A lot of you had some great guesses, but only a small few were correct! Enjoy!

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Aro was pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. I shifted nervously in my seat, unsure of where to go from here. Obviously, something was going on and I had a horrible gut feeling.

"I wished we could've made it to dinner before any drama happened." I chuckled awkwardly. "I seem to have that effect on people."

Aro smiled softly. "Yes, I would have liked to make to the end of dinner before I unloaded all of this ugliness onto you."

My stomach twisted painfully. "Now I'm really nervous."

He let out a soft sigh. "Bella, how much do you know about your mother's past?"

I thought about it for a moment. "As sad as it is, nothing. She's never really told me anything about her past. To be honest, I barely know anything about her."

"Damn." He sighed softly, "Then this is going to be even harder."

"Just tell her," Edward said impatiently. "The longer you drag it out the worse it's going to be."

"Yes I agree," I said. "Please tell me. I promise I will try to be rational and calm."

Aro stared at me for a moment. "Bella, I am your mother's father. And your grandfather."

The news caught me by complete shock and surprise. I stared at him, unblinking. My mouth and throat felt dry. My hand shakily reached forward as I grabbed my glass of water. I took several big gulps before clearing my throat.

"You okay?" Edward asked me softly.

I nodded slowly, looking up at Aro. "Y-you're my grandfather?"

"Yes." He nodded. "I hope this doesn't make you think badly—."

"She told me you were dead." I said. "She said her entire family died. She lied to me."

"Bella she had very good reasons—."

"I don't give a fuck!" I snapped, seeing Edward wince out of the corner of my eye. "She lied to me! All this time she's had family! I can't believe she'd lie to me like this!"

"Please let me explain," Aro said. "I know her lying to you was not right, but she had very good reasons."

"And what the hell would those be?" I snapped.

"Hear him out," Edward said softly in my ear, "Please. I know you're mad, but just listen."

I inhaled slowly, "Okay. I'm calm. Please explain."

Aro smiled, "You have the Volturi temper." He awkwardly cleared his throat and continued when I didn't respond. "Well, I was very, very young when I had Renee. Renee's mother, your grandmother, did die during childbirth, so that left me to raise her myself. Raising her was fine, I had more than enough money and support. As she got older, however, she did not want to conform to the certain lifestyle the women in our family must abide by. And since I wasn't in charge, I couldn't really say anything to defend her. I knew she was very unhappy with everything, so when she was sixteen, I allowed her to run off, but for years we've kept in contact. I've helped her stay on the move. And I helped her with you."

My nostrils flared. "How have you helped her with me? I've never even lived with her. I've lived with my dad, and he's supported me all this time."

"All the money she's sent you, the thousands upon thousands of dollars have been from me. Anytime you've needed something, I've made sure to get it for you. And the child support your father received, well, I've been paying that."

I shook my head and placed my hands on my head, that was now throbbing.

"I can't even believe this," I said, "I don't know what to think."

"Bella I am so sorry this was kept from you." Aro said. "I was just trying to respect your mother's wishes."

"I feel sick," I said, jumping out of my seat. "Edward could we please go?"

"Yes," He said as he got out of his seat.

"Bella please!" Aro begged. "Please, I've been dying to meet you for years, and I finally have you."

I took a deep breath, "Aro, I just need time. This is so much on me. I need time to process all of this."

"Okay," He nodded after a moment. He pulled out a card. "This is my personal business card. It has my number on it. When you're ready, please call me. I'd love to see you again."

I took the card. "Thanks. Sorry about… I just need time."

"Come on," Edward said, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.

I allowed Edward to walk me out of the restaurant. As soon as we got to the car, I broke down into sobs.

Edward placed his hand on my leg and sped off. He remained silent, letting me cry as I saw fit.

"I knew my mom was mysterious but—," I let off in another sob.

"I know," Edward said softly. "I know Bella, I'm so sorry."

"H-how did you know?" I asked. "You knew before m-me."

"I had heard rumors of Aro having an illegitimate daughter, but I thought the rumors were bullshit."

"Didn't you do a deep background check on my parents? How did you not find out sooner?"

"Because your mom changed her name and had a fake history made up so if anyone looked into her background, they'd be convinced. Well, I was convinced when I saw it. It seemed so natural."

"I just can't even believe this." I said, wiping my tears. "I have a whole other family I've never known about."

"I know babe." Edward said. "I'm fucking shocked. I can't imagine how you're feeling."

"I feel… angry, sad, hurt, confused. I feel everything. I just can't believe this."

He nodded. "I agree."

"Now I know why you didn't want to be in the conversation." I grumbled, swiping at the tears on my cheeks.

"Huh?"

"Before Aro told me, you tried to go wait in the car. Now I know why. I wish I had had that option."

"Honestly Bella, I didn't know what to do with myself. I wanted to stay, but then I didn't want to be in your private business. And I was slightly afraid by your reaction. Terrified actually. You can be a real angry wildcat when you want."

I rolled my eyes, "Don't try to make me laugh, I am not in the laughing mood."

"I know, and I wasn't." He said. "I am honestly surprised. I've known Aro for so long that him having a daughter is shocking. And you being his granddaughter is even more shocking. I just can't understand it."

I shook my head and sighed heavily. "I can't believe I have a grandfather."

He squeezed my thigh. "How about this, I get us some pizza and sodas, we rent that new cheesy horror movie you wanted to see, and we just curl up on the couch and just relax tonight."

