Esme was furious. She had been Christmas shopping when she got the call. Lily had decided to get into a fight and was currently sitting in the principal's office waiting for her arrival. In truth, it was a complete shock. Lily liked to rough house with her brothers, but she had never gotten physical with anyone or anything before. Needless to say, she was a little on the concerned side too.
Carlisle was meeting her there. He worked nights, it was easier on human doctors and he was able to spent time with his little girl. Sometimes he even got off in time to take her to school. Those were the days she loved most.
As Esme pulled into the school parking lot, she noticed her husband had beat her there. He must have been driving faster than even normal because Esme was definitely closer. He was at her door in an instant, opening it for her and locking their lips in a quick kiss.
"Be gentle," Carlisle told her, knowing full and well Esme was burning with emotions. All Carlisle compassion sometimes made it hard for him to be the disciplinarian, Esme on the other hand was very good at it. She didn't like being the bad guy, but she knew very well when to be. The fact that they were walking into the principal's office was reason enough to fuel her fire.
As soon as they entered the small waiting area with the secretary, Lily's eyes shot to the floor and stayed there. In truth, it was hard for Carlisle not to laugh. She was completely covered in dirt. The brawl she got into must have been quite the tumble for her to be that dirty. Esme only sighed as she gave the woman behind the desk the best smile she could muster up under the circumstances.
"I'm Esme and this is my husband Carlisle Cullen. We're here-"
The woman had yet to take her eyes off of Carlisle, but after eight decades, Esme was fairly used to it. "Oh! Doctor and Mrs. Cullen! Please, have a seat. Mr. Baxter will be out in just a moment."
They both nodded and took a seat on either side of Lily. Her eyes were still on the tile floor and she absently scratched her face and dust fell off her. Carlisle put his hand over his mouth to keep from laughing but did not full his wife. She sent him a stern glare before softening her gaze, only slightly, when she looked at her daughter.
"You want to tell me what happened?" Esme asked her daughter.
Dark curls bounced as the little girl shook her head, not daring to meet her mother's eyes. Esme frowned. The girl almost never denied her mother information when directly asked. Open truth was very important to their family.
"Come on, flower," Carlisle cooed, running his hand over his daughter's hair, but she flinched away from his touch in a way she hadn't done in years.
The anger was dissolving faster in Esme and concern was replacing it.
"Flower, look at me," she told her daughter gently. Lily's head slowly raised and there was nothing but distress in those big blue eyes.
Before Esme could ask the question again, the office to the principal's office opened and a much older girl was guided out with her parents who did not seem happy. The girl was twice Lily's side and at maybe a foot taller. She glared at Lily and Esme's daughter immediately glanced back down at the floor as her small hands turned into tight fists.
"Dr. and Mrs. Cullen," Mr. Baxter said with a sigh. He already looked apologetic and Esme felt guilty for jumping to conclusions. Whatever had happened here, it was already becoming clear that it was not Lily who started it. "Why don't you and your daughter join me in my office."
As soon as Esme stood, she was devastated when Lily did not accept the hand she extended. The girl wanted no physical contact whatsoever which was totally opposite of their Lily. She rubbed her hands together as she sat in the big arm chair by herself and Carlisle sat in the other chair. Esme sat halfway on the arm of Lily's chair wanting so badly to touch her, but knowing it was not a good idea at the moment. It was absolutely destroying Esme that her daughter was not allowing anyone to comfort her at the moment.
"I'm sorry to have had to call you," Mr. Baxter said softly, taking a seat at his desk. "Penelope Williams, one of our fifth graders, was apparently giving Lily here a rough time on the playground. Penelope and a group of her friends started teasing Lily and when Penelope started to push Lily, Lily did try to walk away but Penelope knocked her to the ground-"
"And then I hit her," Lily said sadly finally looking up at Esme without being asked. "She said mean things," the little voice started to tremble, "and said that foster kids are kids that no one wants. That you're not my mommy and daddy's not my daddy and you're just stuck with me 'cause it's your job."
