Sorry for the wait, friends! And thank you to all of my lovely reviewers, your feedback truly is the best form of motivation! This chapter took me a little longer, I went back and forth a lot on how I wanted things to go. Let me know what you think...

Bella's POV

My mouth opened, ready to shout out the words that would set the transformation in motion. Ready to insist that Carlisle change me to prevent both our deaths. But just as the words began to clamber their way out, a smaller voice in the back of my head silenced me. Derision dripping from every remembered word.

"I don't want you to come with me….Time heals all wounds for your kind."

My kind. Humankind. He had said that I would move on, that my simple human mind would forget. Would that still be true if I was one of them? Would eternity be enough time for my wounds to heal? Or would I be frozen in this state of grieving. My immortal life spent pining after someone that only saw me as a passing distraction. The idea disgusted me, made me feel pathetic. But then I glanced at Carlisle. Benevolence incarnated. Compassion bleeding from every word he spoke, every action he took. And I knew I could not be responsible for extinguishing that light. Despite their disappearance from my life, I knew I still loved the Cullens. And the idea of them losing their leader, their father and husband, left me feeling sick to my stomach. Perhaps I would find distractions of my own to fill the gaping hole left frozen in time by my transformation.

Carlisle's POV

"...you must change the girl." Aro's words, though not unexpected, were no less grim. I held his gaze, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing the apprehension that gnawed at me. From the second I had registered Bella's presence in the chamber I knew there would only be two ways in which it could end for her. It was almost unheard of for a human to leave this room alive. Alive and mortal. When I heard her call my name, two images flickered in my head. One had been of her lifeless form lying on the stone floor. The other, her brown eyes turned a glowing red. Of course, there had been a time when she had insisted on such a transformation. But I could not be sure that after everything that had happened she would be as willing to condemn herself to life as an immortal.

Breaking eye contact with Aro, I allowed myself a sideways glance at Bella. Her mouth hung slightly open as though she had been about to speak. Her heart raced. And though she remained silent, her eyes betrayed the conflicting emotions behind them. I could only imagine what she was thinking. Edward had always spoken of her selflessness, her insistence on putting others before herself. Often to the detriment of her own well-being. I had witnessed it myself on several occasions, most violently when she had sacrificed herself to James in the hopes of saving her mother. It was imperative that my own well-being not be a factor in her decision now. I did not want her to make any sacrifices on my behalf. And while death seemed like the end-all sacrifice, damning oneself to an immortal life of thirsting for blood was by no means a salvation. I turned back towards the Volturi leaders.

"It is not my place to make that decision for Bella. Should she wish to become one of us, I will of course take the necessary action."

Several members of the guard wore shocked expressions. Jane looked as though she would burst into laughter any second, the mirth in her expression a striking difference from her usual glowering eyes. Caius broke his silence, jeering in my direction, "Don't be ridiculous Carlisle, surely you are not leaving the question of your survival up to a human girl? Changing her is the only way you will leave this room alive."

"I will not force this life upon her, Caius." I could hear the steel in my own voice, so different from its usual gentle tone. My words must have had an effect on Bella as well, for I heard her sharp intake of breath and the slight increase in her heart rate.

Suddenly Bella broke her silence. She faced Aro, her eyes hardening into a look of fierce determination, her words final and leaving no room for compromise, "I would like to discuss this with Carlisle. Alone."

Aro said nothing but gestured to the doors, his lips curling into a patronizing smile. Demitri exited the room ahead of us, heading towards an area of the castle that I recognized as the rarely-used guest quarters. I walked alongside Bella, worried about her injuries and the lingering effects of her malaise. But it was clear my concern was unwarranted. I knew she must be in pain from her untreated wounds but she appeared to be stubbornly refusing to give any indication of suffering. She marched through the corridors, not sparing a glance for Demitri as he opened one of the wooden doors and let us inside.

Following Bella into the sparse room, I heard our chaperon close the door behind me. Neither of us spoke. Bella stood with her back to me, looking out a small window on the far wall. Away from the Volturi her heart began to slow down to its normal pace while her silence weighed heavily on the room. I was anxious to know what she was thinking. To see what she would say to me now that there were no spectators.

When Edward had demanded that our family leave, I had tried in earnest to convince him otherwise. It was obvious to me that she was his mate and I knew what that kind of separation would do to him. I also believed it foolish to think that because Bella was human that she would suffer any less. In the end, I gave into his insistence because I presumed that within a few weeks Edward would surrender and return to Forks. We had not even bothered to completely empty our home there as we would with any other house we left. But then he had left in pursuit of Victoria and nearly cut off all communication with us. During that time, Esme and I had spoken often of the girl we had grown to love as a daughter. It was as much for her own well-being as for Edward's that I had hoped he would return to Forks, a plea for forgiveness at the ready. He had never shared with us what he had said to Bella to explain his desertion, and we feared for what his words may have done to her. By the time the letter from Aro had arrived, Esme was ready to forgo her promises to Edward and return to Forks to check on Bella. I decided that now I could, at the very least, begin by offering my own apologies and explanations. My voice came out as little more than a whisper, "Bella-".

