Bella's POV~

"Right. It wasn't because Nonno pointed out that a woman that you were interrogating was caught in my room, right?" He teased me.

Of course, it was, but I wasn't about to admit that shit to him. I'd never hear the end of it.

So, I did the next best thing to shooting him… You know, because I had already shot at him once today, if I did it again, both our Nonnos will have my rear.

So, in a moment of thought, I swiftly brought my elbow up and dug it into his ribs causing him to react exactly like I wanted.

"Ah! Shit! I was joking!" He squawked, covering himself from anymore abuse.

"Damn right you were!" I snapped, clenching my hands so I wouldn't hit him more.

"Fuck." He whispered, as he turned away trying to be sneaky as he rubbed the sore spot.

"You've already done that…" I mumbled as I turned away, trying to hold back a smile.

His head snapped in my direction, eyes widening for a second before his eyes flashed mischievously. "I see you're still thinking about…" He began before I cut him off with a look.

"If you value your life, I wouldn't finish that sentence." I said, smiling despite myself.

We smiled at each other, for a brief moment feeling like the old days…The words of my Nonno from earlier rang in my mind.

They were enough to sour my mood, and cause my smile to fall, and for me to look away, swallowing thickly.

Damn this all to hell. Why couldn't it ever just be like it once was? Just the old Anthony and Isa? Friends. Lovers… simple.

Why did we always have to face things like these? Why was it so damn difficult and complicated? Why couldn't I be happy?

"What are we going to do?" I sigh, trying to not begin crying again.

"Whatever you want to do." He immediately told me, as he took one of my hands into both of his.

It's not about whether I want to or not anymore. We both knew this. The fact that we unknowingly, and I am using the word loosely here, made the Oath years back, doesn't give me much of a choice now.

It also doesn't make this any less painful than it was going to be.

With that thought, I knew what I was going to do before I even verbalized it.

"My Nonno is right. Nani doesn't have enough time for all the proper documentation to be put in for a proper wedding… we don't… we don't have time for one either...so, I guess we can both dress up as if we are getting married, but nothing will happen between us, at least not until we have gotten married officially." I say.

The expression on his face, informs me of what he is thinking before he even utters a response.

"You mean…" he mutters, clearly confused.

What did he think I was going to start sleeping with him again when I don't know what STD carrier he's been with the past few years? Absolutely not!

Ugh. Looks like I'll have to rip this bitch off like a band-aid. Some things never change, I guess.

"What I mean is that until you don't fucking put a ring on my finger…" I told him, holding up my hand in between us. "I'll never truly be your wife. Even if I do have to marry you… you won't get jack shit from me. I'll even go as far to say, I'll be sleeping in a different room in whatever house we ended up living in. Do you get the picture now?" I asked plainly, before walking away from him.

As I walk into the house, I run into Jasper and all the other males currently residing within the house.

"Maledetti intercettatori." I spit, walking past them and towards my Nani's room. (Damn eavesdroppers.)

My anger dissipates by the time I reach Nani's room.

Only to freeze as I walk in. My heart lurches, as I see her nurse a nasal cannula on my beloved Nani's face.

She looks smaller, frailer than before, even though she is still sitting in her rocking chair by the window. She looked so much smaller than she had the day before.

"Nani…" I whisper, brokenly.

Her head moves to the side in acknowledgement but keeps otherwise rocking back and forth staring out the window.

"She is growing tired." I hear my Nonna say, behind me.

'Nani.' I think brokenly, as I hold back tears.

"H-how long does she have, Nonna?" I ask, tearfully.

My heart gave a painful squeeze as I watched my Nani rock back and forth in her chair.

"Less than a couple of weeks, I'm afraid. I didn't wish to put the oxygen on but she has been agitated for the past few days.."

"No…" I whispered, as I felt the tears fall.

Why did life have to be so cruel? What did I ever do to deserve such poor treatment of my loved ones?

