Something Better Than Forever
by Skydancinghobbit
Chapter 21: Healing
and Letters
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Money meant next to nothing to Edward or the rest of the Cullen’s. It was just something that accumulated when you had unlimited time on your hands and a sister who had an uncanny ability to predict trends in the stock market.
Bella Swan, New Moon, Chapter 1, p.13
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Her remaining time in Italy was not truly worth recounting in these pages. School work and sleep was the entirety of it. Aro had avoided her entirely spending long hours brooding by one of the high picture windows of the east tower, unmovable and still as a statue. It was most disheartening. Only when she had boarded the plane and found a letter on a tray waiting for her did her mood lighten at all. Sliding in the plush recliner and reached for the letter opener as they took off. The quiet sound of tearing paper and the soft crinkle of an expensive sheet of paper being unfolded followed. Bella felt her eyes welling as she drank in his words, penned in a beautiful calligraphy hand.
Mia Bella,
Having the best acquaintance with time, allow me to impart a lesson. It has been said written and sang a thousand ways but never the less stands the test of time. If you love someone let them go. Cara Mia, without pride I can see these days away from you will be the harshest trial of my immortal life. I write it not to inspire guilt but remind you of the fragile ageless heart that you carry with you. Take this time, cherish the lesson you will learn but when your heart begins to whisper sweet murmurs once more, return to me.
I remain cari uno, your most faithful servant,
Aro Volturi
Silent tears fell to her lap and Bella placed the short missive gently back on her meal tray, Even in distance the man had the ability to move a stone with nothing but his heart and a metal nib quill pen. She mused on its contents again as she nibbled a late lunch Jane placed before her. Crimson eyes resting on the missive for only a moment with an expression of longing Bella could naught but pity her. She had noticed the way the blonds eyes had followed her Master with a expression she recognized. Luckily she knew there was nothing to fear, puppy love was one thing yet the immortal knew better than to voice or foolishly act on her feelings lest she be a smoldering pile of ash before the next rising.
“How long have you guessed?”
The words caused her to jump, she had realized Jane had lingered behind her. Turning in her direction Bella shrugged. The simple action caused her companion to raise her eyebrow in surprise, she had expected wrath or even a tirade from the mortal.
“Ever since you showed me into the throne room. It takes a woman's eye to recognize a secret longing”
If anything Bella sounded amused.
“Yet you do not warn me or rebuke in any fashion?”
Her tone sounded, sad if Bella's ears were functioning properly. Again the feeling of companionship welled her heart. To be alone, feared and avoided only because of one's gifts, questionable as they might be was something she understood. Reaching out slowly she touched the pale hand that rested on the back of her headrest.
“Jane, I don't even think ill of you, being a loner as you are, I'm not going to rebuke you for idolizing the one creature in Volterra who doesn't flinch in your presence, beyond your gift, you have a heart like any other woman, you simply need to find the right immortal to share it with.”
Watching her struggle for utterance would have been amusing in any other moment but Bella just sat quietly, politely waiting. Soft tremors passing under her hand as it rested on the flawless skin. Lowering her eyes Jane was looking at their hands a pained expression clouding her crimson eyes, Soft words when they came touched her.
“I thank you Isabella, it has been nearly 400 years since I have felt the touch of another being”
Bella gasped in horror, not at the confession but the appalling information conveyed.
“Well those fool's don't know what they’re missing! If you would be willing to consider me a friend, I would gladly accept the post Jane”
Nodding in silence the two women sat in silence for a long time, Bella only moving when her back began to protest the angle. Rather shyly Jane suggested moving to the more comfortable couch for a movie. Cheered by the idea, Bella instantly agreed, a conversation began about their favorite titles and she was amazed to find their tastes in the classics quite similar. Glossing through the more modern titles she was gob smacked to learn Jane had never before watched a Disney movie.
“It’s an essential grounding in any friendship! We must remedy this immediately!”
