(Wednesday June 13th evening)

Bella was enjoying her time with the girls at Sam's house. Sure the kitchen was boiling with the amount of heat generated by the stove but they had little choice. She would have to talk to Billy about maybe separating a piece of land on the reservation for livestock. A dozen or so chickens with a few cows to help keep down the cost on their food bills should help. It was astounding to her how much they spent on just feeding the pack. She would also send her mother a message on sending her any and all second hand jeans and shirts. The guys should save their new and best clothes for outings and only wear second hand clothes the rest of the time. They go through clothes like tissues; they even end up looking like shredded tissue too.

She had many ideas to help the pack and she was so happy to be able to do something. She helped Kim set the table and begin pilling the food on the poor table that looked too crowded already. Thankfully their drinks weren't that expensive since making iced tea wasn't pricey in the first place.

The pack came in and after expressing their thanks to the girls they quickly tucked in. Jake kissed Bella as an expression of his own thanks and filled a plate for her before his brothers had a chance to make the food disappear.

Dear Bella,

I was happy that you brought many things to my attention my child. I had already ensured that your room be made soundproof and have the main door separated with a small waiting room to avoid anyone from walking in on you at an inopportune time.

The idea of an all if not mostly female guard is something I am completely in favor of. I will ensure that only women are allowed to be near you. Besides the queens will be with you many times and I am sure they will not let any harm come to you.

As for our 'meals' I had already considered something along those lines. I want your stay with me to be comfortable and happy. I would never do anything that could upset you or push you away. I am also curious as to what you may wish to talk about concerning our diet. I will gladly answer any and all questions you may have.

In regards to the livings arrangements I have to say that I am inclined to your idea of going somewhere else for safety. I will admit that it is mostly out of selfishness since I do want you all to myself. We would not be able to leave the city limits since by law no vampire is allowed to hunt any human in Volterra. The city is regularly patrolled by the guard and it is the safest place for us to be. I will admit that Aro will more than likely not like the idea of us not staying in the castle though. He is very protective.

I will call him soon and set up a way to find a suitable middle ground for us all.

With kindest regard
Marcus

Once he was satisfied with the letter Marcus was left upset in not bringing his stationary set. He wished he would seal the letter like she had sealed hers. Oh well. He would send Demetri to deliver the letter to Bella at the time and place she agrees to.

After messaging her she agreed to pick up the letter that same night at the same store she gave Alec her letter. Demetri was smug at having been chosen to do something for his princess. Alec was getting annoying to the rest of the guard. Besides he and the others were bored. They never planned on being here this long otherwise they would have packed something to keep them entertained.

(Swan house that night)

After having had read Marcus letter thoroughly Bella was feeling much better. She knew she could never convert all of the vampires in the Volturi to hunt animals but she could at least try to switch their prey. She wished she could text him all of this but she didn't trust her phone or laptop with that kind of information. She had also considered video calling him for when he returned to Volterra. The pack did not like having a large number of vampires around out of fear of more kids turning.

She decided to ask Marcus to return in the nicest way she could think of. She will also have to use some of her savings to buy a new laptop so they could video call to ease the pain from the bond. She had no idea if it would work but it was worth a shot.

Dear Marcus

Thank you for the sound proof room. I really needed that peace of mind. Also thank you for listening and not just dismiss my ideas.

I have so much I want to talk to you about but the letters take forever and it just feels like I'm inconveniencing the guard. I know you will say otherwise but I still feel like I do. I don't wish to speak of these things on my cell phone since I don't trust the line. I may be a bit paranoid but when your father is a cop it is better to be safe than sorry. So that rules out calls and texting. I thought of using my email but I don't trust it. I would prefer to have a way of having a secure way to talk to you. I have been thinking of buying a new laptop so we could video call for when you return to Volterra. This way I can meet the queens as well. I don't know how long it will take me to make it to Italy so I was hoping this could help with the bond.

I wish to talk about this some more so how about we meet Friday at the mall in Port Angeles like last time at noon. We could spend more time together just talking if we could secure a private room or section at a restaurant.

Sincerely Bella

P.S. Just message me if you agree. The poor guard must feel exhausted.

Bella chuckled at her last minute addition. She knew the vampires could travel across the country and not get tired.
With one last glance at her clock she decided to leave the letter for tomorrow.

(Thursday June 14th)

Bella was pulling into the driveway with a few extra groceries after she dropped off her letter. She knew by the look on Santiago's face when she handed over her letter that Alec must be put out. Thankfully he made good on his word and sent the graduation photos he had developed. Well, it wasn't just a simple envelope with them, it was a package. Alec decided to show some initiative and have her photo with Marcus set in a beautiful crystal covered frame. At least she hoped it was crystal.

