Aurora

Disclaimer: If Twilight was mine, I so wouldn't be sitting in my tiny town home right now.

Summary: Carlisle Cullen arrived in Volterra hoping to learn how to be a doctor and share his ways with others of his kind. In turn, he learns that Vampires aren't the only creatures that go bump in the night.

Author's Note: Sorry this one is late! I've been trying to catch up on my sewing and just finished the other story I was working on.

Chapter 18

For ten years hath I been in Volterra and for many of those ten years hath I tried in earnest to convince many of the others to spare the lives of those from which came; yet almost none would heed me. Many said that it was too unnatural and why should we avoid that unto which was given us for though we many come from humans we are not of them anymore. They would point out the differences between ourselves and the humans and claim that we were greater than humans now and therefore should take our rightly place as such. Of this, I did not agree.

It had gotten both harder and easier to work as a doctor amongst the humans, for though my control over the smell of blood was far superior to that of ten years ago, it was still as such not an easy task though I bore the task most gladly. After the incident in regards to my dear sister's horse, I felt such shame and such guilt for how could I destroy something that was beloved of my sister and not be a monster? The laughter and jibbing from a few of those within Volterra's court were nothing to me in comparison to the disappointment and hurt within Caterina's eyes, for that hurt didst I place there. From this did I take as a lesson and my self control, my ability to take hold of my nature unto myself, was greatly increased for never did I wish to see such hurt again.

Harder was it to be so openly amongst the humans given that I did not age and yet they did. I had tried various forms to indicate some sort of aging, such as a faux mustache that was currently in style, but this would all be for not soon enough. Mayhaps I couldst leave Dr. Gagliardo's service so as to practice on my own in another town or village within Volterra's domain. Travel between towns was common for those of means but many human were born, grew up, and died in the city, never once to leave her borders. If I had now been turned, I doubt I would have had much reason for traveling beyond London for the roads were not always safe and what need was there for travel when all I needed was within the churchyard or just beyond?

It would be hard upon me to leave his services as of now for I have grown quite attached to the family and would miss them greatly. Sabina had married seven years ago to a nice young man in one of the neighboring villages and from this union has she had three children thus far. Lavinia had marred but last year and was currently with child. No doubt had I that she would come to visit her father of this day so as to be sure that all was well with her first child. Andrea had taken to his brother's footsteps and was now the apothecary to whom we all did go for any medicines and the like. So use, was he, to my asking for extra herbs that he no longer did give what was on his father's list but added extra as well. I smiled as I thought on last night in which he gave me a small bottle of medicine for the head and asked if I might deliver it to a home down the way. The home had been one for the poor and there was an elderly woman, much advanced in age to the point I would dare say she was older than myself, who had taken ill. It was for her he had asked me to deliver the medication. He had turned out well and good for I knew Dr. Gagliardo was proud of him.

Elizabetta had been taken by our Lord but three years ago due to a tumor in the brain. Little could have been done when we did discover it but her last days were peaceful and her children did surround her; such a death as this was a loving one in comparison to the many others I had seen.

Bianca. I smiled at the thought of the young girl who had turned into such a beautiful young woman, for she was now of the age of thirteen. She still greeted me with a hug and treated me as if I were simply her eldest brother; a role I did so happily accept. Her days were currently filled with embroidery and other feminine arts but also that of reading and learning. Given that it was only herself, her father, and Andrea still within the house, Bianca had taken over as mistress and did chastise us if we did not keep the home as clean as it ought. At thirteen was my little Bianca already a woman and I couldst not help but notice many of the men of Volterra take notice of her; for this only increased both Andrea's and my protectiveness over "our little sister".

