A/N – (I don't own twilight or the characters in any way. All credit goes to Stephanie Meyers)
Chapter 6: Fight for you
Carlisle's P.O.V.
"Looks like the dog's been here," Emmett laughed while crinkling up his nose.
"How could you miss it," Jasper replied.
I ignored the banter, concentrating on getting my angry breathing back to normal. We lost him again. Even when there were five of us, we still lost him!
A growl erupted from my chest and Edward placed a hand on my tense shoulders.
"We did the best we could."
"We didn't though, did we? There were six of us Edward, six, and we couldn't catch him!" I exclaimed sharply.
He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "We tried and I think that counts for something," he continued. "At least we drove him away."
I nodded faintly, optimism fading.
"Carlisle, you have to have hope," Alice chirped in.
"Hope for what, Alice? This shouldn't be happening, not to my wife, not to your mother. She's been through this already..."
She ran in front of me, stopping me as she placed her petite hands on my chest.
"I know, but that's what makes us fight harder. It's what makes her fight harder. He won't get away with it though, not this time," she finished.
I tucked a strand of black hair behind her ear, a soft smile pulling up the edges of my mouth.
"I believe you, it's just hard to fathom at the moment." She nodded, leaving a kiss on my cheek before walking back over to Jasper and linking her fingers with his.
"Carlisle?" Bella's soft voice drifted through our small crowd.
"Yes?" She came to walk besides me.
"I know how angry you feel," she said. "Edward felt the same way when he couldn't get Victoria the first time round."
I grimaced hearing her name. "Well it sounds like he's going to have to go through that again," I sighed.
"Again?"
I ran my hand through my hair as her question eyes met mine. "She's back," I answered truthfully.
"Back with a vengeance." Her breath caught in her throat as she stopped in her tracks.
"Back?" I nodded glumly, confirming her fears.
"B-but how? What about Nessie?" Edward pulled her into him.
"She's Cha- His, accomplice. His power enables him to change people's actions..." She shook her head.
"Why is nothing ever simple," she questioned.
"I don't know, but that means we have to fight harder. We have two people now, and he has the advantage, he has someone with inside information."
"He's stronger than I assumed," Emmett whispered.
Everyone went quiet after that. Tension built up between the group and the only thing that broke the silence was Rosalie's panicked cries as she came running towards us.
"Carlisle? Carlisle!" She screamed.
I immediately ran towards her. This wasn't what you would call normal Rosalie behaviour.
"Rose, what happened, what's wrong?" She found my eyes, but I saw the flashes of pain.
"It's...she...I...Carlisle," she sobbed.
"Rosalie, you're scaring me." Edward gasped from behind me, but Alice was as confused as I was.
She held my arms tightly as she breathed heavily. Emmett came to stand beside her.
"Jacob came to the house..." Edward growled slightly, but Bella shushed him. "I went out to get some fresh air because of that god damn awful wet dog smell," she continued. "When I came back, Jacob was gone with Nessie..." Edward was alerted his stance turned wary. "They came back, but the problem is Esme," she choked.
"Esme? Is she hurt?" Her eyes were full of guilt.
"Not hurt, Carlisle. She's not hurt. She's just..."
"Just what?" I shouted.
"Gone!" She cried.
I froze with Rosalie's hands still holding onto my arms. Gone? What did she mean, gone?
"Rose?"
"I came back and she wasn't there. I panicked so I searched every room in the house, even your study," she added timidly. "But she wasn't anywhere to be seen."
"Are you sure she's not in the forest?" Emmett's voice was a soft tone as he tried to calm his hysterical wife.
"I'm sure. She's left..."
"No, Rosalie I don't believe you," I growled.
"She left this!"
Her hand snatched something from her pocket and she held a thin white envelope in her long pale fingers. Her fingers covered the first letter, but I could see the rest of my name written down in her delicate handwriting.
I snatched it out of her awaiting hand, closing my eyes.
"Carlisle?" Everyone chorused behind me.
