still don't own the Cullens

Chapter 10: Lillith

Esme led me to were Jackson was sleeping, I wanted him to be there when I told our story. I woke him and we went down stairs, this time we were carried by Edward, who still wouldn't give in to my protests.

They all sat at a huge dining table, Jackson sat on my lap, hiding in my arms. I started my story "I was born to Margaret and Max Callen, I grew up as an only child, then when I was 10 my mother told me I was going to be a big sister, 9 short months later I was able to hold my baby brother Jackson" he smiled at me. " a few years after that when Jackson was 5 we found out he had Autism"

They all looked at him in surprise, causing him to hide in my hair "a few days after we found this out, our father left saying he couldn't handle the stress that was sure to come" I felt Jackson shake in my arms, I looked down and saw he was crying.

I held him close and said "Jackson it wasn't your fault he was just being selfish and a coward, he only cared about himself, you did nothing to make him leave" I just sat there holding him while he cried, trying myself not to cry. Finally he was still, I looked at him and he was asleep.

"Esme could you put him in his bed please" I said holding back tears. "of course" she said, she gently picked him up and carried him upstairs to his room, she was back shortly after. When I knew he wasn't around i finally lost it and started sobbing, I felt a pair of cool arms surround me, comforting me.

A few minutes later I was finally able to speak "ever since my dad left I have had to be strong for Jackson, I have always been more like a mother to him than an older sister. Because my mom worked all day to support us and keep food on the table, I have been strong but when my mom died I just couldn't... all I wanted to do was curl up into a ball and die, but I knew I couldn't because I had to be there for Jackson now more than ever."

I took a deep breath before I continued "the night my mom was killed I found out my brother was being bullied at school, 14 days after we went to pick up some schoolwork. We went to his school first cause I was going to drop him off and go pick up my schoolwork, but he convinced me to stay so I did.

While we were walking the halls, he was so happy showing me his locker. But when he turned to me he had this look of pure terror in his eyes and I knew why" there was anger in my voice now as I spoke " I turned around just as one of the kids was about to hurt Jackson and I might have dumped him in the garbage can, and now we have to find a new school for Jackson.

I had just put Jackson in his bed when I tripped on the stairs and well here we are " I finished and looked up they were watching me with concerned eyes.

I looked down and sighed "I understand if you want us to leave, we don't want to burden you-" "we don't want you to leave!" Alice said cutting me off, "we are just shocked you haven't collapsed into a ball of tears" I looked at her confused.

Emmett spoke next "from everything you two have been through, and you taking care of your brother even through your sadness we are surprised you are still talking like a normal person" I was still confused.

Edward saved me from my confusion "what Emmett means is: you have gone through so much any normal person would have given up by now, but you didn't" now i was caught up "I just didn't want him to be disappointed, if I left, if I had given up on him when dad left I don't know what or where he would be right now"

Esme hugged me again and for the first time since my dad left I felt like I could trust someone.