Woohoo! Finally made it here. I thought of making this one chapter, but then I split it into two parts after it just kind of dragged on. I did my best to figure out the timeline between New Moon and Eclipse, and it may not be entirely correct, but I did my best. So the Cullens are now back in Forks, but it's early enough that few know they're back- combined with the fact that some of the details were glossed over as far as them reestablishing themselves. I'm timing it to be that they came back a few days before spring break. I plan to touch base on that and transition fully into Eclipse, so please enjoy! Constructive Criticism and review keep me going.
Chapter 19
My dread clung to me. Going in after my previous visit was more daunting, especially with my godfather around. I hoped that not having Edward or Bella around would minimize the chances of any further arguments, which I know is part of why Edward was willing to stay away and distract her- the other, and more main reason being, that he preferred to keep her in the dark about most things. He was all too happy to find out later through his annoying power. In this one instance, I was somewhat grateful.
Esme welcomed us in with her usual smile, ushering us into the living room. "Sit down. Can I get you coffee or anything, either of you?" Uncle Brian's eyes lit up.
"Coffee, black, two spoonful's of sugar please. You've a lovely home, by the way. I wouldn't be surprised if many of the pieces were the originals." She nodded, and headed to the kitchen after I politely declined. Jasper had me sandwiched between him and the arm of the couch; it was an oddly comforting feeling to have his strong thighs resting against my own. Once she came back in, I spoke up.
"Um, Esme⦠There actually is something you could do, if it's not too much trouble? Actually, it's for all of you." All eyes turned to me. "I want to apologize for my outburst. It was rude and inappropriate." Alice piped up.
"Oh no! It's okay. It was better than the first reality I saw, and I think it's a normal reaction. Besides, we want our brother here, to be happy. You make him happy and we will eventually all be close so that's all that matters in the end!"
"Thank you Lily. Alice is right though, it's okay. You and Bella have both been through a lot." Carlisle's eyes were kind as he spoke, and Esme sent me another smile, agreeing with him. Uncle Brian shot me a look.
"I take it you didn't cope well with the fact your life is over officially thanks to your cousin's lack of ability to appreciate her own mortality and endangering you after you finally started processing what happened with Jim."
"Essentially. It was more the fact that I didn't take well to her callously throwing away her life, but I can understand why she would, to a point. Still, I didn't handle it in the best way. But that's not the main reason you're here." I reminded him.
"Your safety is arguably the main reason- being polite to a vampire coven is a contributing factor to consider." He turned to address the rest of the room. "I just want to be sure that everyone is up to speed on things. You all surely know that with two humans on the line, the Volturi won't wait around long. You've got a year at best before they challenge you. Lily may have less time than that, and she can explain if and when it becomes necessary. Given the state of Seattle, they may come here in a few months." Jasper leaned forward slightly, his arm untangling from my shoulder and both elbows rested on his knees.
"What about Seattle?" His eyes were hard.
"Surely the massacre hasn't fallen on deaf ears while you all were away! I heard about it in New York, though my connection witnessed some of it first hand on a business trip, I know it's starting to catch media attention. Soon, everything will come to a head. Now I know that it takes a lot more than a few newborns to cause that kind of damage, but please, for the sake of the girls and Charlie, do keep an eye out."
Uncle Brian's hazel green eyes glanced at everyone, then settled upon Jasper.
"Of course! Bella and Lily are family now, and they mean a great deal to us." Esme spoke up, and Uncle Brian broke his gaze from Jasper. He turned to Esme.
"So you'd all be willing to protect them, no matter the cost?" Rosalie shocked everyone by speaking up.
"If it comes down to it, then we won't have much of a choice. I may not like Bella, and I don't know Lily well enough to say one way or another, but I love my family. Jasper deserves to be happy more than anyone else in this room. Lily makes him happy. She won't be happy if Bella gets hurt and then the house of cards will fall." We all sat in silence. Uncle Brian was the first to recover, and he checked his phone, which had just begun to buzz.
"What's up Uncle Brian?"
"Well, you'll have to tell Charlie something's come up." I looked at him.
"More like someone if you're bolting this fast."
"Perhaps. We might finally be getting that new account. I'm not going to miss that. I have a 7 o'clock meeting now. Don't worry about Charlie, I will send him a message. I can get my flight switched to the evening one, but we will need to get to the airport now. Well, perhaps more in the next few moments. Maintain a semblance of decorum and not rush. But we will need to leave almost immediately."
"Why's that, if I may ask?" Jasper spoke up and the rest turned to Uncle Brian inquisitively.
"Because Lily can't see well at night and it's not legal for her to drive during the evenings." He shrugged. "On the upside Lily, when you lose your humanity you'll finally have good eyesight! The creepy eyes take some getting used to, but it's almost a superpower." I laughed.
"Yeah, without my contacts in, you're this blur of colors and odd shapes!" Emmett cut in then.
"So what she's saying Jazz, is that you're only a perfect 10 in the dark when she's blind, or is it because she's apparently blind that she finds you attractive?" A pillow was thrown in his direction, followed by a light slap on the head by Rosalie, which only fueled his snickers.
"Shut up!" Jasper chuckled, getting up to follow us out the door. Uncle Brian stopped and turned to both Carlisle and Esme.
"Thank you for your hospitality, and I am glad that I've been able to speak with you guys. Hopefully, we can all keep trouble away from the danger magnets. I'll call if I find out any more information." He took Esme's business card and shook both of their hands, then we were off. My head was spinning; contemplating everything and wondering what Bella and I would get into next. Jasper got us to the airport in record time, and left us alone for me to walk Uncle Brian inside. He embraced me.
"You had better take care. Don't play the martyr or refuse help, do you hear me? Stay safe. I love you." He whispered.
"I love you too. I'll be sad to see you go." We broke away and I smiled. "Go have fun with your cute yoga man- ask him out to dinner in a victory celebration when you manage to land that new account in the morning!" He grinned ruefully.
"Just like Emalyn. Alright, I just might do that. Don't have too much fun with your vampire. Just because he's from the South and appears to be a gentleman doesn't mean I trust him. Give my regards to Bella, and I wish the best of luck to that girl."
I headed back to the car and Jasper began to drive. Staring at the dark blurs around me, I wondered what the army of newborns was about and steeled my resolve to not let my past mistakes trigger me into losing those I love most.
