I am officially back and it feels really good, thanks for those of you who let me know you are reading, it means a lot. This story has been with me for over ten years, it's almost surreal and it's a big part of my life. I thought about going back and updating some of the technology/music references but this is only supposed to be set a few years after BD which would only be around 2012 or so-so sorry for the early chapters, and if the references to iPods make you cringe-like they do to me haha. I don't have a beta reader so any grammar/spelling mistakes I do apologize for. Also yes I changed my rating to M. This chapter was my first official lemon but I will be going back and adding some throughout the old chapters. As always please review, favorite, anything to let me know you're reading. XO

Alice POV

We hadn't seen Emmett or Rosalie in a week. Neither of them would answer their phones. Amber and I were trying to keep up, her flashes of possibilities would sometimes turn into concrete decisions that I could see. She was all over the place with her thoughts and feelings. We were all very worried about them, and I couldn't help but wonder if they were purposefully trying to avoid the upcoming conflict. Carlisle had told us that there was no way to know exactly how long it would take for Rosalie to get pregnant-if it was successful at all. Even though eggs matured inside vampires more slowly (about three weeks), he said it was possible there was already one ready to escape once the ovary was torn, or there was just one starting to develop. There was no real timeline on this and that's why we were all so on edge. When she left I think we all realized she was determined to make this work, no matter how much pain or time it took. Christmas was this weekend, and with everything else going on we hadn't made a decision on whether or not to send Renesmee and Jacob to the Volturi. At this point, it seemed almost like a death sentence letting them travel there alone. We knew Amber's power could prevent Jacob and Renesmee from speaking directly about her, but I had my doubts it would work against Aro's ability. We knew she could manipulate people to feel things physically, but Aro would be questioning if he suddenly got searing pain whilst sifting through their minds. Jasper and I were upstairs sitting on our bed, feeling the white bedspread crease under my fidgeting hands. Jasper was tracing lines on my bare back, trying to calm my anxiety.

Amber had gone with Bella, Edward and Renesmee to send off Sue, Charlie, and Seth. At times like this I was so thankful for our extended family. It was almost hard to remember a time when the Cullens were the only people I called family.

"Your emotions are all over the place love," Jasper kissed my shoulder and a curl fell into his right eye. I sighed, rolling over to my side to face him.

"I'm sorry, I'm just scared I guess. This situation feels impossible, there is no way we can win," my face fell solemnly. "On top of that, I just feel like we're sitting around doing nothing. Rosalie was right."

"How so?" Jasper's face contorted with worry.

"Think about it Jazz, with Renesmee we were all out gathering witnesses, you and I left in secret in search of proof hybrids weren't a threat to our kind. What are we doing now? Groveling, preparing to fight, relying on Amber to save us?" I started to bubble with anger. The more I spoke I realized how naïve we were being. The Volturi were the most powerful, ancient vampires in our world. We had escaped their clutches several times, but when would it be the final straw?

"What are you saying Alice?" Jasper was taken aback, I know I almost never showed vexation. "Are you thinking about what Esme said? Should we try to ask for help from our allies?" I bit my lip with uncertainty, Aro knew that going up against a large group of us was close to a death sentence-he was too vain to die. On the other hand, if he knew beforehand that Amber wasn't an immortal child would he even bring an entire entourage to check on us. I knew they would find out somehow. Either from Renesmee and Jacob or from the new member's sister. Maria would never go to them, she had crimes stacked up against her going hundreds of years back; but there was nothing stopping her new friend from exposing us.

"Last time, the Volturi were scared. Bella's gift caused them such a disadvantage. We know their new guard member can shut off abilities but we don't know how. Does she have to be touching them, close to them? If she can turn off Bella's shield from 40 feet away, we are in serious danger." It seemed every time I opened my mouth I realized there was new unprecedented risks that didn't even occur to me before.

"That's the problem with our gifts," Jasper muttered, "they're not exactly scientific. Bella's gift is a shield on her mind-and those around her if she projects it. If this woman can shut down an ability-mentally, then theoretically it won't make it past her shield to begin with. Then you have gifts like Benjamin, Amber, and I which actually affect the physical body. Can she affect mental gifts, physical gifts, or both? The list of uncertainties goes on Alice," he rubbed my shoulder, trying to meet my eyes.

