My dearest Sam.

How long has it been? I never thought I'd see or hear from you again. I don't even know why I am writing this, my aunt said it would help if I wrote a letter to you. but what do I say to a person I may never see again? I guess- I guess I can say this.

Sam, you are on my mind and in my heart. You have always been. I remember the wonderful times we had climbing trees and eating bread.

I still have my necklace. I wear it every day and have never taken it off. And of course, I still have my stuffed animal.

I miss you, Sam. I truly do.

Your friend, Isabella Aka "Izzy"

….

Dear Sam,

How are you? how is your dad? How has life been treating you?

I pray you are happy Sam.

You deserve nothing but happiness.

I think about you every day. Thinking about you cheers me up.

Sometimes my days are long especially recently. Let's just say my position has changed and more responsibilities have been on my shoulders.

I just hope the same hasn't happened to you. live each day with a spirit of joy Sam.

Your friend, Isabella.

….

Dear Sam,

How old is too young to fall in love? We were 12 and 13 when we met.

Can two silly kids find the one they are supposed to be with at that age?

I don't know Sam but I have always held you in my heart.

Hey sam? What's life like on the outside?

I've been to many countries but I haven't been to the United States since I left there when I was six years old.

I know every inch of my family's castle, cottages, and guest homes. But..i truly don't get out much.

And when I do it's with my family by my side at all times. And most of that is for work.

I dream of beaches and the taste of sea salt on my tongue.

I dream of you, Sam.

Love, your Isabella.

Samuel sniffed the paper and felt everything in him calm.

It was Izzy's scent. He never thought he'd smell her scent again. And the redhead. He remembered her clearly. She had called him a puppy once.

But it was the fact that Izzy still thought of him.

He thought about her all the time. and just like she said in her letter, he never thought they'd be in contact ever again.

"hey, lover boy…" an annoying voice called.

Samuel looked up to see the redhead. Her eyes glowed red in the darkness.

"where is izzy." He questioned

"You are gonna have to open those ears. These letters are the only thing you will get from Izzy. You will just have to accept that. Besides both, you live very complicated lives anyway."

"you don't know a thing about my life," Samuel growled.

The redhead, gave him a somber look as she jumped down from the tree and held her hands up.

"Actually I do. I know you know I've been watching you and you've been allowing me to for a while, haven't you? I've seen what your life is like. You do everything for everybody else. You are everything to everyone else but you do nothing for yourself. You pretend to be this cold-hearted jerk but deep down you have a pure heart. You and Isabella would be an awesome couple, and I can say you would love her from the bottom of your heart. But it's not going to happen. So just give me the letters you wrote to her and I'll be back in a few months. We will meet here. I'll see you in a few months lover boy."

And with that said, she was gone.

And for some reason, Samuel held the hope in his heart that he would see Izzy again.

…..

"Aro, can we talk?"

Aro looked up from his paperwork to see Carlisle standing in the doorway.

The Cullens had been residing with the Volturi for two months and 10 days.

Surprisingly, they had been amicable. Aro knew that while he may enjoy the Doctor's presence, not everyone felt the same way. but Aro made sure to thank his family for their patience and understanding.

"Carlisle! Yes! come in! come in!"

He did so and sat in the seat across from him.

"is everything to your liking? Does anything need to be changed?" Aro asked.

"Everything is perfect my friend. I couldn't ask for better! As always you constantly remind me that you are the richer of the two!"

Aro laughed and said "Of course I am my friend, I have lived longer than you. now.. what would you like to discuss."

"Well, I wanted to discuss Princess Isabella."

…..

"ABSOLUTELY NOT!" Caius roared as he threw a table into the wall.

Aro sighed as he stood waiting for his brother to calm down.

He had called an emergency family meeting and the only one not here yet was Victoria. Matter of fact she hadn't shown her face for at least two months and he didn't remember sending her on a mission.

" I have to agree with Caius on this one. Aro this a prosperous idea!" Sculpia sneered.

The family was divided.

" why would we put her through this Aro!" Didyme yelled

Aro opened his mouth to say something but a sharp whistle caused them all to turn.

"Now that we are all arguing like children. Everyone needs to sit down. We will do what we always do. We will discuss the issue at hand. But this time I think it is best we invite Isabella into the conversation."

Aro and Caius tried to object but Marcus silenced them. Everyone seemed to forget that Marcus was the older of the three brothers.

