CPOV
"I'm pregnant." Esme says.
I'm so proud of her. She put it all out there and didn't back down. I know she's worried about their reaction, but she's not showing it right now. She's holding eye contact with each of them while both of her hands rest on top of mine on her belly. There's no way I'm letting her go, they need to know that I'm just as invested in this baby as she is. This is our child whether I conceived him or not.
"Pregnant?" Bella says shocked. I don't blame her, I was surprised when I found out too. At least her mouth isn't hanging open like her siblings.
"Well hell who knew the old man had it in him!" Emmett says laughing and there's a loud crack as Rosalie smacks him across the back of his head.
"Emmett" she hisses. "He's a vampire, you idiot, it's not his baby."
"Let me stop you right there." I say sternly. I rarely use this tone of voice with my children, so when I do, they know I'm serious. "This baby is as much mine as it is Esme's. I love him just as much as I love each one of you, and that is the last time that I will have anyone doubt my paternal connection with our peanut. Is that understood?" They all nod and with shocked faces except Alice who is grinning like the Cheshire cat.
"I'm sorry, Carlisle." Rosalie says with her head down "That's really not what I meant, I was just trying to get Emmett to shut his mouth and not put his foot any farther into it. I'm very happy for you both."
"Thank you Rose." I tell her, and I mean it. I know this has to be hard for her. I don't have to be Jasper to know that she's hurting, but she's also being given the opportunity to be a real big sister, and I know she never thought that could happen.
"We're all very happy for you both." Edward says as his arms snake around Bella's waist. "Having a child is something that we all gave up when we came into this life, and if anyone deserves to have it now, it's you, Carlisle. I have no doubt that you will be the best father this world has ever seen. You already are."
I can't hold eye contact with Edward during his compliment, so I look down at the top of Esme's head. As the mind reader of the group, I know he is speaking for everyone and it's very humbling to hear.
"Thank you Edward." I tell him in a soft voice.
A loud squeal breaks through our moment as Alice finally unleashes her excitement.
"This is so exciting! We have to go shopping for baby stuff! I hope the baby is a girl. When do you find that out? I guess it will be okay if it's a boy, but we already have enough boys around here." She rolls her eyes at that last comment. "I think we should start tomorrow at the mall in Seattle and anything we don't find there, we can get online. Oh and you'll need a whole new maternity wardrobe, not to mention an after baby wardrobe—"
"Alice! Hold on a minute" I finally manage to break in through her rambling. "Esme won't be going shopping. She can't leave the house right now. I will explain later, but just know that it's very important she stays here. It could be a matter of life and death. Also, Esme and I will have to talk about the baby and the nursery, but I'm pretty sure that we are going to want to decorate that ourselves. You are more than welcome to buy gifts for peanut, but as the parents, we would like to make the decisions. Now if Esme would like to, you girls can shop online for whatever maternity clothes she would like, but that is completely up to her. Okay?"
"Okay" she grumbles. "I guess that's fair."
Esme breathes out a sigh of relief in front of me and I bury my chuckle in her soft hair.
"Why don't we sit down and get to know each other a little bit? Carlisle has told me briefly about each of you, but I would like to get to know you for myself…and I would love to hear some stories about Carlisle through the years."
The grin on Emmett's face at Esme's request tells me that I'm in big trouble.
"So I finally talked them into going to a strip club for Eddy's bachelor party and when we get there Carlisle is completely shocked by what he sees; as if a strip club wouldn't have naked women. Anyway by the time we left, the girl we paid to give Carlisle a lap dance, which never happened by the way, quit her job to go to college. That was Carlisle's first and last time in a club." By the time Emmett is finished telling his story, Esme is giggling and peeking at me through her lashes. We're all sitting in the living room cuddling with our mates, and I can't help but smile at how complete our family finally is.
"That's my favorite Carlisle story." Jasper says through his laughter.
"Nope the best Carlisle story is from 1920-"
"Edward" I growl, cutting him off and he grins wickedly at me.
