Adley made her way with Marcus in tow through the Florence Museum. She had printed out a top ten list of best Museums, they had already been through four. Two yesterday, and one earlier this morning, Palazzo Vecchio. This afternoon Galleria dell' Accademia. She was practically bouncing whilst holding onto Marcus' bicep. Her flats clicked along the polished tile floors. Despite it being a Tuesday, it was busy. Who could blame them, coming from all over to see the master work of Michelangelo's David.

Adley pulled on her three-quarter sleeve blouse around her stomach with her free hand. He led them through the hall where the dome holding the 17 foot statue of David resided. She hadn't expected it to be so large. She studied the detail from afar as many of the tourists did. They could not approach due to the barrier. Marcus' height and the fact he was a vampire, kept some people at bay from getting too close to them.

"He's quite beautiful. How a person can put such detail into marble will always astound me. Michelangelo was human right?" She asked leaning to Marcus.

He chuckled nodding. "Yes, he was indeed mortal."

"Really? I hardly believe it." She murmured. "Did you ever meet Michelangelo?"

Marcus cleared his throat. She felt his aura change to take on hints of embarrassment. She quirked her brow turning her attention away from the master piece to him. He motioned her forward away from the growing crowd at the statue and to a more secluded wing of the museum.

"Yes, I had the privilege of meeting the man. Amongst other great artists throughout the past centuries. Caius is an advocate and patron of the arts. He funded multiple struggling artists throughout the world. Aro however, was the one to contact and commission Michelangelo. He was impressed with the creation of David. He had the man carve a statue of himself."

"You're kidding?" Adley fought back a grin. "I need to know where these statues are."

"They are not as revealing as David is." Marcus warned.

"Good, no offence to your brothers Marcus. I don't wish to see their genitals. Aro is cursed enough being forced to see everyone nude in mind." Her nose scrunched at the thought. "I am more than happy to see you nude and only you."

She assured him a sly smile on her lips. He shook his head pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Little one you are a fiend at times. Aro refused to do poses in the nude. He originally wanted Sulpicia to be done but Michelangelo was known for his love of the male form."

"Okay, so what did he sculpt of Aro?" She pressed.

"Aro laid out on a lounge chaise with servants feeding him. He is covered in a cloth over his waist. Sully absolutely adores it." Marcus explained a small smile curling her lips.

"I bet," she said. "Did he sculpt you by chance?"

"While the statue isn't the only thing Michelangelo designed in Honour of Aro, no he did not sculpt me. He did have fun doing two male lovers after Aro and Marcus. It was on a smaller scale and sits in the basement. Caius has it under lock in a vault I believe."

"I need a photo." She laughed.

"I'm sure Athena would willingly go and get one for you." He replied.

"I'm surprised he wouldn't wish to do a sculpture of you though, you are quite the god yourself." She winked pulling him into the next area of the museum.

"I did not indulge in the way Michelangelo liked. Aro and Caius happened to be married. I wasn't he had indulgences I did not wish to partake."

"Note for later, Marcus doesn't like to be pegged." She murmured under her breath.

Marcus leant down his lips brushing the shell of her ear. "Little One, I much prefer to have you at my submission."

Adley shuddered at his words he exhaled. She cleared her throat cheeks burning bright. "We should continue on…"

"A good idea."

"So, for the wedding have you ever made plans for one? Any ideas of what you want?" Sully asked whilst walking with Adley towards the kitchens.

"I've given it some consideration… nothing too detailed." She admitted.

"That's a start, Would you like some help with planning?" Sully questioned with a notepad and pen in hand.

"If you're not opposed to helping with it."

"I haven't planned a wedding in nearly seventy years of course I would." Sully assured her a smile breaking across her face. "The wedding did you wish to have two ceremonies?"

Adley pursed her lips. "It's probably for the best isn't it? Considering my family will probably want me in Washington to celebrate with them. It'll be more Korean traditional for them… wouldn't it be a little hard to have multiple vampires in a wedding party there as well? My family isn't exactly the easy to fool. We are a family of empaths."

"That does pose a challenge yes, two ceremonies can be done. We could have one here in Italy and then one in Washington." Sully advised.

"It wouldn't be too much?"

"Of course not! Aro and I last renewed our vows in the turn twentieth century. We have been looking for a reason to have a large celebration here. This would be perfect to bring in many guests. It would be perfect! A ball and wedding with all of the coven allies and friends." Sully began jotting down many things while she spoke.

