Ch 74

She couldn't do anything. She knew that Edward probably already heard what she had just been thinking about. She needed to stop this. Patricia is definitely happy to see both him and Alice. It was so sweet to be reunited with them. The little girl must have missed her family so much. They haven´t heard of them for weeks and this was a very pleasant surprise. Ellen stopped hesitating when she saw Alice spreading her arms towards her. She smiled and hugged her too. She couldn't prevent the tears from falling.

She pulled away and smiled. "Alice, it´s so nice to see you."

Edward hugged her with his free hand too. "We missed you, El, and our little sis too."

Patricia giggled when he tickled her. Alice pulled her hand. "Come, let´s go, we have so much to catch up, you have to tell us everything."

Ellen nodded. "Okay, but I am sure, you know everything about our present lives."

Alice grinned. " Never mind, I am excited to hear it from you."

And she walked hand in hand with Ellen to the nearby restaurant. Edward followed with Patricia in his arms.

Ellen finished her juice and talked about her life. She didn't miss Alice´s looks to Edward. If she didn't know about their abilities, she would have felt awkward. She knew about their communication and so wasn't surprised. She wanted to tell them a lot, but she left out her suffering because of the past events in Forks.

They certainly knew everything and there was no need to repeat herself. Patricia whispered, "it´s so hot here, could I get an ice cream?"

Edward noticed Alice´s look and replied immediately, "sure sweetie we can, we can go to the bar to choose which one you want."

Patricia stood up and followed Edward to pick up the ice cream.

Alice watched Ellen´s nervosity. Ellen didn't feel very comfortable under Alice´scrutiny. She knew that sooner or later Alice would ask about Carlisle. She still didn't know what to say. Alice moved back to her glass of water and pretended to drink. "So? How have you all been?"

Ellen´s fingers began to tremble. "Fine, I think….I believe, we're fine….."

She had no idea how to continue, Alice must have known everything. She was blushing, fingers laid in her lap and couldn't look in her friends eyes. She would cry if she tried. Now when Alice and Edward appeared, it brought back all the happy memories from the past months. She was not able to think clearly. Alice really knew about her problems and wanted to show her her support. She raised her hand and caressed Ellen´s shoulder.

"Ellie, you don't have to pretend in my presence. I know that things haven't been so good in the previous months for you. Patricia gives you a hard time sometimes too…."

Ellen shrugged. "I am not strong enough to tell her that we left for good."

Alice closed her eyes for a second and then whispered, "I wish I could tell you something positive, but I can´t, my visions appear and they are different each time. I can't figure out the result."

Ellen nodded. "Alice, don't worry, things will happen the way they are supposed to be."

She wiped the tears and Alice spoke, "Things have been very different in the family since you left. Carlisle is no longer living in Forks. He has been leading a kind of nomadic life. He travels to conferences and studies the newest medical discoveries."

She could see Ellen's shocked reaction. "Why? I thought he was never interested in such a life."

Alice smiled sadly. "Who knows…. He distances himself from the family. He calls sometimes, but every time he appears to be in different place. He moves very often.I think he wants to keep his mind occupied."

Ellen was red in her face again. This was too much to hear. He began doing things he always hated. And her departure was the reason for this. No, she was the reason. She caused his distance from the family. Then she remembered what had happened in the hospital and looked away again. Alice noticed her change of expression,

"Ellen, I hope you don't feel remorse, it´s not your fault. You couldn't have known what Esme had planned. Carlisle is too kind to be angry at someone, he should have sent her away when she appeared at our door again."

She noticed how Ellen shivered when she mentioned her father´s name. Ellen looked down. "I know, I know it wasn't my fault but…. the thought that our break up caused this to your family….it hurts me."

Alice hugged her tightly. "Don't worry, he won't do it permanently, it´s not his way of doing things, it´s a temporary way of dealing with everything."

She pulled back and continued, "you know, he might have told you but you are his soul mate, and for us it´s very hard to lose such love. It takes a long time to even accept it."

Ellen remained silent. Edward came back with Patricia holding two big cups with ice cream. He handed her one.

"Try it, we chose it for you with love."

Ellen smiled."Thank you both," and caressed Patricia´s hand. Her daughter sat down on her chair next to Alice and began eating it as fast as possible.

Until they finished, Edward was telling funny stories from the campus and they all were enjoying a nice afternoon. No more words about Carlisle or anything connected to the family. But Ellen knew that it was only at present. They were too nice to mention it but the situation wasnìt pleasant for them either.

A few hours later they had to say good bye. Ellen and Patricia were expected for dinner. Patricia didn't want to leave. She was hugging Edward and Alice and not wanting them to leave. Tears flowed down her face and Ellen could see how much she missed them. It took her so long to persuade her to let them go. But emotionally not only Patty wanted to leave, but also Ellen felt so sad they had to end this meeting. She remembered how pleasant it was when they all met in the living room and enjoyed their time together. When Edward hugged her, she felt the tears too. She wiped them quickly, took Patty´s hand and wanted to walk to the bus stop. Before she could say anything, Alice handed her a piece of paper she has just finished. Ellen thanked her and together with her daughter they slowly both disappeared from the place.

