[English isn't my first language, so please be kind!]
[All characters belongs to Stephenie Meyer!]
14
Goodbyes
- Here it is - Jane put the pie on the table. Perhaps 'throw it' was the correct term.
- Let me see - Alec rubbed his hands as he approached. He opened the box and brought his nose close to its contents, trying to absorb the smell.
- I don't know why you do that - Jane put the hands on her hips - we don't know if this is how a pie should smell.
- So how did you buy it?
- From the appearance - said the blond twin - it's a pretty pie.
If Alec were alive, the veins of his forehead would be leaping because of the stress.
- You don't understand - he closed the box abruptly - if Edward Cullen thinks you poisoned the pie...
- I didn't poison anything! - said Jane. "Today," thought the vampire - You asked me to go out and buy a pie and I did it willingly because I'm your sister.
- I won't fall for that - Alec smiled. In fact, the sister had only agreed to leave the hotel because she needed to pick up her packages that were delivered to one of the empty houses in the village. Aro didn't want any transport company approaching the castle, as well as reporters and tourists, so they maintained a house for deliveries and bought lots of land around the castle to stop visitors.
Alec frowned when he smelled the pie for the second time. He remembered the smell of food in restaurants in Volterra. The pie would look appetizing to him if he were human and hungry.
- I hope Renesmee likes it – he said. The kitchen was empty, as usual, so they could calmly prepare the surprise for the youngest Cullen.
- You should be more concerned with the taste - Jane sat and put her feet on the table - even if it was poisoned, nobody eats bad food.
Alec rolled his eyes.
- What? - Jane said - That's what I see on TV, humans are really picky, there's an English chef who's always angry that...
- I don't care - Alec raised his hand. He wasn't a big fan of television, especially reality shows.
- I can't believe that the Cullens are already preparing to leave - Alec sighed, he couldn't believe that was sad about that when just a few years ago he wanted to help Aro and Caius to destroy the coven - if they stayed a few more days I'd have learn to cook something.
One of the Cullens, Esme, tried to teach him how to fry an egg, but Alec was a disaster on the stove.
- Maybe you would have learned for real if you hadn't been chasing Elia half the time - said Jane, by the sounds that came from her cell phone she was in a violent Candy Crush match.
Alec groaned in sadness, hugging the pie box.
For some time he believed he could have something with Aro's favorite, since they were similar in age, but no one could predict that she would end up being Demetri's mate. Besides, he and Elia got along better as friends.
- I think the two of us will always be lonely, sister - Alec said hopelessly.
- I don't know - Jane stopped playing - I don't feel lonely now, and Renata's family will come to visit us for the first time after all the nomads leave, maybe you will be lucky then.
Alec smiled, maybe he shouldn't say he was lonely when his blood sister was right there with him. How many vampires in the world could be so lucky?
- I'll put the pie on a pretty plate - said Alec - Edward must be coming with Nessie already, he said he will inspect our minds first.
- Imagine being that paranoid - Jane whispered, as if Edward could hear her, and went back to playing.
XXX
- A day off? -Renata repeated Marcus's words to make sure she heard correctly.
The Volturi Guard had no days off, they were always alert in Volterra, waiting for an imminent attack that never came. At the hotel, they were also always on call to meet guests' needs, a new pillow, fixing the hot water in the shower, that was what they were there for. Well, that's what Renata was there for, she couldn't say whether Heidi, Felix and Demetri counted as manpower.
Maybe Renata should suggest a completely anonymous complaints box at the reception, where she could report everyone without anyone knowing about it.
- Yes - Marcus smiled in that strange way he always does. Something like "my teeth are showing, but please kill me." - Go, go play.
He waved his hands as if she were a child, or a dog. A very stressed, exploited and underpaid miniature Pinscher.
- Okay - said Renata, walking away slowly, afraid that Marcus was planning something and that's why he was releasing her from today's work.
"At least he took a shower and changed clothes," thought Renata. "And his hair looks neatly combed, this is already a victory."
She pressed the elevator button and waited. Renata really wanted to go to the garden and breathe fresh air for fun, but she could see that Demetri and Elia were talking and she didn't want to interrupt.
