Chapter 6
Caleb took one last look in the mirror to straighten the black tie of his suit before jogging down the stairs of the mansion in search of his mate. He stopped in his tracks when he saw Sofi waiting for him by the front door. Her dress was adorned with pink lace that fluttered out at the waist to create a full skirt, which draped down to the floor. Caleb took in a shaky breath as his fingers laced with hers.
"You look like a princess straight out of a fairytale," he whispered in awe.
"I guess that makes you my prince and we are meant to live happily ever after." He beamed with happiness and reached into his jacket pocket.
"Speaking of happily ever after, I never did get an answer," he said as he dropped down to one knee and opened the ring box.
"You never fully asked the question," she reminded as she held out her hand. He chuckled and slipped the ring onto her finger, already knowing the answer.
"Will you please marry me?"
"Yes," she giggled and hugged him tightly as he spun her around in delight. They heard clapping behind them and were surprised when Roman and Iris walked over to them.
"Congratulations, we are so happy for you," said Iris. Caleb eyed Roman cautiously.
"You are," he questioned and Roman shook his hand as he nodded.
"You make my baby sister happy, so all that is left to say is welcome to the family," said Roman.
"Let's get to the party. After all, there is much to celebrate," urged Iris and Sofi happily nodded as she pulled Caleb out the door.
Music danced around the entire island along with colorful lights and balloons that were released from above the moment Marcus and Didyme announced that the celebration had begun. Vampires from all over the world mingled around the island, but the main party was in the ballroom. Zach straightened his tie and Josh fixed his hair one more time as the boys strolled into the ballroom with bright smiles. Their mothers walked over to them.
"It is about time you two finished primping and preening to join us. You are almost as bad as Alice," teased Leah and Josh rolled his eyes.
"This is the party of the century. We have to look our best," defended Josh and Zach nudged him.
"Dude, you do sound like my Aunt Alice," scolded Zach. Rosalie kissed her son's cheek before brushing a piece of lint off his suit.
"You look very handsome, baby boy," complimented Rosalie and Zach beamed at his mother. His eyes widened when he spotted who he was looking for and he nudged Josh again.
"Thanks mom, you are the best. Now, if you two will excuse us," he said before heading across the room with Josh. Rosalie and Leah's jaws dropped as their sons kissed the top of Senna and Kachiri's hands.
"This will not do," growled Rosalie and Leah nodded in agreement as they stepped in the direction of their sons. Emmett and Jacob stepped in front of them and pulled their wives onto the dance floor.
"Let them have their fun," advised Jacob and Leah groaned.
"But their fun includes women," whined Leah.
"Gorillas just think of them as gorillas," suggested Emmett as he twirled his mate. Rosalie began to relax until Alice skipped over to her and laughed nervously.
"Um, yea, about that little bit of drama that Zach would be in that I mentioned earlier," said Alice and Rosalie glared at her sister.
"You didn't mention Zach being in drama. You said, and I quote, do not worry, the best parties need a bit of drama," mimicked Rosalie in a high pitched voice.
"I do not sound like that, but anyways, um….funny story…."
"Alice, what is going on," growled Rosalie, but Alice did not answer. She simply pointed toward Zach across the room.
Zach and Kachiri laughed as he twirled her around the dance floor, but his laughter faltered when Annike approached them.
"May I cut in, I believe he owes me a dance," said Annike and Kachiri smirked.
"Sorry, but we are in the middle of one," said Kachiri.
"I believe that is for him to decide," said Annike as she glared at Kachiri. Both women turned to Zach for an answer and he laughed nervously.
"Um…..well….I…." Before he could respond, both women walked away and he frowned in confusion.
"Nifty little trick isn't it," said a familiar voice behind him and he gulped when he turned around to see Tesla.
"Tess, did you make them leave," he asked in shock and she shrugged as she looked him up and down.
"My gift comes in handy when I am trying to mark my territory. Now, dance with me," she urged and he immediately wrapped his arms around her. Rosalie was by her son's side in an instant and Tesla groaned.
