Chapter Seven – Lily's Gift
"So you think it's possible?" Bella asked hopefully as we entered the room.
"Yes love," Edward said happy to give Bella something she wanted, "I have witnessed her ability first hand. She will have to practice before then, but I believe she can."
"Hey guys," Emmett interrupted, "Exploiting my baby mama?"
"Funny," Edward said and rolled his eyes, "Lily says your baby's mama is your wife so knock it off or she'll knock it off for you."
Emmett's laughter boomed through the room as I asked, "Lily please forgive him? His sense of humor is not so humorous sometimes."
"No problem," Edward translated, "She was joking around too."
"Lily?" Emmett said suddenly getting serious, "My little man here is venomous and we are afraid he'll bite Ren or her favorite dog. I know you are burning, but could you fix him? Ya know like you did for Jason."
"She said she can try," Edward forwarded Lily's thoughts.
"Lily is so amazing," Bella said in awe and then a dreadful thought came to her, "Aro would do anything for that kind of power. We can't tell anyone about her or Carty."
"Well we definitely won't advertise. But with Alice and now Carty we can know every move they're going to make. Don't worry Bella, Lily can already reach another room with her gift and she isn't even fully vampire yet. With practice who knows maybe she could even reach Voltura," Edward offered.
"It's been nearly five years," Bella sighed, "But I can still see them floating into that meadow. If I slept, I would still have nightmares."
"We are already safer than we've ever been," Edward assured her then he turned back to Lily, "Yes his threads are so much smaller, but I think you got it. Any one willing to be bitten- to test?"
"I will," Emmett said firmly.
Before anyone could object, he worked his finger into Cardy's mouth and said, "Bite down little man."
"Nasty Emmett," Bella teased, "Who knows where that finger has been."
"Makes you wonder don't it Bella," he quipped as Cardy's teeth made a metallic scraping noise, "Good strong bite buddy. I think we're good."
"Well done Lily," Edward complimented, "You make it look easy."
"Thank you Lily," I said softly, "Just please don't over do it. You still have at least thirty six hours of change left."
"It's actually just over thirty two hours," Alice said from the doorway, and I noticed she was loaded down with bags, "And that's not much time to prepare a proper closet for her."
"Lily could share Rosalie's wardrobe," Bella mocked, "I'm sure they wear the same size."
"Bite your tongue," Alice hissed, "Proper attire is important to everyone but you Bella."
"Lily says you don't have to go all that trouble just for her," Edward said and smiled, "Although she is making a half-hearted argument."
"Traitor," Bella teased.
"Rose," Edward said seriously, "Lily wants you to know she is fine. She feels stronger by minute. I think it is absolutely true. She doesn't have to deal with the physical burn so mentally and emotionally she has deep reserves of strength."
"She is really doing that well Edward?" I asked hopefully.
"Yes Rose. She is doing amazingly well," he assured me and then stiffened, "Lily are you ready for some practice?"
"What is it Edward?" I growled.
"Jacob," Edward grumbled, "Well Bella we will know soon if your mom's visit is feasible."
"By practicing on Jake," Bella gasped horrified.
"I'm sure you will change your mind in a matter of minutes my dear," Edward said icily, "They came to discuss the breach in the treaty."
"They?" Bella asked in a small voice.
"Sam and his second are waiting outside," Edward said unemotionally, "Leah is here too and she's terrified."
"Why are they planning a fight?" Bella squeaked.
"On the contrary, Sam believes Renesmee that Jason took it upon himself to become a vampire. Sam is content that Jason was not bitten." Edward conveyed, "Leah is afraid of Carty."
"Leah Clearwater is afraid she'll imprint on him," I offered my theory and looked into my baby boy's eyes, "I'm afraid of that too."
"Lily," Edward whispered, "You must change Jacobs mind. It's going to be very detailed and delicate work. If you need an example look to Sam's mind. Yes, he means to hurt Jason or drive him away. You can't do that. It would destroy Renesmee and hurt Bella. And at worst, it would start a war."
"Hell to the yeah," Emmett said and chuckled.
Edward ignored him and continued, "I can't be here to help you this time. I must be out there with Carlisle. It will be okay because I believe you can do this."
"Where's Carlisle?" Jacob demanded from the doorway.
"Don't do this Jake. Please?" Renesmee begged, and I noticed how tired she looked.
"I'm here," Carlisle said as he entered from Esme's study.
"Representatives from both packs have come here to discuss a violation of the treaty," Jacob stated formally.
"Come on Jake," Bella said, "Violation? Really?"
"We request your presence outside," Jacob pressed on ignoring Bella.
"Certainly," Carlisle replied warmly and waved toward the hall, "After you."
Nearly everyone filed out of the house. Carty and I stayed with Lily, and Alice and Esme stayed with Jason. I assured Lily everything would be okay, and that I believed in her. I then asked Carty to show me Carlisle.
"I assure you there has been no breach to our treaty," Carlisle began and held his hands out palms up.
As he explained what had transpired, I noticed Emmett and Jasper standing with their backs to the French doors. They looked like sentries with arms crossed in defensive postures. Leah was jumpy; her eyes darted all around then back again. Sam was calm and listened intently. Jared his second was in wolf form and stood still nearby.
"Jason has suffered more pain than you can imagine for his ill informed choice," Carlisle offered.
"Please forgive him Jake," Renesmee said in a tiny voice, "He just loves her so much that he thought he had no other choice."
"I am satisfied with the explanation," Sam said calmly, "I find there has been no breach to the treaty."
Jacob started to shake with rage and Edward warned, "Calm down Jacob. Renesmee back away sweetheart. He is losing control."
Then it happened. I heard Lily and Edward sigh simultaneously. Jacob's body went perfectly still, but he blinked furiously. Everyone stayed silent and braced for Jacob's tirade.
"Okay," Jacob finally spoke softly, "I am satisfied with the explanation. I find there has been no breach to the treaty."
Everyone looked around at each other in confusion, and I wondered if they noticed Jacob repeated Sam's words exactly. Edward and Bella smiled at one another. Carlisle was thanking Jacob, as I pulled Carty's hand away from my face and kissed it. I told Lily that she did well and how proud of her I was. I suggested she rest for a while, and she seemed to take my advice.
"Sam wants to meet Carty," Carlisle said gently as he entered, "I'll watch over Lily. Edward says it will be fine"
"Okay," I said reluctantly and slowly left the room.
I walked at a human's pace. I told Carty what was happening, and I asked him not to show them what he could do. I hoped that he understood. Right before I stepped out the back door, I warned him not to bite anyone.
The meet and greet was really quite pleasant. Sam and Emily had been blessed with twin boys the previous winter so he doted on Carty. Emmett showed Sam their little high five routine. Sam was delighted. Carty liked Sam and even began giving him his tiny high fives. Jared watched intently as he and Kim were expecting their first child.
Leah must have decided that she could not avoid Carty forever. When she asked to see him, I held my breath. When she smiled, I thought I was going to lose it. But she just congratulated me and walked away with a spring in her step. I could tell Sam was hoping that she would finally imprint, and I hoped she did someday. I was just ecstatic it was not with my child.
