No One's POV

Volterra had settled in the days following the incident of the rouge attack on the village close by, though the incident in Kolkata still remained a conundrum that set the Kings in an irritable state along with the Guard.

The coven or rouges that had set Kolkata aflame several times over had seemingly left no trace to the ire and affront of Demetri, therefore it was nothing but a strategic waiting game at this point as they watched the "human" news closely.

But in other news, Anastasia helped Rosalie with the twins as much as she could as Rosalie settled into new motherhood, seemingly a bit lost and nervous to be honest, while Anastasia, due to all the high school summer's nannying (and before babysitting) was more than a natural at it; then again Charlie had always commented that she had been good with children and babies in general.

Currently, however, Anastasia had just fallen asleep for a midmorning nap, Caius lying beside his mate cuddling her, and Alec curled up to his mother as well; Anastasia having a rough morning of morning sickness and an uncomfortable night sleeping the night before.

"Anasta-" Rosalie begins to say, pushing into the master bedroom without preamble, looking frazzled, and a twin held in each arm.

The twins had fussed all night and Rosalie had no idea how to calm them, both Emmett and herself had done everything from changing their diaper to feeding them and burping them and all but held them all night long. She was exhausted and didn't even need to sleep. She felt like an utter failure. How she ever thought she was going to be a good mother ceased to amaze her.

Caius growls, lip curling back instinctively, lifting his head from where it is tucked into his mate's neck to glare at the blonde Cullen.

"If you even think about waking my mate up, Cullen." Caius growls threateningly, his arm tightening around Anastasia.

Rosalie snaps her mouth closed under the blond King's harsh glare and hunches down slightly.

"Take your children and go." Caius hisses harshly, voice a dark whisper. "I don't care if the world is aflame. You will not disturb us again. Be gone."

"Sorry." Rosalie manages to squeak out, backing out towards the door quickly.

"Mmm, Caius? Rose?" Anastasia murmurs groggily, rousing.

"Hush, mio amato. Go back to sleep. I am sorry for waking you." Caius hushes gently, fingers brushing over Anastasia's cheek lovingly, his lips pressing a kiss to her crown as he glares at the blonde again.

"Go to sleep, mother." Alec says, nudging his face against her stomach.

Anastasia cracks an eye open anyways, vision blurring into focus as she notices Rosalie at the door.

"Rose? M'what you need?" Anastasia asks.

"Nothing. I- uh. Nothing. Go back to sleep, Ana." Rosalie says quickly, noticing how exhausted Anastasia looks, suddenly feeling bad how much she has needed Anastasia's help the last few days when Anastasia hasn't felt well herself. Rosalie didn't envy the morning sickness, or the fatigue, or the hormones, or the general miserableness that went with Anastasia's pregnancy.

"It's fine. What's up?" Anastasia says, eyes blinking open more.

Caius let's out an indiscernible sigh, eyes rolling up to the ceiling as he presses his nose into Anastasia's neck.

"Uh- the twins. They are fussy. All last night. I've tried everything. Emmett too. Blanket, binky, food, diaper change, burping. I don't know what to do." Rosalie says.

"Might be colicky. Try alternating their legs back and forth, help them pass gas. Also, maybe should change their formula, could be too harsh on their stomachs, try a gentler formula for them, for colicky babies. Could be better in general. Can't really do much but hold them and comfort them, rock them gently. There are also better bottles that don't let air bubbles into the liquid and help them not suck the formula down so fast, that will help too during feeding time. Try that."

"Thanks Ana. Sorry to wake you." Rosalie apologizes.

"Welcome, Rose. It's fine." Anastasia yawns, snuggling up against Caius once more.

Caius settles against his mate, curling her closer as Rosalie leaves with the twins, and Alec also cuddling up to his mom again.

"Rest, mio amato." Caius urges, pressing a kiss to his mate's temple.

Anastasia hums, eyes closing, and in another moment drifting off to sleep.

Only a few hours later Anastasia wakes, this time to Caius gone, Alec still resting his head on her stomach reading a book, and Jane resting her head on her shoulder.

"Do you feel better mother?" Alec asks.

"Yes, I do Alec." Anastasia answers, gently smoothing a lock of his brown hair.

"The Masters went to discuss another incident that happened in Kolkata. Would you like something to settle your stomach?" Jane asks.

"Another incident? That's unfortunate. I assume Demetri and Felix are with them? What time is it sweetie?"

"Yes, they are. It is just past noon mother."

"Alright. Maybe some chicken noodle soup and some fruit." Anastasia suggests.

"I'll get it." Alec offers, racing off in a sudden flash.

Anastasia blinks, shaking her head slightly in amusement before pulling Jane closer to her, rearranging her so she could reach her hair, beginning to braid it, and Jane resting her hand on Anastasia's stomach.

"When will you start showing?" Jane asks.

"Probably very soon, Jane. Why? So eager to keep me in the castle all the time?" Anastasia teases.

Jane grumbles lightly, not liking that her mother went out to shop, much like the Kings.

