Later that night Carlisle kept a vigilant eye on a slumbering Esme from his small desk, watching her sigh and stir.

The silent twilight was looming in the distant heavens, swirling shades of deep lavender to scatter, causing the clouds to break over the blackness of evening.

Carlisle looked, and looked at her, certain as he was of his own doom, that he loved her more than any creature that ever walked the earth. His own soul could fade and wither, but he did not care, he knew hers would live on.

He loved her.

He loved her.

And in the end, that was all that ever really mattered to him, he realized that now.

He could spend the rest of eternity wandering the earth with the mere memory of her face,

and still it would be a paradise to him. A paradise where the skies were the shades of her hair and eyes, a paradise where in nature, all would be a reminder only of her. The only wound, the only torment, this paradise could give him, would be the absence of her from his side.

His thoughts were interrupted when he saw the slow opening and closing of her eyes.

"I'm still here," Reassured Carlisle, "go back to sleep."

He watched her stifle a yawn, "Aren't you sleeping yet?" She asked quietly.

"In a little while."

He watched as Esme moved to the side, to make room for him in the bed, the curls on her soft hair as pendulous as her drooping eyes.

"Come lie down with me for a little while." Said Esme gently, the sound of sleep still thick in her voice.

"I don't think its proper that I should..." Carlisle said with careful caution.

"I know your tired Carlisle, please, at least come sit beside me." She said again softly.

Momentarily he hesitated, but then he set his book down, and walked to where she lay.

He never experienced fatigue in over a century, but fatigue of the soul - constantly.

Carefully he placed himself on the spot where she had made room for him and leaned his back against the headboard.

Without a moment's notice Esme came close to him and embraced his arm as her form curled beside him in deep content, melting away any space that ever dared to separate them.

"Have I been forgiven yet?" She queried, burying her cheek against his shoulder.

"Yes." Was the reply, his voice low and hushed, his body completely still.

For a long while they laid there, swimming in a sea of their own mingled silence, and for what seemed a long time, the silence spoke more more than words could ever dare command.

Carlisle knew precisely that the two days he had left with her would pass by quickly, too quickly, and soon the hour of parting must come, and for the first time he knew not the fate that awaited him after he had completed his task. Too much has changed within him, a well deep within him was awoken, the depths of its waters roused from their dormant stagnation, a portion of whatever humanity was left - restored.

"What are you thinking?" Came Esme's voice once again beside him. "You've been so quiet lately."

"Just of the carriage that will arrive in two days."

"Oh...to the Evenson's?"

"Yes."

"Still can't wait to be rid of me?" She said in a voice that connoted a tease, and a feigned smile.

Carlisle looked down at her, her form clinging ever so closely to his, and for the first time he allowed himself the pleasure that came with touching her face; raising his free hand to trace the gentle curving of her jaw, her soft lips, and traveling upwards to graze the softness of her cheek.

"I will never be free of you." Was his reply.

And without any forethought, Esme raised her hand and mirrored his actions, her hands memorizing his face by touch and not by sight. Her hands mapping the face she could not see; outlining the plains and symmetry of his countenance with her gentle hands, her fingers stopping slowly as it arrived upon his lips, and placing a chaste kiss on where her touch had marked it.

Carlisle felt her soft breath against his face as she did so, and knew then that he had become the cup to which she was the sweet poison that now overflowed from him.

Esme then moved her head so that it would rest on his chest, and quite soon she was fell fast into a deep slumber. Carlisle cradled her in his arms, feeling the strong beat of her heart as he did so.

Then very gently, he brushed the hair away from her forehead and pressed a kiss there.

"I love you." He whispered, knowing full well that sleep would drown out the words and his voice.

Carlisle watched the dawn break over the distance, the light slowly pouring in through the glass windows, dispelling any traces of night to wander off into some distant oblivion. And as he continued to hold her in his arms, her scent filling his senses, her heart open and unprotected against him, he knew nothing would ever be the same again.

A/N: Hey guys! I am so sorry for the delayed update! I know its been such a long time, I've been busy with so many things lately, but now I'm back! I know this one is a bit short, but please be patient guys! Another one will be up the soonest! I actually have a poetry account on Wordpress and on Instagram that I've been working on these past months, PM me if any of you are interested to peruse that. God bless darlings! Stay tuned for Chapter 26!