»—— act two. new moon
☽⋅── PROLOGUE ──the first vacation of many ─⋅☾

Over a few months, June finally rolled around, bringing with it the promise of summer vacation. Despite the perpetual dreariness of Forks, the arrival of the summer weather provided one silver lining for Carlisle and Eve. The couple managed to secure an entire week off, granting them the rare opportunity to escape the town entirely and spend their summer together.

Eleanor, naturally, spent her summer with the Cullens, sometimes tagging along with Jacob and even spending a few days with Charlie's daughter, Bella, who had come to visit her father for a temporary visit.

Carlisle glanced up from his book as Eve chuckled, a text notification from Eleanor appearing on her phone. He put down his book and shifted his focus to her.

"Something entertaining from Eleanor?" he inquired with a smile.

Eve set her phone aside and nestled comfortably in Carlisle's arms, the couple currently enjoying a peaceful vacation in Denali, Alaska. The Cullens used the term "cousins" to refer to the Denali Coven, a title that added an air of familiarity.

She chuckled, "Well, Eleanor, was at the beach with Charlie's daughter and they met Jacob there." She broke into a snort, "El forgot to mention she can't swim" before continuing, "So, when they went to rescue her from the water, she conveniently 'accidentally' pulled out some of Jacob's hair."

Carlisle raised an eyebrow at the anecdote, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Eleanor certainly has a knack for creating chaos," he remarked, amused.

Eve chuckled, a warm smile on her lips, "Ah yes, the classic 'accidentally' moment," she mused, her voice laced with amusement. "How is it that she always seems to find herself in situations like that?"

Carlisle couldn't help but chuckle as he teased Eve, drawing parallels to her own mischievous tendencies. "She certainly takes after you," he jested.

Eve feigned frustration, swatting his chest playfully as she protested, "Hey."

He chuckled and leaned in, his lips meeting hers in a tender kiss. She hummed in response, unable to maintain her faux indignation.

"Can you blame her though?" Carlisle playfully added, his lips lingering on hers for a lingering moment. "You've got quite the reputation for causing trouble too, you know."

Eve playfully rolled her eyes, though a hint of amusement twinkled in her gaze. "You're enjoying this far too much," she remarked, her tone playfully scolding.

Carlisle's smirk widened as he relished her reaction. "Me, enjoying this? Never," he replied, feigning innocence, "I'm merely stating the truth."

"I still can't believe I can't detect anything from you," Eve's heart skipped a beat as a familiar voice suddenly filled the air, causing her to recoil as she spotted Laurent standing behind the couch where she and Carlisle had been comfortably cuddled.

Carlisle and Eve had been confused as they arrived at the Denali residence to find Laurent, the same male they had encountered during their time playing baseball.

It turned out that before James's demise, Laurent had grown weary of his games and had taken to solitary journeys. However, by some twist of fate, he had serendipitously stumbled upon the Denalis and eventually found Irina, his mate, which explained his presence in Alaska.

Eve scolded Laurent, "Darn it, Laurent! I told you to stop doing that!"

She gestured with a hand to her chest, "Do I need to remind you who killed James?" she hissed, and Laurent raised his hands in a playful manner, backing away.

Irina, who had walked into the room, rolled her eyes, "Don't bother her," she scolded.

Meanwhile, Eve grumbled and leaned into Carlisle's arms, "Please, I don't want to die of a heart attack," she grumbled.

Irina eventually escorted Laurent out of the room. A short moments later, Tanya, Kate, and Carmen had just returned from hunting, and Eleazar joined them, a smile on his face. They exchanged pleasantries with the couple, expressing their happiness in having them there.

Carlisle glanced at Eve, observing her lingering tension from Laurent's sudden appearance, and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "It's alright," he reassured, "he won't bother us anymore."

Eve sighed, contemplating, her mind wrestling with conflicting thoughts. She couldn't help but notice the crimson eyes of Laurent, a trait that raised eyebrows about his dedication to the Denali's dietary restrictions. Despite being mated with Irina, there seemed to be something about him that suggested a lack of commitment.

As she leaned into Carlisle's embrace, his calming presence a soothing balm to her turbulent thoughts, Eve quietly breathed a sigh of relief. The absence of her heightened senses felt like a burden lifted off her shoulders, allowing her a rare moment of peace.

With a soft kiss on his head, he inquired, "What's on your mind?" His voice carried a gentle curiosity, his arms remaining wrapped around her, providing a secure anchor amid her thoughts.

She remained silent for a moment, gathering her thoughts, before finally responding, "Just the usual." She shrugged, a subtle deflection hiding the turmoil beneath the surface.

She whispered, her words tinged with unease, "I'll have to confront it someday... facing my past and receiving answers about the abilities I held for a fleeting moment."

Carlisle remained silent, not pressing her for more information. Instead, he held her closer, his embrace a comforting reassurance as they passed the afternoon together.

Later that evening, the Denali family, in true hospitality, indulged in cooking a sumptuous feast, once again mirroring the habits of the Cullens about using their never-used kitchens.

Eve's rapport with the Denali family was nearly instant, with the exception of Irina, who maintained a more reserved approach towards her. However, Irina eventually warmed up to her, albeit not as much as the others.

Eve's immediate connections were with Kate, whose laid-back attitude aligned well with Eve's own sense of humour. Tanya, being somewhat in the background, made an effort to get acquainted with Eve.

Eleazar was intrigued by Eve due to his gift, which allowed him to identify the type and strength of other gifted vampires. Despite her human status, he sensed something unique about her, but he couldn't fully understand what it was.

Carmen, on the other hand, doted on Eve, making sure she was well taken care of and eagerly cooking meals for her during their stay.

The days spent at the Denali house proved to be quite enjoyable. The Denali family graciously provided ample company and even allowed ample moments of solitude for Carlisle and Eve.

With the visit nearing its end, the couple eventually prepared themselves to return to Forks.

As the duo prepared to embark on their return journey to Forks, Carlisle spoke, his voice gentle, "Ready to head back home?"

Eve nodded a mix of anticipation and nostalgia in her eyes. "It's hard to believe our vacation is coming to an end," she responded, her voice laced with a touch of sadness.

Carlisle reached out to take her hand, offering a reassuring squeeze. "But it's also an opportunity to look forward to future vacations," he said, a small smile playing on his lips.

A glimmer of excitement filled Eve's eyes as she spoke. "The first vacation of many," she echoed, her voice filled with anticipation.

Carlisle nodded in agreement, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He gently pulled her closer and placed a tender kiss on her lips.

He deepened the kiss, his touch a gentle exploration of the emotions that coursed through them. Breaking away reluctantly, he spoke, "We should get going," he whispered, a hint of reluctance in his voice.

She nodded, her eyes lingering on his face for a moment longer before reluctantly pulling away. "You're right," she agreed, a reluctant smile on her face. "We should head back."

He took a moment to appreciate the sight of Eve's face, his affection for her evident in his gaze. "Come on," he said, gently intertwining their fingers together. "Let's go."

The vacation provided a much-needed respite and a sense of calm in their lives, a small bubble of peace amidst the chaos and uncertainty that awaited them.

However, neither of them could predict the horrors that later would unfold, nor could they comprehend the challenges that lay ahead of them.