Chapter Seven

Carlisle sighed in frustration. "Emmeline, you have to drink something." Jasper's adopted daughter wasn't having anything of what they had to offer. To her, it was all bad, and nothing good. She was still blaming herself because she'd hurt Jasper. He turned to Emmett, who wasn't looking too much more calmer than he felt. "She won't drink it." The cup in Carlisle's hand was full of grizzly blood.

"Emmy, sweetheart, you have to drink it, or you'll get really weak and sick. Do you want that?" It was Esme that spoke now. She and Emmeline had bonded over the last couple of days since she'd come back with Emmett and Rosalie.

"No...." Emmeline pouted a bit at them. They didn't seem to understand. She had made Jasper and Alice sad because she drank things she wasn't supposed to. She didn't want to make another mistake.

"You won't make another mistake. This is blood that you can have." Edward told her, coming to sit by her side. He and Bella had been trying to help her as much as possible, and even Renesmee had gotten in on the act by taking her hunting with them once. He put a hand on her shoulder. "You didn't hurt Jasper, little one. His friend Peter hurt him." He took the cup from Carlisle. "Mm. It smells like one of your favorites. Are you sure you don't want it?"

"I'm sure." Emmeline got up, and left the kitchen, leaving her family to stare after her sadly.

Edward looked at Carlisle and Emmett. "I don't know what else to say."

"Me either. She hasn't eaten in two days." Emmett was really worried. "I don't know about starving to death, but I know that if she lets herself go too long, the first human she comes across is dead." And they couldn't afford for her to go after another human. "Should we get tougher on her? Do you think that would help?"

"It might, but it might also backfire." Edward blinked. "Jacob's outside. I'll be right back." He went outside then. He was hoping Jacob was bringing him more ideas to help his niece.

***

Rosalie walked into the TV room, carrying a sippie cup. Emmeline was watching Sesame Street, again. She just shook her head. She wouldn't de-rail Alice and Jasper's upbringing of their daughter. "Hey, Em...." She sat down on the floor right next to the child. "What the letter for the day?"

"T." She looked over at Rosalie, eyeing the cup suspiciously. "What's that?"

"Well, I hope it's something you'll drink, honey." She pulled Emmeline into her lap, and gave her the cup. "We know you're afraid, Emmeline. it's perfectly natural. What Kammy did to you was cruel, and completely uncalled for. But if you don't start drinking, you're going to get really blood hungry, and then it could get worse." Rosalie watched her niece sip the drink calmly. She thanked whatever higher power there was silently, as she held Emmeline closely. "Good girl." Hearing her sip was a beautiful sound to Rosalie's ears. They had all been scared that things would get bad before they'd be better.

"Hey, she's drinking you guys!" Emmett had come in to turn on SportsCenter, but he was glad to have come in on that instead. He smiled at Rosalie. "What did you say? How did you...?"

"Does it really matter?" Rosalie asked. She stood up with the girl in her arms. "She's drinking."

Emmeline eyed Emmett cautiously. What else would they ask her for? She was surprised when her friend plucked her right from Rosalie's arms. "Emmett...?' She hadn't spoken directly to any of them, other than to ask for things they wouldn't give her.

"It's going to be okay now, Em, I promise." Emmett sat down with her on the couch. "Letter T, huh? What kind of words begin with T?" He looked down at his little buddy then, ruffling her hair. Now it could be business as usual, while they got her back to hunting animals, and sharpening her mind.

"Tiger....?" Emmeline looked up at Emmett. She was glad things seemed to be almost normal.

"That's right!" He snuggled her closely. "What else?"

"T..tree!" Emmeline liked to humor Emmett. She was smarter than she let on. She grinned when Emmett hugged her tightly. "Are you sure you're not mad at me?"

"Mad? Emmy, I was never mad at you. I was scared I'd lose you." Emmett's voice broke slightly, as he wrapped his arms around her even tightly. "I'm going to make sure no one ever tempts you like that again. Now, let's watch some real TV, huh?" He changed the channel to SportsCenter.

Emmeline giggled, and laid her head on Emmett's lap, and let him stroke her hair gently as he watched his highlights.

***

Aro was pacing silently in his chambers, deep in thought. He had not like the news he had received from his informant in Yorkshire. The Cullen child vampire had been seen, feeding on human blood. However, another child vampire had instigated it, and he was even less pleased with her. He wanted nothing more than to be rid of them both, but he knew that Emmeline had tried her best to resist. Jasper Hale was always a man of his word. They had immediately rectified the situation, and reprimanded her. He shook his head. His fellow elders were not going to like his take on the situation, least of all Caius, who had been beside himself with joy at the knowledge that Emmeline had fed off a human. There was a knock on his door.

"Aro, the counsel is ready to meet. Have you made your decision?" Felix's voice said now.

"Yeah, I have." Aro went to the door. "I want to deal with this alone." He pulled his cloak on. "Tell the others I'll return in a day or two." It was rare that the elders split. But Aro had his reasons for it.

"But Aro...." Felix didn't want to be the one to tell them. Caius was already on edge for having to wait on Aro to begin with. "Can't you tell them?"

"No no, that won't do. But, do me a favor, and send Jane and Alec in. I'll need them for my trip." Aro spoke casually. He would have a word with Carlisle, and little Emmeline. Then he would make his decision based on what they said. "On second thought, I think I will go, and tell the elders myself." He would delight in seeing Caius' expression himself when he made the announcement. He went into the main hall.

Caius eyed him suspiciously as he entered. "What is it, Aro? Why do you look like you're ready to leave, yet we have not come to a decision?"

"Because, Caius, dear friend, I am going to go and deal with this child myself. The information I have gotten from my informants leads me to believe that it was far beyond her control. She was manipulated."

"Manipulated or not, she still drank from a human. That was a deal breaker." Marcus pointed out. "Aro, you do not intend to make allowances for the Cullens yet again, do you?"

"It won't be making allowances. It will be, going to make sure that Emmeline's deeds were not of her own free will, and not just because she wanted to. I do not believe she intentionally wanted to feed on anything that Jasper Cullen wouldn't have approved of. This other child vampire, on the other hand, must also be dealt with. Some of you should go to Yorkshire, deal with her, and her parents. I will take care of Emmeline Whitlock." He used the name the child was currently being made to go by. "Alec, I want you to come with me." He was hoping he wouldn't have to resort to having the child immobilized for questioning, but just in case, Alec would be very useful.

"But I have always gone with you." Jane was surprised to have been ignored by Aro. She had always thought of herself as Aro's pet.

"Indeed, but I'm afraid you frighten that girl too much. You will get the chance to play with Kammy in England." His smile bordered on cruel now. He did not take kindly to those who deliberately tried to hurt children, vampires or not. "I will be back shortly." He left with Alec, leaving his fellow elders to gawk after him.