Something Better Than Forever
by Skydancinghobbit
Chapter 8 Professor Volturi
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I love Happy Endings. They are so rare.
Aro ~Breaking Dawn~
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Returning to the normal world took Bella by surprise. Sliding into her seat just in time for the last class of the day she was met with nothing more than a nod from her fellow students, most didn't notice she'd skipped gym or perhaps didn't care. After all it had been kickball and they all well knew that while Miss Swan had many talent avoiding those intent on tagging, kicking her wasn't one of them. Alice almost didn't make it through class. Calming herself just enough to appear to be paying attention she passed Bella on the way to the bathroom leaving a heavily folded piece of paper on her desk. Bella bit her lip to check her laughter. After all English class wasn't suppose to be funny. Carefully unfolding the letter and sliding it behind her large book Bella read.
B,
What Happened? Details I need Details!!!! you me, dinner home after class. P.S. Your jeans are new, don't think I didn't notice!!!
A
At that moment the bell rang signaling the end of class. Professor Diana as she was called was due to leave them that very day for personal reasons. All the girls wished her a fond farewell all dreaming of the day when they too would have children of their own. The boys for the most part offered their own rather awkward farewell. Good tempered Diana merely waved back and assured her students that the new substitute would be arriving tomorrow. Homework must be done and to be on good behavior while she was gone. Everyone nodded, though Bella would bet her truck that some of the more adventurous students were already plotting ways to prank the unfortunate sub. It was all she could do not to laugh aloud.
Tomorrow would prove to be a very interesting day.
Gathering her things together Bella was met by a horribly impatient Alice who promptly half carried half dragged her into an empty classroom dancing about on her toes like a 4 year old on Christmas morning she closed the door and all but pounced on Bella.
“Spill before I explode, what happened did you kiss him? Did he kiss you? Did you make hot passionate love on the forest floor? I gotta know!!!”
Unable to fight it anymore Bella burst out in a torrent of laughter clutching the desk for support as she gasped lungfuls of air only to continue braying like a hyena, she had never laughed so hard in her life and when at last she did calm enough to speak she was forced to brush a tear from her eye.
“Sorry Alice, I just couldn't hold it in anymore, between your face and the note I nearly broke a rib attempting not laugh through class, and we were just beginning Romeo and Juliet, not exactly the best book to interrupt with teenage giggle fits. “
Finally Bella took pity on her best friend who looked now if anything a bit crestfallen. Hugging her gently Bella sighed gently, a little starry eyed, as she recounted the tale settling comfortable on the teacher’s plush chair.
“He wept Alice. Honest to God, broke down into heartbroken sobs at my feet”
“No!”
“Yes that’s why my jeans are new. The other pair are safely tucked away in my truck, though how on earth he knew my size I don't wish to find out”
Good to her word both women were curled up in front of a merry crackling fire with cups of cocoa before the hour was out. Their homework spread out before them debating the necessity of high school math in the world outside. With occasional breaks for necessities like doing their nails, both sets of homework was completed and dinner happily delivered by a very hesitant Esme. Bella had reluctantly agreed to allow the older vampire back into her life. Now as she flitted about the kitchen arguing with Alice over the proper temperature of roasted potatoes she realized how much she missed the elder Cullen. That familiar female presence in her life. However Bella made no move to speak; sitting quietly on the edge of the activity, her knees folded comfortably beneath her as she began humming her gaze fixed on the endless view from the balcony. Unaware of the sudden pause in the banter coming from the kitchen. When the song was at last complete and the table set Alice came to get her, venom tears sparkling in her eyes.
“Bella. Esme would like to speak to you in the kitchen a moment if that’s alright with you”
No friend of any standing could have refused the silent plea in her golden eyes. Bella read without difficulty what the diminutive pixie had really been wishing to say, “My mother wishes to beg your forgiveness without relatives because this break up of her family has ripped her heart in two” as it all but screamed from every muscle of her body as she moved. Alice might be able to see the future but even she lacked the control necessary to hide body language. Besides full of the yummy cocoa and the events of the day she was in a forgiving mood.
“Very well Alice, tell her I'll be there in a moment”
It was worth the small pain of her pride to see the joy radiating from Alice's face but before she could utter her gratitude Bella held up a hand.
