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The invitation was pretty.
Swirling golden lettering on a solid white card stock.
No doubt Alice’s work.
Bella glanced up at Aro who was watching her quietly.
“He’s getting married?” Bella asked, genuine surprise filled her tone. It said it right there on the paper, but Bella wanted to make sure she was reading it right.
“Yes,” Aro said.
“Oh,” Bella offering the invitation back, but Aro didn't take it. “Interesting.”
“What’s interesting is he’s marrying a human.”
Bella glanced up at him. “What?”
Aro nodded. “A human, eighteen. Venice, as you can tell. I want you and Heidi to go and make sure the girl is turned right after the wedding as Carlisle promised.”
“You want me-”
“Bella,” Aro said, his voice was a bit softer, but still firm as ever.
Bella knew the reputation Aro had in the Vampiric world. He was terrifying, menacing, the bogeyman hiding under the bogeyman’s bed. But something about Bella seemed to endear her to him. She had no idea what it was, or why it was. Perhaps he had just seen inside Bella’s mind and saw just how broken the woman was and felt nothing but pity for her. It could be he found her amusing. Perhaps Marcus had realized Heidi’s bond with Bella and interceded.
Whatever the reason, he had allowed her into the guard.
“You’ll be the hardest on the Cullens, I know you will do what must be done,” Aro said. “And… I think it’s time. You don’t want this hanging as a shadow over you, do you?”
“What about Heidi?”
“Don’t you want her with you?”
Bella nodded.
“Good, you leave tomorrow,” Aro said. “Now if you’ll excuse me, Alec and Jane are fighting and I don’t need them destroying the building,” he moved away, leaving Bella with the invitation in her hand.
Edward Antony Masen Cullen and Madison Bailey King
Of course his name was first on the invitation. Bella sighed, she needed to find her mate.
Heidi was in her office, on her laptop, designing some sort of advert. She was dressed in more casual clothes today, her cloak slung on the back of the chair. Her brown hair was loose, and her two golden hoops were hanging from her ears as always.
“Hello liebling ,” she said, not even looking up as Bella hoisted herself up on the desk. Bella offered her the invitation, which Heidi took.
“Ah,” she said after a quick glance to it’s contents. “I see Aro told you.”
“I was surprised he said you were tagging along.”
“As if I’d let you go alone,” Heidi scoffed, finally meeting Bella’s eyes. “It will be good, I think.”
“You think?” Bella teased.
Heidi turned off her laptop. “I do.”
Bella offered her hand, and Heidi took it, lacing their fingers together. She loved the way their hands looked together. Perhaps that was cheesy to say, but their was something about the way their fingers fit together. As if they were built for one another.
Bella wasn’t sure initially if she wanted to get married. But there was something special about being able to call Heidi her wife.
“It’s alright to be worried,” Heidi said, her voice soft.
“I’m not that worried,” Bella said, she glanced up to meet Heidi’s concerned red eyes. “Should I be?”
“You are meeting the Cullens.”
“I am,” Bella said. “I think it’ll be amusing to see, don’t you?”
“I’m worried about you,” Heidi admitted quietly. “Bella when you first got to Volterra...”
“I was a newborn,” Bella said. “The pain from my human life dulled with the transformation and time and… well, you. I will be fine, my love.”
“You don’t have to be strong with me.”
“I know,” Bella responded simply.
“If you really don’t want to go, I’ll talk to Aro, and we won’t go.”
“I know,” Bella said. “But I’m gonna have to run into them again eventually, and I’d rather do it on purpose.”
Heidi nodded. “I understand,” she stood up, pulling Bella off the desk. “Shall we go pack some outfits?”
“We shall,” Bella said, following Heidi’s lead.
Venice was very pretty. Bella was surprised she hadn’t been there yet. Being with the Volturi allowed a lot of opportunities for travel. Especially since her gift helped her find those with gifts that might keep them hidden. Her and Demetri were a killer combo for sure. It killed her to be away from Heidi, but she understood the reasonings.
