Can a secret stay silent forever? Or will it burn its way out?

All publicly recognisable 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.

Amazing artwork by Mist.

Thanks to GeezerWench and Sabrina Michaels for their help getting this started.

Chapter 1

Eleyne Standish walked quickly away from the car park toward the hospital entrance. It had been a long day for her and she was tired. Her step quickened as she entered the hospital, not that she was in a hurry to get this over with, on the contrary she was going to visit her grandmother today and that was something she loved to do. Ellie visited her grandmother every day that she was in hospital. It wasn't necessarily that she enjoyed seeing her gran in hospital but she was glad to visit her none the less.

Her gran had had a fall almost twelve weeks ago. She had a couple of operations on her legs since then, but she was improving—a situation for which Ellie was incredibly grateful. Even at eighty-one years old, her grandmother was vivacious and fun loving. Her mind was still as sharp as it had ever been, and she looked years younger than she was. Seeing her laid up and frail had been very hard for Ellie to cope with. Her grandmother, on the other hand, had handled it in her usual optimistic fashion and very soon had the hospital staff running around after her.

Ellie couldn't imagine life without her grandmother; she had raised Ellie since her mother's death when Ellie was three. Of Ellie's father, there had been no sign at all since he was told he was going to be a father, and Ellie sincerely hoped it stayed that way. As far as she was concerned, she didn't need a father. She didn't need a man period. In her eyes, she only needed her gran.

Her gran had had a great life. She had really lived it. Born in a little town on the other side of the country, she had got the hell out of there the first chance she got. She had done university in Arizona, then travelled the world for a few years before finally settling in Littleton, New Hampshire—where she had worked as a part-time barmaid and a writer of travel guides. She claimed she liked the social side of bar work. Ellie could well believe that. She had frequently travelled, making the trip to New York to meet with publishers every few months and disappearing off to foreign climes for her next book.

Ellie could not really understand why her gran had settled in Littleton, although from hearing her gran talk about her life, she was fairly sure a man was involved. Men had always been her gran's major weakness. She had had three husbands and several boyfriends. None of whom were Ellie's grandfather. A dashing British soldier called David, he had been a one-night stand in Malta, where she had been travelling in-between husbands one and two. But the memory of him always brought a fond smile and wistful expression to her face.

Ellie's father had been born when her gran was thirty-five years old. They travelled while he was small, but once he reached school age; her gran simply gave it up and opened a bookstore in Littleton, married husband number two, and became a responsible parent.

Sadly, the same could not be said of her son. Neither Ellie or her grandmother had heard from him for the last twenty-three years, when, at twenty-four, he was told by his nineteen year-old girlfriend that he was going to be a dad. He was now presumed dead somewhere but they would probably never know for sure. Ellie knew her gran was deeply hurt by his behaviour but she had never let it show.

She had taken Ellie's mother Sarah in when her parents kicked her out. She had helped her through her pregnancy, pre-eclampsia, and the premature birth of Ellie at 31 weeks. She had visited the incubator her tiny granddaughter was in religiously every day and sat side-by-side with Sarah as they watched her start to grow and thrive. They had lived together since then, and when Sarah developed cancer two years later, her gran had nursed her until her death.

Ellie could barely remember her mother. Her gran had made sure there were lots of pictures of her around and was happy to speak of her at any time. They rarely mentioned Ellie's father. Husband number three had come along then. Bill Standish had been a lovely man who had helped with the infant Eleyne and never questioned the lack of father. He had been close to Sarah before her death. He had loved her gran very much and she had loved him devotedly. When he had died five years ago, both women had been heartbroken. He was the only grandfather Ellie had ever known, and she was more than happy to have his name.

But all the death and heartache had never dampened her grandmother's spirits. In her eyes, she was still the eighteen year-old Jessica Stanley who had fled from the tiny town of Forks and never looked back. She said she had no regrets and valued every moment of the life she had had. To Ellie, her gran was simply amazing.

