AN: late, but not gone!
Life update. I'm thinking of getting a fish as an emotional support pet... I wanted a turtle, but ita a bit pricey... Hmmm... I was thinking it'll help with the insomia. I can stare watch the fish instead of my phone screen to sleep. 😶🤔.
Current chapter on Patreon and Kofi 140, as in were at chapter 140(prolly will have more after i post this cos I'm currently editing now) and spoiler... Uh were at canon timeline now *clap clap clap*🤣
Anywho. Heres the chap.
~~
NJ's POV
It's been weeks since I died. Or, at least, since I was supposed to die. Marilyn Monroe, dead at 36—overdose, they said. My entire life had been carefully orchestrated, right down to my exit. And for a while, I believed it. That was supposed to be the end of my story. But the universe had other plans, apparently, and they involved sharp teeth, red eyes, and a chaotic siren-vampire hybrid who somehow made immortality seem like an eternal circus act.
Now, I sat in the backseat of the car, staring out at the snowy trees blurring past, thinking about everything I'd left behind. Fame, fans, parties, and... cheeseburgers. God, I missed cheeseburgers. Not that I could stomach them anymore. Robin had warned me, but did I listen? No. I had to try a bite. One bite. And it had tasted like cardboard dipped in regret.
Meanwhile, the chaos in the front seat was in full swing.
Robin, perched sideways in the passenger seat with her legs folded under her like she owned the world, was loudly singing something she claimed was called "Friday." Her voice, despite her best efforts to sing badly, was otherworldly—soft, ethereal, like honey poured over moonlight. It didn't matter that the lyrics made no sense and she kept purposefully pitching notes off-key. Her voice was too good.
"♪ It's Fri-day, Fri-day, gotta get down on Fri-day! ♪" Robin wailed dramatically, clutching an invisible microphone and pretending to hit a high note.
Nasu, who was driving, didn't even flinch. "It's Tuesday," he muttered, his deep voice tinged with exhaustion.
"It's Friday in my heart, Nasu," Robin declared. She threw her arms wide, her voice ringing like a divine choir. "I'm bringing the weekend to all of you peasants!"
I couldn't help but laugh under my breath. Rosalie, sitting in the seat beside me, was trying her hardest to look unimpressed, but her lips kept twitching like she was holding back a smile.
"You know," I said, finally breaking my silence, "for someone trying to sing badly, you're failing miserably."
Robin spun around to face me, her eyes sparkling with faux outrage. "Excuse you, NJ. I'll have you know I worked hard to make that sound awful."
"And yet you still sound like an angel descended from heaven," Rosalie said, not looking up from the book she was pretending to read.
I'm happy for Robin, my other mother... and Rosalie doesn't seem too bad, I wasn't thrilled at what she did to my mom, but the important thing is they're happy now right? and I was told how special a soulmates is. So no matter how salty and hopeful I was for Robin and Olivia to get back together, both of them had already moved on, and are now happy with their significant others. I'm no longera child that would have a tantrum to get what I want, not like I ever was like that.
Robin gasped dramatically, clutching her chest like Rosalie had just stabbed her with a wooden stake. "Rosalie Hale, was that... was that a compliment?"
"No," Rosalie replied, her voice perfectly even.
Robin turned back to me, whispering loud enough for the entire car to hear, "She totally thinks I'm adorable."
"Do not," Rosalie muttered.
"She does," Robin stage-whispered. Then, louder, "Don't worry, Rosie. I accept your undying affection. You're lucky you have me."
Rosalie slammed her book shut, her golden eyes narrowing. "Lucky? Oh, I'll show you lucky—"
"Focus, everyone," Nasu interrupted, his hands steady on the wheel. "We're almost out of gas, and I need silence to think."
"Silence?" Robin snorted. "What are you, a monk? This isn't a temple, Nasu. This is road trip vibes. NJ, back me up here."
"I think he's just trying to keep us alive," I said dryly.
