DISCLAIMER: all characters are owned by SM

a/n: wow... I feel like it's been forever since I posted something! Sorry about that... please see chapter below as a peace offering hehehe ^_^

Previously: As if sensing what he was about to do, Bella stopped pushing and the sudden shift threw him off balance. Bella grabbed his one arm with both her hands and twisted it towards his back. Planting one foot in the small of his back, she used that as a leverage and in one final show of strength, pulled the arm away from his body with one metallic screech. The vampire screamed.

"Enough" Cauis barked. Her sixty seconds was up and I realized that I had stopped breathing towards the end.

Bella let the arm drop to the floor and leaped away towards the vampire. The room went silent except for the thoughts on their head but everyone else could only hear the lone vampire in the center , screeching in agony with both the pain and the humiliation of being bested by a human.

"Stand up!" Cauis told him in a cold voice showing no hint of emotion. The vampire obeyed and struggled to stand up. His eyes were frantically darting towards the three that was sitting in front of him, afraid of what they were about to do to him for disobeying and for losing.

"That was quite… entertaining" Aro finally said with the same coldness as his brother.

"Master… I – "

"Hush!" Aro held out one finger. "You are hurt. Let Demetri and Felix tend to your wound" Aro's words were chillingly soothing and with his command, Demetri and Felix were instantly at his side.

"Shall we take you to your chamber?" Felix asked him while grabbing the amputated arm.

"I… yes…" He let them drag him outside and his thoughts were resigned and wary. He knew he had disappointed them and he didn't know how he was going to make up for it.

I glared at Aro who's expression did not betray anything. I knew how Felix and Demetri was going to 'take care of him'. Even if he was glad that the fight turned to Bella's favor, he still did not like the idea that a member of his guard was defeated like that. The Volturi doesn't have room for weakness.

"Isabella…" Bella was looking at Aro wearily. She was finally able to breath easily now that it was over and I went over to her side and wrapped her in my arms.

"Are you okay?" I whispered in her hair.

She inhaled deeply in my chest. "I am now"

"That was, to say the least, the most fun that we ever had in this chamber since the last hundred years! Do you all agree?" Aro asked the crowd and they whispered murmurs of agreement at Aro's statement. Only I could hear the uneasiness building up in their minds.

"You have given me much to ponder my dear especially what you mentioned earlier." He smiled at her but Bella only frowned.

"Please do understand that my intention was just distraction. I did not mean what I said and I hope I did not offend anyone by my words." Bella spoke carefully. I knew she didn't want to trigger any hostility from the others in the room who were already looking at her dangerously. Bella made sure that Aro understood that she never meant any of those things that she said and I sighed in relief.

"On the contrary my dear… I was actually quite delighted at your proposition. It was quite promising…"

Aro started and his mind wandered to the idea of not only Alice and me within the Volturi ranks, but Bella as well. It was sickening to watch and I tried to erase the image of the black cloaks that were clad in our bodies.

"I am in awe of you. You're as strong as your mind is as quick… could you blame me for wanting that? Just imagine all the things that you could do and what you could learn when you are one of us! Oh, I hope you would reconsider your position!" If Aro was trying to sell himself or the Volturi, Bella was not impressed. So am I.

"I'm really sorry to disappoint but I don't want to join you." Bella said with finality.

"Edward? Alice? The offer extends to you two, you know?" He smiled.

"No" I kept my voice as calm as I could.

"No thanks."

"Ahhhh… a vampire can dream" He laughed at his own joke. No one else thought it was funny.

"Very well then. As promised… you are free to go." I could hear Bella's intake of breath and her body was finally able to relax beside me.

"On one condition" I froze. I heard what he wanted. I was a fool to think he would just let her go that easily. It was the one conversation that I haven't come to terms with. It was the only argument that Bella and I ever had before I… left. It was something I could never take away from her, her humanity.

"No" I spoke too loud and Aro raised his eyebrow at me. Bella was staring at me in confusion.

"My dear Edward, I'm afraid this is non-negotiable." He smiled evilly before continuing. "You know the rules. No humans must know of our existence. You would either have to make them one of us or…" be their next meal… Aro had the decency to not say it in front of Bella.

"This situation with your Isabella is very crucial because not only is she human… but she has the strength and the skillset to kill a vampire. Imagine how our kind would react to that!"

So, this was it. If Bella remains human, the Volturi would find a way to spread rumor of a vampire-killing human. The others would be threatened and would find it in themselves to eliminate the threat before the threat eliminates them. Bella would not be safe. But if she would decide to be one of us, Bella would be spared and Aro would have the chance to see just how Bella would turn out.

My fists, clenched and unclenched in frustration. Bella was doomed either way and I was the reason for it. If only I didn't come here, Bella wouldn't have followed and the Volturi wouldn't have known about her. Her memories could have returned and she could've gone back home. She would be away from me but she would be safe and she would stay human. No one would ever have to know.

"What if it has already been decided?" Alice finally spoke and my eyes travelled from Bella's to her. I heard her train of thought and I could feel my eyes bulged. I can't believe I didn't hear this earlier!

Let me take care of this Edward. Alice thoughts were focused.

Aro looked at Alice curiously know, waiting for her to continue. She stepped forward.

"If we can give you assurance that Bella will not be a threat to us and will soon join our family, then will you let us go?" I heard Alice's plan, she wanted Aro to voice out his affirmation where there are witnesses.

