Chapter 22: Time for change and farewell.
Aro and Bella flitted back to their room and Bella went to change into her clothes. She slipped onto the dress Aro picked out for her in silence as she gazed into the mirror. It was strangely surreal to look into another face. She wore Aro's for months before and she was getting used to that. Thoughts came back in a rush as she stared into her eyes.
First, the memory is of her human life, growing up as an awkward girl to the young woman flashed before her mind as she recalled her human face. She thought about Charlie and teared up with sorrow knowing that she would never see him again and her mother. Letting go was the hardest thing to do. He was a good father, he loved her and tried hard to give her everything. Mom was a good mother and she would miss her friendship. Her heart ached sorely for what she must do but as she came close to closure about her old life, being friends with the Cullen's still gave her comfort in so many ways. They were her lifeline to the past, and she held on tightly to them in consolation. Memories are precious and she would never let any of it go.
She remembered next, the time she gazes into the face of Aro as she looked into the mirror. The days she spent being him and falling in love together cause a smile to form on her lips.
Finally, a new face, the beautiful immortal face of Bella Volturi. She never imagined that her life would end up this way. She smiled at her new self and headed out to join her love and her life forever.
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Aro waited for her when she emerged from the bathroom and her warm thoughts. He stood by the door with his hands behind his back. Bella approached him slowly as he greeted her with his handsome smile and perfect teeth.
He tilted his head to the side as he reached out for her. He pulled her to him, cupping her face and kissing her deeply. When they broke the kiss, he took a box from behind his back and extended it out for her to take.
''Oh Aro, what is this? '' Bella asked in wonder as she took the box from his hand.
He chuckled. ''Just open and see my love. ''
Bella cracked open the jewelry case and gasped as she saw the necklace, that he gave her. It was the Volturi pendant gold with diamonds and it glittered magically in the light as it turned around. Aro moved forward and helped her put it on. He brushed her hair aside and close the clasp as it settled on its rightful place around her beautiful neck. Aro returned her to face him and touched her face much like when they first met. He ghosted his fingers along her jaw, looking lovingly into her face.
''This is your home. Your family, and you are my Queen. I love you, my Bella. ''Aro purred with his magical voice that could melt any woman's heart.
Bella reached into his hair behind his head and brought him down for another kiss and pulled away reluctantly because she was anxious to meet her son.
''I'm the happiest woman who has ever existed that you are my love and King." Bella said as she cupped his face tenderly.
''Oh, my love, you are my everything how did I get so lucky? '' Aro said as he pulled her in for another kiss.
Bella broke the kiss and pulled him along out the door. ''Fate's a funny thing, she seems to bring us together in the strangest ways. ''Aro nodded smiling. ''Come Aro, we better go see the baby before you tempt me into another lovemaking session.''
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Aro laughed and picked her up bridal style as they walked down to the study to see Nickolos. When they came upon the study at last, sweet cooling could be heard from Nickolos as he was being entertained by his family. They opened the door an Athenodora, Caius, Marcus, Jane, Heidi, Alice, Jasper, Carlisle, and Esme were waiting for them. Athena stood up from the couch cautiously with Nickolos, holding him to her chest.
Bella moves slowly with Aro as he holds her by the waist to reassure them all that she was in control. Athena moved around the couch coming closer but getting nervous, so Caius got up and moved to his wife side. As he put his arm around Athena's waist, he motioned Bella forward.
Athena moaned and worry as Bella approached her and looked to her husband.
Caius patted her arm gently speaking to her. ''It's alright Athena. See, Bella has absolute control."
Athena hesitated too long and suddenly Nickolos disappeared out of his aunt's arms and reappeared in his mother's waiting arms as she held out her hands to receive her baby. Gasping was heard around the room as he cooed happily in her arms and clasped his cute little chubby hands.
''Whoa, my boy! ''Bella gasped trying to get a good grip on him. Aro reached out and touched his son's rosy cheeks. ''He seems to grow impatient with you, Dora, so he decided teleport in his mother's arms. '' Aro explained excitedly.
''What an interesting gift!'' Bella exclaimed as she pulled him closer and kissed him on his pink cheeks.
She laughed as he giggled and played with her hair. ''He's perfect, look how he has grown! '' She looked at Carlisle who was holding Esme, smiling proudly at her.
''He grows amazingly fast like he did in the wound. ''Carlisle answered.
