DISCLAIMER: Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight, and all the characters.
Point of View: The entire narrative is from Carlisle's POV in a first person perspective.
Loose Ends
Sunday, July 24, 2011 & Monday, July 25, 2011
A few hours passed since I returned to my study, and I soon realized my wife had been at that empty lot now for an exceedingly lengthy period. What could she do out there for this long? I redressed into my rain gear, and decided to check this out as I ran with vampiric speed. Within minutes, I found her parting ways with Jacob, and walking toward my car. I approached her quickly, and fondly wrapped my arms around her as I embraced her from behind. I brushed at her hair with my fingers, and gently swept it from her shoulder while I leaned in to kiss the nape of her neck.
She giggled and asked, "Carlisle, I thought you were going home?" She pivoted in my embrace, and wrapped her arms around me for a quick kiss before pulling away. "I am soaked; I cannot believe how hard it is raining." She held my keys out to me, and I took them with a nod of my head as we moved to the car. I opened the door for her, and attempted to hide my cringe thinking of what those wet clothes would do to my leather seats. Within seconds, I too was inside the car and out of the rain. She laughed while mentioning some of the ideas, Jake had, and I sat there listening to her for about five seconds. Then they assaulted me.
We have no need to breathe, but have made it a habit so we can pass off as humans. It took nearly five seconds for me to detect the tantalizing aroma of her pheromones, and I suddenly realized how much I loved the rain. It washed away the noxious perfumes and hair products she used to disguise her scent. I breathed in deeply, and stared helplessly to my wife as she continued to talk. The words no longer made sense, as her voice was all I picked up. My animalistic nature threatened to take over, but I firmly held back as I gripped the steering wheel tightly. My need for Esme continued to increase. Her pheromones surrounded me, and I could almost taste their sweetness. The sensation became entirely too erotic. I schooled my expression, and fought with greater determination to maintain control.
I hissed in concentration, and tried to force myself to stay calm while I drove. My mind focused entirely on my wife, and some erotic fantasies I wished to explore with her in the future. I breathed in hesitantly, and realized home was too far away. I pulled over and turned to my wife as I mentioned, "Esme, I find myself unable to focus on anything but you. It is no longer safe for me to drive. Please take the car home, and I will meet you there."
I swallowed deeply at her hurt expression, and did not run when she moved from the car and approached me. "Carlisle, I didn't mean to talk your ear off," she apologized guiltily; having either not heard a word I said or completely misinterpreted it. She placed the palm of her hand on my cheek, and gazed into my lust filled eyes when realization hit her. "Oh," she gasped in a voice that sounded like the angels. I ran my hands through her caramel coloured hair, and breathed in deeply.
My animalistic nature fought for domination, and won. My pent-up frustration and the hormonal buildup caused by a week of regeneration took complete control. I pushed myself against Esme, and pinned my wife to the car as I began kissing her with the fierceness of my passion. My hand slipped under her shirt, and I felt my wife pull at me with her own passion. She too had waited. The rain continued to pelt us with heavy drops, but we did not mind.
She hissed seductively into my ear, and multiple growls began to ripple from my chest. I thrust my pelvis against Esme as my arms firmly embraced her and pulled her to me. My body tensed as I pressed my tongue into her mouth and kissed her passionately. Suddenly, I threw my head back, and a thunderous growl emanated from my chest.
My animalistic nature cowardly fled, leaving me in the arms of my now shocked wife. "Carlisle did you just ..." she did not finish her sentence, but gazed to me mischievously as her hand slipped into my trench coat. I remained perfectly still with a stoic expression on my face, as though we discussed little more than the weather. Esme's hand moved to the waist of my pants, and her fingers wriggled inside. She gasped, and released a seductive growl as she happily stated, "I consider that a complete recovery. Would you have the same opinion Doctor Cullen?"
I quietly nodded my head in agreement. I continued to stand at my full height, and smiled softly as I watched the delight of my wife. Esme admitted proudly as if just having accomplished the most challenging task of her life, "After all these decades, my seduction finally overpowered your self-control." She leaned against me and pressed her lips solidly against mine as she tenderly kissed me. Her suckling became more passionate, and I quickly realised her building desire as I returned affections of my own.