"Then you have my word but if I remember, Edward here has issues with Bella's mortality" He motioned to me.

"It's not his decision to make" Bella voiced out.

"Bella, I can't let you do this" My voice was pained. This is not the life the I would choose for her. God! How I wish I was just an ordinary human! Things wouldn't have to be this complicated. I can't let her be like this just so I can spend the rest of my life with her. It's selfish!

Bella turned around and she was directly standing in front of me and her eyes were dead set on mine.

"Edward…"

"Bella, you're really going to do this now?" Alice gently enquired, a little bit uncomfortable. Bella's eyebrows furrowed as if deciding.

"Yes, let them hear what I have to say so they can see I'm not just a pathetic human infatuated by a sparkly vampire." There were some chortles and some snort and some even snickered but my eyes were fixed on her.

"When you…left… I thought it was just something temporary, that you would be back. I thought you were trying to give me space until it would be safer for you to come back. I spent my days training hard so I could be strong and I would be more prepared if another accident happens or maybe even avoid one from happening altogether." I cringed trying to erase the memory of that incident that started this whole mess that I have made but Bella continued.

"All the while, there was this whole in my chest that kept on growing. I kept filling it up with false hope that you were just nearby and that you would eventually return but you never did and I realized too late that the whole in my chest was already too big. I was already broken and I was angry! How could you leave me when you told me that you loved me! That you claimed to be my mate!"

Bella's hands were balled into fist and she was fighting back tears. I wanted to say something but the look she gave me told me that she wasn't done.

"And then it was just too much… I realized that I couldn't do it any longer. I couldn't stay mad and I couldn't just sit around waiting for nothing because Goddamit Edward Cullen! You have changed me irrevocably and I was not going to let you walk away from me like that"

"I wanted to find you so I could talk to you just like what I'm doing now. I wanted to tell you everything that I went through and see if it was the same for you and if so, stop making things so complicated already! I want to ask you Edward! Not as a human from another world to a vampire. Just Bella Swan to Edward Cullen. I love you and I want to know if you love me too?!" The last words almost turned into a whisper and my mouth hanged open.

All the while, I let myself believe that she was okay and she would be able to move on. I realize now the mistake that I have made. We were both miserable when we were apart but the moment I saw her, I felt complete again.

There was always no doubt as to how I much I love you…. And that would never ever change.

Bella smiled my favorite smile and I realized that I had said it aloud.

"I'm glad because I'm choosing you. I understand that you wanted my life to be normal but I'm not normal. Even if I have my memories or I return to whatever world I came from, I doubt my life would be normal. That's why I'm choosing this. I might as well spend my not so normal life with you than anything else" Bella finally said and she breathed a sigh of relief. It was like a heavy burden was just lifted off from her.

Some of the mated vampires in the room swooned at the declaration and the others were disgusted at the drama unfolding in front of them but I couldn't care less.

I, on the other hand aside from the overwhelming love that I feel for her, still felt uneasy but seeing as were Alice's vision was going, I chose not to say anything… for now.

See how much she loves you Edward? You can't stop her from wanting to be with you. Alice thought and then a vision of Bella finally solidified.

"It's been decided." Alice directed her words to Aro as if the previous drama never happened. She stepped forward and raised her right hand in offering. There was only a split-second hesitation before Aro appeared directly in front of Alice and held her hand.

Aro was seeing a vision of the future. I was running in the woods with Bella beside me. She was laughing and we were both happy. The thing that made the scene stood out was Bella's honey-colored eyes that were the same as mine and when a ray of light hit a break from the trees, it reflected into both of our skin like diamonds.

He let go of Alice's hand and was now looking at Bella the same way that he would look at me and Alice, like some kind of toy that he wanted to possess but could never be his.

"So it is. If that would be the case then the three of you are free to go with the promise that the next time we meet again, Isabella will be one of us." Aro floated back to his sit.

"We're going to let them go just like that?" Cauis was incredulous.

"Yes, because they will make do of their promise. They know we don't give second chances." Aro stated.

"Thank you" I managed to say. I stepped aside to let Bella walk ahead. Now that we were able to buy some time with Bella's mortality, I wanted to get her out of here as soon as possible in case they would suddenly change their mind.

"Send my regards to Carlisle, my boy. It's been too long since we've had our healthy arguments. I do enjoy those times" I nodded, not wanting to drag this even more. He was starting to be annoying.

"Oh, and Isabella dear…" Bella turned to look at him warily. "Try not to make a career out of vampire slaying, would you? It would be such a waste if you've gone through all this trouble just to end up in the wrong side of the food chain" His attempt at subtlety with his joke did not mask the warning that he imposed on her.

Ugh, is this guy serious? Alice was already irritated. Her vision of being with Jasper just became clearer and Alice was just as ready to leave as I was.

Bella was frowning. "I am in love with a vampire and given that I would eventually be one of you, that should be assurance enough that I wouldn't try to do that. Of course, I have the right to defend myself if some rogue vampire would try and suck the life out of me." Aro laughed at Bella's choice of words.

"Of course, of course. Now, off you go! It's almost time for our meal and we wouldn't want any accidents to happen but please, I must demand that you stay at the front desk while the sun is still out. You may leave the castle as soon as the darkness allows you to" Aro waived us off and we didn't even think twice because just then, the thoughts of several unsuspecting humans could now be heard at the hallway. I grabbed Bella's hand and together with Alice, we quickly left the chamber.