»—— act two. new moon
☽⋅── FIVE ──journey to new york ─⋅☾

chapter five
journey to new york

Before the accident, Eve and Eleanor never anticipated that this encounter would be their last.

During the time after, the others seemed content, including Jasper, who had recovered well. However, the case was different with Eve; consumed by guilt, she could not bring herself to see Eleanor.

Eleanor, on the other hand, understood the situation all too well. When her mom and Carlisle left for New York, she understood the necessity of their absence.

Edward, puzzled by Eve's desperate plea to ensure Eleanor's safety, but also with Carlisle's request, had reluctantly agreed, promising along with Rosalie, Emmett, Jasper, and Alice that they would safeguard Eleanor and Charlie, albeit with an additional layer of precaution.

However, Eve's insistence on extra safety measures prompted her to reach out to Billy Black. While initially surprised by her approach, Billy had tried to push her boundaries the first time they met but eventually relented, recognizing that it wasn't his place to judge her choices.

From then on, he made a deliberate effort to maintain a healthy distance. When she called and asked to meet up, he was surprised but agreed, and they arranged to meet up at Billy's residence within the rez.

Upon her arrival, Eve was still taken aback by his invitation. Billy opened the screen door, greeting Eve.

"Feel free to come in, Eve," he said, inviting her to step inside.

She nodded politely before hesitantly following him, a hint of nervousness in her eyes. "We can talk outside if you prefer," Eve suggested.

Billy shook his head, guiding her further into the house. "You were such a gracious host when you welcomed my son and me. I won't make you feel like you're unwelcome here."

He proceeded with her to the kitchen, maintaining a warm and welcoming atmosphere. He dismissed her concern with a gracious smile. He gestured towards the kitchen table with a hand, inviting her to take a seat.

Once Eve settled at the table, Billy approached and offered her a steaming cup of tea before taking a seat across from her.

"Now, what is it you wanted to discuss?"

Eve took a sip of her tea and then placed it back on the table, clearing her throat before launching into her request.

"I will be heading to New York for some time, and I was hoping you could watch out for Eve during my absence. She already has several people keeping a watchful eye on her, but that protection doesn't extend here."

Billy tightened visibly when Eve mentioned this information. A tense silence settled between them. Billy's response, spoken in a low and cautious tone, indicated a hint of worry.

"'So they told you,' he affirmed, his voice low.

Eve, growing increasingly serious, raised her concerns. "It was Carlisle who informed me," Eve explained. "He believed it was important for him to understand that if Eleanor and I ever entered the territory, their protection would be null."

As Eve observed Billy tensing at the mention of the treaty being disclosed, she decided to fill him in on the details.

"Jacob unintentionally revealed the existence of the 'scary stories' to El," she explained calmly.

Billy's eyebrows furrowed with disbelief, "What?" he asked incredulously.

Eve continued, "So, if Carlisle inadvertently violated the treaty, so did your son."

She reasoned further, "But the truth is, the Cullens were aware of it when Jacob shared the information when Eleanor was already informed about the truth."

Billy's expression shifted from disbelief to contemplation as the weight of the situation sank in.

"Well, that certainly seems rather..." he began, searching for the right word. "complicated."

"I'm not just here for Eleanor's sake," Eve began, bowing her head in acknowledgement. "Jacob is a dear friend of hers, and I didn't want a harmless mistake to create tension between our families."

Billy interrupted, emphasizing that Eleanor would be safe regardless of the situation. "She will be safe, even if you didn't ask," he confirmed emphatically.

Eve's eyes welled up with tears, causing her voice to shake slightly. "Thank you...Billy," she murmured through her tears.

Billy, watching Eve's tearful reaction, was aware that there was more beneath those tears than just concern for her daughter's safety. Despite his curiosity, he refrained from prying and simply extended a comforting presence without probing further.

...

Once Eve had crossed the boundary that marked the end of the Rez, she saw Carlisle waiting for her at the very edge of their territory.

As she stepped out of her car, Carlisle observed her puffy eyes and immediately understood what she needed. He approached her without a word, offering her a reassuring embrace.

The simple act spoke volumes, conveying the unspoken support she needed without any need for words.

As far as Charlie knew, Eve's trip to New York for work was not an outright falsehood. She and Carlisle were indeed temporarily employed by a hospital in the city, and Eleanor's desire to finish her education at Forks High was a valid reason for her to remain.

This convenient arrangement spared him from any further questions, and he had no reason to suspect anything amiss.

Charlie noticed that Eve and Eleanor had not been seen together since the mother left. He speculated that perhaps there had been some sort of argument or disagreement, but he couldn't be entirely sure.

Eventually, Eve and Carlisle embarked on their journey to New York, relying on a car as their means of transportation, considering the potential risks associated with flying due to Eve's unknown conditions.

However, a critical aspect was that Eve's thirst did not manifest once more, and it only came to the forefront when it was Eleanor who triggered it.

As a consequence, Eve's guilt intensified further, knowing that it was her own daughter who had provoked that loss of control.

Throughout their road trip, Eve had frequently shed tears, and Carlisle offered silent support, only breaking his silence when necessary. Over the coming days, they made several stops along the way, exploring various antique stores in search of any resources that might aid them in their quest.