"Don't worry, Jane. You'll be able to feel them move around in no time." Anastasia pats gently, finishing with Jane's hair, and Jane resting her head on Anastasia's stomach, listening to the heartbeats.

Alec comes in a moment later, carrying food and noticing his sister.

"Jane! You're in my spot!" Alec grumps, shooting his sister a glare. "Move!"

"You move, you lose!" Jane taunts, spiting her tongue out at her brother in a childish act.

"Okay, okay. How about you let me eat instead of arguing?" Anastasia poses.

"Sorry mom." Jane and Alec chorus, both moving on either side of her, looking guilty, Alec placing the food in front of Anastasia.

Anastasia rolls her eyes fondly, munching on the fruit as her soup cools a little.

A light knock a moment later sounds at the door as Anastasia eats, Jane looking towards it.

"It's Rosalie." Jane informs.

"Come in, Rose." Anastasia says.

"Are you feeling better, Ana? I'm so sorry I woke you this morning." Rosalie apologizes again, perching lightly on the edge of the bed, looking sincerely sorry.

"I do feel better. And it's okay. How are the twins?"

"Napping, finally. The advice you gave me helped a lot. Emmett ran out and got the stuff." Rosalie says.

"Great! Yeah, the family I nannied for in the summers had a baby who had colic for a while. It was a phase. It went away, but those tricks really helped. It was kind of miserable though until then." Anastasia says. "Anyways, what's up? You look like something else happened."

"Oh my gosh! YES! Alice called. Apparently- don't even get my started! I just- UGH! I don't mean to be mean- but my dumbass BROTHER and you SISTER! They got themselves into something, I didn't even ask what it was. I honestly don't even want to know what the hell it is!" Rosalie explodes with an annoyed growl, getting up and beginning to pace.

Anastasia laughs lightly, almost spilling her soup on herself if it wasn't for Alec stabilizing it.

"You know what's worse, Ana…" Rosalie trails off, now looking miserable. "Alice- she didn't… She didn't even ask about me or Emmett. She didn't even want to know how I was or what I had been up to. It's not like- like they don't know where we are. They just assume we're going to jump, come back and help them with- with whatever the hell Edward and your sister have gotten themselves mixed up in. And that hurts."

"Oh, Rose. I'm sure that's not- I'm sure they still care. I mean, whatever my sister, admittedly not that we act much like sisters anymore, but that's not here or there, but what my sister and Edward got themselves in, is just taking a lot of Alice and the rest of your family's energy. I'm sure they do care." Anastasia tries to encourage.

"I don't know, Ana. Ever since Bella came along- it just feels like Emmett and I have been- well shoved off to the side. I mean, I guess I get it, Edward has been alone a long time. But still, it just- does he get special treatment because it? Just because he's found his mate? Or singer? Whatever. The past two years it's always been about what Edward wants, what he needs, everything's always about Bella, one mess after another. We're always cleaning it up! We all jump and no questions are asked. And frankly, I'm sick and tired of it!" Rosalie paces more. "Seriously, your sister, half-sister, is like a damn danger magnet!"

Anastasia laughs more, almost choking on a piece of fruit, Rosalie pausing in her ranting to laugh as well, her laugh like bell chimes.

"That doesn't- doesn't upset you does it?" Rosalie asks.

"No- no." Anastasia chokes out from her laugh. "Bella was always clumsy, so I'm not surprised you would think danger magnet would apply when translating to the supernatural. But in all seriousness, you need to do what you think is best. You have a family now Rose, so it's more than you and Emmett to consider. I am sorry you think that my sister's selfishness had done that to your family, even if it was indirect or not."

"Thank you, Ana. It wasn't really her, I mean, it was Carlisle and Edward who decided things. I respect my father. But it was always it seemed, a subtle favoritism, and I thought maybe it was my vanity I couldn't see things clearly. Perhaps it wasn't or it was. I don't know anymore. I do love my brother, and I want to be there for him. But I can't- not this time. Whatever is going on, I just can't. Edward and Bella have far too long dictated the Cullen coven's direction. I can't be a part of that, and I don't want my family in that. Besides, my allegiance is here." Rosalie says, calming finally.

"I think it is a wise choice, Rose. For your family, but I would understand if you chose the other way as well. Allegiance to us or not. Family, is family. Regardless of your distance in miles. But from the sounds of it, in your words, I think they have sort of perhaps pushed you a little to the side, perhaps unintentionally, but it doesn't make it hurt any less. So, sometimes distance is best. But take my opinion for what it's worth. You need to do what you and Emmett decide. Remember, he is your mate and husband, so decide together. It always takes two in decisions like this." Anastasia advises.

"Emmett has already heard my rant. He was there when Alice called and I hung up on her. He agreed." Rosalie says, looking a bit sheepish.

"Ohhh…" Anastasia says.

"Yeah. I'm done. I don't want to think about it anymore or waste any more energy on it."

"I understand. I'm glad I can offer some girl talk." Anastasia chirps.

"Thanks for understanding." Rosalie smiles.

"Of course. Now, wanna watch some movies in the theater? Emmett can join. I'm kind of tired today."

Edited 2/10/19