Again, thank you to those who have -favorited, followed, and reviewed. You all are my Ramen. Always wanting more lol.

Note: this one does include a song. I don't have rights to any song mentioned in the fic. For those who've been asking when the Volturi come in, the ending is just for you all, they do make a cameo in this chapter 😊 the reason for that being, behind the scenes (The Denali coven, namely (Eleazar) opened his mouth about Bella because he did not want his coven involved in the rule breaking the Cullens did. So, two very special Volturi guards were sent to investigate.

Merry Christmas to those who celebrate! And to those who don't, may you be safe and happy during the winter 😊

Chapter 6: Double Swanned

"How did we get roped into this again," Ava asked Bella as they hung up lights in the gym. It was three days later that the girls found themselves in the gym hanging lights for the Christmas dance. Ava had started Tuesday and got the gist of her classes. She'll have paperwork to complete over Winter Break, but other than that she found her classes not that bad.

"Well," Bella sighed irritably, "Jessica thought it would show some Christmas spirit. Being that us twins are the news of the town now, damn it all," she sighed again as she was just short enough not to reach where she needed to.

"Here, let me," Ava said as she took the light string that Bella handed her and reached up near the corner. Ava was three inches taller than Bella.

"How is it that you get the tall gene? I wonder which of us is older." Bella commented as she looked through the box they had, to make sure all the lights were gone.

"I don't care really. But dad said he was looking into everything. Whatever that means." Ava mumbled, getting down from the ladder and dusting her hands off.

"Well news aside or not, at least we're not getting stared at as much. Although," Ava stopped as Bella looked up. Bella looked to where Ava had been looking and rolled her eyes.

"I know, I know. Mike is getting a bit much. I mean he asked me out I don't know how many times, after I started here, but apparently seeing you has renewed his vigor. I swear one of these days I'm going to punch him," Bella said looking at the other boxes. "I think that's all the lights."

"Just let me be there sis. To assist of course," Ava said as Bella quirked her eyebrow.

"Oh wow, girls, this looks great. But I think we need another twenty feet or so. Ava since you have the afternoon off, can you run to the store to get two more boxes of lights, here's the money." Jessica said as she got her wallet out.

"Um, Jess?" Bella asked.

Jessica just looked between the girls. "What?"

"Really Jess, didn't you think that she might have plans and that's why she has half a day?" came Angela's voice from behind them.

Bella and Ava turned to smile at Angela.

"Um, well. Do you have plans Ava? I mean we're all busting our butts here and still have classes later." Jessica said rolling her eyes.

'This girl really does not have tact or manners,' Ava thought. "I'll do it. I'll drop them off before my meeting." Ava took the cash and walked away.

"Really, was I wrong to ask though? She has like half a day every day. She can't be busy everyday right?" Jessica asked as Bella and Angela looked at each other.

Honestly, when Ava started school Tuesday, there was more shock than anything. She had decided not to hide herself anymore. She was proud to be Bella's sister and Charlie's other daughter. Questions and stares be damned. Once most of the student body found out who she was, the drama died down. I mean no one wanted to get on Chief Swan's bad side. Although there were a few whispers as to 'how come she shows up now' or 'secret daughter, has to be a money issue' blah blah. Eventually they got on Ava's bad side and she all but told them to go to hell. When Ava got mad, people paid attention. She gave off a different air than Bella did. Although being around Ava more, Bella's confidence and independence started showing more and more. Basically, the Swan girls took no shit. Some of Bella's friends were glad to see her this way, others, like Jessica and Mike, were jealous although they would not come right out and say it.

"Are you sure about this?" Bella asked as she turned around in front of her mirror looking at herself. She's never felt so girly in her life.

Ava came to her and hugged her from behind. "You look beautiful Isa. But I will say, I'm not too down about this being a masked affair." She said as she put on hers.

"Well, you look beautiful as well Ava. I can't match your beauty." Isa said as she turned and put her mask on too.

"Oh hush, we're twins, my beauty is only matched by your own. Now, let's go give dad a heart attack." Ava chuckled as she led the way out of the room.

Bella didn't think the comment was funny, seeing as how she knew about Ava's illness. But she smiled, nevertheless. She hoped Ava would tell her soon. Ava didn't need nor deserve to shoulder that burden alone.

"Dad," Ava called down the stairs.

Charlie came from the kitchen and whistled. "My, my. My girls look stunning. It's a good thing I'm the Chief of Police," he said patting the area of his jacket where his gun was.

Both girls laughed. "Dad really. No need for theatrics, I'm sure everyone will behave themselves." Bella said coming from behind Ava.

"I hope they do. But girls, if anything happens. Don't hesitate to let me know. I know this town and I know the people, but sometimes not everything is as it seems, ok?" Charlie said giving each girl a kiss on their head.

Ava flinched, still not used to the love being shared in this home. Charlie and Bella knew not to take it personally. But deep down it still hurt Charlie to see this happen. After the holidays he planned on meeting Renee to discuss what happened.

"Okay, girls, let's get going." He said as he got his keys. The girls put their jackets on and all of them made their way out the door and to the car. Other than light snow, it wasn't too bad outside.

