'Alec,' I sighed as we walked out of the castle via the entrance we're not really meant to use going from the reception area where they knew everything about out nature up to one that knew nothing and into the dark city of Volterra. 'How long do we have?'

'About five hours,' he replied cheerfully.

'Wow,' I murmured softly in surprise, saying the only think I could think off. 'That's the most time we've had alone together in -'

'A few months,' Alec interrupted a frown marring his handsome features slighting as he finished my sentence.

'Since you proposed,' I added smiling, trying to change the direction of his thoughts.

Alec smiled back down at me in return, the arm which was resting around my shoulder pulled me towards him so he could press a loving kiss to my hair.

We walked for a while longer around the city in a perfect, content, homely silence. I loved the night: the stars twinkling away like they knew some fascinating secret and where not just large balls of fire, the moon casting shadows on the ground, the utter quiet apart from the animals which was oddly comforting, I found something distinctly nice about walking around in the night while most people slept for the brilliantly bright sun.

After a while we sat down on a bench that was far enough away from the castle that gave us a sense of freedom but not outside the castle walls, which I had once been forbidden to go past and now had no desire too, unless Alec came with me.

'I was so scared that night,' Alec admitted, his sensual, deep accent lined with amusement, as he chuckled sheepishly. 'Even though had been together for years by that point.

'Oh, I know,' I laughed, remembering his actions that night as I moved myself on the bench so I was kneeling with my knees against Alec's legs while he groaned loudly at my words. 'You're very cute when you're nervous.'

'Really?' he asked, raising an eyebrow at me a pulling me onto his lap.

'Most definitely,' I smiled at him, moving myself out of his grip to straddle him.

Alec tilted his head up to kiss me, since for once I was actually taller than him due to kneeing on the bench, and as our lips connected I felt him smile against my lips. I couldn't help but melt in the familiarity of the kiss and the safety of his arms circling around me tightly around me. My hands twisted themselves in his dark hair, pulling myself towards him as his hands tried to achieve the same thing. As the kiss continued I felt myself getting lost in it and all worries flying from my mind.

My common sense, however, returned to me when I felt the wooden bench against my back.

'Alec,' I mumbled softly as he began to kiss my neck, 'we should probably stop.'

'Probably,' he agreed and part of me was glad that he continued kissing me but the other half, the more responsible part, was still telling me to stop.

Against my better judgement, I moved my head slightly to allow him better access to my neck.

'Alec-' I murmured but he cut me off with a deep kiss that wept contentment and love as well as the feeling of "finally", it reminded me of how long it had since we had kissed: of course, there had been simple pecks in the corridors as we past each other but never anything that satisfied our need for the other.

I tried to stop the moan that was building up in my throat but I was beginning to forget why I was fighting and why I wanted to stop when who knew when we would be alone again.

Suddenly there was a deep, threatening growl and the sound of something large and heavy (in human standards) breaking.

Alec and I pulled apart in shock having been far too caught up in each other to notice the approach of the thing growling. We both, simultaneously, look to see you had come across us this far away from the castle but I already knew having recognised the growl.

Edward was standing at a corner not too far away from where Alec and I with a nearby lamppost at his feet from where he had ripped half of it off of the other half.

'Edward,' Alec said in a slightly cold tone, nodding his head in greeting and pulling me, along with himself, up into an appropriate sitting position upon the bench.

Edward didn't speak in reply; he just stared at us with something akin to horror on his face.

I, however, suddenly felt extremely ashamed of myself and the majority of it wasn't because my ex-boyfriend had just caught me in a rather compromising position with my fiancée. It was because I was the Princess of Volturi, if it had been one of the lower members of the guard to stumble across us my rather would have been furious: I had a reputation, as much as I may hate the fact, and I had to maintain it, if only for the sake of my family - kissing Alec, even if he was my fiancée, in such a way where anyone could have come across us was not the way to go about it.

'Edward,' I said sternly. 'Go.'

Edward gave me a betrayed look even though he was the one who broke up with me before shooting a look to Alec, which clearly said "you will pay". Alec didn't look at all fazed as Edward stalked back the way I assumed he came, leaving the lamppost lying on the floor.

'Come on,' Alec sighed, taking my hand as we stood up and began to walk the opposite way to Edward. 'I can see why we shouldn't have done that.'

'Good,' I smiled slightly, pushing my thoughts of my behaviour to the back of my in favour of spending a nice, calm evening with Alec, 'because I was beginning to forget.'

'Damn you, Edward,' Alec groaned quietly causing me to laugh.

