»—— act two. new moon
☽⋅── TWO ──coincidence or inevitable outcome ─⋅☾

Despite the countless theories and questions that her mind spun on a daily basis, one aspect of Eve's mind, in particular, was a source of frustration: the connection to the past. The dreams with the red-haired woman and a memory of a blonde man opened a multitude of possibilities, but they also created an overwhelming inflow of unanswered questions. The mystery of her past left a trail of unknown characters, and this left her mind perpetually occupied, trying to fill in the gaps that time had stolen.

The passing days seemed to fuel her feelings of frustration as her mind continued to consume her with unanswered questions. Each time she witnessed a parent with their child, the pang of envy grew stronger, leaving her wishing she had a trace of her own past etched into her memory.

"What could be the reason behind my amnesia?" she mumbled to herself as she turned away from the scene, the memory of the unknown blonde male only adding to the puzzle. She began to wonder about the circumstances that had led her to end up in the hospital, with a void in her history.

Everywhere she went - the grocery store, her daily jog, or simply taking time in town - it seemed like the world conspired to remind her of a past that had been stolen from her.

Despite the presence of her adoptive parents, who had been a guiding light in her life, the longing to learn about her biological origins persisted. Her desire for answers and closure only grew stronger, leaving her on a relentless quest to uncover her past.

She understood that the primary reason for her quest for answers stemmed from a fear of placing her loved ones in a similar situation. The memory of how she had coldly killed James still weighed heavily on her conscience, leaving her unsettled and perplexed by the lack of regret she felt.

She had become a doctor to save lives, yet deep down, a voice within her whispered that James would not be the last. She had come to accept that being a part of the larger world was not merely for Carlisle's sake, but because it was the path she desired.

But as time passed and her journey continued, Eve's thoughts often wandered to the question of destiny. Was this path that she found herself on a mere coincidence or an inevitable outcome that was unfolding before her? The question nagged at her mind, leaving her to wonder if there was some divine plan guiding her steps.

The sudden appearance of her powers left her mind whirling with thoughts. She pondered why they had surfaced only now, but then, a realization struck her - it seemed tied to Eleanor's safety. The threat posed to her daughter had been the catalyst, and the trauma of witnessing Rosalie's near-death experience had served as the ultimate trigger.

The threat of danger to those she cared about was at the heart of it all, stirring a protective instinct that had awakened dormant abilities within her.

The identity of a protector came to her mind, yet she still sensed that there was an essential piece missing. Despite the realization of her role in protecting those she loved, a nagging sensation of incompleteness persisted. It was as if the puzzle of her true self remained incomplete, leaving her with a lingering sense that there was something crucial she had yet to uncover.

...

The day was bright and warm as Eleanor and Eve embarked on a day of exploration, visiting the picturesque beach at La Push. They strolled along the shoreline, the sound of the crashing waves mixing with the breeze that carried the crisp, salty air. Sunlight reflected off the ocean's surface, creating a mesmerizing dance of colours that danced across the horizon.

La Push, with its rugged cliffs and rocky shoreline, provided a tranquil retreat, and the peaceful atmosphere allowed them to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life.

"Relax, Mom," Eleanor urged gently, attempting to alleviate her mother's mounting anxiety. "Carlisle has reassured us that we'll be okay."

Eve sighed, the tension evident in her voice. "Carlisle and I have been together for a while now, and the people in Forks are well aware of our relationship," she acknowledged.

Eleanor chimed in, offering reassurance, "You're right, there's no hiding that. But as humans, we're still considered 'safe.' It's the vampire half that they're wary of."

She released a breath, acknowledging the underlying fear that lingered within her. "I understand, but I have a strong feeling they are keeping tabs on me," Eve admitted.

She then shook her head, trying to dismiss the negative thoughts. "Okay, fine," she conceded. "Let's shake off the negative vibes and have a blast at the beach."

They continued their stroll along the beach, the sound of the crashing waves and the gentle breeze creating a soothing atmosphere. Despite her attempt to push aside the negative feelings, Eve still felt a nagging unease lurking beneath the surface, as if the attention of the people was still directed towards her.

