[BamaFan121s]

In the end, Rosalie, Emmett, Alice, Renesmee, Esme and I had spent the day in Venice shopping and visiting various popular tourists’ attractions. Initially, Edward had insisted on joining us, but after much convincing on my part, in the end he reluctantly agreed to accompany Carlisle and Jasper to visit with Aro. I knew he was curious to meet with them himself and assure him I would survive a day without him, even if I wasn’t so convinced myself.
As Alice’s visions had indicated, the day passed without. I quickly lost track of how many stores and specialty boutiques Alice dragged us to. However, I was well aware of the obscene amount of money that was spent during the course of the day. Alice tried unsuccessfully to ease my concerns by rambling on about the exchange rate of the Euro to the American dollar, but I’m sure she suspected her efforts were futile. She was right. In any case, I didn’t push the issue. Shockingly, I actually managed to enjoy myself—so much so that we found ourselves returning to hour hotel suite long before I was ready to.
I was barely in the door when I was literally swept off my feet by an eagerly awaiting Edward. Wordlessly, his amber eyes met mine with a burning intensity. He took my hand and gently led me through the double glass doors to the outside patio. We walked up the narrow staircase to a balcony. At the top, I gripped the golden hand rails and looked out to the city below me.
From behind me, I heard Edward inhale deeply as the light breeze carried his melodic voice forward to meet my ears. “The view from up here really takes your breath away.” I surveyed the land below me. A nearby river glistened in the light of the new moon hanging in the sky. Train tracks snaked their way across the flat fields beyond the city walls and the occasional set of headlights followed the winding countryside roads far off in the distance. The night was cool and still but I was not breathing—not making any sound at all but rather enjoying the peaceful sounds of the European city below. I turned to face my husband only to discover that he was not taking in our surroundings, but rather staring intently at me.
As easily as rainwater finds it way to ground, he stepped forward and encircled his arms around my waist in one fluent movement. He gently leaned over me until my body was arched gracefully over the railing with nothing but the city hundreds of feet below me. Lightly he began trailing sweet kisses down my neck until reaching my collar bone before finally pulling my upright and taking my face between his hands and placing a tender kiss on my lips.
For the remainder of the night, we remained on the rooftop balcony, reveling in the magical atmosphere of all that surrounded us. At his insistence, I filled him in on my day’s events as he listened intently. He patiently ran his fingers through my hair as I spoke and hung on my every word as if it were the most intriguing recollection of events he’d ever heard. Not once during the night did either of us mention any of the many concerns that had followed us for the past few weeks. There was no talk of the Volturi, no mention of our rapidly growing daughter or of our human façade in Forks that was growing increasingly more difficult. We spent the night talking and simply being with each other. It was very reminiscent of the first nights Edward has spent in my bedroom in Charlie’s house years ago. In the end, we both agreed that the night had earned a spot as one of our top ten most memorable nights.
It was only when the pink sun sunrise began peeking its way over the distant Tuscan mountainside that we admitted we needed to prepare for the day—our last day in Italy. We would be returning to Forks tonight and we had all agreed to return to visit with the Volturi leaders again before departing later. Despite the fact that our trip had only lasted a few days, to say I was eager to return home was an understatement. All too soon we were dressed and racing against the threatening sunlight to reach the entrance to the underground tunnels.
Heidi met us and the entrance to a small, secluded alleyway and led us to yet another room deep underneath the ancient city. This room was very spacious, yet much more welcoming than any of the rooms we’d seen so far. The rough stone walls were adorned with dozens of intricately woven tapestries. Some depicted castles surrounded by thick forests, one displayed a scene of extravagantly decorated medieval knights upon four proud looking horses while others depicted versions of a much older European cities. In the corner of the room was a massive fireplace where a glowing fire crackled. The warmth of the flame was unnecessary, yet it added to the comfortable atmosphere of the room. In the center of the room was a massive, rectangular table. High backed chairs of various, unmatching styles surrounded the table. Similar chairs were scattered randomly throughout the room, against walls and in small pairings around small tables.
Several members of the Volturi were already present, some lounging at leisure in some of the chairs, some standing deeply involved in conversations with one another. None, including Jane and Alec, so much as gave us a second glance as we entered and were waved towards the massive table by Heidi. Spread out on the table were various photos, maps and ancient looking documents. Surrounding them in a very businesslike fashion were Aro, Marcus, Caius, Carlisle and a few other vampires clad in gray—among them Felix, sill without Demitri’s looming presence by his side.
Upon seeing our group enter, Aro waved dismissively in the direction of the documents. An unknown member in palest gray robes immediately stepped forward to gather and remove them from the table. He then turned to us and waved us forward eagerly, gesturing to the seats surrounding the table. “Welcome back friends!” He greeted earnestly. “Please, won’t you all join us? We still have so much to share and discuss before you leave.”
As requested, we all moved to fill seats around the table. Edward sat to my right, Renesmee to my left between me and Rosalie. “So,” Aro began, rubbing his hands together excitedly. “How did you enjoy the museum? Carlisle tells me some of you ventured out to see other areas yesterday. What did you think? Tell me everything!” He leaned forward on the table anxiously and rapidly glanced at each of us in anticipation.
“The city is absolutely beautiful, Aro,” Alice offered. “We had the opportunity to visit many of the fine retail establishments that Venice has to offer and they by far exceeded my expectations.”
Aro’s face brightened and his eyes twinkled with excitement. “Ah, that is very encouraging to hear, dear Alice.” It pleased me to know that they meet your approval.” He appraised her for a moment before returning his anxious eyes to the rest of us. “And the museum? What did you think about our various collections?”
I hesitated, wondering if he was aware of my “incident.”
“It was all very impressive,” Edward began politely as he inclined his head in a gesture of gratitude. “Your collections far exceed any exhibits I’ve seen. I believe that I can speak for our entire family in saying the we appreciate your bestowing upon us the opportunity to view such and expansive array of priceless artifacts. Heidi was a most gracious guide. It was all very…overwhelming.” He squeezed my hand lightly under the table. From behind Aro, I saw Heidi’s beaming at the compliment Edward had offered her.
Aro smiled at us, his chest swelling with pride. “I’m so pleased that you feel that way. We take great pride in the history of our kind and the role we have played in various historical events that have shaped the world as we know it today.” He then turned an apologetic gaze in my direction. His expression confirmed my fears even before he spoke. He knew. “Bella, my dear, I am very sorry to hear of the ordeal that you experienced.” From behind me I heard an indignant snort of disgust and a muted whisper—Jane, I assumed. Aro shot a brief, furious glance in her direction, immediately silencing her before continuing. “I can assure you dear Bella, that at some point we all have found ourselves overwhelmed by the magnitude of the existence of our kind.”
I gaped in shock. Was Aro attempting to comfort me? I quickly regained my composure and forced myself to respond, “Thank you, Aro. It means a great deal to have your wisdom and reassurance on that matter. I apologize for the inconvenience I may have caused.”
Aro was already shaking his head. “There are no apologies necessary on you behalf. As a matter of fact, I’d like a chance to make amends to you.” He snapped his fingers twice in the air and Heidi stepped forward carrying several packages. Each was wrapped in black paper with a single, bright red ribbon tied around its center. He took three identical packages from her and handed on each to myself, Edward and Alice. A sly smile spread across his face and humor colored his voice as he spoke again in explanation, “just a little gift from me for you three for later…a reminder of your options for the future.” Edward and Alice exchanged a meaningful glance—I had a pretty good idea of the contents of the package that lay before me.