Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, the brilliant Stephenie Meyer does.

I would stand here forever, burning in your arms. Burning in your fire, feeling no harm.

For being in your flames is better that the cold of not,

and existing without pain, but also without plot.

I would brave the fire, to be by your side

For without knowing as much as hurt, I may as well have died

In your arms I have reason, I have life

So burn I will, happily at your side

I would stand forever, burning in your arms,

resisting ash, and feeling no harm

14: Ghosts

"Oh! Bella, Bella come here. Try this one." Alice held up a roll of navy blue fabric as Bella stepped toward her.

"Mmm… it really is your color isn't it?" Alice's face was solid with concentration, but she bounced with an enthusiasm that was both entertaining and frightening.

She had rounded us altogether, once again cultivating new designs for our wedding attire. I glimpsed a few unfinished sketches before she hid them away, tisking and wagging her finger at me. From what I had seen, I was petrified.

"Alice, I thought you had finished products already, why not just use them?" Edward proposed. I guessed he knew it was a futile question, but took his chances anyway.

She shook her head quickly. "Never look back, dear brother. And besides, Nessie has grown considerably since then."

"You've made several designs for her already, in various sizes!" he retorted.

"I will not have my niece attend this wedding in outdated fashion." she answered sternly. I understood where the expression 'if looks could kill' may have originated from.

I saw him roll his eyes.

Jacob began to edge near the doorway.

"Ah ah ah! No you don't, Jacob Black. I'm not finished with you." she sang.

He halted and sighed heavily before facing her. "You're not even working on me right now. I'll come back when I'm need." he grumbled.

Her eyes narrowed to a point and her lips pursed into a tight line. I swear, I could just barely hear whine build in his throat.

"…..Go make your sandwich and come right back!" she called after him, already sprinting from the room.

Emmett folded his arms across his chest, a look of longing in his eyes as he stared at the space Jacob had recently occupied. Alice sighed agitatedly, crushing the pins held in her mouth.

"Fine. I already have your measurements. Just go." she muttered.

I made to follow Emmett, but a strong grip wrapped around my wrist, threatening to separate my hand from the rest of my arm.

"Not you." she said. "Sit."

Within days we were flying out to Denali. Alice constantly bustling, constantly speaking with someone, in some language over the phone. It was best just to stay out of her way. At our arrival in Anchorage International Airport, I received my first meeting with one of the two remaining Denali sisters. She was waiting outside, leaning against one of two dark vehicles. This must have been Tanya, Alice had mentioned her in great detail somewhere amidst her hurricane like planning. She was tall and thin, and gorgeous. Her light strawberry blonde hair fell impeccably in loose waves, and contrasted wonderfully with her alabaster complexion. I had never felt so small in my entire life. A young dark haired man stood by her, looking slightly wary. Was he human?

"Carlisle!" she sang, running her fingers through the man's dark hair. His eyes softened and drooped as they turned to her, all anxiety slipping from his body. Her hand traveled to caress the nape of his neck before coming forward to envelope Carlisle in a warm hug.

"Oh, it is good to see you again, sweety." She pulled away enough to see his face. "And under better circumstances." A small sad smile touched her features before disappearing, replaced again with a warmer one.

"Tanya." he replied warmly with a soft nod.

"Esme, how are you my dear?" she asked, embracing her next. She welcomed us all, leaving Edward, Bella, and Renesmee for last. She held out her hand to Nessie, whispering quietly that it was lovely to meet her again. There was a genuineness to her words, but a slight sadness in her eyes.

"My, you've grown…." she added with a slight chuckle.

She straightened herself then, inviting us to the vehicles.

"This is Hector, my lovely little ball of Spanish hotness." she purred, taking the man's chin gently in her hands. His eye lids fell slack again and he was lost in her eyes, his mouth forming a dopey grin. "He'll be escorting a few of you out to Denali with me." Her lips pouted as she spoke and she leaned in for a chaste kiss.

