1st September 2039

Holly Cullen

I woke to the sound of yelling in the house. This was one thing I hadn't missed living in England. My parents waking me up. This time it was my dad, he was yelling at Avia.

"But daddy!" she screamed back.

"Avia no, I just won't allow it," he was telling her.

"I'm fully grown!" she screamed. I turned over and pulled my pillow over my head. Christian was chuckling next to me.

"What's going on?" I asked him as my father and sister continued to shout through the house.

"Your sister wants to go to Seattle for the weekend, your dad says no," he told me, staring down at me with a smile.

"Didn't you sleep last night?" I asked him; normally I could tell if he had, he'd have messy hair for one. He shook his head.

"I just watched you," he grinned.

"Really?" I asked him with a frown.

"No I didn't. I went to give Jace company on his patrol, then read my book until about twenty minutes ago when your family became far more entertaining," he chuckled. I smiled. Him and Jason had become really good friends. I was so happy that things had smoothened out. Erin and I were really close too, in fact she had told me that I was the closest thing to a best friend she had, other than Jason and it was nice to talk to another girl around here. I felt bad for her, she was a really nice girl but her parents were a bit funny and distant, especially since three weeks ago when Erin found out she was pregnant. Her parents had gone insane, blaming Sam and Emily for letting Erin and Jason within the same room as each other. They had ordered her to come home and have an abortion but Erin was determined she wasn't killing her child. She stayed in La Push with Jason. Jason had taken up another job, as well as his mechanics job with my uncle Jake, going to college and patrolling. He was now working in a bar and I just didn't know how he did it. I had offered him all the money in the world to help him out but he just wouldn't take it. He wanted to provide for his child himself, which I didn't blame him at all but it made me sad seeing him so stressed and rushed off his feet and I could see the affect it was having on his pregnant girlfriend as well. If Jason wouldn't accept money from me, his child was going to be spoilt to death by their Aunt Holly.

Today was the day Erin would find out the sex of their baby. She had no one to go with her so I offered straight away. I hated seeing them both so stressed and Erin so alone. She was only sixteen.

"What time is it?" I asked Christian as I turned over.

"Daddy I'm going and that's it!" Avia screamed one last time before i heard a door slam.

"Nine am," Christian chuckled.

"Oh shit!" I exclaimed and pulled the covers off me.

"You still have twenty minutes," he said.

"I have to meet Erin in fifteen!" I told him as I rushed to get dressed.

"I can't believe shes pregnant," he chuckled.

"I can," I smiled with a laugh. Jason enjoyed a very active sex life and I was sure that didn't slow down after we broke up.

"Do you want kids?" he asked as he watched me dress. I cringed slightly. I didn't want to talk about this to him, not yet. Not when we had barely been together.

"No not anytime soon," I lied. It wasn't a lie as such, it was a white lie. I didn't want kids. Ever. Not just now, I was sure if it was thrust upon me like it has been to Erin I would try to be the best mother I could be but I just didn't feel the need for them. My whole life I knew I didn't want children, that's why I was so adamant for a sibling, so at least my parents would get grandchildren one day. I hadn't voiced this to Christian and I wasn't sure what he thought about the idea or if he wanted them. Would I have them if he did?

I looked over to see him watching me curiously for a moment, I couldn't figure out his facial expression or what he was thinking. It was like he was studying me, testing to see if I was lying.

Seeing his face I knew the answer. Of course I would. For him I would do anything.

"Good," he laughed. He smiled in relief. Maybe he had been dreading the conversation too.

"Holly," my dad was on the other end of my door.

"Come in," I said, I had finished getting dressed and went to tie my hair up.

"Will you talk sense into your sister please? She wants to go to Seattle for the whole weekend," he said.

"And?" I asked him. "She's a fully grown woman," I reminded him.

"Shes 14!" he exclaimed.

"Shes 18," I counteracted.

"Holly," Eddie moaned. I laughed at my dad.

"Your problem dad. I have to go out," I told him as I headed for the door.

"Any help?" I heard Eddie ask Christian.

"Sorry mate, your daughter," he laughed and I heard him follow me out the room. My dad had been left with me and my sister for the next four days. My mom, Renesmee and Chantelle had taken a girl week. They had gone to Paris for shopping, much to Alice's dismay I'm sure. My dad had never been left this long with me and Avia before and we were making the most of it. Especially Avia. Dad would let us get away with most things; it was mom that didn't let us do things.