After dinner, Patty went to change her clothes into pajamas and Ellen was waiting for her. Lucy came closer and asked,

"You seemed to be absent-minded during the dinner, did anything happen?"

Ellen looked at her fingers again. "Well, we met Edward and Alice, I mean Carlisle´s children, we spent the afternoon with them."

Lucy watched her. "And?"

Ellen continued, "Alice told me about him."

Lucy could see how hard it must have been for Ellen. She wasn't yet used to the idea that they had broken up. Hearing about his present life must have been hard too. She patted Ellen´s shoulder and continued, "What did she say?"

Ellen shrugged. "Not very pleasant news. He left Forks, he travels all around the country and participates in conferences and other similar events. He closed down his practice as pediatrician."

Lucy gasped, "well, I think he is confused and the travelling is a kind of escape from the problems."

Ellen replied, "Alice says the same, I believe you are both right."

Lucy smiled. "Well, he is a man, and men have their own ways of behaving. I know your father, he wouldn´t act differently. Your man is just trying to forget everything. It must be incredibly hard for him. Did your Alice tell you about what happened between him and his ex?"

Ellen wiped her tears.

"No, she just said that he should have thrown her when she appeared at the door."

Lucy smiled. "Perfect idea."

Then she looked at Ellen.

" It´s absolutely clear that things are not over for you. And I believe that they are neither for him." Ellen didn't reply and Lucy held her hand.

"Can I tell you something? I think you should talk to him. I know about your life here, you have been here for weeks, crying every afternoon. You think that nobody knows about that but even your father noticed it. I didn´t say anything about that although I saw you too. But it´s enough. You are not happy here, you should be with him. I know he may have hurt you, but deep in your heart you know that it wasn't intentional, you claimed he was a good man. It was just a coincidence. Many wrong things mixed at the wrong time."

She continued, "aaaand, there is someone else here who should be given the privilege to get to know his or her father."

Ellen smiled. "She, it's a girl."

Lucy wandered over and hugged her. "Wow, congratulations. Does anyone know?"

Ellen shook the head. "No, I saw them and since then, everything in my head turns around him, I had no idea to think about the baby gender at all."

Lucy smiled. "You see? There´s another reason to make things better again, for you, for Patricia, and for the baby, you should be a family again."

Ellen remained silent. She knew Lucy was right, but she didn't know how to do it. How can she find him? He travels all around the country and she should give birth to the baby in few weeks. She cannot leave Patricia and go searching for him. Lucy interrupted her flow of thoughts,

"I know it´s too early and you might not know it yet, but have you thought about the name?"

Ellen replied, "Charlotte Adele…."

Lucy clapped. "Charlotte Adele Cullen, sounds perfect."

Ellen just opened her mind and couldn't say anything…..

Lucy calmed down, "Ellen, you should go and find him. Find him, kiss him, and pull him back, don0t let this slip through your fingers. I am ninety-nine percent sure he will accept you back."

Patricia ran out of the room and Lucy asked her, "Baby girl, what do you think? Would you go with me and your grandfather to spend the weekend in the nature? We could have some fun, do everything we want and enjoy the weekend full of sweet things?"

Patricia went closer to Ellen and asked, "Mum? May I go?"

Ellen hugged her. "Of course Patty….."

Patricia smiled immediately at Lucy and jumped in her arms. Lucy looked at Ellen who only sadly watched them with gratitude in her expression. She knew that she did the right thing for her partner´s daughter. She hoped that one day she will be allowed to call Ellen her daughter too. Both women grew closer and this all helped their relationship to blossom.

Patricia fell asleep and Ellen was sitting in the armchair looking to the corner of the room. Lucy talked her to find him and reconcile with him. She kind of liked the idea. She was away from him for months, she missed him more than she thought possible. She longed to see him, to hold him.

She wasn't afraid of him. She knew he wouldn't hurt her. He hasn't done anything so far. He promised to give her space and to wait forever. He held on the promise. He hasn't contacted her. She closed the eyes and reminded of how it used to be when he was having her in his arms.

Yes, Esme was probably the guilty one, she used the situation and he had no time to do anything. She reacted her own way and left. She didn't want to talk, she simply left. She owes it to him, to her and even to the children. The vampire ones and even Patty and Charlotte. She hoped he would at least agree to the names. She had one secret she couldn't tell Lucy. She didn't say anything about Carlisle´s inability to have kids. She couldn't tell her that the child was Derek´s. Then she frowned, what if he won't accept them back? She pictures her baby to carry the Cullen surname but things might turn differently. She presumes he will take them all back in his life but what if he feels better as a free man? She hoped not. It would be the hardest thing to accept that they have no chance at all. That everything is over for good. She tried not to think about it but doubts were still present.

She opened her purse and picked up the paper Alice gave her. It contained the address and flat number in the nearby town. It wasn't that far. An hour drive or so. She closed down the paper and gave it back to her purse. She prepared all the things for the weekend and hoped that everything would be solved soon. They should be both waiting for the birth of the baby girl. They both deserve it.