*** Hello everyone! I hope you're doing well! Thank you as always to the follows, favorites, and comments! I love logging in and seeing them. It makes my day! This will be tying up some strings before we move on to the next book officially! I can't wait for the craziness that is this book! ***
Lily wasn't sure how she had expected her conversation to go with her parents, but a calm rational conversation was not had.
She started off by telling them that everyone was mostly alright, but a few of the kids had gotten injured. Sarah was getting ready to head to the reservation but was convinced that Carlisle had everything in hand thanks to John.
They discussed how they both spent the night.
The only snag in the conversation occurred when Lily had to explain why she was dirty when she was supposed to be safe far away at a campsite in the woods.
Lily didn't lie to her parents, but she wasn't completely forthcoming regarding the shenanigans her and Jasper had gotten up to. The fact that she put herself in harms way multiple times that night did not sit well with them, resulting in her grounding for the next week.
What that consisted of wasn't terrible, but the disappointment they had in her hurt more than any of the things they took away.
It took the small family spending some time apart from the rest of the world to heal from the trauma and possible consequences of each of their actions.
In the week that had passed while the family was healing involved drama for everyone else.
Bella had apparently agreed to let Alice plan her wedding without limits.
Jacob had healed up but ended up running away shortly after the wedding invitations had been sent out.
John had seemed suspicious to let anything or anyone into his home after everything the family had been through. Sarah had been going back and forth regarding the pack and how they're being treated, medically and otherwise.
Sarah's job as a nurse and now as a mother were taking a toll on her emotional wellbeing. She feared for the kids on the reservation, especially for Leah. The day after the battle, Leah had come to the house and introduced herself as a shapeshifter to Sarah and John. John had screamed in shock, but Sarah was in love with the giant wolf form Leah had transformed into.
Lily and Sarah also refused to let John forget that he screamed like a small girl.
After explaining in detail how the pack works, answering the adult's questions, and calming some of their fears Leah was immediately offered a drink, some dinner, and told to spend the night.
Lily had missed Leah terribly. They whispered conspiratorially well into the night, talking about everything the other had missed, how the pack was doing, how Jacob was, and how Seth was handling all the changes.
Lily having had sex was another topic they focused on. Leah had been sad for her friend for how quickly it had finished for her and gave her pointers on how to enjoy it more the next time they did it. Her advise helped Lily feel better about the entire process. Some things you need another woman to talk to about, and Leah was hers. Leah and Rosalie but seeing as Rosalie didn't have a positive experience with sex while she was human was an understatement of epic proportions, she couldn't go to Rosalie for this.
Other than her reconnection with Leah, Jasper and Lily had been spending most of their time together at night in her room while her parents slept.
During the day they texted, as did her with Mr. H and his lady.
But night was when Jasper and Lily really connected.
They hadn't had sex again, but they had spent most of their nights whispering, enjoying each other's company, and laughing as quietly as they could manage.
The love stories she had heard of growing up, or listening to her classmate's gossip, never accurately described what her relationship with Jasper was like.
Leah and Rosalie were her best friends, but Jasper was an entirely different type of best friend. Rosalie and Leah were like her heart and brains. They keep her grounded and secure, but Jasper was like her other half of her soul. He understood her, loved her for who she was, and things were so easy together. Love isn't all rose petals and silk sheets Lily was coming to realize.
It was the moments in the dark where you opened your soul up to someone else.
Who also can make you laugh so hard your drink comes out your nose.
Someone who holds you while you ugly cry, because you're grieving for a lost loved one.
Who holds you accountable for when you mess up, but also cheers the loudest for your accomplishments.
Jasper, in all these ways and more, makes Lily feel seen, heard, and cherished.
Lily knew he was her mate, and she was his, and there wasn't any need or pull to be or do anything other than what they wanted.
It was as freeing as it was wonderful.
That didn't even begin to discuss the Major.
The Major had come out more frequently than before, or Lily was just getting better at picking up when he was around. Jasper hadn't really gone into too much detail on the differences between the Major and who he was, but he promised her he would answer any questions she had if she only asked them. But Lily never did. She knew Jasper would tell her eventually. She wasn't in the business of rushing him or anyone into opening. She knew what it felt like to be pressured into talking when she really wasn't ready and didn't want to put that emotional burden on anyone else.
