Carlisle and Esme

Soundtrack: Nothing's going to change my love for you

Author's disclaimer: No these characters don't belong to me. Love love to all the people who did review and read. Others… Please Please Please Review! And if there any suggestions or criticisms you like to make please mention them to me. I'm so sorry that I've uploaded so late, please forgive me, I had a very busy past few weeks.

(Esme's point of view)

(Kissing scene ahead)

Esme froze, the warm sensual languor left by their lovemaking evaporating like mist. Sacre bleu! What is happening? She wondered, dazed by the sudden change in events. It is often said that when we're faced by our greatest desire, most times we're just too afraid to reach out and take it. Esme faced a similar situation for words like love were never something she took lightly; they had too much power. And to be offered Carlisle's love? Something she had craved for in the darkest hours of the night for she dare not face her own response in the light of the day. Love literally did strike like lightening, she thought wryly. And for all she knew, Carlisle was swept away by passion and if he were to take the words back…she would surely die.

"Darling? Esme? What's the matter love? Have I rushed you?" Carlisle's concerned face made tears swim in Esme's eyes. How could she say love this man? How could she not?

"Cherie! Please don't cry. I'm so sorry; my intent was not to hurt you. I don't expect you to love me back. Ssh...It's alright" he said, wiping the tears that fell like rain down her cheeks. Esme couldn't bare the thoughts of the future but this imposed, like persistent ghosts and she started crying even harder. Carlisle gently crooned to her as he gathered her even closer in his arms, treating her like the precious gift she was to him. He rocked her gently back and forth, his trembling hand stroking her soft hair continuously.

"Madam, I have to say that normally words of love do not elicit such a strong reaction from but you have proved yourself to be unique as always" Carlisle teased, making Esme smile with his lame attempt at humor.

Esme's smile inspired a response from him too and she felt her heart clench when she took in the tenderness on his beautiful face. She would give up everything for this man, she thought fiercely, if only she knew that she could have worthy enough for him. She was damaged in heart and soul and her upcoming marriage to Felix…her father would kill her before he let her marry Carlisle. And she would die before she let anyone hurt him!

"Carlisle…" she decided to take matters in her own hands, "I realize that the beautiful moments we shared inspired strong feelings in you but do not treat the word lightly, it means too much." She said, gently stroking his cheek with her palm. She was unprepared for the sudden anger that flickered in his eyes.

"You think I've mistaken passion for love?" Carlisle asked incredulously. This slip of a girl thought that he, a vampire who had seen more than she could ever see in her life twice over, had gotten swept away in the moment of passion and thought that passion was love, love! He placed her gently on the floor, not trusting himself to speak.

Esme watched him warily as he stalked to the window and stared out of it broodingly. Was this what it felt like to poke a tiger? Her wry amusement at the situation slipped through her angst. She was so caught up in her thoughts that she didn't see Carlisle pivot at the window and then stalk back to her. He clasped her shoulders hard before lifting her up so that she was standing and then pulled her tightly to him. He brought his face very close to hers; Esme nearly gasped at the brilliance of his tiger eyes.

"This is passion!" he ground out before pulling her in for a kiss that left no holds barred. Esme felt like the world had fallen out from under her feet and clutched him to hold on. He took no notice of her weak knees and pulled her closer to him, all the while making sure that he was still not using the full extent of his strength. Esme's eyes flew open as his tongue invaded her mouth to duel with hers. Sacre bleu! How could she resist this whirlwind! The excitement racing through her collided with the sharp intense sensation she felt, the velvet feel of his skin! The contrasting firmness of his mouth! The musky scent of his that filled her sense to the point of fullness! And the brightness of his eyes that still retained the light of love.

The storm finished as abruptly as it started. He held her back from him gently and Esme was too dazed to do anything except let him do as he would. She raised wondrous eyes to him, unable to hide the desire that slicked through her as his trembling fingers gently stroked her swollen lips.

"This- this was passion…and this is love" he brought her back to him, his entire demeanor changing as he stroked his lips with hers, soothing them. He gently licked her lips again and again, till all the ache he had caused with his roughness vanished. His hands traversed her hair softly, lightly rubbing her scalp as he took the level of the kiss deeper and deeper till it became as soft as a sigh and as powerful as hope. As much as the storm had affected Esme, it couldn't compare to the devastation this tender kiss brought. The tears, never far away, spilt over her cheeks again. Carlisle didn't stop kiss her as he rubbed away the tears from her soft cheeks with his thumb, before finally leaving her mouth to kiss them away.

He kissed her along the jaw, down her throat to the pulse that tantalized him so. He kissed her eyelids, her nose, and her cheeks before finally whispering against her mouth,

"I love you Esme, I'll love you forever."

Esme's eyes flew open, the trance breaking as the pain rushed through her. She pushed away from his light grasp, "But I can't love you!"