"Come on." I started running again, flying through the door and meeting Jacob with Renesmee in his arms.
"Grandpa!" Her hands outstretched as she clutched thin air, her torso leaning towards me.
I gladly scooped her out of Jacob's arms as she buried her head in my chest.
"Nessie," I breathed. "Have you seen Grandma Esme?" Her doe like eyes locked with mine and she placed her child like hand on my cheek.
I closed my eyes as images flashed through my mind. Nessie was leading Esme, who had her eyes tightly shut, around the room by the hand to the little table by her bed. Esme complained about not being able to see and Nessie broke into a wide grin that spread across her face. I saw Esme's face, when she opened her eyes again, turn from confusion into astonishment as she viewed the drawing in front of her. It was a portrait of all of us, Edward, Bella, Alice Jasper, Emmett, Rosalie, Jacob, Nessie, the Wolf Pack and last of all, Esme and I. I saw and heard her humming Nessie's lullaby as she cradled her in her arms.
Finally, I watched as Jacob was added into the scene and how Nessie flew into his arms. I watched as Esme allowed them out together, and I realised with shock horror, one thing no-one else would have. She told Jacob not to "stray too far away from the house."
Nessie dropped her hand from my cheek burying herself closer into my chest.
"Tired, baby," I cooed.
She nodded and right on cue, a huge yawn claimed her. Her curls spread across my chest as she rested her head on my shoulder and her breathing became shallower.
I rocked her gently as I lead the others into the kitchen.
"Family meeting!" I called.
Everyone piled in behind me and sat at the kitchen table next to their mate. Jacob stood awkwardly in the corner and I offered him a chair opposite mine, but her kindly refused. I nodded my acknowledgement and continued, passing Nessie over to Bella.
My hand shook violently as I placed the piece of paper in front of me, my fingers fidgeting with the corners as I battled with myself whether to open it or not.
"Carlisle, I think she wanted you to open it," Emmett remarked sarcastically.
I shot him an unimpressed look and he shut up. "I think I can I see that Emmett," I replied hotly.
Unsure, I started to rip it open. I pulled the content gently out of its confines and began unfolding the letter.
I scanned over the words as my mind went into melt down.
"No," I whispered.
"Dad, Carlisle?" Jasper's voice invaded my torn thoughts. I must be making him feel like he's in the middle of a hurricane.
"Sorry Jasper," I muttered.
"No, what's wrong," he questioned.
"This," I replied. I held the paper in my shaking hand.
Gasps sounded round the table.
"It's addressed to all of us, me personally, but she includes all of us." Everyone nodded in shock.
I had to clear my throat before beginning.
"It says:
My love,
I can't start to explain how much it hurts for me to write this, but it's something I need to do. Please, don't panic love; I know what I'm doing. Look after the kids for me (even though they know how to look after themselves)." My voice broke, but I continued, looking at Edward.
"Tell Edward I will always be in debt to him. His kindness, his love and help. Tell him that I still am the happiest person alive to be able to be called his mother.
He bowed his head as Bella rubbed his back, her mouth agape, and her eyes distant.
Tell Rosalie that her courageous spirit inspired me to be like I am today. Tell her that I will always remember her, and that I am proud to be called her mother.
Rosalie looked into her lap as she wrung her together.
Tell Emmett that he's been an absolute treasure to have in our family. Without him, this family wouldn't be the same. His big heart keeps us going through even the darkest times, and although his cheeky personality gets him into trouble, tell him I wouldn't want anyone different.
Emmett smiled with pride but unshed tears shone in his usually bright eyes.
Tell Alice that she's a special girl and that leaving her would have been the hardest thing to do. Planning and escape wise. Tell her that I'm sorry I won't be there to play "Barbie" anymore, and tell her I'm proud of my personal Tinkerbell. Always keep smiling.
She wasn't smiling now, instead she held onto Jasper's hand so tightly, I thought she'd pull in off.
Tell Jasper that he was an amazing asset to our family. He's an incredibly compassionate young man and he still has so much potential. Tell him I am so proud of him, he's come so far and I am extremely pleased to be able to have him as a son.
