The periods of time signified tell how much time has passed since Keiran's dream, and the start of the wedge between Emmett and Keiran.

Enjoy!

Appeal of the Forbidden

By: Lucas McDrake

Chapter 14-Distance

Carlisle-2 months (June)

"We're home," I announced as I walked into the threshold of my abode.

Just as I had guessed, Keiran was sitting in the living room, fiddling with her fingers to release nervous energy. Nothing had shifted from before we had left this morning to prepare for the battle; the TV screen was the same black expanse, the piano cover still closed, all of the cushions of the couch-except for the one Keiran occupied-still perfectly smooth. It seemed Keiran was too preoccupied to think of distracting herself.

Upon my proclamation, Keiran immediately looked up from her fingers, the dismal gloom that had filled her face immediately banished, replaced now with worry. "Is everyone okay?"

"Yes," I confirmed, giving her a reassuring smile. She was just like Bella, doubting our ability to fend for ourselves.

Keiran's face relaxed as she let out a sigh of relief.

As everyone else trailed in behind me, I sat on the couch beside Keiran. "Were you okay with being alone in the house for awhile?" We had been debating on what to do with Keiran while we were out battling when Alice foresaw that Keiran would be perfectly safe if we just left her at the house; no one even knew of her existence besides our family, so there was no reason that anyone would try to harm her.

"I guess." Keiran shrugged. "Just worried about you guys."

I smirked. "Especially Emmett, right?"

Keiran glanced up into my eyes with what I thought could be a mix of fear, pain and remorse. Things a child like her shouldn't ever have to face. Quickly, she looked away again, and breathed, "Uh, sure."

I wasn't blind; I had seen the controversy in both of their eyes whenever the subject came up. I just didn't know the extent of what had occurred between them to form such a distance. The only other time anything like this had happened between individuals in this household was when Edward decided to rebel against my system of sustenance in 1928. Because of the lack of discord in our family, I doubted that anyone had an idea of how to move forward with this issue. It was easy to see the gap was affecting every Cullen, though, so I decided that a step of any kind was necessary.

"Do you want to talk about it?" I whispered.

She shook her head for a moment indecisively before pausing and nodding. "I... I want to ask a question."

In this household, it was common courtesy (usually) not to listen in on conversations such as this-especially, of late, with Bella's frequent visits, where she couldn't hear the eavesdropper. With this in mind, and reassured that Keiran wouldn't have to fear for her privacy, I whispered, "Yes?"

"What..." She glanced up at me shyly before looking back at her knees and continuing, "What is it like to...love someone? Like, as more than a friend?"

The question was unexpected, so it took me a moment to form an answer. "Well... When you truly love someone, all you want for them is for them to know without a doubt that you do love them. You want to prove yourself every second of the day. You never want harm to befall them, you never want to leave their side... You never have to doubt them if it's true love you share." I turned to her. "Why do you ask?"

Keiran seemed deep in thought. "I...was just wondering." After another moment, she smiled slightly, and looked up at me. "Thanks, Dad. That helped a bit."

I smiled at her, and rustled her hair. "Glad to be of service." I proceeded to settle my arm around her, and held her to my side as I turned on the TV, and we watched.

Glad to help that little bit...but I couldn't help worry over the part I couldn't usher away.

Edward-2.5 months (Mid-June)

I glanced away from the TV screen to those seated on the couches arranged around it. Today Emmett, Alice, Jasper and Esme would be returning from a hunting trip. Keiran, leaning on Rosalie's shoulder, stared blankly at the plasma. I was the only one that could tell that she wasn't actually seeing the TV show-her mind was ablaze with thoughts of Emmett. As usual.

Of course, thinking about Emmett had always been as natural as breathing for Keiran, it seemed. Before my return to life with Bella, Keiran had always thought of Emmett; thoughts of the next game they would play had eventually turned to wondering when he'd be back from his occasional hunting trip, which had in turn transfigured to thoughts on his well being. Gradually, as I had come to notice, Emmett became the center of her existence; he filled the role of an older brother-of a best friend-of a confidant. He filled all of the places in her heart that had been gouged out after the accident that had taken her parents' lives.

But now it was a different story.

