I wasn't sure how I made it up to my room. I vaguely remembered Charlie coming out to see what was wrong, to see why I hadn't come into the house. I don't remember what I told him but he must have helped me upstairs even if I couldn't quite remember it.

I sat letting my grief consume me on the hardwood floor of my childhood bedroom. I couldn't think, the pain was too severe. My entire family is gone. I knew that was what he meant and I knew despite the most perfect kiss just an hour or so earlier Carlisle would go as well.

I wasn't naïve enough to think he would stick around for me. A gorgeous, immortal doctor with immeasurable wealth and his whole family. I knew he wouldn't give that up for me, a silly barely 18-year-old girl who couldn't even manage to make her boyfriend want to stay.

I put the thought out of my mind. I couldn't think about Carlisle even wanting to stay. It hurt too much. Instead, I focused on the pain in my chest that seared through me like a white-hot branding iron. It was hard to focus on anything else. I let myself sit and cry and cry and cry. I couldn't do anything else.

I had no idea what time it was when I came to. I was still laid on my floor, my coat still on and my face damp and cold from all the tears. My head throbbed and I felt confused. I couldn't remember why I was on the floor until it drifted back to me piece by piece. Oh. Oh. There was the pain again.

I shoved the pain back under and stumbled to my feet. A glance at my clock told me it was 3 am. I'd slept for a while then at least. I dragged myself to the bathroom and stuck my head under the Fawcett washing my tear-stained face and catching some of it in my mouth to soothe the drumming in my head.

I combed my fingers through my hair but the feel of my own hands on my head just reminded me of the person I wanted most. The person who's hands just a few hours ago had been clutching at my hair dragging my mouth to theirs. I chocked back the sobs.

Laid in bed in the total darkness I let the pain take me. I lay all consumed by it and allowing myself to feel. I had no idea what awaited me in the morning. I had no idea how to face Forks without them. I didn't even know if I could.

After I'd laid there for an immeasurable amount of time, whilst the sky was turning from pitch black to morning ashy grey, no pink sunshine morning skies here, I heard a thud at my window. And another, and another. Confused I pushed back the blankets and went to my closed window, jerking it upward.

"Bella, step back," the golden voice warned. I automatically complied with the instruction but before I could even register the voice the immortal god was standing before me.

"Carlisle what are you doing here?" I questioned.

"I had to speak to you. What Edward has done is wrong Bella but it may be one of the best things he has ever done," he could see the confusion in my eyes so he continued, "after you left today I went for a run with Esme, when we were far enough away I told her about the kiss. I said I didn't know what it meant but I couldn't be disloyal to her and I wanted her to know.

"She said she was happy for me, finding someone to make me smile after all these years. Being the amazing woman she is, she was nothing but supportive. We were going to go back to the house and tell the others we were separating but we would continue with human façade. When we got back to the house Edward called a family meeting. He said he wanted us to leave, that it was no longer safe to be around you. It caused quite an argument. Alice was determined we not leave, but Jasper supported Edward. Emmett didn't want to go but Rosalie was fine with the idea of leaving so he would support her," Carlisle paused.

"Oh Carlisle no, none of this is ever what I wanted," I cried softly, "I don't want my family arguing and tearing apart over me."

"Let me finish," he shushed me gathering me in his arms, "the decision was made that the family would leave." My body shuddered with an almighty sob. "the family will leave Rose and Emmett are going to go travelling for a while, Esme is going to go to our Alaskan cousins, Alice and Jasper are unsure but they think they may travel south for a while and wander up back this way when they feel like it, Edward wants to be alone," he sighed at that. I knew, and he knew, Edward going off alone would not do him any good. Already prone to the depressive episodes he needed to be around other people.

"And you Carlisle, where will you go?" I asked steeling myself for my heart to break a second time in a night.

"I'm going to stay here, Bella, for a little while at least," he said his golden eyes never once leaving mine. I could not tell what he meant and I was confused. What about their cover story? What would people think?