"We were living in Canada at the time. I had just gotten through my newborn phase and was still learning to cope with mind reading. Carlisle took me into town every couple of days to get me used to the scent of human blood, and there was a woman named Pamela who would run out of her house every day to talk to us. She had a massive crush on Carlisle. Anyway, one day she asked him if he would help her fix a door frame in her house. Apparently it didn't hang straight and the door wouldn't open and shut right. I waited outside in the fresh air while he begrudgingly followed her inside. I was watching the whole thing through his mind as she led him up the stairs to her bedroom, where the supposed broken door was. The moment he was inside, she locked the door and trapped him in there. She told him to wait a minute, she needed to change out of her dress and she would be back for him. He couldn't break the lock or the door and reveal himself as a vampire, so he had to climb out of the window. Even without my vampire memory, I could never forget proper Carlisle climbing out of a two story window to get away from a woman. We never saw Pamela or walked through town again."
The frown on my face may become permanent as I listen to him tell that story. That woman was insane! I can't believe Edward just told my mate that story. The whole family is in hysterics over it, and Esme has tears running down her face from her laughter. Her beauty and her melodic laugh make me smile despite my embarrassment.
"Phew! You're right, that was better than mine." Emmett says once he's through laughing and Esme giggles.
Esme leans her head on my shoulder and looks up at me with big eyes "Were you afraid of Pamela, Carlisle?"
"Of course I was!" I tell her honestly "That woman was certifiable. She wanted to keep me hostage!"
She breaks out in giggles again at my answer and I can't help but run my fingers down her beautiful face.
The kids continue telling stories on each other, including the time when Emmett almost burnt the house down (I may have chimed in with that one), until Esme yawns into my shoulder.
"Come on, love. You and peanut need your rest. These goofballs will still be here in the morning." I whisper to her even though I know everyone in the room can hear me. I just can't pass up the opportunity to feel her soft skin against my face.
She nods and gets up, throwing the blanket she had draped over her onto the couch. She scoops up Sammy who hadn't moved from his position under the coffee table, and turns to face the kids. Sammy hides in her chest and growls, but she just pats his head.
"Goodnight everyone." She says before turning and heading towards the stairs. I'm right behind her, there's no way I'm missing my opportunity to cuddle.
There's a chorus of goodnights from the kids and one "Goodnight baby mama" from Emmett. I roll my eyes at that.
When we get up to her room, she grabs some pajamas and goes into the bathroom to change while I sit on what has been deemed my side of the bed. I can't wait until she is comfortable enough with me to do anything in front of me without being embarrassed. She comes back in wearing my white t shirt and my breath leaves my lungs. It looks like she's not wearing anything underneath it but, since it comes to her knees, she could be wearing shorts. I don't know; all I know is that I will be sneaking some more of my clothes into her wardrobe.
"I see you've taken possession of my shirt." I say raising one eyebrow.
She blushes pulling at the hem nervously, exposing more of her beautiful legs. She really has no idea how enticing she is.
"Yeah um is that okay?"
"It's more than okay. In fact, I'm thinking of giving you my whole wardrobe and buying new." I tell her honestly and I hear Alice make a remark about how I can buy Esme clothes but she can't.
Esme smiles shyly and walks over to climb into bed. She flips on the heated mattress pad and gestures for me to get under the covers with her, which I do gladly. She takes up her usual spot on my chest and my arms automatically go around her. She lets out a sigh once she's comfortable and I'm in complete agreement with the contentment in that sound.
"Carlisle was that true what you said about loving peanut?" she asks.
"Of course it was! I would never lie about something like that. I love him more than I ever thought I could love anyone."
She doesn't reply but I can see the smile on her face.
"Carlisle?" she whispers into the darkness a few minutes later.
"Hmm?" I ask her not pausing my fingers that are running up and down her arms.
"I was wondering…"
"Yes?"
"What would you have done if it had been me in 1920 instead of Pamela? Would you still have crawled out of the window?"
I smile at her question.
