Title: My Son

Summary: Carlisle's thoughts of Edward throughout Twilight

A/N: Completely my own take on things

My son, that is what I had come to think of Edward,though I am not that much older. Each day a part of me regretted turning him. It wasn't a clear choice, not for me. I could have let him die, but his mother's dying pleas had broken through to my non beating heart.

Each day I watched Edward grow accustomed to our life, and yet a small part of him still wished the swift hand of death. A monster he called himself, and yet I could never think of him in this way. Many times I truly believe he would have left if not for our small family. Yes, they fought as siblings will, but there was a fierce loyalty there, an unspoken pact to never let harm come to the others. I am so lucky to have them all, though a part of me wonders and misses the chances for scraped knees and chasing away bad dreams as a father would.

Years ago I had hoped he would find a mate in Rosalie, but his feeling for her were that of a sibling, not a lover. As the years went by he became more and more withdrawn, spending far too much time alone; and yet within the past month I have seen a change. What had brought him out of his shell I wondered, and it never dawned on me that it could be a human.

Bella, I had heard him whisper the name though he had yet to speak of her. The hatred from Rosalie was instantaneous. She longed to be human again, to have Edward look at her as all men did. She could not persuade him, and she loathed the mention of anyone's name that could.

During the hunt he spoke not a word of her, and I longed to know. Just as I thought of asking I found him sneaking from the house in the night. The parental part of me wished to wait for him, to question where he had been, but another part of me already knew. How many times had I also gone and watched Esme sleeping? How I had been captured by her slow breathing, or the angelic look on her face whilst she was lost in her dreams. I had taken Esme from the death that was coming, and now I could not picture a sunrise we didn't share. This Bella was neither sick nor dying so I had to wonder if this was only an infatuation that would end as she grew older and changed.

Another day at work tending to those that oddly enough needed me. It was my calling, the reason I had been born all those centuries ago. Each new cry of a newborn re-affirmed my love for human life.

I felt panic, not from strangers, no, this came from my children. One by one they came through the door and my thoughts quickly scanned each one for an injury. Someone was missing, and at last he came into the room his head, down, not wanting to meet my gaze. Had he taken a life like so many years ago? Why had they all come? It was answered quickly as the words human and Bella was spat from Rosalie's lips. Edward had saved her, possibly exposing us all, and yet I could not berate him for his choice. Rosalie is furious, but she will calm as even I have seen that this child would reveal nothing. I do not know why, but she seems to trust Edward unconditionally.

There are whispers from everyone of how Bella is too close, of how we should all leave. I have grown to love Forks, and have tired of moving, but it is the life we lead. To all eyes we are monsters, bred from movies and tales. They do not know we are capable of compassion, of love. There have been attacks and even Esme grows leery though Alice has seen nothing. Others have crossed our paths before, and we will do as always and wait their departure so that we can return to our lives.

He has told her. Bella knows of our secret and for this I am both elated and scared. The Voltari's rules are clear that no human know, but Edward is joyous, his smile a sight that is so rare. I cannot see this as an omen just yet.

Finally he has brought her to meet Esme. Rosalie, is less than thrilled, but Esme as always welcomed her with open arms. Bella knows the danger she is in, but it doesn't seem to matter to her. Jasper... he keeps a distance for his strength to refrain is unlike ours. For now he wishes no harm to come to her, but could he if the smallest drop of her blood was to fall? Alice knows something for she speaks as if Bella will be around for some time. I must speak with her and discover what she foresees. I will not risk the safety of my family for a single human, but if my instincts are right she will not forsake Edward and speak of our secret.

Esme has spoken to me at length, and I see her joy at the coming of Bella into our lives. To her she is a daughter already, as she plans a room for her, and I laugh but I feel the same way. Even Jasper seems willing to help her should she need it. Rosalie is still being stubborn as usual. She sees what she can never have and she puts a wall up around herself, showing only her pain and anger towards Bella. Tomorrow we shall have a game of baseball, something we all enjoy, and perhaps Bella can break through the wall that surrounds Rosalie.

Edward and Bella arrived and she looked so happy but a bit nervous. I had to laugh that her fear was based on knowing nothing of the game instead of being surrounded by vampires. I really do love this game, the simplicity of it. Everyone is smiling, laughing, and even Rosalie is not as intimidating towards Bella. We were having such a good time that no one noticed the scent of others, but as always Alice forewarned us. Immediately my family stood as one, but Edward turned to rush Bella out of there.

