Chapter Six:

Bella snuggled up to Garrett on the sofa, her voice filled with warmth. "It'll be so wonderful to see my mom again," she expressed, a tinge of anticipation in her words. "It's been almost a year since we last visited her and Phil in Florida."

Garrett smiled warmly, observing the sheer happiness radiating from Bella upon hearing about her mother's arrival. "Once they've settled in, why don't we invite them to see our business?" he suggested, his voice upbeat. "I'm certain they would love to see where all the magic happens for you."

Bella's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she responded, "I think that's a wonderful idea. My mom has never visited Italy before. Hopefully, they can stay for a while, and I'll have the opportunity to show her all the incredible sights."

As Bella listened attentively, the faint sound of a car in the distance gradually grew louder. With each passing moment, the noise drew closer until it finally came to a stop in their driveway. The distinct sound of two car doors opening and closing reached their ears.

Soon after, Bella and Garrett heard Renee's voice crystal clear. "Are you certain the GPS is working correctly? We seem to be in the middle of nowhere, and this house looks incredibly luxurious. I hope we haven't ended up in the wrong place," Renee expressed, her voice filled with concern.

"This is the address Bella gave us, honey," Phil remarked, his voice attempting to reassure his wife. "Let's ring the doorbell and hope Bella is home." He paused for a moment before adding, "I still think we should have called beforehand to confirm if it's a good time to visit, Renee. For all we know, Bella might not even be in the country."

"When I spoke with her last week, she never mentioned going anywhere," they heard Renee say. "The house and surrounding forest are absolutely beautiful here. I hope they're home. Let's go ahead and ring the doorbell."

Just as Renee finished speaking, the doorbell chimed through the house. Bella gave Garrett's knee a gentle squeeze, a twinkle in her eye. "Why don't you pretend to be occupied upstairs, and I'll go see who's at the door," she suggested, winking playfully.

Bella made her way to the door and swung it open, instantly greeted by a chorus of joyous voices. "Happy Birthday!" they exclaimed in unison.

With a big smile lighting up her face, Bella couldn't contain her excitement. "Oh my God!" she screamed, the joy evident in her voice. "Mom, Phil, what are you guys doing here?" Overwhelmed with happiness, she quickly closed the distance between them and embraced her mother tightly. "I'm so incredibly happy to see you guys."

After sharing a heartfelt hug with her mother, Bella turned her attention to Phil and warmly embraced him as well.

"Oh, Bella, let me take a good look at you," Renee exclaimed, her eyes scanning Bella from head to toe. "You hardly look a day over 30, honey. You must have inherited my genes. I don't look a day over 30 either," she laughed.

Bella chuckled in response, her laughter echoing through the room. "I know, Mom," she replied, a playful twinkle in her eye. "When I opened the door, it felt like I was looking into a mirror." Bella embraced her mother once again, their laughter filling the air.

"Come on in, I can't believe you guys are here," Bella exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine astonishment. "Please, make yourselves comfortable. It must have been quite a journey coming all the way from Florida. Let's head to the living room, shall we? Can I offer either of you something to drink?"

"I think both Renee and I would appreciate a glass of wine if you have any, Bella," Phil replied with a smile.

"Of course, I'll get you some. Come, let me show you to the living room first," Bella offered, leading them towards the expansive, open-floor living area. On their way, Bella called out, "Hey Garrett, get down here! You'll never guess who just arrived."

As they entered the living room, Renee couldn't help but exclaim, "I love your home, Bella! I had no idea it was this spacious. You and Garrett must be doing incredibly well. I'm truly thrilled for you." Her words were filled with genuine happiness and pride.

"We'll give you a tour in a little bit. Please, have a seat," Bella offered, her heart warmed by her mother's appreciation for the house. It was a place she had personally decorated, a task she had never undertaken while living with the Cullens. The Cullen women had always taken charge of the decor, and Bella hadn't seen it as a priority. However, having her own house now, she finally understood the desire to make everything look beautiful and reflect her personal style.

Garrett descended the stairs from the upper level, his eyes widening in pleasant surprise. "Renee, Phil? I had no idea you two were visiting. It's truly wonderful to see both of you. Welcome to our home," he greeted them warmly.

"We came here to surprise Bella, and it seems like our plan worked," Renee declared with a broad smile, her arm affectionately draped around Bella's back. The joy in her voice was unmistakable.

"I'm so thankful we didn't go on our planned trip, Garrett," Bella said, turning to Renee as she spoke. "We had planned to go to Spain for two weeks and were going to leave yesterday, but some developments at work delayed our trip. I'm so glad that happened, or we would have missed you."

