Chapter 21: The Awakening,

As the next morning dawned, the sunlight creeped across the floor and fell upon the sleeping babe in Aro's arms causing him to stir from his blissful dreams. Nickolos yawned and stretched as he lifted his head to look at his father. Aro set by Bella side all night, faithfully never leaving your side. He observed that her change was almost complete, her hair had changed into a beautiful full, slightly curly mahogany with a slight touch of highlights, golds, and reds. Her body perfectly healed, curvy, refined, and sexy. Her beauty mesmerized him, she was a beautiful human before and now as a vampire, her beauty was second to none. He wondered how her newborn year would be like. When she was in his body, she had great control and he trusted her with his life. She was also good even when she hungered, he had no fear of her. He was as anxious as a kid on Christmas morning to see her, he could hardly contain himself. Aro look down as Nickolos cried suddenly, needing to have his morning bottle. Alice and Esme came in and offered to take him.

''There, there Nikki, I will get you your bottle.'' Esme soothed.

Nickolos held his arms out for Esme as she leaned down and lifted the baby in her arms. Alice stood by Aro's side and took her friends hand as she spoke.

''She's going to awake soon; I see her in my visions again. She will be magnificent, a loving mate and mother. I see happiness, I never thought possible for the Volturi coven. It seems that Bella has changed everything as her fate has altered the day you two met. This is where she belongs now Aro, with you. '' Alice finished and turned to Aro, smiling as he looked up at her, searching her face.

''Do you see Nickolos? Will he be alright? '' Aro ask concerningly.

''I see Nickolos, all grown up and happy. Only time will tell but I see a great change coming and it will bring so much needed balance to all the chaos. ''Alice explained.

Aro nodded and reflected. He knew this was already beginning. He himself could feel the effects of having his true mate by his side. He was more focused, less power hungry, free, and clear minded. All he wished for now was his family. A time to settle down and live his life and not just exist, wasting away wishing for something to bring him out of his mundane world. He will still be the King as he always was meant to be but not so power craze that made him appear cruel. It seems that when he was in Bella's body, her humanity rubbed off on him as well. Aro, even now had changes brewing in his heart for the future.

All for her love.

All for life.

All for forever with them, his family.

Aro suddenly stopped his musings as he picked up on the unmistakable slowing of Bella's heart rate and everyone froze.

''Alice, Esme, take the baby out. Bella's waking up! '' Aro ordered and they flitted out obediently.

Bella's mind…

Time was of no consequence. I float in silence. In a black sea void of no substance.

My pain of flames begins to die down and give me peace as I felt numb to all sensations.

I wait no longer; my time has come.

Light bless rays of my new dawn, shine on my face once again as I start to open my eyes.

My forever was beginning, is vastness spread out before me as I took my first steps in my newborn life.

My eternity, my love, and my son!

Back in the bedroom…

''Marcus, Caius, Carlisle!" Aro called and they immediately responded and were at his side in a moment.

Aro listened with joy as the heartbeat slowed for the last time. He walked over to her side and took her hand.

Thump, thump, thump, thump silence.

Her eyes fluttered open and she sat up, gazing around. Aro rubbed her hand gently as she looked up with her bright red orbs into his. As she focused, she moved to her knees to rise and touched his smiling face. Aro slowly helped her off the bed to stand but she moved faster than anticipated, jumping from her bed to the floor with great accuracy. She landed perfectly in front of him as he held her hands in his. She watched with fascination, the facial expressions of Aro was that of joy and amazement.

''Bella my love, I'm here, I will help you. I know it must be disorienting, can you remember anything? '' Aro said gently coaxing her to come with him to the mirror.

Bella knew him, there he was, her love. She remembered her last moments before the switch and the birth of her baby. The memories of panic and pain became fleeting as the joy flooded her, seeing him in his very own body again and here together at last, she pulled him to her and wrapped her arms around him. He gave a little groan as she hugged too tightly.

''Oh my love, you are quite strong now, I'm afraid you have to be careful with me.'' Aro laughed out loud as she released his waist and placed her hands on his chest, smiling up at him.

Aro steered her in front of the mirror, and she was shocked at the very sight of her own image. Bella saw a goddess, before her. Yet her eyes seemed wild like a predator. Red and strangely catlike in shape and ferocity. She gazed that her curvy, sexy body and turned side to side, Getting a full view of her perfect backside.

She looked over Aro beside her and his eyes darkened with desire, going black with lust as he followed her body's curves with his eyes. He smirked and pulled her close and she drank in his wonderful scent of chocolate and roses. She moaned in pleasure as she nuzzles into his neck, purring loudly. Aro joined her in purring then and kissed her passionately.

Completely getting lost in each other they finally broke the kiss after hearing three men clear their throats come bringing them back to reality. Bella looked over at them and ducked her head under Aro's chin shyly as she discovered she was being watched.

