Author Notes: This chapter was EXCEPTIONALLY difficult to write. I am not even 100% pleased with it. After starting it, then deleting and starting over several times, I came up with this gem. Hopefully you like it, even though I don't like it. I had a REALLY hard time with the Volturi. I'm used to making fun of them in my Volturi fic in which they act highly out of characters. I spent half the night researching on some of the characters. Anyways, enjoy this chapter.

Extra Notes: The Chapters will come out a bit slower during Mondays - Thursdays. I have a class on those days and have to wake up at 6am and I'm usually tired by the time I get home. So just be warned that sometimes chapters will take awhile, though I know you all want more.

Chapter Twelve.

In the car on the way home from school Wednesday, Edward glanced over at Bella. He was purposely driving slow, even though he hated it. He was thinking, trying to figure out how to tell her that a group of lethal, dangerous, and powerful vampires were waiting to see them at his home. He knew he couldn't put it off any longer.

"Isabella," He said, using her full name meant something was wrong. She turned to him. "We're going to have visitors when we get home. Don't be afraid. The Volturi, you remember we told you about them when you were younger?" Bella nodded. She remembered and tried to forget.

She was eight when she was told about the Volturi and how they govern the vampire world, keeping the peace. They were a royal family of sorts. Carlisle sat her down on his lap and told her stories of his younger days as a vampire. Some of which she shuddered and buried her face dramatically. But she remembered the stories well.

"Well some of them are going to be visiting us. They are curious about you. We don't know exactly how they found out, but they did and there's nothing we can do, but protect you. We're all going to be there." Edward told her and noticed that Bella's face was wide-eyed and fearful. He quickly reached over and took her hand, squeezing it gently, comforting her. "Everything will be fine, I promise." Bella smiled at him, then stared out the window as they came up the driveway. His siblings already arrived and inside.

"Bella is going to come inside in just a few moments," Alice told them. A few moments later, Edward came in with Bella, who walked behind him, using him as a protective shield. Jasper picked up the worry and panic and sent calm her way. Edward moved Bella from out in front of him and Aro jumped up, startling her.

"Ah! So this is the lovely Miss. Bella I've heard so much about!" He said cheerfully, going over to greet her. Bella instantly felt at ease as he seemed cheerful and delightful. "Carlisle was telling me about you. You seem very bright, intelligent. I'm Aro." He held out his hand for Bella to take it. A low growl rumbled from Edward's throat.

Bella tentatively reached out and shook his icy cold hand, and Aro's smile faltered bit. "Nice to meet you," She said, bravely and glanced at the others. She was avoiding looking in their blood-red eyes. Aro let go of her hand and sat back down.

"Bella," Carlisle said, "The others are Marcus, Caius and Jane."

"Hello," Bella said softly. They nodded their head, wishing to get this over with and go back home.

"Carlisle said that you've been living with them since you were four. How come?" Caius asked, looking intensely at her. Carlisle already told them, but they wanted to hear it from her. Bella looked down, staring at the floor. She didn't exactly want to talk about it. It was something she tried so hard to forget, though nightmares never let her.

Taking a deep breath and exhaling, Bella spoke softly, "We were camping. It was my first time camping… we were going to Disneyland after the camping trip. I was excited. I was having fun. I remember it clearly. It was dusky out, my parents were getting dinner ready…" She trailed off and buried her face in Edward's cold side and took a shuddering deep breath. "Carlisle saved me. Then I ran and Emmett scooped me up. I don't really remember much after that." Carlisle and Jasper looked a bit sheepish. "I really love my family."

After several moments of uncomfortable silence, Aro stood up again, clapping his hands causing Bella to jump slightly. Aro smiled. "I would like to try something." He said and looked at Jane. The small girl stood up and went over to Bella, standing a few feet away.

Edward was suddenly in front of Bella as a onslaught of pain overcame him. He dropped to the floor, trembling, gritting his teeth. The pain stopped and Edward took a few deep breaths, trying to regain his composure. Jane tilted her head and frowned as Bella stood there, looking at Edward concerned. Esme was by her son's side, rubbing his back, whispering softly and motherly. He was grateful. Esme kissed his forehead.

