Epilogue

Just as I had begun my story, Jacob walked into Leland's house. As I spoke, he, too, seemed transfixed to hear the tale of the first six weeks of summer from a different perspective.

When I had reached the end of my story - the events of that day - Jacob expressed shock about Shalayne and Aitana: First, that there was now another female wolf; and second, that there was a bear at all, let alone one who had just a short while ago wanted to kill me. He also voiced much the same sentiments as Carlisle, wondering what other kinds of shapeshifters might be out there. And while he was eager to speak to Shalayne about becoming a wolf, he knew that right now, it was more important for her to help her friend heal. So he said goodbye to the three of us and left to fill Sam in.

After he had gone, Branson stroked his chin with his hand and regarded me thoughtfully. "That doesn't sound very dreadful to me," he said after a moment.

"When I first said that, I meant it as a joke," I told him. "But the more I think about it, there really wasn't much of a happy ending, was there?"

"Oh, I don't know about that," Leland said. "You and I made it through alright."

My smile was fleeting. "I know, Lee, and I still can't tell you how truly blessed I feel."

I sighed, then took a sip of my iced tea. "I just can't help feeling terrible for everyone whose part in this didn't turn out quite so fortunate."

Branson nodded slowly. "Indeed. Sierra's and Collin's deaths are a great sadness upon this place, and will continue to be for a while yet. But their lives, the good memories they gave to all who knew them, are something to celebrate."

"Yeah," I said, then glanced out the door, thinking of Seth and Jennifer. I wondered once again at the why of their pairing, and said so out loud.

"Perhaps it is as you said, and your brother is meant to save Jennifer from darkness," Branson mused.

"Okay, maybe," I conceded. "And I know that as my brother's imprint, I should accept her, but I just … It was easier to understand what Sam went through, having now been through it myself. He forgave me so readily for all the horrible things I said and did, so why do I find it so hard to forgive Jennifer now that she's basically a member of my family?"

"Let me ask you something," Leland said suddenly. "Do you even want to forgive her? And if you do, why do you want to forgive her?"

I frowned. "Well, yeah, I would like to. But what do you mean by why?"

Leland patted the hand he held. "Are you wanting to forgive Jennifer for Seth or for yourself?"

"Both," I said honestly. "I don't want to make Seth feel like he has to choose between us, and I don't want my mistrust of her to come between my brother and me. I want to be able to say I like my brother's girl - I'd like to be able to think of her as a sister someday. Plus, I don't want my hatred of what she's done to me and the others to stain my soul. I know what it's like to live with hatred in your heart, and I don't want to go through that again. I was not the kind of person that I really want to be."

"I think," Branson began, "that because you recognize that in yourself, it will make it easier for you to forgive Jennifer's transgressions. But forgiveness takes time."

I looked across the table at the older man. "If you're worried about my forgiving Aitana, don't. Her actions are easier to forgive because I understand her motivations better. I have been where she is."

Branson glanced toward the hallway, his hands clasped together against his chin. "It is not your forgiveness of Aitana that I am concerned about - though I do thank you for being so understanding."

He sighed, then added, "It is her forgiveness of herself."

After Branson's worried statement about his daughter I got up from the table and walked outside, needing a little bit of air. I had told probably the most influential story of my life tonight, but I had left out a crucial part:

I had not told them that Cailin was pregnant.

When I got to that part, I only said that we had talked, but that I knew no more than they did. Because Cailin had asked it of me, I kept her secret to myself. This was another burden, like forgiving Jennifer, that weighed heavily on me.

And it wasn't until that moment that I realized how very much I missed having my father to talk to. He might not have cared for vampires at all, but he was a wise man and he would have listened with an open mind as I poured out my heart to him. I even imagined that - while he might also have been unhappy with Fate's choice for Seth - my dad would nevertheless have welcomed Jennifer with more open a mind and heart than I had.

The first half of the summer had been full of surprises good and bad, but as I turned back toward Whistler Cottage to find Leland standing on the porch smiling down at me, I knew that no matter what the rest of it held - or even what the future beyond it held - I was going to make it through okay.

Author's Note: I began this story in mid- to late-2009, and finished it in the spring of 2010. I wrote it based on some words Twilight author Stephenie Meyer was reported to have said. One quote I read had her saying that, post-Breaking Dawn, Leah was "pretty satisfied with life." She had also been quoted as saying that were she to continue the series, Leah was a character whose perspective she might use.

After reading those words, I began to wonder just how Leah got to a point where she was "pretty satisfied with life," given how angry and bitter she was through much of Eclipse and Breaking Dawn - though she had clearly begun to mellow by the end of the latter book (not much, but some). I honestly figured that the only way Leah would reach such a state of happiness would be if she imprinted, so I chose that circumstance as the premise for this book. But seeing as not much good comes without sacrifice, I knew Leah would have to face challenges as she reached that final peace. I looked at this story as being an opportunity to explore imprinting in greater depth, as well as what it was like becoming a shapeshifter. I also saw it as a tool for showing how Leah has grown and matured since the end of the series, which I believed entirely plausible given some of the things she had said to Jacob prior to Renesmee's birth.

I would love to be able to present this story as a gift to Stephenie, because I honestly think she would enjoy how I used her words as inspiration. But given how unlikely it is that I shall ever have chance to meet her, I'm content with sharing it with all of you. My deepest thanks to all who have taken the time to read the story, and to those of you who have posted reviews. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

~ Christina