"Guys, I have an announcement to make." I say, once the door is closed behind us when we get back to our room.

"Everything alright?" Matthias asks.

"Yeah, everything's fine. I just... after the speech today, Emma and I were walking the halls, and a page came up to me, and told me that Reigna Na'im has requested an audience with me."

"Really? In private and everything?" Abigail asks.

"In private and everything. So, I go to the library, I talk with her, she told me my speech was great, and that it changed her opinion on climate change and-" Somehow, some way, I'm halted in my sentence.

"And what?" Matthias asks.

"She wants to create a new council. One dedicated to climate change." I look around the room a little bit. "And she wants me to head it."

"Really? Like, seriously?" David asks.

"Yes. The plan is, I finish high school, get into an accelerated college program for earth sciences, and then move here in four years."

"This is a once in a big offer. There has never been a committee added since the Vampiric Council was founded." Matthias explains.

"But, don't let us pressure you into doing anything. This decision must be all your own." Abigail says.

"It was my intention to say yes."

Abigail eyes crinkles as she smiles a little bit. "That's great."

"Did I tell you all that I will also be staying here, long term?" Emma blurts out. Everyone turns there head and looks over at Emma.

"You are?" Matthias asks, dumbfounded.

"Yes, I am. I will be taking up a position as page."

"Two daughters serving the Reigna! What an honor you have both put on our family." Abigail hugs her daughter around the shoulders.

"When will this begin?" Matthias asks.

"The day after tomorrow. When everyone leaves."

"You won't be coming home with us?"

"I'm sorry that I won't be. They make the uniforms here, though, and I have been told that the castle can provide anything that I should need." Emma says.

"Okay. Would you like us to send you some of your belongings?" Matthias offers.

"That would be very nice, thank you." Emma nods.

"We will miss you both so much." Abigail puts her hand on both Emma and I's shoulders.

"I'll still be with you for another four years."

"I know, but I'll still miss you." Abigail says. "Now, let's all get to bed, we've got a long day ahead of us tomorrow."

I slowly rise from my bed, a little bit by a little bit. I just now realize that my room is also decorated for the holiday morning. I walk over to my window, and open the curtains to look at the snowy landscape. This is officially awesome. It's Christmas, I'm in a castle, and it's a blizzard like conditions. The fire place in my room, is still burning brightly, and a stocking had been hung up at some point. I love all of it. I slip on my slippers, and walk out into the main room. Matthias is already out, sipping from a festive mug.

"Merry Christmas." Matthias greets. A tree sits in one of the corners, and presents sit underneath of its thick pine.

"Merry Christmas. Who did this?" I ask.

"The council did."

"Oh, that was nice of them." I say, looking closely at one of the ornaments.

"We'll open them when everyone gets in here."

I nod, and pick up Macbeth, which was almost finished. Abigail, Emma, and David all eventually make their way out, all having varying reactions to the presents under the tree.

"Merry Christmas." Abigail's smile is as big and happy as it always is.

"Oh, merry Christmas." I say, setting the book down. "Merry Christmas, Emma and David."

"Merry Christmas." They both echo back.

"So, who wants to open presents." Matthias offers.

We all nod our heads.

"Wait! No one do anything! I have to get some pictures first!" Abigail throws her hands up, quickly pulling out her phone and snapping a few shots.

"Are we doing oldest to youngest, like usual?" Emma asks.

"If it's alright with you guys." Matthias says.

"Go for it." I nod.

"Okay, Canada, since you're closest, do you think that you could pass the gifts around?"

"Yeah, sure." I say, pulling out one gift for every person. All of them had our names in some form of calligraphy.

"Okay, so I got..." Matthias pauses as he unwraps is present. "A pocket watch. It's perfect, I love it." Matthias had this uncharacteristic smile on his face as he says it.

"Read it." Abigail urges.

" 'The watch I always promised you.'" Matthias smiles grows a little bit.

"Am I missing something?" Emma asks.

"As you all know, when I was human, I was a footman. This job is what got me my punctuality and fear of being late, so I bought a watch. It was crummy, and didn't really tell me the right time, but it could tell how much time passed. That was Abigail's and I's first interaction, her telling me to get a better watch."

"Aww, that's so romantic." Emma says.

"Thank you, my love." Matthias gently lays his lips on Abigail's cheek.

"Okay, then, I guess it's my turn." Abigail slowly unwraps her gift. "Oh, Matty." She gently pulls out a silver necklace with a little heart on the bottom. "It's perfect, thank you." Abigail wraps her arms around her husband, and says things that none of us can hear.

