Another chapter! Are you ready for some lemony goodness? Thought so ;)

Check out the polyvore set if you're craving a pic of yummy Kellan Lutz.

Visuals: http:/www(dot)polyvore(dot)com/bear/set?id=24241170


I never saw a wild thing
sorry for itself.
A small bird will drop frozen dead from a bough
without ever having felt sorry for itself.

"Self-pity" by D.H. Lawrence

Esme POV

"Dr. Cullen, would you mind giving me your professional opinion?"

Carlisle gave a sexy smirk and said, "Sure, Nurse. What seems to be the problem?"

"I have this tingly ache in this area," I said motioning toward my privates, "that I can't get rid of."

He grabbed me by the waist and brought me to his hard body. He lowered his head and buried his face in my hair. Inhaling deeply, he said in a husky voice, "Now now, Nurse Esme. You know damn well I have to be thorough in my examination."

We were standing in our bathroom and he lifted me to sit on the counter. His rough hands slid up my thighs and under my robe. I shivered in excitement as goose bumps spread across my skin.

"First, I think I should listen to your heart," he said while bringing his hands from their place on my legs, to loosen the knot holding my robe together.

He slid the silky fabric off my shoulders and began to nuzzle my breasts. He lapped at my hardening nipple and blew cool air over it. The air swirled around the rosy peek and it became painfully harder. I drew a ragged breath in as it the sensation caused my pussy to become drenched.

He chuckled darkly before saying, "Your heart rate seems to have increased, Nurse."

His hand dove between my thighs and he slowly began to play with my folds. I whimpered as he teased my entrance. I bucked my hips, trying to get the friction I desperately needed. Carlisle groaned and began slowly pumping a digit into me. He drew my left nipple into his warm mouth as he continued to play my body.

"God, Esme, you don't know what you do to me," he groaned.

I panted, needy for something only he could give me. I brought one of my hands that I had used to brace my weight to stroke the tented material of his boxers. I slipped it inside and Carlisle immediately bucked into my hand fisted around him.

"I need you inside me, Dr. Cullen," I whimpered.

He quickly stepped back and discarded his boxers. He slowly pumped his cock and crouched down to drag his tongue up my slit. My thighs clamped shut, my body desperate to keep his mouth on me.

He clucked his tongue and said, "Are you trying to keep me out?"

I frantically shook my head. I needed to feel him lap at me. I was starved for his attention.

"So you were being a tease," he growled before he surprised me by roughly shoving my legs apart.

He held them apart with his warm hands and attacked my folds with his mouth. My hips bucked each time his nose pressed against my clit, and I let out a low keen. He pulled back only to slide two fingers into where his tongue had been moments before.

"Such a pretty pussy. So wet; so needy," he groaned while flicking my nub with his talented tongue. "I want you to come for me, Nurse Esme. That's an order."

Before I could ready myself, he sucked my sensitive bundle of nerves into his mouth and curled his fingers to find my g-spot. I didn't stand a chance. My hips shot up, and he quickly replaced his fingers with his hard shaft.

I wrapped my legs around his waist as he thrust into me and set a hard pace. He threw his head back and placed one of his hands on the mirror behind me, and the other under my ass cheek. I was so close and tried to hold off my second orgasm. I wanted to go over that edge with him.

"Don't you fucking come, Nurse," Carlisle hissed, "I'm far from finished."

He grunted as he took pleasure from my body and with one final squeeze to my ass, he unfurled my legs and placed them on his shoulders. I gave a shout as he pistoned into me, triggering my climax.

"That shouting must have given you a sore throat," he said while nibbling on my earlobe.

The combination of his breathing in my ear and the rocking motions of his hips caused my pussy to clench around his hard dick.

"Do you have any medicine you could give me?" I asked while licking my lips.

Carlisle groaned and I felt his hard-on twitch inside me. One of his favorite ways to finish was by watching himself come in my mouth. He slowly withdrew and helped me to my knees, since my bones had all but turned to mush. I looked up at my husband through my lashes and teased the purple head of his cock with my tongue.

He sucked air through his clenched teeth and grabbed the based of his cock. With his other hand, he guided my head to where he wanted and the speed he craved. When he was confident he wouldn't come, he brought his other hand to help the first by fisting it in my hair.