I ran to Jason and Erin's house down the street. The amount of times I had done this very same run was uncountable. Christian kissed me on the door step before running off towards the forest. I turned and knocked on the door. Erin answered with a smile.

"Hey," she said and moved out the way so I could come in.

"You okay?" I asked her. She nodded as she reached for her purse. She was oddly quiet.

"Everything else okay? Jace?" I asked.

"He's been gone a lot, I barely see him. I miss him." She said sadly. I felt so bad for her, this was a horrible situation they were both in and they deserved so much better. I knew they both loved their unborn child but it had definitely come at the wrong time.

"Come on, we're going to go find out your baby's gender, you should be excited," I told her. "I know it should be him taking you not me but the more he works now the more he can be home when the baby is here right?" I asked her. She nodded and forced a smile.

"You're right," she said and I took her hand as we left the house. We got into her car, but I drove to the hospital.

Arriving there I made sure Erin would let me pay, she protested but I said consider it an early birthday present. I couldn't believe the cost of having a child in this country and I felt so uneasy with my wealth when Erin and Jason were trying to save so much. It's not like they didn't have money, in fact they had a lot but Jason was adamant he didn't want to spend it and that It was their child's money. I sat by Erin as she lay on her back and the doctor put the jell on her stomach; she looked nervous so I took her hand in mine.

"So I believe you want to find out the sex today?" the doctor asked her. Erin nodded but didn't say a word; her eyes were fixed on the screen where she could see the outline of her child.

"Well I can safely say that you are having a little boy," she told her with a smile. Erin's face broke into a huge smile and turned to me, she had tears in her eyes.

"Oh boy, a baby Jason," I laughed but squeezed her hand tightly. She laughed through her tears. "Are they happy tears?" I asked her with a frown, she nodded violently.

"I can't wait to meet my son," she said to me. I smiled at her and the doctor finished off. On the way home Erin was a lot happier, she was telling me of her plans for his nursery the second we got into the car.

"Any names?" I asked her with a raised eyebrow.

"I know the name I want, it was my brother's name before he died," she said.

"Aaron." I said immediately. Erin had told me the story of her little brother; he had drowned when he was two years old in the lake by their home. It had been heart breaking to hear.

"Yeah," she said sadly as she ran her hand over her small stomach. "Jason already said he approves of the name if it was a boy. It was the girl name we were arguing about," she smiled as I pulled up outside her house. I definitely couldn't wait to meet baby Aaron, I could just imagine him a little older playing with my niece and nephew. I knew Phoebe would love a baby, I hoped that Will and Sophia would be having another very soon too; maybe Aaron would have more children to play with. I knew he wouldn't get a large family through Erin or Jason, at least he could spend time with mine because although I knew I didn't want children myself, I was determined to be in the life of this little boy, just as I was in the life of my niece and nephew.

I spent the afternoon with Erin; we did a bit of online shopping for her son. I ordered a bunch of things without her really even knowing but I didn't care. They would accept gifts eventually.

It was getting late as Jason came home. I stayed for about ten minutes before I left them to be together. I was just leaving when I felt the familiar grasp on my wrist. I turned to see Jason behind me; he followed me out of the house and closed the door.

"Hey Jace," I smiled, he smiled back, that all too familiar smile that used to make my heart flutter.

"Thank you Holly," he said sincerely as he dropped his smile.

"What for?" I asked.

"Being here, for Erin. You have no idea how much that means to her… to me. I knew you were meant to be in my life forever the day we met Holly, I never had any doubt about that. It may not be in the way I imagined it but thank you, for being her friend when she has none."

"You're welcome," I whispered.

"She sees you as a sister you know?" he smiled. "You're older than her and you're exactly what she needs, I often think about her in the day but then I remember she's with you and I know she's safe. She idolises you Holly."

"She's my sister too Jace. Your son will be my nephew and he'll call me Aunt Holly don't doubt that for a second," I winked.

"I like the sound of that," he laughed. I reached for him and hugged him, his large arms wrapped around me. This feeling used to set butterflies off in my stomach, now it was just protection. I felt safe.

"I love you," I whispered, not sure if he heard it. I hadn't said them words to him in a very very long time but since the last time I said them the meaning had changed drastically. I wasn't scared as I said them; I knew he understood what they meant.

