I couldn't get to sleep that night. However much I tossed and turned it would not come. Edward knew there was something wrong with us. He had known for a few days that neither of us was very committed to our relationship. So, we broke up. And that was that.

Frustrated, I threw the covers off myself and sat up in the double bed. Crossing my legs, I leant my elbow on my knee and rested my chin on my hand. Milk usually works… I thought. So I swung my legs off the bed and made my way down to the kitchen.

I didn't bother looking around; I just walked towards the fridge. The sooner I got what I came for, the sooner I could sleep. I was tired. I took a sip, and the cool liquid washed down my throat.

I turned around and was shocked to see Carlisle leaning against the table watching me with his arms folded. I gasped and nearly dropped the glass. Turning back to face the kitchen counter I tried catching my breath.

"You know you really shouldn't do that." I gasped.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." He said sounding concerned.

I turned back to face him, leaning back on the counter. "Don't worry about it." I muttered.

"You don't seem very..." he trailed off.

Sighing, I avoided looking at him. "You heard it all, didn't you?" I asked, although it was more of an accusation.

He nodded. Tears sprung at the corners of my eyes. I couldn't help it. The next thing I knew I was sobbing into his chest.

"It never would have worked out anyway… I mean he's a vampire for goodness sake." I whispered.

"Carrie, you'll find someone." He replied.

After a couple of minutes we were just standing there hugging. I noticed he was considerably taller than me…

"Forgive Rosalie." He said out of the blue.

"I-," I started, and then changed my mind. "Okay, I will."

"Perfect!" came a delighted voice from the doorway. I looked up, with my tear stained face, to see Rosalie standing in the door way. She was smiling. I half smiled back.

"Hey," I realised. "Where did my milk go?" I let go of Carlisle and looked around for the glass. Finding it on the counter I drained the glass.

"You should be in bed." said Carlisle. Definitely the fatherly part coming out. (Even more-so)

"I'm going, I'm going!" I said smirking, holding the glass under the tap – intending to clean it. But I blinked, to find I was halfway up the stairs in Carlisle's arms.

I 'hmmfed' as he placed me in my bed. "Good night." He said standing in the doorway.

"Night." I turned over pulling the covers up. The corners of my mouth turned upwards. "Carlisle?" I asked into the darkness a second later.

"Yes?" He said back. I could see his shadow from the landing light, onto the floor.

"I'm really sorry about what happened today. I am grateful for everything, I truly am."

"You don't need to thank us." He hushed me. "We want to help you."

X . x . X

The next morning I was awoken to Alice bouncing around my room wanting me to go shopping with her that day. I rolled my eyes.

"Alice, I knew this was coming up but I don't have any money – well not enough to buy any outfits at least."

She grinned. "I knew you would say that," She began. "So…" She got out a small envelope from her back pocket of her jeans.

"Oh, Alice, you really didn't have to do that." I exclaimed as she handed it to me.

"It's nothing, really. We have lots more!" Alice said happily. "Besides Carrie, I have to make up for all the birthdays I missed before we met!"

"That doesn't count." I replied, stubbornly. "You've had at least a hundred, anyway!"

"Also doesn't count!" She sang. "I'm frozen so ha!"

I rolled my eyes again and smiled. "Excuse me, I need a shower." I said walking over to the bathroom door.

Little did I know, shopping was going to be a distraction for later. I was eating pancakes while the mail arrived. Esme walked into the kitchen carrying an open letter.

"I think you should read this." She said gravely.

My eyes narrowed in confusion and wonder. What was this going to be about – I never got mail. Putting down my fork, I took the letter that she handed me and began to read.

When I looked up again, I was speechless. The letter had said my father wanted to get custody of me. He had heard about the tragedy of my mother and wanted to see me again. He wanted me to live with him.

I stood up leaving the letter on the kitchen table. "I'm sorry, Esme, I'm not hungry." I almost whispered.

She looked concerned. "Do you want to talk about it?" Esme asked.

I didn't reply, instead I just shook my head, walking over to the door heading upstairs. Alice found me less a few minutes later sitting on my bed.

"My father… left before I was born." I said as she walked in and sat cross legged on the bed facing me. "He hates me. Why would he want me back?" A tear slid down my face, I sniffed and wiped it away.

"Mabye he's had time to think about things." She said trying to reassure me.

I snorted. "He didn't want me then, so why would he want me now? As far as he's concerned I was a mistake." This was hopeless, I was just getting angry.

"Give him a chance. You might like him. And he might like you." Alice tried to persuade me.

My brow furrowed. "I could never stay here forever could I?" I was figuring it out now. "You knew this was going to happen. You saw it working out?"

"Yeah," She said. "But it's better this way. Besides, you shouldn't have to worry about getting attacked if you get a paper cut."

"I wasn't," I replied. "I suppose it's for the best." I sighed.

X . x . X