"Esme," I start and tilt her head up so I can look into her eyes. "I would gladly be your prisoner. In fact, if I had met you in 1920, I never would have let you go."
She smiles, satisfied with my answer and cuddles back into my chest.
"I think you're wrong." She whispers. "If I had found you before now, it would have been me who would have refused to let you go."
I want to tell her I love her so badly but I just kiss the top of her head and settle into the pillow. She surprises me by lifting her head and capturing my lips in a small kiss. My hand lifts to her cheek and I can't help but suckle her top lip softly; she does the same to my bottom lip before pulling back. Her eyes are closed and her breathing is coming quickly, and I know she's fighting something, whether it is bad memories or her own passions, I don't know. She brushes her lips against mine so softly I barely feel it before snuggling back into my chest.
"Goodnight Carlisle." She whispers.
"Goodnight sweetheart." I whisper back.
It's past midnight when I manage to tear myself away from Esme's warm, soft body. Her breathing is even and she's snoring, so I know she's in a deep sleep. I really want to catch up with my kids and I would like to ask for their advice on Esme's situation.
I carefully slip my arm out from under Esme and slip out of bed. She frowns and grabs my pillow and pulls it to her chest. It warms my heart when she inhales deeply and smiles. Even in her sleep, she seeks me out. I kiss her on the forehead and make sure she's tucked in before I go downstairs.
I'm greeted by all of my children sitting in the living room with big grins on their faces.
"Hey lover boy." Emmett says while wiggling his eyebrows at me. I can't help but smile shyly because I am in love and it feels amazing
"Hello Emmett. It's good to see that you haven't changed." I tell him as I take the seat I vacated earlier in the night. It makes me frown that Esme isn't here pressed up against me like she was before.
"Of course not." He scoffs and I smile at him.
I've really missed having the house full of their laughter and smiles. Edward gives me a smile at that thought and I know they've missed me too.
"Carlisle?" Rosalie says quietly from her perch in Emmett's lap. "Can I ask what happened to Esme? Her bruises and the baby and the rule about not leaving the house?"
All of their faces turn serious as they turn to look at me.
"Well first you should know that…Esme is married." I tell them. I take a deep breath and run my hand through my hair, a nervous habit that I must have picked up from Edward. They are all silent waiting for the rest of the story, but I'm not going to give it all to them. That's Esme's choice and I won't take it away from her.
"We met after she left her husband. She was stranded in Port Angeles and I gave her a ride. Once I knew she was my mate, I couldn't let her go and we ended up here. I tended to her injuries and she stayed the night. The next day we talked about it and decided she would stay here. She is a little over 8 weeks pregnant. The baby is perfect and healthy." My smile is automatic at that thought. "She can't leave the house because her husband has reported her missing and she doesn't want to return to him."
"And the bruise?" Emmett growls.
"Her husband gave it to her along with a few others."
There are a few growls around the room and I immediately know that every single person in this room would do anything for that beautiful, fragile woman upstairs and the baby in her belly.
"The rest of the story is Esme's to tell if she chooses. She has told me some things, and it might be better if you didn't know. Let me just say that he is a monster and he is under no circumstances allowed to be near her." I can't help but think about the punishments that Charles would inflict on Esme and I see Edward flinch out of the corner of my eye. I give him an apologetic look, but his face is etched in stone and his eyes are black.
"I wanted you to know a little bit about Esme's story for two reasons, one I want you to be mindful of your movements. Anything too fast or anything coming towards her can trigger a flashback or a negative emotion. I know you saw it when you tried to shake her hand, Emmett."
"I…I didn't know." He whispers and his face looks broken.
"I know. It's okay, just try to be mindful of your speed and actions from now on. The second reason is because I need your advice about this missing persons report. I don't know what to do. She's not being kept here against her will, and if she could just tell the police that, they would cancel the report, but in order to do that she would have to go to Denver and I refuse for her to even be close to that bastard. I've also looked into the divorce laws in Denver and she would have to go to court with him to get a divorce, and that is absolutely not an option." He can't see that she's still pregnant or he will try harder to kill the baby this time.
