Disclaimer: I do not own anything Twilight or Vampire Diaries. I just blend their worlds with my imagination.
2 Weeks Ago:
My Bella lay in bed, a weak, pale shadow of the woman who'd come to stay with us eight weeks ago. Meredith had set her up with oxygen, as she simply wasn't strong enough to get enough air into her lungs by herself. Blood was the only nourishment she could take any more, and her frail body looked incredibly breakable.
Her eyes fluttered up to my own as she pointed at the writing supplies. She barely spoke any more and nearly ten days had passed since her last letters. I sat at my desk as I looked over at her, waiting for her to dictate, knowing we had to be nearly done. Her whispery, breathless voice was barely audible as she began speaking.
"Carlisle,
I wish we'd had more time together. You were the father that taught me there was another way beyond my relationship with Charlie. You cared for me from the first. I'd like to think it was from the day I was almost killed. I know, which time right? The very first. The van. The day I realised there was something odd about all of you.
You took me, a clumsy human, into your life. You cared for me, loved me, never let me feel like an outsider. You told me about your life, and despite the danger it put you in, you never let on that you'd change a single thing. You're the most compassionate person I've ever met, and I hope that no matter how difficult this all is, that you never let go of that compassion.
I know you, and I know that you'd never intentionally hurt any of your family. So I ask you to forgive. Don't place blame. This was my choice. Continue to love all of your children for the wonderful, loving, kind people you raised them to be. Never let go of that. You need to hold the family together. You need to both remember and remind that family doesn't cease being family because they live apart.
You've lived so long under a single roof with only short spans apart that this separation is going to be difficult I know. I know you're feeling like you've lost them. I know you haven't. Just be there, support them, love them, just as you did me, even if it's at a distance. Even if you only see them once a year. Real families do that, and so can yours.
I love you, dad. I've thought of you as my father since I first officially met you. Be strong.
Bella"
As soon as she fell quiet, I rushed to her. Her breathing was laboured even with the oxygen. Resting my forehead against hers, I stroked her hair gently, wishing with all of my heart that I could give her my strength. She smiled at me as her eyes closed, exhaustion claiming her.
She slept for two days before waking and indicating it was time for another letter. The tears now openly flowed down my cheeks. She didn't speak between the last and this one, and I knew her strength was just about gone. She did this because she felt she had to, and every word wore her down more.
"Esme,
Oh, mom. What can I say? You're everything I ever wanted. You took care of me like no one else ever had before. Your genuine joy at loving your family always felt like being embraced by the sun. You never made me feel like anything was too much. Your displeasure was never something I wanted and all I can hope right now is that you will someday forgive me for all of the hurt and heartache right now.
I imagine you and Carlisle will share your letters between you. It's okay. So know that, like mine to him, I want you to forgive. You're always so sweet, so gentle, except when it comes to your family, and if I know you at all, I know that right now you're blaming at least one in the family for all the pain, all the grief, that is running through everyone right now. Forgive, mom. It's your true strength. The ability to forgive, and heal your family.
Show them all of the love they need to move forward. Drag them together for Christmas. As the years pass, it will get easier. Never, ever stop loving as openly as only you can, mom. Drown them with your motherly affection, as I know you want to. And when they protest, remind them that it's what I wanted. That should shut up the few dissenters.
Stick up for yourself and Carlisle, though. Take vacations. Make Isle Esme your own. Learn when it's okay to step back and let your children grow on their own. It's okay to let them make mistakes. It's okay to dream of a life that's just for you and Carlisle. Don't live with guilt and regret. Just love. Always love.
Bella"
I sat where I was as she collapsed in exhaustion, listening to the steady beep of the heart monitors. We knew it was almost time. We were hoping to help with the birth somehow, some way. But we'd found nothing. Jasper was doing his best to keep Masen content, so that she wouldn't bruise her mother more than necessary. Bella just looked so weak. I missed her colour, her vivacious laughter. They would be things I would always miss, yet would never regret knowing.