A/N: I know I'm early, but I just couldn't wait to post! :) I really love this chapter, it's very very fluffy. Actually, most of the rest of this installment is fluffy. The angst comes later ;) Thanks to those that review and those that don't. And to Clairehasdimples for reading every chapter for me, to make sure I don't suck. :P Also, I put up the pictures of my dream cast, mostly. Hope you enjoy!
Stephenie Meyer is the best, because she owns Twilight and all!
The light filtered through the eastern windows of Maia's room. The room was a light periwinkle, Maia chose the color herself. She lay in her giant bed, sleeping peacefully. I sat quietly on the end of her bed, watching her slumber. I loved watching her sleep, the steady breath, and the unintelligible mumbles in accordance with her dreams. Her black hair framed her face, which was smooth in her easy sleeping.
I decided it was time to wake her up. "Happy birthday, Maia," I said quietly, stroking her raven locks. She opened her eyes groggily, rubbing the sleep from them. She gave a perfect yawn and then my words sunk in. She leapt forward and threw her arms around me.
"Good morning, Daddy!" Maia no longer was perturbed about what I said concerning Domitilla. She hadn't mentioned her at all in the following days and I vowed not to bring it up.
"This, mia, is for you." I took the present that I was hiding behind my back and placed it in Maia's lap. She smiled widely and shook the box. She waited a moment, looking at me for approval.
I motion at her, saying, "Go on, open it!" Her eyes twinkled as she ripped the paper from the present. Once the box was open, she saw the beautiful emerald and diamond necklace. It was a flowered pattern, on a silver chain. Her hands flew to her mouth. She sat silently for a minute and then looked at me, happiness all over her face.
She said, "Oh, Daddy it's amazing!" She threw her arms around me again. "Can I wear it, really?" I laughed at her question.
"Of course you can! It's my present to you. Happy first birthday, mia." I slid the necklace around her delicate neck. She pulled her hair up into a bun and ran to her mirror to look at it.
She said, a little breathlessly, "It's perfect. Thank you so much Daddy! Where did you find something this gorgeous?"
"Ah well, I mean…"
"What?"
"I bought it awhile back for you." I smiled forcibly. Maia shrugged and went back to petting the jewels in the mirror. I didn't really want to tell her that I had it in my private store of jewelry since the earlier nineteenth century. Maia spun around, watching her reflection as she went.
"I know just what to wear!" Maia ran into her overlarge closet, searching through her hundreds of dresses for the right one. She came out dressed in a white summer dress, perfect for a baptism, I thought. If only I believed in a Christian god. It was hard to believe that God would let go of an angel as perfect as Maia. She stood waiting expectantly for me to compliment her outfit.
I tsk-ed. "Maia darling, I'm afraid that you're too pretty for that necklace, I think I'm going to have to take it back!" She grabbed at the necklace in faux surprise. Her cheeks reddened as she laughed.
She bounced to the door, throwing it open and shouting, "Never!" She giggled and ran from the room. I snickered and made to chase her. She ran lithely up to the tower and into Sulpicia's arms.
"Ah here's my angel!" Sulpicia danced with the birthday girl. "Oh that necklace is gorgeous! I completely forgot that we had that!" She touched the jewels and raised an eyebrow at me when Maia wasn't looking.
"Mom, where's Felix?" Sulpicia rolled her eyes. However accepting of Felix and Maia's friendship I was, Sulpicia disapproved extremely. She'd never really liked Felix, what with his hulking frame and habit of winking at girls. Maia picked up on Sulpicia's displeasure. "Can you just leave it be for once, Mom? It's my special day."
Sulpicia pursed her lips. She absentmindedly patted Maia's head, replying, "Alright dear. I won't say anything." Maia leaned forward and kissed Sulpicia on the cheek.
"Thanks, Mom." The pair twirled around some more. I watched from my chair. Athenodora took a turn dancing with Maia, laughing when Maia insisted on performing some ballet. Before her performance ended though, Felix came in.
"Come here birthday girl!"
"Felix!" Maia ran from her pose and into Felix's arms. Her hugged her tightly and set her down, also crouching to the ground.
"I got you something, I couldn't wait until tonight!" He produced a small box and Maia jumped up and down excitedly. I felt myself move forward slightly. I checked my body before anyone could notice the movement. I realized that I had moved forward in jealousy, such a petty emotion. Of course other members were going to buy Maia presents, they all adored her. I had no reason to be envious of Maia and Felix's relationship. I would always be her best friend, her father. I settled back in my chair, watching Maia open the present.
The box was small and unwrapped. Maia opened it curiously, slowly lifting the lid so as not to ruin the surprise. She looked into the box and back at Felix, confused.
She lifted a large iron key out of the box. "A key? What's it to, Felix?"
