Chapter 16 - My Dearest Isabella

A/N: Just playing with SM's characters.

Edward sat with his back to the headboard of his bed and pulled his sweet girl into his arms, her back to his chest. He wrapped one arm around her waist and she took that hand in hers. He held the thick pages of the long letter in front of them.

"Her handwriting is so beautiful," he said softly. He was stalling, unsure of how reading this was going to affect Bee but so relieved that she was finally ready to read what her Grandmother had written.

"Edward, it's okay," Bee whispered. "Just read it all the way through, don't stop. I'll be alright."

He kissed her temple softly, marvelling once again at her strength and courage. He took a deep breath and began:

"My Dearest Isabella,

I have been sick for many months and now know that I will soon be keeping company with the angels.

Please do not be sad at my passing, I have lived a good life and leave this world with only a few regrets on my conscience.

My greatest regret is that I wasn't able to spend more time with you. Please know that after my dear Charles passed, I repeatedly tried to get custody of you, to get you away from your mother and keep you from that horrible man. Every time I found you and was working with the authorities to try to remove you, Renee would move to a new place and hide you from me again.

So, here and now I ask your forgiveness for not being able to protect you and for letting you down. I loved you very much and since you are reading this letter, I hope that you know that I have left you sufficient funds and property to keep you safe from Renee and James for good. If you are reading this and not yet 18, you can petition the Court to give you early access to your independence with the proof of being able to care for yourself with the equity I am leaving you.

I have been successful in my career and in my professional life, at least, I have realised my dreams.

While raising my wonderful son Charles by myself, I have enjoyed years of working my way up in the publishing world and worked nurturing new authors, helping them realise their dreams and bring their words to the world.

Publishing is the fourth great love of my life.

The first was your paternal grandfather whom I loved with my whole heart and who gave me the second love - the gift of your father Charles, who was a joy to me every day of his life, and the third was you, my dear girl. I know you will find your way free of Renee and James and then realise your dreams which, if they haven't changed since I last saw you, were that you wanted to become a doctor.

The money I have left you will ensure you can go to whatever college you choose. Live your dreams, live them for your father and live them for me.

I would've had more to leave you but I invested a great deal in private investigators and lawyers in my fight to get custody of you. You were worth every penny and if I had my time again I would've just snatched you away, taken you to Ireland and we could've started over together. Another regret.

You are probably wondering why I have a house in Forks of all places, when I lived in New York for most of my life. That is a long story and not very pretty, I'm afraid. But like any good story the best place to start is the beginning.

In 1973, I was almost finished my studies at college and worked as a waitress to pay my way. My job was in an Italian restaurant owned by one of the most powerful families in New York at that time, the Volturi family. Marcus Volturi was known for his brilliant mind, his business acumen and his charitable heart. He owned the restaurant which was called Isabella's Ristorante.

Marcus was a devoted husband, father and kind-hearted humanitarian. He loved his wife Isabella passionately and completely and she gave Marcus and the boys her complete focus.

When her boys went off to college, Marcus bought her a restaurant for their 25th wedding anniversary because she loved to cook and host spectacular dinner parties. They renovated it to be a little bit of Italy in New York and he named it after her. Over the next few years, Isabella built the restaurant to be one of the most popular in the city.

Isabella was a lovely woman, loved by all, but when she was killed in a car accident Marcus' persona changed overnight. He kept his public profile as the 'great man'; to the rest of the world he was Marcus Volturi - smart, successful and a good man. To those of us who actually knew him and who worked for him, Marcus was a tyrant. He was cruel, unfeeling and unkind. He was dismissive and unimpressed with everyone except his two precious sons to whom he was less affectionate but still immensely proud.

He wasn't at the restaurant often but I had learned that when he was there it was best to stay out of Marcus' way. I would've have left like so many others but what with it being a popular spot for the in crowd, and me being a pretty young thing back then, I earned more in tips than my wages and I needed the money. I just tried to be invisible whenever Marcus was there.

I wasn't invisible though, not to Aro, Marcus' favoured son, who showed all the signs of being a mirror of his father, in his earlier incarnation at least. He was handsome, with long black hair, pale skin and deep brown eyes, just like yours. He was so smart he was ahead in all his studies and always topped his classes.

