AN: I have gone back and done some editing along the way so if you've been following this story from teh start, you may want to go back and start from the beginning. I am currently looking for a beta and some to brainstorm scenarios with. PM me if interested or if you have a scene you'd like to see played out. Thank you so much for reading! I am really looking forward to developing this story further. I love the concept of the Cullen family and their ability to take others in.

Chapter 21

Carlisle's POV

The resort was beautiful. Despite our time spent in Maine, I'd never had any reason to go skiing or tubing. It wasn't that vampires didn't enjoy leisure, it's just those sports didn't hold as much of a thrill for us as they did for humans considering what we were able to do on our own. But Alice suggested it as a good distraction for the kids, and I warmed up to the idea as I thought it over. A distraction was just what we needed. I didn't see the little ones laughing or playing nearly enough, and emotions had been high of late. A whole week away was just what the doctor ordered. It didn't take long for us to get settled into our suite despite the ridiculous amount of luggage my family thought necessary to bring. My granddaughters both biological and adopted arrived with my son before we did. Already, they were talking my ears off with praises of the facility though neither had ever skied a day in their life. I wasn't worried. It's not like Bree could break a bone and Renesmee didn't get hurt often and even when she did, she healed within hours. Besides, they'd have Jacob with them and he had an extensive history with snowboarding.

I sat before the stone fireplace in the middle of our suite. The smell of smoke reached my nose, reminding me of years past where wood heat had been our only option. Life was so much more simple back then before electronics and all the things that separated families these days. A tug at my sleeve drew my attention and I looked down to see Emmalyn wearing one of her many dress-up costumes. Today, she was a ladybug and a cute one she was.

"Hello, darling," I greeted with a smile, leaning down to lift her up into my lap. Her favorite doll was tucked close beneath one arm and in the other, she held "Mr. Fuzzy" her blanket that never left her side.

"Hi, Carwyle," she greeted with the lisp that made everything she said that much more adorable.

"Well, what do we have here? Are you a bug?" I teased. "Where's my fly swatter?"

"It's make believe (which sounded like bewieve)!" she explained, seriously as though she couldn't understand why I didn't get it. "I'm a wadybug!"

"A ladybug?" I pretended to be surprised, bringing a smile to her angelic face. "Do ladybugs like to go swimming? Cuz I saw a pool downstairs and I was thinking about taking this little girl I know for a swim. Have you seen her?"

"Carwyle," she placed both hands on either side of my face, forcing me to look straight at her, "It's ME! I'm Emmalyn!"

"Oh...Emma! I didn't know that was you!" my wife's laughter filled my ears coming from the bedroom Dillan and Jacob would be sharing. I could hear Dillan playing on his DS despite Esme's suggestions for something a bit more exciting.

"I wanna swim!" she formed her little lips into a fish face. "See...I'm a fish too!"

"You're the zoo," I said before running my hands down to tickle her body. She squirmed in protest, but her laughter told me I was doing something right. Her tiny arms wrapped up around me as I pressed kisses along her hairline. In response, she planted a fish kiss on my cheek.

"I wuv you, Carwyle," she announced before cuddling down into my arms and popping her thumb into her mouth.

"I love you too, darling," I smiled at her words. It was the first time she'd ever said it and I didn't even need to prompt it. The child was so precious and I felt such a connection to her. If ever there was a girl who could wrap me around her little finger, it was this child. I peered down the hall to see Esme standing there wiping a venom tear from her cheek, but beneath it, I could see her bright smile. In my lap, the ladybug yawned, pressing further up against me.

"Why you so cold?" she shivered and I shifted her only enough to place a blanket between us to help keep her warm. I considered my response a moment, but before I had a chance to answer, her breathing shifted and I knew she was asleep.

Hope's POV

I couldn't believe the size of the suite we were staying in for the week. Our lodging was paired off: Carlisle and Esme, Jacob and Dillan, Bree and Renesmee then Emmalyn and I. Renesmee and Bree seemed nice enough, but I wasn't sure I was really looking for friends. I knew it'd be just a matter of weeks before we'd be relocating and last I spoke to my Aunt Aria, she'd mentioned moving back home to Mass and taking us with her.

