A/N: Again, Stephanie owns the saga – I like to imagine them as long time friends that are just pale!
Apologies for the delay, but halfway through the original chapter I was writing… Carlisle started talking to me. YES!!!! So here is his POV and I hope you enjoy!!!
Remember, reviews make me feel all giddy inside…like I should write more and more!
Chapter 6 – The True AngelCarlisle's POV – Back to 1911 and Esme's accident…
As the carriage drove away, I took a couple of steps back and took an unnecessary breath. I was feeling…hmm. How was I feeling? Several emotions swept through me at this point. I started processing them instantaneously.
I felt strange, overwhelmed, breathless, excited, intrigued, but most of all…I was enchanted by the beautiful girl that had just left my sight.
Esme… Her name drips from ones lips.
She had changed slightly from the scrawny and scared child I had seen eight years back, but was still a sight to behold. She was now 16, and during these times, she was considered plenty old enough to marry. If I were a human man, I would…or could I?
No, if I were human, I would definitely follow through on our meeting tonight. I would ask her parents if I could engage in courting her. I would visit her house and sit on her porch or parlor with her. I would eventually hold her hand and maybe even kiss her. I wanted to kiss her. I wanted to breathe in her amazing essence. Even now, her scent was still on my tongue. I wanted to ask her father for his permission to mar…
I stopped myself from dreaming and sighed.
I am not a real man. I shouldn't keep concerning myself with this fragile human. But she was so …enchanting. Even before I entered her room tonight, I could hear her perfect heartbeat. It was elevated, of course, due to her pain level, but it was as though her heartbeat called out to me – singing a tune just for me.
She had grown considerably…her heart-shaped face was encapsulated by her caramel hair. She was more beautiful than the actresses that were gracing the big screen now. Much more so… she could have easily had a career where people could just look at her all day. I know that I could. I had never seen a more beautiful person or felt more of an emotional tie to another human being since I was one. But I am no longer.
I had to restrain my laughter a few times after Esme had received the medicine. Her outburst were refreshing…everyone was so uptight in this town. But I could tell that Esme wasn't one to hold back. I was glad that she thought I was handsome and if it hadn't been for all these years of working in the medical profession, I would have definitely lost my composure completely with her.
Hmmm, beautiful AND a sense of humor…only if I were human…only if she were mine…
As I begin to wrap her wounded leg, my mind drifted back to the night I met an enchanting child…Eight years ago…
****
Walking among the humans is easily achieved once you've abstained from the blood and with practice and patience. I had just arrived in Columbus the previous month with my doctorate credentials nicely framed and of course, I am claiming to be 21 this time. To the simple folks of this quaint town, I had graduated with honors on an accelerated program back east. This should buy me at least eight to nine years in this town…this time. I'd tried pushing 31 at the last town, but the whispers and the stares were becoming too much. I would have to be more careful this time.
"Carlisle? What's troubling you?"
I stopped to hold her hand while taking a deep breath – not needed of course – but just to settle myself. She looked up at me from her tied bonnet, looking as beautiful as ever.
"My dearest Carmen…how did Eleazar end up with someone so beautiful and thoughtful?"
"Well, Carlisle, he was just lucky I guess." Her laughter filled the night as we continued to walk toward the firework show, going back to meet Eleazar.
"But you didn't answer my question…what is your troubles, now? You've been too quiet."
"I'm just settling and trying to get my thoughts all in order to keep the appearance up for my time here. You know the set up takes longer when you arrive in a new town, Carmen."
She chuckled again as we continued to walk. Just then a cry caught our attention. It was a small girl huddled down beside the fence. Carmen immediately went to her to investigate. I held back a few feet, but still able to listen.
"Why are you crying little one?" Carmen was an angel with small children…probably because she never had any of her own.
The child looked up and gazed at Carmen a few second before bursting into tears again. Finally a small voice said, "I…I can't find my family. They were just here and now…and now they're…they're gone."
Carmen immediately pulled the little girl into her lap and wrapped her arms tight around the tiny frame and started rocking her back and forth. As she coddled the child I couldn't help but notice that the little girl had the most virtuous face. She was adorable and most certainly scared. While Carmen held her, I started scanning the crowd to see if there were any panicking faces. Surely someone had to be looking for her.
Then I heard Carmen speaking to the child promising her that everything would be okay and that we would find her family. "You will be happy again very soon," she told the teary eyes as they stood up and started moving through the crowd.
I fell back and followed at an even pace. The little girl was obviously upset and I didn't want her to be upset by TWO strangers trying to help her. I wasn't sure how Carmen knew which direction to head in, until I heard her asking the child a few questions. We headed off toward the tobacco vendor, back toward the center of the town.
