Chapter fifteen: Confession time.

I was stunned. The well detailed, perfectly sketched, lifelike drawing of this stunningly beautiful woman was.. Alec's mother? I figured Alec's mother might have been stunning, since he was too flawless. The vampires must have enhanced his beauty. But never would I have imagined her to be... this beautiful. Her beauty was enough to cause a immense heartache. Her look of compassion within her eyes was troubling. How.. caring she looked. It hurt me to even think this but, I didn't know if Alec was exaggerating, since... Vampire's didn't remember their human lives all the much. Though, this drawing was clear and defining. Maybe they chose to forget. Whereas Alec... He didn't?

"She was very beautiful," That was all I could come up with. I didn't know how to put into words how amazed I was at this simple drawing. Alec was looking at it, seemingly lost within his own thoughts.

"Yes, she was."

I couldn't hold back any longer. I might as well take advantage while I could. Alec had been so strict as to keeping his past to himself, whereas now he was opening up. "What about your father?"

His features turned hard, as if repulsed. "He never deserved my mother," His tone was flat and hard. "He didn't deserve my sisters undying love."

Jane... Loved? My heart instantly went out to her, much to my own surprise. Why would I feel sorry for her? After all, Jane was the reason most vampires were fearful of the Volturi. Never judge a book by it's cover. I had to keep that in mind from now on.

Alec cleared his throat, setting the paper down yet again upon the oak table. "I know I've been... Hard on you about admitting my past, Renesmee. But it isn't something I like to share with others, you understand that... Right?"

I nodded full heartedly. Alec then nodded himself. "I do not want pity, nor want you feeling anything about what has happened. Do I have your word?" I stared at him blankly. Mainly because of what he was saying. Was this him basically agreeing to tell me? Tell me everything about him? My heart was beating double! "What's done is done, understand?"

I nodded again. Alec let out a soft sigh, settling back into the seat slightly more. "Alright. But this is strictly between us. Due to your friends having a minor setback and your persistent attitude for my origin, I shall tell you."

Okay, so what I got out of that was because I had fallen out with my friends and my nagging at Alec at wanting to know more of him, he was finally letting me know. For the strangest of moments, I was somewhat glad I had an argument with my friends.

"What you must understand is... Back in my human years, twins were unnatural. It was strange and... different. That was what caused a stir at first within my village. My mother, having given birth to twins, was looked at weirdly for a while. But due to her kind nature she was slowly accepted into society once more," He took a short breath. "My father was... named Victor. He was a soldier, thus hearing that he had a son made him believe that I too would grow up to be like him. But... hearing he also had a daughter.. Made him rethink his ways. Instead of showering us with love that most fathers did, he ignored us for the first five years of our lives."

Alec gave me little glance. I nodded, for him to continue.

"My name was shortened by my sister. Aleczander was a bit of a mouthful for her to say when we were children, so Alec stuck. When we reached seven, Jane had made a friend at school. Her name was Grace Lovell."

I noticed the way he said her name. The way it came out more of a whisper than anything. The leaking desire and pain soaring behind his emotionless words.

"Because we were twins, Jane and I didn't have many friends. So, Grace was a blessing to my sister. She needed someone other than me. For when I tried to win my father's respect and joined the army," Again, I nodded. He closed his eyes, letting his eyelashes brush over the smooth skin. "I... admired Grace for putting everything she had heard behind her. The warnings she had gotten from other children, from her parents. She didn't care, she saw us as her friends. I didn't speak to her much though... She made me.. nervous. I kind of.. lingered in the background when I was forced to tag along. The admiration grew as the years passed on. At the age of fourteen, I believed I..." Alec trailed off, clenching his teeth. "I believed I loved her. But... She was Jane's best friend, I would be joining the army within two years and I would not see them both for a while. My mother would forever try and get me to... take things to her home, in hope that I might pluck up the courage to ask her to a walk around the village or something. My mother knew me better than I knew myself,"

Alec scoffed to himself, still looking as if he were lost deeply in thought. "We hadn't seen our father for a few months. I personally had hoped he was dead. He never brought us happiness. He called us... Witches. Devils. He would forever argue at night with my mother about us. She was always defending us. Morning after morning we would come downstairs to find her cheek bruised. She would just come up with something about falling or something. I honestly don't think she knew that we knew." Again, like before, Alec gritted his teeth. "We knew exactly what a monster our father was. I hated him. I hated every molecule of the vile human being. Jane however... She wanted nothing more than to have the father her friend had. Grace's father adored each of his children. He had four children, you see. The eldest son, Godric had died in battle, however. There was Grace, Annabeth and... Lillianna. They called her Lilla for short, but I managed to somehow secure myself a place in calling her Lilly. I was the only one allowed to call her that, god knows why."

