Disclaimer: I don't own anything except my OC


"But do you think it's interesting enough?" I questioned, looking down the rows of paper that were scattered across the floor.

Carlisle was sitting on the other side, looking at me with a slight tilt of his head. I think he thought I was crazy. At this point I wouldn't blame him. It was quite possible that I was going insane.

It was a weekday, no one would be coming into the bookstore anyway and I needed opinions on my lesson. Carlisle had kindly obliged, subjecting himself for my ramblings for over three hours already. He had listened to my entire plan for Friday's lesson over six times now and each time I cut something out and added a different piece. He let me go on, answering my questions with patience as I practically pulled all of my hair out with worry.

"It's great, Coraline" he assured but I chewed on my nail, my brain firing in all different directions.

"But just give me your honest opinion, think back to when you were eight years old, would this have kept your attention while still being informative?"

"It's been quite a long time since I was eight"

I looked up at him with pleading eyes. "Please just pretend"

He shook his head, looking at me with smile. "Then yes, when I was eight years old, I would have been completely and absolutely enraptured during your lesson."

I nodded, lost in thought before looking back up at him. "But would you have learned anything?"

Carlisle looked at me for a moment, "Okay, that's enough." He said before beginning to gather up all of the piece of paper that I had so elegantly thrown across the floor in a mad panic of explanation.

"What are you doing?" I exclaimed, my voice rising higher. "These all have specific places!" I tried to grab the paper from his arms but he dodged my flailing limbs easily, sliding to the side.

"You need to go home and get some rest, you're too far into mental panic and I don't think practicing anymore will do you any good." He said, finishing gathering up all of the papers before putting them neatly back into their original binder.

"It's not even closing time yet"

"The store supposedly closed an hour ago" he said, grabbing my bag that was strewn on the counter and putting the binder in.

My eyes widened and I checked my watch. Damn, he was right. More time than I thought had passed and the store was indeed supposed to close an hour ago. I suddenly felt a wave of guilt wash over me as I scrambled to my feet. The good doctor was holding my bag in his outstretched hand to me.

"I'm so sorry," I looked down at the ground as I took the bag from him, swinging it over my shoulder. "I didn't realize how late it was and you have a family, I'm so sorry," I shook my head. "I'm so sorry" I repeated again.

"Don't be sorry, I knew how late it was and I wanted to help you" I looked up at him. I was surprised by the startling amount of honesty his eyes held. A light blush crawled its way up to the tips of my ears.

"Thank you, you don't know how much I appreciate you for all of this"

He said nothing, simply turning off the rest of the lights before we both left the store, a soft smile on his face. I locked the door behind us and we parted ways to our separate cars.

"You will tell me how it goes, won't you?" he called out just as I opened my door.

I smiled, "Of course."


I felt like I was a bundle of nerves just waiting to explode at any moment as I stared at the soon to be filled desks. The students would be coming in soon. Well, they'd be coming in an hour from now.

"You're going to do fine" said Kathy, taking a sip of her coffee. She would be sitting in her desk today for the entire day. She was putting her whole and complete class of students in my charge and I couldn't have been more terrified.

It was nearly the end of May meaning the hiring committee had already completed their meeting to discuss who they were going to hire but Kathy had simply come back from that meeting saying that two of their members were absent from the meeting and that they were still waiting on those two to submit their votes. It had been three weeks and still no word. I didn't know if no news was good news or if no news meant bad news. The pessimistic side of me kept insisting that it was the latter but I tried to steer myself away from that. I needed a clear head for today.

The kids slowly trickled in as the morning went on and I had calmed myself enough to stop pacing back and forth. I needed to appear calm; kids can smell fear. They all had a nervous buzz about them today, I think from both excitement and anticipation for the long summer ahead of them.

I launched immediately into my lesson as the bell rung. I was actually surprised that only two kids were absent. Usually there were more kids who skipped out on the last day, either to go camping with their parents or just to start their break a little early. However, in this case, the added numbers only added to my nervousness. I was still thanking my stars that the last day was only a half day and that we ended at lunch hour.

I was very surprised that I hadn't started panicking in the middle of my lesson. All of my past lessons had been carefully monitored and approved by Kathy but now she was leaning back in her chair, watching as I passed out the worksheets I had made. They completed them obligingly, talking to each other with excitement about their summer plans. I was actually quite proud of them.

