalie and Esme will be more than happy to help you and maybe that will help take your mind off things."

I hadn't thought about actually planning a wedding and would definitely need some help. The closest thing I've ever come to going to a wedding was Renee and Phil's small new age ceremony and that was a disaster.

Grabbing Jasper's hand I drag him off the bed and down the stairs to find our family and give them our news. I want to call Charlie and Angela, but I would have to wait until later. Right now things seem to be going perfectly and I don't want anything to distract me or ruin it.

What do you guys think is going to happen when the Volturi get there? And, would you like to see some of Ana?

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