Hope you enjoy!
xx
Day 9: Visitors
He slammed his hand down on the obnoxious alarm, silencing it before it could get another second's screaming. He stretched out his arms, ready to wrap them around…nothing? He sat up, looking around his empty room. But? But? The bathroom was empty too….
He pulled on a shirt, worryingly searching the rooms. She wouldn't just up and leave, surely? She wasn't in the living room either?
Then he relaxed.
The radio was on. She was in the kitchen dressed in a formal blue shirt, a dark pencil skirt and black tights with her hair neat in a bun at the top of her head. She looked more like the shy Miss Platt from Aro's office except she was dancing and cooking, it smelt loving.
He took a seat at the island, smiling, waiting for her to notice. She had her back to him, singing relatively loudly, shaking her hips seductively before jumping around at the guitar solo. She flipped the pancake in the pan, pulling away a wisp of hair and pouring the food onto a plate in front of him. She jumped when she finally saw him, smiling sheepishly, red in the face. He reached across and took a pancake, blowing on it as it burned his hands then started to pull it apart and eat. She shook her head disdainfully but her mouth was pulled up in the corner. They were at opposites, she was dressed neatly, formally, he on the other hand had his hair sticking up in various places, his eyes were weary and he was still wearing pyjama trousers.
'We've got guests upstairs. Try not to wake them.' He teased, leaning out of reach when she went to grab his food from him.
'I know we do. They're in the shower.' She muttered, shaking her head at him. It took him a few moments.
'As in together?' Trust them…
'Their words not mine.' She said simply, putting down a plate in front of him. He rolled his eyes then went to reach for more but she slapped his away. 'I told Edward he couldn't eat until he was ready for school so you'd better follow the same rule.'
'Come on, I'm hungry!' He whined, flashing his eyelashes.
'Nope. Go on.'
He sulked off, miserably stomping up the stairs so that he could hear her laughing.
'What's his problem?' Edward asked, sitting down eagerly in front of the plate, Esme wiped the toothpaste from the corner of his mouth.
Carmen came racing down next, still wet from her shower, giggling every time Eleazer looked at her and gasped in delight when she saw breakfast. Esme had moved on to fixing lunch, but she was making four extra loads. Edward didn't question it.
Carlisle was last downstairs but he was looking neat in his red tie and black blazer hanging off his shoulder. He sat down next to Edward, eating greedily. She placed the cups of coffee next to the adults, a juice for Edward and leant against the sink, drinking daintily from her own cup.
'Look at her all house proud.' Carmen teased. She'd finished her breakfast and was drinking, leaning comfortably against Eleazer. Carlisle smiled.
'I'm more proud of this house than I am my own.' She sighed, nodding towards the living room. 'I got that stain out by the way.'
'You did?' Carlisle questioned. 'How?' He looked over to see it perfectly clean as if there was no wine and no memory of their passions. He almost grieved its loss.
'Bicarbonate soda. Anyway, eat up we don't want to be late.' She smiled.
Carlisle fought off the wiggling eyebrows of his friend and ate with his face to the plate. They cleaned up quickly while Esme helped Edward find his shoes then they said a reluctant goodbye as they got in the separate cars, hugging each other goodbye briefly.
Edward sighed in the back and Carlisle copied. They would miss having a busy home.
'I'll meet you at lunch.' He said, pausing at the door of the staff room, she had to turn left and he right. Edward had already ran off with the tub of sea-monkeys, excited to find Emmett. She smiled, blushing slightly. They were standing close. Maybe a little too close considering they were at work.
'That you will.'
He kissed her quickly, mouth barely against hers and then rushed off, not wanting to be late. She checked to see no one had caught them. Then smiled and walked dazedly to her classroom. Every time he did that, it took her breath away.
Her classroom...
She had to stop herself from yelling out in alarm but the tears came flowing with no control. The whole room had been trashed from top to bottom, canvases and drawings were torn on the floor. They'd been stamped on. Brushes were broken, pencils snapped, computer trashed over the desk and in gruesome black paint sprawled brightly on display of the interactive white board was the word Slut.
She carefully made her way through the destroyed artwork, stepping carefully on the floor. Everything was damaged, stools were missing legs, acrylic paint had been splattered around the room and in the window reflecting the word slut there was a huge, delicate crack, ready to splinter into pieces at the brush of the wind. Not just her life's work but her students.
She held her breath for a moment. Trying to decide what to do, trying to understand. Then she ran, ran through the halls, crossing the ground immediately, heels clacking against the concrete hurriedly before bursting into the classroom where he was teaching cell membranes.
'Miss Platt!' Alice cheered, catching Carlisle's attention.
