Chapter 3
The Cullens and Denalis spent the rest of the weekend becoming acquainted with all of the perks Isola Marcime had to offer. They still were not used to the looks and bows they received from some of the guards, but by Monday, they were accustomed to such greetings. The island buzzed with excitement as Christmas drew near, mainly because Marcus and Didyme urged everyone to take vacations and embrace the holiday season. While a handful of guards, including Alexander and Lena, stayed on the island to protect Marcus and Didyme, a majority of the Volturi took their leave for the week, promising to be back in time for the massive celebration on New Year's Eve. All of the guards were in high spirits, except for two. Alexander shook his head in disappointment as he spotted Nilas standing on the cliff of the island. He followed the man's gaze toward the south shore in the distance where the Cullens were lounging, laughing, and enjoying the sunny weather. Nilas jumped in surprise when Alexander appeared by his side.
"Must you always sneak up on me," asked Nilas and Alexander smiled slyly at him.
"It is my job to be stealthy. It helps that you never have been the best at knowing your surroundings."
"I do not need to know my surroundings. That is what you are for."
"I will not always be around to watch your back or keep you in line," warned Alexander and Nilas arched an eyebrow at him in challenge.
"I did not realize I needed to be kept in line."
"Have you thought about what we talked about?"
"Yes."
"And," questioned Alexander. Nilas's eyes narrowed as they focused in on the Cullens.
"How can you embrace them so easily after all that has happened because of them?"
"Because everything that has happened is for the best."
"According to?"
"According to the vampire world, Marcus, Didyme, most of the guards, even your own mate can see that the changes over the past decades have created a healthier environment for all involved."
"Maybe not for me," confessed Nilas and Alexander sighed.
"You do not mean that."
"Do my eyes not tell the story for me," asked Nilas as he locked eyes with Alexander. The tint of orangey red made Alexander wince and Nilas chuckled bitterly at his response.
"You look at me with disgust now that I have resorted back to our natural way."
"No, of course not, it isn't disgust, just disappointment, but we have all slipped up. Nilas, I am worried about you. You have been in the guard with me for far too long to have things fall apart now that we have gained so much."
"You see, that is where we differ. You think that now that I am not falling in line and embracing every facet of this new existence that things are falling apart. For me, they fell apart when Aro and Caius were killed along with most of the original guard. For me, when we found out that Demitri, Felix, Alec, and so many of our friends were slaughtered by the likes of these golden eyed monsters that is when my world fell apart. The question is why didn't yours?"
"Because I could see the darkness within the Volturi back then and you could not."
"Well then I suppose we are at an impasse. You can bow down and grovel at the feet of the Cullens, but I will not have any part in it," declared Nilas. He turned to leave, but Alexander gripped his arm tightly and pulled him back to him. Their eyes locked in a glare as Alexander spoke.
"I cannot control how you feel about them, but you will respect them and everything this guard stands for."
"Your love for them is apparent even now. The fact that you are standing against me to side with them says it all. After everything we have been through, you side with them?"
"My loyalty has always been clear. My duty is to protect the rulers of the vampire world and I do so with honor and grace because I stand behind their values. Yes, it helps that I have also stood beside the Cullens in battle and how quickly you forget that they not only saved my life, but Lena's as well. I am on their side because it is the right side." Nilas jerked away from him and rubbed his arm.
"Maybe that isn't a side I can support." Nilas turned to leave again, but Alexander's words stopped him in his tracks.
"Tread lightly Nilas. What you are speaking of is treason and if you so much as show a morsel of disrespect toward the Cullens, you are disrespecting Marcus and Didyme in the process. I cannot allow it, not even from you, little brother." Nilas glanced at Alexander one last time before leaving and Lena smiled sympathetically at her mate as she walked over to him.
"He is your baby brother. I know you want to protect him, but he is out of line, Alexander. If it were anyone else, we would have already reported the problem to Marcus and Didyme."
"I know."
"So then what do we do?"
"We keep an eye on him and hope he comes to his senses."