Carlisle and Esme were both in shock. What kind of fifth grader would say that to a first grader? Children could be cruel, but it never occurred to them how cruel until just then as Lily bit her lip to keep herself from crying. Carlisle looked at the principal who seemed truly upset as Esme pulled Lily into her arms and rocked her back and forth, soothing her. Esme loved children, Esme especially loved her children, but when someone-even a child- hurts her child like Penelope William hurt Lily, she could not even explain her anger. She had half a mind to call her parents and absolutely demand the Penelope apologized to Lily, but she didn't want to make anything worse.
"I can assure you this won't happen again. The girl is being punished and I expect her parents will be calling you to apologize for themselves," Mr. Baxter added.
Esme relaxed a little as Lily ran her hand against Esme's hair that rested against her shoulder. She had been playing with her caramel colored hair since she first arrived in their home. It was a comfort to her, just like it was a comfort when Esme played with her hair.
"We thank you, Mr. Baxter." Carlisle looked at his watch and then back at the principal. "I know it's only lunch, but do you mind if we take Lily home?"
Mr. Baxter offered a gently smile. "Go right ahead. I was going to suggest as much. As distraught as she was when Miss Russell carried her in here, it's probably best. She must be tired."
Esme could tell that was definitely true. An overload of emotion and a tumble in the dirt was definitely enough to wear their little darling out, but Carlisle would want to make sure she was physically alright before letting her nap.
Carlisle carried Lily into the house, but before she could even be set down, Alice appeared and scooped her into a hug. "I hope you hit her hard," Alice whispered in her sister's ear.
Normally Carlisle and Esme would have scolded Alice for encouraging fighting, but at the moment they just couldn't get themselves to. Esme personally hoped something similar.
"You're supposed to be at school young lady," Esme told her other daughter, kissing her temple as she passed.
She didn't have to explain though. It was well known that Alice most likely saw what happened and made up an excuse to be able to meet her parents at home to comfort her little sister. Edward probably wouldn't be far behind. If she saw it, he did too.
But Lily knew very well that she shouldn't fight and thought better of it than to make a comment about just how good her punch was, at least in front of her parents. She really wanted to tell Emmett about it though. he was the one that taught her to throw a punch in the first place.
"Come on, Flower," Carlisle said, offering Lily his hand when she was placed back on the ground. "Let's go make sure everything's in order."
She pouted. "I don't hurt, Daddy. I'm fine. You should check on Penelope."
Esme laughed before she could stop herself, shocking everyone in the room. Apparently even mother bear was at least a little glad Lily could stick up for herself. Any of her other children could definitely handle themselves with humans, even humans twice their size, but the face their little girl who was about forty pounds soaking wet, could take down a eighty pound fifth grader. Yeah, that made her a little happy.
Still, Carlisle insisted on checking Lily over. A couple bumps and bruises, even a few scrapes, but nothing that needed actual doctoring. He did apply a little antibiotic cream to her scraped knee, but after that she was good to go. Well, after a good bath.
The little being curled up on the large couch and was asleep before her brothers and other sister even arrived home.
Emmett came bellowing in the house, announcing his victory in the race with Edward, but was immediately shushed. Esme looked over her book at him with narrow eyes as she nodded to the little being in the living area. If someone woke her, they would answer to Esme.
"Sorry, Mom," Emmett said, softer this time as he leaned over and kissed his mother's cheek with that cheeky grin he wore so well. Rosalie rolled her eyes at her husband, but what could she say. You don't really choose who you love.
Edward hesitated and looked at Esme. "She's really upset," he said so softly it could only be heard between the two of them.
Esme's eyes shifted toward the girl sleeping, but Edward interrupted her train of thought. "No, Alice," he clarified. "She saw it coming, but she also saw no way to stop it. She knew how upset Lily would be..."
