Known At First Sight
"Felix, I need to do one last run through, making sure this house is spotless," Rosalie knocked on my door, as I opened it for her. "Felix, your father's sword is displayed nicely thank you for putting it in the display case, the football placed on the shelf, good. I am glad to see you are making it your own, yet having it show ready for the company. They will like the picture of you and Demetri, so they think you are still loyal to them. When will you be ready to go? You aren't wearing that are you?"
"Wearing what?" I asked.
"Get what I got you, that says we are trusting this guy with our daughter nice." Rosalie answered, I notice she was all dressed up, I didn't see why I had to be. "Oh, and you got a letter from Aro."
"Can I see it?" I asked wondering if it was another order telling me not to go to Alaska. Now, that I know the reason, they were sort of comical.
'Felix,
I know this is coming on late notice, but I have been recently informed that my sister Laieme along with her husband and creation are coming to the Cullens in order to chaperone the 'other' members. This concerns the Volturi a great deal considering they have never been to the Western Hemisphere, for fear of the wars we placed into them. They have connections to the Cullen coven through the 'others' and share similar beliefs about vampire life. Yet, I fear the revenge some have for us may be taken out on them. I am changing my orders. You are to stay there for the time being in order to oversee their safety.
Hecate, my sister has asked two specific tasks, one is that the pardoning of the werewolves is known by other vampires. I have attached copies of all four pardons in the English version, each with a Marcus and I's signature. Please, give them to Carlisle, so he may have proof to any visiting nomads that don't know the Greek Coven Symbol.
Another concerned is for a proper translator. This may seem baffling considering the female 'other' does the translation work for the Greeks in an exchange for her pardon. Hecate has informed me that she won't have time to translate, due to the fact she will be preoccupied with knowing the connection she has to the Cullens better. Laime, Dragomir have studied the language some, but not enough from my observations. Sophia says she learned the English language as a human and has full confidence that she will do fine. From my observation, I will feel better if you be the translator for them so that they can take from this trip while chaperoning. You know their language well.
The last and final concerned is the shape-shifters nearby, from my readings Carlisle has a treaty with them. You are to insure that they do not break that treaty. I do not trust these creatures, so it is your responsibility to insure that all seven members of the visiting coven remain unharmed by the werewolves.
I ask you this as a favor to the man who gave you immortality,
Aro
"What does he want?" Rosalie asked.
"It's an order to watch over the members of the Greek coven, your family included." I said as she glanced over the letter. "And take Aysun's job."
"She will be with her husband visiting us," Rosalie informed. "Are you going to actually follow this task? I think they are under the impression Aro sent you here to protect them. At least that's what I gained from talking to Nikki when they had to stop over in India, and then Japan."
"Let them think what they want," I answered tossing the letter aside. "Well, your room is alright, I need to go check the other rooms. May I just quiz you on a couple things first?"
"Sure," I answered.
"What car are you taking?" She asked.
"Take my new Mercedes Guardian, following the Volvo Emmett is borrowing."
"Good, your ahead, then what will you do?" Rosalie asked.
"I will stay with you, Emmett, Nevah, Carlisle and Esme until we find them." I answered.
"Then what?"
"I will introduce myself along as part of this family," I answered again. Esme and Carlisle made it clear they don't want me to give them any indication that I was still loyal to the Volturi.
"Good, then what?" She asked.
"Introduce myself to Sophia and collect her bags."
"Where are you taking her?"
"To Edward and Bella's house," I answered.
"Good, then what will you do?"
"Let them show her room, while Jacob's pack takes her suitcases and welcomes her."
"Good, you have it down." Rosalie sighed ignoring the fact that she reviewed it with me so many times I lost count.
"Now, do you mind going and helping Jasper and Alice, so Emmett and I can get Neveah ready to meet her new uncles." She asked, as I nodded and went down stairs.
"Of course," I answered, then left in a hurry to take a break from her.
Rosalie seemed to be obsessed that everything looked just right in front of these people. It was like she was trying to put on a good show in front of her own biological brothers. It was annoying, and frankly getting on my nerves. So much, I just had to go downstairs. I went down to see Jasper and Alice in the kitchen, with Alice reading the directions to stuff a turkey for the werewolves and shapesifters coming to dinner, and make an animal blood concoction like the ones the Greeks used in Jane's letters. At the same time, Jasper was going through other papers we got in the mail, which included a post card I got from Fred, telling me about his trip to Japan to gather supplies. I could see a long and strong friendship with him.
"I don't what has caused this personality change in them," Jasper said, I knew it was Aldric, I saw him changing their personality with their little run-in a couple months back. "Now they are sending us forage papers saying we are related to Kelly." Aldric had changed them so they would follow Monique's orders.
"How?" Alice asked. "And why are they saying we are related to this human girl that we don't even know?"
"Peter and Charlotte explained it in this letter, they want us to say we are Kelly's father's cousin, she has never met him so it could work." Jasper said as he read the letter from his friends, who are now part of the French coven. I debated on mentioning Aldric's talent. "The question is why?"
"Well, they think she is special, and some vampire claims that she will be Brian's mate," Alice said as she touched her forehead. "They plan to change her. My guess is they are worried that she will be killed by humans, so they want her to live with us for a better upbringing."
'They wouldn't have to worry about upbringing with Aldric, she will be whoever they want her to be' I thought to myself, that man could turn a downright rebel into a goodie two shoes in an a couple minutes of focus. I went in listing to their discussion as I help Alice stuff the bird while she put spices on it and looked up the recipe for a pie. That was when the phone rang, I looked at the clock, it was that time again.
"Let it ring," I said quietly as they stared at the phone.
"It will keep ringing without you," Alice said to me, as Jasper went to answer it anyway.
"Hello, Cullens, Jasper speaking," Jasper answered politely. "…Eleazar, how are you doing?...good, well preparing for our guest, so when do you and the rest of your coven plan on coming to see them. Rosalie is very excited about introducing you to Neveah, she liked your gifts. Renemee and her are getting along well…can you hold on for a minute…..Felix, put it on the shelf next to the oil when you are finish." He said as I made a cut signal with my hands. "Well, I don't see why not." He then handed the phone to me. I proceeded with hanging it up.
"You do know they are coming for Fourth of July," Alice reminded, as she poured some broth over the turkey and placed it in the oven and then realized she had to turn it on.
"I won't be there," I said strictly as Carlisle came in.
