"He... he what!?" I asked, blinking in shock and unsure of what I heard. I shook my head. "No he didn't."
"He did." Jasper calmly insisted. "It was the only way Edward could have defeated Victoria. Otherwise, she and Riley would have overtaken Edward together and both he and Bella would have died that day."
"But Riley was a nice kid!" I said, choking up. "He wouldn't have... He couldn't have..."
"He may have been a nice kid when he was human but he was a vampire when he died. You are spoiled by being around us all the time. You think we're normal and that the Volturi are evil monsters... and I suppose to you they would seem that way. But they are the normal ones, Lanie, not us."
Seeing all those ravenous newborns down in Texas made me better realize the truth in my brother's words. But even so, I didn't think Seth would be able to kill someone...even a monster. "Seth would never!" I said with determination. "He isn't the type to just kill people for no good reason."
"You're right about that." Jasper agreed slowly. "From what I know of him, no doesn't just kill for 'no good reason'."
"Hmph!" I nodded triumphantly. 'I know I'm right! I've been around that boy long enough to...' I squinted at Jasper, realizing he had something more to say on the matter and waited for him to continue.
"But I wouldn't consider saving the lives of his brothers and the family members of his imprintee to be "no good reason", would you?" He asked rhetorically.
"Baby, Seth is a good boy... a very fine, outstanding young man. Edward tells me he has one of the most purest, sincerest and kindest minds he's ever heard." My mother added in his defense. "Don't you think that if Seth thought that there was another way he could save someone besides ending the life of another, that he would take it?"
I pulled my eyebrows together and contemplated that for a long while. 'It's true... killing someone to save another's life is justifiable cause if ever there one. But I have a hard time believing that Seth would be capable of doing such a thing regardless of what the reasons were. His goodness level is somewhere between Mother Teresa and Jesus Christ.'
"You would be amazed at the things one is capable of when given no other choice." Jasper stated, lifting his eyebrows at me. We locked eyes for a minute. I knew he was referring to what I had just gone through... drinking another human's blood. 'I suppose there are a lot of things we have all had to do that we wouldn't dream of doing if we were 'normal' people.'
I stared at the counter top without really seeing it. The whole ordeal was a difficult thing for me to process. 'On one hand a good friend of mine was murdered. On the other hand, he was murdered by one of the sweetest people on the planet. A person I was growing to like more and more. But how can I just pretend this didn't happen?'
"Lanie, I can sense how you feel when you're around Seth." Jasper lifted my chin up to make me look at his face. "Do not make the mistake of putting distance between you and him. His decision was not based on callousness but on courage."
"He cares way more about you than I imagined he would when I first heard of his... 'attachment' to you." Esme said. "You are blessed to have him in your life. Don't throw it away."
I sucked in a deep breath. "I need some fresh air. I'm going outside." I knew that I had to ask permission first and that was my way of doing so with still keeping my pride. I was MUCH too old for that crap. If they didn't want me to go, they could stop me.
I was by the river bank for a good, long while thinking about any and everything. Like the mind-reading that I hadn't completely gotten used to, Seth of all people having been the one to kill Riley, me having to drink that blood last night, Edward and Bella's upcoming wedding, my healing powers,wondering how my family back in Kansas were doing and so much more. Will I always have this much going on in my life? Will things ever slow down around here?
Out of nowhere I heard a friendly, husky voice. "Hey, Lanie! Your family said you'd be down here!" I always heard laughter whenever Seth spoke. There was just something joyful in his tone. I smiled upon remembering once when Jacob called him a 'happy, little punk'. I turned around to see him and two others I didn't know coming down from towards the house. The new ones looked like that had waited for Seth safely outside.
"Hi." I said flatly, still brewing over the recent news involving him.
He didn't seem to notice my mood and came trotting over, enveloping me in his arms. I briefly wondered if he'd still greet me like this after we had been together for fifty years or even a hundred. I thought of my parents and siblings and how they acted after they'd been apart for awhile...which didn't happen very often.