Sadly she would have to hide it in one of the dresser drawers since Charlie might see it. Hopefully she will get her own place soon and she won't have to hide it.

As soon as Bella opened her door Seth walked out of the house with a huge smile on his face.

"Hey bells. Finished getting the rest of the food?" Seth asked happily then quickly scrounged up his nose. "Ugh. Bells who did you meet up with?"

"One of the guards. You probably smell the package in my bag. Don't worry nothing sinister is inside, just the photos from my graduation." She replied rolling her eyes. Damn super senses.

"Jake is not going to like it. Oh well. Who would have thought that both of his future fathers in law were both scary in their own way right?" Seth said thoughtfully leaving a blushing Bella behind.

Once she regained her composure she quickly headed in and began putting things away.
A few minutes later a short message from Marcus replying in the affirmative left Bella smiling brilliantly for the rest of the morning.

(Friday June 15th Noon)

Bella was a little nervous as she caught a glimpse of the Volturi SUV's. She couldn't miss it, even without anything extra on it, it still stood out. It screamed money.
Marcus had texted her to meet him at the mall again where they had gone shopping so they could then make their way to Seattle where he had a private room reserved for them for the rest of the day. Bella had to admit that it was a better option. She still had had a hard time convincing Seth, Paul and Jake to stay behind. They hated her spending time with them. It was only her saying that they had to come to an agreement if Marcus and the guard were to leave sooner rather than later.

Bella and Marcus spent their car ride to Seattle in amicable small talk. They both wanted to wait until they were both comfortable in the private room to talk.

The private room Marcus had been referring to was apparently the entire damn restaurant. The whole thing. Bella was beyond embarrassed at this but Marcus assured her that it was so they could ensure complete privacy. The guard themselves were dressed in pitch black suits and stood around them like bodyguards. The wait staff looked intimidated but she had a feeling that was the point of their display. Even terrified the staff went out of their way to serve them. They did not want to upset a customer who could afford to rent out their entire restaurant.

Bella and Marcus placed their orders with Marcus only having wine again. He did want to add blood to it but chose not to push it since they did have important matters to discuss.

"Tell me my dear what troubles you." Marcus said starting off their conversation as Bella began to eat.

"Well first let me just say again thank you for how you are going out of your way to make me feel comfortable. I can't imagine that is easy for you." Bella said with a slight blush.

"There is no need mia bella. It would have been done regardless." Marcus said with a slight smile. He would give her anything. The trick was getting her to accept it.

"Thank you none the less." Bella said with a smile as she took a bite.
"Another thing that came to me just yesterday was meals." Bella said as she caught the look on Marcus face. "Not yours mine. Although I want to talk about that too." She said with a shy smile.

"We do have a modern kitchen in the first floor of the castle. The human staff is the ones who use it. It helps keep up appearances." Marcus said nonchalantly.

"But doesn't the smell get to you?" Bella asked remembering when the Cullen's told her that lunch time was always a pain since the smells were so strong.

"No the smells are fine. It is eating the food that we find repulsive. Our heightened senses to sometime become a bother if we are amongst mortals but we have learned to deal with it through time. The kitchen is far enough from our main halls and perfectly ventilated as to not permeate the rest of the castle." Marcus replied.

"How will that work when I need to eat? Do I have to be escorted to the main floor every morning to make my breakfast?" Bella asked curiously. She wanted to know how she was going to do normal every day things that vampires hadn't needed to do in years.

As soon as she asked she knew it was wrong to do so. Marcus looked upset.

"Why would you have to cook your own food?" Marcus asked aghast. He came from a time when the servants were the only ones who cooked meals. As she is his daughter she should not have to bother with such plebeian tasks.

"I doubt anyone from the guard can cook or rather cook something edible." Bella said and even she could hear the small chocking sounds coming from one of the guards.

"I will admit that maybe there are a few of us that could cook something passable for mortal consumption but that doesn't mean that you will be making your own meals." Marcus said still aghast.

"Then how? I can cook by myself. I like to." Bella replied not sure why he was so horrified at her cooking for herself.

"Bella, you still don't get it do you." Marcus asked shaking his head. "You are my daughter. A princess by right, your every need will be taken care of by someone else."

Bella just sat there. She hadn't thought of that. She didn't feel comfortable with it either. Sure it was nice to be pampered but not like that. It wasn't her. She didn't like it when Edward did things like that either.

"I didn't think of it like that. I have never had anyone going out of their way to do things like that for me except the Cullen's." She said. "I guess I don't want to make a fuss. This is very new to me. I have always done things for myself."

