Lily woke up wrapped up in a blanket she didn't remember from the night before as well as a soft pillow. Again, something she didn't remember from the night before. Bella seemed to have already gone home which suited her fine.
Esme greeted her with a very good morning and a cup of freshy scrambled eggs and sliced fruit. She dug right in. Esme somehow knew how to cook eggs the exact way she liked. Scrambled, cheesy, and made with heavy cream cooked on a low setting.
Jasper, Emmett, and Rose joined her while she ate. They were gossiping about Edward and his upcoming trip to Florida of all places.
"Wait… why is Mr. doom and gloom going to the sunny state of Florida?" Lily asked, taking another bite of her eggs.
Rose quickly explained it to her.
"So, last year before all the chaos of moving and Italy, we had gotten her two tickets to Florida to see her mother. She grew up mostly with her and we felt she needed to spend some time with her family. Her mother, Renee is actually very observant. She's not nearly as big an airhead as Bella makes her out to be. Anyways, the tickets are about to expire so Edward convinced her to go with him next weekend."
Something felt like it was missing. She made a skeptical face at Rose before checking out Emmett and Jasper's face.
"What is it you're not telling me?" Lily asked in a more serious tone.
All three vampires didn't answer. Instead, they just turned to look at each other. They looked grim.
"Guys, do you have some plan to ship me away that you're feeling guilty about?"
That got a reaction. Oddly enough it was Jasper that explained.
"Well Darlin' there are some issues with what we think are baby vampires in Seattle. We're thinkin' they teamed up with Victoria or she made 'em to get revenge on us…"
Well shit.
"Wait, so whats the plan?"
"How do you feel about a weekend in Hawaii? Or in another state with a few friends of mine?"
"Well, Jasper, if I'm gonna be honest with you, I have no idea if you're friends are thrilled at the idea of hosting me. Or will I be the host for their evening meal?"
"Don' joke about that. I refuse to let you get hurt. Charlette and Peter wouldn't hurt a hair on you pretty lil' curly head."
"Jasper, I appreciate the offer but I can't exactly up and skip to another state. Besides, I can't afford it."
"I would cover everythin' doll"
"Shouldn't you buy me dinner first?"
"I let you use my shower, didn't I?"
"Jasper, be serious. I'm not a target for this craziness. I can just as easily stay safe with the tribe and you guys as anywhere."
"I want you safe, not mauled."
"Well, thanks for the vote in confidence. I'm sure Leah would appreciate it. No, I refuse to go anywhere. I'm not Bella."
Rose jumped in at that point.
"Bella doesn't realize she's being moved for the weekend to keep her safe. She thinks its just a way to spend alone time with Edward."
"Wait, she doesn't even realize you guys are pulling one over on her?"
Emmett joined the conversation at that point.
"You humans are so fragile. No offence to Bella, but she hurts herself by just walking on a flat surface. She would somehow magically attract the vampires to her. I wouldn't be surprised if she found zombies in Florida while she was there."
"Wait, are Zombies real?"
"Not that we are aware of. Shapeshifters, werewolves, and vampires are. Maybe witches. But zombies? Nah." That was somehow reassuring and worrying at the same time.
Deciding she didn't want to stress herself out by thinking of things that didn't directly impact her this early into the day, she let the thought slip from her mind.
"Well, that's just great. But back on topic. I'm not going to get shipped away for my own good. Its not because I think I'm special or indestructible. I just really enjoy spending time at home. Plus, I'm not even a target. Bella and you guys are from the sounds of it. So, what's the actual plan?"
"what makes ya' think we have a plan?" Jasper asked.
"Jasper, can you pretend I'm not an idiot for a moment? You have the hulk, the mechanic, the doctor, the fortune teller, a strategist, a heart of gold, and a mind reader. Plus, you're probably going to enlist the pack to help bulk your odds. That sounds too much like a movie plot to not have a plan already put together."
Emmett laughed." See Rose? I told you I would be the hulk!"
"Sure Em. You just need green spray paint." She said with a smirk.
"Doll, you need to stay safe. With the possibility of them attacking this weekend we need to know you're safe."
"Why? I'm not trying to be obtuse but why would you guys need to know I'm safe?"
Jasper just looked hurt.
"Lily, you're our friend. We want to know you're safe. Its hard finding people we can be ourselves with. We rarely get close to humans. Finally having a friend like you, someone who knows who we are an accepts us for what we are? That's such a rare and wonderful thing."
"What, people aren't used to beautiful vegetarians? I mean, why else would your skin glow in the sunlight?" she said teasingly
Rose just snorted while Emmett laughed and Jasper smirked.
"Doll, please. Let me send you somewhere safe."
"Nope. Sorry handsome. I'm not going anywhere except the sink to wash my dirty dishes." And with that she did just that.
Rose followed her, coming up behind her to whisper in her ear.
"Please Lily. Can you do this? We can tell your family it's a girl's weekend away. Please?"
Lily turned back to Rose; eyes serious.
"If you can tell me the real reason, I need to be kept safe, the honest reason, then I will consider it." She said crossing her arms.
Rose looked pained at the thought.
"Lily, I can't. its not my place to say. I would if I could but I have my hands tied. Please, be patient. Please. Don't make me beg any harder."
Lily looked at her silently, taking in everything she had been told.
"Hawaii for the weekend? Serious?"
Rose looked relieved at the small concession.
"Yeah, get some sun and coconut water and fresh pineapple. Take in the fresh beach air. You're looking a bit too pale to be human at this point."
"Fine, I'll go to Hawaii for the weekend. But I'm only 17. Logistically that sounds like a nightmare planning and booking a hotel."
"No, it'll be easy. We own a vacation property out there. It's a small island but its ours. We own a few. Sometimes we just need a getaway."
"Well, in that case sign me up" Lily laughed.
"Perfect! We will get you out of school for Friday so you can travel as well as Monday."
They both seemed happy with the outcome, but Lily was deep in thought.
Why were they so insistent she was kept safe?