"Won't be where?" Carlisle asked coming in.
"Fourth of July," Alice answered.
"Felix, that is a family holiday, you have no choice," Carlisle spoke strongly. "Garrett has celebrated with us for over a century. This is something we do as a coven, you have no choice."
"Can Eleazar and Carmen not be there?" I asked.
"The reason why we are having these visitors is because some vampires thinks it's polite to excluded coven members. How would it look if we asked the same thing?" Rosalie asked, coming in wearing a new dress with her hair up, and a jacket along with a string of pearls. She was also ironing a bright pink toddler dress. "Not to mention the letter from Aro."
"Yes, I was curious to what he had to say?" Carlisle asked, as I gained the attention of all the Cullens, including Esme who came from the kitchen curiously. I don't know why she was so angry at Aro for lying to me. It seemed that my betrayal was her betrayal. They were all telling me I had a right to hate Aro, but should forgive Eleazar, their friend. Esme thought I had a right to be angry with both of them. Carlisle said it was natural to have negative feelings for both of them and would be worried if I didn't. Esme seemed to take my problems and make them her burden as well, I don't know why she did that, but it was kind of comforting.
"He gave me a copy of the werewolf pardons," I said holding up the four papers, the wolves for existing, and Beyza for forming an alliance with them. Rosalie went over and took them, anxious to read them. "He wants me to protect the werewolves and the vampire chaperons." I said as they all looked at each other, it seems they like that idea as Rosalie handed the paper over to Carlisle.
"Hecate agreed to this because a creation of Aro was here, so we could keep things quiet." Rosalie suggested looking towards Carlisle and nodded, he shook his head with disapproval before he left with the papers.
"How are we going to explain go with this set up when Eleazar is hear on the fourth?" I asked, "Not that I care about his feelings." I back myself up quickly, I honestly didn't know what to expect from him, or what to say the next time I saw him. I was so numb to Aro creating me, I still had a hard time prompting it. No wonder why Aro held so tightly to me, he didn't want me to find out. It made me grateful to the Cullens life being free.
"You and Eleazar are you and Eleazar, for now just act like another member of this coven that gets along with them." Carlisle said promptly, returning from his office upstairs. "If you have any issues, there is a lot of room in the woods that you can go and take him out on it."
"Maybe they will be distracted with the WW2 plane Garrett plans to bring down for them to see," Emmett shrugged coming in with Neveah asleep in his arms. "Anyway, ready to go?"
Rosalie went towards Neveah, the girl rubbed her eyes and gently fluttered her open eyelids. "Mommy?" She asked waking up. It still was rather strange having a human baby in the house, we all could smell her blood, and I still kept thinking her as Heather's niece.
"Come, on you got to get dress to see your uncles." Rosalie took the girl back with her.
"I'm going to get the safety seat in the car. She's going with me on the way down." Emmett informed.
"So who's following who?" Esme asked confused.
"Felix is following me, you are following Rosalie." Emmett explained, as Rosalie came back in holding Neveah's hand, while she was still rubbing her eyes, unlike most days Rosalie didn't let Neveah dress herself. Like the rest of us, Neveah was forced to dress up in whatever she chose for us to meet her brothers. Nevah was wearing a pink dress with a white flower print and a white coller, her black hair was put in two breads with pink ribbons along with white socks and black buckled shoes. Despite how tiered she felt, Neveah still enjoyed pleasing Rosalie.
"Alright, now we are ready." Emmett bent down as Neveah fell in her arms. We then followed them outside. Esme and Carlisle went in the Mercedes, I went in my new car, putting in a Linkin Park listening to Numb, listing to the lyrics 'to be more like me, less like you.' As we drove through the cars in front of me, with my advance hearing I could tell Emmett wasn't listing to those obnoxious children CD. They had Neveah listening to in order to be caught up with the rest of the children her age. Instead they were listening to some kind of strange music of violins, guitars, and strange interments that I didn't know. I never heard this kind of music before. He even had Neveah babbling along with it.
We drove through Forks, past Heather's old abandon trailer, wondering what the newspaper was writing it about now. She was to be released from the hospital today, and was still debating on whether or not to press charges against Sharon. I would have no problem killing her mother, but I would also wait for Heather's orders. Heather was the only one who could control my life, I was done with being controlled by liars, done serving under them. I was done with the lies, thinking of how many things I had done for the Volturi because Aro created me and each time was a lie. Thinking of the early centuries of my life, how Eleazar kept a tight watch over me and even tried to educate me but was too cowarded to say why. How he let me live in such a lie, I held him just as responsible as I did Aro.
I followed Emmett until early dawn, when he called me on my cell phone. "Emmett," I picked up.
"I am stopping to get Neveah breakfast, would you like to join us to take a break?" Emmett asked.
"Sure," I answered as he drove into some McDonalds at five in the morning, while I parked behind him. He then got out at the same pace I did, they slowed down to let out a hungry Neveah who was fully awake and excited about the restraint.
Neveah came out, with her tiny fingers tucked in Emmett's large hand as we made our way into the diner. It was a rather strange place, empty, with the exception of a man with greasy long hair on his laptop. It had strange orange tile with yellow chairs on brown tables. Emmett went to the coiner with people running around in black paints and red shirts.
"May I take your order sir?" A woman asked.
"A small toddler vanilla ice cream," Emmett answered.
"You're getting her ice cream for breakfast?" I asked raising an eyebrow, Rosalie would be against that idea.
"Special treat, my Dad use to take me out for ice cream in the early morning when I was a child, on very rare circumstances." Emmett explained. "Like this one?"
"Mine use to get my brother and I smoked fish and figs," I said nodding.
"See, we all have our special treats," Emmett agreed, as the woman brought out a vanilla ice cream while Neveah's face glowed.
"I am not having this thing run in my car, come and sit with me." He suggested as I followed him. He went to a booth where Neveah sat on his lap, and ate her ice cream as Emmett gently kissed her on the head, just watching his new daughter.
"What was that music you were listening to in the car?" I asked curiously.
"Bluegrass, I grew up listening to it, my family would play it in the evenings, or dance to it with the static in the radio. I want to teach her to love it as I did when I was a kid. Besides I was getting tired of those toddler CDs, they are educational but I want her to have a since of heritage." Emmett explained.
"I see," I said as I nodded, somewhat understanding.
"So what about those Mariners?" Emmett shook his head looking at the newspaper.
