When Ends Meet (Marcus & Aro Volturi)

Chapter 26: Lonely.

       I sit tucked away in my room, staring at the last message on my phone to Aro. It has been a month and a half since our last conversation, but I cannot push it from my thoughts. I endure the aching in my chest when it suddenly lifts. Charlotte is awake. Every morning she routinely runs to my room to greet me. She usually knocks, but today she throws open the door with a bright face of excitement.

"Well, good morning to you, sprout." I chuckle, as my daughter runs to me, pulling me from my seat.

"Come on mama! It's Christmas!" She exclaims, and I feign ignorance.

"Christmas? Is that today?" I smirk.

As she ages, she gets more and more sassy. Charlotte rolls her eyes, before tugging me harder. "Come on mama, I know that you didn't forget! Let's go, let's go!" She ushers me out of my room, racing down the steps with her vampiric speed.

I laugh as I follow her. In the living room, there is a grand Christmas tree that we had decorated a week ago. Last night the floor surrounding it was bare, but now it is covered with presents. Bella and I did our work and littered the floor with the gifts that every one of our guests were more than generous enough to offer. Bella and I were not going to allow our daughters to be the only ones to enjoy the celebration, as we had prepared gifts for everyone else as well.

I watch satisfyingly as Charlotte and Renesmee experience their first Christmas. A time when family and friends gather. A holiday when you exchange gifts with your loved ones, and just a moment to appreciate each other. Charlotte unwraps a present from Henry, and squeals upon its reveal.

"Mama, look!" She beams, holding up a black cloak with CV embroidered near the chest. "It's like Henry's!" She says, before running to me.

Handing me the cloak, I help her put it on. "It looks good on you, sprout. Do you have something to say to Henry and everyone else?"

Charlotte nods, turning on her heel to address the crowd. "Thank you for the presents everyone!"

I watch as everyone voices their appreciation while opening their own gifts. With a smile, I watch Charlotte and Renesmee giggling over their presents, but my face quickly drops as I catch sight of Charlotte's cloak. A Volturi-like cloak. An innocent gift, but seeing it draped over my daughter's shoulders makes me feel nauseous. It's like a bad omen—a dreadful reminder of what is to come. I am feeling the crawling in my skin when Henry silently approaches me.

"Ana." He beckons, making my eyes meet his. "Master sent someone to pass this along." He holds out a rectangle shaped present.

I stare suspiciously, carefully taking the item from Henry's hand. The mystery gift feels heavy in my hand and almost flimsy. With a slight idea of what it could be, I look to the small card tucked under the ribbon. "To my dearest Ana, regardless of what may occur in the future, know that you have never been absent from my thoughts. No matter the outcome, please keep this journal as a reminder that my heart will forever remain in your care. Marcus." I read quietly to myself. I analyze the card for a while longer before carefully peeling the wrapping paper from the gift. As Marcus had said, it is a journal. I stroke its black leather casing, opening the book to no particular page, I read the first entry I see.

October 12th.

I thought of you again today. Dora encouraged me to take a walk in the garden, since I have been reluctant to go anywhere that reminds me of you. Wandering the garden, I caught your scent. I thought you had returned, I thought you came home. Alas I was only met with disappointment when you were nowhere in sight. Though, I followed your scent. It led me to the sapling we had planted together. It was growing weakly, and you had tied the sapling to a stick with the ribbon from your hair. Thankfully it worked, it is much stronger now and so I decided to act on my selfishness and took the ribbon for myself. Our room is filled with your scent—filled with all of your belongings, but I cannot bring myself to be in there. To wallow in the despair of your absence. But this ribbon, it comforts me while I aimlessly wait for you. And I will wait for eternity if I must.