The only thing that made me feel a bit better was the fact, my Nonna was once a doctor, so she knew her way around a gurney, and a full hospital room. She even taught me the basics, just in case.

"I know what you're thinking mi amata, and this isn't your fault. Your Nani is getting older, and unfortunately these things happen with old age. It couldn't be prevented. But the least we can do is make her comfortable… and find solace in each other when her time does come." My Nonna said, gently patting my arm.

"How long do you think she has, Nonna?" I ask, thickly.

"I'm not entirely sure, tesoro. Could be a week more or less, don't go doing something stupido, do understand, cara mia?"

Oh no, she is using the 'no nonsense' tone on me. Damn it to hell, she meant business.

"No, nothing stupid." I muttered, before reaching up to wipe my face. Then slowly walking out of Nani's room, with my Nonna on my heels.

"What are you going to do, tesoro?" She asks me, concerned.

"I need to speak to everyone. I have to...I have to do something…" I mutter, overwhelmed.

I couldn't lose my Nani. Not her… Dio mio, not her. Not yet. Give me more time with her… Please… I can't handle it. Not yet.

The pain of even thinking about it is tearing me apart.

"What you need to do, cara mia. Isa calmati, per favore." I hear my Nonna order as she pushes me onto the chair.

Her voice was beginning to sound muffled and far away.

Now, my legs began to feel as if they were lead, and my arms began to feel the same way too. Was the hallway getting hot? Was it always this tiny? Why did it feel as if the walls were getting closer to me? Why were my ears ringing? Oh my God… No… Fuck. Fuck. Fuck… Don't panic… Don't —

I could feel as I was pulled in a direction, and pushed down, landing on a chair.

"Julene, go to the kitchen and get me a bibita, and a sugary treat!" She orders, kneeling before me.

I was alright. I wanted to tell her so badly not worry, but my mouth wouldn't move. As a matter of fact...my lips and fingertips were growing numb.

"Sip this…" she ordered as she put a straw to my lips.

I felt as the sweet lemon-y drink went down my throat. The walls seemed to stop moving, and my lungs were now slowing down to breathing normally.

"Here, eat this. It'll make you feel better." My Nonna says.

I nod, quickly chewing the jelly candy I was given. Mm. Lemony.

"What happened here?" I suddenly hear someone else ask.

"She saw how Nani Marie is doing." My Nonna explained.

"Oh Dio. Why is she so pale?"

'When did he get here?' I thought, confused.

"She had an anxiety attack." My Nonno whispered as I sighed.

I turned to see Edward and everyone else standing there.

"Anxiety attack?" My Nonno asked, surprised as he looked at everyone.

I bit my lower lip, and looked down at the carpet, as I felt his eyes land on my face.

"Isabetta." He called, sternly.

I shook my head, closed my eyes, and took a deep breath.

"Would anyone care to explain to me what is happening to my granddaughter and why she is having an anxiety attack?" He asked in a thicker accent.

His tone immediately alerts me that he is getting frustrated, and is a few seconds from getting angry.

"They usually have a trigger. She started having them shortly after her parents… died." Carlisle explained quietly, before walking over to me and kneeling before me to look at me in the face.

He was wrong. But I wasn't going to correct Carlisle Cullen in front of the entire family.

"I'm okay…" I mumbled weakly, smacking away his hand.

"You are going to have to lie down for a while." He told me, as he scrunched his brows together.

Panic flared in my chest, and I squashed it. Nope. I didn't have time to panic, or fall apart. My Nani needed me.

"Like hell I am! I am fine now. See? I don't have time to rest. I can rest once I'm dead." I snapped as I stood up, accidentally pushing him back.

"Isabetta!" My Nonna chastised.

"Sorry… but I need to speak with all of you. It's urgent." I say standing up.

"No, tesoro, you need to rest." My Nonna insisted.

I looked at my Nonno, silently asking for his help.

