Aaaand here is the next! Keep them coming !

Leah

There was slowly a routine that was building up, at least as far as the circumstances would allow. Carlisle worked mostly during the day and was with Leah at night. Not that she would complain about it. It just surprised her how quickly she got used to his presence. Used to be the wrong word. The sight of him still made her heart race and his closeness still brought that exhilaration with it.

He seemed to be enjoying it too, at least that's what Leah wanted to believe. His behavior reminded her of the old films her mother used to make them watch together. Virtuous gentlemen. Carlisle was certainly one of them. Leah noticed that he always touched her like she was something fragile and precious. Always timid, as if he were giving her the opportunity to back away from his touch. As if she ever would do such a thing.

Carlisle was her drug, and the more she got, the more she wanted. She was also no longer so sure how subtle she was about it, because with his sharpened senses it was hardly hidden from him how much she had already fallen for him.

Leah wasn't sure who was more excited about Carlisle's presence - herself or Seth. The boy was literally hanging on Carlisle's skirt and even her mother, who barely hid her skepticism towards the new roommate, was pleased about the change in Seth. After his failed exam in school, his spirits were down. But it was like Carlisle gave him the confidence he so desperatly needed.

Carlisle helped him with his schoolwork and tirelessly explained to him the same thing over and over again - a virtue Leah could not call her own. Sue, on the other hand, spent more and more time with Charlie and Leah saw it as a positive sign. At least she trusted her and Carlisle enough to leave them alone with Seth.

But it wasn't long before the next drama hit the Clearwater family. Leah was so fixated on the Cullen clan that she hadn't suspected a drama in their own tribe.

It was the middle of the night and Leah was once again happy about her low demand for sleep. She had closed her eyes, but it was less the tiredness than the gentle touch of Carlilse that lulled her in.

She listened to his silent heartbeat with one ear and was amazed at how natural it seemed to her. He was holding a book with his free hand, although Leah had noticed very well that he hadn't turned the pages in a long time. Reluctantly, she began to trace the seams of his shirt with her fingertip and noticed how he suddenly stiffened.

Immediately she stopped and waited. When nothing happened, she continued her movements and marveled at the hard body under her hand. His temperature had almost equalized, he was noticeably cooler but that was pleasant for her inner heat anyway. The vampires she had touched so far while fighting Victoria's army felt like frozen marble statues and the very thought of them still made her shiver.

But Carlisle looked almost human. His body was hard, but it was almost like it was made for her. Now she no longer followed the seams of his shirt, which probably cost more than her entire wardrobe, but felt the muscles beneath.

Although his stature could not be compared to that of their inflated pack members, he was still more muscular than most people. She couldn't stop herself as her fingers wandered from his chest muscles towards his stomach and had to suppress a groan as she felt the lines of his stomach muscles.

A sound came from his throat that was definitely not human and Leah looked up in surprise. His eyes were half closed and the book had also been put aside, forgotten. What she could see of his eyes was jet black and his mouth was slightly open.

He took deep breaths and she felt his cool breath on her face. Her eyes wandered to his red lips and the white teeth that flashed out from behind them. They acted like a magnet on her and in addition to her desire came the urge for more. To feel more, to touch, to taste - simply more. Slowly she straightened up and approached his face.

Immediately his eyes opened and stared at her with an eagerness that left her breathless. She paused a few seconds when his gaze suddenly changed. Confused, she looked at him and immediately wondered if she had done something wrong. Then she smelled it too. Before she could react, there was a hammer on the door and she could hear Seth, who was being torn from his sleep.

"Leah?!"

Paul's voice had such a frightened tone that Leah reacted immediately. She stormed to the front door, which was already open. Paul stood naked in front of her and was breathing heavily, his gaze had a bit of panic and when he saw Carlisle behind her, his eyes widened.

"Paul what's wrong?"

Paul looked back and forth between the two.

"It's Rachel's little brother. He was sick, the doctors gave him something .. something .. its not working! He can't breathe! "

It was immediately clear why the shapeshifter was standing naked in the Clearwaters house in the middle of the night. His behavior left no doubt either - Paul was desperate.

