Morning light streamed through the castle's grand windows, casting soft golden rays on the intricate marble floors. The hum of activity filled the air as servants bustled about, the occasional murmur of voices echoing through the vast halls. Edward, having wrapped up another draining meeting with Aro and the guard just moments ago, found himself seeking the one bright spot in his routine: Bella.
It didn't take long to find her. She was seated at a small table in the corner of the dining room, nibbling on a croissant, a glass of crimson liquid on the side—her breakfast. Luna, her ever-loyal cat, perched elegantly on a cushion beside her. When Bella noticed Edward entering, she hopped off her chair, beaming.
"Edward! Come, let's play puzzles!"
Her infectious joy was irresistible. Edward allowed himself a small smile, nodding as he extended a hand for her to lead the way. "Alright," he said, "but no cheating this time."
Bella giggled, grabbing his hand and tugging him toward the playroom.
Bella's playroom was awash with sunlight filtering through tall windows. It illuminated her stacks of books, scattered toys, and the large puzzle spread out on a low table in the center of the room. Without preamble, Bella dropped to her knees by the table, pulling him down beside her.
"Here, we're working on this one!" she said, pointing to an intricate puzzle depicting a woodland scene filled with animals.
Edward slid gracefully to the floor, joining her. He was about to pick up a corner piece when the questions started.
"Where were you yesterday?" Bella asked with a pout, her small hands busy arranging the edges of the puzzle. "I didn't see you the whole day."
Edward glanced at her, amused by the mixture of accusation and curiosity in her tone. Her expression—complete with an exaggerated frown—earned a soft chuckle from him.
"We were busy," he explained, his golden eyes meeting hers. "Me, your dad, uncles, and the others. You know that."
"But you didn't see me off," she countered, puffing her cheeks slightly. "Daddy didn't either. That's why I went to their room earlier. I miss him."
Her admission softened something in Edward. While Bella's bond with Sulpicia was evident in her warmth and constant shadowing of her mother, her adoration for Aro was unique and unquestionable.
"Don't be sad," Edward said gently, smoothing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "I promise it'll be the last time."
"Really," Edward reassured her. "But to make it up to you, how about you show me everything I missed yesterday?"
Bella perked up immediately, her earlier pout replaced by bright curiosity. "Show you?"
"Yes," Edward replied, tapping his temple lightly. "You can show me your memories. It'll be like I was there with you the whole time."
Her excitement bubbled over. "Okay! Close your eyes, Edward!"
He chuckled softly but did as she instructed, settling back against the cushions of the playroom's plush window seat. Bella climbed up beside him, placing her small hands gently on his cheeks.
"Ready?" she asked eagerly.
Edward opened his mind, relaxing into her touch, and suddenly, her memories poured into his consciousness like a gentle stream.
In a flash, Edward found himself standing in Bella's shoes—or rather, her little slippers. Her memories were vivid, childlike in their focus but brimming with detail.
He saw himself waving goodbye the day before, his smile brief but warm. She had waved back enthusiastically, her small fingers fluttering in the air. As soon as he turned the corner, Bella had tugged on her mother Sulpicia's gown.
"Where are Daddy and Edward?" young Bella had asked.
"They have work, little one," Sulpicia had replied gently, brushing Bella's hair with a soft hand. "Important work."
"I don't like it when Edward's busy," Bella had huffed, crossing her arms.
The rest of the day unraveled before Edward's mind. Bella had spent hours with Gianna, her human caretaker, watching her favorite movies. Edward recognized Sleeping Beauty immediately, the vivid imagery of the fairies baking the princess's cake playing out in Bella's mind.
The images shifted to another memory. Bella had wandered through the gardens with Sulpicia, skipping stones across the fountain and chasing Luna as the cat darted between the statues.
There was a moment that made Edward smile: Bella on her tiptoes in the kitchen, eagerly reaching for flour to "help" Gianna bake. The memory was chaotic and messy—Bella covered in white dust, giggling as Gianna tried (and failed) to keep her clean.
As Bella's hands fell away from Edward's face, she studied him anxiously. "Did you see it all?"
"I did," Edward said softly, his golden eyes warm. "Thank you for showing me, Bella. It sounds like you had quite the adventure."
Bella giggled, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Then, her expression turned thoughtful.
"Edward?" Bella's soft voice pulled him from his thoughts. She hesitated, her big brown eyes shining with a mix of excitement and nervousness.
"Yes, Bella?" he replied, his tone automatically gentle.