"My son isn't your territory to mark and never will be. What are you even doing here, Tesla?"
"I heard there was a party and figured my invitation got lost in the mail." Alice marched over to them and planted her tiny fists on her hips.
"It most certainly did not. You weren't invited. You tend to cause trouble," said Alice, but Tesla waved them off.
"There is nothing wrong with dancing with a handsome young man." Rosalie pushed Tesla away from Zach and stood between them as she hissed at the woman.
"I beg to differ," growled Rosalie. Emmett wrapped his arm around his wife to stop her from attacking Tesla and Alice sighed in relief as Carlisle made his way over to them.
"Tesla, behave yourself and for goodness sake, remember that you are flirting with my grandson. My other daughter has been alerted to your presence, so your mind games will no long work," explained Carlisle and Tesla rolled her eyes as Bella waved tauntingly at her.
"Wow, I have never seen so many people get worked up over a dance before. Are they always this uptight, Zach?" Zach chuckled, but cleared his throat when his mother arched an eyebrow at him.
"Mom, it is just one dance. You can trust me. Besides, Aunt Bella will make sure she can't manipulate me into doing anything." Rosalie glanced at Emmett, who nodded, and she huffed.
"Fine, but I have my eye on you Tess and if you are not careful, my hands at your throat will be next," threatened Rosalie. Tesla shook her head at Rosalie before swaying to the music with Zach. Emmett, Carlisle, and Alice pulled Rosalie away as the rest of the guests whispered in amusement at the scene.
"Your mother is overprotective of you, you know that," asked Tesla.
"What are you doing here and why did you turn away Kachiri and Annike? I thought you said I was too young for you."
"Oh you are, but that doesn't mean I can't find out if you have learned how to dance like a gentleman yet. I must admit that I am impressed with your skills on the dance floor. Maybe I will make you my mate after all." He let out a booming laugh.
"I have a feeling my family wouldn't approve," he teased before giving her a twirl. Tesla spotted Rosalie, Leah, and Esme whispering conspiringly as they glared at her.
"It may be worth it just to mess with them, especially your mother and grandmother. Then too, I better be careful, I already know one packs a mighty punch."
"It doesn't matter anyways. Sorry, but you aren't my mate. When I find her, she will love and respect me enough to respect my family as well instead of trying to use me to make them upset." She was shocked as he kissed her hand and twirled her away from him before walking over to Kachiri. Tesla was stunned as she watched Zach dance with Kachiri, but a mischievous smile crept onto her lips as she did.
"Oh Zach Cullen, maybe you are already wise beyond your years," she whispered in awe, but she gasped when she turned to see Esme, not Rosalie, behind her.
"Tesla, you can stay at the party, but let me make myself perfectly clear. You will always stay away from my grandson," warned Esme in a voice so subdued it was menacing. Tesla gulped and Rosalie beamed with pride as Esme sauntered back to Carlisle.
Benjamin's eyes nervously darted between his mate and Tia as they gushed over their day together. Connell simply stood there with a permanently smug smile all the while.
"Ben, why didn't you tell me Tia has such an eye for fashion? As soon as we walked into a boutique, she could find something that looked great on me. I bet she could even find something in Anchorage," said Tanya and Benjamin's eyes widened.
"Anchorage," he asked and Tia nodded.
"Tanya invited me and Connell to Alaska, so we are going to head there after the New Year," explained Tia.
"Great," mumbled Benjamin and Tanya frowned at his response.
"I thought you would be happy to see us getting along so well, Ben."
"Trust me my love, I am. I just never imagined you two getting along….this well," he confessed, which made Connell snicker. Tia and Tanya nodded in understanding and Tia winked at him.
"Do not worry Benjamin. We will not gossip about you too much," teased Tia. Connell kissed his mate and pulled her onto the dance floor as Benjamin gulped. Tanya giggled at him and wrapped her arms around her mate.
"Come now, do you really think there is anything Tia could tell me that would make me love you any less?" He sighed happily and leaned his forehead against hers.
