Carlisle POV
"Where will I live?" Edward questioned, I turned my head slightly to see Esme give me a look that clearly meant to give a light answer.
I cleared my throat an action I didn't really need to do but I thought it might get his attention, "Well champ, we don't exactly know right now." As I said that I swear Edward's face fell even more if that was even possible.
"Oh ok, may I please go up to my room for a while?" he asked sadly. Both Esme and I knew why he wanted to go but didn't stop him so Esme said "Yes" and he left to journey up the stairs.
Esme and I shared a sympathetic glance. "Carlisle, what are we going to do about him? I mean what if he goes to a bad foster home, I don't think I could live with myself if someone…" her voice drifted off but I knew what she was going to say, and I fully agree you never know what type of homes kids will go to.
"Honey, calm down. But yes I know I fully understand and agree with what your saying but it'll be just as dangerous for him to stay here. He'll be under constant threat from the Volturi, other vampires and one of us… slipping up." I said the last part more quietly.
"But your self-control is amazing and I've gotten really good! I haven't been tempted at all!" it broke my heart to hear the want and need in her voice.
"We can't, we just can't. What if he finds out what we are and doesn't want anything to do with us?"
"Then we'll tell him now!" She said as if it was the simplest thing in the world.
"Esme he's 6 years old." With those words I saw here heart break and couldn't handle it. "I'll tell you what, I'll have a talk to DOC's and see what they say. Will that make you feel better? We also better ask Edward." Those 3 sentences made her look like the happiest women on Earth.
I got attacked with a hug that if I were human probably would have killed me, and many thankyous. I couldn't help but smile because I admit I was happy too.
After Esme was finished hugging and thanking me and went to call DOC's. I typed in the number and awaited them to pick up, but when they did I suddenly didn't know what to say. "Um…. Hi, I'm Dr Carlisle Cullen, and my wife and I currently have a little boy named Edward Anthony Masen here with us. Both his parents died about a day ago and he has no other relatives. And we; my wife and I would like to know what the procedure would be for us too keep him, if that's what he wants." I said this all quickly I wouldn't be surprised if the person on the other end of the line didn't get half of what I said.
"Well, we can send someone to you tomorrow to interview you, your wife and Edward. Then you will be assessed to see if you would be fit parents. We just need your address to give the interviewer." The women on the other end said sounding rather bored.
"Oh of course, it's 13 creek rd west, Folkestone, England. We look forward to meeting whomever comes, but when should we be expecting them to arrive?" I asked as politely as possible even though inside I was bursting with anticipation.
"Um, anytime from 11 until 3. Sorry I can't be more exact." She said though just from the tone of her voice anyone could tell she wasn't sorry.
"That's Ok. Thank you for the help. Goodbye" I said and hung up without waiting for a reply.
Esme was now standing in the doorway with a grin plastered on her face, having heard to the whole conversation that had just taken place. "And now I think we should talk to Edward." I told Esme with some reluctance in my voice.
"Do you really think we should tell him what we are?" My darling wife asked with somewhat less cheerfulness on her face.
"No, I think he's too young. We should simply tell him we a different." I said, and Esme just nodded in reply and walked over too take my hand, we then started to make our way slowly up the stairs to where we could hear Edward.
When we reached his room I knocked 3 times softy and we waited until we heard a muffled "Come in" from Edward. When we walked in he was laying on his bed with a cd playing, that I recognized as Debussy's "Clair de Lune".
I let Esme start talking first. "Edward?" She said softly getting no answer she tried again. "Edward sweetie, we have to ask you something important." He looked up with puffy red eyes that made me feel horrible.
"Yes?" he said in a small voice.
"How would you like to live with us?" Esme said getting right to the point. Edwards face seemed to light up.
"What? You mean here? Truthfully?" He said with excitement evident in his voice.
I talked this time. "Yes we do but we have to tell you something, a secret. Can you keep secrets?" I asked. He simply nodded. "Well we're… different from most people."
"Is that why you don't eat and are really cold?" He asked. Wow, he really is observant. I find it really hard to believe he's only 6.
"Yes it is. When your older we'll tell you a more about why we're different, but knowing this would you still be willing to live with us?" I asked hesitantly.
He gave Esme and I a look that could have made my still heart beat again and to accompany the look said, "Definitely!"
