"Love, father desires a special event for the family on Sunday." Edward informed.
"Why?"
"It's a welcoming ceremony for us to the family."
Edward had told Carlisle he would appreciate a welcoming ceremony for his long absence from the family the day after he heard his parents' conversation. His father wondered if Esme had spoken to Edward. Either way, he was happy Edward changed his mind as this was important to him.
"I was hoping we could include Bella in the ceremony as my mate." He added,
'Of course son. Bella is our daughter. We shall welcome her too.' Carlisle agreed.
"Father, I mean while she is still human. The ceremony shall only be for our family." Edward had explained seeing the misunderstanding in his father's mind.
'I see,' Carlisle understood Edward was not giving in completely. They could not have a public ceremony while Bella was human. 'When?' He had asked
"Any time you deem appropriate father,"
'Bring my daughter home on Sunday' He decided and swallowed a smile. He liked calling Bella his daughter.
"I shall,"
Esme was delighted. The Cullen women started to make preparations for the day. Carlisle had commissioned for the Cullen family crest to be duplicated for all his children. He had put off giving his son's their crests over time for one reason or another. Now that the family was whole he found no reason to wait.
"Your family has a ceremony to welcome new members?" Bella asked
"Yes, it's an old tradition. They held one for Alice and Rose. When I returned father wished to have another in my honour but I refused."
"Why?"
"He meant for it to be a public ceremony. I do not wish for my return to be widely known. There are others who are still envious of our family. They would do anything to pull our family apart. The Volturi are another reason. It would not do to make them appear weak for releasing me early."
"And I am still human," Bella added
"True,"
"Will father do it now? With just the family?" Bella was nervous at the thought of meeting new vampires. She still had vivid dreams of red eyed beings from meeting Peter and Charlotte. Edward nodded.
"Alice and Rosalie's were private too." He informed to ease her anxiety.
Bella held her tongue but her curiosity burned. She couldn't imagine what to expect and what would be expected of her. On Friday she received an overnight delivery when she returned from school. Edward insisted she open it on Sunday morning. They spent a relaxed Saturday at their meadow where Edward told Bella more details of his life with the Volturi.
"The Volturi are three brothers and their families." He started, playing with loose strands of her hair. "Their leader is Aro. He has his mate and daughter, Jane. The second is Marcus. His mate died many years ago but not before she gave him a son, Corin. Last is Caius. He has his mate and son Alec. "
"Do most vampires have children?" Bella asked
"No love only a few. Most who do are close friends to our family from what I have been told. I think we pull together because of it. Many of the minds I heard visiting Volterra knew no females who have children. From what I learnt no female has survived three births." Bella remembered this of Esme's experience and the family history.
"Jane and Alec have dangerous gifts," He continued to explain Jane's torturous pain-inflicting gift and Alec's numbing mist that disabled all senses. The hairs on her skin stood at the details. She knew from the description that Edward had suffered attacks from both vampires.
"And they are also lovers."
"But they are cousins" Bella frowned
"Yes and the next heirs to the throne should their parents die." Edward shivered at the thought.
"Corin is better than them and generally happier. He has a gift of spreading contentment, a simpler version on Jasper's gift. It is his gift that keeps the Volturi from infighting. It stops Marcus and Caius from challenging Aro for leadership. Jane and Alec won't overthrow their parents for the same reason. It's a delicate balance. Corin never leaves Volterra."
"Because all hell will break loose if he does?" Bella guessed
"Something like that. He promised his mother he would keep to this duty before she died. Jane made my stay in Volterra difficult. She is jealous that my gift is closer to her father's though Aro values her gift. She hated that I was called upon and sent on missions she led."
"Oh Edward," Bella swallowed a lump that threatened to spill tears from her eyes.
"Hush, it's in the past." He comforted and waited for her to calm.
"Alec hated me because I had Jane's attention even when it was in hate or torture. Understand my Bella, given the opportunity either one of them will try to end me or those closest to me. They put me at a disadvantage when we were forced into fights so my opponent would have the opportunity to end me. The only reason they haven't acted themselves is because Aro has not ordered it."
