Dear Diary: March 13, 2014

It's March and we are still waiting for spring to have sprung. Not here in NH though. Snow, snow, and more snow. We should be considered the snow capital of the New England states. But at least we got another wedding out of the way. And everyone is back home for the most part. I don't know what's going on but John and Maria are back in Italy for yet another mission or vacation or whatever. When I asked Michelle she just shrugged her shoulders and said they prefer to be there as much as possible. She's an adult and doesn't seem to mind that her parents aren't there. I guess that's normal; though usually it's the kids that fly the coup not the adults. With Watchers, you just never know.

Now remember how before Leah and Keith's wedding, we had that little run in with the prehistoric bird from another dimension? How could you not, with Jacob getting so badly injured? He's back to his own macho big mouth self, don't worry. He was totally healed by the time the wedding came about; though granted his wounds did take a bit longer to heal than usual because of the severity of the injuries that talloned thing caused him. I still can't believe we saw a real pterodactyl. I have to look at the photos Keith snapped of it to make myself believe I hadn't lost my mind. If only the humans new; yikes! On second thought, we'll just keep this in the supernatural realm of things. The last thing the humans need is a dinosaur flying overhead. Not like we had a lot of fun with it ourselves.

Speaking of supernatural things, everyone who was home that is, had gathered at our house since technically out of all of the houses, ours was the only one that could fit everyone with lots of room to spare and as you know between Emmett, wolves, and some of our Watchers, we had some pretty large family members so room was always a must. But I digress. Reason for the gathering was because Rogue was finally going to tell all of us about the "Other Side". We'd filled in those who were missing when it was first mentioned on what we knew so you can imagine just how many UFO sized eyeballs we had in our house now!

Rogue was speaking with Alexander in the corner about something and they were waiting for us to get comfortable. Once that was accomplished, she herself sat in one of the armchairs facing the room. Usually that's the one that I sit in to read my paper but today she needed the floor so she had the chair. From there she was able to see everyone without swiveling too much. So as she gathered her thoughts, we waited patiently and then she took a deep breath, smiled and began.

"So basically as I had in the abbreviated version previously said that the 'Other Side' is another dimension that all of us go to when we need a break from this world. When you go there you literally step back into time. The 'Other Side' is even before our time. It's the time of Greek Gods like Zeus, Aries, Hades, and so forth. It looks like a giant forest that borders an ocean. In other words, you're in Ancient Greece. We've known about this dimension for as long as we have been Watchers. Primarily though, Amy, Corin, Alexander, Peter and I go there. The others though know of it, I guess they are more modern in thinking and prefer to just stay here. Peter only goes because Amy drags him along." Rogue said looking at Peter with a little laugh as Amy also giggled and rolled his eyes.

"Sorry, it's just way too ancient for my standards. Even Keith gets to stay here! Though he's gone a few times to check the place out." Peter grumbled to more laughter from Rogue, Amy, and Corin.

"Yeah, I have been there several times and I have to agree with Peter on this one, it only feels like home if you are from that time period which these 4 are." Keith said, letting go of Leah's hand long enough to point to Rogue, Alexander, Amy, and Corin.

"Plus, you get some serious jet lag! Because 3 hours here are 3 days there! So when you return home, it's like you've been through a blender." Peter complained as Amy tried to shush him giggling.

"But in all seriousness, the place is pretty righteous. You can't argue with its power no matter how you feel about belonging there or not." Kim spoke up suddenly.

We all guessed that she and Michelle must have been to the "Other Side" too. To which both nodded when they read our minds. Amy had told us previously before Rogue started the explaining that going there was kind of a rite of passage for all new Watchers once they were chosen and accepted. They had to go there and be part of some sort of ceremony as they learned the history of the Watchers. Once all of the giggling was under control, Rogue resumed her storytelling.

"Kim is right. The place just radiates power. There are ancient castles everywhere. Each of the Gods has their own castle. Though Zeus is the all-powerful over there, he is a bit on the cocky side so we don't converse much if at all."

"A bit?" Amy said rolling her eyes.

"Ok a lot. He's pretty self-centered. So he lets us be and we return the favor with him. We do have help that comes to this dimension in the form of other Gods and creatures though. You've already indirectly met one of them; the Hydra." Rogue said with a smile as we remembered the 3 headed dragon that helped her take out Hestia.

"What about the other dragons? Do they live on the 'Other Side' too?" Seth asked curiously.

"As a matter of fact they do. The only difference is that the Hydra lives in the very depths of tartares or the underworld where Hades is in charge." Corin replied.

"The others live freely on the 'Other Side', they are very friendly actually. Hades has another pet that many have heard in the history books that has a serious fancy for Rogue; Cerberus the 3-headed dog." Amy said giggling while Rogue rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"What do you mean 'serious fancy'?" I asked amazed.

"He has a tendency to lick a lot. All three of the heads do actually. So he gets excited when she visits; he is the size of one of the other dragons making him just really massive. Now imagine that licking you x 3 thanks to the heads." Amy supplied.

"He has gotten in trouble with me a few times because lord knows how, as Hades has yet to figure it out but he's figured out how to open a traveling portal to come here and visit me. That's all wonderful except he tends to appear right in the middle of the most populated of areas possible and with his size alone its one hell of a massive clean-up job for me! Let's just say he likes to make a grand entrance! Doesn't help that he is horrifying looking even though at 7 billion years of age or something like that, he's still a puppy!" Rogue said exasperated.

"But despite his grotesque outward appearance, if you're a friend of ours, he's very loving, caring, and protective. God help you if you try to attack any of us; consider yourself lunch or a snack rather. He'll rip you to shreds in seconds. It's the most out there version of 'don't judge a book by its cover.'" Alexander said with a small smile.

