Willow Tree

oOo

"Every leaf is different, not one is the same from another, like earthy snowflakes but more grief whether than wonderland."

"Then…." Carlisle turned away from his beloved and quickly snatched a random leaf from the identical bunch while still balancing on the strong limb of wood that withheld his weight.

"How would you describe this particular leaf from this willow tree since your descriptions hint at an artist's eye."

Esme's lips puckered and she squinted her eyes playfully. She snatched the trembling leaf from his fingertips and examined it closely. She glanced up at him and then averted her attention back to her subject.

"Well, Carlisle darling, since you're so eager to seek my artistic knowledge," she pushed the leaf to her chest and rolled her eyes, baffled at his incredulous command. "This particular leaf is light green above, grayish-green beneath."

He leaned towards her and stared deeply into her eyes, his lips just a few centimeters away from hers.

"It's as simple as that, isn't it?"

"Why yes, for this particular leaf in general view, it is. Would you have wanted a more intricate description? If so, you should have been more specific with your request, Doctor. It's as simple as that."

She moved closer and brushed her nose against his, giving him an Eskimo kiss, the playful glint still in her eye. Carlisle raised a hand to her face, slowly caressing the stray wisp of her caramel locks. He twirled it around his forefinger, his thumb stroking the silky strands.

"Well, pardon me then, I apologize for not thinking the way an artist would when saying a command."

"Mmmmmmmm." Her lips skimmed his in a leisurely and playful manner. All of a sudden Esme felt a breeze on her face

"Suppose this leaf then, with a matching immensely specific and detailed description. I mean if you please, of course?" Esme opened her eyes to a intricate leaf held in front of her face brushing against her nose. But beyond the leaf lay a challenging smirk of her childhood doctor. She leaned back exasperated from her doctors teasing ways.

"I suppose, Doctor." She lifted her hand to grab the leaf tenderly, and vaguely brushed her fingers with his. She ignored the electrical current that passed on to her.

"Humph?" she mumbled, her fingers contemplating on her shin. Her body took on a position that Carlisle always knew, 'The Thinker'.

"Cat got your tongue, love?" He smiled gingerly, his pearly white teeth shining brightly, with his dimples showing profoundly. Esme huffed. "No, Doctor, I'm thinking of the right words, is all!" she shook her head towards his shutting her eyes and gave out a huff. The leaf was examined properly: being held upside down, looked at from every angle, from different arm length positions and above her head. She held one finger up.

"Doctor, I have come to a conclusion." Carlisle hung his arms on the two nearby branches next to her knees.

"Please do tell dear." His eyes curious and avid.

Esme smiled genuinely and held it to his view, straightforward.

"For the most part lance-shaped, with a finely-toothed marling pale-colored on the under surface, and furnished with the two small leaf-like appendages, known as "stipules," at it's base. How's that?"

Carlisle leaned back, baffled.

"You are precisely just brilliant my darling. Only your enchanting mind dares to do the impossible."

Now it was Esme's turn to look baffled, "Oh no Doctor, it is so possible, just a look-"

"Several glances from all angles and distances actually."

"-and that's ALL I need, dear." she seethed

"Just stating the truth for the sake of justice is all."

Esme looked taken back; she leaned farther away from him on the stable branch she sat upon.

Her hand rested on her chest, referring to herself. "But would you have to speak justice to little ol' me all the time, seems to me as if she's trying to steal you away from me Doctor."

Carlisle let out a whole-hearted laugh. He grinned back at her, dimples showing.

"Only you my love, only you." Carlisle chuckled, stroking her forearms. The sun extricated her fingers in his hair lightening and spewing her golden tears through his fine locks. His skin sparkled, microscopic diamonds, making themselves known to the world. He looked like a translucent diamond that shimmered in the sun's glare. Esme traced her fingers up still his arms, rested on his shoulders and up to his neck.

"I better be, but I have my competition you see." He looked at her quizzingly; his perfect eyebrows knitted together, his mouth ajar, ready to say something.

"Don't cha' know?" she egged; her hands barred his shoulders and sunk down his chest to his corduroy buttons.

