Chapter Twelve

"Jasper, you play the violin?" My mind was really doing a number on me, because of how perfect the day had already gone.

He chuckled. "Of course, don't think that Edward is the only musical one in the family. Remember, we've had years to do whatever we want."

Edward and I stood in the middle of the woods again, surrounded by family, Jake and Leah. I saw Emmett pull out a banjo in the corner in my eye, and shook my head. There was still so much I needed to learn.

"Emmett, we appreciate the gesture but I wanted our dance to be a little more…romantic, which is why Jasper brought his violin," Edward said.

"Yeah, jigs are later, Dude," Jasper piped up.

"Fine, you win this one, but after that – we're going to have some serious fun."

Jasper positioned his violin and started playing a slow tune. It was peaceful and I leaned into Edward's chest. Someone gasped, and I tilted my head around to see that we were floating around in the air.

"Can you even tell when you're using those?" He nodded to my wings.

"Sometimes, other times I kind of space out because they're such a new part of me. Do they bother you?"

"Not at all, they're apart of you, I'm just not used to being so far off the ground like this."

The song ended, and we were back down on the ground again. Emmett started to play his banjo after that, and we danced quite a few times to it. It was really fun. And then it was over. The others started telling us goodbye, and we left for the house. Edward apparently had a surprise destination for our Honeymoon, though I couldn't begin to guess what it could be. He only said the entire family had given it as a gift.

We were there now. A cottage in the woods, not too far away from the rest of the family. My eyes darted around the room when we entered, Edward carrying me over the threshold. It was simple yet elegant. Everywhere, there were pictures of us on the walls. Some of us, others of the family. There were even some of Charlie, and one of me as a little girl.

I realized that Axton could steal it all from me, and I would still be grateful that I had it to begin with.

We were back at school already. Of course, we were, and I was tired of trying to keep my wings from showing – it was getting harder in general. Again I stretched and started pulling them in so they wouldn't show. And then I remembered what I had been hiding from Edward, the Shoeless Joe baseball. I grabbed the box and walked over to the bed.

Edward came in. "What's with you?" I asked.

"Alice and Jasper were cheating at chess again." His eyes darted to mine.

"I ruffled his hair. "Sound's serious."

He sighed and smiled.

"I have something that will cheer you up." I handed him the ball. "It was Charlie's. I think he would be happy to know you had it."

He looked at it, then me, then back at it. "Do you know what this is?"

I nodded and handed Charlie's letter over to him.

"Wow," he whispered, more to himself than me. "I remember always wanting to go to a game with my father...but then he got sick and then my mother, and then me."

I hugged him. He scooped me up and I laughed. "Where are we going?"

"I have to show the guys, bragging rights, you know?"

"You're terrible!"

"But you love me for it."

The next day, they were all going hunting. I didn't need to, so I was planning on staying home. Everyone kept telling me it would be fine, but I wasn't sure that if they smelled a threat, they wouldn't try to attack me. It was a dangerous idea.

"Alice hasn't seen anything," Edward told me before they left.

"It's not a good idea, besides, I haven't made my mind up entirely yet."

They were all very excited for me to join them. I gave in finally. But of course, the Volturi came out of the trees. "Lovely afternoon," Axton said from beside Aro. "I'm disappointed in you, Bella. You were supposed to come to Italy a long time ago."

Bargaining was my only option right then. "You let them go back to the house, and I'll come."

"Sorry, the time for negotiations is over, and besides, I need leverage." Axton smiled, beckoning to my family.

I looked around in horror to see all the Cullens were following, hypnotized. I panicked, flittering over to Edward. I started to scream at him.

"If you come to Italy, he might wake up." Axton and the rest of them turned. I flew over to Axton, but he disappeared. "I suggest you pack and come to Italy." His voice moved around me.

"This is never going to work."

"I'm willing to give it a go, if you are."

And they were gone. If I could take on Victoria and her army, I could take on the Volturi too. I would probably need some help though. I flew back to the house and called Jake and Leah. If Axton wanted blood, he would get it.