Chapter 20 Nickolos,

The next two days after the blessed event turned the castle upside down. Daily throne room proceedings were suspended until Bella awoke. Everyone focused on taking care of little Nickolos and though it was a delight for all to help, it was also a challenge because no one had any experience with babies.

The only task they grumbled between them was changing time. The entire guard fled the room when Nicholos did a number 2 and Jane was left holding him. That's how the poor unfortunate soul was always picked for the task. Whom ever had the baby when it happens changes him. It was a game of chance nobody wanted to win. She changed him reluctantly and held her nose as she threw away his nappy.

Felix and Demetri were sent out to get more baby supplies, diapers, formula, and wipes. They just seem to go too quickly. Carlisle stayed for now and informed Aro he would be there for a few days to help with all the adjustments in caring for Nickolos. He was by far the only one who actually had any contact with children.

Within a day, Aro had been running between Bella and his son. Both were equally demanding. Aro wanted to sit by Bella side and watch over her change. He comforts her with his words and touches, hoping it would ease her suffering somehow.

Nickolos began to grow from a little baby into a toddler, within a few days he was sitting up and crawling around now. All the Volturi house was in panic trying to keep track of Nickolos as he became adventurous. It was phenomenal, the baby's growth and development were fast. Aro wondered if Nickolos was going to be immortal or not. Carlisle thinks that his rapid growth has something to do with his accelerating metabolism being half and half increased It dramatically. This seems to cause rapid aging. He's saddened at the thought of losing him. He made up his mind if it came down to it, he would change Nickolos when the time came. He decided not to let him age more than 25. He couldn't bear the thought of life without his son or Bella. They were his whole life now.

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Aro made his way to find his son and laughed to himself as he thought of his guard, because he knew they argued who would be the next hold the baby. He wondered who had had him this time as he turned the corner to his study. Aro smiled wider as he walked down the hall towards the unmistakable sound of his baby cooing and giggling.

As he laid hand on the doorknob, he heard Athena scold the baby to come back to her. He opened the door and flitted in soundlessly. Then he spotted the cause of the ruckus. The baby was crawling fast, high on the bookshelf, knocking books down as Athena ran under trying to get him down. Books fell on her head as she attempted to grab him. Too late however, as she did, the baby did a flit away from her hands. Aro couldn't hold back his amusement at such a sight. His over 1000-year-old aunt was struggling to handle an infant just born 2 days ago. It was only the other day; he remembered the first time Athena held Nickolos. She looked in his bright leafy green eyes as she held him, and she was hooked, line and sinker. Caius stood by her side and brushed Nickolos's soft curly black hair away from his face and commented how Nickolos's rosy cheeks, little nose and pouty lips were just like his Mommy's.

Aro observed in amusement thinking to himself. The almighty evil Caius conquered by tiny baby and reduced to a sentimental mush.

''Oh Caius, I can't believe I'm an aunt. We have, a new nephew! '' she exclaimed as if she would cry and happiness.

Caius put his arms around her and laughed at her joyful babble and Aro heard something about spoiling rotten and that she would always have sweets. Aro was shook out of his musings as a vase came crashing down and shattered at Athena's feet.

''Please Nikki, come down! Auntie will give you a cookie!'' Athena pleaded as she dodged more books as they fell around her head.

What a mess, the study was littered with books from one end to the other. Aro was confused however, how his little whirlwind got up that high by himself.

''Athena! How on earth did Nicholos get up there in the first place?!'' Aro asked as he joined her side.

''Oh Aro! He wanted a cookie before his bottle and because I said no, he used his gift to get up there!'' Athena answered as she raised her hand, stopping another book from hitting her in the head.

''What, he can fly?'' Aro stopped his reaching for his son in surprise at the knowledge Nikki just manifested a gift this early.

''No! He teleports! Right up there, away from me until I give in and you know what, I am. '' Athena flitted over to the desk and grab the bag of cookies.

''Nikki, here! I got you a cookie, come down this minute! '' Athena called to the baby, giving in to his will.