"Okay, David, since you woke up first, open it." Matthias says.

"Alright." David quickly opens his box. "No way!" He holds out a box that reads 'Limited Edition! Nashville Hot Sauce with Commemorative Bottles!' "Just what I wanted." David says, big smile on his face.

"Okay, my turn." Emma says. She quickly pulls out a wooden instrument. It has weird little key things on it, and a small design carved into it. "A kalimba! No way!" Emma smiles grows tenfold as she starts strumming a tune. "It's perfect, thank you."

"No problem, kiddo." Matthias' smile still remains. "Canada, your turn."

"Okay." I slowly unwrap the package that sits in my lap. When the package is fully opened, a white sweatshirt falls into my lap. I hold it up, to see a little shirt that reads 'I'm not an environmentalist, I'm an Earth Warrior.' "I love it."

"It gets really cold in Antarctica, so, dual purposes I guess." Abigail shrugs. "The seller also had it in black, too, so if you should want to-"

"I still love it." I say, hugging it tightly to my chest and then sliding it over my head. "What do you guys think?"

Matthias casts a proud look my way. "Beautiful."

"Thanks." I smile, looking down.

"Okay, so, us kids got you guys something." Emma says, walking back over to the tree.

"You guys didn't have to get us anything." Abigail asserts.

"Hey, you give us all this stuff, it's only fair." David says.

In the end, Matthias got a blue print of Madison Square Garden, Abigail recieved a new jewelry box, David got new cleats, and Emma, a new pair of pajamas.

I think it's funny how vampires that are over a century year old still act like they're nine on Christmas morning. They're eyes still light up when they open a present. They still throw the wrapping paper at each other once they're finished with it. It something I can't help but smile at. It's kind of fun to watch all of them interact with each other like this. It's almost like-

"Canada, it's your turn." Abigail breaks me away from my thoughts.

"Oh, sorry." I say. I unwrap the white wrapping paper, only to see a little red, velvety, box. I open it slowly to see a little silver chain, with a small, silver sun pendant attached. It almost kind of reminds me of the mirror in Once Upon a Time. "It's beautiful."

"It's our family crest." Matthias explains. "Everyone in our family has it."

"I have a bracelet." Abigail holds up her wrist, where a little silver charm dangles from a silver chain.

"It's on my earrings." Emma smiles, touching the backs of her ears.

"I have a leather wristband." David holds out his wrist where a matching crest sits.

"And I have a ring." Matthias doesn't hold out his hand, but I can see that it sits where a class ring usually would. "You're a part of the family now, Canada."

"Wow,"

I can't help but notice Matthias' use of the word, 'family' rather than 'clan'.

"Thank you. Thank all of you guys for letting me stay with you, and taking care of me and letting me live and- thank you, for everything."

"Anytime." Abigail says, grabbing my hand a little bit.

"We really are like the Cullen's, huh?" I ask, gently elbowing David in the side.

"We had this going for us a long while ago. Long before Ms. Meyer was even born." Matthias rolls his eyes a little bit. "Anyways, I think that is all of the gifts, so, let's all get ready for breakfast, yeah?"

We all do so. I put on a dress, strap on my heels, brush my hair and teeth, let Emma put on my makeup, all of that kind of stuff. We all walk out of the room, and walk down to the dining hall. Everything is so beautifully decorated for the holiday. Wreaths and trees all line the hallways, and the snow in the windows don't help it's case for being the most beautiful things I've ever seen.

We enter into the dining hall- also decorated perfectly- and take our usual seats.

"Excuse me," An unknown voice calls from behind us. He's got an accent, from France, I think.

"Yes?" I ask, turning around. A tall man in a suit stands behind me. "Would you happen to be Madam Canada Wayward?"

"Yes, sir." I nod.

"Pleasure to meet you. I Pierre." He extends his hand.

"The pleasure is mine." I shake his hand.

"I watched your speech yesterday, and it was absolutely wonderful."

"Oh, thank you, sir."

"But of course. I also couldn't help but wondering, is biodiversity also linked to Climate Change?"

"Yes, it is. It's like how I talked about that deforestation stuff. That takes away homes from animals, which, kills them off, or forced them to go into a different area where they could have a negative effect on that habitat. Then there's human population issues, of bringing evasive species that destroy ecosystems. Poaching, especially poaching an endangered animal, and then that animal could go extinct, could also throw off the balance. I could go on and on about this stuff for days."

"I totally agree. If I have any other questions, would you mind if I were to email you based off of the contact information on the website?"