Ellie herself was a very different person to her grandmother. At twenty-two she was a slender, pretty young woman of average height with dark auburn, wavy hair and vivid green eyes. In Ellie's opinion, they were her most attractive feature. Her skin was always pale, but had a healthy glow. She was a confident and happy person, with a wicked sense of humour.

She had not been blessed with the adventurous spirit of wanderlust that both her gran and father had. She was more steady. That was how she would describe herself. While she enjoyed the foreign holidays she and her grandparents had taken, Ellie felt no desire to take off and backpack around the world alone. She enjoyed learning and reading. Ellie had finished her degree at Plymouth University the year before and had since been helping in her gran's bookshop while she decided her next move. She had all the time in the world to decide a career, or so her gran had told her.

"Don't settle for a life you didn't choose, my darling," her gran told her often. "You can do anything you want to, so make sure it is something you want to do. Life is too short for regrets."

Ellie wanted to be a writer. Her main ambition was to write her gran's life story and have it published. She wanted to travel, but wanted hotels and restaurants rather than hostels, camping and fireside cooking. Not that she minded roughing it on occasion, just not all the time. But the thing she wanted most was to be there for her gran as she got older in the same way her grandmother had been there for her.

Walking into her gran's room, she was met with her usual beaming grin.

"Hello darling. You don't have to visit every day you know. You must have more important things to do," Jessica said cheerily to her beautiful granddaughter. She knew that she was the most important thing in Eleyne's life, and while she was grateful, she also wished it wasn't so. Jessica would wish for nothing more than her granddaughter to find her wings and fly.

"Oh, come on, gran," Ellie answered with a chuckle, "You know I would be lost without my daily slice of gossip." Jessica grinned and nodded. That was one trait she had never lost over the years, she did enjoy her gossip.

"So what's new today?" Ellie asked, sitting down on a chair by the window facing her gran.

"Well, apparently, we are getting a dishy new Doctor. He is starting today, but I doubt I will see him for a few days. He is going to be mainly in paediatrics. All the nurses are in a tizzy. They are talking about moving departments."

"So what's his name, how old is he, and is he married?" Ellie asked with enthusiasm.

"I don't know the name yet. I think … yes, Rhonda said he was married with kids. The family moved here last week. Don't know much else. But I doubt he'll be as nice as Dr Cullen from when I was a kid. He was gorgeous. He had a beautiful wife and some totally dreamy sons. One of my best friends married his youngest son." A shadow crossed her face for a moment.

Ellie frowned. She didn't like seeing her gran sad.

"Come on, gran, let's go for our walk."

Every day, Jessica was supposed to do some strengthening exercises on her legs and was now able to walk to the café and back with help. Ellie always escorted her there. They had a coffee and walked back. At first, it had been in a wheelchair, but now her gran could walk with a walker. The nurses were hinting she would be released soon, as she was improving quickly.

While they sat in enjoying the coffee, Ellie told her gran about the shop and what was going on with her. Jenny, who managed the shop, said they were doing really well. They had taken on another Saturday helper.

While they were chatting, Ellie noticed her gran had gone silent. Turning around to see what she was staring at, Ellie spotted a blond doctor talking to some nurses in the corner of the café. He looked about twenty five, maybe thirty, and was totally gorgeous. She smiled back to her gran.

"So that's the dishy doctor I'm betting."

Jessica glanced at her granddaughter. She looked shaken.

"That is Doctor Carlisle Cullen, from back home. His son Edward married one of my best friends then killed her," she said in a frightened whisper.

"Oh, come on, gran. He can't possibly be the same man, that was over sixty years ago," Ellie said trying to calm her gran.

"I will never forget that face," her gran whispered, a tear sparkling in her eye. "For all the angelic looks, that man is a monster who covered up my friend's murder."