When she was human, the Cullens painted the Volturi as monsters. But Bella knew the truth. They were law-enforcers and while she could admit they were far from impartial, they kept order the best way they could.
Heidi and Bella had dropped their bags off at the hotel and began wandering around the city. It was lucky that it was cloudy outside, perfect weather for them to walk around outside. The Cullens were expecting them in a few hours. But for now, it was just the two of them.
“How come we haven’t gone to Paris yet?” Bella asked.
“Do you want to go to Paris?”
Bella shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“That’s why we haven’t gone,” Heidi said.
“Do you like Paris?”
“It’s… alright,” Heidi said, wrinkling her nose. “Not my favorite, but not my least.”
“Do you have beef with Paris ?” Bella asked, a grin on her face.
“I had to go to the red light district there for an assignment in the 1800’s, and I could barely move three feet without some man trying to buy me,” she said. “I took one man’s money but he certainly got more then what he bargained for.”
“How have I not heard this before?”
Heidi just smiled, leaning over and giving her a chaste kiss. "Because if I told you every single story I have, we would never leave Volterra."
"You'd hear no complaints form me."
Heidi just shook her head. "Tease."
"Only for you my love," Bella said, she linked their hands together. "Only for you."
The café that the Cullens had chosen was quaint enough. They were supposed to meet Carlisle and Esme as coven leaders and Edward and his fiancé. Not as overwhelming as meeting with the entire coven.
Not that Bella had a want to see the rest of the Cullens.
Bella and Heidi walked up to the café hand in hand. Whatever second thoughts Bella was having, she batted away by reminding herself it was now too late to turn back. Bella glanced down at their joined hands, taking comfort in seeing Heidi’s wedding ring on her hand. Heidi didn’t wear hers often because part of her work sometimes included flirting with human men.
It didn’t bother Bella too much, after all, she usually got to tear them apart later
“Reservation for Cullen?” Heidi asked in impeccable Italian. The host nodded, and motioned for them to follow him. No doubt the human had picked it out as a meeting place considering the vampires couldn’t consume anything from it. The host led them through the café, and Bella couldn’t help but catch several delicious scents from the humans nearby. Seems the men Heidi and her had hunted down the previous day hadn’t been filling enough.
The waiter led them outside to a patio, and at a round table meant for six, sat the Cullens.
Well, half of them. Esme, Carlisle and Edward sat there, looking the same as when Bella had last seen them back in 2006.
Esme was the first to notice Bella. She looked like she had seen a ghost, and perhaps in her mind she had. As far as the Cullens were aware (Bella assumed), they either thought she was nearing thirty-five or, they had revisited Forks and seen her (fake) gravestone.
In any scenario however, Bella doubted Esme Cullen was expecting to see Bella with red eyes and a Volturi pendant.
Carlisle noticed her next, his emotions playing out on his face. After getting over his moment of surprise, Bella could see his train of thought begin to run. That was Carlisle Cullen. Calculating, always calculating. Even if Carlisle would never admit it, that’s what made Aro and Carlisle so alike, their minds.
Aro told Bella once that he and Carlisle had managed to have debates for days at a time when Carlisle stayed at the Volturi. They would argue to the point of Sulpicia having to step in and remind them to feed. They discussed everything, and anything. Philosophy, morals, literature, arts, nothing was off the table for them.
“I miss it sometimes,” Aro had admitted when reminiscing on Carlisle’s time in Volterra. “We were good friends, I miss the man he was.”
“Isn’t he still that man? Since vampires don’t change?” Bella had asked her voice quiet.
Aro glanced over at her. “We’re still people Isabella, we change and grow, but only if we allow ourselves too.”
Bella turned her attention to Edward, who still hadn’t noticed her yet. He was in deep discussion with with his fiance about being calm. The poor human was wringing her hands.
Poor babe. She was probably terrified out of her mind.
Scared of the big bad wolves of the Volturi.
