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.Dusk Until Dawn.

People say opposites attract. Some may same that they don’t. Upon these pages two people will change history and go beyond the supernatural. This is the story where Fire and Ice will collide and find love in the end.


Chapter One.
The Unexpected Visitor.

I knew I was close to where I was going when I saw the white flowers, the lights, and white ribbon. Their driveway was longer then I would have thought. Knowing who they were I wasn’t shocked. I walked up to the house and knocked twice on the door waiting for my family to catch me in their arms. I wanted to see Esme’s face when she saw me there. Her first daughter was back home, for good this time.
I heard familiar voices behind the door. I knew he would answer it. When the doorknob turned and the door opened I saw his shocked expression and couldn’t help but to laugh.
“Emmett!” I said as throwing my arms around him. I was still stronger then Emmett would ever be. He was still jealous after all this time. I was glad I could still see into his mind.
He stood there for a second and then realized it was me and captured me in a giant bear hug. It‘s been awhile since anyone hugged me like that. It had been forty-five long years since I’d seen anyone of my family. I missed them dearly but not enough to leave my husband. I came back because He was recently executed.
He finally let me go and when he did I saw Carlisle and Esme coming towards us. Gracefully as ever. “So Sis where ya been all this time?” Emmett asked with a huge grin on his face.
“Aw my darling, you’ve come back. How long are you staying? And where is L’vel?” Esme was excited. I could tell I missed a lot when I left. I looked through her mind and everything was rushing by. “I’ll answer questions after the ceremony. I’m glad to be back though.” I smiled hopefully it was convincing enough for them, and took my seat. I was in the front row but soon had to move when a weeping woman walked down the aisle. I knew it was her mother. She was crying tears of joy, not sorrow. I decided since I would have to move again when Carlisle and Esme took their seats there would be no room up front for me to sit. I took a seat next to two young teenagers. They were extremely tall and matured for they’re age. Their smell was horrible; it was like walking though a dog pound. The older looking one looked at with awe. I smiled and took a seat and the music started and everyone was quiet.

Chapter Three.
Hugs and Kisses.

Hugs and kisses went around. From one person to another. From my close family to my family from Denali. No matter how hard I tried to distract myself from the werewolf it didn’t help. Not one little bit.
“Oh my Anastasia! I’ve missed you so much! So where is your husband? Did he even come with you?” Esme asked with her smile I’ve missed so much.
Once she said something about L’vel my expression turned dark. “Um no He’s not here. He was accused of revealing us to the town. Aro and Caius didn’t like this so much. So they had Felix and Demetri kill him. They made me watch it all.” Right after I said these words it felt like a thousand knives piercing my bulletproof skin. Esme’s arms were around me, it felt like she was trying to hold me together. Broken heart, unstable mind ,and all.
I felt like crying again. How silly of me to think tears would ever come. I haven’t cried since the night I almost died. That was how I fell in love with Edward. That ended soon after it started.
I saw him. There with his new wife. I almost ran towards him. He turned around just in time for me to jump into his arms. “Edward! I’ve missed you so much!”, I was practically shouting. He wrapped his arms around me and then let me go. I was still stronger. We both knew that I was always the strongest in the house.
“Bella, this is my other sister. Her na-” I cut him off of course. I hated other people introducing me.
“My name is Anastasia Cullen.” I smiled at the bride whose name I now knew. “Well to people I used to go to school with they might know me as Anastasia Hale.”, I said.
“Everyone knew her as the eldest Hale. That was….” He was hesitant about telling Bella. I could tell from his the way he said everything. Bella’s ears weren’t able to hear the edge in his voice.
“No need to bring up the past. So Bella how does it feel to be part of the family?” I was trying to be nice but I was still kind of jealous that she got to marry Edward and I didn’t. But my sweet L’vel suited me well.
She blushed and Edward laughed. “Um….Well it’s kind of weird knowing that Edward and I will be together for ever now. I didn’t think I would be here this day.”
I remembered the gift I brought for her. I held up the same box Edward had when he gave it to me. “Bella this is yours now. It was mine first so I hope you don’t mind hand-me-downs. I wear my husbands instead.” I held up my left wrist. I had the leather bracelet with my family’s crest on it. Bella opened the box and about feinted.
“Oh. Wow. Thank you so much um I forgot your name. Sorry. Oh never mind. Thank you very much Anastasia.” She smiled sweetly. I was dragged away again by someone of the Denali coven.
After awhile I was able to sit down. Not that I needed it but it felt good to take in everything. Rosalie was dancing with Emmett, Alice with Jasper ,and Carlisle with Esme. I felt left out. I wasn’t able to dance with anyone. Everyone had their soul mate and mine was dead. I still wore his wedding band as well as mine.
I’d lost track of time till one of the wolves came up to me. “Miss? You never told me your name.” He had this sheepish smile on his face. Like he was more scared of my answer then my abilities. “I was wondering if you would like to dance also.”
“Oh. I’m sorry. I’ve been dragged around all night. My name is Anastasia Cullen.”, I smiled trying to be nice to him. I didn’t know if I wanted to dance with him or not. It couldn’t hurt. “I’d be delighted to dance.”
