Hello and welcome to chapter two of my Twilight fanfic, Evening Falls. Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who commented on the first chapter. This story is far more intense that just about anything I've ever written, and knowing that there are people who enjoy it is what keeps me writing. Please continue to leave me feedback-it's very much appreciated.

Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer's stuff is not my stuff. Don't sue me...I'm broke.

Evening Falls

#2: The Best Day Ever

'do you know what it feels like in this world? for a girl?'

Elisa

Water splatted around my feet as they sank into each puddle on the nearly flooded sidewalk. My green shirt was drenched, sticking to my skin like a second layer, and the rain had soaked through the denim of my jeans, turning them far darker then they actually were. My teeth had been chattering for the longest time, but as the cold penetrated further and further into my bones, my jaw became too numb to cooperate anymore and the rattling noise mercifully stopped. The shivering didn't though...I was shaking so hard it was almost impossible to keep upright and moving. Still, I forced myself to put one foot in front of the other. It couldn't be far now...I'd been walking for so long...

My progress would have been quicker if I hadn't been tripping over my own feet or unexpected obstacles on the sidewalk every few minutes. My vision was obscured both by the rivulets of water pouring down my head, and also because I refused to raise my head more than a fraction of an inch as I walked. The only exception I made was when I saw the curb nearing my feet at each corner; at that point I'd lift my eyes and allow myself the fastest of glimpses at the names on the street sign, waiting to find the right one. When I was inevitably disappointed, my eyes turned back to the ground, stubbornly glued to the concrete so that I didn't have to think about my surroundings, wouldn't have to register the fact that it had never rained this hard or been this cold in San Diego during the whole fifteen years I'd lived there. If I didn't look, I wouldn't have to realize that there were no familiar palm trees lining the sidewalk, or rows and rows of boringly perfect looking stucco homes in desert colors on each street that I turned down, that there was no sign of anything resembling home as far as my eyes could see.

As I turned another corner, there was a sudden blare of noise as a horn began honking. It reminded me of my dad and how he'd come to pick me up at school earlier, and for a moment I forgot the rules, my head snapping up and my hopeful eyes looking for his familiar vehicle. I was doomed to crushing disappointment again...the car that had pulled up to the curb next to me was a maroon Camry, with a woman I'd never seen before in my life at the wheel. She was saying something as she reached over the man seated next to her to roll down the passenger window, her face anxious. I could not summon the energy to try and comprehend her words. Lowering my head once more, I began to walk again.

The next sound I heard was that of the Camry's door slamming. Someone-must have been the man in the car- was yelling something. I took in his words grudgingly.

"Monica, get back in this car and mind your own damn business for once!"

"Hush up, Herb, I'm not leaving this child out here to freeze to death!" A woman's voice snapped back. They meant nothing to me, her words. I just had to keep moving.

"Girl, are you deaf or just stubborn?" The female's voice was in my ear now and her heavy set figure was suddenly in my path, blocking my progress. "Look at you! Out here in this miserable weather, wet to the bone, no jacket...I know it's June but this is the Olympic Peninsula, honey. You don't ever leave home without a few extra layers. Now where are you going?"

I looked up into her face...the woman before me was big, tall, and probably a bit past middle age, but her warm brown skin was so smooth and unlined it was nearly impossible to tell for sure. She looked perplexed, but there was concern in her eyes. I swallowed, my mouth dry despite everything, and tried to speak. My voice came out in halting stammers.

"I'm going h-home."

"Well..." The woman named Monica hesitated only for a moment. "Hop in the car, honey...no point in drowning before you get there. Where do you live?"

"I...uh...at 1517 Seagull Circle." I told her as I stumbled after her towards the car.

Monica whirled around, looking at me in confusion. "Seagull Circle? Child, don't play with me. There's no Seagull Circle here. I ought to know...I was born and raised in this town, and that represents more years than I'm willing to admit to. I know every single corner and hidey hole around."

I took a deep shuddering breath. "Well, that's where I live, and I have to get home. I promised my dad I wouldn't be late." I turned on my heel and started walking down the sidewalk once more.

"Wait!" Monica hurried to block me once again. Leaning down, she peered into my drenched face. "Honey, something's wrong with you. You don't look well at all. Are you lost, baby? Don't you know where you are?"

My chin began to tremble. Why couldn't she just leave me alone?

"Do you live in Forks, honey?" Monica's voice pressed.

I squeezed my eyes closed. "We're. Not. In. Forks." I hissed between my gritted teeth.

I heard Monica draw in a deep breath, and then I felt her moving close to me. Her fingers, shockingly warm against my icy skin, were suddenly firmly under my chin, forcing me to lift my face. "Open your eyes, girl. Look around and tell me what you see."

I tried to shake my head but her fingers tightened firmly. "Come on, open your eyes."

Despite myself, my eyes opened at her authoritarian tone. I stared at her blankly until she tilted my chin slightly to the side and gestured at the crossed green street signs that I hadn't reached yet. "The street sign facing us, what does it say?" Her voice was kind, but firm.

"Forks Avenue." I whispered.

"Good." she encouraged. She then took my shoulders and turned me to face across the street. "That laundromat over there, what's it called?" She pointed at the faded sign hanging loosely from the awning.

I looked at the rows of washers and dryers that I could see through the large, rain dotted window, then up at the sign. "F-Forks Wash and D-dry." My voice caught.

"Now do you know where you are?" Monica put her hands on her hips and surveyed me.

My face crumpled. "No...no...it can't be. It just..." I couldn't stop looking around now, my eyes forced to take in every unfamiliar landmark until my throat burned with the truth that I didn't want to face. "Why is this happening to me? Why now? I tried so hard..." As my breath came in sobbing gasps, the worry on Monica's face turned to outright alarm.

