Hi again everyone! I honestly like this chapter because it's one of the turning points in Cold Roses. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do! Thankies for reading :D Love each of you guys <333
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Unexpected Reunion
Summer drifted off to sleep eventually, the tears remaining in her eyes. She never wanted to hurt anyone, particularly not Jake. She woke up four hours later, unable to sleep much longer. She rolled to her other side and faced her already waking daughter. Chloe’s eyes were bright and shining at her mother, “Good morning, mommy!” Summer kissed her daughter’s forehead, “Good morning, darling. Slept well?” Chloe beamed warmly, “Yup!” She studied Summer’s face, her smile vanishing, “What’s wrong, mama?” Her sweet voice had touches of an Italian girl’s accent. Summer stroked her daughter’s cheek, “Nothing, honey. Everything will be okay now.” Chloe’s countenance remained worried, “You’re lying, mommy.” She warned. Summer couldn’t help it, she had to laugh. “No, sweets. It will be okay. I simply need to convince myself of that fact.” “Okay.” Summer neatly pulled the blankets off of them and sat up, “Let’s get you dressed, angel.” Chloe stretched her arms in the air and Summer picked her up. They fixed their hair, dressed, and gracefully walked into the kitchen, where Alice and Esme were. Alice was flipping through a bridal gown magazine in search of a dress for Bella, and Esme was writing out checks for their bills. Carlisle had left for work earlier, and Alice insisted Edward take Bella someplace where they could spend some alone time together. Rosalie, Emmett, and Jasper were out hunting, since they hadn’t killed much on their previous run with Summer and Chloe. Alice’s eyes darted up from the magazine to Summer. She rushed to Summer’s side and embraced her tightly, “Are you alright, honey? It broke our hearts to see you in tears last night! Do you want me to smack him for you?” Summer placed Chloe onto the floor and hugged Alice by the shoulders, “I’m fine, Alice. It had to be done. Don’t fret about it, okay?”Alice was not about to believe her, “I understand, but you’re still hurt.” Summer released her grip, “Never mind that. I’m well capable of handling these situations myself.” Esme walked over to Summer and pulled her into yet another embrace. She took Summer by surprise. This family really knew how to hug someone when they were feeling upset. Dissimilar to Alice, Esme didn’t question her, “Don’t you go on worrying about Jacob, dear. He doesn’t hate easily, and I’m sure when he knows, he’ll understand that you had no other choice.” Summer closed her eyes and rested her head on Esme, “I’ll remember that, Esme. Thanks.” She smiled at Summer and returned to her work. Alice coiled a strand of Summer’s thick, black hair around her index finger, “Would you like to start practicing now, Summer,” she asked innocently, “or would you rather do something relaxing?” “Most definitely practice, Alice.” Alice put her hands on her hips and sighed, “I strongly disagree with that. I think you should—“ “No, missy, we’re practicing, and that’s final.” Summer interrupted her firmly with a dazzling smile. Alice’s eyes narrowed, “Esme, what do you think she should do?” Esme momentarily glanced up at Alice, smirking, “Whatever Summer wants, dear.” “Ugh, I’m slowly losing my power over you all.” Summer and Esme chuckled. “Let’s get going then.” Alice tugged Summer’s arm, “At least if I come with you outside, I can hear if anyone’s approaching.” Summer endeavored not to think back on last night’s horrible confrontation. “Esme, will you keep an eye on Chloe for me? She’s playing with a puzzle in the living room, so she should be okay for now.” “Of course, hun. I love watching after her for you.” Summer’s thankful grin sparkled, “She loves that too, Esme. Thanks.” Alice and Summer made their way to small grass field behind their home. They sat down opposite to one another, “Okay, girly,” Alice began, “Let’s see if we can get through this without you draining every ounce of your energy.” Summer faintly giggled, “I slept fairly well, so hopefully that helps!” “It WILL work this time, Summer. Have faith in yourself.” Alice encouraged. Summer tried to believe her words, “Okay.” She felt her stomach churning because of anxiety, “Here goes…” She swathed Alice’s small figure in her shield. “Wow, I feel like Aro and Edward.” Alice squealed inside her head. Summer giggled at her sister’s delight. Next she focused a portion of her energy on erasing her thoughts of Jake. She hoped this wouldn’t feel like déjà vu. “It won’t, silly. You’re going to do it.” Alice protested, “Just try to maintain your focus.” Summer regulated the amount of energy she was using so she could avoid fainting. Her focus was strong and unbreakable. At once, Alice yelled out in surprise. “Summer, it’s working, it’s working! You did it! You made your thoughts of Jake disappear! They’re gone! I can hardly believe you managed to do it so quickly!”
