Chapter Seven, Samhain and Ring Creation

After Imogen proposed her idea to the two other members of the Coven, (Leah and Ella), they spent most of their time researching the spell or spells they could possibly need to pull this off. They barely left their room apart from to shower, sleep and school only eating when Imogen's Dad, Jasper or their own parents reminded  or forced them to. While the girls were working on the rings for the coven (which reluctantly included Edward despite how much of a dick he was to them), Charlie had asked Carlisle if he could speak to him as it was important - which Carlisle agreed to - and they set up a date for that weekend just as the girls were finishing the rings (not that the Cullens knew that).

See the thing was thanks to Charlie's own mother and the Tribe who had told Charlie and Imogen all of their history - as they were pretty much members of the Tribe at this point, especially as Charlie was friends with all the Elders and Imogen was friends with all of the younger generation - Charlie knew the what exactly the Cullens were; vampires. And before the girls gave them those rings he needed to make sure that his daughter and then the town would be safe if they became more human-like thanks to those rings (their eyes would return to their human colour, they'd be able to eat human food and wouldn't sparkle in the sun as long as they wore those rings). Nothing may have happened during the month that they had been in Forks but Charlie Swan was first and foremost an overprotective father and then the Sheriff of Forks.

Jasper may not have spoken to Imogen about what they were just yet, but Charlie knew it would be later today as Imogen had been invited to the Cullens house for lunch by Esme and Carlisle, however, he wanted to have his chat with them first before anything else. Pulling up in his truck in the Cullens driveway, Charlie took a deep calming breath and climbed out, reaching the door he gave it one strong knock and didn't have to wait too long before the door was opened by Carlisle.
"Hello Charlie, come in." Carlisle greeted, stepping back and opening the door wider for the Chief of Police and the father of Jasper's mate.
"Hello Carlisle and thank you." Charlie greeted, wiping his feet on the doormat as he entered before he followed Carlisle up to the living room where everyone was waiting.

"Charlie this is my wife Esme, and you know the majority of our children but this Edward." Carlisle introduced, pointing to the sulking auburn haired boy who sat as far away from everyone as he possibly could given the seating; looking like a petulant child.
"Charlie, it's so great to meet you." Esme greeted welcomingly, a wide beaming smile. "Would you like anything to drink?" She asked, after showing him to the free armchair by the loveseat she and Carlisle had sat on.
"It's nice to meet you too, Esme, and no thank you, I'm fine." Charlie denied kindly. "I'm just going to be blunt. I know you're all vampires and I need to know if my daughter and the town are safe."
"Charlie -"

"How'd you know!" Edward demanded rudely, interrupting Carlisle. "Does that mean your daughter and her weird Coven knows too?!"
"EDWARD!!" Multiple voices shouted at him, appalled by his behaviour, Jasper growling warningly added to the ding, which Edward ignored.
"Listen here boy, I don't know what your problem is but I won't have anyone slandering my daughter!" Charlie said with cold fury. "I'm friends with the Tribe as is Imogen who has grown up around them, we've learnt the stories and Legends and could recite them off by heart. Not to mention my mother was a Wiccan and told me about Shifters and Vampires growing up.

You seem to have people who care for you so I would suggest you get your stick out of your arse and realise what a good thing you have." He reprimanded firmly, raising an unimpressed eyebrow when Edward glared at him and stormed out of the room and up to his room where they heard the distant noise of his bedroom door slamming. Shifting in his seat, Charlie turned to face the leaders of the coven. "I apologise, Carlisle, Esme but I can't stand anyone slandering my Sunshine after what her mother and twin sister do to her." Charlie apologised, even though he didn't feel any regret but he was brought up with manners.
"No, we apologise, Charlie. Edward's behaviour is unacceptable and we will be talking to him later." Esme promised a determined look in her eye.