Bella hoped that the look of shock on Renee's face would leave a lasting impression, discouraging any future unexpected pop-ins.

"I'll go get your drinks. Be right back," Bella announced, standing up and making her way to the kitchen. Thankfully, she had a habit of being prepared and kept the kitchen fully stocked with human food. She poured four glasses of wine, though she couldn't help but wish that two of them could have been filled with blood. However, considering the risk involved, she dismissed the thought quickly. Placing the filled glasses on a tray, she returned to the living room, distributing one to each person with a warm smile.

"Let's toast to family," Bella proposed, a glimmer of happiness in her eyes as they all raised their glasses and clinked them together.

After taking a sip from her glass, Renee interjected, her voice filled with affectionate playfulness, "No, let's toast to the birthday girl!" The glasses chimed once again as they joined in a second round of celebratory clinks, honoring Bella on her special day.

"How long will you guys be visiting Italy? You will, of course, stay in our guest room while you are in the Florence area," Bella inquired, hoping her mom could make it a long visit.

"We got an open-ended ticket, but I think we'll stay for about a week, maybe a bit longer," Renee said, her smile directed at Phil. "Neither Phil nor I have ever been to Italy, and after listening to all your stories throughout the years, we couldn't resist the opportunity to see it while we're still young enough to enjoy traveling all over the country." Renee's words were filled with anticipation and excitement as she expressed their eagerness to explore Italy.

"I know you guys will absolutely love Italy. But before you start venturing out to all the major cities, let's spend some quality time together. We can show you around Florence and all its wonders," Bella suggested warmly. "And if you're interested, we'd be delighted to show you our publishing house as well. Garrett and I are incredibly proud of what we've built in such a short time."

"That sounds fantastic, Bella," Renee replied, her enthusiasm evident. "We'd absolutely love to see where you work and learn more about your publishing company."

Bella inquired, "Are you guys jet-lagged at all?"

Renee shook her head and explained, "No, actually, we pretty much slept the whole way here. Have you been on these new planes, Bella? Instead of regular seats, they had sleeping compartments that everyone could go into. We had a dual compartment, so we slept comfortably for the majority of the journey. It was incredibly private." Renee's smile widened, clearly relishing the memory. "We're both wide awake, and it's still the afternoon, so if you'd like to show us anything, we're ready to explore."

"We've heard of those types of planes but have never been in one yet," Bella said. "How about we show you our business, and then we can go out for dinner?"

"Great," Renee replied with enthusiasm. Then she turned to Bella and asked, "Can you point me to the restroom, honey?"

As Bella led Renee to the restroom, Renee leaned in and whispered to her, a mischievous smile gracing her face. "You know what else was nice about the plane's sleeping compartments. It allowed us to join the mile-high club."

Bella couldn't help but burst into laughter. "That sounds about right, Mom," she replied, amusement evident in her voice. "It's definitely a fun experience. Welcome to the club." Bella winked, causing Renee to laugh along, sharing in the lighthearted moment.

After Bella showed her where the bathroom was, she quickly sent a text message to Alice on her phone.

Bella: Thanks for the heads up, Alice. Sorry I was short with you before. You just caught me at a bad time, as you well know. Is there anything I need to watch out for during Renee and Phil's trip?

Bella didn't have to wait at all as Alice's reply to instantly appeared.

Alice: I totally understand. I didn't really want to call, but not doing so would have caused issues. I don't see any problems with their visit. From what I can see, everyone has a great time. Have fun!

Bella: Thanks, Alice.

Bella could hear Renee exiting the bathroom and pausing in the hallway.

"Bella, come here for a second, honey," Renee called out.

Bella walked into the hallway and noticed Renee examining one of her paintings.

"This painting is quite intriguing, Bella. I can tell it's your style, so I know you painted it. It's so unique. What inspired you to create a piece like this?" Renee asked curiously.

Bella realized that she and Garrett hadn't managed to completely conceal all the unusual pieces in the house. While the painting itself didn't reveal their secret, it did raise some questions. Bella gazed at the artwork she had created and felt a sense of pride. It depicted her flying through the forest, her hair trailing behind her, and the smile on her face capturing the exhilaration of her flight.

"I had a dream one night where I was flying through the forest," Bella explained, trying to provide an explanation that was partially truthful. "It felt incredibly real, and the freedom I experienced while flying was indescribable. I felt compelled to capture that moment in a painting. I know it's unconventional, but I genuinely love the painting. It serves as a constant reminder of the feeling the dream provoked."