While most of their family preferred to lounge on the beach, Zach and Josh believed there was too much fun to be had. The boys spent most of the day in the water. It was too cold for humans in December, but it was the perfect time for the boys to go deep sea diving without prying human eyes. Zach teased Josh about needing an oxygen tank and scuba gear instead of being able to hold his breath like him, but they were able to stay out in the water for hours nonetheless. As the sun began to set, they raced two luxury racing boats toward Porto Rotondo, so they could do some last minute Christmas shopping in the Piazza Kasbah. Josh managed to maneuver his boat through a narrow opening and into the bay a split second before Zach could, winning their game in the process. As soon as he parked his boat and hopped onto the dock, Josh wore a smug grin, much to Zach's chagrin as he joined his best friend on the dock.
"I demand a rematch," exclaimed Zach as Josh laughed.
"I finally beat you because you couldn't cheat and use your ability for once."
"Yea, yea, whatever, come on, let's get this over with so we can race on the way back to the island." Piazza Kasbah was situated right on the bay and the boys made their way through the narrow streets leading to the center of the cluster of shops. Zach noticed a small boutique and motioned for Josh to follow him into it.
"So how does it work anyways? You just don't think about getting Alice anything until the very last minute," asked Josh.
"Well it can be boring shopping for Aunt Alice because she already knows what you got her by the time you buy it, so I have decided to have some fun with it. Instead of getting her presents when I get the rest of my family theirs, I wait as long as possible and don't even think about what I might want to get her. I knew there would be shops here so I figured I would just worry about a present later. I still have no clue what to get her and it always drives her crazy when she doesn't know until the last minute." The two of them perused the boutique before deciding there was nothing there worthy of Alice's standards. Suddenly, their senses perked up and Zach's nostrils flared as he smelled the scent of vampires in the area. Josh recognized the scent as well and they tracked the scent to a shoe store in the middle of the piazza.
Inside, there were two statuesque, blonde vampire women. Their eyes locked with Zach and Josh's and the boys were relieved when they smiled at them, even if their eyes were red instead of gold.
"You two know Marcus and Didyme, yes," asked one of the blondes with a thick Swedish accent. Zach made sure his deep dimples were on full display as he bowed to the women.
"Yes, I am Zach McCarty Cullen and this is my best friend, Joshua Black," announced Zach and the women gasped in awe as they looked the two of them over.
"Aw yes, Zach Cullen and his wolf friend. We have heard stories about the two of you. You must be here for the party," said the other blonde and Josh smiled charmingly as he nodded.
"Our family decided to spend the holidays here since it is our first time in the area. You two are a bit early for New Year's Eve," said Josh and the women giggled.
"We are from Sweden, but we love to visit Italy, especially the islands. It is just so beautiful here. I am Annike and this is my friend, Inger."
"It is nice to meet you ladies. We are trying to shop for my Aunt Alice. She isn't exactly easy to surprise," said Zach.
"The psychic, yes I am sure that would be quite the challenge. The shoes in here are beautiful. Maybe she would like a pair," suggested Inger.
"The sooner we can get her gift, the sooner we can hang out on the island, so whatever works," chuckled Josh.
"Your family is staying on Isola Marcime," asked Annike.
"Yes, where are you staying," asked Josh.
"We are nomads. We prefer to be on the go, but we are looking forward to celebrating New Year's Eve there. Maybe you two can save us a dance," suggested Annike and Zach winked at her.
"Count on it," he assured and Annike winked back at him.
"We most certainly will," she giggled.
"Bye Josh, bye Zach," said Inger as the two blondes waved and exited the store. Josh grinned as he watched them saunter down the street.
"Swedish women are gorgeous. Did you see how tall they were," said Josh and Zach laughed at his friend's excitement.
"Hey J, would you ever…you know," questioned Zach as he picked up a pair of designer heels.
"Would I ever what?"
"You know, date a vampire," whispered Zach.
"I don't know. I mean Seth seems to enjoy it. Kaya is a hybrid though and I'm not sure how it would work with a full vampire and a wolf," whispered Josh.