“Hear me out here Alice, this is my line in the sand. I may forgive her once, but she won't have my trust or my confidence back overnight, every one of your family owe me a great deal more than just a simple apology. But at least with your mother, its a good step in the right direction. The others face a longer road, and she is free to pass along that message should she wish to, family does not just abandon their own”
Nodding Alice vanished. Bella slid upstairs she didn't need to hear the joyful sobs of both women, it was as far as she was willing to go and they both understood that. Happy for the moment to have side stepped any actual groveling she was grateful when Alice reappeared with a loaded plate in hand for her.
“Thank you Bella, just... You have no idea how long this has chewed at her”
“As I said, it's a step Alice, I won't go running back into their arms right away, don't expect that of me. It was their choice to follow Edward. Completely independent of whatever else went on between he and I and its not something I can forgive overnight, I'm not superwoman after all.”
There was nothing more to be said on that score and with a feeling of quiet satisfaction Bella chowed down on the delectable food. Admitting only to herself how much she had missed it during those cold lonely barren nights not so long ago. As if on cue the soft familiar patter of rain began its dance against the window pane. Alice filling the silence with a c.d. Bella hadn't realized what it was until the familiar beginning cords of Music of the night filled the room. She was about to give her thanks when the actors voice flowed through the introduction.
It wasn't Michael Crawford!
“Alice my God, this, this is Aro!”
Utterly spellbound she edged closer to the speaker allowing the heavenly tones to wash over her ears like chocolate. Sending images of the most provocative nature into her head complete with a certain vampire sporting the Iconic mask whispering the words into her ear. How he had arranged such a gift she couldn't fathom for the sound quality was that of a professional recording studio with complete orchestra backup. When it concluded she leaned back wiping a tear from her eyes.
“Wow. Another one in a day of, wows”
“Bella before you slide into rainbows and fuzzy bunnies land there is one more question I have to know”
“mm?”
“Aro, is his hair as soft as it looks?”
Thus the two friends spent the night swapping man secrets; until at last Bella fell asleep midway between a debate on the beneficial differences of a sexy southern drawl or the Italian accent, with a happy smile on her lips. Her best friend covering her up with a quilt before slipping away to hunt. Confident that for tonight her dreams would be unburdened. Alice hunted swiftly covering the ground between the hide away and the Cullen home in nothing more than a few moments. She courteously left her shoes at the door aware of the worsening rain. Only to find a full blown family meeting in progress in the den. Edward was standing in the center at the end of what seemed like a long rant.
“This is our territory how dare he just waltz in!”
“Enough Edward!”
The sudden bark from the corner came from Carlisle; who had never raised his voice in Alice's living memory, it came a hair short of a full blown growl as he strode to the middle of the room and forcibly returned the young immortal to his seat without preamble. The look of shock on Edward’s face was one that made Alice wish she had a camera handy.
“He is the leader of the Volturi, not to be taken lightly or trifled with; regardless of his intentions or plans here. It is our honor to give way.”
The tone brooked no argument and the matter was settled with Edward brooding, moodily, in a corner with the rest of the Coven settling into normal evening activities. Chess for Jasper and Alice, and a quiet walk in the woods for the elder Cullen’s, complete with Emmett screaming at the PS3 in french when the controller locked up midway through the last lap of his racing game.
<<
The next morning Bella made it to school in record time assisted by Alice, who unknown to her mortal friend, possessed a lead foot to surpass that of even Edward. Her definition of driving slow was a pace racers would have problems with. Gripping the armrest with a white knuckle grip they arrived none the worse for the drive other than the few gray hairs Bella was completely sure where sprouting from her head. The upside was the incredible parking spot and unexpected time for girl talk until the rest of the school arrived. The Only car currently in the lot was a black convertible neither woman recognized. Surmising it belonged to the new sub, Bella put it out of her mind, content to review the beginning of Romeo and Juliet with Alice to be ready for the pop quiz she had been informed of by way of Alice's special talent before they moved on to the next scene. Romeo's first meeting with his ill-fated love.
“Edwards going to be our class, the other English teacher called out”
A groan issued from the passenger side of the car, just the thing to ruin what promised to be a good day. Her best friend had arrived that morning with a dish of homemade breakfast from her mother and a smile. Soon the divine smell of a bacon and cheddar croissant filled the room making Bella's mouth water. Savoring every flaky mouthful she had then jumped into the car for the ride before mentioned.
“Blast, I can't just skip class can I?”