Being as the day was one of the very few that were cloudy, I took it upon myself to walk into town and enjoy the light of day as it illuminated the world. Thinking that enjoying such as this alone would not be as grand for my soul as it would be with another, I sought out my sister, Caterina. Caterina would come and go as it pleased her and would be none of telling to the Volturi as to where she was or what she had planned for she had become a keeper of secrets if she had not been all along. Rather, she would tell them what she believed they needed to know and then go off again to do whatever she did feel, for hers was a life of indulgence when it was needed but also one of great sorrow. I had seen both and could not deny her these flighty humors given that I did know she most likely went to visit her husband so no harm would come of them. It was when she did go to check upon something that Caius had given her or to check the latest of reports on her own that I did fear for her and pray that she would return to the safety of the castle walls soon.

Little in our world had changed in the past ten years thought much had changed within the human world, and so for this did I wish to enter and knocked upon my sister's chamber door to see if she might join me. Caterina's maid, of whom I learnt her name to be Marguerite many a year ago, did peek through a crack in the door and opened it wide as soon as she did recognize me. "Doctor Cullen," she said as she curtsied before me and move to the side so I might enter the living chambers.

"Marguerite," I nodded in greeting, smiling at the vampire who refused to do more than stay by her mistress' side. I had learned over the years that Marguerite had been found by Caterina on one of her missions though I knew not the nature of such a mission, I did find that it most likely had been anything but cautionary and that Marguerite was the only vampire of a coven to which Caterina did search to make it out alive. Marguerite, in turn, had become a servant to Caterina believing it her debt though Caterina had many times asked of her to do as she willed. Marguerite had stated that she willed for not more than to be as what she was in life, a lady in waiting to her mistress, and so thusly she was.

"Carlisle!" I heard a voice that I knew by instinct alone call to me and did respond with open arms knowing them soon to be filled with my sister's form.

"Catty," I teased as she embraced me tightly, smiling happily upon her seeing me. The soft smell of strawberries and sweet cream engulfed me as I did so hug her back, kissing her atop her head lightly before moving to hold her shoulders. "Wouldst thou care to join me?" I asked for I knew she would not have much care as to where we went as much as she would have care of leaving the castle. Caterina did seem to always be up for even the smallest of adventures less there be an assignment or other work that need be done anon.

"Oh!" she did seem to jump at the chance and hoited herself to the other side of the room to grab her veil lest she have her head uncovered outside. She slipped the lacy material over her multi-colored metallic hair, obscuring it from such view. "Where shall we go this day?" she asked as she did smile as if a child excited about some new present or other bauble of interest. Of such an expression did so make me laugh for she looked far less like the grown woman I did know and have seen many times over the past decade and more like someone of Bianca's age.

Gently did I take her arm so as to escort her, as Marguerite didst open the chamber door for us so that we may depart. I smiled at my sister as she awaited my answer and then took to looking at the hallway to which we were going, yet she still waited to hear my voice. "I thought we may take to a walk around the city, if it doth please thee," I answered lightly after a few moments so I might see how long her patients might endure but my own did give out before her.

Caterina looked down in thought and my curiosity boiled for I knew her not of be unwilling upon such a tour. She looked up again at me once we had exited the castle and stopped me with a gentle tug at my arm. "Might we to market? I have need for some new silks and lace," she told me. I laughed happily at her and kissed her forehead to which she did slightly scowl at me.

"Of course we might, dear sister. But hath thee not enough silks and finery that thou doth cause many the women in Volterra to become like Hera, the green-eyed goddess upon seeing thee?" I did sport with her knowing that such games would bring a smile back upon her lips.

"They are green-eyed because I do claim them not to be well enough for my beloved little brother and have need to beat them off with my fan," she stated, the familiar smile playing at her lips as she fingered the fan with it's long handle at her hip. We walked towards the market square so that she might find the vendor that she doth wish to visit and buy her pretty silks. Upon our entrance, I did notice many a masculine eye cast towards my sister and many a feminine eye cast towards me; thusly, in response, did I hold her arm tighter for I did not wish any male to look at my sister in such this way less he be her husband of whom I had never seen.

