Disclaimer: All the Twilight stuff belongs to Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended. I'm just playing in her sandbox.

Chapter 110 Venice

. . . the train crossed the Venetian Lagoon and pulled into Santa Lucia station.

It was about 6pm local time and transportation waited at the station to take us to our hotel.

I couldn't wait to show my wife Venice.

Jasper POV

"You're sure about the cloud cover holding here for a few days, darlin'? It would be difficult to leave unnoticed from here, seeing as how everything is by boat. There aren't even walkways shaded by trees to keep us out of the sun," I asked hesitantly.

"It'll be fine, baby . . . cloudy most of this week in fact, though I doubt we'll be here that long," my wife told me as I gathered our bags and headed out of our cabin. "With it as cold as it is, we will need to wear jackets and hats, so that helps!"

Emmett was already heading down the steps to the train platform, Rosalie behind him, carrying Masen. Bella and my brother were standing in the middle of their suite with the door open, giving us a good look at the embrace they shared. The lust was about to do me in and I wondered if we would even make it to the hotel before I was overcome. Lately, I suspected Alice was trying to keep things romantic for Edward and Bella as she seemed to enjoy the effects their moods had on me - and I didn't need to sleep or take time out for anything else once I was in the mood . . .

"Bella, darlin', if you could detangle yourself from that vampire till we at least get to the hotel, I know I would appreciate it. You're killin' me here," I tried to tell them with a straight face, but I know the smirk came out.

Alice squeezed me around the waist with both of her small arms and laughed.

"Keep it up, you guys. I haven't had a honeymoon in forever and I love the effect you have on him," she said as she rose up on her tip toes to kiss my jaw.

"We're coming, Jasper, and you're welcome, Alice," Bella said, her head still pressed tightly to my brothers chest.

He had never missed a beat, still running his hand from the top of her head down to her waist and back. Other than the jealously, the new Edward was a delight. Smiles replaced the straight lipped looks or even frowns of before and a genuine joy filled him now, replacing the melancholy that resided there, well, before the despair he was filled with after he left Bella. My brother even joked and laughed freely with us now, something he rarely if ever did in the past.

This trip had been Bella's idea, fueled by her desire to taste foods in other countries before her cravings turned only to blood. She had always been kind of into food, cooking for her father all the time when she first moved to Forks and even taking all of us to restaurants and having us try different meats to see if we recognized which animal it came from. We could discern what type of animal that the blood we tasted came from, so she was curious if it carried over to meats. If they had been raw, we probably would have stood a chance, but cooked it just tasted as vile as every other human food.

What was supposed to be a whirlwind tour of cuisines had become much more, Bella's mother, Renee, having joined us and Alice well . . . being Alice. Alice had turned the trip into shopping and foods and shopping and museums and shopping and spas and of course, more shopping. My wife had spend a not so small fortune in the last month, but the entire family was clothed to the hilt in the latest fashion - well, at least the latest fashions that she could get us to wear. I liked my standard black jeans. I preferred they be denim. As long as I got those, I gave in on the shoes and shirt. Sweaters and jackets, dusters and overcoats were on the menu as well and I really didn't care, as long as I got my black jeans. She had learned long ago that there was no use fighting me on this one issue. That's not to say that I got to wear just plain Levi's, mind you. I had no idea how she had bribed some of those designers to make black denim jeans . . . but she did.

The excitement level increased as Bella and Renee first laid eyes on Venice. It was odd the first time you saw it, no cars and all. Boats were the normal mode of transportation and it was casual to the residents. There was a rather large boat, shaped somewhat like a gondola, waiting near the station and Edward headed towards it.. We had stayed at the Hotel Cipriani before, at the other end of the two mile Grand Canal. The canal might no longer be teeming with merchandise-laden cargo boats, but it is was still the main thoroughfare of Venice and only a little imagination would be needed to understand its historical importance. The trip just going to the hotel was one of the main sights to see in Venice and a superb introduction for Bella and her mom.

"By boat, Edward?" Renee looked skeptical.

