Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of its characters. The story and characters belong to Stephanie Meyer. Also, I apologize for any errors. I don't have this story beta'd (mostly because I am unsure of how to even go about doing that), so the errors are my own.
Chapter 3: Saying Goodbye
The next few hours passed in somewhat of a blur for Esme. She was amazed at the speed and efficiency of the Volturi kings and by extension, their guards. Immediately after Isabella left with Jane, Aro asked Alice to assist him in planning out the details of what needed to be done. As he and Alice collaborated, Edward filled in the rest of the vampires present. He informed them that in most futures Alice saw, regardless of how many guards were present; the war would claim Isabella's life. The only future in which she lived was the one in which she absconded away to stay with the Cullens until the war and fighting settled.
Suplicia's initial reaction to the news was adamant refusal to part with her daughter, but as Edward unveiled the various scenarios and how they would fail she too became resigned to the plan of having her daughter leave in order to protect her. Esme's heart clenched for the female vampire in this moment. She could see the anguish swirling in the ancient vampire's eyes. She reached down and touched Suplicia's hand and spoke what she hoped would be words of comfort, "It will only be for a short time, and I promise that she will never feel as though she is unloved. We will care for her as one of our own."
Suplicia turned toward the caring vampire and responded softly, "I know. It is just that we have so little time with our daughter as it is. We are centuries old and as such every day lost is painful, because we have so few of them to spend with her as she is now. She is growing up with such haste I feel as though I will miss too much." Her eyes misted over with her last statement and she hung her head.
The two women were drawn from their moment from Aro speaking to Alice about the final details, "Can you at least take the Volturi jet to return to your home. Isabella has not spent much time around humans and I do not wish to cause even more changes if they can be helped." Alice responded in the affirmative and Aro shoulders slumped and he turned toward his wife, "Cia, let us go and spend some time with Isabella. She and the Cullens will need to leave at first light."
Esme was immediately stuck by something that Aro said. She didn't know how to comprehend the fact that Isabella had not been around humans. Her family had always tried to blend in with humans; yes humans tended to shy away from their kind it still didn't prevent contact. She decided to discuss the issue with Carlisle later.
The ancient vampire couple said their goodbyes and told them they would see them in the morning on the jet way. Esme felt torn as she watched them leave. Part of her heart ached for the anguish that they were enduring and would have to endure for the next six or so months. Another part of her, however, was overjoyed at the opportunity to spend time with such a precious little girl. Her and her family retired from the garden. They did not need to pack for they barely had a chance to unpack so they took the opportunity to continue to tour the castle with Carlisle pointing out some of his favorite spots from his time spent with the Volturi.
Esme could not help but notice that the mood of the guards they passed along the tour was quite somber. She looked toward Edward and Jasper hoping to glean what they were feeling and thinking. Jasper spoke first, "I feel an overwhelming sadness and some anger from most of the guards we pass. It is strange, as most vampires have a sense of excitement before a war. Our instincts to claim and dominant tend to give us an almost sense of joy when we fight, it gives us a chance to unleash our beast within, and yet I feel none of that here." Edward continued after Jasper trailed off confused, "It seems as though the news that the little princess will be leaving has spread. Apparently she is quite loved and most of the guards view her as a beacon of hope or a sign of their restored humanity. They will miss her very much when she is gone. I believe they will fight harder than ever in order for her to return safely."
Carlisle then murmured quietly, "I never thought I would see a vampire change, much less the entire Volturi. I must admit that I am almost excited to spend time with this little human girl. She seems to be very special indeed."
"I still don't get why everyone is moping around. I mean it is only a couple of months," Emmett responded with an almost childlike astonishment.
Alice clipped him on the back of the head and chastised him, "Emmett, don't be so tactless! Even you have to realize how precious a day is." When Emmett continued to look confused Alice continued, "Think about it this way, you know how you are always saying that you hate going to school? You hate repeating it over and over again." Emmett nodded and Alice pushed on.
"Think about what we always say to you, 'In the grand scheme of things the time you spend in school is relatively minute compared to the time you spend out of school.' So you don't really fret too much about going to school because it essentially represents a drop in the bucket of your time. But imagine as though you actually loved school." Emmett scoffed, but Alice held up her hand and proceeded.
"I know, but just imagine you loved school. Wouldn't you want to relish in every moment. Because it represents such infinitesimal portion of your life, wouldn't you want to cherish that time?"
Emmett pondered it for a moment and then said, "Yea, I guess I would."
