T h o u g h y o u r e y e s …

Summery:

What happened if Edward didn't come back? While Jacob heals the wounds that Edward ripped though her heart so long ago, she falls for the person who was always there for her: Jacob Black. But 20 years later, another vampire comes to town, searching for the one person his father refused to mention yet always loved: Bella.

What will happen when Edward's son and Bella's daughter meet? Especially when 16-year-old Alice Black shows some wolfish qualities that her father blames with the arrival of Ian Cullen?

Chapter 1: Happy Birthday

Bella's POV

It had been a long day. The shadows hung deep and tall as the sun set in west. I opened the gate to our cramped but comfy house, the dark but friendly forest backing it up from behind. Coming through the bright blue door of my house, I smiled as I thought of seeing my two personal suns after the hard day at work. Running a restaurant was a big business, and when I stepped into the pale glow of my house, all Jacob had to do is take one look at me and go to the phone.

"Pizza tonight!" I heard him yell upstairs, to where a voice groaned back

"Not again! I suppose I have to pretend that I have a sleepover?" The high, irritated voice was followed a 16-year-old girl with a scowl on her face. She had straight, black, waist-length hair that was currently plaited into a braid and russet skin. Her blue eyes narrowed in mock annoyance as she glared at her father.

"How else would you cover up for the amount of food your father eats?" I replied laughingly as I hung up my coat on the rickety beech-wood hat stand.

"I dunno, maybe we can actually invite someone? Like Aunt Claire?" The hope in her voice made it rise to a higher pitch. In her eagerness she tripped and fell down the stairs.

"Alice!" I yelled as she stood up on shaky legs. If the punishment of my clumsiness weren't enough, my daughter had to inherit it as well.

"No prob, mom." She smiled and dusted herself off. "No dinner in the emergency room tonight!" Chuckling, Jacob pulled her into a tight hug.

"Before that small interruption, the reason why is because than we would have to invite Uncle Quil. If you think my appetites big, wait till you see his."

"I have seen it, unfortunately." Alice groaned as she remembered her aunt and uncles wedding day. Uncle Embry and Uncle Jared liked to bet, and the result of a 20-dollar deal caused the biggest pigs-in-a-blanket-eating contest the world had ever seen. In the end Uncle Embry won the bet (like he usually does), and both Jacob and Uncle Quil had run to the bathroom and hadn't come back for an hour.

But everyone had a great time. Claire and Quil had been married for two months now, and everyone could see how deeply the imprinted couple loved each other.

Suddenly I was swept up and twirled around. My head ached, but I knew it was all in good fun.

"Stop, Jacob, I mean it!" I yelled playfully and smacked him on the head, knowing it wouldn't hurt a bit. Laughing, he dropped me but still hung on tightly. Kissing me lightly on the cheek, he said "Alice, come here." I knew what was about to happen, and when she came up, he said "Now, Alice, look into your mother's eyes. What do you see?"

"Hmm…." Alice pretended to ponder this question. Snapping her fingers, like she had just figured it out, she said in a serious voice "Her eyes. They are defiantly pink." Then Alice, trying not to laugh, picked up my paler-than-usual arm and inspected it closely.

"Okay, stop with the albino cracks." I rolled my eyes. Alice dropped my arm as her dad let me fall back down. My stumbling legs made me fall on my butt, and as I did, my heart started in an instant of fear.

And with that jar, was a memory.

The trees glimmered and I felt light-headed as Edward pulled my hand, laughing. His face was as beautiful as I remembered, and my heart was fluttering in my chest. Stopping him, I put my hands over his eyes and led him to a small grove, where everyone was waiting. I winked at Alice and Jasper, who winked back. By the strained and frustrated expression on my loves face, I knew that the rest of the Cullens were keeping their mind on something else- like translating America the Beautiful into five different languages. Or something strange like that.

My long hair was buffeted in my face by the gently stirring wind as I excitedly led him into the valley.

"Happy Birthday!" I cried as my voice mingled with Carlisle's, Esme's, Rosalie's, Emmett's, Alice's and Jasper's voices. Edward opened his eyes suddenly, and saw the small clearing so beautifully and delicately decorated with streamers and small tables. I was swept up into a kiss so full of gratitude it was more than words could say.

It was his birthday. How could I have forgotten? I lay there on the floor, feeling my happiness evaporate as the raw edges of the smaller hole in my chest flamed and enlarged. I felt more pain than I had all year, but I should have seen it coming. I always hoped I would forget the day, and every year I was disappointed. Either it was the flowery smell like Alice's, or just a small shock.

Than my heart started ripping itself apart as I remembered him. Memories I had tried to block for the past twenty years flooded in, as they did every year. I began to hyper ventilate, and I could tell that Alice was scared. I calmed myself and began to get up. Hugging her tightly, I whispered, "It's okay. It's just been a rough day." I kissed her cheek lightly, and before I was tempted into looking into Jacob's concerned face, I sprinted to my room, without falling this time. My right arm was in its all-too-familiar pose, pressuring it against my chest.

Then I sat on the lavender queen-sized bed and cried.

Happy Birthday, Edward.