Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight in any shape, size or form. All I own is Lillian and her family.
Ch. 1; Vampires
We were in love; plain and simple. We were going to get married and have a family. Then one day, he was gone. My name is Lillian Montgomery ; and this is my story.
I was born in the town of Chicago Illinois, on February 18, 1902. It was there where I grew up and was raised to be a presentable young lady. My parents: John and Mary Montgomery, owned a small business with another family named the Masen's. Once the company got going, money started flowing in. We were able to buy a nice house in a safe neighborhood right next to the Masen's. They had a son my age, about a year older than me. His name was Edward. Edward Anthony Masen Jr. Even when we were young, we talked about getting married. But unfortunately, fate decided that we were not meant to be. It was September 21st, 1918; during this time a great epidemic of Spanish Influenza broke out through Chicago. Luckily my parents and myself did not catch the dreadful disease. The Masen's, weren't so lucky. Mr. Masen had already passed from this disease, and it seemed as if Mrs. Masen was soon to go. We had already made a plan for Edward to come live with us for as long as he wished. But then, he got sick. I can remember that night as if it happened yesterday...
September 21st, 1918...
I pushed my way through the crowd, tugging my shawl tightly around my body and quickening my pace. I needed to deliver the bread before it became cold. Finally after about ten minutes I reached the front doors of the hospital. Briskly walking towards the front desk where a girl my age was sitting reading a magazine. I brush my golden hair behind my ear and clear my throat to get her attention. Glaring at me she puts down her magazine and faces me. "Welcome to the Chicago General Hospital, how may I assist you today?" she asked me,
"Hello, I am looking for which room Edward and Elizabeth Masen would be in." I reply,
She shuffled around some papers before she glanced up at me, "Room 215. Have a lovely day." She said before turning her attention back to the magazine.
Quickly making my way over to the stairs I open the door and bump into what feels like a stone cold wall. Looking up, I realize it's a man I ran into. A very attractive man. He was about 6 feet tall and had a head of jet black hair, his skin was pale and almost pure white, and from when I ran into him I could tell he had a nice body. But what was most peculiar was his eyes. They were a milky red! Blushing a put my hand to my face. "Pardon me sir, I was not looking where I was going."
"Not a problem at all my dear." the man smiled a perfect smile at me and continued, "What brings you here today? You do not look ill." He had the most peculiar accent, but I could not place where he was from.
"I am here to see a sick friend and his mother. They are infected with the Spanish Flu." replied,
"Oh, how terrible! Well allow me to escort you to where they are." He held out his arm and I gladly took it.
On our way to Edward's room we made polite conversation. "I hate to offend you but I cannot seem to place your accent. Where are you from?"
"A good question my dear. I am from a very large city in Italy called Volterra. It is quite a beautiful town, but not as beautiful as you."
Feeling myself blush I turn away. "Oh you do not mean that." I laugh,
"Oh but I do. You are a very lovely lady miss...?"
"How silly of me! Lillian Montgomery." I say, turning to face him after I'm sure my face has returned to normal color.
"Aro. Aro Potere. Pleasure to make your acquaintance Miss Montgomery."
Sadly after a few minutes, we had arrived at Edward's door. "Well, this looks like goodbye. I hope to see you again Mr. Potere." I say, holding out my hand to shake his.
Gently taking hold of my hand, Aro raises it up to his lips and kisses it. "Until we meet again il mio amore." calmly, he bows and walks away.
With a fast beating heart I knock twice and open the door. Immediately greeted to the sadness of the room. You could literally smell the death in this room. Rushing to the side of the bed of Mrs. Masen I quickly slap on a cheerful smile. "Good Morning Mrs. Masen! How are you feeling today?" I ask trying to lighten the mood as much as possible.
"Oh, quite well my dear. I hope to be out of this blasted hospital as soon as possible."
"And I am sure you will be. How is Edward doing?" I lower my voice in fear he would hear me.
"Just as well as I am dear, but he has been a bit more sleepy. I believe he is awake now if you would like to speak with him."
"Alright, my mother baked some fresh bread for you and Edward, I have it here for you. Would you like a slice?"
"Oh, yes please! This hospital food is absolutely terrible! I swear if I have to swallow another mouthful I will keel over from food poisoning." Mrs. Masen laughed.
Digging through the basket, I pull out a loaf and a knife. Quickly cutting a piece out I handed it down to Mrs. Masen before striding over the curtained off bed next to her. "Edward.." I called, tapping on the curtain before sliding it back. There lied the boy who to this day takes my breath away. Sitting there reading a book. He had always been pale, but never a unhealthy tone. His hair was always messy and in different bronzed wavy locks. And then his face; with his perfect high cheekbones, and strong jawline, and incredibly full lips. Then came my favorite feature of his, his eyes; they were a sparkling emerald green. I could look into his face for an eternity.
Unfortunately I could not because I would have a hard time explaining to him why I was staring. After seeing me, Edward snapped his book shut and quickly sat up. "Lily, what are you doing here? My mother and I are still in the contagious phase. You could get sick! I would hate myself if anything happened to you because of me."