"Mariners, baseball," Neveah recited proudly.
"Good, learning fast," Emmett praised her as she smiled and ate her ice cream. "Now, what are we going to see with your uncles coming to visit you?"
"The Yankees," Neveah said happily. I observed Emmett with Neveah; it seemed in the few short weeks since the adoption the girl took a fondness towards him. At first she feared his size, but as he spent time with her the more comfortable Neveah came to feel with Rosalie and Emmett. She even adjusted quickly to calling them Mummy and Daddy. Emmett seemed to enjoy her in particularly, he had taken a sweetness towards the girl early when Rosalie was watching her for free, instead of having Heather's family pay for daycare. The child just blended with the couple.
The two sort of reminded me with my father and I, how I always wanted to please him, and would go out on military conquest with a sole mission to make him proud, even as a boy I did everything to please my father. I think it must have been the animal blood or something that made me remember my human family. I've been pondering about my human life a lot, and I had a few theories to why. One theory was Heather, the fact a human girl had become my life made me remember the humans who were in my life. Another was Aro and Eleazar, how the last time I had lived in truth was when I was human. Whatever the cause of it, or reason I thought of my father when I watched Neveah and Emmett.
It was then my cell phone rang with a number that had an Alaskan Area code. Despite him being a dear friend of theirs, the Cullens let me talk bad about him, they even encouraged it. Carlisle even sat time with me to just talk about how I felt about being lied to my entire life, and Esme brought me a blank book to write down how I feel about Heather not wanting me, and this whole Eleazar/Aro situation. Jasper said it was for my health, I asked him how could I be ill, he said if I kept everything inside I will be, he said I needed to learn to comprehend with my past to move on, I don't know how he became an expert in this but alright. Now, I was highly considering blocking it. I could legally do that, file a complaint for harassment, and show it to the cell phone company. Then any time Eleazar tried calling me, it would be blocked. Yet, something about it made me not want to do that. Bella still gave him my number when he asked, Edward said I would have to face it eventally.
I notice Neveah staring at it, wondering if she should answer it. Her little fingers reached over to grab it as my big hand picked up the phone before she could touch it. I then stood up and left the place, knowing who this was and wanting to end it.
"Why are you calling me?" I asked without even giving him a greeting.
"Because, I want to talk to you, tell you what happened. You deserve answers." Eleazar answered, it seemed he expected my rudeness.
"Well, I don't want answers or any explanations. Can you honestly say there is an excuse for what you did to me?" I barked at him, feeling disgusted by the sound of his voice.
"There are many reasons why one chooses to change a human that were originally attended for pry." Eleazar started solemnly, that statement made me feel a whole lot better.
"I am not taking about that, that was eight hundred years ago. Do you truly think I am still in lost about my human life! I am more upset that you and Aro lied to me, you let me live in a lie. What kind of person changes a human into a vampire and lets someone else takes credit then stands by as they foolishly serve them for centuries when they know how corrupt they are?" I demanded, not wanting an answer.
"Aro was very…" He started I hung up before he could say much more. It was then, Emmett came out of the restaurant holding Neveah's hand as she looked up to him like he was some kind of god. He then picked her up before going to the parking lot.
"What was that about?" Emmett asked.
"Eleazar," I answered.
"Well, you may want to keep that on the low down with my brother-in-laws, considering they are under the impression you are here for them." Emmett whispered to me as I nodded agreeing.
"Well, we'll have to say something for when he comes." He then went to buckle Neveah in, as I went in my own car. I was listening to Nickleback now, to some song called 'Far Away'. That was when I dialed someone who wouldn't listen to her future creator, I called Heather.
"Hello," She answered, it had been awhile since I heard the sound of her voice, because she asked me to stay away. Hearing it was comforting, the sound of her breath brought tranquility to me.
"Heather," I spoke, she was silent for awhile, I could hear her mumbling to herself, she was jittering on whether she should be happy I called or creep out.
"Felix," She spoke strongly. "Why did you call, I thought I made it clear that…."
"I heard about the arrangements, with your sisters." I started, before she could say much more, she was silent, as if it hurt to speak.
"We ain't being separated," She said strongly. "We don't need no sympathies if that's why ya called."
"You know that's not why I called," I said, as I heard the stress in her voice, as she whispered to herself. 'What do you want from me?'
"Heather, I don't want anything from you." I said strongly, reveling my advance hearing.
"Then, why, why are you being so kind to me?" She asked. "You have to want something, or else you would ignore me, treat me like some trash. That's how most of your type treats my type. Use them, and leave them."
'True,' But I had a feeling we weren't thinking in the same terms. "It won't be like that, I promise."
"What are you?" She demanded.
"I can't tell you that," I said immediately.
"Felix," Heather sighed. "I'm on the verge of losing all I care about, and I can't-" She was stunned, not knowing what to say.
"You can't what?" I asked.
"I can't be in a relationship right now," She said quickly. "I don't have the time for it." She will in two years.
"Then I'll wait, I have all the time in the world." I explained to her, wondering if she knew I truly had a lot of time on my hands.
"Then take that time to find someone who is rich, and has parents who care about her, someone who can be devoted to you." She ordered to me, almost crying. She has sacrificed so much for her sisters, I wasn't going to let her sacrifice me. Not when most of them already have their happiness destined for them. Cassie has her own hole, she set a life better for her children by giving them to Rosalie and Emmett. Natalie was imprinted by Seth, a powerful shape shifting wolf with a loving family that will provide for her. Kelly was planned was reserved for a powerful European coven. If Heather knew this, then she would most likely accept me better.
"I don't want your devotion," I explained to her simply. I just wanted her, to be with her for an eternity, to spend every moment of my immortality in her presence. I wished there were ways I could show how devoted to her I had become, maybe she might return it. I wasn't doing anything creepy like watching her in her sleep, it was the way I thought of her on a nonstop bases, waiting out the long days and nights until I could see her again. If only she knew how I had memorized her, every strand of hair, every freckle on her face, every line in her skin, every curve in her body was so clear to me. She was the only thing that I was sure of in my life, my past, and my present was confusing but my future with her was something I knew would be sure.
"Then what do you want?" Heather snapped.
"Nothing, I just want to be with you," I said, who knew love can be so frustrating.
"I don't even know what you are, but how could you want nothing?" She asked defensively.
