A.N. I want dedicate this series to a special group I have the pleasure to call my "God Sent Family". While we met through here we've have become you have come to be my extended family which I am truly blessed to have in my life. I dedicate this story and the rest of this series to: Angelsant, MW3Addict, Carlisle Cares, EdwardlLovesKlutzyBella, LizandPeterForever, and Phoenyx-Frye-Writer. I also want to say a special THANK YOU to Phoenyx-Frye-Writer you inspired me and helped me to create a series of stories about Family Tranditions.
I hope you all enjoy and if you have a tradition, holiday or theme you enjoy or want to see them enjoy please leave a comment.
C. POV.
11:00p.m. Overhead Announcement:
"Code Blue/CPR Team to CCU17, Code Blue/CPR Team to CCU17."
As soon as I hear the announcement overhead, I pray I am wrong. I recognize the room number as Sasha's room. I reach CCU and realize I am not wrong.
After about 45 minutes, getting her back several times only to have to start over again I call it, "Time of Death 23:28."
7:00a.m. The next morning
Cullen House
We head up to wake the kids up to get them ready to go to Lizzie's house for the morning. "Jasper time to get up son, William time for you too son," I say as I rub their backs to wake them up.
"Rose, come on sweetheart time to get up," I hear Esme say.
"Why Mommy? It's too early," I hear our daughter ask.
"We need to drop you off at Auntie Lizzie's house; I am going in with Daddy to work. I told Auntie Sasha I would visit the girls since she can't go see them right now," my wife answers.
After the kids get dressed, we head down for breakfast.
"Carlisle, should we tell them now?" Esme asks me while we make their breakfast.
"No, not yet we'll tell Lizzie and ask her to wait until we get home to tell them all at one time. I also want to call Dad to see how to handle this, plus ask him to do her service. I know Dad always looked at Sasha as his daughter. This is going to…" I trail off.
"I know, she was a major part of all of our lives, Sasha became our God Sent Sister the minute Lizzie and I moved next door to her. Asking Dad will be very nice, I know he had his issues in the past, but I am so glad he got through them and bonded with you and Eleazar the way he did. I am sure he will be honored to be the one to send her to her Heavenly home," Esme says.
I nod in agreement, "I am too, his drinking didn't help, but after Mom died, he woke up to the fact the bottle was not bringing her back and he had two sons to raise. He could have raised us the way his father did or change. Luckily for us he wanted to break the cycle of the abuse of his upbringing."
"Sad how he was treated, I am just glad he doesn't treat you or the kids that way," Esme sighs.
After the kids finish breakfast, we all head out the door and walk over to Lizzie's house. They love that their Auntie is only a few houses down the street. I take the kids in to find their cousins while Esme tells Liz what happened. I see how upset they both are becoming and decide to intervene, "Darling why don't you go kiss the kids before we go, I will stay with Liz."
"Okay," Esme agrees.
"Lizzie I am so sorry to ask you not to say anything to the kids yet, Sue is telling Charlie and asking him to bring Bella, Seth and Leah over to our house in a little while. We'll have you and the kids come also and break the news to everyone. I don't want the kids to feel as if they cannot express their feelings. We need to teach them it's okay to cry, that it's okay to feel hurt, angry, to ask questions. If we are all together maybe, we can help answer some of them. We won't be too long; we just need to tell the girls what happened first," I tell her.
"Don't worry about the kids, but please call me if you need anything, including moving the conversation to here." Lizzie offers.
"We will thank you." I hug Liz then go hug and kiss the kids before Esme and I head out. Once in the car I call Eleazar and explain what happened and ask them to come right to the hospital. As I start driving Esme dials Dad's number. Needless to say, Dad is devastated at the news, but quickly agrees to come and do the service.
9:00a.m.
My office in the hospital
I hear a knock on my office door, "Come In."
"Dr. Cullen, Esme how are you doing this morning?" Sue asks us.
"Sue, it's Carlisle when we are alone," I remind her.
"In shock, but okay, thank you Sue, how are you and Charlie?" Esme asks.
"The same thank you. Carlisle I may not have known you as long as Charlie, but I know you well enough to know you are not okay. Remember I was there too, I saw how hard you tried," Sue says.
