Jasper sat in his study staring off into space. Peter and Charlotte had taken Garrett out hunting and to run a perimeter around the Whitlock Ranch. They would run over and check on the Williams Ranch to see what the authorities were finding and report back when they returned. Upstairs he could hear the steady heartbeats of his mate, her children, and her young charges. Finding her was not something he had anticipated or ever hoped for.
Glancing up at the ceiling, he closed the old journal he had been flipping through. Emma, his young and tiny little mate was hurting and grieving so deeply it nearly brought him to his knees. His inner beast snarled knowing that she had belonged to another, even if only briefly. Jasper the man, the logical side of his brain, knew that he had no right to be upset with her for living her life. Even now she had no idea what she meant to him.
Jasper stood and placed his journal back in the shelves behind his large desk, the desk his father had made so many years ago. His senses were heightened knowing that his mate was in danger. During his phone call with Carlisle earlier, the Brothers chimed in on the call and were horrified to learn that his mate was in such danger. They agreed that they would be sending a number of the Guard to check things out and to assess the situation and assist. The rest of the Guard and the Kings themselves would be called if the situation called for more reinforcements.
It grated on Jasper's nerves asking the Volturi for help or involving them, but Peter was right. If it meant that Emma would be safe, he would do whatever it took. The werewolves didn't know what they were up against. Even now, Jasper was struggling to keep the Major reigned in. The Major was ready to unleash his fury on the world at large for daring to threaten his mate. He wanted to lay waste to those that harmed her or caused her pain.
Even in her sleep he could feel her grief and pain. It beat at his sense and he wanted nothing more than to hold her close and hide her and the children away. Because the children were important to her, they were important to him. She was meant to be a mother; that much was abundantly clear when he watched her and little Caroline the previous day. An old desire for family and children rose up in him. It was something he had given up hopes for long ago. Now though he had the opportunity for family and children in his life.
Rolling his shoulders and twisting his neck from side to side, he tried to ease the tension that was coiled in his muscles. It was only long years of practice that kept the rigid control on the Major, his beast within, which was rattling at the cages he was kept behind. It was not time to unleash his inner monster, not yet. Soon he vowed internally, soon those that dared cause his mate and the children such pain and grief would pay.
With a heavy sigh, Jasper turned to stare out the window, watching the sky lighten. He looked out over the horizon, waiting for his coven members to return and report on what they found. He knew that he would have to feed the following evening, but he couldn't bring himself to leave his mate's side. Lost in his thoughts he watched the figures of his coven approaching on the horizon and hoped they had good news.
Meanwhile in La Push the Pack, Elders, and Council were meeting after a series of phone calls from the Cullens and their former coven member, Major Jasper Whitlock. The Mother had been identified and she was indeed in danger and being hunted. Their voices were raised arguing for and against bringing her to Forks or La Push preferably. Old Quil was firm and adamant that she and her kin must be brought locally for her protection. He reiterated that the spirits has spoken and foretold that she must be protected.
"We have had relative peace for a decade!" Paul argued. "Why do we have to involve ourselves in anything to do with the Cullens?"
"I gave my word," Jacob reminded everyone present firmly, silencing the meeting hall. "They came to protect Hillary and this tribe when they didn't have to. I gave them my word that I would return the favor."
Silence rang around the Pack Alpha. Their protests died on their lips remembering that terrifying day ten years prior when the Volturi were coming for them. Jacob was right, they owed the Cullens and their allies no matter how much it bothered them. They were duty and honor bound to return the favor.
"The Mother and her kin will lead to the next generation of Warriors unlike the world has ever seen," Old Quil rasped. "I'm not discrediting you or your children, but her bloodline will strengthen that of the Warriors around the world, she has the blood of warriors running through her veins."
"Haven't we dealt with enough legends and secrets?" Embry asked quietly.
"I forget that you are all still very young," Old Quil said tiredly. "I have had my problems with the Cullens in the past, I will not deny this. However, the spirits have told us that we must protect The Mother. For the survival of the tribe and Pack, we must protect The Mother."
Jacob met Quil's eye and nodded. He glanced to the other members of the Pack and then to the Council and Elders. They all knew what was at stake. There was no other option or choice, but to protect this young woman and her children.