"Do we always have to be after something?" I asked her, she had such distrust in males, as well as people in general. I wished I knew a way for her to get over this obstacle.
"Isn't that reality, not that you would know." She hissed upset, trying to be a smart mouth, but she had a hard time being snotty when she wanted to be.
"Heather, let me explain." I stuttered, she had a way of making me nervous.
"There is nothing to explain," Heather said and hung up. That was when I decided to call someone who had taken a back burner to Heather.
"Hello, I don't know you," Demetri answered the number.
"Demetri, it's me," I stated, waiting his reaction.
"Sorry, Demetri can't come to the phone right now, betrayers please press line four to leave a message for it to be erased." Demetri recited.
"Would you give it a rest!" I snapped irritated.
"You're telling me to give it a rest, you're the one who's not coming home." Demetri hissed, angrily.
"It's not my home," I corrected.
"So for the past eight hundred years you have simply been a squatter?" Demetri questioned. "Where would you like your bill mailed to then?" Actually, I'm the one who should be sending the bills for all the work I done with no reason.
"Demetri, you don't understand," I was tempted to tell him about Eleazar and I, but I couldn't even comprehend that much less him.
"No, you don't understand, do you have any idea what's going on around here?" Demetri barked.
"What?" I asked, caring less about that former coven of mine, with an exception for a few members, Demetri being one of them. It's hard to try cutting off the emotional ties for people we have been loyal to for eight hundred years and one can never erased such a strong friendship.
"Well, to start out we lost six members, including Chelsea, she and Afton came back from Africa and left shortly afterwards. They didn't even say where they were going. Renata ran off with a nomad, Corin joined the French with Louis, and you went A.W.O.L on us. Now, Alec and Jane are acting weird." Demetri explained as his voice became calmer speaking to me.
"How?" I asked.
"They are acting so different, they both are acting like they are so much more mature than the other, and look upon their twin as if they were a child. It's like they are no longer on the same page, they no longer have that twin chemistry, leaving them both incomplete. They still care about each other, but are now just a normal brother and sister. Well, Alec…is depressing," Demetri gave his guilty sigh. "He moved to Marcus's floor and for awhile. Marcus was the only one who could get more than two words out of him, he won't show or tell Aro what happened. Marcus claims to be trying to mend things between Alec and Aro. But Alec just kept getting angrier at Aro, nothing he was saying in privet was helping. Now that Sulpicia is back and Jane forced him to move back to his floor. Alec is able to be in the same room with Aro, and only ever comes down the tower when his gift is needed. Which is actually an improvement, he wouldn't even drink until Jane and Sulpicia returned from Greece, finally. Sulpicia at least got him to change his clothes and Jane convinced him to come when Heidi came back from her meal. Besides that he is practically shutting everyone out, and barley shows any form of expression." Demetri said worried. "He just wants to show his pain."
"What happened?" I asked Demetri.
"It's a Volturi thing," Demetri answered, that meant it was a secret among the guards. He wasn't going to tell me.
"How's Jane?" I asked changing the subject.
"She is different, much more opened, the other day she was doing laundry, and she just took her shirt off and threw it in the washer without shame. She is happier than usual, always smiling, even when she is doing her gift. Since she came back from Greece, she has been going around completely uplifted. Sometimes, I caught her just staring at the window, and sighing to herself about something going on in Germany. She is very annoying, the other day Olga visited, and I was leading her to the tower to do our normal activity. Then we ran into Jane. She said that I should consider a mate, and asked us if we got board going from vampire to vampire. Heidi thought she was fun, until Boris came to visit her yesterday. While Heidi was trying to seduce him, and Jane told them they make a bad couple, and wouldn't be good mates with each other. Then today, she printed out a brochure of Denali National Park and sat it on my desk." Demetri shook his head. "And now she is telling Heidi about a friend she met in Greece, some Fred." I wondered if it was the same Fred, the one sending me post cards. He plans to visit us in the winter.
"Why would she give you that?" I asked.
"Why did you quite?" He asked, ignoring that question.
"I found someone," I answered. "A mate, her name is Heather."
"Oh, well…..convince her to come back with you." Demetri suggested, as if it was simple as walking.
"She's a human and she doesn't love me," I said shortly.
"Oh well, that's bad for you," Demetri started, I could tell in Demetri's voice he wanted to know more, but wouldn't asked me because of his stubbornness. Finally, his curiosity got to him."Why doesn't she want a guy like you?" I could tell by his voice, he was thinking negatively of Heather, which didn't bother me because I knew he was going to love her when he met her.
"It's hard to explain," I answered him, it was hard to explain the feelings I had for Heather to someone who never felt this emotion towards anyone.
"Since when did you have a hard time explaining things to me?" Demetri asked offended.
"You just won't," I said. He has never been in love, he wouldn't understand why I put Heather before him. She was my future, and the only chance I had at true happiness.
"Well, I wish you luck with her," Demetri then hung up without saying as even a goodbye.
~X~
"Felix, Anthenodora left a message on my phone and forgot to hang up. I am a little curious to what exactly is going on." Esme explained handing me the phone to translate the message for her.
"Hello, my good friend, Esme Cullen, I wanted to call and chat but I understand if you are busy please call soon…" Anthenodora's voice started then she went off in another language that I knew well.
"It's in Latin," I explained.
"Oh, they only argue in Latin so no one will understand what they are saying," Esme explained.
"Making Latin the first language to pick up on when living with the Volturi," Carlisle interjected as I started to translate. "Anthenodora says 'What are those ugly things on the window…Caius says 'those are the new drapes I picked out'…Anthenodora is asking him what right does he have to pick out curtains without her, for the sake of the gods they aren't even pretty. Caius says she's been complaining they need new drapes, and he went out and got them so she quite wining. Anthenodora says he didn't do a good job, those have to be the most awful things she ever seen and they make the window looks hideous…Caius says they do their job, and what does it matter they keep the sun from entering the room. Anthenodora says that's not what curtains are for, they are suppose to make the windows look pretty…Caius says they are made to block the sun, Anthenodora says to decorate, Caius says block the sun, Anthenodora says to decorate,….." this went on for twenty minutes.
"Do you really expect us to believe that a two thousand year old couple would argue over curtains?" Esme asked.