"Now you have only been alive for about a century. Imagine being alive for thousands of years. Think of what six months of your daughter's childhood represents on that scale. Aro and Suplicia only get so much time with their daughter, to revel in her childhood. Trust me when I say that I searched for any other way to keep her safe so as to not do this to them. It is truly heartbreaking."
Emmett hung his head, "I never thought of it that way. We will have to be sure to take lots of pictures and videos of little Bella." Esme quirked her head at the nickname given and Alice gave her a small knowing smile. She didn't get to question Alice because Emmett continued, "we need to make sure we don't miss a moment. I know Aro can just read our thoughts and replay our memories but Suplicia can't. We need to do this for her."
Esme smiled at Emmett's thoughtfulness and rubbed his arm affectionately. "We will be sure to capture every memory for her." What Esme did not say was that she also wanted every memory captured for herself.
The Cullens continued touring the castle while Emmett was busy rambling off a list of all the things he wanted 'Bella' to experience and all the ways he would document those experiences for Aro and mostly Suplicia. When it was about an hour before dawn they were found by a guard who led them to the jet way where they were to be departing from. Upon arriving they found that the entire royal family and the elite guard were present along with a very morose looking little girl. Each of the kings and their wives took time to speak with Isabella before hugging her tightly and whispering affections in Italian.
Each of the elite guards also took their turn to say goodbye to the beloved princess. Jane picked her up carefully when Isabella starting crying anew, "Jane, do I have to go? Please do not make me leave." Jane wiped the child's eyes and hugged her tight whispering, "I will come and get you the second I can. I promise."
"Will you come with me? I am afraid."
Esme's heart clenched at the child's words, and then Jane responded, "I wish I could. Do you remember what we talked about when you feel fear?"
At the child's nod Jane continued, "Good, I will miss you so much my little princess." She said affectionately while tapping Isabella's nose.
"I will miss you too Jane." Then her eyes widened and she exclaimed, "And you will take care of Pocio?"
Jane put on a brave smile and let out a half-hearted chuckle before responding, "Yes I will take care of your puppy, not to worry he will be here safe and sound when you return."
"I love you, Jane." Isabella said as she clenched on to the guard, almost as if she thought if she held on tight enough she wouldn't have to let go.
"I love you too, munchkin." Jane chocked back.
Jane passed Suplicia her daughter with a heavy heart and Suplicia slowly carried her over to were the Cullens were standing. They were apart from the group trying to give the group of vampires at least the illusion of privacy as they said their goodbyes. Suplicia whispered words of comfort and affection into her daughter's ears before carrying her into the plane and helping her into her seat. The Cullens followed her inside after saying whispered goodbyes.
As Suplicia left the plane she turned and blew a kiss to her daughter before her eyes misted over and she left. Esme's eyes trailed after the broken woman and again she felt torn. She would never wish this sort of anguish on another, but at the same time she was heart warmed to know that she was going to get a chance to be somewhat of a surrogate mother to this little angel. Yes, she had her other children, but they were already grown when she had met them, they didn't really need her like a child would.
She smiled softly to the little girl and made her way to sit next to her in hopes of providing comfort for her. She also hoped, perhaps selfishly, that the child would come to rely on her too. Then she took a brief glance out of the window following the child's gaze to her family and a realization came to Esme. This little girl was going to break her heart. As she looked at the forlorn faces of the vampires to be left behind she realized that in a few months' time that she would be the one that the little girl left behind. She closed her eyes and pushed those thoughts aside. She couldn't let those thoughts keep her from getting to experience even a brief glimpse of motherhood.
With the thoughts of impending heartbreak pushed aside she opened her eyes and gently took the young girl's hand in hers. As soon as their hands met she felt a jolt of warmth run through her body and she swore that her heart actually beat. She recovered from the sensation and looked to the girl gazing out of the window toward her family that was no longer in sight, "Isabella," she murmured, "can I get you anything?" Tear stained cheeks and red rimmed eyes came into Esme's view and Isabella started to speak but fell to crying once more. With little hesitation, Esme cradled the girl into her arms. When the girl accepted the comfort instead of flinching away, Esme began to rub soothing circles on her back while cooing comfortingly into her ear. Eventually, Isabella fell asleep in Esme's arms.
Esme looked down at the sleeping child and whispered, "You have my heart, precious, please don't break it."
a/n – okay so now we are actually going to get to Bella spending time with the Cullens.