Now

As midnight blanketed the night in another layer of darkness, warm light glowed in the windows of the main street apartment. Though the coffee and sweets kept them alert, their voices stayed low as Cole and Hayley maneuvered the skinny couch to face the bed Ethan and Anna were adding piles of pillows to. The Charlie Bucket grandparents Anna called them as Cole and Hayley propped their feet up on the beds edge.

Cole took over the storytelling and spoke of those years where they all began finding their way of separate togetherness. Ethan finding stunt work that helped him see more of the country and eventually some of the world. Cole and his growing love of city life. And Anna with building a foundation for herself in art and homemaking.

"And what about Sylas?" Hayley asked. "I imagine he hid for a bit but when did you see him again?"

Cole hesitated. "Ethan and I saw him a handful of times in those years. He called little, but he would write. Sometimes to Anna too. But we were never together the four of us again, not since that night in Forks."

Ethan glanced away and Hayley looked sadly to Anna who squared her shoulders.

"I didn't know about his visit here for years after. I didn't see him again until the spring before he died."

Hayley wondered how much it cost any of them to say that word. Looking to each of them she was beginning to understand what it would cost her.

"He was able to work for himself." Anna continued. "His contacts gave him enough of a buzz that he started building custom pieces or doing built ins. He really made a name for himself in a relatively short amount of time and once he could he did more good with that. Used his skills to help those who needed, used his gift to stop what he could."

"He was still going after them?"

Anna shook her head at Hayley. "Along the way he and Jeff reached a foothold of trust though an albeit shaky one. Sylas didn't work with them exactly, none of us were. But we would hear whispers about a kid coming into their power and if we were hearing it, better believe the other side was too. Yet it was an Emissary safe house they'd be dropped off to. Expressing their thanks of the nice man in his truck that got to them just in time. The number of people disappearing or being turned definitely went down. The more they dropped, the louder the whispers grew. Carlisle even weighed in on it, you remember that Cole?"

"Edward, Bella, and Esme were visiting me in the city and Carlisle made a detour to Anna's to be the voice of reason."

"Why?" Hayley jerked her shoulder. "Sylas was doing well, why would that need reasoning?"

"Because it was keeping him on their radar, which meant all of us." Anna explained. "Carlisle and the Cullen's knew firsthand what being in the spotlight of their enemies cost, so we gave them grace whenever they waxed caution on us. However, at the end of the day they had no other choice either."

"And it worked out for them by the sound of it. So I'm guessing the voice of reason chat didn't work?"

Anna smiled. "It came at a time where I think we were all moving towards an acceptance. Maybe hadn't hit it on the head, but we were getting there."

"Of what sort?"

"We weren't going to get the full lives we were each chasing in our own ways; unless we stopped the Preservers. It wasn't something we were ready to do, because both sides would see it as us buying into the prophecy idea. But Sylas was definitely testing those waters. None of us were of the mind to talk him out of that. Especially not me. And we weren't in the place to talk to each other about anything deep. We didn't divorce but our separation was clear enough that we each started seeing others. I'll speak for mine, any guy I went out with in those years was very casual. I wasn't looking for serious."

"None of us were. None of us truly believed we were capable of the serious relationship anymore." Ethan admitted.

"I for one never did until you. I don't say that to be a sappy suck up." Cole added with a half smile. "I saw what the other two went through and avoided the risk at all costs."

"Good thing for us, what's meant is meant." Hayley winked before looking back to Anna. "So your definition of casual, I'm guessing that means no one you were seeing ended up finding out about your abilities, or any of this."

"Exactly that. Didn't even get close. We're just all human and would seek out some sort of company at times and try to be as fair to them as possible given we couldn't technically be one hundred percent honest. And that resulted in no relationships lasted all that long."

"Garrett stuck around a bit." Ethan pointed out.

Anna gave Ethan a cuff with the nearest object, luckily a coaster. "He only brings up Garrett because he hated him." She told Hayley.

