A Christmas Surprise

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Twilight characters or anything Twilight related.

Chapter 10 – Esme Anne Platt Evenson Cullen

Sam's POV

"I was born in 1895. I grew up on a farm on the outskirts of Columbus, Ohio, where I had a very happy childhood." Esme began. Her eyes looked far away as she spoke.

"As a teenager, my playful, mischievous nature often got me into trouble. At the age of sixteen, I fell out of a tree and broke my leg and like Carlisle said since the local doctor was out of town, I was treated by him." Esme leans up against Carlisle.

"He moved out of town not long after that, but I never forgot the kind doctor with whom I had gotten along with so well. I initially wanted to move west to become a school teacher but I was pressured by my parents to stay and marry."

Wow, can't parents let their kids pursue their dreams their way?

"At the age of twenty two, in an attempt to please my parents, I married Charles Evenson, but I soon realized my husband was an abusive man." My mom, Ellie and Renee gasped as did Charlie while Elena flinched. "My family urged me to keep quiet about the abuse, and I had no choice but to endure it."

Asher shook his head. What is wrong with her parents? Do they not care about Esme at all?

"Much to my relief, my husband was drafted during World War I, finally giving me some peace."
Esme took a deep breath and continued. "I enjoyed a happy period of time while Charles was away, but when Charles returned in 1919, the abuse returned with him."

Esme took another breath. "Sometime after his return, I found out that I was pregnant."

Asher shook his head again.

"Not wanting my child to grow up in such a dangerous home, I ran away to my cousin in Milwaukee, Wisconsin." She continued.

Charlie nodded and gave a little smile.

"When Charles found my whereabouts, I ran away again, this time to Ashland and posed as a war widow. In order to support myself, I became a school teacher, temporarily fulfilling my childhood dream."

I smiled at Esme which she returned before beginning to speak again.

"My child was born in 1921, only to die from lung fever two days later."

Oh no. I thought as Carlisle squeezed Esme's knee. Bella leaned her head on Esme's shoulder and Edward patted Esme's other knee in comfort.

"I was devastated." Her voice broke a little. "After my baby's death, I felt that I no longer had any reason to live, and attempted suicide by jumping off a cliff."

All of us gasped again and Sarah climbed onto Esme's lap.

"When I was found, my condition was so bad that they didn't even made an attempt to revive me. I was immediately brought to the morgue, although my heart was still beating faintly." She smiled up at Carlisle. "Carlisle was working in the area at the time, and recognized me as the happy, beautiful young girl he treated ten years earlier." Carlisle kissed Esme's temple. It was a very sweet gesture.

"I regained consciousness in excruciating pain, but I was happy to see Carlisle again." She continued.

Sarah hugged Esme as she did the same before turning back to us. Wow, Esme is being so much like a mother.

"But the real challenge for me was the blood lust, and I did lose control of my thirst a few times. But that is all water under the bridge now."

Wow, just wow. I can't believe what this woman has been through.

"Oh and I've earned degrees in architecture and art, and had studied photography using them to work as an architect and restore old houses. I'm planning on restoring one for Bryce's family." She smiled to the Golds who were surprised at her offer.

After Esme finished her story her and Carlisle rose from the couch and sat down where Rosalie and Emmett were.

Rosalie stood up.

"I guess it's my turn." She said.

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