The Pack left and went to Jacob's house. The imprints and their children were waiting in the much expanded home of Hillary and Jacob. They had to add to their home over the years to accommodate their large family. The Pack and other imprints joked that Hillary and Jake were trying to create a pack of their own.
The Pack gathered around in the large kitchen of the Black family home. They were discussing the meeting that had taken place and filling in the imprints as to what they had heard and decided. Jake looked towards Hillary, searching for any sign of fear or discomfort. He could see that she was anxious about the idea of vampires returning to their area. However, when they mentioned the young woman and the children that she cared for, Hillary straightened and he watched as her resolve to help rose up.
"She and the children need to come here," Hillary said firmly. "If they're in danger and it's bad enough that the Cullens and Whitlocks are asking for our help, then it must be bad."
"Aren't you afraid that they'll be bringing danger back to La Push?" Alani asked in concern. "What about our own children?"
"We have the Pack to protect us and our children. They do not have limitations such as the sun. As leaders of this tribe and Pack it is our responsibility and duty to protect the innocents," Hillary stated firmly. "Yes I fear for my children and the future, but if what Old Quil and Claire say is true, then if we do not help then there is no future for us at all."
Jake embraced his wife and kissed her brow. He caught the eye of his Pack mates and nodded. Catching Quil holding Claire out of the corner of his eye, he knew that the young imprint was struggling. She had been having more vivid dreams. Old Quil informed them that she was apparently meant to be the next Oracle or Dream-walker of the tribe. He had begun to train her and shared with her the old journals of previous tribe members that held the positions.
"I need to contact Johnny H. and let him know of what's happening," Jake said while straightening.
He reluctantly released Hillary and stepped out on the back patio, taking out his cell phone. Johnny answered on the second ring. It was a long drawn out phone call, but in the end they were on the same page and in agreement. Old Quil had contacted the other shifter immediately after Claire's dream. Johnny had contacted the other tribes of shifters to put them on high alert.
The shifters globally were preparing to mobilize if necessary or to take in The Mother and her children should the need arise. They took the instructions of the spirits very seriously. They would not go against their ancestors or the spirits, especially after such a dire warning. The Pack and shifters were preparing for war.
Jacob hung up the phone and looked to the sun lightening the sky. He glanced back at the home that he had built with his mate and wife. He knew that he was truly blessed. He just prayed that they would all make it out of this alive.
Emma stirred, drawing Caroline against her and nuzzling into her strawberry blonder curls. Tears stung her eyes as she tried to choke back her grief. Thank God the children were alright. Her little Caroline was a perfect blend of her and Danny, with her hair and her daddy's gray eyes. Thinking of Danny hurt deeply. She missed him, now more than ever. Her parents were gone, her sister and Mike were gone too.
Sighing, she sat up in the large bed and watched as Caroline stirred. Her big gray eyes popped open meeting her own blue eyes. Emma smiled softly at her daughter and picked her up with a smile. She looked around and found the diaper bag that Charlotte had hastily put together for her. She noticed that there was also a duffle bag as well and she wondered who or when it had been packed for her.
Caroline patted her face and babbled at her. She quickly changed her diaper and held her hand to go get the other children up for the day. Emma realized that it was already eight in the morning, much later than they were all used to getting up. Considering the circumstances however, it was early.
She heard the whispers and giggles in the room beside hers and smiled at her nephews and niece.
Beckoning them to follow her, they made their way down the stairs. Emma could smell breakfast from down the hallway as she ushered the four children into the kitchen. Jasper was working side by side with Charlotte to get a large breakfast prepared for the children and Emma.
"Have a seat," Charlotte said with a smile.
Emma smiled tiredly, but it didn't reach her eyes. Swallowing back the grief that threatened to overwhelm her, she placed a calming hand on her abdomen. Situating the children on the bench seat by a large bay window, she sat gratefully in a seat at the table.
Peter and Garrett entered the kitchen and nodded to Emma as the carried in arm loads of groceries. It appeared that they were restocking their kitchen. Emma looked around the large kitchen, like her parents' it still had hints of the original design, but had been updated renovated to add space and modernize. It was a beautiful room, with exposed timbers and quartz counters.
"Here," Jasper said sliding a plate of food in front of her while putting a plate nearby for Caroline.