Esme frowned and looked for her other daughter. She was normally dancing around the house or talking about clothes with Rosalie, but she was nowhere to be heard. Instead, Esme sniffed the air.
Following the scent to her daughter's bedroom, she was surprised to see the girl working through her large closet with two large piles on the ground. "I knew you were going to come up here and talk to me, but there's nothing to say," Alice told her mother. She did not sound angry or put off at all. It was all in her usual happy demeanor as she picked up another shirt, examined it, and placed it back on the rack.
"Esme," Alice said turning around before words could even escape her mother's mouth. "I know that I can't always change the future. That sometimes people are going to get hurt and there is nothing I can do. But I..." Alice signed and crossed her arms, taking a few slow steps toward Esme. "Mom, those things... what was said to her... she's too young to hear that."
Though Alice was Esme's child, she required less mothering. Despite her free spirit and childish ways, she was wise and sensible. Though she felt this was true about all her children, Alice's gift was one that required her to understand and accept things. Sometimes the future could be changed, sometimes it was inevitable.
"Lily is tough. Tell me, Alice, do you see her truly suffering from this?" the question was to prove a point, but Esme was also curious.
Alice paused and seemed to search her mind. "No. But she will have questions. Ones that you don't have the answer for yet."
The statement shocked Esme, but she knew Alice would not give her anymore information. Instead she wrapped her arms around Alice's tiny shoulders and hugged her tight. "You are a very good sister, Alice. As well as an absolutely wonderful daughter."
Alice clung back. "You are an excellent mother to all of us."
Carlisle smirked as he heard Lily stir. He check his watch. He still had a couple hours before he had to head to work. He could smell Esme fixing dinner for Lily as she got up. He could already hear her giggles as Edward scooped Lily up and dangled her by her feet as Emmett tickled her until he could hear her gasping for air.
The tickle game was always short lived with Lily. She absolutely hated it. Carlisle often thought it frightened her because she couldn't catch her breath. She did have a touch of asthma and it flared every now and then, but her brothers usually knew when to stop.
And when they don't...
"Leave her alone, guys," Rosalie scolded her husband and brother, picking up her sister and placing her flat on the floor again. Carlisle watched from the top of the steps as red faced Lily clung to Rosalie and glared at the boys.
Carlisle loved the way his family. From the boys teasing Lily to Rosalie protectively sticking up for her. His wife in the kitchen preparing food for the one child that did eat and Alice and Jasper were out hunting. The others would be leaving soon to do the same.
"How come I can't come too?" Lily asked her mother as Esme lifted her onto the barstool as the little dark hair girl crossed her arms and pouted. "I never get to go hunting."
Carlisle hid his smile as he passed his wife putting food on Lily's plate. "You don't have to hunt, flower, you're food's right here," Esme told her daughter motioning to the plate in front of her.
"But I want to hunt too..." Lily complained turning to look her mother in the eye and going up on her knees on the barstool. Carlisle put his arm around his wife as they watched the youngest of their brood continue to pout. "I want to be like you. I don't want to be different."
It was the first time ever, Carlisle and Esme realized that to Lily, she was the weird one. She was the one that was different and in her world she was. She was a human, living with vampires, loving vampires and not used to humans. She had witnessed no cruelty from vampires and only cruelty from humans. She must have honestly thought that humans were the cruel ones. That she was the monster.
"You, my flower, are special," Carlisle explained to his little girl, but she wanted to hear nothing of it.
"No. I want to be like you! I want to hunt! I don't want to sleep! I don't want to get old and die-" Both parents cringed at the words coming out of their daughter's mouth. But it was an argument that they would hear many times in the future. "Will I ever be like you?"
Carlisle frowned at his daughter. "I hope you live a long life, my flower, but I would never wish this life on you." His cold hand ran down his little girl's face. "I wish you to grow old, my love. To find love and have children and live and die happy."
Lily would not understand the strength of her father's words or the meaning, but somewhere deep down, they all knew Carlisle would never get his wish...
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