I pulled back slightly, and gazed into her eyes as my arms lifted her to my shoulder. I ran at full vampiric speed from La Push Rd, and flew through the forest leading to the Pacific Ocean. I growled seductively to my now giggling wife as I teased, "Sirens belong in the ocean!" I flew across the beach, and ran into the water. I now had nothing to lose by getting wet. When I could run no more, I jumped and carried us further out to sea.
Esme's eyes widened as she grabbed me even tighter and we began to sink, as neither of us made any move to swim. We were much too busy undressing one another, and within minutes, we had our soggy clothing removed. I used my belt to bundle everything, and stuffed it between two rocks at the bottom. I grinned to Esme as we began to frolic in the sea.
Schools of fish swam around us at first, and learned quickly to keep their distance. We thrust wildly underwater. We smashed against rocks, sand, and other obstacles as we happily celebrated our love. Our growls resonated through the liquid, and echoed around us. Nothing could interrupt us here, nor would those above the ocean think too oddly of our growls. We fully explored our desires, until I knew my wife was completely satiated.
We swam to the surface. I stretched out on my back, as she rested in my arms and we bobbed with the waves crashing around us. Esme glanced at the puffy clouds in the sky and enquired, "When do you think the rain stopped?" I shrugged my shoulders in response. Esme turned to me and mentioned, "Living with a dozen teens is manageable, if we take time off to swim." She embraced me tightly and kissed me gently on the cheek. We floated for the next many hours, and lay in each other's arms as we watched the sunrise. Esme turned then to me and enquired, "do you remember where our clothes are?"
Three hours later, we finally managed to find the bundle of clothing. We helped one another dress while remaining under water. We knew the clothes would rip if we attempted to do so above, as wet clothing tends to cling. I glanced at my watch, and admitted, "The family meeting is in twenty minutes." I gazed into my wife's eyes and added mischievously, "good thing we found the clothes."
We rapidly swam back to the beach, and ran through the forest with our full vampiric speed. Neither of us wished to give a detailed explanation to our children for a tardy arrival. I watched Esme as we slowed to a human pace for the last few feet of the forest, and smiled at her attempt to wring out the shirt. Water poured from her hands. I glanced at where we left the car, and noticed a patrol vehicle parked behind it. Esme leaned into my side and with a spark of mischief in her eye repeated my earlier statement, "good thing we found our clothes."
"Indeed," I agreed with a nod of my head as we walked toward the vehicles. A constant drip of water fell from my clothing, as Charlie noticed our arrival. I glanced at Esme, and then straightened my tie and ran my fingers through my hair while we approached the officer. My posture was perfect, and by my stance one would think it completely normal to wear a business suit dripping wet. "Morning Charlie, what brings you out here today," I offered nonchalantly, as if nothing at all were wrong.
His gaze never left us while he stared at my wife and I. A broad smile came to his face as he mentioned, "Morning Dr. Cullen, we had a report of an abandoned vehicle. I figured someone stole it. I tried to call, but we could not reach you." I will give the man credit, as he did try to maintain a straight face. He failed, but at least he tried. Charlie glanced down to the puddles forming below my wife and I and began to chuckle. He laughed and enquired curiously, "Is this something I even want to know?"
"We live with six teenagers and one pre-teen," I mentioned coyly, and offered Esme a chaste kiss on the cheek. Charlie nodded his head in understanding, as his laughter increased even more. He wished us well, and waved as he returned to his vehicle. Our clothing continued to drip as we watched him drive off. I removed my trench coat, and tossed it into the trunk of my car. I dug into the emergency roadside assistance kit, and retrieved the silver blankets that feel like tin foil. I went to the passenger seat, and stretched one over Esme's chair. I then did the same with my own, and climbed into the car.
Esme turned to me and enquired, "Think we will make it home before the water overflows to the leather, and ruins your seats?"
"We better," I admitted as I pressed down on the gas. My speed remained slow enough that a ticket would not be issued, but it was faster than normal. I tend to drive at the speed limit despite how annoying it is to my children. We made it home, and I quickly removed the tinfoil blankets. I grabbed a few towels, and mopped up any water before Esme and I entered the house.
