CHAPTER SEVEN
(romanian vampires)

Vivienne, her voice filled with irritation, stood by Carlisle's side as she scowled at the unexpected visitors before them. Her question echoed loudly, her annoyance palpable. "What the hell are you both doing here?"

Carlisle, the more composed of the duo, glanced at the men and sighed before posing his question, "Did Alice send you?"

The younger-looking male, with platinum blonde hair, asserted, "No one sent us." He directed a smirk, primarily toward Vivienne, who involuntarily cringed at his gaze. She felt a sense of unease in their presence, creeped out by the Romanian vampires named Vladimir and Stefan.

Vladimir, the young-looking vampire with lighter skin, seemed to relish getting under Vivienne's skin whenever possible. In contrast, Stefan, the older and darker-skinned vampire of the pair, held no particular interest in her, preferring instead to antagonize Carlisle, hoping to finally witness an angry side from him. However, Stefan's attempts to provoke Carlisle remained unsuccessful thus far.

The loud footsteps of the guests drew near, as most of the guests gathered to witness the disturbance. Benjamin swiftly made his way to Vivienne's side, placing his arm on her shoulder as he narrowed his eyes in disdain at the blonde vampire who leered at her like a feast.

"Word travels," Stefan continued, leaning against the tree the two vampires perched upon. "We heard rumors that the Volturi were taking action against you." He paused, his gaze sweeping over the gathering before continuing, "There were murmurs that you wouldn't be alone in this fight. It seems the whispers were true. This is quite an impressive assembly you've assembled here."

Vivienne's voice rose in anger, a fierce warning directed at Vladimir and Stefan. "If you two touched a single soul to get that information, I'll personally make sure you're sent flying right back to the dark abyss you belong in!" Benjamin couldn't help but smirk at her protective threat, and he noticed the blonde vampire giving him an icy glare, which only prompted Benjamin to pull Vivienne even closer into his arms, seemingly to provoke the other vampire further.

Benjamin couldn't help but smile triumphantly, convinced he had heard a low growl in reaction to his action. He felt a sense of satisfaction in having provoked the blonde vampire further.

"Relax, Vivvy," Stefan replied in a childish tone, adding with a hint of sarcasm, "We didn't harm anyone—Well, at least no friends I hope," causing Vivienne to instinctively clench her teeth in irritation.

Carlisle moved forward, subtly positioning himself in front of Vivienne. His voice contained a trace of tension as he declared, "We are not challenging the Volturi." He paused, his jaw clenching momentarily, before continuing, "There has been a significant misunderstanding. A grave one, to be sure, but one that we're hoping to rectify. The gathering you see consists of witnesses. We simply require the Volturi to listen carefully."

Vladimir interjected, cutting Carlisle off mid-sentence. "We don't care what they claim you've done," he said, his voice dripping with nonchalance."And we don't care if you broke the law."

Stefan chimed in, adding, "No matter how flagrantly."

Vladimir declared with a hint of anticipation, "We've waited a millennium and a half for the Italian scum to be challenged. If there's even a chance they'll fall, you can be sure we'll be here to witness it."

"Or even help defeat them," Stefan added, a hint of mockery in his words. "If we believe you have a chance of success, that is."

With a protective motion, Vivienne drew Benjamin and herself away from the curious gazes of Vladimir and Stefan. They entered the house, seeking privacy from the Romanian vampires' presence.

Vivienne sought solace with Benjamin in a quiet room where they cuddled together, aiming to alleviate her sour mood resulting from their encounter with the two Romanian vampires.

Benjamin spoke with a soft, caring tone as he inquired, "My dear, would it be alright if I asked about your history with them?" Vivienne exhaled, settling comfortably in his embrace before responding.

"I encountered them a few times during my travels with Carlisle, shortly after I was transformed—around 1808, if I recall correctly," she began. "Vladimir, as you noticed, developed an interest in me, seeking to make me his mate. But let me make it clear, I never reciprocated those feelings."

Vivienne looked up at him, her smile warm and affectionate. "Because I already had you, in a sense—though not yet in person, as you're aware," she said affectionately.