"Hate is strong. I didn't regard him highly enough for hatred."

Hayley sassily snapped her fingers. "How long did he make it?"

"He came on the scene right after we turned twenty four and lasted like six or seven months I'd say." Ethan guessed. "Long enough to meet Cole and I. The second time I saw him which was also the last he said'I know why I'm not worried about you, but how come you and Cole don't seem to be worried about me? I would have expected the you hurt her, you die; talk by now.'Ethans head fell back with his scoff.

"I mean to be fair, apart from Caroline, Sylas, and now Hayley, we've heard similar odd comments from boyfriends and girlfriends." Anna started.

"What was your response?" Hayley grinned.

Ethan shrugged. "I told him the truth. I said'I don't have to worry if she'll be ok. You're the one who would never find anyone like her again.'And he definitely didn't like that."He added to Hayley's snort.

"He dumped me a few weeks later." Anna gave a shrug as well. "Which was fair enough, I wasn't putting any focus into it at all. Papa had started having some health troubles and any attention I could spare was going to him."

At her pause, Ethan tilted his head to Anna's shoulder and she gave him a half hearted shove. "Its fine. He made it another year after that and was well into his eighties. Lord knows he lived a hell of a life, and he got to go with Mary and I right there by his side. Mary followed a few months later."

"Oh Anna. I'm sorry. It doesn't matter how a part of life that is, loss is still loss."

"And it was one that jostled me a bit. Mary had been there the majority of my childhood. Papa wasn't the perfect parent by any means, and I had plenty of my chosen family. But he was the last of my blood. He was the one who remembered my childhood and my mother. It definitely rocked me and never goes away."

Cole gestured between himself and Ethan. "We took turns with staying with her until she eventually threw us out."

"It wasn't quite as harsh as that. I'm just not one to be coddled. And the more routine and our version of normality that we could all get back to, the better." Anna considered as she curled her legs up, wrapping her arms around them as they swayed. "They knew. The Preservers. They didn't try much but they were sniffing around here for the first time since I moved. Any sign of weakness and all."

"Which we didn't know at the time." Ethans jaw clenched.

"Which is water under the bridge now if you recall." Anna nudged him with her knee. "I didn't want to rock the boat or instigate anything."

"Well how long until they did more than sniff about?" Hayley asked.

"Late the following winter. And anything they pulled was handled by me alone, which is why these two neanderthals are fuming. Somewhat understandably, but also as I said I didn't want to rock anything. And maybe asking for help has never been a strong suit of mine."

"Maybe, she says." Ethan muttered to Cole.

"Buuuuuuut." She shoved Ethan again and shrugged at Hayley. "This was also my home. I wanted to be the one to keep it safe. And I was." She looked down at her hands as she twirled the band on her thumb. "And then we did."

Hayley wanted to smile. It was all she wanted was to hear that Sylas and Anna found their way back to each other. But she also knew once they did it was for the last time. Hayley watched as Anna took a deep breath and sat up a little straighter.

"After Papa had been gone a little over a year one of the theater groups he worked often with put together an event in his honor. We'd all been to the one at the Grand and another in the city, so I didn't call the boys in for this one, but I still felt I should go."

Her eyes darkened. "You know I remember that being the first time I clocked the feeling. Ever since moving out on my own it was like oh we're really in the adult space now, there isn't as much of a net. I think we all have that experience of its ten pm and I can go to the grocery store and pick up a cake right now if I want without telling anyone I'm leaving the house. The ying to that yang is sometimes you also realize you're not as cushioned. I'm sure I'd felt that before with not having any living parents but losing Papa sure hit it home. And maybe it was just one memorial too many but that night it was like the person I had become wasn't a twenty six, close to twenty seven year old. I felt ages older and out of place."

"Despite how independent and stubborn about it as I can sometimes be…."

"Sometimes?" Cole asked Ethan, earning a cuff from Hayley while Anna continued.

"Its not surprising that what I needed to feel tethered, was Sylas." Anna smiled as her eyes seemed to be seeing elsewhere.