"Tell me…Nurse Esme. Do…you let…your husband…fuck this hot…little mouth…like you let…me?"

He held my head in place while he pushed his entire length down my throat. He quickly released me so I could drag some air into my lungs. He was panting hard, his cut body slick with sweat, and watched me as he stroked himself.

"No, Doctor. You're the only one who gets to fuck my face."

The hand on his cock sped up and he said, "Come here."

I leaned forward on my knees with my mouth open, and said, "Aaaahhh."

"Fuck, I love playing doctor with you, baby," he said in a rough voice.


Carlisle carried me to bed and hummed his approval as I traced my fingers across the light dusting of hair on his chest. After thirty years of marriage my husband still amazed me in the bedroom. He made a habit of working out every morning, and our sex life was better than it was in the beginning.

It was Friday night, and we had returned from Sal's in high spirits. I was certain Edward had finally gotten rid of the pest in my house. I smiled smugly, because if he hadn't I would remedy that problem soon.

"Carlisle?"

"Hmm?"

"Did you hear from Carmen how Bella's appointment went?" I asked.

He sighed and brought the arm I was using as a pillow up to cove his face. I knew it wasn't fair to ask him questions regarding Bella's medical care. As Bella's primary physician he had access to all her medical files, and with her consent, sound recordings of her time with Carmen. He felt trapped between guarding his patient's confidentiality and keeping his wife happy. However, I was starting to see Bella as a daughter and I worried about her, like I did with all my children.

"I fear her progress will take more time than we originally thought," said Carlisle.

"Was it that bad? I got the impression that things went smoothly when they returned?"

He sighed again before saying, "That's just it. Things went a little too smoothly. I have a feeling, and Dr. Felsley agrees that Bella has had some form of therapy in the past. She used what therapist call 'tools' to express herself, unfortunately it sounded like Bella told her what she thought Dr. Felsley wanted to hear. There were also times when she didn't respond at all which means she's bottling her emotions. Of course, since it was only their first appointment together, it could be that Bella simply doesn't trust her yet."

"You don't sound convinced that Carmen will get through to her," I murmured.

He gave me a tired smile but it didn't reach his eyes.

"I think we might have to look at other forms of therapy."

I gasped and sat up, not caring that the sheet that had covered me had slipped and was pooled around my waist.

"You can't mean to use some archaic form of 'therapy', and she's completely able to function so I won't hear of drugging her!"

My husband gathered me in his arms and brought me back down into a lying position, while using shushing noises to calm me. He knew how I felt about those methods. I was forced to watch my brother experience 'behavioral modifications' and it sickened me that those methods were still being employed in the name of science.

"No, my darling. I wasn't talking about electroshock treatments. As far as medication goes, it will be up to Dr. Felsley to decide if it is necessary," he said.

Thoughts of Bella walking around like a zombie flew through my head. I remembered what that looked like, the vacant eyes, the lack of fire in the soul. The act of going through the motions without care. I shuddered and Carlisle rubbed calming circles on my back.

"I was thinking more along the lines of alternative therapies. Something recreational she could do to channel her frustrations."

"Like cooking," I said.

Carlisle nodded his head, and said, "Yes, cooking is great, but perhaps it would be better to find something where she won't need to worry about rejection or ridicule."

I remembered the snide remarks Lauren made throughout dinner, and fought the need to hunt the bitch down. If my daughter hadn't physically attacked that jealous harpy, I certainly would have. Carlisle's voice brought me back to our conversation, and away from thoughts of maiming the blonde.

"Then, there's always pet therapy."

I had a vague impression what it was, but I asked, "What is that?"

"In some hospitals and nursing homes, therapeutic animals are brought in to help cheer some of the patients. It works, surprisingly, and sometimes it's the only thing some of them have to look forward to—especially if there are no family visitors," he explained sadly.

My thoughts immediately went to Bella's family. Were they missing her? Didn't they care where their little girl was? Were they even alive to care? I knew if one of my children had gone missing I would scour the Earth until I found them. I couldn't image her family not caring.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and whispered, "Did Bella mention her family to Carmen?"