Carlisle cleared his throat gently before smiling warmly and greeting Hector. The ball of Spanish hotness became anxious again before opening the door for Esme. We had arrived a week before the day of the wedding to visit and Alice was busy handling the details of having our 'fierce' shipped to us in Alaska. She rode with me in Tanya's car, her eyes gentle and sparkling as she conversed with our hostess. Every now and then, she would look my way, only to smile warmly when I would catch her.

It had been nearly a decade since I had been here. Granted, I was far from where I had been stationed. But within such proximity, I may as well have been standing on that base. I may as well have been at the pier. I may as well have been on that trail. I could feel my chest tighten further than when we had arrived. The tenseness in the muscles of my back and abdomen crept into the muscles of my neck. Jasper tilted his head in my direction, a soft look of compassion gracing his features. I could feel a steady calm wash over me, dispersing the anxiety that choked me. It flowed fluidly down my spine and enveloped me, leaving me bathing in solace. Alice's hand came to rest on mine, and she smiled lovingly at him.

Tanya and Kate's home was a beautiful, large cabin far out in the mountains. Surrounded by large pines that rustled gently in the summer breeze.

"Kate will be returning shortly enough," Tanya explained when we had settled in. "she and William are off hunting in Canada."

"How is William?" Esme inquired.

"He's better… they had a few rough patches, but they've worked through them." Tanya said. "Oh! Thank you, Hector darling."

The handsome man came in, lugging the last of the suit cases. Jacob, Emmett and Edward behind him with bags and trunks in their arms. I had learned not to question the necessity of so much luggage, earning a death glare from both Alice and Rosalie.

Not long after that, Alice was having us 'pre-stage.' She had us dress out in her newly comprised creations and model them as she critiqued and adjusted with a discerning eye. She saved mine for last, I had not been allowed to peak in the sleek, glossy black box. I had to wait for it to be 'unveiled.'

"Alright. This….is my masterpiece." she said reverently, in soft tones as if in the presence of something sacred.

I could feel the anxiety creeping back in my stomach.

"The cocktail dress?" I laughed in surprise.

"No, this is one of my own creation…." she said, pride growing in her voice and eyes as she held it up to me.

It was a light cream color with a halter cut top and discrete dark blue accents. For a cocktail dress, it was surprisingly modest. Pleasantly surprising.

"Come on, come on! Put it on!" she ordered.

When I had finally situated myself in it, I turned toward the mirror to view her handy work.

"I am good." she said with a slight nod.

"Yes, you are…." I said, astounded. Staring back at me, stood a beautiful young woman. Tanya who?

Alice stood behind me, making minute adjustments, "Perfect."

And it was. It fit me perfectly, not just physically, but in style and taste. It showed off all the right curves, tantalizing, but still leaving something to the imagination. And despite the obvious 'sexiness' all such dresses are intended to exude, she had managed to make it humbly simple as well. A quiet, graceful beauty.

"I coordinated around your bracelet…." she said quietly. And now that I looked at the detail, the small, dark blue accents were navy blue thread, wound discretely through the fabric. Matching the very thread wound loosely around my left wrist.

"Alice…." I breathed.

"Told you you'd love it…" she added quietly, meeting my eyes and smiling gently.

Without have to even think of it, she was wrapped tightly in my arms. Thrown around her neck and shoulders, holding her securely to me. There weren't words available to tell her what it meant. Every ounce of gratitude and thanks, every shred of love was expressed in my embrace. With a sigh, her arms closed around me in response. I could feel my throat constrict and tighten against the flood of emotion in me and I wished I could tell her, but I just squeezed tighter.

"Emma, I love you honey but you're breaking me…" she breathed.

"Oh!" I exhaled, releasing her immediately and standing back slightly. "I'm sorry."

"It's ok…" she said wincing slightly and rubbing her neck. "You just can't give bear hugs, you're going to kill someone."

A small laugh escaped my lips. "Thank you, Alice." I whispered.

Her wince became a small, loving smile. "You're welcome."

I pulled her into my arms again, gentler this time, and held her as tight as I could without snapping her in half.

About mid week, we went hunting at our own discretion. Edward and Bella taking Jacob and Nessie, Jasper and Alice and Carlise, Esme, Rosalie and Emmett.

