Chapter 4: Italy

IT WAS SUNDAY MORNING AND CHARLIE DECIDED THAT WE WERE GOING OUT to breakfast being as he was leaving for a week. After breakfast we would go back to the house and get ready to go. He would pack for Los Angeles and I for "Alice's house" which really meant Italy. After we were all packed we said our goodbyes and I waited while Charlie left to go to La Push and pick up the other three. As soon as he was gone Edward showed up and took me to his house.

Alice was waiting outside as usual and as soon as the car was off she ran at us. Edward locked the doors to slow her down. It just made her upset. She stopped before she even got to the car and said that wasn't funny to Edward. She only said it out loud for my benefit. Edward then unlocked the door and whisked me away to his bedroom so that we could be alone for a moment before Alice bombarded us with more wedding details. Sure enough not ten minutes after we were there she was knocking on the door. She didn't wait for an answer and walked in. We both looked at her like she was the wicked witch of the west. She just sighed and came and sat down nothing we did was going to stop her.

"We need to start on a guest list and chose invitations so that we can get them sent out," she said as she sat gracefully at the end of the bed.

Edward was the one who answered. "Alice you already know what invitations we are going to chose and we told you to make a list and then we would go through and edit it."

"I know so, here is the list and I ordered the invitations this morning while you were out to get Bella," she said as she handed us the clipboard and danced out of the room.

We looked at each other and decided to take a peek at her list. The first thing I did was see how many people she invited. I thought I was going to go into shock. I had said I wanted a small wedding and she invited over four hundred people. How on earth could that be considered small? I told Edward that the list needed to be cut in half.

We started by getting rid of all the names of people we didn't know. That cut about a hundred of the names. Then I started getting rid of the names of people that I didn't really talk to at school. That was another fifty names. Last I got rid of all the werewolves and their family. That part was hard being as I did want Emily and Jacob and even Sam there but I didn't want a fight on the night of my wedding so they couldn't come. We took the list back to Alice and she looked it over grudgingly accepting the changes. That was one of my rules to letting her do the wedding.

That night I asked Alice when we were leaving for Italy. To my horror we were leaving tomorrow. This was the only night I would have with Edward this whole week. I was going to be stuck shopping in Italy with Alice the shopaholic. I decided I needed to spend all of this time with Edward and so I told her I was done with wedding stuff for tonight. She told me she knew I would be and let me go to Edward.

He was in the dining room waiting for me. Being human I needed to eat naturally. He had made dinner for me once again and once again it was the most delicious food I had ever tasted. I

wanted to know how on earth he was able to cook this well when he didn't eat, not like I did. He told me that he practiced and taste tested on others being as he couldn't taste it himself. After I finished Esme came in with a beautiful cake. I ate a piece so that I didn't hurt her feelings I was so full I didn't know how I managed to eat even that.

We went up to Edward's room and listened to music for a while before Edward asked me what I was thinking about. In truth there was so much going through my mind that I had to lie. I told him nothing. He wasn't satisfied with my answer, so I told the truth.

"There is too much on my mind to be able to tell you what it is. It goes through so fast that I don't even know what all is on my mind."

"I see, but I don't understand. How can you have so much on your mind? Everything is almost done for the wedding," he said as he stoked my cheek.

"It isn't so much the wedding anymore. It is the trip to Italy, the Volturi coming here looking for Charlie and Charlie himself."

He gave me a strange look when I mentioned that Charlie was on my mind. I wondered if I made a face when I said his name. I told him about the conversation my father and I had had last week and how when I told him about the tickets he had thought I was pregnant before he found out what the real surprise was. Edward didn't seem surprised though.

He turned the music off and started to explain why he wasn't surprised.

"Your father was happy for you when we told him but he was worried at the same time. He decided to wait and talk to you about it until the next morning. He thought that doing it that way would let you know he trusts you but that he has reservations about trusting his daughter to my care. He does want what is best for you he just isn't sure that I am that. He feels that Jacob is better for you than me because he fixed you when I broke you. Give him time and he will come around," Edward assured me.

He then started to hum my lullaby. I fell asleep in his arms and slept peacefully for what felt like ten minutes. The next thing I knew I was being woke up by Edward saying that if I wasn't up soon Alice was going to have his scalp.

I got up and started to gather my things so that I could have my human moment as I called them. After my shower I got dressed. As soon as Alice saw me though, she directed me to her room and made me change into something more suitable for where we were going. I changed and went to get my bag from Edward's room Alice called behind me and told me not to bother that she had a bag for me already downstairs. That scared me because that meant that I didn't know what I was taking to Italy. I was saying bye to Edward when Alice honked the horn at me. Obviously it was time for me to go. I didn't want to leave Edward's side.

We got to the airport and I looked for the time the flight to New York was when I was being pulled down the corridor. I asked what the hurry was and then I saw the answer. We were not taking a commercial flight. We were taking a private jet. My jaw dropped and I hurried to pick it up so that I wasn't looking stupid in front of the whole world. Alice said we would make a brief landing in Boston to get fuel and then on to Italy.

