The Twilight Saga belongs to Stephenie Meyer, Summit Entertainment and anyone else who may legally claim ownership. No copyright infringement is intended.


Chapter 14: Jealousy


Carlisle shook his head as he finished writing in his last patient's chart. He always ignored hospital gossip. Not this time. His name had come up once too often in the conversation he was allowing himself to follow. He schooled his features into something more neutral as Dr. Kenny approached. Had he permitted himself the luxury, his amused expression would have turned into something much less pleasant upon seeing her.

Dr. Kenny wanted him. She wasn't subtle in her pursuit of him nor was she dissuaded by his consistent rejections. At first, he had tried politely ignoring her, then he was forced to voice his refusal. Lately, he had to be more forthright, he requested she cease and desist. As usual, she ignored everything he told her and seemed to take his rejection of her advances as a challenge. The newly publicized fact that Esme was his sister and not his wife spurred her on somewhat. Although, she really hadn't been that deterred by the idea of him being married. It disgusted him.

She sashayed into his personal space and attached herself to his arm. She rubbed herself against him. He frowned in distaste.

He wondered if she would stop if he lied and told her that the latest gossip was true. He was indeed a pedophile and was only interested in girls under the age of thirteen.

Each week since Bella had helped him get Harry Clearwater safely to the hospital during his heart attack, the gossip intensified. In certain circles, the gossip had her much younger. When the gossip started Bella had been portrayed as her actual age.

The gossip was almost right at the beginning. An eighteen-year-old woman had been familiar enough with him to get his mobile phone out of his back pocket. They were intimately acquainted enough for her to know his DEA number.

Now, according to one of the cleaning staff today, the girl who had helped him with Harry was twelve. That twelve year old girl had not gotten his phone out his back pocket; she had reached into his front pocket for it. The gossip was that she had blatantly groped him while getting his phone. No one questioned his dedication to his patients; no, the rumor was that she forcibly fondled him while he continued to work to save his patient's life.

All the shameful actions were being blamed on either Bella or some unnamed twelve years old, depending on who was doing the gossiping. Currently, it was being debated in hushed tones. Bella's name was winning in the gossip contest, not many could imagine him as a pedophile. If only Dr. Kenny believed him to be a pedophile, maybe that would put her off. He stepped politely away from Dr. Kenny as she persisted in invading his personal space.

He looked at her conceited face and suppressed a shudder of revulsion. By most standards, she was absolutely gorgeous. Not to him. To him, her wide eyes, full lips, perfect bone structure and fit curvaceous body were repellent. They could not mask the person inside. On the inside, she was not beautiful. He was attracted to inner beauty, to intelligence, to wit, to a person's capacity for love; the soul, that was where he saw true beauty. Physical appearance held no attraction for him without the beauty of the mind and heart. Perhaps it was because physical beauty was a given with his kind. Inner beauty, that was not so easy to find in the vampire world. He wondered if he had placed more importance on physical beauty when he was a human. He thought back, most of his human memories were fairly clear. He knew without a doubt that he had always treasured true inner beauty. A pretty face could get his attention, like any other man's; but, after that initial attraction, he looked for a deeper beauty. Dr. Heather Kenny lacked that beauty.

His voice was polite and detached. "Dr. Kenny, how can I help you with your work today?"

"Carlisle." Her sultry voice was admonishing. "How many times have I told you to call me Heather?" She batted her eyelashes at him. "There is a problem I need your help with, but it's not work related."

Carlisle's pager went off. He gave a silent prayer of thanks. "Well, then, Doctor, I must apologize. I have to answer this." He moved down the hallway at a speed just short of a human run.

Heather followed him, but in her ostentatious stilettos, she couldn't keep up. He was in his office with the door locked before she entered that hallway. She tried his door. He kept silent until she gave up and his vampiric hearing placed her back at work.

He looked at his pager. He went to his desk, sat down and stared at it. It was a 585 area code. Rochester. Edward.


The next day, Carlisle took a personal day from the hospital. He checked in and left extensive notes for the doctor that was covering for him. After which, he made a hasty exit, slipped into his Mercedes, and sped towards Port Angeles.

