Chapter 11: Welcome

“Pack your bags Isabella. You’re going home.”
Chapter 11: Welcome

My jaw dropped, and I stared at him for a moment in total shock. Then my brain caught up with itself, and a huge smile stretched across my face. I jumped off the bed and wrapped my arms around Marcus’s neck, unable to find words to express my feelings. He chuckled quietly.

“Come now, my dear, we don’t have much time. Get your things together. I will wait for you at the bottom of the stairs. Be as quiet and as quick as you can. Hurry now.”

I stepped back and nodded, then turned to my wardrobe.

I packed in a hurry, barely aware of what I was doing. My mind was spinning in circles, trying to comprehend the astounding opportunity Marcus was giving me. Even if it was only a visit, I would be forever grateful to him.

Not sure what to expect, I packed up everything. Most of my clothes went into the big suitcase, while my duffel bag contained more personal items, including the photos; I had hurriedly gathered them up, and resolved to put them back in place on the plane.

It took me less than fifteen minutes to get everything sorted. I took one last look around the room that had been my home for the last four months. I knew I wouldn’t miss it.

True to his word, Marcus was waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs. He took my suitcase, though I could have handled it fine on my own. He smiled at my uplifted expression. Without saying a word, he led me through the corridors to the nearest exit. I was surprised by the lack of guards. Not just a short visit then.

Only when we were out of the city walls did he begin to explain.

“I told you I would do anything to make you happy. After hearing your stories, I understand that, whatever I do, you will never be truly happy with us. You don’t belong here; your place is with your family. I have arranged a private flight from here direct to Port Angeles. The guards have been dispatched on other matters, and Aro and Caius are... otherwise engaged.” He grinned at me, and I giggled. Then the gravity of his words sunk in.

“So you're, what... breaking me out?” I asked incredulously.

“You could call it that.”

“Wow.”

He chuckled.

I fell silent, too shocked for words. This wonderful, generous man, who had done so much for me, was risking everything to send me home. If I could cry, I would have been in tears.

We ran is companionable silence all the way to the airport in Florence. The check in didn’t take long: trust the Volturi to have acquired a private jet.

When it came time for me to board, I turned to Marcus and gave him a tight hug.

“Thank you,” I whispered in his ear. “So much. You have no idea how much this means to me. You have been far kinder than I deserve.”

He chuckled and hugged me back. “I beg to differ. Nothing is too much for you.”

I twisted my face and placed a soft kiss on his powdery cheek. “Goodbye Marcus. Thank you again, for everything.”

Marcus squeezed me once more, before stepping back and shaking my hand.

“It was my pleasure. I am glad to have known you.” He smiled.

“And I you. I hope we can remain good friends Marcus; there will always be room for you under my shield.” I grinned.

He laughed then became serious. “I fear I will have need of it. I will try to diffuse Aro, but I make no promises. If he does insist on pushing the issue, however, I would sooner stand with you than him. There is no justice in punishing a young girl for wanting to keep her father in her life.”

I nodded. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”

“Yes.” Marcus stood up straighter and gave me one last smile. “Good luck... Bella.”

I returned his smile. “You too Marcus.”

With one more quick hug, I boarded the plane, and within minutes, I was watching Italy disappear below the clouds.

________________________________________________________________________

One of the pros of being a vampire: even after a ten hour flight, I was still alert and focused when the plane touched down in Port Angles. I had to force myself to move at human speed, so anxious was I to be home.

Of course, there was a welcome party for me when I walked through the gate.

I couldn’t stop the huge smile that split my face in two when I saw Alice, Rosalie and Esme waiting for me in the crowd.

Alice’s ear-splitting squeal caused several heads to turn as she barrelled into me. I laughed at her eagerness and wrapped my arms around her. Within moments, I was enveloped in warm arms and gentle murmurs as Rose and Esme joined us. I held all of them tightly, delighted at being reunited with my family, incomplete as it was.

When the hugs finally ended and Esme started sobbing, I suggested we make our way home, or at least somewhere more private. The others agreed, but we stayed connected, our arms around each others shoulders all the way to Alice’s car.

“I’m sorry,” Esme choked out when we were all in. “I’m just so happy you’re back Bella.”

