The characters belong to Stephanie Meyer but the story is my own.
I sat in my swing watching the clouds swirl and sway creating so many different shapes in the sky. I spotted a deer, a rabbit, a dragon and a horse. They stayed only for a few seconds before they disappeared. This was peace, something that I didn't get very often anymore. It seemed that the older I got the more responsibilities I had to making myself the best woman I could be. At the young age of sixteen, I still wanted to be free. I highly enjoyed school and dreamt of becoming a school teacher upon graduation. To be able to mold the minds of children and teach them the joy of learning that I had, would be simply amazing.
"Esme!" My mothers voice broke through my thoughts and told me that it was supper time. I quickly hopped to the ground and began to walk down the small slope towards my home.
It was not a large home, but it was a home in everyway. Father had built it with his own two hands and tried to make it as close to Mother's dream house as he could. There was a beautiful light blue picket fence that enclosed the front of the house. Mother had always loved roses and she had planted two bushes next to the gate and two bushes next to the door step. A wrap around deck covered the front and left side of the house, with a beautiful swing. The door was the same light blue as the fence and added a burst of color against the all white building. A picture window adorned the right side of the front of the house and showed a beautiful living room with a large fireplace. The kitchen was the room that Father had spent the most time on. It had hand carved cupboards with a rose adorning each one. The stove was top of the line as was the fridge. Mother spent much of her days in here singing and cooking away the time. My room was on the top floor at the back. It overlooked the rolling hills and I spent much of my time daydreaming away. I was not big on possessions but I did adore books. Reading allowed me to experience adventures that I could only dream about. Mother did not always approve of my having my nose in a book but Father saw no harm in it. He would sometimes sneak books home to me when Mother's back was turned.
"Get your head out of the clouds and hurry up!" I made a face that I knew Mother couldn't see then hurried inside. I quickly whipped my boots on the mat before slipping them off and placing them on the shoe wrack.
Father was already seated at the table and I made sure to ash my hands before taking my place. Mother brought over a large pot of her home made stew and Father rubbed his hands together. After pouring each of us our portion she took her place and looked to Father. He nodded and bowed his head.
"Dear God, we thank you for this bountiful meal that you have set before us. Thank you for guiding us each and everyday in all that we do. Amen."
We ate in silence, as we did every meal. Mother always taught me that idle talk was evil and there was nothing to say after a long day. Shortly after we finished eating I was dismissed to my room to complete my homework and go to bed. As I closed the door behind me, I could hear the radio as Father was listening to his evening broadcast. Mother had most likely finished the dishes and was doing knitting or needle work.
I had finished my homework as soon as I had gotten home, so I had some time to myself. I wanted to finish the Charles Dickens book that I had started and figured that I could get a few chapters in before bed time.
…
The birds nest was halfway up the tree but I could hear the babies chirping from down here. The mother Robin was dead at the base of the tree, most likely mauled by a cat from the look of things. I knew that there was little I could do for the babies but I had to try. Damn this skirt! I grabbed one side and tucked it into the waist, needing all the movement I could get. I placed one foot onto the root that was sticking out of the ground and half jumped, grabbing the closet branch. Using all my strength, I half walked up the trunk until I could reach the next branch. I was glad Mother was not outside as she would be furious that I dared showed my undergarments even though no one was around.
Taking in a deep breath, I jumped slightly, reaching for the next branch. And missed. I felt my fingers brush the bark and then I was falling. I screamed and the smashed into the ground with a sickening crunch. My leg was trapped beneath me.
Mother came running out of the house in time to see me hit the ground. She gathered her skirts into her hands and came running over. I couldn't help but cry as the pain began to be the only thing I could focus on. Mother dropped to her knees next to me and flayed about, not sure what to do.
"I'm so sorry Mom. My leg." I grabbed onto her arm for support, needing her more than ever. She didn't say a word, simply kissed my head and helped me stand. The pain was excruciating and I felt the world begin to sway.