Nickolos wrapped his chubby little fingers around her one and her heart burst with joy as she felt love radiate from his little heart to hers.
''He is so happy you're OK. He loves you very much, my love.'' Aro said relaying the precious thoughts and feelings to her. ''Me too my little man and I love you.'' Bella said in contentment as she nuzzled into her baby, taking in his sweet baby smell that she remembered as she lay while she was changing, it gave her so much comfort.
Nickolos snuggled in into her arms as he let out a big yawn.
''Oh, I think it's time for bed. My little baby.''
Nicholas cooed softly in response.
''Oh, this is perfect time for unveiling the baby's room. Caius, what do you think?'' Athena called out excitedly.
''Come on you two, you can put him in this crib to rest. '' He said, leading the way out.
Caius and Athena lead the way to the Royal wing, arm in arm. They stopped at the door with a warning sign posted on the outer side. Caius moved forward and ripped the sign off. He opened the door with a dramatic flair, waving around.
''Welcome to baby land! ''Caius announced proudly stepping aside to let everybody in as he held his happy wife.
Everyone gasped at the beauty of the Royal baby suite.
The walls were painted ivory with Royal baby flags painted along the top of the wall as a border. The ceiling was domed with quadrilateral shapes aligning in a row. They were painted baby blue; the shapes went all the way around to a circular blue center at the top of the dome.
In the center, a large chandelier lit up the room just over the mahogany four poster baby crib with a canopy. The baby crib was situated in front of the triple Bay windows with window seats. the cushion of the window seats was ivory. The window seats had baby blue pillows with lace trim that were lined against the wall. Along the left wall was a wall unit painted ivory as well. It contained pictures of arrow and Bella together and a frame with Nickolos just minutes old in his crib.
Many children's books lined the shelves and baby knickknacks of puppies, bears, strollers, and blocks with ABC's on them. Music box played lullabies. A baby monitor on the center shelf, aimed right at the crib for his parents. Stuffed animals sitting along in a row on the shelf. In the corner was an old-fashioned rocking horse with a Blue Bow around its neck, ready for play. Ivory and blue curtains on the windows.
The baby crib sheet and dust ruffle were ivory satin with sweet blue bows on the crib rails. Along the right wall, a mahogany dresser complete with changing table, Ready for use.
Right next to it, storage bins with diapers and wipes fully stocked. To cushion rocking chairs on each side of the crib for the parents to rock the baby to sleep period a medicine cabinet with baby care products inside on the wall. Finally, a block in a bear area rug matching the blue and ivory perfectly.
''Caius and Athena, you are both wonderful! ''Bella exclaimed as she walked over and giving them a warm sisterly hug.
Aro grinned at them and stepped to Athena and placed a kiss on her cheek as she smiled happily. Aro shook his brother's hand and clasping him on the back.
''Well done dear ones! It's magnifico! '' Aro praised.
Bella walk to the crib, kiss Nickolos on the forehead and laid him down. ''Night night, my dear sweet boy. ''Bella whispered.
Aro came up beside her. ''Sweet dreams my son. Oh, and no teleporting, sleep now. '' Aro kissed his forehead and left the room after turning the lights down.
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Aro led Bella to their favorite place in the garden and pulled her under a tree. He took her in his arms and after he kiss her, he pulled back reluctantly to drop down on his knees.
Bella's eyes searched his as he watched hers, filling over and over with such emotion that gave him the courage to go on.
''My lovely Isabella, since you arrived here you brought me new life and love that I've never known before. I just did not know what love was, yes true I have seen it in another mate couples and I foolishly scoffed at what I saw. I just did not believe in love or perhaps I would have waited to be mated. I was an impatient man, always and a selfish one to be sure. ''Aro confesses. Bella cocked her head and press his handsome face softly with her hand.
His eyes shone in the moonlight and a tenderness was there so clear that she almost knelt with him, but he stopped her.
''Please my love, don't I must have you standing! '' Aro explained and Bella nodded her understanding through welled up venom tears in her eyes.
''I wanted you to know how much you mean to me and that you saved me my sweet. In every way. I could not go on without you becoming my wife so please say yes, my love. ''
Bella pulled him down to her and kissed him so passionately they fell to the ground and she laid over him. She pulled him back and saw him impatiently again and smiled to his reactions.
''My love? 'Aro asked with a playful glint in his eye.
