Chapter Twenty-Five, Rai's Birthday
As a surprise for Raiden and to take his and Sirius's minds off the upcoming trials Remus, Jasper and the Cullen's had decided they would go on holiday for Raiden's birthday, even if it was just for a day. Luckily the Potters - now Lupins - had a villa in the south of France on the beachfront and they could be there within an hour by taking the Floo Network as the villa was connected directly to the manor. Remus has explained the plan to Sirius and he was excited to be going on his first holiday with his beloved godson and had helped Remus get everything organised, and helped him perform charms on the Cullen's so they didn't shine in sunlight anymore -Jasper already had the charm placed upon him last year.
"It's strange to think that after all these years we won't shine anymore." Emmett laughed.
"You'll get used to it." Jasper laughed, as Alice, Esme, Rosalie and Edward walked in ladened down with bags upon bags. The girls had gone shopping for clothes for the holiday for everyone and had taken Edward to help carry everything, while Remus and Sirius finished getting the villa ready, while Carlisle hunted, and Emmett and Jasper had kept Rai distracted who was currently asleep with his head in Jasper's lap. "He's asleep." Jasper hissed sternly, as Edward started to complain.
"We'll go back everything. We're leaving just after breakfast so everyone needs to go hunt as soon as Remus and Sirius are back." Alice whispered, shooing the others out of the room.
The next morning Raiden was stirred from sleep by a hand softly running through his hair causing him to whine and bat at the hand making the person laugh and for a kiss to be lovingly placed on the corner of his mouth.
"Wake up darlin we have a surprise for you." Jasper coaxed softly.
"'asper?" Raiden asked sleepily, snuggling closer to his mate.
"Morning darlin. Happy birthday." Jasper smiled, watching his mate stretch like a cat and rub his eyes tiredly.
"Morning. Why are you dressed like it's hot?" Raiden asked confused, noticing that Jasper was wearing a white stripper shirt, navy shorts and white tennis shoes.
"We're all going on holiday for your birthday, Rai. You have a villa in the south France and your Dad and Sirius spent all day getting it ready, Alice, Rosalie and Esme made Edward go shopping with them to get everything." Jasper laughed, smiling as Raiden's bright emerald eyes lit up with excitement.
"REALLY!!!" Raiden shouted, jumping out of bed.
"Really. Now go get ready, Alice put some close in your bathroom and I'll meet you downstairs, we're leaving after breakfast. I love you." Jasper said, kissing his mate tenderly.
"I love you too. But what about the trial in a few days?" Raiden asked anxiously.
"We'll be back in time for that and don't worry about it now. Just enjoy your birthday." Jasper assured, kissing him again quickly. He smiled as Raiden darted into the bathroom with a happy laugh before heading downstairs. They would be opening presents at the villa.
"He likes the idea then?" Rosalie asked, noticing the smile upon Jasper's face as he walked into the dining room.
"Loved it." Jasper said happily, taking note of what everyone was wearing which no doubt Alice had brought the day before.
Alice was wearing a light blue dress with yellow and green patterns on it and green heels; Edward was wearing a blue shirt, white shorts and blue and white tennis shoes. Rosalie was wearing a black cami top, jean shorts, a thin floral over top and brown gladiator sandals; Emmett was wearing a black muscle top, brown shorts, sunglasses hanging from the shirt and white trainers. Esme had on a black and white maxi dress with flip flops; Carlisle a blue shirt, brown trousers and grey tennis shoes. Sirius wore a white T-shirt, jean shorts and white trainers; and finally Remus had on a sandy-brown top, white shorts and white trainers.
"Everything is already set up at the villa so we don't have to take any luggage with us when we leave." Remus was explaining, just as Raiden bounced happily into the dining room dressed in a white T-shirt, navy shorts and white tennis shoes.
"Thank you Dad." Raiden cried, running over and hugging Remus tightly.
"You're welcome Cub. Now eat up so we can go. Happy birthday." Remus said happily, pressing a kiss to his forehead, as everyone wished Raiden a happy birthday. As soon as the three wizards had finished their breakfast and the washing up had been done, Remus decided to create a Portkey to make things quicker and soon they were whisked away from Scotland and arrived in the sunlit foyer of a beautiful villa. The only one who had macabre to stay standing out of the vampires had been Jasper who laughed at Emmett's and Edward's disgruntled faces as they climbed back to their feet.
"This is amazing." Raiden breathed as he looked around at the wonderful architecture of the villa and looked on in longing at the paintings of his passed family members who smiled and waved at him and wished him a happy birthday. One painting however, had Raiden burst into tears when he saw it, and it was of his birth parents Lily and James Potter who spoke with him for over an hour.
"Go and enjoy your birthday Bambi? Your mother and I will still be here later to talk to you." James smiled lovingly but tears and longing shone in his eyes, as Raiden pressed his hand longingly against the frame.
"I miss you." Raiden said sadly, wiping away his tears but more just kept coming.
"We miss you too sweetheart but know we love you so much." Lily smiled at her wonderful son.
"I love you too." Raiden whispered with longing, it was another ten minutes before he could pull himself away from the painting before heading to the living room where everyone was waiting for him to open his presents. Once Raiden had calmed down and had opened his presents the large, mismatched family went out on to the beach. Sirius transformed into Padfoot and was chasing Rai up and down causing him to scream with laughter, he played in the waters edge splashing Emmett and Jasper only to laugh when Padfoot took their legs out from underneath them causing them to crash down into the wet sand and waves. He even built sandcastles for the first time in his life with his Dad and Rosalie and had a picnic on the beach and his birthday cake that Esme and Alice had made.
They spent the whole day out on the beach, and evening came they headed back inside and had dinner out in the garden, Raiden speaking to his parents for an hour before he went to bed. The next day was just as fun and his Dad and Sirius started to teach him how to swim in the shallow end of the sea. He wasn't too sure about swimming if he was being honest but he had a lot of fun with his family and it was the best birthday he's ever had. The trial had been completely erased from all their minds as they laughed and had fun together, especially as Sirius and Emmett kept pranking each other. None of them wanted to return to England, but they knew they had to but they made plans to come back here as much as possible.