The grand hall of the Volturi castle was a masterpiece of elegance and antiquity. Its soaring arches and polished marble floors reflected the warm, golden light of the chandelier above, casting a soft glow that made everything seem otherworldly. But as magnificent as the setting was, it paled in comparison to the figures stepping into the room.
Bella's breath caught as her wide eyes scanned the newcomers. They moved with an effortless grace, their polished appearances at once captivating and intimidating. Each face was striking, distinct, and yet harmonious—bound together by their shared golden gaze and their flawless pale skin.
Her grip tightened around Edward's hand, her small fingers clutching him like a lifeline. She leaned closer to him, whispering in awe, "Edward… they're beautiful."
Edward looked down at her with a smile as warm as it could be for someone who hadn't truly known warmth for over a century. "And they think the same about you," he murmured softly, giving her hand a gentle squeeze of reassurance.
Stepping forward at the head of the group was Carlisle. His expression was the epitome of calm and kindness, his demeanor radiating authority yet not an ounce of hostility. He briefly glanced at Edward, his golden eyes flicking in acknowledgment, before shifting his full focus to the little girl by his side.
"And this," Carlisle said with a gentle smile, his voice smooth and warm, "must be Isabella."
Bella blinked, her nervousness flashing for the briefest moment, but it quickly faded as her natural curiosity took over. She hesitated only slightly before stepping forward, her head tilted with quiet interest as she studied Carlisle. There was a softness in his eyes that made her relax, a subtle understanding that drew her toward him without fear.
Tentatively, Bella reached up, standing on tiptoe as she stretched her hand toward Carlisle's face. Her small fingers rested against his cool, marble-like skin, and the room seemed to hold its breath.
Edward stiffened slightly, watching her closely, but he didn't intervene. He had experienced what she was doing before, and his trust in her steadied him. The Cullens, however, seemed frozen, uncertain about the child's odd gesture. Carlisle himself remained perfectly still, his kind eyes locked on Bella's, allowing her to do as she wished.
What happened next defied explanation.
For Carlisle, the connection was immediate and profound. Vivid memories flooded his mind, rich with emotions and details. Bella's world unfolded like a series of snapshots—her laughter echoing in castle gardens, the tender embrace of her mother, and the soft hum of Edward's voice as he cradled her to sleep. He felt the weight of her initial hesitation upon learning about the Cullens, tempered by the flicker of hope Edward's reassurances had ignited.
When Bella finally let go, Carlisle blinked, momentarily stunned. His usually composed demeanor faltered as he struggled to process the experience. His golden eyes settled back on Bella, glimmering with astonishment.
"That… was remarkable," he murmured, his voice laced with quiet awe. He turned to Aro, giving him a respectful nod. "She is truly extraordinary."
Aro inclined his head, his attention still fixed on Bella as she reached for Esme's hands. A fleeting memory passed between them, and Esme smiled softly. The room fell silent, the Cullens captivated by Bella's unusual, but beautiful, ability.
Carlisle, still reflecting on the experience, folded his arms thoughtfully. "Aro," he began, his tone deliberate, "her gift—it's similar to yours in some ways, but fundamentally different, isn't it?"
Aro's lips curved slightly. "What do you mean, my friend?" he asked, never taking his eyes off Bella.
Before Carlisle could elaborate, Bella turned toward Esme, her voice soft but clear. "May I?" she asked, glancing at Edward for reassurance.
Esme's smile brightened as she extended her hands. "Of course, sweetheart."
Carlisle's attention shifted to Bella, watching her with a growing admiration as Esme gently welcomed the touch. Aro, momentarily distracted, watched Bella with renewed intrigue as well.
Carlisle resumed his observations, voice softening as he continued. "Your ability pulls knowledge and memories forcefully from others. It's absolute, leaving no room for privacy." His gaze returned to Bella as she began sharing her memories with Esme. "But Bella… she shares rather than takes. It's as though her gift is a reflection of yours, but inverted."
Aro paused, tilting his head as he absorbed this thought. "Fascinating, is it not?" he replied, his voice reflecting Carlisle's thoughts. "Where my gift commands, hers invites. A profound difference, indeed."
Carlisle's smile deepened with quiet reflection. "Her innocence has shaped it differently. Her gift doesn't impose—it connects."
Aro gave a small nod, a flicker of pride on his face. "Isabella's gift is as extraordinary as she is."
As the conversation settled into the quiet hum of the room, one by one Isabella approached them.
Rosalie stiffened slightly when Bella finally approached her, a flicker of tension passing across her perfect features. It wasn't the hostility she sometimes reserved for newcomers or even the detached grace she used as a shield. This was something different—something more vulnerable. Children had always been her weakness. Their presence stirred an ache deep in her chest, a reminder of everything she could never have.
And yet, Bella was different.
When Bella reached out, her small, delicate fingers brushing against Rosalie's hand, Rosalie wanted to recoil, to steel herself against the pang of envy and loss. But instead, she froze. Then it came—an influx of memories, gentle and warm, pouring from the child into her mind.
Bella's thoughts were filled with innocent admiration, pure and unguarded. She's so pretty, Bella thought, over and over, her wonder painting Rosalie in a soft, golden light.
Rosalie inhaled sharply, her carefully built walls cracking. That simple, heartfelt admiration—a beauty Bella wasn't jealous of but awed by—struck a place deep within her that no one else could reach. For once, her beauty wasn't seen as superficial or intimidating. It wasn't resented. Bella saw her for who she was, or perhaps who Rosalie wished she could be.
Rosalie felt a lump rise in her throat as Bella's memories continued. They were so… innocent. So pure. It wasn't pity that Bella offered, but warmth.
