Memo: I tried getting this out as fast as I could, to let people know this story is NOT OVER! So no worries! Plenty of stories on the way! I will be away from the August 28th-September 4th 2009. So, there wont be any work being done on those days. In the meantime, enjoy these other issues!

Alternative

It had been four months, and all I had done was make my mother's house look presentable. I had cleaned, painted and fixed things that were broken. At first, my dad was against it, saying this wasn't for women and at first I was still healing. But realising that he wasn't getting much of a response out of me, he just let me be. Charlie was the only one who seemed brave enough to come and see me. He had visited me almost weekly ever since I got back.

The McCarty's had left. They didn't blame me or anything, but they just couldn't stay here...

"We'll try and stay in touch Eliza. Please no we don't think this is your fault at all." his mother had said hugging me tightly.

"We've agreed with your parents to just expand their land and give them our property. You can do what you like with the house." Mr. McCarty stood back a little. No emotion had touched his face just like mine. His little brother never spoke, he simply just stared. I looked down at the ring that still graced my finger.

"I don't know what to do with it." I said through tears looking at the ring.

"You can keep it. I wouldn't want it on anyone else. He loved you dear." It turned out the ring was his great grandmother's. After a few more goodbyes, the McCarty's got in their car, and headed to I don't even know where.

"Eliza!" I looked down from the roof to see my mother.

"Could you go to the McCarty's house and clean the dust off? I plan to rent it out!" She held up a duster and bucket. I got down off the room and without a word, headed for the tiny red wooded house.

As soon as I stepped in, I wished I hadn't. It smelt like him, everywhere. Then I saw his bedroom door down the hall, open. I dropped the bucket and ran outside. Cursing myself out. I then heard the sound of a car pulling up. I was shocked by the person who stepped out.

"Charlie?" I gasped running over to him. He smiled as I ran to him and gave him a hug. We embraced for what seemed like forever.

"How are you holding up?"

"Not well. There are some places I should just not go." I said quietly. He hugged me again and then my mother came outside. We seperated and I lead him to my mother.

"Hello Charlie, you staying for dinner?" My mother smiled.

"Uhm, I was hoping to just talk with Elizabeth, but possibly." he said turning to me again.

We started going down the long straight country road, simply walking in silence. I had walked down this road often since I got home, it felt different hearing footsteps echo mine.

"It's getting hotter out isn't it?" I kicked a rock as he nodded beside me.

"How's the Hotel?"

"Oh you know, short on business as usual. I feel like we always have an overstock in syrup now thanks to you two leav..." he quickly trailed off and cleared his throat.
"It's uhm, good."

I nodded, trying to hide the tears stinging behind my eyes. He suddenly sighed and faced me. He stood infront of me, feet firmly planted.

"Look, I didn't come here to comfort you. I mean I did, but that's not all I came here for. Not that it's not important to comfort you it's just-" I snapped beside his face, causing him to jump.

"The point?" I said lowering my hand.

"Right...okay. I came here because I think I'm...falling for you Elizabeth. In fact I have fallen for you. I know I can't ever replace Emmett. I can't even compete with him. Well now I ca-shit! NO! Sorry Eliza I didn't mean it like that!" He threw his hands up and started to yank out the back of his shaggy blonde hair.

He seemed to calm as I giggled. The sound was foreign to me. I didn't even know how I could giggle, considering he said Emmett's name.

"All I'm trying to say is..." He then started fidgeting in his pocket and pulled out a little ring.

"Will you consider me your...alternative?"

I felt my heart accelerate as I stared at the little diamond, twinkling in the setting sun.

"Charlie...I..." I let my voice stop. I thought about everything.

First: Emmett was...gone. And he sure as hell wasn't coming back.

Second: Charlie saw me in my worst days after I lost...him, and still wanted me

Thirdly: He had his own business, and could support me

Fourthly: He was taking all his will power right now not to faint

I knew if I didn't accept this offer from him, that I was never going to find another man in my life. I wouldn't be able to let anyone else in.

I looked up into Charlie's eyes, not noticing tears had overflowed mine.

"Oh! God! I'm so sorry Eliza! I shouldn't have asked." He was about to put the ring away when I quickly grabbed his hand.

