Edward POV
Carlisle was right. Bella had been very courageous, more so than I had been. The pain Jane had subjected me to was nothing in comparison to the panic that overwhelmed me when Carlisle had let Bella go and she jumped in between us to protect me. To my utter amazement, it had worked. But the thought kept niggling me was, what if it hadn't? Would Bella have been able to survive Jane's attack if she hadn't been immune to her powers? Of course, knowing Bella, the idea that she could be seriously harmed if not even killed never occurred to her at all. Her only mindset was my protection not her own.
I am never going to let her go again, I thought as I tightened my hold on Bella in the back seat of the rental car as we made our way back to the airport. Even though we were on our way home, I couldn't help but feel that the gloom that hung over my head while inside the walls of the Volturi compound followed me through the scenic roads of the Tuscan countryside. I half expected one of the Volturi guard to whisper in my ear, "just kidding" and try to snatch Bella from my embrace. It made me want to hold Bella even closer…tighter until not even air could separate us.
"Are we being followed?" Bella asked nervously as she glanced up at me.
"No" I told her. We weren't but I could not bring myself to relax until we were in the air on our way back to Forks.
"Then why do you keep looking out the back windshield?"
How could I forget how perceptive Bella is? Mistakenly, I thought I was being subtle. Trust Bella to pick up on my unease "Just being cautious." I replied kissing the top of her head to reassure her.
"You know how Edward is when it comes to you, Bella" Carlisle said. Really, Edward. Stop making her nervous. They made their decision. We're fine.
For now, I pondered. My eyes met Carlisle's through the rearview mirror and I gave an almost imperceptible shake of my head, only noticeable to Carlisle. His eyes widened slightly in turn. "Is there something I am not aware off?" He asked silently in his mind.
I couldn't answer him, not then, not with Bella right here. She snuggled further in my lap watching the scenery go by.
We made it to the airport without incident managing to secure three first class tickets on the next plane out to the states. With an hour until boarding, Carlisle excused himself to call home and inform everyone of the good news that we all had made it out alive. Bella and I browsed through some of the airport shops to waste some time.
I ended up purchasing her a light blue hoodie with the word "Italy" printed on the upper left side in the colors of their flag.
"For the plane. In case you get cold." I told Bella responding to her questioning look. Maybe it was silly of me to pick up the souvenir. For all intents and purposes, our trip had been far from a pleasurable one and maybe she wouldn't want any trinket associated with coming here but it could also serve as a reminder that we survived…and would do it again if need be.
"You know, I've never been further east than Albuquerque…well except for an hour in O'Hare airport." She mused tracing the letters on the sweatshirt with her fingertips.
"We'll come back, I promise. After we're wed." and you have been changed, I thought silently.
"I'd love that though if it's all the same to you, I'd rather skip over Volterra." She said looking up at me with a half smirk on her beautiful lips.
"You have my word, love. No Volterra. Perhaps we'll go to Rome or Florence." I told her as we walked back to the waiting area where I spotted Carlisle perusing through an Italian newspaper.
"Haven't you already been there?" she frowned. "That would be boring for you, wouldn't it? Why not go someplace you haven't seen?"
"Because, you silly girl don't you realize that there is nothing I wouldn't give you." I said leaning down to kiss her temple. "And besides, to see those places through your eyes, it would be like seeing it for the first time."
I was graced with one of her famous blushes. It appeased me slightly to see some color back on her too pale cheeks. Carlisle spotted us approaching and moved his luggage out of the way so Bella could sit down.
"I spoke with Esme and assured her all was well." He said to us. Bella looks quite fatigued Edward. We need to make sure she sleeps on the plane. I fear for her health if she continues on this way.
I nodded in agreement. It hadn't escaped my notice that she had developed purplish smudges under her eyes due to stress and fatigue. "Are you hungry, Bella? Should we get you something to eat before we board?" I asked her.
"I'm not really that hungry." She mumbled. Her stomach growled, however belying the words she just spoke.
"Hmm. Wait here." I said and walked off to one of the kiosks that served food. When I came back, I handed her a cheeseburger and fries.
"Really Edward, I don't think I can eat this right now." She insisted.
"Your stomach says differently…Please, for me." I attempted to use my "dazzling" skills on her as Bella had so often called them. She clued into what I was doing immediately.
"You're trying to dazzle me aren't you?" she sighed not too happily Bella but she ate it anyway. "Satisfied?" She asked with a derisive smirk when she was finished.
I only gave her a knowing smile as an answer. My next "battle" was to try to get her to sleep on the flight.
"How about a glass of wine? It will help you relax" and hopefully fall asleep. I asked Bella after the plane finally took off.
"They won't serve me. I'm only 18." She whispered.
I couldn't help but chuckle at her admonishing expression. "Bella, we're still in Italy. Technically there is no drinking age."
"Oh." She shrugged, "Well in that case why not?"
Before she even finished the glass of merlot I ordered for her, she was sleeping soundly, her head resting on my shoulder. Carefully, I placed the pillow provided by the airline under her head and moved her gently so she was reclining in her own seat. I had to talk to Carlisle, to make him aware of what I knew and what it could possibly mean for mine and Bella's future.