Felix smiled impishly. "Well come with me kid, and I'll show you!" He swooped up Maia into his arms, much to her delight and left the room. Sulpicia and I followed. Felix led us out into the forest until we came up to a high gate. It was a large wooden door with twisting metal designs. He let Maia down onto the hard dirt. "Go on, open it!" I frowned at the repetition of my words. Maia stood up on her tiptoes and slid the key into the corresponding iron lock. With a slight struggle, she turned the key and pulled open the door.
She stood in the gateway in astonishment; I lightly pushed Felix aside to see what was inside. Behind the gate was a huge garden, rose bushes, carnations, poppies, every sort of flower imaginable. There was also a large blank expanse of dirt for future things to be planted.
Felix explained to us all, "I know how much you love flowers and gardening J, and I wanted you to have a place to do it. I've been planning this forever, so you better love it!" I was puzzled to hear that Maia liked gardening; she'd never mentioned that to me. The jealousy I felt earlier returned. Maia hugged Felix and then ran into the garden, gushing about the different plants and what she wanted to add to the utopia. Sulpicia went in as well, murmuring softly about the beauty of it all. I stalked silently back to the castle.
We planned a huge fête for Maia's birthday. The guard outdid themselves as they decorated our seldom used banquet hall. Almost everything in the room was gilded in gold. The whole room shone like the sun. I stood with Sulpicia on my arm, waiting for Maia to arrive. I was wearing something besides my black cloaks, my black dress suit. It was from 1850, all black. I preferred the stiff style of it. Sulpicia was stunning in a floor-length red ball gown. It matched her crimson eyes perfectly.
"Aro, relax." She placed a hand on mine, which had been fiddling with the buttons that lined my suit. "It'll be fine, I promise, dear." She kissed my cheek and turned back toward the staircase that Maia would descend down soon. Felix stood near Afton and Chelsea, looking excited. He spent all afternoon talking about how much fun this party would be. There was hardly any reason to celebrate, which Felix bemoaned constantly. I did my best not to glare at him, but I slipped once… or twice.
"Brother Aro, I can't believe it's already been a year!" Caius sidled up to me, his arm wrapped around Athenodora's waist. He had been upset earlier when I forbid him to test Maia today; I wanted her to have the day off. Now he seemed too nice.
I accused jokingly, "Caius, I hope you aren't plotting anything." Caius laughed.
"Always so suspicious! I wouldn't want to ruin Maia's big night." I believed him then; he was as taken with Maia as the rest of us were. He stood next to me and Marcus came too, not bothering to say hello.
"May I now present, Miss Maia Juventas Volturi!" The page that we had hired specifically for this event, bellowed. The whole room lingered in silence. Then she was at the top of the stairs.
She was a vision, truly. Every moment I found myself comparing her to angels or to fairies, but now she transcended all of that. She was a goddess, a pint-sized goddess. Even the hard-hearted Jane gasped a little in awe. Maia floated down the stairs in her cream gown. Her hair was loose and down to her waist, vibrant and alive in the golden light. I saw her green eyes take in the whole room quickly. She smiled brilliantly and we all burst into applause and cheering. She ran down the rest of the steps and into my now outstretched arms.
"All of it's so wonderful Daddy, thank you!" I felt some tears drop against my neck as Maia squeezed me tightly. "I feel like a princess," she shouted for the whole room to hear.
Demetri responded, "You are a princess! The princess of all the vampires! All hail Princess Maia!" More cheers erupted. Maia got down from my arms and embraced Sulpicia, Caius, Marcus, everyone in the room, one by one.
The music started then, light and lively dances. The vampires fell into the dancing easily, our grace made it easy to pick up any dancing instantly. Maia danced with Felix, insisting on keeping her feet on the ground and him bending over to match her height. Sulpicia giggled at the pair and swept me onto the dance floor.
"Aro, our life it divine, truly. I never thought I could be so happy. Did you?" I shook my head at Sulpicia's question. She smiled radiantly, looking centuries younger. Her skin didn't look as powdery in the gold glow of the ball room and her eyes were bright, not cloudy.
"Sulpicia, Maia's been good for you. You look younger than ever." Sulpicia smiled and tucked her head into my chest as I swirled her around.
"May I cut in?" Maia stood near us, tugging on my suit. Sulpicia and I parted happily and I pulled my little girl into my arms. She allowed this with me; I never had to treat her like she made the others treat her. My envy was abated.
"You'll always be mia, right Maia?" I asked this only for good measure.
She laughed kindly, "Of course Daddy! I'll always love you best of all!" She hugged me tighter and I felt the peculiar sensation of wanting to cry, but not being able to.
A/N: La la la la laaaa! Reviews please?
-Lasweetie
