Thank you so much for all the reviews. You guys are amazing. Here's the next chapter. See if you can spot the similarities to another vampire/human couple we all know and love.

****

Previously…

"I will. Can I write to you?"

I smiled.

"I will write to you once I know where I'll be, I promise."

Dear God, this is killing me.

"Be careful, Carlisle. I'll miss you more than you know."

With that she leaned in and gave me a very quick peck on the cheek, then hobbled out of my car on her crutches. As I watched her walk up the driveway I realized that I had forgotten to give her the letter that was in my pocket.

Damn. I'll send it in the mail tomorrow.

As I watched her enter her house and close the door behind her, I almost felt tears falling from my eyes. My angel was gone from my life, and it was killing me.

****

It was 3 in the morning and all my belongings were packed and ready to be shipped. I had hired a storage company that had a number of large trucks in its fleet to move my limited possessions to my new home. The truck had been packed during the day yesterday and was scheduled to leave in a few hours. The drive would be long for the humans that were making the trip as I was moving a few states away, but I knew that I would be able to make it there well before they would. I was planning on arriving in about 6 hours and would spend the day getting accustomed to my new surroundings, then begin my new position at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. I took one final walk around my flat to say goodbye to the memories that I had in this place then walked out the front door. I got into my car, put the key in the ignition and drove down the road. I found myself not going in the direction of the Interstate, but heading towards a farmhouse on the outskirts of town. I parked up the street so the rumble of my car would not wake anyone and walked slowly up the driveway. I stood outside in the darkness in which I felt most comfortable, gazing aimlessly at the window on the top floor. I inhaled deeply and was overcome with the beautiful scent of lilac and roses, mixed with a slight tone of honey. I was quite certain that she was sleeping, and despite my better judgment, I decided that I had to see her one last time. Without regard for what neighbors may think if they were to see me, I expertly climbed the tree that was much taller than the house, and silently scaled the outside wall of the house. Her window was open, and as I was perched outside I heard a slight whimpering sound coming from her room. I couldn't help myself. It was as though a force I couldn't control was begging me, pleading with me to go in. I climbed in without a sound and sat in the chair that was beside her bed. I watched her for a few moments as she slept, watching her toss and turn in her sleep. The moonlight was shining in brightly in her room, casting a beautiful but unnatural glow to her delicate frame. I hated to admit this to myself, but I was mesmerized by her, especially in this moment. She stirred in her sleep and was starting to become restless. I was startled, and though I knew I shouldn't be there any further, for some reason I couldn't move. She began to make muffled noises as she was tossing and turning under her blanket. Her movements became increasingly frantic and suddenly her eyes were wide open, and little beads of sweat were gathering on her forehead. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then in an instant opened them again and she was looking directly in mine. She sat up slowly, keeping her blanket wrapped around her as her eyes never left mine. She whispered to me.

"Carlisle?"

"Yes, Esme."

"What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to see you one last time before I left."

"You don't have to leave, you know."

I shouldn't have come here, I'm just torturing myself.

"Esme, I do have to leave. The hospital in Chicago needs me and they've made me an offer I can't refuse."

"So you know where you're going? You weren't planning on writing to me, were you?"

I could see her tears start to form so cautiously I approached her, placing my icy hand on her cheek. As soon as I did she leaned in to my touch.

"Esme, if it could be any other way I promise you that I would not be leaving."

"So make it be another way, Carlisle. Please don't leave."

I closed my eyes at the sincerity and honesty of simple words she just spoke.

"I know that I have no right to ask anything of you, Esme, but I won't gain any resolve unless I ask you this. I wrote you a letter earlier today and I was planning on giving it to you once I brought you back home."

I reached into my pocket and took the letter out for her as I continued to speak.

"I want to make sure that it was at least delivered to you. You can do with it what you wish – read it, not read it, tear it up, burn it, it's completely up to you. I need to make sure that this got into your hands and your hands alone. The one thing that I ask is that you show no one what is in this letter, even though I know that I have no right at all to ask this of you."

She nodded her head as she took the letter from me.

"I promise you that no one else will see this, Carlisle. You know that if you weren't leaving you wouldn't have to give me this at all, right?"

I couldn't help but smile.

"Esme, you are without doubt the most incredible woman I have ever met in my life, and believe me, that is saying something. Never, and I mean never let anyone tell you otherwise."

She smiled gently at me and closed her eyes as she leaned towards me, her forehead resting on my shoulder. I leaned into her and gently kissed the top of her head.

"I have to go, Esme. It's a long drive and I start my new job the day after tomorrow."

She nodded, her head still resting against my shoulder.

"I'll never forget you, Carlisle."

I know that my dead heart broke at that statement.

I took a deep breath as my fingers ran through her hair one last time.

"Esme."

She looked up at me and I saw the silent tears again. I placed my finger under her chin and lifted her gently towards me. I touched her lips with mine with the softest of touches, my senses being bombarded with her beauty.

"Be safe, Esme."

"You too, Carlisle."

With that I stood up from beside her and she followed me to the window. I helped her walk slowly to the window, knowing that she wanted to watch me leave. I brought the chair beside the window for her and she smiled at me.

"Even though you're leaving you are still taking care of me."

"I want you to be safe and happy, Esme. That's all I ever want for you."

She sat in the chair and watched as I climbed out the window. I sat on the tree branch so I could see her one last time, and held out my hand for her to take. She did, and I raised it up to my lips, placing a gentle kiss on the top.

"Goodnight, my sweet angel."

"Goodnight, Carlisle."

With those parting words I climbed down the tree and walked down the driveway, watching her watch me the entire time. When I was certain that I was out of her sight I turned and ran to my car at my speed, put the key in the ignition and sped off down the rode. If yelling to express my despair and frustration would not have woken up the entire town, I would have done so. Instead, I took my frustration out on the road.

The drive that should have gotten me to Chicago by 10 am got me there by 6.

****

I opened the letter carefully, taking in his graceful handwriting. It looked like the most beautiful script, and there were at least three pages of his writing for me to treasure. I cried as I read the first line, knowing that many more tears were to follow.

"Esme, my love…"