She was shaking, hand across her mouth tears flowing freely.
'Talk amongst yourselves.' He said quickly, throwing off his lab coat and ushering her outside.
'What's happened?' he asked concerned, holding the door of his room closed. The tiny window in the door showed all their faces looking desperately towards him so he steeped in the way, shielding her from their curious view
'It's ruined! All of it!' She cried.
'What's ruined?'
'The art work. The computer. Everything is completely trashed.' He tried to soothe her by holding her against his chest but she only cried more, clearly out of shock.
'Show me.' He said hastily. He asked one of the teachers on the corridor to cover him (Tanya he thought but he wasn't paying too much attention) and rushed with her to her classroom.
He couldn't hide his alarm either. He carefully walked across to the whiteboard, attempting to rub off the word with his thumb.
'Paint.' He muttered angrily. Paper was everywhere. Large bits of paper, smaller bits, all once gorgeous pieces proudly hanging on the walls were now tainted with paint and glue and various other shit. She was still trembling, staring around. Even the light bulb had smashed.
'Do you know who could've done this?'
She hesitated. 'No. Not at all.' She couldn't help thinking him. But the phone was all the way in Hucklake. Where he was, far away from Forks. It couldn't be. She was overreacting.
'Come on, let's go find Aro.'
Aro was lazing around in his office chair listening to some classical symphony. His feet were on the desk and he still had his coat on.
'Carlisle?' He greeted, clearly finding his entrance the only entertainment of the day so far. 'Enjoy your little trip?' The words almost sounded sarcastic.
'My classroom's been completely trashed, Aro. Everything- Absolutely Everything is either broken or damaged!' She was struggling to keep her voice steady.
'It was probably just some kids.' He said clearly, shrugging. Carlisle shut off the music with his fist.
'All the classrooms get locked over the half term. It couldn't have possibly been the kids!' He argued. Aro turned lazily to Esme who was like a light fireball except that she was an emotional little thing.
'Was the door broken?'
'Well- yeah, completely knocked off its hinges.' She said, worriedly.
'There you are then.'
'You don't really think a few kids could knock out a door, do you?! Really?!' Carlisle demanded. Aro shrugged, he was looking at his hands, giving them the impatient, disinterested smile he always wore.
'Well don't just sit there! You should be doing something!'
'Still haven't lost your temper, have you Carlisle?' Aro played.
He was wishing he'd listened to Eleazer, had handed his notice in years ago to be away from this infuriating man.
'I haven't got a temper!'
'Hmm. Lets hope Edward doesn't take after you, huh?'
Esme cut in, slamming her hands on the desk surprising the both of them. 'Don't you realise exam pieces have been ruined!'
'Well, you'll just have to get the children to re-do them.' He said shrugging.
'Exam pieces, Aro! This work took them months and the examiners will be round any day.' She was yelling, Carlisle trying to restrain her a little bit. She never really seemed one to have a screaming match but where it concerned students and their futures, things were different.
'Well, what do you want me to do about it?' He was shifting the blame very easily onto her.
'I want you to find out who the hell trashed my room, I want you to phone the examiners immediately and I want you to phone the police!'
'What do you think Charlie Swan and his group of sniffer-dogs are going to do about it? Go on Miss Platt, please enlighten me.'
She stuttered.
'If you're the one who didn't take proper care of the students work, I can't help.' Aro sighed, bored.
'Hold on now.' Carlisle said cutting in. 'This clearly isn't her fault. Paint needs to dry, where else was she supposed to put them?!'
His mouth twitched. 'Well, the school was open to staff at half-term. Everybody is aware of that.'
'But that's irrelevant! You were here when she agreed to help for the school trip.'
Aro leant forward, His hands resting together as if he were praying. 'It is not my issue nor my fault of the consequences when you don't adhere to your responsibilities as teachers rather than…babysitters.'
Carlisle's nostrils flared. She was holding her breath, stepping behind him looking ashamed.
'The most I can do is notify the cleaner. You'll have to deal with the rest yourselves. Anyway Carlisle, shouldn't you be teaching? Back to lessons, now.' He was condescending, deliberately so.
Esme stomped out, slamming the door so that it made the frame shake. He couldn't do anything just glared at his boss and then exited too.
'Esme, wait up!' He called, but she was way in front, very obviously crying.
'I'll see you at lunch.' She said curtly, hurrying off. He let her go.
It wasn't too long till lunch and unlike her he had classes all day, he had to teach. He found her at lunch, however, sitting on one of the empty tables. She was playing with her food rather than eating it. She looked glum.
