Jane returned home a week later, just a few days later than planned. Carmen and Eleazar had left the day before she arrived but Alec had yet to arrive back from his own mission and Jane had been home three days, having spent days informing my father of what she learnt and filling out the paperwork involved with it.

Having never gone not seeing Alec since I returned to Volterra, I was beginning to feel a little off so I had picked up my favourite book and snuggled into my bed around midnight, trying to immerse myself in the familiar material and forget about my fiancé.

I rolled off my bed and pulled open the curtains; the sun had risen a few hours ago but the usually blinding (for humans at least) Italian brightness wasn't there. There was the rare cloud in the sky that promised an uncommon heavy shower – I could only hope that Florence was the same.

Florence was on the best cities in Italy for shopping so Jane decided where better to shop for my wedding clothing. We were taking my families private jet up there today and staying up there for a few days to try and buy as much as possible.

'Come on, Izzy, get dressed,' Jane grinned, skipping into my room.

I turned from the window to smile at her, I was sure she was more excited about this than I was, although I was really excited.

'Why is ever one else ready?' I asked teasingly.

'Kind of,' Jane grinned, and I felt my smile falter as I realised I was the last. 'Esme's packed, dressed and waiting for you to tell her you're ready to go so she's sketching. Rosalie is just brushing her hair and Alice is bouncing around like a ball of energy in her room. Oh, and I'm here.'

'Right, I'll get dressed,' I laughed lightly causing her spin around and go back into her room.

I got dressed at vampire speed, slipping jeans and a pretty job on since I would look weird if I wore my normal clothing in Florence before disappearing out my door.

On this floor was one guest room, the best in my opinion, so I went there first. I knock before entering.

'Morning,' I grinned, walking into the room to see my aunt sitting by the window with her sketchpad on her lap, her hair tied into a scruffy bun and her feet crossed on the window sill – the image just caused my grin to widen.

'Good morning, Izzy, dear,' she glanced up at me with a motherly smile. 'Are you ready to go?'

I nodded, 'what are you drawing?'

'Nothing,' she said, flipping her book shut causing me to raise an eyebrow. 'It's just silly little things and they weren't very good.'

I didn't believe her but, letting it go, I smiled at her and told her to meet me in the antechamber where we came in before going to get Rose and Alice, who were on the next floor.

5 minutes later, we were boarding the plane. It was only a half an hour flight and an hour and a half drive but I figured that the plane would be more fun because I hardly ever got to go in it and I could tell by Alice's face that the Cullens don't either and then we wouldn't have to fit everything we buy into our cars because, knowing what Alice and Rosalie were like, we'd probably buy far more than we intend to. Of course, we wouldn't be bringing the dresses back with us since they would have to be made and then we would have to go in for any alterations.

When the plane landed in Florence airport, we checked into a hotel before going to the bridal shop where Esme had made an appointment the day before. However, perfectly, the rain was already falling heavily when we arrived and didn't look like it would let up anytime soon.

The bridal shop was in the centre of Florence and we had a while before we need to be there so we wondered round a little bit before heading there, looking at the river and in few shops. By the time we actually entered the bridal boutique, Alice and Rosalie had shopping bags which they were struggling to hold along with their umbrella's.

'Welcome, how can I help you?' a merry voice said as soon as we stepped through the door.

'We have an appointment at noon,' Esme said kindly, smiling at the small woman, no taller than Alice with brown hair and subtle but pretty features, who had spoken.

'Name?' the lady inquired cheerfully.

'Isabella Volturi,' Esme replied since I was far too busy glancing around the shop with the girls.

'That's the Volturi-Talor wedding, isn't it? Right this way,' she said as she led us into one of the side rooms.

The boutique was mainly empty. It was an expensive one that not many people could afford so they didn't need very many private dressing and mirror rooms. The room we enter clearly showed the high quality of the place: beautiful flower arrangements were everywhere and I could tell Esme was slightly jealous of the sophistication of them; there was a carpeted, circular raised area that had three full length mirrors in front of it; there was also several sofas and chairs along with a coffee table.

'My name is Kathleen. Which of you three is the lucky bride?' she questioned kindly, gesturing us to a comfy looking, cream sofa.