"And there he was."

Then

The hotels ballroom was dripping with floral and willow garlands. Blue, lavender, green, and pink dominated. Several theater groups of the capital district had decorated the space with Phillip Simone, and his most revisited role as Puck in Midsummers Night Dream, in mind. Though those most familiar with him knew his favorite had been the Pirate King in Pirates of Penzance. Which was reflected in his granddaughters choice of a mens crisp white dress shirt over black leggings and high boots. Her wild hair matching curl for curl when Phillip first played the role.

Feeling like she'd shaken every hand in the county Anna sank back in her chair and took stock. Her feet ached a bit, maybe she was a bit emotional. Overwhelmingly though, she was proud. Papa would have been so thrilled by this. Cocky, sure. But thrilled under it all. Especially to be in a room of flowers and cheer now coming out of a long winter.

While Anna longed for home and her own scatter of flowers, she endured the questions and tales from the glory days. The other actors there were ones she remembered watching throughout her childhood. They were kind to her, shared a few stories she of course knew already but enjoyed hearing just the same. She sat, letting the chatter flow around her, smiling or nodding when warranted. Tipping back after the latest tale, her gaze froze as she saw him staring at her across the room.

Had she never felt how much time had passed? She certainly did so now. His chest rose with a deep breath as he smiled at her. No one had looked at her that way, well since Sylas Bruan.

"If you'll all excuse me." Anna said to the table as she stood.

Weaving through guests, her first laugh in ages reached Sylas as he met her halfway.

"Anna Jane."

"Seeing as I just pulled the ol "if you'll excuse me" to a table of hoits and toits, I'll accept nothing less than the full name."

"So I have to add the Louisa and Simone?"

"And the Bruan." Anna kicked out at Sylas's shined loafers. "Aren't you gussied up."

"The occasion demanded it. Plus they're his shoes." Sylas reached out and rubbed his hands up and down Anna's arms. "I'm so sorry Anj."He whispered.

Anna looked up at him, seeing the slight changes. The shorter cut to his hair now only teasing his collar instead of falling past it. He still wore his wedding band, though moved it to the ring finger on his right hand. The beard he grew added a maturity. But those dark eyes still focused on her with the same intensity that made her feel, well, everything.

"I would have come sooner but I didn't want to impose."

"And I imagine covered my flank incase they took my mind being elsewhere as an opportunity."

"It was the type of imposing I could abide."

"Have you eaten?"

"You're not hosting."

"If it hides me from the hoits and toits, dress me in a tux with an arm towel."

"I rather like how you're dressed now." Still holding her arms Sylas tipped back to glance up and down. "Pirate King?"

Anna slapped an enthusiastic hand on Sylas's chest. "Count on you to see sense, all these years and you get it."

"Eighteen years." Sylas whispered.

"Eighteen years." Anna nodded.

"My table is kind of hidden by some of the garland if you want to…."

"Not so fast." A woman with a red pixie cut rushed over and tugged on Anna's arm. "Seymore, lovely to see you again, but I need a moment with Annabeth here."

"You know our names Holly." But Anna let herself be pulled as she took note of the table Sylas pointed to. "Is there something you needed?"

Holly Carson, one of the few actresses that at eighteen got her start at the Grand and went on to broadway, also happened to be one of Anna's favorites growing up. Even if just now she seemed hellbent on wrenching her arm.

"Need, want, whatever has you fessing up quicker." Reaching the far end of the room Holly nudged Anna's chin up.

"I told you, I never stole your lipstick seeing as I was nine at the time and had no use for it."

"Save for writing ghostly messages on the backstage corridors to scare the newbies. That's neither here nor there. I've been away from Forks long, but I haven't lost my contacts, all of which report you and Sylas live separately."

"We do. Did you drag me away incase I threw something at him, because its not that sort of separation."

"I can live away for a generation and know that silly girl. Just like I know he looks at you the same way he did when you were that nine year old stealing lipsticks."

