Chapter 6 – Goodbye

The Cullens stayed in Volterra for a month. Edward and I spent several hours together while he taught me how to fight. At first, he was hesitant; he didn't feel comfortable fighting a woman, but after a few times, he became very comfortable. On one session, my father and uncles watched us. I thought this would cause more discord, but I came to think my father wouldn't discuss my behavior until after the Cullen's left. On this, I hoped they never left. I was enjoying myself too much. Edward found Jane's annoyance with me very humorous. Alice noticed my restrictions to the tower, so when she Rosalie and Esme went shopping, she always bought things for me. Jasper and I enjoyed our fencing and chess matched. Emmett and I enjoyed placing bets on his family's wrestling matches. Carlisle told me more about his life and lifestyle and Esme and I enjoyed making up redecorating plans for my room. I developed relationship with all the Cullen's. With Edward, I found someone I could truly open up with. He and I spoke for hours at a time. One several occasion, I actually saw my father smiling at our close proximity. One evening while the Cullen's went hunting, I remained on the veranda. I noticed I wasn't watching the people. I was gazing into the horizon. Part of my mind was looking for the Cullen's return, mainly Edward's.

I went to my room and read. There was a knock on my door. "Come in." It was Alice. "Bella, come with me. Edward wants to see you." If I still were able to, my heart would be racing in my chest. I went with Alice and meet with Edward in the Cullen's chambers. He was on their veranda. "You wanted to see me?" I asked. He smiled and held out a covered steel cup to me, "I would like you to try something, if you like." I eyed the cup in his hand, "What is it?" He chuckled, "A surprise." I took the cup and smelled the liquid. I sipped at it. I held it at arm's length and licked my lips. "Well?" he asked. I held up one hand and finished the contents. "That's interesting. Not as good as human, but, if you'll excuse the pun, it had a different bite to it." I smiled up to him, "What was it?" He took the cup from me, "Bear." My eyes widened, "Bear?" He chuckled and nodded, "That's Emmett's favorite." I laughed, "He is almost killed by one, and so he takes it out on the species." I giggled. "That's one way of looking at it." We laughed together. I heard something being thrown and Edward stepped in front of me, winding his arm around my waist. Something hit him in the back with a loud crash; he was protecting me again. I saw the shards of a vase by our feet. "Grow up, Emmett," I mumbled brushing off Edward's back. As I brushed, I noticed his arm was still around me. I looked up to him, "Does he do that often?" He smiled and stepped back, "No, sometimes he can be really immature." We laughed again, "If bear is Emmett's favorite, what is yours?" Edward looked out to the plains, "Lions. They taste amazing, especially after they have eaten." I huffed, "Hmmm, sounds interesting." We looked at each in the moonlight. I knew I should have looked away, but I couldn't. Why couldn't I look away from him? Why couldn't he look away from me?

I finally worked up the strength and looked away. I smiled to him, "Sorry. I should… umm, go." I began to walk away, but Edward took my wrist. I looked back at him. I could have loosened his hand from mine, but I didn't. "Alright. Maybe later, we could continue your lessons?" he half-smiled at me. I smiled, "Yes, I would like that." I left the Cullen's chambers and sprinted to my room. I leaned against my door and held my face. I was fighting back from smiling.

It was nearing the time for the Cullen's to leave. As each day passed, I became sadder. I didn't want them to leave, but they had to return to their lives. As a celebration, my father planned a ball for them. Alice, Esme and Rosalie went to Venice to get new gowns. I knew which one I wanted to wear. I was not happy about them leaving; especially Edward, but I would send him off with a last memory of me. On the night of the ball, I wore some of my seldom-used jewelry. My gown was gold, with a light blue sash, that went from my right should to the left side of my waist. My gown was off the shoulder, with open flowing sleeves. My sleeves draped to my knees and looked like blooming lilies. In the front of the gown, the gold was split down the middle, revealing a pale peach material as a flap hold the dress together. The bodice was form fitting and the skirt fanned out, especially when I twirled. When caught in the light, my gown sparkled. I wore my diamond-encrusted choker, with a matching bracelet on my right wrist and small diamond stud earrings. I wore my diamond crown that sat around my hair. The diamonds woven around the band of the crown and covered the front of the crown.

