"A lion's work hours are only when he's hungry; once he's satisfied, the predator and prey live peacefully together." - Chuck Jones

Chapter 39

Jasper's hair blew wildly in the wind as he talked closely with Sam and Paul. They decided where to position everyone that would cover their bases in the best possible manner. Although he assured them that Alice's and Nicole's visions showed no intruders, the wolves seemed dead set on standing their ground around the border that night.

Carlisle, Esme and Alice all stood in an ear's reach of the plan that was being mapped out. Seth, Jacob and Masen all stood together talking quietly, having already been informed of what would be going on. Luciana, Renesme and Leah were all back at the house looking after Cassandra, and after each other. Despite Billy's claims that he didn't need protection, they were close enough to make sure he was alright, and lapped his house every couple of hours.

Edward and Bella, again, positioned themselves around Charlie's with the help of Emmett and Rosalie. They stayed in contact with Alexandra and Michael who were put in charge of watching Nicole and Caleb for a couple of hours.

"Seth and Masen are going to be down by the south border," Sam said loudly, now projecting to everyone. He looked over to where the boys were still chatting, "Seth! Pay attention."

"I am," insisted, straitening up his posture.

"You two can cover the south border," he repeated, "It's not as much ground to cover so we'll only need the two of you."

He nodded and looked at Masen who gave a quick, confident, "Okay."

Jacob stood forward, "I'm going to need two people with me out on the east. It's got the most ground to cover, but three people will be able to do it easy." He looked toward two Cullen couples, "Either Esme and Carlisle, or Alice and Jasper."

They looked at each other and Carlisle volunteered that he and Esme would go with Jacob. "Jasper, you've got a military mind, you and Alice would be fine on your own. Jacob, you know the land over here. We'll follow your lead."

Sam nodded at all of them, "Paul and I will take the north. We have some of our younger guys roaming throughout the middle."

"Brady and Collin," Jacob told them, "And the three girls are back at Masen's house. That's plenty of protection for the interior."

Jasper nodded and looked at Alice, then to Sam.

"If for nothing else, this will at least give us an idea of what we can cover," Sam told them, looking toward Jasper and Alice in particular, "We'll need your vision, and your daughter's. We just don't want to take any chances."

Alice nodded, "No offense taken. This a good idea."

They all looked around at each other for a few seconds.

"I guess we should get at it then," Carlisle said.

Sam nodded. He looked at Paul and the two of them phased and headed to their destination. Alice and Jasper waved to Carlisle and Esme, then headed to their border station.

Jacob looked at Carlisle, "I'm going to stay all the way to the left of our side, closest to Seth in case we need to communicate. I can phase back at any time, so call me if you need me."

"Thank you, Jacob."

He nodded and looked over his shoulder at Seth.

"Be careful," Esme told them, "All of you."

"We will," Masen assured her.

Seth gave her a warm smile, "You too Mrs. Cullen."

Carlisle looked at Esme and smiled before Masen and Seth darted off in their direction. Seth phased after running about twenty feet and they disappeared into the darkness. Jacob, too, phased on the spot, looked toward Carlisle and Esme, then took off toward the east border.

"Let's go," Carlisle told her, taking her hand in his as they went, "We can distance ourselves from each other once we get down there."

Esme followed her husband's lead. The stopped when the reached a roughly brewing stream that marked the ending of the Quileute land. Carlisle turned to Esme, "Will you be alright?"

"I'll be fine," she assured him, "I'll take the far end down that way."

His eyes followed to where she pointed and he made a face, "Why don't you stay between Jacob and myself? I'd feel better if you took the middle."

Esme smiled, "Okay. That's fine."

Carlisle pulled her in for a hug and a kiss, "Call to me if you need me."

"I will. Do the same. Be careful."

He nodded, "You be careful."

Esme kissed him once more before he took off down the edge of the stream. She watched until he got out of sight and paced around a twenty yard radius, keeping her senses alert for anything out of the ordinary.

Calm winds blew through the trees and after a half hour of nothing, she found a new pattern to walk in the woods. The tense sensation that lingered in her stomach when they first arrived had dimmed, though didn't die. Esme knew that things could change in an instant, but was sure that Alice would have gotten word from Nicole if anything had changed.

There was a howl in the distance, though it was not one of distress. Another howl rang through the air, and from the close proximity, she guessed it was probably Jacob. His scent lingered heavily around her, despite him being hundreds of yards away.