"I love you too Holly Cullen, always will," he said and kissed my forehead. I was about to say goodbye to him when I felt my phone buzzing in my pocket. I gave him a quick wave before taking it out my pocket.

"See you later," I told him and answered the phone. He waved back and went back into his house.

"Hey babe where are you?" Christian's voice said as soon as I answered it.

"On my way home now," I answered him as I turned and started running.

"Your dad is freaking out, do you know where your sister is?" he asked. I frowned before I focused on my sister in my head. "Yeah I do," I sighed as I started running home.

What are you doing Avia? I asked my sister. She was in Seattle.

Being an adult, something that apparently you and dad want me to be but won't let me. She answered angrily. I could feel her anger and hurt, more specifically at dad.

"Holly," my dad said the second I arrived at the house. "I went out for an hour, I came back and she's gone!" he exclaimed.

"She's in Seattle," I answered him.

"I can't believe her! I thought you were the reckless one!" he groaned. I laughed and walked straight into Christian's chest. He hugged me to him before we pulled away. "Your mother will kill me."

"Why? She's an adult. Why don't you let her have fun? If she makes mistakes she'll never make them again," I shrugged.

"I guess," Eddie responded looking solemn. I smiled at my dad and went to hug him.

"We can't stay little forever daddy," I said. He chuckled as he hugged me back.

"I know," I didn't want to say anything as I felt a pang of panic from my sister.

Avia? I asked.

It's him. She answered quickly. I just saw him.

Who Avia? I asked.

It's okay he won't hurt me. He can't, he knows who I am, and he knows im a Cullen. Avia ranted.

Avia?! I screamed.

Phoenix.

No.

I was out the door before I could even explain. I heard Christian assuring my father before leaving and following me out. I took off running as fast as I could to Seattle. Barely breathing as I ran. The panic in Avia was rising. Phoenix was gone. He went missing years ago. I always thought William had tracked him down and killed him for what he did to me. I never asked him though and I should have. I shouldn't have assumed he was gone for good.

Just walk away Avia; he might not have seen you yet. I heard Lidiya chime in.

What if he has? Avia asked as she turned her back and slowly walked in the opposite direction and out of the club. She had abandoned her friends and I wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing right now.

We're on our way Avia. I explained just as Avia gasped, a cold hand was on her arm. She turned slowly to see Phoenix's blood red eyes staring down at her.

"Why hello Miss Cullen. What a pleasant surprise." he grinned.

"Phoenix? Hi," Avia said trying to stay calm.

"You've grown since I last saw you. Quite a beautiful woman now aren't you?" he asked as he looked up and down her body. "Just like your sister," he purred.

I ran faster, i was only a mile or so away from her now. Christian had kept up behind me the entire way and I was glad he had followed me. I wouldn't be able to handle Phoenix on my own.

"It's Phoenix." I explained to him out loud. I had explained all my past relationships to Christian, even Phoenix and everything he did.

"I know I've been reading your mind," he answered and his hand slipped in mine.

We're here Avia don't worry. I said as her fear ran inside her and me.

We wound through the streets of Seattle, a blur to anyone around us and within moments I saw Avia and Phoenix. He had her in an alleyway, pinning her against the wall.

"I love the taste of Cullen girls," he chuckled as we reached them, his head whipped around to look at me.

"Stay away from my sister," I growled at him.

"Holly?" Phoenix asked, his sly grin covered his face. "Hey babe," he grinned.

"I should have killed you in that restroom! Before you raped and murdered that girl! Get away from my sister!" I screamed at him I was standing by him now, trying to get between him and my sister. Christian moved in front of me and put his hand over Phoenix's.

"Let go man," he told him.

"No. I like this one," he grinned.

"Let go!" Christian glared at him, there was something in his face or eyes, I didn't know as I couldn't see his face but Phoenix dropped his grip on Avia. Avia gripped me from behind holding me tightly in a hug. I held my little sister as I watched Christian and Phoenix stare at each other. I knew Christian was strong, he was a moon pool child but I didn't want to see it tested. He was only a young one; he wasn't Esther or even my dad.

"Christian lets go," I urged my boyfriend. They continued to stare at each other. "Please," I begged him.