It was a dreary day for late August. Carlisle stood on the deck of the ferry from Port Angles to British Columbia, enjoying the salt air as it whipped his hair. Ninety minutes later he was speeding to his final destination.

He parked beside a small cemetery in Cobble Hill. Before he had drawn near, he had sensed Edward on the edge of the cemetery. The two men eyed each other.

"Carlisle." Edward uttered his name with absolute love and respect.

"Son."

They turned and meandered silently through the tiny graveyard.

Carlisle was curious. "Why did you choose to meet here?"

"Holy ground?" Edward laughed. Carlisle remained serious. Edward deflated. "No particular reason, Carlisle. It's away from Forks, but not too far. It's a pleasant enough place. I thought you'd appreciate how peaceful it is here."

They walked in silence for a time, while Carlisle waited for Edward to speak his mind.

"You love unconditionally and with an open heart."

Edward's words confused Carlisle. "As do you."

"No, Carlisle, I don't. I'm selfish."

Carlisle spoke quietly. "Everyone is selfish at times."

"Not you."

"Don't think me better than I am, Edward. I can be as selfish as the next man."

"Of course you can be selfish; but, you always choose to be selfless."

"You are wrong. I am selfish. You don't know."

"I do know. It doesn't make you selfish. You love her."

Carlisle's voice was intense, his face grim. "What?"

"You love Bella. You love her more than you have ever loved anyone."

"Love cannot be measured, Edward. It is ever growing and limitless. I do love Isabella. It is different. I have never in my long life felt anything like it. It is incomparable, but I would not measure it, I would not call it more per se. Although, I am quite selfish when it comes to Isabella."

"You see? You think you are selfish for wanting her, for loving her. You aren't. It's no wonder that she loves you just as much as you love her."

"Edward, you must know that I never approached Isabella while you were together. I tried to refrain even after you and she agreed that you were no more than friends." Carlisle regarded Edward with shame in his eyes. "I simply cannot help myself. Everything about her draws me in. I tried to maintain a certain distance. I could not. Please, forgive me. I never wanted to hurt you. The thought of causing you pain tears me apart."

"Always so compassionate. I don't deserve your consideration." Edward shook his head to stop Carlisle from any further apology. "How long have you loved her?"

"Truthfully, Edward, I think I have loved her since the day I met her. My love for her has grown as I have come to know her. It intensifies with each passing day."

"I knew."

Carlisle stopped walking.

"I knew from the beginning, Carlisle. I saw it in your thoughts, that day you met her in the hospital. You were confused by it. You tried to cover it, to hide your reaction to her, because you knew I was fascinated by her. But, even though you didn't understand them and they hadn't had time to solidify, your feelings for her were so intense that I couldn't miss them."

"You knew?"

"I did, and still I tried to keep her from you. She never loved me, and I never loved her, at least not the kind of love you two share. But, even knowing that, I still tried to keep her for myself. I tried to make her love me. I even used vampiric allure to try to win her for myself. I would have done anything to make her mine." Edward looked at the ground. "Then, I made you leave her here for months. There were so many other solutions, but I wanted to distance you from her. That's why I insisted we all leave Forks."

Carlisle's face and voice were a little too neutral. He was clearly repressing how he truly felt over Edward's admission. "I see."

"I tried desperately to win her love. I tried to convince her to marry me, knowing how you felt about her. I saw her first. I was drawn to her quiet mind. I knew what I felt for her was nothing compared to how you felt for her. But, I couldn't allow her to have your love, or you to have her. I tried so hard to keep her for myself. Had I succeeded, I would have tied her to me and kept her from you. I envied you. I still envy you. You deserve her. I never have."

"Edward-"

Edward interrupted Carlisle again. "There's more. That is the best of it. The worst of it can be summed up in one word. Jealousy. I was jealous. I didn't want to share. If Bella was mine, my wife, then I wouldn't have to share. You would still be alone. You would still need me. You would still want me. I wouldn't have to share you. I was so sure that if you and she became more to each other, then I would lose you. You wouldn't need me anymore, not if you had her. I couldn't allow that to happen, I couldn't lose you to her, Carlisle.