"When I do visit, to bring you lunch-" His grinned widened cockily, his dimples deep as a crater. Esme rolled her eyes smiling. "I see the way those women nurses look at you. Oh what's her name? Edward told me, oh yes, Margo was it not? Well she seems to fancy you the most out of all of them. I still have my doubts Carlisle."

As she confessed, she stared at her hands as they skimmed back up his chest and around his neck. She finally met his amused eyes.

"What do you have doubts about my dear?"

She breathed heavily, "I fear she's smitten with you all the time and I may sporadically slip. That she will attempt to seduce you, my childhood doctor, my Carlisle. And I will not be there to stop her." she finished, focusing on the baby curls her fingers stroked. All was silent.

"Well I can only think of one thing I can do with all of this feeling that I own. And when I do doubt, I must take action, I hope your not very fond of her." she breathed grimacing.

Carlisle chuckled taking her hands in his.

"Oh Esme, my darling Esme, my sweet darling Esme. No need for that, the doubt that grows on you does not phase our love. It may only crack upon our hearts shell, that is all."

"You're just so sure because you have degrees in all this." Esme threw her hands in the air exaggerating her meaning.

"Oh!"

Esme's derrière slipped from the supporting branch that held her, her body flailed towards the ground her caramel curls whipped around her face while the twigs tried to save her but they were just too sad too act fast, they only hung there weeping, while ripping her dress to tendrils. The sun's hands tried to catch her but she slipped right through her fingertips like a man in spirit trying to caress his widowed lover. Esme's hands reached out for anything but to only strip the willow tree of its pale, leafy tears. Carlisle was quick with reaction as he caught her left foot in his hand.

"Oh!" Esme recoiled again finally catching a strict branch to keep her body from swaying.

Stray branches kept her dress up, Esme scampered her hand to bunch her dress together to keep her pantyhose from view.

"Oh my!"

"I don't want you falling off trees again. Just like old times 'eh Esme?" he chuckled.

"Oh hush up, this is no time for your laughter." she said trying to fight the urge to laugh as well. Carlisles' hand was like grappling grips on his lover's foot, he heaved himself on a sturdy branch and began pulling gently. The tree branches buckled under the strain that pressured it.

"Oh!" The cracking sounds of breaking wood, echoed in Esme's ears. This was going to be dreadful.

"Carlisle we shouldn-Oh!" the last jerk of Carlisle's hand to her foot, sent the willows arms to snap. The willow's limbs struggled to lift them above ground, the burden was too much. The wind howled, the willow tree's leaves drooped almost to the ground, the pain was monstrous, the wind howled again. The leaves shook and swayed. Leaving Carlisle and Esme to fend for themselves. Esme eyesight was blurred from the fast whipping motions of wisps of her hair against her face. The thick branch that went along with her was held to her chest for dear life.

'The storms over head clouded the sky, thunder boomed and lightening cackled. Her eyes were seeing everything like a bad prescription for glasses. Everything was dim and vague. Her hair whipped viciously around her face as Medusa's snakes would. She held on to the wet bark of a tree, she felt herself smiling and laughing.'

Carlisle and his hands outreached were the only things she saw before the silk ivory picnic blanket embraced her back. "Oh goodness!" Esme pushed herself up to sit on her behind. She saw something when she fell. Could it be? Like whiplash, a searing pain encased her leg, Esme looked down and saw where it was generating from. Her once broken leg seared in pain. Excruciating was the least to describe it.

'The tree buckled under her, as the lightning struck it's only tall place. Esme only looked for a moment. The light was fast and quick, it sent her eyes seeing colors. She was blinded. Her hands rubbed her sore eyes and like magic she was flying. Her arms flailed as she tried to catch any source of redemption. Her leg found it and didn't let go. The wood caught and twisted her soft tissue until it resembled somewhat of a pretzel. Esme looked up from where she was hanging. She reached to extricate her leg but the pain burned her entire body. She screamed from her place, the wind blew harder, swinging her body even more. She screamed and wailed. Another flash of lightening hit her tree again. The deep colors gave her illusions of a peacock. It was blurred and the colors meshed together. She flew again to the hard ground withering in agony. She wailed and hiccuped as her body was beginning to shut down from the pain.'