"Charlie...you have to know, I'm still...healing. So, I need to know if you'll-"

"Elizabeth, don't even worry about me getting hurt if you miss Emmett. I understand. I just...want to help the process...does this help? I mean I dont want it to seem like I'm trying to replace him. I don't even know how this helps I was just ho-"

"I will." I said quickly.

"Y-you will?" I nodded again. He smiled, and then went to slip the ring on my finger. The dilemma came when Emmett's diamond was still there. Helping me, Charlie slid Emmett's off and put it on my right hand ring finger, then slid his onto my left ring finger. Them there came to the other dilemma, sealing the deal.

He looked at me, sweat dripping down his forhead. He leaned in, and kissed my lips softly. They were warm and sweet, and I didn't mind. I felt my vulnerability pulsing in my heart. He lead me back to my parents house, where we were going to tell them.

**************

There I stood, in a wedding dress, my heart begging to rip it open. Helen stood beside me in a ruby red brides maid gown. She put the last flower in my hair and looked at me beaming.

"Helen I-"

"I'll get it." She said rolling her eyes but still giggling. She came back with a piece of paper. She stood infront of me and began reading it.

"1) He can support you..." She read off the reasons why I should marry Charlie. I had made this list with Charlie. He knew how nervous I was, and unsure. She suddenly stopped reading after reason 5 and came close to me. She held both my hands and looked me straight in the eyes.

"Elizabeth...he's not coming back. He's gone. You won't be able to let someone new into your life. But your parents worry for their grandchildren, or if they'll exist." I felt my eyes bulge.

"Children? I never even thought of that!" I squeaked. It wasn't that I was scared to be...with Charlie like that. It was thinking about my parents and how much they wanted me to be happy, married and having kids. This was another point that had to be added to the list, but instead of adding it, I simply put on my veil.

"Time for me to get married." I sighed, stepping out of my change room, Helen helping me out.

*********

I stood out on the patio, taking off my veil. Everyone was inside dancing and eating. I was still trying to take it all in. I pulled up the chain that was around my neck, revealing Emmett's ring.

"In a way...I'm with you too." I whispered. I kissed the ring lightly before dropping it back down.

"Aww, how sweet." I jumped and turned. Standing in the shadows, was a stringingly attractive man.

"Who are you?" I asked skeptically. He came stepping out, revealing more of himself. He wore a black suit and his eyes matched. His hair was a vibrant blonde, and his skin was porcelin white in the moonlight.

"I'm Kevin. Congradulations." He said nodding at my dress.

"Thankyou..." I still looked at him suspiciously.

"Alright I can see a friendly introduction isn't going to make this smoother. Let me get to the point." He snapped his arms infront of him to bring the sleeves up slightly, and leaned out on the balcony beside me.

"Beautiful sight isn't it? No matter how old I get it the wonder of the night sky never fades." his voice was like velvet in the night air. He stared at it for a bit longer and then looked at me.

"Where were we?"

"The point?"

"Ah yes." he nodded and looked back out at the sky.

"He's not your first love, the irish boy. Is he?" he side glanced at me.

"How do you-"

"I know many things. I also know you're not over the last boy. Murdered wasn't he? Along with your heart." I felt the tears well in my eyes again.

"By these," he said pointing to my tears. "I assume I'm right." He pulled out a hankercheif and handed it to me. I whipped it out of his hands and started wiping my eyes.

"It's sad to see a woman so broken. It's too bad your new husband couldn't see your way too damaged to restart."

"HEY! Don't insult him! ANd stop insulting me! And don't you DARE mention Emmett's death EVER again!" I screamed at him. He simply smirked at my anger.

"Tell you what princess, I'll give you a chance to prove me wrong." He turned and leaned on his side on the balcony.

"Go on, be with this irish boy, have kids. Lets see if you're any happier." He nodded, and turned.

"Elizabeth!" came Charlie's voice. By the time Charlie came to me, Kevin had already disapeared into the darkness.

"Come on, we have to go hear everyone's toasts." Charlie grabbed my hand and brought me inside, but the whole night the only thing I could hear were the strange man's words...