Chapter 51

A full day had gone by and the kids had all made it safely to Alaska. They continued to communicate to Carlisle and Esme with content enthusiasm, which made them feel a little less on edge. The fear of the threat still lingered, however, as they tried to go about their daily routines.

Carlisle regretfully got ready for work, though he felt his family was safe despite the bout of absence he would have to endure due to the work day. Esme, Alexandra, Michael, Masen and Leah all stayed at the house and kept a close eye on the three children.

Nicole, who was progressing toward her middle teenage years by her looks, had begun to act mature and far more adult-like. She had a strong recognition for the seriousness of the situation, and despite her age-typical silly behaviors that she often displayed, she also had an adult nature that was currently being brought to the surface.

Esme did Carlisle's tie and brushed her hands along the collar of his shirt before giving him a kiss. "We'll be fine," she said, feeling like an echo of the others as they'd bid their farewells the day before.

"I know," he said, taking her hand. The two of them walked down the stairs and toward the front door, "I'll be back soon. I'm only doing seven hours."

"Okay," she said, "No rush. It's okay."

He sighed and looked at her with a guilty expression before giving her another kiss. "I love you."

"I love you, too," she said.

Carlisle admired her for a moment before calling their daughter, "Alex!"

She quickly appeared, trying to help Caleb walk, though she did most of the word in keeping him upright, "Yeah."

He smiled at the two of them and hugged her, "Be careful."

"We will," she said, taking on the carefree tone that he brothers and sister had left her with.

Cassandra came darting around the corner and into the room. She leapt without warning and Carlisle let out a laugh as he caught her, "Bye Pop."

He took her nose in between two of his fingers, "See ya soon kiddo."

She laughed from what he was doing, "Love ya."

"Love ya more," he said, releasing her nose.

"Nope," she shook her head, "Love you more."

He laughed and gave her a look and was about to say something back but she put both of her tiny hands over his mouth.

Esme grinned, as did Alex before she finally, slowly moved her hands away.

"I'll see ya when I get back," he told her.

"Okay," she said with a grin.

Carlisle set her down and kissed Esme once more on the cheek before heading out the door.

Esme sighed subconsciously as she watched him go, then locked the front door. She head to the living room where Masen and Leah sat talking quietly.

"Where's Michael?" Esme asked.

"Hunting," Alexandra told her.

"Alone?"

Alexandra's expression switched from easygoing to concerned, "Why? Should I go out there? Should I go find him?"

Esme looked at her daughter, feeling bad that she got her so edgy that fast, "I'm sure he'll be fine."

"Stop worrying her, Mom," Masen said, looking over his shoulder.

"Masen," she said seriously, "We have to be extra careful, that's all. No one should hunt alone. You never know."

Alexandra's worried expression trickled down into her body language. She stood tense and rigid and made her way toward the kitchen so she could look out the back windows. Five minutes went by and she hadn't moved. "Where is he?" she asked aloud, though to no one in particular.

"Al, relax," Masen said, "Come sit."

"Leave her be," Leah said, tugging on his shirt.

A relieved sigh left Alexandra's mouth as she saw Michael return from the woods. He waved to her as he crossed through the yard an eventually in through the back door. She threw her arms around him and hugged him hard.

Michael hugged her back, then laughed, "What's wrong?" he asked.

She sighed again, "I just thought something might have happened. You were gone for so long."

He leaned in and gave her a kiss, sensing she was waiting for one and he pulled her back to him, "I was only gone for about twenty minutes. Half hour tops."

Masen called in to them, "Mom wants us hunting in pairs," he said, "She's getting all 'Mom' on us."

Leah hit him and it made him wince, though he laughed at her reaction.

Esme appeared in the kitchen, "I just want everyone to be safe," she told them, "That's all."

Michael nodded, "Yeah. That's fine. I'm sorry."

She shook her head, "Don't be silly. I just worry about all of you."

Michael smiled and gave her a nod. At that moment, more than ever before, he looked at her in the same exact way that he used to look at his own mother. He felt the concern in her voice for him, and the look on her face held similar caring creases that indicated she was truly worried about where he'd been. It was an impossible maternal feeling to ignore, and he welcomed the connection.

Esme seemed to sense what he was feeling and gave him a quick hug. "You two and Masen should all hunt as a group. I'll feel better that way." She let him go and looked at her daughter to make sure she understood.

"Okay," Alexandra said, "You hear that Mase?"

"Yup," he said, "Heard it twenty times."

Esme shook her head and looked at them with a smile, "Go watch some TV. I'm going to fix Leah and Cassandra something to eat."

Leah appeared in the kitchen a few minutes later, "What can I help you with?"

She flashed her a smile, "Go relax, Leah. I'm in the cooking mood. I'm going to put on some music and just cook, and bake and have fun with it."

"Are you sure?" she asked.

"Positive," Esme told her.

"That's a nice way of saying you can't cook," Masen shouted, "And to leave her alone."

Leah looked over her should to where his voice came in and Esme shook her head, "Don't listen to him. I'm fine, honey. Really. Go relax."

She smiled and gave in, "Okay."

"And maybe give him a little smack in the back of the head," she went on, "I don't usually condone those things, but I think he might deserve it this time."

Leah laughed and nodded, heading back to the living room.

Esme put on her music and did as she intended, making some food for them and humming along to her favorite mix of songs; some old, some newer. The small meal she was preparing was almost finished when Nicole scampered into the kitchen.

"I need to tell you something new that I found out," she said. Nicole's voice was calm, but hinted at something important.

Esme turned to face her. She felt her stomach drop with uneasiness and held her breath. "What did you find out?"

"I've seen Aro," she said.

"Where?" Esme asked, trying to keep the anxiousness inside of her from coming to the surface.

"The reservation."

"Why? When?"

"He's coming to protect Lucy," Nicole told her.

Esme's body relaxed, though she still felt anxiety brewing in her chest, "When is he coming?"

"Soon," Nicole explained, then added, "I've seen him holding Caleb."