Hello again!

Look at that! Two updates in one evening! I know, I'm surprised too!

I am so so so sorry about the wait on this chapter. It was quite hard to write, as I have no clue where I'm gonna go with this. Reassuring, I know. Sorry! It is just to explain why I haven't been back with any updates on this.

I hope for your understanding.

Just for information, I may go back over my stories the next few weeks, trying to eliminate errors and such. I shall try not to change much in the chapters, and if I do, I'll let you know!

Disclaimer: Sexual content in this chap. Read at your own discretion.

Caius halted outside a set of heavily decorated double doors. He took Bella's hand and gallantly allowed her to step forward, entering the room before her three mates.

She didn't exactly know what to expect, but the sight that greeted her was definitely not it. Her jaw dropped dramatically, as she entered a large cavernous space, filled with shelves upon shelves of intricately carved pieces of soap. There were thousands of them. The more she looked, the more she saw.

It soon occurred to her that they were catalogued into different categories.

Sea creatures with whales, fish, seahorses, mermaids and sea turtles.

Woodland creatures with deer, fairies, squirrels, owls and foxes.

Desert dwelling creatures like scarab beetles, camels and scorpions.

Arctic creatures, such as polar bears, seals, penguins and wolves.

She stepped closer to a shelve and slowly picked up a beautifully carved figurine of a scorpion. Weirdly she had never actually thought of these creatures as beautiful, but portrayed like this, she could suddenly see how fascinating they looked. This particular piece was carved in a deep purple soap, mixed with smoky outlines in palest pink, flakes of luminescent silver glinting as the light caught them. The effect was mesmerizing. As she stood turning the delicate figurine over and over, taking in every magnificent detail, she felt someone slowly hug her waist from behind, his chest pressing into her back, placing a gentle kiss onto her shoulder.

"What do you think?" Caius asked her in a low, gentle voice.

"This is…" She was nearly speechless.

"Caius, these are beautiful," she whispered. She felt him tighten his hold slightly on her, giving her an appreciative hum.

"Thank you, my love," he murmured into her skin.

Bella placed it down carefully, turning around to face him. He smiled softly at her expression of pure delight in his skill.

"I shouldn't have laughed at you," she said, almost a hint of shame in her voice.

"Oh, do not be too hasty to apologize, my dear, you are hardly the first to have that reaction," Aro said smoothly, earning a scowl from his blonde brother. Bella chuckled softly.

"What do you do with them, once they are finished?" She asked curiously, now studying a dolphin leaping from a cresting wave.

"Nothing. They are here, every single one of them," he said, frowning a little.

Bella frowned too.

"But these could easily be sold, my love," She said eagerly.

"Oh, he knows that," Marcus interjected softly. "He's not ready for that," he added, winking at her.

Caius scowled again.

"Not ready? How long have you been carving soap?" She asked puzzled, peering into his face.

His scowl softened as his gaze shifted to her again.

"Oh, only a few hundred years," he said airily.

"Right," Bella said mechanically, sensing the topic was not to be pushed.

Aro chuckled slightly,

"Come, my love. Let's go find our daughter. She should be here somewhere,"

They found Lucia and Jane almost all the way in the back of the cathedral like room. Jane was holding up a soap carved into a hummingbird with its beak in a large flower for Lucia's intense scrutiny. As Jane caught sight of them, her eyes widened in slight relief.

"Masters, mistress. How lovely of you to join us," Her tone implied that she felt it was about damn time.

Aro smirked somewhat as he took hold of his daughter, relieving Jane of her.

"Did you have fun, stellina?" He crooned at Lucia, hugging her to his chest.

Jane huffed slightly.

"I have shown her every single one of the soap figurines from all the way in the front to here. She was not interested in anything else. I dare say she had fun," She said in a low murmur.

Bella nearly laughed. Lucia gazed at the blonde for a moment, then her expression slowly regressed into a child-like scowl. Suddenly she was very reminiscent of a certain blonde vampire king. Aro glanced implacably at Caius, a slow smirk taking form on his face. Jane's face never changed as she bowed elegantly, before departing for other duties.