"Monica!" The man named Herb had gotten out of the car and was lumbering towards us, his voice impatient. "Are we going to stand around all day? If you want to give the girl a ride, get her in the car and let's go already!"

Monica whipped around to face him, her voice nervous for the first time. "Herb, something terrible has happened to this girl. I think we need to get her some help." Her voice was a loud whisper not meant for my ears but I didn't care anyway. Nothing made sense anymore...it was like the ground had fallen from under my feet and I was sinking into never-ending night.

The urgency in Monica's voice chased the anger out of her companion in an instant. "Alright, calm down, woman. Lemme think a minute...well, didn't we just pass Chief Swan a ways back? Why don't we take her-"

His voice was cut off by the sudden sound of squealing tires. We looked up automatically to see that a shiny black car that had just passed us had slid to an abrupt stop at the intersection. Then in an instant, it rushed forward and around, peeling into an abrupt U-turn and careening back towards us.

"What in the world-" Monica burst out indignantly, but then the driver stepped out of the car and her rant died mid-word. "Dr. Cullen! Oh thank the Good Lord, you're just who we needed!"

There was no answering response. I knew without looking that those near silent footsteps had made their way over to me, that someone was staring at me so hard that it seemed like their gaze should burn through my skull and penetrate my brain. I didn't dare meet the eyes that I knew were fixed on me. There was still time for the universe to take back this cosmically cruel joke that had been played on me...if I just didn't believe, maybe it wouldn't have happened after all...

"My God." The voice was low and thick with shock. "Elisa?"

I heard Monica gasp loudly. "Dr. Cullen, do you know this girl?"

There was a moment's pause, and I knew even through my reluctance to take in anything that was happening around me that he had realized what a grave error he had just made.

"Yes, Mrs. Haversham, I do know her." His voice was smooth now, unruffled. "Elisa is my niece." The words were said so naturally that even I didn't feel startled by them...at first. "I didn't expect to see her here however...she lives quite a distance away."

"I should think so. She didn't seem to know her way around." Monica's voice was relieved now, and her words were spilling out a mile a minute. "Your niece gave me quite a scare, Dr. Cullen. I saw her out here, walking by herself getting soaked to the skin, and I had to stop and try and help her. I...I'm not trying to put my nose where it doesn't belong, but she doesn't seem..." Her voice trailed off as she searched for the right word. "...alright. Is there anything I can do?"

There was another tiny pause, and then the velvet voice sounded again. "Thank you very much for your concern, Mrs. Haversham, but I'm aware of the situation. There have been some...family problems lately. I suppose that's why she's here, but I need to get her home now and find out the whole story. I appreciate all the help you've given us."

"Of course, Dr." Monica's voice was hearty and cheerful now. "We'll just let you go then...oh!" She hesitated again for just a fraction of a second and then plunged ahead. "I know this is a bad time to ask, but I've been so anxious...how is Mr. Giggles?"

"He's just fine." The voice was soothing now. "Making himself right at home, although I'm sure he misses you."

"I miss him too." There was a sudden teary sound to her voice. "I do appreciate your son taking him in and keeping him safe. Those crazy Marshes...anyway, I hope he won't have to stay with you much longer. I'm going to get rid of those bird-loving, cat killing freaks if it's the last thing-"

"Monica, let the man and his niece be on their way!" Herb's voice was impatient again.

"Sorry, Dr. Cullen. I'll be in touch soon...hope everything works out. And please don't forget, Mr. Giggles only eats organic cat food and uses all natural cat litter!" Monica's voice was fading now...I could see out of the corner of my eye that Herb had taken her by the arm and was dragging her towards the car as she talked over her shoulder. There was the sound of doors slamming, then the car engine revved and they pulled away, leaving me alone with the man whose presence I still stubbornly refused to acknowledge.

"Elisa!" His voice was urgent now. "What has happened? Why are you here again?"

I wanted to put my hands over my ears to block out the unwanted sound of his questions, but he was in front of me now, leaning down to look in my face. "Speak to me, Elisa. Are you hurt?"

I couldn't speak. My chest felt so tight that it might explode if I tried, and the moisture pouring down my face wasn't just rainwater now. The only sound I could make were the gasping breaths that were squeaking out of my throat, and I was shaking harder than ever.

"Come on, Elisa. Get in the car." A cool hand encircled my upper arm, gently pulling me towards the black Mercedes. "We'll talk once you're warm and dry."

I tried to protest but the words wouldn't come and struggling was completely useless. He didn't even seem to notice that I was digging my boots into the sidewalk as hard as I could as he propelled me along. Seconds later, I was in the passenger seat. Seeming to realize that I wouldn't do it myself, Carlisle leaned over me and fastened the seatbelt across me, then was in his own seat, the door slamming shut before I had time to blink. And then we were moving, and all I could do was stare at the window at the darkening sky as we drove further and further away from everything I had ever known.

Bella

The wind whipped up slightly, swirling a few tiny branches that had been blown off the trees past my feet and across the covered patio. Stray raindrops, forced inside our cover by the breeze, dotted my hair. I shivered slightly, and instinctively leaned closer to Edward's side. His arm tightened around me.

"Let's go inside, Bella. Alice can keep an eye on Mr. Giggles for a while."

"Excuse me?" Alice's voice was indignant as her dark head whipped up. "No, Alice won't sit out here by herself and babysit your stupid cat, Edward. Have you ever heard of asking?" Her voice was genuinely irritated, which was rare for her, and I looked at her in concern.

