AN: Sorry that this took so long! But it may take even longer for the next one, sorry. Thanks for the supportive reviews, again. If you haven't reviewed, I may send a Dementor on you. Or, if my Harry Potter logic doesn't work, a newborn! Scared you, didn't I? (Jokes, reviews are always optional)

This takes place a couple days after the last chapter. The Denali girls are getting ready to leave.

Chapter 8: Lilies

In order to put my problems with Tanya to rest, I had begun to spend more and more time with Carlisle and Eleazar. They were a lot easier to deal with than the Denali girls, and my hospitality to them, including Tanya, seemed to be having a more negative impact on me.

Carlisle had always had problems with girls. At his work, on the streets where he lived, in shops, everywhere. The worst part was how young they were. Not only physically, but mentally as well. Even teenage girls often stopped to stare longingly at Carlisle. For many years I thought I understood the hardships Carlisle faced with women, but I had never truly been pursued. Tanya was someone who was so frightening as either vampire or human that I doubted I could scare her away like other girls.

I didn't really want to express my problems, but Carlisle and Eleazar seemed to sense them. I strongly suspected that Eleazar had a lot of experience with people needing to deter Tanya.

"I've never known Tanya to give up on something she wanted badly," Eleazar said, "but I think that if she knows you don't want her that way, she will find another way to put her efforts to use."

I nearly laughed aloud at that, but Carlisle quickly cut in. "I agree with him. You need to let her know how you feel, one way or the other. She might give up on you if she knows it's of no benefit to her."

I stopped dead in my tracks. "'One way or the other'? Do you think I actually like her, Carlisle?" I laughed without humour. "Or were you hoping I did?"

Eleazar calmly stepped out of the way so that I could face Carlisle.

It would be hopeless to lie to him, Carlisle thought, since he's probably reading my thoughts right now. He sighed loudly, and then said, "I was just hoping you'd find someone who loves you the way Esme loves me. Then you could truly be happy."

As much as I'd been thinking along the same lines, there was no way that Carlisle could compare Tanya to Esme. Tanya was a lovely girl, but she expressed very little of the affection to me that Esme expressed to him.

"I'll find her and speak with her now," I said, resigning to the method they'd both described. I never truly considered actually telling someone how I felt, since I continued to assume that people could read each other the way I read them.

I walked slowly up the stairs and then said, "Tanya." I didn't think I would need to shout, and I was right.

"Oh, Edward. Good evening," she said. I tried to ignore the suggestive tone in her voice. "I've been enjoying my stay here so much. You are very hospitable."

"I'm glad," I said honestly. "But may I have a word with you outside?"

She nodded, practically jumping at the prospect of going outside with me. I attempted to block her thoughts, rightly guessing that I would not want to know what they were.

She sat next to me on the swing, and I stared straight ahead. "Tanya," I began, and she leaned forward intently, "I'm afraid that I don't return your affections the way most would. I don't think that I'm right for you, and that's a shame since you're so lovely. You should try to advance on someone who will appreciate you more for everything you have to offer."

I looked up at her, and she furrowed her brow a bit, though only for an instant. "I don't have a clue what you're talking about, Edward. What sort of advances do you mean?" Her gold eyes appeared so innocent and startled that I very nearly screamed at her. I could tell by her thoughts that it was an act–a bored, annoying act–and it pushed the boundaries of my temper in a very quick fashion.

Well, I tried, I thought bitterly, though I sincerely knew that she was going to try something else any moment from now. And I was right.

"Oh, Edward?" Tanya stood up from the bench. "It's alright. I know you're only playing hard to get." Her eyelash fluttered down in a wink, and I looked down, honestly sad that I wasn't right for her. She'd been looking for even longer than myself, I could sense that much by her thoughts, and she hadn't found anyone yet. I had the same dilemma, but we just didn't fit with each other.

I stood up too, and cleared my throat. "I'm not playing," I said, "I'm not even sure if I'm in the same game that you are." My serious expression made her frown. "And forgive me, since I've never had to do this before, but I'm more comfortable just being your friend. Acquaintance, if you'd prefer. I hope you've enjoyed your time here."

She also looked down, and then walked back to the house as I stood there, staring at her back. "I have enjoyed my time here," she said, but her sultry voice carried no true conviction. "You are a gracious host."

I was disappointed in myself that moment, but I knew it was only what I had to do. Tanya was just Tanya, and I shouldn't try anything more. She was persistent, but I was sure that she would give up soon.

o–oo–oo–oo–oo–oo

Esme waltzed down the stairs, smiling with reluctance as her friends walked toward the door. They had been here a few days, and were about to make their leave.

"Before we leave, Esme, the girls and I have something for you." Eleazar walked to her at the foot of the stairs, and handed her a square package about the size of a small picture frame. He hadn't exactly been hiding it, since it was difficult to hide something that size behind your back.

"Happy birthday." Eleazar hugged her around her shoulders, and smiled at Carlisle tentatively. Of course, he was hardly jealous. I recognized in Carlisle's thoughts that he had a gift for her, too.

Esme smiled gratefully, and pulled back the corners of the brown and pale pink wrapping paper. Her smile brightened even more as she looked at the painting on the inside. I was hardly surprised, but it was nice to see for real, all the same.

It was a canvas with a verse they had written on it in red and black ink. Thankfully, it didn't clash with the style Esme had given to the house. It read: 'For Esme, our sister, on this day/ Who never ages in personality/ We hope that your smile never sways/ And that you keep your very kind mentality/ Your brother and sisters of away.' They had each had written a line, and signed their names at the bottom of the page in fine print.

"Thank you all so much," Esme choked as if crying. "I'll treasure it always." She looked thoughtfully at the wooden frame, thinking about how it would match the cross Carlisle had hung in the bedroom.

They all hugged her in turn, and then walked out of the door and into their car. Tanya was the last to leave, and fleetingly glanced at me as she pulled the door behind her. I felt the guilt return, plaguing me as if I had done something wrong. The guilt that was following me now only stayed because of her feelings towards me.

As Esme stared out of the window, Carlisle came behind her with his gift to her. It was wrapped in soft orange paper, and was no larger than his fist.

She pulled the paper off of one side, and then slid the box out. Her eyes glimmered as she looked at the necklace inside, a thin silver chain with light green satin entwining the loops. Hanging on the chain were two pendants, one being a jade teardrop, and the other being a tiny scent box that smelled very faintly of lilies.

"The jade stone was one I inherited from my mother," I said, "so I thought I should give it to the woman who will hopefully always be my mother." Her eyes swelled with pride, and she pressed her lips to my cheek.

"Of course, Edward, you will always be my son." She smiled at me again, and then let go of my shoulders to stand next to Carlisle.

"The scent box smells as you always do to me," Carlisle said. "Now the humans will be able to smell lilies the same as I do." The smell was faint enough that it wouldn't bother our noses, but that it would still smell sweet to a human.

"Thank you," she murmured, leaning in towards him. I looked away as their lips touched, trying not to spoil the moment. Esme had not had a birthday for many years, but she had always held onto her mortality as much as she could. She didn't realize that no mortals loved each other the way she and Carlisle did.

AN: Sorry that took so long! I am really busy with school as the end of term is soon. Hopefully you'll enjoy this, even though it is a little short. Remember to review when you finish reading. Stay tuned! 3 (By the way, Tanya may be back later in the story after Rosalie is turned into a vampire!)