" I call this family meeting into order. Victoria will have to be informed later since she is not here.-"

"I'm here." A voice spoke.

Everyone turned to see Victoria. She was sitting on the window sill.

"Please continue lord Marcus."

With that said the family debate began once again.

…..

Isabella was quick to flip the omelet and place it over the rice.

"Now I just need the ketchup." She said aloud.

"here ya go." A voice said as a bottle of ketchup appeared out of thin air.

"Thanks, Emmett." She said nonchalantly

"Hey! How did you know we were here?" he questioned.

Isabella looked up to see the Cullen siblings sitting at the dining room table. Afton stood in the background looking annoyed.

"Emmett I've lived with vampires since I was six years old. trust me I am not your average human."

"huh, don't you find it weird? Being around our kind? I mean no offense but your food smells horrible and your kind moves slow, plus your insides are really loud-"

"that is enough." A snarl sounded. It was Afton. But before he could continue Isabella held up a hand.

"Afton it's alright. no offense has been taken. Now Emmett as you were asking, no, none of it bothers me. the same as you going to high school over and over again. you've done it so much you just get used to it."

"I guess I can see your point. So watcha eatin, it smells horrible."

Isabella laughed and lightly punched Emmett in the arm.

"It is called omurice, it's an omelet over fried rice. I don't eat meat so I have to find other sources of protein. Eggs are a great filler for that."

"Where did you learn to cook? Don't you have servants for that?" Alice asked.

" I mean you are the princess of the vampire world. Shouldn't people be waiting on you hand and foot?"

Isabella gave Alice a bewildered look.

"uh, no. The Volturi is my family. No one is my servant. The guards protect me because they want to not just because they have a duty. My parents cook for me often because they want to. Not because they have to. They could have hired a chef but they didn't. they took the time to learn what a human needs because they wanted to. So to answer your question. No, no one waits on me. I may be the princess but I was raised to depend on no one."

"oh…sorry, I just assumed." Alice apologized.

"no need. you're not the first person to that assumption. So have you all enjoyed your stay? Have you seen the sights?" Isabella asked.

" you know we haven't really gone out. would you care to show us around? We would really enjoy getting to know you more." Edward stated as he looked at her.

Isabella kept her face neutral when he spoke. Not wanting to give anything away.

But deep down, she had no clue how to feel about Edward and the supposed connection they were supposed to have.

Before she could say anything, Jane and Victoria were next to her.

"isa! There you are! I knew I smelled omurice!"Jane greeted.

" Hey J! Aunt Vicky your back!"

"of course I am sweetheart, I am way too cool to get rid of." Victoria purred. "if you don't mind, I need to kidnap you."

"Sure! Um, would all like a tour of the city say about in an hour?" Isabella questioned the Cullen siblings.

"but it's dark out?" Alice questioned.

"haven't you heard Alice? The freaks come out at night. See you in an hour."

With that said Isabella put her food in the fridge and followed her aunt and best friend out the door.

….

"so what's up icky Vicky?" Isabella asked when she sat down in her office chair.

"Jane, could you give us a moment?" Victoria asked as she turned to Jane.

"Sure, I'll go get the cars ready."

As soon as Jane was gone, Victoria pulled up a chair and had a very serious look on her face.

"so…I have a late birthday gift for you."

It was then Victoria pulled out a thick envelope.

Isabella took it from her and opened it.

As soon as she did, a wave of a familiar scent hit her. immediately a flashback played in her mind.

" Que Quowle" [stay with me forever] Samuel told her with yellow tear-filled eyes.

"My Sam. You will always be my Sam."

"Sam. My sam." Isabella whispered with tears in her eyes. "Aunt Vicky how-"

"it doesn't matter. just know that anytime you want to talk to him. I'll be more than happy to be your little messenger. I told your lover boy, that I would be back in a few months. So, have your letters ready for him."

Isabella tried to wipe the tears away but they wouldn't stop pouring out.

She was pulled into cold arms as Victoria held her.

" oh, don't you cry now little warrior? You have to be strong."

Isabella shook her head and pushed her aunt away.

"be strong? Yeah right. I have to rule the vampire world and end my life in the next two years. I don't get the privilege to be strong."

"You gonna have to find a way." her aunt said softly.

"yeah. I know. Can I have some time to read these?"

