We were all really quiet sitting at the gate waiting for the flight. The silence wasn't uncomfortable though, no one knew what to say. No one knew what to expect. I knew we would do anything to protect her but when it came to the Volturi there was only so much we could do.
"I need to walk around" Bella said bringing me out of my thoughts
"Are you alright?"
"Yeah my back's just starting to hurt. I don't know how I'll survive the flight" she laughed
I stood in front of her and grabbed onto her arms to lift her up. She placed her hand on her back and waddled over towards the lobby. I nodded over towards Emmett and he bounced up to go with her. Last thing we needed was for her to get lost. I ran a hand through my hair and took a deep breathe.
"Edward it will be fine" Carlisle eased me
"That's what I keep telling myself but somehow I'm not completely convinced"
"You'll see" he placed a comforting hand on my shoulder
Another thing I hated was dragging my family into our issues. They were always risking their lives for us, of course they said they would do anything for Bella.
"Flight 227 is now boarding at gate 14" a women's voice sounded over the intercom
"I'll go fetch my wife" I laughed
I found them rather quickly. They were standing at a place that was selling baked goods. They lady at the cashier was handing her a small bag, which by the smell seemed to be a chocolate cupcake.
"Do you need that?" I asked her
"No but I wanted it"
"Well come on, we're boarding" I grabbed her hand
We were due to arrive in Italy in the next couple of hours so I figured now was a good time to check in back at home. Esme said Alice was still keeping an eye out, the kids were fine, and to be careful. She also said Charlie had called and wanted to visit but she had told them that we had taken a weekend trip with the kids and we'd call when we got back. I hung up the phone and turned to Bella who had been unusually quiet for most of the flight. She was staring out the window but I noticed that her hand was repeatedly rubbing across her stomach like she was in pain.
"Bella sweetheart" I whispered gently "Are you okay?"
"Mm?" she snapped out of her thoughts and turned to look at me
"Are you okay?" I reached out to grab her hand "You've been really quiet"
"I'm fine it just feels like indigestion" she shifted in her seat "Or maybe it's the nerves"
"Everything will be fine"
She grabbed my arm in a vise and leaned her head on my shoulder like a pillow. I knew she was nervous so I told her everything would be fine but I wasn't so sure.
"Relax love" I kissed the top of her head
"I need to use the bathroom" she said unbuckling her seatbelt
"Are you alright?"
"Yeah, just give me a minute" she said climbing over me
Once I heard the door to the bathroom shut I turned to the rest of my family who were in the seat across from us.
"Jasper is she alright?"
"Not sure. Her emotions are all over the place. Both pain and nerves" he shrugged
"Carlisle how long do you think this is going to take?"
"It's hard to say when I'm not sure what their intentions are"
"I want her in and out as quick as possible"
"I know you do but let's not get rash"
"Edward you know we won't let anything happen to her" Emmett chimed in
"I can't help but worry"
"The baby is not enjoying the flight" Bella moaned walking back to us
"Do you feel sick?" Carlisle asked
"A little"
"You're overworking yourself" I rubbed her hand
"I'm trying not too"
"Do you want me to see if they have anything on board?"
"No I'll just sleep it off"
The rest of the flight was uneventful and she slept for the majority off the time. Once we landed we went right to the Volturi. We walked through the woods for a little while before we stopped.
"Alright it's easier to run from here" Carlisle said
"Isn't there a bus or something we could take?"
"Do you still not feel good?" I asked placing a hand on her forehead
"I'm fine" she smacked me away
I easily picked her up and started running through the woods. Bella closed her eyes and leaned her head against my shoulder. I knew she was nervous but it seemed like something else was going on.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes"
We arrived at the all too familiar clock tower and I had to admit that even I was nervous. I really didn't want her to face Aro yet again but this had to be done. We couldn't risk them coming to us.
The corridors to the lair seemed darker and more eerie if that were even possible. The smell of blood was potent so I knew they must've wanted the strength. But somehow the smell wasn't inviting at all, it was sort of rancid actually.