I felt awful assuming the role of Bella's mother if her true mother was out there looking for her baby.

"When Dr. Felsley brought them up, Bella completely shut down. I have a feeling whatever happened it's not a happy story."

I pled with Carlisle, hoping he understood, "Would it be wrong to search them out?"

"Sweetheart, I don't know if it's a good idea. She could come from an abusive home for all we know, and I'm not willing to risk Bella's well-being just to satisfy our curiosity."

He was right. I knew a large majority of the girls that came from the streets had experienced physical and sexual abuse, especially in cases of prostitution.

"Carlisle, I'm worried," I whispered.

"I'll talk to him."

He knew I was talking about our youngest son. Ever since their first dinner together, Bella had Edward's attention. Although I wanted my son to be happy, I didn't want it to be at the expense of Bella's recovery. If push came to shove, and although it pained me, I knew I would ask him to leave if he made Bella uncomfortable. He had already shown poor judgment by bringing Lauren here. Unfortunately, my son had let his hormones direct his actions and we all paid the price. There would not be a repeat.


It was Sunday, and I was enjoying my second morning of a Lauren-free house with my children. Everyone was joking around, passing juice or the cream and sugar, and in Emmett case—large amounts of pancakes. Where he put it, I had no idea.

I wasn't surprised when Jasper voiced my thoughts, "Emmett, where in the blue blazes do you put all that grub?"

"Jasper, I just might answer that if I knew what the hell it meant," he replied smugly.

"That is what it means."

Emmett had such a look of pure confusion on his face that it was difficult not to laugh along with the rest of my children.

Jasper smirked, and said, "Blue blaze, as in fire—fire as in hell. Where in the blue blazes, means where in the hell."

After a beat of silence, and a chance to let it soak in, Emmett blurted out, "You just pulled that out of your ass, didn't you? You just make this shit up as you go along."

The kitchen erupted in laughter, just as Carlisle stepped into the kitchen. He was so handsome in his tailored suit that I had the urge to drag him upstairs. The only thing that stopped me was the fact that one member of my family was missing. I leaned to my side to see around him and was immediately worried.

"Carlisle, where's Bella?"

His brow furrowed, and he said, "What do you mean? Is she not here with you guys?"

Before I could make it out of the room, Jasper stopped me with, "I ain't too surprised."

Alice, who was standing next to him, sadly nodded her head with tears in her eyes.

I wasn't sure I wanted to know why, but asked anyway, "Why aren't you surprised Bella didn't go to church today?'

My daughter and her southern beau exchanged looks, and Jasper said, "The only other time Bella actually went to church, she was caught by Demetri."

"Demetri?" Edward asked.

"Her pimp," Alice grumbled. "He found her, but instead of dragging Bella out he planted little seeds of doubt. He spent the entire sermon telling her the people there wouldn't help her because they knew what she was. When he took her back to wherever he kept her, the bastard gave her a horrible beating. The bullshit Lauren spit out certainly didn't help her confidence either."

I jumped when I heard the sound of a dish being shattered. Edward shook off the juice that dripped from his hand, and hissed in pain when acid seeped its way into the cuts in his palm and fingers. Shards of glass and puddles of O.J. covered the counter top. Carlisle joined Edward at the sink as I looked at my children's reactions.

Emmett had his head dipped down toward Rose, their foreheads pressed together. She brought her hands up to cup his face and said something to him in a soft soothing voice. Whatever his wife said seemed to be working. My son's large frame was no longer shaking with anger, but his hands were still clenched into fists. He nodded his head at whatever Rose said and placed a kiss on her forehead.

Jasper had Alice in his arms and was slowly rocking from side to side. Although, it wasn't news to them they were still coping.

Rose softly asked, "Was that why Bella called Mom—because of the beating?"

My daughter squirmed nervously, while she struggled to find her voice.

Jasper came to her rescue, and said, "Actually, no. But we don't really feel right sayin' why she decided to call. I think it's her story to share, with who she wants to share it with."

Alice nodded her head before saying, "Yeah, I would feel like I'm betraying her trust. Please understand."

I gave Carlisle a questioning look as he joined me after patching up our son. He shook his head and shrugged his shoulders, letting me know that what my children learned was not shared with Carmen.