"I'm sorry and you're right. I just cannot believe we lost her, I thought… I… just cannot understand what happened, why we lost her. Now I have to tell three little girls, three little angels their Mommy is gone, that she now is their Angel," I confess.
"That's why I came in now I want to help you, if possible," Sue explains.
"Thank you," I say while I am seeing tears well up in Sue's eyes, I go around my desk to console her. Sue and Sasha had become very close friends since Sue married Charlie and started working for me. I think back to the first time they met; they became instant friends.
Flashback:
"Hi, I have an appointment with Dr. Cullen," Sasha introduces herself
'Hi and your name is?" Sue asks.
"Sasha Svoboda," Sasha answers.
"Sasha?" I ask.
"Hi Carlisle," Sasha greets me.
"Please come back," I invite. "Sue this is Sasha, Sasha this is Sue Clearwater-Swan, Charlie's wife," I make the introductions.
"So, you are the infamous Sue I have heard so much about. Charlie is constantly talking about you. I'm sorry I didn't make it to your wedding, I heard it was beautiful." Sasha smiles apologetically.
"Sasha? Wait as in Auntie Sasha? Bella has told me about you, she is all excited that you're moving back," Sue gasped as she puts two and two together.
"Guilty," Sasha laughs.
Sue and Sasha continue to talk thru her exam, Sue even invited Sasha to join her and her sister Emily at the park on Saturday, they were planning a day out with the kids. This would be the beginning of a great friendship.
End flashback.
I am brought back to reality as I hear another knock on the door. "Come in," I call.
A fellow doctor of mine comes in, "excuse me Carlisle, Good morning Esme, Sue," he greets us.
"Dr. Westheardt," I acknowledge.
"I heard about Sasha and just wanted to stop by to tell you how sorry I am. I know you've been friends for a very long time," he offers.
"Thank you Dr. Westheardt," Sue replies.
"Yes, thank you Brad. Now Esme and I need to figure out how to explain to three little girls what happened to their Mommy." I say. As we make our way down the hall I try and figure out what I'm going to say. We reach their room and put a smile on our faces for them. "Good morning Princesses, how did you sleep last night?" I ask lightly.
Tanya rubs her eyes, Irina lets out a yawn, and Kate just smiles at me with her arms out for me to pick her up.
As I pick her up, I ask; "How would you girls like to have breakfast with us in my office today? We can get pancakes or french toast and apple juice." I see them get so excited; sadly I know this will not last long. I call Sue and ask her to join us, then the dietary department to order six orders of French toast with syrup, three apple juices, two hot teas and a coffee. "Alright ladies let's head down."
It doesn't take us long to get to my office and all find seats. "Come in," I say as they knock on my door with the food.
"Good morning Dr. Cullen, where would you like me to put this?" Carrie from the kitchens asks.
"My desk is fine Carrie, thank you," I tell her.
"You're welcome, have a good day," Carrie bids us.
"You too," I offer.
"Dr. C," Tanya starts.
"Now sweetie you know when we are alone you can call me Uncle Carlisle okay," I remind her.
"Uncle Carlisle thank you," Tanya smiles.
After we have been eating a while, I decide I just need to tell them before someone else does. I look at them, take a deep breath and begin. "I need to tell you girls something," I start when Esme corrects me.
"We need to tell you girls, Carlisle you're not alone here," Esme states firmly.
"You're right, we need to tell you girls something, but we need you to know that we will always be here for you and with you." I take a breath before I continue. "Last night your Mommy got very very sick, this bug went into her lungs and she had a hard time breathing so we had to put her on a special mask to help her."
"Did it help Uncle Carlisle?" Tanya asks.
"For a little bit honey, but this sickness hit your Mommy very fast and very hard," I tell her gently.
"But you can help her, right?" Tanya asks as tears well up in her eyes.
I know I just need to say the rest, Esme takes Irina, Sue takes Kate and I pick up Tanya and sit her on my lap. "I promise I tried sweetheart, we worked on helping her for a long time. I was able to get Mommy back several times, but each time she got a little weaker and God decided to bring her home. God wanted Mommy to stop hurting," I explain as best I can.
