Summer Rain Chapter 4
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight; it is the product of Stephanie Meyer's imagination.
If my heart was still beating I'm sure it would be pounding in my ears now with each step I took, in all my life I had never been so nervous.
Here I was walking to Mr. Platt's study, each step I took needed more force than the last. I was going to ask him for her hand or at the very least permission to court her. Whatever the outcome however I knew that I was not going to leave empty handed. I could feel in my soul just how much she belonged with me, as if she was fresh, fallen snow and I was icy winter.
My kiss in the garden with her earlier was not helping my focus, even though I was away from her now her enchanting spell still held its grip upon my heart and I doubt it would ever let go. I had to concentrate though, I knew her father didn't like me and he had his suspicions that I would have ulterior motives. I can only imagine how he would react when he realized how right he was.
All too soon I appeared outside the door to his study, the stiff smell of cigar smoke telling me he was definitely inside.
With a forced exhale I knocked on the mahogany door and waited for a response.
"Come in." Mr. Platt responded.
Slowly I pushed open the door and as met with Mr. Platt sitting in his chair behind his desk with a cigar in one hand and a page of today's paper in the other.
He glanced up at me after finishing the page, eye dulling slightly once he noticed it was me standing there.
"Dr. Cullen, please do come in." He said before taking a large drag from his cigar.
I closed the door behind me and he motioned for me to have a seat in front of him, solely for the purpose of being polite. I could tell by the increase of his pulse he was anxious to have me out of there as soon as possible.
"So tell me doctor, how is my daughter today?" He asked, eyes never leaving mine.
Suddenly flashes of our passionate encounter jumped to the forefront of my mind, but I maintained an expression made of stone. It would only work against my favor if I appeared nervous and shifty.
"Well sir, she is recovering much faster than I thought if she has the strength to make it to the garden."
"Ah excellent, when I saw her this morning she was very agitated with being bedridden for so long. I figured it couldn't hurt for her to have a little fresh air."
"It seems as though you were correct. She was feeling quite well today."
"So how long do you think it will be before she is back to normal?"
"That would depend on her rate of recovery, after the cast comes off she will need some rehabilitation to strengthen her leg, but if she continues to recover at this rate of speed she should be good as new within a couple of months. She is the fastest recovering patient I have ever had."
"That's what I like to hear doctor, if that is the soonest she can recover then I will do all I can to help her. After all she has to be in tip top shape for her engagement ball."
All processes in my brain screeched to a dead halt, no noise crowded my head nor thoughts were formed, just silence and a feeling of impending doom filling my heart.
"Engagement ball?" I asked, emotion trying to break into my voice.
"Yes, I have finally found her a suitable husband. Mr. Charles Evenson from Cincinnati. He has his own fortune and is the proud owner of one of the largest liquor corporations in the country. She will have excellent stability and he is the kind of man to turn her into a suitable wife."
Too many emotions ran through me as he explained everything. Rage at this man for trying to pick someone for her and at myself for not saying anything sooner, fear at the contemplation of losing my love forever, and perhaps the strongest, courage because I was not going to give her up without a fight.
"Isn't this wonderful?" he asked me.
Gripping my fists tightly I looked into his eyes and prepared myself for what had to be the hardest confrontation I was ever going to have.
"No it isn't Mr. Platt and frankly I think it is an outrage."
"Oh really dear boy? Why is that?"
"Well for one thing you put too much pressure on her to choose a husband now. She has plenty of time to marry and can't you see she is free spirit? She isn't the kind of woman to serve a husband but rather have a life with him side by side."
"You think you know my daughter so well? You hardly know her. While I can't deny she is on the wild side, marriage will be good for her. It will tame the strong urge she has to disobey a man. I'm doing this for her own good, my health isn't the best and she must marry in order to obtain half of my fortune. I cannot stand the thought of her becoming a lonely spinster."
"Mr. Platt I may have not known your daughter for very long but I know her better than this man you have chosen for her. I have taken the time to sit with her and listen to what she has to say. I know her fears, her wishes and honestly I don't think she needs to be tamed but rather to be with a man who accepts her for whom she is."
"Like you Dr. Cullen?" He asked me all of a sudden and in a tone that could have made the blood running through me turn to ice.
I relaxed a little; this was no time to be paying games. I came here with a purpose and he figured it out right before I got the chance to say it.
