Chapter 2 - Dr Carlisle Cullen
The next morning Jenny awoke with a groan, fumbling around to turn off her alarm. She rubbed her eyes as she sat up in her bed, squinting at the bright light that streamed through her windows - she'd forgotten to close the curtains last night. Though Jenny had never been a morning person, her mood soon brightened as she realised it was her first day as a doctor. Dr Swan.
After showering, dressing into clothes - that she knew she'd be changing out of anyway - and using some make up, Jenny hurried down the stairs to grab her usual green apple for breakfast. Bella was already downstairs waiting for Jenny, eating a bowl of cereal. Charlie had left a note on the counter, wishing her luck and explaining that he'd had to go into work early.
"You ready to go to school?" Jenny asked, studying her sister carefully. Bella looked extremely nervous.
"You ready to go to the Hospital?" Bella asked, turning the question back around. She'd always been a master at doing this.
"As ready as I'll ever be. Let's go save some lives." Jenny encouraged herself along, grabbing her house and car keys. She headed out of the door with a slight bounce in her step. She always became bouncy when she was nervous. The two sisters climbed into their new truck and instantly turned on the heating - it was freezing outside, a typical, overcast Forks day.
The journey to Forks high school was silent but comfortable. They played music through their silence. It was only a ten minute drive to Forks high school and Jenny watched worriedly as Bella paled even more than usual.
"You'll be fine. Smile and be yourself," Jenny reassured her sister carefully.
"You too." Bella forced a smile to her face before opening the door and climbing out. "See you tonight, Jen."
"Bye Bella," Jenny replied, watching as Bella shakily headed up towards the school front entrance. With a deep, anxious sigh, Jenny started the car and pulled out of the parking lot, heading towards her new workplace. Her first ever job.
~ Solitary Soul ~
The drive didn't take as long as Jenny had hoped. She'd gotten so use to California and it's large span of area, that she'd forgotten that everything in Forks was a few miles radius at most. Since her nerves were at a dangerous height, Jenny had hoped that a long car journey would calm them down. This, however, didn't happen, and by the time she reached the front doors of the small hospital, her heart was beating hard against her chest.
"Hi. I'm Jenny Swan, a new doctor here. I was told to come to reception and ask for Dr. Cullen?"
At first the woman at reception appeared bored and tired, but she perked up a little as Jenny mentioned Dr Cullens's name. It confused Jenny, but she brushed it off.
"Oh yes... Welcome, I'll just call Dr Cullen-" The woman began but she was suddenly cut off by a soft, musical tone.
"There is no need, Miss Pryton." Dr Cullen nodded towards the receptionist, who instantly blushed a tomato red. Frowning, Jenny watched as Miss Pryton's eyes latched onto Dr Cullen. That's when Jenny saw him.
"Dr Jennifer Swan, it's a pleasure to meet you."
Jenny's breath caught in her throat and she found herself gaping at the man in front of her - correction - Greek God in front of her. As a smile grew on Dr Cullen's lips, Jenny blinked and tried to draw her eyes away from his mesmerising face. Jenny didn't think she'd ever met a man as breathtaking; his features were angular yet held a kind softness, his blonde hair was swept back to perfection and his snow-white skin glistened in the yellow light of the hospital. He was entirely faultless.
"It's a-ah... pleasure to meet you too." Jenny fumbled, forcing a bright smile to her face as she shook Dr Cullen's outstretched hand. Cold. Gasping at the meeting of their hands, Jenny was shocked at how cold they were. But maybe she was just imagining things. "And you can call me Jenny, Dr Cullen."
"Then by all means, call me Carlisle."
There it was again, his beautiful smile. Jenny blushed a little as his eyes bored into hers and she quickly looked away, following Carlisle as he led her up the staircase.
"I hope you're going to like it here, Jenny. For today you will be working along side me. I will show you around, assign you some patients and we can sort out shifts. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them," Carlisle explained as Jenny studied her surroundings. The staircase was compact and very claustrophobic, forcing Jenny to walk closely to Carlisle. It made her even more anxious and when their arms brushed, an odd feeling surged through her. She shivered a little.
"That... er, that sounds great," Jenny replied, scolding herself internally as she stuttered her words. If she was going to be like this all day then it was going to be very embarrassing. I am a fully accomplished doctor who will not be affected by Carlisle's young, very beautiful features and charming smile. She reminded herself. "There's only two floors?"
