Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

An Imperfect Life

By Midnight Dreamer

Chapter 38: Volterra during daylight hours

(BPOV)

After my talk with Jasper last night I felt so much better. I could tell he was calmer now that I spoke with him. I never really thought about the fact that Jasper was from Texas until his southern drawl came out full force on the phone. It was sexy as hell. I heard Peter growling in the background when Jazz said about my premonitions. I chuckled to myself. I can’t wait to meet Jasper’s family. I guess they would be his true family seeing as how they all share the same venom. Wow I guess that would kind of make me their step-mom. *shudders* That shit just sounds creepy. They are way older then me and there is no way they are calling me mom. I guess since they call Jazz brother that I would be their sister. Now that sounds a whole lot less creepy.

I’m waiting on Simon to return so we can go sight seeing. He said it best to do during the day since the Vulturi only come out at night. I agree. They creep me out. I have a feeling they will be watching us closely though. They will just have to remain in the shadows. Aro is truly curious about Simon. He knows he is familiar with him he just can’t seem to recall from where.

Knock…Knock…Knock

“Come in Simon”

“Bella how did you know it was me?”

“I heard you coming up the hallway and I could smell you.”

“Smell me?”

“Yes you have a very interesting sent to you. Almost like a mix of Vodka and Tobacco.”

“I see. But how did you know it was me coming and not some drunk smoker?”

“You walk with a cadence to your step. You favor your right leg more then your left. And your stride is evenly paced. I don’t know if you do it on purpose or if it is just something you do.”

“Damn girl. Your going to be an incredible vampire.”

“Really?”

“Yes Bella my dear you are. God help anyone who tries to go against you. I almost feel bad for Jasper. He won’t be able to get away with anything. No sneaking up on you or surprises with those premonitions of yours.”

“My premonitions don’t work like that Simon. It seems they only show me important events in my life that will cause a change whether it be good or bad.”

“Oh that’s weird I thought perhaps it would be more like mine or Alice’s”

“It might eventually mature into something similar but I think it’s more of a defensive thing. But I do seem to just know some stuff without even my power of premonition.”

“Like foresight?”

“Yes. Jasper’s brother Peter is the same. Jazz says he just knows shit.”

“Ah yes the infamous Peter the wise”

“Huh?”

“Oh I have heard lots about Peter the wise or he is also called Peter the prophet.”

“Oh god don’t tell him that. Jazz says he already gets a fat head about knowing shit. Don’t encourage him anymore. I’m sure if he heard any of that his head would get so big it might actually explode.”

*Laughing* “Okay I won’t say anything. So I will get to meet Peter?”

“Of course you will we are all going to be family aren’t we?”

“You tell me? Does this mean that you and Jasper are going to work things out?”

“I guess it does. He said we need to talk things through. I already know he signed the divorce papers with Alice. It should be complete by the time we get back. We have a lot to discuss and I would love to get to know Peter and Charlotte.”

“You know he signed?”

“Did I not just explain I have a similar gift to Peter!”

“Oh yeah right.”

“How in the hell can you be so forgetful when you’re a vampire?”

“I’m also human remember. I may be immortal and gifted and very old but most of my human qualities still exist. So I can be forgetful.”

“Oh will I be that way to?”

“I’m not sure Bella. I was never there for one of my children coming of age. I do know that Carmen is full vampire and so is Zapheria.”

“So I’m different then them?”

“Yes very much so.”

“I knew it. I’m even a freak among freaks.”

“Bella!”

“What you know I’m right. And if the others didn’t start the Change until 21 how come I am already show signs of changes and I’m only going to be 18.”

“I’m not sure Bella. All I can tell you is that you are special and I have noticed a lot of changes in you. You are maturing faster then most. I’m surprised you haven’t noticed the changes yourself.”

“I have noticed some changes.”

“Like what? Maybe if we list them we can figure this out on our own without having you become Carlisle’s lab rat!”

*chuckling* “Good point. So I have noticed that I have grown several inches in just a couple of months. I was only 5′ 6″ now I’m almost 5′ 11″.”

“Yes I would say that is a very noticeable change. What else?”

“I have seemed to fill out and aged.”

“Yes I too have noticed you look older then you really are. You could pass for your early twenties, not a teenager.”

“I have noticed I can calm my anger faster and easier then before where I would just fly off the hinge.”

” Yes maturity will do that.”

“Other then that I don’t really know of anything else”

“I think what we are looking at here is a expedient transformation.”

“A expa-what?”

“An accelerated change.”

“OH! What does that mean exactly?”

“Well that means that instead of changing over a three year period from 18 to 21, you are going to be full vampire by the time you reach 18. However you will look and feel as if you are a mature adult. This is only a theory however we will have to wait and see. How long until your birthday?”

“About three weeks. Which reminds me, will we be back in time for me to start school?”

“Yes Bella. I set up another appointment to go see the brother’s in two days. There I will reveal who I am and settle all these issues before we head home, I hope.”

“Good cause we aren’t exactly heading straight home.”

“Oh were not? Where exactly are we going?”

“We are stopping in Canada to pick up Jasper, Peter, and Charlotte.”

“Oh I see. Then are we going home or to the Cullen’s?”

“I believe we will head home. There is a lot to be discussed and I have family I have to meet and get to know without prying eyes and ears.”

“That sounds perfect Bella. Well now that we have that out of the way. What do you say to some sight seeing and shopping. Then we will go and get something to eat and watch the sun set from the vineyards?”

“That sounds wonderful Simon.”

“Then let’s be on our way.”

We left for our tour of Volterra. The city truly is a beautiful place. I would love to live here but I think the brother’s three would really get on my nerves. It seems like our time in Italy is almost at an end. We meet with the brother’s again in two days. Great another meeting. I wonder how this one will go. I hope they don’t freak out when they realize who Simon really is. I know he is powerful and all but I don’t think I want to see Simon all pissed off and having to use said power.