Robin grinned at me. "Pfft. You're all already dead and I wont die."
We stopped at a gas station, the only one for miles, with flickering neon lights that screamed "sketchy." Nasu got out to pump gas, while Rosalie stayed in the car, arms crossed, looking like she was trying to manifest patience. Robin, however, had other plans.
"I'm getting snacks!" she announced, hopping out of the car before anyone could stop her.
"Snacks?" I called after her. "You're half-vampire. Do you still need to eat so much?"
"Human food still tastes amazing to me, I don't have to mind my health or weight, since I'll stay this perfect forever my dear daughter" Robin shot back, already disappearing into the store.
Rosalie sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Why do I feel like this is going to end badly?"
"She's harmless," I said, though even I didn't entirely believe it. 'When shes sleeping' I said to myself.
Five minutes later, Robin came skipping back, holding a bag of chips, a six-pack of soda, and... a stuffed squirrel?
"What is that?" I asked, pointing at the squirrel.
"This," Robin said proudly, holding it up like a trophy, "is Mr. Nutters. He's our new mascot. In memory of the little critter you tried to drain,"
Nasu groaned. "I leave you alone for five minutes."
"You're welcome," Robin said, climbing back into the passenger seat. She buckled Mr. Nutters into the seatbelt, then opened a soda and took a long sip. "Ah, sweet nectar of the gods."
"Don't spill that," Rosalie warned.
Robin waved her off. "Relax, Rosie. I've got this."
Ten seconds later, the car hit a pothole, and the soda went flying.
"I warned you!" Rosalie snapped as the sticky liquid splashed onto her lap.
"Oh no!" Robin gasped, feigning innocence. "It's like fate wanted this to happen. Maybe it's destiny, Rosie. Maybe the universe is telling us to loosen up."
Rosalie glared at her, and I swear I saw her eyeing the car door like she was considering tossing Robin out of it.
Back on the road, the snow began to fall in thick, fluffy flakes, coating the landscape in white. I leaned against the window, watching the world blur by, my thoughts drifting again.
I used to love snow. It made everything seem magical, like the world had been transformed into a movie set just for me. But now, it felt... different. Colder. Emptier.
I thought about the life I'd left behind—the parties, the cameras, the adoring fans. It all seemed so far away now, like a dream I'd woken up from.
"Hey, NJ," Robin's voice broke into my thoughts. "What are you thinking about? Cheeseburgers? The inevitability of death? Why Rosalie looks so good in sweaters?"
"I heard that," Rosalie muttered, her cheeks would've turned the faintest shade of pink for sure if she was still human.
I did get, using Robin's words 'Got upgraded', and became 'NJ 2.0', with all the 'Filter and beautications specs at max', if you exclude Robin, who I was told was even in the supernatural peoples standard of beauty and charm was still unmatched... Rosalie, was a close second... is what Robin and Nasu told me. Rosalie didn't agree nor deny it tho... my point is, Robin and ROsalie looked good together, and given the other blondes gift, which I was told was often the manifestation of the most prominent trait they had or dying wish, It seemed like Rosalie wanted to match my mom. I acan espect that...
"I'm just... adjusting," I said, choosing to ignore Robin's antics. "This whole vampire thing is a lot to process."
Robin turned around in her seat, her expression unusually soft. "Yeah, it is. But you'll get there. And hey, you've got me to guide you through it. I'm like a vampire sensei. Have more faith in you momma!"
Rosalie snorted. "You're more like a vampire disaster."
Robin beamed. "Thank you!"
As the car sped along the snowy road, the chaos inside continued. Robin started singing again, this time some mournful ballad that sounded ancient, her voice so beautiful it made my chest ache.
The words were in a language I didn't understand, but the emotion in her voice was undeniable—love, loss, longing. For a moment, the car seemed to fade away, replaced by images in my mind—an endless ocean, waves crashing against jagged rocks, a lone figure standing at the edge of a cliff, singing to the storm.
I blinked, and the vision was gone.