"Well I think it would be cool. You hang around vampires all the time anyways and you know how we live so….." Suddenly Zach's phone rang and he groaned when he saw his Aunt Alice's number.
"Yep, those are the ones I want. Thanks Zach, I love you my handsome nephew," cooed Alice before hanging up and Zach shook his head as he chuckled.
"Well, that was fun while it lasted. I guess these will be her present."
"Good, now hurry up and pay for them so we can get out of here. I have another race to win," taunted Josh and Zach rolled his eyes.
While the Denalis spent Christmas Eve on the main island of Sardinia exploring the region and hunting, the Cullens stayed on Isola Marcime to uphold their own family traditions. Alice made sure that the main villa had a Christmas tree for the family to decorate together and even brought along their favorite ornaments. Once the tree was decorated and fireplace was lit, everyone settled into the den to watch Christmas films on the big screen television. Carlisle and Esme always picked the first film and no one was surprised when they chose It's A Wonderful Life. Rosalie, Edward, and Alice preferred Miracle on 34th Street and Emmett, Seth, and Jacob decided that humor was the best way to go with A Christmas Story. Bella agreed with Leah that A Charlie Brown Christmas belonged in the mix and Renesmee, Nahuel, and Kaya simply enjoyed them all. Jasper was too busy basking in all of the bliss to care which films they watched and they finished up their Christmas marathon with a film that Zach and Josh got to pick, Home Alone. It was the perfect way for them to spend the day of Christmas Eve and Seth could not stop smiling when the smell of Esme's homemade Christmas cookies filled the air.
Once the sun set, the family ventured out to the cove and gathered wood for a bonfire. Jacob was the first to tell stories about the best Christmas Eves at the Black House. Leah and Seth talked about their father's insistence on a fish fry each Christmas Eve and how he drove their mother up the wall one year when he spent the entire day out fishing just to make sure his fish fry was complete. Once the stories were finished, everyone bowed their heads and had a moment of silence to remember the loved ones lost along the way.
Afterwards, marshmallows were roasted. While Josh insisted that they were roasted to be eaten, Zach had more fun throwing them at his father. Everyone watched in amusement as Emmett and Zach engaged in a full blown marshmallow war. At midnight, each family member was allowed one present, something Alice had to be reminded of several times since she wanted to open all of her presents. She argued that since she already knew what she got, she should be able to have them, but no one was persuaded by that argument. All those that could sleep decided to go to bed and the others spent the night on the main island of Sardinia hunting.
The Denali Coven returned with the rest of the family as the sun came up on Christmas Day and everyone exchanged gifts. Carmen helped Esme make a big breakfast and Kaya was on Seth Duty once again to make sure her mate did not sneak off with food until it was ready to eat. Renesmee was pleasantly surprised to see Roman, Iris, Sofi, and Caleb at the door when she answered it and welcomed them in.
"Perfect timing, we were just about to eat," informed Renesmee and Iris showed her the message on her phone.
"Yes, Alice notified us that we should arrive promptly at eight," explained Iris. Nahuel and Kaya ran over to hug their siblings. Soon, they were greeted by everyone and headed to the dining room, but Caleb lagged behind. Sofi immediately noticed and pulled him toward her.
"You are welcomed here, remember," she whispered to him, but he shrugged.
"I haven't exactly shown my gratitude to them, so why should they welcome me?" He was surprised when Jacob clapped him on the back with a warm smile.
"Because you are family and it is Christmas, come on, there is plenty of food," encouraged Jacob and Caleb smiled appreciatively at him. He joined them at the table and noticed that only those who ate food were there. The others were in the living room playing games and singing Christmas carols as they finished going through their gifts. He was surprised by how naturally everyone fit together. There were vampires, hybrids, and shapeshifters all in one house, but it felt like a family. Seth held up his glass of orange juice.
"To our family on Christmas," he announced and they raised their glasses in a cheer. Seth immediately filled his plate and began teasing Josh about beating him in a video game. The banter continued on from there and even Roman joined in when Nahuel challenged him to a game. Caleb grinned at Sofi and she winked back at him, realizing what he was thinking. It was nice to be part of such a big family.