As they settled down on the soft, white sands, they took in the vast expanse of the beach before them. The gentle lapping of the waves against the shoreline formed a soothing backdrop to their peaceful moment. The setting sun painted the sky in shades of molten gold, transforming the world into a breathtaking tableau of colour.

Eve took a moment to appreciate the mesmerizing sight before them. The waves cascaded across the shore, their rhythmic motion creating a soothing lullaby that enveloped them. The sun that dipped beneath the horizon, casting a final golden hue as twilight began to transform the sky into a canvas of vibrant hues.

Eleanor leaned back on the rock with a content sigh, her feet digging into the comforting warmth of the sand. "Isn't this beautiful?" she commented with a soft smile, gazing at the sunset.

"It's breathtaking," Eve agreed, her gaze fixed on the mesmerizing sight before them. She allowed herself to bask in the tranquillity for a few more moments, letting the beauty take over her thoughts.

They relished the serene hours spent at the beach, relishing the warm sun and the company of one another. As night began to fall, they retired their day, bidding farewell to the beach and heading back home.

Upon their arrival, they took a moment to stretch their sore limbs and freshen up. Soon, they decided to stay in for the night, as the late hour was a perfect excuse to unwind and unwind, perhaps by catching a movie or playing a relaxing game. They would likely engage in a light conversation and then retire to bed shortly.

Sitting in the room, Eleanor was joined by Eve, as they used a laptop to watch a movie.

In the middle of the film, Eleanor looks around the room with a thoughtful expression on her face. "When Bella came for summer, I was worried. This was her old bedroom you know, I thought she'd be upset,"

Eve, intrigued, leaned in to listen. "Did she say anything?"

Eleanor chuckled, recalling the moment. "Well, she seemed quite happy. She was concerned about her dad being alone, but having us here reassured her."

Eve nodded, expressing her regret at not meeting Bella during the summer. "I wish I could've met her too," she remarked, the regret evident in her voice.

Eleanor then shifted to lean back on her pillow, a nostalgic smile appearing on her face. "Jacob was something else," she chuckled, recalling a specific moment from their time together. "He is completely smitten with Bella, and it made everything so hilarious."

Eleanor chuckled, recalling an awkward moment with Bella. "Oh, it was quite entertaining, honestly. When Edward came over to hang out, I swear Bella got so flustered."

Eve arched an eyebrow, curious. "Really? And how did Edward treat her?"

Eleanor smiled thoughtfully. "At first, he found it difficult to have conversations, but eventually, they grew closer. Although I'm not sure if they kept in touch after she left."

Eve observed her daughter intently, noticing her refocus back on the movie. An underlying question lingered in her mind, fueled by the apparent lack of curiosity about the dynamics between Edward and her daughter.

She couldn't shake the feeling that there was chemistry between the two, but her daughter's relaxed attitude about it made her second-guess her thoughts. Was she overthinking it?

Eve couldn't help but notice the way her daughter and Edward had progressed from their initial rocky start to a bond of unwavering friendship. Every time she witnessed how Edward prioritized safeguarding Eleanor, it fueled her suspicions that there was more beneath the surface.

The moment Eve impulsively asked her daughter, "Do you like Edward?" Eleanor froze, and her hand swiftly paused the movie. The teen then turned to her mother, frustration evident in her voice.

"Mom, is this some kind of payback for when I asked about you and Carlisle?" she asked, her tone laced with annoyance.

Eve, surprised by her daughter's reaction, sat up on the bed and replied, "No, of course not. I was just curious."

Eleanor protested, "We're close friends."

Eve couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the defensiveness in her daughter's voice. She continued, "There's just this certain air between you two that makes me curious. It feels like there's more going on than just a friendship."

Eleanor couldn't shake off the flustered feeling. "Mom, we're just friends. I swear!" she insisted.

"Sorry El, I feel terrible that I put you on the spot like that," Eve apologized, regret etched across her face.

Eleanor, with a frustrated sigh, finally revealed her true feelings. "It's scary, you know. After Dad passed, I just... got scared if things wouldn't work out. I mean, he's a vampire," she admitted.

Eve listened intently as Eleanor continued explaining. "Carlisle is one too, but you two have such a strong chemistry," she added.