Making sure that Bella was resting comfortable if not peacefully, I crossed over the aisle to sit in the empty seat next to Carlisle.
"Son, I can sense your unease. What is it?" He asked in hushed tones so only I could hear him. I turned to look at Bella again noticing the slight frown on her face. Even in her sleep, she noticed my absence. I looked back at my father.
"He wants her Carlisle. More than he wants me, maybe more than Alice." I whispered harshly barely able to contain the sudden fury that threatened to overwhelm me.
"Who? What are you talking about Edward?"
"Bella. Aro didn't let her live because we knew of Gianna and he didn't do it out of some sense of loyalty to you. No. He wants Bella to join his little menagerie." I spat out.
"Why would he want Bella?"
Why wouldn't anyone want Bella, I thought. It seemed all I was doing lately was trying to fight off Bella's pursuers and admirers. Oh, how Bella would laugh if I told her that but it was nothing more than the truth. "I saw in his mind, Carlisle. He is fascinated that Bella is immune to him as well as me and Jane and Bella is still human. He is practically licking his lips imagining what she will be like…what kind of immense power she will have once she is a vampire if she is this strong now."
"If that's true and I'm not saying it isn't, then why let us leave?" Carlisle asked genuinely curious.
"Because he cannot know what type of power she will have, if one at all once she is turned. He is only guessing and Marcus warned him of the tremendous bond we have. He didn't want to risk an all out war at this time without being positive." And it would be an all out war. There is no way I would ever let them or anyone take Bella from me.
"Hmm, that is a concern though I am not surprised. Aro has always liked to collect anomalies. It makes him feel more powerful."
I agreed. "Yes and with Bella becoming a part of our family in every true sense of the word, he is worried that with me, Alice, Jasper and her, that we will be the stronger coven. He will feel threatened." There is no way Aro would let another coven exist that was more powerful than his was. He would lie in wait and then he would strike. It was not without risk for him however, not unless he wanted to have the whole vampire community against him. He would need something that he could hold against us to make his actions justifiable.
"What are you thinking to do?"
"There are ways to stay ahead of the Volturi." I told him thinking of Alice. "But, if it comes down to where the family may be harmed, Bella and I will leave."
"No." Carlisle stated ardently. "We are a family Edward. We love each other and we will fight for each other. Everyone would agree with me on that."
He was right but I couldn't respond. There was no way I would put my family at risk. I could only pray that it wouldn't come down to that. I couldn't foresee any circumstance that would give Aro the cause to act but it wouldn't be unlike him to manipulate things to his own end. If it did come down to it Bella and I would leave and intuitively I knew I would have her blessing on that.
"Bella is starting to stir." Carlisle said nodding over to where Bella lay. "I think she may be having a nightmare."
Immediately, I went to Bella and cradled her in my arms, rubbing circles on her back in an attempt to calm her.
"Screaming…stop the screaming." She whimpered and my heart broke for her. Having to be a near witness to the execution of all those tourists as we made our escape was playing out, no doubt in vivid clarity, in Bella's nightmares.
"Shh, Bella." I whispered soothingly in her ear. "I'm here."
"Mmm, Edward" She murmured and snuggled closer into my chest. Once again, I was awed that this beautiful, courageous girl was mine and always would be. I knew to the depths of my existence that there would be no Edward without Bella and even more heartbreakingly so, no Bella without Edward. Those were waters we already tested.
It was mid afternoon when we finally landed in Seattle after our first stopover in New York. Bella had remained awake the entire time on the second leg of the trip. Her eyes did not look as tired but I knew the jet lag would eventually creep up on her. I was hoping to convince her to stay home from school tomorrow. There were only a few weeks left until finals and then graduation. Since Bella had already been accepted to Dartmouth, it wasn't like she would be missing out on anything important.
Alice POV
Being vertically challenged (because I really hate the word short) was inconvenient at times like this one as I tried to glimpse through the sea of people in the terminal for any sign of Bella, Edward and Carlisle. The whole family drove to the airport to greet them upon their arrival. With an exasperated sigh, I stood up on one of the chairs by the arrival gate.
"Too short to see, huh?" Emmett grinned evilly at me when he noticed me standing on the chair.
"Shut up Emmett." I glowered at him. He could be such a jerk sometimes. Why didn't I wear my heels today?
"Look, there they are." Rosalie said and I looked to the direction she was pointing.
I gave them the once over to make sure they all managed to comeback unscathed. I didn't have a doubt about Carlisle or Edward but with Bella, one never knows. Where were the triumphant looks? Weren't they supposed to be happier than this now that they had faced the Volturi and won? Only Bella looked relieved…well relieved and tired.
Edward had his arm around her shoulders guiding her towards us. Esme ran up to Carlisle and enveloped him in a hug, her eyes conveying what mere words could not; that she missed him desperately. It was an intimate moment in one of the most public of places. I looked away to honor whatever privacy they could maintain.
The rest of us went over to Edward and Bella. I went to embrace her but Edward wasn't letting her out of his arms.
"You can let her go for two seconds, you know." I told him with my hand on my hips.