"Yes," I answered. "its ending now, Caius is saying 'Humans started putting fabric over the window because their wives were claiming there was too much sun, that's who drapes came to be…Anthenodora says that's what shutters are for, the humans saw their husbands putting up the ugly shutters and decied to put fabric over to make them pretty. That's how curtains came to be and you are taking them back….Caius says fine as long as he can pick the shutters…Anthenodora just said 'oh, I forgot my phone. Messaging over." I said as Esme shook her head. It was then three sharp smells entered the air port. It was a disgusted, gut wrenching smell that made the shape-shifters seem like air fresheners. It was as if rotten meat had been sat in the middle of the air port. It was then overshadowed by the floral scent of four vampires.
"It must be them," Rosalie said excitedly as we followed the scent, each having something. Rosalie holding the picture, as Esme was able to push Neveah's stroller. While Emmett had the camera, and Carlisle had the English-Greek dictionary, and I had the stupid sign welcoming them. We followed Rosalie until she stopped, staring down at two young men with pale blond hair sleeked back, both with muscular yet lean frames, one a bit shorter than the other, both wearing Hawaiian shirts and ripped jeans looking at a picture. They chose to reunite with their sister they hadn't seen in seventy three years in casual form, while she chose to dress her best.
The younger one turned his head and looked up, he stopped stunned, staring at Rosalie. He was breathless face as he just stared at her. He was young, around nineteen, skinny with some-what muscular frame and a shade of a golden tan, along with dark blue eyes. He caught Rosalie's gaze just staring at her, almost in a dream-like state. Then he turned and shrugged the other one's shoulder. He looked towards him then stopped, caught in the same stair. He was taller than the other one, with dark blonde curls and the same tan of skin with a bit more muscles. For a short moment, it seemed Rosalie was alone with these two men. The three stared at each other, all shocked and speechless at the sight. The two then started walking towards her, as Rosalie came towards them.
"Nicholas," Rosalie touched the cheek of the younger one, remembering the smoothness of his face. "Your taller than me now."
"We thought you were dead," the older one chocked.
"Alexander," She put her hand on the back of his neck as she shook her head in an assuring manner. "No, I'm not. I thought I would never see you again." She truly didn't, she always thought her human family was part of her past, when she found they were alive. Rosalie knew they were still part of her, and she still belonged to her. They were her brothers, and nothing could break that connection.
"We missed you," Nicholas stuttered not knowing what to say. He barely remembered her, but he still missed her.
"I missed you too," She huffed, talking in a high stream voice, knowing if she were a human tears would pour from her. She did miss them, she didn't know it, but something inside her had always told her that members of her human family remained, and they had finally come to join her again.
"Now, we know your safe," Alexander said, as he put his hand on his sister's shoulder. They were silent for the longest moment with relief filling in their eyes. Thinking of how she was swept out of his life, and swept back into it. It was as if the long journey of moving on from the heartbreak and the longing for her was snapped away.
"It's over now," Nikki said, putting his hand on his sister's shoulder, now able to reach it unlike the last time she saw him, he was taller than her now. "The mysteries, lies, wondering, it's over." He stuttered speechless, thinking of the pain his parents bare. Their hopes were now fulfilled, they were together as a family.
"And we can move on," She glowed, putting her arms around her brothers' shoulders. The three Hales embraced with each other, I notice their voices crackled a bit. It was as if no one else was in the air port, just them. Rosalie held the tall men between her arms, comforted by them. She kept touching their faces several times, making sure they were real. The men kept running their fingers through her hair, to insure they weren't dreaming.
As they embraced, two females came from behind him who both stood to be the exact height, which was a little over five feet. They had the same shades of long midnight curls that went past their shoulders. One had hers in a braid and the other wore hers down. They had the same heart shape heads with smooth foreheads with one wrinkle, arched eyebrows, almond-shape eyes, along with the tear-drop dents in their upper lips, thin brown lips and upper chins along with the same long neck bones. The girl that had her hair down also had a bright green beret wearing a slime tight green sweater, with a short pink skirt, and long pink stilettos. She had a darker golden brown shade of skin, with a tent along with dark brown eyes. The other one had pale brown skin with a pale covering along with bright ember eyes. She had her hair in a braid wearing a skin-tight red cotton shirt with loose sleeves wearing and black loose dress pants.
They both had film cameras in their hands as they came behind their husbands to introduced themselves to Emmett. I noticed the one in the pink skirt had a deep but feminine voice, like a low guitar note as she introduced herself as Aysun. The other woman had a high strung voice like a soft wind along the shore as she introduced herself as Beyza. When Hale siblings finished their embrace, Emmett, Aysun, and Beyza all took their pictures and proceeded with introducing spouses. They hugged, and shook hands, all becoming acquainted with each other.
Rosalie then led them over to Neveah's stroller. While the six goggled over her, Carlisle, Esme and I noticed three more vampires who observed the reunion from the other side coming out of the terminal hallway. I could tell the two taller ones were ancients. A tall muscular man who had similar built to Emmett and I but a bit shorter. He had long lanky cave-man brown hair that was pulled back in a pony tail, a hard bony face with full grown muscles and bushy eyebrows over shadowing milky amber eyes and his crackling pale skin. Next to him, was a tall elegant woman with a beautiful hour glass body that was half her mate's size. She hand bouncing black hair that made a puff behind her head band and strolled down to her knees. She was as gorgeous as the Volturi leaders described with smooth features and a curved silicate along with white flaky skin and rusty gold eyes. Between them, was a tiny vampire, around Alice's size with jet black curls that was pulled back with bobby pins making a bun. She was a young vampire, not even half a century, with soft, white, marble-stone skin, and bright shimmering golden eyes that beamed at me. She clearly recognize me from the pictures Jane showed her.
"You must be Carlisle," the older female spoke slowly, coming up to us as Carlisle went to meet them. "I am Laeime, but call me Lama, this is my husband, Dragomir and my creation, our daughter, Sofia."
"Please to meet you," Carlisle shook the woman's hand. "I am Dr. Carlisle Cullen, this is my wife Esme, and my son, Felix." Carlisle introduced us, not even bothering to introduce Rosalie and Emmett, who were still caught up in the emotional reunion.
"Felix," Dragomir looked towards his wife.
"You're Aro's creation, the one he sent to protect us?" Lima asked slowly in English. There was several things wrong with that statement, making me unsure how to respond to that question. I have to admit it now, I'm not Aro's creation, I never was and I never will be. I had Eleazar's venom. Aro sent me here to create a hybrid, a mission long failed due to being lost in the shuffle with Heather, my new fondness of the Cullens and ….Eleazar. I don't have strength designed for protection, it's for aggression. Santiago had the physical power to block anyone from his assigned target. My physical power is to break through to my target. Lima's eyes stared at me, as Sophia and Dragomir looked at Carlisle for an answer.
