CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT:
STRAWBERRY MILKSHAKE

ECHO SAT ON THE couch with her legs crossed and her laptop in her lap. Her papers were on the arm of the white couch, her focus sorely on her work. Carlisle was leaning against the back of the couch, looking over Echo's shoulder. The TV was on and Echo's attention was dragged away from her work when they started to talk about what was going on in Seattle. Echo sighed. She knew sooner or later her boss was going to call her again.

"It takes more than one of our kind to cause the damage they're reporting. Quite a few more. They're undisciplined, conspicuous." Jasper spoke up. Echo was surprised.

"I don't think I have ever heard you speak before. I like the accent." Echo complimented. Jasper smirked at the woman before going back to the television.

"It's newborns." Edward informed.

"What, like new vampires?" Bella quizzed.

"The first few months after the change." Edward started.

"That's when we're at our most uncontrollable, vicious, insane with thirst." Jasper finished. Echo cocked an eyebrow at the description.

"Something to look forward to." Emmett commented.

"Someone's creating an army." Carlisle stated from behind her. She leaned her head back so that she could look at him. The male looked down at her and watched as she held out her hand. He interlaced their fingers before looking back up at the others, Echo looking back down at her laptop.

"Now I'm definitely going to Seattle." Echo mumbled.

"An army of vampires?" Bella asked, looking at Edward.

"Regardless of why they were made, if we don't put a stop to them the Volturi will. I'm surprised they let it go on this long." Carlisle spoke.

"Maybe they're behind it. In Italy I read Aro's mind, he wants me and Alice to join him. He knows we'll never choose him as long as our family is still alive." Edward informed the group.

"I still have no idea who the fuck these Volturi people are." Echo spoke up.

"Echo!" Bella scolded. Echo looked at her sister and shrugged her shoulders.

"An army could solve that for him." Jasper said.

"This sounds like it's going to be a fun adventure." Echo stated.

꧁꧂

The next day, Echo showed back up to work. Alyssa smiled widely at her, giving her her coffee. Echo thanked the nurse with a small laugh. The day went by smoothly. Echo only had a few patients, nothing too severe. With ten minutes left on her shift, she walked to Carlisle's office and sat down in his chair, patiently waiting for him. She spun around in the chair as she waited.

"Having fun?" Echo stopped spinning the chair at the sound of Carlisle's voice. She sent him a small smile as she nodded.

"I want a milkshake."

"Well, you still have five minutes of your shift." The doctor shrugged.

"Can't I leave early?" Echo whined.

"I'll pick you up a milkshake on the way."

"Okay." Echo smiled. He chuckled at her childish smile and watched as she hopped out of the chair. She looked at the clock on the wall, smiling with triumph as it became five o'clock. The two headed out of the hospital and toward Carlisle's car.

"I need to change out of these scrubs." Echo mumbled. "I don't like 'em."

"Your bag is in the backseat."

"Oh yeah." Echo mumbled. "I forgot I put that there. It has been a long ass day."

"Agreed." They left the parking lot and Echo thanked Carlisle when he bought her a strawberry milkshake. When they pulled up at the Cullen household, Echo grabbed her bag and waited for Carlisle to exit the vehicle before walking toward the house. When they entered, Echo sat her milkshake in the fridge and made her way toward the stairs.

"Never thought I'd see the day where Echo wore anything but dark clothing." Echo turned at the sound of Emmett's voice. She placed a sarcastic smile on her face and motioned for him to come toward her. When he reached her, she placed her hand on his shoulder and said, "This is why no one likes you." She gave his shoulder a pat before making her way up the steps.

"Rude!" He called, a small smile on his face. Echo chuckled in amusement before finding the bathroom and quickly changing out of her scrubs and into her usual attire. Dark jeans and a plain t-shirt. She found the room she remembered to be Carlisle's and placed her bag neatly in the corner of the room. She made her way back down the steps, her eyebrows rising in surprise when she saw her sister enter, cradling her hand.

"What the hell did you do this time?" Echo asked. She brought her sister into the living room, nodding for Carlisle to grab some bandages. Echo looked at her sisters hand and thanked Carlisle as he handed her the bandages.

"I punched a werewolf in the face." Bella mumbled. Echo paused in her movements and looked up at Bella with a raised eyebrow, telling her to elaborate. "Jacob kissed me and I punched him in the face."

"Well, at least there was a good reason behind you spraining your hand."

"Badass!" Emmett called as Echo finished wrapping her sisters hand. "You're going to be one tough little newborn." Echo visibly tensed at the words.

"Tough enough to take you on." Bella retorted. Echo stood up and walked out of the room and toward the kitchen, Rosalie copying her actions but instead going on the balcony. Echo got her milkshake from the fridge and leaned against the counter with a far off look. The red straw was placed in between her lips but the drink wasn't flowing through the straw. Carlisle walked into the kitchen and frowned when he saw Echo blankly standing there. He leaned against the counter so that he was across from her.

"Echo?"

The girl hummed before blinking and looking up at him.

"Are you alright?"

She removed the straw from her lips and nodded her head. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"I thought you were supposed to be good at lying." Carlisle stated. Echo sighed and ran a hand through her hair.

"I'm just. . . trying to get used to the fact that after my little sister graduates, she's going to become a vampire." Echo answered. She took a sip of her milkshake as her thoughts started to cloud her brain. They were starting to give her a headache. Carlisle walked to stand beside of the girl, removing the drink from her hand and sitting it on the counter. He cupped her face in his hands and she placed her hands on his wrists as she leaned into his touch. He gave her a kiss on the top of her head and she wrapped her arms around his waist, leaning her head on his chest. He placed his chin on the top of her head and the two just stood there. In that moment, that was all Echo could ask for.

1,171 words
Authors note: The first two chapter for my Jasper Hale fic, Damaged Goods, is up! Also, Carlisle being sweet to Echo has my heart.

I hope you all enjoyed! Stay safe! Until next time, bye loves!♥️

@HAHA_LIFEISTOUGH