"He refused any form of welcome when he returned. If it was not rejection then why?" Carlisle poured his heart to Esme. He was hurt and confused by Edward's behaviour. He had wanted to host a welcome ceremony for Edward when he returned to the family but his son refused it. It had made Carlisle feel rejected and hurt though he tried not to.
"Do not be hard on yourself husband. Our son has been through much we cannot understand. Even so he returned to us." She soothed.
"It seems he is at odds with me" He complained
When Edward returned sooner than expected Carlisle was the happiest he had been in sixty-eight years. He was relieved his son returned whole and earlier. Aro had bound him to a hundred years of servitude. It took a week for the family to realize Edward had not returned as the same young man that was taken from them. No matter how hard they tried he never opened up to them fully. He hadn't told them all of his experiences and life.
"No dear husband, he is not. Our children respect you and our family stands strong. He has found his mate and is now complete. His focus is on Bella now."
Carlisle knew this to be true, but Edward's refusal to change Bella against his advice was another form of rejection to him. That he confirmed to be following Volturi example to claim his mate made him angry.
"How is it you can see reason through this? Edward stood against me."
"He stood firm in his path dear husband. Is this not what we have taught him?" Her voice was gentle and humble.
In any other situation Carlisle would be proud of his son but this was not one for it. He worried his family would be weakened if they continued to disagree and would never heal if Bella was lost.
"It is what we value but this is hardly the situation to prove he listened. I am concerned for his and Isabella's safety."
"As we all are, especially him dear husband. Please, let him claim his mate as he wishes. We must not build any distance between ourselves and Edward."
"There is a wall of separation between our son and our family dear. It weighs heavily on my heart." He admitted.
"He is still our son and I'm clinging to the hope that wall will crumble one day." She placed a soothing hand on his shoulder.
"One day soon, I hope." Carlisle was sad.
In all his five-hundred-and-twelve years on earth three events stood out the most painful; the death of his parents, his capture and torture in Volterra and Edward's servitude to the Volturi. All three events made him feel powerless. They served as a reminder that he too was vulnerable to suffer intense pain even in his indestructible state.
Edward had been close enough to hear his parents' thoughts. No one else knew his mind reading radius had doubled from the three miles he achieved before maturity. His heart went out to his father but he stood firm in his resolve regarding Bella's change. His reason for refusing a welcoming ceremony two years earlier was to keep the family safe. He had also requested that his return be kept quiet from other covens which were considered family friends.
It had hurt his parents but they respected his wishes and privacy. Edward felt no attachment to his family's friends. He knew none of them. The family had kept to themselves the first thirty years of his life for his safety. He had only met a few in his younger years including the mated pair Eleazar and Carmen.
Aro had learnt of his mind reading gift from Eleazar shortly after they visited his family. For this reason, the close friendship between the pair and his parents was wounded. He had forgiven them long ago. It was needed for his training with the wolves. He could hold no grudges to be successful.
Edward had been in Volterra nine years when Eleazar and Carmen visited Aro. They had only just discovered what had happened to Edward at the time. Aro refused to let them see Edward and ordered them to stay away from Volterra for ninety-one years. He wanted to deny the Cullen any comfort while in servitude.
Carmen had sobbed as they were escorted out of the castle by the guard. Eleazar had been more focused. He called to Edward at the top of his mental voice hoping the young man could hear.
'If you can hear me Edward, please forgive us. This was never our intention nor wish. We have hurt your family deeply. Our only hope is that one day we may gain your father's forgiveness. Be strong child, be strong. Stay alive and true to yourself while you are here. Your family awaits your return. If you find it in your heart to forgive us, please send word and we will come.'
Edward saw the events leading up to the pair's visit to his home and how the Volturi learnt of his gift. They had not intentionally betrayed his family. They had not come on a mission for Aro. Together, they were filled with remorse for their role in the Volturi's punishment of his family. For that reason he could forgive them.
His parents had been eager to reconcile with their friends when he informed them about their visit to Volterra. Because he wished to keep his return quiet, they could not. As a gift to his parents, he planned to send for their friends soon after Bella's change. He realized he had to allow his father's welcoming ceremony to appease him. The family could not afford to be divided, most importantly for Bella's sake.
