**Family Ties**

The autumn leaves began their change from golden colors to the flaming red hew that would usher in the changing season in Quebec. Josiah and Xenia walked hand in hand through the maze of the woods looking for a tree that would be their favorite.

"Why do we have to do this Xeni?" Josiah asked again.

"Don't you want a special tree for us?"

"It's just a tree," he'd said for the hundredth time. "Why are trees so special? There's a million billion of them out here…"

Xeni laughed and squeezed his hand, "because you love me, and I want a special tree," she said, for the hundredth and first time. He slumped his shoulders and continued trudging along after her. "Okay, okay, stop sulking," she giggled.

Josiah looked over at his sister. He would walk a million miles if she wanted to, she was his sun. Spending every day, whether eating, playing, talking, reading, they would never be found apart. Josiah looked down at his sister, being about a head taller than she was, (they both being over five feet tall already) reached over and tucked a lock of her long mahogany hair, which had grown past her waist, behind her ear.

"How about that one," Xeni asked pointing to a giant twisting maple tree that seemed isolated even though it was in a forest.

"It's perfect." Josiah said smiling and pulling her over to it.

Xeni stooped down by the foot of the tree, "bring your giant self down here," she ordered offering him her hand.

Obediently he stooped down beside her as she touched the tree and closed her eyes he watched her intently.

"What are you doing?" he asked with a hint of a smile in his voice.

"Shhhhh," she hissed, "okay, now, this is our tree. It will keep all of our secrets," she said smiling.

"What secrets?" he asked raising his eyebrows.

Xenia shot him a look of exasperation, "whatever secrets we want to tell it. If you want to tell me something and I'm not here, tell it to our tree and I will know."

"Okay, Xen," he said playing along with her.

"You think I'm kidding don't you. I'm not." She pouted.

"No, honey, I believe you," he promised smiling at her. Xenia's smile changed to almost electric as her eyes lit up.

"Damian's back, isn't he?" Josiah asked his sister. Josiah's eyes green eyes grew dark, knowing the answer to that question.

"How did you guess?"

"The tree told me," he said dejectedly.

Xenia's peeling bell laughter filled the forest at her brother's pout. "Aww, baby, don't be upset. I don't love him the way I love you," she appealed to him. Her voice took on a loving murmur as she realized her laughter didn't warm him, "You are special to me in a way he could never be. I love you. You're my other half. You're my twin… don't be jealous," Xenia pleaded with him, pressing her palm to his cheek.

"Whenever he comes around, you always disappear." Josiah complained.

"Well, I won't this time, because you're coming with me, why don't you hang out with us" she smiled, and took him by the hand.

"Where're Seth and Embry?" Josiah asked while they were running.

"Running a perimeter still… in preparation I guess for when our parents leave…"

"It's not like they're around anyway," Josiah complained, "Rosalie is more of a mother than Renesmee," he muttered.

Xeni stopped short and slapped her brother across the face, (without hatred) "don't you ever say that. Don't even think it. Mommy loves us so much… and has been through hell. You don't know; you can't see her mind. I can. She loves us more than you know."

Josiah was so surprised. Xenia had never hit him before with her hand or with her words, but his shock was immediately calmed when she took his hands in hers. "Sorry for hitting you. Please forgive me."

Josiah bowing his head wrapped his arms around his sister's waist accepting her offered hug and hid his face in the hollow of her neck. "I'm sorry sister…"

"Oh don't cry Josiah," Xenia soothed, "I'm the one who's sorry. I shouldn't have done that." Stroking his silky black locks that clung to the nape of his neck Xenia felt supremely guilty for losing her temper with her brother.

Xenia's simple gesture mended his wounded feelings as he drew back and looked at her.

"I'm sorry my darling brother, will you forgive me?" she pleaded.

In his eyes the answer to her question was plain and in his mind his answer was clear so that no words were needed between them. You know I love you, Xenia told him inside, again pressing her hand to his face.

Josiah's eyes fell from hers, to her lips which didn't move with the proclamation. Her thumb graced past his lower lip as she dropped her hand from his face while his eyes fell to his feet, taking her hand.

"Damian is waiting…" he said, automatically beginning their stroll as they headed for home.

Seth and Embry crossed their trail and caught up with them after phasing.

"Hey kids," Seth said jumping on Josiah's back tackling him to the ground.

"Hey yourself," Josiah said laughing.

"You guys gonna eat, or did you hunt?" Embry asked jogging up to the little reunion in his cutoffs and bare chest.

"We hunted, but I could eat something, what do you guys want?" Xenia replied since Josiah was busy wrestling Seth on the ground, who at the moment had his arm locked behind his back. Josiah pushed with his one available arm launching him back enough to flip out from underneath his pin.

"Pizza!" shouted Embry hoisting Xenia in the air and onto his back.

"You think you're fast kid?" Seth said spinning around and catching Josiah's arm while looping his head in a lock.