"Is this your new boy toy Holly?" Phoenix asked. I ignored him. I was staring at Christian and it must have been the way I was looking at him but it made Phoenix furious.

"He can't be, no way!" he shouted he lunged for me and Christian intercepted, he threw him across the alley way, Phoenix crashed into the wall as he stared at us.

"You're one of them too," he growled. "I was her first you know," he taunted.

"Like that means anything," Christian laughed.

"It does to Holly," he said tilting his head.

"You only wish. I never loved you Phoenix, I thought I did but then I met two different amazing men that proved to me you were nothing, you were using me, you were cruel and you were an asshole," I told him. "You're pathetic," i added and pulled Avia away from the alley way. Phoenix stayed on the floor watching us.

"Stay away from them, I mean it" I heard Christian say to Phoenix and backed away. I wasn't sure it was such a good idea leaving him there, what if he hurt someone again?

Don't worry little sis, I've got it. I heard Lidiya in my head. I could see her in Seattle, she was with Anelie. Both of them glorious and furious as they ran to him. I stopped and turned to smile at him.

"Oh you're in for it," I said to him, he frowned slightly but suddenly he was crippling in pain.

How are you doing that? I asked Lidiya.

I don't just cause death, I can cause pain too. There are many ways I can kill someone, he doesn't deserve it to be instant.

Now now Lidiya my dear, remember who you are. I agree he deserves punishment for what he's done to your sisters but wouldn't you like to see your beloved again? Let Matthew deal with him. I heard Esther in our heads. It wasn't often I heard her in my head. She liked to keep out of it, her daughters too.

Lidiya sighed, Phoenix stopped withering and he stared at Anelie and Lidiya standing there holding hands.

"Who are you?"

"You don't remember me?" Lidiya asked.

"I do" he said as he began to see clearer.

"You're death," he said clearly still in a bit of pain.

"Yes I am." She said and her hand shot out for a moment before Phoenix fell to the floor. Dead.

He's dead? I thought you were going to take him to see Matthew. I said wearily. I could see the power radiating through Lidiya and it scared me. I didn't want her to be power hungry, she enjoyed killing people, and there was no denying it to me who has lived in her head my entire life. I didn't want her to lose herself.

I just made him easier for transport, don't worry, Anelie will revive him when we arrive in Italy. She answered then smiled at me across the alley way.

I want to go home. Avia said she was leaning on me now, like she was tired.

"Let's go," I said and held her too me as we made our way out of the city and when we finally reached the forests of our home we began to run.


17th September 2039

Isobel Black

I could hear the thunder outside my bedroom window as the rain hammered down. I climbed out of bed, unable to sleep on the eve of my birthday and walked over to my bedroom window, when I pulled my curtain back I saw a strike of lightning hit in the distance. The rain echoed on my windows loudly as I watched the storm at two o'clock in the morning.

The house was silent; I missed the noise in the house, even at two o'clock I remember waking up as a child to the sound of my brothers snoring or a TV on in one of the bedrooms or the faint sound of talking. I was the only one left now, most of my siblings had moved out, even Tony was rarely home anymore. I couldn't complain though really, it was nice living with just my parents but going from having five siblings to zero sometimes made me feel a little lonely.

It wasn't so bad now. I was back in school and my friends made up for it. I was in my last year of middle school and I couldn't wait to finally start high school next year. I sat on my bay window bench and pulled my duvet off my bed to wrap it around myself as I sat there watching the rain.

I don't know how many hours I was there but I must have fallen asleep at some point because I woke up back in my bed.

I climbed out of bed to see the time was nine am. I dressed quickly and had a skip in my step as I made my way down the stairs.

"Happy birthday baby girl," my mom said the moment I walked into the kitchen.

"Hey," I said with a smile. My dad came up to me and kissed my forehead.

"Happy birthday," he said to me with a huge smile.

"Thanks daddy," I said. My mom laid pancakes down on the table and I sat down with a smile. There was a candle in them and I giggled as my mom lit it and they both sang happy birthday to me.

"Did the storm wake you up last night?" my mom asked as she handed me a knife and fork for my pancakes.

"Yeah it did, thanks for putting me back in my bed I don't know when I fell asleep," I smiled.

"You're welcome," my dad said and kissed my head before he walked over to my mom to get his own pancakes.

My dad had just sat down when I heard the front door open.

