Chapter 5

Zach sat outside on the porch of the old Cullen House watching the sun come up. So much had happened since the day before when he watched the sunrise. It had only been twenty four hours, but so much happened that it amazed him. Usually days blurred by for him, but so many events happened in such a small time frame that it almost made his head spin. He could hear his grandfather inside talking to Marcus on the phone. He was filling him in on all that happened and preparing him to meet Caleb. Alice was making arrangements for Caleb and Sofi to take a separate flight to Italy from Seattle after Caleb went back to the city to pack. Sofi joined Zach on the porch and smiled sheepishly at him as she blushed.

"Hey," she said as she looked out at the sun peaking over the horizon.

"Hey."

"Zach, I….well I am sorry about how things…."

"Sofi, it is okay. It isn't like we are mates or anything."

"I know I just didn't expect to kiss a guy I really liked last night and then be imprinted on before the sun even came up," she giggled. He chuckled and nodded as he thought about it.

"Definitely not something that happens every day. So, what does it feel like?" She sighed happily as she thought about it.

"It is just like Lena said. Suddenly and inexplicably, everything is okay. Any fear or tension that was in my body left the moment I looked at him. It is scary in a way you know? I feel so connected and in tune with him, but really he is still a complete stranger. I don't know a thing about him, except that he caused a lot of issues for everyone and that I was supposed to eliminate him. Now I would eliminate anyone that tried to harm him."

"That sounds pretty powerful."

"It is and one day you are going to find your mate and she is going to be one lucky girl. You are an amazing guy, Zach McCarty Cullen. I hope you know that." She kissed his cheek before going back into the house as he grinned. He chuckled when his parents came outside and sat beside him.

"I am okay. I promise. I don't need to be consoled by you two," he teased and Rosalie played with his curly hair.

"We know, but we are here anyways so deal with it," she teased back.

"What's going through your mind right now, kiddo? It must be a lot to take in," said Emmett.

"Yea, but I knew she wasn't my mate. She was just the first girl that seemed cool enough to even think of as a possible mate."

"Your first crush, I am so proud," said Emmett as he pretended to wipe a tear from his eye. Zach rolled his eyes.

"I knew before we kissed…"

"I don't want here this part, la, la, la," sang Rosalie as she plugged her ears and Zach nudged her.

"Mom, it was just a kiss and I knew even before we kissed that she wasn't my mate, but I still wanted to. I just wanted to feel what it was like to have a mate. Just for a second," he confessed.

"But that's just it, baby boy. Nothing comes close to the feeling. Once you have your mate, there is nothing that can compare to it. It is consuming and impossibly amazing. Dating Sofi wouldn't have helped you capture that feeling. Only your mate can give you that," explained Rosalie.

"I guess that is true. Dad, did you date a lot before mom," asked Zach and Rosalie guffawed. Emmett playfully glared at her as she tried to hide her smile.

"I am sure that I did when I was a human. I can't remember much but I know I dated a lot of gorillas in my human days." Zach and Rosalie laughed.

"It does sound better when you say gorillas. I can accept that," said Rosalie and Emmett winked at her.

"But you know something baby boy, none of them mattered. The only one that has ever mattered is the only one I can remember, my mate. You will find her one day," assured Emmett.

"I know. I am too awesome not to. I was just curious about having a girlfriend." Emmett looked at his mate and she sighed, but nodded.

"Well, if you really want to date and feel what it is like to have a girlfriend, then you can have one," said Emmett and Zach looked at his mother for confirmation. She begrudgingly nodded.

"If you really feel the need to….to date…I will try my best not to dismember any girl that you go out with," conceded Rosalie.

"Thanks mom, I know that was hard for you, but that is okay. It was fun going to meet up with Sofi and hunting with her. Kissing was fun too."

"La, la, la," sang Rosalie and Zach grabbed her hands so she couldn't cover her ears as he laughed.

"But it is nice to know that when I feel that connection, it will be instant. Besides, I am not ready for any of it yet. When I thought it might be happening, it kind of scared me. I love my life and only having to worry about myself. Having a mate seems like it is a very consuming thing and I am not ready for that yet." Emmett ruffled his hair.

"It is and we are both happy to hear you say that because we aren't ready for that either," admitted Emmett as Rosalie vehemently shook her head. Zach hugged both of them and smiled at his friend as Josh jogged onto the porch.

"Are you guys done being all lovey dovey? Z, we have to go get my stuff so I can go to the island. It is summer break," exclaimed Josh and Zach's eyes widened with excitement.

"Definitely, mom, dad, can we go," asked Zach and Rosalie nodded.

