The mood in the house was electric energy when I arrived at midnight after a twelve hour emergency room and trauma surgery shift. It had been fairly quiet, and not exhausting for an extremely experienced doctor who didn't need sleep. All of the main floor lights were on- not unusual for a family that didn't sleep, but I could see through the glass wall and windows as I pulled into the garage that everyone was on the main floor. That was what was unusual.
Esme met me in the garage. She was leaning against the door, waiting for me, smiling slightly to herself. "Hello love," I said, gathering her into my arms and just breathing in her beautiful scent. Twelve hours still felt like a long time to be separated from my mate. I could feel a tension in her. "Everything is lit up, and I can hear Emmett and Jasper inside. What's going on?" I asked. Suddenly, I was feeling panicked- had Edward slipped up, and we were packing up to leave? Surely they would have called me at the hospital.
Esme stroked my chest. "Relax, Carlisle. I know what you're thinking- we are all fine. Bella is fine.
I instantly felt guilty, that I should have trusted Edward more. "Why the funny mood in the house? I don't need Jasper's gift to feel that something is different."
At that, I heard Emmett and Jasper burst into peals of laughter, Rosalie huff and stomp away, and Alice's voice pipe up, "Stop laughing! I think it's cute! They're so perfect together."
"What's going on?" I asked, trying to edge past Esme to the door, but she caught my arms and held me, looking at me with a smile.
"You're going to have to talk to Edward when he comes home," she grinned.
"Of course, I'd be happy to, but what is the matter? Is he upset? He knows I'm always here for him." My thoughts swirled with concern for my youngest son.
"It's not that. And he's not going to want to talk to you. But you need to."
My confusion was growing, and I could hear Jasper laughing softly inside- something about my confusion was humorous to him. Esme was still blocking my way from entering the house. She clearly wanted to tell me about this privately, even though the privacy was only an illusion. "Well, I am home now. I will be ready in my office, and will tell Edward to meet me there. Perhaps it would be best if the rest of you went hunting? I am guessing by everyone's reactions this is best to be a private conversation?" As I finished asking Esme this, Emmett burst out laughing, Esme dipped her head in resignation and let me into the house.
Emmett, Jasper and Alice were standing near the entrance, eyes glowing and focused on me, I could hear Rosalie pacing angrily in her room upstairs. Clearly they wanted to see my reaction to whatever conversation I was about to have with my youngest son and oldest companion. "Hello," I said politely, hanging up my coat, taking off my shoes and stowing my bag carefully. I was acting deliberately calmly, trying gauge the situation. "Where is Edward, by the way, as he seems to be the centre of whatever this is?" I asked.
Emmett and Jasper's faces cracked into identical, mischievous grins, while Alice just smiled sweetly. Esme looked like she was about to choke from happiness. "He's at Bella's" Esme answered.
Ah, so that was what this was about. Edward's new found romance. In just a few short weeks, she had transformed him so completely. "Has he not told her he doesn't sleep? It's past midnight- the poor girl must be in bed by now. I cannot imagine Chief Swan being alright with her having Edward over this late, even if it isn't a school night."
Emmett and Jasper's grins became even more devilish. "Oh she's in bed," said Jasper.
"And Eddie boy's right there in it with her!" Emmett cackled.
"He's WHAT?"