Edward's voice lowered to a remorseful whisper. "So, I compelled Bella to love me. Eventually, that compulsion wasn't enough to hold her. She's a strong woman." Edward looked at Carlisle, his eyes pleading. "I was weak. I was desperate to be near her, to keep her for myself. That obsession took over my entire life. I had to have her because I had to keep you from having her. If you had her, I would be superfluous. I couldn't be superfluous to you, Carlisle. I need you to need me, to want me. You mean more to me than my human parents did, more than anyone ever has; I couldn't let Bella take you away from me.

Edward sighed. "I didn't have to be able to read Bella's thoughts to know that she was drawn to you too. I even outright lied to her about your relationship with Esme. She was beginning to see that you didn't seem like a married couple in private. You only acted married in public. She was thinking about that, I could tell. I couldn't read her mind, but I knew how she felt about you, even before she did. I would do anything and everything that I could to keep her from you, including telling her utter lies, making up romantic stories about your love for Esme."

"Is that all you lied about? La tua cantante?"

"I didn't lie about that; Bella is my singer." Edward looked utterly ashamed. "I am a monster. There have been times when I have wished that I had just given in, that I had whisked her away the day I met her, killed her in the woods and left no trace. If I had, you never would have met her. If I had known what she would become to you, I might have given in to it and killed her, just to keep you to myself. Instead, I became immune to the call of her blood. She's safe from me now, in every way."

Carlisle's voice was quiet and appalled. "Have you... Edward, have you tried to hurt her intentionally since you discovered that you couldn't win her heart and her hand since she left you?"

"No! Carlisle, no. I just meant that I have no desire for her blood and that I won't try to influence her anymore. I won't coerce her or compel her ever again. I won't try to stand in your way anymore."

"I'm sorry, Edward, I have to ask. The accident, at the skating rink, it was an accident?"

"Of course! I may be a monster, but I wouldn't hurt her purposely."

"You just admitted to regretting that you didn't kill her when you met her."

"No, I don't regret not killing her. I just worry that I might have if I had known at the time that she would take your heart."

"You have hurt her emotionally."

"I didn't set out to hurt her. I believed that if she fell in love with me, I could make her happy. I couldn't, though. We never had any common ground except our fascination for each other. Her for my vampirism and me for her mind that I can't breach. I do regret hurting her." Edward looked up at Carlisle and made eye contact. "And I deeply regret hurting you."

"I forgive you, Edward." Carlisle put his hand on Edward's shoulder. "The months that we were away from Isabella. That is not easy to forget. What she went through…"

"That hole in her chest that she has described, that was because she was separated from you, not me. I knew the moment I was told about it because the few times I saw you during those months; when I read your thoughts, I felt the same hole in your chest. Finally seeing Alice again, that made Bella feel better because Bella's subconscious realized that Alice was the first step back to you.

"I tried to tell myself that you were just sad because the family wasn't whole at the moment, but I knew. Deep down, I knew the truth. When I thought Bella was dead, I was consumed by guilt. It was my fault that you lost the one woman who could complete you. I couldn't live with that. How could I do such a thing to you?

"Then, when Bella saved me in Volterra, I thought that was a sign that everyone could be happy with my original plans. So, I would move forward with them. I would marry her and make her happy. I believed that the hole in your chest would heal even if I made her my wife because we would live with you. We would be your family. You would have her near you in some capacity, and I would still have you. I would still come first."

Edward backed away from Carlisle. "No. Carlisle, don't! Stop it, please."

"I'm sorry, Edward, I cannot help my thoughts."

Edward was aghast. "How can you think that, Carlisle?"

"Because you are a good man, and I love you, son."

"You are too compassionate. How can you sit there and think about my feelings, how can worry about me, forgive me, after all I have done to you?"

"How can I hold this against you? You were afraid of losing me. Fear makes us act in ways we never normally would. None of what you did was the real you. It was you under extreme duress. This, right here, right now; this is who you are, Edward."

"Carlisle, I'm not a child fearing that they are being replaced in your heart by a stepmother."

"Weren't you?"