Charlotte brought plates over for the other children with a soft smile. "Eat up and let me know if you want anything else."
Emma patiently helped Caroline spoon eggs for herself while taking bites herself. The food was delicious, but it didn't sit well in her stomach. She was so upset from the events from the night before. Drawing a shaky breath, she smiled reassuringly for the children and encouraged them to eat.
"Are you alright?" Jasper asked her in concern.
"I – I don't know," she replied honestly. "I keep hoping to wake up and to have all of this be a bad dream. They don't know yet, none of them know and I don't know how to explain it or what to do. They barely understand what it meant to lay Danny to rest."
"Come one now darlin'. We'll figure something out and get through this," he said taking her hand in his cold one. "We'll take this one step at a time. After they've eaten and gotten dressed for the day we'll sit down with them, alright?"
Emma closed her eyes and nodded. She felt Caroline climb into her lap and nuzzle into her shoulder. Her faint whisper of, "mama" was all that Emma needed to re-center and ground herself again. She gave Caroline a light squeeze and tickled her gently causing her daughter to giggle and shriek.
Glancing across the table she saw her nephews and niece grinning and eating their breakfasts. Looking at the man crouched beside her, still holding her hand she nodded.
"That sounds like a plan," she replied. "Thank you for everything. When daddy said that he expected things to turn out," she paused glancing at the children. "I knew that he needed to call someone. I had hoped to reach someone before things turned out badly."
"I'm sorry that we didn't get there sooner, Little Bit," Peter said with genuine regret. "As we mentioned last night we pulled up at the same time that Sheriff Cunningham did."
"Thank you for coming all the same and for giving us a place to stay," she said emotionally.
"Mama!" Caroline said in alarm.
"Mama's got you, peanut." Emma said holding her daughter close. "It's alright now, little love."
"Auntie," Ryan whispered uncertainly. "What's wrong?"
"Finish your breakfast please," she urged them. "Once you've eaten and we get dressed for the day we'll go out on the porch and have a family meeting, alright?"
Ryan got a serious look on his face for one so young. He knew that family meetings meant important business. His granddaddy called them sometimes. He wondered where his granddaddy and grammy were and why they were here with the Whitlocks. They were nice enough, but he was scared and missed his family. He was trying to be brave like his granddaddy, to be the man of the house for his Auntie.
Emma watched the interaction of her sister's children and concluded they had seen too much in life for children so young. She could see the wheels turning in their heads and the haunted looks in their eyes. Her father was notorious for calling 'family meetings' to check in with everyone or to go over things when it was serious enough.
Ushering the children upstairs to get changed, Emma realized that bags had been packed and brought for all of the children. She tried not to dwell on it someone going back to her family home. She couldn't fathom going back into that house knowing what had happened there. She also couldn't imagine someone from her family not living there again.
Steeling herself and stiffening her spine in resolve, she dressed the children and then herself. A Williams would always live on the Williams Ranch. Even if she held the property in trust for the kids and had the foreman and his family keep it going, the ranch would stay in the family.
Emma led the children outside to a screened in porch off of the kitchen and dining room. She had them all sit around her on a large couch. She turned and watched as the Whitlocks and Garrett entered as well, taking seats around the porch. Jasper nodded to her in encouragement.
"Alright," Emma began with a shaky voice. "I know it's hard for you to understand. You remember how we talked about how Uncle Danny had to go away; that he wasn't coming home again. Do you remember how we explained to you how he was going home to God?"
The children looked at Emma in confusion and not a little fear forming in their eyes. She choked back a sob and prayed for the strength to get through what she needed to do. She hoped that she had the strength to do right by them.
Jasper took a deep unnecessary breath feeling all of the emotions swirling around him. Emma's grief and pain was consuming him and the fear and confusion of the children was making his mind fuzzy. He gently pushed waves of calm to the grieving family. He looked sharply to his coven and knew that they could see how distressed the humans were, but also him. Looking at Garrett, he nodded to the man that had approached him after the confrontation in La Push a decade before about possibly joining his coven. As a fellow warrior he missed the comradery of being around others. They all valued their privacy and space, but companionship was important to them. After years of being alone, they felt the need to be close and bond.
