Chapter 19

Renesmee's POV…

I curled up in the large chair as my family shuffled around me. They all were covered head to toe in some form of clothing. They were murmuring about how to go about today. You know, tactics and such. I sighed and stared out into the window. Today was an especially beautiful day in Volterra. The sun was glittering off the bright green waves as they crashed against the shore. I wished I had any happiness to appreciate it.

I turned my attention back to the chatter. Everyone seemed to talk together, as if they belonged in a choir. My eyes shifted from family member to family member when sadness enveloped me once more. It was becoming a known feeling here lately. I was surrounded by all my loved ones, except for two tiny souls. I felt the oh-so-familiar lump rise in my throat again. I tensed my body and bit my lip, expecting tears to fall, when Jacob pulled me into his gentle embrace. Immediately, I relaxed.

"Good morning, Nessie," he whispered in my hair. I closed my eyes and melted into his chest. I didn't even realize I was sitting in his lap, until I noticed my feet weren't touching the floor.

"Good morning," I mumbled, forcing a tiny smile. I tried to be pleased to see him, but it was so hard. It was too difficult to be pleased at all. I wouldn't be fully satisfied until my babies were safe in my arms once more.

Jacob held me tighter, then glanced to the clock. My eyes followed, and I twitched with anxiety as I saw the time. It was two o' clock. Only an hour until I reached my little angels. I tapped my finger furiously on Jacob's arm. He slowly took my hand in his and pressed it to his cheek.

"Alright everyone. I arranged the car to pick us up in ten minutes. Is everything ready?" Carlisle asked, looking around the room. He stopped at my father, who solemnly nodded. "Very well. Renesmee, Jacob?"

My head popped up in alarm. "Yes, Carlisle?"

"Let's go find them," and I was suddenly on my feet again.

***

"Oh my," my mother gasped, taking in the eccentric castle before us. "I didn't remember it ever being this beautiful."

My father wrapped his arms around her and pressed his lips to hers. She released slowly, then took his hand. Jacob took mine, but I just glared at the mansion. I stood completely still, determination dancing across my features.

"Nessie? Come on, we're going to be late," Jacob pleaded. I stepped forward, still in a trance. My eyes focused ahead as my family strode into the house.

Of course, once we were inside it felt nothing like a house. It was cold, and it reminded me of those old movies taking place in the Middle Ages. It was dark and depressing, yet intricately designed with lavish furnishings. We were led down a corridor and into a large "meeting" room.

Every step I took was rigid and forced. Truly I was scared out of my mind, yet the most anxious I have ever been. I was so close to having my daughters in my reach, yet so far away. I didn't know what measures were to be taken in order to get them safe with me. What family members were going to be lost, and who would make it out? I shuddered into Jacob's warm arm at the thought.

"They're coming," Alice whispered, her face firm. I whimpered slightly, then straightened myself in courage. This was it.

I glanced around the room at my family. They all seemed to be bracing themselves for what was next. Almost as if they were silently saying their goodbyes. I pulled in a deep breath in and looked to the ceiling. How could this be happening to me? My family? I questioned silently.

I was interrupted by the main door slowly opening. I snapped my head down to watch what was happening. I saw a shadowy figure enter the room, followed my two more. They were tall, with broad shoulders. Definitely male, but they were covered with billowing capes that made it hard to tell. In unison, they faced our table and whipped their hoods off. It revealed three very unfamiliar faces.

All three were perfectly shaped. Their features were defined and hard. Their faces were pale, so much like my own family's. Their eyes, a deep hazel. I was so caught up in absorbing the faces of the men when one of them spoke.

"Welcome, Carlisle," he greeted warmly. I saw right through his voice, though. It suggested nothing friendly. "So glad you could visit us." He smiled, exposing his brilliant white teeth.

"Yes," Carlisle answered, sounding a bit smug. But, he also smiled in return. Suddenly his face dropped back into a determined shape. "Aro, you know why we're here."

The man named Aro lessened his smile to grin. "Now, now, Carlisle. We'll get to that. But please, let's sit and chat for a while." he motioned to three empty chairs, obviously for himself and his comrades.

