52; in the land of rejects you find family

Just to clarify: they were running on borrowed time, those first few days after the birth.

The phone kept ringing. The implication of it is clear, the heaviness when it stops and silence takes its place makes Eli's shoulders rise. There is guilt found when he thinks of Charlie and his worry, purely because Elias knew it would be hard no matter what decision Bella came to. Charlie would hurt either way.

It's also because everytime he thought of Charlie, his parents also came to mind. The suffering they went through- they got put through, for Elias to live now. He was dying either way, he didn't have the luxury of living in general, but he wished nonetheless that his ending human time went smoother with them. Like always, he knew he didn't regret his decision, but he could be sad about it- especially as it affected his brother most. It always would.

Perhaps that's why Elias found himself outside the Sherwood residence, lingering like the ghost he should be. He promised last time he wouldn't come back, not to check up on his parents at least. His brother though... he'll always come back for him.  That's why he's a bit mournful that when he checks inside through his tracking of heat and the sounds of the stillness, it tells him that no one is home. He breathes in, taking the lingering scents and their freshness. They've only just left, which makes sense since it's early morning on a Sunday. A bit hopefully, he thinks perhaps they've gone for breakfast at the Cameron household like they did when he was alive.

Maybe it's the fact it's the first time he's alone for months that encourages him to be a little stupid, perhaps it's just the opportunity of an empty house is too good to pass up. Without as much as a broken twig to indicate his passage, he runs towards the house, leaping up to his old window frame easily, leathe and silent as a shadow as he pushes up the pane of glass and slips inside. It hardly took a second, the glass hadn't even made a sound, only the bit of breeze of his movement indicated his arrival.

No wonder Jasper made him jump every time he appeared- as if by magic- into his bedroom. Elias, with a fond smile, remembers the way his heart used to skip and then settle at the sight of the blond.

Now, if Elias could, his heart would skip too. His bedroom, foggy in memory and in the background to only a few photos he had from his human life, is vivid and fresh with his new senses. It's messy, like it always were, yet seems to be left in the same state he discarded it months ago. Even now, the scent of the room is most his own obnoxiously smoking one, but Elias is able to pick up Jaspers lingering in places- especially around his bed.

Breathing in past the ache of nostalgia, Elias allows his curiosity to get the best of him. He remembers his room with human eyes. Now he can take it in and not forget it, much like how he can remember his brother's face perfectly because he's seen it with immortal eyes.

For a while, he soundlessly moves around, recalling the many things he left behind that weren't important. Some clothes, schoolwork, a broken skateboard. He can even pick up the smell of cigarettes that are hidden under his bed, which he hopes his little brother never finds. At one point, he reclines back on his unmade bed, breathing in deep, lost in memories of how many times he did the same motion when human.

After he's had his fill of it, he moves towards the bathroom, happy that the door is unlocked as it leads to Easton's room. That too, is refreshing to see in this new life, to recall the foggy memories of being there. Some of the future is different, aged up as Easton turns ten soon. Childish artwork on the desk is replaced by sketches that have shading and true beauty. Intrigued, Elias shuffles through the papers, grinning at the talent Easton possesses- he knows which universities will 'anonymously' offer Easton a full scholarship when he turns eighteen because of a generous donation to their school.

It's towards the end when he finds a sketch of himself staring back at him. His human face pulled into a mischievous expression, his human grin that is too sharp despite not having the bite to match it. The scar on his neck is incredibly similar to the one Elias used to sport- Easton even got his hair the way it used to be, oddly curled with no true style except messy.

Elias isn't the type to keep photos of himself alone, even when he knew he'd change so much when he turned, he neglected keeping photos of himself unless someone else was in it- this, though, this is special. Pain and love traced on paper from memory alone. Elias can't put it down, he never will- so he pockets it. In return, he'll come back and replace it with another photo Easton doesn't have- secretly of course. Easton will make more drawings, elias will treasure those too, when he can view them.

His brain alerts him of approaching warmth a moment before he hears a car turning onto the street. He knows it's the Sherwood's, even without hearing their conversation in the car. With immortal speed, he places everything he touched back into its original space- thanks to the perfect recall he has- and then because he still can't help himself, he stashes a few random twenty dollar bills in Easton's room, under his bed, between some of his books, the pocket of his coat. It's like a fucked up version of egg hunting he used to do with the kid on Easter.

