Story Info

Title: Second Chance at Forever

Fandom: Twilight Saga

Rating: T

Pairing: Carlisle/OC

Summary: In 1955, the love of Carlisle's life was ripped away in a brutal nomad attack. He spent decades trying to get over that loss, only for the shock of his life when, in 2005 at the wedding of his son Edward, he meets a girl named Abigail Goodwin; an exact match for his dead mate. A search for answers leads Carlisle down a road he never thought he'd go down again.

Spoilers: Twilight+

.x.x.x.x.

Chapter Info

Title: Here Comes the Bride

Number: 1/?

Warnings: Angst, language

Author's Note: Hello, all! Welcome to my first Twilight Saga story! I've been working on this one for awhile and I actually have a lot of it written, so I'm excited to share it with you! (Note: the story info will only be on this chapter as it will never change, however the chapter info will so it'll be on every chapter. Also note the rating is subject to change.) Thanks for reading, comments are love!

-Minneapolis, MN 1955-

"No!"

It was Edward's voice that rang out over the silence that filled the house. It wasn't until that moment that anybody had realized Alice was in the middle of a vision, but one look between the two of them told them that whatever Alice saw, it was bad. Very bad. A look of horror was crossed over both of their faces, and Jasper was by Alice's side in an instant to protect and comfort his obviously agitated mate. But she shook him off, looking at Edward desperately, who looked like he would be ill, if such a thing were possible for them. For a total of thirty seconds, neither of them could speak, no matter how much the other three tried to get them to, to explain what she saw. Neither of them could say the words, though, at least not out loud, but it was clear there was a silent conversation going on between them.

"Stay here," Edward said, reaching out to grip Alice's wrist. "We need to go. We'll be back." They didn't wait for any arguments or demands of an explanation; time was of the ultimate essence.

It was such a small decision that had been made to have such horrific consequences. Just a change of mind, turning down a street earlier than they intended and take a shortcut through an alley. They were racing against the clock, against time, against fate. But they had to get there before it came true, before they lost one of the most important people in their lives...the most important person in all of creation to Carlisle, their mother.

"Two more streets down!" Alice called over the rush of wind past their bodies. Luckily it was night and so they could run through the city without much of anyone noticing other than an odd gust of wind.

"No change?" Edward demanded and Alice's silence, the same vision running through her mind over and over, gave him all the answer that he needed. And so he pushed on, so close and yet it felt so far. "We need to find them, tell Carlisle what's happening, and get them out of there. We'll take care of the nomad." Alice gave an answering nod to his snarled out words and they pushed on.

Most of the time, confidence was key, but this time it did nothing but work against them. They were confident they saw the vision in time, confident they would get to Carlisle and their mother before tragedy struck. But confidence is what wound up failing them. They didn't run as fast as they should've, they didn't call out in warning like they should've—Carlisle and their mother would've surely heard them. And they would forever blame themselves for what happened.

First, the screeching sound of metal on metal filled their ears and made both of them freeze because they knew exactly what that sound was. Second, the furious, anguished, tortured roar of their father greeted their ears and they knew they would never forget that sound or anything about this night for the rest of their eternity.

"We're too late..." Edward murmured, skidding into the alley just as their mother's head was tossed into a burning barrel and Carlisle dropped to his knees. The nomad laughed, his deep crimson eyes sparkling with mirth and sick enjoyment as he watched the pain unfold over the group before him.

"You lose," he said in a sweet, sing-song of a voice. But that was the last thing he said as Edward finally snapped out of it, and allowed the nomad the honor of joining their beloved mother in the burning barrel.

.x.x.x.x.

-Forks, WA 2006-
-Abigail-

For years, Abigail had been having the same dreams. Well, really they were more like nightmares as they always ended the exact same way: alone in a dark alley except for a man with glowing red eyes. He advanced on her faster than she ever thought possible, and with a large ripping noise, her head was off and all she could feel then was her body burning. She would always wake up in a cold sweat, sheets and clothes sticking to her, panting with exertion and fear, clinging to her pillows as if they would be able to save her. But she was always alone and nobody would ever be able to save her.