"The transformation heals physical injuries, right? When you changed Esme, she had been so broken. So, so broken." At these words her voice cracked, and the faint smell of salt hinted at the tears now gathering in her eyes. "And the venom healed it all. Right, Carlisle?"

The question surprised me. Was she worried about her broken arm? The ribs that I suspected to be cracked? "Yes, Bella. The venom corrects any physical abnormalities." She had still not turned to face me but she nodded slowly. "But if you'd like I can do my best to treat your-"

Her voice interrupted me again, quieter than before, "What about other kinds of injuries? Other sources of pain. Does the venom heal emotional wounds as well?" The words were no longer as sure as they had been in the throne room. Each hesitant syllable seemed to be forced out as the brave front she had put up for the Volturi slipped away.

Careful to maintain my human pace, I crossed the room to join her. "I'm afraid that's a little more complicated." Memories of Esme and Rosalie struggling with the trauma of their human lives floated to the surface of my thoughts. Not to mention my own fight to reconcile my transformation with the fiery religious teachings of my youth. She nodded again, as though she had already suspected my answer.

I reached out to place a comforting hand on her shoulder, "Bella, I am so sorry." Sorry for her current predicament, for what our family did to her, for the anguish that weighed on her so heavily. I was not sure if it was my apology or the contact of my hand on her shoulder, but her fragile facade crumbled and the tears began to flow freely. Turning to face me she hesitated, before she collapsed against me, her good arm grasping me into a hug. Her sudden embrace surprised me but I did my best to catch her in such a way as to not cause discomfort to her injuries. My arms tightened around her shaking form. Her uninjured hand clutched forcefully into my side, as though she was afraid I was going to disappear if she let go.

I wanted nothing more than to think of something reassuring to say, instead of my repeated fervent apologies. They felt too inadequate. "You don't have to decide yet, let me speak to Aro. Perhaps I can find another solution." Empty words, I knew.

She released her grip on my shirt and took a small step back. Her cheeks flushed red in embarrassment. A sad but indulgent smile crossed her face as she reached up to brush the remaining tears from her cheeks, "Do you think there is a chance of him changing his mind?"

My hesitation was all the answer she needed.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, resolve settling over her features. Opening her eyes she looked to me and held my gaze, speaking with more assurance than I had heard since she had directed the all-too accurate accusations at Aro. "It's alright, Carlisle. You have to change me, it is the only option."

I knew she was right. And deep down I knew it was the conclusion I had hoped she would make, despite the implications that could mean for her soul. Not only to save my own life but hers and Edward's as well. Because I knew that should she perish at the hands of the Volturi, Edward would not be far behind. Based on the limited information I had from Bella and my own observations since her arrival in the throne room, whatever had transpired between them last fall appeared to have had the same effect on Bella as it did on my son. I began to hope that if we could make it out of Volterra and Bella was changed , then they would have eternity to heal together.

Regardless, I felt obligated to make sure she was making the decision for her, and her alone. "Are you sure, Bella? You mustn't make this decision because of what may happen to me. I could not in good conscience change you because you felt as though you were forced to do so."

She scoffed, "What? Because the alternative is so much better? I've made my decision, Carlisle. Change me, please, and I will figure it out from there." Her words confused me. Did she expect to be left to her own devices after the transformation was complete? Did she think we would leave her again, to "figure it out" on her own?

"We will figure it out, Bella. But if you're sure, let's return to Aro. I have a few details to negotiate with him."

Bella's POV

"Ah, I had hoped you would come to this decision." Aro clapped his hands together, his face beaming. Even when he seemed to be genuinely happy his expressions made my skin crawl. I struggled to imagine Carlisle living here for any prolonged period of time. Then again, loneliness can drive us to do things we would not normally do. As I had recently discovered.

Aro continued, "Well, I will let you get to work, Carlisle!" My eyes widened. What, change me this instant, here? I opened my mouth to protest but Carlisle beat me to it, his voice much steadier than mine would have been.

"Yes, about that, Aro. I was hoping you would allow me to accompany Bella back to one of our homes here in Europe, to undergo the transition with my family on hand. They are waiting anxiously to see her again and will be a great help to me in those first weeks and months."

Aro hesitated, his eyes narrowing slightly. I wondered if he was disappointed about the idea of not witnessing my transformation. I had the feeling he was eager to see how my supposed power would manifest itself once I was a vampire. Or maybe he was worried that we were trying to pull one over on him and make an escape from our punishment. At last he spoke.

"One week, Carlisle. I am granting you one week to make your arrangements and complete the transformation. I will send my guard to confirm your adherence to our agreement. Do not make me regret my leniency towards your transgression."

Carlisle appeared to exhale in relief, "Thank you, friend. Your generosity will not be forgotten." His flattering words seemed over the top to me, but by now I had realized that the Volturi leader thrived on those around him recognizing his power. We were so close to being released that Carlisle was most likely pulling out all the stops to remain in the good graces of Aro and his brothers. He bowed slightly in their direction before taking my hand in his and turning us towards the exit.