Chapter 27: Sanctuary

Once we reached the end of May everything practically returned to normal. Kira was back in school and in my classes again, sat at her faraway spot in class and at lunch, and of course barely talked to me or anyone else. Kira didn't seem to be as happy as I hoped she would, but I knew inside she smiled every time she sees me. She still follows me like a lost puppy, but understands when to leave me alone. I haven't seen her eyes turn that horrid red in a while, which is a relief, only her brilliant green.

"So what you going to do today?" Edward asked me at lunch.

"Alice tricked me and Kira into going to the mall."

"Tricked you and…"

"Fine. Tricked me." I corrected myself, Kira agrees to whatever I agree to.

Kira eyed us while we talked. Edward nodded and her gaze was back down on the table.

"She wants to know if she goes she'll be an annoyance to you and Alice." Kira always asked that question, no matter what I did with whom, and Edward would relay it to me.

"Tell her of course not."

Edward turned to her and shook his head; she nodded back and looked back down.

Summer came quicker than I thought. June and the end of school was practically a flash before my eyes. I was outside mostly with Edward, being cautious of the ground, but still trying to enjoy what the world offered in it's own gracious ways.

Eventually I convinced Edward to me (and of course Kira) back to the meadow. He was picky at first but gave in and picked a nice Saturday. When the day came I was naturally excited, awaiting that perfect pasture in all its perfect glory, with my incarnation of perfection, Edward.

As Edward predicted the weather cooperated and didn't rain at all. It was all pure blue skies without a sign of a cloud in sight; it was one of the most beautiful days I've ever seen in months.

Edward came to my door early, as usual, to pick me up so we can go. Once I was in my seat in the car, I twisted my head almost getting whiplash to see Kira. She was looking down at the car floor, her legs crossed as she sat and her arms gently at her sides grabbing the edges of the leather seat.

"Hey Kira!"

She just looked up, her hair slightly in the way of her emerald eyes.

"Something wrong?"

"No, I'm fine." Her voice was soft and shy and back to normal. I still feel tears coming every time I talk to her, it's still something I have to get used to, but I really don't want to. She's just too endearing to get used to.

"Okay, but tell when there is something wrong! I want to help!"

"Yes Bella." She smirked a bit. I tried my hardest to resist wailing in the car, but tears did overcome my eyes to an extent. Edward rolled his eyes at my lack of emotional strength.

When we got to the trail, I jumped the question to run to the meadow. Edward immediately accepted my request with an eager smirk and anticipation. Kira didn't care. I took a matter of a minute to reach the pasture, and all it wondrous beauty. The grass was still moist and it sparkled throughout the land, the neighboring trees swayed lightly spreading leaves and flowers from their branches; this place never changes. It never will.

Edward walked me down to the center of the meadow, and we sat down together. We sat up allowing our legs to spread across the soft ground, and intertwined our fingers; I leaned against him as he hummed his famed lullaby. Kira was a little bit away, but not by much, maybe a yard stick away. She was sparking amongst the grass as she lied down. Her arms and legs were spread out, her hair was spread out in the grass allowing her face to show, her emerald eyes brighter in color and darker in tone than the meadow itself.

I stared at her flawless figure, seeing how peaceful she finally was. Tears welled up from my endless reserves; Edward was quick to wipe them and began to sing louder and hug me tighter. It wasn't the fact that she was smiling and at peace I was crying, it was something else entirely.

She took her entire life to find something close to happiness, and when she did it was instantly gone before she knew it. She's finally found what she's needed all this time.

We all have a heaven somewhere on earth, whether it's within something or not, it'll be there somewhere.

She has nothing to fear, she has nothing to be worried about anymore. She's just as free as anything here in this endless meadow, and just as lovely. She doesn't need the graveyard to be called a home anymore; she doesn't need anything she had from before.

No longer can she live among the broken hearted.

No longer can she live among the shattered souls.

No longer can she dwell in the land of the dead.

She has found what she's searched for her entire life for; a home, a family, and love.

She found her own sanctuary at last.