Caius met Aro's gaze unflinchingly, seemingly not getting the hint. Aro said nothing, but looked down at the tiny girl in his arms. Sensing his gaze, she looked up into his eyes, smiling delightedly up at his soft expression.

It had not been long since he had seen her, but she seemed to have grown even so. Only a few days old by now, she seemed more like 10 months old.

Bella stepped closer, placing a finger gently on the girl's chin, cooing softly at her.

"She's growing so fast," she said gently.

"Indeed, she is," Aro confirmed in a tender murmur.

The child lifted her arms to Bella, leaning forward so she started falling from Aro's arms, wanting to be held by her mother. Bella caught her easily, lifting her into a hug, cuddling her.

Finally able to hold her again, Bella was reminded of what a miracle it was that she even was able to see her daughter grow up. After everything that had happened, she clung fiercely to her baby, her mind filling with images of what Edward might do in his anger. Lucia seemed to sense Bella's distress, because she hugged her back, cooing softly, And Bella felt her inner turmoil settle somewhat. The three tall men beside them were completely silent as they observed the young mother gain strength from the child. Aro silently touched the girl's cheek, stroking it softly. He glanced at Bella, a slightly confused look on his face.

"Edward won't do something like that," he said softly. "He may be angry, but he would never do anything to harm you, my love," he added soothingly.

"Not intentionally," she agreed softly, shaking her head slightly. Lucia babbled gently, clapping her chubby hands together in an innocent manner.

A few weeks later

Bella was in the library, reading. It was almost three in the morning. Now that she no longer needed to sleep, she found that she had a lot more time on her hands. Of course Aro, Caius and Marcus took up a lot of her time. And her daughter too. Though the child was quite unusual, she was quite easy to handle. Only a few weeks old, the girl could pass for a two-year old. The more time they spent with her, the more of her personality they could see. The girl was charming, her smile disarming anyone, but especially her three fathers. Bella chuckled to herself as she recalled how her daughter was capable of getting her way with the three kings in a way perhaps only Bella could do. She felt certain that they could deny her nothing. Charming as she was, Bella sometimes feared that the girl would be spoiled rotten. Bella tried to be a good mother by setting boundaries, but the child was quite strong willed, not easily accepting defeat, which often ended in a stalemate between the two. Her mates found this exceedingly funny, however they respected her too much to undermine her authority with Lucia. If Bella had set a boundary, they held it firm too. They themselves however, were never any good at setting boundaries, so a lot of times the girl would get her way. Not that she was a brat. No she was just very adept at using her charm - she seemed to be able to compel others almost at her will. It reminded her strongly of one of her mates. Bella wondered if she was immune to the girl's charms because of her shield.

Then again, she had seen a tenderness in the girl too. Lucia seemed to be unusually aware of her surroundings, and her eyes sometimes reflected a deep soulfulness. Apparently picking up on much more than what was visible to the naked eyes. Bella would sometimes catch the eye of the young girl, and she could swear it was Marcus looking back at her. The girl seemed quite fluid, her character shifting depending on the situation. Bella became more and more convinced that the child was a mix of all three kings, impossible though it sounded.

The air shifted slightly, and Bella caught the scent of Marcus as he was at her side in a flash. Bella smiled up at him, and he tenderly placed his hand on her cheek, his crimson gaze fixed on her eyes.

"What are you in such deep thought about?" He inquired, his voice almost muffled in the silent air of the library.

Bella made a noncommittal gesture.

"I was just pondering our daughter, how fast she's growing, how she seems to be aware of much more than you can just pick up on a normal day to day basis," she said, her smile warming as the thoughts of the girl filled her. Marcus nodded.

"She's a compelling child," he said, his smile widening too.

"I honestly don't know what I'd do without the help of Jane and Felix to keep her occupied from time to time," Bella said laughing as she thought of how the stoic guards handled the little girl.

"Yes, she's certainly a force to be reckoned with," Marcus agreed.

"It's lucky that vampires are so fast, otherwise no one would be able to catch up with her," he added, chuckling. Bella laughed at that.

