I apologize for the delay - RL just sort of took over - that and November seems extra, extra fast. That being said, I hope all you US fans had a wonderful Thanksgiving :).
For the rest of the year, the posting schedule will be loosy-goosy just because the holiday season is upon us. I will have chapters though and I'm still writing ahead of what's being posted.
These characters aren't mine - I just like to bend them at my will.
Onward!
Chapter 52
JPOV
It was our last day in Italy before we had to go back home. We had talked about what we wanted to do and in the end, we both decided to drive along the coast and have a mini road trip. I made sure there were water bottles as Isabella got ready and then we grabbed some cut meats and cheese from the cafe across the street. When they asked where we were headed, they told us to stop by a bakery in one of the towns because they had some really good bread.
I helped her into the car and put the food in the ice chest before heading towards the coast. I set the GPS system to give us a feel for the Italian countryside.
"I like them," Isabella said as soon as we were on a winding road. "The Volturi, not just the kings but the guards, they were really nice even with Alec and Jane being so awkward. In fact, because they were socially awkward, made me realize nobody was perfect there and they never pretended to be. I hope you got the same vibe I did."
I nodded and reached for her hand. "I like them too. They seemed very genuine and I was happy to see them treating you like an equal. I was afraid of that in the beginning but I am glad to have been proven wrong. They really like you, baby girl."
"What about you? Did they like you or were they mostly scared of you still?"
"They were a little scared at first, but as we got to know each other, it was quickly replaced. There are still hints of fear like last night when the scars on my arms were visible. It is more instinctual than anything but they're warming up."
Isabella turned towards me all of a sudden and held onto my hand a little tighter. "If they weren't so nice, I wouldn't feel conflicted in where to have my change."
"Like I said before, we don't have to make a decision right now. We've got time to talk about it and weigh the pros and cons."
She nodded and smiled before reclining her seat just a little and enjoyed the ride. When we got near the Mediterranean, I rolled down the windows a little letting the scent of the salty water fill my senses.
"Hmm, having lived in Arizona most of my life, I never really got to be near a body of water until I moved to Forks," she mused. "Not counting a swimming pool, of course. The Strait of Juan de Fuca is pretty cold, even in the summer, but here, I imagine it to be warmer. It even gives off that vibe right now."
"I never really enjoyed being in the water all that much," I admitted. "You know, the scars were not always welcomed until recently." I noticed her sudden scowl at my confession. "Hey, it is alright. I mean, it sucked, but things are better now. Much better."
"You're right. I can't go back and change the past or kick some ass. I want to though." She took a deep breath and shook her head slightly as I chuckled. "Okay, enough of that, I don't want to ruin our fun with thoughts of them. Can we stop somewhere with a view of the sea?"
"Sure, there looks to be a turn-off in soon. It just so happens to be the town they told us about with the bakery."
We managed to find a place to park and then walked over to buy some bread. After, we brought the basket of food with us to the beach. I was glad that it was overcast today and that I thought ahead to bring a blanket because I saw the moment of panic she had when we found a spot and she realized it was nothing but sand. Once she had a place to sit, I watched as she assembled a sandwich with some meat and cheese from the restaurant.
"Oh, this is so good," she moaned after taking a bite. I reached in and grabbed the small bottle of wine for her and some blood for me stored in a wine bottle. It was something I had gotten from Felix the other night and thought it was handy since we were out here in public. We both drank straight from our bottles and just enjoyed the quiet beach.
Once she was finished, she moved so she sat in between my legs and wrapped my arms around her.
"If the colors around us are so vibrant with my eyes now, what will it be like when I'm like you?"
I thought for a moment for a way to explain what I saw. "It is hard to explain but you know when you're on your computer and you go into the settings to adjust colors of pictures and stuff?" She nodded. "Well, you have that spectrum chart and you adjust things accordingly. I sort of see things like that so I can see the gradation of colors that might otherwise be imperceptible to your eyes. It isn't to say that it is necessarily brighter and garish. What I see are the subtle changes and slight textures."
"So it doesn't hurt your eyes? I always imagined it to be just too colorful and stuff... like when we were in Vegas with all the neon or your sensitive hearing."
"Nah, not really but wearing sunglasses helps soften the colors just a little bit. Plus, it hides the color so as not to draw attention, even with the cat-like gold eyes it was different."
