Edward and Bella go to the English class.

Zeffirelli's '68 "Romeo and Juliet" plays. The suicide scene.

Edward and Bella in the back of the room, desks pushed together, whisper-talking.

I hate being... celebrated said Bella.

Come on, the last real birthday any of us had was Emmett's - I think Bing Crosby was on top of the charts. You'll be helping us feel normal for a night said Edward.

Bella sits back, knowing she's trapped. He kisses her hand.

There are worse tragedies than a birthday. Look at Romeo. He's responsible for his wife's death. Who could live with that? ... Though I do envy him one thing said Edward (looking at the screen).

Juliet's alright... if you like that obviously beautiful sort of thing said Bella.

Not the girl - the suicide. Nearly impossible for my kind. But humans, a little poison, dagger to the heart. There are so many options said Edward.

Why would you even think about that? said Bella.

He turns her wrist over, runs his hand over the horseshoe shaped scar on her forearm.

I considered it. Once. When James had you trapped. I didn't know if I'd find you in time. If I'd gotten you killed - said Edward.

What would your sister say if even consider it ? besides It wouldn't have been your fault - asked Bella.

She would have killed me before but I had a plan said Edward.

What plan? asked Bella.

There are... ways for us. At least one way. I would have gone to Italy, provoked the Volturi... said Edward.

The who? asked Bella.

Is there something you'd like to share with the class, Mr. Cullen asked Mr. Berty.

Certainly not. But I apologize for being a distraction. Perhaps you should rewind to act five, scene one,
line twenty-eight eighty-nine -
"If you had the strength of twenty men
it would dispatch you straight." said Edward.

Mr. Berty just looks at him, then moves off, intimidated -

Eyes on the screen, people said Mr. Berty.

Bella is too concerned to be amused.

They left school and went to the Cullen's house for Bella's birthday.

Lights glow from inside the beautiful house.

The Volturi are a very old, very powerful family... said Edward.

On an 18th Century Oil painting , depicting Grecian figures in swirling robes writhing among pillars and balconies. In a high balcony, four column figure look down upon the bacchanal; two black haired, one snowy white, one golden haired...

The closest thing my world has to royalty... said Edward.

Edward and Bella (now wearing a green dress). She studies the painting - the largest on a wall crowded with pictures. The other walls are towering bookshelves.

Francesco Solimena painted this; he often depicted the Volturi as Gods said Edward.

Is that... Carlisle? said Bella.

Yes. He lived with them for a few decades. He describes them as very refined - for killers said Edward.

The Volturi are also what you might call enforcers said Edward.

Of what? asked Bella.

The only rule they have: to keep secret the existence of our kind. We don't make spectacles of ourselves, or kill conspicuously, unless we want to die said Edward.

- as Bella spins on Edward -

Don't even - talk about that. You can't let anyone hurt you. The Volturi or anyone else said Bella.

Who else would hurt me? said Edward.

You said there were more dangerous things out there than you. And I know you have at least one enemy - You said she'd come after you for killing her mate said Bella.

Victoria? Yes, some day. But Alice and Addy will see her coming. And she won't win said Edward

Bella looks up at him, pained.

I hate that I can't protect you said Bella.

He laughs, amused. She's decidedly not.

That was me being serious said Bella.

I know. But you do protect me... From boredom... And loneliness...said Edward.

You give me a reason to stay un dead. But it's... my job; to protect you...said Bella.

- but he stops, smiles, hearing something in his mind -

From anyone but my sisters said Edward.

As the door bursts open and Alice and Adelyn dances in.

It's time, it's time, it's time said Alice.

Adelyn tugs Bella and Edward to the top of the landing, then skips down the stairs.

Hundreds of pink candles and rose - filled crystal bowls.

Esme and Carlisle hugs Bela warmly.

Sorry about this. We tried to rein Alice and Adelyn in said Carlisle.

Like that's even possible. Happy Birthday Bella said Esme.

Alice has snapped a picture of Bella with them.

Found it in your bag. Do you mind asked Alice.

Emmett moves to Edward's sides. Nudges him.

Dating an older women. Hot said Emmett.

Bella caught that. Edward elbows him sharply to shut up.

What ? asked Emmett.

Rosalie steps up. Shoves a silver package at Bella.

It's a necklace. Alice picked it out said Rosalie.

Show me the love ! said Alice aiming the camera.

This is your scrapbook. Now for the presents ! said Adelyn.

Adelyn drags Bella over to a table piled with elaborate wrapped gifts, a huge cake and a tall stack of china plates.

Adelyn, I'm only one who even eats cake. That's thing could feed fifty said Bella.

Hope you're hungry. Here this one's from Emmett and Jasper said Alice.

The others crowd around... Jasper some what away. Bella, no fan of being the center of the attention, opens the gift to find a radio box.

Umm... thanks ? said Bella.

Already installed it in your truck said Emmett.

Finally, a decent sound system in that piece of - said Edward.

Hey, no hating on the truck. Thank you Emmett and Jasper said Bella.

Open mine said Alice.

Alice hands her a box. Bella starts to open it, but -

Ouch - paper cut said Bella.

Bella thinks little of it, but then hears a disturbing, snarl - she looks up just as Jasper lunges towards her ! teeth bared, eyes beyond reason - Edward flings Bella behind his own body, causing her to crash into the table, plates shattering as - Jasper slams into Edward; sound like boulders colliding.

Edward pushes him, hard; Jasper sails backward, hitting the wall. But he ricochets off it and comes back at Bella.

Emmett and Carlisle tackle Jasper from the sides, dragging him to the ground - Adelyn helps him down -

Jazz... Shhh...it's a little blood said Adelyn trying to control her emotion as well as Jasper's. Emmett still holds him firmly. Bella - lying amid the shards of broken china. She looks at her arm, seeing now - it's been slashed by plate shards; bright red blood pulses out of her, pooling. She looks up- All of them now, including Edward but not Carlisle and Adelyn stare at her blood, with fevered eyes.

Adelyn jumps to Bella's side. Edward and Carlisle stands between Bella and Adelyn and the others.

Emmett, get Jasper out of here said Carlisle.

EMMETT yelled Adelyn as she squishes Bella arm from blood flow.

Emmett reins himself in elbows Rosalie to help. They drag the snarling Jasper out. Esme holds her nose, politely exits with others.

I'm sorry, I...can't said Alice as she exits. Carlisle and Edward still on guard when Adelyn examines Bella's arm.

We'll have to stitch this up said Adelyn after she came to a conclusion.

I'll carry her to the office said Edward.

He moves to pick her up, but his eyes darts to the blood.

We'll take care of her Edward. Addy is here to help said Carlisle.

Edward please go check on Jasper said Adelyn looking at him.