"Oh no, honey. I wasn't criticizing the painting. I absolutely love it," Renee quickly reassured Bella. "In fact, I've had dreams where I was flying too. How I wish they were reality. The feeling of soaring through the air is just incredible. Well, at least we can experience it in our dreams."

Renee gave Bella's arm a gentle squeeze, and they both walked back to join the others, preparing to leave. Bella couldn't help but wish she could take her mom on an actual flight, but she knew that was a big no-no.

With everyone ready, they climbed into Bella and Garrett's car and embarked on their journey to visit Swan Publishing. Bella's anticipation grew as she looked forward to showing her mom what she and Garrett had built from the ground up.

"I've always been curious, which of the books we've published have been your favorites?" Bella asked, her voice filled with genuine interest. Over the years, she had made it a point to send a copy of each book they published to Renee, Phil, Charlie, and the Cullens, wanting to share their literary accomplishments with their loved ones.

"I absolutely loved 'Shadows in the Halls'; it was captivating from beginning to end," Renee exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement.

Phil chimed in with a sheepish grin, saying, "I have to admit, 'Chrono Kids' really got me hooked. It may be marketed towards kids, but I couldn't put it down."

Bella smiled warmly at Phil's confession. "No need to feel that way, Phil. 'Chrono Kids' has gained popularity across all age groups. In fact, we're currently in discussions with a studio to turn both 'Chrono Kids' books into movies."

"I hope it works out," Phil replied with enthusiasm. "It would be so exciting to see their interpretation of time travel on the big screen. The way it's described in the books is mind-bending."

Bella and Garrett took great pleasure in giving Renee and Phil a full tour of their publishing house. The vibrant energy of the workplace filled the air as they walked through the various departments, each showcasing a unique aspect of the book publishing process.

As they strolled through the bustling corridors, Bella and Garrett introduced Renee and Phil to their dedicated team members, who were busy at work in their respective roles. From proof readers meticulously checking over manuscripts to designers bringing book covers to life, Renee and Phil gained insight into the collaborative efforts that made each publication a reality.

One department that particularly caught Renee's attention was the art department. Walls adorned with vibrant illustrations and concept sketches showcased the artistic journey behind each book's cover design. Renee's eyes lit up with curiosity as she explored the array of different cover options considered before the final choice was made.

"It's fascinating to see the creative process behind the covers," Renee exclaimed, her excitement evident. "I had no idea so much thought and creativity goes into finding the perfect visual representation for a book. It must be a tough decision to select just one!"

Bella smiled, proud to share this part of their publishing journey with her mother. "It is, Mom. The art department plays a crucial role in capturing the essence of a story through visual imagery. They collaborate closely with the authors and the marketing team to ensure the cover represents the heart and soul of the book. It's a true testament to the power of art in storytelling."

Their tour continued, with Bella and Garrett explaining the intricate workflows and showcasing the diverse talents of their team. It was a delight to witness the genuine interest and appreciation on Renee and Phil's faces as they absorbed the inner workings of the publishing world.

After their visit to the publishing house concluded, it was time to take Renee and Phil out to dinner. Bella turned to Renee and Phil, eager to know their culinary preferences.

"So, what type of restaurant would you like to try?" Bella inquired, happy to take them where ever they desired.

Renee's face lit up with a smile as she responded, "We would really like to experience fine Italian dining."

Garrett couldn't help but join the conversation, a playful twinkle in his eyes. "Well, Renee, you're in luck. Bella is not only a connoisseur of Italian cuisine but she also knows all the best restaurants."

"Absolutely, I know the perfect place," Bella replied confidently. "I happen to know the Maître d', so let me give them a call and see if we can secure a table without a reservation."

Bella retrieved her phone from her purse and dialed the number of one of the finest Italian restaurants in Florence. This establishment had become Bella's go-to spot whenever she had meetings with humans for her business, as it consistently delivered a memorable dining experience for her guests.

Bella greeted the Maître d' as she heard his courteous tone on the other end. "Buonasera. Qui parla Isabella Sterns. Come state oggi?" she began, her voice exuding warmth. "Sono consapevole che sia un preavviso breve, ma speravo di poter prenotare un tavolo per quattro persone senza preavviso. I miei genitori sono arrivati inaspettatamente dall'America per sorprendermi nel giorno del mio 40º compleanno."

The Maître d' reciprocated her well wishes and birthday greetings. "Buon compleanno, signora Sterns. Certamente possiamo ospitare il vostro gruppo. Quando prevedete di arrivare?" he inquired, his voice carrying a sense of professionalism.

"Grazie mille." Bella expressed her gratitude. "Siamo a circa mezz'ora di distanza."