“Bella”

“Yes Simon?”

“What are you thinking about over there. Your emotions are going wonky.”

“Hey keep your emotion radar to yourself. I don’t even let Jasper read me unless I want him to.”

“Sorry it’s habit. I’m just so in tune to your emotions. If you feel it then I feel it. Right now your anxious and scared? Why are you scared Bella?”

“I’m anxious about that meeting with the brother’s. I don’t know how they will react to you being who you are. I’m scared that you will have to use some if not all of your powers to prove it or to fight to get us out alive. I’m not sure I’m ready to see that side of you.”

“Oh Bella child. You worry far to much for your own good. I have a good feeling about this. They will not try to harm you at all once they figure out who I am. You are more likely to see a bunch of very scared and shaky vampires at that meeting. You have nothing to worry about. I won’t have to use any of my powers.”

“How can you be so sure?”

*quirking eyebrow* “Bella? Do you not remember who you are with? It appears that you to will retain some of your human forgetfulness or is this just your paranoia showing?”

“Hey. That is not funny. I’m not paranoid. Just extremely cautious. The Cullen’s have told me all the stories about the Vulturi and they do scare me. You on the other hand I have only heard rumors and myths. I have read silly fables and stories pertaining to you. No one actually knows anything about you.”

“Yes I know this Bella. I want you to do something for me that I think will help you feel more at ease.”

“What is that?”

“We are going to do a transfer of information.”

“What?”

“I want you to take my hands and we are going to transfer our memories and everything about each other to one another.”

“I don’t know if I can do that?”

“Bella you can. Trust me. Now give me your hands”

I placed my hands in Simon’s.

“Now concentrate on you life. I will do the same.”

“Okay.”

“Now Bella I want you to think about me.”

All of a sudden I could see everything. It was like a movie playing in my mind. I could see everything there was to know about Simon. From the time he was changed to the present. I saw all his mates and children, the wars of the past, the vampires who fought with and against him. It was amazing. I never thought I could do something like this. I can’t believe Simon has been through so much and can still be this peaceful being who stands in front of me now. But I see why he has no worries about the meeting now. They will cower in fear once they remember who he is. I hope I can be half the vampire he is.

“Bella open your eyes child.”

“Wow. I can’t believe you have been through so much.”

“Yes I have. And to help squash your worry you will be more then half the vampire I am. You will be more of a force to be reckoned with then any other.”

Queue blushing.

“Oh Bella.”

“Shut it Simon.”

“okay let’s get something to eat I’m starving.”

“Okay where to Simon.”

“Over there. King’s Italia. I’m sure we can find something edible in there.”

“Okay.”

We headed toward the smallish type shop up the road from the clock tower. It was lovely. We entered and were seated right away. I looked over the menu while Simon ordered us some more wine. I chuckled to myself. Once the waitress returned with our drinks we ordered. Simon ordered the Cioppino Di Pesce, which is a dish of shrimp, scallops, mussels and clams served over pasta with a white sauce. I on the other hand decided I would go with something a little more simple. The Chicken Saltiboca. It’s basically a chicken sandwich with lettuce, tomato, onions, and fresh mozzarella. We ate in silence.

 Then when it was time for us to go Simon paid the bill and we left to finish our shopping. I bought a few decorations for my room at home and Simon bought a few sets of clothing. We left to go to the vineyard just outside the city to watch the sun set. Our driver just parked in the lot and sat on the hood of the car while we walked and explored the vineyard. Simon explain the processes used to make wine. I found it very interesting. I asked Simon if he had a vineyard and he said no. He was never interested in the wine business. However he did own several hotels and art galleries located all over Italy and a few in France.

 We sat on a bench under a olive tree at the end of the vineyard path. Not a word was spoken as we watch the sun set in the distance. The view was spectacular. The reds yellows and oranges blended perfectly together. Slowly fading into subtle hues of purples and blues. As the sky began to darken the first stars began to appear in the skies. It was so peaceful. The gentle breeze blowing through the trees and sending shivers down my spine as it tussled my hair. I wish Jasper was here to see this with me. I can imagine staring into the sunset holding each other close while listen to the sounds of the night life awaken in the surrounding forests. He would have loved this. My musings were interrupted by Simon clearing his throat to get my attention.

“Bella child what has you so preoccupied over there. You are sending waves upon waves of serenity and peace.”

“Just thinking about how beautiful this is, and how much Jasper would have loved to see it with me.”

“Oh I see.”

“Well I guess we should be getting back it is after dark and I wouldn’t want the Vulturi to feel the need to send us escorts again.”

“Yes I agree Bella. You also need your rest. Tomorrow we go see the Hall of Art in Rome.”

“OH. Yes I feel I may need as much rest as I can so I don’t miss any of that.”

*chuckling* “Bella you will never cease to amaze me.”

“Well get used to it. Now let’s go I don’t want to be half asleep while we tour the Hall of Art. Or the fact that we are going to be in Rome! There are so many things I want to see.”

“Calm down Bella we will have plenty of time tomorrow to see all your favorite tourist traps.”

*sticks tongue out* “Fine let’s get back”

“Very mature Bella.”

“Just because I look old doesn’t mean I have to act like it. Have you every heard the phrase: ‘Old enough to know better, but still young enough not to care’?”

“Yes I believe I have.”

“Well that’s good cause that is now my motto. I will act however I want I have all of eternity to act mature. For now I just want to act my age.”

“Alright have it your way.”

“I will. Now come on it’s getting late.”

“There’s the mature Bella I know and love.”

“Bite me Simon”

Simon looked stunned for a moment and then we both burst out laughing.