"No, I suppose not."
"Good, now let's dance. Don't worry, we won't waltz. I know you hate to waltz," she said before pulling him toward the dance floor and he groaned.
"Great, she told you about that already," he whined.
Once Kachiri and Senna finished dancing with Zach and Josh, they appeased Annike and Inger by letting them have the boys to dance with. Zafrina was happy to mingle with her former coven as she leaned into Keegan's side.
"It is a shame that Huilen refused to come, but I understand. I am sure this would be a lot for her to handle," said Zafrina.
"Yes, especially with all this technology, but speaking of handling things, Keegan, it seems you are completely in control of your ability now. I must admit, we were worried when we found out Zafrina chose a firestarter as her mate. She may not be in our coven anymore, but she will always be important to us," said Senna and Keegan smiled adoringly at his mate.
"I know how important Zafrina is. I love her with everything that I am. I would never harm her. She is my calm and each day we are together, she reminds me that my ability is a gift, not a curse."
"We are very happy for you both. We have never seen Zafrina so euphoric. You truly have found your mate," added Kachiri.
"Yes, I truly have," agreed Zafrina.
"And it looks like you two have gotten over the age difference," teased Senna and Zafrina giggled.
"Yes, age is of no importance to us. However, it is important to note that while that may be true for our situation, that does not mean it is the same for two very young boys in attendance," explained Zafrina. Senna and Kachiri frowned in confusion.
"I believe what my mate is trying to say is that while it worked out for us, it may not be the case for you two with Zach and Josh," said Keegan and Kachiri could not contain her laughter.
"They are merely boys. We know that and simply enjoy their company. They are wonderful dancers," said Kachiri and Zafrina sighed in relief.
"Good because while I want you both very happy, I would not recommend pursuing them. It would cause many issues and while I never expected to, I do feel very protective over them as well," confessed Zafrina.
"So what are you saying, we are not good enough for Josh and Zach," asked Senna with a sly smile.
"Of course not, but I am saying you two have far more life experience than they do. If you two are truly interested in them, I understand their appeal, but may I suggest waiting until they are a bit older before testing those waters?" Senna and Kachiri laughed and hugged her.
"We are just teasing you, Zafrina. Like we said, we enjoy their company, but do not see them as our mates," assured Kachiri.
"Well that is good to know because I would hate to have to blind Rosalie and Leah in order to stop them from dismembering you," said Zafrina and they all laughed as Rosalie and Leah winked at them with knowing smiles.
The party continued on without a hitch, even with Tesla in attendance, and much dancing, mingling, and laughing was done by all. Alice skipped over to her mate as the seconds ticked closer to midnight and he chuckled as she pulled him outside.
"Where are you taking me, little darlin'?"
"You will see, Jazzy," she giggled. He noticed the rest of the family filing outside as well and Alice closed her eyes as she began to count down. Everyone joined her as they counted down from ten and Alice looked up at the sky once they reached one.
"Happy New Year," they shouted in unison and Alice clapped happily as an extensive fireworks display shot into the night sky. Alice tenderly kissed her mate and the others followed suit, kissing their mates before hugging one another to welcome in the New Year. Rosalie laughed as Zach and Seth kissed each kissed one of her cheeks and Josh did the same to his mother. Edward strolled over to Alice and grinned crookedly at her as she smiled smugly.
"You were right, Alice. Everything has been resolved and the party is amazing. Even Alexander is having a great time despite Nilas and Tyra not being here," said Edward.
"Deep down he knew that Nilas was not happy. Now Nilas and Tyra can settle down in the British Isles like Tyra has wanted them to for a while," explained Alice and Bella hugged her.
"You did great, once again," said Bella and Alice beamed at Edward expectantly. He playfully rolled his eyes before picking her up into his arms.
"Yea, yea, get over here. Happy New Year you meddling little pixie," teased Edward and Alice happily sighed.
"It sure is, just like I knew it would be," she agreed.