I never saw, or heard from Carlisle again. It'd been 122 years, 6 months, 15 days and some odd hours since I'd last seen Carlisle. True to his word, true to his love for me, he never turned back. I knew where to find him, happily married with his wife Esme, and the other five he'd turned into vampires. The other five like him. They were almost vegetarian in the most ironic kind of ways, unique to the vampire world. He'd always been different, it'd always been evident he was different than any other vampire I'd ever run across, and I'd run across quite a few in my lifetime. I sat up from my bed slowly, the Egyptian cotton sheets pooling in my lap quickly. I enjoyed the feel of the material on my skin as I slid my legs over the side of the bed letting my feet drop onto the floor before I stood slowly. I stretched as I walked out of my bedroom, the carpeted floor warm from the soft morning sunlight. I let my arms drop back to my sides as I walked into the kitchen, pulling the fridge door open, peering inside at the contents as I grabbed a bottle of Fuze, screwing the top off. I leaned on my counter, gulping down half the bottle, enjoying the view from my Miami penthouse. I watched the waves crash on the beach, breaking violently on the shore before retreating slowly, only to batter the coast once again. I threw my bottle into the garbage after I finished it, grabbing a piece of fruit from the basket as I walked into the living room, collapsing on the couch as I turned the TV on. I flipped through the channels, leaving it on some talk show I'd tuned out.

I'd stayed in Miami for the past 2 years. I'd lived in Brazil for awhile, and Greece before that, as well as Tahiti for a short time, only 6 months, which was practically a mini-vacation for me. There were other places, usually sunny places, except one time.

It was 1886, and there I was, the Elizabeth Julia Thomas, thought to be the orphaned daughter of Christopher and Mary Thomas, both from wealthy families, both dead. They'd left the family fortune to me, feigning to be a naïve 18 year old. I remember the weather, clear as day. Clouds were scattered all over the London skyline, dark grey, menacing clouds that were blocking the sun, but they weren't scaring me. My eyes were wide as I eyed everything that passed by, the wheels of the carriage I was in clattering against the cobblestone of the road. I remember the carriage slowing to a stop in front of the house I would be living in with a designated guardian that wouldn't be appointed, and the door was opened for me and I stepped out slowly, taking the hand of my driver as I looked around the glorious grounds of my new estate. There were closets full of new dresses, a house full of people ready to wait on me hand and foot, and a chef in the kitchen to cook whenever I demanded. Everything to shelter me, everything I needed, and wanted, until I met Carlisle. He was everything I'd always told myself I didn't need, but I did need him. I didn't need to get an attachment, but I still did. He showed up at the estate that night, having been called for one of the staff. I remember that exact moment; I'd relived it so many times over the past 122 years. I was standing in the ballroom, talking to the wife of another important man I had to know when he walked through the front door. I could smell him, and I could feel him, unlike any other I'd ever felt. He was calm, collected, compassionate, and something within him eased me. I glanced away from the woman in front of me, my eyes landing on him. A set of amber eyes stared back at me, mirroring the curiosity I felt. I smiled, watching him as he tipped his hat, smiling at me before disappearing up the stairs. My heart meltedin my chest, from a set of eyes, from a smile. I felt ridiculous. I was ridiculous. It was then I completely lost it, and fainted. My heart was beating too fast, my blood flowing too quickly. There was a nervous buzz around me, hands on my forehead, hands on my wrist, checking for a pulse. "Is she alright?" Someone asked, their voice quiet, "Is she even alive?" Another asked, scared, fearful. "Excuse me," A voice called, over all the others, and something inside me stirred, I was almost sent over the edge again, "I'm a doctor." He kneeled beside me; his hands cool on my flesh as he checked for a pulse, my heart beat erratic, and my skin burning up. Something inside me stirred again, urging my eyes to open, and they did. I opened my eyes slowly, peering up into the set of amber eyes again, filled with worry as he stared back at me, my wrist still in his hands. I sat up slowly, with his assistance, dizzy. "I'd think it'd be best of you escorted Miss Elizabeth to her bedroom." Carlisle instructed a maid as he helped me stand, my body quivering. "Yes sir," The woman nodded, wrapping her arm around my waist, leading me toward the grand staircase, away from the crowd behind me, their mouths alive with gossip that would be spread by morning. I shook my head as I was led to my bedroom, glad to be away from them. "Your party was amazing, Miss." The maid told me as she untied my corset, and I took a deep breath, able to breathe again. "Thank you," I smiled, slipping into my nightgown as she bid me a goodnight. I crawled into my bed, beneath the sheets, taking a breath to ease my throbbing headache. What was he? "Feeling better?" A voice asked, and I sat up with a start, gripping the sheets on either side of me. He stepped forward from the shadows, walking around my bed, taking a seat on the side of it. "I suppose." I shrugged, staring at the doctor, the moment almost surreal. "I won't tell your secret, if you won't tell mine." He smiled, reaching a hand out, his cold fingers brushing over my cheek, tracing my lips. "Who are you?" I asked, my voice cracked as I stared at him, shocked. "Carlisle Cullen, and the pleasure is mine, Lizzie." He smiled, grabbing my hand in his, brushing his lips over the back.

A phone ringing drew me from my reverie, and I sighed, pushing myself from the couch. "Hello?" I answered, my tone slightly irritated. "You're such a bitch when you first wake up, Beth, sheesh." Ally answered, and I could hear the curve on her lips as she grinned. "Bite me. What do you want?" I asked, walking to my bedroom, flopping down on my bed. "Tonight you and I are taking a trip to the new club out in South Beach, supposed to be hot shit, right? So I decided who would know better than us. We're on the VIP list." She told me, and I nodded. "Alright, then I'll see you tonight." I sighed, hanging up. Sometimes I had low tolerance for my friends, and now was one of those times. I just wanted to be alone with my memory before I became what I was today. I called a salon, scheduling an appointment for a manicure and pedicure, before hopping in the shower. I fingered through my dresses, deciding on a light yellow dress that rested below my knees, picking out a short strapless navy dress for tonight. I slipped on my dress, strapping up a pair of heels before grabbing my car keys and wallet, heading out to lunch. I smiled at the guard on the way out to the garage, "Have a nice day, Ms. King." He called after me, and I waved. "Thanks George." I smiled, hitting the unlock key on my pad as I neared my baby. My baby was a sleek, black Aston Martin Vanquish V12, and she kept me quite satisfied on my lonely nights. I slid into the driver's seat, pushing the key into the ignition, turning it. She came to life,her engine purring, and I smiled as I put the gear into reverse, backing out of my space, leaving the apartment building behind. I sped through traffic, ignoring the pounding headache I had. I could feel it, something in the air around me, something big that I couldn't explain. I took an exit, deciding I wanted to eat at a small restaurant that specialized in raw foods, a place I ate at often.