Lips 25
Epov
I was so happy to see she was alright. It was all I could do to keep from grabbing her up and running with her.
Of course she probably wouldn't react to that very well and I'd most likely get hurt if I tried. So I settled for hugging her.
I never knew how she would react to me even though I could read her mind she was still a mystery.
I couldn't tell if she was still mad at me so I let my family go first with the greetings.
She was worried about something and Jasper was picking up some serious despair and anguish behind her warm facade.
She was scared and worried about her companion I realized after a few minutes.
The girl with her was very sick we could all smell it but only Carlisle was able to identify what we were smelling.
Cancer his mind supplied. The girl had cancer and didn't have long left. My heart went out to Gin and my own pain was momentarily dwarfed.
At least I could still go back to Bella later her friend was nearing the end. Now was not the time to push my feelings off on her I needed to just be there for her.
Carlisle was trying to convince her to take her friend home but he wasn't really being allowed to say his peace.
We were all surprised when Esme agreed to help Gin make her friends passing a beautiful experience.
I didn't agree with her but the friend didn't want to leave her side. Plus she knew what we were. My eyes widened when her friend mentioned my ill fated pass at Gin.
Just how much had she told this Kacy girl. We reluctantly went on rides with Gin and her friend.
Well at least I was reluctant and so was Rose for a few of them. Carlisle looked like he wanted to hurl most of the time.
But Esme and Emmett were having a blast. I suspect jasper was as well despite Alice's fears.
I was very proud of her when she actually went on that free fall ride with Gin and her friend.
We were all being incredibly attentive to her fragile friend. She was small , blond and very bubbly.
Like a blond version of Alice. She even got me to laugh a few times at her odd little sense of humor.
When ever any of us would interact with Kacy. I could see Gin was right near her ready to pounce if any of us lost control.
Her vigilance was surprising because she should be the most dangerous to her friend.
Her control astounded even Jasper who looked completely shocked whenever Gin would touch Kacy or carry her somewhat.
She was completely gentle with her always attentive to her strength. She was simply amazing in her compassion for her friend, even Carlisle was awed.
He said she had offered to turn Kacy. It floored me that Kacy had refused
Gin was willing to respect that choice. It made me feel like dirt for not heeding Bella's wishes.
For never believing the depth of her emotions could ever match my own. No matter how many times Jasper had shown me other wise.
It made me feel even more like a monster than I already had. part of me knew i was being unfair to Gin.
By trying to foist my feeling for Bella off on her but I just wanted the pain to stop.
It was if a hole existed in my chest where my heart should be. Every reminder of Bella ripped it open and made it bleed.
I knew it wasn't possible of course for me to bleed. I had checked to make sure I didn't actually have a hole in my chest.
Logic never wins against emotions though especially heart break. We were back at the hotel room Carlisle had rented.
I went hunting with Jasper and Emmett. For once Emmett didn't tease me.
Jasper kept staring at me though. I knew I had to be throwing out some seriously confused vibes and I'm sure he wanted to ask.
Thankfully he didn't but that still didn't get me out of a conversation.
"I'm worried" said Emmett
We both turned to look at him. Emmett rarely talked about his emotions even to Jasper, not that he needed to with him being an empath.
"About Gin?" said Jasper
Emmett nodded. We had already fed on a herd of deer and one mountain lion each. Emmett wasn't even complaining about the lack of bears.
So we assumed he really was worried.
"She's going to lose her friend" said Emmett.
We both nodded in understanding.
"She knows it too I can see it in her eyes" said Emmett
Jasper sighed when he realized both of our eyes were on him.
"Yeah and she's freaking out on the inside already" said Jasper
I rubbed my hands through my hair. Right now I was more concerned about Gin than my broken heart.
"Is there anything we can do to help her?"I said
They turned to look at me as if shocked I would even notice what they were saying. Jasper smiled at my expression.
"Welcome back brother" said Jasper
"Thanks" I said
I was sure I hadn't gone anywhere but then again emotionally I hadn't exactly been all there.
"All I can guess is that we support her and be there for her." said Jasper
"I just want to hug her until she's not sad anymore" said Emmett
I patted his shoulder in sympathy, Jasper grimaced.
"I doubt that would go over very well' said Jasper.
"Is she still mad at me?' I asked.
I knew it sounded selfish but I had to know. Jasper shook his head no and I sighed.
"She's too worried to even consider anything else" said Jasper
"Then we take away her reason to worry" said Emmett
He sounded so happy with himself that Jasper stopped himself from smacking him just in the nick of time.
"You idiot her reason to worry is Kacy" I said
"Oh!" said Emmett
Jasper shook his head. I could hear him thanking gawd that he and Emmett weren't biologically related.
"We can't take Kacy from the equation but we could take away everything else she might worry about" I said
Jasper looked sideways at me and I saw him nod his head in approval.
"Good idea we could lighten the load so to speak" said Jasper
Emmett nodded.
"We should get the girls involved" said Emmett
"And Carlisle and Esme" I added
We nodded as a group and headed back. A plan firmly cemented in our minds.
Carlisle pov
We had been so worried about Gin that we had barely hunted all week. When Peter finally called Jasper to confirm that he had indeed found her.
I was so elated I felt as if the wind had been knocked out of me.
We of course rushed to her side. we were all terrified she would do something to attract the Volturi's attention.
Thankfully she hadn't murdered her parents like we all had feared. Edward and Rose had gone that way to check on her and clean up after her should they need to.