As I walked towards the main chamber, I heard the music playing. When I entered, I saw several couples dancing. The light was brilliant and lit up my dress. In the middle of the dance floor, I saw my parents dancing. Caius and my aunt Athenodora were dancing as well. I scanned the room and I saw him. Edward was standing with his brothers. They looked so handsome in their tuxedoes. All of them looked towards me and smiled, Edward smiling the brightest. They came over to me and Jasper kissed my hand, "You look beautiful." "Thank you, Jasper." I smiled and looked to Edward. He was appraising me, "Beautiful is any understatement," I heard him mumble. I pretended not to hear him. Emmett held out his hand to me, "Would you like to dance?" Edward looked up at him and scowled. Emmett looked back to him, "You took too long." I giggled, "Don't worry, you can have the next one." Emmett and I whirled around the dance floor. I saw Jane as she danced with Demetri. Emmett and I danced, making circles around them. As we left the dance floor, we couldn't stop laughing. He liked to annoy people and I enjoyed making Jane mad. When we reached the end of the dance floor, Rosalie and Edward stepped up to us. Edward took my hand and Emmett went with Rosalie.

My body was pressed into his as we danced across the floor. When we danced, there was no one else there. It was just Edward and me. We smiled at each other as we whirled. I caught sight of Jane again, and I actually smiled at her. Not my usual sarcastic smile, but a genuine happy smile. Edward and I danced for four songs. His hand was so strong on my waist. Every once in a while, it felt like he tightened his hold on me, as if he didn't want me to get away from him. He twirled me all over the floor and dipped me when it was necessary. I didn't notice anyone, until my father tapped his shoulder, "May I dance with my daughter?" Edward smiled at him, "Of course." He released me and my smile fell slightly; I didn't let my father see. I danced with my father, but it was nowhere near as enjoyable as it was with Edward, "Having fun, dear?" I smiled, "Yes. We should have more parties. They're fun." He chuckled, "And you look beautiful at them." I smiled and looked down, "Thank you, Father. I have had this dress for a while. I'm glad I have a reason to wear it." My father and I danced. I noticed when Edward crossed our sights; my father looked at him. I didn't need to see Edward to know when he was near me. It was as if a spark ran through my body when he was near me. What was my father's interest in Edward? Maybe he knew what I was feeling. This was not going to be good after they left. I danced with my father, Caius, Marcus, Carlisle, Jasper and Felix. I talked with Alice and Rosalie and danced with Edward again. His hold on me was not as strong, as if he were limiting himself. What did he hear in my father's, or any of the Guard's minds?

As the ball ended, my father made an announcement. Edward and I stood together, with Alice and Jasper. "Friends, I am sad to see this ball end, because we must bid farewell to my friend Carlisle and his wonderful and talented family. However, we send them off with the best memory of this place." There was applause in the room. "Carlisle, you and your family are more than welcome to return to Volterra any time you'd like. On the behalf of my family," my father looked to me and took my mother's hand, "We welcome you into our home." I smiled and applauded. "Thank you, Aro. My family and I appreciate the thought and thank you for this gracious send-off." I smiled and left the chamber. I couldn't stay there, knowing they were leaving. I went to my usual veranda. I took off my crown and let my hair down. My eyes began to tickle. I knew I wanted to cry. I would miss them all. Carlisle, Alice and Esme because of their kindness. Emmett and Jasper, because they became almost like brothers to me. Rosalie because of her reverence for clothing. Most of all, I would miss Edward. There was so much, too much about him I would miss, that I didn't know where to begin on what I would miss about him. I bonded and became close with the Cullen's. I reciprocated my father's feelings, I wanted them to stay, but not for the reasons he wanted them to stay.