Just as the car is pulling up into the driveway- his human mother is expressing her delight about Nina Cameron's choice of food she cooked this morning- he slips out of the window and into the woods again, not allowing himself a moment to linger or look back. He'll see it again some day.

On the way home, he hunts down some deer to fix his alibi of hunting. He makes no mess when he feeds, no blood is wasted in spilling. When he gets home, he almost wishes he had spilled some, made a mess of his activity just to prove he did it- because Jasper comes out to the porch to meet him, his body language open just like his arms, but there's a hint of suspicion in his eyes as he looks over Elias. He knows.

Elias, in turn, gives a mocking look as he embraces the blond. "You missed me so much that you waited for me on the porch?"

"Like a dog misses a bone," he replies in the same mockery Elias uses. "And for your information, they're feeding Arden again, so I stepped out."

Unable to help himself- which seems to be a theme for today- Elias leans heavily into Jaspers body, purposely letting his breath run over the sensitive part of his neck. "I'll give you a bone alright, But I get to choose which bone it is. Better yet, why don't you give me yours?"

Jasper shivers full body, hands clenching where they hold Eli's body before he lets out a chuckle. "Are you attempting to seduce me so I don't ask the questions I want to ask you?"

Elias keeps his voice all velvety, the embodiment of sin, "Is it working?"

Jasper ponders for a moment, like he needs it to gather his body's reaction. "Incredibly enough, yes."

"Then it isn't an attempt, it's a success," the newborn informs, lips meeting skin, tongue tracing the places where Jasper's pulse should be. He feels like it might come alive again at the very motion. It takes him longer then it should to get the words from his throat.

"Darlin, there's been a development."

There is true seriousness in his tone, under the way he's lost in sensation. Elias is straightening up and stepping away from him in an instant, racking his gaze up and down like he can spot something wrong. There isn't, so he moves to listening inside the house, like there's a chance of horror being heard. It's silent, other than soft noises of movement and people holding Arden- it's almost too quiet. Solemn. Or furiously angry.

"Something with you?" Elias asks, a spark threatening to erupt on his skin.

"No," Jasper swears, features lightening at the predictability of Elias asking of him first.

Elias mouth slicks with venom at the thought of the people inside, his family. "Bella? Arden? What's happened?"

"It seems that some wolves have regarded us with such...fondness, that they've decided to try to take away the burdens we face without asking," Jasper said smoothly, like he was trying to break it softly.

If it were said happily, elias would probably be kind to the fact the wolves now think of his family as their own. But it was said with trepidation, not elation. "Meaning what exactly?"

"They've made a decision towards what to tell Charlie," is all Jasper says, needs to say before Elis' face twists into rage.

"I'm going to kill Jake," he snarls, his hands warming to burning temperature as he goes to turn to the house when Jasper catches his wrist and pulls him back, his mouth ticking up at the morbid anticipation of his words, "it wasn't Jake."

•••

Jace looks wrecked with guilt.

Jake sits next to him on the couch, almost like a bodyguard that didn't take his role seriously as he relaxed back lazily. Seth paced behind the furniture, glancing around once before settling on where Elias and Bella stood as a terrifying unit across from the wolves, both matching furious expressions. It seems that conversations halted until Elias was home- which he's glad about.

"Tell us again, please," Edward orders.

"In my defence, I had your best interest at heart. It's only now as I'm here that I think I acted a bit foolishly," Jace starts, wringing his hands together.

"You think?" Bella snaps, vibrating almost in her rage.

"He obviously doesn't, no," Rosalie mutters, watching this go down with indifferent eyes. "It's probably why he and Elias get along so well."

Elias, in return, sent a sharp snarl to the blonde girl, in no mood for the bickering they usually shared.

"From the top, Jace," Jasper, who's voice is of command and persuasion, says. He moves to flank Elias, his face impassive. Despite not being subject to it, Elias knows that he uses his gift to calm everyone in the room, he can see it with how everyone loosens their muscles.

Even without his gift working on Eli, Jasper is able to calm him with a hand on his hip. He leans into the blond before turning back to the wolf.

"I went to my moms again this morning and the Sherwood's were there. I asked them how they were, trying to cheer them up when they mentioned your name-" he sent a look to Elias, who felt a bit deflated upon realising how much Jace tries to help people, "-when they switched topics to how they're upset about how Charlie is acting. He can't sleep, he's worried sick Bella. It's starting to concern them. So I got to thinking about how you can't decide on what to do, I felt bad, ok? For you and for the Sherwood's and Charlie and I couldn't stop myself. I thought of a plan and before I could change my mind I acted on it."