"You sound surprised. Were you not expecting such a small hospital?" Carlisle asked, his eyes set on her face. For some reason, he appeared quite curious and his locked gaze made Jenny blush a little.
"I was... It's just I've literally just moved from San Francisco, to Phoenix, to here... The hospitals there are so big and... scary, I guess. This is actually nice," Jenny explained, feeling obliged to be truthful.
"Where did you study, may I ask?" Carlisle asked politely.
"The University of California."
Carlisle nodded in approval, seemingly impressed. Jenny's heart fluttered a little and she scolded herself again.
"I'm surprised you didn't choose a bigger hospital to work for," Carlisle commented.
"I've always preferred Forks over big cities and Hospitals are no exception. I've planned to work here for a long time." Jenny shrugged as Carlisle went to open the door, gesturing for her to pass through before him. For what felt like the hundredth time, Jenny blushed at the small, gentlemanly gesture.
~ Solitary Soul ~
"Wow... I've, um, always wanted one of these," Jenny stated, trying to sound casual rather than awkward as Carlisle passed her a stethoscope. Her cheeks reddened, as she felt stupid for saying such a thing.
"Have you always wanted to be a doctor?" Carlisle asked, studying Jenny again.
"Always. I've always loved the idea of helping people."
Jenny had now changed into the correct uniform - blue shirt, black trousers and a white doctors jacket with the name Dr Swan on it. Carlisle began to lead her down to the private rooms, where she would be meeting some of the more long term patients.
"How long have you worked as a doctor for?" Carlisle questioned further.
"This is my first job, actually. I just finished med school."
Carlisle looked at her in surprise and their eyes met. Jenny froze at the sight of his strange, topaz coloured eyes, yet she couldn't help but smile. It pleased her to know that she'd impressed Carlisle already.
"You must be a very intelligent woman, Jenny," Carlisle stated.
"Thank you," Jenny said. "To be honest, I'm surprised by your reaction. Most doctors seem to find newly qualified doctors to be too inexperienced to call intelligent. At least thats what I found on my placements in California."
"That very attitude is why I'm here myself," Carlisle responded with a smile. "Do you mind me asking how old you are?"
"I'm twenty two, almost twenty three." Jenny had always thought it better to be older in the medical industry. But it was clear that Carlisle was very young himself, probably only a year or two older than her.
"I started my medical career around the same age. I understand how... angering it must be for you when you are undermined by older doctors." Carlisle looked ahead. It was like he was recalling a past memory; he'd probably been told he was too young to be a doctor many a time. He barely looked above her age.
"Very." Jenny nodded in agreement. "Who is the first patient I'm seeing today?"
"Andrea Waters. She fell down the stairs at home and broke her leg. She's already been through the operation needed to fix the bone back in place, so all we need to do now is a standard check up. Are you ready?" Jenny admired his topaz eyes again and curiosity bubbled within her at the strange colour. She hid this from her expression.
"I'm more than ready," Jenny nodded, more confidently this time. She was finally growing a little used to Carlisle's strange presence. At least she could act a little more normally.
~ Solitary Soul ~
"I hate seeing patients like that." Jenny shook her head, slightly affected by the fifth patient she'd seen today. The man's name was Kevin McCarthy and he was suffering from a severe case of Alzheimers.
"The families are the worst part, as they're usually inconsolable. But there's nothing we can do for him. I won't hand over that patient to you, if you are too uncomfortable?" Carlisle suggested, looking rather concerned by Jenny's troubled expression.
"Is that okay? I don't want to be demanding things on my first day..." Jenny said. It was very sweet of Carlisle to be concerned and it was even kinder of him to offer to keep that patient.
"It's not a problem, Jenny." Carlisle shook his head and his hand twitched at his side. "May I ask what it troubling you?"
Jenny blinked up at him and felt almost obliged to tell the truth. "My Grandma... We were close and I think it was a few months after my parents divorced that she… She passed away, having suffered from Alzheimers disease for a long time. She barely remembered her own name."
"I'm very sorry to hear that." Carlisle frowned sadly at the story. Jenny noticed his hand twitching by his side again and wondered whether he was holding back from comforting her.
Pushing that thought away, Jenny forced a smile to her face. "It's fine, it was years ago. I just hate seeing people suffering from Alzheimers... It's heartbreaking."