With an amused expression Jane watched with mild amusement as Bella dove into her bag, flicking through her collection looking for a place to start. Glancing at her now and again as she mused on one title or another. Finally she returned with a disk balanced on her finger like movie watchers the world over. Slipping it into the dvd player and accepting the popcorn Alec offered, digging out her hot sauce she clicked play.
“Aladdin?”
“Yup this was the first movie I ever watched, thought it was a good place to start, my young movie Padawan”
Jane looked mystified but her brother let out a roar of laughter as the familiar chords of the opening song number began. Both siblings sat enthralled as the storyline played out. Jane taking an instant liking to the Genie when he appeared. Oddly she disliked Jafar, finding him as she put it. An old pompous windbag with delusions of grandeur.
Alec meanwhile had a great liking for the Sultan, sweet and good hearted but without the sharpest grip on his kingdom. As it wound to its inevitable conclusion Jane hissed suddenly at the giant snake and barked out suddenly her enthusiastic agreement with Genie, who was cheering the young man on with pompoms at that moment.
“Ugh, I hate Snakes, kill it Aladdin!”
Alec merely wrapped an arm around his sister as if to protect her from the animated threat. She snuggled into his shoulder much like Bella had into her mother's the first time. Happily all ended for the hero's. Evil was vanquished and love overcame every obstacle. As the credits began to roll Jane sniffed.
“That was beautiful, is there another Disney movie?”
Grinning Bella placed the disk careful back in its case turning to face the twins.
“Oh you have only just started, want to watch one more while we have two more hours before we land?”
“YES!”
As Bella slipped Tarzan into the player a goofy smile played on her face and a measure of healing took place. Alec and Jane because they were discovering a missed childhood and Bella because she was revisited the days of old when life was always that easy. Settling down on her end of the couch she offered the twins a nibble of her popcorn as the thundering percussion began. Laughing outright as both sported the same expression of incredulous wonder as the flavors burst upon their senses.
Little did she know the turmoil that awaited her, a desperate plan was brewing and the wrath of a wolf scorned burned bright…
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Money meant next to nothing to Edward or the rest of the Cullen’s. It was just something that accumulated when you had unlimited time on your hands and a sister who had an uncanny ability to predict trends in the stock market.
Bella Swan, New Moon, Chapter 1, p.13
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Her remaining time in Italy was not truly worth recounting in these pages. School work and sleep was the entirety of it. Aro had avoided her entirely spending long hours brooding by one of the high picture windows of the east tower, unmovable and still as a statue. It was most disheartening. Only when she had boarded the plane and found a letter on a tray waiting for her did her mood lighten at all. Sliding in the plush recliner and reached for the letter opener as they took off. The quiet sound of tearing paper and the soft crinkle of an expensive sheet of paper being unfolded followed. Bella felt her eyes welling as she drank in his words, penned in a beautiful calligraphy hand.
Mia Bella,
Having the best acquaintance with time, allow me to impart a lesson. It has been said written and sang a thousand ways but never the less stands the test of time. If you love someone let them go. Cara Mia, without pride I can see these days away from you will be the harshest trial of my immortal life. I write it not to inspire guilt but remind you of the fragile ageless heart that you carry with you. Take this time, cherish the lesson you will learn but when your heart begins to whisper sweet murmurs once more, return to me.
I remain cari uno, your most faithful servant,
Aro Volturi
Silent tears fell to her lap and Bella placed the short missive gently back on her meal tray, Even in distance the man had the ability to move a stone with nothing but his heart and a metal nib quill pen. She mused on its contents again as she nibbled a late lunch Jane placed before her. Crimson eyes resting on the missive for only a moment with an expression of longing Bella could naught but pity her. She had noticed the way the blonds eyes had followed her Master with a expression she recognized. Luckily she knew there was nothing to fear, puppy love was one thing yet the immortal knew better than to voice or foolishly act on her feelings lest she be a smoldering pile of ash before the next rising.
“How long have you guessed?”
