A/N: Congratulations to Tee Hill for being the 500th reviewer for this story xx Alexis
I'd like to say that I had hearty congratulations from my parents on my nineteenth birthday, I'd like to but I can't. Charlie did text me yesterday, meaning he'd be too busy fishing today to bother and from Renee, nothing at all. A card will probably arrive some time next week she never has or will remember the date! But I'm not letting it get to me, I don't need their validation. Elijah is here and he's made up for it in so many ways, but mainly because he just cares and that's enough. Whereas, Rose & Emmett, Jasper, Peter & Charlotte all texted or called today to wish me a happy birthday. Even Esme sent a text, which was very nice of her.
I am so excited to get on with our road trip; Elijah has hired an SUV for space for us and the ability to carry more stuff. I have no intention of going mental, but you never know what you'll find. Not that I'm planning to buy something from everywhere, but we will stay over in or near each place to be there for morning visits and to see what each place has to offer. So it's Newburgh first and the amazing Motorcyclepedia Museum. Elijah is insistent he gets to pick where we stay and definitely where we eat. I'm sure to be gaining a few pounds on this trip; I don't think it's avoidable. Poughkeepsie is the second day's stop to see the Dutchess County Historical Society.
He's really going out of his way to spoil me; I love it because it's not over the top or suffocating. It's nice food and fancy lodgings, but not five star everything. He doesn't want a pat on the back or it broadcasted to everyone how much he's spending, in other words, he's not Edward and this is all new to me. Because even my family don't show me this level of love, without expecting something in return. Day three and it's Kingston, to visit the Hudson River Maritime Museum. It always fascinates me what's in nearby places but are often overlooked. I like to think maybe I'm doing my little bit to help them out by visiting and I will be telling other people about it.
Next day and place, the Rip Van Winkle Bridge at Catskill, I feel this will be so picturesque and yes I'm taking plenty. I love taking pictures of Elijah when he's unaware, nice candid shots of him enjoying food or tasting a new wine and others where he's just relaxing, looking happy and content. We're going to Albany, tomorrow and as it's the Capital I'm super excited. The penultimate place will be Burden Iron Works Museum in Troy and finally the place I can't wait to go the National Bottle Museum at Ballston Spa! On the return leg, Elijah wants to visit several wineries to stock up as it were, so that should be fun as well, I'm open to new experiences.
Wow, wineries are brilliant, tasting's and tours galore. It's a whole other way of life, I truly am impressed. The hard work and dedication that goes into the bottles of wine we drink without thinking about it. I know I shouldn't be, but it's my one little vice. As a policeman's daughter, I'm claiming it as my right to have at least one vice, lol. Go me, I would never have even considered it before, but, I apparently have a bit of a rebel in me! After all that shit that's happened to me at least, I haven't gone off the rails. I think if I wasn't so well adjusted, maybe just maybe I might have. I know that sounds arrogant but well, I've been a grown-up for so damned long. Jeez, I turned nineteen not forty-nine, I turned all philosophical there!
Spending each night in Elijah's arms was just an added bonus for this trip. He makes me feel so damned special it could go to my head, but it doesn't just straight to my heart instead. He is more persistent about the feedings and well, who am I to complain as they bring a whole new dimension to the sex and keeps me safe. Not safe as in alive, but safe as in if I die I will not be leaving him! It's a little mind-blowing and surreal, but compared to the change of a Cold One way less painful, depending on the type of death you have. I really am ready and as there is no newborn year, just controlling strength, speed and hunger issues Elijah tells me and promises to be by my side through it all. I think it will be sooner rather than later.
The only issue we could have would be his family or his family's enemies! He doesn't think Niklaus will be a problem because if he didn't like me, he would have tried to kill me already. Elijah said he probably sees me as an asset to the family. I did mention, even after my transition I intended to still be his assistant. I wasn't mooching off his family for eternity. He laughed saying
"That's fine sweetheart, you will be my partner in the business and family. You will be my wife, Mrs Isabella Mikaelson"
I was stunned, I know we were mates and he wanted me forever, but to hear him say my name like that was a powerful thing.
IOOH
I was happy to send Bella birthday wishes. I never blamed her for the destruction of our coven. No, that honour went to first Edward and then both Alice and Carlisle! Oh yes my mate, he certainly had to shoulder a lot of the blame himself. I was sad to lose Emmett and Rose, but they needed to get away and spread their wings free from Carlisle's self-imposed ignorance! What else can you call it when a vampire refuses to learn, to grow and change. We have travelled to the furthest away home we own, Isle Esme and here we will remain until my mate and husband accepts that he, nobody else is to blame for most of this mess, because he wouldn't man up and take charge.
Funnily enough, it was Peter Whitlock that put an idea in my head. He told me I was perfect for this job and between us we could help those who might otherwise be destroyed because they took longer to grasp this way of life. So I have proposed to the Volturi that we take them all on to rehabilitate them and then send them back or help them move on. Caius and Aro seemed ready to say no when Marcus Volturi said that it was a good idea he fully endorsed. I have also spoken to other coven leaders around our world and found that many have vampires who need extra help adjusting to our way of life. Not blood-wise or strength etc, but emotionally.
