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"That sure seems like quite the proposal." Aro spoke intriguingly, eyeing the twins in front of him. Caius sat in his throne, sharing a look with his mate. "It is, so what do you have to say? Will you agree to the conditions?" Tashi questioned, being as polite as possible because she wasn't taking an unnecessary risks. He hums, tapping his fingers in interest. "I'm not...the biggest fan of these conditions. So, hear my own. I will give you two years, then you marry into the coven, and your brother, and his fiance, join with you."

"Why do you want us so bad? You've done quite well for yourself so far. Why do you need us?" Takashi questioned, causing a glare to be sent by his sister, his outburst not helping the situation. "That's an interesting question. And you're very right, we've done very for ourselves. But there's nothing wrong with making sure you continue to well for yourself. Your abilities are very powerful. Which means they can be used against us, a risk I am not willing to take. These are my conditions. If you wish to see your dear Kalliope again, you will abide by them."

"Fine. Two years." Takashi agreed instantly, doing anything to see his mate again.

"Tashi?" Aro looked to her, he needed confirmation from both of them if this was going to work out. "Two years," Tashi nods. He smiled evilly, clasping his cold hands together. "Fantastic. Demetri, Felix, go and fetch the fiancé." He returned to his throne, not suspecting anything, but gosh did Tashi want to smirk. He just signed his death certificate.

Minutes later, Demetri and Felix returned, holding up Kallie as she tried to fight against their hold. Takashi turned around, his eyes landing on the woman he loved. "Kallie." She looked up, her eyes going wide at the sight of her mate. He runs over to her, the guards dropping her arms and she collapses into his arms. Tashi smiled at the sight, only ever wishing happiness for them. Everything was going back to the way it belonged.

"I thought you were dead," Kallie breathed out, clutching onto her mate.

"I promised I'd marry you. I had no intentions of breaking that." Kashi smiled, breathing in her scent, her face buried into his neck.

"What a happy reunion," Aro spoke, causing the couple to pull away and scowl at him. Tashi cleared her throat, "is there a place in the castle we can stay until nightfall?" Caius stood up, "you can stay in my quarters. Demetri will take you up." Tashi sent a thankful smile and they followed Demetri out. She knew Caius would join later. Right now he had to do his part in their plan. Tell Marcus all about Didyme. Get him to go along with their plan.

"Don't leave these quarters. Once nightfall hits, we're leaving back to Forks. My coven there will help you." Tashi said, and Kallie let go of her mate to hug the telekinetic vampire. "I'm so glad you're alive, Tash. Thank you for everything you're doing for us." Tashi didn't cringe this time, just hugging the woman with a warm smile, so grateful that she got her family back after thinking they were dead this whole time. "You're family. I'd anything for you."

"I love you sister," Kashi said, his fiance returning to his side, wrapping her arms around him, she didn't even want to let him go again.

"I love you too. I'll be a hall down. Try to keep it down." Tashi said knowingly, causing Kallie to bury her head into his chest with a light chuckle. "We'll do our best," Kashi chuckles, shutting the door. Tashi chuckles lightly, walking down the hall to her mate's room. She pushed open the doors, the memories of their first conversation in the back of her mind. He was definitely right for keeping Takashi from her. Had he told her immediately, she would've killed him, and then got her brother back.

She removed her boots and set them to the side, walking into the bathroom. She peeled off the rest of her clothes, folding them neatly on the counter. She switched on the cold water and stepped into the shower. She grew up taking cold showers, as they didn't have hot water. Kashi was the one who would boil water just so he could have a hot shower, but she preferred cold ones. It always felt better on her skin, and did wonders for her hair.

That week they spent in Britain and she still had trouble believing this life was real. It was still so hard to believe. Imagine going centuries thinking your family is dead, and suddenly you find them again, only they're alive and it isn't just a daydream you've had. She stood there in the cold water, processing it again. She couldn't hear her mate calling her name, and picking her out of the shower. When he wrapped a towel around her, she suddenly snapped out of her dazed state.

"Tashi? Are you okay?" He cupped her face, the girl blinking rapidly, her wet hair dripping down onto the flooring. "What? What's going on?" She looked around, confusion settling inside as she noticed she was no longer in the shower. "You weren't answering me. You just stood there like a zombie. Are you okay? Did you see something?" He asked in concern, brushing her wet hair behind her ears.