"Yes like me. I have become very smitten with Esme and despite the fact you have chosen a husband for her I will request her hand in marriage anyway. I have my own home, a substantial amount of money, and unlike Mr. Evenson, I feel genuine long lasting love for her." I said before holding my breath. There, I had given my speech and it was in his hands now.
Mr. Platt just sat there and stared at me for a moment, eyes boring into mine with such intensity that I felt my nerves beginning to act up.
He took one last drag from his cigar before blowing it in a hazy cloud in my direction and beginning to chuckle, a long one filled with amusement.
"What is so funny sir?" I asked politely even though my patience was beginning to dwindle.
"You are my dear boy. Did you really think I would have agreed to your proposal?"
"I understand you do not like doctors sir but…" I began but was silenced by him raising his hand to stop me."
"Oh contraire Dr. Cullen, it isn't just the fact I don't like doctors, I just don't like you period. You maybe the best in this town and any other surrounding area, but if I had known you were going to violate your code of ethics and attempt to take advantage of Esme I would have gone else ware."
"Take advantage of? Mr. Platt I never…" I started again but once again I was silenced. It was clear that he wasn't going to let me get a word in and if I was going to attempt to change his mind, I would have to listen to every word he said. Inside though I was seething mad, my intentions with Esme were pure and loving and for him to accuse me otherwise awoke my vampire urge to kill. I had to control myself though, sure I could kill him but Esme would be devastated and the one person most important to me would hate me forever.
"Dr. Cullen do you think I am stupid? I have seen the looks of longing you have sent her way and how close you are with her. Not to mention the way you touch her seems to me it borders on the line of inappropriate. I don't care that you claim to love her, you are a swine whom I imagines also does the same thing to other young girls. And you would think that this would be enough for me to say no, but I've done some digging on you Dr. Cullen and I'd say you are quite the smooth operator."
"What do you mean?" I asked him, fear in what he may have found mixing in with my growing rage and pounding head.
"Well you have no birth record so I have no idea from what nobility you came from if any at all Dr. Cullen. Or should I say Stregone Benefico, Jean-Luke La Roux, Richard Austin, or Lorenzo De Capo? With all these names you have it is hard to tell who the hell you really are." Mr. Platt said with a smirk as though he was hammering the final nail in my coffin.
"Damn" was my only thought as my eyes got wider with every name he listed. I thought I was more careful covering my tracks but I guess I was not. I just didn't expect him to find all that and how he did exactly I'm not sure.
"Also I discovered that you really have no license to practice medicine. Yet I wonder how you got all your expertise. So you see "Dr. Cullen", I think I have more than enough evidence against you. "
I was silent; anything I had to say just disappeared from my mind. After all what could I say to make myself seem better than what he painted me since most of it was indeed true?
"It is true Mr. Platt that I do not possess a medical license. I was instructed in the ancient ways of medicine under those who served the Lord. As for my missing birth record and the numerous names I don't have an answer for that. But you must understand that I love Esme greatly, I would never do anything to compromise her honor nor any other women. I am not that kind of man."
"Be that as it may it is illegal to practice medicine without a license and the penalty for that in this place is severe. So I am going to make a deal with you and if you are a smart man you will take me up on this offer." Mr. Platt said after leaning over his desk and glaring at me.
"What do you propose?" I asked calmly, even though I was beginning to feel defeated.
"I propose that you leave Columbus and never return and you shall leave my daughter as well and never see her again."
My heart leapt into my throat and my eyes burned, how could one man be so cruel?
"And if I refuse?"
"I will have you arrested for impersonating a doctor, and compromising the honor of my daughter and you will rot away in jail for a very long time."
"BUT I WAS NEVER INAPPROPRIATE WITH YOUR DAUGHTER!" I yelled, my patience finally snapping.
"Mr. Cullen I suggest you control you temper, after all I am the one holding all the cards here and I am being very generous. I could take back my offer of letting you go and just turn you in now. Make your choice and do it quickly, I don't have time to play games with you."
Never being with Esme was a life without hope, but after living in this town for a while now I knew that Mr. Platt had enough clout and money to make what he wanted to happen come true. I had heard tales from Aro about vampire in prison and they never ended well, I would most likely starve to death within a week of being in a cell. It seemed as though my choice was already made for me.