"But we can go see her right?" Tanya asks innocently.
"No baby, Mommy went to Heaven; we can't go see her for a long time. I am so sorry." As I say this I too begin crying.
"Uncle Cawisle, is Mommy an Angel now?" Irina asks.
"Yes sweetheart, Mommy is an Angel now," I confirm wondering how much she truly understands.
"Can I see her wings?" Irina now asks.
"No, I don't think you can, she's in Heaven with God now. But she is also going to protect you girls." As I am talking with Irina, I notice Tanya climbed off my lap and was heading for the door. Just as she reached it it opens and Eleazar and Carmen stand there. "Please grab her," I call.
"Down Uncle El, Down!" Tanya cries.
"What is going on here? No, I will not and before you do anything, you may want to think again young lady. Now take a deep breath and tell me what happened." Eleazar says semi-sternly.
Eleazar POV
I take her out of the office and patiently wait until she stops squirming and takes a few deep breaths, she then begins to cry.
"Uncle Carlisle is lying to us," Tanya tells me
"About what baby?" I ask now in a softer tone.
"He said Mommy went to Heaven, that we can't see her. He said God took her home, but Mommy is down there," Tanya insists pointing down the hall.
"Tanya, baby, has Uncle Carlisle or I lied to you before?" I ask her.
"No," she says sniffling
"Then why would we lie now? Oh, sweetheart I wish I could say it was wrong, but Uncle Carlisle is correct. This…" I pause. I don't want to use the words I have in my mind now. "This is horrible but has taken so many very very special earth Angels back to Heaven. Your Mommy sadly is one, and I will never know why."
"Uncle El," Tanya whimpers.
"Yes baby?" I ask.
"I want Mommy back, please, please ask God to send her back. Tell him I'll be good. Please Uncle El, Please," She pleads with me now crying harder.
I pull her closer to me and start crying as I tell her, "oh baby, you did nothing wrong, I promise God did not do this to punish you. I wish I could ask God to give us her back, but I can't. I am so sorry." I hold her for a little longer and let her cry it out until she falls asleep. I pick her up and take her back in Carlisle's office and join the rest to spend our time together trying to understand what happened, to understand why Our God Sent Sister was now gone.
"Carlisle, Esme we'll stay here while you tell the rest of the family," Carmen says.
"I'm going to get some rest and come back to spend the night, Charlie is going to take some time off," Sue adds.
Carlisle shows us where the girls' room is, I carry Tanya in my arms and sit in a rocking chair holding her while she falls asleep. Carmen rocks Irina and Esme places a now sleeping Kate in her bed.
"Emily said she will come down after rounds to release you guys until Sue come back. Come to the house when you're ready," Esme says.
"Thank you," Carmen replies.
After they leave and Irina falls asleep, I look at these three little girls then Carmen.
"Carino, I murmur softly so I don't wake the girls.
"Yes?" Carmen answers just as softly.
"I have a thought I would like to throw out," I tell her
"Okay," Carmen nods ready to listen.
"We've been trying for a while now and while it may happen one day, it may not. But we do know that Sasha had it set for Charlie, Carlisle and me to have legal guardianship of the girls in case something happened. What would you think of us taking the girls in and maybe one day adopting them? This way they would stay together. I know Carlisle and Charlie would happily take them but they each have three kids now and another one, two or three would be a huge commitment. We are already moving here, the house has enough rooms we could give each one their own room, and they would still be together and near everyone they know." I look at my beautiful wife and see tears in her eyes, "Carmen, carino please don't cry I didn't mean to hurt you, forget I…"
"No mi amore you did not. You Eleazar Santiago Cullen Denali are the most unselfish man I have ever met. I know that we probably will never have our own, but I also know I can love these girls just as much, if not more than if I gave birth to them myself. I would love to offer to take them in with the intent of adopting them," Carmen tells me.
Carlisle POV
As we get ready to head home Esme dials Lizzie and puts the phone on speaker so I can hear as well.
"Hello," Lizzie answers
"Hi Lizzie, how is everything going?" Esme asks.