"No, no, I just...I saw a future. A future with you, and my family. How long was I in there for?" She questioned, rubbing her eyes with a sigh.

"I don't know, maybe a few hours. And that future, it's gonna happen for us. I promise." He assured, pressing a kiss to her head. Her eyes brightened, "did you tell Marcus?" Caius nods, a smile creeping up his lips, "he knows, and he's gonna take of it. Right now, we're just playing along, and he'll tell us when he's ready. Aro doesn't suspect a thing. He thinks we'll be married in two years with the fiercest guard in vampire history."

"Oh, I pity how delusional he is," Tashi grins wickedly.

"You're hot when you're plotting," he smirked, looking up and down. Normally she'd feel exposed, but with him, she didn't care if he saw every inch of her body. In fact she wanted him to see every inch, to feel every part of her. "Back with the flirting, aren't we? Reminds me of those phone calls we had." She mused. He chuckles lightly, "ah yes...when you hated my guts and wanted me to die a slow painful death."

"I don't hate you anymore, chéri." She voiced slowly, walking back into the bedroom, her mate following like a lost puppy.

"Is it bad that I enjoyed when you hated me? You were so feisty." Caius mused, watching her movements, the way she examined a room within a millisecond. "Well, if you wish to go back to that time, all you have to do is piss me off." She joked, turning on her heel, eyeing him with a seductive look. "Aw, when I already so worked hard to get your kindness? I don't think so. I like you this way."

"Do you now?" She tilts her head, the towel dropping from her body.

His eyes darkened with lust as she took steps towards him. "I think I made you wait long enough. You've earned it." Her eyes softened, taking his hands and placing them along her waist. "Are you sure about this?" He questioned, needing for her to be completely and utterly honest about what she wanted. "Get on the bed, now." She directs, and he's instantly obeying her words, moving to sit at the edge of the bed.

She walks over, settling herself in his lap, his hands instinctively finding her waist. "How bad do you want me, amour?"

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"I have it handled. Trust me. It's handled." Carlisle looked at his pseudo-daughter as she spoke, her words holding a firmness that told him how serious she was. "If you're confident there won't be an casualties, then I suppose they can stay with us." He said. When she showed up with her twin and his fiancé, who were believed to be dead, it raised a lot of alarm. But she told them what happened, and about Caius letting them go, of course she didn't tell them the true plan or else they'd be heavily against it.

"Thank you, Carlisle. Truly, it means a lot that you've taken us under your care. I understand it's not an easy decision." Tashi said understandably.

"They're your family, so they're ours too, Tash. They'll be safe with us. We can adjust them to the new world." Carlisle says warmly, setting a hand on her shoulder. "How are you feeling?" He asked, genuinely concerned about her well being considering how fast this was going and how crazy her was now. "I am...adjusting, processing all of it. But I need to be strong. They need me to be strong. I prayed for him to appear in my life again, and now that he is, I can't break now. I'll be okay. I'm strong. I can handle it."

"I'm sure you can. But make sure you take some time for yourself. You deserve it." He offered a warm smile before stepping out. He walked downstairs, heading out to the back porch where his "children" and Tashi's siblings were talking. Kalliope and Alice got along immediately, and Rose was still adjusting to her, but she did like her. Takashi and Jasper got along pretty well, and Emmett was eager to teach Tashi's brother how to hunt.

"Everything is settled. We're happy to have you. Esme is getting a room ready for you. I assume you want to share?" Carlisle spoke towards the couple. Kashi nodded instantly, his fiancé chuckling at how eager he was. "Yes, and thank you so much for allowing us to stay in your home, and for taking care of sister after all these years. I'm glad she had people with her. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if she was alone in this." He said, Kallie giving his hand a squeeze because he knew he blamed himself for everything. If he had turned her, the Volturi would've never found them.

"Well, Tashi saved me in my most vulnerable moments, so it's the very least we could do." Carlisle voiced. Takashi smiled softly, "yeah that sounds like her. She was always throwing her neck out for others even if she hated them. Glad to see that hasn't changed." Alice clears her throat, taking Kallie's hand and snatching her from her mate. "I'm gonna have to steal your fiancé. She needs to know everything about online shopping."

"What is online shopping?" Kallie questions obliviously.

"You have so much to learn."

