Chapter 25

Garrett, Kate and Madison arrived at the Cullens house with a few suitcases full of clothes and tons of baby bottles and toys. Emmett's Jeep was packed similarly as the two couples prepared to leave on their impromptu vacation.

Esme packed a few extra bags filled with Masen and Renesme's old clothes to give to Rosalie and Kate, seeing as their children would be growing so rapidly over the course of their trip. She walked out with the bags to where Rosalie and Kate were introducing their little ones to each other. Emmett and Garrett got chatting in the driveway, as well.

"I have some of Masen's old clothes for William and Renesme's old clothes for Madison," Esme told them, she looked at Kate's baby for the first time and felt tears begin to weld up in her eyes at the thought of someone harming her. She held them back, "Just in case they grow out of the ones they have on now."

"Thank you," Kate said with a big smile. Garrett came and took the bag before Kate gave Esme a long hug, "We're so grateful for what Masen did."

Esme brushed her hair over Madison's hair, "I'm so glad she's okay. I'm so sorry you had to go through that."

"I was in a panic," she said, "I don't know-" Kate forced herself to stop talking so she wouldn't break down. Esme hugged her tighter, "You're all together now. That's what matters."

Carlisle walked down to where everyone else was and shook hands with Garrett before admiring their baby himself, "I'm very happy for the two of you."

"Thank you," they both said.

"I think we better get going," Emmett told them, he took the bag of boys clothes from Garrett, which Esme had color coded with pink and blue bags.

"Be safe," Carlisle told him with a hug.

"We will," Rosalie said, hugging both of them tightly.

"We're very grateful for what your son did for us," Garrett told Carlisle.

He looked as Kate made her way into their car, buckling Madison in her car seat. "We're glad she's alright. She's beautiful."

"Thanks," he told him with a smile.

Emmett hugged Carlisle once more, "Call us if you need any help with the situation. I'll be on the first flight back."

Carlisle nodded, "Let us know when you arrive."

Everyone else made their way out of the house to say their goodbyes and wished them luck on their travels. The two cars made their way out of the driveway and off to Seattle.

Alice suddenly grabbed Masen and pulled him in for a hug, "You saved that little baby."

He nodded, unsure of what to say in her abrupt moment of affection, "Yeah."

"We're so lucky to have you, Mase. You know that?" she looked over to Carlisle and Esme, "It really does feel like he was sent from Heaven. I think there is a place for us after this life, should it ever end."

Jasper took her hand and the two of them walked toward the garage.

"Where are you going?" Esme asked.

"To church," Jasper told her. They both smiled and Jasper opened the passenger door of his car for Alice before he got in and they pulled away.

Carlisle smiled to himself, feeling glad that the two of them experienced faith because of Masen's actions. His views on the afterlife were constantly in question, though the people his son has helped, he felt, could not be accidental.

"What's wrong?" he asked his son, noticing a slightly sad expression on his face.

Masen sighed and a few stray tears that he couldn't hold back fell from his eyes, though he kept his voice steady, "You should have seen Madison when I got to her," he shook his head, "It was the worst thing I've ever seen."

Esme approached him and gave a hug, rubbing his back as she did.

"Mom, I can't believe Kate and Garrett had to see that. Garrett was hysterical, screaming and crying and trying to comfort Kate at the same time," he clenched his teeth beneath his lips so he wouldn't cry even more, "I can't even begin to describe Madison's condition."

Esme felt tears drop from her eyes, which landed elegantly on the front of Masen's shirt, "I'm sorry honey. It must have been so overwhelming."

Masen stepped backward and wiped a hand across his face. "We have to stop these guys."

Carlisle put a hand on his back, "We will."

Seth and Luciana appeared on the front step, each with a handful of tissues.

"Here," Seth said, handing his to Esme. Luciana passed hers off to Masen.

"Thanks," they both said.

"I'm going to try to arrange a meeting with Sam," Seth told them, "Maybe we can form a temporary truce to destroy these bad vampires."

Luciana looked like she wanted to say something, but was extremely hesitant. She tucked her long dark hair behind her ears. Masen found himself thinking she could pass for a member of the Kardashian family.

"What is it Lucy?" Carlisle asked, sensing she had something on the tip of her tounge.

She shook her head, "Nothing."

"You can say it," Esme urged.

"My... my dad called and just said that if things get beyond our control, he would come with some of the others... if we happen to need it. " She looked down shyly as she spoke.

Carlisle and Esme looked at each other, both seeming to be on the fence about the idea. Carlisle thought of Aro's words at their last meeting. Both he and Edward found his words to be as sincere for the love of his daughter. There would be no way the Volturi would turn on them if it came down to a fight.

"It's something to definitely consider," Carlisle told them.

Esme's expression looked concerned, but not completely in disagreeance.

Seth grabbed Luciana's hand, "Charlie's at work, so we're going over to my mom's house."

"I know I could handle being around him," Luciana told them, "But a lot's been going on and I don't want to add to the problem."

"You're doing great Lucy," Masen told her with a reassuring smile.

"Thanks," she said with a closed mouth smile. They waved and headed over to Charlie and Sue's.

"Where's Leah?" Carlisle asked Masen.

"Out with Jacob," he told them, then added, "Thanks for giving me some freedom with all of that. We're, uh, really happy."

"I know," his father said, "And you deserve to be."

Esme nodded and hugged him again with a kiss on the cheek, "You look really cute together."

Masen smiled shyly and shrugged, "Okay. I'm going inside."

Carlisle and Esme stood by the front door and he put his arm around her, "What do you think?" he asked.

"About which part?" she asked, sounding exhausted, leaning into him.

"Do we take a chance with The Volturi as allies?" he asked, "It may be an easy win with them."

"Are they trustworthy enough to be an alliance to us?"

"I don't think Aro would risk Luciana's life. He may come at this group even harder knowing she's at risk."

Esme sighed, "Maybe we can get Alice's input first."

Carlisle nodded in agreeance and pulled her to him. "We're so lucky for everyone in our family. Where would we be without them?"