"So I guess I'd be wearing sunglasses for awhile if I'm out in public then. I also need to learn to control my strength and stuff too, won't I?"
"Yep, you'll have to learn how to touch human stuff to make sure it doesn't break or rip in your hands. You'll have help though, don't worry. I'll make sure you become accustomed to interacting in the human world again."
She sighed and pulled my arms tighter around her. "I don't want to necessarily pretend to be human like the Cullens but I don't want to be a recluse either, you know?"
"I know. We'd interact less than we do now, especially while you're still a young vampire. I wouldn't want to be a recluse and I'm glad you don't either because interacting with humans, even on a limited basis, can be important in helping you blend in the crowd."
"I get that. Just enough to look and act the part but not necessarily pretend to be one, right?"
I nodded and watched as a cruise ship sailed out from a nearby port.
"I can't believe school is going to start back up in a few days." She gasped. "Shit, I guess I should have been jogging the past week while I was here. I've got that race next weekend."
"Baby girl, just do your best but don't hurt yourself over it."
She rubbed her head slightly against me before turning and planting a kiss near my shoulder. "I won't. In case I haven't said it or shown it, thank you for taking us on this trip. I know it was intimidating as hell but I'm glad we came out here. It has to be one of the best Spring Breaks I've ever had." She started to laugh. "Oh, who am I kidding. It was the best Spring Break because it was the first time I've ever gone to a foreign country. Canada doesn't count since it was just a couple hours north of Forks and Mexico doesn't count either. They actually stamped my passport here."
I laughed and kissed her hair as we enjoyed the warm spring weather and the sound of the waves rolling in. I could feel the rays of sunlight starting to peek through the clouds about an hour later and nudged her as she had fallen asleep.
"Come on," I whispered, enjoying the feel of her warm skin near mine. "Sun's trying to make an appearance."
"Oh!" She scrambled up and gathered up the bottles and trash. "Let's go before we draw attention."
We made it to the car and stowed our stuff in the small trunk. I helped her in before we started off on the road again.
"Isabella," I began as I maneuvered the winding roads. "I just wanted to thank you for convincing me to come out here and talk to the kings. It isn't just being at Volterra either. This drive here? I never would have gotten to do this. It would have had to be Milan or Paris." I stopped and grimaced.
"Fashion places, right?" she asked. "What about Rome and the ancient stuff? Anybody would have been interested in that?"
I shrugged. "Maybe Carlisle, but he'd end up doing whatever Esme would want to do, which normally mean visiting villas and stuff for architectural designs or going to museums on their own. Because he worked so often at hospitals, if he went on vacation, it would be to spend time doting after her."
"I could see that. I'll bet you didn't get your way with what you wanted to do. Hell, I know back then, I didn't," she huffed. "Let's change the subject. What are Peter and Char doing today?"
"I think they're both going to that race track and testing some of vehicles. I heard them telling Felix as we were leaving last night."
"Hmm, it is nice that they have fun things that they both like to do together. I guess we'll find that niche too once I'm turned?"
"Yeah, I think we'll both have a desire to explore the world. I often wondered about sneaking into the Sphinx-"
"Egypt? Oh! What about the Great Pyramid? I'd love to do that!" she squealed with excitement. "And then the Great Wall of China. Oh and maybe Mt. Kilimanjaro? Can we scuba dive? I've always wanted to see the Great Whites."
I laughed as I got immediately intoxicated with her enthusiasm. "Definitely on all except the sharks." I shuddered at the thought. "If we climbed a mountain, there is a slight chance you'll want to feed and that means animal."
She made a slight face. "You'd have to as well then? I wouldn't be the only one, right?"
"No, if we were to climb a huge mountain the thinner air could trigger your thirst more and if we didn't have blood bags, we'd have to make due with a mountain goat or something, but no, you wouldn't be the only one. I'd endure it with you too."
"Would it automatically turn your eyes gold, if you drank animal for a brief period?"
"No, one or two critters about the size of a deer or mountain goat aren't going to change your eyes any. It usually takes several animals, over a period of time, say a week to a month depending on how often you eat. It is gradual too, you won't go from red to gold like that." I instantly felt a sense of relief as she looked out the window with a blush on her cheeks.
