A/N: SM wrote Twilight. I wrote this.
Thanks for your messages and kind words, and thanks for hanging in there with me.
The table went quiet while Edward took Bee's hand in his: "We weren't trying to hide anything from you love. We just didn't want to upset you."
Bee looked around the table taking in the faces of her family. She sighed: "I know you all mean well but you can't shelter me from the hard things in life, though I know you all want to. Now just tell me what you found."
Aro volunteered to tell his granddaughter about the files they'd found in Siobhan's apartment. He glossed over the gory details, still not wanting to upset her.
Bee listened to her grandfather, all the while holding Edward's hand, and when Aro had finished she surprised everyone at the table by giving a small smile.
"Nanna Swan loved me so much," she said. "She wrote in her letter to me that she had tried over and over to gain custody of me, but it really sank in today seeing the lovely room she had readied for me in her apartment. Now hearing about these investigator's files only proves her hope that I would live with her someday.
"Thank you all for trying to shield me, but you have to remember, that what is in those files was actually what my life was like; I know how hard and horrible it was because I lived it."
She leaned her head on Edward's shoulder: "I can't hide from that part of my life but honestly I just want to move past it." Looking down at her hand entwined with Edward's and seeing their matching Claddagh promise rings she gave a soft smile: "I have so much to look forward to... now."
Aro smiled at his gracious and wise-beyond-her-years granddaughter, raising her free hand to his lips and kissing it gently.
She turned to Aro: "Thank you so much for bringing us here tonight, it is so lovely. But let's put all this talk of the past behind us - I want to talk of the future. I am so excited to meet my great uncle Caius and to see your home in Italy."
Esme clapped her hands together: "Quite right Isabella. Our trip to Italy begins tomorrow, so I think we should head back to the Hotel and get a good night's sleep; we have a long flight tomorrow."
Aro arranged for the cars to take them all back to the Hotel. They each thanked Aro for a wonderful evening before parting ways to head to their own rooms.
"Remember everyone," Carlisle called after them. "We've organised wake up calls for you as well as room service breakfast since we need to going so early tomorrow."
When Edward and Bee closed the door to their room, Edward pressed her against the door and kissed her passionately. She happily gave in to his kiss and moaned lightly as he moved his lips to nibble on her neck.
"Alone at last!" he mumbled against her skin, as he ran his fingers up and down her side. "I love this dress on you love."
He rested his head on her forehead and she sighed looking into his beautiful green eyes: "You are so handsome, fancy pants. I'm sure I will have to fight off all the sexy Italian girls who'll try to lure you away from me."
Keeping his forehead gently pressed to hers, he shook his head slowly, grinning at her: "What do I care about other girls when I already have my own sexy Irish Italian girl right here." He gave her a tight squeeze.
They slowly and deliberately undressed each other, kissing softly exposed skin as the clothing was peeled away. Edward led Bee to the bed where they made love quietly and gently, both enjoying the intimacy of finally being alone after a long emotional day with their family.
In their post-coital bliss, they lay silently wrapped in each other's arms for a long time until Bee broke the silence with a whisper: "Did you see the contents of the files at the apartment today?"
Edward nodded slowly.
"I'm sorry you had to see all that m'aingeal," she said as she ran her fingers gently through his hair. She'd starting calling him that since they arrived in New York and he loved it. Bee was saddened to think that Edward had been exposed to the ugliness of her life with Renee and James.
He kissed her forehead softly: "I'm sorry you had to live all that." He sat up and wrapped his arms around his knees with his head turned to the side away from her: "I hate them so much Bee. I hate them for hurting you, and I hate them for neglecting you." Then he turned his face back towards her: "How could they not see how precious and wonderful you are?"
She sat up and wrapped her arms around his torso and leaned her face down next to his, she didn't want him to feel that hate, there was no point to it. She whispered to him: "Pray you now forget and forgive."
He stretched out, leaned back against the headboard and then pulled her gently onto his lap. He took her hands in his: "Can you forget and forgive them love? After all they did to you and failed to do for you?"
She leaned against his chest and was silent for a long time; so long in fact Edward thought she may have dropped off to sleep until she leaned away slightly so she could look at his face, his handsome worried looking face. She wanted to wipe away that look of concern but she knew it would take time.
"Edward, before I came to live your family, I honestly had no idea what a true family was. My only experience was with Renee and James. My father, Charles, died when I was so young I have little to no memories of him. But through my grandmother's stories of him, I believe he would've loved been a good and loving father, much like Carlisle."
She touched his face gently: "After what you saw in those files today you will probably think I am a little crazy for saying this but honestly Edward I think I am blessed. My past experience has taught me a good deal. I know what a bad parent is and I also know that I survived it. I survived their neglect and abuse because I had a dream of doing more and making things better, especially for children. And now, thanks to you, Esme, Carlisle, Emmett and Rose, my grandmother and my grandfather, I have the means to achieve my dream. But even more than that, I now have a family. A real family, that love me and care about me. Truly, Edward, I am so blessed. "
She leaned back onto Edward's chest: "I may never truly forgive Renee and James. But I am doing all I can to forget them."