The words caused her to jump, she had realized Jane had lingered behind her. Turning in her direction Bella shrugged. The simple action caused her companion to raise her eyebrow in surprise, she had expected wrath or even a tirade from the mortal.
“Ever since you showed me into the throne room. It takes a woman's eye to recognize a secret longing”
If anything Bella sounded amused.
“Yet you do not warn me or rebuke in any fashion?”
Her tone sounded, sad if Bella's ears were functioning properly. Again the feeling of companionship welled her heart. To be alone, feared and avoided only because of one's gifts, questionable as they might be was something she understood. Reaching out slowly she touched the pale hand that rested on the back of her headrest.
“Jane, I don't even think ill of you, being a loner as you are, I'm not going to rebuke you for idolizing the one creature in Volterra who doesn't flinch in your presence, beyond your gift, you have a heart like any other woman, you simply need to find the right immortal to share it with.”
Watching her struggle for utterance would have been amusing in any other moment but Bella just sat quietly, politely waiting. Soft tremors passing under her hand as it rested on the flawless skin. Lowering her eyes Jane was looking at their hands a pained expression clouding her crimson eyes, Soft words when they came touched her.
“I thank you Isabella, it has been nearly 400 years since I have felt the touch of another being”
Bella gasped in horror, not at the confession but the appalling information conveyed.
“Well those fool's don't know what they’re missing! If you would be willing to consider me a friend, I would gladly accept the post Jane”
Nodding in silence the two women sat in silence for a long time, Bella only moving when her back began to protest the angle. Rather shyly Jane suggested moving to the more comfortable couch for a movie. Cheered by the idea, Bella instantly agreed, a conversation began about their favorite titles and she was amazed to find their tastes in the classics quite similar. Glossing through the more modern titles she was gob smacked to learn Jane had never before watched a Disney movie.
“It’s an essential grounding in any friendship! We must remedy this immediately!”
With an amused expression Jane watched with mild amusement as Bella dove into her bag, flicking through her collection looking for a place to start. Glancing at her now and again as she mused on one title or another. Finally she returned with a disk balanced on her finger like movie watchers the world over. Slipping it into the dvd player and accepting the popcorn Alec offered, digging out her hot sauce she clicked play.
“Aladdin?”
“Yup this was the first movie I ever watched, thought it was a good place to start, my young movie Padawan”
Jane looked mystified but her brother let out a roar of laughter as the familiar chords of the opening song number began. Both siblings sat enthralled as the storyline played out. Jane taking an instant liking to the Genie when he appeared. Oddly she disliked Jafar, finding him as she put it. An old pompous windbag with delusions of grandeur.
Alec meanwhile had a great liking for the Sultan, sweet and good hearted but without the sharpest grip on his kingdom. As it wound to its inevitable conclusion Jane hissed suddenly at the giant snake and barked out suddenly her enthusiastic agreement with Genie, who was cheering the young man on with pompoms at that moment.
“Ugh, I hate Snakes, kill it Aladdin!”
Alec merely wrapped an arm around his sister as if to protect her from the animated threat. She snuggled into his shoulder much like Bella had into her mother's the first time. Happily all ended for the hero's. Evil was vanquished and love overcame every obstacle. As the credits began to roll Jane sniffed.
“That was beautiful, is there another Disney movie?”
Grinning Bella placed the disk careful back in its case turning to face the twins.
“Oh you have only just started, want to watch one more while we have two more hours before we land?”
“YES!”
As Bella slipped Tarzan into the player a goofy smile played on her face and a measure of healing took place. Alec and Jane because they were discovering a missed childhood and Bella because she was revisited the days of old when life was always that easy. Settling down on her end of the couch she offered the twins a nibble of her popcorn as the thundering percussion began. Laughing outright as both sported the same expression of incredulous wonder as the flavors burst upon their senses.
Little did she know the turmoil that awaited her, a desperate plan was brewing and the wrath of a wolf scorned burned bright…