Chapter 4

An Unwelcoming Welcome

It did not take Jane, Alec and I very long to retrace our steps upon re-entering the state of Washington; and as soon as I could begin, I searched for a woman who would have the perfect appeal to have my child. Though I required the mortal to have a specific appearance for the very reason I knew that the child would take after both of us; and so I tried my hardest to find a mortal woman that seemed similar to Sulpicia but of course my efforts, so far, had been in vain.

Finally we came upon a familiar sight in Seattle, and I was not at all surprised as to who came out to welcome us, as outside the city I saw my young friends; dear Carlisle, young Edward and his dark haired brother, Emmett. As always standing beside Edward was his beautiful wife, Bella; and next to her was the unique Alice Cullen and her husband, Jasper. But as happy as I was to see them; they, on the other hand, were not nearly as happy to see me – with obvious reasons behind it – after all the last time during our encounter, the Volturi had assembled to annihilate them.

Alice most likely would have seen the arrival of our coming, by means of her amazing gift of foresight; the one gift I had wanted more than anything. Edward's face was almost carved in protectiveness, while dear Bella's seemed softly frightened, and Carlisle's perfect youthful face seemed at peace – though I knew it was only a mask – I knew Carlisle far too well, he could not hide his emotions from me anymore.

Carlisle stepped forth with a welcoming hand. "Welcome back, Aro, we weren't expecting you to return so soon... and with such little company." his friendly voice spoke out.

"I assume you already know why we are here..." I replied. Carlisle's head nodded once. "So it is only natural that I also assume that you have come here to change my mind."

Carlisle briefly looked around at his beloved children, before his gaze returned to mine. "I think it be best if we discussed matters elsewhere, Aro."

I chuckled lightly, "Yes, of course."

Carlisle then led us to an enclosed area just outside of their home town of Forks.

"So have you come to change my mind?" I asked innocently.

Carlisle turned to Alice and gestured his head with a nod towards me.

In all her perfect grace, she stepped forward and I gently took her hand; relaxing my body, I felt her thoughts drowned into my head and within in her vision appeared a beautiful young mortal, with rich long brown hair and even darker eyes.

The mortal was standing in the middle of an unfamiliar field, filled with flowers of white and blue; and as the vision carried on, I then saw myself stepping out of the shadows of the trees and into the moonlight. The mortal's soft face was astonished and then we came together; but then what once began as harmless kissing then swiftly led to us having intercourse – I felt every emotion and my strength of resistance her blood was unbelievable.

The image then stopped as Alice gently pulled her hand away.

I breathed softly, "Incredible."

"The only problem is that I can't see anything passed that." replied Alice.

I turned and threw glances to Jane on my left and then to Alec on my right.

"I do not wish to be rude, Aro, but I'm afraid we cannot allow you to stay, if this is what will happen." said Edward, with a tone in his voice that almost sounded slightly threatening.

Jane released a small hiss; but I placed my arm in front of her. "Be still, my dear," I turned my attention back to the Cullens. "Please, I do not want to cause trouble but I have come to ask you for your help…"

Each pair of golden eyes looked at me puzzled.

"My wife and I have had a little talk," my eyes naturally rested upon Bella and Edward. "After seeing you in our last escapade together; we have decided that... we want to start a family of our own."

Each of their faces relaxed with variations of surprisement.

And Carlisle then asked, with both subtle hints of gleefulness and fear within the back of his voice. "You wish to impregnate a woman so she may conceive a hybrid child like my granddaughter?"

I nodded, with my eyes giving a small sideways glance in the direction towards beautiful Bella. "I know it may seem very unreasonable but this is something that I feel with great desire, which is why I have come to you, Carlisle. I do not wish to avert to your diet but to merely learn how to control my thirst so is not to harm the child when it has come."

The Cullens looked at one another in deepest confusion and concern; Jane then shadowed close at my side.

"Master, are you certain you wish to go through with this? What would Lord Caius and Lord Marcus think if they knew what this was about?" there came a light hiss in her voice, but I was fully aware it was unintentional as it escaped her full red lips.

"I already know, my Sweetling." It did not require a lot of imagination on my part to guess what my brother would have thought.

At that moment Carlisle stepped in a few feet closer to me. "I can only accept your choice, Aro, and if this is what you choose... then... I'll be happy to help you as much as I can."

I smiled in content. "Thank you, Carlisle. Thank you."

Though looking passed Carlisle; I caught the sight of Edward and Bella looking at each other – and they were not at all comfortable with their adoptive father's decision.