"Well even Amber can stop physical gifts," I reminded him, "But how do we stop it? How do we save our family this time?" I saw his eyes, and could appreciate he was trying to be brave for me, calculated. "His excuse last time was worrying about the unknown, how can we show him Amber isn't a threat when she's the only one of her kind?"

"She's a vampire Alice, I think maybe they were trying to play off the uncertainty of Renesmee being half-human. As long as we can show him that she grows and can learn-unlike immortal children, I think it will be enough," Jasper tried to comfort me, but I knew he was guessing just as much as I was. Amber had told us she didn't see very many violent outcomes during Renesmee and Jacob's visit but so many things had changed since then.

"You really think Bella and Edward will let them go?" I wondered, thinking of all the negative possibilities.

"I think they might not have a choice," his voice drifted as adverse thoughts of his own crept in.

Rosalie POV

I felt bad leaving our family, I felt worse making Emmett join me. He constantly asked me if we could check in but I was afraid. It was easier if they didn't know where we were, I wanted complete peace. That, and they would certainly get irritated if they knew where we went. I was careful to keep my mind in constant indecision, but I knew that Amber would be able to see. Either she knew and wasn't telling on me or just was so overwhelmed looking at possibilities with the Volturi she missed it. It had been nine days since seeing my family, I couldn't believe I had left them for even longer when Alice told us she was pregnant. I cursed myself for being so jealous and overreactive. I could have been planning and trying for a baby of my own much sooner.

"Feeling alright dear?" Siobhan's Irish accent was still prominent as she spoke.

"Still feeling normal, unfortunately," I laughed, "but still in pain, so that's good." I never thought I would say those words but it meant my internal wounds hadn't healed and there was still a chance an egg would be able to break free. Carlisle had told us the timeline was up in the air and it could take as little as a day or four weeks.

Emmett had been shocked at first at my idea to go to Ireland. I reminded him of Siobhan's gift, and explained it was the best non-violent alternative to making sure this worked. She was very surprised to see us, and at first I didn't know how to ask for her help. I knew she viewed Maggie as a sort of daughter, and tried to appeal to her motherly instinct. I told her everything-about Alice, Amber, what Carlisle had told me, the Volturi, no detail was spared. Maggie eagerly listened as well, and was always supportive in confirming I was telling the truth about all of it. At first Siobhan was hesitant, out of fear her gift would not be strong enough to help me. She told me she couldn't change nature or something already in motion. She explain it as- she couldn't make someone already being burned not die. I wasn't asking her to make the impossible possible, I had Carlisle's wisdoms and Emmett to help cause those injuries. I just needed her to help nail down that outcome that Amber saw-the one where I was holding my perfect baby.

"You still haven't talked to your family?" she asked me, a sad look on her face.

"I can't, I don't want them to worry about what I'm doing out here. They have enough on their plate with the Volturi," I explained, feeling selfish for not being there to help.

"Thank you again for not calling them either," Emmett added, sitting next to me protectively. Hurting me was the hardest thing he ever had to do, but after I came out of it with only damage on the inside, and the bruise and scar-just like Alice, he started to forgive himself.

"Of course," she nodded, tucking her black-red tinted hair behind her ear. Liam watched from the other side of the room.

"Shouldn't we offer to help them with the Volturi? You promised Carlisle next time there was a fight you would be there," he reminded Siobhan.

"They haven't asked for our help," she answered calmly. "I've already told Rosalie if they ask I will have to change my focus. But right now, I need all my concentration to help her outcome."

"Thank you again for letting us stay here," I smiled warmly knowing having strangers in your home, with a different diet than you, wasn't easy.

"Of course dear. Any family of Carlisle's is a friend to us," she was one of the sweetest vampires I had ever met, she reminded me a lot of Esme.

"So does Carlisle really think this can be duplicated, for others outside your family?" Maggie asked curiously, lounging, unmoving on the large couch.

"Of course. Anyone with the right knowledge and tools would have a chance," I smiled a bit at Emmett knowing his extra strength was truly important to this equation. "He said the only thing that would render someone unable is if they had just had their period before they were changed. There would be no lining for our bodies to convert."

"And you remember that fine of a detail?" she laughed a bit lightly.

"I probably remember my human life more than any of us care to," I bit my lip knowing that was true. In fact the only reason I remembered is because when I was left in the street I held on to knowing my period was only a few days ago and my fertile time was over. The last thing I wanted was a baby to come from that monster or his friends. Emmett rubbed my thigh, sensing my facial expression change slightly.

