Crimson Gold

Part 4: Chapter 15: Weddings and Reunions

3rd Person POV

Mercer House

"Things are winding down here in New York," Alex said as he faced Ryan through the monitor. It had been a month since the Newborn attack, and Ryan was currently catching up with his father and his aunt over a video chat. "Greene's dead; I made sure of it myself. However, repairs are going slowly. It'll take about a month or two to get the rest of the Evolved back on their feet. The government's taking care of our borders as thanks for us preventing another outbreak."

Ryan nodded silently. "Any casualties?"

"A few," Alex replied. "We lost 13 Goliaths, 68 Flyers, 57 Brawlers, 103 Walkers, and two Evolved, leaving us with 38 Evolved overall."

"Enough about us," Dana interjected. "How did the attack go with the Newborns?"

Ryan explained what had happened, from the start of the attack to the Volturi's threat.

Alex growled. "These Volturi are really starting to get on my nerves."

Dana sighed. "While the Volturi may prove a problem in the future, I'm more concerned with what they're planning now. The fact that Bella and Edward are getting married soon is going to raise problems."

"And it doesn't take a mind reader to see how Edward and Bella are going to want to get busy after the wedding," Alex agreed. "From what you told me, kid, vampires can't have children, but something tells me that Bella being human might throw a wrench in that philosophy."

"Enough of this Grimm stuff," Dana interjected. "When's the wedding?"

"A few days away," Ryan replied. "Alice is in charge of preparations."

"I wasn't talking about Edward and Bella," Dana laughed. "I was talking about you and Alice."

Ryan blushed as Alex started laughing. "You walked into that one, kid," he chuckled.

"You're one to talk," Dana shot at him. "Don't think I haven't seen you getting friendly with Summer."

Alex cleared his throat and coughed. "Anyways," he said awkwardly. "We'd better get going. We're working on repairing the Empire State Building since one of Greene's hydras nearly took it down. And son?"

"Yeah?"

Alex grinned wickedly. "Try to pop the question after Bella's wedding." Chuckling, he ended the communication as Ryan swore, barely managing to restrain himself from launching a Whipfist.

The Next Day, Stawamus Chief Provincial Park

Hearing the sound of grating heels behind him, Ryan turned from his sitting position on the railing as Bella shakily exited the doorway on a pair of white high heels.

"Um..." Alice trailed off. "You just have to break them in."

"I've been breaking them in," Bella retorted, gesturing to them. "For three days."

"It's not that hard," Ryan said jumping down. Changing into a pale-skinned young woman with pale blue eyes and long white hair pulled back into an off-center ponytail, he spun around, eyes glinting as he gracefully jumped over to Alice's side, landing lightly.

Bella glared at him. "Well, excuse me if I can't just consume someone and take their memories of how to walk properly in these things," she said indignantly as Ryan shifted back to his normal form.