Bella wasn’t really sure what she pictured, when she imagined Edward’s bride. She had thought about her sporadically since Aro told her about the situation. What she wasn’t expecting, was someone who looked like she could be Bella’s sister. Apparently, Edward had a type. She had hair similar to Bella’s and doe-shaped brown eyes. There was almost, an innocence about her. Like a rabbit caught in a trap as she stared at Bella in horror.
Bella pulled Heidi’s chair out for her, earning her a smile from her mate.
“Thank you love,” Heidi said, sitting down gracefully.
Edward finally glanced up, and unlike his parents, couldn’t contain his surprise. “Bella?”
“Hello Edward,” Bella said, nodding to him. “Esme, Carlisle. It’s nice to meet you Madison. As I’m sure you’re aware, my wife and I-”
“You’re married?” Edward blurted out.
Bella glanced over at Heidi who was looking far too pleased with the whole situation.
“No, I called Heidi my wife because I actually mean she’s my coworker I can’t stand,” Bella said, her voice dry. She held up her hand. “Yes, I’m married.”
“Ten years soon,” Heidi said.
“Congratulations,” Esme said.
“Thank you,” Bella said. “Anyways, as I was saying Madison, Heidi and I are of course part of the Volturi. We’re here to make sure you are aware that you are to be changed as soon as possible.”
Edward piped up “But the honeymoon-”
“Can wait,” Bella said.
“Sex as a vampire is better anyways,” Heidi purred, leaning into the seductive succubus character she usually did around outsiders. Her hand made it’s way onto Bella’s thigh under the table. “Wouldn’t you agree Bella dear?”
Bella just rolled her eyes at her wife’s antics as Madison blushed bright red. She turned back towards the teenager. “It’s necessary to have you changed as soon as possible. Your death will be faked of course, a car crash in… where was it supposed to be?” She glanced over at Heidi.
“Brazil.”
“Yes, right, Rio,” Bella said, she met Madison’s eyes. “I understand how difficult this may be-”
“This isn’t right,” Edward protested. “She should get a choice in this.”
Bella bit her tongue to keep back the sharp retort, and instead readjusted how she was sitting. She could feel Heidi’s eyes studying her, ready to jump in at a moment’s notice. “The choice is death or being turned.”
“There will be no killing,” Carlisle said, his voice calm. Madison just stared at Bella in horror.
“I’ll be frank, Carlisle,” Bella said, turning her attention to Carlisle. Perhaps the coven leader would be her best bet in this situation. “The Olympic coven, as I’m sure you’re well aware, is on very thin ice with the Volturi these days. The incident in Forks has cast you in a very negative light. There are crimes that many in Volterra believe you should have to answer for but you have not been charged with. This whole situation,” Bella motioned to Edward and Madison. “Is the last straw in Caius’ book. She must be turned before noon the day after the wedding. If not by a Cullen, then either Heidi or I will have to do it.”
A silence fell over the table.
“What happened in Forks?” Madison asked in a low tone.
Bella felt a chill roll through her. Ah, so they hadn’t told Madison about her. Why would they? It wouldn’t benefit them any.
Maybe Bella had naively hoped they'd at least have the decency to explain his past.
“Yes, Edward, what did happen in Forks?” Heidi asked.
Edward shot a glare towards Heidi before turning to Madison. “We can discuss it later.”
Madison looked like she wanted to say something, but remained silent.
Bella sighed, rolling up her sleeves, causing Esme to gasp. The silver crescents that decorated her arms tended to startle other vampires. They weren't common among vampires, and even senior vampires raised their eyebrow to see the scars.
“Woah,” Madison said in a low voice. She met Bella’s eyes.
Bella answered her silent question. “A parting gift from an old friend of the Cullens.”
“Who?” Madison asked.
“A female vampire, Victoria,” Bella said, leaning back in her chair. “I was found by the Volturi, on the verge of death. I was tortured for about two years by Victoria, who wanted revenge on the Cullens, before I was found by the Volturi. My captor liked experimenting with pain. Her favorite form of torture was she liked to bite me, remove the venom, and repeat the cycle. She found my agony… amusing. Soon, I built a tolerance up to the venom. It usually takes two to three days to turn a vampire. By the time the Volturi turned me, it took an entire week for the venom to sink in.”
