Chapter 12

Within a few hours, after making their way across the country for the third time within the past twenty-four hours (Vladimir and Stefan would have found this ridiculous, but they had traveled greater lengths before), Vladimir and Stefan found themselves standing at the bottom of a pathway leading to the Cullens' front door.

"I'm sure they know we're here," Stefan said, breaking the silence, all sounds in the town of Forks muffled by snow, the sunlight muted by the clouds.

"Of course they do," Vladimir agreed, watching the movement in the windows far ahead. "They must have known our intentions of coming as soon as we thought them."

"With Carlisle's collection of talented children, I would not doubt that either."

Once they fell silent again, they wasted not a second more of their precious time. They had gone over their plans on their way to Forks, so they walked up the pathway with a certain confidence. The door opened for them long before they reached it.

Carlisle and Esme, who the Romanians knew to be "ever-so-polite", received them once they reached the door. But Stefan and Vladimir noticed that, while the two stood there very polite and proper, their eyes were wary as they looked over their visitors. Beyond the open door, the Vladimir and Stefan could see the Cullen children, some moving or some standing still, all cautious eyes on the visitors.

Vladimir spoke with a grin dripping with confidence, which was reciprocated by his friend. "We apologize for dropping by like this again-"

"But we have something rather pressing to talk to you about, Carlisle."

Carlisle, whose sudden blunt tone did not bother the Romanians in the least bit, opened the door wider, nodded, and replied, "So I've heard. Please, come in."

As the visitors stepped into the house, they could not ignore the cold glares that surrounded them. They noticed that these looks came from the children; there were five there; the mind reader's newborn mate and the strange Renesmee must have been somewhere else. However, Carlisle and Esme were able to maintain their common courtesy. And so, Vladimir and Stefan kept their focus on the ever-so-polite husband and wife, who seemed much more willing to speak than their children were.

"Please, relax," Carlisle said, turning to the children. This did little to calm them, but each- aside from the mind reader- turned to their respective mate and started exchanging quiet, cautious conversations.

"Well…" Carlisle started again, flashing a brief smile which disappeared before he started talking again. "I would ask you what you are doing here, but Edward and Alice have told us your intentions. But still, Stefan, Vladimir, I would like to hear it directly from your mouths."

Vladimir and Stefan exchanged an amused glance.

"Oh, they have?" Vladimir asked, in mock surprise.

"You have some very impressive children, Carlisle."

"Not a minute after we devise our grand plan, and you already know the details."

"Very impressive, indeed."

"Very interesting."

Carlisle suddenly smiled, and spoke to ease the very apparent tension in the room; however, Vladimir and Stefan also could not help but notice that he spoke instinctively with the slightest air of fatherly pride, "Yes, our Alice and Edward are very 'impressive' you could say… very talented." He continued, but his tone became more serious, "But you two did not come here to talk about them."

The Romanians chuckled, as Stefan said, "Oh, no. No, no, we didn't."

"You see, our plan-"

"It's quite brilliant, really."

"And it will be made all the more successful if we have your cooperation."

"If Edward was correct in his description of your intentions, I can guarantee neither I nor anyone here would not want to have anything to do with your plan." As Carlisle spoke, his family shifted restlessly, stared more intently at the Romanians, as if the pair of vampires grew as an ever bigger threat with every word spoken.

"Well, Carlisle, if you'll allow us to explain-"

"Yes, Stefan. You and Vladimir may explain. I said earlier that I would like you to explain. But let me tell you first, if what Edward said was correct, and you're planning any kind of newborn army just so you can fight of the Volturi-"

Carlisle was interrupted when Stefan and Vladimir burst into laughter. Vladimir answered, "Oh, you put it in such simple words-"

"As if our plan were as simple as that."

"Really, Carlisle. You belittle our intelligence."

"Maybe your mind reader and your fortune teller did not properly explain our entire plan. So, please-"

"Allow us to properly explain."

…

I'm so sorry for my absence. :( I hate to not work on this fanfic, but life has been very busy for me.
I might be absent for another month or so, but I'll try to update more often after that.
I hope you all liked this chapter. As always, thank you for reading!