''It's unheard of!'' Caius gasped as Bella remained calm. She tilted her head confused to why they were making such a fuss.

''I see what you mean! '' Carlisle said equally as mystified.

''What do they mean, Aro? '' Bella looked confused up in him with a furrowed brow.

''In a newborn state, only minutes old, you are calm and not running off to find blood. It's very uncharacteristic of someone in a newborn existence to be like this.'' Aro Explained.

She smiled and startled as she remembered her son. ''Nickolos, I want to see him!''

Aro turned her to face him. ''Not yet my love, let us go for a hunt, I'm sure you have need.''

''Go ahead Bella, we will have your baby waiting for you when you return. '' Caius reassured.

Bella suddenly became aware of the burning sensation in her throat and she clutched at it painfully. ''Yes, Aro come, I want to find my own meal. We can do it together. Show me where, my love. ''

''Whatever you wish my sweet. '' Aro agreed heading out with her.

They dash along the corridor, leading out to the city. She was happy to be free and finally out to stretch her new legs. She came to a stop at the square and snapped her head around to every noise, scent, and movement.

The clamor of someone throwing out the trash. The smell of human scent as they walked by the streets. The colors of light and darkness as it danced on every surface.

They stayed to the shadows and they slipped out silently out of the city under its protective cover. As they reached the wilderness of the Tuscany planes, they made their break for it and flitted off hand in hand.

With her new site, she notices everything and though she had been for a time in Aro's body, she never once set foot outdoors. Oh, how her world opened and revealed its beauty now. Colors so Bright and rich delighted her as she never actually seen them before. She noticed the tiniest of insect as it walked on its leaf, munching happily on its breakfast. The birds and other animals suddenly took off as they avoided their fast approach. Taking off in flight or scattering for cover. Aro smiled at her curiousness to her surroundings and sped off in front of her, reaching back for her hand. She grasped it and leapt with him over the stream and landed with ease as they ran to the entrance of their destination.

As they entered the town, Aro turned her to him. He began to teach her how to hunt because she never had to do so before.

''Feel the heartbeat vibrations as they radiate from their chest, hear the flow of blood as it pounds in your ears,'' he instructed her.

She nodded her acknowledgement as she felt the pulsation, though she had experienced feeding, hunting was different altogether.

''Smell them; sense where they are then we will make our move to attack. '' He instructed to her with his soft yet manly voice.

She enjoyed his dominance and with her back in the right body she was feeling turned on as well. Suddenly Bella's head snapped up and her eyes dilated. A growl escaped her throat as she felt the vibration and smelled them close by.

Bella leapt up to the roof of the first building when they came out of the trees. Aro landed soundlessly by her side and took the lead, guiding her by the hand. Aro looked before he leapt from the rooftop to rooftop, looking for any signs of criminal activity. Bella followed close behind until he came upon the town's pub and halted his progress as he spotted their target. Aro and Bella peered down at three gang members coming up on them just as they were arming themselves to rob the pub. They listened as their leader instructed his two fellow members how they were going to pull off the heist.

Aro watched her, he saw her learn quickly as she crawled forth and crouched down by his side looking over the edge. The men were absolutely oblivious to their presence. Her legs and body coiled, like a cat ready to spring as she went rigid in anticipation for the attack. Bella's mouth breathes in and out repeatedly. The scent of their prey, like the most delicious food you ever tasted, entered her nostrils and they flare to get every last whiff of it. Her intensifying thirst caused venom to pool in her mouth.

Aro crouched next to her and readied himself to spring. He looked all around, making sure the coast was clear. Just as the last person on the adjacent street hurried off, Aro singled Bella to pounce.

Bella leapt with precision landing in the front of the leader. She grabbed his throat and had the other gang member by the wrist, squeezing it till his gun fell to the ground with a thud, useless. The leader raises arm to try to get a shot off aiming at Aro. Bella felt a power gather and expand out like a rubber band. As a gun fired, the bullet fell to the ground, deflected by an unknown force. Bella kicked the gun out of the gang member's hand and subdued him. Aro was shocked as he observed her gift at work when it shielded him, then turned his attention to his prey. Aro struck his victim in neck, sinking his teeth in, taking his fill.

Bella bit into the one to her left and held firm to the leader's throat, preventing him from crying out. After sucking her first victim dry, she let the body fall and in a heap to the ground. Bella turned her attention to the leader and her eyes narrowed as they dilated wide at the sight of him. He struggled in vain against her strength, gagging, with his hands trying desperately to pry her iron fingers from his neck.

''Low life scum, murderer! '' She snarled out bringing him close as his eyes widen in fear.

She struck then and bit a few times in fury, almost taking his head off in the process. Blood splatter all around as she finished, she looked around at Aro as she raised her head up. He stared at her and watched her lick the blood from her hand, purring and contentment, trying to get every last drop. After he got over his amazement, he picked up the two men. ''We must dispose of the bodies, get that one and come to with me. '' Aro instructed.

