Chapter 21

Carlisle's senses were on the highest alert of his existance. He knew Marcus was close, and decided to meet him outside the parameters of their home. Snowflakes seemed to stand still in the darkening atmosphere. Depsite the storm, the sky was light, starless, but light, as if the clouds provided a type of lamp shade for the moon.

The members of the Cullen family filled in the positions that were discussed earlier. Edward and Bella accompanied Carlisle and Esme with Masen carefully placed in Esme's arms. Emmett, Alice and Jasper were all nearby, something they were sure Marcus was aware of. Rosalie stayed behind with Jacob and Renesme in order to keep her safe in case the Volturi were able to plan any sort of sneak attack. Seth and Leah both patrolled the outside of the Cullen home.

Carlisle was more prepared to fight than ever in his life, no matter how hard he tried to ignore the feeling. His rational side, however, was by far in control and he was prepared for anything that Marcus would throw his way. It wasn't long after they had gotten to a small clearing in the woods, that the Volturi member could be seen marching toward them at a calm, steady pace.

Edward leaned in toward his father, "He's not intending a fight. Some of his thoughts have almost a sense of nervousness, or anxiousness to see if Jane's words are true. He's skeptical, though."

Carlisle nodded, "Thank you."

"And if he does try anything, Bella is fully prepared," he turned and gave her a half smile, "We've been practicing."

"Thank you, Bella." Esme said.

"You're welcome," she said back.

Marcus removed his snow covered hood as he got closer to them. Carlisle stepped forward and approached him, "Hello, Marcus."

"Hello, Carlisle. I figured you'd be expecting me, with the lovely gifts of your daughter and all."

He nodded.

"Aro has sent me here, as again I'm sure you already know. Jane had come to us with quite a rumor, one that I believe will be cleared up tonight."

"We've spent our share of time together in the past, and you know a lot about my intentions. It's our priority to keep the identity of our kind safe and out of the public eye. I'm sure by your gracious gift you can already read the type of relationships my wife and I have, and all of us for that matter."

Marcus nodded, "It's not anything I haven't known before today."

"Of course," Carlisle smiled then quickly let it fade, "By now you could have probably sense a different kind of bond, one even stronger, if you can imagine, than one can have with their mate."

Marcus looked at him intently, fully recognizing the emotional attachment that Carlisle was speaking of.

"Esme and I were blessed with some kind of miracle, Marcus. I don't fully know how yet, but we were able to conceive a child. He was born with golden eyes, like all of us, and from Edward has just told me, the smell of human blood repulses him. Aro may have to experience this for himself, but the child is not a danger to our kind. He was born with the blood of animals running through his body. This is all he knows, and all he craves."

Esme stepped forward, and instinctively so did Edward and Bella at the same time. Marcus's eyes slowly drifted to the baby that laid peacefully in Esme's arms. He stared in disbelief, knowing that the child was indeed that of the two people standing before him. He felt it - something so strong that he had only felt it when studying Edward and Bella with Renesme.

"It can't be," Marcus said in astonishment. He lifted a hand toward the baby's face. Edward let a growl escape his throat, but Carlisle put a hand up toward his chest and shook his head.

Esme allowed Marcus to observe Masen, who stared back at the towering vampire before him with the same easy eyes as he did his family members. There was no fear, just a calm, wondering expression.

"He's wondering why your eyes are red," Edward stated.

Marcus looked over to Edward momentarily, then focused back on the baby. He was truly speechless.

"Yes, he was born with his eyes that color," Edward said again to Marcus, now reading the Volturi's thoughts.

"Will he grow?" Marcus finally asked, still looking dumbfounded and in shock, as if he thought the whole time he would arrive to false information.

"We're not sure yet," Carlisle told him, "Alice had a vision of him at about Renesme's age."

"Amazing."

Relief filled Esme and Bella's minds at Marcus's reaction so far.

"He will never be a danger," Edward stated, "I've read his mind. He's been around humans, and the smell of them is almost equivilent to that of a werewolf to us."

"And what do you call him?"

"Masen." Esme told him.

Marcus reached a hand out to touch the baby's face, "Masen."

Masen's hand reached out and locked gently around Marcus's finger. A small smile escape his mouth, still astonished at what he was discovering. "I must go and tell Aro."

"Be sure to tell him that our child is not a threat," Esme instructed, "He needs to know this."

"He will be able to read my every thought. I won't even need to speak of it."

"But if you could," Esme went on, "Just as extra emphasis."

"I'll go with you, Marcus," Edward said, "If he reads the thoughts I've had through Masen, he will know for sure."

Bella's face snapped toward her husband, but she didn't say a word.

Marcus declined, "It's not necessary, Edward. He will see all he needs to see through me."

"What are your thoughts, Marcus?" Carlisle asked.

"I believe, as you've described it, that this is surely a miracle to our kind. The child appears to be no threat, and I am sure Aro will see this. I would expect his return to Forks in the near future."

The four of them cringed at the thought, knowing they would have to again prepare for all of the Volturi's possibilities. Carlisle knew for certain that Jane and Felix would push for a fight, and regardless of Marcus's findings, they would not believe that Masen would be of no threat.

"I must go now," Marcus told them. He approached Carlisle with a handshake.

"I hope the others feel the same way about this as you do," Carlisle stated. He returned the handshake.

"Aro is reasonable."

Edward read that Marcus didn't truly believe the words he just spoke, and the power of Jane's wrath briefly crossed his mind.

Carlisle nodded and Marcus left as quickly as he came, disappearing into the blizzard, a black speck in a winter wonderland.