Now, Keiran refused to let herself be close to Emmett. Whenever he was in the room, she'd always find a way to get as far as possible, if not leave the room altogether. Now, Keiran's eyes were filled with anguish instead of the ecstasy we had all become accustomed to. Now, the only thing that could consume the minds of the household was this devastating gap between Emmett and Keiran. Ever since the one night that had provided demise to their bond.

Still, Keiran thought of him nearly the same. She still inadvertently adored him. However, I could tell that her view of Emmett twisted with each passing day. Just a few days ago, I'd caught her wondering whether Emmett still loved her the way he did back when. Of course, she'd rationalized that he doesn't. Even though he does. It occurred to me that, over the past century, I've nearly completely lost my sense of humanity; it's nearly beyond me how humans are always mentally abusing themselves.

What hurt the most to observe from the sidelines, however, was how much her mind had aged for a single dream. Now, her childish innocence was gone. Though she had yet to experience the dominant raging hormones of a teenager, she'd still caught a glimpse, and now she could conceive what it would be like.

I shared a glance with Rosalie, confirming that we shared the same train of thought, then returned my eyes to the TV screen.

Gradually, my focal point drifted toward the kitchen, where I noticed Esme's mind, whirring as she worried over Keiran. It was hard not to concentrate on contradictions to the usually peaceful atmosphere of the Cullen abode, especially for the immortal. I stood, and leisurely walked to the kitchen entrance.

It also hurt to realize that no solution to this controversy came to mind.

Esme-3 months (July)

I glanced away from my cooking to observe Alice as she entered the kitchen. "Are you nervous?" I asked.

"About- Oh." Alice, as she usually does, looked into the future to see what I was talking about. "Well... To be honest with you, I am slightly nervous." She smiled, and skipped across the kitchen to inspect my cooking. "How did you guess?"

"Well, it's the first wedding you've-"

"I've conducted Emmett's and Rose's, Jasper's and mine-"

"But this would be the first you conducted-"

"For Bella and Edward. You're right," she allowed. "And this one is different... I mean, Bella's human, Edward was the first to join the family..." Her facial expression switched instantaneously from speculative to beaming. "But I've got it covered-there will be no mess ups. I've made sure of it." Beaming her teeth, she tapped her temple to indicate that she'd already played this wedding through her head a million times before. Then, she pointed to my cooking and stated, "Add some more garlic salt to the lasagna filling for those hot pockets; the guests will like it even more."

As Alice turned towards the garage door to go pick up Bella, I sighed, returning to my original train of thought. "Have you been to see Keiran today? I didn't stop by her room before coming down here to prepare the food."

I couldn't see Alice, but I could hear her gradual halt in movement, from which I guessed that she was just as worried for her as me. "Yeah..."

"Was she feeling...any better?"

"Not that I could tell." Alice made an about face, and came back to my side. "You know, that dilemma has been driving me nuts for...how long has it been...three months? Yeah, I think that's about right. And I've never seen anyone in this household so distraught. Besides when...you know..." she trailed off; the period of time when Edward left Bella to Edward's near-suicide was still a touchy subject. "But something about this just seems...worse," she continued. "It's almost like having them both in the same house, while still refusing to face each other, is even worse. I wish they would just bring things back to the way they were."

"Me, too." I smirked slightly. "I just hope this issue is resolved soon."

We were both silent, then; maybe it was just women's intuition, but we both felt that it wouldn't be resolved soon. It was the unspoken conclusion throughout the Cullen household.

By Alice's distant expression, I could tell she was searching frantically. I knew that she must have already searched so many times, but just the changing events of a passing day was hope enough for her to search again. As usual, however, as she closed her eyes her expression gained an aging sorrow. "Only time can tell; I can't see far enough ahead." She sighed. "The farther I go, the more dusty the future gets; there are so many alternate realities that have to be made real with time's passing." She opened her eyes, which now glistened with unshed tears, and stated, "All I can tell is that this will take awhile."

We both sighed in unison, and I returned my focus to my cooking, sprinkling a little garlic salt over the lasagna sauce and stirring with a ladle.

"But, you know, there's still hope."

I returned my gaze towards Alice, who was grinning again. "What do you mean?"

"Oh, just wait," Alice chimed, skipping out the garage door. "You'll see."