Note: I do not own or have rights to Twilight or its characters!!!

So I know you guys are getting anxious to see Carlisle and Esme meet again, and it's going to happen soon I promiss. I'm one of those story tellers who likes to take her time building things, so please, just bear with me. Its a delicate balance for me sometimes . . . to find just right mix of pacing and the shear joy of telling a good yarn, but the journey is often just as important as reaching the final the destination.

Enjoy chapter 7!!

Esme

Mike and Jess both arrived at my house around seven in the morning, but in separate vehicles. Jessica came in her Honda van to pick up the girls to ferry them to school while Mike pulled up in his beloved truck to collect me and my presentation material for the Veracini Project.

For the past two weeks I poured my heart and soul into this project. I stayed up late doing research on the internet, completed mountains of sketches and renderings, arrange an animated AutoCAD presentation, and built a cut away scale model of the finished carriage house studio. I pulled out all the stops and worked harder on this than I had on any other project in years. I felt like I was back in grad school again.

As I rode up the elevator with Mike, I realized just how nervous I was. Suddenly I was nauseous and the tiny space felt like an airtight cage. When the door slid open I burst from the elevator gasping for breath and my world was spinning. I would have tumbled to the floor except that a pair of sure and steady hand caught me and guided me to a chair in the office waiting area. When I looked up to see who had rescued me from a very embarrassing moment, I found myself staring into the mocha eye of Aro Veracini.

"You're early," I stammered between ragged breaths.

"A very good thing for you that I was," he replied kindly as his cool alabaster fingers found the pulse point on my wrist. I was so flushed that his touch felt almost icy on my hot clammy skin. "Your heat is racing like a jack rabbit and your blood pressure, if I were to take it, is likely through the roof; you're pale, and slightly green around the gills," he assessed me condition with practiced skill honed of years in his profession. "Put your head between your knees and take some deep breaths," he instructed me gently before addressing the room at large. "Could someone get the young lady some water, please?"

"How did you know she was going to fall out like that?" Mike asked as he handed a bottle of water to the doctor. I could hear the fear in his voice; it was very uncharacteristic of him.

"Experience, Mr. Newton," Aro answered as his hand rubbed soothing circles between my shoulder blades. "I've seen that look on the faces of countless patients over the years, and I know exactly what it means."

"Should I call the paramedics?" Mike still sounded concerned; did I really look that bad?

"No, there is no cause for alarm; she likely became overwrought because of stress. As soon as she calms down, she should be fine." Then he addressed me in a softer tone, "Feeling any better, my dear?"

I nodded and he helped me to sit up and offered me the water. I took several sips as Aro watched me like a hawk. By the time I had finished half the bottle, I was feeling calmer and the doctor allowed me to get up and hobble my way to the conference room. While I was recovering, Mike went ahead and set up my presentation.

Aro settled me into a chair at the huge conference table and then crossed the room to where the model and drawing were on display. His hand ghosted reverently over the model and he admired the water color renderings with an awed sigh.

"When can you begin?" He asked as he turned to face Mike and me at the table.

"Don't you want to see the rest of the presentation and read the proposal?" I asked, feeling a bit disappointed, after all I'd put so much into preparing for this moment.

"I don't really need to see or hear anymore," he replied as he took a seat. "But if it makes you happy Esme, then by all means . . . please proceed."

With a smile I stood to my feet and started the AutoCAD animation while Mike handed the doctor my printed and bound proposal. When I finished my thirty minute presentation, Aro applauded enthusiastically.

"Very impressive, you're quite talented," He praised me with glee before turning to Mike, "If you're not very careful Mr. Newton, one of your competitors is going to steal that young woman right out from under you."

"Oh, I don't think so Dr. Veracini, Esme is my senior partner."Mike said proudly. "I wanted to put her name on the doors . . . Newton and Platt, but she refused."

"Humility as well as talent, a rare combination these days," Aro mused under his breath, and then looked up to address me with his signature smile, "I'm liking you more and more by the day, my dear." Then he paused and his expression became more business like. "As I said, how soon can you get started?"

"If I can pressure the city permit board into giving us the green light, I can have supplies delivered by next week Friday and a work crew on site by the following Tuesday . . . is that too soon Dr. Veracini?" Mike asked hopefully.

"No, that's perfect," Aro commented as he stroked his chin thoughtfully. "In fact, I think I can facilitate matters. I was planning to host a ground breaking party to celebrate the renovations . . . If you and Esme were to come with you presentation material and I invited a few people from the historical society and the city, maybe we could . . . how do you say, grease the wheels of progress a bit."

"When would you be throwing this gala event?" I asked, thinking about all the time I'd robbed from my girls over the past two weeks. I wanted to make up for it, but I also wanted to get this project rolling.

"I was thinking . . . this Saturday around seven in the evening."

"Excellent," Mike agreed. "We'll be there, won't we Esme?"

I didn't say anything but my frown spoke for me.