The children stared at us, and erupted in laughter, as they could easily smell the ocean water on our clothing. "You're Father and I will return shortly," Esme called over her shoulder as we flew up the stairs to our room. We had a quick shower before getting dressed. I chose a more casual ensemble today with a zip sweater, shirt, tie, and a dark pair of trousers.
Our family was unusually quiet, as Esme and I returned to the kitchen. I wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and kissed her affectionately on the cheek. We spoke whispered words of love to one another, and then we moved to our spot in the kitchen. Emmett whooped as he exclaimed, "Pops is healed! Welcome back Dad!" The anxiety in the room lessened at our son's outburst.
I chuckled lightly and innocently enquired, "Was I that bad?"
Esme, our children, and Renesmee glanced at one another, and with a nod of their heads shouted together, "Yes!" Even I had to join in the laughter.
I called attention to myself with the clearing of my throat. Typically it is father first, and coven leader second. However, the announcement I had to make was from the coven leader. My voice deepened, and in clear tones I calmly stated, "I have made arrangements to move my coven to the Quileute reserve, and we agreed to a new treaty. You have seen the site for our home, and this morning I wish to go through the details of our new agreement."
The family settled down immediately, as it was no longer their father addressing them. The coven leader commands respect. Jokes and hilarity cease due to the seriousness of the situation requiring the leader's attention. This is the code of the coven, and each of us knew our role. There is no room for democracy in a coven, and I would not tolerate arguments while within this role. As their coven leader, I explained the clauses in the treaty, and our obligations. Jasper hung his head when I detailed alpha authority.
I went into detail about the arrangements made for our new living area, and for the Black Pack. Renesmee smiled broadly at hearing the information, and I noticed Rose wrinkled her nose in disgust. My gaze fell upon her, and immediately she bowed her head submissively by way of apology. I nodded my head in acceptance, and continued with the meeting. I ended the official section by informing the family, "both packs are well aware of the conditions of the new treaty, and you are now welcome on the reserve."
Silence greeted my statement, although heads nodded in understanding. None would speak without my addressing them. I ended the coven leader role with one last comment as I continued to speak with the deep voice of authority, "You will no longer set foot in the communities of Forks, or Port Angeles. We must stay distant, although you may travel to other communities. We live on the reserve, but you are to avoid La Push. It is to the West of our new place, and there is no reason for you to drive through there. Take the forest if you plan to use the beach, or travel with the wolves in one of their vehicles. It is less conspicuous than the ones you drive. It is possible that we may remain here for decades, and it would not do to have people wondering why our coven never ages. The wolves live with us, and people will pay us minimal attention."
I took in a deep breath and shed the mantle of coven leader. My voice returned to its normal level of calm, and I spoke with familial terms. "Your Mother is planning the design of the home with Jacob, and if you want anything added to it then please let her know. It will be an immense building, and we are placing an emphasis on soundproofing each unit."
I folded my arms loosely over my chest as I mentioned, "I am returning to medical school, and will assume two different identities. I wish to attend the University of British Columbia, so will take on the Canadian identity of Carlisle Cullen III, a young twenty year old student eager to begin a medical career with a new master's degree. I originally planned to attend the University of Washington, but their medical faculty is too far from our home. My claim of starting university at age sixteen is reasonable. I plan to study physical therapy, and rehabilitation. My other ID will be a citizen of the US named Dr. Carlisle Cullen aged twenty-six, loving husband to Esme Cullen and adoptive father."
I paused a moment as I continued, "You had plenty of opportunity in the past year to think of your new identities, and now is the time for us to discuss our plans. If your choice is to remain on the reserve, then you will attend high school with the wolves." I turned to my wife with a grin as she took over.
Esme smiled to her children and said, "I will expect you to do the assigned work, and to pay attention to your studies. Home schooling is different, and the time spent each day is less than in a normal school." She smiled warmly to her children as she admitted, "the choice is up to you."
I wrote Esme's plans on the pad of paper, and jotted down an extra document for a degree from the faculty of education. She smirked to me, but did not seem to mind the addition. With an impish grin I added another entry for Esme, and read it aloud, "Canadian identity of Esme Cullen, aged thirty-two. She is the widowed wife of Carlisle Cullen II, and adoptive mother of his children. She smirked at me while I explained, "I attended medical school in the 60's under the name of Carlisle Cullen, and so I'll list that persona as my grandfather."