For once it was as if I could read his mind. I told him there was no time for an escape, and I prayed our scents would overwhelm hers.

Esme always the motherly protector stood at Bella's side. I knew if these vampires tried to harm her there would be bloodshed. Edward tensed as I made the introductions as their red eyes raked across us. Each member of my family was a potential killer. Jasper had been bred to kill, his only salvation was a strong sense of right and wrong. Alice would not attack unless they tried to harm one of us as she preferred not to sway to violence. It is not as if they could ever catch her as she anticipated their moves before they could make them.

Rosalie was a force to be reckoned with, as was Emmett. Both would fight to the death, one for pride, one for the thrill of the fight and that left my sweet Esme. She would guard Bella. She was not a fighter, never wanted to be. Even in this life she couldn't bring herself to take a life. Still, if one were to harm what she considered her children a force would be unleashed that would kill even the scariest of creatures.

Everyone stood ready to attack, muscles tensed, fangs bared. Their leader spoke to us about passing through and perhaps joining our game. I knew Edward would hear me a I thought of him running quickly with Bella. I feared even now for her safety. All seemed well until the wind blew the slight scent of human their way, and then it was as if a new game had begun; one that could cost lives.

My children hunched down, ready to defend while I explained Bella was with us. If they thought she was our snack all the better as long as they left. Esme stood before her, protective arms out in front, a gleam in her eyes that scared me.

They have left but I do not trust them. Something tells me they will not stop till Bella is dead, and that would harm my family too much. Escape, yes that is what needs to happen. How can her absence be explained? Will this bring about a hunt for the Cullen family? As I stared into Edward's eyes I saw it, the answer.

Bella was out family, just as Alice or Jasper or any of us were. Rosalie always the brick wall would not yield. "Why should we help her?" she asked. The answer lays within those brown eyes. Bella loved Edward, and trusted his family. We could not leave her to be hunted, no, she was family now and those who dared to threaten our family would find themselves without mercy. Rosalie's resolve to hate her was not as strong as her love to protect us.

Tears welled in Bella's eyes and I could see Edward coming unraveled. He wanted to take her and run away,but I would not have him face the other alone; that would be suicide. Laying a hand on his shoulder I saw something I had not seen since Bella came into his life, desperation.

We tried to lead James away, hoping he would fall for the ruse we had set, but he was not as inept as we thought. There was now a race to get to Bella before him. Esme and Rosalie would stay to protect Charlie. Normally I would not leave my beloved, but Rosalie would keep all harm from her. She loved Esme as if she had always called her mother.

The phone rang and I listened as Alice frantically told me that Bella was gone. She and Jasper were heading towards the studio now, and as I turned to tell Edward I found only Emmett. "I couldn't catch him," he muttered but it was no matter; none could match Edward's speed. He would arrive first, and I prayed we would not show up to find out it was too late.

Even as we drew near the building the smell of blood was already so powerful a calming word was given to each before we entered.

Instincts took over the second I caught sight of Edward, poised to kill James. I had to intervene quickly, pleading with him to not do this. A part of me understood his rage, knowing I would do the same should any try to harm Esme. I pried his fingers from around James' neck, sending him to Bella's side, and one look at her bloody and battered body sent new waves of anguish and guilt.

James was no more having been torn limb from limb, the price of vengeance for harming one we cared for. He would hurt no one now, but he had left Bella to die. There were no words to describe the screams falling from her lips. Blood poured from her cuts, but only the searing pain of the bite mattered to her.

The easiest thing to do would be to let her change, to become as we are now. She would be welcomed into our home, and helped as she adjusted, but Edward would not hear of it. Pleading he asked me for another way and I told him of the only one I knew. His face twisted not knowing if he could stop but there was no time for doubt, Bella's time was coming to an end.

Bella has survived, though she is not without scars and the haunting memories of what happened. Anyone would be mortified to find themselves on the brink of becoming a vampire, but Bella no. She regrets that we did not let the venom spread, that she did not wake to find herself like Edward.

I see the sadness in Edward's eyes for what could have been. When he is near her a part of him is just like the seventeen year old boy I once knew, shy, and curious about what his part in this world would be. As for Bella, well, she is unique and wiser than even I am at times.

She doesn't look upon us with scorn, with pity. She accepts so easily ways that should frighten, and yet the mere mention of us being monsters bring about a fury in her. What will come from this forbidden love no one know, but for now I shall enjoy a father's pride as I watch my son's first romance blossom. Bella will make her choice, but something tells me she will not be swayed in what she wants, though vampire or not she will always have Edward's heart.