Carlisle's POV
I was quiet as I stood up from where Bella had curled up on my bed. My body ached to stay next to her for the rest of the night, but I had recently taken the night shift at the hospital, and I was in no hurry to start out with bad attendance. (Even if I was the best doctor they had)
"Carlisle," Alice stood in front of me once I got down the stairs. "What do you plan to do when Edward comes home?" I frowned, "I don't know, Alice. Bella and me will work it out." I passed her side, and she watched me with an uneasy look on her face.
"You need to take this more seriously, Carlisle. This is your son and future... wife we're talking about here!"
"You don't need to remind me, Alice!" I snapped at her, and she grew quiet. "I'm sorry," I whispered, "I have to go to work."
---
My car sped down the road to the hospital, with my hands gripping the fine leather around the wheel so hard that it was ripping apart.
"Dr. Cullen." a colleague of mine nodded at me. "Dr. Collins." I regarded him. I sat down at my desk just as a nurse walked in, wearing some absurd green heels.
"Dr. Cullen, you're here so late! Can I get you anything? Coffee, or maybe some tea?" She glanced down at my chest where I had slipped on a tight suit that clung to my muscles just before I had left, and bit her lip anxiously.
"No thanks, Angie." She looked a little disappointed, but perked up when I called her by my first name. I sighed, leaning back in my chair, and covered my eyes. "Oh, and you have a visitor waiting in the lobby." Angie poked her head back into the room.
I got up sluggishly, not really wanting to deal with people for one time in my life. It was a surprise when I walked out and saw Bella sitting in a chair watching some sick people pass her. "Bella, what are you doing here? I thought you were asleep?" She smiled slightly, "I woke up and you weren't there, so I asked Alice where you were. I thought... if it didn't bother you too much... I could possibly sleep here?"
I blinked expressionlessly at her before grinning widely. "I'd love it if you slept here. I'd like some company while I did paperwork." I beckoned her to follow me to my office. Angie passed by, taking one glance at me and Bella before huffing loudly, and walked away. "Did I do something?" Bella worried out loud from behind me. "She just has issues." I smiled warmly, holding the door open for her.
I sat down in my chair, watching Bella look confused at where she should sit. "You can come lay down in m lap. One reason why I bought this chair was because I can extend it outward." She nervously curled up in my lap as I took out some papers. "Sorry if I'm cold." She shook her head, "It's nice."
It took awhile of staring at me and my work before Bella dozed off. I twirled a string of her hair around my fingers as I read a report.
"Carlisle... Edward." Bella's soft voice mumbled out; and I looked down at her closed eyes wondering about how this was effecting her. How could she be forced to choose between me and Edward? Was that even a fair decision for me? Even though she had questioned her love for him in the car with me, I knew Bella would never leave Edward.
Her deep and satisfied sigh filled the room, and I couldn't help but hope she was thinking of me. "God, Bella. Why do you have to make life so difficult after all these years of living?" My aged fingers brushed her lips, and I leaned down slightly to kiss her. Her eyes slightly opened up, "Come on love, I'll take you home."
---
It was late at night by the time I got Bella back in bed. I had asked to leave the office early, and let's face it, they can't say no to me.
Alice was waiting by the stairs again, and I wondered if she had even moved. "Edward called a while ago. I told him that Bella had gone to get some stuff from home. He said he'd call tomorrow." Great, what is Bella going to tell him? 'Oh, I was sleeping in Carlisle's lap last night.'
"Thanks, Alice. Sorry Bella fell asleep before you guys could even get a chance at staying up all night. "That's OK." Her eyes actually looked sincere this time, and it made me feel better to think that she didn't hate me for what I had to do. "Don't drop Bella on the way up," She winked. "She doesn't need to know what you're planning to do when you get up there."
"Alice!" I half scolded, even though I knew it had been running through my head. "Come on, Carlisle. You can't be all pure and golden."
I lay Bella down on my bed and undressed myself. I hesitated before lying next to her because she already looked cold.
It sucked that vampires couldn't sleep, seeing that I'd be staying here until she woke up. It didn't bother me though; I'd had years of experience of keeping my mind occupied.
I rested my chin on her shoulder, and she cuddled up closer into my arms. It broke my heart to know that I couldn't keep her warm; that right now the one thing that was in my mind, that I have tried to keep away, is my thirst for her blood. I understood Edward's trouble to keep from ripping her apart, I got every little detail of it. Bella would be delicious, I was sure.
I shook my head; this wasn't something I should be thinking about. But it still tickled my curiosity. I tilted my head slightly so that I was right next to her neck, and placed my teeth at her collarbone. I nibbled just enough so that I could taste her blood. Oh, shit. Was all I could come up with.
She was more than I expected; the red liquid was warm and delicious. My body tensed up next to her, and I could see her shiver run down her spine. "Carlisle." a voice in my head warned. I ignored it; licking the remaining blood that had run out before it dried. But I couldn't stop. I teethed open a little more of her skin, tasting the delight of her blood flowing down my throat. "Carlisle...." I could hear Bella moan my name next to me. My fingers slid up to where I had cut her neck, and covered it in her sweet smelling blood. "Carlisle!" I halted where I was as my conscious took me away from the monster I was becoming. I was killing her, slowly, and all she could do was sleep without knowing what I was doing. I lied back against the bed with my shaking bloody hands in front of me.
"I love you, Bella. I love you." Was all I could get out, as I could feel my eyes lighten from the black darkness I had made them.