Esme laughed lightly and turned her gaze to me as she enquired, "Does this mean I have to check your homework and make sure you turn reports in on time like I do with the children?" I chuckled at that suggestion, but answered with a shake of my head.
Esme broke out laughing as I jotted down the requirements for her second identification. She offered me a grin as she stated, "I hope to never use that one, though I can understand the need for it. I assume your Canadian car will be under my identity to avoid the high cost of insurance, and I will need to sign contracts with your landlord?"
I nodded my head in agreement to Esme as I admitted, "some property-owners refuse to rent to students without first speaking with their parents." I smirked with the admission, "I need to return daily for the wolves, and likely would only have the place to keep up appearances. I'll use it to stash my books, and maybe another area to study when between classes."
Emmett laughed as he turned to me and mentioned, "Yep, you start failing courses and skipping class, and you've got to answer to Mom!" I smirked to my son, as the others too found humor in it.
"Just remember, here in the States I am twenty-six and adoptive father. Esme will always be my mate, so our pretend life does not take priority. Even in Canada, I am still patriarch of this family, and my attentions are not those of a son. " I offered my wife an affectionate grin, and heard Edward moan. I then glanced at Bella as I enquired, "What would you like to do Bella?"
She looked to me and suggested, "A seventeen year old college student going into nursing school. I can attend the same university as your sibling. With my being a minor, then Esme will have to get that Canadian identification."
I jotted down the information, turned to Edward, and looked expectantly at him. He grinned to his mate and suggested, "seventeen year old womanizer." I rolled my eyes at the comment and he received a prompt elbow in the ribs from his mate. Turning to me he admitted, "I don't really care. I graduated medical school twice already, but I would like to take classes with Bella. I'll do what she wants."
I blinked a few times at the news, and chuckled lightly as I mentioned, "be warned, nurses have a much more difficult job than Doctors." I jotted down his information and turned to Renesmee as I mentioned, "You will receive identification for a fifteen year old girl. You will grow into your identification shortly, and you can attend school with the wolves." My granddaughter looked thrilled with the information, and ran to the phone where she immediately called Jacob.
I glanced at Emmett and he jokingly said, "About time you got to me! I'm going to enjoy the night life and the party scene of Vancouver!" My brow rose at his remark as he shrugged to me and said, "You asked what I wanted." He took in a deep breath and admitted, "I will stay on the reserve and help the wolves protect the area. I really am not interested in school." I glanced at Rose and she agreed with her mate.
I tapped the pencil thoughtfully against my chin as I mentioned, "Rose and Emmett are sixteen years old and attending high school with the wolves." I moved my gaze to Jasper, but Emmett quickly interrupted with a verbal burst of attitude.
"Why do I have to go to school? Look, can't I just get another ID again in a few years? This is nuts. No, Dad I won't do it. I am not going to school with the wolves." Rose remained quiet, but it was easy to see she agreed with Emmett.
I turned to my son and mentioned, "Yes Emmett, you are attending school. I will not have any of my children sitting around the home all day, as boredom will set in. You will get into trouble, and I will have to deal with it. If you are remaining here, then you attend school with the wolves."
I turned my attention to Alice and Jasper. Alice offered a grin to Edward as she mentioned, "we will join you guys at university. How often can we pretend dad is our brother? I'd like to take a fashion design course. Bella and I can be twins!" She offered a grin to Bella, and the two girls seemed rather interested in that story.
I smirked to Alice and admitted, "That will be interesting. Jasper, what would you like to study?"
He shrugged his head as he thought of it and suggested, "Web design?"
I jotted the information down and passed the book to Jasper, "Can you please see to it that Jenks gets the required documents? I will need to contact the universities this afternoon, and arrange for enrollment. Jasper, I suggest you go with nineteen. Bella and Alice you are seventeen with your birthdays sometime in early September, and Edward you will be seventeen in a couple of weeks." I glanced at Esme as I mentioned, "you've got quite the handful mom, and now how do you fit into the picture?"