I slept most of the flight to Boston so that I could be up during the longer of the two flights. This was only done at the urging of Alice. She wanted to be able to play games the whole way to Italy and she wanted me to be part of them.

Little did I know that all the games were going to revolve around me and my relationship to Edward. I had just figured this out when Alice started the next game. I was really scared now. What kind of game was this going to be?

"What happened one the day that Edward and Bella started dating?"

This one might not be so bad. It seems to be harmless questions. So I wrote my answer: I was walking around Port Angeles and a group of guys were following me. Edward saved my life from them and then took me to dinner at Bella Italiana.

How did Edward find out how Bella felt about him?"

Another easy one, maybe this game won't be so embarrassing: He listened to Jessica's mind when she asked me if I liked Edward. That was weird because I knew he was going to listen in.

"When was the first time that Bella told Edward she loved him?"

Ok why aren't these embarrassing?In my sleep the night he took me to the meadow for the first time.

"Where did Edward take Bella on the day that of their cancelled Seattle trip?"

He took me to the meadow and showed me why he can't be in public when it isn't overcast.

"When was their first kiss?"

It was after he us ran back to the car from the meadow and I was dizzy and so he insisted on driving home.

"Has Edward ever tasted Bella's blood?"

Yes, he has. He sucked the venom out of my hand when James bit me he stopped after my blood tasted clean.

"Why did Edward want the Volturi to kill him?"

He wanted them to kill him because he thought I was dead (stupid reason) and he says he won't live in a world where I do not exist.

"How did Edward prove to Bella she wasn't dreaming the night after they got back from Italy?"

Ok now it is starting to get embarrassing. He kissed me much more passionately than he ever had before (and even that didn't work). I just said it must be a really good dream.

"Why did Edward threaten Jacob?"

Where is she getting these questions from? He threatened Jacob because I broke my hand when I punched Jacob for kissing me.

"What happened the night Edward and Bella were alone at the house?"

OK be vague. We got to the house and Edward carried me into the house while he kissed me and then he gave me a diamond heart that I didn't know was a diamond. After that we negotiated my change and then he proposed and we were engaged. That seems vague enough.

"What happened on the mountain?"

Umm what to put? I know: A LOT. There would be too much to write so I'll explain later if I must.

"Last but not least," Alice said, "What is Bella's one request before Edward turns her into a vampire?"

I am so not answering that one but if I don't Alice will tell so I will be tactful so they know without me having to say what it is. My request is that we try to do 'it' before he changes me. That is the last human thing I want to do.

"So, let's see everyone's answers to the questions and we will see who knows Bella and Edward's relationship better Esme or Rosalie." Alice then looked over everyone's answers comparing them to mine and told us that Esme won. I don't know how Rosalie saw him more than Esme did. He must confide in her more she only missed two of them.

The rest of the ride was a blur. I was blushing a lot and trying to act like I didn't hear Alice the rest of it. Who knew she could find so many things to embarrass one poor soul, my poor soul to be exact. We were now landing in Italy and I looked at Alice and asked if she planned to steal another car while we were here.

She gave me a sideways glance and said, "No, we have a car waiting for us. And I never told anyone about stealing cars while we were here so thanks for letting the cat out of the bag."

It was late so we went and checked into our hotel. Of course it was the penthouse suite at the nicest hotel around. I was surprised they didn't just rent out a villa. They could have for what they must be paying to stay here. Then they would have had to cook for me and we wouldn't have all the night life that we had here. Alice would have been disappointed.

I woke up the next morning to Alice flitting about my room pulling out clothes for me to wear. She shoved me into the bathroom and said that I needed to hurry or we were going to be late. She also informed me that if we were late to this one than we would be late the whole day. I went as fast as I could and before I knew it I was sitting in a chair and Alice and Rosalie were doing my hair and makeup. It must be an important day if they are making this much fuss over me. Where were we going, to see the pope?

I wish it had been the pope. We pulled up to our first stop and it was none other than the fashion house of Dolce and Gabbana.

"Alice what are we doing here?" I asked in total shock.

"We are here to do some shopping. You are going to need new clothes and so this will be our first stop. This however is not where we are going to get your dress. That stop is last on the agenda for today."

I followed her in not wanting to look around because I didn't want to see what this was going to cost. Alice though gave me no choice. She made me look and made me try things on. Then it was time for our meeting. Somehow she had managed to get us in with Dolce himself. I about died. He designed clothes just for me and said he would send them as soon as they were ready. It seemed like he and Alice were buddies from way back the way they talked to each other. I wouldn't be surprised if they were.

When we left Dolce and Gabbana I asked where we were going next.

She said, "Versace of course," like I should have known. This wasn't how I was used to shopping.

I climbed into the car and next thing I knew I was being dragged into see Versace. This was where we got the whole bridal parties dresses except mine of course. Alice and Rosalie were going to were a sapphire blue long flowing tank dress. It was going to be breath taking. The dress for Angela who was going to play flower girl was the same except that the neckline was higher and the straps were closer to her neck and thinner. Esme's dress was a lighter blue and only went over one shoulder. It was the most beautiful mother of the groom's dress I had ever seen, and backless except for two strips that flowed across her back. The dress we chose for my mother was strapless and the same shade of blue as Esme's dress. She will love it. They fitted all of the clothes and then wrapped them up for us to take home. Alice must have seen what we were going to get and ordered them before we went. I got a few things there but they were for my life after the wedding.

