/AN: Sorry this is late! Please enjoy/

/DISCLAIMER: I don't own Twilight/

Vivianne sat down at the table in response to Jake's silent invitation. With suffocating carefulness, he set the ragged box on the table in front of her. Something shifted slightly inside of it, drawing curiosity from her veins. Her eyes were wide with a mixture of fear and wonder. The others watched silently and seemed that no one dared to breathe as she gently lifted the lid, the rusty hinges squealing in protest.

She let out a quiet gasp as her eyes fell on the necklace she knew well. It's velvet ribbons still bright, without fading or fraying, though now slightly dusty, and the opalescent pearls glimmering in the slanted light from the window. The clasps were a little loose and rusting, but she could tell from the few spots that were still reflective that they had once been a bright golden color. It was almost as though time could not touch anything but the metallic chain that hid between the red and white. Beneath the jewelry piece was a think parchment envelope, addressed with swirling blue ink to Quil Ateara III, the return address was one she knew well.

With shaking hands, she pulled the heavy letter from the envelope, unsure of what she expected to find. She took a deep, steadying breath, and then unfolded the pages.

To Quil, the third, if it's asked.

My instructor and mentor. The man who helped me realize my fate, and the destiny of my yet unborn child. I made this, inspired by your story of The Third Wife. No one tells it like you do. When my daughter returns, it is hers, for undoubtedly, I shall have a daughter. I will teach her nothing of this, I wouldn't want to rob you of that privilege. She will not understand at first, and she may never understand completely, but she will not return to me once she has met him. Guide her, if only slightly, or from a distance.

Sebastian wrote something for her too, please keep it, despite how you feel about him.

Your ever grateful, almost daughter

Nicole

P.S. I hope she's as difficult to get along with as you are.

On the second paper, she found her mother's handwriting again, this time addressed specifically to her.

Darling

I know you're confused, and probably scared. I'm sorry I didn't talk to you more about this, but I've known for a long time that it wouldn't be my place. Let Quil explain, or, if for some reason he can't, ask Billy, or Sarah, or any of the Elders in La Push. There is one thing I must tell you: you cannot come back to Germany. Your father and I moved there to solve a problem, but we knew it would be temporary, and eventually they would come for us, for you. I couldn't take that. Don't worry about us. Your father and I will find a way to be okay. The last thing we want is for you to be caught up in this war.

Love,

Mama

With tears running down her face, Vivianne brought the last page to the front. The scrawl was different and messy, but it had a nice appeal to it. She had never seen this handwriting before.

Anne,

Sweet daughter. We will name you after my mother, though Nikki doesn't know that yet. She will, of course, want something fancier for you, but as long as you are Anne, which you will be, that's okay with me. If only you could see how your mother has changed over the past few months. When she first found out about you, she was terrified, we both were, but now, it's like she's always known how to be a mom. I'm beginning to wonder if I'll ever get the hang of it. I suppose I should start by apologizing. I'll probably be the clumsiest, most embarrassing father anyone could ask for, but I'll try. I hope that's what matters. There's so many things I want to know, things I've never wondered before, like who you'll turn out to be, how you'll change the world. If you're anything like your mother, the world better watch out. I'm already thinking about when you're grown, your first day at school, your first job, college, when you fall in love for the first time, when you get married. I suppose that's normal. I can't wait to see you grow up. I've already wasted to much ink, so I suppose I'll stop there.

Sebastian

Papa

P.S. I don't think I'll ever get used to being a dad.

The letter was hard to read do to the multiple places where the pen he was using seemed to spill ink on the page, but Vivianne was now sobbing incorrigibly. Those around her looked curious and uncomfortable, barring Jake, who only looked concerned.

"Vivianne?" he whispered, his hand resting gently on her shoulder.

She shook her head, her entire body trembling.

"Vivianne," he pulled her away from the table, the letters still clutched tightly in her hands, "Vivianne, what…?"

He stopped midsentence when she met his gaze, a burning pain erupted in his chest. It seemed to coat his insides, clinging to his ribcage and turning his stomach. It took all of his strength to keep from doubling over from the pain. He took a deep breath and led Vivianne into the living room, where she immediately collapsed into the couch, choking on her sobs. He fell heavily into the spot next to her, wincing. The only word that escaped through Vivianne's despair was, "Papa," which she would repeat in sorrowful calls, as though she expected a response.

As time passed, her crying calmed, and the strangling pain that Jacob felt began to abate. She was now in a dazed sadness; her body numb and her eyes unfocused. She still clung absentmindedly to the letters, as though they were some sort of anchor in the storm of her thoughts. The sun had set by now, and Charlie had called several times to make sure Vivianne was okay. Jacob's consciousness was drifting by the time anyone spoke again.

"Are you doing okay, honey?" Emily's voice was soft and calm as she addressed Vivianne, offering her a steaming cup of tea.

It took her a moment, but Vivianne finally nodded, releasing the pages to take the cup.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Again, there was a long pause before Vivianne made any response.

"'I'll probably be the clumsiest, most embarrassing father anyone could ask for,'" Vivianne took a deep, stabilizing breath, tears streaking down her burning cheeks again. When she continued, her voice was shaky and stuttering, "'but I'll try. I hope that's what matters. There's so many things I want to know…like who you'll turn out to be, how you'll change the world. I'm already thinking about when you're grown, your first day at school, your first job, college, when you fall in love for the first time, when you get married…I can't wait to see you grow up.'"

Jacob had sat up from his half-sleep and wrapped a comforting arm around her.

"That's from your father?" Emily asked.

Vivianne nodded, sniffling and curling into Jake's side.

"Well, that seems so wonderful… what's wrong?"

Vivianne's body trembled as she answered, "My dad died when I was three,"

/AN: Please favorite, follow, review/