Aro would come into the restaurant and made a point of sitting in my section. I served him quietly and efficiently, never wanting to gain his attention despite my attraction to him. He started to come to the restaurant every time I was rostered to work and each time he would try to find out more about me.

He would come with his brother Caius who was a sweet boy but nothing to Aro. Where Aro was dark, strong and charismatic, Caius was blond, weak and shy. The brothers, though different, loved each other very much; Aro protected his brother since their father had withdrawn from being the affectionate father he'd once been and had become distant.

Aro and I began to see each other outside of his restaurant visits. I didn't want him spending money on me or taking me anywhere too public as I was terrified his father would find out and I would lose my job, which was my only means of supporting myself through college. My family were in Ireland and I was alone in New York. I couldn't afford to lose my job.

Our relationship went on for months and we became very serious, falling deeply in love. He was so good to me, always kind and gentle.

Unfortunately, Caius became very ill and was hospitalised as things grew worse. Marcus announced that the whole family was to return to his childhood home in Italy, that Caius would respond well to the climate and this would be for the best.

Aro was devastated, deeply concerned for his dear brother and spent all his time at the hospital with him.

I was devastated too, but because I had just found out that I was pregnant.

When the doctor told me I was pregnant I was worried but happy too. I loved Aro so much and I wanted his child, even if it was inconvenient timing.

I wanted to contact Aro but the only way to do so would've been conspicuous to his father and Aro was so caught up in his brother's illness we hadn't seen each other for over two weeks. I picked up as many shifts at the restaurant as I could, knowing that Aro would try to contact me there.

Unknown to me, Marcus had been told by one of the waiters that Aro was seen flirting and kissing me, and Marcus had been keeping an eye on me, waiting for his opportunity.

His opportunity came in the form of an innocent envelope delivered to the restaurant addressed only with my name on it in Aro's handwriting. It was left near the sign-on book in the staff room of the restaurant. Unfortunately, Marcus found and read the note before I received it.

When I arrived at work he called me into his office. He was deathly quiet, sitting behind his large wooden desk. I was nervous as Marcus didn't often spend time at the restaurant as it was the smallest of his businesses, but he would visit occasionally to ensure all was running as it should. I was worried he was going to fire me but I was even more worried that he knew about his son's and my relationship.

He slid an envelope with my name written on it across the desk. I picked it up and realised immediately that it was unsealed and that Marcus had read it. I opened it, read the note quickly and knew that Marcus was now aware of my relationship with Aro. The note was cold and not like my Aro at all.

The note told me that with his family's move to Italy he could no longer see me. That he was sorry for any hurt this may cause but that he was looking for someone truly special to be his wife and partner for his career, and that he felt sure he'd find this back in his father's home town in Italy.

After a very long, heavy silence Marcus told me that his son's future was not going to be wasted on Irish trash; that Aro was already engaged to an Italian woman from his family's home village and that this engagement was the real reason they were moving to Italy as a family, not just because of Caius' illness.

He opened his desk drawer and produced photographs of my Aro with a beautiful looking girl; he told me that there were other trashy girls just like me in Aro's life and that he'd turned a blind eye to his son's sowing his wild oats before committing to his fiancee in marriage. I wanted to ignore the photos of Aro with the woman but then the last one he gave me showed my sweet Aro with his arms wrapped around her and her hand placed on his chest. They were looking at each other smiling and there was an engagement ring on her finger.

I remember a traitorous tear falling down my cheek before I could stop it. I was determined not to show Marcus any weakness but in that terrible moment my hand went to my abdomen as I thought of my unborn child and how I'd been a fool to fall in love with a Volturi.

Marcus realised I was in the family way and told me he would help me. He demanded I leave New York and disappear as he didn't want Aro's reputation soiled with the bastard child born to Irish trash. Although I was broken-hearted, I was also relieved that he wasn't pushing me to have an abortion. He was a devout Catholic so I shouldn't have been surprised.

The next day Marcus arrived at my door, he gave me the address of a house in Forks, Washington, that he bought in my name and details for an account he'd opened in my name in a bank in Forks where he'd deposited $250,000.