The lesson was a combination of worksheets and games which went over an overall review of the basic concepts that they had learned over the course of the year. They played along nicely, a few of them even getting really into it to win the small prize bags that I had put together the night before.

Overall, I was very surprised at how quickly the day passed. We got through my first activity and then my second and by the time the end rolled around, I was just wrapping up with my last review. Then, I wished the kids a happy summer before they were gone, out the door with wide smiles and bounding leaps.

As soon as the last kid skipped out of the room, I let out a loud sigh, smiling as I straightened out the small pile of worksheets in my hands. I put the stack of papers down, looking at Kathy over my shoulder. She was still sitting in her chair, looking at me as if she was waiting for me to ask what she knew I would.

Of course, it wouldn't do to disappoint. "And how did I do?"

Kathy quirked an eyebrow. "Wouldn't you like to know"

She got up, stretching her arms out as she did so. I turned towards her.

"Oh, come on, just tell me I did well" I said happily. I had Carlisle to thank for how well today went. The kids were good. Well behaved and I actually felt like they learned something.

"You did well, but I'm afraid I have news" she started looking at me with a slight smile before her face fell. I quirked my head to the side, waiting for her to continue. When she didn't say anything, the smile on my face fell and I could feel myself grow cold.

"What is it?"

She shook her head, looking down at the desk as she tapped on a stack of papers. "I don't know how to tell you this, you've been…"

I thought I could feel my heart break as I finished the thought. "Fired"

"Dismissed, actually" she corrected. I shook my head, I couldn't believe what I was hearing. This was my worst fear. I had thought…I had thought that maybe, somehow, I'd get it. "But of course, I couldn't do much in terms of that, I knew I had to let you go at some point."

I managed to get out a weak question. "What?"

A glint of mischief tinkled in her eyes. "Of course, if it were up to me you'd be working as my assistant until I retire but then they had to go and give you a whole class"

"They what? But you said-"

"That you'd been dismissed? Yes, that's true, you've been dismissed as my assistant teacher, I'm afraid they've actually assigned you to a second-grade class." As the impossible words came out of her lips, I couldn't help but stare at her, my eyes wide with shock. I didn't have words. "Well, I should congratulate you then" added Kathy, coming around the desk.

She reached out, patting my shoulder lightly, like one would congratulate a child as I stared at her in shock. I had got the job. I had really gotten the job. As she moved backwards, I ambushed her, pulling her into a tight hug.

"Oh my goodness, oh my goodness" I repeated, swinging the shorter woman from side to side. She reeled back slightly but didn't push me off, even patting my back with one hand as I fully processed her words.

I pulled back, releasing her from my hold with a joyous laugh. "When did you find out?"

She shrugged. "A week or so ago"

"A week!" I exclaimed, looking at her incredulously. "You've waited an entire week to tell me."

"I didn't want it to distract you" she said, smirking at me.

"Oh, you wonderfully evil woman" I said, my eyes crinkling with laughter. I jumped with up, my short heels clacking against the floor and I pulled her in for another hug, laughing merrily. Kathy rolled her eyes pushing me off with a slight grin.

"Go, go, share in your excitement" she said, pushing me towards the door. I let out another laugh, I don't think I would ever stop now.

I breathed out, feeling light as air. "Thank you" I turned towards her, looking at her with sincerity. "Really Kathy, thank you for everything, I couldn't have done any of this without you."

"I know" she said. She gave me a small smile before inclining her head towards the door. "Now go, here's your bag, go share your news with your loved ones" I took my bag from her giving her one more excited smile before practically skipping through the halls, more excited than my students.

I had to tell people, everyone really. My parent's faces flashed through my mind. They would be happy at the news, they knew I had been trying so hard for this and I had wanted it for so long now. Another face came to mind too. Carlisle would be ecstatic for me. He had heard me moan and groan about finding out the results for months now and I had actually done it. Well, he had helped so much and my god, I wanted to tell him. I had to tell him.

As I climbed into the driver's seat of the car, I was firmly decided that I needed to see Carlisle immediately, to tell him what's happened. The amazing and wonderful thing that's happened. As soon as the thought came into my mind, I couldn't think of anything else I would rather do. I just knew that I needed to tell him.

I drove quickly to the hospital; my brain was on an absolute high of happiness and I felt like I could never come down. Is this being on drugs was like? No wonder people do them. I was practically jumping up and down with joy, my face being permanently locked in a smile as I walked through the parking lot, making my way into the main lobby.