I looked over at him and smiled. "Can we get ranch?"

"Of course," He chuckled.

"From Papa Johns right? Not that fancy New York shop?"

He laughed. "Yes Bella. I know, Papa Johns only. You're the only person in New York who hates New York Pizza."

"Papa Johns is the best," I shrugged.

He chuckled. "So complicated."

I settled back in the seat, smiling softly. A moment passed and my smile slowly faded.

"Eventually I am going to have to deal with this," I said, closing my eyes.

"Yeah, but we'll worry about that when eventually comes." He said. "And whatever you decide, I one hundred percent support you."

I smiled at him again, "Thank you."

Edward got two large pizzas from my favorite pizza place. We would've gotten just one, but I like pepperoni on mine, and he preferred onions and sausage on his. And we can't compromise with half on either side because the onion taste drifts. But he's amazing and will buy as many pizzas as it takes to make me happy.

"I cannot wait to see this movie," I said as we walked into my apartment. "It looks so bad."

He laughed. "I can't believe you like cruddy horror movies like this."

"I can't believe you're afraid of them."

"I am not afraid," He said, "I just don't think they have good story lines."

"Liar. And you're a movie snob." I laughed. "I—." I paused when I caught sight of the person on my couch. My stomach twisted in a painful knot.

"Bella," My mother said as she slowly stood. Her eyes cut to Edward in a short glare before turning back to me. "Did you have dinner with him?"

I threw my keys and my phone onto the coffee table.

"Yeah I did," I said, taking a step towards her. "What the fuck mom?"

"Don't start with me," She snapped. "I want you to pack your stuff. You are coming with me."

"I am not," I snapped back. "I am an adult, and you cannot tell me what to do."

She stomped around the coffee table, coming really close to my face.

"I don't care if I have to drag you by your hair you are leaving New York!"

"You lied to me!" I hissed. "You told me your family was dead, yet I have an entire family you've lied about you liar!"

"Yes I did lie," She said quickly. "I had to, and you don't understand anything. You have no idea what my life was like. And that's why you need to get out of this city. You have no idea what Aro is like."

"You mean your father? My grandfather?" I said. "Yeah, I don't know him. Whose fault is that!"

She winced. Her head tipped back as she inhaled slowly.

"Bella, I will explain everything to you once you come with me. I have a beautiful home in Colorado. There's great hospitals there, you would do so great baby. Please."

"I don't want to go." I said firmly. "I like New York."

Her eyes cut over to Edward again. "Leave us. My daughter and I need to talk, Cullen."

Edward's chest seemed to puff up, his nostrils flared.

"I don't need to go anywhere, Volturi," He snapped back with as much venom. "Bella already told you she doesn't want to leave."

Mom turned her attention from me to Edward, her face close to his. My mother was tall, not nearly as tall as Edward, but she was close enough to his face to be intimidating. Of course, Edward didn't back off.

"My daughter is going to do what I want her to do," Mom said. "And I don't like you hanging around her. Your family is trash, and she deserves better than a dog like you. Little boy."

"You don't know a fucking thing about me," Edward snarled. "But I know plenty about you, bastard."

"Oh like my daughter?" Mom said. "Charlie and I weren't married, so what does that mean you think of her?"

Edward winced slightly at her words. "I didn't mean it like that."

"Oh yes you did, little boy—,"

"Alright shut up!" I yelled. "Both of you, shut up! Mom, Edward and I have a night planned. So if you don't mind, please leave."

She turned to me. "Bella, let me talk to you."

"No," I said, "No. You don't get to talk to me right now. I just found out that I have a whole other family you lied to me about. I need time to sort that out and figure out what I'm going to do."

Her face paled. "What do you mean—? Y-you are not associating with the Volturi's—,"

"That's for goddamn sure." Edward scoffed.

"Edward!" I snapped, "Stop. Let me talk to my mom!"

Edward walked to the couch and thumped down. He crossed his arms and glared at my mom.

"Mom, I want you to go." I said firmly.

She grabbed my arms. "Bella, please. You do not understand. Come with me. Let me talk to you."

"No. I want you to go," I said. "I'm not ever asking you to stay in my life anymore. Now I just want you to go."

Her eyes widened. "Bella… I know you're angry at me for not being around as much—,"

"I'm not angry at you for not being in my life like you should've been." I said. "I had a great father, so I didn't really need you. I'm angry at you for lying to me about your entire life. You said your whole family was dead."

"In a way they were…"

"No, they weren't because you still took money from Aro to help me! He paid child support for me! How many other things has he bought? I mean, have you ever taken any responsibility for me? Like really?"

She looked down, sighing heavily. "Please, just come with me."

"For the last time, no." I snapped. "I'm happy here! I like New York!"

"Please Bella," She begged. Her eyes looked down at her watch and she sighed. "A plane is leaving in just an hour. Please come with me."

I shook my head. "No. You can go."

She grabbed my hands. "I know I've made so many mistakes with you—,"

"I'll call you tomorrow." I said, jerking my hands out of hers. "Just go mom."

She pulled me into a hug, holding me tightly. For a moment, I was afraid she would try to pull me out of the apartment, but after a moment, she let me go. She wiped the tears from her eyes.

"Just know, everything I did was for you. You were safer without me in your life. I'm sorry I messed up, but I had no choice. I had nothing but the best intentions. I love you so much Bella. You are the only thing I've done right in my life."