A Century Alone (A Twilight Fanfiction)

Story Time

"In my human years, I lived in New York, living a very comfortable lifestyle. My father was a florist, and although it was a scorned profession, we always had enough. My mother had died while giving birth to my young sister, Eleana. I had another sister, but she became sick, and died from tuberculosis. So, with my small family of three, we lived in harmony."

"My father was a kind man, always spoiling us with gifts or parties. He felt guilty we were to grow up without a mother. I felt it did not matter. I loved my father, for he was my best friend. So, I grew up. I went from a child to a girl, then to a lady. I had good schooling, and my marks were fine. I helped my father's work, delivering flowers and such. I took over Eleana's care, helping her with schoolwork and feeding the family. I felt I had everything. Then, came my 17th birthday."

"As you all know, back in the day, we girls would marry much younger. For me, being 17 and still unmarried was a bit odd. All the old ladies in Sunday School would pester me about that. I always told them I was just waiting for the right man. I was lying, however. I vowed  never to get married,  never leave my father alone to take care of my sister. I could not desert my family like that! I had standards, for heavens sake! So, I continued to take care of Eleana, and help my father. Then, things took a bad turn...

       "What happened?" Asked Carlisle gently, noting my sudden anxiety.

       Esme shushed him gently, signaling for me to continue.

So I did. "Over a matter of weeks, my father began to tire, and he would have sudden and violent coughing fits. He would complain of headaches and soreness often. He began sleeping more, and become more of an old man. He slowly kept declining until, in a matter of one month, was confined to his bed, utterly useless. "

"The doctor would come weekly, confused a his rapid decline, unsure of what the symptoms meant. He tried multiple medications, exercises, and even bleeding, but nothing worked. My father went from a lively, active gentleman, to an old man in a few weeks. It was horrible. But more importantly, I had just taken the role as head of the family."

"I now had to run the flower shop on my own, buy the family's food, and, well, do everything. Eleana was still much too young to be of much help, and father was virtually paralyzed. I knew that I had to do something. Something I vowed never to do. I had to find a husband, someone who could support me, and who could help me take care of my broken family. That was where my search began."

"At first, every gentleman seemed courteous, kind, and well fitting for the positon of being my husband. But one by one, they all gave me a reason not to marry them. Another lover they were seeing, a horrid drinking problem, a gambling addiction, you name it. Until, I met Frank Gradsworth."

"He was perfect. Charming, handsome, and he seemed stable financially. I was terribly enchanted by him, and I knew I like him that way. I decided to give it a go, to see if we would work. We did. Every day, he would come to the florist and buy two roses, saying it was for something of the most extreme importance, or something of the sort."

"He would purchase it, bow and walk out, just to come in again and give one to me. Every time, he would tip his hat, smile and say "I bought it from the best place in town. I hope you find it satisfactory, milady." I would smile back and reply with a sigh, "Oh, I suppose it shall do."  I would walk to the back, and put the flower in a vase. I put all his flowers there. It was like our ritual. I was crazy about him. I waited for him every day, hoping to see him pass the door on his way to the bank, and for him to come in. Then, one day I realized..."

"I was in love."

"I still hoped futilely my father would get better. I knew his death was inevitable, for he grew still worse, but I hoped. I wanted him to be the friend he was when I was young. Now, he had become tired and old, saying such odd things and talking of nonsense. I couldnt take it any longer. But, I had to. So I did."