"Do you wish to go to the sitting room, or the dining room, tesoro?" He asked me, giving my Nonna a look.

"Sitting room is fine." I replied quietly, as I shrugged away the hand of someone.

"Good. Come on." He said, as he gestured for me to follow him.

We all moved silently as we all walked into the large room.

I couldn't help marveling at the spacious room. It had beautiful overstuffed white sectionals, and a white mahogany glass table, with a beautiful dark maroon, plush carpet underneath it.

Even the edges of the walls had beautiful cromwell fixtures on it.

"We wished to speak to us all, dolcezza?" Zio Marcos asked as he and his wife my Zia Didyme walked into the room with their sons Felipe and Marcus.

"Yes. I don't wish to exclude anyone, now...would I?" I snipped, ignoring the scandalized looks I received from Edward and the men in his family.

"What's going on, principessa?" My Nonno asked, amused as he sat down.

"Everyone here has somehow gotten it into their heads that I am weak and can't make decisions on my own." I begin, not letting anger get the best of me as my Zia Didyme gave me an understanding look.

"Hang on, we have done no such thing." Senior spoke from behind one of the sectionals.

I gave him a cutting glare. "Oh no? What about keeping the true meaning of the Giuramento Di Amore?" I ask, raising a brow.

"You were seventeen, Isabetta. What exactly would you have done?" He asks, challengingly.

"I know for a fact that I would have understood. Maybe after being angry, but I would have understood. But we won't know, will we, Eduardo." I replied, staring at him, unblinkingly. "How is it that I was capable of acting out Clausola Femminile yet I couldn't decide whether or not I wanted to be married to someone who happens to be the next Capo in line for the Cullizos?" I ask, my hand itching to pull out my gun.

He stared at me, an emotionless mask on his face.

"You let my nipotina act out in the Clausola Femminile?" My Nonno asked, fuming.

"Hold on there, Felipe. My daughter in law made the mistake of hiring someone without doing a full background check. We all paid highly as we later found out she was there to harm us all, especially Isabetta. By the time we discovered foul play, we were too late. Isa had been put in harms way. We asked her if she wanted retribution, she agreed to act out the Clausola." Edward's Nonno explained.

"Dolcezza, is this true?" My Nonno asked, as he turned towards me.

All the eyes in the room were wide with surprise, astound, and amazement.

"That is true. So, again. How is it that I was able to kill someone in cold blood, but I can't decide whether the Oath stands or not?" I ask again.

"We only—" Elizabeth began.

"Do not say it! If you value my sanity, do not say 'you only wanted why was best for me'!" I ground out.

She flinched back into her seat.

"I don't think any of you fully understand how hurtful your actions were to me. If it were up to me, you'd all be rotting in hell." I spit.

"Isa, while I completely understand your anger towards these people and their misguided actions, aren't you taking things a bit far, cara?" Uncle Marcos asks.

I sharply turned to look at him, giving him a cynical smile, "They have been pushy, sneaky and assholes, no less. I may sound harsh but think of all the shit I have been through since mamma and papá been gone. Every one of you could have done something. Yet, instead you all chose not to. Instead I felt isolated and alone. If it weren't for Nani, I would have left long ago." I confessed, looking into my Nonno and Nonna sadly.

"I will honor my Nani's last wishes. Because unlike all of you, I do uphold every oath and promise I make. I also hope you realize that my relationships with all of you are far from ok. Esme, Sully, can I speak with the both of you, alone?" I ask.

As both of them move to stand so do Aro and Carlisle.

"Where do you two think you are going?" I asked as I watched them near us.

"With you?" Aro says, confused.

"I believe I said I needed to speak to Esme and Sully alone...so why are you two idiots coming along?" I asked.

"Well…" Carlisle says nervously before raising an eyebrow at him.

"Nothing. Leave us be. If I catch any of you spying on us, I'll make sure you get a bullet to the ass. Do you understand me?" I threaten.