Edward smiled at her; Emmett was right. Bee was stronger than he gave her credit for; despite everything she was loving, kind, resilient and determined.
He held her even closer and kissed the top of her head: "One day... soon if I have anything to say about it... we'll be married. We'll work hard and we'll become doctors, just like we've both dreamed off for so long. Then when we're ready, we will have babies and we will love them, cherish them and encourage them. I promise you that, Bee."
She smiled as an image flashed before her eyes of two little boys both with Edward's crazy hair and his beautiful green eyes. She pushed against his chest with a look of alarm: "You don't suppose we'll have twins do you?"
Edward laughed hard and pulled her down to lie flat with him again holding her close: "It is very possible love, twins do run in my family."
"Dio mio," Bee muttered sounding just like her grandfather which only made Edward chuckle more. They snuggled together and were soon fast asleep, all wrapped around each other in a tangle.
The next morning after they enjoyed their breakfast of waffles and eggs, they packed their bags ready for the flight. Edward was used to travelling so he was ready in no time and sat at the small table in their room drinking coffee, watching Bee flit about the room in a panic, mumbling and repacking her bags over and over. He knew better than to offer any advice when she was like this, so he just sat quietly and waited for her to settle down.
Finally, she sat at the table with a heavy sigh: "Finally, I am all packed. Do you think we have enough in our onboard bags for everything we need during the flight?"
He kissed her nose: "Yes, love. Now let's go."
In truth he knew they had more than they could possibly need for the flight but he didn't want to spoil her enthusiasm and excitement. This was her first overseas flight and he knew she was a little anxious.
After the long security checks and check in process and the long wait before boarding, finally they were settled on the plane and on their way to Italy.
Bee had argued that all the 'young ones' should fly economy and the adults fly business class. Not only did she see no reason for young fit people to need the comforts of business class but she thought it was an outrageous waste of money.
But when she realised how uncomfortable Edward and Emmett would be trying to fold themselves into the seats for such a long flight, she then felt guilty and gave in and accepted the offer for the nicer seats.
Aro was delighted to splurge on his granddaughter who, in his opinion, was overdue for some spoiling.
As soon as they were seated Rosalie took a pill so she could sleep most of the way, she wasn't the best flyer, as Emmett had explained to Bee. Emmett watched movies with his headphones on most of the journey while Bee and Edward read books on their respective iPADs. Bee thought the food on the flight was delicious and the service was so nice, although she had to giggle at the way the male attendant, Anthony, kept flirting with Edward.
Edward, of course, was oblivious but Esme and Bee giggled every time the attendant would lean in to Edward to offer him drinks, food, a blanket… anything.
"It happens wherever we go, ever since he turned about 15, men and women would flirt with him. But it was all for nought, he never noticed any of them," Esme said to Bee.
"It still happens even when I am with him and he has his arm around me and we are clearly together," Bee giggled. "When Edward took me to McDonald's to have a Happy Meal because he was shocked I had never had one, all the mothers were flirting with him."
Bee looked at him and gave a little sigh: "I can't be angry with them though, he is extraordinarily beautiful."
Edward looked up and noticed his mother and girlfriend staring at him: "What? Do I have something on my face?"
Anthony rushed forward with a warmed damp cloth: "Oh, here you are sir."
Edward took the cloth and smiled at the young attendant: "Thanks man." Edward wiped his whole face with the moist cloth and then wiped down his neck and onto this chest under edges of his shirt, not realising that Anthony's eyes were following every movement with rapt attention.
Edward smiled at the attendant again: "Is that better?"
Anthony swallowed hard and nodded slowly, he took the cloth and then walked away muttering something about Adonis and that he'd never been jealous of a cloth before.
Esme and Bee giggled again while Edward shrugged and went back to his book.
With the long flight over, a limousine SUV with a trailer was waiting for them at the airport. The boys helped the driver to load the bags into the trailer and then they all settled into the SUV to take the drive to Montepulciano.
They weren't worried about not seeing Florence because they were all keen to arrive at Aro's family estate and meet Bee's extended family. There was plenty of time for sight-seeing.
Aro squeezed Bee's hand: "We will come back to Firenze soon, piccola. It is only an hour or so from home."
"I can't wait to see your home, nonno."
Aro beamed whenever she called him nonno. During the drive, Aro pointed out all his favourite places on the route between Florence and Montepulciano. Esme asked lots of questions about the fields and the harvests, while Carlisle was interested in the architecture.
Bee sat quietly just taking it all in. It was just so beautiful and she wondered what her life might have been like if her great grandfather had not separated Siobhan and Aro. Would she have grown up in New York or spent her summers in this magical place?
Edward, Emmett and Rosalie were engrossed looking at websites about the region and looking for places to go and fun things to do.
When the SUV pulled in to the beautiful estate surrounded by grape vines, Aro clapped his hands together: "Here we are, piccola. You are home."
When the SUV parked outside the beautiful stone villa, everyone piled out and started unloading the bags before they were suddenly surrounded by people all laughing and crying and chattering away in Italian.