"No." Edward shook his head. He had lived for well over one hundred years. He hated admitting that he had behaved immaturely. "Maybe I was..."

"When I changed you-"

Edward cut across him. "When you saved me, Carlisle. You saved me. You gave me a new life. I want to be deserving of it. I want to be deserving of you."

"Edward, there is no need for this, you are deserving, I am proud of you."

"When you saved me, you gave me a wonderful chance, and I've been ungrateful. I'm not ungrateful anymore. I realize what a chance I've been given. I will live up to your belief in me." He gave Carlisle a genuine smile. "Someday I will find my mate, like Emmett has in Rosalie, like Jasper has in Alice. Like you have in Bella."

Carlisle's lips quirked up in a small smile.

"Will you show me, Carlisle? Will you let me in? You've been hiding so much. I'm not jealous anymore. I've accepted that you and Bella are together. I only want to see you happy. Bella is yours."

"Isabella is her own, Edward."

"Of course."

"Have you truly let go of her in your heart and mind? You loved her once."

"I did love her, but not the way she deserves to be loved. Not the way I want to feel love someday. Really, Carlisle, I can see you together and feel only happiness for you. Well, happiness for you both, along with regret over what I did. Regret that I did everything that I could to keep you apart. I was so wrong."

"Perhaps, Edward, things worked out as they were meant to; after all, Alice hasn't interfered."

"All Alice says is that she sees Bella as one of us. That is the constant for Alice. That still doesn't sit right with me, but I know it's not my place to decide Bella's future."

"Then perhaps, this has always been the constant. If Bella were with you, she most likely wouldn't have ever been changed."

"She asked and you promised to change her, even when she was with me."

"I did. Although, it was likely that you would have changed her mind before I changed her."

"It's a possibility, but with Alice, who knows?"

Carlisle chuckled. "True."

"Will you show me, Carlisle, please? I need to see that you are happy, despite all of the terrible things I did. I know I caused you pain. I need to see that you are okay, regardless of all my self-involved manipulations."

"Edward, you have changed. You have taken such a step forward. Acknowledging all of this, first and most importantly, to yourself; and now to me, is something truly remarkable. Now, you must forgive yourself. I forgive you."

"May I see?"

"Are you sure that you want to see?"

"Yes. Please, Carlisle. I need to see."

Carlisle's mental barrier against Edward's gift had become instinctual now. What he didn't want Edward to see was effortlessly kept hidden. Now, he chose a few of his protected memories and allowed them to float up in his mind for Edward to see.

He allowed Edward to experience his feelings when he first met Bella in the Emergency Room, as her doctor. It was obvious, how very drawn he was to her.

He showed Edward the delight he felt when Edward first brought Bella home. It had been easy for all to see how shy and reserved Bella was. She was incredibly nervous and tentative, until she was presented to him. When their eyes met she was no longer that withdrawn, unsure girl. She seemed to glow with confidence as they were introduced. That brief moment held much significance. It had made him feel like his dead heart had awoken in his chest.

He showed Edward how they had become close when she would come to the house. The countless hours they spent avidly discussing art and literature while Edward composed.

He judiciously showed Edward his first stirrings of desire for Isabella. It was her eighteenth birthday party, the one Alice had given her. She sat close to him on the table while he stitched her arm. Then, he offered her his hand to help her down. When she accepted it with a sweet blush, he became a moth to her flame.

Edward saw Carlisle reading aloud to Bella. He saw Bella laughing so hard with Carlisle that she almost injured herself. He saw Carlisle kissing Bella's hand and her flustered blush. He saw them walking arm in arm down the boardwalk Emmett built.

Edward watched them talking about their childhoods, Carlisle's work, anything and everything. He felt Carlisle's interest and attention, and through Carlisle's memories, he saw it reflected in Bella's eyes.

He saw Bella defend Carlisle to Rosalie. She was a force to be reckoned with if something threatened Carlisle's wellbeing.

He saw Carlisle stumble through trying to make his intentions known and ask her out on a date. He saw that date. He saw Bella walk purposefully into Carlisle and initiate their first kiss.

Carlisle showed him Bella winning over one philanthropist after another at the fundraising luncheon Carlisle had taken her to in Seattle.

