Now things are speeding up and we are getting closer to the conclusion. Hopefully you all like how I move things along.

000

(December 29th, 2006)

Bella was staring up at the stars across the sky on a heavy blanket in her father's backyard. Christmas had gone by without a single hitch, well just one. Aro had sent her a present. It had arrived at the Cullen's home since she was sure Charlie would have had words with her about a mysterious package from Italy. Jacob had been very upset about it, all of the pack was. She had been expecting something insanely expensive or creepy even but inside was a simple blanket. A very soft and fluffy blanket but a normal blanket nonetheless. The note on it simply read "Happy Christmas Bella".

She kept the blanket in her luggage for now but she knew she would eventually use it once she was back in Seattle. The material had felt amazing. She waited until late at night when she was alone and sent Aro her thanks through text. She had been afraid he would start an entire conversation but luckily he simply replied a "you're welcome" and that was that.

Now, now she was contemplating her life so far. She had been through so much drama and pain that she hoped the worst was over now. Life seemed to be going forward for everyone else so why not her. Jake was halfway done with his senior year and he was still hers without an imprint popping up. Sam and Emily had married in November and it had been a beautiful ceremony. Charlie was now dating Sue which was a big deal. It hit her that she would now have Leah and Seth as step siblings. Finally this coming year she would begin college classes. She had worked hard and saved up enough money to finish paying off the car for her dad and was now saving for college. Charlie had not liked it but now used that money to pay for some of her courses as well.

While a part of her couldn't wait for the New Year another part was dreading it. It felt like there was a heavy dark cloud above her just itching to rain all over her life. She knew it sounded pessimistic but she couldn't help it. Her life had never been easy. She just hoped nothing bad would happen though.

000

(January 25th, 2007)

Aro was due to arrive the next day for his next visit. Bella had talked about it with the pack and they all agreed that putting off his visit until he could no longer cope was a bad idea so they would expect him every four months. Hopefully seeing him only three times a year would be enough for both of them to live relatively normal lives. Bella knew neither of them ever would but she just didn't feel anything for him and would not sacrifice her life just so a complete stranger could be happy.

000

(May 29th, 2007)

Bella waited until Sam gave her the all clear and then all but ran to her car. She could hear Jacob calling out to her but she ignored him. She could not stand to be near him still. Seth was escorting her all the way back to her car. They had gotten closer as their parents dated. He liked being able to treat her like a little sister even though she was older than him since Leah was way much more independent.

In the beginning of April Jacob had imprinted on an incoming sophomore new to La Push that year. It had completely blindsided him and Bella. It tore Bella's heart to pieces since they were so close to his graduation and their eventual marriage. She had sent the ring back to Billy because she felt she couldn't keep the ring now. She broke things off with Jacob and completely ignored his calls and refused to see him. She needed a clean break.

She had heard from Seth that he was fighting the imprint with everything he had and was mildly successful. His wolf was torn between his imprint and chosen mate since he and the man could not agree. Emmett and Rosalie had been a godsend to her for the past few weeks. She could barely go to work and school as it was. It was like her mind wanted to disassociate like before with her break up with Edward but she refused to go back. She was also aware of Rosalie helping her with her course work by tweaking it when she managed to fall asleep. Rosalie said she was helping her not cheating.

If the imprint hadn't been bad enough the fact that Charlie found out about the boys just made it all worse or better depending how you look at it. Charlie had been furious and had gone to Billy's house to confront Jake over their sudden breakup. It ended with Charlie comparing Jake to Edward causing him to transform out of rage. Charlie had pulled out his gun but was thankfully tackled before he shot at Jake in blind panic. Once Sue sat him down and explained everything, from the change to imprinting, Charlie finally managed to calm down. Shockingly he was still upset with Jake but now at Sam as well. He did not like what imprinting did to 'his' girls and called Sam a coward for not talking to Leah about the possibility of imprinting nor breaking up with her in a decent manner. Leah had been touched by that. Her own father never got the point of needing to know a reason behind the break up.

No one wanted to tell him about the vampires since it was not their secret to tell but they knew Charlie was suspicious. Bella wanted to tell him but she wasn't sure how her father would take to her having dated a vampire. Having nearly been killed and turned by another vampire and lastly being mated to a vampire king. She had debated asking Aro if it was okay but in the end held off on it. She did not want to get his hopes up and make him think he had a chance. She needed to get herself in a better place before she ever thought of starting something with him, not that she wanted to.

Bella drove to her father's house and sought the comfort of his arms. He didn't know why she needed him just that she did. Charlie didn't like Bella going to the res for long or being anywhere near Billy. Things between the two old friends were getting better but they could never go back to what they used to have since Jake imprinted. For now Charlie prayed Bella would move on and not pull away from him. He was sure her nightmares were back since he could see it in her eyes but thankfully Rosalie was there for her. He made sure to keep in touch with the blonde daily.

000

(September 30th, 2007)

Something was different. Aro could tell with the way Bella carried herself around Jacob. He had thought their marriage would have happened immediately after the boy graduated but he could not see any wedding bands. Not that he wanted to. He wished he had brought Marcus but knew that she would be aware of why he would do so and chose not to stir things up.

Either way Bella looked to be alright. She had looked sick in May but he kept his comments and questions to a minimum. He had noticed the way the wolves got angry and tense when he tried to connect with her.
A year. It had been a since Aro had first discovered his mate. A year without her by his side. A year of constant yearning and pain. It was hard to endure but he did so if only to know that in doing so he made her happy. It was a painful fort of contentment he got from it but it helped.

He wished for nothing more than to have her as a vampire as well ruling by his side in Italy. He would daydream often of that. He lived for these moments when they could simply sit together and imagine they were alone. He yearned to take her scent home with him whenever he leaves from these trips. It never clings to his clothes long.

Aro dismissed the thoughts from his mind. He could let his mind wander when he was away from her presence, for now he would bask in her beauty and rejoice.

000

So it has been a year since Aro and the rest of the Volturi have left Forks. A year in which Aro had had to keep his distance from Bella at her request.
Jacob has imprinted on a new sophomore transfer student in early April. She was new to the year not coming in at April btw. I decided to give Jake an imprint by request since so many of you asked for him to get one and not just be devastated by Bella leaving him for Aro.
It will take time but eventually Jacob will come to love his imprint but Bella will always be his first love.