A/n: If it seems a tad rushed, that's because it is. I'm really trying to wrap up the story so that we can move forward into volume two. The point of this volume was to establish Jules as a Cullen and bring her together with Seth, as well as introduce the new and improved Charlie, bring Nessie and Jake together, and kickstart Carlisle's new career as a vampire biologist. So only one or two chapters left of this until we're off on our new adventure! This has been SUCH a ride, but I won't get into my whole goodbye speech yet. It's not quite over yet. Love Eli xx
Chapter Twenty Two - Plans
Juliet POV
Time began to pass in a blur around the Cullen residence. It was a constant flow of activity - Carlisle and Tatiana had found a school here in Oregon. They often were running around doing homework and conducting experiments. As Tatiana's eyes turned gold, we warmed up to her. She flirted with Carlisle less, respecting her shaky position in the family.
Harper wasn't alone at school anymore. He seemed to have found a girl who tolerated his… odd personality. She, of course, sent me death stares in the hallway, clinging to Harper every chance she got. I just rolled my eyes and left the whole situation alone.
Pack members streamed in and out of the house. Winter vacation started, gearing up for Christmas. Lewis spent more and more time at the Cullen house - while Tatiana was away, because I didn't trust her around MY human - and began a friendship with Spencer. My heart swelled every time they had a blushing interaction. Lewis often laid on my bed, reading out loud texts from Spencer and asking how to reply. It was the cutest thing, and I was so proud of my best friend.
Jake and Nessie were inseparable - which would have been so annoying, having to share my soul mate with her boyfriend - but I loved Jake like a brother. The three of us plus Seth spent many hours together, shooting the breeze or escaping the constant dramatics of casa Cullen.
On Christmas morning, a layer of snow blanketed the house and surrounding forest. Seth carried me downstairs on his back, ridiculously excited for a supposedly grown man. Well, he was pretty much stuck at sixteen along with me. I let him have his fun.
I was secretly excited, too. This would be my first family Christmas since I was a child, and my first Christmas as a Cullen.
I was no longer Juliet Emilie Keat. That was a past life, a shadow that had given way to the light. Lewis was the only vestige from the time before which I clung to. I was a Cullen, through and through, in all but blood. Well, a little bit in blood now, because the experiment conducted by a very excited Carlisle showed vampire venom and Nessie's DNA flowing constantly through my body. So, we really were blood sisters.
Carlisle and Esme pulled me aside before I could join the rest of the family.
"We wanted to give you this in private," Esme said as we stood in the kitchen. They handed me a simple white box with a gold ribbon. I opened it and gasped.
Resting on the white satin inside was a beautiful silver locket with an intricate design. I recognized it from the cuff bracelets my brothers wore, the necklaces and various bracelets or rings that everyone else had.
"The Cullen crest," I said out loud, tracing the design. When I opened the locket, an engraved message read the words 'always in our hearts'. The photo was a little picture of myself, Carlisle and Esme from the first month I lived here.
"Thank you," I tried not to cry while Esme fastened it around my neck. It hung in the center of my chest, catching the light and gleaming proudly. I hugged my parents tightly.
Back in the living room, I bounced excitedly as Seth opened his gift from me. I'd labored over it for hours, trying to keep it a secret.
The first part of the gift was a leather journal and matching pen with a letter on the inside cover. The second part was a photo album of things we'd done, like the pillow fort we made in Forks, selfies we had taken while the other was sleeping, silly things like that. There was space to add more photos. The last part of the gift was a bracelet that Jake helped me weave.
Seth kissed me chastely, trying not to disturb my parents. I leaned into his side, beaming proudly.
Jake got Nessie, Seth, myself and himself matching friendship bracelets. He also got me a Quileute t-shirt and a snow-globe with a howling wolf in it. I laughed at that, promising him I'd put it on my desk next to my laptop.
Seth gave me a promise ring. I got emotional for the second time that day. He also got me a cute wooden box filled with little inside jokes between us.
Nessie and I had been learning knitting from Esme. As I had suspected, we'd both knitted each other presents. She made me a throw blanket for my bed in our favorite colors - her color being pink, and mine being green. I made her a grey sweater that said "PRINCESS" in big pink letters.
Bella and Edward got me a cute set of vampy-colored lipsticks as more of a joke, but I loved them anyways. From Alice and Jasper, I got a kit of bubble baths and bath bombs to remind me of the night my life changed - the one months ago, with the confession about my foster status and all that drama.
Emmett got me a sports t-shirt that said "Clearwater" on the back. I grinned, knowing he'd done it to embarrass me, and that we both knew I would wear it to school.
