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CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

NORMALCY


Ariel's return to the hospital does not go as smoothly and as under the radar as she had hoped it would. She should know to expect such personal interest in a small town, but she was hoping that at least by the end of the day that it would have died down. She uses forced smiles and shallow laughter to get through the day full of attention, greetings, and bad jokes.

She has to reassure multiple nurses that she's not pregnant, though Nurse Clearwater is at least the nicest when she gently asks about Ariel's health and wellness.

The only thing more attention grabbing than her return after being gone for two months is that it doesn't go unnoticed how Carlisle is much closer to her than before. She can feel the curious eyes barring holes into her back when Carlisle insists on guiding her through the hospital every chance that he gets, his shoulder brushing against hers protectively. Carlisle is anything but discrete with the small touches on her shoulders and waist, the intimacy of invading her personal space and being very clear that he would much rather sneak her away into his office.

When the chance presents itself, he doesn't waste it, calling it into his office as if he had something of genuine importance to tell her. She sighs deeply when she realizes the visit is far more personal, having nothing to do with her work. She sets her clipboard and notes down onto his desk as he wraps his arms around her waist tightly, breathing in the skin of her neck.

"Carlisle," Ariel's voice is a bit strained, though there's a twinkle of amusement in her eyes - she isn't sure just how long she will find amusement in this situation if it continues much longer. She gently puts two fingers on his shoulder and pushes him with a raised brow. "I can survive a day at the hospital on my own, love."

Carlisle looks hurt at her pushing away, brows furrowing as he takes a look at the stern gleam in her eye. She doesn't falter in her stance, going as far as taking a step back with a raised, challenging brow when he reaches for her again. He can take the hint, as much as it does make him ache. Carlisle looks like he wants to argue, she can see the hesitancy in his eyes, clouded with worry. Taking pity, her expression softens as steps forward, pressing a brief kiss to the corner of his mouth.

"I know you're worried after what happened." Her hand goes to his cheek, feeling more confident that they're not going to be seen in his office. "But you can't keep taking me away from work or acting like you're waiting for something else to happen."

Carlisle presses his forehead to hers and she doesn't stop him. His voice is barely audible, "Ariel… please, I just want to make sure you're safe. I simply don't think I can take something like that happening again."

He can feel the warmth radiating from her skin, basking against his like a dawning sun. He can rarely ever see enjoy the sun's warmth, but he likes to think that he finds his own in her. Her warmth reminds him that she's really here - with him. He takes comfort in the way that she smells, the scent of familiar pine wrapping around him like a comforting blanket. Ariel holds him only briefly before parting, there's hesitation in her eyes. Like she wants to completely understand, but just shy of getting there.

"Carlisle," she speaks carefully, mulling over her words, "These kinds of things tend to happen. My family will always bring trouble around, whether it's people or demons. There's a reason none of us are supposed to be on Earth -"

Carlisle looks at her panicked, eyes wide. Ariel spots her mistake, wincing as she corrects herself, "-What we're supposed to be doing and what we actually do are two very separate things, darling. I have no plans of ever leaving you and the others, but you have to understand that while your world as a vampire is broader than it was a human, that my world as an angel is near infinite."

"I've fought things that no longer even exist. Four years ago, I helped stop a demon army. I There are many things out there that you haven't come across, that you don't understand and may never will. There are even things that I haven't seen. Threats that can't always be predicted."

There's a sad smile on her face that ages her as it reaches her eyes. A maturity that he knows he will never fully grasp as he gets a glimpse into just who she is - what she is. He can see the light glow of light forming around her like a halo, reminding him that she knows more than he ever will. He matches her smile as he wonders if she will ever share even some of her knowledge with him - her understanding of the world. Something that none of the books that he borrowed from the Volturi can ever put into words.

