Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight
Chapter Forty-Five
*Lily's POV*
I sat on Ethan's lap right by Kate and Garrett. The two were mimicking us, but at the same time they were intensely making out. Now we were just missing my parents and the trio would be complete.
Renesmee calls us the sex trio. Not exactly my favorite label, considering my mother and father are apart of the group, but none the less it did make sense. We were always the couples getting caught in tricky situations involving sex. As much as I hate it, I can't deny it...
"Your little kitchen escapade reminds me of the time Katie and I did it on the library floor," Garett told us earlier after we finished telling him and Kate about how Renesmee found us. The nomadic vampire smirked, "Carmen was not pleased and Eleazar looked like he wanted to burn us alive. Tanya found it hilarious though."
"Oh, my sister," Kate said, sighing. "She needs someone in her life. Tanh's been lonely ever since she became the group's ultimate third wheel."
My dad used to tell me how he thought Tanya was going to be Masen's mate in the beginning. Well, before Grace. That weird, crush on the one guy and then hit up his offspring kind of deal. Not that I necessarily approved, but knowing our family and the rate at which we go…I wouldn't have been surprised.
Anyway, after Kate mentioned that little memory it made the two of them start their little make out session and that's how Ethan and I got stuck here.
"I forget how rainy it is here," Ethan teased, looking up at the cloudy skies.
I chuckled as I leant back against him, "I mean, it is one of the rainiest towns in America."
"I wouldn't mind moving back here one day," Ethan said. "Raise a family…"
"A family?" I questioned, raised eyebrows. "We're not even married yet," I pointed out, chuckling.
Ethan shrugged, "True, but just thinking. That's all, I want a future with you."
"I do too," I said, entwining my hand with his. "But jeez, caught me off guard a bit. Let's finish college first."
"Of course," Ethan said, laughing.
I chuckled and snuggled against Ethan. I loved that the two of us were going to college together. I wasn't sure what I was studying, various topics while Ethan is trying out biology. This is his third time going, decided to spice things up. He was encouraging me to try looking into teaching or something- but I'm still not sure.
I then looked around. I could see Daniel Scott, the Lexington's younger brother, was currently talking to George Knight. George was an old friend of Zach's. This time we had a lot more people and it felt like our home in Forks was supernatural central.
Various vampires were starting to gather at our house and other creatures. A lot of them were recruited by not just our family, but the Lexingtons. We had many of the same families that came here to vouch for Renesmee before I was born. Covens such as the Egyptians, the Amazons, the Irish, and so on. Then the Lexingtons and even the Martin-Sanders Clan were recruiting witches. There was a lot of hubbub.
Speaking of the Lexington twins, they've taught me a lot about my powers. I still get a little fuzzy with the connection, but, at least I have control over my power now so my biological ghost parents can't just make me go under whenever they feel like it. I can control it in a way where I stay grounded, but sadly I haven't been able to see my birth parents since then. Ethan said that maybe they've moved on, but I've met others. I've briefly seen the ghosts of some girl Bree Tanner and her mate, Diego roaming the forest of Forks. I still haven't gotten a hold of them, but we'll see.
"Auntie Lily!" a voice exclaimed.
I look to see Masen, Grace, and little Tyler running towards me. A smile spread across my face as I got up from my boyfriend's lap and headed towards my nephew.
"Tyler!" I cheered, picking up the little boy and hugging him tightly to me. "How's my favorite kid?"
"Good," He giggled, slinging his arms around my neck.
"Hey buddy," Ethan said, causing Tyler to break out into a grin.
"Uncle Ethan!" He exclaimed, causing me to shift my nephew into my boyfriend's arms. Ethan chuckled as Tyler crawled all over him.
"Lily!" Grace said, greeting me with a soft hug.
"Grace!" I exclaimed, hugging her back. The blonde haired witch looked so much better than she did two years ago. Now frozen at the age of eighteen, her blonde hair pinned into a messy bun while her smile shined. I will always be grateful that we didn't lose her that fateful day.
