To all who have stuck with this story, 1000x thank you.

CHAPTER 23

A CHOICE

"I wish I didn't have to go," Carlisle said as his visit with Bella was drawing to a close. It was eleven in the morning, and the two were standing in the entryway, prolonging their time together as much as they could.

"As tempting as it is to stay, I work the night shift later, and I have a long drive ahead."

A soft hum rising in her throat, Bella snaked her arms around his waist, and rose on her toes to kiss him. "Well, I can't be too greedy. Your patients need you, Dr. Cullen."

While her understanding moved him, Carlisle couldn't help but dread the choice that lay ahead. His smile must have betrayed his turmoil, for Bella began to search his face, a concerned frown creasing her brows. "What's wrong?" she asked.

Thinking it would be best to be open and honest, Carlisle rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm just thinking about what comes next. If you and I are going to explore this, it wouldn't be right of me to keep this from my coven. After all, it affects them, too."

"How do you think they're going to take it?"

"I'm not sure about Edward, but Rosalie will be upset, concerned about the possible repercussions if the Volturi somehow found out."

"The Volturi?"

"They're the unofficial royalty of the vampire world. An ancient and powerful coven with the self-given authority to enforce our laws."

"They sound dangerous."

"They can be."

A moment went by. Bella gave a worried but cementing nod. "We'll be cautious, then. We'll have to be. So when are you going to tell them? Your coven, I mean."

His chest rising on a sigh, Carlisle pressed a kiss to her forehead. "I suppose the longer I wait, the worse it will be."

"Pull it like a Band-Aid, then. It's the best thing you can do."

Heartened by her words, Carlisle murmured, "You're wise beyond your years, Isabella Swan."

"I don't know about that." She breathed a small laugh, and drew back to meet his eyes. God, he was going to miss her. "See you next weekend?"

"Definitely." Now he kissed her fully, heightening not only his yearning but the already intense burning in his throat. He would have to feed soon.

The drive back to Forks seemed both endless and fleeting. Endless because he missed Isabella already, and fleeting because of what he would have to do next.

Tell Rosalie. Today if possible.

Was it tempting to put it off for a few days? Of course. But Bella was right; the Band-Aid method was probably best in this situation.

Eyes on the road, he braced himself for what he had to do and kept on driving. An hour later, when his driveway came into view, Carlisle sniffed his jacket, and came to a realization. While he had showered at Bella's, her scent was all over his clothes.

Unless he washed the items before running into Rosalie, there'd be no way to hide the truth from her. He had to own, it'd be a pretty crummy way for her to find out.

Thankfully, she wasn't there when he arrived. Her car missing from the garage, he figured she had gone for a drive. Changing in short order, Carlisle then proceeded with the laundry, tossing everything in the washing machine, including his jacket.

Since he still had a few hours before work, he figured now was the best time for a hunt. So off he went, running as far as Olympic National Park to find his prey. It was an elk this time.

When Carlisle finally returned home, Rosalie's car was in the garage. Might as well get this over with, he told himself. But as Carlisle entered the house, her voice drifted over to him.

"No, no, no." A note of aggravation edged every whispered word. "Dammit."

Curious and concerned, Carlisle went to see what was wrong. Guided by the sound of typing fingers, he found her in their joint office, where the two oversaw their finances and business ventures.

Even with the door ajar, Carlisle erred on the side of caution, and knocked anyway.

"It's open," she said on a sharp sigh.

"You sound upset," he said upon entering. "Did something happen?"

Rosalie merely glared at the computer screen. "One of my investments tanked."

"I see."

Knowing her mood had little to do with money, and more to do with the fact that she hated when her instincts led her in the wrong direction, Carlisle rounded the desk, and came to stand by her shoulder. "Markets fluctuate," he told her quietly. "It's the nature of things."

Despite her lingering aggravation, Rosalie managed to close the laptop without breaking it. "I'm just frustrated because I really believed in that one. I was sure it was going to do well."