"If you had been firm with him from the beginning, especially when he came back from the binge, like you did with the rest of us, none of this would be happening." Rosalie whispered under her breath and so fast only the vampires in the room could hear her and see her lips move.
"To answer your question Charlie, we are all vegetarian vampires." Carlisle informed him. "We feed off the blood of animals and have for decades or even centuries. We pose no threat to Imogen or the town."
"I may not have met her properly yet but I'm looking forward to meeting the sweet bubbly girl I saw at the ballet. Plus she has made Jasper so very happy in the short time they've been together and my other children as well who are her best friends." Esme said motherly.

"I swear to you Charlie, I would rather die than see any harm come to Immy." Jasper swore so passionately that Charlie couldn't help but believe him.
"That's good because I like you Jasper." Charlie admitted begrudgingly. "You make my Sunshine happy. And you as well Rosalie as best friend. She told me, the three of you are the older sisters she wished Bella was and Emmett a goofy, teddy bear of a big brother." He chuckled, causing everyone else to as well. "And Carlisle you have been the only doctor who has refused to give up on her. You're determined to find out why she has these seizures and I can't thank you enough for that, so I'm beyond relieved that you don't hurt humans. I don't care what any of your past is; that's the past. What I do care about is what you do now!"

A relieved sigh seemed to echo around the living room at Charlie's proclamation as a weight was lifted off the shoulders of those close with Imogen.
"The other reason I want to have this little chat is because Imogen, Ella and Leah have been working hard to make some special rings for all of you, even Edward." Charlie informed them, pride beaming from every pore of the Sheriff. "These rings - while you wear them - will give you the appearance of being your human self allowing you to blend in better with society."
"Really?" Alice and Storm asked, amazed, especially as Alice hadn't seen anything like this happening, Charlie nodded and continued to explain how each different crystal offered them something different. They would have the eye colour they had while they were human, they'd be able to eat normal food and most importantly they'd be able to go out into the sun without sparkling.

"I'd be able to take Imogen out on proper dates and go in the sun with her." Jasper whispered stunned, he felt incredibly proud of his little mate and touched that she along with Ella and Leah would do this for all of them.
"Yes, you would. I know how much that means to you, I can see it in your eyes and I assure you that Immy feels the same." Charlie assured him with a soft smile when his phone went off as he had received a text from his Sunshine. "That's Immy. The three of them have finished the rings. I can go and collect the three of them if you like?"
"If you don't mind, I can make us all dinner." Esme beamed, dancing away to the kitchen to get started when she motored the time. "And don't think any of you are getting out of helping me either!" She called to her kids, causing Emmett to groan. Chuckling Charlie headed for his car to collect the girls.

***

Twenty minutes later Charlie had returned with a tired Imogen, Ella and Leah. Creating the rings had taken a lot out of them even though they had spread it out over the course of a week and a half.
"Oh, girls, it's so great to finally meet you." Esme greeted the girls motherly, pulling them into a loving hug that Imogen relished as she wondered if this is what it was like to have a loving mother. "You three look exhausted! We'll eat first before explaining everything including our stories." Esme ordered, leading the way to the dining room. She made Charlie and the three girls remain seated while all of her children (even Edward) helped her and Carlisle dish up.
"Err... Mrs Cullen you'll need the rings to eat." Leah murmured unsurely.

"Oh! Of course, silly me." Esme laughed. "There's no need for any of you to call me that, Esme is perfectly fine." She smiled fondly at them, making everyone listen with rapt attention while the three girls took turns explaining their rings. They explained things like; the bands used, the crystals and their uses and why those particular crystals were used. As they explained they presented that person with theirs which was safely held within a small standard navy jewellery box used to keep the item safe while in a shop.

As Jasper was sitting next to Imogen she presented him with his ring which was a black and gold double band with crystals of various shapes and colours dotted along the band. These crystals were; Onyx, Aegirine, Morion Quartz, Black Obsidian, Black Tourmaline, Citrine, Amazonite, Amethyst, Malachite, Rose Quartz and Bronzite. Next they moved onto Emmett who had a ring with black and gold band in a zigzag pattern and the same crystals. Carlisle had a ring with a gold band that held a strip of Citrine along one edge and Rose Quartz on the other, while the other crystals were in the middle of the band.