Carlisle showed him Jasper basking in the depth of the love he and Bella felt for each other.

Then, Edward doubled over in pain. He saw and felt what Carlisle had felt when he thought Bella had asked him to bring Edward back to her. When Carlisle thought that Bella had decided that being with him was a mistake.

Edward gasped. "Carlisle, can you ever forgive me?"

"I did not show you that to cause you pain, Edward. I merely wanted to convey the depth of my feelings for Isabella."

Edward's eyes were brimming with venom, tears he couldn't shed. "I understand, Carlisle. Please, believe me, I only want you and Bella to be together and happy."

Carlisle's voice was stern. "Forever, Edward. Do you want to see us happy together, for eternity?"

Edward's voice was quiet. "No one deserves it more than you do, Carlisle. If Bella wants it, who am I to object? It's her soul to give and it's you who will take it."

"You know I don't agree with that, Edward. It is you who solidified my hope, my faith, my belief that we retain our free choice and our souls. I can't believe that there isn't more for you. That would be cruelty beyond understanding. No one could create one such as you and then punish you for a change that was not of your making. You have been tempted and you freely chose to turn away from that temptation. That proves that we retain free will. We are not simply evil by design. You have earned redemption."

"I'll never understand why you don't agree with me, you were the Pastor. Yours is not the popular belief." Edward shook his head. "Vampires have always been accepted as evil. But, I know that you don't agree with that."

"I do not. Even in centuries past, in simpler times, I did not hold with nonsensical dogma. Dogma created my man. If I had, I would have been the kind of Pastor my father was."

Edward spoke quietly, returning to his original request... "I also know that you didn't show me anything recent between you and Bella."

Carlisle's voice was hard. "Edward, there are other areas where you and I don't agree."

Edward's eyes narrowed. "Have you, have you-"

For once Carlisle cut Edward off. "Speak plainly."

"Have you taken her virginity?"

"No."

"But you will."

"Yes."

"And you have already done things to her that I wouldn't do?"

"No, Edward. I have not done anything to Isabella. Isabella and I have done things together. It's not difficult, Edward, to engage in activities that you would not. You have some very outdated beliefs. It saddens me to see you cling to Victorian ideals. You miss much that is not harmful, shameful or sinful in any way."

Edward cringed. "I know your private time with Bella is none of my business. I won't try to look for that in your thoughts, Carlisle."

"I appreciate that." Carlisle put forth the memory of how Bella had helped him save Harry Clearwater.

Edward smiled at the memory of Bella working so hard and managing to not be sick at the smell of Harry's blood. "She's amazing."

Carlisle's smile was brilliant. "She is."

"I'm good with this, Carlisle, really."

Carlisle made eye contact with Edward. His expression was intense, as he spoke, his tone was serious. "We probably won't see you this weekend, Edward. I am asking Isabella to look at properties with me. Places we might all settle after her change."

Edward gave Carlisle a sheepish smile. "I'll see you after you get back, then."

"No arguments?"

"Have a good time finding our next home, Carlisle."

Carlisle knew Edward had never held others to his personal beliefs. He had never judged anyone for their different views. He might argue his point of view, but his innate goodness wouldn't allow him to think ill of others just for believing differently. Now that he had truly let go of his jealousy and the idea that Bella was his, Carlisle believed that Edward was sincerely glad for them. He smiled as he answered Edward. "We will."

Edward grinned. "I know you will."

That night Carlisle told Bella in exacting detail about his day, and the lengthy conversation he had with Edward. Bella smiled and hugged him. She was immensely happy that Carlisle felt better. However, she had doubts. She wasn't so sure that Edward wasn't simply trying a new ploy. Deep down, he was good. At least, she hoped that he was good deep down. Carlisle believed that he was. Bella desperately wanted to believe that too, because if he wasn't, Carlisle would be hurt. She didn't want to see Carlisle hurt, especially by his first friend after so many years of loneliness. She really hoped Edward was sincere. Unfortunately, she couldn't bring herself to fully believe Edward. He usually had something up his sleeve. Carlisle, the most non-judgmental, patient and kind man on earth, trusted the good in everyone. Bella prayed that his trust wouldn't be betrayed by Edward.


