0. . .oO•.o. A Promise Unknowingly Kept .o.•Oo. . .0

Warning: This story will contain mild content, themes, and language which some may find offensive. If you have questions let me know.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owner, Stephenie Meyer. The original characters and plot are the property of the me - the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

A/N: Long time no see everyone. I know this update has taken a while but I have been really busy with coursework and my job too. In between all of that I've tried my best to write when i possibly could and now another chapter is finished and here for you all to read. Once again, thank you for all so much for your follows/favourites/reviews - please, please, please keep them coming, they mean loads!; here's Chapter Twenty-Two.

0. . .oO•.o. A Promise Unknowingly Kept .o.•Oo. . .0

CHAPTER 22 - Apologies

•~Annabelle Cullen~•

"I haven't been referred to as 'Major' for a long while..." Jasper pondered, looking at his hands. Not surprised in the slightest with my confirmation.

"Why is that?" I asked curiously, ignoring everyone else present in the room that were lost for words.

Jasper lifted his gaze to meet mine, as if confused as to why I would ask. "I guess it's because it reminds me of back home, in Texas I mean. I think I miss that feeling sometimes." He admitted.

"Wait, how does Annie now seem to know Jasper?" Rosalie asked without her usual sneer.

"She played a key role in the battle against the newborn army belonging to a vampire named Maria," Niklas stated, informing Daddy's family.

"You...let us go?" Jasper said rather obviously.

"Yes," I replied slowly, stretching out my answer.

"Why?" he blurted out.

"You, as well as Peter and Charlotte, following a thorough investigation were permitted to run free, noticing your many efforts to escape the area and not willingly wanting to follow orders but still did so just to survive a little longer." I told him simply.

"I remember you now..." he whispered but being a vampire, I heard him loud and clear.

"How?" I asked, immediately curious.

"When we looked back on from where we'd escaped from, the centre of the town square was on fire, blazing high. But when I sneaked a glance up towards the cliff nearby, I saw you – but only for a second – then you were gone again."

"Why would you assume that was me?" I challenged. I, of course, knew it was me as I was the only one to leave the vampire raid, so-to-speak.

"From what I learnt from Carlisle, members of the Volturi have different ranks; their uniform linking to that particular rank. You told us that you are Leader of Law Enforcement, and Carlisle said that its one rank below the Leaders themselves. That day that I saw someone on that cliff side, they had a royal blue lined cloak and wore a golden tiara – it glistened in the setting sun that night. Only leaders of some sort are permitted to wear a crown at any time." Jasper concluded; a smug expression plastered all over his face.

"You are, of course, correct," I admitted.

"I have a feeling that you didn't really want to be part of the fight, from observing your personality for the short amount of time we've been with you. So you stayed on the cliff top, overlooking the situation." He added.

Turning to Alice. I asked, "Is he always this observant?"

A small, light laugh was only half my reply. "Yes he has, Annie, unfortunate for some that is." She told me.

"Indeed it seems so," is all I said in reply. "Anyway, it seems...that we've gotten a little off track here,"

"What do you mean?" Alice asked.

Deciding to delay me reply to her question I turned towards Arla. "Arla, would you be so kind and go and retrieve our...family for me please? Say that I'm...missing them, dearly," I asked, my tone sickly sweet.

Arla started slightly, looking as if she was going to convince me otherwise but decided against it as she nodded and teleported away.

Sitting down on the chair I'd neglected during this whole...mess, legs crossed at the ankles, I addressed everyone else in the room. "May as well get comfortable,"

"Annie, please tell me you haven't just sent for the Volturi," Daddy asked slightly frantic.

"Would you feel better if I said 'no'?" I questioned, turning to look at him.

"No," he replied simply.

"Then yes, I have sent for them. Besides, it's just a little catch up," I chuckled slyly. "Isn't that right guys?" I asked the members of my family. Knowing that they were channelling some of the same anger towards them as I was, they all agreed.

"Nobody hurts our sister and gets away with it," Brendon voiced for everyone.

"You can't just attack the Volturi!" Edward exclaimed.