"The Grizzlies here are huge!" Emmett grinned, discussing his favorite treat with me. "Put up a pretty good fight too."

"I'll have to check that out while we're here." I said, amused at the way his eyes lit up.

"Hell we could go now, come on. Bet I can get a bigger one than you." he winked, smug as ever.

"Emmett, you just fed." I exclaimed.

His chest puffed up even more. "And?" he quirked an eyebrow. "Come on, your eyes are blacker than a damn lump of coal."

I laughed. "Alright….But I'll get the meanest one."

Both of his eyebrows raised. "You're on."

He raced off into the forest and I wasn't far behind. I pushed my legs as fast as they would take me, edging at his side. His forehead creased with effort as he glanced my way, trying to push faster.

"Come on, Barbie. Let's see what you've got." he growled.

I. Am. Not. A. Barbie.

"Fuck Barbie." I spat and shot forward, spurred on with the insult that burned in me.

"Oh! Think you're carrying a big pair, eh?" he laughed and pushed himself to catch up to me, he was on my heels. "Hope you can back that up."

"You going to talk all day or are we actually out here to do something?" I taunted.

"Oh I'll show you, little Em." he challenged. And I laughed.

His hand came forward and gripped my left shoulder. He wrenched down hard and I was stopped dead in my tracks, flung behind him and into the base of a large pine. It splintered around me and sent debris flying as I was burrowed deep into its center. I growled in frustration and shot up from the hole my body had created. I made to chase after him, but to my right, several miles away, I smelled it. Ahead of me, Emmett came sliding to a halt as he too caught the scent. I was closer.

"Ha!" I roared and launched myself toward it.

I could hear Emmett swear loudly behind me, and I laughed harder. We raced toward it, toward the heavy scent of fur, woods, dirt and blood. The salt and iron swirled decadently in the air and pulsed down my throat like liquid flames. It made me run faster, pulled like a magnet to its source. Pulling me with an intensity I had rarely felt. In the back of my mind, I could remember a similar event. I could remember the intense, mind-altering and all consuming need that had raged through me. That burned through my brain and body, torturing and enticing me. It too was an Alaskan grizzly. A Kodiak grizzly.

My step faltered. Emmett gained ground on me, racing to the same source I was. We were getting closer, careening toward the now pulsating gush that filled my ears. I could hear the air fill and be pushed from its lungs. I could hear its feet plod along lazily, splashing in water.

"All mine, little Em." Emmett growled.

I pushed harder, greedy want gripping my conscience. A feral, possessive growl bubbling up in the center of my chest. It was so close now, I was so close. And the nearer we came to it, the more I became lost in its lure. I ripped past low branches and sent obstacles flying. It was on the opposite bank of the river, pawing at the rippling water and focused on the fish that swam below the churning surface. A massive grizzly. It was going to die. And I was going to be the one to do it. Emmett's hand came down again on my shoulder, but I flung it off, focused wholly on what was in front of me. Emmett snarled and launched himself, and so did I.

My arms wrapped around the bear's wide, thick shoulders as I slammed into it, grasping them tightly and causing it to roll with me in my momentum. My hands moved to its neck, snapping it cleanly, my teeth were already at its throat, reveling in the soothing deluge of hot, thick blood that coursed down my throat. The heat from it radiated from my core, spreading throughout my body, to my finger tips.

"Oh come on! You didn't even try to fight it first!" Emmett whined. "Pansy."

I stood from the dead bear when I had my fill, the warmth settling cozily in my bones and calming the yearning in my throat and the pit of my stomach.

"Sorry, Em. But I couldn't put it through that hell." I said calmly. He scoffed. "Looks like I won."

"I let you win." he teased. "That's just a little guy, not even worth the effort."

"Uh huh, sure." I laughed.

"Pretty good though, huh?" he gestured to the carcass at my feet. "Boy, I missed them. Got spoiled being able to have them whenever I wanted when we lived here."

I looked at the unmoving mound of fur before me, remembering all too clearly that first night, that first kill. I looked at my hands and torso, seeing none of the blood or fur that had covered me that time. I had become less messy since then, more efficient.

"Yeah….I've had it before." I muttered.

