Chapter 27

Carlisle was trying his best not to look miserable. He kept it together well, and had everyone convinced that he was calm and collected except for Edward, the only reason being was that he could read his mind. Flames danced in the pit of the Quiluete fire. This time, it wasn't as fun and light hearted as their last bonfire. The mood was tense, and people listened carefully.

"We're not sure what Aro's reaction will be," Carlisle said, "But from what Alice has said, Marcus left them with a positive image of our situation."

"I saw Aro, Marcus, Alec, Jane and Felix," Alice told him, "Jane is out for a fight, but the rest of them seem to level headed. Like you said, Marcus has seen Masen first hand and knows that he isn't capable of harm. Alec and Felix I believe are just eager to see what the product of two vampires will be like. They're both middle of the road right now."

"And Aro?" Sam asked.

"Same as Alec and Felix. He really doesn't know what to think, and while he took everything into consideration that Marcus gave him, there's a fear of the unknown."

"I wonder why they chose to do this on Valentine's Day," Jasper thought aloud.

"They're coming on Valentine's Day?" Seth asked, with a long face.

Jasper and Alice nodded.

Emmett smiled and shook his head, "Well they'll all be leaving with broken hearts... or faces."

Jasper smiled.

"I don't want a fight," Carlisle told them, "We won't be the ones to attack first. If they decide that's what they want then we'll do what we have to, but not until they make the first move." He put his arm around Esme's shoulders.

"Where's Leah?" Seth asked.

"Probably out being miserable," Paul joked, but spoke the truth at the same time.

"I'll fill her in," Jacob told them, "She'll help out, she just needed some space." He looked at Sam and Emily briefly.

"Where's Nessy?" Seth asked.

"So many questions tonight, Seth," Quil complained.

"I'm just asking."

Jacob half smiled, "She's at Charlie's."

There was a silence that fell over the group. Masen stared again at the fire, like the last time he had seen it.

Seth smiled at him and Masen smiled back. "I'm really happy for you guys," he said sincerely.

"Thank you," Carlisle and Esme said at the same time.

Sam approached Carlisle with an outstretched arm, "We'll do everything in our power to help."

Carlisle returned the gesture, shaking his hand, "Thank you Sam."

"Should we stand with you at the initial meeting?"

He nodded, "Sure. If you'd like."

Sam nodded back.

"They'll be here at sunset," Alice informed them.

"So make your dinner plans before then boys," Emmett said with a grin.

There were handshakes and hugs all around. Carlisle liked having unity with the wolves. He knew deep down they were loyal and wouldn't let their family down. And despite Jacob's connection with Renesme, and their new found friendship, he did know that they thoroughly enjoyed killing vampires - the bad ones anyway.

Carlisle felt mildly content with the plans that were made. He knew the delemma would end one way or another, and soon. On the way back to their home, he and Esme walked slowly behind the others. Masen clung to him tightly.

"You remember the exit strategy we talked about, right?" Carlisle asked.

Esme stopped walking and faced him. She shook her head and looked down, "I remember, but," she took some of the night air, "I don't want to even think about it, Carlisle. I can't."

"I know, but you have to," he took her chin in between his thumb and pointer finger, "It won't happen, but if it does-" He stopped mid sentence and watched a single tear creep out of the corner of Esme's eye and slide elegantly down her face. He realized quickly that the tear was made of venom, but had no idea that it was possible to cry. He wiped it away and hugged her with their son in between them. For the first time, he watched and felt his wife sob and the feeling in the pit of his stomach made him want to fall off the edge of the earth, knowing he couldn't do anything to make it better.

Esme also seemed shocked at the moisture on her face, but continued to embrace the feeling by letting all of her emotions out. She saw the painfully hurt expression on Carlisle's face, "I'm sorry," she said.

He looked at her, shaking his head, "For what? You have nothing to be sorry for." The tears continued to flow, like a gate opened that had been holding them back for years.

Carlisle whispered into her ear, "Things are going to be fine."

Masen reached his hand up and put it on Esme's face. All at once she felt better, and okay again. His golden eyes met hers and a calm warmth filled her body. She looked up at Carlisle, catching a venom tear that slid halfway down his face. The same look crossed his face, and his eyes were full of pain.

Edward came back to join them, "We're going to work this out," he assured them, "We're not going to let anything happen to Masen, or either of you."

"We all talked it over. If something happens, the two of you will take Masen and Renesme and go. The rest of us will stay and fight. We can them on with all of the gifts we have. I'll kill Aro myself."

Carlisle shook his head and his voice cracked, "No, I won't let you."

Edward looked at his father and saw a the streak on his face where the tear had dropped, "You shed a tear, Carlisle."

He read both of their thoughts and looked at Esme's damp face. "How's that possible?"

"Venom," Carlisle said, looking away.

"I've never been able to do that."

"Neither have we," Esme told him, "I don't know how it just happened."

"Daddy," Masen said aloud.

Carlisle smiled and more tears slid down his face, dropping onto his shirt. Edward continued to stare at him in disbelief at his body's human-like reaction. Bella joined Edward with them in the woods, wondering why he hadn't continued on with the rest of them. She, too, looked astonished, staring at Carlisle, who forced a smile.

"Not every manly of me, huh Bella?" He managed to joke, wiping the venom from his face.

Bella continued to stare with her mouth part way open, "It's beautiful, Carlisle," she smiled and leaned in to hug Esme, knowing she had been crying also, "I just didn't know vampires could cry."

"Me either," he laughed, and sniffed in, sounding very human when he did so.

"Mama," Masen said, reaching to Esme. He scampered out of Carlisle's arms and burrowed against Esme's body. A huge smile spread across her face.

Edward smiled, "It's about time. I was starting to think Daddy was the favorite."

Esme held onto Masen tightly, "Well Daddy's more fun," she rocked back and forth, "I have to set the rules," she smiled.

Carlisle put a hand on Edward's shoulder, returning to their previous conversation, "We all stand together - no matter what." He looked to Bella and then Esme and mouthed the words "I love you."

She leaned in and kissed him, "Let's go back to the house."