107

"Are you nervous?" Bella asks when we pull up to V.C. bright and early on a Friday morning.

"No," I reply.

And I'm not. I know this is just a formality, and I'm willing to go through whatever they're going to put us through in order to prove that Bella is my mate. This is another step toward getting our forever.

"Well, I am."

I look over and find her smiling. "Just kidding. Jane said to find her when we're finished. This shouldn't take long."

Bella checks us in at the receptionist's desk, and I follow her to a small office on the fourth floor. A creepy-looking vampire sits at a big oak desk.

"Aro?" Bella asks, obviously confused at seeing the man.

In a flash, he's around the desk and pulling Bella into his arms. "Ah, my darling girl. It's been too long."

She hugs him tightly and pulls back. "Why didn't the twins tell me you'd be here?"

He kisses her cheek and shakes his head when I offer my hand in greeting. "We'll get to that in a moment, Mr. Cullen." He turns back to Bella. "They've been using me for bond testing since Marcus … we like to keep that close to the cuff for obvious reasons."

"Oh. Well, that makes sense." Bella pushes me down into a chair and takes the one next to me. "Edward, this is my uncle Aro. Aro Volturi."

"Volturi?"

He nods, his smile turning even more sinister. "Jane and Alec are my children, in a sense. I was their sire. Long before it became illegal, of course."

I nod because I don't know how to reply to him.

"Aro's power is tactile telepathy," Bella explains. "He can dig deep into the recesses of your mind with just a simple touch."

"Which is why I held off on that handshake." He nods. "Consent is key, and I would like to make sure I'm given permission before delving into your deepest darkest secrets."

"That's smart." I run my hand through my hair. "But we're here for a reason, so feel free."

Aro gives a creepy laugh. "I like him, Bella. I always knew you'd find someone who would keep you on your toes. We're here for your bond testing, so let's get this out of the way." He holds his hand out. "My love. Can you please drop your shield?"

Bella stands up and places her palm in his, and his smile grows wider and wider. "Ah, La Tua Cantante. You were right. Edward is certainly your singer."

She looks over and winks.

Aro helps her sit back down. "I only wish the women in my life would accept squeaky dog toys as a form of apology."

I blush. "There's a story behind it."

He offers me his hand, and I don't hesitate.

It takes fifteen minutes to find out what we've already known.

"You are without a doubt mates, and your love for one another surpasses a lot of the greats I've encountered," Aro tells us while he fills out the necessary paperwork.

Bella's grin matches mine, and she asks her uncle to tell Jane that we'll see her at the girls' birthday party.

"I thought we were going to see her after?"

"I changed my mind." She drags me out of the building and stops, turning to me with bright eyes.

"Marry me, Edward."

I gasp.