"The benefits of a long friendship."

"Hmm. Can't say any of my husbands and I gave that way a try. Perhaps for number four. Quit distracting me. I'm protecting your virtue."

"The yanked is the distractor, sure." Anna felt a laugh and let it loose. "Holly, you're being ridiculous. My virtue set sail what, over seven years ago."

"Aha!"

"What aha, we were married, you think we just played chess every night?"

"No, gin rummy. And as Phillip often said, you two had never stopped being married."

Anna sighed. "I owe you for bringing his eccentric ways to the party, if for nothing else."

"For a garnet beam lipstick. Twenty years in the business and the lessons he taught are the ones that stay with me most. They're the ones I'll do my damndest to pass down."

"If that isn't the legacy he dreamed of." Anna bumped Holly's hip. "Now you've done your duty to warn me against the temptations of jazz and liquor, can I go hide with my oldest friend now please?"

"I watched you two running tame around that theater. Can't say I don't get a little pitty pat from watching, well that."

Anna followed Holly's glance. Sylas had found his seat and was chatting with some of the others at the table, though his eyes stayed trained on Anna.

"Keep them off us would ya?"

"Bout time the dancing starts anyhow." Holly squeezed her hand before trapsing off towards the band.

Scoring a plate of tiny sandwiches on the way Anna smiled as Sylas stood to pull out the chair next to him.

"Hors d'oeuvres? In what world?"

"They're roast beef, Papa would have insisted. Theres rumors of beignets later." Anna sighed as she smiled at Sylas. "I can't believe you're here."

"That's on me."

No. No, I didn't mean it like that."

"I know, but its still on me. You should be able to count on me to be there for you." His voice lowered. "And not just if there was trouble."

"Well then lets you and I do better huh? It's a two way street." She reached for a sandwich. "So, catch me up. Take me where you've been."

As the dancing picked up Sylas took Anna through his favorite travels and favorite creations along the way. Going into more detail than his letters and hearing his voice was a combination that had Anna wanting to cuddle in. Still, she kept her smile easy and her back straight. No need to go full gooey over, well the only one who could make her feel so. There was plenty he did and said that irritated the hell out of her, yet just then she was just relieved to feel that bone deep comfort despite their years of distance.

Sylas was also reveling in a feeling. Familiarity wasn't a luxury he had with many, and wasn't one he allowed himself now in his adult life. Having the reassurance that it hadn't faded with Anna gave him a warmth he hadn't felt in years. Watching how she would smile and chat with every person who came up to her to pay their respects and share a Phillip story, he suddenly began feeling those years. The girl he fell in love with became a woman.

Thee woman, he thought as she seamlessly shifted from debating current art trends, to snatching a beignet from a passing tray with a little whoop.

"Excuse me." He said as he stood, and winked as he bent to take the offered bite of pastry. "Back in a minute."

Anna enjoyed watching him walk away and wondered which side of herself was going to win out. Would she be cautious and practical and not ask where he was staying? Would she tug that tie she could tell he hated and lead him to her place? Where was the nearest coin to flip?

The music shifted from sixties groove to a humming violin that had Anna sighing in contentment. Turning to look at the band, her heart knocked in her chest as she saw the requester of the song.

Sylas walked back towards their table, and held out a hand to Anna. She stared at it, hesitating before looking back up into those dark eyes as Sylas bent closer.

"I'm sorry, I just thought shame to waste a room like this, and Phillip would have wanted all sorts of dancing."

"He absolutely would have."

"We don't have to…." Sylas nearly dropped his hand but Anna gave hers as her smile bloomed.

"I want to dance with you."

Emotion surged into his eyes, but his hand remained steady as he tugged her to the dance floor, and with a pump of his arm had her spinning ahead of him. Giving a twirl of her own, Anna looked back and raised her hand to meet his.