"Why what are you thinking Maggie?" Siobhan wondered curiously at the teenager.

"I could meet someone one day," she twirled one of her curls around her finger, "it's just nice to know there's options."

"Fair enough. Although it's been 165 years Maggie, and I've never seen you take interest in any man," Siobhan laughed and Maggie stuck her tongue out at her. I loved their family banter and it reminded me so much of our coven. I knew Jasper was scared to have the information about Amber out in the world but this is why it needed to be shared. There were families just like ours out there, vampires who deserved the chance to have children. I couldn't help but think of Sasha-the Denali sister's mother. Maybe if she knew of the possibility of having a baby of her own she wouldn't have resorted to creating an immortal son.

"I think we better get to hunting," Liam glanced at his family, noticing their eyes getting slightly darker.

"Of course, if you'll excuse us, we will be back before dark," Siobhan nodded at me. I cringed slightly; it was always hard thinking of hunting innocent humans. I always took Carlisle's stance on the issue though , recognizing not everyone had the viewpoints we did and it didn't make them bad people. The three of them zipped out their front door into the dewy fields that covered their beautiful landscape. Emmett sighed next to me, and I felt guilty for making this so hard on him.

"What are you thinking?" I questioned him. His usual goofy grin and soft eyes were gone, and he looked sad, scared, and statuesque.

"What if this is all for nothing?" he brought his eyes to mine, and I could tell he was hesitating to be completely honest with me. "I know how much you want a baby Rose, and it's the one thing It thought I couldn't give you. I want you have this, don't think I'm backing out. With the Volturi and Maria and everything up in the air, it's a real possibility to consider that we might not all survive. Carlisle may be talking peace but you and I both now this could turn into a fight. I just can't imagine finally getting our child only to have it ripped away." His voice was breaking as he spoke. Emmett almost never showed his fear, he was deeply afraid of losing me, or our child that didn't even exist yet. I felt a warmth in my dead heart that he was so devoted to me. I couldn't think of anything to say to comfort him though, because he was right. There was no way of knowing if we would all make it out alive, the Volturi were ruthless and it would be a miracle if we all came out alive after fighting them. Instead I scooted over slightly so I was sitting on his lap sideways, my feet dangling 5" above the floor.

"You're right. I can't tell you it will all be okay, but the Volturi will always be a threat. We will have to fight them sooner or later. I'm not letting that fear stop me from getting what I want," I spoke softly but intently, my lips inches from his. He swallowed hard, placing his hands on the small of my back.

"I will defend you forever Rosie. No one will hurt you unless I'm a pile of ash," his thumb came up to caress my cheek. I shuddered at his dark imagery but I knew it was Emmett's way of saying he would rather die than watch me get hurt. I hated that it was always life or death when talking about the Volturi but he seemed to be giving in to my words.

"You're the strongest vampire I know," my hands played with the small dark curls on his head.

"Fuck them," Emmett concluded, crashing his lips against mine. I smiled at the sudden kiss, this was the Emmett I knew. I took in an unnecessary breath and pushed back against him as much as I could, causing us - and the chair – to hit the hardwood floor.

"Better be careful, this isn't our house," I whispered huskily, moving my legs to straddle him.

"Outside," his voice was deep and sultry, "you know I don't hold back." I giggled as he swiftly stood up, my legs wrapped around his waist. He ran, zipping through their farmland until he came across a dense patch of trees, just enough privacy. He tossed his shirt off in one swift motion and I watched his muscles ripple, a few tiny drops of rain starting to fall. He unhooked my legs and I pouted slightly. He laughed seductively and pulled my flowery red dress over my head in one motion. He leapt at me, I giggled, and moved out of his way. His arms crushed a waiting tree. His head whipped around and his eyes were dark with lust. Before I could react he had me pinned on the wet grass.

"Behave," he chuckled as he started to place kisses on my stomach. He paid careful attention to my new injuries and swiftly tore my lace underwear in one motion. I shivered in anticipation as I felt his tongue start making circles on my thigh. He inched closer, teasing me. Finally, I felt his tongue lap at my folds and I instinctively grabbed his hair. His breathe was hot again me, and his hands shot up to pin mine above my head. I moaned as his mouth covered my clit, sucking lightly, making slight darts across it with his tongue. He was in no mood to take this slow, and with our vampire speed, his tongue started swirling at an incredible rate. I arched my back, the pleasure almost too much, until it wasn't. I felt myself climbing higher, the pressure and tingling mounting.

