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: Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry, so sorry guys! I know that's it has been a while since I updated this story but I've finally managed to get time to write another chapter for you all. So, now everyone knows that I haven't vanished, this chapter shows a different side to the character of Aro, you will have to tell me what you all think.

Next note, are there any special chapter requests from anyone? Perhaps a whole chapter dedicated to a heart-to-heart between Annie and another character - Carlisle or Jasper perhaps? You all have a little think and let me know, thank you!

Now that's all out of the way, once again, thank you all million for all your support through follows/favourites/reviews - please, please, please keep them coming, they mean loads and give me inspiration!; here's Chapter Twenty-Three.

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

CHAPTER 23 - Family Get-Together

•~Annabelle Cullen~•

Aro finally gathered the courage to look up at me directly, "Annie..." he swallowed nervously, seeing his Adam's apple move, and not expected from a vampire of over a millennia years old. "I'm sorry, truly I am...I-I know now that I had no right to keep this from you, especially of how you've become someone so special among our coven...our family..." Aro paused again, trying to say the right words to express. "I-I can see clearly the heartache in your eyes and...it pains me to see you look at me like that." His gaze lowered to the ground, his shoulders slumped, obvious guilt weighing down on them.

"Everything about you, how you've swindled your way into all of our hearts - not that we aren't happy you have - and...it has made me see you as if you were...my own daughter..." I heard my father's breathing hitch at Aro's confession, but ignored it for the time being. "I just feel that that I have failed you terribly by not informing you about your father all those years ago." Oh god, he looked so vulnerable...

Not being able to stand watching Aro like this, I walked up to him and hugged him for what it's worth, an embrace that he returned almost instantly. "I have him back in my life now, even if it could have been a lot sooner, and I forgive you...Papa," I whispered into his shoulder, and Aro, my adopted father figure, tightened his hold on me and for the first time in all the years that I've known him, cried tearlessly into my hair.

We both stood there for a few minutes before detaching from each other, and I couldn't help but grin at that man before me, seeing the guilt had flooded from him and replaced with pure gratitude.

Turning around to face my father who appeared tensed, I immediately knew why. "You're still my Daddy, and I wouldn't change that for the world," I reassured him, and he visibly relaxed.

"Should we take this inside then perhaps? Annie, child?" Daddy suggested.

I nodded, "Yes, that would be more comfortable," I replied, agreeing with him.

"Annie? Most of us haven't hunted in a while, we thought we could go now, giving you all time to catch up," Niklas suggested, Arla in agreement beside him, and Yvon, Adalynn, Brendon, Ivor and Javonn all nodded beside them both.

"Of course, you guys go and hunt, heck you need it," I chuckled. "Thank you," I said, my gratitude shining through my words.

"Don't mention it, Annie," Arla smiled. "We'll be back in three days tops, we're all sporting a trip to the Amazon this time round," she told me with a wink.

"Bye!" They all chorused, and then they turned and ran into the forest, gone in the blink of an eye. All who remained was the Volturi, The Cullen's, and me.

Turning around to face them, I smiled. "Shall we all go inside then?" I lead the way through the door to the back entrance of my home, and to where my family and Daddy were previously. "Make yourselves at home," I said warmly, gesturing to the empty chairs.

I, rather ungracefully, lowered into my chair in the room. So much had happened today, that, even for a vampire, has left me feeling drained, both mentally and physically. Glancing around the room, Daddy and Esmé had taken up the two-seater loveseat with Edward resting on the arm next to him. Jasper and Emmett, with Alice and Rosalie seated on their laps, had taken the other two-seater loveseat. Meanwhile, Aro, Marcus, Caius, and Felix all occupied the large L-shaped sofa in the room, leaving Demetri, Alec and Jane all happily seated on the luxurious carpet rug. I could see everyone was waiting patiently for me to speak first.

My eyes rested on Aro for a while longer. I have already forgiven him for his mistake, how could I stay angry with him? He already feels terrible about the situation without the worry of trying to win my forgiveness luring over him. I sighed, realising that I would be the one to begin discussions.

"I'm not sure if your met the rest of Daddy's family, Aro," I stated lightly, starting the conversation off on an easy level.

"No, I don't believe any of us have," he replied, turning to face Daddy as he spoke, the tension I sensed from him immediately flooded away.

"Well, first and foremost, this is my lovely mate and wife, Esmé. We found each other back in 1921," he smiled at her, and Esmé returned his smile, love shining from them for each other. "Edward and I met before I did Esmé in 1918," Daddy continued, turning to face Aro while gesturing to Edward. "Next were Rosalie in 1933, then Emmett in 1935, and then Jasper and Alice both come along in 1950," he finished after each introduction.

Observing Aro closely, I caught the twinkling in his eye, the very one where he was about to ask something out of extreme curiosity. But, to my complete surprise, he seemed to mentally fight and hold back the question back for the first time in a long while. Of course, knowing Aro so well, I knew exactly what he wanted to know - were any of them gifted.

"Just bloody ask them, Aro. You know you want to," I ordered lightly, unable to stop rolling my eyes at him - such a human habit too, I noted.

He chuckled at this, "You know me all too well, my dear,"

"I think everyone but the Cullen's knew what you want to know, Aro," Caius added, drawing amusement from all those present in the room.

"Yes, I'll - as Annie said quite bluntly - 'bloody ask' you what I've been wondering,"

I slapped my hand across my forehead at his words, cringing slightly. Why did he have to say it like that? Quoting me as well! That coming from Aro was just...wrong. It didn't sound right at all. I could see all the Cullen's just about managing to keep composed, their outburst certainly would not help but only escalate the situation here.

Aro being oblivious, even for a vampire, about our surrounding reactions pushed on with his niggling question. "Are any one of you gifted?"

All seven family members tensed up at his words. "Oh relax, he doesn't mean any harm. He's just about the nosiest vampire there is out there, that's all," I reassured. They all turned to stare at me slightly ludicrous. I just shook my head. "He wouldn't do anything, and I mean he wouldn't do anything, because he'll be dealing with me otherwise," I warned, giving a pointed look at Aro across the room.

He gave his best innocent look, which doesn't fool me at all. "Can't blame an old man for being curious now can you, Annie?"

"Please remind me why I even know you?" I groaned, leaning forward with my head in my hands.

"Oh cheer up, Annie, you love us really," Jane sniggered, flashing a smile.

"Yeah, heaven knows why though," I muttered into my palms, before lifting my head, once more listening to the discussion at hand.

A/N:

What did you like about this chapter?

Annie may have forgiven Aro, but does she trust him again? Over the days that Annie's family are away, will she become closer to her father like she once was? Will Edward develop a crush for Annie but she tells him where to go? Let me know!

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-Two:

- thiree - All good suggestions. No, I don't think she'll trust them fully anytime soon. Thanks for liking the story!

- milefanis-cullen - Thank you, I'm glad you liked her shouting at them, they deserved it! Ahhaa! I'm so happy to hear to love the characters I've formed here in the story too, means a lot! Hope you wasn't disappointed with this chapter.

- Breezy930 - Thank you so much! :)