Things are speeding up. Next chapter will have what most of you are asking for. This is just another time lapse. I can't just skip all of the emotional stuff like its not important to the character development. I want to but it wouldn't feel right.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Twilight rights no matter how much I wish to. Sadly fan fiction is all I can claim.


(January 25th 2008)

It had been almost a year since Jacob imprinted on 'that girl'. It had torn her heart into a million pieces. She never thought the pain Edward put her through would seem paltry in comparison to how Jacob had broken her. She had been so excited to marry Jacob and have a simple ceremony on the beach with their families and friends. She had dreamt of it often. Now those dreams haunt her, tease her, and mock her. The first few months had been the worst. Her classes suffered a bit and she was barely keeping onto her job thanks to Rosalie.

Things were slightly better now. She could stand to be near Jacob for a while without wanting to break down. Leah and Seth had been amazing in helping her whenever she had to be near the pack. Mostly she avoided them except when she needed to meet up with Aro and that was mostly handled by Leah. She didn't know how she would have coped without both Leah and Rosalie. Both women helped her move forward and heal her heart. What had helped the most though was when she and Jacob cleared the air between them about a month ago.

They wanted to have a good beginning in the coming year so they sat down and talked. By the end both were sobbing wrecks but had helped each other heal something within them. Jacob told her that he had finally found what the price was for claiming her as a chosen mate. Had he bitten her while 'sealing' their bond he would have bound her to him and he to her. He would never have to worry about the imprint unless she died and she could have no one else's child for the rest of her life even if he died. Both had wished in a deep part of their hearts they had done the bonding when they could have.

Jacob told her he was talking to 'that girl' to stop himself from losing it. He was lucky that she was focused on school and was not interested in a relationship. He didn't want to start anything at the moment. Bella understood and simply said she was moving on as well. Neither of them wanted to give details. It was still too painful.
In reality Bella was doing fine but not great and barely moving on. While she was moving on from Jacob emotionally she had yet to do anything else. Rosalie didn't push her to date anyone yet but she knew she would eventually. There was also the fact that she had a mate.

In the deepest part of her mind she knew she had thought about calling Aro when she had been at her lowest. She had wanted him there to take away the pain and feel loved again. Thankfully she had never done it. She wouldn't like to be used like that herself so she wouldn't do it to anyone else. The thought was still there though. It wouldn't leave her thoughts for long but she buried it as much as she could.

For now all she could do was to try and keep moving forward and take things one step at a time. She would get through this weekend meeting with Aro. Then she would celebrate one year of attending college with her family and friends. After that she would focus on getting herself better and maybe one day, she would allow herself to fall in love again.


(Private plane to Italy) (Aro POV)

There had been something different but familiar to Bella this visit. She seemed to be herself again but there was still something off about it all. He still saw no ring on her finger or anything else that may indicate any trouble between his mate and the 'boy' but he knew of her preference to wear the ring on her necklace. Still, he chose to leave those thoughts out of his mind during his visit lest he say something and ruin the delicate balance they had going on.

Bella was still as beautiful as his last visit. Her hair had been growing longer since the last time he saw it and hoped she would grow it out more. Women in his day had very long hair and he had always liked it that way. He could not wait to see her again in May when it would be slightly warmer. His poor mate had looked freezing in the slightly colder than usual January weather. How he itched to see her dressed for an Italian summer. To see her walking in the lavender fields out in the sun.

He began to sketch his newest vision for a portrait in his journal. Inspiration usually struck him right after visiting her so he was always prepared. His collection had grown with each visit. He kept it to at least one to two portraits each visit but he could already imagine it getting out of control if the years continued on like this.
He quickly struck those thoughts out of his mind and went back to sketching what he had been imagining. Maybe this time he would join her in the painting. If he could only be with her in canvas then he would simply have to make the best of it.


(February 2008) (Rosalie POV)

She watched as a disgruntled girlfriend all but dragged her boyfriend out of the store after catching him staring at her for the fourth time. It wasn't her fault she had chosen a man with wandering eyes. Still if her looks brought in more customers none of the higher ups would care if there was more drama on the sales floor.

