Deep in Glacier National Park lies a beautiful, remote valley - one of many. The valley is bowl-shaped, surrounded on two sides with fast rising, snow-capped mountains. Nestled on the northern end is a pristine, glacier-blue lake. On the southern lake shore lies the wooded area where Edward and Esme are enjoying their most recent catch of elk. To Edward, the beauty of the valley is second only to the mental silence – with the exception of Esme's thoughts of course. For they are so deep in the park that even back-packers are rare sightings.
Indulging his selfishness for a moment – Edward allows himself to dream of introducing Bella to majestic views such as this. While dreading what he fears will be the sacrifice of her soul, a part of him can't wait to see the world through Bella's newborn eyes.
Having finished her meal, Esme sat back and observed her son. It filled her with joy to finally see him relaxed, and seemingly at peace. His face was finally free of the tortured look he had worn for too long. The past months had been filled with so much strife and fear for them all. First with the loss of Bella from their family, then Victoria's never-ending quest for vengeance; a black cloud had hung over their household for far too long. With the threat to Bella's life gone, Edward finally allowed himself a long over-due extended hunt. Secure in the knowledge that Carlisle would look out for Bella, Emmett had managed to convince Edward to travel outside the Northwest this trip.
Smiling at Esme's thoughts, Edward finished with his elk and lay in the soft green grass. The sky was baby blue, with puffy cotton-like clouds passing overhead. He began to plan a backpacking trip to bring Bella back here while still human. She always enjoyed a chance to see any of the Cullen's in the sun, and this valley was remote enough to be considered safe. And if he stuck to her like glue, he wouldn't have to worry she would stumble across a protective mother bear or –knowing her bad luck – trip face first off the nearest cliff. Shuddering quietly, Edward decided she wouldn't leave his side if he brought her here.
Sensing the change in Edward, Esme decided to nip whatever had soured his mood in the bud, "how about a swim in the lake to clean up?" she thought to him.
"Sure" Jumping up, the two ran for the lake and dove straight into the glistening waters.
Hours later, the two were still enjoying the lake, when another's thoughts intruded on Edward's solitude. Edward grimaced at Emmett's effective strategy for keeping his ability at bay.
"Esme, the others are coming and judging by how hard they are working to keep me out, I would say they are up to something…" after attempting to read his other siblings' minds; Edward was suspicious they were plotting mischief.
"Well then, maybe we should set up our own surprise for them" replying with her thoughts, Esme then pictured hiding in the trees at the lake's edge. Unless Alice was searching the future, they should be able to spring a trap on the others when they arrive.
Grinning, Edward nodded. After swimming to shore, the two raced far enough into the forest for the trees to close in around them, then each choose a tall pine, and with one jump, were snugly hidden in the upper branches.
In her mind, Esme pictured her antique vase that had been a Christmas gift from Carlisle before they had moved to Forks. Emmett had managed to smash it recently, when he had gotten overzealous in a game of chess with Jasper. The pawn he had flicked had gone straight through the vase and continued through the glass wall of the house. Needless to say, she had not been happy.
With a quiet chortle, Edward realized that his mother was letting him know that she was picking Emmett as her victim. Knowing this would be good, Edward decided to sit back and watch the show.
By now, her other children were close enough that Esme began to hear their footfalls racing through the forest. As graceful as all vampires were, Esme, as all mothers do, knew her children so well that she could detect the slight differences between them. Concentrating, she picked out the heaviest footfall, with the slightly lumbering cadence (if a vampire could ever be described as lumbering…) that she knew belonged to Emmett. Tensing, she wanted to bid her time so that she would land on his back as he passed below her tree.
In only a matter of seconds, her children had raced into her line of sight. She allowed another second for Emmett to draw closer, and then Esme sprung from her tree.