ESPOV
"Do you want cheese on your eggs?"
Carlisle pops his head out of the kitchen and I have to laugh at the proud smile on his face. We finally tore ourselves out of bed after my stomach growled for the twentieth time. It seems that the only thing Carlisle favors above cuddling with me is peanut's and my well-being. Carlisle insisted on making breakfast and I've been told to "relax on the couch" while he "works his magic" in the kitchen.
"Sure." I tell him and he grins before disappearing into the kitchen. There's a small nudging at my leg and I look down to find Sammy with a toy in his mouth.
"Do you want to play?" I coo to him and grab one end of the stuffed squirrel toy. As soon as I start to pull, he growls and pull back. His chest is against the floor and his butt is in the air as his tail wags like crazy. He's a strong little guy and every time I pull, he pulls harder. His little paws are dug into the carpet and I can see the muscles bulging in his hind legs.
"Come on Sammy" I laugh "Give mommy the toy so I can throw it for you."
Of course he doesn't understand my words and keeps pulling. I burst out laughing when he starts shaking his head back and forth to get the toy away from me faster. He is actually quite strong and I have to put both hands on his toy. I throw my head back and laugh as his tail starts wagging so hard his whole back end is moving with it. In that moment he catches me off guard and with one big pull, he pulls me right off the couch and onto the soft white carpet.
"Oof" I land on my rear end and let go of Sammy's toy in the process.
I'm laughing so hard there are tears streaming down my cheeks when Carlisle comes in all worried.
"Esme! What happened?" he slips his arms under my knees and back, picking me up setting me sideways on his lap. I'm still laughing and he looks at me with confused eyes as he wipes my tears away. Finally my laughter slows down enough that I can speak.
"I was playing tug o' war with Sammy and he pulled me right out of my seat." He chuckles at my giggle.
"Well I guess I can't leave you two alone after all."
"It's fine. I think next time I'll just let him win."
"That's probably a good idea." He says chuckling as he brushes the hair off of my face. The moment's broken when my stomach lets out a loud growl.
"Wow! Peanut growls louder than Sammy." I laugh.
"Well come on, we can't leave him hungry."
Setting me on my feet, he lets me walk on my own which I appreciate. I spent 5 years with a man who gave me no choices and who never considered what I wanted. Carlisle is the exact opposite of that.
Walking into he kitchen, I find that Carlisle has breakfast all laid out for me on the island: eggs (with cheese), toast, juice, and some fruit.
"This looks great, thank you." I tell him as I hop onto a stool and dig in.
"You're welcome. I think you'll have to start teaching me some new recipes unless you want to eat eggs everyday."
"I'll teach you. Although I should probably just cook for myself since you don't eat."
"I like cooking for you; its my job to take care of you. And since you mentioned it, I should probably go hunting soon. It's been awhile and I like to keep up with my thirst when I'm working at the hospital."
"Okay um how long does it normally take?"
"No more than an hour or two. I'll just catch a few deer nearby."
"Well why don't you go ahead and go now? I'll finish eating, take a shower, and get dressed. Maybe you'll be back by the time I'm done."
It's going to be easier for me if I'm busy while he's away. I get very antsy and uncomfortable when we're apart.
"Are you sure?"
"Definitely. I'm eating breakfast, you should too." I smile at him to let him know I'm really okay with it.
"Okay, I will go change clothes. I have certain clothes that I hunt in because I don't mind them getting torn or dirty."
I nod at him with my mouth full of eggs and he zooms out of the room.
A few minutes later he comes down in a ratty pair of jeans, some old sneakers, and a black t-shirt. I've never seen him so casual. He looks…hot.
"I'll be back before you know it." He tells me and kisses my forehead.
"I'll be fine. Go. Enjoy your…deer."
He chuckles at my awkwardness and with a kiss to my cheek, he's gone.
The initial anxiety that hits when he leaves is the worst part of being away from him. I'm glad I already finished my breakfast because I could never eat while feeling like this. I quickly rinse my dishes and put them in the dishwasher.
On my way to my room to take a shower, I can't help but notice Carlisle's bedroom door is open. He usually keeps it shut; I don't know whether it's a habit or if he didn't want me in here before I knew what he is. His room is very warm and masculine. The wall behind his bed is painted a chocolate brown while the others are a cream color. His bed frame is wooden and stained a dark brown as are the nightstands on either side of his bed. His mattress has to be a king or bigger because it's huge. His bedding is a mix of brown and light brown, and his pillows are cream. To the side there is a sitting area with two cream colored armchairs, an ottoman, and a large dresser which is, of course, dark wood. Through the sitting room is a small hallway which I'm guess leads to his bathroom and closet. Flung across the bed is his white t-shirt he wore last night and this morning. Without thinking, I lift it to my face and inhale his calming scent. It takes away my discomfort and, for a minute, gives me the illusion that he's here. After a few minutes, I reluctantly put it back on the bed and leave the room, shutting the light off behind me. Going across the hall to my room, I wonder if he put me here on purpose so that we would be close all of the time.
