I may not be able to update this again until the weekend arrives since i am still under the weather but i was able to go over this chapter fairly quickly and post it. Hopefully i don't have many errors. If i do please look them over. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: Sadly i don't any of the Twilight franchise. (sigh)
(February 1st 2009) (Seattle Airport, night time)
Aro was in an almost giddy mood when he received a text from Bella half an hour after their meeting. She told him that, if he had no objections, from now on she would leave a similar package as her last at the airport waiting for him. She thought that since he looked so well that she thought this would help with their separation. Aro had almost laughed at the absurdity of ever minding receiving something from her. He was elated to have her think of him and felt a surge of pride when she described his appearance as pleasing her. It may not have been in the way he wished but it was something.
Sure enough when he made his way to the luggage lockers he found the one she told him about and one of his guards retrieved the key from where Emmett had hidden it. They would have to find a better way since he did not appreciate the looks he and his guards received. Sure they looked suspicious but that was no way to be so damn rude about it. He would have his guards find a solution to this.
There was a small carryon case inside smelling distinctly of Emmett Cullen. He did not like that but as long as the boy did not open the bag he would look it over. He took the bag and without much fuss they left to board their private flight. A simple discreet nod to his pilot and they boarded with the unchecked bag without problems. Aro went to the back of the plane and entered the small but private bedroom. He hastily opened the bag and once more found two vacuum sealed bags inside with another note.
A bright emerald green scarf met his eyes with a black fabric in the other bag. He tore open the note and discovered she had sent him another scarf and a long sleeved black shirt. She told him she had worn them for a few days and sprayed them with her perfume as well. The thought of his little mate wearing only those two items sent ribbons of pleasure down his spine as soon as he thought it. He knew it wasn't like that but he could still dream. He had taken to draping the blanket over his bed after it lost her scent and it was washed. The scarf from the first package joined his regular wardrobe. He was sure these items would to as soon as their scent faded.
Aro took a moment to think about how things were progressing slowly between them. He hated himself for foolishly hoping they could be together. He still hated to see the damned dog there near her but was glad they kept their distance for his sake when he went for their meetings. Even if it was a different mutt there next to her the meaning still stung. She wasn't his.
Aro shook those thoughts out of his mind. He wouldn't think about it until he was forced to. He turned his attention back to the bag in front of him. They would need to find a better way of leaving the packages. He preferred to get them as he left instead of having to wait for the mail to get there. Maybe she would be more open to receiving things from him now. He limited himself to one gift per year before but now, now maybe she wouldn't mind more contact.
(February)
Texts:
A- Thank you for the package Bella. It will help immensely between our visits.
B- You're welcome. I didn't know what else I could do without raising the visits. Rosalie mentioned the scent thing helping when apart so I gave it a chance.
A- Well it worked. I feel much better in between our meetings. The items are also very stylish and join my wardrobe once your scent is gone.
B- I will keep that in mind when I send you something else.
A- Speaking of which, we need to have a better way of leaving the packages. It's too suspicious to do so at the airport.
B- What would you suggest?
A- Have someone drop off the package in the bus terminal lockers and send me the combination once it's ready. I will have one of my guards pick it up discretely as possible.
B- Okay. I will find one near the airport and do that. I will send you the address and combination number when I have it after your next visit.
A- Excellent. Thank you once more my dear.
B- You're welcome.
(May 29th 2009)
Bella had to bite her lip hard in order to keep the blush off her face as much as she could. Aro had shown up to their meeting wearing the first scarf she had ever sent him. It was a simple black scarf that she found at work. She had recognized it immediately. His small grin when he first looked at her told her he knew exactly what he was doing. She hoped he did not mention the packages. The boys would not be very happy with that information. Especially Seth who now took his job as her brother very seriously. Leah didn't pry but she was sure the older girl was just waiting for her to announce her relationship with Aro had turned serious.