I was sitting on the Cullen's heavy glass topped outdoor table, and Edward was leaning on it next to me as Alice perched on the railing across from us. We'd been outside for the past ten minutes, thanks to Mr. Giggles, who despite having the Cullens' huge mansion to explore had expressed an urgent and very vocal need to be outdoors, rain be damned. He was cautiously picking his way across the patio now, sniffing everything in his path, his tail twitching occasionally as he shot Alice and Edward baleful stares every couple of seconds.

Edward was looking at Alice hard now, and I wondered what she was thinking to make him frown like that. I didn't have long to guess...in a moment Alice burst into agitated speech.

"I'm getting a little bit tired of the way you presume I'm just going to take care of everything for you, Edward. 'Watch Bella. Keep an eye out for the Volturi. Plan my wedding but don't step on anyone's toes. Take care of my rabid feline. Help me clean the cat pee out of my car.' She mimicked his voice perfectly. " You don't ask anymore, you just give orders, and a little thank you every now and then wouldn't hurt either." She folded her arms across her chest and turned away from him.

Before Edward could respond, Mr. Giggles suddenly bolted, making yet another one of his frequent bids for freedom. He made it several feet into the yard before Alice resignedly zipped to him, picking him up and zooming just as quickly back to the porch where she dumped him on the concrete impatiently. "Stop that, you ungrateful beast." She snapped. Mr. Giggles glared and cringed backwards, but he seemed to understand the warning for he didn't try to run again.

"Alice..." Edward's voice was coaxing as he tried to get her to look at him. "Come on now, Alice. You can't stay mad at me forever."

"Watch me!" She growled, her back turned so that we couldn't see her face. I gave Edward a 'make this right now" look and he nodded, stroking my face for a brief moment before he got up and approached his sister, walking around to face her.

"Perhaps I have been taking advantage of you a little." He told her as she turned back to face me so that she wouldn't have to look at him. She hissed slightly and he smiled as he came to stand behind her. "Alright, a lot. I didn't mean to make you feel unappreciated, Alice. I am sorry I have been so preoccupied that it's caused me to forget my manners. I genuinely do appreciate everything you've done for us. I don't know what Bella and I would do without you."

Alice seemed to be trying hard to keep up a good show of anger, but after a moment a twinkle crept into her eyes and her lips curved into an unwilling smile. "Alright, I accept your apology...as long as you stop doing it, and you don't forget just exactly how much you owe me." Her grin was full and wicked now as she looked at her brother.

Edward raised a perfect eyebrow. "Why do you keep saying that lately? What exactly is it that you want from me, Alice?"

Alice continued to smile happily. "I haven't decided yet. Rest assured though, it's going to be big." She laughed at the expression on his face, and relieved that the small crisis was over, I began to chuckle too.

Almost as soon as she'd started to laugh though, Alice stopped abruptly. Her face went blank and smooth, and Edward shot me a slightly alarmed look. Automatically, I jumped off the table and he was at my side, putting an arm around me as he turned back to her.

"Alice, what is it?" I burst out, my heart pounding. There were so many things that could go wrong in these last weeks that I would be the Cullens' weak spot, possibilities like the Volturi returning prematurely or the werewolves declaring war over my impending human demise...what bomb was the universe dropping on us now?

"Carlisle." Alice said abruptly, cutting off my chain of thought. "He's almost here, and he's not alone. We need to go inside." She snatched up Mr. Giggles and was gone. Edward and I hurried after her at my much slower human pace. By the time we reached the massive living room, Rosalie, Emmett and Jasper were all standing at attention, staring at the front door.

"Bella, Edward, we need towels, lots of them! Esme!" I heard Alice call from somewhere upstairs. A second later she reappeared, holding a stack of clothes in her hand. Esme was right behind her and the two of them zipped down the stairs.

Although I didn't understand at all what was happening, I followed Edward as he rushed into the downstairs bathroom and began filling my outstretched arms with enormous, fluffy white bath towels. "Edward, what is it? What's happening?"

Edward turned to look at me and his mouth lifted into a slight smile, reassuring me and temporarily stopping my heart before he answered, saying what I least expected to hear. "Elisa's back."

Edward

The dismal creature Carlisle half-dragged, half-carried into the living room bore almost no resemblance to the lively girl my brothers and I had encountered back in the forest just days ago. True, she had been in a similiarly bedraggled state then, but her green eyes had been full of humor and high spirits, her face vivid and eager to take in everything around her despite the seriousness of the situation she'd been in. Now her face was pallid and hopeless, eyes dull, lips blue with cold as she shook violently and tears streaked down her face.

Her scent had slammed into all of us, with the exception of my Bella, as soon as Carlisle had opened the door, and I saw Jasper twitch slightly out of the corner of my eye as he was overwhelmed with a new and intriguing temptation. Elisa's blood scent was so different from Bella's, which he had gradually grown accustomed to. "Jasper-" I began, intending to suggest that he make himself scarce for a while but he gave me a determined look.

'I can handle it, Edward. If it gets to be too much, I'll leave.' He thought, and I nodded. Jasper had made amazing strides since he'd accepted Bella into our lives, and I wasn't going to insult him by doubting his hard-won self control now. Besides, we were going to need him. There was no protective shield blocking Elisa's thoughts from me now. The images rushing through her head would have been perfectly clear to me if I'd been able to make sense of them-all I could glean for certain was that she was frantically trying to deny to herself where she was...the desperation and panic I was getting from her was making me feel slightly sick. I could tell by the gray cast to Jasper's complexion that he was being simliarly assaulted by her chaotic emotions. His eyes closed as he struggled to regain control over the situation, and the calming vibes washed over all of us.

