Carlisle's POV
I exited my terminal at Midway Airport and headed straight for the parking lot, I had places to go and a special person to see. It felt good to be back in my own car after two months of vacation. It was a nice feeling indeed. I sighed as I settled in to the soft leather interior of my black Mercedes and it felt even better to be driving it through the recognizable streets that I take to work everyday. I recognized the old buildings and theatres that the city held and I'd occasionally glance at the restaurants subconsciously wondering which one we would be dining at tonight. As the buildings became smaller I knew I was close to my destination, turning quickly down the side street the building came in to view. I parked my car on the street out front and braced myself for the Chicago cold.
I trudged up the walk way through a foot and a half of snow. 'Never saw weather like this in Los Angeles now did we,' I grumbled to myself as I realized that my clothing of choice still complemented the weather of sunny L.A. and not the frigid temperature of the place I made my home. I entered the small apartment building and briskly walked up the three flights of stairs to the all too familiar green front door. Apartment B118 smiled.
I took out my key ring which held my car keys, friends' keys, my parents' house key, and of course they yellow key with multicolored hearts. I chuckle like I did the first time she gave it to me. 'Home is where the heart is' I repeated her memorable statement in my mind, it wasn't really her quote but I'd forever picture her saying it I just couldn't hear it said any other way. I brought the colorful key to the lock and turned it, the door opened nicely, a smooth quiet glide, unlike the sticky doors in my brother's home in California.
The apartment was still exactly how I remembered, creaky hard wood floors with the beige shag rug placed in the middle complemented by her choice of modern furniture. The little kitchen still off to the side with the new appliances she bought herself. The place still smelled like lemon, not the cleaning solution smell, but almost the soft sugary sent of lemonade. I finally stepped inside letting my carry on bag slide nicely to the floor.
"Lucy I'm Home!" I yelled in my best Ricky Ricardo imitation.
The door to the bedroom opened slightly as she stuck her head out, recognizing the line from our favorite television show. A grin played on her heart shaped face realizing it was really me. Then with out a moment of hesitation she ran into my embrace. I picked her up and spun her around only to have the chance to hold her longer. Her arms were secured tightly around my neck almost as if she was never going to let go. I sighed and inhaled the alluring sent of her caramel curls, cherry blossom, just like always.
"Carlisle, you came back!" She squealed placing a light kiss on my cheek
"Of course I did, Esme!" I replied giving her a reassuring squeeze.
Then we pulled away. I gently set her on the ground in front of me and for a moment we took each other in, noticing what had changed and what had remained in the person we both claimed to know so well. It wasn't that we didn't talk while I was gone. Actually it was quite the opposite. However, there is always huge difference between phone calls and pictures compared to the living flesh and blood person.
"Your hairs lighter," she giggled as she ruffled it with her slender fingers.
"Ya, I guess it is" I grinned slightly at her action.
It was silent for a moment as we continued to look at each other.
"Hey, if you don't mind, I'm going to finish getting ready. I wasn't expecting you this early." Her musical voice echoed in my ear.
"Oh, ya sure, I don't mind!" I replied as she walked back to her room.
"Make yourself at home," she cooed before I heard the door click shut.
I paced through the apartment letting my fingers touch the granite counter tops of the kitchen and the wooden table of the built in breakfast nook, trying to familiarize myself with the space. I finally settled in the living room. I took a place on the couch and began looking at the pictures she had displayed on the end table.
She had one of her parents at their anniversary party. Another was her and Eden, her older sister. A third was one I had taken of all of the girls and Esme at some restaurant right before I had left. All four of them were sitting in the booth Bella was blushing with a big grin, Rosalie had her arms around a very pregnant Alice hugging her tightly and, of course Esme at the end holding her martini giving the camera that sexy lopsided smile of hers.
The final picture was placed right in front for all to see. It was one of her and me taken that same night a moment frozen in time. Our arms were slung around one another, her eyes closed with a smile that showed her in mid laugh because I was kissing her cheek. I guessed she really liked the picture too, for she gave it a special frame.
One that said….Best Friends.