'Alice liked your lunch.' He told her optimistically, pointing to Alice and the other three eating next to Edward. Her sandwiches were star shaped and Rosalie's heart shaped. They were excited, chattering along with Bella about their lunches.
'I think they wanted to thank-you.' He said carefully but she only nodded, looking down so that he couldn't see her expression properly.
'I just don't know what to do!' She whispered, pushing the late away and covering her face with her hands. 'I've just ruined the lives of 23 students who are all going to get the grade of zero because I was so fucking careless.'
'Hey!' He said, shaking his head at her. 'This isn't your fault! There's got to be measures in place to protect students against this kind of thing. It's not uncommon for accidents to happen.'
'This wasn't an accident though- Someone's deliberately gone out of their way to trash the place.' She held her breath. She couldn't tell him, not after she said everything was fine. They were just stupid fears anyway. Not reality.
'It might not be personal.' He suggested.
'Sure. I forgot how often I'm called a slut. Just a joke. Stupid me.' Her tone had caught him off guard. 'I'm sorry. I'm just-. How could this happen?!'
He put a cold hand on her back, refraining from rubbing circles and instead just letting it lie there. He was at work, he'd have to be careful.
'Its okay, Miss Platt.' Said a little voice from behind her. She could feel them lean on her back and saw Carlisle smiling. She sniffled, wiped away the last of her tears.
'Please don't be sad.' Jasper whispered.
She patted the seat next to her for the children to arrange themselves on, uplifted by the presence, even if it was only slightly.
'Thank you for our lunch!' Rosalie said, grinning. Esme stroked her hair, putting on a brave face.
'Are you guys okay?' She asked, her voice still thick. Jasper crawled onto her lap. 'How are things at home?' she asked. Alice shook her head to Emmett who was about to say something.
'What? What's happened?' Her face dropped.
'Nothing.' She said quickly. 'I like your sandwiches. Can we have them again?'
'Is everything alright?' Carlisle said slowly, he'd spotted the look too.
'Yes!' Jasper lied but he was too rushed. Esme looked at all their faces, all their little worried looks to one another. Emmett was looking sheepishly at Edward across the table rubbing his sleeved arms. Edward nodded.
'Tell them.' He said.
'What's happened?' She repeated.
'Emmett and Jasper got into a fight at break…' Rosalie sighed.
Esme looked at them, shaking her head sadly. 'Boys, why would you fight each other?'
'We had a fight with an older kid.' Emmett muttered ashamed.
'You could've got hurt!' Carlisle reprimanded, but his was eyeing them over suspiciously, he couldn't see that they were in pain. Maybe a few bumps and scrapes but otherwise okay.
'They're going to be waiting after school for them!' Edward said when no one else did.
'Guys! Why didn't you say something sooner?! Show me who it was!' Carlisle was standing up now but Emmett pulled him down quickly.
'They were older…' He whispered, looking at his feet, somewhat afraid but not willing to admit it.
'They're going to follow us home!' Rosalie cried out, hiding from Alice's glare. She wanted them to stand up for themselves. Show that they were brave. To make the teachers proud of them.
'Carlisle…' Esme said softly, turning to him, hands raised.
'I know.' He nodded.
It was soothing having someone not only as concerned as she was but also to be running on the same wave length. It was different though nonetheless comforting.
'I can't-' she was saying. 'I've got to try fix some of the work, clear up the classroom.'
'Unless…'
The kids were staring at to them, worried. She urged him on.
'Unless we help you finish after school, grab some dinner and drop the kids off later?' he suggested.
'Do you think they'll allow it?' The sisters didn't exactly seem like the warmest bunch of people.
'We can only try.' He told her before standing up and pulling out his phone. He knew the number automatically. She looked back to the children.
'Why were you fighting?' She asked, she was meant to sound disapproving but she was more panicked. The idea of them getting hurt…it was abhorrent.
'Well, Edward told us you and Dr Cullen are getting married!' Alice said cheerily.
Esme shot a look to Edward who was looking away, avoiding her expression and shook her head carefully trying to fight the smile. A child's imagination was a wonderful thing at times.
'Anyway, one of the kids said that you were something or other- some bad word and they said you were cheating on him with someone else!'
She surprised herself by laughing out loud. 'Oh Alice! That's really absurd. Dr Cullen and I are not getting married, his friends are, as I'm sure Edward meant, anyway, it's just a silly rumour. I'm not cheating on him.'
'Aha! So you are together!' Rosalie said, pointing at them. She immediately started to blush, realising her mistake: the threat of cheating meant they were officially more than friends…and that couldn't be decided yet…surely? How would she know anyway? The last relationship she had quite literally scarred her for life.
