I really, really hate the original (unfinished) version I did of this, but kind of wanted to keep the idea, so I'm trying again. Hopefully it's better. I'll eventually pull the other one down as well.

And also, sorry for any spelling mistakes/grammar errors in this; my beta is away for a while so I'm on my own.

ESME POV

Our two covens had almost become one now, to the point where we lived together, along with Alistair, and we were like one big family. It made the Volturi nervous, but it was fun. It also saved on a lot of travel to see each other. For the moment, we were all staying in Alaska.

"Good morning," I smiled at my husband as he came downstairs.
He sort of smiled back but was still dazed and sleepy, rubbing his hand over his face to try and push his hair out of his eyes.
"Over slept, did we?" Alistair teased with a smirk on his face.
"Shut up," he mumbled, rolling his eyes at his best friend. He disappeared into the kitchen. A few minutes later he came back in and sat next to me at the table, holding his cup with both hands.
It was odd, but he seemed different today. Younger, maybe; for once matching his mortal age of twenty three. Vulnerable, I realised. The sleeves of his jumper were too long and covered up to the tips of his fingers and the way he held his cup reminded me of a little kid. His hair was slightly messy and he was still only semi-coherent.
Alistair nudged. "You alright?"
"Yes, just tired." He tried and failed to stifle a yawn.
We continued our conversation but Carlisle didn't join in like I hoped he would. Instead he stayed quiet and lent his forehead against his hand, looking as though he was on the verge of going back to sleep again.

I shuffled my chair closer to his, taking his hand in mine and kissing the back of it. "Are you alright, love?"
He nodded but I wasn't sure he actually comprehended what I had said.
I slipped my arm around his waist and he lent on me slightly. "Are you sure? You're not quite yourself this morning." I couldn't hide the fact I was worried.
"I'm fine, Esme." He kissed the side of my face before taking his first sip of coffee, immediately pulling a face of distaste and putting it down.
"What?"
He shook his head, swallowing it hesitantly. "Nothing, it's just disgusting. Stop worrying, love."
"Worrying is my job," I argued lightly, smiling when I felt him chuckle.
"Well, you are too good at it then, aren't you?" he teased, resting his head on my shoulder.
After a while he lent forward and folded his arms against the table, leaning on them again. I slowly ran my and up and down his back, wanting nothing more than to cuddle him but I was pretty sure he wouldn't like that too much, not in front of everyone anyway. I plotted ways to get him to bed but apparently Alistair got there first.
"Maybe you should lie down or something, you're kind of pale."
"I'm fine," he insisted, but his speech was slurred.
"You know, sweetie, he's probably right. Some rest would do you good."
He just shook his head but let me hug him.

"Carlisle, we're going to play baseball tonight. Are you coming-" Emmett started but he cut himself off and did a double at his appearance. "Never mind…Not today…" He wandered off again.
Carlisle winced at the sound of his voice, shrinking into me slightly. He forced down another sip of his drink and then gasped quietly, his whole body tensing, cursing under his breath.
"What's wrong?" I asked, glancing at him.
He nervously pressed his fingers over his mouth, straightening in his seat.
"Carlisle?" I reached under the table and squeezed his hand.
"Um…I have to-I'm going to-ah-" he stood abruptly, pushing his chair back with his legs and rushing up the stairs.

"Carlisle? What's happening?" I knelt in front of him on the bathroom floor, hugging him carefully.
He was leaning against the wall, resting his head on his knees. "I'm okay, love," he mumbled, running his fingers through his hair to shift it off his face as he glanced up at me.
"You don't look okay." I caught his hand, knotting my fingers through him.
He smiled weakly but he looked tired.
"Are you sick?" I pressed, anxious now.
He shrugged noncommittally, not interested in providing an answer.
"Carlisle? Answer me, please," I scolded lightly, trying to hug him.
He shifted so it was impossible. "You'll catch whatever I've got…I don't think it's wise for you to be this close to me…"
"I don't care." I sat beside him, sliding my arm around his waist.
"I care." He held his breath.
"In sickness and in health, remember?" I teased. "I'm not going anywhere, my love."
He sighed and gave up to lean against me. "You worry me, Esme."

