Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Twilight books or characters, nor any of the Harry Potter books or characters. The only character I own is Abigail and my friend TeNnIs-PlAyEr owns Bridget. We also own Melissa Swan, Mara Potter, Kathleen Evans, Cindy Hale, and Tonya Lupin, as well as the Guardians and messenger birds but that is the extent of our ownership.
Ch. 1- The Invitations
Esme's P.O.V.
It was a nice spring, almost summer, day and the kids had just gotten back from school in London the day before, when they burst into my private study unannounced.
"Mo-om, we're bored. Can't we go somewhere this summer?" Alice begged while Edward gave me a pleading look.
"Children, go get a snack from the kitchens and go to the lake. I need to talk to your Father about something." I said in a commanding voice, the idea brought smiles to their faces and Edward went to get snacks and horses ready while Alice hunted down their adoptive father, and my husband, Carlisle.
"Honey, can I come in? Alice found me in the library and said you needed to talk to me about something." Came Carlisle's sweet voice from the doorway.
"Yes, I do need to talk to you. It's about Alice and Edward," I explained before adding a quick, "They did nothing they are just so bored here." I finished and noticed Carlisle nodding in agreement to my observation.
"So they've been bothering you as well." He said in an understanding voice.
"Yes, they have been, but I have an idea. A couple of friends of mine kept in touch with me after finishing school and informed me that their kids are just as bored as ours and they are all the same ages as our Alice and Edward. So, I thought to keep them from going 'insane' we could have them al over for the summer to give them something to do and people their own age to be around." I finished smiling to match the grin on Carlisle's face.
"Perfect dear, how many are there and when can they get here?" He said in a mix of excitement and hopefulness to get the kids off his back.
"Well there are six girls including Alice and six boys including Edward so in total twelve, the girls are all 17 and all the boys are 18." I stated before adding, "don't worry I already sent invitations when the kids got home so I should get replies any day now."
"That would be great; I'll have Caroline, the new housekeeper, notified to get rooms ready on the third floor by Alice and Edward's and have stables readied for their horses. They will be bringing horses or should we send for some from the Grande Palace?" Carlisle said while looking to me for an answer.
"Don't worry Darling. Of course they will be bringing horses as well as a messenger bird and their guardians." I said while stroking the head of my own guardian, a cheetah named Acheron.
"Okay then I'll leave you to finish up whatever you were doing and I'll see you at dinner." Carlisle said standing and heading towards the door.
"Okay and please don't tell the children until dinner time I wish to surprise them." And with a nod my love walked out the door probably back to the library.
Lily's P.O.V.
"Daughters, could you come here for a moment?" Came our mother's voice as we walked past the library of our Irish summer palace.
"Yes Mother?" Bridget said after leading the three of us into the library and out of the hallway that led to the back stairs we took up to our rooms we heading towards to change out of our riding clothes for dinner.
"I received a letter from a dear friend of mine from the finishing school I attended." She started motioning for us to take a seat.
"That's cool Mother." Abigail piped up, stretching out on the chaise across from Mother.
"Yes that is pretty neat. I didn't even know you kept in touch with them anymore." I said taking a seat on one side of Mother while Bridget took the other side.
"Yes I have kept in touch with them and it was Esme who sent the letter. Would you like me to read it, it concerns you?" She asked pausing long enough for all of us to nod our heads in curiosity.
"Here goes then.
Dear Kathleen,
I haven't talked to you in awhile but that will change soon enough. I'm writing because as you know I have two kids around the ages of your three daughters and they are bored to death at the summer palace this year. So, I would like to invite Lily, Abigail, and Bridget to the castle for the summer. I will be having twelve kids there total and you are invited to travel with them and stay a few days so we can all catch up before you make the long journey home.
Please consider my offer. I have a feeling that your daughters will get along well with Alice, Rosalie, and Isabella as well as all the boys; Remus, Sirius, James, Emmett, Jasper, and Edward. If you need to know what to bring for our British summers don't hesitate to ask.
We will have at least three balls and feasts but knowing Alice she will either have new dresses made or old ones altered for the girls as is her way. I hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
Queen Esme Cullen
And that is it," Mother finished with a smile. "So what do you think do you wish to go?"
"Yes!" We all exclaimed in unison with huge smiles on our faces.
"Though Alice and Esme obviously don't know the likes of our Abigail!" Bridget said which won a glare from Abby which turned into a smile when she realized Brie was joking.
"Okay then and don't worry your Father has already agreed." Mother said standing up.
"Oh, would you mind if we wrote the reply." I asked.
"Yes, I could write and you can tell me what to say," Brie said getting excited.
"And I'm pretty sure Simmi wouldn't mind taking it for us," Abigail provided giving the name of her messenger raven.
"That would be great girls but would you mind waiting to do it after dinner otherwise you won't be able to change for dinner." Mother said looking and the windswept heaps we were in after our ride.
"That wouldn't be a problem, Mom." Came Abigail's voice as she headed toward the huge double oak doors that lead out to the hallway, followed by her mountain lion, Nicias.
Bridget and I quickly followed with our guardians talking out the trip while heading up to our third floor rooms and watching Abigail head up another two floors to her room at the top of the East Tower.
James' P.O.V.
"James, Sirius, could you come her for a moment." My mother, Mara Potter, asked as we passed her in the garden on our way to the stables.
"Sure Mom what do you need?" I asked followed by my best friend and runaway, Sirius Black, as we made our way across the garden paths to her.