I stood up from the white, silk covered chair and smoothed out my dress fixing my neck line. I took his hand and started for the dance floor. He was quit a good dancer for a dog. I would have given him a few pointers on his steps but I was lost in the moment. Then it all happened. One of my special abilities kicked in. Once I really touched him, I could see everything going through his mind. I saw what had happened. A “wolf” thing had happened. Something that neither one of us could control or avoid. I pulled away quickly. I could tell that there was terror on my face. I started backing away but he grabbed my wrist. I didn’t try to pull away. His warmth burned my skin and I was probably freezing his.
We stood there for a minute. Like it was just him and me. With no one else around us. Then I heard yelling, and we both turned towards the voices. It was one of his friends. Bella and Edward were only feet away. I ran as fast as I could. I was there in no more then half a second.
“Jacob!” I heard someone from behind me. I didn’t know his name but it was the one I’d been dancing with. “Calm down. There are to many people here for you to phase. You could get to close.” His voice wasn’t shaky or anything but it was sturdy and calming.
I stepped in front of Bella and Edward making sure they weren’t to close and they’re clothes wouldn’t get ruined. Alice would have a fit if the bride and groom’s outfits were torn up.
“Embry this doesn’t concern you!” Jacob was speaking through his teeth. Embry, what an uncommon name. It had personality to it. Something that I wouldn’t be able to forget. “Bella doesn’t belong with him!” Out of no where there were wolves everywhere. The bigger one, the alpha most likely, took Jacob and the others away.
I was still in shock. I hadn’t notice Embry leave. I looked around and he was gone. Just like my heart he’d taken with him.

Chapter Five.
Forty-Five Years.

“Bye Edward!”, I was waving good-bye to them both as they left for their honeymoon. “See ya in a few weeks!”, Esme was besides me with her arm wrapped around my shoulders.
“Okay Anastasia. Now you have some questions to answer.”, Esme wasn’t going to let that pass neither was Carlisle or the rest of the family.
“Okay then. Start asking about what you want to know.” I walked into the house and pulled one of the chairs up and sat down. “And then I have some questions for you all.”
Questions started coming at me one after another. I hardly had time to answer them. The first ones to ask questions were Rose and Emmett. Those two and Edward were my closest family besides Carlisle and Esme. Alice and Jasper I didn’t really know. I left before I met them. Edward had mentioned them in some of his letters. I knew form earlier that Alice had premonitions and Jasper could control a person’s mood.
“I really have missed a lot haven’t I?” , I was snuggling into the white couch next to Emmett and Rosalie. “So Emmett, Rose how many more house did you destroy once I left?”, Alice and me started laughing but I knew it wouldn’t end well for me. “Oh and I’m challenging you Emmett, to an arm wrestling match. Shall we?”, Emmett smiled and we both raced out to the back yard.
“Bring it on big sis.”, Emmett put his arm up on an old log. “Give it the best ya got.”
I took his hand and it looked like he was trying but I couldn’t tell he was, “C’mon Emmett! Is that the best ya got? Aro could do better!”, I was having fun letting him try. Everyone was laughing and having a great time. Well except Emmett of course. He was trying his best though. I figured he’d had enough and I threw his hand down on the log. Tiny splinters of wood went everywhere. “Consider yourself beaten.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah whatever Anastasia. I let you win so you’d feel at home.”, Emmett slumped back into the brightly lit house and turned on the television from what I could hear. Probably baseball.
“He’s such a liar.”, I love my brother dearly but he can be a bit stubborn at times. So is every guy in the world at one point. Vampire, human, or whatever mythical creature they are, “So where did Edward and Bella go exactly?”
They all looked at me for a minute and then started laughing. I didn’t like using my “gift” as much as the others. I guess I just never wanted to use them. I wanted to be giftless like Rose or Emmett. I never asked to be special.
“Haha go ahead laugh while you can. I will know all the secrets in this house by the end of the night.”, They were still laughing once we got in the house. Emmett still had an attitude as he was watching the baseball game. Nothing had really changed around here since I’d left. Except Jasper and Alice.
Alice grabbed my arm and dragged me to her over-sized bathroom. “Anastasia, Can I play dress up with you please?”, I didn’t realize she was serious until Rosalie came up and started playing with my hair. “Bella isn’t here and I’m really bored so can I?”
“Um I guess so. Just make sure there is no green anywhere on me. I’ve seen enough of that color for the rest of my existence.”, With that said she dragged me to a closet with every space filled with clothes. There were black gowns to black t-shirts. Silk to satin. Cotton to leather. Everything possible was in this closet. “Wow. I thought the wives had a lot of clothes.”
“This only half.”, Alice was dancing around the room looking at the variety of clothing. She went through several different things and made me try them on. After about and hour of looking through the closet she pulled out a light pink silk gown that reached to the floor. It had a silver brooch near the top where the halter straps connected to the front of the dress. The dress was beautiful. She threw it at me and I quickly changed. She also made me strap silver heals on and diamonds to match.
