Carlisle

He was nervous, which was strange. He couldn't really remember the last time he was nervous before Leah. Or the last time he was tense with anticipation.

Fortunately for him, he spent most of his day at work, trying as best he could to distract himself. Of course he didn't succeed, Leah and what they had done had a fixed place in his thoughts and he smelled her scent as clearly as if she were standing right next to him. Fortunately it was a busy day, otherwise he would problably loose his mind.

His mental absent-mindedness caused a little tumult among the nurses, and for a long time the rumor had been circulating that the beautiful and friendly blond doctor had a girlfriend. His gaze, which wandered more often than necessary to his cell phone and the slight grin that then spread on his face, was proof enough.

Actually Leah should be busy with work, but here and there she took her time and wrote him a few words. It was almost embarrassing how happy he was about it. Just the thought of her thinking of him and paying attention to him made his petrified heart swell.

The day at the beach had been simply wonderful. A little apart from each other, they spent hours talking and - if he could blush, he would do it at the thought of cuddling like two teenagers. Carlisle remembered Rosalie and Emmett and their endless lust for each other. He had always smiled at the two of them and was a little annoyed by them now and then, but he had never really understood it.

Until now.

It was like he couldn't get enough of Leah. With every touch he wanted more, the closer she got to him, the more he wanted to intensify the contact. She was like a magnet whose attraction grew stronger the closer he was and he didn't even try to defend himself against it. Surely he always kept the monster in the back of his mind, but since the incident, he surprisingly had a better grip on himself.

The incident still sent a pain through his body and he immediately dismissed his guilty conscience. Neither Seth nor Leah seemed to blame him for anything, but that didn't mean he didn't do it himself. The reaction of the others was a bit subdued, although Sam glared at him angrily and wanted to talk to him, but Leah quickly made it clear with a brief remark where he could put his talk with Carlisle.

She brought Emily up and Sam immediately collapsed. Carlisle felt terrible and looked at the young man pityingly, he had given Leah a small, almost invisible scar - Sam, however, was chased and laughed at by his loss of control until the end of his days.

When he got into his black Mercedes at the end of the shift, it was impossible for him to drive slowly. Not only did he enjoy the increased speed - it was the urge to see Leah again.

In one smooth movement he parked the sports car in front of the house and could already feel her presence. It wasn't just the scent that betrayed her, it was as if he could feel her physically. His body tensed slightly and he felt the familiar attraction that drove him to her.

He felt a slight grin spreading on his mouth when he heard her discussing something with Seth and with every step he took towards the house, he felt a warmth build up.

Leah stood in the kitchen arguing with Seth about what exactly Carlisle couldn't say. He wasn't really listening, the sight of her was too overwhelming. It was difficult for him to ignore her appearance, her dark jeans that fit her muscular body perfectly, and the shirt that was cut out just enough to reveal her collarbones. Her short jet-black hair was perfectly fitting and only moved when she shook her head in exasperation.

"Carlisle?"

Only now had noticed that he had stared at her in silence and Seth took the opportunity to flee.

Her dark eyes looked at him curiously and he was amazed at how quickly her anger dissipated and how another emotion spread through it. The sight alone would be enough to make his pulse beat again and when he grinned at her slightly and heard her heartbeat suddenly swell, he felt a happiness that he certainly did not deserve.

"Everything OK?"

Apparently he just kept staring and grinning. Embarrassed, he nodded and watched her get something from the refrigerator. He couldn't remember being that shy himself as a person, but something about Leah made him ... he couldn't put a name to it.

Flustered?

He sat down on the kitchen table in one fluid motion and watched her work on some groceries. For a moment he thought about helping her, but the view he had from his position was too good to give it up lightly.

"Anyway, Seth, in his infinite wisdom and foresight, came to the conclusion- to just give it all up and become a full-time idiot. Just like the other idiots."

The sarcasm burst from her words and she shouted the last sentence in the direction of her brothers room door and Carlisle had to suppress a laugh. Even if he avoided quarrels, the quarreling between siblings was very entertaining and it also alleviated the homesickness that he sometimes felt. Especially Edward and Rosalie could argue for hours or even days - the reason was absolutely irrelevant. Edward was obviously having fun contradicting her on principle and Rosalie was determined to be right.