*-*-*

(Carlisle's point of view)

Can't love me! My heart swelled up with so much exultation that it felt like it was about to burst. She said that she couldn't love me, not doesn't love me or wouldn't love me but couldn't love me, I clarified to my dazed mind. I don't know why I was being so persistent but it really irked me when she told me I couldn't differentiate between love and passion. It still did the gall of the girl!

I forced myself to concentrate on what she was saying instead of staring at her like an idiot but it was so easy to get distracted. Especially when I took in her just-kissed look and knew that I was the one who kissed her. Really, she had reduced me to a level of a caveman ready to beat his chest because he had won over his mate. The image did seem intriguing though…

"Please tell me you understand." Her lovely face was filled with beseech but for the life of me I couldn't understand what she was saying.

"I'm sorry what?" I asked after realizing that there was no way I could recall what she had just said.

"Ugh!!!!" she screamed, her hands clutching her hair in frustration. She still looked so beautiful, I thought. This is getting a bit too much, staring at her like a love sick pony just wouldn't do. So I did my best to concentrate on what she was saying and by the time she finished all my good humor had vanished with too.

"You are somebody who deserves somebody far better than I am. No, listen to me!" I was really furious now, "I love you and I will always love you. There will nobody else for me but you…ever! I know that you were hurt, badly, in the past and I ask for no promises of love or ask you to accept my vows. I knew I had to tell you how I felt but please don't think that it binds you to me in anyway. I was only persistent because you hurt me when you said I mistook passion for love."

"You mean you didn't?"

"I just said that."

"But do you really mean it?"

"No, I'm just saying it."

"Carlisle!"

"Esme!"

"I love you!"

"Thank you so very much." I replied, wondering if my body could burst with joy and happiness. And that's when what I said struck me- thank you very much? Mortification froze every cell of my body as I just stood there staring at her, thinking how I had lived to this age without being embarrassed and yet a few weeks with my gypsy had spun my world around. Luckily enough for me, she understood and laughed so hard that once again tears were streaming down her face. She raced towards me and I just had to spin her around in the air. For that one moment of time, it really did feel like our souls were entwined, completely and absolutely.

But as I gently placed her on the ground, it felt like reality came rushing back to me. Confessing our love for each other was a wonderful thing but did it really change our circumstances? She still had to marry that canaille Felix, her word not mine! And I still hadn't told her about Edward and vampires. I found both prospects equally daunting. So I decided to tell her the truth, if she still loved me then we would see what happens…

"Esme cherie'… there are things I have to tell you about myself. If after that you can accept me, then I will honor the love you have given me completely and guard it jealousy but till then say no more for I can't resist you," I winked at her, trying to lighten the atmosphere.

"Carlisle, you frighten me. What could possibly be so bad?" she asked, walking to me with outstretched arms. I couldn't believe how openly affectionate she had become since she confessed her love. But her words drew me back. What could be so bad? Honey you have no idea! I felt like saying. But I could feel myself getting distracted again and I spoke up quickly,

"Esme, the truth is that I have a grown up- Edward! You've come back!"

*-*-*

(Esme's point of view)

Esme whipped her head around in the direction of the door, her mind still reeling with shock. Carlisle had a grown son! He said he wasn't married but obviously there had been someone in the past! Esme felt ashamed of the bitter jealousy that had risen in her throat. She was also painfully aware of the way that Carlisle had quickly disengaged himself from her arms.

Did this mean he didn't love her? If he did then why did he jump back from her like he was ashamed to be seen with her?

Doubts seethed in Esme's mind. Already, it was much too hard for her to believe that any man as beautiful as Carlisle could ever love her but after her past experience with her husband, she could not make herself trust that love. Even though when she had confessed her true feelings earlier, she still felt a nagging voice in the back of her head warning her that this was too good to be true. And now this!

"Yes father, I've returned."

Esme's attention snapped back to the Greek god who strode inside the room, his bronze hair gleaming in the dim light. He was as pale as Carlisle but that was the only resemblance Esme could tell between the two of them. And though she could not have been more five years older than him, there was an unsure vulnerability in his face that made Esme's maternal instincts stir.

"Edward!" Carlisle exclaimed once again and rushed to embrace his son. Esme felt her heart break at the look of sheer joy on both their faces. They were hugging each other so tightly and with so much love that she knew that it was time for her to leave. It was obvious that Edward had returned home after a long time and both of them needed time together. Her questions could always wait for later, she thought, quelling the impatience within her.

She made a small move to leave but the two of them sprang apart as if she had hit them. "Esme!" Carlisle gave her a sheepish smile, "Forgive me love, for ignoring you."

Esme moved towards his outstretched hand, not missing the narrowing of Edward's eyes at the endearment. Oh dear! He doesn't approve of me, she thought unhappily and tried to hide behind Carlisle. But her love was eager to introduce her to Edward and he gently turned her towards the latter, an arm firmly placed around her shoulder.

It was only when Esme raised her downcast eyes to look at Edward did she realize what was wrong. "Vampyre!" she hissed, jumping back from him. Carlisle didn't stop her, his eyes beginning to fill with sorrow.

