Ch 27 Belonging

A/N: SM wrote Twilight; I wrote this.

After spending almost two months in Montepulciano with Bee's family, Edward was relieved they were finally heading home.

Bee's Italian family were very friendly and had made them both very welcome.

Bee's cousins Maria and Martina had been perhaps a little too welcoming to Edward, flirting with him until he put them straight. That was an awkward conversation but it worked to put an end to the flirting, after which the twins became good friends and were actually great fun to hang out with.

Montepulciano was a beautiful place. Of course, they'd seen their fair share of churches, vineyards and old architecture, but with the local knowledge of the younger family members the American visitors were introduced to lots of great local spots, cafes, and clubs too. Bee's cousins also provided a long list of fabulous places which were an easy drive away from the Estate.

Emmett and Rosalie took it upon themselves to be in charge of organising fun day trips for them all.

Florence was less than two hours drive to the north and Esme, Rose and Bee all fell in love with the city, visiting three times during their stay.

To the south was Rome, it was a bit further away at almost three hours from Aro's estate, so they'd only been there once.

After three weeks in Italy Esme, Carlisle, Emmett and Rosalie left to go back home. Esme and Carlisle both had commitments for work and Rose wanted to head home to see how Jasper and Alice were doing. When last they called they told Rose about their ultrasound when they learned they were going to have a little boy. Rose was very excited, especially when Alice sent her the image of the baby. Of course, Emmett just wanted to be wherever Rose was, so he left too.

Bee and Edward wanted to stay longer, to spend more time with Bee's family. This delighted Aro and Caius who were having a wonderful time sharing all their family stories with Bee.

When the rest of the Cullens and Rose left for the States, Caius reminded them not to be sad at leaving: 'There's always next year!'

Caius and Aro had both extended an invitation to all the Cullens to come back each summer with their Isabella. Bee had already promised that she and Edward would return each year for a break from their studies and to spend time with their Volturi family.

Aro was thrilled to hear that his granddaughter would be coming home with him each year. He had been travelling between the U.S. and Italy for years but always by himself. Now he would have Isabella to join him.

He had even dropped more than a few hints that perhaps when the time came young Edward and his Isabella might consider one of Montepulciano's many beautiful churches for their inevitable wedding.

Bee didn't want to think too much about weddings … yet, there was plenty of work and study to be done before they would even consider marriage. She certainly wasn't keen on a grand church wedding anyway, but she did secretly think that perhaps a wedding in the estate's vineyard would be very romantic… one day, but she kept those thoughts to herself.

During their visit Bee had spent a good deal of time with Serafina.

Serafina's mission was to 'add some meat' to Bee's bones, while at the same time teaching her some of the family's favourite dishes. All holiday long Bee had been adding new recipes to the book Esme had given her so that she could cook them for herself and Edward. Aro promised to show her all the best places in New York to buy authentic Italian ingredients.

Bee did actually gain some weight while visiting the family, so that she was now slim instead of being so skinny. Edward on the other hand had no need to gain weight so he had taken up running a few miles each day just to compensate for Serafina's delicious cooking.

Emmett was in love with Serafina's cooking and was especially sad to part with her when they left, while Rosalie couldn't get away from the high fat foods fast enough.

"I'm getting fat living here," Rose complained. "Everything starts and finishes with olive oil and they serve all these cheeses and cured meats at all times of the day."

Serafina had laughed when she first heard Rose's comments: "You are a beautiful girl Rosalie, you are not fat. Anyway don't you know that olive oil is the secret to long-life and the oil I use is made from olives grown right here on the estate in our own olive grove."

Rose was unconvinced and took it upon herself to serve her own food at each meal, only taking a small, child-sized helping of any food that was offered.

Emmett spoke with Serafina in private one evening when it looked like she was upset by Rose's avoidance of food. He explained that it wasn't an insult to Serafina's cooking and she should not take offence, as Rose suffered from an eating disorder which started when she hit puberty.

"Don't worry Emmett, I'm not offended. I am just concerned for your beautiful Rosalie," she said as she squeezed his cheeks.

"She is much better than she was," he told her. "But sometimes she just gets a bit obsessive, worrying she'll get fat."

After their little chat, Serafina made sure to place the salad closer to Rosalie when setting the table and added some 'lighter' options to each meal's menu hoping they would appeal to Rose.

When the Cullens departed for the U.S., Rose left a thank you card for Serafina with a box of 'Moriondo and Gariglio' handmade chocolates she had bought on their trip to Rome. The card read: "Thank you for your kindness and understanding Serafina. Thanks too for defeating even Emmett's appetite with your wonderful food."