Edward had a plain gold band with the same crystals as his ring but he was being ungrateful and didn't accept it. Rosalie's ring had a gold band joined together by a heart in the middle. Esme's ring is in the shape of a rose with the Amethyst at the centre and the other crystals on the part of the band shaped like leaves. Alice's ring was a gold band in the shape of multiple hearts alternating with a line of some of the crystals. And finally; Storm's ring was a gold band in the shape of the infinity symbol.
"These are amazing, darlin'." Jasper muttered amazed, slipping the ring onto his left middle finger. "Thank you." He said gratefully, kissing Imogen's forehead sweetly. "Thank you El. Thank you Leah."
"You're welcome." The three girls said happily, watching with satisfaction as at once the magic took hold and the gold of their eyes started to bleed away until they were each left with their original eye colour once again which for some (like Carlisle, Storm and Jasper as they were the three eldest) was the first time in hundreds of years.

Once everyone had settled and enjoyed the food for the first time in their long lives they returned to the living room to explain their history to Charlie and the three girls who had already done so much for them.
"I'll start." Rosalie said softly as she sured up her confidence, Emmett squeezing her hand and offering her the comfort she sought after.
"Rosie, you don't have to." Imogen said softly, seeing the pain her best friend was going through.
"None of you do." The four humans protested.
"We know that, but we want to." Esme assured them as Rosalie started her tale.

"On the last night of my life, I left a friend's house late after visiting her and her son. I should've taken her husband's offer of walking me home or called my father to pick me up but I wasn't far from home and denied both options. I was nearly home when I was accosted by my fiancé Royce and his friends who were all drunk. They beat me and...." Rosalie closed her eyes and couldn't say it but the three girls got the idea and felt sadness and anger course through her veins over what happened to their best friend. "They left me in the street believing I was dead, believe me I wanted to be. Carlisle found me, turned me and took me to his home. I got my revenge on them one at a time wearing my would-of-been wedding dress and left Royce for last so he knew I was coming. I was a little theatrical back then." She said, smirking.

"Two years later, I was hunting in Tennessee and found Emmett after he got attacked by a bear, so I took him back to Carlisle, things slowly got better thanks to Emmett." Rosalie said sadly.
"I'm so sorry that happened to you Rosie." Imogen, Ella and Leah said sadly, tears in their eyes as they hugged their best friend tightly.
"Thank you girls, that means a lot." Rosalie said, hugging her three best friends tightly in a group hug. One by one they each told the three girls and Charlie how they were turned, about their gifts, and about Edward who had refused to say anything and had stormed out as soon as they started (he had also refused to accept the ring despite Carlisle's warnings and had left it on the coffee table) until only Jasper was left.

"You don't have to say Jazz, I can see it's hard for you." Imogen said softly, rubbing her thumb over his knuckles.
"I don't want you to think differently of me, is all." Jasper sighed, as everyone filled out of the room.
"That could never happen Jasper." Imogen said seriously.
"I hope that's true." Jasper muttered. "My gift is Pathokinesis or an Empath, so I can feel and change emotions, but I've never changed yours. I didn't have the same...upbringing as my siblings. I was born in 1844 in Houston Texas. I never wanted to join the Confederate army." Jasper told them. "But after they killed my older brother, Francis and threatened to kill me, my Ma and Pa, and even my ten year old little sister, Mary-Anne, I couldn't allow that to happen, so I agreed and even lied about my age. I quickly rose through the ranks and became the youngest Major; all without seeing any real battle.

In 1863, I had just turned nineteen and was riding back to Galveston after evacuating women and children when I noticed three women standing alone across the river. I was raised as a gentleman and rushed to their aid thinking they got separated in the evacuation, as they were whispering amongst themselves. Next thing I knew, Maria was biting the side of my neck after saying she hoped I'd survive as I'd be of great use to her. She and her sisters were creating an army, battles for territory were common in the South, which started the Vampire Wars. She used me. I thought what Maria and I had was love but she pulled the strings; I was just her puppet.