He could see it in my eyes for before I could even open my mouth to speak he pressed one perfect, icy cold finger to my lips.

"I will tell people that Esme and I have separated. She has taken the kids and gone home, it can be ambiguous. They will assume my work as a doctor got in the way, that I wasn't home enough. And Bella, I know what you think, but you haven't torn this family apart. We do this sometimes. It can be a lot to live together for eternity with no breaks. In a few years we will come back together," he assured me. That alleviated at least some of the pain. I didn't feel quite so guilty now.

"So what happens now?" I asked, "We never discussed what that was earlier on."

Carlisle sighed and I could see this was the part of the conversation he wasn't looking forward to. I felt a surge of bravery and before I could change my mind I started rambling to him about my feelings, needing him to understand.

"I have feelings for you. I don't know how long I have but I have. I know that for at least the last few months I've continued things with Edward because I didn't want to lose my family, lose you. I know you're older and I know you're feeling probable aren't the same but you need to know," I closed my eyes scared to see his reaction.

I felt Carlisle cup my face in his hands as he sighed his sweet breath against my face.

"Oh, silly girl I have feelings for you. I would never have acted them, you cared for Edward. I was happy to let you go on with your life, with Edward. All I wanted was for you to be happy but now that you tell me you have feelings for me… well, sweet girl, I have to have you as my own."

My heart jumped. I could not comprehend what he had said, it was beyond all my wildest hopes. Carlisle had feelings for me!

I pressed my lips to his furiously grabbing any part of his body that would have allowed me to, be closer to him. He kissed me back with abandon. His lips moving expertly against mine. I felt heat surge within me. Suddenly all I could think about was getting more. Feeling more of him against me, I couldn't get close enough to him. The only thing I could think was more.

His lips didn't feel cold against mine, all I could feel was searing heat. I opened my mouth slightly and let my tongue lightly brush against his lower lip. I was expecting him to freeze and pull away, as Edward had always done but he did not. He pulled me closer to him allowing me access to his mouth.

I wasn't sure how long I kissed him for but when I pulled away I was gasping for breath. Carlisle leaned his forehead against mine and chuckled lightly.

"Wow," I said breathlessly,

"Yeah," he agreed.

He froze suddenly.

"Charlies awake."

Quick as he came he was gone out of my window into the night, though I knew he would be back as soon as the cruiser was gone from the driveway.

Charlie knocked lightly at my door.

"Hey Bells," his face was tired with concern, "I was worried about you. Want to tell me what happened last night?"

I nodded, "Edward broke up with me."

"Bells, I'm sorry," he crossed my room and came and sat on my bed placing a comforting hand on my shoulder comfortingly. "I know how hard this must be Bella, but you're 18! You can move on."

"Yeah you're right," I agreed with him. "I think it was for the best. I mean sure it hurts but I don't think I felt the same way I did a few months ago. I think we had just grown apart."

"Well I'm glad you're being so mature about this Bella," Charlie stood up. "I have to get to work but if you need anything you call ok?" it was less of a question and more of a demand.

"I will dad, love you."

I listened as his boots hit the wooden stairs and the door slammed shut behind him just a few minutes later. As soon as I heard the engine rev and pull away from the house Carlisle was back in my room.

"So what happens now?" I asked.

"We start slowly, get to know one another. I'd love to take you out sometime and treat you like the wonderful beautiful woman that you are."

"I think I'd like that," I smiled at him.

"We'll keep it a secret for now. I don't know what people would think to the town doctor dating the chief's daughter when she just broke up with the doctor's son but it won't be a secret forever," he promised.

He walked over to me and sat on the edge of my bed where Charlie had been not ten minutes ago.

"You have to go school," he stated softly but firmly.

"Can I come over after?"

"Of course my dear," he smiled his perfect golden smile and pressed his lips softly to mine once more and with that he was gone.