Takashi watched as his wife was dragged back into the house by an eager Alice, and Rose following behind. Obviously he was a bit uncomfortable about that considering she had never left his sight the second they reunited. The last time he took his eyes off her, the Volturi got her and took her away. "She-she's okay with this Alice girl? Will she be safe?" He questioned nervously, watching where they left. "She'll be perfectly safe. You can trust us. Tashi wouldn't bring you here if you couldn't," Jasper assured.

"Suppose your right," he nods, taking an unnecessary but calming breath.

"Come on, I'm gonna teach you how to catch a bear," Emmett said eagerly, pulling an arm around the shorter guy as Jasper and Carlisle chuckle.

Kashi was just confused, his brows furrowed, "what do you got against bears, mate?"

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Lying in bed, she stared at the ceiling with boredom, she needed to do something. She had to keep herself occupied before she got the urge to go back to Italy to be with her mate. She hated being so far from him. It felt like torture. She missed the way he felt, the way he made her feel. She sighed deeply,  getting up and descending down the stairs of her condo. Her hands grabbed onto a new canvas and she set it up before gathering her paints and all the necessary materials.

Picking up a brush, her mind went back to the night she spent in Italy. One of the best nights of her life.

Every image flushed her mind with memories, each and every detail. She smiled, dabbing the paint onto the blank canvas. She painted, and painted, all night to morning. As she was finally done, her eyes softened at the painting. She stood up from the chair and walked over to the kitchen, switching on the water, she wiped her arms down. Reaching into her fridge, she grabbed a blood bag and tore it open, pouring it into a glass. It wasn't possible to be physically tired, but she was definitely mentally tired.

As her lips reached the rim of the glass, her phone buzzed on the counter. Sighing heavily, she reached for it and flipped it open, lifting it to her ear. "Who it is?"

"Tashi, you have to get to the airport in Rio, right now." It was Edward. He sounded worried, alarmed, and stressed out.

"What happened? Where's Bella?" She questioned, immediately flashing upstairs and gathering some clothes to change into. "Is Caius with you?" He asked. "No, he's in Italy. I'm in Forks. Tell me what's going on," she replied in concern. "It's...it's hard to explain. Just get here right away. I'll meet you there and you can see for yourself." Edward responded. She sighed and nods to herself, "fine, I'll meet you there. You better not be wasting my time either."

Getting to Rio on the fly was not easy, but she did it anyways. She waited by the jet, watching as the car containing her pseudo-brother and his newly wedded wife. He stepped out of the and walked over to her, the chauffeurs loading up the bags and such. "How far along is she?" Tashi questioned, she didn't need to find out through Edward anymore as Carlise called her on the way over and explained the situation so she'd be prepared to give him any important information for when they get back.

"Maybe 14-13 days, I'm not sure," Edward answered, taking a glance back at his wife.

"Bloody hell, Edward. We were finally out of trouble. Leave you alone with her for a few hours and she's knocked up." She scoffed, running a hand over her braided hair. "It'll kill her, Tashi," he says knowingly, fear creeping up his vision. "We don't know that. Not yet. We need to get her back to Carlisle and see what he says. Remember, this is...it's her body. This thing is in her body. She's going to make a decision. God forbid if she wants to...deliver this thing, you need to be there for her, as her husband."

"She won't. I won't let it kill her." Edward says begrudgingly before pushing past her to board the plane.

Tashi huffed at his stubbornness and walked towards the car. She pulled open the door and Bella smiled softly at her, "hey, Tash." The vampire outstretched her hand and the human girl took it, letting her assist as she climbed out of the car. "Hi darling. You feeling well?" She set a hand on the girl's back as she walked her to the jet. "As well as I can be when I'm growing a baby in my body," she jokes.

"Well, we don't know what it is, but let's hope for your sake, it is just a baby." Tashi mumbled, assisting the girl up the stairs.

When they returned to Forks, it was...certainly something. It was not what Takashi and Kalliope expected to get into. Rosalie had suddenly grown super protective over Bella, not allowing anyone to go near her and the so called baby. Mostly everyone was against giving birth, but Bella wanted to, and she didn't give her husband much of a choice. Of course Tashi supported her right to her decision, but she was completely against anything that involved killing Bella.

"I've got absolutely nothing on this. We all know the immortal children, but it's not the same. This...thing, will contain both of their DNA, so we don't know what it will be. As far as I know, half human and half vampire is impossible." Tashi spoke, looking down at the book in her hands, her brother, Kallie, Carlisle, Jasper, Edward, and Alice all listening to her. "What about the Volturi? They've got to have something on this. You said it yourself, they have a library filled with legends nobodies even heard of." Edward said.

