The door slammed shut, and Edward whirled around just in time to see Carlisle whip his fingers through his hair in the frustrated gesture that only surfaced every decade or so. Edward was too infuriated to care.
"What was that?" he demanded, moving swiftly to the slightly older-looking man. He was close enough to command respect but too far away to be physically threatening.
"I might ask the same of you." Surprisingly, Carlisle stood his ground, meeting Edward's gaze and searching not unkindly into his eyes.
Taken slightly aback by the firm stance and softer tone, Edward lowered his voice but not his eyes. "I don't see the need to defend my actions."
"Perhaps you should try to stand back and look at the facts. Alone with a human girl that you're attracted to—"
"Believe me, I understand the situation. And I also know my own limitations. I wish you'd respect my judgment on this."
Carlisle stepped forward and tightly gripped Edward's arm just above the elbow. Edward flinched, fighting the instinct to pull away. He looked down at the somewhat shorter man, grudgingly submitting to the changed power structure. Carlisle continued, "Edward, a man in love is simply incapable of even knowing his own boundaries in a case like this, much less staying within them when the moment comes."
Carlisle's grip loosened involuntarily. Both of them knew that he wasn't capable of intimidation. "Obviously, no one can make your choices for you. And you know that we'll be forced to accept whatever decisions you make. But, Edward—" Carlisle stopped then, passing a hand across his eyes. Feeling suddenly weary, he continued resignedly, "I am not the only person who loves you that is concerned about your recent choices. Since your entire family feels this way, you may need to seriously consider why that is."
Edward stared hard into Carlisle's eyes, uncertainty beginning to appear in his features. He didn't know what to say, but the moment wasn't awkward. He waited silently. Carlisle gave him one last long, lingering, meaningful look, and exited quietly.
Edward continued staring at the spot that Carlisle had been standing in and then, irritated and angry, began pacing the length of his bedroom rapidly. He had not asked for this situation, and did not feel that he could choose who he would and would not love. The safety and possibly respect of his family could hang in the balance, not to mention Bella's. He had been pretending that he had no control or choices in the matter, but maybe he did.
Edward opened a window and jumped onto the nearest tree, sliding down to the forest floor below. He would hunt now, and think later.