"Sure, yes, of course, sir."

"Wonderful, merci, mademoiselle." Pierre leaves and walks over to his seat, just in time for the announcer to call out that Reigna Na'im was about to enter.

"Announcing, Reigna Na'im." Reigna Na'im glides across the carpet, and up to her usual spot at the head table. A breakfast skillet is served, and we all begin to eat. Mid way through a bite, I feel a tap come at my shoulder. I turn my head, and bolt to my feet. Standing in front of me, yet again is Reigna Na'im.

"Reigna Na'im." I say, falling to the usual curtsy, and everyone else does the same.

"Please, continue your meal." She says, and all of the rest sit down. "I'll keep this brief, as breakfast is especially good this morning. After breakfast, please follow one of my pages to my study, if you wouldn't mind."

"Of course, Reigna."

"Wonderful. Thank you all for your time." Reigna puts a hand up, and walks away. I sit back down, feeling the amount of butterflies in my stomach just keep growing and growing.

"Look at you, kiddo." Matthias says. "Getting a private audience with Reigna Na'im, twice in one week."

"Yeah." Three times, actually.

"You must really know how to make a first impression." David smirks.

"I'd tell you to shut if we weren't in the presence of royalty." I growl. David and I stare at each other for a moment before we bust out laughing. We keep it as quiet as we can, but it's still there.

The meal gets finished, and I wait a minute to see if I can find a page. By this time, everyone has left, or is leaving, the room.

"Madam Canada?" The voice of Mikah asks from behind me. I don't say anything I just look at him. "I'm here to escort you to Reigna Na'im's private study."

I nod, and follow him through the halls. As we get closer and closer, I can't help but notice that the amount of guards in the hallways grows and grows. Also, the amount of art in the hallway, and the value of them, increases with the amount of guards. When turn a hallway, a guard stands in the center of it, spear drawn.

"Halt, who goes there?" She asks.

"A guest of Reigna Na'im, Madam Canada Wayward." Mikah says.

"Have either of you any weapons?" She asks.

"No." Mikah and I both say at the exact same time.

The guard eyes us up and down, before finally putting her spear at hear side, sharp side up. "Very well then, you may go. Thank you for your cooperation." She steps to the side, allowing us to move further down the hallway. When we reach the end, a large door sits, and small desk with a secretary sits. She rises to her feet and bows a little bit.

"Madam Canada, welcome." She says. "May I get you any refreshments?"

"No thank you." I reply.

"Very well." She nods. She presses a button on her head set. "Reigna Na'im, Madam Canada is here to see you.-- Alright, yes, Reigna, thank you." The secretary rises to her feet again. "Reigna Na'im will see you now." She presses a button, and the door slides open.

"Thank you." say, nodding to her. I look back at Mikah for a second. "Thank you." I say, waving a bit, and step through the door.

I walk into an lavishly decorated room that can only be compared to the queen's quarters in Buckingham Palace. White roses sit everywhere, and fancy couches are lined up in such an intricate pattern that I even begin to wonder if there is one. I look over and see some fancy double doors are wide open, and they lead straight to Reigna Na'im. She smiles a little bit once she sees that I notice her.

"Good morning, Ms. Canada." She calls out as I walk into her office.

"Good morning, Reigna Na'im." I say, falling to a curtsy when I reach a spot right in front of her.

She smiles a little sadly. "You will never drop the formalities, will you?"

"I'm sorry."

"Nothing for you to worry about. Please, take a seat." I sit down at one of the chairs. "Have you made your decision?"

"Yes, Reigna. I would like to start up a council."

"Wonderful." Her eyes crease. "Welcome to my council."

"It is my pleasure to serve you."

"You will find that you don't just serve me, but everyone. Vampire, and mortal, alike."

"I'll get that right next time."

"Good, if you'd please, come with me," She says, rising from her desk. She walks over to a small wardrobe in the corner, and opens it. She pulls out a purple sash, and presents it to me. "This sash is worn by all of the other council members. It signifies importance. I would like you to wear this tonight, and enter with the rest of the council people."

"Really?"

"Yes, Ms. Canada, it would show your promising future."

"Thank you, I'd be honored." Reigna Na'im put the sash in the bx, and then hands it over to me.

"Ah, I see you're wearing your clan crest." She points to my necklace.

"Yes, I just got it this morning for Christmas."

"That was very kind of your clan." Reigna Na'im nods. "I should let you get going. Rest up before the ball and everything."

"Of course, thank you for this wonderful opportunity."

"Thank you for saving the world."