Benvenuti a casa

[Bella Cullen]

Bella remained silent the whole way back to Italy. She was angry, hurt, and a little afraid. It all made sense now, she was just a pawn in Aro's game of acquiring what he wanted. He'd never stop until he did. There was no escape from them now, he knew their weaknesses. He knew they'd fight to protect each other, even giving up their own freedom for the other. Jane smirked the whole way back, Alec stayed quiet but looked as if he was studying Bella. One hundred years without her husband, daughter and family. Charlie...she'd never ever see him again. He would...die. He wasn't immortal. She hadn't thought about that in all of the rush and conflict. Her father...that alone made her feel a million times worse for rushing into a decision. What...had...she...done??

Time seemed to stop, flashes of her family, Ness and Edward going through her mind...times when they were happy, and together. Times that made her smile, gave her hope. All she could hope for was that Edward or anyone else didn't do anything stupid. The walk through the underground of Volterra to the secret entrance was silent, the only echos of their footsteps were heard. The last time she'd come here, she was human and very afraid for what would happen, not knowing what to expect. Passing Chelsea she still wondered what would become of her and why they kept her around as a human and hadn't changed her. The double doors opened revealing the large room she once stood and met the Volturi, the day Edward almost died at Felix's hand. There he sat in the center throne like he was some sort of King or God. Marcus and Caius sat on each side of him observing. Jane and Alec flanking her as she walked in, arms folded across her chest.

"You said three days, you lied. You broke our deal, so why should I keep my end of things?"

[Aro Volturi]

Aro observed Bella walk in, Jane and Alec right behind her. A smile crept to his face as he stood to greet his newest acquirement. Cupping his hands together as she walked in, then she spoke and made him chuckle.

"Benvenuti a casa, Isabella" He said in his best Italian accent. Slowly stepping down the stairs until he was level with her, he approached her keeping eye contact with her.

"You should keep your end of things because if not...." He grinned and leaned in close to her ear, "You won't have anything to go back to in One Hundred Years."

Slowly moving back to give her his smile that creeped so many others out.

[Bella Cullen]

She knew enough Italian to know that meant Welcome Home and she felt sick. This was not her home, nor would it ever be. His breath on her ear was almost chilling. Closing her eyes as he said the words she feared most. He made her want to hit him with that sadistic smile on his face, so pleased with himself. Gritting her teeth, she stood there with her back straight refusing to show fear to him. He wasn't worth her fear, or her time. "What now, Aro?" She glared at him, holding herself high and thinking of her family...it would be the only thing to keep her going.

[Aro Volturi]

He continued to smile, lacing his fingers together as his two index fingers stayed straight, bringing them to his chin in thought.

"God gave us memories that we might have roses in December. J.M. Barrie said that in his 1922 novel, Courage. I remember reading it so long ago."

He turned his back to her and began his ascent to his seat again. "Maybe it will be easier to know you may not have to keep your bargain." Taking his seat he grinned and watched her reaction. She said nothing but looked around nervously.

"Renesmee....ah yes, Renesmee. Such beautiful red eyes she has. She's grown so much, you must be so, so proud. Seems she has made her own deal."

He watched her closely enjoying the effect it was having on her. "Would you like to see her?"

[Bella Cullen]

He quoted some book like that would help her to feel better or give her some meaning to being here, keeping her memories. She rolled her eyes and folded her arms across her chest waiting for him to answer her question.

"Maybe it will be easier to know you may not have to keep your bargain."

"What?!" She asked right away, dropping her arms. No, this couldn't be happening. Aro never would just let her go....something happened. Her name leaving his lips made her cringe. Renesmee, her daughter. Red eyes...he knew! Which only meant he'd seen her. No, no...this wasn't happening. Her own deal?

"Her own deal? What? What are you talking about, you want me remember." He just smirked and stared at her for a moment. "Would you like to see her?"

"SEE HER!? She's HERE?? No, we made a deal Aro. You agreed you'd leave them out of this."

