6

Jasper POV

We got to the house in record time, I stopped just outside on the front steps. I could hear my family in the living room Edward was with Bella from what I could hear. Which meant this story just got a lot easier to tell because I don't have to try to hide my thoughts while we retell parts of Cordelia's story. I placed Lia on the ground and took her hand to comfort her as we walked through the door. 

Carlisle was with Esme in the living room sitting on the love seat. Archie and Edyth were sitting on the left side of the couch with Rose and Emmett on the right. Lia walked in next to me but was tucked into my side, I could tell she was nervous even without the bond or my gift.

Esme stood with Carlisle and said, "Hello dear, I'm Esme this is my husband Carlisle and our children Archie, Edyth Rosalie and Emmett. You will meet Edward and his girlfriend Bella later for now why don't you come in and take a seat so we can speak more comfortably." 

I saw Lia relax a small bit at Esme's warm and welcoming tone. She didn't speak but nodded as I lead us to the large armchair across from my family. I sat and then pulled her onto my lap this earned me a squeal and a giggle from Lia which stunned my family because they saw my own smile as I joined her in laughing at her cute squeal. 

Carlisle smiled at us and said, "It is nice to see you smile son." I was touched by his words I usually felt on the outskirts of my family and it was getting worse with the Bella drama. Especially after the disaster of a birthday party, but with Lia by my side I felt nothing but peace I radiated it and I knew my family could feel that. 

Carlisle shifted rolls soon though he went from father to leader and said, "While I am happy for you son, we do need answers about your mate if she and you are willing to share them. We will inform Edward later as he feels uneasy leaving Bella alone right now." 

I nodded and looked at Lia, she looked at me smiled then turned to my family and began by saying, "Hello I know I introduced myself in the field earlier but once again my name is Cordelia Waters I am what you would call a mermaid." 

Emmett not missing a beat said, "That's so cool. So do you have a tail?"

Rosalie just smacked him on the back of his head and said, "That's not the important part idiot." She looked annoyed but I could feel the amusement she had for her mate and her warry acceptance of my mate form her.

Archie just smiled excitedly and said, "I knew it! I can't see her to well but I can see her better than the dogs."

Edyth just rolled her eyes at her mate and my best friend but said, "Nice to meet you Cordelia." She was always nicer than her brother.

Esme with all her motherly love smiled and said, "Well that was unexpected but not unwelcome I do hope you are open to allowing us the chance to get to know you."

Carlisle with his calm acceptance of us all smiled and said, "I want you to know you are very welcome in this family, Jasper has waited a long time for you. We are happy for you both."

I smiled as I relaxed while pulling Cordelia closer so I could place a soft kiss to her temple she smiled at my family and said, "I will try to answer all of your questions to the best of my ability. Jasper already knows everything about me so he will help me with explaining things in ways that you will understand, considering things under the waters surface are different than on land."

I could tell the Carlisle had questions so I nodded at him and he said, "How does Jasper know everything already? You were not gone for very long, at least not long enough to give a full life's run down of information."

Cordelia smiled at my father and said, "Normally that would be the case but Jasper is my mate and when a mermaid finds their mate she or he produces a heart pearl. This pearl allows us to see and feel each others pasts completely. Because of this Jasper knows me as well as I know myself and I know him just as well. It is how my people get to know their other halves." 

Carlisle looked shocked with all the new information but continued. "What brought you up to the surface if you don't mind me asking?"

Cordelia looked apprehensive at this question and looked at me so I turned to Carlisle and said, "She was growing tired of all the fighting from the waring pods we would call them villages but that is besides the point. She fled from the constant wars because she was sick of it and she also wanted to find her mate."

Esme and Carlisle smiled at Lia softly when Emmett said, "She still hasn't told us if she has a tail. Also what other powers does she have?"

Rosalie just sighed and smacked her husband again and said, "I apologize for my oaf of a husband. He is an idiot but he is my idiot."

Lia just laughed and said, "It's fine he reminds me of my older brother so I am used to it. To answer your question Emmett Yes I do have a tail and I have many powers all mer-folk do. Although some of us do have extra gifts that we can use to help our pods." 

Emmett being the forever mental toddler that he is almost yelled "That is so cool! Do you have any extra gifts and what are your normal powers?"

Lia sweetly giggled at my brothers enthusiasm and said, "Well my extra gift is to be able to communicate with sea creatures. As far as my regular mermaid powers go I can control water and wind, and I can alter fluid density/viscosity. I have enhanced senses such as sight, hearing, smell, and touch as well as enhanced physical abilities. My skin is harder to withstand ocean depths, I am resistant to cold and my speed underwater is unmatched for my kind. I can shapeshift for aquatic adaptation purposes examples being my tail and gills. I am also able to become invisible and have the ability to heal external injuries as well as a persons soul. However, I am still working on my healing skills I have a long way to go before I am at the level of a proper healer."

After Lia finished the explanation of her powers I paused to take in the mood of my family members before I said, "Is there anything else you all would like to ask?"

Archie being Archie just smiled his wide smile and walked over to me and said, "You are so lucky to have found her brother. I am so happy for you."

Carlisle sat stunned for a few seconds and said, "Healing you have the power to heal? Also what do you mean by soul healing how does that work?"

Lia just smiled we call it soul healing but I guess you would say it's more like essence manipulation it sounds scarier that it is I promise. Your essence is what makes you, you and it can be damaged with excessive trauma or loss we have healers that help with that. I could show you if you would like me too."

It didn't take Carlisle long to say, "Please do." Lia just smiled and said, "Who would like to volunteer?" 

Emmett didn't miss a beat and said, "Me I'll go." 

Lia stood up from my lap and proceeded to sit on the floor with her hands out she gestured for Emmett to sit in front of her. Lia placed her hands on his heart and began to hum as she did a light began to shine from Emmett's chest. Rose tensed with fear for her mate but Emmett just giggled and a bright green ball came out of Emmett and began to bonce around Lia's palm. Lia smiled at the light and handed it to Emmett for him to hold. The light bounced in his hands but then rushed to Rosalie and spun around her brushing by her hair and nuzzling her cheek before returning to Emmett's chest and once again sinking back into his chest. 

Emmett just burst out laughing and said, "That was so cool!" Lia smiled and said, "That was your essence, your soul if you will. You are easygoing, playful and love your mate that is why your essence was so bouncy and ran to Rose to comfort her when she was distressed and worried for you. You have a healthy soul I haven't seen such a happy soul in a long time, it is refreshing." 

Carlisle then asked something I never would have expected him to ask "So you are saying we have a soul? I thought that we lost our souls when we became what we are."

Lia smiled kindly at him and said, "Every living thing on this planet has a soul an essence it is what makes you who you are. Humans judge things they don't understand but we are not human. So why judge yourself with human ideals I respect you for your beliefs but you are not a soulless creature you are a kind vampire Carlisle I can show you your soul if you would like."

Carlisle let out a shaky breath but sat down across from my mate. Lia repeated what she did for Emmett but this time the orb of light was a light blue. It was calm and glowed softly, Carlisle held it as if it was the most precious thing in the world before the light floated to Esme and nuzzled her cheek before returning to Carlisle's chest.

Carlisle smiled and said, "Thank you Cordelia for showing me my soul. I thought I had lost it but it was with me all along, I do have a question though. Why do they fly off to nuzzle with our mates?"

Lia just raised her eyebrow as if to say you just answered your own question but said, "Because they are your mates your soulmates They are the other half of you and they balance you out completely. So your soul is drawn to them."