She asked rather hopefully cuddling into the plush leather seats for a moment to hopefully scheme some way to get out of another messy confrontation. Oddly Alice shook her head forcibly at the rather pathetic request and took her hand.
“Trust me on this one Bella; you'd never forgive me if I let you”
Utterly mystified for the second time in two days Bella let the subject drop. She knew better than to attempt to pry information out of Alice when she chose to be silent. It was just as well for soon cars of various staff and students began pulling into the spaces around them. Half-awake drivers stumbling toward the building in the fashion of adults who have yet to taste their first cup of coffee. All in all she was rather amused. It was amazing to see what a good cup of coffee did for her normally collected professors. The other Cullen's arrived and this time Bella nodded to them as she and Alice left for class.
The beginning of her day passed in a haze, school had that affect every now and again on even the best students. Alice cheerfully diagnosed it as a healthy case of senioritis. Laughing gently as she lead the way into the English classroom, sitting in one of the first seats in the row looking all the world like a model student, this move only causing Bella the most dire suspicion. She would have bet her best book in the library something was up. Never the less she sat down and heard the rest of the class file past her. Opening her rather battered copy of the tragic love tale she was nearly to the end of the scene from the day before when Jessica leaned forward to tap her on the shoulder.
“Earth to Bella, this is important. Smoking hot man alert. Have you seen the new sub?”
Closing her book with annoyance, Bella turned back rearranging her face into an expression of interest. After all this was classic information, every women of any sense listened to the grape vine when the words hot new sub were uttered. Apparently she wasn't the only interested party. Even the quiet Angela leaned into the little pack of gathering females.
“Dear God yes, he is F. I. N. E. fine! “
The ringing of the Bella dispersed the hormonal sea as they all resettled into their chairs. For once even Edward merited only minimal interest as he wandered in, tardy, to a place in the back row looking very displeased with something. All eyes were faceted on the door. Sure enough the moment the Sub entered, Bella's jaw dropped. Striding into view, standing in front of the class was...
Aro Volturi, dressed in black dress pants and black sweater; with contacts that turned his crimson eyes to a deep forest green making Bella nearly hyperventilate as his purring Italian accented voice broke the heavy silence.
“Good Afternoon Students. I'm Professor Volturi.”
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
I love Happy Endings. They are so rare.
Aro ~Breaking Dawn~
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Returning to the normal world took Bella by surprise. Sliding into her seat just in time for the last class of the day she was met with nothing more than a nod from her fellow students, most didn't notice she'd skipped gym or perhaps didn't care. After all it had been kickball and they all well knew that while Miss Swan had many talent avoiding those intent on tagging, kicking her wasn't one of them. Alice almost didn't make it through class. Calming herself just enough to appear to be paying attention she passed Bella on the way to the bathroom leaving a heavily folded piece of paper on her desk. Bella bit her lip to check her laughter. After all English class wasn't suppose to be funny. Carefully unfolding the letter and sliding it behind her large book Bella read.
B,
What Happened? Details I need Details!!!! you me, dinner home after class. P.S. Your jeans are new, don't think I didn't notice!!!
A
At that moment the bell rang signaling the end of class. Professor Diana as she was called was due to leave them that very day for personal reasons. All the girls wished her a fond farewell all dreaming of the day when they too would have children of their own. The boys for the most part offered their own rather awkward farewell. Good tempered Diana merely waved back and assured her students that the new substitute would be arriving tomorrow. Homework must be done and to be on good behavior while she was gone. Everyone nodded, though Bella would bet her truck that some of the more adventurous students were already plotting ways to prank the unfortunate sub. It was all she could do not to laugh aloud.
Tomorrow would prove to be a very interesting day.
Gathering her things together Bella was met by a horribly impatient Alice who promptly half carried half dragged her into an empty classroom dancing about on her toes like a 4 year old on Christmas morning she closed the door and all but pounced on Bella.
“Spill before I explode, what happened did you kiss him? Did he kiss you? Did you make hot passionate love on the forest floor? I gotta know!!!”
Unable to fight it anymore Bella burst out in a torrent of laughter clutching the desk for support as she gasped lungfuls of air only to continue braying like a hyena, she had never laughed so hard in her life and when at last she did calm enough to speak she was forced to brush a tear from her eye.