"Do you think I can have a special present for my next birthday?" she asked, her hands clasping in front of her as though she was holding a precious secret.
Edward couldn't help the amused smile that tugged at his lips. Her birthday was still months away, yet here she was, already thinking about it. The way she peeked up at him, hopeful but shy, was utterly endearing. "Anything for you," he promised with a soft chuckle. "What would you like?"
Bella leaned in close, her voice dropping to an excited whisper as though she didn't want anyone else to hear. "Can we go to the beach?"
"The beach?" Edward repeated, his brow lifting in surprise.
"Yes!" she said, her enthusiasm bubbling over now. She began talking quickly, her hands animated as if she were already building castles in her mind. "I read about it in a book! There's sand and water everywhere, and you can build castles and pick up seashells! It's so pretty, but…" Her voice dropped to a softer tone, her tiny brow furrowing. "I know the sun is bright there… so maybe there's a beach with no sun?"
Edward stared at her for a moment, feeling his chest tighten with affection. She was so earnest, so creative in the way her mind worked. Here she was, months away from her birthday, already dreaming up the most thoughtful adventure—one that even considered the nature of vampires.
Unable to resist, he reached out to gently brush her hair back from her face. "We'll find a way, Bella," he assured her, his voice warm with sincerity. "Even if it's at night, under the stars, I'll take you to a beach. We can find seashells together and maybe even build the biggest sandcastle you've ever seen."
"Really?" she asked, her wide eyes sparkling with delight.
"Really," Edward confirmed with a slight grin.
Bella squealed with excitement, clapping her hands before throwing her arms around his neck. Her tiny frame fit perfectly against him as she hugged him tightly.
Edward laughed quietly, wrapping his arms around her. "I think someone might be a little too excited for a birthday that's still months away."
Bella pulled back just enough to meet his gaze, pouting slightly. "But I know what I want already!"
Her declaration was so sincere, so determined, that Edward couldn't help but laugh again. "Well then, I'd say you're ahead of everyone, Bella. And I promise, we'll make it happen."
Satisfied, Bella flopped back into her seat, a dreamy expression on her face as she started murmuring about the beach and seashells again. Edward stayed with her, marveling at the pure, joyful simplicity of her dreams. It was moments like this, fleeting but precious, that reminded him how special Bella truly was.
"Will you bring Mommy and Daddy too?" she asked, clasping her hands together.
"Of course. We'll all go together," Edward assured her. "And I'll even make sure we collect the best seashells."
Bella's face lit up, her joy radiant. "Really?"
"Really," he affirmed, his voice steady. "But there's something I want to tell you."
Her eyes lit up with curiosity, abandoning the puzzle pieces in her hand. "What is it?"
"You remember what I told you about the one who changed me? The one who made me a vampire?" he began carefully, gauging her reaction.
Bella's brow furrowed in concentration. "Uh-huh, you said he saved you. You'd have died if he didn't bite you!"
Edward nodded, impressed by her memory. "That's right. Well, he's coming here soon, to Volterra. He's a doctor, and he'd like to check on you."
Her expression shifted from confusion to sheer excitement in seconds. "A vampire doctor?!" she squealed, her voice echoing in the cavernous room. "That's so cool!"
Edward found himself completely immersed in Bella's enthusiasm. It was rare that he could have such quiet, personal moments with her amidst the constant flurry of activity in the castle. Her wide, expressive eyes were brimming with excitement as they continued their conversation.
"You think so?" Edward repeated, the corners of his mouth twitching into a smile as he tilted his head at her.
"Yes!" Bella nodded enthusiastically, her curls bouncing. "I read about doctors in my books. Kids see doctors for check-ups and… and… other stuff! I've never met one, though. Is he nice?"
Edward chuckled at her earnestness. "Very. Carlisle is the kindest man you'll ever meet. He's gentle and wise. He's not just a healer for humans, but for vampires, too."
Bella gasped softly, her little hands clasping together in wonder. "A doctor for vampires? That's so cool! Oh, I'm so excited. I can't wait to meet them all!" Her voice rose with uncontainable glee, her face lighting up.
You'll be his first vampire patient though, Edward thought.
He loved the purity of her reaction—it was as if Carlisle and his family were a new storybook adventure. He didn't even mind how quickly the topic shifted, as Bella's curiosity was insatiable.
"Mommy says you've found the bad guy," Bella continued, her tone suddenly serious. Her brows knit together as she looked at Edward with concern. "What's gonna happen now? Is everything going to be okay? I hate it when everyone is busy, and Uncle Caius is… so much much more serious." She gave an exaggerated frown that made Edward laugh again, though he quickly composed himself.
