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Bella - BPOV

Aro smiles at my words, and I can see the pride in his eyes as he says: "My beautiful daughter with her big heart… you make me so proud. Are you ready for the meeting, Bella? I can hear Jane coming down the hallway to get us."

Bella – BPOV

I smile as I nod my head and say: "Yes, papà. Let's get this settled so all of us can leave the past where it belongs." I don't wait for his reaction as I move to open the door for Jane, who smiles at me softly before saying: "Your presence is wanted in the throne room, Master Aro. Master Caius is getting rather impatient."

Aro rolls his eyes as he directs everyone out of his study and says: "An impatient Caius is seldom a good thing. Let's make our way to the throne room before he becomes even more intolerable than he already is. That wouldn't work in Carlisle's favor. I can guarantee that." And with that said, Aro rushes toward the throne room, the rest of us following closely behind. I barely stifle a giggle as Caius lets out an exasperated sigh when we enter the throne room and says: "Finally! Rome was built more quickly. What took you so long, Aro?"

Aro shakes his head as he moves to his throne while saying: "And people still dare to call me the overdramatic one. The meeting was scheduled for 10 o'clock, dear brother, and it is now 10:05. You give the citizens of Rome too much credit. Didn't Marcus inform you about our findings regarding Major Whitlock's bloodline? It more than warrants the small delay, don't you think?" I snicker as Caius crosses his arms with a huff and says: "You're annoying when you're right, Aro, even more so than usual."

Aro chuckles as he places his hand on Caius's shoulder and says: "I love you too, brother. Now, let's tell the Cullens our wonderful news. Major Whitlock, would you like the honor of revealing the truth about your bloodline?" Jasper smiles brightly as he bows his head and says: "I would love to, Master." I snicker as the rest of his response gets interrupted by a confused Carlisle as he steps forward and says: "What are they talking about, Jasper? Didn't Rose find that all your family members had died when she researched your bloodline a few decades ago."

Jasper nods as he turns to look at Carlisle and says: "That is what it looked like, but when Eleazar noticed an extremely rare similarity between my gift and Bella's, we had every reason to check her research. The archives here in Volterra hold all the possible information they could find on a vampire's human life, and I can't thank Master Marcus enough for building these archives over the years. Without them, I would have never known that my sister died in childbirth while my nephew survived. Bella is a direct descendant of my sister. She might be a Volturi by marriage, but she is a Whitlock by blood."

Rose gasps for unneeded air as she moves to stand next to Carlisle and says: "But how? I never found a record of her pregnancy, let alone the birth of a Whitlock baby boy on the same day your sister died. Oh god, Jasper, I'm so sorry. You must hate me for missing this. We made you abandon the only real family you had left."

Jasper shakes his head as Rose lets out a loud sob, and I smile softly as he rushes over to hug her while saying: "Rose, I could never hate you. You are my sister in every way than blood, and I love you. We can't change the past; you know that better than anyone. It makes us who we are today. You don't know how prior knowledge of our connection would have altered the future. We would have made other decisions, and Bella might have never ended up here in Volterra to meet Demetri. Let's say that everything worked out for the best in the end."

Demetri - DPOV

I growl softly as I pull Bella into my arms when Jasper mentions an alternative timeline where my loving mate wouldn't have ended up in Volterra. Bella giggles as she wraps her arms around me and says: "It sure did. I can't imagine a life without Demetri by my side. The mere thought of living without him is hell on earth. I'm happier than I have ever been, Rose. The road might not have been the easiest, but I would walk the exact same road again if someone gave me the choice. Demetri is all I need. He's my Emmett."

Rose smiles as she nods her head and says: "I still want to apologize, Bella. And if you won't let me apologize for messing up my research, then let me apologize for being an absolute bitch to you all those months ago. You never saw the monsters we can be but focused on the persons we are. I'm sorry for not giving you the same courtesy. You are a special woman, Bella. I should have known that fate had a plan for you."

Emmett smiles widely as he walks up to Rosalie and pulls her close before saying: "There's my Rosie. See, being nice isn't that hard." We all laugh hard as Rosalie swats his head playfully and says: "You're lucky I love you, Emmett McCarthy." Emmett grins widely as he leans down to kiss her and says: "I have been the luckiest man on this earth since the day you found me. I love you too, babe."

Aro smiles softly as he claps his hands and says: "Another step in the right direction! I often wondered these last few days if you were going to see the error in your ways, Mrs. Cullen, and I'm pleased to hear that you did. You might still all make it out of here alive after all. Carlisle, my dear friend, do you have something to add?"

