Chapter 37

Carlisle buttoned down his shirt and got ready for a night out with Charlie and Sue. He sat down on the edge of the bed and slipped on a pair of shoes. Esme appeared from the bathroom in a casual black dress holding a necklace.

"Could you help me?" she asked.

Carlisle stood up and brushed Esme's hair to the side locking the silver necklace and setting it down on the back of her neck. He placed his hands on her shoulders, "You look beautiful."

She wrapped his arms around her and he hugged her from behind, "You don't look so bad yourself."

He kissed her cheek and twirled her around to face him.

She kissed him quickly, "Ready to go?"

Carlisle nodded and allowed her to leave the room before him, following her downstairs.

Emmett whistled as they entered where the rest of the family lazily sat around, "Charlie's definitely going to try taking you home tonight Carlisle."

Bella chuckled, "I think he's fully committed to Sue, but you never know."

Carlisle and Esme laughed, "We'll be home in a bit."

Masen made his way over to them. Carlisle picked him up and the two of them smothered him with kisses and hugs before heading to the door.

"You're sure you've got him?" Esme asked, grabbing her jacket.

Everyone nodded. "We've got it covered," Rosalie said with a smile.

"Yeah, you kids have fun," Emmett chimed in, "And if your feet hurt from those heels, you can always come back and take a bubble bath to relax."

Rosalie slapped his arm hard. Jasper and Alice couldn't hold back a laugh.

Carlisle and Esme both looked overly embaressed.

"I'll teach Emmett a lesson while you're gone," Edward told them, breaking up the moment of awkward silence. "Have fun."

Carlisle smiled shyly before they headed out the door. As they walked to the car, they could hear Rosalie yelling at Emmett. Carlisle put an arm around Esme and turned the corner of his mouth up in a smile.

"I'm sorry," she said with a giggle.

"Ready to have a real meal?" he asked.

"We'll manage," Esme told him and kissed his cheek.

He put the car in drive and they headed to dinner with Sue and Charlie.

The restaurant was mildly crowded and slightly fancy. Sue had called Esme to tell them where their table was and gave a polite wave as they entered. Charlie stood up to shake hands with Carlisle and smiled to Esme as they sat.

"This is a nice place," Esme told Sue, "We've never been here."

"This is where Charlie took me on our first official date," she smiled and nudged him with her elbow.

Charlie couldn't hold back a thin smile.

"Good choice," Carlisle told him.

"Thanks."

"I ordered a bottle of wine for the table," Sue told them.

"Thank you so much," Esme said.

A waitress came over and handed them all menus. A few minutes later she returned and took their orders, before collecting the menus again.

"I thought I was the only one who ate their steak rare these days," Charlie said to Carlisle.

"I can't eat it any other way," Carlisle told him.

The four of them enjoyed their dinners and the conversations flowed rather easily. Carlisle could sense Charlie wanted to ask about Masen, but hadn't done so yet.

Esme tried to hide a smile every time Carlisle took a bite of the steak. She could see in his expression that he was having trouble getting it down, but neither Sue nor Charlie could tell.

At the end of the night, the two couples made their way to their separate cars, which happened to be only parked a few spots away from each other.

"Thank you for inviting us out, Sue," Esme said.

"We should do this again."

"Definitely."

"Charlie, it's been a pleasure," Carlisle told him.

"Yeah. Yeah this was good," he looked deep in thought.

Carlisle took his hesitation as the opportunity he needed to avoid answering any questions, "Well, be sure to drive safe. It's cold out, there may be some black ice."

"Thank you Carlisle," Sue said, looking at Charlie.

"Yeah, be sure to do the same," Charlie said back.

They parted ways, and Esme smiled at Carlisle. "How was the food?"

He laughed, "Delicious."

"I thought Charlie was going to ask us about Masen."

"So did I. That's why I changed the subject just before they left."

"I think it may be safer not to say anything specific."

He nodded in agreement and opened the car door for her.

An elderly couple passed by and the woman looked toward Carlisle, " What a gentleman," she smiled, "You don't see that much these days."

He gave the woman a warm smile before joining Esme in the car.

"You are a gentleman," she said, placing a hand on his as he put down the emergency break, " I'm a lucky woman."

Carlisle smiled, " I'm the lucky one."