chapter┊ ✦. :: twenty four
♡ ﹙trouble﹚ ❋ ˚ ݂ ꛒ

Lydia had never really imagined herself with children or forming a family, which was strange because that was exactly what was going to happen with Jonah. Now that she thought about it calmly, she never saw a future with that man, not like she did with Carlisle. Everything felt completely different, and not that she wanted to compare them, but all the differences were noticeable at first glance.

And even in the present, she still couldn't fully believe everything that was happening. It was as if everything had happened so suddenly but at the same time felt like she had been with the man of her dreams for a beautiful eternity. And not only that, she was also expecting a baby with that man. Everything was so unreal but magnificent at the same time.

"Doctor Lydia," she heard someone call her, snapping her out of the depths of her thoughts. "An ambulance is on its way."

"I'll be right there," she smiled a little as she tried to gather her thoughts to focus on work.

She let out a big sigh and got moving. With so much drama surrounding Bella, sometimes she felt like her only escape was work. Like everyone else, she feared for the safety of the girl, but she couldn't really do much to help her. Although she constantly thought about Evander's words, about how Bella lied a lot, and that made her doubt her decision to agree to her transformation.

She didn't know Bella very well, but from what little she had interacted with her... she didn't really connect with her. She loved being considered part of the family, but she didn't like that her decision was final. What if she was wrong? How much could her decision influence the future? She actually tried not to overthink things because it only gave her a headache. Although maybe it was time to investigate more about this girl and understand a little about what was going on in her head.

The day passed normally, attending to patients and with Carlisle stealing kisses from Lydia from time to time. At closing time, the girl was craving something sweet, so they stopped by a café, and Carlisle took care of buying her various desserts just for her.

Then they continued on their way home.

"Carlisle," Lydia called softly as she ate the lemon pie.

"What's wrong, darling?" he glanced at her quickly before looking ahead again.

"How well do you actually know Bella?"

The blond frowned.

"What do you mean?"

She cleared her throat.

"Well... I know she's just a girl but... I feel like there's something she hasn't told us. Edward can't read her mind, and Evander says she lies a lot. She always seems to be in the right place at the right time, and... I don't know. There's something strange about her. Like... well, I really can't explain it."

Carlisle remained silent for a long moment, just staring at the road ahead. He placed his hand on Lydia's thigh, gently caressing it with his thumb.

"Actually, yes. It's something I haven't been able to stop thinking about since we came back, but I try to make the idea fade away when I'm at home. Mainly because of Edward. Although I've talked to Evander and Esme about this," he fell silent for a moment longer, "Esme is very positive about it, but Evander has many concerns. I'm grateful to Bella for saving Edward, but I'm concerned about how insistent she is about being transformed. Edward doesn't want that, but Bella is very insistent, and you know the rest."

Lydia simply nodded in understanding.

"Besides," he continued, "it's suspicious the relationship she has with Jacob, the Quileute wolf boy. She didn't say much about it, and since Edward can't read Bella's mind, there are some gaps in the story that I don't quite understand."

Lydia looked at him with furrowed brows and placed a hand on Carlisle's.

"Speaking of the Quileute... I'd like to meet them."

Carlisle looked at her confused.

"Why?"

She shrugged.

"Well, for starters, I'm the only one who hasn't met the famous werewolves. Besides, the book my mother gave me talks about them, but there's a torn page, and it seems curious to me. I have some questions."

Carlisle nodded.

"I don't love the idea of you being close to them, but it's okay. If that's what you want, we'll find a way for you to get close to them."

She smiled.

"Thank you."

They didn't take much longer to arrive home. Both headed to the living room, where Lydia collapsed and continued eating another dessert that the blond had bought for her. Emmett sat next to her, and they both began to talk with some enthusiasm about their day.

But then Edward and Bella arrived with bad news. Very bad news. Apparently, someone had broken into Bella's house, but it wasn't Victoria; Edward mentioned that it might be the Volturi. But no one was completely sure. The curious thing was that Charlie had come out unscathed, but that meant there was more danger for Bella.