"Sorry, Alice." As soon as he removed his arm from Bella, I embraced her in a hug.
"I knew everything would work out." I told her.
"It was a near thing." She said and I felt her shudder. It had been a near thing. Despite my common sense, I had almost taken the next plane out after them to meet them there thinking that perhaps I could help. Jasper, who knew me so well, anticipated this and stopped me. It was only until later that day that I had "seen" the outcome would be favorable.
"So did you kick Volturi ass?" Emmett said roguishly to Edward.
"Thankfully it didn't come to that although I am sure you can figure that out."
That had been one of the possible outcomes that I saw. It was horrible just to think of it. I mentally shivered.
Flashback Alice's Vision
"Pain" Jane had said with a triumphant look on her face.
Edward's feet rose a good foot off the ground, his face was contorted in agony. Bella struggled in Carlisle's grip.
"Stop her!" Bella screamed. "Can't you see she's hurting him?"
"It's okay Bella. It's just a mind trick. Edward will be fine." Carlisle would not relent his hold on Bella.
"Enough Jane. I think we have made our point." Aro told her and Edward landed on the ground weak from Jane's power. Carlisle let Bella go and she ran to Edward cradling him in her lap, sobbing.
"You son of a bitch." Bella seethed staring directly at Aro. His eyes narrowed at her.
"Such a waste." He made a tsking sound. "I wish could be sure of the future. Things can change in few months time." Aro said contemplatively. "Alec." He nodded to Jane's twin.
"No." Edward shouted from his position on the floor struggling to get up but it was too late. Both Edward and Carlisle were struck immobile by Alec's powers. They had no choice but to watch in horror as Aro walked slowly to Bella and pick her up off the floor by her arm.
"LET ME GO! What are you doing to them?" Bella struggled but Aro was too strong. "My dear, I should think that's obvious. They would never let me fulfill my judgment if they were able to move. I had Alec here, help me out with that."
"Edward! Carlisle!" Bella screamed looking from one to the other in a state of panic.
"I wonder if you taste as delectable as Edward claims." He said before bending down to sink his teeth to her neck.
After a few moments, he let Bella go and watched with amusement as her body, drained and void of all life, crumpled to the ground.
Alec relinquished his hold on Edward and Carlisle. Carlisle immediately went to Bella to check for her pulse or any sign of life but Edward didn't wait for a confirmation on what he already knew. Bella was dead. With a roar full of rage and pain, he launched at Aro only to be stopped by Demetri and Felix as they restrained him. He fought them using everything he had. His face a mask of deep agony. His mate, the woman he loved so absolutely had just been murdered before his very eyes. In that moment, Edward had lost all his sanity.
"Why Aro?" Carlisle pleaded. "Why would you do this to my family?"
"You know the rules Carlisle. There are no exceptions. You may go."
"NO!" Edward shouted still struggling against the hands that gripped him. "I will kill you for this, I swear to it."
"Are you threatening me, boy?" Aro sneered.
"It's not a threat." Edward rasped his eyes glittered like black diamonds.
"Let him go." Aro told Demetri and Alec.
"Edward don't!" Carlisle shouted.
But it was too late. Edward may have been quick but Aro had many more years of experience. Within seconds it was over. Edward was dead. What was left of his body lay next to Bella.
Carlisle sobbed, broken. He had lost two family members this day. He would never be the same man.
"Do you wish to fight me too, Carlisle?" Aro asked him. Carlisle shook his head unable to speak."At least one of you had sense." His tone was smug.
"Will you at least make sure that they are together." Carlisle whispered, his eyes pleading this last request to Aro.
"I think that can be arranged. Demetri, Felix take them to the pyre room. It looks like they will be burned together."
End Flashback Vision
I shivered again thankful that that particular vision did not come to pass. I caught Edward looking at me and judging by the expression on his face, he had seen what I was thinking about. His expression was the same in the vision when he realized Bella was dead.
I'm sorry. That was careless of me. But it's okay it didn't turn out that way.
Edward nodded briefly though the burning look didn't leave his eyes. It was then that I fully realized what the major difference was. In the first vision, I had not factored in Bella's cunningness and determination to get away from Carlisle to protect Edward from Jane's mental assault. When she did, Aro realized that not only could Bella block his own gift as well as Edward's but she could block Jane's as well. His own curiousness is what allowed Bella to live. He wanted to see how she turned out! This is why Edward didn't exude the happiness it should have when I first saw him. He was worried that Aro would want her for himself. It all made sense now.
Edward confirmed this with another nod as he heard my thoughts. I would need to pay extra attention to my visions of the Volturi and Aro in particular once Bella has been changed.
"We should head back to Forks." Esme said breaking into my thoughts. "Bella looks exhausted."
"It has been a long trip." Bella conceded leaning into Edward's embrace barely disguising a yawn.
"Come, my love. We'll get you home." Edward whispered to her.
She smiled contentedly with her eyes half closed. "Mmm, there's no place like home."
I heard Jasper chuckle. "I may have to start calling her Dorothy." To which he got a playful elbow in the ribs.
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Love reviews. And sorry for the delay but my writing muse has been intermittent lately and I struggled a bit with this chapter