They circled one another, remembering the first dance and all that followed. Through each grip of a shoulder or caress of a waist, the deep brown eyes never lost the gleaming grey. In those gazes they may have felt the heartache of before, but they saw the beginning too, and perhaps what could be. It felt as though it had all been leading to this one where the man and woman finally began to find their feet, and honor the boy and girl they once were.

When the music faded to its end, neither stepped away, but closer. Sylas's arms wrapped around Anna's waist, lifting her so her hand could cup the back of his neck, burying her face into its side, as his did to her own. It felt as though years of warmth flooded back into their bones.

With a final squeeze Sylas put Anna down, but took her hand again to walk back to the table. She wrapped her free one around their joined, not giving a damn how many may have stared and wondered.

As the night carried on and folks began to leave, Anna gathered her courage and turned to ask Sylas to come home with her. At the same moment he asked, "May I walk you to your car?"

"Please." She stood quickly, not wanting to give either of them a moment to overthink.

"I should…check into my hotel."

"Right. Free continental breakfast."

"Can't be missed."

Now that her hand wasn't in his, Anna started to second guess. Was the dance a last? Was his holding her a goodbye? Was that what she wanted.?

When they reached her car she leaned a hip against the drivers side door rather than open it.

"How long are you in town Sylas?"

Wanting to say that depended on her, but not knowing how, he replied simply, "I got the room for the night."

"Right." Anna repeated. Feeling a familiar sadness return but not letting it show she worked up a smile. "Well you write me from the next place ok?"

"I will. If you need anything…." Sylas felt his hands itch from wanting to reach back out, but he was already taking steps back.

"I know." Anna checked the instinct to tug him towards her, and instead turned and got into the car. She felt rather than saw Sylas continue walking away.

Fighting the dueling urges, Anna whispered a stream of curses before she started her car and threw it into gear.

Her home. That's what she needed. Her home and the comfort and security she built it to be. She'd let it do its magic and just like always, she'd adapt back to the life she'd made for herself without Sylas. And one day it would be enough.

She'd nearly convinced herself that was right coarse by the time she pulled into the driveway and her lights hit the truck parked in her spot.

And there he was.

Pulling her car into another free spot in the lot, Anna shoved herself out.

"How….I don't want to know how many traffic laws you just broke. How did you even know how to get here?"

"I mean GPS is a thing Anna, but also because I've been here before."

"You…you've…what?"

"The first time I called you here, after you moved. I wasn't on the road. I was in those woods." Sylas gestured behind him. "I had come here thinking I'd right all my wrongs and get you back."

"Sylas." Anna whispered.

"I know. I should have. I should have walked right up. But you were glowing Anj, I don't know how the entire street wasn't lit up. You found everything you had looked for and you did it on your own. I couldn't shut up the thought that meant I couldn't become a part of it again. I couldn't then."

"Can you now, you idiot?" Anna shoved him, though half heartedly.

Sylas trapped the hand on his chest and covered it with his. "What the hell do you think this is? I just needed to snap out of it, and I didn't want you to think I was coming here just to be polite if you had asked me to."

"There's not much politeness between us."

"Well I'm about to make a little." Sylas cupped Anna's chin. "I'm not coming in. Not tonight. We both know where that will go, and I want to do things differently this time."

"You said you were only here for tonight."

"Plans change."

Hearing the certainty in his voice, Anna still wondered, and maybe kept up a shield.

"Alright." She took a step back. "No coming in tonight. How about a walk tomorrow? There's a trail I like, I can text you the address."

"Perfect."

"Perfect." Anna grinned. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow then."

"I promise."

Marveling at that, Anna shook her head to herself and walked up the few steps of the deck and into the apartment beyond.

Sylas waited for her deck light to wink out and rocked back on his heels. For the first time in years he felt sure he was moving in the right direction. Turning back to his truck he reversed and idled in the street as a sign caught his eye. Letting his head fall back with his chuckle. He took out his phone to copy down the number below the for rent sign hanging in the window across the street.

With the right bargaining maybe he'd be checking out of the hotel room tomorrow after all.