"Things are always going to happen, whether we wait around for them and sulk or continue our lives as normal," Ariel's voice is lighter. Her teasing tone reminds him of the all the time that they spent dancing around each other with their words as he studied her. It ignites something deep in his chest as he realizes that there is still much to find out about her - find out with her. "I think the latter sounds more fun, don't you?"

Carlisle smiles into the kiss that he presses into her lips, enjoying the way that she relaxes onto him before they part, eyes shining.

"As much as it pains me, I cannot keep you safe, can I?"

Ariel's grin is mischievous and playful as she nods, her comment about being able to take care of herself is something he chooses not to reply to. He knows that with all the power she possesses, there are going to be things that she can't handle. Things that maybe even he can't handle. But maybe together, they could at least stand a chance.

Carlisle sighs with acceptance, "Then I suppose I'll have to admit that you're right then, dear."

"Hmmm… I like the sound of that, care to repeat it," Ariel teases before she steals away her things, heading out the door as Carlisle watches her go with a heavy, but at least full heart.


It's odd how something that has come to be her normal routine for so long feels off now. She doesn't mention it to Carlisle, after finally easing his worries, she's hesitant to bring up anything that could concern him. But when she returns home, it feels hollow. Empty. New furniture placed a little too perfectly, still clean and untouched. Her plants add some warmth, but it still makes her bitter when she thinks about how many of her plants she's missing, having died in her absence with no time yet to replace them. Her blankets and comforters have all moved from scattered places in the house to her own bedroom. An empty, new fruit basket still sits at the table. All her wine bottles still have unbroken seals, any that she twists open, she finishes in one setting.

She misses her birds, she realizes as she sits on the back patio, listening to the cries of owls and the distant brewing thunder. The oncoming storm clouds have hidden the stars. It's a shame considering how much brighter they are here than in LA, with the lack of city lights. The crisp breeze brings with it the smell of wood and flowers, she breathes it in deeply as she curls into herself on her seat, the light fabric of her robe doing little to warm her.

She spots Carlisle before he comes forward, stalking in the trees. When she gestures for him to come to her, he obliges with a sheepish unapologetic grin on his face.

"You shouldn't be outside, you could get sick."

Ariel chuckles sweetly at the doctorly tone in his voice, "I can't get sick dear, but if I truly worry you so much, why don't we go inside?"

Ariel stands with a stretch before she takes the empty wine bottle with her. Carlisle eyes the bottle warily before following in behind her. He takes in the clean interior of the house critically. It's been a week since he's cleaned it, yet it seems as if Ariel has yet to fully claim her space again with a lack of personal items and even throw blankets. The empty wine bottle that she tosses away isn't the only one that he sees in her bin either, despite knowing that liquor doesn't affect her much (if at all) it still creates a growing concern.

"If the weather continues like this, can I expect to be a spectator for another game," Ariel teases lightly as she leans against the counter, her elbows propping herself up. She's a vision to take in, glowing in the dim light covered in soft lace and silk, a soft lazy smile on her face. It makes Carlisle want to do things that should never be done in a kitchen, a rumble building in his chest.

"Of course, darling. Emmett still wants you to join his team." Carlisle comments casually. Ariel laughs when he presses his lips to her exposed neck. His hands go to the counter on either side of her, trapping her with no escape.

"Hmm, he's going to be disappointed when he learns that I hardly even know the rules of baseball," Ariel comments softly, Carlisle's lips still at her skin. One hand goes to his hair, twirling a few perfect strands absently, "Are you going to be staying the night, love?"

The rumble from Carlisle is all the answer she needs.


Getting ready for work the next morning together becomes a new ritual with the next week. While Carlisle has stayed the night before, it always seems to fall on days they didn't work or he would be gone later the same night or morning. Now, he keeps a spare set of scrubs and casual clothes tucked away in one of her drawers. It's new and different, but she can't say that she doesn't like it. Sharing a shower and gracefully dodging each other as they dress adds a sense of mundaneness that she feels they both need. It feels less awkward and more expected, more right.

