Chapter Four: Happiness
Summer 2042
Winnie twenty-two, graduated
Winnie
My senior year had flown by. Sometimes I was impatient for time to pass so I could marry Justin; other times I wished it would slow down so I could spend more time with my family. Actually, I wished Dad would let me drop out of college so I could spend what time I had left with them.
I had never been really close to Aunt Rose; she didn't much like Dad. But one day, the summer after I graduated, she surprised me by inviting me out to lunch. She didn't eat anything, of course, but she told me to order whatever I wanted.
"Winnie," she said quietly as we waited for my food to come, "I just wanted to let you know…I think you made the right choice." She smiled at me, and I realized suddenly that she liked me now in a way she never had before.
"The right choice?" I questioned.
"Yes. Most of us didn't have a choice at all, you know." She shrugged. "I'm not saying I blame Carlisle for changing me, but…it's not what I would have chosen. I would have chosen humanity — even if it meant death." She scowled. "Bella's the only one of us who did choose, and she gave it all up — everything I ever wanted!"
"And got what you wanted, too," I said quietly. "That's why you don't like her, isn't it?"
Aunt Rosalie drew a deep breath. "I never said I didn't like her; she's my…sister." She smiled briefly as the waitress came with my food. "I'm sorry, Winnie; I really meant to say how glad I am that you chose humanity."
I was thoughtful as I took my first bite. "Aunt Rose, is it really what you are that bothers you…or just that you didn't have a choice?"
"A little of both, I suppose."
"What I mean is, if you had met Uncle Emmett while you were human…mightn't you have wanted to be changed for him?" We were talking in low tones; too low for human ears to overhear.
"I was changed first, Winnie. And I was the one who found Emmett and asked Carlisle to change him."
"Yes, I know. I'm only saying if. Because I'm not really choosing humanity, Aunt Rose; I'm choosing Justin. If he was a vampire…then I think I'd ask Uncle Carlisle to change me."
Aunt Rose smiled sadly. "You know…when I picture being human, Emmett is always human with me, and our children are playing in the yard. I like to think we were destined to meet anyway; that if he had known me he wouldn't have met the bear…of course, I would have been dead if Carlisle hadn't changed me."
"What are their names?"
"Whose?"
"Your children," I said softly.
Aunt Rose smiled, and for the rest of the meal she told me about the family she had imagined for herself and Uncle Emmett.
oOo
February 2043
Winnie twenty-three
A week before my wedding, my vampire relatives held a combination wedding shower/goodbye party at the big Cullen house. My whole family was there, except for Dom. "Wedding showers are for women," he had insisted, "and I'm not saying goodbye to you."
I had smiled, grateful for the reminder that at least I could still see my human brother.
Uncle Jasper's presence at the party kept the mood from getting too tearful, and the presents they gave me were far more expensive than Dad had ever tolerated before. I had known they were rich, but Dad had always wanted to provide for his family himself.
"But this is your inheritance, in a way," Uncle Edward explained as he tucked a bankbook in my hand…I didn't quite dare look at the balance. "It's not as if I can leave you anything in a will…I don't expect to die. So take this now, Winnie…with my love."
I threw my arms around his neck. I was too near tears to speak…but then, with Uncle Edward I didn't need to. Thank you so much…Grandpa. I buried my face against his shoulder for a minute, and then pulled away.
"You're going to be so happy, Winnie!" Aunt Alice exclaimed as she danced up to me a little later.
I stared at her; she didn't sound as if she was just wishing me well. "I thought you couldn't 'see' me," I said slowly.
"So did I," she said, perching on the table beside me. "But I could never 'see' Dom real well, either; it's because your futures were always so mixed up with Nessie and Jacob." She frowned in frustration again at not being able to "see" werewolves or half vampires. "As soon as you decided to leave them, I caught a glimpse. You're not as clear as a full human…but I can see enough to know you'll be happy." She leaned forward to kiss my cheek, and then she was gone.
Next chapter coming next week!
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