* Assignment Two
* This is unbeta'd. All the mistakes belong to me.
* Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight and its characters. I just really love them. No copyright infringement intended. I DID use some of Stephenie Meyer's dialogue for my own purposes here. I'm honoring, not stealing.
* I used the timeline at Twilight Lexicon to determine what year and approximate location I needed to make this work. I took some liberties and errors may occur.
* Carnton Plantation is a real place in Franklin, Tennessee where one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War occurred. There are still blood stains on the wood floors there. I enjoyed that piece of information so I included it in my story. I am not an expert, minor errors are unintentional.
~ This is approximately two years after Rosalie's transformation. Carlisle moved the family onto Carnton Plantation where Esme is refurbishing the house, Carlisle is working as a doctor, Edward is interested in WSM Barn Dance which would eventually become the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville (this info didnt' quite make it into the story as I'd planned) and Rosalie is simply miserable with her own existence.
Carnton Plantation
Franklin, Tennessee 1935
EPOV
Esme was hunched over the wood floor in the parlor scrubbing at that same blood stain she'd been working on for days. "I don't know how much more I can take, Edward. It's beyond ridiculous that two and a half years later I still have to deal with it."
"I know, Esme. I'm sorry. You really just have to be blunt and stop coddling her." Esme was too polite. We both knew it.
"Me coddle her?" She looked at me wide-eyed. "Talk to Carlisle on that one. He never-"
"Shh-she's at the corner. Actually, they both are." Esme's brow furrowed. She huffed audibly and threw herself back into her cleaning. The thoughts in her head provided more scrubbing power than any solvent could.
I wonder what she's griping about now? Her thirst? Her obscene wardrobe is somehow lacking the latest hat from Paris? Or how unfair it is that she only has one automobile to play with!
I walked out to the back porch debating with myself about whether or not to talk to Carlisle about Esme's hidden thoughts. It was a moral decision I had to make every day lately. Esme was keeping her true feelings from Carlisle, but she couldn't keep them from me.
I didn't want to betray Esme and she hadn't willingly shared her thoughts with me either. It's the mind reader's curse-what to do with what I knew.
A slight coral line appeared on the horizon announcing the sun's decent. "Good evening, Son."
"Hello, Carlisle. Esme's still scrubbing that stain in the parlor."
"Oh yeah, I saw her when I came in. She sure is determined to get that out. I barely got a hello kiss." How can he just ignore those little clues?
"I kind of like the stains. They are like a private family joke."
Carlisle chuckled to himself. "I didn't think of it like that. I know it bothers Rosalie though. She doesn't like being reminded of what she is."
"I know, but I think it's about time she accepted it and stopped complaining."
"She's part of our family now, Edward. I am responsible for her." Carlisle looked off toward the gardens deep in thought.
"That makes us all responsible for her. You, me and Esme. We want to be a family, whatever it takes. But Rosalie should take some responsibility for her own happiness too. None of us can make her happy."
"That sounds like something Esme said to me a few months back."
"Well, maybe Esme was right. Maybe you should listen to her."
Carlisle squinted his eyes in my direction. I pretended not to notice. "What did she say to you?" he accused.
"Nothing. You know she has a strict moral code in how she treats people. But Carlisle, you aren't here all day long. You don't know what she puts up with. You don't know how she feels."
"And you do?"
I was across the line, and I knew it. "Well, it's not hard to guess."
"Edward, if you know-"
"I don't." I paused for emphasis and then casually added, "Listen, I'm going to go watch the sunset from the cemetery. Maybe we can go hunting later." I skipped down the porch steps and started across the plantation to the graveyard.
Carlisle was processing our conversation as I walked away. I didn't want to relive it.
I can't just hang around this house all day with Esme and those stains taunting me. Edward got to go to college. It's not fair that women aren't allowed. Actually it is. Real women are home having babies, they don't need-
That's about all I could handle of that injustice.