"And what plan decided in Charlie coming here today?" Alice hisses.

"I didn't think he'd do that!" Jace defends, then winces. "I thought it was fool proof-" Jake let out a snort at that, Jace swung for him blindly for the back of his head whilst carrying on speaking, "I thought that if he could know some truth of the world but not anything to endanger him, he wouldn't ask questions about the weird things that have happened to his daughter- especially if he could just see her."

"And seeing her entitles a test on Bella and her newborn thirst," Edward encounters. "Do you know how much pain she'll be in."

"I didn't think he'd come here today! I thought if I explained it, he would back off for a few months so Bella could gain some more control!" He huffs, almost exhausted- Elias was starting to thaw his the anger at the sight of it.

So was Bella, though less than Elias. "You've endangered him, Jace. If he asks too much, you know our laws, Jasper and Elias both explained it to you-"

"-but he doesn't actually know anything about you, only us," Jace gestures to the wolves that are backed into one corner.

Edward almost screams when he read the wolves mind, "you shifted in front of him!"

"I panicked! He thought I was crazy and needed hospitalisation!"

"He was probably right," Elias snaps.

This time, it's Jake who's voice rang out loudest- but with laughter. Bella shushes him, which only goes over even funnier with him. "You got naked in front of Charlie!"

"Shouldn't you be more concerned that a member of your pack revealed the secret?" Nate asks lightly, watching with the same laid back attitude as Jake.

"I never claimed to be a good alpha," Jake shrugs, broad smiling.

Seth says quietly, "I think you're a great alpha."

"Thanks kid."

"On with it, I'm losing my patience," Bella says through her teeth.

"Anyway. I went to his house after breakfast. He was about to head to Billy's, but I stopped him and said I had something to tell him. I went into a whole explanation about how you were sick, but better now and it was going to be weird to see you again because you had to change," that word made both Elias and Bella stiffen to the point of being frozen, it was leading to dangerous territory. The room around them inched up in heat, the source from where Elias, Bella and Jasper stood.

"Darlin," Jasper nudges him, Elias pays him attention despite not shifting his eyes away. "Cool it."

Elis lips purse, but he reels in his heat so the room isn't boiling. The wolves sigh in relief, sweat visible even with their high body temperature.

"Listen, I shifted, he freaked, I gave him space. When he calmed back down I said that the world was different to how you know it. Nothing has to change, but you can use it as a getaway for the weird things that you can't explain, like me and like your daughter- he asked if you were ok, I said yes. He said did you know what you were getting yourself into when you were with us, I said yes. He swore a bit around that one. After a while he wanted me to know that he didn't want specifics, he just wanted the bare minimum to have his daughter still in his life."

"And that's all he wants?" Carlisle assures, contemplating deeply at how all of this could affect his family, he looked ready to order them all to up and leave immediately. Elias supposed things have gone that way before.

"And for everyone to pretend things are normal," Jace nods.

"And Arden?" Bella asks, sounding almost calm now. Elias feels a bit jealous as to how she's able to go from one extreme to the other so quickly.

"I said nothing. I thought you should explain that best."

"Good idea, for once."

"I think all of it wasn't half bad," Jake decides. "I mean, I would have liked a warning beforehand, if this gets back to Sam it could be messy, yet he can't start anything when he knows someone will finish it." He gives a pointed look to Elias and to where Jasper is hovering near him; if he could, Elias is sure he could have blushed. He remembers how that went down last time.

"Yes because you're also the definition of responsible," Elias deadpans.

"Pot. Kettle."

"Bastard. You."

"Ok," Carlisle coughs, smiling almost. "I recognise we're all on edge about what's to happen, but this is manageable and if it goes smoothly, it could have been exactly what Jace wanted it to be; a burden lifted from our shoulders."

Jace peaks up at the mention of his good intention. "Thanks Carlisle."

"Let's hope it does go well, since I can't see very well when the wolves are involved," Alice huffs, face confronting what Elias knows is her 'get shit done' expression. "I want all the wolves who are staying to be very still and in one section of the room so I can try to look around you." She turns sharply to Elias, "and you! Give Bella a walk down as to what being next to a human is like as a newborn, then disappear. Seeing you rise from the dead might send Charlie into an early grave himself."

