Chapter 4

The room stayed silent for what seemed like an eternity. Only Edward was privy to everyone's thoughts. It seemed to hit Esme the hardest based on her expression. Though, Catherine was also reeling, but her face showed no emotion. All her life—vampiric and human—was a lie. She just couldn't wrap her head around it. Her birth mother… the woman who should have been able to raise her with love and truth was standing right in front of her… after nearly a century. Catherine was finding it hard to breathe, even if it was unnecessary.

Esme looked to Carlisle, her mate. The life she should have known was ripped from her and he was the one who pieced her back together. Her heart broke again, as if losing her baby once more.

"Maybe we should give you both some time…" Alice offered.

"No." Catherine muttered. "I… I think we should keep focusing on the battle and the trouble coming. We can dwell on this… news after Victoria and Nicole have been delt with."

"I agree with Catherine. The biggest issue right now is how to defeat them." Carlisle stepped in, giving his wife an apologetic look at the change of subject.

"So not only did Victoria create a newborn army, she might also have an entire coven with hardcore powers. Sounds like our chances are good!" Emmett grinned sarcastically.

"I may actually have a way to find out if the coven did side with my moth—Nicole." Catherine offered. She noticed Esme's very minute wince when she said mother. "I'm allies with one of their members. Her name is Ana. She's lived as a nomad for many years now, but she was created by one of the coven's members and lived with them for a while. She was the one who helped me escape Nicole several times."

Carlisle nodded, "If you would, please check your sources."

Catherine nodded and sped out of the room to make a call in privacy. After running for a while, she stopped by the same river that brought her to the Cullens. She took in some heaving breaths and paced. For a human, it would seem she was hyperventilating.

"Cat…" a voice murmured behind her. She turned to see Jasper approaching slowly.

"I'm fine, Jasper…" She mumbled.

"You know you can't lie to me." He smirked kindly. Jasper wrapped an arm around her torso and brought her to his chest. She buried her nose in his shirt collar and closed her eyes as she took in his familiar and warm scent.

"I just… for so long, I just assumed Nathan killed my mother and father. I never even thought she could still be alive… er, vampire. Even when I first met Esme, I liked her. But for her to be my mother? I—I just… it—"

"I know, darlin'… I know. It'll take time." He rubbed her arms as she stepped back.

"But what if she wants to bond with me? What if she wants to create a relationship with me that we should have had? I don't think I'm ready for that yet…"

"And she'll understand that. Trust me, I've known Esme for many years and she is nothing but kind and understanding. If you need time, she will wait. Even if it takes a hundred years, she will wait and be here when you're ready."

Catherine gazed into his eyes. Hers were nearly the same amber, with just a tint of red around the pupil. His eyes held love and devotion and it didn't take an empath to see it. Cat smiled at him, thinking him with a small kiss on his cheek.

"What would I ever do without you right now?" She asked. Jasper smirked widely.

"Well—"

"Don't answer that, Whitlock." She threatened. He laughed loudly at her "serious" face. "Now shoo, I need to call Ana."

"Yes, ma'am." Jasper mock saluted her and sped back to the house.

Catherine fished out her phone and dialed Ana's number.

"Hellllo?"

"Ana, it's me. I need your help."

"What is it, Kitty?"

"I met my birth mom…" Cat waited for Ana to say anything. She could picture the elder brunette floundering for words.

"Well… is she a threat?" Ana finally asked.

"No… No, that's not… sorry, I need help defending her and the rest of her coven. Ana, it's Nicole. She and another nomad have teamed up to destroy Esme, my mother, and a human engaged to one of the Cullens."

"Your mother is Esme Cullen?" Ana gaped.

"I… yeah. You know her?" Cat blinked.

"I've never met her, but I spent some time with a few friends of Carlisle's in Ireland a while back. The Cullens are notorious for their diet and way of living. For Nicole to be going after Esme… she either has a death wish… or… Oh dear. You need me to find out if they joined her." Ana guessed quietly.

"Yes. Ana, you know I wouldn't ask this of you if I didn't have to. But it's bigger than just me this time and… well, I'm with Jasper again. He and Alex have been with the Cullens for years. But I can't leave them again. Please, just ask Isaiah. You know he would do anything for you."

Ana sighed and Catherine could imagine her running her hands through her hair. "Alright. Give me two days. I'll come to you when I have news."

"Thank you Ana, really." Catherine sighed in relief. They said their goodbyes and hung up. When Catherine turned around, Esme was standing a few yards behind her. Catherine swallowed.

"Catherine… Jasper told me what you spoke about… Forgive him, he loves you so much and doesn't want you to hurt or be concerned. Cat, I want to tell you he was right. And so were you. When you're ready, when you're really ready, we can sit down and talk. I have mourned you for so long… for the little baby I never even got to name. I want nothing more than to hold you and keep you close, but I can wait—"

Esme was cut off by the younger vampire speeding over to her and hugging her. Esme would have cried, had she been human. With dry eyes and an unmoving heart, she could swear she felt tears well up in her eyes as she wrapped her arms around her daughter for the first time ever.

"I'm not ready for us to become mother and daughter… I need time. But… I'm really glad we are together and can be in each other's lives." Catherine backed up and awkwardly rubbed her arm.

Esme smiled warmly at the girl. "As long as you will have me, I will always be here. And when you're ready, I will be here to talk."

Catherine smiled slightly and looked away. "We should get back. Ana is coming in a couple days with news."

Mother and daughter walked back to the house, hardly speaking, though standing closer than before.

A.N. Ok, I don't really like putting these, but I have to let you know it will be longer between updates. I'm a new teacher, so my life just got a little more crazy. Also, Pleeeeease review these chapters. I can't make them better if I don't know there's something to fix or add. Next chapter should be longer and may include some wolfies. Sit tight!