I pressed a kiss to his cheek as we continued walking through a quiet, deserted street that was usually bursting with life and people.

'I don't get why you were so scared that night,' I spoke continuing our conversation from before we got ... distracted. 'You knew I loved you.'

'I did,' Alec smiled down at me, 'but you still could of said "No."'

'Never,' I said firmly although a smile was on my face, keeping a frown at the thought of saying "no" of my face. 'I love you for forever.'

'For eternity,' Alec agreed softly, and his tone took me back to the night we were discussing.

Alec had enlisted Jane's help to propose to me, something I find amusing to this day; I swear his motto is "when in doubt go to Jane or Izzy."

Jane had dressed me in one of my old princess gowns; a cream coloured one with a closed back and frontal lacing, which allowed you to see the long white chemise underneath. The sleeves had been wide and hung of the wrist and it had had a hood. She had left my wavy hair down, since she knew that was how Alec liked it best - I think it's because he can easily play with a strand or in the early days, so he has a reason to touch me: to brush some hair out of my eyes - and had lightly dusted my face in natural make up before sending me down to the reception area - Alec had met me there looking as dashing as he always did.

'Come with me,' he had said after greeting me in an excited and yet nervous manner, pulling up his hood since he was trapped by the brilliant sunlight whereas I wasn't.

I had done as he had said and followed him through the second reception room and into the bright sunlight of the Italian summer. Despite his nervousness, it was like a normal evening (although usually we were curled up in either my room or his room doing varied things). I hadn't suspected a thing until we had got to the entrance of a small private park that belonged to my family.

'Close your eyes,' he had said softly turning to look at me and removing his arm from my shoulder in the same movement before taking my hand.

I had shot his a questioning look but complied none-the-less; he was lucky I trusted and love him so much or I would have put up a bit of a fight - from the last I saw of his face, the smug smirk plastered across it told me he knew what I was thinking. I had felt him pull on my gently to lead me on and I had followed his voice, sent and pull for a few minutes. I had panicked a bit when I felt his hand leave mine, although, I knew he wouldn't just leave me standing here. It didn't matter, however, as his arms had circled my waist quickly, pulling me against his stone hard chest.

'Open your eyes, my love,' he had whispered softly in my ear causing a pleasant shiver to rack though my body.

Glad to finally see again, I had opened my eyes to that we had been standing in a forest-like area with a blue blanket on the floor and trees wrapped in fairy light - it was the main reason I was so fond of the midsummer night's dream theme idea: it reminded me of how Alec had proposed.

'This looks beautiful,' I had smiled brightly.

'I'm glad you think so,' Alec had replied with his dazzling smile, although, his nervousness seemed to have gotten worse.

I had twisted gently in his arms to face him properly, placing my hands on his chest

'Are you alright?' I had questioned, slowly snaking my arms around his neck and pulling his hood down in one motion.

'We'll see,' he had smiled down at me

As I went to ask what he meant by that, he had pulled us down onto the blanket. We lay there all night just talking and kissing, amongst other things. His nervousness had seemed to disappear as the night wore on and by the time he said it was probably time we start to head back to the castle, I had nearly forgotten about it, but as I stood the nervous expression was back on his face.

I had brushed my clothes down and was about to take a step back in the direction I suspected the castle was in when I had realized that Alec was still sitting on the ground. I had turned to raise a questioning eyebrow at him and to ask him what was going on but the sight in front of me had made the words die in my throat.

Alec was on one knee in front of me, looking more nervous that he had seemed all night.

'Isabella,' he had said as I took hold of the hand he extended to me and stepped gracefully towards him. 'Izzy, I love you: you're smart, funny, childish when you want to be and mature when you don't, charming, drop-dead beautiful' (I had felt the need to blush although it was actually possible for me and although I was actually the most beautiful vampire in the castle besides Heidi) 'and you are my life.

'I know I was extremely rude to you for who knows how many years and I apologise profoundly for it.

'I didn't understand why it had hurt so much when you left Volterra,' he had chuckled. 'It was horrible but I tried to convince myself that it had nothing to do with you - I barely knew you after all and what I did know annoyed the hell out of me, although, now I love those aspects of you because they make you, you. However, Jane noticed that I was acting strange and, after I had explain, she was fits of giggles. "Alec," she had said to me, "you are a complete and utter idiot." She knew, she knew before I did that I loved you because, as I've already told you, I do, with all my un-beating heart.

'You were gone for decades and it was heart wrenching not knowing when you would return or if you would at all so I could tell you or at least get to know you.

