Rescue Ink
Carlisle Cullen is a pillar of the community. He's a humane veterinarian/philanthropist who owns an animal hospital and shelter. He's a loving husband, a devout father, and his three sons follow in his footsteps as well as on his Harley. They're tattooed bad boys who right the wrong to protect and save. They have hearts that fall in love with the blink of an eye. Well, except for the middle one, Edward.
Disclaimer: I own nothing Twilight.
A/N: I am still blessed with my Beta, Fran.
A/N: I want to give a shout out to Fyrebyrd's fic: Thrice Bethroved … It's just sooo good. Go read it.
:/ / s/ 11673333/1/ Thrice-Betrothed
Chapter Thirty-seven: Making Things Happen
BPOV
I awake to light licking on my hand and find Lamb Chop very busy in his cleaning process and smiling up at me. Mignonne sleeps on Edward's pillow. Hmm, he is gone.
I strain to hear any noise, but the house seems silent from the bedroom.
Finally, Mignonne stretches and I hear the rustling of paper. I grab a folded note underneath her and read:
"Good morning, Little Mama, you were so peaceful I didn't want to disturb you. Dad is here with me in the living room going over plans for the compound. Come on down, and I'll feed my family. Love you, Big Daddy."
I whisper, "Big Daddy."
Shaking my head, I smile into my hands. Then, run them down to my tummy.
Sliding on a pair of skin-tone yoga pants and a white T-shirt, I skip down the stairs bare-footed and find Edward and Carlisle with their heads together. There are bags of beignets, a package of Styrofoam cups and carafes of coffee, hot chocolate, and orange juice.
Edward looks up and shines this panty-dropping grin. "Hey, sleepyhead."
Carlisle greets me, "Good morning, Bella. You look beautiful this morning."
I glance at Edward wondering if he said anything about the baby.
He winks at me; apparently not.
I smile. "Hi, Carlisle. How are the plans coming?" I sit Indian style across from them pours a hot chocolate and grabs a beignet, holding it over a napkin as the powdered sugar fluffs all over the place.
Carlisle glows, "I'm very pleased. Maybe later this afternoon, we can all ride out to the property and take a look see; since it's Sunday and no one's working."
Wiping the powdered sugar from my upper lip with the napkin, I suggest, "Then, we can all come back here for dinner. You know, spend some family time together?" I wink at Edward, and he nods.
"What a great idea. How about I get Popeye's Chicken? So, you don't have to cook." Carlisle excitedly asks.
Edward orders, "Only if you get extra biscuits."
"What sides do you want other than biscuits?" He ignores Edward.
"Please, buy only chicken and the biscuits, and I'll make mashed potatoes with gravy and rice and beans. We can do some corn on the cob, too," I say.
"We have a plan." He stands. "How about we meet on the West Bank in about an hour?"
*RI*
To protect the animals from getting out and any unsavory people from getting in, Edward designed a fifteen-foot wall of concrete with five-foot barbed-wire, spiky-steel, swirly-loops at the top. Around the perimeter of the land, there are cylinder blocks at each divider pole. When we drive up and park at the only entrance, we can see these poles from a great distance.
I get out of the truck, grab Edward's crutches from the back. and help him slide out of the passenger seat. He whispers a 'thank you, Little Mama' in my ear. and I get goosebumps looking up at him as I smile.
We are the first to arrive since Edward had to be the first to arrive and he wanted to show me the 'lay of the land.' "What do you think?"
"Wow, I'm impressed with the acreage. It's huge. This has to cost a fortune."
"It's not cheap, but the government grants and corporate donations will cover the majority of that."
"What about the rest?" I ask.
"Well, that's when we go looking for public donations. Mom has arranged for a one-thousand-dollar-a-plate charity dinner open to the posh society of New Orleans."
"Is this successful?"
He laughs. "Very. The elite come out of the woodwork to attend one of Mom's soirées."
"Really?"
He cups my face in his hands. "Really." He kisses me deeply.
Dust flying, Emmett barrels in honking his horn with his window down, "Don't be swapping spit, you two. The next thing you'll be rolling in the dirt."
Jasper and Alice follow behind Carlisle and Esme with a caravan of club members.
Carlisle shouts, "I stopped by the clubhouse and invited the boys. Is it all right to do dinner at the clubhouse? It will be more comfortable."
Edward smiles, "Sure, Dad."
Esme gets out of the car. "I'm so surprised."
"Es, I told you it was a lot of open land," Carlisle responds.
"Yeah, but you don't really take into account all the footage until you see it."
Emmett adds, "And wait until the fence is up."
"It'll look like a fortress," Jasper proudly growls.
"Yes, no one will get in easily," Carlisle comments.
"Or get out," Emmett adds.
"That's the idea," Edward says.
There's a trailer about twenty feet from the entrance. All of us trek to the construction office, following a very proud Emmett.