But he did kiss her again this morning. She covered her mouth, smiling, flitting her eyes to where he was standing against a radiator, on the phone unaware of his surroundings. He initiated things this morning too…what did that mean? Then she realised the kids staring at her.
'What?! No! I simply meant that I wasn't with anyone else…'
'That's what we said!' Jasper said heroically. 'But they said they saw some man leave your classroom that's when I hit them.' He seemed proud.
Her heart stopped.
'Who was the man?!' She said, no longer laughing.
'I don't know- we didn't see him.' Emmett sighed. She grabbed Emmett by the shoulders, not hurting him just focusing his whole attention.
'Did he have dark hair?! Emmett, was he the guy from the market?!' She demanded, losing all control on herself and breathing shortly and quickly. Rosalie was watching, frightened.
'We didn't see who it was...' Alice repeated. 'Miss Platt, you're scaring us…'
Esme held a hand to her mouth, properly this time, to stop herself from hurling.
'I've got to go.' She said quickly then rushed out of the lunch room. Carlisle's eyes followed her. The conversation on the phone had ended so he hung up quickly.
'What happened?' he asked but the kids were looking confused at each other.
'She might be having another one of them things. She was breathing funny again…' Rosalie said, tearing up.
'I'm going to go check on her. Straight after school, I want you all to come to my room, okay? I'll meet you there.'
Edward was standing up looking in the direction she'd ran off. Carlisle put a hand on his shoulder.
'Keep an eye on things for me, huh?' He said, distracting him. He seemed to like being Carlisle's right hand man that and he was so obviously great at it.
He found her in the stock room of her classroom, head between her knees breathing deeply. The classroom was still a mess but she'd cleared some of it up earlier. The white board was no longer swearing at her, but it was smudged with a blurry kind of black.
'Esme?' he whispered.
'I'm fine.' She said weakly.
But she hadn't moved. Her black shoes were covered in paint splatters and her skirt and tights were getting slightly dusty against the floor. Even from the doorway he could see she'd had another one. He grabbed the broken first aid kit from the floor and approached her gently, checking her blood pressure and her pulse, automatically. She didn't shy away from it this time.
'Do you know how long you were out for?' It couldn't have been long but he was several minutes behind her when she'd ran off, that and he'd looked in all the wrong places before coming here like an idiot.
'No.' She was rubbing the back of her head where she'd hit it on the floor, she was very dizzy, maybe even nauseous. He lifted her chin to look at her eyes in the light, she moved slowly, like she was out of it. He felt her head gently there was a small bump, enough to make her whine out in pain.
'I feel sick…' She confessed, trying to hold herself still, he rubbed her back soothingly but she pushed him away, not that she thought she was going to throw up, she just didn't want to take the risk when he was so close. He asked her a few more questions before coming to the important one.
'What made you run off?'
'I don't really remember…' And it looked like she was telling the truth
'Did you seizure before you hit your head or after?'
'I don't remember…' she repeated, confused.
She was rubbing her forehead, attempting to stand up but he kept her sitting.
'Can you name the 12 months in reverse order?' He pushed. She was looking wearily at him.
'Carlisle, I'm fine!' She stood up too quickly and suddenly fell straight back down, leaning backwards. He caught her easily and helped her sit on the table. Her eyes were tightly closed, from nausea or pain he couldn't tell but she looked completely dazed.
'I think you've got concussion…' He said slowly, he was grumbling to himself though, something about being faster, she was struggling to concentrate properly, in her head she was still stuck on the 7th month.
'Come on, let's get you to the hospital.' He said soothing, trying to help her up but she was shaking her head at him.
'I'm fine, I don't need to go to the hospital. You've already checked me over and you said I was fine!' She was swaying a little.
'No.' He corrected, 'I said you have concussion, now I'm saying we need to get you checked over to make sure you're okay.'
'But I'm fine.' She was still pretty confused. He shook his head, helped her up, ignored her protests and led her to the car.
The local hospital wasn't far and he knew the staff well, he might be okay to drop her off and return to work because as much as he hated Aro at the moment…he needed to make sure the kids were okay too.
She realised this pretty quickly however, she was laying on the hospital bed, eyes avoiding the light listening to his conversation with the Doctor.
'I think she's fine Carlisle, we're just waiting on the results. I'd say you were right to bring her in though.' The doctor said, he was writing it all out on a chart.
'Remember why you fell yet, Miss Platt?' The doctor asked, Carlisle had explained she hadn't tripped and had also voiced his concerns over whether the fall or the seizure came first.
She shook her head ever so slightly.
'It'll come back in time, don't worry.' He turned to his friend. 'Has she got someone to keep an eye on her for the next two days?'