They all nod, gulping nervously before they scurried back to their seats.

Good.

Glad they got my message loud and clear, I slowly moved to leave the room, with Esme and Sully slowly following me out.

I led Esme and Sully towards the solarium that is located upstairs, since I wished to be near my Nani.

The moment we walked into the large room, I quickly proceeded to shut the door and turn the bolt, officially locking it. Leaning heavily with my back against the door for a second.

After a second, I pushed myself away from the door and made my way towards the couches.

"Isa?" Esme called, as we all sat down.

I slowly turned to look at her, tired.

Her silent question, was my undoing.

"Oh no." She gasped as I broke down.

"What's wrong with her?" I heard Sully ask quietly, stunned.

"She didn't know, Sul. Nobody told her. They lied to us so we wouldn't tell her either." Esme replied, as she pulled me into a hug.

"You got all that from a simple look, Es?" She asked, surprised.

I snorted, "No, but Esme has always been like a sister to me, and has an uncanny ability to know when something is wrong with me." I rasped in response.

"Oh shit. I'm so sorry, Isa. Shit, we were both under the impression that everyone knew. Nobody ever said otherwise. Esme was the one who became suspicious, especially after Aro and I got married and you suddenly disappeared. Only visiting every so often." Sulpicia confessed.

So, they hadn't mentioned any of this to them? Weird. Especially since Carlisle and Esme tell each other everything.

"I figured as much after I saw the look you two shared with each other when I greeted Edward." I snorted.

"Oh, that my dear, that was a sight to behold." Esme snorted, shaking her head in disbelief.

"May I also add, I am sorry for calling you an outsider a few weeks ago? I didn't recognize you, especially since you were wearing makeup. I mean you hardly ever wore makeup when you lived with the Cullens before." Sully said, turning scarlet.

I never felt the need to, especially when I've always felt comfortable with them. That all changed though, especially after the Thanya debacle. It made me see one of many truths of this world.

"It's water under the bridge." I reply, leaning back onto the seat.

"Isa…" Esme whispered, patting my arm to gain my attnetion.

"Es?" I replied, closing me eyes.

"So, what is going on now? Are you two actually getting married?" She asks me, concerned.

Damn, she knew me so well. How could she not? She was a good friend of mine before I accidentally introduced her to Carlisle after I had an accident and ended up in the ER.

"Not until he proposes. This is going to be a faux wedding. For mia amata Nani. So, she could—" I swallowed thickly at the thought, "— so she could go happily and in peace." I say, my eyes watering again.

Uttering those words was tearing me apart. I didn't want my Nani to go, I wanted her here, with me, but I knew now that this possibility was inevitable. Even if it killed me to say or even think about it.

"Then we have a wedding to plan…" Sul pipes in, throwing me a gentle smile.

"Where is it going to be? You know the 'ceremony' and stuff?" Sully asks, leaning forward.

"Here. Probably downstairs in the sitting room… my Nani — She's grown weaker…" I whispered, tearfully.

Esme placed a comforting hand on my arm as she sighed, "What about the clothes and other things?" She asked, gently.

"There's a store not far from here… it'll be alright for the faux wedding. You ladies don't mind being my bridesmaids, do you?" I ask, nervously. "As for the decorations… I don't know, maybe my Nonna can figure it out?" I suggest shrugging.

It didn't really matter to me as long as my Nani was happy. Actually it did, but my Nani's feelings were more important, at the moment.

"Of course, we would love to be your bridesmaids. All you have to do is pick out your dress. We'll help with the rest of the stuff." Esme says, looking pensive as she speaks.

A small sigh of relief escaped my lips as I nodded. "Well, then what are we waiting for? Let's go." I say as we all stand and head down the stairs once more.

As we make it down the stairs, everyone is in the foyer already. The atmosphere, tense per usual nowadays.

"Well?" Aro demands, walking over to his wife.