I sighed and placed my head in my hands, the pain in my heart growing with each passing second. At this rate I might just die anyway.
"Very well, you win. I will leave but you must realize that Esme loves me as well. And by doing this you are breaking her heart."
"You are crossing your boundaries once more Mr. Cullen, don't push it. You are no longer welcome in my home. I suggest you leave now." He said, getting up from his chair and pointing to the door.
"What shall I tell Esme? She is expecting me after my meeting with you."
"You will not see her; I will take care of it." He said with finality in his voice.
I nodded in his direction before getting up and leaving his study, my head facing the floor and my heart empty. I had failed in not only acquiring the woman I love, but saving her from a loveless marriage as well, I was such a fool.
I hadn't been careful enough in covering my tracks, somehow Mr. Platt found out my past to an extent. If he knew that I was a vampire that lived in the 1600's I would have been in danger for my life. The lust of my curse was pulsating through me; murder was heavy on my mind. All the wildlife in the forest had better stay away from me tonight if they wanted to stay alive.
I made it outside to see Esme sitting still in the garden, reading her book and oblivious to what was going on in the world around her. I had thought of going to her anyway but I had a feeling of being watched from behind. I turned around and sure enough Mr. Platt was standing on the staircase inside the house, his dark eyes burning a hole in my jacket.
With one last look at my love I burned her into my memory before walking away and heading down the road towards my practice. I lost her but I couldn't shake the feeling that this was not the end for us. I just wished I could have spoken to her and heard her melody once more. I wish I knew what her father was going to tell her, he probably was going to tell her everything and that I was not good enough for her. But I just knew that I was better for her than this buffoon he chose for her.
Before I knew it I was back at my practice and Mrs. Porter's smiling face greeted me but when she saw the look on mine, her smile instantly faded.
"Dr. Cullen what is wrong?"
"Mrs. Porter I am being transferred to a practice in Chicago. I caught the mail man on my way back from the Platt mansion and the letter said Jackson and associates were in desperate need of a pediatrician. You and Miss. Evens will still stay here and work with Dr. Miller."
"Oh Dr. Cullen I am so sorry, will Miss Platt be going with you as your wife?" She asked excitedly, not wasting any time.
I was in the middle of packing books and froze when she asked me this, sadness leaking into my chest one more time.
"No Mrs. Porter, she will not." I said after sighing and running a hand through my hair.
"That's too bad Dr. Cullen; I know how smitten you are with her. Well whatever happens in your life I wish you the best of luck." She said before taking my icy hands in hers and giving them a gentle squeeze, not paying attention to the drastic temperature difference.
"Thank you, you have been so kind to me through the years, you have been like a mother to me."
"And you've been the son I've never had. I want to apologize though for being so nosy over the years. I just wanted what was the best for you."
"I know and I appreciate it. I wish you the best of luck as well." I said with the biggest smile I could muster, knowing that this would be the last time I would see her again.
By the end of the day the important contents of both my home and my office were packed in a carriage that would be taking me to the train station. I had learned as a vampire that whenever traveling it was important to bring only what was needed because you would never know when you would have to leave immediately. Among my items was a pink rose Esme plucked for me and I pressed it into one of my books with care, at least I would have a piece of her along with my memory to take with me.
In the back I sat as the gentle clicking of hooves against the cobblestones lulled me into a relaxing state. As I looked out the window the gate to the Platt mansion was coming into view. I began to wonder, what did her father tell her? How did she take it that she was now engaged? Did she hate me for not saying goodbye? I sighed; it felt wrong being in this carriage alone. She should be here next to me, her scent of honey filling the car as her head would lay on my shoulder and her hand would be lacing mine.
A kiss of wetness touched my face as confusion clouded my thoughts. There was no leak in the roof and there was no rain outside. I touched my cheek and saw that there were drops of blood on my hand and they were coming from my eyes. I'll be damn, I was crying. I didn't think I could but I guess if a vampire was sad enough he could do it. I gave into my sorrow as the Platt mansion passed by my blurry vision, it was the first time I had cried in over 300 years and I knew I would remember it. My love for Esme had to be real if she could invoke such feeling in me.
"I will see you again my love, I swear it." I promised to myself as the last of her family home disappeared from my sight along with the last hits of sun from the sky.
AN: sad no? It doesn't end there and we all know it. As always read and review please.