Nala winces as Carlisle pulls the dressing off her back; she digs her nails into Esme's hands but it doesn't affect the woman. She just rubs her thumbs over the backs of Nala's hands. "You're all good, Nally, almost done." Esme soothes.
She closes her eyes and takes deep breaths as Carlisle cleans the wounds gently and redresses them. "Y-you'd think after three d-days of this I'd be a pro." She whisper as Esme helps her slip the oversized shirt on.
"It's going to take time, honey, I'm sorry. But you've done so well already." Esme kisses her head and her eyes dart out the window.
Nala looks over but can't see what Esme can hear. "What?" She whispers and looks back at Esme.
"I hear a car coming... Charlie." She says as the police cruiser pulls into the drive way.
"Why would the chief of police be here?" She asks Esme.
Esme purses her lips; she promised Jasper she wouldn't say... "Esme, why is he here?" Nala demands, panic evident in her voice.
Esme strokes her cheek. "Emily... Emily wants Lilo. Doesn't think you're of sound mind to care for her or yourself."
"W-why wouldn't Jasper say!?" She says as she rushes to the livingroom and picks Lilo up from her toys holding her close.
"Because I didn't want to worry you - and you shouldn't be holding her." Jasper says as he appears. "Let me deal with Charlie okay?"
"Jasper they can't take my baby! She isn't safe with them!" Nala whispers holding in a sob.
Jasper cups her cheeks. "Shhh, I got this. I promise. Charlie... knows things. Let me sort this okay? Please."
Nala looks into his warm eyes and shakily nods; he kisses her lips gently and heads downstairs as she sinks to the floor with Lilo. The infant buries her head in her moms warmth, something she's been without for a few days. Nala runs her hand up and down Lilo's back in a repetitive manner to calm them both.
"Momma's here booboo." She coos to the little girl, holding her close. Lilo's eyes grow heavy as she begins to falls sleep in her mother's embrace, relaxed and peaceful for the first time in a while. Esme has been keeping an eye on her and says she's been restless when she sleeps, often crying out. She's not used to not being beside Nala, they used to co-sleep or her crib always allowed her to see her mom.
She looks over as she hears heavy boots walking up the stairs - definitely not a Cullen. She grips Lilo a little tighter as she sees Charlie walk in, his hands on his hips. "Chief..." She says slowly.
"Don't worry, I'm not gonna take her." He says, holding a hand out as if to say stop, don't panic yet. "I'm here sort of on a personal matter. Your aunt Sue wants to check you're okay-"
"You can tell her I'm fine. But you don't utter a word to anyone else. You knew, this whole time? You didn't warn me?" She stares at him angry, not moving from where she sits on the floor.
He sighs. "I did. Trust me, I wish I could have given you a heads up - hell I wish I'd had one - but its pack law. Just... Rest up, get yourself well. Emily has no grounds to stand on, I just wanted to let you know personally that no one will take your little girl." He promise.
Nala exhales shakily. "Thank you... Thank you." She slowly stands and offers a hand to shake; Charlie smiles and shakes it a little before he let's go. Nala turns away and holds Lilo close, swing.
Charlie stares at the bulky guaze apparent under Nala's baggy shirt. He glances at Jasper before they head back downstairs. "The kids beating himself up, Jasper." Charlie says as he looks over at the golden haired man stood in the doorway.
"Good. I'd like you to remind them again, Chief Swan, that I mean it when I say if a werewolf other than Jacob Black steps foot on our territory then I will not be responsible for what happens. I can do a lot worse to them than they could ever do to me."
Charlie nods once, not taking that warning lightly. A threat like that could get Jasper arrested, but he has a feeling that that wouldn't stop him - the wolves are a little frightened of what the Cullen's could do, and that alarms Charlie as to what they are. He knows, however, that he will never find out the truth.
Jasper watches the cruiser leave the driveway before he heads upstairs, smiling softly as Nala hums to Lilo. "She's so calm." He says gently.
Nala looks over. "Good... You aren't medelling are you?" She teases lightly.
He shakes his head. "Hand on heart." He promises, walking over to them. Nala surprises him and leans her head on his shoulder, to which he responds by wrapping an arm around her waist ever so gently.
"Thank you Jasper." She whispers after a moment of silence.
"For what?" He smiles.
"Loving us."