"Fuck Emmett," I cried out as an intense wave of heat overcame me, causing spasms in my legs. He gripped my thigh making sure I rode out the orgasm as his mouth continued a slow suckling. My body started to relax and he stood quickly, stepping out of his pants and briefs in a flash. He grabbed both my hands and pulled me up next to him, enveloping me in a deep kiss and entangling his hands in my hair. I reached down and felt his erection flat against his stomach. Emmett was big, but more importantly he knew how to use it. I traced my finger around the smooth marble of his tip. He growled and I felt us cascading forward. My back hit a tree and an audible crack sounded throughout the trees. I felt venom pool in my mouth and brought my hand up to my mouth to spit into it. I moved my hand swiftly up and down his shift and over the tip, making sure it was wet and slick. Emmett met my eyes, genuine, lustful, loving, he lifted me up as if I was a feather and I felt him enter me. Slowly at first, never moving his eyes from my face. I welcomed the familiar feeling of Emmett inside me. He started moving his hips in small circles thrusting upward making sure to grind my clit against his skin. I hissed with pleasure and bit down playfully on his neck, wrapping my legs back around his torso. He always responded well to rough play and pushed into me with full force. I gasped a little but easily accommodated to the new position. He rested his hands on the quivering tree for support as his thrusts became faster. It wasn't long before I felt the bark buckle under me and he quickly pulled us back down onto the grass. My feet pressed into his ass and guided his hips, pleading him to go faster-deeper. Emmett was still being slightly cautious. I grabbed his shoulders and rolled us over, placing my knees on either side of him,

"My turn," I whispered, nibbling at his ear.

"Damn it Rose, you know I can't stop myself when you're on top," he shut his eyes grabbing my hips as they started to circulate. I moved more to squatting, so I had leverage to go deeper, my upper half in a reverse plank with my knees bending and straightening as I rode his dick. I heard him groan and I knew he was trying not to cum. I picked up the speed, and in one movement flung my upper body forward. My knees back on the ground- closer to his chest, and my head buried in his neck. He took this opportunity to take over, grabbing my hips and thrusting at an unimaginable speed. In this position I could feel his penis curving upward inside me, hitting my g-spot every time. It wasn't long before I felt that familiar warmth.

"Shit Emmett, I'm going to cum," I knew I was close, and his speed wasn't letting up.

"Hold out for my baby, I'm so close," his grip on my hips was getting more intense, I could feel his nails digging into me. He didn't stop the intensity but he started lengthening the strokes, making sure his entire penis filled me with each thrust. I started hearing him panting, grunting softly. I tried to tense up, wanting to match his pace. Finally, I couldn't hold it, I let out a high-pitched scream and felt my muscles clench around him. That was all he needed, he let out what I can only describe as a mix between a roar and a moan. I felt a jolt of liquid release inside me and I collapsed into him, pure joy and contentment overwhelming me. He kissed the top of my head, and played with the hair splayed on my back.

"I could do that for eternity," he smiled softly.

"Good thing you're stuck with my forever then," I smacked his arm playfully, and kissed his lips lightly.

Alice POV

It was Friday, Nessie and Jacob were already at the airport. However, we decided it was best to send Bella, and Carlisle too. Carlisle was Aro's oldest friend and tension was always lowered when he was present. Bella scared Aro, he was already shaken by his last encounter with her and we knew her shield was our biggest asset. We had no idea how the meeting was going to play out. From this distance, Amber would be struggling to make sure they couldn't speak about her, and we knew Aro would notice if he suddenly couldn't use his hands or had his vision interfered with. It was almost guaranteed he would find out about Amber-if he didn't know already. I tried to calm my nerves, with Jasper's help. I remembered the last time I was on a place headed towards Italy. Jasper and I had shared our love and goodbye over the phone-just in case. I hated thinking Esme and Edward were about to have to feel the same fear and sickening sense of ambiguity that Jasper went through.

