Chapter 48

Carlisle tried to make Masen feel better. His usual antics were useless at the moment, and his son looked extremely bummed out.

"Masen, it's okay," he told him again and again. He didn't want him to be so stressed out at his age. He was still only a child; a baby based on Esme's description, "Mr. Black wasn't expecting to walk. He's happy. He's alright."

Esme sat beside her son, and he leaned into her, not responding to what Carlisle was saying. Jacob entered the room and attempted to make the youngest member of the family feel better.

"Listen Mase," Jacob said with a smile, "My dad doesn't even really want to walk."

"Who wouldn't want to walk?" Masen asked.

"What I mean is, he's been in a chair for so long, he doesn't even know what he would do if he were able to walk. His life has been this way for awhile and he is capable of doing pretty much everything."

"But if he could walk," Masen started. He wasn't sure where he was going with it.

"Believe me," Jacob told him, "He's more than fine. And if all of a sudden he started walking around, people would have some serious questions. It could draw attention to all of us and maybe even cause the Volturi to come here to start some trouble again."

Masen seemed to listen, and Jacob's smiled widened, "Come here, kid," he said, holding his arms out, "Thanks for trying to help my dad. And thanks for helping me when I was hurt. You're the biggest, little miracle man in Forks, or the world really."

"It might only work right away on someone's who's been hurt," Carlisle told him, "You've got the best gift of anyone."

"Listen to your dad," Jacob said, "He's a smart guy."

Carlisle appreciated Jacob's help, and realized in that he had always liked him, even during the times of turmoil in the past. He was loyal to those he loved and truly had a good heart.

Edward interrupted them, " Carlisle, Jake. Come with me for a second."

They looked at each other and hurried out of the room.

"I'll be right back," Carlisle said to Esme and Masen.

Alice was on the phone and they could tell Aro was on the other end. The three of them listened intently.

"Which one would you like to speak with?" Alice asked. She paused and handed the phone to Jacob.

"Hello," he said in an unfriendly tone.

" There is another eclipse coming up soon; within the next few months anyway," the voice said from the other end of the line, "I'd like all of the information you can give me."

" You must already know from Carlisle's thoughts," Jacob said, with firmness still in his voice.

"Some. But I'd like to get he facts from you if I could. It was my intention at or last meeting, but we were so rudely interrupted."

"Because of your vicious little sidekick."

"Shall we speak over the phone, or shall I come pay you and Renesme a visit?"

Edward's eyes lit up and Carlisle put a hand on his chest to keep him from grabbing the phone.

Jacob's face hardened, "What do you want to know?"

" Give me the rundown of events that need to take place in order to effectively create, what you would call, a miracle."

Jacob got approving looks from all around, but Carlisle knew it was a terrible idea, like playing with fire. Should Aro have a child and something went wrong, Masen's name would undoubtedly be thrown into the limelight. He just prayed that if it were to take place, his son's positive image would be enough. He thought long and hard about the talks he and Esme had with Rosalie, and now was considering that they should hold off in light of Aro's plans.