The rest of the family were waiting for me in the living room. Upon my taking a seat in an available recliner, Jasper began.
"There were two other scents at the camp. We didn't disturb the site, but I thought Bella might want this." He held out a necklace, the chain broken and clearly too large for a five year old. "It smells of one of the other two scents. I think we can conclude it belonged to her mother. The locket only managed to stay on because it fell to the clasp side of the chain. Additionally, while their tent is intact, there were clear signs of a struggle. No blood was spilled on the ground though. I think that safely eliminates animal attack. We found no trace of any ID explaining who they were, but a vehicle was driven to the site, and driven out. I don't think we're looking at an abandonment situation, is what I'm saying." He concluded, crossing his leg over his knee.
Alice entered the room then, and Jasper immediately dropped his leg down again, a silent invitation of where she might perch. She took a seat, and calmly played with his hair.
"So we are in agreement then?" Carlisle spoke. "Tomorrow we inform the authorities and do what can be done to find her family?" We nodded, though none of us looked enthused. Rosalie looked somber, and Alice looked annoyed.
"We won't find them. I've seen her, living with us, several years older."
"Alice. What should be done, will be done. If nothing comes of it, absolutely she can become a part of our family. In searching for her current one, we do this because we must. For her sake." Carlisle replied.
"I know how this sounds. I don't want to think that something horrible happened to her family," began Rosalie, "but she feels right here. I don't want to think that she'll be taken away either."
I agreed, but felt I had to play devil's advocate.
"Rose I understand. I feel…compelled to be near her. To protect her. But living with a household of vampires? What does this mean for her life? Just because we desire it doesn't mean it is in her best interest. We must put her best interests before our own. What if, god forbid, she gets hurt? She's five. What if she falls down and scrapes her knee? Can all of you swear that you'll be able to help her, and not hurt her? Can you swear on her life that you can do that? Because that's what the price would be."
Jasper looked uncomfortable. "I don't know if I could swear to that. I feel as strongly as you do about her, I swear to that, but I can't swear on her life that I could control myself at this juncture. Not alone at any rate. I want to. But I can't swear to it." He finished softly. Alice murmured soothing noises to him.
"I can." I continued after a moment. "I don't understand it, but as loudly as her blood sings to me, and I've never felt its equal, its call is for my protection. If I'm honest, that terrifies me. I can't help but feel that I have some role yet to play in her life, even if that role is giving up my own. We have to look for answers, because that is the only way forward for her story, and I feel honor bound to share that walk with her."
Emmett nodded. "I trust myself to be with her, and I think as long as Jasper uses the buddy system he will be fine too. She doesn't hold the same power over me as she seems to do with you Edward, but I feel the same need to protect her and keep her happy. If her family cannot be found, I vote for adopting her."
Rosalie smiled at this. "I trust myself around her as well, and we know Carlisle and Esme can be trusted. I agree, we make every effort to find and assist her family, but if that cannot be, I want her here."
Carlisle nodded. "We are in agreement then. I'll notify the sheriff's department first thing in the morning. Rose, Esme and I are off to hunt. Jasper if you could write down directions for the Sheriff's department to use to aid finding the camp, I'm sure that would prove useful." With that, and a final kiss between Rose and Emmett, they were off.
"You won't hurt her Jasper. I've looked." Alice soothed. Jasper nodded quickly, but still looked uncomfortable. I left them to their discussion and quietly made my way back to Bella's room. Alone with my thoughts, I found myself lost in the peace of watching her sleep.
It was well past one in the morning when I sprung from the chair, already alerted to Bella's nightmare by the racing of her heart.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" she screamed out. "Let them go! Let them go! Momma!" at this she started in with the most heartbreaking sobs I'd ever witnessed. Her soul was being torn apart, and I scooped her up and carried her to the chair, stroking her hair and speaking calmly to her. She locked her arms around my neck, still sobbing and lost in the past. Alice and Jasper flew through the door.
"Bella, Sweet Bella. It's okay. It's okay. I'm here Bella-love. Shhhhhhhh, everything is okay now. Shhhhhhhhhhh". I rocked her steadily, whispering soothingly, trying to break through the fog of the dream. "Bella, can you hear me? It's Edward, and I've got you, and you're safe. You'll always be safe now Bella. I'm here."
Time seemed to move slower, and after awhile Bella had quieted, but was not yet soothed.
"I miss them Edward." Came her small voice, weary and wise beyond her years.
"I know Angel. I know. We're going first thing in the morning to see if we can help find them, okay? We're all going to try, my whole family." I continued to soothe.
"We're all really smart Bella." Alice joined in. "We're smart and we just love you to pieces and we'll do anything we can to help, okay? And until we can find out what happened to your family, we're going to make sure you stay here with us, does that sound alright?"
Bella smiled tiredly at Alice and nodded, her speaking done for the moment. I hesitated, and looked at Alice. Having seen my decision, she nodded. Keep it brief, but it feels right Edward.
"Bella, Jasper and Emmett already found the spot where you were camping with your family. They followed the direction that the truck left in. You don't have to think about it now, or answer any questions. I just wanted you to know, we've already started looking for them, okay?"
At this she sat up and stared at Jasper for several seconds.
"Thank you Jasper." She smiled at him.
A shared moment passed, and as clearly as if he'd said it out loud I heard Jasper's response. I can swear to it now Edward.
To Bella he smiled in return. "You're absolutely welcome, Sweetheart."