"Yeah, no there's no stopping her," she agreed, thinking of how since Lucia had learned to walk, the girl would storm through the corridors of the castle, her little chubby baby legs moving as fast as they could. Nothing could happen to the child, seeing as she was always surrounded by at least two Volturi guards to watch out for her. Lucky for them, the child had the very human need of sleep. That allowed some space for them to attend to other duties as well, such as keeping taps on Edward.

Demetri had been out tracking him, and he had found him, easily enough, but he didn't seem to be doing much at the moment. Marcus felt certain he would return eventually. There was no mistaking the bond he had with Bella. Fractured as it was, he would be trying to repair the damage. Little did he know that he could never get her back. Not like that at least. If he was lucky, they could remain friends. Caius had not been keen on the idea, but he knew the choice would have to be Bella's in the end.

Since Bella had come to Italy, she had never imagined that she would end up with three kings, who respected her, and quite frankly adored her. They were generous beyond her wildest dreams, and had even supplied her with a car, so she could drive out on her own. Not that she did much of that. Everything was still very new to her, and she had enough to do with her daughter keeping her occupied for the day and her mates in the evening and during the night. She had found the library, and for a couple of weeks now, she had been reading every book she could come into contact with, staying here night after night, surrounded by the vast collection of rare and intriguing books, her mates had collected during the many centuries. Their passion for reading rivaled hers, that was for sure. She had discovered that she could read much faster now, which was a delight, especially when there was such a huge supply of material right at her fingertips.

"Did you want something?" Bella asked curiously, slightly distracted again, as she paged through a volume of The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

Marcus peered at her, a small smile on his lips. She noticed him studying her, and she paused in turning a page.

"What?" She asked, puzzled.

"I wonder if I could lure you away from these books for a couple of hours. Perhaps we could join the others," he said placidly.

Bella reluctantly lowered the book, and then nodded slowly.

"Alright," she said softly.

"Lead the way," she added, getting to her feet, keeping her index between the pages of her book, so she wouldn't lose her spot.

Marcus led her through the dark corridors of the castle, and Bella followed him, surreptitiously trying to read a little as they walked.

She looked up, when they entered a room and she noticed it was a living room. A cozy fire was merrily dancing in the grate, and she saw Aro and Caius as they sat on the sofa on each side, apparently playing a board game. As she walked closer, she noticed it was Scrabble. No longer feeling able to be surprised by them, she nonetheless smirked somewhat as she saw them both deep in thought. She felt Marcus beside her as he placed an arm around her waist.

"I managed to lure her from the library," he said softly. Both Aro and Caius looked up.

"My my, look, who deigned to join us!" Aro exclaimed delightedly. Bella scowled at him.

"I'm not avoiding you, Aro, I'm just,-"

"Reading," Aro interrupted her, smirking.

"Yes, we know," he added, winking at her. Caius got up, and walked closer to her. He placed both his hands on either side of her throat and gave her a soft kiss. She suddenly realised how long it had been since they had been intimate. She had been so absorbed by her reading that time had passed and suddenly it had been a couple of weeks.

She felt herself sink into their kiss, his gentle lips nibbling at her. Suddenly her book slid from her hand, and she paused, realising she would have lost her place in her book.

"You won't be needing this for a few hours, my dear," she heard Aro say. He had been the one to slide it from her fingers.

"You had better remember which page I've gotten to, or I swear,-" she began, her words muddled by the fact that Caius had not stopped kissing her despite her speaking.

She almost laughed, the situation was quite funny.

"Do not worry my love, I remembered," Aro crooned, and she suddenly felt him by her side. Marcus was behind her, and she was nearly drowned as they began to caress her, their hands leaving hot trails of fire behind on her skin.

"Have you not missed this at all?" Marcus asked softly, his lips caressing her ear. Her body tingled as she realised what would happen next, and she felt a sweet sense of belonging, as her three mates had her in thralls within seconds.

"I have," she moaned against Caius' lips.