"Why don't you bring your girls along, my dear," It was as if Aro could read my thoughts with the ease of a gypsy fortune teller. "Alec and Jane can entertain them in the game room; they so rarely have company their own age at these events. I'm sure they'll enjoy it."

With a nod from me, the matter was settled.

*****

Carlisle

I sighed with disinterest as I watched Aro prepare to tee off on the ninth hole. Truthfully I hated golf with an intensity I reserved for few other things. My father however, as an Anglican minister was an avid player and he insisted that I learn. The Cullen family first arrived in London sometime in the 1640's, prior to that we were a Scottish clan. My father always felt that by playing the game, he was somehow honoring his distant heritage. I had no such romantic notions.

My best friend also adored the sport and he forced me to play a round with him at least once or twice a month, weather permitting. This had been going on since we first met back in Chicago when I was an intern. I did my Cardiology rotation under Aro, who at the time had just inherited his father's practice. He begged me to join him, once the hellish years of my training were over, insisting that I had promises as a Cardiologist. Unfortunately I had to turn him down because I already knew where my interests lay . . . Emergency Medicine. We remained very good friends, in spite of my turning him down, and he supported me whole heartedly in all my endeavors.

I watched Aro square his shoulders and line up his club with the ball before raising his head to eye the distant expanse of green grass beyond the tee box. He had excellent form; my father would say . . . far better than mine. Perhaps I wouldn't hate the game so much if I weren't such a disaster at it. Aro's philosophy was that I wouldn't be such a disaster at it if I would play more.

I shook my head silently as Aro swung his club sending his ball sailing with effortless grace down the fairway. I would be lucky to hit the ball without excavating a large chunk of turf in the process. Sometime I felt as though I'd be more at home with a garden hoe in my hands than a golf club.

"Ah," Aro sighed with satisfaction at his shot. "Beautiful shot, don't you think?"

"Your shots are always beautiful." I commented dryly as I stepped up to place my ball on the tee. "Next to me, you look like Tiger Woods."

"Haven't you figured it out yet Carlisle," He replied with a certain smugness in his voice, "That's why I play with you . . . to stroke my ego. When I play with Caius and Marcus they make me look like an armature."

"I'm hurt," I snapped back. "I thought you played with me because you enjoyed the pleasure of my company."

"That too," he chuckled as he watched me. "And the fact that when you lose, which you inevitable do, you get to buy the refreshment in the clubhouse afterwards."

"That's not fair you know," I replied before raising my club and smacking the ball in front of me. Its flight had a beautiful ark but I neglected to account for the light breeze and I watched in land in the tree line instead of on the fairway where I intended. "You make more money that I do, you should buy the refreshments."

"Come join my practice," he answered casually. "You know the offer remains open."

I didn't say anything, instead I just gave him the look . . . the same forlorn one I'd been giving him for years when he twisted my arm on this subject. He knew how I felt about my work, I loved what I did and I knew without a doubt that it was my calling in life. His smile suddenly vanished and his face became serious.

"I'm sorry my friend," he apologized. "I meant no disrespect. You are one of the most gifted ER doctors I've ever meet. If I or a member of my family was in an accident and our lives were hanging in the balance, it is you that I would want as an attending physician."

I always knew he felt this way, but to hear the words spoken to me was humbling. "Thank you." I whispered.

We strolled down the fairway to where our respective shots had landed. As we did I could sense there was something more Aro wished to say to me, but for some reason he was holding back. A part of me wanted to insist that he spill it but I respected my friend too much to pry. He seemed more cheerful after taking his next shot and landing it squarely on the green. Given my luck, the sand trap was the likely destination of my next shot.

"I have a proposition for you," he offered with a smile that suddenly made me suspicious. "I'll buy the refreshment after our round this afternoon if you will do a small kindness for me."

My suspicion was growing, "What sort of kindness?" Aro didn't beg favors lightly as he never liked being indebted to anyone.

He laughed at my hesitant reaction, "You look at me as though you think I might ask you to commit murder on my behalf." He paused and then added casually, "I would never ask such a thing of you, my kind hearted friend . . . I have others who attend to my more unpleasant business."

I nearly choked. I always knew Aro had a darker side, but this was . . . mind boggling.

"I'm throwing a party this Saturday evening," he continued in his casual tone, "to celebrate the ground breaking on the renovation of the carriage house. It is a project meant as a gift to Sulpicia. I would very much appreciate it if you and the boys would attend."

I sighed with relief, "Of course Aro, we would be delighted."

The image of the crocodile danced in my head once more along with the words, 'don't be taken in by his welcome grin, he's imagining how well you'd fit within his skin.' I shrugged off the odd feeling of suspicion and took my shot, as expected it landed in the bunker. Predictable, I sighed to myself as we trudged toward the waiting green.

So, I went to see New Moon yesterday and I really liked it. No movie can ever top the book it was based on, but the screen writer did an outstsnding job this time. I hope the third installment measures up to this one, can't wait till June to find out.