Esme had already thrown a towel over Elisa's drenched hair and was wrapping another one around her shoulders. Elisa's trembling had slowed as she warmed, and her tears had stopped as Jasper's influence had worked its will on her, but her face was still lifeless. I turned to Carlisle. "What happened? Why is she here?"

Carlisle shook his head. "I don't know. She's in shock...she wasn't able to speak to me."

Esme stared at Carlisle's over Elisa's shoulder. "She...she's different. I can smell her so clearly...not like before. She smells just like-" Her voice broke off.

"Like any other human. Like she belongs here." Emmett's voice was quiet. Rosalie was standing beside him, her face impassive as she stared at Elisa. Emmett's face, on the other hand, was clearly worried, despite the cheerful grin he tried to plaster on as Elisa's eyes slowly turned towards him. "Hey ya, kid. Welcome back."

She didn't answer. Her eyes dropped back to the carpet and she continued to stare blankly at the floor. Esme put her arm around her and gently guided Elisa to an overstuffed chair in the corner that was already covered in towels to protect it from her dripping clothes. "Sit down, sweetheart, and tell us what happened."

Elisa sat, but no words were forthcoming. Both Esme and Carlisle knelt next to her, murmuring reassuringly, but there was no response. Carlisle looked up at me, his eyes frustrated. "Edward, Jasper, a bit of help if you don't mind."

Bella made to step back as I moved, but I tightened my arm around her and brought her forward with me as Jasper and I approached. More waves of relaxation washed over us and Elisa sagged slightly in the chair.

"Elisa, I want you to clear your mind." Carlisle was telling her quietly. "If it's too hard to tell us, just remember. Let Edward speak for you."

Elisa's eyes were mutinous for a moment, but she was unable to resist the lull of Carlisle's voice, or Jasper's effect on her. Her eyes slowly closed.

Immediately, I saw a restaurant-no, an ice cream shop, appear behind her closed eyelids. A man across the table from her, laughing. The resemblance between them was minor, but it was there...it must be her father. Then the picture changed to reflect her own thoughts at the time, merry, joyful thoughts...there was a baby coming. Her father loved her. She was happy, safe, secure. The scene changed again and we were in another shop. Her father was gone. An older woman was telling her stories in a crowded stockroom, making her laugh. Abruptly, the laughter was gone. Elisa was crouched against the wall, cell phone clutched in her hand, tears falling as she listened to the violence in the other room. I could plainly feel her terror, not for herself, but for her friend. Another shift, and she was running now, into the main room of the shop, ready to battle for the older woman's life. The gun was raised...there was an explosion-

"No!" The word burst from my lips before I could stop it, and I shook my head in disgust, both at myself for losing control like that and for what I had just witnessed through her eyes. Sometimes I felt like I could truly grow to despise the human race. We, as vampires, killed to survive, or at least that was the theory-I had known many of us, like James, who tortured and killed for sport. But at least we had somewhat of an excuse. The agonies that human beings inflicted on each other, so many in the name of love when it was really no more than the most selfish of greed, the need to control and possess...it was sickening.

"Edward!" Bella's voice was alarmed as she stared up at me and the darkness in my eyes. "What is it?"

I could see Carlisle and Esme waiting for me to speak as well. I braced myself for the impact of the news I had no choice but to tell. "I saw what happened to Elisa. She was in some kind of New Age store with an older woman. The woman's son-in-law showed up looking for his ex-wife. Things got violent. Elisa tried to intervene." I closed my eyes. "He shot her."

Gasps rang out through the room. Both Esme and Bella were covering their mouths in an attempt to hide their horrified expressions, but the tears swimming in Bella's eyes gave her away. She swayed into my arms. "Does that mean...she's dead?" The minute the words were out of her mouth she bit her lip and shot Elisa an anxious look. Bella's self-directed anger at her slip was pointless. Despite Elisa's shock and denial, the girl knew-had known from the minute she found herself on the downtown Forks street corner in the pouring rain-what had happened. There had been no comforting amnesia this time to soften the blow.

Esme was huddled next to Elisa on the chair now, wrapping her arms around her shoulder. "Carlisle, is it like before? She's hurt, but not...she can't be gone, can she?"

Carlisle's eyes met hers, and they were bleak. "Esme, I don't want it to be true but I just don't know why else she would be here."

Next to me, Jasper's hands were balled into fists as he struggled to control both his and our emotions. In less than a second, Alice was there, gently worming a small palm into one of his clenched hands. He relaxed and entwined his fingers with hers. I looked across the room. Emmett looked sick, but not surprised, and I realized that he had known there was no hope from the moment Carlisle brought Elisa home. Next to him, Rosalie's face was emotionless, but her eyes and her thoughts burned.

Esme's lips were trembling, but she struggled to maintain her composure as she stood. "Sweetheart, we have some dry clothes for you. Let me help you change."

For a minute Elisa stayed in her statuelike position, then her head slowly lifted. Her eyes fastened onto Carlisle's, ignoring Esme's outstretched hand. "Send me back." Her voice was flat, but ragged.

"Elisa-" Carlisle began. Her eyes blazed as they looked into his and he stopped speaking.

"Like you did before. Help me go home. Please." The desperation was starting to break through the eerie calm on her face.

"Maybe you should try, Carlisle." Esme clearly couldn't stand what was happening. Like all of us, she was clinging to the tiniest bit of hope that there was some way to help Elisa escape this nightmare.

Carlisle broke at the combined pressure from the two of them. I could tell by his face that he knew it was useless, but he nodded at me and Jasper, and we gathered close to the chair as Carlisle resumed his kneeling position in front of Elisa, whispering the words to make her lean back, eyes closed, as she attempted to claw her way out of our world and back to her own.