Instead of confining himself to bed like I wanted him to, he went back down to the others, pretending everything was fine when anyone asked him. It was only when the rest of our coven went out to baseball that he let the façade slip a little.
"Tired, Carlisle?" Tanya asked immediately, coming to stand in front of where we were sitting.
"No," he denied, shaking his head.
"Yes," I corrected, kissing his cheek.
She rolled her eyes. "Spare me. Your coven is gone, so you aren't scaring anyone by not being alright."
"I'm fine."
"Oh don't try it. I'm not an idiot. And neither is your wife, you're not getting away with it."
I laughed quietly and squeezed his hand. "She's right, you know."
He sighed in defeat and moved to rest his head on my shoulder. "You win," he mumbled.
"Good," I chuckled, running my fingers through his hair to shift it off his face. "Then you're going to bed."
"Really?" He looked up at me skeptically.
"Yes. Go." I pointed up the stairs, only just managing to restrain a laugh as he actually followed my instruction.

"Happy?" he asked as I flopped onto the bed beside him, content that everything was as good as I could get it and that I had done everything I could for him.
I nodded, reaching over to hand him his book, assuming that was what he wanted. Instead of taking it from me, he grabbed my waist, pulling me down on top of him. "Surely you can't be in the mood for that," I teased, sliding my hands underneath him.
He smiled, a little unsurely, and rolled over so that I was directly next to him. "I just like being close to you, love."
"I thought you were worried about getting me sick?"
"I am, I just…I just wanted you. I'm sorry, it's stupid." He pulled away a little, holding his breath. When I tried to kiss him he looked so uncomfortable I stopped.
"I'm only kidding, Carlisle. If you're infectious, then when I catch it you can look after me. But right now I'm looking after you and you cant stop me, deal?" I held his face in my hands, forcing him to look at me.
"On one condition."
Here we go. "What would that be?"
"You're not allowed to fuss." His arms tightened around me a little, making me laugh.
"I'm not promising anything. I'll fuss if I want to."
"But you don't need to; I'm not that sick at all, really. If it wasn't for you and your need to mother your husband, I wouldn't even be in here right now." He was teasing me now, and I was well aware of it.
"This is the best place for you. You're a doctor, you know that," I argued.
He rolled his eyes, hiding a smile. "If I was treating me I'd tell me to stop being pathetic and go back to work." He paused, thinking. "And then I'd have to come clean and admit that my wife was confining me to bed and I was too afraid to resist."
"That sounds about right," I laughed, kissing his forehead. "You have a temperature."
"No I don't," he answered automatically, immediately looking guilty.
"You do so." I held my hand against the side of his face, trying to gage it. "Not high, but defiantly there."
"You're diagnosis?"
"That my husband needs to take better care of himself," I told him gravely.
He snickered. "Well, I'm screwed then, aren't I?"
"I have a treatment."
"Oh?"
I nodded. "Bed rest and cuddles. You've had the cuddle part of it, now go to sleep."
"It's lunch time. I'm not sleeping now," he protested, failing to hide his amusement.
"Well, pretend to sleep for my sake."
"Fine. I have another condition."
"You're difficult."
"I told you I was complicated when you married me, remember?" he teased.
"I believe it was after I said 'yes' too."
"Yeah, I'm sorry. There's no escape now." He kissed my neck, wrapping us both in the blanket so I was trapped with him.
"How terrible," I agreed sarcastically, giggling. "I don't know how I'll ever survive. Now, what's this condition that's so important to you?"
"If you're making me stay in bed, then you have to stay with me." He cuddled into my side. "You know, as punishment."
"Some punishment that is."