"Good, Rose and Emmett are outside playing catch, William and Edward are playing Battleship and Jasper is teaching Alice how to build her new puzzle," Lizzie tells us. "How did it go? Did Carmen and Eleazar get there?"
"Yes, they did, just as Carlisle got done telling the girls. Tanya had a hard time with it. Irina wants to see Mommy's wings, and Kate thankfully is too young to understand. Now we need to get the paperwork so we can get guardianship of the girls set up," Esme explains.
"I wanted to let you guys know before you got here, Jasper asked if Auntie Sasha was okay. He said he had a feeling something was wrong. I told him she had a bad night, but we know God will help her and that is why you went with Carlisle to see the girls today. She would not be able to visit with them today. I hope that was okay," Lizzie informs us.
"Hi Lizzie, that was perfect, yes Jasper has a sixth sense when it comes to things like this. We'll be there soon and talk to them. We do have good news though; El and Carmen are officially moving here. Just don't tell the kids yet, they want to surprise them," I tell her.
At the Cullen's house
"Okay Dad thank you," I tell him over the phone.
"I'll see you when I land, does Eleazar know yet?" He asks.
"Yes, he met us at the hospital, he stayed there for a bit and just texted Esme they are heading over when Emily relieves them," I tell him.
"Okay, I have to go now Carlisle, they are boarding my flight. Give everyone a hug for me," he requests.
"I will Dad, have a safe flight," I bid.
"I will, love you Son," he replies.
"Love you too Dad," I tell him. After I finish talking with my Dad, I head into the living room and decide to start since some already know what I am about to say. "First of all, I want everyone," I stop and look at all the boys when I say this, "and I mean everyone to know it is perfectly okay to show emotions. No one will ever fault you for showing emotions including crying. I am sure you will see Charlie, Eleazar and I crying over the next few weeks."
I notice Emmett and Edward looking at me as if they don't understand that they do not believe they can cry.
"I promise if your father was still here, he would agree boys. Ask William and Jasper crying is acceptable in our house," I assure them. "Last night I stayed late to finish paperwork when I heard a code announced over head…" I watch everyone carefully as I am explaining the events of last night. I notice the kids slowly moving and holding onto their parents. I also notice Jasper sitting alone trying to hold on. I motion him to me. Once in my arms I pull him close and whisper; "It's okay baby, you can let go, Papa has you." I continue holding my son as I continue telling them as soon as I utter the next words; I hear gasps of disbelief and cries. "We worked on Auntie Sasha for a long time, longer than we would on some others in similar situations when I had to call it." I had to catch my own breath as I too now was crying. Deciding to let the kids ask questions I opened the floor to them.
"Did Auntie Sasha hurt? Was God mad at someone? Is Auntie Sasha an Angel? What's Heaven like? Will the girls die to?" The kids were asking questions faster than I could think.
"Hold on, I will try and answer your questions, but one at a time," I tell them. "Let's see. No, God is not mad at anyone. Sometimes God takes us home with him when we are too sick or hurt for Dr.'s and nurses to help us. Auntie Sasha tried very hard to stay but she was too sick, and God took her home with him," I explain. "I cannot say for certain if Auntie Sasha was in pain, I can say that I did everything I knew how to make her comfortable. All I can say is I pray I helped her as much as I could," I assure them as best I can. "Yes, I do believe Auntie Sasha is now an Angel that will protect us. God knows how much Auntie Sasha means to us and when he knows this, he makes these special people special Angels. They watch over and protect all who truly love them."
I take a breath and think about how to answer the next question. "I don't know what Heaven looks like, I can only tell you what Grandpa Cullen told Uncle Eleazar and I when we lost our Mom and Uncle Eleazar lost his Dad and Mom, my Auntie and Uncle. Picture the most beautiful place you can and that is still not as beautiful as Heaven. The animals are able to run around with each other. Anyone who had a disability or limitation is free from it. Those who could not walk, run or swim will without any problem. All fears are gone. Grandpa may be able to explain it better when he comes," I tell them softly.
"Now before I answer the last question you asked, do you have any more and please raise your hands," I ask them.
Almost immediately William's hand shoots into the air.
"William," I nod.
"Can we do anything to help Dad?" William asks.