Rolling my eyes I sat down on the edge of his bed. "Calm down Eddie, I am only here for a quick visit. Mother baked bread for you and your mother so obviously I had to deliver it before it became stale... would you like me to get you a slice?"
"No thank you. I have not really been all that hungry. But thank you. You and your family are much to kind to us." Edward said, taking one of my hands in his own.
Smiling, I pat his hand before really looking at him. His once beautiful eyes were beginning to form dark circles under them, and you could clearly see his ribcage from underneath his hospital gown. "Edward you must eat something. You need your strength to fight this." I say worriedly, squeezing his hand.
"I suppose you are right. Would you mind getting me a slice of bread?" he sighed,
"Of course. What else are friends for?" I laughed.
Standing up I walk back through the curtain and let out a shriek. There on her bed, Mrs. Masen was twitching and thrashing. Running into the hall I scream for a doctor and immediately am accompanied back into the room with a handsome doctor on my heels. "Nurse!" the doctor bellowed. "Get the other patient and this visitor into a sanitary room and have them checked!"
"Yes Doctor." the nurse quickly replied before tapping my arm and signaling me to follow her. After wheeling Edward's bed out of the room I look back and hear Mrs. Masen whisper to the doctor. "Please protect my son. By anyway possible. Please..." and then I heard her heart rate stop.
Putting my hand up to my mouth I begin to sob. Mrs. Masen was like a second mother to me. Ever since my parents started their business together, she has been in my life. And now just like that, she's gone. Also to make matters worse, Edward began coughing up blood the minute he left his room. Running up to jog beside his bed I grabbed hold of his hand and was encouraging him to fight it. "Lily, there is no point. You and I both know that I am not going to make through this."
"There is no point talking like that Eddie. We both know that you are a fighter. So you will fight through this." I say squeezing his hand.
Finally we reached a sanitary room and they positioned Edward's bed right next to mine. So all we did was sit there and hold each others hands. When the nurses said they were done checking they called me into another room to discuss what they found. "Are you this young man's wife?" the nurse questioned,
"No... we are merely close friends." I stated calmly, Sadly. I thought in the back of my mind.
"Well we checked the boy's records and it seems as though he has no family left. We are left with no-one left to inform. Unfortunately the boy's symptoms are not looking to good. We are saying that maybe he will last the night."
"What? Is there anything else you can do?" I cried, already feeling tears spring up into my eyes.
"I am afraid not. We have just informed him. So there is no need to tell him. If you would like my advice just stay with him." And with that the nurse turned and left the room.
I could feel my head spinning around. I felt sick to my stomach. Edward could not be dying. He seemed fine just a few minutes ago! Why was fate taking him away from me so soon? Taking a few deep breathes I walked back to the room and gave Edward a hesitant smile. "They told you." he said, his eyes downcast.
"Yes." I can only get that word out.
Without thinking I walked over to his bed and sat next to him. We said nothing, just sitting there in comfortable silence. I rubbed his hand and he stared at me. "Why are you doing this?" He suddenly asked.
"What?" I replied, a little confused.
"Why are you doing this for me? I mean, I am pretty much dead right now but you are still here with me. And I would like to know why."
"Well that is an easy one. I am here because we have been together ever since we were little. And because..." I looked away, I couldn't be telling him this.
"Because what?" he asked, tilting his head to the side.
"Because..." I took a deep breath, "Because... I love you."
I felt him tense. "You... Love me?" he drew out slowly.
"Yes." I could barely breath. Lowering my head to avoid eye contact.
Turning away I go to leave the room but I felt his hand stop me. "I apologize for not saying anything. But it is a lot for me to take in." he stuttered.
"It is alright. I should not have told you. Especially in these circumstances." I replied, smiling down at him. "But if I can ask you this one question. How do you feel about me?"
"I... I love you too, Lillian." he slowly spoke, then his grip on my hand slackened.
"Eddie? Eddie please answer me! Edward! DOCTOR!" I screamed, and jumped up from the bed.
I ran out into the hall and screamed for a nurse, or a doctor, or somebody. Finally after a minute of calling, the handsome doctor whom I have discovered to be named Dr. Cullen, from Mrs. Masen's room came running in. "What has happened?" he asked, quickly looking from me to inside the room.
"It is Edward! He was fine just a minute ago and now he will not answer me! Please, please PLEASE help him!" I cried, as I furiously wiped tears from my eyes.
"I will do what I can." The doctor stated, "But for now I think you should make your goodbyes. I will give you a moment." and with that, he walked from the room.
Making my way over to Edward's bed I sat down in a chair and gently took his hand. "Eddie? Can you hear me?" I tentatively asked rubbing small circles on his hand.
I heard him groan and immediately looked up to his face. And I saw him mouthing something. Finally he managed to get words to come out. "Lil... Lily..."
"Yes Eddie, I am here." I said, squeezing his hand.