Mother wrapped one arm around my shoulders, the other holding my hand, allowing me to squeeze whenever I needed. Slowly, every step carefully placed, we began to work our way to the car. Father had decided to bike to work today and I was never so glad. Taxi's cost money we didn't have and I knew a trip to the hospital would be expensive enough. Our family doctor was currently out of town so we had no other choice.
She opened the door, leaving me for only a second then guided me into the seat. She reached down and gently placed my broken leg inside, before buckling the seatbelt around me. She gave me another kiss then closed the door and hurried to the other side. She quickly climbed in, starting the car.
"Shhh sweetie. Just you hang on, Momma's here." She reached over and squeezed my hand before taking the wheel with both. She carefully backed out of the driveway, making sure to hit as few bumps as she could. I clutched the seat, squeezing it every time the car jolted but I knew that the pain was only temporary.
It took us fifteen minutes to get to the hospital, the longest fifteen minutes of my life. Mother parked the car then hurried inside to grab a wheel chair so I wouldn't have to walk. Together, we got me out of the car and seat with little pain, although I was not looking forward to whatever had to be done. Mother wheeled me inside and walked straight up to the receptionist.
"How can we help you today?" The lady smiled at Mother before looking over the counter at me.
"My daughter fell out of a tree and we think her leg is broken." Mother was still holding one of my hands, while carrying herself with a sense of pride.
"Oh dear! Well we will get you right in. Dr. Cullen is in today and will be with you shortly." The nurse led us to a curtained off section of the patient area. She helped Mother life me onto the table and then left to get the doctor.
I leaned back and rested my head on the pillow closing my eyes. All I had wanted to do was save those baby birds and yet I had ended up hurting myself. Mother must be so disappointed in me. Yet she was remaining rather calm. She kept rubbing circles on the back of my hand and humming hymns to me as we waited. Within moments the curtain moved to the side and the doctor stepped through.
My breath was stolen from me as I opened my eyes and looked at him. He was the most beautiful, yes beautiful, man that I had ever seen. His eyes were a stunning golden color that sparkled with compassion. His blond hair fell neatly around his pale face. He was simply stunning to behold.
"Now then, the nurse told me you think you broke your leg. Which one?" I pointed to the left, holding Mother's hand in case it hurt. Instead his cool hands gently touched my skin, just lightly pressing down when they needed to. After several moments he nodded. "I am afraid so, Miss?"
"Esme. Esme Pratt." I smiled at him as he beckoned to a nurse. He whispered instructions to her then turned his attention back to me.
"Now if I may ask, how did you break it?" He placed the stethoscope into his ears and gently placed the other end against my chest.
"Well there was a bird's nest in the tree. I could hear the babies crying and had found the mother dead. I was trying to rescue them." I felt myself blushing at my stupidity and looked down at my lap.
"Well I think that was an honorable thing for you to do. I am quite sorry that you had to fall before achieving your rescue attempt." He smiled again as the nurse returned and he set to work fixing my leg.
Within an hour, he had it all set and bandaged. He gave mother a prescription and instructions then knelt down in front of me.
"Hang on to the compassion Miss Esme. It sets you apart from all those around you." He took my hand in his and kissed it before continuing with his duties.
Mother paid the hospital and got me into the car. While she was filling the prescription I couldn't stop thinking about Dr. Cullen. He had been so kind and wonderful to me. Not once had he assumed I was some stupid careless young woman, but rather he had seen straight through me. He was the perfect gentleman, the type of man that I wanted to marry when I was ready to settle down.
Upon returning home, I was immediately sent to bed to rest. Mother gave me the pain medication and a cup of tea the went about her daily routine. I knew that I was lucky to escape a scolding from her and did not want to push my luck. Instead I lay back and closed my eyes, wanting to sleep and get away from the pain.
I dreamt of him that night and many nights after. His golden eyes were always filled with compassion and hope. A hope that I might meet him again and perhaps learn more about him. His kindness stayed with me every day of my remaining teenage years and I yearned to find a man just like him. Sometimes I would even dream of his cool touch, reminding me that even through pain there was still good. Through out this, one could say that I fell in love with Dr. Carlisle Cullen even though I never saw him again.