Bella didn't understand why Aro would refuse this since his coven hated the Cullens and asked.
"The feud between our families is widely known. Some have pledged loyalty to our family. He fears retaliation if any of our family died at the Volturi hands. Corin learnt his mother was related to my Cullen grandfather. He interfered in a fight Caius had commissioned with his gift. The vampire would have ended me without his help. Caius was furious. He ordered Jane and Alec to test his loyalties. Corin killed the vampire Peter had entrusted to hunt for me to appease Caius."
"His youngest guard saw to my needs thereafter. He could not stop much of what they put me through or risk anyone knowing the reasons he decided to help me. We never talked. He avoided thinking about his mother, me or our family in that context. I suspect he played a role in his father's decision to release me early from servitude. Of course, it's possible Aro knows all of this."
"If Aro knows-" Bella began to ask
"He values Corin's gift greatly. Without it he would not enjoy his rule as he has. Corin is the most protected of all Volturi. Caius and Marcus fear that Aro would destroy them as competition for the throne. They find his presence valuable for their survival too."
"Oh" Bella began to understand the complex dynamic of the Volturi coven. "Are these the enemies you spoke of?"
"Yes, the Volturi Jane, Alec and their guard by extension. There are few nomads whom I have used my gift on for the Volturi who have sworn vengeance. Others want revenge for a dear one I have killed in a fight." He stated honestly.
"Edward-" Bella started and bit her tongue to stop from talking.
"Tell me your thoughts," He asked
"That's a lot of enemies. I'm concerned for you - I mean would you survive if they came after you? What about me and the family? Do they know?" Her words spilled out and she scowled. Edward hadn't forced her thoughts out in a long time.
"I know it is not ideal to have so many wishing for my death. You must know it bleeds my heart to think that my demons could follow me here, to you and our family. I will protect you with my life Bella. In that I will never fail." He vowed. "Our family knows enough to be alert but no more."
"I trust you Edward. But what would I do if the cost was exactly that, your life?" She asked
"You live on Bella" he returned passionately. This was most important. Even if he was lost Bella had to live.
"Will I- will I be strong enough when I'm changed?" She asked
"Yes you will. I will prepare you best I can. I will not leave you vulnerable love." He promised.
"When will you change me?" she asked
"I believe you will be ready in September. You will know when the time comes. You will be physically eighteen forever my love."
Bella secretly liked the idea of never aging. "How? – I mean how will you change me."
"I will bite you and let more of my venom enter your blood than when I mark you. It will spread through your body until it stops your beating heart. The process is painful. You will wake on the third day fully vampire. Your eyes will be red in the first few months. Feeding on animals will change them to deep gold like ours. You will be physically and mentally stronger."
"Will we be here? In Forks?"
"Would you like to be?" He asked
"No, I don't think so."
"Father suggested Canada, if you like."
"Why, what's in Canada?"
"The wilderness. You will be far from the human population. You can learn to restrict you diet better away from temptation. Personally, I think it unnecessary. You will have better control than most."
"Didn't you all want to go to Dartmouth?" She asked
"We will all support you through the first year my Bella. There will be time for Dartmouth. What's wrong?" He asked
"I don't like that everyone has to put their plans on hold for me."
"We are family love. We do what we must for each other."
"Edward, what about my parents? What will I tell them?" She asked
"You will have to die so they can let you go Bella." Bella didn't show any outward reaction to the statement but her heart beat gave her emotions away. It was not the first time she heard the words. They affected her the same way each time. "Bella?"
"My death will hurt my parents. It's a pain they'll carry all their lives. I don't want to do that to them." She whispered. Edward expected her reaction. Bella was tied closely with her parents.
"What do you think will make your separation easier?" He asked
Bella closed her eyes and sighed. "I don't know." She stated finally.
"It is a kind alternative love. If you disappear they will never know a good night's sleep again with worry over you. Think about it."
They spent the night at Bella's home. Charlie was away on a fishing trip that weekend. Edward was both anxious and excited about the planned welcoming ceremony the next day. He understood its significance, especially now that it included Bella.