It was as disappointing -more so- then we'd feared. I stayed in Elisa's mind as she attempted to go under, and there was nothing...no long fall into blackness like there had been before, no voices calling her home, just dim awareness of Carlisle's voice, and then, as she resurfaced and realized she was still here, the rawest pain. The link to her world had been severed-there was no longer any doubt.

"No!" Her voice was shrill and hysterical now, and Jasper re-doubled his efforts to calm her. "No, I can't be stuck here! They're waiting for me, my mom and Dad...Colby..." Her voice was slowing now. "My mom's having a baby...everything's perfect. I can't be late...I have to go...please, let me go..." Her words were slurred now, her head falling back as forced relaxation and exhaustion overtook her. Her eyes were nearly shut when suddenly they sprang open again. She was fighting now, struggling against us and our efforts to calm her. "No! NO! I won't sleep...I'm not dead! I beat this before...I can't be dead! It will hurt my family so much...please don't make me do this to them! I want to go home! And Nancy-I have to help Nancy!" Her screams were truly agonizing to hear.

She was on her feet now, pushing desperately at Esme, who was holding her in a gentle but steel-like grip. "It's OK, Elisa! Please, sweetheart, I promise you that everything will be OK."

"Stop it!" All of us turned to stare as Rosalie suddenly pushed her way forward, speaking for the first time since Carlisle and Elisa had arrived. "Stop coddling her, Esme. Don't lie to her. She knows the truth-you're just making it worse!"

Elisa turned away from Esme's motherly hands and looked at Rosalie, her face wet with tears.

Rosalie stared back, unblinking, into Elisa's green eyes. "You're dead to them, Elisa. You can't ever go back." She ignored Elisa's renewed sobs. "You may think I'm cruel for saying this, but one thing I will never do is lie to you. What's happened is not fair. Death never is. It doesn't care if you're young, if you've cheated it before, if you don't deserve it, if it will destroy those you love. It just comes, and it takes you and there is no amount of tears or pity that can change that. You have to face it, and accept it. I am not saying that you don't deserve our compassion, but what's happened to you has happened to almost every single one of us. We've lost everything and everyone we ever loved in our old lives, and yet somehow, we go on. You will too. At least you still have your humanity. That may not seem like much of a gift to you now, but believe me, it is. Appreciate it."

Elisa was still sobbing, but more quietly now. I saw Carlisle nod to Jasper, and an instant later Elisa had collapsed into Esme's arms, her lips moving in a near silent protest before sleep finally claimed her. Esme lifted her effortlessly. "Alice, may I put her in your room?"

Alice nodded instantly. "Of course. I'll go with you; help you dress her in something dry so she won't wake up completely miserable." She sighed as her words came back to haunt her. "That was a stupid thing to say." She shook her head and then she and Esme were gone, taking Elisa with them.

I turned my concern to Bella, who was trembling at my side. The instant I caught her warm brown eyes with my own the tears overflowed, and she leaned forward, sobbing against my chest as I stroked her hair gently, feeling helpless to comfort her, knowing there was nothing I could say to make the brutal reality of what happened to Elisa any kinder.

"Are you crying, Bella?" My head snapped up and I glared at Rosalie. I hadn't heard speak in that icy, glacial tone to Bella in months, and she knew this wasn't the time. Her eyes stared back into mine, refusing to back down, and then she returned her attention to Bella, speaking once more. "Do you think it's sad that poor Elisa will never see her mother and father or little brother again? That she'll never hold the baby her mother is carrying in her arms? That everything she's ever known and loved has been ripped away from her? I know how that feels. So does Edward, and Jasper, Emmett, Esme, Carlisle...even Alice, to a degree. You know our stories and you know our pain and yet here you stand, thinking that what was torn from us you can give away so easily, just dance along into immortality with no regrets. You arrogant, selfish brat...you have no idea what you're doing."

Bella gasped, pulling back and pressing into me at Rosalie's words. Her frame was shaking harder than ever. "I don't think it will be easy-" she started to protest, her voice torn between tears and defensiveness. I snarled at Rosalie, warning her to back off as she opened her mouth to interrupt once more.

"I don't want to hear your pretty excuses, Bella. I'm going outside-I need some air." She turned on her heel and she was gone, leaving me glowering after her. Damn Rosalie and her viper's tongue...no one could pour salt into a wound like she could, and I was furious that she'd chosen to strike out at Bella when she was most vulnerable.

Emmett tossed me an apologetic look and then he was gone too, running after Rosalie. I turned back to Bella, taking her face gently in my hands so I could stare into her eyes, wincing internally as I registered the pain on her face. "Don't listen to her, Bella. She doesn't understand you the way she thinks she does."

"Doesn't she, Edward?" Bella pulled away, and as much as it hurt to let her go, I allowed it as she continued to speak. "I am selfish, I know that. I'll do anything to stay with you forever, no matter what the cost, no matter who it hurts. What kind of person does that make me?"

"No-" I began to object but Bella put a finger over my lips, silencing me. "Edward, I need to..." She looked towards the staircase and then back. "I need to be alone for a little while. I have to think."

As the anxiety that I was unable to disguise flared in my eyes, she saw it and her own face softened in concern. "Please don't look like that. It doesn't mean anything more than the fact that I need a little time to process everything. Come to me later...I'll leave the window open." With a half-hearted smile, she backed away, then turned towards the door. I watched her go with frustration building in my chest. Everything had been going so well lately-we'd made our decisions and our plans, put the doubts behind us, and Rosalie had to go and stir the pot once more. Whether Emmett objected or not, I was definitely going to have a talk with my meddlesome, bitter sister about sticking her nose into what didn't concern her, and exactly what I planned to do next time she tried it.