Though he loved her dearly, Carlisle knew how she was. Vain and competitive, Rose could be something of a sore loser. Games, sports, or business, it didn't matter. She liked to win.

"You did your best." Hoping to cheer her up, Carlisle smiled, and uplifted her chin with his finger. "I, myself, have done my fair share of poor investment choices over the years. We're not psychics, Rosalie."

Finally, her mouth curved in a smirk. "We're not?"

Encouraged by her softening mood, Carlisle loosed a breathy laugh. "Sadly, no. That being said, we're not exactly in the poor house either."

Far from it actually. They were filthy rich, to be honest, their amassed wealth beyond obscene.

Oh, it wasn't a known fact. As far as the world knew, Carlisle's finances were that of a regular doctor who had started his adult life with a nice little trust fund. But behind the scenes, Carlisle, Rosalie, and even Edward, were billionaires. Together and apart, they managed their assets via the private company they had formed in 1937.

C.R.E. incorporated was its name, the abbreviation formed from the first letter of their given names.

Of course, Carlisle's wealth had been considerable even prior to that. Thanks to his lifelong savings, property holdings, and a series of smart investments, he had made his first million by the mid 1800s. Through his many business dealings, Carlisle's wealth had grown exponentially since then. When he and his companions had formed their company, their goal had been financial security and accessibility, to ensure the coven always had enough to disappear at a moment's notice.

In order for Carlisle to practice medicine, they needed permanent homes, set within large properties, all over North America, and even outside of that.

Now that they had all those things, their business endeavors had become more of a personal challenge than anything, a way to occupy their minds. The distraction was especially beneficial to Rosalie, who sometimes stayed home while Carlisle went to work at the hospital.

That said, the Cullens had to be careful in how they spent or managed their money—even in the way they gave to various causes and charities. To pass unnoticed in a culture that glamorized wealth and those who had it, most of their cash was concealed in offshore accounts, under various names and shell companies.

It was safer that way.

But back to the issue at hand, Carlisle regarded his sister, and wondered how he should broach the subject of Bella.

Rosalie had already gained her feet at that point, and was about to exit the office when Carlisle said, quietly. "Hey, Rose. Can we talk for a minute?"

Puzzlement crossed her face. "Sure. What is it?"

Coming to stand by the large window overlooking the forest, Carlisle sunk his hands in his pockets, and summoned his courage before facing her again. "I haven't been honest with you. And it's time you knew."

"You haven't been honest," she echoed, warily.

"Correct."

Because Rosalie was highly intelligent and perceptive, a suspicion soon began to form. "It's that human, isn't it? The chief's daughter." Met by guilty silence, she pressed on. "You're still in contact with her, aren't you?"

"Yes."

Rosalie blinked, her mouth hanging open. "Why in hell would you do that?"

"Because I love her," was all he said.

"How can you be so reckless, selfish?" she said at last. "Edward and me… you're putting our lives on the line, too."

"Isabella won't tell anyone."

"Oh, like that makes it right? I'm assuming she knows the full truth of what you are?"

"She does."

Rosalie gave an incredulous shake of her head. "She should never have known in the first place. And now you're, what, dating?"

"I'm seeing her, yes."

A pause. "Perfect. Just perfect," she seethed.

Carlisle couldn't blame her if she felt betrayed. By maintaining contact with Bella, he had essentially gone back on his word. Add to that the fact that he was risking it all to be with her…

"I'm not asking you to forgive me, nor am I asking you to understand. But as your brother, I felt you should know."

What she made of that, Carlisle had no idea.

"Have you told Edward?" Rosalie countered, her jaw flexing as she gritted her teeth.

"Not yet."

"Well, you better, and soon. It's his life, too."

Guilt assailed him. Still, his thoughts turning to Bella, Carlisle remained steadfast. "I'll tell him."

And so ended their conversation. As Rosalie stormed off, he remained where he stood for endless moments, leaving only when it was time to wash up and go to work.

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