"We have certainly missed you, my dear," Aro said, his lips caressing her throat eagerly. Caius stepped back, and allowed Aro to take his place. Aro's kiss was much more demanding, and he practically attacked her mouth, his tongue sliding sensuously in to rub hers, suckling it gently. He was so ferocious he bent her backwards, holding her up by her waist. She gave him everything she had to offer, and he took it as well. Eventually he relented, and allowed Marcus to have his way with her. Bella surrendered to it, just flowing along, like she was flowing on the gentle stream of a large river. As Marcus kissed her into a state of a shuddering need, Aro began to unfasten her dress. The fabric was heavy silk, slippery to the touch, and she allowed it to run down her body, puddling at her feet. As soon as she was free of it, she felt his lips on her shoulder, leaving a wet trail to her other shoulder, before he began to travel down her spine. She closed her eyes, just reveling in the pleasure. Marcus cupped her breasts, plucking at her nipples, almost making her knees buckle with the sensations, as hot waves of pleasure shot straight to her core.

Even though it had been awhile, they took their time, savouring every touch and kiss.

She felt herself being carried and placed on the lap of someone, most likely Caius. He was naked too, and she melted into his body, her back against his chest. He kissed her neck, and his hands traveled her skin, climbing every curve and valley of her body. She was soon desperate for more, and her hot eyes snapped open, landing on a very naked Aro, as he stood before her. He kneeled down in front of her and grabbed a hold of her ankles, lifting them off the floor, bending her knees and spreading her legs out wide. Caius grabbed her beneath the crook of her knees, holding her in place. Then Marcus was at her side, similarly naked, and Aro moved to her other side, and they progressed to caress her body, skirting the area she was most desperate for them to touch. They took turns in kissing her, their hands running up her arms, down her stomach, then her thighs and breasts. Finally when she was whimpering, Marcus scooted in between her legs, his thumbs massaging her mons pubis gently, tugging it upwards, sending delicious jolts straight to her clit. Her hips surged upwards, trying to get more direct friction. He denied her, and simply made the same gesture, the indirect tug at her clit had her mewling. Aro chuckled, and kissed her softly, his hands caressing her breasts, pinching her nipples. Combined with Marcus' ministrations she was soon tensed all over her body, trembling slightly with the need for release. She began to move her hand towards her core, intending to take what she needed, but Aro caught it easily.

"No, amore mio, be patient. Relax, it will come," Aro admonished gently, before he let go of her wrist, resuming his caresses on her body.

Bella sighed in frustration, trying to relax, and settled in for a long wait. Aro focused on her breasts, his thumbs running across her nipples, making her shiver slightly. Both he and Marcus timed their movements now, making her insides clench over and over as they slowly coaxed her body to the brink of sanity. Caius kept placing soft kisses at her neck and shoulders, whispering in gentle Italian, crooning at her. She easily felt his excitement as his erection pressed into her left buttock. She began to lose it, her body shuddering in waves, as they ever so slowly made her shatter between them, her orgasm flashing through her, hot and fierce, her soft whimpers escaping through her teeth. Marcus bent down, his soft hair tickling her thighs, and she felt his tongue flutter across her labia, only just nudging her clit gently, making her entire body jump, the little nub almost too sensitive now.

Caius adjusted her position somewhat, and his member suddenly prodded her wet entrance.

"Not just yet, Marcus would you help please?" he murmured. Bella opened her eyes, just as she saw Marcus wrap his lips around Caius' length. A growl nearly escaped her as she watched the erotic display as he took Caius in his mouth and a soft gasp escaped her. Caius groaned softly, his hips rolling gently. Marcus released him, and smiling gently up at Bella, he took a hold of Caius' cock, pumping it slowly with his fist. Then he placed the tip at Bella's anus. Being slick from his blowjob, Caius slipped in fairly easily, and both he and Bella groaned at the feeling. He entered her slowly, rocking against her in a slow pace, his penetration growing deeper at every thrust. Bella leaned her head back onto his shoulder, feeling how he tugged at her flesh every time he moved, making her tremble. Aro bent down and kissed her breast, his lips sealing around one erect nipple. She moaned fiercely as he scraped his teeth across her tender peak, making her buck gently. Caius lurged somewhat, giving a series of faster thrusts into her. Combined with Aro's ministrations, she nearly orgasmed on the spot. Then she felt Marcus as he began to kiss her core again. He placed open mouthed kisses on her labia, his tongue prodding her entrance gently. Wet as she was, he easily created a suction, and tugged at her flesh, pulling at it, making her jolt again. Then he released her with a loud pop, and a barely controlled growl, as he lapped at her clit with a broad tongue. Caius gave a couple of short and harder thrusts into her tightening ass, making her back arch sharply off his chest as he sent her careening over the precipice, her fingers digging into his thighs. Marcus pulled her clit into his mouth, giving it a deep tug, making her almost sit bolt upright, and she felt another wave of pleasure washing over her, a high pitched whimper hissing through her teeth.

