*All characters except Esmerelda and Gideon are the intellectual property of Stephanie Myer. Esmerelda and Gideon are the intellectual property of me.*

Aro

I found the winter that Eleazer seemed to love so much transfixing. The snow was always different and such an interesting specimen. The way it was able to bend the light and make it appear in so many different colors. Not to mention the people! Oh the flavors were so different and intriguing. Perhaps with was the environment.

I had decided that it had been too long since I had seen my friend. I began this journey to perhaps find answers. Alaska was close to Canada and as I was unable to find any sign of my daughter's body all those years ago, I was hoping that perhaps they had found her and raised her. Eleazer would be unable to say no to me even though he had left the guard years ago. She would be mine within a fortnight.

I had left Volterra three days ago with Jane and Felix. I had left my mate behind where she was safe. I had decided to travel by water to keep us all hidden and to make the travel faster. The home came into view and we rounded the bend. It was simple compared to where we lived and very open. They must have felt that they were completely safe from humans here. I knocked on the door and was surprised that it was opened by Kate. She saw it was me and slammed it in my face. I waited patiently as I knew Eleazer would come. Seconds later the door swung open and he extended his hand to me. I smiled and enveloped it with mine.

I face grew still and I pulled away from him. I turned and ran without a word. The Cullen's would pay, this time they would pay.

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Esmerelda

"Grandma?" I knocked on the green house door and entered. I slid my hands into my pockets and watched her planting some new purple flowers.

"Yes sweetie?" She didn't even look up but I knew she was paying attention.

"What did grandpa mean earlier?" I knelt down next to her and began to pull dead leaves off the flowers around me. We worked in silence for a few moments. Grandma wiped her forehead with the back of her hand and sat back on her heals.

"Well a long time ago, before Carlisle found and turned any of us, he stumbled across Gideon. Gideon's ability made it very hard for him to feed on people and he didn't know there was another way. Carlisle taught him that he could feed from animals. They spent a few years together and then parted ways. They met on and off and the last time Gideon was around, Carlisle asked him to stay. He said he couldn't because he wasn't a part of Carlisle's family." Grandma smiled at me.

"Is he my mate?" I didn't want to beat around the bush. I wanted to know if I was going to be stuck with some old guy forever.

"Well the reaction you two had to each other is one of the signals yes. Is that a problem?" Grandma's face began to cloud with worry.

"Problem? No, he's only what, 431 years old?" I stood and ran from the green house. I spun on my heel and ran in the opposite direction of my tree house. I sent out a thought that no one should follow me and kept running.

I didn't care that I had just broken my most sacred rule. I had always dreamt that I would find a human and have him turned to be with me. I had fallen in love with the stories my Aunt's had told me and I guess had wanted that. My heart was beating steadily yet it felt like it was yearning for something. I reached the line that separated the tribe and our land. I slid to a stop and sat down.

I touched my hand where Gideon's had been a few hours before. I could still feel his firm yet gentle hand shake. Was this what it was like? Would I not have a choice? I didn't want to just love him. I wanted to be courted and to fall in love. I felt tears begin to run down my face. I heard a branch snap behind me. I was on my feet in an instant, facing whoever was coming. I expected it to be Uncle Edward because he could always fight off my mind control. Instead, I saw Gideon.

"I'm sorry to have followed you. I heard your reaction and felt I needed to speak to you. I want you to know that I would never force you to be my mate if you did not want it. It has to be your choice Esmerelda. Perhaps we could just talk and get to know each other first." He was leaning against a tree and his golden eyes never left my face. His hair was beautiful and I longed to run my hands through it. I had always thought that Dad was handsome but Gideon was the most stunning man I had ever seen. I gasped as I suddenly realized he had the same drawl as Daddy!

"Are you from Texas?" I couldn't help myself. I needed to know more about this mysterious man.

"No mam. The accent comes from an area in the old world. I'm guessing Jasper is from Texas though." I nodded and then froze. I took a deep breath and was amazed at his scent. It was a mix of hay and the wind after a rainy day. It was the most amazing scent. I shook my head and turned to walk away. He was at my side in an instant.

"May I escort you home?" He held out his arm and I laughed. I wanted old fashioned romance and I got it. I slid my arm through his and we began walking back to the house.

"So Gideon, why come visit now?" I wanted to know if rumor of the mind controlling vampire had brought him here.

"My gift. It's rather complicated and explaining it can be hard. I have a bond with Carlisle because he is like a brother to me. The last time I felt this pull was around fifty-seven years ago but I was detained at the time. This time I had the option of coming so I did. Make sense?" He glanced at me then looked back ahead of us.

"Yes. Why, why come now though?"

"I felt that my brother needed me so I came." He smiled down at me and lifted me over the fallen tree.

I froze with my hands against his chest. He seemed to be too good to be true. I was afraid to let myself fall for him, yet my heart was telling me to. He didn't move either, just seemed to be waiting for me to make the first move. I spun around and took off as fast as I could. I knew I was not match for a full vampire's speed but I needed to get away ad clear my head. I sped over the treaty line as I knew that Emily would be available to talk. She had become a second grandmother to me and I needed her right now.

I entered the clearing that held her and Sam's home and came to a stop. I walked up to the door and knocked. Emily answered and pulled me into her arms. I began to cry and she allowed me to let it all out. When I was done she sent me to living room and she went and made us some tea. Bringing it in, she handed me a cup then sat down across from me.

"Now, what brings you here little star?" She sat back and she sipped on her drink.

"An old friend of Grandpa's showed up. We had a "moment" and now he's all I can think about. I'm scared Aunt Emily." I set the cup down and wrapped my arms around my legs.

"Ah, finding your mate. It's the same for us it's just called imprinting. Its true love little star, fighting it will just make it worse. Now come here and tell me about how you feel." She held out an arm and I sat next to her, allowing her to hold me against her. This was what she had done the first time I met her five years ago and was still my favorite way to be held by her.

"He's a lot like dad. He is a gentleman and knew Grandpa a long time ago. I don't actually know very much about him. He seems to be a wonderful person. I feel like he is my everything. I feel like there's something missing when he isn't near. Yet I am afraid." She rubbed circles on my back as I spoke and I began to feel better, to feel that being with him could be right. "I wanted to kiss him, but I ran here instead."

"And now?" She looked into my eyes and smiled a look of encouragement.

"Now I want to tell him that I want him." I smiled back and her. Throwing my arms around her I thanked her and then ran home. Perhaps growing up and falling in love was not as scary as I thought.