"The hotel is at the other end of the canal, Renee. Across another waterway, actually. This is Venice and boat is the only way to get there," my brother assured her as he held her hand, letting her step into the boat after Bella.

"Don't they require life vests like at home when you're on a boat . . . especially for the baby?" Renee asked, obviously concerned with the idea of an infant being out on the water.

The look on Renee's face was priceless when Rosalie just stepped surefooted onto the boat holding Masen and not bothering to grab for a hand or a handrail to assist her. She would have only needed it for human pretense and holding onto the baby was far more important. Balance for a vampire was a sure thing, squirmy babies were another matter entirely . . . especially one with the strength that Masen already possessed.

I was enjoying the boat ride, the wind in my face and sitting there with my arm around my wife, my adopted family near. Edward had tucked blankets around himself as well as Bella and her mom. It was, after all, just into February and that was the dead of winter. The clouds threatened snow, but it was still in the 40's, so it wasn't quite cold enough yet. Masen was in Bella's arms under the blanket as well and from the smacking I was hearing, neither the scenery nor the cold was of any interest to him. Alice had come through, as always, and had us all dressed warmly so that we fit in with the humans that actually needed the outerwear for warmth.

I was anxious to see the new rooms the hotel had added, they were supposedly world renowned and had been added this century, since the last time we visited. Edward had been lucky, or had offered a high enough fee, that we had all four of the new suites. I knew that my brother was looking forward to having a piano again. The couple of days he had gone without playing, what with his arguing with Bella and all - had taken its toll. He released tension and emotions through his music, he always had and I felt his need to play.

~oooOooo~

Renee POV

I don't suppose I would ever get used to this. It seemed that all of the Cullens, my daughter included, were quite at home with the idea of jetting off to foreign countries, taking rides on trains I had only heard about in dream like tour books and now . . . this. We were riding down the middle of a canal as the sun set, blankets covering our laps and a man singing to us in Italian and explaining all the sights we were seeing on either shore . . . in Venice.

Italy.

It was beyond me to process. I had been with them a month now and I was having an amazing time, enjoying everything . . . the scenery, the museums, the food . . . and the Cullens were fun to be with. I loved my time with my daughter and my new grandson, and I was still genuinely fond of Edward. It was just . . . just . . . weird.

Not caring about how much money you spent was weird.

Not planning well in advance each detail of a trip was weird.

Staying up what seemed to be around the clock, at least for Edward's siblings, was weird.

Most of all, the differences I was noticing . . . well, some things were just weird.

They had always been there, I was certain, but I hadn't ever really paid attention.

I rarely, if ever, saw Edward or his siblings eat or drink.

They never seemed to notice if it was hot or cold in the rooms or outside.

The connection between Edward and Masen was . . . well it was . . .

It was weird.

I had never met anyone that could read minds. Ever. I had heard rumor that it existed, of course, I suppose everyone had. Seeing it in action was different. And Edward . . . at seventeen he apparently really was worth millions. He never batted an eye about spending money. I had seen the cost of the one day trip ticket on the Orient Express, and even if euros were equal to a dollar, the almost two thousand of them for each of us for a one day trip floored me. The necklace he had given Bella - a heart shaped stone with a slight blue hue - I had to wonder. It had arrived by courier with an armed guard, though I doubt my daughter was aware of it . . . so I knew it was no ordinary piece of prettily cut glass . . .

And how, at eighteen years old when everyone had implied that they had not been to this part of Europe in awhile, how was it that Edward owned a house here - a house he said he had owned for awhile. Was I really willing to believe that he had bought that house when he was 13 or 14 years old? It just made no sense.

I was touring Europe with kids, the oldest of which professed to be 20 or 21, yet they were relaxed and comfortable in their environment and accustomed to this type of travel - this type of extravagance. They carried themselves better than most seasoned adults that had been traveling the world for years . . .

"Are you enjoying yourself, mom?" my daughter asked as she finished feeding the baby.

