Stephanie Meyer owns all that is Twilight.

Esme and Carlisle: How the Love Story Began…

Ashland, Wisconsin

March 5, 1921

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

It's been five months since my abrupt decision to leave everything behind. I had bought a ticket at the Greyhound bus station and came to safe haven at my Cousin Mary Ann's house in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Her husband, Robert, had recently returned from the war also. Mary Ann was so happy to have him home, but according to her, he hasn't been the same and has had difficulty keeping a job. They didn't mind taking me in when I promised to find work and help pay the bills.

I was able to secure a job as a teacher in a small Catholic school. My cover story was that I was a war widow, being cared for by my extended family. This lie was a simple, believable and appropriate for the social norms of the time. A pregnant woman, working and living alone would raise eyebrows and I did not want to attract attention. I just wanted to blend in, have time to adjust to my new life and plan my future with my unborn baby.

All was going as well as could be expected...until the telephone call.

The call came in the early evening. It was my mom right on time for our weekly conversation. After much deliberation, I telephoned her several days after I had settled in Milwaukee. I knew my disappearance would cause her much worry and which would only complicate her illness. While she was not happy about the drastic action I had taken, she was relieved to know I was alive and unharmed. However, I had given her an ultimatum - if she wanted to continue to hear from me, she would have to keep my location and story a secret. I did not inform her of my pregnancy - that surely would have pushed her over the edge.

Our conversation seemed normal enough until there was a long pause from my mother. She did that whenever she had something to say, but didn't know how to say it. I braced myself.

"Honey, don't be mad, but I told your dad we have been talking on the telephone..."

"What! Mom, you know he will not understand why I left! How could you do this?" I stammered.

"Esme, he's your father! He has been worried sick about you. Did you really think you could disappear and not expect him to be devastated! He could tell I knew something since I wasn't constantly wondering what could have happened to you. I tried to just tell him a little, you know, I heard from you and you were fine. But he wouldn't leave it at that...I am sorry, dear."

"Well, at least it's over. Did you explain my reasons?" I felt relieved some of the burden of my secret had been lifted, yet anxious about my father's response. I so desired his support. I still had hope they would come to my aid.

Another long pause. I started to grieve.

"Esme, we miss you. This cannot be what you really want...Your father spoke with Charles. He admits he treated you poorly and he really wants you back. Dear, Charles is coming to get you... Esme? Esme, do you hear me? Are you there? Esme!"

My muscles had all locked at once - one big all-encompassing spasm. I was a deer caught in headlights. Physically frozen to the spot. But my mind was racing, putting together the dreadful truth - He knows where I am. He is coming to get me. He is going to be so angry and humiliated. My actions would not go unpunished.

Like a child who knew a severe whipping was ahead, I panicked and could only think of fleeing, for fighting was out of the question.

I dropped the phone, and though I could hear my mother shouting my name, I couldn't respond to her. Traitor. My parents had abandoned me.

When I finally broke free of my immobility, I sprinted up the stairs to my temporary room.

"Mary Ann! Mary Ann!" I shrieked in full panic mode. Skidding into the bedroom, I began ripping clothes from the closet and the drawers, dumping them haphazardly on the bed. Mary Ann arrived quickly.

"Esme... oh, my! What is it? You're as white as a ghost. What are you doing?" she shot the questions at me rapidly.

"I've got to go...got to get away!" I cried, never meeting her eyes as I flew about the room.

"Why? What's going on? You can't leave now; the baby is due in less than two months!" Mary Ann's voice now had panic in it too. She grabbed me by the shoulders to stop my frantic random movements and looked me in the eye.

"Esme, stop! What is going on?"

"Mary Ann, he knows! Charles knows where I am and he's coming!" I practically screamed.

Mary Ann gasped. Stunned, she plopped down on my bed on top of the pile of disarrayed clothes. Her sudden stillness got my attention. I paused. "What am I going to do?"

"Let me think. I need to talk to Robert. I may have a solution..." She bolted from the room, leaving me alone with my paralyzing fears. There was no way I was going to let him know about the baby. I would never be free from him if he knew a child was involved!

Within ten minutes, Mary Ann was back.

"Here's what we're going to do. Robert's best army buddy has a cabin in upper Wisconsin. It's a ways away - 350 miles or so in a small town called Ashland. But it's empty. He only uses it during deer hunting season. Robert said he can arrange for you to stay there. It's a quick solution until we can figure out what to do next."

I rushed to her, grabbing her hands and holding them to my heart. "Thank you, Mary Ann. When can I leave?" I sighed with relief.

"We'll drive you there tomorrow morning. Now please, for the baby's sake, calm down. It will all work out, don't worry," she said while she reached to embraced me - my bulging belly meeting her body first.

My dreams that night were filled with harsh images from my marriage. Though I knew escape would come with the sunrise, I started to fear I would never truly ever be free. When would I be able to stop running?

