Update time!!! Meaning that it's time for me to update!...obviously, haha. Glad you guys liked the last chapter. Hope you enjoi this one. Here you go!

WARNING! There will be more Italian throughout the story from now on so keep looking at the bottom for the translations. Thank YOU!

Enjoi!!!

Nine years later:

April Fourth…Amara's Birthday, once again. She was officially a teen now, reaching the age of 13. She still didn't know what we were and I wanted to keep it that way. She shouldn't have to know that she lived with soul-less creatures, seeing as how her soul was so precious. Two more years and she is to be turned. I dreaded that day…but I shall dread it when it comes. Here comes my love now…

"Alec!" she exclaimed happily, running towards me.

She had grown so much that it was a shock. Where had all the time gone? She was becoming a young woman. Her hair was no longer straight, but wavy and messy like "sex" hair. It reached enough that it covered her chest and her bangs were too long to call bangs anymore. She was clothed in a pair of black skinny jeans and a black polka-dotted tank top with a black cardigan. The look was topped off with her Converse and she had found the necklace I placed on her pillow.

The necklace had two hearts, a silver one and a black one. The black was just that: black; whereas, the silver one appeared to have polka dots. It fit well with her outfit, actually. (Link on my profile.)

She ran into my awaiting arms and squeezed me tightly. She reached up and kissed me on the cheek, pulling out of my embrace with a blush on her face.

"Thank you so much for the necklace, Alec," she said, looking at the floor with that lovely blush of hers. "I love it."

"I'm glad. I knew you would enjoy it," I said, staring at her beautiful face. "Buon Compleanno, Amara."

"Thank you, Alec."

"Amara! Alec!" came Aro's voice from down the hall as he spotted us.

"Daddy!" Amara rejoiced, giving him a hug and kissing his cheek like she did to me. "Look at the necklace Alec got me."

Aro took a glance at me and then back at his pride and joy. He smiled and fingered the necklace, looking at it closely.

"It's lovely, dear."

"Isn't it, father? I won't EVER take it off!"

That notion set something in my heart and I smiled like a big idiot. My eyes sparkled and I thought I felt my heart beat when she said she wouldn't ever take it off. Was it because it was from me? I surely hoped so.

They both walked by me, to the throne room, and Amara took my hand to drag me along.

Amara was ecstatic. She talked to everyone about her necklace and they all said it was lovely and sweet of me to give her such a thing. I tried to leave, not really wanting to listen to people talk, but Amara insisted that I stay with her. And who was I to deny such a gorgeous creature? So I stayed by her side the whole time. But, of course, I didn't mind. I would stay by her side for eternity if she asked me.

The party was over and it was time for Amara to go to bed, the clock having struck midnight. I walked her to her room, which was still next to mine, and kissed her forehead. But she wasn't having it.

"Alec?" she asked as I opened my door.

"Yes?"

"Will you stay with me tonight?"

I was quick to say yes but I told her that her father would literally kill me. She said she would not let him hurt me so I told her I would meet her there in ten minutes so she could get ready for bed. She agreed. Ten minutes later, I was at her door and she opened it with a blush. I was star-struck at what she wore to bed. Did she wear this every night?! Did Aro know? Or did she just wear this for me?

She wore black shorts that went to her mid-thigh and a skimpy tank top that rose every time she moved. I licked my lips unconsciously.

"Hey, Alec," she said, looking everywhere but me.

Her breath smelled of mint and I noticed a stack of books by her nightstand. Her hair was pulled into a ponytail and the necklace was still around her neck. I could see the necklace from her 4th birthday hanging in the corner, along with everything else I've given her. Did she have a separate place for my gifts? I looked around and noticed that she did.

"Why did you need me to stay with you, Am-ie?" I asked, using my special nickname for her. She blushed at the term.

"I've been having…dreams. Bad ones," she confessed.

I instantly pulled her into a hug and felt her heart race against my chest. Was she scared? What could a dream contain that frightened this girl so much? I must get to the bottom of it if I was to protect her.

"What was the dream, angelo?" I asked, rubbing her back softly and soothingly.

"There was fire, Alec. A house fire and I could smell the smoke. It was so real. I could feel the flames licking my skin and I screamed but no one heard me. There was a baby too. It was so real. I tried to save her, I'm guessing it was a girl, but I couldn't. It's like one of those dreams where you're running as fast as you can to get something but you can never reach it. Alec, it frightened me."

"Non bisogna aver paura, io vi protegge. Esso\'s solo un sogno," I murmured to her.

"It was so real…"

"Shh, it's okay. I'll be here when you wake up. Nothing is going to hurt you."

She was soon asleep and I watched her with endearment. She looked so peaceful in her sleep but the peace was being ruined. The nightmare was coming. She whimpered and reached for me, I settled down next to her and wrapped my arms around her, a protective gesture.

"Shh, ll mio amore. Nothing will hurt you while I'm here. I'll protect you until my dying breath…"

And she was calm again.

Hmm, interesting ending. I liked it. Next will be a talk between Aro and Alec. You know what I noticed? There was no Jane in this chapter. Haha, how interesting. Ok, you know what to do. Comment and review!

Translations:

Angelo: angel

Buon compleanno: Happy Birthday.

Non bisogna aver paura, io vi protegge. Esso\'s solo un sogno: Do not be frightened, I will protect you. It's just a dream.

Ll mio amore: my love.

Aww, Alec is so friggin cute! I love him, I really do. Haha. Comment and review, yeah?

--alice