Disclaimer: I just recently had a chat with my good friend, Bailey, and she says that I don't own Twilight. And I think she's right…

Chapter 10: Reunion

Immediately following the fitting session, Alice had sent out a letter to Aro, informing him of Alec and my engagement and also requesting to hold the ceremony in Italy. Of course, he replied almost as quickly, expressing his happiness, blessings, and a yes to the use of the castle. Aro even announced that he was holding an engagement party for us the day after we arrived. Alice was overjoyed, as was Esme; the others were a bit harder to read, except Isabella. One look at her gave away the contempt she had for the whole affair.

Well, it wasn't like we really cared.

So, exactly a week after Alec had proposed, we boarded a private plane to Italy. As per habit, Alec and I sat to the back of the plane. He read while I slept, another habit I'd formed over years of being dragged on missions in the dead of night. This time, it was harder to find sleep; my mind was consumed with thoughts. We were really going back and this time, we didn't necessarily plan on leaving again. It was relieving, knowing that we were about to be welcomed home by our family. I was also curious about the reaction of my sisters' reactions when the discovered Alice had made them all dresses for the party; Jane's in particular.

As soon as we had passed Mona, the newest secretary, Alec and I were nearly attacked by Demetri and Gwyn. Well, Demetri was dragged over by Gwyn, who can be quite persuasive in her own right, but seemed happy enough to see us.

"Don't you ever leave again, okay sis?" Gwyn exclaimed, enveloping me in a crushing hug. I laughed at her ranting about how boring it had been around the castle since we'd left and how Alec being gone had left her only Felix to tease.

"I missed you too, Gwynie." I smirked, ruffling her hair. I earned a look that screamed "watch it", but it just made the two of us burst out in fits of giggles. Somewhere over my shoulder, I heard Emmett ask Jasper what was going on. I could almost hear Jasper's eyes rolling.

"You really need to pay more attention, Emmett…" Jasper sighed. Just to end the inevitable argument, I introduced all of them to Gwyn, a bit more formally than before. Upon further inspection, Gwyn and Alice really did look like twins, to the point of ridiculousness.

I think Demetri had gotten tired of all the chatter and decided to step in. He asked Gwyn to lead Alec and I back to the dorms, then he led the Cullens off to be formally welcomed to the castle. The whole way to our rooms, Gwyn badgered us with questions about what the Cullen's were like, what we did, and how we like the Pacific coast. Apparently she'd done research.

We told her the truth; it wasn't the most exciting thing we'd ever done, and we'd never do it again. However, I wouldn't have traded it for the world. I'd always wondered who and what my family was like, even imagined them as a child. For a long time, they were a figment of my daydreaming, smiling and happy, always watching over me. Then, they turned cold, like evil personified and the devil incarnate. Then, Aro had taken me to them and literally threw me into Hell, but he had a reason. I'm still not sure what that reason was, but I finally understand my life, not matter how I wanted to run and avoid it like a plague.

"I don't know how you survived it…" I glanced to my left. Jane had slid up next to me, a good natured smirk on her face. The party was in full swing; people dancing and talking. I had gotten tired of that, so I removed myself. Alec was still floating around somewhere; I think Felix or maybe Rhodes had dragged him off.

"I asked myself that same question when I got home." I smiled. Alice had truly out done herself on the dresses; and Jane was even okay with hers. It was a deep plum colour with long, peasant cuffed sleeves and a scoop neck. She wore it like she owned the room; that air of confidence was something I'd always sort envied about Jane.

"I must say, I thought you two would absolute messes when you came back," she laughed. "I've only had the displeasure of interacting with the Cullens a few times, and I can only ever tolerate Carlisle."

"You didn't seem to have much of an issue with Alice," I replied slyly.

"Professional-grade acting, my friend," We both laughed a bit before a short silence settled on the two of us. I watched the couples dancing, entranced by the garden of dress colours. Heidi's was typical Heidi; deep ocean blue with a deep neckline. Gwyn's was a pretty shade of pale carnation pink, matching her personality perfectly. Corin's was a stark crimson red in a style like something Elizabeth Taylor would wear. Chelsea's silver stood out shockingly against Renata's sky blue.

I examined my own; a black, long sleeve number with an A-line skirt that fell just to my knees and a wide v-neck. The fabric Alice had used was overlain with a soft sheer fabric that added little spots of shine; when light caught it, firefly spots appeared on it. It was simple and unassuming; just perfect.

"So, when did Alec pop the question?" Jane asked, breaking the pause.

"On my birthday," I answered, watching her face. She smiled a bit.

"That's pretty typical… better late than never, right?"

"I guess…" I chewed on my lip, feeling Jane's eyes on me. "I didn't even remember when my birthday was until I walked downstairs to find the whole living room decked out. Courtesy of Alice,"

"Of course…" Jane exhaled, a thoughtful edge to her tone. She gazed back into the crowd with me. I finally found Alec; Felix, Demetri, and Santiago were bothering him, but he looked to be enjoying it. I guess he actually missed it, unconsciously. "Are you excited about it, Ren?"

"It's time," I breathed, my eyes still on Alec. "Why do you ask, Jane?" there was a pause and I saw her fidget a bit on the edge of my vision.

"I just…" her voice faltered and she turned completely towards me. I twisted my head to allow for eye contact. She looked strangely uncomfortable, something that never happened. "You two are so happy together. I don't know if I'm just not used to it or… Ren, I'll be honest with you; I don't like the idea of you getting married to my brother, but it's just an older sister's reaction, I guess. Maybe it's just that…" Jane's voice failed completely, but I understood what she wanted to say so badly.

"You still want him as close as you've always been…" I filled in for her. She nodded, giving me a sad smile. Returning the gesture, I grasped her hand. "Trust me, Jane; Alec and you have been through too much together, more than I can even imagine. So, you're kidding yourself if you think a gap would form between you. That will never happen; I swear as your somewhat-self-proclaimed sister."

Jane snickered, "Please don't say it that way, Ren. You're making it way too incest-y for me." A grin materialized on my face, but it wasn't enough to keep the two of us from doubling over in laughter. "Just make sure that you all come back from your honeymoon in less than 3 months, okay?"

"We didn't even plan one, so don't worry." I rolled my eyes. Jane raised an eyebrow.

"That's different…" she replied, pushing my shoulder in the direction of the dance floor. "Now, go dance before I employ Felix and Gwyn to help me force you two into enjoying yourselves" Stumbling as she gave me a true shove, I walked over to Alec, placing a hand on his shoulder. He looked down at me and I smiled, suddenly feeling a bit shy. He gave me a kiss on the cheek, shooting Felix and Demetri a glare as they wolf whistled.

"Dance with me?" I asked, wrapping my arms around his neck.

"Why not," Alec placed a hand on the small of my back and led me to the edge of the dance floor.

As parties go, that one turned out spectacularly.

Author's Note:

He y'all! How are you since…yesterday?

I know, I've really never updated this quickly, but I had quite a bit of time today, so I thought: why not? (oh geez, now I quoting myself! Not good, not good…)

Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed and thank you to those of you who have reviewed so far. I can't wait to see what the rest of you post :3 I'm drawing out sketches of the dresses as I see them, so look for that link on my profile (maybe in March, seeing how many school projects I still have to do- haha…)!

Thanks so much for the support and the best start to the new year ever!

Carie Lea