"Screw this," she mumbled as it had woken her up yet again, kicking off the blankets that were twisted around her trembling body so she could go shower off the sweat. It was only about six in the morning and she didn't have to be up for awhile, but whenever she had those dreams, she never could get back to sleep. At least it woke her up at six and not midnight like it used to. Waking up that early always made her feel exhausted and twitchy the whole day, especially when she didn't sleep until after eleven.

Grabbing some extra clothes, she padded down the hallway to the familiar bathroom. She and her friend Beth had left Seattle about seven the previous night after both their shifts at the hospital ended, and arrived about eleven. Abigail knew she could've driven them faster, but Beth had moved right from New York to Seattle so it wasn't often her friend got the chance to see small towns. So even though it was dark, she drove slower than she normally would've so Beth could take in what she could, and promised the blonde that she would show her around the next day. Bella's wedding was the next night and she wouldn't miss that for the world, but they had until about three to look around so she would make the most of it.

The bathroom hadn't changed a bit since she was a kid other than the new paper that lined the cupboards to protect the wood. When Abigail's parents died a little over a year before, the house had been left to her, and she had no idea what she wanted to do with it. It was all paid off so she didn't have to worry about that, but there were too many memories that became painful the more she thought about them. So she let it sit, paying only the gas bill to keep the heat on so the pipes didn't freeze in the Washington weather. Part of her wanted to sell it, but part of her knew that she couldn't; it was like selling her parents and her childhood all in one. So she kept it for them, but being back was bringing in the nostalgia and she knew she wouldn't be making decisions anytime soon as they could be considered rash and not very well thought through. It was a nice notion to be able to come back to it whenever she wanted, though, whether it was a mini-vacation like this, or she just needed to get away from city life.

The other utilities were turned on for their stay there for the week. Both women decided that they needed that time, needed the break, and Abigail was only too quick to offer up the house. The water cranked on and she turned it on hotter than she normally would've because of the cold sweats and shivers that took over her body after the dream. It seemed to be happening more and more often, nearly every night for a month now. It used to happen a couple times a year, but the closer it got to her going back to Forks, the more often the dreams happened. It was unsettling and it terrified her more than she was willing to admit. You're an ER nurse in a huge city. You've seen so much horror, the nightmares are nothing. At least that's what she tried to tell herself, and it used to work, at least in the moment, but it wasn't anymore. Because as they happened more often, they were also getting more real, almost like she could feel it even though there was no pain. She felt the rip of her flesh, the burn of the fire.

"Stop," she scolded herself as she shed her clothes and stepped into the shower to wash away the sweat and her terror.

First Beach down at the La Push reservation was the first place she took Beth. Seeing as it was Washington, it was still cold, but it was as beautiful as Abigail remembered and she couldn't help but smile. She spent ages down here as a kid with her parents, the Blacks, the Clearwaters, the Ateras, and even Bella and Charlie when she was there for the summer. Bon fires and cookouts, surfing—well, attempting to—and swimming. Even in the rain, the humidity making the days warm enough. The day she took Beth wasn't right for any of that, besides the fact she and Beth were there alone, but the sun shining down on the small waves was beautiful enough by itself. Beth spent a good hour taking photos as she was an amateur photographer, but very good at it, at least Abigail thought so. She wasn't an art critic, though, however she did have a few hanging around her apartment back in Seattle of places Beth had taken pictures of.

"This is a photography gold mine," Beth said excitedly as she took another close-up of one of the larger pieces of salt-bleached driftwood that sat along the beach.

