Diclaimer: I do not own twilight or any of it's character. They are the property of Stephenie Meyer.

This is a collaboration work between HeartOfDarkess and myself. I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 3

Esme's POV

The house had been a hive of activity over these last days. Everyone was getting ready for Jacob and Nessie's departure, and things were happening at a maddeningly frantic pace. I had tried to stay out of the line of fire for the most part, allowing every other family member to fuss over Nessie. I focused purely on the excitement of the trip, and also on my plans for the nursery. I had made quite a bit of progress with the nursery plans, and was pleased with what I had designed, the images in my mind committed to paper. At the same time, I had also managed to pack our things for the romantic getaway that Carlisle and I had so desperately needed. I felt myself smile as I got up from the desk and put away my sketchbook, heading downstairs as I revelled in my positive feelings. Today was going to be a good day...the beginning of our holiday together.

I stood in the doorway, quietly watching my sons. Edward had begun to pace the floor, checking the time on his phone every minute or so. He was a bundle of nerves, and Jasper sat in the corner of the room chuckling under his breath as he watched his brother wear a hole in the carpet. Emmett as always, goaded his brother, playing a video game to pass the time as he smirked at Edward's behaviour.

"Edward, you know what women are like. You pacing the floor ain't gonna make them go any faster!" Jasper observed.

"Yeh man, settle down!" Emmett moaned as he sat on the couch, his tongue sticking out the side of his mouth in concentration as he played a game of basketball.

"Thanks for your observant comment, Jasper!" Edward scowled, causing Jasper to roll his eyes. "It's your interfering wife's fault! Why is Alice so insistent on buying out every maternity and baby clothing store in Washington State? And why couldn't she just order it in?" he complained.

"Because you know that Alice loves nothing more than an excuse to go shopping, Edward. You and Bella have managed to keep Nessie away from her clutches up until now, so just let her do this at least this one time," Jasper said, almost begging, but suppressing a smile at the same time.

"I still can't believe that Bella got roped into the trip as well!" Emmett said, snickering as he shook his head. "Damn!" he shouted as he lost the game and threw the controller on the floor, immediately standing to his feet.

"The only reason Bella is with them, is so she can keep an eye on Nessie," Edward retorted as he checked the time on his phone again. "Where are they?"

"Man, you really need to relax!" Emmett said, stating the obvious as he watched Edward pace back and forth as if he were watching a tennis match.

"You try being a parent! You have no idea!" Edward said, stopping in his tracks, gasping as he spoke. He stared at me, realising that I had entered the room. "Sorry," he muttered, glancing at us all, but focusing his sympathies on me.

"Edward, dear. You need not worry. I'm too happy today to let anything upset me," I said reassuringly. And though the pain still threatened to take over once more, I managed to keep my emotions on an even keel.

Ever since the announcement of Nessie's pregnancy, Edward had slowly but surely become a nervous wreck every time he was apart from his daughter. Jasper had barely been able to cope with the heightened feelings in the house, and his only saving grace was Nessie's upbeat attitude.

All the women were out, shopping for some clothes for Nessie due to her burgeoning girth. I had declined to attend once again, but they all understood. Though no-one had expressed it, I felt that there had been an unspoken agreement made amongst them all, and I knew that Jasper and Edward were responsible in their own subtle way. Of course, Alice also saw things, and would always glance at me knowingly whenever anything was mentioned about Nessie's impending motherhood. I just hoped and prayed that Nessie, for the most part, remained oblivious to my feelings.

Carlisle had booked our flights and arranged for everything to be in place for our trip and as much as I would miss the family, I could not wait to get there, my enthusiasm over these last days palpable. As Edward paced, Carlisle walked through the door, his holiday from the hospital finally arriving. He was now away from there for a whole month, and I could not be happier, and as much as he loved his work, I sensed that he was just as excited to get away as I was.

We were just finishing the last minute things at the house before we would prepare for leaving when Carlisle's cell phone rang, the high pitched sound causing an irritable noise that resonated through the house.

"Hello, Carlisle Cullen speaking." My husband spoke softly into the phone. I was happily daydreaming of the one on one time that we were going to have together in just a few short hours. I had been so focused on picturing the vivid images in my mind that I hadn't heard what the voice on the other end of the line had said, but Carlisle's next words snapped me out of my reverie.

"No, I know no one can control such things, but isn't there anyone else who could fill in?" he asked, his voice sounding slightly irritated.

I listened more closely now. The voice on the other end droned on.

"I am so sorry Dr. Cullen, but Dr. Smith had to leave to go and take care of her mother. The stroke she has was very major, and they are not sure if she will pull through. There are no other doctors available to cover her patient load. I am so sorry for ruining your vacation plans with your wife, I know how much you were looking forward to some private time away from the hectic life of work and home."

Carlisle glanced over at me, his eyes saddened. I knew that internally he was battling with what he was going to say. He hated to disappoint me, more than anything, but his god meant so much to him. I didn't want him to have to choose, and before he could say another word I spoke up.

"Carlisle, go ahead darling I will be alright...In fact I think that maybe some girl time would be just what the doctor ordered. " I forced a small giggle to ease him. "Why don't we re schedule our plans for another time? I can ask the girls if they would be willing to join me at the Isle. We can even make a family event of it and invite our family in Denali. All us girls having some quality time together."