"Yes. Yes, of course. It's just beautiful here," I told her, snapping back from my musings and reaching over to feel the baby.

He always felt cool to me, and now was no different.

"Is he warm enough?" I asked, trying not to meddle, but probably not succeeding.

"He's fine mom," she assured me as the little cherub face peered out from under her coat.

Bella had mentioned wanting to trim his hair, and though it was just gorgeous the way it fell around his shoulders in soft ringlets, I could see where she would want him to look less like a little girl.

The boat gently bumped against the dock, apparently having reached our destination. I stood to grab my bag and was immediately assisted by the driver, shaking his head and gesturing to the bellman waiting to take my hand and help me off the boat. Apparently the flock of porters and valets were here to take the bags.

I had no real idea from just looking at the exterior of the building. It was pretty, of course, and it looked quite ancient, but I was not prepared for the opulence and elegance of the lobby we walked into. My son in law walked with the confidence I had become accustomed to seeing in him as he reached the desk and apparently checked us in with only a name and a nod. We were escorted through lit gardens to a building that was apparently separate from the main hotel, I couldn't read the names written in Italian, of course, but it said something about suites. Edward gestured to something called Dogaressa, and Rosalie smiled widely, acting almost like a kid at Christmas as she and Emmett scurried off with the bellman.

"Well, that made her day. Nice, Edward. Keeping Rosalie happy makes it a better trip for us all," Jasper laughed as Edward and Alice nodded.

"It works well because in addition to being the most formal and stuffy, it had access across a small garden to mine and Bella's suite. Anything getting Rosalie closer to Masen makes her happy," Edward shared.

"Alice," Edward gestured again, "Piazza San Marco and the Basillica are directly across the canal. I thought you might enjoy the view."

Jasper nodded and he and Alice left to follow their bellman to the right of where we were apparently headed.

"Renee, Bella and I are just ahead and to the left, you're beside us on the right, I think you'll like the accommodations but please let me now if you need anything at all," my son in law assured me.

Señor, la conseguiremos algo ella desea o requiere. Por favor, cuidemos de ello y no lo molesta, esto es nuestro trabajo.

The bellman escorting us to the various suites, the one who seemed in charge of the others immediately started rattling something off in Italian. I had no idea of course, but it seemed he didn't like something that had happened.

"Any idea what he's saying, Edward?" I asked, perplexed as to how we would ever figure it out.

"Um, yes, Renee. He said,

Sir, we will get her anything she wants or requires. Please, Let us take care of it and do not trouble yourself, this is our job."

I was quite impressed that he had understood, but before I reacted, I was again surprised by what could only be fluent Italian coming from my son in law.

"Perdóneme. Yo no signifiqué falta de respeto. Mi suegra no ha viajado antes que y yo sólo quiera asegurarse de que es cómoda."

"Certo. Ringraziarla, il signore," the man answered, nodding and gesturing for me to follow him.

I watched, amazed as my daughter and her family disappeared into the arch covered path and I was shown into my suite.

"Do you speak English as well?" I asked as he held the door for me to enter, setting my bags in the bedroom and drawing the curtains back so that the lights of the city came into view.

"Yes, signora. I speak several languages. We have guests from many different lands," he said as he came to stand in front of me.

I had taken off my coat and was attempting to give him a tip, but he refused.

"Signora, Signore Cullen has taken care of everything. Let me know if you require anything at all. i am at your service," he said as he nodded and left.

Unbelievable. Signore Cullen, I thought to myself. The boy was just that - still a teenage boy, yet he got this type of respect from even the bellman? I just had no idea of how this was possible. Then I saw the brochure next to the telephone . . . and nearly passed out. I had only thought the train ride was expensive. Bella came running into my suite just then, almost dragging me by the hand, wanting me to come to her room.

"Mom, you have to see this! The suite Edward got for us is more like an apartment than a hotel room! it has a 180 degree view of the lagoon and a private garden and outdoor hot tub!" she trilled as she pulled me through her rooms and outside to see the tub.