"That's... cheating," I said, my voice shaky.
Robin turned to me, her grin mischievous. "I told you. I'm your vampire sensei. Lesson one: never underestimate the power of a siren song."
Rosalie rolled her eyes. "You're impossible."
"And you're in love with me," Robin shot back without missing a beat.
Rosalie didn't respond, but I don't know if it's my imagnation, but can vampires actually blush? not pink, but her cheeks color kind of darkened, barely... but still... Probably just my imagination because slowly, this woman was growing on me, and I couldn't help but smile.
Maybe this new life wasn't so bad after all. Chaotic, yes. But not bad.
~~
Robin's POV
Finally. After what felt like an eternity of snow, potholes, and Nasu's stoic driving (seriously, the man drives like a robot), we pulled up to the Denali coven's place. Their home was nestled in the middle of nowhere Alaska, surrounded by snowy peaks and trees so tall they looked like they were trying to touch the moon.
Now, I've been here plenty of times before, so I should've been used to the icy beauty of it all. But this time? This time, I couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom.
Why, you ask?
Because I was bringing my adopted daughter, NJ, who had just gotten the hang of walking straight without wanting to murder every human in a 10-mile radius, to meet my very single, very flirty cousins/aunts. This is the same coven who thinks "personal space" is a suggestion and who once tried to charm a priest just to prove they could.
What could possibly go wrong?
As we stepped out of the car, Tanya was already waiting for us on the porch, her golden-blond hair flowing like she was starring in a shampoo commercial. She had that signature Denali smile, the one that said, "Hi, I might flirt with you, but I'll also bake you cookies if you're nice to me."
"Robin!" Tanya called out, opening her arms wide. "My favorite cousin/sort-of-niece!"
I groaned internally. "Tanya, you say that to everyone."
"Only the ones I like," she said with a wink. Then her eyes landed on NJ, and her smile softened. "And who is this lovely creature?"
I froze. Oh no. Oh no, no, no. I had seen that look before. It was the same look Tanya had when she first laid eyes on a sparkly shirt in the 1920s and declared she needed it for "seduction purposes."
"This is NJ," I said quickly, trying to shift Tanya's focus. "My new daughter. She's a newborn, so, you know... baby vampire. Fragile. Totally off-limits."
NJ stepped forward, her crimson eyes meeting Tanya's golden ones. And then it happened.
They froze.
Both of them just stood there, staring at each other like the universe had stopped spinning. Tanya's playful smirk faded, replaced by something I could only describe as awe.
"Oh no," I whispered, feeling the ground crumble beneath me.
And then, at the exact same time, they both said it.
"MATE."
"NOOOOOOO!" I screamed, throwing my hands into the air like I was in a soap opera. "Seriously, Rob? This is how you treat me? You pair my baby daughter with my cousin-slash-aunt?"
Tanya blinked, her focus still entirely on NJ. "Wait, hold on. Daughter? Robin, when did you even have time to—"
"Details aren't important!" I snapped, stepping between them like a human shield. "What's important is that this is WRONG. So many levels of WRONG. Think of the family dinners! The holiday parties! The gossip!"
NJ tilted her head, her crimson eyes still locked on Tanya. "You didn't tell me you had a cousin who looked like a goddess."
"Oh for the love of sparkly vampires," I muttered, slapping my forehead.
Tanya's lips curled into a slow, delighted smile. "You think I look like a goddess?"
"STOP!" I yelled, waving my arms like I was warding off a pack of wild animals. "No flirting! No winking! No weird vampire seduction eyes! This is my daughter, Tanya. MY BABY."
"Relax, Robin," Tanya said, her voice smooth as silk. "I would never disrespect you. But if she's my mate..." She trailed off, her golden eyes flicking back to NJ.
"No trailing off into seductive pauses!" I yelled, pointing at her. "That's illegal!"
"Robin," Rosalie's voice cut in from behind me. "You're being dramatic."