Carlisle is already in the kitchen waiting for her with freshly brewed tea. She takes it from him with a smile, briefly kissing his lips before sipping at the tea, unsurprised that it is made just the way she enjoys it in the morning.

"I have the car outside for us," Carlisle mentions. Ariel can hear the rumble of a ready engine outside and the sound of it makes her wince, just thinking of the way it pollutes the air just outside of her home.

"If we arrive together, the nurses are going to be in a titsy."

Despite the new morning schedule that they've found themselves in, arriving at work together is yet to be on their to do list. Carlisle always parts from her in the morning with regret, going back home only to go back off in his car while she takes her time getting her motorcycle ready. Carlisle looks at her expectedly and she chuckles, tapping a finger against his temple teasingly, "I never said that it would be an issue, Carlisle. At this point, I'm sure it's more of a surprise that we haven't gone in together."

Ariel trails off hesitantly, brows furrowing. She spares a glance at the clock and despite knowing that they have time to digest what she's about to say, she still struggles to find the words.

"On that note, I've been thinking about our - my living situation," she trails with a bit of a sigh, "...I don't think that this house will ever sell if it gets put up again, especially after the special features Lucifer added to the sex dungeon."

Carlisle winces at the blunt term, though he knows that there's no other word that could describe that particular (and now occasionally used) room. Ariel continues on as if she hadn't noticed Carlisle's hesitation.

"And I think that the house will be needed, between family visits or whenever Charlie stays with us, it would be much more child-friendly to stay here with him than with the coven since the house is already prepared… But I wonder if it would be easier if I were to, more officially, move in with you? Provided that the coven is alright with that."

Ariel takes a sip of her tea to silence herself. The idea of moving into the Cullen household makes her nervous. Not scared - no, she could never be scared of any of them, despite what some of them think of themselves. More anxious, like a new stepmom finally meeting the kids or a stepmom finally marrying Dad. It's a ridiculous notion, she knows, considering that she makes a point to spend some time with each of the Cullens, and even more silly considering that she and Carlisle are mates. Which is as married as it can be with some species.

Carlisle's eyes light up at the suggestion with a sincere smile as he brings himself close to her, risking spilling her tea as he wraps his arms around her. His chin rests on her shoulder, pressing gentle kisses to her as he lightly squeezes her.

"Of course they would be alright with it darling, we would be thrilled to have you be a more official addition to the family. Perhaps, in the future, we can make it even more official in the eyes of the locals?"

His suggestive tone makes it clear. Marriage. Something that, admittedly, she has spent some time mulling over during her time away. When one has that much time on their hands, it leaves little else to do but to think about your life and what you would like to do with it. Marriage would be a little trickier, with the understanding that it would be much more than making it official in the eyes of the locals. She knows that something like a marriage would be sure to garner the attention of her family and to an extent, her father.

Seeing the focused look on her face, Carlisle quickly backtracks with reassurance, "It's merely a suggestion, darling, and it doesn't have to have a priest if you'd prefer."

Ariel takes a moment, pausing in silence before she smiles. The idea of being married to Carlisle - completely and utterly - is a pleasant one. She thinks briefly of Amenadiel's relationship with his own wife, as he was one the only brave enough to actually marry while Lucifer has preferred to simply use the word partner. She would like that for herself, she thinks. Not that she doesn't enjoy her relationship with Carlisle as is, but to have something more solid between them that would solidify themselves in the eyes of both the town and her family.

"Why Doctor Carlisle, are you proposing to me," Ariel teases lightly, turning to face him with a twinkle in her eyes as she sets her tea down on the counter, forgoing the safety net to face him evenly.

He matches her amusement, smiling softly. Oh if vampires could blush. She can see the flustering embarrassment in his eyes and in the sheepishness of his laugh. "Suppose that I am, would it be a yes?"

She drapes her arms around his neck, pulling him tightly, her lips smiling into a kiss, "Yes."