After discussing it with Peter and Charlotte, Garrett was accepted into their group. Peter had told him that there would come a time that Garrett would be needed. He later said that he would be linked to him in ways he couldn't fathom yet. When Jasper raised an eyebrow at him in question, Peter pulled a face and told him that it had something to do with his mate.
Shaking himself, Jasper turned to face Emma, his mate, his salvation. "It'll be alright darlin'."
Drawing a deep calming breath Emma faced the children. Ryan being the oldest knew that something was wrong and was crying silently. The other children picked up on the emotions and change in the atmosphere around them and began crying as well. Emma wiped away at the tears that were now beginning to fall from her own eyes.
"Baby," she said emotionally, "I'm so sorry honey. I'm so, so sorry. Last night something happened."
"No," Ryan whimpered.
Emma held the four children to her closely and looked down at them. "Granddaddy, grammy, mama, and daddy went to go be with Uncle Danny," she said fighting back a sob. "Shhh. Hush, I know loves. I know. They went to go keep Uncle Danny company. It'll be alright, I'm here. We'll look after one another and they'll all watch over us now. It's alright, let it out."
By now Emma was clutching the children to her, sobbing right along with them. Her throat clogged and she felt herself shatter and break. She rocked the young children on her lap. She felt strong, cold arms wrap around her, embracing her.
Charlotte watched the young mother break and leaned into Peter, letting out a soft sob. Her eyes stung with venom. Looking to her mate she could see that he too was moved by the scene playing out in front of them. Garrett shifted uncomfortably nearby, but looked upset for the family before them. He had confided in them earlier that morning that Hazel Williams was a Harrison and a distant descendant of his. During his years alone wandering the states, he tried to keep tabs on his family. There were other branches of cousins or his brother's descendant, but Hazel and in turn her children and theirs were from his line.
"It'll be alright," Jasper said softly. "Come now, you can't carry on so. You've got to relax as much as you can, darlin'. This can't be good for the babies, Emma."
Emma hiccupped and rocked the children until they calmed. She leaned her head forward against the strong, hard chest of the man that was holding her. She knew that she should be weary of this virtual stranger, but there was something about him that she knew that she could trust, that she felt drawn to.
Ryan held Caroline and tucked himself to Emma's side. On her other side Kayleigh held Jimmy and clung to her. Emma clutched them all, trying to stay strong for them.
"Let's show the little ones around the Whitlock Ranch," Charlotte suggested. "Maybe you can tell us what's different about your ranch and ours?"
Ryan nodded with solemn eyes. He made sure Caroline was secure in her mama's arms and hopped off her lap. He held out his arms for Jimmy and waited for Kayleigh to hold his hand. They walked over to follow Charlotte outside. It was once again an overcast day, to the vampires were safe taking them outside.
"Alright, let me take the little one for you, ma'am." Peter said. "I'll bring her out to see the animals with the other kids. Why don't you rest and put your feet up."
Emma went to protest, but stopped. Nodding, she closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the couch behind her. Caroline went with Peter babbling away happily. Garrett watched uncomfortably for a few moments before following the children and the others outside.
"Alright, darlin'?" Jasper asked gently. "Do you want to stay out here on the porch? Why don't you put your feet up for a bit and relax?"
Emma allowed him to shift her so she was lounging back on the couch with her feet up. She stared off in the distance and was lost in her thoughts. She wasn't sure how long she had been there, but she was drawn from her thoughts when the sounds of fast moving engines approaching startled her. Tired peeled out and came to an abrupt halt in the gravel driveway.
"Where is she? Where are they?" were the questions being shouted by the strangers. Jasper nearly went into full Major mode at the interruption. It was only that he subconsciously recognized the voices as men from the funeral and burial yesterday.
"You stay right here," he urged her. "I'll go see who it is and be right back."
Jasper returned with a number of the men that had been at the funeral and Williams home the previous day. Emma tearfully greeted her late husband's friends and fellow soldiers. Apparently word had already been spread about what had happened at her parents' home the night before. She was just grateful that the children were outside.
Another knock interrupted her before she could speak. Jasper returned with Sheriff Cunningham. He tiredly greeted Emma.
"Emma, we need to talk about what we found," he said gently.
"I don't understand," she said cautiously. "What happened, Sheriff?"