So I'll always have others to help, we will be like a rehabilitation centre for vampires. Well, too late now to cry over spilt milk, as my mother used to say. Where our own coven failed, we will help others survive. I'm the leader now and will not be allowing that crap to happen again. But there will be no forcing them to feed like us if they want to try, fine. Following Peter's feeding from human degenerates and not innocents will be insisted upon. I think this is a good compromise, Carlisle has a good heart deep down, but he is just too easily led! Yes, we will now benefit the vampire world and that way also help the human one too. I'm actually looking forward to the future now.
IOOH
I have really enjoyed this trip with Isabella, seeing her enjoy simple things has opened my eyes. To how much my family has literally just skimmed the surface of the human world, for so long. We like it or not, depend upon humans for our very survival. We need to see that they have just as much right to be here and to enjoy what they have too. I have been to too many places over the years, but mainly the elitist ones and I now see how wrong that is, because there is so much more out there to enjoy. Isabella is all about the small things and how they can improve or enhance your life. How many sunrises have I seen, without actually seeing or appreciating them?
We are almost back in New York and I'm also ready to enjoy Isabella's private tour of the Strand's rare room. I managed to acquire lots of wine on our trip and now have no idea where to eventually send it. We need to have a place to call our own. Not one of the family's homes, but ours!
"Sweetheart, where do you want to live once we're married and you are like me?" I ask as we cruise down the road,
"Oh, well! I've never thought about it. I know you have family homes all over the world, but much as I'm sure they are stunning. I'm also sure they are huge and I don't want to be rattling around in them. So why don't we start with where you like the best and maybe get our own smaller place there?" she replies, quite diplomatically, I might add,
"I tend to just pop into whichever home is nearest to where I need to be for business. So how about we get apartments in some of the major cities, like New York, London, Cairo, Rome, Paris etc. Then explore around them for places to settle more permanently, but remember eternity is a long time to spend in one place!" I explain, smiling at the look on her face,
"Wow, yes I see!" she replies and falls into quiet reflection,
It's a lot for her to take in and I know she was never thinking how long term, that would actually be. We drive in silence for a while and it's actually enjoyable. Just holding hands and each contemplating our future together. The rest of the day was amazing and we didn't speak about houses again, but I knew she'd be mulling it over and let me know when she came to a decision. What she didn't realise was I trusted her choice to be right for us. We were having one more overnight in New York before heading to Mystic Falls. I know she'll hate the place there, it's a damned mausoleum! Though I'm sure Rebekah is loving too and maybe Rose too. But I'm sure the guys will be enjoying the Salvatore's place more, it's more relaxed!
IOOH
Well, hells teeth this place of Elijah's family is a bit over the top. It's cold and clinical and very unlived in. I decided since I could, I would have a wander around Mystic Falls. Bein' out in the sun was downright amazin', with no sparklin'. Emmett decided to join me as there was literally nothin' for him to do there either. The town was smallish but nice, well set out. School and everythin', one place I'd never be goin' again. Emmett managed to find the one place everyone no matter their species hung out, wouldn't you know it Damon Salvatore was proppin' up the bar, so to speak.
"Long time no see soldier," I said and he turned quite stunned,
"Major, damn welcome to Mystic Falls," he said clappin' me on the back and shakin' my hand,
He saw the ring and raised an eyebrow. Then I introduced him to Emmett.
"Yeah, a present from Elijah Mikaelson or services rendered" I explained and we fell into a conversation about Bella and Elijah,
Emmett was watchin' everyone interactin' and seemed surprised. But Damon explained the Mystic Grill was kinda neutral territory. There were wards over the place so it basically made everyone as chilled as possible and stopped fights breakin' out. They could argue, but it rarely came to blows unless they took it outside. It was to protect the humans more than anythin' and most knew what each other were. They had lived cheek and jowl with each other for centuries. His family was one of the foundin' families around here. He introduced us to his brother and well, Emmett just couldn't help it.
"Damn man, we used to have a bro just like him. Emo to a fault and he loved high school too. God knows why! Hell he even looks like Eddie did"
I had to agree and his emotions were so similar. The self-loathin', the overwhelmin' bloodlust and in love with a human too. Him havin' gold eyes sealed the deal; he was a traditional equivalent of Edward Cullen. Poor sod!
"So where are you staying? Not at the mausoleum, I hope? Damn that place is the least inviting place in town. Well, you're welcome over at our place anytime you need a getaway" Daman says now,
"We're not stayin' permanently. Well, hell I don't know how long we'll be here. Bella and Elijah are comin' soon and then we'll decide. Rose, Emmett's wife seems to like it here and she's takin' Miss Mikaelson under her wing!" I explain and he looks shocked,
"Damn, someone who can get through to Princess Bitch! Her I've got to meet" he says laughin',
"My Rosie is something else, just wait and see! Damn I wish we could eat or drink, this sucks!" Emmett moaned and I looked confused,
"We can drink Em, straight Whiskey mainly and Vodka too! Did Carlisle never tell you? I didn't cause Alice never wanted me to, but I thought you guys all knew! Sorry bro" I said flabbergasted, Carlisle was a damned fool,
"Fuck! Jesus, he really screwed us over didn't he?" Emmett moaned, before headin' towards the bar to order himself a drink the first time as a vampire,
Damon was just shakin' his head, maybe glad to see we too had problems with our own kind.