"No, Aro! We aren't playing these games!" My father exclaimed in protest, slamming his fist into the table. "Give them back!" He growled.

Aro opened his eyes wider and out his hands up in defense. Then his expression softened. "Edward, my friend, how are you?"

My father snarled at the foreign vampire. "Aro, I have no time for you or your fellow crooks. Just hand them over and things will run smoothly."

"Very well then," Aro began. The two other vampires, took their seats at the table. "Yes, we do have your beloved granddaughters, Edward. But I do not appreciate the term crook affiliated with my name. It was merely a research project." He shrugged innocently.

I stiffened in my seat. I already loathed these creatures with every fiber of my being. Jacob growled slightly. I nudged his arm to quiet him. We didn't need his temper getting in the middle of things.

"Aro, don't you think our permission would have been in order if you truly wanted a "research" project on Renesmee's children?" Carlisle asked coolly, yet accusing.

Aro strolled to the monstrous window on the far wall. He smiled as the sunshine streamed across his face, exposing his dazzling skin. "Well, I was afraid you wouldn't approve." He retorted, still gazing out the window.

"You better believe I don't approve!" Jacob yelled, jumping out of his seat and also banging his fist on the table. Aro turned and smiled politely at Jacob.

"Ah, this must be the father. You know, Rachel looks just like you. She truly is beautiful," Aro complimented. Jacob growled deep in his body.

"Where are they? What do you want? We want them back. Now," Jacob demanded, still standing. I sat there motionless. I wanted to stand up and scream. I wanted to run around this castle looking for my babies, but I knew that Carlisle had it under control. That he knew what to do.

"Jacob, please be calm. They are with Jane, safe and sound in the nursery. I do believe it is naptime, so let's not wake them," Aro shushed. My mouth fell opened and tears began to fall. His tone sounded as if he were their father and he knew how to raise them. It infuriated me to the core.

Rosalie stood from her seat, outraged. "Nursery? They don't have a nursery here! Their nursery is home, in America!" She yelled.

Aro just smiled with his same, stupid content face. "Actually that was what I meant to tell you about."

"What do you mean?" Carlisle questioned, suspicion rising. Alice gasped immediately after the question was asked. Aro just kept grinning. I wanted to stand up and slap that smile right off, but I knew I couldn't. No matter how hard I struck him.

"I will give you your children back," Aro began, "if they present no useable powers. I plan to keep them here to watch them grow and develop. And if they have a power I find interesting, I will ask them to join the Volturi. They will be a wonderful addition to the family. They shouldn't refuse. Who would refuse their caregivers? The only people they have known to care for them?"

I whimpered and began to bawl. I couldn't hold it in any longer. I screamed at the still smiling man before us. My family all stood up (well, the ones who weren't already standing) and growled.

"You will not keep the twins here," my father snarled.

"Oh but I am, Edward," Aro replied politely.

"I don't think so, Aro," Emmett snapped.

"Aro, where are they?" Carlisle asked, glaring.

Aro turned to the door and called, "Jane, would you please bring them in?"

The massive door slowly opened once more and another dark figure strolled through the doorway. This one was smaller, more petite. She too wore a long black cape with a hood to hide her face. Her arms were curled around two small bundles of blankets. She stepped to Aro and flipped her hood off as well. The child-like Jane pulled back the blankets to reveal my beautiful Rachel and Allysen, sound asleep.

I jumped up from the table, and sprinted towards them. They were so close! I could smell their wonderful scent. Arms outstretched I called their names. I looked to Jane, and she smiled a wicked smile. Suddenly, I hit a wall of pain, full force. I slid to the floor and cried out. The pain washed over my entire body and I shook violently.

"STOP!" I screamed. I pulled at my hair as Jacob fell to my side. I looked to him through squinted eyes. I began to cry as he became fuzzy. I reached out for his hand. I squinted harder. Everything had became blurry. I blinked quickly and then felt myself slipping into complete darkness.

***

So, minor cliffhanger. Hehe…I promise to update soon, though. I also apologize for not updating sooner. I have just been extremely busy and to be honest I hadn't been in the mood to write. Please review. Reviews make me happy! J

-Softablllover21