Hello, readers, and welcome. I'm now posting the second chapter of this series, and I hope you will like it. I'll try to post the next one on Saturday or Sunday !

DISCLAIMER : I own nothing. Stephenie Meyer does. I'm just playing around.


The house was filled with Renesmee's laugh. The whole family was reunited in the living-room, some eating and others not. And with Alice standing casually on the balcony with no jacket in the freezing cold, soon joined by Rosalie, who sat upon the railing, her long legs dangling over the edge and Bella and Edward kissing in the staircase, the scene would have seemed bizarre to any outsider. But not to Esme. Far from it. She glowed with love and pride at the sight of her ever growing family gathering, joking.

Jasper and Emmett were discussing wether or not it would be fun to drown Edward into mud and then convincing him to put on Carlisle's white coat. Just to see his reaction. Emmett was absolutely sure that « Pops » would not kill them, whereas Jasper was convinced he would not kill them immediately.

The doctor rolled his eyes, amused.

Esme caught his hand, gently massaging his palm, and leaned against the wall behind her. He gave her a soft look, returning the sweet attention. His fingers lightly stroke hers, sliding up and down upon her knuckles. She then realized that his shirt was broken at the collar. One of the buttons was missing ; the very first starting from the top.

Now that she had noticed, she couldn't take her eyes away from the marble skin underneath. His collar wasn't opened enough to let her see his muscles, but she knew by heart where they were. Her dead heart melted when he ran a hand through his silky hair, messing it up a bit.

She giggled and went to arrange it, giving up on that always rebel lock, and letting it fall in front of his golden eyes. She was baffled by the blazing light they were hiding. The different shades of gold and topaze seemed to melt into a giant fire. His lovely eyes were afflammed by the power of his love for her. It still amazed her that he was able to express so many feelings just by his centuries-old eyes. These eyes had seen things she could barely imagine. And yet, they were seeing her, Esme Cullen, as a holy object to which you should always ask permission before daring to lay your eyes upon.

Slowly, she put her arms around his neck and sighed, happy. He did not look away, still searching in her own amber eyes. Searching for what, she didn't know … She would may be know, some day ? But she doubted it. After almost a hundred years of marriage, she had never truly decrypted what these beautiful eyes of his had to share. She knew there was love. Loads of it. She delighted in it, as much as he did in her own. There was happiness, she knew that as well. That little spark of light didn't lie. Sometimes, she would see sadness, or pity, but never anger. In all those years, she had never seen the slightest bit of anger in that delicate stare. Oh, and there was pride. Whenever she looked deep enough, she would catch that glimpse of pride bolting across his irises. It was fast, but not too fast for her. It was never too fast for her. It was always too fast for others.

He held her a little tighter, kissing briefly her forehead before releasing her. He did not let her walk away, however, and took her small hand in his warm palm, drawing circles over her smooth skin. As he did so, he looked into the fire, torturing his heart by thinking of her.

An embarrassed cough came from his left. Edward eyed him, warning in his black eyes. Bella gave him a look, surprised. Her eyes followed his until they meet Carlisle's. She then looked away. The doctor gave an apologetic smile to his son.

''Hey, squirt, you'd like a big snow fight ?'' Emmett said, giving Renesmee a playful poke in the ribs.

''You bet !'' Alice answered.

''I was asking squirt …''

''I'm in it !'' Renesmee yelled, bolting outside.

As Alice passed by Emmett, she nudged him and said :

''Squirt says yes.''

He laughed loudly, following her out. Rosalie sighed deeply and eyed Jasper, who reciprocated the sigh. They both smiled sheepishly and ran towards the open door. Edward and Bella decided to go as well, even if Bella wasn't eager to see Emmett's snow-ball-fighter skills demonstrated on her own daughter. Edward giggled as she let her shield down and sent him a thought of concern.

He stroke her cheek, love in his eyes.

''Don't worry, sweetheart, if Emmett hurts her, I will personally take care of his manhood …''

''Edward !'' scolded Esme.

Bella chuckled as he dragged her outside. Esme pulled on Carlisle's hand hard enough to make him follow her, but he resisted. Playfully, she kissed his lips and pulled again. He smiled and gave in.