Esme POV
I heard Carlisle come in and settle into the antique chair by the fireplace. I pretended I didn't know he was there, but we both knew it was a lie. I don't remember exactly when I started lying to my husband, but it was sometime after he brought our daughter home. Daughter…it sounds so innocent.
"Esme, come sit with me and tell me what's troubling you."
I looked over my shoulder at him, struggling with my decision. I relented, dropped my scrub brush into the soapy water and sat opposite the man of my dreams, wishing I were the woman of his.
"Carlisle, I'm fine. The damned blood stains are set in. There is nothing I can do unless I replace the floors, but I want to leave the house as much in tact as possible."
He closed his eyes in a long blink. "I know there's more to it. Something with Rosalie, perhaps?"
"Did she say something about me?" I heard how defensive my tone was and it was too late to correct.
"No, she didn't, but there is something. Isn't there?"
"It's just that..." I paused thinking of how to phrase what I wanted to say, "she hates her life. She's extremely unhappy and she makes sure everyone around her is as miserable as she is."
"I know, she's asked me a number of times how I could damn her like this." Carlisle looked troubled. I knew he felt guilty even though he thought he was doing the right thing at the time.
"What did you say?" I wondered.
"I told her the truth that it seemed like a waste to let her die and that I thought Edward could use the company."
Edward, huh? Anyone who knows Edward knows that Rosalie is the last girl for him. I think-
Carlisle waved his hand in front of my face. "Esme, where did you go? What are you thinking?"
"Nothing. It's just that since you've gone back to work it is Edward and me that have to deal with the brooding all day long. " I was getting angrier, but it felt so good to let out some of my pent up frustration.
"Esme-" there was warning in his tone.
"Car-lisle," I mocked back, "I know I shouldn't complain, but seriously the poor me pity party time frame has lapsed. She needs to get over it, accept that she's a vampire, embrace the thirst for blood. It must be absolutely horrible to be perfectly young and beautiful until the end of time. Men will lust over her and women will envy her, but she just won't stop complaining!"
"Well, excuse me for being forced into your family," Rosalie's voice was stronger than mine had been as she entered the room. I had been so self absorbed (just what I had been accusing her of) that I hadn't heard her.
"Rose-" I started to stand, but quickly sat back down.
"Please don't," she was short and firm in her response, "I know you all hate me and wish I'd leave so you can go back to your happy little family bubble. So that's what I'll do."
I was horrified by my own behavior and how I'd hurt her. "Rosalie, no, I'm sorry. I'm just frustrated and on edge. It's my own problem, not yours. We don't hate you, Sweetheart. We just want you to find some peace and happiness. Eternity is a long time to be miserable." I was backtracking and doing a terrible job.
"You're right, of course, Esme. I'm going to go on a little voyage-"
"Rosalie, you can't go off on your own. You told me before that you didn't want to be alone. We love you. You are one of us. Let us help you work this out." I could hear the desperation in Carlisle's voice. He was desperate to keep her here, of course.
"Thank you for saying that Carlisle, but I think I need some time alone to reflect and maybe then, I can find happiness. On my own. And then maybe you all can be happy too, without me."
"Rosalie, please-" he pleaded.
"No, Carlisle. My mind is made up. I'm leaving tonight." She held her head high and proud.
Carlisle shriveled. "As you wish. You know we would never force you to stay here." My husband was upset and it was my fault. I had hurt him.
I looked away from them and fixed my eyes on the blood stain. Some things can't be cleaned. Some things run too deep.
"Thank you for understanding. I'll be in touch." She twirled on her toes, flicked her hair over her shoulder and left us. Carlisle stared after her until the front door clicked shut leaving us in a deafening silence.
Neither of us said anything for several long torturous minutes.
Carlisle slowly walked out without another word, and I heard him escape to the back porch.
I miss tears. I needed a good cry, but I sat there motionless and tearless for a while before escaping to my room. I wiped down all the furniture in there trying to comfort myself. The truth is, I didn't want to be comforted. I deserved this misery that I had brought upon myself.