'I am,' I grinned, sitting down next to Esme before introducing my family. 'My maid of honour and sister-in-law to-be, Jane; Rosalie and Alice, my cousins; and Esme, my aunt, although she's acting as my mother.'

'It's a pleasure to meet you all,' Kathleen grinned while she perched on the table, 'and welcome, Isabella, we have around 13 months to till the wedding so don't worry there's no rush. First things first, any styles in mind - dress or wedding?'

My lips twitched as she pulled out a notepad and pen from her pocket with a flourish.

'Um, not really,' I replied, smiling sheepishly. 'But I know I want a long train and the wedding is a Midsummer Night Dream theme, in a forest, with the colour scheme is red and gold.'

'That sounds lovely,' she smiled, while writing. 'Let me ask you some questions to get us started. Do you want a long or a short dress, maybe something in the middle?'

I fought the urge to laugh - I couldn't imagine my father would be too happy if his princess of a daughter had a knee-length wedding dress. Besides, I wanted to keep it traditional.

'Definitely long,' I answered before smirking slightly. 'I want to feel just life a princess'

They all chuckled slightly, but only my family got the irony I was speaking.

"Do you have a preference for colours? White, off-white, ivory?" she continued.

"White," I replied. 'Maybe with a bit of red or gold in but I'm not sure.'

'What about you're price range?' Kathleen asked.

I shared a look with Esme, who spoke, 'her uncle and father are extremely well off and they both told her to splash out as much as she wants.'

'How fun!' Kathleen laughed lightly. 'Alright, Isabella, what size are you?

'A 40,' I replied, trying to remember the Italian dress size scheme compared to the American. I hardly ever shopped for myself, since I didn't really like it, leaving Jane to do it. The only time I shopped for myself was during my time away from Volterra but I never had to shop in Italy.

'Did you bring anything with you?' she now asked. 'Jewellery, heels?'

'My mother's jewellery,' I nodded, pulling the beautifully decorated box that held the jewellery that my father gave me mouths ago out of my bag. 'The dress has to go with them and some heels around the size I'm going to look for.'

Kathleen leaned forward as I opened the box so she could see what was inside. Just as Jane and I did, she gasped.

'They're gorgeous.'

'Thank you.'

"Right, that's given me inspiration: I have a few gowns in mind. Do you want to begin trying on?" she asked receiving a nod from me in return. Just before she left she turned, 'would you ladies like something to drink - water, champagne?'

I glanced at Esme.

'We'll have some water, please,' she replied, no doubt not wanting to waste something expensive that we wouldn't even drink but knowing it would be odd not having anything at all since we all knew we were going to be here for a while.

'Let me bring the dresses and water. Make yourself at homes' she added kindly disappearing through the door.

'Are you excited?' Alice asked practically bouncing in excitement.

'Definitely but nervous. What if I can't choose?' I said biting my lip nervously.

'Iz, relax. You don't have make a decision today. You can still take a few days to decide," Rose grinned over at me, I knew she and Emmett had been married many times so this was probably nice for her to see it from someone else's point of view.

'Of course, dear, keep calm,' Esme smiled, pulling a camera from her handbag as Kathleen returned with a rack full of dresses and 5 bottles of water.

'That was quick,' Jane said so quietly only us vampires could hear her.

"I picked a variety of dresses, and, you're so beautiful, I'm sure you'll look stunning in all of them," she said. 'Once you find a style you like, we can begin to narrow it down and search more specifically.'

She picked the first one of the rack and lead me into the oversized changing room. She pooled it on the floor and I stepped into the centre, before we pulled in up and slipped the straps over my arms. Taking a deep breath and preparing for my families screams, I stepped out the changing room. As expected, Esme smiled looking tearful and Alice shrieked but Jane and Rosalie only smiled widely. I stepped on the pedestal and looked in the mirrors.

The dress was very beautiful - a V-neck beaded in bugle beads with organza flowers, cap sleeve on a lace mermaid gown, it had a beaded belt that was attached at the natural waist, I could see that the dress had a deep V back, buttons covering the back zipper, and the a chapel length train - but it wasn't me in the slightest, although I was in awe at how real this was all becoming, and the girls, along with Kathleen, seemed to agree as she pulled the next dress.