Esme looked at her feeble leg and started whimpering. The pain was coming like profuse rainfall during a drought. Her body was hydrated, she was going to drown in her own misery. Her hands shook violently as they coaxed her leg. Rubbing soft circles on her skin. She held her limb and sobbed, she told her brain to not cry but her eyes didn't get the message. Venom sprung from her ducts, and stayed there. She had the moisture in her eyes, she could see everything blurry and shiny. But they refused to fall. "Esme!" The sound of her childhood doctor eased her pain for a moment. She dry sobbed as she felt his warm hands on her cheek.

"Esme! I must apologize for dropping you, I didn't mean to. How are you feeling? What hurts? Tell me Esme and I will make it all better." His words rung within her. Esme took his hand and guided it to her bum leg. He only traced the skin the skin that she pointed to and she screamed. Carlisle rushed in his arms around her, "Esme please, did you hit it?" she shook her head. "I j-just fell and I saw something. Then when I-I fell again it hurt even more." Carlisle looked puzzled, "What do you mean you fell again? I'm not following."

How can Carlisle not understand her?

"I've seen it Carlisle, I saw when I fell, I fell twice, I s-saw it! I was there! Don't you understand what I'm saying! I need your help, Carlisle it hurts so bad! Fix it! Fix me again!"

"You've seen it?"

"Yes, I was there!"

Carlisle inhaled deeply and stood arms length away from her frail body, his hands caressed her shaking shoulders still. "Esme I think your reliving a memory. Your memory wants to be resurfaced. When you fell, your mind drew you back to when you fell the same exact way when you were human. Now your going to feel what you felt that day."

"Carlisle it hurts, what am I to do?" she dry sobbed. Carlisle's heart was internally bleeding, he could do nothing. Her leg looked fine, smooth and granite except for the small crooked bump that she still kept from her teen years from the fall.. Nothing seemed broken or out of place, he was in a state of turmoil, for the first time he could not heal Esme as he did decades back. He couldn't let her suffer but what could he do?

Pale fingers stroked the small bump and a voice whispered promises of indulgence and relief to her long-term weeping. He kissed her ear and her face as she blubbered like a toddler. They rocked back and forth together, sobs racked her body, she shook violently. Uncomprehendable words came out as slurs and unfinished sentences. Carlisle just listened and supported her unintelligible rambling. "Do what you did." Esme stammered laying a hand on her crooked bump.

"Esme I don-"

"-Carlisle please." her eyes said it all. She needed his help and he denied her. The traditional and personal vows they spoke readied him for now:

~ ~oOo~ ~

He was actually nervous, really he was. His fingers felt as if they were nervous as well, latching and unlatching themselves. He knew the music would be starting in any moment now. The genuine smile tugging at the sides of her lips as her long, lucid white veil would chase the wind behind them from the very crown of her caramel locks. Her eyes glinted with mischief as the little minx's hand would so happen to massage his thigh and what that would lead to. Her small curvy body withering in pleasure beneath him. Her perky rosy nipples pressing against his chest. Her breathy moans and sweet scent shuddering his nerves with her lips against his neck. "Carlisle." she would groan in his ear. Her nails digging in to his shoulders, her heels pressing into his buttocks urging him to go deeper. Just those very thoughts just sent...

"Psssst." Carlisle fantasy was disrupted from a rather annoyed Edward. His lips were pressed into a hard line, his eyes dark with angst and annoyance. His hands extricated themselves from in front of him. "Calm down." he mouthed, his hands motioned it as well. "Your fantasies and anxiety are giving my brain whiplash." he whispered through his charming smile towards the guests. Carlisle ducked his head in embarrassment and whispered an apology to his poor innocent son. Springing his lust-filled and sinful thoughts of his Esme to bathe in his teenage son's mind just made him put a filter on his very own mind. He must be considerate of his son's ability.