Rose got me a cute ankle bracelet that said "strength" on it. I knew it was a gesture of solidarity, a subtle nod to what we'd both been through. Emotional again, god damn it. She also got me, on a lighter note, some cute strappy heels with a matching black dress.
Tatiana, who was back in South America to spend Christmas with her best friend Huilen, left us all cute South American jewellry.
I was glad everyone liked the presents I'd got them - mostly sentimental things, like inside jokes. I got Emmett a beanie that said "Papa Bear" on it.
I didn't get all the inside jokes that passed between the older members of the family, like Edward giving Bella a stuffed lamb, and her giving him a stuffed lion. In summary, though, it was an amazing Christmas. Probably my best one yet, and I looked forward to thousands more.
Those of us who ate teamed up with Esme to make an awesome dinner. Spending time with everyone in the family was refreshing. We'd all drifted apart recently due to school or pack business or whatever.
Carlisle's graduation was coming up faster than expected. He and Tatiana were incredibly advanced, of course. Carlisle was like an excited little kid, conducting experiments left and right. It would have been annoying if it wasn't so incredibly adorable.
They graduated at the top of their class just after New Years. Alice threw a party, blasting music while the family danced and took photos.
We went back to school a week later. Harper's new girl, Jess, was back to throwing visual daggers at me. I just casually flashed my promise ring as my arm was linked with Seth's. I mean, how could she be so dumb? I was a wolf girl. And a vamp chick. Definitely wanted nothing to do with Harper, not anymore.
A week after school came into session, Carlisle and Tatiana said they had an announcement to make.
"A bouncing baby boy, maybe," Nessie muttered. She wasn't as accepting of Tatiana, thinking she still had her eye on Carlisle.
"We won't do this if anyone opposes, but we would like to move as a family to South America. We're on some very positive leads currently," Carlisle began confidently. "Some leads that perhaps would be best kept private."
"From the Volturi," Bella nodded. "Understandable, Carlisle."
"Hybrid research is sensitive, we don't know what we'll find until we find it. Perhaps that would be best kept under wraps for the time being," Carlisle agreed. "So, with your help, we'd like to design a compound in a remote place of South America, not too far from where Nahuel is living."
"Compound?" Nessie scrunched her nose. "What does that mean?"
"Like a closed-off village," Edward explained. "A walled-in section of land with independent electricity and the like."
"With our combined skills, we should be able to pull it off," Jasper mused.
"Of course, it will take time to draft and build. We'd also like Renesmee and Juliet to finish this year of school," Carlisle continued.
"And then no more, right? We'll be homeschooled?" Nessie asked eagerly, jumping up.
"Yes, you will be homeschooled."
"Yes!" Nessie crowed, pumping her fist in the air. "Carlisle, Tatiana, I will go anywhere alongside you if it means I don't have to go back to that awful place."
"Well, we've got Renesmee's vote," Carlisle pursed his lips, hiding a smile.
"Mine, as well," I added. Gradually, everyone else added their consent.
"Perfect, I'll remind you that this will be a whole team effort," Carlisle clapped his hands together. "I want us to create something we're proud of as a family."
"What shall we all do, Carlisle?" Esme asked, eyes gleaming. She was so proud of her mate and all the rest of us.
"Esme, you and Emmett are very proficient architects," Carlisle smiled. "When my son applies himself. You can handle architecture and interior design, if you like."
The two shared a fist bump.
"Rosalie, I know you've been interested in electricity and plumbing, things like that. Can you handle those, working alongside Esme and Emmett?" Carlisle turned to Rosalie. She smiled serenely and nodded.
"Alice, you and Edward can help me find a location," Carlisle told them. "Tatiana, you will be our conduit to Nahuel and his people."
"Jasper, I trust you'll handle the monetary affairs, legal affairs and budgeting?" Carlisle didn't need to ask, because Jasper lived and breathed that stuff, but he nodded anyways.
"Renesmee, Juliet, you two can apprentice under any group to develop your skills," Carlisle told us. "Bella, I know you've been into agriculture, so could you design some sustainable fruit and vegetable growth?"
We all nodded.
"Jacob, Seth, I'm aware you have pack duties, so I won't assign you anything," Carlisle said. "You can freely work on whatever you wish."
"This all sounds very great, Carlisle," Jasper said. "Should we start work today?"
"Yes, I hope you'll all remember to collaborate so we avoid clashing of plans," Carlisle reminded us. "I'll be in my study, working on the laboratory designs."
"Could I help you, Carlisle, or would I be in the way?" Nessie piped up. I knew she'd choose the geeky science stuff. What a cutie!
"I'd be honored to have your help," Carlisle told her. They made sure everyone else was set before disappearing into the office.
The rest of us fanned out to our favorite spots to work. It was time to begin.