chapter┊ ✦. :: thirty one
♡ ﹙meeting﹚ ❋ ˚ ݂ ꛒ

"At some point, Lydia had fallen asleep while holding her baby, but when she opened her eyes, she realized she was nestled in bed in Carlisle's room, though alone. For a moment, she didn't want to get up; she was really comfortable in that spot. But she was terribly hungry.

After a few more minutes in that pleasant position, she got up, realizing she no longer felt sore or tired. It was probably because of what Carlisle had told her earlier.

She slipped on some slippers and made her way out of the room, slowly making her way to the kitchen. Now that she had rested properly, she could feel the changes in her body. She felt like all her senses had improved significantly, though they probably wouldn't be as good as a "normal" vampire's.

Fortunately, the pantry was stocked with food, so she began grabbing whatever she could find. But then she realized there was no one in the house. Where on earth was everyone? She decided she would eat first and then look for someone.

She didn't actually spend much time in the kitchen because she couldn't wait for the food to be fully ready and ate a bit of everything she could find.

Then, she finally stepped out of the house, still in her pajamas and slippers. She looked around, the weather was really nice, and the sounds of nature quickly reached her ears pleasantly.

That's when she heard footsteps and turned to look with some panic. However, she smiled upon seeing Carlisle, holding Maven in his arms. She smiled, showing her teeth, and approached them.

"We were just about to visit you," Carlisle said. "This morning, the others went hunting, and I went for a little stroll with Maven in the forest."

Lydia smiled at seeing her baby and her boyfriend together. Although she felt a bit guilty for preferring to go straight for food instead of looking for them.

"I woke up very hungry and went to raid the pantry."

Carlisle let out a short laugh as he approached Lydia and planted a gentle kiss on her forehead.

"I'll go shopping later. How are you feeling?"

She frowned.

"I actually feel very well," she said, taking Maven in her arms, and the child began to laugh at being with his mother. "Hello, my love," she spoke to the child.

"He likes being outside, he almost always gets upset when we're indoors. Unless he falls asleep, he's very restless and looks for someone to take him outside."

Lydia smiled, but before she could say anything, a strange smell reached her nostrils.

"What's that smell?" she frowned. It wasn't very pleasant.

"You have visitors."

She stared at him, not understanding.

"Visitors?"

But Carlisle didn't say anything, and in a second, a bunch of shirtless, tanned boys appeared in the backyard. Lydia smiled at seeing them.

"Lydia, it's great to see you again," Seth spoke with some enthusiasm. "We were so worried. Even Leah was worried."

"That's not true," the girl complained. But she really seemed relieved to see Lydia safe and sound.

"It's also nice to see you again, guys. You really have a peculiar smell," she laughed.

She found it strange that Jacob wasn't among them. However, she didn't say anything about it.

"Is that your son? Can I hold him?" Seth seriously had a lot of energy and seemed so happy.

"Seth!" Sam and Leah scolded him at the same time.

"Of course, no problem," Lydia said, laughing a bit.

"I'm sorry, Lydia," Sam approached a bit more. "Seth hasn't stopped talking about wanting to meet your baby. And I told him to be a little more patient... and discreet," he looked at him disapprovingly.

"It doesn't matter," Lydia approached the boy and handed him the child. "He can spend time with Maven as much as he wants."

Seth felt his cheeks blush, but still smiled broadly as he carried the child around.

"I'm glad you're okay," Sam spoke again. "We were really worried, especially because even Carlisle didn't know what was happening with you."

"Thank you, Sam," Lydia approached Carlisle and hugged his arm. "Honestly, I didn't know what would happen either. Things happened so quickly at the hospital, and I really thought I would die. Jonah lost his mind and I don't know why he decided to attack me. Whatever, I'll never know."

"But you're here," Sam sounded relieved. "That's all that matters."

Lydia nodded and gave him a smile.

"Do you want to hold him?" Seth suddenly appeared, running, and handed the baby to Sam.

It was a quite funny scene. Sam looked annoyed at Seth for appearing so suddenly, then looked at the baby with terror, and finally at Lydia for help. The girl smiled even more.

"It's okay, Sam. Hold him if you want."

The man nodded nervously. It was quite strange because Sam almost always looked angry, and she had never seen him nervous or slightly scared. It was rare for the pack leader, but Lydia found it adorable.

Sam then took Maven in his arms. First, he held him in the air with his arms extended, quite far from him, looking at him and sniffing from afar. Then he brought him a little closer, and the child began to laugh while reaching out his little hands to touch Sam's face. Sam smiled, letting the baby explore his face.

"He doesn't smell like a bloodsucker," he murmured, "but he doesn't have that null scent like Lydia. It's quite soft, something I could track for miles. I like it."

The other pack boys approached to look at the baby curiously.

"I want to hold him next," Embry said, but Paul punched him in the chest.

"No, I'm next."

"None of that, I'm next," Jared spoke, pushing both boys.

Sam frowned at them.

"Behave," he spoke firmly, "everyone can hold him, but you have to wait your turn."

"But I want to be next," Jared complained, "and it's not fair that Seth was first."

Seth smiled from his place as he shrugged.