Eleanor sat up and hugged her knees, her voice laced with vulnerability. "Edward and I had a rocky start, but things changed, and we became friends. It just felt like the safest option, you know? No romantic feelings that could lead to heartache," she explained.

Eleanor's expression softened as she continued, "He also shared a lot about his past and how much he despised what he had become. That alone was enough for me to draw a boundary," she confided.

"I can't even imagine how devastated he would be if I asked him to change me," she added, a hint of worry in her voice.

Eve leaned forward intently, her curiosity piqued. "Have you ever considered becoming a vampire yourself?"

Eleanor thought for a moment, her tone thoughtful. "I do joke a lot, but deep down, I have an amazing life. I'm well and happy, and asking for such a drastic change, especially knowing the circumstances of others, feels incredibly selfish. So many transformed against their will, longing for the simplicity of being human, eating whatever you want, having families, and ageing."

Eve watched her daughter contemplate, a glimmer of understanding in her eyes. She appreciated Eleanor's empathy and understanding of the weight of such a decision.

"You seem really thoughtful about this," she observed, her voice laced with approval. "It must be quite the internal struggle."

Eleanor's smile flickered, a hint of vulnerability in her eyes as she spoke of her decision to become a vampire.

"If I were to become a vampire, it'd be if I was facing an unnatural death," she shared, her voice tinged with sincerity. "But if I was just ill or old, I'd want to pass away in peace."

She shifted the conversation to Eve. "You know, I had a similar idea," Eleanor admitted. "I spoke to Carlisle about it. I told him that if I was dying, he could turn me into a vampire."

Eleanor's grin widened, clearly able to anticipate Carlisle's reaction.

"I bet Carlisle, as the knight in shining armour he is, immediately said something along the lines of 'I'll make sure you're always safe'," she teased.

Eve nodded, a laugh escaping her lips as she agreed, "You bet he did. Typical Carlisle."

Eleanor let out a hearty chuckle, her amusement growing.

"Oh, without a doubt, Carlisle would react like that. The protective superhero persona is his speciality," she mused.

Eve joined in on the laughter, her smile widening. "You know Carlisle," she said, shaking her head in amusement. "Always ready to play the hero and keep his loved ones safe."

Eleanor playfully rolled her eyes, her laughter filling the room.

"Oh absolutely, Carlisle embodies every romantic hero's cliché you can think of," she teased.

Eve shared a fond smile as she relaxed, her eyes fluttering shut as exhaustion crept in. The last words she managed to utter were: "And that's why I can't help being in love with him."

Eve's heart sank as she realized her slip-up. Eleanor's grin was already stretched across her face, eagerly awaiting her mother's response.

"You heard nothing!" Eve tried to deny it, but Eleanor refused to let it go. She persisted with a pleading tone.

"Come on, you totally do, right? Love him?"

Eve's cheeks flushed red as she tried in vain to turn away. But Eleanor, being the persistent daughter she was, wasn't backing down.

"Fine, yes, I do love him," she finally confessed, avoiding her daughter's gaze.

Eleanor let out an ecstatic squeal, her grin now a mile wide. "I knew it!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with glee.

Eve, who had avoided her daughter's gaze, finally looked up. "Alright, you got me," she admitted a mix of embarrassment and affection in her expression.

Eleanor's enthusiasm didn't wane as she continued to press her. "When are you planning to tell him? I bet he'll be ecstatic to hear it," she encouraged her excitement barely contained.

Eve let out a sigh, her expression torn between anticipation and nervousness. "I'm waiting for the perfect moment," she replied quietly.

"But when will you make that moment?" Eleanor inquired, clearly eager for her mother to reveal her feelings to Carlisle.

Eve's response was tinged with a mix of hope and uncertainty. "I don't know yet," she admitted softly. "I'm waiting for the right moment to let him know how I feel."

Eleanor nodded silently, seemingly satisfied for the moment.

The truth was, anyone with eyes could see Carlisle's unspoken feelings for Eve. It was evident in his actions and his subtle gestures – the way he looked at her, the way he spoke to her, the way he always went out of his way to ensure her happiness and well-being. It was a love that didn't need words because it was loud and clear.