Abigail smiled and sat down on a larger log, pulling her legs up under her to cross. She knew she could probably spend all day there, but they needed plenty of time to get around. She had brought a few dresses as she wasn't sure what she should wear. The nerves settled in her chest were unlike any she had before and she had no idea why. Abigail had been to weddings before—and she wasn't even in the wedding party this time—and had never felt the nerves that swirled around in her making feel sick like she felt then. Perhaps it was the nightmare getting to her because of how vivid it was now. And she realized something that she never had before: it felt like there was someone lingering behind her as well, even though she had always thought she and her killer were alone.

She discovered that unsettling bit of information in the shower and she couldn't stop thinking about it. Why did it change? Why now? Why was she having the same nightmare over and over every night unlike before? Why was it so much more real as if it were a memory instead of a dream?

"Abi! Hey, are you okay?" The voice drew her out of her thoughts and she glanced up quickly seeing Beth's worried blue eyes looking over her as if she had somehow gotten injured just sitting there. Maybe if I were Bella, she thought wryly. Slowly she smiled and gave Beth a nod, standing up and wiping off the seat of her jeans.

"I'm fine," she said, just like always. She never told anybody, not even her parents, about the dreams. She was afraid they would make her see someone about them, and that's the last thing she wanted. Because it felt...private, like only those involved should know. Which was silly because it wasn't real and only her and the red-eyed killer were involved. Still, she never told anyone and she wasn't about to explain to her friend now. "Come on, let's go see Billy. You'll love him, Beth, he was great friends with my dad." The blonde still looked worried, but let Abigail steer her back for the car so they could head over to the Blacks' house.

"Look what the cat dragged in!" It was Billy's voice before Abigail even got out of the car, and the familial sense of longing hit her like a tidal wave. She had done a good job of avoiding the thoughts of her parents, so when she heard the familiar cadence of Billy's voice, she nearly started sobbing. Luckily she has a much better hold on her emotions than that, but she did squeal and all but launch herself out of the car and across the few feet to Billy's waiting arms.

"Billy!" she cried, careful not to knock his chair over as she wrapped her arms around him tightly. He chuckled affectionately and tugged her so she could sit on his lap and hug him properly.

"It's great to see you, kiddo. Can't believe that's you, though. You're supposed to be this gangly little eleven year old, not a woman."

Abigail giggled and leaned up to kiss his cheek. "Hate to break it to you, Billy, but that was eleven years ago." Billy clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction and gently pulled her away so he could look over her.

"Well, you grew up good, kid." He paused and his eyes grew sad as his smile became wistful. "Your mom and dad would be so proud."

Don't cry, do NOT cry...

"Thank you, Billy," she whispered as she sniffed back the lump in her throat and gently climbed off his lap, beckoning Beth forward for introductions. "This is my friend, Beth Greene. I met her when I started working at Seattle General."

"Nice to meet you, dear," Billy said with a warm smile.

"You, too," Beth said. Billy beckoned them both inside and got them comfortable in the living room before heading into the kitchen to make a quick call. He looked like he was up to something, and soon enough Abigail knew what it was when it seemed half the reservation pounded through Billy's front door. Seth, Sue, and Leah Clearwater; Sam Uley and Emily Young; Quil, Embry, Paul, Jared... Everyone but Jacob Black, it seemed, and Abigail couldn't help but frown as she realized one of the embraces she hadn't been passed to was his. Her eyes flickered to Billy's who simply gave her a sad smile and though her curiosity strangled her, she didn't ask about him. It seemed like was a sore subject.

The reunion was one of the best days she ever spent, and even Beth had a good time getting to know the Quileutes. It brought back all her wonderful childhood memories even though there were some missing key figures: Bella and Charlie, Jacob, Harry Clearwater, and her parents. But the ache in her chest was easily snuffed out as she was passed from one Quileute to the next to talk about what's been happening and how she is.

At least they're warm, she thought as she leaned against Sam's side.

"Alright, everyone can stay, but some of us need to get ready for the wedding," Billy said, his gruff voice breaking through the loud conversations and laughter.