Bella turned back when she was almost at the door. "If Elisa wakes up earlier than expected, call me. I'll come back." She looked at me, her eyes filled with a million emotions that it was beyond frustrating to not be able to understand. "I love you."

"I love you, Bella. Always." My voice was hoarse, and Bella closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them and smiled at me. With one quiet click of the front door opening, she was gone.

Elisa

Any concept of time I'd ever possessed had abandoned me as I lay there, in a strange bed, drifting, dreaming, drowning in peaceful oblivion. My deep, seemingly endless stupor was not without interruptions...somewhere beyond the darkness I was dimly aware that I was never alone. Hands-usually cool, but there was an occasional warm pair that could only belong to Bella-stroked my face, held my hands when I screamed, held cool cloths to my burning skin and wiped away the seemingly endless tears. Occasionally those hands were firmer, forcing me to sit up, drink cool water that still burned as it slid down my throat, or warm soup that I could only accept a few bites of. When I was most aware, I was led to the bathroom, or helped to change my sweat-drenched clothes, but then painful realizations would stab me, and the screaming would begin again, until waves of calm forced me under once more.

My sense of self-awareness came back slowly, unwillingly, to me now. I didn't want it...I wanted to disappear again into the black waves where pain and loss didn't exist, but there was a sound, an insistent, familiar sound that wouldn't allow me to float away. Bit by bit, I was forced to accept that I was awake. I opened my eyes, and the sight of the strange bedroom stung my eyes. I would have shut them immediately, but the sound came again.

Miaaaaow...miaaaow?

The cry was desperate, almost pleading, and despite myself, I sat up and swung my legs over the side of the bed. "Snickers?" I said stupidly and then was instantly furious with myself. Of course it wasn't Snickers. What a stupid little girl I was, still hoping for a miracle when I was trapped in a universe that had proven to me what an idiotic concept miracles really were.

Miaow? The cry was hopeful now, rising in volume now that it had been meant with a response. I looked for the source and saw it after a moment of searching. A large, brown and gray stripped tabby with long, fluffy fur, was standing in the open door of the bedroom, staring at me with bright, glinting eyes. As I looked at it, it opened its mouth and yowled. I knew that cry. It was hungry. In fact, a person less familiar with cats might have even thought it was starving, but I was well experienced with the dramatic shows most cats put on when they had gone more than a couple of hours without food. I stood up, testing my legs to make sure they would hold me, then stumbled to the doorway. The cat backed up slightly, and I stilled. Hesitantly, it sniffed the air, then came nearer, finally bumping against my leg, then nuzzling it hopefully. I knelt down, running my fingers through its soft fur, feeling the purr that came in response.

"Elisa?" My head jerked up at the sound of my name, and the cat froze, then hissed, cringing away from the interloper. I looked up into Esme's concerned face and she smiled at me. "It's so good to see you awake! I'm sorry I left you alone...I meant to only be gone a few minutes."

"It's OK." I whispered, my voice sounding strange, like I hadn't used it in a long time. "H-how long has it been?"

Esme hesitated before answering. "Two days."

I closed my eyes for a moment, digesting that, and then opened them again. "Do you have any cat food?"

Esme looked surprised for a minute, then she looked at the cat. It hissed at her again. "I see you've met our other houseguest, Mr. Giggles. Would you like to feed him?"

I nodded and she smiled more widely. "Follow me. It's best if you take him, if you don't mind. He doesn't like me."

"Why?" I asked, as I cautiously gathered Mr. Giggles into my arms. He stiffened for a moment, then relaxed against my chest as I rubbed his head, and I decided it was safe to move without being shredded. Esme led the way and I followed her down the gigantic staircase, through the empty main room, and into the kitchen.

Esme answered my question as she opened a cupboard, pulling out a large bag of cat food and then a porcelain bowl. She pushed them across the counter to me, and I set Mr. Giggles down. He was crying loudly now that he sensed food was imminent, winding around my ankles as I opened the bag and poured the food into a bowl. "It's instinctive on his part. Animals are aware that we're not human-they react to it."

"I see." I nodded as I set the bowl down. Mr. Giggles rushed to it as if he hadn't seen food in years and began to eat noisily, scattering pellets across the spotless floor. Next to me, Esme handed me a fresh bowl of water and I set it down next to the food bowl, and then looked up to see her surveying me carefully.

"How are you feeling, Elisa?" Her voice was careful.

I didn't want to answer that. I stared out the kitchen window for a moment. The rain had apparently cleared...the sky was overcast, but here and there rays broke through the clouds, illuminating the brilliant green of the majestic lawn outside. After a moment of silence, I turned back to Esme.

"What's going to happen to me?" My voice had been reduced to a jagged whisper once more.

"You'll stay here, with us." Her response was immediate. "We'll take care of you." Despite the certainty in her voice, I wondered if the rest of the family was in agreement. I remembered when I had nearly been stuck here before, the reluctance I'd seen on their faces when it became clear that I might be staying. My heart clenched, and my stomach rolled. I had never felt so alone in my life. I was nothing more than an unwanted intruder in their world.

Esme watched the play of emotions across my face and her own became concerned. I could see the effort to keep her voice normal, matter of fact, as she began to speak once more. "Bella has been cooking for you. I have a freezer full of pastas and casseroles, and the refrigerator is stocked as well. Let me get you something to eat. What would you like?"

My voice was flat as I turned away. "I'm not hungry."

Esme's voice was clearly worried now. "Elisa, you've had hardly anything for two days. You need to eat something."

I ignored her, staring blankly out the window once more. She needed to leave me alone. What did I or anyone care if I starved to death? I was dead anyway. My being here was just some colossal mistake on the part of the universe, and the sooner it was corrected, the better. I wasn't supposed to be walking, talking, breathing...I should be in the ground where I belonged.

