AN: Thanks to all my readers and your feedback, I have decided to keep going with this story! So here is the next chapter, I'll try to update as often as I can.

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight.

Chapter 8

For The First Time

September 14 1933

Volterra, Italy

As Edward led the way to the gardens, I had to contain my excitement and try to appear as normal as possible so as not to scare Edward, even though he knew that I'd never been outside before. Edward looked down at me and smiled at me, his hand on the handle ready to open it.

"Ready for your first time in the gardens?" He asked me gently. I looked at him in surprise, I hadn't mentioned that I'd never been in the gardens before. "You've practically been jumping the whole way here, I figured this was your first time in the gardens," he explained. I blushed, I hadn't hidden my excitement very well then. Edward chuckled softly. "Don't worry, I think it's adorable," he said before opening the door. I had to squint against the bright light, before I let out a huge smile as my eyes adjusted to the brightness. Edward lead me out into the garden where we walked around slowly, following the stone path before stepping onto the grass. It was such a change for me that I had to stop and let the emotions sink in. I was standing on grass. I was outside the castle and breathing fresh air! I let out a small giggle.

Edward's Point of View

I looked down at Bella as we had stepped onto the grass, her smile was radiant and her eyes sparkled with so much happiness and life! If my heart was still beating, it would have skipped a beat at her small giggle. She was so happy to be outside and walking around the gardens, and I was so incredibly happy to be the one to experience this with her. When she found me in the music room, I had been so amazed that she had come to me and asked me to go into the gardens with her. I had thought for sure that if she were allowed to go out into the gardens that Aro would have made Felix go with her. He was pretty adamant that they spent a lot of time together, Aro really wanted Felix and Bella to get along so that they would marry. I didn't understand why he was suddenly letting her out into the gardens and he was making plans with Carlisle to have Bella come stay with us for a month when we left Volterra! When I heard those thoughts I couldn't have been happier! I had loved Bella since I met her 10 years ago, her big brown innocent eyes drew me in and her love of books and painting, her selfless personality and her modesty. She is my perfect woman. I hoped that she would be able to love me back in time, because I knew that I would never be able to get over her. She is my mate.

Aro's Point of View

I watched from my room, down into the garden as my dear Bella and Edward strolled through the gardens. I knew she would go to him the moment I told her she could go to the gardens. I could tell that she was attracted to him, though I knew she didn't know what she felt just yet as she had never experienced anything like this and had no girl friends to talk to about this stuff. I sighed. It was only a matter of time before I would have to let my baby go off into the big world. I knew I was doing the right thing by allowing them time together, Carlisle had told me how Edward feels about my daughter and I have seen it in his mind. I know Edward is a good man and will make my daughter happy, much happier than Felix will even though I know that Felix has grown a fondness for Bella. I walked from my room to my desk and sat down. Even though I knew that Edward was a good man, I still didn't want to let my Bella go. She didn't know the evils of the world, and I know I shielded her from it, but that was my duty as her father. I looked at the calendar, I had two more weeks with my baby before I had to let her go and see the world with Carlisle and his family for a month. I had to make the most of this time before she left.

Bella's Point of View

"Everything is so beautiful! The trees, the flowers, the grass even the soil!" I said. Edward and I had found a small bench to rest on, I was currently holding a leaf from a tree and stroking it.

"The soil? What's beautiful about the soil?" Edward asked with a small smile on his face.

"It's what gives these plants life and their nutrition. The texture of the soil is also beautiful and the dark colour contrasts with the light colours of the garden," I explained. I looked at Edward, he had a thoughtful look on his face as he examined the gardens.

"I suppose I understand your point," he finally said. I smiled brightly at him before breathing in deeply and looking up at the clear blue sky. There was not one single cloud in the sky! It was a perfect day and I never wanted it to end.

"How have you enjoyed your first time in the garden?" Edward asked me.

"It's been perfect. It's a shame that it has to end though," I sighed. Edward looked at me with sad eyes.

"You can always come back outside, you know. Now that your father has given you permission to go into the gardens," He reminded me. I shrugged.

"I know that, but my father has put the condition that I cannot go to the gardens unless I have an escort," I replied as we got up to head back inside. Edward was silent after that.

"Well, you know, you can always ask me to escort you. I'd happily escort you to the gardens," he said softly. I stopped walking and studied his face carefully.

"Really? You'd be okay with that? Because you know it might be every day, right?" I asked him, a huge smile spreading across my face. Edward smiled back.

"Of course," he replied before taking my hand and lifting it to his mouth to gently kiss the back. I nearly fainted. My heart was beating so fast it was scary. What was I feeling? What are these emotions? Edward returned my hand to his arm and we began to walk again. Edward escorted me back inside and walked me to my room where we each said goodbye and he kissed my hand once more. I walked into my room in a daze and laid on my bed. What are these emotions running inside of me? I had never felt anything like this before. I wished that my mother was around so I could ask her these questions. I had no mother figure and no friends to ask these things. I considered asking Rosalie but we didn't know each other that well and I most certainly wouldn't ask Tanya…she'd have my head if she found out that I was feeling these emotions, whatever they are, about Edward! Tanya was a strange person, she barely knew me and yet she glared at me every time I saw her! Edward completely ignored her presence if we ever walked past her, so it was clear that he wasn't interested in her and yet Tanya didn't seem to get the message. I hoped that Tanya would be leaving soon as she was making me feel uncomfortable in my own home! I was broken out of my thoughts by a knock on my door; I sat up on my bed and called,

"Come in," the door opened and in came my father. "Hello father, how are you?" I asked politely before I got up to give him a hug and kiss on the cheek. My father smiled.

"I am well my child, and you? You look wonderful, the sun and fresh air has done wonders on you," he replied.

"I am very well father. I want to thank you for letting me go outside into the gardens, it was a wonderful experience." I smiled at him. My father beamed back.

"I only want what's best for you; did you enjoy your stroll with Edward?" He asked. I blushed, how did he know that I went with Edward? Would he be angry that I didn't take Felix?

"It was very pleasant, thank you, Edward and I had a wonderful conversation. How did you know that I went with Edward?" I asked curiously.

"I saw from my window in my room that you were strolling with Edward, he is quite a fine gentleman is he not?" My father replied with a smile as he walked to the window in my room.

"He is a fine gentleman. Are you not angry that I did not take Felix?" I asked quietly, hoping that if he was angry I would not be yelled at.

"Angry that you didn't take Felix? Heavens no child, I did say you could go into the gardens with an escort, I never said that it had to be Felix. I am trying to give you some freedom and I knew that you would want your first time in the gardens to be a happy one and since you and Felix argue so much I thought it best that you choose your own escort," my father explained as he came to stand in front of me. He looked over me with gentle eyes. "You have grown so much my dear girl, I will be sad to see you get married and have to give you away to someone else," he spoke softly as he gently stroked my cheek.

"No matter who I marry, I'll still be your little girl," I replied with tears gathering in my eyes. My father gathered me in for a tight hug before he let me go and silently left the room.

AN: Hope you enjoyed it!