"What a way with words you have Alice," Jasper tuts, face neutral but his eyes alight.

"I'll banish you too," she warns with a flash of teeth.

"Come on," Elias hums past his own growing amusement- he loves it when Jasper stares down all 5'3 of Alice. "I'll give you tips as to how not to murder people."

"I don't think you're the best person to give advice for that," Jake grins.

"Next person I attempt to kill is you if another comment like that is spoken."

"That threat only proves my theory."

Elias flips him off.

•••

Bella had a quick lesson in being human. Fidgeting, blinking, all the lot. Elias listened along with her despite already having the mannerisms down; it didn't hurt to brush up on his act. He never truly did it for fun like the rest of his family did, it was a hassle to run along with the act, but he could if he wanted to. Bella was a pro at it, Elias almost envisioned her with brown eyes again with how she kept brushing her hair back and darting her eyes away.

After that, Elias gave her the raw version of what being next to a human was like. She's done it once, on her first hunt, but that wasn't for long. It was impressive but it wasn't a hours long torture, it wasn't touching them and not giving into the instincts of wanting to wrap your iron hands over soft warm flesh and holding on until the warmth dissolved as you drank.

It should have felt awkward- his experience came from being in front of Bella when she was human on her wedding day, but nothing truly felt awkward or embarrassing in front of her, not since those dark months where they were both dependent on each other in their depression. Even now with the foggy memory, he can recall how they both had to push each other into the shower when things got really dark. It's also why nakedness wasn't a deal, either. Though Bella used to blush so hard it could drag a twitch of a smile from depressed Elias.

"Why do you look like that?" Bella asks, practising her human act as she speaks. A blink every now and then, crossing her legs.

Eli's grin wasn't at all human. "I'm thinking of embarrassing things."

"Then why are you amused?"

He gave her a flat look. "I'm sadistic."

That made Bella roll her eyes. "I'm aware."

"Doesn't hurt to remind people," he quips, watching her for fault. They were alone in his room, pretending to have privacy as the minutes ticked down for Charlie to arrive. The wolves remained downstairs, along with Carlisle, Alice, Edward, Emmett and Jasper, who were going through plans if anything went wrong today. Nathaniel and Esme were quietly hushing Arden to sleep in the kitchen, despite the fact he kept asking for Bella. Elias had no doubt that she would have her hands on him before Charlie came, the kid was a magnet for his mothers attention, not that he could blame Bella. Arden had the power to hold people captive.

"If this goes well, I'll be glad Jace took the choice out of my hands," Bella announces nervously, dragging Elias out of his thoughts yet again.

He gives her a confused look. "Why? All you've wanted is Charlie to be able to see you still." It was one of the reasons that hesitated both of us in turning, he wants to add, but isn't sure if they're being listened to. He never likes giving any slight indication that he regrets this life, even though he doesn't.

"Not as much as I want you happy," Bella whispers, nervous and apprehensive and a little bit more nervous on top. She stalled in her human act, forgetting to move her shoulders in fake breathing.

"What do you mean?" He asks, then exaggerates his own breathing to point it out.

She carries on the act again, her eyes downcast. Not embarrassment, but shame. "I don't want you to be stuck here, especially not because of me."

"What?" Eli barks, not expecting the words.

"You're dead. At least, to everyone in this town, Elias Sherwood died from two brain tumours in some fancy hospital far away, so far no one could attend a funeral," she winces, giving him a sort of upset look, "I don't want to stay if it means making you stick to the shadows."

"I won't be stuck in the shadows," Eli says instantly, despite it not being entirely true. It's a knee jerk reaction when someone tries deciding things for him, even if they are thoughtful. Bella gives him a look- one you give to a wounded person who denies they're hurting. "I won't be, don't worry. There's more to life than this town, I'm not gonna be stuck in the forest like some fucked up red riding hood."

"I don't think that's how that story goes," she corrects.

This time it makes Eli crack a smirk as he waves her off. "You know what I mean. And my brother is here, remember? I'd like to stay if we can, to watch over him, even from a distance."

"That's not a life, Elias."

He gives her a glare with actual heat. "I'm a vampire, banished to the shadows is part of the definition I'm afraid." He pauses, allowing his thoughts to transfer to his expression- his smirk is as prominent as the danger in his eyes. "I'm also starting to realise that I quite like what the darkness has to offer."