"And how's my person?" Masen asked, walking up to me.
"Pretty good and how's my person?" I said, chuckling as I wrapped my arms tightly around him. Masen chuckled and swirled me around a bit before putting me down.
"Ditto," he replied, placing a hand on my arm. The two of us smiled until Tyler's squeals interrupted us. Masen and I both shared amused looks as the youngest member of our family dangled from Ethan.
"Masen! Grace! Tyler!"
I look to see Renesmee making her way down the steps of our home. Tyler's eyes lit up seeing his aunt as he was then passed from Ethan to Ness. He immediately wrapped his arms around her neck and hugged her tightly.
"Aunt Nessie!" Tyler chirped, hanging from her hip.
"How's my favorite nephew?" Renesmee asked as she walked over towards us.
"I'm your only nephew, Auntie Ness," Tyler insisted, leaning his head against her shoulder.
"It's good to see ya sis," Masen said, hugging Ness.
"You too," Renesmee replied before going over to hug her best friend. Grace and her smiled at one another before looking towards us.
"So, what are we waiting for?" I said, shrugging. "Probably should go inside. I think Ness has something interesting to tell the whole family."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Masen questioned, his eyebrows furring together.
"A lot," Renesmee said, brushing Tyler's hair. We all headed back into the house where most of the main crowd was gathered. Grandpa, Grandma, Aunt Bella, Uncle Edward, Aunt Alice, my parents, Ava, Zach, Elaine, Robert, Cordelia, the Denali's, the Lexingtons, Aiden, Jen, and Seth.
"Lexie, Leah, do you mind watching the kids?" Ava asked her eldest daughter and son's imprinter.
"Yeah, sure," Lexie said hesitantly, grabbing Lucia and Tyler's hands.
"How did I end up becoming a babysitter?" Leah muttered as Tommy hoped into her arms.
"Happens to the best of us, Leah," Jake quipped, patting her back.
"We gotta really stop imprinting on kids," Seth teased. "They're getting free babysitters. We should start charging."
"Please, it's the least you wolves can do for this whole traumatic experience," Uncle Edward remarked. "Trust me. I thought one was enough to put me in the grave. But oh no, then…"
The two of them grew quiet remembering Lizzy. Seth's eyes faltered and so did Uncle Edward's.
"That's why we're here," Renesmee declared, her voice wobbly. "I need to tell the family what happened to me before I came here…"
"Something bad happen?" Grandma Esme asked fearfully.
"No. Not really, I don't think it's bad," Renesmee said, biting her lip. "I...I...You see, I was approached by a member of the Volturi guard."
This had a few members of our family growling. Uncle Edward and Aunt Bella looked like they were out for blood. I noticed Masen as he held on tightly to Grace. His brown eyes stone cold.
"Who was it?" Grandpa Carlisle asked, being the first to break the silent tension.
"Felix," Renesmee answered softly. "He approached me when I took out the trash…He was oddly helpful. He's been Lizzy's guard the last two years. Said something about being able to communicate with them."
"And you trust him?" Aunt Bella questioned.
Renesmee nodded, "Something about how he approached the situation-"
"Felix can't be trusted," Uncle Edward snarled.
"I agree," added Uncle Jasper. "He's been with the Volturi for as long as I can remember."
"He's been with the guard longer than I've been around," Grandpa Carlisle confirmed. "For him to break ties with his masters is highly unlikely."
"Felix wasn't terrible," Robert mentioned, looking towards his mate who nodded in agreement. "He and Demetri used to joke around with us."
"They kept to themselves, but Felix isn't a horrid man," Cordelia spoke up. "As a child he used to play games with Dru and I. Not everyone in the Volturi was awful…"
"I agree with Miss Cordelia," Eleazar chimed in quietly. "The Volturi members themselves were not always cold. Jane and Alec aren't the most friendly and neither are the brothers, but there are members that are vampires just like us. However, I can't see Felix straying from his loyalty. In all the years that I have known him, he hasn't strayed from the people who created him. Vampires in the coven who were turned by the brothers rarely stray from the brothers."