Carlisle immediately switched to doctor mode and their eyes only heard a light blue veil which disappeared to his Mercedes. With two bags in his hands he stood in the doorway and looked at Paul expectantly.

"Can you show me where he is?"

His voice was calm and Leah couldn't help but notice the effect on Paul. He visibly relaxed and nodded eagerly. She could feel his heat and rushed after him. She certainly wouldn't let Carlisle go alone into Rachel's house, especially not with a hot head like Paul. Carlisle had no trouble keeping up with Paul and Leah anyway.

She was the fastest of her pack, but it wasn't her business so she didn't push herself forward, even if she knew exactly where Rachel's house was. She could immediately hear Seth's voice in her head, who asked still a little sleepily what had happened.

"Bobby is sick, Carlisle, Paul and I are on our way to see him!"

She wasn't really surprised that he followed them without hesitation and flanked Carlisle. Paul's thoughts were causing her headache, they were spinning so fast and filled with worry and panic.

It was obvious that he wasn't thrilled to seek help from a vampire, and she was not surprised to find out that Rachel and her mother had sent him to the vampire. The house was already in sight and she could see Rachel, who was waiting in front of it.

Relieved, the girl let out a breath when she recognized the team of four. Paul transformed and didn't bother with clothes. To Leah's pleasure she saw Rachel pushing this aside and immediately marching towards Carlilse, who was keeping a respectable distance. He knew very well that Rachel was Pauls mate, and if he was just as protective of her as Carlisle was of Leah, there sure would be trouble. Rachel caught her breath when she saw the vampire and Leah felt complacency. Paul looked good, very good in fact. There was something mischievous about him, his features were attractive and also dangerous. But Carlisle looked like a Greek god, so it was hard to keep up with him.

After a few seconds Rachel caught herself again and explained to Carlisle what doctor they visited and what kind of diagnosis he had made. From inside she could hear a heavy cough and Carlisle immediately twitched in the direction of the noise. Leah and Seth were still flanking him, and Rachel looked impatiently between the house and Carlisle.

"If you want, I would like to help you."

Carlisle's voice flowed like honey through the silence of the night and Leah could hear Rachel's heartbeat responding to it. After a moment she pulled Carlisle in the direction of the house and pushed Paul, who was standing in the door and who, despite the situation, still didn't really like that a vampire was in his mate's house, aside.

Leah laughed wolfish laughter and trotted after the couple. She heard Paul suggest that the boy be taken to the hospital when he was rudely thrown out of the room by Rachel's mother. This time he was wearing at least a pair of pants. Seth's voice came from behind her and she was surprised that she hadn't noticed his transformation at all.

"It's going to be ok, Paul"

Seth's benign voice seemed to calm him at least a little.

From inside the house she could hear Carlisle speaking to the two women in his usual calm voice. Paul kept glancing uneasily at the house and Leah was surprised at how well he pulled himself together.

Apparently his fear of Rachel and her mother was greater than his pride and protectivness. Something she never expected from Paul. The imprint truly had a strange effect on them all.

It wasn't long before Carlisle reappeared in the doorway and walked gracefully outside. Behind him was Rachel's mother, her flushed eyes pinned to the back of Carlisle.

"As I said, it's just an allergic reaction to the penicillin that Dr. Schreiber had prescribed. It will get better soon with what I gave him. There is a cortisone cream on the prescription in case he develops a rash."

The woman nodded vigorously and stared at the note the vampire had given her. Her eyes filled with tears again and she looked gratefully at Carlisle.

"Thank you Dr. Cullen. I- thank you. "She held out her hand to him and Leah saw from the corner of her eye how Paul stiffened.

Carlisle nodded a little embarrassed and took her hand. She hid her shock from the cold less well, but Carlisle did not comment it.

"My phone number is on the prescription, if there is anything else you can call me at any time."

With that he turned and looked at Leah with relief. The situation had been tense for him too.

As he passed Paul, he nodded gently to him. Paul pressed his lips together and avoided his gaze when he heard his future mother-in-law's stern voice.

"PAUL!"

This seemed to be having an effect because he looked up from the floor and looked directly at Carlisle.