“Bella if we had known…” Carlisle said, speaking up. His face was contorted in horror as he stared in disgust at the remnants of what had happened.
“You knew the risks when you left,” Bella said. “If you had followed the laws, we would not be here, would we?”
“But why you?” Madison asked, no longer able to contain her curiosity.
“I dated Edward back in ‘05,” Bella said. “He broke up with me, and left me behind with knowledge of vampires, and an angry vampire bent on revenge. Edward had killed her mate. And since she couldn’t reach Edward…”
“She picked the easiest target,” Heidi said. “That, Madison, is what happened in Forks. The Cullens broke our biggest rule and endangered many people at the same time. Many of Bella’s friends and family died in Victoria’s path for revenge.”
Bella swallowed, not wanting to allow the Cullens to see her emotions. Charlie, her mother, Phil… all dead. Victoria striking down Bella’s family in return for the Cullens destroying Victoria’s family.
The waiter decided to approach the table at this point, causing Heidi to glare at him.
“ Um, is t-there anything I can help you with? ” He asked in Italian.
“ No, thank you ,” Edward said.
“We should get going,” Heidi said, standing up. “We still have much of the city to see. I can see we’ve left you a lot to talk over.”
“Give Alice my regards,” Bella said standing up. “And don’t forget… noon.”
They linked hands and left the Cullens in the café.
“You alright?” Heidi muttered.
“I will be,” Bella said, giving her wife an uneasy smile.
That night Bella and Heidi sat in the hotel room Aro had gotten for them.
Heidi had the tv on and was raptly watching whatever Italian show was on. Bella had her head in Heidi’s lap. Bella was reading a book she had been meaning to read for awhile at this point. Heidi’s hand combed through Bella’s hair, allowing the vampire to relax.
It’s weird to think about,” Bella said, finally breaking the silence. “That could have been me.”
“But it isn’t.”
“But it isn’t,” Bella repeated. She could’ve gotten married to Edward. She could have had a tense stand-off with the Volturi. Could she have though? The more she thought about it, the more unbelievable it seemed. She would have had to snap at some point, right? At some point she would have had to realize how controlling he was and leave him. At some point she would find her self-worth in Forks just like she did in Volterra. That had to be accurate.
Heidi’s movements had paused.
Bella glanced up to see Heidi staring off at the tv.
“Heidi?”
“Do you want it to be?”
“What?” Bella asked, sitting up. She moved so she was sitting across from the vampire.
Heidi’s voice was void of all emotion, robotic almost, as she asked. “Would you rather it be you then Madison?”
“What are you talking about?” Bella asked. “Of course not,” she leaned over, grabbing the remote control. She turned, turning the tv off. “Why would you say that?”
“It’s a valid question!” Heidi said, getting defensive.
“Heidi, I married you,” Bella took Heidi’s hand in hers. “I love you, not Edward. You are my loyal, headstrong, sometimes a bit too stubborn partner. Not him.”
Heidi nodded, seemingly unsure still.
“Heidi, look at me.”
Heidi met her eyes.
“I love you.”
“I know-”
“I love you .”
“I love you too,” Heidi muttered, leaning and kissing Bella.
“I’m sorry if I ever make you feel like I don’t,” Bella said quietly.
“It’s not you, it’s… just issues I’m still working through,” Heidi said, leaning her forehead against Bella’s. “Thank you for being patient with me.”
“I understand, believe me, this trip has been exhausting already,” Bella said, laughing a little. “And vampires aren’t supposed to get tired.”
“They aren’t supposed to get headaches, but I was getting one at lunch.”
“Want to skip the actual wedding?” Bella asked.
“Please,” Heidi begged.
“Then we’ll do that,” Bella said, readjusting herself to her original position with her head in Heidi’s lap.
“Do you think they’ll actually change her?” Heidi asked.
“We can only hope,” Bella sighed. “If only for her sake.”