Bella looked through the glass into the rooms beyond and saw a devastatingly beautiful doctor jog up behind Carlisle and attach herself to him. She glanced at her own faint reflection in the same glass. She saw her plain features looking back at her, as always. Her face was bright red despite the chill in the October air. She frowned, she was having a monumentally bad hair day that even her updo couldn't fix entirely. She peered closer at her red face and saw a distinct sheen of flop sweat. Her eyes moved back to Carlisle. She fervently wished she could be beautiful for him. She watched in awe as her beloved vampire extricated himself from the gorgeous doctor's clutches.

Carlisle entered the meeting room with Dr. Heather Kenny trailing in his wake. He glanced around the area hoping to find a seat between two people, preventing her from sitting by him. Luck was not with him in that. Carlisle was pulled out of his quest to evade Heather Kenny when he suddenly thought he could sense Bella. His dead heart lurched. He worried that she was in the ER while he was stuck at a fundraising and information session. True, it was a cause that was extremely important to him, but if Bella needed him, it could wait. He wondered how he could justify running off to Emergency. Then it hit him, she was here. He looked to the front of the room. She was seated at the front by a large screen looking through notes and glancing at her laptop.

Everything suddenly made sense. All the knowing smiles and hints Dr. Wilson had been giving him for weeks now. All the frustration from Emmett because Bella was always too busy to play with him while Carlisle was at the hospital. This was what Bella had been doing, meeting with Lillie Wilson. She had been secretly working. He wondered how she had been given this position; she hadn't even graduated from High School.

A young man began to speak and Carlisle was forced to sit down with his thoughts unsettled and questions unanswered. His gaze went back to Bella and he was transfixed. She bit her lip almost imperceptibly, belying her nerves to only him. No one else would notice her minute tells. Her expressive eyes were downcast as she studied her notes, making her naturally long lashes flare near her cheeks. He smiled affectionately. Her cheeks were suffused with her beautiful blush. She seemed to glow. She wore a smart suit, the skirt of which was long enough to be considered conservative in today's world. He loved it. It showed the curve her lovely legs from a few inches below the knee. His eyes settled on the delicate arch of her demurely crossed ankles. He heard nothing the current speaker was saying, nor did he notice Dr. Kenny vying for his attention from the seat beside him. His whole being was focused on his beautiful Isabella.

His eyes flicked to the speaker when he introduced Bella. "Bella Swan, our new bright star of the Northwest. I'm sure she will be able to let you know how much good your donations can do." The young man sat down as Bella stood.

"Good morning." Carlisle thought that Bella's smile lit the room. "Imagine my surprise when I was given my first assignment, and I discovered that I would be here in Forks, my hometown…"

Her presentation was extremely brief, she never did like public speaking. In a very short time, Bella was mingling with the assembled doctors and hospital workers, smiling and answering endless questions. Carlisle waited patiently. Eventually, people began to filter out, all with lighter wallets and happy hearts after speaking with Bella. His vampire senses allowed him the knowledge that she had recruited at least one physician and a few people for other volunteer openings. He was extremely happy for her. Finally, he had his turn. His lips curved up gently in a private smile just for her. His voice was very soft as his beautiful eyes sought hers. "Miss Swan."

She smiled shyly in return. "Dr. Cullen."

He was shocked by his instant and intense reaction to her use of his title. He fought to keep his desire for her out of his voice as he began to speak. "I would like to make a donation. When you are finished here, if you would meet me in my office, I'll write you a check."

"Certainly, Dr. Cullen. We greatly appreciate your generosity."

Carlisle heard her approach his door. Before she could knock he opened it. He grasped her hand that was poised to knock and drew her in. He closed and locked his door too quickly for human eyes to register. Before Bella could wrap her mind around what was happening, Carlisle had her pinned to the door with his body. His eyes glittered as his breath skittered across her face with his words. "You've been keeping secrets from me, Isabella."

"I had no idea that I would be assigned Forks first. I tried to get out of it. I wanted to start somewhere else. I wanted to already be successful before I told you."

