I have to share a few things with you. First of all, I cannot express how much gratitude I feel of having such kind people in my life that are not only interested in this story and idea, but also always let me know how much they enjoy is. Every word you write means the world to me and gives me strenght and SO much motivation to continue this story. This brings me to the second thing I have to tell you. As I am expecting a child, which is unfortunately coming sooner than expected, I do not know how long I can update this story. I have no intention to abandon this fanfiction nor you, I know very well of where this story is leading- so please forgive me if suddenly the updates are subduing. I can promise you that I will continue writing as soon as I am able to (get home from hospital) So for now, I will do my best to write as much as possible and hope that I can prolong this for 2 weeks, as my doctor also hope. I really hope that some of you will still read my chapters after this period and that you can still enjoy it.

Again- Thank you for your kind words in this shitty time. They mean the world to me. You are awesome! Soooo heres the next chapter- enjoy :)

Carlisle

The change was palpable, more than that. It buried herself inside him and shamelessly laughed at his ignorance. Feverishly he went through every second, reliving every conversation and encounter which could explain her behaviour. And he was glad that Edward wasn't with him to endure his circling thoughts.

He would probably toss him out of the window in exasperation.

Even Carlisle was annoyed with himself. No matter how much he concentrated on his work, the cold shoulder that Leah had given him since the wedding kept his focus away from his patients.

He could still feel the imprint and the effects, he could hear her heartbeat, which always swelled when he was around. He could smell her scent, which changed slightly when he touched her. And yet their touches were different. Almost forced. As if she were only looking for his contact because her wolf left her no other choice.

And that thought tore him apart.

Instead of the glow that shone from her eyes, there was a caution in it that he didn't know from her. Waiting and reluctant, as if she was forcing herself every second not to go into depp with him.

Carlisle was satisfied with his gift; it enabled him to do his job and made him happy. But at that moment he envied Edward.

He was at a loss.

Something must have happened, something must have been said, that Leah suddenly make her doubt him again. She looked at him almost as if she was just waiting for him to disappear again.

His uncertainty expressed itself in a low voice. Maybe she wanted him to go. Maybe he'd been there too long and she needed some distance from him. After all, when he wasn't at work, he was always with her. Sure he was with his family now and then, but after Edward was on his honeymoon, Rosalie and Emmett were staying in Alaska and he didn't want to torment Esme more than necessary with his presence, that was limited.

Although he was more than happy that he could at least smooth things over so far that he - apart from a few comments about his scent - was received with benevolence.

Finally he sighed in resignation and got a questioning look from Leah. He considered briefly whether he should just ask her, but the decision was promptly made for him when she went back to her college documents.

Apparently, not only did he long for her physical closeness, apparently he was just as dependent on the emotional closeness.

He took a deep breath and savored her earthy smell for a moment, calming him down but reminding him of the urgency of this matter.

"Did I say something wrong?"

His voice was lower than he intended, and Carlisle realized he was afraid of her answer.

She turned from her laptop and looked him straight in the eye. Carlisle paused when he saw the pain in it. Quickly he went over in his mind what he could have done or said that was causing this pain in her.

Leah shook her head and gave him a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

"No."

With one last look she looked back at the screen, leaving Carlisle even more perplexed than before.

At least he knew it was definitely about him now.

The certainty didn't make matters any better, rather the opposite, but at least he had an approach.

He made up his mind to choose the cowardly variant and ask Seth. He didn't think Leah was discussing emotional issues with her brother ... or anyone else ... but since he knew that wolves could hear their thoughts, he hoped that Seth would be able to help him.

His gaze was still fixed on the young woman and Carlisle had to suppress another sigh. He was maybe over 300 years old, but his experience in female courting was almost nonexistent.

He and Esme had just found each other.

He didn't know how to describe it any other way. They both looked for something and found it in the other. It went by itself, it went smoothly. They certainly had a good and happy relationship, but it was also comfortable. They were just too similar to have any real points of friction and Carlisle just felt safe.

It couldn't be compared with his current situation. Leah triggered a host of emotions in him that he hadn't even known before. It made him nervous, insecure and at the same time happier than he had ever felt.

With Esme he knew exactly what to do and what to say.

He knew her cruel past, he knew what she expected from him and he loved to give it to her.

But Leah was like one big mystery to him. Whenever he thought he would understand her a little more, she said or did something and he was even more perplexed than before.

Esme mostly kept her moods to herself, which didn't really change either. There were times when she remembered her unborn son and was struck by a wave of sadness. Or she thought of Charles and got scared and angry at the same time. But after her time as a newborn, she never let others feel her bad mood. She processed them as quickly as they came and if not, she shared her worries with Carlisle and simply enjoyed his company.

Leah, on the other hand, experienced everything from anger to hate to frustration and ecstasy within a single video game with Seth. In general, she rarely held back her feelings and had no problem openly showing her dislike of certain people. He thought of the death look she had given a waitress or the tough love she regularly gave to her "brothers".