"Please, that everything gets better, and that Demetri can find happiness," she wished in a silent prayer, and then burst out laughing. After so long in Italy, she got used to listening to church services in the city through the underground tunnels.
- Hi! - Seth's voice sounded so loud that Renata almost jumped to the ceiling.
- Hi - she tried not to look at him, but then realized that his clothes had changed, he looked more... Elegant? And his smell... - what clothes are these?
The coat he was wearing was visibly expensive. Too different of the clothes Renata saw him wear before, with a gold thread embroidery that formed the Volturi symbol on the chest.
- Oh, Marcus lent me a coat to cover my scent, so we could spend time together today.
- Spend time together? - Renata blinked, still not understanding - Do you mean...
- I asked Marcus to give you a day off - Seth brought his face close to hers, she hadn't noticed how tall he was until that moment - but don't tell Caius.
He whispered the last sentence, making Renata shiver. What was that feeling?
- There's food in the kitchen - his whole face seemed to form a smile - come on!
Seth took Renata's hand and led her to the kitchen before the vampire could protest or refuse to follow him.
"He must be hungry," thought Renata, "Aro called the Cullens and their human friends, but he didn't buy enough food for the hotel."
She expected to see one or two people, not four.
Alec and the hybrid child, Renesmee, were in the center. Alec was feeding her with a smile on his face, spooning pie into her mouth. Jane and Edward were on opposite sides of the table, facing each other, a silent battle that ended when Renata and Seth arrived in the kitchen.
- What are you doing? - Jane and Edward asked at the same time, with the same shocked look when they saw that Seth was holding Renata's hand.
- We're on a date - said Seth - and a date must have food.
- A date? - Jane must have kicked Alec under the table, because the vampire dropped the spoon, which hit the plate and spread pie on Renesmee's clothes.
- I had hopes for you, Seth - said Edward, shaking his head.
- You can keep your hopes up - Renata raised her hands while Seth was looking for a plate.
Edward Cullen had bronze hair and fierce golden eyes, but at the same time he seemed genuinely concerned for Seth. This kind of friendship was new to Renata.
- I'm already full - said Renesmee - you can eat, uncle Seth.
- Thank you, Reny - Seth replied, pulling the pie close and putting half of what was left on his plate. He looked at Renata - I would offer you a little if you ate.
- It's fine - Renata said, with a polite smile.
Luckily, Edward picked up his daughter and left the kitchen, with Alec still on his tail. Jane stayed a few more minutes, she watched Seth eat, then looked at Renata in a way that made her wait for the pain, but nothing happened.
Jane left them alone.
- You eat very well - said Renata - not even my most hungry cousins have this appetite.
- I was curious about this - Seth swallowed a large piece of pie to continue talking - so you still keep in touch with your human family?
- Yes - Renata nodded - my uncle started everything, he took care of us and turns those who want eternal life.
- Is that why he transformed you? Because you wanted eternal life?
- Well - Renata hesitated - I had the chance to see what would happen in the world, and I wanted to be here to watch.
She expected Seth to say something mean, but he didn't.
- You are very interesting - said the boy.
Renata smiled, she took a napkin that Alec had left on the table and wiped the corner of Seth's mouth. Maybe it was Marcus's clothes, but for her, Seth's scent was almost pleasant.
- I should have told you that I know how to cook, because of my human family, I could have made you something.
- Oh, no problem...
- I know that you lost weight... - Renata said that without meaning to. In fact she noticed that Seth's cheeks looked more prominent than the last time they saw each other - Anyway, you could have come to me.
- Well - said Seth - I'll remember that next time.
- Next time? - Renata asked. Her eyes must have been shining, because Seth smiled.
"He has pure and gentle eyes," thought Renata, "How many people own this?".
- Yes, I think the Cullens will return one day, but until then, we could keep in touch, what do you think?
The vampire took out her cell phone and timidly placed it on the table so that Seth could put his number.
- I think we won't have to say goodbye - said Renata.
She had a feeling they would see each other again, many times.
Happy 2021 ! How is the new year so far? For me it's rough already (*nervous laughter*). One chapter left... I can't believe this started as a one shot project and reached so many chapters. I am planning to open an account on AO3 too so you can also follow me there in the future if you want. See you next saturday!
Ps: Renata and Seth were the couple that I never expect it to write, but that worked!