Esme found a spot to sit on a massive rock, right at the edge of the brook. She watched the rough water break against scattered stones and tree branches before feeling her phone buzz in her pocket. It was a text message from Carlisle reading, Everything still okay?

She smiled and responded quickly, Yes. How about you?

Quiet over here, he responded.

The two of them continued to text for another few minutes before Esme put the phone back in her pocket. She sighed, looking into the trees around her. Thankfully, she was bored, and assumed that the rest of them were, too. The minutes crept by at a slow rate until the morning finally began to show itself in the early hours. Jacob jogged over to where Esme stood, becoming more visible to her as he closed in.

"We can all head back," he told her, "I think we're okay for tonight... or today; whatever it is."

She nodded, "Okay."

Carlisle quickly joined them upon hearing the conversation, "Same time again tonight?"

Jacob nodded, "Yeah. If anyone's trading places, we'll get them where they need to be. Leah and Masen will probably trade tonight. I know she wanted to be a part of this already."

"Can't say I blame her," Carlisle told him, "Are we meeting again with everyone, or calling it a day?"

"I think Paul already went back to my sister's," Jacob told them, "Everyone can go home."

He nodded and reached his hand out, "We'll see you soon. Thank you for continuing to understand, Jacob. We're thankful for all that you've done in maintaining the peace between all of us. I know it's not easy."

Jacob shrugged, "Got to stand up for what's right."

"Thank you," Carlisle said again with a appreciative nod.

"You're welcome."

He and Esme waved goodbye as Jacob took off through the woods. They crossed the stream, taking a shorter route home.

"Well," Carlisle said, slowing the pace walk with Esme, "A quiet first night."

"Thankfully," she added.

He nodded in agreement, "Yeah."

Esme grabbed his hand as they walked before emerging through a path that lead up to the front of the house. Caleb's cries could be heard from where they stood and Carlisle smiled. He walked behind Esme through the front door.

"Alex?" Esme called. Their daughter emerged with Caleb in her arms. He was crying wildly and she had his bottle spilled on the front of her shirt and all over her hands. Her baby brother's mouth suddenly clutched onto her palm and he wrapped his tiny hands around hers.

Nicole's laughter could be heard from somewhere else in the house and she was apparently teasing Michael as she whipped around.

"Nicole," he said, trying to win her over with whatever game she was playing, "Nicole. Please. I'll get your food for you if you just give it to me."

"I'll go protect the border tonight," Alexandra volunteered, "I don't know what to do when he cries like this!" Her voice was frazzled and her eyes were dark from the blood that was all over her.

Carlisle tried his hardest not to laugh, and Esme's mouth hung open.

"Take him," Alexandra said to her mother.

Esme grabbed Caleb and reached for the half empty bottle. "Are there any left?"

"Yeah. That one just got away from me. He knocked it out of my hand."

"He's stronger than you think," Carlisle told her, "I warned you about that."

"I didn't think he'd be able to rip it out of my hands," she said, shaking her head.

Loud footsteps were heard thumping through the house. Carlisle and Esme both looked at their daughter.

"Don't ask," she said, shaking her head, still looking distressed. Her eyes drifted to her mother, "Oh, and... that big vase in the living room broke."

Carlisle looked at Esme then turned away to keep her from seeing the smile that spread slowly across his face.

Esme's face twisted with more surprise, "What? How?"

Caleb finished off the bottle and began to cry again. Before Alexandra could answer, she headed toward the kitchen to get him another bottle.

"It's a long story," Alexandra told Carlisle. She shook her head and took a deep breath.

He patted her on the back with a grin, "Why don't you go shower."

She sighed, "Thank you," then added, "Is Mom mad?"

Carlisle shrugged, "We'll talk about it when things calm down."

Alexandra eagerly left the room and went upstairs to the bathroom.

Carlisle walked through the house, noticing lots of things were a bit out of place. The couch cushions were everywhere but where they should have been, a lampshade was tilted and the vase their daughter mentioned was in pieces on the floor. He entered the kitchen where Esme stood, getting Caleb under control again. They both looked down to where a cup of Jello was opened and splattered on the floor by the refrigerator and water was all over the countertop.

She looked at him, still appearing stressed out from the mess at first before she, too, let a smile cross her face, "We can never leave the house again."

"Nope," he shook his head with a laugh, "At least not at the same time."