"Edward please remember that we are not here to fight" Carlisle warned me
"No promises"
"Edward"
"Fine but keep an eye on Bella and she doesn't leave my side"
The doors opened before us and we entered the lair. I noticed that Bella moved from next to me to stand behind me so I reached back to squeeze her hand. I didn't like having her in situations that made her feel uncomfortable. Caius was looking right at her and I growled a little too loudly, tightening my grip on her hand.
"Ah my dearest friends" Aro clapped his hands together and Bella jumped in response
Carlisle walked ahead of us to greet him while Jasper and Emmett surrounded us.
"Hello Aro, I assume you know why we're here?" he asked
"I'm surprised you made it here so quickly"
"Well I think we all just want to get this straightened out" Carlisle said calmly
"Just tell just what you want" I begged pushing Bella back towards Jasper
Aro leaned over to look at her "How would you like to stay here with us until the child is born?"
"No" I hissed, I didn't like where this meeting was going
"I was talking to Isabella!"
"No" her voice cracked
"Too bad" he sighed and he nodded toward Caius.
I tried hard to read their thoughts but they were all over the place. None of them knew what they wanted to do with us. Carlisle walked up and touched my shoulder, warning.
"Aro" he started "Let's discuss this as we used to. Let's be civil"
"What is civil? The civil thing would be to dispose of what you have created yet again. Either that or Isabella must be changed"
"You Cullen's have yet again disobeyed, you must be dealt with appropriately" Caius hissed entering the conversation
"This is bullshit. You will make up any excuse in the book to come after us. There is no reason why we needed to come here and you know it"
"Let's not let this get out of hand" Aro said then turned to me "You really think I would do something like that dear Edward?" Aro asked taking a step closer and in response I stepped back
"Oh please" I mocked
Caius didn't take too lightly to my tone and stood up, motioning towards Felix and Dimitri and then everything happened so fast. I was grabbed from behind just as Bella was taken out of my grasp.
"No" I gasped and my family inched closer
"No one move" Aro hissed walking over to Bella
She looked at me with scared eyes as she struggled in Dimitri's grasp. Aro lightly moved the hair from her neck and leaned down as if to bite her.
"Don't you dare touch her" I yelled and thrashed trying to get away
"What do you say I just change her now" Aro suggested "Then there would be no issue"
"No!" I yelled and Bella whimpered
"Please let me go" she begged trying to get away
"Or maybe I'll just suck her dry" he bared his teeth, getting closer to her neck
"No please no!" I was literally begging now but I didn't care
"Aro don't do anything stupid" Carlisle cautioned him
Emmett and Jasper were slowly inching their way closer towards Bella.
"Please just let her go" I begged him
Bella looked into my eyes and I could see the fear building. Tears were starting to brim on the surface and I needed her in my arms. Aro looked back and forth from the two of us and placed his fingers against the vain in her neck.
"I guess killing her wouldn't gain me anything" and he snapped his fingers
After a second of hesitation, Dimitri finally let her go but gave a little shove making her stumble. Carlisle immediately helped her up, Jasper and Emmett blocked them from view. Aro walked over to me and whispered so low that only we could hear.
"Don't let this happen again or next time you won't be so lucky"
Felix let me go and in the next second she was in my arms.
"You're okay" I whispered over and over, her hands dug into my back
"I suggest you leave before we change our minds" Caius hissed
"Yes, yes do that" Aro agreed quickly "Felix please show them the way out"
"We can manage" I hissed
Before they could argue I was already picking Bella up and walking away from them. We hurried out of the lair without a glance behind us. Once outside I lifted her onto a stone wall and took her into my arms.
"I'm so sorry" I kissed her all over
"I want to go home" she cried
"I know love" I hushed "Are you hurt anywhere?"
"No, I'm fine"
"I wish could've done something more" Jasper added
"Yeah I would've liked to kick some Volturi ass" Emmett said
"Can we please go home?" she asked again
"Yeah, let's go home"