"I considered it. Once. When James had you trapped," Edward said.

"Before you got there...I threw him across the room, I was able to fight him," Brea said.

Edward froze.

"I didn't know if I'd find you in time. If I'd gotten you killed," Edward replied, ignoring her comment.

"It wouldn't have been your fault, I was scared... and We-I shouldn't have fallen for his tricks," Brea sighed.

"Either way, I had a plan," Edward said.

"What plan?" Brea asked.

"There are...ways for us. At least one way, I would have gone to Italy, provoked the Volturi," Edward replied.

"T-The who?" Brea asked.

"Is there something you'd like to share with the class, Ms. Swan?" The English teacher asked.

"Certainly not! I apologize, but perhaps you should rewind to act five, sense one, line twenty-eight eighty-nine," Brea smiled.

"You've seen this before?" The teacher asked.

"If you had the strength of twenty men it would dispatch you straight," Brea said.

The teacher just stared at Brea... looking completely intimidated.

"Eyes on the screen, people," The teacher said.

"This is why I love you," Edward whispered in her ear.

Brea laughed quietly.

Later that night Brea and Bella were waiting in a room with Edward.

"The Volturi are a very old, very powerful family.... The closet thing my world has to royalty," Edward sighed.

Brea stood next to him and looked at the huge painting that hung on the wall. She wore the blue dress that Alice had gifted her, while Bella wore a similar dress that was green.

"Whoa! Is that Carlisle?" Brea asked.

"Yes. He lived with them for a few decades. He described them as very refined-for killers," Edward said.

Brea studied the painting.

"The Volturi are also what you might call enforcers," Edward replied.

"Of what?" Brea asked.

"The only rule they have... to keep secret the existence of our kind," Edward said.

Brea turned to look at Edward.

"We don't make spectacles of ourselves, or kill conspicuously, unless we want to die," Edward sighed.

"Don't even... talk about that! I won't let anyone hurt you, the Volturi or anyone else," Brea said.

"Who else would hurt me?" Edward asked, feeling happy knowing his mate was willing to protect him from everything, even if she was a human.

"You said there were more dangerous things out there than you. And I know you have at least one enemy," Brea replied.

Edward looked from Brea to Bella, knowing she was talking about Victoria.

"You said she'd come after you for killing her mate," Bella spoke up.

"Victoria? Yes, some day! But Alice will see her coming. And she won't win," Edward sighed.

"I hate that I can't really protect you," Brea frowned.

Edward laughed.

"Edward, I'm being serious!" Brea said.

"I know! But you do protect me...from boredom! And loneliness! You give me a reason to stay undead. But it's my job, to protect you," Edward replied, pulling Brea in for a kiss.

They pulled away...both hearing Alice's thoughts.

"From everyone but my sister," Edward sighed.

Bella laughed.

Alice burst through the doors.

"It's time! It's time!" Alice cheered, pulling both sister's out of the room with Edward following behind.

Brea walked towards the stairs and looked down at everyone.

"Wow! Alice this is beautiful! Thank you guys," Brea smiled.

They all smiled... and nodded their heads.

Both sister's walked down the stairs.

"Sorry about all of this! We tried to rein Alice in," Carlisle laughed.

"Like that's even possible! Happy Birthday Girls!" Esme said, pulling them both in for a hug.

Suddenly there was a bright light.

Brea turned and looked at Alice, who had her camera.

"Found it in your bag! Hope you don't mind," Alice said.

Brea laughed.

Emmett moved over towards Edward. Nudging him.

"Dating an older woman! Hot!" Emmett smirked.

Brea laughed...Edward elbowed Emmett and smiled.

"What?" Emmett asked.

Rosalie took a step closer to Brea and Bella handing them both a silver box.

"We got you both making necklaces. Alice picked them out," Rosalie smiled.

Edward walked over towards Brea.

"Show me the love!" Alice smiled, holding up the camera.

They pull each other close... looking deeply into one another's eyes.

Alice takes the picture.

"For your scrapbook! Now open up the presents!" Alice smiled.

Brea walked over to the table, looking at the huge cake and the stack of presents.

"Alice! This cake could feed fifty people," Brea laughed.

"Hope you girls are hungry! Here, this one is from Emmett," Alice said, handing Bella a box.

Bella opened up the present, and shook it... it was empty.

"Um...thanks?" Bella replied.

"Already installed it in your truck!" Emmett smiled.

"Finally, a decent sound system in that piece of crap!" Brea laughed.

"Don't hate the truck! Thank you, Emmett," Bella smiled.

"This one is from Esme and Carlisle! It's for the both of you" Alice said, handing Bella a small box.

Bella started to open up the box...