While I lamented the loss of life I was glad that she had put those demons to rest.
I knew from experience that sometimes the only way to heal from a trauma like that was to kill the attacker. It certainly worked for Rose and my Esme.
I shook my head to clear it. The dual images of my wife and daughter covered in there former lovers blood was both erotic and deeply disturbing.
It gave me an insight into Emmett's character that I wasn't sure I wanted.
Of course it also disturbed me that I had the same urges. I guess we really were monsters after all. Esme was hovering by Kacy's side.
While the other kids were out hunting. Edward and his brothers came back and the girls left. I urged Esme to join her daughters.
Gin walked in as she walked out. Esme asked her if she wanted to join them and the girl declined. I could tell she was still upset about Edward. Esme looked at me with pleading eyes.
"I'll take her later you go ahead dear." I said
There was no arguing with her when she insisted like that. I knew from years of experience to not even try.
I found Jasper out hunting still. He was trying to calm a distraught Edward again. After about forty minutes of talking to him.
I got enough of the picture to understand. What that frustrated angry look adorning my youngest child's features was when she returned.
"Edward!" I chided.
Now was not the time to try to form a physical relationship with the girl. After Edward calmed down enough to explain what happened.
I ended up sending Jasper away when he tried to throttle Edward. Not that choking him would do any good but it would make Jasper feel better.
He paced just out of the clearing we were currently arguing in.
"Son I really do understand what you're going through but she isn't ready for that right now" I explained
Jasper murmured something and all I caught was gentleman out of his statement.
"if your going to add your input you may as well show yourself" I said
I sighed this was not my idea of a relaxing hunt. Jasper stepped into the clearing again. He was tense but radiating calm.
I pursed my lips but let it go. I knew Jasper had taken on the role of overprotective big brother when it came to Gin.
Something that honestly I was thrilled about. The girl needed someone acting in her best interests.
"Now Edward why don't you tell us exactly what happened?" I said
He eyed Jasper warily.
"Is he going to attack me again?" said Edward.
I raised an eyebrow there was a very real hint of fear in Edward's tone that surprised me.
"Only if he remains respectful towards her" said Jasper
Edward looked at his feet. He was sitting at the base of a tree. There was a smashed boulder at the edge of the clearing.
He lowered his head between his knees. His voice was sad and filled with such agony that Jasper flinched.
"We kissed then for a moment we were lost in each other, at least until i f'd it up" he said
He pulled at his hair and screamed in frustration.
"Why am I so stupid?" he said
Luckily we were far enough in the woods that no one would hear his screams.
"What did you do?" I asked
Edward looked up at me.
"I moaned her name" he whispered
"Moaned whose name ,Gin's?" I asked
Jasper gave me a pointed look and my heart sank.
"No Bella's" he said
"Idiot" muttered Jasper
Edward glared at him and he shrugged. Edward sighed he knew he couldn't argue with that assessment either.
"I've never felt so stupid in my life" he moaned.
I pursed my lips and struggled with what to say right now. I was coming up blank I honestly never did this so I had no idea what to say.
I looked at Jasper. He sighed
"Man you know how screwed you are now don't you"said Jasper.
Edward nodded and smiled wryly at his brother.
"Yeah I got that when she used my head like a battering ram on that boulder" he said
He pointed to a pile of small rocks. I was momentarily shocked
"She apparently has quite the temper" said Edward
I snorted
"Don't they all" I said
He looked at me.
"I think we've all been in that particular dog house son" said Carlisle
"So what do I do?" said Edward
"Kiss her ass" said Jasper
We both looked at him
"What?" he said
"Well yeah that works and so does apologizing" I said
"And buying them gifts" said Emmett
He walked up and sat down.
"Sorry to intrude but I heard the girls ranting and decided to run for it before it was directed my way" said Emmett.
We grinned at him . Perhaps Emmett wasn't as dumb as he pretended to be.
"Man you really fucked up" said Emmett
"Thanks Em I knew that already" said Edward
He patted Edwards shoulder
"Look if its any consolation I did the same thing the first time i was with Rose" said Emmett
Our mouths dropped open in shock and we stared at Emmett
"I called her Lisa one of my ex girlfriend's names, one I had when i had been human" said Emmett
"Boy was she pissed" he said
"likewise Alice" said jasper
He was looking at the floor. We all looked at him
"Maria" was all he said
We all grimaced in sympathy
"Ouch" said Emmett
"Yeah tell me about it, took me a year to get her calmed down enough to let me touch her" said Jasper
Edward buried his head between his knees and moaned
"Great I'm doomed"
I couldn't help myself I chuckled his head shot up and he pined me with a glare that could shave a nail.
"It's not funny" he growled
"Actually its quite hilarious considering we have all done it" I said
They turned towards me and i sighed
"Rachael , she was a lover I had while I was with the Volturi" I said
There eyes widened in shock and Emmett started laughing. We all turned towards him and glared at him until he stopped.
"Man that is too funny it's like we really are related" Emmett wheezed.
He was laughing so hard his frame was shaking and he was rolling on the ground.
Jasper started chuckling along with him and even Edward chuckled some and so did I. It was rather ironic that we had all done this at least once.
Then I winced when I remembered our mates responses to our little screw ups. Edward groaned and I helped him stand up.
"Don't worry we will all help you" I said
Emmett clapped him on the back
"Yeah man the Cullen men got to stick together" said Emmett
Edward groaned again.