Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

An Imperfect Life

By Midnight Dreamer

Chapter 35: Bella Italia (Beautiful Italy)

(BPOV)

Simon and I landed in Italy on schedule. The landscape outside the airport was beautiful. Shades of yellows and greens were everywhere. The colors were cool and neutral. The buildings are all in pristine condition.  It was like walking through a museum. I loved everything about it. The city of Pescara was lovely.

We hailed a taxi to take us to our hotel. Our hotel was incredible. It looked like an ancient castle overlooking the city and surrounding vineyards. Simon checked us in and said that we could spend a few days exploring the city. It’s not as large or lavish as the main cities you hear about like Rome, or Florence but it’s nice all the same.

We spent hours talking and shopping. I bought souvenirs for everyone. Yes even Edward. I found what looked like complicated Italian symphonies sheet music. He loves his piano so I figure it couldn’t hurt. For Alice I decided to get her a ticket to the next Fashion show in Milan. Simple I know but it’s right up her alley. Emmett! Oh I found him the best thing ever, but I can’t tell you what it is or I will ruin his surprise. Rosalie now she was slightly trickier. I found the most lovely Italian dress shop. I decided to ask for help from the sales clerk. It’s a good thing Simon and I can speak telepathically so he could translate everything for me. When it was all said and done I got her two weeks worth of clothes, shoes and accessories to match. Alice would be proud. For Carlisle and Esme I went with a one week vacation to Rome. Individually I got Esme a new Italian cookware set and Carlisle a new doctor’s kit in leather. I even got Simon a leather bound journal with a complete Family tree. He could fill everything in. I made sure to pick up a couple extra trees for him to add to the journal being as he has several family lines. For myself I got an entire bedroom suite to be shipped back to the house. It was beautiful. Cast iron framing in a deep green. White gossamer curtains framed the bed from the four posts. The head board was a dark wood with intricate details of vines and flowers carved into it. I ordered the matching dresser and night stand to complete the set. I even bought fake ivy vines to wrap around the posts so it looked  like the display. Simon laughed at this and said it was just a way to get peoples attention, I said yeah and it worked too.

Well last but not least was Jasper. I know I should be mad at him and believe you me I am livid but I still love him so I got him the best thing I could think of. I was walking through an ancient looking library when I came across an entire section on the history of the world. I thought it would be a change in pace if he learned more then just American history considering he lived thorough a large portion of it. So I bought him one of the complete collections. Now we can learn together, maybe.

Once I finished my shopping we went to grab something to eat. Simon picked this really fancy looking restaurant but I didn’t mind I was starving. We got back to the hotel around 11pm. I turned in for the night because Simon said we had a busy day tomorrow since it was our final day before we leave for Volterra.

The next day Simon drug me all over the place. Museums, restaurants, shopping centers, gift shops, anywhere we didn’t get to the day before. He forced me to buy some new clothing. I didn’t understand what was wrong with the clothes I had with me but apparently we had to look presentable in order to meet the royal family. Simon laughed hysterically as he said that. It was funny seeing as how Simon was truly the king! *chuckling*

“Bella what are you snickering about over there?”

“Nothing Simon”

“Don’t lie to me Bella. You may be able to block me thought wise but I can still read you like a book.”

“Fine I was just thinking about the ‘Royal Family’, and realized that you are the true king.” *laughing*

“That is so not true. Nor is it funny.”

“Oh but Simon it is. On both accounts.”

“Fine think what you want but it is not funny.”

“yeah okay right not funny…” *continuing to snicker*

“Bella!”