Aro still sat beside them, but now he stood up, caressing her cheek, while simultaneously guiding her to take his cock in her mouth. Bella was delirious with desire by now, and she eagerly sucked him off, making him hiss softly, as he slid all the way to the back of her throat. Her moan made him shiver, the vibrations making him twitch in her mouth.

"Aaaah, my dear, it has been far too long," he said, his voice filled with passion.

She quite agreed and gave a deep pull, her tongue slashing at his frenulum just below the head of his cock. She found it hard to focus, when both Caius and Marcus were intent on driving her insane. Caius was trembling gently beneath her, his hips moving slightly more erratically, his cock plunging into her over and over, a series of soft groans coming from his chest. Marcus suddenly inserted a finger into her slick heat, and she froze in her ministrations of Aro, holding him still in her mouth. Marcus entered a second digit, his tongue still at her clit. She had no time to brace this time, as she fell apart again, her walls squeezing and fluttering violently, making Caius thrust hard into her a few times, his own release precipitated by hers. Aro held onto her jaw as he began to thrust into her mouth, feeling the vibrations from her moans. Caius held her close as he spurted furiously into her body, his teeth biting into her shoulder, as he ground to a slow halt within her. He kept kissing her neck and throat as he slowly pulled out from her, releasing her from his tight hold.

Aro began to thrust into her mouth again, his movements at leisure, his red eyes burning into hers.

"Did that feel good? Caius fucking your ass to completion?" He crooned down at her, his passion swirling in his eyes. She blinked up at him, as she found her focus and began to apply herself to pleasuring him. He bared his teeth, a hiss whistling through them as he thrust in between her lips.

"You feel so good, my dear," he said, breathless as he began to hit the back of her throat, feeling her swallow, the muscles tightening deliciously around his broad mushroom head. He threw his head back, feeling the familiar tingle as it raced down his spine, ending in a fierce burning in his loins. He felt himself twitch as he erupted, some of his essence not quite hitting her mouth. Breathing harshly he looked down at her, seeing her face, her cheeks covered slightly in his seed. He bent down, plucking something from the floor and wiped her face gently with a silky scarf. She barely seemed to notice as Marcus was still pleasuring her, eagerly lapping at her sopping core, prodding his fingers into her, twisting and bending them. She was trembling violently now, her body anticipating another release. Marcus stopped what he was doing and straightened up, placing his own cock at her entrance, he entered her easily due to her wetness, making her moan loudly as he immediately proceeded to fuck her eagerly, having her come apart within the first few thrusts. Aro resumed his caresses of her body, creating delicious sensations along the rubbing and tugging at her walls from Marcus's thick shaft as he plunged into her again and again. They soon sent her flying again, and Marcus followed suit, spilling himself deep within her, a deep groan coming from him. Then they slumped.

Bella held onto Marcus, her fingers sliding through his dark hair. Then he lifted her up, having her stand in front of him. Aro came to her, and turning her around, he made her kneel down before the sofa, bending her forward. He quite suddenly thrust into her cunt, beginning to fuck her, as he pushed her face first into the sofa's cushions, his chest pressing into her back.

"We're not quite done with you yet, my dear. Lucia is still sleeping," he said, passionately rolling his pelvis into her, holding onto her hips for leverage. Bella only whimpered, the sound getting lost somewhere between the cushions.