"no mam, you gonna have to read those in private. You did offer to tour the Cullens around. I say you go get dressed and I'll go round up your security detail."

….

Jasper Hale had no idea how to react or respond, to humans their kings had made their next leader.

How was he supposed to respect a human and a girl no less?

What capabilities did she have to lead?

Just from his observations, she seemed nice and sure she had a backbone. She didn't let Rosalie get away with her disrespect but what else?

Maybe the real reason he was feeling uncomfortable around her was because he couldn't feel her emotions. Nor could he manipulate them.

It was almost as if the girl didn't exist.

A growl from the front of the group made Jasper look up.

Edward was giving him a disapproving look.

I have a right to my thoughts. Shove it if you don't like them.

Jasper made sure to tune back to what was going on in front of him.

The princess was currently giving them a tour of Volterra, showing them all the different sites and history.

He was impressed because it seemed she knew what she was talking about.

As they continued on, they stopped in the town square near a fountain.

"let's sit here for a few minutes. You all may not have to sit for a while but I do." The princess laughed. "I am going to grab a snack from the food cart. I'll be back. Afton, Santiago stay where you are. Signor Alessio Is a kind soul."

She then walked to a food cart and began a conversation with the older human who seemed happy at her presence.

With the princess occupied Jasper made his way over to Edward.

"jazzy, I can see you!" his mate sang as she tackled him from behind.

"And just what do you see me doin' darlin?" he questioned with a smile.

"I see you and Edward getting into a fight. Just drop it for now jazzy."

" no. Alice, he needs to understand what he's doing to this girl. What he's getting himself into. He will wind up killing 's unfair to her and to him."

Before Alice could respond, a voice interrupted them.

"Jasper?"

He turned to see the princess looking at him with innocent eyes.

"yes, princess?"

"care to walk with me? I have something I think you'll like to see."

A little confused Jasper followed her.

They walked for ten minutes before she stopped.

They were standing in front of a statue.

"This is a memorial statue dedicated to one of your kind. His name was Gregory. He came to Italy to start a new life. He was human when he came here. He got a job as a security guard for the streets, just keeping an eye on tourists and the shops. Anyway, one night, we had a few nomads roll in and of course, they were causing trouble. They got to Gregory before the guard could stop them and he changed. But the surprising thing was, even after everything he had been through Gregory didn't change on the inside. He was able to get his job back but he only worked nights. He controlled his bloodlust and was just as kind as before. And then a fire struck, in the town square in one of the shops. The fire department would take a minute to get there, so Gregory rushed in and saved every life in the shop that day. I was amongst them. He saved me just before the building collapsed. Gregory didn't make it out. anyway, I guess I said all that to say is don't judge a cover by its book."

"I guess you've sensed how standoffish I've been huh?" Jasper admitted.

"yeah, at least I could tell you were uncomfortable. It doesn't surprise me because I make most humans and vampires uncomfortable. I told you that story because I wanted you to see that being what you are, a vampire or the god of war, or the major none of it changes who you are. And neither does my being human and your gift affects who we are on the inside."

Jasper stared at the girl before him in amazement.

"How did you know who I was?" he asked

"If I am going to rule over the vampire world I have to know my history don't I?"

It was then Jasper felt something like a blanket of warmth cover him. it felt like a blanket of acceptance.

"Woah, what was that?" he questioned.

"I don't know, but it felt like my energy was just depleted. Uhh." the princess said as she rubbed her chest.

"hey now, let's get back to the others. We don't want your guard to freak out."

"yeah, hey Jasper can this stay between us?"

" of course princess, I've been guarding my thoughts for eons. Oh and by the way..thank you. I may not be able to feel your emotions but I can see with my eyes. you have a kind soul."

"prego"

….

Isabella laughed at something Rosalie said as the group walked into the castle.

It seemed the ice queen of the group had mellowed out some.

"welcome back princess." Demetri greeted.

"thank you, Dem. Uh-oh, you have that look. What's going on?" Isabella asked.

"nothing bad, it's just that the kings and Queens want to see all of you in the conference room."

" at midnight?" Isabella questioned.

"yes, mam."

….

Victoria gave her niece a somber look once everyone had arrived and sat down.

Alistair had the same look as he stood by a nearby window.

No one was truly happy.

Of course, being the patient person she was, her niece sat and waited for someone to speak.