Rosalie did my hair and Alice fixed my makeup. I looked and the mirror and only one thing was missing. Edward had told me before he left he packed all my old belongings in a spare room every time they would move. He also said it was always locked so he had given me a key for the room. It was the last room on the third floor. I opened the door slowly. The room smelled of my old things. I quickly found my old wooden box that held my most precious belonging. I walked back to Alice and Rosalie and grabbed a tiny key from my other dress. The box opened with no effort. The pearl, diamond, and pink sapphire hair comb I’d had since I was young was still perfect. Rosalie quickly placed it in my long, dark, ringlets that reached the bottom of my back.
“Anastasia! You look so different when your not dressed in a dark color.”, Alice was freaking when we were walking down the large staircase. She told me to stop so that she could introduce the “New” Anastasia Elizabeth Cullen. I just sighed and let her have her way. “Hey Listen! We have a surprise.”, She motioned for them to quiet down and then it started. “And now may I introduce the improved Anastasia Elizabeth Cullen.”, I started walking down the stairs. It felt like my weddings all over again. Emmett’s roaring laugh filled the silence. I could see them now and all of their eyes were on the dress rather then me.
“Your wearing pink!”, Well we sure surprised Emmett. Not like that’s hard to do. “Carlisle were is the camera we have to get a picture of this to send to Edward.”
“Oh we’ll get pictures alright. We have to wait for her date to get here though. He should be here in about three minutes.”
“Alice! You set me up on a blind date!”, She had gone to far. I didn’t mind the dress, the makeup, my hair being down and getting in my way. But this I did mind.
Emmett and Jasper were both beside me. They wouldn’t be able to stop me. I wasn’t going to do anything though, not on my first day back. I looked into her mind. I saw what she had been planning before I could see who it was the door bell rang. It echoed through the house and all it’s rooms. I had to calm down so I went to sit besides Carlisle. He put a hand on my shoulder trying to calm me when he walked in.
I jumped up and grabbed Alice’s arm and dragged her to the kitchen. “Are you insane Alice? What were you thinking?”, I shook her lightly trying to make sure what I was saying was stuck in her brain. “I can’t go with him. Alice my husband was just executed.”
“But you said it would have ended in a couple of years anyway and you would have come back. So why not start out new?”
“It’s not the point.”, I leaned up against the wall. It felt like I was never going to get out of this. “At least tell me where were going and what we’re doing.”
She perked up then and pulled me towards the living room. Esme had a camera out. I snatched it and threw it at the wall shattering it into pieces. Alice wanted me to act the way I had earlier but that Anastasia was gone when I took off my dress. I walked out the door pulling Embry by his wrist. I was hoping I’d break it.
Carlisle loaned me his Mercedes. I was happy about that. The last car I’d driven was a rental and it was only an old Maxima. This car, the one Carlisle let me barrow, was what every person dreamed of for the perfect car. Limo tinted windows, high quality leather seats, HD stereo, and to put it all together it goes way above the speed of what I needed.
My thoughts were interrupted by Embry. I’d pay him back for that later. “You want to drive?”, I couldn’t resist to look at him. He was only seventeen but he looked well in his twenties. Taller then normal grown men. His hair cut short and spiked up. He wore a light blue button up shirt with a dress coat and pants. I didn’t know where we were going. I tossed him the keys and slipped into the passenger’s side. “You could look through my thoughts if you want. To ya know see where we’re going.”
“I could care less.”, I had my arms folded over my chest making sure I didn’t strangle him. I took a quick look through his mind. “Go ahead call your leader and ask if we can go to the beach. I don’t mind being with wolves. It’s just my family, Alice mostly, is very pushy when it comes to me. Bad part is I just met Alice.”, I laughed to myself and continued looking out the window. So many things have happened. Meeting new members of the family, the girl that stole my Edward, and someone else that has fallen in love with me. “Can we go a little faster? I’m a sucker for speed.”

Chapter Seven.
The Pack.

I woke in a daze. I had forgotten where I was until it all came back to me. I was in Forks, Washington. I came here to see my brother getting married. Light pink. I was in a light pink dress and I was with a werewolf. His name was Embry, he’s 17 and apparently I stayed over his house last night.
“Well good morning sunshine. Have a nice sleep?”, Embry was smiling. He was in a chair beside his bed that I was in. I was still in his mom’s clothes. I could tell my hair was a mess and the makeup I did have on was smeared and probably running down my face.
“I should be asking you that. Did you even sleep?”
“I had to stay up. My mom would have freaked. I told her you fell off the cliff and you were staying for the night. She didn’t mind at all. So are you gonna go to the forks high school like the rest of them?”, I sat up and stretched out my arms. Like it would help. I was always tense. Ever since joining the Volturi.
I wrapped one of the sheets around me and jumped off the bed. I walked to were he was sitting. His mind was racing with questions. What I saw next was even worse. His friends were coming over.
“I don’t know what I’m doing yet.”, I looked around his room had clothes thrown everywhere and posters of bands and cars. He motioned for me to come over to him. When I was close enough he grabbed me and sat me on his lap. He was shirtless and his skin burned mine. I laid my head on his shoulder and closed my eyes. “Oh by the way, why are your friends coming to meet me?”, I laughed and looked at him.