Edward flinches again at that last thought and growls low.
"I'm sorry Edward." I whisper.
"What about a restraining order?" Bella asks.
"We would have to have proof that he is a danger to her. There was no police or hospital report about these injuries and never has been. There are no legal grounds to issue a restraining order." I tell her.
"We could just kill him." Rosalie says, the venom dripping from her voice.
"Believe me, I've considered it. It would solve everything, but Esme says she doesn't want me to become a murderer for her. Although everything in my body is screaming at me to get revenge for what he did to her."
They are all eerily quiet and I know it's because I have never even considered unleashing that side of myself.
"I think we should wait." Jasper says.
His opinion on this matter is the one that I trust the most, and I'm glad he finally voiced it.
"We have plenty of private land here where Esme can go outside and do things if she gets bored or stir crazy but she needs to stay here. We'll wait for Charles to make his next move. Eventually he'll make a mistake. And if the police do happen to show up here, there's no evidence that she's here especially with all of us here too. Charles will eventually slip up and if he doesn't and he comes to Forks, we'll just kill him." He shrugs like its no big deal.
"That sounds reasonable." Edward says. "After a few days, Esme will be old news and they will move onto the next story. The whole country won't be looking for her anymore. Between us, the house, the land, Samson, and…you we should be able to keep her entertained." He smirks at me and I can't help but smile back.
"So we just do nothing?" Rosalie says. "What if he finds her? What if he hurts her or the baby? You really want to do nothing?"
"No I don't want to just do nothing!" I shout at her and pull at my hair. "I don't know what to do! Everything in my body is screaming at me to find him and make him hurt like he hurt her. I want to torture him until he begs to die. I want to watch his blood drain from his body and the life leave his eyes as I watch him slip into hell. I feel like my whole body is coiled like a cobra ready to spring and there's nothing I can do about it. I told her I wouldn't seek him out, I promised, but I will tell you this: if he finds her or tries to hurt her, I will kill him without a second of hesitation." I sit back down on the couch and lower my head into my hands. "I can't lose her." I whimper showing a rare vulnerable side to my children. I've always been their elder, their protector, but now I need their help.
I feel a hand on my shoulder and calms rushes through my body.
"Thank you Jasper." I mutter into my hands. He doesn't say anything and he doesn't remove his hand.
"Carlisle, I'm sorry." Rosalie whispers. "I shouldn't have questioned you especially about your mate. Whatever you need, we're here. Just tell us what you want us to do."
"I need all of you to help me keep her safe…and help her to not feel imprisoned. Just show her that we love her and we want her here. She thinks she's in the way, and I want her to realize that she belongs here."
"Don't worry, Daddy C. We got this." Emmett says. I roll my eyes at his nickname for me, but it makes me smile and it breaks the tension in the room.
"Thank you all." I tell him and look them each in the eye to let them know I really mean it.
"Of course Carlisle. You know we would do anything for you." Edward says and I know he's speaking for everyone again. I nod at him and sigh.
"I'm going to go back up and be with my girl. I'll see you guys in the morning." I tell him before standing up.
"We're going to go up too." Emmett says as he and Rose join me walking to the stairs. I catch Rosalie's hand in mine and gently pull her to a stop.
"I'm sorry I spoke to you that way. I should never have lost my temper." I whisper to her.
"It's okay Carlisle. I understand. When I found Emmett, I was frantic to make sure he was okay. It will all turn out alright. Tell Esme if she ever wants to talk to anyone, I'm here. I know how it feels." She whispers the last statement before squeezing my hand and running up to her room with Emmett.
I'm mentally exhausted as I make my way up the staircase at human speed and slip into Esme's room. She's still curled up on my side with my pillow and instead of prying it away from her, I slip in bed behind her and put my arms around her. I bury my face in her hair, close my eyes, and pretend that I can slip into a calming sleep alongside her.