I chuckled as Keith made a small joke about midnight shifts and after work drinks. I had been talked into joining my co-workers tradition of getting drinks after work. It was a brief reprieve from a 24-hour work shift. I told them ahead of time I did not drink and one of them quipped that that was a good thing. I was the driver, after all. I did not usually join them despite their constant insistence but the past several hours had been emotionally draining to the staff. Thus when Keith nudged me and asked if I could join their after-work drinks this time, I obliged.

My family was not expecting me to be home until tomorrow. They understood the demand of my work well enough. Still, I felt a pang of melancholy as I realized that it was driving me away to spend more time with my family. Particularly, with my wife who I realized was slowly getting estranged. We haven't seen each other in months. I ran a hand through my hair as the cold midnight air whipped my face, a smile in my face as I opened the car door open for my chatting colleagues.

Rachel shot me a flirtatious smile as I helped her out, her hand shooting to touch my forearm in thanks. I nodded wanly and fell behind as the rest of them chattered. As I entered the bar, my nose was assaulted with the scent of freesia. I felt venom pool in teeth that I had to press a hand on my mouth in alarm. I looked around, wanting and desperate to find the source of the scent. It smelled like her. I knew that scent very well.

The sweet, fruity smell of freshly harvested strawberries in early spring. If I were somewhere more private, my eyes would have rolled to the back of my head. Instead I gritted my teeth and forced myself to calm down.

I looked at my phone to check for new emails. I remembered Alice reminding me to choose a catalogue for the latest winter fashion. My lips curled fondly.

I pocketed my phone. There was a band preparing the stage for the next song. I still smelled freesias and I looked around before I could even stop myself. Her name was on the tip of my tongue. I have avoided to even think and utter her name for the last five years for Edward's sanity but her scent called to me. I knew no other human who smelled like this.

My brows raised in question as my phone rang. I excused myself quickly, ignoring Rachel's pout at the sight of my orange juice being served.

"Alice?"

"Carlisle." Her chirpy voiced was tinged with excitement. "I saw something."

"Something good?" I supplied. The music inside the bar started. I looked back briefly at the closed doors.

"Something good." She agreed. "For you. You're in for a surprise."

I chuckled. "That's quite cryptic of you." I stopped. Perhaps, it had something to do with the scent of freesias. "Alice?"

"Hug her for me, will you?" Before I could even reply, my youngest, precious daughter hang up on me. My brows furrowed before pocketing it in.

I pushed the door open, lifting my eyes to the stage. In a matter of milliseconds, I stood there frozen, spell-bound and realizing what Alice had meant.

"Moon, tell me if I could

Send up my heart to you?

So, when I die, which I must do

Could it shine down here with you?"

The bar was dim. And the light shone upon her as she sang. The scent of freesias was stronger now as I set my eyes upon the source.

"Cause my love is mine, all mine

I love, my, my, mine

Nothing in the world belongs to me

But my love, mine, all mine, all mine"

"Isabella." I found myself whispering as I stared at an older, beautiful Isabella Swan singing about sending her heart to the moon. Her long wavy mahogany hair framed her heart-shaped face as she subtly swayed to her music, brown tresses occasionally falling to her brows and cheekbones.

"My baby here on earth

Showed me what my heart was worth"

I hardly noticed my mouth was hanging open. Her voice captivated me as much as her scent did. Her timbre was deeper yet somehow lighter.

"So, when it comes to be my turn

Could you shine it down here for her?"

God. She closed her eyes ... and I swore she looked angel incarnate. But the way she sang gripped my heart into a stranglehold.

"Nothing in the world belongs to me

But my love, mine, all mine"

It's yours, I felt myself uttering. Your love is yours to give, Isabella.

And we wasted it.

When she opened her eyes, her pale arm reached to the audience. Somehow, somehow, for reasons only known to God, her eyes found me. Venom filled my eyes. Shame and regret washed over me.

"Nothing in the world is mine for free

But my love, mine, all mine, all mine"

My trance broke when the song ended and everyone in the bar clapped and cheered. She remained gazing at me, wondering and asking silently if I was truly here. It was a long, almost eternity-like five seconds when she turned away from me to wave appreciatively at the crowd.

I held my breathe as she climbed down the stage, my senses sharpening as I realized she was walking toward me. I took a step back and her chocolate eyes sparkled with fire. In a span of a very few seconds, she was standing before me. I coughed in my hand. She had grown taller. Her head reaching past my shoulders but still not tall enough. It pleased me to see she still had to tilt her head up to look at me.

I coughed in my hand. "Isabella."

"Hi."