I glanced once more in the mirror before going over after her and changing into a completely different styled dress. This time as I stepped into the mirror, I gasped. This one was a strapless ball gown with an embroidered lace bodice which was delicately draped with tulle. Satin buttons accented the back of the bodice which lead once again to a chapel length train. The whole dress was decorated in silver lace appliqued and beaded flowers.

'I love this,' I beamed, slightly in shook, seeing everyone smile in the mirror but then I sighed. 'However, I think it's a bit too modern, maybe for a mid-summer night dream. Don't you think, Aunt Esme?'

'I can see your point,' she smiled. 'You look so beautiful though.'

I sent her a loving look which clearly told her not to get too teary on me - that was my uncle Carlisle's job when he realises that the girl he raised to be a kind and compassionate young woman, that I hoped I succeeded in being, was getting married. It was one thing I was sure of: my uncle would be far more sentimental than my father when I actually married Alec because he was the one to raise me, to make me who I was - my father may have been the man who biological created me but he hardly had a hand in my upbringing.

'So,' Kathleen said, reaching for her notepad. 'What makes you like this one so much.'

'I like the decoration on it,' I smiled, reaching down and picking up a bit of fabric. 'I mean, it's not something big and out there like a jewelled bodice but it's simple and subtle -'

'Like you,' Rose smiled charmingly at me, and I felt like I should be blushing.

'Jane, what do you think?' I asked, turning to my sister to-be.

'I like the style but I agree, it needs to be more "rustic" for lack of better word,' Jane smiled. 'Less perfect, you known.'

'Thank you for phrasing what I couldn't,' I laughed to her as I saw Kathleen writing again.

For the next two hours, I tried on dress after dress followed by an analysis of it. Kathleen was getting happier and happier as the time went on but I was losing hope although Alice was still as chirpy as ever. Esme was smiling motherly at me as I sent her hopeless looks which just told me that the dress was there and I would find it eventually. While Rose, Alice and Jane just chattered with me trying to keep my spirits up.

Kathleen was untying the ribbons on the back of the most recent dress when her hands froze and she went rather like Alice did when she was having a vision: her mouth parted slightly and her eyes widened with a black expression as she stared straight ahead.

'I have an idea,' she said, as I opened my mouth to ask her if she was okay. 'Take this off and I'll be right back.'

Extremely confused, I stepped carefully out of the dress before grabbing a dressing gown and stepping out of the changing room.

'Did that make sense to any one?' I asked but they all shook their heads, even Alice - it was actually rather annoying that anything I'm involved in she couldn't see.

Kathleen reappeared quickly as promised with a single dress in her hand, a smaller bag which I assumed to be jacket or something and an extremely wide smile.

'I just thought of the dress that fitted everything you have said,' she beamed, ushering me back inside the changing room where she helped me change into, what she thought was, the final dress.

I smiled as I stepped out and my families eyes widened and smiles lit up their faces; Esme even went as far to stand up and press her hands into a prayer like position. Feeling encouraged, I picked up the dress and stepped on the pedestal. Having closed my eyes when I stepped up, I open them and was instantly in awe, sure that girl wasn't me but the golden eyes and the mahogany hair told me it was, not to mention the placement of small freckles and the dimples I saw as I began to smile. The dress was a ball silhouette, off-the-shoulder, sleeveless gown made from white Tulle and Satin. It had a natural waist line and a cathedral length train - I could tell since Kathleen was trying to lay it out behind me - with the beautiful silver lace applique and beaded flowers decorating it. Over my arms, she had put a lace waistcoat with 2/3 length sleeves and on my head, along with my tiara which I had also brought with me, was a royal cathedral length matching veil. The dress was a bit loose in places which meant if I was so happy with it now, I'd like it more when it fitted perfectly.

I bit my lip and grinned, turning my head to look at Esme and Jane, 'well?'

They just stared at me not saying anything so I turned my head to Alice and Rose but received nothing. Taking that as a good sign, I turned by gaze back to the mirror, my smile becoming so large that I could no longer bite my lip.

'This is the one,' I said, mainly to myself. 'This is definitely to one.'

'Yeah?' Esme finally spoke but although it was a question I knew she agreed with me.

'Yeah,' I nodded at her. 'Jane, think Alec will like it.'