'These past twenty years of my life have been the best ever, because of you ...

'What I'm trying to say or ask is, Principessa Isabella Maria Volturi, would you please allow me the pleasure of calling you my wife? Izzy, will you marry me?'

I had been expecting it from his speech but it still sent the breathe whooshing out of my lungs as I stared into his love filled red eyes while my own golden ones filled with tears.

'Yes,' I had whispered, a smiled breaking out across my face, before I said louder, almost laughing, 'yes, of course.'

He had beamed at me and, after placing the beautiful, old fashioned ring - the white gold band of the engagement ring was set along the shoulders and shank with a collection of seventy-four round brilliant cut diamonds, eight of those diamonds, four on each side, were arranged in a floral design which the flank a bewitching blue sapphire at the centre - on my finger, he had picked me up by the waist and spun me around. I had laughed loudly and when he put me down, I stood on my tip toes to kiss him hard.

I sighed happily as Alec waved a hand in front of my face, chuckling as he did so.

'Izzy?' he asked. 'What are you thinking about?'

'Take a guess,' I grinned, looking down at where I was twisting my engagement ring around my finger.

'Hmm,' he hummed. 'That is a good night to reminisce about.'

I laughed happily, although it was slightly sad as I saw the large doors that were the human entrance to the Volturi Castle. I sighed again, this time an annoyed one, as I saw Demetri stepping out of an alleyway - my sigh was a second later mirrored by Alec.

'What is it?' Alec said, normally knowing Demetri could hear him although we weren't technically, in human minds, within his hearing range.

'Aro requests your presence, along with the rest of the guard in the throne room,' Demetri replied, sending an apologetic smile and a bow to me although he was speaking to Alec and I also considered him family as much as I did Jane, since he and Alec were so close – I sent him a stern look and he winked at me, realising his mistake.

'He said five hours,' Alec groaned. 'It's only been 4 - did he say why?'

'No,' Demetri answered an amused smile lighting up his face, our relationship always seemed to amuse him but I was never sure why, but I knew he was lying from the meaningful glance he shot at me.

Alec had obviously seen the look as well as, he too, looked at me, his arm tightening around my waist.

'Give me a minute,' he said to Demetri a frown marring his face.

'Alec?' I spoke as Demetri nodded and left us alone once again bye disappearing into the alleyway. 'Alec, what's going on?'

'Listen to me, Principessa,' Alec said sharply and I froze.

Alec had never used that tone to me before and only a few times had I heard him use it to anyone.

'Alec? I asked more softly, placing a comforting hand his arm. 'Alec, love, what's wrong?'

He stared into my eyes for a few long seconds seeming extremely stressed and angry, at who I wasn't sure. I stared back at him, concern and love only for him shining in my warm golden eyes. Eventually, he let out a breath and pulled me quickly toward him, wrapping his arms tightly around me.

'Alec?' I asked again, inwardly cheering the effect I had on him, I placed both my hands on his chest.

'Sorry,' he murmured, burying his face in my hair. 'Listen to me, Izzy, just listen to me, alright, and don't interrupt, okay?' - I nodded against his chest. - 'If this is what I think - no what I know it is - then - god, Iz, please don't kill me for not telling you ... your father said couldn't until I actually had to leave.'

I lifted my head from his chest to try and guess what he was on about from his facial expressions, his troubled facial expression. I felt my eyebrows furrow together.

'Alec,' I began.

'Dah, dah, dah,' he said, raising a hand from where it was on my waist and causing me to smile at the oddness of the noise despite my confusion. 'Listen to me.

'There's a group of new-borns over in Scotland that need to be disposed of - they aren't following our rules.'

'Al,' I began again, starting to see where this was going.

'Hush, Principessa,' he said, using my title like most the guards do, I scowled at him, making his facial expression flash quickly into the cheeky grin that he knew I loved before it fell again. 'I'll be back before the ball ... yes, I know that's is not what you're worried about,' (I had opened my mouth again) 'I will be completely fine, careful and take all precautions necessary - I will return to you, limbs intact -'

'Promise,' I interrupted quickly before he could stop me plus I couldn't help myself as panic overflowed me.

He sent me an annoyed looked before replying, 'I do, my love, I absolutely do.'

I smiled slightly, feeling a tiny bit calmer but Alec was still speaking.

'... and no you may not come for a number of reasons: one, your father forbids it; two, I love you too much to risk your life and your presence would only distract and worry me; three, you have a party to plan and finally, we have guests that you need to entertain.'

