There were a million things that were running through my mind at this moment; was I crazy enough to do this over again? What if she thinks that one time was enough? What if the ring is too small or too big? I had forgotten her ring size when I was at the jeweller but luckily Alice was there with me, she assured me that she's the same size as Esme, how did she know that? It surprised me when she gave me an answer.
"Well you know how Esme loves her garden right?" Alice turned away, nervously.
"I do, she spends most of her time there when I'm away, go on Alice" I looked at my youngest daughter, it wasn't too long since she joined my family along with her mysterious partner, Jasper Hale.
"You see, she doesn't like wearing it when she's out gardening because she doesn't want it to get dirty or anything. So I was only being curious and what it would be like if I had on a wedding ring." She spoke softly.
"Alice Cullen, you tried on the wedding ring that I gave Esme without a fear of it getting stuck or something?" I hissed, but then thought for a moment how genius she is.
She smirked as she turned to face me again. "I fear nothing!" She looked at the jeweller and smiled "May we have this in a size 7?"
Once Alice pulled up in front of the house, I got out of the car and bolted up the stairs and into the living room, finding Emmett freezing with a football in his hand, about to throw it while Jasper slowly turned to me.
"It's not what it looks like!" Emmett said. "I was just asking Jasper if this would—"
"Save it, I'll deal with you two later. Where is your mother?" I took off my hat and shook off my jacket quickly, placing it in the closest near the front door.
"Last time we saw her, she was going for a stroll in the meadow. She said that today was such a good day and she didn't want to waste it. I don't understand what's so good about spring weather" Jasper shrugged.
"That's the same thing I think! Rose is so fascinated when it comes to flowers and birds chirping all the time." Emmett rolled his eyes as he threw the ball up in the air and catching it continuously.
"I ask you boys a simple question and you completely change the subject, sometimes I wonder about your attention span." I shook my head, and went into my pants pocket. "Now you two know that your mother and I love each other very much and we've decided that we'll be together for eternity, right?"
Both of my boys sat down on the couch and exchanged looks, I could tell they had no idea where I was going with this so I showed them the ring. "I've decided since spring is also her favourite season, we'll renew our vows." I smiled; just thinking about it gave me butterflies, what else was better than getting re-married to the love of my life? That's when I heard Alice walk into the room and lightly skip towards Jasper, greeting him with a kiss on the cheek and waving to Emmett who scooted over to make room for her on the couch.
"Isn't it because you two? I mean I know I have great taste and all but I think that ring is a heartbreaker! The diamonds are beautiful when the sun hits it right, and it's not too big because I know that Esme likes everything simple." She smiled, admiring the ring that was in my hand.
Emmett wiped his eyes, pretending that he was crying while Jasper patted his back, moments later they both started dying of laughter. "Daddy-o that's so romantic of you! If only I could cry." Emmett said in between chuckled, shortly after Alice joined in although she tried to keep a serious face the whole time.
I put the box back in my pocket and walked away from my immature children, sad enough that it is they're the ones that know how to give me a good laugh every day. I mean, Emmett will always be the joker in this house but ever since that he received a new brother it's like his life has been completed. I walked to the backyard and made my way to the meadow that was just a few minutes away, it was amazing how much time my wife spent just picking flowers, humming along with the birds or reading; she's the most amazing woman I've ever met.
Once I got to the meadow, I looked around but she wasn't there. Sigh. Did Emmett and Jasper tell me a lie just to see me walk all the way to the meadow for nothing? Or maybe she went for a walk further than the meadow; I don't blame her there is so much to see. Just when I was about to take another step I sensed someone coming from behind me, but before I could react I felt someone jump on my back and grip their arms around my neck while their legs hugged my waist. I held my ground, trying not to fall because I knew exactly who it was.
"Aw man, I had a vivid picture in my head that you would fall flat on your face before I did this" She murmured.
"Baby, how many times do you have to do this before you realize that I'm not going to fall for your tricks anymore?" I chuckled as her hair tickled my neck. "I was looking for you, how was it spending time in your favourite place?"
"It just got better since my favourite person is here now." She kissed my neck which sent me insane; her gentleness was to die for. "Why were you looking for me? Is everything alright?"