"I'll never stop looking for them," Amber promised me, noticing the weariness in my expression. I felt so guilty asking her to keep constantly looking to the future. Her visions were so unpredictable and often ended up hurting her if something in them went wrong. That's how we decided to include Bella and Carlisle in the travels. We went through several combinations and it seemed with this configuration Amber only saw two violent possibilities. I didn't like even those small odds but it was the lowest we'd gotten. Edward paced around the entryway, rubbing his hands together in frustration.

"They will be okay Edward," Esme tried to reassure him, although I'm sure on the inside she was just as scared. Edward's face relaxed slightly and he sat down on the couch. I looked to my husband and daughter who's eyes were both focused on Edward.

"It's better just to not think," Jasper assured him, also reflecting on how he handled me being gone. Edward nodded, pinching the brim of his nose as he folded into an unmoving hunch, chin resting against his chest.

"Thank you," I mouthed to Amber. She smiled, glad she could help at least one person. My mind suddenly locked onto something in the future, an image of Rosalie appeared.

"Thank you once again," Rosalie was glowing as she hugged Siobhan.

"Please give Carlisle our love. And we would love to meet these babes," Siobhan smiled genuinely. Emmett was holding onto Rosalie's hand, smiling as well but more protective over her then I had ever seen.

"I really hope Jacob and Renesmee will be okay," Rosalie bit her lip as she and Emmett walked out onto the farmland.

"We have to let them know we're coming back," Emmett told her gently.

"You're right," Rosalie nodded, "I have to tell Alice at least. I owe this all to her."

"Hey I helped!" Emmett joked, kissing her on the cheek.

"I thought this was stolen from me so long ago. Now it's real and everything feels different already. Thank you for making me a mother," she looked down at her still-flat stomach then into Emmett's eyes. They shared a loving, long kiss and started running…I could only assume it was back home.

Bella POV

I sat on the plane, remembering my foggy human memory of taking a flight very similar to this one several years ago. The stakes were not as high as rushing to save my husband from suicide, but there was more tension this time. We had to fly from Östersund to Stockholm, then land in Florence. From there we were going to drive to Volterra. We wanted to be overly cautious with blending in once we reached their territory, we didn't need another reason for them to fault us. The plane ride was slightly bumpy, fresh snow pouring from the sky weren't ideal flying conditions. We were in first class, and Renesmee and Jacob were talking happily in front of me.

"I think you've been to Volterra more than most of us," Carlisle tried to keep the mood light next to me. I gave a small grin.

"Not more than you."

"No, but every time I go there I always remember why I left," he mused, leaning back into the seat. "I have no desire to rule our world, no need to sit in a throne indefinitely. Even if someday the Volturi were gone, I would not be itching to claim their spot."

"I always imagined you as a great leader. You certainly seem more suited than Aro," I told him, thinking of his great ability to lead our family and his peaceful way with words. He laughed lightly at this.

"Thank you Bella. Perhaps I am a good leader in the political sense, but the power that comes with it," he trailed off, "I don't think anyone deserves that much control." I nodded and chewed on that idea for a while. Every nation in the world had some sort of leader, so it made sense that vampires were no different. But like any government, there were corrupt leaders who only cared about their own gain. I wondered if the Volturi had ever been fair, I knew Marcus had been good-natured at some point and maybe even Caius too. Aro though? After learning he killed his own sister, after he felt he was losing control, no one would do that if they weren't inherently evil to begin with.

The flight was mostly filled with silence, and I did my best not to think about those two deadly outcomes that Amber had seen. Our flight change was quick, almost no time spared as we boarded the plane to Florence. Renesmee was quite excited by the traveling. Pointing out airport trinkets and loving the free juice and food she was getting offered. I marveled at her unique nature, grateful that she still had the child-like wonder and was getting a fair share of human experiences. Jacob was keeping her entertained, his face never showed any worry or hesitation and I was truly grateful he was along on this journey. Carlisle was hard to read, he had more intimate knowledge of the Volturi than any of us, and I wasn't sure it that calmed his nerves or intensified them. As we waited on the tarmac, I took this chance to call Edward.

"Hello," he answered before the first ring.

"Edward," I sighed, it filled me with pure joy the moment I heard his voice.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice was intense, laced with stress.

"I'm fine, we're just about to leave for Florence. I will call you again when we're on our way home," I tried to say this nonchalantly, as if there were no chance anything could go wrong.