"I'm going to check on her," I said while turning to Carlisle, "I'm sure you must have forgotten something at the church. Maybe you could take Bella with you when you go back."

"Now that you mention it, I think Ben said something about reports that needed my signature," he said with a twinkle in his eyes. I loved it when he played along.

"That's a great idea, Mom," Alice said while clapping her hands together, "If there's not a crowd there, maybe Bella won't feel so stressed. She could familiarize herself with the place and feel more prepared on her next attempt."


After Bella and Carlisle left, I made my way to the study. I had neglected the women's center that week and was determined to get some work done. Rose was a gem. She had taken over the responsibilities of the upcoming charity ball and I was extremely grateful to have her working with me. A ball that brought in the elite would mean more funding and resources for the center.

At the center, a woman could get the help she needed to become a strong individual. We offered therapy, life management classes, even self-defense. Some of the money donated would go to hire professionals to teach the women the tools they needed to break away from their lives; but another reason for the ball was to make connections. In addition to those services, we also offered job placement and relocation.

I went to unlock the cabinet that held all of Carlisle's and my files only to find it was already unlocked.

I got an uneasy feeling in my stomach and called for Rose.

When she stepped in I said in a rushed voice, "Please tell me you got a file from the cabinet and forgot to lock it."

She shook her head and the feeling of unease from before washed over me. Maybe Carlisle forgot to lock it up.

I never made it to the center like I had hoped. There was a backlog of paperwork since Bella's arrival earlier in the week. After spending hours on the phone setting up appointments and making orders, I made my way to the kitchen. Before I got there, I heard the sounds of my children laughing and having a good time and I felt my earlier worries start to fade.

There was an assembly line on the kitchen island. Rose was coating pieces of chicken in flour, Alice dipped those pieces in egg, and Bella covered them with a breading mixture before dropping them in a deep fryer Jasper had bought earlier in the week. I wondered if Bella noticed the slow trickle of new kitchen appliances making their way into the Cullen kitchen since she expressed an interest in cooking. I certainly had no idea how to work most of them.

"What's going on?" I asked.

Little Alice's smiled and said, "Mom, tonight is Jasper's birthday dinner."

She saw my mind scrambling to remember if I forgot to wish him a happy birthday.

"Don't worry. It's not until tomorrow," she said.

"Well, put me to work," I ordered.

"Esme, you could finish the mashed potatoes. They need to be drained and I'll walk you through the rest of the steps," Bella said.

I nodded my head relieved that she was there to tell me what to do. Usually I just muddled my way though dinner and prayed it turned out right. I definitely didn't want to ruin tonight's dinner. Jasper had etched out a place in my heart, and I was thrilled that one day I could honestly call him 'son'.

I was mashing the potatoes when Edward came bustling in carrying grocery bags. He set them on the counter next to the refrigerator and started putting items away.

"I'll have you know, I had to go to three different stores to find all those damn ingredients," he grumbled to Alice.

She smiled sweetly and gave him a peck on the cheek before saying, "Thank you, and brother mine."

My daughters were working on the corn while Edward helped Bella make a peach dessert. All week, Edward offered lame excuses to be near Bella. Once he had the sense to kick Lauren to the curb, Carlisle jumped in and had a talk with our youngest son. He told Edward to watch himself, and that although we love him we wouldn't tolerate any funny business. If he wanted to pursue her he would have to leave.

Of course, since he's my son he had a bit of a mantrem and stormed out of the house. I wondered if he was coming back, and when I saw him in the kitchen I had assumed he chose not to go after her. That assumption was short lived when I saw the spark in his eye once he noticed Bella.

"Why aren't you with the rest of the boys, Edward?" I asked.

"Oh, Emmett decided to take Jasper to the gun range and Dad is at the hospital," he offered.

"Jasper and Emmett like to shoot guns?" Bella asked.

She was pulling a container out of the freezer and set it on the island.

"Well Jasper shoots because it was something he did with his father, and Emmett shoots because he's ex-military," Alice said as she made her way next to Bella.

Bella cocked her head to the side and asked, "Emmett was in the military?'

"He was but he took a bullet to the shoulder and it's never been the same since," Rose said with a sad smile.