After Emmett had left Italy, Edward spent more time getting to know Dominic who was studying medicine at a university in Rome. Edward admired Dominic's passion and quiet intelligence; they spent many hours talking together and became good friends.

They made plans to visit Dominic in Rome on their next visit so he could show them around all the really interesting spots as well as the University.

On their last night at the estate, Isabella and Edward sat, as they had done at the end of most evenings during the stay, cuddled together on the chaise longue on the juliette balcony adjoining their room.

Bee sat between Edward's legs with her back pressed to his chest. His arms were wrapped around her waist and he gently pulled her back to be even closer to him.

Edward kissed her neck and said quietly: "Thank you for sharing this trip with me Bee. Your family is wonderful and … I'm really sorry I was so jealous of Aro when he first came to see you back in Forks."

Bee smiled at his compliment to her family. She loved having a family to share with Edward and she was prodigiously proud of them all.

"It's been a lovely trip," she said. "Caius and Renata have been so kind and the whole family has been so good to me, sharing stories of their lives and family history."

Edward nodded and placed a small kiss on Bee's neck.

Bee turned slightly to look into his lovely face: "I will be glad to get home though. I've missed Esme so much. And we need to pack for our move to New York… there's a lot to be done."

She started to get up but Edward pulled her back into his arms: "Yes but we can't do anything tonight. So relax and bring me back your sweet lips, I want a kiss."

She giggled, leaning back into his warm and comforting embrace.

He whispered in her ear: "You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you."

Bee smiled and wrapped her arms over his as he held her close. She loved when he used literary quotes to sweet talk her.

He kissed her ear and said: "It has made me better loving you…it has made me wiser, and easier, and brighter."

She giggled and returned a quote of her own: "It is happy for you that you possess the talent of flattering with delicacy. May I ask whether these pleasing attentions proceed from the impulse of the moment, or are the result of previous study?"

He turned her gently to face him: "I am completely serious love. You have made … more."

Edward placed a gentle kiss on her lips: "I have been a selfish being all my life, in practice, though not in principle. As a child I was taught what was right, but I was not taught to correct my temper. I was given good principles, but left to follow them in pride and conceit. I was spoiled by my parents... such I might still have been but for you, dearest, loveliest Isabella."

He took her hands in his: "I think when we've finished our Bachelor's Degree and before we start at medical school, we should get married … here on the estate. Aro can walk you down the aisle to me, you have any number of cousins to be flower girls and ring bearers, and I'm sure my mom and Dad would help with all the arrangements."

Bee smiled: "You seem to have our future all mapped out."

He kissed her soft lips: "Love does not consist of just gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction."

She touched her hand to his cheek and a single tear rolled down her cheek.

He kissed her again and then laughed: "Well I would marry you right now Bee if you'd agree, but I know you think we're too young. I know marriage frightens you, so I will wait. But I won't wait until we've finished our residencies, that will be too long. So this way we'll be married before we start medical school."

Bee lifted his hand and kissed the promise ring he wore to match her own: "Okay, Fancy Pants, it's a plan; before medical school, we'll get married here on the estate."

"You mean it, love? You're saying yes?" Edward could hardly believe it.

"Yes, Edward I mean it. I love you and I know you are 'it' for me. Just like Aro and Siobhan…. their love was true and so is ours. But we won't let anything get between us. We won't have some bullshit Romeo and Juliet story, we won't be separated. I don't want fear to rule my life."

She kissed him passionately and when they pulled apart they looked at each other. Bee leaned in so that their lips were almost touching and said: "Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage."

Edward kissed her lightly and went to stand up: "Wait here a moment love."

He was gone for just a few moments and when he came back he kneeled down on both knees in front of Bee who was still sitting on the chaise.

He held out his hand and in his open palm sat a beautiful dark green velvet ring box in the shape of a heart. He opened the box and Bee gasped at the sight of the beautiful vintage ring which was nestled in silk inside the box.

"Isabella Marie Swan, this ring belonged to your great grandmother and namesake Isabella Volturi. Aro and Caius wanted me to have it so that when the time came I could give it to you as a symbol of our love and enduring devotion to each other."

Edward took the ring out of the box and placed it on Bee's shaking finger.

Bee reached forward and kissed him passionately almost knocking him over. They laughed and he sat down next to her lifting her hand so they could both look at the ring on her fingers as it shone in the moonlight.