Reassurance came from the Maître d' on the other end. "Non preoccupatevi. Avremo un tavolo pronto per voi quando arriverete." he assured her, his tone assuaging any concerns.

"Grazie ancora." Bella replied with genuine appreciation. She was delighted to have secured a table at such short notice, grateful for the Maître d's assistance in making her parents stay even more memorable.

To cultivate a strong relationship, Bella made it a habit to provide signed copies of all her books to the Maître d', which he would then pass on to his family.

"We're all set, and I must say I'm absolutely famished," Bella exclaimed, shooting a playful wink at Garrett as they made their way back to the car. "I didn't even have a chance to grab lunch today. Before you two surprised us, let's just say I was deeply engrossed in some... intensive cleaning and dusting duties. It was quite a relief for Garrett," Bella added, her voice laced with a playful undertone, as she caught Garrett trying hard to stifle his laughter.

As they drove to the restaurant, Bella gazed at the sun, which would soon be setting. She felt an overwhelming sense of relief, knowing that she had truly mastered her ability to stop the sun's rays from causing vampires to sparkle. Now, both she and Garrett could spend the entire day outside without any concerns about her shield holding up. It was a freedom that allowed her to enjoy precious moments like this with her mom under the daytime sky. Bella realized the countless experiences she and Garrett would have missed out on if she hadn't acquired and mastered this ability.

Lately, Bella had been focused on refining her shielding to protect others even when she wasn't present. However, a new objective started to form in her mind. She wondered if it was possible to selectively slice off a portion of her shield that specifically blocked the harmful rays of the sun, while still maintaining its effectiveness in her absence. This revelation ignited a fresh wave of determination within her. Bella was eager to embark on this new phase of testing as soon as her mom departed, excited about the possibilities it could unlock not only for her and Garrett but also for her friends and family.

As they entered the restaurant, Bella's mom was immediately enchanted by its elegance and sophistication. Bella felt a sense of satisfaction knowing that the establishment was upscale enough to omit the prices of the dishes from the menu. She was determined to shoulder all expenses, regardless of the cost, and she couldn't help but be grateful that there would be no need for any uncomfortable discussions or disagreements about the dining bill with her mom or Phil, especially if they knew what a hefty price tag it was to be dining in such a luxurious setting.

They had a great meal, or at least Renee and Phil did. Bella and Garrett were charged approximately $400 each for the pleasure of going to the bathroom later and throwing everything up. "Oh well," Bella thought with a tinge of irony.

Upon arriving home, it was just past 7:00, and the sun had nearly completed its descent. Bella asked Garrett to take Renee and Phil's bags to the guest room on the first floor. Meanwhile, she guided her mom and Phil into the living room. Despite the long day they had both experienced, Bella had expected them to be exhausted. Surprisingly, both Renee and Phil appeared wide awake. Being vampires who didn't require sleep, Bella was grateful for the opportunity to continue her conversation with them.

"So, what are you guys most excited to see in your travels around Italy?" Bella asked, her enthusiasm evident. "If you don't mind, I would love to show you around Rome and the Vatican. Both Garrett and I have been there numerous times and can be the perfect travel guides for you."

"We would absolutely love that, honey, but won't you and Garrett be busy with your business?" Renee inquired, not wanting to interfere with her daughter's hectic schedule.

"Don't worry about that. We've set up the business to ensure the office can run smoothly without our constant presence. But more importantly, I want to be there with you and share this experience as a family," Bella reassured her mother. "This is your first and perhaps only time in Italy, and I wouldn't want to miss it."

"In that case, both Phil and I would be thrilled to see whatever you and Garrett have in store for us, honey," Renee replied warmly, her excitement growing.

They had been engaged in conversation for about half an hour when Bella's keen ears caught the distant sound of a car approaching. Curiosity piqued, she wondered who could be visiting as there were no planned visitors for the day. Casting a subtle glance at Garrett, she silently conveyed her confusion, and he mirrored her puzzlement.

As the car drew nearer, Bella's sensitive hearing failed to detect any accompanying human heartbeats, indicating that their visitor was a vampire. A flicker of concern crossed her face as she glanced at her mom and Phil, contemplating the potential risks. While she could defend them easily in case of any trouble, the only real concern she had were the risks of exposure for her mom and Phil to the supernatural world. A car door opened and closed, and soon after, the doorbell chimed, signaling the arrival of their unexpected guest.

"I wonder who that could be. You keep sharing your story with Garrett, Phil, and I'll go see who's at the door," Bella said, rising from her seat.

She made her way down the hallway to the front door. As she swung open the door, she was shocked to see none other than Aro Volturi standing in front of her.