"A ball? Doesn't that go against the whole inconspicuous law?" Adley questioned.

"It is many months in advance we would send out invites, many covens will be here for months. It would be a few trickling into the city we would keep up supply of many humans. We will need to reach out to some of our contacts for supply but it can be done." Sully waved it off. "It's best not to overthink it dear. The human population grows closer to seven billion everyday. Many can be made into meals."

Adley agreed with a quick nod. While she didn't care much about the diet of vampires it kept the human population in check she still had her nagging feeling if she got too invested. They were just humans as long as she didn't see their faces or get to know them. Food was food.

She stretched rubbing at her back. "When would these weddings happen? I know in Seattle it will not be until 2008 at the very least. My sister has 2007 booked for her wedding. I refuse to damper her time as a bride."

"We could do as early as the end of 2007 winter to as far out as you would like. Have you had time to plan with Marcus?"

Adley stopped in her tracks. "Now that I think of it I haven't seen Marcus all day, wasn't meal time over three hours ago?"

Sully nodded. "It was yes, it isn't like Marcus to avoid you. He's usually the one to feed you. I've had you all day. Alec, has Marcus said where he was off to?"

Adley looked over her shoulder to see the young teen. He and Jane had been taking daily time to be watching over her. Ibrahim was still spending time with his husband.

"Master Marcus is currently in the family sitting room of the west wing. On the second floor. He is with Master Aro and Master Caius." He replied.

"What on Earth are those three up to now?" Sully muttered closing her note pad. "Do you mind going and seeing what is going on? I have a few things I wish to begin planning and I do not want to leave Adley without one of us."

"I'll be fine Sully, I am sure he'll be around soon. I'm just going to the kitchen. I will find him after eating."

"Alright, if you are sure. You are getting closer to your projected due date."

"I still have seven weeks at the very least."

"I read that twins can come early though."

"That is with an early birth. I promise if I am in imminent danger of giving birth I am able to give you a holler and call. We have cell phones." Adley held up her flip phone she'd been given for her time here in Italy.

"Alright then,"

Sully took a moment before she flashed away. Adley shook her head continuing onto the kitchen. She thought her own parents were over protective of her, and in constant need of assurance. Vampires were a whole other issue. Not only did she have ancient misconceptions to correct she had beings that didn't require sleep worrying for her.

Adley got a quick meal and shake from the kitchen eating it in no time. So she stretched slipping off the stool.

"Is Marcus still with his brothers?"

"Yes my Lady,"

"You are going to be hard to break out of the habit of my lady aren't you?" She raised a brow.

Alec gave a toothy grin. "It's been a habit for centuries."

She rolled her eyes following the teen out into the hall. They made their way back to the west wing where the Volturi main family resided in the castle. She made her way up the stairs and to the second floor. The stairs were narrow and winding but she managed to get up them just fine. The stairs though left her a bit winded. She was fine in a moment to continue, she followed Alec once more down the hall with many tapestries and doors. She was glad that she had a guide at least to get her through the castle untouched or so she wouldn't get lost. She approached the doors to the sitting room.

Her hand about to touch the door handle.

Anxiety and fear slammed into her. She froze hands hovering above the metal knob. She frowned. Only one person could make her feel such without effort. He wasn't hurt was he? Her heart hammered picking up speed, she forced herself through the door.

She stepped through the doorway and took in the large sitting room with large dark brown leather couches and chairs surrounding a few coffee tables in a sunken in room. She saw the three brothers all spaced out on the couches with a chalice in hand. Mid step pausing seeing Marcus on the couch in front of her. Head in his hands grabbing at his long dark locks.

"What on Earth is going on?" She demanded.

Marcus' head snapped up locking in on her. She saw his usual merlot gaze was pitch black. She studied his usual golden aura. It was covered in smoky clouds of turmoil. The Anxiety and fear was permeating around him. She blinked, he was on his knees with his arms around her middle.

She bit her lip when his hands touched her bare skin. There the leaking taste of embarrassment and regret revealed themselves. She looked to Aro and Caius both were completely relaxed and unfazed.

"Who broke him?"

Caius quirked his brow. "Who said we were to blame for his current state?"

She crossed her arms. A sneer curling her lips. "I haven't seen him since Sully whisked me off with shopping and baby shower planning. He was happy then. What has happened in those seven hours? He has been with you for a while now and my deductions lead me to you two having an answer."