'Father will appreciate it' Alice approved having seen his decision.
"I still do not wish it known that I have returned" Edward answered without moving from the rock outcropping he was perched on. She sat gracefully next to him a moment later.
'He will respect your wish. We will have peace.' She assured.
"What of Carmen and Eleazar?" Edward asked and waited while Alice searched for any visions with the pair. They both watched in shock as Eleazar sprung and drained a large bear in her vision. His eyes were gold as were Carmens' who watched in the distance. A few more fleeting visions showed their eyes the same over time. "What does that mean? Why do the visions focus on their eyes?"
'It can only be because the detail is important. Did they not drink from humans when they visited before? Father never speaks of them.' She asked curiously
"They did, even when they visited in Volterra." Edward confirmed.
'You should include sister Bella in the ceremony.' Alice suddenly thought to him with a wide smile. Edward loved the idea.
"Alice, I spoke with Jasper-" He started
'We discussed it brother Edward. My mate has given his blessing.' She finished and both smiled. 'Father will never accept it.' She stated more seriously.
Edward knew she supported his idea. Both of them had experience much violence in their lives and believed in being prepared.
"Perhaps you could help mother and Rose privately. You are a skilled fighter. They could learn much from you." Edward suggested.
"I cannot-" Alice began to protest. She was afraid to take the initiative given her history with the family.
"I will speak to mother. Emmett will speak to Rose. Please Alice, you and I know what could happen if your creator came for you." He added
'I know she would destroy them. I agree brother Edward.'
They ran back to the house together intent on training the Cullen women without Carlisle's knowledge. It helped that he would be working at the hospital a few hours a day.
"I was hoping to speak to you mother," Edward started when they arrived.
'Of course, son' Esme welcomed giving him all his attention.
"I worry of the conflict between our family and the Volturi and wish that you all learn to defend yourselves." Esme watched him intently for a long moment. She hid her thoughts from him.
'Your father would never allow it' She stated
"I was hoping we could keep this from him a little while"
'Edward!' Esme was shocked 'Do you believe the Volturi would attack us?' She asked
"I cannot be certain. Caius would not hesitate. Aro enjoys the ongoing feud. I'd rather we were prepared."
'It is too much an ask to go against your father Edward. He is upset with your decision against turning Bella. This will hurt him deeply' Esme advised
"You know where Alice comes from mother. You know what would happen if her coven came for her." Edward motivated.
'Do not threaten our peace son. We trust you to protect us.'
"I am trying to make you see reason mother. Our enemies have gifts that we may not be able to defend you against. You will never need to fight when we are able to defend you, but it is wise to be prepared to defend the family."
All the Cullen children were listening to their one sided conversation. Alice had her head bowed in shame while Jasper stared at her. Rosalie and Emmett sat with their eyes locked in their room. She was excited by the idea and he'd do anything to have her feel empowered.
'Is this anther thing you have learnt from Volterra?' Esme asked in dread
"It is true that all the female guards in Volterra receive training but not the reason I ask this."
'Edward, this is unorthodox'
"I respect your views mother. You may wait on father before you start if you wish. I will ask Jasper for Alice to train you when the time comes."
'Alice?!' Edward nodded. He saw a small opportunity Esme would be open to the idea.
"Please think about it. Our family would be broken without you." Edward kissed her forehead and left her with her thoughts.
Jasper and Emmett were also comfortable to have Alice train the women. Rosalie was not happy but she'd take what she could get. Esme refused to consider what she and Edward discussed. She had never kept anything from Carlisle before and was unsure she could.
"Alice" She called an hour later.
Alice appeared at the door of the smaller living room where Esme was sat. "Go with Rose." she instructed, surprising Alice. She hadn't made any decisions which might have given Alice a vision.
"Yes mother," she went back to her room to change. Rose joined her a minute later in the backyard. The two disappeared to the forest while their mates watched from the glass walls of their rooms.
"Thank you mother," Emmett spoke quietly. He hoped this would help Rosalie release much of her anger and aggression.
Esme took a deep breath to release her anxiety. Her family was going through many changes. It unsettled her. She took comfort in that they were all together. Jasper listened to his mother's emotions with his gift and chose not to say anything. His thoughts were on Alice. He worried about the effect of the training on her.