Takashi shook his head immediately in objection, "no, if they find out what she's doing, they'll kill her."

"They won't find out, cause I'm not going." Tashi said, standing up and setting down the book. "Tashi, we need to figure out what this thing is. She needs to see that's it not a baby, it's not human," Edward argues in frustration, grabbing onto her arm as she went to the door. Kashi immediately hit his arm off of his sister and glared at the mind reader, "don't ever lay your hands on her."

Tashi turned back around, giving Jasper a nod so he could send calming waves to her brother before he could explode on Edward and asking turn him to dust. "You need to calm the hell down before you really upset me. I'm not going there because if Aro gets the slightest touch of me, we'll both be screwed. I have plenty to lose. I will call Caius and he will bring the books here. That is all I will ask of him."

"Caius? You actually think you can trust him? He'll tell Aro and they'll come for us," Edward exclaimed.

"Hey, I'm not his biggest fan either, but he risked his life saving us, just so he could earn my sister's trust. He won't tell Aro anything if it'll put her in danger. You can trust that." Takashi defends, getting a thankful look from his sister. "He's right. You don't need to trust Caius, but you need to trust that he'd never put me in danger. He'll get me the books, and then he'll go. I won't have him around Bella unless she allows it, I give you my word." She said.

"Do it, Tashi." Carlisle said, giving his own permission because his son was far too conflicted.

Tashi nods sharply, "he'll be here tomorrow."

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"You mind explaining why you've asked me to bring you a dozen books about immortal children?" Caius spoke boredly, leaning against her piano as she was sprawled out on the bed flipping through books. "Uh...curiosity?" She shrugs. He rolled his eyes, obviously able to tell if she was lying. "I thought we said no secrets, amore." He walked over, his hand shutting the book, causing her to shoot him an annoyed look, receiving a pointed one in return. "What is this about? You hate books. There's no way you would willingly stick your nose in one unless it's important."

"I like books...when they're read to me," she stammered, causing a smile to creep up on his lips.

"You're cute when you lie. Tell me what's going on." He sat on the bed and she moved closer to him, his arm snaking around her waist. "If I tell you...you have to promise you won't tell anyone, not Marcus, not Demetri, and definitely not Aro. Promise me, please." It was a rare moment to see her so vulnerable, and it made him feel conflicted, the urge to hurt anyone who made her feel this way growing strong. "I promise. I won't tell anyone. You have my word."

"You smelled human blood as soon as you entered the house, and it's not your imagination. They're back from the honeymoon and Bella is still human." Tashi explained.

His eyes widened as he stood up abruptly, "are you insane? Do you know what my brother's will do if they know she's still human?" Tashi stood up, grabbing his hands, "they won't know, because you won't say a word. She's not--she won't stay human. She'll be turned..if she survives." His brows furrowed in confusion, his eyes looking down at her, "what do you mean if she survives? Is she sick?"

"Sort of." Tashi huffs, sitting back on the edge of the bed, a frustrated hand running down her face. "What do you know about vampires procreating?" He scoffed in disbelief, his head shaking, eyes landing on the books behind her. "Tashikah...that's-- that isn't possible. Vampires cannot procreate." He denied. Her eyes shot up quickly, "oh really? Would you like to see for yourself? Come on, I'll take you. You tell me what the hell is in my sister." She grabbed his hand, dragging him out of the room.

"Tashi, calm down! We said we wouldn't!" Edward says, trying to stop her as she dragged her mate downstairs.

"No, no, he needs to see! He doesn't believe me, so let's show him what the hell you did! Go ask your wife if she's okay with it, hurry up before I grow inpatient," she snapped. Edward flashed downstairs in a second and she continued to drag her mate to the floor they were on. Rose blocked the way with wide eyes, "he can't be here." Tashi scoffs at her, "I wasn't asking your permission. Move out of my way, now."

"Rose, it's fine. I trust her," Bella spoke, not worried at all whilst everyone looked as though they were sweating, and they probably would if they were human.

"Out of my way before I tell her the real reason you're so...protective," Tashi whispered harshly, the blonde moving, but keeping a firm glare on the older girl. She walked over to Bella, her mate watching with squinted eyes, still unsure of the situation at hand. The weak girl looked up at Tashi with a soft smile, she pulled the blanket off, revealing the large baby bump she had. Caius blinked in shock, taking a double check to make sure he was seeing it right. Tashi raised a brow, "believe me now?"