I knew she was happy she didn't have to worry about him getting killed in the line of duty, hell I was too, but she was also sad because she knew Emmett still missed that part of his life.

"He was shot?" Bella asked with wide eyes.

"Yeah, he was on a mission when we got the call," Edward said, unable to pass a chance to talk with her.

"What does he do now, if he'd not in the service?"

Rose perked up and said, "He has a gym in Seattle, and he helps teach self-defense at the women's center."

The ice cream maker was churning as Bella thought over what we had told her. She slid the recipe over to Edward and Alice to make the praline topping while she finished the ice cream.

"The women there," Bella said, focused on cleaning the counter top, "they're not scared of Emmett?"

"At first, his size can be a little intimidating; but when those women see that with the right moves they can take someone his size down, they feel powerful. They realize that being small doesn't mean being weak," Rose explained.

"Shit!"

Edward jumped away from the stove and held his shirt away from his body. Bella quickly made her way to him with concern in her eyes.

"Are you okay? Did you burn yourself?"

He quickly nodded his head, and said, "Yeah, some of the praline sauce sloshed out of the pan."

Bella's eyes nearly bulged out when my son raised the hem of his t-shirt to suck it into his mouth. Her eyes hungrily raked down his abs and the poor girl licked her lips. Not that I could blame her. Edward took after his father in build, and if it were Carlisle I would have done the same. Heck, the two often worked out together so I knew he was ripped like his dad.

Her eyes shot up and she glared at Edward before turning her back and finishing the sauce still on the stove. I had no idea what that glare was about, but in a small way I was happy she wasn't making it easy for him.

"Edward."

He turned to face me with a shocked, guilty expression on his face. It reminded me of the time I caught him pushing a four year old Alice into the mud. Yep, he forgot his mother was there to witness his weird mating dance with Bella.

I lifted an eyebrow and said, "Why don't you go put on a clean shirt, and for the love of God, please quit sucking on the one you're wearing."


I was going through my files making sure nothing was missing, when I heard the soft beautiful notes coming from the piano. It was well after midnight, and the misgivings I had felt earlier kept me from sleep.

"Have you noticed that his playing has changed since Bella arrived?"

I looked over to my wonderful husband, who was going through his own papers, to answer but the sound of a shrill cry rang through the house followed by the sound of thumping coming from upstairs.

We ran out of the office and were soon flanked by Edward who had abandoned his post at the piano. The sounds of a scuffle came from Emmett's and Rose's room. When I caught up, I ran straight into my husband and son who both had their heads turned away in a conspicuous attempt not to see what was happening in the room.

It was no wonder. Rose was struggling to tie a robe around her body, while Emmett was trying to shake off a crazed Bella. Her tiny fists pummeled his head, and she was nearly seated on his shoulders taking shots at him. Tears streamed down her face as she shouted profanities at him.

"How could you? Motherfucker, you were supposed to be different!"

Emmett would have thrown anybody from him but he was preoccupied trying to cover up his nakedness. There was also the fact that he didn't want to hurt her. He saw her as a little sister, and he would do anything to prevent causing her pain. Even if meant letting her rage against him.

I rushed to calm her but before Rose and I could get a hold of her, she jumped off and ran out of the room. She had pushed passed Carlisle and Edward and I heard a thump and Jasper swear.

"Bella, wait," Alice's voice rang out from down the hall.

I turned to Emmett who was fastening his pants, and said, "What the hell happened?"

Rose went to her husband's arms, and explained, "Bella might have gotten the wrong impression of what was happening."

"Why would she think that?" Carlisle asked.

My bear of a son actually blushed and said, "Rosie sometimes likes her hands tied while we're being intimate. And sometimes she can be a little loud so she asked me to cover her mouth."

"Oh, my god," Jasper muttered, "she thinks you were raping your wife, you asshole."

The severity of the situation slammed into me—into us all. Everyone jumped to action and questions were being thrown about, as we scrambled down the stairs to catch up with her.

"Is she okay?"

"Why couldn't you have normal sex?"

"Where is she going?"

But all the talking stopped when we heard the Mustang fire up.


A/N: What did you think? Did you like the lovin' between Carlisle and Esme? How about t-shirt sucking Edward?