They stayed in the cabin for what seemed the longest time. Simply enjoying each others presence and nothing more. And when sun began to set, only then did Carlisle suggest returning home.
"They're probably wondering."
Edward looked up at his father, almost fearfully.
"We don't have to tell them, do we?"
Esme stroked Edward hair in reassurance.
"We don't have to do anything you're uncomfortable with."
This seemed to satisfy the boy.
Standing up, Carlisle gestured Edward with his hand. Edward grabbed on without a second thought, and Carlisle couldn't help but smile. His son didn't feel the need to read his mind, purposefully looking for an ulterior motive. It was a great thing to feel.
Esme stood up as well, brushing the nonexistent dirt off her skirt. She smiled a her boys warmly.
"Shall we?"
Carlisle nodded. But as he was about to make his way forward, he felt a gentle tug of the hand. So, he turned to look at Edward.
Edward had his gaze turned toward the floor, shy of saying whatever he desperately wanted to express. His full demeanor the opposite of confidence, sagged shoulders and restless feet that kept changing position. He looked as a young child, so full of innocence and wonder. Carlisle loved the sight.
"Anything you need, son?"
Edward kicked an imaginary stone, sticking two of his fingers in his mouth.
"Yes, I want something. Please?"
Esme reprimanded Edward by pulling out his fingers and tutting.
Carlisle let out a small laugh.
"Well, you'll have to tell me what exactly you want in order for me to see what I can do."
Edward whined, as if he didn't want to say something specific.
"I'm sorry sweetheart, but I'm not the mindreader."
Edward let out an indigent huff. And then there was a moment of silence.
"...carry me?"
It was so adorable the way he asked, the Esme actually awed at the sight. Edward had stretched his arms out expectantly with a sense of doubt in his eyes. He was afraid of being turned away.
"Sure"
And with that single word, Edward lit up like a Christmas tree. And within a seconds time, Carlisle lifted Edward up effortlessly. It was undoubtably clear that Edward was not tired, he couldn't be. It not as if he was injured and wasn't able to walk, because he most definitely alright. He just liked the feeling of being held. And Carlisle wasn't going to lie to himself and, by extension of telepathy, to Edward. Because he too enjoyed it.
Edward wrapped he thin legs around Carlisle's waist as Esme zipped up his hoodie firmly. He couldn't get cold, they all knew that, it was the gesture of it that mattered.
He buried his head deep into Carlisle's shoulder.
"Daddy?"
Carlisle hummed in response, never slowing down in speed as he ran.
"Are you listening, even?" Edward asked, pulling at Carlisle's ear. It was such a juvenile thing to do, and Carlisle was already so used to it.
"I do have a heightened sense of hearing, baby boy."
Edward clapped Carlisle's shoulder excitedly.
"Me too" He said laughing. "We're the same, right Daddy?"
Carlisle rubbed Edwards back soothingly.
"Not in the least. We are very different."
Edward turned away, heartbroken.
Carlisle placed a gentle kiss on Edward cheek.
"And that's because your my special little boy."
Edward kept his head turned, but only to hide the bashful smile.
When they reached the doorstep of their home, Edward could hear Alice's visions. He whimpered softly as he saw Alice review what just happened at the cabin.
"You alright, baby?" Esme asked, putting her hand gently onto Edwards shoulder.
Carlisle rocked Edward back and forth as he looked at his wife. It took them a moment, but they finally realized that Edward had seen into Alice's mind.
"Oh, darling." Esme said, kindly. "Alice would never tell anyone."
Edward gnawed on his bottom lip.
"I'm scared."
Carlisle bounced Edward up and down, as if he was trying to soothe an infant.
"We don't have to tell them." Carlisle said. But they all knew that wasn't true. Even if no one said anything, the rest of the members of this closely knit family were bound to find out. Alice already had, and Jasper must have some sort of clue.
"No" Edward said with false bravado in his voice "We gotta do it."
Esme grabbed Edward's hand and kissed the tips of his fingers.
"That's my brave little boy." She all but whispered.
There was a moment of complete silence, before Carlisle cleared his throat.
"You want me to open the door, kiddo?" He asked purposefully.
Edward nodded into his father's shoulder, never having felt so unsure in his long, well-lived life.
The moment Carlisle opened the door he felt Edwards grasp on him tighten drastically. So Carlisle hoisted him up further, as if reassuring him he wouldn't let go. Esme grabbed her husbands bicep and led him into the living room. Alice and Jasper were already there, discussing something silently. Carlisle felt Edward squeeze his hands into rigid fists. He could only presume they were talking about Edward, and Edward knew. Carlisle stared at his two children until they stopped, until he felt Edward loosen, even if it was only in the slightest. They were good children, they stopped as soon as they understood.
"Alice, Jasper." Esme said calmly, acknowledging their presence. "Where are the others?"
They weren't in the house, that was for certain. Esme, Edward or Carlisle would have heard or smelled them if they were.
"They went for a run." Alice said quietly. And Jasper nodded in agreement.
Carlisle sighed, sitting down with Edward on his lap.
"I guess we'll just have to wait then." Esme said as if that was the last thing she wanted to do.
Edward hid his face in Carlisle's chest, avoiding the gaze of his siblings. And Esme began to pace.
After a moment of letting Edward hide from everyone, Carlisle gently grabbed Edwards chin and pulled it outward.
"It's alright, kiddo." Carlisle whispered into his ear softly.
Edward shook his head adamantly. And Esme smoothed his hair from behind her husband.
"No, it's not." Edward said, his voice shaking.
Esme and Carlisle stared at each other, completely at a loss of how to comfort the young boy.
"Hey" Jasper said standing up, slowly. And as he began to walk towards Edward and Carlisle on the couch, Edward pressed himself further into his father.
"Can I?" Jasper asked Esme inquisitively. Edward and Jasper always had such a special bond, Carlisle assumed it was because their gifts were so similar in respect of the fact that they both dealt with other people's internal workings of the heart and mind.
At times, when Jasper felt Edwards anxiety with everyones overlapping thoughts, being the solider he was, Jasper would methodically find Edward and do nothing but sit next to him. Jasper would start off by sitting a good foot away from his brother, and gradually make his way closer. Jasper would think of nothing, projecting his nothingness louder the closer he got to Edward. And eventually, Jasper would end up with his arm around Edward, and Edward would have both of his arms around Jasper's neck. And Jasper wouldn't say a word, not wanting Edward to feel at all overwhelmed. Sometimes, Edward would speak. Quietly telling Jasper the same thing every time, that it was very hard for him to tell his thoughts apart from everyone else's. That he was so scared his thoughts weren't his own. And when he said these things that broke Jasper's heart, Jasper would respond with a small, simple and single kiss on Edwards temple. And it was something only Jasper could do, because Edward would see that Jasper was the only one who really understood.
"Do you want to talk to Jasper?" Esme asked the question carefully, not wanting to influence Edwards decision in the least.
Edward squeezed his eyes shut. As if his head was hurting. And that's when Jasper began to project.
Slowly, Edward opened his eyes and looked at his brother with with gratitude. And then nodded.
Jasper smiled at Edward, but continued to think of nothing. After what seemed like an eternity, Jasper held out his hands hesitantly. Edward turn to look at Carlisle for approval. And Carlisle respond with a single thought directed to Edward;
'It's up to you, kiddo.'
Edward stood up and quickly grasped the end of Jasper's shirt. Jasper laughed softly before prying Edward fingers off.
"Let me hold you, Edward."
Edward jumped onto his brother and mumbled a quick thanks.
"No problem" Jasper so quietly, that Edward was sure only he had heard it.
"No problem at all."
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