He could see her mind working, her genuine worry overshadowing her usual cheerful demeanor. Despite her young age, Bella understood far more than she let on, though Aro ensured her knowledge was tempered to preserve her innocence. She wasn't blind to the family's tensions, especially when situations grew serious. For all her naivety, she cared deeply and had a surprising protectiveness that reminded Edward of Sulpicia—and perhaps even a little of himself.
"Don't worry too much about it," Edward assured her, his voice calm and soothing. "You know how strong the guards are. They'd never let anything happen to you or anyone in the castle. We're all perfectly safe."
Bella pouted, clearly unconvinced. "I'm still worried. But when I grow up, I'll be a really strong shield. Daddy says I'll stop growing when I'm sixteen—well, not really sixteen," she corrected, her words tumbling out quickly as she mulled over her father's words, "but close enough! And then I'll help protect everybody."
Edward's chest ached a little as he watched her tiny hands ball into determined fists. "Only ten years," she added thoughtfully, "and I'll be just as strong as everyone else."
He admired her bravery, her desire to contribute, even in a world far too complex for her understanding. A wistful smile touched Edward's lips, and he ruffled her hair. "You'll be strong, Bella. No one doubts that. But you already have something most of us don't—you have a big heart. That makes you one of the strongest."
Bella's face softened as a shy smile spread across her lips, her cheeks faintly pink with pride at Edward's kind words. She lowered her head for a moment, as if thinking deeply, but it wasn't long before her natural buoyancy returned, her eyes sparkling with renewed energy.
"Edward," she began, shifting closer to him on the soft rug, her tone conspiratorial, "this morning, Luna climbed up the curtains! Mommy said she's naughty, but I think Luna was just practicing how to be sneaky like Demetri!" She giggled, clearly amused by the comparison.
Edward chuckled, picturing the graceful but mischievous feline attempting feats reminiscent of Demetri's flawless tracking skills. "Maybe Luna is preparing to join the guard," he teased. "Though I'm not sure Demetri would appreciate the competition."
Bella laughed at that, clapping her small hands. "Do you think she'll need a cloak? She'd look so funny in one!" Her laughter was infectious, and Edward found himself grinning at her infectious energy.
"Oh, and do you think Dr. Carlisle wears one of those white coats all the time?" she continued eagerly, her mind racing to the next topic. "Like the ones doctors have in the books I read? Maybe I should ask him when he gets here! If he doesn't have one, we could give him one as a gift!"
Edward raised an eyebrow, his amusement growing. "You'd give Carlisle a coat?"
"Of course!" Bella said confidently, her tiny hands spread wide for emphasis. "All doctors need a coat. It's how you know they're official!" She paused for a moment, then added seriously, "We could make it special, though. Maybe put his name on it—like, Dr. Carlisle Cullen, Super Doctor!"
Edward let out a soft laugh, imagining Carlisle's reaction to receiving such an embellished gift. "I think he'd love that, Bella. He might even wear it, just because it's from you."
"Really?" Her face lit up, beaming with excitement. "Then I have to ask Mommy about it. She's good at finding stuff like that! Oh, do you think Aunt Dora would like to help too? She's so good at fancy things."
Edward nodded indulgently as Bella's imagination took flight, her excitement brimming as she rattled off a list of possibilities for surprising Carlisle. Even as her words tumbled out, it was clear to Edward just how much joy she brought to those around her, her natural charm and curiosity making every moment vibrant.
The two sat and talked until Gianna appeared at the doorway with a warm smile. "Isabella, time for your Italian lessons with your mother," she announced.
Bella groaned dramatically, flopping onto her back. "But we're talking!" she whined, peeking up at Edward as if she hoped he might save her.
Edward raised an eyebrow, amused. "It's important to learn, Bella."
Still grumbling under her breath, Bella stood up and stretched, clearly reluctant to leave. As she reached the door, she turned back to Edward with a mischievous grin and said, "Arrivederci, Edward!" in her best Italian accent, waving like a miniature princess.
Edward couldn't help but laugh, charmed as always. "Arrivederci, Bella."
She skipped down the hallway, leaving Edward in the playroom, shaking his head in wonder. Even in such small, simple moments, Bella had a way of making everything feel brighter.
Thank you so much for your reviews on the previous chapter! Getting reviews makes it feel more real, you know? It's also refreshing to get reviews from new usernames. So, here's Bella yapping all the way through this chapter.