'Definitely,' Jane beamed. 'You look so beautiful, Iz.'

'Thank you,' I said to Kathleen, who sent me a warm smile in return.

'Jane,' Alice finally spoke. 'Be sure to tell Demetri to make sure Alec keeps breathing when he sees Izzy.'

We all laughed although Jane, Esme, Alice, Rosalie and I all knew that I would make no difference.

'I'd pay to see that,' Jane laughed, no doubt imagining her brother fainting - I let out a small giggle at the thought as well.

'I think we all would,' Rose grinned.

'So this is the one?' Kathleen asked. 'No more dresses?'

'No more dresses,' we all said in unison before laughing

Kathleen laughed joyfully, 'I guess it's unanimous. Well, that dress is €2,190.00.'

I nodded, that was perfectly acceptable for me since money was never an issue. 15 minutes later we left the shop feeling very pleased with ourselves because we knew not many brides could have got that done so quickly.

'Well,' I grinned, linking my arm with my aunt's, 'shall we go back to the hotel, I have thing I want to show you?'

'Oh,' Alice squealed. 'What?'

'Come on,' I grinned, taking her by the hand and pulling her at a fast pace back to the hotel with everyone else following behind.

'Okay,' I said once we were in the hotel, pulling out a sketch book to everyone's surprise. 'I was thinking about your dresses and, well, what do think?'

I opened the book toward the back; the rest of the book was filled with different sketches, both coloured and not, and mood boards, fabric swats and tonnes of other stuff which Uncle Carlisle helped me collect – he knew a surprising amount of the types of things the women in his family like, clothing wise - but this final double page had five drawings on: one for Jane's dress, one for the rest of the bridesmaids, one for the usherettes, one for my flower girls and one for Esme. I was planning on making them and then they could keep the dresses as presents after the wedding.

'You wanna make our dresses?' Rose asked surprised and I could tell slightly flattered that I wanted to put so much effort into it.

'I didn't know you could draw,' Alice gasped and I felt like blushing.

'I have another sketch for Alec to show the shop helpers,' I admitted, 'since I know it would be a waste of time trying to explain to him what I picture the groom's party wearing

'They're beautiful, Iz,' Jane smiled, 'they're perfect. I love the shades.'

'What are you thinking of making them out off?' Rose asked as she stroked the picture of the bridesmaids dress.

The dress I had sketched for them was floor length and floor length with a pleated sweetheart bust and a flowing skirt. There was a thick sash around the waist which tied into a pretty bow on the back with the ends left hanging. The only difference between theirs and Jane's was the colour: Jane's was sparkling gold with a blood red sash while the rest was the opposite, blood red base and sparkling gold sash.

'Satin,' I said, grabbing a pencil from my bag and quickly adding note on.

'Aunt Esme?' I asked nervously since she hadn't said anything yet and was usually the first to compliment me.

'You've been talking to your uncle, haven't you?' she smiled shaking her head. 'It's gorgeous.'

I beamed at her, 'how did you know I talked to Uncle?'

'Because I was telling him only a few months ago that it was a shame I didn't have a dress like this,' she answered me, still shaking her head at someone but I wasn't sure if it was me or my uncle.

Hers was the same colour as Jane's and also floor length but with a scalloped neckline and sheer three quarter sleeves. The top I planned to be made of tulle with lace appliques – which I now realised would go with my dress – while the skirt and waistband of a stretch satin fabric.

'Any alterations?' I asked with a wide smile on my face, which only widened to a grin when the shook their heads. 'Okay! We need to shop for fabrics then and shoes, and accessories for the other girls – Alec said for me to pick some up so he could give them as gifts.' -I rolled my eyes while saying this, why he couldn't do it himself I couldn't understand – 'then he's going to do the rest of the presents.'

'Right,' my aunt grinned leaping to her feet. 'Let's go fabric shopping.'

I grinned and grabbed the sketch book forcing into already full bag before we set of again. It didn't take us long to find a good fabric shop but it took a good while to find the right fabrics in both colours even though I had planned it. Eventually we left and I pulled them into a shoe shop.

'Hi,' I grinned at a passing shop assistant as I pulled out my sketch book, she stopped and smiled at me. 'Um, I was wondering what sort of shoes you would recommend for this dress?'

