Chapter 22: Girl's Day Out

(Jane's POV)

It's only been two weeks since Alec went to the dungeon, but it feels like it's been an eternity. The second worst thing is that Santiago is gone for four weeks on a mission to Finland. He was with Demetri and Felix trying to see if they could find this Fane person who kidnapped Raven. I sighed for the hundredth time this week.

"Is everything alright Jane?" Raven asked turning towards me. We were sitting in the lounge in Aro's wing with Heidi, Renata, and Chelsea.

"I just miss Alec." I admitted

"Oh come on Jane," Heidi said looking at us, "how about we do something fun instead of moping around."

"We could have a shopping trip in Venice," Chelsea suggested, "we can drive there tonight and shop tomorrow."

"Sounds like fun," Raven said smiling, "but where will we stay?"

"We own a house there," Heidi said, "but for our shopping trip you'll have to wear something more modern."

Raven sighed, "I guess I can do that."

"Sounds like a plan." Chelsea said jumping up, "I'll go tell the ancients while you all pack. We will leave in three hours."

Heidi turned to Renata who has been staring into space for the past two hours, "Renata are you going to join us?

"What?" Renata asked confused looking around.

"Are you going shopping with us in Venice?" Heidi asked slowly as if talking to a child.

"Oh...ya sure." She said getting up and leaving to pack. The rest of us exchanged a confused look. Renata ran back into the room.

"Hay can my friend Chloe come too?"

Raven smiled, "of course." I internally rolled my eyes, great a lower guard member.

Raven sat on my room couch while I packed for us. The cloths that Heidi bought her all those months ago remained in my room. Raven seemed to be deep in thought so I didn't bother her. When I was in the middle of packing our bag, Raven spoke up.

"Alec kissed me." She admitted. I stopped zipping the bag and stared at her shocked.

"What," I asked when I composed myself, "When?"

"Right before he went to the dungeons."

"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked zipping up the bag then went to sit by her.

"I don't know. I've just been trying to figure out what it means."

I sighed, "it means give him a chance."

Raven smiled, "you're saying that because he's your brother."

I shook my head, "no I'm saying that because you're my friend and I want both of you to be happy."

Raven was like a kid at Disney World when we drove through Venice to the Volturi house there.

"This place is so amazing!" she said looking out her window in excitement.

Chelsea chuckled from behind the wheel, "if you think this is cool you should see Paris."

"Alec promised to take me sometime." Raven smiled turning towards Chelsea.

Heidi clapped her hands in excitement, "what a romantic vacation!"

Raven turned to look at Heidi who was sitting behind her, "what?"

"Paris," Chelsea said, "it's one of the most romantic destinations."

"Aw," Heidi said, "you two would make such an amazing couple." Renata and her friend Chloe agreed.

If Raven were human she would be blushing tomato red.

When we reached the house we unpacked and sat in the living room.

"So what do you girls want to do until morning?" Heidi asked.

"We can play a game." Renata suggested.

"Lets play the truth game!" Chelsea said excitedly.

"What's that?" Raven asked.

"Someone asks you a question and you have to tell the truth," I explained, "apparently it's a popular girl slumber party game."

"Well it sounds like a great way to get to know each other." Raven smiled, "who goes first?"

"How about the new girl," I said looking at Chloe who was trying to be invisible.

"Me?" she asked stunned, "ok then what do you want to know?"

Heidi asked first, "how old were you when you were turned?"

"Sixteen." She answered then hesitated, "but I was living with my creator, Anthea, since I was thirteen."

"Ok," Chelsea said, "now you ask someone something."

"umm," Chloe looked around then focused on me, "who was born first Jane? You or Alec?" I sighed, that was a very popular question that we got all the time. It was starting to get very annoying.

"Alec." I stated then looked at Raven, "So Raven what do you think of my brother?" I smirked at her when she looked stunned.

All eyes were on Raven and she looked like she was ready to disappear, "I like him."