“Well there is one reason but I think you have to figure out that one.”, he put me back on my feet and handed me a bag. Esme had been by to bring me clothes. Sam had given her permission to cross the territory line.
“I guess I’ll go change and try to get my hair to look half decent.” I changed quickly but nothing could get my hair flat. I tied it up with a white ribbon. Esme had brought me a turquoise blouse and a white lace camisole to go under it, light denim jeans and black ankle books. She had also packed a long, white, thin scarf. Obviously Rosalie had picked this out because she always like to put me in things that got in my way.
I heard the doorbell ring as I was finishing my makeup and walked out the bathroom. They all pilled into the small house. There were at least five of them. All taller then me by almost a foot.
“Guys, and Leah…”, I saw a woman still in the doorway. She was the one that hated my family the most. “This is Anastasia. You all better treat her nice or I’ll rip you all to shreds right here and now.”
I looked at his face and I could tell he was serious. I could hear all their thoughts. Bad thoughts anyway. Stupid gift. I couldn’t tell their past thoughts yet though. Not until I touched them. I could only hear their current thoughts. I looked down wanting to run. Embry pulled me closer to his body. He now had a blue t-shirt on. I looked up to the only nice thoughts. Seth, the one that also came to the wedding. He was also the only one smiling, the rest glaring, with dark eyes, at me. I felt like I was about to be torn apart.
“You think we’re gonna hurt this little piece of trash? Ha! That’d be a waste of my time.”, it was Leah who was first to speak. I wanted to rip her throat out so she couldn’t make any more smart remarks. “What? Little vampire can’t talk? How disappointing.”
“Shut your trap wolf. I could take all of you single handedly.”, My arms were crossed and my hands in fists. I wanted so bad to show her up. I knew Embry would freak out and I didn’t want that. “Watch your mouth and your thoughts. I don’t take crap from things like you.”
“Well now that’s what I wanted to hear. You only think you could beat all of us. I could rip you apart no problem!”
I clenched my teeth and growled at her. She unfolded her arms and I did that same. I crouched down with my teeth showing. All in one second she pounced, and I was able to throw her off before I really hurt her. Two of them pulled her off the ground and restrained her while Embry picked me up off the ground.
“Leah! Out now! If you want to attack my girlfriend you can get the hell out of my house!”, I looked at him. Shocked and confused. He had me in his arms. I was still half way on the floor and he was leaning over me.
They let go of Leah and she walked out but not before she glared at me and cursing under her breath. I calmed down in the seconds it took everyone to get settled. There wasn’t anywhere else to sit. I leaned against the wall and stared at my feet. I felt unwelcomed by the thoughts I heard.
After awhile I guess Embry got tired of watching me look miserable and came over and picked me up bridal style.
“What the heck are you doing Embry?” I was struggling to get down. I knew he was playing with me but why did he have to do it in front of his friends.
“Well I think you need to meet Sam. Whatta ya say?”
“Like I have a choice?”
“Exactly.”
He finally put me down when we were half way there. We walked hand in hand together the rest of the way. The others behind us. Except for Seth, who was bouncing happily besides us.
“So Anastasia, are you going to school with us?”, Seth was all smiles. His sister was with the rest of them and her thoughts were the loudest. Like she was yelling them to bug me.
“I don’t know if I can Seth. The treaty is still in place, remember? Plus the people at the school wouldn’t accept me for anything.”, Moments passed and he didn’t answer. “Fine. I’ll see if I can attend at the high school.”
Right then we arrived at a small house. I could see a man with dark hair and russet colored skin like then rest of the wolves. He was shoveling dirt into a hole. He looked up when he saw us approaching. You would have thought I was an old lady the way he looked at me. His nose wrinkle and his eyes arrowed. Leah shoved past us and walked up to Sam.
“Please tell me your going to make her leave. She’s already making trouble and she-”
“Me making trouble? You’re the one that opened your big mouth in the first place.”, My hand was over my mouth in half a second. I didn’t mean to speak it wasn’t my place to. “I’m sorry for being rude Sam. Leah here just made a remark back at Embry’s house and things got a little rough.”
I looked down not wanting to make eye contact with any of them. I could hear Sam laugh and walk over. He pulled my face up with his gloved hand to where I had to look at him.
“Don’t mind Leah. She’s a bit jealous if you ask me. It looks like all the originals have imprinted but her and Jake. May I ask what’s your name?”
I finally broke out form his grasp and straightened my shirt. “My name is Anastasia Elizabeth Cullen. I think that we’re here to make some adjustments to the treaty today, is that right?”
“Yes exactly right. If you and Embry would step in. The rest of you stay out here if you wish to.”, Sam lead us into his house. There was another woman here. “This is Emily. Leah’s and Seth’s cousin.” Emily turned around. One half of her face was terribly scarred. I saw that Sam had gotten to close at one point. “Come sit Anastasia, please. Embry you too. Let’s get this over with so we can get back to our lives.” He laughed as me and Embry sat down at the small table in the middle of kitchen.