"I left Forks right after her funeral. The whole family was standing around crying crocodile tears. Edward was pretending to be heartbroken, wailing and making an exhibition of himself. It just didn't ring true. He was promising to join her soon, begging her forgiveness. It was horrible. I didn't believe it for a second. His sisters looked far too smug, as though they were happy over it. The whole thing just left a nasty taste in the mouth. They left town straight after and so did I. I haven't heard from or seem them since, not that I expected to, but I won't ever forget his face. That man is evil."

She was so insistent, so convincing, that Ellie felt compelled to believe her even when she knew it was impossible. Ellie felt a strange sensation of being watched tickle between her shoulder blades; it was not a pleasant feeling. Turning slowly, she saw the doctor in question was looking at them, a dark expression on his face. He couldn't possibly have heard them, he was at the other side of the room, but Ellie felt for a split second that he was listening. He got up quickly and left the room. The atmosphere instantly felt lighter.

"Maybe he's related to the doctor you remember, gran. But that man only looks in his late twenties. The doctor you knew would have to be over ninety."

Jessica looked at her granddaughter sadly. She knew in her heart it was Carlisle and yet she also knew Ellie was right, it couldn't possibly be.

"You are right, darling, it was just a shock. He looks so similar. Let's go back to my room."

The walk back was silent and strained. To Ellie, it was a sad revelation. For the first time in her life she was seeing her gran as she truly was, an eighty-one year old woman.

Jessica was locked in memories of Forks, and it was not a pleasant experience. She knew it was Carlisle and somehow he knew she knew. He had looked straight at her, his expression cold. It had frightened her. She had backed down to protect Eleyne. And of course, the logical part of her mind told her it could not possibly be him.

"Tell me about your friend, gran," Ellie asked once Jessica was tucked up in bed again.

"She was named Isabella Swan—Bella. She hadn't been at school very long, she moved up from Phoenix. We got on okay at first, but then she got involved with Edward Cullen and shut us all out. The Cullen family left for a few months after we started our senior year. She was really heartbroken and withdrawn, did some stupid things. I am ashamed to say I was a bit of a bitch to her." She gave an embarrassed laugh at that. "Then again, we were just kids, and I was pretty much a bitch to everyone. Edward and his family came back in the spring and finished school with us all. Bella and he got married almost straight away. I thought she must have been pregnant, but she wasn't. Just head over heels in love."

There were tears in her eyes again, remembering what she had been like in school. Ellie thought about the horrible kids she knew in school. No doubt most would grow into decent people just like she hoped she had.

"Bella died on their honeymoon. Apparently they had been swimming. She dived in and hit her head—died instantly. It was weird though. Her father-in-law went to collect her and did the autopsy even though her father, who was chief of police, insisted it be an independent. With Edward being her husband, he had the final say and completely shut Charlie out. The Cullens wouldn't even let her father see her body." She sounded scandalised.

"Anyhow, Charlie, her dad, told my dad, that one of Bella's friends from the res broke into the funeral home. Jacob told Charlie there was no way she was killed by a fall and that Edward had killed her. Apparently, there were hand-print bruises and bite marks all over her—looked like she had been really viciously attacked. The Cullens argued that Jacob wouldn't know what he was talking about and insisted Charlie arrest Jake for breaking in. The guy from the funeral home said it was really strange, and he didn't think a fall had killed her either, but he was slapped with a slander charge and sacked. Charlie refused to speak to the Cullens and let Jake out of jail for the funeral. It was really uncomfortable. Like the town was taking sides, Cullens verses the rest. The Cullens insisted she be cremated even though Charlie wanted her buried next to her grandparents. My mam said it was so she couldn't be exhumed and re-examined. Instead, Charlie scattered her ashes there. The Cullens had left by then. They didn't even go to the wake. At least I stayed that long."

"I heard that later that Charlie drank himself to death. It was such a sad tale. She was so happy, so in love with everything to look forward to. It really shook me up at the time. I never forgot. I think Edward killed her. I just hope he burns in hell for all eternity."