"He seems attached to Lizzy," Renesmee mentioned. "I don't know what it is, but I have to trust my gut. I have to take this as a sign from Lizzy and I believe it. I believe that they're going to try to communicate with us."
"But why now?" Masen pointed out. "It's been two years. The last time they contacted us was that night you saw Lizzy in a dream. Since then we haven't been able to get in reach with them. We don't even know what Abby or Lizzy look like now. They've obviously grown, so how can you be positive if you do get a dream that it'll be them?"
"I just do," Renesmee insisted, touching a spot on her neck where a necklace used to dangle. "I don't know why it took so long, but I believe they're trying to get to us. I have to believe it. It's all we've gotten and the last two years haven't been easy. Might as well try and see if this is true or not."
"And you're willing to risk this?" Tanya asked hesitantly.
"Yes. For my sister, for my cousin, and for our friends," Renesmee stated fiercely. I could tell Jake, Aunt Bella, and Uncle Edward didn't seem too keen, but I don't think they were going to fight her on this one. "I believe it to be true, so I'm going to wait for something whether you all want to join me or not."
"I believe her," Violet announced. "Maybe…Maybe it's time for us to try to find Jamie, Daniel's father and Meredith's husband. He might be able to help us."
Daniel snorted, "I haven't heard from my father in decades. What makes you think he's going to come now?"
"We'll tell him Meredith's been found. She's been resurrected, however she's brainwashed and to rescue her we're going to need his help. I'm sure he'll want to see her again," Hazel said. "And he must know something about the originals. Jamie has Meredith's personal spell book. The one the Williams, Rider, and Leonardo family have had a hold of- that was the original text of Stephanie, Meredith's mother and the original witch. Meredith was more complex and that book he has could help us."
"I'll try," Daniel muttered. "But I won't make any promises. You know how dad is."
"We know. Jamie loves you and he loves Hazel and I like his own. He's just stubborn and hot headed," Violet added wistfully. "We'll find him, Danny. He'll help us, I just know it."
"Don't count on it," Daniel replied. "I doubt he'll want to face her…"
"Why is that?" My mother asked with raised eyebrows. She wasn't a fan of the Lexington's. She appreciated them, but found their secretiveness threatening.
"Because the last time he saw our mother wasn't pretty," Daniel explained. "Anyway, what makes you think he'll do it, Vi? Who the hell knows what they did to her in there…Or if she's even still with the Volturi. A lot of people would kill to have her and if they knew...This is something we can't rely on."
"He's right. The Volturi weren't the only vamps wanting to bring her back," Jackson mentioned. "A lot of people are out for Meredith."
"It's how she died, isn't it?" Edward questioned out of the blu. "A jealous witch…She tried killing your father, but your mother took the fall, didn't she."
"Yes," answered Hazel grimly. "I know we haven't said much about our past…But it's the reason why we haven't seen Jamie in years so I don't know how willing he'd do it."
"It doesn't hurt to try to find him and ask him," Violet argued fiercely. "I mean, who knows. Maybe...Just maybe! It's worth a shot! Jamie may have his issues, but he'd be there for his family! I know it's been awhile, but remember all the times he helped us hide or protected us. I know he's been flaky since Momma died...But he's not an evil man."
"I agree. I think we should try it," Maysun spoke up, who's normally quiet. Jackson came to her side and wrapped his arms around her protectively. "You see, there's something I haven't been completely honest about…"
"Oh god. Please don't tell me you're going to try to summon Serena back or some crazy shit like that," Jen said, causing her sister to eye her menacingly.
"No. It's not that," Maysun snapped, shaking her head. She turned to look back at Jackson before talking to the rest of us hesitantly, "I…Serena and Lorenzo…They had children."
"What?" My dad questioned. "You gotta be kidding."