"I don't know how to say this without upsetting you more, dear." He said gruffly. "But we've been working the crime scene all night and things just aren't adding up. Can you tell us anything more?"
Emma stared at him in confusion and explained the altercation with Mike and the two men. She told him of the threats that they made and how her father had a gut feeling. He had her and the children barricade themselves in the storm shelter. Her mother refused to stay with them and went to stay with her father and help if she could. She told them of how she heard a series of bangs that shook their house, but then it got silent. She showed him her cell phone and the messages that she sent to establish a timeline.
"I'm going to be blunt, Emma," the sheriff said. "Whoever or whatever it was that got your family did a number on them. It was savage and animalistic. There's a team there still trying to clean things up and document as much as they can. I won't bother or ask the children at this time. Emma, you need to be cautious and on high alert. Whoever did this might come for you and the kids next."
Emma shook in her seat and watched as the males around her gritted their teeth and struggled to remain calm for her sake. Hell, she was struggling to remain calm. She was terrified, but she was furious. Whoever killed her parents and sister would not get close enough to the children.
"No one will harm those children," she stated firmly, resting her hand on her abdomen. "No one is ever going to harm them. I don't care what it takes, what I have to do, or who I have to kill. Those children will not be harmed!"
The sheriff shifted uncomfortably. "Perhaps it's best if I forget that you said that in front of me, Emma."
She snorted and stood from her seat, causing the men to stand abruptly. Smile softly at them, ever the southern gentlemen, she thought in amusement. Turning she looked out across the yard where the children were chasing around a litter of puppies near the barn. The laughter and yipping was balm to her weary soul. As much as the children picked up on something being wrong, they were still so innocent and resilient, and they would remain so if she had any say in it.
"What do I need to do?" she asked, facing the sheriff. "When will we be allowed home? Or do you think we should temporarily turn over the running of the ranch and relocated to keep safe?"
Sheriff Cunningham tiredly ran a hand over his face. The crime scene would haunt him for the rest of his days. Seeing a childhood friend slaughtered so viciously was traumatizing. Things like this didn't happen in their sleepy little neck of the woods.
"We still need to process things at the ranch, Emma." He told her gently. "There's still a lot to review. Once we're finished I will arrange to have a professional cleaning crew take care of things and try to get things as back to normal as possible for you and the little ones. In the meantime, I think that you and the little ones need to disappear for a while, Emma. This situation isn't anything I've ever seen before."
Emma nodded and turned to continue watching the children. She knew that Danny's friends and fellow soldiers would be leaving today. Many of them had probably already delayed their travel plans to later in the day after what had happened last night, but she knew that they would still have to leave.
Jasper stepped up beside Emma and turned to face Sheriff Cunningham. "My family and I have a series of homes and places where we can hide Emma and the children. I can leave all of my contact information with you, sir, but I think that whatever is happening it's best if they disappeared like you said," Jasper said sending out waves of calm and acceptance.
Emma turned to him curiously and then looked around the room. Already a number of the men were nodding in agreement and taking their leave. Sheriff Cunningham nodded took the business card from Jasper. Jasper suggested that they be contacted through a lawyer, Jenks, in order to keep their location secret and private.
Emma watched the others leave before cautiously turning to see Jasper looking at her. Biting her lip nervously, she looked away to watch the children. Sighing wearily, she knew that they now would have to flee. It grated on her nerves to think of running away from this, but they were right. She and the children were too vulnerable at the moment. They needed to get away to regroup.
"I guess I had better start looking for places to go," Emma said softly.
"I meant what I said, ma'am." Jasper assured her. "We have homes globally, we only need to pick a location and we can leave by evening today."
"Where do you suggest we go, the children and I, that is," she said quietly.
"Ma'am if you think I'm going to leave you and the children alone to face whatever it is that's hunting you, you've lost your mind," Jasper said in exasperated amusement. "To answer your question, I suggest Washington. A family friend has a home there, I was planning on purchasing one nearby regardless. Let me make the arrangements and we can be out of here as soon as possible."
"You really don't have to do this," Emma disagreed. "We can figure things out."
"Please, Emma. Let me do this for you, for the children," Jasper said taking her hands in his own. "We can help you if you let us. We have friends who are already on their way to help and allies ready and willing to help in Washington."