Lydia sighed tiredly, knowing that all these stressful situations were not good for her at all. Even Carlisle would glance at her from time to time to make sure she was okay because he also didn't like exposing her to all these situations for which she was not to blame but somehow always ended up involved.

Jasper and Emmett had left as soon as Edward gave a quick explanation to try to follow the trail of the stranger, but they returned only twenty minutes later mentioning that the trail had been lost a few kilometers away, and there was no trace of the stranger.

"We'll take turns to watch over Bella at her house," Carlisle suggested. Lydia looked at him with furrowed brows from her place, and Rosalie didn't hold back when she immediately reproached.

"Are we going to protect her too?" she spoke with annoyance.

"Rosalie..."

"She's right," Bella spoke again, but Evander looked at her with furrowed brows as if he didn't like hearing her voice at all, "you can't protect me, Charlie, and look for the intruder."

"And Victoria," the blonde reminded.

"And also feed," Bella began to fidget nervously.

"I won't leave you here defenseless," Edward spoke with some annoyance and defensiveness.

Lydia took a big spoonful of her chocolate ice cream while looking alternately at each of the people speaking. Tense situations made her nervous, and being nervous made her very hungry. Something she couldn't control at all. Basically, she ate out of stress, and now that she was pregnant, she ate almost double or triple.

"You won't starve. Besides, I'd be safe. I have..." she lowered her gaze.

"What?" Edward questioned her. But everyone knew what she meant.

The wolves.

Almost no one agreed with this, but if it meant Bella would be safe... they could endure it for Bella and Charlie's safety, the latter seemed to be more liked by most of the Cullens than their daughter, but no one actually mentioned it.

Although they knew that an alliance with the wolves would not be an easy one at all. Things just seemed to get more complicated as time went on, and Lydia hated it. She wasn't sure she could bear much more stress.

Everyone looked at each other, Edward

was almost fuming, but Lydia decided it was best to leave that room as soon as possible. She headed to the kitchen, where she searched for anything else she could eat at that moment and took longer than usual. Upon returning, everyone stared at her intently.

"Did I miss something?" she sounded almost scared by the attentive looks of all present.

Carlisle stepped forward.

"Edward wants to ask you something. But I don't want you to feel obligated to this, although it would be very helpful if you agree."

She looked at him with furrowed brows, but her gaze immediately shifted to Edward. Bella seemed really upset. She was only gone for a few minutes, and she was already the center of attention. She didn't like that at all.

"Lydia... I know I'm not in a position to ask you for any favors, but I would really appreciate it if... well... when you have days off, you could accompany Bella. I mean, if none of us are around, and she has to go with those wolves."

"Do you want me to be her chaperone?" she almost laughed as she pronounced the words. Almost. But apparently, she was the only one amused by that proposal.

"I don't need a babysitter," Bella complained, looking at her boyfriend, then immediately shifted her gaze to Lydia, "besides, Lydia has other things to do besides taking care of me."

"Okay," Lydia suddenly spoke, surprising Bella.

Edward thanked her with a nod, then looked at Bella.

"Bella, please. I trust you, but I'd feel a thousand times safer if someone I trust is by your side."

The couple stared at each other for a long moment until Bella finally agreed. But still, she didn't look very convinced. She actually hated the idea of having a watchdog, but she didn't have many options. Plus, Lydia could take the opportunity to meet those wolves everyone talked about.

Carlisle approached his girlfriend to kiss her head. No one else had anything else to say, so they both retired to the blond's room, where Lydia simply put on her pajamas and upon touching the pillow didn't take more than five minutes to fall into a deep sleep.

Carlisle took the time to gently stroke the girl's head as he watched her sleep. He had gotten her into so much trouble that now he felt very guilty. He just wanted to lead a life in complete peace with her.

Was that too much to ask?

: ‹𝟹 all the votes and
comments are very
appreciated. they encourage me
keep updating!