"Felix is part of our coven," Esme said bodily, as they tilted their heads at her, confused. They were wondering why she was speaking over Carlisle, while at the same time trying to comprehend what she was saying for their lack of knowledge in the English language, and confused by the fact that Aro told them I was sent here to protect them. Esme was clearing this up. "He's with us," She explained, pulling me towards Carlisle and her. "He's here on our account, not Aro's."
"I see," Lama sighed, she understood I notice her eyes went towards the Hale's joyful reunion a few yards from us.
"Let's not interrupt," Carlisle suggested.
"Anders, Nikki, Aysun, Beyza, over here," Lama shouted in Ancient Greek snapping her fingers as the four turned instantly. .
"Come on, we would like you to meet some more members of our coven." Alexander led Rosalie, Emmett and Neveah over to them as Nikki remained close to his sister.
"Rosalie, we would like you to meet Lama, Dragomir, and Sophia," Alexander said proudly as they smiled.
"Lama, Dragomir, and Sophia we would like you to meet our sister Rosalie, her husband Emmett, and their adopted daughter Neveah." Nikki then said as they stared.
"It's a pleasure," Lama smiled towards her. "Now, we are informed we will be staying with you." They looked back at Carlisle.
"Yes," Carlisle answered coldly. "You and your husband will ride home with us, Sophia will be hosted by the coven of my eldest creation being escorted by Felix." I had taught Carlisle well in dealing with ancient covens and their mind set, mentioning that Edward was his first creation smoothed over well as they nodded.
"Then we'll get our luggage." Dragomir looked towards his wife. Lima nodded as Nikki, Alexander, Beyza and Aysun nodded. The Hale brothers then glanced nervously towards Carlisle giving awkward greetings. It seemed they had unresolved issues with him.
"Nikki, Alexander, you met Carlisle before," Rosalie introduced him.
"We have," Alexander said, coldly as soon as the ancients left with Sophia still standing there, staring at me.
"It's nice to see you two again," Esme said, as she shook hands with them.
"You as well," Nikki said politely, it was obvious they were uncomfortable.
"Did Aro mail you a copy of our pardons?" Beyza asked.
"Yes," Carlisle answered. "We have them in a safe place."
"We would like to thank you for hosting us," Aysun introduced herself politely. "And for….." The twins looked at each other as their husbands crossed their arms, staring at Carlisle. They looked back at their husbands and had a short conversion in Turkish. Finally, Aysun spoke again. "We would like to thank you for allowing us to have the opportunity to be introduced to our sister and her husband." Aysun said. They then argued in Turkish a bit more when Alexander spoke. "We should get the luggage."
"It is a pleasure to meet you," Sophia said slowly to Carlisle and Esme as she came up to me.
"It's a pleasure to meet you too,'" Esme smiled. "My son, his wife and daughter are looking forward to meeting you."
"Meeting me," Sophia said, she understood the last part. "I am nervous about the…..wolfmen."
"They plan to welcome you," I informed her in Greek as Carlisle and Esme nodded, then walked to the escalator following Lama and Dragomir.
"Excuse me, but do you mind telling me what time is it?" Sophia asked on our way to the baggage claim.
"Nine," I answered.
"Thank you." She said and flashed a silver watch with purple stones in it. "This was a gift from a friend."
"It's very beautiful," I complimented her as she adjusted it. I then helped her go through each bag, making sure she was the owner, and of them were collected for her. I notice some of the Hales came and helped her gather luggage as we put them on an L cart Rosalie rented. They joked a round with her a bit, Nikki even rubbed Sophia's hair as Beyza gave her a side hug while they collected their bags.
They then went back to Rosalie and her family, the twins even informed them they had gifts for Neveah. While Nikki and Alexander pointed out to Emmett the packages they brought to help with the house. While they were gathering the large amount of luggage the coven sent with their seven members, I took Sophia to the gift shop. She gathered some post cards of Seattle, as well as some gifts she explained was for various friends. We then checked out, she brought a large amount of cash with her and we walked out to meet Lama and Dragomir, who were waiting for her.
"Thank you very much for hosting us," Lama said slowly as we came out to the waiting area.
"You are very welcome," Esme said to her as they both glanced my way as I translated.
"Looks like the weather is sunnier than expected," Carlisle said as the vampires came out of the airport all of us with large hats.
"Sophia, do you mind taking care of that?" Nikki asked in Greek as Sophia looked up towards the sky. It was then clouds flew quickly from the east towards the sun, blocking it temporarily.
"Thank you," Rosalie said towards her as she smiled when they came to the car. "Do you mind staying with my brother, Edward and his wife Bella?" She asked her.
"Not..at…all." She spoke slowly. "Are they….are they….vampire-human child?"
"Yes," Emmett answered. "Her name is Renesmee, a pack of shape-shifters are also there waiting to greet you."
"Oh," I could tell by her face she had no clue what she just said. It was the same face I had a couple months ago when I realized a foreign language is more than a studied subject.
"We are looking forward to meeting your other members," Lama said slowly, as her husband motioned towards me. Clearly, he wanted me to translate something for him.
"Yes, we heard there is a reservation near your home, we look forward to visiting them and studying the American Indian culture." Dragomir said in Greek as I translated for him.
"It is on our list of have to," Beyza said, as we looked at each other, wondering how we are going to explain the treaty. "We did research and about their art festival that is coming soon, good place to get gifts." I notice all the members of the Greek coven nodded.
"Who's riding with whom?" Alexander asked, when we finally reached the cars.
"Well, we figured that you two would want to spend alone time with your sister, so I am taking your wives while you ride with her." Emmett explained.
The four looked at each other, after the twins exchanged something in Turkish they smiled at the same time towards Emmett. "That is a very good idea, we were planning on suggesting the same." Aysun let out a sigh as Emmett nodded. Aysun looked towards the other members and translated the idea to the ancients. They nodded, agreeing that was the best arrangement as Rosalie showed her brothers her red convertible.
"And you two are riding with us," Carlisle explained to Lama and Dragomir. "You will be going in our car." He pointed to it as they nodded.
"Sophia?" Lama questioned.
