A/N: A short little chapter moving the story forward from the perspective of Carlisle. I hope you enjoy.

Carlisle POV

I had wondered, for a great many years, whether I was truly happy. The romantic love I had shared with Esme had not lasted and although we cared for one another very deeply we had both had to admit to ourselves, and each other, that we were not truly meant to be together for eternity. We were bound by the family we had created. Esme busied herself with the children, who even though they claimed not to need parents they still did in the way one who is an eternal teenager needs guidance. She busied herself with art and renovation projects and at nights we came together. We read and talked and hunted together. Occasionally we still enjoyed one another in the martial sense. Though there was never any confusion over what it was. Platonic love that came from two people who had spent many years together, and in the time we found ourselves entwined, it came from the need to feel something more. Something deeper. A connection to another being. A primitive urge based on need, not love in the way it had used to be.

I never felt unhappy during these times. I was sated. I had my family and I had my work. I felt as fulfilled as a man could. Having walked the earth for more than 300 years and failing to find the love 4 of my 'children' had found I had to conclude that it was not meant for me. I would be happy for them and I would be content. And I was.

And then Bella stumbled into our lives. Capturing, Edward's heart for the first time. I was happy for him and more than a little captivated by her. I vividly remember the jolt of electricity that surged through me the time when I had treated in the hospital after the incident with the van. And the more understated surges that I had felt when we accidentally brushed against one another in the house. I ignored the way my dead heart felt like it may come alive again when I saw her smile. I ignored every possible sign. She was with Edward and he deserved his happiness. They both did. I resolved to not get in the way. To stay away as much as was possible and to limit my thoughts. I did it successfully. I thought of her only when Edward was not around and when she was in the house at the same time I was I focused on other things. It wasn't just Edwards happiness I was concerned about. I was aware Bella was 17. Though in human years, I am not much older than her, it would have felt wrong to take advantage of that. I was in the position with the authority. I would never have exerted that over her.

But then she made a move. In my office whilst I stitched up her arm after her godforsaken birthday party she flirted with me and made it so clear my feelings were not unrequited and suddenly I found myself unable to ignore the pull.

Kissing her made me feel like I was whole after 300 hundred years my heart was finally complete. And when she was gone she took a part of my heart with her. I knew after that I couldn't stay away anymore. I needed her more than I had ever needed anything. More than I had needed air when I was human. More than I needed blood now. I was sure I could not survive without Isabella Swan.

That night when Edward came home and announced we were all the leave an almighty fight broke out. I had reasoned that we could not leave. Bella was family and she deserved a say in this.

"Why are you fighting me so much on this Carlisle?" Edward had argued. "You know we should leave. Give her a chance at a safe, human life."

"I disagree, Edward," I had told him my voice rising as I explained he shouldn't be making decisions for Bella or the entire family.

When Rosalie agreed that we should leave it vindicated him. Although we all knew why Rosalie agreed with him. She would never choose this life as an option for a human and although the thought saddened me I understood her reason.

Emmett would never fight against his wife but Alice did fight against Edward. Their heated voices rising as they engaged in a back and forth with Alice determined not to leave and Edward sure we should.

As I looked around the room as my children picked sides on a battle neither could win I saw the hurt in Esme's face. Devastated as her family battled and fractured over this. My heart softened and I knew despite our conversation earlier when we hunted, I had to put Esme first and my feelings aside. This needed to be resolved here at least.

"Ok," I conceded. "If it is what the family think best then maybe you should leave. I will stay on for a while. Sort things out here. It would look too suspicious if we all just left."

"And what will you tell people when they ask why you didn't leave with your wife?" Rosalie asked, her eyes narrowing in suspicion.

I caught Esme's eye and she nodded giving me her approval.

"I will tell them that we separated. It's not far from the truth. You all know Esme and I are companions and not mates. It would not be unbelievable for the humans. I will stay here for a few months at least. That why we draw less attention to ourselves. You all are free to choose where you go," I explained to them.

And so they had left. Edward to travel alone to heal his heart. Emmett and Rosalie to travel. Alice and Jasper needed space to heal after his slip up and I respected that and Esme when to our family in Alaska.

The months that followed, though I should have been sad, were some of the happiest of my existence. Growing closer to Bella, bonding with her and discovering our mutual feelings. I had never felt happier. I missed the family, we both did but the time was good for us to explore our love.

I pondered on this as I drove home from Bella's house after the training sessions with the wolves. Those months had been so happy for us both but now we were hiding our love again and the family were asking questions. Edward was hurt and it racked me with guilt but I loved Bella and I could not deny that. Rosalie would not speak to me. She didn't think I had given Bella a fair chance at an ordinary life and maybe she was right but our feelings for one another were so strong I wondered how this love could be anything other than right.

I was a little shamed walking into the house. I knew they would be able to smell Bella on me and I didn't want the whole house aware of our activities. It wasn't the proudest moment of my life. I would have rather made love to her on a soft bed where I could have taken my time with her rather than the front seat of my car in the middle of the night like a teenage boy after prom. But our love tonight had been passionate and raw and had reaffirmed our love for one another. After keeping each other a distance for the past month it was needed.

I quickly showered and changed my clothes washing off the scent of Bella and the wolves and went to find Edward. I called to him in my mind and asked him to hunt. I heard him get up from his piano. A physical note to say he accepted my offer. I had bridges with him to build.

We bounded into the forest in silence until we were out of earshot of the house, we slowed to a walk.

"Why did you ask me here Carlisle? To brag about Bella?" his voice had an icy edge to it that made me grimace.

"You know I would never, son. I want things to be right between us." He looked away from turning his mouth upwards in a sneer.

I walked towards him slowly, gauging his reaction. He didn't turn away from me. I placed my hand on his shoulder.

"You were my first 'child'. The person I changed. The first in this family. I love you, Edward. You are my son and I am so sorry. I never wanted to hurt anyone. And if you hadn't of ended things with Bella. If she hadn't told me how she felt I would never have pursued my feelings. You deserved your happiness," I told him earnestly. Everything I said was true. My loyalty had always been with Edward.

"Why didn't you turn her away?" His voice was small and quiet. it was a question we both knew the answer to.

I was silent for a long while. I didn't know whether my answer would help or make things worse but I knew I had to be honest with the both of us.

"I couldn't"

"I know."

We stood in silence, the air around us seemed to hang in our sadness. Edward was the first to speak.

"I love her still."

"I know."

"I can't turn that off."

"I know, son."

He turned to face me, his eyes filled with his own sadness.

"I'm not angry at you Carlisle. Not anymore. I forgive you." My dead heart leapt at those words. He forgave me. I would not ask any more of him. I wrapped my arms around him, enveloping him in my fatherly embrace.

"Thank you, son." After a moment I felt his hands press against my own back. Returning the embrace. Sealing the forgiveness. When I finally let him go, my heart still wild with joy at having my son back, he spoke.

"I think after this I may leave again. Travel for a bit. Maybe see some of your old friends." His brow creased and his eyes were questioning, asking for my approval. I would readily give it.

"Of course Edward, I understand. I can give you vague locations of some them if you want them," I smiled at him.

He nodded in return and I knew then that things would be ok between us. I would have my son back and I would have Bella. Maybe not now, maybe not for many years, but I knew someday I would have my family back together as one and it was that knowledge that finally made my heart whole.