Chapter 24: Let's Take Things Slowly

(Jane's POV)

I ran at full speed towards the dungeon entrance. Today Alec gets out and I'm not wasting time. The sooner he gets together with Raven, the quicker I get to plan a wedding. When I arrived at the entrance Alec was leaving with Demetri right behind him.

"Hello Jane," Alec said smiling at me and holding out his arms expecting a hug. Instead, I grabbed his arm and pulled him towards his room.

"Don't I get a hug?" he asked a little confused by my behavior, "come on Jane, where's the fire?"

When we reached his room I pushed him inside and ran to his closet, "none of that right now," I said placing new cloths out on his bed. I pushed him into his bathroom and continued, "clean up and get dressed. I'll go get you some blood."

"What's the rush?" he asked as I walked out of the bathroom.

"You have a date with Raven in an hour." I stated.

"But-" he started to say, but I closed the bathroom door in his face.

"You better be cleaned and ready to go when I get back or I'll clean you up myself." I said before leaving his room.

(Alec's POV)

I stared at my closed bathroom door in panic. I wasn't ready to face Raven. I stepped into the shower and cleaned up not wanting to piss off Jane. What am I going to say to Raven? When Jane came back I was only dressed in my black pants.

"Hurry up brother," she said picking up my red long sleeve shirt and throwing it at me. I decided to put it on slowly just to annoy her. It worked.

"Quit being a turtle Alec," she snapped coming up to me and buttoning up my shirt. Then she put on my jacket for me clearly annoyed.

"Here," she said handing me the glass of blood, "don't spill any on you."

I started off drinking the blood slowly enjoying the taste, but when Jane gave me the death glare I gulped it down in less than ten seconds. When I finished Jane pushed me out of my room and towards the clock tower at the castle.

"Pray tell sister," I said as we walked quickly down the hall, "what am I doing with Raven tonight?"

"She's already waiting for you in the castles clock tower on the balcony." A few years ago Aro had that tower built and the balcony was right under the large clock. It overlooked Volterra and was an amazing view of the city.

"Tonight there is a firework show in the city," Jane said pushing me into the clock tower, "if you mess this up Alec I'll throw you into a volcano." She said then walked off.

The dungeon is sounding really inviting to me right now.

Taking a deep breath I walked up the stairs to the balcony. Before I entered I noticed a box sitting on a nearby table. I went to pick it up and read the note.

Tomorrow is Raven's birthday, but you're celebrating it tonight. Alice called and told me Nessie helped you pick this out. I approve of it too.

Jane.

I opened the jewelry box and saw the necklace Nessie made me buy. I put the box in my coat pocket and walked out to the balcony. When I saw Raven I stopped breathing. She was wearing a dress, but it was a modern dress not a renaissance dress. I also noticed that Jane probably styled her hair. Raven was standing at the railing looking out over the city.

(Dress)

(Hair)

"Beautiful isn't it?" I asked softly walking up next to her.

"Yes it is," she said turning and smiling at me, "free at last huh?"

"Yup," I smiled, "and just in time for your birthday."

Raven giggled, "the firework show doesn't start for another hour." She said, "what do we do until then?"

I sighed and looked at her. 'It's better to talk about this now.' I thought.

I took Raven's hand and pulled her to sit on the couch behind us. When we were seated I took a deep breath and started.

"I want to talk about us." I said.

"I'm listening." She replied softly.

"Did Marcus ever tell you about our relationship?" I asked.

She nodded, "he told me last week that we're-"

"Soul mates." I finished for her.

Raven smiled.

After a moment of silence I decided to get this over with.

"Raven I love you and it's not because we're soul mates." I said not breaking eye contact with her, "I love you because you're the first person to break down all my walls. You've been very patient with me and my attitude and you helped me learn how to trust again." I paused looking down at my hands. "I'm not the good guy Raven. I can't ever forgive humans for what they did to Jane and me." I looked back up at Raven, "part of me will always be the witch twin our world knows about. I'm not the kind human anymore, but I'm still capable of feeling and being kind when I want to be." I paused looking back down while Raven sat in silence.

"Raven," I whispered after a moment, "Could you still love me knowing this? Can you love the kind Alec as well as the witch twin?" I asked, "there are vampires out there that deserve you more than I do."

It was quiet for a very long time and I refused to look up at her. I truly believed that she would leave me. To my great relief though she cupped my cheek in her free hand and made me look up.

"I didn't fall in love with the human Alec." She said, "to me your not the witch twin, you're my first friend. I wanted to meet you Alec because I saw that you would be special to me. I never expected to fall in love with you, but I'm glad I did."

A small smile touched my lips, "so you do love me?"

"Yes I do." She said. When I leaned in to kiss her she placed her fingers on my lips stopping me. "Alec, you and I are both broken vampires that still need to heal." She continued, "I don't want to rush into anything when we both still need to heal."

I pulled back and thought for a moment, "then let's take things slowly," I said, "we can help each other heal as we go."

Raven nodded and I cupped her cheek in my hand continuing, "Raven Volturi will you become the girlfriend of a broken vampire?"

She smiled, "only if that vampire is ok with having a broken girlfriend."

I smiled and leaned in to her again, "I believe he would love her no matter what." Then I pressed my lips to hers.

For the rest of the hour we cuddled on the couch while Raven told me about her shopping trip. Raven also told me about the upcoming ball that Aro was throwing on Christmas Eve.

Right on time the fireworks started and Raven ran to the railing to watch them. I stood up and walked behind her. I pulled her against my chest with one arm around her waist; I held out the jewelry box with my free hand.

"Happy birthday." I murmured as she took the box and opened it.

"Alec this is beautiful." She said holding out the necklace, "Thank you."

(Necklace)

"Thank Nessie," I said putting the necklace on her, "she made me buy it." Raven laughed giving me a kiss before returning to watching the show. I wrapped my arms around her waist holding her close to my chest. Raven placed her arms above mine holding my hands. We watched the fireworks in a peaceful silence. Eventually I rested my head against hers closing my eyes. I didn't care about the fireworks all I cared about was that Raven was mine.

(John's POV)

From the ground I watched Alec holding Raven. I wished that would be me, but Raven and Alec were in love and I couldn't do anything about it. I sighed deeply feeling alone.

"Penny for your thoughts." Marcus said coming up to me.

"I'm just upset that I'm not the one for Raven." I admitted. Marcus placed his hand on my shoulder.

"Would you feel better if I told you there was someone out there for you?"

"Who?" I asked feeling disappointed.

Marcus smiled, "go to Alaska, you'll see."

"I can't just leave my duties." I replied

"I'm giving you my permission to leave," he looked up at Alec and Raven, "besides I believe Raven has a new protector." Marcus left then in the direction his wife would be.

I looked back up at Alec and Raven hoping I could find love like that someday then left to Alaska.