"This one," I said still holding her suitcases. It was a rather strange scene in the airport parking lot. First, Rosalie Emmett got Neveah in her safety seat in the convertible. Then all six Hales arranged for their luggage trying to puzzle them to fit in the two cars with some going in mine and Carlisle. At the same time, Carlisle, Dragomir, Lama and Esme were putting their luggage to fit in Carlisle's car, some going to the back seat of my car.
Sophia surprising had a lot of luggage for just one girl. She had a large rolling case, a stuffed duffle bag, a carry-on bag, two suit cases, four garment bags and at least five purses. She explained to me about her, Agatha, Mela and Jane helping her pack. I was surprised by the way she talked of Jane. She described her as being upbeat and fun to be with which was very different from the Volturi guard I knew. I managed to help her fit most of it in my car, wondering what Edward and Bella are going to do with all her luggage. We got in the car, all following Carlisle his way home.
"So looking forward to your stay?" I asked as we drove out of the parking lot.
"Yes," Sophia answered. "But I am afraid I overestimated my knowledge in the English language. I hadn't studied it since I was human, and I thought listing to the conversions of Alexander and Nikki would be enough, but I was wrong. I was supposed to get extra tutoring from Jane, but we used that as an excuse to look at fashion magazines. Neither of us took it seriously."
"You're a vampire, you will catch on faster than you think." I reminded her.
"I hope so, Lama and Dragomir studied it some, I should have studied with them." She said sadly.
"You'll be fine; I had a hard time with the language too. We, vampires learn fast those," I assured her. "Edward is very helpful. He helped me catch up with my schooling, and he has been working with me over the summer break to help me get into the higher advance classes."
"I am please to stay with them," She said in Greek. "What's his daughter's name, I keep getting a different one. Agatha's cousins Benjamin and Tia informed me her name was Renesmee?"
"Yes," I answered her. "She made you a welcome sign."
"Oh," She smiled. "I will help Bella with her, I saw a hybrid once, when we were in Algeria. I didn't even know she was one until last month. Her name was Maysun, she's good friends with Malakia, of course every supernatural being in Africa is friends with her. I'm going to get a gift Sabah, we are hosting them through her newborn year. Anyway, Maysun was very fun, loved to dance. I just thought she was a full vampire until the Hales told Malakia about Rensemee, and she told them about Maysun. How old is Renesmee by the way?"
"Ten months, but she has the mind of a child who is almost seven, her kind develop differently, rather interesting. She can already read, and is doing calculus. You might be able to teach her some Greek." I suggested.
"Oh," She smiled liking the idea, as we passed through the Seattle skyline. She then went to her pocket and took out the camera, then started taking pictures. "Hector and Philomela want me to take a picture of her, they are curious too. I plan take a lot, this is the first time any of us been to the Americas. We were informed by my uncles not to go there because of the wars."
"That's mainly in the Southern US, Mexico and Central America. If you are curious about that, ask Jasper, you will be introduce to him soon." I informed.
"Is he the one with the wife that can predict the future?" Sophia asked curiously.
"Yes," I answered.
"Alice," Sophia nodded. "I remember because Jane told me how the French think she was created by Horus, who's coven is allied with us. I heard he was an interesting man, dead before my time. We don't know much about that those, that's not coven we keep in touch with, too often. We only her updates when Artamis and Lancelot come to visit giving us an update. Besides that, we don't hear much about the French. Artamis thinks her brother's missing creation was in this coven." That was most likely due to the Greek remaining out of the Volturi schemes, therefore being of no use to the French. Artamis and Lancelot come to the Volturi quiet often as well.
"So what else do you look forward to doing?" I asked her, Bella told me to ask her so she could start planning Sophia's agenda.
"I want to go to the Quileute Art Festival; Agatha will be disappointed if I don't bring her back some Native American jewelry. That is the main thing we are looking forward to attending." I decide to let Jacob handle that one, considering her kind wouldn't be allowed there, the other alpha, Sam Uley, Natalie's half-brother, was very strict with vampires. He clearly didn't trust us and basically thought all vampires were his enemy. I saw him at the air-port with his girlfriend, he was in such a hurry to leave he ignored us, didn't give us as so much as a 'hi'. "I also want to go to Hollywood."
"Well, Los Angeles is a little sunny," I explained as she gave me an odd look, I forgotten her gift.
"We were also informed by a friend of the coven that there is another animal drinking coven we will be introduced to." Sophia explained excitedly. "We look forward to meeting them, when they heard that the late sister, Didyme's creation is among them, part of their coven. Hecate was thrilled, that will be an easy alliance for us. She asked Lama is going to strike an alliance on behalf of Hecate with their leader, Tanya. Apparently, her and Katrina are aunts to a friend of mine. Lama and Dragomir know Eleazar from when he was part of the Volturi. They are anxious to meet his mate." Sophia laughed. "They still consider him their nephew because he was created by their sister, Didyme. Rosalie informed Alexander and Nikki a newer member is working on a World War Two plan, American Flyer, and wants to meet with them to help. They, of course, are happy to help out. Afterwards, we are going to inform our other animal-drinking friends about this coven."
"The Delnali are close with this coven. They will be here for Fourth of July." I said quickly, hoping that will change the subject. I couldn't talk happily about Eleazar coming to visit. The last thing I wanted was to give the Greeks any idea of tension going on with two former Volturi members.
"I am looking forward to that too, Nikki and Alexander informed me about it, the fireworks and the sparklers. It will be amazing." She smiled happily. "They brought fireworks form Greece for the celebration, they planned the display with Emmett over the phone. I asked them about it, and they said I will just have to wait and see."
"Good," I said. "Anything else?"
"I heard Rosalie is adopting another baby that isn't born yet. Alexander and Nikki plan to be at the hospital when the human gives birth." Sophia answered, excitedly. "I am going to write to the rest informing of the gender."
They already know it's a boy I thought and then said, "Yes, she invited them."
"Good, I wouldn't mind going to Canada. I heard the grizzly bear is to die for, and a lot of good art comes from Canada. I would go to the beauty of Prince Edward Island, but that's too far away. I also heard Oregon has a lot of history, so we could go there if they want." She said happily. I notice the rain become very heavy, almost too heavy to see. Sophia looked forward and the rain calmed, eventually stopped but with clouds high in the air.
"Are we almost there?" She asked.