Sam began by saying that I was able to cross the boundary line and if any family member wished to cross all they had to do was ask. He said I was able to come to the council meetings and bond fires. I was also allowed permission to go to the high school on the reservation. The only thing that stayed the same was if any of the Cullens’ bit a human the treaty was worthless. Sam and I signed the revised treaty and shook hands. It all wash over me. I could feel his hurt and regret from what happened to Emily.
“Thank you Sam. Seth is going to be pleased that I get to go to school. I’ll only need as many years as Embry has left.”
“I’m graduating this year. I have enough credits from my honors classes to graduate with the seniors this year. So you only have to enroll for one year.”, Embry was looking at me smiling. His white teeth shown off his dark skin.
Sam dismissed us and Seth ambushed us one step out the door. “So what are you going to do Anastasia? Are you coming to school with us or not?”
“That Seth depends on if I get a car.”, I smiled and Embry put his arm around me. I fidgeted with one end of my scarf. I didn’t even realize that Seth had wondered off, and we had walked all the way to the beach.
Embry lead me to a tree that had fallen down and that was bleach white. He laid down on the tree’s trunk and motioned for me to join him. “Don’t be afraid of anyone Anastasia. I won’t let them hurt you. Not ever.” I walked over to him and tried to find my footing to get up to where he was but with my boots I couldn’t find anywhere. He finally got tired of waiting and leaned over and grabbed my hand and helped me up.
“I know that. So your graduating this year?”, I was sitting with my legs crossed . I had gotten the bottom of my jeans dirty, and my boots were covered in gray dust.
“Yea, but I’m not going anywhere from there. I have no money for collage and I’m not qualified for a scholarship.”, He looked sad. As if he wasn’t able to go anywhere with his life.
“Embry, I could help with that. I’ve got more then enough money and I don’t mind help-”
“No Anastasia. I’m not going to use your money. It wouldn’t feel right.”
“But I want to help you and I want you to go to college so you can live your life Embry. I’ll be stubborn like Edward and make you fill out applications. I want you to have the life I could never have. I’m forever nineteen. You grow older. You might not age but you have birthdays still. I don’t. My heart doesn’t beat or pump blood through my veins anymore.”
I stood up and walked closer to him. He pulled me down onto his lap and wrapped his arms tightly around me. I could hear his sobs and I could feel the warm tears on my skin threw my shirt. I lifted his chin up to where I could see his eyes.
“I hate tears. They bring no justice to anyone.”, I wiped away the remaining tears. “Embry I know you want to get out into the world. Your trapped here because of you mom, right?”
We ended up talking about the most random things after that. I talked about my life before I was a vampire and when I had joined the Volturi. Soon the clouds changed colors. Pinks, oranges, and reds. It would soon be Twilight. I got up and reached for the multicolored clouds.
“I think we should get going. It’s getting late and I don’t want your mom freaking out because your not home.”
“My mom is at work. She owns that souvenir store a couple miles down. She’s there most the time.”
“Fine, then we’ll stay here for a little bit longer. So when does school start?”
“Tomorrow morning seven o’clock sharp.”, He smiled. I only got a glimpse of what was he was going to do. Next thing I knew I was in the sand with him on top of me. “My turn now Anastasia.” I don’t know how much time passed. All I knew is that he on top of me kissing me where ever my skin shown. Then the stars splattered the sky with light. I pushed him gently off me and he helped me up.
We were walking when my phone rang. It was Rosalie and by the sound of her voice she was excited.
“Guess what Anastasia. You now have a new car. We got it today. Straight from Europe. It’s a really pretty color too!”
I had no choice but to laugh. I haven’t heard her this excited since well ever. “Ok, Rose calm down. I’ll come home tonight. I got a little tied up last night.”
“Tied up! We were all worried! We called the ballet theater and the tickets hadn‘t been picked up. Alice couldn’t see you either. We thought they killed you instead.” She was talking fast and almost screaming in the phone.
“Rose.”, She was still yelling at me and wouldn’t listen to me. “Rosalie Lillian! Listen to me. I stayed over at the reservation. We revised the treaty and everything is fine. I’ve got to come home anyway. I’ve got school in the morning.” I heard her yell something and hang up. “Well there goes Rose. I’ve got to get going Embry or else Rose will kill me herself. Just throw my dress an everything in a bag and I’ll drop by after school tomorrow.” I had the keys to the Mercedes in my back pocket and the car was still in the same place by the beach. We both jumped in the car and I started the engine. I dropped him off at his house and drove away quickly.
The speedometer said two hundred miles per-hour. It wouldn’t go any faster. I made it home in ten minutes and all the questions came from one person to the next. I ignored them all as I raced up the stairs. I unlocked my bedroom door, Emmett had unpacked all my things and set up my bed. I slid under my blankets. I dialed his number and he answered. Thankfully

Chapter Nine.
Deadly Memories.

Days passed quickly after that. Cheyanne always tried and never succeeded. I usually was over Embry’s In the morning after his mom left and I hung out with him and all his friends after school. Everyone had gotten to like me except Leah, who I was hoping stayed that way. Things were fun on the reservation. It was the week of homecoming and it was also the same week and dates that I had met L’vel, that I started to have dreams again. It was Sunday night, and the next day I had to help with the homecoming decorations, that I dreamed of the first day me and L’vel met. That was oh so long ago.