Rosalie crouched slowly, not trusting her voice, and let Bella hold her hand. "You're quite the charmer, aren't you?" she murmured, her usual sharp tone softened into something almost maternal.
Bella giggled softly, a sound that made Rosalie's lip quirk into a small smile despite herself.
For a moment, as Rosalie pressed a soft kiss to Bella's forehead, all the bitterness dissolved. She wasn't thinking about what she couldn't have or who she wasn't. Instead, she thought about how one small, extraordinary child could make her feel, for the first time in so long, like she mattered in a way no one else could.
As Bella turned toward Emmett, she hesitated for a moment, looking up at the towering vampire with wide, curious eyes. Emmett, ever the jokester, grinned down at her and crouched slightly to meet her gaze.
"Well, come on, kid. Show me what you've got," he teased, holding his hands out like he was expecting some sort of performance.
Bella tilted her head, considering him for a moment. "Okay," she said simply, stepping closer. She placed her small hand on his, and Emmett's playful grin faltered just a little as her memories flowed into him.
The first image was of Bella watching Emmett from afar earlier, her little mind awash with fascination. Big and strong, like a bear. She imagined him wrestling actual bears in the forest, completely unfazed.
"Wait, you think I wrestle bears?" Emmett blurted, his voice booming with laughter. "Oh, this is gold."
Bella blinked up at him innocently. "Don't you?"
Rosalie groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose, while the rest of the Cullens chuckled softly. "You've created a monster," she muttered, though there was a slight smile tugging at her lips.
But the next memory startled Emmett into silence. It was Bella imagining him lifting an entire mountain, declaring himself the strongest in the world. The thought was so exaggerated and childlike that it was impossible not to laugh.
"Yep, I like this kid," Emmett announced with a wide grin. "She gets me." He ruffled Bella's hair playfully, causing her to giggle.
Still smirking, Emmett straightened up and turned toward the others, shaking his head in mock disbelief. "You all better step up your game because I'm officially the favorite."
Jasper, ever the empath, had felt every flicker of emotion ripple through the room. When Bella reached him, he couldn't help the faint tension that ran down his spine. But as Bella's memories transferred to him, there was something entirely different that took hold. Warmth, safety, and quiet joy washed over him, filling the cracks in his mind where darker emotions had long lingered.
"Remarkable," Jasper muttered, his Southern drawl barely audible. For the first time in a long time, his expression softened into one of wonder.
Finally, Bella turned to Alice. The vampire, who had been practically vibrating with excitement this entire time, was utterly enchanted by the child's boldness.
When Bella's touch released memories into Alice's mind, something new unfolded. There were no clear visions, no flashes of the future—but rather the absence of foresight itself.
Edward's soft voice broke the silence. "She's a shield, Alice. That's why you can't see her in your visions."
Alice's eyes widened, staring at Bella with newfound astonishment. "Well, aren't you full of surprises," she said, a wide grin spreading across her face.
As Bella returned to Edward's side, a radiant smile graced her face, brimming with pride. She looked at Edward expectantly, as if asking if she had done well. He knelt to her level, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of her head.
"You were perfect, Bella," he said softly, his golden eyes glinting with pride.
Before anyone could say more, Aro stepped forward with his trademark enthusiasm, clapping his hands together lightly. "Ah, what a delightfully harmonious scene! My dear Cullens, do allow Bella to guide you to your chambers. She knows this castle better than anyone!"
Bella's face lit up as she bounced slightly on her heels, clearly thrilled. "Can I, Daddy? Please?"
Edward smiled and chuckled softly, nodding as he rose from his seat. "Of course."
As the Cullens turned to follow Bella, Aro gave them a gleeful look of approval, his eyes sparkling with an almost childlike excitement.
At the same time, Marcus stepped forward. His expression, as always, was somber but observant. He didn't share the excitement Aro did, but his attention was sharp as he looked the Cullens over. He was quieter than the others, speaking rarely, but he could never be counted out. "It's been some time since you've graced the Volturi halls. It will be… interesting to see how you settle," Marcus said quietly, his gaze now fixed on Bella as she skipped ahead.
Caius remained standing in the background for a moment longer, his gaze cold and unreadable. He watched Bella carefully, eyeing the way she confidently led the others, speaking to them as if she belonged there—though the strange air around her unsettled him. Finally, with a curt nod to Aro, he said, "We shall see what comes of this new addition." His words, though blunt, carried no overt hostility—yet a warning lingered in his tone.
Despite their more restrained welcomes, all eyes were on Bella. She led the group with a mixture of excitement and youthful energy. Edward, close behind her, watched with a knowing smile.
Carlisle, taking in the scene, noted how everyone's reactions had varied—Aro with his theatrics, Marcus with his observation, Caius with his reticence—but it was Bella who commanded the attention, whether intentionally or not. There was no denying the power she held over the room, the family, and now even the Volturi.
As Bella turned back to look at them, her eyes twinkling, she couldn't resist teasing them a little. "Come on, there's a whole wing of the castle to explore," she called to them as she started to skip down the hallway.
Aro's hands clasped together in delight. "Ah, yes! Please, do follow young Bella; she shall show you the wonders of the castle!"
As they moved down the hallway, the Cullens fell in step behind Bella, grateful for this little moment of peace in the strange, ancient castle they now inhabited—though with every step, the underlying tension with the Volturi remained quietly humming around them.
I'm sorry, but I can't imagine a Rosalie who doesn't love child Bella. In every Twilight universe, Rose is destined to love children.
Sorry for the late update.