Emmett chuckled to himself as the wind shifted and swirled around us, the river rushing next to us and the sun burning brightly, unrestricted by cloud cover.

"You're not hungry?" I asked.

"Ah, I'll get something on the way home." he said nonchalantly. His relaxed face suddenly livened with an appealing thought. "You know, you still owe me a rematch…."

I quirked an eyebrow at him.

"Race ya home." he challenged, his eyes beginning to burn with excitement.

I could feel a smile growing slowly, pulling at my lips. "Sure now that you've fattened me up…."

"Scared, little Em?" he asked quietly. "Pussy."

It was a last minute decision, one that Alice would only have seen just at that moment, too late to stop us. One that would bring my world too close to the edge and risk losing forever. A last minute decision decided by one little challenge. A decision decided by one, little, horribly crude word. As the "p" word fell from Emmett's lips, my head snapped in his direction, my eyes locking on his and burning with offense. I knew he didn't mean it to be so, he was so comfortable around me. So used to not seeing me so much as a lady, but as a buddy, that he didn't think twice about it.

But it burned in me none the less, and rashly forced my mind.

"Bring it, bitch."

His lips curled in a grin and his eyes blazed before narrowing in determination. We stood there for a brief moment, silently challenging each other, staring each other down. Then, we were flying. The balls of my feet barely kissing the ground as I ran. We were neck and neck again. I saw him glance at me from the corner of his eye.

"No cheating." I warned. In my front right pocket, my phone buzzed.

"Ignore it!" Emmett shouted.

It buzzed again and again, finally going to voice mail before I heard Emmett's ring tone sound. We raced north, back towards Denali. I had no clue where we currently were, but we had ran so far so fast in our hunt, that we could have been as far south as Anchorage. My phone buzzed again.

The wind swirled and whipped violent as it changed direction around us.

"Storm's coming." I mused.

"Stop trying to change the subject." Emmett breathed. "Just concentrate on getting your ass beat."

"Whatever you have to tell yourself, sweety." I said.

"You know it's true-" his words were cut off, and so was I. At that moment, the wind shifted again, sending us in the downwind path of a scent. It was light and warm, a mixture of tobacco and sun. Emmett came to a halt, his legs digging deep trenches into the earth as he stiffened and slid to a stop. His face was stunned with shock, and his eyes widened in surprise before tightening with need. And then just like that, he was gone.

"Emmett, NO!" I shouted as I raced after him, panic shooting through me as I willed my legs faster to catch him. His long, powerful legs carrying him quickly through the forest and up the mountain side. I wasn't going to be able to catch him in time. The scent was maybe ten miles off. I pushed myself to reach him, to stop him.

"Emmett!" I screamed, but he wouldn't hear me. He would be too consumed, too distracted and blinded by the pull of the scent to hear my words and register them.

He bolted forward, closing the gap between him and the object of his attention and I tried desperately to close the one between us. I charged after him, gaining ground as my phone buzzed again.

"Emmett, stop!" I pleaded. I was close enough now that if I lunged for him, I could get my arms around him. But if I missed, if he shook me off, I wasn't sure I'd have another chance. I pumped my legs faster and faster, reaching my limit. His back was tight and tensed, ready to spring. His head bent slightly forward in complete concentration. I was a little closer now, and I could hear it. A strong, steady rhythm beating calmly off in the distance. I had to act now, I had to stop him now.

I flung myself at him, wrapping my arms around his waist and locking my hands together. My feet came down and I dug my heels into the earth, trying with everything in me to stop him. A vicious growl ripped from his chest as his hand closed around my shoulder, trying to rip me from him. I held tightly, squeezing harder. But his other hand fisted and came down in a heavy blow to my clasped hands and an elbow slammed into the left side of my face. I lost my grip.

He was almost panting with his grunts, charging forward again after the calling pulse. It wasn't far now. Just below us, just beyond the cliff to the forest floor. I uprooted a small pine and threw it at him as I chased. It collided with the back of his legs, causing him to stumble slightly, causing him to lose momentum and giving me the time I needed to reach him. I ran into him, gripping around his chest as we fell to the rocky ground.