I was in the forsest, just outside the house, when I heard someone coming. It was someone new, someone I had never touched before. He was looking for my family for some reason. He was on a mission for something. He’s looking for something. No, he’s looking for someone, one of the Cullens, my family.
I ran, fast, back to the house. “Carlisle! We have a visitor! He’s looking for someone, but I couldn’t see who. Emmett, Edward you two ready?” We were all down stairs by then. Rosalie, Esme, Carlisle, Emmett, and Edward, all my adoptive family. With all of us there and the door open, a young looking vampire walked up to the front porch. He looked no younger then me or Edward, with jet black hair that covered his forehead and was tossled like Edward’s . His eyes were red, like ruby’s, like the other vampires that were normal. A black cloak drapped over his shoulders. His black and gray clothes under that, made his already pale skin look snow white.
“Sorry to intrude on your property on such a lovely day. My name is L’vel Monier. I’m one of the many members of the Volturi, and one of the two commanders of the Volturi Grand Guard.”, He bowed his head lightly as did Carlisle and the rest of the men.
“We’re the Cullen family. My wife, Esme. My sons, Edward and Emmett, and my two lovely daughters, Anastasia and Rosalie. The volturi are old friends of mine. What did they send you here for?”
“They sent me to speak with the one named, Miss Anastasia Elizabeth Cullen. They have said that she has great abilities.”, I let out a small laugh and so did Edward. L’vel had thought Rosalie was me and he was also thinking what could be special about her. I stepped up and bowed my head.
“I’m the one your wishing to speak to. My name you already know, but my abilities you don’t. Shall we head up stairs to speak, privately, I must ask.”, I held out my hand and he took it. I lead him up to the library, were there was just enough chairs for two and a small table. We both sat down at the table. He took off his cloak and I took off my sweater that I had been wearing all morning.
“The three majesties say that you have extraordinary abilities. Would care to share them with me?”, He was oh so polite about things. It made my cold heart melt inside my chest.
“Well Carlisle and I have many ideas of what I can do. The one that made it self clear on my first day of existence as a vampire was I could read minds, like Edward. Also when I touched Edward and Carlisle I could see their past and past thoughts. It was hard to adjust to. No one could have secrets when me and Edward were around. Some were able to get past Edward but none could get past me. “, We both laughed. I could hear Edward and Emmett behind the door. I stood from my chair, keeping my thoughts clear with things that L’vel had said. I scraped my nails down the door. The noise hurt my ears so it must have hurt theirs. “Keep out of my business Edward! I can take care of myself! You to Emmett.”
“Quite a lovely family you have here. I wish I could say the same. Everyone with the Monier name has died.”
“Sometimes it’s not so good but, I wouldn’t be here without Edward or Carlisle. That night was so long ago. I can barely remember my son’s face.”, I took my seat again, playing with the lace around my skirt.
“Care to share your past? In return I’ll tell you mine.”
“Yes very good then. I was born on January 2nd, 1900. My father was from Russia and my mother from England. They met on a ship, both very wealthy. It was love at first sight. I was born soon after their marrige in Seattle, Washington. I got whatever I wanted, but when I turned seventeen my father wanted me to get married. I met his friend’s son at a party one evening and the rest is history really. Soon after I got pregnant, he didn’t want a child though. We couldn’t do anything about it so we just let it happen. Life continued great for two years after that. We went to parties and balls. On Valentines day though, he acted weird. We were invited to a party, and as always we went.
“Well when we arrived at our house, he took me to our room and stabbed me. I remember he stabbed me twice, both in the stomach. I had to wait two days before Carlisle and Edward found me. They were out of town hunting those nights and when Edward came back he heard my thoughts getting weaker and weaker. My husband didn’t even know he had taken me until he went to see if I was dead.
“One day when I was changing, my husband was killed and Edward was gone that day. He denies it but I think other wise.”, He looked truly interested. Like he wanted more but there really wasn’t anymore but that. “Now about my abilities, I’m the strongest in the household and Carlisle calls me his Dreamer. I sleep at night mostly though. I don’t have my own dream either unless something really horrible is going to happen.”
“So your saying you can sleep? And dream? No wonder Aro wants you to join us.”
“Is this what it’s about? Me joining the Volturi in Volteera? I don’t know if I can leave this place and my family. I’ll think it through tonight. If you will please stay over tonight and you can tell me your past tomorrow?”, I stood up from the leather chair and opened the door. He soon followed and walked down the stairs along by my side.
“Yes, I’d be delighted to stay and most certainly I will tell you my story tomorrow.”, He smiled as we entered the same room as everyone else. Their eyes all on me. I answered Edward’s questions only. We always did this, we asked and answered unspoken questions all the time.
Time passed quickly the next few days. I found out that he had been changed around the late 1700’s and he was no older then 20. Around the same age as all the Cullen’s. L’vel soon had to leave to go back to Volteera. I let him go with a promise that he was to come back and tell me more about his life with the Volturi. I left him with unspoken words as well. Only I have written them instead.
Don’t forget about me. I love you. ~Anastasia E. Cullen.
