I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who reviewed- you have no idea how it's been cheering me up lately. A special thanks to JMaire, since I can't write you back. That was exactly what I was thinking, my dear; I couldn't have articulated it better myself! I like your ideas, too, and the Cullen's won't be forgiven so easily. Thanks to all the other anonymous reviewers, too.

This is shorter than my other chapters but I wanted to get this out because I don't have anything else written right now and it might be a few more days until I can post (unless I keep procrastinating everything else I have to do).

Anyway, enjoy and please review!

P.S. Just a random question... What do you all think of some lemons? I was considering writing some, despite their difficulty. Do you think I should do them as side accompanying pieces or can I include them here?

Alice POV

"Quickly!" I called out, tugging Jasper along with me. The rest of my family ran along behind me.

Edward was soon in front of me, running in the direction I'd indicated.

"We need to get there now!" I screamed. If we didn't get there faster, we were going to get caught. I shivered remembering the details of that particular vision.

We needed to save Bella and fast. I could only imagine what horrors she faced in Aro's presence. I needed to comfort her, apologize to her, hold her. She was my best friend, my sister. I'd hardly existed without her.

We needed to save her.

I sighed with relief when the necessary corridor appeared before us.

We're okay now, Edward, I told him.

"This way!" I called out to the rest of my family.

Thank goodness for the guard that let his thirst distract him from his duties, otherwise this would have been impossible.

We slipped into the hallway and I closed my eyes, focusing on the vision.

In a room down the hall to the right, Bella sits on a cot. Aro touches her face, asking her to join him. She takes in a breath and… agrees.

"NO!" I screamed. "HURRY, EDWARD!"

But he was already running. He flung open the door before I could reach him.

BPOV

As I opened my mouth to say "yes", the wooden door swung open. Edward stood there, panting and glaring at Aro.

"She's coming with us," he snarled. "She belongs with us."

"She's your property, now, is she?" Aro smirked.

"Yes." Edward looked at me. "Are you alright?"

"I'm her creator," Aro said calmly, standing in front of me. "You all left her to die."

"Let's go, Bella," Edward demanded. I couldn't see him but I knew he was approaching us.

Aro's laugh made me gasp with fear. "Do you truly hold your existence in such contempt, my son, as to dare question my authority? This poor child behind me is not property."

"She's not evil, either."

Aro barked out a laugh again. "How delightful! You think I'm evil!"

"He doesn't mean it that way, Aro," Carlisle said, entering the room. I couldn't see him, either, but I could tell he was worried.

I stood up and walked from behind Aro.

"Are you alright, Bella?" Carlisle asked, concern etched on his face. He took in my appearance and frowned.

I looked down and saw that my clothes were tattered and bloody. The cot beside me was covered with my blood.

Edward growled with rage, noticing these things the same time as me. His eyes met mine and softened. He let them slowly take in my body in such a way that, if I'd still be human, would have made me blush wickedly.

"She's perfectly fine, Carlisle. She's in good hands now." Aro looked over at me lovingly. I fought the instinct to gag.

"Has she made a decision to stay with you?" Carlisle asked, his smooth mask in place.

Aro grinned. "We were actually getting to that point before your son intruded." He looked over at me, his eyes dancing with amusement, and said, "Bella, dear. Your decision?"

I took in a deep breath and looked over at Carlisle. He nodded at me but I couldn't tell what he was encouraging me to do. Did they even want me?

Edward sighed. I met his stare and nearly melted. He was so incredibly beautiful. Why couldn't he just love me? It would have made this so much easier. We could spend forever together. That's all I'd ever wanted. I remembered my thoughts just before I turned. What point was there to forever if it wasn't in his arms?

"Before you choose, Bella," Carlisle started, "know that you are always welcome in our family. We have always considered you a part of it and would love nothing more than for you to come back home with us. We love you. But, if you decide that you belong here, I will respect your decision. We all will."

Edward growled but said nothing.

Even if the Cullen's didn't want me, I couldn't stay here. I knew that much. I'd witnessed enough evil from them. I could leave with the Cullen's and then part from them when I was safe, out of Aro's hands.

I took in a deep breath and said the words I hoped I wouldn't regret.

"I'd like to go home… with the Cullen's."

I looked over and, though it might have been my vampire eyes tricking me, Edward looked elated. Carlisle seemed joyful as well, though he kept glancing over at Aro.

Aro was still watching me, his gaze making me increasingly uncomfortable. The silence after my decision stretched on. I shifted uncomfortably on my feet and stared at the wall.

Thankfully, Carlisle finally broke the silence. "Are we free to go, Aro?"

He turned his head to meet Carlisle's eyes before looking back at me, his face empty of emotion. Finally, he cleared his throat and said, "Isabella, you will always be welcome here. As a matter of fact, I request your presence here in two months so I can monitor your progress."

"My progress?" I squeaked.

He took a step towards me, smiling in a way that, if I was still alive, would have sent my heart pounding. "Bella, I turned you with the intention of utilizing your talent. This is what your existence is based upon. Naturally, I will be interested in how you turn out. We'll deal with whatever talent you possess when you visit."

Carlisle was staring at me, looking increasingly worried as Aro's words continued.

"I will ask you then to join my family, as well."

"And if her decision is the same?" Edward spat.

Aro grinned, eying me like I was his prey. In a way, I was. "Then it's the same."

He had skirted the question skillfully. I gulped and involuntarily took a step back.

"Well, we'll all be looking forward to seeing you in a couple of months, Aro."

Aro's head snapped in Carlisle's direction. "My friend, I would prefer it if Isabella came alone. This is of a personal nature."

Edward opened his mouth to say something but Carlisle grabbed his arm. It was obvious he was telling something with his mind. Edward's jaw clenched but he said nothing. His eyes met mine and immediately my face felt heated- somewhat of an impossibility in my current state- but he managed to make me feel like I was blushing regardless.

"Very well," Carlisle replied gravely. "Goodbye, Aro."

He walked out and Edward came over to me, hesitantly taking my hand. I didn't stop him; the look on Aro's face was enough incentive for me to stay put. As I walked past, Aro held out his arm and stopped me.

His eyes scanned my face. "Until we meet again," he muttered, kissing my forehead.

I suppressed the urge to gag again and managed a weak smile. I didn't get a chance to say anything, even if I wanted to, because Edward rushed me out.

The family was standing down the hall, watching us anxiously. When we got closer, they all appeared to sigh with relief collectively and even some of them attempted to smile.

"Bella," Alice whispered, looking desperately as though she wanted to pounce on me. I imagine my behavior beforehand made her think twice because she somehow refrained from tackling me.

Esme walked over to me cautiously. When it was obvious I wasn't going to run away or scream at her, she gingerly placed her hands on my arms and smiled.

"Welcome to the family."