Edward POV

I knew Alice would see my decision and alert the others. That gave me time to sit with Carmen and tell her I'd be leaving. As I went to her room though, I saw it was empty. I didn't think she had any tests or anything, so I asked the nurse.

"She's been transferred down the hall, she's not doing well." The nurse said sadly. "I don't think she'll make it through the night. She asked for a more private room."

I numbly asked for the room number and walked down the hall. I knew this was coming of course, but I realized I wasn't prepared. I had shared so much with Carmen in these past months, that I never imagined her leaving. But she was.

And here I was, frozen this way.

It didn't matter how long you lived. Death will always follow you. It will always affect you. That state of mind was one of the few things that reassured me maybe vampires did have a soul.

As I reached her room I didn't bother trying to mask that I knew. She'd hate that. Instead I walked in and took my spot at the edge of her bed. There wasn't a chair, but she'd left room for me.

"I knew you'd come by."

"I'm glad you knew."

"I know you're leaving too."

"You know everything do you?"

"I knew Jorge and Marisol were the last keys in getting you to go back."

"And what were the other keys Yoda?"

"Time." She smiled at me. "Mostly you needed time. You needed to realize what you are doesn't mean you can't have love. I love you after all."

"I love you too." I smiled back and reached for her hand. "What do you mean by what I am?"

She looked at me and sighed. "At the end of your life I believe some things become clearer than they are to those with their life ahead of them. Certain hints are caught."

I felt, as I did with Jorge, my throat tighten. "What are you trying to say Car?"

"There's something old about you. Even older than me. Your eyes tell a story of their own. The way you judge yourself, it's as if you've done and seen things you couldn't at your age. How old are you then Edward?"

Again, I didn't hesitate. "Seventeen."

"Not twenty three." She smiled. "And have you been seventeen for longer than I've been alive?"

"Yes." I breathed deep and looked at her. For the second time I had just told a human I was an immortal, and for the second time I was surprised with a laugh."

"Well that's just not fair. I should have seduced you then. Here I'd been thinking you were a young thing." Her expression changed to sympathetic. "So what is it you are then?"

"Why do you want to know? Why now? Shouldn't we just enjoy our time?"

"Perhaps. But why be afraid of it? I know you. I know whatever you are won't change what I already know. IT doesn't make you, you. Why are you so afraid of it? Embrace it."

"I don't think anyone since my mother has made me feel more foolish but loved, like you do."

"That's what I'm here for."

"I'm a vampire." I said, looking her in the eye.

She looked back at me and sighed. "I was hoping for Dorian Grey. I've read stories of him."

"Well that's not embracing what I am."

"I have been this entire time." She smiled. "Can I ask you something?"

"Why not, at this point."

"Can you kill me?"

I tensed. "As in am I capable or you'd like me to?

"I'd like you to."

"Have you lost your mind then?"

She sighed. I thought it would be less painful than the way I'm going. Or does it hurt to be bitten?"

"It's the most pain there is. Not to mention it would draw attention. Oh and there's the fact that I don't kill people. I've only ever killed murders and those types. Never a loved one."

"Forgive me; I'm merely wanting a quick fix. Dying feels so slow."

"I understand. It took me three days."

"Tell me. Tell me the story." She settled back in her pillows like a child does when ready for a bedtime story. For the first time in a long while I felt my age, and older than her.

I told her everything. My human years, my parents dying, my death and changing and how I'd lived since I told her of my family and how we tried to blend in and not be like the others who embraced the monstrous side of our nature. I even told her of my gift.

"What am I thinking?"

"Oh, don't start that."

"How does it work?"

"It depends on the person, and what I'm trying to do. If it's someone I have an attachment to, like my family, then if I put my best effort into it, I can read them from anywhere. I f it's someone I've only just met, then I need to be in the close vicinity to them to hear. We haven't measured it completely, but usually it's a couple miles I can get a read on."

"But you can read anyone's mind?"

"No not always. Sometimes there are those like me who I can't hear. There's only ever been two humans I haven't been able to read."

"Bella." She guessed.

"And you."

"Me? So you've tried?"

"Yes. A while ago. I was so sure you knew about me. You saw me so clearly. SO I checked, but I didn't get thoughts. I got images. Your husband, how you saw me, other memories."

"Am I broken then, or is my brain just stronger than yours?" She smiled weakly.

"Probably a bit of both." I smiled back but griped her hand. I heard her heart beat slow down. "I'm not sure how I'll go along without you yelling at me."

