9. Friendship

Esme came into the kitchen and smiled. Edward was happy, surrounded by Bella and their daughter. Jake was searching for the extra bacon in the fridge. She had always wanted Edward to be happy and now he was, and had been for a good ten years. Seeing her loved ones so happy and content made Esme feel elated. Even the initial worry about Caius hadn't been strong enough to dampen her joy.

Edward looked up at her and smiled. He was glad she was happy. Esme laughed, Edward had always wanted her happy, but had never fully realised that it was his happiness which made her happy. Well, nowadays he did.

"Hey Nessie," Esme said, "Have you thought of names for the rabbits yet?"

"Yes," Renesmee said, and looked down at her feet, a little embarrassed.

"You have!" Jake said, pulling his head out of the fridge, "Not Binky then?"

"No," Renesmee said and smiled "Cai and Liz." Esme smiled. Bella didn't look too impressed but Jake laughed.

"After our new guests?"

"Is that all they are then?" Renesmee asked, indignant, "Guests? Guests until we kick them out?!"

"No," Esme said, "They've only been with us a few days but they're more than that. Caius is an old friend of Carlisle's and Elizabeth seems such a sweet person."

"Not as sweet as you Gran," Renesmee said calming down, and she came over to Esme, giving her a hug. Esme pulled her granddaughter closer into her and kissed her forehead.

"Oh Renesmee," she said, smiling, "You are such a darling."

"How are you spelling – what is it? K- then an 'i' sound."

"C-A-I," Renesmee replied, "And yeah – an 'i' sound."

"I think they're perfect names," Esme said and smiled.

Suddenly the front door slammed open and Elizabeth walked in, tears streaming down her face. She glanced over at everyone then turned and ran upstairs, hardly holding back her sobs. Alice followed, looking confused and upset. Caius didn't appear.

"What happened?" Esme asked, worried, "Where's Caius?"

"He ran off," Alice said, "Into the woods. They were arguing in the car and then Caius just got out and left. Elizabeth was in tears; she asked me to come back. I... I didn't know what to say."

"What were they arguing about?"

"Age," Alice replied, "It was the stupidest thing really. Caius thought he was too old then Elizabeth said she was too young and... well, you know how these things can spin out of control."

"I'll talk to her," Esme said, "You did the right thing bringing her back here Alice." She stroked her daughter's cheek tenderly and gave her a smile. Alice gave her a weak smile back then Esme hurried upstairs after Elizabeth.

She gently knocked on the door of Elizabeth's bedroom and entered. Elizabeth was standing by the window, looking outside. She wasn't sobbing as she had been, just quietly crying. Her grip on the windowsill was tight and she turned to see Esme before turning back to looking outside.

"Hello Esme," she said, "I need to apologise to Alice don't I? It's just I was upset..."

"Alice told me what happened," Esme said, coming to stand next to Elizabeth. From here they could see Rose and Emmett sitting high up in one of the trees talking. "Why are you upset about being too young?"

"I just..." Elizabeth began, "I just don't have that knowledge he has. He knows all this stuff about the past and he's lived so long he has all that wisdom, you know?"

"He doesn't see it like that," Esme told Elizabeth gently, "To him he's the fool who's lived for so long without any reason and Elizabeth, you're probably the most intelligent person I've met. For your age you know so much – about history and life."

"Thank you Esme," Elizabeth said, turning to her, "You're the kindest person I've ever met. Perhaps you're right – I mean we have had plenty to talk about but now he's got it into his head that he's too old!"

"It is a silly thing to worry about," Esme said, "Considering the fact that you two won't have forever. For you time is precious."

"Yes," Elizabeth agreed, "But I suppose he's used to being able to waste time on silly things like this."

"He thinks you're too good for him," Esme said, "That you deserve better."

"Stupid vampire," Elizabeth said, smiling slightly, "He knows I love him. I can't just change that! Not that I'd want to. Once all that anger had burnt away, Caius is good and kind and loving."

"It was so well hidden before," Esme said, "Even Carlisle was surprised but now, never have two people been closer friends!"

"Yes," Elizabeth said, a genuine smile on her face. She turned to face Esme, "Did you ever feel like... like this." She made an awkward gesture to herself.

"Of course I did," Esme said, "And I felt unworthy to begin with as well."

"Unworthy?" Elizabeth asked, confused, "How could you be unworthy of... of anything?!"

"Carlisle is so perfect," Esme said, closing her eyes to think about him, "So perfect, and he saved me, from myself I suppose. I just felt like nothing next to him."

"You could never be nothing," Elizabeth said, taking her hand, "You're all heart, all love and kindness and compassion. You're everything everyone ought to be."

"You're sweet, Elizabeth," Esme said, "I don't feel like nothing anymore of course. I have so much, so many loved ones." Elizabeth nodded but she seemed sad again.

