Where the Streets Have No Name
Chapter 36
"Better than what, Edward?" his father asked, echoing Edward's own puzzlement.
Edward was at a loss for words. Why was his father drilling him with questions that he already knew the answers to? Couldn't he tell that Edward didn't want to ponder on it?
"Martyring yourself to settle for a life you don't want, with a woman you are not in love with, is not the right thing to do, son. Have you considered that maybe Carmen's first instinct was right?" Carlisle implored.
Edward stared at his father with mouth agape, unable to digest the words he was hearing. "I can't believe you are saying this! You had me when you were still in med school. Mom even didn't have a job. But you still had me!
"I'm trying to do the same thing here. For God's sake, this is my baby you are talking about! If it was right for you back then, how can it be wrong for me now?" Edward asked exasperatedly.
"There's a gulf of difference between what your mother and I went through and this. For one thing, we were already married and loved each other unquestioningly. Both Esme and I loved you and wanted you the moment we learned that we had conceived. There were hardships and challenges, but they were nothing compared to the gift we were receiving. That's how we saw you, Edward; a gift. We didn't have the logistics all worked out, but we were ready.
"Where as Carmen and you...
"I think cajoling her to carry a baby to term is wrong for everyone concerned here. It's unfair to her, it's unfair to you and it will be unfair on the child you are bringing into this mess," Carlisle Cullen said, emotions cracking through his words for the first time since they sat down.
"You are wrong. I am not forcing or cajoling Carmen into anything. I gave her a choice, and she took it because she realized it's the right thing to do," Edward said defensively.
"Are you sure about that, son? Are you one hundred percent certain that you didn't manipulate her Catholic guilt and bait her with the promise of an easy life as a doctor's wife in exchange for her agreeing to keep the baby?" Carlisle asked, his words sounding more like a prosecutor's than a doctor's.
"Yes, yes, I'm sure," Edward insisted, though he refused to meet his father's eyes as he spoke.
Carlisle Cullen took a deep and tired breath. He held little hope of dissuading his son from committing the biggest mistake of his life, but he had to try.
"Edward, your mother and I love you. So very much. We just don't want to see you make a mistake that you'll regret for the rest of your life.
"If not for our sake, think of Carmen. I admit that I've only just met her, but even in this short period of time it's obvious to anyone passing by that she isn't... stable. Pressuring her into parenthood would be a highly irresponsible thing to do. I'd like you to think about that, son. Before it's too late."
Edward clutched and unclutched his fists restlessly. "It is too late, Dad. I've made a promise to her and our child. I can't- I won't - go back on my word. And Carmen is not unstable. She's a little moody and headstrong, but she is perfectly capable of handling the pregnancy. Like you said, Dad, you don't know her," Edward said stubbornly.
"Yes, I gathered that," Carlisle replied, giving up hope. "The question is, are you sure that you do?"
Thank you Lulabelle98, HeidiJoVT, and Dinx.