As the days unfolded, Eve began to find it somewhat easier to rein in her emotions, though she still harboured reservations about speaking to Eleanor on the phone. Carlisle was aware that he would need to intervene if the situation lingered for too long.

As for Eleanor, Carlisle called her to check on her well-being, he recognized the positive outcome of how well her upbringing had taken root.

Edward had shared with Carlisle that Eleanor wasn't bothered by her mother's silence. In fact, Eleanor was content because she believed it would be damaging for her mother to force her into speaking before she was emotionally ready.

Eleanor, her voice carrying through the phone connection, expressed her understanding of her mother's situation. "Mom needs some time," she confessed, "Right now, she's grappling with feelings of guilt and needs to find the courage to face me. It's a delicate matter."

Eleanor exhaled deeply, her voice filled with determination. "For now, we need you to look after her and ensure her safety," she concluded.

Carlisle's gaze drifted towards Eve, who was dozing on the bed in the hotel room they were temporarily staying in. He noticed her peaceful, sleeping form and took a moment to assess her condition.

Carlisle returned his attention to the conversation at hand, his gaze still fixed on Eve as she rested peacefully. "I'll stay true to my word," he repeated, his tone resolute, "I'll make sure to protect her. And I'll watch over her until she's prepared to speak to you."

Eleanor, with a hint of playfulness in her voice, reassured Carlisle that he had her trust, even if she didn't explicitly ask, "I'm sure you would, even if I hadn't said it," she mused. "Speaking of Mom, how is she holding up?" she asked, before sighing again.

"Has she experienced any further episodes like the one before?" she inquired further.

Carlisle allowed himself a moment to consider his response before addressing the question. "There hasn't been another incident since then," he reported, his voice calm.

"Someone did sustain an injury while we were visiting a store, but she didn't seem to notice or react in any way," he continued.

"There might be more to this than meets the eye," Eleanor mused, her voice contemplative. "Any useful information could be crucial," she added before going silent.

"Keep me informed if you discover anything," she concluded.

Upon settling on their final exchanges, Carlisle and Eleanor bid each other farewell on the phone.

"We will," he replied, his voice conveying resolution.

"Goodbye for now," she chimed in, her tone friendly and sincere.

Once the conversation concluded, Carlisle turned his gaze to Eve, who was now wide awake. He was aware that she had stirred at some point but had chosen not to mention it.

"Am I a terrible mother for fearing to speak to her?" she inquired cautiously.

Carlisle approached the bed where Eve lay and settled onto it before gently reaching out to take her hand.

"Eleanor comprehends your reasons for not speaking," he reassured her, a gentle smile forming on his lips. "But you will have to talk to her eventually."

She acknowledged that she would ultimately have to address the situation but took a moment to let out a weary sigh.

"I understand," she murmured. She then turned her attention to the incident with someone getting injured at a store they had visited.

"Why did I react only with Eleanor?" she inquired, a note of perplexity in her voice.

Carlisle shook his head, admitting his uncertainty. "I don't know for certain," he replied gently. "But we'll figure it out," he added reassuringly.

Eve smiled, grateful for Carlisle's presence during their journey, "Thank you for accompanying me," she expressed, her voice infused with gratitude.

With a smile, Carlisle leaned in to tenderly kiss her. "It's no trouble at all," he affirmed. "And to top it off, I have a few properties scattered across the country, so we can avoid relying on hotels at every stop."

Eve grinned widely, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "So, on top of being compassionate, loving, caring, and handsome, you're also rich. I must've hit the jackpot," she declared.

Carlisle smirked, raising the stakes even further. "You haven't heard the half of it," he teased. "Just wait until you discover the number of properties I have in other countries."

Taking a playful tone, she mock-huffed. "Okay, so you're seriously rich."

She then gestured with a wave of her hand, beckoning him to join her on the bed. "Come here and share your coldness. I could use a bit of that chill."

Carlisle chucked and kicked off his shoes before crawling onto the bed beside her.

He gently rested her head on his chest and exhaled, enjoying the peaceful moment. As her eyelids grew heavy, she gradually succumbed to sleep. The change in her sleeping patterns due to their need to travel at night left a sense of unease, but it was the most practical option they had.

Carlisle's ultimate goal during their travels was to uncover the truth for Eve. He was determined and willing to delve into the unknown, even if it meant disregarding his personal beliefs. His love for Eve was the driving force behind his unwavering determination. With a tender touch, he stroked her hair as he held her close, watching her rest peacefully. He was content with the fact that he was a part of her life and vowed silently to himself that he would do anything for her, even if it meant sacrificing his own principles.

He took a moment to observe her, his gaze filled with a mixture of tenderness and determination." I'm doing this for you," he whispered softly, his voice barely above a murmur. "I will find the answers you seek, whatever it takes," he vowed, his words almost to himself.

Carlisle's declaration reverberated through the quiet room, and Eve's subconscious mind seemed to pick up on his words. In her sleep, a faint smile graced her lips as she experienced a respite from the nightmares that usually haunted her dreams. Instead, her dreams were filled with visions of a future with Carlisle, his family and Eleanor.

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