Emma battled with herself internally. Part of her was weary of accepting the help of strangers, but another part of her was urging her to trust him, to trust this man that she had never met before yesterday. Looking down at their joined hands, Emma struggled with herself. She hated feeling vulnerable, but she knew that she would need all the help that she could get to keep the children safe.
"Alright," she agreed softly, "but you have to give me more details of where we're going."
Jasper flashed her a toothy smile. "Forks, Washington would be our destination. Or if you would prefer, we have special permission to take up residence on the La Push reservation if the need arises."
Emma nodded and watched her daughter holding a puppy that was enthusiastically licking her face. She smiled softly at the scene before her. She knew that she would most likely end up asking for one or two of the puppies for the children.
As if sensing her train of thought Jasper said, "I see little Miss Caroline has picked herself a puppy." His voice was colored with amusement. "She's welcome to the little one. It looks like your other charges have another picked as well. Think you can handle a couple of pups as well? A couple of dogs might be a good warning system."
Emma hadn't even thought of it that way and swallowed thickly. "Well, if you're sure then I guess I've got a couple of puppies for the kids," she laughingly replied.
Emma watched as Jasper nodded towards Peter who leaned down and spoke to the children. Their hoots and shrieks of delight made her smile. It was a small thing, but if she could bring them happiness, even the smallest amount when things were so bad, then it was worth it.
Jasper waved them back to the porch. Caroline carried her wriggling black and white puppy with the help of Garrett. Ryan held the spotted puppy that he and his siblings picked out. She watched the happiness on their faces and the amusement on the faces of the adults.
"Auntie Emma!" Ryan called out happily. "They said we can keep him!"
"Puppy!" Caroline babbled happily.
Emma laughed and nodded to the children and ushered them in to the porch to watch them play. Jasper took his leave with Peter following. They were leaving to make the arrangements for the relocation to Forks or La Push. Jasper and Peter quickly picked a large timber and cabin styled home situated on the border of La Push. Jasper contacted the Quilete chief, Billy Black to let him know what was happening and what the plan was. Peter was on the phone with a real estate agent trying to fast track the purchase of the home. He forwarded their legal information to the agent and called Jenks instructing him to hammer out the agreement and fast. He reiterated it needed to be fast tracked as they would be arriving within the week.
Emma turned and greeted them as they returned to the porch. Jasper's breath caught as he watched Emma sitting on the floor with Caroline on her lap, tugging at her strawberry blonde curls. The puppies were yipping around them, playing with the other children. The sight before him was all he had ever imagined and hoped for himself during his human life. The scene was one that he had longed and wished for before he left for war.
Shaking himself from his thoughts he nodded to Emma with a bright smile. "We can pack up the vehicles and head out in the morning. It will give us enough time to have someone collect any personal items you want from your home," he told her gently. "You just make a list of what you want and the instructions of what you want done with the homes and other properties and I'll make sure it's done."
"Thank you," Emma replied with a watery smile. "I appreciate all that you're doing for us. I don't know how I'm ever going to repay you."
"I don't want anything in return, Emma" he told her firmly, but gently. "We're only doing what's right. My mama would have my hide if I didn't help a lady out in her time of need, especially one with babies, ma'am."
Caroline climbed off her mama's lap and toddled over to the taller blonde man. She smiled up at him and reached for him to pick her up. She didn't understand what was happening, but this man was nice. There was something about him and the others that made her feel safe.
"Up!" little Caroline demanded.
Peter and Garrett snorted as the saw the stunned expression on their friend's face. They watched as he leaned down to scoop up the little miss and laughed as she tugged at his curly hair. Emma fought to keep a smile off of her face. It was clear the man wasn't used to being around children, but he didn't mind them.
Charlotte breezed into the house to get lunch ready for the kids Emma leaned back against the couch and hugged her nephew Jimmy to her chest. The poor boy didn't understand where mama and daddy were. Kayleigh did a little bit better, and poor Ryan knew as much as a five year older child could. Her eyes stung with grief for their loss. They were so young to have lost so much.
"Easy there, darlin'." Jasper said crouching down beside her holding Caroline. "It'll be alright. I promise you, whoever did this will pay. Don't fret, sweetheart."