"Just when I think this family is out of trouble...you pull something like this," he muttered, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Do you know anything about it? Anything that could help?" Carlisle asked, he was really running out of ideas of what this could be. "You're not seriously going through with this, are you? I figured you'd kill it, as it's quite literally killing her," Caius scoffed, causing his mate to shook him a look, but she couldn't lie and say he was wrong. It was just his wording that could've been better.

Edward grits his teeth at the words, hating to be reminded of that, "what do you know?"

"I'll let your tone slide since you're a baby daddy now," he mumbled, causing the Kachingwe siblings to snort in amusement. "I've actually seen this before, surprisingly. Do you mind?" Caius gestured to the spot next to the human, she nods, trusting him because of what he did for Tashi. He took a seat next to her, "you mind lifting your shirt? I want to see something." Bella nods, pushing her shirt over the bump, her stomach loaded with bruises, making her husband look away with a flinch.

"It's obviously a bit stronger than a normal fetus, so there's a chance it'll do more than bruise you. This looks...light, compared to the last time I've seen this. One of our guards a few decades ago, assaulted this tourist, and he got her pregnant. So naturally, we got rid of him and brought the girl back to the castle. We kept record of all her progress, and it was terribly difficult to witness. The fetus broke all of her ribs, damaged her organs, and she died before she could deliver." Caius explained, everyone sharing looks of alarm.

Edward stormed out, causing Esme and Jasper to rush after him. Bella shook her head, looking back to Caius, "what happened to the baby? Did you get it out in time?" She asked.

"No. It died with her. For the longest time...we thought she had just gotten pregnant before she was attacked. But seeing this, I know now that we were wrong." Caius shrugs, the girl's face falling at the news of the baby not surviving. "You mind speaking in private?" Carlisle requested. Caius nods, standing up and following the man, making sure his mate was right with him.

Carlisle, Caius, Tashi, and Takashi all gathered in his office, being joined by Edward and Esme seconds later. "If you're concerned about me telling my brother's, you don't need to worry, I wouldn't do anything that would put Tashi at risk. This secret is safe with me," Caius reassured. Tashi smiled softly, resting her head on his shoulder as her hand rested on her waist. "I know, I'm not worried about that," Carlisle replies with a shake of his head.

"What's your plan here if you're not planning on killing it?" Caius questioned, getting a nudge from his mate upon his wording.

"Bella wants to carry it to term. She thinks we can turn her at the last second," Edward explained.

Caius shrugs slightly, "that's only if her heart doesn't give out first. This thing is strong, and it will kill her. She's delirious if she believes she can survive this." Tashi sighs, running a hand through her hair, everything about this causing stress. "If there's even the slightest chance that we can turn her- we'll do it. The real question is...how do we make her heart stronger? If this keeps up, her heart will completely give out and that leaves us with nothing."

"Let's start researching then," Carlisle says with a look of determination.

A few long hours later, Tashi plopped down on the bed tiredly- if it was possible to physically be tired. Caius sat down beside her, effortlessly pulling her into his lap. She smiled, leaning down to connect their lips. "I love when you protect me, even if I may not need it." He chuckles softly, pushing her hair behind her ears, "I'll protect you as long I'm still roaming this earth. Even when you don't need it. That's all I'll ever do. Because you mean the world to me. I have never loved another person the way I love you, Tashi."

A smile curled up her lips, his cold hands caressing her back gently. "I know- I know I feel something for you. I'm just unsure of what it is. I have never, I haven't ever been in love. Not when I was human. Not as a vampire. It's a new feeling for me. I need time to figure it out is all. And I hope you're willing to be patient with me, because you mean a lot to me. I mean that. I would genuinely kill for you. I would do anything for you."

"I understand what you're trying to say, darling. We have the time in the world to figure this out. But, maybe you should put your focus on your family for now. They need you. I can wait." He spoke in a soothing tone, understanding her like nobody else. She sighed, resting her head on his shoulder tiredly, "can you stay the night for me? I just- I really need you here. I don't know what I'm doing. This is all so..stressful."

"I'll stay as long as you'll allow me, darling."

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a/n: my baes fr

might throw in some flashbacks of takashi & kallie

the way caius would do anything to protect her has me feral asf

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