I groaned as I thought about entertaining the Cullens as well as planning a party: that was far more an Alice thing to do.

'ALEC!' we heard my Uncle Marcus yell, loud enough to wake the dead or at least the humans sleeping in the city. 'Get away from my niece and in here now.'

I swallowed nervously.

'I'll be fine,' Alec sighed, placing a hand on my cheek. 'I promised.'

'Can I speak now?' I asked, causing him to laugh.

'Because you were doing such a good job of it before,' he spoke still chuckling.

'Alec!' my Uncle Caius yelled this time surrounding far angrier than my Uncle Marcus but then again he was generally angrier.

'Be careful,' I muttered, wrapping my arms tightly around his neck once again and standing up on my tip toes to kiss him.

'I always am,' he replied, pulling me as close as he could into his body. 'Jane and I will be back in 6 days.'

'Of course, Jane's going as well,' I sighed, realising I was losing my best friend and maid of honour in the engagement party planning.

'Of course,' Alec smiled sadly down at me. 'Jane's one of the guards best offensive person.'

'I love her and everything,' I laughed, 'but I'm just glad I'm a shield.'

Alec chuckled, 'you know she's never hurt you; you're her best friend and soon to be sister plus the fact that you're the princess helps to protect you a little.'

'Will you stop mentioning that?' I groaned loudly. 'Although I know it isn't the case, it makes it sound like you only love me for the fact that I am one.'

Alec's teasing smile had slid off his face as I went on; he pulled me even tighter against him.

'You better remember that that isn't the case, Izzy,' he almost growled. 'If anything you being a princess is a slight annoyance. Never think I only love you because of your title.'

'I know,' I smiled up at him causing his face to relax slightly but, as I open my mouth to add something else, Alec was called again by my on-the-verge of anger Father.

'I love you,' he sighed, kissing me deeply.

'I love you, too,' I said when we broke apart. 'Remember that I'd die if you got yourself killed.'

'ALEC!'

'Now, go! Before he takes back his blessing,' I whispered, glancing warily at the drainage hole that I could just see in the alleyway which was another entrance to the castle.

'Coming,' Alec yelled before kissing me once again and dropping himself down it.

I leant against the building beside me looking after him for so long that the guard was now leaving the castle in the Volturi cloaks and gathering in the main square from different exits around the city.

'Principessa,' Demetri and Felix greeted me with a tip off their heads from either side of Jane and Alec as I watched them begin to move.

I smiled at them causing Jane to blow me a kiss and Alec to wink at me.

'Where are they going?' a sweet, soft voice I recognised as my Aunt Esme's said from behind me as hands rested on my shoulder.

I looked behind me to see that all the Cullens had gathered there, my uncle right behind me with his hands resting on my shoulders in a silent comfort. Alice and Rosalie both came from beside their mates to stand next to me, taking my hands as together we watched the guard in their dark cloaks disappear into the dark night that had settled over the city of Volterra.

'There going after a group of wild new-borns,' I said in answer to Esme's question which had only just registered with me as I learnt back against my uncle slightly but didn't take my eyes off from the place where I had seen the last cloak disappear from.

'They'll be fine,' Uncle Carlisle said to me in his usual calm, confident and comforting voice that even as a young child had calmed me down when nothing else worked and everyone was just about ready to tear their own hair out.

'Alec'll be fine,' Emmett added and when I turned round to look at him over my shoulder; he was, as usual, smirking at me with twinkling dark golden eyes.

'And so will Jane,' Jasper chuckled, most likely sensing the slight bit of unease in my stomach and saying the last person that I could possibly be terribly worried about.

I turned around and smiled at them all.

'Thank you,' I murmured, placing my own hand over my one of my uncles where it still rested on my shoulder, although I noticed Edward had said nor done anything and I hadn't expected him too.

I walked past them all, after squeezing my uncles hand in a way of saying "I'm fine", placing my hand on some of their arms or sending them soft smiles before I sped up to my room at high speed and promptly flopped on the large bed, feeling the worry and dread - which I know realised Jasper had been keeping at bay for me - creeping up into my stomach.

Finally, I have wrote this chapter - I've been on holiday in Egypt since the 28th of December 2012 so obviously I had no internet connection and therefore couldn't write. I hope you like this chapter and my question to you all is how do you put pictures on your profile - is it even possible? am I being incredibly stupid? - I can't seem to do it.

Anyway, I hope you like this chapter and thank you to those who have reviewed, please continuing doing so and thanks for reading x