Finally a tall blond man, engulfed Bee in a hug: "Dio mio! Voi siete l'immagine speculare della mia cara madre."
Edward grew alarmed and gently pulled Bee out of the man's embrace and stood slightly in front of her.
Aro laughed and he hugged the tall man: "Oh brother, that is exactly what I said when I first laid eyes on Isabella. She is the spitting image of our dear mother, God rest her soul. But you must speak English my brother, as I explained to you, Isabella does not speak Italian... yet; nor do her American family. So we must all speak English while she is with us."
"Isabella, this is my brother and your great Uncle Caius."
"Caius, this is my granddaughter Isabella Marie Swan. And the young man defending her is young Edward; careful, he is quite possessive."
Edward blushed a little but would never apologise for wanting to protect his Busy Bee. He reached his hand out to Caius to shake: "Good to meet you sir."
Caius laughed and pulled Edward in for a hug and said in his thick Italian accent: "No need to be so are family now."
Bee stepped forward and smiled: "I am very happy to meet you Uncle Caius. Thank you for inviting us to your home."
Caius pulled her into a hug while still holding onto Edward: "It is your home too, bell'angelo. Now let's go inside and I will introduce you to the rest of your family. Everyone has been so excited to meet you."
As they stepped into the beautiful stone villa, they were guided into a large open room with lounges and chairs all around. The family were all standing together waiting to be introduced.
Caius reached for his wife to join him: "This is my beautiful wife, Renata and these are our children and grandchildren.
"This is Luca and his wife Valentina, they live in Firenze. Standing with them is their eldest child Yolanda and her husband John, as you can see Yolanda is expecting and we have just found out it will be twin boys. Let's hope they are handsome and strong like your Edward and his twin brother Emmett.
"Luca's other daughter Sofia is working in Rome as a teacher, she and her husband Daniel will visit us on the weekend. No children yet for Sofia but we are hoping for good news soon.
"This is Giovanni with his son Vincenzo who is with his partner Roberto; they live here with us and manage the vines, and next to them is Giovanni's daughter Michele who is a lawyer and Giovanni's youngest Dominic who is studying medicine. Just like you bell'angelo.
"This is Annabella whose husband Matteo lost his life to cancer, God rest his soul this is their son Marco and his wife Lisa, they met in London and these are there two boys Marco Junior and Henry named for Lisa's papa. Marco and Lisa manage some of our business interests and help us make a nice little profit.
"This is Gabriella and her husband Antonio, with them is their daughter Francesca and her husband David, they met in Hawaii and have these three beautiful children Leo, Catherina, and Paulo who are all studying at the university.
"And last but not least this my youngest, Stefano and his wife Angela. They live close by and these are their twin girls, Maria and Martina, they are nineteen so I am sure they would love to show you all the sights you young people would enjoy. The twin girls smiled and nodded enthusiastically.
Bee stepped forward: "It is so lovely to meet you all. Please allow me to introduce my American family."
She then introduced the Cullens as her adoptive family and made it very clear to everyone, especially Maria and Martina whose eyes widened when they got a good look at the gloriously handsome Edward, that he was her boyfriend and her intended. Edward smiled at her possessive behaviour.
"Ah you see, my brother," pointing to Edward and Bee. "They are two peas in a pod, never to be separated."
Aro then noticed a lovely, well rounded older woman lingering at the back of the room: "Ah Serafina, please come in and join us. Everyone, this is Serafina, an adopted member of our family and the best cook in Italy."
She laughed when she stepped forward and taking one look at Isabella a tear immediately rolled down her cheek: "Tesoro, you look so much like your great grandmother, God rest her soul. She was a lovely woman," she said in clear english with strong New York accent. "I knew your grandmother Siobhan as well and I see a bit of her in your pretty face too. You have her pale skin and lovely smile."
"As a very young woman, Serafina began as a kitchen hand at Isabella's Ristorante," Aro explained. "Our mother took her under her wing and taught her all the best family recipes. After our mother died, God rest her soul, Serafina stayed on there until we asked her to join us here in Montepulciano."
Bee gave the woman a warm smile, excited to find someone who knew both her grandmother and her great grandmother.
"But Aro," Serafina said. "Isabella is skin and bone, we must give her some good Italian cooking."
Bee blushed but Emmett laughed loudly: "If the smell coming from your kitchen is anything to go by I think we will all put on some weight while we are here. It smells amazing."
Serafina's smiled at the sight of Emmett: "I shall have to cook extra to feed a big boy like you. Go settle in to your rooms and then come down and I will feed you the best food of your life."
Emmett pick up Bee and twirled her around: "I think I'm going to like visiting your family, Honey Bee."
A/N: Thanks for reading. I'd love to hear your thoughts. I grew up in a migrant community and most of my neighbours were italian... the food was spectacular. Cannoli was my favourite - what is your favourite Italian food?
References:
"Pray you now forget and forgive" from Shakespeare's King Lear
Piccola (little one)
Tesoro (treasure)
Nonno (grandfather)
Bell'angelo (beautiful angel)