Aro smirked.

"I wouldn't get too cocky with the looks, tread carefully." She snarled red flashing in her vision.

"Be calm sister—"

"Aro I wouldn't finish that sentence. Telling a woman to be calm those are fighting words." She spat.

"Peace sister, I mean no harm. I merely meant to elaborate that his current state is his own doing."

"How?" She pressed hands beginning to ball into fists. She glared over both men. "He's only been out of a state like this for months. I don't need my mate reverting."

"Marcus, tell your mate why you grovel at her feet." Caius sighed taking a sip from his chalice.

She turned her attention to him. She cupped his cheeks in her hands. She sent out waves of love and concern to him. He sighed taking hold of her hands. He stood scooping her up in his grip and placed her on his lap sitting on the couches.

"What has you like this, tell me? Please." She asked.

"I am sorry, Little one, I didn't know until it was too late. If you wished to leave me I would understand completely." Marcus held her hand to his face, taking a deep breath of her scent. "If I had known I would have tried to avoid it."

"What, what did you do?"

"During meal time… my one victim…"

Her confusion scrunched her face up. "What about your meal?"

"I ate someone close to you…"

Shame crashed over her, as he held her close with skin contact. She pushed it away. "Were they a member of my family?"

"No…"

"Were they one of my close friends?"

"I do not believe so…"

"Who then?"

"He was a past lover of yours…" Marcus turned his face away.

"Shit did you eat Tyler?" She gasped.

"Tyler?" Caius scoffed.

Marcus shook his head. "No this was a man named Travis Henry?"

She paused. "Oh."

"Only oh sister? He ate your ex." Caius spoke up.

She glanced over to the older vampire. "Travis and I only hooked up a few times when I was a Sophomore in college. You haven't been beating yourself up because you drank from, have you?"

"He was your ex lover." Marcus objected.

"That's a stretch of the relation we had. If it had been Tyler it have been different. He has a wife, and a kid. I'd also be really surprised he ended up here since he's been in DC since '03."

"You are not upset?"

"You didn't go out looking for my ex's did you?"

"No."

"Did you know who he was when you saw him?"

"Aro was the one to point it out after I had drained him. He had a faint bond to someone in the castle. I mentioned it to Aro. He recognized his face from your memories."

"Well he ended up walking into the vampire bund, he was fair game. You didn't know until afterwards. Why would I hold that against you? I already told you I would never hold your nature against you. Just don't go hunting down every man I ever slept with out of jealousy then we would have issues. If you went hunting my ex's then you're crossing a boundary line. We both have pasts before we met Marcus. We were adults and consenting its in the past. I am very much in love with you, you goofball."

She leant up capturing his lips in a kiss. "You are sure?"

"Marcus I am as sure as I am pregnant. Now stop sulking over a misunderstanding. The real thing you should be feeling is anger at your brother for not telling you he was a mere fling that didn't mean anything to me."

Adley looked over bemused to Aro, who held his hands up. "How he interpreted my saying he was your ex lover was on him."

"Caius how long was he like this?"

"Four hours."

"You let him sulk around for four hours without clarifying that Aro?" She sighed pinching her nose. "You have full permission to smack him."

"Yes darling." Marcus picked her up. "A little later Little one, I have time I want to make up for with you."

"I can get behind that." She exhaled while he took off towards their rooms.

"Jane, just thought to let you know the pool is back open." Heidi commented whilst passing them in the hall.

Jane nodded to her. "Thanks,"

"There's a pool here?" Adley perked up hearing the word.

"Two actually, one for the guard and one accessible only to the family. Which would include you."

"You wouldn't be opposed to swimming—"

"Yes. One hundred percent yes." Jane squealed holding Adley's hand.

"Okay! Let's swim. I didn't pack a bathing suit…"

"It's okay I'm sure lady Sulpicia and Lady Athenadora bought one for you."

Jane began to practically run her down the hall back towards the room where she'd just been napping for the afternoon. Marcus had an errand he wished to run whilst she was asleep and wouldn't be back for a little bit. She tried to get it out of him, but he told her to be patient. She had also been told Sully and Athena were busy with a small coven stopping by from Estonia.

Once back in the bedroom, Jane ducked into the closet.

Adley followed cheeks burning as the teen began sifting through her underwear drawer. Not effected at all by the frilly underwear or lacy bras. She folded her arms under her chest leaning on the doorframe.