"Lil... Lily... I... l...love... you... pl... please... d... don't... for... forget... m... me..." he groaned out.
"Oh, I won't Eddie. I promise. I love you too..." I began to sob, I leaned down to his face and gave him a kiss then stood to go let Dr. Cullen in.
"I realize that this may be very hard for you... but I assure you, he will be in a better place now." Dr. Cullen said, and patted me on the shoulder.
Now, sobbing uncontrollably by this point I go to take my leave. Making my way down the stairs to the main floor I hear someone speaking behind me. "Non piangere piccola. il vostro dolore è presto finita." (A/N: I will be putting the translations at the end of the chapter if they don't say it later.)
I spun around to see Aro standing there looking at me sympathetically. "I am sorry I did not catch that... What did you say?" I said, while I looked at him confused.
"I said: I am sorry for your loss my love. Fate truly works in mysterious ways. But fear not; your pain shall be over soon enough." Aro said quietly, walking closer to me.
Subconsciously I take a step back and this seemed to amuse him. "What is wrong il mio amore? Are you frightened of me now?" he let out a deep laugh and continued to keep walking towards me.
"No, that is not it. I am sorry if I have offended you." I replied quickly, becoming nervous.
"Oh, it is quite alright. But here, let me help you. You probably have not eaten all day. Allow me to escort you to lunch. And then I shall walk you home." Aro proposed, then without allowing me to reply grabbed a hold of my arm and carted me towards the exit.
We walked in silence for a few moments before I felt the need to break the silence. "... Aro? Where exactly are you taking me?" I asked quietly, you could hear the fear in my voice.
"Non abbiate paura il mio amore. We shall be arriving shortly." Aro coolly replied, but tightening his grip on my arm til I was sure there was going to be a bruise.
"Aro! You are hurting me! I would like to return home." I stated,still struggling in his grip.
"Voi non sarà mai ritorno a casa!" Aro said,
"I wish you would quit speaking in a different language. It is quite annoying." I remarked coldly,
"I would be quiet if I were you mio caro. You are playing in a dangerous game." Aro said, and quickly he looked around an pulled me into an alley. "I wanted to wait to do this but seeing you cannot behave like a obedient girl, I must act now."
"What is going on? Where are we going? I demand you release me this instant!" I shrieked, but Aro quickly covered my hand. Oh my god! What is going to happen to me? I thought to myself. Then, all of a sudden, Aro had thrown me into the back wall of the alley.
"Now, il mio amore, if you promise to behave, I shall try to make this as painless as possible." Aro breathed,
"What are you talking about?" I whimpered, shrinking against the wall.
"I am referring to giving you the greatest gift ever to be bestowed to you mio caro. I am talking about giving you the gift of immortality!" he said, flinging his arms around as if to gesture to something.
" I am not quite following..." I said, tilting my head to the side.
"You must have noticed something was different about me. Even the most dimwitted people notice. And you mio caro are quite intelligent."
"Well yes, I did notice that something was odd but I just assumed it was because you were from a different country."
"Aha, you would hope it would be that simple. But alas no. It is not because I am from a different land, for you see... I am a vampire."
I looked at him incredulously, he could not be serious. "A... a vampire? But those do not exist! They are merely a made up monster!" I cried, almost expecting him to burst out laughing and say just kidding.
"No, vampires are quite real and in fact; I am the leader of all vampires. A president, if you will. And I am offering you at a chance to become one of us and join me back to my home."
By this point my head was spinning around so fast I thought that I might faint. "But why would I want to become a blood drinking monster? I have a family who I love very dearly"
"Well let me rephrase my statement. I am not offering. I am demanding. For you see, I see a power within you. A great power that is. And I see it to be a waste to not do anything with it so that is why you are becoming like me. And do not worry about your family. I have that all planned out. I shall go to your home while you are transforming and tell your family that while you were visiting your friends at the hospital, you contracted a very deadly disease and immediately died."
"But-" I began, but was immediately cut of by Aro when his hand covered my mouth.
"No more interruptions. I have waited far too long as it is. Now there may be a slight pain after this, but trust me mio caro, it will all be worth it in the end..." Aro spoke slowly.
I could not help but stare helplessly into his eyes. It was as if he were hypnotizing me. He slowly reached down and grasped my shoulders and leaned over me. I felt a sharp pain in my neck and immediately gasped. Then. It was as if someone had lit me on fire. There was so much pain. I felt as if my body was being stabbed with a thousand knives. And then, everything went black.
(A/N: Well that's the first chappie! And here are all the Italian phrases for those of you that are curious.
Mio caro- my dear,
il mio amore- my love,
Non abbiate paura il mio amore- do not be afraid my love,
Non piangere piccola. il vostro dolore è presto finita- do not cry, your pain shall be over soon,
voi non sarà mai ritorno a casa – you shall never return home
that's it I think. Well please tell me what you think... it's my first one so please don't be so rough. But if it is truly the worst thing you have ever read then tell me that so I know not to continue... thanks! Reviews are greatly appreciated!)