Her voice was neutral. Devoid of warmth and hostility. I wasn't quite sure.

"That was beautiful ... your voice." I said finally.

She continued gazing at me before looking away. "Thank you." Isabella tucked her stubborn tresses in her ear. "It's been a while."

"Five years." It struck me that she was twenty-three now. The same age when I had been turned; the age I would always be for eternity. "I ... how have you been?"

She looked at me in disbelief before schooling her features into one of amusement. I figured from her approach to me that she had ... moved on. Not quite for I see the tension in her shoulders. But there was no resentment in her eyes.

There was sadness but there was no anger. I slightly lamented her capability to easily forgive, her acceptance, and sincerity. I would have accepted her anger readily. Our abandonment was cruel.

"As fine as I could, Dr. Cullen."

"Isabella, please call me Carlisle."

"Dr. Cullen." She insisted flatly. I sighed. Perhaps, I was wrong about no resentment. "You look the same."

I smiled wryly. "You've changed so much."

"Sure, I grew a few inches tall." She shrugged. "I can walk without tripping or unwrap gifts without cutting myself." The last bit was added with a hint of humor, I couldn't help but press my lips into a thin line.

"Do you sing here often?"

She laughed, which caught me off guard. "Not often but I sing here when I visit. The regulars seem to like my singing. I think they just want free cheap entertainment."

"Isabella, that was no cheap entertainment. The way you sang ... it was beautiful." I said softly.

Her tendency to blush so easily didn't seem to change. She was not as pale as she was when she was a teenager. I marveled at the woman in front of me whose face had lost their youthful roundness and naïveté. I wonder what Edward would have done had he been the one to see her here.

"What are you doing here, Dr. Cullen?" She asked.

"Drinks with a few of my co-workers." I waved at the table where my colleagues sat. They were looking at our direction interestedly. I ignored their silent request to have Isabella introduced to them. I motioned to the door. "Shall we talk outside?"

She looked hesitant. "Carlisle-"

The pleased look seemed to have appeared in my face as she blushed red.

"We can have coffee some other time." I offered.

"Carlisle," she sighed, raking a hand through her locks. "You don't have to do this. I just came down to say hi. I'll be out of your hair soon."

"I want to explain everything."

Isabella sighed, sinking her teeth into her lower lip. I forced myself to look down. "I want closure. I really do. But I don't think I'll be ever ready to hear what you have to say." She sighed. "Don't get me wrong. I moved on ... sorta. I lived my life just as he had wanted for me. I've long accepted I'll age and die like everyone else but —"

"I understand." I said hollowly though I felt heavy.

She snorted. "The fuck you do." I blinked at her in bemusement. She huffed and grabbed my arm, pulling me outside the door.

I stiffened when I felt her warmth envelop me in a warm embrace. I quickly melted in her touch. The scent of freesias were magnified in her proximity. I pressed my nose in her hair.

"You're here." She muttered, looking up to me. "You're really here, aren't you, Carlisle?"

"I am."

She shut her eyes and stepped back. "Anyway," she smoothed down the creases of her blue blouse. "I've long accepted my mortality. The only thing you and the rest of your family don't understand is all I've ever wanted was to be part of your family."

"But you always have been, Isabella."

She crossed her arms. "So much for family, Carlisle, huh?"

"It was for your safety." I reasoned.

Isabella put her hands up. "Fine. Let's have that coffee some other time. Right now, I feel like hearing more words from you, I might just combust."

I opened my mouth and closed it, snapping it with a clack. I felt like I was treading on broken glass.

"Nice clothes, by the way. I see you've gotten rid of the scarves and cardigans." Her lips curled. "You look nice."

I looked down at my clothes. "Ah," not knowing what to say. "thank you." I suppose I should thank Alice, too later.

Isabella's smile was teasing. "I should go back inside now. They're probably asking where I've gone."

"You may join us, if you'd like."

She waved her hand dismissively. "I don't want to impose." She stepped forward to give me a hug. I was frozen as she tip-toed to press a featherlight kiss on my cheek. "I hold no anger over you or your coven, Carlisle. I am genuinely glad to see you again."

She'd grown to be so different and yet still the same.

I returned her hug, circling an arm around her waist as I held her gaze. "We do not deserve your kindness, Isabella. Please trust me when I say that I will make it up to you."

We parted and she looked at me contemplatively. Isabella shook her head and waved goodbye to me as she walked back inside.

I remained standing there for a little while. Looking up at the moon. I smiled as I heard her voice inside. This time she was singing about a star who keeps on burning just so her lover could keep on looking up.

Hm, I forgot to hug her for Alice. I hummed with the melody as I returned inside.