Esme was trying to speak to me again but suddenly there was movement and we were no longer alone. Edward stood there next to her, looking back and forth between the two of us.

"Esme, I'm sorry to interrupt but may I have a moment with Elisa?" His voice was gentle.

Esme paused for a moment, then nodded. "I'll be in the next room." She gave me a small smile, and then left the room.

I didn't want to look at Edward, but he moved so that he was looking directly in my face, capturing my eyes with his own and refusing to release them. "Welcome back to the world of the living, Elisa."

"That's not funny." I hissed, glaring at him.

"It wasn't meant to be." He said, his calm infuriating. He was quiet for a moment, then spoke again. "Elisa, I can't tell you how sorry I am that this happened to you."

"Spare me." I snapped. My voice was bitter.

"No." Edward's voice was firmer now. "I won't spare you, and I won't hold your hand while you try to drown in your own self-pity. What happened to you was horrendous, and you have every right to be angry and to hurt as much as you do. I understand that better than you know. What I won't accept is the way you're just giving up. You have been given an incredible opportunity-a second chance at life. I know it's not the way you wanted it, but it's yours. Take it, run with it, and live."

"Why me?" I whispered. Tears began to well in my eyes once more. "Why should I have this chance? What did I ever do to deserve it? I'm not special. I'm not good. Other people, much, much better people, they die every day and they don't come back. Why am I still here?"

Edward shook his head. "Why are any of us? Did you think I was a candidate for sainthood in my mortal life? Hardly. All of us were just ordinary people. Why fate chose us to continue on, I'll never know, but it did. There were times I railed against it as violently as you are now, but I see so much more now...not the end, not the ultimate truth, but slowly, when I've least expected it, I've been given more pieces of the puzzle. I realize, more and more each day, that there is a method to the madness. Most of all, I know that there are reasons to fight, to go on, to hope, to love. It won't be easy but you'll find your way, Elisa. I promise you that."

The tears-did they never dry?-were trickling down my face now, and suddenly Esme was back, at my side with her hand on my shoulder. She gave Edward a stern look. "Please don't upset her any more, Edward. How much can one person take?"

"No, it's OK." I forced myself to smile weakly as I brushed the tears away. "I..." I looked down at the rumpled sweats I was wearing and suddenly felt self-conscious. I had to be a mess, and after two days I probably didn't smell that good either. "Is it alright if I go back upstairs and clean up?"

Esme nodded, her face clearing. "Of course, Elisa. Alice brought you a few outfits. They're hanging in her bathroom closet. It's not much. She wanted to wait until you're feeling better to take you on a proper shopping trip. And while you shower, I can heat you up something to eat. How does that sound?"

My stomach jumped uncomfortably again at the idea of food, but I made myself nod. "That sounds good. I'll be right back." I left the room without saying anything to Edward, but I knew I didn't need to. He understood what I couldn't put into words, probably better than I did myself.

After I had showered, dressed, and brushed my tangled hair into submission, I went back downstairs again. I could hear distant voices and knew the rest of the family was around, but the main room was empty once more as I made my way through it, following the food smells back to the kitchen. Esme was waiting for me.

"I hope you like lasagna." Her voice was hopeful, and I smiled at her. She had a plate waiting for me at the kitchen counter, and I made my way over to the tall stool in front of it and climbed on it.

"I do." I assured her.

Despite my best intentions, eating was not easy, and I could only make it through half the plate before my stomach refused to accept any more. I felt guilty as Esme clucked over the large amount that I had left, but then Carlisle was there, appearing, as they all did, seemingly out of thin air.

"This is fine, Esme." He reassured her, smiling over her head at me. "Just offer her smaller meals throughout the day and have her eat what she can. Her appetite will return eventually. Please try to finish your milk though, Elisa. I think you're a bit dehydrated."

Obediently, I drank the half full glass and then reached for my plate to put it in the sink. It was already gone though when I looked for it. I blinked, and Esme smiled at me. "Don't worry about anything, Elisa. Just try to relax." With a tilt of her head, she indicated the main room. "Why don't you go find something to do? We have television, books, games...if you're bored, I'm sure Emmett would be happy to help entertain you. The rest of them are around here somewhere...I think Bella and Edward are in the library if you want to go find them."

I nodded slowly, intending to go to the living room and turn on the television, lose myself in some mindless tv drama instead of intruding any more, but as I walked into the cavernous room, my attention was caught by the sound of soft voices coming from a narrow hallway. Bella and Edward...I knew I shouldn't bother them, but somehow my feet were already taking me in their direction. I walked into the dim hallway, waiting for my eyes to adjust to the lack of lighting here, then moved forward until I saw them through the open doorway. They sat, pressed together on a narrow loveseat in a room crowded from floor to ceiling with books. Their hands were clasped around each other's, the fingers entwined, and their heads were angled toward each other as they leaned so close that they might have been one person.

I was about to turn back, not wanting to interrupt, when the words Bella spoke caught my attention.

"How is she, Edward?" Her voice was a low whisper.

He sighed. "Not well. But where there's life, there's hope...it's going to be a difficult time, but I think she's made of strong material. We'll just have to try and be there for her, as much as we can be, while she gets her bearings."

Bella sighed. "I can't imagine..." she paused for a moment, and then her voice suddenly became hard, surprising me. "But I guess I'll have to soon, won't I? Because it won't be long until it's my turn, except that I'll be losing my family out of my own free will."

Edward closed his eyes for a moment and then opened them again, his face stark. "It doesn't have to be that way, Bella. If you've changed your mind..."

