I'm back!

How are we doing, lovelies?

Reviewers:

GraceEllingson - Thank you! I hope this chapter reaches your expectations!

The heat of the sun burnt on my face and I had zero cares about the tan. It had been so long that I had felt warmth that was from a ball of gas and not a machine.

The small backyard of Phil and Renee and now Bella's house stretched out towards the thankfully private beach and I had to be glad that in this life, Phil was determined and experienced enough to play big game.

He wasn't a Yankee but Renee and Bella were well provided and cared for.

I heard the sliding door open behind me and then there was shuffling as my best friend arranged her body in the lawn chair beside me.

"Sometimes it scares me how like me you are even when we are like poles apart." I heard her mutter.

"Because we both like the sun," I guessed and she gave me a sheepish smile.

"You also like rain though," she said.

"So did you; or was it just a ploy to fool Stephen?" I asked.

"It wasn't a ploy! I just…yeah, whatever," She went red, cheeks blossoming as I laughed.

"So, Edward doesn't like the sun? I'm surprised you came alone. I was so sure I told mom that Edward would come with you."

"Oh," I paused, carefully analyzing my answer.

In truth, Edward didn't hate the sun, what he hated was the fact that it dimmed his powers so much. The reason why he wanted to stay indoors when it was sunny because he felt like he had bubble wrap around his head. It dulled his mind hearing, lessening the radius of area he could hear by a few meters and made him antsy which was why they usually tended to hunt during sunny times.

"Actually, he had some stuff to do. Besides, I don't want him glued to my side. It's good to have some space." I said.

"Right…so, what about Stephen, did he pick a college yet?" Bella asked.

I heard the underlying question loud as if she'd spoken it out in the open. Did he pick a college close to me?

"Bells, he wants to take some time to decide what he wants to do." I sighed.

Bella licked her lips then looked over the backyard to the small gate that led to the beach. "Right,"

I closed my eyes at the confusion in her voice.

"What about you? Are you going to go to that college that scouted you in Italy?"

I wanted to laugh. "Oh, I haven't…I don't know."

"You're waiting for Edward to decide." Bella said shrewdly.

"NO! I won't do that. I just, I don't want extra burden on myself if I can't even go home." I said quickly.

Bella's face fell immediately at the mention of home. "I know. This is just the last time we can meet before I go to college so…"

"I know Bells, I'll be fine. You'll be fine. You'll ace it." I told her reassuringly.

Of course she would, once she was out of the danger being associated with me would bring her there would be nothing holding her back.

The rails of clothes hanging in front me had never been as baffling to me as they were now.

Normally, Alice and Rosalie were around whenever I needed help in this department but my retail partner was Renee. She had vanished down the corner the moment we came into the large store.

I wasn't handicapped in shopping but the sheer amount of clothes in the store beat any mall Forks or Port Angeles could offer.

"You look lost."

"You left me." I returned immediately, turning to see my mother figure in this world sidle up to me.

"Forgive me, so, what's on your mind?" She asked.

"Honestly, I'm kind of numbed with so much color and clothes." I admitted and she chuckled.

"If you come join us here, you could get used to it." she offered.

"I'm thinking about it." I answered.

"I know you don't want to leave Edward but,"

"It's not about him. If I wanted to go to college, I will. I just, need some time to figure out what I want to do." I sighed, explaining my reasons – a lie, of course – for hopefully the last time.

Renee wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

"Ok, let's get you something new for back to Forks." She said leading me into the aisles as she said slowly.

"You should visit us more."

"I will." I promised, knowing I won't be coming back here for a very long time.

In a way, it was the last time I was seeing Renee and Bella.

I spent another week with Renee and Bella, even catching Phil just a few days before I was to leave. Too soon, it was time to leave for Forks, for Charlie, for Edward and the problems that we would need to face once I got there.

The arms I wrapped around Bella and Renee hugged a little tighter than they normally would as I was piled into the small plane that would get me to Seattle with a change to Port Angeles. Both Charlie and Edward had offered to come over to drive me an hour to Forks but I'd declined. It didn't make any sense for them to waste two to three hours for something that I could reduce to one hour just by taking a bus.