It was beautiful. Edward emerged, apparently having put Masen down for the night, and came to stand with his arms around my daughter.

"This is truly amazing, Edward, but how is all this possible? How is it that you seem so comfortable traveling the world and spending this kind of money. It just seems so surreal somehow. Europe for a month and it seems like your entire family is just so used to things like this!" I said with some urgency.

The expression on my daughters face said it all. Edward looked somewhat unsure of what to say and I immediately realized I had overstepped the imaginary line that had been set - the one where I could spend time with them and my grandson if I asked no questions and accepted things for face value. Whoops. I needed to back track . . . and fast. I was NOT going to say goodbye to my daughter and grandson.

"This is just so, so unreal! Have you ever seen anything like this room?" I said, gesturing to their bedroom as I peeked in the door.

I tried to get back to the exuberant fun that my daughter had been expressing when she drug me into her rooms to show them to me - before I got all serious. I knew Edward could read my mind - he was the panic and he nodded, never letting on to my daughter. We had a quiet understanding. he knew I was sorry I had gone there, and that I would keep my questions to myself. He had listened to my thoughts . . . but I was certain it was going to become a problem, regardless.

"This suite was just opened in 2002, Renee. It was meant to recreate the fairy tale that is Venice. At least that was the idea," he explained.

"Isn't it amazing, mom?"

"Yes, yes it is. My suite is amazing as well. Thank you, Edward. I understand that these arrangements were your doing. I just want you both to know how much I have enjoyed spending time with you, and especially with little man. See you in the morning," I said as I turned to leave, "Do you have plans for us in the morning?"

"Yes. I have arranged a guided tour starting at eleven. I thought we all might like to sleep in and relax before we go, if that's all right. It will warm up a little as well by then, according to Alice. Riding in the open boats can be a little cold," he added.

"See you both in the morning, then," I said as I left, pulling their door shut and hopeing I could manage to pull my foot all the way out of my mouth. I couldn't bear it if she did what they threatened and just vanished, taking Masen with them . . .

~oooOooo~

BPOV

I spent the rest of the evening naked, in the outdoor jacuzzi with my husband and the morning lounging around with my son as well. We were all playing ball, rolling it to each other on the floor, much to the delight of my giggling curly headed son. He was adorable. He would actually pick up the ball and chuck it at one of us, falling over afterwards he was giggling so hard, especially if he managed to actually hit one of us with the ball. Of course, making us crawl after it to retrieve it seemed just as funny to him.

"That's funny is it, making daddy crawl around. You think that's funny," Edward chuckled as he hovered over Masen, tickling him unmercifully as our son curled up in a ball and laughed.

"Have you called home to check in on your mom and dad?" I asked.

"Not in a few days. I talked to them when I was out for the day with Masen, but no since then. Want to call them?" he offered.

"I have no idea what time it is there, sweetheart."

"It's 6 hours earlier in the day, that makes it about 3am. They should be home, not even at the hospital yet," he said as he retrieved his phone from the dresser. I hardly saw him move as he had no need for human speed around me and Masen.

I forgot. There was no such thing as calling too early, or in the middle of the night being a problem. In fact, calling any hours other than normal working hours for Carlisle would be our best chance of getting a hold of them both. Carlisle was doing well, the hospital moving in a direction he was happy with and Esme had finished drawing the plans for her next project, though she refused to tell us where or what it was. Jacob was there, well, in highlands. He was house sitting for us while he oversaw construction of the building that would house Black Swan Racing. It worked out perfectly for both of us because he was building a residence at the business as well so that he would be close to his bikes and have only a short walk through the trees to get home in the evenings . . . well, if he was ever even home. It seemed he had been spending weekends and the afternoons that she had no classes down at Clemson with Bree . . . as if that was a surprise to either of us. I was just glad things seemed to me moving in the right direction for him. He was, after all, still my best friend . . . werewolf or not!