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday to my dear little sister, happy birthday to you!" I heard William's voice radiate through the house. I giggled as I turned around to see my niece and nephew run into the room followed by Will and Sophia. Sophia came up to me and hugged me tightly.

"Happy birthday honey," she said to me. I stood up and hugged her properly.

"Thank you," I smiled and William hugged me next.

"Excuse me children," Sophia laughed when the twins ignored me and ran straight to their grandparents. Phoebe giggled and climbed off my mom's lap. She came up to me and hugged me around the waist.

"Happy birthday aunt Izzy," she said and smiled up at me.

"Thanks sweetie," I told her.

"Happy birthday aunt Izzy," Ashton repeated but didn't move from my dad's lap, he just smiled at me.

"So what are you up to today?" William asked as he sat down next to me. My mom brought more pancakes over to the table for my brother and his family to have.

"I don't know," I shrugged. It was a Saturday so I didn't have to go to school.

"What do you want to do?" my mom asked. "Other than our usual shopping trip that is," she winked. Ever since I turned eight my mom started a tradition where she took me out on my birthday shopping and I could get whatever I wanted, no matter what the cost. It was something that was last minute because she wasn't sure what to get me one year, now it was a tradition we did every year and it was one of my favourites. I didn't always get my mom's full attention all day every day but she always made sure I did on my birthday.

"Go to the Cullen's I suppose," I said. I had already told my family and aunt Alice I didn't want a party long before my birthday.

"Whatever you want. When do you want to leave?" my mom asked me.

"I'll go get ready," I grinned at her and shot up the stairs to change. My brother and his family left soon after and my mom and I climbed into her car. We drove off to Seattle talking about nothing in particular. We planned to shop, have lunch then go home to the Cullen's and have a family afternoon.

It was nearly lunch time and there was time to go into one last shop. We had left the mall and were walking down the main high street hand in hand swinging our bags in our other hand.

"Can we go in there?" I asked my mom, it was a new shop and it looked so cute! It was like a vintage antic shop but with gifts.

"Anywhere you want sweetheart," she said and swung our joint hands between us. We walked across the street to the shop and walked in. I immediately dropped my mom's hand and began looking around, she went one way. I went the other.

"Renesmee?" I heard someone asked shocked. I found my way over to my mother to see her with the woman behind the counter. My mom hadn't said anything; I don't think she knew who it was. "It's Amanda, from Forks High," the woman laughed.

"Oh," my mom said, she didn't sound happy or sad when she realised who it was.

"You don't look a day over twenty Nessie," she laughed. My mom smiled slightly and turned to look at me watching. I walked over and took her hand.

"Is this your daughter?" Amanda asked. She looked nearly forty I would say. I guessed she was a friend of my mom's from school.

"Yes this is Isobel."

"Hi sweetie," she smiled at me. "I'm Amanda, I knew your mom from school."

"Hi," I said happily. I liked meeting my parent's old friends. It was like stepping into a time machine, Amanda would be the same age as my Aunt Chloe, and this is what they should all look like now.

"You know I'm so sorry for the things that happened when we were young. You didn't deserve that." She said sincerely. This seemed to shock my mother. She let out a shy but genuine smile.

"That's okay. There were things going on with me I wasn't allowed to explain."

"Getting pregnant?" Amanda laughed.

"Well yeah that and more. All I ever wanted was children I didn't care how old I was when I had them," she told her.

"I know what you mean. I had my first son not long after you. First year of college actually," Amanda said with a bashful shrug. My mom laughed a little.

"Sorry," she apologised for her laughing.

"I know I know, karma right?" Amanda laughed with my mom. "But in the end it all worked out well, I married his dad, still happily married now, my son is in college. I guess your eldest must be now too?" she asked.

"William is married with his own children now, he's found no time for college," my mom laughed.

"Oh wow! You're a grandmother!"

"I am," my mother laughed. "Izzy here is my last child to grow up. Soon she'll be out of the house too."

"How old are you sweetie?" Amanda asked me.

"14, today actually," I answered her and she smiled.

"Well happy birthday! Do you miss your big brother?" she asked me. I nodded.

"I miss all my siblings. I'm the only one left now, except Tony," I said.

"How many do you have?" she asked me.

"Three brothers, two sisters," I explained.

