Esme's POV
Alex's heart rate slows down to a relaxed, normal pace, and the expression on her face goes from pained to content. Carlisle is sitting on her left, gently rubbing her back to comfort her. He looks concerned with a bit of sadness as well.
My husband turns his head to look at me. His eyes are wide and eyebrows pulled together, looking sad. I place one of my hands to reassure him "She'll be alright, right?" I ask. Carlisle is the expert in this, not me. If he isn't hopeful, then we shouldn't be either.
He nods. "I just don't like causing pain. And she's resilient already. I feel its easy to lose empathy when we can't feel what humans do," he answers.
"I think she'll be alright if she keeps resting. I was thinking of making up the guest bedroom, and moving her there to keep her comfortable," I say.
"I want to get to the bottom of the issue with the Volturi. I don't understand how they even knew about her," he says.
"I do too. Focus on Alex first, we'll work on with the Volturi later," I reply.
"Alice, what are their movements?" Carlisle asks.
Alice, who has been sitting on Jasper's lap on the couch, looks dissociated from reality, something she does when she's looking into the future. "I can't make much out, at least not definitively," she says after a moment. Jasper, my newest adopted son, is comforting her with a hug.
"Tell us what you see," he encourages.
"Just pieces of Aro talking with Caius. I see death of one of the guards," she describes.
"Is it possible the Volturi knew about Alex before we did?" Emmett asks.
"It definitely is. What would they be waiting for?" I answer.
"To develop more powers, to see if she is a prime candidate for being turned? After all, her scent is unmatched to any other human. We all smell it. It's clear that she's different. I'm not surprised the Volturi would be interested in recruiting her," Carlisle pipes in.
"I feel attached to Alex. I don't want the guard to have her. I'd fight to keep her," Emmett says. His physique has ingrained in him that he is untouchable. He's strong, stronger than the typical vampire.
"We don't want a fight. I don't want a bloodbath over Alex. She wouldn't want that either," Carlisle answers.
"Alex gave herself up to the Volturi to protect me," I say. "I would fight them to keep her too. Not for me or for our family, but for Alex. She is a special one, especially being a demi-spirit," I add.
"I really want to talk with the Chief," my husband says.
"Then do so. I'll come with you," I answer.
"I want to stay near Alex. To protect her," he protests.
"I'll stay with her," Edward says.
"So will I," Emmett adds.
"We will too," says Jasper.
"Do what you need to do. Its for Alex," I assure him.
"Alright then. I'm going to the border of the reservation. I'm hoping they'll see me coming and offer to talk. Its my only option," Carlisle says.
I nod in agreement, and he stands up. I take over, comforting Alex while she sleeps. With all of my children voluntarily offering Alex protection, I feel content that she will stay safe.