Esme looked up to me and giggled as she said, "I'm thirty-two and you are my twenty year old son. That is so ridiculous it is almost amusing. How does this sound, I married your father at the age of eighteen, and adopted you immediately?"
Emmett grinned as he added, "even better! Esme babysat Carlisle when he was a baby and she was only twelve. The other siblings were born and their mother died giving birth to Edward. Your father fell in love with the babysitter, and they married once she turned eighteen. She immediately adopted all of you, and Esme is the only mother any of you can remember." Emmett turned to me and grinned mischievously as he stated, "Don't skip school Dad, your mother freaks out when you do."
I laughed at my son, and quickly jotted down the story as I admitted, "Emmett, that is impressive." I glanced at my wife, and she nodded in approval. With a grin I confirmed, "Mom likes it."
I approached my lovely wife and affectionately embraced her with a kiss, and our children roared out laughing as Emmett called out, "Incest!"
Emmett received a smirk for his efforts. I cleared my throat and waited for attention to return before I mentioned, "That is all I had planned for today. Does anyone else wish to speak on another topic?"
Alice spoke up quickly as she mentioned, "yeah, Dad. We have been home now for three days, and I have no money. We haven't gone shopping, and my card still has a hold on it."
Esme nodded her head in agreement and informed her, "Alice, I know of no emergency to have needed the use of the card. If you find yourself without cash, then you must stop shopping. That is not a reason to use the card." She glanced at me and enquired, "Carlisle, how much allowance do you think we should give our children?"
I swallowed and glanced at my wife at her question. I pinched the bridge of my nose as I mulled over the situation and suggested, "We need to give them enough money to buy the vehicles. They need to save up what we give them, and in a few years they can buy the ones they want." I moved my hand through my hair as I gazed to my wife in trying to understand her thoughts. Once more, I felt smug in the knowledge that Edward too cannot read his wife's mind. Taking in a deep breath I suggested, "Ten, or maybe twenty thousand dollars each month?"
The children seemed content with my suggestion, but Esme did not give me an approving look. "Carlisle, I suspect this is something you and I need to discuss in private." This time it was me the children silently rooted for.
A glance at my wife informed me that my thoughts were nowhere near her own. I wrapped my arms affectionately around Esme's waist and enquired, "Hon, care to go for a quick hunt? We can speak of this, and return with the information the children wish to know." She agreed with me and together we ran off into the forest. We found a pair of deer, and satisfied ourselves with their blood.
We came to a scenic waterfall, and went to sit on the rock shelf above. I removed my jacket and laid it on the ground for my wife, and assisted her while she sat. Esme did not need any such help, but that is the polite thing for a man to do. I joined her quickly, and turned to her curiously as I enquired, "What amount were you contemplating?"
Esme huffed in disgust as she turned to me and said, "Carlisle how is twenty thousand dollars a month considered a reasonable amount? They do not have any expenses, and the money will either be wasted or saved." She glanced at me curiously and enquired, "How much do you spend a month?"
With a deep breath, I turned to my wife and mentioned, "Esme, you know I spend very little. You and Alice do nearly all my shopping for me." With a shrug of my shoulders I admitted, "That is part of the problem, as I am not sure how much they need."
Esme patted my chest affectionately as she chuckled. "You do hate it when I ask you to pick things up. The doctor hates to shop," she teased me. I smiled to her guiltily as she suggested, "I think a hundred dollars a week is plenty."
"That is a pitiful amount, Esme I see no reason to make our children suffer in poverty. They are adults in their own right, and we cannot have them working due to the complications that brings." I shook my head to my wife and stated adamantly, "No, a hundred a week is too low. They would have little left after paying for gas."
Esme peered to me as she said, "there is no chance of us giving them ten thousand a month. Carlisle, you are too generous with your finances." She studied me with her gaze as she enquired, "The children spent a great deal in New York. How much money are we down from this month alone?"
I pinched the bridge of my nose as I did a quick mental calculation. I looked to her guiltily as I admitted, "54 million dollars." Her gaze snapped to my eyes as her own narrowed. "Did I forget to mention the fifty million?"
Esme nodded her head patiently to me as she folded her arms over her chest, "Carlisle, why not begin from the start? I am curious to hear about it, especially as you chose not to tell me earlier."
