Author's note:
This is my first attempt at writing one; although I have read many wonderful stories. I thought I would try my hand at it and give myself a bit of a creative outlet. Of course I own none of the Twilight character and mean no disrespect to the work of Ms. Meyers. I just wanted the Cullen's and a few others to come out and play for a bit. They can all go back to where they belong soon.
I would love to get your feedback, but as this is my first attempt, please be kind.
Carlisle POV
""You must do everything in your power."
How many times had I heard this plea—from a mother, father, husband, wife, friend? But never had I been so affected. As I looked at this boy lying before me, I realized that I wanted to try. I was tired of this lonely existence and I wanted some companionship. To have someone join me in this "life." I had been weighing the morality of such a decision for decades and was never able to justify subjecting another to this. But now, with his mother's permission, I knew that Edward would be a blessing.
Three days of personal hell for him—and for me. I sat by his side as the venom spread through his veins. With each scream, I felt my change all over again. Had I made the selfish choice? Was Edward going to be thankful or would he reject this life? But after 72 hours of agony, Edward awoke and our life together, our family, began.
Three years after Edward was born, Esme joined us. We were truly a family. I had never been happier. I was able to practice medicine and come home at the end of each shift to a wife I adored and a son who fulfilled my desire to be a parent. Of course, Edward and Esme had a bit of difficulty in the beginning; both resisting the pull of human blood. After nine years of his new life, Edward rejected.
Esme was miserable in those years. She felt as though she had lost another son. Each night, she would beg me to go look for Edward, but I knew he just needed time. I don't know who was happier when he came home after four years; Esme, me, or Edward. From then on we were inseparable. Our vegetarian ways made our bonds so much stronger than any traditional coven.
As time passes, Esme and I both hoped that Edward would find his own mate and thus his own happiness. Rosalie was the chance we took, but they never quite made the connection we had hoped. Rosalie never appreciated the change. Even two years later, when she found her mate in Emmett, Rosalie mourned the loss of those parts of human life he would never experience.
For the first time since my own, I began to feel guilt. I had taken something so basic from the four people I hold most dear. Edward was my confessor and my salvation in those times of doubt. I never had to utter the remorse verbally. He always knew my thoughts and would assure me that our each of us had found a joy in this new life.
Our abilities allowed each of us to make a significant contribution to the war effort in the 1940's. The bombing at Pearl Harbor stirred the patriotism in all Americans and my family was no different. We each played our part in the war.
Esme and I joined as a doctor and nurse in the European theater. Our time was spent triaging soldiers who made it off the lines and attempting to save the lives and limbs of the boys who suffered casualties. Our tours of duty gave both of us a sense of accomplishment that was unlike anything I had felt in 300 years.
Edward, Emmett and Rosalie joined the resistance in France and were instrumental in the allies' rapid advance through the country after D-Day. I know they realize that they achieved a great deal and should be proud, but they rarely talk about it. Edward tells me that the horrors they saw cannot compare with anything in our world and leaves it at that.
Despite our ability to make a difference in the war, I knew my children still felt unfulfilled.
Alice and Jasper joined us in 1950 and Esme and I welcomed them with open arms.
Our growing family brought several tense moments, lots of laughter, and more love than I ever knew possible. Despite all that, I knew there was something missing.
Then, one night in 1970, as I worked yet another shift at the hospital, I watched as mother wrapped her arms around her grown son and sobbed tears of joy over the birth of her grandson, I knew. I wanted that. I wanted nothing more that to watch Esme hug Emmett as he introduced us to our grandchild.
I walked in the door to my home the next morning to be met by Edward and the largest smile I have ever seen.
"I want to help!"
Edward POV
I heard his thoughts as he pulled in the drive. "There has to be a way to reverse the venom's effect on the circulatory system without damaging the rest of the systems…"
I could admit the project would most likely be futile but it was a way to pass the time and if by chance it did work, it would mean a chance to live my life the way I was meant to—as a human.
Carlisle and I spent weeks at a time locked in the garage of whatever home we were living. None of the others knew whet we worked, nor did they care. They knew it was something medical and that was enough to turn them as far away as possible.
Years passed, we changed locations about a dozen times, and suffered more set backs than either of us thought possible. The frustration was enough to make both of us want to quit, but what else does an immortal who requires no sleep have to do.
Then, a breakthrough!
"Ok, Edward, take the O-neg vile and inject 2cc's of your venom. Once it crystallizes we can inject trial 1820. If it works, we should see a slow reversal of the crystallization over the span of about six hours based on the sample size."
As we sat and watched the blood turn into a venom-laced crystallized vile, we took unnecessary large breaths.
"Injecting trial 1820 at 5:58 am on January 18, 2005."
As I finished pushing down the plunger, Alice came tearing through the doors calling out "I don't know what you are working on, but you just altered all our lives." I sat back and watched as Alice showed me her visions of our future. It was nothing I ever thought was possible.
I saw Rose, Em, Jasper, Carlisle, Esme, and myself around a Thanksgiving table with seven children running around the room laughing as Rose called out "Come on you two, dinner is perfect. Get out hear before Em eats the tablecloth and all the place settings."
Then her thoughts shifted to a vision of me only a me I never knew could exist. I was older—physically older. With a bit of graying at my temples and bright green eyes that danced with complete joy, I looked at a teenage girl who was coming out of a pool after what appeared to be a swim meet. She jumped up and hugged me, soaking me completely, but I certainly didn't mind.
After that, Alice's thoughts jumped to a future vision of her and Jas meeting with a teacher discussing their son's status in school and how he needed to be challenged.
The thoughts were going so quickly, I didn't know what to think.
"What have you both done?" she asked excitedly.
"Alice, let's get everyone together and we can explain," Carlisle stated walking out of the garage and into our living room.
Alice moved to join Jasper on the sofa as Carlisle and I faced the family. Emmett and Rosalie sat on the love seat with a confused look on their faces while Esme floated into the room and took her place in the arm armchair near the fireplace.
Carlisle wasted no time in telling the tale of how he undertook the project and how he felt he owed it to all of us to try and give us an option. He described how he and I had worked for 35 years, producing one trial a week, trying to find a way to reverse the effect of the venom. He explained how this latest trial had just been injected and we hoped that over the next six hours, it would show some signs of working.
They all sat there, staring at us with varying expressions. Alice was elated; knowing the future she had seen could be within reach.
Jasper's nature as a cynic was clearly expressed on his face. His thoughts betrayed his feelings "How do we know this is safe. I don't want Alice to try it, and I'm certainly not willing to put myself on the block as the lab rat."
Emmett took it all in stride as I knew he would. "I could be down with a change if it means I could graduate high school and not have to go back."
Rose's thoughts centered on her desire to be a mother and grow old with Em and Esme, she just looked at Carlisle with pride on her face and in her heart.
Jasper was the first to get his wits back and ask, "So we should know by this afternoon, correct?" Carlisle and I nodded. "Then may I suggest those of us in high school get ready to start our day and we can discuss this tonight."
We all agreed and went our separate ways to prepare for the day. I had a great feeling about today!