Benjamin nodded, his expression nostalgic. "Ah, yes, it was in 1805 when you arrived in Cairo," he confirmed.

Vivienne continued, her voice tender, "I hated being human, but then I discovered you, and I knew that this was my destiny."

Benjamin chuckled, his hand reaching over to gently caress her cheek. He then pondered aloud, "I wonder what would have happened if you had found me when you were still human—considering I was around ten years old at the time."

She chuckled and playfully scrunched her nose, imagining the scenario. "Just picture a fifteen-year-old girl suddenly showing up, claiming she had a strange feeling about meeting a ten-year-old boy," she mused with amusement. Benjamin laughed at the thought, clearly amused by the idea.

Benjamin chuckled, his tone laced with playfulness. "I would have been thrilled," he confessed.

Vivienne smiled teasingly, raising an eyebrow, "Oh, really? You wouldn't find it the slightest bit creepy?"

He leaned closer to her, his expression filled with desire. "No, not even a little," he replied, his voice low and seductive. "Imagine a beautiful girl appearing at my dwelling, intent on sweeping me away."

Laughing, Benjamin fell back onto the bed, pulling Vivienne down with him.

"If it was in this day and age," she chimed in with a touch of sarcasm, "I'd be arrested."

Benjamin, still chuckling, shot back, "I wouldn't care about the law or any repercussions. If it meant being with you, I'd go to great lengths."

"Oh, you sly fox," she teased, as his chest rumbled with a slow, deep chuckle. Their eyes locked, Benjamin staring intently at her.

"I love you so much, Vivienne," he confessed, his voice filled with tenderness.

She smiled warmly, replying, "And I love you, Benjamin," before leaning forward and gently connecting their lips in a sweet, longing kiss.

Benjamin gazed down at her, his eyes filled with determination. "After all this is over," he began, his voice firm, "I want to marry you."

Vivienne's voice quivered as she exhaled an astonished, "What?"

Benjamin repeated his words, his gaze intense as he hovered over her on the bed. "I want to marry you, Vivienne," he said again.

Vivienne's words were slow, her expression tinged with fear. "But what about Amun?" she murmured, "He'll never let you go."

Benjamin's voice was resolute as he spoke, his words firm with conviction. "I don't care what Amun wants, Vivienne," he asserted. "I want you. And besides, after he deceived me, I am no longer going to spend my life in solitude. I'm never leaving your side again."

Vivienne's response was affectionate, her words accompanied by a series of kisses. "Yes, I will marry you," she affirmed, each kiss expressing her acceptance and love.

Benjamin leaned forward, his laughter intermingling with their kisses, as they both surrendered to the comfort and happiness that enveloped them.

As their laughter faded, their love and joy continued to infuse the moment. Benjamin gazed at Vivienne with love-filled eyes, his heart overflowing with elation. He couldn't help but marvel at the turn events had taken. From facing potential battles to this—the prospect of a life together, united in marriage. The thought filled him with excitement.

He gently pushed a strand of hair behind her ear, his touch tender. "You are truly a wonder, my love," he murmured affectionately. "And I cannot believe we're actually going to get married after all of this chaos. It's surreal."

"I never thought," he continued, a trace of amusement in his voice, "that I would propose to you when facing off against the Volturi, of all things."

Vivienne chuckled, her eyes sparkling with joy. "Ah, but life is full of surprises," she remarked, a playful smile on her lips. "Besides, when better to propose than during a moment of chaos? It adds a bit of excitement, don't you think?"

Benjamin shook his head, a playful glimmer in his eyes. "Ah, you and your love for adventure," he said, his tone affectionate. "Of course, you would find proposing during a moment of chaos exciting."

He gently pulled her closer, savoring the warmth of her body against his own. "But in all seriousness," he added, his voice becoming more sincere, "I truly can't wait to spend the rest of eternity with you."

Vivienne smiled blissfully, resting her head on Benjamin's chest, her hand tracing a lazy pattern over his chest. "And I cannot wait to spend the rest of eternity with you either," she responded softly.

Benjamin couldn't help but feel profound gratitude for the woman he held in his arms. She was his most cherished treasure, his reason for being.

"You're my everything, Vivienne," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "And I'm never letting you go again."