"You can't be serious Doc", Jacob practically growled.
"Calm down Jake", Reneesme soothed him. He almost instantly calmed down with the only indication of his anger being his occasional grumbles.
"I'm wary too, but the decisions been made and I'm not about to turn away a child even if it's his" Carlisle said putting an end to any objections.
"It's strange though that he asked you for help especially even after what happened all those years ago. I've always trusted your judgement Carlisle but what if this another ploy to destroy us", Edward added.
Alice agreed, "I don't understand this decision either, I've been trying to see our future lately, but I've been getting a lot of unintelligible pieces, though I brushed it off deeming the wolves would pay us a visit...but this makes sennssssse", and very briefly so fast if you weren't a Cullen it would have gone unnoticed. But because they were Cullens everyone was now focused on Alice, she and Edward groaned, sending a troubling message that it wasn't anything that could benefit their current situation.
"I'm never going to get used to that", Jacob breathed. Emmett chuckled at Jacob's comment.
"Are you sure we can't know the true nature of this...well...I have no idea what this is exactly Carlisle, but that's the point we can't go into this blind. How could you not even consult us?!" Rosalie asked clearly irritated. Emmett tried to wrap his around her as a sign of comfort but was shrugged off and met with a look of annoyance. Taking his cue he gave her some space to vent.
"I'm aware the decision was rushed and I'm truly sorry, but the call sounded urgent and it pains me that I couldn't consult you, any of you because now I alone hold responsibility over this decision and the consequences of it but for the first time in a millennia since I've known Aro, he sounded...", Carlisle
"frightened?" Edward questioned as if the mere thought of Aro having that emotion was simply inconceivable. The silence seemed to say it all as no one knew how to respond. They were never particularly fond of Aro, but he wasn't one to fear easily, yes, he had his suspicions and occasional paranoia of the Cullen's but he was never scared, so for him to fear something was bizarre.
Eventually the silence was broken by Esme who took Carlisle's hand in her own and said, "I'll always trust you mi amor...that being said this was rushed but at least we have a spare room I can set up for our visitor", and just like that Esme's light-heartedness seemed to warm everyone's heart again and as she left there seemed to be an atmosphere of understanding which even Rosalie seemed to attain. One by one they all trickled out of Carlisle's study where they had had the meeting.
Nessie left with Jacob trailing behind her, then Rosalie and Emmet who went to the garage to busy themselves, Alice and Jasper joined Esme in preparing for the guest, Bella made a move to join Jacob and Renesme with Edward but was met with a little resistance. He noticed and apologised, "Sorry I'll join you in a minute". She stared between Edward and Carlisle, then after quick-thinking thought better of arguing and with a curt nod towards Edward left.
"Why didn't you tell them Carlisle...", Edward asked
"I have to be sure before I let everyone know, please be patient with me Edward at least until she arrives, I feel it is better to show and not tell", he pleaded with him.
"...Fine, but this can't affect Renesme Carlisle, iiiiiiit iittt it just can't, she's already been through so much", this time Edward was pleading and it pained Carlisle to see the twinge of pain that stained his pristine features when he spoke about what happened all those years ago. He knew the fear they all had about that day, how badly it could have gone, how much they could have lost and the fear of a repeat. He also knew how much Edward secretly feared it would happen again. Carlisle just hoped it wouldn't be today.