Thanks to my readers. :)
Disclaimer: I want Carlisle, but alas he isn't mine.
Riding in a wheelchair wasn't fun, but at least I wasn't feeling stuffy anymore. It was a beautiful day. Even though it was cloudy, it wasn't very cold.
He parked me by a bench and say down. "Better?," he asked, brushing the windblown hair from my face. "Much better, thank you." "My pleasure."
The wind picked up slightly. Birds chirped in the trees overhead. "You're going home tomorrow," he said quietly. My heart sank, and my throat closed up. I couldn't manage to say word. I just stared at my lap. "It'll be alright," he said, cupping my cheek. "How can you say that," I choked out. "I just know." "No you don't! This isn't something I'm willing to give up, Carlisle." "Nor is it something I want to lose, either," he sighed, kissing the side of my head.
We sat in silence for a few moments. My head was spinning; my mind racing. How could we possibly make this work? Was it even remotely possible? I wanted nothing more than to be with him forever, but how?
I felt a tear spill down my cheek. He leaned forward, and kissed it away. He lifted me from the chair, to sit next to him on the bench. "It's not going to be easy, by any means," he murmured, his face buried in my hair. I heard him inhale deeply and he didn't move, it was as if he was committing something to memory.
He kept his face in my hair as he spoke. "We should probably be getting back." "Probably," I answered, toying with his soft blonde hair.
He put me back in the wheelchair. Doubt still waged war in my mind; uncertainty racked my body. I felt sobs well up in my chest. He placed his hands on my shoulders. "I've felt alone for too long, Esme. I don't wish to feel that way anymore," he whispered in my ear.
"I don't want you to," I whispered back.
We returned to the hospital, and he got me settled back in bed. "Nurse Carson should be around with your dinner momentarily," he said, as he adjusted my blanket. "Eww," I said, my face remained expressionless. He couldn't hold back his laughter
"Are you coming to talk to me tonight?, I asked. "You need to ask?" I shook my head no. "I didn't think so," he smiled. "Dinner, sweetheart," Nurse Carson strolled in. She placed the tray in my lap. "Dr.Cullen, Mr. Jenkins says he still in pain," she said, looking up at him. "Alright, I'll be right there," with that she left the room.
I stared at the tray then up at him. "Eat," he said, laughing. I crinkled my nose. "You eat it," I said. "No thank you," he laughed. "Food makes you stronger," he lectured, running a hand through my hair. "I'll be back soon," he said as he turned towards the door. I reached out to grab his hand. He smiled and kissed me firmer than usual before he went to check on his patient.
It was about three hours before Carlisle came back. The old clock on the wall read 10:37pm. Of course I didn't know he came in until he said something. "Mr. Jenkins is the worst patient I've ever had." I jumped a little when he spoke. "Sorry, dear. I didn't mean to frighten you," he said. "It's fine, " I smiled. He sat in the chair by my bed. "I have to say, I won't miss this hospital room," I said, shifting. "I don't blame you," he chuckled.
"I don't want to go home," I blurted out. "Your leg will heal fine at home," he said, taking my hand. "You know that's not what I'm talking about, Carlisle." "I know," he said quietly. I couldn't stop the rush of questions from spilling out. "How can this work? I don't see how it can. You said it wouldn't be easy, and I know it won't. I don't know how we can do this, do you?," I was rambling. "Esme, relax," he soothed.
I took a deep breath. "It's going to be hard, and quite dishonest," he said. "I don't care if I have to lie to my parents," I said. "I don't care what it takes. I'm telling you that now. I'll only say it once, Carlisle," I said, my voice resilient. He didn't speak for a few moments. "Perhaps we should just tell them, once you're healed," he mused.
I thought for a moment. It was possible that they'd be happy. My mother talked about me getting married all the time. Carlisle was 'quite the catch,' as my mother liked to say. "It'll be secret until my leg is healed?," I asked. "Yes, it makes things easier," he said.
"I shall see you routinely to check up on your leg," he said. "It's going to be hard while your leg is still in a cast," he laughed. I scowled at him, and he laughed harder. "As I said before, we'll be doing some walking therapy just before your cast comes off, and right after." I nodded. "There will be more time for planning then?," I asked. "Yes. We can figure out how to tell your parents," he said.
We chatted about trivial things for the next few hours, my hand never leaving his. Part of me still couldn't believe how real this was. This gorgeous, amazing person wanted to be with me.
"You need to get some sleep," he said, standing. "What?! No I don't," I squeaked. "I'll see you in the morning, before your parents even get here," he said, smiling. "Don't leave." "I'd stay, but with nurses bustling about it wouldn't be a good idea," he said sitting on my bed. He was right, it wasn't a smart idea.
"I'll see you in the morning, alright?" "Alright," I said. He leaned down, and captured my lips. I snaked my arms around his neck, as one of his hands rested on my back. This kiss was hardly the chaste ones we'd had before. It ignited a fire within me that seemed to spread to every inch of my body. The need for oxygen was becoming an issue, but I didn't care in the slightest. He broke the kiss, and rested his forehead against mine. As much as my lungs burned for oxygen, that was more tolerable than having his lips away from mine.
He leaned back, and ran this thumb across my cheekbone. "Do you know how truly beautiful I think you are?" I blushed fiercely. "Now Dr. Carlisle Cullen with make his graceful exit," I said laughing. "That I shall," he said standing. "I'll see you in the morning." "In the morning," I repeated. "Goodnight, darling." "Night," I said, as I watched him slip out the door. I threw my head against the pillows, and giggled like a little girl until I fell asleep.
A/N: Chapter 8 is being written as we speak. :)