Abigail's eyebrows rose. "You're all going?" she wondered. Didn't seem to her like Bella was one for a huge wedding, and Abigail herself was surprised to get an invite.

And wasn't sure why she had been stuck on the name Cullen since the invitation arrived.

"Seth, Sue, and myself are going," Billy said.

"Have you ever met her fiance?" Abigail wondered.

"Yes," Billy said evasively, though she could see in his eyes there was more than that. She frowned, but didn't say anything as she stood up to leave.

"If you want, you can ride with us," Sue said as she moved with Billy to follow Beth and Abigail outside. "We're taking Harry's old Blazer, so if you guys don't mind being shoved in the back with Seth..."

Abigail's eyes lit up. "Really? That would be great! Meet us at the house at four thirty?" Sue agreed and hugged each of them followed by Seth and then Billy before they headed to Abigail's car.

"They're all so nice," Beth said with a flushed face as she seemed to enjoy the company of the Quileute boys very much. Abigail chuckled and nodded.

"They all got much bigger in the past few years, that's for sure," she said with a wry smile. And much warmer, she thought as she remembered actually sweating in her spot next to Sam. Her body was cooling off now that they were leaving, and considering the cloud coverage it wasn't a huge surprise.

Beth laughed at her words and it was quiet on the fifteen minute drive back to the house.

As she climbed out, her eyes flickered down three doors to Charlie's dark house. She could assume he was with Bella getting ready, and she wished she could've seen him before, but it was late when they got in and she was sure the poor man was nervous enough without being woken up at eleven o'clock the night before his daughter's wedding.

Honestly, that was the part Abigail was looking forward to the most, watching Charlie walk Bella down the aisle.

Beth already knew what she was going to wear and had already changed into it by the time Abigail narrowed it down. Beth's was an off-the-shoulder, royal blue cocktail dress that hugged her curves perfectly and ended with a pencil-skirt. She only wore a bracelet for jewelry, a gift from her ex-boyfriend, and she had pulled up her hair halfway behind her head and curled it. Light makeup and a small clutch with lipgloss, a copy of Abigail's house key, and her phone completed the look along with some silver strappy heels.

When it came to Abigail, though, she changed about twenty times between the five dresses were bought, narrowing it down to two. The first three were good, but just not good enough. And Abigail knew she had to look her absolute best, which was silly because it wasn't her wedding—she had no plans to do that anytime soon—but the thought of looking anything less than her best just wasn't acceptable to her. The ones discarded were all black, and she decided that wasn't good for a wedding, it looked too much like she was going to a funeral. Of the two left, one was red and one was a vintage floral number. But it was already four fifteen by the time she was finally ready to choose and Beth was a bit frustrated.

"They both look great! Pick one!" Beth hated being late, and the wedding was at five so she had to rush.

Luckily her hair and makeup were already done. With hers, she only pulled up small sections of her chestnut brown hair at the sides and curled it, putting a couple nice clips in it. She had on some small diamond earrings that had been her mother's, and also had a simple silver chain bracelet on. Shoes would depend on the dress, and so finally she decided on the floral one. Large multi-color flowers covered it. It was sleeveless and had thin straps over her shoulders, and was tight down to her waist where it flared out down to her knees. She paired it with her white, open-toed pumps. She had a white clutch that matched Beth's and she tossed in her own lipgloss, phone, keys, and some cash just in case.

As soon as she closed it, a horn sounded from outside and she grabbed her wrap-around and Beth her shawl, and they made their way outside quickly to meet Billy, Sue, and Seth in the driveway. The white Blazer that sat there was exactly the same as it had been when Abigail was a kid. She remembered driving through the lower-density woods with it along with rides up the coast to visit different fishing spots with Billy, Jacob, Charlie, Harry, and Seth. She never minded being the only girl, and she loved fishing and hunting as much as the guys. So when she saw it there, nostalgia burst through her and she had to pause even as Beth stumbled into her.