"You have to come home to me. You and Nessie. I can't live without you," he sounded pained, almost pleading for me to lie.

"I know. I won't leave you," I wanted to believe this was true. I was convincing myself as I spoke.

"I love you Bella," his voice was calmer, smooth.

"I love you, forever," I responded, never wanting to hang up. I saw the stewardess started to make her way towards us, making a gesture to hang up the phone. I nodded and reluctantly ended the call.

"Is Dad okay?" Renesmee asked me, she must have heard the tone in his voice on the phone.

"Just already missing us," I smiled at her. We had done our best to keep the severity of the situation hidden from her. She was mature and I knew she could understand what was happening, but I wanted her to have her innocence as long as possible.

Jacob POV

The car ride to Volterra was eerie. It was fairly rainy outside, and the streets were getting more crowded as we approached the city. The Christmas festivities were in high spirits, and it was sickening to think some of these people would become meals for the Volturi. Nessie was resting on my shoulder, the endless traveling had taken a toll on her. I looked down at her sweet face, feeling a sense of fierce protection. I heard the stories, I'd faced them once, I knew the Volturi were the most dangerous in the vampire world. I would never let them hurt Renesmee, none of us would. Back on the plane, Carlisle had told us we could use the "tourist" entrance to the castle since it was so gloomy outside. I laughed a bit, wondering what the other way in was. Bella gave me a look then, that said I didn't want to know. We parked just outside of the small town center. People were hustling about in rain coats, holding umbrellas, carrying cameras and guide books. Carlisle led the way, directing us through winding city streets and past several brick buildings. An ominous stone castle stood in front of us, turrets splaying in all directions. A large stone door with ornate carvings was up ahead behind a stone gate. The gate was wide open, a welcoming invitation for the holidays. Carlisle opened the door, and a rush of warm air hit me. We were in an office-building like hallway. The walls were off-white, the floor carpeted in a boring gray color. An elevator was waiting for us at the end of the hallway. Renesmee held my hand as we all took the elevator down. It was a short descent and the doors opened into the weirdest room I have ever seen. The walls were paneled in wood, the floors carpeted in thick, deep green. There were no windows, just creepy paintings and flowers to try and brighten the room. I could tell this was a vampire's attempt to make human's feel more at ease but it made my skin crawl. I noticed her then, a human woman at the counter. Bella seemed slightly surprised when she saw her. She was skinny, long brown hair and beautiful brown eyes. She could have been a model.

"Ah, you must be Aro's guests," her Italian accent was thick. "Renesmee and Jacob," she read from a paper in front of her, struggling to pronounce Nessie's name. "I don't see anyone else written down." She frowned, seeming to be disappointed with herself.

"I'm her mother Bella, and this is Carlisle, an old friend of Aro's," Bella explained.

"Oh," her face crumpled slightly. "I've heard those names before, of course. Follow me." She stepped out behind the reception desk. She was wearing a skin-tight black dress and dark blue heels. She directed us through wooden doors at the end of the hall, and into another ornate hallway. I rolled my eyes, the production value in here was ridiculous. However about halfway through the hallway she stopped. Removing a piece of panel, a small wooden door was unveiled. I looked at the large golden door at the end of the hall in confusion, wondering what this secret side entrance was for. She motioned us to go in, and Carlisle led us. It was cold and damp in the hallway, my skin flexed, warmth enveloped me and I was thankful to not be completely human in this moment. We turned a corner and suddenly the small chamber opened up into a larger room. I looked up and notice the perfect point at the ceiling, large windows covered the immense walls. There were several "normally" dressed vampires scattered throughout the room. I noticed only eight robed individuals, most of which I recognized from our previous confrontation. The twins, both barely teenagers, stood on the right, leaning against the wall. The secondary leaders sat looking uninterested in their respective thrones. Two males stood on the left, slightly shielding the oldest looking vampire, his long dark hair draping over his shoulder. And finally, two females. Each stood behind Aro, one on either side of him. One of them I was familiar with, she was short, her robe darker than some of the others, matching her black hair. The other, I had never seen before. She was tall, lean, had very pale skin and striking icy blonde hair. I imagined she was the new member Bella had warned me about. I wondered if Bella already had her shield up, it was hard to tell now-she had become so adept at keeping her focus.

Aro clapped his hands eagerly as soon as he saw us enter.