Finally, Carmen and the child stopped. These must be her parents. I heard the mother apologize to Carmen for ruining her evening.
WHAT?! The woman just returned your child that was lost and you think you ruined her evening? Madness, I say. What mother would not be overwhelmed with joy when a child was returned? Even if the child had been unruly, surely the mother should have been thrilled to have her child back in one piece. Even the Prodigal Son was welcomed by his father with a ring for his finger, shoes for his feet and a celebration with the fatted calf and all!
I ground my teeth to keep all my thoughts inside.
The child started crying again and I waited for her mother to comfort her. It never happened. The child turned her head toward Carmen staring at her for the longest time. She finally squeaked out, "Thank you, for finding my family."
The fireworks show started then and the vision of the beautiful little girl staring up at Carmen in total awe. Carmen lowered herself to her knees and pushed her flowing black curls to one side. She hugged the girl once more and said, "My little one, I will never forget you and I want you to remember this: Happiness is the only good. The time to be happy is now. The place to be happy is here. The way to be happy is to make others so."
Ah, typical Carmen, but the little girl was listening as though her very life depended on it. She took every word into heart and filed it away. She had a few moments before her mother approached and started pulling her away. It was then that Carmen opened her handbag and pulled out a handkerchief and handed it to the little girl. She simply said, "Don't cry, little one. Go and be happy."
As the small child wiped her eyes, she spoke to Carmen for the last time, "I will." Then her parents drew her away from the crowd and headed toward what I assumed was their carriage. I heard several of the men bid her parents and her goodnight.
Hmmm…Mr. and Mrs. Platt…daughter Esme…
It was only after the carriage was long gone that Carmen turned to me with a small smile and a hint of sadness in her eyes.
"You know Esme will always remember your kindness."
"Esme?"
"Yes, I overheard her name from acquaintances of her parents."
"Hmmm…" I heard Carmen thinking.
"What?"
"You know what Esme means don't you?" she asked.
"No, but according to that smile on your face you know," I had to tease her.
"You know my wife knows everything. Are you questioning her?" Eleazar had finally rejoined us.
Carmen threw her head back against her husband's shoulder and enjoyed a laugh.
"I was just telling our dear friend Carlisle what the name Esme meant." She explained as Eleazar continued his puzzle looked between us.
"Esme means 'to love or to be loved' and Carlisle, that little girl will grow up to have the largest heart of us all."
"Really? You hiding a crystal ball underneath your bonnet, my wife? I thought I was the seer of talents." Eleazar laughed.
"Not seeing it, but feeling it," she whispered. "That little girl has more love in her heart than all of us combined."
If my interest in the child hadn't been peaked before Carmen's revelation, it certainly was afterwards. I would definitely have to keep check on her as she grows. I would pick up where Carmen left off…I would become her guardian angel and watch over her.
Carmen nudged my arm and brought my attention back. "You'll do this, Carlisle. You'll watch after my hermosa chica, won't you?"
I smiled and shook my head at the path we were both travelling. "You read my mind Carmen!"
****
Back to 1911…
I sighed again as my excellent vision watched Esme and her parents drive far passed the distance of my human coworkers. Esme was more perceptive than I had originally given her credit for…she noticed my golden eyes. I wondered if she connected me with Carmen? I immediately knew my answer when I thought of why she was so relaxed around me. Carmen had put her to ease eight years again when she was in pain and discomfort and I had essentially done the same thing. I was only too happy that I could be there for her.
I quickly turned and headed back into the hospital, all the time thinking of her beautiful face. I would miss seeing her. She was growing into a delightful young woman, as I knew she would.
Up until now, I had made good on my promise to Carmen throughout these past years to watch over Esme. And I hated to go now, but my time to move from Columbus was here – to say that I was somewhat nervous to leave was an understatement. I had spent the last few years laying out the plans to oversee her from afar and I was anxious to see if my careful planning would pay off from miles away. It had to… I am her guardian angel after all.
I laughed out loud when I thought back to the exam room and Esme actually calling me her angel. I let out another unnecessary sigh…
"I'm no angel. I'm far from it, beautiful girl, but I am trying…I'm trying…"
A/N: Well, I hope you enjoyed seeing into Carlisle's mind. Stephanie Meyers did mention that Carlisle and Esme met over her broken leg, so I am taking a few liberties of filling in some of the wholes here. No offense, Stephanie!
Next, we get to meet Charles…and yes…I agree with Esme in that he is one of the most dangerous men that she will ever meet!
