( ^ _ ^ ) Happy Halloween ( ^ _ ^ )

It has officially been 6 years, 2 months and 20 days since the last time I have updated anything for this story and yes I do keep track. Believe it or not this story is near and dear to my heart because it is the only story that I have posted and left on Fanfiction without deleting it after the first four chapters. But back to the point, aside from a few check-ins to the site here and there I have been on one long hiatus as a writer from Fanfiction. Of course giving an explanation no matter how sufficient seems quite unjust for many of my devoted fans and even to the many newcomers (I have been receiving notifications here and there for reviews and of this story being added to alert/favorite authors lists) who have taken the chance to read this story. If I could sum up this 6 year long hiatus it would simply be, because of my education and finding suitable employment. Of course many of you on this site (whether you are a writer, devoted reader or both) have been or are in the same boat yet have managed to balance this combination quite well. However, I did not have such an easy time of things. Since posting chapter 27 six years ago I was experiencing quite a lot of writers block and confusion as to the direction of this story. I was feeling lost and wondering whether what I had written was making sense and whether I enjoyed the writing style (bare in mind I was younger than I am now when I was writing this so my thought process and my writing has matured a lot). I was in a funk and I would feel that way every time I re-read a chapter. On top of my aggravating writers block and period of self-doubt, I was moving up higher in my educational studies as one chapter of my academic career was coming to a close. Studies took priority and to be honest they were a nice distraction from writing. No matter how often I visited the site and went down memory lane, I just couldn't get the drive I once had back. But, what has really made me consider returning and really coming back to writing as a whole is my viewers of course. The messages and reviews I received throughout my hiatus and the addition of various users putting this story on their alert and favorite lists really made me happy while making me realize how I still had a fairly strong fan base to this story. I didn't think it was fair to not give my avid readers closure to this story that many have followed for so long. I feel like I am in a much better position than I was all those years ago and my personal life has also stabilized to the point where I have much more free time to return to old interests, including writing. The reason I even set up an account on this site all those years ago was because of a passion I had for reading and writing stories of make belief and creating different worlds and versions of stories to suit my own style. These past few months have been filled with a lot more creativity and excitement to delve back into what I onc- no what I really love.

Another question you guys may have is why am I even posting something like this now now, of all days especially right? Well to those who have read the story, I created a special for one of my chapters which was centered around this day and also because I found this particular day fitting. After all, All Hallows Eve does have some attachment to the over all story line *smirks* (emphasis on the some, I can't remember now but I just liked this day okay LOL).

Furthermore, DOCC is not the only story I plan on dusting off the ageing bookshelf and permanently removing from hiatus, Child of War and Sight is also included. I have spent quite some time revamping the first chapter as well as working on various other chapters for that story, so please expect an update, this is a promise. It really is selfish of me to ask all of you this but please do continue to read this story and COWAS when you receive notification of an update (I am sorry to those who expected a brand new chapter for DOCC, just know that one is in the works :) ). Please continue to be as invested in the story of Isabella and Aro as I work hard to dutifully return back to you my readers. I feel like this is the only way in which I can properly repay your support throughout this entire journey. I am not too sure how many of you actually read author's bios but in mine (here is the link: u/2333799/MariaWolf14), I use it as an update board and a way to communicate to my readers about what is currently going on and/or what has passed (I haven't updated that since June of this year I believe...?). In there I wrote that no matter how much times passes, I would never give up on my stories or "put them up for adoption" as was the trend (I am not too sure if this is still a thing..?) back then. I vowed to see any story I posted through to the end after a bout of many failures before and that is what I intend to do.

Now, you all must be wondering after all this what the heck I plan on building up to, right? Well this was meant to be announcement but I felt like context and an explanation was necessary first. I tried not to make this too long either (not sure if I succeeded though, lol I am just really happy to be communicating with my readers again after all this time. Aside from a few private messages here and there I have not gotten the chance to address everyone) and I am too excited writing this (might be some typos, sorry in advance! I did try to review and edit but my fingers were itching to have this posted to you guys as soon as possible!) because I can not wait to reveal the good news I have! So if you have read up till this point, thank you and if not well I will bold the important part of this note so hopefully it will catch your eye.

Now, without further ado *ahem*:

Chapter 28 will be released on November 6th at 10:00PM EST time (wish I could have made this bigger).

I am keeping everything under raps so no spoilers for now!

Once again, thank you everyone, thank you readers new and old. Thank you for the support, thank you for the likes, thank you for the reviews and thank you for coming along on this ride with Isabella and Aro.

I will continue to work hard to make up for all this lost time, so please continue to look forward to DOCC.

-Maria