"Sure, go ahead and we will meet you at Jake and Leah's house in a minute," agreed Rosalie. Josh ran into the woods to phase and Zach was right behind him. Emmett kissed his wife and winked at her.

"You did good babe. You didn't kill Sofi or Alice. You didn't dismember Jasper for calming you down. I am impressed," teased Emmett and Rosalie smirked.

"I am quite impressed with how I handled things as well. Alice, you are officially off my wish list," called Rosalie and Alice clapped happily as she ran outside to hug her sister. Suddenly she was lost in a vision and began to pout.

"Aw Rose, come on," she groaned and Rosalie smiled deviously.

"Oh just because you are off the list doesn't mean you and I won't be having a very, very long talk about you trying to set my son up with his mate, especially since you decided to hide it from everyone." Emmett laughed and pointed at Alice as he imagined the animated talk Rosalie would have with her and Alice stuck her tongue out at him.

"That's fine. Laugh it up Em, because I still did a great thing, see," she said as Caleb walked outside with his mother. He walked her over to her car and hugged her.

"Thanks for coming after me, mom," he said before kissing her forehead and she winked at him.

"I love you, Caleb. I want what is best for you and if this girl is what is best for you…."

"She is mom. I already feel it. Sofi is going to ride with me back to Seattle on my bike. Once I am all packed up, we are going to meet her siblings in Italy. Alice got me a ticket and I am sure she would get you one too if you want to come with us." Dana shook her head with a smile.

"Thank you for the offer, but this isn't my world. It is yours. My life is in Seattle and you know you will always be able to come back if things don't work out, right?"

"I know. I love you, mom." She hugged her son tightly and kissed his cheek before getting into the car.

"Now if I can just get back to the main road," she mumbled and he winked at her.

"Wait for me and Sofi, we will lead you out," he suggested and she kissed his cheek. He jogged over to Sofi as she walked outside with Roman, Iris, Nahuel, and Kaya. Sofi hugged each of them before slipping her hand into Caleb's.

"Roman, Iris, we will see you in Italy in a few days. Nahuel, Kaya, I guess this is it," said Sofi. Kaya pulled her back into her arms for another hug and Nahuel kissed the top of Sofi's head.

"Don't be a stranger, okay? There is plenty of room on the island if you ever want to visit," said Nahuel and Sofi winked at him.

"You should check out Italy sometime, bring Renesmee. Kaya, it would be nice to see you and Seth there as well," suggested Sofi. She waved at them one last time before climbing onto Caleb's bike with him. Roman sighed as he watched his baby sister leave on the back of the motorcycle with Caleb. Dana was right behind them.

"I can't believe she is really doing this," said Roman and Nahuel patted his back.

"The shock will wear off. It isn't like you will never see her again. They will be in Italy soon and you can get to know Caleb. This is for the best. You will see," assured Nahuel. Iris hugged him and Kaya.

"Does that offer to visit the island extend to me as well," asked Iris and Nahuel chuckled.

"It is for all of you," said Nahuel. Roman slowly nodded as he held his hand out to Nahuel.

"We might just have to take you up on that offer," said Roman. Their sisters beamed with happiness as they shook hands. Roman hugged Kaya before stepping off of the porch with Iris. He smiled slyly at Nahuel as he rubbed his jaw.

"Nice hook by the way," teased Roman and Nahuel winked at him.

"I have had a lot of practice," he teased back. Iris waved at them and sped away with Roman. Renesmee and Seth joined their mates outside and smiled at them.

"Well, you survived the family reunion," said Seth and Kaya sighed in relief as she rested her head on his shoulder.

"Barely, but we did, so what now," she asked and Renesmee smiled as she looked at her watch.

"Now we go tell Grandpa Charlie and Sue all about it over breakfast. That was part of the compromise. I am glad they weren't around when the fight happened," said Renesmee.

"Yea, it was bad enough having Dana here," agreed Seth. Nahuel licked his lips as he realized he was hungry.

"I could eat some waffles after all of that drama. Sue makes great waffles," informed Nahuel as he held Renesmee's hand. Seth jogged behind a tree to undress and Kaya grabbed his clothes as he phased. The four of them raced toward Forks, ready to enjoy a nice breakfast with Charlie and Sue.

Edward shushed Bella as she giggled and he tried to sneak out of the house to run to Charlie and Sue's as well, but Alice simply whistled as she skipped outside with a smug smile. Edward's shoulders slumped in defeat and Bella put her hands up defensively.

"I am not in this," she said, but Alice shook her head.

