Jasper was laying down and looking up at Millie as she slept; his thoughts trained on what they had lost, though he was still paying attention to her. Her sleep had been fitful at first, until he had flooded her mind with waves of calm and lethargy. Four hours and thirty two minutes, that was how long they had been "asleep," or at least how long Millie had been. Emmett had taken to drawing patterns on the top of her thigh with his fingertips to pass the time.

Vampire hearing was a wonderful thing, and it allowed Emmett to grab his phone before it actually started to ring. Answering it, he sighed softly.

"Hey Dad." He paused and listened to Carlisle on the other end of the phone.

Carlisle spoke softly, Jasper hearing every word that was being said. "Where are you?"

"I brought her to the cottage. I know her birthday isn't here, yet, but I felt it was the best place to come," he explained, rolling his eyes.

"Have you seen Jasper?" was his next question, but before Emmett had the chance to answer, Jasper spoke up.

"Hello, Dad." They were his only words but they were all that were needed. Millie had started to stir, and he could feel that she was slightly freaked out, not realising where she was. Sitting up, Jasper tugged the girl into his lap and stroked her hair softly as he pushed waves of calm towards her.

"We have to have a family meeting in about an hour. I know it will be hard, but we have to do this, there is a lot to discuss," Carlisle addressed to the three of them.

After Emmett agreed to meet them at the house in an hour, he put the phone down and looked at Millie. "Are you ready for this sweetheart?" he asked her softly, knowing she had had to deal with a lot. She had found their family members the day before and she had been the one to call the rest of them.

Millie nodded, kissing both boys on the cheek, "I'm just going to get a quick shower," she whispered softly, squirming from Jasper's lap and peeking into a dresser. A sad smile graced her lips when she saw all the new clothes, labels and all. Grabbing all that she would need, Millie stepped into the bathroom and locked the door.

MPOV

I shut the bathroom door as fast as I could before I angrily swept at my eyes. I should have known before looking in the drawers that they would be full of new purchases made by Alice. Yet another thing to remind me thst she was gone. It was the same as the large floor length mirror and vanity in the corner of my new room- they spelled Rosalie all over. Heading to the shower, I quickly stripped and tossed my dirty clothes into the corner before slipping under the cold spray. To me it wasn't that cold, risen body temperature and all, but I couldn't help but shiver. I absentmindedly grabbed the shampoo off of the self and purred as the shower began to pulse from massage jets on the wall. The family never spared anything on luxury.

As I washed my hair, tears began to cascade down my cheeks. I had tried not to cry, but just being reminded yet again about what we had lost hurt. I wondered, if it were me, would the family all be mourning in the same way that they were now? Should I just try leaping into a fire and seeing if the same thing happened, or finding another random vampire to tear me apart? Would I find my family again in whatever afterlife waited for us? Yes, I believed that there was a heaven for us vampires, especially our family, but whether it was the same heaven it was for everyone else, none of us would ever know. I tried to remain quiet, knowing that I would be overheard by Jasper and Emmett, but I should have known, because the next thing I heard was urgent knocking at the door.

I heard Jasper say from the other side, "Millie we are coming in. I know what you are feeling, and you need to calm down, baby girl." I couldn't help but whimper softly as I got out of the shower and wrapped a towel around myself just as Emmett shouldered the door in.

THIRD PERSON POV

As the door slammed open, the three occupants of the bathroom and bedroom were now able to see a large, Emmett-shaped dent in the door; there would be hell to pay if they didn't repair it before Esme saw the damage. Without thought from either of the boys that Millie was just in a towel, they both swooped over and enveloped her in their arms, wave after wave of tranquility emitting from Jasper. Exactly how he was keeping so calm Millie wasn't sure. She had an idea that it was just an act, and when Jasper got some alone time he would crumble completely, just as Emmett would. Carefully, Jasper picked Millie up and carried her into the bedroom, setting her on the bed. Emmett came out moments later with her clothes.

Jasper said softly, "We are going to go into the kitchen and try to find you some food; we have to go shortly," He and Emmett left the room, giving her a chance to get ready.

Millie slowly stood up and dropped her towel, changing quickly. She glanced around, wanting a jumper, yet she didn't want to go through the drawers again. Spotting Emmett's hooded sweatshirt- one she had bought him for Christmas- she slipped it on. Carefully, she rolled up the sleeves before heading over to the vanity table. Millie began to brush her hair out, pulling it back into a tight ponytail so it was out of the way. Tugging on the same sneakers she had worn the day before, Millie headed towards the bedroom door. The night before she hadn't really been paying attention to the way around or where anything was. Granted, the cottage wasn't very big, but it was big enough to have at least two spare bedrooms, which she had found by opening random doors. Finally, Millie headed down the stairs and found the boys. The downstairs of the cottage was very much an open plan.