Ellie was shocked to hear her talk like that. She had never known her gran to be malevolent. But to look in her eyes, she knew her grandmother meant every word.

Ellie felt it would be best to change the subject, so they talked a little longer about other things. Her gran seemed to cheer up again, but when Nurse Rhonda came in with her food, Rhonda mentioned the new doctor again and how handsome he was.

"What's his name?" Jessica asked slowly.

"Doctor Carlisle Hale." Rhonda replied.

"Hale. His daughter Rosalie was called Hale. She had a twin brother. James, or was it Jasper? No, Jasper. That was it," Jessica said thoughtfully almost to herself. "Carlisle is an unusual name. Maybe he is related."

"How many children does he have? How old?" Ellie asked trying to distract her gran from melancholy thoughts. Gran always loved talking about kids.

"Apparently he has three teenage children, two boys and a girl. I understand they are adopted." Rhonda said with a smile before leaving the room.

"That's right" Jessica said. "The Cullen kids were all adopted as well."

Ellie smiled at her gran fondly. Her memory was still sharp. Then it occurred to her, how could the doctor look so similar to the one her gran knew if the children were adopted? That thought made a cold shudder run down her spine. None of the answers she could come up with were particularly pleasant. No, it was purely a coincidence. Perhaps he didn't really look like the other doctor at all, perhaps her gran just got confused. It would be the first time though.

Ellie tried to dismiss the feeling of impending doom that had settled over her as she said goodnight to her gran. She was just being silly. There was nothing to worry about. Her gran had been happy when she left. The nurses were pleased with her progress and were hinting Ellie might be able to take her home in a day or so, something she was greatly looking forward to.

Walking through the carpark toward her car Ellie was lost in her own thoughts mainly plans for getting a stair lift and the bathroom modifications she would need to accommodate her recuperating grandmother. She felt another unpleasant shiver between her shoulder blades and thought again that she was being watched. Turning abruptly she noticed Dr Hale standing by another car at the other end of the car park. He was talking to a blonde haired girl. Both were looking in her direction and it made Ellie uncomfortable, as though she were interrupting a conversation. The look the girl was giving her was ugly and Ellie turned back around quickly. She felt as if they were talking about her, but why on earth would they be? She hadn't felt this uncomfortable since eighth grade. Those few weeks when everyone in her class picked on her because she didn't have any parents alive. Even today the memory made Ellie hunch her shoulders and try to disappear.

But then she smiled. Her gran had saved her then without Ellie ever asking for help. She had come into the school and given a talk on her travels and the places she had visited. Suddenly Eleyne had been the coolest kid in the class, everyone was jealous that she had such a great grandmother and forgot about the fact she had no parents. Just like in every other way Ellie's gran had sorted the problem without making a song and dance about it. She just seemed to instinctively know what to do.

The drive back to her home seemed to go quicker that day. She stopped for Chinese on the way and sat on the sofa with her food and a glass of wine looking back to the past. Ellie was happily remembering the many happy times growing up. All the Easter Egg hunts, and the Halloween costumes. The carol singing and cosy nights in front of the fire, wrapped in blankets, drinking hot chocolate. Picnics, bike rides and adventures. Her gran could turn anything into an adventure. Ellie felt she had been gifted with an idyllic childhood perhaps made all the more special due to a lack of parents. It was with these happy memories going through her mind that she snuggled into bed at the end of what had been a long and trying day.

Her happy dreams were disturbed by the insistent shrill ring tone of her mobile that woke her at six in the morning. Not the usual music Ellie had for her alarm. But the persistent shriek of the ringtone she had set for the hospital, one she could not mistake for anything else and one she wouldn't ignore.

"Can I speak to Eleyne Standish?" Came the clinical voice at the other end of the phone in response to her sleep laden hello.

"Speaking" she answered sitting up and trying to get her brain to work properly.

"Miss Standish. I am afraid I must regretfully inform you your grandmother Jessica Standish passed away a few hours ago."