2020 Author's note: Here is the end of my very first fanfiction. In re-reading Changing: A Love Story, I felt it needed a different plot and I have scrapped chapters 11 - 17. It's been more than seven years since I wrote fanfic and I am not sure I am up to the challenge, but I will give it a go. Be patient! I no longer have the group to which I once belonged to act as a sounding board. They were a huge part of all my creativity.

Thanks for reading! It's good to know that Edward and Carlisle are still loved. They were always my favorite.

~ Pace is the trick

Epilogue: Becoming

Vermont, November, 1921

The young vampire sat at the edge of the woods and looked out over the vast lake, his keen eyes following the play of the sun's rays on the surface. He watched the light break as it entered the water, part of it bouncing back, part of it penetrating the denser substance and then diffracting randomly in all directions. The crinkled light moved rapidly around the area, no apparent pattern to its path, periodically spotlighting schools of tiny fish nervously flitting this way and that, in search of something.

Or fleeing something...

The surface of the lake was calm, camouflaging the activity beneath.

He lifted his eyes and turned his head ever so slightly - first one way to glance at the lighthouse at the end of the breakwater, and then the other way to view the bustling town in the distance. The town held his gaze for a longer moment. He could hear the factories roar to life as the workday commenced; the ships churning through the water as they left the harbor; the engines of automobiles on the roads and the thunderous chugging of trains pulling away from the lumber yards. Even from so far away, the noise disturbed his mind, creating a cacophony of agitated confusion. He looked back at the lighthouse. It was weathered from decades of abandonment - a warped wooden structure with shingles missing here and there, it's once proud dome a faded rust; the town was stone and steel, vibrant and inexorable in its drive to make a name for itself in the modern world.

Edward contemplated the contrast, trying to reconcile the differences buzzing in his brain.

Well, Carlisle was standing behind him, watching him closely, more than a little nervous. What do you think?

They were back in Vermont, in a different town and on Edward's favorite lake, but Carlisle still had the sinking feeling they had made a mistake in coming. He wouldn't have even considered returning to the state except that Caius had arranged for the storage of their items when the house was vacated and he had had to come back to sign for their things. It was Edward who had suggested that they look for a place close by so as to end the disruption in their lives. He was still recovering and wanted to be settled as quickly as possible. Carlisle had been completely bewildered, thinking this was the last place on earth Edward would ever want to be again. But watching the boy, he was struck by how relaxed his body seemed in spite of the conflicting emotions apparent in his eyes.

Edward? He felt diffident even asking for his attention, as if he were interrupting something very personal and that he had no right to intrude. But the silence was unbearable. He needed to know what Edward was thinking. Please talk to me!

Edward's lips parted as if to speak, but no sound came and he never looked up. Distressed, Carlisle hurriedly said, "Edward, it's fine. We tried. And now we can go someplace else. You choose this time. I have no preference about where we live."

Edward looked again at the lighthouse.

He wished the boy would say something. Anything.

"I like the lake," Edward offered. He was only quiet because he was lost in his thoughts and it required more effort to translate them into words. His mind was still damaged and speech felt sluggish compared to the rapidity of thought patterns. He had trouble capturing the latter to find the former.

He couldn't tell Carlisle yet, but he was actually quite content to be back in the Vermont woods he knew so well after nearly a year trapped indoors. He had grown claustrophobic and needed the outdoors. And Vermont felt familiar, comfortable, quiet - he paused mid-thought to frown at the town behind him. His companion caught the expression and tensed, still worrying that something was wrong.

But Edward wasn't upset by the noise. It just felt... different, after such a long time away. It had been so quiet in Volterra, where all other thoughts were cut off. The hours he spent in the room with only Carlisle's thoughts for company. At first, the sounds hit him rather like a hurricane, crashing around his mind in a jarring and disruptive manner. But now he was able to compartmentalize the many sounds and push them to the back of his head where they simply droned, much as they had prior to Italy.

He was still making his peace with the past and would be for some time to come, but it didn't affect his being by the lake in the woods he loved. "We know the area," he added, looking at Carlisle now as he made the argument in favor of staying out loud. "And there's plenty of game so we won't have to travel."

Are you sure? Carlisle still felt uneasy. I wouldn't even mind going to the Pacific if you prefer. Washington is a lovely state, even British Columbia -

"No. I want to stay. It's home," Edward said quietly, definitively. He leaned over to brush the water's surface with his finger tips, watching the droplets fall as he played the liquid notes.

Carlisle couldn't help but be pleased. He very much liked the area, though he would follow Edward anywhere. Through Hell even...

There's a college nearby. He offered as an additional perk.

Edward just looked at the water.

In case you decide you want to attend. He added quickly. He certainly didn't want to tell Edward what to do.

"College?" He hadn't given it much thought. The past year had been so chaotic. A week ago he hadn't even been certain he would ever be back here again. Planning for the future seemed so foreign to him now.

Only if it is something that interests you. Carlisle wished the boy would communicate. He was a nervous wreck trying to second guess him. He immediately berated himself for his impatience.

Edward laughed at him before saying, "I could try."

Meaning...?

"It's fine, Carlisle. I'm okay, really." He offered him a weak, crooked sort of smile. "I think I'm just tired. From the trip." His smile broadened. "My head hurts."

A short laugh burst from Carlisle's tense lips. "Copy cat!" It will take awhile for you to heal, Edward. The most important thing for me is that you feel comfortable wherever we are. That will be a crucial component of your recovery.

"I like the lake," he repeated. "I want to stay."

"Alright. I suppose we should find a house on the lake, then." Carlisle stretched, imagining his joints were popping.

Edward laughed loudly and then smirked. He turned to splash water on his mate.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The house was old and run down, but it was large (Carlisle's specification sunny days) and on the waterfront (Edward's).

They were unpacking the last of Carlisle's things - Edward had very few items of his own - namely, his piano and his clothing - and Carlisle had made inquiries for Spring enrollment at Champlain College, which was only too happy to accept Dr. Cullen's brother, as he himself would be at the adjacent hospital.

"What will I do if I feel like eating someone?" Edward had never been alone with people before.

"You will flee the building and come and find me. But I think you will be just fine," Carlisle smiled at him, carefully inspecting the contents of three boxes.

"I've forgotten how to be a student," he frowned.

"You haven't. You spent most of last year learning new things. It just didn't seem that way at the time."

Edward watched as Carlisle organized his many books - category, chronology, alphabetically. What a very dull task for such a pleasant afternoon. He wondered why Carlisle found these activities enjoyable.

He tried another tactic to divert Carlisle's attention. "Did you have to buy my way into the college?" He was now sprawled across the couch.

"Perish the thought! They will take one look at you and begin to plot to lure you away from me," Carlisle retorted. I shall be fighting off the faculty members... as well as the other students. He laughed, but he actually did feel threatened.

Edward snorted.

"You look better," he remarked, pleased that the boy was returning to normal.

"I don't know -" Edward said fretfully, turning his head away to groan into the cushion.

?

Edward? What is wrong? In typical Carlisle fashion, his mind was already racing ahead to the worst possible scenario.

Edward cried out suddenly as if in intense pain.

"Ow! I think there is something -" he curled up into a ball, clutching his groin, peeking out from under his thick black lashes to see the reaction, "here!"

Uh huh. Carlisle stood and leaned against the bookshelf, cocking an eyebrow. What a clown. And I suppose you need a doctor to take a look.

"Yes! Hurry, please!" Edward failed to suppress his laughter.

Carlisle sighed in false exasperation, and then jumped lightly on him, breaking the new couch in the process.

oh well...