"I think I'm faster than you!" he challenged, sliding his head out of the lock, flipping summersault landing silently behind him returning his headlock.

Xenia and Embry laughed at the little show. "Get him Jo!" Xenia cheered clapping her hands.

Josiah dropped down to the ground and swung his leg in a wide circle tripping Seth then ghosted to straddle him and within the same instant had his teeth at his neck with a sinister smile.

"No fair cheating, kid!" Seth protested.

"Big baby," Josiah said laughing, hopping off of Seth's chest.

"Who're you calling a baby, kid?" Seth laughed. "Speaking of babies, isn't Xeni kinda big for riding on your back Embry?" Seth asked, dusting the dirt and leaves off of his jeans.

"You too big for this sweetie?" Embry asked Xenia, to which she laughed hugging him tightly. "Nope! Never," she said.

"So shut up mutt!" Embry laughed at Seth, "I bet I can beat you home with her on my back," he challenged.

"You're on," Seth said breaking out in a flat out run.

When Seth beat Embry through the gate of the garden by only a fraction of a second the race ended.

"Dude, next time your ass is mine!" Embry called out after Seth who was already on his way toward the house.

"Yeah, yeah, save it," Seth taunted.

Damian rounded a bush with a girl catching sight of Embry who still had Xenia on his back and Josiah. His face betrayed his surprise as he stopped short in front of the trio, not fully sure that he recognized Xenia.

"Damian!" she exclaimed bounding from Embry's back and running up, throwing her arms around his waist embracing him.

"Xeni?" he asked astonished.

"Of course, silly, who'd you think I was?"

"This is the little thing that's in love with you? I thought you said she was a child…" the stranger in a leather biking ensemble said.

"Xeni this is my sister, Sasha, well her name is Padparasha, but we call her Sasha or Sash for short."

"Like the gemstone. Hi, I'm Xenia. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"The pleasure is mine," Sasha said, taking her offered hand. "So how old are you exactly?"

"About seven months," she smiled, catching every part of her reaction. Damian chuckled at Xeni and Sasha's mouth dropped open in shock.

"I know. She's a trip huh?" Embry said extending his hand, "I'm Embry," he said looking at Sasha appreciatively. Sasha was about the same height as her brother. Jet black hair pointed in every direction, stopping right at the top of her shoulder.

"Nice to meet you Embry…" she said looking at him with a very puzzled expression in her inquisitive blue eyes as she took her icy grip away from his burning hand. She shoved her hand into the pocket of her tight leather pants.

"You didn't tell her about them did you?" Xeni accused.

"Tell me what?"

"Oh, no… I guess I forgot," Damian said with a smirk shrugging his shoulders.

"Oh my god…. Wow," Sasha exclaimed after a moment.

"How did you do that?" Xenia asked widening her eyes at the tall spiky haired girl.

"How did she do what?" Embry asked completely confused.

"Oh geez! Okay, Sasha is a mirror, she read our minds. She mirrored my power… or Xeni's power and she 'found out' that you, Embry, are a shape shifting wolf by mind reading, and also understands now that Xeni is half shape shifter as well, because her father is one. Is everyone clear now?" He said slightly exasperated.

"She's a mirror?" Embry repeated.

"Yea, she mirrors whatever power is around her, at her will. So whatever powers she encounters, she can pick one and reflect it, or use it, whatever."

"Well that's impressive." Embry said with a wink and a smile.

"So are you going to explain to me why she looks like a thirteen year old girl instead of a baby?" Sasha asked completely ignoring Embry.

"I would, but I don't know." Damian admitted.

"I grow like a dog," Xeni laughed.

"Hey!" Embry yelled grabbing her in a head lock.

Josiah knocked Embry in the back of the head, effectively startling him and releasing Xenia.

"This is her twin brother Josiah…" Damian said in awe, pointing to the "boy" who stood a good foot taller than he remembered.

Sasha eyed the young man in front of her from top to bottom, "wow, now you're impressive," she said with a smile, shaking his hand feeling electricity surge through her body.

"Aren't you boys going to go find us some pizza?" Xenia asked, breaking their handshake and the lock their eyes had on each other by taking her brother's hand in hers and pecking him on the cheek.

"Yeah, come on, I'm starved." Embry said switching direction toward the house.

Damian noticed the pained look from Josiah to his sister at the mention of separating from her and could hear the silent exchange between them: the promise of reuniting soon.

Josiah's eyes darted to Damian's and over to Sasha's before leaving with Embry.

"We'll be in soon," Xenia promised the retreating figures.

"So what's new kid?" Damian asked.

"Mom's pregnant," she said aloud.

"Huh, bet Dad likes that," Sasha said with a smile.

Xenia's brow knitted together for a moment and then released. "Your father has been most helpful, and he's very generous in his kindness," she informed her.