I grabbed the vinegar from the closet and set about cleaning the windows. I was on the last pane, when my husband joined me.
Carlisle walked up behind me and wrapped his strong hands around my waist. He kissed my neck softly.
"I'm sorry," he said in a whisper.
I swallowed hard. "Why are you sorry, I'm the one-"
"I'm sorry I left without saying good-bye earlier. You deserve better than that."
"No, actually, I don't." He spun me around so I was facing him. He pressed his lips to mine and tangled his fingers in my hair. His lips moved against mine. I tried to float away on the fluttering within me.
He felt so good, but I felt so bad. I couldn't take it. I pulled away and sat on the edge of the bed, leaving him standing alone at the window.
"Esme, don't pull away. I'm afraid of losing you-"
"Like you lost Rosalie," I snapped in a quiet, defeated tone. He narrowed his eyes at me before he came and crouched down in front of me.
"What are trying to say, Esme?"
"I'm trying to say that I'm sorry for driving Rosalie away. I'm sorry I ruined the family you've been building. I'm sorry I'm still here and she's gone. You never should have changed me. You could have had her for yourself." I covered my face with my hands and dropped back onto the bed.
I felt the bed dip as Carlisle forced his body next to mine. He grabbed my wrists, but stopped trying to pull them apart when I resisted. "Esme," he pleaded, "What has happened to you? What are you even saying? You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I was trying to build a family for us-both of us-to share."
"I know…" I had to swallow the lump in my throat before I continued, "I have everything I've ever asked for," the truth of that statement weighed on me like a ton of bricks. I revealed my face and wrapped my arms around his shoulders. I felt him relax into my touch.
He kissed my cheek softly. "Then why-"
"You are too good to us. All of us-especially me. I don't deserve you and I'm keeping you from having someone…"
"Someone what, Esme?"
I inhaled and spoke softly. "Someone more appreciative, someone who has more to offer you, someone beautiful. Someone like…" I removed my arms and rolled away from him, closing my eyes and wishing I could disappear.
"Someone like what?" He closed the gap I had created and rested his hand on my hip. I tried to pull away, but he tightened his hold on me not letting me go.
"Esme?" his tone was stern and commanding and my body reacted, against my will, to his voice.
"S-Someone like R-R-Rosalie. I know you think she's perfect, and she is. I know you would rather-"
"Wha-No. I wouldn't." He pressed me back onto my back and straddled my hips to hold me flat. He grabbed the sides of my head in his hands. "Don't you know me, Esme?" I instinctually raised my forearms in a defensive block as he lowered himself over my torso. He placed the softest kiss on my quivering lips. I didn't deserve his kisses.
He pulled back only enough so he could speak. "You are perfect for me." I shook my head silently.
Carlisle drew tender circles on my temples with his thumbs and nodded. "You are the most beautiful woman I have ever met." I closed my eyes and bit my bottom lip. He leaned forward again and traced my lips with his tongue. It was sweet and sensual. I wanted to believe his words, but my inner voice reminded me that I'm no Rosalie.
"Carlisle, please," I begged. I wanted him to release me. I wanted to run away and hide.
"Please, what?" he sounded a little mischievous and a lot determined.
"Please, let me go." I looked up into his black, hungry eyes as he shook his head back and forth.
"I'm sorry. I can't do that. I have obviously not made it clear how much I love you, and I will make you understand." My eyes burned with shame, but no tears came.
He grasped my wrists and pulled them away from my chest. Then he kissed me longingly behind the ear, raising goose bumps on my arms.
"You smell divine, Esme, like freshly roasted coffee beans and brown sugar." He trailed kisses down to my collarbone and then he looked me in the eye. "You smell like home." My stomach fluttered and he lifted himself off of me so I could see him.