"Thanks."

The smile that spread on the vampire's face was simply breathtaking and she could also hear Rachel's mother gasping.

"My pleasure."

It shouldn't surprise her that a few days after Bobby's treatment a campfire took place on the beach, to which Carlisle was invited. The elders welcomed the newcomers and told stories. Of course there was a lot of eating and more drinking, probably the real reason these meetings took place in the first place.

Still, Carlisle's invitation was something that Leah hadn't really expected, and she certainly hadn't expected the joy in Carlisle eyes when he heard about the invitation. She had told him casually and almost expected that he would talk himself out, but when she saw his eyes light up, she couldn't breathe.

Leah couldn't help but smile at his childlike joy. Seth said that most of them would be on the beach earlier to enjoy the unusual sunny day and after assuring Carlisle that everyone there knew that he was a vampire, he finally agreed. Seth could talk someone into pretty much anything. His open and honest manner and his enthusiasm were contagious.

Leah was less enthusiastic, and that wasn't about the beach or the company, but the memories that came up with it. The last time she was on the beach with Carlisle, he had left her and she was going through the worst time of her life. Despite the affection he showed her, the nagging fear always lingered in Leah.

The fear that he would change his mind. That he would miss his wife and family too much and just walk away and leave her behind. She knew it was unfair, he had already sincerely apologized several times and gave her no reason to doubt him, but she couldn't control her fear. It was like a dream and she feared to wake up.

Apparently he sensed her concerns, because hardly a moment passed in which he did not seek her nearness and somehow always found a way to touch her.

The beach was empty as usual, except for the Quileutes, the sun was already low. It made her remember the last time they were at the beach, a memory she had hid carefully from herself. But with the difference that this time Carlisle's eyes were fixed on her and he took her hand of his own accord. They were walking down the beach and Carlisle told her a story when he was living and studying in Italy. Leah tried to listen to him as best she could but the memories found a way to crawl back to her.

Seth was playing with Embry Football and Leah envied her brother for his carefree manner. That was when she noticed something else.

Quiet footsteps followed by heavy ones. She turned and saw Claire, who was walking towards Carlisle with her arms raised.

At least she tried, because she kept falling over and Quil was always there to catch her. He tried to change her course again and again, but Claire always turned around to pursue the vampire.

As soon as Quil took her in his arms, she screamed miserably and Quil put her back on her feet, resuming her march.

Carlisle

Carlisle noticed that Leah wasn't listening anymore and turned around. A slight smile crept into his face when he saw the little girl who successfully fought against the shapeshifter.

Claire padded uncertainly in his direction and he wasn't sure how to act. The wolf certainly would not like it when he got too close to his mate, but at the same time he didn't want to disappoint the little girl.

Her behavior was not unusual.

Most of the children were enthusiastic about Carlisle, which had to do not only with his person but more with his species. The child trotted purposefully towards him and he could already see her falling over. In one fluid movement he caught her and put her back on her legs. He noticed Quil stiffen and immediately took his hands away from her at which she began to cry bitterly.

His petrified heart broke and Quil also seemed unhappy about the child's tears. Indecisive, he knelt down next to her and tried as best he could to keep his distance.

The last thing he needed was a pack of angry wolves against him, especially after they trusted him and invited him.

Claire reached out her hands to him, obviously wanting to touch his face. He glanced at Quil and Leah, Leah fixated on Quil and seemed wary and ready, as if she would protect Carlisle at anytime.

He could see Quil struggling with himself to determine whether his mate's luck or safety prevailed, and after he made no move to stand between Carlisle and the child, Carlisle patiently let her little grubby hands take hold of him.

She padded around clumsily in his face, pulled his hair carefully and had an ecstatic grin on her face. Apparently she seemed to enjoy touching the vampire immensely and Carlisle was relieved when he noticed Quil relaxing. The distance he had chosen so carefully soon became superfluous as Claire got closer and closer and finally wrapped her arms around his neck.

Finally he gave in and stood up with her, which she commented with a happy laugh. He couldn't help but smile even more as she took his face in her hands and beamed at him.