''I will and take you with all my heart.'' She nibbled on his ear teasingly, ''body and soul. ''
''Oh Bella!'' Aro pauses as she sucked her mark that she made on his neck hours ago.
''I love you endlessly.'' Bella declared, and she made love to him all through the night.
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The very next day, Aro called a meeting early. The Kings and Queens were looking at all the guards assembled before them. Aro stood and addressed the room.
''I called you all here today before you all begin your daily duties because we have collectively decided to change a few things. With much thought, last night, we came to an agreement to the changes I am going to discuss. ''
The guards looked at each other in confusion. It's been a long time since there has been any serious changes to their lives.
''Effective immediately, firstly…no innocent humans will be fed upon. We will now be hunting for criminals among the population. No more will we lure anyone with false tours to our feast. Heidi, Felix, and Demetri will be in charge of this every day to catch and be collected in the dungeons until the time of feasting on Sunday. ''
''Secondly …our human workers will be either be turned or will remain here to work for us for the rest of their lives. This option will be given, and we will provide for them. No more will they be our food so when we select our workers in the future, we will be incredibly careful in our decision who will be the best suitable for the job.''
''Thirdly…in judgment, we will be more merciful to the ones who desire to pick a mate among humans. A human and a vampire with a romantic bond will be given time to complete their bond and then when ready the human will be changed. When a human is made aware of our existence constant supervision is required, therefore the human will leave their lives and remain with vampire thereafter. In the end the human will be changed, no exceptions.''
''After much debate we have decided to make a law about the hybrids. Any vampire that creates a hybrid must raise them and be responsible for them. Abandonment is punishable by death. Hybrids on their own may reveal our kind and it will be hard for them to fit in without guidance. So, we will keep all this in mind if we choose to make one.''
Finally, ... On a personal note, I will be focusing more on the coven and family. I will be King, and rule and we'll be searching for powerful vampires to join us. However, I will not be seeking them out to a forcible end. Free choice is encouraged, and we will be vigilant to make sure our laws are kept, and our kind is safe and secure. I am determined that the Volturi will be a benevolent family coven to all the law abiders, as well as the powerful and feared one to those that break the law. I believe those changes will increase our notability and reputation as well.''
''So, with that being said, any of you have any questions or comments? '' Aro asked.
''Yes, can we bring our chosen human mates to the Castle to live until they are turned? ''Demetri asked.
''Yes, but only in the human quarters are they allowed to roam. Only when they are changed can they join you in your quarters. For their safety sake of course. ''Aro answered.
''Good. Because I had my eye on the barmaid at the nightclub for ages! "Demetri said excitedly, rubbing his hands together.
Everyone laughed together until Caius broke it up. ''OK everyone, back to your duties, everybody is dismissed!''
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When the meeting was adjourned, Aro and Bella met with Carlisle, Esme and Alice and Jasper because it was time for them to leave.
''Well my friend, we will miss you all! I will never forget your friendship and kindness. You were all wonderful to us. If there is anything that we can do for you, just name it. ''Aro praised as he clapped hands with Carlisle and hug the women.
Carlisle moved to hug Bella. ''Arrow has made arrangements for our flight and it will be leaving very soon. Before we go, I will tell you that I am taking with me a death certificate and a police report about a terrible accident that has claimed your life. ''
Bella walked into an embrace with Carlisle as he explained what has to be done. ''I know you are sad Bella, but you know your father would not be deterred unless it is official that you are really gone. I am bringing with me a body as well that cannot be identified because of the extent of the burns. Please understand we must do this. ''
''I know Carlisle. I will miss him and mom more than anything, but I have a new life and I must come to terms with that, please for my father's sake be gentle as you can. ''
''We will Bella, love you kid! ''Carlisle said as he gave her a last squeeze.
Esme came up and hugged her. ''We will always be here for you. Remember that honey. ''
Bella's eyes welled up in tears as she nodded and gave her last hug and kiss.
Alice step forward and hugged her tightly rocking her back and forth. ''I'm just a phone call away or email me. I will be back here in a second if you need me. You're my best friend, I will be back for a visit very soon, OK Bella? I will miss you.''
''I'll miss you most. ''Bella released her, and they made their way out. ''Take care, everyone, have a safe trip home. ''Bella called out. Aro put his arm around her.
''We will and Bella, Nickolos will be fine. I see a great future ahead for you all, bye! ''Alice waved as she walked out the door.