In this Life
By
Nicole
Disclaimer: I dont own the Twilight Saga the amazing Stepenie Meyer does.
Summary: The year is 1897, Esme Platt, sixteen, was head over heels with her childhood, love, Carlisle Cullen. Except when fate cruelly tears them apart, will they find their way back to each other again? AU/AH
In this Life
Chapter 1: Not so Merry Christmas
Carlisle stood in the parlor of his father's house watching as guests were mingling together, drinking, eating, laughing, and talking. It was another one of his father's boring Christmas parties, inviting everyone in the community, being the pastor of the town the family was quite popular.
He was standing by the drinks table, his eyes glued to the beautiful young woman dancing in the middle of the room with another man.
She had caramel-colored hair, brown eyes; she was wearing pale purple shoes with a dark purple dress. Her hair was tied back with a curl over her right shoulder and a white flower behind her left ear. She was the most beautiful young woman he had ever seen in his life. The song ended and the man kissed the back of her hand before walking away. She looked up at him and a gentle smile appeared on her face. Walking over, she stood in front of Carlisle. "Hello," she greeted.
"Hello, Miss Platt, an honor to see you again," he said with a smile.
He held her hand, kissing her knuckles gently. Esme smiled as she held onto his hand. They glanced around at all the guests in the Cullen house. "Are your parents here?" he asked quietly.
"Yes they're speaking with your father," she replied.
Carlisle looked over to see Walter and Regina Platt speaking to his father. "Come on," he whispered. He held onto her hand and they snuck outside.
Esme laughed a little as she held onto his hand when they walked into the gardens. "Sneaking away are we?" she quipped lightly.
"The only way I can get to see you alone," he replied smiling softly.
Letting out a sigh, she entwined her fingers with his. "I have missed you," he said quietly.
"I missed you, I hate that my parents find ways to keep me from coming here," she answered.
Resting his forehead against hers, Carlisle let her hands go, rubbing his own hands up and down her arms. "You are here, that's all that matters right now," he murmured. Smiling, she wrapped her arms around his back.
"We can not stay hidden out here for too long, you know they'll search for me," she pointed out quietly.
"I know," he answered.
Esme hugged him tight, closing her eyes with a shaky sigh. "I hate that they keep separating us," she whispered.
"I know," he answered.
Pulling away, he kissed her tenderly, moving his hands up onto the sides of her neck. Esme kissed him back, resting her hands on his arms. Moving away a little, he kissed all over her face. "I love you Esme, and once I get the chance, I'm going to marry you," he whispered.
The young woman smiled at the idea of marrying Carlisle. Resting her head against his chest, she closed her eyes.
When they moved back into the party, Carlisle stood up straighter when his father walked over. "Carlisle, son, there is someone I would like you to meet," he informed smiling. Franklin gestured over to the young woman by his side.
She had shoulder-length bronze-colored hair, emerald green eyes; she was wearing white shoes with a periwinkle colored dress that had a white sash tied around her waist. Her hair was pulled back in a half ponytail, curled, with white orchids in the ponytail part of her hair. "Son this is Elizabeth Morgan," his father informed.
"It is a pleasure to meet you Miss Morgan," he said with a small smile as he held her hand kissing her knuckles.
"The pleasure is all mine Mr. Cullen," she answered polity with a small curtsey.
Franklin smiled. "She and her family have moved from New York," he informed.
"It must have been a long travel," Carlisle commented.
"It was long, but it was lovely to watch all the scenery," she replied smiling.
Elizabeth was smiling sincerely at the man before her. "Uh…um…may I have this dance?" he asked politely.
"I would like that," she replied smiling.
Carlisle led her out to the dance floor as another song started playing. To his discomfort, the fast song that had started playing and the band began to play slow music. Looking over at the corner of the room he saw Esme standing by her parents, her stare was over at him. "Is something wrong?" Elizabeth asked.
"Uh no, no, my apologies," he answered.
He started dancing with the young woman, putting on his best smile. "I hope you are enjoying yourself," he commented.
"I am, it is a lovely party," she answered smiling.
"My father tends to have a party when it comes to the holidays," he commented.
Elizabeth nodded smiling. "Well Christmas parties are especially fun," she answered.
"They can be," he agreed.
Carlisle took her hand and spun her around slowly, at least trying to show that he was having a good time even though his glances would go to Esme when Elizabeth wasn't looking. At one point towards the end of the dance, he looked up to see that Esme was putting on her jacket. "Could you excuse me for just one moment Elizabeth?" he asked.
"Of course, is everything alright?" she asked concerned.
"I'm not sure I hope you have a pleasant evening Miss Morgan," he told her.
He kissed her hand once more before leaving the room to follow Esme.
Esme was walking towards the door when Carlisle ran up to her. "Esme, why are you leaving so soon?" he asked holding onto her hand.
"I have to go," she replied.
"But why?" he asked.
She shook her head slowly. "I am not sure why," she replied quietly.
"Esme…" he started.
"I'll write as soon as I can," she murmured.
Kissing his cheek gently, she bit her lower lip as she left the party with her parents. Letting out a sigh, Carlisle moved his fingers through his hair as he silently cursed to the air punching the wall lightly.
After a few moments alone in the hall, he straightened his jacket before he had to go back to the party and entertain his father's guests.