She walked to the back of the building near the loading dock to watch as one of the delivery men hand Bella his clipboard for her to sign after making sure they had received their shipment in full. He had been lightly flirting with her for a while now and each time it went over Bella's head. He hadn't even looked at Rosalie except for an appreciative glance when she walked over to ask Bella something unimportant the first time she caught him flirting. He hadn't ogled her at all after that. Rosalie was hopeful Bella would be receptive to his advances and maybe go on a few dates. There weren't many men out there who could keep their eyes on one woman. It was close to a year now since her breakup and she hoped it wouldn't be much longer now for Bella to begin to live again. She was worried.

Deciding to at least make Bella aware of the flirting after their shift Rosalie went back to the front. She had to at least try.


(May 30th 2008)

Bella felt better meeting with Aro this time. Not in meeting Aro himself but in being surrounded with people she once thought would be her close friends and family and the man she was going to marry. It had been over a year since she and Jacob split and she was happy to be doing fine in her life. She still would not set foot in the res unless she had to in order to avoid seeing Jacob with 'that girl' though. She just felt like she was finally at peace with the breakup and didn't want to hurt the delicate balance. They had both known it was a possibility. They had continued to date regardless with both eyes wide open.

Maybe that was what helped her deal with her heartache this time better than before. Maybe it was having Rosalie, Emmett and her dad there lifting her spirits. Whatever it was she was just glad she was in a better place. It may be years before she could ever look at Jacob and his 'girl' in any way without a part of her heart hurting but she understood. Jacob and Edward would both have a place in her heart. Both had affected her too much for there not to be something left behind.

She thought maybe Aro could pick up on the inner peace she had since it both gladdened and saddened him. She refused to think on the reasons why. It would not do her any good. Besides, it would also be too awkward to just ask him given that they were surrounded by wolves and vampires with super senses. She did feel like maybe she should try and make the effort with him a little. He still looked terrible whenever he would come to see her every four months. He was never late nor did he miss an appointment to see her. She was probably empathizing with him after what had happened to her but unlike her, he couldn't move on.

Maybe if she talked to him a little more? No. A small gift? No. She didn't even know his birthday let alone how old he was and she refused to open up the lines of communication lest he get his hopes up. Maybe Rose would have an idea. With that thought in mind she focused back on her surroundings. She would speak with Rosalie later about it all.


(Near the Avalon Wilderness Reserve, Island of Newfoundland, Canada)

Alice felt herself come back to her surroundings as the vision ended. Thanking her lucky stars she quickly used her speed to finish getting dressed in the changing room and sit down. Both Jasper and Edward had decided to go hunting while she choose different type of hunting ground so Edward would never know of what she just saw. She would have to do her best to push the vision out of her mind.

She was conflicted on her vision. A part of her wanted to intervene while the other said she had done enough. Her vision of Edward and Bella together would never happen now. Her visions could be wrong. She decided to stay out of it and let things happen as they would. If she got even a hint of danger she would act. For now she would keep Edward far from Forks. With a new determination Alice went about the stores with gusto. They had a flight to catch.


Yes, yes I know. I am mean for not making it longer but I had to leave it here. It helps building the anticipation. Also, hope you all liked the POV's. I know I don't write from Aro's view a lot since I still believe I cannot do the man justice. I did try in my other story and while many people have praised it, I still feel self conscious about it.
Alice also makes a wonderful appearance on here since I have been asked about the other Cullen's. Alice, Jasper and Edward are traveling together at the moment. Carlisle and Esme are still in Forks. Emmett and Rosalie are in Seattle with Bella.

Next chapter will have more interaction with Bella and Aro. It has been about a year since her breakup and almost a year and a half since she met Aro so it seemed like a good time. It still won't happen out of the blue with Bella magically feeling the bond and jumping the man. It will be more realistic. No one who has had their hearts broken twice within a short time will simply jump into the next relationship. Bella had to learn this lesson twice already, she will be very cautious now. Plus I still need to redeem Aro a bit. He won't change too much since his habits are pretty much cemented after existing over 3000 years but I can change some things.

Hope you all still liked this chapter. :-)

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