A/N: Hello everyone! Again, I'm sorry for the delay. I thought I had my schedule all figured out but clearly I didn't. Also, there haven't been any reviews or anything on top of a lot of other really depressing things that really just made me want to give up, but I want to thank twilightfan13 for your comment…it inspired me to update again. Anyways, I know this has nothing to do with the story but I really want to talk to someone willing to listen (or in this case read) and I figured I already have a good number of people waiting to read the story I'm writing, this is probably the most likely the best place to find it. Do any of you feel like no one's listening? Like no one cares even? That's how a feel a lot now, like everything in my life's useless. I really don't know why I'm sharing this with all of you but I suppose it's time to move on to the story you came to read…thanks for reading and sorry for the wait.

Chapter 21

Natalie's Point of View

I don't know how long I had been sitting here just basking in the glow of memories, a completely different life that wasn't even mine anymore. That was the life of Natalie Smith, not Natalie Lynn Cullen. I had changed so much but also so little since then and I still didn't know exactly who I was. I was always the mystery girl, to everyone including myself, and now that mysterious side of me was just gone. I was just a girl. There was nothing interesting or special about me. Nothing to make me stand out and sparkle. John had always used that word to describe me. I hadn't seen the irony in that apt description until now.

At some point I had put one of the records on. In truth, a lot of the unknown amount of time I had now spent here was simply a blur. I had sat here for who knows how long just letting out my emotions. I had gone from bliss, to despair, to pure rage, to the point of catharsis I had reached now. There were books and pictures scattered across the floor from one of my outbursts and I was sitting on the same spot on the floor that had started all this craziness, only with a glass of wine sitting next to me. I usually don't drink unless there's an occasion for it, but it seemed almost right, like I should drink it out of respect or something. Maybe I was just going mental, which was a very good possibility.

In one fluid movement, I picked up the glass again and drained it of the remaining contents. I stood and walked out, leaving the room a mess but not caring whatsoever. I didn't know what I was going to do. I still wasn't thinking very clearly, though I wasn't sure if that was an effect of the wine or just me being lost. I cleaned and put away the glass almost mechanically, still not sure of what to do.

I needed my daddy. As much as I hated to admit it, ever since he'd come into my life, I had grown used to leaning onto him for support. I hated showing this part of me to anyone, including him. But I guess he would figure it out sooner or later anyways.

Carlisle's Point of View

I had taken the day off work again today. I had taken every day off since Natalie had left, just in case she decided to come back. Maybe it was futile hope, that she would come back so soon, but I wasn't planning on leaving the house until she was safe back home again.

I was sitting in my study reading when my cell phone began to ring. I pulled it out of my pocket and almost jumped out of my chair when I saw it was Natalie.

"Hello!? Natalie! Is everything okay!? What do you need?" I rushed out the second I answered. I was so happy she was calling, but also slightly worried…the last time she called she had been in trouble.

She laughed on the other side of the line. Only it was a pained laugh. Like laughing through tears because it's the only semi-version of peace you can find. "I guess okay is one way to put it." She murmured on the other end, almost sounding dead. Hopeless was probably a better word, but she seemed so lifeless on the other end of the line.

"What's wrong, Honey?" I questioned. I was the exact persona of a concerned father at the moment, but what kind of father would I be it I wasn't concerned?

"Can you come meet me?" She asked her voice thick with suppressed tears.

"Of course, baby girl! Just tell me where you are and I'll come as fast as I can!" I tried to sound cheery in a futile hope to make her stop crying over the phone, but all I could do was wish it helped.

"I'm in the French Quarter…in New Orleans" she said, and it was apparent that the tears had now freely started to flow again.

"Okay, just try to relax, okay? I'm going to be there soon. As soon as I possibly can. Where do you want me to meet you?"

"There's this little bakery, on the corner of Chartres and Saint Peters Street, by Jackson Square. If you get a map, it will all be on there."

"Okay, I'll be there soon. Call me or text me if you need anything, okay? Promise you'll tell me if you need anything?" I said anxiously while also quickly shoving some clothes into a duffle bag and grabbing my keys so I could get to the airport and in the air quickly. As I ran towards the door, Esme gave me an understanding look-she wanted her daughter back as well and soon enough I was racing down the long driveway.

"I promise. Thanks, Daddy…" she whispered and hung up.

A/N: It might just be me, but this chapter probably won't be the most interesting because it was one of those ones where I got up periodically through it. You know: checked my email, made a sandwich, danced a little, went to the bookstore, text…those things that absolutely need to get done while you're writing…jk :P The next chapter will be more interesting. Also, I don't live in Louisiana…I don't know if there's a little bakery there or whatever is there, if anything…I just made it up like fiction writers do, so yeah :P Next chapter will be more interesting!