I felt him fumble with the top button of my dress. When he pushed it through he said, "It's your full lips I want to kiss." Then he leaned forward and kissed me more firmly than before. A dull ache began deep in my belly. My body was at war with my mind as it frantically conjured up pictures of Rosalie in all her beautiful glory to retaliate against Carlisle's tenderness.
He lifted himself again and moved to the second button. "It is your eyes I can see the world most clearly through." I could see the smoldering in his eyes as he stared into mine, causing my mind to silence.
The third button. "It is your chestnut hair I want splayed against my chest after I make love." My still heart fluttered in my chest and the pictures in my head began to fade as the vision of my husband above me commanded attention.
Last button. "It is your arms I want around me." He lifted me up and pulled the top of my dress down over my shoulders until my arms were free. I was bare before him. I had never felt more vulnerable.
"You are so beautiful to me," he murmured as he leaned forward kissing the tops of my breasts. Simultaneously, he unclasped my brassiere behind me. He pulled the garment away and my nipples responded positively to the open air.
Carlisle laid me back down and ran his cold hands across my body as if he worshipped it. "These are the breasts I lust over and want to caress." My jealous mind was losing power with every one of his gentle strokes. I felt myself slipping into the glorious feeling of being wanted.
I reached up and pulled his shirt over his head without unclasping the buttons. Two of them resisted before shooting over the edge of the bed. I ran my hands up his torso, exploring the hard lines I found. Heaven.
"Oh, Esme," he gasped in a husky voice, "Don't you know what you mean to me?"
I closed my eyes and studdered, "I-I'm just-" His lips silenced mine before I could finish. His hard chest pressed into my breasts and the skin to skin friction was delicious. He kissed me persuasively, and I wanted to believe him. A glimmer of doubt still hung in the back of my mind.
"You are perfect," he said, tugging my dress along with my panties down past my hips and off my legs. "It's your body I long for, not anyone else's." To emphasize his point, he ran the tip of his nose slowly along my inner thigh from my knee to the top of my thigh.
"It's your body I want to taste." I shivered with desire. "Please, Esme, will you share yourself with me?" He looked up at me questioningly.
I nodded my response, but he knew I was still holding back. "Tell me, Esme. Tell me you want me. Tell me you believe me. I want to hear you." He encouraged me with tiny nips on my thighs.
My nagging inner voice tried to summon an insecure thought, but failed. My husband wanted me. In this moment, I knew without a shadow of a doubt, that he wanted me.
"Yes, I want you and I believe you want me."
He smiled and then I felt his soft lips come in contact with my wet ones. "Oh, God, I love you so much… Only you." His tongue was very convincing. He lapped and worshipped me at a leisurely pace.
I lost myself in his loving kisses and his sensual caresses. He lifted my pleasure higher and higher with every touch until my body could handle no more. I arched my back and trembled into oblivion. He stayed with me extending my pleasure by massaging me deeply and pressing expertly with his tongue until I slumped into satiated bliss.
I breathed heavily waiting for reality to return. Slowly, I was aware of his tender kisses on my hipbone and cool breath against my pelvis.
"I love you, Esme. I need you to know that. I would be nothing without you."
"And I without you." I smiled down at him, enjoying the bond that had ben reconnected between us. "Thank you for loving me." He pulled himself up next to me and I rested my head on his bare chest.
Slowly, I reached for his zipper. Now I needed him to know that I loved him too.
Suddenly, we heard frantic yelling from the back lawn. It was Rosalie, my only daughter.
"Help! Carlisle, please help me."
Carlisle glanced out the window before flying out the door and down the stairs. I tiptoed to the window and suspiciously looked down.
Rosalie was huddled over an unconscious man. He was bleeding excessively in several places. What had she done?
"What happened?" I heard Carlisle ask, glancing up at the window for my support.
"It was a bear. It just attacked him near Gatlinburg. He's going to die, Carlisle. Please save him. I want him, please you've got to save him for me!"
* Thank you for reading. All comments are welcomed and will be taken to heart.
