Author Notes: I have been bouncing this idea around for a few weeks now, and I think its about time I get it out of my brain. I know where I want this to go, but I'm not sure how long it will take to get it there. I will probably change the title. I do not have a beta reader, so please excuse my grammar.

This chapter is basically the back story. Its really just to give you a quick insight to what's going on. Please let me know what you think of this.

Disclaimer: I do not own any Twilight characters. Tessa and Vince are mine.

Eternal

When I was growing up things were so different than they are now. When I was 'younger' I never had the chance to watch television or play video games. I spent my time telling fortunes and performing 'parlor tricks' at dinner parties. My brother Vince was involved with the Chicago mafia. We spent a lot of time dodging bullets and causing trouble, but that's how we survived.

See, our parents were killed right after I turned thirteen. It was their wedding anniversary, and they celebrated by going out to eat that night. It was late when they left the restaurant, and they walked right into trouble. They were in the wrong place at the wrong time, and were murdered in a cross fire between the cops and a notorious gangster. That left Vince as my guardian. He was eighteen when they died, and that night he promised he would avenge their deaths. That's when he decided he would join the mafia.

Things worked out fine for us. We had a small apartment, and a car. I was able to finish high school, and took on a job as a fortune teller at a saloon. Vince began to climb the 'corporate' ladder, so to speak. He was well respected, and had many friends.

As I got older Vince became my best friend. By this time He had turned twenty one, and I was sixteen. He always made sure I had the best clothes, and nice jewelry. He took me to nice restaurants, and always took me with him to the saloons.

That's how I met his partner, Edward Cullen. Edward was different from any man I had ever met. His skin was pale, and his eyes were like topaz. He had high cheekbones, a strong jaw line, a straight nose, and beautiful, full lips. His hair was always in a casual tangle.

I had fallen for Edward the first time I had met him. I remember that night like it was yesterday, when in reality it was over eighty years ago.

Vince led me through the doors of the small saloon. His hand was on the small of my back as he guided me towards the back of the building. The band was playing a song that I could not recognize, but it had a nice tempo. I slid into a chair at our usual table, and he sat next to me. We were the first to arrive that night, and we sat in silence. It wasn't long before the rest of his crew arrived. The table filled up quickly, but the seat to my left remained empty. As usual I was the only female at the table that night.

Drinks were passed out, and I casually sipped mine, as I normally did. I never talked much at these meetings, unless someone was speaking to me directly. Most nights I never even followed the conversation, but I did notice when the entire table went silent. I glanced around the room, and I couldn't help but stare at the stranger who had just walked through the door. Vince stood up at once and went to greet him.

"I'm glad you could make it here tonight." Vince shook his hand, and the conversation at our table came back to life.

"It was my pleasure." His voice was dazzling. My brother motioned him towards the table, and he took a seat right next to me.

Vince introduced this mysterious bronze haired man to me. "Tessa, this is my partner, Edward."

He took my hand and placed a chaste kiss upon it. His lips were like ice on my skin. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you. Vince talks about you all the time."

I smiled and brushed a strand of blond hair out of my face. "I wish I could say the same."

Normally when I met someone that Vince worked with I would find it hard to talk to them, but things were not the same with Edward. He made everything different. I found that the conversation just seamed to flow with him.

We talked through out dinner, and there was never an awkward silence. I was comfortable around him, even if he was a stranger. After our meal Vince dismissed his crew, but Edward remained at me side.

The band began to play a song with a fast tempo, and I let my foot bounce to the beat. It was the Charleston. Edward glanced over towards my brother, and Vince gave him a small nod. Suddenly his cold hand was on my back. His deep voice broke the silence.

"Would you care to dance with me?' He gave me a crooked smile, and I found myself unable to resist his charm.

We danced that night. I barely noticed how cold his skin was against mine. It took all my concentration to keep from tripping over my feet. Edward was a beautiful dancer, and there was not a flaw to his movements. As the song came to an end his face came closer to mine. His lips were just millimeters from mine. I took a deep breath and closed the distance between us. His lips were cool against mine.

But that was so long ago. I can't keep dwelling on the past anymore. Vince would want me to move on.