Amusingly enough all the men within the Cullen family tower over their wives. Some more than others, Sully being one of the taller ones hits around Aro's jaw.

The more amusing part is that despite height differences we can all still hand their asses to them any time we need to.

A snort, brings me out of my trance, a small smile on my face.

"Well what, amore?" Sully replies, placing her hands on her hips.

"Uh...what happened?" He asked her.

I could tell that though it seemed like nobody seemed to be paying attention to their exchange. I knew everyone was, in fact, listening.

"We cleared up a few things and talked business. That's all you need to know, my love." Sully told him, offhandedly.

"Nonna, Nonna Iliana? Zia Elizabeth, Zia Didyme, would you please accompany us?" I asked, nervously.

They all looked at us for a moment, "Of course, tesoro. Just let us get our purses and then we can leave." My Nonna says, smiling at me as the other women disappear up the stairs.

"Ivan?" I hear My Nonno call one of the security guards.

"Sir?" Ivan says suddenly appearing in the room.

"The ladies will be heading out. Prepare the SUVs." My Nonno ordered.

The guard nods, "Right away, sir."

"Demitri, Seth, Zachary, Felix? Go with them." Edward's Nonno says, looking towards the door.

I smiled at Esme as she and Sully dragged me out of the house and towards the massive black SUV.

"Do you have your gun with you, Miss Isa?" Damian asked before I climbed in.

"Always do." I replied, climbing on and he climbed into the passenger seat.

I noticed that My Nonnoa and Edward's Nonna went in the gray SUV With Seth, Giovani and Felix.

It's a twenty minute ride to Lucy's Bridal shop.

Which I spend thinking of the possible options there will be.

"So, Izzy, what type of dress do you want to wear?" Esme asks me, on the way there.

"Oh, uh...I haven't decided." I replied, distractedly.

They both looked at me as if I had just struck them.

"Don't look at me like that! You both got the wedding of your dreams. You got to get married on the date you picked with the loves of your lives, I don't get to do that. I didn't even get the year I was promised!" I complain, leaning back onto my seat.

"Oh, Izzy Bee. I know this is probably the shitiest of situations to be in, but … let's try to look at the silver lining in this. One, you got the opportunity to shoot Edward in the thigh. Which might I add, was magnificent. Two, you're able to spend time with your Nani, and three, you are gaining two new sisters out of this, along with an even bigger family than before." Sully said, gesturing towards Esme and herself.

"That's true." I muttered, cracking a smile.

"I can't wait until we get back home! We can go shopping… Oh! No, we can go away for a weekend, make it a ladies trip! Even invite Jasper and Emmett's new love interests." Sully gushed.

"Ugh. Don't remind me." Esme muttered, scowling.

I looked over at her, raising a questioning eyebrow. "Anything new happen while I've been here?" I ask, curiously.

"No. Nothing worth talking about, I promise." Esme said, cooly.

Sully scoffed as Ivan pulled up to the curb.

We all proceeded to climb out and walk right into the store. Standing behind the counter was Ms. Lucy Jacoby, the best seamstress in town.

She is a tall,frail-looking, thin woman with salt and pepper hair. Her face littered with wrinkles here and there, reminding me of my Nonna. Usually her shop only takes appointments but she is my Nonna's closest friend, and allowed us to come in after she received a call from my Nonna.

Her shop, while looking small from the outside was a wide open space on the inside.

My mind blanked out as I saw the plethora of wedding gowns, evening gowns, ball gowns, prom dresses, bride's maid dresses, and other items of the sort.

The sight of all the lace was beginning to make me antsy.

"Alright, well, first thing is first, cara. What size dress do you use?" The woman asked me.

I looked down, wrinkling my nose, before I looked up once more. "32 to 36." I muttered.

"Ahh…" She nodded in response before looking at me, then inclining her head to the side, silently asking me and the other ladies to follow her.

She led us quietly into the back room. Where the torture slowly began in a for of simple questions….

I guess this was it…