"Emmett! Emmett! Look at me, Emmett, stop! Look at me!"

He struggled violently against my grip, fighting and straining to inch closer to the source of his fury. Kicking and punching as his clawed against the ground. Wild grunts sounding from him. His massive fist beat at my ribs as we wrestled and struggled, inching closer and closer to the precipice. The slow rhythm was coming closer, slowly making its way toward us.

"Emmett!" I whispered desperately. Wrapping my legs around his thrashing legs, holding him tighter. He rolled to his stomach and crawled with me on his back. I arched my back, stretching my legs and squeezing tighter to bind him; grabbing one of his wrists and pulling it in to pin to his chest. The beats were getting closer. The pulse thudding in my ears. We wormed closer and closer, meeting the edge of the rocky cliff. His other hand reached forward, his fingers gripping the edge and pulling us closer. I could see over it now, to the ground below. I grabbed his forearm and pulled it free from the rock, pinning it behind his back.

Below us, the beats grew louder, and from the tree line emerged a man. His grey hair peaking out from his hat in wavy tufts. I froze.

He must have been in his early sixties now….it had been nearly a decade since I had seen him. He was walking slowly, but deliberately, a shotgun resting in the bend of his elbow. There were more wrinkles around his eyes and neck, his large mustache now snow white. The scent of chewing tobacco and warmth slowly swirled and washed over me, filling me. Not six hundred yards below me, my father walked along the edge of a river, casually scanning the area around me.

Emmett fought against me, pulling my focus back to him. Venom being spit from his gritted teeth as his grunted and strained. I squeezed tighter, my eyes flying back to my father. Emmett growled out loud in frustration and I could see my dad's head turn in our direction. With everything in me, I wrenched us back. Rolling on to my back and pulling Emmett atop of my chest, away from the edge, away from sight.

I held him there, burying my face in his wide shoulders and fighting against the barrage of his struggles. I held him as long as it took. I held him until I heard footfalls racing toward us. Until I felt strong hands wrap securely around his ankles, and waist. Until I felt hands gently pry mine from his wrists, and felt his weight leave me. I opened my eyes to the bright, sun filled sky. I rolled to my side and stood, peering over the edge to see the back of my father's form slowly disappearing around the bend.

Edward's arms suddenly wrapped around my waist, pulling me roughly away from the edge, but then suddenly stiffening and falling away. His eyes me mine, wide and surprised, his mouth falling open in a small 'o.' Understanding flickered across his face and his eyes became heavy with sympathy. I looked back to the spot my father had been, now empty. He was gone.

"Emma…."Alice quietly whispered.

I stood facing the river, looking down at the gravely bank as it bent around the tree line, searching through the openings between tree trunks, looking for movement. A gentle hand rested on my upper arm.

"Emma." she said again. There was no movement. Nothing but the rush of the small river, the slow swaying of tree branches and sporadic whistling of nearby birds.

I turned slowly and faced her. Her eyes were heavy with understanding and her hand slowly fell to mine, taking it gently and pulling me along.

"They're never going to stop, are they Carlisle?" I asked him that night when we were alone. "They'll always go looking for me, or be waiting for me to walk through the front door…."

He sighed heavily and leaned against the bookcase next to me. "You are their child…I don't imagine they could."

I sighed heavily as my head bowed forward. I didn't want them to suffer. I didn't want them to be tortured by the hell of losing a child any longer, nor did I want them to suffer the undying and useless hope of one day find me. Searching incessantly and hoping futilely. But that was all that was possible. That was all that was available to us. And I knew it was what they clung to. Living solely to find me. To bring me home, back to their loving arms.

But what closure could they find? There was no body to bury. No concrete evidence that I was gone and never to return. Only questions left unanswered and conversations not finished. Lives halted and paused awaiting my return to start back up again. To pick up where we left off.

"I know this is difficult." Carlisle said. "And I am sorry."

"What can we do?" I asked, my voice small and low.

He looked at me, his eyes grave. "Nothing."

I nodded solemnly.

"I'm so sorry, Emma. It a horrible and harsh reality that comes with this life….It's a miracle Bella has a circumstance that allows Charlie to remain in our lives without knowing too much."