It wasn't until nearly a week had passed that the first major hurdle after the fight had happened.
Lily supposed she should be grateful she got a week before any more drama happened.
It was irrational, but she blamed Bella for her current predicament. She knew it really wasn't Bella's fault but instead it was Edwards. The fiasco that they had made that resulted in Bella running away to Italy, revealing Edward was never going to turn her, and the potential security alert in the secret almost forced Lily into making the choices she had.
She had reached out to the Volturi a few weeks prior with the help of Carlisle. She had first wanted to discuss it with Leah, but they weren't talking much at the time. Instead, she had spoken to Rosalie, Jasper, Emmett, and Carlisle about the possibility of the Volturi knowing more about her possible situation.
Her first response had been short but cordial. Aro had responded saying he was pleased to have a new curiosity and had asked her several more questions for background information. She had supplied as much information as she could to Aro, realizing what a risk she was taking opening up. She also realized that she was essentially pigeonholed with the situation thanks to Bella. Lily would eventually be placed in the Volturi's gaze because of her mating bond to Jasper. But she felt like she had to bring herself forward otherwise it would look like she and the Cullen's were trying to hide another human relationship from them.
Even if she wasn't completely human.
The response from Aro had come that day with the morning mail.
John brought in a plain but thick envelop with a wax seal and dropped it in front of Lily while she was eating some cereal.
"I think that Aro guy responded Lils." He said nonchalantly before sitting at the table himself and drinking a sip of his coffee.
Lily reached over, undid the wax seal and opened the letter.
"Dearest Lily,
First, I would like to commend you on your recent victory battle and subsequent bonding. My darling Jane was kind enough to report that not only have you sealed your bond with Jasper Whitlock, but that you even managed to hold your own against a vampire!
Imagine my surprise!
But I digress. I appreciate all the background information you were able to provide me with your last letter, including pictures and newspaper articles.
The world is full of different and wonderful beings, both real and imaginary. The only thing separating the imaginary from reality is the lack of evidence. Whether it is carefully planned such as with vampires or being whipped out of near existence like true children of the moon, these beings in mythology are almost always based on a nugget of truth.
You, my dear, provided quite a conundrum. A Long lost being from myth or a genetic quirk? My researchers were excited for the challenge, but surprisingly or perhaps not surprisingly whatsoever if you knew them, but my brothers took to this task with nearly all of their energy.
Marcus and Caius were most intrigued. Its not every day we get an interesting challenge.
We have gone back and forth on the evidence you provided and our on personal libraries and experiences and concluded that we need to meet you in person.
Now, do not be afraid my dear! This is simply a formality to ensure that we are indeed correct in what we believe you are, other than an amazing bright young woman.
My brothers and I understand that you have already told your parents a good deal about you and your abilities as well as tried to protect our secret as best you could. Based on how our meeting goes here in Italy we will know how to handle it moving forward. I would suggest not bringing them to this city.
My brothers and I look forward to meeting with you very soon.
We have much to discuss.
-Aro"
Lily read the letter through several times before passing it to John. He read it, sighed, and put the paper down. "That feels like a threat."
Lily shrugged. "It does, but what else could we do?"
"I don't like not being allowed to come with you. Sarah is going to have a hissy fit when she reads this."
"I'll talk to the Cullens to see if they could escort me."
"And just how are you going to afford to go to Italy?" John asked, raising his eyebrow at her.
Lily came up short. She hadn't thought of that.
John snorted. "Just as I thought, you didn't factor it in. I'll see what Sarah and I can do. You're our daughter. We sure as hell aren't letting you fly off to the heart of the vampire civilization without us. Besides, whatever happens we will go through it as a family."
Lily was staring at him, mouth gaping open, totally bereft of any sort of grace. "Are you serious?"
"What, you thought we'd let you off on your own?" John asked, incredulously.
Lily got up from the table and hugged John tightly while he stayed sitting in his chair. She closed her eyes before whispering in his ear "I couldn't imagine going without you guys."
John awkwardly hugged her back with his left arm as she was blocking off movement and blood flow to his right arm with her hug.
"We aren't going anywhere kid," John said, rubbing her shoulder. "I promise."