"I'm used to seeing this stuff. I'm eight hundred years old and a bit. I may be fourteen physically doesn't mean I'm naive."

"Never thought you to be, just it's a bit embarrassing is all. I don't like my sister going through my underwear either so it's nothing personal."

"I've seen worse I mean I shop at lingerie stores too because I want to. I know these aren't the ones you currently wear. The tags are still on these." Jane explained whilst she pulled out four things of fabric. "One pieces or two pieces?"

She held up the four suits. Adley took the first one a simple black one piece. It would've fit her maybe five months ago. When she wasn't supporting two babies nearing full term. She folded it and handed it back. The second was a bikini with a thong type bottoms.

"What on earth were they thinking with these? My whole privates would be exposed." She choked handing them back.

Jane chuckled putting them back. The next suit a one piece held the same issue to the first too small. She didn't blame Sully or Athena. They didn't exactly realize she was sure at the time she would be this pregnant. The last was a two piece that had a fuller bottom. While it wasn't the most revealing two piece she'd worn. It'd be the first she would wear pregnant. Her stomach had stretch marks, and beyond Marcus she hadn't shown anyone else her body. She relented.

"How busy is this pool?"

"The family one isn't usually. It's not commonly used. Rarely is a guard allowed into the family pool both in general are a privilege to use." Jane assured her. "It'd most likely just be us."

"Alright the family one it is."

"Yes! It has one of the better diving boards." Jane grinned.

"Well, do you have your suit?"

"Already down there and I can grab it from the changing room!"

Adley shook her head at the teen but couldn't keep her own smile away. Jane was bouncing on the spot at the prospect of being in the pool.

"Where are some places you've been swimming?" She asked as they made their way down to the second level in the basement.

"I've been across Europe mostly. I spent some time in Africa before in a few countries swimming in the ocean. We had a few missions there and in South America. My favourite would have to be the Amazon. The Amazon River was quite the delight, not so much for swimming per say as the piranhas tend to try and nip at you. They can't graze a vampire, but they can ruin clothes. I put an electric eel in Demetri's trunks when he wasn't paying attention. It was a shocking experience for him." Jane laughed.

"You enjoy causing trouble." Adley teased.

"Of course, life gets boring when you live forever." She said. "What about you, where is the best place you've swam?"

"Silver Falls and Blue Hole in the Mount Rainier area. It's quiet and allows for cliff diving."

"That was what that was called in Mount Rainier, Alec and I took a few nights in the water."

"That was probably freezing."

"Meh, cold hasn't bothered me ever. Vampires aren't affected by temperature anyways. I am tempted to even go swim with penguins in Antarctica, but Aro said no going into places where humans can see you. The damn creatures have cameras all over watching the penguins."

"March of the Penguins would be partially to blame."

"I would've gone before humans had contact, but we didn't exactly know much about the whole area. Humans stumbled into it in the last turn of the century by accident."

"Vampires didn't know about Antarctica?"

"Nope. That's a human discovery." Jane replied. "There really isn't a lot on the continent. The north pole is the place with all the real creatures and people. I haven't seen a yeti yet but a few vampires have. The Denali coven has had documentation of them."

"Yetis aren't a cryptid thing from legend?"

"Nope. Like Sasquatch. I'll be right back."

Adley simply stared as the teen pulled her into a changing room to get ready. Jane disappeared once more. Adley changed quickly into the two piece and braided her hair back so it wouldn't get in her face. She was quick to head out the other door that she assumed led to the pool. She popped her head out.

There a large olympic sized pool was before her, large levels she noticed were high with a few rafters she noticed. She squinted seeing plat forms. Her jaw fell slack. Okay daring diving plat forms. No wonder the teen was so thrilled. She shook her head. Which one opted for those she wondered. She looked around seeing a hot tub across the way and a few doors to rooms she would assume were either change rooms or saunas. There as well across from her on her side she saw two larger slides. She made the mental note to go down them when not pregnant.

She paused in her step hearing some splashing. She saw two pale women sitting on the pool edge. Backs turned to her. They had near white hair that was darkened by the water.

"Elsi, relax." One huffed.

"No, I will not. I have been here three days and he has not been anywhere to be seen." Elsi stated.

"Give it time, we are immortal after all, Marcus will show up."

Adley cocked her head to the side to try and hear them better. What now about her man? She just about walked up to them.

"He is always one of the first to greet us, he has never in six hundred years not been there. He ignores me, his future wife."