I hugged her tightly, pulling her close on the wide back seat. “You have nothing to apologise for Esme. I understand. Besides, I’m the idiot that left.”

“You’re not an idiot, Bella,” Rose said disapprovingly. “You didn’t see any other way. None of us blame you for what you did.”

“Exactly,” Alice agreed. “I thought nothing was going to change your mind. But then I saw you coming home... I only just managed to keep it to myself.”

I gave her a questioning look and she winked at me in the rear-view mirror.

“I saw that you wanted to surprise Edward and Nessie. Actually, none of the boys know. We’re supposed to be having a girls-only shopping spree.” She giggled.

“Not so hard to keep things from Edward any more.” Rosalie muttered.

“Rose...” Esme warned.

Panic rose in my throat. Was he ok?

“What?” Rose sounded indignant. “He’s the one who holed himself up in the cottage.”

My brief moment of panic passed. “At least he’s out of his room.”

Alice laughed again, and we all joined in. It felt good to laugh; really laugh, not just pretend.

“I’ve missed you guys.” I sighed.

There were the inevitable questions about my time in Volterra; were they good to me, what did I have to do, how did I get out, etc. etc. I answered them as best I could, hedging and sidestepping the questions I wasn’t comfortable with. In true Cullen fashion, Alice drove far too fast and made the hours drive back to Forks in a little over twenty five minutes. We were all giggling like school girls by the time we got there, imagining the look on the boys’ faces when they saw me.

But it wasn’t the boys who were the first to greet us. I could barely contain my excitement when I saw the figure on the porch.

As I had predicted, Nessie had grown since the last time I saw her. She was at least a foot taller and her proportions had changed. But she was still the same, in some ways. Her bronze curls shone, even in the weak sun filtering through the clouds. Her cheeks were still flushed pink as roses, her skin still like backlit alabaster. The same brown eyes that stared out of the mirror at me for 18 years still watched the car come to a stop. The same shining smile broke across her face when Alice and Rose got out of the car... or almost the same. It was slightly smaller, not quite so bright. I felt a sudden stab of guilt; I was the one that made it smaller.

“Aunt Alice!” she squealed. “What did you get me, what did you get me?”

So some things stayed the same after all.

Alice laughed. “You assume I got you anything, missy.”

Nessie gave her a disparaging look, and she sighed.

I chuckled as I watched my little girl bouncing up and down in anticipation, clapping her hands. Somehow, she heard me over her own excited squeals. Her movements suddenly came to a halt. Her head snapped round to look towards the car, tilted slightly to the left. Despite Alice’s darkened windows, I felt sure she could see me; she stared right into my eyes like she knew I was there. I barely noticed Carlisle, Jasper and Emmet appearing on the porch.

Esme squeezed my hand.

“You ready?” she whispered.

I nodded and tried to smile.

“Close your eyes.” Rose said, putting her hands over Renesmee’s face. Esme and I stepped out of the car. I took a deep breath to steady myself then gave Rosalie a small nod.

“Merry Christmas, baby girl!” she cried, moving her hands with a flourish.

“Aunt Rose, it’s not...” Nessie started to say, then gasped as she opened her eyes and saw me. I smiled at her, but didn’t move. I didn’t know what my sudden disappearance might have done to her, or if she could still love and trust me after all this time.

We stared at one another for a minute, and I grew increasingly worried. Nessie broke the silence.

“I’m dreaming,” she whispered, and rubbed her eyes, blinking to be sure she wasn’t seeing things. She looked so funny; I couldn’t help the short laugh that escaped my lips. Then she smiled too, a proper smile, and flung herself at me. I knelt down, opening my arms for her to race into, then stood again, swinging her around and burying my face in her hair.

“Momma!” she squealed, giggling madly. Her arms were tight around my neck, one hand pressed to my skin. Her thoughts were joyful; she had no words or pictures for her feelings, just the sheer happiness of our reunion, colouring everything. The world seemed to her to have taken on a strange, pinkish glow of love and contentment.

“Nessie, Nessie, my baby!” I whispered in her ear. “Oh darling, I’ve missed you, so, so much.”

Me too Momma. Me too.