Title: Legendary Travesty

Fandom: Twilight

Pairing: Leah/Esme, established Bella/Alice (Bellice)

Author: Mirandyscrow

Rating: R

Summary: AU Leah imprints in Eclipse. We follow her as she deals with denial, acceptance and the consequences that this extraordinary event causes. This story take place about a month before the beginning of Eclipse and will be a femslash pairing. If you don't like it then don't read it. Thanks!

Spoilers: Let's say everything up until Eclipse is fair game, but I'm twisting a lot of facts and timelines to suit my story.

Archive: Sure if you really want it. Lol, it would be a surprise to me, just ask my permission first. (It's nice when people ask)

Disclaimer: Did Bella and Alice hook up in New Moon? No? Well I guess that means Twilight isn't mine. Twilight belongs to Stephanie Meyer. Any and all other brand names belong to their respective owners. This story was only written for entertainment purposes. I do not make any money on this story.

Author's Note: I don't have a clue where this idea came from. I was actually focusing on going to sleep and this plus five other prompts popped into my head and played around in my skull until I wrote them down and attempted to give them a fair shot at being written. Now here we are.

Big thanks to faithlessfate for being an awesome beta and making this story worth reading! All careless mistakes are my own.

Chapter 10: The Point of No Return

Esme sat on the chair in front of her vanity, brushing out her hair slowly and carefully. All of her movements were running on muscles memory while her mind was currently miles away. She felt as nervous as a schoolgirl waiting for her beau to arrive and whisk her away on her first date.

Unfortunately, her nervousness has nothing to do with joyous anticipation. She had a thick knot of dread twisting around in her stomach. Not for the first time, the vampire wished for Jasper to be home from his journey so that she would be forced to keep a tighter reign on her emotions.

"Carlisle will be home from work in four minutes and fifteen seconds." Alice reported, twirling into her mother's room. She cringed as she heard the crunching of wood on concrete. "Why aren't you dressed?" she asked gently.

"I don't know if I can go through with this, Alice." Esme said putting the now destroyed hair brush down.

"You can't cancel now! You have to tell him tonight. The sadness that you're both going through isn't good for the rest of the family." Alice shook her head forlornly. "Even Rosalie is beginning to pick up on the distance between you two," she finished dramatically.

Esme managed a miniscule smile at Alice's joke. "What happens after?" she muttered mostly to herself.

"We deal with it as it comes." Alice said with reassurance and confidence that she really didn't feel. She stood. "Now you only have about fifty seconds. Let's see if I can make you beautiful before I go to meet Bella," the fae-like vampire announced with a teasing smirk.

-x-

When Esme descended the stairs in a soft rustle of silk, all eyes were on her. The midnight blue gown hugged her curves like a gentle lover. The slight v-neck moved just an inch lower to show the barest hints of cleavage.

"Wow." Carlisle breathed, grinning widely. He placed a dramatic hand over his heart as he stepped forward. "You look enchanting, my dearest."

"You're very dashing as well." Esme said and meant it. He was just as beautiful as she found him that day she broke her leg. And just like that all the familiar feelings came rushing back, but not as prominent as before. Tonight would prove to be very interesting.

"Shall we?" Carlisle asked, offering Esme one of his arms.

"Let's." She replied demurely and linked her arm in his. As she moved gracefully, the sheer sleeves fluttered around her arms.

They strolled effortlessly out of the house, making their way to the seldom used 2007 pearl colored Rolls Royce parked in front of the house. Esme paused, allowing Carlisle to open the door for her.

"What do you have planned for us tonight?" she asked, settling into the lush seats.

Carlisle flashed to the other side of the car and was placing his seatbelt on in a matter of seconds. "I thought we'd do a bit of dancing until the sun comes up and hunt together at sunrise," he said and turned on the car, flooring the gas pedal. The car sped down the street and out of sight.

-x-

The drive to Seattle was filled with a companionable silence. Each vampire was lost in their own thoughts, every once in awhile sneaking glances and shy smiles at their counterparts. All too soon, their destination came into view.

They pulled up to a building that looked like it was pulled straight out of the 1940s with a modern feel. Searchlight swirled in fanciful patterns into the sky and a bright neon sign over the door blinked the name: Skylight. There were people lined up on both sides of the club clamoring to get in, waiting impatiently for their turn at a chance to cross that famed red velvet rope. Many of the people were dressed the part to enter the swing club. The sheer number of zoot suits and modern Barcelenciago gowns was enough to make Esme's head spin.

Carlisle quickly bypassed the line of traffic and pulled up to the curb. Everyone turned to them as they craned their necks curiously to see through the tinted windows. When Esme's silver, five inch stiletto heel dropped to the pavement slowly, everyone was hypnotized. Their eyes trailed up the smooth calf with various expressions of want and jealously. A hand was presented to her immediately and Esme allowed herself to be escorted out of the car by the valet. Murmurs and camera flashes erupted from the crowd.

"Good evening ma'am," the valet said politely though he was having a hard time releasing her hand. In his opinion, she was by far the most beautiful woman he had ever set eyes on.