"As much as I disliked my father, I would try and make him love us. Not for myself... but for Jane. But.. When we turned fifteen... I.. Did something. To a local boy who was teasing Jane about being a witch,"

I was confused. Why did he keep mentioning the word 'witch.' I figured it wasn't a time to ask questions. I'd have to wait until the end to ask.

"We got into a little fight.. And I don't know what happened. He went emotionless. Dead looking. Just for a few seconds, but I will never forget that look. He screamed and ran away from both Jane and I as quickly as he could. I was left with a bloody nose, since he wasn't a weak boy. He knew how to pack a punch. But we had been under... investigation, should I say? From the moment we turned seven. Twins were unnatural, like I said, and we lived in a time where anything strange was related to witchcraft. By the time I was eight I had seen fourteen women get burned alive. Jane would always hide into my side, but I'd just watch. Watch and see how people could just... kill another innocent person. Well, at the time.. I wasn't sure if they were witches or not. But it was close to our seventeenth birthday. Perhaps... Two months away. I had previously tried to join the army, but was declined because of who I was," He glanced to me, rolling his dark eyes. I nodded again, unsure of what else I could do. "Anyway... It was on a summer night," Alec seemed to zone out yet again. This was it, the climax of it all. I could tell. This would be the moment I understood Alec more than ever.

"They had been building the square for another burning, but I had no interest into who. We were in bed, mother was downstairs, and he" I figured he was speaking about his father, "had been out for the entire day. Our mothers screaming was what woke us, the door being kicked down and the men coming in. Chanting 'witches.' They grabbed hold of Jane; who by this point was shrinking for me. I... tried to get to her. I tried to fight of the two men but I wasn't strong enough. They dragged us through the house; mother was being held back by another man. I called to her, pleading to her. She was yelling back, begging for us to be let free. She wouldn't give up and I believed that as soon as my father found out, he'd put an end to it."

"We were brought out into a large crowd, chanting 'burn the witches.' At first, I was confused. I didn't know what was happening. All I knew was Jane was screaming for me and I wanted to get to her. But the moment we were brought forward through the crowd, I knew where we were going. We were the reason the stakes were being built."

I should have stopped him. I wanted too. I didn't want to hear anymore. The vivid pictures within my head was all I could see. The middle of the night, the torch flames, the chanting, the screaming of Jane, Alec and their mother.

"We were tied to the large wooden stakes. Rope bound us to them. I spat and hissed and fought with all my strength to be free. Our mother was in the crowd, being held back by Grace's father. Grace was crying. She too was screaming for us to be free. Her eyes were locked to mine and in that moment.. I knew that my love for her wasn't a one way street. She had unsaid feelings for me like I had for her,"

Alec took another deep breath. drawing in all the willpower to carry on he could get. I took his hand as reassurance. He continued.

"Then my father took the center stage. Proclaiming our ways of witchcraft. My mother was screaming at him that he was a monster and she would gut him like a fish," He gave a half smirk at this. "He asked us if we admitted our crimes. Jane was too busy screaming to give an answer, so it was left to me. I probably shouldn't have... But,"

His eyes opened, turning to mine again. That moment our eyes met, I saw the pain, the hate, the anger, the sadness all spilling from his slits. "I told him to burn in hell. It probably sealed our fate. The hay below us was set alight. My sister, my mother, Grace and her sister; sweet lilly's screaming intensified. Smoke filled our lungs, making the yelling all the more worse. I remember... Yelling for Jane. When she answered with my screaming my name back, I told her that I loved her. That we would meet again and everyone here... would perish for their deeds. Then, as the flames rose... our screaming was overpowered with everyone on the other side of the flames. I remember wondering why they were screaming. They had gotten what they wanted all along. Jane's shrieking had died completely. I thought she was dead... So, I gave up the fight also, letting my head fall loosely; and the flames to travel up my legs,"

I tightened my grip on Alec's hand.

"Then a voice whispered into my ear. Promising me eternal life. Eternal love and respect. That me and my sister would never again fall to the knees of mere humans. Then the real pain started. Three days of intense and unreal pain. When I awoke, Jane was asleep. Somehow, she saw peace in this pain. There was two women there, comforting us. I later found out their names to be Athenodora and Sulpicia. They told me that we were special and lucky. I had asked for my mother, but they let me know that she was dead. But her last request was to tell us that she loved us and she believed we would go on to do many great things."

My heart melted for this woman. This sweet, sweet woman who gave up her life so Alec and Jane would continue living. "They mothered us for a couple of months. Letting us come to grips with what we were and how to control our gifts. Then we met the rest of the Volturi. Then others joined, and more and more we grew to be who we are today."