*laughs harder*

We finished our tour of the city and went to pack our bags and check out. Simon ordered a rental car to drive us there, complete with tinted windows and driver. We left just after sunrise. It was a 6 hour drive to Volterra from our hotel. To say I was nervous would be the understatement of the year. I watched as the small villages passed by the windows. Simon pointed out Volterra as we got closer. The City was magnificent. It was surrounded by high walls and fences. The buildings were rich earthy tones. You could see the Vulturi’s castle once we got closer. It was settled in the middle of the city. You could see the large clock tower at it highest point. Simon said we will stay in a hotel not far from the castle. He warned me not to go out at night. I asked why at first and then remembered that the vampires of Volterra were more your traditional vampires. They fed off humans and only came out at night. So daytime exploration for me.

We got to a small looking building with barely any windows and only two doors. Simon said he had built this hotel when he first lived here, long before the castle was even built. It wasn’t a hotel then but hey who was he to complain. Upon entering the lobby I noticed several large portraits hanging on the walls. One of the largest was a picture of Simon on the wall behind the service desk.

“Simon”

“Yes Bella”

“Is that a painting of you?”

“Yes Bella”

“When was it done?”

“About 400 years ago.”

“Oh”

Simon walked up to the desk to check in and get our room keys. I thought the woman behind the desk was going to faint. Simon explained that his family has owned the hotel for centuries. The hotel comped our entire stay, saying the owner shouldn’t have to pay to sleep in his own home. I chuckled, and Simon gave me a dirty look. Noticing the exchange the woman looked over at me and smiled. She looked me over closely and told Simon that his daughter was very lovely. Simon went stiff and grabbed the keys to the rooms. Once we were on the stairs I couldn’t help but burst into uncontrollable laughter.

“Finding something funny Isabella?”

“No….not…at…all”

“Bella!”

*Laughing loudly*

“Okay chuckles here is your room key. Go get settled.”

“Sorry Simon but it is really funny that she would figure we were related.”

We went our separate ways and got settled. Simon came to my room and we ordered room service and decided how we were going to get into see the Brother’s three. I told him just to make an appointment that they only know him as Dracula. He kissed my forehead and told me I was a genius. I shrugged my shoulders and said whatever. Next thing I knew we had an appointment tomorrow afternoon at dusk.

We sat around watching movies and talking the rest of the night until I was to tired to keep my eyes open. He must have slipped out after I had fallen asleep because when I woke in the morning he was gone. I got up, showered and was trying to decide what to wear when he knocked on the door. He told me to dress in the clothes we bought, he had a surprise for me. Great I hate surprises. I followed him back to his room, when he opened the door there was a man with a large canvas and easel in the room. I looked confused at Simon and he smiled. He told me it was only fair that I have my picture painted and hung in the lobby also. He said that his other children’s portraits were there too. So what could I say.

I stood by the large bay window with the sun shining down through the curtains making my naturally brown hair show highlights of gold and red. I stood for what felt like minutes when they told me it was finished. I looked at Simon quirking an eyebrow in an “I don’t believe you” look and he waved me over. When I looked at the portrait I gasped. The woman in the picture looked like a goddess not a child of 17. When the artist was paid he took his paints and left with a bow to Simon.

“Simon do you know that man?”

“Of course Bella. You didn’t think I would let just anyone around my Daughter did you?”

“Ha ha very funny. Seriously how do you know him?”

“Well, he painted my portrait that is hanging in the lobby.”

“He’s a vampire?”

“Yes.”

“Oh okay. Now what?”

“Now we decide where to hang your portrait.”

“Can it hang next to yours behind the service desk?”

“I think that sounds like a wonderful idea.”

He went and called the desk down stairs and had someone come for the picture. He told them to align it with his behind the desk. The man smiled and left with the portrait.

 Simon then turned to me and said that it was time for us to get something to eat, he had reservations for a restaurant near the center of the city. This way we could eat and then make our way slowly to the castle for our appointment with the Vulturi. We called the chauffeur and told him to have the car around front. He met us at the front door. We pulled up outside the restaurant and I’m glad that I was wearing what I was or I would have felt completely under dressed. Simon ordered for us, even order a wine to go with the meal. I was surprised when he let me drink it. He said there was no reason why I couldn’t I would be a vampire soon enough and I would forever be stuck at one age so it wouldn’t matter. I couldn’t argue with that logic.