All I knew next is that I was awake. Sitting up in my bed screaming. Emmett and jasper were in my room only seconds later. My hands shaking and my breathing rapid and uneven. I felt tearless sobs coming as Emmett wrapped his arms around me. Edward needed to come back, and soon. I don’t know how much more I could handle all this alone.
“Anastasia, What happened? What did you see?”
“Emmett, It was L’vel. He was there. He was so real! But now he’s gone. I’m afraid Emmett. I don’t want anyone else to disappear. I don’t think I could handle it if anything happened to anyone!.”
“Everything is fine. No one is leaving you, I promise.”
Emmett stayed with me the rest of that night. I missed school that day also. I didn’t know if I could handle seeing everyone and trying to act like nothing happened. Alice and I decided it was a perfect day to go shopping for my homecoming dress. Even though she had one she wanted to surprise me with it. She really didn’t know that I could see everything in her mind any day. I love my family.

Chapter Eleven.
Stay.

Everyone was having a good time. No one was fighting, or talking about the boundary lines. The fire might have been hot, but I was pretty used to it, being with Embry all the time and all. Alice was singing and Jasper was playing his guitar, I was wishing Edward was back so he could play the piano for me to sing. I could play, but not nearly as well as Edward. I missed him. I missed him a lot.
“Who wants to hear Anastasia sing?”, Alice said, smiling.
“Alice, I can’t sing without Edward! You know that! He used to always play when I sang.”, I was defending myself because I really didn’t want to sing without him.
Esme walked behind me and placed her hands on my shoulders and smiled. “I’ll play for you then. I haven’t heard you sing in forty-five years.”, My eyes narrowed as I stared at her. “Don’t give me that look Anastasia Elizabeth, I play just as well as Edward.”
My hands flew up, and I was walking away from the group. “I’ll play myself! Now if you want to hear me get in here!”, I stripped the black t-shirt and skirt I was wearing and pulled on jeans and a dressier, white shirt. Edward’s piano always stayed close to the living room for Esme. She loved hearing us play.
Everyone was in the house, surrounding me and the white piano. I chose the song Edward and me knew best. The one we did every night before I went to bed. Rosalie knew it also, but she never wanted to sing. My fingers moved over the keys, just like I remembered Edward’s did. All eyes were on me.
“Dancing bears, painted wings, things I almost remember, and a song someone sings, once upon a December.” All the wolves stared in awe as I played and sang. “Someone holds me safe and warm, horses prance through a silver storm, figures dancing gracefully across my memory.” Esme took it from there, not missing a beat. Carlisle took my hand, Emmett and Jasper must have moved the furniture into another room because we were able to waltz around the living room. Rosalie and Emmett joined us soon after.
“Someone Holds me safe and warm, horse prance through a silver storm, figures dancing gracefully across my memory.”, Carlisle and me stopped twirling around, Embry had walked to Carlisle and me. He bowed and I curtsied, and we started waltzing. “Far away, long ago, glowing dim as ember, things my heart used to know, things it yearns to remember.”, He let go of one of my hands, I spun and both of our arms were stretched out and I was close to the fireplace. “And a song someone sings, once upon a December.”
Everyone was clapping and cheering. Rosalie’s thoughts caught my attention then. She was jealous once again. All because I was getting a little bit of attention. Everyone’s thoughts were racing with things. It started to hurt my head, I knelt down hoping it would help but nothing could ever help this.
“Hey Anastasia, you ok? What’s wrong?”, It was Embry. He was by my side, concern in his dark brown eyes.
“Yea, I’m ok. It’s just everyone is being to loud!”, I about ran out the
house and back to the bonfire. Everything was a bit quieter, but not by much. “Embry, Can you come here please?”, He was already following me, I needed him beside me. It never felt like world was turning without him next to me. I guess I was depending on him way to much now. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled both of us down to the ground by the fire. There I was listening to his heartbeat, in his arms.
“Doesn’t everything feel perfect in this little place? I have just about everything I need in my life.”, He kissed my cheek and I smiled.
“I have something to give you. Promise not to laugh though.” The strings on my wrist band were already loosely tied. I ripped the knots out, and took his hand in mine. “Since I can’t exist without you anymore, you should be known as part of the family.”, The leather band fit perfectly around his wrist. The silver crest shined in the light of the fire.
“If I get this then you get to have this.”, He pulled my hand from his and placed a ring on my right middle finger. “I hope you don’t mind.”
The colorful gems that were fitted perfectly in the three butterflies shown bright in the fire. All different colors surrounded in silver.
“Thank you so very much.”. Embry leaned back and pulled me with him. I gazed at the stars, it was a moonless night. The new moon phase. The worse one of them all. “I love you Embry Call.”
“And I love you Anastasia Cullen. Nothing will that change.”, His warmth was starting to burn my skin. I rearranged myself to wear I was mostly on his chest. His arms still wrapped around me; I didn’t really mind.
“Homecoming is in four days. I was supposed to help decorate today. Oh well, Cheyanne can handle putting up streamers, you think?”, we both laughed. Nothing could bring us down. Well except what happened next.