Alec then finished, but clearing his throat and looking to me. I returned with a smile smile. "Was Grace the girl you kissed?"

I know, least of his worries, but I wanted to change the subject as to his death. I wanted to get off the subject all together. Now I knew, I don't think I would ever bring it up again.

Alec gave a cheeky smile while shaking his head. "No. I was far too shy to even speak to her, never the less kiss her. My first kiss... Was in fact with Lilla,"

"Her.. sister?" I frowned. Oh, this was getting all too confusing. So, to save myself from being mind screwed; I stood up and moved over towards the D.V.D rack. Crouching down to its level, one hand moved forward and took a simple D.V.D at random. It was all too strange, finally knowing what happened to Alec and his sister. The look in his eyes when he would look at me was something I recognized, something I was comfortable with because I understood it. I felt it all the time. Vulnerability. Alec was reliving the whole ordeal in telling me. He, by far now, was the bravest person I knew.

I turned off my brain, it was time to relax. I took a deep breath, drawing in the scent of home and closed in towards the D.V.D player by the T.V. I flicked the tray open and put the disk inside then pressed play.

"Indeed," was all Alec said. I quickly hurried from the room Alec was in and into my own old bedroom. There, I found the comfiest pair of PJ's I owned. A loose cookie monster top and a pair of old sweats I classed as PJ's. Once I was dressed and looking acceptable for a movie night; I ran back into the living room; jumping over the back of the sofa and onto it. Alec wasn't there.

When he did finally emerge; it was with a bowl of... Popcorn. Oh, he was good. He placed the filled to the brim bowl onto the table and sat back. There was no hesitancy in my next moves. Alec and I were way past the awkward touching thing. As soon as he sat down; I lay my head onto his lap. With one stroke of his hand across my forehead, and a friendly smile, Alec turned his attention to the T.V.

—xXx—

When the movie was fifteen minutes to the end, I had moved again. So I was sitting up and had my head resting on Alec's shoulder. The popcorn was half full, thanks to my urge to nipple throughout it all. I had even resulted into having the bowl resting on my stomach and popping them into my mouth when my head was on Alec's lap. I got a little too comfortable and was on the verge of sleep; thus why I had to reposition myself so I was leaning on his shoulder.

I probably shouldn't have interrupted the movie, but I did. Again, my act of curiosity got the better of me. "Is that what you meant by Jane not always being..." I didn't want to say my previous words.

Alec however, did. "A bitch? Yes," I had to hold back the chuckle. Of course, it would of been a little easier if Alec himself hadn't began chuckling.

I tried not to think about it. But I could feel the heat and hear the chanting of the village people inside my head, and it made my eyes want to water so bad even though it wasn't happening.

"Did it... hurt?" I whispered, unsure if I should have carried on the subject in the first place.

Alec furrowed his brow. He did this a lot, I noticed. In the background the T.V was still montoning out the movie. I had lost all interest, and I was sure Alec had also. The movie 'White Chicks' wasn't as funny as I used to believe it was.

"In some ways, it was excruciating. But I kept my mind on Jane rather than my pain,"

And you didn't feel anything else apart from the need to get to Jane, I thought. It was only a hunch; but maybe that was why Alec was so skilled with his gift. Because during his mere moment of death, he forgot to feel anything. Ugh, my head was hurting. I snuggled it into his shoulder more, inhaling deeply. "Alec?"

"Reny.."

I smirked, biting my bottom lip. "Do you think... That if I am dangerous... You could.." I didn't know exactly what I was asking, but I believed he did.

"I promise it will be painless," was what he whispered back. I felt a little better, knowing that if I were to die; it wouldn't hurt. It would be over within a second, and I would just be... gone. That was probably the best knowledge ever given.

We were silent again for a few minutes. Just watching, well I think, the movie. I was watching him. Watching each and every breath that escaped his lungs. Watching him blink every few seconds. How his eyes moved left to right at every new scene. How his lips curved every now and then at a pathetic joke cracked. This wasn't the most human I had ever seen Alec be, but it was close to it. It left me wondering if Alec had 'hung out' like this with his sister. I didn't want to ask a lot about Jane, considering her reputation in being the devil. But, again who was I to judge. The way Alec spoke of her was hardly anything to what I had heard. The way he spoke of his sister was of love and adoration. He truly did love his sister. I believed Alec would gladly give her the world if she were to want it. He would find a way, and if there wasn't a way to be found... He'd make one.

"Do you think in a thousand years time, if I'm allowed to live, we'll still be friends?" I said, leaning forward and getting another piece of popcorn. Alec pursed his lips.