I told Alice I needed to eat and so we stopped at a little café and I had a sandwich and a coffee. It was delicious and not just because it was the only thing I had eaten all day. We then went to our last stop for the day. Who hadn't we seen then I knew. It was Valentino. So this was where we were going to find me another dress. We went in and right away we were being helped. They were expecting us and Alice must have dropped a hint we were looking to spend a bit of money. They were very attentive. We did find me a dress and it was perfect. It was white of course. It had cap sleeves an asymmetric neckline and was jeweled where one of the sleeves came to the bodice. I loved it. I knew I would be able to enjoy my reception and not get overheated. They bought me a few other special occasion dresses and some everyday clothes and we were gone. There were so many bags in the car that I didn't think we were going to be able to fit all four of us in the car. We all managed to pile in though and we were back at the hotel before I knew it.

We unloaded our bags and went to our suite. Once we were inside I asked Alice what we were going to do for the next two days. Of course she had a plan. We were going to do all of the touristy things. See the sights and go to Venice for a day. I looked forward to that part much more. After dinner Alice and Rosalie were making me up again because they wanted to go out and enjoy the nightlife tonight. Somehow they even had Esme going. I really didn't have a good feeling about this. Maybe it was because I don't dance but that didn't feel like the only reason.

They dragged me out though and before I knew it we were at the club or disco as they call it. Esme ordered drinks for everyone. I told Alice all I wanted was an ice tea. I don't know what she told Esme because after I drank that I felt a little different. I swear there had to of been alcohol in that ice tea. They took me out onto the dance floor to dance with them, I went willingly, and there is the second reason that there must have been alcohol involved. We were dancing and having fun but then Esme was saying we needed to get me out of here. I didn't understand why I needed to leave and then I saw her. Not ten feet away was Heidi. What was she doing here? Quickly they started to move me towards the door. It wasn't fast enough though. Heidi saw us and started to move toward us. Then I noticed a small brown haired girl with her. It was Jane. Oh no, not both of them. I knew what they were doing now. They were out hunting and collecting for the rest of their coven and they had caught sight or smell of me.

As soon as Alice saw we weren't going to get out they were surrounding me. They were in that same protective stance that Edward had used. I knew that I should be scared but I wasn't, I was excited no more than that I was euphoric. I didn't know why but the thought of danger gave me a strange feeling tonight. The fact that it was the Volturi made that feeling that much higher. Then Jane and Heidi were there.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" Jane asked in her childlike voice.

"It looks like the Cullen's are back with their little pet, Bella," Heidi said venom in her voice.

What did they want? They had to know that the date was set. Aro knew, I don't know how he knew wait yes I did. Alice told Jane when they had come to take care of the newborns the weekend after graduation. Why are they trying to pick a fight then? I didn't understand. What did they want with me? I was going to become one of them, well not them, but a vampire none the less.

Heidi looked around the room then and noticed that there were about twenty guys looking at them waiting to see what happened. They turned away from us and went back to mingling with the others at the disco. That's when it dawned on us all. They used us to get to the others in the room. They knew that once they had attention from people they would have an easier time getting people to leave with them. I felt sick. We had been used to take others to their deaths.

We quickly left and went back to our hotel. Alice was on the phone the moment we were back in our room and was talking to Edward. She told him all about what happened at the disco and wanted to know what he wanted us to do. She came over to us after she hung up and told us we needed to pack.

Alice just looked at me and said, "Don't be stupid Bella. We can't stay here it is just a matter of time before Jane and Heidi come looking for you. Twelve hours to be exact."

I couldn't argue with her she would know and I always said I wouldn't bet against Alice. So I asked the only question I could, "Are we going home then?"

"No, we are going to London."

Somehow I think I knew the answer even before I asked. I wish that we were going home. All I want, all I need right now is Edward. If I had him I could face anything. He was my strength my reason for being and now here I was in danger without him yet again. I went to my room to pack and found Alice in there doing it for me already. I guess my meager human speed wasn't fast enough. I didn't understand why not. Alice had just said we had twelve hours hadn't she. Just then Alice shook me and told me to go to the car with Rosalie and that she and Esme would join us in a few minutes after they checked out. I opened my mouth to ask a question but Alice was gone and I was on my way to the car.

Once Alice got in the car she explained. "Jane and Heidi thought we might try and leave so they called Demetri and are sending him to make sure we don't go anywhere. He will be here in about half an hour. We have to be on the plane and take off by then."

Fifteen minutes later we were walking onto the plane. Alice was in such a hurry she closed the door behind her she got onto the plane. She instructed the pilot to take off as she did so. She then came and sat by me.

"Demetri is almost at the hotel. We need to get this plane off the ground now. Buckle up Bella. Oh and I have a surprise for you when we get to London," a devilish grin covered her otherwise innocent face as she told me there was a surprise. I on the other hand must have been white as a ghost. Alice looked at me like I was dead and then I smiled back to let her know I was alive.