Bella was sitting on the floor, playing with her daughter. It had been another few weeks and she now resembled a girl of three years, her golden hair long and soft. Bella had a hard time believing how fast the girl was growing, not entirely able to silence her apprehension on how things might end. She sensed her mates were also concerned, though they had not voiced their concern. It seemed as if they were all afraid that saying anything out loud would curse their blessing of having the child with them.

There was no doubt that the girl was precocious, her mind working far faster than a normal three year old. She kept constantly surprising them with her gifts, which seemed endless. She had begun speaking too, though she communicated mainly through touch. The three kings were curious about her gifts, but Bella was adamant that they should not begin to explore them just yet. She could only imagine what a child with vampire gifts could do to their pleasant lives.

As she was lost in thoughts, she watched her daughter as she easily placed different shaped bricks in the fitting holes of their rightful place. Bella smiled reassuringly down at the child as Lucia smiled delightedly up at her, happy at her success.

Suddenly Aro was by their side in a flash. His face told of ominous news.

"What is it?" Bella asked, before he could speak.

"Demetri has located Edward. He seems to be on his way back here. We do not know what he wants. Presumably he has gotten news of Lucia's birth," Aro said darkly. Bella grabbed her daughter and got to her feet in an instant.

"When?" She asked simply, hugging the child to her chest.

"He will be here in a couple of hours," Aro said, his finger caressing Lucia's soft cheek.

Bella sat in her throne, her mates on either side of her. They had made her a throne of her own, seeing as she was their queen. It had taken her a lot to get used to sitting in it, not quite sure she was cut out for such a royal seat. Aro at her left, took a hold of her hand, interlacing their fingers. Marcus on her right, smiled his usual soft smile, and she placed her hand on his thigh, squeezing it. He nodded reassuringly at her. She settled down, and waited. They had placed Lucia in the care of Jane, Alec and Felix. She was safe.

The doors opened ever so slowly, and Bella held her breath as she watched Edward stride towards them, his blazing gaze on her as he approached. Behind him Carlisle followed suit.

"Edward," Aro said, his voice light, making Edward shift his gaze to him.

"What do we owe the pleasure?" Aro asked pleasantly.

Edward stood in silence almost too long, and Aro shifted gently in his seat. Bella squeezed his fingers shortly, reminding him to keep things calm. She sensed he was almost ready to grab the truth from the young man.

"I come in peace," Edward said. Aro frowned. This was not what he had expected. He glanced at Carlisle, who nodded once from behind Edward, apparently confirming the statement.

"You come in peace?" Caius asked, disbelief colouring his voice.

"Yes," Edward said, stepping closer, his eyes snapping to Bella.

"Bella, Carlisle told me of your ordeal. I am so sorry that you had to go through that," he spoke urgently, clearly trying to get in as many words as possible.

Bella said nothing. She studied his face solemnly. She felt he was up to something. She glanced at Marcus. His demeanor was at ease, so he saw no change in the bonds between them. Then she glanced at Aro. He could not read her mind, but he knew exactly what she was thinking.

"You have a child now," Edward said. Bella sensed the three kings tense. If Edward made one wrong move, they would be on him. She could see that Edward knew it too. Aro stood up quite abruptly.

"If you mean no harm, young Edward, would you mind me taking a glance at your thoughts," He asked blithely, taking a step down the dais.

Edward seemed to have seen it coming.

"I do mind, actually. I have a right to privacy," Carlisle shifted uncomfortably behind him.

"You have no right to privacy, when you come into our home like this, unannounced," Caius spat.

"Especially given how you left the last time you were here," he added darkly.

Edward scowled somewhat.

"I was quite distressed at the time, as you can imagine. Surely you can understand that?" He said. Caius opened his mouth to retort, but Aro held up a hand, his eyes studying the young man's face.

Due to his gift of mind reading, he was getting quite good at spotting a lie, even without touching a subject. He detected no signs of deception. Though he was still on edge.

"Why have you returned then?" Aro asked softly.

Edward's shoulders slumped.

"I'm afraid I have made a mess of things," he said in a low voice.

Thank you for reading. Let me know what you think! I'm so curious as to your thoughts on this!

-Pancakes