A/N: I wasn't originally planning on writing more on this topic but I still had some story left to tell. I hope you like it. I am open to all feed back. I noticed that lots of people looked at my story but few reviewed and I am not sure it that is a good thing or not. So thank you to those who reviewed. I know this is kind of short but it is getting late and typing out the actual dialogue takes a while. Enjoy!

The clang of the bell in the clock tower shook me from my reverie. It was time now to end the pain. I had spent the last few hours sitting here in the dark shadows remembering all the wonderful time we had spent together. It was painful but necessary I didn't know what the afterlife would bring for me. Every interaction we ever had played like a movie reel in my mind. The pain licked at the now wide open wounds from these memories. I deserved nothing less then the pain that gripped me. I had deliberately put doubt in her mind about my love for her. Not knowing how to keep her safe was my one true down fall. I would suffer no more for this. It was time.

Some small part of me hoped to see Bella soon but I would settle for the pain going away. While I hummed her lullaby I slowly unbuttoned my shirt and threw it to the ground. I could not bring myself to remember the tune before now, it held the most painful of memories. The sun hung high in the sky calling to me. I could sense the others around waiting in the shadows for me to make a move. I was certain that it was Felix and Demetri even though I could not hear their thoughts I could sense their excitement.

I closed my eyes to see her face one last time before I stepped into the light. Funny….most people who talk about stepping into the light are going to a place forever barred to me, a place where my Bella now resided. As my body stood poised to move forward I could almost hear Bella calling my name, it was as if she was beckoning me into the light. Just as I went to step forward something crashed into me. In an instant I knew it was her, I held her and breathed in her scent. I opened my eyes slowly to savor the moment incase my mind was playing tricks on me. But when my eyes opened there she was looking back at me. She seemed panicked though almost trying to push me backwards.

"Amazing, Carlisle was right." I beamed at her. She was speaking and she seemed flustered as only Bella could but nothing could break through my sublime happiness. I reached up and gently stroked her cheek. It still felt warm, her radiance was still so life like.

"I can't believe how quick it was. I didn't feel a thing- they're very good." I couldn't believe the pleasure I found in death. I gentle pressed my lips to her hair. I couldn't help but quote Romeo, remembering the scene from a distant past when were both still alive. "Death, that hath sucked the honey of thy breath, hath had no power yet upon thy beauty."

I inhaled her intoxicating scent again, "You smell just exactly the same as always. So maybe this is hell. I don't care. I'll take it."

A slow smile crept across my lips for the first time in half a year. Bella was in my arms again where she rightfully belonged. Just then her voice broke through all the happy fog that had settled over me.

"I'm not dead and neither are you! Please Edward, we have to move. They can't be far away!"

She was pushing at my arms in an unusual way. Did she not want me holding her? The situation was so confusing.

"What was that?" I asked still not allowing anything to ruin this time we had.

"We're not dead, not yet! But we have to get out of here before the Volturi-"

Her words finally broke through my haze. We're not dead, a slow realization crept over me. We were still standing just in the edge of the shadows and Bella was with me in Volterra. My initial happiness was wiped away and replaced with a new found fear. I wasn't dead but most importantly Bella wasn't dead. She was however in the heart of Volterra with angry vampires lurking in the shadows.

I quickly spun us out of the impeding sun and pinned Bella behind me shielding her from Felix and Demetri. I could hear their thoughts now and a low growl escaped me. This couldn't be happening. I was trapped in my own personal hell. Why could nothing go right, how was I going to get us out of here? I would get us out of here. Nothing would harm Bella now that I knew she was alive. Felix and Demetri stepped out from the shadows.

"Greetings, gentlemen, I don't think I'll be requiring your services today. I would appreciate it very much, however, if you would send my thanks to your masters."

"Shall we take this conversation to a more appropriate venue?" Felix's voice was smooth as ice as he spoke.

"I don't believe that will be necessary," an angry edge crept into my voice. "I know your instructions, Felix. I haven't broken any rules."

The ominous figures did not back down. I continued to guard Bella from them. I would not let them hurt her. I had lived through the nightmare of her death once; I was not willing to give up so easily this time. We were together and just having her near me gave me reason to exist.

"Felix merely meant to point out the proximity of the sun. Let us seek better cover." Demetri's tone was smooth but carried undertones of dark plans.

"I'll be right behind you," I glanced back at Bella for the first time since the appearance Felix and Demetri. Her eyes were wide with fear yet there was calm about her, "Bella, why don't you go back to the square and enjoy the festival?"

If I could just get her out of the alley way she would be safe at least for now. But no sooner had the words left my mouth then Felix interjected.

"No bring the girl."

"I don't think so." My reply was sharp and I was finished with the pretense of being civil. Felix's thoughts were on destroying me. He seemed to miss the fact that I had changed my mind. He didn't; however miss the fact that Bella was now with me. I shifted ever so slightly preparing for the attack they were planning. It would not be easy fighting and protecting Bella at the same time. They knew this but luckily I caught glimpses of their thoughts and could prepare some defense.

I could hear Bella behind me whisper, "No."

I murmured a gentle shushing sound to calm her.