hi! i hope you like this chapter everyone. This chapter isnt particularly sad, but definetly somewhat sad, and anything but happy. And the story will get sadder before happier. But it WILL be happy. I'm a sucker for happy endings. And theres no point in this story if we don't get our beautiful happy couple at the end. So don't worry.

Disclaimer:

I do not own twilight, just the poster of a very gorgeous Edward and Bella that I just put up on my door. Now I can kiss Edward goodnight and he won't try to kill me!

6 Years Later

I was in my room reading when mother called me down. I longed to stay up in my room and continue with my story, but I knew I must come down. I had taken an interest in books set in the west. For that was my dream. To move out west and become a teacher. I had always wanted to be a teacher, but now I had a chance. But my parents thought it was an atrocious idea.

"Proper young women do not move to the west on their own! To be a teacher? Esme, what has gotten into you? I raised you better than this. You will stay here and be married, like all your friends."

I remembered when my father had screamed that at me. It was the first time I had suggested moving out west. We had been eating dinner, and I thought it would be an appropriate dinner conversation. Like always, I was wrong.

I knew if I ever wanted to have any chance of getting my parents to support my dreams, I needed to listen to them and behave very well. So I sadly got up off of my bed, hid my books, and trudged down the stairs.

"Esme, the Evensons are coming over for dinner. I suggest you go get changed. Your white and blue dress would be lovely." She eyed my hands, which were dirty from riding earlier, with a disgusted look, and added "And make sure to wash up."

"Of Course" I called as I ran up the stairs. If I washed up fast enough I might have time for some more reading before dinner. I quickly washed my hands and scrubbed my feet too, just for good measure, and then I threw on the dress my mother had asked me to wear. It was too frilly for my taste. It was white and flowing with blue ruffles at the bottom and a blue sash of the same color tied into a bow around my waist. I knew the Evensons son Charles wouldn't care what I wore. He had always seemed to fancy me. He wouldn't care if I wore riding pants and a shirt of my fathers. But Mrs. Evenson, even though she was a very kind woman, was very caught up in appearances. If I didn't look stunning, she would lecture me about it, even though I wasn't her daughter.

When I was finished dressing, I sat down on my bed and pulled out my book. But I was only able to delve into the fantastical world for a few minutes, for then I heard a knock on the door down stairs and the sound of people being let in. I pinched my cheeks to give them some color, and then scampered downstairs.

I was surprised at what I saw. Even though Mrs. Evenson was always caught up with looks, she never seemed to be able to make Charles dress appropriately. But tonight, he wore a handsome suit. He actually looked decent. Maybe, to another girl, he would have looked quite dashing, but there was only one man for me. And that was the man I could never have.

"Oh Esme, don't you look just darling!" I heard Mrs. Evenson's high pitch voice squeal. I had earned her approval. That would make tonight much easier. Mr. Evenson was already inside, speaking with my father. They had been business partners their entire careers and got along very well. But tonight, it didn't appear that they were discussing business. After all, why would they need to use such hushed voices?

My mother ushered us all into the dining room. We sat down and she served the food. It was quite delicious, but I couldn't focus on that. All I could focus on was the fact that Charles was talking. Actually talking to me. Charles never talked other than the words required to be considered polite. And yet suddenly, today, he wouldn't be quiet. It was quite puzzling and I spent the rest of the evening pondering what it could mean. Then, just before the Evensons left, Charles asked to speak to my father privately. Curious to hear what they were talking about, I pressed my ear to the door.

"Esme Anne!" A stern voice called furiously. I spun around to see my mother glaring at me.

"What on earth are you thinking?! Have I truly taught you nothing all these years?"

"I'm sorry" I mumbled.

Just then, my father and Charles came out of the room. My father had a huge smile on his face. Charles looked smug.

"Well, we must be off," Mr. Evenson suddenly said from behind me. "It was a pleasure to see you."

Well our families exchanged goodbyes, I pondered what my father might have been talking about with Charles.

When the door shut, my father called me into the sitting room.

"Take a seat Esme." I did as I was told.

"Esme, when Charles spoke with me privately earlier, he confessed to me that he thought you quite beautiful. And," He had a huge smile on his face, "He asked for your hand in marriage!"

"My….my…..my hand?" I choked out. I didn't want to marry Charles! Sure I knew him well enough, but we had never really talked before tonight. Or that's what I told myself. However, deep down, I knew that wasn't the real reason. I had shoved my memories away in a corner of my mind. But I could not forget. I would not forget. And even though I knew I would never see him again, I didn't want to marry any one else. Because I only loved one man. The angel faced doctor. Dr. Cullen. Carlisle Cullen.

But I had to admit that I would never see him again. And, really, would it hurt to make my parents happy? I never would be, even if I didn't marry. So this way, someone would be happy. I knew it would make them so thrilled to see me married to a respectable man such as Charles.

"Well?" I heard my father ask. "Do you intend to marry him or not?"

"I….I….I……I will marry Charles Evenson."

"Oh my goodness!" I heard my mother squeal. "Oh Esme, you will be so happy! Oh I couldn't wish for a better man for you!"

I could.

"Esme Evenson. Such I pretty name for you. You'll carry it well." My father praised me.

"Now off to bed with you. In the morning you must ride over to the Evensons and tell them you accept."

As I climbed the stairs I pondered my future name. Esme Evenson. It didn't sound bad. There was just something wrong about it.

However much I tried to deny it, I knew what was wrong with it. I didn't want to be Esme Evenson. I never had. Ever since I was 16, I had only wanted to carry one name.

Esme Cullen.