“Sorry Alice, I just couldn't hold it in anymore, between your face and the note I nearly broke a rib attempting not laugh through class, and we were just beginning Romeo and Juliet, not exactly the best book to interrupt with teenage giggle fits. “
Finally Bella took pity on her best friend who looked now if anything a bit crestfallen. Hugging her gently Bella sighed gently, a little starry eyed, as she recounted the tale settling comfortable on the teacher’s plush chair.
“He wept Alice. Honest to God, broke down into heartbroken sobs at my feet”
“No!”
“Yes that’s why my jeans are new. The other pair are safely tucked away in my truck, though how on earth he knew my size I don't wish to find out”
Good to her word both women were curled up in front of a merry crackling fire with cups of cocoa before the hour was out. Their homework spread out before them debating the necessity of high school math in the world outside. With occasional breaks for necessities like doing their nails, both sets of homework was completed and dinner happily delivered by a very hesitant Esme. Bella had reluctantly agreed to allow the older vampire back into her life. Now as she flitted about the kitchen arguing with Alice over the proper temperature of roasted potatoes she realized how much she missed the elder Cullen. That familiar female presence in her life. However Bella made no move to speak; sitting quietly on the edge of the activity, her knees folded comfortably beneath her as she began humming her gaze fixed on the endless view from the balcony. Unaware of the sudden pause in the banter coming from the kitchen. When the song was at last complete and the table set Alice came to get her, venom tears sparkling in her eyes.
“Bella. Esme would like to speak to you in the kitchen a moment if that’s alright with you”
No friend of any standing could have refused the silent plea in her golden eyes. Bella read without difficulty what the diminutive pixie had really been wishing to say, “My mother wishes to beg your forgiveness without relatives because this break up of her family has ripped her heart in two” as it all but screamed from every muscle of her body as she moved. Alice might be able to see the future but even she lacked the control necessary to hide body language. Besides full of the yummy cocoa and the events of the day she was in a forgiving mood.
“Very well Alice, tell her I'll be there in a moment”
It was worth the small pain of her pride to see the joy radiating from Alice's face but before she could utter her gratitude Bella held up a hand.
“Hear me out here Alice, this is my line in the sand. I may forgive her once, but she won't have my trust or my confidence back overnight, every one of your family owe me a great deal more than just a simple apology. But at least with your mother, its a good step in the right direction. The others face a longer road, and she is free to pass along that message should she wish to, family does not just abandon their own”
Nodding Alice vanished. Bella slid upstairs she didn't need to hear the joyful sobs of both women, it was as far as she was willing to go and they both understood that. Happy for the moment to have side stepped any actual groveling she was grateful when Alice reappeared with a loaded plate in hand for her.
“Thank you Bella, just... You have no idea how long this has chewed at her”
“As I said, it's a step Alice, I won't go running back into their arms right away, don't expect that of me. It was their choice to follow Edward. Completely independent of whatever else went on between he and I and its not something I can forgive overnight, I'm not superwoman after all.”
There was nothing more to be said on that score and with a feeling of quiet satisfaction Bella chowed down on the delectable food. Admitting only to herself how much she had missed it during those cold lonely barren nights not so long ago. As if on cue the soft familiar patter of rain began its dance against the window pane. Alice filling the silence with a c.d. Bella hadn't realized what it was until the familiar beginning cords of Music of the night filled the room. She was about to give her thanks when the actors voice flowed through the introduction.
It wasn't Michael Crawford!
“Alice my God, this, this is Aro!”
Utterly spellbound she edged closer to the speaker allowing the heavenly tones to wash over her ears like chocolate. Sending images of the most provocative nature into her head complete with a certain vampire sporting the Iconic mask whispering the words into her ear. How he had arranged such a gift she couldn't fathom for the sound quality was that of a professional recording studio with complete orchestra backup. When it concluded she leaned back wiping a tear from her eyes.
“Wow. Another one in a day of, wows”
“Bella before you slide into rainbows and fuzzy bunnies land there is one more question I have to know”
“mm?”
“Aro, is his hair as soft as it looks?”
Thus the two friends spent the night swapping man secrets; until at last Bella fell asleep midway between a debate on the beneficial differences of a sexy southern drawl or the Italian accent, with a happy smile on her lips. Her best friend covering her up with a quilt before slipping away to hunt. Confident that for tonight her dreams would be unburdened. Alice hunted swiftly covering the ground between the hide away and the Cullen home in nothing more than a few moments. She courteously left her shoes at the door aware of the worsening rain. Only to find a full blown family meeting in progress in the den. Edward was standing in the center at the end of what seemed like a long rant.