"Well I don't need anything but an answer."
"An answer to what Mrs.P," Asked Sirius from next to me.
"You both have been invited to spend the summer with a friend of mine, her husband, and her adoptive children; Alice and Edward, as well as eight other children your age and I do believe Remus' mother said he had been invited as well." The name of my adoptive cousin and our other best friend made both Siri and I perk up.
"Where would we be going and when do we leave?" I questioned.
"Well Esme and Carlisle are staying in their summer palace in the British countryside so you would be going their. She also said to leave as soon as possible which means tomorrow because your stuff is already packed along with your horses' tack. Your father and I have agreed for us to leave at dawn tomorrow in one of the carriages and your horses have already left and your black bird and eagle are on their way as well." She supplied with a smile from where she sat.
"Wait you said 'us' who is that implying?" Sirius asked.
"Well Esme invited Tonya and I to come stay a few days and catch up with friends before traveling back and you, James, and Remus would stay the remainder of the four months," she said getting up to leave. "I suggest you boys go make sure everything is packed then get Remus and come to dinner," and with that we were alone.
"I guess we should make sure they packed all the stuff in our training shed and our riding clothes," Sirius said and we headed back to the side entrance of my family's summer manor.
Remus' P.O.V.
"So were you guys invited, too?" I asked as we all headed to the dining hall for dinner.
"Yes!" Sirius and James said and I realized they were just as excited as I was.
"Well I know I'll be going to bed early Mom said she was since we'll be traveling for a week what about you guys?" I asked.
"We will be, too, I'm tired just thinking about it." James said before opening one of the doors that led into the dining hall.
Bella's P.O.V.
"Emmett, Mom and Dad just sent someone saying they want to see us in the dining hall before dinner," I said from the top of the fence were I was perched watching my bear of a brother try to practice archery, and fail miserably.
"Okay Bella I'm coming," he replied grabbing his things and leaping over the fence to land near me.
"Do you know what they want to see us for?" Asked Emmett as he lifted me off my perch before going to put his archery equipment away in the training shed where my own bow and quiver were housed.
"Nope. Just that Mom got really excited when a letter came and she told Dad about it and he got excited as well. I think she said it was from one of her old friends and I assume that's what she wants to talk to us about." I said walking into the hallway heading for the doorway that lead into the dining hall where our parents would be waiting.
"Children please sit your mother and I have some very exciting news for you both." Father said from the head of the table while motioning for us to sit.
I took my seat on one side of Dad across from Mom and Emmett took his usual seat next to me. I poured us each a glass of water since the Scottish heat had made us both pretty thirsty, then motioned for someone to continue speaking.
Mom started," you and your brother have been invited to stay with an old, school friend of mine, her husband Carlisle, and children; Alice and Edward, eight other kids your age will also be joining you at their summer castle in the British countryside. Your father and I have agreed to let you go and both of you as well as myself are to leave at dawn tomorrow. Your things have already been packed and the training shed is being packed as we speak. Your horses have already left and your hawk and falcon have already been released to fly there, they should all arrive a few days before us."
"Mother why are you going on such a long trip, I thought you didn't like to travel besides I could easily protect us?" Emmett asked while refilling his glass.
Esme has invited me to stay a few days before heading back so her, along with some of my other school friends, and I can catch up." She paused to let this sink in.
I had taken a very large drink of water and realized that was a mistake because it was quickly spewed across the table and I started coughing, Dad raised and eyebrow and Em started patting my back. I quickly found my voice, "Aren't Esme and Carlisle the king and queen of Great Britain?" I exclaimed and Mom smiled realizing the cause of my outburst."
"Yes they are," and that was when I realized I, Duchess Isabella Swan, would be spending the summer with at least four royals, who knew how many others there would be.
Jasper's P.O.V.
"Sir, Madam, you're wanted by your parents in the dining room for an early dinner," a servant said from the doorway of our library in our three-story summer mansion.
Rosalie put down her book and got up holding out her pale slender hand to pull me off the floor in front of her chair where I had plopped down to do some last minute homework our history teacher had given me for skipping the last session of the year to go hunting with friends. I grabbed her hand and once I was on my feet we headed towards the dining room. My greyhound, Stormy, lead the way followed closely by Rose's tiger, Nicoli, we came last with linked arms talking about what our parents would want and why we were having dinner an hour early.
"Children come sit your mother has some news to tell you," came Father's voice as we entered and we took our seats, Rose across from Mom and Dad and I had either head of the table.
What is it Mother?" Rosalie asked clearly excited.
"Well you two have been invited to Esme's for the summer along with kids from some of my other old, school friends."
"So, when do we leave?" I asked catching Rose's infectious excitement.
"You, Rose, and I leave at dawn tomorrow. Your clothes have already been packed and hour horses sent ahead, and your cardinal and sparrow have been released to fly there. I will stay a few days to catch up with my friends then leave you there for four months." Mom said between bites of a very delicious dinner.
"I suggest you get your bag together then retire early because it will be a long trip, so, hurry up and eat." Dad said taking a bite of turkey to emphasize his point.
"We will Dad." Rose said and we finished eating in record time and retired to our rooms to prepare for the next week in carriage and boat.
I hope you liked the first chapter. We would absolutely LOVE reviews or PM's to either of us. We will be updating quickly, or at least we hope so. I start high school next Monday and TeNnIs-PlAyEr started Monday of this week so we will try to update between homework and church.