We all hover over a large table looking at the blueprints. There are drawings of the main hospital, small cabins, landscaping as well as water and food stations. Each section of the compound is thoughtfully planned for specific needs. The colors are warm and easy on the eyes. Edward didn't want the animals to feel any anxiety with bright, bold colors.
The mess hall comfortably seats one-hundred people. The food service will be a buffet cafeteria. The workers will have available meals from six in the morning until eight pm with vending machine for snacks and drinks in the mess hall, and outside stations. This will open so many job opportunities from veterinarians, assistants, and handlers to food service and maintenance. There will be a volunteer center for stray pick up and receiving in the front next to the office.
The three-story hospital will host a surgical facility with recovery and rehab units, examination and x-ray rooms, and a walk-in, lock-up safe for drugs. The top floor will be for the doctors' offices and rest area.
Information signs are everywhere throughout the compound directing each section and listing rules and regulations. Edward wants me to design cute cat and dog characters. I already think I will use Mignonne and Lamb Chop as models. All other signs are under miscellaneous, as a goof, I'll use a T-Rex or a raptor.
I can see the excitement in Edward's eyes. His family's idea is almost to fruition. Carlisle is about to burst as he descends the stairs and looks around the perimeter. "It's actually happening." He proudly takes in all three of his sons. "I could never have done this without you boys. To have you share my dreams and help me make them a reality is a remarkable feeling for a father."
Jasper and Edward do a side-glance.
Emmett hugs Carlisle. "Dad, soon I'll know. Rose and I will finally have our little family."
Rose giggles, "And we're having twins.
"Oh, sweetheart, this is exciting," Esme cries.
Alice laughs, "Thanks to a little help from Annie Mae." she pokes me and I poke her back.
I ask, "Would it be okay if we pick her up and bring her to the clubhouse?"
"By all means." Carlisle insists.
*RI*
Instead of fried chicken, we eat shrimp Po Boys fully dressed*, gumbo, beans and rice and lots of bread pudding in caramel whiskey sauce. Rose, Alice and I opt without the sauce.
Jasper and Edward want to announce the pregnancies after dinner. Both bounce in their seats like five-year-olds.
Annie Mae picks up on their behavior. She happily smiles and nods her head at Alice and me.
Through all the noise and chatter, Edward and Jasper stand, tapping their glasses. They both quiet the room.
"Now, this is a great day. Emmett will break ground tomorrow."
Cheers.
Emmett stands and bows. "Thank you. Thank you."
The guys throw balled up napkins at him to sit down.
Roaring laughter fills the room.
Edward raises his glass. "To my ... our parents, who had a dream and shared it with us."
Everyone holds a glass up and cheers, "To Carlisle and Esme."
Everyone settles.
Jasper addresses the crowd, "Well, Edward and I would like to share some good news, too." He extends his hand to Alice, and she stands next to him with her arm around his waist. Smiling, he announces, "We're going to have a baby."
Esme flies up from her seat and crushes them into a vice grip tearfully giggling. "This is wonderful news. Carlisle, we have two sons that will be fathers."
Edward adds, "Make that three, Mom."
Esme stares at Edward in disbelief.
I grab her into a hug. "It's true. Annie Mae sort of … blessed us all."
Esme looks at Annie Mae and mouths, "Thank you."
Annie Mae raises her glass.
Garrett shouts, "Looks like the Cullen curse was put to good use."
More laughter.
"Hey, Carlisle, what about you and Esme?"
Esme laughs. "Oh darlin', this old hen is done with laying eggs."
Carlisle boasts, "But my cock still crows!"
Everyone laughs.
Carlisle finally commands, "Cider for the ladies and beer for the gents … on the house!"
There's a deafening roar.
Emmett stands next to his brothers with tears in his eyes. "I couldn't have wished for anything better. We get to raise our kids together. They'll all grow up the same age, go to school and be best friends … like us."
*RI*
Hours later, we arrive back home with the family sitting in the living room drinking coffee or hot chocolate and eating pralines, Voodoo chocolate, tortues (turtles) and salt water taffy.*
Rose's mouth is full as she chews. Emmett rubs her back just watching everyone. He's calm now.
Jasper and Alice sit close. His hand is on her belly.
Carlisle and Esme have their heads together with Annie Mae. Edward and I watch with interest.
Esme finally sits up and loudly whispers. "Multiples?"
Annie Mae just grins.
*RI*
Oh, my… multiples… Annie Mae got carried away!
Po Boy: Similar to a Hero sandwich on amazing bread. Dressed means to have mayonnaise, lettuce tomatoes, pickles and onion on the sandwich.
Pralines: Cream, Butter, Sugar and Premium Louisiana Jumbo Pecan Halves
VooDoo chocolate: Rich Dark Chocolate, Handmade Marshmallow, Tender Caramel, Toasted Coconut and Crisp Graham Crackers.
Tortues: Pecan-Caramel Patty (Turtles)
Salt Water Taffy: Soft, Sweet Taft of many flavors.
*RI*
Time for recs: This list is authors.
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