[Aro Volturi]

"All deals are scheduled to change, while you are a valuable asset I do find her gifts rather....intriguing. Such a waste of a gift, and she already prefers our diet. Why not?" He grinned and taunted her with his words, knowing she would eventually cave and stay unable to leave her daughter. Two for the price of one. Now that...was genius. And he could just time it when her lovely husband Edward would show up, followed by Alice. The rest were dispensable, oh but what a shame for his old friend Carlisle. Oh well, life goes on he supposed. His plan had worked out perfectly, almost too perfectly.

[Bella Cullen]

His words were enough to send the rage inside of her to a new level. Without thought she sprung from where she stood and lunged for him with fast speed and a feral scream. He had taken so much from her, threatened her with his words and put them all through so much already. He had to die, it was the only way. Grabbing him by his throat as she tried to decapitate him, hoping that fate was on her side.

[Aro Volturi]

He watched her as she attacked him, keeping his smile while she began to try to remove his head. In the blink of an eye his guards had her off of him as he stood and dusted himself off regally and unharmed, not even moved or affected by her attempt.

"I see you've made your decision."

He looked at his brothers, Marcus and Caius as they both nodded. Slowly turning to face her as the guards held her arms, making her kneel before him.

"It is death. Immediately." His lips curled into a smirk as he stepped forward slowly to deliver the punishment.

[Nessa]

-she could hear them talking, could hear her mother's shouts as she realized that her daughter was here and had made a deal of her own. It had taken all of her strength not to attack Jane and Alec as they held her arms and made her listen to her mother's screams, but finally they had let her go.-

The Day Before

-she had told everyone that she was going out to hunt, that she'd be back by midnight. That was the second time she had lied to her parents. She had no intention of hunting in Seattle; her craving was for Italian.-

-it hadn't been hard to get a ticket to Italy and had been even easier to get on the plane and fly there straight away; money always tended to get you the best tickets the fastest. The trip to Volterra seemed to pass by at a snails pace; her phone was shut off so as to not have to worry about phone calls from her family, her Ipod was unfortunately not charged so she had no music, and the movie that they were playing sucked. She was bored, out of her mind.-

-once they had finally landed she had made her way to the city that loomed in the distance. It was intimidating, she wouldn't lie, but she wasn't going to let herself be worried: she had hurt her mother and she was here to fix it all. If it hadn't of been for her birth, the Volturri would never have come back for them and her mother, father and families lives would have gone on as it should have. She hadn't cried since making her decision. She had accepted her fate and decided to meet it head on, making a deal of her own with Aro. She knew what she would offer, and she knew that Aro wouldn't turn it down. He wanted her, and he wanted her family.-

Renesmee Carlie Cullen. What on earth are you doing here?

-the quiet, girlish voice spoke to her from the shade under the clock tower. She looked up, her red eyes meeting the red eyes of the blonde in front of her. She inclined her head respectfully before looking at her again.- Jane. I would say it's a pleasure, but that would be a lie. I'm here to speak with Aro and no one else. Take me to him.

-Jane met her gaze and smiled, speaking in that soft, creepy voice- Careful, child. Very, very careful. -Ness nodded- Apologies, Jane. But I need to speak with Aro, and I need to speak with him now... before its too late.

-the door behind Jane opened and she was ushered through, lead to the central room where Aro sat with Caius and Marcus flanking him. She couldn't forget his face, nor his voice. She lowered her head when he stood-

I have come on behalf of my mother. And I have an offer, one that's better than hers. One that you won't want to refuse.

-Aro stared at her, his fingers steepled underneath his chin as he looked her over studiously. She knew the moment he saw her red eyes, knew when it registered... She fed on human blood, like they did.-

Most excellent, Ms. Cullen. Let's do business, shall we?

Present Day

-she burst into the room as Aro stood there about to deliver death to her mother. She couldn't do this.... HE COULDN'T DO THIS!-

ARO! WE HAD A DEAL! If you kill her, you kill me too.... and risk losing the most important deal you have ever made in your entire existence.

-he met her eyes and she could tell that he was contemplating. She stared him down, not faltering even as her heart pounded in her chest- Let her go, send her home. I've made my promise, and it's a promise I intend to keep. Let. Her. Go.

-he continued to stare at her and she stared right back.-