The vampire tugged her hand gently form his grasp. "Thank you," she smiled, dazzling him slightly.

The valet's head had just begun to spin from the attention this angel was paying to him when a blonde haired man came around the car in no time at all and handed him some keys.

"Be careful with her." Carlisle said to the dazed young man.

"You, too." The valet muttered still unable to come back to his right state of mind.

Carlisle chuckled and patted the young man on the shoulder. He slipped a fifty dollar bill in his front pocket and placed a hand to the small of Esme's back while they walked to the front of the line.

"Are you on the list?" A large muscular man asked with his arms folded. He eyed them with seeming disinterest but his eyes softened and glazed slightly when he glanced at Esme's form.

"Why yes we are. There's a reservation under the name Cullen," Carlisle said smoothly, not in the slightest bit intimidated by the man's obvious hostility.

The man grunted and snatched the clipboard from under his arms, looking quickly. "Ah yes. Mr. Cullen. So, sorry for the delay, Sir," he said and unclipped the rope, moving to the side as he allowed them entrance.

Just before they entered the club, they heard the valet's supervisor scolding him for daydreaming on the job. Carlisle and Esme exchanged a look, smiling knowingly.

The floors of the club were a shiny glossed marble to match the large beams. Esme's eyes were immediately drawn to the small lights illuminating the stairs of an expansive stage where a smartly dressed gentleman was singing his rendition of "Sweet Georgia Brown."

Carlisle came to a stop next to the hostess' station. "Cullen, party of two." He said with effortless charm.

"Yes sir," The young woman nodded signaling one of the waiters impersonating Humphrey Bogart.

"Right this way," he extended his hand before swiftly moving toward a table front and center near the stage and end of the dance floor.

Instead of a simple maroon tablecloth, a small table lamp, and polished cherry wood chairs like all the others, this table had a c-shaped loveseat with a pristine white tablecloth and tall table lamp. The song ended and everyone around them clapped politely.

"Would you like anything this evening to start you off?"

"We'd like a bottle of your best champagne." Carlisle said, slipping a couple of twenties in the front pocket of the waiter smoothly.

"Right away sir," the waiter said and quickly made his way to the bar.

The spotlight swept the room in swooping gesture as the announcer came out to make a few jokes for the crowd before introducing the next act.

"How did you find this place?" Esme asked after turning her eyes away from the few couples making their way to the dance floor at the beginning chords of a more upbeat bout of swing music.

"I had a little help from Alice." Carlisle admitted.

"Of course," Esme said with a knowing smile.

"Is it all okay?"

"It's fine." Esme replied with a beaming smile. Her eyes swept the room once more, taking everything in. "Why didn't you tell me anything about Skylight? We could have definitely gotten into the act."

"My dear we've lived it. I'm not too inclined to wear the high waist pants or a fedora again anytime soon." He smirked just a bit.

Esme grimaced, remembering the clunky, hard high heels she endured during that era. "Perhaps you're right." She agreed.

They just took a moment to look at each other. Esme smiled genuinely and decided to herself that she could do this. She could talk to him just as she always had and then tell him everything that has been happening. She could do this because conversation had always come so easy with them. The only exception being, of course, the most recent developments.

Just as Carlisle reached for her hand, the waiter returned, presenting the bottle to them with a flourish. He made quick work of the cork and poured two glasses that were chilled to perfection then left them alone once again.

Esme picked up her glass of champagne, tipping it back against her closed lips. She wished that for once she could get some sort of enjoyment as well as nourishment from beverages. At the very least she could use the champagne for liquid courage. She saw the spark of love enter Carlisle's eyes before the waiter reappeared and it destroyed the small amount of self-confidence she thought she had.

Esme cleared her throat. "How are your cases at work?"

Carlisle waved his hand dismissively. "I don't want to talk about work." He said, taking her hand in his tenderly. "Tonight is about us."

If Carlisle felt the way her hand tensed for just a fraction of a second before relaxing, he didn't comment. "I thought tonight would be filled with dancing?" Esme asked coyly.

"It is. In fact, let's have our first." Carlisle stood, pulling her to her feet gently.

Esme followed his lead as she was whisked away to the dance floor. Just as they faced each other, the song ended and the couples around them applauded. "Looks like we've missed it."

"Just wait," Carlisle said with a twinkle in his eye.

The lights dimmed all around and the spotlight landed dead center of the curtain. There was silence for a few seconds as everyone expected the announcer to come back out. A handsome man in his early thirties with light brown hair and striking green eyes stepped out on stage causing everyone to erupt into raucous applause. The man held his hands up to quiet the cheers. "I was asked here as a favor to a man I'm proud to call my friend." He winked at Carlisle before finishing his speech. "This song goes out to Esme from Carlisle," The singer said clearly with a quick nod in their direction. The spotlight was suddenly turned to the two vampires and Esme realized with dread that it would probably be staying on them for the rest of their dance.

The singer threw his hand up to the band and waited. A jazzy tune filled the air in a canopy of trumpets, piano, and violins. The singer danced a little with an easy smile before grabbing the microphone as his cue neared.