"They had a life together, ya know. That includes two daughters," May said softly.
"And what does this have to do with anything?" Jacob asked.
"Did you know anything about this?" Aidan asked Jen.
We all looked towards Jen who blanched. She nodded and ran a hand through her hair, "Yes. I do know about this."
"Jen, Nahuel, and I…We promised Serena we'd never say anything about them," Maysun explained.
"I wanted to tell you all," Jen said. She then looked towards Aidan specifically, "I had to do my sister this one justice. Those girls never did anything wrong. Iris and Josephine are innocent…"
"It's okay, Jen," Aidan said, wrapping an arm around his girlfriend's shoulder.
"And this isn't a joke?" I asked.
"No," May said. She swallowed hard, "I haven't heard from either girls for awhile, but…I recently got news from Serena's youngest daughter, Jo. She told me that Iris had been gone for some time, but she's been getting dreams…"
"Dreams?" Renesmee asked, her eyes widening.
"Iris had the ability to manipulate dreams. The reason you saw Lizzy, what I now believe, is because of Iris. She's in Volterra. It has to be her. I wasn't sure, but now I am," May said.
"Jo's coming up here with her mate," Jackson added. "Probably sometime tomorrow."
"They'll be a great help if we're going to try to reach anyone on the inside," Garrett mentioned.
"I agree," Jasper added. "It's our way into the castle. This could allow our next move, Carlisle."
Our grandfather paused for a moment. He then looked at all of us and then grandma. "I think it's the right idea, Carlisle," Grandma said softly.
"Alright," Grandpa agreed. "It's time we really started planning. We have the resources and the people…If we can get anything from Jo, I think we'll be ready to get in."
"Are you sure about that?" Masen asked, rubbing his arms. I raised my eyebrows at my best friend. He shrugged, "I mean, Lizzy and I…We have a connection and I still haven't been able to reach her and…And I was there. I was so close, and I felt her near…If that doesn't work, then what else will?"
"We gotta keep trying," Renesmee said, clinging onto hope like always. "If there's a will, there's a way!"
"I agree," Grace chirped. "I think it's time we start planning a big attempt. It's been two years even though nothing has seemed to work, I think we've been too careful. We're scared of starting this war, but let's face it, if we don't then we're just letting the Volturi win. It's time to take action. A war's going to happen no matter what and it's time to finally have a battle. The Volturi won't even know what hit them."
"It's gotta be now," Ethan said. "No more waiting like Grace said because who the hell knows who they'll take or kill next."
"I'm not going to be battling in some war!" Amun, leader of the Egyptian coven yelled. "Not again, Carlisle!"
"Uncle!" Benjamin cried out, narrowing his eyes. "We are going to fight, whether you like it or not. This could be a chance for me to free myself from hiding, without worrying that the Volturi will try to come and break our coven up."
"They've already destroyed so many covens and lives already," Zach spoke grimly. "My brother and his wife are dead, the Riders are dead, the Leonardo's, Irina Denali, who's next? Do we really want to idly wait for our own demise?"
Ava nodded in agreement and held on tightly to her husband's hand. I saw Elaine looking towards her children, "No more pain. This is the last time the Volturi hurt everyone."
"So…Great, we're on the same page," Jackson exclaimed. "Now, we gotta figure this out."
"Until then, how about we dispatch for the night," I suggested, grabbing onto Ethan's hand. "It's been a long day."
"Everyone who needs rest, rest up. We got a long way coming towards us," Carlisle said.
"We'll catch up more tomorrow," Masen told me and Ethan. He looked towards Grace who was now holding Tyler, who was fast asleep in his mother's arms.
"Are you sure you're okay?" I asked him softly. "That trip to Italy really got to you…Didn't it?"
Masen bit his lip, "In some ways, yes…I just can't wait any longer, Lil. She's my sister."