"But he whines and pouts and does all the things regular dogs do....only with three heads." Corin said.

"What's with this dude Hades and having all of his creatures have 3 heads? First the Hydra now this thing?" Jacob asked.

"That's a good question, no idea. But you can ask him yourself when you meet him." Rogue winked.

"Wait.....wait.....wait a minute....what do you mean meet? I don't want to be turned to stone by no God of hell!" Jacob all but squeaked as the rest of us laughed.

"Sounds like someone flunked HS mythology." Rose teased.

"Yeah Jake, Medusa turned men to stone not Hades. Oh brother, did you pay any attention in school at all?" Nessie said laughing and shaking her head. Jacob turned red and hid his face in Nessie's hair as everyone else just laughed and shook their heads. Rogue continued.

"Anyways, yes meet, not right now but at some point I want to take you all to the 'Other Side' so you could see for yourselves what we are talking about as well meet the rest of our Godly army. We also have Aries who is a bit on the cocky side but at least he knows how to fight and his fireballs are just as good as ours. We are also friends with Cupid and his wife Psyche. Their castle is where we stay when we go over there as it's a bit too hot in hell and Aries has too many sharp objects in his for our liking; plus he's not exactly the master of discretion. We've walked in on more than one orgy of his and that's all I'm going to say on that subject." Rogue finished off that sentence with a sigh and shake of the head.

"Yes we really do not want to know thank you very much." Edward said uneasily looking at Nessie who rolled her eyes at her father like 'seriously dad, I'm not 2!'

"I feel like I've forgotten someone." Rogue said frowning.

"You have; Michael and Death." Alexander reminded her softly. You could have heard a pin drop when he said that.

"Oh right, crap. Yeah can't forget my old pal. I'm just trying to make sure I remember everything and sometimes the old noggin forgets."

"That and we haven't seen her in a while; she must be pretty busy. Ever since she's started working more closely with Hades, anyways." Alexander reminded his wife gently.

"Whoa whoa whoa......death? As in like white light death or grim reaper death?" Emmett asked, his eyebrows taking flight to the ceiling.

"All depends on who she's helping. If she's working with Michael then it's the white light version. If she's with Hades, then it's the grim reaper version on a gray cloud and which is how she appears to us anyways. Not to be morbid or evil but it just seems we understand each other better that way. And before you ask about Michael; he's the archangel. He lives in the clouds and we all work well together. On the 'Other Side' both heaven and hell work together as opposed to against each other. It's a totally different ball game. Michael has his own arrogance issues but for the most part he keeps it in check. And Michael looks like your run of the mill angel; first a bright yellow light appears, then he does with his wings in his toga." Rogue explained and then let it all sink in.

"Don't forget about the other little issue with Michael." Amy reminded.

"I'd rather forget it." Rogue mumbled.

"That makes two of us." Alexander said shifting uncomfortably.

"What other issue?" I asked for everyone as mostly the others were still digesting this whole new world.

"Let's just say he's a major thorn in Alexander's side." Amy said.

"He'd be a major thorn in my side too had it been you!" Peter said to Amy. Before anyone could ask, Amy explained:

"Michael is in love with Rogue and has been ever since he first laid eyes on her when she became queen of the Watchers."

"Holy crow, for real? But Rogue is happily married....." Bella chimed in.

"No shit. Hasn't stopped the glowing jerk from trying!" Alexander said vehemently to the surprise of us all. We've never seen Alexander upset before. He's usually the calming force to his wife's thunderstorm. But this obviously wasn't normal.

"You mean he's actually tried to steal Rogue from you?" Nessie asked astonished.

"Tried being the operative word. He still tries but without much enthusiasm. Especially since the last time when she threatened to cut his wings off! My threats fell on deaf ears; he even had the brains to tell me to ask her who she'd prefer! Yeah he's lucky I didn't do more damage than that and I don't give a flying fuck if he is an archangel! Do not mess with me or my wife!" Alexander said through clenched teeth.

"Wow! What a douchebag!" Esme said to yet another round of mouth gapping from people. I've never heard my wife use that word before but I wasn't too stunned because this Michael character sounded just like that.

"I don't want to meet him." Nessie said firmly while others nodded in agreement.

"We'll see when we cross that bridge, now can we please change the topic?" Rogue asked us all as we grumbled assent.

"I think you've mentioned everyone now honey." Alexander said as he came over to stand next to his wife and put his hand on her shoulder as she reached up with her own hand to touch his.

"Oh good. I think I could use a break after that. It is still pretty emotional for me to speak about that idiot. Why don't you guys use this time to soak in all of the info and if you have any questions we can all gather again and I'll answer everything I can. How does that sound?" She said with a small smile. We agreed.

For the first time in a long time, Rogue looked drained. I think Alexander's anger toward this Michael character really upset her. And who wouldn't be upset if someone is trying to steal your wife from you even if your wife isn't interested? That's someone with one hell of an ego. After hearing all of that, I wasn't all that sure I wanted to meet him either to tell you the truth but all the others sounded really interesting. Just the description of the 'Other Side' sounded really beautiful.

As we dispersed to our respective homes, I wondered when it would be that Rogue and the others would take us there. I had a feeling that both Peter and Keith would go because Leah would be going and certainly Amy. Poor Peter, Amy joked as they were leaving that the next time they would go, she'd pack him some Dramamine for his jet lag/portal sickness. As everyone laughed, we saw Peter chasing Amy back to their house. Other than that last sour note about the dubious Michael, the rest of the day and story of this portion of our Watchers' lives was unique and very fascinating and I couldn't wait to see it with my own two eyes.

~Carlisle Cullen