I had asked her of him and all she would say is that it would not be good if we were to meet. For any further clarification on this matter, would she not give for I had tried numerous times to coax any more out of her and was met with great silence. Why her husband, of whom many humans have seen and seen in her presence, was such a forbidden subject, I knew not. I only knew that he lived based upon the many eyewitness accounts.

"Carlisle! Caterina!" I heard Bianca shout from a few yards away. I saw the young woman tear from her father's arm and straight towards us as if none were in her way and all her manners forgotten. Caterina broke contact with my own arm to reach and hug the girl tightly for I knew she had missed her greatly over the past week.

"I am so glad to see you both here!" Bianca cried excitedly as she went to embrace myself after my sister. In response, I smiled at the young girl who I did often think of as my own as I have watched her grow and learn much over the past decade in becoming the young woman before me.

"Bianca, I am glad too for I am in need of a woman's opinion on which silk to buy. You know well how useless brothers are in such matters," Caterina teased while taking the young woman by the arm. Dr. Gagliardo, now wizened man with his sturdy cane, had approached us in a slow but well and steady manner. He did nod to us both in greeting, a smile upon his face at seeing us.

"Carlisle, Catty," he addressed us. Catty did a slight bob of a curtsy in response before dragging Bianca off to look at fabric and trinkets that she had no need of. How any female could have want of much as Caterina, with the yards of silk she did seem to buy each week and the bits of silver lace to line her gowns, was well and beyond me. As they did make their leave to gape upon the many objects within the market square, I turned and offered my help to Dr. Gagliardo who batted my arm away.

"I am old, Carlisle, not an invalid," he mumbled to me, vexed. I immediately withdrew my arm in response and apologized though I did smile at him for I knew him not to be angry with me for long. "My daughter, Lavinia, should be by this night for she wished to stay a few days with her brother and sister," Dr. Gagliardo stated, making conversation.

"We shall look forward to seeing her again," I said unto him, watching my sister and Bianca picking up various gems and holding them to their ears so the might know how each looked. He followed my gaze and smiled with a small hint of laughter in his voice.

"They shall do no harm less you have given any credits to your sister for use," he told me. Of this I did smile more, for Caterina had more than enough of her own money and the Volturi had little issue with allowing Catty whatever she had mind for when it came to her accessories. She had but to point and any of the Volturi would gladly get it for her if she had no mind of buying it herself. Even if they would not, I so would if for the simple sake that her heart wanted some material possession that might bring happiness to her face for even a small moment.

"I have not but I believe either our cousins or her husband might have," I informed him easily. The explanation for our connection to Aro was one of familial relations to which Aro found most enjoyable and was much amused by being called our cousin. It was an easy explanation for our connection and did not bring to bear many other questions that we couldst not answer.

We stayed in the market square for much of the day, for Caterina and Bianca were busy showing us much and buying only a few small items despite looking at every piece that their eyes couldst see. Dr. Gagliardo allowed his daughter to buy a pair of pretty earrings of pearl and some wool in which to make a new dress. Caterina bought many trinkets of which I took little notice of and some new veils for she had claimed she had need of them. Together did we all walk back towards the house, expecting Lavinia's arrival to be imminent, so all talk soon turned to that of her first born.

Andrea met us part way and took Bianca with him to the gates so they could easily escort their sister to the house. Dr. Gagliardo shook his head as his children but bid them farewell and that he would see them soon knowing that they most likely would simple drink mulled wine as they waited upon the gates. I took to the doctor's office while Dr. Gagliardo took his rest in his living chambers and read there. Caterina joined myself and flipped through books in a most excited manner.

"The poor girl," Caterina mused, gaining my full attention at once. "She must be beside herself with worry," she continued in her thought as she placed another book down upon the desk.

"Of whom do you speak?" I asked of her, curious as to what she may be thinking of.