A small, tiny fragment of a thought gleamed in me, an unformed, unarticulated glimmer.

"What if they didn't have to know too much… my parents. What if they didn't have to know what we are?" I asked. The fragment developing into a fully formed thought with every word.

Carlisle closed his eyes and his head bowed with regret. "Emma…No, I'm sorry but this isn't the same situation as Bella's. Her's is a rare and fragile opportunity. One none of us has had the fortune of knowing personally…"

"I'm not asking to go back to them, to be in their lives again….I'm just….I need to give them closure." I said. "I need to say goodbye. I need them to have the chance to say goodbye."

He looked me in the eyes and held them there for a long time, searching in mine.

"I can understand that." he said with a slight nod. "We'll think of something, Emma."

I took a deep breath, mulling over possibilities.

"But please know, we are bound by rules, not for the sake of having them. But to restrict damage to a minimum….It is a hellish ordeal I know, to be alive when loved ones believe us to be dead, and not being able to correct it. But can you imagine the hurt it would cause if they were to know?" He asked gently.

I looked into his eyes again.

"The damage that may come about by revealing yourself to them, or by simply letting them see you, alive and well….There would be too many questions, ones you could not answer." he explained.

I looked away and nodded again.

"We will think of something, my dear." he said, bending his head to catch my eyes. I smiled back at him.

"I imagine Emmett is not very pleased with himself at the moment." He said with a sigh. "He's not one to dwell on mistakes, but he's never made a mistake that involved one of us so personally. He could use your forgiveness now, more than anything."

I nodded to him. "I know."

With that I left to find him. He wasn't in the house, if he were that upset he wouldn't want an audience. I went outside and searched through the surrounding trees. There was a loud crack in the distance and the top of a tall pine shook before leaning and toppling over.

He was there, pacing back and forth, his eyes scrunched in frustration and down cast. Rosalie stood near, her arms crossed loosely across her chest and her eyes concerned and sympathetic.

"Em…" she called to him softly. "This isn't your fault…it was just an accident, that could have happened to any of us."

He shook his head from side to side.

"Hey…" She moved in front of him, stopping his movements and gently placing her palm on the side of his face. His shoulders slumped and relaxed at her touch, and his eyes met hers. They were full of shame.

"I couldn't control it…." He whispered.

"It's okay…" She whispered and moved in closer, her thumb rubbing his cheek gently. "I know you, you would have stopped if you could. This is an accident, Em. You can't beat yourself up…."

He sighed heavily and let his head fall in her hand, bringing his up to hold it. I moved forward, letting them hear my approach. They both looked over to me, Emmett's eyes falling heavy with shame again and staring at the ground.

"Emma…I'm sor-" he began, but I cut him short.

"Emmett Cullen, don't you dare. You have nothing to be sorry for." I said.

He looked up at me, uncertainty painting his features. "I could have killed him." He said sourly. "I didn't know he was your dad…"

"Neither did I." I said gently. "It could have been anyone, Em. It was just wrong place and the wrong time."

"But it wasn't." He said, his face hardening.

"Emmett, I never thought I'd see him again in my entire existence. There was no way of knowing he'd be there. The last I had known, he and my mother lived in Kodiak, well south of where we were. There was no way of knowing."

"Your phone." He muttered. "It was Alice calling to warn us. She called me too, but I ignored it…."

"Emmett, stop right now." I said sternly. I moved forward, closing the gulf he was building between us, the separation he was creating between him and the world to hide away in his shame.

"I. Do. Not. Blame. You." I stressed every word, my eyes holding his. "So please don't blame yourself."

His eyebrows pulled in the center and he looked down again.

"You're my brother, Emmett. I could never hold that to you."

His eyes came up again, a small smirk growing on the corners of his mouth, setting faint traces of dimples on his cheeks.

"You did hold me…damn muscles, I'm going to have to start calling you big Em." he said.

I smiled at the relief growing in his eyes, his face brightening to the Emmett I knew. "I tried to tell you…" I said holding my hands up innocently. "I'm a beast."