"Like, like him?" Heidi asked.

"Hay that's two questions." Raven complained.

"Fine." Heidi muttered, "ask away."

"Chelsea," she started, "how long have you been with Afton."

Chelsea smiled brightly, "we will be celebrating our 500 year anniversary in a month. He's taking me to Paris!"

"Wonderful." Raven replied clearly trying to make us forget about my question. Good thing Chelsea wasn't letting it go so easily.

"So Raven," Chelsea said with an evil smile, "how much do you like Alec." I looked at Raven waiting for the answer.

"I'm not sure yet," she sighed defeated, "and the reason why is because I can't see anything in our future right now, so I don't know what to think." She quickly turned to Renata to get attention away from her, "so Renata who are you crushing on?"

Renata looked shocked ndt was taken by surprise, "W-What?" she stuttered.

"Don't give me that," Raven smirked. I couldn't help but notice how much she looked like Caius when she did that, "you've been off in dream world all day, so who is it?"

Everyone looked at Renata waiting.

Renata finally whispered: "Stefan."

"Really?" Chelsea asked surprised, "but he's so old."

"Hay!" Raven said looking at Chelsea with a fake look of hurt, "what does that make me?!"

"A beautiful princess who doesn't look a day over a hundred." Chelsea replied with an innocent smile.

"Oh you're good." Raven said smiling back.

"I know he's old, but Stefan is so kind and smart and..." Renata continued but was cut off by Heidi.

"Hay I think you're drooling a little honey." We all laughed and Renata looked ready to disappear.

"Ok then!" Renata said looking at Chloe, "Chloe why don't you tell everyone who you have a crush on." Our laughter faded as we looked at the lower guard member.

"No body." She said shyly.

"Lies!" Renata said pointing at her friend, "if you won't tell them I will."

"Ok fine," Chloe said holding out her hands in surrender, "I may have a crush on Demetri."

"Ha!" Heidi shouted, "good luck girl. Demetri may be smart, but when it comes to women he's a total idiot."

"Tell me about it" She mumbled and we all laughed. While Demetri is good at flirting and getting girls, he's horrible at telling when girls like him. He's actually just as bad as my brother.

For the rest of the night we played games and watched movies. I have to admit that I did have fun.

The next morning we left for Venice's indoor mall. Raven still wore a dress, but at least it wasn't a renaissance dress. (Raven's Dress)

The whole day we were laughing and joking around with Renata and Chloe about their crushes. Despite how much the lower guard members annoyed me, I enjoyed Chloe's company. I could tell the others did too.

"Hay," Heidi said when we passed a shop just for formal dresses, "while we're here we should shop for the upcoming ball Aro is throwing." Yup, Aro was throwing another ball. However, thanks to Raven, this ball was for all the covens and nomads that helped us look for her. She also wanted it to be on Christmas Eve. Again, Raven reminded me of a kid when she convinced Aro to make it that day.

After trying on tons of dresses, we all decided on our dresses and paid for them ready to leave for Volterra. On the way out of the store we passed by the wedding section and Raven stopped with a distant look on her face. It was the same look Alice would get when she had her visions. We would've invited Alice and Nessie, but the Cullens went home last week.

"Is Raven ok?" Chloe asked sounding worried.

I nodded, "we will meet you at the car." I said. After a moment of deliberation the others nodded and left taking mine and Raven's bags with them.

"Raven," I said tapping her shoulder and she looked at me with pure happiness, "what is it?"
"I had a vision." She said, "It was short, but it helped me figure out how I fell about Alec."

"What was the vision?" I asked excited yet nervous. Raven took my hand and in the next moment I was standing by the pond in the private garden.

Alec and Raven were sitting there smiling happily at one another. When I looked closer at the scene, what I saw made me the happiest person on earth.

Both Raven and Alec were wearing rings on their left hands.

Raven and my brother were going to get married! I don't know when, but I knew they were.