"I'll have to think about that,"

He was playing, but I still pushed his shoulder. He just replied with a smile, and a nod. "Forever implies a thousand years, Reny."

"So, will you come visit me?"

"Every few years." He shrugged. My eyes lit up with the thought. Years to us was like days. They all blended into the one. For me, it was a little longer but it still went quick. Besides, if waiting was the price of staying friends with Alec then so be it. "Like every five?"

"Try... Fifty-five."

I frowned, darkly in his direction. Again, the look on his face showed playfulness. So, he was kidding... I hoped.

"So," Alec eventually said; changing the subject. "Your friends are angry that I have stolen you away?"

I shrugged, a mere gesture as to how I was feeling in that moment. I had gone the entire day not thinking about it and now... He was the one who brought it up. "Yup," I replied, popping the 'p.'

"Would they be even more angry if I refuse to give you back?" He said with a devious wicked glint in his eyes. I stared at him, holding back a gulp. He laughed.

The sweet sound of Alec's laugh never got old. I doubted it ever would. Coincidence, I found myself wanting to hear him laugh more than wanting to see him smile. Shock, huh? I loved Alec's smile, but his laugh... The ringing bells of complete and utter redemption didn't compare to his luscious sound. Nor would the best smelling flower ever compare to the scent he held in his grasp.

"You know," I said, rather bluntly and confidently. "We've almost kissed at least four times,"

"We have?" Alec replied, slightly taken back.

I nodded, placing another piece of popcorn into my mouth. I chewed it down until it was nothing but mush then swallowed it. "To my count, yeah."

Alec pursed his lips again, this time his eyes averted towards the ceiling. "A new record," was what he replied with. He changed the subject again, probably due to the awkwardness the previous one held.

"What time would you like for me to walk you home?"

Weird, but my answer to this wasn't what I planned. Duly noted, I had wanted to go home when I didn't feel the pain of acknowledging I was down to one, deadly, bizarre, crimson eyed friend. Which, was about now; if I was honest. The knowledge that Ivy no longer wished to speak to me still stung, but when wouldn't it? I'd have to learn to grin and bare it. Maybe this was the best way, after all, I was moving away soon. Her falling out with me when I was still living here was probably better than her falling out with me due to lack of contact when I moved.

"Actually," I mused, coming out toneless. "Do you think I can just... stay here?"

Alec's brow furrowed, but a little half smile snuck in at one corner. "The entire night?"

I nodded, shrugging. "If my dad comes looking for me, I'll just tell him to take a hike."

Alec laughed again, causing my lips to form into a peaceful smile. I think I should score brownie points for every time I made him laugh. "Very well, but be it on your head,"

Once again I snuggled my head into Alec's side, letting my eyes return to the remaining five minutes of the movie. So, there was my new plan. Spend the night here, watching movies, talking and getting to know more of Alec than anyone else. It was a dangerous, but great plan. The more I learnt of Alec, the more humble I came to defending him, being his friend and giving up everything else. Being Alec's friend was all that mattered to me now. Well, for the time being.

I figured it was time to admit something to Alec I had been thinking about for the last few days. "Alec?" I whispered, my voice giving away I was tired. It was heavy and not coming out more than a mere whisper. Alec heard it though, and he replied with putting his arm around me, securing me to this chest even more. I inhaled deeply, taking in the cinnamon again.

"Alec," I whispered again.

"Yes?"

"Is it wrong that I don't want you to leave?"

There was a moment of silence, while I battled to keep my eyelids open. When he eventually spoke, my eyes did close fully. "Why?"

"... I'd miss you too much,"

Letting it off my chest, in a sleepy matter, was calming and easy. Telling Alec things nowadays were easier than telling anyone else. He understood me better than I understood myself. I was grateful to have something as amazing as him in my life.

Alec leant his head down. I felt his nose on my head, pressing into my hair. Then, as I was drifting into an oblivion, I felt the gentle, compassionate kiss on the top of my head.

"Let's deal with that when we come to it. For now, sleep."

I inhaled, nodding slowly and hugging into him tighter. "Goodnight..."

"Goodnight, fair Juliet,"

A/N:

Alright then guys. So, managed to keep on time today even though I've just basically woken up.

Somewhere within the story I have wrote a chapter in Alec's POV. And somewhere also... is a Reneslec kiss.

The random name picked out was Lilla. So, well done. Hope you are happy with it & this isn't the only time you will be hearing of her.

So, little request time for me. IF you can get me to 190-195 reviews, I'll post an EXTRA chapter this week. So, not only will you be getting this one... but another also.

Thanks to everyone who's been reviewing this so far. They really keep my muse running high.

-C.H.