Dear Diary:                                                        April 19, 2014

While we got ourselves all ready for our journey to the other side, Rogue explained the basics. Time moved differently in that dimension. One hour here was one day there. So a 24 hour day here would be 24 days there. We obviously packed clothes even though it was still the same day or next day here when we got back. As we packed we were still thinking about everything that we had just learned about John and Maria and their wanting to die. It was just so extremely sad. But we or rather I know I understood it. I'm not so sure about the rest of our family. The Watchers having known about it for a very long time, have all come to terms with it and made their peace. After all, everyone deserves happiness, regardless of how they go about doing it; even if it means leaving this world for the afterlife.

After Irina came to Tanya and my father came to me, I realized that there was in fact a heaven so even we vampires who are good can go there. I was also told that when we meet Michael the Archangel; he will tell us more about how that works. John and Maria weren't coming with us. They were going back to Italy to make the final arrangements for their immortal euthanasia as they called it and Kim and Michelle were still on their honeymoon so it was going to be fewer Watchers than usual. But at least all of us non-Watchers would finally get to see what Ancient Greece was all about as well as this whole other side business.

So after we all had a sizable bag packed, Rogue and the rest of the Watchers who were coming with us came to our house and we all gathered in the backyard as she explained how things will work:

"Glad to see almost everyone is packed and ready. I will open a portal and all you have to do is walk into it. It'll be blue and white and very bright but don't worry, it won't hurt. It'll be very windy though. Once you step through the portal, you won't see much for a few seconds and then you'll pop out on the other side. You will feel what humans call jet lag as you've just moved between worlds. Even though you're vampires and wolves, you'll still feel it because you've never traveled to the other side before so prepare to feel a trifle pooped." She said with a wink as we all looked at each other and nodded.

We waited on Bella, Edward, and Nessie to get there from their cabin, Nessie was having problems picking out what to wear. Without Michelle there to help her she was a little stuck as she'd never been to the other side like Michelle had so clothing wise, we weren't at all sure. Rogue told us to just bring whatever made us comfortable and if something was needed, it would be provided there for us. We would all be staying at Cupid and Psyche's castle as that's where the Watchers usually stayed anyways when they went there. Finally, the last stragglers arrived and we were ready to make our journey. Before opening the portal, Rogue and the others changed into their fairy dresses and God-like looking clothing for the men. Rogue was also wearing her head piece. I guess it was a mandatory thing that she wears her crown on the other side.

With a wave of her hand in a circular motion, there was a clap of thunder and a blue and white light appeared. It looked like a three dimensional cloud going sideways. It was now or never. Rogue looked at us and smiled and proceeded to walk into the portal; she got smaller and smaller the further she went until she disappeared. Alexander followed suit and then it was my and Esme's turn. As we entered the portal holding hands, it was so bright we could hardly see anything around us and Rogue was right it was incredibly windy. Thankfully it was as if we were being moved forward without really walking; like one of those flat escalators you see in airports. The next thing we knew, it was as if we were spit out of the portal and landed in the woods.

The portal was still open behind us as the rest of our family and Watchers immerged. The last out of the portal was Amy who closed it behind her. She smiled as we all took in our new surroundings. Yes it was the woods but the air smelled differently. We followed Rogue for a bit until we were standing on the edge of a bluff overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Everything looked different, the air even smelled ancient. We were there less than 10 minutes and it already felt like we were in a whole new world. Just then Rogue nodded toward the left and we saw a massive looking fortress of a castle standing on the bluff about a mile away. That must be Cupid's castle; she nodded with a smile once she read my thoughts.

"Yes that is Cupid's castle and your entire luggage and things are already there in their specific rooms. Everyone has their own space. The castle is massive. It has like 4 or 6 wings. Let's get going, he is waiting for us."

"So he knows we're coming? Does everyone know? I mean all of the God's you named before for us?" Jacob asked.

"Yes everyone knows and is prepared for our arrival. There's going to be a get together of all of people mentioned previously later on tonight." Amy supplied.

"Ok let's get going then." Alexander said.

We followed them toward the castle. It was massive and kept getting bigger the closer we got to it. All photos are below and in the album. The draw bridge was lowered so we could cross it into the main sector of the castle proper. There in the middle of the garden stood a man of decent height with white wings and a bow with arrows attached to his torso. His hair was blonde and wavy and he wore a leather skirt type thing with pants underneath and boots that went to his knee. His smile was very welcoming. Rogue walked up to him and they hugged. He then clasped arms with Alexander and they exchanged greetings in Greek. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that this was Cupid himself. I knew we were all in awe. It's one thing to hear stories about him and a totally different thing then meeting him.

"Welcome to my home. I am honored to meet you all. Rogue has told all of us a lot about you." Cupid said grandly.

"Likewise. My name is Carlisle Cullen and this is my family." I said extending my arm which he clasped with his own.