"Thank you for offering Son, we will talk and find a way you all can help if you wish. Also, if you come up with any ideas, please tell one of us, Charlie, Sue, Eleazar, Carmen, Esme or me. We will definitely consider any idea," I tell them
"Rosebud," I nod at next seeing her hand in the air.
"What will happen to them? Will they be, okay?" Rose asks nearly crying.
"Rose, come her baby," Esme calls.
As she holds our daughter close to her, I answer her question as best I can. "I promise we as a family will do everything in our power to help them. It may take time and we will need all your help, but we will get through this." As I am answering the question the phone rings. "Excuse me I need to grab the phone," I say.
"Hey everyone, who wants to go outside and play ball for a while?" Charlie asks.
'Thank you' I mouth as I answer the phone. After I finish the call, I head out and join everyone.
"Is everything okay?" Esme asks.
"Yes Darling, that was Eleazar, he is picking up pizza and heading over. I should tell everyone." I clear my throat so I can speak loudly enough for everyone to hear, "excuse me," I call. Once I have everyone's attention I continue, "Uncle Eleazar and Auntie Carmen are on their way here and bringing pizza for dinner."
Everyone cheered. We divide into two teams and begin playing kickball. Jasper helped Alice with running until he was on base, then Edward offered. One of her last turns up she got on base, our rule was run slower to give her a chance, when William kicked the ball. Instead of going after William, Emmett decided to go after his sister and tagged her. Alice knew there was a chance she would be tagged out and took it like a big girl. She did proceed though to stick her tongue out at her brother. This caused everyone to burst into laughter, especially as Emmett pouted saying, "But I love you Alicat."
"I love you too, so don't tag me," she replies.
This again causes us to start laughing.
I look over and see Eleazar and Carmen watching and decide to announce dinner before someone gets into trouble.
As we are eating, I watch my brother interacting with the kids, knowing he is an amazing Uncle.
"A penny for your thoughts," Esme says.
"Eleazar asked to speak with you and me after the kids are in bed. I just hope everything is okay, I don't think this family can handle anything else," I confess to her.
"I am sure everything is fine, Carlisle he's your brother he would have told you if something was wrong," Esme reminds me.
I nod and give her a smile letting out a breath I hadn't been aware I was holding, "you're right my love, you're so right."
After dinner and everyone other than Carmen and Eleazar heads home we decide to watch a movie with the kids before bed. Once it is done, I announce, "okay kids let's head up and get ready for bed, brush your teeth and we will be up to say prayers and tuck you in bed."
While the kids are getting ready El comes to me, "relax my brother I promise Carmen and I are fine, we just have something to discuss with you, an idea about how to help the girls."
As he says this, the kids call they are ready for bed, we all head up and say prayers together before tucking them in and kissing them goodnight. As I watch my brother, I find myself wondering what he wants to talk about, becoming more eager to hear his suggestion. I know whatever it is it must be important to him. We head downstairs, Esme and I head into the kitchen to make a pot of tea and get some scones before joining them in the living room.
"I hope you like this tea, its Chocolate Mint. I found it recently at this tearoom Sue and Emily took me to. I would love to take you there before you leave Carmen." Esme says.
"I'd love that too," Carmen replies.
As the ladies are talking about their sister date I decide to talk with my brother, see if he opens up to me. "Eleazar please tell me what's wrong. I know something is on your mind," I urge him.
"I don't know how to say this Carlisle, I don't want to sound like I'm blaming anyone or jealous of anyone. I truly love our nieces and nephews, it's just…" El stops and turns away from me.
"Please El, we're brothers, you can talk to me about anything. Let me ask you something, has Carmen had another…"
"No," Eleazar insists quickly, and I know he is telling the truth. "After the last miscarriage we decided to stop trying so hard and started considering adoption. Though we still wish we could have our own. We now wonder if God has been trying to tell us he has other plans."
I watch as Eleazar walks over to Carmen and takes her hand. I am about to say something when he puts his hand up to stop me, so I go to sit with Esme pulling her closer and let him continue.
