Ember ↠ Paul Lahote ✓

25

𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘
make quiet things heard.

CLARY WAKES IN the middle of a cuddle pile. Lizzie's head rests on Clary's stomach, and Hope has her head on Josie's stomach while holding Clary's hand.

Their bodies aren't even covered by a blanket, thanks to both Clary and Hope's higher body temperatures.

A knock on the door makes the girls groan and shuffle closer to Clary—if that's even possible—who looks at the door just in time for Charlie to poke his head in.

His lips twitch up at the sight before his eyes land on Clary and he gestures to the hallway with his head. "There are some people here to see you." He pauses, saying, "You should bring them downstairs with you."

Clary's eyebrows furrow, but she nods. Once Charlie leaves and shuts the door, she looks at the girls sleeping on her.

She smirks, whistling loudly, making the girls shriek and fall off the bed, much like a domino effect.

Loud laughter and the three girls screaming "Clary!" are heard throughout the entire house.

The redhead giggles, getting out of bed before facing them. "Charlie said we have some people waiting downstairs for us, so... let's get going."

The four girls quickly get dressed before clomping down the stairs together and into the living room, only to freeze in their spots.

"Mom?" Clary looks at her mother with wide, surprised eyes before flicking to Alaric. "Dad?"

Charlie shifts slightly at the word before clearing his throat awkwardly. He understands why Clary hasn't called him dad yet.

Not being there most of her life is something he regrets deeply. Seeing her now, all grown up, makes him angry at himself for not contacting Emma.

"Girls," Alaric starts, looking at them softly. "We've informed Charlie of everything." Before they can react—or more specifically—Clary can react, he continues, "We told him because we realised that no matter where you are, you'll be in danger because of your supernatural abilities."

Hope crosses her arms over her chest, her eyebrows furrowed and lips pursed. "What brought this on?"

Emma speaks this time, "Because we heard about the Seattle killings. We did some research and found out whatever was attacking people is a different kind of vampire—Cold Ones." She watches the girls' expressions with calculating eyes. "But you already knew that, didn't you?"

The four glance at each other before turning to the three adults, who look ready to argue.

"To be fair, Bella's dating one of them," Lizzie says, smirking, hoping for some drama.

"What?!" Charlie exclaims, his brown eyes wide. "That Cullen boy is a Cold One?"

"The good kind though," Josie speaks, hoping to defuse the situation. "They drink animal blood, and they go to school. Their adoptive dad is a doctor who takes care of people. They have great control, and they haven't hurt anybody. The newborns are the ones who were involved in all those attacks. The Cullens worked against them with the help of us and the wolves."

"Wolves?!" Alaric exclaims this time. "There are wolves here too?" He runs his hands over his face. "Of course!"

"Dad," Lizzie snaps, not liking the way he's reacting to the information. If this is his reaction to learning about the wolves, then his reaction to finding out his daughters are dating said wolves will be twice as bad. "They're nice, and they're not like our kind anyway. They're really called Shape Shifters, not werewolves. They only turn when Cold Ones are near."

"So let me get this straight..." Emma starts. "We not only sent you to a place close to Seattle which was attacked, but we also sent you to a supernaturally infested town. Great!" She pinches the bridge of her nose. She's only ever wanted what was best for her daughter and now she's screwed up big time. "That's it, we're taking you back to the school."

"No," Clary and Lizzie deny at the same time, glaring at Emma, who backs up in shock.

"We're not leaving. We can't," the former says firmly.

"Girls, what are you talking about?" Alaric questions. "The school might not be the safest place, but—"

"No buts," Lizzie cuts in. "This town might be rainy more than half of the time, and there might be dangers lurking around every corner, but all of us..." She trails off, inhaling deeply. "We've been imprinted on."

"What the hell does that mean?!" Alaric exclaims, looking from his actual daughters to the redhead who he loves like a daughter, and to Hope, whom he pretty much adopted when her parents died.

Clary sighs, stepping forward. "That means we quite literally found our soulmates, and if we get separated for too long, it messes with our minds and makes us depressed and shit." She looks from her mother to the man who raised her. "I'm sorry, but we're not leaving."

Hope smirks. "She's right. We aren't going anywhere."

Charlie clears his throat. "I know I don't have much say in this since I wasn't in your life for so long, Clary, but I want you to be happy. And if you're happy here, whether that has anything to do with me or not, you can stay, and so can your friends." He shifts his gaze to Emma and Alaric. "I know my place isn't that big, but I'm sure I can do something with the attic and make enough room for the three of them."

Emma and Alaric share a look. They don't want to leave their daughters behind, especially if it's going to be longer than they thought, but if the girls are happy in Forks, they're willing to allow them to stay.

"Okay, okay," Emma sighs and holds up her hands when the girls start to squeal. "You can stay, but only if you guys visit the school every once in a while and allow us to meet these boys... or girls... of yours so we can get to know them."

Clary and Lizzie glance at one another, amusement sparkling in their eyes.

"They are boys. Well, except for Leah," the blonde says, her lips twitching up. "Seth is only a few weeks older than me, so you don't have to worry about me being imprinted on by some pedophile."

Alaric makes a weird noise in the back of his throat before looking at Clary and Josie.

"Jared is only seventeen," Josie says, smiling.

Clary smirks. "Paul's eighteen, so he's only a year older than me. No big age gap here," she jokes. "And don't worry, we haven't had sex. We're not going to until I'm ready."

Both Alaric and Charlie splutter, making the girls laugh.

"Leah's nineteen, but I've always been into that kind of thing." She smirks at Alaric's wide eyes. "It's actually about time we go over to their place because they're having a grill-out later. You want to come?" She looks at Charlie. "You can too, if you want."

He clears his throat, fidgeting awkwardly at the attention he receives. "I have nothing better to do," he replies after a moment.

The four girls shriek in excitement.

"Okay. We'll get ready and then we can all go together," Clary states before she and the girls rush up the stairs.

"I'm sorry, Charlie, but you're going to have your hands full," Alaric says to Charlie, pausing when the girls giggle loudly, obviously having heard him.

Charlie can't help but chuckle. "Bells and them girls are going to be the death of me."

The three adults laugh before sitting down on the couch, waiting for their daughters to come back downstairs.