"Oh no you don't, you aren't going to hide inside. In fact, everyone outside so you can witness this," called Alice and the rest of her family, the Denali Coven, Jacob, and Leah walked outside as Edward groaned. She cleared her throat dramatically before addressing them.

"Now yes, I will admit that I didn't exactly know how it would all work out, but this man, my brother, Edward Cullen, doubted me from the beginning. Was I a little worried when I saw Rose chasing me up the tree? Sure, I can admit it scared me, but I powered through! I did it and moments like these make it all worth it. I need to hear you say it, Edward. Come on, you can do it, right here by the ear that you flicked," teased Alice. Bella tried to hide her smile, as did the others, as Edward took in a deep breath.

"I…was….wrong," he managed to say through gritted teeth and Alice clapped happily as she danced around him. Jasper smiled at the amount of glee radiating from his mate and Edward pinched the bridge of his nose as she began to ramble.

"I am so good that I don't even have to see it anymore! Are you kidding me? Hybrids and wolves were involved and I still pulled it off. I can just feel that it will work out and it will…..my ability must be expanding!"

"Oh no, she is drunk with power," groaned Bella and Rosalie rolled her eyes as Alice danced around them as well.

"I am going to help everyone with every problem, no matter if I can see them or not! Hybrids, wolves, any and every one, it will be amazing and….."

"Esme," whined Edward and Esme sweetly wrapped Alice in her arms.

"Calm down sweetheart, you have done more than enough in the past day. I am sure you are worn out, but thank you so much for making sure it all works out. We always love it when it does," said Esme and Alice kissed her cheek.

"Thank you Esme. All I ask for is some appreciation around here. You could learn a thing or two from our dear, sweet mother, Edward," said Alice before flicking his ear. Bella had to hide behind Jasper so she could silently laugh and Edward growled at his sister. Alice squealed as a vision flashed before her eyes.

"Esme," she yelped and climbed up a tree as Edward took off after her. Esme grabbed his arm and pulled him in for a hug before kissing his cheek.

"Let her have her moment dear. Why don't you and Bella go see Charlie and Sue before coming back to the island? She should be off her high by then," suggested Esme and Edward nodded in agreement. He held out his hand to Bella, who kissed him as she took it. They turned to leave, but Edward glared at Emmett's thoughts.

"Mama's boy," coughed Emmett and Edward rolled his eyes.

"I can read your mind, Em. No need to fake cough."

"Oh I know, but it just sounds better when I say it," teased Emmett. Bella pulled Edward away from the group and they headed for Forks. Alice hopped out of the tree and smiled thankfully at her mother.

"He is such a sore loser. He knows I had it under control," said Alice and Tanya frowned in confusion.

"Why were we here again," asked Tanya and Alice shrugged.

"Oh I have no clue, that path didn't work out so I was just taking a stab in the dark. Anyways, thanks for coming! Garrett, at least this time you can't say you missed any of the action right?" Garrett smiled mischievously at Alice.

"Well, I didn't get to see Rosalie chase you around. Care to relive that moment," he challenged and Alice glared at him.

"Don't give her any ideas, Garrett," yelled Alice and Rosalie winked at him.

"Don't worry. You can be there when Alice and I have our heart to heart," she assured and Garrett rubbed his hands together in anticipation as Alice pouted. Emmett laughed at his sister and grabbed Rosalie's hand.

"Come on, let's go make sure the boys didn't burn Jake and Leah's house down or something," suggested Emmett. Jacob and Leah went into the woods to phase before following them back to La Push. Carlisle and Esme shook their heads as they looked at the rest of the two covens.

"How about we head back to the island and try to have some peace," suggested Carlisle and Tanya winked at him.

"Peace would be nice. We enjoy the peace," said Tanya.

"Speak for yourself," grumbled Garrett and Kate shocked him on the forearm. He playfully growled at her and she laughed as he chased her into the woods. Carmen hooked arms with Esme.

"Well I, for one, enjoy the peace," said Carmen and Esme nodded in agreement. Eleazar clasped Carlisle on the back.

"My mate isn't the only one," agreed Eleazar. Zafrina and Keegan nodded.

"We second that," they said in unison and Benjamin sighed as he wrapped his arms around Tanya.

"At least the island will be peaceful," offered Benjamin, but Carlisle laughed.

"Until Zach and Josh get there, school is out for summer," informed Carlisle. They all shook their heads with smiles, knowing that the peace on the island would have to include a very excited and boisterous pair of teenagers celebrating the start of summer.

AN: Well there you have it. I hope you enjoyed it!