Brunch arrived. Edward had ordered everything, of course, and he had a similar cart sent to my mom's room. I think he was just enjoying being with our own little family and didn't really relish the thought of sharing us just yet this morning. I could live with that. I happily drank cappuccino and ate incredibly fancy, light, whipped cream topped waffles with fresh fruit as Edward fed Masen eggs and he mangled a piece of toast in his little hands.

We had been giving Masen different things to hold, Edward teaching him how firm to grip things so that he didn't destroy them. He was already stronger than I was in some ways. He could sort of crush small rocks in his hand - not obliterate them into dust like his dad, but he could definitely damage them and the same rocks were perfectly safe in my hands - unless maybe, you gave me a hammer. It was easy to see that without their mind reading abilities, dealing with Masen would have been extremely difficult. He no longer tore his clothing when he grabbed it and the carpet was safe from having fibers ripped out. All bets were off though if you tickled him, though he never ever grabbed me harshly. Edward had him grab my finger and squeeze till I told him it hurt for him to learn what was and was not acceptable for humans. All in all, he was learning remarkably well.

Physically, though he was only just six weeks old, he resembled a child of nearly a year old and was frequently pulling up on the furniture and in his crib, taking steps on his own. His features were maturing as well, elongating and not so infant like. I kind of missed the really chubby little fingers and cheeks that he was born with and I was hoping . . . really hoping that I got pregnant again on this trip so that Edward and I would have another baby before he changed me.

I fed him and put him down for a nap before we left for the day. Neither of us was sure he needed sleep, but he always went to bed willingly, whether he was sleepy or just an agreeable child, I had no idea. Edward had ideas of going to bed himself once Masen was down . . . and I never objected to time with my husband. Making love with Edward was always an adventure, and I couldn't help the scream that left my lips as he held me against him, rolling us over so that he was on top and thrusting wildly just before his purring turned into a growl and he came . . . again.

We all met out at the dock, the guide having arrived and Edward helping me to climb on board and be seated with him and the baby. We were heading across the lagoon to the Piazza San Marco,

the grandest square in Venice and the only which is actually called a piazza. The guide explained that it was dominated by the Basilica of San Marco and the Doge's Palace. The clock tower had built between 1496 and 1506, and was viewed even by Napoleon. To the rear of the Doge's Palace was the famous Bridge of Sighs, which connected the palace with public prisons and was the route prisoners were taken to and from the judgement hall. We walked around looking at everything and marveling over being in a place that had existed much the same for several centuries.

I had to remember to ask Edward how many times he had actually been here over the last hundred years, and if he had seen any changes occur. The idea of seeing something, then coming back in a hundred years to see the same thing intrigued me. I had mentioned it when we were at Yellowstone National Park looking at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and I wondered now about this piazza. Immortality was definitely going to have its perks!

We visited Santa Maria dei Frari, a Gothic style church containing numerous works of art, including the Altarpiece of the Assumption by Titian and a wooden statue by Donatello. We went to the Venier dei Leoni Palace, headquarters of the Peggy Guggenheim art collection and saw works by Picasso and Kandinskij. The city was just teeming with history and everyone seemed interested in what the guide was telling us. He was not only informative, but funny and kept interchanging English with Italian as he spoke, causing Edward to laugh.

There was a special exhibit of some works of art that had not been seen this century, normally kept under wraps by private collectors, and we were all anxious to walk through the exhibit halls to see what was there before we headed back to the hotel.

It had been an amazing day, not unlike every day with Edward had been, but the sights we had taken in to day were beyond my wildest dreams. It was obvious that my mom was speechless - something that rarely happened. As we turned a corner and headed to another hall, I noticed my family visibly stiffen, Alice's eyes glassing over slightly. I heard my husband sigh as his arm tightened around me, his other holding our son. We continued around the corner, and I watched Rosalie greet someone I had heard about, but never seen . . .

"Irina, Tanya . . . what a coincidence running into you here!"

~oooOooo~

Author's Note: I know I know - I promised that Renee was leaving, but I just couldn't resist Tanya's entrance! Sue me, lol! Renee will leave before the day over in the next chapter . . . one way or another!