"Attack? Who said anything about attacking them? Did you hear me say that I was going to attack them?" I asked around the room, and my question was met with silence.

"No, I don't think I will 'attack' them as such. A strongly worded discussion maybe, yes, or some things broken, perhaps..." I assured but Daddy's family still looked on edge.

"I think you all underestimate how well Annie and the Volturi get along to think that this could all end in destruction," Adalynn said from the far side of the room in Niklas' arms, sounding distant as she did.

Rosalie was the one who replied to Adalynn. "Do you blame us? The only opinion on the Volturi we have is from what Carlisle has shared with us and theirs of course-"

"They're here." I stated, cutting Rosalie off mid-sentence as I felt seven vampires enter my shields.

Walking human speed towards the back door, I sensed everyone else following behind me. Anger started to roll off me as they all entered my sights. Aro, Marcus, Caius, Felix, Demetri, Alec, and Jane all smiled brilliantly upon spotting me exiting through the doorway. Arla rushed away from them gracefully and to her mate.

Jasper and Javonn, upon feeling my climbing rage decided to help me out a little, but didn't take all of the anger away. I inclined my head towards them, acknowledging their help.

"It's a pleasure surprise to see you again, Annie. How is everyone, young one?" Aro greeted, stepping forward with a smile.

"That's depends on how you define 'everyone', isn't it Aro?" I hissed angrily, causing him to come to an abrupt halt. He frowned deeply at my words and the tone of my voice.

"I'm afraid that I do not understand wha-" Aro cut himself off when he saw Daddy and his family step around my own. Aro's face dropped when he suddenly became aware of what I had meant.

"You all knew my father was alive!" I yelled at none of them in particular. "And not one of you bothered to tell me." My voice dropped only slightly, my words dripping with disgust.

They all looked suddenly distraught and full of guilt. So the all knew, not just Aro, but they all did.

"So you did all know? So much for 'family'" I spat.

Jane was the one to make the first move on their side. She hesitated slightly as she stepped forward, but sucked up some confidence and made her way over to me - still cautious of my dormant rage.

She stopped two feet in front of me for a short while. At first, I thought she was just going to stay standing there before she stepped forward and embraced me into a well needed hug. After a moment, I mimicked her actions and we both stood there for some time, enjoying the comfort only a sister can provide. When she eventually released me, she looked at me with a sad smile.

"I'm so sorry, Annie," She told me quietly. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner about Carlisle," Jane apologised, evidently ashamed of what she had kept from me. But it didn't go unnoticed that she only apologised for herself, not any of the others.

As Jane stepped away, Felix came running over, picked me up into a massive bear hug and spun me once around. "I'm sorry too, Annie," he apologised in a guilty tone that I've never heard from him before. I laughed at his normal antics of always picking me up and spinning me around before accepting his apology.

Demetri, Alec, Marcus, and Caius all followed Felix and Jane's approach, with each apology different from the other, and I accepted them all.

"Aro?" Caius urged him. Though Aro looked deeply troubled about something, causing him not to hear his fellow brother. It was as if he had the face of having lost something very dear to him - as if he knew he'd most likely have lost my trust and respect for him.

A/N:

What did you like about this chapter?

So the Volturi are in Forks! In Annie's back yard! Will Aro ever regain Annie's trust or respect?

You could check out my other stories too, if you'd like:

'Travelling Home' - Harry Potter & Twilight Xover fanfic, Family and Romance, Father!Daughter.

'A Bend in the Road' - Harry Potter fanfic, w/Teddy&Albus.S, Romance and Hurt/Comfort.

'Love Among Enemies' - Harry Potter fanfic, w/Draco&Hermione, Romance and Hurt/Comfort.

'A Child is Born' - Twilight fanfic, w/Jasper&O.C (Luna), Romance and Family, Father!Daughter.

Comments from Reviews for Chapter Twenty-One:

- VMIH930 - Thank you, I haven't fully decided yet but I think it shall either be Garreth or a new character that 'Bri P' had kindly and enthusiastically created for me.

- milefanis-cullen - Yay! Thank you so much.

- thiree - Thank you so much, I hope very much that Annie and Jasper become very good friends.