"I thought the color change would start almost immediately. That is good to know." She looked over at me and smiled. "You know, all this time we've been together, you never really treated me like I was some sort of pretty dolly that was just displayed on a shelf. Yes, I realize I am not as strong as you are, but you don't coddle me or treat me like I am made of glass. I like that." She looked out her side of the window and I could tell she wanted to say more so I continued to drive hoping she'd be able to talk once she gathered her thoughts. "Will you treat me any different when I'm like you? I mean, you won't stop calling me baby girl and stuff, will you?"
There was anxiety coming from her and I knew this was something she was going to fret over if I didn't say anything. "I'll always treat you the way you want to be treated. Nothing has to change if you don't want it to." I brought her hand up to my lips and kissed her palm. "I promise you, Isabella. You might want my touches to be a little harder and you might want my teeth biting your flesh, but that doesn't mean I won't ever caress you again, or kiss you, or love you."
Her relief was immediate. "It was probably silly for me to think otherwise."
"Yes, it was," I softly chided. "But I understand your concerns all the same. It is going to be a big change for both of us. I love you, baby girl, and that won't ever change. We might get pissed off and frustrated at each other when you're a vampire, but know that I'll always love and adore you. I won't ever hide those emotions from you either."
She sniffled as she continued to stare out the window. From the corner of my eye I saw her wipe her face and I knew she was crying. I reached over and held her hand as I continued to drive along the narrow road before coming to an area I could pull off to the side. As soon as I shut off the engine, I undid her seat belt and pulled her onto my lap which wasn't easy to do in the small car.
She clung onto my shirt as tears fell onto my shoulder. "Jasper, I...I don't know why I'm crying so hard all of a sudden." She took a couple deep breaths. "It wasn't just the prospect of turning that has me so emotional today. I know it won't be easy, but I am not backing down from that. I guess it just occurred to me that we sort of became part of a new family and I don't know... I guess I was sort of emotional at leaving for home tomorrow too."
"The kings adore you like you were a relative or something and I see how you interact with the others. It is like a family because I feel like I'm a part of it too. I'm not just thrown in the background because of my lack of control or some crazy bullshit story." I kissed her hair and lifted her chin up to me. "How about this, let's seriously consider coming back here and you being changed in Italy. It isn't a final decision and we can talk as much as we need to but for now, between you and me, let's think about it."
She nodded and started to hiccup from her crying so I reached over to grab her a bottle of water. "That is a good idea, I'd like that and yeah, once we get back into a groove, I'd like to spend time talking about it and what it would mean for the two of us if we relocated. Whatever we do, Texas is our home, right?"
I grinned and nipped gently at her nose. "Hell yeah, it will always be our home - the day after tomorrow, next week, two years from now, a decade later or even a century later, Texas can always be home for us." I felt an almost instantaneous sense of love and excitement from her. "You ready to get back on the road before it gets too dark to enjoy the view?"
"Yeah, I'm better now. Let's enjoy the countryside before we go back home. Jasper? Whatever we decide on, can you change me without an audience? I mean... I..." Her words drifted as she tried to put her words into thoughts. From the slight blush on her skin, I had a feeling what she was asking. At least, in my mind, I thought I knew.
"Sorry about that," she finally responded and took a deep breath. "Can it just be the two of us, alone? I just want it to be about us and share it with only you."
"It shouldn't be a problem and what I can do is have someone or a group of folks on standby just in case things don't go as planned. You know, the venom thing."
"Oh yeah, that makes sense but how you change me will just be you and me or at least, the intention is to be just you and me," she explained.
"As intimate as you and I want it to be, baby girl."
"Alright, I'm on board with that."
NOTES:
Thank you to JamesRamsey for betaing this chapter and JaspersWoman & DarkNNerdy for prereading.
In case you're wondering, no, I don't picture the movie actors for the kings. As with Bound in Blood, I picture Ralph Fiennes as Aro, Gerard Butler as Marcus and for Caius, I've been picturing Joseph Morgan - you might know him better as Klaus from The Vampire Diaries. :)
No recs to give out but, I did check out the new James Bond movie, Skyfall. OMG, if you're a fan and haven't seen it, check it out.
Until next time!
XOXO sushi