His voice sounded hurt. "Did you think I would not support you?"

"Carlisle, no! I knew you would support me. I just wanted to surprise you."

He moved his lips to speak against the skin behind her ear. "That, you did." He kissed her neck and she sucked in a sharp breath.

"Lillie told me of the position in fundraising here in the Northwest. I got my diploma online and applied. I'm not really qualified, but Lillie thought I should try for the job. I guess I talked myself into it somehow. They gave it to me even though I don't have a college degree."

"Isabella." His exceptionally appealing voice was directly in her ear, playing havoc with her thought processes. She meant to explain more, but she couldn't think straight. "You are extraordinary." He kissed the shell of her ear. "You stun me." He kissed down the column of her throat.

She smiled. "I got a fair few donations, didn't I?"

He pulled back and looked into her eyes. "I am a bit jealous. You charmed everyone in that room. Every man was utterly taken with you." His fathomless eyes were smoldering with some indefinable intensity. His hands moved to cup her cheeks and he held her head in his hands as his lips met hers. His kiss was powerful and possessive. It left no room for misinterpretation. She was his.

"Carlisle, I only want to charm you. I am taken, by you. Only ever you." She turned her head and pulled his lips back to hers, returning his passion and possessiveness with equal measure.

As his lips moved with hers, his hands that had been healing the ill and injured just that morning, dropped to the buttons of her blouse. He undid the button at her throat and continued downwards. He moaned as his fingers brushed her newly exposed skin. He pulled back slightly to look at her. His gaze was hot as his eyes hungrily took her in. "Perfection," he growled, "Isabella, you are perfection."

"Carlisle," she whispered.

She would have gone on, but at that moment he took her breath as he captured her earlobe between his teeth. He bit softly, not breaking her skin or exuding any venom. The feeling of his teeth on her sent shivers throughout her body; when he proceeded to suckle the afflicted flesh, she couldn't suppress the soft sounds of her need for him. He kissed behind and under her ear, making his way down to the nape of her neck where he worshipped her skin with an unprecedented fervor, sliding his lips around and down between her open buttons.

He unpinned her hair at vampiric speed. It fell around her shoulders as he lifted her up and carried her to his desk. He placed her gently on it and moved in, ducking down to capture her lips with his again. This time, it was she who softly moaned as their kiss deepened. His kiss seared her soul and almost bruised her lips. She struggled to keep up with the kiss, but in the end, she surrendered and allowed him to lead her where he would. Eventually, his frenzied kisses softened and turned languid. At this, she began to actively participate again; heatedly stroking his tongue with hers. Her fierce passion rivaled his form a few moments prior. This time it was he who surrendered to her sweet assault.

She arched her body up against his at the same time he stepped between her legs to press their bodies as close together as possible. She ran her hands through his hair, the sensuous feel of the blond silk cascading through her fingers spiked her desire. She took it in her fists and tugged it, eliciting a heated groan from him, just as he was paged to the ER.

They rested with their foreheads together while Bella re-buttoned Carlisle's shirt and righted his tie. She smiled. His check for MSF fluttered to the floor, unnoticed by either of them.

He moved to button her blouse but she stilled his hands. "How long?"

He looked at his pager. "ETA twelve minutes. I have a moment."

Bella knew he could assess all that his team assembled in readiness for the ambulance, and correct anything, if it was necessary, in mere seconds. Of course, he would take a minute or two, for appearance's sake.

Bella wasn't threatened by Heather Kenny. She had known of her all along. Carlisle was completely open with her about everything that happened when he was at the hospital. For reasons unknown to her, she felt the overwhelming desire to mark her territory. Carlisle was hers. "Edward knows."

Carlisle nodded in agreement. "We no longer have to hide." They looked into each other's eyes and smiled. "However, I would not have your reputation sullied." Carlisle buttoned Bella's blouse and smoothed the wrinkles out. He patted her hair but left it down. She readjusted his tie to its earlier messiness and did not fix his hair. He had never been seen in public in such a state. It was a stark contrast to his usual refined and extremely polished look. Carlisle extended his hand to her, they couldn't move quickly enough if she took his arm. She slipped her hand into his. "May I escort you out through the Emergency Department?"