"Hey," she whispered, sliding into a seat at the table in the kitchen. Emmett set a glass down in front of her as Jasper produced a plate of toast. There hadn't been much in the house, so it would have to do for now.

Millie didn't want to offend either male, but in reality she wasn't hungry; she was too focused on what would be happening once they reached the main house. Downing the juice that had been placed before her, Millie looked up at the two vampires. "Can we just go? I'm not really hungry." Food wasn't something Millie was particularly interested in right now. Pushing her chair back from the table, she stood up and put the plate of food near the sink.

Jasper and Emmett stood and headed toward the doors before turning. "Come on, little one, climb up," Jasper requested, helping Millie up onto his back. Yes, Millie could run, but she was no where near as fast as the boys, so it seemed much easier just to carry her.

Millie wrapped her arms around Jasper's neck as her legs secured around his middle, ankles crossed. Millie gently rested her head on his shoulder as they began to run.

JPOV

I helped Millie up onto my back and began to run; neither myself nor Emmett wanted to be running back this way. The rooms we both shared with our wives were on the upper floors of the main Cullen home, and their scents would be strong. I wasn't sure if I was ready to face my family. I loved them to pieces, but there was no way I was able to handle my own grief, let alone the whole family's. Yes, they could hide their feelings from me sometimes, but at times like this there was no way there was any chance of that.

As we got closer to the house, I couldn't help but stop; I could feel everyone's emotions already. Taking a deep, unneeded breath, I began to run again, catching up with Emmett in no time as we entered the house together. The emotions began to overwhelm me slightly, so I set Millie back on her feet. I wanted to run; it hurt to have to face all the emotions that I was currently feeling. Loss, anger, anguish, desperation, grief, sadness, sympathy- and those were just a few of the torrent of emotions that I was currently being bombarded with. Sympathy was what hurt the most. The only person who truly understood what I was currently going through was Emmett. He was the only person who had also lost their mate. The others, although they tried, couldn't truly understand.

THIRD PERSON POV

As Emmett, Jasper and Millie entered the house through the large patio doors, the occupants turned to them. It was as if the family had split up in a way. The couples had gone in one direction, and the singles and widowers went another way. Esme was the first to move, getting up from Carlisle's embrace and pulling Millie into a tight hug, followed by both of her sons. The others soon followed. It was strange; usually the family would have their own specific seats. Nessie and Jake would usually head to the love seat, wuth Carlisle and Esme on the small couch, Alice and Jasper on the second small couch, Millie on a seat on the beanbag near the television, and Emmett, Rosalie, Bella and Edward on the large corner sofa.

However, today things changed. Nessie and Jake sat on one of the small couches, Esme and Carlisle took the small sofa which Alice and Jasper would usually take, and Millie tugged Jasper and Emmett towards the love seat. Jasper sat down and pulled Millie into his lap, with Emmett sitting on the floor in front of them and leaning back against Jasper's legs. The three of them were united in their grief; yes, the others had also lost their family members, but Jasper was latching onto Millie because she was the first that had spoken to him besides Emmett. They were also the two who had seen his lose himself the night before.

Carlisle cleared his throat, bringing everyone from their own musings. "As we know, yesterday our family was torn apart irrevocably. I know this is hard, but we must act quickly and stage our loved ones' deaths. A car crash would be the best option; I was thinking Edward's Volvo, since it can hold the four of them. We must also discuss how we should move to somewhere new. I know we have only just returned to these parts, but I also know that they hold a lot of strong memories for all of us." He paused and turned to Millie, taking note of how Nessie had huddled to Jake's side and Esme had moved close to his own. He couldn't help but notice, when he looked at Millie, how tightly Jasper's arms were around her middle, no doubt leaving a bruise, He also couldn't help but notice how tense Emmett was, yet he was calming ever so slightly as Millie ran her fingers through his curly hair.

"Millie, I know that it is the first time you have been to Forks, and I am sure you have made good memories here, but I know it will be hard for you being at the main house right now after what you came home too. I'm sorry you had to face that alone, my sweet granddaughter. So if you feel the need to stay at the cottage for now, which I am glad you like, then please do so."

Carlisle wrapped an arm around his wife as Millie nodded, still running her fingers through Emmett's hair.

"I'll go and total the car before I burn it," Jake spoke up; he felt he should do something to help the family get through this. He wasn't good with feelings; he was much more of a hands-on sort of man.