"You do," she said, "You're so lucky. Though I suppose it's not luck, it's because you're so good."

"What is it?" Esme asked. She didn't understand why Elizabeth seemed sad again.

"It's nothing," Elizabeth said, "It's just I've never really had anyone... I've never been good at socialising, you know – the small talk. I have no family and no friends – just acquaintances."

"Well that's changed," Esme said and tightened her grip on Elizabeth's hand, "You have us, all of us. We're here for you."

"But you hardly know me," Elizabeth said, "I mean..."

"I know you well enough to know that I want you to stay," Esme said, "Not just temporarily but permanently."

"But Esme," Elizabeth said, "Aro and the Volturi... They won't have forgotten about us."

"We'll look after you Elizabeth, "Esme said softly, "Don't you worry." Elizabeth turned and hugged her tightly.

"Thank you," she said, her voice full of emotion, "Thank you so much."

Esme held her tightly to her, feeling both happy and sad. Sad that Elizabeth had never had the closeness of another person before, but happy that now she would. The poor girl had been through so much, not just in the last week but throughout her whole life. Her parents had died when she was very young and she had grown up a lonely orphan. No wonder she sought refuge so much in stories and in history.

Perhaps being caught by the Volturi had been the best thing to happen to Elizabeth, Esme thought sadly; it had brought her here, to their family. They would look after her from now on, Esme decided, her and Caius.

"Esme." It was Carlisle; he was standing in the doorway, a sad smile on his face. He spoke her name so quietly that Elizabeth, with her human hearing, wouldn't hear him. "I spoke with Caius," he went on, "He loves Elizabeth more than life itself – quite literally. Does she love him?"

Esme nodded and Elizabeth looked up at the movement. She turned to see Carlisle in the doorway and gave a watery smile.

"Have you seen Caius," she asked softly, "I need to talk to him."

"He's outside," Carlisle replied, "Just under this window."

"I'll go down," Elizabeth said, and drew away from Esme, "Thank you," she said again and then left the room. Carlisle came over to Esme. He slid his arm around her waist and kissed the top of her head.

"So?"

"She loves him Carlisle," Esme told him, "And I love her. We have to look after them, we just have to."

"I agree," Carlisle said, "Completely. Caius has found happiness after so long, and we have to look after them."

Esme looked out of the window. Elizabeth had come outside and was walking over to Caius. She reached up to him and kissed him on the lips, her hands entwining around his body to draw him in. He seemed to hesitate before kissing her back. Esme smiled and turned to see Carlisle watching the two of them, a smile on his face as well. He turned to Esme and placed a kiss on her forehead.

"I love you," he said.

"And I love you, my dear," she said and kissed him gently on the lips. She pulled back and smiled, "You know Carlisle I think I've found a dear friend in Elizabeth." She paused, "And Caius too of course, but Elizabeth..." She trailed off and smiled.

"What?"

"She's so understanding, so full of love."

"A bit like you then," Carlisle said, and kissed her again, "We will look after them Esme, if we can."

"No ifs," Esme said, pulling away, "They're our friends and they need us so we will protect them."

Carlisle smiled, "I don't think we'll need to."

"What?"

"Just now, Alice had a vision," he told her, "Of the Voltrui: Aro and Marcus sat on their thrones and guess what?"

"What?" Esme asked, intrigued.

"Jane sat on Caius's throne and Alice said they all looked content, as if they were happy to stay there forever." Esme frowned.

"I hope you're right," she said, "I really do. I don't want to fight, or have anything like ten years ago, over Renesmee."

"We won't," Carlisle said, and gave her shoulders a squeeze, "They know they're weaker against us what with Bella's power. We'll be safe." Esme sighed and leant her head against his shoulder. Below them, Caius and Elizabeth were talking softly to one another as they walked out into the forest.

Esme smiled. She had a friend and she knew Elizabeth would be a close one. They were safe, and she was surrounded by Carlisle and all their family.

Life had never been better.

A/N: I'm back and will be updating as regularly as I can. :D Thanks for reading and keeping up with this story. This is the second chapter which is not from the point of view of either Caius or Elizabeth. I wanted to get the Cullen's' point of view, almost as an objective view on Caius and Elizabeth. I'm planning on writing another chapter from a Cullens point of view. But I don't know which one of the Cullen family to write the point of view from.

So - I need your opinions: if you want to have a particular Cullen's point of view please give a shout - either in the reviews or PMs. I think more reader involvement would be good for the story - to make it into something you want to read. Don't worry though - I haven't abandoned Volterra and the Volturi - they will be back! But for now if anyone has a favourite Cullen or one who they want to see more of, please say.

Anyway, thanks for reading. X