“Embry, we gotta leave. Your mom is gonna get worried.”, I looked up to see who is was, but It was all three wolves and Emily. They all left while we both got up. I was turned towards the fire trying to see if it was the warmth I yearned for so much.
“Stay.”
“What?”
“Stay with me Embry. We can get Sam to call your mom and say that your staying with him, or whatever they come up with. Just please stay. If you leave I might just go insane.”
Sam played his part perfectly. Carlisle didn’t mind Embry staying. We spent most the time in my studio until midnight. Alice gave me a black dress, that she said was sleep wear. I would have said otherwise, it had lace and it was off my shoulders. I would have worn it a dance club, but not to sleep in. All my candles were out, and instead the chandelier lit the room.
“So this is you back when you were still human?”, Embry was looking at the only family portrait I had.
“Yes, that’s Anastasia Swan. That was taken a few weeks before I was changed. That’s my son.”, I point to the child that Mrs. Swan was holding. I wouldn’t even call her myself. I’d changed to much for that.
“Wait, you’re a Swan?”
“No I’m not a Swan. I was a Swan. Now I’m a Cullen, and I’m enjoying this life more then that one. I’m the one that started the brown and curly hair actually. The Swans had blonde hair and gray eyes.”
“Whet color wer-, I mean was her eyes?”
“Sapphire blue. The prettiest blue I’d ever seen.”, I smiled and looked down at the rest of my pictures. I spotted my over flowing jewelry box. Mostly lockets and bracelets. Half my pictures were in those lockets. I walked over to my bed and slipped out of the black slippers I’d been wearing.
I crawled under my silk blankets and went to turn off the lights, but stopped mind way. “Are you going to bed, or are you going to watch me sleep again?” I laughed and threw the blankets off. I ended up pulling him into the bed. The lights went off and I drifted to sleep, but not before I made sure he was sleeping soundly, with his warm body against mine.
The colored glass covered the floor of the grand hallway. Felix and I had a fight, he ended up out the stained glass window. The glass clung to my messy, curled hair and my floor length dress. I could hear the shards breaking further more as I walked on them in bare feet. Something bad was happening today; Felix and Demetri were trying to hide if from me. Renata was blocking all the minds that knew, it was really bugging me.
I saw myself in one of the mirrors I looked the same. Black dress, messy hair, and bright red lips. My eyes, gold, as usual also. But today I wore a red ribbon entwined in my hair and tied to my wrist and around my neck. I could hear everyone on the other side of the door. I burst through them.
I ran to Aro. He took me in his arms and I could see everything. I could stop them but they’re were to many. I heard the tearless sobs coming from my own lips. I looked up to Aro, pity in his eyes. Demetri started the fire and I heard his screams. Alec wasn’t there to cut off his senses.
“L’vel!”. I cried over and over. Yelling his name. The screaming stopped, I knew it was over. Aro held me tighter as I hid my face. I heard water running, they were putting the fire out. “I love you.”, is all I could whisper. I soon realized It was Aro who had given permission to execute him. “You! You did this! Why Aro? Why?!” I pushed away from him and ran to the wet ashes. The wedding band he once wore was still there. It was perfect after I wiped away the ashes. The crest he wore also was perfect.
Marcus came to my side then. He picked me up and walked me to my bedroom. He cradled me in his arms as I mourned. I knew he had been through the same thing as me. Didyme, his wife, was killed by another coven. I felt the broken glass fall out of my hair and the soft clink of it hitting the ground.
“I’m sorry, my young one. I should have stopped them. I know how L’vel and you felt for each other. Felix and Demetri wouldn’t let it go. Even after Aro checked both their minds he still went with the execution.”
“I know it’s not your fault. I need to get out. For a little while anyway. Don’t send anyone for me, please. I’ll be fine.”, His arms left my body and I was gone though the open window. It was night, no one would notice anything out of the ordinary. The forest always felt like home for me. I broke down when I was sure no one was behind me. My long dress got in my way. I ripped it, up to the top of my thigh. I could move easier now. I jumped from tree to tree, going deep into the forest.
The water in the little stream, that was going through my little sanctuary, shone silver in the full moon. I stretched out in the middle of the opening. It felt like L’vel was beside me like normal. I must have fallen asleep there because I woke up in my bedroom with Marcus sitting in the chair across the room.
“I told you not to send for me. I wanted to be alone.”, I sat up in my bed. I was still wearing my ripped dress, not a real shock.
“New wolves have been awakened. I’m not about to let the commander of the Grand Guard be killed by them.”
“You should have let them. I’d be better off Marcus.”, It was sunny outside. My windows let the sun in, I stared at my hand. Not because the sun sparkled off of it, but my L’vel’s wedding ring was on my middle finger. “I can’t stay here. I’ve got to go back home to my family. The Cullens’ miss me. Edward recently sent a letter to me, he wants me to come back the most. They’re in Alaska with some friends.”
“Please, Anastasia think this over. We need you here. Your one of the top guards and everyone here loves you.”
“Your wrong. Not everyone loves me here.”, I pulled my knees to my chest. I felt like dying.
“I’m sorry my dear.”, He said wrapping his arms around me again. It was like he was trying to hold the broken pieces together. Like someone would try to hold the pieces of broken glass together.