Carlisle rubbed the back of his neck, shyly. 'Yeah, that's not a problem. Thanks, Steve. I've just got to go back to work for a few hours- would she be okay to-'
'You're not staying?' She almost sounded like Edward with the panic in her voice.
'It's nearly the end of lunch- I've got classes.' He said apologetically. He patted her leg. 'But I'll be back to pick you up later, I promise.'
She had no idea why and she couldn't stop herself but she immediately started to cry. Steve looked to Carlisle who was looking worried as he tried to comfort her.
'It's just a side effect. It's only temporary.' He was saying but Carlisle rolled his eyes. That wasn't a lot of help at the moment.
'Just relax, let them check you over and it'll be done really quickly,' he comforted.
'But my class!'
It was good to see she had her priorities straight….
'I'll deal with it. Just focus on getting yourself better and that memory back and before you know it, I'll be done'.
She let him go reluctantly, watching him wave. Then she was on her own, desperately trying to remember what caused it this time.
'Edward?'
He was standing outside of the door, waiting with a sullen look on his face. He smiled lightly when he saw Carlisle but was dismayed when he realised he was alone.
'Is she okay?' he asked worried. Carlisle bent to his height putting a calming hand to his shoulder, he'd been chewing on his lip.
'She'll be staying with us for a little longer. If that's alright with you?' He was trying to fight the smile. Breakfast was great this morning, so much better than Carlisle's lumpy porridge if she was staying maybe she'd cook a little more.
'Is she okay?' he asked eagerly.
'She's in the hospital.'
Edward's face dropped.
'She's fine, she just hurt her head a little. I'll take you over to see her once school's finished.' He watched him relax.
'Can everyone still come with?'
'Sure. Anyway, you're late, get to class.' He stood up, trying to hurry him along but he took even slower
'It doesn't matter, it's only art.'
'Not the attitude our Esme would approve of, huh?' He reprimanded. 'Go on. Hurry up.' Edward was grinning when he ran off.
When his class was quiet, which wasn't for long, he took the chance to phone up the art examiner, explaining the situation and have the exams postponed for the summer. He followed that up with an email to the art department, notifying them of the change for Miss Platt's class. Tanya emailed back quickly, notifying him off the mess in her room, she'd been covering her class too. He explained he'd already seen it and that it was in the process of being dealt with.
How shit must our security guards be if they let random strangers on the premises?! Tanya's email read: Glad he's gone now though. She sure has some strange friends…
He returned to the teaching, explaining about plant cells to his older class who seemed just as distracted as he was. What friends?!
She on the other hand was fine, except she was pacing around, bored out of her skull having read all the magazines they could offer. Her head still hurt, she was still dizzy at times and she'd thrown up twice, which she'd been holding in the moment Carlisle found her but she was better now. She wasn't falling over at the very least.
He rushed to close up the lab, throwing his jacket on the peg and shutting down everything as fast as he could. The kids were all standing outside his door, ready to go. They stopped off at the local supermarket, only briefly.
'Okay guys, we're looking for something to cheer her up. Then we'll find something for dinner.'
Rosalie picked out a bunch of beautiful pink, orange and purple flowers and put them in the basket. Jasper and Emmett picked out the chocolate, Alice the magazines while Edward looked dumbfounded to Carlisle.
'Well I'm getting paracetamol. Just pick something you'll think she'll like.'
But Edward was frowning, everyone else had found something, it wasn't fair. He was looking at the CDs trying to look for the one he'd heard her singing this morning.
'This one!' He said, throwing it in the basket. Carlisle picked it up, smiled and replaced it in the basket. He hadn't planned on spending too much, mainly because he knew she'd only get annoyed at him but that didn't really matter.
He brought some feminine shampoo and soap as well, followed by dinner with a few extra bits and then they were at the hospital.
Emmett came running into her cubicle first and she could hear Carlisle behind, telling him off. She greeted him happily and the others, kissing Edward on the forehead when he told her they were worried.
'We didn't realise you were in hospital, Miss Platt!' Rosalie said, looking perturbed by all the bleeping monitors.
'Well, hopefully I won't be for long,' She looked to Carlisle who smiled and did as he was told, asking for the discharge papers for her to fill out.
'We've got presents!' Emmett said excitedly.
'Emmett, they were meant to be a surprise!' Alice said, frowning but she grabbed Esme's hand, jumping up a little. 'See what I picked out!'
'You guys didn't have to do that, thank you!' She was looking more at Carlisle's back then their little faces, he was ignoring it.
Once she was discharged which took quicker than usual thanks to the Doctor title, she followed them out to the car, holding onto Emmett and Alice's hand while they told her all about their day. She listened eagerly.