Used for my ability and knowledge in battle, my ability, my strategic ability, for my speed and strength that increased after the first year instead of diminishing, and to train her newborns and dispose of them after the first year. During that time it created my alter ego the Major, he is a very dominant man and demands respect and can be fierce but he'll never hurt you, your father, Ella, Leah, or anyone you care about on the Rez, and neither will I, I promise. I finally escaped, wandered around for a while till I met Alice and she told me about you, about another way. I didn't know there was another way." Jasper almost begged.

"Shh. It's okay, Jasper. You didn't know she lied to you and used you, none of that is your fault." Imogen said firmly, one hand placed on his cheek.
"Immy's right Jasper." Ella and Leah said seriously. "You were manipulated and forced into it."
"I've had slips over the years." Jasper said, as if he was trying to change her mind.
"Those aren't your fault either. You live in a house with seven other vampires. You feel their blood lust and hunger twenty-four seven, Jasper. That is like any other emotion and is bound to have an effect on your own hunger." Imogen said firmly.

"The fact that you can still go around as normal feeling that daily, shows your strength and will power and I never want you to think differently of yourself." Charlie assured him, smiling proudly at the man who was his youngest daughter's boyfriend.
"You are amazing, Jazzy." Imogen said firmly, smiling softly at him, as she snuggled into him.
"Thank you." Jasper smiled emotionally at them, tears in his eyes. Smiling down at the light of his life he kissed her head as they settled in to getting to know everyone properly as they played monopoly; which Emmett cheated at.

***

A few weeks had passed since the Cullens had been given the rings - Edward being made to wear it by Esme and Carlisle who had put their foot down - (the townsfolk just thought they had worn contacts), and now Charlie and Jasper were helping the three girls set things up for Samhain ready to celebrate it with them. Charlie and Jasper were fully prepared to be immersed into Imogen's religion even if they didn't join the coven they could still celebrate the holidays with her which made Imogen incredibly happy.
"Everything is set up." numerous voices called in 2115 Honeywell Close, in Bartley Green, Forks. A beat passed before laughter followed as they met up in the kitchen where Imogen, Anne and Sue had been cooking with the majority of the ingredients they grew in their gardens.

Her Dad, Seth, Harry, Ricardo and Jasper had been setting up the dining table while Ella and Leah had been setting up for seance in their Coven room where they would be communicating with their family and friends who have passed on as the veil between the worlds is at its thinnest. As the three girls were Wiccans their families had decided they would help them celebrate Samhain. As Samhain is the last harvest festival of the year, it is the final opportunity for the coven and their families to come together to share their resources before winter. They would spend the evening catching up with each other, making plans for the coming year while also remembering the past year before they ceased the opportunity to speak with their lost loved ones for a short while.

And for Jasper this was a very rare and unique opportunity as he could finally find out what his little sister's life was like after he sacrificed himself to save her and their parents after their elder brother was killed and dumped horrifically in front of them by the Confederacy. There hasn't been a day that he hasn't thought of what she must have gone through when they received the news that he was M.I.A but with how he'd been raised in this new life he couldn't risk checking on her no matter how much he wanted to. He couldn't believe how lucky he'd gotten to have someone so special, so kind and caring, so full of life and energy as his mate but no matter what he'd always be grateful for the day that Imogen Sierra Swan came into his life that day in the school car park, nearly two months ago.

And he'd swore he'd never once be the cause of her unhappiness; she'd had enough of that from her so-called mother and sister; no as long as he was around he'd make sure his little Sunshine never lost her light.

————————————————————————-

Crystal Meanings:

• Onyx: strength.
• Aegirine: confidence.
• Morion Quartz: protective.
• Black Obsidian; self control.
• Black Tourmaline: clears negative energies.
• Citrine: raises self esteem and confidence.
• Amethyst: helps leave a bad habit of situation behind.

• Malachite: keeps frayed nerves calm and deeply heals.
• Rose Quartz; supports and nurtures during vulnerable times.
• Bronzite: grounds fear, doubt and insecurities.