So instead of focusing on his lust, he focused on the serenest of this moment. What a wonderful day it was for an outdoor wedding: warm, but not terribly so. The early May sun peeked out occasionally. A pleasant breeze from the north rustled in the surrounding shrubs, cooling the guests and family members as they took their seats on either side of the walk leading to the gazebo. Sweet strains of classical music drifted through the crowd. He couldn't believe it; Carlisle's beautiful wife-to -be Esme and himself were finally getting married. What a memorable wedding it was going to be. The playground off to his right was empty, although a few neighborhood children standing around the rows of chairs eyed it with a desire to play. Obviously, they would much rather be jumping and climbing, instead of being fussed over by their mothers and aunts, having their ties and hair bows adjusted. Garlands of pristine lilacs and roses fluttered around the railing and banisters, a festive mixture of cream, a blossom charred pink, and white sent an aura of springtime and freesia fun throughout the aisles of cream fabricated chairs.

The hundreds and hundreds of flowers made him remember Esme's reason as to exactly why they needed so many: "Visual impact darling, it's all about flowers. When impressions matter, flowers are a must. Visual impact uses flowers for dramatic and emotional effect to create visually stunning displays inspired by nature's beauty. Visual impact, such as flowers, are seen not only as decorations, but as all-out floral performances. Each event, from weddings to corporate parties to team building classes, is unique, and designed using all five senses to capture the desired magic and mood." That shut him up as he signed thousands of dollars check to the florist.

To the far-away left of him, were rows of cars glittering in the sun. Their classic white 1964 Ford Galaxie Ragtop shined brighter amongst the others. The white and cream streamers billowed nicely with the wind; curling in and out from eachother while the shiny tin cans splayed themselves on the ground waiting while still attached to the cars bumper as well, to be rumbled and tampered from the sweet gravel they would soon say their goodbyes to. Above that was a sign"Just Married." in big bold letters adorned the sterling bumper as well. He and his marvelous bride would soon be cruising down the gravel road, rice soaring around their bodies, finally making it craved in stone. Mr. and ...Carlisle and Esme Cullen.

His mind wandered to his anxiety again as he tried to diminish it's power over him. He knew pianist was going to start any moment now. He could hear it. The erratic beating of the mans heart. The fumbling of the attire that clothed his bottom settling on the bench. The swipe of his handkerchief absorbing the perspiration from his receding hair line. The fidgeting of the music note papers being ordered. The last sigh of dexterity and then the music began from the dawning pipes of the ancient organ. Carlisle then took a breath of his own.

His last thoughts as a single man, widowed from a woman lingered within him:

Love endures. Their love story played out across the oceans, across the mountains and across half a decade before they finally got their chance to say 'I do'. During this year, they endured exorbitant phone bills, tens-of-thousands of miles traveled, and every conceivable form of mail miscommunication. They've endured incompatible time zones, lightning fast weekend visits and bad cell reception. What endured was an appreciation for silent conversations, carpooling and unpacking into dresser drawers… A love so unique it could only be theirs. Their love story has brought them to this moment – their wedding. Their passion captured thier journey across this day and provided them with memories that reflect why their love does endure.

Her quiet elegance and his devotion uplifted everyone around her. She walked down the aisle with a smile as pure as honey as a gust of wind blew as smooth as silk. A glimmer of hope shined through the clouds. A ray of light breathed through the blossom tree.Clad with lovely white caressing her curvy waist and pouty breast Carlisle's assumed phantom heart was thought to beat momentarily from her beauty. A look of a saintly figure he would've thought. A voice of an angel he would soon hear. A silent whisper of the two syllables that would begin their scared beginning. She's walked down the aisle, moving closer to him, he could feel the grin on his lips and Edwards smirk from beside him. With eyes as deep as the sea she marveled through her translucent veil staring at her husband to be. A song of the morning birds rang throughout the trees just for the occasion adding to the organs low bellowing tune. A divine vision she was. A picture of paradise she always has been. She walked down the aisle, closer to him now, her banquet looking as rosy as her cheeks. Like clouds floating in the sky. Like an angel ascending from heaven she was, since the they met in her parlor couch. Like a drop of rain in the desert, like a promise never broken. Just a foot away from his touch, her sweet smile growing wider.