 The meal was delicious. I wasn’t sure what I was eating and I don’t think I really wanted to know or I wouldn’t be able to keep it down. Simon laughed saying that it was probably a good idea just to enjoy the food. Translation: I’m not going to like what I am eating.

 Soon it was time to go. We walked around the city until the sun started to set. We headed toward the castle for our appointment when we were approached by two men wearing dark cloaks. Their hoods were up but I could still see their faces. I knew they were vampires.

“Hello. May we help you get somewhere?”

Simon stepped in front of me.

“No thank you gentlemen we are already on our way to our destination and are in no need of your assistance.”

“Oh but we insist that we escort you to your destination.”

Simon’s stare became hard and rigid as he looked at the two vampires in front of us.

“No thank you. It was very generous of you to offer us your assistance but you are no longer needed. Now go about your evening and leave us to our business.”

Once Simon finished speaking the two vampires gave him a bow and turned to leave.

“How?” was all I could stumble out.

“You will be able to do that one day also. I have heard in your thoughts that you call it dazzling.”

“Okay. So shall we be going?”

“Yes. Let’s get this over with before they send someone else to escort us.”

We continued on to the castle. When we entered the lobby I was surprised to see it looked more like a hotel then a vampire hang out. Flowers and couches with tables were arranged around the room. Windows high up in the walls allowed for the natural sunlight to brighten and warm the room. Sconces hung midway down the walls with large pillar candles burning in them that gave off an otherworldly glow.

 A reception desk sat in the far corner of the room. Surrounded by fichus trees to give a natural look. Over all the place was perfect in a creepy kind of way. As if they were trying to hard to look human. We walked to the receptionist and Simon told her that we had an appointment with the brothers at dusk. She typed the information into the computer situated on the desk and then picked up her phone to inform her employers that their afternoon appointment was here. When she hung up she told us to please be seated they would be right with us.

 We waited in the lobby for almost an hour before a young man, roughly around my age came to retrieve us. He led us through the lobby and to the elevators on the western wall. We entered and he hit the button for the fourth floor. The door closed and Simon stiffened. I’m not sure if it was the intensity of what was about to happen or the thoughts of the vampire in the elevator with us. Soon we stopped and exited. We were led to a large meeting room. It had several large over sized chairs with ottomans, and a large round coffee table in the middle. Simon and I took the two closest to the door. The young man who introduced himself as Alec said the brothers would be right with us. He then left the room. Simon turned to me and told me to keep a level head. He said he would do all the talking and that I shouldn’t worry about anything. I should not speak unless spoken to and under no circumstances was I too let Aro shake my hand. I asked about the other brothers. He said that Caius was the angrier of the two. He was the one who was the first to cry out to start war. Aro was the level headed one. But he too enjoyed war cause he could collect the gifted vampires left over after the rest of the coven was destroyed. Last but not least Marcus. Simon said that he could sense the bonds between people. Like family or friends or lovers. Great just what I need a vampire Dr. Phil. Could this get any worse. Truthfully I don’t think it could unless they find out that I knew about the vampire world before I met Simon. That would get the Cullen’s in trouble and Emmett possibly killed. I just had to remember not to let Aro touch my hand. I was chanting this over and over when Simon stiffened beside me, before relaxing into his seat.

 The door on the opposite side of the room opened and three very old looking men walked in. Two dark haired men and one almost white. I would swear if he was human he was an albino. With his pale skin and red eyes he could be an albino. The look on his face was anger, telling me this man was Caius. They came and took the other three seats surrounding the table. One of the dark haired men raised both his arms in a signal of what can only be seen as welcome and spoke to both Simon and I.

“Welcome to Volterra friends. What is it that has brought you to our wonderful city, and asking to meet with us.”