Title: Origins: A Lost Soul

Author: MarieCarro

Beta: SarcasticBimbo

Pre-reader: JeniK & chatnoirmd

Genre: Angst/Family/Supernatural

Rating: NC-17

Summary: It was during the month of March in the year of 1918 that the first signs of the influenza were revealed to the public, although no one ever imagined the damages this historic event would have on the American people.

One citizen, in particular, faces an irrevocable change that causes a chain of events to unfold through the twentieth century. The price was to give up his old life, but he would later gain more than he ever thought he would.

Edward Masen was a normal 17-year-old boy with dreams of becoming a soldier, but when tragedy struck his family, his entire life changed. Edward was introduced to the supernatural world he had no idea even existed, and he certainly didn't want to live in it. Canon

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

EPILOGUE

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23rd 2007

I sat on the couch in the living room of the cottage and listened as Bella read another new story for Nessie. I smiled as my daughter's thoughts revealed that she was only allowing her mother to read it to her because she knew it made her happy. She was more than capable of reading the book without help.

For at least the thousandth time since the Volturi decided to leave us alone—for the time being—I couldn't grasp how I'd been so lucky. How had I deserved the happiness of not only having the love of my existence with me forever but to also have a daughter with her? It was so much more than I'd ever dared to dream since my change.

The overwhelming feeling of pure happiness caused me to let out a small chuckle, and I heard how Bella reacted to it by the smile I could now hear in her voice as she continued to read.

It amazed me how in tune we were with each other because, despite the fact that I'd seen it with my family for decades, I could finally understand what Jasper told me so many years ago about the mating connection and how different it was for every person. It was one thing to read it in thoughts and another to experience it.

Eventually, Nessie fell asleep and Bella kissed her head gently before joining me in the living room. She saw the smile that still lingered on my lips, and when I opened my arms for her, she happily sat down on my lap and leaned her head on my shoulder with a content sigh.

Like so many times before, I nuzzled my nose into her hair. "I love you. Have I told you that yet today?" I asked, and Bella giggled.

"Only about five times, but I can bear hearing it a few more."

My smile widened. "I love you so much, Bella Cullen."

She hummed. "I love you, too, Edward. More than you could possibly know."

I let out a soft snort. It was kind of our thing to compete with each other about who loved the other the most. While I never questioned Bella's love for me anymore, I don't think she could truly understand the extent of the difference her existence made in my life. She had given me everything and more, and that was why I was positive my feelings ran just a tiny bit deeper than hers.

I suddenly realized that there was a way for Bella to understand, though. It was something that had been available the entire time but never crossed my mind before. I think, perhaps a part of me didn't want her exposed to my past, because that Edward had been so very depressed and lonely. His thoughts were always melancholic, and I wasn't certain I wanted to taint Bella's picture of me, no matter how romanticized it was.

But she was my wife and my mate, and we vowed to never keep secrets from each other. Bella had honored that by practicing with her shield and allowing me inside her mind a few times, and now it was my turn.

"I want to show you something," I said softly, and Bella shifted to look at me. Her eyes were a soft gold, and it elated me that I no longer felt any self-hatred for dooming her to this life. She and I were supposed to be, and I'd accepted there was nothing I could do that would change that. "I think it's time you get to see my past."

Her eyes glittered in confusion. "What do you mean?"

I made a move to stand up, and Bella climbed off my lap. I looked at her over my shoulder and smirked at her expression. She really didn't understand what I was going to do, and the expression on her face was too adorable. I walked over to the bookshelf and crouched down to the books at the very bottom and pulled out the one farthest to the left.

I held it gently in my hands as I fought the last bit of reluctance I felt over showing Bella this part of me, and then got up and handed it to her. She took it from me gingerly and gave me one last questioning look before opening it to the first page.

She gasped when she recognized my handwriting.

"Is this—"

"Yes," I replied and sat down next to her again. "I've been writing in these journals almost since the very beginning. Carlisle gave me the idea when I told him that I found it difficult to keep my mind clear. It helped me cope when everything was still new, and I questioned pretty much everything about my existence. The mind-reading was particularly difficult to get used to."

She turned and looked at me, sympathy radiating from her, but I was relieved there was no pity. "I hate it every time I think about you being alone for so long. It has never seemed fair to me."

"But I'm not alone anymore," I reassured her. "You've brought so much into my life, and I've told you this before, but you changed me completely when you came into my life. Still, the Edward that wrote these journals is who I was for a long time, and I want you to get to know him as well."

She nodded, but then gave me the journal. "Will you read it to me?" she asked, knowing that I couldn't possibly deny her what she wanted when she looked at me like that.

I smiled and we settled on the couch, Bella sitting between my legs and leaning back against my chest, as I read the date on the first page.

"July 16th, 1920..."

THE END

A/N:

This is where this story ends, I'm telling, this was the absolute last time I touched this story. This was the 4th and last time I edited it, and it's time to just let it float on its own wings now :-P

I want to give all of my readers a big hug and many many kisses! You are the best anyone could ever have as support!

Love you all, and I hope to see you again in the future in the next Origin installment!

Until then,

Stay Awesome!