Emma wanted to believe him, her breath caught when she looked up and caught his blackening eyes. That one look stopped her short. Any doubt she had that he meant it, evaporated. She knew that he would keep his word. Not for the first time since meeting the Whitlocks and Garrett, she felt that there was something different about them.
"Let's get the kids washed up and ready for lunch," Peter suggested ushering the kids into the house, leaving the puppies on the screened porch.
Once they were all seated, Emma focused on the kids and her own growing hunger. The meal passed quickly and she set about writing the list of the things that she and the children would need from their homes. She wanted to have Mike and Jesse's home held in trust for their children for the time being. The children would need their personal items and a few things of their parents, but everything else would need to go into storage. Her parents' home would have to have everything covered and preserved until the Williams returned to their home. Her and Caroline's personal things would need to come with them. The family jewelry would need to locked up as well as the other things of value on the estate.
It was late in the evening when she had finished her list and the instructions she needed to contact a lawyer for. Jasper waved her off saying that he would fax it to their attorney, Jenks and have him and his team handle everything. He contacted the sheriff and talked to him about getting their personal things so they could leave town the following day.
Once Emma and the children were asleep, the Whitlocks left Garrett watching over them. Jasper stopped to feed before going to meet the sheriff at the Williams Ranch. They worked quickly emptying drawers and other personal items into boxes and bags. Once they were done, they drove to the Davis family home to do the same. Jasper shook his hand and left to return home to his mate and the sleeping children.
Just as they were pulling into the driveway with loaded vehicles, Jasper noticed figures fast approaching from the East. He quickly exited his vehicle and wait, assessing the situation. Sensing that there were vampires fast approaching he signaled for Peter and Charlotte to flank him.
"Greetings Major Whitlock," Demetri of the Volturi called out in greeting as he approached with Alec, Jane, and Felix. "Our Masters sent us to assist you."
Jasper nodded cautiously, glancing to his home where his mate and the children were sleeping. He looked back to find the Guard members watching him with smirks. Baring his teeth he snarled at them, reminding them of just who and what they were dealing with.
"That woman and those children are under my protection," he growled to them in warning. "Werewolves are hunting her for reasons we don't know yet. I won't fight on two different fronts, this is your one and only warning."
"Understood," Demetri said holding his hands out in supplication. "We are here to assist you, Major. No harm will come to them from us or while we are present, you have my word."
Jasper watched him before nodded. "We leave in the morning and head towards La Push, Washington," he told them.
"Master Aro instructed us that we're not to antagonize the shifters," Jane said tonelessly. "It would seem that Johnny H. contacted him last night about things. The tribe and Pack are willing to help, but they are weary of us for some reason," she said with a smile full of mischief.
Peter snorted in amusement. "No reason at all," he said dryly.
"Come," Jasper ordered, "we have much to do before we can leave and we're losing time."
Glancing up at the night sky he made note of the lunar cycle and phase of the moon. A shiver ran down his spine. He looked to the others with a grim look on his face.
"We need to move quickly and make it to La Push and the safety of the numbers of the Pack within two weeks," he said. "The next full moon they're going to hunt for my mate and the children and we need to be as far from here as possible."
They talked and planned into the long hours of the night. They spent the night packing up the house and securing it. Taking extra sets of clothes and carefully storing anything of value, they had the SUV's and trucks ready and waiting for Emma and the children when they woke.
Emma was startled meet the newcomers, but smiled gratefully for their assistance. She herded the children to and from breakfast and got them and herself ready to go in record time. The newcomers seemed a bit tense around her and the children, but Emma trusted that Jasper and his family wouldn't let any harm come to them.
She looked out the window of her SUV watching the countryside around her change. Glancing in the mirror looking back, she saw the children dosing in their seats. In the distance she watched as they got further and further away from their home and the devastation. Closing her eyes she prayed that they would be alright.
A firm cold hand grasped her own and the opened her eyes to see Jasper looking over at her from the driver's seat. It was difficult to think that he hadn't been part of her life before Danny's funeral and yet now it was hard to imagine life without him and the others. She squeezed his hand back letting him know that she appreciated it and him. Looking forward she settled in to her seat and closed her eyes resting her hand on her abdomen. She would just have to trust in him and the others, come what may.