My second attempt at escaping Charles was uncomfortable. The drive to Ashland was long and the baby was very active, kicking away. Maybe my adrenaline was having an effect on him or her. I was feeling a mixture of mild relief and crippling fear. Where was I going? How would I support myself? Am I strong enough to do this?

When we arrived in the quaint town, Robert and Mary Ann took me grocery shopping. We stocked the cabin with everything we thought I might need until they could return again. By then, I hoped I could figure out my next move. But for now, I just really wanted to concentrate on getting through the rest of my pregnancy. Maybe once Charles was convinced I was not returning to him, I could find my way back to Mary Ann's.

"Ashland Community Hospital is not too far away," Mary Ann seemed to be trying to read my thoughts as we quietly put all the items we had brought in their proper places. I could tell she worried about leaving me as much I worried about being left behind. But this was not her burden to bear.

"I'll be all right, Mary Ann," I sought to reassure her. "You and Robert have been great. And I know you'll be back before the due date to be with me. I will be fine until then."

As the sun began to sink, they left for home. Someone had to be there to deal with Charles when he arrived. I knew Robert would keep my secret safe, but I did not envy the chore that was ahead of him. Charles was manipulative and aggressive.

I did my best to settle into my new home. By now, my belongings were few - only my most cherished possessions and the bare necessities. For some reason, though, I found it calming to be here - anonymous and alone. I had noticed on the drive in there were several cabins in the vicinity. I briefly wondered who my neighbors might be. Maybe strong, handsome woodsmen? The thought made me smile - how long has it been since I did that? Since my vision made me feel safer, I let the thoughts continue as I attempted sleep.

The surrounding area was beautiful. The forest was so green and peaceful, yet so full of life. I was also close to Lake Superior and pictured the waves crashing on the beach.

"This is going to work out," I spoke out loud trying to assure myself in the silence that surrounded me. I would learn to live on my own and this strength would make me a good mother. With a growing feeling of confidence, I fell asleep dreaming of what my life with my precious baby would be like...

May 5, 1921

Ashland Community Hospital

CPOV

"Dr. Cullen, could you please sign this discharge order for Mr. Greene?" asked a sticky, almost sing-song voice.

I turned to find Nurse Zeppo standing behind me with a clip board.

"Here, you can use my pen," she offered too quickly.

"Thank you, but I have one right here," I said, taking the clip board without meeting her eyes.

I didn't have to be a mind-reader to know what motivated Nurse Zeppo's graciousness. As a perfect predator, there were qualities about me that drew in my intended prey. After all these centuries, I've learned to ignore the flirtatious attention that followed me like a plague. Dwelling on it made me quite depressed. It wasn't who I was that drew them in, it was what I was. I felt like a reluctant flower attracting swarms of mindless bees - it was my looks and my scent that drew human women to me, nothing more than misguided instinct.

Making male friends wasn't any easier - no one enjoys having a friend that's too good looking - too much competition. For once I'd like to find someone interested in me who doesn't have a hidden (or not so hidden) agenda. Someone who wanted to get to know the real me. But I could never really share that secret either...

After centuries of frustration, I just found it easier to opt for solitude where humans were concerned.

Had I only known what I was getting into with Edward, maybe I would have continued to journey alone! Now I had exactly the opposite of my problem with humans: Edward knew everything about me, whether I wanted to share it or not. But I took solace in the fact that although he knew my weaknesses and faults, yet still chose to remain with me in our new home in Ashland.

The hunting in the area was excellent. Edward found meat-eating game much more to his liking. He had shown such increase in his control over the past few months, I enrolled in the local high school. He was able to pick up where he had left off before he became ill with Spanish Influenza.

Finding work in Ashland was easier than I had imagined. The small town hospital was overjoyed to have an ER physician with my experience, and willing to work for the humble pay. I typically worked the day shift so I could be home with Edward in the evenings. We would hunt at night. It was a simple yet satisfying life.

I was looking forward to the hunt as I exited the hospital. As I stepped through the doors, a taxi screamed past, nearly grazing me. Had I been human, my response should have been to jump out of the way and waved some obscene hand gesture at the driver. I made a mental note to work more on my senseless human reactions to keep up appearances. As I glanced back, I noticed the nervous look on the cab driver's face as he launched himself out of the car. Something was not going as he had planned.

Briefly, I wondered if I should stop to investigate. But then I remembered I actually had someone waiting for me back home. There will be plenty of emergencies to deal with tomorrow...

EPOV

"Ma'am, let me run in and get a doctor for you! Stay right here!" screeched the unsteady taxi driver.

No kidding I thought. Where was I going to go when these labor pains had reduced me to a quivering blob lying in the back of a smelly taxi!

The baby was coming - three weeks ahead of schedule. Luckily, I was able to get myself to the local general store to call a taxi to bring me to Ashland Community General. Thank God I made it!

A nurse came bustling out of the ER doors with a wheel chair and an orderly in tow. They eased me from the taxi into the chair, "Don't worry, honey, we got you! What's your name, dear?"