I was showing her my sketch of the bridesmaids dress.

'High heels, of course,' she replied still smiling. 'Why don't you take a seat and I'll go get some shoes for inspiration.'

'That would be great, thank you,' I said, gesturing everyone to sit down on the chairs which happened to be just behind us.

They all sat down but I hovered beside Aunt Esme's chair. The girl returned quickly her arms piled high with boxes but before any of us could offer to help she put them down on the floor.

I felt like banging my head on the wall near my as she showed us box after box of shoes but every time one of us could find something wrong with it.

'What about these?' Dani, I spied her name from her name tag, asked picking up a box from the smaller pile.

The shoes she was proffering in front of me were an open-toed, skinny-heeled, T-strap sandal in, what she had told us earlier, Dorothy Glitter, no doubt from the Wizard of Oz film. The sides were cut out and it had crimson silk piping. I felt a grin pull at my lips as I look towards every else but no one said anything.

'Anyone?' I asked. 'I like them but, I'm not the one wearing them so …'

'No, they're good,' Rose smiled over at me. 'I think they'd look nice with the dress.'

'Me to,' Alice agreed mirroring Rose's expression.

Crossing my fingers, I turned back to Dani and asked, "Do you have it in gold?"

She nodded and disappeared back into the cupboard where they shop kept all the shoes. She soon came back with another box and pulled out a shoe, placing it on her hand in front of us.

This shoe was beautiful as well with gold glitter and gold silk instead of the red of the other shoes.

'Jane?'

'Perfect.'

'Wedding?' Dani asked, smiling brightly at her success, as we continued looking at the bridesmaids shoes in satisfaction.

'Yes,' I beamed happily. 'July 16th next year.'

'Congratulations.'

'Thank you.'

'One minute!' she then exclaimed and we watched as she disappeared quickly for a human.

It wasn't long till she returned with another shoe box in her hands. She placed it on the table in front of me and gestured for to open in. I did as she said and leant forward smiling.

'We keep a few shoes in stock for weddings,' she smiled back as I pulled out a pair matching white shoes to the bridesmaids. 'That's what we call wedding dress white glitter and the piping's white silk.'

'It's meant to be,' Esme grinned from behind me.

She had wondered off with my sketch book when I told her to go look for her own shoes and had finally returned.

'You like them?' I asked, spinning around to face her.

'Is this your mother?' Dani asked and I wondered how she came to that conclusion since Esme and I didn't look that alike apart from the fact we were both extremely beautiful being vampires, both had dimples, both had gold eyes and wavy hair but then I thought about it I looked even less like my father.

'I'm her aunt,' Esme grinned over at Dani, 'and I love the shoes.'

'Shall we get them?' I asked, looking around to receive a range of nods.

'I'll put the rest away,' Dani smiled grabbing a few boxes and leaving.

'Aunt Esme, did you find some shoes?' I asked spinning in the seat I had stolen from her to look at her properly.

'No, I returned failing in my mission,' she smiled. 'Of course, I did. Here.'

She put the box on my lap and I open it slowly. The shoes she had brought over from my approval were sandals as well, with a skinny heel. However, they were in gold glitter with a double band toe and a sling strap back.

'Yeah, I love'em,' I grinned, titling my head back to look at them.

'I can't believe we're doing this so quickly,' Alice grinned shaking her head. 'Do you remember Rose and Emmett's last wedding, Esme?'

I heard Esme sigh heavily and mutter under her breath, 'don't remind me,' causing us all to laugh.

We were stopping when Dani came back over, 'how many of each then?'

'One of these,' I said, placing the box Esme brought over on the table assuming she had brought over a pair that fitted, 'and this is going to sound mad, eight of the red ones, two gold ones and one white one.'

Dani expression told me she was as shocked as I expected her to be and I couldn't help but laugh with my family.

'Big wedding?' she asked and I nodded still giggling, she disappeared for a second before coming back with a pen and notebook. 'Alright what sizes?'

'I'm a 41.5,' I told her gesturing to white shoes.

'Same,' Rosalie nodded, not really knowing the Italian shoe size scale but she was the same size as me.