Carlisle seemed to slow down a little as he turned to study Jenny yet again. Their eyes latched onto each others and Jenny felt as if she couldn't look away. He looked at her as if she was the only person in the world - like he already knew her. It caught Jenny entirely off guard. Cheeks reddening, Jenny turned sharply away, trying to hide her embarrassment. She hadn't realised that the corner indent of a wall was a few centimetre's away and scraped her leg harshly against it, stumbling. Jenny hissed in pain.
"Are you alright?" Carlisle asked, catching both of Jenny's arms before she tumbled to the floor.
"Oh God, that wasn't embarrassing." Jenny shook her head in disbelief, turning a tomato red.
"We'll pretend like it never happened, after we see what you've done to your leg," Carlisle chuckled. He placed a hand on Jenny's lower back, causing her to shiver a little, and led her to the raised window ledge in the wide corridor. Sitting down, Jenny rolled up her trousers and shook her head in disbelief. At the base of her ankle she spotted the small, but bleeding cut on her leg.
"Dammit," Jenny muttered.
Carlisle chuckled. "Do you want a band aid for that?" He teased.
"I'm sure I'll survive without one." A smile formed on Jenny's face as she looked over at a laughing Carlisle. She couldn't help but admire the melodic sound.
He seemed to be about to say something, when a dark figure appeared.
"Carlisle." The musical tone sounded familiar but much more velvety. Looking up, Jenny saw the perfect, tousled bronze hair of a teenage boy, who looked like he could be on the cover of Vogue - just like Carlisle. Were they related?
"Edward, what are you doing here?" Carlisle turned to Edward, his voice filled with concern. They stood facing each other silently. As Edward took a deep breath his eyes snapped wide open, glaring at the cut on Jenny's leg. His whole body tensed. Frowning in confusion, Jenny watched the strange boy and almost cowered away as his black eyed, predator gaze locked on her.
"Hi... I'm Dr Jenny Swan..." Jenny introduced herself rather nervously.
"Edward." Carlisle voice seemed to break Edward out of his trance and Carlisle stepped in front of Jenny, blocking her from view. Jenny couldn't see what was happening. "Why have you come to see me, son?" Though Carlisle's voice showed hints of anger, it also seemed calming.
Son. Carlisle has a son!? Surely he can't be old enough to have a teenage son…Jenny thought.
"It can wait till later." Edward's voice seemed strained as he spoke and, in the blink of an eye, he had disappeared. Jenny and Carlisle were alone again.
"That's your son?" Jenny asked, smiling through her confusion. Edward's strange behaviour had sparked an endless stream of questions in Jenny's mind. But how could she ask such questions to a man she'd just met?
"Adopted son. I have five adopted teenagers…I treated them at various hospitals when they were younger. They didn't have anyone else," Carlisle explained softly, his eyes studying her carefully. At was as if he was trying to gauge her reaction.
Jenny was surprised but held her feelings back, as she was sure Carlisle had seen a shocked reaction too many times. She tried to appear nonchalant, but impressed. "That's very sweet of you Carlisle, to take them in like that. It must have been difficult with five."
"Not as difficult as you might think... They're all very polite teenagers. I've never really had much trouble with them."
"Was everything okay with Edward? He seemed a little... angry about something," Jenny asked cautiously, knowing Carlisle knew something that she didn't. Edward's glare had been so... animal like. The thought of it caused a shiver to run through her.
"Edward becomes anxious at the sight of blood. He was heading to my office but he obviously found us here. His fear is related to his past experiences in hospitals," Carlisle replied smoothly, helping Jenny to her feet. "Now let's go see our next patient."
He began to lead her down the corridor. Carlisle's answer was perfectly plausible and there'd been no suggestion of a lie in his tone. But Jenny couldn't wipe the image of Edward's demonic eyes from her mind. They were the eyes of a predator. Not of a boy scared of blood.
A/N: Hope you enjoyed their first meeting! I made a fair few changes in the dialogue between Carlisle and Jenny in this chapter. My original was pretty cheesy and didn't flow too well. In the changes I aimed to show Jenny's instant attraction to him and her instant trust and openness with him. I also tried making Carlisle come across with a sense of soft wonder. Yes he's attracted to her, but this is the first woman he's met in a long time who has held his attention. And no Jenny isn't as clumsy as Bella, but she can be when someone makes her incredibly nervous.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter! I will be posting another tomorrow! I'm currently writing Chapter 19 of this story, so there is a lot more to come. I'm incredibly excited to share it with you all. Thank you so much for the continued support.