I spotted him immediately, there was a young woman next to him but I was blinded by happiness and couldn't see anyone else. His eyes met mine as I drew closer and I saw his eyes light up. His head turned up, tilting to the side with some curiosity as I got closer. He opened his mouth to say something but I cut him off as I practically leaped into his arms, my arms wrapping around his neck. I felt him tense briefly at the surprise before his cold arms came to wrap my waist.

"I got the job!" I exclaimed brightly.

His arms tightened around me as he lifted me off the ground twirling me with happiness. I could do nothing but laugh as he whirled me around in his arms. He let me down after a moment and my hands fell from around his neck to rest on his shoulder as he looked down at me. His hands were still resting on my hips.

"I knew you would" he said, his eyes sparkling in the fluorescent hospital lights. I didn't think I could feel more on the moon than I did in that exact moment. I don't know what possessed me to do that. All that I knew was that I was unbelievably happy at this exact moment and I couldn't think of anything better to do. Everything was just so perfect.

Only when I glanced to the side slightly did I notice a girl standing there, looking down at the floor with an amused expression playing on her delicate features. I didn't know how I had missed her earlier. I dark blush spread across my cheeks as I realized that I was still entangled with the good doctor in front of me and I released him quickly, taking a step away as I straightened myself out. I looked down at the floor in embarrassment, I hoped I didn't interrupt a talk with his patient.

"I hope you'll excuse my behavior, I hope I didn't interrupt an important discussion, I'm not normally so disruptive, I'm so sorry" I apologized, looking at the girl. Her face lit up in a smile, a tinkling laugh spilling from her lips.

Carlisle's eyes turned from me to the girl I was speaking to before inclining his head towards the girl. "This is actually my daughter Alice" Oh, I could have just died in that moment. My face must have gone a whole shade darker as I stared, wide eyed, at the black-haired girl in front of me.

"It's nice to meet you, Alice" I managed to croak out.

She smiled sweetly. "You must be Coraline, I feel like I already know so much about you, Carlisle speaks of you often." If my face could have gotten any redder in that moment it would have. Carlisle had told his children about me? Oh goodness. "And don't worry about it, I was just stopping by"

"Well, it's still lovely to meet you, your father speaks fondly of all of his children" I said honestly, glancing at Carlisle next to me. Her eyes sparked with something I couldn't read.

"Do you like parties?" She asked me suddenly, throwing me off. "I'm throwing a bit of a party the night of graduation, you should come"

Oh, I certainly wasn't expecting this. I looked at Carlisle for guidance but he was giving Alice a look that I couldn't interpret clearly. Maybe he didn't want me to go.

"Oh, I don't know-"

"Nonsense, I insist you have to come," she interrupted. "I can already tell you'll get along swimmingly with everyone and Carlisle would certainly like to have you there, isn't that right?" she asked, the question directed to Carlisle.

Carlisle didn't answer her, turning to me instead. "I'd love for you to come but you don't have to, don't let Alice pressure you"

I looked at Alice's expectant face, I couldn't say no. I had only just met her and I didn't think had given her a very good first impression by ambushing her father out of nowhere like a weirdo.

"Of course, I'll go" I said, giving her a smile.

"Wonderful" she exclaimed happily. "Give me your number so I can message you the details" she implored, very quickly pulling out her phone and handing it over to me.

I typed my number into her phone before passing the phone back to her, feeling the slightest brush of her fingers as I did so. Strange. Her hands were cold too, like Carlisle's.

"Well, it was great meeting you, Coraline, I know we'll see each other soon." She said, turning to her Carlisle and giving him a grin before gracefully turning her heel and walking out.

I turned to Carlisle as the doors closed behind her, "So, that was your daughter?"

"That's Alice" he said, a small smile playing on his features.

I couldn't understand why but I felt like there was something so much deeper going on beneath the surface of everything. I just couldn't exactly place my finger on what it was but everything was just so wonderful now. Thoughts of all of that could wait.

Yes, I thought, staring up at Carlisle with a small smile. All of that could certainly wait.


I actually increased the pace a bit in this chapter. I've held off on quickening their relationship for a while now because I really wanted to build that foundation and now, I feel about ready to kick things off. Of course, I will continue to pace each chapter, not moving forward at a ridiculous pace but things will progress further from now on. I can't promise that every chapter will be a sudden confession of undying love and devotion but I hope you'll enjoy it nonetheless. Please tell me your thoughts! Review!