Carlisle noticed Leah's gaze on him and was lost in her eyes for a few seconds as they widened. He could feel the warmth of the sun and heard a gasp from Claire too.

She stared at him with big eyes and he could see the small particles of light that radiated from him and found themselves on her face. Still, he didn't want to irritate the wolf unnecessarily, so he took a few steps towards Quil and handed him his mate.

At least he tried, because as soon as he tried Claire tightened her grip on his neck and Carlisle knew he couldn't break the grip without being rough to her. He looked apologetically at Quil, who was staring at him with a similar, perhaps not quite as ecstatic, look as Claire. The sun would soon be gone behind the horizon anyway and so they made their way back to the group.

Leah seemed no less surprised by Quil's behavior, that he just let Carlisle have Claire. However, he didn't really have another option, he had probably tried to keep Claire away from the vampire for a long time.

As they approached the group, felt the warmth on his face again and even if he was used to it, he still was suprised as he saw the facial expressions of the rest of the pack. Seth looked at him almost in love and his dead heart swelled at the thought of the young wolf.

He had grown to love Seth quickly and was glad to be able to count him among his friends. The attention he got especially from the female part of the pack was not hidden from Leah and even if he didn't care, he was satisfied when he heard Rachel say in an appreciative tone that Leah could have done worse . Finally, Claire felt hungry and reluctantly let him hand her over to a desperatly waiting Quil.

It wasn't long before most of them sat around the large bonfire and although he had a natural aversion to fire, he still enjoyed the warmth it gave off. He enjoyed the flames that danced on Leah's face even more and their very own warmth flowing through him as they moved closer together. He thought about how Leah was his own personal fire.

Seth let himself fall on the trunk next to him and evidently he had no fear of contact. His heat penetrated Carlisle's skin through his clothes, and while it wasn't painful, it was uncomfortably warm. The feeling didn't last long, because Claire had set it in her head to take her position on Carlisle again.

Most of them watched with amusement as Quil tried desperately to distract the child and finally gave up. He shooed Seth away and took a seat next to Carlisle. Claire immediately took her chance and crawled happily onto Carlisle, who smiled. But when he saw Quil's dejected look, he immediately felt guilty.

"It is not your fault."

His voice was low, which was unnecessary given the company.

Quil looked at him questioningly.

"Most people are attracted to us."

"I can confirm that."

Rachel's voice echoed from the opposite seat by the fire and Leah had to laugh when she saw Paul's disgruntled expression.

"Yes, like bait for the prey."

Embry's voice sounded disgusted and Carlisle had to pull himself together not flinch at the words. The comment bothered him less than the person who said it. He knew what was completely irrational, of course. But apparently sanity was not part of anything that had to do with Leah.

Quil wasn't impressed by this and Carlisle was glad that his eyes were a little lighter. Claire fell asleep quickly and the vampire handed her over to the waiting wolf.

Billy Black nodded friendly to Carlilse and when Quil disappeared with Claire, it only took a moment for Seth to take his place again.

He heard Leah chuckle but didn't comment on the behavior. After all, besides Leah, there was just one another wolf who didn't mind him being around.

Suddenly it became quiet and one of the elderly began to tell the stories. Carlisle was immediately under his spell and he was interested in every information. He knew what an honor, especially for his own kind, it was to sit here. Suddenly Billy interrupted the older man.

"Why tell legends? Carlisle made the pact himself, who could tell it better than him?"

There was nothing malicious in his voice, he was just interested. Suddenly all eyes were fixed on him and he heard Leah choke on her eighth hot dog.

Carlisle waited respectfully until the old man nodded to him and began to tell how he had come to Forks with his family to settle here. He told about Ephraim Black and his family, his curiosity and his level-headedness that still astonished him today. He told how grateful he was for the trust and how much respect he had for him.

After thinking for a moment, he said that in his existence he had hardly met anyone with a nobler character - neither human nor vampire. Leah thought, that he sure knew his way around words.

As he went on, he felt the seductive closeness of Leah next to him and the heat of Seth. Carlisle thought for a moment that if fate or God or whoever was there gave him two families, he must have done something right.