IOOH
Rebekah and I turned up at the Mystic Grill, soon after Jasper called to tell me Emmett was angry drinking! Turns out this was just another of Carlisle's power plays. Hell, it could even have been Edward! We can drink and even eat some raw foods. Fruit mainly, the juicy ones anyway Jasper said, like strawberries, watermelons and ripe pears. He also said some of the others weren't bad like citrus if you only had the juice. It was easily absorbed by our systems like blood. I just couldn't understand why he did this to us and how much else he lied about? I was so concerned about Emmett when we got there I wasn't paying any attention to the reaction to our arrival.
Turns out Rebekah isn't anyone's favourite person, her previous entitled attitude didn't go down so well here or anywhere else. Jasper introduced me to Damon and boy is he a player, not my type at all and never would be. Emmett is all I've ever needed, he loves me unconditionally. So I just wandered over to the bar and sat down next to my husband.
"You want to buy a girl a drink, big boy?" I asked and he looked at me smirking,
"I'd love to baby!" he said throwing his arm around my waist,
IOOH
Well, my talk with Elijah gave me lots to think about. I, of course, had been thinking so short-term. Forgetting my future would be so long. He's right all that time in one place would be unbearable. So I had to re-evaluate everything, this would change a lot about how I saw things. Yes, he was right to start small with apartments or condo's in major cities and then decide to move further out later. A cottage in England, a villa in France things like that. Just no grand or ostentatious, that's not me and I hope never will be. But first, we're going to Mystic Falls and maybe we can get a small place near there too. We would fly to Richmond from New York and drive to Mystic Falls.
We had a great time when we were away and I wanted it to be like that as often as possible. Family is one thing, but if they bring nothing but trouble it' time to call it a day. Christ, I'd only met two so far and they were bad enough. Let's hope it's quiet in Mystic Falls because I'd just like to have a nice visit, with no drama for once. Maybe that's going to be unrealistic seeing as who my mate is! Well, at least my friends will be there as a bit o a buffer for me. Mainly I'm just going to have to come to the reality of my life with a Mikaelson or should I say as a future Mikaelson! They more than most seem to drag their past baggage behind them constantly!
"How much trouble happens in Mystic Falls, is it worth living there or should we be further away?" I ask unsure if I don't already know,
"Well, it's had its share of problems. They have had serious witch and coven things go down over the years. But like all supernatural places, it doesn't save them from trouble, it actually draws it in" he says sadly,
I am beginning to see he is quite tired of all the stuff that blows up wherever he is, just because of who he is. None of them asked for this but has had to accept it as part of their reality. Maybe I'll be able to help him and bring a little normalcy to his hectic life, I hope so. But it appears that's not going to happen on this trip. We are just driving into the town when we see Niklaus leaning against the sign welcoming us to Mystic Falls!
"Hello love and you too Elijah. You'll be happy to hear I have taken control of the werewolf situation outside of New Orleans. I sent Marcel a warning that we will be returning soon and now I'm here to have a nice break with my family and new sister-in-law to be!" he said smiling deviously and we both sighed,
I didn't even need to put my shield up around Elijah it seems to do it automatically by itself nowadays, it's his blood I know it. The more I consume the more it thinks we're one entity.
"Ooh, is there some kind of early warning system in place here? I felt it as we passed the boundary line for the town" I say looking at the two men in the car.
IOOH
We were still all at the Mystic Grill when a witch came up to Damon and his brother who was talkin' to us.
"Damon, 2 Originals just cross the town's boundary line!" she muttered,
"Alone?" he enquired raisin' an eyebrow at me,
"Yes, my wards are never wrong!" she said cockily and we both smirked, and then we waited,
"Will they come here first then to let everyone know they've arrived?" Rose asked,
"Why would they, they can't sense a ward!" the witch sneered,
"Actually we usually can, it's all about familiarity. Now I know you, I'll always see your wards. But I didn't before because we'd never met!" Miss Mikaelson said stunnin' the witch,
"In that case, they won't have seen them and won't come here! Because they don't know me!" she said snarkily,
"True as that may be, I felt it and knew it was there. So the point is moot!" said Bella's voice from the doorway,
"Alone huh! You're losing your touch, Caroline. Everybody, let me introduce you to my good friend Miss Isabella Swan, you all know Elijah and Nik" Damon says barely containin' his smile,
"What is she?" Caroline spat in a hostile tone and was surrounded by Emmett, Rose and me,
"Our sister!" we growled in unison, scarin' her slightly,
"You've met your match Caroline, so step down or be squashed!" Daman said full out laughin' this time.