Carlisle lets out a big sigh as he wraps his arm around Esme and says: "I don't even know where to begin, my friend. I have failed Bella in so many ways. I should have never listened to Edward in the first place. I called her my daughter, and then I abandoned her. I left her behind, and I didn't look back. I don't deserve to be her father, and I most certainly don't deserve her forgiveness, but I'll spend the rest of eternity trying to make amends. I meant what I said to Edward. We love Bella, and we only want what's best for her, and that's a life with her true mate here in Volterra. We will stand by her and Demetri whenever they need us to. She might no longer see us as her family, but she will always be a daughter to me."

I can see the venom tears pooling in Esme's eyes as she nods her head in agreement and says: "We will accept whatever punishment you deem necessary. God knows we deserve it." Bella swallows inaudibly as Emmett and Rose move to stand next to Carlisle and Esme and say: "As will we."

Caius huffs as he rolls his eyes and says: "Just like you have any other choice than to accept our ruling." His eyes turn a shade darker as he glares at Jasper and Alice and says: "And you? Aren't you going to plead your case, Major? Or are you hoping that your blood connection with Bella will give you immunity?"

Jasper shakes his head as he intertwines his fingers with Alice's and says: "Not at all, Master Caius. We broke the law, and the fact that Bella is my family doesn't change that. If anything, it inspires us to do better by her from now on. Alice and I offered our services to the Volturi this morning. Master Aro still has to determine the period, but we will serve as long as he sees fit. We will never fail Bella again."

I snicker as Caius turns to Aro and says: "So, you finally get what you've wanted for a long time: the Major and a seer to join our ranks. If I didn't know better, I would say you planned this all along, brother. Now, what will we do with the rest of them?"

Bella looks a bit worried as she leans her head against my shoulder, and I chuckle as a wave of reassurance washes over us. Bella smiles softly as she gives Jasper an almost imperceptible nod, and I can't help but feel grateful that he is Bella's true family. I'm going to like having Jasper around.

Bella – BPOV

My worries vanish as Jasper's reassurance washes over me, and I smile brightly as I send him my love and thankfulness in return. He's the best brother a girl could ever ask for, and I'm so happy that he and Alice decided to stay in Italy. The Volturi will forever be my family, but Jasper is so much more. He is blood, and I can't even imagine living forever without him near. It makes me wonder if our bond somehow became stronger since we found out the truth.

My attention gets pulled back to the matter at hand as Aro claps his hands and says: "Carlisle Cullen, you and your family were summoned before us to stand trial for exposing our existence to a human. You left that human behind alive with that knowledge. By doing so, you broke our most important law. We acknowledge that you were misled by your son, Edward Cullen. He was found guilty and punished for the crimes he committed. You showed us your loyalty by standing by my daughter and her mate, and it will be your love for Bella that will be your salvation in the end. Jasper and Alice Whitlock, please step forward."

Demetri gently squeezes my hand as I inadvertently hold my breath while Jasper and Alice take a step forward and bow their head in submission. Aro nods appreciatively as he moves to stand in front of them and says: "Jasper Whitlock, the memories of your family members have shown me that you were one of the few who fought the decision to leave Bella behind. It still puzzles me that a decision of that magnitude didn't trigger a vision to show Alice the aftermath. The only explanation I can think of is that Bella's path was predetermined, and she is now exactly where she's supposed to be. We accept your offer to join the Volturi ranks as punishment for breaking the law. You and your mate will serve for twenty years, starting on the day Bella masters her gift. You will report to Demetri when that day comes."

I sigh in relief as Jasper and Alice step back in line with the rest of the family while Caius gives Aro an approving nod. The relief, however, is short-lived as Aro claps his hands and says: "Emmett and Rosalie Cullen, please step forward." I wring my hands as Emmett and Rose move to stand in front of Aro, and I raise my brow questioningly as they both kneel. Demetri chuckles as he leans down and whispers: "Kneeling is a sign of reverence and submission when done toward royalty upon meeting them. Sometimes I forget how young you truly are, amore mio. You would have been the most beautiful princess ever."

Aro smiles as he nods his head in agreement and says: "You would have indeed, mia figlia. Now, let us continue." I take another deep breath as Aro turns to look at the two vampires in front of him and says: "Emmett Cullen, your memories have shown me how the choice between not leaving Bella behind or following your mate's wishes nearly tore you apart inside. In the end, you did what was most expected. You followed Rosalie, even though deep down you knew it was the wrong thing to do. You loved Bella as if she was your real sister, and you still do.