Bella obeyed and followed him close behind as he ran for miles until they were deep in the wilderness. Then he ripped their victims apart and scattered them round.

''There, the animals will finish them off. '' Arrow stopped and stared at her intensely.

He rushed to her and took her in his arms.

''I want you Bella, right now.'' He murmured before his lips met hers with burning hunger of a different kind as the urgency to have her overcame everything else.

Their lips locked as one with tongues entwine in sweet bliss. Aro yanked his jacket off, throwing it away impatiently. Bella gasp in surprise as he tore away her bloody dress and pushed her to the nearest tree. She watched as he stepped back and stripped out of his suit and kicked off his shoes. He dropped it all at his feet as he closed the distance between them. She gasped as he grabbed her breasts and worked his way down to her sweet curvy hips.

''I'm back in control, my beautiful Isabella. I'm going to show you what it means to be my mate! '' He said as he nibbled on her ear, sending shivers up your spine.

He never once took his eyes off hers as he lifted her by the waist on to him until she was fully penetrated on this throbbing hard member. She sighed in pleasure as she wrapped her long slender legs around him as he thrusted up into her without restraint. Bella cried out as his vampiric rhythm brought her over the edge, fast. Bella gasped as she felt sexual pleasure for the first time as a woman and clutched his shoulders as she leaned back in ecstasy. Her body trembled as her pleasure mounted and felt her orgasm over and over like waves of an ocean, crashing against her senses. She dug into his back with her nails, dragging them down as her lips trembled and moaned out to him.

''Oh my God, Aro yes!'' Bella cried out breathlessly.

Aro grabbed her hips Hard and lifted her off the tree into the air, he held her high as they made love passionately.

''You're mine! My sexy mate! '' Aro cried out to her.

She threw her head back and screamed as he moved impossibly faster. His passion for her burned out of control and he growled out as he felt his climax bring him over the edge. He roared as he felt her shutter her last orgasm and followed suit.

''Bella! Gods!'' Aro cried out.

After he shouted out her name, Bella buried her face into his neck. Aro felt the sweet relief of his release, he reared back and bit into her, marking her for his own. He pulled back after injecting his venom into his mark containing his scent.

''Bella, bite me, my love! Mark me as yours.'' Aro commanded, guiding her head down to his neck.

Bella reared back in sunk her teeth in, completely turned on by his dominance. He hissed as he felt her stinging venom in him and buried his hand in her hair, caressing her, egging her on.

''Ah, that's it, mia amore!'' Aro sighed out, his breath shuddering to the pleasure she gave him.

She lifted her head and looked at her mark as it sealed fast. Aro brought her down to the ground with him and laid her beside him on the grass. He looked lovingly in her face and kissed her deeply. They lay next to each other for hours just loving each other, savoring the time together. The sun was setting in the west shadows crawled across their naked bodies as the darkness fell. As they kissed after they rested from love making again, Aro pulled back and chuckled as he lifted his hand to stroke her blood-stained cheeks.

''Come, let's get you cleaned up, we'll take a dip in the lake. '' Aro said taking her by the hand.

Aro helped her up and led her through the trees to their destination. Bella heard the water lapping the bank of the lake's edge. An occasional jumping fish, catching the bug splashing about the lake causing ripples on the otherwise calm surface. A frog singing its mournful song, looking for its mate as it hopped to each Lily pad. Fireflies, the only light in paradise, zip here and there in flight. Aro pick Bella up as they entered the lake and walked out until he sank down into his mid back. She positions herself in front of him and put her legs around his waist as he held her close. He cupped the water and dripped it over her soiled skin as he tenderly washed the blood away. He looked into her red eyes with emotion as she laid her hand over his, rubbing softly. She placed a kiss on his lips then down his neck. He felt her suck his skin with teasing nibbles traveling down to his chiseled pecks. He tilted his head back as he enjoyed her attentions running her his fingers through her hair. She sighed and leaned back to look at his face. ''How is Nickolos, Aro? ''

''He is anxious to see you my love, let's hurry so we can be with him before he sleeps for the night." Aro suggested as he kissed her fingertips tenderly.

''I love that you can read his thoughts, you and I will always know what he wants and needs.'' Bella added as she dipped her body in to fully rinse off.

When she finished Aro lifted her in his arms and carried her out. She clung to him with her arms around his neck. He made his way to where they were before. He gazed, looking into her eyes as she laid her head the entire way. He came to a stop and placed her on her feet to gather up the clothes. Aro picked up his discarded suit jacket and wrapped it around Bella, buttoned it closed as he kissed her slowly. When he finished, he went up to slip into the rest of his clothes and took her by the hand. As they flitted off into the night, back to the Castle, Bella surged ahead.

''Catch me if you can, my love! '' Bella said teasingly taking off, laughing.

''Oh, I will, and you'll be sorry! '' Aro smirked as he ran after her.

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