"I know," I said, placing my hand on his shoulder. I then kissed his cheek before patting him on the back, "Now go to your fiancé and son. I hope you two figure things out soon because I'd like to call her your wife very soon."
"I hope so too," Masen replied, smiling lightly before walking over to bring his family home.
Ethan and I then headed up the stairs of the old Forks home. I went straight for my old room. Over the last two years, Grandma Esme has renovated this place. All the original couples have their own spaces, but the rest of us who don't live here all year round get their own spaces. Aidan and Jen were in one room, Ethan and I in my old one, and Renesmee and Jacob in Uncle Edward and Aunt Bella's old room. My aunt and uncle spend most of their time at the cottage now which isn't too far from Masen and Grace's place.
My room here simple, sweet, elegant. A cheery yellow on the walls, a blue and yellow floral bed spread, white whicker furniture, and various trinkets from over the years. I kept anything special to me that I didn't want traveling with me in Forks. Things like my childhood toys, photographs, and stuff like that. On my dresser was a jewelry box filled with things from Gwen and Matt.
Last year Jackson and Zach found some old stuff that belonged to my biological parents. Aidan and I split the stuff they gave us. One of the things I wear all the time is a silver heart necklace with their initials. Jackson said Matt gave it to Gwen when they found out they were expecting. Aidan has an old medallion hanging around his neck that was Matt's. That way, we have a piece of our parents wherever we go.
I sighed and looked at the pictures hanging on my wall. White framed pictures of me with my brother, cousins, aunts, and uncles. One of Masen and I linking arms around each other to Renesmee, Lizzy, and I playing tea party as little girls. My heart ached to go back to those days sometimes. When things were simpler and we didn't know the answers to anything…
My favorite picture, next to the one of me with my parents and Aidan during a vacation to Isle Esme, was this framed picture of Gwen and Matt dancing in front of a fountain somewhere in New York City. Zach and Ava had it amongst their old photographs. The moment I saw it, I needed it in my room…So I had something to look at while they were gone. Right besides that was a picture of Ethan's parents, Nora and Dylan, on their wedding day.
"You thinking about them?" Ethan asked me, noticing how I was starring at the picture.
"Yeah," I answered. "Especially since I haven't been able to contact them with my power…"
Since I haven't heard from my parents, I've still kept trying to find them. Hell, I even tried Ethan's parents and Grace's father and still got nothing, so I don't know how reliable this power of mine is. Doesn't want to help me find the people I want.
"Did it ever occur to you that maybe they've moved on?" Ethan questioned.
I shrugged, "I don't know much about the afterlife, but it's possible…I just…I want to see them one more time….I hope to."
Ethan nodded, not pressing me for anymore questioning. Instead, he wrapped his arms tightly around me and the two of us laid on the bed. His blue eyes watching me closely. "I love you, mo ghràidh," He said, softly.
"I know," I replied, giggling a bit. I rubbed his chin with my fingers. "I love you too."
The two of us then fell asleep. I don't have any idea about what any of what we talked about today meant…But little did I know very soon, everything was about to make a lot more sense.
*Dru's POV*
"Iris, babe, are you sure this'll be safe?" I asked my girlfriend, running a hand through her hair.
My beautiful blonde beauty shrugged. She looked at me with her gray eyes with uncertainty but hope, "It's the only chance we got. If we can communicate with them, that means there's a slight chance of getting out of here."
"I know," I said, sighing. My stomach suddenly felt like lead thinking of Cordelia. My beautiful little sister. It's been two years. Two years since I last saw my niece. Two years since I talked to my sister or Robert.
"Why are you so uncertain about this?" Iris asked me quietly.
"I mean the last time we did this, we couldn't even do it for that long!" I pointed out. "You and Lizzy could've died."
"We didn't," Iris said, raising her eyebrows. "It won't kill us. We'll be fine. I've done this before…"
"Like once or twice," I pointed out, running a hand through my hair.
"Love, listen to me," Iris said softly, placing her hands on my shoulders. She smiled softly and placed a loose strand of hair behind my hair. "Everything will be fine and I know it's not my safety you're scared about. Please, talk to me."