A knock at the door drew my attention upward. Renesmee stood their, watching my shyly. She'd changed into her bathing suit and a pair of sandals, a towel draped over her slender shoulder. "We're heading down to the water park for a bit before dinner. You want to come?"

Setting my tablet to the side, I shrugged distracted by the girl's eyes which were the same fawn color as the rest of the family. I guess it must be a Cullen thing. Strange though because it seemed like all the people in the family had the same color including the spouses. Funny... Drawing myself back to the conversation, I pointed to my tablet with my index finger. "I didn't bring a bathing suit."

"That's ok," she replied quickly holding up the bag in her right hand, "Aunt Alice packed me extras. I'm sure you can fit. We're practically the same size."

"Naw, that's all right. I'm kind of caught up in my book right now, but thanks."

"Sure," she smiled, kindly. There was a pause and she seemed uncertain of what to say next. Finally, she spoke once more, "I like to read too."

A part of me felt bad that I was keeping my distance, but honestly, she didn't need to get caught up in my mess. In all fairness, I was doing her a favor by keeping to myself. Another uncomfortable silence and she added, "Well, maybe you'll want to come join us in a bit. See ya."

My room felt empty when she left, but at least it allowed me to return to my book. If I'd been honest I'd have told her that I'd attempted reading the same paragraph nearly twenty times and still didn't know what it said. The very idea that I may stay focused enough to complete a chapter let alone the entire book over this vacation was beyond ridiculous. Nothing held my attention these days, not really.

Another soft knock drew my attention and I looked up to see Esme in the doorway, a concerned expression adorning her youthful face.

"Are you feeling alright, darling?" she crossed the room, coming to sit at my bedside, her hand moving to rest on my forehead a moment before cupping the side of my face. "Nessie said you didn't want to go downstairs with them. I thought maybe you weren't feeling well."

"I'm fine," I responded quickly. It was such a canned response by now that it came almost like a reflex. I felt Esme's gaze rest heavily upon me; her concern reminded me so much of my own mother. The realization struck me like a shot through the heart and the emotional pain it surfaced brought a physical manifestation that forced my hand to grab at my chest as my face paled.

"Hope?" her voice sounded far off, but I could detect the worry that weighed heavily upon it. "Carlisle," her voice was barely above a whisper as I blinked back tears.

"What happened?" the man appeared in the doorway carrying a sleeping Emmalyn who was quickly deposited into the other bed.

"Nothing!" I snapped, pulling myself out of the fog in time to stuff my emotions away once more.

Carlisle knelt at my bedside, watching me carefully. I couldn't help but observe his intensity. He almost seemed to be listening as though monitoring my breathing or something. My heart nearly skipped a beat as my mind wandered to the memory of my father's face hovering over me at bedtime or whenever I was sick. It was too much. The emotions swelled up within me like a soda someone'd shaken up to awaken the carbonation. A pang of guilt struck me then; the couple was doing nothing but showing me unconditional kindness, the least I could do is offer the same in return. "Sorry," I added, quickly, my gaze shifting to the slopes outside the window. "I just have a headache." The lies began to pile up.

That did nothing to lessen their looks of concern so I continued on ignoring the heat my next lie brought to my face yet figuring the explanation would be enough to gain me a free pass as well as an immediate escape from my current situation. "It's...ummm...hormones," I mumbled.

The couple exchanged a quick glance.

Carlisle's POV

The girl was lying through her teeth and both my wife and I knew it. There weren't a lot of secrets in a houseful of vampires and awkwardly enough, this was one we were very aware of. I knew enough to back off. A girl of this age would not lie about something that personal unless trying to deflect from something even more personal.

"Perhaps some rest will help," I said at last. "I'll be in to check on you in a bit." With that, I stood taking my wife by the hand and leading her out to the living room. "Give her time," I drew my mate into a warm embrace. I knew this was wearing heavily upon her emotions.

"She's so angry," she commented softly.

"Wouldn't you be?" my retort brought silence to the room while she mulled it over.

"What do we do?" the question was open and there was no correct answer. I considered it a moment. "We love her through it. We make her feel safe and we give her time."