I had to stop. Make myself somehow. I was hoping too much and it wasn't healthy. I looked out to the town. It was St. Marcus Day and there were fireworks in the sky. I watched the fireworks light up the night sky. I heard the crowd ohh and ahh. It took so little to please these humans. "Bella?" I turned and saw Edward. He was standing in the doorway, for how long, I didn't know. "Yes?" He looked to the floor, than back to me, "Why'd you leave? There was one more dance." I balked, "I just wanted to get out of the room for a while." I turned back to the view and rubbed my eye. "Are you alright?" I looked back to him, "I'm fine." I smiled at me with a crooked smile, "Don't lie to me. Now, really what's the matter?" "I guess… I was a little upset. I didn't want to hear my father saying good bye to you and your family. Honestly, I don't want you to leave." I recovered, "Any of you." I hoped he didn't catch my meaning. I looked away from him; I was hoping and it hurt. Edward came towards me, "Jasper picked up on that. He thought I should come check on you." Of course. He came because of a recommendation, not because he wanted to. I felt like an imbecile. I sighed, "Oh, well. I will be fine, trust me. Tell Jasper to not worry." I stepped back, away from him. I should detached myself now so it would be less painful. I looked back to the fireworks; focused on them.

I stood there and stared. "Isabella?" Edward was still there. I looked back to him and he was very close to me. I tilted my head to look up at him, "Yes?" He was so close, that when I spoke I could taste his breath in my mouth. "Please, don't be upset. We, well no." His head fell and he sighed, "I will come back and visit you," he smiled his crooked smile. I couldn't help smiling in return. My hope was growing, "You will?" He looked up to my eyes, "Yes. I don't know about you, but I truly enjoyed our time together." He enjoyed being with me. My hope was expanding. "I have enjoyed our time together, as well. I haven't enjoyed myself so much in a long time." That was too much. He chuckled quietly, "I know. I saw that in the minds of everyone here. So many were surprised to see you so happy. Even, Jane was wondering what was lightening your mood." I smiled, "Wow, even Jane. Now that's interesting." He smiled and stepped closer to me; my body became a live wire. "Bella, I have to admit something to you." "Yes? What is it?" He sighed, "I have never met anyone like you. You were so different from what I was expecting. Alice saw Aro introducing you to us. But when I saw how you were with Esme and Alice, you seemed to bond with them already. And the way you irritated Jane in the main chamber, that was truly unexpected. I thought you would have some reverence with the Guard, but you enjoyed making her mad." I smiled at the memory, "I do get along with some members." For the first time, Edward took a lock of my hair in his hand, "I know. But you surprised me even more. From fencing with Jasper, fighting with me and laughing with Emmett, it was as if you were with our family from the beginning. My family and I have enjoyed our time here, be mainly that is because of you. Except for Carlisle, none of us really wanted to come here." His face was closer to mine, "Bella, if you can, could you come and visit us?" I wanted to say yes, but how was I getting away. I simply nodded. My hand was resting on the banister of the veranda and I felt Edward's hand near mine. I wanted to touch his hand. He still held my hair. We heard someone approaching. We stepped away from each other and looked to the fireworks.

"Edward," it was Esme, "it's time." I looked to the floor; my time was up. I smiled at Esme and she hugged me, "It was so wonderful getting to know you." I smiled and sighed. My eyes flashed to Edward, "It was wonderful for me too. I hope you come back soon." Esme stepped back, "We will see." She kissed my cheek, looked to Edward and back to me, "Come. Everyone wants to see you." Esme held my hand and walked to their chambers. Edward walked with me and held the door for us. Alice flitted to me and smiled, "I am going to miss you so much. Here," she gave me a note, "this is my email and phone number. Please do not hesitate." I smiled, "Thank you, Alice. I'm going to miss you too." I hugged all the Cullens. I was hugging Rosalie, when Caius came into the room, "You're cars are here." Carlisle led his family out of the room, Edward lingering. He looked back at me and smiled. I wanted to run to him and keep him, but I composed myself and smiled back. And that was it. He was gone and I was alone.