"Are you sure?"

"No."

Bella's heart fell.

He released her hand and removed his Cullen Crest ring. He wanted an outward symbol on her. Something marking her. She was his. He cut the back of his ring with his vampirically strong fingernail and then manipulated the platinum shank to a smaller size. He closed the split with heat from the vampiric friction of his thumb and forefinger. He held it in his closed palm for another fraction of a second to cool it with his flesh. He then looked into Bella's eyes. "Isabella, will you wear my ring as a token of my promise, as a pledge of things to come."

She was glad she had a strong heart because it was soaring miles above where it had plummeted less than a minute earlier. "Yes, Carlisle."

He slipped his ring on the ring finger of her left hand. He bent down and kissed her lips reverently. He drew back as he lovingly brushed her cheek with the back of his fingers. His hand trailed down her arm and took hers again. They ran at top human speed to the ER. They stopped, unnoticed, amongst a sea of staff and patients just as Chief Swan walked briskly through the doors.

"Carlisle," Charlie called out.

Carlisle and Bella met him halfway.

Charlie looked at Bella. His eyebrows furrowed. "Bells, go to the ladies' room. You look like…" He glanced at Carlisle. "How do you English say it?" Remembrance lit his eyes as he turned back to Bella. "Snogged. Go fix yourself, Bells, you look like you've been snogged within an inch of your life." Bella blushed, squeaked, and flew to the ladies' room.

Charlie chuckled and shook his head. He had seen the increasing signs in the past weeks; he knew this day was coming. He'd always respected Carlisle. He'd always thought he was a brilliant doctor. That didn't change after he learned of Carlisle's youth. He knew that to be a doctor that young he was some sort of medical prodigy. Of course, that eased his mind, the knowledge that despite being an admired doctor and surgeon Carlisle was only twenty-three.

In the past months, he'd seen how happy Bella was with Carlisle. He hadn't mentioned it, but he could see how much Bella loved Carlisle. He knew that her maturity and sense of responsibility were years ahead of her actual age. She had always been that way.

He had seen overwhelming evidence of Carlisle supporting Bella, encouraging her, bringing out the best in her. He saw that Carlisle put Bella's needs before his. Carlisle protected Bella and he respected her. Carlisle was an asset to the community and he could provide for Bella. Not that Bella liked being taken care of, she didn't, but knowing that she would be made him feel better. Charlie knew there was not much more a father could ask for.

Of course, it didn't hurt that he had an inside man, woman in this case. Alice kept him abreast of Bella's relationship with Carlisle. He and Alice often spoke extensively about it. He understood it and accepted it. Bella was so content, peaceful, happy and fulfilled that he even encouraged their relationship. He knew how good Carlisle was for Bella, and he knew Bella would be perfect for anyone. He was an excellent judge of character. He knew Carlisle Cullen was as good as they come.

Charlie knew Forks well. He knew not everyone would be accepting of the doctor and his daughter. He had lived in this town his whole life. He was the Chief of Police. His opinion mattered here. As a general rule he was a taciturn man, one that was most certainly not demonstrative. However, he would always do what was called for in any given situation. It was sooner than he had hoped, but he was ready to show his support of their relationship publicly. He knew the time had come. He knew when to manipulate a crowd. He was trained for it. This crowd needed some guidance.

He clapped Carlisle on the shoulder and spoke loudly enough for all to hear clearly. "Son." He paused briefly to allow his address and familiarity to sink in to everyone present. "I was the first on the scene, I know you're the best, but this one's real bad."

Carlisle nodded and fixed his tie. He glanced at his team and the trauma bay. The report had come in, they all knew what they were expecting. When he spoke, his calm voice rang with authority. "We're ready."

"I never doubted it," Charlie replied, as they turned to watch for the ambulance to arrive.


AN:

If anyone is actually still reading this, you have incredible patience and I thank you!

I plugged in my old MacBook Pro, just because we were cleaning out our store room...

and it worked!

I don't know how long it will work. It's still burning hot to touch; but, for as long as this miracle holds, I'll keep adding chapters!