Carlisle thanked Jake for offering and said he would accompany him to do the deed.

MPOV.

I couldn't just sit here, discussing the best way to show the world that my family had been killed. I needed to do something useful.

"I will be back soon, okay?" she whispered into Jasper's ear, knowing that everyone else was bound to hear. Getting up carefully, I attempted to squeeze Emmett's shoulder in reassurance, but pure muscle was bloody hard to move. I was sure he got the meaning behind it, though.

I slipped into my upstairs bedroom and grabbed a suitcase that I kept under the bed. You never knew with my family if we were going to end up going on a sudden hunting or shopping trip, if it was Alice. That thought made me cringe. I had been trying not to think of my lost family members after crumbling in the bathroom earlier that day. I had to be strong for Emmett and Jasper; I knew they were only being brave until they were alone. I wanted to help them through the pain they were suffering if they would let me. Emmett I was sure would let me in, but Jasper, as much as I loved him, was a stubborn git.

Grabbing together about a week's worth of clothes, I zipped up the suitcase and wheeled it across the landing. Thankfully, I could still hear discussions going on downstairs as I slipped into Emmett and Rosalie's room. I couldn't help but remember the time I had walked in on them, Rosalie having been tied to the bed by Emmett. I had been scarred for life thanks to that experience. Shuddering at the memory of Rosalie screaming for me to leave, I headed over to the dresser I knew to be Emmett's. Grabbing some of his clothes, enough to last a week as well, I unzipped my suitcase once more and slipped them in. I stepped into the bathroom and grabbed his toiletries, also throwing them into my case. Sitting down on the bed with a flop, I looked around the room. It was obvious by the sensual colours on the walls that this couple loved each other to their hearts' capacities. I took a couple of deep breaths, stood up and left the room, tugging the heavier suitcase behind me. I whispered a soft goodbye as I left. It was like while I was in that room I could actually feel Rosalie stand beside me.

I stopped before a closed door across the landing. Jasper and Alice's room. I tried to keep my emotions calm, not wanting to alert Jasper to what I was doing. No doubt though, they could all hear me. Opening the door, I could smell her perfume still- the rich scent that was just Alice. Closing the door quietly behind me, I placed the suitcase once more on the bed and opened the door on the wardrobe. Alice's closet was on the far side of the door, and it refused to close properly. I grabbed enough clothing for Jasper, including his favourite pair of worn cowboy boots. I knew Alice hated them, but I hoped he would gain some comfort from them. Looking up, I was shocked to see an envelope taped to the inside door of the wardrobe. The cursive font was very much Alice, and the shock running through me as I sat on the bed was immense.

Peeling open the envelope, I read the last thing my loved one had written.

Millie,

My dearest niece, my best friend. If you are reading this, then the vision I just had has come to pass. I am so sorry that we are no longer there, but know that we loved you. I tried to change the future, but it seemed that we were so set upon this path that nothing could be altered. I did, however, manage to get the family to write a small something. There is another letter at your cottage. Look on the back of the dresser mirror- I taped it there.

Please take care of them both for me. Jasper and Emmett will need you so much in the coming months; you will become their rock. Though you haven't lost a mate, you were the first to be there, and you will continue to be there.

I love you sweetheart; I must go now to have enough time to get this into place.

Tell the boys we love them and that we will forever be looking out for them. Make them love again sweetheart; don't let them dwell on the past. Rosalie and I want them to be happy. We want them to live their lives, so help them to do that, sweetheart.

Love

Alice. xxxx

I help the letter tightly, feeling the calming waves hitting me from downstairs. "Thanks Hale," I whispered, folding the letter back up and gently pressing my lips to the envelope. I set it inside the suitcase, followed by Jasper's clothes. I ran to the bathroom and gathered his toiletries and threw them into the case, zipping it up.

"Bye Auntie Alice, and thank you," I whispered as I close the door behind me and carried the suitcase down the stairs. Setting it down when I reached the ground floor, I headed back into the main room. Once again I curled up on Jasper's knee as I began to listen to the discussion about a memorial service.

I couldn't help but feel Jasper and Emmett tense beneath me; I must be carrying their mates' scents. I knew it would be hard on them but I would get them through this, even if it was the last thing I ever did.

********************************************************************

Please R&R … if you do I will give you e-cookies!

Thank you so much to my first ever reviewer - Kazume Suigama – You made me smile so much! Believe it or not this was just about finished when you asked about updating haha!! – So thank you so much :D

:D

Thanks again to my wonderful Beta JadeMoon

Millie xx