Aro could not resist wearing the scarf. It had become a favorite of his. He had decided to wear an item gifted from her to every meeting from now on. It would help remind her how much they mean to him. If in a deeper part of his mind he was doing it to maybe drive a wedge between her and her mutt then so be it. He had been tempted to mention it but judging by her heart rate picking up and the slight widening of her eyes he decided against it. He didn't know what to make of it. If the mutt didn't know then he wasn't sure if he should say something. The possibility of her being hurt by him because he tried to cause trouble was something he would never risk.
Both settled down on the two folding chairs he had brought with him, well the guards brought them. He would do things like this from now on, small things to make her more comfortable around him.
(Later that night)
Bella was in her old room in Charlie's house for the night. The bedroom was remade into a guest room for anyone to use. Seth and Leah lived on the reservation in their childhood home. Sue lived with Charlie in town. They had wanted to keep the house and give their mother privacy. It worked well for everyone and they always made sure she had the room available when she came to visit Charlie or for her meetings with Aro.
Bella could not get over the changes in Aro. He had been as happy as their last meeting. He had even worn her scarf and brought chairs for them. Simple chairs but the gesture was there. She did hate how her legs went numb after a while. The problem had come after he and his guards left for the night. Sam had questioned her after she made it safely back to the res. She had not appreciated it one bit. She told him point blank that she had an idea as to why he was so happy but would not mention it since it was none of his business. Jacob had been there as well but he kept his mouth shut but she knew he wasn't happy, none of them were.
No one wanted her to be turned, she didn't want to either but it wasn't like she was heading in that direction. She just wanted to make things a little easier for Aro and avoid a war.
Bella shook the thoughts out of head for now, she still had to get through the weekend.
(August)
A- Is there anything you would like for your birthday?
B- That is a very random text to receive at work you know. You don't have to get me anything by the way.
A- I was thinking of how to ease into the conversation but ultimately thought it would be an effort in futility so I took the direct approach. I know I don't have to but I cannot help myself. It was hard enough to limit myself to one gift a year when I was already distancing myself from you. The bond makes it to where we want to take care of each other, or it should.
B- I am sorry this is difficult for you. Still no news if someone is manipulating this?
A- None. We have looked. None of my coven like that this is happening. I cannot find anything in our past of this happening before either.
So in the mean time I would still like to know what you would like for your birthday.
B- There really isn't anything I want. I am not trying to be difficult just honest. I don't like to make a big deal of my birthdays. If you really want an answer then Rosalie would be your best bet. She is my best friend and knows me best.
A- Thank you, I will take that into account.
(September 5th 2009)
Bella came home to a serious Emmett glaring at a package on her coffee table. She had an idea as to what it was. After she had told Rosalie what had happened the previous month she had confirmed to her that Aro had gotten her help on a gift for her. For Rosalie to have helped Aro spoke volumes since she did not like the Volturi. However she did make an effort because of Bella's situation. Emmett on the other hand refused to do so. He did not want Bella to be turned against her will and taken away to Italy where she would be locked up in a tower. Bella had shuttered at that knowledge, she did not want her free will to be manipulated like that.
Rosalie walked in behind Bella and dragged her mate out with her. Bella simply said her goodbyes and went to her coffee table. She would be lying if she wasn't curious as to what was inside. Deciding against opening her gift early she set it aside to open on her actual birthday.
(September 13th 2009)
B- Thank you for the gift. It was perfect.
A- I am glad you liked it. I was skeptical when Rosalie said you wanted an indoor garden.
B- It rains too much here and there's hardly any sun. I missed the fresh taste of food from the garden. I had a small herb garden many years ago. This was perfect.
(Aro had gifted Bella a small indoor garden system. Self watering and UV light set up.)
A- Then I am glad I got it right. Did you only just receive it? It was supposed to arrive earlier.
B- I did get it a week ago but I wanted to wait until my actual birthday to open it.