Carlisle and Esme were more traditional. They would hold each other in an embrace and then kiss, whisper, laugh and other such affections until more pressing matters forced them to continue at another time. Rosalie and Emmett would break out into a full-blown make-out session from the first second and then retreat to a more secluded place... thank God. Alice and Jasper would only have eyes for each other. They'd stare into each other's faces and yet, the moment seemed so private, you would feel the need to look away.
Edward said they all had always been like this. If that's the case then perhaps Seth WOULD still assault me with a hug every day for the rest of our existence. I felt his warm muscular body against mine... If that was so, then it would be a problem I could handle.
"You seem healthier for some reason." He observed, pulling himself away and looking me over. "You're all kinds of shiny!" He was noticing the obvious changes that fresh blood brought me like more color to my face and brighter eyes and glowing skin. I could tell he was curious as the reason behind it or if there even was one and I wanted to be completely honest and open with him but just couldn't bring myself to tell him the truth. I was 'too vampiric' already for some of the pack.
I smiled. "You'd be surprised at what a good, hearty meal and some beauty sleep can do for a girl!"
Seth grinned back and shook his head. "You'll never need any beauty sleep."
There was a scoff behind him while another bored voice said, "Lame." Still smiling, Seth rolled his eyes and shook his head. It was as if he'd had completely forgotten those two were there up to that point. But, between his sense of smell and his impressive hearing, I knew he hadn't.
Seth stood by my side and introduced us. "Lanie, these are the latest members of the pack, Collin Littlesea and Brady Fuller. I thought it would be good if you met every one of us."
"Good morning, gentleman!" I said cheerfully. They were gaping at me with indiscernible expressions.
"Guys, this is Miss Alaina Holland Kent Cullen." I blinked in surprise as I had never heard my new full name said out loud.
"That's a lotta of last names." Collin, the slightly younger and more native American looking one commented.
"You planning on adding one extra, Seth?" I heard the taller one, Brady, say with a smirk. He didn't think I could hear him.
My imprinter didn't answer but gave the boy a warning glance. Not because he was bothered by the remark but because he was afraid I would be. Without thinking, I added that extra last name just to see how it sounded. It was absolutely perfect! Immediately, I was embarrassed that I had even thought that far and I was VERY grateful that shapeshifters can't read my mind.
"Holland is my middle name." I explained. They didn't reply but continued to gawk at me. It was starting to make me nervous. "Are you guys shy or something?"
Collin and Brady shook their heads back and forth and said, "Nope." and "Uh-uh." but still openly stared at me.
"Do I frighten you, then?" I asked, being snarky. "Ya know, with me being partially a vampire and all that would be understandable..." I knew that would get a rise out of them.
"We're not scared of any bloodsuckers and we're sure not scared of you." Collin said defensively. "We've just never seen anyone... quite like you before."
"Like me?" I repeated, tilting my head.
"Yeah," Brady agreed with his friend. "It's just that...well..." He glanced at Seth, who seemed humored by their stuttering. "You're really... pretty."
"That's it!?" I found it hard to believe that's what they were making a big fuss about.
Seth chuckled in amusement and then put his focus back on me. He leaned over and whispered in my ear, "You're the most beautiful girl any of us have ever seen."
I lifted my eyebrows in surprise and skepticism then saw Collin and Brady both purposely avoiding my gaze now. They had obviously heard what Seth said to me.
I tried to lighten the mood. "Perhaps you should get out more!" They laughed at that.
"Oh, we get out plenty." Seth said.
I put my hands on my hips and shook my head at Seth. "And all this time I thought you were just interested in my intelligence and personality." I mock scolded him.
He stood there with his arms folded over his chest admiring me and beaming from ear to ear. That's when I realized what was really going on. He didn't bring them over here just so I could meet them. He brought them over so they see what I looked like. He was showing me off! I couldn't decide if I should be offended or flattered.
"How old are ya'll?" I asked, changing the subject.
"Brady's fourteen." Collin answered. "I'm thirteen."