"figlia, did you enjoy your time in the square? I know you rarely get to go?" didyme asked.

Victoria rolled her eyes. Of course, they would try to stall.

"it was nice mama. Are we going to talk about the elephant in the room or ignore it."

With that said Marcus spoke.

"sweetheart, the family has come to a decision. Dr Cullen and his wife have made a gracious offer that we think would benefit you greatly and help enhance your capabilities as a leader.-"

A hiss was sounded from multiple occupants in the room but Victoria kept her mouth shut.

" We agreed that you would start your college studies here at the university but...we feel it may be best that you study abroad. That way you can gain some more understanding of how covens work outside of ours. We think this will be good for you and it give some of the other covens a chance to get to know you while not feeling intimidated by our presence."

Victoria studied her niece but she didn't give anything away. not even her heart rate changed.

"for how long?" Isabella asked with a firm voice.

"until your nineteenth birthday. With the stipulation that you come home for every holiday and every summer." Aro ordered in a serious voice.

"and in regards to your security. we have chosen a member outside our coven."

Hisses from herself and Alistar were heard. Just because they knew didn't mean they still liked the plan.

However, the immature mind reader stood up and roared.

"NO! THAT VILE SCUM WILL NOT COME NEAR MY MATE!"

"YOU WILL SILENCE YOURSELF CHILD!" Caius roared.

"Carlisle I suggest you talk to this infant about what it truly means to be a mate! You are one of the big reasons why we chose this person to protect her in the first place. We need someone who isn't familiar with Isabella. Therefore their only duty will be to protect her without the ties of familiarity."

" and since we are on the subject of mates, I would like to address this singer business," Aro spoke as he stood.

Without asking he took the mindreader's hand and hissed.

"it seems your attraction to our daughter's blood is true. He desires her as a mate family. That is what her blood sings to him. Marcus?"

Lord Marcus stared at Edward hard before he sighed.

"yes, I see his bond to her. it is very strong. There is nothing on Isabella's side. Yet."

Victoria clenched her jaw. She hated it when they talked about her niece instead of talking to her.

Shouldn't her nice be the one to make these decisions?

"that is another reason why we have allowed you to go. If you and Edward are truly mates, a bond will form and a marriage between our two covens would be a grand union. So please have patience with the dear sweetheart." Aro explained.

It was then that Victoria exploded.

"MATES? MARRIAGE! STUDYING ABROAD!? SHE'S 17 YEARS OLD YOU GUYS! THIS ISN'T THE 1800'S! WHERE-"

A wave of pain struck Victoria and blackness swam in her vision.

When she opened her eyes, James was hovering over her. looking angry and yet disappointed.

"victoria. Please remember your place." Aro said calmly.

"When do we leave?" her niece asked.

A sudden weariness in her voice.

" Seattle University doesn't start until September, it's August now, so we have a few weeks before we leave." Dr. Cullen answered.

"what will be the cover story?"

"you will my niece. My brother's daughter. You've come from Italy to study abroad. Simple as that." Dr. Cullen stated.

"Who will be my guard?"

It was then the conference room doors opened to reveal Peter and Charlotte Whitlock. And someone else Victoria hadn't seen in forever.

Garrett.

"My dear, these three lovely vampires will be your new guard while you're in the United States. They are allies and old friends of the Cullen coven. Alistar, Jane, and Victoria will check on you once a month. Any questions?" Aro asked.

It was then her niece stood up, her head hung low.

"I will a day or two to process this information. May I head to bed?"

"of course darling. Would you like one of us to accompany you?" athenadora asked.

"no thank you. goodnight everyone."

As soon as her niece was out the door, Victoria snarled and jumped out the window.

Her niece needed to choose her life for herself and Victoria would do everything in her power to make it happen.

….

It was four in the morning and Isabella couldn't sleep.

She felt like the rug was being ripped from under her.

Before she became even more upset, her cell phone dinged.

Think about it this way. when you land in Seattle, your love boy is only three hours away. hope you pack some condoms.

Isabella let out a laugh.

Her aunt Victoria was always trying to find ways to cheer her up. but she was right.

There was a big chance she and Sam could be reunited.

She just didn't see how.

"Sam…I'll see you soon," she whispered.

She would be sure to read his letter tomorrow.

A.N: next chapter Sam and Bella meet! Hang on for a bumpy ride.