Even if he was repeatedly pushed to the edge of his comfort zone with Leah, he wouldn't want it any other way. It filled him with the unpredictability that only a human life could have and, for the first time in over 300 years, he actually felt alive.

Seth

Seth liked Carlisle. Even if he was a vampire and his instincts still resisted a little. Nonetheless, he liked him.

It wasn't just his kind and open manner or the fact that his sister imprinted on him. Carlisle wanted to be good and did everything in his power to make it happen. He was the complete opposite of what his species was supposed to be and he was easy to get along with. In addition, he made his sister happy.

At least, most of the time.

It was strange when fate took over and determined who you had to spend your old age with and it seemed to create even more problems than without the imprint.

He knew that his sister was certainly not one of the easiest people in the world, and the fact that they were both of a different species was problematic enough. And his vampire family and wife certainly didn't make things any easier. But apparently they had overcome all of that, and still they couldn't make it really work.

Even if Seth didn't particularly appreciate Sam, which had nothing to do with his sister, he had one thing ahead of Carlisle. Sam was sometimes so selfish that he just took what he wanted. At that time he had fallen in love with Leah and immediately asked her if she would go out with him. Of course she said no and hit him. But he did not give up. He annoyed her until she said yes. Seth remembered how often the two argued and reconciled. It was certainly not a harmonious relationship, and Carlisle was no doubt a more fitting partner for her, but apparently that was what was holding him back now.

Seth doubted that Carlisle would just take what he wanted, it just wasn't in his nature. And that was exactly the problem.

Leah interpreted his reticence as disinterest.

He had been watching the two of them dance around each other for a few days now and was sure that his head would soon burst. Why did everyone always have to make things so difficult? Sure, Carlisle's statement was harsh and Seth's heart hurt when he thought of Leah's pain, but he wasn't so wrong. Besides, how else could he have introduced her?

Seth wasn't really surprised when all of a sudden Carlisle stuck his head in the door and asked him if he would come with him to go shopping. Seht frowned and wanted to comment on the weakness of the excuse, but the pleading expression on the vampire's strangely beautiful face made him pause.

The tense silence spread effortlessly in the black sports car and you could almost feel Carlisle's mind racing. Finally he decided to release the vampire and sighed.

"She heard you."

Carlisle stared at him, puzzled.

"When you called her a family friend or whatever."

Something flickered in Carlisle's eyes and Seth knew that he was probably going over the scene again in his head in great detail. Again he looked puzzled and Seth shrugged his shoulders.

Carlisle blew out a breath. He looked relieved, at least until he continued.

"And what should I do now?"

Seth heard the perplexity and felt sorry for him. He himself wasn't an expert on women and certainly not on Leah. Finally he shrugged his shoulders and watched the jumble of colors that passed the window as the car made its way to the store.

"I don't know. Ask her if she's going out with you."

Carlisle seemed to consider the suggestion and furrowed his flawless forehead.

"Isn't that ... a little strange?"

Seth gave him a cynical look.

"Stranger than now?"

Finally Carlisle shrugged and raised his sculpted eyebrows. He still wasn't finished and Seth felt the question in the room. They parked in front of the supermarket and Seth already started inside. They certainly made an odd couple, not that both of them cared about it. Seth immediately noticed how apparently every pair of female eyes were literally glued to the vampire and was amused to see how he was still deep in thought, unsuspecting.

He pushed the shopping cart in front of him and Seth took everything what he could find. The hunger in the Clearwater household was a constant and Carlisle insisted on doing regular grocery shopping for the family. It took some persuasion to convince Leah that, given that Carlisle practically lived here, it would be okay if he paid for the groceries and when Seth watched the discussion he was shocked at how easily Leah was persuaded. If nothing else demonstrated the power of imprinting, it was Leah Clearwater who gave in.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw Carlisle who, still lost in thought, pushed the cart in front of him and passed two women who almost passed out.

"And what do you think she would like?"

Seth breathed in and out loudly. Apparently he wasn't going to get rid of the subject anytime soon. He gave a short laugh.

"I don't think even Leah knows that."

He grinned and tossed four liters of milk into the shopping cart. Finally he saw Carlisle's desperate look and shrugged.

"I have no idea cinema and food would be a start."

Carlisle twisted his mouth imperceptibly. Seth knew he'd wanted a better clue, but the truth was, Leah had imprinted on Carlisle. She wouldn't care what they did or where they were. Perhaps someone should remind Carlisle of that.

"Don't worry, Carlisle. Leah would go absolutely anywhere with you, even a museum."

Immediately a hopeful look spread across the vampire's face and he looked at Seth so openly grateful that he almost blushed. He waved it off and went on looking to get the already full shopping cart full.

"So... museum is out?"