"I just missed you so much and I wanted to know how you were doing, is that a crime?" I set her down and turned around so I could see her beautiful face.
"I missed you too; it tears me apart when you're gone for so long. Although spending time with our children and a few moments alone is always nice" She touched my cheek and leaned closer.
"Come here, you." I pulled her by the waist and kissed her passionately, I was right I did miss her! How could I stay away from her for such long periods of time during the day? I pulled away and held her face in my hands. "How about we take a walk?"
She nodded, so I took her hand and we started to walk, I had no idea where we were going but anywhere with Esme is always worth it. It was nearly 5 in the evening while he walked through the forest and towards the little lake that was nearby; Vancouver was beautiful during this time, I think Esme liked where we were staying but unfortunately it was only for a short time. My job in the medical field is very satisfying and it keeps me busy during the day while the kids are off at school but I've been working at the same hospital for quite a long time and I can already tell that people are starting to talk about my physical appearance, of course it's the 90s and now that technology is starting to be upgraded the hospital wouldn't be too upset by my absence.
"You're awfully quiet, something on your mind that you'd like to share?" Esme nudged me with her elbow. "I mean I could always tell you about my day, I'm sure you'd like to hear about the little fight Rosalie and Edward got into today it was quite a show for the boys and I."
"You enjoy seeing our children fight? That's new!" I chuckled.
"Well after a few minutes I had to step in, after a little lecture they made up and went their separate ways. It worked like a charm." She looked up at me and smiled.
"Always the peacemaker, aren't you?" I shook my head. "I'm sorry I wasn't there to help you, sometimes Rosalie's tantrums and Edward's tone of voice can be a handful."
"Don't worry about it, you were too busy having father daughter time with Alice at the hospital; taking her to your job today was amazing Carlisle, at first I thought she wouldn't be able to handle it but once she showed such commitment I think that in a few centuries she'll be just like you. I might not be able to see the future like she can, but I can see her being a petite doctor helping children get better. Either that or a fashionista." She smiled, then I pulled her closer to me; I loved hearing her voice.
"Esme, I was meaning to ask you something." I said once we sat on a large rock that was a few meters from the lake.
She started playing with my fingers as she nodded. "Go ahead, I'm listening."
I took a deep breath and panicked for a moment, how on earth do I get nervous when I'm asking her to marry me for the second time, so I took another deep breath although it wasn't needed and looked at her. It was a good thing that Esme had all of her attention on my fingers or she would see all of the panic that was written on my face.
"Honey, what would your response be if I said that I would like to—"I froze.
"Continue" She said without looking up. "I can't give you an answer if I don't know what you're asking me." She sighed.
"I would like to ask you to move with me to another country, along with the kids of course!" I stumbled on my words then sighed in disbelief from what I just said, nice going Carlisle.
"You sound like you don't want the kids to come." She laughed, "Of course we would love to move to another country, I mean Vancouver is an amazing place and the atmosphere is so positive but you know how excited I get when we move into a new place, with a new location!"
"Don't get too excited Esme, I don't even know where we're moving yet." I sighed.
"Will you let me choose the place this time? Please, I haven't gotten to choose the place since—"
"You chose this place, along with the last place, and the place before that. Remember those times? You were the one who wanted to know what it would be like in Canada." I acknowledged, and my point was 100% true!
"Okay fine, since you're keeping score then we'll have a little draw when we get home." She got up and walked over to the lake; I felt my left pocket and frowned. It's now or never! I went up behind her and hugged her by the waist and rested my head on her shoulder, she wasn't that much shorter than I was then again I guess I got use to her height over the years.
"You know, I'm going to miss this place. The mountains were always my favourite part, do you promise that we'll come back to visit?" She turned her head and kissed my cheek.
"Have I ever broken a promise to you before?" I smirked.
"Say it." She hissed.
"Alright sweetheart, I promise cross my heart and hope to d—" I whispered.
"Carlisle Cullen, don't even say that word." She said, coldly.
"Do you know what word that has been aching to come out of my mouth ever since I saw you this evening?" I kissed her neck.
"I knew something was on your mind, spill!" She spoke softly.
I turned her around and held both of her hands while staring into her beautiful eyes; I examined every feature of her face while the words 'now or never' appeared in my head over and over again.
"Marry me."