Once they arrived at the school, Ava said she had to go see the choir teacher. Bella and Charlie hugged her, and once Ava disappeared through the back doors of the gym, Bella and Charlie made their way to the entrance.

"Did she ever tell you why she needed to meet with the teacher?" Charlie asked as they made their way inside.

"No. She just said he wanted to see her about the concert. I know they must sing, so probably it has to do with that. I guess we'll find out. I never heard her practice. But I know she's been coming here after school. Once you helped get her that motorcycle she's been back and forth." Bella saw the look in her father's eyes. She giggled.

"Don't get me started on that. I knew she needed transportation for her upcoming job, and I know she didn't want to rely on either of us, but, damn it, if she wasn't emancipated I wouldn't have done it. Hell, I think I was just there to glower. She provided everything, even the down payment. But she loves the thing." Charlie wasn't lying when he told Bella he didn't want Ava to get the bike. But Ava's eyes lit up the moment she saw the stupid thing. Providing she already had the required license and the down payment ready, well, Ava was her own woman after all.

"Dad, I need to see Jessica, I'll look for you later." Bella whispered to him, he nodded. "Oh," she turned back around to face him with her finger pointed, "no daddying, have fun, chaperoning doesn't mean ruin all the fun, ok?"

Charlie chuckled and waved her off. Bella smiled at him and made her way to her friends.

Bella wasn't watching where she was going and bumped into what felt like a wall.

"Oopmh," Bella found her footing. "Sorry," she mumbled.

"Was my fault, I'm sorry," said a deep voice.

Bella finished checking her dress and she looked up. And up and up. "Um," she couldn't find her words. Whoever this was, was enormous. She felt a flicker of fear as she thought it was Emmett, but she realized that his voice was different, and the fear subsided as quickly as it came. She couldn't see his face because of the mask, but she could see his eyes. They were black. She had feeling creep inside her, but oddly it wasn't anything bad.

He went for her hand and took it and kissed the back of it, "Until next time amore mio," the gentleman said as he let go of her hand and walked away.

She followed him and lost him in the crowd. She shook her head headed over to her friends.

"Bella! Who the hell was that?" Jessica asked.

"I actually don't know," Bella mumbled, the area where he kissed, felt hot.

"Okay," Bella said taking off her jacket and leaving it under the serving table, "what do you need me to do."

She did not register the black and red eyes watching her the whole time.

"Okay, everyone, may I have your attention please," said the choir teacher from the stage that was set up.

"Okay guys, I have to go, watch the table yeah," Jessica said as she made her way to the back of the stage.

"Always something," Mike sighed as he got closer to Bella.

"Personal space Mike," Bella said as she adjusted the snacks on the table.

"Sure sure Bella," he replied as he still, did not move over.

Everyone gathered close to the stage. The snack table where Bella and the gang were, was nearby and she had a good view of the stage as well as throughout the gym. The parents/chaperons/teachers were towards the back near the doors but could still see the stage well. Bella waved at her dad who waved back. The costumes and masks were all very colorful.

"Thank you for coming tonight, everyone. The students did well decorating, please give them a round of applause for making all this possible." He ended and there was happy applause and some whistles.

"Now we have two songs for you tonight. First up, our own Jessica Stanley who will sing "Rockin' Round the Christmas Tree" with our choir as back up. Jessica, if you will?" he said as he clapped and handed her the microphone.

As Jessica performed, everyone got in the mood and clapped their hands and danced in their spot whistling and having a good time. Bella looked out over the sea of people and felt eyes on her. She spotted the tall gentleman towards the back. He was whispering to another gentleman next to him. The other one was slightly shorter, but not by much, and slenderer, not as built as the taller one, but still firm. She had a suspicion they were talking about her, but since everything was so loud, she couldn't make out anything.

Loud clapping was heard, and she shook her head and clapped along with the others. Seems Jessica finished.

"Thank you, Jessica, an outstanding performance as always. Now for our solo performance, we have our new student, Ms. Ava Wilson, performing "Where Are You Christmas". Merry Christmas everyone, see you next year. Ms. Wilson?" the teacher said as he handed the microphone to Ava.

There were whistles. Mostly from Ava's admirers. Charlie could be heard as well. Ava looked down and smirked. She breathed as the music started. She looked up and saw Bella, who smiled at her with shock also present on her face. Ava wanted to surprise Charlie and Bella.

Ava started, and her voice was ethereal.

Oh, oh, hmm
Where are you Christmas
Why can't I find you
Why have you gone away
Where is the laughter
You used to bring me
Why can't I hear music play

Bella and Charlie both wondered at the same time where the hell Ava got that voice from. Everyone quieted down as she sang. Never hearing a voice like Ava's before.

My world is changing
I'm rearranging
Does that mean Christmas changes too

Ava sang from her soul. The song was a representation of her own life. How she lost something too. Her life was changing in a way she never thought. She then felt eyes on her. She looked around and saw two men standing in the back. One tall, one slightly shorter. She looked at the shorter one and her heart skipped a beat, she continued to sing though.

Where are you Christmas
Do you remember
The one you used to know
I'm not the same one
See what the time's done
Is that why you have let me go, oh

The gentleman's eyes seem to glow, reddish then darkened. She gulped.

