Sorry this chapter took so long. I got a new story in my head and I couldn't resist the urge to write it. So I'll try really hard to multitask back and forth from each. Hope you like this chapter even though I kept you all waiting.
As the mansion grew closer and closer, I could see Nick there, sitting on the wooden steps, practically moving with excitement. Carlisle pulled into the driveway, and Edward got out quickly, knowing I'd be more than anxious to see Nick. Rushing out of the car, I held Teddy with my good hand, and walked with tears to my relieved brother. Nick rushed toward me quickly, pulling me carefully in his cool arms.
He pressed his face into my hair, tears falling down his cheeks. "Esther! I've been so worried about you sis!" He cried, holding me slightly closer. Smiling, I leaned into Nick's hold, enjoying this brother-sister moment. "It's good to see you Nick," I whispered, not wanting him to let go. Sadly he pulled away, quickly turning to father (who had approached us) with a smile.
Holding me close, Nick whispered, "Thanks for getting her back dad." When he said dad, I heard a hint of joy inside him. Dad nodded, and hugged the both of us with an urge of happiness. "I'm just happy that we can all be together as a family," Dad whispered, and he kissed my forehead softly. Smiling brightly, I leaned into father now, a huge smile on my face.
Two warm arms suddenly wrapped around me, and I was pulled from the circle, into Seth's warm arms. "Essy! Thank God you're okay!" Seth cried. Laughing slightly, I turned and hugged Seth carefully, leaning into his warm embrace. "It's good to see you Seth," I whispered. Seth kissed my head gently, and a blush pulled on my cheeks. Seth could always make me blush.
"Well it's about time the munchkin came home!" Leah said, coming outside with a smile. Behind her the rest of the family followed, Emmett and Jasper smirking widely. "Did he suffer?!" Emmett asked excitedly, going over to Edward, Felix, and Carlisle, who were still at the car. "He got what he deserved," Felix said, sounding slightly bored as he leaned against the car. Jasper smirked and said, "If I knew him back in the 1900's I would have had a good time killing that monster."
Seth suddenly perked up, and asked, "Are you saying that the guy after Nick and Esther is dead?" Leah slapped her forehead, a face full of total disbelief.
"We already talked about this, Seth? We told you last night!" Leah hissed, smacking Seth on the back of the head. He grinned sheepishly, and said, "Well I was eating... When I eat, I hear nothing."
Nick and I burst into laughter as Leah began to smack Seth repeatedly. But after a moment of laughing, my lungs stung bad, and I clutched my side with a groan. Everyone turned their attention to me, and before I knew it, Alice was beside me, saying, "Family reunions over. Esther needs her rest!" Alice grabbed my good hand, forcing me to follow her into the house. Esme, Rosalie, and Bella followed with smiles.
Being pulled into my own bedroom, Alice quickly yanked me over to the bed. "Alright Missy. Sit and don't move. Starting now, I'm giving you an official make over," Alice chimed.
Opening my eyes widely, I shook my head in horror and cried, "What happened to resting?!" Alice just smiled evilly at me, and then said to Bella who was standing beside the others at the door, "Lock it!" Bella giggled, and quickly locked the door behind her, Esme and Rosalie laughing their heads off.
Great. Just Great.
Nick POV
As soon as Esther disappeared into the mansion, I turned to dad quickly, eyes anxious. "So is it true about the Volturi dad?" I asked, my mind remembering what Alice had seen the other day. Dad nodded his head regretfully, and said, "Yes... They'll be here in a week. And I'm sure that they'll come prepared. They aren't exactly over the whole thing with Edward and Bella's daughter a few years ago."
Letting out a hard breath, I muttered, "Perfect. Just perfect! Esther and I get to meet the man that pretty much ruined our lives. That should brighten our days immensely!" With fury I clenched my hand, gritting my teeth to keep the fire inside my body.
"Look Nick. We've dealt with the Volturi many times before," Edward said softly, "I'm sure one more encounter is nothing. Aro is a reasonable man, and would never think of hurting you or your sister in any way."
That made me snort, and I looked at Edward with hard eyes. "He's already ruined our family. I'm sure hurting us would mean nothing to him," I hissed, picturing my mother in my head. If father had been there to protect mom, she would still be alive right now. Dad suddenly put both hands on each of my shoulders, and looked at me hard. "Aro did nothing to this family," Dad hissed.
At once my blood boiled in fury, and yelled, "Your defending him! How selfish can you be dad? Because of this Aro... Essy and I were stuck living with only mom for most of our life. We were stuck having to control these powers on our own. We were taken away from our dead mother and forced into a life of hell! Don't tell me Aro did nothing! Because he did Everything!!" As soon as my rant was finished, I pulled away from my shocked father angrily, and walked back to the house with fury.
Leah was walking be me in an instant, and she took my hand, looking at me with sympathy. "Don't let your dad get you down Nick," Leah whispered as we entered the house. With fury I hissed, "What right does that man have telling me Aro did nothing? That creepy vampire leader ruined our lives way before I was even born!" Leah fell into silence, but followed me to the sofa in the living room, where i sat in fury.
"What's the point of dad even being here if he just wants Aro to ruin this family again?" I muttered, crossing my arms annoyed.