"Carlisle! You must save yourself! Hurry! I have a cross it shall protect me! But you must leave before he hurts you!" she cried, moving in between Edward and him. She missed the amused glances exchanged between the two of them. Her only thought was to protect Carlisle so she was stunned out of her life when Carlisle picked her up casually and placed her back next to him, using a touch of his supernatural strength. The result was that Esme felt like she was flying through the air and clutched Carlisle when she landed, who was staring at her adoringly.

"Father, I think you better tell her that she can't- doesn't need to protect you from me." Edward drawled in his velvety voice. But the humor sparkling in his red eyes vanished when he saw the way his father was looking at Esme and his voice flooded with bitterness he lashed out,

"What is this!" he hissed, his gaze moving accusingly from Carlisle to Esme, "What is going on Father? Tell me the truth!"

"Edward," Carlisle began calmly, "I was hoping to break this news to you gently but the truth is," he took a deep breath before taking Esme's hand in his; "The truth is that I love Esme."

"Love! We cannot Love Father!" he sneered, before his eyes sharpened with such cruelty that Esme's breath died in her throat, "Why, you didn't tell her?"

"Tell me what?" Esme asked anxiously, her small hand clutching Carlisle's sleeve.

"Edward, please don't do this!" Carlisle warned.

"Tell me what?" Esme asked, her voice rising in hysteria as her gaze lobbied between Edward and Carlisle.

"My dear lady, since my father didn't tell you, let me do the honors" Edward said mockingly.

"Edward, I beg you!" Carlisle cried but Edward ignored him.

"What my father was trying to tell you was that he is not my father in reality," he paused to let the words sink in, "He is the man who created me."

"No!" Esme whispered, drawing back from both of them. "This cannot be! This cannot be! Carlisle!" she spun towards him, her mind refusing to make sense of this madness, "Is this true?"

"Esme listen to me!" Carlisle grasped her arm desperately but Esme wrenched it away from him. "Yes or No Carlisle."

"Esme- !"

"Yes or no"

He couldn't lie to her, not when he was gazing directly into her eyes. Carlisle swore that had he a heart it would have surely broken for no pain could match what he was going through.

"Yes, it's true." He said quietly, making a move towards her but stopped suddenly when she flinched away from him.

"I see. So all this time, you've lied to me, brought me here under false pretenses. Painting pictures for god sake!" she cried derisively, her head thrown back in scorn because pride was all that she had left. "Tell me, Carlisle, what were you going to do when I finished my painting, bite me?"

She wanted to laugh because the question, nay the whole situation, seemed insane! But there was nothing funny about the tears burning her eyes or the heart that was beating so fast because, dare she admit it, she was afraid. There had been rumors of attacks going on and members from her own tribe were missing! She never questioned the idea of vampires because she had seen one herself! It had killed her own mother in front of her eyes. Esme's flesh chilled as she remembered the animalistic hunger in that vampire's blood red eyes. She could still see some traces of it in Edward's eyes, though they were much softer and duller.

But what she couldn't forget or forgive was the fool that Carlisle made of her. She had so stupidly believed that he really loved her, really truly deeply. But all she had been to him was a plaything. She should be lucky he didn't kill her, she thought wildly, but then what difference did it make? She was already dead inside.

"I have to leave, Carlisle." She picked up her satchel and held her head up high as she stalked to the door before pausing to look at Edward, "I suppose I should thank you for telling me the truth but I'm afraid your father will be angry with you for removing his plaything. I hope you can forgive me." She mocked and moved to open the door.

But Carlisle whizzed in front of her, blocking the door. "Esme! Esme please listen to me. Please don't leave me, please. I love you." He begged, aching to touch her but every time he even moved a little, she flinched away from him.

Esme dazedly took in the grim look on his face and the despair in his eyes, "Let me leave Carlisle. Find someone else to eat."

Carlisle reared back as if he was struck. "Esme no! Please it's not like that!" He caught hold of her arms, wanting to shake her hard. But it seemed like his touch snapped Esme out of her trance and she began to struggle. But Carlisle didn't let her go and she felt her control begin to crack.

She slapped him hard and he released her abruptly in shock. "It's not like that? Then what is it like?" she screamed, "I loved you! And you lied to me so don't tell me what it's like! Let me leave Carlisle! Let me leave!" and to her dismay, she felt tears streaming down her face. She had to leave now! Now, before she broke down and cried like a baby!

She pushed past him and this time Carlisle didn't stop her, paralyzed by her tears. He didn't move from his spot until a long while later when he slumped to the floor, his eyes burning brighter than before.

Edward who had watched the entire scene quietly was now struck with remorse. What had he done? He had been so jealous of the love between the two of them and so guilty for deserting his father that he lashed out at the most convenient source, which had unfortunately been Esme. And now his father lay like a broken man on the carpet, one who looked like he had received a personal visit from the devil himself and all because of him, Edward!

Edward crouched next to him, holding him gently as Carlisle rocked back and forth, muttering, "I loved her Edward, I loved her." And they both sat like that for a very long time.