As they both met the snow, Esme stopped and leaned against Carlisle's shoulder, watching the others go wild with that poor white cloak that had covered the country. Emmett had apparently formed a team with Rosalie and Alice, as Renesmee, Bella and Edward were trying to fight back.

Carlisle laughed when he saw Jasper splotching a huge mess of snow on Rosalie's blond locks. She screamed, furious and chased him all around the snowy yard. Jacob and Seth, just like Jasper, were loudly accused by Renesme of double standards.

''Look at them. They seem so normal now .. '' Esme said.

''They have always been, my love.'' Carlisle said, putting his arm around her shoulders.

She snuggled against him, breathing in his scent and said :

''I love you.''

''So do I, darling …'' he answered, kissing her hair.

''They're really occupied, you know …''

He laughed, stroking her cheekbone.

''They won't be anymore in about five minutes, we both know it. And as I'm not planning on loving you for five minutes …''

''For how long, then ?'' Esme whispered, cutting him off.

''Hm, the entire night ...'' he murmured, kissing her earlobe.

''Oh.''

''And the following morning …''

''You can't.'' she said in a low tone.

''Now, why is that ?'' he asked, surprised.

''You will have to work again. The flu won't have passed until a good month …''

Next thing she knew, he was standing in front of her, kissing her hard on the lips. Taken aback, she chuckled, before giving in, letting his tongue massage her own. His hands cupped her cheeks, his thumbs roaming over her skin. Her hands flew to his opened collar, pushing another button up. Playful, she let her fingers draw tiny patterns on the bare skin that she could reach. She felt his grip grow tighter. His hands now layed on her throat, stroking the scars he had left there. As he let go of her mouth, she whimpered, clenching to his shirt.

''I will love you tomorrow morning, my treasure, I promise you that. I am sorry. I haven't been the husband you're so deserving of. I know I shouldn't have been working so much, neglecting you and my family. I am truly sorry for that.''

She put a finger on his lips, stopping him. She then kissed him eagerly, letting him know that he was – as always – forgiven.

As their lips danced in a beautiful ballet, Edward stopped building his next pile of balls and looked up to the threshold, smiling to himself. Silently, he recalled the first time he had seen his parents kissing like that, unaware of the world around them. And now that he, himself, had found his other half, he could only begin to understand the love they must feel towards the other. As Bella had brought him a welcomed peace, he knew Carlisle well enough to understand that he, too, needed his very own Bella. And the sooner the better.

He stood up, helping his wife out of the snow and walked wthout a word into the sleeping forest, earning a questioning look from the others.

Then, Jasper took Alice's hand and smiled at her, following Edward and waving to Rosalie and Emmett. Rose giggled, pointing the happy couple to Renesmee, who stared in awe. Emmett attempted to look annoyed. And dramatically failed.

''Oh c'mon, squirt, you've never seen a kiss before ?''

''Of course I have ! Only …''

''Only not with those two, huh ? Well, you haven't seen the best yet …''

''Emmett ...'' Rosalie warned.

''What ? She's all grown-up !''

''I don't care. Go catch up with the others, we'll follow.''

''You bet !'' sneered Emmett, bolting into the forest.

Rosalie took Renesmee's hand and pulled firmly on it. The young girl didn't protest, but turned her head slightly to peek one last time at Carlisle and Esme. Rosalie pulled firmer.

''Nessie, come on now.''

''Do they do it often ?''

''Often isn't the right word. They do it. Only they are wise enough to control themselves. For which I envy them …''

Nessie stopped right away and smiled mischievously.

''Oh, because you and Emmett … Oh oh. I see, I see …''

''Nessie !''

''Alright, alright !''

''You're impossible !''

''Not true. I'm a teenager. That's what Dad says.''

''Well, your Dad is dumb, so …''

Renesmee giggled and squeezed her aunt' s hand in hers. Rosalie smiled to her niece, noticing how much she had grown over the last three years.

''Rose ? Why do they not kiss more often ?''

''Because of us. They control themselves, remember ? You will understand, one day, that it can be pretty … hum … destructive.''

''Oh.''

Rosalie laughed at Renesmee's face, and lead her deeper into the forest. For the moment, that type of questions would have to wait ...


Well, as I said, I hope you all liked it ! Please let me know, it is always appreciated !