Edward dropped heavily in to a vacant armchair, his hands covering his eyes, rubbing them roughly as Isabella's face swam in front of them. He had worked for years to remove her from his brain but he couldn't forget her. She was his vice and he'd have done anything for her. He knew she was the one for him but the need to be closer to his job had torn them apart.
"Are you sure Rosie? That's definitely her name?" Edward asked his wife as the others tensed awaiting the answer, all the while each keeping an eye on the newly appointed head of their family who was currently losing his composure in the corner.
"Yeah, that's her name Em. Long brown hair and big brown eyes. I even brought of photo of her for Edward to help him find her. What's going on?" she replied in confusion.
Before anyone could reply to her Edward was across the room, snatching the picture she'd pulled from her purse. He hoped beyond hope it was someone else. Some other chick but no, there she was staring up at him with a beautiful smile on her face. Her body clothed in a yellow sundress which stood out against her tan skin from the summer sun.
Esme approached her eldest son carefully, unsure of what must be going through his mind right now. She placed her hand on his arm and took the photograph from his iron grip. A sob wrenching from her as she gazed down at the girl she'd considered to be her daughter once.
Carlisle could see the very foundation of his family become rocked as the photograph exchanged hands. Each person becoming overwhelmed with the discovery that Rose knew this girl.
"I think I should probably fill you in Rosalie on how we know your friend Isabella. Before I took over my family, roughly the same time as your own father, Esme and I decided to take some time for our family. We moved to the outskirts of Forks with the children and we kept ourselves out of the spotlight. We weren't hiding but we were aware of your family and so we bought ourselves a house in the woods" he began, holding Esme to him tightly as he watched both Emmett and Rosalie and Alice and Jasper take up the same position.
"A few weeks after we moved Alice began to attend the local high school, desperate to get out and mingle with people her own age. I knew your father had a child of a similar age but that you attended an all girls school. We didn't knew it was you at the time as he kept you well hidden. Around a week after Alice started back at school she brought a classmate home with her, Isabella. She was so full of life and always loved to joke around with Em and shop with Alice." he smiled fondly at the memory of her, both Emmett and Alice mimicking his expression.
"Edward and I were called to Chicago for a month after we first arrived which meant that by the time we returned home she was cemented in to the lives of our family and so we welcomed her. Edward took to her as soon as he saw her, she was a beautiful girl then at 16. A natural beauty who certainly didn't know it. They quickly fell in to an easy banter and grew to love each other as more than just friends. Edward took Bella to a high school dance and when they came back they were in a relationship. They loved each other unconditionally. She came to learn of our family and what we do but she still loved him and us the same" he told her, his voice thick with emotion.
"When we had to leave to come back to Chicago she told us she couldn't come with us. She told us her dad needed her here. We knew he didn't treat her right but there was nothing we could do if she wouldn't come with us. Both she and Edward were devastated by the separation and we lost contact not long after we left" he said quietly, eying his son who had become a mess once more.
"Esme, go fetch him please" he asked his wife cryptically as she left the room.
"Edward, we'll find her I promise" Carlisle reassured his son but felt his promises were empty. They all believed her to be dead and after Rose's story it was very possible.
"Edward" Rose whimpered "I'm sorry I didn't do more for her. You have to believe me I thought my dad would make it in time to save her. I shouldn't have left. I'm so sorry"
"No!" he shouted causing everyone to jump "Don't you dare blame this on your fucking self Rosalie. God only knows how this family would have coped with losing two people. You're so lucky Royce turned up. This isn't your fault."
Rosalie listened to Edward passionately defend her action despite the fact that they led to the possible murder of his own soul mate. The room became quiet as people were left to their own thoughts.
"We can't have left much before you Rose" Alice said sadly.
"We left in the September, I think you guys had returned to Chicago in the summer. I remember her talking about an Anthony. She loved him so much. I guess that must have been you huh?" she asked Edward softly.
He nodded in confirmation and replied in a croaky voice "Once she knew who we were she was at risk so she never told people my name. She always told them I was Anthony Masen. She used my middle names on the spot one day when she was asked. She was so fucking clever" he smiled softly to himself "We were meant to get married. I wanted to propose on her birthday that year but obviously we weren't there. I begged her to come with us but she wouldn't leave her dad"
He buried his head in his hands once more only to snap his attention to the door moments later when Esme came in with a sleepy small child in tow. The small child reached for Edward and he pulled him to his lap, holding him tightly to his chest looking for comfort.
"Mom, why'd you wake him? He'll be grumpy in the morning" he asked her as he kept his eyes on the small boy in front of him.
"Why's Auntie Rosie crying daddy?" he asked as he sucked his thumb in to his mouth and clutched his favorite stuffed dragon toy.
"She's just thinking about one of her friends Mase. She misses her." he smiled as he ruffled his bronze hair which was much like his own.
"Oh" he replied looking at his toy in his hands "Does she miss her like I miss my mommy?" he asked in a sad voice.
"Yeah bud, she misses her that much. Why don't you go give her a hug?" he replied tapping his nose gently.
The little boy scrambled off his fathers laps and ran towards his Auntie Rose he pulled him up for a cuddle. He held her tightly to him for a few minutes before looking up at her.
"Don't worry Auntie Rose. She'll come back soon. Just like mommy will come back" he beamed at her.
"I'm sure she will Mason. I just miss her lots. I'm being silly." she giggled for the small boys sake, trying to lighten the mood.
The room descended in to silence as Rose watched the small boy fall asleep in her arms. She turned to Edward who was watching him intently, afraid to take his eyes off him. It'd been that way since he'd came to live with him.
"Do you think his mother will come back?" Rose asked quietly, brushing her fingers over his cheeks fondly
Edward kept his head buried in his hands and Esme and Alice comforted him. Carlisle watched his sons heart break even more before turning to Rosalie.
"I hope we will find her one day soon thanks to what we know now" he told her softly "After all, his mother is Isabella"