A- Good. I was worried the tracking number had been wrong. Happy Birthday Bella.
B- Thank you Aro.
(September 27th 2009) (End of Aro's visit)
B- Did you get the bag?
A- Yes, this seems to be working better for us. I do appreciate this.
B- You don't have to say so each time.
A- I know. I will still do so if only to show you my gratitude.
B- Very well. Have a safe flight Aro.
A- Thank you my dear, we will.
Bella closed her phone as she looked at her messages. It was surreal to have any kind of conversation with Aro. She had worried about it but Rosalie had told her to just let things flow. It didn't mean anything since she wasn't getting attached. 'Just let things happen Bella. You are not committing to anything.' She had said. It was still a constant thought in her mind though. She was afraid of getting closer to Aro.
Over the last year Bella had tried to date and found it very awkward. She liked some of the guys but she just didn't feel that spark anymore. She felt broken. It was hard to keep putting herself out there. She knew Jacob was actively dating his imprint now that she had graduated. It was hard to think about it but it was true. She was sure any day this coming year Charlie would get a wedding invitation. Her heart still cracked at the thought. She wanted to move on. She was tired of feeling lonely.
Huffing at her own maudlin mood Bella got off her bed. She was going to ask Leah if she wanted to go out. She needed a distraction. Who knows, she may meet someone.
(Volterra Italy) (December 1st 2009)
Aro was browsing the shops around his city on this unusual cloudy day. He wanted to find something special for Bella. He could gift her anything from their vaults but he was sure she would not appreciate it. So here he was browsing the street shops and stalls with his guards spread out all dressed as unassuming as possible. He was never gladder to ensure using a parasol was common in his city. It made them able to blend in better. It also helped that the elderly used them the most for their sensitive skin. He loved it when things worked out like that.
His eyes were caught by piece of lavender colored fabric moving in the wind. It was a scarf. It was light and very sheer, perfect for the Italian weather. He debated internally for a second before he decided to buy it. Scarfs seem to have become something between them. His last package had a simple white cotton shirt with a bright red scarf. The salesman wrapped it up in a small bag and gave it to him. He kept the bag with him as he continued to shop. He decided to get her things from around his home. That way she would have a part of his home as well as another part of him.
He picked up some limoncello candy, an assortment of dry pasta, a porcelain set of three jars for condiments, high quality olive oil, a few linen cloths and various different edibles. He had to stop before he bought too much. He had all of his purchases taken back to his sitting room. (No one entered his private room without permission) He had Jane go out and get the shipping materials. He had to give Jane more tasks now since she would bother anyone else doing something for him. She had still not stopped hovering around him. She did not like to leave him for long and absolutely despised when Alec went with him to the States and she didn't.
He also picked up some lovely paper from the stationary store he would use as wrapping paper. It was a bit of a waste of such craftsmanship but he could afford it. It amused him how much he had begun to look forward to the holidays now.
(Seattle) (December 5th 2009)
Bella made the finishing touches on the box as she ensured every corner was taped down. She had decided to send Aro a Christmas present this year. It was something she had gone back and forth on for many weeks. She had finally sat down and thought it over with a pro and cons list and Pro had won. With Rosalie's help she had found a seamstress who swapped the inner lining of a frock coat and a trench coat to match the red of the Volturi. She also stitched their signature V on the underside of the collars to show off the coven name discretely to those who would recognize it without having to wear their pendants. Well, she liked it and Rosalie had complimented her on the idea.
She got into her car and went to the post office to express ship it. She did not want it to get lost or arrive late after all.
Things are still moving slowly but I promise they will have more interactions soon. They will be in person but first I have to add a little drama. I couldn't help myself and decided to add a little. Don't forget to follow, favorite and review. :-)
Thanks for all of the positive reviews and sweet messages towards mine and my families health. We are all thankfully doing better. My husband was the only one who needed to go to the hospital but he is almost all better. Thanks readers.