"Six kids Nessie?" Amanda asked my mother. "Doesn't surprise me, I wouldn't have been able to stop with a husband as hot as Jacob either," she winked. My mom laughed awkwardly and I muttered 'ew' under my breath. My mom squeezed my hand momentarily.

"Does your brother have kids?" she asked. My mom seemed to change her tone as she spoke about my uncle.

"2 girls."

"Chloe's?"

"Of course," she said I could tell she was trying to remain friendly.

"Oh Nessie," Amanda laughed. "Calm down. I am not a teenage girl anymore, but I can hardly blame you."

My mom smirked at her.

"Yeah… just forgive me, I remember you draping yourself over my brother too much."

Amanda laughed and I frowned. Gross. I left my mom talking with Amanda and walked around the shop some more. I found a really cute butterfly trinket that I wanted to buy for my room. I brought it over to my mom who was laughing with Amanda.

"Hey sweetie find anything you'd like?" Amanda said to me. I looked up at my mom and showed her the trinket.

"That's so pretty," my mom said with a smile. She didn't even mention the price tag that was a hundred dollars.

"So did you two catch up?" I asked as Amanda scanned it through as eighty dollars rather than a hundred. I wondered why but didn't say anything.

"We did," Amanda said and wrapped the trinket in some paper to keep it safe. "There you go Isobel."

"Thanks," I smiled back at her.

"Is that all you want Izzy?" my mom asked. I nodded. "Well it was nice seeing you again Amanda."

"You too Renesmee, and again I'm so sorry," she said.

"Don't worry, I don't hold grudges from high school," she smiled and they hugged. My mom took my hand and we walked out. I waved at Amanda as we left.

"Wasn't Amanda the bitch of the school that spread nasty rumours about you and tried to steal uncle Eddie from aunt Chloe?" I asked my mom when we had left the shop.

"Yep," she answered. "Don't say that word and she never came close to getting Eddie," she scolded me.

"Sorry. Did you mean what you said?" I asked her with a giggle.

"Yes I did Isobel. I hardly care about a girl that was jealous of me in high school. We all move on." She said as she squeezed my hand. I smiled up at her.

"Well I hope there isn't anyone like that when I go to high school."

"I hope so too sweetheart," she said and we continued our day together without another mention of high school or bullies.

By the time we arrived home we managed to drop off my bags at the house and made our way to the Cullen mansion. It was nearly four pm and everyone I knew was there, all my siblings, my cousins, my aunts and uncles and my grandparents, even some of the wolves. We had a little family party, we had food and some games and I received gifts from a few people but I was just happy everyone was here. It was definitely lonely in that big house and I missed my brothers and sisters a lot. Especially Lauren.

"Hey little sis," she said hugging me from behind.

"Hey," I smiled.

"I can't believe you're fourteen now. Will you just stop growing up please?" she asked me. I smiled up at her and shrugged.

"I think I stop at about seventeen," I told her and she laughed.

"Ha ha very funny," she said a little sarcastically. "But I guess you're right. You will stop eventually. I just can't believe my little preemie baby sister is nearly a woman." She said pulling me into her chest. I was almost the same height as her, I wondered if I'd be taller than her when I was 'fully grown'. I suppose it didn't matter, she'd always be my big sister.

"I'll always be your baby sister Laurie," I smiled at her, using my childhood nickname for her.

"And don't you forget it," she winked as she kissed my forehead. I smiled and hugged her again before we parted.

"Hey don't stop," Sarah said smiling as she came over and hugged us both. We giggled as Sarah hugged us, she was smaller than us both. She had inherited our mom's height where as Lauren and I had our dads, or at least I knew I did. Lauren was sort of in between, she was only an inch bigger than our mom. I was already the same height. The hug soon turned into a signature Black kids hug as our brothers joined in. I was in the middle, surrounded by my siblings as I giggled. It was almost a tradition now; a Black hug just wasn't the same unless there were five or more of us involved. I saw my mom and dad smiling at us from across the room. My mom was curled into my dad's side watching us with what I could only describe as a proud smile.

I didn't know where high school would take me, all my siblings had partners and futures set out for them but I didn't really have anything. I assumed after high school I'd go to college or travel or get a job but whatever I did I really hoped I would make my parents proud.

The next thing I heard was my uncles reassuring voice in my head.

You do Isobel. You do.