Esme became delighted as she quickly recognized the song then immediately disheartened as she realized some new upstart was remaking a perfectly remarkable song. She shook away her annoyance and allowed the song to flow around her as she fell into step with Carlisle.

"When marimba rhythm starts to play, dance with me, make me sway…" The smooth baritone voice sang.

They danced in each others arms and Esme was quickly reminded of why she fell in love with him in the first place. She still loved him and now she knew it would only always be as a best friend from now on.

As the song began to reach its crescendo, he began to lean in and Esme felt panic as her stomach didn't flutter as it once had when his eyes focused solely on her. His gaze now felt uncomfortable as it traced over her face as it had a million times before.

She allowed the kiss as if to further cement what was going on with their dissolving marriage. She relaxed in his embrace and moved her lips in the practiced dance it took over a century for them to perfect but it was no use. She quickly ended the kiss with an internal sigh.

A pang of guilt gripped her heart as she observed Carlisle's lustful and perplexed gaze.

"He's trying to win you back!" Leah's voice shattered through her subconscious. "He's trying to win you back and he doesn't even know from what."

She dropped her head and broke free of his embrace, running to the balcony. She dutifully ignored the whispers and stares as she crossed the room. Carlisle of course was right on her tail, calling after her.

She knew now.

She knew for certain and it scared the hell out of her.

"Esme?" he said tentatively as he stepped forward, closing the balcony door behind him. "What's wrong? What's going on with us?" he pleaded almost desperately.

Esme turned, venom shimmering in her eyes. This was it. This was the moment she'd been dreading every since she revealed her predicament to Alice a month ago. 'I can't hurt him' she'd said then and now here she was preparing to do just that. "I can't." she started and choked on the words. "We..." she trailed off and sighed. How would one ever hope to break off such a long relationship? You just can't say 'thanks for the memories' and bid farewell in this case.

"Whatever it is we can work past it," Carlisle said, breaking through her thoughts. He hated to see Esme cry. He always had. It was like someone ripping away a piece of him slowly. "We've been together nearly two centuries. We can survive this."

Esme turned away. "No, we can't."

Carlisle couldn't have looked more stunned if you'd just struck him with a bolt of lightning. "You're giving up on us?" he nearly whispered. Sorrow swam in his topaz orbs.

"I don't...I can't..." Esme tried again to say the words that threatened to burst from her.

"What?" Carlisle asked firmly, his sadness quickly turning to frustration and anger. "You can't what?"

"I can't keep hurting you like this!" Esme yelled, the tears now larger, perched on her eyelashes as if to stream down her face but they never would. "I'm not in love with you anymore," she whispered and choked back a sob. A hand clutched tightly against her chest as if to stop her heart from falling apart. She never expected it to feel like this. It was like suddenly losing the best friend a person could ever have. She didn't know what to think of that. Carlisle was more than a friend and that in part was why it hurt so much. Her feelings were haywire lately.

Carlisle on the other hand felt his body go numb. He blinked slowly, looking at his...wife? "What did you say?" he breathed. He couldn't have possibly heard what he thought he did.

"Don't." Esme shook her head. "Don't make me say it again."

"Please." Carlisle came forward, pulling her close to him. "I need you to repeat it. I need you to," he said urgently.

Esme shook her head sadly and opened her mouth but was interrupted by Carlisle's cell phone ringing. They met each others eyes refusing to let the life interfere with the here and now. They knew they were both thinking the same thing: if I don't hold on to this moment now, you'll be gone from my life forever. They remained silent, the soft chiming and vibrations of the phone in Carlisle's pocket were the only sounds between them. It stopped and Esme's phone immediately started ringing.

She shook her head slightly, eyes pressing closed in frustration. They could wait it out. Nothing was more important than this, not now.

Carlisle parted his lips to speak as Esme's purse quieted, only to be interrupted by her phone chiming once more. "Oh, for…"

She picked up the phone, blindly pressing the accept button. "Hello?" She said, eyes still locked with Carlisle's

"Esme, this is Charlie. We've got a situation here at the house." He paused and Esme could hear him shifting nervously. "Alice is hurt, Jacob Black punched her in the eye." He finally choked out in a rush.

"What!?" Esme didn't have to fake her outrage as her maternal instinct took over. "We're on our way," she said and hung up at once. She moved to walk around Carlisle when he grabbed her arm in a firm hold.

"We have to talk," He said a small, defeated tone.

Esme paused looking at Carlisle. He was right. They did need to talk. There was so much to talk about now. How would this affect their family? Would there even be a family after this development?

"We will," Esme said resolutely. "We will talk, but first we need to get Alice out of Chief Swan's home before he wonders why her eye hasn't swollen shut," she said nearly running to the exit.

-End of Chapter Ten-

Wow! Such an emotional ride in this chapter. What do you think happened between Alice and Jacob? (As if you couldn't guess…) And where do you think Leah is? All will be revealed in the next chapter.

Thank you, thank you all who have shown continued interest in this story! Your hits and reviews make me smile. Big welcome to those who have just discovered this story. Your favorites and follows keep me going. Thank you all anon readers and lurkers.

I hope you all continue to enjoy!

~MC