The party was ready to start. Hopefully, all of my precautions would work. I head towards the front door to get Bella and Edward. I just reached the front hallway when I caught Bella and Edward's conversation.

"The Volturi?" I stopped in my tracks. He was telling her about the Volturi. Memories of meeting Aro flooded into my mind. We haven't heard or spoken to the Volturi since their visit all those years ago. One of the main reasons to stop New Moon from happening was because of the Volturi. I didn't want to encounter them any time soon. I knew we would have to eventually, but I didn't want to worry about that for the time being.

"The Volturi are a family. A very old and powerful family of our kind. You could consider that as vampire royalty. They reside in Italy. Carlisle spent a little time with them in his earlier years before he came to America."

"Is that them?" Bella was looking at the painting that was in the hallway. "That's Carlisle in the background isn't it?"

"Yes." Replied Edward. "They are very refined for our kind. But they are ruthless. You don't want to irritate the Volturi unless you want to die."

Bella's face turned to horror. "You can't talk like that. Don't you ever talk like that again. You must never do anything that could get you hurt or killed."

Edward didn't say anything. He just smiled at her. "I still feel terrible about putting you in danger."

"This is about James. You took care of him. He can't hurt us anymore."

"I know but I still worry. What happened to you and Sophie is etched into my brain." I instantly put my hand on the bite mark that was on my wrist. This bite mark was a constant reminder about what happened all those months ago. I tried to keep it hidden under long sleeved shirts but that didn't always work. My family would get quiet every time they saw it. Edward's face would look pained. It killed me when I saw his face look like that.

"Victoria." That name took me out of my thoughts and back into the real world.

"She will come after me. We will be prepared for her." Wrong Edward. She's coming for Bella.

"Change me. I can protect you." I decided to take that as my cue to interrupt.

"As much as that sounds intriguing, it would be a downer to be the only human around." I walk over to them and smile at Bella. "I enjoy having someone around that's still breathing." Bella chuckles at that with me.

"I just want to help." I smile at Bella.

"I know. I do too. But you know Edward, he's stubborn as a mule."

"Hey!" I laugh at Edward's expression.

"What? It's true and you know it Edward."

"Sophie." I look at Bella.

"Yes?"

"Have you ever met them before?" My face goes grim.

"Not all of them but yes. I met Aro and two of his guards. The Volturi found out about me and they decided to pay us a visit. I hope you never have to meet them. They are the type of people who you don't want to mess with. They don't believe in second chances which made me relieved when they decided not to kill us. Aro told us in exchange for our lives that I would need to be turned. I was too young at the time so it would have to be when I'm older. I worry every day about that. I will be 18 soon and the day where they come to tell us that I need to be turned grows closer and closer."

"Which proves we shouldn't worry about this right now," interrupted Edward. "We can all worry about this later. Besides, it's my job to protect the both of you. From everyone except my sister." Alice dances in at that moment.

"It's time it's time!" Alice grabs Bella by the hand and takes her downstairs. I smile at Edward and follow after them.

Alice really outdid herself. She decorated the room with balloons, flowers and streamers. She had music playing and there was also a birthday cake. Bella noticed the cake also.

"Alice, a cake? Besides Sophie, you guys don't even eat."

"I just want everything to be perfect." I walk over to Alice.

"You did a wonderful job Alice."

"Thank you Sophie." I walk over to Rosalie and stand beside her. I look at Bella and sure enough she is wearing the gloves I bought for her. Good.

"Present time!" Alice looks at Rosalie. Rosalie hands a box to Bella.

"It's a necklace. Alice picked it out." I smiled softly at Rosalie.

Bella took the box from Rosalie. "Thanks." I quickly take the present out of Bella's hand.

"I hope you don't mind with Emmett opening up your presents. I know you are wearing the gloves I got you but I just want you to be safe."

Bella seemed to understand. "Ok. Oh, and thank you for the gloves. They are beautiful."

"I'm glad you like them."

The rest of the party went very well. Bella loved the plane tickets to see her mom and Emmett installed that new stereo into her truck.

Jasper stayed in the back of the room during the party. Jasper was taking a precaution around Bella. He didn't want to slip up tonight. And so far everything was going well.

Carlisle and Esme were having a great time as well. They enjoyed all the laughter and liveliness that was in their house. It made them forget for a little while that they weren't human.

The night went by in a flash. I guess time really does fly by fast when you are having fun. Even though Bella didn't want to celebrate her birthday, she seemed happy to be with us.

Rosalie kept to herself mostly. I knew she would rather be somewhere else. Jasper kept his distance the whole night. He seemed fine with that though.

"It's getting late. I'm going to take Bella home." I let everyone say goodbye before walking up to Edward and Bella.

"Happy Birthday again." Bella smiled at me softly.

"Thank you Sophie. Oh, and thank you for eating cake with me. It's nice to not be the only human around."

"No problem. I happen to love cake. It's honestly nice having you around. Kind of refreshing really."

I followed Bella and Edward to the front door. Edward embraced me into a hug. "I will be back later."

"Ok. Bye." I wave goodbye to them as they exited the house. Everything was fine. Nothing bad happened. I couldn't help but to smile.

Nobody got hurt. All of my precautions worked. I was lost in my thoughts that I failed to notice what was about to happen.

I was in my own thoughts that I didn't see Bella trip over a flower pot that was placed on the sidewalk leading to our driveway.

I didn't see her landing on the concrete which caused her to scrape her knee.

It was only when she said "ow," that I realized what had happened.

My breath caught in my throat. Our door still happened to be open when she scraped her knee. I watched the blood drip onto our driveway.

That was when all hell broke loose.

Well there we go! I hope enjoyed this chapter. Please tell me your thoughts.

I am trying to write the next chapter soon. Work has been kicking my butt. Until next time!