'So what did you play in P.E?' She asked, they'd just finished telling her all about mathematics.
'Badminton.' Edward groaned, sharing the look of distaste with Carlisle. It was a game they both weren't fans of, they preferred contacts sports.
The kids squashed in the back of the car but as the majority of them were small and the car was relatively big, at least in the seats, they were able to do so without any discomfort. They were discussing dinner as Esme was holding the flowers, staring gratefully at the pretty colours.
Getting back to Carlisle's felt better than coming home. She followed them up the porch, Carlisle in front and went straight into the kitchen to put the flowers in a tall vase then placed it by the open window near the sink. The others were waiting excitedly to give her their gifts as if it were her birthday.
'Go sit down, relax. I'll get you a drink.'
'I'm fine.' She insisted, laughing a little now.
'Memory back?' She saw a flash of something on his face, maybe panic, maybe like he was hiding something, she couldn't really tell.
'Not yet.' She was smiling. It was the first time she'd ever experienced an aspect of memory loss after a seizure and rather than be concerned, she was pleased. It was easier to ignore it happened if she couldn't remember it.
'There we are then, go sit down. I've got this.' He was putting away dinner. Alice and Rosalie were at her feet, skipping excitedly, encouraging her to follow near the living room.
'Dr Cullen said you'll be resting a lot so I got you magazines!'
Esme thanked her, some would genuinely be interesting, there were a few fashion ones and even an interior decorating one but other magazines included one about French cycling holidays and a teen magazine with a free lip-gloss.
'They're perfect Alice, thank you.'
Alice grinned knowingly. Emmett and Jasper had got a very large box of sweets. She had to hide her frown. All these thing weren't cheap… she felt guilty.
'We picked those ones because they were the biggest!' Jasper said excitedly. She tugged off the lid and passed it around.
'Go on, take one.' She encouraged.
Edward flashed her a look, he wasn't used to snacking before dinner and it wasn't a habit she wanted to install.
'One won't hurt.'
So he took one and she quickly replaced the lid, thanking them. She'd already had the beautiful flowers from Rosalie and in fact she could see them from where she sat on the sofa, catching some sun through the window while Carlisle bustled around doing whatever he was doing.
Edward was shyly holding his gift, looking away when he gave it to her.
'Thank you,' she uttered, turning the CD over. At least someone had a taste in music. The CD was called something like Housework Songs and had loads of popular classics that you'd belt out when alone in your car. It was perfect.
'The last is from Carlisle.' He was saying, more bravely now.
He'd clearly changed his mind from earlier because while yes, there was paracetamol, there were also a few films (ones she'd mentioned in passing), some babble bath, a candle, a mug and a card. That she'd save for later.
He walked into the living room, passing her a warm cup of something and sat down not on the sofa where there was plenty of room but on the floor, leaning onto the arm where she was resting.
'You didn't have to get all this…' She whispered, the kids had turned happily into a game of superheroes. She scratched the back of his hand, softly, forcing him to look up. 'Thank you.' She kissed him on the forehead while the kids were playing in plain view. He smiled tiredly and squeezed her hands.
She had her eyes closed. He moved a cushion to act as a pillow then retrieved the throw from the back of the sofa to put over her. She hadn't noticed. She'd been crying a lot today, she would be tired, he'd check on her in a little bit.
He followed the kids outside, played with them briefly which basically meant picking them up and spinning them around till his back started to hurt then he started dinner with the help of five little ones.
He was shaking her gently and to his relief she woke up easily.
'Dinner's ready.' He explained, helping her sit up. She looked like she was in pain and still slightly dizzy. 'There's Tylenol on the table.'
She smiled but didn't necessarily move. Her stomach was groaning even though she didn't look particularly hungry.
'You should really eat something... even if it's only a small bit.'
She took a hold of his outstretched hand and let him lead her to the table where the five of them were eating, sat on the seats around her. She couldn't lie, even if she did feel somewhat sick mainly because she felt dizzy, dinner did smell good. She sat down rather eagerly and tucked in to the spaghetti bolognaise, rising a few compliments to the chefs.
'This is really good. See? Knew you could cook a little.' She teased him.
'We helped!' Jasper said excitedly, Alice had the same sized portion she was a little slower and it looked like she wasn't going to finish it but she wasn't going to make assumptions just yet.
The Tylenol was already working but she still felt heavy with sleep.
She insisted on cleaning up once dinner was eaten but Carlisle refused to let her do it alone, the company was nice. She scraped off the remains on the plates, which wasn't much apart from hers; she'd eaten as much as she could which was far less than Alice but she wasn't pushed, and passed the plates to Carlisle who looked as tired as she did. The kids were playing video games on the TV when they wondered back in.