He gave me $50,000 in cash and told me to travel to Forks to have the child and if I wanted I could stay there and raise the bastard or I could put it up for adoption. He didn't care about the details except that I was to stay away from him and his sons. I was to disappear, let Aro live his life and reach his potential without being dragged into a tawdry scandal.

After he left, I packed my bags and travelled to stay with good friends in Boston. didn't look back; I didn't try to find Aro and speak to him. I had one concern and that was the child growing in my womb.

I never lived in the house in Forks but kept it as cover in case Marcus ever checked on the house. I made arrangements with a local company to lease the house, the money for rent went into my bank account in Forks and all expenses for maintenance, improvements, repairs or taxes were paid for from the same account. The balance is there for you along with the $250,000 given to me by Marcus, and other deposits I have made over the years.

I had planned for it to be a college fund for your father but he received a full scholarship so I kept it to help him when he got married but then he met Renee and I had no intention of letting that woman anywhere near your inheritance. When my darling Charles died I changed my will to have you named as my sole beneficiary.

I used the $50,000 cash to survive on until I finished my last exams and got my first job. I stayed with my friends in Boston until Charles was born and then moved back to New York where I got my start in publishing. Aro and his family had long gone back to Italy and I tried my best not to dwell on what might have been and focussed instead on my new life as mother and editor.

Charles and I made a good life for ourselves. He was a lovely baby and you'll find photos of him growing up, if you go to my New York apartment which is also yours now. There are even some photos of Charles holding you when you were young. He was so happy when you were born m'aingeal; he loved you very much, always remember that you were loved.

I never married. Aro may not have loved me but I loved him and he was the only one for me. So I focussed on being a mother to Charles and developing my career. I had good friends and a good life.

Reading this letter back to myself I regret now that I didn't find Aro and make peace with him. I turned and left with only Marcus' harsh words to remember. I loved Aro and though he broke my heart, even now I think I would forgive him if he asked.

I have written a note for Aro, your Grandfather, and am leaving it with you. It is up to you entirely to seek him out or not, but if you do find him, it would ease my heart's last ache if you could give him the note as I ask for his forgiveness for loving him so much and offer him mine for not loving me enough.

Tell him this, though you will read it yourself if ever you should come to New York and you should visit my grave; you'll see engraved upon it: 'Death leaves a wound nothing can heal; love leaves a memory no one can steal.'

I have truly loved three people in my life, my dearest Aro, our son Charles and our beautiful granddaughter Isabella named for Aro's mother - your great-grandmother.

Live your life my darling girl. You are gifted and special, your grandfather would've loved you I am sure. If you find love, hold it to you and never let it go.

God bless you, Your Nanna Swan"

Edward's voice had become rough and low as he read, trying hard to hold back his own tears. He could hear his girl's soft sobs and his hold around her waist tightened to let her know he had her safe in his arms. He placed the letter on his bedside table and turned her in his arms so that she was cradled in his lap; he stroked her hair and let her cry.

Eventually her sobs slowed and she sat back brushing her long brown hair away from her tear-dampened face. "Thank you Edward," she said and touched his cheek gently.

Edward gave her his soft shy smile that was just for his Bee: "There's a lot in that letter for us to talk about, but it's late and I think we should sleep."

"Okay, I'll just head back to my room," she said as she tried to remove herself from Edward's arms. He laughed and pulled her close: "Where do you think you're going?" He tickled her ribs and she giggled.

"You're staying here with me tonight. Let's get under the blankets and snuggle." He lifted up slightly and pulled the sheets out from under him before lying down, taking her with him.

He looked into her eyes as she played with the hair at the back of his neck: "I love you my Busy Bee."

"I love you too my Fancy Pants."

Bee fell asleep in his arms and as Edward started to doze off he noted the time on the clock and realised it was 1am. He kissed the tip of her nose and whispered: "Happy birthday, Isabella."

A/N: I've had Siobhan's and Aro's story written out for so long and have been dying to share some of it with you and now with Nanna's letter you've heard her side of things. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Quote:

This is a version of text written on a headstone in Ireland.

Death leaves a heartache difficult to heal;

Love leaves sweet memories no one can steal

~ Headstone in Ireland, 1889