"What a treat! Here I was only expecting two visitors and I got four," his voice was laced with an uneasy enthusiasm. "Bella looking beautiful as always, and Carlisle my oldest friend." Carlisle offered a small smile and nod towards Aro.

"Renesmee," his eyes lit up with glee. "She has grown so much. Is she blending in well?" he looked to Bella for reassurance.

"Yes. She is going to school this year. Then we will "home school" her," Bella put air quotes around the word. "We wanted her to have a small taste of childhood," she went on explaining.

"How wonderful," his eyes were still as big as saucers, as he looked at us. "And Jacob," his eyes flickered to me. "Good to see you in a more communicable form." The blonde leader made an audible growl.

"Now now," Aro turned to him with a scolding look on his face. "He is not of the same kind as the one who attacked you all those centuries ago."

"So Aro, why exactly did you call us here?" Carlisle wanted to get to the point, get in and out as fast as possible.

"Dear friend, can I not want to see my favorite remarkable child?" His arms were outstretched at Renesmee. "I also wanted you all to be the first to meet our lovely new guard member," he turned around to look at the blonde woman. She stepped down and removed her hood, coming closer towards us. "This is Aurora." She curtsied, and gave us a small smile.

"Pleasure."

"Anything new from my strange yellow-eyed friends?" Aro asked curiously, standing up to go stand next to Aurora.

"College, snow, and bears," Bella listed some things trying to sound uninteresting.

"Ah," he chuckled, "of course the non-nomadic lifestyle of the Cullens. Perhaps if the little one doesn't mind, I could see what she has been up to? I just want to see her growth for myself," his eyes sparkled with wonder. I held on tight to Nessie's hand not wanting to let her out of the shield I presumed was around us.

"Is it really necessary?" Carlisle questioned. "It's so invasive, and she's only a child. You can see how much she has changed with your own eyes."

"Always the wisest," Aro seemed to agree. "Perhaps I can see it through of your eyes then? No need to invade the child's mind." I took a breathe, unsure how this would go.

"I'd be happy to show you," I offered, "I know you were curious about the pack too. You can see we haven't been tracking down random members of your kind like that one seems to think," I pointed my chin up at the blonde leader.

"You must forgive Caius," Aro replied smoothly, "he had a bad run in with a child-of-the-moon." I knew I had to step forward, Bella wouldn't be able to protect me otherwise Aro's powers wouldn't be able to touch my mind. I was terrified, not for myself, but for Nessie, for Bella, and even for Carlisle. I presented my hand, taking a small step towards Aro's outstretched arm. He grasped it greedily, and his eyes flickered at an incredible rate. It wasn't like when Edward read my mind, half the time I had no idea he was doing that. This felt invasive, like someone was digging around in my brain. It lasted for a only a few seconds, until I collapsed to the ground, writhing in pain Aro instantly pulled away, looking horrified.

"I've never tried my gift on your species I'm sorry if I caused you such pain. I was nearly done," he frowned. "However it was all quite fascinating. Seeing your thoughts in human and wolf form, your unbreakable bond to this remarkable child. You were so sad to leave her after Summer ended, I'm surprised you were able to stand to be away." I could barely register his words as my body was still withering. It felt like I was on fire. Bella seemed confused, panicked. She looked at Jane whose eyes were on Aro, not us. Finally, the pain evaporated, just as quickly as it had appeared. I stood up, shaking still.

"Splendid!" A full recovery, Aro clapped again. "Thank you again for letting me in, I'm sorry my power affected you so," he looked truly saddened, but I could see a hint of glee in his eye.

"Carlisle, Bella, Renesmee," he smiled at all of us. It was amazing to see you all. Please give my love to the rest of the family. Maybe we will cross paths again soon," his eyes were peaceful, content, something I wasn't used to seeing from him.

"Thank you Aro," Carlisle smiled at him again, and led us back out of the stone hallway. I still wasn't sure what had happened. How did we manage to walk out? How Aro hadn't seen anything about Amber? My mind was racing and Renesmee grabbed my hand. I felt slightly more at ease as we ascended back up to the surface in total silence. We didn't dare to say a word until the car was outside of Volterra's city limits.

"What the hell Jake?" was all Bella could muster.

So there you have it, Chapter 24. I really wanted to get through the part with the Volturi because I know it was a big turning point in the story. What do you think happened to Jacob?