Leah shrugged, and whispered, "Maybe... And I'm just thinking aloud here Nick, so don't get mad... But maybe your father is trying to start over. And even if that Leech was to come here, none of us would let him take you back to his freaky home in Volterra. It would tear this family apart, not to mention Seth and I would probably lose our mind."
"Got that right sis," Seth muttered, walking into the room. In his hand was Essy's stuffed bear. "Uh Seth... Not that I think your weird and all, but- Why do you have my sisters stuffed bear?" I asked, furrowing my eyebrows confused.
Seth looked at the bear in his hand, and shrugged, "Beats me. Edward handed it to me, so I decided to just take it into the house." Rolling my eyes, I held my hand out for it, and Seth tossed it over to me with a sheepish grin. Shaking my head in disbelief, I stared down at the old pile of rags in my hand. It only felt like days ago that I had to force my desperate sister away from her only friend. Tracing the tare on Teddy's ear, I wondered why Esther was so attached to this thing. It looked like another crummy stuffed animal to me.
"Teddy!" My sister suddenly ran in the room, her hair pulled into a single braid. She was wearing a blue tank top, with some black jeans, though she was bare foot. "I thought Alice and the others were giving you a make over?" Seth said, as Esther sat on the couch next to me, grabbing Teddy out of my hand anxiously.
She blushed at Seth's question and muttered, "Yeah, about that... If Alice comes looking for me, tell her I died." Alice suddenly ran into the room, her face furious. "Esther! You can't run around the house half dressed! I mean look at you! You don't have any socks on, and I still need to do your makeup!"
Esther immediately rushed behind Seth, hiding from Alice in horror. "Come on Alice! Half the girls my age don't even wear makeup," Esther complained, burying her face into her teddy bears fur. "Move Seth!" Alice ordered, walking over to Seth and Esther with fury.
"Nah... I'll pass," Seth muttered. Then in one quick movement he had Esther in his arms, and was out the living room, through the kitchen, and into the backyard. Alice glared at his retreating form, and took off after Seth and Esther, yelling, "Oh no you don't mutt!"
As soon as Alice disappeared through the kitchen door, the room fell silent, and Leah leaned against me with a grin. "You can never get a break from that vamp chick," Leah admitted, shaking her head in disbelief. With a laugh, I nodded my head in agreement, and kissed Leah's head softly. With a sigh, I closed my eyes, just barely hearing Esther's laughter in the distance.
Third Person POV
Candle's flickered brightly in the huge round throne room, as the three high vampire kings sat on their thrones, each looking furious. Jane stood off to the right of the three thrones, awaiting her masters orders eagerly to retrieve the disobedient Roberto, and the stubborn Felix. Footsteps approached this young vampire, and her crimson eyes flew to her approaching intruder.
Her brother Alec happened to be the one intruding, and he smiled at his sister as he approached. "Hello Jane," he said softly, as to not disturb the three kings, deep in thought nearby. Jane nodded to acknowledge her brothers presence, and quickly turned to him with bored eyes. "I'm so tired of this constant wait. Why can't we go to America already? This constant no order thing is making me agitated.
"Patience Jane," Aro said, suddenly approaching the two young vampires with excited eyes. "We leave tomorrow for America, dear. I assure you that the plan is in order," Aro said softly, placing a hand on Jane's head reassuringly. "Now, be a dear Jane, and give Alec and I a moment," Aro said. Jane bowed, saying, "Yes master," and then left Aro and Alec to their business.
"What may I do for you?" Alec asked, bowing to his master in respect. Aro smiled, and said, "I have a proposition for you son. Me and my brothers have decided how you will help in the retrieval of our dear friends Roberto and Felix." Alec suddenly became nervous, not really to excited to hear his masters plans. But he remembered he had no choice in the matter, and asked softly, "What proposition sir?"
Aro smiled widely, and said, "Come Alec. There's no reason to worry. I'm giving you a very easy job." Alec would have scoffed of he could, because he knew no order Aro ever gave him was easy. "Now here it is son. I have scheduled for you to leave earlier than the rest of us tomorrow. When you get to America, you are to go to the Cullen's house where you'll find Roberto's children alone with two of the mutts. One of the new psychic's told me that the Cullen's are due to all go on a hunting trip tomorrow. What I want you to do is gain Nick and Esther's trust... Become friends with them in any way you can. Once they gain your trust get them away from the Cullen house so that me and my men can get Roberto and Felix back. I don't care where you take the children, but get them away from the house so that we can get in-"
"Sir," Alec said, cutting him off eagerly. "Even if I were to get to the Cullen's house, those mutts would be using me as a giant toothpick! And not to mention, they'd warn Esther and Nick that I'm volturi! This plan could never work," I said, trying desperately to sound reasonable. Aro laughed, and shook his head in disbelief. "Alec! You have an amazing power! Use it if you must! Either way, I'm sure you'll do what's right in the end," Aro said.
With that, Aro turned and left, saying as he went, "Your flight arrives at 7. Be ready Alec." Alec watched Aro's retreating for in total shock. With horror, he turned and left the throne room, muttering to himself as he left, "Great... Just perfect."