Rosalie Cullen, you chose to refuse the friendship and kinship that Bella so freely offered you. I know from your memories that you don't give your trust easily, which is understandable, but that attitude has also cost you many friendships over the years. And it almost cost you the love of your mate when you demanded that he leave his sister behind. Your bond was strained when you first arrived here. Marcus can attest to that, but it has blossomed since you apologized to Bella. Emmett loves you very much, but he also loves his little sister. So never take the wishes of your mate for granted, young one."

I can feel the venom tears pooling in my eyes as Rosalie lets out a loud sob and throws herself into Emmett's arms while saying: "Oh my god, Em, I'm so sorry. Why didn't you say anything? Why didn't you call me out on my behavior?" Emmett smiles softly as he leans down to kiss the top of her head and says: "I would fetch you the moon if you asked me to, Rosie. I know better than anyone how hard it is for you to trust new people. It took you more than six months to let me in, and I'm your mate. I couldn't force you to love Bella, and it hurt me when you demanded we leave her as Edward wanted. But it was what you wanted, and you mean the world to me."

Rosalie lets out another sob as she hugs Emmett even closer and says: "You're too good for me, Emmett. I love you so much. I understand now what you were trying to tell me yesterday. We'll serve our sentence, and if Bella still wants anything to do with us after that, we'll stay here in Italy. She's family." I watch with big eyes as Emmett takes a step back and stares at Rose in total disbelief and chuckle as he whispers: "You mean that? You would do that for me?"

Rose nods as she cups his cheek and says: "I would move mountains for you, Emmett Cullen. And it's the least I can do after how I treated you and Bella." Emmett smiles brightly as he leans down to kiss Rosalie, just as Aro claps his hands and says: "You keep taking steps in the right direction. There is hope for you after all. You are lucky that my daughter is the most loving and forgiving person on earth. Otherwise your idea was doomed to fail. Bella is not the person to stay mad at you forever."

I smile as I nod my head in agreement. Aro is right, I'm not mad at them anymore. Some where these last few days, I've forgiven them for abandoning me all those months ago. I'm a Volturi now, but the Cullens will always be an important part of my life as well.

Demetri - DPOV

I know my wife well enough to know that Aro's statement is spot on, and I can't help but smile when she nods her head in agreement with his words. I wonder what their punishment is going to be tough. I chuckle as Caius voices my thought out loud and says: "Get on with it, Aro. They still need to be punished."

Aro smiles as he rolls his eyes at his brother and says: "As if I would forget the most important part. Emmett Cullen, you will join our guard for twenty-five years. Felix will teach you how to use your strength, and you will help Alec implement our new surveillance system. Your technical skills are just what we need. You are to report to Felix first thing tomorrow morning. Rosalie Cullen, you will also serve us for twenty-five years. You will help my brother Marcus with his work in the archives, and when needed, you will help Santiago down in the garage. I've seen in your thoughts that you're quite the skilled mechanic. You will report to Jane at nine o'clock tomorrow morning, and she will escort you to the archives."

Bella heaves another sigh of relief as Emmett and Rosalie get back in line with the Cullens, and I chuckle when she puts her head on my shoulder and whispers: "Twenty-five years surrounded by books; where's the punishment in that?" Marcus laughs hard at her words, while Aro chuckles and says: "Not everyone loves books as much as you do, mia figlia. For Caius, it would be a punishment worse than death."

We all smile as Caius throws Aro a death glare and says: "I'm not the one on trial, Aro. Get a move on." Aro smiles as he shakes his head and says: "So impatient, my brother. But you are right, of course. You are not the one on trial." He then turns back to look at Carlisle and says: "Carlisle and Esme Cullen, please step forward."

I feel Bella tense up as Carlisle and Esme step forward and kneel, just as Emmett and Rosalie did. I quickly wrap my arm around her shoulder and pull her close to me. She does have the biggest heart. Not many vampires I know would be willing to forgive the Cullens for what they did, and most certainly not so soon after the facts. If my mate lets you into her heart, you're in there forever, and that trait makes me love her even more.

Aro smiles softly as Bella leans into my embrace, but his eyes harden as he turns back to look at Carlisle and Esme and says: "You disappointed me, old friend."

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