"I think the fuck not." Adley snorted.

Both figures jumped and flashed until they were right in front of her. Red eyes zeroed in with pearly white teeth bared.

"How dare you sneak up in the Royal pool." The taller one sneered leering over Adley.

"Who left their meal out of sight. Especially a mongo—"

The woman fell screaming to her knees. Adley stepped back on the cool tiles as Jane appeared beside her. The other pale woman snarled but did not lunge at her. Adley guessed the woman knew exactly who Jane was and what she could do.

"Jane release her." The woman demanded.

"I do not think I will."

"Do it you filthy little witch."

"Seriously name calling a teenager?" Adley tsked. She pushed out warning signals into the woman's aura. She latched on with her feelers letting her feel fear.

"What —who are you?"

"Me? I'm Adley Choi, Marcus' fiancée." She ground out. "Who the fuck are you?"

"Elisa, his lover. Marcus doesn't have a fiancée you human harlot. You're probably just his recent fuck that got too cocky. Marcus always did have a soft spot for pregnant humans. He's probably keeping you alive until those things are born then he'll finish his meal. He always did get a habit of playing with his food." Elsi sneered.

"See I'd believe you if I was a lesser woman, and as well if they weren't his babies." Adley taunted.

"Liar." Elsi lunged now.

Adley caught her wrist, forcing multiple shooting waves of devastation she had memorized from Bella. Screams filled the room over and over. Adley blared it out, red flashing in her vision with the skin to skin contact she held with the deranged vampire. She fed it in a loop over and over. Dragging the pain through the woman's aura so she could feel each moment Bella had suffered.

Adley had one down side at this time, her walls were tumbling down with the loop of emotions feeding each other. Anger, jealousy flourished through her own aura. The floosy wanted her man. No She couldn't have him. Marcus belonged to her. Not this woman. How dare she come into her home and proclaim such lies. This was her family. Her mate. Not hers. Marcus belonged to her. Only her. That was it. She carried his children. She wore his ring. She belonged to him. He was hers. This woman would burn for suggesting otherwise!

"Adley, stop."

She barely registered the command until the woman was pulled from her grasp. She slumped taking a staggered breath. Heart pounding, gut churning. Her vision cleared.

"Adley, hush, dear. You're safe."

Athena. She leant back into the cool touch. She took deep breaths trying to regain control over the rage in her. It stirred in her middle circling.

"What happened?"

"We came in to screams, you and Jane have been torturing the Estonian coven members."

"Oh, yeah… she said she was Marcus' lover." Adley snapped. "My mate."

"We know dear, he is your mate. We've removed them, you need to calm down. Do you feel up to swimming?" Athena asked.

"Yes."

"Good, Jane and I will be here. You relax." Athena lured her down into the water.

Adley took a few deep breaths. She calmed her racing heart. She swam a bit deeper laying back a bit, her stomach submerged. Two kicks came from each of her sides. She sighed.

Athena floated over to her. "Feeling a little better?"

"Slightly,"

"Good, I will say you mama bear are a bit scary." Athena laughed.

Adley blushed. "I'm not normally like that."

"I know, hormones and the mating bond make us a little crazy."

"That rage, was the bond?"

"Partially," Athena admitted.

"Damn…" Adley leant back rolling over. She looked down chuckling.

"What's so funny?"

"I'm a human submarine."

Athena laughed shaking her head.

"Hey Adley, watch this!" Jane's voice came from above.

Adley looked up across the olympic size pool in the deeper end. She saw on a platform up in the rafters. She blinked a moment.

"She isn't serious is she?" Adley whispered.

"Oh from there? That's nothing only fifteen metres." Athena waved her off. "Jane has done some cliff diving before off of ledges over one hundred."

"What?" She shuddered.

Jane jumped off flipping herself five times before landing with a splash. In mere seconds she popped up beside Adley grinning wide. "Isn't it cool?! I love diving."

"I see that. Remind me if we are in the ocean not to watch too much." She murmured.

"I'm indestructible remember?"

"I'm immortal and come back from the dead, but that is still a bit no." she shivered.

"Yet you go mountain climbing?"

"Mountains don't require me to jump off of them and hope I resurface."

"It is fun, you should try it when you aren't pregnant."

"We'll see."

"Awesome so next time you're in Italy."

"No, that is not what I said." She objected.

"Too late. You will do it." Jane stuck her tongue out laughing.