The ride was tiring yes but at least it dropped me just a few blocks away from Charlie's house.

Sighing and huffing, I began to pull the wheeled suitcase behind me when I felt someone tug at it. Reflexes kicked in almost as second nature and I whirled, swinging my purse in my hand to connect with the side of the thief's face.

The bag never connected with any face as a hand reach out and grabbed the canvas of the bag, gripping it loosely before letting it drop, revealing dark hair, aquiline features and a slight quirk of deep pink lips.

"Alec?" I gasped.

Dark eyes flickered at the sound of my voice, before meeting mine completely, revealing deep crimson orbs that could only mean one thing. He'd fed, recently.

"Hello, Tulika, fancy meeting you here." he smiled.

I looked around the empty neighborhood then back at him. "What are you doing here?" I asked.

"I was around…to take a look at circumstances."

"To find me," I cut in.

"Not exactly…it was more of a congress with the Cullens for a direct understanding of what is going on."

"Oh, a lot, you could say…"

"I would say. Fortunately, the meeting is not going to take place." he said.

"Why not?" I asked.

He smiled. "Because I met you; why go to Edward Cullen when I could talk to you?"

He bowed towards the handle of my suit case and I slowly let go, letting him wheel it and take my bag off my arms.

"Chivalry isn't dead yet." I muttered.

"Well, consider it immortal." He joked.

Alec and I walked by in complete silence for a few minutes.

"Ok, seriously, why are you here?" I asked. "It can't possibly be to know what's going on here."

"What else does the Volturi do? They find out what's going on in the world." he shrugged.

You narrowed your eyes at him. "Did Aro send you?"

That was when his expression faltered.

"As a matter of fact, no, Tesoro, he did not send me. He doesn't want me to be hurt, or so he said."

"He doesn't want you to rebel, is what he wants." I muttered under my breath, making him smile.

"Perhaps; you believe I would rebel for you, then?"

I immediately flushed, cursing myself for the thoughtless words spewing out of my mouth.

"I didn't mean…I was just -,"

"You'd be right. A vampire as dutiful as a Volturi guard would only ever rebel for his Singer."

If possible, I flushed even more. Why did I react like this to Alec?

"As it so happens, it was my sister who put the thought in my mind, that I should come see you. I have been restless for a while since you left Voltaire and it has been interfering with my duties. I think I got on a lot of people's nerves."

He chuckled while I walked on beside him silently.

"Alec," I sighed. "I know what you want but I…don't know if,"

"What kind of man would I be if I had to pressure my Singer into a relationship with me, mio amore?"

"That doesn't mean that I'm not hurting you. I also don't know why but hurting you makes me feel bad too." I whined.

"That would be the bond, tesoro. You don't have to feel bad. If we are meant to be, which we are, you will find your way to me."

"What if i don't? What if I take too long? How long are you willing to wait for someone like me?" I asked, stopping a house away from Charlie's.

"I'm not goign anywhere, and I will live forever."

"What if I leave? What if i die?" I asked.

Alec froze, turning his eyes finally on my face, roving them across my features.

"Then god help anyone who I find responsible,"

I opened my mouth to argue but he pressed one finger to my lips. I closed my eyes, feeling my nerves thrum, blood simmering under my skin at his touch, a sign of upheaval that was wholly out of my control.

"You have Edward in your heart. I can understand that but you also have me. That is not something you can deny. In time, you will find yourself in front of Voltaire again, Tesoro, and that day, you will become a Queen."

"Alec," I whispered but when I opened my eyes he was already gone, a fiery kiss left to my cheek. My bag was left neatly on the suitcase, handle left in my hanging hand.

I turned to look at Charlie's empty front yard and then back to where I could feel Alec had gone, words stuck in my throat.

This is goodbye to Bella and Renee. I'm going to miss the characters even though they did not make much of a show in this story.

Anywhoo, what did you think of what Alec said to T?

How do you think Edward would've reacted to this scene?

Until next time!