Lydia looked at the little scene with a smile just like Carlisle. At least peace continued between the vampires and the shapeshifters. It would have been horrible if it weren't like that.

"Lydia, there's something I need to tell you," Carlisle said quietly while the boys played with the baby.

She looked at him worriedly.

"Is something wrong?"

He shook his head.

"No, but it's important, and I need to tell you before the others arrive."

She nodded.

"Okay. Guys, could you take care of Maven for a moment while I go change?"

"Of course, Lydia. Take all the time you need."

She smiled and went into the house with Carlisle to their room. She was actually going to change clothes because she couldn't stay in pajamas all day.

"What's going on?" she asked as she pulled out some clothes from one of the drawers.

Carlisle sat on the edge of the bed.

"I wanted to keep this a secret from the others because I wanted you to know first. Although it's been a bit complicated."

She looked at him with a furrowed brow

from her place.

"Carlisle, you're scaring me. Just tell me what's going on."

Carlisle remained silent, looking at Lydia with a strange expression. He finally decided to speak.

"When I bit you to transform you... I also changed."

She stared at him, not fully understanding.

"What do you mean?"

Carlisle tried to think of his next words. He didn't fully understand what was happening either.

"I'm not completely sure. It wasn't something that happened immediately... it was when you woke up, actually."

Now Lydia was more curious.

"I still don't understand what you're trying to say."

"I mean... that maybe...," he paused, "I'm partially a hybrid like you and Maven. Obviously, I no longer have a pulse, I'm dead. But now I can eat human food... I found out I can sleep... I actually could sleep and dream. I don't sparkle in the sun like before. It's really strange, I think your blood managed to change a part of me. Or rather, it suppressed some of my vampire abilities."

Lydia was genuinely surprised. She didn't know what to say.

"Don't get me wrong," he looked at Lydia with big, bright eyes, "it's the best thing that's ever happened to me. And I want you to know that even though it was involuntary... I thank you, darling. Not only did we have a precious son, but you've made me more human."

The girl, who was halfway dressed, approached Carlisle and hugged him by the head. He also hugged her tightly, resting his face on her abdomen.

"It's great, darling. I'm happy that you're happy."

"I am, Lydia. I've never been as happy in my long life as I am right now."

There was a brief moment of pleasant silence.

"Should we tell the others?"

"I think that's completely up to you. They might ask you, and only you can decide. But you should also know that the more people know... the more dangerous it could be for you."

They separated. Lydia took Carlisle's cheeks in her hands and looked at him with a smile.

"You are my family," she began, "and if helping you become a little more human is what you really want... I don't mind giving you my blood. But whatever happens, I want you to protect Maven at all costs. He's a baby and he's our son, if any vampire finds out that Maven has angel blood... he'll be in greater danger than me."

Carlisle placed his hands over Lydia's on his cheeks.

"I won't let anyone or anything hurt either of you. Okay?"

"Okay."

Lydia leaned in to kiss the blond man, and they finally parted ways so that the girl could finish getting dressed. And then they returned to the boys and Maven. Everyone was very happy, even Leah seemed to enjoy the little moment.

Sam approached the couple and handed Lydia her son.

"It was great to see you, Lydia. And it was also a pleasure to meet your son. I hope you can take him to La Push soon."

"Count on it, Sam."

The man smiled slightly as he nodded.

"Then we'll see you. We still have some things to do."

"I understand. It was really great to see you all again."

"Goodbye," Seth said enthusiastically as he ran into the forest.

Lydia took Maven's hand and gently moved it back and forth in a sign of farewell. And then the family of three entered the house.

The other family members arrived the next day, and it was Carlisle who gathered them all in the living room. No one understood what was happening because the man seemed a bit nervous.

Carlisle was the one who explained what was happening because he was the one experiencing it firsthand. Everyone was stunned; they didn't really believe what they heard, and at the end of the explanation, there was a profound silence.

"I'm not sure if it will work now that I'm half vampire. But if any of you want to try it, I have no problem giving you my blood. I understand that it's something you want to think about, so when you make a decision... I'll be here. Whenever."

Evander stood up.

"Lydia... thank you very much for this great opportunity. I mean it from the bottom of my heart... even though technically I don't have one," he smiled, "and if it's not too much to ask, I would like to accept that offer. I've lived so many years that trying this, with the possibility of being able to eat and sleep again... I would really love it."

Lydia smiled at Evander.

"Of course."

"I would also like to accept that offer, Lydia," Esme spoke softly, "I feel like we don't deserve all the kindness you give us, you've done more for this family than we have for you, and now this... there are not enough words to thank you."

"None of that, Esme. You've done a lot for me, and I don't mind at all," she smiled, "if there's anything I can help you with, don't hesitate that I will."

It wasn't at that moment, maybe because they didn't feel ready to make the decision, but in the end... all the Cullens accepted Lydia's proposal. Everyone wanted to feel that little humanity again, and although they felt selfish for asking for something like that, they would be eternally grateful to Lydia for that gesture.

Eating and sleeping again... sounded like an impossible thing. But right now, it was a reality. They all swore to keep the secret with their own lives. And although it was something they had already promised themselves and it was a non-verbal agreement, they assured Lydia that they would protect her and her son at all costs. No one would harm them ever.

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