I spun around, glaring at her. "Dramatic? My daughter just soul-bonded with my flirty, shameless cousin! DRAMATIC IS THE LEAST I CAN BE."
Rosalie shrugged, completely unfazed. "They're mates. It's not like you can do anything about it."
"Yes, I can!" I said, stomping my foot. "I'll... I'll... I don't know what I'll do, but I'll do something!"
Meanwhile, NJ and Tanya were still staring at each other, their expressions softening as if the rest of us didn't exist.
"This is insane," I muttered, pacing in a circle. "Of all the vampires in the world, why did it have to be Tanya? Why not someone boring? Someone who reads spreadsheets for fun?!"
"I like spreadsheets," Nasu chimed in from behind me.
"No offense, Nasu, but that's because you're boring," I snapped, then immediately regretted it when he raised an eyebrow at me. "I mean that with love."
"You're spiraling," Rosalie said, smirking.
"I am NOT spiraling!" I snapped, spiraling even harder.
By the time I finally calmed down (read: stopped pacing like a lunatic), Tanya and NJ were having a full-on conversation.
"So, you're Marilyn Monroe," Tanya was saying, her voice dripping with curiosity. "Or, you were."
"Yeah," NJ said, smiling shyly. "It's been... a lot to adjust to. But this world... your world... it feels right."
Tanya reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair from NJ's face. "You'll fit right in."
"NO TOUCHING!" I yelled, leaping between them again.
Tanya sighed. "Robin, she's my mate. Do you know what that means?"
"Yes, I know what it means!" I snapped. "But can you not... can you NOT with the touching and the googly eyes? At least give me time to process!"
NJ smiled at me, a mix of amusement and affection in her expression. "Robin, I appreciate your concern, but I'm not a child. I can make my own decisions."
"You're technically just a few weeks old," I shot back.
Tanya chuckled, her voice like warm honey. "Robin, you're adorable when you're overprotective."
"I'm adorable all the time," I said, crossing my arms. "But that's not the point!"
Eventually, I gave up. There was no fighting fate, no matter how much I wanted to. Tanya and NJ were mates, and as much as it horrified me on a personal level, I couldn't bring myself to be truly angry about it.
Still, as we all filed into the Denali house, I couldn't help but grumble under my breath.
"I can't believe this," I muttered. "My daughter and my cousin. It's like some weird soap opera plot twist. What's next? Rosalie secretly being my long-lost twin?"
Rosalie rolled her eyes. "You're ridiculous."
"And you love me for it," I shot back.
She didn't answer, but the faint smile on her lips said it all.
~~
That night, as everyone settled into their rooms, Tanya and NJ sat by the fire, talking quietly. I watched them from the doorway, my emotions a chaotic mix of exasperation and reluctant acceptance.
"Welcome to the family," I whispered to myself, shaking my head.
Then I turned and walked away, muttering under my breath, "At least Tanya doesn't like spreadsheets."
~~
AN: You might've noticed that I didn't include the other characters staying in the Denali's, but I just felt like this part has been going on for a while now, so i'm gonna be moving on so we can get faster to the Canon timeline.
I'm thinking and planning the approaching canon time, the next chap or after this migh be a filler like an R18, or something silly. hehe sorry.
As always, y'all are sweet, supportive, and just the best. I also appreciate the constructive criticism, as long as it makes sense, I dont mind fr👍💯. The one that hurta and bothers me are those who just leave emojis or just curse and whatnot, or those who keep insisting on something I already said No to(y'all
Haven't seen them there cos they deleted it, and as explained in the past, the author still sees the deleted comments.), it makes me dread opening the app to check the notifications (i know I'm being a wuss 😶). But most of you are just absolute sweethearts, so I still just grit my teeth and open the app to upload. I appreciate you all(truly) 💕.
Anywho, for those who want to send some support, be a patron on KoFi member, links are bellow, for the discord, you can comment
that you wanna join, and I or some of the friends we already have there will send you the link. Were all harmless! 😶😌
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