I grab my robe before going into my bathroom and getting in the shower. Taking my time I let the shower jets massage my muscles and enjoy the warm water. I make sure to wash everything and shave before reluctantly shutting off the water and stepping out. I dry off quickly, without the warm water my naked body is cold, and put on my soft purple robe.
Last night I managed to put all of my clothes away while Carlisle was at the hospital. It's kind of nice not living out of shopping bags, and it's easier to find things. I throw on some simple cotton panties and some yoga pants but searching through my drawers for a top, all I can think of is Carlisle's white t shirt. I wonder if he would mind if I wore it. He's let me wear his clothes before on my first night here.
Deciding to take a chance, I throw my robe back on and go to Carlisle's room. The shirt is where I left and I quickly pull it over my head. It falls just above my knees and the sleeves come to my elbows. I'm sure I look silly but being surrounded by Carlisle's scent, I don't care.
After going back to my bathroom and brushing my hair, I pull it back into a braid and go in search of Sammy.
When I finally find him, he is sprawled out on the sofa asleep and snoring. Carlisle and I have him on a schedule so he doesn't have an accident in the house, and it's time for him to go outside again. It takes me a few minutes to wake him up and get him off the couch, he looks at me like he hates me and it makes me giggle. We walk to the front door and I let him out. He quickly does his business and runs back to the door. I guess its too cold for his highness. Quickly letting him in, we walk back to the living room together and I pick him up to settle in my lap when I sit on the sofa. Carlisle has a massive TV in the living room but I've never really gotten to use it. Now is as good a time as any.
It takes me forever to figure out how to turn it on and then awhile to understand which remote does what, but I finally get it. I'm channel surfing when I come upon a news channel. I really have no idea whats going on in the world because I've been wrapped up in my own problems, so I leave it there.
After a story of a dog who saved it's whole family from carbon monoxide poisoning, the screen changed to a woman standing outside. She's wearing a business suit and holding a microphone.
"Hi this is Bridget Manning and I'm reporting to you from Denver where a husband is frantically searching for his missing wife. Esme Evenson is 24 years old and was last seen right there at the Evenson home in the heart of Denver. She is 5' 3", small build and has light brown hair. If anyone has any information regarding Mrs. Evenson's whereabouts please notify your local police station."
I can't breathe. Charles reported me missing?! After almost beating me to death and leaving in a drunken stupor, HE is the one who files a police report?! I feel all of the color drain out of my face as I see the man himself. The large screen makes him seem even bigger and I can't help but shrink away.
"Mr. Evenson, is there anything you would like to say?" the news anchor asks him. He looks up at the camera with what looks like a grief stricken face, but I know the anger in his eyes.
"Please help me bring my wife home. She is my whole world and I don't know what I would do without her. And Esme, if you're listening to this, don't worry sweetheart. I will find you. We will be together again soon." The camera moves back to the new anchor as she reiterates the information on the missing person…me.
To anyone else, I'm sure Charles's plea sounded like the love-filled promise from a man to his wife, but I know it was a promise not fueled by love but by anger. It was a threat. My vision goes spotty as I try to catch my breath. I feel Samson's soft nose against my face as he sniffs me and then licks my cheek. I'm trying to get my breathing under control but I'm failing and after a minute or so, everything goes dark.
CPOV
I'm tracking my third deer when I feel an unbelievable panic in my chest. I know immediately that it's Esme and start running back to the house. Vampire mates can feel each other's emotions when the emotion is a particularly strong one. If I can feel Esme's fear, than something is horribly wrong. The speed I'm running at marvels Edward's as I rush to get to my love. I don't bother stopping or even slowing down until I'm in the living room and I can see her. She's unconscious on the couch and Samson is laying by her head whining. Her breaths are regular and even, but they are coming quickly and there's a tear making its way down her face. She must have fainted. What could have caused her to become so frightened? There's no one else's scent in the house or outside.
"Esme" I say softly and run my cold fingers all over her face. "Wake up love. Please wake up. You're safe. I will never let anything happen to you. Please wake up." I keep my voice calm and my fingers on her bare skin.
After a few minutes her long eyelashes start fluttering, and she groans and opens her eyes.
"Carlisle" she whispers as tears stream down her face.
"Angel, what happened?" I ask as I kiss away her tears.
She gets one word out before breaking into uncontrollable sobs.
"Charles."