~ Chicago, Illinois - April 2004 ~

I sat next to Josie's body for over ten minutes reliving the surreal conversation I thought I had with my dead parents. I would've sat there for hours, but my cell phone rang. It was Alice calling me to covey her condolences, as well as to tell me the family would be coming out for Josie's funeral. She also suspected I would welcome the opportunity to speak face-to-face with Carlisle about what I just experienced. I asked her directly if the conversation was real. Alice's response was that the vision was as real as any other she had. Frankly, she was at a loss, much like I was. Before hanging up Alice, told me check on Josie's nightstand.

On her nightstand were two sealed letters addressed to her sons, a copy of her will, and a note to me.

Edward,

Please let my sons know that I am at peace now and with their father. I left them each letter saying the goodbyes I could not do in person. I suspect you know more than anyone how difficult these past weeks have been for me. Thank you for being here with me at the end. I hope that my gift to you will bring some peace to you and your loved ones.

Have a wonderful life!

Josie

Four days later Josie was buried next to William. I offered to help Josie's family, but initially they were not pleased with my presence. Her sons disliked that her final moments were spent with me, rather than with her family. However, after they each read Josie's letter, they understood that she did not want her son's final memory to be of her death. Ultimately, they took comfort knowing their mother did not die alone, and that she departed this world on her own terms.

After the funeral, my family returned with me to my home, but let Carlisle, Esme, and I have some time together. They all could hear our conversation anyway, which I didn't mind. They were all fascinated by what had transpired, just like I was.

Carlisle and Esme sat across from me in my father's library. I told them both, and the rest of my eavesdropping family, about the night Josie passed away.

When I was done I looked up at Carlisle and asked the questions that had been gnawing away at me. "So, do you think it was real? Did I actually have a conversation with my dead parents? Or was it some figment of Josie's or my imagination?"

Carlisle and Esme sat in a stunned silence, as did the rest of my listening family. I desperately wanted my family's opinions on what happened. Selfishly, I wanted to believe that Josie somehow bridged the chasm between the living and the afterlife, so that I could be briefly reunited with my parents. However, accepting what happened as being real required me to have faith in something much larger than a conversation between a son and his parents. I would also have to accept their words and their ultimate meaning. Could I acknowledge and embrace that my immortal existence was actually sanctioned by nature and part of a much larger, and possibly divine, plan? The ramifications of believing would force me to change my perception and acceptance of my eternal life.

After a long moment, Carlisle finally spoke.

"Edward, I believe a person's reality is based on perspective, knowledge, and faith. If you ask most humans, they would say that vampires are nothing more than myth, yet we know that not to be the case. And what of the Quileutes? Any rational being would say that humans transforming into giant wolves is the substance of fairytales, but again, we know different." Carlisle paused to sort his thoughts before continuing. "Because of my faith in the divine. Because of my perspective of being a supernatural creature in an unbelieving world. And most importantly, now having the knowledge that you experienced something previously unknown, but seemingly credible, as I have never been given any cause to doubt your or Alice's gifts or insights. Plus, you had mentioned she knew your human eye color, she called you a vampire, and that your Mom mentioned my name and a reference to her request of me to save you. How would Josie have known of my interactions with your Mother and yourself back then? Given all this, for me...what you experienced was real. But that is just my personal view. I know you are looking for absolute confirmation, but I cannot provide that. No being, immortal or human, can in this case."

I couldn't help the frustrated frown that overtook my face. What Carlisle said was logical and sensible…and not what I wanted to hear. He was right. I wanted absolutes, but ultimately, I knew it would come down to what I could, or would, allow myself to believe.

"Edward, if I may add something?" Esme asked.

"Of course." I replied with a nod.

"I believe what you experienced was real, just as surely as I believe in my love for Carlisle and our family." Esme's thoughts validated her words. There was no doubt in her mind that I conversed with my parents.

"More importantly," she continued. "I believe that you have been given a gift…a very special gift. Allow yourself to accept Josie's gift. Allow yourself to believe. The analysis, inspection, and logic that you are prone to undertake and expend are not needed, just have some faith. Use the comfort and insight of speaking with your parents to unburden yourself of what has weighed you down for so long. Allow yourself to close that chapter of your life, so you can open yourself up for the next. Your own father told you that the best is yet to come. Accept that. Embrace that. Have faith in that."

The thoughts of the rest of my family echoed Carlisle and Esme's.

Perhaps it was just that simple for me now. Accept what I've I learned, heard, and seen, and allow it to take up residence in my heart, mind, and soul.

Carlisle was right. I could see it now. I could accept it now. Reality is based on perspective, knowledge, and faith. For the first time in my existence, I felt that I now had the tools to work and mold those three components to form a reality where I could find peace and happiness within myself.

The Chinese have a saying that "a journey of a thousand miles begins with one small step." I began taking my small steps almost seventeen years ago when I left my family. It took a long time, but I now felt that the journey was going to be worth the effort. I had no idea how far way the destination may be. I just knew I had to keep taking my small steps. Which now included forgiving myself for any past indiscretions and moving forward. To truly live and enjoy this extraordinary life my parents wanted me to have. To become the man I wanted to be.