"Almost," I answered, going at vampire speed in the car. She enjoyed that, letting her hair down as we flew to Forks in no time.
I notice her looked around at the small town in delight. She got her camera out and took pictures of the village and the woods as we drove towards the Cullen property. I went off the road at Highway 101. Sophia became very ecstatic as the mud hit the car, flashing her camera at almost everything she saw making green blurs. I slowed some, crossing a shallow part of the Sol Duc River, with the water and mud hitting the car. I then drove it up, feeling the dirt against the metal speeding to the stone cottage with bight colored flowers climbing the walls, along with deep set windows. I parked right smack dab in front of the stone path were a large sign that had: WELCOME SOPHIA printed in dark purple letters hanging from the front porch. I noticed Edward and Bella's face as their eyes darted at the car after seeing my little off road adventure.
Bella and Edward stared at it stunned. I was informed it was Bella's car after she married Edward, but before her transformation. She no longer used it. Edward thought there was no reason I shouldn't have the car. I was grateful to have it.
The family wasn't dressed up, they welcomed Sophia casually. They were all wearing jeans and a nice shirt. Jacob and his pack were all in human form waiting for their guest. Jacob stood beside Renesmee, who held his hand smiling at the girl in the window, anxiously wanting to meet her. Leah stood with her hair down to her ears, wearing a dress, holding some flowers to welcome Sophia. While Quil and Embry stood beside Leah, also curios to meet this girl. On the other side of the car was Seth and Collin who went directly to the trunk.
"Let me open the door," I suggested as she nodded.
"Felix, I see your making sure the before car is put into use." Edward shouted at seeing my car.
"You said I could do what I wish with it," I joked, as he and Bella let out some chuckles.
"And we are glad you are following that," Bella yelled, as I shrugged and went to open the door, while Seth and Collin dug for her luggage, taking out the others.
It was just like we rehearsed when Rosalie made us practice hundreds of times. Seth and Collin got the luggage while Quil and Embry shook her hand welcoming her, showing they mean no harm. I went to opened the door, and helped her get out. I could tell the smell bothered her, not for the near fact of the harshness of the odor, being around four children of the moon for all of her immortal life diluted their scent. It was the fact she never seen this kind of shape-shifters them before, and who knows what the Volturi told the Greek coven about them.
"Sophia, welcome to our home," Bella said, as soon as the girl got out. I could tell Sophia was nervous, she was confused by what they were and didn't understand a thing Bella said.
"Thank you for having me," Sophia said slowly.
"Hello, Sophia, I am Jacob Black, as the alpha Quileute-Forks Pack, we would like you to welcome you to the United States." Jacob said when Sophia walked up, starring at him and Leah.
"These are for you," Leah handed her some flowers, speaking slow and clearly for Sophia to catch on. "I am Leah Clearwater."
"I am Sophia, thank you," She said unsure what to say as her eyes glanced towards Seth and Collin who had some of her luggage.
"This is Seth and Collin, they are helping you with your bags." Edward came down and explained in Greek. "I am Edward, this is my wife Bella, and our daughter Renesmee."
"Sophia," She repeated. She then went to Quil and Embry, I notice Embry was went into a total trance state when he first glimpse of Sophia. It was this strange heat that glowed from him from the moment his eyes set on Sophia. His eyes followed her every move as she observed her new surrounding curiously. It was as if she was the only one in the yard. Embry was drawn to her, as if she was the center of everything. Sophia seemed to be his only focus, ignoring his pack, the Cullens, everyone, just Sophia. He gazed at her, with full emotion.
"Are they brothers?" Sophia questioned to me in Greek, after several minutes of observing Quil and Embry, not even noticing Embry staring at her. I was glad she asked that, because I have been wondering the same thing. Quil and Embry both had a lot of facial similarities. They had to be related somehow.
"She wants to know if you two are brothers." I said waiting for an answer.
"No, we are not," Quil answered. "We do belong to the same pack."
"They are not brothers," I answered Sophia in Greek.
"They could easily be mistaken for so," She said to me in Greek. "Twins, practically." She amused herself, then looked back towards them.
"Hello, I am Sophia." She recited in English.
"Quil Ateara," Quil shook her hand while Embry remained breathless by her presence. It was as if every motion, every focus, all of the energy he carried was being pulled to her.
"I am Embry Call," He said as their hands met. He held her hand for a very long time, staring into her gold irises, memorized with every part of her from the strans of curls, to the muscles of her marble skin . "We are shape shifters, we turn into wolves."
"Huh?" She asked turning her head towards me. I shrugged, letting her know I didn't know how to translate what he was saying.
"We become wolves," He explained in a motion making claws with his hands coming to Sophia. She fearfully took a step back, quite unsure what the gesture meant. Her eyes squinted as she quickly went behind me holding my shoulder tightly.
"Embry, you're scaring her, perhaps you can show her sometime…after the meal Alice and Jasper made for your pack and the three werewolves, since you are dressed so well for it." Bella suggested, then turned and talked to Sophia at a rather slower place. "We are going to show you to your room now."
"Can I touch her, Mummy?" Renemee asked running up to Sophia as Bella looked towards me.
"She knows about Renesmee's origin, but not her gifts including her unique way of communicating." I informed her. They trusted what I told them ever since the night I saved Renesmee.
"She can send mind through touch," Bella explained to Sophia as I translated, Sophia stared at the girl in wonder. It was clear that Renesmee had sparked more curiosity than I thought, whatever hybrid she had seen before was nothing compared to Renesmee.
"You must be the hybrid child?" Sophia's voice rose cheerfully, as she bent down and let Rensemee touch her cheek. It was clear she was sending Sophia a message in her thoughts. I knew Renesemee's thoughts could translate, during my early days she would send me thoughts into Estonian, Danish and Italian quite often. I notice Sophia nodding, she was relief in understanding. Then Sophia's face became puzzled as she stared at Embry, and Renesmee looked towards Jacob smiled and went to her parents.
"Imprint…." Sophia stuttered confused, standing. "I don't know what's that means."
"I can explain that to you," Embry burst running towards her, as Edward quickly led her away, reading the fear in her mind.
"How about we let her get settled first?" Edward suggested, as Seth and Collin came behind her with her suitcases.
"Sorry, Almberry," Sophia spoke very slowly to him. "I don't know English that well. Tell, my friend, Felix, about….imprint." She looked at Renesmee. "He will translate in Greek for me."