This idea bounced back and forth with Jessica0306, hmm, I'd say for maybe two years now. Two years and it's still not how I imagined it. I'd send chapters to Jess, she's fix them, and then I'd change stuff up again. Back and forth this went on, until finally I was like, "It's October. I've got the Halloween spirit. American Horror is back on TV. Let's just do this."

So, here you go. Happy Halloween!

(This is nothing like the show, sorry if you are here for that reason.)

Esme Cullen readjusted baby Alice in her arms for what seemed like the millionth time that day, and it was barely 9 o'clock.

"Edward, honey, please just go play for a bit. I'm trying to get Alice fed," she pleaded while using one hand to peel a banana. She used her teeth to hold it in place.

When she could talk again, she asked, "Where's your brother?"

Edward huffed dramatically. "Dad took him to the store." Alice started to cry when Esme tried to feed her a spoonful of oatmeal, so to be heard, Edward impatiently shouted over his little sister's cries, "You promised to swim with me!"

Alice's little fingers pushed the spoon away from her face as Esme cooed for her to be a big girl.

"Later, Edward. It's only nine or so in the morning," his mother rebuffed.

"But I don't want to swim by myself. She's not even hungry!"

Alice began to sob. She was especially fussy this morning and didn't like all noise her brother was making. Plus, it was hot outside, even under the patio umbrella.

Esme moved the spoon away from Alice for a moment to reprimand her middle child. "Go," she said, pointing towards the pool. "It's a beautiful day. You know how to swim. Go. Play. I'll be right here."

Edward's four-year-old hands curled into fists. "Alice this, Alice that," was all she said lately, all she cared about. He had heard his father make a joke about Alice and her terrible twos a couple weeks ago. That was an understatement if he ever heard one. She used to be so cute when she was a little baby. He liked holding her in his lap. It made him feel grown up and strong. Now he couldn't stand her.

Stomping away, he headed towards the lobby of the hotel. He decided he wanted to get as far away as possible, and the lobby was air-conditioned. There was also an arcade, if you could call it that. It was more like an alcove with three gaming machines.

"Don't go where I can't see you!" Esme yelled, causing Edward to stop in his tracks.

Well, there went those plans. Turning on his heel, a scowl on his face, he tossed off his t-shirt and jumped in the pool. For a good half hour he played the how-long-can-I-hold-my-breath game, making his already on-edge mother a nervous wreck.

When Carlisle appeared with Emmett, their eldest son, Esme let out a deep breath. "Oh, thank God you're back. Alice is so fussy this morning. I'm going to take her in the room for awhile. Maybe the air-conditioning will calm her down."

Carlisle, shamefaced, knew what he had to say was going to upset his wife, but it had to be done. "Esme, dear, I just got a call. I really need to finish up some stuff before this afternoon. I need you to watch the kids for a couple hours."

Carlisle was right. Esme was not happy. "Just a couple hours… I promise."

"You said the same thing yesterday, and spent most of the day locked in the villa. We are supposed to be on vacation. I can't relax while watching three kids. I need your help here," Esme argued.

Edward watched from the pool as his parents bickered back and forth. He lowered his head underwater until his ears were immersed. Their voices became distorted and mellow. He felt himself relax. Looking over to his left he saw his older brother slinking off. Thinking fast, he climbed out to follow. He caught up with him near the pool gate.

"Where are you going?" Edward asked right behind Emmett, giving him a scare. Emmett had thought he was getting away scot-free.

He held up his pointer finger to his lips. "Shh, Edward. Gosh. I'm going to meet up with some friends."

"Can I come?" Edward asked, hopeful.

"No, you brat. Go back in the pool," Emmett replied, while pushing his little brother back towards the pool.

"Why not?" Edward asked louder. Angrier.

Emmett shushed him again.

"I want to come too! You never let me play with you anymore," Edward whined.

"No!" Emmett said with finality. He pushed his brother back again, this time almost knocking Edward off balance. Quickly, he went through the gate, closing it behind him and disappearing around the corner.

Edward sulked back to the pool. He got in between his parents and interrupted their discussion. "Mom, can you swim with me now?"

Esme gave Carlisle a look while bouncing Alice on her hip. "Not right now Edward, I'm busy. Your dad and I are talking."

Edward walked away without an argument. He was about to jump in the pool but changed his mind when he noticed the pool gate was open again, probably by some careless occupant. He checked behind him to make sure his parents were still preoccupied and then crossed over and out through the gate. His little four-year-old legs sped towards the lobby. Turning the corner sharply, he ran into the legs of a stranger.

"Whoa there, Edward," the man said.

Stunned by the impact, and from the confusion of being referred to by name, from a stranger, Edward stayed silent.

"You're Emmett's little brother, right?" he asked.

Edward nodded his head yes.

"Those your parents?" he asked, pointing towards Esme and Carlisle.

Edward nodded his head yes again.

The stranger squatted down to eye level. "You bored?" he asked, softer this time.

Edward didn't say or do anything.

"You mad?" he asked, with more edge.

"Yes," Edward answered.

"You want to go do something?" he asked.

"OK," Edward said.

Esme and Carlisle didn't notice him missing for another six and a half minutes. It was just enough time for the stranger to drive away from the hotel with little Edward buckled in the back seat of his car. They couldn't have known they wouldn't see their youngest son again for another thirteen years.