"What?" Carlisle asks, taken aback by my question. "Edward's mother." I repeat. "Who is she?"
Carlisle takes a deep breath. "Edward's mother is a young woman by the name of Elizabeth. I attended high school with her and we were friends but not very close because she was two years younger than me. The year she graduated she showed up at my door sobbing. I brought her inside and calmed her down. She told me she was pregnant and in need of help. She had gone to some of her other friends, but they were all as young as her. She knew I had a steady job and a house. She begged be to adopt her child. She wanted someone she knew to raise her baby. I thought that meant she wanted to be involved in the child's life. I was wrong. She stayed with me throughout her entire pregnancy. I was never told who his father is. She stayed long enough to name him and to complete the adoption. I haven't had contact with her since."
I feel like an idiot. I didn't even consider he could be adopted. "I'm so sorry." I say quickly "It never occurred to me."
He smiles. "A lot of people think he's my kid. I don't mind. I consider him to be mine. He's asked me a couple of times where his mommy is and I just tell him she wanted me to take care of him. I dread the day I have to tell him the truth. It will break his heart. Elizabeth loved him. She told me she loved him. I just don't know if he's going to understand that mommy left because she loved him." He sighs again.
"I hope I'll be there when you tell him." I say. "Maybe he'll have a mommy then."
He laughs. "Maybe so Esme."