"Yes, I figured as much. You are the patriarch of your family. And you are vampires. We don't have many vampires in this world now. Demons yes lots of them. And aren't there shape shifters amongst you as well?" Cupid asked curiously as Seth, Leah, and Jacob stepped forward and phased to show him just that. He jumped back a little and used his wings to lower himself back to the ground.

"Wow my word. I didn't expect that." Cupid said stunned as we all smiled just as the wolves phased back to human.

"Where are Psyche and the baby?" Corin asked.

"Oh they're visiting her mother for the next few days. My mini-me has been causing a lot of trouble recently. He got a hold of my bow and arrows and took off toward the nearest village making people fall in love with cows and other strange activities. It took a few days to straighten things out so Psyche decided to get him out of trouble while you're getting yourselves settled." He said while shaking his head with a smile.

"Yikes. Cows?" Seth said with a puzzled look on his face while Cupid laughed.

"Well at his immortal childlike age, things like that are as normal as sticks and twigs and building blocks for mortals."

"I definitely do not envy you." Amy said shaking her head and we all nodded in agreement.

"Hey, I wasn't that bad, now was I? As a child I mean?" Nessie asked to smiles and giggles.

"Well you had your bratty moments but no you didn't decide to go all prima donna over all of Hanover." Emmett said with a wink and got smacked upside the head by Nessie. Rogue clapped her hands to get people's attention.

"Why don't we go get you all settled so you could rest and get ready for tonight's little gathering." She said as Cupid nodded and some of his servants came out to lead us to our respective quarters.

We followed the servants to our quarters. We had two separate wings to our disposal. The Cullen's and wolves were in one wing while the Watchers were in the other but we were near each other. Once we had unpacked and gotten settled, those of us who needed to hunt, went with Amy and Corin who showed us where to find the best animals. They tasted very earthy here especially the bears and mountain lions. Esme made a list of everything she wanted to do while here and that included climbing Mt. Olympus. I tell you, ever since she had that journey of hers; she's all about the dare deviling. My wife got her groove on or back or whatever that phrase is.

Once we were all fed and happy and our eyes were a new color golden, we ran back to the castle to prepare for that night's festivities. When we got to our rooms we saw that there were clothes laid out for us on our beds. The clothes were very Ancient Greek. I guess for this party we had to blend in with the locals so to speak; the royal immortal locals anyways. I felt once again like I stepped into one of the Lord of the Rings films. All I needed was the long hair and the pointy ears et voila I was Carlisle the elf! Anyways, once we were all dressed, we met the Watchers in the hallway where our two wings converged. Rogue's hair was straighter then ever except for the two strands that wound to the back in two small braids and then joined to form one small braid in the back.

Her fairy dress was different. It wasn't blue anymore it was black and red; she looked every bit the warrior that she was in that dress. Alexander matched her and for the first time he too had some sort of head piece on. Rogue's though was very royal looking. No matter how much she didn't like the fuss made about it, here in this new fairy dress that we've never seen on her before with her headpiece, she looked every bit of the immortal, invincible queen that she really was. This time she didn't even roll her eyes about my thoughts but just smiled because I suppose she had to take her role as queen very seriously here.

As we made our way down the stairs toward the massive ancient looking dining room, we heard voices meaning a lot of the Gods had arrived already. As we made our way into the room, it got quiet. From her past descriptions, the room was now occupied by Aries, God of War; Hades, God of the Underworld; and Cupid of course as host. In the corner, floating on a big gray cloud there was what looked exactly like the grim reaper; that must have been Death then. Suddenly, a yellow light shined down from the heavens and a figure appeared. He had long golden hair, massive golden wings, and was dressed in all armor. We guessed this was Michael.

As Rogue came forward to them all, they all bowed to her. Her eyes washed over each of them and lastly landing on Michael whose eyes glowed when she met his gaze. I looked sideways at Alexander whose jaw was set in a hard line. Oh boy, this was going to get interesting. Before anyone could say anything, Michael took a step toward Rogue and extended his hand. When she placed her hand in his, we thought they were going to shake hands, instead of that, he brought her hand to his lips and kissed it, his eyes never leaving her face. Her face never changed from its stoic expression. Alexander's eyes though were ablaze.

I cleared my throat to try and dissipate the extra emotionally charged atmosphere. Everyone looked at me then as I looked at Alexander who nodded in gratitude. That's when the introductions began. It didn't take long for everyone to get acquainted. Afterwards, we sat down to the beautiful and delicious meal that was served. The God's had already been filled in on our history including the fact that we were given the gift by Rogue to eat human food. People were eating and talking. Just then Rogue looked around and asked Hades who was sitting across from her:

"Where is Cerberus?"

"Oh, he is acting as guard in Tartarus while I'm here." Hades replied with a smile.

"Really? Who is so volatile that you need him to guard them and beneath the Underworld to boot?" Amy asked surprised.

"Well you know them actually quite well." Hades said looking at the Cullen clan. When we gave him blank stares, he said with a small smile.

"The Volturi."

To be continued.....

~Carlisle Cullen