"It's been really great not being the youngest one anymore." Seth said. I noticed the annoyance in his voice towards his brothers and all the bossing around and teasing they must put the younger ones in the group through.
"Yep, being the youngest sure must suck!" I said with an overly fake, forced smile. I knew EXACTLY what it felt like. "I can't even imagine!"
"Your family's great." Seth said, amused by my antics but also trying to make me feel better about my situation. "Oh, speaking of your family, Jasper said there's something you wanted to talk to me about."
"Oh, he did, did he?" I said through clenched teeth, glaring at my brother in my mind. I didn't need him to do that but now that it's brought up... "Actually, I was kinda hoping we could have a moment together."
He stepped a foot closer and bent over to my eye level to look intently at me. "Yeah, what is it?"
I blinked and then and then looked at Collin and Brady and then to Seth and then to the boys and back to Seth. "Ya know, in private." I tried giving him a hint that I wanted to be alone.
"OK, sure!" He shook head in excitement and quickly looked around for a place.
After spotting a moss-covered log about twenty feet away, he took my arm and led me over to it where I sat down. He swung a leg over and sat on it like a horse so he could face me and put his elbows on his legs and stared at my face expectantly waiting for me to continue. Collin and Brady were still very much within earshot. Doesn't anyone ever get any privacy around here? I guess it didn't matter anyways. If Seth thought about me as much as Jake claimed he did, they'd hear all about it soon enough.
"So, I was wondering..." I began nervously. "I mean, it's not a big deal really. Well, it kinda is...I don't know."
Seth had his eyebrows pulled together and was biting his lower lip while studying my face. I could tell he wanted me to get on with it and spit out whatever it was I wanted to say but was too nice to actually tell me to do so. Therefore, he just sat there perfectly still and patiently waited.
"Have you ever killed anyone? That is, since becoming a werewolf." I blurted out. "Like, during the fight with the newborns. Did you kill any of them?"
He seemed taken back by my question at first like he had planned on this conversation going in an entirely different direction. Then he collected himself and concentrated on the ground for a second to decide how he should best answer my question.
"Jacob made sure I stayed out of it for some reason." He said, I could hear the slightest hint of bitterness in his voice. I gulped, remembering that I was the one responsible for that. Apparently, Seth never found that out. "Sam said I wasn't experienced enough... like ANY of them were." He scoffed. "Anyways, I stayed with Edward and Bella up in the hills to let them know what was happening on the battlefield."
"I was on the battlefield." I recalled.
"Yeah, I know." Seth gave a pained expression. "I could see you in the rest of the pack's vision talking to Bree."
"Anyways.." I urged him to carry on. He was getting distracted by the memory of me in danger that day.
"Anyways," He repeated, shaking his head clear. "Near the end of it all, there was this guy Edward was talking to, he called him 'Riley' I think, and was trying to convince him that someone named, Victoria, didn't really love him. Then this red-headed girl shows up and they all go back and forth for awhile. Well, all of the sudden, Riley must have decided that he believed his girlfriend, so he tells Edward, 'You're dead' and lunges for him."
"Oh, no!" I gasped.
"Yeah," Seth nods his head. "Well, I knew that the girl was going to use that opportunity to kill Bella and, of course, I couldn't let that happen, so I leap over a boulder just in time to catch him mid-air." He tightened his eyes. "It was brutal. Vampires aren't easy to destroy and he didn't go down without a fight."
"Do you ever feel bad about doing that?"
"Not when I see Bella and Edward together. Nothing should get in the way of two people loving each other as much as they do." He said softly. "I'm not sorry I did it... I'm just sorry I HAD to."
"Wow." Was all I could say. Seth really did save both their lives. No wonder Edward and the rest of my family likes him so much. If it weren't for him, this family would be in deep sorrow and grieving over a great loss, instead they're in good spirits, cheerfully planning a wedding that will unite two people in eternal love and thus, add a new member to their family. It all made sense now. Seth is everyone's little hero!