"I should have told you Esme," I mentioned honestly, as I glanced at the waterfall and back to my wife. "I watch how the wolves live. Their schedule prevents them from getting decent employment. Their physical ages make that even more difficult. Renesmee will marry Jacob, and their children may suffer from the same circumstances affecting him. They will live in poverty, and this could last for generations. The wolves prevented our death, and I feel that I owe it to them."
Esme's expression softened as I mentioned that, but I continued, "I wanted to provide Renesmee and her future children with security, but I could not offer it as a wedding gift. The children would see that as favoritism. The other wolves live in the same conditions, and I did not wish to see any of them having to suffer needlessly for having assisted us. I provided fifty million to the Quileute Nation to set up a fund for the wolves. It will provide for their needs in the form of an income, and continue to grow for future generations."
Apparently, I said the right thing, as my wife gave me a warm embrace. "Carlisle, you are the most compassionate man I know." She curled into my side and suggested, "I understand your concerns with the children affording their cars. To be honest Carlisle, I do not see Alice ever getting another car if she had to save the money for it."
I laughed lightly as I thought of it and admitted, "Yes, that would not work. Esme, I have thought of Emmett's response at the family meeting. The children are reluctant to repeat the same courses when we need new identities. Would you consider a thousand dollars a month for an allowance, and as motivation we gift them with a new vehicle of their choice for graduation?"
Esme placed her finger on her chin as she contemplated the question. With a shake of her head she mentioned, "We give them five hundred a month, and offer a gas card for them to use with vehicle repairs, maintenance, and gas? I like the idea of graduation gifts, so we can go with that."
I considered her suggestion, and smiled to my wife as I stated, "Esme, that sounds reasonable." We rose from the ground, and I lovingly watched my wife. She picked up my coat, and brushed off the debris before handing it back to me. We ran home together, and entered an empty kitchen.
I cleared my throat, and the children quickly gathered around to hear what we had decided on. Esme whispered to me in a volume the children could not hear, "they are going to blame me for this."
I smirked in response to her and turned my attention back to my children. "We have agreed to give you a monthly allowance of five hundred dollars. You may use your credit cards for gas, auto maintenance, and repairs." I glanced at Esme, and smiled to her in support while our children glared daggers at their mother. "You will receive a vehicle of your choice upon graduation, as we realize how annoying it is to repeat the same classes. I hope this makes high school sound a little more interesting."
Alice began crying as she told Jasper, "never mind. There is no reason for me to see Vancouver now, as I cannot buy anything! I'll stay here and go to school with Emmett and Rosalie." Jasper embraced his wife warmly, as she cried into his chest. He glanced at Emmett and smiled to his brother. We all knew this was his preference, as our soldier had no wish to leave the war.
I turned my attention to the children as I instructed, "Get me your banking information, and I will set up automatic payments to your account on the first of each month. I will remove the hold on your credit cards this afternoon. You do not need to keep receipts for gas, repairs, or maintenance. However, you will give me a receipt for anything else you buy with that card." I turned to Rosalie as I mentioned, "use the credit card when you buy items and tools you need for working on the cars." I glanced at my wife and then returned to the children as I enquired, "Does anyone have a concern they would like to discuss?"
Emmett scoffed as he mentioned, "Do you realize how much things cost this century? Dad, it is not the 1600s anymore. Things cost money!"
Rose agreed with Emmett as she mentioned, "Dad that will buy very little. It will not even get us clothes."
She had a point, and I turned to my wife to question our decision when the look I received suggested otherwise. I shrugged my shoulders to Esme, as I had no idea how to answer the question.
Esme came to my rescue when she mentioned, "Alice enjoys shopping for everyone, and I like going with her and Rose on occasion." She gazed to me and admitted, "Carlisle depends on Alice to buy his clothes. We can have a girl's day once a month and I can cover the costs for the clothing."
I folded my arms over my chest as I gazed to Esme and enquired, "a thousand a month was too much, but you are fine with unlimited shopping trips?"
"Carlisle, would you like to go shopping for your own clothes," Esme enquired knowingly of me.
"I have no wish to do so," I stated firmly. I smiled to my wife and said, "spend all you want."
