Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight; all rights belong to Stephenie Meyer.

Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is entirely coincidental.

Before we begin, I'd like to thank: my beta Comet96 for editing the chapters, TatkaKr for creating such a wonderful cover art, and all of you for reading my story.


Prologue

"Are you sure you don't have time to fly home?" Renee asked down the phone. It had been about the tenth time since the beginning of our call.

"Here's your coffee…" a barista said, holding out my latte. I smiled and accepted my beverage with a nod.

"Yes, Mom. I have some job to do. It's important."

"But you can't work on Christmas because it's ... it's ... well, it's Christmas!"

I went outside and inhaled the frosty air deeply, enjoying its taste. I always loved winter in New York.

Mom's answer made me smile. My wonderful, silly Renee…

"Don't worry about me. I'm going to be alright," I said, walking across the street. "I'm a big girl."

Renee sighed.

"I know. But it's so unfair that you're going to stay in New York tonight. It's Christmas! Who actually wants to celebrate this day in a big city all alone?"

Actually, I did. To be frank, I had no desire to spend a few hours on a plane for a chance of having some company. Don't get me wrong. I always loved my young and eclectic mother, but we both knew that she didn't miss me. Renee had her husband Phil and their new friends in Florida, and if I went there, I would become one of their numerous guests at the party. I couldn't say that I was offended by that. When I was younger, it hurt a little, I missed my Mom… but that was a long time ago.

I stopped at the crosswalk and glanced at the office building on the other side of the street.

"Well, Mom, I'm sorry, but I really need to go now," I began, looking for my window. In some way, my job replaced my home, and I was eager to start my working day.

"Fine, but, please, don't stay at work for too long today."

"Okay."

I took a sip of coffee and began crossing the street. My conversation with Mom was almost at its end.

"Oh, and tell Charlie that I said hi," Mom cried when I was about to hang up. "Have you phoned him yet?"

"Hm…" I hadn't expected to get more questions, and I paused a little, focusing on Renee's words. "No, I was going to call him a little bit later."

"He's waiting for your call," Renee said frankly. "He always does."

It was true. Unlike my Mom, my Dad, Charlie Swan, really missed me, even if he was too shy to show his love openly. Charlie lived in a small town named Forks, in Washington State, where he spent his whole life. At first, I lived with Mom, but when Renee married Phil, I spent a few years living with Charlie, so we got a chance to get close.

Still, I didn't want to fly to Forks either. When Charlie married Sue, his friend's wife, our world stopped belonging to the two of us. I wasn't jealous, but I would be the odd one out there. But it wasn't that bad. Charlie had spent years living alone, he deserved to be happy, and I needed to give him some space now. I had to. I wasn't pessimistic, and I was sure that everything would be okay; I knew that we all would become a normal family again … one day. Not today. Not this Christmas.

"I love you, Mom," I said quietly, my eyes wet. I could feel all loneliness of the world upon my shoulders. "Merry Christmas!"

"Oh, I love you too, honey! Have fun!"

I almost reached the other side of the street when something strange happened. Tires' screeching hit my ears, and I moved my head to the right, trying to see what was going on.

That's when I saw it. A shiny new Volvo about to hit me.