"It was today we figured it out, you see it started shortly after we arrived, I was alone with Tanya, I knew how she felt. Losing her parents so young and not knowing why or what is going on. Then you asked us to stay with them in until Emily arrived. Carmen and I began to talk as we held them, talk about our future and after they fell asleep, we talked about our desire for children and knowing the probability of us having our own may never happen. While holding Tanya and Irina as they slept in our arms, I looked at them and I began to realize God was giving us a sign, he was showing us his plan for our future. As you know we have a meeting tomorrow with a realtor to put in paperwork for a house here, and then he placed us with those girls as if to say here is your family, take them as your own; love them as I love you," Eleazar says passionately.
I can see he has more to say to keep quiet.
"Carlisle, I know Sasha arranged for Charlie, you and I to have legal guardianship of our Goddaughters if something happened. But we both know that you and Charlie already have three children apiece and while I am sure you both would happily take in more, we are hoping that maybe you would allow us to take them, all three of them. To raise them together like we know David and Sasha would want them to be raised…" Eleazar tells me his tone almost pleading.
I stop my brother midsentence. "Eleazar Santiago Cullen, how could you ask that, of course we would love you to take them, especially if that means keeping all three sisters together? I will talk to the hospital Social Worker first thing tomorrow about how to get this started. They will have to stay here until everything is settled but we will definitely help you in the process."
"Do you think, maybe the kids can help get things ready for the girls?" Esme asks.
"That would be wonderful, thank you. But please let's not say anything until we know it's possible to do," Carmen says.
We talk a few more hours before turning in for the night; we all have a long day ahead of us tomorrow.
Eleazar POV
Carmen and I finish our meeting with James and head to the car. Before I start driving, I call Carlisle to see if it would be okay to bring the girls' lunch. He tells us that would be a wonderful surprise, he also told me what social work said. After I hang up, I tell my beautiful wife the news, "it looks like we can talk to the girls about living with us."
"What, you mean?" Carmen asks almost afraid to hope.
"Yes, my love, Carlisle is going to start the paperwork and we are going to apply for custody of the girls. Then down the road we can apply to legally adopt them. We are going to be parents. I hope you are ready; this will get very interesting very quickly," I tell her unable to help smiling.
We head through a McDonald's drive thru and order happy meals for each of the girls along with meals for us. Once at the hospital we head to the pediatric unit, stopping at the desk.
"Hi, could I help you?" The secretary asks.
"Hi, could you please tell us who has the Svoboda children today?" I ask.
"Hi Mr. and Mrs. Cullen, I do, Dr. Cullen told me you were coming by today," Kimmy their nurse tells us.
"Hi Kimmy, how are the girls doing today?" I query.
"I wish I could say they are all doing well, Kate and Irina are doing as well as expected. However, Tanya not so well she won't say more than a couple words, she ate only a couple of bites of dinner and no breakfast this morning. The only people she is really talking to are her sisters, telling them no matter what happens she will always love them and never forget that. Please forgive me, but I think from the way she is talking she feels they will be split up," Kimmy explains.
I see Carlisle down the hall and decide to go talk with him. I inquire if the social worker came by the kid's room or not. Carlisle explains that it was a yes and no answer; she was by to check on them but had not mentioned anything about their living arrangements, asking why I wanted to know. I tell him what Kimmy told us; apparently Carlisle did not know this but feels Tanya's reaction is because she is old enough to realize what happened, but too young to truly understand what is going on. He suggests that maybe she is trying to figure out her place in this situation.
As I am talking to Carlisle, Carmen heads down to the girls' room. She knows I will fill her in after our visit. I finish talking with Carlisle then join my girls… my girls how I love the sound of that, in their room. Upon entering I look at them and smile. I'm going to be a Dad, while I hate the way it happened, I take a moment and silently promise David and Sasha that their girls will be loved.
I help set up our lunches and try to get Tanya to eat something, anything. She eats a little more than half of her meal which I am grateful for. I know Tanya has a long way to go but I also know Carmen and I will always be here for her, for all of them. That we will help them anyway they need.
"Okay ladies who wants to go to the playroom for a while," I ask.
Kate and Irina light up, Tanya simply smiles slightly. I stand up before taking Irina and Tanya's hands, Carmen takes Kate's hand and we head down for playtime with them.
Carino – Darling
Mi amore - my love