I sighed. The tears were welling in my eyes as I tried to form my words, "I just…What if it doesn't work? What if we end back in here and we stay here for the rest of forever?"
"That's not going to happen," Iris told me gently.
"He always finds a way to bring me back to this hell hole," I cried, wiping the tears from my eyes. Iris watched me while I sobbed like some helpless animal. "We got out of here once before but by the skin of our teeth. Now somehow I found myself waltzing into this place reliving every single thing I tried so desperately to get away from. That's all my father has ever done…Torture me and torture me…Iris…"
"Shhh," My girlfriend hushed me. She brought me into her arms and I buried my face into her shoulder, "That won't happen…I won't let it happen. I love you way too much, Dru. Once we're out of here, we're out of here for good. No one's going to ruin what we have. We're going to leave this castle and live our lives. We'll be with our families and no one can ever ruin that. Understood?"
"Alright," I agreed, breathing heavily. Iris smiled and pressed a kiss to my forehead.
"Now, turn that frown upside down. It pains me to see you unhappy," Iris said, running her hands through my hair.
"Okay," I replied with a watery laugh. The odd thing was…In midst of all this hell I was able to find the one person that completed me. I never thought I'd actually find a soulmate, but I did and she's one of the best things that had ever happen to me.
I then pressed my lips to Iris' lips and the two of us found ourselves on one of the chairs. Iris curled in my lap as our lips molded with one another.
"Hey!" The two of us turned to see Lucas in the doorway. The moment he caught wind of what was happening, he froze. "Ah…I'll just-"
"Here, you two talk. Maybe you'll knock some sense into her, Rider," Iris proclaimed, getting up from my lap. She then smiled at me, "I'll see you later, love."
"See ya," I said, kissing her lips once more before she scurried out of the room. Lucas then looked at me with raised eyebrows, "You two are very serious."
"She's my mate," I stated simply, smiling dreamily.
"I'm happy for you," Lucas told me sincerely. "You deserve someone to treat you right, Dru."
"Thanks, Lu," I said, causing him to chuckle at his hated nickname. "Speaking of which, what's with you and my little sister? The two of you have gotten very chummy lately."
"Chummy?" Lucas sputtered the word out. His cheeks tinted slightly pink as he shook his head seriously. "Me and sparky? Not in a million years. She's been nagging me since she was a stupid kid-"
"To be fair, the two of you have only known each other really since she was fourteen," I mentioned slyly.
"No. Not Abby. I'm her protector, nothing more and nothing less," Lucas stated firmly. "Me and Sparks, no. Nada."
"I see the way you look at her," I mentioned. "You can't deny that."
"How I look at her? I look at her like she's Abby," He scoffed, shaking her head. "She's a good friend…"
"Yeah. You look at her like she's some sort of goddess. The way anyone looks at the person they know they want to spend the rest of their life with," I chimed, smirking at him. "I look at Iris the same way, my beautiful princess."
"Now you're getting serious. This is just love sick Dru talking," Lucas said, shaking his head.
"Well you have my blessing," I teased with a wink.
Lucas rolled his eyes, "How about we talk about other things, like how we should be getting ready with this plan of ours."
"Oh. Right, that," I said dryly.
"Is this what Iris meant by talk some sense into you?" Lucas asked with raised eyebrows. "You're scared to do this, aren't you?"
"I'm not scared," I muttered, crossing my arms over my chest. "Just worried. I don't want my father finding out or I don't know…I'm worried about this whole thing Lucas. I just want only the best for me and Iris. For all of us."
"I want that too, Dru," Lucas said, patting my arm gently. "I want that too…"
The two of us sat in silence for a few moments before talking about our plan. I wasn't sure about this all or how this was going to go…But it had to work. It just had to.
A/N: Things are getting interesting! Hope you all enjoyed- keep on the look out for the next update and please review :)