"Sounds like a not so good idea."

"Oh yes?"

Leah raised an eyebrow at him and Carlisle's mouth curled up slightly. An angry Leah was still a breathtaking Leah, especially since her anger never lasted whenever her eyes find him.

Seth had mentioned several times with amusement that Carlisle had a far better influence on her than Sam. He could always calm her down and take her anger out of her mind without any effort, Sam, however, was the match for her petrol can.

Carlisle remembered when Seth made this observation in front of Sam and the look that flickered across the leader's face. He also remembered the feeling of what was in his stomach when he identified that look.

He hated Sam at that moment, he hated him from the bottom of his heart. The red eyed monster inside him roared angrily and wanted to torn the young man into pieces for the feelings he obviously still harbored for Leah.

It was on the same day as he watched Quil and the little girl together when he had the courage to ask Leah more about that relationship. He didn't know it then, or he just didn't want to admit it, but now he felt foolish not to have noticed it beforehand.

Leah had told him that the wolf was becoming whatever his mate would need. A friend, a brother or a partner. She explained that Claire, the girl, obviously only needed one brother, and Quil automatically became one. There was no trace of dissapointmend or anything in his mind - he was absolutely satisfied with what he was. It made him happy. He did not hope for one second to be something different or let alone more.

Only now did Carlisle understand that Leah's behavior was caused by him. If he had needed her as a friend or sister, she would have become just that. That she was now his partner wasn't her doing or the imprint, it was him wanting that, needing that.

Before he could indulge in this somewhat unsettling thought, he was interrupted by a high-pitched ringing. Slowly he tore his eyes away from Leah and looked at his cell phone. Two missed calls from Alice and one incoming from Edward. He picked up and listened to his sons frantic words. His eyes widened in shock. His body froze to ice and Leah turned to him warily. She watched him through worried eyes and his thoughts ran at full speed.

In almost 400 years he had never heard anything like it and he was sure that it was impossible. But his existence alone proved that even the impossible existed.

Bella was pregnant.

Leah

Leah stared at the house in front of her. It looked even bigger than on the day of the wedding, which of course was impossible. Behind her she felt Seth, who nervously stepped from one leg to the other. His impatience was palpable, and Leah's discomfort probably as well.

It had only been a few days since Carlisle assured her that she was welcome.

Apparently the drama has once again re-captured the Cullen family - or rather, Bella. And Carlisle, as the founder and leader of the clan, had to take his role again. Leah understood, even if she was a little surprised, but his absence hurt nonetheless.

The idea that he sensed her absence as well and therefore made this suggestion was something she was only too happy to tell herself.

There was no getting around it, the imprint had decided and his family was a part of him. If she wanted to be with him, she had to face that fact. After all, for some time he had given up what was most important to him for her, he had hurt a person he loved and all just to be with her. So she would be able to endure the stench for a few hours.

The door opened and Carlisle stepped out. She hesitated a little when she saw the lavender dark circles that adorned his face. He looked battered and Leah felt her heart break. When their eyes met, his mouth twisted into a relieved smile and Leah's pulse inevitably rose. Instantly his eyes grew soft and full of adoration which made her heart beat even faster.

Great. In a house full of vampires, everyone had probably just heard that.

"Seth, Leah. Come in, please."

His voice was like honey and Leah couldn't help but concentrate on its calming effects. Seth, on the other hand, seemed absolutely unimpressed by the fact of running into a house full of vampires and trotted unfazed beside her. She envied her brother as usual.

When she tried to go through the door, she was stopped by an invisible wall. The stench was so pungent that she automatically moved closer to Carlisle and inhaled his scent. Seth also stopped for a moment. There was a rumbling laugh from inside and she saw the tallest of the family, Emmett, laughing with his hands crossed over his broad chest.

"You don't smell any better, don't worry."

"Emmett, be polite. Open the windows, go."

Leah recognized the reproachful voice and felt her stomach contract painfully.

Esme.