-
Nala smiles as she sits on the porch swing watching Bella and Lilo run around the garden, Lilo swanning around in her little tutu and fairy wings. She's been truly spoilt today, on her second birthday. Admittedly, most of it has been from Jasper and her, since this past month has been a horrible one. Nala is getting there - slowly - however she's frightened to leave the house, or Jasper's side, or Li. She won't wear tight clothes, usually leggings and a hoodie or baggy t-shirt.
Carlisle is impressed with how smoothly the scars are healing, they didn't get infected and they're a healthy pink color for the most part. And she's opening up to the family a lot more - especially Jazz, of course.
"We got cake!" Rosalie sings as her, Alice and Emmett bring it out.
Nala smiles. "You guys didn't have to."
"You gotta have a cake, duh." Emmett scoffs making her giggle.
Rose sets two candles in it and lights it as everyone comes out and Bella carries Li over. "Oocorn." She gasps and points to the cake.
Nala smiles as she stands, taking her. "Unicorn cake!? You lucky girl! Shall we blow the candles out?" She coos, looking around for Jasper.
Lilo nods and blows as hard as she can, her mom only helping a little to blow the flames out. Lilo claps excitedly as everyone cheers; Emmett gently wipes some frosting on her nose and she gasps. "Nooty Emit." She points as she tries to rub it off, only smearing it more.
Emmett nods and kisses her head. "I'm sowwy buttercup."
"Sowwy?" Jasper says as he comes over, smirking. "Jesus, Emmett, you've gone soft."
Emmett growls and grabs the slice of cake Rose just cut, throwing it at his brother. Jasper laughs and ducks, watching the cake splat against the tree behind him. Nala giggles as Jasper winks at his brother before coming over and wrapping his arm around Nala. "One last surprise. Come on."
Nala looks unsure. "Where is it..."
"Just through the trees, a short walk. Give Li to someone and I'll take you." He smiles.
She hesitates as Emmett takes her little angel; she looks at Jasper and his pleading eyes before she nods. "Okay..."
The others grin as he picks her up bridal style and takes off running, only for a few seconds, into the trees. He then walks at a human pace, still carrying her. "So... I was watching you sleep the other night when I got to thinking. I want us to make a real go of this, provide a warm and stimulating home for Lilo, and have a space of our own for you to grow comfortable in and be more you... And so I decided to find us just that - well, make." He smirks.
"What..." Nala stops talking, her jaw dropping in shock as they come into a clearing where a small white cottage rests. It's thatched roof is intricately done, the craftsmanship perfect - of course. The small windows are all open slightly, flower pots holding daisies rest on the lower window cils, while the garden has the greenest grass and a small pond. White stepping stones mark the pathway to the front door, and Jasper sets her down on them.
She stares at her feet, stunned to silence as she does a 360 turn, looking up and down at the surroundings. Jasper silently watches her, trying to guage her bouncing emotions. Shock, fear, awe. Amazement, love... And then contempt. She looks over and Jasper and instantly crashes her lips to his, gripping his shirt in her hands. He instantly kisses back gently, cupping her face as he chuckles.
"Wow." He muses as they rest their foreheads together. "Who knew you could kiss so good." He teases gently.
She giggles and blushes looking at her feet. "Says you." She teases back gently.
He strokes her cheek and makes her look at him. "You, my love, are perfect."
She blushes more and shoves him playfully before she skips inside the house, a spring in her step like she used to have. Her eyes roam around and take it all in. The kitchen and the living room are pretty much all that's on the first floor, but it's worth it - the kitchen is stunning. Oak flooring flows throughout, everything pristine and new.
The living room is cosy, the rug her favourite part. She runs her fingers over everything as she passes heading for the stairs at the back of the room; she heads up them as Jasper waits in the kitchen letting her explore in her own time.
She finds Lilo's room and tears, covering her mouth. Li's never had anything like this and she's going to go crazy with excitement and happiness - Nala can't get to grips with why Jasper did this. Of course they have a thing, they're 'mates', but why for her? She isn't special...
She closes the door gently and moves on to the spare room, a simple pale blue color going on. She then finds the main bedroom with a small ensuite; she gently pushes the door open and a smile spreads onto her face. Very her, she notes. Jasper did good. So good.
She runs her fingers over the comforter and sits down slowly, laying back. She stares at the ceiling and closes her eyes. "Thank you Jasper... I love it." She whispers, knowing he'll hear every word.