Yes, Bella knows that too. She might not have been there for the attack of Sam, but she saw it through Arden's memories. She heard of the horrors from Elias himself, forgave him for it- though there was nothing to forgive in her mind, but he still sought after it.

On the other hand, 'darkness' might have been the equally dangerous husband he had.

"I am happy, Bella," he promises, allowing his smile to be real and soft, one he doesn't usually give out. It makes her shoulders sink in relief. She can read him very well, they can talk without words- but she still has to ask, to reassure herself. "Problems occur in this life, but it doesn't mean it ruins our reality, it just makes it more real, more human. Now enough of the worrying about me and think about what's to happen soon. Remember what I told you, if it's too hard to breathe the air like humans do, inhale with your nose towards my clothes. My scent will cloud your sense of smell until the blood is less prominent."

He blurs across the room, pulling off a dark green cotton hoodie from the desk chair before coming back to throw it over her shoulders. In human speed she pulls her arms through it. Despite being in his room, the rawness of his smokey scent from the clothing is helping mask the burn of her throat.

"No wonder Jasper always had his nose against your throat when we were at school," she realises. Elias' mischief is clear, he doesn't even have the time to open his mouth to speak of a dirty joke when she orders, "shut up."

•••

He leaves long before Charlie's car arrives, just to be safe. Jasper bids him goodbye with a kiss to his knuckles, eyes bright but still suspicious as he tells Elias to behave as he's alone. The newborn is sure that the blond knows where he went in the morning, the creepy bastard. The newborn is sure he wasn't trailed, so Jasper is a very good guesser or Elias is becoming predictable.

"Hey!" Seth calls out as Elias has just jumped over the river, as if the vampire hadn't been aware he was being trailed the moment he left the house.

"Hey kid," Elias nods as he looks to him, stifling a laugh as when Seth jumps the wide expanse of water he stumbles upon landing- Elias holds one arm out in help to stop him falling, which the young wolf grasp onto. 

"Thanks," the teen laughs with a blush, righting himself and letting go of Eli. "I'm not used to jumping that far in human form."

Elias nods, having guessed that. "You coming for a walk with me?"

Seth nods enthusiastically, falling into step next to the vampire. He's a bit shorter, so he tilts his head up to show off a unbothered grin as he tells, "Alice kicked me out, I couldn't sit still."

Eli's arms spread, showing the lush green forest. "Welcome to the land of the rejects," he jokes.

"Thanks," Seth repeats before pursing his lips as Elias turns them down a certain path in the forest . "Where are we going?"

Eli's shrug is uncaring. "Wherever the road leads me. Where are you wanting to go?"

Seth thinks of it for a moment. "My sister is visiting my mom, I might go join her."

That's not somewhere that Elias is welcome, but he can make the most of it.  "I'll race you to the treaty line?" He encourages, leaning into a crouch as if he's about to jump forward as a head start.

Seth jumps forward, crying out a swift,  "Oh you're on!" Before shifting, his clothes be damned to shredding as he's too focused on winning. Elias let's put a bellow of a laugh as he runs also.

Just because he likes Seth, he allows them to stay neck and neck the whole race. Elias isn't the fastest in the family, but newborn blood allows each of his steps to cover twice the distance, so it's easy enough to hold up to Seth's speed. When they're close enough to the treaty line, he barrels ahead with only a sly wink to the wolf next to him- Seth's wine is of defeat and disbelief as Elias stops at the invisible finish line.

Without shifting back to human, Elias waves the wolf off, grinning at the fun of it all. Seth's pointed ears flatten to his head in a bid of goodbye as well, then he pushes from the ground and continues running towards La Push. Elias tracks his with ears and then with the map inside his head, just to make sure the kid is safe on his home territory. He knows that Jacob made amends with Sam, in a broken sort of way. Sam couldn't forgive Jacob for the side he chose, but he said he wouldn't hold his hatred to the point that Jake couldn't return home, or the pack. But Jake made a different decision, part for himself, part for the pack he was now leader of. He didn't want Sam's half loyalty that led to forceful command, not when it came with no free will and ridicule as he chose his friends over his own kind.

He also didn't want Jace or Seth to return to a pack that mocked them for thinking that vampires could be good if given the chance. He didn't want Sam to ridicule any of them for loving- platonically -the Cullens. Which would happen, after all. Look how they treated Leah for the last year for loving someone who was human, once upon a time.