They both collapsed on the sofa as if they'd been for a ten-mile sprint, watching them play and giggle.
'We've decided to call you Momma-Bear!' Emmett said, stopping her from dozing off again.
'You have?' She was smiling. 'Why's that?'
'Miss Platt is too long.' Alice grumbled.
It was less syllables than Dr Cullen but she didn't address that.
'And you were asleep so Carlisle started calling you Sleeping Beauty.' Rosalie explained. Esme turned, he was resting on her shoulder, arms folded cross his chest, a frown on his face. He was asleep faster than she was. The warmth was nice. Even if it was spreading to her cheeks.
'He did?'
'But that was still too long so we were calling you slumber beauty instead…' Emmett continued.
She'd barely been asleep for an hour or so, how did she not catch any of this?
'Then slumber changed to Mom-ber 'coz slumber sounds like mom then 'ber' sounded like 'bear'. But Mom-bear doesn't sound as good.' Alice perked up
'That's really sweet. Thank you guys…' She was fighting the yawn now but she had to stay awake. Carlisle would have to drive them home in another few hours seeing as she wasn't allowed to drive.
'So now you're momma-bear. We can't find one for Carlisle so for now he's just Carlisle…' Jasper laughed.
It created a warm feeling in her chest one she hadn't had for years since… She smiled, forcing her heavy eyelids to stay open. She couldn't think of one for Carlisle either. Not with this headache.
After about an hour and a bit, her shoulder had gone dead so he had to shift him so that he had his head on her lap. He didn't wake up and no one pointed it out so she stayed where she sat, keeping an eye on whatever new game the children were playing while aimlessly stroking his hair.
It was hard watching them leave with Carlisle but nowhere near as hard as Sunday. At least now she could see they were okay… they hadn't changed too much…
Esme hugged them all goodbye while Carlisle pointed at Edward.
'You're in charge, Son. Look after her.' He winked to Esme. She couldn't tell if he was just tired or deep in thought.
'Are you staying forever?' Edward asked, curiously. He was standing at her hip, helping collect the toys they'd played with on the floor. She grimaced.
'Not exactly. I'll probably be back home in a few days…' she said carefully.
'Oh,' he sounded dismayed.
'But I'll be with you guys for the whole weekend.' She was looking forward to that. She loved weddings and dancing and music. She enjoyed Carmen's company, she was looking forward to getting to know them a little more too.
'What about after that?' He asked, looking up to her with piercing green eyes.
'Well…I guess that's up to your dad really… I don't want to disturb your set up…' she said slowly. Edward followed her up the stairs and she started to replace the toys on the shelf.
'But we like having you here!' He insisted.
'And I like being here… Anyway, any dirty clothes? I'll put some washing on for you.'
She collected the basket from Carlisle's room, heaved that down stairs and then did the same with Edward's though it made her feel like her head was splitting into two. She didn't really want to go home either, just the very thought… If her classroom had been attacked who's to say it wasn't him … But he couldn't even know about Forks!
She couldn't hide here forever, she'd have to man up eventually.
He was trying to help her put washing on but he kept shoving the wrong colours in the machine so that she had to re-show him. Washing was difficult, he decided. He'd just stick to polishing or piano playing.
They heard the keys clatter in the bowl and were met with the familiar frown as he walked into the kitchen.
'Were they okay?' She asked, trying to avoid the disapproving look.
'You were meant to be resting…Edward?'
'I couldn't argue against an adult, dad. I had to do as I was told!' He insisted, looking at him with a crooked smile. He scooped him up easily so that he giggled.
'Bath-time Mister.'
She was smiling contently, watching them and giggling.
'You're welcome to have a bath too? It might help you relax a little…' he said gently. He bent his knees, pretending to have dropped Edward before lifting him up again. Edward squealed in delight.
It was while running the water in his bathroom that Edward spoke up.
'I have a question…' he said whispering. He didn't see why, Esme had gone to have a bath in his room. She'd taken the bubble bath and the candle, thanking him for it for like the fifth time. He was glad he'd picked the vanilla one. She held her nose to it, smelling it often.
He shook his head, turning his attention to Edward and Edward only.
'Go on…' He folded the towel over the heated railing, listening.
'Why doesn't Esme just live with us?' He was watching the frown descend on his father's face. He was struggling to find an answer.
'Well…She's got her own home, that and it's pretty uncommon to ask someone to live with you after a week.'
'Why?' He persisted.
'It just is…'
'If you're too embarrassed, I could ask her?' He offered, smiling.
'Well…where would she sleep?' Carlisle muttered, he passed the jug of water to Edward so that his hair fell wetly against his face, covering his eyes. He spat out the water.