Nickolos teleported in his aunt's arms and she gave him a cookie, looking relieved that he was safe. Aro walked over to her chuckling. He reached for his son and laid him against his chest as Nikki munched happily on his cookie.

''Thank you, Athena. I'm sorry for all the trouble, it seems my little one is naughty already. Though if you only thought of just giving a cookie in the first place this would have been over earlier. '' Aro said with his charming sideways grin as she smiled and shook her head. ''Oh no, I think you have spoiled him already, I just decided to pick my battles and this one's not worth the aggravation, anyway, I'll get you his bottle.'' Athenodora flitted out to the kitchen.

''Well now my son, you should not give your aunt such a hard time. She loves you; you know.'' Aro corrected, giving him his best parental stare.

Nickolos ducks his little head under his father's chin in shame for his behavior and Aro heard him say as he touched his son on the hand.

''Sorry daddy, I was just wanting a cookie. I'm not bad daddy, I'm just hungry. Please tell auntie Dora that I'm sorry. '' Nickolos cooed as his soft voice ran through Aro thoughts.

''Oh, my sweet boy, dinner must come first but we will just let it slide for now. I hear your auntie come in with your bottle now anyway. '' Aro said holding up his finger and switching it to side to side.

Athenodora stopped in front of Aro and handed him Nikki's bottle. Aro took the rest of the cookie from Nickolos's mouth and pop the nipple in place of it and he drank happily against his chest.

''Thank you, Dora, you are a great comfort to me. The baby loves you too, he is sorry. ''Aro added as Nickolos's fingers entwined in his black locks.

Athendora brightened to Aro's candid statement and patted Nickolos on the head. She then excuses herself to find Caius.

Marcus flitted suddenly in the study to his side to relay news.

''I came to tell you that Bella is doing fine. She's beginning to show signs of changing and it will be soon time to awaken, maybe even as early as tonight. '' Marcus explains.

''Thank you, Marcus. I'm on my way there now. I want to take little Nickolos to see his mother. I know she can hear us so maybe hearing his cooing and feeling his little touches might give her some more strength. ''

''Yes, anything will be of help to her. She is strong and her love for you both will bring her through. '' Marcus assured him.

''Thank you, brother. I don't know what I'd do without you. '' Aro padded Marcus on the arm with all his brotherly love and then headed to the bedroom.

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Aro made his way to the bedroom that he occupied for over 5 months, he thought about all the bittersweet emotions. It almost seemed like a dream, his time as he acted being Bella, as if they were on some twisted real-life drama. As he was in her body, he almost felt like he was becoming her, and she was becoming him somehow. He grew accustomed to her body and just accepted it has his fate. As the months wore on, he started losing hope that the spell would ever wear off. He even concluded that he would spend the rest of his existence in her body if need be, just if Bella were by his side, no matter in what form. Aro then realized his love for her was deeper than skin or shallow appearances. He loved her soul and he was sure that she loved his.

See, it didn't matter where your spirit is housed, he suddenly thought, the soul will always recognize and love the other. Love is not blind as they say, it sees clearly beyond the physical realm and is eternal as the vast universe and as deep is the sea.

Now that their souls were back in the rightful bodies, he felt lost without her. He missed his other half. Her spirit brought his dead heart to life, his mind's sanity and he longed for her love that lit up his day; to shine on him and bring him happiness once again.

Coming to the door he slowly opened it and slipped inside. Aro could hear the reassuring slow heartbeat, threading blood and venom in her veins. He stood there for a moment taking in her appearance, assessing her changes. Her skin was less deathly pale and more like porcelain. Her beauty was magnified tenfold as the venom worked its physical change. Her lips were red as the rose, plump and soft. He longed to kiss her and agonized as her time away from him was slowly torturing him into madness. Her body was now mended and her curves feminine.

He moved to her side and set up on the chair by the bed. He took her cold hand in his and brought it to his lips and kissed it fervently. Aro had previously changed her clothes after Carlisle cleaned her up. He put her in the red sundress and even brushed her hair to make her look nice before she wakes.