Summer’s eyes fluttered open, “You’re joking! Tell me you’re joking, Alice. It worked?!!” “Yes!” Alice belted out proudly, “that was all you, sweetheart!” Summer retracted her shield to see if she lost an excessive amount of energy, but she was still completely awake. Alice smiled widely, pouncing on Summer to give her a gigantic hug. Summer chuckled heartily as she laid on the soft, green grass alongside Alice. Alice turned her head to look at her, “So, the key ingredient for erasing memories is half energy and half concentration.” “It looks like that’s right, Alice!” She let out a contented sigh, “I owe you so much.” Alice arched an eyebrow, “For what?” “For encouraging me!” Alice patted her hand, “No, Summer. That was absolutely nothing. I think Rosalie, Emmett, and Jasper returned home. Let’s go tell them the great news!” The girls ran back to the house, giggling the whole way. Alice flung the door open, “She did it!” “We know!” Esme interjected. “Congratulations, dear! When Carlisle said you were the most talented vampire he’s met, he truly wasn’t exaggerating.” “Wonderful job, Summer.” Rosalie smiled at her pleasantly. “Yes indeed. Excellent work, Summer.” Jasper added. Emmett stood before Summer with crossed arms, making his enormous muscles expand. “Nice work, sis, but don’t let your power get to your pretty little head. You still can’t take me.” “You don’t want to challenge her, Emmett,” Alice cautioned, “you still don’t know the rest of her powers.” “Ha, that doesn’t matter.” He glared down at her. Summer playfully shoved him out of the way and walked over to her daughter. Emmett gaped, “What was that for?” She didn’t turn to look at him, “You were becoming egotistical. I knocked you back into reality.” The rest of the family laughed, but Emmett only pouted and sat back down next to Rosalie. Summer kneeled over he daughter, “Let’s you and I spend some time together, darling. I haven’t done too much with you lately. What do you say, honey?” “Yay!” Chloe clapped her hands excitedly. She and her mother spent the remainder of the morning and early afternoon doing puzzles, playing dolls, hopscotch, and baseball with everyone who was at home. Chloe even outran Emmett, which was almost overly difficult for him to cope with. When Carlisle came home, Esme told him the wonderful news Summer had to offer. Carlisle was impressed, “Amazing, honey, practically AMAZING!” He spun her around the room in his arms. “It was your idea, Carlisle.” Summer pointed out. “But it was up to you to make it happen.” He laughed. “I’m so proud of you, dear.” She beamed at him, “Thank you, Carlisle.” As usual, the Cullens spent their evening together as a family in the living room, the most lively room in the entire house, mainly because Emmett was screaming cheers at the TV while watching yet another soccer match.
Now that she was fully capable of hiding her memories of Jake, she could finally be with him again. She didn’t have his number though, but Bella knew it, so Summer reminded herself to ask Bella for it when she and Edward returned home. “Summer, I have a rather random question to ask you.” Alice said, lounging next to her on the sofa. “Ask away, Alice!” “Are you sure?” She hesitated, “It’s kinda personal.” Summer cocked her head to the side, “I’m sure.” “Well, I was just wondering…if you were positive Aro would never find you and Chloe, would you marry Jake?” The question threw her thoughts into disarray. She hadn’t seen that coming at all. “Summer?” Alice waved her hand in front of Summer’s face. She shook herself out of the daze, “Um, yes, I guess, if he proposed. Why?” Alice shrugged casually, “I was wondering how strong this werewolf imprinting was for you, the ‘imprintee.’” “Hmmmm…well, I’m not sure how strong it is for him.” She wished she knew for certain, but she wasn’t even sure if Jake would want to speak with her after what had happened last night. Suddenly, in her peripheral vision, Summer detected Alice’s frame became taut. She shifted her stressed gaze toward Alice; she knew she was seeing something unpleasant about to happen in the future. “Carlisle!” Alice spurted out immediately in terror. Carlisle stared at her, his gentle hands crumpling the newspaper he was holding. “No,” he uttered beneath his breath, “it can’t be…” Summer gripped the chair, angst pouring through her veins. The faces of her adopted family expressed pure fear. Summer’s torment hindered her from sensing what they sensed. “We have to get her away from here now, Carlisle!” Alice yelled, taking a defensive stance over Summer. Carlisle rose to his feet and clenched his fists, “There’s no time, Alice. We have to protect her to the best of our abilities.” At his command, Emmett and Jasper crouched down next to Summer, as if they were preparing to claw at someone. Rosalie swiftly placed scared Chloe in her mother’s arms; she and Esme covered Summer from the side and behind. Carlisle handsomely strode toward the foyer, his features laden with apprehension and distrust. Leisurely, he unbolted the door. He glared in silence at the person standing in front of him, “Hello, Aro.” Summer’s jaw dropped, her heart racing more and more by the second. She involuntarily pressed Chloe’s tiny body against her chest. “Ah, Carlisle,” Aro’s subtle voice rang through the still night air, “how wonderful it is to see you again, my good friend.” Thoughts barged into Summer’s mind by the dozens. How did Aro find her? Did he bring the Volturi guard with him? Would this be the night of the Cullens’ deaths?