Marcus did not like that. She should have been pampered from birth but he knew she had never known who she would grow up to be. Marcus had to concede on that point. Neither ever knew of the other.
"You are correct mia bella. However now you have me and I want to provide for you in the ways that I can. I understand that you may feel uncomfortable but I ask you to look past it. I never knew you existed. I wasn't there for you during your childhood but I can be in your life now."

Bella understood where he was coming from now. This was his way of taking care of her. She could accept that.
"Okay, I may still get uncomfortable if you go overboard but I will accept that it's just your way." Bella said with a small smile.

Marcus returned it glad that she wouldn't fight him more on the subject.
"Now what did you want to talk about concerning our diet."

Bella took a long gulp of her iced tea and began to lay out her thoughts and views for Marcus.
He was impressed to say the least by the end of their conversation.

"That is, interesting." Aro said as he pondered what Marcus was saying.
A part of him was upset that Bella was influencing his brother but another part of him saw the merits of her ideas.

"It would make feeding easier. Heidi wouldn't take as long and we could dispel some of the more unsavory rumors." Caius said while deep in thought.

"I admit I was surprised none of us had thought of this before. She will be full of surprises." Marcus said with a smile as he talked into his phone.

He had just left Bella back at her truck so she could return home. They had talked in length at what would happen in Volterra and how to deal with her needs. They agreed to have a small washer dryer added to her rooms. Neither wanted anyone handling her clothes. Marcus did not want any male being near her undergarments and the fact that she had a wolf for a boyfriend didn't help.

They settled on the fact that a chef would be hired to make her meals as well as for the other human staff but he would put Bella's needs first. They agreed to living in the castle for her first visit to ensure her safety and revisit the idea of them going somewhere else for a later date. But what they mostly talked about was her views on their diet. She was wondering why not set up a fake donor bank where people could be paid or donate blood. Some could go to hospitals to make them seem legitimate. They could also get blood from prisons in exchange for money. She made a point that not all prisons had adequate funding and doing this could make them look good. Not only are they keeping their secret but also getting their food in a roundabout way where their food would willingly give up their blood. Newer vampires might adjust to this better since they would be new to their more 'animalistic' side and the Volturi come out looking like modern rulers without using unnecessary force.

"How did she take your present's brother?" Aro asked with a smirk he knew his brother would know was on his face.

"She protested at first but when I pointed out that this way we knew no one would be able to hack into them she relented." Marcus said with a smirk of his own.

He had given Bella her own top of the line laptop and cell phone so they could stay in contact. He didn't want her out of his reach. The cell phone they agreed would be for them only.

"I do feel better knowing she will be able to contact us more freely and safely. Besides I do want to see if video calling her does anything to the bond. It would be best to experiment with it while it is still young." Marcus mused aloud. He had always done so since Caius was always left out since Aro just needed to touch him and find out.

"So have you decided when you are retuning?" Aro asked. He wanted his brother home now preferably with his niece but he couldn't have it all, for now.

"We agreed I would leave on Sunday night from here. She will spend the day with me as to help the bond. Hopefully neither of us experiences a lot of pain at my departure for some time." Marcus said. They had no idea how long they could stay apart now that the bond was completed. They only had theories since as far as they knew this was a first. For all they knew the bond could stay strong for years before they felt the pull, hopefully that wasn't the case.

"Excellent. I will ensure the plane is ready and waiting there for you."Aro said happily.

Marcus simply shook his head at his brother's enthusiasm. He wasn't a fool. He knew Aro must dislike the way Bella was changing their lives. No matter how much Aro embraced change in some parts of their lives he absolutely loathed any change happening within the coven. He just hoped his brother found patience somewhere and took things with Bella with care. He did not want to lose her. This time he sure he would die, by his own hand if need be.

Shaking himself out of his morbid thoughts he focused on the call.
"I will call from the plane when we are all in the air. I don't want anything to interrupt my final day with her." Marcus said sternly.

"No calls unless it is an emergency." Aro said with humor. He could just imagine his brother's scowl.

"I will see you all on Monday brothers." Marcus said.

"Farewell brother." Caius said absentmindedly as he read one of his favorite tomes.

"Farewell Marcus." Aro said lastly and then hung up.

Marcus relaxed in his chair and thought of all of the things he needed to do once he returned home. Her suite would be the envy of everyone in the castle. Finding himself thrumming with energy and purpose Marcus began making lists and plans for Bella's stay in the castle. He would also be looking into a home near the city limits of Volterra for them to spend some quality time together.

Yes, I know it has been over two years since I have last updated this particular story. There really isn't a reason as to why I have suddenly updated other than I was feeling nostalgic and decided to continue. As a birthday present to myself I decided to post this today instead of going over it for a few days lest I completely forget about it. Enjoy.