Jasper made a choked sort of sound and Alice kissed his temple. "No..." He whispered.
Tell Bella that I am not leaving her. I will be with her, in her heart. Tell her I'm sorry I couldn't spend more time with her. Tell her that I will always be in debt to her as well. She found my son happiness and I will always be proud of her for not giving up on him. I am proud to be able to call her my daughter.
Bella was in devastation along with Edward. Her chest shook as Nessie slept in her arms.
Finally, tell Renesmee I love her very much, and tell her I didn't want to leave her. Tell her no matter what I'll always be there for there, maybe not physically, but spiritually.
Renesmee stirred but didn't wake. "Grandma..." She breathed.
And Carlisle," My breathing hitched and it took everything I had not to break into a sob on every word. "How can I begin to say how much you mean to me? All those years we've known each other, loved each other, laughed and cried with each other, all those years I treasure with my heart. All those memories I have, you helped make. You found me, nurtured me and loved me. You made me who I am today, and for that, I cannot fully thank you for, for I will always be in gratitude for your kindness.
You mended me, and you showed me kindness. Now I have to return that favour. I have to be cruel to be kind, and this is the only way I can do this.
You saved me, I found salvation and now I need you to believe in me. This is the only way I can protect you, all of you, I don't care about myself.
I'm sorry it had to be this way. And Carlisle, if I...die...move on, you deserve happiness. If you can find someone else and love them like you loved me. Show them the kindness and love that healed me.
"I would never love another," I whispered, broken.
I'm sorry,
Your love, soul and heart,
Esme.
P.S. I will always be there for you. Think of me and I'll be there for you.
That was the last straw. I felt my chest shake angrily as strangled sobs made their way from my throat. I heard a chair scrape across the floor and a hand be placed on my shoulder. Sobs joined mine and Jacob, surprisingly had tears slipping down his bronze cheeks.
"Carlisle, did she...leave...us?" Alice asked. I lifted my head, meeting her gaze and nodding once. She buried her head in Jasper's chest, holding tightly onto him.
"Not by choice though, Alice," I reminded her. "Something must have happened when we weren't here. "I know she wouldn't leave us just hanging," I added.
"But she can't!" Rosalie exclaimed angrily. "She's the heart of this family!" I grasped her hand, squeezing it tightly.
"I know darling, but she's being...hunted."
"It's not fair!" Alice exclaimed.
"No!" Emmett shouted. "We fight for her!"
I looked at the muscular boy in the back of the room, leaning against the door frame. "I'm not giving in, we need her, you need her," He added with a whisper.
"Alice?"
"I can't see!" She shrilled. "Jacob's too close!" Her accusing eyes found Jacob's frame and he put his hands up in defence.
"Sorry," he mumbled.
"No, it's understandable." Rosalie shot me a death glare. "Nessie is special to you," I finished.
"Look," Jacob began. "I'll go back to La push, ask if they've seen her. I nodded unconvinced.
"Okay, but I doubt they would have. The treaty is still in place, yes?" Jacob nodded. "Try though, please." He nodded again and ran stealthily out of the door.
"Alice?"
"Yes?"
"Please could you look for her?"
"I'll try," she replied. "And Carlisle?"
I looked at her. "Yes?"
"I'm sorry I didn't see this before." She pushed herself away from the table and passed me, kissing my cheek before running upstairs.
"We won't let anything happen to her, Dad," Bella chipped in. "I – we – promise." My other children nodded in response as I looked back down at her smooth script.
"I need time to collect myself," I whispered. "I'll be upstairs." I left the sympathetic but pained faces at the table and walked upstairs to our room.
I fell onto our bed, bathing in her scent. "Esme, where are you?" I closed my eyes and let images of the past 87 years flood my mind. "My darling...I will fight for you"
A/N – Hope you enjoyed this chapter. This is basically the turning point.
Anyways, if you did enjoy, Please Review! Thanks, Katie1995 :)