If she asked him a question. If he had no words to answer. A look was all he needed for her to understand. And time stood still... Carlisle thought if his father and what he would say as he were with him instead of Edward when he got dressed earlier.
"Today dear Son, as you wait down the aisle
You'll see all the faces wearing a a genuine grins.
But as we remember those young tender years
Our smiles will conceal a few hidden liquid distress.
They're not tears of sorrow, but tears full of joy
As we're both thinking back to when our dear little son.
And now you have grown up and made us so proud
As you smile for the camera and the rest of your guests.
Remember dear Carlisle as you take your new wife
You're still very much a part of us as well still.
We're gaining a daughter, not losing a son, you're new lives as husband and wife have begun today and will start over day after day.
So be blissfully happy and enjoy your 'Big Day'
Have a wonderful marriage with a rose strewn son"

Before another thought can cross his mind, she stood in front of, grinning wildly, her hands wrapped with his own. a stable support system for his trembling ones. the priest smiled genuinely, his wrinkles long forgotten and gray hair hidden under their love. It made him seem 20 years old again. He began their vows and soon enough their words were beginning to mean a whole lot more than a promise.

"I Carlisle, take you Esme, to be my lovely, lawfully wedded wife. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish 'till death do us part. And hereto I pledge you my faithfulness." He slipped the sterling diamond ring on her delicate finger and stared into her eyes.

" Esme, as we stand before both God and man, making public our commitment to one another, I wish to make it known that I recognize first of all God's authority over my life which is exercised from His loving heart. He has chosen me to be one of his own, and He is now my life. I recognize also that He has blessed me and entrusted to me your life as a free gift that I have not earned. In recognition of these things, Esme I purpose to love you with His love, to provide for your needs through His enablement, and to lead you as He leads me, as long as He give us life together, regardless of the circumstances. As Psalm 34:3 expressed my heart when I asked you to marry me, so it expresses my heart now: "O magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt His name together."

Through her veil, Esme's unhushed tears stood frozen in her ducts, not daring to fall. His words only made her overwhelmed with love and happiness. He knew words that fell from her soft rosy mouth urged him to wrap her in his arms and shout "Hallelujah!" to his own Father.

"I Esme, take you Carlisle, to be my marvelous lawfully wedded husband. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish 'till death do us part. And here too, I pledge you my faithfulness."

Her small hand slipped his golden band on his finger. Her promise still lingered in the metal. Carlisle thought the flimsy piece of gold would snap for the promise seemed to great to symbolize.

"On this special day, Carlisle, I am reminded of the verse James l:17 which says, "Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of Lights with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow." With a gift such as you, I know that many new responsibilities face me. In I Corinthians, it explains "It is required of a steward to be found trustworthy." I cannot do this on my own strength, Carlisle, but by God's grace and power working within me I desire to be trustworthy as your wife by following your leading submissively, even as unto Christ, loving and serving you in all circumstances as long as He give me life on this earth."

He couldn't have smiled any wider, as the veil flew behind her head. Her lips pulled at the sides to form the most beautiful smile he had ever seen. He leaned down, focusing acutely on those rosy lips, she puckered purposely and leaned in as well. His lips lingered on hers longer than necessary and was rudely interrupted by laughter and a throat clearing of the famous best man.

~ ~oOo~ ~

Carlisle left her side and kneeled down to her feet. His fingers probed, poked massaged and twisted her "injury", getting immediate feedback from her. The whimpers, sniffles and wailing only hurt him. He apologized profusely after each sound she made. With a final twist of her shin, Carlisle lightly patted it. "All done, I'll let it set now." The ivory silk stood no chance against his supernatural strength. It made her wrap look elegant and sophisticated. "Thank you doctor, I never had a chance to thank you in that time, but now I'm thankful that your sticking around" Her voice rang with clarity and sincerity as she stroked her new bandage, she twisted her fingers under the big loops of the silk bow.

"Now I can thank you properly," she stroked his leg suggestively. Carlisle raised a golden fine eyebrow.

oOo

Bonjour again my lovely viewers! I very much appreciate the 2 reviews I got but I am not happy about it. It's kind of bittersweet actually. I love those who reviewed but ALL I need are 5 per chapter so all you all have to do is review and the next chapter will be up as soon as it hits 10. Remember I have a poll on my profile regarding the sequel to Dimming Beauty so make sure you check that out and thank you for adding me to alerts, I really appreciate that. Tell me what you all think because I really fell in love with his story and dearly with this !