Always and Forever

Fork, Washington

~Edward's Point of View~

"Small population" Lia comments as she reads the sign as we arrive in Forks. The corner of my lips turn up as I listen to everyone's thoughts as they take in the view of Forks, Washington. I'm glad to listen to something other than Elijah's panicked thoughts about his brother. I turn right, taking a cut into the woods, driving a couple of miles deeper into the trees. "You planning to kill us or something Ed." Cassandra snakes her hands onto my shoulders from behind me and squeezes my shoulder. "3 against one, though you'd be smarter than that." She jokes causing me to laugh. "No, we just don't live as close to humans as you guys do."

"Doesn't the town get suspicious at how closed off you guys are?" Aurelia questions as we pull into the driveway. "People think we're weird, but we don't care." I put the car in park, and open Lia's door for her. "Nice place."

"Thanks, Esme and Alice put most of the work in." I shove my hands into my grey jacket, the cool damp weather makes it a bit colder than autumn in Mystic Falls. I wonder if Aurelia likes the rain. It doesn't rain much in Mystic Falls. I place my hand on the small of her back and guide her up the stairs to the door. It feels weird to be here again, introducing a girl to my family that isn't Bella. I remind myself that change can be good. I glance behind me to see Elijah walking a bit behind Sandra with his hands in his pockets. I don't understand why they don't get back together if they both know they like one another. Both of their thoughts drown out everything else around me as their minds consume thoughts of each other and how to repair their relationship. I suppose there's a bit more complicated things I'm not fully made aware of. Edward's here! Alice's thoughts ring clear as day as she comes bouncing down the stairs and greeting us at the door as I open it. "Edward!' She wraps her arms around me tightly and I return the hug. Her bubbly personality never gets tiring. Her voice rings through the house alerting everyone else, who soon appear behind her. I should've told them to meet a bit more naturally so this would be less intimidating for everyone. "You must be Aurelia." She smiles in return and goes to stick her hand out but is shocked when she's pulled into a hug instead.

I go down the list of names from my parents to siblings, everyone seems to get along well, except the few thoughts that's a bit tense due to Elijah's cold demeanor. "Nice to meet you." Carlisle shakes his hand. Warm skin, beating heart? He looks back up between the 3 new faces confused at the differences between all of us. "It's the coffee...different kind of vampires." I explain as his thoughts appear. Everyone's thoughts immediately wonder whether or not the Volturi will come looking for us due to the newfound vampire species.

It's not a conversation that's going to happen right now though. "So, why don't we show you where you'll be boarding for your stay in Forks. "You two can stay-" Cassandra stops Carlisle. "We're actually not together." Carlisle immediately apologizes for the assumption. "Well, we have plenty of rooms for the three of you." Esme leads Cassandra to one side of the house, while Carlisle leads Elijah to the opposite side. Everyone else parts ways, or leaves through the window. "Well, I guess that leaves me to give you the tour."

She smiles up at me. "Well, hopefully you're better at giving a house tour than driving." I give her a playful glare. "We only ran over one curb, I'm sure you would've survived another." She laughs while walking up the stairs. "Graduation caps?" She stops in her tracks. "Yeah." I look down at the stairs below me. "It's kind of miserable." The words that Bella once spoke, they come out of my mouth with ease. She haunts me, she haunts my relationship. I would give anything to banish her, but she has invaded me. She's in every fiber of my being. "Is it wrong of me to think it's a little bit humorous." She chuckles as she traces the row of my graduation caps. "Not at all."

She makes a comment about my demeanor changing. "There used to be a keepsake box underneath my bed, and it held all of my high school, college, and relationship memories. Instead of caps, I kept all of the graduation tickets from my parents at the time. Because although we live through what some may see as a curse, those memories that get us through our bad days... would've never happened."