"No!" Her voice was frustrated. "I haven't changed my mind, Edward. You know why I've chosen what I have. I just have to accept the truth about myself, what it truly says about the type of person I am."

Edward's voice was anguished now. "Bella, you can't possibly believe that-"

Bella held up a hand to stop him. "Please don't, Edward." Both of them fell silent, the quiet miserable.

Finally, Bella spoke again. "About Elisa..." Her voice was hesitant, then she turned in the seat slightly so she could look directly into his eyes. "You're right. She's going to need all of us while she tries to accept everything that's happened to her." Her voice dropped to a whisper once more. "Edward, we have to postpone the wedding."

The pain on Edward's face tore at my heart now as he registered her words. I could see how much it hurt her as well. I thought he would object, but he nodded, slowly and resignedly. "I know."

Bella leaned into him. "Please don't think I'm making excuses, or that I'm relieved, Edward. This pushes everything back for us, but it's the right thing to do."

Edward opened his mouth to speak, but suddenly he went rigid, his head snapping around. His eyes met mine, cornering me where I stood, and Bella followed his gaze, gasping softly as she saw me there.

"Elisa!"

"No!" My voice was louder than hers, and she instantly quieted. "You can't do this! You can't postpone the wedding!" In a moment they were at my side, speaking reassurances that I didn't want. I pushed Bella's comforting hands away, my voice growing louder despite my efforts to stay calm. "Please, listen to me! I don't want you to do this! You have to get married! I've gotten in your way enough already...I won't stop your wedding too! Please!"

"Elisa, calm down. Bella and I are still getting married. A few months won't make a difference." Edward's voice was quiet and calm.

I could not be soothed. My voice was louder than ever as my thin layer of self-control began to snap, and suddenly more figures were filling the hallway, Esme, Carlisle, Jasper, Alice Emmett, and Rosalie, summoned by my ever more hysterical words.

I turned to the person I thought could help the most. "Alice, tell them! Tell them they can't throw away all of your hard work, that they have to get married just like you planned! Please tell them!"

Alice shook her head, her face sad, but resigned. "I understand their reasoning, Elisa. Everything will be fine. It's just a few more months, like Edward said."

"No, it's not!" My voice was raising to a scream. "It's not fine, it's not alright! Everything is just misery, and confusion, and pain, and death and this is the only thing in this world that makes sense to me!" I turned to Edward and Bella. "I already pulled you apart once. Don't let me do it again!"

Esme pushed her way past everyone in the hallway and put her motherly arms around my shoulder. "Elisa, you're overwrought. Let's get you upstairs so that you can rest."

"Not until they tell me that they're still getting married just like they're supposed to!" I dug my feet into the ground determinedly, and then turned back to Alice. "I can help you, Alice. I'll do anything you want...address invitations, arrange flowers, make the food, I don't care. Just give me a job and I'll do it. It's better than just sitting around here like a useless waste of space. Please!"

Alice's face was doubtful now. Behind her, Carlisle looked thoughtful as he gazed at Edward and Bella.

"Elisa may just have a point, you two. Maybe going ahead with the wedding is just what all of us need. Life goes on, and Elisa is a part of ours now. If we stop everything on her behalf, she'll never adjust. Helping Alice with the wedding could be the best thing for her right now."

Bella looked at me. "Elisa, are you sure?"

I nodded, wiping away the stray tears that had leaked from my eyes. "Absolutely."

Bella looked at Edward now and smiled tremulously, tears shining in her own eyes. "I guess we're getting married."

Edward's answering smile was like a beam of light in the dark hallway, and then his eyes reached my face. "Thank you, Elisa."

I shook my head. "No...thank you." I turned to Alice. "What do you want me to start with?"

Alice laughed now, the tension broken. "And I thought I was eager...thank you, Elisa, but what I want you to do right now is rest. You're shaking. Tomorrow will be soon enough. Don't worry...I have tons for you to do."

Defeated, I let Esme lead me back upstairs to Alice's room, realizing as I went that I really was exhausted, so much so that I felt dizzy. Jasper had dosed me with uber relaxation vibes downstairs, and I felt them working as we walked, causing me to stumble as I reached the room. Esme helped me into the striped pink pajamas Alice had bought for me, then tucked me into the comfortable, king-sized bed. She sat with me for several minutes as I allowed my eyes to close and my breathing slow. I kept my eyes peacefully closed as I heard her quietly creep out of the room. I didn't open them until I was sure she wasn't coming right back. Then I sat up, swinging my legs over the side of the bed, and walked to the large window.

It was amazing, the difference in the sky here. It was dark now, but the clouds had scattered, and the stars were brilliantly scattered diamonds gleaming in the black sky, so much brighter and distinct than I'd ever seen them in San Diego. The moon hung low tonight, full, round, and brilliant...more incandescent than ever, yet the same as the moon I'd been fascinated by every night since I'd been a child. Standing here, surrounded by the universe's greatest majesty, I could not recall my bitterness, although the pain was still crushing. The moon that looked over me was the same moon that my family saw when they looked into the sky. I had to believe that. We'd been separated by destiny, but the bonds between us, the love, that would always hold us together. I wished I could tell them that, that I could reach out and touch them and let them know that I was going to be alright, that it hadn't hurt, that I had no regrets about how things had been between us. Most of all, I wished I could tell my father what was keeping my heart beating, what would make me continue to fight.

That no matter how it had ended, it had still been the best day ever.

To Be Continued...

In Chapter Three, Choices, the Cullens debate Elisa's future. Meanwhile, tensions are on the rise with the werewolves due to Elisa's presence, and she finds herself with a difficult decision to make.

Thank you so much for reading this. This chapter was so hard to write, and I would sincerely love your feedback.