Sasha eyed the little girl in front of her from top to bottom as well. "I'm glad you like my dress," she said smugly. "I'll see you inside D, I'm gonna go find mom," she said, pecked her brother on the mouth and ghosted in the house.

Damian noticed how Xenia stared after Sasha and answered the question in her mind, she's a full vampire. Dad changed her.

Why? Xeni asked silently.

She didn't want to have children and she wanted to have sex.

So he just let her?

Yeah he did, after she spent some years bearing children.

How many years?

Thirty.

Oh my god!

"Yea, tell me about it." Damian said out loud.

"Where are all of her children?"

"Who knows," Damian said beginning to stroll, "some died in experiments. Dad only used the powerless ones in experiments and since he was going to end them anyway. Others are out in the world… I think a few are in Italy…"

"Oh god," Xenia murmured.

"So, what's new with you?" he asked brushing his arm against hers, to which she slipped her hand into his the way he used to lead her around.

"You asked me that already," Xen said nudging against him.

"Right. Well, what else is new?"

"Oh, you know… the usual abnormal stuff," she smiled. Xenia could feel Damian slide into a different version of himself, almost as if tension rolled out of his muscles and off his arms in waves as he began to relax.

You seem different. Xen said looking up at him.

Me? He asked subliminally his eyes widening in phony surprise.

Yes you. Who else silly?

"You've changed more than I have." He reminded her. Have you been studying? He said silently, pulling her along looking out into the perfection of the manicured gardens.

"Why are you gonna go change the subject?" Xenia asked shoving against him lightly.

His eyes dropped down to the crown of her head and his lips pulled up into a smile.

Yes, I've been studying, she said deflecting his question.

Have you been practicing your craft you little monster?

Xen didn't say anything because she knew she was already busted when his eyes narrowed at her silence. "Yeah, well I got something else to teach you then since you've been slackin' off," he said with a chuckle under his breath.

"Shall we go into your study?" Xeni asked pulling in front of him with a blithe little skip.

"No," Damian said stopping and not moving a millimeter. Her wide eyed puzzled look made him laugh, "That's part of the exercise. We're gonna do it right here," he said raising his eyebrow. "Take a seat kid."

"On the ground?"

"Psh, no. On the bench silly," he said mimicking her condescension.

She rolled her eyes sitting down on the bench that was directly to the side of them next to a tall hedge that was shaped into a long wide rectangle.

"Alright, now, close your eyes and follow the sound of my voice." Damian instructed.

Xenia's eyes narrowed to slits with a little smile on her lips before she obeyed.

It couldn't escape Damian's notice how she had seemingly grown up overnight to the young lady that sat before him. Her long hair hung down to her little tapered waist, strands blowing in the wind as she waited for him.

Anytime, while I'm still young… Xenia said with a smile playing at the corner of one side of her mouth.

Damian caught himself and began.

Okay, let's begin with what do you hear?

Like actually what do I hear? Xenia asked wordlessly.

Damian didn't understand the reason for her fresh little tone, until he listened to what she heard. She opened her eyes looking at him waiting for his response. His brows knitted together as he listened in confusion…

"You can 'hear' animals?" he said in a whisper, realizing what was going on in her mind.

"Oh yea, I guess that's new…" she said with a smirk.

"I guess so… well, okay…" he began. See if you hear past them… can you find anyone in the house?

Xeni's eyes wandered as she tried to focus.

Eyes… closed. Damian reminded her with a smirk.

She obeyed at once then began to concentrate.

Think of the sound of… your grandfather's voice for example. See if you can find it.

After a moment she responded in a whisper, "okay." I can hear him… and Bella… Emmett isn't too far… he's watching TV. As she began to recognize the voices, she could hear them all in their own activities.

Damian smiled at her progress. Okay now single out Edward's voice again, blocking out the others.

How? She asked.

Concentrate only on his voice. Tell yourself it's the only sound you want to hear. The other voices will disappear. Then picture his mind like a room… and slowly expand that room into a house.

"A house?" she asked opening her eyes breaking her trance.

"Don't question me, just do as I say." Damian instructed poking her forehead.

Xeni rolled her eyes but didn't protest; she sighed and closed her eyes trying to find her way back to where she was.

His conscious voice is like a room in a house. You can leave that room and go into other rooms… Damian instructed.

I don't see it. It's all clouded…

That's okay, Damian said with a smile. Practice that.

Xenia rubbed her face.

"You're hungry and tired, I know. Let's go… besides, your brother is getting anxious for you."

Light flashed from Xeni's eyes as she got up off the bench and ran inside.

Her hair flowed out behind her as she ran up the concrete stairs of the terrace and into the double French doors.

Sasha was sitting by the pool in a little bikini, sparkling in the light with a smile on her face as her brother came into view up the stairs. "You're smitten," she accused.

His smile dropped from his face as he silently went inside to seclude himself with his books.

A/N: Let me know what you think. Leave your comments! : ) xoxo. See you on the update. Your questions help me develop chapters, so please ask away! : )