He laughed and punched me in the shoulder before his smile faded slightly. He eyes glanced to mine once again. A silent search for reassurance that he was truly forgiven. I nodded to him and his relief returned.

We returned to the house and a few days later, I found myself watching Alice buzzing about the household, failing in her attempt to refrain from taking control of the wedding. She began arranging things, and quietly ordering us with instructions according to how she envisioned the wedding should play out. She offered to assist Kate in her preparations, slowly managing to take charge of decorating her hair.

"Alice, be nice…." I whispered to her.

Her lips formed a line of defiance, but she nodded and backed off. Slightly.

We found ourselves standing outside, under a clear bright summer day. The wedding party gathered in front of the base of two old trees who's branches had joined in the middle, entwining themselves. Alice had managed to decorate them with hundreds of small, white flowers, creating an archway. Where did she find so many white flowers?

Carlisle gave Esme's hand a gentle squeeze before taking his place directly below the archway, they had asked him to do the honors. All around me, couples stood together, taking each others hand and looking to the house. I glanced over to see Rosalie take Emmett's large hand and smile up to him. I heard him promise her another wedding soon and smiling at her.

Renesmee looked at Jacob standing next to her. Her eyes were pensive with thought, and her hand came to rest on his cheek. At her touch, Jacob's head turned to find her eyes. He took her hand in both of his, never breaking her gaze. Edwards teeth snapped together.

I clasped my hands in front of me as I turned to watch the open French doors on the porch, feeling the single strand of navy blue thread tied around my wrist. Tied around me. I looked down at it as my fingers felt along the three loops. A small musing thought passing through my mind.

The entertaining thought of allowing Alice to reign supreme with my own wedding. Letting her revel in complete control. The only thing of importance being Marc's hand in mine. It was an entertaining thought, given it's impossible chance of becoming a reality, I allowed my mind to wonder further, letting the image develop and flourish. My mother and father sitting on my side of the isle. My brother's from a previous life sitting behind them, arguing jokingly as they always did. Blume giving me a thumbs up. Alice, Rosalie, Bella, and Ness as my bridesmaids. My parents conversing quietly with Carlisle and Esme. And Marc standing with me under an archway just like this, all our loved ones joined together to witness our new life.

I smiled to myself. Letting the thought meld with the scene around me, and enjoying the warmth it brought. The quiet solace that rested in the pit of my stomach and the contentment that sank into my bones.

"William…" I heard Carlisle whisper.

I turned to see him nodding in warm acknowledgement of a tall man that stood in front of him, shaking his hand.

"Good to see you again, Carlisle." The man said in a deep, strong voice. He stood with his back to me as he spoke briefly with Carlisle. There was something oddly familiar about his long dark hair gathered at the back with a leather strap. There was something familiar in his wide shoulders. The man turned, shining in the bright sun, facing toward the house and anxiously awaiting for Kate to emerge from the open doors. This was William. And I knew his face. I knew him. But his eyes were different. They were a light, honey colored gold… not….Red.

He smiled widely at the movement coming from the doors, breathing deeply, but I remembered his face so differently. I remembered it as contorted with pain and torture. I remembered it as cold and unforgiving. I remembered his eyes being greedy, being hungry.

All around me, witnesses gasped and smiled, but all I saw was William. The man I had found in the woods on an island far south from here. The man who had stolen me away from the world as I knew it. Stolen me away from my parents, my brothers, from Marc. The man who had stolen who had stolen my life me. Who had broken everything.

A/N: Yep, it was coming to this. Did you guess it was him? I'd like to know. Rough chapter for poor Emma, but better things are to come, I promise.

I apologize for the delay, but I did promise quality, remember? My reasons are work and being way too wrapped up in reading "So This is Progress" by Katie Marieeee. I highly recommend it. Check it out here:

.net/s/6067368/1/bSo_b_This_is_bProgress_b

As I mentioned before, I'm quite busy at the moment, but I will write when I can.

I love writing this, and I hope (quite a bit) that you enjoy reading it. If you value my sanity at all, or Hector the little ball of Spanish hotness, give me a shout out! There's the review button. I love you.