"Esme," I managed to choke out in between waves of pain.

"Esme, we'll get you right up to the maternity ward and you'll be greeting your new baby in no time."

I was taken to a room and questioned - many times- on the whereabouts of my husband. Once I informed them I was a widow, they questioned me on who was caring for me, who could they call.

"It's just me and the baby," I responded - then my water broke.

The pain of the contractions doubled - I didn't think that was possible! The nurse left to fetch the doctor who proudly declared, "It's time."

The nurse approached me next with a mask that she placed over my nose and mouth, "Just breathe in deeply, dear. When you wake up, the delivery will be over..."

I breathed in the fumes and all went black...

Within a few short hours I was holding my tiny, wrinkly baby boy. I fell instantly in love. He had beautiful dark blue eyes and fluffy golden brown hair. Ten tiny fingers and ten tiny toes. And, of course, he had that glorious baby smell! Perfect.

"What are you going to name him?" the nurse asked as she hovered over me.

"Benjamin Joseph Evenson," I said confidently.

"That's lovely. He sure is a cutie," she cooed, smiling at my baby before she stepped back from my bed. She paused and instinctually, I held my breath. She finally continued, "but the doctor is a little concerned. His color is a bit bluer than we'd like to see. We are going to keep a close eye on him for the next few days..."

My eyes snapped up quickly to look at the nurse.

"What do you mean 'blue'? What's wrong?"

"Don't worry yourself, dear; I am sure it's nothing. I just wanted to let you know we may want to keep your baby in the nursery so we can monitor his progress," the nurse replied without a hint of concern in her voice. Was that because she was sure everything would be okay or was it because her years of experience had taught her how to hide her concern?

"Why don't I take him back to the nursery so you can rest?" the nurse held out her arms to take Benjamin.

I clutched my tiny bundle closer to my body, "No, really, I am not tired. I'd like to spend some more time with him now."

"Okay, dear, just know this may be your last chance to get some rest," she waved a finger at me. "Once you get your baby home, rest will be hard to come by..."

"Thank you, we're just fine," I smiled down at Benjamin's precious little face. He yawned.

Once the nurse left, I went about inspecting my baby more closely. 'Blue' the nurse had said. I looked for traces of 'blueness'. It did appear he was slightly discolored around his mouth and his finger and toe nails. His breathing seemed rapid and shallow, but wasn't that normal for newborns?

"Everything will be all right, won't it, Benji? We've been through so much, but now it is time for our happy ending. We have each other - everything else will work itself out. I'll take care of you, I promise."

I snuggled my nose to his and we settled in for a nap - together.

Such was our routine for the next 48 hours. I would feed Benji every 2-3 hours, we'd nap and then they would take him to the nursery. My arms ached without him, but he had developed a cough and his breathing seemed more difficult, so they kept him in the nursery to care for him. When he was late for his next feeding, I headed down to the nursery to retrieve him myself.

The nurse met me in the hallway.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Evenson, we need to keep Benjamin in the nursery. He is running a fever," she said, obviously trying to intercept me before I could reach the nursery.

"Can I look through the window and see him?" I tried to get past her - she would not allow it, stepping directly in front of me.

"Mrs. Evenson, he's taken a turn for the worse. He's a very sick baby. Please return to your room and I will send the doctor to speak with you."

I was unable to decide what to do. I wanted to see my baby. I needed to know he was all right. But not wanting to cause a scene, I nodded quietly and headed back to my room. And waited...

Finally, after what seemed to be forever, the doctor arrived at my door. He didn't hide the concern in his eyes as he sat in the chair next to my bed. Was I strong enough for this?

Mercifully, he got right to the point, "Mrs. Evenson, your baby has developed a lung infection. His lungs are producing mucous in response to this infection. The mucous is thick and we cannot remove it from his lungs. It is making it hard for him to transfer oxygen. This is why he is showing signs of being blue - he cannot perform proper gas exchange."

"But you are caring for him...you are going to fix this, right?" I stammered unclear on what the doctor was telling me. What's 'proper gas exchange?'

"We are doing what we can, but we don't know when or if the infection will resolve. Sometimes when babies run a fever their bodies can kill off whatever germ is causing the illness. But all we can do now is wait and see. I am sorry."

"Wait - wait for what? For him to get better or to suffocate?" my voice was high-pitched, panicky.

"We will make him as comfortable as possible. Would you like to come to the nursery and hold him?"

My tears flowed now. All I could do was nod at the doctor. He held my arm as he guided me back to the nursery. The nurses brought a rocker into the nursery and handed Benji to me. I rocked him, oblivious to all that was around me. He was so warm. His cough was still there, but it was weaker.

"You can do this, Benji. You fight this. I need you." I pleaded. My tears flowed onto his light blue hospital blanket wrapped around him like a cocoon.

He did fight hard, I know he did. But he lost the battle. Just before dawn, the light in my life went out.