Jane snarled in frustration as Bella didn't react the way she should've. "Frustrating." She said and looked at Aro. Aro smiled and stood up.

"Bella! You are extraordinary!" He said, laughing delightfully as Jane went to sit back down sulking. "But still, what do we do with you?" Bella looked frightened and her heart beat quickened.

"I say she dies," Caius said, looking disinterested in it all. "She's a human who knows too much. She could betray us and tell someone." Edward hissed as he stood up, protective of Bella. "It's either she dies, and I can imagine her blood will be very tasty. Or she is changed."

"That is the way our laws work, Edward, you know this." Aro said, almost sadly. To see such wasted talent that the human girl hand, "of course, you could, both of you, join us at Volterra." He offered. Edward quickly shot that idea down.

Bella was trembling, feeling faint as they discussed her future, her death. The room was spinning and a blanket of darkness crept up. Every eyes were on Aro and the others and didn't notice that Bella passed out until Aro was by her side, catching her from falling and almost hitting her head on the coffee table. He didn't want blood spilt. Especially from one who smelled so delicious, and tasty as Caius said. He laid her down and went back to her seat.

"I do believe we made her faint." He said, almost too giddily. "Humans are such fickle creatures. Fragile, helpless little creatures." He watched as Carlisle tended to his human daughter. "She lives if she is changed before she is 20." They stood up gracefully. "If she is still human by then, then she dies. No exceptions. We will be back then. Oh Carlisle, please do visit us again. I do miss your company."

"Of course, Aro." He said in a friendly, but stressed tone and walked them out. "Please, don't hunt around here, if you can help it."

"Of course, we wouldn't put you at risk. Please do tell Bella we said goodbye." Aro said and shook Carlisle's hand. The Volturi left and Carlisle shut the door, and turned back to his family.

"They were unusually kind today," He told them, "We should be very lucky." Edward scoffed and everyone looked at him as he placed Bella on the couch. "What's wrong, son?"

"Neither of Jane's or Aro's abilities worked on Bella." Edward explained and the others looked surprised. "Jane is very unhappy and Aro is intrigued by her. They will be back." He looked at the girl unconscious on the couch and frowned. "I don't want to change her, damn her in to this life." Carlisle placed a comforting hand on his son's shoulder and squeezed it.

"We have a few years until she's 20, we'll figure something out." He said, trying to reassure his son. "Don't worry now about it. Be glad she's safe and still alive." Edward smiled a bit.

He was very glad that Bella was still alive. He loved her, a lot. He brushed her hair out of her face as she stirred. He smiled when her eyes opened. "You're safe now, and they're gone." Bella wrapped her arms around Edward suddenly, hugging him, sobbing, releasing the fear that she held in the whole time.

I'm safe. I'm with my family. Those other vampires were scary… and weird. What was up with the giddy one? Bella thought as her sobs quieted down. Edward kissed her forehead and she melted in his arms, feeling absolutely safe.

"Edward and Bella sitting in a tr- oww!" Emmett started to sing before getting hit by Rosalie. "I was trying to lighten the mood up." Bella giggled, through teary eyes and hiccups. She tried to forget about the four vampires, but their red eyes wouldn't leave her mind.

Jasper sent out a wave of calm and peace, calming everyone down and he sighed as the emotions of the others calmed down. He sat down, looking content and happy now that things would return to normal. Alice sat in his lap and he kissed the side of her neck. Rosalie and Emmett trotted upstairs, while Carlisle and Esme stayed in the living room with the others. Carlisle was worried about Bella and how she would handle everything, humans, as Aro said, could be fickle.

To Be Continued…

Endnotes: Blah… I still hate it. Hopefully you don't. Volturi are hard to write. Though I had fun with Aro's giddiness. hopefully I kept them in character as much as I could. Review please? Or else Carlisle gets it…