They stood no chance, not returning to that pack. A band of rejects they were, but they'd found family in each other- much like the Cullens had.

It warmed even Eli's dead heart. It's why he looked out after Seth as he leaves- he knows that nothing will happen to him, Sam was stupid as he was stubborn, but he knew that now Jake had aligned himself with the Cullens, they were allies to anything that could come their way.

It's also why Sam wasn't ever going to attack them again- because last time he truly thought his old pack mates wouldn't get involved when push came to shove, but now he knows they will step in to help. They could be hurt.

But it was also because of Elias, of Jasper. The power of their unity, along with the wolves, wasn't something he could compete with. It was a suicide mission.

Elias is glad he finally got it through his thick skull.

•••

Bella and Edwards cottage is cute, in a fairytale way. It suits them, just as Alice and Esme had planned. Elias, clad in all his dark clothes, equally dark mind and churning heat under his skin, feels a bit like a kid with his attempt to not break anything- or god forbid burn anything- as he enters it.

It smells entirely of Bella and Edward and Arden, their individual scents twirling in a way that is lovely. Elias kicks his shoes off, sock clad feet pressing into the smooth floor as he looks around. He knows how Esme had sketched it, he helped with advice as to what Bella would like, just as Alice did with Edward, but seeing it when lived in is a different kind of magic. The brick walls are covered in art and photos of Bella's human life. The floor is rustic oak but covered with antique rugs. A fire is still going in the fireplace, filling the room with warmth that isn't entirely needed for their kind- but just like the kitchen tucked away in a corner, it isn't just for Edward and Bella. It was designed to hold warmth and openness, an opportunity for the wolves to visit. Perhaps Esme had a feeling from the start that this would have been the end result, this closeness. He'll have to ask her one day.

Elias- in an attempt to be polite- doesn't go for her bedroom to relax, but instead sits in a high backed armchair that's settled in front of the fire. It's comfy, but so is every material that is pressed into this immortal body. Elias still allows his muscles to unclench, his body to still and settle. After a moment, he picks up his feet and tucks them under himself, curling into one side of the chair as if he needs the position to rest- he might not act human in the manner of blinking and twitching, but he does like the act of relaxing, even if it doesn't bring relief.

For a while, it's all he does. Breathe in the scent of warmth in the air, staring at the open red flames of the fireplace, ignoring how his body wants to twitch with power at controlling it. Right now he knows Charlie is at the Cullens, Bella will be panicked but absolutely fine. Elias has complete faith in her, but it is still an ease on his mind that every thirty minutes Jasper texts his phone with a simple, 'ok', to indicate that things are fine.

After the fourth text, when the covered sun outside is dipping behind clouds so much that light is becoming scarce as it comes through the windows, Elias finally moves his gaze away from the fire. He's about to get up for the book shelves to find something to occupy his time- though he's never been a big reader- when he realises there's something already on the ottoman in front of him. He has the vivid vision of Bella being here with Arden, taking in the fires warmth and reading to him- even though it's not a child's book. Smiling softly at the thought, he picks it up.

It's a play, upon inspection. That holds even less of his attention, so he flicks through it, about to place it down and find something else when he spots a name between pages: Arden.

So this is where his name came from, he realises and just for the knowledge as to how his nephew has been named, he finds the first page again and starts to read.

A shorter chapter from what I usually write, but I think doing shorter updates but more often is how I want to go. My writing style changes chapter to chapter and this one was focused on more dialogue with less breaks. Or tried to.

Also, I've changed the plot and the fact Jace is the one to tell Charlie- because Jake does have the impulsiveness, but without his imprint to spur him on, I don't think he would have had the stupid idea of choosing his friends future because of a baby. So yeah, it comes from a place of love and thoughtfulness as Jace does it, but still equally as reckless.

Also, Arden's name is from the play As You Like It. Arden is a magical forest, it means many things, but mainly freedom, love and what it is to be human. It's a great symbol to what Edward originally goes to the meadow for, a break from his troubles and a reminder to be human despite his nature. It's also where Bella and Edward declare their love in the twilight book and strip away all defences for each other. In my mind, as they both go through their love of literature, they share a common love of the forest of Arden and name their meadow in the woods after it. So when Arden is born, a magical being that came from impossibility and the love against all odds, Bella recalls back to their meadow and how it all started. It's a bit too much to explain in a chapter, yet i will gloss over it to come but I didn't want to leave you without explanation. I hope you like it.