Edward promised he'd do what he could to save Riley and I guess he did. He also went out of his way to avoid letting me know who killed him, both for my sake and for Seth's. Edward didn't want Seth's actions, which allowed him to live happily ever after with Bella, to jeopardize his relationship with me. Fearing I might cut off all ties with Seth. Bless Edward's heart and Seth's...and Riley's. Poor Riley... RIP.
"Why do you ask?" Seth pulled me from my lament with his curiosity.
I took a deep breath and then shrugged. "No reason." He didn't look like believed that but accepted my answer regardless.
"Ya know, Lanie, it's in a shapeshifter's genes to protect the ones we love. It's our first and strongest instinct. We do it with out thinking." He felt the need to share.
I got the feeling he had a general clue of why I was asking him about all that and he was concerned about what I thought about it all. I was resolved in knowing that some things just work out for the best even though they may not work out the way you want them to.
"I know." I smiled at him to let him know I was alright and he smiled back. I lost track of how long we were lost in each other's eyes and didn't realize how close our faces had gotten until a thud next to us brought us back to earth.
"What are you kids doing?" Emmett's jovial voice boomed, putting an emphasis on the word 'kids'.
I saw from the corner of my eye, Collin and Brady getting into a defensive crouching position at the sight of my big brother. They looked like they were trying to decide whether or not they should phase, noticing how relaxed Seth appeared to be. He and Jacob may be used to the Cullens, but they sure weren't.
"Trying to have a peaceful moment." I replied, jokingly.
"Hey, man! I didn't see you there!" Seth said, standing up.
Emmett dropped a set of keys in my lap and I tilted my head up and raised an eyebrow in question.
"Never say never!" He quoted himself, reminding me that I once told him I'd never be able to drive a car.
I picked them up. "What are these to?"
"My Jeep! The best vehicle on the planet for off-roading." He gave me an evil grin. "Trust me, we're gonna need it.
Many hours later brought Emmett and I, covered in mud, busting through the door that led from the garage to the main part of the house. We were both laughing and talking about the day. I sat in his lap and drove his Jeep all over the place. Down the driveway, on back roads, through fields and over hills. We splashed though the puddles and even went airborne once.
"Oh, my word!" Esme exclaimed, seeing the trail of muck we left behind us on the floor.
"Sorry, Mama!" I apologized. "I'll clean it up!"
"Please..." She returned, not as upset as she pretended to be. "Just get in the shower before you do any more damage!" I nodded and laughed.
"I'm glad you were already planning on adjusting the alignment on your vehicle tomorrow." Rosalie said to her husband, wiping some dirt off his face. "You better add a car wash to that too."
"HIS vehicle?!" I repeated, pretending to act as genuinely confused as I could. "What makes you think we took the Jeep?"
The expression on her face was absolutely priceless as the only other option was her red convertible... which she kept in pristine condition at ALL times. That was the first time I had ever seen any of them THAT furious. I thought she was going to attack Emmett. But it only lasted a moment because for a split second, a scene from the afternoon accidentally came across my mind and the truth was out and the joke ended just in time.
EVERY one in the house burst into fits of uncontrollable laughter at her reaction... except her. I could tell that no one ever played around with her very often. Rosalie wasn't the type to take it very well when someone wanted to have a good laugh at her expense.
She recomposed herself from the chagrin and walked over with a charming, angelical smile on her face and addressed both me and Emmett, who was desperately attempting to stop grinning from ear to ear at her predicament.
"Just remember, darlings," She said in a voice so soft and syrupy sweet, it was actually creepy. "I don't get mad... I. Get. Even."
Let me know what you think! Reviews are THE reason why I write. LB, Lanie probably will start school eventually, but there's just too much going on right now. I'm thinking she and Nessie (and maybe a few others) will go together. Also, I don't know yet if she can get pregnant. :)
Thank you to everyone who has reviewed already, especially to Spawn and Alexa6! I LOVE it when people mention details or specific things about the story. ^_^
