A/N: This is what I imagine will be the final chapter, save the prologue, and I find it hard to finish this story. Please, enjoy.
Chapter Fourteen:
The world was hazy… and purple. She liked purple. It hung on her conscious like a veil sheathing her scattered vision. She was outside herself, watching as though her eyes were old fashioned projectors and she were the patient movie-goer.
There, swaddled in soft, baby pink, bundled in her mother's arms. Tears shone in the new morning light, falling across her mother's cheek.
"Don't cry, mom," She shushed, but her words were lost as the image flew out of focus.
Again, as the world cleared, still shaded in dusty lavender, she focused in upon herself, coming home from first grade, her mother cleaning her bloodied lip.
"They made fun of me, mama," She listened to her tiny voice squeak, "They said my daddy never loved me. They said he left me 'cause I'm ugly."
"Oh, honey," Her mother dropped the soiled washcloth and enveloped her daughter in her frail arms, "Don't you ever think that. Your daddy left because of him, not you. Don't you listen to them."
The dark haired little head bobbed as the iris of the world flexed, closing only to open to a brighter, violet realm.
"You could go and visit him." She heard her little voice reason as she sat snug in her grandmother's guest bed.
"Oh, no," Grandmother Kim shook her head with absolution, "I'd rather he remember me the way I was."
"Gramma," She whispered to herself, watching the scene unfold, "I miss you."
She watched flashes of Alice and Edward, up on the hill while she herself played with Jack, the rambunctious pup. The haze of purple began to lift and she watched the images transcend to something she had never seen before.
She was standing in the mirror, but it was not her. This girl, no, this young woman was too tall, too slender and too… old, to be herself. She looked nearly as old as Alice, her long raven hair cut in clean horizontal locks. Her bangs swept over her forehead in a clean straight line and it caused her bright blue eyes to sparkle, framed with luscious thick lashes. Her mouth was bright red and sloped in a pleasing cupid's bow.
She was beautiful.
"Melanie."
Turning, she only watched the slow swirl of the violet smoke all around her.
"Melanie."
She turned to the mirror and watched as it dissolved into thin air.
"MELANIE."
Two bright lights flooded her vision and her body froze.
"MELANIE!"
"No!" Melanie cried, feeling two flat palms forcing her back into a sea of rippling warmth around her.
"Shhh, it's okay!" Alice whispered, tears in her voice. "It's alright Melanie. You're safe."
"W-where am I?" She breathed, her voice hoarse from misuse.
"You're in the hospital," she explained, "Bart's car ran you over. It's a miracle you survived."
"Car?" Melanie fought within her foggy mind to recall. "Edward! Is he alright?"
"He's fine," Alice shushed her quickly, "And don't worry about Bart, he and his friend were arrested for DUI and they're going away for a long, long time. Don't you worry."
"Oh," Melanie slumped over, feeling her body convulse in pain. "What happened to me?"
"You've broken some ribs," Alice soothed her by rubbing up and down her left arm, her tired face shining in the room's dull light. "And you have a major concussion. But it could have been worse. Mel, it could have been so much worse."
"Don't cry," Melanie smiled sadly as Alice's face contorted in pain.
"It's all my fault," Alice moaned, hiding her face behind her hands, "I called the shop and you must have heard the message and came running. Oh, please forgive me Melanie."
"It's not your fault," Melanie sighed, "Bart was the one to run me over. Not you. At least now we won't have to worry about him."
"Do you always have to be so positive?" Alice sobbed and Melanie laughed, taking her hand and squeezing it softly.
"Hey, sleeping beauty's up," Michael grinned, opening the door for Sophie, who rushed to her daughter, "C'mon, Alice, let's go get her some lunch."
"Okay," Alice gave Melanie a quick kiss on the forehead before taking her uncle's hand.
"Mom," She heard Melanie speak before the door shut behind them, "I want to cut my bangs."
"Whatever you want, baby." Sophie sobbed.
That Night:
"Edward?" Alice called, hearing the door creak behind her as it closed.
Hearing no reply, she tread the entry room lightly, listening for any feathered footsteps or snipping of shears. Reaching the ballroom door, she slid it open ever so gently and felt a smile spread upon her lips. There he was sitting alone at the piano bench, staring soulfully into the dark wood of the instrument. The light from the distant sunset bled in through the stained glass windows surrounding the room, shrouding the man in an eerie glow of purple and blue.
"Hello, Edward." She slid her arm around his as she sat beside him.
"Is she okay?" He whispered hoarsely, his eyes fluttering to hers, so full of fear.
"Yes," Alice nodded, "She's fine. She's worried about you."
He smiled softly and leaned his cheek into the crown of her head as she lay her own upon his shoulder. She smelled his scent of faded leather and yellowing leather bound books. Edward was enjoying his own moment with her as well, inhaling the scent of ocean breeze that radiated from her, feeling his mind come to a long awaited peace again.
"Alice?" He asked suddenly, stirring her from her pensive thoughts.
"Hmm?" She broke away, staring into his eyes, so dark and full of light, even as the sun vanished before them.
"Will you play that song for me?" He asked shyly, his lips curling upwards bashfully.
Her fingers splayed across the keys, settling into his melody, stretching lazily as they danced. Closing his eyes, Edward listened to her play, finding it hard to breathe. Alice felt something rising in her that she had not felt in so long, she felt peace.
"I love you."
A/N: This is not the end! Not yet, at least. Still one last installment to come: the prologue. I never end without one. Until then, please review! It makes me feel like I accomplish something when I write this. Thanks and hope you liked it!