"The ring is so beautiful, do you know anything about it?" she asked.

"Aro and Caius told me it was made in Rome in the late 1940s. The center diamond is 1.50 carat surrounded by twelve accent diamonds in the floral detailing. I had it resized to fit you when we were in Rome."

The tears again began to flow down her cheeks: "Oh, Fancy Pants. It is so lovely and you are so lovely and it belonged to my great grandmother."

Bee suddenly jumped up: "Edward we need to tell your family, and … well everyone."

"Let's send them a photo of the ring," Edward laughed. "They'll figure it out."

He pulled out his phone and held Bee's hand in his as he took a photo of their two hands clearly showing the engagement ring on her finger. He then sent the photo to each of his parents, to Aro and to Caius, to Emmett and Rosalie, and to Dominic and Bee's other cousins.

Within minutes messages were flowing in on his phone of Esme crying, of Carlisle's congratulations, of Emmett's gifs of balloons and cheers, and Rosalie's gifs of hearts. Everyone was delighted; no one expressed surprise.

Aro, Caius, Renata, Serafina and all of Bee's cousins burst into their room with champagne and a party ensued right there on the Juliette balcony.

Aro hugged Bee so tight and tears flowed down his cheeks: "Mia cara nipote, sono così orgoglioso di te. Mi hai reso molto felice."

Although Bee had picked up a few words of Italian, she had no idea what he said. Caius stepped forward and wrapped his arms around both of them and said: "He's very happy for you little Isabella, as am I."

Together they all drank several bottles of champagne and then had a long group chat over the phone with Esme, Carlisle and Aro. Bee and Edward explained repeatedly that the wedding would not be until they had both completed their Bachelor's Degree, so there was plenty of time for planning and nothing needed to be decided there and then.

Finally everyone left and they were alone once again, Edward took his girl into his arms and kissed her passionately.

She leaned into his hold and reached around his neck to push her fingers through his hair.

He moaned as she moved her lips to his ear and whispered: "Take me to bed, Fancy Pants."

He smiled against her lips and started to walk them back towards the bed: "As you wish, Busy Bee."

A/N: well, I hope you liked this final chapter of Busy Bee and Fancy Pants. I am now marking this complete.

Thank you so much for reading this little story. I may in the future write a future take but I think this has brought our lovely couple's story to a natural conclusion. They are happy and in love, what more could we hope for.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who has read this story, sent me reviews and supported my writing. Your support and encouragement have meant the world to me.

I love this fandom so much.

I am working on three other stories right now and hope to post them soon.

Love and best wishes to you all.

Translation:

"Mia cara nipote, sono così orgoglioso di te. Mi hai reso molto felice."

My darling granddaughter, I am so proud of you. You have made me very happy.

References:

This is a youtube video of the chocolate shop in Rome - it looks so lovely

Fanfiction doesn't allow links so just copy the address into your browser: watch?v=LVA5U8WbHuY

This is a link to see the engagement ring:

Fanfiction doesn't allow links so just copy the address into your browser:

Quotes:

"You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you."

Mr Darcy, Pride & Prejudice, Jane Austen

"It has made me better loving you…it has made me wiser, and easier, and brighter."

The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James

"It is happy for you that you possess the talent of flattering with delicacy. May I ask whether these pleasing attentions proceed from the impulse of the moment, or are the result of previous study?"

Elizabeth Bennet, Pride & Prejudice, Jane Austen

"I have been a selfish being all my life, in practice, though not in principle. As a child I was taught what was right, but I was not taught to correct my temper. I was given good principles, but left to follow them in pride and conceit. Unfortunately an only son (for many years an only child), I was spoilt by my parents, who, though good themselves (my father, particularly, all that was benevolent and amiable), allowed, encouraged, almost taught me to be selfish and overbearing; to care for none beyond my own family circle; to think meanly of all the rest of the world; to wish at least to think meanly of their sense and worth compared with my own. Such I was, from eight to eight and twenty; and such I might still have been but for you, dearest, loveliest Elizabeth! What do I not owe you! You taught me a lesson, hard indeed at first, but most advantageous. By you, I was properly humbled. I came to you without a doubt of my reception. You showed me how insufficient were all my pretensions to please a woman worthy of being pleased."

Mr Darcy, Pride & Prejudice, Jane Austen

"Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction."

Airman's Odyssey by Antoine de Saint-Exupery

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage."

Tao Te Ching by Lao Tsu

"As you wish."

Westley, The Princess Bride by William Goldman