Chapter Eighteen: Love's What Keeps You Holding On

Dying isn't all that bad. Once you get past all the hurt, the pain, it's as though there's no possible way to make things worse. Well, that's what it was. There was no way my situation could get any worse, because I had reached the final stage of the pain.

I was dead.

Or so I was sure that I was dead. All I saw was darkness, felt nothing. I suppose, being raised a Roman Catholic, I did expect something more. God, heaven, my grandma... But all I got was darkness, and I wondered whether or not I would have to travel for the rest of eternity as just something voicing my thoughts. Alone.

It wasn't a very welcoming thought, but I suppose I really didn't have a choise. All I could really do with this was think back on my life and wonder if it was fulfilled or not. It was true, I always wanted to be a mother, raise a family, but other than that life wasn't that bad. I spent most of it with Lindsay, having fun, and I was glad that my final week just so happened to be like the years before. Perhaps I wouldn't have felt so bad as I did if I was only able to tell Lindsay how grateful I was that she was my best friend, for all that she did for me, for how much I loved her.

Then my parents. We had our ups and downs, and I always resented them for being so overprotective, but I understood where they were coming from. They cared so much for me, just as I did for them. They were only looking out for me through my life, and now that it was over, I only wished that I could thank them and tell them that I understood. I understood why they were so unbearable, and I loved them for it. I wished the last thing I told my mum wasn't "Going out, taking the car."

The Quileutes. Over the last few months I grew to love them all like a second family. Emily and Sam, parental figures, all of the boys like my brothers. They accepted me into their group, warmly, lovingly. I suppose that all had to do with the fact that I was Embry's imprint, but still, they liked me, and I liked them. It meant so much to me, their kindness... And I wish there was a time back then when I could thank them all for that, for how much they meant to me...

Last but not least, my Embry. The first time I laid eyes on him, I knew that he was special. First, he was my wolf, but in human form... He was my boyfriend. My first boyfriend. I was so smitten with him, but I never thought that I would feel the way that I felt about him. He made me feel like I was the greatest thing ever, the most special girl in all of existance. Perhaps it was the entire imprint thing that made him feel that way, act that way, but I knew that it was entirely him, and that I really meant much to him. He told me that he loved me, but I never had the chance to return those words.

If I wasn't just a voice, I could feel tears streaking my face. I was upsetting myself, thinking of all of this, but it was the only thing that made me remember why I lived. All of those people were my life, yet still without my life, I was able to cling to them. Perhaps that was what was keeping me from moving on. My love for them, their love for me. Was that possible?

Of course it was possible. If werewolves and vampires were possible, then love stronger than death was entirely possible. ...possibly.

Sighing, I turned my head against the pillow.

...wait, what?

Fingertips grazed some fabric, clenching loosely onto what covered half of my body. A blanket. I moved slightly where I lay, noting about how uncomfortable this surface really was. Then brightness. My forest green eyes were blinded by some white light, and I wasn't sure if I was supposed to move towards it or not. Even if I was, I couldn't. I was bound to something, but I wasn't sure just what.

"Ellie?"

"God...?"

"Elisha, sweetie!"

"...mom-mom?"

"Elisha, it's mummy. Elisha you're up! Jack, she's awake!"

My eyes adjusted to see my mother's bright blue eyes tearing up. My father stirred groggily on the little sofa, his glasses moving up over his green eyes. He smiled sleepily, and stood.

"Elisha, you're alright."

"Mum... Dad..." I smiled weakly, reaching my hand out with my mum taking it between hers.

I wasn't dead. I was alive. I was okay. And mum and dad were here...

Her arms wrapped around me without hurting me, her face buried against my shoulder as she sobbed violently. Her shaking, her crying, made me cry hysterically along with her. I pulled my daddy in to and hugged the both of them, the three of us all crying like giant babies. I was terribly happy, relieved... And I was okay.

"I love you guys." I muttered. "I l-love you..."

"We love you too, Elisha. We love you too."

Wiping my eyes, I smiled at them and looked around the room.

"Wh-where's Embry? Is he okay? Mum is Embry alright?"

"He's in the waiting room, El." My mum stroked my hair. "Him and his friends have been there all night."

"Can I see him? Can you send him in?"

I waited patiently, rubbing my eyes as tears still welled, I sat there and looked over myself. Never had I been so happy to be alive. Sure.. I felt some sort of bandages over my leg and my neck was a tad stiff and sore, but... Otherwise everything was wonderful.

"Ahem.."

Smiling softly as I saw him standing in the doorway, never had I seen such a beautiful being. He watched me from leaning against the door, then finally walked over to the bed and took a seat, holding my hand between his. My smile widened and I squeezed his hand gently. It was so great to see him again.

"Ellie, I..." He stared down at our hands, not looking up at me. "I heard you yell my name, so I got there as soon as I could. That bloodsucker was... He... You could have died."

"Shh..." I sat up a bit, using my free hand to place on his cheek, pulling his face to look at me. "Embry, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for leaving, for overreacting. It wasn't my place and- Don't interrupt me- I wish I hadn't put you through so much trouble. I accept the fact that you're a werewolf, that I'm your imprint. And I love you."

I felt my eyes well again, looking up into his beautiful eyes, I saw tears of his own pool over. He pulled me in tight and held me close to him. The warmth that radiated from him was always welcomed, but never did I need it more than I did that very moment.

"I love you, Elisha." He muttered against my hair, still holding me against him, afraid that if he let go I would vanish. At least, that's how I felt with him.

"I love you, Embry... So much."

In his arms, sittining in that hospital bed, there was no other place I would ever rather be.

A/N: I'm such an awful liar. I said that I'd post this later... But I couldn't help it. Plus I'm horribly depressed so.. Maybe your reviews could make me feel better. Please Review. Also, it's not over yet. There's one more chapter. Gasp one more chapter nuuu!