The house was silent when we returned so I had figured that Edward had gone hunting. I didn't know how I felt about that. We would be in the house alone after that long day and I didn't want my morals to be in jeopardy. I was from the times where virtue was held dear and a woman's love was so precious; I knew that she was all too precious. She began leading me into the house and I stopped. She turned around to face me with curiosity playing on her face.

"What's the matter?" She questioned me.

I shrugged my shoulders. "I just don't know if I can control myself with you... alone."

"Oh." She gasped. Then smiled. "I understand."

"Really? I was just brought up differently. I thought maybe you would..." I trailed off. I hung my head too embarrassed to continue. Then I felt her fingers pull my chin up to meet her eye line.

"Don't be embarrassed." She shook her head and smiled. "It'll be worth it when it happens. I promise."

"How are you so lovely?"

She giggled. "Only you think so highly of me."

"I doubt that."

"Let's go do something then... until Edward gets back."She winked and nearly pulled my arm off as we sped once more through the forest.

As a newborn, she was fascinated with her strength and speed. We just spent the time racing through the trees and skipping rocks across the lake- her rocks nearly sank a boat that was just off the other side of the shore.

She bit her lip and said sweetly, "Oops."

I laughed and wrapped my arms around her waist. I never wanted this moment to end but I knew Edward would be back by now so we could reside in the same room without having anything being led astray. And I knew the hospital would want to hear from me after my being absent for nearly two days.

When we arrived back at the house I knew someone was home because the lights in the main room were all on. Sure enough we found Edward lying on the couch reading Shakespeare's sonnets. He looked up when we walked in.

"You two have been gone for a while." He raised one eyebrow, eyeing us both. His eyes rested on me and I looked away.

"Oh Edward! It was wonderful! Carlisle took me to the lake and oh! Have you seen the sunset as a vampire? It's unbelievable!"

"I guess I should do that some time. But then again I don't have anyone to go with."

"Edward, you'll find someone someday," she said as her gaze turned toward me. Then she whispered "someday" soft enough for my ears alone.

"Edward, has the hospital called?" I looked up to ask him.

"Actually, they have. Earlier today. I told them you weren't feeling well and so they called in Dr. Chambers."

"Thank you." I turned back toward Esme and grabbed her arms. "Is it alright if I talk to Edward for a moment alone?"

"Of course." Then she kissed me and sprinted out the door.

That kiss sent my thoughts on a frenzy and it took me a moment to compose myself. I looked toward Edward to see him smirking at my thoughts.

"Carlisle, what has come over you?" He asked.

"I love her." That was the simplest explanation. My whole life revolved around this woman and now there was no other world to me.

"How did this happen so fast?" He questioned me with curiosity. I knew he couldn't understand it because he had not loved before... I had not even loved before.

"I don't know. I think that as vampires when something strong enough comes to alter us, our emotions change exuberantly and there is no way of controlling it after being in one attitude for so long. It's so, so..." I couldn't find the right word but I guessed he knew what I meant.

"Are you going to marry her?" That question took me by surprise. I hadn't even thought of that until now. What more was there to do but get married? We would be promised to each other and be each other's for forever. Marriage was the next step and I was ready to take it.

He read my thoughts and smiled. "Well, I'm happy for you. You know you deserve it." Edward was counseling me now. This was such a strange situation. I had constantly lectured him about theories I had about vampires and how to overcome the thirst and not let it rule your life. He had troubles with finding the will to go on and understand how we could be so good. He also had trouble controlling his power and tuning into one mind. He constantly got weary from the loud voices. He looked to have read my mind because his face was ashamed now.

"I'll never be where you are at, Carlisle. I'm never going to master this thirst and I have a feeling I'm going to slip one day. I understand why we do this but what good are all these strengths? Isn't it enough? I'm a monster."

He fell on the couch with his head in his hands. I went to comfort him.

"Edward, I... I know that it seems like we are the demons of the world because we have these strengths to do so much wrong but choices are what makes you. You chose to live this life when you could have run away and embraced your vampire nature. That is how I know you're good. You stayed. We're here for each other."

"But now you have Esme. Where does that leave me?"

"Edward, you know she cares for you too. You are like family to her, a son almost. She would never want to be here without you too. I know what we feel for each other is, well, special, but we could never let you go. What even brought on this thinking?"

"Well, I encouraged you at first because I always found it rather amusing that whenever she looked at you, your thoughts would wonder and you wouldn't know what to do. But I guess when you were gone these past two days I started to think about where you were and where that left me. I knew where you both were headed to in your relationship, there was no denying it from your thoughts. I hid how I really felt from Esme because I knew she would be hurt. When you two came back I just played it off."

"Don't think you're any less important to us. And please don't leave. It would devastate Esme. She loves you too you know."

I smiled at him. And just then Esme came in, her face sallow, looking at Edward. She ran to him and wrapped her arms around him."I'm sorry Edward I was far enough out to hear you. Don't ever think about leaving! I love you too much! If you left I wouldn't know what to do."

He smiled a crooked smile and patted her back and reassured her he would stay.

"I know this happened all so sudden," she said as she looked into my eyes. "But I don't want you to feel like we don't all care for you."

"I know that now."

"You are too sweet." She grabbed both of our hands and pulled us into the middle of the room. "We're each other's family now. And I know one day Edward, you'll find someone to spend the rest of your life, well, existence with. And when you find her and are happy, we'll be happy."

"You're making blush," Edward said teasingly. We all laughed and Esme smiled and kissed his cheek.

"Well, Edward why don't you read us some Shakespeare?" She nodded toward the book that was lying on the couch.

"I think I can do that," he said as we all sat on the couch to listen to him read.