As planned, the Cullen's met Jacob, Seth and Leah in the first class lounge at the Seattle airport. Jacob reported that he had introduced himself to the airport security chief as the head of security for the Cullen family, and asked for a heads up as to what to expect at the security checks at the airports they would be passing through. He was told that once their luggage passed through security here, they would not have to worry about it until they arrived in London and picked it up at the baggage claim.
"Thank you, Jacob for thinking to do that for us, said Carlisle. Edward will choose which security checkpoint will be the most expedient and Jasper will make sure the security guards stay calm, so they don't search one of us and question why we are warmer or colder than we should be. Alice, do you see any situations that we may have to deal with?"
"No, Carlisle, I think we are good," replied Alice."
"The security guard at the first checkpoint is new, so he is looking for people to search. I don't suggest going through his line unless you want to be searched. Now I think we should split up and some of us go through the second and fourth lines. Those security guards have been here for a while and are only going to search the people they think may pose a threat. Seth, don't worry. We do this all the time, and we've never been searched," said Edward.
"You could have let him ask. He may not have wanted everyone to know he was worried. I certainly don't want you answering every thought in my head. Ever heard of privacy?" Leah retorted.
"Down, girl. Take it easy on Edward. He gets the privacy thing. Keep the volume down. We are trying to look inconspicuous, not draw the guards' attention," said Emmett.
Leah glared at him as she walked over to the second security checkpoint and went through it without incident.
Edward had to laugh at the thoughts going through Emmett's mind as he lead his family through the fourth security checkpoint.
Jacob was glad he wasn't in wolf form and couldn't hear Leah's thoughts. He felt sorry for Edward who had no way to turn it off, until he saw Renesmee's hand on his head and realized she was telling him something funny and diverting him from listening to any thoughts he may have otherwise picked up.
After he made sure everyone was through security, Carlisle walked over to Leah.
"I don't care what you say, or how you act in private, but in public you must remember not to draw attention to us. You chose to be a part of Jacob's pack and to protect my family. I expect you to do it," Carlisle said in his calm, quiet voice.
Leah felt chilled to the bone, even though Carlisle showed no outward signs that seemed menacing. She remembered feeling the pain of Carlisle re-breaking Jacob's bones from Jacob's memories. To protect his family or help someone heal, Carlisle was capable of inflicting excruciating pain.
If she was honest with herself, Seth probably did ask Edward about the security checkpoint. Seth hero-worships Edward instead of Jacob which would make sense. Edward has treated Seth like his little brother ever since they fought Victoria and Riley together.
Carlisle was right. They had to protect one another, and who knew what dangers they might encounter on this trip. If vampires and werewolves exist, what else could be out there?
Nessie was excited to be going on her first plane trip. This trip is all about her. First, they were going to London where Carlisle made arrangements for her to be baptized at the current church that occupies the site where his father's church stood. She hoped she remembered what she is supposed to say at the appropriate times in the ceremony. Next they are going to Paris. They speak French there. Everyone has been practicing French. Maybe I can put my thoughts in people's heads and not have to try to speak French.
"Nice try, Nessie," said her father. " You'll speak French like the rest of us. Why don't we practice the ceremony again, if you are concerned that you won't remember your responses?"
"Edward, let Renesnee enjoy her trip. If she forgets something, the priest will prompt her. She is only doing this to please you and Carlisle," said Bella.
"No, Mama, I'm doing it so that when I get to heaven, I can ask God to let all of you in too," replied Nessie.
Bella had to smile at the thought of her little girl petitioning God on their behalf.
"All aboard who are going aboard," announced Emmett as the flight attendants opened the gate to start boarding first class. He took Rosalie's arm and formally walked her down the passage to board the plane. Rosalie smiled her most dazzling smile as she walked along side him. They looked like movie stars walking down a red carpet instead of passengers boarding a plane.
Edward heard several of the other passengers wondering who they were, and if they should take pictures. He thought Carlisle needed to include them in his speech about being conspicuous when we are trying not to attract attention.
As Seth passed by him, Edward handed him a hand held game system. As he saw Leah's frown, Edward explained that it was a hand-me-down game that Seth was borrowing for the trip. "It's Castlevania. I thought he might like to practice killing vampires," he said with a smile. Edward remembered buying the game for Jasper as a joke. At the time, Jasper was the only one of them who had actually killed a vampire. Now, killing vampires was becoming too commonplace. Hopefully, they would not run into any rogue vampires on this trip. But if they did, he knew Seth would be prepared. Not that Leah would let him get near enough to a rogue vampire to kill it.