Christmas is here
Everywhere, oh
Christmas is here
If you care, oh

Ava looked to find Bella looking to the two men as well. Bella then turned her head to look at her and shrugged her shoulders. Ava smiled and shrugged too.

If there is love in your heart and your mind
You will feel like Christmas all the time

Ava looked out over the crowd and finished strongly.

Oh, I feel you Christmas
I know I've found you
You never fade away, oh
The joy of Christmas
Stays here inside us
Fills each and every heart with love

Where are you Christmas
Fill your heart with love, mmhm

Ava finished and began to take the microphone from her mouth and breathed in. There was complete silence then a roar of applause. She smiled and bowed. She looked to the side where her choir teacher was applauding just as loud, and he nodded his head to her to which she smiled and looked out to everyone again.

"Thank you," she said as she went to give the microphone to the teacher who turned it off and gestured for the DJ to start the regular music again.

Thanking everyone whom she passed, Ava made her way outside to get some air.

"Finally," she sighed as she took in some much-needed air.

"Woman, where the hell have you been hiding that voice," came a voice behind her.

Ava turned to see Bella walking up to her. Ava laughed.

"I wanted to surprise you and dad." She said as she took the hug from Bella.

"I'll say you surprised us. Why didn't you say anything?" Bella asked moving Ava's hair to behind her ear.

Ava shrugged. "You know when you want to keep something of yours, well yours?"

Bella nodded.

"That's what I wanted. It felt right to share it now." Ava sighed.

"Well, well, my two favorite ladies," came a voice from behind them. The girls turned to find Mike standing there.

Bella separated herself from Ava and walked toward Mike. "Mike go back inside."

"You're not my boss Bella. In fact, you're the one who needs to go back inside, with me that is." He replied holding out his hand to take hers.

Bella pulled her hand away from his grasp. "Mike, I know I've said this enough times, I'm not interested. Leave me alone!"

It was then there started to become a crowd behind Mike. Mike saw this and thought it an opportunity.

"Bella you will be mine. This cat and mouse game has gone on long enough. Just say yes already." Mike said putting on an air of fake bravado.

"No." Bella said coldly.

"Bella," Mike said as he went to grab for Bella's neck when his hand and arm were caught and put behind his back so fast, he didn't even have time to register what happened until he was hurting like hell.

"What the fuck," he said as he looked behind him. "Ava!"

"Newton, you have some nerve putting your hands on a girl. Looks like Jessica was telling the truth," Ava whispered as people stared at them then turned to Jessica who was trying not to look at Mike.

"You big, mouthed bitch." Mike tried to move, but he couldn't.

"Mike, you come near me, my sister, or any other girl that says no, remember this," Bella said as Mike turned to face her and Bella flat out punched him, and Ava dropped him. Mike found himself rolling on the ground with a bloody nose.

Their friend Tyler came out of the crowd to try and help Mike.

"Mike got Double Swanned!" came a voice from the crowd.

"Double Swanned. Double Swanned. Double Swanned," the crowd cheered as the girls shook their hands and made their way back in ignoring the crowds. When the girls walked back in, they met their dad.

"What happened? Everything okay?" asked Charlie as he saw a small crowd coming back in.

"Yeah Dad. Just fine." Bella said.

"Excuse us," came a voice from behind the girls. They turned and saw the two gentlemen from earlier.

"May we have this dance?" asked the taller one. He had his hand out for Bella while the shorter one had his hand out for Ava.

The girls looked at each other and shrugged. "Sure" they both replied.

They separated to different parts of the dance floor.

Bella and her masked man started dancing.

"That was some punch, my lady," he said in his deep accented voice.

Bella looked embarrassed. "I just got tired of him. He just won't take no for an answer."

"Well I'll be sure not to dismiss you when you say no," he said.

"Where are you from?" Bella asked. Curious as to where his accent is from.

"Not tonight, Isabella. Enjoy the dance." He said as he maneuvered her around like they were floating.

Across from them on the other side of the dance floor was where Ava and the other gentleman were.

"You are fast adore mio," the gentleman said as he turned her in the rhythm of the music.

"Why are you calling me, my love," Ava looked curiously at the masked stranger. Who looked slightly shocked for a moment, then his shock went away.

"You understood that? You're intriguing Ms. Ava. You're voice mesmerizes me also," the man said as he danced with her, twirling her around.

Once the music ended, the girls found themselves back-to-back to each other and they giggled.

The couples bowed to each other, and the girls went to wave to their dad and they both turned back around and the two men were gone.

"Well, and he says I'm fast," Ava mumbled.

Bella chuckled too and the girls made their way to their dad.

The girls enjoyed the rest of the evening with their friends and their dad.

Two gentlemen were perched atop the school gym overlooking the city.

"Seems an interesting turn of events, Demetri." One man said.

"So, it does, Felix." Demetri replied.

"Aro will be delighted to hear about these updates." Felix said as he and Demetri looked down from one of the windows on the ceiling. They looked at the two girls who were laughing at something their father said. With that they left.

There my lovelies. Until next week. :)