"Lavinia," she stated simply before going back to the bookshelf. "The first one is always the most difficult due to the worries you have of becoming a mother; of knowing what to expect," she said off handedly. I gently tugged at her hand, curious as to her words.

"Explain?" I prayed of her. She laughed and sat in the chair across from me in the tiny room, her skirts spilling over the arms and cascading around her like she was more ornament than ornamented.

"You come to realize that you have a life in your hands and know not of what to do. You worry over if you will be a good mother, if your child will be well, if you are doing everything you can to have a healthy child and you pray that the child's father will be well pleased," she told me looking down as she said such. I remembered that she had five children and she had admitted many years ago that only two, maybe three of her children were her husband's. The other two and maybe the third one were of her days as a courtesan or concubine; though I knew of this and I knew what my father would have thought of such a woman, I couldst not have any hate against her but against the world in which such a life was thrust upon her.

"This doth bring back memories of your first child?" I asked her gently as I might. Caterina nodded emphatically but was slow to raise her head.

"He was a good boy," she said slowly before looking up so that I might see the mixture of emotions in her eyes. "I was only Bianca's age when I discovered I was with child," she said matter of factly but I could see the pain in her eyes and for this did I hold back my shock as best I might. She lowered her head again, pulling her rosary from her pocket as she often did when was worried so that she might silently pray. "His father was a Cardinal…as did happen much in those days. My boy, Giovanni, grew up and became bishop," Caterina said proudly. "It was being in the seminary that saved him," she whispered.

I knew not of what to say and simply held my sister gently as she thought on her human life for I could only imagine what she must be going through. As I sat there to comfort her, embracing her in my arms, I heard a small knock upon the door. Caterina managed to smile and pull herself away from me. "Come in," she said as I turned my head expecting Lavinia or Bianca to be bidding us a call. Rather, it was Dr. Gagliardo looking rather worried upon us and both we stood upon his expression.

"Would you mind, Carlisle, going to the gates. None of my children have returned yet and I wish to know the reason," he said. Of this I smiled and nodded though I could not but worry to and thoughts to the awful day in which his eldest died began to spin in my mind.

"Of course," I told him easily in Italian before breaking for the door to take my leave so as to find them. I instantly felt Caterina by my side and did not bother to hear her words for I knew any argument from me on her coming would go unheeded. We took to the streets and made our way as quickly as we should for we wished for no undue attention directed to us for our speed. I stopped when we were but a few more steps to the gate for I smelt blood upon the cobble street. Caterina looked at me as if to make sure I was in full control to which I nodded for I found if I simply did not breathe, such tasks were far easier. I took another breathe to test my control as we got closer and I was well despite the venom pooling in my mouth. Catty kept her arm around mine so that she might stop me if need be. I took notice of her mask in place and knew that she was as worried as I was when we turned the corner.

I stopped again, aghast at the sight before my eyes for there lay Andrea upon the ground and as such, images of Paulo and that horrible night with Lettice filled my mind. Caterina ran to him immediately. "No venom, thank God," she whispered as she bent over his body for it was then I couldst hear his heartbeat. He was alive.

I came over to her and whilst I held my breath, I began to check him for he was unconscious and bleeding from the head but little else other than a broken arm was wrong with him. I silently thanked God that not else was wrong for this he would live and my worries went from him to where Bianca might be. I looked to Caterina who looked directly at me. "Take him home and have his father take care of him. I shall follow the trail for Anna has Bianca," she told me.

I stayed dumbfounded at such news for long had it been since I had heard that name. Slowly picked up the young man in my arms so I might carry him back. "Go!" my sister shouted at me turned as a whirlwind of silk and lace, taking off through the gate to once again save the human family that we both now held dear.

Author's Note: Again, I'm so sorry this took so long! I hope y'all aren't too disappointed. These next few chapters should be fun and only a few more until we get back to the post breaking dawn! Then everyone will come into play….can't wait to have Esme and Catty conspire against Carlisle. :-)