Aro reached down and glided his hand gently up her leg to her knee tenderly. Nickolos straightened up in his arms and laid his little head on his daddy shoulder looking at his mom sadly. Aro let Nickolos reach out with his chubby little cute hands and touch his mother. His fingers smooth along her cheeks and lips as if he were memorizing his mother's features as he traced them. Nickolos cooed softly to her and his leafy green eyes filled with tears as he felt his need for his mommy's love and attention.

Aro nuzzled his son and kissed his cheek when he saw Nickolos sorrow. Aro place Nickolos to lay by her side as he stroked both their faces with his gentle touch.

I love you mommy. Please wake up and hold me. I need you. Aro heard his son say as Nickolos looked up at her face. ''Very soon, mio piccolo suono.'' Aro comfort him. Translation my little son.

Aro gaze into Bella's face for any movement and found that there was none to be seen.

''Mia amore, I need you. Be strong for us. Do you hear Nickolos? He's calling for you. He wants you to wake up and hold him. '' I replace more loving kisses on her hand, wishing with all his heart she could feel him and know that he was near. Translation my love.

He looked at her anxiously and gazed down at his son as he sucked his bottle looking at his mother touching her with his hand now and then.

After seeing this touching scene, Aro suddenly became desperate and venom welled up in his eyes because he has never witnessed a change so still, so calm. He put her hand to his lips again and as he spoke to her.
''Please don't leave me here all alone, make it back to me, my love! 'Aro pleaded as Nickolos reach for his daddy an Aro picked him up to cuddle him. Nickolos became tired and nuzzled down into his arms, yawning.

''That's it, sleep now my little one; for tomorrow, mommy will wake, and you will be so happy as she holds you and never let you go. I promise. ''

Aro gently rocked his son to sleep never once taking his eyes off Bell his face.

Deep in the subconscious of Bella Swan…

''Soon Bella, we will have forever together. I'm waiting right here for you. I will never leave you alone. ''

I heard Aro whispered in my ear the pain was ever present and continued to ebb and flow through every cell of my being.

My world was one of darkness and pain.

Waiting for the sensation to cease; waiting for the sun to rise and chase away the shadows of my pain.

For the time I would be with them and my forever to begin. It was unbearable the heat and I was burning intensely.

I was on fire, from my heart as it spread to the very inside and out of my whole being.

Agony like I never felt flooded me.

The flames burned out of control within, but I was determined that it will not sear the inner workings of my heart, my humanity.

Consciousness and self-awareness came back in flashes and I remember my love in my baby.

Still I waited in the darkness, in the pain. I was determined not to give in and make a sound.

I became aware of sounds and smells and I knew my love was near, along with my child, so close.

I could smell his sweet baby scent near me, and I wanted to cry out for him.

I longed to open my eyes to the noises and gentle light that tried to penetrate my closed eyelids.

They tease me into opening them, but I could not.

I relish in the comforting sensations that were given to me with such love that I wish I could return.

A touch of cool hand soothing the pain of my heart as I miss them terribly.

The sweet voices distracted me from the pain pleading me to be strong.

The gentle cooing that made my heart ache to hold him and soothe his cries away.

Still I waited for the flames to die and give me relief.

Was it hours or days? I seem to be locked in a void of no time awareness, just pain is all I know. Time could have passed and only to me and I would never have known it. The flames filled my eyes, they were all I could see. Roaring of the fire filled my ears, they were all I could hear. At times, the precious noises of my world I once knew would breakthrough and try to rescue me from my torment.

I could only hear two heartbeats close by.

One was as fast as light as a hummingbird and the other was slower and tried with all its might to pass the blood through my body as it labored on?

My fought to hear my baby and my love Aro once again.

The ability to hear them came back in flashes like a long-lost memory as I hung on.

When the flash came back again my head cleared in arrow and Nickolos came into focus in my mind as I heard voices, felt their touches.

Aro, Aro, my love! I will come back to you! I hear you! I love you too!

Nickolos my sweet baby, I will hold you forever.

I will make it back to all, I swear it!