"Abi," she scolded, walking around her as Seth cranked the back window down and whistled out the window to the two women.

"Lookin' good, ladies!" he called, but Abigail saw Sue scold him and he blushed, tucking himself back in the car with a quiet apology to them. Abigail laughed and climbed in the middle between Seth and Beth.

While she had lived in Forks her whole life—give or take the last four years—and had driven the old highway many times, never once had she noticed the driveway. It was lit up with many strands of twinkling fairy lights to alert people to the area of the party. It was about three miles through tangled weeds and tall trees, just a one-lane path, but she whistled loudly as the trees broke and she saw the large, white house appear in a huge meadow shadowed by six large sycamore trees. It was decked out with thousands of flowers, dozens of tule-wrapped white chairs, and an arch in front of them. Off to the other side were some tables with candles and flowers on them along with a dance floor and a large table with food, including a large five-tiered cake.

"This is beautiful," Abigail breathed as Sue brought the Blazer around to park amongst the other guests. A lot of people were already there and Abigail knew they would be stuck near the back, but that was fine with her. Seth was out to help Sue with Billy and his chair while the girls climbed out Beth's door, careful not to let their heels sink into the soft dirt.

"I've never seen anything like it," Beth agreed as she wrapped her shawl closer to her while Abigail lifted hers around her shoulders. It was a little chilly so once Billy was in his chair, she pressed against Seth for warmth which made him laugh softly.

"Should've brought a coat," he said with a grin making Abigail's eyes roll and a huff leave her lips.

"Don't even start with me, boy," she warned, his laugh coming out louder. Finally their little group of five made their way towards the seating. Abigail recognized a couple of others and went over to say a quick hello to Mike Newton. His father owned Newton's Olympic Outfitters, a camping store just outside of town, and Abigail worked there all through high school, after school and during the summer—her decision, surprisingly, and not her parents'—so she knew him fairly well. She faintly remembered the ones he was with: Angela Weber, Jessica Stanley, and Eric Yorkie. Jessica kind of sized her up as she hugged Mike and she merely said her hellos before going back to join Billy, Beth, Sue, and Seth. They were nearly at the last row as they found some seats, and Seth moved one out of the way for Billy's chair.

The music was quiet until exactly five o'clock on the dot and that's when they all settled into their seats, Abigail's ankles locking delicately. She kept herself pressed against Seth for warmth as it got a little bit chillier as the breeze sweapt through the large meadow, and even her wrap-around wasn't completely helping. The music wasn't the traditional wedding march, but it was a nice change.

It helped her ignore the aching loneliness that suddenly kicked up inside her the longer she sat there, something she had never felt so strongly before.

Blinking back waves of emotion, she ignored her stupidity and smiled as a girl who she could only assume was a bridesmaid began up the aisle. She was small and pixie-like, pale with short black hair, and she paused ever so slightly, her body seemingly locked, before she continued on as if nothing happened. A guy followed behind her, tall and very muscular with a mop of curly black hair, and a smirk on his face as he reached the alter. She noticed then the groom: pale with a shock of bronze colored hair and bright topaz eyes. As she looked between him, the bear of a man beside him, and the pixie girl who was staring at the crowd—at ME, she thought with surprise—she couldn't help a wave of familiarity sweep through her. It made no sense, she never saw them before in her life, but it was stifling. Even the groom was now looking at her, his face unreadable even though the pixie seemed...well, almost sad. Abigail smiled softly, but her attention was diverted as everyone stood up for the bride.

Abigail grinned broadly at Bella's beautiful white dress and a sight she never thought she would see: Charlie in a tux. Seth started to gawff beside her, but then shut up as Abigail stomped on his foot, though she was sure it hurt her more than him. She smiled as Bella and Charlie passed, though it was clear she only had eyes for her groom.

I'm so happy for her, she thought almost dreamily as she took her seat for the proceedings to begin.