I do not claim any ownership of the Twilight Saga. That stroke of brilliance belongs to Stephanie Meyer. Ellie and Luke, however, are of my invention. The song is Tied Together With a Smile (written by Taylor Swift and Liz Rose).
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While staying in Volterra, I had to improvise ways to annoy my former coven. I shown discovered that my relation ship with Elle confused them. On a regular basis, Aro would want to replay some of my more potent and (as I realize now) precious memories. All of them ended up being about her.
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Memory one:
Ellie was sitting up in bed, humming. We'd been staying with the Cullens for a little over twenty-four hours. "Ellie," I asked, "what are you doing?"
Ellie blushed, stopped humming, and opened her notebook.
Sorry, I've got an earworm.
"A what?"
Song stuck in my head. Repeatedly playing over and over in my head.
I nodded, not really understanding. "Which one?" This might get her to talk about her mother.
She took a deep breath, and spoke in a strangely clear voice. "Tied Together With a Smile."
I had never heard her speak with confidence before that moment. "I can't remember who sings it. Do you?" I think I'm getting somewhere. Of course, I know who Swift is, but it's better that I get Ellie talking.
"I dunno know," she whispered.
Drat, she lost it. I thought I might be able to help this time. "Can I hear it?" I slowly sat down beside her and took her hand. "I won't laugh."
She cleared her throat:
Seems the only one who doesn't see your beauty;
Is the face in the mirror looking back at you.
You walk around here thinking you're not pretty;
But that's not true;
'Cause I know you.
Hold on, baby;
You're losing it.
The water's high;
You're jumping into it;
And letting go.
And no one knows:
You cry,
But you don't tell anyone,
That you might not be the golden one,
And you're tied together with a smile
But you're coming undone.
I guess it's true that love was all you wanted,
'Cause you're giving it out like it's extra change.
Hoping it will end up in his pocket,
But he leaves you out like a penny in the rain,
Oh, 'cause it's not his price to pay,
Not his price to pay.
Hold on, baby;
You're losing it.
The water's high;
You're jumping into it;
And letting go.
And no one knows:
You cry,
But you don't tell anyone,
That you might not be the golden one,
And you're tied together with a smile
But you're coming undone.
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Memory Two:
By our third night with the Cullens, Ellie seemed to be sleeping soundly. One hand or the other seemed to stay on her stomach, and she frowned but didn't move much.
I was wishing I could leave her while she was sleeping, but something told me to stay close. Alice entered, then. She handed me a sweatshirt. "You'll need this in about twenty minutes."
"Huh? What? Alice must have seen something important. "Am I leaving?"
"No, Ellie will need you." She shook her head. "Keep as much of your skin covered."
Exactly twenty minutes later, Elle screamed. "NO!"
I pulled the sweatshirt over my head and sat on the bed. "I'm here."
"Tom. No, Tom. Please no."
"Shush," I wrapped my arms around her. "Tom isn't here, love."
"Luke," her voice dripped with relief. "You're still here."
"Yes." I pushed away a hair stuck on her forehead. "I'm here."
She shivered. "Your hand's cold." She touched it. "Are you sick?"
"No. Can you sleep now?" I pulled her blanket tighter around her.
She nodded, and put her head on my chest. "You won't go?"
At that moment I felt my power shifting from a long distance to right in my arms. I knew that the power shift meant. First off, I was finally free from Aro. Secondly, no one would hurt Ellie while I was with her. Thirdly, I might be in love.