About 3 Weeks later

Carmen and Eleazar were just leaving. They had promised not to mention any of this to the Cullens or anyone else for that matter. Jacob, Seth, the girls, and I were in Italy. The girls looked almost 2. They could walk and talk well. Their aging was gradually slowing which made all of us feel better. It had been decided that when we made it back from Italy, I would go on my own for a few months to get settled somewhere. Jacob, Seth, and my girls would join me when I was ready for them. If anyone asked, Bella Swan had disappeared.

The girls each had a gift. Cherie had control of the elements. Sarah had a shield. I had a shield, elemental control, and telekinesis. Sarah and I could also communicate with anyone under our shield through thoughts. I drove through the streets of Volterra quickly. It was almost dark when we pulled into a tunnel marked with the Volturi's crest. I drove through the tunnel until we came to a guarded gate. The guard was a vampire with red eyes, "How can I help you miss?"

I smiled politely, "I need to speak with Aro, Caius, and Marcus urgently."

I smiled back politely, "Very well, pull ahead. Felix and Demitri will meet you at the door."

I pulled up until I found a place to park. We climbed out of the car and walked towards the giant set of doors. Two cloaked figures were standing there. I whispered to my family, "Let me do all the talking." They all nodded. Jacob carried Sarah, and Seth carried Cherie. I had been practicing my shield with Eleazar. I stretched it over my small family.

We were led down a series of halls and through a set of doors that were huge. They led to a large round room with three thrones in the middle. The man on the middle throne walked up to me smiling, "Greetings, friends. Welcome to Volterra. How may we help you today?"

"I understand that you are one for new things. I wanted to introduce my family to you, and then, I hoping you and I could speak privately," I smiled politely at him, "This is Jacob Black and Seth Clearwater. Jacob is holding my daughter, Sarah. Seth has my daughter, Cherie. I am Isabella Swan."

He smiled curiously, "Your daughters are very interesting. They smell so much like a vampire, but they have a heartbeat. What are they?"

"They are hybrids. I was human when they were conceived. I carried and delivered them while I was still human. Their father was a vampire. He left before I learned I was pregnant, so he doesn't know about them."

"Isabella, how old are they? How old are you?"

"They are 3 weeks old, but they age quickly. I was changed right after I delivered them. The delivery nearly killed me."

He smiled at me with interest, "I would love to hear your story. Let's go to my study. Jane, will you show Miss Swan's family to their room. The double on the third floor should do."

A short blond girl walked forward and smiled, "Yes, Master. Please follow me."

I nodded to Jacob and Seth to go. They nodded back and followed the small girl out of the room. I followed Aro out of a different door. A girl walked over to us, "Hi, Aro, can I speak to you for a minute?"

"Nicola, I'd like you to meet Isabella." He introduced me.

Shock rushed through me. I couldn't believe it. "Nikki," I asked.

"Bella? It can't be you. I haven't seen you since Phoenix. What the hell? I thought you moved in with your dad."

I smiled at her. We had been friends back in Phoenix. She had been my only real friend before Forks. I hugged her, "I did go to Forks. It is along story from there to here. We will have to talk later. I really need to talk with Aro."

She smiled back, "I am going to hold you to that. Aro, I was wondering where I could do some shopping?"

Aro smiled at her, "Nicola, Demitri can take you out tomorrow."

"I don't need a babysitter, Aro," she said, "Though I do enjoy Demitri's company."

Aro sighed, "Nicola, you are here as a guest. It is policy. Plus, I know Demitri would enjoy shopping with you."

She rolled her eyes and walked away. Aro led me down the hall and into his study. We both sat on a leather couch, "Isabella, tell me your story."

"It all started when I first moved to Forks," I started but stopped, "Can you promise me that no one will get in trouble. There were rules broken in my story, but I was entirely my fault."

"I promise no one in this story will be punished for any rule breaking."

"Thank you, Aro," I continued, "I sat by him in biology, Edward Cullen. I could tell he was different. It didn't take long for me to figure out what he was. I had heard some old local legends about vampires from Jacob. They were stories the tribe told kids. He didn't believe them, but I put 2 and 2 together. Edward and I fell in love. He changed his mind about me, but not before we…"

He smiled at me, "I get it. You don't have to say it. Can you explain to me the relationship you have with Jacob and Seth?"

"Jacob and Seth are shape shifters. They can turn into wolves. They call it werewolves, but from what I have learned though, I don't think that is right. They do something called imprinting. I can't really explain it, but I do trust them and I know they would do anything for my girls."

He smiled at me comfortingly, "I understand, and I want you to know that I am going to help you and your girls out in any way you need. I want you to consider me an older brother to you."

"Thank you, and can you not mention any of this to the Cullens or anyone else? I want the world to think Bella Swan died."

"Very well. I think Nicola is waiting outside the door for you."

I smiled and walked out. Nikki was waiting for me in the hall outside the study. She smiled as I walked out, "Finally, I thought Aro would never surrender you to me. Let's talk. You have kids!"

I nodded, "You want to meet them?"

She nodded and smiled. We walked to the third floor and I followed their scent from there. I walked into the room to see my little girls jumping on the bed.