Edward had left, that was the worst part. He had left before--when it had just been the three of them: Carlisle, Edward, and Esme. The first time had been an act of rebellion, but this timeā¦.Esme didn't know if he would bounce back.
Without Bella, the light had gone out of his eyes. Her heart hurt to see him like that. Of course they all missed Bella. She had become a part of their family; like another daughter to Esme.
Maybe that was the worst part. Seeing her family so far apart. Edward gone, Bella left behind, Rosalie and Emmett away in Europe. Though she knew Rosalie and Emmett would return, nothing felt the same. Alice, busy searching for her past, was less often her usual bubbly self. Jasper, still blaming himself for Bella's birthday debacle, keeping busy with night classes at Cornell. Carlisle, never one to let time pass idly, working in Ithaca and teaching.
And here I am, thought Esme to herself, looking around at the seventeenth century fixer-upper of a house to which she was attempting to restore its old charm and beauty. My heart just isn't in it this time, she said sadly.
How could she concentrate on this when her heart and mind were elsewhere, scattered across the continents with her various children? She didn't want to do this.
Esme felt her body begin to shake with silent, tearless sobs.
This is the worst part, she realized, letting herself drop to the dusty wood floor. Knowing that my family is in pain and not being able to fix it.
For the first time, she did not hear her husband enter the room.
"Esme, sweetheart." His golden voice was soothing as he sat down beside her and wrapped his arms around her slender, trembling body. "Shh, I know, I'm here."
He didn't need to ask, he knew her pain and knew she needed him.
Esme hadn't realized how late in the day it was, thinking Carlisle would still be working, but thankful he was here now.
"I just want us the way we were," she murmured, collapsing into his embrace. "I want our family back, Carlisle."
"I know, love." He gently rubbed her back, trying to reassure her, to give her strength. It broke his still heart to see her in pain as much as seeing their family in pain caused her heart to ache like this.
"But things will change," he continued. "They will get better. We have to believe that. We will be a family no matter what might happen."
He felt Esme nod her head where it rested against his chest. She turned to face him and to place a kiss on the corner of his mouth before moving to sit on his lap and settle her head on his shoulder.
"Thank you, Carlisle," she spoke against his neck. "I love you."
He rested his head atop hers and wrapped his arms more securely around her.
"And I love you, my Esme, no matter what might happen."
A bit sappy, I know, but it was fun to write so I hope it was fun to read:) Feel free to let me know what you thought about it. And thank you for reading!