'Where she always sleeps, with you of course…'
He smiled and moved Edward's hair from his eyes.
'Edward…adult relationships are different to your kind of ones. There's many complications and frustrations and worries and concerns and…well… to rush into that kind of thing can frighten some people…'
'You're afraid?' He asked, confused.
'Sometimes I am…' He confessed, smiling.
'Why?'
Carlisle sighed. 'Because I can't read minds… how do I- I mean, how does anyone know if the same feelings are reciprocated. You get me?'
Edward was shaking his head. 'But you were kissing. Doesn't that kinda make her my mom now?'
His smile turned sad. 'Not necessarily… some people kiss for …fun.' It was difficult to talk without promoting anything promiscuity.
'You know the story of when your mom kissed me. She was in love with your dad.'
Edward frowned. 'So you were just practicing?' It sounded like he was angry.
'I don't know…I don't think so… but I can't say for sure…' He passed the shampoo watching him comb it through into funny angles.
'Why don't you just ask then?'
'Because adult relationships are complicated…'
'And you're afraid she doesn't love you?
Carlisle sighed at his son, he was too wise for his age, then slowly nodded his head.
'If we both acknowledge that I love her when she might not love me back, our friendship has changed. She can't be friends with me because I'd always want more…You see?'
He washed his hair out again then turned to stare at him, smiling.
'But what if she does love you and she wants to move in then you guys can get married and we'd be a big family…'
'She's won't move in after a week, Edward.' It was hard to fight the smile now, just because it meant he wasn't the only one who wanted it.
'Well, if she doesn't like sleeping with you, she can always sleep in one of the spare bedrooms?'
'She might like living alone though. It might be quieter.' He teased, splashing water at him.
Edward didn't persist anymore, he finished washing so he dried himself off, listened to a quick story and kissed Carlisle goodnight. When he asked after Esme, Carlisle promised to send her in after she was done in the bathroom which worried him a little. It been a good hour and a bit and she was still in the bathroom. Was that normal?
He knocked gently on the door, frightening her a little but made no effort to unlock the door. He was hoping he wouldn't have to.
'Are you okay?'
'Yeah- yeah. I'm fine. I'm awake.' She added making him laugh, relieved.
She was standing in front of the full length mirror, staring at her naked self. Her chest wasn't what it used to be, they drooped from the effect of childbirth, parting where the necklace lay delicately, catching the light of the bathroom and shining. He hips and thighs were still fat, though her waist and stomach were flat and a series of yellow-tinted bruises and scars were splatted across her torso, her ribs and on the inside of her legs. She looked tired, swollen almost in areas but lifeless in others. When she pushed out her stomach, she could recreate the image of her bump, the wiggling life inside her but not the feeling. Her face looked gaunt.
She was thinking back to the beatings, she was trying not to of course but every mark on her body was a painful reminder of what she was, of what had happened, the baggage that she carried around her.
'Can I get you anything?' He asked from outside the door. Carlisle's voice was dream like. As if she'd wake up any moment to find herself splattered across the tiled floor of her kitchen in Michigan. Begging, pleading, crying for him to stop.
'Maybe a spare shirt if you've got one…and some shorts?' She called. She hadn't planned to stay another night. She didn't have anything with her, she'd left that bag in her locker in the staffroom.
He was holding them out to her when she left the bathroom. Usual yellow towel tucked around her tightly.
'Thanks,' she said smiling. He swapped places with her, shutting the bathroom door behind him giving her the privacy to button up the shirt and tug the shorts over herself. It was painfully obvious she wasn't wearing a bra so she grabbed one of his granddad cardigans to wish Edward good night then climbed into the usual spot of the bed and wrapped the duvet around her.
She heard the toilet go, followed by the sound of the taps and saw him turn off the bathroom light leaving them in the dark. It was a warm night, a very warm night. He opened the window, and lay on the covers next to her in his usual t-shirt but with shorts this time. She had her leg bent over the blanket, her foot resting against his shin.
Her eyes were heavy but she could tell he was watching her.
'How you feeling?' he asked gently.
'Fine' she lied, holding her hands to her side to stop from caressing her poor head.
'I think you should stay here tomorrow...' he said gently. 'If you go back to work too quickly you're only going to stress yourself out and-. Well. You know.'
She nodded. 'Thank you Carlisle…'
'What for?'
'For…looking after me…' she sighed sleepily. He didn't want to remind her that he'd be waking her up in a few hours to check on her.
'Eternally, my girl.' He kissed her lightly on the mouth but she was already asleep, breathing softly through her nose. She hadn't heard him.