Carlisle's eyes looked doubtful as he searched my own, trying to discern if I was indeed being honest. I continued on trying to explain why it would be such a god idea. "Renesmee and Jake are going to be spending time in La Push to celebrate the impending birth of the first born to their alpha, and I don't think I have had any special girl time with our family in years. Edward will be here to watch over Nessie, along with you Jasper and Emmett. "

His eyes held uncertainty as he gazed at me, and I knew there was only one way to convince him that it was the right choice.

"Love...the hospital needs you. You can't leave them without enough doctors. You would never forgive yourself if something happened if you turned them down." I knew that I was playing a card that he wouldn't be able to beat, but I didn't want him to feel guilty for something he had no real control over.

Carlisle turned away and sighed lightly before speaking into the phone once more. "Please let Dr. Smith know that I will be able to cover her shifts, and that I wish her mother a speedy recovery." He listened to the caller for a few more moments before wishing her a good day and hanging up.

Carlisle turned to me at once, taking me into his arms. His gaze was downcast and his eyes saddened, as he tightened his grasp around me, his arms finding their way around my back to hold me tightly to him as he ran his nose up the curve of my chin until his lips grazed against my ear.

"Are you sure, love?" he inquired softly in my ear as I moved my hands to join his in our embrace.

"Yes, my darling. I can enjoy some time with the girls, inspect the house, and maybe prepare some special surprises for when you are able to arrive after Dr. Smith returns. I will be waiting for you there," I finished, standing on my toes to reach his firm mouth to envelope it with my own.

Carlisle deepened our kiss, moving his hands down my back to hold me more firmly against him. As his tongue demandingly sought entrance to my mouth, I was reminded once more of the blessings I had to be thankful for in this life. I gave into his insistence and opened my mouth to him, tasting the sweetness of his mouth with my own.

He lifted me gently into his arms, and swept me up the stairs as his lips began to blaze a heated trail down my neck. I let myself drown in his touches as he carried me to our bedroom, closing the door behind us as he took me to our bed and turned our bedroom into an blissful place all of its own.

"I'm going to miss you, love," he murmured in my ear as we lay together sated, our bodies entwined after having shared ourselves with one another.

My breathing was still heavy, my husband always bringing me undone in the most delightful and fulfilling of ways. "I will miss you too," I breathed, his body coaxing mine once more to envelop itself within it as his legs curled themselves around mine and he leant in closer. I could stay enraptured within him forever, and could never get enough of his body, mind or his soul, which I knew he possessed from the moment he changed me. He pulled me on top of him and my body covered his, and held me closely, his eyes filled with want as he gazed up at me...want for me and only me.

"How will I manage without you?" he said as he moaned and leant up, peppering soft kisses up my throat, ending in whispered breaths against my ear, his post coital breaths still rapid and uneven.

"Well, absence does make the heart grow fonder, you know," I said, my eyes rolling back as I smiled. "And we haven't been apart for more than a few days at a time before, so I will be more than looking forward to making it up to you after we are reunited."

"I can't wait," he responded as I felt him smiling on my skin. I looked down at my husband, his kind and loving face never failing to make me happy. I lowered my body and nestled my cheek against his chest, running my fingers through the fine velveteen hairs that whispered across it, wanting to lose myself in his embrace forever. "And I may be even tempted to send them all swimming for home once I arrive," he added, laughing his beautiful laugh as he ran his hands down my spine, causing me to want him all over again. Alas, time was running short.

"Perhaps I should get organised and tell the others of the change in plans, before you keep me prisoner here forever," I said sensibly, as I reluctantly rolled off his body and swung my legs off the side of the bed.

"Or, perhaps, you should allow me to appreciate you once more, as a final parting gift for a man who will have to remain unfulfilled for goodness knows how long," Carlisle whispered seductively as he knelt on the bed behind me, his urgent body pressing into my back. He leisurely placed one hand on my shoulder and reached from behind and pulled back my hair with the other, kissing my throat with abandon.

I moaned in response, closing my eyes as he touched me. "Oh, my love, I will allow you appreciate me as often as you wish, when you arrive at the isle." My breaths became rapid, my voice raspy as I felt myself being drawn back into him, like a moth to a flame.

No sooner than I had begun to lose myself, there came a soft knock at the door. "Carlisle," Alice hissed. "Sorry to interrupt, but the hospitals on the phone," she said. "They need you there right away."

Carlisle stopped in his tracks and was immediately on his feet, grabbing for his cell, which had run low on power and switched itself off during our lovemaking. He immediately plugged it in to recharge and dressed hurriedly. I watched him as he blurred about the room, smiling with pride at his dedication, gasping as he quickly kissed me and winked before exiting the bedroom. I followed behind quickly, dressing with just as much haste, my smile widening as I fantasised about our delicious reunion.

As I approached the top of the stairs, all were there. Carlisle had briefly spoken to the hospital, and they needed him back urgently after a car accident had occurred on the one-o-one. As he hung up the phone I was down the stairs in a rush, and had followed him out the door. "I will see you soon, my love," I called after Carlisle as he headed down the stairs, causing him to spin around and retreat, taking me in his arms.

"I love you, Esme Cullen. Call me when you land," he requested as he kissed my lips softly, bidding me a fond farewell.

"I will, my love, and I love you too," I answered as he quickly released me and dashed down the stairs and headed toward the garage. I waved at him as I watched his car pull out and speed down the drive, my heart lurching as I watched my love take my heart with him.