'In red,' I told Dani, who smiled at me gratefully. 'Jane?'

'I'm a 40,' Jane smiled before adding for Dani benefit, 'the gold ones.'

'5.5?' Alice muttered to me quickly at vampire sound and speed so I whispered back, '39.5.'

'I need a 39.5 in the red,' she then smiled to Dani.

'Do you know any of the others?' Dani asked while she noted down Alice's request on her pad as she had done with all of ours.

'Can you give us a few minutes?' Esme asked politely.

'Of course,' Dani smiled. 'I'll be back with all of yours then you can tell me the rest.'

'Thank you,' Esme smiled, perching on the arm of my chair as I pulled out my Iphone – I wasn't particularly fond of it but I loved the case which was an elegant butterfly design: floral like swirls, and a butterfly with silk-like wings in shades of blue and lilac, decorated with shiny jewels.

Starting this far away from the wedding meant that if the shoes didn't fit we could bring them back with plenty of time so the general rule about buying shoes for other people didn't really apply, so I, subtly at vampire speed, texted the rest of my bridesmaids, along with my train and flower girl, for their shoe size.

I slowed down when Dani came back with my shoe size but I only had one more by then so it wasn't much of a hindrance. I placed my phone on the arm of the chair as she left once again and reached for the box holding my shoes.

Having a sudden though, I started rummaging in my bag until I had found the high heels I had worn while trying on the dresses – of course it didn't matter that much but I would make things so much easier is they were the same height. Placing them next to each other, I breathed a sigh of relief; the height of the heel was the same on both shoes.

Removing my trainers and socks, since I would ever wear thin tights or nothing at all on the day, I opened the strap and slipped the shoe on. It fitted fine, saving me from having to ask for another size.

I looked over to see my sister-to-be and cousins trying on their own shoes before they met my gaze and nodded. I breathed another sigh of relief in response as my phone began to vibrate.

Perfect timing, girls, I thought as I reached for it, very quick. Chelsea, Reneta, Corin, and Harriet had all replied and now we just had to wait for Adrianna with her and Abi's sizes and Heidi. Heidi wouldn't be long, I was sure, since she could hardly keep her hands of her phone but Adrianna might take longer.

Dani had left her notebook on the table so I quickly wrote all the replies down for her.

'Are they alright?' Dani asked as she walked towards us.

'They're fine, thank you,' Rose replied before saying teasingly, 'and Izzy has been kind enough to write down the rest for you.'

'Izzy?' Dani questioned and turned to me. 'Your names Izzy? – it's very pretty.'

'Isabella, but yeah,' I smiled slightly taken a back with the random compliment of my name. 'We're just waiting for a few more replies.'

'Well, while you're waiting do you need to get the men's shoes?' she asked.

'No,' I shook my head as my phone vibrated. 'I'm leaving that to my fiancé. 44 in the red, please.'

I added the last part after looking at my phone.

'When's the big day?' Dani asked, obviously trying to keep the conversation following until all the replies came – I really should have thought to gather them before we came in.

'July 16th,' I replied, having a feeling I was going to be saying that a lot during the next few days.

It was for ten minutes that Adrianna finally replied; 'the last two reds are in a 39 and a 40.5.'

'Right, I'll get them,' Dani smiled, rising from where she had sat on a stool. 'If you gather the boxes you need, I'll get someone to put the others away in a second, and I'll meet the till.'

We left the shop, smiling again and bags hanging off our arms since we had brought 12 pairs of shoes. Since it was getting late and the shops were starting to close, we decided to stop shopping for the day and go relax in the hotel.

Once back there, I noticed that Jane and Alice gravitated toward the sofa and began to talk about fashion, Rosalie went to her bag and pulled out a mechanical magazine before setting onto one of the beds to read it. I grabbed my sketch book from my bag and sat at the small table to start thinking about where to start and was curious that Esme got her own out and sat opposite me, although she was facing Jane and Alice.

Shrugging inwardly, I decided that she wouldn't tell me even if I asked and continued with my planning.

An update, I know it's a miracle. Anyway, I know that this chapters really long but I felt you guys deserve it with how long it took for it to be written. I hope I can continue writing now that I've got started again but no promises, it all depends on time and inspiration.

I hope you like this chapter, please review x