“This is our territory how dare he just waltz in!”
“Enough Edward!”
The sudden bark from the corner came from Carlisle; who had never raised his voice in Alice's living memory, it came a hair short of a full blown growl as he strode to the middle of the room and forcibly returned the young immortal to his seat without preamble. The look of shock on Edward’s face was one that made Alice wish she had a camera handy.
“He is the leader of the Volturi, not to be taken lightly or trifled with; regardless of his intentions or plans here. It is our honor to give way.”
The tone brooked no argument and the matter was settled with Edward brooding, moodily, in a corner with the rest of the Coven settling into normal evening activities. Chess for Jasper and Alice, and a quiet walk in the woods for the elder Cullen’s, complete with Emmett screaming at the PS3 in french when the controller locked up midway through the last lap of his racing game.
<<
The next morning Bella made it to school in record time assisted by Alice, who unknown to her mortal friend, possessed a lead foot to surpass that of even Edward. Her definition of driving slow was a pace racers would have problems with. Gripping the armrest with a white knuckle grip they arrived none the worse for the drive other than the few gray hairs Bella was completely sure where sprouting from her head. The upside was the incredible parking spot and unexpected time for girl talk until the rest of the school arrived. The Only car currently in the lot was a black convertible neither woman recognized. Surmising it belonged to the new sub, Bella put it out of her mind, content to review the beginning of Romeo and Juliet with Alice to be ready for the pop quiz she had been informed of by way of Alice's special talent before they moved on to the next scene. Romeo's first meeting with his ill-fated love.
“Edwards going to be our class, the other English teacher called out”
A groan issued from the passenger side of the car, just the thing to ruin what promised to be a good day. Her best friend had arrived that morning with a dish of homemade breakfast from her mother and a smile. Soon the divine smell of a bacon and cheddar croissant filled the room making Bella's mouth water. Savoring every flaky mouthful she had then jumped into the car for the ride before mentioned.
“Blast, I can't just skip class can I?”
She asked rather hopefully cuddling into the plush leather seats for a moment to hopefully scheme some way to get out of another messy confrontation. Oddly Alice shook her head forcibly at the rather pathetic request and took her hand.
“Trust me on this one Bella; you'd never forgive me if I let you”
Utterly mystified for the second time in two days Bella let the subject drop. She knew better than to attempt to pry information out of Alice when she chose to be silent. It was just as well for soon cars of various staff and students began pulling into the spaces around them. Half-awake drivers stumbling toward the building in the fashion of adults who have yet to taste their first cup of coffee. All in all she was rather amused. It was amazing to see what a good cup of coffee did for her normally collected professors. The other Cullen's arrived and this time Bella nodded to them as she and Alice left for class.
The beginning of her day passed in a haze, school had that affect every now and again on even the best students. Alice cheerfully diagnosed it as a healthy case of senioritis. Laughing gently as she lead the way into the English classroom, sitting in one of the first seats in the row looking all the world like a model student, this move only causing Bella the most dire suspicion. She would have bet her best book in the library something was up. Never the less she sat down and heard the rest of the class file past her. Opening her rather battered copy of the tragic love tale she was nearly to the end of the scene from the day before when Jessica leaned forward to tap her on the shoulder.
“Earth to Bella, this is important. Smoking hot man alert. Have you seen the new sub?”
Closing her book with annoyance, Bella turned back rearranging her face into an expression of interest. After all this was classic information, every women of any sense listened to the grape vine when the words hot new sub were uttered. Apparently she wasn't the only interested party. Even the quiet Angela leaned into the little pack of gathering females.
“Dear God yes, he is F. I. N. E. fine! “
The ringing of the Bella dispersed the hormonal sea as they all resettled into their chairs. For once even Edward merited only minimal interest as he wandered in, tardy, to a place in the back row looking very displeased with something. All eyes were faceted on the door. Sure enough the moment the Sub entered, Bella's jaw dropped. Striding into view, standing in front of the class was...
Aro Volturi, dressed in black dress pants and black sweater; with contacts that turned his crimson eyes to a deep forest green making Bella nearly hyperventilate as his purring Italian accented voice broke the heavy silence.
“Good Afternoon Students. I'm Professor Volturi.”