"You'll do just fine. Are you just leaving, or are you going back to her?"

"Yes. I'm going to her."

It's about time. I have something for you."

"What's that?"

"It's on the table there." She pointed at the one on the other side of her bed.

I reluctantly let go of her for the moment to walk over to it. "I'm not taking your sketch book. Carmen."

"There's only one drawing in it. It's yours."

I opened the sketchbook when I reached her side again. As I saw the drawing I had to sit, and reached for her hand again. "Car." I whispered.

It was a simple charcoal drawing. The shading made the background seem ominous. The center was me at the hospital piano, the day I opened the parts of my mind I'd been blocking and played Bella's lullaby.

My hands were somewhat blurred, still playing the song. My expression was as if I was daydreaming and content. I looked as if I had just become whole. The reason for that was the additional person Carmen added to the scene.

Bella. She'd captured her perfectly, even from only the descriptions I'd given her. She stood behind me, her hands wrapped around my shoulders, her cheek pressed to the top of my head. She looked as I did. Clearly, contently; in love. There was no one else. Just us, as I played her song.

"I just drew what I saw. It was one of the most beautiful things I've seen. The look on your face, I knew you were thinking of her. Seeing her. And just like that, she was there. I think she's always with you."

"She is. It's perfect. It's the most amazing thing I own. I wish I could give you something, but nothing will equal this."

"You've given me a lot already. And you're here."

I moved the picture aside and put her hand in both of mine. Her breathing slowed with her heartbeat. "Love you."

"Love you." She echoed.

And as simple as that, another piece of me slipped away, and I knew I'd never be the same.

I sat with her for a time. Fully saying my goodbye. I went down the hall and did the same with Jorge and Marisol. Then I left Argentina. All I took with me was the drawing. No matter what happened next, I knew I'd keep it for all my time. It told my story, more than anything else ever would.

After a little mind checking I found out where my family was. It seemed Alice had had seen my decision and told them all, so they were gathered where Rosalie and Emmett were currently staying.

I didn't feel nervous or ashamed as I thought I would in seeing them again. Carmen had helped me to accept what I was. I may have steered away from Carlisle's ways, I hadn't completely, and I was back now. No matter the outcome with Bella, I knew I'd still stay with my family. I had a refresher course on what was important, and it was them.

I veered up the hills of the Adirondacks in the car I rented and felt Carmen there with me. I was sure I always would now. She'd be my conscience. Keeping me on the right track.

I parked the car next to the others, smiling as I saw Emmett come out first to greet me. I was braced for his hug, or otherwise I would have gone flying.

"I was gonna say a lot of things and yell at you a bit, but I'll just go with I missed you." He said.

I squeezed back. "I'll tell the others you were downright menacing."

"Good. Are you ok? Alice said…."

"Yea. It's been a rough time, but a good one too. I'm ok." I glanced over as Esme came sprinting out. "Much better now." I added right before I caught her. "Hey there."

Within the same second I was surrounded by my sisters. Jasper clapped me on the back as Rosalie yelled at me, but hugged me harder than anyone else. Then the person I'd been searching for walked over. I reached over to hug him. "Hey Dad." I said at his shoulder.

He hugged back, and the emotion was clear in his voice. "You staying?"

"Promise."

I felt him nod and back away. "We've all been discussing what we want to do next, and Rosalie and Emmett don't want to enroll again, But Jasper and Alice do."

"Then we should go back to Forks." I said, and in seeing their surprise, I saw Alice didn't tell them Everything. "Being mischievous again there Tink?

"You have your fun, I have mine."

"You sure you want to go back?" Jasper asked. "With what Alice saw of her…."

"This isn't just about me. I should have never asked you all to leave. It was your home too. I know I had my reasons but it wasn't right. And regardless of who she's friends with now, Bella wouldn't turn any of you away. I know her. So where is it you all want to go, and that's where we'll go."

"I think we all want to go back to Forks." Rosalie said. "It's always felt like home, no matter where else we ran off to. But what about you?"

"Well…." I smiled crookedly. "I have a plan….."

Authors Note:

Well thanks to a fan, I've been nominated twice for the hidden stars award. I'm His Lobster (my first story where Kim/Jared Lulu, Ayanna, and Elan come from) is up for one category, and I'm Running Away So You Can Make Me Whole is up for another. Voting is the 10th to the 12th! Fingers crossed. Awards are cool.

thehiddenstarawards dot blogspot dot com

If ya guys wanna vote. Til then, read review and enjoy!