Still Edward's POV:
It's past two in the morning when we finished the job at the docks.
Not one word was uttered on the way over there, or on the way back. As soon as we walked in through the front door. My father was already waiting for us, and pulled me into his office, where Nonno was waiting for me.
Emmett, Jasper along with my other two older brothers closely followed us in, and now stand encased in the room along with me.
I could almost feel their anger, palpable as they both walked, no, paced is a more accurate description, as my father and Nonno paced back and forth.
No one utters a word. At least not in English. Until now.
"What the hell were you thinking? Do you realize what you have done?!" My father asked, his tone of voice severe.
"Forse le sue intenzioni non erano maligne." Nonno said, turning to look at me. (Perhaps his intentions weren't malignant.)
"Non difenferlo, vecchio." My father growled. (Do not defend him, old man.)
"Vecchio?! Potrei essere vecchio ma posso ancora stenderti sul culo, quindi osserva il tuo tono, Eduardo." Nonno replied calmly. (Old man?! I may be old but I can still lay you on your ass, so watch your tone, Eduardo.)
Before that moment I had never seen my father flinch.
"Now, I need you three to leave." Nonno ordered, pointing at Emmett, Jasper and Aro.
"But…" Aro began.
"Now." He ordered, causing them to stiffen before all three nodded and walked out without another word.
The moment the door closed, my Nonno turned his stare to me. It was unsettling despite him only wearing his pajamas and bathrobe, looking like an older, and much richer version of Hugh Hefner.
"Nonno, what's wrong?" I questioned timidly.
"Junior, my dear boy, how much do you know about making the Oath?" He asked in broken English.
"An Oath is a vow two people take. Like a promise between friends." I stumble through the half ass explanation.
He lets out a surprised laugh, shaking his head in disbelief. "You're telling me, Eduardo, you haven't told Junior, here, how much weight is held under making an Oath?" He asks my father, who stands there silently.
Weight of it? What has I done?
"Was I wrong?" I asked, hesitantly, feeling as if something sharp dropped in my stomach.
"I'm afraid so, bambino. You've made a tremendo sbaglio, my boy. When an oath is taken. It is not just a promise in this family. The Oath is taken between a man and a woman." He explained. (Terrible mistake/child)
"So, what's the problem? Isa is a woman and I am a man." I wondered, confused.
"A married man and woman, ragazzo. See, your great great Nonno, many years ago along with the rest of the famiglia, decided that marriage wasn't binding enough. In order for a man to be able to trust and marry a woman, they both had to agree to take an Oath. More specifically, a few weeks before the marriage itself. " He claried. (Boy/Family)
'Oh no. What have I done?' I think, feeling my eyes widen in realization.
"You, my dear boy, have just solidified the agreement Charles Swantorini and Eduardo Cullizio made…five years ago." He stated, staring at me unblinkingly.
Five year— What in h—
"FIVE YEARS AGO?! What do you mean by five years ago? Why the fucking did you not tell me?!" I stared at my father pissed.
"Son, there is no easy way to say this. Since little Isabetta was brought home from the hospital, it was obvious that you two were different. That you two had a strong connection. Lord, knows how many phone calls we got because that little girl NEEDED you. There were times we did the same because you needed her too. When you got hurt, she knew as you knew when she was hurt. There was no doubt that your lives have been intertwined since the beginning." My father stated, solemnly.
"Before they moved, Charles and I made an agreement that you and Isabetta would marry after she graduated from school. I wanted high school, but Charles wanted college. That oath you made son, made it so it will happen. Now, it is as if you two are married. While it is not legal in the eyes of the state, you are married in the eyes of this family. You are not allowed any other companions nor she any male companions." He whispered, looking down at the floor.
"See son, this happened with your Mother and I. Your Nonno and Nonna. As far back as we know. We Cullizios only have one match and once we meet them, that's it. That woman is our life. Our world revolves around them." He explained, as I stood up and began to pace.
"Isabetta is your match, she has been since she was born. No other woman will be as good a match for you as she is to you. She... is your other half. The fact that you made the Oath on your own, means to me that you know this on some level. Not consciously but subconsciously. Why did you decide to make that Oath yesterday?" He asked me, curiously.
I turned to stare at both men, frowning.
"We were about to leave for the docks. I forgot my ledger in the sun room…when I went to retrieve it, there she was sitting anxiously in the bay window." I murmured thinking back to yesterday afternoon.
"Dio Mio." My Nonno muttered in disbelief. "Boy, I've already warned you not to carry that around." Nonno chastised. (My god)
"Forgive my thoughtlessness, Nonno." I mutter, feeling chastised.
"Why did you suggest making the Giuramento di Amore Eterno?" My father asked. (Oath of Eternal Love)
"When I tried to leave, she begged me not to go. I couldn't leave her in that state. It hurt to even try. So I suggested we do the Oath as a way to calm her down, and promised to always keep her safe." I admitted.
"Son, today you have managed to gain my respect, I'm proud of you." My father said, patting my arm before he left the room.
That was the night my Nonno decided the Oath to be valid even though a high ranking member nor witness was there to validate said oath. Only the fact it was made between Isabetta and I validated it.
The weight of it all weighed heavily on me for a long time.